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".

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

DeviantArt: http://amehanarainstardrago.deviantart.com

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Teresa-Garcia/e/B009Q938VE

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/TeresaGarcia

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

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/Amehana

Livejournal: http://rainstardragon.livejournal.com

Dreamwidth: http://rainstardragon.dreamwidth.org

Illustration Process demonstration: Watercolor brush pens (layer 1)

The above video is an illustration technique demonstration using watercolor brush pens. This is ONLY the first layer. I was unable to record the following layers. A video of a full process watercolor will be done at a later date with a different work.

I needed to soothe myself and needed some brain tingles. I've been wanting to use my watercolor brush set more so I decided I would somewhat simulate the feel of Chinese brush art with modern tech. Elements I included are water lily, strata rock, rushes, tree stump, lake grass, ornamental goldfish.

This is the finished result after passes with a waterbrush for blending and then going back with the brushpens for more detailing.

https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/Lily-Fish-Pond-Waterbrush-marked-799865515

Later I will make this available as a poster in Second Life and I think it suitable for a print in our analog world as well. It is currently available as a print in the DeviantArt store, just follow the link from the work in my gallery.

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Musing about Second Life's Premium account and Basic account changes

I do not normally write about Second Life prices here. However we do utilize Second Life at times to obtain digital photography and videography for our projects, to network, for my involvement with the Trotsdale Library, various writing contests, and even some of our books (not all as the porting was an experiment to test the market in SL books) being available inside Second Life.

I am somewhat disappointed in Second Life right now.

I (Teresa Garcia as Amehana Ishtari/Arashi) have 42 groups current. Over the years there have been times I have had to pare out groups that I would have preferred to keep in order to make room for groups that I needed for administration duties for communities or for storefronts in sims that require vendor groups instead of renting out parcels that can be set to one's store group. Between Meditation/Shrine groups, the Library group, various Pony/Furry communities, storefronts, and artist/book/networking communities, my store group for Arashiryuu Productions / THG StarDragon Publishing, and a couple family/friend groups I only have space for a few shopping groups that I use to get discounts on set pieces from manufacturers I like to follow. Now the basic accounts are dropping the number of group slots available and increasing the amount it costs to go premium.

I use a basic account due to my income. Although the premium account has 70 slots I did not see a need to pay monthly for something that I wasn't certain I could always cover out of my personal expenses plus that I pay monthly for inworld rent for the store and covering the library's rent (that is my responsibility now as Zepdek has had personal issues to attend, meaning his financial contribution had to drop).

I heard about the changes first through CrimMip, a fellow admin for Nisa/Dreaming Twilight (the group whose land I normally use when obtaining Second Life originating visuals for projects). I heard about it next from Bixyl Shuftan through their blog article. There is a bit of a conversation ongoing now in the SL Newer's discord chat. Some that I have talked to see no problems with the amount of group slots, feeling they are coming no where near their cap. Others, like myself, are frustrated because they are and do not wish to switch to premium to increase their groups slots, already putting quite a bit of money into the platform through virtual land rent, market purchases, and tipping performers.

I can understand increasing prices for premium accounts. They did decrease (temporarily) land prices for those that buy land. However they lowered the amount of group slots and ofline IMs for basic accounts, a feature that theoretically costs no money. They do have to pay their developers and admins. It does put people like me in a strange spot though. Porting my clothing goods and furniture items over to an alt account is not possible due to licensing agreements of used components. Transferring stores to another account would not work due to still having to keep the same groups to rez the vendors from my main account (and then I'd end up missing payments due to notices going to another email). Asking admin duties to transfer to an alt would not work as well either due to my main account already being an established and known name, the other account not being as well known since my main alt is a prize dispersal for library based contests, who started out as an "I'm overwhelmed and want to enjoy and explore inworld but want to focus on a handful of people right now" account.

So, now I weigh and decide. Basic has dropped seven slots. If I need to jiggle groups for any other needs that arise admin group wise for communities and networking I will have to drop seven, which would include those I currently need. I also wonder how well this move will work for them. Honestly I am glad I do not work for SL or have to figure out good financial moves for their company. They have such a large user base and not many are going to be happy with price increases, especially with the fluctuation of the $L and if the monthly stipend for inworld spending that goes with a premium does not increase.

