RIP San Winston
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities

A great loss to the visual effects community, great movies and moviegoers everywhere. Winston worked on some classic sci-fi films that still kick butt to this day.

Stan Winston, dead at 62; Oscar-winning visual effects artist suffered from multiple myeloma

11:57 AM PT, Jun 16 2008

Stan Winston, an Oscar-winning visual effects artist, has died at age 62.

Winston died at his Malibu home Sunday evening after a seven-year struggle with multiple myeloma, according to a rep from Stan Winston Studio.

"Stan died peacefully at home surrounded by family," a spokeswoman said.

Winston won four visual effects Oscars and earned multiple nominations. His first Oscar was for James Cameron's "Aliens" (1986). Winston later won two Oscars for "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" (1992) (visual effects and makeup) and 1993's "Jurassic Park." (See Stan Winston's Creature Features, by LAT's Patrick Kevin Day.)

Phil Tippett, who shared a visual effects Oscar with Winston on "Jurassic Park," noted that Winston was one of the best in the business.

"Stan contributed to some of the greatest -- fantastic movie characters in motion picture history," Tippett said. "His loss is a great one and he will be missed."

Producer Gale Ann Hurd, whose latest blockbuster "The Incredible Hulk" opened this weekend, wrote in an email to the Los Angeles Times:

I was first introduced to Stan in the early 1980s by his mentor, the great make-up artist, Dick Smith. Jim Cameron and I had initially approached Dick to create the Terminator. Dick wanted us to meet Stan Winston, his protégé, and convinced us that he was doing us a favor by turning us down. Dick was right. Stan's unique ability was to bring unique, non-human characters to life, so that the audience accepted them as living, breathing beings. Stan was also, simply put, the nicest man in the business. Not only was he a legend, redefining character make-up and armatures, but Stan's joie de vivre made collaborating with him an absolute pleasure. I will miss him more than I can say. My heartfelt sympathy to his loving family, Karen, Matt and Debbie.

In lieu of flowers, Winston's family is requesting that donations be made to his charities of choice.

After the jump, see the official statement from Stan Winston Studio, and a list of charities.

-- Sheigh Crabtree

Photo: Courtesy Stan Winston Studio.

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Cimmerian City 2 is finally finished!
Current mood: working
Category: Writing and Poetry

Whew!

Now that Myspace is letting me post again I'm going to try and get all the news goodies I can before it gives me another unexpected error.

This month's newsletter just went out in the mail for all you subscribers. I've given a little blurb on what to expect in the second book to Cimmerian City including the title. The manuscript is finally done and I have a beta reader friend going over it for inconsistences as well as an agent going over it for potential representation. It's a big weight off my shoulders and I can concentrate on some other projects I had on hold in the meantime. I'll keep you updated on any progress I receive on the book/series. This myspace page will probably get a major overhaul prior to the release and stuff, but that's a bit of a ways away.

For now I'm working on another paranormal series at the same time. That'll give me a breather from the different characters and it should be fun working on my worldbuilding skills.

I'll also be promoting my upcoming romantic suspense novel Before Dawn Breaks coming soon from Freya's Bower. They're a fab company I'm excited to work with again (they recently released my high fantasy romance Uthiel's Embrace) and I have some big plans for the BDB release including promos in the making as well as a contest to celebrate the book release. I'll be posting most info over at A Writer's Dream but for convienience I'll also cross post here as well. Don't forget to sign up by email if you'd like my blog delivered right to your inbox.

Currently reading : Silenced: A Cybil Lewis Novel By Nicole Givens Kurtz

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Mandy and Michelle’s Raven Happy Hour moves to nights!
Current mood: working
Category: Podcast

My fellow authors Michelle and Mandy are moving their Raven Radio timeslot to the night and I thought I'd pass the word on for them. Both are great, fun ladies with a passion for the written word and with a name like Raven I just had to pass it on (for more than the obvious reasons! ;-) hehe). Here's the scoop!

Those Raven Nights!

Raven Radio, as mentioned in Romantic Times Magazine, is moving to nights! Tune in every Wed at 11-12 PM EST and join Authors Michelle Pillow and Mandy Roth as they talk about everything, nothing and the paranormal. Guests include NY Times and USA Today Bestselling authors as well as those wonderfully talented authors soon to be there, editors, paranormal tour guides, psychics, ghost hunters, specialists and more!

www.ravenhappyhour.com or http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ravenradio

Listeners are welcome to join the live chat or call in to the show to talk to us and our guests. The show will move to its new evening schedule, May 28^th where listeners can catch us every Wednesday at 11PM to 12AM EST. We have a lot of authors on the upcoming line up and you can see a full schedule of guests here: http://ravenhappyhour.com/raven_podcast_schedule_of_guests.htm

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Spreading the love of reading, one continent at a time
Category: Writing and Poetry

(X-Posted from http://raelori.blogspot.com/)

Last week I received an email from a man out of the blue. I was shocked! This was a man who loved reading so much he decided to become a librarian as he collected more than 6,000 books from across the genre spectrum and more than 35 languages throughout his library. The man's name is Tadeusz Glowinski and his library located in the small Polish town of Olesnica entitled Glowinski's Library. The Student Operated Press recently did a wonderful piece on Mr. Glowinski and his love of books and I couldn't help feeling how passionate and warm-hearted he felt toward the written word. The media is inundated with reports of the lack of reading and how much publishers are losing money so it was refreshing to hear one man's journey to enter a career based on his love of books.

I'm honored to announce that Mr. Glowinski has asked to have my books added to his library. So this week I'll be gathering all of my print books to sign and send off (along with the prizes for the winners of my recent contests) to their new home in Poland. It's really exciting! As a writer and artist who spends most of her time creating and spreading the word about her creations, it's amazing to me to digest that such a great collector of so many books has asked to house a collection of my signed works. This was also coming off the news in seeing my name on a few blog lists accompanied by some of the big name authors of today. Talk about mind boggling!

