Selkies' Skins

Selkies' Skins
Current book in series Temple and Skinquest. Enjoy Castle and Well from Amazon, B&N and Smashwords while waiting for that and the prequel's audiobook "Pearls of Sea and Stone: Book of Seals".

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Smashwords Ebook Winter Sale

The annual winter sale is happening! Check out the book pages to see how much you can save on THG StarDragon Publishing ebooks on Smashwords with the code displayed there. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/Amehana

Friday, December 20, 2019

Flash Fiction Fridays #30: Untitled Traffic Vigilante Short & iPad USB r...

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Dragonmas 2019 Player Challenge has gone live on Dragon Hearts RPG

It's Dragonmas! Fetu is still behaving suspiciously good. What long game is he playing? Or is he just trying to get presents? Did he just resurrect that blasted frost dragon? And a return of the fruitcake? The quirky game I write for has a new seasonal challenge live at www.dragonheartsrpg.com rpg. What ultimately happens this season? It is up to the players to decide.

Friday, December 13, 2019

Website Updated, and Podcast Uploaded

Regarding the Main Web Site

The main website has been updated and the publication catalogs made current. It will now be easier for me to update when new things need to be added. Also on the main site itself I have added a specific page to list all the print, ebook, or audiobook projects I have taken part in either as a staff member of another publisher or as a freelancer. I have done this in the spirit of cross promotion as every time a copy of those titles finds another reader or listener is goo for all parties concerned in the production.

If I have taken part in a project of yours and you want it listed please feel free to contact me.

Since the main site is now able to be more dynamic you will notice the links in the side of this blog changing as I work through choosing what to redirect, collapse, or delete. My goal is to tie them together more organically.

Podcast Episode

I have not had a chance to write any flash fictions that I am satisfied with, although I have been submitted another provocative one by Maxaxle that it slated for next week. This week I have chosen to release an episode reading from Arthur Waley's translation of "One Hundred Seventy Chinese Poems" or "170 Chinese Poems" which is freely available on Gutenberg.org.
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42290

Entry and exit music clips are from Spynge's "Moonset" used under  Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed)
Hear the full instrumental!
https://audiograb.com/C8nSNvFRnj


Audio: https://www.podcasts.com/mythical-minstrelsy-flash-fiction-fridays-and-ames-bookshelf-1a06920c4/episode/Ame-Reads-170-Chinese-Poems-Reading-7-ba0c


Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Stories of Spirits (audiobook) is starting to hit stores

Stories of Spirits is rolling out slowly, probably slowed down a bit by the holiday avalanche that hits every year that then has to be processed. This post may or may not see updates as I find it has gone live to different locations. In either case it will get listed in the backup tabs here on the blog as I wait to see when the edits I have been trying to make for the main site (the past two years now) will be able to be pushed live. I suspect that by that time I will already have a few things that will need updated yet again.

In any case...

Stories of Spirits has an audiobook version available (and rolling out) finally. These five short stories are written with a Japanese setting in mind and some of the stories include vocab words as one of the ideas of that project was to help introduce new words and concepts to my kids. Thus the language and structure is also simple. Most of them also happen to ping in on Amehana's childhood and incarnations into her kami self between lifetimes spent as human. She can be found banging about in Selkies' Skins, Dragon Shaman, and will slip in and out of the Shadow Chronicles as I get around to reconstructing those particular tales with Willow/Angelina and Flightessa with the overlapping worlds within the various series.

Stories of Spirits
Written and Narrated by Teresa Garcia

Image
Five short stories of dragon spirits and ancestors, in a Japanese milieu. Some are set in ancient times, others are more modern. Each short story that has new vocabulary has a mini-glossary of Japanese terms that were utilized.

Includes:
Ancestors
Dragon Dance
So Close, So Far
Dark and Light
Watcher

Buy on Gumroad
Amazon (link pending) | Audible (link pending)
| iTunes (link pending) | Google Play

Monday, December 9, 2019

Autophagy Audiobook Available

This Audiobook is available on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes. It was exciting to narrate for this title and I look forward to the next audiobook project.

Autophagy: A Guide For Living A Healthy Life Through Intermittent Fasting, Keto Diet, And Losing Weight



Written By David Albert Colinsky
Narrated By Teresa Garcia

If you’re looking for an effective way to cleanse your body and re-energize it, you’ve come to the right place. This book is a comprehensive introduction to autophagy, the body’s natural renewal, and detox-process. Using intermittent fasting and ketonic nutrition, you can kickstart autophagy in your body. Autophagy is your body’s smart way to get rid of toxins, renew cells, and stimulate repair. It makes sense that the body has a mechanism like this, and the good news is, there are easy ways for you to lead your body to autophagy-pathways. 

