Tag Archives: #NinaSodenBooks

11/25/25 ISSUE – NORTH ALABAMA THEATRE HAPPENINGS

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  • A LITTLE ABOUT ME ~ It’s My Birthday… Let’s Celebrate!
  • GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCED
  • PRODUCTIONS
EVENTGROUPLOCATIONDATE
The Trial of the RookEvil Cheez ProductionsShenanigans Comedy Theatre (Black Box)11/28 – 11/29
Mark Twain Tonight!Broadway Theatre LeagueMark C. Smith Concert Hall12/5-12/6
Charlie and the Chocolate FactoryDream Weavers Children’s TheatreThe Princess Theatre12/5-12/7
The Trial of the RookEvil Cheez ProductionsJackson House in Moulton12/12-12/13
ShuckedBroadway Theatre LeagueMark C. Smith Concert Hall12/16-12/21
HadestownBroadway Theatre LeagueMark C. Smith Concert Hall1/9-1/11
The Sound of MusicBroadway Theatre LeagueMark C. Smith Concert Hall1/27-2/1
9 To 5 The MusicalThe Whole BackstageThe Whole Backstage, Guntersville, AL2/13-2/22
The Choir of ManBroadway Theatre LeagueMark C. Smith Concert Hall2/13-2/14
& JulietBroadway Theatre LeagueMark C. Smith Concert Hall2/24-3/1
Mrs. DoubtfireBroadway Theatre LeagueMark C. Smith Concert Hall3/27-3/29
Cat on a Hot Tin RoofThe Whole BackstageThe Whole Backstage, Guntersville, AL4/17-4/26
Water for ElephantsBroadway Theatre LeagueMark C. Smith Concert Hall5/5-5/9
OklahomaThe Whole BackstageThe Whole Backstage, Guntersville, AL6/19-6/28
  • THEATRE-RELATED EVENTS
EVENTGROUPDETAILSDATES
AuditionsThe Christmas CarolersAuditions: the Christmas CarolersAnytime
WorkshopValley Arts and Entertainment, LLCPerformance Learning Resource Workshop12/16
AuditionsTheatre HuntsvilleAuditions: 17761/10 & 1/11/2026
  • SUBMISSION REQUESTS
  • MONTHLY GIVEAWAY DETAILS

ABOUT ME:

It’s My Birthday… Let’s Celebrate With a Giveaway!

This week’s newsletter arrives on a day that feels bigger than most — the eve of my 50th birthday. Let’s call it my birthday dress rehearsal. I’ve been sitting with that number for a while now, turning it over like a script I’ve read a hundred times, trying to hear what it’s really saying. Fifty. It’s a milestone that carries both the ache of time passing and the beauty of everything earned along the way. I’ve found myself looking back through the acts of my life — the childhood dreams, the creative sparks, the stages and stories and people who shaped me. And now here I am, stepping into a new act with equal parts courage, nostalgia, and gratitude. If birthdays are like standing in the wings before the curtain rises, this one feels like a deep breath before a powerful scene change.

And because a milestone year deserves a meaningful moment, I want to celebrate by giving something truly from my heart, and 201 people can win. One person will receive a signed copy of Awaken, the very first novel I ever published and the beginning of my Blood Angel Series. As a bonus, 200 additional people will receive a FREE downloadable eBook version of Awaken. That book was my brave step into a world I had only dreamed of — my opening night as an author — and sharing it feels like the perfect way to honor this birthday. To enter the giveaway, simply fill out the entry form by clicking this link.

ENTER GIVEAWAY USING THIS LINK!

I would love it if you would share a theatre memory that’s stayed with you, inspired you, or helped shape your own story. Thank you for being part of this journey with me — through every act, every transition, and every moment still waiting in the wings.

Nina Soden (Associate Broker/Realtor, The Soden Team at LEGEND REALTY)

📧 ninasodenbooks@gmail.com  | 📞 256-520-9640

GIVEAWAY WINNER:

AND THE WINNER IS… WHY NOT YOU?!

Check out the upcoming giveaways below. The next winner will be announced on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. It could be you!

UPCOMING GIVEAWAYS:

Sponsor: Broadway Theatre League Production: Shucked            Ticket Date/Time: Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 7:00 PM – Orchestra 3 WINNER ANNOUNCED: DECEMBER 2, 2025
Sponsor: Broadway Theatre League Production: Hadestown       Ticket Date/Time: Friday, January 9, 2026 at 7:30 PM – Orchestra 3 WINNER ANNOUNCED: DECEMBER 30, 2025
Sponsor: Broadway Theatre League Production: The Sound of Music     Ticket Date/Time: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 7:00 PM – Orchestra 3 WINNER ANNOUNCED: JANUARY 13, 2025  
Sponsor: Broadway Theatre League Production: The Choir of Man          Ticket Date/Time: Friday, February 13, 2026 at 7:30 PM – Orchestra 3 WINNER ANNOUNCED: FEBRUARY 3, 2025
Sponsor: Broadway Theatre League Production: & Juliet  Ticket Date/Time: Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 7:00 PM – Orchestra 3 WINNER ANNOUNCED: FEBRUARY 10, 2025
Sponsor: Broadway Theatre League Production: Mrs. Doubtfire Ticket Date/Time: Friday, March 27, 2026 at 7:30 PM – Orchestra 3 WINNER ANNOUNCED: MARCH 17, 2025
Sponsor: Broadway Theatre League Production: Water for Elephants                  Ticket Date/Time: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM – Orchestra 3 WINNER ANNOUNCED: APRIL 21, 2025

Click here to be entered for your chance to win two tickets to an upcoming production.

PRODUCTIONS:

Evil Cheez Productions

The Trial of The Rook

Dates:

  • Friday, November 28th at 7:30 PM
  • Saturday, November 29th at 2:30 PM
  • Saturday, November 29th at 7:30 PM

Performed at: The Black Box at Shenanigans Comedy Theatre (2650 Leeman Ferry Rd, Huntsville AL 35805)

Synopsis: Christmas, 1940. As Christmas carols and the tinkling of bells waft through the air, The Rook, the world’s most infamous master criminal, has been apprehended and is standing trial for murder! His real name has been revealed – Judas Ackery – and his conviction by year’s end seems a certainty. While this would appear to be a cause for public celebration to the public at large, there are those who remain concerned that perhaps this, too, is all some nefarious scheme on the part of The Rook.

Evil Cheez Productions presents their most popular character in one of their most well received productions – THE TRIAL OF THE ROOK. What better way to usher in the holidays than a murder mystery set at Christmas time. Thrilling, chilling, poignant, and loads of fun for those who crave a little something unusual during the holidays. 

Tickets: ONLY $15 www.huntsvillelaughs.com 

Added 10/13/2025

Broadway Theatre League

Mark Twain Tonight!

Dates:

  • December 5, 2025 at 7:30 PM
  • December 6, 2025 at 1:00 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Synopsis: RICHARD THOMAS IN MARK TWAIN TONIGHT!

By Hal Holbrook

Emmy-Award® winning Actor RICHARD THOMAS brings to life “the nation’s one true comic genius” (The New York Times) in MARK TWAIN TONIGHT!!, written and originally performed by Hal Holbrook. Join the millions who have cheered for the legendary one-man show, bursting with Twain’s “uproariously funny” and “pungently wise” (Time Magazine) humor.

Most recently seen on Broadway in Our Town, on tour as Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, on Netflix’s Ozark, and beloved to generations as John-Boy Walton, RICHARD THOMAS is the first and only actor authorized to perform the play since the original.

