Available for PREORDER: The Freedman and the Pharaoh’s Staff

December 12, 2012 By

You guessed it. My debut novel, The Freedman and the Pharaoh’s Staff, is now available for preorder from Sunbury Press.

Inspired by the slave narratives, Lane Heymont’s hypnotic debut novel blends science fiction, fantasy, and American history in a gripping page turner that explores the damaging effects of racism and where it can and has led us, but also offers a poignant vision of the healing power of unity when we rise beyond prejudice to fight for freedom, equality, and human dignity against all odds.

You can preorder The Freedman and the Pharaoh’s Staff here!

Publication Date:
February 21, 2013
http://www.sunburypress.com

Filed Under: Writing

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop–All About My WIP

November 20, 2012 By 6 Comments


I’ve been tagged to contribute to the Next Big Thing Blog Hop by a great writer and friend, Jen J Danna. She is a forensic scientist and author of DEAD, WITHOUT A STONE TO TELL IT. Dead is scheduled for release in May 2013 from Five Star Publishing.

Rules for The Next Big Thing Blog Hop:
***Use this format for your post
***Answer the ten questions about your current WIP (work in progress)
***Tag five other writers/bloggers and add their links so we can hop over and meet them.

Ten Interview Questions for the Next Big Thing:

What is your working title of your book?

My current work-in-progress is called A CHAIN OF BLOOD AND GOLD.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

I’m always pouring through environmental news and the dangers of Global Change. It just naturally snaked its way into my writing.

What genre does your book fall under?

Epic Fantasy. Maybe Young Adult since one of the protagonist is a kid.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

I could see Gerard Butler as one of the protagonists. I’m not really familiar with any child actors, so there goes that example.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

It’s a little cheesy, but I think it says it all:

Global Change has gone fantasy.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

My previous agent had to retire due to health issues, so that was a bummer. I only hope he gets better, though. I don’t self-publish, so the book is being reviewed by several agents now.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Around six months, but I was also taking a writing-intensive Gothic literature seminar. It left me drained like I fell victim to a gothic vampire. Yes, I went there.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

It’s funny, I don’t usually compare my books to any published works. I don’t want to say I’m on par or better than anyone, but I’d say it’s similar to the Dragonlance Chronicles.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Global Change. We’ve been killing Mother Earth for decades and, obviously, it’s a mega issue. So, I thought what if it already happened and was occurring again. We ruined the Earth with technology. In what other ways else could we destroy her?

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

I think the environmental issues. It involves the very real (more than you know) events and problems we are facing right now. The BP Oil Spill has devastated the Gulf and its effects will be felt for an unimaginable about of time. We may think we have a handle on the damage we’re doing to the world, and we may think that it’s not too late. A CHAIN OF BLOOD AND GOLD shows what happened after it was too late…

I am now tagging the following fabulous writers:

Vanessa North: She’s a Romance/Erotica author with two books, Two in Winter and Fight or Flight, from Liquid Silver Books. She also has a series coming from Musa Publishing. Check out her website for more info. I just have to note that Two in Witer was the first Romance book I read (it did make me blush…alot) and I enjoyed it!

Ashley Heckman: A great friend and I’ve read some of her work. Good stuff!

Margaret Lesh: Margaret is the Co-creator of StoryRhyme.com, and she writes middle grade, young adult, and women’s fiction.

Jalisa Blackman: A teacher and writer of all things speculative. This is the woman to follow. Her blog posts are amazing and she touches on an incredible amount of sensitive, but much-needed thought provoking topics. Definitely check out the “Minority Report” section of her website. It consists of interviews with fantasy authors and their takes on the presence of minorities in the speculative genres.

Holly Kench: Holly writes of fantasy and humor, for all ages. She is hilarious and, apparently, a stuffed olive!

Photo credit: ~Brenda-Starr~

Filed Under: Books, Fantasy, Literary, Literature, Novel, Writing Tagged With:

THE BOOKER AWARD

September 10, 2012 By 3 Comments

THE BOOKER AWARD

The thoughtful, inspiring and overall fantastic Jalisa Blackman has shared another award with me. This time,  it’s The Booker Award.