In this book, you will discover how to combine intermittent fasting and ketonic nutrition to induce autophagy in your body. More and more scientists have noted and praised the tangible benefits for vitality, detox, weight-loss, and anti-aging. 

Bounty URLs

Dislosure: If you make your first Audible purchase via one of these four links below then I get a small bonus.






Regular Links


Amazon: https://www.amazon.com.au/Autophagy-Healthy-Through-Intermittent-Fasting/dp/B0821WY4FD
Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Autophagy-Audiobook/B0821X1W2Y
iTunes: https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/autophagy-guide-for-living-healthy-life-through-intermittent/id1489640946

The above links are for the products on the US version of Amazon, Audible, and iTunes. If you are from outside the US please search what is available in your country's version of the stores. If it is not available yet in your country I advise informing the stores of your interest in the audiobook.

Friday, December 6, 2019

Flash Fiction #29: Stories of Spirits and The Beast

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Available on Audible! Enneagram: A Complete Guide to Understanding Your Personality and Improving Your Relationship

Enneagram: A Complete Guide to Understanding Your Personality and Improving Your Relationship
Written by David Gain
Narrated by Teresa Garcia


I was very happy to be the voice for David Gain's "Enneagram: A Complete Guide to Understanding Your Personality and Improving Your Relationship" published by Stefano Maraschio.





I have been paid up front for my performance of this book. However, if you purchase the title through this link I will get an additional bonus if it happens to be your first purchase. Such things greatly help me provide for my family.

This is not a THG StarDragon Publishing title, but it is a title that I was involved in as a freelance narrator. I do recommend it either in book or audiobook. I found it to be an excellent refresher.


Bounty URLs

Amazon US: https://www.audible.com/pd/B081MJGJRY/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWU-BK-ACX0-173003&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_173003_pd_us

Amazon UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B081MTTPHP/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H7-BK-ACX0-173003&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_173003_pd_uk

Amazon FR: https://www.audible.fr/pd/B081MT563Y/?source_code=FRAORWS022318903C-BK-ACX0-173003&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_173003_pd_fr

Amazon DE: https://www.audible.de/pd/B081N12B9M/?source_code=EKAORWS022318900A-BK-ACX0-173003&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_173003_pd_de


Regular Links

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com./Enneagram-Understanding-Personality-Improving-Relationship/dp/B081MXTKX5

iTunes: https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/enneagram-complete-guide-to-understanding-your-personality/id1489965159

Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Enneagram-Audiobook/B081MJGJRY

These three links are for US markets. I cannot link to all markets so be looking in your country's offerings on Amazon, iTunes, and Audible today!

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Elizabeth Buckley's Poetry "The Beast, The Hope, and the Only Sun" now available on Audible

The Beast, The Hope, and the Only Sun is finally available in audio for Amazon, Audible, and iTunes

Elizabeth Buckley gathers a collection of poems from the points of view of some of her characters. The Beast, the Hope, and the Only Sun provides snapshots into their development. Written as a high school student, the poems also reflect a journey out of depression, from start to the shining light at the end. Who are the Beast, and the Hope, and who or what is the Sun? Written by Elizabeth Buckley and voiced by her aunt and publisher Teresa Garcia of THG StarDragon Publishing, it is their hope to help others realize that they are not alone and the Sun always rises.

If you purchase a copy through one of the links for Audible below and it is your first purchase we get a bounty. The royalties are split between myself and the author.

US Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/B081G8Z5S9/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-172576&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_172576_rh_us

UK Audible: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B081GFYZ12/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-172576&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_172576_rh_uk

France Audible: https://www.audible.fr/pd/B081GKMYXP/?source_code=FRAORWS022318903B-BK-ACX0-172576&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_172576_rh_fr

Germany (DE) Audible: https://www.audible.de/pd/B081GG9GG2/?source_code=EKAORWS0223189009-BK-ACX0-172576&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_172576_rh_de

You don't have to buy only through Audible though! You can look for it on Gumroads, and Findaway Voices has helped me with getting it distributed to a wider range of outlets as well so keep checking your favored outlet for it. Or perhaps you'd like a physical copy, in which case I would prepare and burn that to disk in house. I'll of course happily take preorders closer to the time for the Lumberjack Fiesta so that I don't have too many to worry about damaging... and as Liz lives only a few miles away it is a very fast job to procure a SIGNED copy of the audiobook if directly ordered.