How will this impact THG StarDragon Publishing's sponsoring of the Trotsdale and Intersim Library Network? At this time I do not know. I continue paying the library's rent. I need to set aside some funds for a prize for the next contest. I need to decide whether it will be writing, art, or if I should shake things up and ask people to make reading videos or tracks. Tonight at 5 PM Pacific Illya Leonov has his music hour followed by his story hour. This week he plays chapter 10 of Past Sins, an MLP fanfic. Sundays I normally (unless ill or too inundated) read or stream, now at 5 PM Pacific and sometimes followed by other readers. How will it impact the Library, or my own store group and meditation group? With a decrease in group slots for the basic account I can guess that fewer peoplewill be getting notices of the inworld events, and overall the world will get smaller for Second Life users as they will have fewer options available to them. The work around of a Subscribomatic to send messages has the pitfall of it's owner only being able to use it to send announcements for one group, meaning that if they have to have work arounds for several groups they may end up with several of the free alternate accounts and have to switch between them for what should be a simple thing... advertising.

SL Blogpost: Land Price Reductions, New Premium Perks, and Pricing Changes
Bixyl Shuftan's article: http://slnewser.blogspot.com/2019/05/linden-lab-raising-price-of-premium.html
Second Life Forum Discussion Thread: https://community.secondlife.com/forums/topic/437783-what-are-your-opinions-on-the-new-land-price-reductions-new-premium-perks-and-pricing-changes

Sunday, May 26, 2019

Interviewing children's author Rochelle Lazauskas of Pen It Publications

Today I share my interview of Rochelle Lazauskas, author of the children's books "Moey's Big Back Yard" and "Moey's Day At The Farm," which I illustrated for.

You can purchase these books on Amazon or direct from the publisher. If you're in McCloud for the annual Lumberjack Fiesta you can also drop by my book booth to buy a copy!

Moey's Big Back Yard
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Moeys-Big-Back-Yard-Adventures/dp/1976212340
Publisher: https://www.penitpublications.com/product-page/the-adventures-of-moe-moey-s-big-back-yard-by-rochelle-lazauskas

Moey's Day at the Farm
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Moeys-Day-Farm-Rochelle-Lazauskas/dp/1950454126
Publisher: https://www.penitpublications.com/product-page/moey-s-day-at-the-farm-by-rochelle-lazauskas

Filmed using the short Miikare cellphone/tablet stand for my tablet with answers and the tall telescoping Miikare cellphone/tablet stand to hold the phone.

=======

 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.
a) Mrs. Rochelle Lazauskas

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.
b) Author

c) What books, games, or other publishing related projects have you been involved in the production of?
c) Moey's Big Back Yard & Moey's Day at the Farm

===

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

1) I have always been interested in writing and story telling.

2. What company or companies are you doing work for/with?
2) I publish through PenIt! Publications

3. What projects are you currently working on?
3) I currently am writing my third in a series children's book

4. Do you have any future projects in mind to take on?
4) Working on my future project ( see # 3)

5. What is your favorite project?
5) Any project concerning my dog, Moe. So, both of my books.

6. Is this career something that you always wanted to do?
I have always wanted to write a book, and have been writing short stories for many years.
I have not published any of them, though.


7. Do you find it difficult, or find some aspects more difficult than others?
7) When the ideas come to me, I find it very easy to complete the thought.

8. What is a normal day like for you? Is this your side job or main job?
8) Writing is sort of an extra curricular activity for me.

9. How do you manage balancing this with family and any other work you may have?
9) I write in the quiet hours, when others are asleep or not at home.

10. What hobbies do you have?
10) I like to paint, draw, & make one of a kind jewelry. I love to try any kind of craft project, and love to keep my hands busy.

11. If you could be anything in the world besides this, what would it be?
11) I would love to be in the medical field, helping others.

12. Do you feel that school helped set you up toward following this path in the publishing industry?
12) Absolutely. In school I took creative writing classes & that's been an enormous help.

13. If you could go back to school is there anything you wish you had paid more attention to?
13) Yes, that'd be math. I've never been very good with math.