This award targets literary and book-centered blogs.  The rules are simple: I post my top five books of all time; post the Booker Award icon; and nominate other bloggers to do the same.

Sounds easy enough, except for pulling five books out of the insurmountable pile I’ve read since I was…eight? But Jalisa set the bar high by picking books with some great titles, here!

My list will, without a doubt, look foolish mingled with a little bravado. I like reading run-of-the-mill novels and classics. Enjoy!

5. A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking. I’m a huge science-nerd, not going to lie about it either. The book covers Hawking’s theories on everything from the Big Bang (and before) to Black Holes and the birth-death cycle of stars. There’s a number of editions, so I suggest getting the newest one. Plain and simple, this man knew Black Holes when everyone laughed, thinking they were nonexistent. Now, we just need to find our first White Hole :-)

4. The Bible. Okay, despite your religious beliefs or lack thereof, the Bible is simply just a good book. Its very words have survived millennium and have affected all of mankind over the last some thousand odd years. It set in motion all great modern thinkers, whether by inspiration or condemnation. Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, and I could go on. Besides the fact it’s inspirational, contains wise words, and all that jazz.

3. The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah. If you don’t know what this book is—I’m not sure how that’s possible—but go read it. A gritty coming of age story of a youth growing up in the ghetto. Drugs. Gangs. Deadbeat/absent fathers. I hate the fact that if it’s in a bookstore, it’s stocked in the “African-American” section…like we have to judge books by race now? Anyway, I totally relate to the issues and environment in the story–and it’s important for everyone to read. Plain and simple.

2. Nietzsche: Vol. 3 The Will to Power as Knowledge and as Metaphysics by Friedrich Nietzsche. This is kind of cheating, because it encompasses so much, but oh well. Nietzsche is a diehard Atheist, so once I push past that, his theories are amazing. Metaphysics is one of my favorite subjects—maybe because it’s near impossible to define. Basically, it’s the -ology of anything that can’t be defined. All I have to say is heavy stuff, but worth giving it a once over.

1. Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley.  First, Frankenstein is the DOCTOR! The monster is simply called the creature or daemon or wretch. Anyway. Touted as the first science-fiction book, it is amazing. This is the novel I did my paper on using metaphysyics. There are no true protagonists—they are all evil—but the creature is the only protagonist with any redeeming values. A wholesome man turned monster due to isolation. Why? Because he is “un-beautiful.” Everything about him offends the senses, which blocks anyone from seeing beyond his ugliness. It delves into issues of racism, the danger of science, human cruelty, and love. My favorite nuance is that common saying that our eyes are windows to the soul. But, the creature’s eyes are cloudy, dewy, and unable to meet anyone’s gaze. This is mentioned a number of times—being unable to meet his gaze keeps us from connecting with him.

And now to share the love: nominees.

1. Vanessa North

2. Margaret Lesh

3. Ashley Heckman

4. Simon P. Clark

5. Ashleigh McGrew (I love her fashion energy and posts!)

Okay, tell me your favorite books! Anybody?

Filed Under: Writing

Save the Pearls – A White Woman’s Worst Nightmare

July 30, 2012 By 4 Comments

Save the Pearls – A White Woman’s Worst Nightmare.

This is so frightening that I had to comment. I feel that I’m in a particular situation to understand it. As a child, I grew up being told I wasn’t white by most people in school, because I was Jewish. Even to the point that I was told on questionnaires I had to mark my ethnicity as “other.” While, I’m Caucasian, I feel far from the notion of white privilege. Why? World War II and the fact that anti-semitism is rampant, either overtly or covertly. Nonetheless I am white.

Foyt’s portrayal of the “Coals” and “Pearls” is overtly racist! Read this article and you’ll CLEARLY see why. The very names of the two peoples is glaringly offensive. Pearls are seen as beautiful, fancy stones. And coals? Well, we all know how valued coals are OUTSIDE of material value (i.e. being USED for fuel).

