FB is BS

Facebook has so many aspects wrong with it and I have loathed it since the beginning.

Someone said we need to dismantle patriarchy but not go to matriarchy because male virgins are sacrificed... Um, where did you get that from, my guy???

Here was my response: Lesley Tiyesha Phillips Yeah, no. Matriarchal cultures DO NOT SACRIFICE MEN. Check out the Tuareg peoples. I believe the Himba. And several American indigenous cultures. Some of the Polynesian, Samoans, etc. Matriarchal means centering those who are vulnerable in a society: the young, the old, and the disabled. Most of the sapient mammals such as whales, lions, hyenas, elephants, and many others are matriarchal. They also don't sacrifice their males. The ancient Celtic folks(Irish, Scottish, and Welsh) were mostly matriarchal as well.

I am so fed up of this platform and it's why I left and removed my membership from several groups and wish to join no new ones.😒

My social media promos for CATCHING FEELS

I've been posting as many mini-promos and announcements as I can for my upcoming scifi story CATCHING FEELS.

[NOTE: Click here if you want to learn more about Kyanite Press - Kyanite Publishing LLC or click link for the Facebook image caption!]

Here's what I've posted so far to Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. I've also posted to both blogs. Now, all I need is to update the news on my dedicated website, Tabber the Red.

[Twitter: If you haven't seen my news yet, the follow-up to my SF story THE HUMAN NETWORK has been accepted by @KyanitePress! It's called 
 CATCHING FEELS and it comes out February 2020!]

[Facebook: My science fiction story CATCHING FEELS was accepted by Kyanite Press/Publishing for their AMAZING JOURNEYS AND EXOTIC DESTINATIONS Volume 2 Issue 2 February 2020!

Link: Kyanite Press - Kyanite Publishing LLC http://kyanitepublishing.com]

[Kyanite Press' Twitter account: We had one more name to add to the list for V2i2, and here it is! 

Welcome back @[my Twitter handle]

[Twitter: I'm excited for CATCHING FEELS to appear in Kyanite Press Vol2 Iss2 Feb 2020!
It's the continuation to THE HUMAN NETWORK.]

[Twitter: I'm so happy that CATCHING FEELS will be included in this! It's a follow-up to THE HUMAN NETWORK and now this *feels* like a real series to me!]

Sunday rant about Facebook's dysfunction

So sick of how segregating and silencing many of these FB groups are.

The Sailor Moon Fan group I just left wouldn't allow me to post a Sailor Moon Tumblr post (& I credited it).

This is the same reason I left that Women's Writer, Editor, and Agent group.

They allowed other postings but when I posted articles about Black and Brown women in the publishing industry, the moderator wouldn't allow it.

A comic book and collector's fan group wouldn't allow my posting about the death of a recent legend in comics who happened or be Black.

And the Science Fiction writer's group I left wanted to silence minority voices and tell us politics weren't allowed in scifi. Since when has science fiction NOT been political?

And don't get me started on the amount of Christian and Black History groups I had to leave because of that exclusivity!

Friends and family, if there's a group you believe you should add me to, please PLEASE do me and yourself the favor of checking how INCLUSIVE the FB group is. Because Facebook is such a dysfunctional corporate enterprise, this platform often reflects that. Thank you and enjoy your Sunday.

2nd Interview with Ms. MaryAnn Kempher!

As you all read, I interviewed my awesome tweep, MaryAnn Kempher, in April of this year to much fanfare of her debut novel,  Mocha, Moonlight, and Murder.

Now, the sequel Forever Doomed will soon be released! 

~~~~~~

Thanks so much for hosting me Carmen.

~~~~~~

1. We want to know, how has life changed for MaryAnn Kempher since "Mocha, Moonlight and Murder" debuted?

How has it changed? It hasn't. Right after Mocha was published, I started writing my next book; Forever Doomed.

2. Did you expect most of what came from that novel's debut? Or did anything in the experience of publishing a first novel take you by surprise?

Upon Mocha's publication, I was as happy and proud as I thought I'd be. What took me by surprise was that I think I had unrealistic expectations. I don't think I realized just how many books are out there for people to choose from, and how difficult it would be to stand out in the crowd.

3. We know characters are often a combination of people we knew/know or various aspects of ourselves. Were those characters based on people in your life? And/Or yourself?

Elements of my personality can be seen in Katherine. She's a little of a smart mouth, and so am I. The dialogue between her and Scott could easily occur in my house between me and my husband.

4. I was taken in by how breezy "Mocha" was. And with its unpredictability, family secrets, weird inner monologues, and self-doubts, I must tell you, the tone and its spirit felt very Japanese lit to me. What do you think of that assessment?

I like the term breezy. Mocha's not meant to be a "serious" book, with twenty-dollar words. It's meant to be fun, and entertaining, and something you'd enjoy reading at the beach or on the couch with a cup of cocoa. I'm not familiar with Japanese literature, so I don't know what you mean. :)

5. With all that was going on in "Mocha", the novel felt very grounded, not soap-operatic. How did you manage that?

Thank you. I think it's because of the dialogue, it's very realistic. I think it's how friends and family talk.

