Janet Boyer

Tarot in Reverse Pics in the New Schiffer Publishing Catalogue!

Was super happy to get Schiffer Publishing's Spring 2012 catalogue yesterday...because Tarot in Reverse is in there!

-- Janet Boyer, Amazon Hall of Fame/Vine Reviewer, author of Back in Time Tarot, Tarot in Reverse (Schiffer 2012) and the Snowland Tarot (Schiffer 2013). Featured in Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People Who Are Poking the Box and Making a Difference (A Domino Project eBook edited by Seth Godin)

What Books Do When the Store Closes

Ever wonder what books and reading paraphernalia do once the bookstore's lights go out? Wonder no more after you watch this video!

Gotta love dancing books...

-- Janet Boyer, Amazon Hall of Fame/Vine Reviewer, author of Back in Time Tarot, Tarot in Reverse (Schiffer 2012) and the Snowland Tarot (Schiffer 2013). Featured in Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People Who Are Poking the Box and Making a Difference (A Domino Project eBook edited by Seth Godin)

New Releases Oct-Dec 2011

Below are some of the New Releases from October to December 2011, in case you missed them. Click here to see the full list!

-- Janet Boyer, Amazon Hall of Fame/Vine Reviewer, author of Back in Time Tarot, Tarot in Reverse (Schiffer 2012) and the Snowland Tarot (Schiffer 2013). Featured in Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People Who Are Poking the Box and Making a Difference (A Domino Project eBook edited by Seth Godin)

Books by Janet Boyer

My books on Amazon!

-- Janet Boyer, Amazon Top/Vine Reviewer, author of Back in Time Tarot, Tarot in Reverse (Schiffer 2012) and the Snowland Tarot (Schiffer 2013). Featured in Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People Who Are Poking the Box and Making a Difference (A Domino Project eBook edited by Seth Godin)

Snowland Tarot on Janet Boyer Live!

Ron and I will did a live show about our Snowland Tarot on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at 6 PM EST. We discussed the genesis, evolution and creation of our innovative deck, as well as the inspiration behind many of our completed cards.

Click here for the show page to listen live on the web or to download. Or, you can listen via the player below. Enjoy!

Listen to internet radio with JanetBoyerLive on Blog Talk Radio

 -- Janet Boyer, Amazon Top/Vine Reviewer, author of Back in Time Tarot, Tarot in Reverse (Schiffer 2012) and the Snowland Tarot (Schiffer 2013). Featured in Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People Who Are Poking the Box and Making a Difference (A Domino Project eBook edited by Seth Godin)

Sneak Peeks of Tarot in Reverse!

Just received the final proofs for my upcoming Tarot in Reverse (a book about reversed Tarot cards) and, ohmigosh...it's so pretty!

The design team at Schiffer Books did an outstanding job on both the cover design and internal layout, don't you think?

Sneak Peek #1

Sneak Peek #2

Sneak Peek #3

Sneak Peek #4

Would you like to pre-order Tarot in Reverse from Amazon.com? Click here to do so!

-- Janet Boyer, Amazon Top/Vine Reviewer, author of Back in Time Tarot, Tarot in Reverse (Schiffer 2012) and the Snowland Tarot (Schiffer 2013). Featured in Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People Who Are Poking the Box and Making a Difference (A Domino Project eBook edited by Seth Godin)

Janet Boyer Bio

It just occurred to me today that I don't have an official bio here on my blog. D'oh!

So a bit of housekeeping:

Janet Boyer is the author of The Back in Time Tarot Book (Hampton Roads) which features her innovative Back in Time (BIT) Method for experiencing the cards as well as Tarot in Reverse (Schiifer Publishing)--the definitive book on reversed Tarot cards.

She has written over a thousand reviews, articles and interviews for both print and on-line publications, specializing in Mind/Body/Spirit topics. Amazon.com has her listed as a Hall of Fame Reviewer for ascending into the Top 10 reviewers site-wide and remaining a top reviewer for a decade.

Along with her artist husband Ron Boyer, she is co-creator of the Snowland Tarot and author of its companion book.

Janet is host of the Janet Boyer Live! podcast on BlogTalkRadio, as well as the creator and Editor-in-Chief of the TarotPals.com group blog.

She makes her home in the beautiful state of Pennsylvania with her husband and their son, Noah, whom she homeschools. You can visit her main site at JanetBoyer.com.

Annie Oakley of Tarot

I just received a most hilarious email.

She echoed what I've been thinking about the silly "boycott Janet Boyer" mini-movement that's occurring in some Tarot circles--as well as what many of my friends, fellow authors and colleagues have been saying to me, too. Here's what she wrote:

I liked to listen to that former radio program you co-hosted because you always had something sassy to say that the NON PROFESSIONAL ENTHUSIASTS AND COLLECTORS (like me) may think but not express.

Why in Tarotland does everyone have to make nice? Why can't someone express that a person's book, deck, etc. is lame, lousy, phony or whatever without being called a bully? Why can't it be said something is a waste of money or doesn't break new ground or just a rehash by someone who can write a decent sentence.

