Category: Uncategorized

Editing services available

So it’s been quite a while since I’ve posted anything. You might notice I’ve done a site refresh. I’m shifting priorities at the moment to focus on freelance editing services. I have 20 years of experience as an editor for my day job, mostly for international development work for government agencies. (If I say it was primarily for USAID projects, those who know will understand the current situation.) Now seems like a good time to combine my love of fiction writing with my love of editing, so I’m branching out to offer editing services to fellow writers, specifically for proofreading. You can find more details on my Services page. If you or any author friends are looking for a top-notch proofreader, please be in touch!

As for the writing side, that continues. I’m exploring some new projects and hope to have more updates in the future.

15 years…

This was my post on the 10-year anniversary of September 11:

https://cindyyoungturner.com/2011/09/11/10-years/

Lots of things have changed over the past five years, but my feelings about that day are still the same. 2016 has been a rough year so far. Friends and loved ones are going through hard times. It’s a very ugly election year. If we can take one thing away from the events of 15 years ago, maybe it should be that during that horrible tragedy, we came together and supported one another. We need that more than ever these days. Never forget it.

Fighting the good fight

I’ve been trying to think of interesting things to blog about, and it seems appropriate to mention that today is the 5oth anniversary of the March on Washington. Equality, justice, and freedom are things I feel strongly about. Listening to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech makes me teary because not only is he such a powerful speaker, but the ideals he puts forth are so fundamentally important. We’ve come a long way in the past fifty years, but it’s clear that we still have a long way to go. I salute those who were willing to stand up for what they believed in and put their lives on the line because their ideals were worth fighting for–and those who continue to do so.

More than ever, we need to keep fighting for the dream of freedom and equality. Small steps keep us marching toward that goal, even if we’re diverted at times. Get involved. Be active in your community or schools or neighborhood. Meet your neighbors. There are so many small things that make a difference. And it’s clear that change is possible.

“We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back.”
–“I Have a Dream,” Martin Luther King, Jr., 1963

New mystery series from M.L. Doyle

I’m excited to announce the publication of the Master Sergeant Lauren Harper Mystery series by M.L. Doyle. Full disclosure, Ms. Doyle is a member of my critique group and I’ve had the pleasure of reading and critiquing her books over the past few years. She recently released the first two books in the series, The Peacekeeper’s Photograph and The Sapper’s Plot.  I’m not a mystery reader and have no military background, but these books hooked me because the protagonist is such a unique and strong character. Not to mention the edge of your seat action!

Peacekeepers_PhotographThe Peacekeeper’s Photograph

The NATO mission in Bosnia is to broker peace between warring factions and help restore a devastated county.

It’s a mission the world is watching.

But when Master Sergeant Lauren Harper makes a gruesome discovery, she has a new mission. Saving herself.

Harper, a career soldier, is innocent of the crime, but she’s guilty of a lot of other things, like inappropriate feelings for her commanding officer, Colonel Neil McCallen and failing to lead a soldier who needed her help.

To get out of the mess she’s in, Harper must employ all of her wits and the help of an unexpected friend from across the pond, Sergeant Major Harry Fogg.

Her mistakes land Harper in the worst trouble she’s ever faced. She is forced to choose. Save herself and risk the lives of others, or stay, and face a life of degradation and slavery.

Get The Peacekeeper’s Photograph on Amazon

Sappers_Plot

The Sapper’s Plot

The last thing Master Sergeant Lauren Harper needs is another difficult mission. Her ordeal in Bosnia left her traumatized and worn out. But a soldier doesn’t get to say no to official orders.

At least this time she’s embarking on a humanitarian mission. What could go wrong? Turns out, just about everything.

Harper travels with a group of Combat Engineers–also known as Sappers, to the tropical jungles of a Honduran village, only to find a gruesome murder. Cut off from the main base because of the hostile weather, Harper and a man she hoped she’d never see again, CW4 Fletcher Mayes, are forced to take charge of the investigation. Lurking in the shadows are sketchy-looking locals, insolent Sappers and an aggressive TV news team looking for a steamy scandal.

