WordCrafter Blog Tour for Midnight Roost: Christa Planko and MJ Mallon are Spooky Fun Authors

Video Reading from The Cull by MJ Mallon

 

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MJ's writing credits include YA, paranormal, best-selling horror, supernatural short stories, flash fiction, poetry, pandemic inspired poetry and best-selling anthologies. 

Poetry/flash fiction collections include Lockdown Innit, Mr. Sagittarius Poetry & Prose, The Hedge Witch And The Musical Poet and Do What You Love. 

Her eclectic blog shares her love of reading, reviewing, writing, poetry, photography, and travel: https://mjmallon.com.

Visit MJ's Social Media Sites: 

https://linktr.ee/mjmallonauthor/

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Giveaway

A chance to win a free digital copy of Midnight Roost at every stop. Just leave a comment at Writing to Be Read to show your support for the tour, the anthology, and all of the fantastic authors.

To buy the Midnight Roost anthology 

with both author's stories,

 visit: Books2Read.

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Interview with Christa Planko about her short story: The Easterville Glass Ghost


What inspired you to write “The Easterville Glass Ghost?”

My inspiration for “The Easterville Glass Ghost” began with a trip to the Estellville Glassworks, a historic site near me. I first visited the site when I moved to the area in 2008. It has haunted me ever since!

Today, the glassworks is more of a graveyard for the 19th -century factory that bustled with activity from 1825 to 1877. Most of its structures have nothing left beyond their foundations. But the most prominent structure, the melting furnace, has three stone walls remaining. The front of the building features four large arches. Beyond these walls lies brick and stone rubble and the deep pits where glassblowers would form molten glass into cylinders.

Imagine how eerie it is to walk through the woods and happen upon Estellville’s imposing arched structure! As many times as I’ve returned to hike in the surrounding woods, I always get chills when the ruins first come into sight. It has prompted many imaginative musings about the people that lived and worked there. What was it like to work among fiery furnaces, handling molten glass? Was it competitive work? Was it dangerous? So dangerous that anyone ever died?

These musings led to the creation of “The Easterville Glass Ghost.” The story came together based on my own research about the factory and 19th -century glassblowing, coupled with imagination and fictional characters.

Have you ever had a ghostly encounter?

I did have an unexplained experience once. It involved the sensation of a hand sliding down my shoulder to my back. And it so happened that it was at the site of the Estellville Glassworks. This experience is what I fictionalized in my story.

While I’m not sure I had an actual “ghostly” encounter, if a spirit was present that day, it was a protective one. Nobody else was around at the time. I was technically trespassing at the site, climbing on top of a brick pile for a better view. The hand I felt on my shoulder coincided with me losing my footing—kind of like a steadying hand, ensuring my safety.

So, do I believe in spirits? I’m not sure about ghosts, but I do believe in spirit. By that, I mean the spirit that comprises character and lives on after a person expires. Elements of the human spirit—such as love, joy, kindness, gentleness—transcend time and space. These are things that we remember about loved ones and others who have passed. They are the traits written about heroes in history books. They imprint on us, encourage us, and inspire us to be the same—to make a difference in others’ lives. This is also a theme I aim to capture in my story.

Thank you for your questions and the opportunity to participate in the blog tour for Midnight Roost!

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Christa Planko, MA, is a professional writer with a passion for creative expression. She has had her poetry and short stories featured in several publications, including Tanka and Haiku Journal, Poetry Quarterly, New Jersey Bards, and Every Day Fiction. Her story, “The Olde-Tyme Village,” won the 2021 WordCrafter Short Fiction Contest. Christa resides in South Jersey with her feline muses. 

Christa graduated from Rutgers University (New Brunswick, NJ) with a BA in English Literature and from Drew University (Madison, NJ) with an MA in English Literature.  

Website: https://christascorner.godaddysites.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristasCorner2023

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Purchase

To buy the Midnight Roost anthology 

with both author's stories,

 visit: Books2Read. 

 

 

Great Paranormal and Supernatural Treats this Autumn Cider Season on Undawnted

Autumn is most people's favorite season. How is that even a question? Hot cocoa. Campfires. Halloween. What is there not to love? 

Aaachoo! Oh, may be that. While we grab some tissue, see what Autumn Cider Seasonal Reads has ready for download from Lulu & Amazon: 

Novels  
In the Name of Blood: Vampires are Relative
Some people have a supernatural lineage unlike any other.