Politicians sling the dirt. Art historians critique art work. Everywhere else, pundits evaluate every iota of life. Somehow, someone is confusing the Tarot world with a nineteenth century church social and varying opinions must be whispered behind fluttering fans.

I'll be sixty on Leap Year Day. Just tell it Janet; if people are offended by directness, too bad. 

People like me don't want to spend every cent on every book, deck, course, etc. We love to read about the latest publications and read other's opinion.

I hope you have advice for the collector/enthusiast on your Tarot Pals Blog. I once asked Barbara Moore at a midwest Tarot symposium "Why does Llewellyn keep cranking out the Tarot books? Is anybody concerned about quality?"
 
It's like a flood. I don't want to see summer fairies, druids, vampires or angels...enough already. Your Snowland Tarot will be a refreshing change.

PS and if that Greek guy is put out by your story that said 75% of the Tarot folk were obese or whatever word you used...My husband saw my photos from a Tarot symposium years ago and said "all these ladies are so fat!" OMG he usually is a diplomat. Fiction is fiction.

And there ya have it, boys and girls. This is the type of people I write for!

-- Janet Boyer, Amazon Top/Vine Reviewer, author of Back in Time Tarot, Tarot in Reverse (Schiffer 2012) and the Snowland Tarot (Schiffer 2013). Featured in Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People Who Are Poking the Box and Making a Difference (A Domino Project eBook edited by Seth Godin)

No TV for 3 for 4 (Years)

This week marks four years that our little family of 3 members (well, 5 if you count the fur babies) have been without TV programming.

Invariably, when people find this out, we get asked two questions. I thought I'd share them here, as well as our answers.

Q: Where do you get your news?

A: Internet. On Twitter, I know the news faster than my Mom who has satellite TV.

Q: What do you do instead?

A: Read. Write stories/poems/books. Paint. Make art. Play video games. Watch DVDs. Digital graphics. Blog. Talk to one another. Enjoy our lovely backyard. Go to the park. Ride bikes. Try new recipes. Put on skits. Listen to music. Play games. Write letters to penpals and friends from all over the world.  Cuddle with the kitties. Build things. Swing on the glider. Sing. Dance. Exercise. Laugh...a lot.

-- Janet Boyer, Amazon Top/Vine Reviewer, author of Back in Time Tarot, Tarot in Reverse (Schiffer 2012) and the Snowland Tarot (Schiffer 2013). Featured in Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People Who Are Poking the Box and Making a Difference (A Domino Project eBook edited by Seth Godin)

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

Way too adorable video of Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt singing What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

Happy New Year, everyone!

-- Janet Boyer, Amazon Top/Vine Reviewer, author of Back in Time Tarot, Tarot in Reverse (Schiffer 2012) and the Snowland Tarot (Schiffer 2013). Featured in Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People Who Are Poking the Box and Making a Difference (A Domino Project eBook edited by Seth Godin)

New Chapter

You can't start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one.

How will you move on to the next chapter of your life in 2012? What needs closed?

Happy New Year!

-- Janet Boyer, Amazon Top/Vine Reviewer, author of Back in Time Tarot, Tarot in Reverse (Schiffer 2012) and the Snowland Tarot (Schiffer 2013). Featured in Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People Who Are Poking the Box and Making a Difference (A Domino Project eBook edited by Seth Godin)

Help My Mom's Headache

Knowing I had a headache, Noah just came over to me, laid a hand on my forehead, and prayed "Dear God, please take away Mom's headache like she won't even believe it. She's my Mom. Thank you. Amen."

*wipes tear*

Love this kid!

-- Janet

What Happened to Storm Cestavani?

(Note: See new update at the bottom of this post) While some in the Tarot community were busy boycotting me publicly for a fictional short story I wrote (that they had to buy from Amazon, mind you), there's much bigger news involving a prominent Tarot radio personality...

What happened to Storm Cestavani?

You know, Donnaleigh De la Rose's co-hort, co-host of Beyond Worlds who "highly recommends" Storm? Former co-host of The Storm Cestavani Show with Theresa Reed (The Tarot Lady)? The "psychic" and Kabbalah "expert" who was awarded Tarosophist of the Year by Marcus Katz in 2010? (You can see the award with Storm's name on it here.)

According to my source, Storm was a total fraud--for example, being a 300 pound chain smoker who lives with his Mom as opposed to being a fit vegan hobnobbing with celebrities (as he loved to tout).

Don't believe me? Read the .pdf below from Robin Richardson, who used to do a radio show with "Psychic Storm".

Download The Truth About Storm Cestavani

It's funny, but I once remember Storm telling me he was "afraid of me". My guess is that he knew that I ferret out bullshit and fearlessly expose it (much to the chagrin of he and those with something to hide).

So why hasn't anyone spoken out about this?

Interesting, no? Talk about straining gnats and swallowing camels in the "Tarot community"...

Update: On her blog, Donnaleigh De la Rose defended her decision to NOT out Storm publicly after he deceived her and the Beyond Worlds audience (she says she knew about his deception way back in April). She spins the choice as "not participating in public humiliation". That's one way to look at it.

