This week I'd like to recognize some of my new friends that I've made this year. All these people have been met in my new world of writing. And I'm pleased to call them my friends.

Rob Bignell

Rob is a fellow author from nearby Hudson, WI. Rob also serves as my main editor. His was the first outside opinion I received on my debut novel; and I still smile when I read the kind words he wrote to me.

As an editor, you can find Rob at: http://inventingreality.4t.com/selfpublishingservices.html

Rob also writes a series under Hikes with Tikes, as non-fiction group of books that has all sort of great ideas for hiking with kids.

Further, he writes a non-fiction series under the 7 Minutes... title. Here he explores self-publishing, promotion, writing your best seller, etc...

You can find all of Rob's information by clicking on this link.

Nina (NR) Champagne

Nina is a friend of mine from England. She's an ex-American, living abroad now (as they say). Nina and I have gotten to know each other, mostly through emails, and have become comfortable enough to bounce ideas off one another.

Nina has written two novels thus far, both are available on Amazon:

The Wood Maiden of Falashiel

Prodigal Angel (The Watchers Book 1)

Click on either title to discover more. Nina also does some editing and proofreading work from her home in England. Check her out here, at her website.

Bella Harte

Bella is a blogger, author, and friend also from England. She was the first person to reach out and ask me if I'd like to do a guest post on her blog. As such, she'll always have a special spot in my writing heart.

Here's a link to Bella's blog: www.bellaharte.blogspot.co.uk

You can also check out Bella's two novels, available on Amazon, by clicking on either title below.

Scarlett Phoenix (The Seraphoenix Saga Book 1)

Crimson Fire (The Seraphoenix Saga Book 2)

Other New Friends (and I'm running out of room)

I don't want to forget anyone special I've met on this new journey in 2014, but I'm sure I will. Here are several author independent/self-published authors who have taken the time to get to know me, and help out with kind words and encouragement:

Gemma Wilford; her novel (The Ruby of Egypt)

http://amzn.com/B006RT9RNO

@Missuswolf (Twitter handle)

Dylan Newton; (Despite the Fangs)

http://amzn.com/B00KGOERD6

Not on Twitter (come on Dylan). But she is on Google+

David Tindell; (Quest For Honor)

http://amzn.com/B00KCDLZPO

@DavidTindell1

Maron Anrow; (Laika in Lison)

http://amzn.com/B00JYNFXTC

@maronanrow

Fiona Quinn; (Chaos is Come Again)

http://amzn.com/B00OSP0AGW

@FionaQuinnBooks

Thank you one and all. If I missed you on this list, thank you as well. I haven't intentionally left anyone off, but room is limited (as always).

To each and every reader of my blog this year - a HUGE holiday THANKS! Many more people read this spot each week than I am deserved of.

Next week I will wrap up the year and tell the tale of how I did as an author in 2014. I won't hold anything back. So if you are looking for honest numbers and info from a debut novelist, it will all be there.

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, or Blessed Holidays to each and every one of you!

e a lake

My Books:

This week I invited my friend, Bella Harte, to post something dystopian for our consideration. Graciously, she accepted my invite and gives us the post below.

Bella is a fellow self-published author and blogger from England. She, being the wonderful person she is, hosted a blog post about my first novel (WWIV - In The Beginning) several months ago and I wanted to return the favor.

Thank you Bella for posting here today. So without further babbling on my part, here is Bella's post, and further below is additional information regarding Bella.

My Thoughts on the Dystopian Genre

When first asked to write about my thoughts of dystopian literature, I thought 'oh heck I know nothing about this subject whatsoever,' as I mainly write novels for the paranormal genre. But I’ve pondered on it a lot over the last few weeks and came to realise that I have actually read quite a few dystopian novels in recent years, mainly of the YA [Young Adult] genre as that’s who I write for. A lot of you will have heard of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - Divergent by Veronica Roth - The Selection by Kiera Cass - Legend by Marie Lu. These are just a tiny, minuscule offering of what’s available to read in this category right now. In fact my host today writes adult dystopian novels.

So while I was contemplating several of these fab novels, I recognised that this type of literature is actually my next most popular after the paranormal genre. However, I’ve always been drawn to the sci-fi vibe since being very young and the dystopian novels appeal to me in a similar way.

In science fiction there are the coolest gadgets and all manner of wondrous technology and I really love technology but there are also aliens, good, bad and some seriously ugly, so there’s always a factor of the unknown to keep you entertained and/or scared witless. In dystopian, things are gritty and back to basics, unlike what we recognise today, everything is dehumanised, a fight for survival on all fronts whether it be against a controlling faction or just the elements of mother nature, the outcome is still unknown and it’s that element of a real fight for survival that so riveting and compelling.

I also imagined what it would be like to live in a dehumanised society and how I would survive, as I consider myself ‘one of the last girl scouts’ so to speak. I think I’d fair ok as today I’m already geared up with a generator, fuel supplies, wood supplies, food supplies, water, tools, equipment, a four-wheel drive vehicle with a winch, snorkel exhaust, upgraded suspension etc… I learnt to shoot and have had weapons of various types growing up, so I’m no stranger to guns and ammo. While this is all ok, it wouldn’t last for that long but at least I’d have a head start, a better chance than most out of the gate. I hope I never have to experience it, to be honest I prefer to read about it from the comfort of my armchair while the TV is on softly in the background, rather than having to get the razor wire around my property and be on constant alert against whatever or whoever.

Dystopian literature gives you a taste of what life could be like from a whole new perspective, I like that a lot. I also like the uncertainty and the need to overcome great odds in the face of greater adversity. So now I‘ve rambled on for a while, my conclusion is this, I really enjoy this genre, the diversity of each author, the varying view points on how things could be in these diverse times, testing humanity to the limits in all ways to better mankind or not.

So I’ll leave you with this one liner: Keep Calm and Read Dystopian Literature [You’ll be glad you did].

Lake, thank you so much for the opportunity to be here today.

Bella Harte

Thanks Bella! Now here is some information on this exciting young paranormal author you may want to check out.

Author Bio:

Bella Harte has been writing for well over a decade, and completed several novels before deciding to go in a whole new direction and write for the Young Adult genre. More specifically the YA PNR – Young Adult Paranormal Romance category.

Her first published YA Novel is ‘Scarlett Phoenix’ - Book I in The Seraphoenix Saga, with Book II:- ‘Crimson Fire’ being scheduled for release in 2014, and Book III:- ‘Red Ashes’ for 2015.

She has also been working on two other YA PNR series:

The Angel of Death Series

Book I – Reaper Book II – Touched Book III – Afterlife

Nine Lives Series

Book I – The Glaring Book II – Midnight Calling Book III - Hunters Moon

Aside from writing, Bella has also worked as a fashion designer and interior designer. She lives in a quiet part of rural England with her gorgeous husband, who doesn't mind in the slightest if she vanishes for hours at a time into her writing cave.

Author Links:

Blog: www.bellaharte.blogspot.co.uk

Website: www.bellaharte.wix.com/author

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BellaHarteBooks

Twitter: www.twitter.com/BellaHarteBooks

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/BellaHarte

Instagram: www.instagram.com/bellaharteauthor

Amazon Author Pages: Amazon Author Page UK or Amazon Author Page USA

LinkedIn: LinkedIn

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Scarlett Phoenix Book Trailer

http://youtu.be/g9kjjq4ExHc