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".

Monday, October 18, 2021

Interview With Oscar Wager II And Introducing "The Institute"

Today's interview is with author Oscar Wager II. I was lucky enough to be one of the beta readers when he was ready to have others read it for feedback during his development progress. After publishing, he agreed to an interview regarding his newest book, "The Institute," which is just recently available on Amazon. Don't forget to request your local bookstore to order you a copy, which helps them know that it exists and what sorts of books to order for their stock!


 


The Interview

Q: Are you an author, poet, illustrator, editor, game writer, game creator, publisher, or fill multiple roles? 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. The more complete this is the more we learn about you.

A: I am an author, a poet (although I haven’t written any poetry in a while), and I create my own book covers.


Q: What project of yours do you most want us to know about?

A: My latest novel, "The Institute," released 10/12/2021.

It's about a 12-year-old boy who is put in a mental hospital because of an unfortunate incident that he suffered. While he is there, they thought he could use a lesson in how actions have consequences. Something his parents couldn't seem to teach him.


Q: Do you have a website or websites you are associated with or where your work can be found? If so please post it here.

A: Oscar's newest book can be found on both Amazon and Barnes & Nobels.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Institute-Oscar-Wager-II-ebook/dp/B09J46TSTY

Amazon Author Page (please note that it often takes a few days and an author claim request to link new books to the correct author pages, so it may be a few days before it syncs): https://www.amazon.com/Oscar-Wager-II/e/B005K9AIEY

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-institute-oscar-wager-ii/1140366509

He can be followed on Facebook to stay abreast of his future projects. https://www.facebook.com/oscarwageriiauthor/


Q: What got you interested in writing, illustrating, editing, layout, creating games or whatever other aspect of the publishing industry (either book or gaming publishing)? If you have multiple roles please feel free to tell us about each.

A: I started writing short stories in the third grade. One was actually “published" in the school’s anthology. I heard from a friend that they still used that anthology to show third-graders short stories from past students, ten years later.

I didn't write for a long time after school. I went into the tech field, as a computer programmer. I started to write a little poetry, here and there, and my friends and family loved it. I started writing serial poems for Halloween, in 13 night installments. From there I went to prose and published my first novel in February 2020.


Q: What company or companies are you doing work for or with? Do you freelance? Are you able to support yourself only with your writing or do you have to work other jobs?

A: I am an independent author. I don’t support myself with my writing. My day job is as a caregiver for my wife.


Q: What projects are you currently working on, if you are allowed to speak of them and promote them?

A: My next novel is about alien government conspiracies and cover-ups that may have many believers, skeptics, and a few government agencies up in arms shall we say. It will definitely be a new twist to the old stories.


Q: Do you have any future projects already in mind to take on?

A: I have a few ideas rattling around in my head. Including a couple of follow-up books to my first novel, With Darkness Comes Trouble.


Q: What is or was your favorite project?

A: I think it's my current project, tentatively titled Abducted: The Lies Behind The Truth


Q: Is this career something that you always wanted to do? If not then what did you originally want to do?

A: I wanted to be a computer programmer for as long as I can remember. When I was laid off after almost 20 years, I think it was a blessing for me. It opened my eyes and made me see I could use my creative side.

I don’t think people outside of the tech industry realize how much creativity goes into programming. It can be very cut and dry at times, but some you need to use your imagination to build code.


Q: Do you find it difficult, or find some aspects more difficult than others?

A: When I am writing dialog for a child, I find that difficult. Here is a 53-year-old man trying to think and speak like a 12-year-old. The same thing with my women characters.

Other than that, once the creative juices start flowing, I can sit down and write for a couple of hours no problem, unless my wife needs me.


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

A: I usually work on my writing at night, after my wife is asleep. That's when I get the most uninterrupted time to myself.


Q: How do you manage to balance this with family and any other work you may have?

A: Since my main job is taking care of my wife, she gets top priority, always. I have taken her down time to allow myself the chance to work on my writing.


Q: If you could be anything in the world besides this, what would it be?

A: Retired football player.


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

A: Yes and no. While it gave me the basics of writing it never encouraged my creativity past elementary school.


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

A: I was awkward and shy in high school. I might go back and try to be more outgoing. As far as paying more attention to anything, that's a tough one for me.


Q: 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?

A: Try. It can’t hurt you. So what's the worst that can happen? You find out you're not good enough. Okay, at least you know. If you don't try you will always wonder what if.

Who knows, you may even succeed.


Q: Did you do your cover by yourself? If it was a cooperative piece who did the art and who did the rest?

A: I did it myself, using free-to-use images.


Q: What is your favorite genre to write? What is your least favorite to write?

A: When I first started, I thought, because I love horror so much, that would be it. Turns out, I like thrillers. Supernatural, psychological, and now government conspiracies. Who knew?

I don’t think I could ever write romance.


