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Cia

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  1. Cia

    December CSR Feature: Mr & Mister Danvers: Initiation by LJCC

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    Welcome to our last CSR feature of 2023! 10 years of features needed something dramatic with flair, and what is more dramatic than a spy thriller? So you can put down your holiday nog (or grab it if you need some spirits and enjoy them together!) and focus on this story for a fun journey of twists & turns you'll never expect. 
    Mr & Mister Danvers: Initiation
    by @LJCC
    Length: 59,674
    Description: Greg Danvers, a former London police sergeant now a part-time waiter, tends to his ten-year-old son and his paraplegic father. Forced by poverty and desperation, he becomes a “high-class escort.”
    Swept into life as a spy and brushed into The Agency’s path, guided by his handler, Jean de La Fontaine, with the help of the mysterious Nathaniel Worthington, he learns his only chance of safety lies with their help. What begins as a duty to serve his country becomes a need to answer an urgent desire, as Greg finds himself torn between two very different men, in two irreconcilable lives wading through sex, secrecy, and espionage.
    A Reader said: Don't wanna spoil too much of a great story, but be ready for many didn't see that one coming plot turn moments. And it only builds up. So start reading , the proof of the pudding is in the eating, I am confident you'll love it. ~ Chris571
    Don't forget to come back for the CSR Discussion day on Monday, December 25! 
  2. Cia

    November CSR Discussion Day: When Opportunity Knocks by kbois

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    This month's feature was a mix of so many characters, pets, and details that you needed a LONG month and a bit of a holiday to finish it all. I hope you enjoyed kbois' story, When Opportunity Knocks! Make sure you add your comments below, but first, you get to enjoy this interview. 
    I say, I say… who does it better, the chicken or the chicken hawk?
    Well, the chicken hawk has better eyesight, but chicken tastes better, and there are so many ways to cook it, so I’d have to go with the chicken.
    What's your favorite room in your house? Do you plot or write there?
    Probably my living room. It’s where I spend the most time and do most of my writing. I don’t usually plot out a story. Occasionally, I will jot down ideas for future chapters, but I write by the seat of my pants.
    If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be?
    WTF? How did I get here?
    Which is your stories that you’ve written is your favorite and why?
    I’m rather fond of my first story, A Tattoo for Lex. The general plot and characters banged around my head for a few years before I got the guts to write it all down. Looking back, the writing level makes me cringe, but hey, not horrible for a first-time writer. My current series is what I’m most proud of. It’s made me grow as a writer and taken my skills to a higher level.
    Do you think characters or the plot is the most important part of a story, and why?
    Definitely the plot. It’s what molds the characters. You can have the most personable character on the planet, but if your plot sucks, it’s not going to engage the readers the way a story is supposed to, and so often, the plot is crucial to how a character delivers a line or expresses emotion.
    Your stories are a mix of genres. Do you have a preferred genre to write?
    No. I write whatever floats my boat at the moment. I like trying new genres. It gives me a chance to stretch my writing wings. I really enjoy the anthologies and other challenges GA offers. They provide a platform to try something new without committing to a full-length story. Romance will always be my go-to. It just might also include some shifters, vampires, or a snarky-ass devil once in a while.
    The names in When Opportunity Knocks cracked me up. Is that all author fun or do you actually know parents who are that crazy?
    It’s all author fun. I have a blast making these things up. Although I did have a co-worker once who wanted to give all her kids aviation names, which is where I got the idea. Her first boy was Jet. I have no idea if she had more kids later or if she continued the theme. On a side note, my beta, Danilo Syrtis, nearly always picks up the hidden meanings behind some of the names I choose.
    There are several pups in this story. Do you have a lot of pets in real life or just indulge in stories?
    I was pet-deprived growing up. Once I was married, we got a dog who was with us for thirteen and a half years. After we moved to Florida, I wanted to go to the shelter to get an adult dog, medium size but instead got suckered into taking in a puppy who didn’t get bigger than a Dachshund. He’s now fourteen. We were broken into a few times, and after the last one, we got a second mutt for protection. He’s dumber than a box of rocks but is enough of a deterrent to warrant keeping him. Plus, he’s cute. So, yeah, I’ve got two dogs now, and as all my Korner Krew members know, I’m not a cat person. lol
    Do you have a favorite line or scene from When Opportunity Knocks?
    Anything having to do with Bruce, Rosie, or Tater.
    Are you currently writing something or have something to share in the future soon for readers?
    I’m technically not writing anything at the moment as I’m editing the rough draft chapters of The Light at the End of the Tunnel so I can finish posting it and wrap up the series. I do have several ideas for a few stories. I’m trying to coax Jase from Tattoo into telling me his tale. He’s been whispering, and I need him to start shouting. I wrote an intro chapter for something else, and I do have a third idea that I was going to use for the anthology, but it decided it wanted more attention.
  3. Cia

