Friday, May 3, 2013
Featured today on Fourth Wall Friday at The Cabin Goddess!
I'm on my way to Mo*Con in Indianapolis today, where I have the great honor of being a Guest of Honor. Looking forward to it very much! But I wanted to be sure to leave this link to a new mega-post I did for Fourth Wall Friday at the Cabin Goddess!
This theme blends the world of an author's books with their own world, and this post has a serious theme that resonates strongly with the Rising Dawn Saga. I really think readers of my series will appreciate this post a lot, and for those that haven't read the series, this will definitely give you a taste of some of the themes found in the books.
http://cabingoddess.com/2013/05/a-midnight-walk-with-stephen-zimmer-fourth-wall-friday/
Monday, April 8, 2013
Special Project from Wonderful YA Author Dianne Lynne Gardner
I wanted to take a moment to highlight an ongoing Kickstarter project that is within its final week of funding, in the hopes that everyone will take a look at it and consider participating.
Dianne Lynn Gardner is a highly gifted author AND artist (talk about being able to coordinate with your cover artist! LOL). I gladly gave her a blurb to use on the first book of her Ians Realm Saga, Deception Peak. I really believe she's got a great series going, and it has a very good home with a publisher, Hydra Publications, run by a guy who I've known for awhile and can attest to his great commitment and support of authors.
If you would take a moment to watch Dianne's video here and consider taking part, it would be greatly appreciated. The rewards included some artwork and prints, and I can tell you that Dianne's artwork is truly top level!
The project supports her series, and I can tell you the economics of publishing and putting titles out is tougher than ever today if you are doing it the right way. It is a worthy series, with a worthy publisher, so check it out and explore Ian's Realm! :)
The project supports her series, and I can tell you the economics of publishing and putting titles out is tougher than ever today if you are doing it the right way. It is a worthy series, with a worthy publisher, so check it out and explore Ian's Realm! :)
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Vampires Don't Sparkle Cover Reveal, Includes New Short Story
Vampires Don't Sparkle Cover Reveal, Includes New Short Story
The editor is none other than Michael West! AND a portion of proceeds from the sale of this anthology go to cancer research, which is a very personal thing to me (my dad was a cancer researcher, for those of you that might not know).
There's a pre-order window up for one week for those wanting copies signed by the editor. This anthology is definitely for those who like vampires of the non-sparkly kind! ;)
To see the full press release with a list of authors and stories, go here: http://seventhstarpress.blogspot.com/2013/03/for-immediate-release-march-6-2013.html
Thursday, January 10, 2013
The Next Big Thing Blog Hop
Week 28: THE NEXT BIG THING BLOG HOP
This week I am getting the opportunity to participate in a large blog hop that has been going on for 28 weeks now focusing on the world of independent authors. Everyone knows about the big successes in the book world, but there are many inventive, engaging, and highly creative authors out there that you might not have heard of, and this blog hop works to address that.
It plays like a game of tag, where authors tag other authors from week to week. Each author does a post like the one I am doing today, selects some other authors, and the process continues. Following the links of this blog hop will bring you to the pages of some wonderful authors.
I was tagged by two wonderful authors, A.J. Scudiere and Kathryn Sullivan. I have had the pleasure of doing book signings with A.J. Scudiere, and being a co-panelist at conventions with Kathryn, and can definitely say both of them are well-worth checking out when you get a moment!
You can visit A.J.'s site and find out more about her world at: http://www.ajscudiere.com A.J.'s Next Big Thing post is at: http://www.ajscudiere.com/blog/2013/01/the-next-big-thing-blog-hop/
For Kathryn, visit: http://kathrynsullivan.com/, and you can see her Next Big Thing post at: http://obscurekidlitauthors.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-next-big-thing.html
As for myself, I am an author of speculative fiction as well as a filmmaker. I have two series underway, the epic fantasy Fires in Eden Series, and the urban fantasy Rising Dawn Saga. I also write steampunk, with the Harvey and Solomon tales, and horror, with the soon-to-be-released Hellscapes stories. Each of my series have 3 novels out, for a total of six in print, and I have many short stories ranging from the aforementioned Harvey and Solomon tales, to stories in my Chronicles of Ave and Annals of the Rising Dawn collections, and more. My site can be found at www.stephenzimmer.com and you can connect with me at Facebook here On twitter, my handle is @sgzimmer
For my participation in the blog hop, I am using my most current project, the 4th Book in the Rising Dawn Saga which will be coming out later this spring. Here's 10 questions I addressed regarding this upcoming book!
1: What is the working title of your book?
