CassaDark Release! Interview with Alex Cavanaugh and IWSG!

 

CassaDark

By Alex J. Cavanaugh

His world is unraveling…

Bassan’s father is stepping down from command. His best friend almost dies when Bassan freezes. Now, he’s being sent across the galaxy to speak at an important conference. Despite saving the eleven races years ago, he’s paralyzed by fear and doubt. Could things get any worse?

Once there, new acquaintance Zendar convinces Bassan to visit his planet for a humanitarian mission. Bassan’s special connection to ancient technology is the key to saving Zendar’s people. One problem though—it’s a prisoner planet.

On Ugar, he discovers things aren’t so straightforward. As each secret reveals itself, the situation grows more desperate. If he can’t find the right answers, he might die along with Zendar’s people. Can Bassan summon the courage to be a hero again?

Trade paperback, 226 pages, Dancing Lemur Press, LLC
Science fiction - Adventure (FIC028010) / Space Opera (FIC028030) / Space Exploration (FIC028130)
Print ISBN 9781939844842 $16.95 / eBook ISBN 9781939844859 $4.99

Links:
iTunes – https://books.apple.com/us/book/x/id1574189874
Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0982FL3SH
Barnes & Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940164947033
Kobo – https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=9781939844859 
Scribed – https://www.scribd.com/search?query=9781939844859&language=0 
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58461762-cassadark 

Interview with Alex Cavanaugh!

Kathy: Hi Alex! Great to have you here!

Alex: Thanks for having me!

K: I've known you "virtually" for a long time and it was a thrill and a joy to read your latest adventure in the Cassa world! I'd love to hear more about what went into this newest journey through space. So let's just get started:

K: In your Cassa series most of the books follow Byron, what made you choose to tell Bassan's story this time?

 

A: By the time I got to CassaStorm, Byron was now in his early sixties. (Cassans live to be 120, so he wasn’t quite as old as it sounds.) But since I kept jumping ahead twenty years in between books, I knew the next jump would place Byron too old for action and adventure. (Like having Harrison Ford do Indiana Jones right now!) An idea for an adventure for Bassan (Byron’s son) hit me and I decided that was the next logical step in the stories—move on to the next generation. I only jumped ahead fifteen years for this one, though…

 

K: I agree! I'm all for staying active late in life, but I don't really want to see an 80 year old Harrison Ford in an action movie! 😬😳 How much growth can an 80 year old experience throughout a story arc any way? The growth and progression of Bassan's character and how he learns to trust himself as well as those around him was one of the things I loved most about this book. Can you talk about how you crafted Bassan into a well-rounded character?

 

A: Sheer luck? Just kidding! Bassan was a bit shy as a child and always following his older friend’s lead, and I figured that carried over into adulthood. Add the fact that he feels his greatest achievement was saving the races when he was ten and it’s now fifteen years later. He’s aware that’s mostly what he’s known for. He doesn’t like change, but he wants his life to mean more. It fed into his insecurity. Dump on the concerns of choosing a life mate, of disappointing people, and fear of new things, and I think I gave him a lot of qualities many people deal with in real life.

 

K: Yes, you did! And I think there are so many people who have early success in something whether it's school, sports, or music and then all of a sudden as they age, they struggle with the fact that maybe they have already had their moment of greatness and wonder where to turn. I'm so glad Bassan learned to trust in the fact that his greatness was his courage to do the right thing and risk his own life to help others.

 

K: Let's talk a little bit about world building--the Cassa world is huge!! What is your process to keep all the details straight?

And how do you go about coming up with new species for your worlds? My favorite in this one was the xert!

 

A: I wish I could tell you I keep everything organized on a spreadsheet or something, but I really don’t. I do have the basics for each race and the planets encountered in the series written down, although when writing this, I had to refer to CassaStorm, the previous book, more than once. I guess I have lived with this world so long, it’s ingrained in me.