Run Time: 1 hours 30 minutes Includes Intermission

Age recommendation: Recommended for ages 10+

Tickets: $45-$95 (https://broadwaytheatreleague.org/show/mark-twain-tonight/ or call 256-518-6155)

Added 11/5/2025

Dream Weavers Children’s Theatre

Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Dates:

  • December 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM
  • December 6, 2025 at 7:00 PM
  • December 7, 2025 at 2:00 PM

Performed at: The Princess Theatre (112 2nd Ave NE, Decatur, AL 35601)

Synopsis: The world-famous Willy Wonka is opening the gates to his mysterious factory… but only to a lucky few. Young Charlie Bucket and four other golden ticket winners will embark on a life changing journey through Wonka’s world of pure imagination including chocolate waterfalls, nutty squirrels and the great glass elevator, all to be revealed by Wonka’s army of curious Oompa-Loompas. Get your golden ticket now to this delicious musical!

Tickets: $18 (students, seniors, and veterans) $20 (adults) https://ci.ovationtix.com/36147/production/1255729

Added 11/13/2025

Evil Cheez Productions

The Trial of The Rook

Dates:

  • Friday, December 12th at 7:30 PM
  • Saturday, December 13th at 2:30 PM
  • Saturday, December 13th at 7:30 PM

Performed at: The Historic Jackson House (119 College St., Moulton, AL 35650)

Synopsis: Christmas, 1940. As Christmas carols and the tinkling of bells waft through the air, The Rook, the world’s most infamous master criminal, has been apprehended and is standing trial for murder! His real name has been revealed – Judas Ackery – and his conviction by year’s end seems a certainty. While this would appear to be a cause for public celebration to the public at large, there are those who remain concerned that perhaps this, too, is all some nefarious scheme on the part of The Rook.

Evil Cheez Productions presents their most popular character in one of their most well received productions – THE TRIAL OF THE ROOK. What better way to usher in the holidays than a murder mystery set at Christmas time. Thrilling, chilling, poignant, and loads of fun for those who crave a little something unusual during the holidays. 

Tickets: ONLY $15 Call: 256-616-8189 or Venmo JACKSONHOUSE-FOUNDATION

Added 10/13/2025

Broadway Theatre League

Shucked

Dates:

  • December 16, 2025 at 7:00 PM
  • December 17, 2025 at 7:00 PM
  • December 18, 2025 at 7:00 PM
  • December 19, 2025 at 7:30 PM
  • December 20, 2025 at 1:00 PM
  • December 20, 2025 at 7:30 PM
  • December 21, 2025 at 1:00 PM
  • December 21, 2025 at 7:30 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Synopsis: SHUCKED is the Tony Award®–winning musical comedy The Wall Street Journal calls “flat out hilarious!” And nobody knows funny like economists. Featuring a book by Tony Award winner Robert Horn (Tootsie), a score by the Grammy® Award–winning songwriting team of Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally (Kacey Musgraves’ “Follow Your Arrow”), and directed by Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien (Hairspray), this corn-fed, corn-bred American musical is sure to satisfy your appetite for great musical theater.

 Run Time: 2 hours and 15 minutes including intermission.

Age recommendation: Recommended for ages 10+. SHUCKED contains adult themes, moments of adult language and a harvest of corny innuendo.

Tickets: $45-$105 (https://broadwaytheatreleague.org/show/shucked/ or call 256-518-6155)

Added 11/5/2025

 

Broadway Theatre League

Hadestown

Dates:

  • January 9, 2026 at 7:30 PM
  • January 10, 2026 at 1:00 PM
  • January 10, 2026 at 7:30PM
  • January 11, 2026 at 1:00 PM
  • January 11, 2026 at 6:30 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Synopsis: HADESTOWN

COME SEE HOW THE WORLD COULD BE.

Welcome to HADESTOWN, where a song can change your fate. Winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards® including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Theater Album, this acclaimed new show from celebrated singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and original director Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) is a love story for today… and always.

HADESTOWN intertwines two mythic tales — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone — as it invites you on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back. Mitchell’s beguiling melodies and Chavkin’s poetic imagination pit industry against nature, doubt against faith, and fear against love. Performed by a vibrant ensemble of actors, dancers and singers, HADESTOWN is a haunting and hopeful theatrical experience that grabs you and never lets go.

REASONS TO SEE IT

Winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards® including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Theater Album.

From celebrated singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and original director Rachel Chavkin.

Haunting and hopeful, a love story for the ages.

An unforgettable story and score, beautifully staged and performed.

Run Time: 2 hours 30 minutes Includes Intermission

Age recommendation: Recommended for ages 8+

Tickets: $45-$95 (https://broadwaytheatreleague.org/show/hadestown/ or call 256-518-6155)

Added 11/5/2025

Broadway Theatre League

The Sound of Music

Dates:

  • January 27, 2026 at 7:00 PM
  • January 28, 2026 at 7:00 PM
  • January 29, 2026 at 7:00 PM
  • January 30, 2026 at 7:30 PM
  • January 31, 2026 at 1:00 PM
  • January 31, 2026 at 7:30 PM
  • February 1, 2026 at 1:00 PM
  • February 1, 2026 at 6:30 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Synopsis: THE SOUND OF MUSIC

For 65 years, THE SOUND OF MUSIC has been one of our “favorite things.” With its timeless story and irresistibly charming score, this Rodgers & Hammerstein classic isn’t just meant to be enjoyed – it’s meant to be shared. Now, a critically acclaimed North American tour brings the cherished musical to stages across the country to teach a new generation to sing.

Directed by three-time Tony Award® winner Jack O’Brien (Hairspray), this vibrant and romantic tale of Maria and the von Trapp family will captivate audiences with its universal themes of love, resilience and the power of music.

Featuring beloved songs like “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and “Edelweiss,” THE SOUND OF MUSIC is the iconic tale of a spirited nun who chooses not to live behind closed doors – and, by following her heart, learns to climb every mountain.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC features music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, suggested by The Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp. 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of the Oscar®-winning film, which continues to be one of the most successful movie musicals of all time.

Reason to See It

Experience THE SOUND OF MUSIC live on stage for the first time or introduce a new generation to the beloved story of Maria and the von Trapp family, with “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Edelweiss” and more.

Single Tickets go on sale September 18, 2025!

 Run Time: 2 Hours 45 Minutes Includes Intermission

Age recommendation: Recommended for ages 8+

Tickets: $45-$105 (https://broadwaytheatreleague.org/show/the-sound-of-music/ or call 256-518-6155)

Added 11/5/2025

The Whole Backstage

9 To 5 The Musical

Dates:

  • February 13th at 7:00 PM
  • February 14th at 7:00 PM
  • February 15th at 2:00 PM
  • February 15th at 7:00 PM
  • February 20th at 7:00 PM
  • February 21st at 7:00 PM
  • February 22nd at 2:00 PM

Performed at: The Whole Backstage Theatre (1120 Rayburn Ave/Dot Moore Way, Guntersville, AL 35976)

Synopsis: 9 to 5, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick, is based on the seminal 1980 hit movie. Set in the late 1970s, this hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era is outrageous, thought-provoking and even a little romantic.

Pushed to the boiling point, three female coworkers concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss. In a hilarious turn of events, Violet, Judy and Doralee live out their wildest fantasy – giving their boss the boot! While Hart remains “otherwise engaged,” the women give their workplace a dream makeover, taking control of the company that had always kept them down. Hey, a girl can scheme, can’t she?

This high-energy show is ideal for a large, mostly female cast, but also has opportunities for talented male dancers. With its jubilant score and easily relatable characters, 9 to 5is the perfect show for community theatres.

