SPOTLIGHT ON: Sean Taylor

How did you get involved in the upcoming Imaginarium convention?

I’ve known Zim for years. And he was nice enough to extend a vacati—I mean an opportunity to attend to a hack like me.

What is your latest release and what genre is it?

My latest work is from Moonstone Books, and it’s called OF MONSTERS AND MEN. I have a short pulp story inside featuring a team-up between the pulp heroine the Golden Amazon and Quasimodo himself, the Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Something unique about it.

The whole book is about team ups between pulp heroes and classic monsters. What’s not to love?

Links for people to buy it.

For more info, visit http://moonstonebooks.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=1066

Your promo links.

http://www.taylorverse.com

http://seanhtaylor.blogspot.com

http://facebook.com/seanhtaylor

http://twitter.com/seanhtaylor

Your short Bio.

Sean Taylor is an award-winning writer of stories. He grew up telling lies, and he got pretty good at it, so now he writes them into full-blown adventures for comic books, graphic novels, magazines, book anthologies and novels. He makes stuff up for money, and he writes it down for fun. He’s a lucky fellow that way.

He’s best known for his work on the best-selling Gene Simmons Dominatrix comic book series from IDW Publishing and Simmons Comics Group. He has also written comics for TV properties such as the top-rated Oxygen Network series The Bad Girls Club. His other forays into fiction include such realms as steampunk, pulp, young adult, fantasy, super heroes, sci-fi, and even samurai frogs on horseback (seriously, don’t laugh). However, his favorite contribution to the world will be as the writer/editor who invented the genre and coined the term “Hookerpunk.”

For more information (and mug shots) visit www.taylorverse.com and his writer’s blog at seanhtaylor.blogspot.com

“Imaginarium is an entire convention centered on creative writing taking place September 19-21 in Louisville KY, featuring over 140 panels and workshops organized into 12 categories.  Over 130 professional guests will be featured in the programming, covering all aspects of creative writing in the worlds of books, eBooks, screenplays, comics/graphic novels, and even game design.  All of it is set within a fun, convention atmosphere that includes activities like a Masquerade, gaming room, film festival, and more.  Please visit www.entertheimaginarium.com for further information.”

SPOTLIGHT ON: Annie Jones

How did you get involved with Imaginarium Convention?

Serendipity. Friends mentioned they were going. I followed the page on Facebook, asked some questions and Stephen Zimmer invited me to take part. It pretty much had to go that way as am of the “I write to avoid real people” ilk. Not to worry, I’ve done a LOT of panels and presentations at conferences, seminars and workshops over the years, so I won’t be huddled under a table, sending my answers out scrawled on paper airplanes.

What’s your latest release and what genre is it?

Put Annie Jones in the search bar of Amazon, most of the stuff that shows up is me. My bestselling self pub/re-issue is The Christmas Sisters for All Seasons series. They list as Christian fiction, as most of my books do, even though they really aren’t religious. They make me wish there was a “Hallmark Movie meets Grit Lit” genre because that’s where I’d put most of my work right now. (The more mainstream books were written under Luanne Jones and the rights have not reverted on those).

http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Sisters-All-Seasons-Book-ebook/dp/B00958I9BU/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1409748286&sr=1-1&keywords=the+christmas+sisters

“Imaginarium is an entire convention centered on creative writing taking place September 19-21 in Louisville KY, featuring over 140 panels and workshops organized into 12 categories.  Over 130 professional guests will be featured in the programming, covering all aspects of creative writing in the worlds of books, eBooks, screenplays, comics/graphic novels, and even game design.  All of it is set within a fun, convention atmosphere that includes activities like a Masquerade, gaming room, film festival, and more.  Please visit www.entertheimaginarium.com for further information.”

SPOTLIGHT ON: Jean-Philipe Chapleau, but I go by “JP” to everyone: something about people not being able to saying my name correctly. Plus, only my mother uses my first name when I used to get in trouble

How did you get involved in the upcoming Imaginarium convention?

