The LITTLE PEEPS Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Early Readers that invites children to read and explore. The Little Peeps Book Awards is a division of the Chanticleer International Book Awards (CIBAs).
Chanticleer International Book Awards Reviews is looking for the best books featuring stories of all shapes and sizes written to an audience for Early Readers. Story books, Beginning Chapter Books, Picture Books, Activity Books & Educational Books we will put them to the test to discovery today’s best children’s books. (For Young Adult Fiction see our Dante Rossetti Awards, for Middle Grade Readers see our Gertrude Warner Awards.)
These titles have moved forward in the judging rounds from SLUSH pile to the 2020 Little Peeps Book Awards LONG LIST and now have progressed to the 2020 SHORTLIST.
These titles have been Shortlisted for the 2020 Little Peeps Book Awards for Early Readers
Ellie Smith –Tex the Explorer Journey Through the Alphabet
M. Lisa Rinaca –P Mind Your Q’s
M. Lisa Rinaca –The Missing Punctuation Box
M. Lisa Rinaca –Two Different Princesses
Courtney Shannon Strand –Hollyhock Hill
Masoud Malekyari –Great As A Button
Susan Faw –Poppy Ogopogo
Carmela Dutra – Little Katie and the STEAM Team
D.K. Brantley –Every Mummy Has a Mommy
Carmela Dutra –Little Katie Goes to the Moon
Dr. Justine Green –Completely Me
Courtney Shannon Strand –Ella’s Umbrella
Lindy Ryan –Trick or Treat, Alistair Gray
Dawn Marie Thompson –Sedwick the Seagull
Mercy Hansen Mize –Samson’s Tail
Pamela Tomlin –Our Wounded Little Chickadee
Johnny Ray Moore – ANTHILL FOR SALE
Alycyn Culbertson –Look What Happened While I Was Sleeping
Raven Howell –So You Want a Puppy?
Pj McIlvaine –Little Lena and The Big Table
Dianne Moritz –Hey Little Beachcomber
Savannah Hendricks –The Book Who Lost Its Title
Teal Blake –J is for Jackalope
Melodie Tegay – Hannah’s Two Homes: life in a “blended” family; a 5 year old’s perspective
These titles are in the running for the Semi-Finalists of the 2020 Little Peeps Book Awards for Early Readers.
Which of these works will move forward in the judging rounds for the 2020 Little Peeps Book Awards for Early Readers?
Good luck to all as your works move on to the next rounds of judging.
The ShortListers’ works will compete for the Semi-Finalists positions. Finalists will be selected from the Semi-Finalists, and then all Finalists will be recognized at the VCAC21 ceremonies. The First Place Category Winners, along with the CIBA Division Grand Prize winners, will be selected from the 22 CIBA divisions Finalists. We will announce the 1st Place Category Winners and Grand Prize Division Winners at the CIBAs Ceremonies April 21-25th, 2021 live at the luxurious Hotel Bellwether in Bellingham, Wash.
We are now accepting submissions into the 2021 Little Peep Awards Book Awards. The deadline for submissions is September 30th, 2021. The winners will be announced in April 2022.
The Dante Rossetti Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in Young Adult Fiction. The Dante Rossetti Book Awards is a genre division of the Chanticleer International Book Awards (#CIBAs).
Named in honor of the British poet & painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti who founded the Pre-Ralphaelite Brotherhood in 1848.
Chanticleer International Book Awards is looking for the best books featuring stories of all shapes and sizes written to an audience between the ages of about twelve to eighteen (imaginary or real). Science Fiction, Fantasy, Dystopian, Mystery, Paranormal, Historical, Romance, Literary, we will put them to the test to discover the best. (For Middle Grade Fiction see our Gertrude Warner Awards, and for Children’s Literature see our Little Peeps Awards.)
These titles are in the running for the Semi-Finalists of the 2020 Dante Rossetti Book Awards for Young Adult Fiction.
Michelle Rene –The Canyon Cathedral: The Witches of Tanglewood,Book Two
John Middleton –Dillion and The Skeleton Hall
Strider S. R. Klusman –Within Reach
Zoe Hauser –Jaguar Spirit
Sue C Dugan –Suppressed
Richard Groseclose –Henry Castlewaite and The Portrait of Doom
Michael Bialys –The Chronicles of the Virago
B. L. Smith –The Fall of the Axe
Liana Gardner –Speak No Evil
D.C. Carlisle –Surviving Eros: The Girl Under the Stars
Brooke Skipstone –Some Laneys Died
Brooke Skipstone –Someone To Kiss My Scars
Sara Hosey –Iphigenia Murphy
Susanne Dunlap –The Paris Affair
Strider Klusman –My Ransom
Susan Wingate –How the Deer Moon Hungers
Felicia Farber –Ice Queen
PJ Devlin –The Chamber — A Wissahickon Monsters Story
Dallas Woodburn –The Best Week That Never Happened
Kelly Vincent –Finding Frances
Chynna Laird –Just Shut Up and Drive
L.L. Eadie –Yearning for the Unattainable
Jodi Lea Stewart –Blackberry Road
Denis Olasehinde Akinmolasire –The Mission to End Slavery
Tory Gates –Searching for Roy Buchanan
Cris Harding –Red Wing
Jim and Stephanie Kroepfl –Merged
Good luck to all as your works move on to the next rounds of judging.
The 22 divisions of the 2020 CIBAs’Grand Prize Winners and the Five First Place Category Position award winners will be announced at theApril 25th, 2021 Chanticleer International Book Awards Annual Awards Gala,which takes place at the Chanticleer Authors Conference that will be held in virtually Bellingham, Wash.