I tend to drive my editors crazy when it comes to titles, as I never settle with one until it pops clearly and loudly into my head. I've run on the razor's edge before, with a title coming in just days before it had to be in. Right now, I'm working on the 4th title in the Rising Dawn Saga. That's the most accurate way I can title it, as I have not had that big moment of revelation yet! LOL
2: Where did the idea come from for the book?
The idea came as I started to put two and two together in the early 1990's, watching the development of the Gulf War, thinking about how the world was changing, and delving deeper into history. I was just getting into things like Coast to Coast AM at the time, with all of the fascinating topics covered by Art Bell.
I began to wonder what it would be like if a host of a radio show like Art's was pulled into a scenario where he discovered that many of the things he talked about and did shows on were real, from shadow governments, to spiritual entities and non-physical realms, and more. I've always been fascinated by the apocalyptic visions in the Bible, and out of all this the seed of the Rising Dawn Saga was discovered and then planted.
3: What genre does your book fall under?
It is classified as urban fantasy, due to the modern day setting, but it is cross-genre in many ways, and it has a true epic scale. There are elements of horror, science fiction, mythic fiction, fantasy, urban fantasy, military thriller, and more, which makes it hard to classify exactly. Of course, bookstores and online outlets need to categorize things, so in a general sense urban fantasy is the closest fit.
4: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
There are many actors who I would like to work with if a film version were made. Perhaps Jason Mamoa as the An-Ki warrior Godral. How about John Malkovich for Benedict Darwin? Kate Beckinsale for Dagian Underwood? It definitely is a lot of fun to speculate, but to translate the scale of this story to the screen would require quite a large budget! LOL
5: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
In the shadow of an increasingly dystopian world nearing the edge of an apocalypse, a number of humans and other entities find themselves at the center of a cosmic war.
6: Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
This series is published via small press, namely through Seventh Star Press. I love working with Amanda Debord, the editor for this series, as well as Matthew Perry, the artist who does the covers and interiors. The other SSP authors have been very supportive and it has been great being a member of this family!
7: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
I've been working on the series since the mid-1990's, but I'd estimate what became The Exodus Gate took a couple of years to finish in a first draft form. It wasn't the only project I was working on, but that's the general timeline.
8: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
It is hard to find a close comparison due to the cross-genre nature of this story. I would say it has the size of ensemble and large scale of something like George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire, has the cosmic elements of something like Paradise Lost, and engages a modern setting with fantastical undercurrents like Jim Butcher's Dresden novels. It really is hard to compare it in one easy sentence, which is both a blessing and a curse!
9: Who or What inspired you to write this book?
Becoming more of a student of history, having a fantastical mindset, and watching what has been happening in the world around me, I wanted to explore some themes of great relevance today within the context of a story like this. As with all my work, it can be read on different levels. It can give you something to think about, it can warn you about some things, it can be enjoyed purely as an entertaining story, or perhaps it can encourage you. For myself, I wanted to address ideals that are very near and dear to me in a story-driven context. That definitely got the ball rolling back in the 1990's.
10: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
This book, like the series, really blends several genres into a cohesive storyline. I've had hard science fiction readers who have enjoyed the books of this series, readers that don't like speculative fiction normally who have enjoyed them, strict epic fantasy readers who have enjoyed them, and other examples that demonstrate the unique appeal of this storyline.
Here are a pair of authors who will be joining the hop for week 29! Definitely visit their sites, find out more about them, and perhaps discover a new favorite author in the process! I thought I would have some fun and pick two who have been particularly mischievous lately in their support of an initiative by Selah Janel to petition me to write something in the erotic romance genre. So I'm putting both on the spotlight. Of course, both are excellent writers who I absolutely adore and have had the pleasure of being on panels with and having on panels I've organized!
Susan Roddey: Susan writes speculative fiction with a focus on horror and urban fantasy. You can connect with her at the following:
Blog: http://creepyauthorgirl.Wordpress.com
Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/authorshroddey
Twitter: @draickinphoenix
As for myself, I am an author of speculative fiction as well as a filmmaker. I have two series underway, the epic fantasy Fires in Eden Series, and the urban fantasy Rising Dawn Saga. I also write steampunk, with the Harvey and Solomon tales, and horror, with the soon-to-be-released Hellscapes stories. Each of my series have 3 novels out, for a total of six in print, and I have many short stories ranging from the aforementioned Harvey and Solomon tales, to stories in my Chronicles of Ave and Annals of the Rising Dawn collections, and more. My site can be found at www.stephenzimmer.com and you can connect with me at Facebook here On twitter, my handle is @sgzimmer
For my participation in the blog hop, I am using my most current project, the 4th Book in the Rising Dawn Saga which will be coming out later this spring. Here's 10 questions I addressed regarding this upcoming book!
1: What is the working title of your book?