Tickets: Call 256-582-7469

Added 10/21/2025

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Broadway Theatre League

The Choir of Man

Dates:

  • February 13, 2026 at 7:30 PM
  • February 14, 2026 at 1:00 PM
  • February 14, 2026 at 7:30 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Synopsis: THE CHOIR OF MAN

THE RUNAWAY INTERNATIONAL HIT IS COMING TO HUNTSVILLE! Known across the globe as “the ultimate-feel good show,” The THE CHOIR OF MAN offers up one hour of indisputable joy for all ages! It’s a party. It’s a concert. It’s the best pub “lock-in” you’ve ever been to. Featuring pop, classic rock, folk, Broadway and pub tunes, The THE CHOIR OF MAN has something for everyone. A multi-talented cast of nine handsome guys combines hair-raising harmonies, foot-stomping singalongs, world-class tap dance and poetic meditations on the power of community in this riotously enjoyable homage to that gathering place we’ve all missed so much over the last year: your local pub. With a real working bar on stage, come ready to drink in the action. The first round’s on us. Cheers!

Run Time: 90 minutes No Intermission

Age recommendation: Recommended for ages 6+

Tickets: $45-$80 (https://broadwaytheatreleague.org/show/the-choir-of-man/  or call 256-518-6155)

Added 11/5/2025

Broadway Theatre League

& Juliet

Dates:

  • February 24, 2026 at 7:00 PM
  • February 25, 2026 at 7:00 PM
  • February 26, 2026 at 7:00 PM
  • February 27, 2026 at 1:00 PM
  • February 27, 2026 at 7:30 PM
  • February 28, 2026 at 1:00 PM
  • February 28, 2026 at 7:30 PM
  • March 1, 2026 at 1:00 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Synopsis: & JULIET

Created by the Emmy®-winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek,” this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. & JULIET asks: what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as she ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love—her way.

Juliet’s new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name, including “Since U Been Gone‚” “Roar,” “Baby One More Time,” “Larger Than Life‚” “That’s The Way It Is,“ and “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”—all from the genius songwriter/producer behind more #1 hits than any other artist this century. Break free of the balcony scene and get into this romantic comedy that proves there’s life after Romeo. The only thing tragic would be missing it.

ADVISORY: & Juliet includes flashing/strobe lighting, loud noises, confetti cannons, and pyrotechnics throughout.

Single Tickets go on sale October 14, 2025!

Run Time: 2 hours 30 minutes Includes Intermission

Age recommendation: Recommended for ages 8+

Tickets: $45-$110 (https://broadwaytheatreleague.org/show/juliet/ or call 256-518-6155)

Added 11/5/2025

Broadway Theatre League

Mrs. Doubtfire

Dates:

  • March 27, 2026 at 7:30 PM
  • March 28, 2026 at 1:00 PM
  • March 28, 2026 at 7:30 PM
  • March 29, 2026 at 1:00 PM
  • March 29, 2026 at 6:30 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Synopsis: MRS. DOUBTFIRE – A new musical comedy about the things we do to stay together.

Everyone’s favorite Scottish nanny is headed to Huntsville in this internationally acclaimed hit musical critics call “wonderful, heart-warming, and laugh-out-loud funny” (Manchester Evening News) and “a feel-good, family-friendly comedy that delivers” (The Hollywood Reporter). Based on the beloved film, MRS. DOUBTFIRE tells the hysterical and heartfelt story of an out-of-work actor who will do anything for his kids. It’s “the lovable, big-hearted musical comedy we need right now,” raves the Chicago Tribune – one that proves we’re better together.

Out-of-work actor Daniel Hillard will do anything for his kids. After losing custody in a messy divorce, he creates the kindly alter ego of Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire in a desperate attempt to stay in their lives. As his new character takes on a life of its own, MRS. DOUBTFIRE teaches Daniel more than he bargained for about how to be a father. A hysterical and heartfelt story about holding onto your loved ones against all odds, this is the musical comedy we need right now – one that proves we’re better together.

Single Tickets go on sale October 23, 2025!

Run Time: 2 Hours 35 Minutes Includes Intermission

Age recommendation: Recommended for ages 8+

Tickets: $45-$95 (https://broadwaytheatreleague.org/show/mrs-doubtfire/ or call 256-518-6155)

Added 11/5/2025

The Whole Backstage

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Dates: April 17-26, 2026

Performed at: The Whole Backstage Theatre (1120 Rayburn Ave/Dot Moore Way, Guntersville, AL 35976)

Synopsis: In Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer Prize-winning Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, the dysfunctional but wealthy Pollitt family gathers to celebrate aging patriarch Big Daddy’s birthday. But there is more to this gathering than a family reunion– Big Daddy, unbeknown to him, is dying of cancer. He is still to decide which of his sons will inherit the estate. His options include favorite son Brick, who drinks himself into oblivion in order to bear the desires of his determined wife, Maggie, or his less-favored son Gooper, his fertile wife Mae, and their “no-neck monster” children. While sensuous Maggie “the cat” tries to work her wiles to secure a future for them, Brick spirals deeper into despair, crippled by both physical pain and emotional loss. Lurking under every practiced interaction between the Pollitts is an ulterior motive, under every smile, a challenge, and under every statement, the spectre of mendacity. For the Pollitts, the truth is as hazy as the late summer sun in Mississippi, and sometimes the only way to find it is to journey through the lies.

Tickets: Call 256-582-7469

Added 10/21/2025

Broadway Theatre League

Water for Elephants

Dates:

  • May 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM
  • May 6, 2026 at 7:00 PM
  • May 7, 2026 at 7:00 PM
  • May 8, 2026 at 7:30 PM
  • May 9, 2026 at 1:00 PM
  • May 9, 2026 at 7:30 PM
  • May 10, 2026 at 1:00 PM
  • May 10, 2026 at 6:30 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Synopsis: Water for Elephants

The critically acclaimed bestselling novel comes to “thrilling, dazzling” life (Time Out New York) in a unique, spectacle-filled new musical, Water for Elephants! Hailed as a Critic’s Pick, The New York Times calls it “stunning, emotional, heart-filled and gorgeously imaginative.”

After losing what matters most, a young man jumps a moving train unsure of where the road will take him and finds a new home with the remarkable crew of a traveling circus, and a life—and love—beyond his wildest dreams. Seen through the eyes of his older self, his adventure becomes a poignant reminder that if you choose the ride, life can begin again at any age.

Tony Award-nominated director Jessica Stone’s “huge, heart-filling” production (The New York Times) features a book by three-time Tony nominee Rick Elice adapted from Sara Gruen’s novel, and a soaring score by the acclaimed PigPen Theatre Co.

So, step right up to the “spellbinding entertainment” (Variety) at Water For Elephants, “the best new musical on Broadway” (Theatermania).

Single Tickets to this show will go on sale November 4, 2025

Run Time: 2 Hours 40 Minutes Includes Intermission

Age recommendation: Recommended for ages 8+

Tickets: $45-$105 (https://broadwaytheatreleague.org/show/water-for-elephants/ or call 256-518-6155

Added 11/5/2025

The Whole Backstage

Oklahoma

Dates: June 19-28, 2026

Performed at: The Whole Backstage Theatre (1120 Rayburn Ave/Dot Moore Way, Guntersville, AL 35976)

Synopsis: Oklahoma! is a musical set in 1906 Oklahoma Territory, centering on the romance between cowboy Curly McLain and farm girl Laurey Williams. Their love story is complicated by a rival suitor, the menacing farmhand Jud Fry. A comedic subplot follows Ado Annie’s romantic entanglements with her fiancé, Will Parker, and a traveling peddler, Ali Hakim. The musical’s story is driven by these relationships against the backdrop of a community preparing for statehood.  

Tickets: Call 256-582-7469

Added 10/21/2025

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Call me at 256-520-9640 to schedule a showing.

THEATRE-RELATED EVENTS:

The Christmas Carolers

Auditions: The Christmas Carolers

Dates: Anytime

Location: https://www.thechristmascarolers.com/caroler-apply

Synopsis: The Christmas Caroler, America’s premier nationwide holiday entertainment company, founded in 1996, is opening a group in Huntsville, Alabama. If you love singing and spreading Christmas cheer and are looking for a seasonal gig that’s joyful and rewarding, look no further! 

