#AtoZChallenge #Book Launch: Do You have Imaginary Friends?

         The A to Z Challenge has given birth to many books (my post about them here), and the latest to hit the stores is Imaginary Friends by Melanie Lee. 

         It has been published by MPH, Malaysia, and recently I went to the book launch in Singapore-- a fantastic event, full of warmth and good cheer!
          Melanie wrote this book inspired by the A to Z Challenge, writing a story a day, and then tweaking and polishing each to bring it to a publishable level.
        

What do an overachieving octopus, a zealous zither and a hopeless hippo have in common? They're all part of the zany world of Imaginary Friends, a collection of 26 hilarious, satirical tales by Melanie Lee. Note: This is NOT a children's book. These fun fables are for the BIG kids, the young-at-heart adults who love laughs and poking fun at the silly grown-up world!

Imaginary Friends on Amazon

     The Author Melanie Lee, and Illustrator, Arif Rafhan

 
MORE ABOUT IMAGINARY FRIENDS:

 A SUCCESSFUL EBOOK HIT IN KOBO IMAGINARY FRIENDS was first released as an e-book of witty, original fables targeted at teens and adults. It has done remarkably well since its debut, shooting up the Kobo Top 50 chart and being picked up by e-book vendors from around the world, hence the subsequent release of it in Print version. 

           Originally published by MPH Digital (a subsidiary of MPH Group Publishing), IMAGINARY FRIENDS made it into the Kobo Top 50 in the week of its release and even briefly touched the No. 2 spot. Launched in mid-October2013, IMAGINARY FRIENDS (at the time of writing) was still in the Kobo Top 15 under several categories. At first glance, Imaginary Friends may look like a typical children's book but its sophisticated wit and references to modern pop culture make it an enjoyable read for New Adults.

       I found the book entertaining on different levels-- a feast for the imagination, with fluid illustrations, and a bite in the writing that only got enhanced by the moral of each story. As the author said at the launch, the morals are a way to end each story with a snap. I think the morals bring the stories out in relief, and I spent happy two hours reading all the stories. 

          Imaginary Friends is also available on Amazon. If you’d like to buy the print edition, you can buy it from MPH Online (they do international deliveries). If you’re from Singapore or Malaysia, the book is available at MPH and Kinokuniya bookstores. If you’d like to buy the ebook version, it’s available on Amazon and Kobo.

          Melanie Lee is a freelance writer based in Singapore. You can find her at her site, her blog or talk to her on twitter: @melanderings and her Facebook Page.

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Have you thought of compiling your A to Z posts into a book? Would you enjoy a book like Imaginary Friends? If yes, please leave a comment below, and Melanie would randomly choose two commenters-- she has an ebook and a physical copy to give away! To support this excellent author, consider buying the book-- it makes a sweet little gift, I'm told-- and share this post on social media. Have a question for Melanie? Ask away in the comments!

Themes That Rocked! Challenge Participant David Powers King and Soundtracks

The A to Z Challenge produces some amazing themes, and this year was no different.

Today please welcome Challenge participant, Cosmic Knight, and author extraordinaire, David Powers King!

Your theme was highlighting a favorite track from various science fiction and fantasy movies, games, and TV shows. What made you choose soundtracks?

DPK: Pretty much all of my writing had a soundtrack playing in the background, something I started when I did animation as a teen. I had to listen to something as I drew, so I found lots of different tracks so I'd never get bored with any one CD or composer. Needless to say I've amassed quite a collection, and thought I'd share my love of soundtracks by inviting others to listen while browsing other A to Z Challengers. I like taking interactivity and connectivity to the next level.

Which one was your favorite and why?

DPK: That's like asking me which molecule of air I prefer to breath! But if I have to pick one, I'd say my first post, The Reunion from A.I.: Artificial Intelligence. It's a very gentle piece that I adopted as the main theme for my first fantasy novel. I'd listen to it whenever I had a block or needed to de-stress, but more than anything it made me want to keep the story going.


Which letter was the most difficult?

DPK: To be honest: S. Because there's SO MUCH blasted awesome sci fi and fantasy that start with S, so I figured I'd go outside the predictable and choose something no one would expect. S.A.O. saved the day!

Which one got the best response?

DPK: *consults the hall of digital records*

Apparently my Firefly post had the most comments, but my Princess Bride post had the most Google+ shares. I'd say that's a fair illustration of just how popular both of those properties are to this day!


Many were from games – do you think people overlook video game soundtracks?

DPK: It wouldn't surprise me if people do, in general. Game soundtracks are said to be the most difficult to compose since the music has to be fluid with the game play. Not exactly the best driving music during those intense parts. But for writing, I really enjoy game soundtracks, as they tend to wander and be longwinded. Skyrim's soundtrack is almost four hours long, for example.

Do you have a soundtrack in mind for your upcoming book, Woven?

DPK: Like a soundtrack I adopted when writing it? It wasn't until Skyrim and Thor came out that I had the right match (in my head) to mesh with. And then I added Alan Wake for the paranormal angle. Ghosts need the attention, too.

This was your first time participating in the Challenge. Dude! What took so long?

DPK: *hangs head in shame*

Partly intimidated by the blogging everyday for a month, partly not thinking of a cool theme soon enough that I thought people would resonate with (see what I did there?), but mostly stepping out of my comfort zone. I've been in a blog burnout since last October, to be honest, and I saw the A to Z Challenge as a way to get out of my slump and back into the game. Achievement unlocked!

If you participate next year, any ideas what theme you might choose?

DPK: Woven will be out (or should be) before the next challenge, so if I do this again I may center the theme around ghosts or general influences from research or other inspirations that led to the novel's creation. Or something else entirely: Games. Anime. Animation. I still have a year to figure it out.

Yes you do! Thanks, David.


Co-host Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh is the author of Amazon Best-sellers CassaStar, CassaFire, and CassaStorm, and his blog can be found HERE

Happy Mother's Day!

English: jkklglh (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I'd like to wish all of you mothers out there the happiest of Mother's Days!

If your own mother is still living, thank her for all that she has done for you and tell her that you love her.

I've composed a very special Mother's Day message on my blog A Few Words.   I hope you will pay a visit.  Please share so that it reaches as many as possible.   It's an important message that many need to read. 

Thank you for reading and thank you to all mothers everywhere.

Arlee Bird
A Few Words







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