Saturday, November 26, 2016

Books: Meet Fantasy UK writer Martyn Stanley

I'm excited to feature Martyn Stanley today. I've read and reviewed a couple of his books and I totally recommended for those who love good fantasy! And don't forget to scroll down to the end to take advantage of a free offer. Let's get to know more of him and his work!
 
Where are you from and what's your background?

I'm a British author, I live on the Staffordshire, Cheshire border with my wife and two kids. I've always been a reader and a gamer. My favorite games have always been fantasy RPGs, but I prefer writing these days, because it gives me more freedom. I don't have to unfold someone else's plot. 
 
When did you realize you wanted to write and when did you start writing?

I've been writing for decades. I started writing a lot, on a daily basis around the year 2000 when I began co-writing Star Wars Fan Fiction on an RPG forum. I'm still in touch with some of the people I met there, I haven't written any of that sort of thing for years though.
 

Great way to start. What genre do you write and what's your target audience?

I mainly write fantasy, but I have some sci-fi, paranormal and black comedy in
the pipeline too. For my fantasy and folklore stories I'm really aiming at the mysterious NA category. Some of the contents in my books is a little mature for YA, but they're an easy read. Many adults enjoy them too!

Yes, I enjoy your books! How many books have you published? Do you have a favorite?

I've published four novels and two short stories under my own name. My favorite is 'Deathsworn Arc 4: Rise of the Archmage' though I'm very fond of my second short story - 'Return of the Worm Slayer' too. 
 
What is your favorite quote, and who wrote it?

I like a lot of quotes. My favorite source of inspiration is actually a very brief You Tube clip of David Bowie. David Bowie on why you should never play to the gallery. He talks about the importance of not trying to fulfill other people's expectations. He also suggests that if you feel 'safe' where you're working, then you aren't working in the right area and you should go further out of your depth. I completely agree with Bowie on everything he says in this video.
 
 
 
Excellent advice. Thanks for posting it! Do you have a favorite author? Who? What's your favorite book? Has this author or book influenced your writing in any way?

Definitely Terry Pratchett. I've read all his disc-world and some of his other work. His wit and perceptiveness are without equal. I also read his 'Slip of the Keyboard' I felt like I got to know him. I think we'd have got on well. We share a lot of opinions. This was my review of that book:- Martyn Stanley (Stoke-on-Trent, I6, The United Kingdom)’s review of A Slip of the Keyboard: Collected Non-Fiction
 
What inspired you to write your first book? Did you research the topic? How did you overcome writer's block if you had any while drafting the plot?

I just had an idea about a 'big thing' and started to write some characters and fill in the gaps. The little story is what's important. Relationships, friendships, arguments - the human aspect of the story. Always make the big story small and the small story big.

Very interesting. And what are you working on now?

Deathsworn Arc 5: The Temple of the Mad God is my main project at the moment, but I also have a paranormal, a black comedy and a time-travel in the pipeline. So little time, so much to write!

Can't wait! Where can we find out more about you and your work?

Goodreads is always a good place. I'm very open and willing to interact with readers. I'll happily discuss my books or other books I've read with anyone on Goodreads! I also have a You Tube channel where I talk about many things. Occasionally even writing and books!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

One of my projects in the pipeline is a short story prequel to 'The Last Dragon Slayer' it will be a subscriber exclusive. I may list it on Amazon, but it will be at an absurdly unrealistic price if I do. Once it's ready I will be giving an e-book of it to all my subscribers so if you've read my first book and want to know what Vashni was up to before she met the companions you should subscribe here:- 
 
Great deal! Readers, don't pass up subscribing to Martyn's newsletter.
 
Here's the link to this Amazon author page where you can browse his work:
 

BONUS: Get the first book in his series FREE on Amazon:
 
 
 

Saturday, August 27, 2016

Books: Interview with expert historian Christopher Berg


We are fortunate to introduce Christopher Berg on the blog today, who is a writer and an expert in History! We invite you to read on to find more about his exciting background and work.

Christopher, can you tell us a little about you?


I’m from the United States and my educational background includes an undergraduate degree in Medieval and Renaissance studies, advanced degrees in Religious studies and Comparative World history, and a doctorate in Curriculum and Teaching.  My teaching includes all areas of history with majors-level courses in modern Europe and military history, as well as the humanities and world religions.

Wow, that's impressive. I love history, too, it can teach us so much. Tell us about your book.


The book is a collection of essays I wrote on various aspects of the British empire. Generally, they look at specific moments in time, such as the creation of the Boy and Girl Scout movements in sub-Saharan Africa, through the lens of “empire” and “imperialism.”


That sounds very interesting and a different look at this time period. What's your target audience?


The book was written as a popular history, so that it would appeal to a wide readership. The narrative resembles more of a story line rather than a dry retelling of events that are standard fare in many historical studies. The content does not presuppose a level of familiarity with the topic; in fact, necessary background information is often woven into each short essay to make the reading more accessible and, perhaps even, enjoyable. This book would make an excellent companion to a majors-level course in British history but would, no doubt, be beneficial to anyone interested in transnational themes, such as international history and the rise and fall of empires.




I'm sure the book is very enjoyable! Why did you choose to write a book with this subject, though?


When I was a graduate student, certain courses were only offered on a rotation basis and one of the courses I had wanted to take for some time was open when my own course load was light, so I took “Great Britain and the British Empire” as one of my exit courses.  It was undoubtedly the most difficult course of my graduate career as the reading and writing loads were unlike anything I had ever taken before. But, this course, and the professor who taught it, pushed the boundaries of what I thought was humanly possible, or even desirable, and it led to a period of intellectual growth I had not experienced since my time at New College. Much of the content for this book was produced, in preliminary form, during this time.


That shows how a teacher can influence learning so much! And now you're spreading your love of history and making it accessible for all. Is there a historian that you think that has influenced you?


Several come to mind but only a few have really influenced my own educational and professional path and the way I see the world. Will Durant, in his Story of Civilization, showed me the lofty heights of good style and prose.  The first volume I ever read of his award-winning multi-volume work was The Renaissance and it profoundly influenced the way I see history and how I try to communicate it in my own writing.  If there is one historian who rivals, or even surpasses, the grand style of Gibbon it would be Durant. Daniel Boorstin’s trilogy on civilization, too, is one of my favorites to read as it blends the best of academic and popular history.  Boorstin’s The Seekers is one of my favorites as it was the first to introduce me to a number of topics outside of Western Civilization as well as cultivate an appreciation for good quotes.  Niall Ferguson is one of the few living historians that continue to influence the way I see the world; his award-winning book The Pity of War was not read once, but twice, as it was on the syllabi of two different courses I took in grad school. Ferguson has become quite an intellectual luminary for his conservative and, often, contrarian positions on economics, history, politics, and the rise and fall of nations. He is particularly relevant today because he uses the past as a measure and standard for the present but also as a means to discern the future. And, if you’ve never seen him speak or debate, I encourage you to do so because you’re promised a stimulating tour de force on the intersection of history and current events.

Thanks for the suggestions. History lovers will be thrilled! What made the British Empire, in your opinion, stop being an Empire?


Winston Churchill’s vision during World War II was to not only survive the war and the Nazi threat, but also to maintain, if possible, the grandeur of the empire. He had grown up during the Victorian age at the height of Britain’s empire and imperial position. But, as an aged prime minister, Churchill saw that the empire had slipped the grasp of the British and in order to make it through this ordeal, they would have to relax their positions towards their colonial brethren. This was especially so in Africa and India. World War II, essentially, brought the end of the British empire and, in the post-war world, a new balance-of-power emerged with new superpowers and a new wave of paranoia in the dawn of the nuclear age. Britain would not play a key role and would be resigned to focusing on social and welfare matters at home. Two world wars had crippled continental Europe and Great Britain; the only vestiges of the empire remaining reside in historical memory and in the title of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.


I'm learning a lot with this interview! Are there any other subjects that interest you?