In the midst of it all, the arrival of Sergeant Major Harry Fogg provides some much-needed solace but also muddles her concentration.

Harper begins to think danger will find her wherever she goes, even in the deepest jungles of Honduras. At times, she feels her slightest movement will send her tumbling over a cliff–and heights are about the only thing Harper fears.

Get The Sapper’s Plot on Amazon

M.L. DoyleM. L. Doyle has served in the U.S. Army at home and abroad for more than two decades as both a soldier and civilian. A Minneapolis native, Mary currently lives in Baltimore, Maryland where she is busy writing mysteries and working as a civil servant. She is the winner of the Carey McCray Memorial Literary Award and her work was recently nominated for an NAACP Image Award. For more information, check out her website at http://mldoyleauthor.com.

A Stiff Kiss 1st anniversary contest

Today Avery Olive, author of A Stiff Kiss, stops by to chat about her fun book anniversary contest!

ASK 1st Anniversary Contest Blog BadgeThe Super Awesome A Stiff Kiss 1st Anniversary Contest 

Welcome… Welcome! Please stick around and read today’s post ‘cause it’s a Winner! Hehe. Okay, so I thought about trying something a little different for this next contest.

My goal is to try and get everyone involved more, while spreading the word about A Stiff Kiss. I know many of you might prefer the simple enter your email Rafflecopter, or leave a comment on a post… but I think, if people get involved, this will be a huge hit!

As an A Stiff Kiss Anniversary Participant, your goal is to get as many points as possible so that you can win the massive prize package I’ll be giving away.

But wait, I’m all about a pat on the back for participation, so I will be giving two smaller prize packages away to two random entrants, and… And… for everyone else, you’ll get a little something something too. So, if this works, everyone has the potential to receive some kind of goodie!!

Grand Prize includes:

1 signed and personalized paper copy of A Stiff Kiss (with a special note to the winner)

1 ASK Canvas Tote Bag

1 ASK T-Shirt

1 ASK Coffee Mug and set of coasters

1 ASK Mousepad

Signed Bookmark, postcard and mini poster

2 Participation Prizes include:

1 ASK Coffee Mug filled with Hersey’s Kisses

1 Set of ASK Coasters

1 ASK Mousepad

Signed Bookmark, postcard and mini poster

To see a picture of the prizes being offered, click HERE

Alright, let’s get to the fun stuff. I’ve created a list of activities, given each of them a point value and tried to come up with simple, easy to do and like I said, most importantly, fun things for you to accomplish. You will need to copy and paste this form, and fill it out in order to entered. All forms must be sent to averyolive1@gmail.com no later than February 28th!

1.     Tweet about A Stiff Kiss. I’ve created a few tweets that you can copy and paste, or create your own.

Tweet 1: Who knew kissing a corpse would change everything? #AStiffKiss out now! http://www.amazon.com/Stiff-Kiss-Avery-Olive/dp/193725433X/

Tweet 2: Have you checked out @AveryOlive #AstiffKiss ?Happy one year book anniversary! http://www.amazon.com/Stiff-Kiss-Avery-Olive/dp/193725433X/

Remember to use @averyolive or the hashtag #AStiffKiss so that I can track your tweets! International readers may tweet in their own language, so don’t worry J

1 Point per Tweet and no more than 2 Tweets per day! Enter how many tweets you did here…

Number of Tweets:

2.     Post to your blog or other social media (Website, Tumblr and Facebook)

You’re goal is to share something about A Stiff Kiss. It can be posting a review, doing a simple cover and blurb spotlight, it can be asking me to do an interview (send an email to averyolive1@gmail.com if you’d like my help) You can re-use an old review, post or interview, however it must be imbedded into a NEW POST. You’re imagination should be put at use here, being extra creative is awesome!) Can be posted in your language of choice.

