A. L. Kaplan

Author: A. L. Kaplan

  • Countdown to the Day of Reckoning – 4 Days – Perseid Meteor Shower

    stars2There are several meteor showers throughout the year, but the Perseid meteor shower is one of my favorites. It’s one of the reasons I used is as a base for some of the events in my novel, Star Touched. This annual show is caused by the dust and debris left behind by the 1992 passing of the Swift-Tuttle Comet. It’s going on now, but peak is between August 11-13th, where you could see as many as 60-70 meteors an hour. That’s a lot of space junk. The little crescent moon will set before the shower starts after midnight.

    Look north toward the Perseus constellation. (just below Cassiopeia)

    Pull out a chair.

    Slather on some bug spray.

    Camp out under the night sky.

    Enjoy the show.

    While you’re there, keep an eye out for Mars and Saturn. Both will be visible.

    But don’t worry, none of the meteors are big enough to cause a cataclysm.

    Here are some links for more information:

    https://www.space.com/32868-perseid-meteor-shower-guide.html

    https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/meteor-shower/perseid.html?hc_location=ufi

    STAR TOUCHED

    Sometimes it’s hard to be who you are meant to be.

    Especially when your powers can get you killed.

    Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.

    Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble.

    Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.

    HUMMINGBIRD

    Plagued by memories not her own, a young hummingbird struggles to decipher the visions and powers that set her apart from her fellow birds. But the road to awareness is fraught with danger that could doom her to repeat history.

    One step toward understanding.

    One stride toward survival.

    One leap toward flying free from the past.

    MARK OF THE GODDESS

    Sometimes a blessing can be a curse.

    Young Maya bears the mark of the moon goddess, a sign that would doom her to be sacrificed in her village where the death god is revered. Forced to dye her golden eyes dark, Maya lives in constant fear of discovery. To save her family and the village’s future, she must find the courage to stand up to the high priest before he can bring the death god into this world.

    WOLF DAWN

    A Hidden Past – A Deadly Secret

    Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers.

    But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.

  • Hear Ye! Hear Ye! I’ll be at the Maryland Renaissance Festival September 30, 2023

    Looking for something fun to do this fall? Come to the Maryland Renaissance Festival on September 30, 2023. I’ll be hanging out with Maria V. Snyder and Lorelei Elkins at Page After Page – Books of the Renaissance. They are located on White Stag Lane.

    Don’t wait to get your tickets. 6 day, 9 day, and 19 day passes are already sold out.

     Maryland Renaissance Festival
    1821 Crownsville Road
    Annapolis, Maryland 21401
    I’ll be on White Stag Lane outside Page After Page – Books of the Renaissance

  • Declaration of Independence: What it Truly Means

  • Con-Tinual Special Event: “Back to the Future”

    I had a great time discussing the Back to the Future movies with Barbara Evers, A. L. Kaplan, Joshua Palmatier, Ian Randal Strock, and host James P. Nettles.

    Crank up your Delorean and get to 88 MPH and join the journey through time with Marty McFly and Doc Brown!

    You can view the video on Facebook or the ConTinual YouTube channel under the LIVE tab.

    #ConTinual #Fandom #BackToTheFuture #TimeTravel #SciFi #ClockTower

    Don’t forget to check out these great reads.

    MARK OF THE GODDESS

    Sometimes a blessing can be a curse.

    Young Maya bears the mark of the moon goddess, a sign that would doom her to be sacrificed in her village where the death god is revered. Forced to dye her golden eyes dark, Maya lives in constant fear of discovery. To save her family and the village’s future, she must find the courage to stand up to the high priest before he can bring the death god into this world.

    STAR TOUCHED

    Sometimes it’s hard to be who you are meant to be.

    Especially when your powers can get you killed.

    Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.

    Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble.

    Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.

    HUMMINGBIRD

    Plagued by memories not her own, a young hummingbird struggles to decipher the visions and powers that set her apart from her fellow birds. But the road to awareness is fraught with danger that could doom her to repeat history.

    One step toward understanding.

    One stride toward survival.

    One leap toward flying free from the past.

    WOLF DAWN

    A Hidden Past – A Deadly Secret

    Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers.

    But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.

  • Star Touched on sale at Amazon

    Still looking for a copy of Star Touched? It’s on sale now on Amazon for only $12.71!

    STAR TOUCHED

    Sometimes it’s hard to be who you are meant to be.

    Especially when your powers can get you killed.

    Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.

    Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble.

    Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.

    Here are a few reviews:

    “A unique and finely crafted debut novel, the characters touched my heart as I was drawn into their plight and compelled to finish!”
         — New York Times bestselling Author Maria V. Snyder
     
    “Star Touched is fast-paced with well-defined characters and dialog that snaps. The ravaged, post-technological American society is depicted with sure strokes. The story draws one in and keeps one reading. And that’s exactly what one wants from a book.
         –Al Sirois
     
    “A great YA dystopian novel exploring the challenges of being different, acceptance, maturity, and friendship.”
         — Steven Southard

  • It’s Time to Learn Your ‘Actual Name!’©

    This one was too funny not to share. Enjoy.

  • Plot vs. Pants vs. Plants

    Check out this article by Andrew McDowell.

  • MY SCHEDULE FOR BALTICON 57

    Balticon is one of my favorite Science Fiction and Fantasy conventions. It is held on Memorial Day weekend an comprises of four days of fantasic programing. I’m loaded up on programing this year. Here is where you can find me.

    When Muses Collide (Sat 10:00 AM) Balancing your WIPs when you have more than one kind of creativity. How do you decide what you want to do? A. L. Kaplan moderator, Heidi Hooper, Sarah Pinsker, Eric Hardenbrook, Ariel Burgess

    Am I a Real Writer Now? (Sat 1:00 PM) At what point does a writer become a real writer? How does a person go from having a novel or a few stories to being a real Writer? What can people with a few things written do to make this a career? Early career writers talk about what they have done. Joshua Bilmes moderator, Jack Campbell, A. L. Kaplan, Elektra Hammond, Bjorn E. Hasseler

    Limits on YA (Sat 5:30 PM) There is often a problem with defining YA and it often boils down to whatever the publisher declares is YA. But are there limits to YA? Is there anything that cannot be included in YA or whose presence makes the book not YA? Dr. Jim Thorne, Michael A. Ventrella, A. L. Kaplan, Michael M Jones

    I’ll also be working as a judge’s clerk for the Masquerade Saturday night.

    Autographs (Sun 11:30 PM) A.L. Kaplan, Leah Cypress  

    Is SF/Fantasy Mere Escapism? (Sun 1:00 PM) Many critics dismiss SF/Fantasy as unrealistic and escapist. Is this true? Is there SF that rises above escapism? Or is entertaining the reader/viewer enough? Carl Cipra moderator, Ken Schrader, A. L. Kaplan, Walt Boyes

    Readings (Sun 4:00 PM) A. L. Kaplan, D. H. Aire

    Out of Control Characters (Sun 5:30 PM) Some authors tightly control their characters, requiring them to follow an outline. But other authors say there are things their characters won’t do. What do authors do when their characters go off script? Do you try to regain control (and how?) or go where the characters take you? Jennifer R. Povey moderator, Alan Smale, “Amy” A. L. Kaplan, Scott Edelman

    When I’m not busy on a panel or volunteering, You can find me wandering the halls with Fifi or helping out at the Maryland Writers’ Association table.

    Balticon 57

    May 26-29, 2023

    Renaissance Harborplace Hotel

    202 East Pratt Street

    Baltimore, MD 21202

    Hope to see you there.

    MARK OF THE GODDESS

    Sometimes a blessing can be a curse.

    Young Maya bears the mark of the moon goddess, a sign that would doom her to be sacrificed in her village where the death god is revered. Forced to dye her golden eyes dark, Maya lives in constant fear of discovery. To save her family and the village’s future, she must find the courage to stand up to the high priest before he can bring the death god into this world.

    STAR TOUCHED

    Sometimes it’s hard to be who you are meant to be.

    Especially when your powers can get you killed.

    Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.

    Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble.

    Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.

    HUMMINGBIRD

    Plagued by memories not her own, a young hummingbird struggles to decipher the visions and powers that set her apart from her fellow birds. But the road to awareness is fraught with danger that could doom her to repeat history.

    One step toward understanding.

    One stride toward survival.

    One leap toward flying free from the past.

    WOLF DAWN

    A Hidden Past – A Deadly Secret

    Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers.

    But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.

  • WHO SAYS DOGS CAN’T TALK?

    Me: Walks to the back door. “Laila, want to go out?”

    Laila: Looks at me. Turns and runs upstairs.

    Me: Goes to the top of the stairs where dog is waiting.

    Laila: Circles me once. Walks to the couch in my office. Swishes tail.

    Me: Grabs notebook and pen to edit. Sits on couch and invites Laila up.

    Laila: Puts both paws on my lap. Stares at me for a moment. Backs away and waits.

    Me: Puts away notebook and lies down on couch.

    Laila: Jumps up next to me and stretches out.

    Me: Effectively pinned for 20-minute power nap.

    She spoke. I listened.

    Speaking of listening, check out Wolf Dawn. Kara can really speak with wolves.

    WOLF DAWN

    A Hidden Past – A Deadly Secret

    Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers.

    But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.

  • ConTinual: Favorite Sountracks from Movies and TV

    Favorite movies and TV series also come with unforgettable soundtracks. Fans Amy Kaplan Hansi Oppenheimer Teri Clarke (Zin E. Rocklyn) , Matthew Saunders Sarah J. Sover Greg Uchrin and Gail Martin share their geeky favorites.

    Click Here To Watch

    If you haven’t had a chance yet, check out these books.

    MARK OF THE GODDESS

    Sometimes a blessing can be a curse.

    Young Maya bears the mark of the moon goddess, a sign that would doom her to be sacrificed in her village where the death god is revered. Forced to dye her golden eyes dark, Maya lives in constant fear of discovery. To save her family and the village’s future, she must find the courage to stand up to the high priest before he can bring the death god into this world.

    STAR TOUCHED

    Sometimes it’s hard to be who you are meant to be.

    Especially when your powers can get you killed.

    Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.

    Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble.

    Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.

    HUMMINGBIRD

    Plagued by memories not her own, a young hummingbird struggles to decipher the visions and powers that set her apart from her fellow birds. But the road to awareness is fraught with danger that could doom her to repeat history.

    One step toward understanding.

    One stride toward survival.

    One leap toward flying free from the past.

    WOLF DAWN

    A Hidden Past – A Deadly Secret

    Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers.

    But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.