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"If it Were Hope is a moving collection of Poetry by Matthew Pierce. All proceeds from the sale of this collection go to benefit the Word Weavers Group"
Word Weavers Word Weavers Features: Jennifer L. Miller, Shells Walter and Kathleen G. Collins!! Want featured? Check previous versions of the blog! view more
"Weaving Webs of Words to Inspire, Enlighten, and Entertain!"
Word Weavers is a group for authors, poets, and anyone interested in literature to congregate, share ideas, and help promote one another. Here we profile other Word Weavers, post news and tid bits from our group, and other groups, publications and more, and offer our unique Word Weavers Trading Card program!
There is a lot of information here, so be sure to check it all out. You may message us for information on our featured author, excerpt section, book review and trading card programs. Visit our Cafe Press store for Weaver Gear, and be sure to send us your excerpts, inspirational writing quotes and any writing jokes you may find!
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Who I'd like to meet: Other Gifted Weavers or Fans of the written Word.
This Week's Feature:
Jennifer L. Miller
Jennifer L. Miller is a Horror, Fantasy and Sci Fi author who resides in Colorado, USA. She is a mother and a lover first, a dedicated student second and an intriging author, third. Miller is the mother of three beautiful children, who she claims as inspiration. She lives with fellow horror author, Ryan Lacy, and the two conspire and collaborate on most of her horror projects.
Jenna, as she is known to her friends, is currently in college, attending a four year college in the fall to become an English teacher. Miller serverd as the Beta Iota Delta Chapter Secretary for Phi Theta Kappa, an Honor Society for two year colleges.
Miller has always wanted to write. She began in a high school creative writing class and never stopped. When asked why she writes in the genres of horror, sci fi and fantasy she says, "I love that anything goes. You can let your imagination run wild, there is no end in sight, you can write whatever you want. There are no strict guidelines or formulas; it's just there."
Miller has one published fantasy novel, Speaking With Shugaan, and over a dozen horror, sci fi and fantasy short stories in print. Her short stories appear in Word Weavers Anthologies, Darkened Horizons, the Concrete Blood anthology and the Ladies and Gentlemen of Horror 2008. All of Jenna's short stories to date, both previously published and two unpublished, can be found in her short story anthology aptly titled, Ceremony of Chaos.
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Jenna is the mastermind behind the Ladies and Gentlemen of Horror franchise. In what was meant to be a tribute to the women in horror writing today, the anthologies have spread out to a second edition, and they now include some 40 horror authors, of both genders, who are making their voices heard in the horror genre. Miller, dubbed the master organizer, has no problem putting together these anthologies. She edits, formats, writes, and organizes the books, and loves doing it. Of her work with Ladies and Gentlemen of Horror, Miller says, "I'd love to see Ladies and Gents get big, so that maybe, in a few years, it will be a great anthology to jump start careers. I have had the pleasure of working with some fantastic writers, and I'll continue to do so as long as I can!"
Miller co-created the popular MySpace group, Word Weavers with fellow author, M. L. Chesley. In her time there, Jenna has edited and helped put out several anthologies in the genres of, mystery, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, poetry, romance and more. Miller edited, formatted, organized and wrote for Word Weavers Anthologies as well as manages the group and has implimented several of Word Weavers now common features such as the Word Weavers Trading Cards, which she designed, and the Word Weavers Anthologies, reviews, Author Spotlights and Excerpts.
Jenna's upcoming projects include: The Edward Ballister Project with Jeff Ezell, Isabelle Rose's Twisted Fairy Tale Anthology, as well as novels with Jordan M. Bobe and Ryan Lacy. Miller is currently working on Ladies and Gentlemen of Horror 2009 with a fresh batch of new and upcoming authors.
To find some of Miller's work click the book covers below!
And to find out more about Ms. Miller, click on the links to her myspace sites below!
Shells Walter started writing when she was about 11 years old. First came poetry. As a person at one time who was shy and had trouble communicating with others, Shells put her poetry as a diary. Mostly dark poetry at first that even scared the school she was attending thinking she was going to do something awful. As it turns out, Shells continued with her writing since she picked up her first story by Edgar Allen Poe at the same age.
She became enthralled with Horror writing and soon developed a much needed taste for it. Later on Science Fiction followed. Now, years later, she still writes stories, flashes, micros, screenplays, plays, novels and novellas. She also freelance writes for a living.
In 2008, she ventured into the publishing world with Sonar4 Publications a Science Fiction and Horror Publications company. The idea expanded into several different publications housed under that company, staff and friends, sometimes both, have developed through this venture. Soon she will dive into the film industry with Sonar4 Productions. Both Sonar4 Publications and Sonar4 Productions will be housed under Sonar4 Enterprises.
Shells still writes amongst everything going on and is participating in a few upcoming projects. Along with having a few novellas coming soon. And she doesn't plan on slowing down anytime in the future.
The old black and white station wagon barely made it before coming across a man walking along the side of the country road. The man was wearing a suit, short hair and carrying a large black brief case. The couple smiled at each other and pulled up beside the stranger.
Pulling down the window, the old woman looked at the stranger. She smiled once more.
“Young man, did you need a ride somewhere?” The traveler looked up and over at the old woman. He grinned.
“I don’t wish to put you out any Ms.,” he said and shook some of the dirt out of his black hair with his right hand feverously.
“Oh, I and my Jerry here travel this road a lot. It’s no trouble.” She turned and unlocked the back car door. The traveler looked over at the door, nodded and got into the car.
The three of them continued down the country road, dust busting through the crack of the window every few feet. The conversation was mostly between the old woman and the traveler. Her husband, Jerry, didn’t say anything. His hands grasped the wheel tightly.
“Where are you from?” The old woman asked, turning around to see the traveler better.
“Marget, a man’s business is his own,” Jerry spoke up for the first time since driving.
“No, it’s okay,” the traveler said.
“Good, where are you from?” The old woman looked over at her husband with a grin and turned back to the traveler.
“Here and there mostly, I’m a salesman.” The travel smiled and held up his briefcase and tapped it.
“Oh, is it lonely at times?” The old woman had turned around and was facing the front of the car, drinking out of a plastic bottle.
“It can be. Is that soda you are drinking Ms.?” The old woman turned again.
“Yes, it is. It’s my favorite too. I love cola.” She smiled and took another sip.
“Well, you actually got me Ms. that’s what I sell, soda.” He opened up the briefcase showing samples of the different flavors of soda.
“Oh, my, that’s a lot of soda, in every flavor?”
“Just about.” He handed her one of the cherry flavored sodas.
“Are you hungry? We were just about to stop by this town called Shadow’s Peek. I never been there myself, but from what Jerry says it’s the closet town here and I’m starving.”
“Sure that be nice,” the travel said and closed his briefcase.
Jerry turned on the right to the road saying it went to Shadow’s Peek. The station wagon huffed and puffed until they finally found a little diner on the edge into town.
The diner was lit with old signs from the fifties. Music came from inside as people walked out of the diner, some walking in. The traveler watched as glassy-eyed town’s folk walked past onto the road or into their cars to drive off. He smiled and nodded to those that were in his view. The town’s folk did not seem to care whether he was there or not.
The old couple got out of the station wagon next and surveyed the area.
“Seems like a very nice town.” The old woman smiled at her husband who just grunted in response. The three of them walked inside the diner. The other people who sat eating, or cooking food, did not respond to their entrance. They took a corner both. A familiar blue color of the leather that made up the booth matched the rest of the diner.
A waitress came over to their table. Her hair was badly curled and she wore dark black classes that made her eyes look bigger than they were. A pencil was placed behind her ear which she took out with her left hand. The pad she was holding was held in place with her other hand while she wrote.
“What can I get ya?” She said while gum was heard smacking against the roof of her mouth as she spoke.
“I’ll have the cheeseburger and small milk.” The traveler put the menu back behind the small table top music player. The waitress wrote his order down on the pad.
“I guess I want a BLT and a…”
“You still have your soda Ms. , could always try it now with your meal.” Traveler smiled at her as she nodded.
“Just the BLT then.” The waitress nodded in response to her and looked at Jerry who swayed his arm informing her he didn’t want anything. She left to the kitchen to place the orders. The old woman took the bottle of soda she had placed in her purse while in the car.
“I know you will love that flavor. It’s one of my customers’ favorites.” The old woman turned the cap and it came off with a small popping sound. She took a small sip. Her eyes widened.
“This is amazing!” Her voice was a bit louder than anyone else in the diner. A small chuckle came from the traveler.
He sat there and stared at her, waiting for something. It came soon after. The old woman turned a light grey and passed out. Jerry aware what had happened to his wife, jumped as quickly as his body would let him. He turned to look at her and pulled at her arm trying to revive her.
“Help, someone help her!” His screams were unheard throughout the diner. The traveler stood up and grabbed Jerry’s arm.
“I’m sorry. Your wife won’t be joining us for lunch.” The traveler took the glass ketchup bottle he had grabbed and knocked Jerry over the head with it. He fell face first onto the table.
The traveler’s eyes shown a flash of red and the other people in the diner crowded around the table.
“Take these two to the cooler, prep them and soon you will have two new members to your town, understand?” A few grunts here and there, and a couple of men came and dragged the woman first, while two others came and dragged Jerry across the floor to the kitchen cooler.
Below you'll find the most recent Word Weavers Reviews! Be sure to let us know by email to weaversofwords@gmail.com (subject line: (Your Name) Review Request), if you'd like us to review your book!
Fools Gold
by Hank Quense Book Review
(Synopsis From the author Hank Quense)
This story is a retelling of the myths Richard Wagner used in composing his Ring Cycle of operas. Instead of taking place during the Dark Ages, this version takes place in the future after civilization has been destroyed by wars, plague and pollution.
The fantasy creatures in Wagner's work have been replaced by aliens from two different races. These characters,Fafner and Alberich, are in competition to possess the Rhinegold, now transformed into marvelous devices by incorporating the Rhinegold's magic, quantum electronics and advanced software. These aliens add a comedy element to an otherwise dark tale.
Meanwhile, Wotan recognizes that conditions are ripe for a big comeback, but he needs to reclaim the Rhinegold to accomplish that.
Despite all the concern about the magical gold horde, the inner story is about the Valkyrie, Brunnhilde, as she searches to unlock the mystery of human love, a condition unknown to the gods.
The Review:
When I first started reading Fool’s Gold I was scared when learning it was based on a Fantasy story, as often times I’m not a big fan of Fantasy stories unless there is something unique about them. Fool’s Gold changed into a basis for Science Fiction to run ramped. There are so many of the characters you can fall in love with and enjoy.
Not to only mention the characters such as Fafner who has “criminal talents,” but also the flowing of the backgrounds the characters live in. I was thrilled when I could imagine all these characters in one of my favorite settings, Science Fiction.
The story does jump around from time to time. However, that doesn’t distract you from the robust characters, or the amazing background they play in. Quense makes sure the reader knows what comes next through such descriptive writing. I felt like I was reading one of my old time Science Fiction paperbacks, holding it until I was done.
The pages will leave you wanting more. And reading this is what I suggest you do. You will fall madly in love with these characters, jump into their world, understand it and not want to put this book down; forgetting you have a book in your hand and imagining you are part of Quense’s world.
Reviewed by: Shells Walter, Sonar4 Publications
Bulk Tank in Vein!
“That Which Bites” is a thrilling look into a post-apocalyptic world where Vampires run rampant and rule with an iron fist. Celis T. Rono is a skilled writer who takes you on a gripping ride along with Poe, a highly neurotic, yet oddly likeable young girl and her cohorts. No matter who you are as a person; one character or another will capture your attention, be it a vigilante cattle rustler, a "Super Size Me" sized father-figure, a strict gun-slinging nun, a dark love interest or more. This story will drain you of all pre-conceived notions that you possessed about the genre.
Though unique to the classic horror monsters, Rono's take on the blood suckers is one that I've not quite seen before, though still, one that kept me nostalgic to the Stoker style classics. She has a way with character development that kept me reading; a way with description that is simply unorthodox, though clearly true to her simplistic style. Now I will say that there are a few potential alterations to be made, but that's based on interpretation.
