Life at Open Heart Publishing

Posts Tagged ‘an honest lie’

Just a reminder that submissions for An Honest Lie, Vol. 2: Delusions of Insignificance are due March 15. As in 15 days from now. As in just over 2 weeks.

Submissions should be 3,000-6,000 words and relate to the theme “Delusions of Insignificance.” You can write 200-400 words a day, can’t you? Be sure to read the FAQ before you submit: www.anhonestlie.wordpress.com/faq.

And to all of you who didn’t come to The Cave of Colors Premiere, nanny-nanny-boo-boo! It was a wonderful time. More on that later, but in the meantime you can order your copies of The Cave of Colors, An Honest Lie, Vol. 1, or A Children’s Book of Necromancy from the OHP website.

I’m cracking it to remind you that submissions for An Honest Lie, Vol. 2 will close on March 15, just a little over a month from today. Unlike last year, the deadline will not be extended, so be sure to turn in your work on the theme “Delusions of Insignificance.” Submissions should be at least 3000 words in length and no more than 6,000 words total. Please be sure to read the faq for further details before submitting: www.anhonestlie.wordpress.com/faq.

In addition, the deadline is also March 15 to be considered as a writer or illustrator for an upcoming serialized fiction project with Open Heart Publishing. The setting is modern and based around a specific location and a diverse cast of characters; the “story collections” created by this team will be linear and as such the changes to characters within the story will have unique effects to plotline and development, and authors chosen for this episodic serial will receive full credit for the pieces. For more information regarding those writing and illustration opportunities, click here: http://debrincase.com/blog3/opportunities-with-o-h-p/

Artists interested in doing illustration for other projects should send a link to their work to ohpcareers@debrincase.com.

Open Heart Publishing announces the premiere of “The Cave of Colors,” an Open Heart Opportunity Project. The focus of the event is “The Cave of Colors,” a children’s book with accompanying audio that was conceived and written by children. 100% of the profits from sales of “The Cave of Colors” will benefit a charity of the childrens’ choosing.

The story of “The Cave of Colors” revolves around a magical place called The Cave of Colors, wherein everything you say and do happens.

Sunday February 28, 2010. Doors open at 12:45 pm at the Center for Spiritual Living facility at 4801 Spring Valley Rd (at International Pkwy.), Dallas, Texas 75244.

Meet some of “The Cave of Colors” children, buy your own copies of this charming book, and get more information on this and other Opportunity Projects.

Also featured at the Premiere will be “An Honest Lie, Volume 1: Encouraging the Delinquency of your Inner Child,” a short story anthology, and “A Children’s Book of Necromancy,” a spell-binding book by Debrin Case.

I recently asked all the authors from An Honest Lie, Vol. 1: Encouraging the Delinquency of Your Inner Child to answer the same question: How do you think your work for An Honest Lie relates to the theme Encouraging the Delinquency of Your Inner Child?

As you read these answers, don’t forget that you can help your favorite author win a book deal with Open Heart Publishing by either leaving a comment through their voting and purchase portal, here: http://ahlvol1vote.debrincase.com/, which is good for one point, or by purchasing your copy of An Honest Lie through their portal for 500 points.

Enjoy, and keep an eye on this blog, because The Children’s Book of Necromancy is coming soon!

Ilan Herman, author of Dilemma, said, “My protagonist in Dilemma starts out encouraging the delinquency of his inner child by being a calloused corporate lawyer. As the story evolves, he grows up and realizes what a jerk he’d become … and where the healing for him begins. ”

To vote for Ilan by leaving a comment or making a purchase, go here: Vote for Ilan Herman

Bob Clark, who penned Whatever Lulu Wants, had this to say. “I think that every character in my story Whatever Lulu Wants has an inner and outer child who is very delinquent. I often have no heroes in my stories because I am a closet delinquent and my characters live my inner child’s life.”