    November CSR Feature: When Opportunity Knocks by kbois

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    I wanted to feature a story by kbois this month, and while this story is on the longer side for a CSR pick, I liked that it aligned with that oft-featured holiday month issue... unexpected family dynamics and all the bumps that indicates! So, please enjoy this month's story by @kbois and come back at the end of the month ready to share your thoughts!
    When Opportunity Knocks
    by kbois
    Length: 96,473
    Description:  Jett Anderson and Kyle Benton are starting to build a relationship. Life decides to throw in some speed bumps and hazards to make navigating the road not so easy. 
    Add in some unexpected family dynamics and soon enough things get challenging. 
    Can they work it out?
    A Reader Said: One of Kbois best stories to date and that’s saying a lot, I really love her stories. But this one has everything, love, hot guys, cute dogs, drama, suspense, good pacing, and great detail.  ~ @Mrsgnomie
    Don't forget to come back on Monday, November 27th, for the CSR Discussion day! 
     
  4. Cia

    CSR Discussion Day: Miles to Go by Comicality

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    Can you believe tomorrow is Halloween? It's true! In honor of the spooky season, I picked a story that also dipped into the paranormal and featured an author that has a variety of stories in the genre if that's your thing! I hope you enjoyed Miles to Go this month, now enjoy this interview I sent to @Comicality before you share your comments below. 
    Who was the real villain, ACME or Wile E. Coyote?
    Hehehe, Wile E. Coyote! All the way! They sold it...but YOU bought it, dude. Repeatedly, after injury and failures galore. That’s all on him. Learn or suffer, I always say. 
    If you were an animal, what would you be?
    A panther! Can’t explain it, but I’ve always had a thing for panthers, even when I was little. Like all black, or purple, fur...sleek, with bright and mysterious glow in the dark golden eyes? What could be cooler than that?
    What’s one location you’d love to go to research for a story?
    Egypt. Hands down. It’s on my personal bucket list. Being here in America for my whole life...we see stuff that might be like 100 years old. MAYBE 200 years. But being able to stand in front of something thousands of years old and marvel at it? That would be priceless to me. I’d research that for a story and really put my creative mind to the test. My second pick would be Tokyo. Because Tokyo just sounds awesome!
    What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
    I’m almost never ‘not writing’. But when I need to unplug and relax, I’m a big film fanatic. I could lose an entire day watching movies. Video games too, because I love the stories behind them and everything that goes into bringing those worlds to life. Outside of those two things, it’s all me trying to spend quality time with my family.
    What’s the best part of being a writer?
    Being able to exist in a world where I control the ‘rules’. Where the people with good hearts and good intentions get rewarded for it. And people who suck and just live to cause misery, bigotry, and pain, get what they deserve. The real world isn’t like that, unfortunately. Assholes stay assholes, the super rich stay rich, and hopeless romantics get their hearts broken. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Such is life, I suppose. I don’t expect it to change.
    Out of all your stories, which story or series is your favorite and why?
    “Gone From Daylight” will probably be my favorite series from now until infinity. Hehehe, there is so much of myself poured into that story and everything started branching off into different corners of that world but are all still connected. It’s the biggest thing that I’ve ever done in my life, and I’m completely invested in seeing it all play out till the very end.
    Miles to Go did into the paranormal. Do you like to read or watch paranormal stories yourself?
    I LOVE paranormal stuff! And not just in fiction, but I love a lot true story details about paranormal stuff. I’m an 80’s kid, so I grew up in the horror movie era (Michael Myers, Freddy, Jason, Chucky, Leatherface, etc), and a lot of Chicago has many haunted spots in the downtown area. So I live for spooky stories. I find them fascinating.
    So… why zombies? What inspired the idea for Miles to Go?
    Actually, I wrote a zombie story one year for Halloween because there were a few readers that really wanted me to do one. So I basically did it for them, and it’s called “Shelter”. It had one main character and a love interest involved, but it was only meant to be a one chapter type of thing. And when folks wanted more, I came up with a few more characters to help build up the story and make it more unique and a bit more interesting. One of those characters was Preston, who I really enjoyed writing because he’s so much FUN! Hehehe! And as “Shelter” moved forward, I began writing backstories for each of the main characters to explain how they got there and brought them all together into one story. And that’s where “Miles To Go” came from.
    Do you have a favorite part (line or section) of the story?
    I really love the parts where Preston is trying to fit in at his very first party and all, but my favorite, I think, was him running through a cornfield full of zombies. I wanted to add something extremely creepy to this story, and having him push his way through a cornfield and not being able to see what’s right in front of him seemed like a rather frightening idea. Not knowing what you might run into. It almost has a Jaws ‘shark under the water’ feel to it.
    Can you share a little of your current or upcoming work with readers?
    I have some new stuff in the works, but my biggest priority is finishing off some stories that are almost done, but have been waiting for me to focus long enough to edit them and put it all together the way I’ve been wanting to do for AGES now! Stories like “Dream Lover”, “Boys Of Widow Lake”, “Empty Corners”, “Always”, and plenty more. Everything just takes time, and I don’t want to rush through and deliver something less than amazing? You know? What can I say? I can be overly ambitious sometimes. Hehehe!
  6. Cia

