2015 Review: Reflections, Reflections, Reflections!



2015 Review: Reflections, Reflections, Reflections!


For our 280th post on the blog, I thought I’d talk a little about ‘reflections’. Just as a mirror reflects your image, the transition into 2016 offers us an opportunity for reflection.

As a whole new year approaches, we often have a moment or two to reflect on what happened throughout the past year. For some it may have been all good; others probably think it was the worst, and are looking forward to changes. But, I think for most of us, we can look back on the end of the year as a culmination of both good and bad events. Maybe you had to switch jobs, and the adjustment has been difficult, to say the least. However, there are positive aspects to that kind of life change as well. The future is uncertain, for sure, for anyone really these days, but it holds more promise than you realize. Maybe that job is the right fit. You just don’t know it yet. It’s all about perspective. As you look back on the past year and make your resolutions, try not to think of whether the glass is half full or even partially empty. Instead, remember the good moments and try to balance them with the bad. I bet you can recall some moments there where you were happy. Well, what were you doing that day? And who were you with? Store those memories to be cherished now and in the future. And the bad things that happened? They’re over now, and you can look on the new year as a fresh slate.


2016 will be a fresh slate for Writing in the Modern Age as well, and opportunities abound! Who knows? Perhaps the blog will go in directions I never imagined. That has been the path thus far, uncertain yet filled with enormous potential. Since its guest author launch in 2013, Writing in the Modern Age (#WritModAge) has housed hundreds of different writers and the blog is constantly expanding. From guest articles to author interviews, character interviews, poetry spotlights, reposted book reviews, special events all the way to the upcoming ‘Author’s Bookshelf’ feature, Writing in the Modern Age has certainly taken on a life of its own! And I can’t thank our guest authors and readers enough for not only visiting the site, but inspiring me to push forward, to try new things and make it the best I possibly can. Whether authors came to the site for an interview, to talk about a new book, or simply to offer advice to fellow writers, their efforts are much appreciated! Writing in the Modern Age was a project that began as a haven for writers of any stage to visit for writing tips, and it has also evolved well beyond that to a great place for readers, and lovers of any book genre, to find a new favorite author and to figure out what makes a writer tick. Also, since its inception, the blog has earned two awards! Yay! :)


And 2015 has been awesome! With almost 90 posts this year and 144 participating authors, I’d say we’ve done rather well! From author and character interviews to Rival Gates’ incredibly inspiring article about going your own way, to Diana Rubino and Barbara Weitzer’s advice that it’s never too late to publish, all the way to Arie Farnam’s tips on creating magic in your fantasy works, so much has happened! We even had several multi-author events: two big book giveaways, two extra special events hosted by yours truly, including a cool “Why Do We Write?” post, and two others done by talented author Lois W. Stern (she always has great ideas for collaborations). 

I can’t thank all of you enough, whether you contributed to the blog as an author or writer, or simply a reader who came across the site via social media. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making Writing in the Modern Age a lovely place writers can call home, and a site readers love to come back to time and time again! To further express my gratitude, let’s give a round of applause for all of your hard work this year!


Below I am including information about all the authors who were featured in 2015, either in an interview, article, book giveaway or other event. Each author or writer will be listed with a link to the most relevant website to find out more info about their books or writing. You will also see all the authors’ latest books, as well as their general location in the world. For what reader isn’t curious about where his or her favorite author hails from? And if the writer hasn’t yet published a book, an upcoming cover or simply an author picture will be included. Oh! You can also click on the book covers for a relevant purchase page.

Readers, enjoy the list and check out these great contributing Writing in the Modern Age authors!

