Today, We Celebrate...Our Independence Day!

A special reminder from Bill Pullman:

Good morning. In less than an hour, aircraft from here will join others from around the world. And you will be launching the largest aerial battle in this history of mankind.

Mankind -- that word should have new meaning for all of us today.

We can't be consumed by our petty differences anymore.

We will be united in our common interests.

Perhaps its fate that today is the 4th of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom, not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution -- but from annihilation.

We're fighting for our right to live, to exist.

And should we win the day, the 4th of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day when the world declared in one voice:

"We will not go quietly into the night!

We will not vanish without a fight!

We're going to live on!

We're going to survive!"

Today, we celebrate our Independence Day!

Smashwords Extravaganza

Just for the heck of it, all my short stories are FREE on Smashwords for the month of July.

Here's a look at what I'm offering:

	"In Memoriam" Some knew him as Clinton Abernathy Warner, others as "The Wraith." During his funeral, all witness a chilling sight defying explanation. Smashwords Edition - FREE in July!
	"I Took Over the World for This?" Dementius has finally taken over the world. But his subjects are more focused on the economy, law and order, and universal health care than groveling. What's a would-be despot to do? Smashwords Edition - FREE in July!
	"Last Stand on Cyclonus Seven" A distant planet is the perfect staging ground for an invasion of earth. Fifty-two heroes answer the call for help knowing most will fall. And no one will forget the last stand. Smashwords Edition - FREE in July!
	"The Stuntman" Superhero Stan Kirkpatrick sells Hollywood the rights to his life story as the Amazing Marvel. When the studio passes over Stan for the lead role, he reluctantly takes a job as an indestructible stuntman. Smashwords Edition - FREE in July!
	"Wing and a Plan" Morris the Penguin has big plans for his kind. The world is his mackerel...if only the other penguins would join him. Smashwords Edition - FREE in July!

Book signing successful!

I had a wonderful turnout for this weekend's book signing in Richmond, Indiana. A big thanks to the folks at Hastings for letting me drop by. My Wayne County Support Team was there in full force, including my mom and dad (pictured), my brother Greg, and nephew Luke (not pictured).

Thanks to everyone who dropped by!

Comic Attack interview

Over at Comic Attack, Andrew Hudson interviewed me about I, Crimsonstreak, my writing process, and a whole lot more. Here's a snippet:

CA: It looks like Crimsonstreak took quite a few influences from the Flash, but are there any other characters that influenced the creation of him?

MA: The Flash comparison is unavoidable since Crimsonstreak is a super-speedster who wears red. I have a side character called Scarlet DashBoy who’s intended to poke fun at that comparison (the Flash, after all, is also called “the Scarlet Speedster”). I’m also a big fan of the Tick. I thought that series did a terrific job of playing with superhero conventions and turning them upside down. It had a madcap energy to it that heavily influenced the book’s style.

Be sure to check out the whole interview right here.

You'll find the original review here.