To vote for Bob Clark by leaving a comment or making a purchase, go here: Vote for Bob Clark

Eric Trant, who wrote The Apple Tree, said, “The Apple Tree involves two boys who question the ultimate authority: The Almighty God of Heaven and Universe. And isn’t that the definition of our childhood delinquencies, to question authority, and with the impudence of youth believe we know better? These are my insolent, delinquent youths. They’re geniuses. Because they say so.”

To vote for Eric by leaving a comment or making a purchase, go here: Vote for Eric Trant

The Apple Tree illustration by Eric Carbrey

The mind behind Gran’s Prophesy, C.B. Calsing, said, “Children are creators. They create everyday, whether it’s playing house with friends or baking mud pies. Adults, on the other hand, generally do not create. Very few try to find some sort of outlet for that spark that used to burn so brightly as a child. One speaker I saw at a recent International Reading Association workshop pointed out that adults always promise themselves they’ll start journaling or taking a class to learn pottery or painting or whatever — trying desperately to find that drive to create they had as children — but they seldom take it to the next level.
I am very fortunate to be able to write fiction. I like to think that the childishness in me never died like it has in some people. The plays I performed on the lawn in the yard when I was six and seven are replaced by these flights of inked fancy. I think in writing, I continuously encourage the delinquency of my inner minor (she drinks quite a lot). In that way, I am a lot like Keldon/ Rupert in “Gran’s Prophecy.” We both had dreams as children and found ways to make those dreams work as adults without crushing the innocence and brightness within. Keldon/ Rupert allows himself, as an adult, the same hope, the same drive to imagine and create, that he had as a child. For this, initially he is ostracized, but when he finds the proper outlet, he is accepted.
I hope that readers take away from this the idea that it is okay to be a little crazy. It is okay to play with mud and laugh hysterically. It is okay to try to fit on a Big Wheel and ride around the block. We all need that release of childishness to give us balance. Like Keldon/ Rupert, we all need to remember our dreams as children and let out inner child out to create again.”

To vote for C.B. Calsing by leaving a comment or making a purchase, go here: Vote for C.B. Calsing

M.E. Johnson, the author of Crossing the Guard and senior editor at Open Heart Publishing, said, “As a child, there was not only the self encouraged delinquency that could be found in all of us, there was also the urge to drag others into joining us in those same-said high-jinks. Somehow, it was always much more fun when you could get others involved in it. I think that directly relates to my work for An Honest Lie. Part of my job is finding good authors to publish, good authors to join in the high-jinks going on at An Honest Lie.”

To vote for M.E. Johnson by leaving a comment or making a purchase, go here: Vote for M.E. Johnson

Crossing the Guard illustration by Kelly Jacobi

Robert Dean, who wrote Blue Eyeliner, said, “I’m a 13-year-old boy trapped in a 28-year-old man’s body. It’s hard for me to even admit I’m a man. How I ever got to adult status is beyond me or my comprehension.”

To vote for Robert Dean by leaving a comment or making a purchase, go here: Vote for Robert Dean

Alexander Francani, the author of Honey, Legos, a Squirrel, Marcus, and Me, said, “I have an old man that is grieving after the death of his beloved wife. She was the only good thing in his life, then she died. He is broken down by life. Most people would say that there is a grieving period and when that is over, it is time to move on with life again. Well, our hero decides to place himself in fake comas so his daughter will take care of him. An outsider would find this to be quite childish. However, he is not a child, nor is he acting like a child. He is a self-indulgent old man who’s broken and afraid to or unwilling to be fixed. It isn’t until later on in the story that he is blessed with childish inclinations again. He goes to McDonald’s, orders a Happy meal, and learns about Love. I believe that a child, and the delinquency thereof, is the beautiful resilliance and faith that allows a person to bounce back from even the greatest of tragedies. Children don’t yet know that giving up is an option. So they live. In my story, it took a child, to teach my old man to live again. Oh crap. That sounds trite and overwrought.”

