Tag: blogging

Book Review Registry – OPEN

Guess what??

a. Had a birthday a few days ago. Totally in the 30s club now.

b. Totally is my new favorite word.

c. I got my PC back.

d. OK OK. I’ll get to it….

….The book review registry is open!

I just have one more book that I am finishing and one more to start from the old list so I am gonna go ahead and open the registry again. I am looking forward to some good summer reads.

I do have a few added rules this time around. When I first implemented this registry last year, I had no idea it would take so long to get through the list. This time around I am only taking on a few reads and I’ll be a little bit picky. Not only am I making room for the book clubs I am apart of but I also totally overwhelmed myself the last time. I took on too many books in a quest to be helpful. That won’t happen this time. I have to put myself at the top of the list.

This helps you as well. A shorter reading list for me means the registry will close early but also open early.

Here’s how it works:

(1) Register your book on THIS form. Its very important that you do so. Do not email me asking me to review your book. Do not send me your book and do not send me all the books in your series at one time. Register every book you’d like me to consider through THIS form. This is important because:

a. It secures you a spot in line if I decide to read and review your book

b. It keeps this process organized for both of us. (Wait, is that kinda the same as what I already said?)

(2) Books registered through THIS form does not guarantee you a review. Again, registering your book does not automatically mean I agree to read your book. If the book looks interesting I will email you for the first Chapter of your book for consideration.

(3) After registering please wait for my email. Stalking my email won’t make this go any faster.

(4) If it looks like a book I want to read I will request your first Chapter. If you already posted your first Chapter on your blog somewhere a link to that post is good too.

(5) If your first chapter is totally enticing and I must know what happens next, I will agree to review your book. You must gift me a copy in exchange for an honest review. (No Word Documents please)

(6) Please be patient as I read the book. Constantly emailing me won’t make me read any faster.

(7) Reviews of 3-5 will be published on this blog, Amazon, and Goodreads.

Please read the form for more information on my Book Reviews. This time around I am looking forward to seeing more African American / Black Lit books submitted!

That’s it!

Please read through my guidelines on the form carefully before submitting a book for review. Remember, Register HERE for consideration.

8 Things to Keep in Mind about Your Introduce Yourself Interview

  1. There are 50 questions to choose from. MIX THEM UP and remember that they do not have to be in order. (..because I’m gonna like, mix them up anyway)
  1. When asked what skill you WOULD LIKE to master, be creative. For instance, I would love to learn to play the piano. Stuff like that. (I really would like to learn to play the piano)
  1. Do put some thought into your answers. Give us something interesting and write in complete, detailed sentences. Remember that you’re a storyteller so showcase your personality. I had the opportunity of being interviewed by Best Selling author Dan Alatorre recently. If you are unfamiliar with how text interviews are structured, you can check it out HERE for an example of the format.
  1. RESPOND TO COMMENTS. As a guest on this blog you are only going to get out of it what you put in. Be sure to check back in for comments and questions left for you on the page. When leaving a comment, check the “notify me of new comments” box. It will subscribe you to the comment thread. You’ll get an email every time a new comment comes in. (You can unsubscribe from the thread at any time if it gets overwhelming.)
  1. Share Your Post. Re-blog, pingback, or post it to your blog however fits you and share it on social media. (I think re-blogging is best but any kind of sharing is appreciated.) Again, you are only going to get out of this what you put into it. I can only do so much. (*rewind*) I CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH. Be sure to look out for my emails with the post link BUT DON’T DEPEND ON IT ENTIRELY. Be sure to FOLLOW THIS BLOG and to check in for when your post is published according to the day we have agreed upon. Check in also periodically both on the day of and throughout the week for any commentary left for you on the table. At the end of the day the success of your interview is up to you.
  1. Send high resolution book covers and author photos you’d like me to include in the post. *Send images that belong to you, are of your books or are of you personally*. Google Images or Unsplash images will not be accepted for this feature. We want to see you or your books. I can also not include images if you’d like.
  1. Once you’ve sent your questions in for the interview follow this blog. That will help you to not only see when your interview comes up (aside from me sending you the link) but you can also support the interviews of the other authors.
  1. Support the interviews of other authors. Its not just about you. That said, support the other authors who are featured here. Like and comment on their interviews, share their post, purchase their books if they interest you and follow their blogs. If you support another blogger they may also support you.

What is Introduce Yourself? How can you get involved? New author? Learn more HERE.

Intention

It is the soul of our reasons why and the breath of purpose. It drips from our thoughts and can be smelled through the pores in our actions. Intention is the unseen fabric of the heart; the thing that either manifests dreams or turns them into nightmares. What will be is dependent upon its reason for creation. Intention is foresight. It marches ahead of now and reveals the future of an action. Are we cold hearts or warm ones? Bloody hands or clean ones washed in genuine? Intention is genuine and does not lie. Invisible though it may be it floats alongside us still and like a shadow reveals what is real versus what is being portrayed. A helpmate and a companion, intention is rib. Intention is Eve. Intention is by the side of action, the soul of our reasons why and the breath of purpose. The question is not what you will do. The question is, what’s your intention for doing it?