    October Signature Feature: Finding Alex by Krista

    By Cia,


    Signature Feature
    October is all about fun and games, sometimes with a bit of a twist... How does that come into play with this story? Read on and find out! 

    Length: 17,423
    Description: Daniel is single and in the closet. Then at his sister's wedding, he meets Alex, the bestman of his new brother-in-law.
    A reader said: Krista! Why? I bloody loved the build up. I wished we could have had more time with the couple 
    Great story though  ~ Bachgen Cymraeg
     
    If you want to spread the word about Krista's story, download the graphic below and add it to your signature!

    Make sure you come back on Wednesday to see the excerpt I chose to share!
  7. Cia

    October CSR Feature: Miles to Go by Comicality

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    So October means the real start to fall and, as I sit here in my I Love Spooky sweatshirt, it's time to feature something for the Halloween season. ZOMBIES! So welcome to your October CSR read and an older story from Comicality, Miles to Go. For those who enjoy this kind of thing, from the comments this is a prequel to more in this world too! 
    Miles to Go
    by @Comicality
    Length: 20,385
    Description: As another one of the character spinoff tales from the zombie apocalypse series, "Shelter" Click Here,  this story follows young 'Preston Miles' and his struggles before society fell all to pieces in a matter of days. I hope you enjoy this prequel miniseries before the main story! And be sure to check out the other spinoffs ("Walker Road", "Rotting Apples", "Safehaven", and "Release Me") as they are posted here! Or, grab an ebook copy at https://imagine-magazine.org/store/comicality/
    A Reader Said: Preston is such a sweet soul, and he tries so hard to be liked. I think folks will relate to this sentiment, growing up and just wanting to fit in with your peers. However, the first time Preston decides to be spontaneous, the world devolves into a mass of flesh eating zombie. Certainly worth the read. His name is Preston… and you’ll like this book if you give it a chance. ~ D.K. Daniels
    Don't forget to come back on Monday, October 30th, for the CSR Discussion day! 
  8. Cia

    September's CSR Feature: The Matchmaker by Arch Hunter

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    Well, being a 'back to school' month in the U.S. and elsewhere I went with a teen fiction because it's all about the school drama this time of year for so many teens and adults in the world. Who doesn't want to escape their own reality to visit someone else's? 
    The Matchmaker
    by @Arch Hunter
    Length: 31,066
    Description: Kevin is an insecure teen boy on a journey to find the love of his life. 
    There's Kevin's best friend, Torry and his brother Dexter. There's also Sarah, the prettiest girl in school. And let's not forget James Mitt. The man. The myth. The legend. 
    A Reader Said: A story that kept me guessing all the way through. Good characterisation and plenty of plot twists. Unusual and unique. 
    Don't forget to come back on the last Monday of the month, September 25th, to read my interview with Arch Hunter!
  9. Cia