To vote for Alexander Francani by leaving a comment or making a purchase, go here: Vote for Alexander Francani

Victoria Joyner, who penned July Burning Bright, said, “Everybody will go screwy for something. Over a girl. Or a big brother who’s always been everything you’re not. Or because a holiday just has to live up to expectations. Or just because it’s summertime and summer was made for misbehavior. Considering what we’ll do when we’re older, know better, and no longer laugh when someone says “Uranus” (or aren’t supposed to), it’s pretty clear the inner child doesn’t need much encouragement to step into the limelight … a very gentle shoulder tap will do.”

To vote for Victoria Joyner by leaving a comment or making a purchase, go here: Vote for Victoria Joyner

July Burning Bright illustration by Erin Marissa Russell

Germaine Shames, who wrote Counter-Indications of Trance on the Male Libido, said, “In my story, Counter-Indications of Trance on the Male Libido, under hypnosis the subconcious mind of a grown man comes out to play like a delinquent child. Naughty, naughty…”

To vote for Germaine Shames by leaving a comment or making a purchase, go here: Vote for Germaine Shames

Alyssa Cooper, the author of My Dead Isn’t Dead, had this to say. “In my story, the narrator does as most children do when confronted with a situation that defies reality: she accepted it. Rather than taking an introspective approach to what has happened or questioning her own involvement in creating the situation, the narrator responds by placing the problem where she does not have to analyze her own actions. Never at any point does she begin to question how she might have gone about things a different way or what could have prevented things from transpiring in the manner they do. Essentially, the narrator remains in an altered state of logic, unable to recognize that it was her own flaws that cause this catalytic reaction in her malleable reality.”

To vote for Alyssa Cooper by leaving a comment or making a purchase, go here: Vote for Alyssa Cooper

William Terry, who wrote Situational Dyslexia, said, “Well, this is a question that I have asked myself several times. Situational Dyslexia is a story that ties together self-sabotage and insecurity. In my opinion, irrational action, like setting your house on fire to avoid a girlfriend, is something I could see myself doing when I was very young. I am twenty-six now, but I definitely would have done this at twenty-five. My inner child is a delinquent anyway, a delinquent with a book of matches and a mind that forgets where he put the gasoline.”

To vote for William Terry by leaving a comment or making a purchase, go here: Vote for William Terry

From left: Erin Marissa Russell, Melissa Cantrelle, Alyssa Cooper, Rhia Johnson, Eric Trant, Jon C. Forisha, ME Johnson

Way back in July of this year, several of the Dallas-local authors of An Honest Lie, Vol. 1 met with publisher and fellow author Debrin Case and editors ME and Rhia Johnson at Liberty Hall to rub elbows so when we have events things won’t be all awkward. Also because we are an incredibly talented lot, and it’s always good to share drinks and discussion with a table of authors, editors, and publishers.

You can read Eric Trant’s musings on the evening at his blog, Digging With the Worms.

I’d like to say, before you read Eric’s blog and start wondering, that I only carry batteries in my purse (both AA and AAA) because I usually need them for my digital camera or voice recorder. I have another job as managing editor at the Brookhaven Courier, and it’s the end of the world if my voice recorder runs out of batteries.

From left: Erin Marissa Russell, Melissa Cantrelle, Alyssa Cooper, and Rhia Johnson.

At the time, I was an artist for An Honest Lie- Rhia Johnson was the junior editor as well as an author- and it was fascinating to hear the authors talk about their stories. I’d already drawn the illustrations, based on a scene Debrin had described, but I didn’t know who the people were, what was happening, or even what the stories were really about. The authors had a lot of fun hearing about one another’s work, too.

Don’t forget to support your favorite contributor to An Honest Lie, Vol. 1 by doing one or both of the following:
* Leave them a comment by clicking their name on this link: http://ahlvol1vote.debrincase.com/. A comment earns them one point toward a book deal with Open Heart Publishing.
* Purchase An Honest Lie, Vol. 1 through their portal by clicking on their name here: http://ahlvol1vote.debrincase.com/. A purchase earns them 500 points toward a book deal with Open Heart Publishing!