I posted on my blog (http://jpchapleau.blogspot.com/2014/07/open-letters-to-con-organizers-tabletop.html) about how I was dissatisfied that local cons were dropping table-top gaming in favor of sales events only. It seems I was not the only one who shared that opinion. And through the magic of social networking, I got in touch with Stephen Zimmer one of the masterminds of the con. We talked, and I offered to help with the con. So I offered to be a guest to help with gaming-related workshops and panels. From there to here!

I am a big proponent and supporter of local events as… well events! Make them big, make them memorable. And that is the contribution I wish to bring, make this new con bigger and better than all the others.

I remember when I started writing – in 1999-2000 – having a con like this might have helped me greatly instead of having of having to discover what works and what doesn’t by myself.

So I filled the guest form on the site and offered my name! I was quite pleased when they said yes!

What is your latest release and what genre is it?

For the past year, I have been publishing tabletop RPG. I am the campaign director for the NeoExodus Legacies organized play campaign using the Pathfinder RPG.

Our last release was an adventure that was part of our campaign. NeoExodus is “a traditional fantasy setting where we deal with theme usually found in Sci-Fi, political thriller and horror.”

I am myself a fan of all three of these genres and bringing these influences together is something that really inspires me. The “major villains” draw upon classic, villainous drow with a good measure of cenobites (from Clive Barker’s Hellraiser universe). These “First Ones” are bad to the core and definitely major forces of evil. Yes, we took our name from the villains of the setting! First Ones Entertainment – or FOE for short!

We also publish GOSTOR (a Grumpy Old-Schooler’s Take On Rules) products

Quick description of it.

We publish adventures under license from LPJ Design who published the setting originally (www.rpgnow.com/product/97023/NeoExodus-Starter-Kit-PFRPG-BUNDLE?affiliate_id=316083).

It is a setting that is clearly different than most in that it’s not “elves and dwarves.” Rather, it has psionic rat-men, simian-minotaur mutants, plant-people, arcane crystalline entities, cannibals, and humans!

Something unique about it.

The adventures form a whole campaign players can play in and tell us what happened in their games. We then tabulate all of the tables to see what players have chosen, overall.

For example, in our recent events, one of our major non-player characters (NPCs) was assassinated by the villains because the players opted to do something else instead. They opted to glory.

Our campaign has not only a collection of adventure, but we also publish a few short narratives to keep our fans aware of what the villains are doing. It allows us a chance to write short fiction pieces.

The biggest thing is that we give our players is a way that they get a chance to influence the world and the storyline. We gladly sponsor and support new adventure writers to break into the industry.

Links for people to buy it.

First Ones Entertainment RPGNow: http://www.rpgnow.com/browse.php?manufacturers_id=5904

NeoExodus Starter Bundle (an awesome deal, mostly written by me, but with a number of collaborations) www.rpgnow.com/product/97023/NeoExodus-Starter-Kit-PFRPG-BUNDLE?affiliate_id=316083

Gostor: Our mostly system-agnostics products for any fantasy system http://www.rpgnow.com/browse.php?cPath=19285_19707

Quick Deaths: Our Miniature rule set http://www.rpgnow.com/browse.php?cPath=19285_20781

Your promo links.

My Personal Blog: JP on Gaming http://jpchapleau.blogspot.com/

First Ones Entertainment: http://foelegacies.com 

Your short Bio.

I am a Montrealer born and raised. Graduated as a computer engineer and have since then traveled the world (Canada, France, Ireland, Japan and now the US). I wrote over 50 adventures for the RPGA. Since 2012, I have been dedicating myself to NeoExodus.

I am married to a French Canadian woman and we have three children currently living in the Louisville area.

My other interests include history and miniature war-gaming.

“Imaginarium is an entire convention centered on creative writing taking place September 19-21 in Louisville KY, featuring over 140 panels and workshops organized into 12 categories.  Over 130 professional guests will be featured in the programming, covering all aspects of creative writing in the worlds of books, eBooks, screenplays, comics/graphic novels, and even game design.  All of it is set within a fun, convention atmosphere that includes activities like a Masquerade, gaming room, film festival, and more.  Please visit www.entertheimaginarium.com for further information.”

SPOTLIGHT ON: J.M. Madden

How did you get involved in the upcoming Imaginarium convention?

A friend of mine had told me about it then I got the invite from Stephen. It looked like a lot of fun so I signed up.