I tend to drive my editors crazy when it comes to titles, as I never settle with one until it pops clearly and loudly into my head. I've run on the razor's edge before, with a title coming in just days before it had to be in. Right now, I'm working on the 4th title in the Rising Dawn Saga. That's the most accurate way I can title it, as I have not had that big moment of revelation yet! LOL
2: Where did the idea come from for the book? The idea came as I started to put two and two together in the early 1990's, watching the development of the Gulf War, thinking about how the world was changing, and delving deeper into history. I was just getting into things like Coast to Coast AM at the time, with all of the fascinating topics covered by Art Bell.
I began to wonder what it would be like if a host of a radio show like Art's was pulled into a scenario where he discovered that many of the things he talked about and did shows on were real, from shadow governments, to spiritual entities and non-physical realms, and more. I've always been fascinated by the apocalyptic visions in the Bible, and out of all this the seed of the Rising Dawn Saga was discovered and then planted.
3: What genre does your book fall under?
It is classified as urban fantasy, due to the modern day setting, but it is cross-genre in many ways, and it has a true epic scale. There are elements of horror, science fiction, mythic fiction, fantasy, urban fantasy, military thriller, and more, which makes it hard to classify exactly. Of course, bookstores and online outlets need to categorize things, so in a general sense urban fantasy is the closest fit.
4: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
There are many actors who I would like to work with if a film version were made. Perhaps Jason Mamoa as the An-Ki warrior Godral. How about John Malkovich for Benedict Darwin? Kate Beckinsale for Dagian Underwood? It definitely is a lot of fun to speculate, but to translate the scale of this story to the screen would require quite a large budget! LOL
5: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
In the shadow of an increasingly dystopian world nearing the edge of an apocalypse, a number of humans and other entities find themselves at the center of a cosmic war.
This series is published via small press, namely through Seventh Star Press. I love working with Amanda Debord, the editor for this series, as well as Matthew Perry, the artist who does the covers and interiors. The other SSP authors have been very supportive and it has been great being a member of this family!
7: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
I've been working on the series since the mid-1990's, but I'd estimate what became The Exodus Gate took a couple of years to finish in a first draft form. It wasn't the only project I was working on, but that's the general timeline.
It is hard to find a close comparison due to the cross-genre nature of this story. I would say it has the size of ensemble and large scale of something like George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire, has the cosmic elements of something like Paradise Lost, and engages a modern setting with fantastical undercurrents like Jim Butcher's Dresden novels. It really is hard to compare it in one easy sentence, which is both a blessing and a curse!
9: Who or What inspired you to write this book?
Becoming more of a student of history, having a fantastical mindset, and watching what has been happening in the world around me, I wanted to explore some themes of great relevance today within the context of a story like this. As with all my work, it can be read on different levels. It can give you something to think about, it can warn you about some things, it can be enjoyed purely as an entertaining story, or perhaps it can encourage you. For myself, I wanted to address ideals that are very near and dear to me in a story-driven context. That definitely got the ball rolling back in the 1990's.
10: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
This book, like the series, really blends several genres into a cohesive storyline. I've had hard science fiction readers who have enjoyed the books of this series, readers that don't like speculative fiction normally who have enjoyed them, strict epic fantasy readers who have enjoyed them, and other examples that demonstrate the unique appeal of this storyline.
Here are a pair of authors who will be joining the hop for week 29! Definitely visit their sites, find out more about them, and perhaps discover a new favorite author in the process! I thought I would have some fun and pick two who have been particularly mischievous lately in their support of an initiative by Selah Janel to petition me to write something in the erotic romance genre. So I'm putting both on the spotlight. Of course, both are excellent writers who I absolutely adore and have had the pleasure of being on panels with and having on panels I've organized!
Susan Roddey: Susan writes speculative fiction with a focus on horror and urban fantasy. You can connect with her at the following:
Blog: http://creepyauthorgirl.Wordpress.com
Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/authorshroddey
Twitter: @draickinphoenix
Alexandra Christian: While Alexandra is known for her work in paranormal erotic romance, she is also a writer of horror and dark fiction. Connect with Alexandra at the following links.
Facebook:
Facebook Fan Page:
Twitter:
Wordpress Blog:
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
The Year Behind and the Year Ahead
Of course I'm a week behind in getting up a New Year-style post, so I'll make it a good and thorough one!
So here goes...
Last year was definitely my best year yet author-wise. It saw the release of Spirit of Fire, the third book in my Fires in Eden Series, and there were a number of very enjoyable and successful convention appearances ranging from Mid South Con, to ConNooga, to MystiCon and others. I also served as the literary track director for Fandom Fest during what was a breakthrough year for the event that saw over 16,000 attendees and guest stars like Sean Astin, John-Rhys Davies, and many others. I did my biggest ever promotional campaign for Spirit of Fire in a 48 day blog tour, which involved a number of fun posts and videos.
