Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Days of The Dead Wrap-Up—Still Plenty of Tricks and Treats!

Thank you for helping put Ice Forged at #1 in the US and Canada in three categories for books and ebooks on Amazon and into the top 70 books on Kindle in both countries!

Some of the contests in the list below are still running for a limited time, so there’s still a chance to win free books!

The blog posts and videos will be up long-term, so here’s the full list.  A couple will be posting later in November.  And like any good Halloween party, there are extra treats—downloadable excerpts and audios of my work and several of my author friends.  Enjoy!

  • Orbit Books (www.OrbitBooks.net)—A guest blog post on Stalking the Shadow Side and a chapter excerpt from Ice Forged  https://www.orbitbooks.net/2013/11/01/stalking-shadow-side/
  • AND a post on my vote for who is the Ultimate Urban Fantasy Fighter https://www.orbitbooks.net/2013/10/31/ultimate-urban-fantasy-fighter-vampires-vs-werewolves/
  • New Video for Ice Forged and Reign of Ash: https://youtu.be/TZmpDbDWuWI
  • I Smell Sheep https://www.ismellsheep.com/2013/10/guest-post-my-brain-is-dangerous-place.html on why my brain is a dangerous place for characters.
  • Solaris Books —A blog post about the new Deadly Curiosities novel plus a never-before seen excerpt https://solaris-editors-blog.blogspot.com/2013/10/solaris-author-gail-z-martin-talks.html
  • Magical Words—A guest blog from me on “Looking Over the Brink” plus a different excerpt from Ice Forged https://www.magicalwords.net/specialgueststars/looking-over-the-brink/
  • SFSignal.com—a drawing to win a copy of Ice Forged (through 11/4) plus a blog post on “Epic to Urban and Back Again” https://www.sfsignal.com/archives/2013/10/guest-post-gail-z-martin-on-switching-gears-between-epic-and-urban-fantasy
  • SciFiChick.com—another chance to win a copy of Ice Forged and a blog post about Genre and Gender at scifichick.com/?p=21753
  • Out of the Box Media https://www.ootb-media.co.uk/guest-blog-series-characters-and-sanity-gail-z-martin/ A drawing for a copy of Ice Forged and a blog post on the Brave New World of Publishing
  • BullSpec.com – a blog post on The Hardest Part of writing urban fantasy  https://bullspec.com/2013/10/30/the-hardest-part-gail-z-martin-on-deadly-curiosities/
  • AudioBookaneers is offering a drawing for an audio copy of The Sworn https://audiobookaneers.com/ Coming soon!
  • RisingShadow https://www.risingshadow.net/articles/279-an-interview-with-gail-z-martin  Asks me all the questions no one else dared to ask!
  • Beauty In Ruins  https://beauty-in-ruins.blogspot.com/2013/10/gail-z-martin-talks-deadly-curiosities.html has a brand new interview where I spill all my secrets!
  • Fantastical Imaginations https://fantasticalimaginations.wordpress.com/2013/10/28/terview-with-gail-z-martin/ has an all-new interview
  • Civilian Reader https://civilian-reader.blogspot.com/2013/10/guest-post-its-end-of-world-bring.html has my take on It’s the End of the World—Bring Charmin
  • Fantasy Book Critic https://fantasybookcritic.blogspot.com/2013/10/guest-post-when-grid-goes-down-by-gail.html?m=0 on When the Grid Goes Down
  • Paranormal Authors on Digging up Bones: Through a Glass Darkly  https://paranormalauthors.blogspot.com/2013/10/guest-blog-through-glass-darkly.html
  • Janine Spendlove’s blog https://www.ailionora.com/2013/10/26/guest-post-misbehaving-women-gail-z-martin/ on my upcoming story in the Athena’s Daughter’s anthology