 Why Join Us?
– Get paid well to do what you love: SING!
– Flexible hours and commitment
– Be part of a merry and vibrant community

For more info…   https://www.thechristmascarolers.com  or  huntsville@thechristmascarolers.com

🎄 Let’s make this season magical! 🎄

Added 10/13/2025

Valley Arts and Entertainment, Inc

Performance Learning Resource Workshop

Dates: December 16, 2025  (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)

Location: Gigaparts Event Center (6123 University Drive)

Synopsis: Performance Music. Join us for an exciting day to participate in women in jazz focused workshop, chance to sing or play an instrument and grab lunch as well. The agenda for emerging artists includes improvision, the art of ensemble playing, building a career, meet and Greet our guest, bring your voice.

Price: $10

Order Your Tickets Here!

Added 11/4/2025

Theatre Huntsville

Auditions: 1776

Dates: January 10th and 11th at 6pm

Location: Theatre Huntsville Scene Shop & Rehearsal Space (500 Plummer Road)

Synopsis: Theatre Huntsville is holding open auditions for the Tony Award-winning musical 1776 on January 10–11, 2026.

This revolutionary musical brings the founding fathers to life with powerful songs, sharp dialogue, and a fresh perspective on American history.

We’re looking for local singers, actors, and performers of all backgrounds to join our cast.

If you’re interested in auditioning for a musical in Huntsville, Alabama, don’t miss your chance to be part of this bold and timely production with one of the city’s premier community theatres.

Added 08/11/2025

SUBMISSIONS:

If you are part of an upcoming theater production or theatre-related event, I’d love to help you market it through the THEATRE HAPPENINGS weekly email newsletter. Please submit all theatre productions and theatre-related events through the new online THEATRE HAPPENINGS – SUBMISSION FORM. (Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdeFZsqfwGksQPse1V2pwZjK8h_M1LT8QjYRj6Ok3TxFveYlw/viewform?usp=header)

If you know of anyone in the theater world who would be interested in receiving the ‘weekly’ THEATRE HAPPENINGS newsletter, please share this email with them and ask them to subscribe by reaching out to me directly at ninasodenbooks@gmail.com (There will be an online subscription form coming soon!)

Thank you, and I look forward to receiving your submissions. 

Nina Soden

256-520-9640

GIVEAWAY:

My goal is to do a monthly giveaway… That’s right, I want you all to have a chance to win free things… 

WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THE NEXT TICKET GIVEAWAY… If you are a part of an upcoming theater production or theatre/arts event and would like to donate 2 tickets, please give me a call at 256-520-9640 or email me the details at ninasodenbooks@gmail.com.

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The Quest for Freedom by Matthew Devitt

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One man against the world

The Quest for Freedom

The Conquest Trilogy Book 1

by Matthew Devitt

Genre: Dark Epic Fantasy, Action, Adventure

Affer was once a peaceful planet, until a war broke out between its six inhabiting species. The humans, who were once the mightiest force on Affer, were massacred in droves, and the ones who survived the onslaught were reduced to mere slaves. The five other species divided the humans amongst themselves and returned to their respective kingdoms.
The years passed, turning into decades and centuries, without any change. Eventually, the humans had accepted their fate as slaves. All except one. Four hundred and seventy-three years later, Fletcher Rush starts his journey to free his kind…and conquer the planet.

**Use the code “silver” for $3 off the paperback at The Author’s Website!**

**Only .99 cents!**

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I’ve always had a love for fantasy, and to this day LOTR and The Inheritance Cycle remain some of my favorite books. There are limitless possibilities when you’re writing, but with fantasy, it’s different. You don’t have to adhere to rules or logic; you can create whatever type of world you want. Characters can live in a dystopian society, a grand futuristic city, a picture-perfect world, or a medieval wasteland. Time, technology, and magic are all there for the taking, and as a writer, you get to choose what defines your story.

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Would you like a chance to win a print copy of The Quest For Freedom (US only), or a $10 Amazon or PayPal gift card (WW) – 1 winner each! Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

What can we expect from you in the future?

Currently, I’m working on the second book in the trilogy, then I’ll move on to the last book in the series. After that, you’ll have to wait and see!

Do you have any “side stories” about the characters?

Not at the moment, but I have thought about it, and I do intend to add side stories/bonus stories once I finish the series.

Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in The Quest For Freedom?

I’ll be honest: there are too many characters to cover them all while also giving them the descriptions they deserve. But I’ll give a description of my two favorite characters. Fletcher Rush is the main character of Conquest and the leader of the rebellion. Like all humans, he starts as a slave. However, unlike others, he doesn’t plan to stay one. From the moment he was put to work, Fletcher vowed to change Affer forever. Training his body and mind, he prepares to escape enslavement until the day finally comes. After he becomes free, he quickly proves that he is a natural-born leader. He rallies his men behind him and strikes fear into all who face him. Even when the odds seem insurmountable, Fletcher still

charges headfirst into them. No battle is too large for him, and nothing will hold him back from freeing mankind.

Ji is Fletcher’s first ally and his right hand. Having helped Fletcher escape from Titanan, he has been aiding him since the beginning. Ji might not be as strong as Tor, as smart as Crystal, or as capable a leader as Fletcher, but he learns quickly and is

always the undisputed voice of reason. As they conquer city after city, Ji becomes more resilient and a better leader, worthy of standing by Fletcher’s side. He still has a lot to learn, but he plays a crucial part in the human army.

Where did you come up with the names in the story?

Many of the names for the characters just came to me, but for some, I looked through a list of names and picked out one I liked. The names for the cities, creatures, and the unique names were harder. The way I did it was to pick a letter that I wanted it to start with and play around until I found something I liked.

Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?

Every time I write, I learn. I always strive to give everything my best, and with writing, I tend to get better and better with each story I finish.

Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

If you enjoy fantasy, I can guarantee you’ll love The Quest For Freedom.

What is your favorite part of this book and why?

I can’t say too much, otherwise I’ll spoil it. But, the fourth battle of the book is undoubtedly my favorite. It’s a massive part I build up to, and it came out even better than I had hoped for.

Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.

Now here’s a question I really like! Conquest was made to go against the grain. It encapsulates the brutality of war, which I feel is often overlooked in fantasy. The world and characters are both meant to feel as real and lifelike as possible, while still keeping that fantasy spark. From the Yoxtoll Forest with pale white trees towering into the sky, to the scorching Argon Desert, it feels like a place you could visit, and the characters are no different. Each person and each species has something unique about them, while also keeping to the traits of their species.

Conquest redefines what fantasy is capable of by going where others won’t.

What did you edit out of this book?

More than I even remember. I do have the unedited version saved, but I haven’t looked at it in ages. Some parts sounded great when I wrote them, but coming back with the final edit and reading over everything made me see them in a different light. The beginning had the most changes, but every part of the book was touched after I had “finished” it.

The Dead Geniuses Series by R. Gary Raham

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How many times does a genius have to die anyway?

A rogue AI named Nessie makes answering that question problematical.

A Once-Dead Genius in the Kennel of Master Morticue Ambergrand

Dead Geniuses Book 1

by R. Gary Raham

Genre: Science Fiction

What happens when you die, but the universe isn’t done with you?

You might end up as the pet of a giant worm-a-pede alien and…if you survive your evolved descendants and rogue aliens of 1 million A.D…discover you have more in common with intelligent worms than you ever thought possible.