I made many new friends, some of whom I will be doing some close work with in the future. In the last part of the year I was part of a Kickstarter Campaign that secured a wonderful project for Seventh Star Press called the Writers Workshop of Science Fiction and Fantasy, which features contributors like Neil Gaiman and Orson Scott Card. The editor for the project, Michael Knost, is a wonderful fellow and I definitely hope we work together more in the future. I'm looking forward to working on the promotions for the release of this project very soon.
2013 looks to be extremely productive on the writing front. A new Rising Dawn Saga book will be out sometime in the Spring, and we are hoping to squeeze in the next Fires in Eden Book before the year is out. In addition, there will be a number of short stories released, from steampunk (latest Harvey and Solomon tale Gift of Light to appear in Dreams of Steam III), to horror (my new Hellscapes series), to epic fantasy (several new additions coming to the Chronicles of Ave), to urban fantasy (several new additions coming for the Annals of the Rising Dawn). There is also a very good chance that the first book of a new YA cross-genre trilogy will move forward this year.
With all of the writing and commitments I have, my appearance schedule may be a little more modest than it has been in the past. I am slated for several wonderful events, and will be returning to ConNooga, Mid South Con, MystiCon, and others, as well as doing a literary track again for Fandom Fest.
I also plan to do a little more blogging, especially with some non-fiction topics. As those who read my Rising Dawn Saga would probably guess, I don't have the most positive of outlooks regarding the direction the world is heading in. Along those lines, I think my home country, the US, is chugging straight for the proverbial iceberg. Even worse, it appears that the US is accelerating towards a very disastrous situation.
While all of this gives me a great deal to think about in regards to the themes I write on, there is a frustrating side to it as well. I've long thought that true journalism is largely dead when it comes to the mainstream media, and this is a travesty as many people are not being warned of the consequences regarding the things politicians in Washington are doing. The whole "Fiscal Cliff" issue recently was a big charade and prime example of political theater. It accomplished nothing, in terms of addressing the real problems.
To add insult to injury, it added a ratio of 41 dollars in spending for every 1 dollar raised in "revenue" (I despise the term revenue when it comes to taxes, as it makes it seem like the government is engaging in market-based transactions of a voluntary nature. Let's call them what they are: Taxes. Language has suffered enough casualties in this age of spin and sugar-coating.)
The real fiscal cliff is crossing the 17 trillion bridge and soaring higher. It baffles me why so few people put the same urgency and focus on this monstrosity that they did on the political theater version of the "Fiscal Cliff". We are heading right towards inflation, downgrading of our national credit rating, devaluation of the dollar, and a whole lot more while we are on this entirely unsustainable path.
The economy is worsening. Make no mistake about that. As I've mentioned before, every small business person I deal with is closing, consolidating, and downsizing. I rarely see startups and almost never encounter a small business expanding. Small businesses are the engine of employment in the USA, and when you have the small business world in decline nothing good is going to come out of it.
Further, when economies are in decline and hardship spreads, crime begins to rise fast. This is the untold story across the US. Also, residents of many cities are facing a fast-rising nemesis in the form of gangs. Common estimates are that there are well over 1.4 million gang members in the USA and their numbers are increasing fast and will continue to rise with widespread unemployment among young adults. Gangs are behind the bulk of gun related murders in cities like Chicago.
So what kind of discussion are we having here in the USA right now? Disarming law-abiding citizens aka gun control. I always find it disturbing that the actions of a crazy individual inevitably turns into an outcry to take rights away from law abiding individuals. Do you really think that the gangs and criminals are going to be disarmed? Laws have worked so well in keeping illegal drugs out of their hands (heavy sarcasm intended).
This debate has also put on display an appalling lack of knowledge in the American public about the 2nd Amendment and why it was placed in the Bill of Rights. I plan on doing a major post about this in the hopes that people will research this for themselves, but the 2nd Amendment is not about sporting or hunting, or just home defense. It is a unique recognition of the right of free people to have the means to defend themselves against a government gone tyrannical. This reality of the basis for the 2nd Amendment has largely been ignored in the mainstream media. In my opinion this is because it does not fit their agenda to advance gun control legislation.
If the 2nd Amendment rendered worthless, the way is clear to roll over any other right that is inconvenient at a given time. There is also a terrible side effect of this gun control agenda. The efforts to disarm law-abiding citizens are successful, it will give rise to countless tragedies as people who otherwise might have had a chance to defend themselves and their families are going to be subjected to home invasions, burglaries, assaults, and rapes, all of which are going to rise greatly in number with the lethal combination of a terrible economy and disarmed, soft targets everywhere.