The Short Listers’ works will compete for the Semi-Finalists positions. Finalists will be selected from the Semi-Finalists, and then all Finalists will be recognized at the VCAC21 ceremonies. The First Place Category Winners, along with the CIBA Division Grand Prize winners, will be selected from the 22 CIBA divisions Finalists. We will announce the 1st Place Category Winners and Grand Prize Division Winners at the CIBAs Ceremonies April 21-25th, 2021 live at the luxurious Hotel Bellwether in Bellingham, Wash.
One woman’s encounter with a rescued deer turns into an unanticipated life-changing experience in Blossom — The Wild Ambassador of Tewksbury, the audiobook.
Author Anna Carner lived in a horse-friendly farming area of New Jersey in 1999, when she encountered a newborn fawn, barely breathing, near her home. The animal seemed to be communicating its need to her, and, with some experience of animal and human care, Carner set out to revive the fawn. She took the baby deer into her house and nursed her back to health. When she and her husband, Pino, saw the fawn curled up asleep with the family dog, the couple knew they had a new pet. Her name, Blossom, seemed suited to her sweetness and soft, gentle beauty.
Caring for animals was not uncommon nor unfamiliar to Anna, who, with her husband Pino, housed horses and raised alpacas on their property. But bringing in a fawn was different because some community members considered deer a nuisance and hunting a sport to be enjoyed. As Blossom grew, she would venture farther away from home for more extended periods. Anna and Pino circulated “please, don’t shoot Blossom” posters to bring awareness and compassion for not just the friendly deer but for all deer. While many championed Blossom’s safety, others did not.
Narrator Petrea Burchard breathes life into the audio adaptation of Anna Carner’s captivating and moving memoir. Setting the tone from the get-go, Burchard’s soft, silken voice immediately draws readers in as she deftly prepares the groundwork of bucolic Tewksbury scenes that are mere façades to the danger lurking in its midst. Carner’s memoir functions more like a mystery thriller; its well-balanced mix between the first-person narrative and engaging dialogue and emotional roller-coaster scenes provides Burchard plenty of room to use the full range of her vocal skills.
Carner’s encounter with Blossom pushes her to recall childhood memories she’d rather leave behind. She can’t since the parallels of victim and rescuer between her present and past are too powerful to dismiss. While much of the story centers on the present, Carner appropriately shifts to disturbing but at the same time thought-provoking moments from her dysfunctional youth. The alterations may not be unusual from a reader standpoint but challenging for a narrator since Carner’s memoir includes a full cast of mostly secondary characters—neighbors, hunters, veterinarians, supporters—many of whom play critical roles in the direction of the story.
However, from a listener standpoint, three characters besides Anna take the front-and-center stage to shape the narrative. When Burchard morphs into Caruso, the Carner’s opera-loving and chattering parrot, her comical voice provides a definite mood change that lightens the story’s continual underlying tension focused on Anna’s incessant worry that a hunter will take Blossom down. The story’s tenor shifts again with the introduction of children’s voices, particularly Viola, one of the young burn-unit patients whom Anna befriends while in the hospital. Burchard’s attention to narrative details enhances the innocence and compassion as the girls converse with one another, discussing life issues. Lastly, another voice change, when Anna receives phone calls from a creepy stalker. Burchard’s gravelly tone against the terror in Anna’s voice could easily make one think the story was a Stephen King novel; it’s that spine-chilling.
Audience listening level: Light profanity and sexual references (mainly dealing with animals) make this perfect for middle-graders on up.
Riveting from beginning to end, Blossom—The Wild Ambassador of Tewksbury audiobook is a powerful story of love, determination, and hope for the betterment of wildlife conservation that won First in Category in the CIBA 2019 Journey Awards for Memoirs and Biographies. A highly recommended listen!
And why do we celebrate the Lunar New Year here at Chanticleer?
We do this because we are headquartered in Bellingham, Wash. just south of Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. Richmond is known for its Asian influences. Richmond is home to the International Buddhist Temple, a Golden Village with eateries and shops, a huge market, and many other connections. We are close enough to the city so that we can see the Lunar New Year fireworks and lighted lanterns floating in the still dark winter months’ sky. In pre-covid times, we would head north to the International Border to enjoy the annual festivities. We look forward to doing so again in 2022.
Lion Dance in Richmond, B.C. Canada (pre-Covid)Fireworks in Richmond for Lunar New Year (pre-Covid)Asian Market during Lunar New Year in Richmond, B.C., Canada (pre-Covid)
And now for Fun and Inspirational Horoscopes Just for Writers and Publishers for 2021 –
the Lunar New Year of the Metal OX by 殿堂级 Diàntáng Jí (Chanticleer’s cousin)
The following horoscopes for the Animal Zodiac are in below in the traditional order.
If your sign is a Rat (Along with being amiable and creative, Rats are known for their intelligence, adaptability, quick-wit, charm, artistry, gregariousness.)
Great things will start to manifest in the early part of the Year of the OX and then reveal a wonderful second half of the year for people born under the sign of the Rat. They are naturally talented at writing and editing. Rats are inquisitive and have busy minds that are always on the go.
2021 predictions are that you should interact and socialize more for lasting friendships, mentorships, and collaborations. These are not meant as romantic love but as long lasting life-time friendships.
Positive energy in your writing career will be coming your way in the Year of the Ox. Step out of your comfort zone to take advantage of the opportunities coming your way. At all times, be ready to take risks in your writing so that your works can reach their full potential. Rats are natural at writing, but if they join a team or collaborate they may feel stifled. Rats pay fine attention to detail and tend to write intricate plots. Their characters have a lot depth.
For a healthy life, Rats must remember to eat breakfast, do moderate exercise and remain cheerful.
If your sign is an Ox (Oxen are known to be leaders and loyal friends. They gain recognition through their hard work. They are also known for their reliability, thoroughness, strength, reason-ability, steadiness, and determination.) Bright, inspiring, patient, and hardworking are the OX’s attributes.
