June Newsletter - Mike Jack’s Mixed Media - Get a Free Story Today

June Newsletter - Mike Jack’s Mixed Media

Jun 20, 2022 5:27 pm

6/20/2022 - Mike Jack’s Mixed Media

Hello readers and writers, singers and listeners, artists and art aficionados, tutors and pupils,

First, for those of you who live in the trenches of the teaching world, happy summer. If schools in your area have not gotten out yet, I wish you the smoothest possible last few days and an easy transition into whatever bliss the summer brings. Even though I’m no longer teaching in-person in public school, a big chunk of my online education is still tied to the school year.

Something that’s remained true about my summer time even after leaving public school is that June seems to invite a “Yes, and” quality to what kinds of projects I tackle and produce. Yes, writing and editing fiction is the main one—and THIS FINE CREW volume 4 is finished and working through next steps—but I really enjoy being able to stretch into some more drawing, singing, and other media making. If you want to see the early editions as they come out, extra content, and behind-the-scenes work, check out my Patreon page: https://patreon.com/MikeJackStoumbos

There are too many things to say about the coming months in one email, but I want to tell you all about just a few that I am really excited about in the near future.

Zoom Book Launch Events

Mike Wyant Jr’s Last Bid For a Dying Earth launch was awesome, and you can watch it here: ZLBP Presents "Last Bid for a Dying Earth" by Mike Wyant Jr https://youtu.be/Gg9nHzNQRMs

I also recently uploaded Len Berry’s Scars of Shadow launch to share with the author. It is still privately listed but it will go public in just a few days. I’ve posted an early version on my Patreon as well.

Summer Creative Writing Workshops

It may be summer, but the teaching continues in my favorite form: creative writing workshops. I’ve encountered so many students, teachers, and other adults who make summer resolutions to finally tackle that novel or even just write a short story. Lately, I’ve been adapting some of my workshops for teens into programs for adults, both emerging authors and not-yet-published writing enthusiasts. I’m most excited about bringing back the “Writing a Short Story in One Week” workshop in the latter half of July and throughout August.

On June 20th, I’m doing the second in a series on outlining for the Apex Writers Group. If you’re curious about Apex Writers or outlining workshops, feel free to message me.

Looking a little farther ahead, I’ll be at Congregate July 22nd-24th, where I’ll be teaching a mindset workshop on getting ready for NaNoWriMo and one of my “Quick and Dirty Writing Guides”--the 5-Question Character Builder. https://congregate82022.sched.com/

New and Upcoming Publications

Two really exciting updates are happening before the end of the month.

As of June 20th, Ein Riss in der Zeit (aka A Rupture in Time) is available in German.

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/gp/product/B0B17BW449

Then, on June 28th, Writers of the Future Volume 38 releases in paperback. It is currently available to preorder here: https://www.amazon.com/Hubbard-Presents-Writers-Future-Award-Winning/dp/161986763X/

If you are interested in writing science fiction and fantasy, I highly recommend sending a story to the Writers of the Future Contest. The next submission period closes on June 30th, and submitting is free and anonymous—so if you’re curious, give it a try. Fully admitting my bias, I want to say that Galaxy Press is a wonderful company for new writers to work with. https://www.writersofthefuture.com/

My novella, A Man of His Word, has completed its exclusive term on Kindle Vella, so I am uploading it in installments to my Patreon, after which I will put an ebook of the whole thing on Amazon.

Community Shoutouts

Kickstarter Final Push! If you like the idea of War of the Worlds but want a Bradbury-esque treatment of all of the Martian tales that led to war, check out this upcoming collection from Martin L Shoemaker: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/martinlshoemaker/ulla-martian-song-book-1

I am a huge fan of Martin’s science fiction. He writes the robots that make you cry in Today I am Carey, as well as new spins on Mars. I am stoked to see next steps for this one.

Also, Todd Fahnestock has already released the sequel to Khyven the Unkillable—if you have not read that one, and you’re at all into Salvatore-style DnD narratives, read it first. Lorelle of the Dark has only been out for a week, and it is immediately next on my list. You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B3V3MXSJ/

That’s going to be it for now. If you have questions about some of the upcoming projects, please message me. I’ll post updates to Patreon, Twitter, Facebook, and right here along the way.

Cheers,

Mike Jack Stoumbos

AND, on to FREE BOOKS !

So many to choose from in June, so you will want to scroll down to see all.