  • Toni Sweeney’s blog https://www.tonivsweeney.com/tvsweeney tonivsweeney.com/Blog/Entries/2013/10/24_Living_in_Interesting_Times.html on Living in Interesting Times
  • Tera Fulbright’s blog https://terafulbright.blogspot.com/2013/10/guest-post-gail-z-martin.html?spref=fb and a post on The Con-Going Writer
  • A Marvelous New World https://writermaggie.blogspot.com/2013/10/guest-blog-series-characters-and-sanity_25.html on Series, Characters and Sanity
  • Joshua Palmatier’s blog https://jpsorrow.livejournal.com/414590.html on my upcoming story in Steampunk Vs. Aliens
  • Kelly Hashway’s blog  https://kellyhashway.blogspot.com/2013/11/writer-wednesday-line-between-horror.html Where’s the Line Between Horror and Epic Fantasy on 11/13
  • Skiffy and Fanty https://skiffyandfanty.com/2013/10/29/my-superpower-gail-z-martin/ on My Superpower
  • Chaos & Insanity https://www.chaosandinsanity.com/7299/guest-post-by-gail-z-martin/ talked to me about  Creating Fictional Holidays
  • Vonnie Winslow Crist’s blog https://vonniewinslowcrist.wordpress.com/2013/10/28/suspense-horror-and-romance-in-epic-fantasy-by-gail-z-martin/ on Suspense, Horror and Romance in Epic Fantasy
  • RachaelAcks.com https://katsudon.net/?p=2379 on Urban/Epic Whiplash
  • KristiPetersenSchoonover.comhttps://kristipetersenschoonover.com/2013/10/29/writers-what-terrifies-you/
  • on The Long and Short of It about the new short story series on
  • FanGirlBlog.com https://fangirlblog.com/?p=14979 on Epic Fantasy is No Place for Wimps https://fangirlblog.com/2013/10/epic-fantasy-is-no-place-for-wimps/
  • Indian SF https://indiansf.in/ on Myth, Magic, Folklore—and Fantasy Coming soon!
  • The BroadPod https://broaduniverse.org/podcast/october-2013-broadpod/ includes an audio reading of Vanities
  • GhostInTheMachinePodcast.com—Readings from all of my new short stories—including some that haven’t been released yet!
  • ChroniclesOfTheNecromancer.com—A special post from me about how the short stories fit into the world of the novels, and a different chapter excerpt from Ice Forged, and sample chapters from books by several of my author friends!
  • TheWinterKingdoms on Facebook  (please “like” my page!) “like” my page before 11/30 and enter for a chance to win a signed copy of The Dread!
  • DisquietingVisions.com—a blog post on what new surprises lie in store—and where I’ll be in 2014, plus more excerpts!
  • On Goodreads  Talking about Your Favorite Monsters—join in here: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/117069-ghoulies-and-ghosties–favorite-monsters
  • New radio interview on Beware the Spaceman https://www.bewarethespaceman.com/test/6938-spacecast-40-aka-all-new-spacecast-episode-4
  • Twitter.com @GailZMartin—Links to some of my excerpts and audios, plus links to downloads from some more of my awesome author friends!
  • Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/gzmartin/boards/—See some of my photos from the conventions I attend, cities I visit and more—plus my favorite board, “Abandoned Places”
  • I’m now on Reddit and I’ll be the Fantasy Author of the Day on April 2 for Reign of Ash and on July 9 for Deadly Curiosities and an AMA-Ask Me Anything in April!
  • Watch for excerpts and new short fiction from me on Wattpad—Come hang out and connect! Excerpts from Buttons, Reign of Ash, The Low Road, Among the Shoals Forever and Raider’s Curse. https://wattpad.com/GailZMartin
  • Reign of Ash excerpt here: https://www.orbitbooks.net/excerpt/reign-of-ash/
  • Speculative Scotsman excerpt and Q&A here:

