The Catalyst Chronicles Series

 After discussing all the projects I had in various stages of writing, revising, or submitting, I couldn't help thinking of one project that's been on the back burner for a long time: the science fiction Catalyst Chronicles series. Currently published are the novella Lyon's Legacy, a short story called "The Mommy Clone," the novel Twinned Universes, and a pair of short stories published under the title "Seasonal Stories from the Sagan." 

I had planned to write another short story set after Twinned Universes. This short story is tentatively titled "The Unnumbered World" and would focus on a secondary character adapting to events. Coming after that story would be a novel I tentatively call Catalyst in the Crucible, which would be set a few years after "The Unnumbered World" and be a followup to Twinned Universes. 

Although I have partial drafts of both stories, I've been stuck on how to complete them (or how to get through the middle to reach the end). Also, although Lyon's Legacy and Twinned Universes involved time travel, Catalyst in the Crucible won't. A traditional publisher would have a fit if I switched subgenres in the middle of a series, and I'm not sure how marketing this series myself would work. I'd have to hope my readers like the characters as much as I do.

It would be a shame to abandon the Catalyst Chronicles characters completely, but it is difficult juggling multiple projects. Fortunately, I finished the rough draft of a short story last week, and I have to submit to a contest by April 12th. Once that's done, I want to focus on my Season Avatars short story collection and my new cozy mystery series for a while. However, if I get stuck on them, it might be time to revisit some older projects. Ultimately, I need to focus on spending more time on my current and past project before chasing new ones.

Do you have stories that you don't want to trunk but you don't know how to finish? Feel free to discuss them in the comments.

Guest Post--Crystal Collier and the Funny Side of Armor

Welcome Crystal Collier here today to share her new book and some medieval funnies!

In 1771, Alexia had everything: the man of her dreams, reconciliation with her father, even a child on the way. But she was never meant to stay. It broke her heart, but Alexia heeded destiny and traveled five hundred years back to stop the Soulless from becoming.

In the thirteenth century, the Holy Roman Church has ordered the Knights Templar to exterminate the Passionate, her bloodline. As Alexia fights this new threat—along with an unfathomable evil and her own heart—the Soulless genesis nears. But none of her hard-won battles may matter if she dies in childbirth before completing her mission.

Can Alexia escape her own clock?

BUY: Amazon | B&N

GUEST POST

Thank you Sandra for having me here today!

Recently, I completed TIMELESS, the third book in my Maiden of Time trilogy. A little time travel. A few good battles. Some scary monsters... But while writing this series I had to study dual time periods: 1768-72 AD, and good old medieval times (mid 1200's). Can you imagine living in a time where warfare was a seasonal and routine thing? Okay boys, it's fighting season!

Every woman dreams of her knight in shining armor, but in reality, armor used to be...

That's right! The business suit. Out to negotiate business? Take the armor. And the shield. And beware flaming arrows.

And don't forget your trusty sidekick.

Since only the rich could afford the fancy armor, they had to put up with the
discomfort of high fashion.

The average weight of chainmail was between 27 and 55 pounds. (12 to 25 kg)

Personally, I'd rather take today's fashions. How about you?

While it's not the most amazing time to have lived, it makes for one dynamic backdrop for an epic story. Don't you agree? Now go buy my books. (What? It had to be said.)

Crystal Collier is an eclectic author who pens clean fantasy/sci-fi, historical, and romance stories with the occasional touch of humor, horror, or inspiration. She practices her brother-induced ninja skills while teaching children or madly typing about fantastic and impossible creatures. She has lived from coast to coast and now calls Florida home with her creative husband, four littles, and “friend” (a.k.a. the zombie locked in her closet). Secretly, she dreams of world domination and a bottomless supply of cheese. You can find her on her blog.

Do you love stories set in medieval times? What is your favorite medieval movie/story?

(Email address is required for awarding prizes.)