Ancient and medieval history, in general, and military history, in particular, are my favorites. One of the problems of attending university in the United States is that you must have a good idea of what you want to study and then specialize and declare majors/minors but I never did so until the last minute when the matter was forced upon me as I just couldn’t bear to pass up a class because it wasn’t in my specialty. I still feel that way, even now. I earned a degree in Comparative World history mainly because the scope of my program was too diverse to “fit” in any other major at my university.  


That's true. There are so many interesting courses to take. What are you working on now?


I’m presently completing my dissertation on World history education in public and private schools and how teachers negotiate historical significance intellectually and instructionally in the classroom. 

I hope you will write more books on history. Where can we find out more about
you and your work? 

My website is christopherberg.org and I have author’s pages at Amazon.com, Ancient History Encyclopedia and Historical Quest online.You can read about my books at www.quest-publications.com

Thank you so much for spending some time here letting us know more about your work and your book! We wish you lots of success and keep making history available to all! 

For more about Christopher's work, and to buy his book, please click below.

http://payhip.com/b/WG57/af59a58b6f2d13f




Sunday, May 22, 2016

Books: Interview with talented author Larry D. Shackelford

Today, we're interviewing talented writer Larry D. Shackelford. Read on to find out more about his books and how he became a writer!

Larry, please tell us a little about you. Where are you from and what is your background?

I was raised in southwest Missouri where I received my college degree, but I received my education after I graduated and began working in a maximum-security federal prison.  After spending two years behind bars, I continued my law enforcement career as a criminal investigator, residing and working in eight states and two foreign countries.  I retired from law enforcement after twenty-five years of service and currently reside in Salt Lake City with my wife and cat.  I have continued to work a second career in healthcare.

How interesting! When did you realize you wanted to write and when did you start writing?


I started writing approximately ten years ago, before my retirement.  Over the years, I had met some
memorable people and found myself in some pretty insane situations.  I began writing mostly to entertain myself, and discovered I truly felt a passion to tell stories; I wanted to humanize law enforcement officers and also give victims a voice.  While working in Utah, I met a young woman who inspired the character "Ruth" in The Keresa Headdress.  Like Ruth, this woman was able to leave a polygamous southern Utah community and fulfill her dream of marrying the man of her dreams and basically pursue a normal life that average Americans take for granted.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that writing fiction stories was not only fun, but also therapeutic.  In many respects, writing fiction is very similar to completing a criminal investigation.  You have pieces of a unique puzzle, and you are tasked with putting them together in a fictional story with unlimited possibilities.  But, I believe it is important to be adventurous; not afraid to take chances with the plot and characters, as long as it's believable.

That's a pretty interesting comparison. What genre do you write and what's your target audience?


I mainly write crime, action adventure, science fiction, and romance novels for readers 13 to 90 years of age.  I especially enjoy writing stories with strong female characters, because I believe the fiction market is saturated with male characters depicted as the hero.  I have had the privilege of working with many outstanding female law enforcement officers and professionals.  I really believe that women have a special intuition, and this is an invaluable attribute, especially in law enforcement investigations.  I also believe it is important to have strong, interesting characters of all ages and explore how these characters interact with each other in fast-paced, stressful situations.

How many books have you published?  Do you have a favorite?

I currently have four books published, and my fifth release, The Quincunx Quarantine, is scheduled to be released this summer.  Without question, my favorite manuscript is The Keresa Headdress because it was enjoyable to show readers a different side of law enforcement, and to introduce them to the unique worlds of archaeology, polygamy, and illegal artifact trafficking.  I also enjoyed researching the historical and technical nature of the narrative.  My goals were to accurately reference archeological terms, time periods, and cultural aspects while staying true to the discipline of archaeology and oral traditions.  I was also concerned with showing reverence to the American Indian culture and heritage.  Looting sacred burial sites for financial gain is a systemic problem on public lands, and I wanted to bring this to the attention of the reader.

You're definitely sparking my interest in your character! What is your favorite quote, and who wrote it?

My favorite quote is by Sir Winston S. Churchill:

"Sure am I this day we are masters of our fate, that the task which has been set before us is not above our strength; that its pangs and toils are not beyond our endurance.  As long as we have faith in our own cause and an unconquerable will to win, victory will not be denied us."

