One Last Post Before…

COMIC CON THIS WEEKEND!

Yaaaaaay!

I’m so excited, y’all.  It’s going to be so amazing.  There was even an article written about it on our local news site: http://www.wfaa.com/story/life/2015/05/28/11-reasons-to-go-to-fan-expo-dallas-this-weekend/28056701/

I even got myself a shiny new Square credit-card reader for the event.  Fancy, fancy.  I feel so official now.

I also wanted to remind you all that Cemetery Tours and Between Worlds are still on sale for $0.99 on Kindle!  That deal is only going to last until MONDAY so take advantage while you still can!

Also, if you have a spare moment, stop by and check out my friend’s Kickstarter fund!  She is in the last two days of making her dream a reality and I hope and pray she reaches her goal: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hannahkalvarez/snapdragons-mix-and-matchable-stuffed-animals

I must confess, I wish I was a better marketer.  I have so many friends who are so creative and brilliant and amazing and I try my best to share their work and help them in any way that I can, but I don’t think I’m very good at marketing and spreading the word.  It’s probably because I’m a libertarian.  I don’t discuss politics here (mostly because anything I say is guaranteed to offend at least one person and I don’t like fighting or confrontation) but I do know I have very centrist, libertarian views.  I’m really bad at telling other people what they should be doing or reading.  I’m like, “Yeah, hey, go buy my book.  Or don’t.  You know.  Whatever works best for you.”

Maybe one day I’ll get the hang of it.

That being said, enjoy your weekend and if you or someone you know is in the Dallas area, tell them to stop by Comic Con and say hi!

Snapdragons

Hello, friends.

Today, I am taking a break from blogging about all of MY stuff (let’s face it, it can get old) and instead will be talking about Snapdragons!

Yes, Snapdragons!

For those who have never heard of these adorable little critters, allow me to enlighten you.  One of my best friends in the entire world, Hannah K. Alvarez also happens to be one of the most brilliant and creative peopl I know.  She came up with an idea that inspires creativity and imagination in kids (and kids at heart) of all ages.  Snapdragons are mix-and-matchable stuffed animals.  Kids can create any kind of fantasy creature that they like.

For example:

In a world that is becoming increasingly logic-centric, kids desperately need a bit of fantasy, a little imagination, and Snapdragons are wonderful toys to achieve just that.  Creativity needs to be encouraged.  It’s how we develop new ideas, how we dare to imagine the unfathomable.  Encourage your kids (or even just the kids in your life) to think outside the box (and yes, I know that expression is so IN the box, it’s a total cliche, but that’s not the point).

This wonderful and delightful project has just made its Kickstarter debut, so if you feel so inclined, hop on over and check it out!  Even if you can’t donate, simply sharing and spreading the word is immensely helpful!

Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hannahkalvarez/snapdragons-mix-and-matchable-stuffed-animals?utm_content=bufferf1edd&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/snapdragontoys?fref=ts

Thank you all so much!

Apocalypse Graduation

Hello again, all.

I just found out that a friend of mine (and fellow author and blogger), Toni, is producing a short film!  You can check out her blog here: http://tjwiltshire.wordpress.com

Anyway, this a film that she is producing with her friends and fellow University students and they are planning to submit it to various film festivals and host a live screening.  It’s called Apocalypse Graduation and it’s about my favorite monsters (or the monsters that scare me the most)… ZOMBIES!

Here is the link to their KickStarter page.  Even if you can’t donate, please share the video and help out your fellow author, artist, scriptwriter, and filmmaker.  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tjwiltshire/apocalypse-graduation-a-short-film

If the link, for whatever reason, isn’t working, here’s a the information that you’ll find on the page.

“Apocalypse Graduation is the story of two University students who are ambushed while studying in the library.

Apocalypse Graduation is a short film created by Matthew Tse (Director) and Toni Wiltshire (Producer/Scriptwriter). We have a first draft of our script finished, and can’t wait to get started on production!

Together, we are putting together a cast and crew of fellow students and intend to submit our final film to several film festivals.

Our film has a unique edge on most other zombie films: it’s packed with sarcasm, humour, relatable characters and NO ROMANCE. So many films – not just those with zombies – have the underlying (or even prominent) theme of romance, and we wanted to make a film without any of that. It’s just two friends who are trying not to get killed.

Apocalypse Graduation is the story of James Kirk and Clara Jenkins, who are ambushed by zombies while studying at the University library. They have to fight their way out and then survive their new zombie infested world. They have been friends since the start of University, having met at a gaming society. The only slight problem with them being apocalypse partners is the small issue of procreation – Clara is gay, and James can’t see Clara as anything more than a friend – even when faced with the threat of extinction.

As well as aiming to submit our films to several film festivals, we’re also hoping to have a screening in Lincoln (MORE DETAILS TO COME).

WHAT WE NEED:

Costumes

Set/Props

Make-up

Cameras

Mics

Print onto CD/DVDs

We have our script, but we need your help to get our film made! We want to create it to a professional standard, making it a debut film to be proud of.

MEET THE MAKERS:

We are Media Production students at the University of Lincoln, UK, and we are beyond excited to create this professional short film.

Matthew Tse has been studying Media Production for almost three years, and has worked on several short films as part of his college course, but would like to expand and make his own project outside of education. He has also been commissioned to create videos to advertise martial arts groups and was a camera operator for a documentary video about the Olympic torch passing through Peterborough.

Toni Wiltshire comes from an English, Psychology and Sociology background, and is currently going through the motions of self-publishing her first book. Toni’s interest in media lies in script writing and producing, so this opportunity to do both is an exciting prospect for her awesome organisation skills and budding writing abilities.

The two have been hypothesising about this film since November 2013, both wanting to make a zombie film that was both kick ass and realistic.

We intend to shoot the film in March/April 2014, and have post-production finished by May so that we can distribute by June 2014. If there are any delays, you guys will be the first to know!

Likely delays could be caused by the zombie apocalypse not actually happening, Toni killing Matt, or an increase in University work. We will try and make these issues as avoidable as possible, but if something is thrown into the works and causes a delay, we will of course let you know here!

We can’t wait to get started on this film and be able to share the finished product with you guys!

Please remember no donation is too small, anything and everything is greatly appreciated and you’ll be the cause of us feeling warm and happy inside.”

Thank you all!