Category: Christmas Anthology

Checkin’ It Twice

December 10th, 2012

In addition to my own anthology, Sing We Now of Christmas, I have the honor of being in this wonderful Christmas anthology put out by LDS Publisher. It doesn’t hurt that they named the anthology after my story “Checkin’ It Twice”.

These stories really are the creme of the crop and will make an excellent addition to your Christmas. The variety also strikes me as huge plus, with some more lighthearted and others more serious, but all of them uplifting. It is literally an effort years in the making and quality shows.

If you order before December 15th from Amazon, you’re eligible for all sorts of Christmas goodies. Simply email your proof of purchase to: citbonus@rosehavenpublishing.net. For details, click here: http://bit.ly/UgfMTi

Here are some links where you can order this festive anthology:

• Amazon (print & kindle): bitly.com/ViEc22

• 5 format ebook bundle: http://www.ldsebookstore.com/checkin-it-twice

To learn more about the individual stories and the authors involved, visit the Checkin’ It Twice site: http://www.checkinittwice.blogspot.com/

Merry Christmas to all!
Writing Fireworks

July 9th, 2012

Hope everyone had a happy 4^th. My oldest son appreciated every last ‘bomb bursting in air’, while my younger son reenacted the part where the British screamed in terror. I, for one, am grateful for a nation where we are free to pursue the goals that we want, and can even work towards making a living as a writer.

Writing Progress:

Words for July: 15,355 (30%)

Words for 2012: 315,362 (52.5%)

Writing Update:

I had a great writing week as the numbers will show. I’m revising three novels, and adding little bits and pieces here and there as well as working on new works called “Elected” and “Dual School”. I’ll have project descriptions up soon under ‘Current Projects’.

I’ve actually put my hand to writing a lot of music this week, working on a possible sacred album. I’ll be sure to write about that when that comes to fruition.

Weekly Writing Tip:

Once you finish something, step back for a little while before you try to revise it. You’ll look at it more objectively and that new perspective can only help. Also, the ideas there might have simmered in your subconscious for a while, which helps you piece things together that didn’t already turn out in the first draft.

Anthology Update:

I saw the first draft of the cover for the anthology and I’m very excited. I sent some feedback to the artist and hopefully, I’ll be getting a second draft here soon. I’ll be sure to post it when we have finally settled on a final draft.

Seeking a Few Got Pens:

I am seeking a few other authors to embark with me on a multi-book, multi-author project. I can’t promise you fame and piles of money, but I can promise, time travel, cavemen, the French Revolution and more. If you’d like to see the details, click on “Current Projects”.

Canticle of Twilight

The last season of what I’m calling “The Canticle Prelude” is going on right now with new episodes every Monday. Even though it has the word “Twilight” in the title, I promise, it has nothing to do with sparkly vampires. Instead, it is a story that tells about what happened in the Kingdom right before the events of the first book. Check it out at:

http://bigworldnetwork.com/CanticleofTwilight.html

Until next week, live bravely, and write well!
Naming the Anthology: Fa, la, la, la…in May.

May 30th, 2012

Hello everyone!

I know you’re all probably not thinking of Christmas yet (and if you are, you’re pretty good at not procrastinating), but here’s a little Christmas in May for you. We need a name for our Christmas anthology so that we can keep the ball rolling on getting it done in time for the season.

I have received many wonderful suggestions from a variety of sources, and I’m very thankful for every one of them. The following is a list that I have narrowed down to ten, and now I want to hear from you. My feeling is that there should be a main title and then a subtitle to help people know what kind of anthology it is. I had someone suggest “An Advent Anthology” as a subtitle, because there are 25 parts to it, which can be read from December 1^st-December 25^th.

Without further ado, and a few fa la la la las:

1.    Angelsong

2.    Sing We Now of Christmas

3.    Nightly Noels

4.    Literary Caroling

5.    Twenty Five Tales of Christmas

6.    Carol of the Tales

7.    Good Tidings of Great Joy

8.    Tune in for Christmas

9.    Yuletide Treasures

10. Strike the Harp and Join the Chorus: ## Christmas Stories Inspired by the Songs We Love

Leave a comment, either here or on my Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/authormichaelyoung) and tell me what your top two favorites are. You can also do a “write in” candidate in case a brilliant idea has struck you. I’ll leave voting open for a week and then I’ll go from there. Thanks!
Mayday Update

May 8th, 2012

April is a Winning Month!

