Bitten By Life: Paranormal Maven Needs Help!

A few years ago when my story collection had been out for a few months, I was directed by someone in the know to a review site for paranormal literature called Bitten By Books.

I was shy and rather out of place there (not really being a writer of paranormal fiction, but what the hey), but what I found was a welcome and assistance far beyond any other I had encountered in my attempts to promote the book. Rachel was wise, witty, and well-informed, but she was also kind and patient and very encouraging.

I am the worst sort of person to try to self-promote, and I will probably never attempt it again. But in her hands I had the courage to do things like do a lengthy video interview, a daylong chat, and a contest where I gave away not only my book but wrote a story and a poem from the winners' prompts. It was fun and I am so grateful to her for all her help over that time. All of which was given for no remuneration, and with grace and good humour.

Recently I contacted Rachel for the first time in quite a while, and learned that due to ill health and the costs that attend it in the USA, where socialized medicine is not yet a reality, she has been in very difficult straits. With her husband she is trying to get back to Seattle where he can get work, but they are having trouble putting the money together for the move. 

Rachel and Husband Clif

To learn more about Rachel's situation, please go to the following link. Let's give a little back to one of the legion of volunteers out there who are helping put us in touch with the books and the audiences we readers and writers want so much.

 http://fnd.us/c/fklD5 

Posture of the Infinite: She Likes It!

Anantasana

I just wanted to share with you Elisa's comments on "The Posture of the Infinite", the story I wrote for her (as a prize, using her prompts. See my interview with Bitten By Books).

Spoiler Alert!

You are right - the story isn't exactly what I prompted for, but I think that's a good thing.   :)

There were moments where the story reminded me of The Epic of Gilgamesh, which is one of my favorite stories from my time at University studying literature and history. I love the idea that Daya had great knowledge (and therefore power) with each life/species she experienced, and yet all she wanted was to help someone else. She didn't complain about an inability to control her fate, nor did she scheme for which incarnation she desired next, she just gave.

And I liked that as she transformed with each position, it symbolized each being she has been or will be. Which of course begs the question: is the posture of the infinite each pose you take, or is it the essence of your soul (no matter what form you've taken) in each lifetime? Personally, I feel her desire to interact with others in a positive matter is the Posture of the Infinite. Perhaps that's my rosy outlook on how humanity should be - I can't shake my naïveté sometimes - but that's what I got from Daya.

A fitting story to be dedicated to me, to be certain!

Thank you so much for tackling my prompt, the result was perhaps experimental and literary, but a great experiment at that.  

Elisa Jankowski

Now, to send the story out somewhere. (My, I'm lax.)

The Prizes: "Roksana" & "Posture of the Infinite"

Back in the mists of time I did an interactive interview and chat for Bitten By Books. The prizes included a poem and a story written to specs given by the winners. (Within limits. See the bottom of this post for details or check out the video interview and text chat at the BBB site.) 

I wrote the poem "Roksana" for Rose last November. This is what she'd said: "Ok, protagonist's name is Roksana, and the ability she has is shape shifting to any animal. Roksana loves paranormal romance and urban fantasy. Chocolate is her life." Rose mentioned that she was from Uzbekistan, and told me a bit about what is important to her. I tried to bear all this in mind while crafting the poem, which turned out to be about a were snow leopard. It was great fun to write it and to be in touch with the delightful Rose.

Elisa took longer to decide what she wanted her story to be about. (I can relate! I took much longer to figure out how to write it!) She came up with this: " Based on the types of things you have in your repertoire, I think a story that touches on the process of a character finding his/her path in life would be great. I think most of us ask ourselves every now and again, “What is my purpose? Surely, I was meant to do something!” It’d be great to see this question answered by a divine someone in this character’s life. Be it a fairy, goddess, grocery clerk, you name it. Does that make sense? Actually, it would be pretty neat if the person directing people to their “right paths” was someone you’d least expect. Like that grocery store clerk, or perhaps the homeless man you pass by at the corner every week. Or a bus driver." 

Elisa hasn't yet seen her story. I have a little editing left to do on it. But it is not quite what she or I probably expected, based on her notes. The thing that I stumbled on was the "purpose in life". I have a hard time with that concept; I don't believe we have a single purpose, a single path that will suit or fulfill or be best for us. But I do believe we get knocked off any good path at times and people, situations, unorchestrated epiphanies can bring us to a new awareness that will help us get onto a path worth following. That is what I ended up writing about in "Posture of the Infinite", which features a woman who remembers countless past incarnations, and is a human for the first time.