Short Stories

The Reality Hackers
Don't let your life get hacked. 

Long Form Poetry
Baptizing the Dead 
Beware... the Devil may come bearing gifts.

Wild West and the Pueblo Diablo 
A lone sheriff tracks the devil to a remote pueblo.

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If there are treats, then there has to be a trick, right?

The Legacy Universe's Ophlupin werewolf mythology short story will not be out until after All Hallow's Eve! Darn it! 

We knew there was a catch.

Short Stories
The Story of Ophlupin  
How the mythology and origin of werewolves began: anger the gods, pay the price. 

But that doesn't mean we won't party-hardy on October 31st. Join DL Mullan and Undawnted as Sonoran Dawn Studios hosts this event for our favorite holiday with music, movies, and author takeovers. 

It will be 24 hours of not stop action...

Sonoran Dawn Studios' All Hallows' Eve: What Web We Weave Book Event

So what are you waiting for? If you are an artist, author, or provide publishing services, then be sure to have a slot to sell your wares. It's easy, just post a comment below the Sign-Up Sheet.

See you there! 

DL Mullan to Participate in Sonoran Dawn Studios All Hallow's Eve: What Web We Weave Book Event

What are you doing for Halloween? 

DL Mullan will be celebrating her 2023 releases with other authors like Robbie Cheadle, Joseph Carrabis, and Kaye Lynne Booth at Sonoran Dawn Studios' All Hallows' Eve: What Web We Weave Book Event, on October 31, 2022. 

Why don't you join us? 

If you are an author, artist, or offer publishing services, then sign up for a 30- or 60- minute slot. There you will meet other creators and grow your community. 

Isn't that what events and parties are for? To grow our community? 

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Ms. Mullan will be discussing her Legacy Universe, her mythology books, and the newly released origin story: The Reality Hackers. 

 

Legacy is a global crime-fighting unit dedicated to defending humanity against the  negative effects of supernatural forces. A paranormal law enforcement division, through specified taskforces within Legacy, sends special agents to investigate and halt activities against the mortal realm. All the while, the organization keeps humanity ignorant of its existence and the unseen forces behind the everyday curtain of normalcy.

When ghouls, goblins, magicians, sorcerers, werewolves, and the plethora of undead become rogue actors, who are you going to call? The Special Agents with the Legacy Taskforce.

If there are paranormal problems, you can bet that one of their special agents has already been assigned to the task.

Nothing is what it seems.

Legacy special agents are what monsters fear. 

Come, and learn more about this multi-book series, plus her poetry chapbooks. 

It will be an exciting day of movies, music, and mayhem! ...as well as contests and giveaways!

See you there! 

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A writer at heart, Undawnted's own creative spark, DL Mullan, began writing short stories and poetry before adolescence. Over the years, Ms. Mullan has showcased her literary talents by self-publishing several collections of her poetry. She also writes novels, designs apparel, and creates digital art. Ms. Mullan‘s creative writing is available in digital and print collections, from academia to commercial anthologies. As an independent publisher, she produces her own book cover designs as well as maintains her own websites. She is an award-winning digital artist and poet.

Currently, she has embarked on writing her multi-book Legacy Universe series. The Reality Hackers, published in Visions anthology, is the first Origins book of the series.

With her education and experience in writing, DL Mullan has begun sharing her knowledge via her newsletters. If you too want to become a Fearless Phile, then subscribe to her newsletter on Substack.

Her innovative style teaches writers how to reach their creative potential, and write more effectively.

Learn. Grow. Master… with Undawnted.

Event Booked: Undawnted is Signed Up for Sonoran Dawn Studio's Autumn Wonders Book Event

Want to meet the person behind the story? 

Here's your chance to meet and greet with the novelist, and other writers/authors. 

December 4th, 2021 at 6pm, Arizona Time, DL Mullan will be available as a participant in Sonoran Dawn Studios' Autumn Wonders Book Event. 

Be sure to friend Sonoran Dawn for updates and to host your own time slot: https://www.facebook.com/sonoran.dawn.7

During this event, Ms. Mullan will introduce you to her creativity, personality, and writing. 

So join her and other creative minds for this afternoon and evening presentation. 

We hope to see you there! 

Have a great and wonderful day. 

The Hero's Journey: The Threshold to Adventure

It's summer time. 