    CSR Discussion Day: The Matchmaker by Arch Hunter

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    Did you read the twisty teen tale by The MatchMaker by Arch Hunter? What did you think of the ending? Not what you expected? LOL! Well, make sure you share your thoughts about the story or his interview answers below! 
    Do you eat your fruits and vegetables?
    I'm all about veggies; fruits not so much. I think veggies are far superior - you can roast, fry, boil, steam them. You can eat them raw, most of them. Literally hundreds of culinary applications! Fruits aren't bad, but most are hard to digest and full of sugar. Bananas are cool. Fun fact - I'm allergic to avocadoes, to give you a creative murder idea if I procrastinate a chapter for too long. Now, what was the question again?
    If you were an animal, what would you be?
    Probably a beaver, or a monkey. Both seem equally exciting. I'd probably go with a monkey to experience their social life and take long naps in the trees.
    What’s one location you’d love to go to research for a story?
    Most of my stories aren't very location-specific and I like to keep it that way. But if I could choose, I would go with a time period rather than a location, and it probably would be the Industrial Revolution era with its exciting inventions, discoveries, and huge social inequality. The world still seemed vast, just at the dawn of globalization. Provided I could survive there long enough to research for a story, this would be quite a time to be.
    What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
    I spend time with my friends and family, learning new things, making music, reading, cooking, or playing video games. Last but not least, I like taking my dog to nice places.
    What brought you to GA?
    One of my Nifty readers recommended it to me a few years ago. He suggested that my stories would fit well on GA and looking back, he wasn't wrong!
    When you get a story idea, do you use any particular method, app, program, etc., to expand it before you begin writing?
    It differs from story to story. I'm really bad at planning long, intricate scenarios. Usually, I have an idea for the first few chapters and maybe the ending, and then I just start writing and see where it takes me. This way I end up with much more original and unpredictable outcomes, but sometimes I do write myself into a corner, especially if I post a story as I go. Instead of planning, I usually prefer to plant characters and events for myself to use later. This way I tend to surprise myself when a character I introduced a few chapters ago is not who I'd thought they were. That's what keeps me - and hopefully the readers - away from boredom.
    The Matchmaker has a bit of a twist… did you start with the contemporary story idea or the twist during your plot?
    It started with an idea of a troubled teenager and his friend with undefined supernatural powers. But when I came up with the twist, more layers came to my head one by one and I knew I had a story.
    Do you identify with any one character in the story the most and why?
    Not really! Looking back, I identify with most of my protagonists to some extent. But in this story, I made Kevin up from scratch and he's really nothing like me. Other characters in the story... well, they feel like people I could've known, but I don't identify with any of them. And I'm happy with it, because the readers still found them believable and relatable, even if not always likable. 
    What’s your favorite line or scene in The Matchmaker?
    There are many scenes I like in it, but my favorite is probably a phone call between Kevin and Sarah in Chapter 3. This is the scene I usually visualize first when I think about this story. It is extremely important to the plot, even if it doesn't seem so at first. I also like the emotional impact it has on Kevin. It's just a short dialogue with barely any narration, but it does so many things. I'm not always proud of my past work but in this one, I wouldn't change a thing.
    Can you share a little about your current or upcoming work with readers?
    I'm really bad at delivering promised work (proven record!), so I'd rather keep working in silence. But yes, I'm working, and a new story will drop when you least expect it.
  10. Cia
    Did you catch Monday's blog post featuring JamesSavik's story, In the Shadow of the Dragon, for this month's Signature Feature? You definitely don't want to miss this longer novel-length story if you're looking for a great technical action story with a lot of human interactions that will hit you in the feels. See what I mean below!
    Want to read more? Click here
  11. Cia
    Well... if you read this story, it has it all. Action, drama, heroes you love to see be heroic even if they don't see it, villains you love to hate, twists you don't see coming, and so much more. Written a decade or so ago, it hits even recent events in eerie ways, but I think you're all okay to read it. Please enjoy this month's feature, and make sure you leave likes, comments, and reviews! 