So, Foyt’s portrayal may seem outlandish and horrible. Horrible? Yes. Outlandish? No. When I’m in a group of Caucasians, who don’t know I’m Jewish, it’s quite interesting…wait…horrifying to hear what some people say.

And where does this sense of freedom to speak openly when there are no PoC around? Well, I’ve noticed since Affirmative Action came around (note it was prevalent beforehand anyway) bitterness has spread through the non-PoC’s culture. It’s called, “bullying” or “unfair” or my least favorite, “Reverse racism.” There’s no such thing as reverse racism. Racism is racism.

This bitterness has led to a number of white employees suing employers who’ve promoted PoC over them simply because they were “minorities.” All things being equal, yes ethnicity may have been the reason. And…too bad.

You have four hundred years of AMERICAN slavery to thank for that. If it weren’t for Affirmative Action PoC would be losing out far more than whites are right now. It still happens anyway. In high school I applied for a job at a store around the way, and was told “no jews.”

Now that PoC are given a leg-up, it’s considered horribly unfair. This is where the bitterness comes in. So, I’m sure Foyt’s frightening portrayal of the “coals” stems from this same resentment. PoC are recognized as equal, which means whites are actually losing out on jobs. Throw in a mix of immigrants and well-fare…people used to being given all the advantages begrudge those that take .1% of their “treasures.”

As you can see, this has me all fired up. What’s the icing on the cake? Foyt doesn’t get it! She’s surprised people are offended by the racist overtone. She expected readers to take offense at the presence of an interracial relationship!

As someone who’s almost been in only interracial relationships that makes me want to…I won’t say it. Interracial relationships have only been on the rise as have the number of mixed race peoples.

I’m going to end this, before I get any more angry. This post may seem disjointed and hard to understand, but I’ll chop that to the mood in I’m writing this in.

Victoria Foyt needs a reality check…bad.

Filed Under: Writing Tagged With: , , , ,

Open to Reviews

July 29, 2012 By 1 Comment

The title says it all. I’m now open to reviews. If you want me to review your book you can leave a comment here or contact me at “laneheymont at yahoo.com.” You can take a look at the About Me section to see a list of some of my favorite books.

I’ll accept any fantasy books and its sub-genres. Also, I enjoy history books of any time period. Being a nerd, I’m also open to some non-fiction, mainly sciences.

Some ground rules:

  • Indie/Self-published authors are welcome with the caveat that I will be judging your book as I would any other. High standards. There will be no responding to reviews for any author, but this is especially true for indie/self-published authors. No second chances.
  • Sending in your book will not guarantee it will be reviewed. All reviews will be honest, forthright, and entirely my own opinion. Sending your in your book for review will not guarantee a favorable review.
  • There will be absolutely no posting on any reviews of your book! Not a thank you or a smiley face. The review, though also for you as an author, is intended for readers only. You know all about your book and don’t need me to tell you all about it. Reviews are for readers who are deciding whether or not to spend their hard earned money on your book.
  • If you decide to post on your review anyway, it will promptly taken down. No questions asked.
  • If you want to comment on the review I will accept emails, but with the caveat I may choose not to respond. I’m not going to engage in any arguments, nor will you be able to change my opinion.

Now, if I haven’t scared you off, let the flood gates open!

Filed Under: Writing

Scratch That!

July 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Scratch That!.

A interesting post by Sue Healy. I’ll just add a few thoughts:

There is some GREAT advice about the overuse of adjectives and adverbs. We’ve all done it. I’m not going to lie, I’m a recovering addict! If you step back and read what you’ve written aloud, you’ll probably see a great piece cluttered with unnecessary words. Writing needs to be CLEAR, but also CONCISE. The more words give the reader more chances to become bored or focus on that bird that just hit their window.

I agree for the exact reason I gave above. Other than that, Sue’s got it.

Passive sentences? Ugh! They’re clunky to write and even more clunky to read. They usually belong in science manuals or text books…I think. My friend, Jen J. Danna, author of  Dead, Without A Stone to Tell It (2013 by Five Star) it is a forensic specialist and says all her manuals or what not are written in passive form.

