Get ready for CassaStorm! And another giveaway!

I'd signed up long ago for a guest post at Night Owl Reviews, and today's the day! I'm talking about music to write stories to. Come over and chat, and enter the giveaway for an ebook of Cursed!
http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Blog/Articles/Cursed-by-Cate-Masters

And the Cursed tour continues with a feature at Kristy Centeno's. Hope to see you there.

A storm's on the way...

I'm so happy to welcome Alex J. Cavanaugh today. His scifi novel CassaStorm wraps up his exciting scifi trilogy!

Comment on Alex’s blog this week for a chance to win a Cassa mug, mousepad, magnet, and swag!

CassaStorm

By Alex J Cavanaugh

From the Amazon Best Selling Series!

A storm gathers across the galaxy…

Commanding the Cassan base on Tgren, Byron thought he’d put the days of battle behind him. As a galaxy-wide war encroaches upon the desert planet, Byron’s ideal life is threatened and he’s caught between the Tgrens and the Cassans.

After enemy ships attack the desert planet, Byron discovers another battle within his own family. The declaration of war between all ten races triggers nightmares in his son, threatening to destroy the boy’s mind.

Meanwhile the ancient alien ship is transmitting a code that might signal the end of all life in the galaxy. And the mysterious probe that almost destroyed Tgren twenty years ago could return. As his world begins to crumble, Byron suspects a connection. The storm is about to break, and Byron is caught in the middle…

“With a talent for worldbuilding and a compelling cast of characters, Alex J. Cavanaugh combines high powered space battles and the challenges of family dynamics to provide readers a space opera with heart.”
- Elizabeth S. Craig, author of the Southern Quilting and Myrtle Clover mysteries

“I thought the revelation was going to be one thing and I was completely wrong … CassaStorm pushes the limits…”
- Tyson Mauermann, Speculative Reviews

“…mesmerizing story of survival, personal sacrifice, tolerance, and compassion. It’s a rare jewel that successfully utilizes both character and plot to tell a story of such immense scope and intimate passion…” - Nancy S. Thompson, author of The Mistaken

$16.95 USA, 6x9 Trade paperback, 268 pages, Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.

Science fiction/adventure and science fiction/space opera

Print ISBN 9781939844002 

eBook ISBN 9781939844019

$4.99 EBook available in all formats

Find CassaStorm:

Barnes and Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1116848619?ean=9781939844002

Amazon -

http://www.amazon.com/CassaStorm-Alex-J-Cavanaugh/dp/1939844002/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378484337&sr=1-1&keywords=cassastorm

Amazon Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/CassaStorm-ebook/dp/B00F2O9QMC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1378811366&sr=1-1&keywords=cassastorm

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17670532-cassastorm

Book trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Umm2l0XdHc&feature=youtu.be

Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. The author of the Amazon bestsellers, CassaStar and CassaFire, he lives in the Carolinas with his wife.

Website – http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/

Twitter – http://twitter.com/AlexJCavanaugh  

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4287922.Alex_J_Cavanaugh

Congrats Alex! I'm thrilled for you, and wish you many sales.

Cursed in the Spotlight!

I am so lucky to have so many wonderful friends who are willing to help spread the news of this week's release of Cursed!

Today, I'm a guest at Lucy Felthouse's site, talking about playing with fire. I hope you'll pop in and say hi!

And Cursed is in the spotlight this week at GraveTells too. It almost looks like it belongs there - the colors are a perfect match. :)

You can also check it out at Spice Erotic Reviews,  Tigris Eden's site, and Tigris Eden's beautiful blog.

I'm so grateful for my great friends Arlene Webb and Alex J. Cavanaugh for helping to get word out about Cursed too. You guys are amazing.

Insecure Writers: Multiple pen names?

This probably falls less under insecurity than I'm just casting about for the appropriate thing to do, and could really use some feedback.

When I began writing, I used my maiden name of Masterson, and my first two initials, C.A. I wrote mostly literary short stories then, but a few mainstream/literary novels too.

Then a friend suggested I submit to one of the online publishers which had accepted one of her stories. A romance publisher. I did, but decided to shorten my name so it was a little snappier. So I became Cate Masters. (Seriously, I think of myself more as Cate Masters than anyone these days - a strange identity crisis.)

I'd already put up a Facebook identity as C.A. Masterson, and so had to make a page for Cate Masters, but whenever I post, I show up as C.A. Masterson. (Confused yet? Join the club!) It seems to confuse and/or disappoint some readers who download my mainstream/literary shorts, and find no romance.

I have some story ideas that are not romance, but wondered - as a reader, does it confuse you to have authors you like write across genres? Do you prefer they keep separate pen names for separate genres, or is that more confusing than one pen name?

Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh for launching the Insecure Writer's Support Group! I need all the support I can get. :)

Catch fire with CassaFire!

Today's finally the day! Alex J. Cavanaugh's Catch Fire Blog Party, celebrating the release of CassaFire! Alex's brilliant strategy to help CassaFire “catch fire” on the best seller charts and achieve the success of the first book, CassaStar. There’s also a special package of prizes being given away at the author’s blog (copies of CassaFire, CassaStar, tote bag, mug, and bookmarks) as well as book giveaways during his two-week blog tour. See Alex’s site for details: http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/

CassaFire

by Alex J. Cavanaugh

CassaStar was just the beginning…

The Vindicarn War is a distant memory and Byron’s days of piloting Cosbolt fighters are over. He has kept the promise he made to his fallen mentor and friend - to probe space on an exploration vessel. Shuttle work is dull, but it’s a free and solitary existence. The senior officer is content with his life aboard the Rennather.