https://scotspec.blogspot.com/2013/10/guest-post-gail-z-martin-explains-days.html  and here: https://scotspec.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/excerpt-emporium-reign-of-ash-by-gail-z.html

  • On Falcata Times, I talk about rebuilding after the apocalypse https://falcatatimes.blogspot.com/2013/10/days-of-dead-blog-tour-out-of-ashes.html
  • For Fantasy Faction, I riff about why anarchy is overrated.  https://fantasy-faction.com/2013/why-government-is-better-for-society-than-anarchy
  • On Dave Brendon’s blog,   https://davebrendon.wordpress.com/2013/10/29/gail-z-martins-days-of-the-dead-blog-tour-guest-post/ I muse about “found families” in fantasy
  • With SFBokhandelin, www.SFBok.se we discuss my own version of “chaos theory.” https://www.sfbok.se/extra/onchaos.asp
  • No Cloaks Allowed NoCloaksAllowed.com explores When Magic Is The Problem. https://nocloaksallowed.com/2013/11/01/article-when-magic-is-the-problem-by-gail-z-martin/
  • J For Jetpack JForJetpack.com Let’s Hear it For Reluctant Heroes https://jforjetpack.com/guest-post-lets-hear-reluctant-heroes-gail-z-martin/
  • Meetup.com https://www.meetup.com/Thrifty-Author-Publishing-Success-Network/events/147930392/  Discusses “Writing the Holiday Tie-in” on Nov. 13
  • The Squealing Nerd, Review of The Dread https://squealingnerd.blogspot.com/2013/10/kinda-makes-you-want-to-spawn-on-gail-z.html

Trick or Treat wouldn’t be complete without Treats!  In this case, book excerpts—some mine, and many from my author friends.  Enjoy!

From my friends at Dark Oak Press—a sampler platter of delights!

  • http://www.darkoakpress.com/afterlife.html
  • https://www.darkoakpress.com/miami.html
  • https://www.darkoakpress.com/goth.html
  • https://www.darkoakpress.com/allanstory.html
  • https://www.darkoakpress.com/galenrev.html
  • https://www.darkoakpress.com/darkchances.html
  • https://www.darkoakpress.com/decembrists.html

 

From my Broad Universe friends, the Wicked, Wild and Whimsical Words Tour: https://ow.ly/qbWhv

From E Rose Sabin

  • https://www.erosesabin.com/Page4-5a.html  or https://www.erosesabin.com/Page4-4a.html  or https://www.erosesabin.com/Page4-3a.html
  • https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/124619
  • https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/122483

From Linda Nightingale

  • Cardinal Desires:  https://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/single.php?ISBN=1-77115-132-3
  • Sinners’ Opera:   https://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/single.php?ISBN=1-77115-112-9
  • We Shadows: https://xenex.org/writing/weshadows.php
  • Danse Macabre: https://xenex.org/writing/dansemacabre.php
  • Artificial Gods: https://xenex.org/writing/artificialgods.php

From John Hartless

  •  https://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/eAuthor.php?Name=Jon%20Hartless
  •  https://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/eAuthor.php?Name=Barnabas%20Corbin

From Charlene Roberts

  • https://charlenelroberts.wordpress.com/books-3/books-2/
  • https://double-dragon-ebooks.com/single.php?ISBN=1-77115-064-5

From Ben Manning

  • https://vrilcodex.blogspot.com/

And some of mine:

  • An excerpt from Buttons, the Deadly Curiosities Adventure that inspired the upcoming novel: https://www.wattpad.com/28207044-buttons
  • An excerpt from Among the Shoals Forever, from the Deadly Curiosities Adventures—one of my scariest yet! https://www.wattpad.com/28329866-among-the-shoals-forever
  • An excerpt from Reign of Ash (1 of 4) https://www.wattpad.com/28212257-reign-of-ash-excerpt-1
  • An excerpt from Raider’s Curse, in the Jonmarc Vahanian Adventures– https://www.wattpad.com/28575506-raider%27s-curse
  • An excerpt from The Low Road, from the Deadly Curiosities Adventureshttps://www.wattpad.com/28657396-the-low-road?d=ud
  • An excerpt from Ice Forged, Book 1 in the Ascendant Kingdoms Saga: https://www.orbitbooks.net/excerpt/reign-of-ash/
  • An audio excerpt from Stormgard from the Jonmarc Vahanian Adventures– https://ghostinthemachinepodcast.com/?p=448
  • An audio excerpt from Wild Hunt in the Deadly Curiosities Adventures: https://ghostinthemachinepodcast.com/?p=444
  • An audio excerpt from Storm Surge from the Jonmarc Vahanian Adventures: https://ghostinthemachinepodcast.com/?p=446
  • https://scifichick.com/2013/10/26/guest-post-gail-martin-on-gender-and-genre/
  • https://www.sfbok.se/
  • Fantasy Faction (Marc Aplin: Marc@Fantasy-faction.com)
  • Falcata Times (Gareth Wilson: drosdelnoch@hotmail.com)
  • J For Jetpack (Paul Wiseall: paul.wiseall@gmail.com)
  • No Cloaks Allowed / Gav Reads (Gavin Pugh: gavreads@me.com)
  • Speculative Scotsman (Niall Alexander: thespeculativescotsman@gmail.com)—all-new interview plus an excerpt from Reign of Ash

