FETCH GRAND GIVEAWAY!

Newcomers, read the posts linked below  to know what I’m talking about-

 

http://talkinganimaladdicts.com/taa-cares

http://talkinganimaladdicts.com/kickstarter-success-stories

http://talkinganimaladdicts.com/fetch-got-funded

Today, I’m both updating the giveaway I initially began prior to FETCH getting funded on Kickstarter.

 

In honor of the donations for being reached, I’ve extended the deadline from this Sunday, to September 30th, 2013, before MIDNIGHT, EST. 

 

  • E-mail me at taury-AT-talkinganimaladdicts.com.
  • Write “T.A.A. CARES (FETCH)” in the subject line.
  • Enter Your First Name, Last Name Initial, and what state (U.S.) or province (Canada)/city you live in.
  • Tell me who your favorite dog character is. (Books, comics, movies, television,etc. Please mention series and author or creator) 

 

Winners will be announced on the site, our Facebook page (facebook.com/talkinganimaladdicts), and Twitter (@TAA_Editor).

DON’T send your contact information (Other than the name and email address, of course, which will never be shared) until I contact you. Contest ends September 30th, 2013, at Midnight, EST. (Eastern Standard Time)

Due to shipping costs, I must limit the prizes to those in the U.S (INCLUDING Hawaii and Alaska) and Canada.

 

Thanks in advance for those who donate, and even if you can’t spare the money, please spare some time and spread the word. 

Until next time,

May the Fantastical Fauna be with you.

FETCH is 100% Funded!

dogwitharmsout

 

 

I’ll be back to regular blog posts soon but I have an announcement that can’t wait-

Earlier this month, T.A.A. launched it’s newest initiative, “T.A.A. CARES” as a way to highlight projects that need support, whether financial or simply word of mouth, and our debut project spotlight was for FETCH, a picture book written by Adam Glendon Sidwell.

He needed considerable funds to get the book to publication. Learn more about the book and it’s author at the link below-

 

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/adamsidwell/fetch-an-illustrated-book?ref=category

 

I’m happy to say that with just over 2 DAYS to spare, FETCH reached it’s funding goal of $22,000.00 USD. 

 

Congratulations Adam, and thanks to everyone who donated alongside me.

 

Since the project met it’s minimum goal, the giveaway prizes will be awarded, and if you haven’t entered yet, GET TO IT! Here’s how-

 

-E-mail me at taury-AT-talkinganimaladdicts.com

-Write “T.A.A. CARES (FETCH)” in the subject line

-Tell me who your first name and last name initial (i.e. Taurean W.) favorite dog character is. (Books, comics, movies, television, etc. Please mention

series and author or creator)

 

In honor of the project meeting it’s target goal, I’ll be including more prizes I’ll announce tomorrow, I’m also

extending the deadline from Midnight 9/22/13 to-

 

September 30th, 2013, at Midnight EST. 

 

Finally, since the minimum funding goal for the project’s been reached, I’m now

opening the giveaway to non-donors in the U.S. and Canada. Winners will be

announced on our Facebook page (facebook.com/talkinganimaladdicts),Twitter feed

(@TAA_Editor), and on the site.

 

Check back tomorrow for updated details for the giveaway.

 

Until then,

May the Fantastical Fauna be with you

Kickstarter Success Stories That Went The Distance

I hope those of you who’ve been loyal to T.A.A. through it’s various ups and downs, and longer than I’d like downtime, will spread the word of FETCH (No, not the PBS Kids show, though I’d think Ruff would support it, despite the book “borrowing” his show’s name…)

For those of you who need further convincing, here are a few Kickstarter success stories that tie into what this site’s all about.

One of the issues I had with my early attempt at a welcome video for T.A.A. was no one knew what an “Animal Fantasy Activist” was. In truth, I didn’t know how to explain it at the time, but perhaps these successfully funded Kickstarter projects best shows the meaning of that term I coined-

 

Pilot Tails

“Pilot Tails Flying Adventures for Kids!” 

by Michael Badger

If you’ve got kids addicted to the Disney Jr. show “Octonaunts” they’ll likely find lots to love in this charming book.