What is your latest release and what genre is it?

My latest release is Embattled Home, the fourth book in my Lost and Found series. I write contemporary military romance, for the most part.

Quick description of it.

Chad Lowell is one of the partners of the Lost and Found Investigative Service and they are hired to gather incriminating evidence in a child custody case against Lora O’Neil, the mother. Unfortunately they realize they’re on the wrong side of the fence when the man that hires them tries to abduct the child.

Chad steps in to protect Lora and the little girl and quickly loses his heart to them.

Something unique about it.

All of the heroes in the series are ‘combat modified’. Chad is an amputee and burn survivor and doesn’t expect anybody would ever be willing to take him the way he is. But Lora has her own survivor issues. She sees beyond the physical to the heart of a warrior beneath.

Links for people to buy it.

Amazon–

B&N–
Kobo–

iBooks–

Your promo links.

Amazon Author Page

Website

Facebook– 

Twitter– 

Your short Bio.

NY Times and USA Today Bestselling author J.M. Madden writes compelling romances between ‘combat modified’ military men and the women who love them. An eternal optimist, she believes there is a soulmate for everyone, no matter what the situation or physical challenge. She’s written 18 romances in the past three years and has plans for many more.

“Imaginarium is an entire convention centered on creative writing taking place September 19-21 in Louisville KY, featuring over 140 panels and workshops organized into 12 categories.  Over 130 professional guests will be featured in the programming, covering all aspects of creative writing in the worlds of books, eBooks, screenplays, comics/graphic novels, and even game design.  All of it is set within a fun, convention atmosphere that includes activities like a Masquerade, gaming room, film festival, and more.  Please visit www.entertheimaginarium.com for further information.”

SPOTLIGHT ON: Stephen Dorning a.k.a. S.P.Dorning =)

How did you get involved in the upcoming Imaginarium convention?

Several of my author friends in Imagicopter were going and I checked into on the webpage.

What is your latest release and what genre is it?

“Alongrid Knights” It is actually a collection of short stories set in the steam powered world of Alongrid.  It’s a Steampunk/Fantasy collection.

Quick description of it.  

Think 1940’s America, powered by steam with elves as the Nazis.

Something unique about it. 

The elves are the bad guys? You don’t see a lot of that, but I think it works really well for the stories.

Links for people to buy it.

http://heavymetalcowboy.com/index_files/Page479.htm

Your promo links.

My website: www.heavymetalcowboy.com

Book Trailer for “Alongrid Knights”; http://heavymetalcowboy.com/index_files/Page827.htm

Your short Bio.

In the latter months of 2009 a writing competition was held in the Blount County and surrounding areas of Alabama. Stephen Dorning won that competition and was published shortly thereafter. Stephen has since immersed himself in the book publishing industry and has also added his artistic skills into the mix. From cover design, illustration work, and the art of the written word, Stephen enjoys working in all of them. Born and raised in the South, Stephen currently resides in Alabama and is actively pursuing all aspects of his career.

“Imaginarium is an entire convention centered on creative writing taking place September 19-21 in Louisville KY, featuring over 140 panels and workshops organized into 12 categories.  Over 130 professional guests will be featured in the programming, covering all aspects of creative writing in the worlds of books, eBooks, screenplays, comics/graphic novels, and even game design.  All of it is set within a fun, convention atmosphere that includes activities like a Masquerade, gaming room, film festival, and more.  Please visit www.entertheimaginarium.com for further information.”

SPOTLIGHT ON: Rebekah McAuliffe

How did you get involved in the upcoming Imaginarium convention? 

My cousin Amy McCorkle was already a guest at Imaginarium. She had been coaching me on writing and publishing my first novel for about three months at that point.  It was around February, if I remember correctly, that she suggested the idea of launching with her at an upcoming convention called Imaginarium.  I contacted Stephen Zimmer and asked if he would allow me to launch my debut novel at Imaginarium with Amy, and he said yes. I’ve been excitedly preparing for the event ever since.

What is your latest release and what genre is it? 

Gears of Golgotha is a sci-fi/dystopian novel.

Quick description of it. 