14. What advice do you have for the next generation?
14) It's never too late to do what you love. Never give up.

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?
15) Don't let anyone stop you from writing, if you truly love to write. It is never too late to reinvent yourself. Grandma Moses did it, I did it, and so can you!

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

16) Writing is a very freeing experience.

=======

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://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
DeviantArt: http://amehanarainstardrago.deviantart.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Teresa-Garcia/e/B009Q938VE
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/TeresaGarcia
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
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/Amehana
Livejournal: http://rainstardragon.livejournal.com
Dreamwidth: http://rainstardragon.dreamwidth.org

Saturday, May 25, 2019

Minnie's Choice AKA Minnie's Decision available for purchase


Kitties do so love to roam, but sometimes what they really want is a home. Minnie thought that she wanted to be wild and free until she spent time with a shy little girl. Learn how they both find out what love is in this sweet story published by our friend over at Pen It Publications.

Minnie's Choice AKA Minnie's Decision
By Patsy E. Stackhouse
Illustrated by Teresa Amehana Garcia

I was paid per illustration, so sales do not net me any royalties, and my Amazon Associates account did not sell enough for them to allow it to continue so purchasing via my Amazon link nets no finder's bounty.


Friday, May 24, 2019

Flash Fiction Fridays #13: The Story of Flame and The Shrine of the Gatekeeper



This Friday the flash fictions presented are once again set within what is now the Dreaming Twilight universe.

"The Story of Flame" is an older flash fiction that Lacy/Aria wrote before I discovered and became involved in Nisa. Here we learn about the moment Flame passed from a Nisean Guardian and Ascended to one of the Spirits of the Land.

"The Shrine of the Gatekeeper" by Teresa Garcia (myself) tells of the moment that Raikou first entered into Nisa after making the long passage through the mists and moutains (the Dreaming Twilight) that sealed the version of her land the known Raikou hails from.

You can help support the parcels of the lands including the current iteration of Nisa maintained by Dreaming Twilight in Ontario (as we slowly purchase the sim in bits and spurts) by visiting our locations inworld. If you open up about land and see it is a parcel owned by Dreaming Twilight than that is part of our collective. If you visit inworld you can send Linden dollars to Java Charisma which will go toward paying tier. Or, you can donate toward the tier so we can continue unfolding the varous lands and storylines by sending tips over Paypal to java.charisma@gmail.com.

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 
DeviantArt: http://amehanarainstardrago.deviantart.com 
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Teresa-Garcia/e/B009Q938VE 
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/TeresaGarcia 
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
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/Amehana
Livejournal: http://rainstardragon.livejournal.com 
Dreamwidth: http://rainstardragon.dreamwidth.org

Sunday, May 19, 2019

Interview with Dragon Hearts RPG Creator Rowan Wookey




Podcast/Youtube/Blog Interview

Submit to Teresa Garcia
ladyrainstardragon@hotmail.com (in case of FB problems, for backup)
Responses will be recorded and posted on my Youtube channel, my podcast, and on my blog.


Thank you for agreeing to be interviewed. Below are several questions. You do not have to answer all of them but the more that are answered and the more detailed they are the more viewers and listeners get to know you and your work. Some may seem a little silly. If there is something that hasn’t been asked on this please feel free to make an addition and share your answer. Based on the answers to the following questions there might also be some additional questions I end up asking you before this is read out and recorded.

Please also send the author/illustrator/etc picture that you use associated with your work’s image (or your book in the wild photo if you’re shy). If you do not yet have one please have someone help you with a photo that you feel captures how you wish to present yourself to the world. This can also be a stylized drawing of your or your persona if you have reasons (such as safety or transitions) not to show yourself in a recognizable fashion.

===

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.

Rowan and Male

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.

Game creator and general nerd.

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

DH

===

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

Many moons ago before the advent of smartphones and when laptops were about as portable as a ton of bricks, I played other games of a similar ilk and got fed up of them being buggy or the developers buggering off for real life (touch of irony there). So I decided to create my own.

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

Apart from my own none I can say.