Or, it may be that she was afraid that listeners would: 1. Think her a fraud, too 2. Assume she knew of his double life all along 3. Question her ability to judge character 3. Wonder why her intuitive discernment failed so miserably. She also defends her decision to NOT remove mention of Storm on her blog, nor actual Tarot podcasts featuring him, because "it's still relevant to Tarot". Huh? That's sorta like saying Jerry Sandusky and Joe Paterno are "still relevant to college football"...and allowing them to be an active part of coaching those they deceived, abused and/or failed to protect.

-- Janet Boyer, Amazon Top/Vine Reviewer, author of Back in Time Tarot, Tarot in Reverse (Schiffer 2012) and the Snowland Tarot (Schiffer 2013). Featured in Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People Who Are Poking the Box and Making a Difference (A Domino Project eBook edited by Seth Godin)

Ron and Janet Boyer Snag FIVE PECTO Nominations!

Ron and I have been nominated five times in the 2nd annual PECTO Awards!

Here are the awards we're up for this year, courtesy The Academy of Cartomancy Arts & Science:

Most Anticipated Tarot Deck - Snowland Tarot

Most Anticipated Tarot/Oracle Book - Tarot in Reverse and the Snowland Tarot companion book by Janet Boyer

Outstanding Website for Cartomancy - JanetBoyer.com

One to Watch (Male Illustrator) - Ron Boyer, Snowland Tarot

Last year, my website JanetBoyer.com won for Outstanding Website for Cartomancy and I was so humbled and blown away!

Likewise, this year, to find out that Ron and I are nominated for five awards total. Thank you, Academy, for recognizing our work!

-- Janet Boyer, Amazon Top/Vine Reviewer, author of Back in Time Tarot, Tarot in Reverse (Schiffer 2012) and the Snowland Tarot (Schiffer 2013). Featured in Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People Who Are Poking the Box and Making a Difference (A Domino Project eBook edited by Seth Godin)

It's Try TO, Not Try AND!

One of the most egregious and irritating grammatical errors I see everywhere?

Using "try and" instead of "try to".

For example, "I am going to try and use this expired coupon".

No, no you're not.

For one, that's just plain wrong. That is, trying TO use an expired coupon. Pay attention to the date, for God's sake!

Two, you don't "try and" do anything. You try TO do something.

I can't believe how often I come across this grammar mistake. Sure, one can expect it on the web and on blogs. But Writer's Digest books? And writing magazines? Gah! Where the hell is the editor?!

So, please, do me a favor lest you make my blood pressure knock out the ceiling: use "try to", not "try and"!

-- Janet Boyer, Amazon Top/Vine Reviewer, author of Back in Time Tarot, Tarot in Reverse (Schiffer 2012) and the Snowland Tarot (Schiffer 2013). Featured in Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People Who Are Poking the Box and Making a Difference (A Domino Project eBook edited by Seth Godin)

Top Books of 2011

Curious about the best books of 2011? Here are some lists for you to explore!

New York Times:   100 Notable Books of 2011     NPR:  Alan Cheuse's Top 5 Fiction Picks       Library Journal:  Best Books 2011: The Top Ten    Washington Post: Best Books of 2011    BookPage: Best Books of 2011    Barnes & Noble:  Best Books of 2011

New York Times:   10 Best Books of 2011       Kirkus Reviews: Best Fiction of 2011    NPR:  Five 2011 Books That Stay With You    Kansas City Star:     Top 100 Books of 2011      Salon.com: The Best Fiction of 2011 (Honorable Mentions)

O, The Oprah Magazine: The Best Fiction of 2011         Amazon: Best Books of 2011:  The Top 20     School Library Journal:  Best Books 2011: Fiction     Kansas City Star:   Top 10 Books of 2011    Seattle Times:  32 of the Year's Best Books

 

-- Janet Boyer, Amazon Top/Vine Reviewer, author of Back in Time Tarot, Tarot in Reverse (Schiffer 2012) and the Snowland Tarot (Schiffer 2013). Featured in Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People Who Are Poking the Box and Making a Difference (A Domino Project eBook edited by Seth Godin)

Tarot in Reverse Now Available for Pre-Order!

Hi everyone!

I was thrilled to discover (quite accidentally!) that my upcoming book Tarot in Reverse is already up for pre-order at both Amazon.com and BN.com! (ISBN-13: 9780764341014 for those who want to contact your local bookseller to ask them to order and carry Tarot in Reverse).

Written in a fun, accessible style, Tarot in Reverse is the only “quick guide” reference to reading upside-down cards.

There are only two other books on the market dedicated to Tarot reversals—both heavy on theory, with minimal or no keywords. Tarot in Reverse, however, is the first book that provides extensive keywords and phrases for reversed meanings, as well as modern anecdotal examples for each card.

Interpreting reversed cards is one of the major obstacles for both beginner and seasoned Tarot readers. With its “at a glance” keyword list, Tarot in Reverse equips readers to interpret reversals immediately, boosting confidence and expanding personal card associations.  Fiction writers can also use this book for generating plot ideas and creating character sketches.