 Yes, all this might happen if you are Rudy Albert Goldstein—the discoverer of the Biomic Network Algorithm—who thought his time had come. He had done his part to make the world a better place. Now he deserved—even looked forward to—a peaceful and mercifully succinct death. But the universe had other plans…

What reviewers are saying:

“The arch tone should remind readers of Kurt Vonnegut, although Raham is better grounded in exobiology and science and displays a more upbeat outlook for the human (and nonhu man) condition in this engaging tale.” Kirkus Reviews

“A Once-Dead Genius is filled with fascinating characters that we hu mans can learn a lot from (despite the fact that we are, as one of Gary’s characters puts it, ‘primates with delusions of grandeur’). The plot is solid, the action entertaining and philosophically challenging, and the science is great.” Michael Carroll, Astronomical artist, journalist, and author of Europa’s Lost Expedition

**On Sale! Get it for only $2.99 for a limited time!**

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A Singular Prophecy

Dead Geniuses Book 2

When young paleontologist, Ryan Thompson, finds a new species of mosasaur in Cretaceous seaway sediments, he is thrilled. Joy quickly turns to fear when he touches an artifact buried among the sea reptile’s ribs. Suddenly, he must fight a mental takeover by an alien intelligence committed to transforming the Earth into a refuge for her own species. As Ryan and his girlfriend, Skeets, attempt to thwart alien plans to colonize Earth begun in the deep past, even this crisis becomes trivial when the uneasy symbiosis of Ryan and the alien, Siu, generates a new entity with the power to transform the entire universe.

What reviewers are saying:

“Gary Raham, the author of this enthralling book, seems almost to have been there hundreds of millions of years ago when Siu’s dim star blinked out and the trees began to die on the planet known as Grove. This is the magic of good writing, and Raham is no less convincing as he describes the discovery by modern paleontologists on Earth of the jewel-like engram that has carried the genetic imprint of Siu through a galactic gate, out of the void of deep time, and into our lives.”

Kate Gilmore, author of The Exchange Student and Enter Three Witches

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A Twice-Dead Genius Comporting With Misunderstood Abominations

Dead Geniuses Book 3

Rudyard Albert Goldstein, inventor of the Biomic Network Algorithm, made peace with death in the 22nd century. But an idiot doctor hijacked his mind, placing it in the care of Nessie, an impish AI guardian. Then, he died again, nearly a million years later, merged with a worm-a-pede alien male sated after completing his conjugal obligations. They expired peacefully on a cliff top, pondering the nature of existence—and the promise of abominable liaisons.

Two deaths should be quite sufficient for any genius to endure.

Somehow, though, Nessie resurrected him from oblivion. His descendants needed him again. New hostile aliens roamed the Earth—along with a mysterious immortal hybrid with powers that rivaled those of Nessie. Was the healthy young body Nessie had prepared for him, along with the prospect of meeting a maker of universes, enough of a bribe to risk dying a third time?

Apparently so.

Readers of Raham’s A Singular Prophecy (Biostration, 2011), and A Once-Dead Genius in the Kennel of Master Morticue Ambergrand (Penstemon Publications, 2018) will reconnect with old friends (both human and alien). But even those new to the author’s quirky sense of humor will enjoy this third adventure that spans the breadth of time and space.

What reviewers are saying:

“After reading and reviewing the 2018 release of “A Once-Dead Genius in the Kennel of Master Morticue Ambergrand,” I could not imagine where Raham’s distant future could take us that would outdo that fine novel. But this author is clearly writing on a different plane because “A Twice-Dead Genius Comporting with Misunderstood Abominations” is even more intriguing and entertaining.” Pat Stoltey, Author of Wishing Caswell Dead

Naked apes, gigantic worm-a-pedes, alien life forms galore. Gary Raham’s latest does not disappoint. It’s yet another cosmic-scale adventure with fascinating characters and a riveting, amusing story.

Michael Carroll, Astronomical artist, journalist, and author of Europa’s Lost Expedition

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Not Quite Dead Geniuses at Large on an Angry Planet

Dead Geniuses Book 4

How many times does a genius have to die anyway? Rudyard Albert Goldstein, inventor of the Biomic Network algorithm, asked himself—and his AI guardian, Mnemosyne (aka Nessie)—that question many times in the course of their million-year relationship. Nessie didn’t play fair, making multiple copies of him from time to time in an effort to preserve his precocious species, H. sapiens from natural disasters, invading aliens, their own self-destructive proclivities, and even from the now angry planet that gave them birth.

Could Rudy & Nessie manage to convince multiple species, each with their own unique delusions of grandeur, to work together to avert their own extinctions? Could Rudy find a way to let Nessie finally set him free?

Only time—and the completion of an even vaster intellect—would tell.

What reviewers are saying:

“An increasingly madcap conclusion to an eco-themed SF saga of a weary Earth chafing under its alien tenants.” Kirkus Reviews

“One of the things I love about this series is the cast of imaginative characters, including human, alien, and the combinations of living creatures with the surviving intelligence of great minds long gone.” Pat Stoltey, author of Wishing Caswell Dead

Deep Time and Gary are close bud dies, as is evidenced by the panoramic time and physical settings taken in by his tales. Fans of the first Once-Dead Genius—and newcomers as well— will not be disappointed by the newest installment…” Michael Carroll, Astronomical artist, journalist, and author of Europa’s Lost Expedition

**On Sale! Get it for only $2.99 for a limited time!**

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R. Gary Raham illustrates nature with the critical eye of a biologist, but he also loves to tell stories that highlight nature’s complexities and undiscovered mysteries. Sometimes that leads him to speculative fictions that he hopes will inspire another generation of both scientists and story-tellers. Raham’s work has been known to make a reader laugh and think simultaneously with no known deleterious effects. Raham taught biology at the middle and high school level, has worked for decades as an accomplished graphic artist and science journalist, and won numerous awards for his writing and illustrations. He currently has over 20 published books of science fact and/or science fiction. Raham has written science titles for Chelsea House, Discovery Channel Books, Marshall-Cavendish, and Teacher Ideas Press. Many of his award-winning science articles for both children and adults are featured in Confessions of a Time Traveler (Penstemon, 2015), a finalist in the Colorado Authors’ League Awards.

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Would you like a chance to win a $10 Amazon or PayPal Gift Card? Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

Weres and Witchery by AK Nevermore

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Magic happens and sparks fly when a sassy witch with curves for days crosses paths with an irresistible alpha shifter.

Weres and Witchery

by AK Nevermore

Genre: Spicy Small Town Paranormal Romance

Karma’s a witch.

When witch Jena Seymore returns home to Havers-by-the-Sea to care for her dying aunt, old town politics and prejudices are rekindled. Between the local Westside Pack’s vendetta against her family and the coven pressuring Jena to become guardian of the magical node outside of town, she has enough problems without adding Chase Montgomery to the mix. Especially after he broke her heart by starting the devastating rumor that sent Jena running from town in the first place.

But Chase has plenty of problems of his own, and how to make amends with Jena and win her heart is at the top of the list. Unbeknownst to his pack, Jena is his fated mate, and after her leaving town the first time almost killed him, he’s not letting her get away again—no matter what the backlash might be.

And meanwhile, the node is turning wild, jeopardizing Havers-by-the Sea’s existence as tensions threaten to tear it apart from within. Deep-seated small town secrets could hold the key to its future—but only if they’re discovered before Samhain, when the blue moon rises.

Magic happens and sparks fly when a sassy witch with curves for days crosses paths with an irresistible alpha shifter. WERES AND WITCHERY, a standalone spicy small town romance by AK Nevermore.

What readers are saying:

“I loved this story! It has everything I like in a good book, angst, anger, laughter, tears, fun, heat, love, loyal best friend, quirky side characters and an HEA. It doesn’t get any better than that. The storyline is solid, engaging, the world building is multi-dimensional and once you start you won’t want to put it down.” – @sunshinewhispers

“Wow, what a cracking book this is. Twists, turns and lots of magic so what’s not to like. I couldn’t put it down till I’d finished it, I was completely engrossed. I loved it.” – @sbanacek

“I started reading this book at 9pm and read straight through to 4am. … FOUR. A. M. Crazy, right?! Let me tell you, this book had me hooked from the start with its humor, drama, character chemistry, character personalities, drama, romance, banter, action, and spice. ‘Weres and Witchery’ is among one of the best escapes I’ve had in a while.” – @Morally_Gray_Nola

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AK Nevermore enjoys operating heavy machinery, freebases coffee, and gives up sarcasm for Lent every year. A Jane-of-all-trades, she’s a certified chef, restores antiques, and dabbles in beekeeping when she’s not reading voraciously or running down the dream in her beat-up camo Chucks.

