June 2012
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Character Interview: Nicole Salem
Originally posted on the Talaria Press website.
Talaria Press: Thanks for joining us, today we’re kicking off the Talaria Press interview series by speaking with Dr. Nicole Salem. Dr. Salem, thank you for being here.
Nicole Salem: Please call me Nicole.
TalP: Alright, Nicole, let’s start with your profession. What do you do for a living?
NS: I’m an archeologist on the payroll of the Field...
May 2012
4 posts
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Crypticon
So, if any of you reading this are planning on attending Crypticon this weekend, make sure to stop by my friend, and fellow writer, Marie Frances’ table. She’ll be there all weekend. Somehow she’s managed to charm her way out of the writers’ corral and has a table in the main hallway!
She’s got paperback copies of her book Nighthawk on-hand (normally the book is only...
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WatchLOVE this!
chrishemsworth:
Florence + The Machine - Breath Of Life (Official Music Video)
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Shomu
I’m incredibly proud to announce that my third novel and the culmination of the Sekhmet’s Light Trilogy, Shomu, has gone live in Kindle format. For those of you that have been reading for the last couple years, it means finding out what I’ve been keeping to myself for a while now: how Nicole’s story ends.
It’s kind of surreal knowing that her story has been told,...
April 2012
2 posts
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SyFy’s Sci-Fi Resurgence?
Yesterday afternoon, SyFy Channel published a press release on their Blastr news feed, announcing the various projects they’re developing for the coming year. Anyone who knows me is well aware that SyFy has been a source of frustration, consternation, and downright infuriation for me.
Since it debuted (as the Sci-Fi Channel, back in the day), it’s gone from exclusively science-fiction and...
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ECCC Post-Con Update*
Hello, everyone!
EmeraldCityComiCon is in the books and it was a rousing success! To all of you who came out to visit and support us at the convention, we’re all incredibly grateful to you… and to our new friends that we made during the convention, you guys ROCK!
For those of you who didn’t get to see us, here’s a picture of our awesome table in the Artist’s Alley, courtesy of the inimitable Ren...
March 2012
6 posts
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What's Going On This Weekend?
Hey, folks. I just wanted to pass along a couple of links about this weekend’s activities. My Talaria Press compatriots and I will be appearing at Emerald City ComiCon and there are lots of great things in store. Come on down and see us if you’re in the area. We’ll be in Artist’s Alley, Table C-22!
If you are on Twitter, follow us at @TalariaPress as we’ll be...
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Happy Birthday to ME! →
That’s right, tomorrow, March 21st, is my birthday, but I’m giving you guys the present this year! Tomorrow, you can download my first novel, Akhet, for your Kindle for the low, low, low price of… FREE!
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Talaria Press Complete Library Giveaway →
We’re giving away a complete set of our Talaria Press books! WOOHOO!
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Shelfari Review →
A nice 4-star review of Akhet was posted on Shelfari earlier today.
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A Game of Thrones
My husband and I just finished a marathon of Season One of HBO’s impeccable adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones. We were literally up until 4am this morning, watching all ten episodes and would’ve probably powered through ten more if there’d been additional episodes!
I read the book A Game of Thrones (A Song of Fire & Ice, Book 1) about a year ago now...
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Anthology Question
I expect to have the first draft of my Red Riding Hood story completed by the end of this week, or the beginning of next. As I need one or two more fairy tales to adapt for an anthology I’m contributing to, which ones would you like to see me tackle next?
Cinderella (aka, the Little Cinder Girl)
Rapunzel
Sleeping Beauty
Puss in Boots
The Snow Queen
February 2012
4 posts
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The Vampire Diaries
Okay, so I’ll admit I’m not a fan of the show or the books. It’s not that I dislike them, but that they’ve never really blipped on my radar for whatever reason. However, I do realize that they’re extremely popular as an intellectual property.
As an author myself, I was both shocked and horrified to stumble across this blog post earlier today. You can find the full...
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The Pulling Report
As a gamer, I’ve heard about The Pulling Report for several years. For those who don’t know, the Pulling Report was drafted by Michael Stackpole to refute the efforts of Patricia Pulling and her Bothered by Dungeons & Dragons (BADD) organization.
For the first time, I actually sat down and read the full text of the report, thanks to a link that Michael provided in a recent blog...