A thousand years after World War III, Earth is united into the global nation of New Pangaea. Society is separated into Chemists, those who are skilled in science, and Mages, those who practice magic. The work of New Pangaea revolves around the Gears, large machines that orbit Earth, powering and protecting the planet. 

Erin Luciani is training to become a Chemist, like her family before her. But when she meets Dr. Makswell Sharpe, the Chemist in charge of the Gears, her entire life is turned upside down. And from there spawns an adventure full of intrigue, conspiracy, unrequited love, and much more.

Something unique about it. 

I say Gears of Golgotha is sci-fi/dystopia because while the novel does take place in a bleak future, there is also a unique focus on the technology of the time, and how it impacts the way society functions. Think the government of 1984, the culture of Brave New World, and the divisive climate of Divergent.

Links for people to buy it. 

Gears of Golgotha hasn’t been released yet, but it will be launching/debuting on September 20 at Imaginarium.

Your promo links. 

coffee-crazed-writer.blogspot.com

Twitter handle: @bekahlovesmusic

www.facebook.com/gearsofgolgotha

Your short Bio. 

Rebekah McAuliffe has had a love for writing since she was very young, but her novel Gears of Golgotha is her first dive into the world of published literature. She is a sophomore Elementary Education major at Morehead State University, and divides her time between school and writing. When not writing, she enjoys drinking coffee, spending time with friends, and cuddling with her cats. Her official blog, Ravings of a Coffee-Crazed Writer, can be found at www.coffee-crazed-writer.blogspot.com. She is also on Twitter (@bekahlovesmusic) and has a Facebook page for Gears of Golgotha (www.facebook.com/gearsofgolgotha)

“Imaginarium is an entire convention centered on creative writing taking place September 19-21 in Louisville KY, featuring over 140 panels and workshops organized into 12 categories.  Over 130 professional guests will be featured in the programming, covering all aspects of creative writing in the worlds of books, eBooks, screenplays, comics/graphic novels, and even game design.  All of it is set within a fun, convention atmosphere that includes activities like a Masquerade, gaming room, film festival, and more.  Please visit www.entertheimaginarium.com for further information.”

SPOTLIGHT ON: Angelia Sparrow

How did you get involved in the upcoming Imaginarium convention?

I saw it on Stephen Zimmer and Mandi Lynch’s walls, and realized it might be the successor to Fandom Fest. And Zimmer always does a really good lit track schedule.

What is your latest release and what genre is it?

My latest is Nikolai Revenant. It’s a reworking of my dark future Pygmalion. Last original release was “Riding the Edge” with Naomi Brooks, in Dominant Tendencies. It was kinky urban fantasy.

Quick description of it.

James Ligatos is a powerful man with an unusual hobby. And this time, former street gang leader, Nick Boyd, is the target. After a disastrous heist, Nick is remanded to the custody and training of Ligatos and his cadre, only to learn the world is a very different place than he ever imagined.

Something unique about it.

This is set in the DisUnited States, after peak oil, global warming and a targeted destruction. (Also, the climax takes place in Louisville)

Links for people to buy it.

The e-book can be had for free for the month of September. Since it is a re-edit, rewrite and reprint, we opted to give it away for the first month to let the loyal readers replace their copies.

This offer is only good through the Inkstained Succubus website:

http://www.inkstainedsuccubus.com/

Your promo links.

http://www.brooksandsparrow.com

http://www.inkstainedsuccubus.com

Where to find me, or Savoir-Faire is Everywhere:

https://www.facebook.com/angelia.sparrow  (only if you want my mom seeing your comments!)

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAngeliaSparrow

http://valarltd.livejournal.com/

http://www.pinterest.com/valarltd/

https://fetlife.com/users/330045

http://valarltd.tumblr.com/

https://twitter.com/asparrow16

http://inkstainedsuccubus.blogspot.com/

http://angelsparrow.blogspot.com/

https://www.etsy.com/shop/valarltd

Your short Bio.

Angelia Sparrow has written seventeen novels and eighty-six short stories in the decade she has been writing professionally, and has destroyed the world at least three times. In between, she has been a library paraprofessional, a truck driver, an inventory clerk and a merchandiser. She has four children, two of whom are still at home, a husband and a couple of cats. In her spare time, she knits, crochets, and volunteers at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center.