This quote is displayed next to my work desk computer.  Seldom has a day gone by that I have not reflected upon his words.  I admire this quote because his poignant words are applicable to the journey of life.  We cannot be successful in this world as individuals; we all need to care for each other and stop competing against each other.  We all win together or we all lose together.

Do you have a favorite author?  Who?  What's your favorite book?  Has this author or book influenced your writing in any way?

I admire authors whose writing inspires a wide range of emotions regardless of the genre or time
period the story is written. For example, I recently finished Mary Anne Yarde's The Du Lac Chronicles and the Novella, The Pitchfork Rebellion. I enjoyed her manuscripts, and many of my co-workers have also read her works. One young woman in my office was so moved by Mary Anne's first novel that she has committed to writing her first novel. The woman stated that Mary Anne's story brought back many fond memories of her youth, friends and family, and she wanted to emulate Mary Anne's passion in her own writing. To me, this example illustrates the epitome of inspirational writing, and my favorite authors will always be those who inspire and move people.

I love the classics and my favorite book will probably always be Moby Dick, by Herman Melville.  I thought the story was incredibly well written and the allegoric references to "good and evil" were very detailed and realistic.  Arguably, "Call me Ishmael" will probably be remembered as one of the most famous opening sentences of any book.

Are you optimistic/hopeful/romantic?

I am a romantic at heart, and I love a great romance story!  What can be more endearing than the hopeless, socially incompetent guy and the homely, lonely gal falling in love and living happily ever after...but of course, not without a substantial amount of controversy before the happy ending?

What are you working on now?

I am one of those stranger-than-normal authors who works on several manuscripts at a time.  I am nearing the completion of another archaeological crime/romance thriller, and an urban science fiction action/adventure.  I have also started on a young adult fantasy inspired by my own personal experience of having a child diagnosed with cancer.
Great, looks like there will be lots of intriguing books coming from you soon! Where can we find more about you and your work?

My books may be found at Amazon.com


Larry, is there anything else you would like to share?

I would be negligent and irresponsible if I did not confess I am one of those authors who is a cat owner, drinks lots of coffee, and sips on bottom-shelf, rotgut bourbon late at night while writing.  Maddie, my faithful cat, is always near me when I am writing.  Maddie rules the castle, but she fell into bad graces during a recent, routine visit to the vet.  Maddie apparently took exception to the thermometer and called the veterinarian evil names before tinkling all over the vet's arm.  The doctor was not impressed with Maddie's shenanigans and she placed a large "A" in Maddie's health record which means "aggressive".  So now, I am not only a crazy cat person, but my loyal writing partner earned the forbidden "Scarlet A"...with pride, I might add!

Thank you for telling us a little bit about your work and your books, and we wish you much success in your literary career!

Friday, May 13, 2016

Music: Interview with Talented Singer/Musician Kelle Jansky

Singer and musician Kelle Jansky has just debuted her new EP. We caught up with her to find out more about this talented singer and what her plans are. Read on to discover a new talent!
 
Kelle, introduce yourself - let us know a bit about you and your background.

My name is Kelly O'Connor. I was born and raised in Long Island, NY and now live in Las Vegas, NV. I chose "Kelle Jansky" as my stage name because I've always been interested in everything related to outer space, and I landed on "Jansky" because it's a unit of spectral irradiance and also flows nicely with my nickname "Kel", which I embellished a bit to the spelling of "Kelle".  

That's very creative! When did you start singing?

I started singing around age 12. When I was in elementary school, I developed a severe form of social anxiety and depression- to the point where I couldn't leave my house. My parents decided to enroll me in a performing arts summer camp to see if it would pry me out of my shell. Not only did it rid me of social anxiety, but it developed my passion and propelled me into weekly vocal lessons. 

Amazing! And it propelled you into stardom! Do you also write the lyrics and compose the songs?

Besides "The Sound", which is a The 1975 cover, I wrote all of my
songs. Late at night. Or early in the morning (However you perceive 3 A.M.). I try to write in my most vulnerable state, because although vulnerability is frowned upon, I think it's necessary for an honest song. #NoFilter 
 
As for the composition of the songs, I created all of the music on my crappy music software, and it was totally re-vamped by my amazing producer, Frank Klepacki.  He turned my sonic vision into a reality. 