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Quests & Answers →
I’m extremely proud to share with you the new anthology of short stories. I helped create this volume along with my husband Garth, and our friends Ren Cummins and Quiana Kirkland, aka, my partners in Talaria Press.
The seven stories include new, original tales of our established worlds; Sekhmet’s Light, the Children of Divinity, and the Chronicles of Aesirium. There are also several...
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Author Interview - Steve Sims
Two interviews in as many days? Yes, indeed! I love getting the chance to meet other authors and talk writing with them. I’m very pleased and excited to introduce another new friend from the Superhero Hype! Forums, Steve Sims.
Steve has published his first novel, Marlsbeth, an epic fantasy chock full of adventure and magic.
H – Hello, Steve. Thank you for talking with me today! Can you tell us a...
January 2012
7 posts
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Author Interview - Kevin Rau
As my regular readers will know, I’m a huge fan of comics and superheroes. I find the concept of super-powered heroes and villains to be intriguing, particularly with regard to the struggles of morality that such beings would inevitably encounter. I also tend to prefer seriously flawed characters. It’s probably why I consider the X-Men to be my favorite team (seriously, if you look at their...
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Akhet for Free?! →
Yes, it’s true. As a KDP enrolled title, all Amazon Prime members have the option of ‘borrowing’ the book and reading it for free… However, that’s not what this post is actually about!
If, as a Kindle user, you’ve been pondering reading the first book of Sekhmet’s Light, or if you know someone who has, on February 1st, I’m offering Akhet for free!...
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The Scorpion's Lair: New Years Update →
thermalscorpion:
Hello and Happy Apocalypse Year! Sorry for the silence lately but with the holidays and working on my second book my time has been scarce. I wanted to drop everyone an update though so here it is! Book 1 Awaken:
Sales have been pretty good considering I don’t have some advertising…
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KDP Select
I’ve been closely following the events surrounding the creation of Amazon’s KDP Select program. Because of my intense curiosity and my desire to embrace new tools and technologies to get my work noticed, I’ve decided to register my first novel, Akhet, for the program.
What does this mean for you, the reader? Well, it means that in accordance with Amazon’s terms for the...
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Talaria Press & Emerald City ComiCon →
Posting on the Talaria Press page regarding our upcoming ECCC appearance.
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Why you should never drunk text a Whovian.
This is absolutely brilliant!
**Although I'm not really into Dr. Who (sorry to everyone else), this is still bloody hilarious and I hope this text convo really took place. If I was getting texts like this while drunk, I'd be all like "dude, you're screwed, I can't even stand up much less find your spaceship".**
A friend of mine randomly got a drunk text from a stranger. She then did something that has earned my respect and awe. A transcript of her conversation follows. Some of this may be familiar to you.
Warning: VERY LONG. Also, words that I don't like have been bleeped out. Use your imagination.
[Transcript] Drunk Person: "tortyly drunk riht now. straight men everwhere."
Erykah: "Oh, thank God! I finally made contact! Listen, I need your help, but you're in great danger."
DP: "ni**a say wat?"
E: "Listen, my name's the Doctor. I'm a time traveler, or I was. I'm stuck in 1969 with my friend and I need your help to get my spaceship back."
DP: "u hav a spceshit?"
E: "Yes. It's a big blue box that says 'Police Call Box' on it."
DP: "dat doesnt sound liek a spceshp. gay."
E: "Hey! Don't diss the TARDIS!"
DP: "tarsiddd???"
E: "No. TARDIS. Time And Relative Dimension In Space. You see, I'm a Time Lord from ANOTHER planet called Gallifrey."
DP: "y u not there now?"
E: "Well...A long time ago, there was a war and all my people died except for me. I'm the last Time Lord. So I travel through time and space lending a hand wherever I can."
DP: "woahhhh. thats relly sad."
E: "Yes, it is. But now is no time to cry. You're in a lot of danger and you need to help me."
DP: "waot. how r u in 1996?"
E: "I'm in 1969. And it's really complicated."
DP: "oh."
E: "People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint, it's more like a big ball of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff."
DP: "im cofussed."
E: "Well, try and keep up! Never mind the wibbly stuff. All that matters is that they've taken it! The angels have the phone box."
DP: "wut angels?"