Celis T. Rono is on her way with a novel that's appropriate for all ages to enjoy without being juvenile or allowing the story to lack the true nature of a tale of vampirism, that being violence, blood lust and a bit of romance to keep the heart pounding. This story isn't going to please everyone; but for die-hard fans of the genre, yes, I'd suggest reading it. The book stands to be a possible series in my eyes, leaving the reader turning page after page and wanting more. I, for one enjoyed this piece and hope to see it hot off the presses soon.
Review by: Stephen W. Roberts
Poetry and Music
Brian Michael Tracy, Driving With Dante with Midnight Tea music CD (Midnight Tea Publishing, LLC)
44 pages, poetry, Book $10, CD $15
As far as I am concerned, good poetry touches the heart and inspires the mind. Mr. Tracy does this beautifully with his works included in DRIVING WITH DANTE. Through his works you feel the heat of the arsonist’s flames, the pain of loss through death and the heavy price of war. Alternately there is also wry humor and a tribute to the innocence of childhood. And the companion CD MIDNIGHT TEA is equally enjoyable. It seems only appropriate to blend music with poetry and it is done artfully in this compilation. The poetry is read succinctly and with emotion, while the musical performances are clean and stirring. Even if you have only a passing interest in poetry, Mr. Tracy is worth your time. You will find his words touch memories within you that you may not remember you had.
Review By: Cheri Chesley, Author of The Wild Queen and The Peasant Queen
Do You Believe?
Mary Lynn Plaisance, The Land of Sha Bebe, Book I: In the Land of Sha Bebe (BeBs Publishing, 2004)
80 pages, folklore, $19.95 U.S.
Plaisance created a kind of Cajun muslin doll she calls Sha Bebe and copyrighted them in the 1990s. This is the first book of a trilogy about the dolls- a world she made up just for them. Part folklore and part fiction, the idea of both the dolls and the books is a charming one that is full of distinctly Cajun flavors.
This first volume is written in simple, sometimes repetitive sentences and has the feel of a bedtime story meant for young audiences. It is clearly introductory to a much richer and fuller story as presented in the second and third books. It is almost entirely one conversation between Emily, who is enduring a particularly stinging grief, and the Sha Bebe dolls that come to comfort her, Beau and Jolie. In it they tell her all about the land of Sha Bebe and teach her The Sha Bebe Waltz.
The book is accompanied by many photos of the dolls participating in various activities within their world which help one to visualize the explanations offered in the conversation. The dolls themselves are absolutely adorable.
I look forward to discovering their world more fully as I read the other volumes.
Review by: Sabne Raznik
A Portrait of Terror
Daniel I. Russell, Shutterbug (Wild Child Publishing 2007)
82 pages, $4.75 U.S. (eBook)
What starts out as a visit to a reclusive professional photographer believed to be worthy of capturing the essence of an attractive, innocent fifteen year old girl quickly turns into a nightmare with a click and a whir of the camera. It is a nightmare that sets off a chain reaction of terror six years later when what has been forgotten and shelved into distant memory returns with a startling and brutal vengeance. No one is safe when the Shutterbug gets under your skin.
This story deceptively pulls the reader into not only a sleeping nightmare, but a waking one as well. As a young adult of twenty-one, newly graduated Jess Stevenson, both the story’s main victim and heroine, is ceaselessly taunted by a horrific tragedy she endured six years earlier. Though her assailant is jailed, disturbing events related to that long ago tragedy began to occur, yet Jess alone is convinced of the correlation. When she discovers her best friend dead and stuffed inside a moving box and then her wheelchair-bound father mysteriously missing from his home, Jess must face her fears and revisit the now long abandoned and dilapidated photography studio where it all began.
Do keep in mind that Daniel Russell is an English author, and as such, some words he uses in the story may appear misspelled or unfamiliar to American readers. Likewise, certain of his characters’ behaviors may seem odd to American readers. Having said that, the last twenty pages are a heart-pounding roller coaster ride of suspense the likes of which I have rarely had the privilege of experiencing. The beginning chapters of the story do a fine job of introducing the characters and setting the scene of events to come. There were a few spelling errors and words left out towards the middle of the story, though they were minor enough that a speed-reader could easily overlook them. Also, the writing towards the middle seemed rather rigid to the point that I started to lose interest, though only mildly. If more attention were paid to this area, I do believe Shutterbug could be compared to some of the top authors in the genre.