Time Travel, Book Style

I'm currently listening to one book about time travel to the Middle Ages and reading another book set in 1930s Wisconsin. Both books remind me how different the past is from our present. Although daily life would be more comfortable in the 1930s than in the Middle Ages, I prefer to remain in my own time, not just for the creature comforts, but for my own freedom. If I had to travel back in time, I would probably want to go to the 1960s and see the Beatles perform. I might stand out among the crowds of teenage girls, but I'd be as excited as any of them!

If you had the opportunity to travel in time, where would you go and why?

Indie Writers Monthly--Double and Negative

The latest issue of Indie Writers Monthly is out; you can download it at the link. It's currently $0.99 and will be free from 9/4 to 9/8. You can also get the May issue for free during this time.

The first part of the September issue is brand new material. The focus is on negatives. Here you'll learn how to deal with negative reviews, what best-selling books got panned by the critics, a new way to look at failure, and more. There's also an interview with one of the authors featured in our time travel anthology.

The second half of the issue may look familiar, as it's our very first issue. It's no longer available on its own, but you can still get it here. If you didn't read the March issue, I'm the featured author and have an excerpt from Twinned Universes. There's also the first part of Briane Pagel's series on how to write a story, book reviews, an essay I wrote on luck vs. perseverance, and more.

Don't forget we are open to submissions by other authors. We're not a paying zine yet, but if you're interested in the glory and exposure (or just exposure and a free ad for one of your works), please e-mail our editor, Briane Pagel. His e-mail address is litaplaceforstoriesATgmailDOTcom.

Enjoy the issue!

August Issue of Indie Writers Monthly Is Out!

It's a little late, but we finally have the August issue of Indie Writers Monthly available. This issue includes an interview and time travel story from Jeff Hargett, blog and book reviews from me, a book review from PT, title advice from Briane, and editing advice from Andrew. Best of all, it's free today through the 17th.

If you missed any of the previous issues of Indie Writers Monthly, you can also pick them up for free, at least for now. Here are the direct links to the March, April, May, and June issues. I don't have the direct link for the July issue, but it should be free from now through the 16th.

Although the First Annual IWM INDIE-Pendence Day Anthology isn't free (unless you're part of Kindle Unlimited), it's still a good value at $3.99 for fourteen stories about time travel. Check it out here.

Digitial Book Day and Website Update

To celebrate Digital Book Day, I'm giving Lyon's Legacy away on Smashwords. Just click here and use code SW100 at checkout. Don't forget to check out all the other free eBooks listed here. There are over 400 books listed, so you should be able to find something you like.

Speaking of free, I've created free PDF samplers for Lyon's Legacy and Twinned Universes. You can find them both on my website. I've also added more information about Seasons' Beginnings and Indie Writers Monthly there as well. 

Speaking of Indie Writers Monthly, our first annual anthology should be available by now. Additional information will be posted as soon as I have it, so stay tuned!

Submission Call--First Annual Indie-pendence Day Anthology

This is a repost from Indie Writers Monthly.

Announcing the first ever 

COMING ON THE FOURTH OF JULY, it's the first-ever anthology of stories by indie writers to bear the INDIE WRITERS MONTHLY stamp of approval*, and we want YOU to be a part of it.

The anthology is going to be a collection of stories about Time Travel, and here is HOW YOU CAN GET IN ON THIS:

A. Have a story about time travel, or write one.

2.  Submit that story to us, by June 15, 2014.  (send submissions to litaplaceforstories[at]gmail.com** and label them "IWM TIME TRAVEL ANNUAL" or something like that.)

THIS IS IMPORTANT: paste the story directly into the of the email.  

I'M NOT OPENING ATTACHMENTS.  

III. Make sure you have the rights to the stories and it'd be nice if it hadn't been published somewhere else.  

Word limits? Who do you think you're talking to, here? Because there'll only be a few weeks to read them, shoot for somewhere between 1 and 1,000 words, but if you go longer, by all means, go longer.

Still reading?  Good.  Here is WHY you want to get in on this!