Also, there are only 95 days left to work on submissions for An Honest Lie, Vol. 2: they’re due March 15, 2010. Read over the submission guidelines here: http://anhonestlie.wordpress.com/2009/10/10/its-that-time-again/

Things are happening here at OHP, and as such, there are several positions just waiting to be filled by the right author, artist, editor, or salesperson. Check out the opportunities below and don’t be afraid to send a letter of interest- we don’t bite (much).

Writers and Illustrators

Open Heart Publishing is recruiting four people to form a creative production team.

Must be comfortable working on a managed and controlled product with expectations for results and serious deadlines.
Product is serialized fiction, setting is modern and based around a specific location and a diverse cast of characters; the “story collections” created with this team will be linear and as such the changes to characters within the story will have unique effects to plotline and development. Authors chosen for this episodic serial will receive full credit for the pieces.

To be considered for this position with Open Heart Publishing

Writers please submit 3 written examples as attachments in a .doc or .docx format, these examples must be
1. Real Life essay
(Humorous encounters from real life only 2,000 words or less)
2. Fiction
(Preferably fantasy fiction. In the areas of contemporary and urban tales, surrealism, magical realism, modern age fairytales, and folktales)
(3,000 words minimum – 5,000 words maximum)
3. The Pitch
(pitch us an interesting story concept revolving around “the heart of a butterfly” 1000 words or less)

Illustrators please send us 3 black and white illustrations of
1. A woman’s hand
2. A housecat
3. The interior of a bathroom in a small apartment
Please keep these illustrations simple and quick.

Send your submission packet to
ohpcareers@debrincase.com
Pay structure is royalty based.
Production begins May 1st 2010, so apply now.
Telecommuting is ok

Promotions

O.H.P. is looking for talented individuals who love the arts, namely the literary arts. These passionate people can help us expand our ever growing fan-base, and we can in turn compensate them handsomely for their efforts. If you are interested in learning more about this exciting position with O.H.P. send an email to ohpcareers@debrincase.com

An Honest Lie, Volume 1: Encouraging the Delinquency of Your Inner Child is now officially for sale! That’s right, copies now are up for grabs. Support your favorite contributor by purchasing from their portal at this link:

An Honest Lie Voting and Purchase Portal

Even if you aren’t ready to purchase just yet, leaving a comment helps your favorite author win a book deal, so don’t be shy.

Vote for your favorite An Honest Lie author today and help them win a book deal!

Every year An Honest Lie showcases new authors who are all vying for the opportunity to earn a book deal with Open Heart Publishing, and that is where your help is required. In order to win this book deal, they require your votes.

Just leave a comment at the link below, on their voting portal, to give them one vote. Or if you are serious about helping your favorite author win this book deal, then give them 500 points by purchasing a copy of An Honest Lie Vol. 1: Encouraging the Delinquency of Your Inner Child through the link below.

You can either vote and/or purchase copies directly at:
http://ahlvol1vote.debrincase.com. This link will also provide you with story excerpts and bio info for each author.

So vote today, vote often, and encourage others to vote for your favorite authors here.

Voting ends October 31st, 2010.

Once again, here’s that link!
http://ahlvol1vote.debrincase.com.

Joining us today is Debrin Case, founder and publisher of Open Heart Publishing and author of “Edgar’s Last Christmas,” a story in the upcoming “An Honest Lie, Volume 1: Encouraging the Delinquency of your Inner Child.”

Debrin, what do the names “Open Heart Publishing” and “An Honest Lie” mean to you?

The name Open Heart Publishing was actually my girlfriend’s idea.

Figure it out for yourself, it is a mystery and one I do not plan on revealing.

One of the upcoming books from Open Heart Publishing is “The Cave of Colors.” This book is part of the Opportunity project. Can you tell me a little about the Opportunity project?