Debbie White - California

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B0190O0IX0

Amber Skye Forbes - Georgia

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B01922P8YO

Edita A. Petrick -Toronto, Canada

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B018RCHYI8

 Susanne Matthews - Ontario, Canada

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B0195QNTQG

Rachael Stapleton - Ontario, Canada

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B012OD8IHC
 
Shannon MacLeod - South Carolina

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00IGFX5BM
 
Penny Estelle/P.A Estelle - Arizona

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B017HLRB5Q
 
Maxine Flam - California

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00980YAK4
 
Natalie Alder - Massachusetts

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B0112R7BHY
 
Ryan O'Leary - Toronto, Canada

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00IZUXCI4

Scarlett Jade/Caitlin Tull - Michigan

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B0104LR8S6

Sable Hunter - Texas

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B01637C114

Michele E. Gwynn - Texas

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B0187NPMF4

Nicole Andrews Moore/Emma Nichols - North Carolina

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00TWPBSNM

J. Rose Alexander - Pennsylvania

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B016NXGJ3Y

Susan Stoker - Texas

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B013RC91SE

Palessa - Jamaica

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B015C5UR3M

Jordyn Meryl - Iowa

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B01958Z1HY

Linda L. Picl - Wisconsin

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00TWPIOEI

Linda Lee Williams - Colorado

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B017WHH3BC

William H. Joiner Jr. - Texas

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B01992ZUYU

Linda Heavner Gerald - Florida

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B0161WIIH2

Kathryn Elizabeth Jones - Utah

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B013W0FVEE
 
Joseph M. Rinaldo - Tennessee

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00GCWNOQM

Carole McKee - Florida

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00YZMORE4

Ginger Ring - Midwest, U.S.A.

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B016JVQ0RA

Susan Mac Nicol - Essex, England

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B017EDPCT4

Mika Jolie - New Jersey

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B01882AZ8S

E.J. Frost - Manchester, England

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00RI96RAI

T.W. Embry - Florida

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00NW34S5K

Celia Kennedy - Washington

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B0163F3BWO

Dianne Hartsock - Oregon

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B0103SP4X6

Devika Fernando - Germany

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B018R5MG1U

Chris S. Hayes - Louisiana

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B01925DSMU

Rebecca L. Frencl - Illinois

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00YYS7P3Y

P.I. Barrington - California

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00L8FM978

Fiona Tarr - Australia

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B01009A58W

Belinda Y. Hughes - Louisiana

https://payhip.com/b/ZFcg

Olga Núñez Miret - Sheffield, England

 

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B016MKYRUA

 

Bernard Foong/Young - Hawaii

 

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B016WQ9SEO

 

Tina Donahue - Undisclosed

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B016RFAIPS

Nancy Christie - Ohio

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00M2AAHFO
 
Ivanka Di Felice - Italy

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00JZ0Y4BW

Philip Watling - Essex, England

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00NSXL6NG
 
Sue Raymond - Iowa

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B018V0EX58
 
Lisa Day - New Jersey

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00NZF6KQK

Steve Christie - Edinburgh, Scotland

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B010FR3QHQ

 

Crystal Miles Gauthier/Crysmisty Lee - Kentucky

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B0106L7HZ8

C.J. Anaya - Utah/Brazil/everywhere

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B0176JLHJA

Izzibella Beau - Georgia

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B018GI4UA8


Emily A. Lawrence - Transylvania

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00S6ZSXQE

Jami Brumfield - Arizona

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B019GITBP6

Lauren Peyton - Washington

http://bookgoodies.com/a/1503035778

Isobelle Cate - Manchester, England

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B016VFDOGO

Markie Madden - Missouri

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B010ZG317C

Rolando Calzada - North Carolina

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00NAX2XS6

Rival Gates - Nebraska

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00ZLX39VI

Michael Aronovitz/Nicholas Fisher - Pennsylvania

http://bookgoodies.com/a/978-1516935628

Lois W. Stern - New York

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B0184JSI7K

A.B. Funkhauser - Ontario, Canada

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00V6KLAMA

Chad A. Cain - Indiana

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00VQSHN3M

William DeSouza - Ontario, Canada
 
http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00TXM98I6


Diana Rubino - Massachusetts

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B017PF1HRW

Tamara Thorne - California

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B015NMZC6Q

Alistair Cross - West/New England, U.S.A.