Friday, November 15, 2019

Inktober 2019 Recap Slideshow



Here is a look at all of my Inktober 2019 pieces together. Sadly, no fountain pen work this year. I was focusing on brushing up with ink markers.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Book Review: Autophagy: A Guide for Living a Healthy Life Through Intermittent Fasting

Autophagy: A Guide For Living A Healthy Life Through Intermittent Fasting, Keto Diet, And Losing WeightAutophagy: A Guide For Living A Healthy Life Through Intermittent Fasting, Keto Diet, And Losing Weight by David Albert Colinsky
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed how easy to understand this book was, and how in some areas it re-explained from a different tack when handling different aspects in order to help facilitate understanding. I think it would be a really good book for anyone wanting to learn more about nutrition, the body, and diet.

View all my reviews

The rights holder will be pushing the button tomorrow to start all the audio files I recorded for the audiobook version on their path through the pipes. When they come out the other end that audiobook version of the book will be on iTunes, Audible, and Amazon.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Book Review: Enneagram: A Complete Guide to Understanding Your Personality and Improving Your Relationship

Enneagram: A Complete Guide to Understanding Your Personality and Improving Your RelationshipEnneagram: A Complete Guide to Understanding Your Personality and Improving Your Relationship by David Gain
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I very much enjoyed getting to read through this book. I found it helped to make the Enneagram much more understandable to me. I last read about the Enneagram in the late 1990's-early 2000's while pursuing an Associates degree in Psychology. The text that I had then, which is still boxed up in my collection at my mother's in my section of the family library, made far less sense to me than this text does. I did decently during the Enneagram portion of that particular degree but I very well might have done better in that segment if I had had this one. I hope that it helps someone else as much as it helped me to get a refresher.

View all my reviews

I was very happy to have been chosen to narrate this book. I expect it will be going to market by its publisher soon.

Saturday, November 2, 2019

A little that's crossing the desk from the "doing" to "finishing" box

An audiobook version of Elizabeth Buckley's poetry book, "The Beast, the Hope, and the Only Sun" is pending. It has taken some time to get to that project for her. There will be more news as that develops. Also there is an Enneagram audiobook pending that I am recording for another author/publisher. Once those are both available I will post more about them.

Monday, October 28, 2019

Neil Gaiman Explains All Hallow's Read





I love the idea of All Hallow's Read.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Flash Fiction Fridays #26: Skinned and Power Of Silence

This week is a shorter reading offering.



Monday, October 21, 2019

New Thing! Selktember will start in 2020.


Selktember prompts

Selktember is similar to Mermay, Inktober, and Drawlloween. I have not seen any prompts lists focusing on just selkies, so I felt it time. Selktember will contain a prompt for every day in September and can be used for poetry, art, stories of any length, or even music clips. Whatever your mode of creative expression, use it! Post to your favorite place for your works and then tweet the link. Please use the tags below to help others find it.

The first official Selktember will start in 2020


You'll be able to find the prompts when it is time to start by visiting the Selkies' Skins webnovel archive at https://teresagarciaserials.weebly.com/selktember.html or here on the publishing blog.


@amehanaarashi (so I see it directly) #Selktember #Selktember2020



Saturday, October 19, 2019

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.

Saturday, October 5, 2019

Book Review: Jesse and the Thinkers

Jesse and the Thinkers (Jesse Winkler - Book Series 1)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!

View all my reviews

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

Howl's Moving Castle (Howl's Moving Castle, #1)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 (Howl's Moving Castle, #2)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.

View all my reviews

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

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.

Sunday, September 22, 2019

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.

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Interviewing Illustrator and Obama Fellow Sanghamitra Dasgupta





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..


===


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.

---




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.

Friday, September 13, 2019

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.


Monday, September 9, 2019

Ame's Bookshelf Interviews: Robbin Miller "Breaking the Barriers"

It is amazing how much went wrong around getting this particular interview recorded. It is up now though! Get to know a little about author Robbin Miller, the author of "Breaking Barriers" A Girl's Dream to Play Little League with the Boys."





Audio Only Podcast: https://www.podcasts.com/mythical-minstrelsy-flash-fiction-fridays-and-ames-bookshelf-1a06920c4/episode/Interviewing-Author-Robbin-Miller-1ef5



Or Get it from the publisher (Pen It Publications): www.penitpublications.com 

Support the Podcast and related projects: www.patreon.com/Amehana 

Saturday, September 7, 2019

Here is my art from last Inktober as a Youtube flip book

Please notice that some days are more detailed than others. It is ok if you are not on point every day or only have time for "simple, but finished." The point is to explore your own creativity. It's not a competition against each other.

Friday, September 6, 2019

Double Play Flash Fiction Fridays Podcast Catch Up Day

Last Friday's Flash Fiction Fridays episode was a little slow in actually managing to get recorded and ready.

Flash Fiction Fridays #20: "I Hate Updates" and "Delusion"

The first is every college or university student's worst nightmare. The second was written for a Flash Fiction Month prompt that required an unfair rebirth or fate, and explores karma.


