PODCAST, Q&A ~ All About Writing

This podcast is a Q&A… It’s going to answer the questions that You’ve sent to me! Keep the questions coming, and I’ll do more podcasts like this. I’ve categorized the questions today by topic. Today we’re going to take a look at the writing process. What did you want to know?… Well, here’s the questions I’ve received, and the questions that will be answered in this episode:

1. At what point should someone call themselves a writer?
2. What difference do you see between a writer and an author?
3. What do the words “writer’s block” mean to you?
4. How do you process and deal with negative book reviews?
5. What is the most difficult part of the writing process?
6. What advice would you give a writer working on their first book?

Pink Orchid Publishing ~ This is me!

Pink Orchid Publishing… is me! 

I’ve been asked frequently about this company, which is listed on the copyright page of four of my books, along with Amazon. I’ve published four of my own books through Amazon and their KDP system so far, and I love it. I love being in control, I love editing the manuscript and deciding how I want it set up and how I want it to look, I love choosing the type of paper, styles, etc., and I love doing my own cover design. I went all out on my last book… full color, premium paper, heavily illustrated — a lot of my own photographs, as well as public domain images. 

My other five books are published through traditional publishing companies, and I greatly (greatly!) appreciate the talented editors, artists, and publicists and all the work they have done. I’m proud of the connection I have with these amazing people and these companies, and I’m proud of the books that have come out of this joint effort. 

As far as Pink Orchid Publishing goes, at this time, I am only publishing my own work. If I were younger and had more energy, I probably would take on other authors and projects, but not right now. I whimsically asked my daughter, “I think I created a publishing company?” and she said, “I do believe you did.”

A New Book ~ a work-in-progress

Since I’m over 13,000 words and 69 pages into a project, I suppose it would be a good time to announce that there is a new book in the works. And because I still haven’t decided how I’m going to publish this book, whether with Amazon’s KDP program, or with a standard publishing company, I should call the title and cover a “working title and cover”. The book… “The Divine Me, Embracing Your Inner Goddess”. There are portions of this book that are highly personal, but then, getting to know and embrace the goddess within means getting to know and embrace yourself and everything that goes with you. I’m using myself as an example. So, beware world.

The Story Finally Had to be Told

These cards have been laying on the table beside my computer for days.  Sometimes, when I’ve sat down, I would pick a notebook up and jot down impressions from the cards.  I did this two or three times, until a story started to unfold.

The story is about a couple, a young couple it seems, and how a jealous bystander, whether in the form of a “friend”, sibling, colleague, etc., played into the near destruction of their incredible connection.  No matter how strong a couple thinks they are, repeated and malicious invasive thoughts in the guise of “advice” from an outsider can chip away at the strongest foundations.  It’s a mind game, and it’s insidious.

The couple were, of course, affected by the negativity of this individual and the insipid cloying conversations that ensued in the guise of good advice, and things this person “just thought you should know” — no matter how false and fabricated the stories.

And the really vicious thing about it is this individual was apparently befriending both parties separately, worming their way in as a confidant and sounding board, someone with a shoulder to lean on, someone who (or so the individuals thought) had their best interest and the interest of the relationship at heart.  (So untrue, all of it, the only thing this poisonous connection wanted was to ruin something because it was beautiful and amazing and they didn’t have one like it.)

There’s people out there like that, you know, as much as we might not want to believe it, or think about it.

I’m not sure what turned events around, what opened this couples eyes to the truth and to each other, what betrayed the wolf in sheep’s clothing, what exposed the jealous plot to divide this couple.  Who saw it first; how did they approach this individual, if at all; how did they come to a joint realization that they were actually on the same page and didn’t need any outside assistance to maintain their relationship, thank you.

I don’t have that information.  The cards wouldn’t tell me this.  But that’s okay, I don’t need to know.  The cards showed me the end of the story, the good part, the happy ever after ending, the ending that gives credence to loyalty and forever-love and magical life connections.

The couple survived this onslaught, and I’m sure that they learned much from this experience, and needless to say, this will probably never happen to them again, because now they are “aware”, and once you “know”, you can never “unknow”.

True love prevails… it’s true, it really does.

The Essential Guide to WICCA for Beginners ~ It’s Officially Released Today!

It’s finally here! Today is a beautiful day—my brand new book, The Essential Guide to WICCA for Beginners, is officially out in the world for you all to read and enjoy. Thank you again for all of your support. It really means the world to me! I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I loved writing it! This book @ Amazon: 

The Essential Guide to Wicca for Beginners includes:

  • Intro to Wicca―Learn everything you need to know about Wicca for beginners, including key beliefs and practices like deities and observances, the four elements and Spirit, and the Wiccan Wheel of the Year.
  • Wiccan history―Explore the roots of Wicca with comprehensive information about how it began and where it originated, the diverse Wiccan traditions, and influential figures in history.
  • A range of spells―Acquaint yourself with Wicca for beginners using straightforward spells and rituals for attraction and affection, healing and harmony, binding and protection, and more.

