SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! - Another New Life - A Cover Reveal #Books #ComingSoon #Giveaway

Today, I (briefly) interrupt our regularly scheduled 2014 A-to-Z Challenge program about Why We Make Movies for a cover reveal of "ANOTHER NEW LIFE," the debut novel by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle. To celebrate the upcoming release of this new adult contemporary romance novel, here's an early peek at what readers can expect, along with a giveaway from an author who loves flicks like "THE AVENGERS." Check it out! Also stay tuned for my latest #atozchallenge post - for Letter I, which will be live in a few hours.

Title: Another New Life

Author: Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

Publication Date: June 2, 2014

New Adult Contemporary Romance

**This book contains adult subject matter. Not intended for young readers.**

Cover Design by: (C) Arijana Karčić, Cover It! Designs

Miranda Preston is a walking contradiction. Beautiful on the outside, but, insecure, haunted and damaged on the inside. Despite these contradictions, she’s ready to start Another New Life.

When her talent wins her a piano scholarship to the University of Texas at Austin, Miranda arrives on campus determined to experience everything college has to offer and to keep her secrets in the past where they belong.

An easy task, until the first guy who catches her eye happens to be someone, she’s known all her life.

Eight years have passed since the last time Miranda and Troy saw each other. He reminds her of the best and worst times of her life, but she can’t think about one without dwelling on the other. As they grow closer, every day their attraction reminds them they are no longer kids.

The epic romantic love story that is Miranda and Troy seems to be destined for a happy ending, but Miranda knows it's only a matter of time before her secret is discovered. A secret that will not only destroy their relationship, it will destroy Troy, too.

Can Miranda focus on her future with Troy while preventing her past from tearing them apart all over again?

GIVEAWAY:

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About The Author

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Sydney Aaliyah Michelle is a New Adult Contemporary Romance writer, a voracious reader and movie fanatic who 

Sydney has been blogging at sydneyaaliyah.com for three years, where she interviews people about their tattoos, discusses her favorite movie quotes, reviews books (New Adult & only the ones she loves) and journals about her writing and editing process.hailsfrom Texas. After surviving 5 1/2 years living in China, she had the courage to finally pursue her passion and become a writer.

Sydney’s self-published debut New Adult Novel Another New Life will be available June 2014. An active tweeter, she is also a JuNoWriMo (2x) and NaNoWriMo (2x) winners who notes the sci-fi action flick “The Matrix” as the best representation of her life in the past. She is blessed to be awake now and doing what she loves.

Heaven Help the Hollywood Hopefuls! #atozchallenge #IndieFilm

l-r: Skyy John with models Raychel Gregg, Keziah Okonkwo and Kristina from the YouTube show 'Tipsy Bartender.'After meeting various actors, directors, film students and producers over the years, I get the impression that some people who make movies are not so much trying to create motion pictures as much as they are reaching for a place in Hollywood -- and all its trimmings – to call their own. By this, I am not exactly referring to fame, but rather, one’s attempts at being associated with the scene.

It’s also common to find someone in the independent film community who wants those perks without him or her actually doing anything substantial that warrants such an entry pass into all that glitters. “That’s unlikely to happen,” says Skyy John, an actor based in Los Angeles who hosts a widely popular webseries called TIPSY BARTENDER on YouTube.

Having appeared in films and Emmy-winning CBS shows including “COLD CASE” and “THE YOUNG and THE RESTLESS,” Skyy John’s advice for filmmakers who dream of sipping martinis by the pool with George Clooney and hobnobbing with the Olsen Twins, offers a healthy dose of reality for such a pursuit. ”That’s unlikely to happen. It’s possible but that’s not the way most filmmakers live,” he says and continues “Being good at what you do usually requires a lot of work, so stars that are talented ain’t sittin’ by the pool – they’re working!"

l-r: Rapper/Comedian Timothy DeLaGhetto and model BOBBi Dean with Skyy John on the set of 'Tipsy Bartender.'Have you ever spotted a filmmaker who constantly longs to hang out with superstars like Brad Pitt, indulge in orgies with Charlie Sheen, have personal assistants at their beck and call, and party all night with Lindsay Lohan? Although there’s nothing wrong with these interests, if they’re the main reason why someone would make a film, then there’s no point in even bothering with all the obstacles popping up during development all the way through the distribution stages of projects.