This Friday's episode has "Just a Little Something" and "Turnabout" as more comedic offerings. The first gives us a glimpse into the personal lives of Chinese deities and immortals, and what chaos/order they get up to, and was written for one of the Flash Fiction Month challenges. The second is a Coyote/Kokopelli tale Teresa Garcia wrote to fill her daily requirement and in honor of those two tricksters.

Flash Fiction Fridays #21: "Just a Little Something" and "Turnabout"



Remember, if you'd like your flash and short fictions, or poetry featured on the podcast I am paying $3US per piece used. Highly favored are pieces with fantasy, mythology, folklore, or legend aspects. Author retains copyright. Submissions to the podcast can be made to ladyrainstardragon@hotmail.com or thgstardragonpublishing@gmail.com. Please include in the subject line it's a podcast submission.

Please consider subscribing to the podcast at:
iTunes
 iTunes Podcast

Google Play
Listen on Google Play Music

Spotify
 Listen on Spotify


Podcasts.com (full content)

SoundCloud (flash fictions only) currently is full and will not be updated until those episodes are moved to storage.



Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Ian's Realm Saga Trilogy (Books 1 through 3) is now fully available



Yesterday the third part of The Ian's Realm Saga Trilogy Audio by D.L. Gardner narrated by Teresa Garcia (me!) went live for download!

Don't forget to check out the rest of her work.



D.L. Gardner's direct Gumroad storefront: https://gumroad.com/dlgardner





It was a good project to be part of!

Friday, August 23, 2019

Author Interview: D.L. Gardner

Audio podcast: http://www.podcasts.com/mythical-minstrelsy-flash-fiction-fridays-and-ames-bookshelf-1a06920c4/episode/Interviewing-Author-Screenwriter-and-Artist-D.L.-Gardner-8e5c

In light of her releasing the third installment of The Ian's Realm Saga in audio format please enjoy my interview of author, screenwriter, and artist D.L. Gardner.

You can order direct from her at www.gumroad.com/dlgardner and the books and audio are yours forever.

Flash Fiction Fridays #19: The Nest, Blind, and The Storage Unit Community

Audio podcast: http://www.podcasts.com/mythical-minstrelsy-flash-fiction-fridays-and-ames-bookshelf-1a06920c4/episode/Flash-Fiction-Fridays-19-The-Nest-Blind-and-The-Storage-Unit-Community-9a4f

This Friday's flash fictions are "The Nest," "Blind," and "The Storage Unit Community." These were all generated during July for Flash Fiction Month 2019 on Deviant art. You can read them in the links below or on my Patreon. Read here are the stories from the prompts meant for the first, second, and fourth days.

1: The Nest https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-July-1-2019-The-Nest-805486060
2 (3): Blind or Blindness https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-July-3-2019-Blindness-805550025
3 (4): The Storage Unit Community https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-July-4-2019-The-Storage-Unit-Community-805555439

Friday, August 16, 2019

Flash Fiction Fridays episodes 17 and 18

Much has happened that delayed the usual releases. After mama Cat's death I then experienced the death of a spirit/soul sister AND THEN the death of a beloved aunt. I intend to get one of the interviews recorded sometime tonight or tomorrow in preparation for Sunday.

Flash Fiction Fridays episode #17: Connection

Audio Only Podcast: http://www.podcasts.com/mythical-minstrelsy-flash-fiction-fridays-and-ames-bookshelf-1a06920c4/episode/Flash-Fiction-Fridays-17-Connection-by-Teresa-Garcia-18c2


Flash Fiction Fridays episode #18: Loyalty


If you'd like your short fiction featured, especially if it is myth or folklore related, please email me at ladyrainstardragon@hotmail.com or thgstardragonpublishing@gmail.com. I am also open to working your own recordings of your readings into the podcast should you choose.

Ian's Ream Saga Part 3 releases August 27, 2019

Part III of "The Ian's Realm Saga" by D.L. Gardner is expected to go live and be available for download August 27 of 2019. This is the final part of "The Ian's Realm Trilogy" book that I have worked so long to prepare the audiobook version of. It brings immense satisfaction to see that project ready for the push. I also highly recommend the other books of the series. It was a fun project to be part of and narrate for.


I have seen the first two parts on Audiobooks.com and I believe that FindAWay, the distributor that she has chosen, has those on other venues as well, and this will join them.

Sunday, July 14, 2019

Ian's Realm Saga Part Two is available

Part Two of the Ian's Realm Saga is finished, ready, and available for purchase and download on Dianne Gardner's Gumroads store. You can listen to the story on any device that plays MP3 and are not locked into streaming only (unlike some venues can be).

