Hopping with HAHAT and The Ravens Crossing

Be the change you want to see in the world. Cliche? Perhaps, but when it comes to fighting the diseases of homophobia and transphobia, aka intolerance, it has become the mantra that continues to lift me up. It's one reason why I'm proud to join the voices in this years Hop Against Homophobia and Transphobia (HAHAT). I have very personal reasons for wanting to be involved, but I shared those last year. This year, I'm focusing on how I've tried to embody change.

In order to live by that mantra, of course, I get involved politically in efforts to stop intolerance and promote equal rights for all every chance I get. I strive to give back to my LGBTQIA community as often as I can. But, one of the ways I give back that I am proudest of is by co-creating and writing for an online project called The Ravens Crossing (TRC) with two of my dearest friends and college alums, Andi Lea and West Thornhill.

For the past two years, we have been publishing a free, online, serialized YA/NA Paranormal story that promotes diversity and acceptance for all the colors of the rainbow. The series has gathered quite a large following of readers. Thanks again, awesome readers. There is nothing better than knowing we have provided escape, entertainment, and comfort to a diverse audience. Every voice out there showing tolerance and acceptance counts, particularly for those who have to live and survive in the face of abuse and hatred on a daily basis. 

TRC is created and run entriely by a group of wonderful and passionate volunteers. We are now nearing the end of Season Three online. Seasons One and Two are published as eBook anthologies. TRC intentionally keeps the price points on our books low, to provide reading that is as affordable as possible. And a portion of the sale of every book goes back to organizations that help LGBTQIA young adults.

The project partners with organizations like the GSA's Make it Safe Project and the Straight but not Narrow Campaign among others. Anyone who cannot afford to purchase a book is always welcome to contact us, by the way. We are glad to donate books to those in need. 

Today, is the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. Like every disease that infects us, we are beyond due for a cure for these intolerances. I have faith that with the help of technology bringing the world together and a general human savvy, the cure is coming. It's written in the actions of our young adults, who have voted more than once, spoken loudly and publicly, to prove they believe in human rights for all. They want change, and people, change is happening. Progress is marching forward and it seems to be moving in the right direction. New states are passing marriage equality laws. Heck, entire countries have already beat us to making same-sex marriage legal nationwide. Like Macklemore, I realize this won't change us, it won't rid us of the disease of intolerance entirely, but "It's a damn fine place to start." It's a sign that progress will keep on marching.

Every voice counts, so thanks to all those raising up their voices today for this year's Hop Against Homophobia and Transphobia (HAHAT).

In celebration, I am giving away a free eBook copy of The Ravens Crossing, Book One,  The Ravens Crossing, Book Two, and The Ravens Crossing, Book Three. All three books will go to one lucky winner. In order to be entered, leave a comment any time between now and May 27th and include your email address. The winner will be chosen at random and emailed at the end of the hop, so be sure to provide your contact info to be eligible. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you too will consider, if you haven't already, how you can be a part of creating change in your community.  Then, click the links in collection  button below to find out what a whole bunch of other cool people are doing. 

TRC Book 2 and Beautiful New Book Covers.

Aren't they pretty? Our own Andi Lea designed them herself. Book Two of The Ravens Crossing was just released for sale on Smashwords this morning. It will also be available on Amazon soon. Book One can still be found on both Smashwords and Amazon. And of course, Season Three is going strong on our companion website, www.theravesncrossing.org. Book Three will contain all of the serialized stories from Season Three. See how this works? Plus, we are working on spin off stories, and there are more seasons in the planning stages. It's a wild and crazy ride. Don't miss it. There's a contest going on this week and next in celebration of our one year anniversary. Head on over and give us a read, then sign up for a chance to win our books and a $50 gift certificate from Amazon.

Happy One Year Anniversary, TRC!