Glad you liked the xert! He was a last minute addition. I tend to focus so much on people that I forget critters. But on a planet with few people, those critters would be all over the place.

 

K: About how long does it take you to write a new book?

 

A: Depends on the book. This one took almost two years, because I’d taken a long, long break and was quite rusty once I began writing again. The first one was about a year. The next three took around two to four months, so that’s probably closer to my average. 

 

K: Two to four months on average! That's awesome! I hope some day I can write that proficiently. What is coming next in the CassaWorld? Or are you planning something totally different?

 

A: I have no idea. I may have thrown everything at Byron’s family that I can. As for my standalone, outside of death, I can’t think of anything else to throw at that main character. Might have to come up with something new.

 

K: I can't wait to see what you conjure up! Which sci-fi books or movies have had the biggest influence on your writing?

 

A: I read a lot of Arthur C. Clarke, Alan Dean Foster, Robert L Heinlein, and Terry Brooks when I was younger. More recently, Timothy Zahn’s Star Wars books have been a big influence. (The man knows how to keep things brief and moving!) As for movies, of course Battlestar Galactica and Star Wars influenced me when I was younger, and the slew of new science fiction movies keep the ideas flowing.

 

K: Those are the giants of sci-fi!

As the Ninja captain of IWSG, I know you're super busy! Do you do speaking engagements, book fairs, or writers conferences? What do you feel has been the best way to get your book in front of readers?

 

A: I’m not much for in-person events. Most of what I’ve done in the past has been through my connections online and blogging. Times have changed, so we’ll see how well that does for this book. Thankfully my publisher does a lot of marketing and comic con appearances to make up for what I lack.

 

K: Is there anything else you would like to share? 

 

A: Buy the book!

Just kidding.

CassaDark may be the fourth in a series, but it can be read alone, especially as it follows a different character than the other three. 

 

Thanks for letting me ramble, Kathy!

K: You're welcome! And yes, everyone go out and buy the book! It's a great read!

And here's a cool graphic of all of Alex's books, go read them all! 😀

Alex J. Cavanaugh works in web design and graphics, and he plays guitar in a Christian band. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is known as Ninja Captain Alex and he’s the founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. 
http://alexjcavanaugh.com  

https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/

https://twitter.com/AlexJCavanaugh

 

When I first started blogging over 12 years ago, Alex was there to be a voice of encouragement and support. He brought so many of us together, sponsoring fun contests, bloghops and finally creating the Insecure Writer's Support Group, now a site recognized as one of the top Writer's sites by Writer's Digest. Without Alex, I most likely would have quit blogging a very long time ago. Thanks Alex for creating this wonderful writing family!!!

And now for April's IWSG post!

 

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!--from IWSG website

Find us on Twitter at @TheIWSG #IWSG

The awesome co-hosts for this month are: Joylene Nowell Butler,  Jemima Pett, Patricia Josephine, Louise - Fundy Blue, and Kim Lajevardi!

Question of the Month: Have any of your books been made into audio books? If so, what is the main challenge in producing an audiobook? 

I haven't made my book into an audio book yet, though I am thinking about doing that eventually. So I welcome any suggestions or ideas on this topic.

My insecurity for this month is that I have a few library/bookstore talks coming up this spring and I'm a little nervous about them. I actually don't mind public speaking too much but in the past I have always spoken about my other career: the sport of figure skating. I've spent over thirty years teaching beginner to advanced skaters so I'm super comfortable speaking about it.  Talking about my memoir, One Year on Broadway seems like a much more daunting task.

Are you excited to read CassaDark? What are your tips on audiobook creation or speaking events?

Have a lovely April! We're finally seeing a little bit of sun here in Ohio!

Love, 

Kathy :)

Looking For a Virtual Workout? #Virtualfitness

Core Rhythm Fitness: CRF Live! Best Virtual Group Workout!