3. What projects are you currently working on?

I really..really..really.. want to get DH updated to new shinyness. I’m also doing my Masters degree does that count as a project? Then of course there’s the IVF stuff now that’s a project ;) not really work related but time consuming. Most of the other stuff I can talk about is on github https://github.com/rwky/

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

Yes tons, of which none I can think of at the moment but there’s a huge list somewhere..

5. What is your favorite project?

DH will always be my fav.

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

Nope I wanted to be a biochemist when I was at college, even got accepted for MSci (Master in Science) at Nottingham University but decided it wasn’t for me.

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

Sitting on my arse for 12 hours a day isn’t so good when you’re in your 30s. 30 year old me wishes he could tell 20 year old me to go outside more so the 30 year old me bits would ache less.
I’m pretty well adapted for the long distance asynchronous communication (i.e. email) but being on call 24/7 for the past 10+ years does get a little tiring at times.

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

In the words of Forrest Gump “What’s normal anyways?” I don’t have a normal day, every day is different. Assuming I’m at home I wake up, check my emails/calendar and write today’s todo list, then I get cracking on it. Most days I get through most of it but inevitably some days something blows up (normally multiple things in one go) so then I have to deal with a mountain of shit.

DH is a side job (though was main job for a while years ago) my main job is “making bits of the internet work” (quoting myself), if it’s to do with Linux servers or web programming then I probably do it/have done it.

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

I’ll let you into a secret, there are two of me! (Something I often tell clients when they wonder how I can do so much). I don’t really manage to balance I just do what I can and let some off the less urgent stuff fall by the wayside. Adulting sucks ya know!

10. What hobbies do you have?
Is beer a hobby? If so then that. I’m also a fairly avid pokemon go player and also play on steam/nintendo 3ds/nintendo switch. TV is one of my favourite things to relax with especially in the bath. I’m endeavoring to read the Anne McCaffrey Pern series again (takes a while) on kindle.

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

Can I say a cat? Seems like they have a good life! Though job wise. I would like to work in the space industry.

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

Not at all. I did all my relevant qualifications after getting into programming.

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

Nah, I was one of those annoying people that’s good at most academic subjects. TBH IMHO most of high school was a waste, I’m not a fan of how the UK education system works, it’s highly focused on memorizing things instead of being able to use knowledge. Degree level isn’t much better which is why I left Manchester Uni to go to the Open Uni. Manchester’s masters courses are “read this book, remember this algorithm” where as the OU is “Here’s a project, go figure out how to do it”. Since my memory is abysmal these days, in the words of homer simpson “everytime I learn something new it pushes something old stuff out of my brain”, the school of remembering things by rote is useless to me.

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

* Go outside the world is big weird and wonderful, go see it.
* Don’t fall for rampant consumerism this planet is finite, try not to screw it up for yourselves and future generations.
* Keep your options open, what you think you want to do now probably won’t be what you want in 10, 20, 30 years.
* Relaxxxxxxxx….that thing you’re worrying about probably isn’t that bad (ok sometimes it is but unless you’re dying it’s probably not).

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?

Don’t be afraid to take the jump into something new, it can be scary especially when you have a significant other, kids, mortgage etc. but if it’s something you really want to do then go for it, life’s short so try and be happy with it.

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

Pie should be a mandatory food group.

Friday, May 17, 2019

Flash Fiction Fridays #12: Parting, This is Nisa (Latest Revision), and The Seer



Video link: https://youtu.be/i5nrAlS3zZU


Audio podcast: http://www.podcasts.com/mythical-minstrelsy-flash-fiction-fridays-and-ames-bookshelf-1a06920c4/episode/Flash-Fiction-Fridays-12-Parting-This-is-Nisa-latest-revision-and-The-Seer-89d9


Thanks go to Oscelot Haalan for getting the audio podcast to behave and upload.


#Singularity #AlternateWorlds #Dimensionality



This Friday I present three flash fictions. Two of them are by a guest, one Aria Wolfram or Lacy Musketeer. The third is my own.


