Author: Auroras & Blossoms Page 9 of 32

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The Warm Mug of Cozy Anthology: Focus on J. Ivanel Johnson

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On September 14, 2023

In Latest book releases, The Warm Mug of Cozy Corner

Welcome to our mini-series on A Warm Mug of Cozy Anthology, which celebrates the writers whose stories are featured in our inaugural volume.

Today, J. Ivanel Johnson is telling us what inspired her story “Winter’s Warmblood.”

As a former competitive 3-Day Event rider and internationally-certified instructor, I have always been interested in the wordplay of names in the equestrian industry, as many have double meanings to do with MURDER or CRIME. (See this article for more information.)

As I’ve also written a Scottish-connected full-length Canadian musical and am lucky enough that my maternal grandfather was born in Aberdeenshire, I was able to work and research in the very county from whence he came. Back in 2009-2010 I, like my Lucy character in “Winter’s Warmblood,” taught riding on a 20,000 acre estate in the beautiful wild Highlands where I also lived in a stone cottage in The Stableyard. 

All of the female characters in this short story are based on real-life friends and colleagues there, and one of them specifically asked if she could ‘star’ as the murderess. So this is especially dedicated to Leanne; she’s the type of gal that likes to ‘stirrup’ trouble even more than I do. 

I’m thrilled that “Winter’s Warmblood” has found its way to a ‘cozy’ home in this exciting new anthology!

J. Ivanel Johnson is the pen name for an award-winning mystery novelist, playwright and composer living in the Appalachians of New Brunswick, Canada. Now confined to her farm due to progressive (dis)Ability, she once worked as her story’s protagonist did—on a 20,000 acre estate in the Scottish Highlands.

Website: https://mckencroftproducti.wixsite.com/jivanelauthor

Thank you for sending us your story, J.! We know people will love reading it as much as we have.

See you soon for the next instalment in our series.

In the meantime, don’t forget to order your copy of A Warm Mug of Cozy Anthology: Volume 1.

CLICK TO GRAB YOUR COPY

Cendrine & David

The Auroras & Blossoms Haiku Anthology: Focus on Ellen Tandojo & Joelle A Godfrey

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On September 12, 2023

In Inspirational Artist Series, Latest book releases

Welcome to our mini-series on The Auroras & Blossoms Haiku Anthology, which celebrates the poets featured in volumes 1-3.

Today, Ellen Tandojo and Joelle A Godfrey are telling us what inspired the haiku & senryu they sent us.

Ellen Tandojo

Ellen Tandojo, Jakarta-born and raised, is a student of the life sciences. In between lectures, she sorts insect samples in a lab and writes letters to her long-distance family and partner.

Website: https://disastereomere.wixsite.com/loveforbreakfast

Ellen has three haiku featured in Volume 1:

The classical haiku poets drew inspiration from their feelings about the natural world. I wrote these haiku in the space of time between winter and spring, which is also unfortunately the exam period where I am studying. The promise that spring (and the end of my exams) is around the corner, and the longing for endless days under the sun when I finally get to see my long-distance partner, is truly a powerful driving force!

I hope these haiku remind us all of springtime and the warmth of summer that follows.

Joelle A Godfrey

Joelle A Godfrey is a project manager, anime lover, poet, and fantasy / science fiction writer. When she is not writing, she enjoys listening to D&D podcasts, taking theology courses, playing video games, reading, and knitting.

Website: https://linktr.ee/jgodfrey

Joelle has four haiku featured in Volume 1:

Most of my haiku were inspired by being in nature: Walking on sunny days at the Morton Arboretum, sitting around a campfire on a summer night, and visiting a temple in Japan on a rainy day in late summer 2010. 

Ellen and Joelle, thank you for sharing what inspired your haiku. We are honored that you sent us your work.

See you soon for the next instalment in our series.

In the meantime, don’t forget to pick up your copies of The Auroras & Blossoms Haiku Anthology: Volumes 1 & 2!

The Auroras & Blossoms Haiku Anthology

And don’t forget, volume 3 will be out in a few weeks!

Cendrine & David

“A Warm Mug of Cozy Anthology: Volume 1” is Out Today!

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On September 4, 2023

In Announcements, Latest book releases, The Warm Mug of Cozy Corner

Hello everyone!

That’s it, the wait is finally over! A Warm Mug of Cozy Anthology: Volume 1 is out!

For our first anthology, we have found nine tantalizing tales that are the embodiment of the genre itself. Not only are they a lot of fun to read but also very unique in their storytelling too. There is plenty of warmth, humour and unusual settings in these wonderfully imaginative stories to keep you on your toes. You will be still guessing the twists right up until the end.

Contributors to A Warm Mug of Cozy Anthology: Volume 1 are: Saffron Amatti, Jake Collins, J. Ivanel Johnson, Denise Johnson, Natalie Klein, Caitlin McColl, Sam Morris, Julie A. Sellers, and Ian Tucker.

CLICK TO GRAB YOUR COPY

If you don’t see your favorite online store in the list, wait for a few days, and it should appear there. Please note that the anthology will not be available through Amazon.