It's ten a.m. I rush to my living room and lay out my yoga mat. The weights are where they are easy to grab, my big water bottle is filled and ready. I open my computer and click on the Zoom link.

The connection goes through and I hear that delightfully familiar scream, "Kathyyyy!" Rodrick stretches out my name like he's vocally hugging me. Then his smile brings a ray of light into my heart even in these anxiety-ridden times. Rodrick Covington, founder of Core Rhythm Fitness, (CRF) checks in with everyone as their faces pop up on screen. 

In today's class, there are fifteen of us. I'm glad to see so many familiar faces. I've never met any of these people in person, they live around the country and even in Mexico, but seeing them day-to-day struggling through the workout with me brings us together. We're a community, all here to sweat our stress away. 

But it's not just the High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT class) that we're here for. We log in every morning because at least for this one hour of the day, we feel lifted, like we've just been to church. Rodrick's words ground us and bind us together as a family even while we're in our own spaces jumping off our mats.

This is not just a workout, this is about mind, body, soul, and our collective human spirit.

"Mary," Rodrick says and pins her screen so we can all see her, "what is this month's mantra?"

"Surrender," she says, taking herself off mute. 

"Yesss! And what does surrender mean to you, Mary?"

She thinks for a moment. "It means to let go of things I cannot control."

"Yes! Letting go of those other things allows you to make room for the new!" 

We all take a moment to ponder what this means to us.

"Okay, let's get started. First are there any injuries or issues I should know about?" He always gives modifications to every exercise so that anyone can do them. If your back or knees bother you, he will adjust the exercises. A couple of weeks ago, my seventy-nine year old mom joined in on the classes while I was visiting her and she did the whole workout with modifications.

 

"Lie down on your mat, legs straight at a forty-five degree angle, heels together, toes apart, arms six inches off the mat and pulse." Rodrick leads us through the pilates warm-up.

By the time we're done with the first five minutes, my abs are in a knot and on fire. I hope that means I'm pushing myself harder because even though I've been doing this six times a week for over a year, it never seems to get easier!

Only forty-five minutes left to go.

The next exercise is side lunges into a squat, thankfully no weights today. Only sixty seconds of each exercise, but thirty seconds in and my legs already feel heavy. I feel like I might not make it today. I suck in a deep breath. Twenty-five seconds left.

Rodrick senses my waining stamina through the screen and calls out, "C'mon Kathy, just a few more!"

I dig deeper. I breathe and keep pushing.

Somehow I make it through to the end of class. And then Rodrick says the word I've been waiting for. "Rest."

I lay on my mat in a pool of sweat, my muscles still vibrating from the exertion. I listen as he guides us through the stretching cool down.  

To end the class he says, "Share in the chat what surrender means to you."

Today, I'm not sure what to type, so I read everyone else's responses. Jesse types, "To live in the moment and let go of everything else." Living in the moment is exactly what the CRF classes force me to do. We all say goodbye and I lay back down on my mat. 

My body is tired, but I feel strong and spiritually uplifted, though I know I will be sore as hell tomorrow. 

For more information or to join in on the CRF Live fun, click the link. Core Rhythm Fitness is located in New York City and is rated #1 on ClassPass! In addition to their virtual group classes, they also offer virtual personal training as well as a virtual nutrition program.

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A post shared by Core Rhythm Fitness NYC (@corerhythmfitness)

 

Other News:

TEN days until August 26th, the official launch of One Year On Broadway: Finding Ourselves Between the Sand and the Sea! It is the unlikely story of how my husband and I took a leap and became co-producers of our favorite Broadway musical. Click the link to pre-order the Kindle version. 

Also, Natalie Aguirre over at Literary Rambles is highlighting One Year On Broadway in her Follower News, so head on over there and give her some love! Thanks Natalie for mentioning my new book! 

I also want to give a big shout out to J.L Woodson over at Woodson Creative Studios for designing a cover that I love!

Hope to see you soon at the virtual CRF gym! 