Parting by Aria Wolfram: Nisean lore has always hinged around what disaster befell the original inhabitants of the country in the universe I first entered Nisa from, and long been tied into alternate realities and timelines. In this tale we learn one version of how Ar'ia first enters one of several concurrent versions of Nisa wherein anthro versions of Raikou and Horin rule Ibexia (and adopt her in adulthood) and what that entry looked like from the point of view of her father when she enters the singularity. Or perhaps it could be said the spirits of those who would take physical incarnation to later be the duo. There are alternate theories one could spin from this as well.

This is Nisa by Aria Wolfram: I also recommend listening to the original version of the tale as recorded for the MLP world version that she wrote, as recorded by Illya Leonov. She agreed to let me record and share her tale providing that I utilize the version for the currently enacted timeline wherein the denizens tend toward anthro and less toward the MLP based version Nisa was originally held to based on the universe rp was at the time done within (back when it interacted with Roanoak before the Changeling massacre and later the Canterlot bombing when that timeline was communally abandoned and "stored").


For posterity, Illya Leonov's recording of the first version: http://www.soundcloud.com/illya-leonov

You can visit Nisa and Ibexia as well as several other parcels owned and maintained by the Dreaming Twilight in the Second Life sim of Ontario.

The Seer by Teresa Garcia: A Seer of indeterminate age attempts to share what is most dear and wondrous with you. But what is your reaction to her world?

Financial assistance


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




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





Mythical Minstrelsy volume 2 print edition now available

It has been a very busy several days (several months). In addition to The Ian's Realm Saga part 1 going live on Dianne Gardner's Gumroad store I came to the computer to the notice that the print edition of Mythical Minstrelsy, volume 2 has gone live and available for sale on Amazon, to join the kindle edition. I see that they have not yet been linked, but I expect that to be done sometime soon by the system.

The price is a bit higher than I would like, but it is due to the fact that color print costs a bit more, and there are indeed color images, although the divider images are grey scale.

I am particularly pleased with the cover. It printed darker than expected (always hard to tell how dark something will print) but it suits the mood of the Second Life photography shoot that I did to obtain the images to work with for the cover.

The print edition of volume three is still in production. I am going through the manuscript compiled into the .doc from Scrivener to ensure that it has all of the high dpi images inserted. Ebooks tend to use a lower dpi than what is suitable for print due to file size issues.

Mythical Minstrelsy volume 2 Print Edition Live

Thursday, May 16, 2019

The Ian's Realm Saga audiobook Part One

The Ian's Realm Saga
By D.L. Gardner
Narrated by Teresa Garcia


Part One of "The Ian's Realm Saga" audiobook is now available on Gumroad.com for purchase and download. Parts Two and Three are available there for pre-order.

Mrs. Gardner has several other related projects available as well.

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Hope's Story Review

My review of Tracy Kushwaha's "Hope's Story" which appeared here previously on a book tour.
Audio Podcast format: http://www.podcasts.com/mythical-minstrelsy-flash-fiction-fridays-and-ames-bookshelf-1a06920c4/episode/Ames-Bookshelf-Reviews-Hopes-Story-by-Tracy-Kushwaha-44ae

We were supposed to get broadband today. However the installer was a no call (on landline nore spotty cell line) no show. They didn't even drive by the house and I was watching out the front window. And they kept removing the cell number from the account. Very disappointed. We later found out that this was due to a lack of manpower. The appointment is scheduled for the 21st now.

Sunday, May 12, 2019

Interviewing Jo Jewell





Today I am reading the interview I had with author Jo Jewell of Pen It! Publications.

I plan to do several interviews to work into my postings. I'll be interviewing authors, a game creator, hopefully some illustrators and editors and others involved in the publishing industry. I already have two others to record the answers from as well. I'll be sending out a few at a time to that I don't overload myself with content to do around my work, so if I've worked with you in the past on a project rest assured you will eventually be getting a mailing from me. If you're involved in the publishing industry and would like to be interviewed please contact me and I will send you the list of questions. It is my hope that these interviews help spotlight people and their work, but also help introduce people to the people that make the industry go, perhaps even give others the courage to participate as well. I doubt this will be anywhere as popular as Reading Rainbow, but if it helps even one person it is worth it.

Pen It Publications: http://www.penitpublications.com
Jo Jewell Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Jo-Jewell/e/B07NSVVKPQ

You can help support these and other videos. Click like, share, subscribe, visit my Patreon, comment on them.