I’m Still Here

Just so you know, I have not fallen off the face of the Earth. I miss you guys!!

And, I’ve still been reading your blogs, commenting, liking, and sharing on Twitter and all that good stuff. I just have not been blogging but I am in tune. I don’t think I’ve spent this much time away from the blog since I’ve started! What in the world is going on?

A lot actually. Some good and some not so good. I definitley have a lot on my mind but let’s talk about the good.

Let me get you up to speed:

Blog Posts – I have some articles written up and saved in my files so I have still been writing and will have plenty for you soon. We’ll also get back into the usual blog segments, Black History Fun Facts, Throwback Jams, etcetera.

No laptop – You are not going to believe it but I have been traveling and left my laptop in Memphis! Here’s how it happened: While leaving my in-laws, I saw the bag in the trunk of the car  and thought the laptop was in it instead of checking to make sure it was. Long story short, I won’t get it back until next week sometime so all those blog post ideas we just talked about are uhh….stuck in Memphis.

Introduce Yourself – This thing is growing! I think I may put a listing somewhere so you can see what dates are available. Would you like that? Authors? Right now I am booking for August. (Wait, no. There may be one more slot left for July) That’s just how much it’s grown! Because of this, despite my absence, you can look forward to being introduced to a new author and his/her work every Monday. Those are scheduled to go out so even if I am not around you’ll get those. (This feature also introduces established authors as well or authors who are not necessarily new.)

Travels – So, where did I go?? Out the country? Nope. I wish! I went to Chicago and Memphis but I’ll give you the short version.

Ethiopian Diamond

In Chicago, I sat in on a Lecture presentation at the Dusable Museum of African American History, visited some family and ate at the Ethiopian Diamond restaurant downtown for the first time. (Despite growing up in Chicago I’ve never eaten there.) For those of you who have never been or have never had Ethiopian food, the style is like a community where everyone at the table eats with their hands from a large platter of food (see image). While everyone can order their own food, it is all on the same platter and designed to be a sociable experience. I can honestly say there were no looking down at the phones. There were a few of us so we were at different tables and at my table we had three large platters. On the bottom is a flat, round stretchy pancake-like injera bread with the other dishes on top in a circle.

These dishes include a combination of several stews like key wat (beef stew), tibs (lamb, beef or goat cubes which is what I had), ground beef (those beef patties or whatever you call them were delicious), and several types of lentil and split pea and tomato stews. You basically tear off pieces of the bread and use it to scoop up food you want to eat. Don’t just stick your hands in like I did at first lol. All in all, I enjoyed the food, the tangy flavor of the injera, the stews, salads, and of course, the quality family time.

Coffee – Speaking of which, the restaurant let us take home a container of coffee beans! Hubby and I had fun roasting them ourselves the other day. It was easier than I thought. Just brown them in a cast iron skillet (don’t put anything in it) and once they brown to your liking (dark roast, etc) grind them up in a coffee grinder and bam, coffee.

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I thought it would be stronger since we made dark roast but it was flavorful nonetheless.

Introduce Yourself: Introducing Guest Author Jessica Bakkers

Welcome to Introduce Yourself, a new and exciting blog segment of The PBS Blog dedicated to introducing to you new and established authors and their books.

Today I’d like to extend a warm welcome to Jessica Bakkers. Welcome to The PBS Blog! Let’s get started.

What is your name and where are you from?

Jessica Bakkers but my friends call me Jess. I’m from Down Under else-wise known as Australia. Victoria specifically.

You like the cold huh?

No but I’m well insulated *double chins shake with laughter*

Loll. What is the most annoying habit you have?

Either road rage or grammar nit-picking. Or snoring my husband might say.

What job do you think you’d be really good at?

Er, writer *smiles*

Yea, I guess that was pretty obvious lol. Jess, what was your childhood dream?

Er, writer… *bigger smile*

Lolll. In your own words, what is love?

Love is feeling thirsty so going to the fridge and getting 2 cans of Pepsi because I know he’ll be thirsty too. Love is sending a text message to him that simply uses the poop emoji and he answers with, “bad day at work, spaghetti for tea”. Love is him letting me warm my ice-cold feet on his back when we get into bed at night.

Oohhh. Nice! What’s your favorite drink?

Pepsi Max for the win!

What songs have you completely memorized?

Most of the entire works of Alan Jackson, George Strait, Diamond Rio and Little Big Town. Everything Pink Floyd. Most Leonard Cohen and Nice Cave. The entire Rocky Horror Picture Show album and Carry on Wayward Son.

OK, OK. What’s your favorite food?

Savory: spaghetti. Sweet: everything.