People born under the sign of the Year of the OX have traits of strength, reliability, fairness, and inspire confidence in others. While some may consider them strong-willed and stubborn, they are often thought to be calm, patient, and trustworthy.
2021 is the year to hone your writing craft and reinvigorate your book promotion strategy. Establish a budget for time and money for editing and marketing. Keep in mind nothing replaces your own elbow grease and hard work on your part.
Try to exercise more and move your body more while seated at your writing desk. Take care of yourself as well as you take care of others.
This will be the year when the chances for meeting a writing mentor improve. The mentor will help you to learn how to focus and make things happen. The mentor will point out opportunities that you may would not be able to see on your own. Exceptional opportunities will be coming your way, be prepared to employ them!
If your sign is a Tiger (Tigers are courageous and active people who love a good challenge and adventure in life. Tigers are passionate and have courage. They are known for their enthusiasm, courage, ambition, leadership, confidence, charisma. )
Writing is just not a way to earn money. It is your passion. However, is you have too many works-in-progress, you may have a hard time focusing to complete any othe them. It is important to select your projects and focus on them during the OX year because you will be rewarded for your discipline and perseverance. Exert patience and calmness with your chosen projects. Do not become frustrated. You are extremely creative, you have a lot of imagination, take notes and write down any new ideas. But try and finish your work-in-progress this year even if you are experiencing a lot of change and excitement that could veer you off course. Slow and steady will help you meet your goals even if you want to pounce and run with new ideas. Your efforts will show in book sales later.
Travel and going for walks will enhance your imagination. Keep your eyes on the prize.
If your sign is a Rabbit ( Trustworthiness, empathy, modesty, diplomacy, sincerity, sociability are what Rabbits are known for along with being friendly and possessing great common sense. Rabbits are diplomatic and calm people).
2021 is the year that you should take time to enjoy the little joys of writing and being creative. Maintaining a calming writing environment and consistent schedule but be adaptive when needed especially when it comes to family or room mates. In the Year of the Metal OX, you will need to pay attention to details and put in extra time to achieve your writing goals. You have the opportunity to use your imagination and to express your thoughts in the publishing environment.
This will be the year to not be shy about your books. Do not be afraid of self-promotion. And remember everything doesn’t have to be perfect to proceed! Don’t make money your goal, but instead pursue your passion. Write about what is interesting to you.
Be sure to make eating healthy and keeping fit are high priorities this year.
If your sign is a Dragon (They are known to be passionate and quick-witted along with having the following traits: Luckiness, flexibility, eccentricity, imagination, artistry, spirituality, charisma. )
Your projects will take a little more effort than what you normally exert, but they will work out. Experiencing this will make you realize that you have more inner strength than what you give yourself credit for. Try to surround yourself with authors who you admire—if not at a live conference, then perhaps by ZOOM or virtual conferences. Their positive influence and mentoring will inspire and educate you.
The Year of the OX will be lucky for you if you are disciplined, organized, and scheduled. This is time to invest time in planning and scheduling. If you do this, the Year of the OX will be a good year for you to promote your books and author brand, but keep to your budget.
Be sure to take some breaks during your work days and learn to relax—something that doesn’t come naturally for dragons. They tend to be on or off. This year, more frequent breaks will serve you better than one long vacation.
If your sign is a Snake (The wise and almost mystical Snake is philosophical, organized, intelligent, intuitive, elegant, attentive, and decisive.)
The Year of the OX is supposed to be amazing for Snakes. Your lucky stars are shining on you. Investing time and money into your author career and brand should pay off. This is the time to put your writing life in order. If you have a backlist, this is the time to promote them. Perhaps, consider new covers and a refresh on their selling platforms. Now is the time to start writing that new work that has been on the back burner.
This is the year to make new plans and follow up on them. Your calmness and being grounded sometimes hides that you are very alert and observant. You definitely have “novelist’s eyes.” Don’t let your perfectionist tendencies prevent you from experimenting and learning new skills in social media and in storytelling.
Your best writing time of the day is in the mid-morning until noon. 2021 is the year to try to make new connections, join a writing community, or taking classes even if they are online.
If your sign is a Horse (Independent and high-spirited, the Horse is adaptable, loyal, courageous, ambitious, intelligent, adventurous, strong.)
The Year of the Metal OX is a fortuitous year for Horses. Remain steady and strong in your domains. This is not the year to try out a new genre, but to work on your writing weaknesses. Take special courses or find a mentor. You can overcome any challenges that come your way with study and discipline. This might be hard for you because your emotions are forever changing and happiness is what motivates you. But you have quick reflexes and can adjust your attitude for the job at hand.
You like to change your routing on a daily basis. Nothing is more painful for you than to do the same thing day after day. You like to improvise, envision, and you like to change your writing environments—one day you write at a café, the next day you take your laptop with you to the park, the next day you stay in your office.
Doing research and fieldwork for your next work-in-progress or current one will help you overcome any writer’s block. You can learn from everyone!
And do try to help other writers who are just beginning their journey. Doing so will grant you more insight into writing craft.
If your sign is a Goat (The artistic and compassionate Goat is tasteful, crafty, warm, elegant, charming, intuitive, sensitive, calm.)
Goats are able to persevere through any difficulty. This is their most notable trait. They are strong and resilient, though their gentleness might be misleading.
They have high tolerance and motivation. Quiet observers, Goats consider all aspects of anything before deciding. They never act brashly and are able to complete tasks successfully.
As writers, you pay attention to the details and put your whole heart into your story craft. You never lack creative inspiration. However, this can mean that sometimes you find it hard to focus and can become easily distracted. This is the year to reduce clutter and organize.
During the Year of the OX, try to create a schedule, plan your goals and objectives, develop structure, and hold yourself accountable to your word counts. You may find that you are more disciplined to write in public spaces like a library or a café. Building good long-term habits will ensure your success in the Year of the Ox.
If your sign is a Monkey (Confident and innovative, the Monkey is quick-witted, charming, lucky, adaptable, bright, versatile, lively, smart.)
Monkeys view everyone as teachers and they are willing to listen to critiques of their writing and learn from their mistakes. Monkeys are never satisfied in one writing genre. They want to try every genre and then make their own combinations. They are particularly good at intricate plots with a lot of characters.
During the Year of the OX, Monkeys should take every opportunity to learn and improve not only their writing craft but advance their book promotion strategies especially on digital platforms. Use technology to help you with details and to remember your objectives and important deadlines.
Indulge in activities that will enable you to make good and full use of your gifts and talents for writing. But do not let them lead you astray. Be sure to gage when you have researched enough and it is time to put words on the paper (or screen). The Year of the Ox comes to you with numerous opportunities that you should not let pass you by. Strive for excellence and put yourself out there. Connect with other writers and collaborate on book promotions but keep a low profile and show your value with actions not just talk. When you find great connections, nurture them into long-term relationships for your author career.
If your sign is a Rooster (Roosters are progressive thinkers and doers and unafraid to be different. They are known to be honest, energetic, intelligent, flamboyant, flexible, diverse, confident. ) Roosters are protective of others. Of course, Chanticleer and his cousin Diàntáng Jí are Roosters.
The Year of the OX, 2021, will be a lucky year for Roosters.
Roosters will be blessed with happiness, opportunity, and good fortune during the Year of the Ox. Now is the time to focus on long term goals and to follow your dreams. You will hard work will be rewarded.
If any of you who have had a Chanticleer Review or Manuscript Evaluation, you well know that we (Roosters) take our work very seriously. We are straightforward and mince no words. Yes, some say we are perfectionists. But no matter how difficult a project or a work-in-progress, Roosters never give up.
Roosters enjoy helping others solve issues. They’ll study all aspects before coming to a conclusion and announcing their thoughts.
Now is an excellent time to invest in new writing projects that you have longed to try, as luck will be on your side. 2021 will also be a great year to expand your author brand and career. You have worked long and hard and now your all of your preparation meets opportunities. Enjoy the fruits of your labor. Be sure to reach out and thank all those who have helped you along the way. Now is the time to support them in their endeavors.
Be sure to set aside time in this busy year to rest and refresh. Outdoor activities are especially good for your physical and mental health in 2021. Be appreciative and grateful to all who positively impact your life and work.
If your sign is a Dog (The honest, loyal, and hardworking Dog is Loyal, sociable, courageous, diligent, steady, lively, adaptable, and smart. )
Once a Dog sets her/his mind to something, no one can change it. They are popular in social circles because they are honest and just. Their company is always welcome as they always put others before themselves.
The Year of the OX is the year that Dogs should focus on self-improvement in your writing craft. Do this by taking courses, attending conferences, and studying. If you do join a critique group, be careful of advice given by other members. Perhaps learning from mentors and teachers is the best way in 2021. This is a particularly fortuitous time to pursuit literary and writing craft interests.
2021 is a lucky year for Dogs. They will be full of energy and will be involved in many activities. You will find that you like working in teams, so perhaps you should consider “group write-ins” and volunteer and/or attend author events (even via ZOOM or video conferencing). Everything that you do this year will make next year, 2022, even better.
Don’t be shy about promoting your books and building your author brand. Seize the moment (aka the year!).
Dogs have a tendency to keep going until they are exhausted. Be sure to get the rest that you require with your busy schedule on a weekly basis. This way everything will work out.
If your sign is a Pig (Kind, friendly, and curious, the PIG is honorable, philanthropic, determined, optimistic, sincere, sociable. )
The Pig is known for having an entrepreneurial spirit and a talent for making book sales—if you use your talent and experience. Pigs have a sharp mind capable of intricate plots and page-turning pacing.
The Year of the OX will have excellent prospects for those who are born under the sign of the Pig. This year will be a great period for making long-term plans for your writing career. If you choose, this will be a good year to get out of your comfort zone and take on more writing challenges. Even though your work is good, it will go unheeded unless you promote it consistently and with flair.
Utilize 2021 to research topics that are of interest to you for your next works and series. Also, this same energy will help you to refine and improve your writing craft by taking courses, master writing classes, and learning from others. The more you focus on your writing goals, the more success you can expect. This is the year to enhance your writing skills.
Take some “me-time” to relax, and consider starting a physical exercise routine to help you stay fit and in good spirits.
Lucky Things to Do for the 2021 Year of the Ox
Lucky Colors are White/Silver and aqua blue/metal blue.
It is advised to eat tangerines and oranges, dried fruit and sweets, and assorted nuts during the two-week celebration (starting on February 12 and continuing for two weeks until February 26 for sixteen days) of the Lunar Year of the Metal Rat. Other good luck foods are dumplings, noodles, pork belly, and whole chicken, duck, and/or fish.
Only use positive words and try to think only positive thoughts during the Lunar New Year celebration
Enjoy wine and tea all the time during the Lunar New Year Celebration with Family and Friends even via ZOOM
Eat, eat, and eat some more with friends and family
Wear metal accessories during the Year of the Metal Ox. Now is the time to bring out that tiara, old jewelry, fancy bling, amulets, etc.
Think and say positive words to your friends, family, and colleagues.
Enjoy celebrating the coming of SPRING (if you live in the northern hemisphere—many Chanticleerians live in the southern hemisphere – may your winter be cozy and warm) in your own way!
We hope that you enjoyed this fun blog post that is meant as a way of thinking about new perspectives.
Chanticleer believes that we each make our own destiny by being optimistic and positive, being kind and loving, by dreaming and inspiring, being bold and doing, by appreciating and being grateful, and by expanding our awareness of the Universe.
We wish you an AWESOME New Year of Good Fortune, Good Health, and Many Book Sales and an Increased Readership!
