Spark Your Creativity!

Every Wednesday we offer you a special photo taken by our CEO Janet Beasley to help spark your creativity. Whether you're an author, a painter, a musician, or clay sculpture artist we think you'll find her photos very inspiring!

Quenching

Happy creating!

Isn't It Time You Took the "Journey to Publication?"

Have you ever longed to be an author, yet don't know where to start? Have you ever dreamed of being published by a credible publisher, yet you need to know how to submit your work? Have you ever been in charge of a writing group, yet wishing you had all of the tools to educate your group regarding becoming a professional author?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions then you're going to want to check out JLB Creatives Curriculum Division: Journey to Publication. 

Journey to Publication is a one-of-a-kind writing program/curriculum that is suitable for a wide range of settings. Libraries, homeschooling, individuals, the workplace, children's hospitals, and so much more. Our top team of literary experts have developed not only what we call our "regular" editions (Novice and Advanced), but also college editions (Novice and Advanced).

JLB Creatives Publishing developed Journey to Publication over 3 years of teaching the Pickford Community Library's Young Writers Group. This group, thanks to Journey to Publication curriculum, has taken this group of young writers to being the largest young writers group in the state. 

We want to focus on the homeschooling crowd for a moment. Whether your child is looking to become an author, or your homeschooling group is looking for a new kind of extra curricular activity, you're going to want to discover this amazing writing program. 

Now's the time to start thinking about getting serious regarding your writing career, or preparing for college. Journey to Publication will help you every step of the way. And best of all...upon completion of your journey, someone from your group will be published by JLB Creatives Publishing! 

If you're going to be in or near the Lansing, Michigan are May 20-21, 2016 we invite you to attend the INCH Conference for Michigan homeschooling parents and groups. 

Dar Bagby

Our senior editor, Dar Bagby, will be presenting a workshop on Journey to Publication at INCH this year. You will gain an in-depth look at the curriculum as well as have the opportunity to see actual copies, ask questions, and have fun discovering with Dar. JLB Creatives Publishing's Chief Graphic Designer, Connie Thompson, will also be on hand at the Journey to Publication's exhibit table on the show floor.

Connie Thompson

We're looking forward to meeting you and your homeschooled students who have a knack for the creative side of things, and are looking to join other authors in the sea of literary wonderment!

To gain more information on this curriculum, we invite you to visit JourneyToPublication.com 

Spark Your Creativity!

Every Wednesday we offer you a special photo taken by our CEO Janet Beasley to help spark your creativity. Whether you're an author, a painter, a musician, or clay sculpture artist we think you'll find her photos very inspiring!

Stairs to Imagination

Happy creating!

BeaslePunk - Steampunk - What Is It? AND...Happy Birthday Sir Bwana Beasle!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
SIR BWANA BEASLE

Sir Bwana Beasle
(aka Don Beasley - artist)

~     ~     ~

BeaslePunk is the creative side to JLB Creatives that possesses Steampunk tenancies while dipping into the realms of fantasy, and scifi.

Award winning artists, and owners of JLB Creatives, Don & Janet Beasley, have captured audiences by the tens of thousands with their highly detailed, stunning craftsmanship in the realm of Steampunk and beyond.

If you are not familiar with Steampunk, fear not...you're not alone. Many people ask Don & Janet when they see their artwork and costumes, "What is Steampunk? Where do I get it? Am I the right age? Can I Steampunk? How many gears do I need? Does it have to steam?" 

Don & Janet are always eager to educate their fans to open their eyes to a brand new world from the past that never truly was. They assure their curious customers that there are no age restrictions to the culture, and also add that Steampunk is a very "visual" society. They put the icing on the description when they share that Steampunk is home to many tinkerers, thinkers, creators, and makers. If time allows, they enjoy sharing some of the history of Steampunk too. 

Jules Verne

Steampunk most often times gets the credit of its origin from Jules Verne, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and rightfully so. Verne is one of the best visual creators when it comes to Steampunk. 

However, there was another fantastic author in the late 1800's who introduced novels filled with illustrations of Steampunk style apparatuses. His name was George Griffith. (Sir Bwana Beasle's inspiration for his costume). 