You're very talented. And yes, vulnerability brings the best in every artist! What genre do you consider yourself and what's your greatest influence?

What I think is kind of cool about my Sadurn EP is that each song is different in mood and tempo, but all still fit the same vibe. They're all rooted in Pop.

"Short Circuit" is a catchy pop/rock song inspired by bands like No Doubt.
"Anti-Venom" is a mysterious sounding pop song inspired by artists like Halsey and Britney Spears.
"Dopamine" is a ballad- the most honest song I've ever written. I can't even think of an influence for this one because all of it just came straight from the vault of unspoken words in my head.
"Sadurday" is a super catchy pop dance song influenced by artists like Ke$ha.
"The Sound" is a chilled-out cover of the popular jam by The 1975.


They sound great! So, when was the first time you performed live and how did you feel?

I feel more comfortable on stage than I do in my own bedroom. The first time I performed live was at age 12 on the famous boardwalk in Atlantic City, NJ. There was a live karaoke event, and I got on stage to sing a cover of "Sometimes" by Britney Spears. I can't explain how incredible it felt to capture the attention of a crowd and watch them sing along with me, doubling as a support system and easing my nerves. Even though it wasn't my song they were singing, I knew that someday it would be. 

I love how your dream is real! Is there a specific performance you feel was your best so far? If so, where and why?

One of the performances I enjoyed the most was when I covered "Should I Stay or Should I Go" by The Clash on the famous Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas. It was my first time performing with a live band, and it was just an awesome collaborative performance with the biggest crowd to date.

It must really be awesome to play live. What do you enjoy the most between your interaction with the fans?

My internet friends! My absolute favorite encounter was at the MGM
Grand in Las Vegas.  A sweet girl ran up to me with tears in her eyes and told me that I'm her role model and that she couldn't believe she was actually meeting me.  My sister captured that moment on video and I watch it often. I've met some other followers in various states, which absolutely blows my mind.  It's one thing seeing a username, but meeting the human behind the screen is something else. There are thousands of them, which is baffling to me, but I try to be as interactive as I can because I owe them everything- they've helped provide me with so many amazing opportunities, including my job. 

What a beautiful story and thanks for sharing! What are your plans for this year?

I plan on touring around Vegas, specifically Downtown. I'm also already in the process of writing songs for my full-length album.  I'm doing a lot this year, and it's all great stuff.

Fantastic! Hope to see you touring all over the country! Where can we find and buy your music?

My Sadurn EP is available for digital purchase on iTunes! 

Is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers?

I've always been obsessed with happy music accompanied by sad lyrics. I've always been fascinated with double entendres. I've always been drawn to spacey, ethereal sounds. I hope you listen to my Sadurn EP and realize that you like these things as well.
Thank you for this interview!  
 
 
Click on the links below to listen to Kelle performing:

 
 
Thank you for your time, Kelle and we wish you success in your career! 
 
To follow Kelle Jansky:

Friday, May 6, 2016

Music: Star Trek The Ultimate Voyage 50 Year Celebration Review

Music: Star Trek The Ultimate Voyage 50 Year Celebration Review:

It's hard to imagine that Star Trek is celebrating 50 years! The very first episode aired on September 8, 1966 and since then, the Star Trek franchise has entertained multiple generations, and generated not only spin-off TV shows but major movie releases as well. Die hard fans, who are referred to as Trekkies, and lovers of sci-fi alike, continue to grow and support the iconic movies.

To celebrate these memorable 50 years, CineConcerts came up with a spectacular production blending classical instruments with pop culture for fans to experience the unforgettable soundtrack of Star Trek live. As a lover of great music and sci-fi, I couldn't miss this unique event.

Star Trek: The Ultimate Voyage blew me away. As we were introduced to the stage, beautifully set to resemble the Enterprise's bridge, we knew we were in for a treat. Above the stage, a giant 40 foot wide screen showed film and TV footage in high definition, matching the live orchestra's poignant sounds. Starting with the main title from Star Trek: The Motion Picture, the musicians from the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, led by the incredible and energetic Nicholas Buc, the guest conductor, transported us to the final frontier. The multi-generational audience delighted in tracks not only from Star Trek original series and motion pictures, but also from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: The Next Generation.