Of course, the Feinstein and Bloomberg types out there who believe they know best how you should live your life will not take any responsibility for the proliferation of tragedies in the wake of their draconian gun control agendas. Also take particular note that these kinds of elites are always protected by armed guards, and send their children to schools that have armed guards. They just don't want the masses to have the same kinds of protections for their kids or themselves. This hypocrisy is mind-boggling to those who are willing to see it for what it is.
To put it simply, the bad guys are not going to cease what they do. If anything, a disarmed US populace is a criminal's dream situation.
There are times when I stop and think of the kind of fiber in the leaders at the foundation of this country and the clowns we have in Washington today. It is debilitating to think we've gone from individuals such as George Washington, Ben Franklin, John Adams, Patrick Henry, George Mason, Thomas Paine, and the like to those such as Nancy Pelosi, John Boehner, Harry Reid, Chris Christie, Chuck Schumer, Dianne Feinstein, and Eric Cantor.
The contrast between the two groups couldn't be more stark, and it would be laughable if it wasn't both sad and distressing to see how the quality of leadership has sunk so very far One set in motion a nation that embraced individual freedom like no other an history, the latter illustrate Franklin's warning when asked what kind of government had been formed. He had responded, "a republic, if you can keep it."
Well, we are well on the way to losing it, and we are also facing another of Franklin's declarations, namely that those who "can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
So I hold to the thoughts I expressed after the election, in that we are going to see a major military conflict in the near future, continued economic erosion, and nothing being done to address the fundamental problems. I know this sounds gloomy, but how can you expect anything different when you make no changes in foreign policy, in economic policy, and double-down on the things choking entrepreneurship and small businesses like rising taxes and unnecessary regulations.
Our inane foreign policy continues. On one hand we are told relentlessly that intrusive surveillance and heavy-handed security presences are there to "protect us" from Islamic militants, and in the next breath the US aids and assist the very same kind of Islamic militants in taking over Libya, and gives the same support to the same kind of militants in Syria. From Tunisia, to Egypt, to Libya, to Syria, and all across this region government authority is falling under a united and much more extreme ideology that is not going to lead to anything good for he world. Yet even after the Benghazi incident most people still can't see what's going on or who's coming to power across the region.
Iraq is still highly violent and unstable, the Taliban is alive and well in Afghanistan, and at the end of the day one has to ask why so many good men and women are dying at the behest of the politicians who do not even have the decency to follow the Constitution and declare war.
I could go on and on, but seeing all this insanity at home and abroad can be pretty frustrating, especially in the light of history. Great lessons are there to be learned, and what they have to teach bodes very ill for the United States. One can only hope that the Liberty Movement continues to educate and gain steam, and that sovereignty is pulled back to local levels, that individual liberties are defended, that people regain self-determination, and much more. A stop can be put to the ills that plague us and the things that made us strong can be restored. It just takes people with willpower to make it happen.
As for me, I will move forward, and do my best in everything I do. Nobody can say for certain what the future holds, but at the end of the day it is about what you choose to do, not what others choose to do.
I do hope that success, peace and happiness finds everyone this year, but I think a time of struggle is ahead. Yet sometimes hardship brings out the best in men and women, and many heroes will rise to the occasion. Hang in there, keep your head up, and continue to pursue your dreams!
So here goes...
Last year was definitely my best year yet author-wise. It saw the release of Spirit of Fire, the third book in my Fires in Eden Series, and there were a number of very enjoyable and successful convention appearances ranging from Mid South Con, to ConNooga, to MystiCon and others. I also served as the literary track director for Fandom Fest during what was a breakthrough year for the event that saw over 16,000 attendees and guest stars like Sean Astin, John-Rhys Davies, and many others. I did my biggest ever promotional campaign for Spirit of Fire in a 48 day blog tour, which involved a number of fun posts and videos.
I made many new friends, some of whom I will be doing some close work with in the future. In the last part of the year I was part of a Kickstarter Campaign that secured a wonderful project for Seventh Star Press called the Writers Workshop of Science Fiction and Fantasy, which features contributors like Neil Gaiman and Orson Scott Card. The editor for the project, Michael Knost, is a wonderful fellow and I definitely hope we work together more in the future. I'm looking forward to working on the promotions for the release of this project very soon.
2013 looks to be extremely productive on the writing front. A new Rising Dawn Saga book will be out sometime in the Spring, and we are hoping to squeeze in the next Fires in Eden Book before the year is out. In addition, there will be a number of short stories released, from steampunk (latest Harvey and Solomon tale Gift of Light to appear in Dreams of Steam III), to horror (my new Hellscapes series), to epic fantasy (several new additions coming to the Chronicles of Ave), to urban fantasy (several new additions coming for the Annals of the Rising Dawn). There is also a very good chance that the first book of a new YA cross-genre trilogy will move forward this year.