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Ice Forged is Now in Stores!

Ice Forged: Book One in The Ascendant Kingdoms Saga is now in stores!

Condemned as a murderer for killing the man who dishonored his sister, Blaine “Mick” McFadden has spent the last six years in Velant, a penal colony in the frigid northern wastelands of Edgeland. Harsh military discipline and the oppressive magic of the governor’s mages keep a fragile peace as colonists struggle against a hostile environment. But the supply ships from Dondareth have stopped coming, boding ill for the kingdom that banished the colonists.

Now, McFadden and the people of Velant decide their fate. They can remain in their icy prison, removed from the devastation of the outside world, but facing a subsistence-level existence, or they can return to the ruins of the kingdom that they once called home. Either way, destruction lies ahead…

I’m going to be partying with readers to celebrate Ice Forged’s release throughout January and February—and beyond. Here’s where to find me!

I’m hosting three Ice Forged launch parties with refreshments, prize drawings and book signings—join me for the fun and surprises at Arisia (Boston), Chattacon (Chattanooga) and Mysticon (Roanoke)!

• Jan. 9 – 16 I’ll be hosting a discussion on Goodreads about end of the world fiction—join us! https://bit.ly/Vfo2Dd
• Jan. 11 I’ll be signing Ice Forged at the Barnes & Noble at Birkdale, Huntersville from 5 – 7 pm
• Jan. 12 I’ll be signing Ice Forged at the Books a Million in Concord Mills NC from 1 – 3 pm
• It’s official! I’ve been invited to Arisia in Boston Jan. 18 – 20—Ice Forged Launch Party is Saturday night 9:30 – 11:30!
• Also official! I’ve been invited to Chattacon in Chattanooga, TN Jan. 25 – 27—Ice Forged Launch Party is Saturday night!
• Feb. 1 I’ll be signing Ice Forged at the Barnes & Noble Morrowcroft (South Charlotte) from 7-8:30
• Feb. 2 I’ll be signing Ice Forged at Park Road Books in Charlotte from 2 – 4
• Look for me at Shevacon in Roanoke, VA Feb. 8 – 10
• Feb. 15 I’ll be signing Ice Forged at the Books a Million at Cotswold from 1-3
• Feb. 16 I’ll be signing Ice Forged at the Barnes & Noble in Pineville, NC from 2-4
• I’ll be back in Roanoke for Mysticon Feb. 22 – 24—Ice Forged Launch Party is Saturday night!
• It’s official! I’ll be at Lunacon March 15 – 17 in Rye Brook, NY
• Look for me at the Arizona Renaissance Festival (near Phoenix) signing books March 23-24
• It’s official! I’ll be at Ravencon in Richmond, VA April 5 – 7.
• Come see me at ConCarolina in Charlotte, NC May 31 – June 2
• It’s official! I’ll be at Dragon*Con Labor Day weekend!

I’ve got some more surprises coming for you in 2013!

• Be part of the conversation on Goodreads as I host a new discussion every month. We’ll talk about writing, publishing, fantasy, favorite books and more—and you’re invited!

• I’ll be bringing out all-new short stories throughout 2013—a new one every month on Amazon. Explore my Deadly Curiosities universe of cursed objects and intrepid thieves (think American Pickers meets The Exorcist across 500 years).

Jonmarc Vahanian is back! Find out how the brigand lord of Dark Haven became the most feared warrior in the Winter Kingdoms in my new series of short stories—new on Amazon in early 2013!