It has been a pleasure working on this project. Part Three is in production and available for pre-order directly from the author. By ordering from the author directly you ensure that she receives more, especially in projects where narrators or illustrators are paid up front. Please also check out her other projects.


D. L. Gardner on Gumroad

You can also check your favorite audiobook retailer.

Author Interview: Jessica Baumgartner "My Family Is Different"



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.

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.

Author, poet, editor

c) What books, games, or other publishing related projects have you been involved in the production of?
Author of 2 children’s books: The Golden Rule & My Family Is Different / 1 science fiction series: Embracing Entropy (which is currently out of print and being revamped) / and numerous short stories 1 of which was featured in the Chicken Soup for the Soul Book: Inspiration for Teachers. I also do freelance editing work and assist the editor of Me First Magazine.
===

1. What got you interested in (writing/illustrating/editing, etc)?

I love stories. Ever since I was little I was making up my own worlds and getting people to laugh at true tales of my silliness.

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

I do a lot of freelance work but my involvement with Me First Magazine has been incredibly rewarding, and my technical writing keeps the bills paid.

3. What projects are you currently working on?

I’m always juggling different manuscripts. I’ve been working on a non-fiction piece about when I moved to L.A. to be a singer for a while now, but also have a new middle grade children’s book I’m diving into, and a mad-scientist story involving a veterinarian.

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

Every day I have to fight with new ideas and see which ones stick around for future endeavors. I’m constantly scribbling down new ideas to plot, and researching non-fiction topics that matter most to me.

5. What is your favorite project?

That’s like asking which of my children I love most. I can’t choose between them. I can say that one of my newest unpublished short stories, “Forgotten Voyage,” was such a big part of me that I’m hoping it finds a home soon. It’s a classic hero story with a dark twist that poured out and reads real smooth.

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

Not at all. Haha When I was really young I wanted to be a dinosaur. When I realized that probably wasn’t an option (one can still dream) I switched from veterinarian to singer to sculpter to you name it. And I worked in a lot of the fields I dreamed of. I was a veterinary assistant, a travel agent, a clothing store manager, a receptionist, and so on. All that experience piled up and pointed me in my true direction: writing.

Don’t get me wrong; I always loved writing and telling stories. I just didn’t think it would be a viable career. That was reserved for old cranky drunk men, or so stereotypes suggested. I’m glad that was wrong.

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

Yes. I have sent out over 100 submissions already this year with only a few acceptances. That’s the life of a writer. The more lucrative the market, the more heartache you get, but I’m fully committed. It takes a lot of spark to keep burning through the publishing industry.

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

My weekdays are very structured. I get up early, spend time with my kids getting them ready for the day, exercising together, and having breakfast. Then my husband takes over and I go to the office to write until my lunch break. I usually record ideas, poems, or blogs on my phone as I drive to the park to play with the kids at lunchtime. Then I come back to the office, write some more and head home to cart the little ones to practices and rehearsals and somehow squeak dinner, reading, and outside time in there. Once they go to bed I make time for the hubsy, but then I do some writing, outlining, or brainstorming.

The weekends are the opposite. Less structure, more adventure. We go hiking, swimming, camping, hit up local events, or bombard family, play music, dance, and run around having as much fun as we can. I also sneak in writing when everyone’s asleep on the weekends.

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

Very carefully. haha

10. What hobbies do you have?

I love to play guitar, sing, dance, swim, hike, garden, play with animals, pretend I can draw and try new things.

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

A mermaid. Or a dinosaur. A MER-DINO!

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

Yes and no. In school we read some pretty standard books. Some were great, but a lot of them bored me. I hated Lord of the Flies and Romeo & Juliet. They didn’t say anything to me about myself or the world I knew. BUT I spent a lot of time in the library just closing my eyes and running my fingers over rows of books until I stopped on one. I loved that game. I would read the back and if I liked it I would check it out. I also had a couple of teachers who really encouraged my love of writing and reading. One suggested I become a writer and I laughed at the idea. How silly of me.

13. If you could go back to school is there anything you wish you had paid more attention to?

Math. It’s the language of numbers. I’m dyslexic so numbers and letters like to play tricks on me. I struggled with it pretty bad until I had a great math teacher in college. He really taught me how to train my brain and get to know numbers.

14. What advice do you have for the next generation?

That’s a hefty order. Haha I guess it would be: Read old books. Classic English Lit always revives my faith in humanity because 50, 100, 200… even 1000 years ago people were complaining about the same things: crooked politicians, the state of the education system, the future of the world, and financial woes. No matter how bad things seem, we’ll be okay.

15. 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?

Do the work. No one is ever a perfect writer. Keep learning. Go to workshops, find a mentor - surround yourself with writers, agents, and publishers. Listen to them and let your work grow. Be realistic about your goals and work hard.