“Imaginarium is an entire convention centered on creative writing taking place September 19-21 in Louisville KY, featuring over 140 panels and workshops organized into 12 categories.  Over 130 professional guests will be featured in the programming, covering all aspects of creative writing in the worlds of books, eBooks, screenplays, comics/graphic novels, and even game design.  All of it is set within a fun, convention atmosphere that includes activities like a Masquerade, gaming room, film festival, and more.  Please visit www.entertheimaginarium.com for further information.”

SPOTLIGHT ON: Mysti Parker. I also answer to Misty, Mom, Mama, Mommy, and Hey You.

How did you get involved in the upcoming Imaginarium convention? 

I don’t exactly remember, though I’m pretty sure Amy McCorkle had something to do with that. Plus, Stephen Zimmer asked me to hand out flyers at other events. I also heard something about a cash bar…J

What is your latest release and what genre is it?

Hearts in Exile, Book #3 of the standalone Tallenmere fantasy romance series. I emphasize standalone because most folks in this cliffhanger trilogy age don’t understand that you really can have a series comprised of separate stories. There will be more, just not sure how many yet.

Quick description of it.

The whole blurb is a bit wordy, so I’ll let one of my reviewers sum it up:

“Hearts in Exile is a story spanning sixty years, involving paladins, elves, necromancers, gods and dwarves, to name but a few. The two main protagonists, Sir Robert (Igrorio Everlyn ) and Loralee Munroviel, daughter of a High Priestess, are two young people who fall desperately and deeply in love only to be separated for ten long years, neither knowing where the other is. Loralee is banished to an island to be a Dragon Keeper with only the company of dragons and a pet snippet called Puddle. Sir Robert becomes a Holy Paladin and goes off to fight and achieve great things for king and country. A freak storm eventually reunites them. Throughout the story we learn, from the perspective of both Loralee and Sir Robert, how their lives and love began and see the tale unfold and build to an enveloping crescendo. I don’t want to give too much of the story away; it really is something you should read for yourself.” ~Amelia Curzon, 6/9/13

Something unique about it.

Just like all the Tallenmere series books, Sir Robert was one of the main supporting characters in the previous book (Serenya’s Song), and is now starring in this one. A main supporting character in this book (Mirabelle Hearton) will star in Book #4. The pattern will continue that way, linking the books to an over-arching plotline, but ensuring that each one tells its own standalone story.

Links for people to buy it.

Melange Books (Print, PDF, & HTML): http://www.melange-books.com/authors/mystiparker/heartsinexile.html

Amazon (Kindle): http://www.amazon.com/Hearts-in-Exile-Tallenmere-ebook/dp/B00DEJZ8UG/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_1_YS4D

B&N (Nook): http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hearts-in-exile-mysti-parker/1115836058?ean=2940044592223

Smashwords (all e-formats):http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/326723

All Romance E-Books (PDF & HTML):https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-heartsinexile-1225822-153.html

Your promo links.

Subscribe to my blog, Unwritten 

LIKE my fan page on Facebook! 

Follow me on Twitter @MystiParker

Your short Bio.

Mysti Parker is a wife, mother of three, author, and shameless chocoholic. She is the author of the Tallenmere standalone fantasy romance series. Mysti’s other writings have appeared in the anthologies Hearts of Tomorrow, Christmas Lites, Christmas Lites II, The Darwin Murders, and EveryDayFiction. She serves as a class mentor in Writers Village University’s seven week online course, F2K. She’s just finished her first historical romance and has two children’s books represented by Steven Hutson of WordWise Media Services. Mysti resides in Buckner, KY with her husband, three children, and too many pets.

“Imaginarium is an entire convention centered on creative writing taking place September 19-21 in Louisville KY, featuring over 140 panels and workshops organized into 12 categories.  Over 130 professional guests will be featured in the programming, covering all aspects of creative writing in the worlds of books, eBooks, screenplays, comics/graphic novels, and even game design.  All of it is set within a fun, convention atmosphere that includes activities like a Masquerade, gaming room, film festival, and more.  Please visit www.entertheimaginarium.com for further information.”