To any authors out there, and even readers who love a variety of books, please check out the link to the article above and then drop an email to Mr. Glowinski as he loves to hear from people all over the world. If you have a blog, please spread the word about this little gem of a library and it's wonderful owner with a big heart.

Glowinski's Library - http://glowinski.olesnica.pl

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Release & Acquisitions

X - posted from A Writer's Dream

In my effort to catch up with all things that got left behind for the past month or so, I have gathered some great news...and lots of it!

First off, thanks for all the comments left on this blog! I'll make sure to post my responses and thanks.

My latest release is a very special one. The Nothing But Red Anthology was created in memory of Du'a Khalil Aswad, a young art student who was the victim of her family's honor killing. It's filled with a wonderful group of contributors who submitted poems, artwork, stories and works speaking about stopping violence against women. The proceeds go to Equality Now and is now available at Lulu.com in ebook and print versions. I've submitted a poem entitled She Breaks Like Glass and also an accompanying art piece.


Also! Freya's Bower has just acquired my romantic suspense novel Before Dawn Breaks! I'm currently going through edits on it but I will definitely keep you guys posted with the cover and release in the coming days. :-)

Also, if anyone out there has won a prize in a contest sponsored by me or with my prizes PLEASE contact me to get your goodies. Send an email Rachel@raelori.com and we'll get your prizes to you asap.

For the current contest to win a copy of Cimmerian City, please check out my interview with avid reader/reviewer Crystal over at Interviews with Authors.

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Cimmerian City at the RT con

Hello readers, writers and folks.

I know it’s been ages upon ages since I posted a blog here. I finally have a few updates for ya. Between the Sheets is hosting a few goodies for you readers out there attending the Romantic Times convention. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to make it but Cimmerian City will! I’m preparing a few copies for giveaways and contests as well as some promos. I’ve also made some special features on enhanced CDs but I’m still working out the kinks on getting them to work. This is a new project I’m trying out so I guess there’s always a bit of trial and error before you get things smoothed out! In any case, I’ll keep you updated on my works and goodies to appear at the convention.

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Ooh! Cimmerian City is nominated and so am I!

Being sick is no fun. :-(

Yup, I caught the sickie winter flu thing that's been going around attacking immune systems everywhere. The good news is it's finally going away and I'm feeling like a normal human being again! Woo hoo!

It's the new year folks! I hope everyone had a safe trip into 2008. Can you believe we're almost to 2010? And still no flying cars. Poo. There's been a lot of techie advances over the years on the mini scale and some big ones behind the scenes. I'd love to see what new goodies are on their way.

Thinking a little more immediate. My website and my blog are up for The 2008 Muse Peer Awards. If you enjoy both, I'd very much appreciate a vote.

To vote:

Currently reading : The Second Line By Sheryl Nantus Release date: 30 September, 2007

1:37 AM - 4 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

2008 - The Year We Make Futuristic Romance Contact
Current mood: relaxed
Category: Jobs, Work, Careers

Cross posted from A Writer's Dream

I remember a recent email I received from a bookseller friend of mine. Earlier this year she heard a blurb from a romance conference where they were discussing trends and what's to be expected to sell in the coming months, years, etc ahead. Now, grant it, the industry swings like a pendulum because of its subjectivity and shaky expectations. But I can't help but be reminded of this tidbit considering what's to come next year.

She said sci-fi romance is opening up for the market and what with books coming out next year: Ann Aguirre's Grimspace, Susan Kearney's Solar Heat and even Twilight's Stephanie Meyer has her first science fiction novel aimed at adult readers called The Host. I can't help but wonder if the speculative genre is going to get a major boost.

2007 was definitely the year of the contemporary dark fantasy (or urban dark fantasy as the industry calls it). Maybe 2008 is the year of the futuristic romance.

We already have current releases by the leaders of the trend, Susan Grant & Linnea Sinclair, maybe the market is keeping an eye on these ladies for future writers of the genre.

Either way, I'm thinking Space Pirates may have a good chance of finding a potential home after all. 

Currently reading : The Blood Books, Vol. 1 (Blood Price / Blood Trail) By Tanya Huff Release date: 05 July, 2006

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Dystopian December
Current mood: animated

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Interview with Joyce Anthony and looking forward to 2008
Category: Blogging

I posted two blogs over at A Writer's Dream. One of which is a look back on all that's happened to me in 2007. It's definitely been a wild ride and I feel like I accomplished a lot. I'm so looking forward to 2008 because I've already set some goals for myself to tackle one by one. At the top of the list is getting Cimmerian World out to you readers out there. ;-) I put a lot into this one and promise to make it a wild ride with much suspense, drama and romance. I already started Cimmerian Girl and hope to finish that next year so I can send it on its way and complete the arc that's been building since Cimmerian City.

A new arc would start with Book 4 and would most likely complete with Book 5 but it's all in my head for the moment and I'm trying not to get too far ahead of myself.

For now, feel free to check out my interview with Joyce Anthony where you can get to know a little bit more about me. It's located on her blog.

And also, I'll go ahead and do a little cross posting for things I need to get in 2008.

2008 Movies to See
Cloverfield - January 18
Jumper - February 14
Vantage Point - February 22

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (TV Series) - Jan 13

DVDs just added to my Must Have List
Blade Runner: The Final Cut
Twin Peaks The Definitive Gold Box Edition
Blood Ties Season 1
This Christmas
Serenity (Collector's Edition)

Currently reading : The Seattle Barista Killer By Murdoch Hughes Release date: 26 July, 2007

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