#IWSG May 5, 2021:

IWSG May 5, 2021
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group Day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time. Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! Otherwise, when you leave a comment, people can’t find you to comment back.
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter is @TheIWSG and hashtag #IWSG.
Co-hosts IWSG
Erika Beebe, PJ Colando, Tonja Drecker, Sadira Stone, and Cathrina Constantine!
The May 5th question–if you’d like to answer it, is:
Has any of your readers ever responded to your writing in a way that you didn’t expect? If so, did it surprise you?
MY ANSWER:
Yes. They read the short collection I published on Amazon, specifically the stories Pre-emergence: Remi & Smoak and The Emergence: Poseidon’s Island, and then went hunting for books about the world and that story, but of course, there are not any YET. May heart was so touch because about five people reached out to ask are the any places we missed looking to find more. I need to get to writing.
The origin story is serialized to email subscribers starting with episodes 3 & 4 with plans for a box set of all once completed but for now only available to newsletter subscribers. The next episode will be sent out in May newsletter.
I need to start plotting and outlining a novel around those earlier stories. I have plans for a paranormal romance series also in this world.
Working serialized episodes for subscribers. A second serialized short for a Christmas thing. The paranormal romance series. A space opera series plus some shorts from that world as well. I am also considering doing some type of paranormal urban fantasy around a new genre about Midlife Crisis-brainstorming on that one.
I have always said that “I want to be an author that writes speculative fiction stories that enable readers to escape into adventure through emotionally moving and evocative stories laced with humor that let my reader breathe, relax, and settle into the story world.“
When people say things like above to me and leave comments and reviews saying it is not enough, I realize like I am one step closer to being the author I dream of being, maybe—yeah still huge doubts here–but dreaming. My Amazon release that had those wonderful comments on below.

Magic Born or Magic Cursed?
Atlantis has risen! Cataclysmic events reshape the globe, and a new world order emerges. Magic once hidden is released back into the world. The magical Isle of Moon Hollow is no longer just an ordinary seafaring community.
Discover how the residents of Moon Hollow overcome their trials and tribulations.
Pre-Emergence: Remi and Smoak
A young girl comes into her magic when she comes of age. Is she magic born or magic cursed? So far, she’d say cursed.
The Emergence: Poseidon’s Island
A young thief triggers the rising of Atlantis setting off global catastrophic events.
Instinct
A young boy’s innate magic is ignited early, in the aftermath of the rising of Atlantis. Scared and alone, his instincts take him on a survival journey to find his destiny.
Deep Dive
What secrets and legends lay under the Isle of Moon Hollow? A tourist shop owner and deep-sea diver will soon find out.
Immortality
No one expects to outlive their children. Driven by grief, a man seeks the portal to Hades in Mermaid Cove.
Grab it now for .99 on Amazon!

Dark Matter: Artificial
AN INSECURE WRITER’S SUPPORT GROUP ANTHOLOGY
Discover dark matter’s secrets…
What is an AI’s true role? Will bumbling siblings find their way home from deep space? Dark matter is judging us—are we worthy of existence? Would you step through a portal into another reality? Can the discoverer of dark matter uncover its secrets?
Ten authors explore dark matter, unraveling its secrets and revealing its mysterious nature. Featuring the talents of Stephanie Espinoza Villamor, C.D. Gallant-King, Tara Tyler, Mark Alpert, Olga Godim, Steph Wolmarans, Charles Kowalski, Kim Mannix, Elizabeth Mueller, and Deniz Bevan.
Hand-picked by a panel of agents, authors, and editors, these ten tales will take readers on a journey across time and space. Prepare for ignition!
Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database; articles; monthly blog posting; Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram groups; #IWSGPit, and a newsletter.
Release date: May 4, 2021–Available Now!
Print ISBN 9781939844828 $14.95
EBook ISBN 9781939844835 $4.99
Science Fiction: Collections & Anthologies/Space Exploration/Genetic Engineering
http://dancinglemurpress.com
The Authors:
Artificial – Stephanie Espinoza Villamor https://stephanieespinoza.com/
Space Folds and Broomsticks – C.D. Gallant-King http://www.cdgallantking.ca/
Rift – Kim Mannix https://makesmesodigress.com/
The Utten Mission – Steph Wolmarans https://www.teasighcreate.com/
Sentient – Tara Tyler https://taratylertalks.blogspot.com/
One to Another – Deniz Bevan http://thegirdleofmelian.blogspot.com/
Resident Alien – Charles Kowalski https://charleskowalski.com/
Nano Pursuit – Olga Godim https://olgagodim.wordpress.com
Resurgence – Elizabeth Mueller http://www.elizabethmueller.com/
Vera’s Last Voyage – Mark Alpert http://www.markalpert.com/
LINKS:
Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08S7LP369
Kobo – https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/dark-matter-artificialBarnes & Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-matter-insecure-writers-support-group/1138581452?ean=2940164777661
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56632113-dark-matter

The next IWSG anthology contest opens today!
Word count: 5000-6000
Genre: Sweet Romance
Theme: First Love
Submissions accepted: May 7 – September 1, 2021
How to enter: Send your polished, formatted (double-spaced, no footers or headers), previously unpublished story to admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please include your full contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter IWSG group. You must belong to at least one aspect of the IWSG to enter.
Judging: The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges.
Prizes: The winning stories will be edited and published by Dancing Lemur Press’ imprint, Freedom Fox Press, next year in the IWSG anthology. (Please see their site for general submission guidelines.) Authors will receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will have the honor of giving the anthology its title.

IWSG GOODREAD BOOK CLUB!
Our April/May reads are…
The High Mountains of Portugal by Yann Martel is our fiction selection that offers a great use and example of description.
Deep Point of View (Busy Writer’s Guides Book 9) by Marcy Kennedy is our writing craft book with a focus on deep POV view.
Discussion Day for both books will be May 26, 2021!
JOIN US for our current discussions on Ghost Light and Preparing to Write Settings that Feel Like Characters.
Our books below.

Author of Life of PI Yann Martel

A Busy Writer’s Guide by March Kennedy
May 27, 2021 @ 02:18
You are one busy lady! I picked up your story. I buy faster than I read, but who can pass up a book bargain?
May 5, 2021 @ 20:11
You always have so much going on. Well, among that chaos I hope you find all the success you can muster. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
May 5, 2021 @ 20:03
So awesome that readers are searching for more books in your series. That’s great that you have more planned.
May 5, 2021 @ 19:40
Sounds like you have a lot to do this year.
May 5, 2021 @ 16:35
Yes, you definitely need to get writing if people are asking for more. That’s the whole reason I wrote more than one book.