• If you dream of writing your own bestseller, join my Thrifty Author Meetup Group—now both live and virtual so you can participate wherever you are! We meet live once a month in Charlotte, NC, but starting in 2013, Meetup group members can join in on the Goodreads discussion as well—new topics each month!

• “Like” my Winter Kingdoms page on Facebook and follow me @GailZMartin on Twitter—I post live from cons and signings, and let you know where there are extra signed copies!

• My GhostInTheMachinePodcast.com will introduce a whole new slate of author readings and interviews—drop by and meet the pros!

• If you like the paranormal, drop by my DisquietingVisions.com blog, where I post each week along with my co-bloggers J.F. Lewis (urban fantasy), Crymsyn Hart (paranormal erotic romance), and Tina McSwain (a bona fide ghost hunter).

I’ll be a guest on these blogs over the next few weeks, so please visit and comment!

• RT Book Reviewer

• Civilian Reader

• BookLifeNow

• Fantasy Book Critic

• OrbitBooks.net

• WritersFunZone.com/blog

https://anneejohnson.blogspot.com/

https://roxannebland.com

https://vonniewinslowcrist.wordpress.com

https://www.freethewriterinside.com

• Monday, January 14 https://jaletaclegg.blogspot.com/2013/01/author-interview-gail-martin.html

• Monday, January 14, https://www.ulbrichalmazan.blogspot.com/

• Wed. January 23rd https://www.terribruce.net

• Thurs. January 24th https://www.twfendly.com

• Thurs. Jan 24  https://anneejohnson.blogspot.com/

• Fri. January 25th https://emlabonte.blogspot.com/

• Mon. January 28th https://ulbrichalmazan.blogspot.com/

• Tues. January 29th https://deanswritingtime.blogspot.com/

Read an excerpt from Ice Forged here: https://a.pgtb.me/JvGzTt

 

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The Next Big Thing

Last week Gail Z. Martin (https://disquietingvisions.com/2012/12/11/big/) tagged me on her blog, as part of a chain of authors (or creative people) recommendations called THE NEXT BIG THING. Today it’s my turn to reciprocate. I’m going to answer questions about my new project Awakening the Wolf .

What is the working title of your next book?

The working title of my newest book is called Awakening the Wolf: A Two-Natured Novel and currently I’m writing the sequel to it called Awakening the Lion.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

The idea for the book came from a dream where the shape shifter characters were able to turn into two different animals instead of just one.

What genre does your book fall under?

My book falls under the Romance genre with a little bit of erotic and shape shifters.

If you found yourself in an elevator with a movie director you admire and had the chance to pitch your book to them, what would you say?

I would tell the movie director that  no movie has ever been done about characters that can turn into two different animals. And there is a great love story to boot? It’s a cross between Twilight and Underworld except without the vampires.

Every writer dreams of their book being turned in a movie or a TV show like Game of Thrones. If this happened to your work, which actors would you choose to play your characters?

If Awakening the Wolf was turned into a movie, I would see Illiana, the heroine, being played by Scarlett Johansson. Belik, the main raven shifter, would be played by Orlando Bloom, and Christopher, main wolf shifter, would be played by Alex Pettyfer.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Once the characters started talking to me, they were the one to inspired me to write the book. I loved the story line and could not stop it.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

It took me a month to write the first draft of the manuscript.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Hmm…I can’t think of any specific books that I can compare it too.

When will your book be available?

This book will be available some time in the spring of 2013.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Well, if the readers enjoy a good love story with plenty of character development and a moving storyline, then this book is for them.

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Paranormally Speaking

By

Tina R. McSwain

Are You Ready…

For the Zombie Apocalypse?  Traditionally, Zombies were beings made of voo doo spells.  They were the dead brought back to do the bidding of the living.  To quell them, you simply put salt in their mouths and sewed their mouths up.  Enter George A Romero and The Night of the Living Dead.  Zombies would never be the same.

There have been sequels by Romero as well as other well known “zombie movies”.  Some good, some VERY bad.  Recently, we have had a new player in this fascination with Zombies.  The Walking Dead, a very well written saga of a band of survivors led by Rick Grimes, a law enforcement office from Cynthiana, KY.

