Give the Gift of Indie for the Holidays

December 8, 2014 ~ John W. Howell

Really good suggestions from one of the best Authors on the planet.

No, not Indiana Jones (though I’d take him.) Gift indie books by indie authors and help talented people find an audience for their work.

My suggestions:

Pamela Beckford – If you’re looking for great books of poetry, look no further than Pamela’s work. She has three anthologies available at Amazon, all excellent collections you’ll be proud to give and only 99 cents per downlonad. Check them out HERE.

Katie Sullivan – Know someone who loves all things Irish? Katie Sullivan’s Changelings: Into the Mist will be the perfect gift. It’s available in e-book ($3.99) and paperback (under $14) HERE.

Helena Hann-Basquiat – One of the most prolific writers around, Helena pens her memoirs as herself and writes deliciously creepy stories as Jessica B. Bell. Numerous options abound with her work. Purchase them HERE.

John Howell’s My Grl drips with suspense. For the thriller/spy/suspense lovers on your list, his…

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Thank You to Sally Ember Ed.D for a Great Discussion

December 4, 2014June 26, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 13 Comments

Yesterday I had the pleasure of appearing on Sally Ember’s “almost every Wednesday” Google + HOA show titled Changes. Go here to view. It was the fourteenth episode of her show and I was more than pleased to be a part of it. The show itself is not an interview of authors but is a discussion between Sally and the author of the day.

The format is loosely arranged around some questions that Sally has for the author, but the benefit of the engagement comes from the interaction between Sally and the author on subjects that are raised in the context of writing and living. So what happens is the discussion takes the form of sharing different and similar points of view.

It is almost like having a discussion with a good friend on some of the finer points of religion, politics, education and gender equality. (yes we covered all of those) Also, both participants learn a little more about each other. I learned Sally writes in the first person present tense as I do. She has also lived in two of my most favorite places Connecticut and California where I also have lived.

Sally is a great host and brings out the best in each of her guests. To see my interview and also a chance to view the other episodes use this link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZRG5j5fHuo To visit Sally go to http://sallyember.com

John W. Howell LIVE ON CHANGES this Wednesday! #interview #thriller #changes

December 1, 2014 ~ John W. Howell

What a nice guy. Charles does more to support authors than most. Here is an example.

Legends of Windemere

A few weeks ago I was on CHANGES with Sally Embers. It was a great experience and now one of my good friends is having his turn. So I hope you help spread the word and take some time to check out the interview of

JOHN W. HOWELL, AUTHOR OF ‘MY GRL’.

BE THERE 10 AM EST!

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Friday JohnKu – TGIF

November 28, 2014June 26, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 17 Comments

This is Black Friday and I’m spending it hunched over my keyboard as I do so many other days (like 365 of them). I sort of miss the trampling, fighting, hair pulling and dented fenders of yore. You see, on the island where I live we have an event called Shop Around Port Aransas. It takes about an hour to visit all the stores and in reality the bargains are not really designed for the normal gift giving season.

For example at the IGA, bacon is $2.69 a pack. I know I wouldn’t mind getting some gift wrapped bacon, but to give as a gift not so much. Another example would be waist-high waders now 50% off. The populations of men who live here already have waders so what is the point? I guess the tourists might find this a novelty item. I can see someone from San Antonio opening his gift and getting a pair of twenty pound vulcanized rubber waders. The joy in the eyes is indescribable. The gun shop is running a special on duck calls which makes me want to rush right down there and stock up (not). How many duck calls does one person need? So, all in all around here, Black Friday is pretty mild. Today’s John Ku ( a term coined by Words4jp) is a symbolic nod to the rest of the world’s happiness today. The title is (of course) Black Friday.

Day breaks as always,

Anticipation is strong . . .

In scoring, a steal.

Wednesday Story Day – AKA Hump Day

November 26, 2014June 26, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 26 Comments

Wednesday is story day and since this is the day before Thanksgiving it feels like Friday. There is usually a story here as those of you who read this blog regularly can attest. Raise your right hand and repeat after me. (This is the attestation) I say your name do attest that this is story day. As such, I expect a story and if there is not a story I will take whatever measures available to me under the constitution to force the author to create a story. So help me Hanna. So for you lawyers out there I’m really sorry to announce YES there is a story. We have Frank and Billy here again. Last week Frank was asking Billy to get rid of his AK47. Charles Yallowitz made a comment in which he wondered if Billy was actually walking around with said AK47. So let’s join this happy duo top see for ourselves. Thanks, Charles for the comment. The title of this week’s story is “Later.”

“So Billy where is the AK now?”

“It’s out in the car.”

“Out in the car? Are you crazy?”

“I don’t think so. Why?”

“Leaving that weapon out in the car for the police to find it? Not smart.”

“They’ll never find it Frank.”

“How can you be so certain?”

“For one thing I have it out of sight.”

“For one thing.”

“Yeah, and for the other I think they will be more interested in the cocaine I have on top of it.”

“Billy. Listen to yourself. Cocaine? What cocaine?”

“The guy who I took the AK from also had five kilos of cocaine.”

“He gave them to you?”

“Not exactly.”

“What do you mean not exactly?”

“He is in the trunk on top of the cocaine and the AK.”

“Aren’t you worried about the police finding him?”

“No he is well hidden.”

“I’m afraid to ask. Well hidden by what.”

“I hit a deer on the way over here. I put it in the trunk on top of the guy.”