Open Heart Publishing works hand in hand with youth organizations to instruct the future generations about the positive changes they can make in the world around them, as well as the limitless opportunity their lives will offer them so long as they are willing to look for those opportunities. Through the crafts of writing, art, editing, marketing and publishing these groups create a book the children then sell, and 100% of the profits benefit a charity of the children’s choosing.

To be considered as a candidate for having the youth of your charity become involved with the Opportunity project, express your interest via email at opportunityproject@debrincase.com.

In addition to everything else on your plate, you’ve just declared your intent to participate in NaNoWriMo, in which participants write a 175-page novel in 30 days. How do you possibly have time to do this, and would you encourage others to do the same?

Honestly, I don’t have time for this. As every writer knows, life gets in the way of writing.

Whether I complete the goal or not, I am looking forward to challenging myself in this fashion. Would I recommend others to attempt this? I would and I do, go ahead and visit the official site: www.nanowrimo.org. If you feel up to the challenge, sign up today.

Sounds like a double dog dare. Who or what would you say has been most instrumental to the development of your voice as a writer?

Everything.

From the guy that shot me the finger at me when I was seven years old to the first teacher who encouraged me to pursue writing as an avenue of creative expression. It’s all in there.

Tell me about your story in “An Honest Lie, Volume 1: Encouraging the Delinquency of Your Inner Child,” “Edgar’s Last Christmas.”

“Edgar’s Last Christmas” is a tale told in a narrative voice about the predicament a child may have to face if they happen to be slovenly or perhaps ungrateful, or it could explain the reason why socks are the least-desired present under a Christmas tree.

If you need an awesome gift idea for Christmas, just remember that people love books, especially anthologies (hint hint).

What was the most exciting part of working on An Honest Lie, and what was the most frustrating part?

The most exciting part was reading every one of the four thousand submissions received for this anthology’s first issue. We received stories from all over the country, and reading each author’s unique perspective on the theme (Encouraging the Delinquency of Your Inner Child) was truly exciting.

We passed on some excellent stories, a few feelings were hurt, and though we believe we chose the best tales that adhered to the theme, there were a few great ones that slipped through the cracks.

You’re the author of another upcoming book from Open Heart Publishing, “A Children’s Book of Necromancy.” Tell me a little about that.

I think it would be best to begin by asking, what is necromancy? Necromancy is the magical art associated with death, and more specifically, with the dead.

And besides all of that, it’s also a coloring book. This book is not recommended for children.

What other projects are upcoming at Open Heart Publishing?

Well of course we have the next installment of An Honest Lie. This time is Volume 2: Delusions of Insignificance, The Next Opportunity Project, and we also have three new projects that will be revealed in the months ahead.

Let’s assume you’re on Death Row. It doesn’t matter why. What meal would you choose for your last?

For some reason this question conjures up images in my imagination of being killed by a French firing squad, and so if I am going to go I might as well have the perfect meal.

If the bullet wouldn’t get me, the meal surely would.

I’m seeing two themes: bacon and fried. Very recently, the theme for An Honest Lie, Volume 2 was announced: Delusions of Insignificance. How was the theme chosen?

The themes that are chosen for An Honest Lie are themselves a definition of our masthead. If you pay attention to the themes, perhaps you will be able to discover the meaning of it all. I’m giving out a lot of clues here, think of it like a riddle, or an extended Koan, if you prefer.

Finally, Debrin, do you believe in life after death in any form?

I believe in life after death in many forms. One of my favorites happens to be in the form of various kinds of art, music, stagecraft, dance and most assuredly stories.

As to religious/ spiritual views about the subject, or theories involving the environmental recycling patterns of particles of subatomic matter, these things would be better discussed over a stiff drink and enough humor to alleviate whatever ails the world at that particular moment.

Like storybook characters of old, Debrin Case has traveled through “Faery,” that semi-mythical realm that resides someplace between the ears and the heart. Like many fellow pilgrims ahead of him who have survived this transformation, no one is quite sure whether he came out a poet or a madman. As a matter of fact, neither is he.