• The definitive book on Tarot reversals
• No complex psychological methodology; just hundreds of reversed keywords and phrases, with contemporary anecdotes
• 1,650 card-specific affirmations for dealing with life's reversals

Here's some of the advance praise pouring in:

Tarot in Reverse is a long-awaited and invaluable resource. Janet Boyer provides a rich foundation for interpreting reversed cards by drawing on examples from history and popular culture in addition to the key words and definitions presented for each card. Her depictions illustrate the many ways these reversed archetypes can influence a person’s life and the subsequent choices they make. – Lisa Finander, author of Disneystrology

Janet Boyer provides a valuable and refreshing resource in the often overlooked world of Tarot reversals. Tarot in Reverse is jam-packed with tips, interpretations, and good advice. Taking it one step beyond, Janet captures incidents concerning famous personalities, illuminating how each reversal may translate into real-life situations for the reader. – Josephine Ellershaw, author of Easy Tarot and Easy Tarot Reading

If reversed cards leave you dizzy, Janet Boyer's forward thinking will restore equilibrium and instill sharp new perspectives. In this treasure chest of a book, Janet places gems of wit and wisdom over each reversed Tarot card to reveal and magnify a scintillating array of facets. The text of Tarot in Reverse is practical and poetic in equal measures, taking the reader by the hand and heart to that elusive "ah-ha!" – Craig Conley, author of Magic Words: A Dictionary

Janet Boyer takes a subject, one often studiously avoided, and tackles it in her upbeat, lively style. There's plenty of meat and potatoes here—good, solid information in an excellent presentation. Furthermore, you'll enjoy reading Tarot in Reverse because it feels like a fun conversation over lunch or tea. She takes the art of reading Tarot reversals and serves it to you straight up. This is one reference you'll reach for again and again! Gina M. Pace, creator of the Pagan Tarot

You won't find lists of a few tired old "meanings" in Tarot in Reverse! Instead, Janet Boyer delivers a cornucopia of fresh, modern and thought-provoking insights, ideas and meanings for each Tarot card. The sheer volume of research is astounding! No one will be able to finish reading this book and go away without a firm grasp on Tarot reversals. – Dax Carlisle, President of The Tarot Guild and Host of Tarot Today Radio

 

 

 

-- Janet Boyer, Amazon Top/Vine Reviewer, author of Back in Time Tarot, Tarot in Reverse (Schiffer 2012) and the Snowland Tarot (Schiffer 2013). Featured in Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People Who Are Poking the Box and Making a Difference (A Domino Project eBook edited by Seth Godin)

The Christmas Bunny

In arguably the performance of her life, Florence Henderson (Brady Bunch) stars as an eccentric, rough-around-the-edges farmwoman who nurses bunnies back to health in the movie The Christmas Bunny.

A troubled foster child named Julia has been tossed from home to home, largely because she won’t speak and obsessively watches an old videotape of The Velveteen Rabbit. Her foster families don’t know what to do with her—and Julia’s Mom is a drug addict incapable of caring for her.

Enter a loving but fallen-on-hard-times family that includes an out-of-work engineer for a father, a stay-at-home furniture-painting mom and an adolescent boy who have decided to take on a foster child (doing double duty for additional income and filling a void in the mom’s heart).

The caseworkers place Julia with the family, but the transition isn’t smooth—especially because of Julia’s lack of communication and anti-social behavior.

During the holidays, cousins come over and an uncle gets the boy a BB gun. They run out in the woods and start shooting at birds—and end up injuring a bunny. Julia takes to the bunny and the family rush the animal to the vet.

Barring an expensive operation, the bunny has little chance. However, the vet knows a woman who’s a “Bunny Lady”…a rabbit whisperer, if you will. The family goes to the Bunny Lady’s farm and get a chilly reception, but she agrees to keep it and try to mend it.

Unbeknownst to her family, Julia gets off at a different bus stop (which worries them): it’s at the Bunny Lady’s farm. The Bunny Lady allows Julia to visit every day, and she teaches Julia how to care for the rabbits.

When the bratty boys take the healed bunny and decide to put it in one of their “sleighs” to push down a steep snow hill they made, Julia screams—and bites one of the boys…and then runs away deep into the forest on a bitterly cold evening.

The rest of the movie shows how a family’s love (and a rabbit’s!) breaks through to a sad, mistrustful, lonely little girl—and how a grown man learns humility for the sake of his family and how a bitter widow’s heart softens towards humanity.

The Christmas Bunny isn’t a saccharine holiday tale (despite receiving Five out of Five Doves from the Dove Foundation), and does have a few unsettling moments. Still, it’s a redemptive, well-acted movie likely to elicit more than a few tears, as well as feelings of thankfulness for family and community.

-- Janet Boyer, Amazon Top/Vine Reviewer, author of Back in Time Tarot, Tarot in Reverse (Schiffer 2012) and the Snowland Tarot (Schiffer 2013). Featured in Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People Who Are Poking the Box and Making a Difference (A Domino Project eBook edited by Seth Godin)

The Nutcracker: The Untold Story

Having just caught the talented Elle Fanning in the movie Super 8, and knowing how good of an actor John Turturro can be (Secret Window, Quiz Show, Monk’s brother, etc.), I thought I’d buy The Nutcracker: The Untold Story from Amazon without first seeing it.