Unable to ignore the voices in her head, and unwilling to become medicated, she writes Science Fiction and Fantasy full time.

She pays the bills editing, wielding a wicked hot pink pen and writing a column on SFF. She also belongs to the Authors Guild, is a chapter treasurer for the RWA, teaches creative writing, and on the rare occasion, sleeps.

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Would you like a chance to win a $20 Amazon or PayPal Gift Card? Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

All or None by Clive Fleury

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As bodies pile up and bombs go off, Detective Ryan finds murder is the least of his problems—family secrets and a distracting romance threaten to blow his investigation apart.

All Or None

A Detective Ryan Mystery #2

by Clive Fleury

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Returning to Sydney, Detective Ramesh Ryan is promoted to the Homicide Squad. Zoe Yang joins him there. Now a detective herself, she is assigned as his junior partner. Straight up, the cops are off and running-investigating the discovery of a murdered company director. Following the clues, Detective Ryan finds that this and a second murder may be linked to past events.

As the pressure mounts for a quick solution to the case, the detective finds that he too, is in the killer’s crosshairs. But Ryan is distracted from the investigation by a romantic encounter with an old university friend. He also worries about his mother, Mumta, and her new obsessive desire for grandchildren from her only son. Could this be linked to her recent medical tests? And there’s another pressing problem-the plague of rats in his apartment block.

Detective Ryan’s hands are well and truly full!

**New Release – Nov 11, 2025!**

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Off Season

A Detective Ryan Mystery #1

Detective Ryan navigates drug overdoses, a mysterious foot on the beach and a long-buried cold case.

Detective Ramesh Ryan’s career with Sydney’s prestigious Organized Crime Unit is on the up, until he loses a court case against the city’s most powerful drug dealer. In disgrace, the detective is relocated to the tiny Australian beach town of Barton.

It is off-season in Barton-when its few criminals usually take a well-earned rest. But not this year! With the detective’s arrival, the town suddenly becomes murder central. Two bodies are discovered in the space of days, both victims of drug overdoses. Then a mysterious foot is found washed up on the beach, and memories are awoken of an unsolved cold case of the teenager who disappeared fifteen years ago. Add to this a blossoming romance, along with a contract taken out on Ryan’s life, and it’s clear that the detective has jumped out of the Sydney frying pan into the Barton fire.

What follows is an action-packed adventure, thrilling at every turn-where truth and lies are almost impossible to separate, and unexpected twists are the order of the day.

Praise For OFF SEASON

“Off Season is a sensational and thrilling mystery that will take its reader on a journey of ups and downs and twists and turns galore while always entertaining and thrilling you!”

 —Aimee – GOODREADS review

“Attention grabber. Moves quickly and smoothly. Informative. Enjoyable. Don’t miss.”

—Margaret – GOODREADS review

“Fleury masterfully crafts a narrative that is both fast-paced and intricately plotted. The story kicks off with a bang and maintains its momentum throughout, with each chapter ending on a tantalizing cliffhanger. The plot is peppered with unexpected twists and turns, keeping readers interested.”

—J. Komrie – GOODREADS review

“Great build-up of suspense, a layered plot, and an enticing protagonist. Takes a lot of turns, which I love. This is definitely a page turner for anyone who loves a good crime mystery.”

—Carolina Rolim – Verified AMAZON reader review

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Clive Fleury is an award-winning writer of books and screenplays and has worked all over the world as a Film/TV director, writer and producer. He has written six books, most recently ‘All Or None’, the second novel in the Detective Ryan Murder Mystery series.

‘All Or None’ sees Detective Ryan back in the thick of things. His latest investigation into a mysterious death couldn’t come at a worse time. He discovers his mother is hiding a troubling secret and is further sidetracked by a new romance. Fans of who dunnit’s, crime thrillers, and cop and detective stories will love this novel. 

Clive’s other books include ‘Off Season’ – book one in the Detective Ryan Murder Mystery series; ‘Kill Code’ – a dystopian science fiction novel set in a world facing climate change;  ‘Scary Lizzy’  – a novel about an eight year old girl, who befriends an African child ghost –  and the teen action adventure book; ‘The Boy Next Door ‘ –  a story of what happens when a teenage girl has a crush on her next door neighbor, who isn’t all he seems.  He also co-wrote ‘Art Pengriffin and The Curse of The Four’ – a young adult fantasy adventure about a teenage boy who discovers his father was Merlin the Magician.

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Would you like a chance to win a signed copy of All Or None or a $20 Amazon or PayPal Gift Card? ONE WINNER EACH. Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?

I do a lot of research before I start writing including checking up on police procedure, pathology etc.

Do you see writing as a career?

For me writing isn’t so much as a career, more as a necessity of life. I know this sounds pretentious so let me explain. There are many paths to take when considering writing as a career. You can become a journalist, write screenplays, work in public relations… it’s a long list.  Few of these paths lead to the writer earning big bucks. For the most part writing’s not that sort of career. However, most writers don’t have much of a choice. They really do feel the need to write, just as a painter has to paint, a musician has to be involved with some sort of music, an actor has to act… and so on.

What do you think about the current publishing market?

Difficult — both for writers and publishing companies to make a living, particularly with the advent of AI, and the mistaken belief that a machine can write with soul.

Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?

I read a lot when I’m not writing, predominantly thrillers.

Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?

I always try and write in silence because I find noise distracting.

Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time?

Several going at a time? You have got to be kidding.

A day in the life of the author?

For me an average day begins around nine o’clock when I settle in my office to start work. Exactly what I do for the next five hours or so depends on the stage I’m at with the book. First up I do research. Then it’s time for detailed plotting. Next its writing. For the first draft I just concentrate on getting words on a page. I don’t worry about inspiration at this stage. Then it’s time for the edit, when I work with an editor and try and knock some decent shape into the novel. Whatever the stage, I have to get out of my office, walk, exercise and meet friends daily. I also try and not think about work over the weekends, but refuel by eating out, seeing movies, going to the theatre or lying on the beach.

Advice they would give new authors?

As the great sage Nike said:  Just do it.

What makes a good story?

One that wants to make you find out what happens next.

What are they currently reading?

The Unquiet Grave by Dervla McTiernan

What is your writing process? For instance do you do an outline first? Do you do the chapters first?

I have tried both writing with just an outline, and writing after extensive plotting. The latter works best for me.

What are common traps for aspiring writers?

Procrastination. There are always reasons and distractions to prevent you actually sitting down and beginning work.

Inspiration. Don’t wait for this, it will rarely come.  When you write you have good and bad days — some when you feel pleased with the results and feel inspired, and others when you wonder why you bother.  However, when you finally complete the book you really won’t remember which day was which. It won’t matter. What will matter is that you’ve finished the book.

Writing to make your fortune:. It rarely ever happens. If it’s money you’re after rethink your priorities.   Forget writing and become a banker or an accountant.

What is your writing Kryptonite?

Graphic love scenes.

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

I don’t really know what my readers want. I prefer to write something that I believe I would like to read.

What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?

That they are from the opposite sex.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

Anything from one to two years.

Gunsmoke and Hexes

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7 authors. 7 haunted trails. 1 twisted frontier. Step into the Weird West—if you’ve got the nerve.

Gunsmoke and Hexes

Tales From the Cursed Frontier

An EdgeWeaver Press Anthology

Genre: Dark Weird West Anthology

The West was never just wild—it was cursed.

In the dust-choked crossroads of pulp grit and supernatural dread, seven tales ride hard into the heart of the Weird West. Inside this anthology, silver bullets don’t always save you, and salvation is just another gamble in a rigged deck.

From cursed elixirs and demonic cults to jackalope riders, mutant lawmen, and undead steamboat soldiers, Gunsmoke & Hexes delivers a shotgun blast of horror, heroism, and frontier justice.

Featuring stories by Tony Garcia, Oscar Chavira, Jr., Ross Carmona, Curtis Moore, Benjamin Winters, George Cottonwood, and Michael John Petty—this collection is for readers who like their campfire tales laced with blood, dust, and dark enchantments.

The Trajak Tale of the Last Ranger by Tony Garcia

Magic returned to a broken world – now it’s time for justice to follow

Ballads of the Protectors by Oscar Chavira Jr.

In the frontier darkness, hope comes with a terrible price.

Spirit of the Desert by Curtis Moore

Some missions are bigger than they appear – especially when you’re only knee-high to most folks.

Flesh and Blood by Benjamin Winters

When the land rush begins, not all the settlers are among the living.

Miracle at Bishop’s Bluff by Michael John Petty

Some miracles come with a price no soul should pay.

Snake Oil by George Cottonwood

Not all snakes rattle before they strike.

The Cotton Eyed Killer by Ross Carmona

When the Cutter’s Moon rises, death rides on the wind.

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Ross Carmona is an Orlando, Florida based writer of dark fantasy, speculative fiction, and everything in between. When he isn’t grinding away at the nine-to-five, he’s crafting forgotten worlds and weaving the lives of those who wander there. This story is his first published work—and the first of many to successfully escape into reality.

Oscar Chavira Jr. is a licensed mental health therapist from Hereford, a rural town in the Texas panhandle. He is a current member of the Caprock Writers and Illustrators Association, and he has his blog where he currently documents his writing journey. Oscar’s main genres are horror and thriller, putting protagonists in situations where they get to explore the themes of dread and stagnation in the situations they find themselves in.

George Cottonwood is a storyteller with a passion for grit, action, and the untamed frontier, specializing in hardboiled westerns and men’s adventure fiction. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoys hunting, camping, and fishing with his wife and young son. In his day job, he works as a communications specialist for a faith-based child foster care agency in South Texas. He has written for Stand Firm Magazine, Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine, Saddlebag Dispatches, and Veritas Entertainment. You can find his fiction work at https://georgecottonwoodbooks.wordpress.com/.

Tony Garcia lives in the Arizona mountains creating and running games, sketching, and writing. He has several published stories in multiple anthologies and other works, but the biggest project is his original roleplaying game – “Dystopian Dawn”. The core set (Player’s Guide and Game Master’s Guide) launched in 2023, since then Tony wrote and published several adventure and world books. He is set to publish the 13th book by the end of 2025, with sights on new worlds for 2026 and beyond. A prolific indie supporter, Tony collaborates with many authors and creators, and only hires indie Artists for his projects.

His story “Trajak Tale of the Last Ranger” is based on characters who originally appeared in the Dystopian Dawn source adventure books “Cowboys & Mutants!” and “Vikings & Robots!”.

In 2025 you can find him running games online via Discord, chatting with creatives on X, and in-person at multiple upcoming conventions in Tucson. For more information about Dystopian Dawn, you can check out his website www.fracturedbrainstudios.com.

Curtis Moore lives, works, and writes in rural Nevada. He has written articles on scientific conflict, and presented on levels of conflict in fiction at the League of Utah Writers’ Pre-Quill conference in April 2023. The Silverstage Players selected his play Behavioral Science for their Writer’s Spotlight in July, 2023. His nonfiction essay Coparenting With Cormac McCarthy was shortlisted in The Milk House’s Best of Rural Writing 2023 Contest. His published short stories include The Quincey Morris Society, and The Breaker in the Sky, and Outlaw Magic. A full list of Curtis’ published works can be found on his website at curtismoorewrites.com.

Michael John Petty is an author, podcaster, and filmmaker with a deep love of storytelling. When he isn’t writing, he enjoys scenic drives, mountainous hikes, fellowship with his local church, and a good Western. Michael is the creator of The Bear-tooth Mountain Archive, which began with The Beast of Bear-tooth Mountain. His short story, The Devil’s Left Hand, won the Spur Award for Best Short Fiction in 2025. He currently resides in North Idaho with his wonderful wife and beautiful daughters. You can find Michael intermittently on his Substack, Further Up & Further In, which doubles as his newsletter.

Benjamin Winters is a cowboy turned techie with a love for storytelling and tall tales. Taking his experiences as a fourth generation rancher, and looking to the future with his work in technology, Benjamin loves to explore the conflict of tradition and innovation in his writing. He lives with his wife and two cats in Virginia, where he is roundin’ up letters instead of dogies. You can connect with him on Instagram by following @benjaminwinterswrites for new stories.

Author Links

Website:  https://www.edgeweaverbooks.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/edgeweaverbooks/

X: https://x.com/EdgeWeaverBooks

Instagram:    https://www.instagram.com/edgeweaverbooks

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Captive Dragon by Elisa Rae

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Can a dying dragon trust a poisoner to save him?

Captive Dragon

Dragons of Reverie Book 1

by Elisa Rae

Genre: Romantasy, Noblebright Fantasy Romance

Storm, born of an esteemed lineage, avoids the violent politics of his species until the power struggle comes to him. After being attacked while traveling home, he overcame his assailant. Wounded and vulnerable, Storm retreats into a cave to heal, only to be woken from a healing sleep by a band of cutthroats intent on taking his hide.

Selah has been kidnapped. The thugs wanted an elven mindhealer, but she is only an apprentice. Now her captors are insisting she slay a dragon for them by addling its mind. To refuse means death for her, but to comply would be death of a different kind.

Captive Dragon is a noblebright fantasy romance novel about a relationship between a dragon shifter and a warrior elf. It features an alpha/cinnamon roll of a reluctant hero and his feisty heroine being forced into close proximity on a road trip to figure out both their pasts and futures.

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A reader of fairytales and folklore, Elisa Rae loves a happy ending. Noblebright characters, dastardly villains, and chemistry between characters delight her. When she isn’t writing, she loves to watch superhero movies and literary dramas.

Elisa Rae is the pen name of Rachel Rossano.

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A Version of the Truth by Marsh Rose

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Do we spend our lives searching in vain for an answer, or do we find a version of the truth we can live with, and live with it?

A Version of the Truth

by Marsh Rose

Genre: Memoir

Over forty years, Marsh and her partner built a life defined by love, devotion, and independence. He supported her when she bought her home in California wine country, when she grieved the deaths of her parents, when she built her career as a psychotherapist, and even when she overcame a lifelong fear of dogs to adopt a rescued greyhound.

They never married or shared a home—by choice. They were lovers and confidants, deeply committed to one another. Yet, they only met on Tuesdays and Fridays.

And then, one day, he vanished.

When Marsh finally tracked him down, she discovered the unimaginable: he had suffered a catastrophic stroke. His memory was gone. He could no longer speak. And he was living with a woman who knew him by a different name.

What was the truth? With him unreachable behind the devastation of his illness, and with the danger that exposing their relationship could cause irreparable harm, Marsh was left to confront a hall of mirrors—plagued by questions, silences, and uncertainty.

In the end, she discovered a universal reality: we all live with some unknowable mystery. The question is—do we spend our lives searching in vain for an answer, or do we find a version of the truth we can live with, and live with it?

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Marsh Rose is a freelance writer, psychotherapist and college educator. Her short stories have appeared in a variety of publications including Cosmopolitan Magazine, the San Francisco Chronicle, Carve Magazine, Hippocampus Magazine, and New Millennium Writings where she took first prize for creative nonfiction in 2018. This is her second novel. She lives in the north San Francisco Bay Area with her greyhound, Adin.