Kathy :)

Writing From the Heart #IWSG

 

The first Wednesday of every month is the Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) Day! The IWSG is an amazing community of writers brought together by Alex J. Cavanaugh. It is a place where we can share our fears, successes, thoughts, and expert tips about writing in a safe space without the fear of feeling foolish. Sign up here to join!

Today our fabulous hosts are PK Hrezo, Cathrina Constantine, PJ Colando, Kim Lejevardi, and Sandra Cox. Please stop by to tell them thanks for hosting!

This month's optional question is:

What is your favorite writing craft book? Think of a book that every time you read it you learn something or you are inspired to write or try the new technique. And why?

I started writing my first stories in elementary school. Our teacher assigned us a story a week using as many spelling words as possible. Even though it was assignment, I wrote for me, crafting the silliest, craziest stories that made me laugh. I had no idea about any of the actual techniques of writing other than basic English grammar that we had learned up to that point. 

They probably weren't good stories, but every week I got my paper back with a big red "A" on it and that made me want to write as much as I had time for. 

As soon as I could I signed up for creative writing courses in high school. I was lucky enough to have a mother who was also interested in writing stories so we both attended several writing conferences together to learn all we could.

Most of the books I read about writing were during that time, pre-Goodreads. Either they weren't very good books or I have a terrible memory because I can't think of a single title.

I'm not sure why I didn't take creative writing in college. Probably because my parents kept encouraging me to major in something I would make money in and for some reason, though I was a passionate writer, I didn't think of it as a profession. I changed majors five times trying to find what I wanted to study that could be a career. I started with engineering but there's so much math!

As a professional figure skating coach, I haven't used my degree in linguistics once. Oh well.

Finally, I came back to writing and started reading about the techniques of writing and that's when I found,

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

It has everything. He gives us an up close and personal master class filled with tips on writing a better story and things to watch out for as well as when to not worry about all the rules, and advice to trust yourself. Every time I read it, I want to grab my notebook or computer and write for hours. My biggest take away from it brings me back to my elementary classroom--write what you want to write and write it from the heart.

It also made me start reading his other books, which, because I'm not really a fan of scary things, I had never read. I'm still not a fan of scary things but I do love his writing. 

What is your favorite book on writing?

*****

In other news, I will have a release date for my debut non-fiction book, One Year On Broadway: Finding Ourselves Between the Sand and the Sea, very soon! Stay tuned! 

A true story of forbidden love, adventure, and letting go

How do you know when it’s time to close one chapter of your life and begin a new one? To let go of the past, open your heart, and trust in a new beginning?

At first we said, “no.” We knew it was ridiculous.

And yet something in our hearts led us back to the Island.

Having no idea where it would lead, my husband and I took a leap of faith and became co-producers of the Broadway Revival of Once On This Island, the musical that had given us so much. 

Even if it failed, we would have a great story to tell.

We ended up with so much more.

I'm still looking for a few more people who would be willing to help with the launch! Anything you can do helps: a blog post, a review, a social media shout-out, anything that fits your schedule!

Thank you to all the wonderful people who have already contacted me about helping!

Hope you all have a wonderful August! 

Kathy :)

Writing Is My Sanctuary--#IWSG post

 

We have made it through half of 2021 already which seems impossible, but here we are and now it is the first Wednesday in July!

The first Wednesday of every month is the Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) Day! The IWSG is an amazing community of writers brought together by Alex J. Cavanaugh. It is a place where we can share our fears, successes, thoughts, and expert tips about writing in a safe space without the fear of feeling foolish. Sign up here to join!

Our awesome co-hosts for this month are:  Pat Garcia, Victoria Mare Lees, Chemist Ken, and Louise–Fundy Blue

Every month an optional question is asked. July's question is: 

What would make you quit writing?

Writing is my sanctuary, my release, my meditation. Every since my hand could physically hold a pencil I wrote. There was magic in putting a mark on a blank paper that other people could understand. Before I understood how to form my own sentences on paper, I would copy down every word of my favorite books. 

