This is for the children

As an author and father, one of my driving passions is to help children, especially those that do not have help. One small thing I am trying is eBay Giving Works. I have listed a paperback copy of The Empyrical Tales Book I: The Fourth Queen on eBay and set it up to donate 90% of the sale to Family Giving Tree - Fulfilling Wishes, Changing Lives.

I know many of us do not have the extra money right now, but if you do have some to give to a good cause, this is a great one.

If you are curious about the title, the highly coveted Nintendo Wii U is hard to get anywhere. There are people on eBay listing homemade cardboard cutouts. When we have children in our own neighborhoods that might not receive any Christmas, there are people bidding on, not only the overpriced video games, but also the imitation cardboard cutouts that have no real value.

Please have a look: http://www.ebay.com/itm/160930385532

Visit me on FB:

http://www.facebook.com/MarkMillerAuthor

Award Winner and a few more

Renaissance is a collection of short stories featuring The Forgotten Well, my Florida Writers' Association award winning story. The collection of four stories is only 99 cents: http://goo.gl/bT8MO

One definition of renaissance is renewal of life, vigor, interest, etc.; rebirth; revival.

The stories gathered here are expressions of that idea. Written at different times, for different reasons, they all share the same theme. I think the idea of renewal is an important part of life. We are always looking for ways to better ourselves. Sometimes, we are not aware of it and we receive a message from an unexpected place. Sometimes, the inspiration comes from a long forgotten memory. Whatever the case, we are given an opportunity that can easily slip by in a momentary encounter or even a dream.

These stories may seem bittersweet, but to me they also represent hope.

The award-winning story The Forgotten Well was selected for the Florida Writer’s Association annual collection. I feel particularly honored for winning as the entrants were judged by peer authors.

This is the End

It took more than a year, but finally we have. Olivia and I started this project when she was 8 years old. Next week, she turns 10. What a wonderful journey! I have loved sharing every minute of it with her. Who knows what comes next?

For now, we have this and you can get it here:

http://goo.gl/du6l6

Sons of the King

Episode Eight

The Last Day

Mark Miller (One, Small World Global Protection Agency) teams with his daughter and first time author Olivia Miller.

In Sons of the King, they have created a Christian-influenced fantasy world with a touch of science fiction. In the land of Mysstira on the planet Kaskaya, a great King has three sons. When a mysterious visitor falls from the sky, their world is changed forever. The sons of the King will soon face their destiny.

Episode Eight. The last day has come. The Domos were defeated at the very gates which they used to defend. Ekron and his friends are captured at the betrayal of his brother. Esephis has called for a public execution naming Ekron as the King’s assassin.

Ekron has nothing left. Nothing, except faith.

What brought them to this point. The Creator works in ways that we cannot imagine or understand. On this last day, the sons of the King will discover their destiny.

Please visit us on Facebook - FB.com/MarkMillerAuthor

eBook Giveaway

Recently, I started a new series with my friend, Giovanni. It was a relatively new experience diving into the world of Amish fiction. I did not quite know what to expect, but we ended up with something totally unique and outrageous.

The Defective Amish Detective

Volume 1

The Whoopie Pie Affair

The story is something of a cozy mystery, but also a self-deprecating comedy. We hold the Amish in high regard and treat their portrayal with kindness. But when it comes to the Defective Detective, it's no holds barred. The main character has poor eyesight, poor hearing and dresses like he raided Don Ho's wardrobe in 1983.

We are presently at work on Volume 2 - The Intercourse Boondoggle. Now before you ask if we are crossing any taboos, please know that Intercourse is the name of a town in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; the heart of Amish country.

To celebrate the upcoming release, we are doing two things. First, there will be a live interview on the G-Zone BlogTalkRadio show. Special guest host Murray Pura (best-selling author of historical & Amish fiction) has been preparing some hard-hitting questions. To hear the show live on Saturday, Nov 17th at Noon Eastern (or to listen to the archive afterward), save this link:

http://goo.gl/w7OTW

The second big event is the giveaway that is happening for the next 20 days, ending on December 1st. You can use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter for your chance to win one or both of the first two volumes of The Defective Amish Detective.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Me and the G-Man

I have known Giovanni Gelati for quite some time. He's interviewed me more than once on The G-Zone BlogTalkRadio Show. We've written together (A Prince in Trenton, Seriously?). Our latest collaboration is The Defective Amish Detective - Volume 1 - The Whoopie Pie Affair. It is a humorous story, that one might call a cozy mystery. Both of us had the goal of telling a fun story, while holding the Amish with utmost respect. With the "defects" of our main character, it ended up being a story with a lot of heart.