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B0139K6N7Q

S.A Starcevic - Undisclosed

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B017MF67SY

Nathaniel Danes - Washington, D.C.

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B0187OAYGU

Frederick H. Crook - Illinois

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B0158XZXC8
 
Malay A. Upadhyay - India

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B019CSDBOW

S.C. Alban - California

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B017A1LDNY

Raegyn Perry - Washington

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B015NC4D8E

A.A. Schenna - Greece

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B019D70H8A

Mark Conte - Florida

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00VMZVMUE

Nicole Garcia - New York

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B0168P4B78
 
Maighread MacKay/Margaret Hefferman - Ontario, Canada

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B01452HED4

Brandon Harper - Texas

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B019J1F6LI
 
Francis H. Powell - Paris, France

http://bookgoodies.com/a/0988664097

Mark Newhouse/M.H. Newhouse - Florida

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B019NUGDBM

K.C. Sprayberry - Georgia

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B019D8DWH2
 
Nina Soden - Southern U.S.A.

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00VUK6SQY

Margo Bond Collins - Texas

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B01516T1KW

Jennifer Chambers - Oregon

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B0176XGJWG

Viv Drewa - Michigan

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B015HXPEUA

Giulietta M. Spudich - London, England

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B0192KE9H8

KateMarie Collins - Washington

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B018SSJO1Q

Mel Massey - Washington

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B014JMYW5S

Gloria Weber - Ohio

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B014FVNRUE

Samantha Cross - Michigan

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00X68H7BS
 
Silvia Villalobos - California

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00XWBBPOE

Sheila R. Lamb - Virginia

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B011J4J1MI
 
David Chandler - Pennsylvania

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B015D9Z69C

Robin Leigh Morgan - New York

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00QH15K4M

A. Silenius - Arizona

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00ES5J6I0

Luke Green - Japan

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00IUCKI1Q
 
Richard Ayre - Northeast England

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00Y8R7GVM

Cynthia Ley - Pacific Northwest (U.S.A)  

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00OI1PE30

Angela Deppeler - Tennessee

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00W4B2PVA

K.A. Davis/Kathleen Andrews Davis - Pennsylvania

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B017HLRB2O

Heidi Renee Mason -Washington

 http://bookgoodies.com/a/B014V2H2I0


Alisa Mullen - Texas

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B0178AC4TO

Dan Buri - Oregon

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B0163NLWDQ

Kat Schuessler - Ohio

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00WFEI6KA
 
Arie Farnam - Czech Republic

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B016DJBP8C

L. Anne Carrington - Pennsylvania

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B015CDOORY

Austen Knowles/Lacy S. Kinsley - Undisclosed

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00KMBU5LQ

Natalie O'Neil - New Jersey

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B013V3NS7Y

Carl R. Brush - California

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B019CWLBQI

Barbara Weitzner - Florida

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B015WMUZ0A
 
Jennifer Conner - Washington

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B019E764YA

Amber Daulton - North Carolina

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B01863LLYG

Angela Ford - Ontario, Canada

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B018R7TJTU

Sharon Kleve - Washington

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B019DGNIYQ

LaRae Parry - Utah

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00QHDB8LO

Vanayssa Somers - Port Alberni, Canada

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B019CVEYE0
 
E.B. Sullivan - California

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B019D7KHC6
 
Nicole Rose - New York

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00Q20HU32

Lannah Sawers-Diggins - Australia

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B003XVYJZA

Laura Graham - Italy

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B0058DVVR0

Vicki-Ann Bush - Nevada

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00W80HU80

Rosemary Richings - Toronto, Canada

 
Gail Picado - California

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B012BJ9LWA
 
Kris Noel - Undisclosed

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00OCAWZB6

Andy Ruffett -  Toronto, Canada

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00EZ7XIA8

Doug Bolton - Oregon

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B0083LUGVG

Elaine C. Pereira - Michigan

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00RZWGCQW
 
Pam Handa - India

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00B0W0HHI

Jim Anders - New Jersey

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00GZRZIZ4

Ann Morris - Iowa

http://www.authorannmorris.com/books.php

I hope you enjoyed the list. Authors, once again, thank you all for being a part of Writing in the Modern Age this year! And readers, we really appreciate you stopping by the blog. ;) Don’t forget to mark your calendars for January’s big giveaway!