Only as the title implies, these adventures take to the wild blue yonder, as opposed to the seven seas of Earth. Unlike the other books highlighted, this book needed a bit more But they BIG ambitions for the funds they asked for. In addition to the book proper with quality illustrations that rival any traditionally published book you can name, the funds would also cover an iPad app that ties into the book.

 

Pilot Tails (APP)

 

 

Rhoda's Ocean

 

“Rhoda’s Ocean”

Written and illustrated by Betty Abbott Sheinis

To think this GORGEOUS book was a diamond in the rough that never saw publication in the author’s lifetime, but managed to see the light of day thanks in part to the Kickstarter platform, and in LARGE part by the project’s creator, Annette James who discovered this buried gem hidden in an antique bed of all places, and those of you who know my tastes in books can understand how moved I was by the story behind the book, and I WILL be getting a copy and review it soon. (If you’re interested in the book, it’s available now,  just click the cover image to read an except and buy it yourself!)

 

 

Larry and Friends

“Larry and Friends”

by Nat Jaspar and Carla Torres

 

For those of us in publishing (Myself included), the persistent lack of genuine, non-stereotypical diversity in books at large is just as concerning as it was half a century ago, but while (At the time I type these words) we may be stuck in neutral at best right now, we HAVE made some strides, and this book is a prime example.

I was immediately drawn in by the art style of this book. After seeing the pitch video, I can see why this book got the funding needed, I’ll keep you posted when it’s available.

There is one thing all these Kickstarter projects have in common, apart from the fact they met the funding goals to see to project to completion and in readers hands, they came from authors, illustrators, or a combo of the two who in some cases (As noted in the pitch videos) they had near final versions of the book, and needed help earning funds to print, one of the biggest hurdles for any indie author is getting the needed art (If you are not the illustrator) alongside printing costs, ISBN numbers if the book will be available in print (Though you will require an ISBN to sell in some major ebook retailers like Apple’s iBookstore), and this is also part of why it will be a long time before I can create such a Kickstarter project of  my own.

My debut took 10 YEARS of effort and time on my part, and I will need to do a LOT of careful thought and planning to propose a project that has the best chance of being approved, and I’ve mapped out as much of the expenses as possible. It’s never easy to ask for money, even from people you know and who love you, never mind strangers who are connected by a shared love of the project you’re proposing.

Many authors I know (Personally or from their work online) don’t have this problem, or at least can hide it well, this will be HARD for me, as I’m not an entrepreneur at heart.

Note that I said “This WILL be hard for me.” as I recognize there are projects that I know I’m better off taking the indie route. Not just for creative control, but also because since starting T.A.A. three years ago, I slowly started to see I CAN do what these authors and illustrators I highlighted today. It will take me longer, but it is in reach, and I have to remind myself that often.

Though my  debut middle grade novel Gabriel will be published by a publisher, I’m working on early PR and making connections with people who will support the book as I have more launch details to share and as publication nears.

Part of my extended absences from the blog this summer was spent planning out a strategy. It’s not totally worked out yet, but the bones are coming together.

While I still want to get an agent and work with more traditional publishers (Ideally ones that offer some kind of advance to help PR and the like on my end) my views on self-publishing  in general have changed. It can lead to great things when done right, and we all know “doing it right” in this business doesn’t come cheap. Or happens overnight (That said, not all authors have DECADES between projects either…)

But until I have something at the level these projects were at, the least I can do is support the projects I find that I believe are good and sound, that speak to me as any book already out there, and that I get to review and share with you on this blog.

I was not afraid to put my money where my heart is. “Fetch” won’t be the first book project I back with either my money or efforts to get it in the hands of readers, and it will NOT be the last. IF you can’t spare the money, spare some time and spread the word

(If you shout it out on Twitter, please use the hastag #taacares so people know you learned of the project through this site)

Only 15 days are left before the donation period ends, and Adam has yet to even reach HALF his funding goal. I DON’T want to see this book go the way of Amelia Earhart. I want to see it soar like a proud eagle in flight.