Podcast/Youtube/Blog Interview Notes
===

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.
I am female and I go by Jo Jewell which is the name I write under. Jo is actually my middle 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 am an author. 


c) What books, games, or other publishing related projects have you been involved in the production of?
I’ve written for many years and worn many hats. I was a political writer for a time, I’ve had two newspaper columns that focused on the pets in my life and raising two rambunctious boys. I wrote puppet plays for a disability program about loving who you are and loving what makes you different. I’ve written poetry under the name of Nikki King, I’ve written inspirational stories, and I even wrote for an art coffee table book for an artist in Oregon. Pretty much if it meant writing, I’d write it. 
In 2010, I had the trifecta of tragedies. 
Round One) I came home from work June 26th, 2010 and found my husband, my furniture and my money gone. I was left alone and penniless BUT I had a job so all was not lost. I just had to find my new normal. Unknown to me, house payments had not been made so our house went into foreclosure. So now, I’m penniless and homeless. I moved in with a friend from work. I didn’t know her very well, but it was better than being on the street.
Round Two) On December 10th, my roommate and I went to a charity run. It was extremely cold that day with bouts of icy rain. You guessed it. I ended up with double lower lobe pneumonia. One lung was completely shut down and the other was at only 13% capacity. I was hospitalized for two weeks and in recovery for three months.
Round Three) On March 3rd, 2011, my employer went through a drastic downsizing and consequently was laid off from my job. ***This is all leading somewhere, I promise.
I was out of work for 13 months and during that time, I received a call from a wrong number. Instead of the usual, Gosh, I’m sorry. No harm done. We ended up having a four hour conversation and hung up as friends. It was an older gentleman, around 86 years-young. He told me stories of growing up and his wife who he enjoyed 67 years of marriage. When we hung up, I kept thinking about all those wrong number calls we get and I started to wonder. What if, in taking the time to speak with the caller, something occurred that would change the life of the receiver and generation and generation after? I’d never written a novel, should I try?
I often write stories for my Facebook friends, so the logical thing to do was to start writing the story and posting it. The response was stunning! I have a very dear friend who messaged me and told me to quit posting, finish the story and send it out to a publisher! No one would want to read my silly stories, I told her. She made me promise, so I finished writing the story. I titled it: The Old Man and The Watch. I sent it out prepared for the dozens of rejection letters I was sure to receive. Instead, I never received a single rejection letter, but rather three publishers who wanted to publish it! I just walked around in disbelief until the phone calls started. I did decide on a lovely publisher and with her help and encouragement, The Old Man and The Watch hit the market.


===

1. What got you interested in (writing/illustrating/editing, etc)?
  To be honest, I don’t know how to answer that. I don’t remember a time when I didn’t write. I taught myself to read at a very early age and as soon as I learned to read, I began to write. I won my first National Poetry Contest, sponsored by my elementary school when I was six years-old.

2. What company or companies are you doing work for/with?
I am now retired and writing to my heart’s content. I am currently with PenIt! Publications and couldn’t be happier. I guess it would be safe to say, my readers are my employers now.

3. What projects are you currently working on?
I just finished The Old Man and The Watch series. Yeah, it took on a life of its own and my stand alone book became a five book series! Now, I’m gearing up for a new series titled: Probably Magic.

4. Do you have any future projects in mind to take on?
I will just keep writing. I really don’t plan too much in the future. I never know what story will be whispered in the wind, and I want to be open to hear it.




5. What is your favorite project?
I guess I have two. 
The one I’m most proud of is my minor role in creating the Maryland State Task Force for Abused, Abandoned, and Neglected Children. I was writing for a newspaper at the time and doing a series of articles on child abuse. The articles caught the eye of a state senator and he invited me to testify before the Maryland State Legislature. The bill passed and the Task Force was put into action based on my research and testimony. I have always felt, if that simple act saves children and families, it was worth every nerve-wracking, heartbreaking, knee-knocking minute.
The second is the one I most enjoyed. The fourth book in the series is titled: The Glory Plains, The Raising of a Thousand Voices. It takes place in Africa and takes on the subject of poaching. I learned so much through my research. There is an albino baby elephant named Thandie, and with that, I fell in love with elephants.

