Welcome to Mary Cunningham, author of Cynthia's Attic: The Magician's Castle

Today, I welcome Mary Cunningham, author of the fun "Cynthia's Attic" children's book series.

In her latest, THE MAGICIAN'S CASTLE, book four in the series, Sebastien the Great, a magician whose fiancée, Kathryn, disappears through the magic trunk, vows revenge. If Cynthia and Gus don't find a missing page from the “Book of Spells,” Cynthia’s family could face financial and personal ruin. Follow this time-traveling duo high into the Alps and then 50 years into the future to a shocking discovery.

* Follow the blog tour.

Cynthia's Attic: Going to the "Dark Side?"
"Vampires and Werewolves"
By Mary Cunningham

In 2004, fresh off the excitement of my first two-book contract for Cynthia’s Attic, I began establishing an online presence. One of my first tasks was to explore author websites and chat groups. Believe it or not, I didn’t find one blog! Blogging had not reached the manic stage of today, with most bloggers simply writing online journals; but networking sites were hot.

I joined a children’s chat group in order to schmooze with other young reader ("tween") authors and immediately related to one particular author. Both of us had first-time multi-book contracts, the idea for our series’ sprang from recurring dreams, and our stories were fantasy/fiction. A perfect networking match.

We chatted, online, for several months, and then lost touch. I can’t quite remember why, but I’d guess it was because I was in the middle of editing my first book, The Missing Locket (Cynthia's Attic Book One), deadlines approached, and time management was crucial. I’m sure it had nothing to do with Stephenie Meyer’s schedule. Wonder what ever happened to her? I do hope she had some success with her series about…vampires, I think.

Speaking of vampires, I was recently asked why I chose to write books for "tweens" that are lighter; vampire-less, werewolf-less, zombie-less…you get the drift. I can’t really say. It just happened. Cynthia’s Attic does delve into magic and spells and such, but the scariest monster, so far, is Stony, a rock monster who attacks 12-year-old Gus, in an enchanted garden in The Magician’s Castle. Other than that, a nasty, bad-breathed clown, a sinister stranger on horseback and a friendly alligator are as menacing as Cynthia’s Attic gets.
Until book number five.

Yes, I’m crumbling. In the next book (title TBD), a werewolf pops into the lives of best friends, Cynthia and Gus. Not your typical werewolf, mind you…a more congenial, helpful type, but a werewolf to be sure. Stay tuned!

Welcome Spring! An amazing look outside...

Forget groundhogs. I know it's spring when the redwinged blackbirds return.

This was the scene outside by door last night near sunset, which will be repeated at sunrise, and again at sunset, each day (and night) up until sometime in the fall. Shades of Hitchcock!

Read more on what the birds also reminded me of today at Fatal Foodies.

More than Collectibles: Dr. Ruth's Dollhouses

I happened to catch designer Nate Berkus's show yesterday and was glad I tuned in.

It turns out that famous therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer is a dollhouse collector!

The 82-year-old had asked the designer to clear up some 50 years of clutter and collectibles, so she could entertain in her dining and living rooms.

Besides an assortment of different miniatures and small collectibles, among her treasures were her favorite items: two open-front dollhouses. Having lost her family to the Nazis in World War II and sent to a children's hometo live, Dr. Ruth says the dollhouses symbolized her way to have something she could control when she had no control growing up, and that she loved playing with them.

Isn't it great that dollhouses can not only be an enjoyable pastime and a way to express your creativity, but collecting can bring a calming, healing element into someone's life? And yes, the updated rooms were very nice, too!

* See makeover photos of the rooms and the dollhouses here.

* Read the New York Times story

Miniatures Monday: Dolls that are the Cat's Meow!

South African Miniaturist Lianda Sutherland enjoys creating her own figures and scenes - but with a difference. As a pet lover, Lianda enjoys making figures that, well, are the "cat's meow." (Pictured above: Cats in Indian dress. Love the detail!)

Don't let the cats fool you, though. They were too "cute" not to show here, but yes, Lianda also created an amazing scene featuring Yorkies. See below. (And yes, now you know: the dogs do run the place! )

This mother of three not only creates her own porcelain figures from start to finish, but she's also teaching workshops. You can see details at her Kelirosh Studio blog.

Most notable is her scene of a soldier being knighted based on that famous Renaissance flavored painting, The Accolade, (1901) by Edmund Leighton, but in her version, the participants are all cats!

"It is also my favourite period in history," says Lianda. "The cats started about two years ago when I had this idea wanted one cat to do a 1920's glam scene, a lounge singer... I started to play and walla, we had a cat which I was delighted about, then like typical cats, she multiplied, and now I cant remember life without them."





The king below, dubbed "King Arthur Piss-cat," wears royal garments hand-made by Lianda, including the creative knit chain mail. The helmet is made from FIMO clay as is the sword's blade. The rest of the sword is a charm she "found somewhere on my travels. Love beading shops!" (Oops, looks like the King's had a little too much wine!)



Another fun historic scene: mice in Tudor times... (don't even think about fleas and the plague!) And yes, this isn't the end of her animal scenes... "I love the animals in rooms, because they are different. Watch this space we have our first family of dogs coming out very soon, and then there will be the giraffe, and the mind boggles. Now I want an animal hotel..."

The proof: dogs are king of the castle. (You thought otherwise?)

Thanks, Lianda for sharing your fantastic work!

Books vs. eBooks and Kindle

This is too funny! And a smart marketing move by this Indie bookstore...

But well, yes, eBooks are books too.... so is a compromise coming on how to download these in other Indie bookstores?