Here’s to a wonderful 2016! Happy New Year, everyone! I’ll sign off now. And, as always, happy reading! :)
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31 comments:

  1. diannehartsockDecember 31, 2015 at 5:23 PM

    It's been a great year! Happy New Year Marie!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Frederick H. CrookDecember 31, 2015 at 5:57 PM

    Thank you for featuring me! :D

    ReplyDelete
  3. Edita A. PetrickDecember 31, 2015 at 6:08 PM

    Thank you, Marie, for putting this together. Your effort is very much appreciated. Happy New Year 2016.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Susanne MatthewsDecember 31, 2015 at 6:30 PM

    Thank you so much for allowing me to be part of this wonderful blog.

    ReplyDelete
  5. KC SprayberryDecember 31, 2015 at 6:55 PM

    What a wonderful end to the year. Thank you so much, Marie, for inviting me to be part of this!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Fiona TarrDecember 31, 2015 at 8:39 PM

    It was great to join you this year Marie. Best of luck for 2016.

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownDecember 31, 2015 at 9:40 PM

    Thanks for the shout out!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Devika FernandoDecember 31, 2015 at 10:15 PM

    Thanks a lot for including me. I love being part of your endeavors. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Linda Lee WilliamsDecember 31, 2015 at 11:30 PM

    Thank you, Marie, for all of your support. You are truly an author's best friend. Happy 2016! :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. OlgaJanuary 1, 2016 at 5:53 AM

    Thanks so much Marie! Happy to be in such great company. I hope 2016 is a fantastic year for the world and for all of us!

    ReplyDelete
  11. KathleenJanuary 1, 2016 at 8:04 AM

    You do a great job Marie. I'm happy to have met you. The very best to you and your family in the New Year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marie LavenderJanuary 14, 2016 at 10:27 PM

      Thanks, Kathleen! It was a pleasure meeting you too!

      Delete
  12. L Anne CarringtonJanuary 1, 2016 at 5:55 PM

    Thank you for your dedication and hard work. It is an honor to be among so many talented authors. May you have more success in 2016.

    ReplyDelete
  13. UnknownJanuary 2, 2016 at 8:31 AM

    Thanks Marie for putting this together. I'm sure it was a lot of work!

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousJanuary 2, 2016 at 9:20 AM

    I must take this opportunity to say "thanks", and to offer my thoughts about one of the authors recognized in this post. Carole McKee is a true "diamond in the rough", and may be the best writer I have ever read! Her writing style brings the reader right into the middle of the story, and engages you as one of her characters! Thank you for including her in your blog, and thank you Carole for bringing Perfect to the world!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marie LavenderJanuary 14, 2016 at 10:29 PM

      Oh, it's my pleasure! I love Carole! She's a sweet person, and a great writer. She'd be happy to hear you say that! :)

      Delete
    2. Carole McKeeJanuary 15, 2016 at 8:59 AM

      Wow! Thank you, Anonymous! Thank you for such high praise. I believe you made my year! I hope I can live up to your expectations, in the future. Thanks, again!

      Delete
  15. UnknownJanuary 5, 2016 at 2:06 PM

    Thank you for the opportunity to appear on this fantastic blog. I wish you continued success.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marie LavenderJanuary 14, 2016 at 10:30 PM

      Thank you for guesting on here, Rival! And thanks for the good wishes! I wish you tons of success as well in the new year!

      Delete

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