The Sky Ghosts series by Alexandra Engellmann- Blog Tour

The Sky Ghosts series by Alexandra Engellmann 

Fill this simple Google Form to sign up for the giveaway. Five winners will receive

the first two books of the Sky Ghosts series in any ebook format and have a chance

to read the rest of the series for free. Giveaway ends on December 1st.

Title: Sky Ghosts / Author: Alexandra Engellmann / Genre: Urban fantasy /

Action / Romance

Sky Ghosts: All for One (Sky Ghosts #1)

Jane and Pain are Sky Ghosts – and they kill for a living. Highly trained

bodyguards by day, they patrol the New York streets at night to keep the city safe

from their enemies, Sky Beasts. One night they save two young men from their

enemies’ blades and find themselves in the middle of a war. As they put their lives

at stake to save their wards, the main mystery remains unsolved: why would the

Beasts hunt two ordinary human boys?

Spellbinding and violent, Alexandra Engellmann’s Sky Ghosts series is exactly

what Urban fantasy fans are looking for – a blend of action, humor, mystery, and a

unique magic system.

“Sky Ghosts is a great mixture of sword-fighting, humor, wit, sexual tension,

and “imperfect romance” that brilliantly lets the readers feel like the

characters, while supernatural, are fairly ordinary people underneath it all.”

– Joe Jackson, author of the Eve of Redemption series

Goodreads Link

Sky Ghosts: Marco (Sky Ghosts #1.5)

It was hate at first sight. She broke chairs on his head, and in return he broke her

bones.

When Marco joined the New York Sky Ghosts Headquarters, he expected trouble.

What he didn’t expect was a girl half his size that would turn his life into hell.

They spilled too much of each other’s blood for any hope for reconciliation. How

did it happen that they ended up spilling blood for each other on a daily basis?

“I laughed a lot while reading Marco. The silly teenage nature of him and

Pain combined with their stubborn natures and violent streaks made for some

suitably hilarious and cringe worthy scenes.”

– Belart Wright, author of the

Average Joe series

Goodreads Link

Follow the author:

Twitter-Facebook-Goodreads

 Official Website

Alexandra Engellmann for Beyond Sanity Publishing

Mirrored Voices: Best Contemporary Poets

I'm very Happy and Honored to announce that the third installment of the Poetry Anthology Series, ‪‎Mirrored Voices:

Mirrored Voices: Best Contemporary Poets

‬ is Published! It has writers and Poets featured from around the globe.
I am lucky and honored to be in it as well.
I have 4 books on my credit now. Congratulations to all the authors who are featured in this literary history making event.

This combined poetic anthology embraces free thinking of the untapped mind and spirit. The vast array of best contemporary poets from around the globe share their voices together in harmony. Various styles and thoughts flourish amongst the pages, bringing emotions to life and creating beauty from nothingness. The writers included in this collection have been selectively chosen to represent the best modern talent of the age. The list of extraordinary poets featured within include such great talent as:

Paul Morabito, Aric Cushing, Jason P. Hein, Laura Madeline Wiseman, Regina Puckett, Laura Crean, R.M Romarney, Clarissa Simmens, Mark Green, Irum Zahra, Laura A. Lord, Regis McCafferty, Roberto Carlos Martinez, Linda Dobinson, Robert G. Brown, Carolyn O'Connell, Sherry Rentschler, Ben Ditmars, Christopher Meesto Erato, Jill Roberts, Dr. Leesa Abbott, Nichia Morales, Andrea McKenzie Raine, Koyel Mitra, Helle Gade, Terri Cannon, Jerome Michael Bailey, Harika Kottakota, Hafsa Idrees and Kristy Rulebreaker.

Here is the Amazon Link:

http://www.amazon.com/Mirrored-Voices-Best-Contemporary-Poetry/dp/1514323966/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1435018247&sr=1-4&keywords=paul+morabito

Omer Khalid Anwer: Islamabad's Most Sought After Photographer!

Maldives!

• Omer, Introduce yourself to the people who don’t?

I’m an Islamabad based Photographer and I used to do corporate events and weddings. Later on, I jumped into Fashion Photography. I own a Production house called Roadcrew media; along my partner Fahim Farid.

• When did you know you can capture life and moments into cameras?

