Hey everyone!
I want to give a warm welcome to Beth Ann Masarik and the latest book that she has compiled (and edited). It’s called Writings From the Heart and all proceeds of this book go to a worthy cause. So without further delay I will turn everything over to Beth Ann!
Hello everyone! My name is Beth Ann Masarik, and today I am here to talk to you about an anthology that I put together for charity. The anthology is called Writings From the Heart: Stories and Poetry From Around the World. 30 poets and authors contributed to this great book, and all to help raise money for the pediatric cardiology unit at the Cohen Children’s Medical Center of NY. For the East Coasters, CCMC was formerly known as Schneider Children’s Hospital, and is part of the North Shore/LIJ health system. I chose this charity, because I had open heart surgery when I was a baby. The survival rate of a child who isn’t properly treated that has congenital heart disease, most likely won’t live past their 20s. To celebrate my almost 30 years of existence, and a successful surgery, I coordinated this project and want to give back to a team of doctors that gave me a real chance at life.
I’d like to share two things with you on the blog today. The first, is a trailer that I created for the book. The second, is an excerpt from one of the short stories that is in the anthology.
Here is the trailer:
And now for the excerpt!
The Princess and The Three Ugly Witches
By Uzma Chaudhry
Once upon a time there were three ugly witches who lived in the darkest recesses of a green forest. Witch-Time Waster spent her days pretending to be very busy.
“If only when she was pretending to be busy,” shrieked Witch-Everyone’s Out To Get Me. “She actually did something and not left it for me to do!”
Then there was the third witch. Her name was Over Friendly.
“She pretends to be everyone’s best friend,” croaked Witch-Time Waster. “And yet always says bad things about them behind their back.”
As the dawn of a new day bathed their wooden mansion with light and sunshine Witch-Over Friendly stumbled down the spiral stairs towards the kitchen.
“You’re late! Shrieked Witch-Everyone’s Out To Get Me. “It’s your turn to make the breakfast. And now because of you we’ve got nothing to eat.”
Witch-Over Friendly pushed her dirty matted red hair into a tight bun. She grabbed a pan with her claw like hands.
“Oh I’m sorry,” cackled Witch-Over Friendly. “My alarm didn’t go off. I’ll make you your favorite today-blueberry pancakes.”
Witch-Time Waster pretended to wash the dirty dishes that lay all over the kitchen counters. Her short brown hair was ragged and knotted- having never been brushed. She had no time for that!
“This time,” shrieked Witch-Everyone’s Out To Get Me. “Don’t burn them. The last time you did that I had to make everything again. And I’m sick of being the one that does all the work.”
Witch-Over Friendly looked at Witch-Time Waster and rolled her eyes. Witch-time Waster turned around and glared at Witch-Everyone’s Out To Get Me. From her filthy blond hair all the way to her dirty stained black dress.
To read the rest of the story and the others, please purchase a copy and support the pediatric cardiology unit. It is available in both paperback and all electronic formats through Smashwords, nook, and kindle. The paperback copy is only $13.00. I chose the number 13, because that is the day that I had my open heart surgery, and therefore, I consider it to be a lucky number. The electronic copy is $4.99. HOWEVER, I will be running a sale for the 4th of July holiday, and offering the e-book at half off.
I am also going to be doing a kindlegraph signing, which will be an all-day event, on July 2nd, so get your e-books soon so that I can sign them for you!
Here are the rest of the stops for the blog tour:
June 28-Audris http://yabookmark.blogspot.com/
June 29- Miriam Pia www.uranianfiction.webs.com & Adrienne deWolfe www.writingnovelsthatsell.com
June 30- Tiffany http://reviewsalatiffany.blogspot.com/
July 1-Heidi Permann www.rainydayramblings.typepad.com
July 2- Kindlegraph book signing and www.literarylunespublications.com release & new website launch party!
July 3-Vix Parungao http://www.mum-writes.com
July 4- Jenn at www.indiesupporter.com
You guys can follow me at www.bethannmasarik.com (which has links to all my other websites and blog.)
And you can also follow me on twitter at @theworldamongus and @literarylunes
Thanks again for having me on your blog today, Cambria!
What a fabulous book and cause! Thank you Beth for sharing it with us!!
thanks for having me on your blog again Cambria! You are awesome!