5 Points per Post. You can post a maximum of 3 times, at least one week apart but each post must be different. One post review, one post cover and blurb, one post something random like sharing with me your personal favourite cemetery…

Please include links to your post!

1.

2.

3.

3.      Spread the love by sharing your A Stiff Kiss Review. Most people forget that there are dozens of places to share reviews. Posting one in a new place can help spread the word. Find a new place (like Goodreads, Barnes & Nobel, Librarything.com, YaCentral) and post your review!

5 Points for each new location you post your review! Please include links to your reviews J

Enter Links Here:

4.     Candid Camera! Take a photo of you (and others if possible) holding a copy of A Stiff Kiss, your e-reader with the cover (or opening page). If you see A Stiff Kiss in your bookstore, library, or own a copy, get as many people as you can into a picture!

Don’t have a copy or ebook of A Stiff Kiss? That’s Okay! If you’ve been lucky enough to receive ASK Swag in the past, take a photo with that or print out this handy 8 ½ X 11 POSTER (colour or black and white) and use that for your picture! 

10 Points for each photo, plus 5 points for each additional person within the photo! Follow me on Instagram—tag me in your photo—post it on Facebook, post it to my wall, share it on twitter with @AveryOlive or #AStiffKiss or send me links.

5      Poster, poster, read all about! Print out this handy dandy 8 ½ X 11 POSTER (colour or black and white) and post it all around your town. Tape it up anywhere you are allowed to—libraries, school bulletin boards, telephone poles, get creative!

10 Points for each poster you put up (with photo proof, see activity 5 guidelines on how to make sure your photo is seen if you are not sending me links)

6      Get your Library to get in on the fun! Many library websites have a “request a book form” so, fill it out and request to have them purchase a copy of A Stiff Kiss for their shelves or go directly into the library and fill out a form or talk to your librarian!

10 Points for each request (take a screen shot of your screen when making the request (screen shot how to info HERE)

7      Stage a spooky photo! Since A Stiff Kiss’ main character is all about cemeteries, I want you to go out and stage a photo next to a tombstone. I know, it’s a little morbid, but Xylia will love it. Use your book, ereader, poster or swag and capture it along with a tombstone, creepy statue—anything you can find at your local cemetery!

15 Points for each spooky photo (with photo proof)

8      Buy a Copy today! Don’t own A Stiff Kiss? Buy a copy (print or ebook) today for yourself, your friends, to donate to your library or giveaway as a gift. I recommend  BookDepository.com. Take a screen shot of your order confirmation or a picture of your receipt.

25 Points for each book (or ebook) purchased—don’t forget that photo proof.

9      Write an article! This is a big one, it might be nearly impossible to accomplish, but I have faith in you! Write an article about A Stiff Kiss (or me, Avery Olive) and have it printed in your school or local newspaper. The article can be a review, an interview, whatever you can come up with!

30 Points for each article printed. Send me links or get photo proof!

The Wild Card! This is for you wild ones out there. Show me what you’ve got! This is activity is strictly for you to think outside the box! If you can come up with a fun, creative way to spread the word about A Stiff Kiss, show it to me!

50 Points I’ll need photo proof, links—anything you can throw me!

Just a little extra.

Can I personally use your pictures and post them on the internet?  Yes or No

Can I include your name when announcing prizes or thank you’s? Yes or No

Don’t forget to include your full name and mailing address because in my eyes, everyone is a winner!

Name:

Address:

Send completed form to averyolive1@gmail.com 

That’s it, that’s all. I know, some are easier than others, but I think with a little planning and a little motivation, anyone out there can rack up the points!

Remember, for the ones that require proof, I need links provided or to be tagged on Facebook or Instagram, it posted on my wall or use @averyolive or #AStiffKiss so that I can see all your hard work!

For full contest details, rules and regulations, please visit HERE otherwise, get to work and spread the love of A Stiff Kiss!

Avery Olive’s Blog : Facebook: A Stiff Kiss Facebook Fan Page: Twitter: Instagram: Goodreads: Amazon: Barnes & Noble: The Book Depository: