What’s happening? What’s Going on?

May 31, 2023 MD Neu

Happy Wednesday Scribblers, I hope you all had a great long weekend, celebrating Memorial Day (here in the US), for everyone else, I trust you’ve had a good week and a restful weekend. It’s been a busy couple of weeks and things aren’t slowing down anytime soon. Today I thought I would give you an update on what’s happening and what’s going on with me. As always, I want to take a moment and welcome my new Scribblers. I always appreciate hearing from you and seeing you out at events. Thanks for stopping by.

This last weekend, Eric and I had a little fun and went out to lunch and did a bit of shopping. When we go out, we are like kids in a candy store and we’re not to be trusted, but we had a good time and being out for a couple of hours was great. We even managed to buy a little something fun. We decided to add to our Lego collection and bought the Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle, which was fun to put together. I built the first half, and he built the second half. I think slowly we’re going to build our own Disneyland.

What was nice about this build is that it didn’t take days to complete, but a couple of hours. It’s incredible all the tiny little pieces they give you and you have to make sure you put them together correctly or you have to take things apart and fix what you’ve already completed, or thought you completed. As with all Lego sets, we had a few extra bits, so we found a way to embellish our castle, which is always fun.

Coming up this weekend, as some of you may have seen, I will be joining the wonderful group from QSac (find them here) at Davis Pride. The event is Sunday June 4th 10am – 4pm, so I hope if you are in the area you’ll come out and say hello. We had a great time last year, and I’m sure this year will be equally fun.

If you want to see all the events I’ll be going to don’t forget to check out my events page (click here).

Happening closer to home on June 17th 1pm – 2pm, several members of the Bay Area Queer Writers Association (BAQWA, learn more here) will be at the San Leandro Main Library (300 Estudillo Ave, San Leandro, CA) for a book reading. This is another free event and your support means a great deal, so if you have time, please come out and say hello.

On the writing front, I have Steve Connor (learn more here), back again working on Conspiracy - A New World, Book 3 (click here to learn more). Steve is back providing his voice and talent to the story and I can’t wait for you all to hear his great work. Have you read my A New World series yet? If not, you can get your sign copies here (US only) or you can find the audiobooks here and the eBooks and paperback books here. Check them out!

Also, I’m happy to report that I’m busy working on my next novel. I’m just over 40,000 words (150 pages or 16 chapters) in and I’m thrilled with how this story is coming along. I’ll be sharing more details about the story and the characters in my newsletter. Are you signed up? If not, join here and don’t miss out. I also provide my newsletter subscribers some exclusive offers.

And one more writing update. I’ve finished my next short story. It’s a Thanksgiving meet cute about two guys who meet at a grocery store on Thanksgiving Day, the story was a blast to write and I can’t wait for you to meet these two charming men.

Well, there you go, a quick check in this week. If you’re going to be in Davis, come and say hello and if you’re going to be in San Leandro, please stop by the San Leandro Main Library for the in person reading by several BAQWA Members. Until next time, have a great week.

Pinned by Liz Faraim

April 19, 2023 MD Neu

Happy Wednesday Scribblers. I hope you are all having a great week. Today I’m thrilled to share my good friend Liz Faraim’s newest novel Pinned with you. Liz is a phenomenal author who has released the Vivian Chastain series to much acknowledgment. Pinned is the first book in a new series for Liz, and I’m excited to share more details with you today. As with all her books this new novel by Liz is at the top of my to be read list.

As you may remember from Liz’s past visits here on my blog, Liz focuses her writing on strong, queer, female leads who don’t back down. She transplanted to California from New York over thirty years ago, and now lives in the East Bay Area.

You can find Liz here on her website or here on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

Pinned:

“Rowdy” Randy Cox, a woman staring down the barrel of retirement, is a curmudgeonly blue-collar butch lesbian, who has been single for twenty years and is trying to date again.
At the end of a long, exhausting shift, Randy finds her supervisor, Bryant, pinned and near death at the warehouse where they work. Upon the news of his death, she battles to find a balance between the joys of an exciting new relationship and the struggles of processing her supervisor’s unexpected passing.
The manner of her supervisor’s death leaves Randy unsettled and suspicious as she gets sucked into both a criminal investigation led by the police and an administrative investigation conducted by her employer.
As Randy seeks the truth, trust erodes, key friendships are strengthened, and more loss awaits her.

Get your copy of Pinned here.

As a special treat Liz has shared the music that inspired her and the writing of Pinned, check it out here.

Also, this Saturday April 22nd myself and several authors from the Bay Area Queer Writers Association will be at the Hayward Lit Hop (this is our second year). We will be at The Pizza House, 943 B Street in Hayward from 6pm – 6:45pm you can find out more details here.