“So you think this is safe?”

“Would you mess with a dead smelly deer?”

“You have a point. Although it may take me a minute to understand it.”

“Later then, Frank. Need to dress out that deer for Thanksgiving.”

Meet Guest Author Charles E Yallowitz

November 15, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 3 Comments

One of the most supportive authors around this here world.

Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog

Balancing Act of the Author and Parent

Charles author photo B&W I wanted to be an author since high school. That’s where the story begins and the ensuing years ended up being me doing everything except pushing the author career. I outlined ideas, wrote a few books, and designed characters whenever I had a chance. I’m a fantasy author (waits for groans and cheers to die down), so my stories were my own escapism from the retail and office jobs that I kept finding myself in. Now before I lose everyone to the doom and gloom, I’ll get to the good stuff.

As I said, I was still writing, but I wasn’t sharing. One day I noticed someone I knew from high school was publishing on Amazon Kindle. I reconnected and learned more about it. Then I met another Kindle author who showed me the ropes around the time my work life was looking…

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Presenting Changelings: Into the Mist

November 11, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 1 Comment

Katie Sullivan has published her novel and is also currently doing an IndieGoGo Campaign. Check this out.

Katie Sullivan

Changelings. They were the descendants of Man and Fae. They walked between worlds – as healers, mystics, even kings – but no more. He thought he was the last, alone and lost, until the day he saw them.

Irish teens Maureen O’Malley and Sean McAndrew are lost in time. To find a way home, they must curry favor with pirates, dodge a revolution, and defy a king out of Ireland’s deepest legends.

They are Changelings, and they have magic in their blood – magic, which will rekindle a centuries-old war that threatens to tear the very fabric of time.

Pirates and rebels and myths, oh my!

Changelings: Into the Mist is the first book in the exciting Changelings series, and it is available in print and digital from Amazon today!

I know I’ve said it before, but this truly is a dream twenty years in the making. I was in…

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Stream of Consciousness Saturday

November 8, 2014June 26, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 8 Comments

Today’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “bat, bet, bit, bot, but.” You can read about it here and join in if you would like:

http://lindaghill.com/2014/11/07/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-november-814/

My interpretation is titled Say Again and I hope you enjoy it.

“We are here to play. Right team?”

“Mumble.”

“I can’t hear you.”

“RIGHT.”

“Good now Jones you are up to bat. Casey you’re on deck.”

“Uh coach?”

“What Jones.”

“I’ll bet Casey would do better.”

“What’s the matter? You get bit by a chicken?”

“No sir. I just found out my horse has the bot.”

“What does a sick horse have to do with a ballgame?”

“Nothing to you but to me it is serious.”

“Okay, Jones you are excused. Casey it is your chance to drive one in for Mudville.

‘The EVENT’ – A short tale by Chris Graham (aka The Story Reading Ape)

October 31, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 2 Comments

Here is a nice shout out to all published authors from one who helps us be successful

Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog

So much sweat is pouring off me anyone would think I was made only of liquid, but I can’t help it, it’s the effect that the impending event always has on me.

–

Ever since I decided to take this path, fear has accompanied me, becoming my constant, and oft-times, only companion.

–

Why hadn’t I listened to those who had told me NOT to go this way, it would lead me to a ‘Hell on Earth’, it would drive me insane sometimes, many times, maybe even ALL the time.

–

But I was too stubborn to heed them, what did THEY know about this path, THEY had not taken it themselves.

–

It’s TIME!

–

It’s ALIVE!

–

Now the whole world can see what I’ve done!

–

I can’t bear to look.

–

What will the world think of me now?

–

What will…

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Wednesday Story Day

October 29, 2014June 26, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 29 Comments

Wednesday is story day and today is no different. These stories are designed to celebrate the fact that the week is more of less under control. It gives me a chance to stretch a little and get away for a few minutes from the job at hand with is my third book in the John Cannon trilogy. I am at about 72,000 words and I see the finish at close to 95,000. As I said last Friday, my characters forced me to write a little differently so it will take me a little longer. Hopefully, the detour will be worth it. Today’s story takes us back to Frank and Billy and if you will recall Billy had not shot his shotgun ever. The story is back at the Starbucks and is titled Next.

“Here’s your decaf latte Frank. Low foam and almond milk.”

“Yeah thanks.”

“What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong? You gotta be kidding me.”

“You still upset that I haven’t shot this shotgun before.”

“Put that thing under your coat. You want the cops to pick us up?”

“Aren’t shotguns legal?”

“In a friggin’ Starbucks? Look around you see any pheasants in here? Don’t you think if a cop came in and saw you waving that thing around he might wonder what I’m doing with a 9MM automatic pistol.”

“I never thought about that. Yeah, your pistol is certainly not legal. Especially with that thirty shot magazine.”

“Please Billy. Please shut up and let me think. We need to have a plan to knock off the bank.”

“Can we do it without guns?”

“Like with what.”

“We could pretend we have a bomb or something.”

“I don’t think we would scare anyone into giving us money with a fake bomb.”

“We could make it look pretty real.”

“I don’t think so. Get me another latte will ya.”

“Sure. Be right back. Hey, Barista I would like another low foam, decaf, almond milk, latte.”

“You have to wait sir. You are not next.”

“Oh yeah, see this gun. Everyone on the floor. Barista draw that latte and don’t touch the alarm.”