    Length: 80,099
    Description: Five Colorado teens face the horrors of nuclear and biological war and civil disorder
    A reader said: James, I read this story the first time around and loved it then. I'm having just as much fun reading the second time. The change in view points is a big help in keeping all the action straight. Very Tom Clancy-ish, which are some of the best books in this genre. Nothing beats a good spy-type thriller. ~sat8997 (2013)
    A more recent reader said: This is a fast-paced, exciting read.  The author does a fantastic job of creating a sense of urgency and realism.  Even though our technology and world events have changed a bit since this was published, it felt timely and cautionary. ~CincyKris (2012)
     
     
    If you want to spread the word about JamesSavik's story, download the graphic below and add it to your signature!

    Make sure you come back on Wednesday to see the excerpt I chose to share!
  12. Cia
    Did you catch (get it?!)  Monday's blog featuring Gone Fishing by Headstall? This little lure of an excerpt should reel you right in if not! (Hey, I can't help it if I was raised by diehard fishaholic and know ALL the puns!). Seriously, though, the story has all the feels too. Read on! 
    Want to read more? Click here
  13. Cia
    Wow, I can't believe it's the end of August already! Back to school (for me) and time for you all to get to enjoy this interview with northie, hopefully after you've already enjoyed Soul Music: Love Encountered. Did you know there's a sequel too? Make sure you leave your comments below, but first... northie took the time to answer these questions. 
    Do you eat your fruits and vegetables?
    Vegetables - absolutely. I enjoy eating vegetarian and sometimes, vegan dishes. Fruit? Not so much. I eat little raw and as I don’t bake or otherwise make desserts, there’s no cooked fruit at home. However, if I’m eating somewhere else that offers desserts with fruit, I’ll eat them with pleasure.  
    If you were an animal, what would you be?
    Something that doesn’t move around a huge amount and doesn’t specialise in chomping other beasts. It should still have a brain though. So not sheep or cattle… Maybe, suggestions on a postcard?
    If you’re not writing, what would we find you doing for fun?
    Playing music. At various times, I’ve played piano, orchestral percussion, and recorders. Recorders are my current favourite. Reading. I’ve rediscovered the pleasures of consuming other people’s writing. Quite apart from everything else, it sparks off all kinds of ideas for experimenting. Gardening. For me, flowers and small shrubs only as my garden consists of 40ish varied pots. I also love hearing about other people’s gardening adventures.
    What’s one location you’d love to go to research for a story?
    All my fiction has been located in the UK so far. I quite fancy New Zealand as a location. A couple of years ago I watched a ‘slow’ TV documentary following a train which left Auckland in North Island and meandered right down to the tip of the South Island. Fascinating country with a fascinating multi-cultural history. Will I ever get there? I suspect that’s quite another story.
    What’s the first thing you do when you start writing a new story?
    OK… well, this is where I should say I plan out the entire thing - plot, sub-plots, main characters, pivotal scenes. *hollow, hollow laughter* On current showing, I sit down with an opening scene, a single principal character, and a vague idea of where it’s going to go. Everything else is left to chance / research / inspiration. I am very definitely a ‘pantser’.
    In Soul Music: Love Encountered there’s obviously music. Research or personal experience?
    Well, I kinda answered that question earlier. I used to sing back in the day, so I’ve plenty of choir memories to draw on as well.
    Okay, another research-related question… your characters have personal quirks that make them relatable. How do you decide what to include for defining characteristics, such as shyness for Geoff?
    Geoff is in many ways an extension of me. All my principal characters reflect aspects of their author but Geoff is the closest. Or the closest to who I was then. Finding my label has made me more confident, more likely to speak out. I still have body image issues but they have a different source now. Geoff as extension was, I think, a consequence of how new a writer I was at the time. Tony’s characteristics came out of what was needed as a foil to Geoff.
    In more general terms, all my characters are flawed in ways that go beyond those traits commonly found in M/M fiction. I try to make them real people.
    What is your favorite scene or line from the story?
    Wow - it’s been so long since I really thought about these guys. The dynamics of them playing piano duets always make me smile - the fun, concentration, competitiveness, and joy. I also liked writing the short scenes of them in the bath together, though I think I’d do a much better job of it now.
    Thinking back over Soul Music: Love Encountered, since it’s been a few years… is there anything you’d change now?
    Some readers have asked whether I’ll go back to their story. Finish it off properly. The answer is no. Part of the reason is there’s so much structurally awry with what’s already there. I was too timid when it came to depicting relationships. I had no real concept of developing backstories for characters. Their motivations and psychological traits aren’t anchored properly, and with the possible exception of Geoff, there is no real sense of character arcs. This growth in my writing is evident in the three books of Eric’s story. The first book dates from about the same time as this one. By the time of the third book in his story, I’d progressed a great deal.
    My invaluable and long-suffering editor / beta-reader, Parker Owens, pushes me much harder nowadays. We know each other much better and we’ve both grown into our roles.
    Will you share a little of your current work or future projects with readers?
    I’ve two projects on the go. The first is two guys in the present day who want to change their lives for the better. Ian yearns to live a more authentic life, even if it means him leaving his current relationship. Luke, a younger guy, is uncertain about what the future holds. He wants to escape his family’s influence, make better decisions for himself, but he’s at a crossroads. Expect music, self-discovery, dysfunctional relationships, the North East of England, and maybe, just maybe, a happy(ish) ending.
    The other is my first attempt at writing a YA story. In a future England, life is very different. The Warming has fractured everything. Heat, drought, ignorance, and the eternal quest for power and dominance form a backdrop to Harb’s first journey beyond the confines of home. Who or what will he find on his way to a long-abandoned city? How will they change his life? This will probably have a more open ending. There again, what do I know? Remember, pantser.
  14. Cia
    Well, August has nearly come and gone if you can believe it not. I chose this story by Headstall because as my summer comes to a close I felt a certain kinship with the description of shattered dreams. Where have all the days gone and all my plans to achieve ended...? How often do we ask ourselves that....