The detection of alien ruins sends the exploration ship to the distant planet of Tgren. If their scientists can decipher the language, they can unlock the secrets of this device. Is it a key to the Tgren’s civilization or a weapon of unimaginable power? Tensions mount as their new allies are suspicious of the Cassan’s technology and strange mental abilities. 

To complicate matters, the Tgrens are showing signs of mental powers themselves; the strongest of which belongs to a pilot named Athee, a woman whose skills rival Byron’s unique abilities. Forced to train her mind and further develop her flying aptitude, he finds his patience strained. Add a reluctant friendship with a young scientist, and he feels invaded on every level. All Byron wanted was his privacy…

Available today!

Science fiction - space opera/adventure

Print ISBN 978-0-9827139-4-5, $15.95, 6x9 Trade paperback, 240 pages

EBook ISBN 978-0-9827139-6-9, $4.99, available in all formats

CassaFire is the sequel to Cavanaugh’s first book, CassaStar, an Amazon Top Ten Best Seller:

“…calls to mind the youthful focus of Robert Heinlein’s early military sf, as well as the excitement of space opera epitomized by the many Star Wars novels. Fast-paced military action and a youthful protagonist make this a good choice for both young adult and adult fans of space wars.” - Library Journal

You can visit the author’s site at http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/

Book trailer available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa6VINRGtyE.

Barnes and Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cassafire-alex-j-cavanaugh/1034742568

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/CassaFire-Alex-J-Cavanaugh/dp/0982713940/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1329417150&sr=1-1

Amazon Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/CassaFire-ebook/dp/B007A2TSNG/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1329663355&sr=1-1

Insecure Writers: Negativity everywhere

Have you noticed it lately? It's all over the Internet. And man, am I tired of it.

Venomous comments on Facebook concerning politics or other public figures, frighteningly vehement. I've noticed juvenile feedback on web articles, and even YouTube videos (thankfully, none of my own, but it still bothers me). Authors who blog about what other authors shouldn't say on their blog.

Even nasty feedback on free reads. Free reads! A story given to you by an author. If someone handed you a gift in real life, would you say nasty things about it? Doubtful, but if you did, it would only be shared in confidence. So why do that to an author?

For awhile, some negativity made me doubt myself. I wondered: Am I doing everything wrong? Should I not talk about my writing, or writing in general, or mention nice reviews on my blog? Well, for goodness sake, what is a blog for if you can't share a good review? I'm happy for other authors who receive good reviews. Show a little generosity of spirit and say, "nice job." And writing is my passion. In fact, it's my escape. It's why I began this blog.

Sorry if this post comes off as negative. I work very hard at trying to remain positive, but sometimes the naysayers drag me down. I'm not saying it's all aimed at me. Much of it isn't. There's just been so much of it - on blogs, on Facebook - too many places.

We're all doing what we love, and doing the best that we can. And I love helping other authors, so I post plenty of tips both here and on my Facebook page.

I'm a big believer in karma. Negativity comes back around, maybe when you least want it to revisit you.

But beyond that, I think of myself as a professional. And in a professional world, we should conduct ourselves as such, and show some grace, some encouragement, some friendship. I have no respect for anyone who tries to elevate themselves by bashing others.

So this is my advice to anyone who visits, today or any day - believe in yourself. Love what you do, and let it show. Don't let anyone else tell you it's wrong. And if you don't like what I share on my blog, well, I'm sorry, but it's what I love. My passion. If you want to see pictures of the snow, or the sunrise or my dog, they're on my personal Facebook page. I have nothing against sharing that sort of thing on blogs, and I like seeing it on others' blogs, but it's just not my focus. Writing is.

Getting off my soapbox now...

And thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh for coordinating the Insecure Writer's Support Group! It's a great way to connect with, and support, other authors.

Pay It Forward blog hop

What a great idea! Thanks so much to Alex and Matthew for thinking of ways to spread the news about interesting blogs.  There are so many wonderful blogs that I hardly get a chance to visit, it's difficult to narrow it down to three. If you'll notice my blog roll, I have a ton of blogs that I love or that have caught my interest.But here goes:

Susan Gourley fills her Susan Says blog with interesting, thoughtful posts, often focused on the craft of writing, which I appreciate. And Susan's friendly and accessible, so it's always a pleasure to read her posts.

The Paranormalists is actually a group blog to which I belong. With dozens of members, all of whom write paranormal or fantasy, there's always something of interest to find there. And if you're an author who writes paranormal or fantasy, the blog's always open to new members.

Storyfix.com likely needs no new followers, but it's one I visit often because it's completely focused on craft, and always contains useful information. A great blog to follow for serious authors.

As I noted in a previous post, life has become outrageously crazy so I likely won't be able to visit many blogs during the day, but will catch up with you later! Thanks for visiting.

Now go check out the great blogs on the Pay It Forward hop!