Over time, we have learned alot about Zombies.  In George’s version they are turned by a cosmic event which brings all the dead to life, in search of human flesh for sustenance.  In AMC’s The Walking Dead, we do not know what has caused the dead to walk, but we assume it is some sort of biological weaponry gone wrong.

With the current events in Florida, New Jersey, West Virgina, and Canada, we best hone up on our survival skills.  Following are suggestions and tips on how to survive a Zombie attack:

Who better to give this kind of advice than a Paranormal Expert, right?

First, remember they are slow.  You can outrun them.  With all the limb dragging and body parts falling off due to decay, you have time.  Just don’t get cornered or try to take on more than just a few of them.  Being outnumbered by Zombies will not end very well for you.  In TWD, we learn that the cold slows them down even further.  Therefore, do all of your Zombie hunting in the winter months.  You may want to think about Canada or Alaska as your new permanent home.

Second, do not make any noise.  This includes the sounds made by gunshots.  It is best to find and utilize a bow and arrow or cross bow to take these suckers out.  (No noise).  And, in a world devoid of industry, you can make an arrow out of a very sharp twig.  In TWD. Michonne makes very good use of a Ninja sword.  Might want to add that piece to your collection now.  (A true Jedi Lightsaber would come in most handy where facing a hoard of Zombies).  Also, a baseball bat, shovel or ax will work in a pinch.

Third, they MUST be mortally wounded in the head.  Kill the Brain!! Anything else will render them a threat.  They can still grab you and bite you.  Double tap if necessary.  But conserve ammunition.  Again, no industry for the manufacture of bullets and gunshots are loud  (refer to above paragraph)

Fourth, siphon gas from all the abandoned vehicles you will find along the way.  Pick a vehicle with high gas mileage as your escape vehicle.  Toyota Prius would be my choice.

Fifth, find food.  VERY important to find and salvage all the food you can.  Scavenge all stores, houses, cars, etc.  If you find a Wal-Mart, definitely hit it, but beware of the Wall-Martian Zombies left inside. The government says canned foods are good as long as there is no rust or the can has not blown up, so enjoy.

Sixth, grab as many weapons as you can.  Guns, ammo, shovels, swords, knives, bats, bow and arrow, anything that can be used to bash in or cut off the head of a Zombie.  (NOTE”  if you do cut off the head, it can still bite.  Be sure and crush the skull with whatever means at your disposal) Note:  National Guard Armories and police stations, as well as military bases would be an excellent place to search for weapons.

Seventh, find some sort of secure shelter.  Gated communities or even prisons would be a good choice.  However, ALWAYS have an escape plan if things start to go south on you. A solar equipped house with solar heating and air, solar power etc would be best.  (A battery powered car that could be charged with solar would be ideal as well.)

Eight, find bottled water, or boil your own.  Find and keep a lighter or matches handy for starting fires.

Ninth, remember you MUST put down any of your colleagues as soon as they die.  They will come back to bite you!  Again, in the head!!

And, finally, tenth, it is best to survive in a group.  More targets for the Zombies, and you can always sacrifice the weak or the slow so that you can make your escape and live on to fight another day.

A word of caution…people can be more dangerous than Zombies, so always keep your guard up around your “friends”.  Civility and humanism goes out the window in a true catastrophe.  And, being a pilot of an aircraft (or knowing one and saving him/her) might be a good idea.

I hope you will take heed of this public service announcement by CAPS Founder, Tina McSwain, and commit this information to memory so that you too can survive the Zombie Apocalypse!

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Paranormally Speaking

By

Tina R. McSwain

CAPS is Featured in the June Issue of Charlotte Magazine

We are proud to announce that CAPS is featured in the June issue of Charlotte Magazine.

We would like to express our thanks to Writer, Michelle Boudin, Charlotte Magazine Editor and Staff, and Photographer, Adam Whitlow, for including us in their publication.