Now for the first time, it is my turn to interview Giovanni. Some of the questions pertain to the story, so if you haven't read it, you can get it here: http://goo.gl/UuI5v

If you haven't, don't worry, there's no spoilers.

MM: How many Hawaiian shirts do you own?

GG: I have yet to buy one, I get them as gifts. As a for instance, we were cleaning up prior to the arrival of Hurricane Sandy, I found 6 bags of unopened socks. In layman terms that is 60 pairs of unused socks. One may take pause now and consider that. Basically I reach in the closet, grab one and put it on. I am not sure if I have 60 of them, but I have more than I think.

MM: You have an affinity for the Amish, do you think you may join them sometime in the future? 

GG: I will reference Hurricane Sandy again. We didn’t get the devastating flooding, but we got the wind and rain, our town lost power. We were dark from Monday night to Saturday. I am not going out on a limb here when I say that I enjoy electricity. Ice cream does not taste good without it. I marveled at drinking a cold beverage again, and having the use of light when I went to use the bathroom. It is hard to read in the dark. So for now, me being Amish is not in the cards. Besides that when ones Hawaiian shirt is the brightest thing in the room, it kind of stinks.

MM: What is your favorite flavor of whoopie pie? 

GG: They have me hooked on the chocolate chip outer cookie with the chocolate cream filling. Throw in a sausage log and some deep fried or rotisserie chicken and I am set.

MM: What is your best experience with a farm animal? 

GG: None really, they smell and leave large deposits behind. I am not into the smell, feel or look of muck. I would much prefer a muckless Farm, but I doubt that is in the cards. I much more enjoy them from a distance in the SUV going the speed limit pointing them out to the kids. It is much safer that way all around.

MM: What is in store for the Defective Amish Detective in the upcoming volumes? 

GG: Volume two will be out the week of November 14th , the title is “The Intercourse Boondogle”, and it will involve grifters. Intercourse is a quaint little town in Lancaster with plenty of neat shops. The other 8 stories in the series will involve a series of mysteries that G and Eli try to solve together in various locations in and around Lancaster. 

Giovanni and I will be at the mercy of best-selling Canadian Amish author Murray Pura as he interviews both of us live on November 17th at Noon Eastern - http://www.facebook.com/events/376125555805108/

Also, to stay up-to-date, please visit and like my Author Page - http://www.facebook.com/MarkMillerAuthor

New Release from Brian Anderson

Recently, Brian D. Anderson, author of the highly successful Godling Chronicles Book One: The Sword of Truth, did a guest post on my blog, which you can read HERE.

I am happy to announce he and his son, writing together, are back with Book Two in his series. Below is the official press release:

GMTA PUBLISHING PRESENTS

THE GODLING CHRONICLES BOOK TWO:

OF GODS AND ELVES

BY

BRIAN D. ANDERSON & JONATHAN ANDERSON

AVAILABLE NOW
http://goo.gl/QRJTl

Armies gather for war in the frozen land of Angrääl threatening to set the world ablaze. The elves are divided and scattered and humans fall prey to the dark influence of the Reborn King. Now, Gewey is faced with his greatest challenge yet. Unite the world of elf and human before it is too late...

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Brian D. Anderson was born in 1971, and grew up in the small town of Spanish Fort, AL. He attended Fairhope High, then later Springhill College where his love for fantasy grew into a lifelong obsession. His hobbies include chess, history, and spending time with his son.

Jonathan Anderson was born in March of 2003. His creative spirit became evident by the age of three when he told his first original story. In 2010 he came up with the concept for The Godling Chronicles. It grew into an exciting collaboration between father and son. Jonathan enjoys sports, chess, music, games, and of course, telling stories.

CONNECT WITH 

BRIAN D. ANDERSON

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/brian.anderson.39750

FACEBOOK LIKE PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/TheGodlingChronicles