Finally, keep in mind that I’ve got a cool giveaway in conjunction my “Countdown to Fund FETCH”, if you donated to the project, email me at taury-AT Symbol- talkinganimaladdicts.com, write

“T.A.A. CARES (FETCH)” in the subject line, and tell me who your favorite dog character is. (Books, comics, movies, television, etc. Please mention series and author or creator)

If you you tweet about this project, please use the hashtag “#taacares” so people know you learned of the project through this site.

*If the project is funded, I’ll select three winners at random who will win one of the following-

1 Grand Prize Winner will receive  A signed copy of the “FETCH” + a signed edition of my upcoming debut novel, GABRIEL (Pub. Date TBA) published by G8Press.

2 runners-up will win a signed copy of GABRIEL (pub. date: TBA)

(If you wish your copy to be personalized for you or who you may gift it to, let me know in your entry)

*NOTE: Prizes will only be awarded if the project is funded at the minimum amount.

Winners will be announced on the site, our Facebook page, (http://www.facebook.com/talkinganimaladdicts) and via Twitter (@TAA_Editor). DON’T send your contact information (Other than the email address, of course, which will never be shared) until I contact you. Contest ends September 21st, 2013, at Midnight, EST. (Eastern Standard Time) Due to shipping costs, I must limit the prizes to those in the U.S. (INCLUDING Hawaii and Alaska) and Canada.

Thanks in advance for those who donate, and even if you can’t spare the money, please spare some time and spread the word.

Next time,  I’ll take a break from convincing you to support FETCH and offer another installment in my new Weekly Readings segment.

Until then,

May the Fantastical Fauna be with you.

 

 

 

 

 

T.A.A. CARES

Last week, told the story of how I met a kindred spirit on Kickstarter, a site where authors and

other creative entrepreneurs to earn funds needed to create projects that might not otherwise

come to pass, the catch is that you must earn the minimum of the funds you request, so anyone

who uses Kickstarter needs to really budget out what the project you’re proposing.

 

You can earn more than the minimum, but you MUST meet the minimum target price you set or any

 

 

funds earned with return to their respective donors (Called “Backers” on Kickstarter).

 

The reason for this distinction is because Kickstarter isn’t a charity (As they say here) but a way for people to fund their dream projects, and in return for the funds and believe in the project, you give the backers incentives that are possible by funding the project in question. I was But there are countless other projects that need championing, and while

Given the niche of this site, I feel it’s important to support new voices that for whatever reason can’t be via traditional means. So, I’m launching an initiative that will shed light on projects I believe need to come to pass, and if money’s the only (or most glaring) barrier to entry-

 TAA_CARES 2

I’ve wanted to do this for some time, and now’s the right time to start, and my first project being highlighted through T.A.A. CARES t is the prime example of what this site’s about. 

Learn more about the project (And incentive rewards should the project be funded) here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/adamsidwell/fetch-an-illustrated-book?ref=category

And watch the pitch video below-

I know for many of you money’s tight, and I’m no different, but I also know how it feels to have the drive, passion, and perseverance to bring to a project, but lack of money or connections gets in the way. I often say to my writer friends that , as much as I want (and continue to search for) an agent for my long term career. But there are always some projects that I want full creative control over, and platforms like Kickstarter make it possible to get the money needed to pay our partners (Illustrators, cover designers, print costs, etc.) what they are worth, without mortgaging your place of residence (If you have that option…) to do it.

While I’m not ready to self-publish, I have nothing but respect (And some envy…) for those who are betting on their passion and perseverance, it’s not an easy thing to do, and our current economic issues (Global or individual) don’t help ease the pressure. I ask those of you who can donate, do so, and if you can, spread the word to those who can.

Donate funds before the project deemed “Failed” and I don’t want to see these free-wheeling canines stuck at the start line before they even start their engines.