With all of the writing and commitments I have, my appearance schedule may be a little more modest than it has been in the past. I am slated for several wonderful events, and will be returning to ConNooga, Mid South Con, MystiCon, and others, as well as doing a literary track again for Fandom Fest.
I also plan to do a little more blogging, especially with some non-fiction topics. As those who read my Rising Dawn Saga would probably guess, I don't have the most positive of outlooks regarding the direction the world is heading in. Along those lines, I think my home country, the US, is chugging straight for the proverbial iceberg. Even worse, it appears that the US is accelerating towards a very disastrous situation.
While all of this gives me a great deal to think about in regards to the themes I write on, there is a frustrating side to it as well. I've long thought that true journalism is largely dead when it comes to the mainstream media, and this is a travesty as many people are not being warned of the consequences regarding the things politicians in Washington are doing. The whole "Fiscal Cliff" issue recently was a big charade and prime example of political theater. It accomplished nothing, in terms of addressing the real problems.
To add insult to injury, it added a ratio of 41 dollars in spending for every 1 dollar raised in "revenue" (I despise the term revenue when it comes to taxes, as it makes it seem like the government is engaging in market-based transactions of a voluntary nature. Let's call them what they are: Taxes. Language has suffered enough casualties in this age of spin and sugar-coating.)
The real fiscal cliff is crossing the 17 trillion bridge and soaring higher. It baffles me why so few people put the same urgency and focus on this monstrosity that they did on the political theater version of the "Fiscal Cliff". We are heading right towards inflation, downgrading of our national credit rating, devaluation of the dollar, and a whole lot more while we are on this entirely unsustainable path.
The economy is worsening. Make no mistake about that. As I've mentioned before, every small business person I deal with is closing, consolidating, and downsizing. I rarely see startups and almost never encounter a small business expanding. Small businesses are the engine of employment in the USA, and when you have the small business world in decline nothing good is going to come out of it.
Further, when economies are in decline and hardship spreads, crime begins to rise fast. This is the untold story across the US. Also, residents of many cities are facing a fast-rising nemesis in the form of gangs. Common estimates are that there are well over 1.4 million gang members in the USA and their numbers are increasing fast and will continue to rise with widespread unemployment among young adults. Gangs are behind the bulk of gun related murders in cities like Chicago.
So what kind of discussion are we having here in the USA right now? Disarming law-abiding citizens aka gun control. I always find it disturbing that the actions of a crazy individual inevitably turns into an outcry to take rights away from law abiding individuals. Do you really think that the gangs and criminals are going to be disarmed? Laws have worked so well in keeping illegal drugs out of their hands (heavy sarcasm intended).
This debate has also put on display an appalling lack of knowledge in the American public about the 2nd Amendment and why it was placed in the Bill of Rights. I plan on doing a major post about this in the hopes that people will research this for themselves, but the 2nd Amendment is not about sporting or hunting, or just home defense. It is a unique recognition of the right of free people to have the means to defend themselves against a government gone tyrannical. This reality of the basis for the 2nd Amendment has largely been ignored in the mainstream media. In my opinion this is because it does not fit their agenda to advance gun control legislation.
If the 2nd Amendment rendered worthless, the way is clear to roll over any other right that is inconvenient at a given time. There is also a terrible side effect of this gun control agenda. The efforts to disarm law-abiding citizens are successful, it will give rise to countless tragedies as people who otherwise might have had a chance to defend themselves and their families are going to be subjected to home invasions, burglaries, assaults, and rapes, all of which are going to rise greatly in number with the lethal combination of a terrible economy and disarmed, soft targets everywhere.
Of course, the Feinstein and Bloomberg types out there who believe they know best how you should live your life will not take any responsibility for the proliferation of tragedies in the wake of their draconian gun control agendas. Also take particular note that these kinds of elites are always protected by armed guards, and send their children to schools that have armed guards. They just don't want the masses to have the same kinds of protections for their kids or themselves. This hypocrisy is mind-boggling to those who are willing to see it for what it is.
To put it simply, the bad guys are not going to cease what they do. If anything, a disarmed US populace is a criminal's dream situation.
There are times when I stop and think of the kind of fiber in the leaders at the foundation of this country and the clowns we have in Washington today. It is debilitating to think we've gone from individuals such as George Washington, Ben Franklin, John Adams, Patrick Henry, George Mason, Thomas Paine, and the like to those such as Nancy Pelosi, John Boehner, Harry Reid, Chris Christie, Chuck Schumer, Dianne Feinstein, and Eric Cantor.