Purchase your copy at this link: https://amzn.to/2FIOU1f

The Essential Guide to WICCA for Beginners ~ Founding Pagans and Spiritual Icons

My favorite part of writing my new book was the bio’s for some of the founding patrons of the pagan movement from the 1960s and 70s, because the nostalgia for that era was exciting, and it made me realize how far we’ve come. It was also a heartwarming segment to write because I’ve personally spoken to a couple of these founding pagans and spiritual icons: Z Budapest and Raymond Buckland. I know you’re going to love it. 

Pre-order your copy here: https://amzn.to/2FIOU1f

The Essential Guide to WICCA for Beginners ~ My Proof Copy Arrived!

Pre-order your copy: https://amzn.to/2FIOU1f

Did you hear? I wrote a book and the first copy from my publisher is finally in my hands! In case you missed the big announcement, the book is called… The Essential Guide to WICCA for Beginners.

“Wicca represents a life time of learning, experimenting, reading, and practicing, leading to amazing magical milestones.” You can begin your journey on this spiritual path with this book.

My Secret Revealed

My secret revealed: I’ve been hard at work on a special project recently and I’m finally able to tell you what it is!… I’ve been writing a book, and I’m so excited to be able to share more details with you soon (including links to pre-order your copy). Be sure to keep an eye out for my Official Announcement and Cover Reveal this coming Tuesday!

The Writer’s Corner ~ video

Books by Amythyst Raine @ Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Amythyst-Raine/e/B004NMWMX4

The Writer’s Corner/Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/booksbyamythystraine/

#writing #publishing #author #thewriterscorner #amythystraine #books

 

 

What’s it all about? ~ Natural Magick the Gray Witch Way

 

You can purchase this book, and my other books, at Amazon.
My Amazon Author Page ~
Amazon/France ~
Amazon/Germany ~
Amazon/UK ~

New Book Release! ~ “Natural Magick the Gray Witch Way”

Good morning, World! I’m starting the day off with some Great News ~ I have a new book that will be launching the end of this month with AMAZON: “Natural Magick the Gray Witch Way”.  It’s available in paperback.

Watch my Amazon Author Page where you can purchase Your Copy!…

Natural Magick the Gray Witch Way explores the magick and mystery of old world traditions from a unique perspective, that of the Gray Witch. While the modern world and everything in it are often viewed as either black or white, there are those magickal practitioners who recognize a more realistic normality ~ that shady gray area where the lines are blurred, and the adventuresome practitioners will discover that witchcraft can consist of power and justice, as well as love and peace. And in this realization comes an epiphany, one is not so different from the other. Natural Magick the Gray Witch Way is an excellent companion book to The Gray Witch’s Grimoire.

https://www.amazon.com/Amythyst-Raine/e/B004NMWMX4

Edit:  This book just went LIVE at Amazon! Woot! https://www.amazon.com/dp/1973564351/ref=pd_rhf_ee_p_img_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=RX5971G44AC28DC1P39Y

 

 

A New Review for The Spiritual Feminist ~ by Maja Todorovic, PHD

From the first moment I read the title of the book, it intrigued me. The Spiritual Feminist -– two words that we are somehow forgetting in our hectic and overloaded lives.

Here, the author tries to reconnect us with our feminine side, through spirituality, through examination of Goddesses and all those archetypes that most of us, as women, live on a daily basis at some point in our livescontinue reading

[Source: Eternal Haunted Summer]

At Tumblr ~ My Week in Review

I’ve been trying to post diligently a weekly “catch-up/review” post at my Tumblr page.  This is a good way to gather all the Stuff I’ve been doing all over the internet all week into one spot.  (I also enjoy playing with Tumblr).  Here’s this week’s post, and I’m betting that I’ve got a few things up my sleeve in this internet world that you might not have been aware of, because just like me, you can’t be everywhere at once. 🙂

And how was YOUR week?!

Tumblr ~ Week in Review

 

More Book-Hoopla (Yes! I must)

Okay, it’s been over a month now since the release of my 4th book (The Spiritual Feminist) and most of the initial hoopla has died down– but there might be one or two tricks I’m pulling out of my hat in the next few weeks/months, we’ll see, and I want to surprise you. (And I can hang on to some pretty big surprises, as you might know if you’ve kept up with my blogs.)

Here’s the deal–

To all Amazon Readers ~ I would be delighted, I owe-you-my-firstborn-child grateful if you would kindly leave a review of this book, or at least give it a star rating with a sentence or two about why you, personally, liked the book. Just like ear-rings, you can never have too many positive reviews!

