If you’re an author, actor, singer, entrepreneur, speaker, or business owner… And the list can go on.
If you want to get out there and find new clients and customers, then eZWay can help you.
I’m personally inviting you to join the Pitch Party happening on 19th January. Sign up at http://ezwayfamily.com for free.
Get your profile up on the Wall of Fame.
Make 2023 count!
Here you will find all separate pages about my novels, the reviews, and links to where you can buy the books. There’s the latest news, links to my podcast, articles and blogging of other fantastic books.
But first …. here’s my little ditty to get you into the Christmas spirit. And the word that you need for this scavenger hunt is under the story.
P.S. It’s a little bit graphical.
Home Comforts
Christmas was fast approaching, something that Sarah Jane was not looking forward to at all. It was to be her first Christmas away from her family and wonderful England.
Sarah Jane had lived in Greece for the past eight months with her boyfriend Kostas, whom she had met while holidaying in Kavos, Corfu. During their time together, Sarah Jane’s months were filled with new adventures and experiences, so she didn’t have much spare time to think about her family or England. Only now, December had arrived, and Christmas suddenly seemed daunting.
The closer the holidays came, the more Sarah Jane thought about her home and all the things she took for granted and now missed. Greece had their own traditions, but unfortunately, they didn’t include roast turkey and Christmas pudding. What it did include was a Christmas dinner of egg and lemon soup with boiled chicken – yummy.
Within no time, Christmas Eve arrived, and Sarah Jane was feeling very unhappy. She was upset with herself for not choosing to go home for Christmas and upset with Kostas for not making an effort.
“You’ll have to get used to it if you’re going to stay here.” He had told her.
The thing was, Kostas had been to England. He had experienced a typical English Christmas, so surely he understood how she was feeling and how homesick she was? But then, she couldn’t lay all the blame on him. It seemed that even her own family back home had forgotten her. No presents, not one card. It was as if Christmas didn’t exist, and she wished the holidays would just come and go.
Already, she had made up her mind that it was going to be her worst Christmas ever.
Sarah Jane felt needed cheering up; it seemed even Kostas was avoiding her because of her moods. So that miserable Christmas Eve, she decided to visit her friend. Mary lived locally and was married with far too many children. She had survived many dreary Christmas. Sarah Jane hoped she would get some tips on how to endure the holidays and even a little support. However, all Mary could say was:
“You’ll get used to it. You wait until Easter; it’s fabulous; parades, big celebrations, you’ll love it.”
But Sarah Jane didn’t want to wait until Easter. With a heavy heart, she left Mary’s and started to make her way back home.
She knew she needed to make an effort even if her heart said otherwise, and she didn’t want to spoil the holidays for Kostas and his family.
She settled for a couple of drinks and a cuddle on the sofa with Kostas. However, as she neared the house, she felt a change. Home suddenly felt warm and inviting.
Sarah Jane stood speechless at the open door. Frank Sinatra’s familiar Christmas tune poured out into the street.
Her living room was covered in Christmas decorations. Tinsel and streamers showered every wall, and to her right, she saw the best-looking Christmas tree ever. It was adorned with beautiful garlands and twinkling lights, and her lungs filled with the scent of fresh pine. Underneath the tree were the missing presents and cards. Sitting on a seasonal-dressed table were mince pies, a bowl of mixed nuts, and a bottle of Moet chilling on ice.
Sarah Jane felt so happy; she thought she’d burst. Instead, tears flowed down her cheek.
Kostas had spent most of the day finding a suitable tree to chop down. The live turkey that had been hidden away was now sitting proudly on a plate prepared and ready for cooking.
The postman had delivered the presents a week before. He hid them in the attic, knowing Sarah Jane would never go up there.
“Kostas, I – oh my God, how did you? … I didn’t know – thank you. Oh, thank you so much.”
She ran to where he was standing, which happened to be under a bough of mistletoe.
“Merry Christmas, my darling,” he said.
And as it happened, it was the merriest she’d ever had.
NORTHPOLE
Now please go to Fiction For The Soul to get your next word.
If you get lost, go to https://karenjmossman.com/2022/12/01/festive-blog-hop-2022/
If you’re a regular listener to my live radio show, Author Assist on the Artist First Radio network, you know how the show works. Okay, sometimes I throw in a few surprises for my guest like making them sing, live on air and getting them to take part in a quiz, they knew nothing about.
Well, on the last show, Friday 8th April, I did two things I’ve never done before in the five years I’ve been on the air. I had a rant, and I cried. I’m not going to tell you what the rant was about or why I cried, you need to listen to the show and find out.
As well as those two monumental occurrences, we have awesome music from Lola Black and her hit single Hot Enough. Live readings from two of my flash fictions from my Collection, Heads & Tales, and my wonderful guest, Teri M Brown, who also does a reading for you.
So plenty of entertainment. You can listen to the archived show here.
Download a copy of Heads & Tales
Meet Teri M Brown. On the podcast Behind The Pen
Ans find out more about Lola Black and her music
Check out Teri M Brown’s debut novel, Sunflowers Beneath The Snow
Bookmark Brag
Ummm this could quickly become redundant if you don’t read paperbacks.
However, one of the earlier services Author Assist offered was designing Bookmarks.
So take a look at my gallery.
So these are the only ones I can find on this computer. I’ve had many laptops since Author Assist started back in 2015. Here is the website where you can see more of my graphic designs scroll down a little and you’ll see more books marks.
3 lucky peeps will get a master sheet of bookmarks. No matter if you’re an author or reader. We can discuss the design.
For a chance to win some unique bookmarks from Author Assist, just read and comment on a few of the #MarchoftheWriters blogs.
Don’t worry if you can’t see your comment, it has to be approved.
Good luck.
How do you social?
On Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Linkedin… actually that’s not what this is about.
How do you connect with other writers, with your tribe and with potential new readers?
I have two answers for you.
The first; Go Indie Now.
Yep, you’ve seen me mention the media platform Go Indie Now and the workaholic, Mr Joe Compton.
Joe has created a platform where the indie community can meet, chat have heated debates, get drunk at Joe’s bar (Just kidding) – no I’m not!
Find out about new indie films, books and what’s hot in the gaming community. These shows, panels, interviews, and reports are entertaining for the public and the indie community.
Authors, there is so much you can learn from those that have done it all. We’ve all made mistakes so learn from those that have tried and failed but don’t give up. Get tips and get the inside scoop on what’s going down in the indie world.
Have you always wondered what’s inside a writer’s mind? How do they build these magical, dangerous and extraordinary worlds? How do they come up with the characters you love, with the plot twists and write stories that will keep you turning the page and gasping for more?
You will find these answers and more on the media platform Go Indie Now. So please support Joe and all the hard work he does for the Indie community. Seriously, this man just never stops.
The reason I mention this in my article about being social, is I have made some wonderful connections and long-lasting friendships with indies I’ve met while being a guest on the shows. This then takes me to their safe place. Their group, where I’m welcomed and treated as one of the family. Thus creating more connections and friendships, thus learning more from my peers.
Please subscribe to The Go Indie Now YouTube channel and take a look at the shows he hosts. Watch and be entertained, leave a comment and like the videos.
Thanks, and remember, it’s always time to Go Indie Now
And my other way to socialize is not knowing who is Behind The Pen. (Did you see what I did just then. lol)
Podcasts, Zoom interviews, Radio shows, they are so hot right now. If you want to find new readers, you have to step up, show your face, and let us hear your voice. There are thousands out there waiting to hear about exciting new books and authors they have never heard of. The world is yours to conquer!
Okay – maybe I went a little too far with that last line. But I’m sure you understand what I’m trying to say. People don’t know you. They don’t know your name, they don’t know your books, and now you have a chance to be seen, heard and noticed.
If you’re camera-shy, contact podcasts and radio stations. If the camera loves you, get on some pannels, shows and interviews. Your readers are out there waiting.
