Flash Fiction Fridays #25: The Flowering of the Strange Orchid by H.G. W...

For this Friday I prepared a reading of "The Flowering of the Strange Orchid" written by H.G. Wells.

Book Review: Jesse and the Thinkers

Jesse and the Thinkers by Kenan John
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was delighted to have the chance to read a this book, which otherwise would have escaped my attention if it hadn't been pointed out to me. Jesse and the Thinkers I found to be a fun book which would make a good animated feature. Jesse is a boy that does not see reality in the same was as the rest of us. In this and his unconventional manner of problem solving I was reminded of my autistic son. I think this would be a wonderful book to introduce to children who are autistic or otherwise gifted to help increase their confidence, or to those children who have friends or classmates on the spectrum. I am not sure if the author -meant- to represent those children or not. I -do- wish that this book had been around when my son was much younger though. Reading it to him would have gone MILES in helping build his self esteem faster.

Readers that enjoyed Pennyroyal Academy, Harry Potter, or Gilbert and the Scepter of Silence will find this in their arena I believe. The story and characters are a bit quirky, which makes the adventure a bit tongue and cheek and will give the younger family members some giggles. That quirkiness is balanced well with a good bit of seriousness though as young Jesse and his friend Jake find themselves tied into the fate of Thinkland. It is a good story in what looks to be a coming of age series. I did find the writing a little simplistic at times, but that I believe to be due to the background most of my reading is in, and this is geared more to the younger set than for the older set. It's a good bridging book!

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Reviews of "Howl's Moving Castle" and "Castle in the Air"

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Even better than I expected.

I read this book because I loved Miyazaki’s version of the story. I have to say that I love the book even more. Howl is more self absorbed in this than I expected but we get deeper looks into Sophie, Howl, Calcifer, and even Michael. I look forward to reading the others.

View all my reviews Castle in the Air by Diana Wynne Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A very exciting sequel

When reading this I expected to meet Howl and Calcifer much earlier and was disappointed. I was therefore extremely surprised that I had met them far sooner than I thought. I found many surprises and some lovely use of djinn. Very well worth the read.

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Widget needs your help

My spirit/heart sister Oscelot and her cat Widget are undergoing a traumatic transition. Widget's final days have come, and saddle thrombus is what is happening, as well as heart failure and liquid in the lungs. Help is needed to be able to give Widget a comfortable and dignified end.

Please read more by clicking this link.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/gkvfw-help-us-give-widget-a-comfortable-end

Oscelot is one of the freelancers available for art, editing, and sometimes narration.

Flash Fiction Fridays #23: "The Cards" and "Autumn Equinox Harvest" reading

Today we have "The Cards" and "Autumn Equinox Harvest" by myself, Teresa Garcia. What happens when the Major Arcana of the Tarot turns out to be beings with actual jobs? Following that we have a Shinto/General Pagan devotional season poem meant to be read for the Autumn Equionox.

If you'd like your poetry and short fiction featured on the podcast please write TeresaAmehanaGarcia@gmail.com or THGStarDragonPublishing@gmail.com for more information with "Flash Fiction Submission" in the subject. Writings accepted to be read will be paid via Paypal.

Support the podcast and other related projects by visiting www.patreon.com/Amehana!

Prefer to do one time or surprise support? Buy a coffee at www.ko-fi.com/Amehana or send via Paypal at http://paypal.me/thgstardragon.

Interviewing Illustrator and Obama Fellow Sanghamitra Dasgupta

Audio version: http://www.podcasts.com/mythical-minstrelsy-flash-fiction-fridays-and-ames-bookshelf-1a06920c4/episode/Interviewing-Illustrator-and-Obama-Fellow-Sanghamitra-Dasgupta-576b

Pre Interview Questions:

a) What name and gender are being used to refer to you? If they do not match your birth name and gender are you open about it? You do not have to disclose legal/birth name and gender, but if you want it mentioned you write under an assumed identity or have more than one identity you work under for this industry that can open up new lines of discussion.

Ans- Sanghamitra Dasgupta(Female).


b) Are you an author, poet, illustrator, editor, game writer, game creator, publisher, or multiple? If you have multiple roles in the publishing community then which ones are they? If you have multiple roles feel free to answer each question with sections for each role.

Ans- I am an illustrator and also wrote 4 books last year.. and working with multiple publisher as publisher. I also runs an youtube channel and loves video games.

c) What books, games, or other publishing related projects have you been involved in the production of?


Ans- My topics are completely based on illustrations..

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1. What got you interested in (writing/illustrating/editing, etc)? If you do multiple tasks within the publishing industry which is your favorite role?

Ans- Illustrating mostly


2. What company or companies are you doing work for/with?

Ans- Crimsoncloak publishing, Penit Publishing, AcuteByDesign, Rhonda’s firm and Hadya publication.



3. What projects are you currently working on?

Ans- currently m working on multiple books with the publishers and also with the independent authors.. and also doing a govt organization project too


4. Do you have any future projects in mind to take on?

Ans- I love interesting stories about kids.



5. What is your favorite project?

Ans- I have multiple ones. But two favourites are from Penit .. one is – Larry the Lobster.. and second one is – Mazy and Molly one..



6. Is this career something that you always wanted to do?-

Ans- I always wanna be an artist..since my childhood. Even I start sketching and illustrating at the age of 5.


7. Do you find it difficult, or find some aspects more difficult than others?

Ans- well all jobs have ups and down.. it’s a part of life.


8. For illustrators: What are your favored tools of the trade, would you tell us about your personal process?

Ans- I always say to create ur rough concept first,sketch it….and then do the final..


9. What is a normal day like for you? Is this your side job or main job?-

Ans- this is my main job.. I love to create whole day.

11. How do you manage balancing this with family and any other work you may have?

Ans- I have a cool family .Just me and my parents and having a squirrel.. so its all good managing the time.

12. What hobbies do you have?

Ans- in free time..i prefer to create youtube videos and play video games. And I am an obama fellow..so I always try to encourage young kids and the community.

13. If you could be anything in the world besides this, what would it be?

Ans- A great human being


14. Do you feel that school helped set you up toward following this path in the publishing industry?

Ans- well I got my certificate in animation and illustration..but I chose illustration.. so its all depends


15. If you could go back to school is there anything you wish you had paid more attention to?
Ans- Nope




16. What advice do you have for the next generation?
Ans- Just focus.. don’t give up..u will face ups and down and some weird people. Keep them in mind..and think to move forward.. remember haters should always be the motivators.


17. What advice do you have for your age peers that may also want to take part in the publishing industry and specifically with your area within it?

Ans- If u have a passion..give it a try.. it’s a tough market.. but to gain something u need to fight with positivity..and don’t try to put down others.. everyone has their own style..


18. Is there anything else that you’d like to add that we didn’t discuss?

I would love to add my two nominations for which I'm so excited.

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Individual additions

Where are you from?- I am frm Kolkata,India

Have you met any particular challenges?- every working field has their ups and downs.. even I faced ..but I now know how to face them..


I see that you worked at DC comics according to your Facebook Profile. Can you tell us what that was like?- I was like a trainee for few months.


Do you prefer illustrating children's books or comic books more?- I do both..even I was a comic artist at an Indian comic house also.

Flash Fiction Fridays 22: Clarity and Otohime's Heart

You can also listen to audio only on the podcast.



If you wish to read them please look for them on my Patreon or Deviant Art. If you wish to submit your writing please send them to TeresaAmehanaGarcia@gmail.com or THGStarDragonPublishing@gmail.com.