Life teaches you things in its own ways. Back in 2009, I was going through worst phases of my life; I wouldn’t speak to anyone. So, I bought myself a DSLR camera and started clicking. I had a passion of collecting pictures of sceneries, cars, bikes, celebrities, sports and all, since my teenage years. Therefore, the depression phase gave me a chance to get into the art of taking pictures. I started off with it as a hobby. A Year later, I was earning from it.

• What is the earliest photo you took?

From the DSLR, it was picture of my son who was 3 years old then.

• Are you proud of what you do?

Alhamdulillah, I’m proud of what I am today. God has been very kind to me with all the respect I have gained through my photography!

• What are the problems faced by Photographers in Pakistan?

Photographers are not well paid in Pakistan. In addition to that, People still don’t give respect to photographers. That needs to change if we want our industry to grow.

• How do you manage business with life?

It’s getting quite tough for me now, as I am managing 4 different businesses now. I hardly give time to family and friends!

• Why is photography common in Pakistan?

I think, 10 years back, the media was not very open to the public. Plus, the DSLR cameras weren’t in budget. Now you can buy a DSLR in range of Rs. 50,000/- . Last but not the least, the glamour is attracting the young generation, so they commence photography without knowing the basics of it.

• How do you explain the relation between lens and Life?

Lens is a best object to capture moments in life; Good or bad, Decent and Indecent, pure and impure, Right or wrong.….  Every image depicts a story of life and Lens save that moment in time when these things interact.

• What is the most memorable event you covered?

In 2013, I was called by a Lahore based fashion show organizer company. They hired my services for a fashion tour in different states of USA. It went for 3 weeks. It was one of most memorable trips and events I covered that gave me a boost into fashion Industry.

• What are of art do you want to discover in your future projects?

I’m learning more of light techniques in outdoor shoots; as that is the current trend nowadays.

• What projects are you working on?

I’m more into fashion industry, hence taking on more of fashion shoots and Bridal shoots along with other creative works like covering art galleries, Literature exhibitions and such.

• How is PR related to your goodwill?

PR is everything in this society now. You get more projects if you have better PR than others.

• The most embarrassing moment of your photography career?

A few months back, I covered a wedding event. I was hired by the bride herself. Her parents had the old thought of pictography. They wanted the group pictures and all people staring in the camera, while being clicked. Whereas, I’m known as the photographer who clicks the best candid pictures and well, they became quite harsh with me, and told me that I don’t even know how to take pictures. Their daughter came to my rescue later. It was funny too!

• Do you think painting pictures and Taking pictures are two arts of the same purpose?

Yes, I believe these are two different types of art. A painter visualizes scenery or feelings in human and depicts it into his own thoughts and paints it. Whereas, a photographer clicks what he sees through his lens.

• Who is your international Photography crush?

Oh that is a long list. There are so many talented people in the world. Osman Ghani, Said Muhammad & Pravin Talan would make the top of the list.

• If there was/is/will an event you would want to cover somehow, what would it be?

I want to cover the next Moon Landing! It would be such a spectacular moment for life and this world. I want to capture it’s beauty and anticipation.

• Every photographer wants this one portrait shoot, of his/her way and heart. If you were to choose, who will you capture through your camera?

Well, there are so many. But If I had to choose, I would want to shoot Amitabh Bachan, Imran Khan and Salma Hayek . All three are the world’s most sought after public figures. Plus, they have done so much to influence the world. It would be an honor to see them and capture them in the lens.

• What is your message to the world?

“Live and let others live”… Criticizing others on their work is very easy. Learn to appreciate others.

Thank you Omer, It was amazing talking to you. Here is his Official Facebook account:

https://www.facebook.com/omerkfoto?fref=ts

Here is a short Gallery of Images he has captured. They are my personal Favorites. And the fun part is, they are in the most random order so you can see the variation and expertise. Enjoy!

The Amazing Hamza Ali Abbasi, A persnal Friend of Omer Khalid.

Shoes to make the day!

The beautiful Nadia Hussain

The Legend in Pakistan-Imran Khan

Mathira!

Does reminds me of Madagascar!

And The Jungle book!

Sports and Fun!

Colors of Pakistan

Islamabad Fashion Week

Weddings!

Too much amazingness in one Photo!

Portraits-Hamza Ali Abbasi

Pakistan

Bring forth the Revolution!

I'm Happy When You're Happy

Omer Khalid Anwar for Beyond Sanity Publishing

Review of Psychaotic by W.R. Watkins

W.R. Watkins rated it 5 of 5 stars

Where to begin with this book?

Well, for starters: this book is brilliant.