Folks who are chasing after Hollywood use films as a pawn to get an in to all of the (seemingly) cool spots and crowds, providing them with a pass to feel proud of being affiliated with the good life. I don't know about anyone else, but the mere thought of having to keep that up is exhausting!

Unfortunately for us, many producers fall into the category of Hollywood hopefuls, as do groupies, fanboys (and fangirls) who just want to be in a position where they can say "me too" to be granted an invitation to the party. Oh, and let’s not forget the money-hungry leeches who like to claim that they contributed more to a project than they actually did. Hollywood is not the problem. Making movies for the purpose of living out one's false perceptions of making it – whatever that looks like -- is a cause for concern. It also seems like a hell of a lot to go through just for a home in the hills. 

If YOU were given 24 hours to sip martinis by the pool with any Hollywood star (actor or director) of your choosing, who would it be and what would you drink with him or her?

SkyyJohn’s new book Tipsy Bartender "I'm having a girl over" is available now!

Also, be sure to read yesterday's post about the Gratification of a Few Good Men, in case you missed it!

The Gratification of a Few Good Men #atozchallenge #IndieFilm

"I think movies can change people.  I want to make films that can change people. I have always been drawn to stories that help us relate to people we might feel we have nothing in common to.  Movies allow people to walk a mile in another man’s shoes." - Ted Hope

Narrative feature film WHITE SHADOW by Noaz DesheArtists who create change, stir controversy or have a large impact with their work, show me time and time again that filmmaking can be a worthwhile endeavor when one’s motivation is bigger than the project itself. Some people aren't making movies just for the fun of the process or the entertainment factor it brings audiences.

Instead, they use the medium as a vehicle for fostering change or understanding among people who view it and their industry peers. This is a reason that I can get behind, because there is a force sustaining one’s commitment to stay the course through the turbulent and uncertain times of making movies. The work makes a difference -- either by calling out a problem or by challenging people to view topics from a perspective that they would otherwise not consider. 

While the most common and obvious place to find a few good men is among Documentary filmmakers, there are many narrative films helmed by people who are shedding light on important matters. Israeli director Noaz Deshe is one of these people. His feature debut “WHITE SHADOW” is about a young albino boy named Alias whose survival continues to be plagued by witch doctors and other locals who are hunting him for spare parts. Deshe’s movie is inspired by the modern-day underground trade of albino body parts in Tanzania, Kenya and Congo – where people are chopping off limbs of albinos, said to be worth thousands of dollars; in these regions, albino body parts are believed to bring good fortune, prosperity and cure for illness.

The logline for “WHITE SHADOW” sums up its story of a child with a price on his head:

There is a saying in Tanzania 
"Albinos don't die they just disappear"

- WHITE SHADOW, written & directed by Noaz Deshe

As this movie currently enjoys a well-received run on the film festival circuit, I’m glad that Noaz Deshe and writers/directors like him have found stirring reasons to make movies. When his production crew contracted malaria, they kept moving forward on “WHITE SHADOW.”

When a lion was shot by local military after it killed ten people in the area where Deshe and his crew were filming, they continued to work towards completing this film. The disturbing realities of albino hunting made him do it. We get to become more aware of the world around us, thanks to Deshe and the few good men – and women – whose efforts cause people to pay attention, and for good reason!

Here are the upcoming showtimes for “WHITE SHADOW”...

• NASHVILLE FILM FESTIVAL:

(Competing in the New Directors category)

April 23, 2014 – 8:45 p.m. – Green Hills Cinema – Theater 4

April 25, 2014 – 12:00 p.m. – Green Hills Cinema – Theater 15

• SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL:

May 4, 2014 - 6:30 p.m. - Sundance Kabuki Cinema
May 6, 2014 - 6:15 p.m. - Sundance Kabuki Cinema
May 8, 2014 - 8:00 p.m. - Sundance Kabuki Cinema

 While you're here, you might as well check out yesterday's post about Flying High on Fame. Also, stay tuned for more observations on why we make movies!