    Length: 11,332
    Description: This is a story of life, dreams, and timing. Anthony's life has come full circle as he retreats to his small home town on a northern Ontario river. With shattered dreams behind him, he has no choice but to choose a path forward. Fortunately, his mom and dad, and even his dead grandmother, have his back.
    A reader said: A wonderful story about a breaking up marriage, going back to childhood place and finding an old and renewed love.
    Definitely 5 stars. I love this story. Thank you, Gary for sharing it with us. ~ Job
     
    If you want to spread the word about Headstall's story, download the graphic below and add it to your signature!

    Make sure you come back on Wednesday to see the excerpt I chose to share!
  15. Cia

    August CSR Feature: Soul Music: Love Encountered by northie

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    Summer is still going hot in the north, so why not feature a heated love story by northie?  Plus, I'm always a sucker when one of the characters is described as shy. 
    Soul Music: Love Encountered
    by @northie
    Length: 57,168
    Description: Geoff is shy, lacking in self-assurance, and not out to his family. When by chance, he meets Tony, a fellow musician, he can't believe that anything will come of it ... 
    A Reader said: Just finished reading and I have to say I love this story so much! I especially like the character of Geoff, he is definitely the type of guy I fall for - shy, reserved and modest, but kind and loving. Also, it's beautiful to see how Tony is patient with him, they are a perfect match for each other. I can't wait for the sequel! ~ WhenItRains
  16. Cia

    Secret Author Stories Revealed!

    By Cia,


    Anthologies
    Yes, it's time to unmask the Secret Author and put all the guessers out of their misery. Just so you don't forget who you guessed, here is the Guess the Secret Author! blog so you can compare who you thought wrote them versus who REALLY wrote these 11 great stories. 

    1.       14,000 Days of Virtue by Libby Drew *Contest Winner* 
    2.       Adrift by James Carnarvon
    3.       Baring My Soul by kbois
    4.       Learned to Lie by Krista
    5.       Life of a Pet by astone2292
    6.       River City by Bill W
    7.       Searching for God by Mikiesboy
    8.       The Book of Poems by Tim Hobson
    9.       The Case of Cloud Rider by Valkyrie
    10.   The Egg Stone by drsawzall
    11.   Unchained by lawfulneutralmage
    AND, since the Secret contest was such a success letting authors try writing stories in new genres for readers to enjoy, we're going to do this again next year! I want to say a big thank you to all the authors above who participated and all the readers who took the time to read and share the 427 likes, 228 comments, and 61 reviews! 