The contrast between the two groups couldn't be more stark, and it would be laughable if it wasn't both sad and distressing to see how the quality of leadership has sunk so very far One set in motion a nation that embraced individual freedom like no other an history, the latter illustrate Franklin's warning when asked what kind of government had been formed. He had responded, "a republic, if you can keep it."
Well, we are well on the way to losing it, and we are also facing another of Franklin's declarations, namely that those who "can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
So I hold to the thoughts I expressed after the election, in that we are going to see a major military conflict in the near future, continued economic erosion, and nothing being done to address the fundamental problems. I know this sounds gloomy, but how can you expect anything different when you make no changes in foreign policy, in economic policy, and double-down on the things choking entrepreneurship and small businesses like rising taxes and unnecessary regulations.
Our inane foreign policy continues. On one hand we are told relentlessly that intrusive surveillance and heavy-handed security presences are there to "protect us" from Islamic militants, and in the next breath the US aids and assist the very same kind of Islamic militants in taking over Libya, and gives the same support to the same kind of militants in Syria. From Tunisia, to Egypt, to Libya, to Syria, and all across this region government authority is falling under a united and much more extreme ideology that is not going to lead to anything good for he world. Yet even after the Benghazi incident most people still can't see what's going on or who's coming to power across the region.
Iraq is still highly violent and unstable, the Taliban is alive and well in Afghanistan, and at the end of the day one has to ask why so many good men and women are dying at the behest of the politicians who do not even have the decency to follow the Constitution and declare war.
I could go on and on, but seeing all this insanity at home and abroad can be pretty frustrating, especially in the light of history. Great lessons are there to be learned, and what they have to teach bodes very ill for the United States. One can only hope that the Liberty Movement continues to educate and gain steam, and that sovereignty is pulled back to local levels, that individual liberties are defended, that people regain self-determination, and much more. A stop can be put to the ills that plague us and the things that made us strong can be restored. It just takes people with willpower to make it happen.
As for me, I will move forward, and do my best in everything I do. Nobody can say for certain what the future holds, but at the end of the day it is about what you choose to do, not what others choose to do.
I do hope that success, peace and happiness finds everyone this year, but I think a time of struggle is ahead. Yet sometimes hardship brings out the best in men and women, and many heroes will rise to the occasion. Hang in there, keep your head up, and continue to pursue your dreams!
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Free Kindle Titles all Christmas Week! SSP Open House!
Passing this along from SSP! A WEEK LONG Open House from Monday through Friday, including the first book of my Fires in Eden Series, Crown of Vengeance! Be sure to pass the word along to everyone you know who has a Kindle or gets one this coming week! :)
| From December 24-28th, SSP has an open house on Amazon Kindle including all of its authors who have eBooks available! Many genres and styles available! All books include cover art and interior artwork from the award-winning artists Matthew Perry and Bonnie Wasson! The free books include the following (along with additional titles available for sale from each author): Spook House by Michael West (horror, a Harmony, Indiana Novel. Other Harmony Indiana tales include the novel Cinema of Shadows, and the short stories Goodnight, and For the River is Wide and the Gods Are Hungry. Michael's urban fantasy series The Legacy of the Gods includes Book One, Poseidon's Children) http://www.amazon.com/ Redheart by Jackie Gamber (YA Fantasy, Book One of the Leland Dragon Series. Book Two, Sela, is available) http://www.amazon.com/ Haunting Obsession by R.J. Sullivan (Paranormal Thriller, A Rebecca Burton Novella. Also available from R.J. is Backstage Pass, a Rebecca Burton Short Story) http://www.amazon.com/ The Brotherhood of Dwarves by D.A. Adams (YA Fantasy, Book One of the Brotherhood of Dwarves Series. Book Two, Red Sky at Dawn, Book Three, The Fall of Dorkhun, and Book Four, Between Dark and Light are also available) http://www.amazon.com/ Angelkiller by H. David Blalock (Urban Fantasy, Book One of the Angelkiller Triad. Book Two, Traitor Angel, is also available) http://www.amazon.com/ Overkill by Steven Shrewsbury (Sword and Sorcery, a Gorias La Gaul Story. Other available Gorias La Gaul tales include the novel Thrall, and the short stories Author and Finisher of Our Flesh, Beginning of the Trail, and Insurmountable) http://www.amazon.com/ Crown of Vengeance by Stephen Zimmer (Epic Fantasy, Book One of the Fires in Eden Series. Book Two, Dream of Legends, and Book Three, Spirit of Fire, are also available, as well as the short stories set in the same world, including Lion Heart, Land of Shadow, and Into Glory Ride. Stephen's urban fantasy series, The Rising Dawn Saga, includes Book One, The Exodus Gate, Book Two, The Storm Guardians, and Book Three, The Seventh Throne, as well as the short story set in the same world, Temples Rising.)http://www.amazon.com/ The seven titles spotlighted above are free on Kindle the entire week from Monday through Friday! Spread the word and load up your brand new Kindles! |
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Worlds of Wonder Author Hop Day 7: Character Interview of King Hakon from Spirit of Fire
Here we are on the seventh and final day of the Worlds of Wonder Author Hop. I've got a new character interview for you to enjoy, this one of King Hakon of Midragard from the Fires in Eden Series. All you have to know for the character interview is that Midragard has a Viking-like culture, and King Hakon is an elderly king who is facing an existential threat to his people at the very twilight of his life. He is one of my favorite characters in the series, as while his body is aged his heart and spirit are strong!