After close to two and a half hours of epic music, the audience gave a resounding standing ovation to the last stop of the concert's US tour, Houston. Even though the musicians, conductor, staff, and all involved in this massive production were at the last leg of their four month tour performing at  over 75 cities, the vibe and excitement felt as if they were playing for their first audience. Absolutely brilliant. What could I say after having had the privilege of experiencing such an exciting event? I hope the show will live long and prosper for many more to be able to enjoy it as much as I did. It was definitely a voyage worth taking!

Click here to watch the preview:

https://youtu.be/SmvR1oNnUQk

 

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Music: Interview with great synthpop band The Magickal

One of the coolest things in interviewing Indie artists is to find and discover great music. The Magickal is an awesome group, and I really enjoyed listening to their songs! I invite you to find more about them in this interview, and don't forget to check out their tunes!
First, please introduce yourselves and let us know a bit about each of you and your background.

Based out of Salt Lake City, Utah, The Magickal took years in the making. Dorian and Kami have known each other since middle school. We were two thirds of a synth pop band during their high school years. After some time apart pursuing other musical avenues, they have teamed up again.  Dorian is a self taught musician, who started writing songs on his parents' piano as a teenager. Kami has been singing her whole life. She started by singing country songs with her dad. She also sang a solo in church at age 5, and sang to just about everything she heard on the radio. 
What a great team! So when did you start the band, and what's the story behind the band's name?

This band was started in 2015, after years apart doing other projects. Dorian and Kami always remained friends, but we decided it was time to finally finish something together! So this EP is very much a full circle accomplishment for us. We wanted something simple yet epic for the band name... We were thinking along the lines of Muse. We, of course, tried a few other things before The Magickal, which were all taken already. When I Googled The Magickal, I sat there staring at the screen forever thinking "Can this be right?!!"... and YES! We do believe in magick. 
That's really magical! And who writes the lyrics and composes the songs?

We work together on arrangement, but Dorian does all the synth programming, while Kami writes the lyrics and melody. 
I love the vocals, Kami, you have a great voice! What genre do you consider yourselves and what's your greatest influence?

We consider ourselves a Synthpop band. Although it's electronically based.... we do not make dance music. We make pop songs. We're actually inspired by every genre of music out there, but of course, especially the New Wave music of the 80's and early 90's. Depeche Mode, Erasure, Eurythmics, Yaz, New Order, The Cure....
That's my kind of music and I love all these bands! A fantastic influence, I might say. When was the first time you performed live and how did you feel?

The first time we performed live together was in high school, at a homecoming assembly. I remember waiting behind the curtain as they announced us. Since, at the time, there were very few bands in our school, it seemed everyone knew who we were! The applause when they announced us was enormous. We were both exhilarated, and terrified. We were overwhelmed... it was our first performance ever, and we already had some huge expectations on us. 
What a great moment it must have been! Is there a specific performance you feel was your best so far? If so, where and why?

Thus far, The Magickal is only a studio band. We do plan on starting live shows as soon as we have enough material ready.
I hope you do and start touring soon! What do you enjoy the most between your interaction with the fans?

So, our interactions with fans have been mostly on line so far. We've had some really amazing feedback from all over the world. Including a girl in Italy, who says our songs have really helped her through some things. That, for me, is the greatest news we could receive. Not only did she "like" our band, but it truly affected her life in a positive way. I don't think we could wish for anything more than that.

That's remarkable. As an artist, that's all you hope for, to influence someone's life in a positive way! So what are your plans for this year?


Our plans are to work on more music this year. We have a few more that are already written, that just need to be recorded and produced. The goal is to release a full album, and start playing live.
This is exciting and I can't wait for a full album from what I have already sampled. Where can we find and buy your music?

Is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers?

We'd like to just let everyone out there who has supported us in any way.... THANK YOU! 

Thank you so much for your time and we wish you great success with your music!