It is a rarity for me to find a book that deals with complex issues, yet manages to execute those issues with a refreshing brutal honesty, soul, humor and vulnerability.

This, for me, perfectly sums up ‘Psychaotic’.

Ms Zahra has no trouble writing out her thoughts, and feelings, telling the reader exactly what she is feeling at the time of writing her poetry. And that is a very, very good thing! Not everyone wants to read about Daffodils…

She not only does this time and time again throughout the book, she also presents to us who she is as a human being, who has experienced love gained and lost (‘Look For Love’; ‘Remind Me’), dreams rising and falling (‘Perceptions’), self-harm (‘Drought’; ‘Roses On My Arms’; ‘Control’) and wonders about life around her (‘The False Chapters’; ‘Tomorrow Never Comes’; ‘Somewhere In A Graveyard’), talking about the mysteries of demise to the weather (‘Dear Rain,’; ‘Thunder).

On more than one occasion, she bares her soul to you, the reader. It is almost like you’re in a therapy session, with the reader as the therapist, and she is your patient (in the best kind of way!). Not only do these entries present her vulnerability (‘Petrified’; ‘The Crossroads’), but they also show her strength of character, who at one point switches from pining for her lost love (‘The Absurdity Of You’; ‘To Play A Broken Record’; ‘The Impossible Him’), to saying that it is now over for good (‘End Of Us’).

For me, the stand out poems in this book are the ones that directly reflect the writer, and her motivations for writing. One such example can be found in ‘A Way To Write’, where we meet the writer face-to-face, no mask, and learn about her motivations and inspirations for writing.

I have listed only a few of the poems that talk about the themes I have listed. There are so many stand-out poems in this book; I wish I could talk about them all! But then, that would spoil it for the next reader, so I won’t do that.

Some poets are content with hiding themselves behind complex metaphors, overuse of similes, and using other people’s names for their own personal gains. No such this will be found in ‘Psychaotic’. 

This is ‘Psychaotic’, presenting Ms Irum Zahra, and her incredible writing talent, in Black and Red.

Psychaotic Review By Colin Andersen

Colin Andersen rated it 5 of 5 stars

In this enticing debut collection, Irum Zahra gives us lyrical poems that seem to evolve straight from the heart. In her writing Irum talks about life, love and the hurt that accompanies human beings, and the anguishes a young woman often has to endure while traveling through life. The writings offered in the collection are evidence of the author's poetic strength and depth of expression.

Almost all the poems are enjoyable and it's hard to resist quoting lines that are examples of splendid poetry, like the ones below:

I speak, I cry, I read, I write,
I like, I hate, I scar, I bleed,
I drown, I feel, I run, I sing,
I say, I yell, I make, I break
"Psychaotic: See The World In Red" is sprinkled with many other gems like the above. Once you complete the book you realize Irum Zahra is a writer capable of delivering poetry which is passionate but does not disintegrate in cheap sentimentality. I highly recommend the collection, it's a must read for poetry lovers.

Writer's Block

Everyday I wonder if I'll write...And if I'll write good enough. These thoughts make me go over and over the things I have already written and even, sometimes, makes me doubt myself.
Evolution in writing is a necessary entity. If one day you're writing about love and the next day about how to survive without that love, I think you're doing good.
There must be something new, but indirectly related to the history words.
These days, I'm stuck in words because I am overwhelmed by all things around me. It can be laziness too, for the love of winters. But mostly it's too much of everything.
If you're having the same experience, take a day off. If you can't, take an hour off.
Have a big cup of latte or a bowl of soup (Because winters)
This too, shall pass.

Psychaotic: See The World In Red And Black

Psychaotic Book Launch in Lahore

Literature is the essence of civilization in a society and striving to get literature the importance it deserves is exactly what people at 'Daastan' are doing. 'Daastan - A Literary Forum' held its brand launch in the city of Lahore at Arfa Kareem Technology Park on April 16, 2015. The event, in itself, was an inspiring experience for the 50+ young literary enthusiasts present there.

 The show started with Syeda Aisha Ameer, co-founder of Daastan, welcoming the guests followed by a video displaying the journey of Daastan so far. The video had been prepared by Abdul Wahab from Revolution Flame: an NGO. Once the guests had witnessed Daastan's accomplishments in its short journey, Daastan's young founder, Ommar Amer came forward to share his views. He emphasized upon the crucial status of literature from every dimension and explained how 'writing' is way more significant than the credit people of Pakistan happen to give it. He also shared his beliefs about how Daastan aims to fill the gap and that his brand would soon be the center of international attention for the quality writers it would produce.