Celebrations last up to 16 days and culminates with the Lantern Festival on February 26, 2021.
The Lunar New Year aka Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival and corresponds with the Gaelic IMOLC festival in Northern Europe that celebrates the first breaths of springtime (February 1st – the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox).
Lanterns floating on water to celebrate the New Lunar New Year – a particularly historically significant evening for women.
Some Fun Facts about the Lunar New Year aka Spring Festival
The most firecrackers in the world are set off on the first day of the Lunar New Year. They are set off the night before and the first morning to welcome the New Year. Fireworks will continue on until the end of the 16th day of celebration.
It is the longest Chinese holiday. The first five days are considered a national holiday with the majority of stores and services closed.
Until Covid, it was was the largest migration of people on an annual basis with many people returning to the rural villages of their elders.
The Lunar New Year is the holiday celebrated by the most amount of people on the planet. Celebrations take place across China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and also in most major population centers such as London, New York City, San Francisco, Sydney, Australia; Vancouver, British Columbia; and wherever there is a “Chinatown.”
There are wines made specifically for Lunar New Year and there are rules about toasting and drinking order depending on the wine and spirits being offered.
Most hair salons and barber shops are closed during the Spring Festival because cutting hair during this time is taboo.
The first full moon of the Lunar Year is cause for the Lantern Festival—a night of partying and festivities especially with friends. The first five days of the Lunar Festival are supposed to be spent with family and elders.
Lanterns’ Day is also known as Valentine’s Day in China.
The Year of the Metal OX is predicted to be the Year of Hard Work and Determination to achieve your writing goals and publishing goals. Supporting and helping colleagues in the writing and publishing community will bring energy and favor to your publishing career.
In the the Year of the OX, success will come for authors and writers, no matter what your Chinese Zodiac sign is, who really hard and consistently to promote their books and for those continually try to improve their books—even the ones that have been published. The new digital publishing world rewards those who take advantage of its fluidity.
This year is all about discipline, hard work, and continuous improvement. If you do, then you will reap the benefits.
The OX is the second sign in the 12 animal cycles of Chinese Astrology and that is why 2021 is considered a year to ground and complete many of the of new beginnings from the uncertainties and unprecedented events of 2020.
2021 predictions reveal that those who work hard and with determination in their businesses and projects will receive great rewards. Be appreciative of your writing talent and you will be rewarded.
Japanese OX Symbol
Set yourself goals and objectives. Spend time planning and scheduling your writing projects, marketing strategies, and making new connections. Then do not relent or give up until you have met your goals and objectives.
The Year of the OX is going to bring determination and resolve to your writing! You will need to follow your publishing goals with confidence and determination. Be relentless and do not get discouraged by obstacles.
This is a great year to improve your health. Practice good posture, balance, and focused breathing. Move your body as best as you can for your health whether it is walking, dancing, playing sports, or prescribed physical therapy.
Most of all, breathe fresh air as much as possible. Go for walks in nature. Make sure to drink plenty of pure water.
How to Celebrate the Year of the OX as Writers – No Matter What Your Chinese Zodiac Sign Is
This is the year to focus on your relationships with book sellers whether they are independent bookstores, on-line selling platforms like Bookchain or Amazon, audiobook sites, or specialty venues.
Relationships with editors—you may feel that it will take double your efforts to move forward with your work-in-progress, but if you are diligent and persevere your efforts will be rewarded.
This is the year to focus on author collaborations and joint marketing promotions. Be open to explore new tactics and strategies.
Be prepared to spend more time on organizing and scheduling your time. If you are disciplined, you will find that this is the year when you can solve many problems and improve your writing craft.
Are You Wondering How to Determine Your Chinese Zodiac Sign?
Use the handy table below to find your birth year and Chinese Zodiac Sign
Below are the 2021 Chinese Horoscope Forecasts for Those Who Live the Writing Life – Enjoy!
Note from Kiffer Brown: Chanticleer believes that we each make our own destiny by being optimistic and positive, by being kind and loving, by dreaming and inspiring, by being bold and doing, by helping and enriching others, by appreciating and being grateful, and by expanding our awareness of the Universe. Enjoy and have fun! Happy 2021!
If your sign is an Ox (Oxen are known to be leaders and loyal friends. They gain recognition through their hard work. They are also known for their reliability, thoroughness, strength, reason-ability, steadiness, and determination.) Bright, inspiring, patient, and hardworking are the OX’s attributes.
People born under the sign of the Year of the OX have traits of strength, reliability, fairness, and inspire confidence in others. While some may consider them strong-willed and stubborn, they are often thought to be calm, patient, and trustworthy.
2021 is the year to hone your writing craft and reinvigorate your book promotion strategy. Establish a budget for time and money for editing and marketing. Keep in mind nothing replaces your own elbow grease and hard work on your part.
Try to exercise more and move your body more while seated at your writing desk. Take care of yourself as well as you take care of others.
This will be the year when the chances for meeting a writing mentor improve. The mentor will help you to learn how to focus and make things happen. The mentor will point out opportunities that you may would not be able to see on your own. Exceptional opportunities will be coming your way, be prepared to employ them!
Click Here for PART-TWO where we post the Chinese Zodiac Horoscopes for the other eleven signs plus rituals for good luck.
Each year has a different sign, meaning each person is represented by one of the 12 animals.
We hope that you enjoyed this fun blog post that is meant as a way of thinking about new perspectives.
Chanticleer believes that we each make our own destiny by being optimistic and positive, being kind and loving, by dreaming and inspiring, being bold and doing, by appreciating and being grateful, and by expanding our awareness of the Universe.
On a military base outside Las Vegas, Lieutenant Brent Parker sits in a bunker in a darkened room looking to an outsider to be playing a sophisticated aerial combat video game. But this is no game. People live and die with Parker in control of a lethal drone nicknamed the Reaper flying over forbidden Syrian air space in 2011, striking American enemies on the ground with killer missiles from several miles in the air.
