A Warm Welcome to Me!
Yes, I'm hosting myself as part of the Writers on the Wrong Side of the Road blog blast. For those who don't already know me, here's a brief bio:

Megan Johns lives in the UK in a pretty chocolate-box village complete with a duck pond!

Although she always enjoyed writing, she only started in earnest when life slowed down.

Her aim is to write contemporary women’s fiction with a strong romantic thread.

'The Path of Innocence', her debut novel, was published by Devine Destinies and she is currently busy with another full-length novel 'A Shore of Secrets'.

Megan is married with one grown-up daughter and an incurably mischievous Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

As part of the blog blast, I have been promoting many of the authors who contributed to the Writers on the Wrong Side of the Road anthology. Today I'm focusing on the rationale
                                        behind my own two short stories.

Gender stereotyping has long been a personal bugbear. It can have a negative influence on so many aspects of a woman’s life, both in the workplace and at home. The inspiration for my two short stories in the anthology Writers on the Wrong Side of the Road was born out of this frustration

By stereotyping, we are saying that particular characteristics apply to all members of a group. Yet are all blondes dumb or all women bad drivers? Of course not! Worse are the bucket loads of stereotypes tipped over a woman’s head the minute she becomes a mother. This type of generalisation is a great disservice to individuals and can lead to prejudice.

We are told that stereotypes help us to simplify a complex world. In my opinion, however, they often do more harm than good. They can lead to simplistic assessments, which are fundamentally flawed.

In my first story,‘The Journey’, a wife and mother tries to break into a spontaneous conversation in a train carriage. The stereotyped perceptions of the group of young singletons leads to her exclusion. Dismissed as irrelevant by them, she starts to assess her own life and measure it against theirs. The results lead to some surprises...

Here's a taste:  ‘Melody shrank back in her seat, instantly deflated. It was as if her own experiences had been devalued without uttering a word. She peered across the short dividing gap. It might as well be a hundred miles, she was so far removed from their world, and she knew her presence didn’t even register on their collective radar. Had time and life really made her appear so banal, she wondered?’

Manic readers review: 4 stars.While Stay-at-Home-Mom listens to the conversations of Thighs, Nerd guy, and Scatty she seethes, justifying her choice to herself and experiences a gamut of emotions from indignant to smug. The end comes completely out of left field, but instead of wondering "what the frill?" I read with wicked delight. Well done. 

My second story ‘A New Leaf’ features a recently divorced woman trying to move on with her life. The only thing holding her back is her family. Surely she will never manage on her own? Or will she?

And another taster:  ‘I watched the progress of her red Fiat from the bay window of the sitting room until it disappeared down the hill. A grating of gears confirmed her right-hand turn at the junction. Poor Sarah. She tried so hard. All the family did. That was the trouble. If only they could see that they tried too much.’

Manic readers review: 4 stars.Can you really find a new life, after a divorce, via a rural cottage garden? I loved this little golden nugget about moving on in spite of those around us. The narrator is my kinda woman.

To read the reviews on the other stories in the anthology go to http://bit.ly/JK76iL

Better still, buy a copy of Writers On the Wrong Side of the Road and read the stories for yourself.

BUY links: Publisher Chase Enterprises or Amazon  Available in paperback and Kindle

Now leave a comment for the chance to win a signed ebook

A Warm Welcome to Marion Webb de Sisto

Marion Webb-De Sisto has held a keen interest in Women's Spirituality, Crystal Therapy and the Celestial Hierarchy for the past twenty-seven years. She is a graduate member and former tutor of the International College of Crystal Healing, a Bach Foundation Registered Practitioner and a Reiki Master. Marion is also an experienced teacher/lecturer in both the UK and USA, being a guest speaker at holistic festivals, health shows and The Seeker's Trust. Having lived and worked in the US for many years, she presently resides in South East England with her American husband. Marion has two sons, two step sons, three daughter-in-laws and three grandchildren.

Her work career was closely involved with the education and care of young children. She was a teacher in England, a director of two separate child care centers in Massachusetts and the director of a private school in California. After returning home, she became a local government officer for registering and inspecting all types of education and child care facilities for children under the age of 8. During many of her working years, Marion's attention was given to servicing and protecting abused and neglected children.

