Charity •

October 4, 2017October 5, 2017

Good People

The world is a seemingly dark place, with natural and man-made disasters striking almost every day. My heart goes out to all of those who are suffering the loss of friends and family members in the Las Vegas tragedy. Their wounds – as are those of others who are reeling from recent events throughout the world – are fresh, raw and exposed. I was listening to the radio this morning and something that country singer Jason Aldean said struck me. He said basically that he fears to raise his children in the world as it is today. This is a perfectly logical sentiment. As a parent, the first people I think to protect when there’s a tragedy are my kids.

On the other hand, his statement made me focus not on fear but rather on hope. How can we change the world? We can change the world by being good citizens, good neighbors, loving and forgiving family members, and joyful volunteers wherever we’re needed. We can change the world by just being Good People.

Good People turn what normally would be tragic endings into hopeful beginnings for others.

Good People love and forgive their neighbors.

Good People love and forgive their enemies.

Good People create beauty.

Good People are joyful and share that joy.

Good People stand up for what is right and stand against injustice in all of its forms.

Good People are morally courageous.

There are more Good People out there than you might think.

Each and every day, let us pray to God for help to become Good People. Then, let us go out and live like Good People and show our children, and children everywhere, what a world full of Good People can do.

March 15, 2017April 12, 2017

Christmas O’Clock: A Review for Kids and Adults

I know it’s not Christmas, but I recently wrote a review of the Myrddin Anthology Christmas o’Clock. Check it out and support the wonderful Myrddin authors!
I gave it a high 4 stars. Each story included in the anthology is appropriate for children (and I could even easily imagine reading it to a child and starting a new holiday tradition). Magic Coal for the Naughts by Alison DeLuca was about two children who had wound up on the naughty list and had lumps of coal that they could not get rid of.
The List by Nicole Antonia Carson was about a young girl who had been taken to court by Santa on the charge that she should be put on the naughty list. She challenged it by pointing out that her brother was actually the naughty one. It reminded me of Law & Order with a dash of Judge Judy, but starring some very young kids.

Rudolph Saves Christmas by Shaun Allen reminded me of the Miser Brothers Christmas animations. And The Christmas Tree by Connie J Jasperson was a perfect way to top off all of these cute Christmas stories. It was a delightful mix of science fiction meets Christmas tradition and the worries of children that Christmas would come to pass on a trip to the stars without what makes the holiday special.

All sales of Christmas O’Clock go to help the international group Water is Life.

Gypsy Madden is an author of urban fantasy and a costume designer who lives and works in Hawaii.

Hunted Heart | Adult Fantasy

When Tali is hired to cut out the heart of Prince Kas, the huntress can’t refuse. Tali realizes there is no escape from the dark magic of the queen’s mirror, even though her own feelings for the prince are far too complex to understand.

As they try to run from their shared destiny, Tali and Kas have to rely on their wits and each other as hunter becomes prey and hearts are won and lost.

A genderbent Snow White for adults (18+ only.) All royalties go to Save the Children.

Available on Amazon and Goodreads.

Catching Santa and other festive tales

Do you know how to get off the Naughty List? What happens if you eat too much on Christmas Day?

Have you ever heard of a Christmas Starfish, or seen a dragon pull a sleigh?

What does Christmas mean to you; Santa and his Elves, or the latest must-have gadgets and toys? For most children it’s about excitement and wishing, and the characters in Catching Santa are just the same. Busy Elves have work to do, can Santa deliver all his presents on time, and will everyone discover the true meaning of Christmas?

Immerse yourself in this wonderful collection of stories and poems for ages 7-12 that will get you in the Christmas spirit.

Amazon Buy Link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Catching-Santa-other-festive-tales-ebook/dp/B00OVPD7D2/ref=sr_1_1_twi_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1418820083&sr=8-1&keywords=catching+santa

Magic, Mystery & Mayhem

“The rich cast of characters will gradually draw you into their extraordinary lives.”

Immerse yourself in a collection of stories that blur the lines between fantasy and reality. What hides beneath the ocean, or lurks inside the forest? Is there such a thing as guardian angels, and what mystery awaits you at the lighthouse?

Explore legends of alchemy and witchcraft; step into vivid new worlds, whilst also discovering what dangers can exist within our own. Prepare to be kidnapped on the street, trapped at the circus, and pursued by halflings. You won’t regret it . . . or will you?

Amazon Buy Link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Magic-Mystery-Mayhem-Carlie-Cullen-ebook/dp/B00LIE48LE/ref=sr_1_1_twi_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1418820044&sr=8-1&keywords=magic%2C+mystery+%26+mayhem

Creepy Tales for Boyz & Ghouls

What would you do if you found monsters in your mum’s underwear? How would you stop a bunch of mischief-loving goblins? If there was a ghost in your house, what would you do?