Enemies are one issue, but collateral damage—men, women, children, whole families who die in a missile attack as a side effect of bringing down a terrorist—weighs heavily on Parker’s conscience. It doesn’t help when his ultra-sensitive cameras see the face of a woman who his missile will obliterate as a side effect of bringing down a military-mandated target, a face that haunts him as he leaves the bunker for the clean, and safe, American desert air of Nevada.
Early on, we find out that Parker isn’t as safe as he thinks he is. Forces across the globe are watching as his drone wipes out an apartment building in the Middle East where a renowned Iranian bomb maker is holed up. When a missile controlled by Parker takes out the bomber and decimates the site, an incident widely reported by the international press, sophisticated military men in the enemy camp want the head of the man who murdered their prized weapons maker. They dispatch an assassin to infiltrate the U.S., track down and kill the killer of their esteemed techno genius.
That’s only half of Parker’s problems.
The other concerns another mission where Parker’s eye in the sky over Libya spots the transfer of some suspicious crates looted from a former Libyan dictator Gadaffi stronghold that turns out to be surface-to-air missiles that could wind up in the hands of ISIS. A U.S. crew is parachuted into Libya to stop the hand-off, but the mission becomes complicated when they are detected and are outnumbered by a superior number of ISIS soldiers. To complicate matters, a helicopter used to support the U.S. soldiers is shot down, and the soldiers’ orders are to kill the pilot to avoid him falling into enemy hands. Parker makes a decision to help the trapped soldiers, using a method frowned on by his superiors and puts him in danger of being court-martialed by his own command structure.
This tense action novel gives the readers a close-up, first-person knowledgeable view of the massive, sophisticated technology with which war and the collateral spying that goes with it. It feels hands-on real, both in the descriptions of the various weaponry and the way it is used. Someone lived this life, which makes it all the more readable. It also delivers a satisfying portrayal of the international forces focusing on controversies that Parker kicks up in the performance of his job as the pilot of a remote killer aircraft, and the actions he takes that have international repercussions.
There is more back story including a relationship that Parker develops with a well-paid Las Vegas escort and various battles with bad guys from both America and the Middle East. Some are bloody detailed hand-to-hand struggles, others are vicious mind games played by both sides.
Parker himself is portrayed in terms that would fit well in a graphics novel or a Jason Statham movie. Some of the dialog between him and other characters is less than stellar. But this isn’t a novel you read for Eudora Welty-level characterizations. You read Execute Order for the rush of an action novel with complex plots, a knowledgeable narrative, and a surprising, satisfying conclusion. On that front, Execute Order delivers the goods, and then some.
Execute Order won First Place in the CIBA 2019 Global Thrillers for Military Thrillers.
In the charming and heartfelt Pinto! Based Upon the True Story of the Longest Horseback Ride in History, M.J. Evans brings to life a forgotten piece of American history. Here from a unique perspective, Evans recaptures the legendary journey of the Overland Westerners, a group of four men on horseback who rode over 20,000 miles across the US, over 3 years. Their goal was to visit each of the 48 state capitols, be photographed with the governor, and ultimately reach California for the triumph of the 1915 World’s Fair Panama-Pacific Expo. Of the seventeen horses who joined the trip, whether traded, sold, or lost along the route, only one heroic equine made it the entire way.
Pinto was that beautiful, 6-year-old black & white Morab, i.e., half Morgan/half Arabian horse. Only 15 hands high but sturdy and well-proportioned, he had always dreamed of accomplishing something great. The opportunity comes about when George Beck chooses Pinto to join his ambitious cross-country trek. Clearly, the two develop a special bond rooted in heart and determination.
In a story that blends history, travelogue detail, equine knowledge, and adventure, this book is so special because the narrative is told from Pinto’s point of view. Whether struggling with variations of the terrain, observing human frailties – consider in the aftermath of a stolen saddle, Pinto opines, “I don’t like the evil side of men.”; performing as a show horse, or posing for photo ops; the arduous adventure keeps us invested.
Humor and pathos play hand in hand throughout the chapters. Whether revealed in the act of a pile of manure deposited in response to a dishonest rancher’s nefarious business tactics or the harrowing lesson of a near-drowning due to improperly secured horse packs, this well-crafted storyline moves steadily forward. Throughout their odyssey, the riders sold postcards and calendars to help fund their endeavor, though often they found it difficult to pay bills or feed themselves. While hard times often had them relying on others’ generosity, pep talks and song helped buoy their spirits, and the well-being of the horses was always a priority.
As an avid horsewoman, Evans weaves relative informative tidbits throughout this work. These range from artful descriptions of horses forming small familial bands rather than joining herds, dealing with colic’s precarious nature, and understanding the consequences of a horse’s improperly fitted tack or harness.
Evans retrieved much of her research from the Overland Westerners’ diaries, journals, and photographic materials, housed in the Oklahoma City National Cowboy Museum, as well as historical museums in Washington State. Much of the dialogue is based on the actual writings. Choice conversations and actions serve to showcase individual personalities and the emotional sentiments of trek participants, through the likes of facing belly-high snows on a precarious trail; appreciating the comic relief and antics of a companion dog, Nip; or witnessing the rough and declining character of some who overindulge in alcohol. While certain details were created from Evans’ own imagination, such embellishments heighten the excitement and enhance the drama.
In a nod to the classic Black Beautystory, one of her childhood favorites, Evans felt it necessary for Pinto to tell this tale. Though targeted for a middle-grade audience, history buffs and horse lovers of all ages will enjoy this rare account. The glowing result is informative, entertaining, engaging historical fiction that creatively explores a monumental horseback ride, now destined to be remembered.
Pinto! won the CIBA 2019 First in Category Gertrude Warner Awards for Middle-Grade Fiction.