Welcome to another month! April was a very difficult month for writing. I had the opening of “The Secret Garden”, the crash of my computer and a thousand other things vying for my time. I’m pleased to report, however, that on April 30^th, I jumped over the finish line for 50,000 words in April. That was a close one! I had to find all sorts of little times to write a little here and there. It really does add up.

My hard drive situation is still not taken care of, but I have high hopes. I will get back to posting writing stats once I get back my old records. Until then, just know that I’ve done about 200,000 words already this year! Many fun projects coming your way soon.

Canticle Kingdom eBook

Great news! “The Canticle Kingdom” is now available as an eBook! You can get the Kindle edition here: http://amzn.com/B007TWN5KY and on the Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-canticle-kingdom-michael-young/1018964936. Many of the Canticle Kingdom prequel stories are going eventually to be in eBook form as well, and the two sequels I am writing will be in eBook form as well, so this makes me very happy.

Conferences

I went to the LDStorymakers conference this weekend down in Provo and it was just to soak in all the knowledge and to get a chance to pitch to agent Holly Root. I think it all went really well! I also loved seeing all of my writer friends and catching up on their amazing projects. We are in good company in our organization.

Last week, I attended a great workshop given David Farland about outlining. If you ever have a chance to take anything from him, jump at it. He has trained many NYT bestsellers and is one himself. You can find more about him at http://www.davidfarland.net.

CONTEST

All the stories are in for the Christmas Anthology, and one of the major steps that now needs to be made is to name it.

To this end, I’m announcing a contest. Send me in your best name suggestions and we’ll take a vote. If you suggest the winning name, you’ll get credit in the anthology, a free copy of the anthology when it comes out and your choice of one of my books or a free three-chapter edit from me if you’d rather.

Keep in mind the nature of the anthology, which is that it is comprised of short stories based on Christmas songs. Please keep all suggestions family friendly, and be creative as you can be. Send all submissions to: thecanticlekingdom@gmail.com.

‘Til I see you again, live bravely and write well!
Christmas Presents

December 8th, 2011

Many great presents came early this year for me. But first, I would look to announce one of my own:

Congratulations to Janelle, who is the winner of this month’s Blog Hop. She is the winner of a signed copy of “The Canticle Kingdom”.Thanks for entering!

Now here are some writing presents I got this year.

1. A great review in the major Salt Lake City newspaper The Deseret News for “The Last Archangel”. You can read the entire review here: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705395271/Review:-/’The-Last-ArchAngel/’-full-of-warring-angels-and-demons.html

2. I’ve had a great response about my Christmas anthology. I’ve decided that I’ll take more than 12 stories, as I would like to include any that I feel are high enough quality. I’m still looking for a cover artist to donate his or her services, and for others who have a story to tell. When submitting, please think of copyright guidelines if the song you want is not in the public domain.

3. I’m featured today with a short story on a blog that is based on my actual experiences two Christmas Eves ago. Please pop over there an enjoy: http://www.ingasilbergbooks.com/2011/12/write-holiday-short-story-flight-before.html?showComment=1323385646103#c4503781382542754926.

4. My serial series called “Canticle of Night” has been picked up by Big World Network and will be appearing a serial story on the internet in both digital and audio form starting soon. It is a prequel story for “The Canticle Kingdom” and gives background on the brothers who created the music box in the first place.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you all have a blessed and safe holiday season.
December Blog Hop

December 2nd, 2011

‘Tis the Season, and many of us are celebrating by giving away things that readers love, including books. Use the entry form below to enter my giveaway for a signed copy of “The Canticle Kingdom” and use the list to link to other blogs.

Please also consider submitting to the Christmas anthology I’m putting together. All you have to do is submit a family friendly story in any genre that is based on a Christmas song. Please send all entried to thecanticlekingdom@gmail.com. All proceeds will be donated to the National Down Syndrome Society.

Have a wonderful and blessed holiday season.

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Category: Christmas Anthology

Checkin’ It Twice

Writing Fireworks

Naming the Anthology: Fa, la, la, la…in May.

Mayday Update

Christmas Presents

December Blog Hop