With fifteen creepy tales and poems this book is full of spine-tingling thrills, frights and fun. Do you dare to look inside? For children aged 6-11 years

Amazon Buy Link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Creepy-Tales-Ghouls-Carlie-Cullen-ebook/dp/B00E680PTS/ref=sr_1_1_twi_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1418819992&sr=8-1&keywords=creepy+tales+for+boyz+and+ghouls

The Other Way Is Essex

From the well-known commercial centre of Clacton Pier to the hidden treasures of Highwood; see Essex as you have never seen it before.

What does Bloody Mary think of her time in Essex? Dream with a woman as she tries to recapture true love with her childhood sweetheart. Remember with us, times spent in Essex; and follow us into the realms of historical fiction, as we try to imagine what could really have happened all those years ago. Even follow an Essex girl to Lancaster. What does she really think of the North/South divide?

From the Romans to modern times, from fact to fiction, from prose to poetry, The Other Way is Essex has something for everyone.

Amazon Buy Link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Other-Way-Essex-Hellen-Riebold-ebook/dp/B009H5NPTC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1418819929&sr=1-1&keywords=The+other+way+is+essex

November 14, 2014April 2, 2015

Myrddin Gives Back : Christmas O’Clock

Myrddin Publishing announces the successful campaign to raise funds for the international charity, Water is Life, via sales of their Christmas anthology, Christmas O’Clock. In 2014 the publishing group donated all the revenue generated from sales of this book, totaling over $200.00 in royalties. This purchased three bucket systems and eight drinking straws, providing fresh water to three families, and eight individuals. Their goal is to double that in 2015.

Christmas O’Clock is a collection of holiday-themed stories including magic, space travel, and Rudolph. With two complete chapter books, lots of stories, and plenty of spirit, this anthology is great for kids of all ages.

All proceeds from this wonderful book go to Water Is Life to help children and families in an international effort.

Christmas O’Clock can be purchased at www.amazon.com

Paperback $9.51

And for the Kindle $2.99

January 29, 2013December 16, 2014

Myrddin Supports Water is Life: Call for Submissions

This year, Myrddin is delighted to announce that the Christmas O’Clock anthology raised sixty dollars for the Water is Life charity. The organization works to create potable drinking water for families and children in the third world.

A special thank you goes out to Sherrie DeGraw, who donated the cover, and Rachel Tsoumbakos, who did the formatting of the manuscript. Nicole Carson did the layout of the cover.

The authors included in the book are: Shaun Allan, Connie Jasperson, Nicole Antonia Carson, Mary K. Mitchell, and Alison DeLuca.

Sales of the book topped last year’s efforts, and we hope to continue the charity drive in 2013.

If you are an author and would like to submit a story for the 2013 anthology, you may contact us here.

Submission requirements:

All submissions to be sent as word docs in attachments. No print submissions, please.

We accept short stories, poems, and novellas. Please keep the length under 30,000 words.

The anthology is for children, so feel free to include the following in your story: excitement, humor, holiday magic (Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Eid themes are very welcome!)

We will not accept entries that include gore, violence, sexual themes or language, adult language, mature themes.

Writers retain all rights to their work, as stated specifically in the copyright page and author contract. All royalties from the anthology will be donated to charity.

Christmas O’Clock will be published on Amazon under the Kindle Select program.

All submissions are due by midnight EST July 31, 2013.

Stories will be judged on creativity, interest for children, and compatibility with the existing anthology. You may take a look at this year’s Christmas O’Clock here.

If you have further questions, please use the contact link found on the home page.

December 11, 2012December 16, 2014

Water is Life

We’ve released an anthology of Christmas stories for kids called Christmas O’Clock. It includes two full-length books and three stories, including Rudolph Saves Christmas and Bah, Humbug!

All royalties go to the Water is Life charity, which works to provide clean drinking water for kids and families in the third world. Since the anthology is an international effort, we wanted the charity to be worldwide as well. And this charity is amazing – it dispenses a simple, small filtration system known as “The Straw.”

The Straw removes tiny microbes that can cause typhoid, cholera, and dysentery. It also removes nasty things called “guinea worms” so children can drink and stay healthy. Each one costs ten dollars and lasts for a year.

Of course, that is only a first step. Water is Life also works to put in complete water systems so villages can access clean water without using The Straw.

We are offering Christmas O’Clock for FREE today and tomorrow – 12/3 and 12/4 – on Kindle in order to get the word out about our book and this very important charity. If you haven’t downloaded Christmas O’Clock yet, do have a look on Amazon US, UK, Germany, Spain, France, Japan, and Italy.

Enjoy!