Writing the Synopsis

This has to be worse than writing the book, I think. It's kept me preoccupied for most of the week, but I think I finally have it down. At least the one-page synopsis is about done. It'll be much easier to expand it since then I am only adding in events per chapter after that. Next, I have to write the query letter.

This is one of the best tips I've found in writing a synopsis and the only one I use. I like that it shows you in steps what to do:

* Author Beth Anderson's tight synopsis.

Miniatures Monday: New Hats

Thought I'd share a couple new hats I made. Adapted them from an easy pattern for ball-jointed dolls - see pattern here.

Great Information Links

Some of my favorite links for writing or information.

* Sign up for a word-a-day email at The Urban Dictionary

* One of my favorites: week by week music charts

* Francais (French) Dictionary

* Slang Dictionary

* Plants and carnivorous plants

* Wisconsin Historical Society (working women, 1930s)

* Famous Proverbs (World of Quotes: Today in History)

* Old West Lawmen (information and cool postcards

* American Vaudeville Museum

* History of Musicals - Burlesque

* Movie Maidens - Stars of the 1920s-50s

* The Hollywood Thirties

* Classic Movies

** and more I'll add later. Enjoy!

Welcome to Stephen Brayton, author of Night Shadows, talks eBooks and getting published

Today I welcome Stephen Brayton, author of the mystery/sci-fi eBook NIGHT SHADOWS.


About NIGHT SHADOWS:

Des Moines Homicide detective Harry Reznik teams with F.B.I. agent Lori Campisi to investigate a series of gruesome murders.

While dealing with personal problems, the unlikely pair find themselves battling malevolent creatures from another dimension.

Getting Published
By Stephen Brayton

For some it’s 8th grade graduation. Or high school graduation. Maybe yours is the first day on the new job. For women it’s their wedding. (For guys, too, I realize, but work with me here.) Maybe it’s the birth of a child.

I’ve experienced the first three but I can tell you about some other personal ‘big days’. When I received my first degree black belt. And my second degree. And third. (See the pattern here?) The first day in a new (read: used, but new to me) car. The first date with a girl. (Let’s see, the last one was…uh…well, let’s move on, shall we?)

February 15th. Another big day and one I’ve thought about for a long time. The day my first book gets published. Now this didn’t happen the way I thought it would. (That holds true for most things, doesn’t it?)

For instance, I thought another book would come first. Beta (release date July 15), was written first and I had been querying agents and publishers awhile before I had completed Night Shadows. Then both novels and four short stories were accepted.

This was the first unexpected thrill. The second was my books were going to be released in eBook format. This format has become so popular in recent years because of the ease of book readers. There are some old school people (and I’m still partially one), who will only read hard/soft covers of ‘real’ books. That fine, but they’re missing out.

So it’s the big day. My perseverance, years of writing and editing, endless hours at critique groups, and miles of travel have paid off. How am I going to celebrate? Well, I have martial arts classes scheduled, so I’ll be teaching tonight. LOL. Yep, I still have a schedule to follow and obligations to fulfill. However, my celebration comes in the form you’re presently reading. Telling people about my book, letting them know they can finally read my work. This is the day I can shout to the world, “I’m an author!”

I’ve been a writer and if you want to get cute, I was an unpublished author. Now, today, the title "Author" can be attached to my name.

I think every author experiences this. Surely they must, even if the newest release is their second or twenty-second. They must feel some sense of accomplishment. Yes, they’re selling a product, but General Mills sells products, too. I don’t know if they revel in every cereal box they sell. Books are personal, even if they’re products. A person took the time to write the words, submit the manuscript, edit the work, and he or she should feel something special to see it in print. (Or in my case downloaded to a book reader.)

Everything in moderation, they say, but you can tweak a little more pride out of an accomplishment like publishing a book. Sure, there are thousands of books printed every year, but thousands more that aren’t.

This year, I get to celebrate twice, and maybe a few more times when my short stories are published.

Yes, this is my big day. Help me celebrate it, won’t you? I’m not looking for praise or even a pat on the shoulder, but you, the blonde over there? Yeah, you, I wouldn’t mind your number. Ahem! Anyway, all I’m asking is check out my book and I hope you enjoy it. I thank you.

* BUY: See author's website for latest purchase links. - BUY at OmniLit

Miniatures Monday: Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!


I love Valentine's Day in miniature. All those pretty cakes, and the great pink and red colors. It's so fun!

Some new miniatures I made: a Valentine's Day card box with vintage Valentines. Love those old cards! I made a card box in a much smaller half scale size also.




Here's a mini Valentine for you, too!

* Don't forget to check out my "mini" ebook - The Killer Valentine Ball. Only 99 cents! (See links below.)

Excerpt:

As they walked into the shadows, Jess noticed that things weren't quite as they appeared. Sections of the room lightened for a moment before being cast again in deep shadow. What Jess thought she saw in that split second made her heart race. On the dance floor, the same three couples stood, clasped to each other. Jess stared. She swore they never moved.

The music played quietly in the background. When the shadows brightened, Jess caught a quick glimpse of one of the couples. The young man's mouth gaped open. His partner's gown glistened with streams of dark ribbons. The light flashed again and Jess gasped. Those weren't ribbons! The girl's dress shone with dark glimmers. Like-like blood, she thought. No, it can't be! She looked back at Dylan, who shook his head and urged her on... (Surprise ending!)

"Light tricks," he whispered. "It's not real. It's Halloween stuff, like the movie. Don't worry."

* Barnes & Noble

* See MuseItUp Publishing bookstore

* Amazon - Kindle:

* Amazon.com: