Hipster Word of the Week – Dealate

I hope you will tame the cacogen in you and enjoy this festive season.  This week's hipster word is the last of the series.  With the new year, ATUA will present your with a new theme!  Don't miss it! DEALATE v. rob or divest of wings. Oh God!  I think that Mitch up there in the tree, dealating that angel! Your turn!  Leave your sentence in the comment section. Source: Luciferous logolep...

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Review Wednesday – A Bouquet of Dilemma

Young conservative Tobi will soon be attending university, yet she's never been in love.  That is, until she meets Richard, a dashing carefree man with a tumultuous past who is about to turn her world upside down.  Their love story is Hollywood worthy until Richard leaves for London in the hopes of bettering his situation.  Promises are exchanged but despite Tobi's efforts, it soon becomes clear that Richie boy is not coming back home.  Time is running out for our heroin; she needs to find a husband before she graduates. ...

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Hipster Word of the Week – Cacogen

Don't make too many bantling; alimony is not something you want to have to deal with.  This week, a word for the solitary inner hipster. CACOGEN n. - an anti-social person Matt is such a cacogen.  Seriously, there's a limit to being underground! Your turn!  Leave your sentence in the comment section! Source: Luciferous logolep...

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The Sunday Special - The Mother Lode Manifesto

  In recent years, women have been more active and successful in the business sphere than at any other time in history.  However growing, their numbers are still small compared to men's.  Why is that?  Simple.  Because women have been trying to emulate men rather than create businesses that truly reflect them.  As a result, the Superwoman complex has emerged.  Women expect to perform like men while still managing to take care of their families like a homemake.  Needless to say that is very demanding...

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Author Interview Series – Kenneth Radu

Today I have the pleasure of hosting fiction author Kenneth Radu.  I met Mr Radu at the first reading I event went to.  His stories were amazing.  After the reading, he was kind enough to answer my question but also to ask me a few questions about my own writing.  I feel honored that he accepted to be featured on ATUA.  Would you say you’ve always been a writer or that it’s something that came later in life? Do you remember the first story you wrote? Before learning how to write connected prose, I do remember...

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Review Wednesday – Darkness and the Radiance of Neamh

Edmund thought his problems were over when he finally died after surviving by ghastly means an apocalyptic epidemic of influenza.  He couldn't have been more wrong.  ASA, a super computer with artificial consciousness, has decided to bring him back to help her expand to all known universes.  After killing himself thirty times and being revived as many times (much to his annoyance), he decides to accept ASA's offer.  His mission will take him on an adventure fraught with danger and rich in new discoveries.  Soon, the...

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Wild Writers Literary Festival Series – From literary journal to small press success

Here is the third installment of the Wild Writers Literary Festival Series.  Missed the previous ones?  Check them out!  #1 #2. This panel was moderated by Carrie Snyder and included panelists Nancy Jo Cullen (Canary), Elisabeth de Mariaffi (How to Get Along with Women), Colette Maitland (Keeping the Peace) and Claire Tacon (In the Field). CS:  I would like to hear you talk about your work process, themes and obsessions for you books. EdM: The elaboration of my book, How to Get Along with Women, was like a moving...

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Hipster Word of the Week – Bantling

Is that a new wig?  You shouldn't try to conceil your acomia!  Anyway, more shame this week as we learn about your inner hipster's dark past. BANTLING n. - brat; illegitimate child. Sometimes I wonder if I'm not Steve Job's bantling.  Your turn!  Leave your sentence in the comment section! Source: Luciferous logolepsy...

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Wednesday Review – Learn to Tie a Tie with the Rabbit & The Fox

I don't usually review children's books because I don't have children and thus don't usually have the opportunity to read that kind of literature.  So when author Sybrina Durant gave me the opportunity to review hers, I was delighted. Learn to Tie a Tie with the Rabbit & the Fox is a cute story that teaches kids – you will have guessed – how to tie a tie through the Native American lore of the Rabbit and the Fox. The instruction are very well integrated to the tale, as a result, it flows naturally.  Thanks to this, I think...

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Wild Writers Literary Festival – Making the Most of your Blog

This week I bring you the second installment of the Wild Writer Literay Festival Series.  Missed the first one?  No problem! Follow the link. "You don't need a blog..." ...is the first thing Kerry Clare, professional blogger for Canadian Books website 49th Shelf, said when she began her workshop. Which was strange, since she was there to talk about blogging. She explained. Of course, blogs are a great way to express yourself, talk about your personal experiences, network, build a platform, etc.  But despite what editors...

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Hipster Word of the Week – Acomia

Last week's word was so underground you probably weren't able to use it.  This week, a disaster for our male inner hipster. ACOMIA n. - baldness. Have you seen Jeff latety?  His acomia has taken a turn for the worse.  Your turn!  Leave your sentence in the comment section. Source: Luciferous logolepsy...

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Dreamers Interview Series – Parham Yazdy

This week ATUA is hosting Parham Yazdy, photographer extraordinaire.  Parham mainly does architectural photography.  You can see his stunning shots on his website. Parham, you're the owner at Parham Yazdy Photography. Tell us a bit more about what you do.  I do architectural photography and I'm also interested in travel, landscape and event photography. I've been in love with photography for  over 15 years.  When I finally studied commercial photography, it became my specialty.  I've been in a business...

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Review Wednesday – Catching Fire

In January I reviewed The Hunger Games.  And now, to close the year, I'm reviewing Catching Fire. Katniss and Peeta are back in District 12 after their unorthodox victory in the 74th Hunger Games.  They now live in the Victors' village making it impossible for them to pick up their lives where they left them. While Katniss tries to make sense of her feelings for Peeta and Gale, she will have to face an entire new challenge to protect the ones she loves and her district from the Capitol.  In the growing threat of the Quarter...

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Wild Writers Literary Festival Series – The Rock Comes to Waterloo

Last november I had the chance to attend the TNQ's Wild Writers Literary Festival in Waterloo.  This was the second edition of the festival and I think they did an amazing job with the panels, workshop and other activities.  In the upcoming weeks, I will cover the different events I attented. *** The Rock Comes to Waterloo featuring Wayne Johnston & Donna Morissey The opening panel for the Festival was a conversation between authors Wayne Johnston (The Colony of Unrequited Dreams, A Wolrd Elsewhere) and Donna Morrissey...

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Hipster Word of the Week – Zygal

Did you entertain your inner hipster, yestreen?  Today, a word seemingly useless for daily conversation.  The stuff of hipsters, no doubt. ZYGAL adj. - h-shaped Have you seen the new apple store?  It's zygal. Your turn!  Leave your sentence in the comment question. Source: Luciferous logolep...

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Author Interview Series – Christine Miscione – Q&A + Giveaway winner!

I caught death last week and was unable to do anything but sleep.  I'm much better now and so I give you Christine Miscione's belated Q&A and giveaway winner! Lori Hayes asked Do you plan on keep writing short stories or is their a novel in the making also? For now my heart is with short fiction, but who knows what the future has in store. Congratulations Lori!  You win a signed copy of Auxiliary Skins!  Please contact me at stephanie.noel.writer(at)gmail.com to claim your prize!...

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Review Wednesday – In Falling Snow

Iris is peacefully living the end of her days in Paddington Australia with her daughter and grand-children when she receives a letter from the past.  Her friend Violet, to whom she hasn't spoken in decades, is inviting her to Royaumont, France, to commemorate the old abbeye they turned into a hospital during WWI.  From this moment, we take an erratic trip to the past, voyagaging through Iris's failing memory. In Falling Snow is the first international publication of Australian best-seller Mary Rose MacColl and what a novel it...

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Hipster Word of the Week – Yestreen

Last week, we added the word xanthic to your inner hipster chromatic vocabulary.  Today, we learn an underground word to talk about yesterday. YESTREEN n. - the night before Jill, I told you yestreen!  I will not go to the organic festival if Max is going. Your turn!  Leave your sentence in the comment section. Source: Luciferous logolepsy...

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Hipster Word of the Week – Xanthic

I see you got some pills prescribed for that witzelsucht of yours.  Good!  This week a very useful word to discuss hipster fashion.  XANTHIC adj. - yellow in color Camille's new xanthic scarve is soooo good for her complexion! Your turn!  Leave your sentence in the comment section.  Source: Luciferous logole...

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Author Interview Series – Christine Miscione

Today ATUA is proud to host Canadian author Chrisine Miscione.  Her first book, a collection of short stories titled Auxiliary Skins, was realeased in August 2013 and has been extremely well received.  I met Christine at a book launch for Norm Sibum's The Traymore Rooms and immediately connected with her.  On top of being an accomplished writer, she's one of the sweetest persons I've ever met.  A real inspiration! Information about the giveaway will follow the interview. Your first book, Auxiliary Skins, just came out...

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Review Wednesday – Breaking the Mold: Confessions of a Hippie ex-Pastor

Meet Charles McGarry, an ex-pastor with very interesting world views (hence the "ex"!),  In his short essay – a mere 50 pages or so – he shares with the reader everything he's come to discover is wrong about the Church (not to be confused with Faith!) and offers viable alternatives to make this world a better place.  The best part in all this is that The Confessions of a Hipie ex-Pastor is accessible to everyone, believer or not. I have to say that when I saw the title of the book, I was a bit put off.  I am weary of non-fiction...

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ATUA 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY GIVEAWAY WINNERS

Are you ready for the results of the giveaway? And the winners are... *drum roll* a Rafflecopter giveaway CONGRATULATIONS! Teodora you win the red prize and RJ Blain you win the blue prize! Please contact me by email before Friday November 15 to claim your prize and give me your shipping information. Thanks to everyone who participated!  ...

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Hipster Word of the Week – Witzelsucht

Have you brought your vade mecum with you today?  This week ATUA brings you another hipster health condition.  It's so obscure, you've probably never heard of it. WITZELSUCHT n. - emotional state characterized by futile attempts at humor. I don't know what's Mandy's problem.  Her jokes are so inappropriate that you'd believe she suffers from  witselsucht! Your turn! Leave your sentences in the comment section. Source: Luciferous Logole...

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Review Wednesday – Auxiliary Skins

Auxiliary Skins, A Collection of Stories, is Canadian author Christine Miscione' first book.  However, her work has been publish in numerous literary magazines and her story "Skin, Just" – which happens to be the first story of this book –  has won the first place in the Vanderbilt/Exile Short Fiction competition in 2012. Through her stories, Miscione explores the human body from every angle.  Proper and improper bodily functions are examined and exposed without discrimination for once every judgment and social consensus is...

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ATUA's 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY GIVEAWAY!

A Truth Universally Acknowledged is 1 year old!  Hooray!  I would never been able to make it without you, my loyal readers.  And so, to show you how much I care, I am hosting a giveaway! GIVEAWAY Enter and you could win one of two prizes!  The Red Prize is Camilla Gibb's Sweetness in the Belly and a fancy pink notebook.  The Blue Prize is Veronica Roth's Divergent and a classy blue notebook.  Leave a comment to tell me which one you want and earn an extra entry!   a Rafflecopter giveaway Will...

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