Publish America-yeah we're back to that again. Please Read!

We have established that Publish America LLC. of Franklin,Maryland is not only an author mill but a predator as well. Short of selling your soul to the devil or stealing your first born to give to Rumplestilskin, there aren't too many lows to which they will not go in order to suck the ever living life out of your hard work and dreams. I wonder how my favorite painters, Dali and Degas would have felt if the places where they pitched their paintings to would have said, "We'll only sell your artwork if you let us bastardize your reputation and rob what coin you have in your pockets." That is exactly what Publish America has done to all of us writers and authors. When I wrote my book and submitted it to them and signed their contract, I wasn't motivated by royalties, I was more motivated that I had written a book, a story that people would enjoy reading and be known for my accomplishments. It is no different than a person who becomes a doctor who studies and wants to have a reputation as a good doctor or surgeon. It's no different than anyone who wants to be successful at something-anything. I have begged for my contract to be closed and I have written and called Maryland's State Attorney General's office as well as the BBB of Maryland to no avail. They stay just on the edge of where they're within the law. Publish America is a very good example of "Let the Buyer Beware!" They are worse than a shoddy used car salesman! The latest farce is that they promised for just $49, that not only will your book be given to world famous author, J.K. Rowling, but you will also be represented in the Edinborough Book Fair. If you buy X amount of your books(and if you check http://www.publishamerica.com, you'll find out soft cover books are horribly over priced-mine in soft cover is $35.99) you can also be represented at the Frankfort Book Fair in Germany. For a nominal fee Costco, Wal-Mart, and Sam's Club's book buyers will be contacted to carry your book. For one, a publisher should want to get their writers as much exposure as possible and wouldn't ask writers to pay fees to get their books promoted. When you contact Publish America they send out condescending tone letters. I've had my fair share of them and I'm sick of them really. So I want each of you who see and read this to get the word out on your blogs,websites, Twitter, and other social networks to get the word out that Publish America LLC of Franklin, MD is a fraud and a parasite. Perhaps if no one feeds into their scams, someone's dream and pocket book won't be taken advantage of like so many others, including me. If we can stop people from signing contracts with Publish America then we can keep them from making money. If you are a Publish America author-save your E-mails. Any offer they make is false-no celebrity nor author who is already a well known published writer such as Nora Roberts, James Patterson, J.K. Rowling, Stephen King, or etc., is going to read or endorse your book! They are under agreements and contracts with their own publishing houses as well as they're busy-they don't have the time to read books when they have their writing and scores of fans. Why would a publishing house like Random or Little Brown want their authors like Stephanie Meyer and Dan Brown(Davinci Code series)want their authors reading for another lesser known publishing house like Publish America who hasn't had one author make it into the big time? I know on their site they have a woman whose book was made into a movie for the Hallmark Channel-which if you do a little digging-the Hallmark Channel and Lifetime Networks have never heard of the woman or her book. My advice is when you write something, go through the proper channels. All great authors had to pay their dues and had to face rejection and had to fine tune their books.Do your research and really really do your homework on a publisher. Join author blogs and ask questions. Visit places like:Author's Den, Absolute Write, and Writer's Beware. If you're on social networks, look up your favorite author and ask questions-you may not get a quick response but most of them will answer questions when they can. I wish I had done that but I was green and naieve. DO NOT SIGN WITH PUBLISH AMERICA AND IF YOU ALREADY HAVE AND ARE IN THE SPOT I AM IN, LET'S STAND UP TOGETHER-THERE IS STRENGH IN NUMBERS! DO NOT BUY INTO THEIR HYPE AND OFFERS!

Let's take it back to 1989

Last night I found out with the rest of the world that Jani Lane of Warrant had been found dead at 47. Been a teenager in '89 and '94 for me was really a musical awakening of sorts. I was really really really into the hard rock-metal scene*back then Glam Rock was something that was left in the seventies with Ziggy Stardust and the NY Dolls*. I can remember the first video I saw of Warrant, "Down Boys" and it was on Hard 30 hosted by Adam Curry(the guy who just tried waaay to hard to be hardcore and had chic hair). Yeah, I know it was back when MTV "used" to play music videos. Next it was their "Heaven" and "Sometimes She Cries" and I was hooked on Warrant! I bought every single and eventually got the albums, t-shirts, fan club memberships, Metal Edge Magazines so I could rip their pictures out and plaster them on my walls, concert videos(hey it was the closest I was going to come to seeing a concert), and anything else I could find with Warrant. I drooled over Jani Lane and Eric-Jerry was hot too, but for some reason the eyebrows were an issue. I finally understood why so many women worshipped Elvis because I totally worshipped Warrant. I dreamed about going to the concerts and had even pledged my virginity-yeah I was young and my hormones were out of whack-sue me. A few years back, Jani was on Celebrity Fit Club and then on Sober House. I know everyone gets old-we all are going to age but I just about died when I saw the shape he was in-mentally and physically. I was happy when I saw him on a later show where he seemed to be keeping his life in check and was being healthy. Then last year his name crossed my Twitter as being arrested for DUI. Now, I get that he's been found dead. It's sad-too many years of hard living and addictions had finally called in their due. I will always remember the hot blonde guy with eyes that were as blue as the sky and that voice of his making all us rocker chicks drool. I'll remember the voice and the talent that he had so much of. I'll also remember that he leaves behind 4 children that he should have been around for. I'll remember that addiction is every bit as a killer as cancer is and if we don't step it up and take notice, there's going to be more than just Jani Lane and Amy Winehouse that are going to end dead. Rest In Peace Jani Lane.

THE FIGHT FOR SUPREMACY AND FAROH WON!

I know I said that Dash from my book, Renegade Night was next in line and I had begun his story but a funny thing happened on the way to the French Quarter, Faroh-one of my other Gurdians decided he wanted to be the next in line. So, graciously with few whimpers-Dash has bowed out and gave up the spot to Faroh. What can you expect from Faroh, you might ask well here's the basic synopsis.


Faroh for centuries has been looking for the sword that was once belonged to his father. Faroh and his clan were attacked centuries ago by Vikings. Faroh had been enslaved by the Viking Queen and as he watched as his village burned and all that he had loved was slaughtered, he vowed his vengence. Fate would put that mission off for several centuries and as luck would have it Vikings are long gone. Putting his duties as a guardian aside, he has finally found in the heart of Scandanavia, his father's sword and it's his for the taking except for one problem: A woman who is bent on making his task next to impossible.

Mia Ohlson has one mission and that is to discover who the tall stranger is that she's found late one night roaming the halls of the museum she works in. There's something off about him and she's not buying that he's a new security personnel. She's not about to be intimidated by the handsome and feral looking stranger! Her ancestors was one of the most feared tribes of people and she was a descendant from one of the most powerful Queens to ever rule.

Faroh's desire for his father's sword is only equal to his desire for Mia, but when he finds out the truth about her, will he be able to put aside his bitterness and quest for vengence or will they both be consumed by the fires that seek to end the Bitter Winter.