Boy, what a big mistake!

This DVD starts out well, with lovely atmosphere, unique musical numbers (written by Oscar-winner Tim Rice), great special effects and solid acting (despite Nathan Lane’s perpetually quizzical visage as Albert Einstein and a wooden Frances de le Tour).

My whole family and I were transfixed, especially as the wooden nutcracker (in awesome CGI) and Mary ride an enchanted elevator sleigh up through a humongous towering Christmas tree. We had no idea what would happen next, because this “re-telling” of The Nutcracker had been unpredictable from the beginning (e.g. Einstein replacing Uncle Drosselmeier, Mary’s mother being an opera singer about to make her debut in front of important politicians, etc.).

However, once they got into the realm of the Rat King, things start getting dicey—violent and creepy, even.

The Rat King (Turturro) and his minions all have rat faces, resembling Hitler’s SS in uniform and demeanor (I can handle that—it makes sense). However, things soon turn violent (beyond capturing citizens of the magical kingdom).

For example, a large shark swims in a gigantic aquarium. He doesn’t appear menacing beyond being a shark. The Rat King, as he’s threatening the captured citizens with a bizarre musical routine, deliberately drops electrical lights in the aquarium. The poor shark thrashes about, as he’s being electrocuted—not for a few seconds, but MANY seconds. It was distressful and disturbing to watch.

My family and I were in shock. Soon after, the Rat Queen (the Rat King’s mother) summons Turturro’s character. She is unkempt, drunken and barely dressed—wearing fishnet stockings (!). In a creepy Oedipal moment, she urges her son to come closer…and as he bends down for her to tell him a secret, she BITES him (hard and long).

That was it for us!

If you’re wanting a magical family Christmas movie, this is NOT the one to get! However, if you revel in “dark”, twisted holiday fairytales, you may get your jollies out The Nutcracker: The Untold Story.

-- Janet Boyer, Amazon Top/Vine Reviewer, author of Back in Time Tarot, Tarot in Reverse (Schiffer 2012) and the Snowland Tarot (Schiffer 2013). Featured in Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People Who Are Poking the Box and Making a Difference (A Domino Project eBook edited by Seth Godin)

Book Gems #13 Writing Yoga by Bruce Black

You don't have to be a yoga practioner to enjoy Bruce Black's Writing Yoga, published by Rodmell Press. Although he does present parallels between journaling and poses, creative stretching and physical bending, the author's gentle, almost meditative prose shows how mindfulness in both writing and yoga opens us up to inspiration, appreciation, creativity, curiosity and commitment. Here's an excerpt of Writing Yoga by Bruce Black, a lovely contribution to both fields of writing craft and yoga:

In the years following my mother’s death, I switched jobs from newspaper reporter to stock clerk in a bookstore, then entered publishing to become an editor. I began placing stories in magazines and newspapers. Throughout those years I kept pocket-sized journals with me and during lunch spent hours writing, filling pages with questions about how to write and what was important to me, what I felt passionate about. Those journals were the precursors to the journal that I began keeping in 2007 to explore my yoga practice.

Until 2007 I had kept journals off and on, losing interest, picking up a thread again, using a journal to keep track of well-written or moving passages in books or to record something of interest that I saw that day, experimenting with story ideas or ways of presenting a story. Eventually those journals served as draft notebooks in which I worked out plot or character issues. The entries were less about my own thoughts and feelings, more about the thoughts and feelings of my characters…

Each time I stepped onto my [yoga] mat as part of my home practice, I opened my journal for a few minutes and jotted down my thoughts instead of immediately beginning the poses. Writing in the journal became a way for me to notice more closely what was happening in my life—what was going smoothly, what seemed hard—and how I was responding or failed to respond to the challenges…

The journal and the mat are places where I can think through problems that I’m facing without judging myself and without feeling pressure to solve the problems. I can just let the problem out and consider it, the way I might look at a tree or rock, without trying to “solve” it. And in the process of looking, I’ll see something that I hadn’t noticed before, the hint of a path, the suggestion of an answer.

To purchase Writing Yoga from Amazon.com, click here. To visit Rodmell Press, click here.

-- Janet Boyer, Amazon Top/Vine Reviewer, author of Back in Time Tarot, Tarot in Reverse (Schiffer 2012) and the Snowland Tarot (Schiffer 2013). Featured in Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People Who Are Poking the Box and Making a Difference (A Domino Project eBook edited by Seth Godin)

An Apology

It appears that my little short story The Things I Refused to Leave caused a bit of a stir (understatement of the year).

I want to take this opportunity to apologize to anyone that was offended or hurt because of it. It was a work of fiction that was intended to be read as so (despite the overreaching theme of first chakra “follow the leader” behavior and other themes I feel are true in group context and attempted to tackle in short story form).

It was not a disguised rant (I don’t disguise anything…if I want to rant, I’ll put it on my blog). In fact, the story arose out of a fiction exercise I did. When a few people I know read it (and thought it was edgy and funny), I decided to publish it (especially since the direction of my writing is going into fiction nowadays).