George Griffith was much more than an author. He was also a seaman, a teacher, and a journalist, all aspects of life that certainly had to add to his creative genius when it came to his novels. He was the author of The Angel of the Revolution, and A Honeymoon In Space to name a couple.

George Griffith

Griffith's original novel, A Honeymoon In Space, was written at the turn of the 20th century. A ground breaking story at the time, it introduced a Steampunk SF theme through illustrations. This classic story imagines a solar system full of alien life and adventure. A young American woman marries an English Lord and finds herself on the adventure of a lifetime. While touring outer space on her honeymoon the story takes the reader on a series of amazing encounters, visiting things such as the gentle Bird-Folk of Venus, Jupiter's horrifying monsters, and the aerial battleship fleets of the evil Martian warlords. Featuring the first publication’s original illustrations, it is said that this is a landmark novel in the genre of science fiction.

BeaslePunk's style of art is unique in a sense that it covers so many genres. 

Steampunk is where it all started for Don & Janet. As creative epics, they've always (and still do) enjoyed the make-believe culture. 

Their first encounter came January of 2015 when they decided to brave up and put their artwork on display. It was so well received they were humbled and excited in the same breath! 

It has become a snowball affect for them as their artwork recognition is climbing rapidly, and within a little over a year they have crafted over 200 pieces, nearly selling out every where they exhibit. 

If you would like more information regarding BeaslePunk art, would like to discover more about the artists, or find out where BeaslePunk will be next, we invite you to visit BeaslePunk.com

We invite you to stop by BeaslePunk on Facebook and wish Sir Bwana Beasle a Splendid Birthday Indeed!

Spark Your Creativity!

Every Wednesday we offer you a special photo taken by our CEO Janet Beasley to help spark your creativity. Whether you're an author, a painter, a musician, or clay sculpture artist we think you'll find her photos very inspiring!

Hello Spring!

Happy creating

Leesburg Comic Con - What a Blast!

Our BeaslePunk Art Division team had a great time at the Leesburg Comic Con, held at the Leesburg Public Library, this past Saturday April 9, 2016.

Instead of telling you all about it, we're going to show you. (It's the author-like thing to do...you know, show don't tell)!

BeaslePunk Armory Display

BeaslePunk's "Big Guns"

Oswald the Automaton (in a timeout) 

Top to bottom: Emerald Fire, Black Bart, Oswald

BeaslePunk "Big Guns" and Fantasy Faces Hats...and Oswald with his People's Choice Award Ribbon from OMA'
Dreams of Steam 1st Thursday Event January 2016

Sir Bwana Beasle with the BeaslePunk Display

Artwork in the Armory

Codger Works Handmade Jewelry: Artist is an 84 year old gentleman

More Codger Works Handmade Jewelry

Artwork in the Armory

Lady Vixen Beasle

Random Fan - who we dearly love!

Sir Bwana Beasle with Raging Rhino (cosplay weapon)

Random Fan - who we dearly love - holding Black Bart (cosplay weapon) standing alongside Sir Bwana Beasle

Costume Contest

Spark Your Creativity!

Every Wednesday we offer you a special photo taken by our CEO Janet Beasley to help spark your creativity. Whether you're an author, a painter, a musician, or clay sculpture artist we think you'll find her photos very inspiring!

Hangin' Out

Happy creating!

Leesburg Comicon!

Get ready - Leesburg Comicon is happening this Saturday April 9, 2016 from 10:00a-4:00p.

If you're going to be in the Leesburg, Florida area on the 9th be sure to stop by the Leesburg Public Library and check out this amazing gathering of people who love sci-fi, fantasy, and cosplay. There will be exhibitors set up all throughout the library.

JLB Creatives will have all 3 of its creative divisions on display: JLB Creatives Publishing, Journey to Publication, and BeaslePunk Art. Look for us on the first floor.

JLB Creatives Publishing will have their outstanding authors' books available for sale. Titles/series include Miss Amy's Rhyme Time, Sydney Finds a Job (English and Spanish versions), Lill and Mewe Series, Hidden Earth Series, 28 Months of Heaven and Hell, The Untold Legend: The Warrior Queen, Wesley Out West, and A Life Renewed.  These books span a wide array of genres, there's something for everyone...children to adults, and all books have been awarded 4-5 star reviews or have won a national award. In addition to the books for sale you'll want to ask a JLB Creatives team member how JLB Creatives Publishing is evolving and enhancing to meet the needs of authors both self published and trade published.

     

Journey to Publication comprehensive writing curricula will also be available for sale. If you've not feasted your eyes on this one-of-a-kind writing program before you'll definitely want to take a look. Two editions (regular and college) bring to writing enthusiasts both Novice and Advance versions. The best way to sum up this highly interactive writing program? Watch the short video and you'll get the idea...

And of course BeaslePunk will have their awesome artwork and cosplay props, Codger Works jewelry, Fantasy Faces masks and hats, and other cool stuff for sale at the exhibit. BeaslePunk artwork received the People's Choice Award at the Dreams of Steam 1st Thursday event that took place at the Orlando Museum of Art. Their stunning cosplay weaponry is also featured in the Full Sail student production short film, "Sun Blade," due to release in 2016.

Visit JLBCreatives.com for more information regarding any of these creative divisions. 

Spark Your Creativity!

Every Wednesday we offer you a special photo taken by our CEO Janet Beasley to help spark your creativity. Whether you're an author, a painter, a musician, or clay sculpture artist we think you'll find her photos very inspiring!

(This particular photo has been featured before, and is back by popular demand!) 

Day's End

Happy creating!

Featured Author Lisa Andrews

Author Lisa Andrews and husband Charles

If you're in a place where you need to hear that hope is still alive and well, you'll want to be sure and check out Lisa Andrew's true to life story: a journey through leukemia as a child. 

In 1995 twelve-year-old Lisa was diagnosed with AML leukemia. Two years later, after many chemotherapy treatments, radiation, and a bone marrow transplant, Lisa returned to “normal” life. She had maintained a positive attitude throughout the treatment process, but with each new chronic illness Lisa became more and more bitter and resentful. In 2003 Lisa finally realized this and began a healing process. She relived her past experiences by keeping a journal and talking to God about what was really going on at the time, sharing her honest thoughts, beliefs, and emotions. In doing so Lisa found freedom from the bitterness, anger, and doubt which had gradually set in and taken over her life, faith, and relationships.   The ten years she recounts in her book are marked by sicknesses and struggles, but ultimately Lisa’s story is one of healing, which gives hope to those of us who are still suffering.

5 star recipient

Lisa holds a BM in Vocal Music Education and an MA in Ethnomusicology. She enjoys learning about other cultures. She and her husband Charles enjoy cooking, listening to music, writing music, and spending time with friends and family. They hope to author additional books in the near future. 

For a closer look and/or to purchase Lisa's amazing story of hope visit JLBCreatives.com and look for Lisa Andrews author page.

Spark your Creativity!

Every Wednesday we offer you a special photo taken by our CEO Janet Beasley to help spark your creativity. Whether you're an author, a painter, a musician, or clay sculpture artist we think you'll find her photos very inspiring!

Fire on the Horizon

Happy creating!

Featured Author Amy I. Long

Author Amy I. Long

When it comes to rivaling the best of adult fantasy authors, NIEA Winner Amy I. Long gives the top authors a run for their money! The Untold Legend: The Warrior Queen is a tale filled with trials, triumph, battles, and romance. Amy weaves her words in such a way you simply cannot put this book down...hence, the NIEA winner.

Voda of Monarch never once believed that she would end up as a queen,  but after finding herself in a horrible situation, she ends up as the new ruler. Now she must choose a husband and finds she cannot, because her heart belongs to Keldrick, the king of the faraway land of Ameri. Their forbidden passion for each other must be denied. A marriage between the two would be unsuitable, almost impossible.

After being thrown into a dangerous situation, and being rescued by her heart's desire, she finds it impossible to deny her love. Keldrick promised only one night of passion, and then separated himself from temptation, Voda, being a warrior, faced many battles that only brought her closer to her beloved Keldrick. How dangerous could a marriage between these two desperate souls be? The two struggle through cruelties and war only to discover that in the end, love conquers all in this untold legend.