  17. Cia

    Secret Author Contest Winner!

    By Cia,


    Anthologies
    Yes, you did it! You read the stories, liked, commented, reviewed... and voted! I have tallied the poll (it was so close!) and the story receiving the most votes was: 
    14,000 Days of Virtue
    by...

    LIBBY DREW!!!
    Libby has won custom advertising for her story or stories, and one reader who voted is also a winner, and that is:
    @George Richard
     

    to both our winners
     
  18. Cia

    Weekly Wrap UP (July 16 - July 22)

    By Cia,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    Wildone is on wild camping vacay, so I'm bringing you the Weekly Wrap up.  We shall all have to hope that he doesn't get eaten by a wild bear (*coughs*) so he can come back next week to resume his usual posting. In the meantime, onward for a refresh on last week's goings on from yours truly. 
    Monday I featured a short story by our very own long-term Signature member and admin, Graeme:
    Tuesday we started voting on the Secret Author Story Contest. Remember1 reader who votes wins free Premium! 
    Did you read the Torn in Two excerpt on Wednesday? 
    Or check out the list of all 11 Secret Author Stories on Thursday (and find out you get to guess the author on Monday?)
    Friday, you were invited to go take a hike... no, it's fine, I promise!
    Saturday Comicality talks about the "Author Experience". What is that? Well...
    Words of the Day: 
    agnosia   coot   whine   muddleheaded   preternatural    corral    bubbletop
    Upcoming Writing Events 
    Leap of Faith Anthology! All Submissions due Sunday, October 1 Guidelines here.
    Here is the look at the past weeks postings on all our Authors and Poets!
    Recently Updated 'Premium' Stories
    Paradox Lost by Libby Drew (In Process) Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories
    Gap Year by Mark Arbour (In Process) Northern Exposure by Mark Arbour (Temporary Hold) By Chance or Appointment by Parker Owens (Temporary Hold) Dichotomy of Love by Mrsgnomie (In Process) Broken Path, Starless Tail by Cia (In Process) The Great Mirror of Same-Sex Love - Poetry by AC Benus (In Process) GFD: Fanboys by Comicality (Long-Term Hold) The Cockney Canuck by Dodger (Temporary Hold) The Great Mirror of Same-Sex Love - Prose by AC Benus (In Process) The Best Year by Krista (In Process) Recently Updated 'Classic Author' Stories
    Paradox Lost by Libby Drew (In Process) Seth on the Road to Chaos by Ronyx (In Process) Secrets: The Truth is Slowly Revealed by Bill W (In Process) Recently Updated 'Promising Author' Stories
    No stories Recently Updated 'Author' Stories
    The Discovery by Jdonley75 (In Process) The Case of the Short, Short Prince by Geron Kees (In Process) Kidnapped by a Vampire by Thirdly (In Process) Chasing Rusty Parker by Laura S. Fox (In Process) Taming Of The Beast by ASH PHOENIX (In Process) 593 Riverside Drive by RichEisbrouch (In Process) Don't Blame The Band by Lee Wilson (In Process) Thicker Than Water by John Henry (In Process) Aedan's Story by RichardWrites (In Process) A Wizard's War by TeamStilinski (In Process) Heartbreak To Healing by D.K. Daniels (In Process) Unchained by Secret Author (Complete) Lone Wolf Ranch by Justin4Fun (In Process) Never walk alone- Walk on by Andre Delport (In Process) Disputed Sea by quokka (In Process) Desafinado: Slightly Out of Tune by LJCC (In Process) The Egg Stone by Secret Author (Complete) Wicked Games by CasualWanderer82 (In Process) ARROW by CLJobe (In Process) The Case of Cloud Rider by Secret Author (Complete) The Book of Poems by Secret Author (Complete) Silvered Spell by PrismaFox (In Process) Quantum Shift by Luca E (Complete) Searching for God by Secret Author (Complete) Connor and the Wolves by Yeoldebard (In Process) Beyond Imagination by W_L (In Process) Revival with "Firebird" by Georgie DHainaut (Complete) River City by Secret Author (Complete) Recently Updated 'Poet' Stories
    Musings of a Wordsmith by JACC (Temporary Hold)
  19. Cia

    Guess the Secret Author!