Interests further heightened when young speakers from various literary backgrounds were given a chance on the stage. These included Mughees Anwar: founding member of AniMAG, the first ever anime magazine of Pakistan; Hassan Siddiqui: Pakistan's first comic book writer; Ghalib Khalil: founder of Rescue Pakistan Youth Forum with its applaudable projects for the country including the magnificent Project Azaad Pakistan and Rutaba Yaqoob: the emerging singer/songwriter who has been a part of Nescafe Basement. The author Irum Zahra was there who is our country's first Free Verse Gothic Poet and there she launched a poetic masterpiece named 'Psychaotic: See The World In Black And Red' which promises a strict reality check! She talked to the media and also distributed signed copies of her book among her readers.

The event's closing ceremony came last with Sarah Tariq Gilani, the assistant manager of Plan 9, distributing awards and shields to partners of Dastaan including its media partners which were SBN, Da Artist, Radio FM 89 and Express News.

 The mere fact that they were all young people there achieving all these milestones was a wake up call for people who somehow still don't believe in our youth. Pakistan's literature industry has done its rightful share of waiting and now it deserves a sincere effort towards the fulfilment of Daastan's aims.

Credits: Noor.ul.Ain from Beyond Sanity Publishing

AGAHI Awards 2015

ISLAMABAD: As many as 30 media persons and civil society representatives were given Agahi awards at a ceremony held at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) on Saturday.

The third annual Agahi award distribution ceremony was jointly organised by NGOs, Agahi and Mishal.

Speaking on the occasion, the moderator of the event, Shamoon Hashmi, said since 1947 as many as 90 journalists had sacrificed their lives for the truth. On his request, a one-minute silence was observed in memory of the journalists who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Waleed Tariq of Newsline was given the award in the category of business and economy, Allah Bux from Umerkot in the category of water and food security and Sohail Yousuf from daily Dawn in the category of innovation.

In the category of corporate social responsibility, Imran Malik of PTV got the award. In foreign policy category, the award was bagged by Mubarak Zeb Khan of daily Dawn while Almas Naqvi of daily Dunya got the award in the category of democratic values.

Zahir Shah from Al Jazeera was awarded in the category of extremism and terrorism. Amber Rahim Shamsi of BBC Urdu got the award in the category of law and order. Umer Bin Ajmal from Dawn was awarded in the category of infotainment, Mureeb Mohmand of Express Tribune in the category of human rights and Mansoor Malik from Dawn won the award in the category of curriculum reforms.

Zahid Gishkori of Express Tribune was awarded in the category of sexual and reproductive health, Riaz Sohail from BBC Urdu in the field of interfaith, Lala Hassan of Dunya TV in the category of journalist safety and Mohammad Atif Sheikh from Express in the category of youth empowerment.

Nadeem Malik of Samaa TV was awarded as the most credible television anchor.

In the category of people’s choice, Mubasher Lucman of ARY was awarded as the most popular male anchor, Meher Bukhari of DawnNews as the most popular female anchor and Geo as the most popular TV channel.

Saleemur Rehman from Tribal Union of Journalists and Irfan Haider were awarded in the anti-corruption category. Naqeebullah Tareen was given the award in the category of sports, Anila Ashraf in the field of judiciary, Saba Aitzaz for his story on children dying in Thar, Khalid Khattak from The News in the field of education and Sehrish Wasif of Express Tribune was awarded in the field of out-of-school children.

Amir Zia of Newsline was awarded as the investigative journalist of the year. Moreover, Syed Babar Ali, Sultan Dogar, Fayaz Ahmed and Abdul Shakoor were also given awards in different categories.

Riaz Ahmed from Bunyad was awarded in the category of development, Musarat Misbah for providing refuge and treatment to women affected by acid attacks and Baela Raza Jamil from Idara Taleem-o-Aagahi in the category of development.

Yasir Khan, a youth from Khyber Agency, played Rubab in memory of the children killed in the terror attack on the Army Public School Peshawar.

All the participants stood up when Master Ayub was called to the stage to give away some of the awards.

Master Ayub, a civil defense official by profession, has been teaching children of slums in a park at Sector F-6 for the last 28 years.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2015

Original Article: http://www.dawn.com/news/1178252/30-journalists-civil-society-representatives-given-agahi-awards