That’s it for this week, don’t forget to check out Pinned and if you are in Hayward this Saturday come by and say hello and maybe have some dinner. Until next time, have a great week.

The Bay Area Queer Writers Association Presents: Two – Anthology Out Now

September 7, 2022 MD Neu

Happy Wednesday Scribblers. Can you believe it’s September! Crazy right. This week I’m excited to share that for the second year in a row I’m part of the Bay Area Queer Writers Association’s (BAQWA, find them here) anthology. This year the anthology is titled: Two (click here to get your copy). This anthology features ten authors who share a mix a short stores and poetry all focused around the number two. This is quite the unique collection and I couldn’t be prouder to be part of it. As with last year’s anthology all proceeds from this collection will be donated to the Lavender Library and Archives (click here to learn more) in Sacramento, California. I hope you will pick up a copy and help us support this wonderful organization.

Check out the Cover:

Book Blurb:

Sit down and kick your feet up with your favorite warm beverage this fall. It's time for you to enjoy stories and poetry that reflect the number two.

The Bay Area Queer Writers Association is proud to present this year’s collections of short stories and poetry featuring authors: Michael Alenyikov, Liz Faraim, Wayne Goodman, Kelliane Parker, Richard May, Gar McVey-Russell, Vincent Traughber Meis, R.L. Merrill, M.D. Neu, and K.S. Trenten. Sometimes you need to be able to sit back and let the words from the pages wash over you. See how these amazing authors spotlight the number ‘two’ in each of their works.

All proceeds from this limited-time anthology will be donated to the Lavender Library and Archives in Sacramento, California.

I’m really excited to be part of this anthology and found creating a story for book to be a lot of fun.

The story I contributed to this anthology is called; Nightingale’s Heart, and today I’m pleased to share the blurb with you:

Rahim is the head of security for Aza, a popstar, who had a fan with mental health issues break into their home a few years back. Since being hired Rahim has ensured Aza, and their team’s, safety. However, Rahim, over this time, has grown fond of Aza, hoping for more but never wanting to cross the line of professionalism. Could his feelings be reciprocated? Could Aza, find this lug of a man who protects them more than a ‘Big Guy’ who sees to their safety? Or is this another relationship where Rahim will get hurt.

Also, I created an author’s note for the story, that I think goes to the heart of the tale:

Have you ever had a crush on someone you’ve worked with? I think we all have. As time passed, you finally accepted that a business relationship was all you would ever get, but not today. Not now. This short story is all about crossing lines and taking chances and seeing what happens, for good or for bad. We may not get to explore those choices in real life, but in the safety of these pages, we get to indulge in our fantasies.

Well, that’s all for this week. Please pick up your copy of BAQWA Presents: Two (find it here) and see all the creative ways these authors have spotlighted the number two. Until next time, have a great week.

Stitches and Sepsis by Liz Faraim

April 28, 2021 MD Neu

Happy Wednesday everyone this week I want to say a big hello to fellow NineStar Press Author Liz Faraim. Liz is an amazing author of Lesbian fiction and her latest novel Stitches and Sepsis (A Vivian Chastain Novel- Book 2) has just come out. Today I want to share a little about this wonderful book and author.

***

Book Blurb:

Adrenaline addicted veteran, Vivian Chastain, confronts the man who has been following her for days, only to find he has a message of dire consequence for her. Spurred into action by his news, she barrels head on into a tumultuous and violent series of events. Stoic and stubborn as always, Vivian lands in the hospital, fighting for her life.

During Vivian’s lengthy recovery, her partner is released from jail and the two reconnect, stoking up the flames of their toxic union all while Vivian dives into a blossoming relationship with a new love interest who offers fulfillment and love, if only Vivian can figure out how to allow it all in.

Vivian learns that the coast is not clear as former threats return and continue to endanger her. While she cannot rest easy; friends, her work crew, and customers at the night club where she tends bar provide her with much needed fun, comradery, and support.

Vivian wrestles with her temper, her penchant for physical violence, and her overwhelming emotional baggage. Struggles from within and without threaten her existence, and in the moment when death is just a breath away, Vivian’s brother shows up and changes everything.

***

There you have it, something new to add to your reading list. Also find Liz Faraim on social media and keep up to date with everything he is up to. Until next time I hope you stay safe and have a great week.

About Liz Faraim:

Liz is a recovering workaholic who has mastered multi-tasking, including balancing a day job, solo parenting, writing, and finding some semblance of a social life. In past lives she has been a soldier, a bartender, a shoe salesperson, an assistant museum curator, and even a driving instructor.

Liz lives in the East Bay Area of California, and enjoys exploring nature with her son.

