CassaStorm by Alex J. Cavanaugh – It’s Finally Here!

Published on September 16, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle6 Comments

Comment on Alex’s blog this week for a chance to win a Cassa mug, mousepad, magnet, and swag!

When Alex volunteered to answer our questions, I’m not sure he knew what he was getting into. It was a great idea in order to engage his fans and allowing us to be a part of the most anticipated book release of 2013. My question:

What technological advancement in the Cassa series is most likely to be invented in our lifetime? What is the least likely?

We already have computer tablets in the form of iPads, although ours aren’t connected to a network at all times and no matter where we are. That would be handy. I can also see us developing spaceships with full gravity. (If we work fast enough.)

Sadly, I doubt we’ll ever see teleporters in our lifetime. Bummer.

Bummer is right. I would pay big money for a teleporter. No more planes and no more traffic!

CassaStorm

By Alex J Cavanaugh

From the Amazon Best Selling Series!

A storm gathers across the galaxy…

Commanding the Cassan base on Tgren, Byron thought he’d put the days of battle behind him. As a galaxy-wide war encroaches upon the desert planet, Byron’s ideal life is threatened and he’s caught between the Tgrens and the Cassans.

After enemy ships attack the desert planet, Byron discovers another battle within his own family. The declaration of war between all ten races triggers nightmares in his son, threatening to destroy the boy’s mind.

Meanwhile the ancient alien ship is transmitting a code that might signal the end of all life in the galaxy. And the mysterious probe that almost destroyed Tgren twenty years ago could return. As his world begins to crumble, Byron suspects a connection. The storm is about to break, and Byron is caught in the middle…

“CassaStorM is a touching and mesmerizing space opera full of action and emotion with strong characters and a cosmic mystery.” – Edi’s Book Lighhouse

“Cavanaugh creates such an unforgettable world, and these characters will stay with you long after their story is over.” – Cassie Mae, author of Friday Night Alibi and How to Date a Nerd

$16.95 USA, 6×9 Trade paperback, 268 pages, Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.

Science fiction/adventure and science fiction/space opera

Print ISBN 9781939844002 eBook ISBN 9781939844019

$4.99 EBook available in all formats

Find CassaStorm:

Barnes and Noble Amazon Amazon Kindle Goodreads

Book Trailer:

Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. The author of the Amazon bestsellers, CassaStar and CassaFire, he lives in the Carolinas with his wife.

Website – http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/

Twitter – http://twitter.com/AlexJCavanaugh

Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4287922.Alex_J_Cavanaugh

Anti-Blogfest Gary Fest!

Published on August 12, 2013August 11, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle24 Comments

When you think there couldn’t possibly be another original blogfest idea out there, here comes the Anti-Blogfest Gary Fest! A blog hop in honor of Mr. anti-blog hop himself, Gary at Klahanie.

Hosted by Mark “Madman” Koopmans, Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh, “Life is Good” Tina, Rockin’ Robyn Engel and Morgan “The Morg” Shamy.

Without further ado, here are the three blogfest I hope never grace the blogesphere.

How I’d Murder You Blogfest – no need to put the confession out into the universe, just in case.

The Best & Worst Handbag Blogfest – there is a best and worst handbag list, I’m not making this up. Google it!

I Drink to Much Coffee Blogfest – This blogfest would have way to many participants and it would be the same story over and over and over, again.

Check out the other participants by clicking on the host’s names and enjoy.

Insecure Writer’s Support Group – No More Disclaimers

Published on June 5, 2013June 4, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle31 Comments

Before I get on my soap box for this month’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group post, I must thank the Ninja Captain himself, along with his co-host for the month: Sheena-kay Graham, Suzanne Furness, and Laura Eno!

If you have time, please visit and help some of the other IWSG participants. You never know how your wisdom and experience can help another writer.

Ok, soap box time: I’ve noticed recently a disturbing trend and I need your help to put an end to it. Don’t get me wrong, I am guilty of it as well, but no more.

What is this trend among us writerly types were we add disclaimers before we share our work with others.

Raise your hand if you have said, written or even felt some version of the following?

I am so bad at pitching my project, but . . .

I am terrible at writing synopsis, but . . .

I am new to writing, so . . .

I didn’t have time to polish this, but . . .

I’ve never shown this to anyone, so . . .

Come on, raise your hand, don’t be shy. We are all friends here.

Why are we apologizing to each other for something we created. If any group of people in the world understands how hard this writing process is, it’s fellow writers.

When you preface something you share with an apology, you already put a preconceived impression of your own writing in the reader’s mind. That preconceived impression is based entirely on your own insecurities and has nothing to do with the work itself.

Believe me, it is never as bad as you think it is and even it if is, well that’s what rewrites are for.

So, I am proclaiming this ‘stop apologizing for your work’ day. Let your work speak for itself.