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

Everyone is a writer nowadays but fewer people are reading. If you really care about literature and word art, support more authors.

FFF # 16: Devotion (and poetry)


Friday, June 28, 2019

Flash Fiction Fridays #15: Awake (and poetry)



I recorded this before my voice went out. Hopefully I will have the text story for Flash Fiction Fridays ready by the end of the day. I've been sick the past few days. I thought it was allergies... It was not allergies...



There's an interview still for me to record, and I need to send out some more questionairres for others on my list. I'm attempting to get back into the swing of things after we had to put Mama Cat down.

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Review of "Grief," a graphic anthology by Frank Gogol

GriefGrief by Frank Gogol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I bought this book for my son and I to share when we found the Source Point table at the local comic convention in 2019. I was hugely excited to get to have it signed as well. That is a rare treat for my son and I.

I finally got the chance to sit down and have a proper read through of the book instead of here and there as I could. I found it to be a very healing experience. My son has not gotten to take the time to read through yet, but I expect that he will enjoy it as much as I have and find things that he will identify with as well. We deal with grief over loved ones both human and furry that were taken from us too soon. Two of the deaths were natural causes (at least one cancer, the other we aren't sure of), one a horrible accident mere feet from our home, and one from poisoning. The past few years have been rough one could say. There have been other things to mourn such as lost friendship and the fact that my son has not had a "normal" childhood.

The last story, "Embrace," which apparently was the first written, hit particularly hard for me as I myself am a parent of an autistic young man that has had to overcome much. We have had to find our own way around obstacles. He's disclosed to me at times that he has felt like a monster, so I expect to have many discussions with him about "Monsters." Each of these tales contained a piece of things I needed reminding of. It has made me feel better and less alone to read it. I have another tool that will help my son as we navigate our most recent losses.

Thank you. I can't praise this highly enough.

View all my reviews

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

Interesting Folklore Blog I'd like to share

Green Shinto on Facebook shared a good blogpost that they had found about the octopus kami. The entire blog looks pretty interesting for those looking for writing prompts or folklore tidbits.
https://arjungwriter.com/

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Short Hiatus From Podcast and Youtube

I would rather not retype the whole thing. I will take a short hiatus from the Youtube and Podcast to mourn and recuperate. I will continue working on other projects. I just need to turn inward some for a bit.
~Teresa

Other projects will not have a hiatus.

Saturday, June 1, 2019

Interviewing Debi Stanton Author and Publisher with Pen It Publications


Here is my interview with author and president of Pen It Publications, Debi Stanton. As with all the interviews I am working my way through doing I hope to cast more light on the individuals that make the publishing world work. By illuminating these areas perhaps it will overall be a less mysterious place for those thinking about joining it.

 ===

Pre Interview Questions:
a) Is Debi Stanton your legal name or a pen name/DBA name? If so, would you mind telling us why you chose one over using your legal name. It is my legal name.

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. I own Pen It! Publications, LLC with my husband, Ray. I am also an author of 17 books and I always have more in the works!

c) What books, games, or other publishing related projects have you been involved in the production of? There are way too many to list. We have published over 500 books in the past 4 years and have more coming in every day. We are excited to be a part of each and every author’s story.
===

1. What got you interested in (writing/illustrating/editing, etc.)? I have been writing since I was a child. I was a voracious reader and writing was a natural transition. I minored in Art, but don’t illustrate, it is much too hard! And editing…that is probably my least favorite thing about writing, so we pay others to do it 😊

2. What company or companies are you doing work for/with? (In case you have more than one job and want to give them a shout out or it impacts your publishing at all.) We own Pen It! Publications, LLC which is a traditional publisher.

3. You are the President of Pen It Publications. Can you tell us the story behind the company and what caused you to get involved with it? My husband and I got married in 2014 and he had just written his first book. I had published a few. He was shopping his book around to publishers and was just not happy with what they offered. Most were vanity presses who wanted to charge him thousands of dollars. I was already publishing Pen It! Magazine, a magazine for authors and I had been traditionally published, but always felt like I was just a number. So, I mentioned that I always wanted to start my own publishing company. I knew a lot about publishing, but didn’t know much about the business side of it. Ray had owned his own business for over 30 years and said, “well, I do.” So within two weeks, we were up and running. We hired 1 illustrator and 1 editor, and we were in business. Now we employ around 50 people and have hundreds of authors. I truly love what I do. Our motto is: Everyone has a story…What’s yours?

4. What projects are you currently working on?
I am working on a series of books called: People Watching…. The first one is People Watching…In the Airport. They are going to be funny looks at people watching.