E: "Have you ever seen like a statue of an angel? At a church or a cemetary or something?"
DP: "ya."
E: "Well, they're not angels. They're creatures from another worlds. Aliens like me, except they're very, very bad."
DP: "dat maeks sense. they alwys creepeed me out. i thought theyre jus statues tho."
E: "Good eye, you've got. But they're not. They're only statues when you're looking directly at them. Once you look away, they become deadly."
DP: "whaaa?"
E: "Listen, Lonely assassins, they were called. No-one knows where they came from. They're as old as the universe, or very nearly. They've survived this long as they have the most perfect defence system ever evolved. They are quantum-locked. They don't exist when being observed. The moment they're seen by any other living creature they freeze into rock. No choice. It's a fact of their biology. In the sight of any living thing, they literally turn to stone. And you can't kill a stone. Course, a stone can't kill you either. But then you turn your head away, then you blink, and oh, yes it can! Notice how they always look like they're crying in the cemetaries? They're always covering their eyes?"
DP: "dats nuts! ya, ive seen dat."
E: "There's a reason for that. They're not weeping, they can't risk looking at each other. Their greatest asset is their greatest curse. They can never be seen. The loneliest creatures in the universe. And I'm sorry, I am very, very sorry, it's up to you now.
DP: "but wut can i do? tis was all thrustted uopn me!"
E: "The blue box, it's my time machine. There is a world of time energy in there they could feast on forever. The damage they can do can switch off the sun. You have got to send it back to me!"
DP: "ahhhhhh!!! im scrrd! idk wut 2 do! im srsly gon hav a pnic attck."
E: I'm afraid I can't help you any further. I'm stuck in 1969, but I think you're clever enough to think of something. FIND THE BLUE BOX AND GET IT BACK TO ME! The angels have it and you NEED to find it or it's all going to be over."
DP: "dont go doctr! help me!11211!!"
E: "They're coming. The angels are coming for you. But listen, your life could depend on this. Don't blink! Don't even blink. Blink and you're dead. They are fast, faster than you can believe. Don't turn your back, don't look away, and don't blink! Good luck!"
DP: "ik! angels hng out in gravyards rite? ill check thar 1st."
E: "Wherever you feel the need to look. I have no idea because I'm trapped 42 years in the past. Wherever you do go, just remember DON'T BLINK."
DP: "omfg. holy shit. i'll find teh box and teh angels and ill text u wen i find it. goodbi doctr. uve liked changgged me life."
[/Transcript]
December 2011
6 posts
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Things to come – 2012
2012. Is it just me or does it seem like time is speeding up? It seems like just yesterday, I was 18 years old and looking to take on the world.
A lot has changed for me in the almost 20 years between then and now. My mother passed away, I met my husband, and relocated from the deserts of Arizona to the Pacific Northwest. Maybe it’s strange, but by and large, I have very few regrets about my...
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Writing Friends and Family
A lot of people like to look at books that people they know have written and try to figure out ‘who’s me in this book?’ I also know that a lot of people like to write friends and family into books… I’m not one of those people.
To me, the decision to base a character on a real person can be fraught with incredible peril. The chances that you’re going to have...
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Vanity
So, I think it’s safe to say that if you ask most people to describe me, vain is not going to be the first word that comes up. I tend to live in sweats and t-shirts as much as possible, go barefoot whenever possible, and wear steel-toe workboots instead of stilettos.
However, most women have at least one thing that they take particular pride in and that they are at least a bit...
The Scorpion's Lair: FIRST Lego League--Robots! →
thermalscorpion:
This weekend my wife and I were judges in the Washington State First Lego League robotics competition. It is a team oriented event that has kids within a similar age range (3rd to 8th grade seemed to be the range for this event) grouped together to build a Lego robot that performs missions…
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A friendly promotional post!
I’d like to take a moment to promote the work of some wonderful people who also happen to be incredibly talented. If you’re stuck for what to get that book-reader in your life for Christmas, this is a great post for you!
Do you have a James Bond or superhero fan in your life? Then Garth Reasby’s Children of Divinity series is a great choice. The first book is now...
November 2011
1 post
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Cool experience
I’ve recently shared the fact that I’m an author with my guild in Rift (it came up when I had to log early for a meeting with my editor and people asked about it). One of my friends commented that it sounded like my books would be right up his oldest daughter’s alley so he would suggest them to her.
