Each of us who joyfully blogs about books will find at times, even our best laid plans to host concurrent blog events can sometimes become a bit hard to juggle when our personal lives intercede on the time we had scheduled to devout to the events themselves. I found myself in this particular pickle last Sci Fi November, but this year, I felt I had shifted a few things around to where I had more hours to give and thereby could redeem myself from what I could not put together last year. Suffice to say, a few unexpected issues arose the least of which were a knock-out of my internet connection by a severe lightning storm and a broken toe of which looked far worse than the injury itself yet gave me enough wincing pain to forestall my blogging.
I was able to jump dive into the #RRSciFiMonth chat at the very tail-end of the conversation, whereupon I happily enjoyed speaking with Ms. Czerneda, Asti, Ana, and Rachel Noel (@Silelda & Purple Owl Reviews)! It was during this part of the convo, I expressed my desire to carry forward into December the posts I was unable to contribute during the last fortnight of SFN: 2014! I was happily surprised to find others were in agreement; November for whichever reason had become a bit of a quagmire for a lot of us, and I was not the only one wanting to extend the celebrations!
*I received a bit of a surprise whilst getting the link for Rachel Noel’s blog! (read: 2014 Thanks) I have always appreciated the randomness to my conversations with Rachel Noel on Twitter & I had always meant to expand our connection by visiting her blog. To see my name listed as a part of a note of gratitude of whom gave her the most joy and support in 2014 was simply an unexpected blessing to discover. Our lives touch each other in ways we do not always realise have an impact that gives us all a boost when we need it most. I can attest the same in return!
(tweets returning soon)
Ms. Czerneda was one of the authors I had short-listed to host for SFN: 2014 when we were taking turns hosting different authors for interviews and guest features. I was originally paired with Benjanun Sriduangkaew, but due to personal reasons she had to bow out of this year’s event, therefore I was re-matched with Cecil Castellucci. I featured Ms. Castellucci on Sunday, the very last day of the official run for Sci Fi November before I proceeded forward into my extended fortnight (1 Dec – 14 Dec) of scheduled posts, reviews, & guest features! I hadn’t expected the pleasure of crossing paths with Ms. Czerneda during the event itself, as I had mentioned in the shared convo, I simply haven’t had the hours I needed to make my rounds to the lovely bloggers who were posting content and visiting the sites of authors who were part of the celebrations themselves!
*a special note to add: I received my first novel to read by Ms. Czerneda 1st December: “A Turn of Light” via my local library’s ILL (inter-library loan) services! I wanted to read an overview of her novels & this was one of two I selected to begin reading out of her collective works! I was happily surprised to find it in my hands!
I must confess — I missed the social aspect of Sci Fi November, so whilst I have my extensions, I do fully intend to go visit & leave comments, as to me what is important is not only to post content ourselves but to celebrate the content others are contributing at the same time. I have a badge created by Parajunkee who gave it to book bloggers to share on their blogs which sort of summarises what I have been doing all month long:
(re-adding Parajunkee’s badge soon)
I have been pleasantly consumed by the written word all month long, juggling blog tours, book reviews, and guest features by authors but it was when my personal life gave me a bit of extra strife & stress, I found myself without the hours I needed to give my all to Sci Fi November & to my own event Indie Writer Month! I truly hope everyone will continue to visit us in December (if they have been following #RRSciFiMonth feeds) and appreciate what I am planning to do with Indie Writer Month as December kicks off!
Here is a taste of what is still yet to come for Sci Fi November:
Book Reviews:
Impossible by C.A. Gray | Piercing the Veil Series Showcase
the History Mystery Trilogy by Deborah Heal
The Dragon of Unrest by Anthony Russo
Dance Until Dawn by Berni Stevens
Portals, Passages, & Pathways by B.R. Maul
All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill
Sinking Down by E. Chris Garrison
The Gin Thief by S.C. Barrus
The Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron
Science Thrillers Trilogy by Paul Mark Tag
Author Guest Features:
Author Interview with EDC Johnson of Moonflower
Author Interview with Anthony Russo of The Dragon of Unrest
Author Interview with Deborah Heal of the History Mystery trilogy
Author Guest Post Special Focus on Doctor Who by Violet Patterson
(#IndieWriterMonth | November Schedule | December Schedule)
In regards to my #IndieWriterMonth event, I am going to be reading & tweeting about the following stories and their authors throughout December leading up to New Year’s Eve! These are stories in addition to the limited blog tours I will be hosting & the #ChocLitSaturdays novels I am featuring!
the French Twist series by Glynis Astie
I, Walter by Mike Hartner
Lila’s Choice by Laura Brown
Crown of Dust by Mary Volmer
Dare to Kiss by S.B. Alexander
Pieces of Granite by Brenda S. Anderson
Like There’s No Tomorrow by Camille Eide
The Rose in the Wheel by S.K. Rizzolo
Blood for Blood by S.K. Rizzolo
Trade Winds by Christina Courtenay
New England Rocks by Christina Courtenay
The Hazards of Hunting While Heartbroken by Mari Passananti
Unexpected Texas & Paranormal Texas by Tui Snider
Author Guest Features:
Author Guest Post with Catherine Lloyd
Author Interview with Mary F. Burns
Author Interview with Sherryl Caulfield
Author Interview with Glynis Astie
& more to be announced!
I appreciate everyone’s patience and I cannot wait to see everything go live throughout the month of December! I am focusing on putting up the last bits and bobbles of Sci Fi November during the first fortnight, however, #IndieWriterMonth will be running straight through til New Year’s Eve! I have some exciting surprises in store which are not listed on this post nor on the respective posts where I house the archives for both events! Sometimes the best moments in life come by way of SURPRISE! I look forward to having you join me as the literary adventures continue & the celebration of Indie Pub, Self Pub, & Hybrid Pub writers continues for another month!
I’m a social reader — I’m quite active on Riffle but I love to tweet my reading adventures as well! Be sure to keep an eye out on my tweets — I generally use the tags: #amreading, #nowreading, & #currentlyreading as a way to segue into the bookish collective! If you spot me, don’t be shy! Tweet me back and/or let me know how you felt about the book I’m reading if you’ve read it before! I’d love for you to visit and comment on my blog as well but convos on Twitter are always welcome!
{SOURCES: Sci Fi November, #IndieWriterMonth (November) and #IndieWriterMonth November/December badges created by Jorie in Canva. Bedtime Quote and Blog News badge provided by Parajunkee to give book bloggers definition on their blogs. Post dividers by Fun Stuff for Your Blog via Pure Imagination.}
Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2014.
I can’t wait to see what you think of I, Walter! :)