When asked of the validity of his tales he will normally reply, “My stories are 50% bullshit … and the rest is questionable, but at least they are honest.”

We’re here with artist Eric Carbrey, who did interior illustrations for “An Honest Lie, Volume 1: Encouraging the Delinquency of Your Inner Child.”

Eric, people often say art is a metaphor for life. How do you feel this applies to your own craft?

I feel as though my art reflects my inner self and thoughts. That what I put down on the paper has always been in me, waiting for the right opportunity to present itself to the world. Art is a reflection of a person in a given time.

In that way, your art could be said to be a chronological image of you as a person. How far back does your record go? When did you begin as an artist?

I have been an artist my whole life. I remember being a youngster, I spent a lot of my time drawing and painting, coloring in color books, never within the lines. I have always been interested in what art is and what art has to offer, the more time passes the more it consumes me.

So you’ve been at it a while. Have you chosen a favorite medium?

I enjoy all mediums. If I had to pick one I would say painting. But so often in my work the line between mediums has been blurred. I enjoy the fluid aspect of painting, things seem to keep going with or without you.

Tell us about the art you created for “An Honest Lie, Volume 1: Encouraging the Delinquency of Your Inner Child.”

The works I completed for An Honest Lie were a bit taxing. They did require an afternoon or two of brainstorming with my thinking cap on tight.

So you’ve mentioned drawing and painting … what other areas of the arts do you explore?

I really enjoy learning about new mediums and techniques, different ways to do old things, old ways to do new things. Right now printmaking has my interests piqued.

Eric, do you believe in magic?

Magic? Ummm maybe. I am pretty sure that someone can not make a helicopter appear out of thin air without some sort of smoke and mirrors, but I would have to say that there are things that cant be explained and maybe for the better. Is that magic? Maybe.

Definitely. How about this: Have you ever considered suicide as an alternative to procrastination?

Suicide as an alternative to procrastination, I think not, I have that whole procrastination thing down, and need no alternative.

Good answer. And what do you feel about quantum mechanical theories involving cats in boxes or rather sharp razors?

It seems like to me the deeper you get in to quantum theories the more the scientists sound like old tripped out hippies. As far as my thoughts on the quantum mechanical theories that involve cats, boxes, and rather sharp razors, I remain blissfully ignorant.

Back to reality, then. What other projects are you currently working on?

Always continuing my art, and pushing myself in my craft.

Ah, the neverending project. And who or what would you say inspires you as an artist?

I am inspired by the things I see and experience. I look at things and think about them, narrow in on the simple shapes, colors, and feelings in my life.

And a really important question. What is the meaning of life, the universe, and everything?

Sometimes I think that the meaning is that there really is no meaning. Or perhaps your life, and living it to the fullest is the meaning, I am pretty sure that the meaning is a personal thing that is different for everyone. I think that people seek answers and cannot accept that sometimes there are no answers, so they make things up so that their questions will be answered.

And who would you say is your personal artistic hero or heroine, and what does this person mean to you?

Small time artists that are hanging their works in local coffee shops and galleries are usually the ones that I find inspiration in. Also any sculpture that is done on a large scale.

And finally, Eric, how do you encourage the delinquency of your inner child?

By making sure that I do not listen to any sort of supposedly “reasonable voice” in my life that is contradictory to what I really want to do.

Eric Carbrey currently lives in Wichita, Kansas along with his lovely wife of five years, and three of the finest dogs Kansas has ever produced. Eric spends most of his time living his life, and making art. He is only a couple of semesters away from finishing up his BFA from Wichita State University. One of Eric’s biggest hobbies is eating homemade sandwiches in very busy public places. “There is a very gratifying feeling of having a homemade sandwich in public. I often think that people are jealous, or at least are wondering about my sandwich and how good it looks when I am eating them in public. You should go ahead and try it out, that way you fully understand what I mean.”