Lastly, beta-readers are gold! I’ve heard several published authors diss writer’s groups and “reading buddies” which made me scratch my head. I’ve developed alligator-like skin over the years and you’ll need to too. But, damnit get yourself some beta-readers! It’s a trial run and you learn how others perceive your message. If you’re the only person who understands what’s happening in your story…it probably needs a makeover!

 

 

Filed Under: Writing

Minority Report with Holly Kench

July 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment

“Minority Report” with Holly Kench.

“When I started reading Fantasy, I started with Tamora Pierce, Madeline L’Engle, Mercedes Lackey and Jane Yolen. I didn’t think of the characters of those books as any different from me, except that they were in way more fantastic situations. But as I grew into an adult, I started to notice that there was a pointed different between me and the characters I was reading about.

Almost none of them looked like me.

I wasn’t sure if that mattered until slowly I realized I’d like to see more diversity (and admittedly, more of me) in what I was reading. So, I wrote it. And sought it out in new authors. A very wonderful list of authors can be found here. It’s so comprehensive, I’ve barely scratched the surface.

But the point is that all of this thinking has been circling around in my head for years, and I’m sure I’m not the only reader who likes a little diversity in her literature. So, when author Cecy Robson got into contact with me and we started to discuss the lack of minority/mixed race in Fantasy, I knew it was something I wanted to further explore. And what better way to find out what other people think than by asking them?

So, I asked a few authors if they’d be willing to share their thoughts and they said yes! Which is how the “Minority Report” was born.”

-Quote from the blog of J.M. Blackman

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Sunshine in the Islands

July 15, 2012 By 2 Comments

Sunshine

Super fly Jalisa Blackman nominated for the Sunshine Award. Which is cool! Thanks so much :) Actually talking to a friend, I told her I plan on creating my own certificate and badge. Then I’ll take that badge and whip it out to demand free food, drinks, movie tickets, cars, y’know small stuff. Anyway, it’s flattering and now I get to pass on the love. Granted I’m not a technology/blog person and only recently started to actually interact on twitter, so I hope I’m reaping the Sunshine Award properly. And on that note here we go…

Sunshine Award requirements are quite easy:

  • include the Logo and a link to who nominated you
  • write 10 things about yourself
  • nominate and link to 10 more awesome people for the award

My 10

1. I’m not your typical guy- don’t follow sports whatsoever yet I always rock the Yankees (my family/hometown’s NYC) and the Raiders. But I’m athletic. I read a lot, but I’m not a nerd- into style, fashion, dress nicely…I’m a lover and a fighter lol.

2. I have a bizarre number of famous/entertainment/media business relatives. Carroll Carroll, Felix Mendelssohn, George Heymont, Leslie Carroll. My grandfather helped liberate a death camp and was in charge of the largest Jewish DP camp, He met Kennedy and David Ben-Gurion. He’s been the biggest influence in my life and I miss him so much. RIP 3/17/2009. He taught me if someone hits you, hit them back twice as hard…even if it’s a woman lol. I don’t know if I can follow that part though. He’s had a number of books published, one which was stolen and pirated by the Russian army. So, the Russian army is using his book illegally as one of their military manuals. What jerks!

3. I can’t stand when people mistreat animals…they were here first and are usually better than people. If there’s a dog in the road I have to stand in the road and make cars slow down- can’t believe how many speed by. On a vacation in Hyannis Port I ruined some schlub’s day by yelling at him for harassing a seagull. Like really? Number one, dude you’re bothering an animal for no reason, AND at the beach in front of everyone?

4. The person I learned the most from in college, out of all my professors, was the janitor Mike. And for some reason no matter where I had a class or when, he’d always be in that area by chance. This guy was one of the first black airmen who fought during WW II, flying fighters and all that. Great guy, a lot of life lessons. He didn’t have to work a day in his life, but wanted to be a janitor…so I guess from him I learned that even though I personally don’t need to work, I HAVE to work to live happy- doing the littlest thing for someone can have the biggest effect. One of the best life lessons. Love Mike.