Behind the Pen is a YouTube show and audio podcast where I chat with all artists; musicians, authors, illustrators, writers, editors, anyone who uses a pen for work.
Writer Wisdom
Gosh, where do I start? This is what I do so I could go on for hours but I’ll list the most important lessons. (I will be tough.)
You know me I love a good challenge and when I take on something, I don’t back down.
This one is called March of The Writers and every day, we are given a prompt and it could be to write about a book, introduce myself, write flash fiction and so forth. I will be given a prompt and see if I can do one every day through March. This will be fun.
From the crazy mind of Author and YouTube addict, JD.Estrada. You can follow his blog and journey on https://jdestradawriter.blogspot.com
New month, who dis?
Well, hello world. I’m Karina Kantas award-winning author and filmmaker. I have 15 books published, some independently, some under publishing contacts. I write in most fiction genres and I go through binges. Right now it’s Dark Romance.
I’m from the UK but I live on the Island of Corfu.
I’m a BookTuber, YouTuber, Podcaster and Radio Host and I also run Author Assist which offers affordable assistance to writers, authors and those in the publishing business. I’m a VA , Author Manager, Publicist, Book Trailer Creator, Designer of Graphics, Social Media Consultant, Marketing and Promotion Manager and Narrator… plus a few more I haven’t mentioned.
I’m the host of the Author Assist Radio Show. Which has just celebrated five years on the air. My YouTube and audio podcast is called Behind The Pen and I get to chat and have a laugh with many in a business where they use a pen such as Illustrators, writers, musicians, and so forth.
For all links for my social media ( I’m everywhere) and for the podcasts and my YouTube channel go to
https://linktr.ee/karinakantas
This is about looking back at the last year, building solid friendship, and for me being completely open with you about something personal.
Please subscribe to the channel, click on that like button and feel free to leave a comment.
If you listen to the podcast on Spotify, please like the podcast.
https://anchor.fm/behindthepen/episodes/One-year-anniversary-of-Behind-The-Pen-e1cs04a
Do you need to pump up your characters’ emotions? Then have I got a deal for you!
My friend Stacy Juba is running a Black Friday sale on her Energize Your Writing Toolkit: Cheat Sheets for Character Emotions. https://shortcutsforwriters.thinkific.com/courses/energizeyourwriting?ref=60ad39 This 100-page printable toolkit is jam-packed with more than 4,000 emotional phrases arranged into easy-to-digest lists. Part reference book and part workbook, this system will grow with you throughout your writing journey. Having the right tool can get the words flowing and help you to write stronger scenes faster.
What this toolkit includes:
A 100-page PDF featuring:
It’s suitable for all fiction genres and for creative nonfiction that conveys emotion (i.e. memoirs).
Through December 7, you can get the Energize Your Writing Toolkit for just $29. It’s regularly $49.
https://shortcutsforwriters.thinkific.com/courses/energizeyourwriting?ref=60ad39
To get the deal, put the code blackfriday20 in your cart at checkout and the sale price will show before you pay. If your characters and body language could use some help, take advantage of the sale before it’s gone. Order here! https://shortcutsforwriters.thinkific.com/courses/energizeyourwriting?ref=60ad39
I spoke to Dawit Muluneh the author, who is also a Deacon to the Ethiopian orthodox church. His love for religion, languages and his country is to be commended. And he’s still learning, not making it easy on himself. But Dawit feels that he has more to learn, more to say and more to teach others.
He learnt about the history of his country which he left when he was seven. When the calling came, he returned to Ethiopia and lived in a monastery as he studied the religion. Through study and reading books, he learnt about Ethiopia’s rich history. Surprised with what he discovered, he’s adamant that others will learn about the Untold History of Ethiopia.
Dawit is very open and passionate to the cause and what he wants his books to portray.
He’s a Deacon and an author on a mission.
Watch our chat here.
You can find out more about his books and Deacon Dewit mission and news about his next release.
https://dawitmuluneh.com/
You can find his first book on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Need-Answers-Deacon-Dawit-Muluneh-ebook/dp/B08942L1C9
Explosive Writer 