8(a)2.: The stories we like the best will get put into the anthology and you'll be a published writer! 

and

C: There are prizes! Specifically, the story picked as best by the IWM gang will win a $15 Amazon Gift Card and the Runner Up will get a $10 Amazon Gift Card. 

So there you have it!  I look forward to getting those stories.

PSST? Want to read some of my own time-travel stories? Check out 

"the natural order of things is largely determined by what direction we are headed and how fast," or 

HEADLINE: “Time Travel Is Only Possible In One Direction, Scientists Say.” Subhead: “Balderdash,” Tim says.

And here's a link to five 250-word time travel stories (and an essay on another one) 

Blog Ring of Power Interview: PK Hrezo

Today as part of the Blog Ring of Power I have with me PK Hrezo, whose book, Butterman (Time) Travel, Inc., was just released. (The eBook is already available, but I think the paper version will go live next week. I have a sample of the book, but I haven't had a chance to read it yet.) She's publishing this one independently, so as a fellow indie, I wish her lots of success with this venture. Let's learn a little bit more about her:

How long have you been writing? 

I still have stories I wrote at age 10. I’ve always been a writer, and fascinated with stories.

Tell us about your early works—what was the first thing you ever wrote? 

That first story I wrote was when I was ten--about a little girl who falls over the side of a cruise ship and saved by a shark. But the first actual novel-length story was about a wood sprite’s adventure into the human world. It was right before the Tinker Bell series came out, and that pretty much sunk my whole novel idea. They were too similar and it discouraged me.

What books have most influenced your life?

When I was expecting my first baby, I was pretty miserable during my last trimester, so I read all the Harry Potter books. This was before I decided I should focus more on my writing. JK Rowling’s imagination inspired me to tap into mine more. I know I’m not alone there. Plenty of writers were inspired by the HP series. Also the classics have always been a huge influence on me: Dracula, The Hobbit, LOTR, Vanity Fair, Treasure Island …

What genre do you write? 

Speculative fiction


What is your favorite theme/genre to write about? 

I love character-rich stories, so while I have an affinity for sci-fi and fantasy, I try to use that theme as the story catalysts, while focusing more on the quirky characters who don’t fit into the worlds they’re thrust into.


If you couldn’t be an author, what would your ideal career be? 

Artisan of some sort. I love crafting with my hands.


PK's interview continues as shown below:

The Writing Life: Vicki--11/5
The Creative Process: Terri--11/6
About Your Current Work: Theresa--11/7
Words of Wisdom: Emily--11/8

PK Hrezo is a native Floridian whose life could easily be a Jimmy Buffet song. She shares her home with her firefighter husband and their two children. When not creating characters and their worlds, PK can be found at her other job of rearranging passenger’s itineraries for a major international airline. The only hobbies she loves more than traveling, are reading, writing, and music, and when the four are combined she exists in total bliss.  


Blog:   http://pk-hrezo.blogspot.com
Facebook page:   https://www.facebook.com/authorpkhrezo
Goodreads author page:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7327816.P_K_Hrezo
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/pkhrezo



Welcome to Butterman Travel, Incorporated

We are a full service agency designed to meet all your exclusive time travel needs. Family-owned and operated, we offer clients one hundred years of time travel experience. A place where you can rest assured, safety and reliability always come first.

Anxious to attend a special event from the past? Or for a glimpse of what the future holds?

You’ve come to the right place. We’re a fully accredited operation, offering an array of services; including, but not limited to: customized travel plans, professionally piloted operations, and personal trip guides. *Terms and conditions do apply

Conference us directly from our Website. Our frontline reservation specialist, Bianca Butterman, will handle all your inquiries in a professional and efficient manner, offering a tentative itinerary and free fare quote, so you can make the most of your time trip.

We look forward to serving you at Butterman Travel, Inc., where time is always in your hands.  


Butterman (Time) Travel, Inc. will be both eBook and print. Launches 11-12-13 (Nov. 12), but the eBook is already live.