In a quiet voice filled with emotion and heartfelt detail, Carolyn Watkins’ The Knock… a collection of childhood memories realistically captures what it’s like for a child when a parent in the military is deployed at a great distance for active duty.
From her own personal recollections as an 8-year-old girl, each vignette weaves an honest perspective of life growing up in a military family. Tapping into the tender parent/child bonds and the feelings of loneliness and anxiety that arise in being separated from loved ones, Watkins’ intentions are to help other youngsters in similar situations, and to let them know that they have a supportive network. Here she explores the importance of family coping skills to include the strengths of a parent on the homefront, the help of relatives, and the care and concern needed for a wounded parent returning from war.
When dealing with her father’s absence, Watkins easily voices notable questions like “Would he remember me?” and “Would he be hurt?” She also recalls how her mom often hid her own emotions to remain stoic and supportive for her children. While the brave front is comforting, Watkins realized how it contributed to more concerns.
Wisely, Watkins sheds important light on the need to be open and express emotions during trying times. The ultimate realization is that shared feelings can make the experience of handling tough situations a bit easier. Watkins also reflects on the adolescent insecurities she felt and how they seemed heightened by constant relocations. Flexibility and adjustment as part of a military family proved key.
While this particular true-life memoir focuses on the ’60s and the war in Vietnam, the story is truly relatable to the conflict of any era. With Dad off to serve in the jungles of a foreign terrain, and Mom at home serving a dual parenting role, a visit from German Grandmother “Oma” helps solidify the cross-generational sentiments of wartime experiences. Stark recollections of visits to a hospital where Watkins saw firsthand the harsh realities of war seem a necessary component. Clearly, a time that helped Watkins gain strength in learning to accept “The Knock” at the door that symbolizes an unsettling fear of the unknown. Such moments undoubtedly helped the family come to understand the heroic efforts of those who put themselves in harm’s way in the fight for our freedom.
Lyndsey Erickson’s soft pastel illustrations easily complement the moving words of this narrative. Whether visualized in the glory of the star-spangled flag flying against a blue-clouded sky; a family gathered around the dinner table featuring an empty chair, that speaks to both togetherness and the solemnity of dad’s absence, or an army helicopter falling from the sky, all depict indelible moments. The importance of letter exchanges, especially during a time before computers and internet communication is sweetly rendered through images of red & blue-bordered airmail envelopes. A small, yet charming note of nostalgia.
The book’s final words include a great springboard of ideas to open up further discussion about family dynamics, challenges, and feelings of universal concern. Though intended for the 8-13-year age group, this gentle, informative memoir shares a powerful message that should be appreciated by readers both young and old.
The Knock won First in Category in the CIBA 2019 Little Peeps Awards for Children’s Literature.
The GLOBAL THRILLERS Book Awards recognizes emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Lab Lit and Global Thrillers. The GLOBAL THRILLERS Book Awards is a division of Chanticleer International Novel Book Awards and Writing Competitions. (The CIBAs)
Chanticleer Book Reviews is looking for the best books featuring suspense, thrilling stories that put the balance of world power or that will end the world as we know it. We include with Global Thrillers the Lab Lit genre. Lab Lit is when Fiction Meets Real Science and Research or stories that are based on real science and research up to a certain “what if” point.
The Short Listers’ works will compete for the Semi-Finalists positions. Semi-Finalists will compete for FINALISTS positions.
The 22 divisions of the 2020 CIBAs’Grand Prize Winners and the Five First Place Category Position award winners will be announced at theApril 25th, 2021 Chanticleer International Book Awards Annual Awards Gala,which takes place at the Chanticleer Authors Conference that will be held in virtually Bellingham, Wash.
The 2020 Shortlist for the Global Thriller Book Awards
The 2020 GLOBAL THRILLER Book Awards Short-Listers
Matt Andrus – UFO
Lynn Yvonne Moon – The Agency – Tablet of Destinies
Avanti Centrae – Kiss of the Cobra – An M2 Action Thriller
Courtney Leigh Pahlke – Life Force Preserve; West End William
Gwen M. Plano – The Culmination, a new beginning
E. Alan Fleischauer – Just Die
Rafael Amadeus Hines – Bishop’s Law
Marc McGuire – Missions
William Mazanitis – The Daedalus Project
Domenick Venezia – Do No Harm
William Maz – A Cure for the Living
William Maz – The Bucharest Dossier
Erik Foge – One Way Roads
David Tunno – Intrepid Spirit
Tony Irvin – Waking the Sleepers
James G. Skinner – Samaritan Drug Lords
JL Morin – Loveoid
Randall Krzak – Colombian Betrayal
Good luck to all as your works move on to the next rounds of judging.
The ShortListers’ works will compete for the Semi-Finalists positions. Finalists will be selected from the Semi-Finalists, and then all Finalists will be recognized at the VCAC21 ceremonies. The First Place Category Winners, along with the CIBA Division Grand Prize winners, will be selected from the 22 CIBA divisions Finalists. We will announce the 1st Place Category Winners and Grand Prize Division Winners at the CIBAs Ceremonies April 21-25th, 2021 live at the luxurious Hotel Bellwether in Bellingham, Wash.
We are now accepting submissions into the 2021 GLOBAL THRILLER Book Awards writing competition. The deadline for submissions is October 21st, 2021. Please click here for more information.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, concerns, or suggestions at Info@ChantiReviews.com.
The M & M Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the Cozy and Not-So-Cozy Mystery & Mayhem fiction genre. The M & M Book Awards is a division of the Chanticleer International Book Awards (The CIBAs).
