Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
The awesome co-hosts for the September 6 posting of the IWSG are Sonia Dogra,J Lenni Dorner,Pat Garcia, Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen, and Meka James!
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Remember, the question is optional!
September 6 question: The IWSG celebrates 12 years today! When did you discover the IWSG, how did you connect, and how has it helped you?
I can’t answer the first part of this question because I don’t remember when or how I discovered this group, but I’m glad I did!
I’ve met so many writers and readers here, and I started as a complete newbie! No connections to anyone in the writing community, no idea what to do or how to do it when came to publishing or how to slog through the ups and downs of this business.
I learned a lot from reading about how others managed their writing, their roads to publishing, and their marketing strategies. The best part was that nobody criticized me for my ignorance. They helped when I asked, they encouraged me when I messed up, and they cheered me on when I did something right.
You can’t ask for more than that from any group.
Jump over to IWSG and answer this question. Share your experience with all the members.
And now it’s time to showcase a new book by L. Diane Wolfe.
Not All Werewolves are Vicious Alphas
If you follow werewolf stories, you’ll notice there’s a trend in books and movies. Most shifter books focus on a dominant male alpha. (Sometimes it’s the woman!) While movies tend to portray werewolves as savage creatures that will rip you to shreds.
Are all werewolves like that? Well, since they aren’t real anyway, I say no!
Think about it. Inside the wolf is still a human being. Why would that person change drastically in nature just because his or her body changes? Especially if they were only part lycan—some of their true nature would come through.
Nicholas is a shy young man but with a great big heart. His change to a werewolf would not result in a wild beast intent on killing. His shy awkwardness would still be present, along with his genuine caring for others, especially those he loves.
The result is some rather tender moments between the leads, even when he’s in lycan form. There are some tense, scary moments, especially the moment when Vicki discovers his true nature. (And I’m very proud of that scene.) But their interaction is anything but savage or dominating.
In fact, I bet it’s one of the sweetest werewolf stories you’ve ever read!
About the Book
In Darkness: The Werewolf
By L. Diane Wolfe
Souls shrouded in darkness…
On her own in England, Vicki trains at a prestigious fencing school. Face marred by a birthmark, she’s suspicious of Nicholas’ attention. A dinner date reveals his genuine interest and they begin to connect. Nicholas is attractive and she wonders why he’s so shy and reclusive.
Then one evening she happens upon him changing into a lycan. Every werewolf legend is challenged by the gentle, fearful creature before her. Vickie accepts his secret, but Nicholas knows he’s an unpredictable beast. Can they trust love enough to overcome their physical challenges?
Release date – Sept. 5, 2023
Romance/Paranormal/Shifter, Romance/Paranormal, Fantasy/Paranormal
$3.99 eBook ISBN 9781939844927
A professional speaker and author, L. Diane Wolfe conducts seminars, offers book formatting, and author consultation. She’s the senior editor at Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C. and contributes to the Insecure Writer’s Support Group.
http://www.spunkonastick.net/ - Spunk On A Stick
http://www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com - Spunk On A Stick’s Tips
http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/ - Insecure Writer’s Support Group
Links:
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRR4VLN7/
iTunes - https://books.apple.com/us/book/x/id6445310855
Barnes & Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940165994548
Kobo - https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=9781939844927
Scribed - https://www.scribd.com/search?query=9781939844927&language=0
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75711711-in-darkness
Quote of the Month: “The currency of real networking is not greed but generosity.” — Keith Ferrazzi.
I you’d like to continue networking with me, please join me on SUBSTACK. I post monthly at Substack unless something very special comes up. Hope to see you there!
Such a supportive group, no judgement. And I’m sure many would now count you as someone who helped them out when they needed it most.
Glad you have found this group to be a benefit. I’ve often read post by you and others about the group, but have never joined it. Don’t know why, but lately been pretty busy.
Finally found a moment to hop around. I love this group. Like you said, It’s support and encouragement helps in so many ways.
Congratulations to Diane’s new release!!!
Wonderful post, Lee. I couldn’t agree more with your assessment of our group. I, too, watched from the sidelines for a bit, though joining was inevitable 😉
I’ll check out Substack soon as I get a minute.
Congratulations to Diane; her new book sounds fantastic!
Very true. No criticisms and plenty of support. It’s a great group!
The IWSG has done much for the writing community. Long may this continue.
I’d be lost without IWSG, Lee. Great post here. All the luck with your new release, Diane. Imagine. A shy werewolf. Intriguing. Again, congratulations, Diane!
I love this group. There aren’t many things on the internet that I would mourn missing, but if IWSG went away tomorrow, I would be sad.
Hi Lee,
I left a comment, but I’m not sure it went through. Anyhoo, I was here;)
Congrats to all IWSG members on our 12th anniversary.
Congrats to Di on her wonderful book AND Congrats on Shattered’s award.
I love your quote.
I’m leaving a comment again so maybe I will see the others.
Congrats to Diane!
The ISWG has grown so much since the beginning. Gosh, 12 years.
Hi Lee - I’ve seen Substack around … but just keep on doing! Thanks for popping by - I think we’ve both been around since A-Z started and at the same time the IWSG - which I eventually realised I might enjoy - cheers to you and to Diane for her new book … Hilary
Congrats to Diane on her new book. I can’t remember exactly when I discovered the IWSG either. Just that it was before 2014 when my husband died. I’m so grateful for this group.
Hi, Lee,
Same here. This group has helped me grow muscles and conquer my fears.
We have a great bunch of writers here.
Take care.
Shalom shalom
We were all beginners once, and when we’re not it’s our job to pay it forward and help the newbies out. I’m glad you found the community you needed when you needed it.
Hi, C. Lee,
I didn’t know about Diane’s new book-congratulations to her! I also love the nonjudgmental vibe of the IWSG, a warm, welcoming group. A great place to learn!
So glad you’re here.
I’m grateful to have gotten to know you. I enjoyed reading one of your books two weeks ago. Hope you’re doing well.
I’m excited about the werewolf book. It’s on my blog tomorrow!
The IWSG is celebrating 12 years today, which is so amazing for a blogging community of writers. A dozen years of support! 🎉
“The only thing you absolutely have to know is the location of the library.” – Albert Einstein quote
September is library card sign-up month! Get one, use one, and be grateful such places exist.
J Lenni Dorner (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Speculative Fiction &Reference Author, OperationAwesome6 Debut Author Interviewer, and Co-host of the #AtoZchallenge
I’m glad you enjoyed the others and excited to visit you today.
My library card is as important or more so than my passport!
I[‘m glad you found us too!
Congrats to Diane!
I agree. I think IWSG has changed my life. And I will always appreciate that we got to be published at the same time. That was very kewl.
Serendipity! I love it when good things happen like that.
Hi, Lee! It was inspiring to read the ways in which the IWSG has helped you! You have certainly been a great participant, always helpful and encouraging. Thanks for sharing Diane’s book. It sound delightful!
Hi Louise,
Thank you for that. It’s easy to be helpful when the people here are so nice.
A charming post by L. Diane Wolfe. I like the idea of a shy and sweet werewolf. And why not? He is your werewolf. You invented him. He can be whatever you wish him to be.
Thank you, Olga.
I’d prefer his personality to the opposite. That’s for sure.
I’m super thankful for this group and the opportunity it presented to let us meet.
Grats to Diane!
Yes. Meeting other writers and readers has been the best.
I am constantly blown away by the talent of ISWG members. And this reader is very, very grateful to Alex for bringing them together.
And thank you for (yet again) tempting my bookie lust. Congratulations to Diane.
You’re a major part of this community. I love your photo stories and the word game that you post. You’re tireless.
I’m glad you found it, Lee, because I wouldn’t have found your excellent books otherwise.
The true is on my side as well. So glad we connected and I could enjoy some time in pre-history!
This group has literally brought me back to my writing several times when I walked away and felt I couldn’t type another word. I’m so thankful I found my way to this lovely group 🙂
That’s wonderful, Jen. Good to hear.
You definitely can’t ask for anything more!
Congratulations to Diane. Good point that most werewolf movies feature a deadly beast.
Thanks for the idea of IWSG. It has been great for the years I’ve been aboard.
The IWSG is such a fabulous place to learn and find friends!!
Good luck to Diane on her release!
We had a great place to hang out. That’s for sure.
Thank you so much for featuring my new release.
I’ve blogged for so long, I’d run out of things to say if not for this monthly hop.
Me, too! Totally understand.
Congratulations again on your book, and it was a pleasure to have you here today.