Review By: Dave Rex
Paraworld Zero
Matthew Peterson, Paraworld Zero
ISBN # :978-1-59092-491-4 Price: $16.99
Paraworld Zero is a highly adventurous, magical tale about a boy named Simon Kent. An orphan, Simon Kent has struggled with how he fit in the world, even the universe. However, when a girl named Tonya appears out of nowhere, saving him from bullies intent on annihilation, Simon Kent's life changes drastically. Simon learns of parallel universes, similar to his own through Tonya. He also learns about magic. After an adventurous, daring escape from his home, Simon and Tonya are swept away to a parallel planet where they soon discover has no means of returning either of them home. While Simon recovers from their arrival it becomes apparent that this is a world of inequality and he feels they may be stranded for good. It takes a monumental effort as well as a catastrophic event to bring the world in to civility while Simon discovers his magical powers. Not only does the world of Pudo hold many firsts for Simon, such as his first dance and his first real friends, it also holds historical secrets. Will Simon ever return to his home? Will he ever discover who the strange woman in his dreams is? Or will he be forever stranded on a planet that serves giant spiders and maggots as main course dishes? There is only one way to find out!
Paraworld Zero held me in my seat from the first page. An exciting fast-paced adventure, chock full of magic and humor, the twists and turns kept me at the edge of my seat. It has been quoted that this book is a Harry Potter meets Star Wars style adventure and I am in thorough agreement! It is very rare that you don't guess the ending of the book until you get to the ending and that is what Paraworld Zero was like for me! Matthew Peterson delivered a formidable tale and followed through with amazing results. I for one am looking forward to the second book in this series. It cannot come out fast enough to satisfy my curiosity! While this book contains elements of Harry Potter and Star Wars it is still uniquely in a league of its own. Matthew Peterson has a delightful imagination and a wonderful sense of humor. I look forward to reading more of his books.
Review by: M. L. Chesley
A World of Hope
Following Hope by Sabne Raznik is a 58 page softbound book printed by Xlibris with 46 pages of prose and photography where the photos are as good as the words they accompany (all credited to the artist taking them, of course).
Sabne'e words are visually stimulating to the point that they pull you in to walk along beside her as you traverse through her world. She brings emotion alive and you see what she see's as if you were there; almost to the point that you wish you had written it yourself.
Although there were a few poems I didn't care for, there were also
those that were so well written I actually had to stop to catch my breath and pull myself back to reality. This alone is, to me, what makes a poet.
Following Hope takes you through the city to the woods; love, loss and redemption. It confines itself to no one area of poetry and takes you on a thoughtful path through it's many layers to fulfillment, leaving out only gore. All is all it is a good read and we'll look forward to her sophomore edition.
Review By: Lexi Miller
Poetry As Marriage Counseling?
Robert T. Sells, Words of Inspiration: A Collection of Poems…For the One You Love (Jones Publishing Network, 2005)
80 pages, christian poetry, $9.95 U.S./$12.95 Canada
Yes, so it claims to be. This is apparently the first in a series of Words of Inspiration volumes whose stated purpose is to help people improve various aspects of their life by reading and citing the poems therein. This one focuses on marriage.
The poems are written in an extremely simple, conversational style, as if scribbled somewhat hastily on any scraps of paper to be found at the time. This results in an informal feel that makes for quick, unchallenging reading. It also results in a redundancy that is sometimes painful.
Sells interweaves the special love that one is meant to have for one’s spouse with one’s love for God, almost- but not quite- as if they were one and the same love. The purpose given for the book is admirable, but it somehow falls short of it. Especially does the little sermon that closes the collection detract from the over-all affect. Perhaps if the work had gone through a few more rounds of revision? It can, however, ensure that one get a second date.
If you enjoy this particular genre, and an easy read, Sells may just be your cup of tea: sugary-sweet with a slight hint of mint.
