Talking Sci-Fi

Happy Tuesday, good people of the blogosphere! Today, I'm gonna talk with you about gadgets and science fiction, and I'll give you links to some interesting articles about emerging technology. If you're a sci-fi author, you've probably read a bunch of these already. I just want to share with my lovely readers some of the futuristic things I found while writing M. Ready? Grab those cups of coffee and let's get going!

First up, my MC has a pair of cool goggles integrated with gloves he uses to play his favorite VR war game. While doing some research to see where we are now with the technology (so I could make assumptions about where we'd be by 2042), I found this awesome site:

Oculus Rift

To make the technology even sweeter, I got an e-mail about this one:

Microsoft HoloLens

You MUST watch the commercial/video on that link. Dear me. Mind=blown.

My MC also has a watch he can talk to that sends text messages or accepts phone calls. Sound familiar? Yeah, I started writing this novel back in 2013 before any of this stuff was even thought about. Can you say visionary? I totally felt like Nostradamus for a hot minute. *grins* You can find information about the Apple Watch here (why didn't they call it the iWatch?):

Videos galore!

I've been waiting for the NSA to break down my door because of the things I've searched to make this book possible. If you'd like to see my search bar history post, it's here:

Indie-Visible - Search Bar Confessions

Yeah, a lot of fun there! Not to mention, as the plot goes on, I have huge battle scenes I had to research weapons for. *facepalm* Check out some of the fun on that site while you're over there. Oh, man!

At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if I could buy napalm online. What a world we live in, huh?

What technology have you written about that you think will come to fruition in the next twenty years or so?

I hope you all have some fun on those links! Go find an alien! *grin*

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Author Interview - C. Marie Mosley

Happy Monday, everyone! Wow. Today, I have another unofficial utopYA author interview for you. I know you're all super duper excited (I am!). After the lovely C. Marie, we only have two more authors in the lineup. Then, it's time for utopYA Con 2015 where you'll get to meet them! If you don't have tickets, you need to get them NOW. We're almost sold out! There is NO more room in the hotel where the con is, and people are scrambling for their tickets. Don't be one of them! Get yours here.

Grab a cup of coffee and let's get rolling on the interview with C. Marie Mosley.

Jo: Welcome to the blog, C. Marie! You’re a difficult lady to stalk online, but I managed to find you in the dark recesses of cyberspace! *grin* Are you ready to get going?

C. Marie: Sorry about that…*eeek* But absolutely! Let’s do this!

Jo: All good. It is useless to resist us. You will be assimilated. *grin* Let’s get to it! So, you write under two names: Christal M. Mosley and C. Marie Mosley. Is there a reason you decided to change your author name? What pros/cons have you faced?

C. Marie: I started out writing under Christal M. Mosley – I thought the initial added a flare…*shrugs* Then, I got picked up by a small press publishing company and they had concerns with the spelling of my first name, that it might be too hard to find me with an oddity spelling. I didn’t really want to change it, so I decided against it. My first book was a young adult urban fantasy novel which I had planned to spin-off into a series. While awaiting the publishing timeline, I started writing a young adult contemporary romance novel – which I also planned to spin-off into a series – but the small press I had signed with wasn’t up for that genre. And because I was super excited, I decided to go the indie route and publish under a different name – mostly, this was to differentiate. C. Marie Mosley took the stage…and it just kind of stuck.

Jo: That's so interesting. It's like fate guided you to make the change. haha! I noticed your Empyreal series has been unpublished. What prompted that move, and do you plan to re-release them at some point?

C. Marie: Yes. The Empyreal series is currently unpublished. I do plan to re-release at some point, though I am not exactly sure when that will be. I have a lot going on in my head right now – different stories, spin-offs, continuations, and revisiting plans for current ones. I plan to revamp Empyreal to its most awesome glory, and one day in the future re-release the first book along with the planned stories that follow. Empyreal is a great series, and I can’t wait to share it in its completion to the world.

Jo: It sounds like an intriguing storyline already. I'm sure it'll only get better. Your Amazon author page only has one of your books on it (not sure if you were aware). But I’ve been reading your Twitter feed and notice you have a new release coming up (I can’t view your website *frown*)! Would you like to share the title (maybe a blurb) and projected release date with my adorable readers?

C. Marie: Yes...and no :/ There are reasons for that vast void, I assure you. The majority of my work is on a temporary hiatus right now. I have a few other projects going on, as well as re-working both series under my belt (Empyreal and Harden Fields). I am hard at work finalizing my current project, and I really wish that I could spare some awesomeness (Because…It. Is. Awesome.) But, I can’t right now due to some finality in the works. As for my website, it is in the process of getting a complete overhaul – something I’m super excited about! But I’m pretty active on Twitter (way more than other social sites), and I post a great deal on there. Also, I post and pin a lot of my current project inspirations on my Pinterest wall – so, everyone can be sure to check those out for updates.

Jo: AAArgh! The secretsees burn us! hehe Seriously, I'm excited to find out what you're working on. You have my interest piqued. What prompted you to start writing Contemporary Romance? What’s your favorite title in that genre so far?

C. Marie: Well, really…I wanted a break from the urban fantasy series I was tangled up in. Every writer feels that sense of, “Oh my gosh…where do I go from here?” And I was there…and quite stuck. I just wanted to do something different and fun, to break away for a while, so I did. I had an idea and I wrote a novel in like seven days (Yes, SEVEN). It wasn’t pretty, but it was ready for a second set of eyes… and soon, it was ready for a third, and so on. After just three weeks, I had a polished novel, This Side of Forever – and I was super proud of it. Like I’d mentioned earlier, I decided to go the indie route with this one. Soon, after its release I began working on a spin-off, Never Say Never. It was released a few months later. I enjoyed writing both stories, and I have been planning more stories to follow along in that series. Again, this series is on a break, but will soon return.

Jo: Wow. Seven days is fast! I'm a quick writer when I'm feeling it, but I think my fastest was eleven days. *bows to C. Marie* That's awesome. Kudos to you, lady! Now, I read that your books got picked up by a publishing agency. Are the novels still with that company? How’s it going/Why not?

C. Marie: Yes, I was picked up by a small press with Empyreal in 2012. But no, I am no longer with that press. Truth be told, I was really green around the gills when it came to the ins and outs of this world – publishing, that is. It happened really quickly. And I was so excited to sign with a publishing press that I didn’t take the time to do my homework or to make sure that we were a fit for each other. I had a lot of offers come in right after I signed with said company, and with many lessons learned, I realized that I jumped a little too quickly into the fire. With a lot of uncertain fates and unparalleled expectancies, we parted ways. All rights have reverted back to me, and I have since decided that I would eventually re-release them in some form or fashion. I still plan to do so, but the time table is still out as to when.

Jo: These answers always interest me. I'd say, out of ten authors who signed with a small press (that I've spoken with), nine have backed out within a year. *shrugs* Perhaps I'll do a piece on that. Anyway! Rapid-fire question time! Peanuts or popcorn?

C. Marie: Both. *thinks about Cracker Jacks*

Jo: Blue or Green?

C. Marie: Both. Blue-green.

Jo: Romance or Sci-Fi?

C. Marie: Both. More Nicholas Sparks, than Alien. But I love Star Wars! *grins*

Jo: You may be the most indecisive person ever! hehe! Never bad to love all the things! *winks* Now, we move into the time travel question of the interview. *grins* This one is from stuff I’ve gathered through my research, so brace yourself. Haha! If you could go back in time and inhabit a persona for one week, would it be Jane Austen or Audrey Hepburn? What would you hope to learn from your time? Is there anything you’d do/change?

C. Marie: Wow. Tough one. I love Jane Austen and her works. Her wit and literary genius astounds me. (Can you tell I’m a fan?) And Audrey Hepburn is…just amazing. A humanitarian, a talented actress, a fashion icon…beauty, brains, and personality to match. (Also, a fan.) Both are incredible icons, each equally as talented and remarkable in their own light. So…with all of that said, I can’t choose. I just can’t – in fact, I won’t. I’ll just have to split the trip in half. Besides, I like to travel.

Jo: I'm rolling on the floor laughing. I made that question difficult on purpose. haha! You’re an avid reader in addition to being a writer (aren’t we all?). I saw that you’re reading something like seven books at once right now. Which one do you think you’ll finish first and why?

C. Marie: Actually, that’s just what I have listed on my Goodreads. I’m actually in the middle of like ten. I’ve always got a book in my hand – whether it’s tangible or electronic. Why do I jump around to different books? I don’t know; I’ve always done that. My ADHD kicks in, I guess. Though I read all of the time, there have only been a number of books to really consume me enough to hold me to one at a given time. It takes a super strong tag and unbelievable pull for me to get so engrossed in a book that I’m there for the duration (a couple of hours). The Fault in Our Stars was that for me – two hours and a box of tissues later, I was like, “That was the best book EVER.”

Jo: Yup. Same here. Must read more than one at a time. I hear you’re a huge Austen fan and you have your own Mr. Darcy. Tell us what prompted the comparison?

C. Marie: I do, I do. If you met him, you’d see it the comparison is spot on. Confident, proud, honest, quite easy on the eyes, keeps his heart in check…but only one love (me, of course) was ever able to reach the side of him that no one else gets to see. We complement each other perfectly. Again, when spending time with the two of us, you can totally see this. Pride and Prejudice, Darcy and Lizzie, me and mine…the comparison is quite similar, if not completely parallel. I did, in fact, find my own Mr. Darcy…and I love, I love, I love him.

“In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” – Jane Austen (Yeah, he said something quite like this…but it was more like the Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen version.)



Jo: Awwwwwww! That's so sweet. What a lucky couple you two are! Well, that’s all the time I have for today! Is there anything I didn’t ask that you wish I had?

C. Marie: I love my readers, and I love what I do! You guys are so awesome…and patient. Wonderful and new adventures are coming soon, so be on the lookout – great things, lovable characters and page-turning scenarios are on their way! Jo, thank you so much for having me!

Jo: It was a pleasure! I can’t wait to see you at utopYA! We’re gonna have so much fun!

While your fingers are in the clicking mode, why not give Ms. Mosley a follow on every social media platform I could think of when writing up the template for these interviews (plus some)?

Pinterest: C. Marie Mosley
Blog: C. Marie Mosley
Twitter: @CMarieMosley
Goodreads: C. Mosley
Website: www.cmariemosley.com

If you have any questions, pop them into the comments below. C. Marie will be around to answer and/or respond!

Well, that’s all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Introduction to the Mystic Series

Happy Friday, good people of the blogosphere! Today, I'm gonna do something I don't usually do: Talk about my books. As you all may remember, I did a post not too long ago with my writing updates on M and Markaza. I'm still working on M (37k in, and I'm feeling we're a little past the halfway point), but Markaza is already in the hands of my fantastic editor, Tia Silverthorne Bach. We have round one revisions, another edit, then a proofread, and we'll be good to go. So, publication date is set for the beginning of June.

I can't think of a time in the world where the message in these books was needed more than right now. All the riots and hate spewing out of people makes me sick to my stomach. Read. Love your fellow man/woman. We're all in this together.

That being said, if you haven't read the first five books in the series, you might wanna get started. I have them individually, and in a box set (which saves you money). I'm gonna give you links, blurbs, and covers. Ready? Let's go!

First up, Bronya! No risk here; it's free everywhere!

Paperback $8.99
Kindle FREE
Paperback - DRD Edition $5.99 (this is a dyslexic friendly paperback)
Smashwords FREE
iTunes FREE
Nook FREE

Blurb:
This is book one of the Mystic series. A set of New Adult Paranormal novellas that speak out against issues faced in the world today, showing how strong women can overcome anything.

Bronya Thibodeaux is a senior at Houma High School whose life is about to be changed forever. She's always felt like an outcast, but thinks she may have found a friend when a strange, new girl named Markaza who has blue hair, a number of tattoos, and a strange way of dressing appears.

Bronya's life choices make her a pariah in her small town. After getting thrown out of school, not being able to find a job, and being subjected to ridicule and cruel treatment, Bronya chooses to leave her old life behind forever when she receives a compelling invitation from a mysterious company named WSTW.

What Bronya doesn't know, is the mysterious company is owned by Markaza; a mystic who knows the end of the world is coming and is gathering together the only people who can stop the evil that's threatening to take over. Bronya is just the first. But going to New York is only a baby step toward her true journey. As Bronya races against the clock to unlock a power she never knew she had, Markaza races to collect the others: Lily, Shelia, Melody, and Coralie.

Lily:

Paperback: $8.99
Kindle: $0.99
Smashwords $0.99

Blurb:
This is book two of the Mystic series. A set of New Adult Paranormal novellas that discuss the ugly truth of things happening in the world all around us, showing how strong women can make a difference.

Lily Conyers is a twenty-year-old who has it all going for her. One wrong decision changes her life forever. When she meets a strange young woman named Markaza, Lily begins to re-build with encouragement from her new friend.

One rough night, Lily finds a letter on her step from a company called WSTW; promising her a new life.

Lily packs her bags, bids Markaza goodbye, and sets off for the city. But going to New York is only the first hurdle Lily must jump. She must learn to use the power inside herself to help defeat an evil that is threatening to destroy the world. Once in New York, she meets a girl named Bronya and the two help one another re-build what was so negligently broken.

As Lily is boarding the plane, Markaza gets on another headed to Tennessee so she can collect the next young woman on her list: Shelia. 

Shelia:

Paperback: $8.99
Kindle: $0.99
Smashwords $0.99

Blurb:
This is the third book in the Mystic series. A set of New Adult Paranormal novellas that uncover issues faced in the world, showing how strong women can make a difference.

After a horrible accident takes the lives of her parents, Shelia Morgan is placed in the care of her Aunt Ivy and Uncle Melvin.

When she turns nineteen, her world is flipped upside down. When a girl named Markaza shows up and tells Shelia she's part of a group of young women destined to save the world, Shelia begins to dream of a new life and true freedom from her personal demons.

She boards a plane destined for New York and her new life. Once there, she meets Bronya and Lily: Two other young women with special powers they must learn to harness in order to fight an evil that will rise on December 21, 2012, and destroy the world.

Markaza heads toward Atlanta to save the life of a young lady named Melody before her mind destroys her from the inside out. As Markaza fights for Melody's life, Shelia, Lily, and Bronya throw themselves into their studies and learn that even power from within can get out of control.

Melody:

Paperback: $8.99
Kindle: $2.99

Blurb:
This is the fourth book in the Mystic series. A set of New Adult Paranormal novellas that uncover issues faced in the world, showing how strong women can make a difference.

Melody Acworth sounds like an angel. If she's not careful, she'll become one soon. Enrolled in  singing lessons at age seven, she took to the stage and began to get fan letters. Some were good,  some were detrimental to her psyche.

By the time Markaza, a mystic with purple hair and tattoos, shows up, Melody's on her last legs.  Markaza works furiously to try and repair the mental damage done so she can get Melody to New  York; where she must learn to use a power hidden deep within herself to save the world.

They're running out of time. As December 21, 2012 approaches at an alarming rate, Markaza's  visions turn dark and foreboding. The creature grows stronger every day. Soon it will rise and  destroy mankind unless all six women band together to fight it.

Just one lady left to recruit: Coralie. But she's in a world of trouble.

Coralie:

Paperback: $8.99
Kindle: $1.99

Blurb:
This is the fifth book in the Mystic series. These new adult paranormal novellas deal with social stigmas, judgment, and hate.

Coralie Meyers is struggling to find her footing as an actress in New York. A malicious attempt to thwart another girl's career ends in catastrophe and Coralie soon finds herself in a precarious situation.

As the sixth and final member of Women Save the World, a company created by Markaza Turner, Coralie possesses all the cunning the young ladies will need to defeat the evil that's rising under Central Park. If the women fail to save her, evil will rise and destroy the world.

Now that Markaza has gathered four of her chicks: Bronya, Lily, Shelia, and Melody, all that's left to do is bring in Coralie, train her, and go to war. But the ladies are struggling with their powers and their personal demons. Will they find the power within themselves in time to destroy the monster and save the world? Only time will tell; and that's one thing they're short on.

This fifth installment of the Mystic series is a lesson in what lies, hate, and judgment can do to the world when left unchecked.

Box Set:

Paperback: $24.99
Kindle: $3.00

Blurb:
This is the first five novellas in the Mystic series. If you buy them individually, they're $44.95 for the paperbacks and $4.96 for the Kindle versions. Now, you can get all five and save!

And, if you purchase the paperback, you get the Kindle copy FREE.

 ~

Last, but not least, the final installment of the series in a full-length novel. We tie things up in a pretty bow and answer a lot of questions raised throughout the previous five books. You'll get paranormal activity, meet the creature Markaza has been having nightmares about, and meet some nameless, faceless characters only mentioned in passing.

Releasing in June!

Markaza:

Blurb:
Markaza Turner isn't your average seventeen-year-old. She can see the future, the past, and has an eerie propensity for getting people to do things.

But what she sees is the obliteration of mankind. Worse, her visions tell her it's gonna happen on her eighteenth birthday, December 21, 2012.

All six of the ladies forming the elite group, known as WSTW, are finally together under one roof. Bronya, Lily, Shelia, Melody, Coralie, and Markaza must now figure out how to use their strange powers before an evil being rises from the ground in Central Park and destroys the world.

But Markaza's own past is dark and riddled with secrets she'll need to unearth and come to terms with before she can go to war.

In this exciting finale of the Mystic series, the women come face-to-face with a truth that will change their lives forever.

Our fate is in their hands. 

~

Get started now so you'll be in shape for the finale!

Which story was your favorite?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Fractured Glass and M Preorder Goodies

Happy Wednesday, good people of the blogosphere! Today, I'm gonna tell you about some awesome goodies you can get when you buy my books at utopYA Con in June. I'm also gonna talk about the awesomeness IBGW will have at our table at the con. This is an image heavy post, so be prepared! Ready? Let's get going!

First up, here's the link to pre-order my books: Get Books by Jo Michaels

As you can see, anyone who buys Fractured Glass will get either earrings (we'll have many styles) or a bookmark of their choice. Here's what they look like:

 Earrings:

 Bookmarks:

Here's the goodie bits. For the first two people that pre-order M, I'm giving away this awesome t-shirt:

Everyone who pre-orders one or more of my books will have their name put in a drawing to win a copy of Fractured Glass signed by all five authors and a copy of M.

Now, for the IBGW table, we have this collection of books, these two awesome t-shirts (large - regular cut), and this cool canvas tote bag:

And will be adding these:

There are more, including a copy of M (cover not revealed yet), but we're waiting until the authors either publish or reveal their covers to add the images. All are signed by the authors and are paperbacks!

In addition, we'll also have 11x17 posters of a couple of covers we'll be giving away.

How fun, huh? I know you see some titles up there you've been wanting to get your hands on. So be sure and visit us.

What do you think? Exciting?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Murder Mystery Book Giveaway - From IBGW

Happy Tuesday, good people of the blogosphere! Today, I'm sharing with you all a little something going on over on the IBGW blog. We've been working hard this year, and some of our wonderful authors are starting to publish their books. We're over the moon about being able to share these awesome stories with the world.

Head on over to the blog to learn more about the books and enter to win! An e-copy of each of the books is up for grabs.

What is IBGW?

We're INDIE Books Gone Wild.

Our mission at IBGW is to remove the stigma currently surrounding Indie published books.

  

When a reader picks up a book with our name on the copyright page, they'll know they won't find flow, spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors in the story. Yes, we have lofty goals!

But, beyond what we wish to provide to readers, here's what we give our authors:

• Education - With each edit, you'll learn what to do next time so your book is the best it can be. Links will be sprinkled throughout your editing comments so you learn as you go.
• Promotion - We love our authors! There are no affiliate links on the site. We're here to help you shout to the world about your book being available for purchase. Why? Because when you succeed, we succeed.
• Customer Service - If you don't feel like your editor is your new best friend once your book has been through their capable hands, we'll be surprised. Again, we adore our authors! We're here to work with you; not at you.
• Minimal Confusion - We do line edits only so you get the whole enchilada every time. No need to go to three different kinds of editor to polish your book to a high shine. Plus, with every contract, we give you a proofread that's done by one of our team members! Quality control.
• Communication - Ever waited three days for your editor to get back to you? That doesn't happen here. Our editors are the best responders out there.

Look for the IBGW logo when you're considering an editor. Whether you find them here or elsewhere, you'll know they'll treat you and your book with the highest regard.

We'll be heavily represented at UtopYA Con in June. If you don't have tickets to that event yet, get them here. Tomorrow, I'll be spotlighting some of the signed books we'll have on our table for our big UtopYA giveaway. You don't wanna miss it!

Go give our website a visit and see what we can do for you and your book!

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

UtopYA Con Presents Authors R My Idols Public Book Signing

Are you an avid reader who wants to meet and hang out with their favorite authors?

Here's your chance - and you get to do it for a great cause!

Meet bestselling authors like Denise Grover Swank, Lauren Miller, Kim Holden and Rysa Walker (and many, many more!) at Authors R My Idols (ARMI), sponsored by Indie-Visible and presented by UtopYA Con.

On Saturday, June 20, an open-to-the-public book signing will be held at Nashville’s Millennium Maxwell House Hotel. The book signing benefits local non-profit group Book 'Em. The signing is free for fans who donate a book, or only $5 without a book. Two signings will be held from 10A-12P and 1-3PM to insure readers get plenty of time to find their next pile of books to read!

All donated books and admission fees go directly to Book ‘Em to help them with their two-part mission: to get books to children and teens in lower-income families who might not otherwise have books of their own; and providing volunteer readers to local pre- and elementary schools. Book’em creates a more literate Nashville by helping economically disadvantaged children, from birth through high school, discover the joy and value of reading through book ownership and enthusiastic volunteers.

UtopYA Con is a proud supporter of this organization and looks forward to connecting authors and readers for such a great cause. For more information such as exhibitors, conference tickets, and more, visit utopyacon.com or you can purchase tickets (or save your signing space) here.

Join us on Saturday!

The Harvest Saga Re-Reveal - New Covers

Thanks so much for checking out the blog today! Casey L. Bond is revealing brand new covers for her Harvest Saga trilogy! Check these bad boys out.

The covers were designed by Cassy Roop of Pink Ink Designs. 

Cover photography by Mandy Hollis of MHPhotography. 

Cover models are Mandy Hollis and Amee Thompson. 

If you're interested in reading Reap, here are the links:

REAP

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Amazon CA

Nook

iBooks

Kobo

Goodreads

If you're interested in reading Resist, here are the links:

RESIST

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Amazon CA

Nook

iBooks

Kobo

Goodreads

Reclaim is currently being edited. A release date will be announced very soon.

 When Reclaim is released, the boxed set will also be released! Isn't it pretty?

Thank you so much for checking out the blog today! If you want to go stalker on Casey, just follow her at the links below!

Casey L. Bond resides in West Virginia with her husband and their two beautiful daughters. When she’s not busy being a domestic goddess and chasing her baby girls, she loves to write young adult and new adult fiction.

You can find more information about Bond’s books via the following links:

Website

Newsletter

Facebook

Twitter: @authorcaseybond                

Goodreads

Pinterest

Connect on tsu, Instagram, Google+ and LinkedIn!

Available or Soon-To-Be Released Books:

Winter Shadows

Pariah, Book 1 in The New Covenant Series

Paradox, Book 2, The New Covenant Series

Devil Creek

Shady Bay

Reap, Book 1 in The Harvest Saga

Resist, Book 2 in The Harvest Saga

Reclaim, Book 3 in The Harvest Saga

Sin (Serial Series)

Light in the Darkness (YA Anthology)

Fractured Glass (Novel Anthology)

Crazy Love

Dark Bishop (Serial Series)

Prep For Doom (Dystopian Anthology)

Catalyst 

Temptation (Serial Series)

Water Witch