Where to contact Liz Faraim:

Find her on Twitter here.

Reach her on Facebook here.

Check out her website here.

Where to buy Liz’s books:

Find them on Amazon here.

Get your copy from Ninestar Press here.

Interview with Liz Faraim

July 1, 2020 MD Neu

Happy Wednesday Scribblers. Today it is my great pleasure to share with you new author Liz Faraim. Liz was recently pickup by NineStar Press (learn more about Ninestar press here) and will have her debut novel coming out latter this year entitled, Canopy. Without further ado, let’s get to know Liz and learn more about her upcoming novel.

Welcome Liz, I’m so glad to have you here on my blog. Your bio is below for folks to read, so why don’t you tell us what’s not in the bio, by way of an introduction.

Thank you so much for having me on your blog, and hello to the Scribblers out there. Hm, something about me that is not in my bio… I was born on Long Island, New York but did most of my growing up in the Sacramento Valley of California. I am an Analyst by trade and am very organized and methodical in that work, but when it comes to writing I am a full blown pantser and I do not plan out my manuscripts at all. I just sit down and start writing, and am just as surprised as the rest of you about what happens in the story.

Tell us about your debute novel and the series to which it has spawned?

Canopy is about a woman who is re-entering civilian life after a stretch in the military. She has a full plate between going to college, starting a new relationship, and working as a bartender. Just when she starts to get into a good groove, she walks up on a vicious crime taking place and her whole life goes sideways.

From the beginning I knew the story would lead to a three-book series because the protagonist, Vivian, had a lot to deal with and many adventures to share with the reader that simply could not fit into one novel.

What can you share with us about the protagonist? The antagonist?

The protagonist, Vivian, feels best when she has routine in her life. She likes to keep things simple, but simple is not in the cards for her.

The story has two antagonists, including Crystal who is a physical threat to Vivian, and also Vivian’s girlfriend, Ang, who is a bit of a rotten apple and presents an emotional threat.

What inspired you to write this story?

Inspiration for the Vivian Chastain series came from a collection of experiences and ideas that I gathered over several years. I knew I wanted to put it all into a story, so the fun part was untangling everything and turning it into something readable.

I was inspired by the early works of Michelle Tea to write the story in a first-person perspective. I have always felt so much more immersed in her stories because of the perspective, and I wanted my readers to experience that same level of immersion.

What have you enjoyed the most about the writing process?

I know this is not so much about the “process”, but my favorite part about writing has been meeting other writers. I discovered a vibrant and generous group of local authors who have been incredibly supportive. They welcomed me in as a fledgling, and I hope to be able to pay it forward someday.

Like many writers, I know you have a day job. How has your day job affected your writing? Or has it?

My day job cuts significantly in to how much and when I can write. There are plenty of days when I wake up inspired to write, but have to head in to the office instead. I do most of my writing on the weekends, or during the night when I have insomnia. On the weekends I wind up having to choose between spending time with friends and family, or writing. It is a hard balance. On the flip side, a previous day job gave me the inspiration for my current work in progress.

When you’re not writing, what do you like to do?

I like to play games with my son or explore the many nature areas near my home.

What can we see coming from you next?

My current work in progress is a novel titled Pinned, which focuses on main character Miranda “Randy” Cox. I’d categorize it somewhere between mystery, LGBTQ, and contemporary, with a dash of romance.

Thank you so much for stoping by Liz. It’s great to have you here and personally I can’t wait to read your debut novel, it sounds like it should be a good read. Well, my lovely Scribblers that is all I have for you this week. Do you have questions for Liz, leave them below and I’ll make sure she swings back to answer them. Until next time I hope you stay safe and have a great week.

About Canopy:

What do you do if you just want a simple, peaceful life? If you are Army veteran Vivian Chastain, you end up with a stalker, and fall in love with a narcissist. What could possibly go wrong? Canopy follows Vivian on her journey through both physical and emotional turmoil that threaten to break her down completely. But Vivian’s cunningness and ferocity serve her well as she tries to regain some tranquillity and stability.

About Liz Faraim:

Where to Find Liz Faraim:

Find Liz on Facebook here.

Find Liz’s website here.

Find Liz on Twitter here.

Email Liz here: liz.faraim@gmail.com

Pinned:

Check out the Cover:

Book Blurb:

About Liz Faraim:

Where to Find Liz Faraim:

Book Blurb:

About Liz Faraim:

Where to contact Liz Faraim:

Where to buy Liz’s books:

About Canopy:

About Liz Faraim:

Where to Find Liz Faraim:

Buy my books here. If you want a signed copy click here (signed copies only available in the United States for now).

Find me here:

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