5. Do you have any future projects in mind to take on? I have a novel that I need to finish that I started a few years ago. I have 16 chapters done but just haven’t had the motivation to finish it. I won’t share that title right now.

6. What is your favorite project you have done? Wow, each project we work on for our authors is wonderful…so I’ll talk about one I have written myself. My favorite book is The Fellowship Flock. It hasn’t been much of a seller, but we are going to do a new cover for it and republish soon. It is set in Fairhope Alabama and surrounds a little church and all of the comedy and drama that ensues.

7. Is this career something that you always wanted to do? Yes, I started writing, transitioned into running writing groups, then to publishing Pen It! Magazine and then into Pen It! Publications.

8. Do you find it difficult, or find some aspects more difficult than others? I truly hate editing. I tend to get sucked into the story and skip over errors, so we pay others to do that job.

9. Have you observed any way that an author or poet makes it harder for themselves to find a publisher? Have a good query letter. I get submissions all the time that are just attached to an email with no query letter, no information about the story, etc. Also, make sure that you have edited it to the best of your ability. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but do the best you can.

10. I have noticed and heard many younger people trying to figure out how to become an illustrator. Do you have any specific advice or suggestions for those budding artists? We do hire young talent. The best tip I can give is to be diligent. If an author or publisher gives you a book to illustrate, be timely, keep in touch and be responsible to meet your deadlines. It’s very important to us and to our authors that we publish in a timely manner.

11. What is a normal day like for you? Is this your side job or main job? Gosh, I work from about the time I get up until I go to bed some days. I am always answering email, helping format books, corresponding with staff. It is a crazy life, but I love it.

12. How do you manage balancing this with family and any other work you may have? It is important to do, but sometimes I find I neglect things other than work. Ray and I take a vacation at least once a year. Last year we went to Hawaii and Israel. I just have to say, “I’m not working” and let the authors and staff know that I am going to be away. They are very respectful of my time and know I will be in touch as soon as I can.

13. What hobbies do you have? Besides writing? I would say travel. My husband and I love to travel.

14. If you could be anything in the world besides this, what would it be? Besides this huh? Well, probably a teacher at a college…teaching writing of course. Or, I would lead conferences and seminars. I love being in front of people and teaching them.

15. Do you feel that school helped set you up toward following this path in the publishing industry? Yes, definitely. I majored in English and took multiple electives. I had one teacher, Mrs. Lloyd who really inspired me. She was a creative and inspirational lady and I admired her greatly. I have five degrees, so I guess I was an education junkie. I have an Associates in Business, a Bachelor’s in Business, a Bachelor’s in Computer Software Technology, a Master’s in Business and a Master’s in Health Care Administration…and lots of Student Loans! LOL

16. If you could go back to school is there anything you wish you had paid more attention to? History. I love reading non-fiction and I wish I had been more into history.

17. What advice do you have for the next generation? Don’t doubt yourself. You can do it!

18. 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? Publishing is time-consuming. It can take over your life, but the rewards are so worth it. Be kind to people and they will love working with you.

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

I would just like to say thank you to all of our authors and staff. You have made us what we are today. I am so very blessed to have all of you in my life. I can’t thank you enough.


Debi Stanton



=Full Podcast content=
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=Flash Fiction Only Pods=
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=Other places and ways to support=
Want to visit me, see some of my other works, or support me? Find me at:
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Want to send me something to read on here or to review? Have a particular request?

Need to send something the old-fashioned way? Maybe you've got a hard copy of a book you want reviewed, or a copy of some of your own work for me to look over? Perhaps you have some of your work you'd like me to record?

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Friday, May 31, 2019

Flash Fiction #14: Kagayaku's Decision (sword spirit fiction)


Podcast Audio: http://www.podcasts.com/mythical-minstrelsy-flash-fiction-fridays-and-ames-bookshelf-1a06920c4/episode/Flash-Fiction-Fridays-14-Kagayakus-Decision-sword-spirit-story-8781


Kagayaku’s Decision

The fire guard kept watch, but mortal eyes saw none of the minor kami gathered in the room with their soldiers, nor the influence of the major kami, butsu, and bosatsu the forces regularly prayed to. The incense kept time with a steady creep and rising wisp.

She watched him sleep, just as every other sword in the room watched his or her own master sleep. The males as usual outnumbered the women. It did not matter though. Swords were not normally capable of reproducing on their own, nor at all. The humans truly did not reproduce on their own either, just as they did help was required although of a different type.

He was childless and wifeless, unlike most of those sleeping men sprawled orderly around them. Breaths and heartbeats were for the lord of the clan and for their families. His beat only for his master, half hollow instead of the full ones of the others. The murmurs had already started several years ago, after she had been awarded him, as to if there would be anyone to inherit her. More bothersome though was how colder and more distant he became with each passing year. Soon he would not be the young man she had known with such promise.

