Author Cynthia Vespia Official Site

The Evolution of Angelina Jolie and more on breaking the archetype

noreply@blogger.com (Author Cynthia Vespia) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 02:52:00 +0000

I'm going to take some time to chat about Angelina Jolie...those of you who hate her for one reason or another should probably leave now.

I was watching SALT this afternoon and I recalled that this role had originally been intended for Tom Cruise and they rewrote it just for Angelina Jolie. Now I'm sure Tom would've done a nice job but Angie just shines in that type of environment.
It was then that I reflected on how she had started as a hardcore dramatic actress. Her roles like Gia and Lisa in Girl Interrupted were alot like Angie herself in those days, dark and brooding.
After she took on the role of Lara Croft in Tomb Raider things started to change. She became a bona fide action star. Movies like Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Wanted, and The Tourist showcased her tough, physical side. She'd transformed as a person and an actress.
She continued to push the envelope by taking on roles that challenged her range such as Mariane Pearl in A Mighty Heart, The Changling, and now as writer and director with the debut of her on screen debut of The Land of Sun and Honey.
Say what you will but Angelina Jolie is a renaissance woman and one the best damn actresses to come down the path in long time.
The multitude of characters she's portrayed over her career is a great reflection of how many choices can be made when writing a female heroine.
The courage to defend, protect, or even extract revenge can come from any one in any field. It doesn't always have to be a homicide detective running into the scene with her gun drawn. Look around at real life. The possibilities are endless. I grew up with an appreciation of strong women as role models. Valeria from Conan; Scarlett from GI Joe; Cheetara from Thundercats; Rogue from Xmen and of course Xena were some of my favorites. But it doesn't always have to be an ass kicker taking charge. Sometimes using your mind is just as useful if not more...yeah, I sound like Mr. Miyagi but go with me for a minute.

A novel I'm reading right now has taken a different perspective. It isn't a female lead but Rick Mofina's Vengeance Road is following a newspaper reporter as he gets entangled in a very shady murder investigation. I am anxiously awaiting the outcome to see how the hero pieces everything together and maybe saves the day.
I like to draw from real life and sprinkle in imagination to develop some characters that readers can relate to. Character development is fun to me. I like to see how the characters change throughout the story, and that's true for reading as well as writing.
Point is they say every story has been told before. It is up to you to put your own spin on it to make it interesting. Creating new and interesting characters is one way to make that happen.
Happy writing!
Hey, who are some of your favorite characters that you've written, read, or seen on the screen?

2012..the end or the beginning?

noreply@blogger.com (Author Cynthia Vespia) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 03:33:00 +0000

"Cheers to the freakin' weekend! I'll drink to that, yeah yeah." - Rhianna

Well 2011 is on its way out the door as I write this. What a helluva year it has been for Original Cyn. Ups and downs, highs and lows, but I'm sure you all have that same type of story.
Stories are my business as a writer and I am happy to say that thanks to a meeting with my writing hero Dean Koontz I was able to recapture my love and passion for story telling. Because when it comes down to it through the e-book conversions, the creation of cover images; the marketing; and the mayhem it is all about the story you tell...and that's true of any field you're in.

"The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering." - Brandon Lee

I hope that when it is my time to go that I can look back and say I touched a few lives whether in person or by my written word. I've met alot of new faces this year, engaged in alot of memorable experiences. Earlier this summer I acquired the rights back to one of my favorite pieces of work, the fantasy series Demon Hunter. As they say this was a "labor of love." The reviews were quite favorable when it lived under the umbrella of another publishing house. I was compared to Robert E Howard; Stephen King; The Odyssey; and Gulliver's Travels. I was awarded Most Artistic Trailer for Demon Hunter: Seek and Destroy and a nomination for Best in Series...WOW! You like me, you really like me!
I can die happy with those types of reviews but I'm not ready to go yet. I'm ready for a rebirth of sorts! Demon Hunter will be returning early next year as an epic saga. All three installments in the Demon Hunter series have been combined to bring you the tale of Costa and his companions in its entirety. The novel will be available as both a print and e-book version.
I am proud to say that this work is now coming about exactly how I had always envisioned it to be when I first sat down to pen it. I'm looking forward to bringing this to the readers of fantasy and adventure alike. For those of you who read the first two in the series this will be the opportunity to get your hands on the conclusion in the series. For those of you who haven't read Demon Hunter I invite you to strap on a seatbelt and go for the ride of your lives. It is a fun-filled romp!
And for the new year I am pulling out all the stops. No one should die with a story inside of them and I have a vault full. So if it is truly our last year, if the world will truly cease to exist at the close of 2012, then I am going to go down in a blaze of glory!

Happy New Year!

A Thank you for Thanksgiving....Special NEVER RELEASED excerpt

noreply@blogger.com (Author Cynthia Vespia) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 05:11:00 +0000

SPECIAL NEVER BEFORE RELEASED EXCERPT FROM THE UPCOMING DEMON HUNTER: HEROES CALL

We hurried through the streets like school kids. I could hardly wait to sweep Talisa up in my arms. She was my light, the best thing that ever happened to me. I'd been foolish to think that I needed high adventure to feed my soul. That restlessness had been sated and now I knew that with my wife and child, our family, I would never want for more.

My father had left me when I'd been just a boy. Even though I walked in his footsteps to carry on the demon hunter legacy I would be a better father. I'd never leave my family again.

When we reached the Calabrese home my happiness soured. From the outside everything looked picturesque but I'd learned long ago never to judge on looks alone. Multiple run-ins with shapeshifters will do that to you.

I trusted my intuition and my inner alarm system was going ballistic. Something felt cold, odd, out of place, and we hadn't even crossed the threshold yet.

Paralay tied up the Pegasus and bounded past me.

“What're we waiting for?”

He hurried inside calling out after Talisa. I was tempted to hold him back but instead I followed him inside. The house was just as I'd left it. No altercation had taken place, nothing was out of the ordinary. But still I felt uneasy. Trouble weighed down on me like a heavy cloak.

After going through each room of the house and even through the backyard the reason for my discontent surfaced. Talisa was gone.

“Where'd she go?” Paralay asked.

I tried to piece together an agreeable answer. I had none.

“I don't know.”

“Maybe she came to her senses and left you,” he joked.

I shook my head. “It's not funny. Something isn't right.”

“Relax Costa, she probably just went to the market or something.”

A thousand possibilities ran through my mind. I tried to persuade myself that he was right. Talisa would come back and everything would be as it was before. Deep in my heart I knew the truth.

And then I saw it, the marking on the wall just as in my visions. It read: “I am sent here by the chosen one. So shall it be written. So shall it be done. Child of light, be it daughter or son, is to be destroyed.”

She was gone just like that. Vanished without a trace or an explanation. The only thing that made any sense to me were the visions. Something dark and sinister had invaded our home and swept Talisa off into the night.

How could I have let this happen? I speak all the time of not having regret and now I had to live with another. I would never, ever forgive myself for leaving her that that day.

I had tried to make peace within myself, saying it would only be for a little while and then I'd return to her and we'd live out our lives together until we were old and gray. But suddenly my perfect world had been turned upside down and I'd somehow lost the love of my life.

I fell to my knees shattered with despair. Paralay tried to comfort me to no avail. Nothing he could say would make me feel any better. The only person I wanted to talk to was the one person I couldn't find.

My breath caught in my chest and I started to shudder. I couldn't speak. Pain hollowed out my insides like a searing hot knife and I felt as though my heart might literally shatter. I couldn't catch my breath and when I did I only managed to utter one word.