Tina R. McSwain, Founder & Director,

The Charlotte Area Paranormal Society (CAPS)

https://www.charlottemagazine.com/Charlotte-Magazine/June-2012/CAPS-Charlottes-Own-Ghostbuster/

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Paranormally Speaking

By Tina R. McSwain

On the Road Again

This time to Birmingham, AL to investigate the Sloss Furnace Works.  There’s supposed to be a rather nasty fellow down there nicknamed, “Slag”.  He tends to push and slap folks.  Under his supervision, 47 workers died.  He was a cruel overseer.  Some say, he slipped and fell to his death.  Others, have a more sinister explanation.  He was pushed into the furnace by the men he treated so badly.

He’s supposedly there now, taking his revenge on all who dare to roam the furnace works at night.  My team and I are off tomorrow to fine out.

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Paranormally Speaking

By Tina R. McSwain

Random Thoughts

…Did you have bad luck on Friday the 13th?  My bad luck seemed to hit on the 12th.

…Did you travel on Friday the 13th?  Many do not for fear of being in an accident.

…Has the lure of ghost hunting a famously haunted location with known celebrities in the paranormal field diminished?

…And finally, the Titantic struck an iceberg and went down to her watery grave 100 years ago today.  Are there ghosts on board?  Do they still roam the lavish halls as they did on that fateful night in 1912?

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Paranormally Speaking

By Tina R. McSwain

Do we do enough for our community?

If you think the answer is No, then I have an opportunity for you.  At this years ConCarolinas, (June 1-3, 2012 at The University Hilton – Charlotte, NC) they will again be holding a Blood Drive to benefit the American Red Cross. 

If you plan on going, why not consider giving a pint of blood to help save a life (actually, up to 3 lives can be saved by one pint of blood).

So, starve a vampire, give blood!  Some helpful links below:

Please check out this web page if you are a first time donor…
https://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/first-time-donors

Please check out this web site to view donation FAQ’s…
https://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/donation-faqs

Please check out this web page to view eligibility requirements…

https://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/eligibility-requirements/eligibility\
-criteria-topic

You can also go to https://www.redcrossblood.org to get more info on blood
donating.

 

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Paranormally Speaking

From The Mad Monster Party

By Tina R. McSwain

The first time I attended a horror convention has me hooked.  Not my normal “con”, but a lot of fun nonetheless.  The celebrities were plentiful and a diverse group.  The vendor room drew alot of lookers, as well as buyers, so the merchants looked happy.

Then, there were the costumes.  I saw various versions of Freddy Kruger, Jason from Friday the 13th, pinhead, rogue vikings, a pair of dragons, and enough zombies to officially announce that the apocalypse has begun.  People watching is a favorite pastime of mine, and there were some interesting characters here.

If you’re local, the Con is still in Charlotte at the Blake Hotel.  Go ceck it out.  I on the otherhand am going to Kenturcy to investigate Waverly Hills Sanatarium again.

 

 

 

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Paranormally Speaking

By Tina R. McSwain

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

In honor of this Irish holiday, let’s talk about the most popular Celtic legends.  The most prominent are the will-o-the-wisp, the leprechaun, and the banshee.  The most terrifying by far is the banshee, a female entity whose wailing is a warning of something bad to come.  Customarily, the foretelling of a death.

The will o’ the wisp are mysterious lights that were said to lead travellers from the well-travelled paths into treacherous marshes or bogs where they met their deaths. They are thought to be malevolent spirits either of the dead or non-human intelligence. They have a mischievous and often malevolent nature, luring unwary travellers into dangerous situations, by enticing them with their light.

And, finally, the leprechaun who hoards and hides gold from man.  He is a type of faery in Irish folklore, and is usually seen as an old man, wearing a red or green coat, who enjoys partaking in mischief. Like other fae, leprechauns have been linked to the Tuatha De Danann (the people of the goddess Dana/Danu) of Irish mythology. Leprechauns spend their time making shoes, and store all their coins in a hidden pot o’ gold at the end of the rainbow. If ever captured by a human, the leprechaun has the magical power to grant three wishes in exchange for their release.

Therefore, may Irish eyes smile upon you, may you find your pot of gold, do not follow the will o’ the wisp, and beware the banshee!

 

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