Writers, share this blog post to anyone you know who sees in this project what I do, I ask parents and loyal readers to T.A.A. to do the same. If you choose to donate, please e-mail me at taury-AT-talkinganimaladdicts.com, write “T.A.A. CARES (FETCH)” in the subject line, and tell me who your favorite dog character is. (Books, comics, movies, television, etc. Please mention series and author or creator)

If you you tweet about this project, please use the hashtag “#taacares” so people know you learned of the project through this site.

*If the project is funded, I’ll select three winners at random who will win one of the following-

1 Grand Prize Winner will recieve: A signed copy of the “FETCH”  + a signed edition of my upcoming debut novel, GABRIEL (Pub. Date TBA) published by G8Press.

2 runners-up will win a signed copy of GABRIEL (pub. date: TBA)

 (If you wish your copy to be personalized for you or who you may gift it to, let me know in your entry)

*NOTE: Prizes will only be awarded if the project is funded at the minimum amount.

Winners will be announced on the site, Facebook (facebook.com/talkinganimaladdicts) and Twitter (@TAA_Editor). DON’T send your contact information (Other than the email address, of course, which will never be shared) until I contact you. Contest ends September 21st, 2013, at Midnight, EST. (Eastern Standard Time) Due to shipping costs, I must limit the prizes to those in the U.S. (INCLUDING Hawaii and Alaska) and Canada. 

Thanks in advance for those who donate, and even if you can’t spare the money, please spare some time and spread the word. 

UPDATE (9/19/13): You no longer have to donate to enter the giveaway!

Please click the link below for the updated giveaway rules-

http://talkinganimaladdicts.com/fetch-giveaway

Until next time,

May the Fantastical Fauna be with you.

QUERY BLOG HOP!

Before getting to the meat of today’s post, I have announcement concerning T.A.A. I forgot to mention last week.


Musical Musings, and my other usual schedule postings will be on hiatus as I work through my offline life. 


But I do have an update worth sharing today.


Earlier this month, I signed up for a Query Blog Hop, started by the blog “Between The Sheets” by author/editor, Heather Webb.


For those too busy to read the whole rundown on Heather’s blog, here’s (roughly) how it works-


Writers who registered before 6/22/12, critique each other’s query letter(s), maximum of two per entrant, and send a revised “final” version based on feedback, by Friday [6/29/12] at Midnight


The winner gets a free editorial critique of their first 2,000 words, and so I hope you’ll offer your thoughts on one or both queries I share with you today. 


 This contest also gives me an opportunity to sharpen my own critiquing skills, which is still not a straightforward thing for me, but I’m trying. 


Without further delay, here are my entries- 


NOTE: Any changes differing from the norm of  “standard issue submission format” was done for ease of reading via the blog.




Query #1


Dear Agent, 


Gabriel Crisping loves pawing through junkyards, village alleys, dumpsters, salvaging the junk humans throw out—and he recycles them to build his inventions. While some of the forest residents appreciate his tinkering, the majority his fellow rats, even his best friend Rum Wheatland, think him a crazy dreamer. 


When a harsh storm blows in, ruining a promising dumpster dive, Gabriel seeks refuge in Mr. Quint’s toy shop. He finds a kindred spirit in the elderly toymaker, who loves theorizing and inventing contraptions as much as Gabriel does. Yet by befriending Mr. Quint, Gabriel has broken a universal law – he has spoken directly to a human! Gabriel keeps Mr. Quint a secret until Rum’s parents are killed in a human trap. When Rum learns of Gabriel’s friendship, he severs ties with him and focuses his anger on Mr. Quint, planning to wage war toward not only the old toymaker, but also humanity at large. 


The only way for Gabriel to save Mr. Quint is to stop Rum, whose grief sinks him into the madness and violence of vengeance. The only thing worse than losing an old friend, is betraying a new one, and maybe, he can save them both.


GABRIEL is a 34,000-word middle grade novel. Thank you for your time and consideration.




