Clockwork Conspiracy by Inkaholics 11

I'm super excited to announce our first steampunk Inkaholics novella, Clockwork Conspiracy by the Inkaholics 11 Writers Group. We had all of our writers from Inkaholics 9 in this group as well as one high schooler whom I met through NaNoWriMo's insanity last year--yeaaah!

One of the surprises that came from this story is a character named Agent Pierce. He appeared out of nowhere in one of the writers' scenes, and he ended up sticking around until the bitter end, charming the daylights out of me and my assistant editor. You get to meet this wonderful character in this delightful novella!

Magic & Mayhem are afoot.

Arminta Cogurae is known as the oddball of Brazenglass, but that doesn’t stop her from happily inventing novel machines and improving her fellow citizens’ timekeepers.

But life is not always pleasant in the city, especially under the watchful eye of the Red Flint Agency, an organization devoted to the suppression of magic. When Arminta and her young apothecary friend, Fred, are inadvertently entangled in the manhunt of a known criminal, they find themselves drawn deep into a national conspiracy.

The tinker will need to breech all boundaries and entrust her liberty to a few Red Flint agents and a stranger who has ensnared her very livelihood into a wicked design for war.

"Carl" by Inkaholics X

Just as we're beginning a new Collaborative Writers Group (Inkaholics 12), two more books are coming to their final stages. The Inkaholics X Writers Group novella, Carl: the Uprising of a Leprechaun Madman, is now available!

This incredible story tells the background of a minor character from The Case of Dr. What by Inkaholics 007. There are some blatant nods to prior Inkaholics books in this one that make it extra special. Here's the synopsis:

Carl isn’t your average leprechaun.

Sure, he has the green bowler hat and short stature, but he’s also the son of Mickey McPherson McWharle, son to Michael Marscapone McWharle, the Godfather of the Leprechaun Mafia. Trouble is, Carl doesn’t like being a hitman for the Family. All he wants is a peaceful life and a lovely companion.

With the help of his new friends Qué, a 6’ 6” meerkat, and Phish, a goldfish detective with telekinesis, Carl takes a leap of faith and attempts to leave the Leprechaun Mafia Family. His actions spawn a series of events which only get more dangerous and forbidding with every passing day.

Will Carl find the balance between the good in his heart and the evil in his genetic makeup? Or will one side rise up and reign supreme?

Comic: My Life in Line

One of my dear friends (and my Inkaholics assistant editor!) has a love-hate relationship with Colorado. The last time she visited, we ended up at Public Health to get her a tetanus shot. The time before that, I drove her down a mountain to go to the Emergency Room. She halfway jokes that she has an allergy to my state. Thus was born the inspiration for this:



I feel quite honored and loved that she keeps returning despite her misadventures...

Prophecy's Keys: Pieces of Souls by Inkaholics 9

We are super excited to present the latest novella from our young writers, Prophecy's Keys: Pieces of Souls by the Inkaholics 9 Writers Group. This group is pretty sure they are going to want to write a prequel and/or a sequel, so we have boldly added "Book 1" to the title.

All of the writers in this group were completely new to Inkaholics Groups, but I think we have them hooked because every one of them just finished being a part of Inkaholics 12. (More on that later!) Here's a little bit about this classic fantasy story from Ink 9:

Morgana is a fresh graduate of the Kentis Institute of Magic, but her wizard’s staff is already misbehaving. In fact, a dark power hidden inside the ornamentation has shrouded an entire village in a madness-inducing mist.

The young wizardess vows to correct the situation and finds help in a clumsy apprentice blacksmith and a paranoid, recluse dragon. But a wicked creature from her past interferes with their quest at every turn, or is he drawing them right where he wants them? Has circumstance brought these three together? Or are they a part of an ancient prophecy that connects them in more ways that they could possibly imagine?

Fast Track Collaborative Writers Groups 2012

School is almost out, and summer is on its way in. Looking ahead, what will you be doing to keep those creative juices flowing through June and July?

We have two Fast Track Collaborative Writers Groups planned for the summer. These groups will meet twice a week for three weeks--an accelerated rate to create a novella in just under one month!

Participants learn to work together to craft a story and contribute their own ideas and writing to the finished product. Every student will receive ONE FREE COPY of the final, professionally-designed, printed copy of the novella after the workshop ends. How cool is that? Check THIS LINK for a listing of the Inkaholics books we have completed.

Here's what other young writers have said about the Inkaholics Collaborative Writers Groups:

• "Epic Randomness!" 
• "I just loved the whole thing. :-)" 
• "It's a cool way to get together with other writers who like to write." 
• "The best thing ever besides Portal and Portal 2." 
• "It's a lot of fun coming up with ideas and a plot that you can claim for your own." 
• "Über fun and you even get published!" 
• "Funnnnnnnn!!" 

We'll have one Fast Track group each in June and July. Here are all the details:

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INKAHOLICS 12 WRITERS GROUP
*JUNE FAST TRACK* 

Ages: 13-18, Intermediate-Advanced
Day/Time: Tuesdays & Fridays, 2:00-4:00 p.m. (Meets 2X per week)
Dates: June 12-29, 2012
Cost: $75 for the entire workshop
EDIT: THIS GROUP IS CURRENTLY FULL (5/20/12)

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INKAHOLICS 13 WRITERS GROUP
*JULY FAST TRACK* 

Ages: 13-18, Intermediate-Advanced
Day/Time: Sundays & Wednesdays, 5:00-7:00 p.m. (Meets 2X per week)
Dates: July 15-August 1, 2012
Cost: $75 for the entire workshop

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These groups are a fantastic way to meet local writers, have fun, and create a story together in a cozy, caffeinated environment. (Panera Bread!) If you have any questions or would like to reserve your spot, contact me, and I'll get you on the list. Due to the speed of these groups, participation is limited to 6 writers per group. Groups tend to fill up fast, so get your reservation in today!

Pieces of T.I.M.(e) by Inkaholics 8

I am super excited to announce the publication of the latest Inkaholics novella, written by the Inkaholics 8 Writers Group, Pieces of T.I.M.(e). Here's the back cover blurb:

Anthony Flynn is a machine of Artificial Intelligence existing in the world of humans. Life is a strange enough place, but after crossing paths with a fractious, bionic librarian and a self-exiled queen, he begins to learn that living is about more than complex computations.

Octopus Prime, a tenacious, tentacled crimelord, and his gang of aquatic ruffians, have a devious plan to destroy the creator of A.I. Stealing T.I.M., Anthony’s time machine, is merely the first step in extinguishing the mechanized race.

As time unfolds and events in history shift, Anthony finds himself grappling with his robotic side and his own programmed humanity. Which will win the fight? Or will he lose himself altogether?

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Project 365: 90/365 - LOTR Deal

Found this box set merely discarded around the toy section of the second hand store. At half price, it a steal for $3.50 for all 4 books.

Project 365: 89/365 - Nose to Nose

This shows how well my daughter makes friends. She had just met one of my young writer friends that very day, and she was already nose-to-nose-happy with her. :o)

Project 365: 88/365 - Barely Matched

As you can tell, I have no shame when it comes to caring whether or not my socks match my outfit.

Project 365: 87/365 - Curried Noodles