6. Is this career something that you always wanted to do?
Writing is all I’ve ever wanted to do. It has been part-time for the biggest part of my life as I had to have jobs, raise children, and make a home. I took early retirement just so I could realize my dream. I’m having a blast doing it!

7. Do you find it difficult, or find some aspects more difficult than others?
I hate doing my own marketing. Writing is no problem. Getting the story to the heart strings of my readers is no problem. Love the research. However, finding the money and a reputable marketer has been challenging and, at times, very stressful. I love doing book signings because I love meeting my readers and hearing what they have to say. I am more on the human level than business level. I often will have lunch with a reader, or visit, or communicate. I have created The Old Man and The Watch family. It’s a place where you will always be encouraged and celebrated and loved for just being yourself.

8. What is a normal day like for you? Is this your side job or main job?
I moved to Indiana from Tennessee two years ago. My best friend of 52 years recently lost her husband and she asked me to come live with her. So, here I am with nine cats, a puppy, and my best friend. We garden, we’re making a fairy garden, we lunch with friends, and really, quite frankly, we’re just enjoying life.

9. How do you manage balancing this with family and any other work you may have?
Oh, sometimes the cats want to help me type. LOL I have found the house is the quietest around 2:00 AM. I will often get up and write while the house is quiet and everyone else is sleeping.

10. What hobbies do you have?
I’m an animal lover as you probably surmised. I love to garden and create. I have a passion for Black Bears and have an extensive collection of collectible bears. I’m pretty much a nature girl and when I lived in Tennessee, you could usually find me in the mountains. I also do a lot of coloring as a stress reliever.



11. If you could be anything in the world besides this, what would it be?
Not a danged thing. If I didn’t write, couldn’t write, there would be no more oxygen for me to breathe nor blood to pump through my heart. Writing is my soul and my life. It would be nice to be discovered and celebrated…or would it? I’m not so sure that’s the life I would want.

12. Do you feel that school helped set you up toward following this path in the publishing industry?
I know a teacher in 8th grade made me feel I had potential. I was so horribly shy and for many, many years refused to share my writing with anyone. She drew me out. She taught me the importance of communication and being true to your heart. I also took some communications classes at Ashford University. I maintained a 4.0 grade point average and to be blunt about it, I found it boring.

13. If you could go back to school is there anything you wish you had paid more attention to?
Not really. My circumstances were not conducive to a learning environment. I wouldn’t go back for all the money in the world.

14. What advice do you have for the next generation?
When we are young, we feel like we have all the time in the world. We let life get in the way. We get so busy keeping schedules, trying to fulfill expectations, rushing to the next big thing. Let me tell you, Lovelies, time passes in the blink of an eye. You go to bed with huge dreams and plans and then one morning you wake and wonder where all those years went. My advice: Protect your dreams as though they were a precious child and don’t let anything steer you away. Be willing and strong enough to say “No” to distractions, no matter how attractive they seem. Put value on yourself and your dreams will follow.

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?
I am very, very encouraging to those who express a desire to write. I try to make resources available to them. I answer questions based on my experience or send them to someone who will correctly answer them. I am their loudest cheerleader. However, I cannot give them the desire and the drive to write. I think for “true” writers, those are the strongest elements in making that dream come true.

16. Is there anything else that you’d like to add that we didn’t discuss?
People often ask me how I come up with ideas. How do I know how to put them on paper and make those ideas form a picture? I don’t know that I can answer that, except to say, inspiration comes from observation. When I sit at the computer, I don’t feel like I’m writing. I feel like my characters want to tell their story and I am only the vehicle. Often, I even close my eyes and watch the story unfold and I feel it is out of my control. When I go back over what I’ve written, I’m surprised at the passion, the need for them to tell their story, in their own words. Where do those ideas come from? I don’t know. Maybe a secret place in my imagination. Maybe it’s the soul begging to be heard. My new series, Probably Magic, came from a dream. It wouldn’t go away. In fact, it grew more and more insistent with time until I finally set her free. So, to the people who ask, my ideas come from a messy, disorganized chaos, frustrating, and triumphant, unpredictable life. You just have to pay attention.
I tell them, just sit down and write. Worry about the editing, order, grammar, and public later. Everyone has ideas, everyone has a story inside them wanting to be set free.