In fifth grade, I couldn't wait until Thursday--the day our teacher instructed us to use our spelling words to create a story.

I have never stopped writing. It's not always stories, sometimes it's poems, sometimes it's detailed journaling to remember trips, special occasions, or the daily simple details of life. Sometimes it's just putting thoughts down as a way to figure out this crazy journey of life.

Writing is always there for me.

There are only two things that could make me stop writing: 

1. Advanced dementia to the point that I can't form sentences--which is an actual possibility for me since my dad recently passed from Parkinson's with severe dementia

2. Death

Until either of those occur, I will always turn to writing in some form. I still believe their is magic in words. After all, where else can we travel through time and experience the past except in reading the words of Shakespeare, Cervantes, or Alexander Dumas; or begin to understand what others around us in our own times have experienced without reading Audre Lorde, James Baldwin, Lorraine Hansberry or countless others.

Whether or not anyone else reads my words, for me, writing is as integral to my being as breath.

Is there anything that would make you stop writing? Has it been a part of you for a long time or did you recently discover the magic of writing? 

*On a side note, I'm still looking for anyone who would like to help out with my upcoming book launch. If you're interested in giving it a review or being a part of my blog hop team email me at kjmckendry@yahoo.com 

One Year On Broadway: Finding Ourselves Between the Sand and the Sea by Kathryn McKendry

A true story of forbidden love, adventure, and letting go

How do you know when it’s time to close one chapter of your life and begin a new one? To let go of the past, open your heart, and trust in a new beginning?

At first we said, “no.” We knew it was ridiculous.

And yet something in our hearts led us back to the Island.

Having no idea where it would lead, my husband and I took a leap of faith and became co-producers of the Broadway Revival of Once On This Island, the musical that had given us so much. 

Even if it failed, we would have a great story to tell.

We ended up with so much more.

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Kathy

Releasing a Book is Like Buying a House #IWSG

 

The Insecure Writer's Support Group posts the first Wednesday of every month. The purpose of this group is to express your doubts and fears as a writer without feeling foolish. It's a place where we writers can come together to offer support and advice to one another and share our triumphs.

Thank you to our fearless leader Alex J. Cavanaugh for creating the IWSG and to all of this month's co-hosts! J Lenni Dorner, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, Lee Lowry, and Rachna Chhabria.

Every month, IWSG gives an optional prompt question. For June the question is: How long do you shelve a manuscript before editing it. Does experience writing make a difference in the time you take?

I have only completed two book-length manuscripts. The first one I put away for several years and I've never really finished editing it. 

My most recent I put away for about a week after completing the first draft. What about you? How long do you wait between drafting and editing? 

 

I have several insecurities this month. 

One Year On Broadway:
Finding Ourselves
Between the Sand and the Sea
My Debut Book!

I'm both thrilled and sort of terrified that my debut non-fiction book, One Year On Broadway: Finding Ourselves Between the Sand and the Sea, is set to come out this summer!

 It is a story of forbidden love, adventure, and letting go.

I'm a bit overwhelmed with everything I still have to do before launch day. But I also want to enjoy this whole crazy process. After all you only release your first book once in your life!

All the anxiety around releasing a book feels a bit like buying a house. There are so many pieces that have to fall into place and deadlines that need to be met and sometimes they just don't work out. What's most frustrating is that often they are out of your control, like when the house inspector finds radon gas and black mold in your dream house or the book cover designer needs to start over on your cover because his computer crashed and totally stopped working. 

Once the cover was completed I had a licensing issue with the subtitle (my fault), I had to come up with a new title and then we had to go back for another cover re-design. I still don't have the final cover.

Each time it happens, I'm disappointed, realizing I have to change the book's release date yet again. Though after missing my first two dates, I let it go. The only thing that really matters is that my story eventually makes it out into the world. 