Hi! Just wanted to make sure all my friends know that my 2nd horror novel SACRIFICE is now in stores everywhere, including Amazon.com! I hope you'll check out this debauched and demonic horror ride! Here are a couple reviews it's gotten so far:
“SACRIFICE is a full frontal assault on your senses. It is a dark, brutal, bloody and terribly frightening book. Everson went deep into some dark abyss to bring this book to the light of day.... I highly recommend SACRIFICE.” —Famous Monsters of Filmland
“John Everson manages in SACRIFICE to dispense buckets of blood, provide edgy perversity, and walk the tenuous tightrope of horror and sex without falling: It’s rather an amazing feat.” –Hell Notes
My short horror story FEBRUARY 14th is published at this site http://www.snmhorrormag.com/snmjulyissue1.htm If you find the time please go there and leave me some feedback on the READER GUESTBOOK! Thanks for your support! Your friend, Brian
Glad to make your acquaintance ;0) May your week be full of surprises ! Pleasant ones of course !!
If you haven’t already, make sure you
subscribe to my Blog, as I want
to be able to notify you when I will be making a special guest appearance in
your area, I hope to increase my travel
plans in the future, and attend more car shows and events around the country. It would be great if you had a chance to
drive out and visit me if I’m close by ! ! ;0) {oo)==v==(oo}
Hey if you're looking for a good book (or two) to read you could help me out by ordering my books Epidemic and The Whitman House Vamtares. Just go to Amazon.com and search my name: Gina Hayden. My books should be at the top of the page. Currently $7.55.
“ISLAND BEAUTY is the best piece Marlene have ever written. She have
really matured as a writer. There is great suspense and conflict.
Marlene shows life and how it really is, even when we think we have
good friendships, life can throw us a curve ball. I really enjoyed
reading her story it was great, the tone was good and it was exciting.
Keep up the good work!”
Gidorah Author Of:
Methuselah's Rainbow
The Secret Exposed: What Every Christian Should Know
The Windowsill Children Series
Sage Churchill has always had the best of everything, a loving father
that gave her everything her heart desired and good friends to kick it
with, which always made life more exciting. She thought her life was
perfect, until the day her father makes a deathbed confession that
shatters her world as she knows it.
When Sage finds out that her mother, whom she was led to believe died,
may be alive and living in Jamaica, her world is turned upside down.
She is faced with the toughest decision of her life. Does she search
for a woman she’s never known or does she ignore her longing for a
mother’s love?
Sage, Nicky, Tish, and Lace have been friends since pre-school. But
their relationship suffers when they bring the drama to Sage’s
doorstep. Her girl, Nicky, has gotten herself involved in the drug game
and has Sage’s name all caught up in the mix, bringing the authorities
to her door. Tish, has a mystery lover and when that person’s identity
is revealed, it may tear the girls’ thirteen year friendship apart and
possible cause one of them to lose their life.
Will Sage find her mother and live happily ever after? Will she survive the drama?
I'd like to invite you and all your friends to check out (and hopefully subscribe to) my blog concerning the launch of my new novel, Child Finder. My book has already received some great reviews before its official release on June 9th. It is a mystery/suspense thriller -- and is only the first in a trilogy I am contracted to write. ..
Click here to access my blog where I will post information about the book's availability as well as signing events. Also, be sure to check out my novel's website (www.childfinder.us) for more detailed information about the story, my background, and publication schedules.
"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive. And it is only by this meeting that a new world is born. " Anais Nin
Thanks for accepting the request. If you have any short stories, poetry, or artwork collecting thought-sucking maggots within your mind or computer worms in the folders of My Documents, then send them our way. Deadline for submission is July 30. Check out our homepage and blog for more information.
Jennifer L. Miller is a Horror, Fantasy and Sci Fi author who resides in Colorado, USA. She is a mother and a lover first, a dedicated student second and an intriging author, third. Miller is the mother of three beautiful children, who she claims as inspiration. She lives with fellow horror author, Ryan Lacy, and the two conspire and collaborate on most of her horror projects.
Have a blast this week! Hope you are keeping well! Love Charlotte ~
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Hi! Just wanted to make sure all my friends know that my 2nd horror novel 