It's hard to believe we've been writing stories for The Ravens Crossing (TRC) for a whole year. We have just started our third season and we are still going strong. The adventure just keeps getting richer for all of us as we go along. I get a little phaclempt when I look back over how much this small group of college alums and friends have accomplished in such a short time to make this project a reality. Thanks again to fellow authors Andi Lea, and West Thornhill, and to Poet Rae, Rage, Chibi, and all of our volunteers who have helped us along the way. Most of all, we want to show our appreciation for our amazing readers, who are the absolute best!! In celebration of this milestone, we are throwing a giveaway with tons of great loot, including free copies or our ebooks, and a $50 gift certificate from Amazon. Head on over to www.theravenscrossing.org  to enter. Thanks again for reading and for helping us spread the word about TRC! 

Welcome Back to the Month of Me!

It's been one year to the day since I started this blogging adventure. Last October, I gave myself the gift of a blog to help make writing my priority. I began on October 1st as a way of celebrating the month of me. I was born in October, and for those who don't know my philosophy, I think once you hit a certain age, you deserve more than just a day of celebration. I'm currently taking a month, doing things that inspire me, things that will help me move forward toward achieving my dreams, and things that are just plain fun. It seems to be working. 

This year, almost exactly one year later, my first book went up for sale on Smashwords and Amazon. And exactly one year later, my Amazon author page has been approved. It is officially official. Let the celebrating commence. 

Please take a moment to head on over to check out The Ravens Crossing, Season One: The 13. If you press the like button and agree with the tags, or think up and add a few tags of your own, it will help our book get noticed by others. We'd really appreciate it, particularly since this work is a labor of love. A portion of the proceeds from every sale of this anthology go the The Make it Safe Project for LGBTQ youth.

Also, note this is a bit of a different kind of reading experience. It's an anthology of the first season of our online young adult, science fiction series as it appeared in daily short fiction segments. All the stories in season one work separately, but also work together toward creating one larger overall story arc. It's the work of three authors, myself, Andi Lea, and West Thornhill. If you like what you read, you can follow Season Two for free online. We are in week 9 of the season right now.

Thanks to everyone who has been following and supporting me in this journey. Hope the Month of Me is good to all of you, too. You deserve it! 

When Dreams Become Reality

Almost one year to the day after I started this blog, my first book was published today. This is a life long dream come to pass. I can't begin to express what it means to me to officially announce that The Ravens Crossing, Season One: The 13 is now available on Smashwords. Published by Thursday & Co., this is an anthology of the first season of our young adult, science fiction online series. I have been so proud to be a part of this project with friends and fellow authors Andi Lea and West Thornhill. This is a new kind of reading experience. For those of you who have not been following The Ravens Crossing online, here is the book description.

Wildwood may look like a normal, trendy neighborhood along the bank of the Iowa River, a place where equality is the norm, and everyone takes community seriously. But, the Crossing in front of Wildwood High School, where Wildwood Avenue meets Ravens Road, is more than just the heart of the neighborhood. Those who call Wildwood their home are protecting more secrets than anyone would ever suspect. When 13 students entering their junior year of high school at WHS begin to uncover the truth, even those who have lived in Wildwood their entire lives will be shocked.

Lucas, Riley, Morgan, Holly, Kaz, Quinn, Darci, Elliot, Sharon, Alex, Raiden, Hemp, and Tetsuya become involved in a world of danger, while trying to navigate the social scene of teenage life. The 13 uncover what is happening in the Grove, where passing the next test involves more than reading a textbook. Find out who is secretly crushing, who is bold enough to confess, who isn’t ready to commit, and what everyone will have to do to protect Wildwood. Join 13 students as they discover the importance of trust and what it truly means to have power.

The Ravens Crossing (TRC) is a LGBTQ and Straight Ally friendly project. TRC is a continuity story, told through daily short fiction segments, involving multiple authors, characters, and points of view. This is the complete anthology of Season One, compiled from TRC website. Season Two began in August 2012.

I hope you'll head on over to Smashwords to download your copy of The Ravens Crossing, Season One. Then, be sure to catch up on Season Two online weekly at www.thereavenscrossing.org.