Both of these writing projects were challenges for me and I loved that about them. My contact with Rose and Elisa was a great pleasure, too. I wondered if I was biting off more than I could chew by offering these prizes, but I am very glad I took the chance. I hope Rose and Elisa are, too! I regret the long delay in delivering Elisa's story--after my dad's death I lost all feeling for writing for several months--but I'm glad I got to ponder it long enough that I finally came up with something I think is worth giving her.

 
Prize 1: A story written for You. You choose the genre and the time period. Tell me up to three things about the protagonist (a name, an ability, something she hates or something she likes – it’s up to you) and I will do the rest. Or you can choose a theme - say, art and the paranormal or alien shopping or whatever you’re curious about, and I’ll come up with the character, etc. Or you can leave it all up to me. In any case, tell me a little about yourself and what you like or what is important to you, and I will bear that in mind as I write. The publishing rights remain with me, but the story is dedicated to you and you see it first. I’ll send you a signed printout when it’s done. Heck, if you like I’ll call and read it to you. Plus you will receive a personalized signed copy of Finding Creatures & Other Stories. (Note: writing a story takes time! This won’t come instantly but it’ll get there soon enough.)

Prize 2: A personalized signed copy of Finding Creatures & Other Stories plus a poem in the genre of your choice. Choose one element of the poem and I’ll do the rest. See Prize 1 above for details.

BBB Winners!

Got the word today on who won the prizes from my Bitten By Books chat. There was an unavoidable delay in the proceedings but we're back on track now.

Elisa Jankowski won the story, and Rose Gabdul won the poem.

Elisa Rocks! Rose Rules! Woohoo!

I'm still excited about this contest, and am looking forward to seeing what Elisa and Rose think up for me to write.

Here again are the rules:

Prize 1: A story written for You. You choose the genre and the time period. Tell me up to three things about the protagonist (a name, an ability, something she hates or something she likes – it’s up to you) and I will do the rest. Or you can choose a theme - say, art and the paranormal or alien shopping or whatever you’re curious about, and I’ll come up with the character, etc. Or you can leave it all up to me. In any case, tell me a little about yourself and what you like or what is important to you, and I will bear that in mind as I write. The publishing rights remain with me, but the story is dedicated to you and you see it first. I’ll send you a signed printout when it’s done. Heck, if you like I’ll call and read it to you. Plus you will receive a personalized signed copy of Finding Creatures & Other Stories. (Note: writing a story takes time! This won’t come instantly but it’ll get there soon enough.)

Prize 2: A personalized signed copy of Finding Creatures & Other Stories plus a poem in the genre of your choice. Choose one element of the poem and I’ll do the rest. See Prize 1 above for details.

If you haven't had a look at the video and chat, you can find them at

Interview, Chat and Contest with Author C. June Wolf.

Women Who Run With the Werewolves: My BBB Video Interview

Here she be. The Dreaded Webcam Interview. Worked out pretty well, all in all. If you look carefully you will see a hand-made clay pot in the background. I did that! With a little help from Persimmon Blackbridge, many long year ago. It's a copy of a neolithic owl goddess pot.

If you want to read the comments and questions post-interview, they're at:
http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=11068

Cheers!
Casey

Chat & Interview a Raving Success! (Or am I Just Raving 'Cause I'm Tired???)

Who'da thunk typing for 14 hours could be so FUN?

OK, I was a wreck afterward, but I had a wonderful time talking with the people who came to my chat. We racked up over a hundred comments, and the conversation ranged over some really interesting stuff. I suppose it will remain up there on the Bitten By Books site - it's rather too long to post here! - so if you are curious you can pop over to Interview, Chat and Contest with Author C. June Wolf and leaf through the comments.

I find I am on tenterhooks, waiting to see who won the contest and what I will be writing for them. It's neat to be as eager about the prize as the particpants were!

I'm grateful to everyone who came and participated, and to Rachel for making the whole thing possible. And now I think I'll sleep for a thousand years.

Cheers!
Casey

We're Live!

Wow. What an interesting experience this interview, chat, & contest at Bitten By Books is turning out to be! Rachel (our bitten leader) knows what she is doing, and offers so many ways for readers and writers to connect. I'm just blown away.

If you are around between now and 11 or so tonight, come on-site and leave a comment, ask a question. I look forward to writing the prizes!