Flash Fiction Fridays #11: The Sock Drawer

You can also listen for when it uploads to the Podcast at www.flashfictionfridays.com. Sadly, that I cannot automate because of the host.

The Sock Drawer
By Teresa Garcia


The warm night always came to an end. Day by day the drawer would be pulled out with a deafening rumble. Every day they would loose at least one pair and sometimes more to the giant. Sometimes a fresh pack would be nestled in among them, the babies too young to be released into their cottony swarm. When and if the giant returned any of those it took they always returned worn and battle scarred, smelling of bleach with tales of horror. Not every pair returned whole.
Marriage, though the usual social arrangement in their colony, was not permanent. Nor was it forever. Mates wore out, gaining gaping holes from too tight shoes, unshorn nails, and the teeth of dogs and cats. This did not even scratch the surface of the threat of drowning and dashing to pieces in the washer. Dissolving happened all to often to those they knew, as did washing over the side of the tub into the unknown depths below where the screams of the damned still sounded.
Collectively each pair and single shook themselves as the drawer once more slid out. Who would it be today to suffer abuse and possibly die? Everyone prepared to cling to everyone else, never giving up the hope of peace. An especially venerable pair was ripped from the mass to the pained gasps of the horde. Weakly they flopped goodbyes. The new patriarchs, a mated pair of threadbare right socks saluted their predecessors. No one hoped for their return. It would be a final walk somewhere, and either dissolving in the wash or a languishing fate in the Bin.
Stifled wails choked in flattened and rolled throats. Rustling came from the half open bag on the left hand side where the thicker ones tried to ask the elders for an explanation.
No one dared answer them. The drawer was still open and they must never let the giant hear them. Only bad things could happen, like the day it overheard the underwear jeering about getting fat. An entire drawer, wiped out in a matter of minutes!
Why was the drawer open so long?
A thin, sad plastic bag nestled down on top of the pile, full of new denizens of this layer of hades. The door finally slid shut and the socks all looked at each other in horror. Surely these new inmates, so thin and delicate, would only see a matter of days when it came to their use. But was that a blessing or a curse?

Full Podcast content 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 Flash Fiction Only Pods Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/teresa-garcia-34 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1vLsYYcHOkDdasTFvqe9Ph Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/Amehana THG StarDragon Publishing, Mythical Minstrelsy & Arashiryuu Productions Discord: https://www.deviantart.com/users/outgoing?https://discord.gg/hvswe2A Ko-fi: http://www.ko-fi.com/amehana DeviantArt: http://amehanarainstardrago.deviantart.com Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Teresa-Garcia/e/B009Q938VE Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/TeresaGarcia Storenvy: http://thgstardragon.storenvy.com/ Check now and then for new things, some I can't list just yet. Paypal: http://paypal.me/thgstardragon Publishing Website: http://www.thgstardragon.com Publishing Blog: http://www.thgstardragonpublishingblog.com Commissions Info: https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/journal/Commissioning-Information-566657935 Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/Amehana Livejournal: http://rainstardragon.livejournal.com Dreamwidth: http://rainstardragon.dreamwidth.org

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Upcoming Interview Series

I will be doing a series of interviews that will be going up on the podcast, youtube, and here on the blog. The subjects are kind folks that I have worked with or read. It is my hope to interview each author I've illustrated for with Pen It Publications, those that have published with me here at THG StarDragon Publishing, and the creator of Dragon Hearts. I intend to have space for self published authors, editors, illustrators, freelancers, narrators, and publishers themselves as well. So far I have received back two to be recorded. I will be sending questions out to others on my list and hope that this will create a great resource for those who are thinking about stepping into some aspect of the world of publishing, no matter who they end up with out of all the houses or even self publishing. I am not sending them all out at once to make it less likely to be snowed under by the list. These first two (three soon I hope) will be great examples for others as to what to expect. Most importantly it helps shine a little light on individuals that I believe deserve to have themselves and their work talked about. If you fall in any of these categories and are interested in being interviewed then please contact me.