Monday, August 30, 2021

Signal Boost: Fundraiser for McCloud (California) Fire Department

The McCloud Volunteer Fire Department is something very close to my heart. A very large portion of my family all serve in the department to respond to the needs of the town. The department needs additional equipment to be able to send out on outside calls, which will help generate revenue that can then be used to provide better and more expanded services within town.

Currently there are two MVFD vehicles and crews on the Antelope fire in Northern California, as it is so close to our town. 


From the McCloud Fire Department Facebook Page:

Additional Fire Department Website: http://www.mccloudfirefighters.org/

Good Morning McCloud. Sarah Kidd and Shannon Reyna have started a fundraising campaign to assist the McCloud FD. During the August 26, 2021 community meeting Fire Chief Charlie Miller explained to the CSD board and the community that the department should be expanding the fire department's ability to respond to emergencies both in McCloud and to our neighbors. Chief Miller spoke of purchasing additional administrative vehicles to utilize on calls in McCloud and to send out our personnel on overhead assignments to major fires and other disasters. These outside-of-town responses generate revenue that the department needs to be able to expand services to the town. Please help Sarah and Shannon by donating to the MCFA. Checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 551 McCloud, CA 96057. Donations are completely tax-deductible. 

Sarah and Shannon have already raised $3,2500.00 of the $7,500.00 needed to purchase a 2008 Chevy Tahoe that is ready to serve McCloud. 

If sending a check please reply with the amount so that we can keep track and not overshoot our goal. You can also call Chief Miller at 530-713-9072 if you have questions prior to donating. 

Thank you in advance.



Sunday, August 1, 2021

Selktember 2021 Prompt List

 Selktember 2021

Please use one or more of these tags when sharing your work!

#selktember #selktember2021

30 days of selkie related prompts.
Always in September.
Draw, paint, write, make music, any sort of art.

Some of us need a little time to prepare for something like Selktember, especially if someone ever decides that they want to do cosplay photography or something similar for their Selktember pieces. I started this thinking first about art and writing, remembered songs and music were a thing, so I have the hashtags open for any sort of creative Selktember offering.


Prompts

Below is the official prompt list I have created for this year.


  1. Seastacks

  2. Island

  3. Seal Skin

  4. Beaching

  5. Whale

  6. Secret

  7. Crystal

  8. Cave

  9. Carving

  10. Stone

  11. Seaweed

  12. Food

  13. Fishing

  14. Culture

  15. Dock

  16. Sailor

  17. Kraken

  18. Liminal

  19. Magic

  20. Seawitch

  21. Exploration

  22. Arctic

  23. Penguin

  24. Temperate

  25. Inland

  26. Descendant

  27. Return

  28. Stolen

  29. Tears

  30. Reunion


Official Rules


1. Please use one or more of these tags when posting and sharing your work!

#selktember #selktember2021

2. Any art of any kind you wish is welcome as long as it touches on selkies.

3. Do them all or focus on a few, there is no pressure. I myself might not be able to do one for each day within the month of September, depending on what my workload will be that month. No pressure.

4. If you are on DeviantArt submit your selkie work to @SelktemberGroup gallery in the Selktember 2021 folder.

5. Prompt suggestions to future years are welcome. Send them to THGStarDragonPublishing@gmail.com


Deviantart Group Official Deviant Art group: https://www.deviantart.com/selktembergroup

Twitter @amehanaarashi

Instagram@ amehanaarashi

Deviantart @amehanarainstardrago


Seal photos used for the background overlay layers are sourced from Pixabay. For those unaware of what a selkie is, a selkie is a shapeshifter of Celtic origin. When wearing their sealskin or seal coat they are seals. They become human when they remove it. Other cultures also have their own sealfolk, and they are just as welcome to be represented in Selktember.

Sunday, July 25, 2021

Lumberjack Fiesta was a success

The annual Lumberjack Fiesta in McCloud California was able to happen this year. My daughter and I had a booth where we took the books we had from both THG StarDragon Publishing and Pen It Publications, as well as the posters. Hopefully, we will catch up soon on restocking. She also was selling her epoxy jewelry, and we both were available for on-the-spot commission work. She was making custom necklaces and keychains for fiesta goers, and I was open for portraits.

I have not yet totaled up the ledgers or rechecked the inventory, but it was a good turnout both for booths and people coming for the competitions and shopping. With luck, if my health does not nose dive again, she and I will be able to have a booth elsewhere fall or winter-ish time.

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Flash Fiction Month Stories List!

 Flash Fiction Month is happening, and I have been working on catching up to it. You can read my flash fictions for free on my Deviant Art gallery. Views help boost me in the algorithm, if I understand things correctly. I will update this list to link to where you can read the flash fictions written for this month.