To all of my readers ~ I would be absolutely I owe-you-a-winning-lottery-ticket grateful to anyone who’s read the book and enjoyed it if you would PASS IT ON to another reader. Either lend them your copy, or send them a link to buy their own, seriously, this is how a book’s popularity grows, through you, THE READERS, and word-of-mouth.

To radio hosts ~ I’m not finished talking about “The Spiritual Feminist”; and I will NEVER be finished discussing goddess spirituality, paganism, witchcraft, or feminism…ever. If you’d like to schedule an interview, email me ( witch_of_endore@yahoo.com ), or FB private message me.

With all that said, it’s been a hell-of-a-spring! Thank you to everyone who has assailed me with congratulations; thank you to everyone who has purchased the book; thank you to reviewers and radio hosts for all the terrific reviews and memorable shows!

Cover Artist (right) ~ Anne Turrell ~ https://anneturrell.wordpress.com/

  Amazon US  Amazon UK

Barnes & Noble

My books are sold world-wide.  You can purchase them at any fine bookstore near you.  If you don’t find them on the shelf, the bookstore will Order Them For You! ~ That’s what bookstores do.

Order YOUR copy today!

Around Town with The Spiritual Feminist ~ Photo Blog!

TSF 9

My daughter picked me up this morning for a round of shopping and lunch– and I took The Book with us (The Spiritual Feminist).  This was a Hoot!!  Following are photos of our jaunt, the places we went, and the people we saw…Welcome to Fremont, Nebraska (USA)!

First stop ~ THE BLUE BOTTLE ~ 529 N Main St #5 ~ Ask for Ginger!

Besides my favorite cappuccinos, what do you think you’ll find in The Blue Bottle?…Blue bottles– of course!

HARVEST HEALTH ~ 419 N Main St

Besides lots of Healthy Stuff, we found crystals and incense, and quite a few surprisingly Cool and New-Agey items. Yay!

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SECOND LOOK ~516 N Main St ~ very cool consignment shopped filled with all sorts of treasures and good deals!

On the Lower Level of Second Look with the Proprietor!

“Andy” has been selling hotdogs from this stand AT THE CORNER OF 6th & MAIN for 30+ years!!

This building is actually For Sale and is my Dream Location for a Tea & Tarot shop ~ it’s an ivy covered cottage of a building, like something right out of a magickal movie!!…Where’s my Financial Backers?

Fremont Police Station

To the Men & Women In Blue!…Support your local Law Enforcement. I know, there’s been lots of bad press lately, and there are a few bad apples in ANY occupation. But the majority of Law Enforcement officials work hard and risk their lives To Keep Us Safe! (Hey, MOM! This ones for you ~ My Mother is a Retired Police Officer)

This sign is Right Outside MICHAEL’S JEWELRY ~ 540 N Main St ~ omg, if this were only true!! 🙂

PRECIOUS TREASURES CO-OP SHOP ~ 405 N Main St ~ Make sure you’ve got plenty of time to browse in here at your leisure, it’s a treasure trove all right!

Okay– ‘nough running around.  Everyone was getting hungry and foot weary (yes, that’s a real thing).  We finished off our outing– where?  At McDonald’s…of course!

_________________________

The Official Release Date for The Spiritual Feminist
is April 24th!!

Hooza!!!

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 Thank you to my daughter, Laura Thome, for the photography!

This is such a monumental event in a writer’s life, the Release of a Book…it is akin to giving birth, and there’s almost as much chaos and hoopla leading up to it.

Enjoy the photos– and BUY THE BOOK (or the Kindle edition)
Women…you will be touched, you will be inspired, you will be re-empowered, you will find healing and a sense of spirituality like nothing you’ve ever experienced– Believe Me!
Blessings to you all,
Amythyst

Book Launch Party!! ~ Hooza!

Thank you to Moon Books, John Hunt Publishing. And thank you to my awesome publicist Nimue Brown.

I posted a while ago on Facebook about the Book Launch Party tonight for The Spiritual Feminist.  I’m looking forward this evening to fun with family and friends– some picture taking for my publicist!– and good food and drink.  Thank you to my daughter, Anne, who had a special cake made for the evening– it’s designed after the Book of Shadows in the movie Practical Magic (and I’ll bet this is a first for the ladies here at Hy-Vee’s Bakery in Fremont NE!)

Thank you to John Hunt Publishing, and Moon Books, and my awesome publicist Nimue Brown!

Happy Sunday, everyone!!

BOOK Launch Party!!
Sunday, April 12th, 6pm
Applebee’s Restaurant, 3420 Elk Lane, Fremont NE

Applebee's Covington, TN