Blog Archives
2023 SMASHWORDS Annual July Summer/Winter Sale
July 1, 2023 – July 31, 2023
Why is it called “Summer/Winter”? Here in the Northern hemisphere, it’s mid-summer. Readers are loading their e-reading devices for summer beach reading and long-awaited vacations. South of the equator they are now in the middle of winter. They’re ready to curl up in front of the fireplace and enjoy a great read too!
Hello to all the readers and authors out there! All my eBooks will be on sale for 50% off, so take advantage and stock up on plenty of books to read over the summer/winter. It’s an opportunity to find exclusive discounts from your favorite indie authors and discover new future favorites. You will find every type of genre, with books from terrific authors all over the world. So, check it out at SMASHWORDS.COM.
I’m currently working on my new book, Between Two Worlds. Stop by my website and read all about it at www.solitaireparke.com.
If you are a lover of dragons, you might enjoy reading The Dragomeir Series. For a new twist on the OZ books, check out Tinker Smith & the Conspiracy of OZ.
For those who like a good horror/thriller, Vengeance of the Wolf might be the one for you.
Whatever genre you like, you can be sure to find it at Smashwords.
Happy Reading to everyone!
Solitaire
What is July 4th and why do we celebrate it?
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY 2023!
What is the 4th of July, anyway? It is also known as Independence Day – an annual American holiday that is significant in our history. On July 4th, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted and the United States became its own nation, separate from Great Britain. Before America was its own country, it was comprised of 13 Colonies established by the Brits: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.
Great Britain passed legislation that gave it more control within the Colonies, especially when it came to taxation, in order to boost revenue for The Crown. The Colonies did not have a say in the Crown’s policies. This became known as taxation without representation. All of these tensions led to the colonial militias battling the British troops and the American Revolutionary War began.
In June 1776 the Continental Congress met in Philadelphia and a committee was formed to draft an official independence document, which became known as the Declaration of Independence. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was officially adopted, and America became a free nation. After declaring independence, America continued to fight in the Revolutionary War and officially defeated Great Britain in September 1783.
Although the 4th of July has been celebrated each year since 1776, it did not become a federal holiday until 1870 and it became a paid holiday for federal employees in 1941.
America’s early independence celebrations – People would attend bonfires, concerts, and parades to celebrate the new nation. The Declaration of Independence was often read aloud, and cannons were fired afterward. People celebrated proudly.
Today we celebrate with local fireworks displays, sparklers, barbecues, games and crafts, local 4th of July shopping sales, and planned trips during this holiday.
Americans remember this country’s fight for freedom, and we celebrate with friends, family, food and fun. Happy birthday, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!
Solitaire
Insights from an Author’s Desk – The Writing Process
There is no particular time or place for writing – it happens when it suits you best and everyone has his or her individual approach. I drink a lot of coffee, the think drink. My favorite of late is a mocha blend. I have two dogs who can be pretty distracting, but only when someone comes to the front door. They’re couch potatoes the rest of the time.
Smashwords – Read an Ebook Week 2023 !
Welcome to the official Read an Ebook Week from March 5th through March 11th 2023!
Mark your calendars! Here’s an opportunity to find new authors with one of the biggest sales of the year! Support the many authors on Smashwords in this global celebration of Ebooks. You will find around 100,000 multi-format books regularly priced at free every day, and thousands more that are free or deep-discounted exclusively at Smashwords during Read an Ebook Week only. Browse the catalog by discount categories of FREE, 75%-off, 50%-off and 25% off.
This sale is a fantastic way to discover new authors and continue reading your favorite authors – so load up your e-readers and get started!
Solitaire
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/solitaireparke
SMASHWORDS 2022 End of Year Sale!!!
Welcome to the 6th annual Smashwords end of year sale! From December 15th 2022 through January 1st 2023 – Join thousands of readers – find great book titles from your favorite authors and discover new authors in your preferred genres.
Books are discounted from 25% – 50% – 75% – and even FREE!
You can locate the Dragomeir Series (adventures with dragons), Vengeance of the Wolf (a horror/thriller), Tinker Smith and the Conspiracy of Oz (the children and wizard of Oz), Tapestry (book of poetry), and The Atrium (a psychological adventure in science fiction) at Smashwords.
Check out my website for other books – The Larger World Series and extras
I hope you’ll visit Smashwords 2022 end of year sale. Enjoy the holidays – MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone!