Those people knew nothing about “the Tarot community” and thus, read it as a piece of outrageous fiction (yes, it was absolutely intended to be outrageous—especially coming from a female writer describing a female narrator who says and does some pretty disgusting things).

It was an experiment and, whether you believe it or not, I accidentally uploaded the original story rather than my edited story (edited for form, as suggested by an editor friend of mine, and edited for names, where the first-run “pulled out of the air” monikers were as presented on Amazon, by mistake).

In short, I uploaded my first draft by accident but, by the time I realized it, it was too late. And, I tried to pull my story from Amazon days ago via the KDP dashboard, but it still remained for sale. I have contacted them repeatedly to pull it.

Many writers write about outrageous characters doing outrageous things—including ones that may “resemble” real people. That doesn’t mean the writer thinks like the narrator, nor does it mean that the writer condones what a character does (one just need to read the Dexter series, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, John Sandford and others to get my drift).

Still, it does seem that there’s a double standard in that male writers can be over-the-top disgusting, but if a female writer does so, she is identified WITH the main character/narrator of the story. And, perhaps, seen as “batshit crazy”.

This double standard no doubt hamstrings many a female writer, which is what pseudonyms are for (and which I considered—and even had a book cover mock-up ready to go with a pseudonym on it).

As a writer heading into fiction, with a contract for my novel-in-progress sitting on my desk (unrelated to my short story), I realized that to build a fiction fan base with a pseudonym, I’d literally have to start from the ground-up to “make a name” for myself in fiction (as all authors must in this digital age of social media).

It was an overwhelming thought. I didn’t (don’t) have time to create another site, persona, blog, FB page, Twitter feed, etc. for the “pseudonymous me”.

So I figured “What the hell”, and chose to use my own name. I spent almost a decade building up a writing platform with 1,200+ reviews on Amazon, JanetBoyer.com, my FB presences, Twitter feed, Newsletter and so on and figured I’d just piggy-back my fiction writing on my established non-fiction writing platform—especially since my fiction will include Tarot and other metaphysical themes in it.

My short story wasn’t “for” the Tarot community, but rather for people wanting to discover edgy fiction—and to see what people thought of my story-writing abilities.

Of course, those who already had a beef with me saw it as an opportunity to attack and discredit me…and thus, a mob was formed (which was pretty ironic, considering that such behavior WAS the point of my short story). Life imitating art, maybe?

Art is definitely subjective and what one declares beautiful, provocative or transcendent, another will castigate as disgusting, offensive or obscene. All in the eye of the beholder, yes?

I do realize that those who have a beef with me will analyze this post, continue to fuel the fire by concluding this or that—perhaps even saying I’m a liar or that this blog post is untrue and I’m not “really sorry”.

There’s nothing I can do about that. Whatever I do at this point is pretty “damned if you do, damned if you don’t”.

Am I tired of the harassment certain people have subjected me to this year and, in some cases, the last TWO years (including hate mail, cyberbullying, following me around the web, baiting/attacking me, etc.)?

Yes.

It’s pretty hard to avoid when the emails come directly to ME or attackers come to MY blogs or reviews do dump their vitriol. My disgust at the behavior of some in the “Tarot community” remains the same (and I’m not the only one, I assure you…I’m just one of the only ones that will point it out publicly).

Although I realize that individuals had to go to my Amazon author page and actually BUY my short story (which still confuses me: if you hate me, why are you at my Amazon author page? And why in the world would you plop down money to read anything of mine?)—and some would argue it’s the reader’s fault for getting offended in the first place—I still wanted to make a public apology to those that were hurt or distressed.

I would hope that the hefty bulk of my non-fiction work and support of the Tarot community (in public and behind the scenes, whether individual authors, artists, publishers, readers or brand new seekers) over the last 8 years makes up for ONE ill timed and, arguably, ill-written short story.

But if it doesn’t, there’s nothing I can do about that.

And let me be clear: my contracts with Schiffer Books was never “in jeopardy” for my behavior, past or present. Schiffer Books seeks to support the Tarot community in any way it can, so Pete Schiffer did contact me directly with his concern less than 24 hours from the time my story went live on Amazon (that stemmed from many emails and phone calls that came to him in that short period). And, no, no one from Schiffer told me to apologize or do any thing to “remedy” the situation. This blog post is my decision and mine alone.

So I will continue my work, both blogging and, now, fiction writing, and move on into the future with hope, optimism and excitement.

I hope you understand: this apology is not an invitation for discussion or debate or more attacks. As is evident, such “discussions” devolve rapidly and can’t be sustained by most people towards any semblance of understanding, good will or even forgiveness.

So make of this post what you will. I can declare it’s intended with the spirit of honesty, regret and an open heart, but I’m sure even that may come under suspicion or derision.

-- Janet Boyer, Amazon Top/Vine Reviewer, author of Back in Time Tarot, Tarot in Reverse (Schiffer 2012) and the Snowland Tarot (Schiffer 2013). Featured in Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People Who Are Poking the Box and Making a Difference (A Domino Project eBook edited by Seth Godin)

Introducing the Tarot Pals Blog

Hi all!

There's a new Tarot blog in town and it's called TAROT PALS!

Please take a stroll to this link to learn about the four bloggers (including me!), and read a few introductory posts.

Have an idea for a blog post or feature? By all means let us know!

-- Janet Boyer, Amazon Top/Vine Reviewer, author of Back in Time Tarot, Tarot in Reverse (Schiffer 2012) and the Snowland Tarot (Schiffer 2013). Featured in Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People Who Are Poking the Box and Making a Difference (A Domino Project eBook edited by Seth Godin)

Paranormal Turkey Tour

Ah yes, Thanksgiving. Nothing says the holidays like sitting around a fully decked out dining room table with mouthwatering temptations waiting to be gobbled up. Everyone waits anxiously for the big reveal… the turkey!

Lovingly prepared since early that morning, the turkey is brought out in a covered, silver serving platter. Aunt Edith smacks little Tommy's hand as he attempts to steal a candied yam dripping with marshmallow. The collective breath is held as the silver cover is removed… revealing… a zombie turkey!

What—what? That's right folks, this year, we are celebrating this American holiday paranormal style. And what says paranormal holiday better than a walking, talking zombie turkey?

This zombie turkey brings you important tidings of great prizes that shall be for all people… who participate and win of course. November 25-27 you could win up to $200 in prizes!  

Three days. Four YA paranormal books. Five chances to win!

And who are these crazy paranormal authors? Check them out. It's like the Nightmare Before Christmas, Thanksgiving style!  

Emlyn Chand, author of Farsighted

"Psychic or not, you'll never see the end for this one coming! Emlyn Chand is pioneering 'the next big thing' for YA." ~ Emily Reese, author of Second Death

Alex Kosmitoras may be blind, but he can still “see” things others can’t. When his unwanted visions of the future begin to suggest that the girl he likes could be in danger, he has no choice but to take on destiny and demand it reconsider.

Monster Mash: Emlyn says… I. AM. WEREWOLF! And why's that you ask? First off, my name (Chand) literally means moon in Sanskrit. Next, werewolves are super cool--we can blend in with common folk, and then out of nowhere, kapow! I'm a werewolf, and I sure am hungry. Lastly, Team Jacob 100%. Now excuse me while I cock back my head and howl at my namesake.  

Patti Larsen, author of Family Magic

"Patti Larsen is truly gifted because I read Family Magic cover to cover and I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for the next installment!" ~ from Goodreads review

Sixteen-year-old Sydlynn Hayle is the daughter of a powerful witch and a demon lord, but she just wants to be ordinary. When her coven comes under attack, Syd must face the fact only her power can save her family's magic.

Monster Mash: Patti says… I am a witch. Naturally. I weave spells with my words, cast incantations from my keyboard, mix up the very best potions in my cauldron of documents. You want to stay on my good side. Trust me. Unless you enjoy waking up as something... unnatural.  

Kimberly Kinrade, author of Forbidden Mind

"Forbidden Mind is a thrilling, dark and deeply romantic read that had me sitting on the edge of my seat and eagerly awaiting the next installment." ~Refracted Light Young Adult Book Reviews

Paranormal teens with unimaginable powers. An evil organization with deep secrets. When Sam, a girl who reads minds, meets a boy who controls minds, she discovers her future isn't what she thought. Together they must escape and free the others… or risk losing everything—and everyone—they love.

Monster Mash: Kimberly says… I may look like a demon, but I'm actually a succubus. Enchanting and seductive, I weave stories that will fuel your passions and make you fall in love. But be warned… once you fall under the spell of my words, your world will never be the same.  

 

John Corwin, author of The Next Thing I Knew

Corwin does a phenomenal job of including humor throughout this novel. This book was like . . . Ghost (the movie) meets The Host (by Stephanie Meyer) meets MIB (Men In Black the movie). ~Maryann, Chapter by Chapter

The afterlife is the last thing on Lucy’s mind until she and every other human on the planet drop dead and find themselves in the hereafter. Lucy drags her social life back from the grave and enlists her friends to figure out the rules of the afterlife and, more importantly, to discover who or what killed everyone and why anyone would do such a mean thing.

Monster Mash: John says… I am a ninja. After all, vampires are simply ninjas with fangs. They can hide in plain sight, right in your living room. Jump out and scare the wits out of you. Drop a smoke bomb and poof! All you’re left with is stinky smoke in your house and soiled underclothes.

The Prizes

Four $25 Book Entries: For each of the four books in the contest, you can enter to win $25 (up to $100 in giveaways!) Simply buy a copy of the book and email the proof of purchase for that book OR submit the first sentence of the fifth chapter for that book to ParanormalTurkey@gmail.com. Winners will be chosen randomly. Each person can submit one entry per book. Here are the links for each book:

• Farsighted by Emlyn Chand for just 99 cents: http://ow.ly/7tqhx
• Forbidden Mind by Kimberly Kinrade for just 99 cents: http://amzn.to/rKraMo
• The Next Thing I Knew by John Corwin for just 99 cents: http://amzn.to/tSlj8A
• Family Magic by Patti Larsen for just $3.99: http://goo.gl/r2Bsm

And... if you buy all FOUR books, you are entered to win the Grand Prize!  