So I'm tentatively saying my book will release this summer, though I keep wondering if some other unforeseen issue will pop up and delay it further.

I'm also insecure about the fact that I haven't blogged regularly in a few years and all my old bloggie buddies probably think I dropped off the planet. I've let my platform that I worked for several years to build up, slide into obscurity.  It has taken me quite a while to even relearn how to use Blogger, it seems it has changed a bit since I last used it and I kind of feel like the old lady who needs help from a kid to figure it all out again! 

And because I've been absent from the blogosphere for so long, I'm insecure about asking for help getting the word out about my book once the release date is set in stone.

But I am here now and ready to again be an active part of supporting everyone in this community. I can't wait to see what you have all been up to. Thank you all for being part of this amazing group!

I'd love to hear your book release stories.

What kinds of things do you do to prepare for your book launches? Do you hold physical launch parties and if so where? or do you just do virtual launches, blog hops and tours etc? What have been the most effective things you've done to get your book into the world on schedule? and what things have gone wrong?

Kathy

One Year On Broadway

How do you know when it’s time to close one chapter of your life and begin a new one? To let go of the past, open your heart, and trust in a new beginning. To take a leap.

At first we said, “no.” We knew it was ridiculous.

And yet something in our hearts led us back to the island.

Having no idea where it would lead, Jesse and I took a leap of faith and became co-producers of the Broadway Revival of Once On This Island, the story that had given us so much. 

Even if it failed, we would have a great story to tell. 

We ended up with so much more.

Here is an excerpt from my first book, One Year On Broadway: Ridiculous! Interesting! More Amusing Than Mangoes! 

Coming out soon!

LIES Bloghop

I'm so proud and happy to participate in the LIES Bloghop to celebrate the release of The Inferiors, the second book in the From the Ashes Trilogy by my daughter, Jessica McKendry!!

She published her first book when she was 16 and despite all the trials and tribulations of the teen years as well as battling a life threatening health condition, she managed to keep writing and pull herself through. So this last week as she turned 21 and she released The Inferiors to the world, I couldn't be happier.  I probably don't tell her this enough, because as a mom it's my job to keep pushing her farther than even she thinks she can go, but despite all the things she sometimes forgets or slips up on she's an amazing woman and I'm so proud that she's my daughter!!


The Inferiors description:  After winning the Trials, Jaina Indera is accepted into the Crystal City. She has finally achieved her dream; she has proven herself worthy of being Superior. Yet four months after arriving in her new home, Jaina receives a message that changes her life forever. As her future starts to crumble before her, the beauty of the Crystal City disappears. There is no escape from the terrible perfection of the City.

When Jaina is kidnapped by her former teammates, her life is shattered. Kavi doesn't trust her, Liam won't listen, and Dragon is part of a secret resistance. Jaina must choose between a comfortable life in the Alliance, or face a terrible reality; every day of her life has been a lie. The dark veracity of who she really is remains hidden away. Only one person can help her discover the truth, but time is running out.

2 LIES and a TRUTH... why?

Because in The Inferiors, Jaina is confronted with a number of things that she doesn't want to believe are true and some which she has always believed that now she finds out were lies.  Is her whole life a lie?  You'll have to read it to find out! :)

Okay so let's play 2 Lies and a Truth!  I'll give you 2 lies from my life and 1 truth, see if you can guess what is true!  If you've read enough of my blog posts, I think you'll be fine!  Whoever guesses correctly will be put in a drawing to win either a copy of From the Ashes or the Inferiors, your choice!


1. I've lived in Ohio all my life
2. I don't like heavy metal or rap music
3. I have an irrational fear of sharks even in fresh water

See if you can figure out which one is true!


The Inferiors ebook, paperback on Amazon!
From the Ashes on Amazon which is on sale now for .99 as an ebook!


And thanks again to Alex J. Cavanaugh for hosting Jessica yesterday!

Have a wonderful day!

Kathy :)