Flash Fiction Month 2021

  1. The Idols: Obsession, or safety? https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM2021-1-The-Idols-884398326
  2. Rainbringer: When the rain runs dry, what happens when there is less to bring? https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM2021-2-Rainbringer-884402495
  3. I Want Flames: Aging does not mean growing up. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-3-I-Want-Flames-885840121
  4. Wind and Stream: Experience the connection of a tree between her suitors. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-4-Wind-and-Stream-885848421
  5. I Just Want A Bed: No, really. I just want a bed! https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-5-I-Just-Want-a-Bed-886131751
  6. Sloth: Be careful what you program. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-6-Sloth-886138477
  7. Within Her Mirror: Snow White from the Magic Mirror's perspective. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-7-Within-Her-Mirror-886218522
  8. A) The Fae Bride: A Fairy bride and what a chance encounter means for her future groom. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-8-The-Fae-Bride-886230385
    B) They: Wander with a spirit that had never walked as human. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-8b-They-886338858
  9. Cloud In The Storm: The Cloud Maiden always wanders far, and sometimes she comes when called. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-9-Cloud-in-the-Storm-886233369
  10. Starstone City: Adventurers, a love triangle, and personality clashes. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-10-Starstone-City-886247909
  11. Providence: A half selkie shipwrecked encounters a full selkie family. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-11-Providence-886241301
  12. The Taste of People: A forest spirit speaks his mind https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-12-The-Taste-of-People-886149220
  13. You'll Be Mine: Loving? Obsessive? You get to make up your own mind about this Fae and his letter. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-13-You-ll-Be-Mine-886146025
  14. The Cloud Maiden's Shrine Origin: The Cloud Maiden chooses a home, and a priest to serve her. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-14-The-Cloud-Maiden-s-Shrine-Origin-886141083
  15. Wishing Cookies: Just a little bit of baking. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM2021-15-Wishing-Cookies-886040849
  16. An Unusual Day In The Life of Sir Seb (or Sir Sebastion): When a villain is bad at being bad and it's the castle dragon that needs rescuing Sir Sebastion gets to clean up the mess. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM2021-16-An-Unusual-Day-in-the-Life-of-Sir-Seb-885959154
  17. Temptations: In which I mock blouse ripper romance and shed a little light on certain aspects of the Temple of Mara that aren't so fun. Or is it just angst? https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-17-Temptations-886054881
  18. Who Summoned Me To Punch A Fish?: Teenagers, elder gods possessing tentacles, and wannabe gangs. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-18-Who-Summoned-Me-to-Punch-a-Fish-886057619
  19. Dragon And Hawk Reunite: A long flash forward for Ryu Take and BlowingWind Mountainchild from my Dragon Shaman books. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-19-Dragon-and-Hawk-Reunite-886209592
  20. Untethering The Dragon: When a spirit incarnates as a human but needs their powers there is always some sort of price. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-20-Untethering-The-Dragon-886335217
  21. The Cloud Dance: Your typical unruly princess, and the typical falling for a guard. The Cloud Maiden has plans for them https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-21-The-Cloud-Dance-886350253
  22. Smell The Flowers: A delivery driver who goes the extra mile is forced to take a break, but also is given a gift for his care. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-22-Smell-the-Flowers-886442209
  23. The Master Tome: We touch in with Kirsty Makay, a selkie from the "Selkies' Skins" series and her finding of the "Pearls of Sea and Stone" in its book form. https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/FFM-2021-23-The-Master-Tome-886531789
  24. In progress
  25. In progress
  26. In progress
  27. In progress
  28. In progress
  29. In progress
  30. In progress
  31. In progress

Look for places to find me via my Linktree! https://www.linktr.ee/Amehana

Friday, May 28, 2021

Farewell to another

It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of a friend who was known as *L*o*RD* *S*e*ssh*o*m*a*r*u on Dragon Hearts RPG. He ascended to leave his mortal form and fully take up his dragon self within the Ethereal Realm this past May 25th. He was a warrior fighting some longstanding battles but there are some battles which cannot be won. Those he leaves behind will love and miss him. Bear/Obs has already set his game account to memorial status.

Fly well and High L*o*RD* *S*e*ssh*o*m*a*r*u.

He is not the first DH player that has crossed the veil, but each deserves a mention in their own time.


Sunday, March 21, 2021

Spring Challenge is live at Dragon Hearts RPG

THG StarDragon Publishing is pleased to forward this announcement from Dragon Hearts RPG, for which I write the challenges for.



Leprechauns and Clurichauns have returned, the gates to the land of the Fae flung wide upon the Tor deep within the forest. Rainbows abound as Spring begins her return. Find and visit them all to find out what sort of chaos exists today!

To celebrate the change in the seasons everyone has been given a "Lucky 2021 Clover" and "Equinox Crystal A 2021" visit your inventory to use them!

Also shenanigans is happening at the Coffee Empire and Thieves' Guild! Visit them in Rhian to see what's up!


www.dragonheartsrpg.com