“Destroyer.”

Breakfast of Champions

noreply@blogger.com (Author Cynthia Vespia) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:26:00 +0000

I know in this Internet savvy world they say that you should have a new blog post up every week to keep your readership. Well I've never been much for rules. And in the interest of not losing those of you who have committed to the sidebar I don't want to throw out just any such nonsense week after week. Writing a post about nothing is a bit like having cereal without milk. It's dry, it's boring, and you really have no use for it.

But today I have some milk and maybe even some sliced fruit to top that cereal.

At the close of 2011 I am re-inventing myself once more. The focus on my writing has doubled with an effort to really harness the reigns of my career and drive it towards the projects that I feel passionately about. It will be a busy year as my graphic design and video editing services become more “author friendly.” I am knee deep in edits for my thriller set in the seedy underbelly of my hometown of Las Vegas; and the crown jewel of all of it begins with the re-release of the Demon Hunter Series.

What does any of this mean for you? If you're an author in need of a cover for an upcoming title leave me a comment below. I will choose one lucky winner to receive a FREE cover from the creative minds at Original Cyn Advertising (that's me!). I'm building my portfolio and I would like to have more covers to my name...now is the one and only time I'll be offering this freebie. Call it a gift for Christmas.

If you're a reader I have many treats coming your way.

As I said the re-release of Demon Hunter will be available soon. My dark fantasy trilogy came out in 2009 as an e-book and was originally met was some splendid reviews. The start of 2012 will see the re-birth of Demon Hunter in print editions as well as standard e-book format for Kindle, Nook, etc. Along with the first two in the series, The Chosen One and Seek and Destroy, the series will be concluded with the never before released third installment titled Heroes Call.

I'm extremely proud of this series and I am happy that it will finally be getting the push I always envisioned for it.

Thanks for sticking with me and have a great turkey day!

THE DEMON WILL RISE

noreply@blogger.com (Author Cynthia Vespia) — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 19:39:00 +0000

I wrote before on an unfortunate situation that went on with my previous publisher and my DEMON HUNTER series.
Today this author received her rights back in the mail. THE DEMON HUNTER WILL RISE AGAIN!
It was an uncomfortable couple of months and alot of authors are still awaiting their fates.
I have to believe now that it will all work out in the end. I'm of the belief that the publisher is not intentionally being malicious. Sometimes life is difficult and we do the best we can at the time.
Of course, I tend to try and see the good in people but we all know we are born of both dark and light...who among us haven't let the dark take over?

In any event I wish the publisher no ill will and I am happy to be able to revamp my DEMON HUNTER series and move forward.

Location of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Author Cynthia Vespia) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 03:57:00 +0000

Sometimes you stumble on some wonderful places without even trying. This past weekend I found such a place.
Tucked inside a shopping center next to a Vons and a UPS was a deliciously inviting store called POPCORN GIRL!
The name alone made me want to take a look. When I went inside I thought I had stumbled into one of Willy Wonka's factories. The store offers gourmet popcorn and fudge...here's the catch: the popcorn has over 50 different flavors!
They had some crazy combos up on the order board and they let you sample before you buy. I'm a fan of kettlecorn so I first tried the cinnamon flavor. It was ok but then the girl told me about the special they had running for the French Toast flavor...OMG! Delicious!!!
My next choice was cheese. They had so many to choose from. For instance baked potato, parmesan and garlic, ranch, white cheddar and more. I went with a taste from Mac and Cheese and Nacho Cheese. The Nacho being a little too spicy I fell in love with Mac and Cheese and my order was complete...until the next time. Afterall I haven't tried the chocolate flavors, the caramel flavors, or the rest of the 50 that they have. And then there's the fudge!
Popcorn Girl was featured on the Food Network channel and can be found online at www.popcorngirlvegas.com

OUT OF THE ASHES

noreply@blogger.com (Author Cynthia Vespia) — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 20:32:00 +0000

This author has been quiet for some time on a situation that is affecting my passion and livlihood: My Writing

However, the time has come to speak.

The 2010 release of DEMON HUNTER 3: HEROES CALL has been postponed due to the problematic situation with the publishing company with which it is currently housed. In light of that and other contractual obligations that have not been made by the publisher I am unfortunately forced to pull the rest of the series (DEMON HUNTER: THE CHOSEN ONE and DEMON HUNTER: SEEK & DESTROY) from my websites for the time being.

I implore you not to purchase these titles from the publisher or any other channel until retributions are made.

Do you know how hard it is for an author to say "DON'T by my book?" It is PAINFUL to say the least. The Demon Hunter series was met with VERY favorable reviews and I am EXTREMELY proud of these titles. So rest assured once this situation has been cleared up I will be re-releasing these titles and "HEROES CALL" will finally see the light of day.

I thank you all for the continued support and welcome you to explore my other titles: THE CRESCENT; THEATER of PAIN; and my latest thriller LIFE, DEATH, and BACK.

Also, in the midst of this mania I have been writing a wonderful new thriller that has regenerated my LOVE of writing. It is the first time I have not used an outline, character breakdown, etc. and it is absolutely flowing like a golden river from the warped recesses of my mind. So out of the ashes rises The Phoenix!

STAY TUNED!

And soon...the DEMON will rise again!!!

UPDATE 10/14: PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINK FOR THE FULL STORY

CELINA SUMMERS BLOG

Memories

noreply@blogger.com (Author Cynthia Vespia) — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 18:04:00 +0000

3 For Italy
“La Dolce Vita!”
By
Cynthia Vespia

pt I Rome
There are some things in life that just have to be experienced firsthand. A trip to the old country was one of those experiences. So with my father Charlie, and my friend Kelly in tow, we took off on the morning of March 14th 2007 towards the trip of a lifetime.
It was a virgin tour of Italy for each of us that began in Rome. “The Eternal City” was as warm and welcoming as our wonderful tour director MariElena – a native Roman sent to us through Trafalgar Tours, who made our group feel at ease within the first few moments of meeting her.
Our first full day began with a trek through the monumental Vatican wherein resides the historic Sistine Chapel, vibrant and alive with rich colors and an even richer history. But how do you describe a visual experience with mere words? All I can say is that I was humbled by such beauty and in great awe.
From there it was on to the Roman Forum and the most famous monument of ancient Rome, The Colosseum which was started between 70 and 76 AD by Emperor Vespasian who wanted to build something for the people rather than himself. The Colosseum was completed by Vespasian’s son Titus in 80 AD and the opening was celebrated by holding 100 days of games. Formerly known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, The Colosseum got its now famous name because of its close proximity to the place where Nero had erected a huge statue, or colossus of himself. The sheer size of The Colosseum alone is breathtaking. And what visit to the sight of the gladiator games would be complete without a visit from the gladiators themselves? So we took the time out to strike a pose with some fully armed gladiator guys.
The evening is spent with a walk to the Trevi Fountains and it should be made known that the replica in front of Caesars Palace has nothing on the original! We take the time to throw our 3 Euro coins into the fountain. 1 for a speedy return; 1 to find true love; and 1 to find true love in Rome!
Dinner that night is a lively event where my father, gifted with a voice to rival Pavarotti, treats our group to song. It is a full day with a night colored in Vino! We retire to rest up for in the morning we say Arrivederci Roma and move on to our next locale – Florence.

pt. II - FLORENCE

You rarely get to experience little adventures, that is unless you’re some sort of extremist. Touring Italy was my adventure and it would continue in the grand walled city of Siena. Set on three hills Siena, with its medieval flare, is the best preserved walled city in the Tuscany region. It was a charming little town with lots to see and do. Next it was on to beautiful Florence - The Renaissance City, where we were privileged to see such fine masterpieces as Michelangelo’s David and the fine marble architecture of St. Mary of the Flowers. The grand scale of this structure was such that the eyes alone could not take in the full majesty.
During our tour of The David a strong force overtook us and forced us into the streets...it was hunger! As trained athletes Kelly and I are used to eating at least every three hours so when that craving for sustenance kicks in we have no choice but to answer it. So we slipped away from the tour in search of food finding the jackpot at a corner market. But just as we were burden down with fiddles our tour group started loading the bus back towards the hotel! We had no choice but to cut and run, leaving our precious food behind but knowing full well we'd find refuge on the bus in the form of powerbars.
The following day we had time to explore on our own so Kelly and I did what any woman would do in a city renowned for its production of fine leather and gold – we went shopping! So many stores, so little time really. The days excursion ended on a high note as a touch of fate led us to a store Kelly had her heart set on exploring that had previously been closed.
With bags of new treasures in hand we returned to the hotel to ready ourselves for a night in wine country – Tuscany. This easily tops my list as the favorite evening out. With a wine tasting of 6 of Italy’s very best in vino how could it not? One word of advice though, stay away from the Grappo. This was our final taste of the evening, a clear liquid served up in a shot glass. Don't let the looks fool you, it is pure alcohol and tastes something like lighter fluid. It'll strip your throat raw!
We spent the evening in a charming regional restaurant where our host Elena (a feisty, sprite of a woman) greeted us with great food, great conversation, and of course the wine! By the end of that night my head hurt from laughing so much (or perhaps it was the vino) but I remember it fondly as my Pops treated the group to not 1, but 2 new songs.
It was quite a rare treat for me to hear him sing a lively version of Finniculi Finnicula, laced with special words that he and his brother had incorporated into their stage act years before. The party continued with more singing and plenty of dancing until we were reluctantly called back to the bus to prepare for our trek to Venice in the morning.

pt. III - VENICE

With Venice comes rain, and being as though it is the city on the water it becomes a little chilly. But that isn’t enough to stop us from enjoying ourselves. In fact, there really wasn’t any reason to complain about anything no matter if the coffee was too strong or the spaghetti didn’t quite taste right. All you had to do was look around you and realize the majesty of where you were to appreciate the fact that the little discrepancies didn’t matter.
Venice is everything you’d ever seen in movies or on TV, but in person it is multitudes better. This is the home of Murano glass and our first stop is to a glass blowing factory where we are shown just how these exquisite items are made. With time at our leisure we of course hit the local shops in search of treasured Murano trinkets to take home with us. Here we learned that not Italians are created equal as an unruly shopkeeper dismissed us with obvious disdain for tourists. Being of Italiano descent myself I didn't bother throwing back verbal curses, just a touch of the Evil Eye his way. Had my father been within hearing range he would've cut this man down to half his size with simple old school verbage and had fun doing it too. But, just as back home there are going to be jerks that push your buttons...we wouldn't let it ruin our trip. Because the next group of shops and shopkeepers were far more welcoming and then it was lunchtime. We found our meal at an outdoor café where under the safety of an awning we watched a storm drench the streets of Venice while dining on some of the most colossal calzones this side of the Venetian. I mean really, these things were enormous and covered a full size plate with no sparing of toppings! But we had worked up an appetite so those puppies were eaten and enjoyed to the fullest extent.
After that we reconvened with the tour and took a jaunt inside out of the cold and rain to view some more amazing frescos. And what tour would be complete without a ride through the Grand Canal by gondola? This is one of the best ways to see Venice and it would conclude our day there. You really get the feel of the old world architecture all around you. But before we knew it our day in Venice was over. It seemed to come and go so quickly leaving me with a wanting to return and visit the shops and streets of Venice again very soon.

pt. IV - ARRIVEDERCI ROMA

Eight litttle days...how they go by in a blink. I could hardly believe the trip was coming to a close, but my spirits remained high as there was still fun to be had. Our last night would be spent where it all began - beautiful Rome.
We began our last night by first driving past the ancient baths of the Emperor Caracalla and then on to exploring the Catacombs outside the Roman Walls. These underground churches and cemeteries were the sites where the early Christians assembled to escape persecution. The bodies had since been relocated due to vandalism, but the grave sites remained. Just above the Catacombs stood an ancient church where many religious artifacts were stationed, of which was an impressive 600 year old cross that filled one of the far walls. It was a hand made crucifix that to this day no one knows who in fact made it. You could definately feel a presence still lingering in this church. From there we ventured to the Cathedral of St. Paul where inside this massive structure we were shown where St. Paul himself was laid to rest.
That night was our farewell dinner. The entire group ventured to a lovely little Italian eatery called Gladiatore that was stationed right across the street from The Colosseum. Dinner...as it had been most nights was excellent. Conversation was lively as we set up with some of the other tour members who we'd bonded with throughout the trip. We had the stigma of 'Vegas' riding on us and we had to live up to that notion so it seemed that we wound up as the 'rebels' at the back of the bus, causing havoc and just having fun. That was the overall theme of any of the activities...FUN! And the final dinner, although seemingly senitmental, didn't lack in enjoyment either. We were treated wtih song from some amazing Tenors and once again my father lent his voice to song by joining in for a few numbers.
As the night winds on I find I've never posed for so many pictures in all my life. You feel like a rockstar as members from the tour group, looking to capture moments, walk the tables and snap shots as keepsakes of a marvelous trip.
By night's end there is a lovely display of affection for MariElena and our bus driver Michele...both of whom did a wonderful job in producing a carefree and fabulous tour. Stepping outside we see the marvelous structure of The Colosseum lit up under the night sky, a terrific site that had to be captured and remembered. We share laughs and hugs on the bus ride back to the hotel knowing it wil be the last time we are all in the same place at the same time, for in the morning we all go our separate ways home.
If I had to sum up the experience (because that's all you can really do, there was way too much that went down to really touch on everything) I'd say it was the most fun I've had in a long time. I saw amazing places, got to know some interesting people, and above all I came to learn some more about myself. It truly was a remarkable experience and I'm glad that I got to share it with my father. Eighty years young and he finally made it to the old country to see his roots. That makes me smile. And my friend Kelly who I got to know alot better over this time. I can honestly say it wouldn't have been quite as much fun without her. She made the trip a real adventure.
In conclusion I'm going to remember this trip for the rest of my life and I will look back on it often and smile. So what're you waiting for...an engraved invitation?

The 1:00 a.m. blog

noreply@blogger.com (Author Cynthia Vespia) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 09:00:00 +0000

Have you ever had a dream? Have you every wanted something so much that you exhausted yourself in the pursuit of it only to find that your efforts are in vain? Bleak I know. I'm trying not to be that person, I'm trying to be positive...look on the bright side, etc. But damn I'm exhausted and with little to show for my efforts!
Remember when you were a kid and everything came effortlessly. You were invincible. You WERE going to be that sports star, rock star, best selling author, whatever. No matter what came along you'd conquer it. When do we lose that? I've tried not to. Been through a whole bunch of shit along the way that I'd rather not get into and I've continued to get up and go forward. Lately there's been alot of changes. Changes in the writing world, in the real world, all over. It has forced me to reevaluate what I'm doing with life.
I'll admit right now: It has become joyless.
That's so not good! Life is too short for all the stress. Somewhere along the lines it became about being this success instead of creating the product for the fun of it. Remember that word, fun? I'm sure some of you can relate. To borrow a line from Tony Robbins: "We get caught up making a living instead of designing life."
Then one day you wake up and your fifty and you wonder what the hell happened. Where did that wrong turn come in?
It's ok though. Once you're off that path you can always choose to get back on...OR choose a new one.
This is the theme of my recent book Demon Hunter: Heroes Call. Costa is back as the demon hunter but when we revisit him he is living a quiet life with his wife and expecting their first child. When Costa is called back into action he is thrilled for the excitement of it. Because who among us doesn't lust for that adventure? Be honest. The problem is that this time things go very, very wrong and Costa is forced to choose to fight for the life he once knew or take a new path and start over fresh.
What would you do?
I suppose it depends where you are in your life before you make your decisions.
"It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped." - Tony Robbins
What am I going to do? Well that's easy enough said: I'm going to rediscover my passion. Find my smile again. And LIVE dammit. There is alot of fun to be had in this world. Time in the hour glass is running out faster than I care to admit and I'm not going to spend it with worry, hate, resentment, or especially FEAR. I choose the path less traveled.
Let all thoughts and decisions come from your heart. Your head is overworked.
Rediscover your joy.

Some of my favorite things in life including martial arts; walking in nature; travel; and beautiful music. When all felt lost in the world an angel came on TV and sang her beautiful little heart out. (I'm talking about Jackie Evancho!)
And when all I wanted to do was curl up in bed and eat Cheetos I came across another courageous young girl: Bethany Hamilton. The movie version of her life, Soul Surfer, is nothing compared to the young lady herself. She is my new hero ( though I'm sure she would never accept such status)

The girl loses her arm to a shark attack and looks upon it as a blessing! Some of us have it all and we bitch and moan anyway.
How can you hear singing like Jackie or witness moments like Bethany in the beauty of the Hawaiian islands and not believe in more?
It is enough for me. My blinders are coming off. At first it feels a bit odd but I tell you I liken it to writing without an outline. Once the structure is off your back and your whole world isn't outlined in a day planner or on your iPhone, etc. then it feels like a huge weight is off your back. Be spontaneous, be adventurous, be unafraid. These are the characters I write about, it is time I embrace this path myself.

To find out what path Costa chooses pick up Demon Hunter 3: Heroes Call on August 29th!

Aspen Mountain Press Birthday Bash...where the presents are for YOU!

noreply@blogger.com (Author Cynthia Vespia) — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 01:39:00 +0000

Aspen Mountain Press is turning 5. In honor of the celebration we are holding a whirlwind blogging experience!

Aspen Mountain Press is the home of my fantasy series DEMON HUNTER.

The Chosen One debuted in September of 2009. It is the tale of a nobody who becomes a somebody in the bloodiest of ways. Reviews for The Chosen One were some of my best to date.

“Vespia's DEMON HUNTER: THE CHOSEN ONE turned out to be more like a classic re-telling of Conan with a bit of Doug Clegg's "Priest of Blood" series thrown in..- NICK CATO, Author of “Don of the Dead”

“This novel had a unique taste, a mixture between The Odyssey and Gulliver’s Travels. I thoroughly enjoyed reading each word, each blow, and each reaction. - BITTEN BY BOOKS

“For fans of dark fantasy, this book is a must read. A truly good, old fashioned legend and lore adventure novel that leaves readers thirsting for the sequel.” - WRITING TO BE READ

The sequel, SEEK & DESTROY followed in November and was also greeted with great reviews:

“Loved it! Your writing reminded me of Stephen Kings last book. The dead rising on the battered ship gave the same eerie horrific chills and thrills as the dead things on the ancient ship off Duma Key. Thanks for the exciting ride!” -Lynne Tierney, Author of Going to Extremes

“Ms. Vespia makes it all work out in the end and you see a few unexpected twists that leave you going whoa! SEEK & DESTROY is a wonderful adventure that will satisfy those who enjoy vampires, demons and human foibles on center stage. Ms. Vespia is a masterful storyteller and she weaves a magical spell around you as you read her stories.” - Love Romances and More

The series went on to be nominated for best in series of 2009 by LRC CAFE and the trailer for SEEK & DESTROY won a Most Artistic Trailer Award from New Covey.

I'm flattered by the great response. The idea to write DEMON HUNTER came from my love of fantasy novels. Being compared to great classics like Gulliver's Travels and my favorite fantasy series Conan left me bouyant with pride. I love writing down to my core and I'm thrilled when my writing touches readers in such a way that the greats have touched me.

I set out on this adventure with a boy who journeys into becoming a man and dealing with a unique experience of being the son of a famed and feared demon hunter. So to take on the family business like that meant alot of growing up fast.

My formula when writing unexpectedly took on the similar theme that Star Wars depicted. The young man seeking adventure; his colorful companions; the evil that must be defeated.

The first two in the Demon Hunter saga can stand alone, that is for sure. But I always felt in my heart that it needed to be a trilogy. This brought on the third and final chapter in the series DEMON HUNTER: HEROES CALL which will be released by Aspen Mountain Press on August 29th, 2011!

In honor of this release I'm currently running a promotion. Purchase Demon Hunter: The Chosen One and send me proof of purchase and I'll send you Demon Hunter 2: Seek & Destroy absolutely FREE!

Get to know Costa Calabrese and the world of the demon hunter as he takes you through these adventures and speaks to you through journal entries rich with his own emotional wounds.

Here now is a look the first two in the series:

Aspen Mountain Press Tour Rules:

1) Tour Starts: Monday, August 1, 2011 at Midnight (EST)
Tour Ends: August 7, 2011 at Midnight (EST)
Final Celebration is August 7th from 6pm-11pm (EST) at the AMP Community Loop.
Grand Prize: a Kindle (Wi-Fi, Graphite, 6″ Display with New E-Ink Pearl Technology) is the Grand Prize. Drawing will take place and be announced on August 7, 2011 on the AMP Community Loop at 11pm (EST). Only comments posted before 10pm (EST) on August 7, 2011 are eligible to win the Kindle. Winner will be notified by email on August 8, 2011 if they are not present on the Loop for the announcement.
***Individual winners from author contests will be drawn and posted August 8, 2011 on their individual sites.***
2) Participation at every blog on the tour is not required but the more blogs a person comments on, the more chances they have to win. If a person comments on one blog, they are entered into the Grand Prize Drawing once. If they comment on ten different blogs, they will be entered into the Grand Prize drawing ten times. Only one comment per blog per person will be entered to win the Grand Prize.
3) The winner of the Grand Prize must be a resident of the United States with a US mailing address. Non-US winners will be eligible for $50 US in Aspen Mountain Press books from the AMP Website.
4) Prizes at individual author blogs are completely at the discretion of the individual authors and are not in association with Aspen Mountain Press and its prize system. To enter the contest on any given blog, you must follow their contest rules and objectives.
5) By commenting on any blog in the tour, the participant is agreeing to these rules and policies.
6) All prize winners will be chosen randomly by using Random Line Picker.

Thank you for Touring my Blog your Next stop is Dominique Eastwick whose book Hunting JC is already receiving rave reviews. Dominique also has a special contest on her blog.

Happy Touring

For the next Stop on the tour

CLICK HERE

EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT for DEMON HUNTER: HEROES CALL and GIVEAWAY!

noreply@blogger.com (Author Cynthia Vespia) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 05:24:00 +0000

The long awaited debut of Demon Hunter:Heroes Call is this August. Before the final chapter arrives catch up on the rest of the series. If you purchase Demon Hunter:The Chosen One and send me proof of purchase I'll send you Demon Hunter:Seek & Destroy FREE! Get it through Amazon now!

As the mighty hunter of demons,

Costa Calabrese has known wealth,

fame, the fear of men and true love.

Now one brush with The Destroyer

is threatening the life he treasures.

Costa's entire world is being exposed

as nothing but a lie. 

Costa's greatest and final battle is

at hand as he battles the darkest

demons of all...the ones in his head.

EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT:

A thousand possibilities ran through my mind. I tried to

persuade myself that he was right. Talisa would come back

and everything would be as it was before. 

Deep in my heart I knew the truth. 

And then I saw it, the marking on the wall just as in my

visions. It read: "I am sent here by the chosen one. So

shall it be written. So shall it be done.  Child of light,

be it daughter or son, is to be destroyed."

She was gone just like that. Vanished without a trace or an

explanation. The only thing that made any sense to me were

the visions. Something dark and sinister had invaded our home

and swept Talisa off into the night.

 
How could I have let this happen? I speak all the time of not

having regret and now I had to live with another. I would never,

ever forgive myself for leaving her that day. 

I had tried to make peace within myself, saying it would only be

for a little while and then I'd return to her and we'd live out

our lives together until we were old and gray. But suddenly my

perfect world had been turned upside down and I'd somehow lost

the love of my life.

I fell to my knees, shattered with despair. Paralay tried to

comfort me to no avail. Nothing he could say would make me feel

any better. The only person I wanted to talk to was the one person

I couldn't find.

My breath caught in my chest and I started to shudder. I couldn't

speak. Pain hollowed out my insides like a searing hot knife and I

felt as though my heart might literally shatter. I couldn't catch my

breath and when I did I only managed to utter one word.

"Destroyer."

Impromptu Review - Adjustment Bureau

noreply@blogger.com (Author Cynthia Vespia) — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 21:57:00 +0000

I don't normally do reviews for movies, sometimes for books but not really for movies. But this time I felt compelled to write about The Adjustment Bureau starring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt. It is new on DVD and Blue Ray this week. I saw it in the theater...twice. These days its rare to enjoy a movie the first time let alone want to see it again. But the Adjustment Bureau was different.
Why did I like this particular movie so much? Besides from enjoying both actors I also really loved the story but I didn't understand why until recently watching it for an unprecedented fourth time here at home.
Underneath it all lies a story of a man who will quite literally do whatever it takes to be with the woman of his dreams. The only time he ever walks away from this love is when the two of them being together threatens her happiness.

Eureka - Pure FICTION!
This sort of thing never happens in the really real world. If it has happened to you please do let me know. In my experience it has not.
On the flip side Blunt's character Elise is not to be outdone in the love department either. One of the head "case workers" tells David (Damon) that dancing is the one thing that makes Elise happy and that she truly loves. When that is threatened David walks away. What he doesn't realize at the time is that Elise loves him more than dancing, enough to give it up if she had the choice. She even spells it out later when she says to him: "You don't know anything about me and what makes me happy."
This is a love story presented in a very unique fashion That's what makes this particular journey so powerful and enjoyable. It is also a finely woven story told by two of the brightest stars in Hollywood today.
In the beginning the two meet in the men's restroom and near they end they come together again in the ladies room. Interesting choice by director George Nolfi. If you haven't seen it yet I recommend The Adjustment Bureau.

Storyline

Do we control our destiny, or do unseen forces manipulate us? A man glimpses the future Fate has planned for him and realizes he wants something else. To get it, he must pursue across, under and through the streets of modern-day New York the only woman he's ever loved. On the brink of winning a seat in the U.S. Senate, ambitious politician David Norris (Damon) meets beautiful contemporary ballet dancer Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt) - a woman like none he's ever known. But just as he realizes he's falling for her, mysterious men conspire to keep the two apart. David learns he is up against the agents of Fate itself - the men of The Adjustment Bureau - who will do everything in their considerable power to prevent David and Elise from being together. In the face of overwhelming odds, he must either let her go and accept a predetermined path...or risk everything to defy Fate and be with her. Written by Universal Pictures

Writing Bad - Unedited Personal Commentary

noreply@blogger.com (Author Cynthia Vespia) — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:43:00 +0000

Allow me to indulge for a minute on a personal commentary about right v wrong. Good v. Bad. Most of us try to walk the straight and narrow in life. Do the right thing. Fly under the radar. We are the good guys. We follow the rules, keep our noses clean, and we STILL get screwed over. By who? Criminals mostly. Criminals they put in power who levy you with unfair fines. Criminals who try to take away your God given rights - or even take away God himself. Criminals in the guise of helpful aides who turn around and kick you in the teeth with unfair and unjust rulings.
Yes, I have a personal vendetta I'm speaking of.
But in all those scenarios what would make me want to continue being the goodguy? Why would I follow the rules only to get a bad rap anyway? What you're pushing me towards is the other side...the darkside. Sure looks nice: commit robbery - get a slap on the wrist. Kill someone in a drunk driving accident - go to rehab. Commit rape or murder - get out in 6 months...if that! In THOSE scenarios why wouldn't I turn to the darkside? When you can shoot someone in their home and get away with it but that same homeowner can't defend themselves without being prosecuted you know there is something wrong!
So why wouldn't I steal cable, download music for free, theater hop, pick pockets? What keeps me from robbing a bank and shooting the guard on the way out then fleeing to another country? MORAL FIBER.
My parents raised me with INTEGRITY.
However, this is what makes writing villains so appealing. I've spoken on villains before - and we should know by now they have to have a believable agenda, and more importantly and agenda they believe in. But why do most people find playing the villain or writing about them that much more intriguing than the hero? Because the hero is squeaky clean, they try to do the right thing. The villain couldn't give a shit. They have their endgame in mind and anyone who gets in the way is called "collateral damage."
These days though times have changed. The heroes themselves are even shades of gray. it is reflective of a society who is fed up with politics and the bullshit that comes with it. Reality entails lawyers (the biggest crooks of all) and legal fees. So if we can escape from reality for awhile in the depths of a characters we choose to then it somewhat takes the edge off...somewhat.

Amazon Now Selling More Kindle Books Than Print Books

noreply@blogger.com (Author Cynthia Vespia) — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 06:36:00 +0000

FROM THE KINDLE DIRECT PUBLISHING NEWSLETTER:

Amazon Now Selling More Kindle Books Than Print Books

Amazon began selling hardcover and paperback books in July 1995. Twelve years later in November 2007, Amazon introduced the revolutionary Kindle and began selling Kindle books. By July 2010, Kindle book sales had surpassed hardcover book sales, and six months later, Kindle books overtook paperback books to become the most popular format on Amazon.com. Today, less than four years after introducing Kindle books, Amazon.com customers are now purchasing more Kindle books than all print books - hardcover and paperback - combined.

"Customers are now choosing Kindle books more often than print books. We had high hopes that this would happen eventually, but we never imagined it would happen this quickly - we've been selling print books for 15 years and Kindle books for less than four years," said Jeff Bezos, Founder and CEO, Amazon.com. Since April 1, for every 100 print books Amazon.com has sold, it has sold 105 Kindle books. This includes sales of hardcover and paperback books by Amazon where there is no Kindle edition. Free Kindle books are excluded and if included would make the number even higher.

Need a book for your own Kindle? Check out these great titles:

DEMON HUNTER: CHOSEN ONE
A man comes to learn he is fated to follow in his fathers footsteps as a hunter of demons....whether he wants to or not.
MORE INFO

DEMON HUNTER: SEEK & DESTROY
As the newest Demon Hunter, Costa Calabrese has a lot to contend with when the portal to hell opens up in his backyard. Part II of the Demon Hunter Series.
MORE INFO

THEATER OF PAIN
In the world of professional wrestling everything is over-the-top. Some competitors would do anything to make it to the top...even if it meant murder.
MORE INFO

LIFE DEATH AND BACK GIVEAWAY!

noreply@blogger.com (Author Cynthia Vespia) — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 18:02:00 +0000

LILAC WOLF AND STUFF has been hosting Original Cyn (that's me!) all week. Now she is offering her reader's a prize for being followers. Here's what Lilac has to say:

On Monday I reviewed Life, Death, and Back. On Wednesday Cynthia Vespia posted a guest blog. Today she has graciously agreed to host the giveaway to celebrate 50 followers! So if the review and/or Cynthia's post piqued your interest, you now have a chance to win a PDF copy of the book.

Onto the rules...I will draw the winner from a hat on Monday morning, contest closes Sunday 11:59pm.

For the first entry - be a follower and leave a comment.

Additional entries (separate comments for each entry necessary):

Visit Cynthia Vespia's blog and become a follower
Share this giveaway on twitter - leave a link in your comment
Grab my button (if you already have this on your blog, you get the entry just leave a link)
Blog about this entry (2 extra entries for this one)

And that's it. Let the entries start rolling in. :) And a big thank you to Cynthia Vespia for hosting this giveaway and letting me share this great book.

Check out her site for more: http://lilacwolfandstuff.blogspot.com/2011/06/giveaway-life-death-and-back.html

SEX! Now that I got your attention check out the post.

noreply@blogger.com (Author Cynthia Vespia) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 20:27:00 +0000

This article is for the busy, yet sedentary, individual. Being a writer myself, I know the demands of the professional world and that it keeps your butt in the chair for hour upon hour. Couple that with the 9-5 to pay the bills, obligations to family and friends -- even kids (God bless you moms and dads!) -- and something tends to fall to the wayside. Usually that becomes: "I don't have time to work out." There's 24 hours in a day -- you can make time ... and I'll show you how.

Read the rest at AOL’s That’sFit.

FOUR STARS for LIFE DEATH and BACK the new Thriller from CV!

noreply@blogger.com (Author Cynthia Vespia) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 22:49:00 +0000

Monday, June 13, 2011

Review - Life, Death, and Back

by Cynthia Vespia
Amazon.com - $16.95
Barnes & Nobles - $16.95

Synopsis:
Life goes by in a blink.

One moment can change everything.

For most, death is the eternal end.

Bryan Caleb has unfinished business.

Even as he struggles with his own mortality, Bryan must find the compassion within himself to help guide Lisa Zane, an emotionally and spiritually drained young girl, through her troubled life to find her purpose.

For it is only with Lisa's help that Bryan can rescue his son, Kriticos Caleb.

This style of book is more like 3 short stories. The center character is surprising, she is on the sidelines through much of it but is the only one in all the sections. That would be Lisa Zane.

In the first story she is a drugged out young woman, her body being abused in exchange for a place to live and the drugs she craves. Bryan, after an untimely death acts as her guardian angel to rescue her.

In the 2nd part, she has fully cleaned up her life when a reanimated Bryan asks her help in saving his now grown son from the violent path he was on.

And in the last section, Chris (Bryan's son, aka Kriticos) and Lisa are fully in love, and both of their pasts come to destroy them.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters are well written, although at times they are far too good. The situations are also believable, even Bryan's afterlife. The language, settings and characters all come together to create a novel with a quick flow that doesn't leave you wanting for anything.

I am surprised to see this is only available as a paperback, although perhaps if enough interest is shown an e-version may show up. I have included a links to buy the book above, if you are looking for an intense, deep read.

Come back on Wednesday for a guest post by the author, Cynthia Vespia...my first guest blogger - I'm so excited!

LIFE DEATH and BACK Makes the Rounds

noreply@blogger.com (Author Cynthia Vespia) — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 20:09:00 +0000

LIFE DEATH and BACK, the thriller from yours truly has continued to make the rounds.
Available now through Amazon.com

Over at Babs Book Bistro:

My 2 cents:

This book surprised me. I am just now getting into some paranormal as I always thought I would not care for it much. I am glad I had the opportunity to read this book. I have always wondered if there was life after death. I like the fact that Cynthia gives us a new way to look at the afterlife. The characters are all believable and very easy to care for. I would like to think there are angels looking out for us and here to comfort us. This book helps in that thinking. I was taken in from the beginning what a page turner it is. You will not want to put this book down. You want to know if Bryan can help Lisa and also help his son. I would highly recommend this book to any one.

Read the full review: http://www.babsbookbistro.net/blog/2011/06/new-review-of-life-death-and-back-by-cynthia-vespia.html#comment-1711

GELATI's SCOOP:

This is my first read on a Cynthia Vespia novel. She has a few other titles to her credit: The Crescent, Theater of Pain, Demon Hunter: The Chosen One, and Demon Hunter :Seek and Destroy. I am going to check out her other titles, I am now a fan of her writing since reading Life ,Death and Back. How did I happen to bump into the author: we are both Book Town member’s. If you are not a member feel free to click on the badge on my blog and join, good stuff awaits you, enjoy. Here is the synopsis of the novel:
“Life goes by in a blink. One moment can change everything. For most, death is the eternal end. Bryan Caleb has unfinished business. Even as he struggles with his own mortality, Bryan must find the compassion within himself to help guide Lisa Zane, an emotionally and spiritually drained young girl, through her troubled life to find her purpose. For it is only with Lisa's help that Bryan can rescue his son, Kriticos Caleb.”
Biography
“Cynthia was drawn to writing early on in life where she established a successful career as a freelance journalist writing everything from features and fillers, to reviews and human interest stories. Throughout that time she remained true to her passion of writing novels and the creative outlet emersing in such stories brought with it.
Her first novel, a medieval fiction entitled The Crescent (iUniverse)was published in August 2005. The novel was unanimously praised as "an engaging, descriptive read" which prompted a sell-out at Borders Bookstore in less than one hour during the first official signing.
A short story, a satirical look at the afterlife titled Death's Grand Design (Utterpants), was published online shortly thereafter and once again met with reviews that honored her attention to detail and the flow of her prose.
In May of 2006, Theater of Pain (Lulu.com) was released. This suspense thriller unfolds within the eccentric world of professional wrestling where competitors would do anything to reach the top...even murder.
After a short hiatus, Cynthia returned with Demon Hunter (AspenMountainPress.com) It is the story about a nobody who becomes a somebody in the bloodiest of ways. Following the tradition of dark fantasy and combining the concept of high-adventure, Demon Hunter examines both the light and dark side of human nature when a man learns he is fated to hunt demons before they corrupt mankind. The success of Demon Hunter was followed up by the sequel, Demon Hunter: Seek & Destroy which takes the characters and the reader on a journey that begins on the high seas and ends in Hell. Both novels (published in e-book format) were nominated for Best Series in 2009 by LRC Cafe.

Cynthia’s next release returns to the contemporary side of thrillers but still contains that special twist that her novels are fast becoming known for. Life, Death, and Back (WeavingDreamsPublishing) delves into the paranormal when a man’s life is tragically cut short and he remains on Earth to tie up loose ends with his family.
Today Cynthia writes quality, character driven novels full of suspense as well as dark fantasy. Cynthia likes to refer to her novels as "Real life situations that you could find yourself in but hope to God you never do. In her spare time she enjoys reading, movies that involve a strong plot/characters, and keeping active through various forms of martial arts and as an active fitness competitor."
Let’s face it I am a sucker for character drive fiction and this was right in my wheelhouse. Cynthia Vespia weaves a tight, enjoyable plotline and executes it well. I very quickly became emotionally invested in her characters and was totally gripped to the prose. The pages were flying by and I was totally lost and immersed in the story, I just love that. Time became irrelevant as she sucked me into here universe and I did not want to leave it. I will be interviewing the author, Cynthia Vespia, on The G-ZONE July8th @ 2pm EST, please tune in for what I am sure will be some fun.
Things have changed around here. I am now the published author by Trestle Press of “I Have Chrome Balls, Don’t You?” an “In Between The Collaborations”, “Down Low- Dead” with Vincent Zandri, “The Jersey Shore Has Eyes” with Big Daddy Abel”, “G.S.I Gelati’s Scoop Investigations Psychotic Detectives” with Thomas White, “Who Whacked The Blogger” with Benjamin Sobieck,“Thad and The G-Man’s Most Awesome Adventure” with Thad Brown , “Hotel Beaumont” with B.R. Stateham, and the soon to be released “Give Us Your Living…Now!” with HR Toye. All the stories are available @ Amazon, Barnes & Nobles and Smashwords. I am also the host of the wildly popular The G-ZONE blogtalk radio show. Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow.

Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com

And finally read my interview at Vampyre Kisses: http://www.vampyrekisses.com/?p=1294

The Future of Publishing

noreply@blogger.com (Author Cynthia Vespia) — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 17:02:00 +0000

I just received an email newsletter from the folks at BOOK MARKETING EXPERTS
Now, I don't even remember signing up for this newsletter but they had some insights on the future of the publishing industry so I thought I'd share a bit for you now:

Feature Article: The Future of Publishing

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A lot of people claim that traditional publishing is broken and will eventually die. I disagree. Much like the changes that have occurred in the past in publishing, the big six will survive and so will agents. I do not have any insider knowledge or hidden agenda, nor do I profess to know everything about publishing. Not by a longshot. But I do know how to read the signs of this evolution or revolution, depending on which side of the fence you are on. I believe there have been many signs. Here is how I foresee they will do it. Self-publishing: In the very near future, all of the houses will spend some of their equity on self-publishing. In order to survive, they are going to have to reinvent the way they do business. This means digging into the self-publishing arena. It's rumored that two major houses are already doing this, and there are likely more to come.

Hay House, for example, has already lent their name to Balboa Press which is their self-publishing arm. I have no experience with Balboa so I can't speak to their process, but I do know that part of their sales pitch to authors is that a successful book published with Balboa will be considered by Hay House for republication. Does this actually happen? I don't know, Balboa hasn't been around long enough to show a track record. If publishers get into self-publishing, does that mean they won't be publishing traditionally? Not at all. The traditional model won't go away, but with publishers becoming more and more risk-averse, the model has to change if they're going to survive. And, let's face it, while the number of bookstores is declining, opportunities to sell books and flood the market with books continue to increase. Direct to consumer: While some publishers are dabbling in this, I'm not clear how successful they will be. Consumer engagement on e-commerce sites such as Amazon, etc. will significantly change the way we buy. What does this mean? I think you're going to see a lot more social buying in the future. Social engagement, consumer recommendations, etc.

We're already seeing a lot of this, but I believe we'll see much more of it. Can publishers offer this? Yes, they certainly can, but first they have to overcome the hurdle of consumer awareness. Consumers don't know publishers, they know authors and they know the big e-commerce sites like Amazon, et al. Direct to consumer is great, but when you've been a behind-the-scenes entity for so long, the awareness process can take a while. The future of the literary agent: I have heard this directly from a few agents - that in five years literary agents as we now know them will be gone, or at the very least strongly diminished. Will agents go away? Doubtful. I believe the savvy agents will stick around and, like publishing, completely reinvent themselves.

Consider this: for years agents have acted as gatekeepers. Ferreting through manuscripts, often editing work and/or suggesting rewrites to the material. They've done more lunches with publishers than you could ever hope to do in your lifetime, and they've schmoozed at more parties than anyone should ever be forced to attend.
What does all this mean? It means they are more dialed into the industry than almost anyone and this puts them in a fantastic position. It's already brewing out there; several savvy agents are taking it upon themselves to become book consultants. Let's face it, while publishing opportunities may diminish vis-à-vis the traditional houses, the number of authors who want to get published will continue to grow. There will never be a lack of material, and agents are perfectly positioned to make sure that the majority of it is quality material.
Consider this: you have a manuscript and you're not sure if it's a marketable topic. You don't even know if what you've written is any good. Yes, you could hire an editor, but their job is to edit your existing work. Some editors won't give you the kind of feedback that could save you thousands of dollars marketing something that has no audience. An agent can. I foresee that agents will rediscover who they are and what they bring to the table, which is considerable in my view. Book access: The problem that we've always seen in media relations is this: if the book is self-published with limited distribution, it often won't be considered for a major show because show producers know that consumers may have a hard time finding the book. With eBooks and the accessibility of these titles, all of that has changed. Shows are becoming less concerned with how a book is published, they just want topic-related quality titles to discuss on the show. This is great news for authors who previously haven't been able to secure any media for their books because there was no bookstore placement.
What does all of this mean for you, the author? By this time next year the landscape of publishing will look vastly different. There are more opportunities than ever to see your work in print; and moreover, the odd-man-out which used to be self-publishing is finally getting its due. We are going to see a lot more attention paid to the self-publishing market, and the stigma that's always followed it will diminish greatly. Yes, there will always be less-than-quality self-published books, but let's face it, I've seen traditionally published books fall into that same category.
People often lament the end of publishing as we know it. I actually think that's a great thing. Publishing the old way hasn't worked for a long time. It's always been about exclusivity and often seemed like a high school popularity contest. Breaking down these barriers and leveling the playing field will bring many good things with it, including - and most importantly - some extraordinary authors. Here's to the future!

WHO ARE WE

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Strong Female Characters

noreply@blogger.com (Author Cynthia Vespia) — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 18:57:00 +0000

Today I'm going to discuss one of my favorite topics: Tough Chicks!
Why? Because I am one...but of course :)
In all seriousness I've known some very strong females in my lifetime. Whether it was a strong personality, a strong heart, or a determined attitude these ladies left a lasting impression on me and made me a better person for it.
In writing you want your lead character to touch your reader. They should be someone to empathize with, relate to, and everything in between. I'm currently working on a thriller with some of the toughest women in the world....MOMS!
How do you determine the elements that will go into your strong female? Will she be strong at all? Deep down we all have inner strength that can be tapped regardless of any upbringing. It might be minute, but its there.

When I wrote Life, Death, and Back I used that element for Lisa Zane. She was a troubles kid, put in a dangerous situation, who needed to find within herself the strength to fight back for herself.
All too often you see the damsel in distress, which is fine if that is the archetype you want to portray. But c'mon people lets do it realistically.
Horrors movies are the worst. Scantily clad women who scream, run, fall, and are butchered. Yawn, its been done to death...no pun intended.
On the flip side I just saw a movie titled Drive Angry with Nic Cage. This movie was very unexcpecting from the start of it. The story was original and completely out there. Guns, booze, fast cars...this was a "guy's" movie in the stereotypical sense of the word. I loved it! But I've never been a girly girl. And that is why the female lead of "Piper" played by Amber Heard (Pineapple Express) made me stand up and cheer. From the get-go Piper didn't take any sh*t from anybody. Whether it was her cheating fiance, the pig of a boss at her job, or even Nic Cage himself, Piper stood up for herself and fought back. She didn't wait for someone to come save her...she BROUGHT the fight!

In one of the more memorable scenes the main villain is spewing how he is going to defile and kill her to which Piper answers: "In between that time I'm gonna f*ck you up!"
It was a classic line.

In this day and age the butt kicking female heroine is the norm. From the days when Lucy Lawless conquered as Xena; Jennifer Garner's star turning role as Sydney Bristow in Alias; to Angelina Jolie in Salt (a role written for Tom Cruise!)
In literature there have also been great female leads. My favorite was Chyna Shepard in Dean Koontz "Intensity." She was the reluctant hero caught in a situation she didn't have to take on but she did because it was the right thing to do.
When I wrote The Crescent it embodied strong females taken from history. Female gladiators have been all but forgotten. After seeing a documentary covering the subject I decided to use that as my backstory and these two characters from different sides of the social spectrum were born. Nadja, the slave who fights for her freedom and Liza the queen who fights for her respect.

I'm not saying you always have to put up your dukes to be tough. Some of the toughest women and people in general use their minds to accomplish great things. But in the role of fiction, especially when you're writing thrillers such as I do, it's nice to have a little action :)

Curiosity, are you curious about yourself and the world you live in?

noreply@blogger.com (Author Cynthia Vespia) — Mon, 30 May 2011 19:43:00 +0000

Curiosity doesn't just happen, it's a part of you.
Because if you're curious
You don't take no for an answer.
You see the exception for every rule.
If you're curious,
You know one turn can lead you in a whole new direction.
You don't ask why, you ask why not!
If you're curious you know the best catch is the one that gets away.
Size matters.
And people can be trained.
If you know you always want to know more.
And if you always want to know more
You live curious.

*As spoken in the National Geographic Commercial - thought it was worth repeating.

ORIGINAL CYN ADVERTISING OPENS ITS DOORS FOR BUSINESS!

noreply@blogger.com (Author Cynthia Vespia) — Sat, 28 May 2011 17:19:00 +0000

When Eve first bit into the Cynful apple it made a lasting impression upon the world. In today's hardcore business savvy world you need to have that same impact to stand out from the pack - regardless of what field you're in.

Enter ORIGINAL CYN

Cynthia Vespia is a published author, award winning video editor, and graphic designer. In short she has many skills and has parlayed those skills into ORIGINAL CYN ADVERTISING to bring you fast and efficient advertsing for your dollar. There's no need to shop around for a separate writer or designer, ORIGINAL CYN can handle the entire project.

ORIGINAL CYN specializes in creative copywriting, clever designs, and captivating video packages. This is not a cookie cutter design firm. Your projects are tailored to suit your specialized needs.

Top clients have included published authors, casino megaresorts on the Las Vegas Strip, health and fitness professionals, and any business or entrepreneur looking to take themselves to the next level with creative advertising.

You only get one chance to make a first impression...make it last!

CHECK OUT SAMPLES AND SEE MORE AT THE OFFICIAL SITE: HTTP://WWW.ORIGINALCYNADVERTISING.COM

What Drives A Story?

noreply@blogger.com (Author Cynthia Vespia) — Sun, 22 May 2011 21:36:00 +0000

I'd like to pose a question today. What makes a good story? That's in anything, really. I may be a writer of novels but for simplicity sake I'm talking movies, TV, anything. What keeps the audience attention and drives the story forward?
Is it characters, plot, pacing? Answer: All of the above.
As I write this there is a Harry Potter Marathon on (you may have heard of it!) What I've come to find out about this series of movies is that there is ALWAYS something happening. It goes from one scene to the next, BOOM BOOM BOOM to keep the plot moving and keep you involved. Also, each scene deliberately sets up the next and alternately links the overall theme of the plot.

That, to me, is the perfect mix. But I write thrillers so I like a fast, keep you on your toes pace. Some of you might have a different take. Maybe some of you like a mystery that slowly unravels. Or a romance that has its ups and downs.
I'm all for those too. Point is there is variety for everyone.
Why I'm writing this particular blog today is because I'm having an issue with one of my new novels. It seems too slow, but maybe it is just too slow for me. I may be trying too hard (I tend to do that) but something is off so I've done something I have never done before. I started a second novel before I even finished writing the first.
There are so many things that could go wrong with that. But I just can't tear myself away from the first one and the second one is pulling at my mind daily insisting I write it. Ideally I would just dive into the second one and leave the first to get back to. But I'm trying something new.
I like to break the rules.
The point I'm trying to make is that this newest venture I just started is flowing out of my fingertips and mind faster than I can keep up.
So what makes the one story move along so easily and the other needs to be broken down into an outline and specifically plotted?
It is a strange business of creation but not one I'd ever trade.

So I ask you, what keeps the pages turning or your eyes glued to the set?

Changes

noreply@blogger.com (Author Cynthia Vespia) — Sat, 21 May 2011 17:05:00 +0000

Summertime means changes. Not just in the season but for life in general.
That's the way life is most days. Nothing lasts forever. But you embrace the change and move forward. This year is looking to bring on a great many changes for myself. Soon you'll see the introduction of Original Cyn Advertising. This venture is only somewhat new but I'm embracing it as never before. The purpose will be to bring advertising mediums such as business cards, book covers, logos, book trailers, and such to those that want to get out of the cookie cutter lifestyle and into a creative and compelling expression of who they are and what they do.
Also, a slew of new novels are in the works. You'll see the re-release of favorites like The Crescent, and the debut of others (too soon to mention). CynthiaVespia.com will be undergoing some changes as well to make it more accessible to readers.
This blog itself will be bringing you fresh information by the week. So if there is anything you want to know leave a comment below. I've been in the writing and publishing industry for almost 20 yrs...that's a long time! I just came to realize that at a writer's meeting the other night.
In celebration of that (and my birthday) the ladies over at Author's Roast have set up a party in my honor. Drop by and leave a comment for your chance at winning my e-book DEMON HUNTER which was nominated for Best in Series in 2009.
http://authorroastandtoast.blogspot.com/2011/05/cynthia-vespias-birthday-celebration.html

And on a final note, I want to express mourning for the loss of some heroes. First to Macho Man Randy Savage who died in a car accident. I grew up watching Macho on WWF and he was always entertaining and fun. RIP
Also, goodbye to Arnold Schwarzennegger. Though he has not passed we all know what has gone down in his personal life that has become public and in that respect I no longer consider him a hero of mine. We all make mistakes, sure, but things change as I said before.

This Week I join the Lit Chick Show

noreply@blogger.com (Author Cynthia Vespia) — Sat, 07 May 2011 18:44:00 +0000

I sat down and spoke to the folks over at The Lit Chick Show about the craft of writing and what it took to deliver my new thriller LIFE DEATH and BACK.

See the interview here: http://www.litchickshow.com/2011/05/life-death-and-back-on-lit-chick-show.html