The Threshold to Adventure is right before you. What will you choose? A vacation to a destination you have never been before? To serve your country? Take a position at another company? Or, to begin college for the first time?

Humanity is on a constant quest in the hero's journey of our lives. Each step is as personal and unique as the last. Since the individual is the ultimate minority, we face our challenges in this life as a species as interlocking singular modules connecting into the next one and future generations. 

So what is your Call to Adventure? What Threshold to do you stand before? 

It's summer... take that first step.

 

 

Undawnted is on Sonoran Dawn's Upon Hallow Ground Reanimated 2020 Main Event List

We are getting our badge! Our event badge that is.

Join Undawnted for her 2pm slot on Sonoran Dawn's Upon Hallow Ground Reanimated 2020.

 

See you there! 

 

 

 

Seasonal Reads Program Link Ring Submissions

Are you an author with a seasonal read that would fit into Undawnted's reading program?

What Undawnted is looking for: two authors/books for each season.: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Fiction, Nonfiction. Poetry. All good to go.

For example:
Winter... holiday stories, or Valentine's Day love story
Spring... nature, or Celtic Heritage
Summer... novellas action/adventure
Autumn... horror, vampires, werewolves, oh my! 
 

Undawnted wants good quality writings with a PG-13 and less rating, if it were a movie. Good clean fun. Good stories. Fun characters. True love stories (no erotica, please).

Links to other authors blogs and websites are a must so that the link is not broken.

If you believe your creativity fits the bill, then please contact DL Mullan via her Undawnted Facebook page through the Private Mail feature.

     

Want more information? Check out the Winter Frost Seasonal Reads page on the menu to the right. 

Thank you, have a great and wonderful day!  

 

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Undawnted has updated our Seasonal Reads program, please visit our Unleashed Materials: Publication Classification page. 

 

We are no longer doing the link-ring to other authors and artists at this time. 

 

Thank you for considering Undawnted for your reading and entertainment needs. 

 

Learn. Grow. Master... with Undawnted. 

Public Domain from the New York Public Library

Artist and history buffs rejoice 180,000 new exhibits are now available in the public domain.

Public Domain Collections: Free to Share & Reuse

That means everyone has the freedom to enjoy and reuse these materials in almost limitless ways. The Library now makes it possible to download such items in the highest resolution available directly from the Digital Collections website.

No permission required. No restrictions on use.

Enjoy!

Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head

The North American Southwest is in for a rainy few days.

The clouds, actual real clouds, have inundated the skies causing the sun rays to weave in and out of them as well as give some passing showers. Nothing too heavy, rain to make the day feel soggy. 

I have spent my weekend watching Babylon 5, seasons 3 and 4. Pivotal, prophetic, and masterful, this television show from the 1990's is a gem. I wish more science fiction shows would be so informative. What is happening now is history repeating itself and MJS loved to write from historical context.

When I write, I love to base some of my aspects on writers I believe have a very keen intellect when it comes to human nature, historical perspective, and philosophical inquiry. I remember as I write what makes me want to watch the show more, or reread a section of a novel. 

MJS of Babylon 5 and Timothy Zahn of the Star Wars Extended Universe are two of my favorites. Not my only favorites, but if I feel I am stuck, I can always pop in a DVD or read a chapter and feel better about what needs to be done in my story. 

Inspiration is key. It is priceless. Anything that removes a block is just as awesome. 

Have a great and dry weekend!

 

Brain Entrainment and Reprogramming

I am not religious.

As a spiritual person, l look at all sides but I never conform to dogma. Organized religion is man made. I don't follow the path of men, but of spirit. If you want to call that spirit god or not, I call it the source of all creation.

We can all tap into this powerful, healing, and loving connection to the universe.

I have spent much time learning the different perspectives. I am going to being publishing the research materials I find interesting. From David Icke to David Wilcock, I am sure there will be something for everyone.

I don't say believe in everything you hear, but to hear other author's for their take on the universe. I will post meditations and other information. I am writing a spiritual book along with my fiction.

I'm a busy writer!

So take everything in stride and take a listen. The way to open yourself and your writing is to hear ideas foreign to your own belief system. Don't shy way.

You never know what will trigger a new character or plot line.

And, have fun. I'll keep posting about writing, cats, cooking, and environmental illness too. What would be the fun without them?

Have a great and wonderful day!