Do you see this among fellow writers? Do you do this?

Alex, Why Do You Blog?

Published on March 25, 2013March 24, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle48 Comments

While I was made aware of a presence on the Internet known as the Ninja Captain during last years A to Z Challenge, I felt privilege to have his words grace my blog on May 2, 2012. Alex commented on a post I wrote during my first month as a member of the IWSG, Distracted, Again.

His words of wisdom: “Certain movies will distract me, although I’ve gotten good at writing with the TV. And music playing. Yes, I really know how to create a peaceful writing environment!
Thanks for posting for the IWSG today.”

And, he has been a solid resource, support and source of entertainment ever since.

So, Ninja Captain Alex, why do you blog?

Why I blog has changed over the years. The transformation is probably just as interesting as the end result. Life isn’t so much about the destination as the journey.

I began blogging to build an author platform. When I signed the contract for my first book, CassaStar, I wasn’t even online. I had no interest in social networking. However, my publisher told me in no uncertain terms that I was to get my butt online, and I opted to start a blog.

It took a while to understand the connection part. I figured that since I was a science fiction writer, I needed to follow a lot of science fiction blogs and I’d be set. Sadly, most weren’t interested in a not-yet-published science fiction author who didn’t seem to know what to blog about.

It wasn’t until the very first A to Z Challenge in 2010 that I began to understand how to connect with other bloggers. It was then that I found my groove. Now, a lot of writers and authors post on their genre or on writing. Science fiction alone just wasn’t enough for me and I guarantee no one wanted my writing tips. (Believe me, you still don’t want my writing tips!) However, I could talk about my favorite subjects, which included movies, music, tech, and geek stuff. I’d found my groove and I was off and running.

By the time the second A to Z Challenge hit though, that began to change. My topic that year was blogger buddies that corresponded with each letter. I had fun featuring my friends. After the support from everyone when CassaStar was released, it felt good to give back to the community.

That eventually led to the Ninja News and the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. It wasn’t about me anymore – it was about my friends. And as I amassed even more followers, I realized that I could make a huge difference in the community. With a Ninja Army of 1800, I can really make an impact.

Which brings me to why I still blog today. Yes, I do have another book coming out this fall, CassaStorm. I never planned to write more than one book, but spurred by the success of the first and second (CassaFire) I’ve continued writing. And blogging.

But that’s not why I’m here.

My blogger buddies are the reason I blog. Every accomplishment, success, and struggle of theirs that I can share means a lot to me. I know what it’s like to wonder if anyone truly hears me and even cares. If I can shine a light on someone who needs it, then that matters more than all the book sales in the world.

Why do I blog? To give back to the community.

Why do you blog?

Alex J. Cavanaugh

http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/AlexJCavanaugh

Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. The author of the Amazon bestsellers, CassaStar and CassaFire, his third book, CassaStorm, will be released September 17, 2013.

Cheers, Cavanaugh Blogfest

Published on December 10, 2012December 10, 2012 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle17 Comments

Hosted by Mark Koopmans, Morgan Shamy, David Powers King and Stephen Tremp.

The 4 talented writers above have introduced an unprecedented idea to get together to thank a blogger who has touched all of our online lives. This is only a sample of what he’s created and this is just since I’ve known him:

He’s a published author of two books and a third is one is way. With all this going on, he still has time to comment on my little old blog especially when I feature a Sydney Quotes the Movies post. Did I mention he loves movies?

Alex is a quality person and he associates himself with quality. And, I can’t think of another person on the Internet that deserves to have a whole Blogfest dedicated to them more then Alex.

Four questions:

What does Alex look like? Alex is an attractive man (much respect to Mrs. Alex). Brown hair, greying at the temples, nice teeth, but a crooked smile.

Who could play Alex in a documentary? When I think of Alex, I picture Sean Connery circa 1987 in the Untouchables, but without the English accent.

Who does Alex remind me of? Alex reminds me an older brother and a younger friend, a wise owl and a impetuous ferret.

Flash Fiction – Dueling Ninjas

“IWSG” I punched in the letters on the keypad singing as I did. I was relaxed.

I had entered the office undetected like a ninja. The Cosbalt brand safe was exactly where my contact said it would be. Just as long as I beat my nemesis, this would be a great score.

I opened the safe inch by inch. A guitar pick and a piece of paper sat at the bottom. On the paper was ineligible writing, almost ineligible.

I crinkled the paper in my fist and slammed the safe shut. “Cavanaugh.” I yelled.

The note simple said, “Played again.”

Are you in love, in utter admiration, in complete adoration (again, no disrespect Mrs. Alex) of Alex, the Ninja Captain, then let me know in the comments below?

And be sure to visit all the others who are dedicating their blogs to Alex, today. And, if you don’t know Alex go by his blog and see for yourself.