For more information and/or to purchase The Untold Legend: The Warrior Queen, visit Amy I. Long's author page at JLBCreatives.com 

Featured Author Jean E. Lane

Today we're featuring author Jean E. Lane. 

Jean E. is the creator of the Lill and Mewe Series for children ages 8-12. Her amazing ability to educate while entertain is what makes her a top author! 

Jean E. possesses a love of science and space, and enjoys sharing her knowledge with the world. She is a member of the Planetary Society along with Bill Nye the Science Guy, and is the author of the Jean E. Lane Imagine This blog.

She has spoken at the Orlando Science Center regarding her favorite planet, Mars, and has attended both the London and Prague book fairs. 

Volume 3 in the Lill and Mewe Series has officially released and will soon be available in both print and ebook from JLBCreatives.com

For more information and/or to follow Jean E. on social media by visiting her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJeanELane Be sure to also visit her author page at JLB Creatives Publishing.

Spark Your Creativity!

Every Wednesday we offer you a special photo taken by our CEO Janet Beasley to help spark your creativity. Whether you're an author, a painter, a musician, or clay sculpture artist we think you'll find her photos very inspiring!

I See Something Green...

Happy Creating!

Spark Your Creativity!

Every Wednesday we offer you a special photo taken by our CEO Janet Beasley to help spark your creativity. Whether you're an author, a painter, a musician, or clay sculpture artist we think you'll find her photos very inspiring!

There's Always Tomorrow for Dreams to Come True

Happy Creating!

Featured Author J.D. Karns

Time and distance were no threat to tearing this family apart...in fact it brought them closer than they'd ever been. 

Life can have a way of separating families at times to the point of losing contact with one another. Charles Young and his oldest brother, Carl, had parted ways many years ago and had lost contact. Not because of feud or by choice, but simply because of life taking these brothers in different directions. 

In that time span of separation many things can occur. Marriages, divorces, deaths, jobs, births, grand kids, great grand kids...even great great grand kids can come on the scene unknowingly to the family members who are scattered abroad.

It is a treasured opportunity in life when a family has the chance to reconnect...and every family's story of reconnecting is different in some way. The Young family owes its story of reconnecting to the gumption of a WWII navy veteran. At age 88, this veteran connected and reconnected his entire family in a unique way he had never expected.

When it comes to historical events, WWII is one of the most recognized with its soldiers highly respected. If it weren't for authors like J. D. Karns who help keep history alive through their unique stories, many of us today would not have the rare opportunity to discover the realness of such an event. 

J. D. Karns (aka Charles Young) 83 year old author of "28 Months of Heaven and Hell," believes it's never too late to start something new in life. His first novel was published by JLB Creatives Publishing when he was 82 years old. We found his manuscript to be far more than a documentary of WWII. The passion, emotion, and real life happenings he portrayed in words left us no choice but to publish his story. As a surprise for the brothers, we decided to release the novel on September 14, 2014, Carl's 89th birthday.

When the oldest brother, WWII navy veteran Carl Lee Young, came home from the war his younger brother, navy veteran Charles, asked him to tell him all about it. Carl said, "Someday little brother, someday." Someday came 68 years later when Charles began receiving emails from his older brother. The emails were journal entries that Carl had kept while sailing on the DE-416 Melvin R. Nawman. 

Carl Young's actual journal from the war, and novel side by side

Charles had not seen any drawings until he held the actual journal

Since publication of "28 Months of Heaven and Hell," thanks to his nephew, Carl's oldest boy, Charles has had the rare opportunity to actually hold his older brother's actual journal in his hands. Carl's son made a special trip to Florida to visit his uncle Charles and allow him the humbling opportunity to hold and read the actual journal.

In the novel you'll find Carl is "Chester" and Charles is "Jeb." Charles was able to recall some of the happenings that took place back home while Carl was away which added even more realism to the story.

In May of 2105 Charles had the opportunity to display the novel during the Veteran's Appreciate Day at Long & Scott's Farm in Mount Dora, Florida. During the event Charles received a private ceremony of appreciation...there wasn't a dry eye in sight.   