5. I spent a lot of time in the Caribbean/West Indies as a kid and I’m not talking about hotels. Never. I’m talking walking to church without shoes neighborhoods. We used to rent a bungalow from this guy Elvis who was a former crackhead. He had the BEST reason why he KNEW God existed. “It’s always sunny on Sunday.” In the Islands, no less. Forget faith…Sundays were sunny lol. He was a great guy, funny too. LOL At the supermarket people laughed at my family, because 5/6 of us had glasses. I miss the islands. Down there the heat’s a dry heat, up in here it’s like a gross wet heat. So many memories, like Hell, Cayman Island…I used to say I’ve been to Hell lol. OH and the Chinese food had this pineapple, Caribbean flair (duh) that made it INSANELY better than in the US.

6. I met Keith Richards, or his twin lol, in England. Weirdest thing. My buddy and I go into a pub at like 11:30 AM and there he is sitting in a corner getting hammered with some half-naked chick next to him. So, we sit at the bar, order a pint with lunch and the half-naked chick walks up to us and says, “no worries, mate, I don’t have crabs.” Weirdest. Lunch. Ever. And if it was Keith Richards, I really think he could do better lol.

7. I’m not proud of this, but I’m well versed in Twilight. My 14 year old niece breaths Edward and Jacob and in order to show her how horrible the books/movies are I’ve watched almost every one so I can poke holes in them. Like vampires glittering in sunlight? What? Also how the first movie’s main conflict started with the Cullens playing baseball. She’s come around a little. At least she knows it’s stupid that all werewolves MUST walk around shirtless lol.

8. I’m always amazed at the ways people meet their significant others. Dating sites, Facebook, even TWITTER! I know someone who met his girlfriend in an airport. Then again I’ve met someone at a tollbooth lol.

9. I bleed Hip-Hop, Rap, Raggae, and Raggaeton. Ask me anything and I’ll probably know it. Sugar Hill Gang is fly…Def Jam was co-founded by a bunch of Jewish people- maybe in it’s in our blood? LOL In Israel hip-hop/rap is really popular too!

10. My dog is vicious…a monster…attacks ANYONE who comes in my house. And he’s a Maltese lol Paris Hilton’s little dog is a Maltese. I took him to doggy training camp and we were booted, because he wouldn’t stop attacking a pair of Pit Bulls. He’s insanely jealous too. If I look at another dog he goes ballistic…he’s worse than any jealous girlfriend I’ve ever had lol.

The 10 people who bring sunshine who I want to know more about:

1. Vannessa North (pen name).–Author of Erotica/Romance novels

2. Jen J. Danna–Awesome author of Crime/Forensic stuff

3. Cecy Robson–Another great author: The Weird Girls, Sealed with a Curse

4. Keith Rommel–Author of The Cursed Man

5. Simon Clark–M.G. author

6. John Hansen–Another author

7. Brandon Musgrave--Author of Hour 30, medical student memoir

8. Stephanie Rodriguez–CEO Fi.R Cosmetics…do I wear makeup? No, but women do! Lol

9. Kutt 4 Life–Aspiring producer from Lower East Side…love me some hip-hop, southern flavor, and hell this cat’s from the Lower East Side- ancestral home!

10. Ashleigh McGrew–Blogger, Marketing lady, Tea lover, and knows how to make a mean looking sandwich with tomato and mozzarella…it think? lol

PS I straight up don’t know if all or any of these people have blogs, but what the hey. And yea, I stole the format of Jalisa’s post, so =P

Filed Under: Writing

Announcements: Book and Contest Judge!

July 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I probably should have updated this a long time ago, but didn’t. Such is life. Anyway, I’ve made an official book deal with Sunbury Press for the first book I wrote, The Freedman and the Pharaoh’s Staff. I came up with half of the title…which isn’t much lol.

Also, I’ve been asked to be a judge for the Ultimate Hero Contest. It’s free to enter, so feel free :) Here’s the link http://ultimateheros.com/

That’s all for now, folks!

Filed Under: Writing

“Minority Report” with Cecy Robson

June 22, 2012 By 2 Comments

“Minority Report” with Cecy Robson.

Filed Under: Writing
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