When you purchase your copy, you do not just support this website, you also make it possible for the authors who have opted to receive royalties to be duly compensated for their hard work!

Banners

If you are a contributor to our anthology, we invite you to proudly display the banner below everywhere! Don’t forget to link to our store: https://warmmugofcozy.com/store.

Contributors and readers alike may also use the second banner.

We cannot wait to read your reviews of our anthology. Make sure you leave your thoughts on Goodreads and on the website of the store where you purchased your copy.

Have a wonderful week!

Cendrine & David

The Auroras & Blossoms Haiku Anthology: Focus on Julie Blitzer & Larissa Pereira Moraes

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On August 29, 2023

In Inspirational Artist Series

Welcome to our mini-series on The Auroras & Blossoms Haiku Anthology, which celebrates the poets featured in volumes 1-3.

Today, Julie Blitzer and Larissa Pereira Moraes are telling us what inspired the haiku & senryu they sent us.

Julie Blitzer

Julie Blitzer thrives on creating opportunities to support people in self-reflection and inquiry, as she believes these practices are fundamental to experiencing aliveness. She does this as a Grief Recovery Method® Specialist, end-of-life doula, Hoffman Process graduate leader, JourneyDance FacilitatorTM, wife, mother, hospice volunteer, community builder, and budding writer.

Website: https://www.authenticmatters.net

Julie has nine haiku featured in Volume 2 and is sharing what inspired two of them:

“Duality” was inspired by a dharma talk given at the start of a yoga class that I attended years ago. It came to mind recently because I am getting more involved in the “Death Positive” movement. I’m hopeful that our culture remembers that embracing death is actually life-affirming. 

“Receiving” was inspired by a painting that I discovered after unpacking from a move. The subject in the painting has an outstretched arm with something white in her hand. It’s a beautiful depiction of one side of a peaceful exchange.

Larissa Pereira Moraes

Larissa Pereira Moraes was born in Brazil but feels more Indian than Brazilian, having lived there for 15 years. Her passion for poetry started at a young age, always writing (and drawing) stories capturing her vast imagination and experiences. From writing to learning new things, she is always up for a new, exciting challenge!

Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larissa-p-moraes

Larissa has eight haiku featured in Volume 2:

This was my first ever attempt at writing haiku and senryu, so the challenge was quite exciting. I particularly enjoyed the theme of positivity that Aurora and Blossoms brought to the table because oftentimes I find inspiration in the opposite.

So, when writing my selected haiku, I found inspiration in the poem “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” by William Wordsworth. Nature can be an escape to our hardships, especially when there is nowhere to run. Even something, as simple as looking at the clouds, can embrace us in a comforting consolation. And I found that to be the main source of inspiration for my poems, even those not directly referencing nature.

With that being said, I find myself maturing with the seasons, and then starting all over again. These haiku serve as a reminder, to me, that there will be moments in our life that we feel completely alone and that it won’t get better, but those moments will pass because every sunrise we get offers a chance to change our story. 

Julie and Larissa, thank you for sharing what inspired your haiku. We are honored that you sent us your work.

See you soon for the next instalment in our series.

In the meantime, don’t forget to pick up your copies of The Auroras & Blossoms Haiku Anthology: Volumes 1 & 2!

The Auroras & Blossoms Haiku Anthology

And don’t forget, volume 3 will be out in a few weeks!

Cendrine & David

The Warm Mug of Cozy Anthology: Focus on Julie A. Sellers

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On August 28, 2023

In Latest book releases, The Warm Mug of Cozy Corner

Welcome to our mini-series on A Warm Mug of Cozy Anthology, which celebrates the writers whose stories are featured in our inaugural volume.

Today, Julie A. Sellers is telling us what inspired her story “The Mystery of the Frisky Deer.”

A laughing confession by a friend about a mistaken identity that led to a hot tip to the police inspired “The Mystery of the Frisky Deer.” Her situation was so humorous that I knew it would be the basis for a good story. I blended my friend’s experience with one of my own involving teenage pranksters and Christmas decorations. I added a pinch of humor and a dash of observation about human nature in small towns, and the result is a cozy mystery about community, misunderstanding, and ultimately, understanding.

Julie A. Sellers began writing at an early age. She has published three academic books, and her creative prose and poetry have appeared in many publications, including 105 Meadowlark Reader, Wanderlust, and The Very Edge. She was the Kansas Author’s Club Prose Writer of the Year in 2020 and 2022, and the Overall Poetry Winner (2022) / Overall Prose Winner (2017, 2019) in the Kansas Voices Contest.

Julie has authored Kindred Verse: Poems Inspired by Anne of Green Gables (Blue Cedar Press, 2021) and the novel Ann of Sunflower Lane (Meadowlark Press, 2022).

Website: https://julieasellers.com

Thank you for sending us your story, Julie! We know people will love reading it as much as we have.

See you soon for the next instalment in our series.

In the meantime, don’t forget to pre-order your copy. It is 50% off the retail price until September 3, 2023!

(You will only have to pay $2.99 $5.99.)

CLICK TO GRAB YOUR COPY

Cendrine & David

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