Before we go to that, I want to thank Kimberly Comeau and T.C. Archer, and Holly from FMB Tours, who put all of this together and scheduled things. I really enjoyed participating this week and hope everyone liked the content that I contributed here. Thank you to everyone who visitied the blog! Be sure to stay in touch!
-Stephen
Character Interview with King Hakon of Midragard
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| King Hakon of Midragard with 2 retainers and his wolf Heder. Artwork by Matthew Perry |
King Hakon: As good as a man my age can be, I suppose. The spirit of Midragard is yet strong, and that keeps my own strength up.
And that great wolf Heder?
King Hakon: He watches over me always, and still has the energy of a cub! That wolf has been a dear companion to me through many years. He is not a mere animal, but rather a friend.
I know you are sensing a very dark time ahead for Midragard. You have sent an entire fleet to the north to help the Saxans.
King Hakon: The tidings from the north are dark indeed. A storm has broken over the Five Realms and Saxany, two realms that have Midragard's friendship.
A great force formed from many lands has invaded Saxany. I had to act, as the Saxans do not have the strength to withstand the invasion for long. Even with the help of Midragard, I cannot say whether they will be able to hold the enemy back.
Why did you send the fleet, and not hold it back to defend your own shores?
King Hakon: I am defending our shores by sending the fleet north. If we stay here and do nothing, and let the allies of the Unifier destroy the Saxans and others, we will be alone when the enemy comes to our lands. We must do everything we can to stand with the other realms that wish to remain free of the Unifier's dominion.
Aid also goes to the Five Realms?
King Hakon: Yes, from the estates of many islands along the trading routes near the Five Realms. A good number of experienced Midragardan warriors have gone into the afflicted tribal lands. I do not yet know of their fate.
King Hakon: Long have I known dragons. They thrive among the Drakkar Mountains within Midragard. But they are like cubs to a full grown wolf in comparison to an Elder. I never thought in my lifetime I would set my eyes upon one of those majestic creatures.
Yet the appearance of The Elder in our world is a dark omen in itself. The Elder drew back from the world ages ago, and have not been seen or heard from until now. Only something of tremendous importance would cause them to come back into the world of humans.
Will the dragons of your lands take part in the coming fight, especially since the Elder seem opposed to the Unifier?
King Hakon: The dragons know that Midragard gave them a haven, when they could find no rest in other lands. They revere the Elder, and I know in my heart they will not stand aside when the darkness shrouds our lands.
What are some of the other sources of strength to help defend Midragard?
King Hakon: The Berzerks, and the Ulfhednar. The Order they are a part of is ancient in these lands, and they are pledged to defend us. Each one of them is worth a great number of enemy warriors.
There are also many Wizards who have an affinity for Midragard, and they will not wish to see usurpers triumph.
And the Fenraren that Midargardan warriors ride into battle?
King Hakon: The Fenraren are tough and noble steeds. In each of them is an echo of the great Fenris. We are fortunate to have them with us during this time. If the enemy wishes to cross the skies of Midragard, they will not go uncontested.
What are some of your biggest worries at the moment?
King Hakon: Fate has seen to it that Midragard's most difficult hour arrives when my own life is at a very late hour. I only hope I have the strength to do what is right by my people.
You are regarded as a just and good king. Why do you think that is?
King Hakon: I do not seek to interfere with the aspirations of the Midragardan people. A king of Midragard is not like the kings I have heard of in other lands. We are here to lead in times of war, and we are here to help build trade and keep order. But other than times of war, a Midragardan should have little need for a king. We are a proud, strong, and free people, and I believe a good king of Midragard allows people to live their lives without interference.
Of course, as long as they bring no harm to others.
Thank you for speaking with me, King Hakon.
King Hakon: It was an honor. May the All-Father's grace be with you always.
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