I love spaghetti. Actually, I love pasta in general. *Weakness*. I think we’re going to be friends. Who is your favorite writer?

Whoa. Why not ask me which is my favorite child!

Lol. Answer the question Jess! Spit it out. Inquiring minds wanna know ; )

I’m very partial to the King that’s Stephen), and I adore Steven Brust – he as such great dark humor in his novels. Maybe it’s a Stephen think…

If you could live in a movie, which would it be and why?

I’d go Rocky Horror again because fishnets! And singing!

Who is your best friend?

My husband.

Awwue. How long have you been married?

16 years in November.

Happy early anniversary! Children?

Yes. By children I’m assuming we’re talking dogs, right? Two. Holly and Shilo.

No, Jess. We are not talking about dogs but I’ll let you slide. What takes up too much of your time?

My day job.

What is it that you do?

I am the writer formerly known as social worker. April 21st, I gave that away to focus on freelance writing because, as I mentioned, day job was taking up too much of my writing time. This is the one time I’ll be serious; nothing should come between a writer and her writing…except chocolate.

I heard that! And chocolate definitely gets a pass. Jess, what do you wish you knew more about?

What happens next, after death.

Interesting. What small things make your life easier? What makes it more difficult?

Easier: chocolate, texting, supernatural, fitted sheets, automatic windshield wipers.

More difficult: bad drivers, phone calls, my day job, headaches, rap music.

Rap music loll. The music today is out there. WAY out there. What are your thoughts on race?

Even if we (humanity) were all ‘skinned’ some skeletons would still ostracize others based on the shape of their bones or size of their skulls. Humans will always find a way to make difference a bone of contention (pun fully intended).

True. What’s your favorite TV show / movie?

SupernaturalSupernaturalSupernaturalSupernaturalSupernaturalSupernaturalSupernaturalSupernaturalSupernaturalSupernaturalSupernaturalSupernaturalSupernaturalSupernaturalSupernaturalSupernaturalSupernaturalSupernatural

*Slap*

That’s it. Snap out of it. Supernatural is pretty good though. Speaking of supernatural, religious?

I believe in science and evidence.

What’s the most difficult thing about being a writer? The most exciting thing?

Difficult: explaining to someone that I’m a writer and watching the skepticism and judgment come to their eyes.

Exciting: explaining to someone that I’m a writer and watching the wonder come to their eyes.

What do you love about yourself?

My eyes. Pretty and the only bit of me not fat.

Jessica Bakkers you stop it right now! Lol. I can guess what you don’t like about yourself then huh?

Yeah pretty much every other physical attribute.

What genre do you write in and why?

I write in all sorts but I LOVE gritty, dark fantasy fiction. I can write a really good antihero as my protagonist in this genre and as these guys (anti-heroes) are my very favorite characters to write, I get to play with them every book!

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Jess, it was a pleasure. Thank you for spending this time with us!

Bio

I am a creative and freelance writer, I have been writing for over 25 years. I am a published ghostwriter (nah sorry, can’t say which books!) and am preparing my own novel, Guns of Perdition, for publication soon.

My style is generally dark fantasy with a smattering of romance, and usually filled with brooding anti-heroes.

My major love affair is with the written word; specifically creative writing. I allow myself to indulge and rendezvous with this secret lover whenever time allows… and then we make beautiful poetry together!

Jessica is in the early stages of her first book, “Guns of Perdition”, a fantasy western.

You can follow Jess online at:

Social media handles

Twitter: @jessicabakkers

WordPress: jessicabakkers.com

Tumblr: heroicjdog

Linked In: http://linkedin.com/in/jessica-bakkers-b4aaa786

Wattpad: @jessicabakkers

Facebook page: The Written Word @jbakkersTheWrittenWord

Are you a new (or established) author? Looking for more exposure? Learn more about my Introduce Yourself Feature HERE.

(Psst. This is a scheduled post and I am not at home. Please forgive any delays in responding to commentary.)

Then and Now – Writing 1920s Fiction in 2017 – Guest Post by, Yecheilyah Ysrayl…

My monthly Guest Post with Chris. Writing 1920s Fiction in 2017 has its challenges. It is also a lot of fun. (I’ve been away from the blog lately but I’ll be returning soon.)

Chris The Story Reading Ape's avatarChris The Story Reading Ape's Blog

One of the important pieces of research I must do for my books is to look at the differences between how we live today and how we lived in the early 1900s. In writing book one of The Nora White Story, for instance, I found myself researching some strange things, such as how the people bathed back then. It may sound funny but such details can make or break a work of Historical Fiction. Sometimes, you’ll find yourself doing weeks of research just for a single scene. Here’s an excerpt from The Nora White Story:

“Sunday night baths were the norm but the boys got so dirty in the field that mom was bathing them every night. Nora and Walter would take turns drawing the water up from the well on the land, Nora would set it to boil on the stove and let sit for cooling…

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