Chanticleer International Book Awards is looking for the best books featuring “mystery and mayhem,” amateur sleuthing, light suspense, travel mystery, classic mystery, British cozy, not-so-cozy, hobby sleuths, senior sleuths, or historical mystery, perhaps with a touch of romance or humor, we will put them to the test and choose the best among them. (For suspense, thriller, detective, crime fiction see our Clue Awards, and for international intrigue see our Global Thriller Awards)
Congratulations to the M&M 2020 Shortlisters!
Good luck to all as your works move on the next rounds of judging.
Chris Karlsen –A Venomous Love
Susan McCormick –The Fog Ladies
Patrick M. Garry –The Discovery
Sigrid Vansandt –A Ghost’s Tale
Lori Roberts Herbst –Suitable for Framing
Cindy Sample –Dying for a Double
Christine A Brady –Don’t leave, Miss Riley
Sharon Clark –The Murder Cat
Elaine Orr –Demise of a Devious Suspect
D.R. Ransdell –Substitute Soloist
CB Wilson –Cavaliered to Death
P.K. Adams –Silent Water
Kari Bovee –Bones of the Redeemed
Kate Vale –Unanswered Questions
Michelle Cox –A Child Lost
Maria Ostrowski –Yet From Those Flames No Light
Prudence Ambergast –The Mystery at Fig Tree Hall
Ana T. Drew –The Murderous Macaron
Pat Camalliere –The Mystery at Mount Forest Island
Lina Hansen –In My Attic – A Magical Misfits Mystery
J.L. Anderson –Secrets of Willow Lane
Chuck Morgan –Crime Denied, A Buck Taylor Novel
Traci Andrighetti –Galliano Gold
Elizabeth Crowens –Dear Mom, The Killer is Among Us
Arlene McFarlane –Murder, Curlers & Kegs
Rita M Boehm –Missing on Maple Street
Mark Daniel Seiler –Shave Ice Paradise
Nellie H. Steele –The Secret of Dunhaven Castle
Nicole Asselin –Murder at First Pitch
Perry Miller –Lethal Injection
Mary Alice Kressler –Not So Silent Night
Elizabeth Crowens –Dear Bernie, I’m Glad You’re Dead
Lucinda Brant –Deadly Kin: A Georgian Historical Mystery
Nancy Good –Killer Calories, A Melanie Deming Manhattan Mystery
Carl and Jane Bock –The White Heron
Molly Flewharty –Short Line to Death
Betty Jean Craige –Saxxons in Witherston
Good Luck to All as Your Works Compete to Advance to the Next Level of the Chanticleer International Book Awards.
These titles are in the running for the Semi-Finalists of the 2020 M&M Book Awards for Cozy and Not So Cozy Mystery Novels.
The 22 divisions of the 2020 CIBAs’Grand Prize Winners and the Five First Place Category Position award winners will be announced at theApril 25th, 2021 Chanticleer International Book Awards Annual Awards Gala,which takes place at the Chanticleer Authors Conference that will be held in virtually Bellingham, Wash.
Good luck to all as your works move on to the next rounds of judging.
The ShortListers’ works will compete for the Semi-Finalists positions. Finalists will be selected from the Semi-Finalists, and then all Finalists will be recognized at the VCAC21 ceremonies. The First Place Category Winners, along with the CIBA Division Grand Prize winners, will be selected from the 22 CIBA divisions Finalists. We will announce the 1st Place Category Winners and Grand Prize Division Winners at the CIBAs Ceremonies April 21-25th, 2021 live at the luxurious Hotel Bellwether in Bellingham, Wash.
We are now accepting submissions into the 2021 Little Peep Awards Book Awards. The deadline for submissions is September 30th, 2021. The winners will be announced in April 2022.
One woman’s encounter with a rescued deer turns into an unanticipated life-changing experience in Blossom — The Wild Ambassador of Tewksbury, the audiobook.
If your sign is a Rat (Along with being amiable and creative, Rats are known for their intelligence, adaptability, quick-wit, charm, artistry, gregariousness.)
If your sign is an Ox (Oxen are known to be leaders and loyal friends. They gain recognition through their hard work. They are also known for their 
If your sign is a Rabbit (
If your sign is a Dragon (They are known to be passionate and quick-witted along with having the following traits: 
If your sign is a Snake (The wise and almost mystical Snake is 
If your sign is a Horse (Independent and high-spirited, the Horse is a
If your sign is a Goat (The artistic and compassionate Goat is 
If your sign is a Monkey (Confident and innovative, the Monkey is q
If your sign is a Rooster (Roosters are progressive thinkers and doers and unafraid to be different. They are known to be h
If your sign is a Pig (Kind, friendly, and curious, the PIG is h
On a military base outside Las Vegas, Lieutenant Brent Parker sits in a bunker in a darkened room looking to an outsider to be playing a sophisticated aerial combat video game. But this is no game. People live and die with Parker in control of a lethal drone nicknamed the Reaper flying over forbidden Syrian air space in 2011, striking American enemies on the ground with killer missiles from several miles in the air.
In the charming and heartfelt Pinto! Based Upon the True Story of the Longest Horseback Ride in History, M.J. Evans brings to life a forgotten piece of American history. Here from a unique perspective, Evans recaptures the legendary journey of the Overland Westerners, a group of four men on horseback who rode over 20,000 miles across the US, over 3 years. Their goal was to visit each of the 48 state capitols, be photographed with the governor, and ultimately reach California for the triumph of the 1915 World’s Fair Panama-Pacific Expo. Of the seventeen horses who joined the trip, whether traded, sold, or lost along the route, only one heroic equine made it the entire way.
In a quiet voice filled with emotion and heartfelt detail, Carolyn Watkins’ The Knock… a collection of childhood memories realistically captures what it’s like for a child when a parent in the military is deployed at a great distance for active duty.
The GLOBAL THRILLERS Book Awards recognizes emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Lab Lit and Global Thrillers. The GLOBAL THRILLERS Book Awards is a division of Chanticleer International Novel Book Awards and Writing Competitions. (The CIBAs)