Cheers,
Casey

Interview, Chat and Contest with Author C. June Wolf

Posted under Contests, Interviews, Videos, Vlogs by Site Hostess on Wednesday 23 September 2009 at 8:33 am

A big welcome to our readers today! Be sure to read to the end of the interview to find out how to WIN the fabulous prizes being offered up.

PLEASE NOTE: This is not a fixed time event, the post just goes live at 10:30 am CDT. You can stop by any time during the day or evening and leave your questions and chat.

PLEASE KEEP SPOILERS TO A MINIMUM. Not all of the readers today have read Casey’s book.

Interview:

Hi Casey!

Welcome to Bitten by Books, we are excited to have you here today!

I would like to thank you taking the time to join us for the question and answer session with our readers. It has been very interesting to get to know more about you and what makes you tick as a writer! Readers, if you haven’t done so already please stop by and get your copy of Casey’s book Finding Creatures & Other Stories.

Please Note: For best results in watching the video. Hit play and let the video load completely. Sometimes it takes a few minutes to load depending on your internet service.

RSVP for extra chances to win AND See Me Make a Fool of Myself on Video!

I just got wind that anyone hoping to be there for the interview, chat, and contest on the 23rd will get 50 extra entries into the draw if you RSVP ahead of time. Here is the link:
http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=10376

You still need to show up for the online event, write a comment and ask a question to be entered into the draw. To my delight there are already 20 people signed up, each eager for a story written for her. I'm so psyched! This has got to be the most fun promotion I've done. See you there!

(Oh, and I've acquired a webcam and am making bad but friendly videos for the event.. See the bottom of this post.)

Toodles, Casey

The Full Poop:

RSVP For: 9/23 Interview, Chat and Contest with Author C. June Wolf

Posted under Contests, Site News by Site Hostess on Saturday 19 September 2009 at 7:42 pm

UPCOMING EVENT: 9/23 Interview and Contest with Author C. June Wolf. Event starts at 10:30 am Central on 9/23. Contest runs until 11:59 pm PDT on 9/27.

Description: Join us with author C. June Wolf for an interview, chat and contest at http://bittenbybooks.com/. She is also giving away some amazing prizes to THREE lucky readers! Contest is open to readers worldwide except where noted.

Prize 1: A story written for You. You choose the genre and the time period. Tell me up to three things about the protagonist (a name, an ability, something she hates or something she likes – it’s up to you) and I will do the rest. Or you can choose a theme - say, art and the paranormal or alien shopping or whatever you’re curious about, and I’ll come up with the character, etc. Or you can leave it all up to me. In any case, tell me a little about yourself and what you like or what is important to you, and I will bear that in mind as I write. The publishing rights remain with me, but the story is dedicated to you and you see it first. I’ll send you a signed printout when it’s done. Heck, if you like I’ll call and read it to you. Plus you will receive a personalized signed copy of Finding Creatures & Other Stories. (Note: writing a story takes time! This won’t come instantly but it’ll get there soon enough.)

Prize 2: A personalized signed copy of Finding Creatures & Other Stories plus a poem in the genre of your choice. Choose one element of the poem and I’ll do the rest. See Prize 1 above for details.

Prize 3: An Amazon gift card worth $40.00 CDN at the Amazon that serves your area (.ca, .com, .uk).

RSVP below and get 50 entries to the contest when you show up on the day of the event. If you don’t show up and mention your RSVP AND ask a question, you won’t be entered into the contest.

Check out Casey’s website here and get your questions ready for Wednesday. http://cjunewolfden.blogspot.com/

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1. Comment by Lexie — September 19, 2009 @ 9:27 pm

   RSVP

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2. Comment by Shaine K. — September 19, 2009 @ 9:28 pm

   WoW what great prizes!! RSVP!!
   Can’t wait to find out more about this Author =)

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3. Comment by Melanie Schultz — September 19, 2009 @ 9:30 pm

   I love the idea for this contest.

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4. Comment by Raonaid Luckwell — September 19, 2009 @ 9:33 pm

   That is actually sort of neat, prize 1, though I really doubt I have the luck for that.. But RSVP!

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5. Comment by Alejandra — September 19, 2009 @ 9:42 pm

   RSVP! It sounds so exciting!

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6. Comment by Rose G. — September 19, 2009 @ 11:54 pm

   RSVP
   Oh my God, the prizes are amazing!!!!!! This is will be awesome! Thank you so much for doing this!

