THE NEWS IS OUT! ...

Welcome Everyone!


I am so glad you all dropped by for my announcement. As you can see from this WONDERFUL badge to the left, created by the very talented Tara Tyler, I am now offering several services to all of you!

Most of you know I am NOT ONE to self promote. Today is just a simple announcement.

Many of you have known me for years and have read many an excerpt, Earthly Angels post, flash fiction piece, character interview, and most recently ... intros for cover reveals and novels.

With so many of you independently publishing, the need for such services are becoming much more in demand. Several of you had suggested I provide these services, and I thought it was a good idea.

On Monday I featured my first published cover in many a year! The amazing Siv Ottem had hired me to illustrate her front and back covers of her debut novel SECRETS of the ASH TREE, and I was thrilled to do it! An illustrated cover is so much more interesting and unusual. Don't you think? Why would you want your precious novel to look like everyone else's ... right? If you missed the reveal, just scroll up. I also wrote the introduction.... I seem to be gifted at writing these, which I hope will be useful to many of you.

I've also heard that many authors have difficulty with book blurbs... My intros are very much like blurbs and any help I give to make yours shine, I'd be more than happy to do. No project is too small. And I honestly mean that.

And lastly, if you need any creative editing, I'm your man. I could help you economize your sentences, help make your scenes sparkle with atmosphere, and give your dialogue some punch. Most of us have problems with our beginning chapters and a bit of creative ending can go a LONG way. Think about it.

At this time I would like to thank the very sweet Tara Tyler for creating my badge design. I had won it in Misha Gericke Pay it Forward contest. Tara has just published her newest book POP TRAVEL... Congrats Tara!

Tara Tyler writes action adventure stories in a variety of genres. Her latest release is Pop Travel - a tale of deception and teleportation. (Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble) On the side and not for profit, she creates blog headers, badges, and other graphics.

How sweet is she! Thanks again Tara! I really love my badge! And all the best with your book!!!!

Don't you guys just LOVE the cover. Man what a reveal I could have written for this baby.... LOL.

I decided that I'd like to leave you all with one of my ABSOLUTE favorite Cover reveals... It was also one of the first Intro's I had created.

Let's see if you can guess which author it is ... Here's a hint... It's someone we ALL know and love...

Another Monday ....

An usual storm rolls over the bright azure skies to a gun-metal gray. Winds kick to unregistered mph as thunder cracks. "Damn. Why does it ALWAYS happen? I'm always lulled into a false sense of security. Chicago weather is so frickin' unpredictable."

I continue my journey, skirting the lakefront. Ferocious winds rip through my face and my fingertips freeze and numb. As I reposition my scarf that unraveled and took flight, a flash sparks out of the corner of my eye.

My head snaps. "What the ...." With bulging eyes, my jaw drops and a massive shiny metal monster floats toward the shore. Fire kicks from the rear of the object, catapulting the vessel to eye level. My lids blink feverishly, not fully comprehending the situation.

A clear voice calls out "Hey, Michael. Need a lift?"

Thunderstruck, I see a flash of a smile. As my vision clears the face smiles again and a hand waves.

"It's me .... Come on board, I need your help."

I shake my head, and the letters etched into the side of the vessel register through my memory. "It can't be?" I muttered. I shout over the roaring jets, "ALEX?"

He nods, beaming brighter than the lights on the aircraft. "Let's go. We're needed elsewhere. I'll fill you in on all the details as we streak to our next destination."

A side door opens and a bridge floats towards me. "Yes, Ninja Captain Alex." The smile already carved into my face broadens. I leap onto the bridge and race inside  ...

The JOURNEY continues ...

I hope you all enjoyed this... It's not my usual intro, but it made me smile reading it over again. So if on your journey within our blogosphere ties you down and you need a lift, I hope you'll think of me. I have a page in my header that has all the A-Z intros and my illustrations if you'd like to see more of my work. Or just click onto the badge and you will be whisked away.

Thank you all for allowing me my bit of self promotion on this very special Wednesday. I wish you all an AMAZING day and upcoming weekend!

Your blogger buddy, Michael