Query #2


Dear Agent,

Aurel Finnwhistle may be a weasel, but the only things crooked about him are the bent tip of his tail, and bent spike pearl he wears around his neck. This irregularly shaped ‘Baroque Pearl’ contains ancient magical properties from times gone by, and gives Aurel the ability to transform into a human, to both search for his elusive father, and to solve the mystery behind the dark powers that took his mother’s life.

Henrietta Caulfield is a working class high school student who suppresses her dream to be fashion designer, to care for her father who is losing his eyesight due to a curse, and is determined to find a rare tea that is the only known cure to reversing her father’s curse.

These worlds collide when Henrietta’s best friend Orla reveals her identity as a weasel princess who escaped her kingdom when an army of unknown origins seized control. 

To save the queen and restore peace, Orla must create a team of warriors to defend her kingdom, and Aurel and Henrietta insist on standing by her. What they did not expect was to fall in love along the way.

THE BAROQUE WEASEL is a 50,000-word Young Adult novel.

Share your thoughts to either or both query letters in the comments below. What could be tighter? What read weird or unclear? Anything that seems off or confusing. 

Remember, the better you can explain and show WHY something doesn’t work for you, the easier it is for the writer to fix it, or at least know it’s there…

You can find the full list of writers in the blog hop here.

Best of luck to all of you.

Ciao for now,
Taurean

Contest Update and Special Giveaway

I’ve got good news and bad news, and relax, the bad news has nothing to do with me. This may be my blog, but I’ve no intention to make it my self-pity soapbox, but I appreciate those of you who’ve tried to ground me, be assured your words never fall on death ears, they just are taking longer to live up to than I’d truly like.

First, let me get the other bad news out of the way, which is about the T.A.A. Prose and Poetry Slam.

Normally, this would be the point in the contest when I’d narrow down the entries for the semi final rounds where you readers vote for the winners, but I’ve only received one entry, and a good one.

This mostly happened because I didn’t do enough to promote this contest to better get the word out, and also due to my being discouraged by those who questioned my inability to award the prizes I promised, and despite what these naysayers may think, this is the fairest way I can settle this short of canceling the contest altogether, especially given my own somber mood at present.

I’ve decided to put my prose and Poetry slam on hold until summer, and I promise to better get the word out this time, and be a better blogger by then. For the sole entrant who did submit a piece, not to worry, I’ve read it and will still be in the running when the Prose and Poetry Slam  resumes this summer. I’ll give specific date and details in the near future.

But here’s the good news. I’ve planned a giveaway that you can take part in right now!

All you have to do is leave a comment in this thread and mention a book that cheers you up when you’re blue and why. The first two who comment with their books* each win a $25 Barnes and Noble E-Gift Card.

The winners only need to e-mail me at taaddicts-at-yahoo.com with their contact details and I’ll handle the rest.

*Note: This giveaway is only open to US residents, sorry, but one day I hope to have giveaways open worldwide, or at least Australia and the U.K. They’l just take more planning to work out shipping and exchange rates.

The only other catch is that if the winners have blogs, I’d appreciate they spread the word about my blog and that I’ll re-launch my Prose and Poetry Slam in the summer for a new chance to win even bigger prizes. Hopefully this giveaway will prove I can deliver on my promise of prizes while I fight through my current frustration.

This is mostly an example of my trying to do too much with my blog too quickly. Please forgive me on that. I have a habit of backing out of things at the last minute and started this blog sooner than I meant to, and the fact that my personal non-blog writing goals are off to a rough start this year, and my recent discouragement and frustration episodes didn’t help. I apologize to those I’ve hurt during this time.

But I assure I’m doing all I can to push ahead.

Until Next Time,
May the fantastical fauna be with you,

Taurean

Short Update

I’ll have a regular blog post tomorrow, but I’ve posted the info for my first contest. I hope to get some great entries from you, and trust me, the prizes are worth it! Plus, it’s great way for any budding writers out there to sharpen their skills, and win free stuff at the same time!

Until tomorrow,
May the fantastic fauna be with you,
Taurean

P.S. Please vote in my first weekly poll!