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7. Comment by LouLou — September 20, 2009 @ 4:12 am

   Love the idea to help another good author write in the genre I love.
   would love to win the 1st prize as it would make my sister green with envy lol

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8. Comment by Cyd J — September 20, 2009 @ 4:46 am

   RSVP

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9. Comment by Cyd J — September 20, 2009 @ 4:48 am

   RSVP Those are some wonderful prizes.

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10. Comment by Tracey (bl0226) — September 20, 2009 @ 5:48 am

    RSVP

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11. Comment by Dina — September 20, 2009 @ 6:58 am

    sounds like fun, I’ll be there.

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12. Comment by Elie N — September 20, 2009 @ 8:06 am

    rsvp

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13. Comment by Patricia Barraclough — September 20, 2009 @ 8:44 am

    This is my RSVP. Will be there.

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14. Comment by Bridget H. — September 20, 2009 @ 10:37 am

    I’ll be here

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15. Comment by Candy Gorcsi — September 20, 2009 @ 1:01 pm

    RSVP!!! Awesome prizes, would love to win!

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16. Comment by Kate Boardman — September 20, 2009 @ 1:08 pm

    I really like this competition idea…how bloody marvellous. Count me in.
    *Kate is sending her RSVP loud and clear*

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17. Comment by Sharon K — September 20, 2009 @ 1:51 pm

    I’ll be here for sure
    RSVP

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18. Comment by Heather C — September 20, 2009 @ 3:18 pm

    rsvp

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19. Comment by Michele H — September 20, 2009 @ 5:49 pm

    RSVP

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20. Comment by Lisa Richards — September 20, 2009 @ 6:10 pm

    RSVP

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21. Comment by M.A. — September 20, 2009 @ 6:41 pm

    RSVP

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22. Comment by C. June Wolf — September 20, 2009 @ 7:06 pm

    Wow! So cool! Actual people! I look forward to talking with you all on Wednesday.

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Want Me to Write You a Story? Come to My Interview & Chat

It's true. If you enter, and win, I will write you a poem or a story (after consultation with you), and send you a copy of my book. Heck, I'll even phone you up and read you what I wrote, if you like. Or you may win a gift certificate for the Amazon of your choice. (You don't even have to tell me her name.)

So, Casey, tell me more.

On 23 September I'll be doing an interactive interview with Rachel at Bitten By Books, then settling down to answer questions and chat with whoever logs in to talk with me that day. If you have some spare time I'd love to have you stop in for a blab.

When it came time to decide what treasures to give away for the contest part of the event, I thought, why not do something fun? I could give a gift bag or gift certificate - but with a gift bag, what's fun for me might be ho hum for someone else. Could I be sure I wasn't the only one who'd enjoy an Insects of the World shower curtain???

I discovered some time ago that I like writing to themes. Normally I sit down and just write. But sometimes there is a theme that attracts my attention and I decide to write a story for it. I end up in places I might never have gotten to otherwise. (No, not the St. John's jail. That was something else altogether.) I like that.

So here is what I'm offering:

One Prize: A story written for You. You choose the genre and the time period. Tell me up to three things about the protagonist (a name, an ability, something she hates or something she likes – it’s up to you) and I will do the rest. Or you can choose a theme - say, art and the paranormal or alien shopping or whatever you’re curious about, and I’ll come up with the character, etc. Or you can leave it all up to me. In any case, tell me a little about yourself and what you like or what is important to you, and I will bear that in mind as I write. The publishing rights remain with me, but the story is dedicated to you and you see it first. I’ll send you a signed printout when it’s done. Heck, if you like I’ll call and read it to you. Plus you will receive a personalized signed copy of Finding Creatures & Other Stories. (Note: writing a story takes time! This won’t come instantly but it’ll get there soon enough.) Another Prize: A personalized signed copy of Finding Creatures & Other Stories plus a poem in the genre of your choice. Choose one element of the poem and I’ll do the rest. See One Prize above for details. And Another Prize: An Amazon gift card worth $40 CDN at the Amazon that serves your area (.ca, .com, .uk…).

There are a number of ways you can enter the contest - I don't recall them all but they'll be posted on the day. They involve things like buying a copy of my book, blogging or tweeting about it, asking me a question - nothing too painful.

So think about it. What genre would you like to test me on? Want to be in your own story? Want to hear about Giant Pandas on the moon? Whatever. Ask, and you shall receive.

Cheers,
Casey

Bitten by Book Reviews.