Solitaire
Fall has Arrived!
We in Arizona have made it through another hot summer. We have had more rain this year though, which is a good thing when so many have endured drought. Now we can enjoy the cool Fall days and spend some quality time outdoors with friends and family. Hike or take a bike ride on the trails and take in all the beauty in this great cool weather. There are numerous Fall Festivals that are held every year that can be found in almost every city or town.
Grab a good book and go sit out in the cool air and enjoy this time of year. If you’re looking for something to read, check out my website. For something chilling try– Vengeance of the Wolf, for an adventure with dragons and time travel – The Dragomeir Series, or my new book The Atrium, which reveals the inner reflections of a man examining his life, not knowing if he will live or die. You’ll find other books and extras that might interest you as well.
Whatever you do to experience the Fall weather, fill up your days and weekends with the things that make you feel refreshed and balanced. It’s always a great time to count your blessings and be grateful for everything and everyone around you.
Solitaire
TODAY IS INTERNATIONAL LEFT HANDER’S DAY
10% of the entire world population is left-handed. That is 760 million people around the globe. You are much more likely to be a lefty if one of your parents is too. I am one of those left handed people. It was in August of 1976, on a Friday the 13th, that Left-Handers International first declared August 13 to be a day where left-handers were celebrated.
It is thought that left-handed people are more flexible and adaptable, as they are often challenged in a world that is made for right-handed people. The left hand is also controlled by the right side of the brain, which is associated with emotion and creative qualities such as music and art. I have always been a musician, playing guitar and writing music, poetry, and books, and have a passion for digital art, so I guess it holds true, at least for me.
American Presidents Barack Obama, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton are part of the left-hander’s club, along with such famous musicians as Céline Dion and Jimi Hendrix, who was one of the biggest rock stars in the world. He was renowned for playing a right-handed guitar with his left hand.
Here’s an idea – if you are left-handed, challenge your right-handed friends and family to use their left hands for the next day or so! You never know when using your left hand could be a real benefit!
Solitaire
Outlines, Writing Goals and Cacophony
Authoring a book is not an easy endeavor. Setting goals – daily, monthly, and yearly keeps you on track to a finished project and a successful career if that’s what you are after. If you are a short story writer, you might aim for one story per month. Writing a novel may be more difficult so finishing a certain number of pages a day or week could be your goal. Developing good habits, like writing at a certain time or number of hours per day, keeps you productive and gives you the right mind-set for finishing your project. Schedules always change and you need not feel guilty if something comes up and you have to adjust yours. It’s all part of a writer’s world.
Do authors need a detailed outline before starting a novel? It really depends on the author. Some authors may have an outline in their head and can just sit down and start writing or create as they go along, while others find it beneficial to create a story structure beforehand. It gives you the opportunity to break the story down into smaller parts, even chapters, helps to keep your timelines straight, and gives you a direction for your story line. In the end, you might do a little of both since you can change anything necessary to flesh out your story. However your creative process works will be the best roadmap for you.
Life continues to go on around you, which also determines how much work can be done at any one time. For instance, right now we’re having our yard landscaped and the amount of noise can get crazy. Most of that cacophony is provided by two medium-sized dogs who seem to think that their territory is being invaded and that it is their sworn duty to protect us from said invaders. The fact that we invited the crew onto our property makes no sense or difference to our canine protectors, so they continue to do their jobs relentlessly and with a good deal of commotion. It is endearing, but at the same time hard to concentrate on writing.
It’s always going to be something that infringes upon your work time. You just learn to go with the flow and carry on, believing that your goals will be achieved. Aim to make your goals attainable, not so high that it sets you up for failure. Manage your time wisely. Rather than a rigid schedule, be devoted to your writing passion.
Solitaire
Five Equally Valuable and Enlightening Sites for the Week
We Celebrate the Brave Men & Women Who Fought to Keep Us Free!
As we celebrate Memorial Day Monday, May 30th, 2022 across the nation, let us remember to take a moment to honor those who have given their lives in service to our country. No matter what we do this Memorial Day weekend and on Memorial Day itself, the holiday offers a chance for the solemn remembrance of those who served our country and are no longer here with us, but who are in our hearts forever. To the brave men and women who have fought valiantly to keep our country free:
Thank you! May God Bless You!
– John F. Kennedy
Solitaire
Solitaire Parke - Sci-Fi/Fantasy Books 