    By Cia,


    Anthologies
    All right, then! You've been on tenterhooks with all hush-hush of the Secret Author Story Contest, but here's your chance to make a guess in the blog comments on who wrote which story. Guess one, guess them all.... It's up to you. Bonus, you'll have a few days, since just for funsies, I'm revealing the winning story and author on Tuesday, 7/25, but the rest of the contest authors won't be revealed until Thursday, 7/27. Yes, just because....

    A reminder of the stories for your guesses below, our sneaky Secret Author purloined: 
    1.       14,000 Days of Virtue
    2.       Adrift
    3.       Baring My Soul
    4.       Learned to Lie
    5.       Life of a Pet
    6.       River City
    7.       Searching for God
    8.       The Book of Poems
    9.       The Case of Cloud Rider
    10.   The Egg Stone
    11.   Unchained

  20. Cia

    Secret Author Story Contest Voting

    By Cia,


    Anthologies
    Time to vote! What are you waiting for?! You read, you liked, commented, and reviewed the Secret Author Story Contest stories so now it's time to get out and vote. Wait... not out, stay in! Just click on the vote picture below to go make your choice! 

    Need a reminder of the stories first?
    Click on our Secret Author below (image) to visit the story listing 

  21. Cia
    Voting is happening now! (click the image below) What, you say you didn't get a chance to read all the stories? Well just click on the preceding link or check out the list of awesome stories below! Or... maybe you want to refresh your memory or look for author clues. Yes, that's right! Monday we're going to have a fun 'Spot the REAL author' blog feature. Do you know? Of course not, only I know! Muahahahaha! 
     

     
    1.       14,000 Days of Virtue
    2.       Adrift
    3.       Baring My Soul
    4.       Learned to Lie
    5.       Life of a Pet
    6.       River City
    7.       Searching for God
    8.       The Book of Poems
    9.     The Case of Cloud Rider
    10.    The Egg Stone
    11.    Unchained  
  22. Cia

    July Signature Excerpt: Torn in Two by Graeme

    By Cia,


    Signature Feature
    I know this may seem like a story you've read before... but Graeme has a way of bringing emotions to life that you can't help but absorb and follow as if they were your emotions and your choices. Don't pass up this short story if you ignored the comments by Wildone featured on Monday's featured blog post or this excerpt tidbit! 
    Want to read more? Click here!
  23. Cia
    July has come and with it so many events for me I can't pick between if I'm coming or going... so I chose Graeme's story, Torn in Two, as this month's feature. Please enjoy this short story and leave him a comment or review! 

    Length: 9,024
    Description: Scott's heart is torn in two directions. He wants to leave Greenwood to be with his boyfriend, but he can't leave his grandfather, who needs him.
    A Reader said:  I just read the story and loved it ❤️
    As always, Graeme, thank you for sharing your great talent of writing amazing stories.   ~ Wildone
    If you want to spread the word about Graeme's story, download the graphic below and add it to your signature!

    Make sure you come back on Wednesday to see the excerpt I chose to share!
  24. Cia
    Well, better late than never! You readers certainly haven't been slack in providing your feeback!! Wow! With just one more story to go, I have to feature how the 10 stories so far have been received, and we still have 1 to go. Keep it up!
    10 stories in 10 days
    323 Likes
    190 Comments
    45 Reviews
    Voting will start next Tuesday, so make sure you read all the Secret Author Contest stories so you're ready to vote for your favorite!
    Click on our Secret Author below (image) to visit the story listing or follow the profile to get notifications on all the stories.

  25. Cia
    Yes, Secret Author still has more secrets to unveil! Have you been reading the stories posted so far? Many of you have and then shared likes, comments, and reviews, so thank you! How much fun are you having guessing who wrote what? Just don't tell if you think you have it all figured out! 🫢If you missed any stories, you can check out the story listing below, and follow so you don't miss the last few still to come. 
    1.       14,000 Days of Virtue
    2.       Adrift
    3.       Baring My Soul
    4.       Learned to Lie
    5.       Life of a Pet
    6.       River City
    7.       Searching for God
    8.       The Book of Poems
    Click on our Secret Author below (image) to visit the story listing or follow the profile to get notifications on all the stories.

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