I spoke to him again day before yesterday and he told me that his...
October 2011
8 posts
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A Love Letter to my Editor
I’ve been seeing a lot of blog posts lately, asking about/touting the importance of an editor. I cannot stress enough how invaluable a great editor can be.
With that in mind, I’d just like to take a moment to brag on my chief editor, the brilliant and beautiful Quiana Kirkland. Although I have no doubt that I was a good writer before she started working with me, once I got her help, I...
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What DOES Nicole look like?!
As an author, I’ve been asked on multiple occasions if I have a specific appearance in mind for various characters in the series. Generally speaking, I tend to have actors and/or models picked out for characters as I create them which is immensely helpful for me when it comes to visualizing them.
And so, without further ado, here are the major men and women of Akhet: Sekhmet’s Light,...
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Avengers ASSEMBLE! →
I’m just blown away by the trailer for this movie. I absolutely cannot WAIT to see it opening night!
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The Scorpion's Lair: One Small Step →
thermalscorpion:
It’s with much excitement and exuberance I write this blog post.
I’m a published author.
What does that mean? It’s hard to put into words if you haven’t been there but let me give it a go. Imagine that you’ve just won the lottery, found out you got that promotion you wanted, and met your…
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Cool Animal Behavior study →
Science has finally confirmed what anyone who loves animals has known all along: Animals really DO have emotions that can be just as complex as those of a human!
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Awaken on CreateSpace estore →
For those of you who prefer paperback, but don’t want to wait for amazon, Awaken is available direct from its CreateSpace estore!
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Awaken on Smashwords →
My husband’s, Garth’s, first novel is now available for all ebook formats through Smashwords.com!
September 2011
3 posts
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The Scorpion's Lair: Back At It! →
thermalscorpion:
I’m going to be honest. I haven’t done crap with this blog. I’ve been working on getting my book done as well as some short stories, researching for a second trilogy, doing book covers, starting a company, and working the day job. Oh, and let’s not forget being married.
Now that the excuses are…
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Looking for a good book? →
Check out my friend Michael Hicks’ website… you may even score a free copy of one of his books!
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August 2011
4 posts
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My Conversation with Ren Cummins
Husband. Father. Musician. Writer. Ren Cummins is a man of many talents who has worn a lot of hats in his time. I was fortunate enough to claim a few moments of his time to have him answer some questions for my, and your, elucidation.
And now, without further ado, I give you Ren Cummins!
In 15 words or less, tell us about your Chronicles of Aesirium series.
Death wears a pretty dress. (Now...
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The Author's Den →
I love finding new places to connect with my readers!
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Interviewed by Ren Cummins →
Ren asks some really fun questions during this interview. Check it out!
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Star Trek Tech
In channel surfing earlier, I came across Star Trek Tech on History Channel. It’s a really fascinating look at the impact of Trek on our current technologies as well as showing how the technologies related in Trek are influenced by existing science.
It’s a really wonderful show that I highly recommend checking out if you get a chance. For example, they talk about how scientists are...
July 2011
7 posts
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New review of Akhet! →
A brand new review was just posted on Amazon.com of Akhet, book one!
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Issues with NOOK editions
Hey, all.
My good friend, and faithful reader, Shannon brought it to my attention that she was having issues with purchasing Peret from BN.com for her NOOK. If you would like the book for your NOOK and are having problems, please shoot me an email at heather.reasby@gmail.com and we’ll make arrangements for you to get your copy.
To say that I’m displeased with the support provided for...
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Peret
So I was finally able to get the paperback edition of Peret into shape so it’s now up and available for purchase!
Currently, the Kindle edition is live on Amazon, and the Paperback is available through the Createspace store with Amazon picking it up in the next few days. Also, for those of you who love your Nooks, it’s available through BN.com.
Also, for those of you who regret that...
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Who would win in a fight...?
So, there are a lot of inspirations for today’s blog. The first of which is a discussion that occurred during BJ Shea’s Geek Nation podcast. During the podcast (episode 4), the question of who would win in a fight: Superman or Batman. Myself, I’m with Vicky Barcelona, my money would be on Bats.
There are a lot of reasons for this opinion, but the top one is this: Batman is the...