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Scion of a Swan by A.R. Stern

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Driven by vengeance and the mystery of her bloodline, a morally gray woman wielding powerful magic becomes the newest target of the feared Shadow People.

Scion of a Swan

Age of Shadows Book 1

by A.R. Stern

Genre: Dark Urban Fantasy

Shadows thirst for the living. She starves for the truth.


Descending from a long line of witches, Daire Delacroix has been practicing magick since she was a witchling, and with the gift to see all magick, her gifts are unparalleled. But when Daire’s mother suddenly falls ill only to perish without a valid diagnosis, Daire grows vengeful and bitter for answers.

Half a year after her death, Daire reintroduces herself into the witch community to celebrate her first Wiccan holiday without her mother. When the Shadow People make an appearance and attack at one of the most renowned Wiccan sabbats, Daire’s world starts to fall apart once again.

Now with the Shadows growing violent and haunting Daire, she is determined to destroy them and protect what remains of her family. The deeper she searches the more secrets come to the surface, along with the truth about her mother’s death and her lineage.

Nothing will stop her from unveiling the truth—even when it means walking the line of right and wrong.

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A. R. Stern is an indie author from Minnesota, blending dark fantasy, horror, and new adult elements in her writing. Her current series, Age of Shadows, showcases her unique style and she plans to explore different genres in upcoming novels.

Stern is an emerging author who began writing in elementary school. With several novels in her past, she now focuses on developing new ideas and refining her craft, eager to share her unique stories with readers.

In her spare time she is an avid reader of all genres, cruises on a Harley with her husband, and spends time with her pets. She also takes pleasure in cooking and the art of sourdough baking.

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If you could spend time with a character from your book whom would it be? And what would you do during that day?

Definitely Daire as I love her badass attitude and near overwhelming power she exudes. We would go to a sabbat and celebrate with all her fellow witches. No sabbat in particular, as long as there are no surprise Shadow encounters!

Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the

story?

I like to think I have most of the control in the story, but when they hijack the story I let them do their thing. It usually adds to the depth and even surprises me with how the plot gets enhanced. The best thing, in my experience, is to allow the characters to hijack the story. It’s their world to begin with afterall.

Have you written any other books that are not published?

I have written 4 novels, not all of them finished, when I was first learning how to plot a story, create characters, and discover my writing style. When I was 15-16 I self-published two novels, both which are no longer available. Since then I’ve learned a lot and am fine tuning my craft with every chapter I write.

Is there a writer whose brain you would love to pick for advice? Who would that be and why?

My top two would have to be Sarah J Maas and Marie Lu. I fell in love with the Throne of Glass series and was so emotionally destroyed and enraptured by the characters. Marie Lu’s The Young Elites stuck with me because of how she wrote the FMC into the villain despite rooting for her the entire time. There are so many more brilliant authors I’d love to talk with, but those two have inspired me to write intricate plots, deep characters, and stylistic phrasing.

Do you see writing as a career?

Most definitely! The dream would be to make enough money off my books so I can write full-time. I would also make an effort to keep connected with my readers because without them my dreams would stay fiction.

Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you Write?

The main characters I have fleshed out before I begin to write. Secondary and tertiary characters vary if I plan them ahead of time, though sometimes they show up as the story progresses and I flesh them out as I go. I find that easier so I get to know their personality through the story versus forcing them into a personality that might not fit. However I am working on two more main characters for my Age of Shadows series that I did not have planned originally. As I wrote, I realized these characters would make great additions to the story and add to characters arcs already happening. They won’t make an appearance until book 3.

The Silence of Deceit by Jillian Eagan

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A sheltered noblewoman is thrust into danger and unexpectedly rescued by a ruthless pirate captain. Together, they must survive betrayal, uncover long-buried secrets, and face a tyrant whose power could destroy everything Rosalie loves.

The Silence of Deceit

The Deceit Trilogy Book 1

by Jillian Eagan

Genre: YA High Fantasy

The nation of Seity.
Four ruling families.
One merciless tyrant.

When Eldon Durane executes a noble family and extinguishes all magic, he ignites a war that spans generations.

Two decades later, Lady Rosalie Yorke and her best friend, Silence, are uprooted from their comfortable lives to escape the spreading war. But Rosalie’s world shatters when ruthless raiders kidnap her—only for her fate to collide with Crowe, the notorious pirate captain of the Deceit.

Crowe wants nothing to do with Seity’s political turmoil, but the thirst for revenge leads him to Rosalie. Hoping to change his luck, he decides to extort Rosalie’s father for a ransom.

Rosalie refuses to be anyone’s pawn, and Crowe has no patience for nobility. As the two bicker and dodge danger, Seity’s long-buried secrets begin to emerge from the shadows.

With Eldon’s deadly plan looming, Rosalie and Crowe must set aside their differences. Should they fail, Rosalie may lose everything.

Perfect for fans of Adrienne Young’s Fable and Amie Kaufman’s The Isles of the Gods, The Silence of Deceit is a seafaring tale of betrayal, friendship, and survival. A must-read for fans of pirate fantasy, enemies-to-lovers tension, and sweeping adventures filled with magic and rebellion.

What readers are saying:

“War is a noble’s game; pirating is for rule breakers.”
This line perfectly sums up The Silence of Deceit. We have political intrigue. We have swashbuckling pirates. We have action. We have family secrets. And MORE!….Bring in Crowe, our dashing, cocky MMC and book boyfriend for all you readers who need a charming pirate to fall in love with.”

 — Goodreads

“This is the kind of book where you feel every single word that’s on the page. I was right there with Rosalie when her whole life took a major twist, and I was there when she found herself. I think that’s what I will take with me from this book, Rosalie’s strength and unwavering loyalty. It doesn’t matter what life throws at her she will endure, and she will move heaven on earth for the ones she loves.”

 — Goodreads

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Jillian Eagan is an indie author from Massachusetts. She received her BA in Creative Writing from Emmanuel College. Currently, she lives in Cape Cod, where she reads and writes on the beach. Her new book, The Silence of Deceit, is the first of her Young Adult fantasy series.

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Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?

My name is Jillian and I self-published my debut novel The Silence of Deceit. I’ve been writing stories as long as I can remember and I went to college to get my Bachelor’s in Creative Writing. After publishing a few short pieces in magazines, I went on to publish my first full length novel.

What is something unique/quirky about you?

My most listened to playlist is nothing but sea shanties and fantasy folk songs (think Lord of the Rings). I’m not sure what attracts me to that music so much but I love it!

Tell us something really interesting that’s happened to you!

I am 95% sure I had an interaction with a ghost. I was alone in a room, far from anyone else when I heard a gentle “hello” whispered right in my ear. To this day I’m still perplexed by it, but I like to think it was a real ghost because she sounded friendly!

What are some of your pet peeves?

Punctuation. I guess I wasn’t paying much attention during the day they taught proper comma use because I’ve never been one to follow the rules. Honestly, I leave that up to my editors to fix because I have more faith in them than myself.

What are you passionate about these days?

I’m passionate about uplifting marginalized voices as much as I can. I make an effort to read LGBTQ+ authors, BIPOC authors, disabled authors, because I want so badly for the publishing world to be more diverse.

What do you do to unwind and relax?

I watch Bobs Burgers and do some crossword puzzles.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I always called myself a writer, but I feel I really started to hone the craft when I was in college. That’s where I learned a lot of the techniques to creating a good story.

Do you have a favorite movie?

The Princess Bride! The scene where Buttercup and Westley reunite helped inspire the dynamic between my two characters, Rosalie and Crowe.

As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?

Maybe a raccoon? When I’m researching for a book, I tend to dig a little deeper than necessary so I’m like a raccoon rooting around dumpsters. Raccoons are great survivalists though, so maybe I’m just trying to fend for myself in the publishing world as best I can too.