I had the rather odd experience last week of dreaming that if I was to be turned into a monster, I would like to be either a vampire or a werewolf, because they are bitten on the neck before they die.

Besides showing a sad misunderstanding of werewolf physiology, and a shockingly ribald undercurrent to my dreams, this does at least speak clearly to the love/not-love relationship it is possible to have with things like biting, and book reviews.

Being a sensitive soul, I was a little droopy after reading the review of Finding Creatures & Other Stories on the Bitten By Books site last night. Then a few hours later I saw another review posted to LibraryThing. The interesting thing about these two reviews is that in part they are commenting on the same thing, with extreme opposite reactions to it. A good reminder to me, when I am assessing a book, to remember that just because it isn't working for me, that doesn't mean it isn't working. (I shouldn't have needed the reminder--Charles de Lint says the same thing in the intro to my book. Oopsies.)

Anyway, to save you, dear readers, the trouble of searching around for these reviews, I will copy them here and let you struggle to your own conclusions.


Mar 8, Review by Ricki
Finding Creatures & Other Stories by C. June Wolf (out of a possible 5 tombstones)
***

A collection of short stories is a good way to get a feel for an author. Canadian author C. June Wolf’s writing style comes across loud and clear in Finding Creatures & Other Stories.

Finding Creatures & Other Stories is a collection of 15 short stories. While some of the stories are fantasy and some are sci-fi, a few are closer to just plain fiction. In all of them, though, the main character learns some important inner truth, but often in a bittersweet way. A lot of the stories also have origins in religions and beliefs from various parts of the world, making each unique in their own way.

Out of all of the stories, the two that I enjoyed the most were the title story, “Finding Creatures” and “Miss Lonelygenes’ Secret”. “Finding Creatures” is a heartwarming story about a lonely girl who meets an invisible horse who helps her make friends to fit in at her new school. Also ending on a positive note is “Miss Lonelygenes’ Secret,” a sci-fi tale about a matchmaker who finds a way to make her own match.

Wolf excels at poetic prose, as evidenced in every one of her stories in Finding Creatures & Other Stories. However, most of these stories, while beautiful, were hard to really get into, lacking a connection between the reader and the main characters. Also, the dismal endings of some made the whole collection somewhat of a downer. Plus, many of the stories has a post-modernist feel to them as they lack an easily identifiable climax or conclusion.

If you enjoy beautiful short stories or learning about other philosophical beliefs, C. June Wolf’s writing will appeal to you. However, for those looking for a fun paranormal read, I would suggest looking elsewhere.

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(Interjection from the future: As I said, this didn't exactly make my day. But I went back today - 4 June 2009 - and discovered these wonderful comments. The last is by the owner of the Bitten By Books site. Now that's a vote of confidence. Thank you, all!), all

1. Comment by Ursula Pflug — April 3, 2009 @ 4:50 pm

   I really enjoyed Casey’s book and so did Charles de Lint who wrote a lengthy introduction.

   I’ve reviewed it for the April Internet Review of Science Fiction.

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2. Comment by Nicole Hicks — April 9, 2009 @ 7:57 pm

   Sometimes Happy ever after endings begin to pale, I will have to look into this for those times!

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3. Comment by Rachel — April 9, 2009 @ 8:23 pm

   This is the kind of book I can really get into. I am going to have to get my copy soon. Casey is an amazing author and very kind. Good sense of humor. I enjoy some of her poetry from her site. Definitely worth checking out. You can’t really get much better of an an endorsement than Charles de Lint.

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sandragon's review

Many of these short stories are about people faced with making choices that any one of us may come to face in our lives. The fact that the circumstances surrounding the choices are often wondrous or fantastical is beside the point. To me, these stories are about what it is to be 'human'. Each story contains characters that were very real to me in the strength of their thoughts and emotions. In these stories there is hope and compassion, people who care about what's happening around them and people making connections no matter the differences between them.

I tend to blitz through short story collections, reading one story immediately after another, so that the memory of one story bleeds into another. This time I decided to do as Charles de Lint recommended in his introduction and took breaks between each of Wolf's stories; sometimes as little as 30 minutes between stories, sometimes as much as a few weeks. I'm glad I did as I really got to savour and appreciate each story, every one of which I enjoyed, although a couple left me puzzled.

sandragon | Mar 8, 2009 |

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To order Finding Creatures & Other Stories and judge for yourself, click here and choose from the many options.