Marion's writings have been featured in Diane Stein's books - All Women Are Psychics, Prophetic Visions of the Future, Natural Healing for Dogs & Cats and The Natural Remedy Book for Dogs & Cats. Also in Dick Sutphen's Finding Your Answers Within. Her own books have been available since 2001. Reviewers considered her Angelic Chronicles to be "beautifully written;" a story that "just swoops one along," and then "leaves your heart panging." Marion's non-fiction books are described as "hard to put down," being written in "a clear and understandable fashion."

This popular writer is known to her friends as Maz and she describes herself as a people watcher. She sees the human experience as one that is filled with possibilities and continuous change. The duality that exists within each person fascinates Marion and she uses her many years of working and communicating with people as a blueprint for 'fleshing out' the characters in her novels. She feels she has been inspired to write by her passion for reading from a very early age. In adulthood this developed into a love of different types of literature. Marion enjoys the classics, horror stories, tales of the supernatural, romantic sagas and certain Sci-Fi and Fantasy yarns; and she loves to hear from her readers. Click here to send her an email.

One of Maz's recent publications was the erotic novella 'Malpas' featured in the Writers on the Wrong Side of the Road anthology.
Here's what Maz has to say about the project:

Writers on the Wrong Side of the Road - The most dangerous rule-wreckers from Alternative-Read.com have written stories for this ‘adults only’ anthology. It’s a ‘must have’ book, covering different genres, all speculative fiction and great reading for those times when you want to get lost in the world of “What if?” There’s something for everyone within the pages, no one’s preference has been neglected. The anthology contains seventeen short stories and one novella, entitled Malpas. This is a Fantasy tale written by me, Marion Webb-De Sisto. A modern-day librarian and a demon come together in erotic dreams. Can these two very different individuals, who are drawn together by lust, eventually find true love? For one reviewer, who described this story as an “erotica beauty and beast,” it was her personal favorite.

Creating the story Malpas was a venture into something new for me. Although my previous novels have both angels and demons in them, the stories are not erotic. I’d been giving some thought to writing in that genre, but it wasn’t uppermost in my mind. Then I heard about the proposed anthology and I realized I was being offered the opportunity to  try my hand at what is known as erotica. To my surprise the storyline developed easily and I enjoyed exploring my new genre. I guess this becomes obvious when I say I’ve written two further erotic stories since completing the one for the anthology. I’ve discovered a new path and am wandering down it.

And here's a review: Malpas 4.5 stars
Single librarian, Sara Harding, is satisfied with her life.  She has a job she loves that’s relatively secure, friends, and family is her dearly loved aunt.  Romance and love are no longer at the top of Sara’s list until the dreams begin.
I’m a sucker for a good redemption story.  When you combine redemption and true love I’m really a goner.  MALPAS does just that but in a way that sets it apart.  Malpas’ physical description and prior existence add a wonderful depth and poignancy placing it solidly in my top ten.  Loved it.

To read more, buy a copy of Writers on the Wrong Side of the Road at Chase Enterprises or Amazon
A wide selection of Maz's books are available on Amazon and you can read more about her at her website click links

Many thanks for dropping by today, Maz. It's been a pleasure to host you!

Now leave a comment for the chance to win a signed ebook

Who are the Writers on the Wrong Side of the Road?

Those most dangerous  rule-wreckers from Alternative-Read.com 'We took away the rules and let them write whatever the hell they liked.'

Publisher Clayton Bye says: I know many of these authors; they are passionate, committed and professional; whatever else they do in  their lives, these people live to write

Editor and site owner Sassy Brit says: Being different and standing out from the crowd has always been my major focus for my authors and readers with my aptly named site, Alternative- Read.com

DRUM ROLL!!! AND HERE THEY ARE, THOSE INTREPID WRITERS ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD
click on the author names and book links to find out more

Lucille P Robinson, author of SHORT  STORIES THAT KILL TIME  has written HOLD UP, in which a rapist learns  why crime doesn’t pay. Will he survive this lesson? In a second  story, Lucille offers us MAN SLAUGHTER: a woman accused of killing three  family members may not be guilty. Read the Book.