You'll want to be sure and grab a copy of this amazing story told from not only the perspective from the war, but also how the family dealt with the situation back home. Visit JLBCreatives.com and look for author J.D. Karns or visit the JLBCreatives.com book shoppe. 

Spark Your Creativity!

Every Wednesday we offer you a special photo taken by our CEO Janet Beasley to help spark your creativity. Whether you're an author, a painter, a musician, or clay sculpture artist we think you'll find her photos very inspiring!

Don't Be Such a Crab

Happy creating!

Featured Author Janet Beasley

Author Janet Beasley

Welcome fans and followers.  Today we are having a Book Trailer Palooza! We have all of the book trailers for the YA enchanted epic fantasy series of our CEO, author Janet Beasley, featured in this blog post. 

Her Hidden Earth Series is nothing shy of amazing, brought to fruition from her fantastical imagination. If you are looking for a story to get involved in, become attached to highly creative characters, and chomp at the bit for the next volume to be released... this is the series for you! 

So, instead of just reading the blog today...you can have the fun of just sitting back, clicking play, and enjoying the shows.

For more information on Janet's Hidden Earth Series we invite you to visit her author page on our website at www.JLBCreatives.com

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Hidden Earth Series Volume 1: Maycly the Trilogy

More Than Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

(companion cookbook to Maycly the Trilogy)

Hidden Earth Series: Volume 2 Planet Land

Hidden Earth Series: Volume 3 Planet Water (releasing 2016)

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Hidden Earth Series: Volume 4 Planet Sky is currently in editing and is slated for a 2016 release. In this fast-paced fantasy adventure Kiwi lands in the wrong place at the wrong time...or does she? Chock full of dragons and birds this new twist on aerial style fantasy is sure to capture a new audience while maintaining the epic, fantastical imagination that her readers have come to expect from this author.

Hidden Earth Series: Volume 5 Planet Fire is currently in creation. Janet is working hard at putting together this next volume in her series. Planet Fire will take readers on a safari-style adventure where readers will be thrown into the midst of dinosaurs in a tropical setting...steampunk style! 

Hidden Earth Series: Volume 6 SUL's New Earth will bring this series to a close (for the time being). All of the questions you have had throughout the series will be answered. Janet will maintain her amazing creativity flowing in her words, and will leave readers hanging wanting more with every chapter. The grand finale lends itself to epic battles fought in ways you've never imagined, edge-of-your-seat action, and the quest of returning to Maycly where love is the greatest magic of all. 

Tidbits from JOURNEY TO PUBLICATION: The General Rule Is, Stay Away from Cliches

   Cliches, those "old saws" that are used to make a point by applying them as similes and metaphors to people and situations in your writing, need to be avoided. Why? First of all, they make you appear less creative than you actually are. Let's face it: if you are a writer you are certainly creative enough to invent your own similes and metaphors and not rely on using the old worn-out ones. 

   Take a look at the examples below: 

        The two lovers did not see or hear one another on opposite sides of the sidewalk. They were 

            like two ships passing in the night. 

        Grace and Emily stuck together like two birds of a feather; neither was ever seen in circles 

            other than the ones they both shared. 

   Each of the above examples contains a cliche highlighted in boldface. Though they may not be familiar to you, they are old and have been worn out by the general public over the years. Beware: when you think you have created an original, it may well be one that has come and gone but is still familiar to enough readers to make you, as an author, appear non-creative. That makes it important to have several people of different ages read your work before you submit it for publication. 

   There are times, however, when using cliches may be permissible. For instance, look at the example below. It is dialogue, and it sounds as if it is coming from a character who is more than likely quite adept at using cliches. 

        "Why, I love eatin' jack rabbit. By damn, I'll gobble up a bowl uh jack rabbit stew, er                               even Welsh rabbit, in a New York minute if'n you'll cook it fer me!"

If cliches are appropriate for a character, you can get by with using them, even to the point of ridiculousness.

Spark Your Creativity!

Every Wednesday we offer you a special photo taken by our CEO Janet Beasley to help spark your creativity. Whether you're an author, a painter, a musician, or clay sculpture artist we think you'll find her photos very inspiring!

Storms Always Pass

Happy creating!