She sat straighter where she knelt in seiza beside the head of her warrior and her physical body. Her job was to protect him. Thinking of what he could become made her heart hurt. They had faced too many of those together. He could not become one of the hollow ones who only fought for rice and who tasted so bitter on her sharp tongue. Kagayaku steeled herself, her lips pressing together. The other sword spirits of the room turned their eyes to her, sensing the change in the flow of ki.

“After this coming battle I have work that must be done. Who may I ask to instruct me in what men seek of their women?” Her own eyes turned determinedly toward several belonging to those most known to visit the geisha of the floating world, locking with them. Among there kind none bowed to the others, save to he that dwelled in the shrine of the Sun’s Child and still sang of the taste of Orochi’s blood and the vanquishing thereof.

Each reddened, their lips played several emotions.

“Why, Kagayaku? Do you intend to bear him a son to in turn carry you for our lord yourself? That may be easier than hunting him a wife. Do you not know the sort that he himself looks toward?” Jari, sword of the youngest out of the targeted quintet chuckled.

“He looks to none so, I have indeed watched. He does not even look to other men so. If I can find him one, so be it. If I must show myself to him, so be it.” Kagayaku smoothed imaginary wrinkles in her lap, her displeasure giving a cold ring to her song.

“I do not think you can be demure enough, younger sister.” At length Mashite, he that was quickest to smooth words sighed. “The women my master sees all act subservient and haughty at once. And far more flirtatious. It would be a shame to model yourself after such peacock, or to find him such. No, he needs someone that will tend him as loyally as you do, that will not flinch to treat him should his armor fail.”

His armor’s spirit scowled and made a rude gesture beneath where crossed arms hid his fingers. “I only move as swift as he, no swifter.” His eyes slid over Kagayaku and he scowled more.

“She must be willing to put up with long nights of loneliness, and drunkenness.” Other swords began voicing their opinions and advice, not all of it delicate and often far coarser.

A few hours before dawn all had decided to try to find someone and to let the others know, then to somehow arrange introductions. They quieted as the ningen began to stir and go about their preparations. Today there would be either death, or life, for each of them. Perhaps some of their own also would be sent to the shadow lands to walk the wind scoured and mist shrouded beaches, or to the lands over which Lady Izanami now ruled, unable to send the dead back home since her once-husband’s betrayal of her modesty and mysteries.

Her ningen’s fingers caressed her hilt, and she drew a deep breath. Kagayaku’s bearer would not be one of the fallen, if she had her way. Beneath his touch she sang.


Bosatsu = Bodhisattva, a buddha who waits for all to Awaken before leaving The Wheel

Butsu = A buddha that has gone on but turns to give deliverance and guidance to show the Way.

Jari = grit

Kagayaku = luminous

Ki = energy. Known as chi in China

Kami = spirit, deity, god/dess

Mashite = not to mention, let alone

Ningen = human

This was intended to be a short story, but may unfurl into a novella through later flashes to the characters. It is born out of a long ago talk that planted the seed for a samurai that unknowing and reluctantly falls in love with his sword. It also somewhat draws on the reluctant king story seed although the ningen will never rise to king nor emperor.


Full Podcast content
www.FlashFictionFridays.com

Podcasts.com: http://www.podcasts.com/mythical-minstrelsy-flash-fiction-fridays-and-ames-bookshelf-1a06920c4

iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mythical-minstrelsy-and-flash-fiction-fridays/id1461538463

Google Play: https://playmusic.app.goo.gl/?ibi=com.google.PlayMusic&isi=691797987&ius=googleplaymusic&apn=com.google.android.music&link=https://play.google.com/music/m/Iregmi7sag7o3fg6p3e32k5ghwq?t%3DMythical_Minstrelsy_and_Flash_Fiction_Fridays%26pcampaignid%3DMKT-na-all-co-pr-mu-pod-16

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1vLsYYcHOkDdasTFvqe9Ph


Flash Fiction Only Pods

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/teresa-garcia-34

Financial assistance

Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/Amehana

Ko-fi: http://www.ko-fi.com/amehana

Paypal: http://paypal.me/thgstardragon


Other places and ways to support

Want to visit me, see some of my other works, or support me? Find me at:

THG StarDragon Publishing, Mythical Minstrelsy & Arashiryuu Productions Discord: https://discord.gg/hvswe2A

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Storenvy: http://thgstardragon.storenvy.com/ Check now and then for new things, some I can't list just yet.

Publishing Website: http://www.thgstardragon.com

Publishing Blog: http://www.thgstardragonpublishingblog.com

Commissions Info: https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/journal/Commissioning-Information-566657935

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