A Red Balloon, the Holiday Food Drive Blogfest and Friday Celebrations

(For my interview with The Vanished Knight author M. Gerrick please click here.)

The blogosphere lost a special friend this past week when Nick Wilford's stepson Andrew passed away in his sleep. Like many, I met Nick through the Overcoming Adversity anthology that he published to help raise money for Andrew's college needs. It was impossible to not be touched by Andrew's joyful spirit when visiting Nick's blog and the love between them was obvious to anyone who ever viewed a photo of the two together.

Andrew's funeral is being held today and the family will be releasing red balloons (red was Andrew's favorite color) as part of the service. Carrie Butler created the above balloon graphic for those of us who wanted to share a virtual balloon in Andrew's memory.

While I can't begin to imagine what Nick and his family are going through at this time, I hope they will eventually find some comfort in the fact that so many around the world were touched by their extraordinary son and his sunny disposition and optimism in the face of the obstacles that life put in his path.

Rest in Peace, Andrew. 

In brighter news, M.J. Joachim and Tina Downey are hosting the Holiday Food Drive Blogfest next week and I think they have come up with a wonderful idea for a fest.

The goal of the fest is to help food pantries in our communities by having participants write about a local food bank or organization and then contribute to their chosen organization in some way. As we all unfortunately know, food pantries are stretched to the limit in today's economy. MJ and Tina hope that this fest can help put food back on their shelves. Visit the fest page here for more details and to sign up to participate.

Finally, it's time to once again Celebrate the Small Things with Vikki at Scribblings of an Aspiring Author.

This week I'm celebrating that I received this box in the mail!

Yes, I'm just a little bit excited. :D The books look even better to me than I expected and I have to once again thank the amazing Michael Di Gesu for the cover he designed. Less than three weeks now until my release date.

And speaking of, I am totally overwhelmed by the support Lexa Cain and I have received for our Dream Destination Blog Hop and Giveaway to celebrate our December releases. Thanks again to everyone who has signed up and to those who have donated prizes for the event. Here is our current list of prizes:

Ebook copies of our books The Ghosts of Aquinnah & Soul Cutter

A 5 page critique from Lexa's agent Michelle Johnson of Inklings Literary Agency

A query critique from Michelle Johnson

An ebook bundle from my publisher Ink Smith Publishing

An ebook of Champion in the Darkness by Tyrean Martinson

A digital copy of The 13th Floor Complete Collection by Christine Rains

An ebook of Drowned Sorrow by Vanessa Morgan

An ebook from M. Pax
A Kindle copy of BESTEST. RAMADAN. EVER. by Medeia Sharif 
An ebook from Nicki Elson - winner's choice of Three Daves, Divine Temptation or Hans & Greta

A Kindle copy of The People We Used to Be by Madeline Mora-Summonte

A 5 page critique from C. Lee McKenzie 

Two ebook sets of Murder, Madness & Love and Memories of Murder by Yolanda Renee 

A Kindle copy of Marionette by TB Markinson
A Kindle Copy of Dangled Carat by Hilary Grossman
An ebook copy of The Guardian's Wildchild by Feather Stone

If you'd still like to sign up for the hop the Linky List is at the bottom of this post. And don't forget to visit here for my interview with M. Gerrick, AKA Misha Gericke, author of The Vanished Knight!

IWSG and the Overcoming Adversity Anthology

It's time for another meeting of the Insecure Writer's Support Group, hosted as always by the Ninja Captain himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh.

I was having trouble thinking of a topic for this month's group, and then I learned about the new book Overcoming Adversity - An Anthology for Andrew, which went on sale this week.

I missed the official release date, which was Monday, March 4, but I thought the IWSG meeting would be a great chance to help spread the word about this wonderful book, which is brought to us by fellow blogger Nick Wilford at Scattergun Scribblings.

Here is the information:

Blurb:
A collection of seventy moving and uplifting original pieces - real life, flash fiction, and poetry - about battling against the odds and the ultimate triumph of the human spirit. The contributors include Amazon bestselling authors Alex J. Cavanaugh and Kyra Lennon, and the cream of upcoming talent.

The anthology is part of a fundraising effort to send the editor's stepson, Andrew McNaughton, to a specialist college in England. Andrew has cerebral palsy, and is a remarkable young man with a promising future. However, the free further education options offered in his own country of Scotland will not challenge him and allow him to progress. In order to access the education he deserves, Andrew will have to pay exorbitant fees, thus creating a situation of discrimination.

Help us get Andrew to college by buying a book that runs the full gamut of human emotions, ultimately leaving you inspired and glad to be alive. Whatever struggles you are going through, our sincere hope is that this book will help.

Purchase Links:
Amazon UK
Amazon US
Smashwords
Goodreads

I remember reading some of the stories that are included in this book during the Overcoming Adversity Bloghop, and they are all truly moving and exceptional. And I can't imagine a better cause than helping a young man get the education he deserves. 

I thought this book fit in with the IWSG because for me, when I am struggling with insecurities, it can be very helpful to read inspiring stories of people who overcame their own personal obstacles and beat the odds. It's a great way to get me out of my own head and get my butt in gear.

So I'm excited to have the opportunity to help spread the word about this wonderful book and to help the cause in whatever way I can. I wish all the best and much success to Nick and Andrew! :)

Hope everyone is having a good March so far, and I wish everyone a great month ahead, with insecurities kept firmly in check so they can't cause any trouble. :D