 Angelika Devlyn, author of Black  Ice: The Training Ground(The Dark Kingdom Chronicles) Book One  has offered us JUDGMENT DAY, in which an injured woman  falls into the hands of a psychic psychopath. Read the book.

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 Elizabeth Coldwell, author of HIS has written FOR ART’S SAKE, in which the reader learns just what Danni is prepared to do for art’s sake. Read the book.

Nathan L. Yocum, author of The Zona has written SIMON SEEKS... “You gotta find someone, go to    Simon Craig, but don’t get on his bad side.” Read the book.

Tim Fleming, author of Murder of an American Nazi has written THE BAREFOOT HERO, in which a grieving man stumbles upon a remarkable form of heroism. Read the book.

Megan Johns, author of The Path of Innocence has written THE JOURNEY, in which a complex woman—wife and    mother, has a most surprising secret. Then, zeroing in on a more    specific audience, Megan writes A NEW LEAF, "For real women who    understand life is not clear-cut." Read the book.

Casey Wolf, author of Finding  Creatures & OtherStories  and first-time author Päivi Kuosmanen co-authored
TRIONA’S BEANS, in which a teenage girl  saves a world between first and last dinner call. Casey also wrote  two other stories for the anthology: CENOTAPH, in which an angry  young man learns what enduring commitment and duty means, and   PRONGHORNS, where you'll discover that Sylvia should have paid attention to her memory of the Pronghorns. Read the Book

Mike Brecon, author of A Dangerous Remedy has written THE MEAL, in which reality TV is at its    ugliest and most brazen. Then he goes on to tell us a dark, sad story called FRAME OF REFERENCE, which is about the way we see things and the way we don't. Read the book.

Karen Cote, author of Erotic  Deception who has never tried writing horror, bravely  offers us the raw and disturbing
SEVEN DEADLY SINS. This is a great  read about a unique serial killer who won’t stop until there are  seven to forgive his own sins. Read the book.

John B. Rosenman, author of several speculative fiction novels and at least 150 published short  stories (and a few poems), is an active member of HWA (Horror Writers Association) and SFWA (Science Fiction Writer's Association)  and has been a guest at both Sci-Con and Balticon. For two years    (1998-1999), he was Chairman of the Board of HWA. John has written THE SMILE IN HER EYES, a story that  asks the question, "Can a young girl and an old man find love in an    intolerant society?" Read the book.

Tonya Moore, author of Blood  Binds has written SLUMFAIRY, in which a jaded mercenary    is enlightened by her strange world. Read the book.

Kit St. Germain, author of the novel The Thirteenth Fairy (Amazon) and a number of short stories like As He Was (Strange Horizons), also happens to be Tabitha St. Germain,  an award-winning stage and radio actress who has become one of the  foremost female voice over talents in North America. Tabitha's alter  ego, Kit, has written TAKE TWO, which is post-apocalyptic  humour with an edge. Read the book.


For Hat#4 go to http://www.megan-johns.com/

  

Marion Webb-De Sisto, author of Samael's Fall: The Angelic Chronicles has written the novella MALPAS, in which her  invisible and insatiable dream lover wants things his way. Not  likely! Read the book.

Published by   Chase Enterprises whose owner Clayton Bye  is also an editor of the anthology.

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Unleashed - Writers on the Wrong Side of the Road

AN ANTHOLOGY SHOWCASING EDGY, DARING 'ALTERNATIVE'  AUTHORS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE.

To quote publisher CLAYTON BYE, ' We took away the rules and let them write what the hell they liked.'
THE RESULT IS AN UNRIVALLED, ECLECTIC SELECTION OF SHORT STORIES

Who better to introduce the anthology than the editors themselves?

The anthology is the brain child of Sassy Brit, founder of  Alternative-read.com, a successful writers group on Yahoo. On her site, ‘anything goes’ when it comes to writing and promoting authors and books - a philosophy reflected in the anthology.
Sassy is spearheading the Writers on the Wrong Side of the Road Project.

I asked her what inspired her to embark on this exciting venture?