6. Now, "Forever Doomed" will be out! I'm excited about this! Is it a sequel to "Mocha" or a standalone? What can you tell us without spilling the beans?

It's both a sequel and a standalone. You can read Forever Doomed on its own, but a lot of the characters from Mocha are in it. If you read Mocha first, it's like running into old friends. You get to see what everyone is up to--but you don't need to have read Mocha to enjoy Forever Doomed.

7. This is a silly question, but what genre would you put your mysteries under? A lot of  times, readers tend to be very genre-centric.

I googled Mystery subgenre definitions. FOREVER DOOMED has the elements of am Inverted/Howdunit and a Whodunit.

8. Since we are a writers' and artists' blog, what compelled you to a sequel? I know, silly question, but it's different for different writers.

Once I'd finished writing Mocha, I realized that while I enjoyed writing the romance between Scott and Katherine, what I'd enjoyed writing the most was the mystery element. So, I decided I wanted to write another book that was more mystery focused.

9. I have to tell you, I don't read mysteries, I prefer to watch them on TV. But now, I know I will start reading them more because of "Mocha". How does that make you feel?

Very flattered. Thrilled that you liked it. Hopeful you'll like the next book.

10. Any words to the readers? And when can we get our hands on "Forever Doomed"?

I'm super excited about this book. If it's well received, it will be a series. I really like combining a scratch-your-head mystery with a dollop of romance. Forever Doomed should be available on the Kindle and Nook sometime during the first week of December. Paperback within the second week.

Bonus question (You definitely don't have to answer this one): How was MaryAnn Kempher's Thanksgiving?

Both good and sad. I'm very blessed and thankful to have a healthy, happy family, but we lost our very much loved dog to cancer just a few days before Thanksgiving. We will be forever thankful for the time Daisy was with us, but will always miss her.

Please be sure to visit my author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMaryAnnKempher?ref=hl

Once Forever Doomed is available, I'll be shouting it from the rooftops, or at lease on Facebook. :)

 ~~~~~~

Author MaryAnn Kempher

My Twitter handle is https://twitter.com/maryannkempher. 

Interview with Ms. MaryAnn Kempher!

Image courtesy of Author

Hi Carmen (Kay) ☺

Thanks so much for hosting me. 
~~~~~~

Mocha, Moonlight, and Murder was released on April 14^th, my birthday.

Mocha, Moonlight, and Murder is romantic suspense. It will appeal to romance lovers, because Scott and Katherine (eventually) have such a fantastic friendship, that blossoms into something more. They really like each other and the reader will really like them. It will also appeal to readers who love a good mystery: a woman is brutally murdered three blocks from Katherine’s. She sees the killer as he’s preparing to dispose of the woman’s body, but manages to outrun him. He finds out who she is and starts stalking her.

1. What was the hardest part of writing?

Having the discipline to sit down and actually write. Having the strength to ignore the refrigerator and television isn’t as easy as it might sound, not when they’re just feet from the computer.

2. What books/authors inspired you to become a writer?

Hands down Jane Austen and Agatha Christie. The witty banter between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice inspired the dialogue between my two main characters. The mystery element of Mocha, Moonlight, and Murder is all Agatha Christie. She’s my mystery hero.

3. What are your best times for writing? (Your circadian rhythm)

In the morning, after the kids have gone to school. I have to have quiet, or at least no interruptions.

4. I know you're dieting, but forgive me, I have a sweet tooth also! What are your comfort foods? While writing? And outside of writing?

Jeez, when am I not dieting? I’m a weakling when it comes to brownies, cakes or chocolate ice cream. Love sweets. While writing, I don’t eat a lot. The time of day I usually eat too much is in the evening. I love to eat while watching television.

5. When you're up against a brick wall (writer's block), what do you do to unwind and get unstuck?

I’m there right now. I’ve started my second book and am having a hard time. What usually works is to just walk away from writing for a little while, to take the pressure off myself.

6. What's your writing schedule like?

I don’t have a firm schedule. I usually sit down at the computer around ten in the morning for about three hours.

7. What does MaryAnn Kempher do for fun?

Gosh, I’m so boring. I really am. I read, go to the mall, go out to eat, see a movie. Everyone else in the world seem to be having so much more fun than me, but when I think about doing some of the things they’re doing-it looks like work. Oh, I’m lazy too.☺

8. Any words of wisdom and advice to other writers?

Before you start writing, go buy yourself some self-help books in the genre you want to write. There are few things you’d attempt to do without first getting some instructions on the best way to do it, why is writing any different?
~~~~~~

Author MaryAnn Kempher

My family moved to Reno NV, where Mocha, Moonlight, and Murder is set when I was 15. I currently live in Florida with my husband and two children, two dogs and one cat. My favorite authors are Jane Austen and Agatha Christie. My guilty pleasures include any and all sweets. I love all cake, cookies, brownies, and of course a grande Café Mocha.

My Twitter handle is https://twitter.com/maryannkempher. 

You can reach me on Facebook: Author Maryann Kempher

My website is: http://mkempher.com

Mocha, Moonlight, and Murder can be purchased at:

http://amazon.com

http://www.barnesandnoble.com