I'm always looking for new and exciting ways to promote the authors frequenting my life through my review and book promotion site, Alternative-Read.com and I've been secretly mulling over gathering a few of their short stories together for quite a while, but publishing is not my area of expertise and I had no idea of how to go about it. I just knew it was something I wanted to do. Then I just happened to mention this in passing to Clayton and here we are. I'm eternally grateful for Clayton's enthusiasm (and patience!) for this project, because without him I would never have got this thought out of my head.

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How would you describe the Anthology?

A fantastic showcase of some of our AR author members' talent. Not only are our authors stories alternative in style, we've been a little unorthodox with our 'rule wrecking' ideas and mixed a whole range of genres together. It is an adult book, as there is erotica and spanking within, but we have also included tales full of blood and gore, a space opera, and even a story suitable for young adults. Personally, as a reviewer I have many tastes in books, and in the blogosphere world I know many 'adults' who love to pick up a good young adult book, or jump from erotica to horror, so I am hoping I may be able to bring a new reading experience to some of our readers. We've also kept each author's story true to their own voice and style, and not changed everything to British English. It's definitely what I would class as an alternative read and as our saying goes, we're proud to be different. It's how I love to work, and a great representation of daring to be different, which fits my review site's ethos spectacularly,

What makes it so unique?

These authors are the Writers on the Wrong Side of the Road. Maybe, in the hard and fast rules of the fat-cat publishing world, this wouldn't be allowed, but being different and standing out from the crowd has always been my major focus for my authors and readers with my aptly named site, Alternative- Read, so why should this book be any different?

Plus there's a rather nice cover, too. Even if I do say so myself. It features that gorgeous Jimmy Thomas and the beautiful rather busty beauty, whose name escapes me right now, sorry! 

What's been the strangest thing that has happened to you, while you have worked on this book?

Well, as I was designing the cover, I found I was spending a lot of time working in Photoshop on the aforementioned busty beauty's left boob. *Rolls eyes* Please allow me to explain. The shade of the photo combined with the way her costume lifted up her voluminous breasts made one of them look quite bizarre. Distractingly so, at times. I wasn't sure if it was just me, but my suspicions were confirmed when I had several people emailing about 'that woman's tit' and I had to blend it in and calm it down, for the sake of everyone's sanity. LOLI f only she knew how I covered up her modesty!

  Clayton C. Bye is the owner of  Chase Enterprises Publishing. He is both producing and editing  the Writers on the Wrong Side of the Road Project.
Clayton is also a business consultant and writer with many non-fiction books to his credit.One of his best books, Bare Knuckle MBA, deals with how to start a business of your own. He also offers training for various businesses, teaching them how to improve their operations and increase their profits.     



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I asked Clayton what was his inspiration in starting up this project? 
When Sassy Brit tossed out the idea of  associate authors at her Alternative-Read.com site getting together for an Anthology of their short stories, I said to myself, "Self, there's your next book - and it was!"

How would you describe the Anthology?

The Anthology is all about studying people in difficult situations, something every good writer loves to do. But the defining difference  in our collection (18 stories by 15 authors) is that each writer was  challenged to write a short story which would provide their readers  with something beyond the norm, something truly different - then we  set those writers free to write anything they damn well liked.  I  have (I hope) enhanced this experiment by editing for readability  and leaving content alone.

Is the book aimed at a particular market?

No, but that may not remain case. Allow me to explain. You will have  noticed the front cover of our anthology cries out "Adult Only." As  many of our authors write in the erotic romance genre, it was always  understood we would include a number of erotic stories, which will,  of course, impact on other markets.  Yet we also have crime, horror,  suspense, murder, maniacs and craniacs, paranormal, post-war,  pre-war and space war, not to mention apocalyptic and   post-apocalyptic stories, a few tales which involve modern,  complicated women and even a literary tale or two. So, to get back  to your question... I've been wondering, as of late, how the erotic  romance market would respond to having some great short stories   mixed in with their romance.

What do you think are its outstanding attributes?

The authors, of course. Every author in this anthology submitted "never before published" work. And it is all fine work, even the stories we rejected. I know many of these authors; they are passionate, committed and professional; whatever else they do in  their lives, these people live to write.  And I can't say I know of  any other group, with so much freewheeling talent, that has been allowed to put forward any story they wished. But then, these are Writers on the Wrong Side of the Road.

Hat#3

 

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