The Grand Prize

One randomly selected reader who enters to win all four book prizes (Family Magic, Farsighted, Forbidden Mind and The Next Thing I Knew) will win the grand prize of $100. So go on now and pick up a copy of these fantastic paranormal reads before the zombie turkey eats you! What? Still around? Then enjoy these fun book trailers and Paranormal Turkey Tour trailer. (Then go buy the books.) Also, leave a comment and help your favorite blog host win a $50 prize!  

Note:

• All winners will be chosen randomly using random.org.
• Amazon links are provided, but books purchased through any online vendor will qualify with proof of purchase.

-- Janet Boyer, Amazon Top/Vine Reviewer, author of Back in Time Tarot, Tarot in Reverse (Schiffer 2012) and the Snowland Tarot (Schiffer 2013). Featured in Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People Who Are Poking the Box and Making a Difference (A Domino Project eBook edited by Seth Godin)

Carly Fleischmann - An Autistic Teen Finds Her Voice

Noah and I just got done watching this amazing video of Carly Fleischmann, a girl diagnosed with Autism and suspected of being mildly retarded.

Her parents worked tirelessly with multiple therapists (40-60 hours a week), trying to assist Carly with her condition. It wasn't until age 11 that Carly became "unlocked", unitentionally, by sitting at a laptop. She began to type. Her first word? HURT. Her second? HELP.

My son was diagnosed on the Autism spectrum at age 4 (PDD-NOS). Thankfully, his troubling, heart-rending behavior (violent rocking, banging his head, tantrums, screaming, unable to talk) has ceased. My husband and I didn't go the route of intensive, recommended, traditional therapy (ABA)--instead, opting for an intuitive, organic route (that I later found out was exactly how the Son-Rise program approaches Autism).

Our risk paid off, and we are truly grateful.

Here's the amazing video of Carly. Make sure you have a box of Kleenex handy.

You can follow Carly on Twitter at @CarlysVoice and on Facebook at her page.

-- Janet Boyer, Amazon Top/Vine Reviewer, author of Back in Time Tarot, Tarot in Reverse (Schiffer 2012) and the Snowland Tarot (Schiffer 2013). Featured in Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People Who Are Poking the Box and Making a Difference (A Domino Project eBook edited by Seth Godin)

You're Not Spiritual

People will write off even the clearest, most loving person in the world when he opposes their belief system. They will invalidate him, negate him, obliterate him, prove that he's wrong, he's a fraud, he's dangerous to society, so that they can protect what they really believe is important. They'd rather be right than free. -- Byron Katie

I thought he was evolved.

I thought she was spiritual.

I thought you had a relationship with God.

Ever hear any of these statements in relation to an author, a teacher or a minister? Or perhaps, even had these kind of statements leveled right in your direction?

I’m always a bit amused when I hear a person say these kind of things about someone.

Even more amused when it’s said to me.

What does it mean to be “spiritual”? And, what is the benefit of defining such a thing? Isn’t that what religion has done for years?

What happens when you go outside the boundaries of dogma? Excommunication and exclusion at best—persecution, discrimination, stake burned or attacked in crusades, at worst.

I once posted about eating bacon on my Facebook page. An occult author (who rarely interacted with me), replied “As a spiritual person, I can’t believe you eat meat and participate in the torture of pigs who…” Her post went on for several lines.

I thought she was joking at first. But then I realized, “OMG. She really believes this. She MEANS this!”

Suddenly, in her eyes, I was “unspiritual” for eating meat.

Sorry, I didn’t get that memo from the Divine.

Then there’s my favorite: spiritual people act nice and sugary to others. (Unless, of course, they get offended, irked or pissed. Then, the gloves come off, and what’s inside comes out. Except, these ones call their reactions “righteous anger” or “holy indignation”…which is, apparently, perfectly acceptable.)

Apparently, I didn’t get that memo, either.

Nor did Jesus (read his words to the Pharisees, the “religious” people of the day), Gurdjieff and other Rude Awakeners.

Enlightenment and spiritual awakening rarely occur in the House of Nice or the House of Appropriate. (Uncle Al, anyone? How about Timothy Leary?)

Why? Because human tendency slouches towards inertia. People enjoy complacency. Millions numb themselves with TV shows, online games, socializing, alcohol, drugs, food and relationships. We don’t want to feel any discomfort, especially in the west—physically, emotionally or spiritually.

The beauty of the Trickster archetype, the Cosmic Rude Awakener, lies in its ability to pierce the veil, to lift the fog, to sound a clarion call. This energy manifests in myth as trickster gods like Hermes, Blue Jay, Coyote, Loki, Raven and so on, as well as in literature and film (Brer Rabbit, The Joker, The Riddler, Star Trek’s Q, come to mind).

The gift of the Trickster? Cracking our clueless veneer, our blind obeisance, our unquestioned beliefs, our fickle loyalties and our capricious “likes” or “loves”—and making us see, know and experience directly…for perhaps the very first time in our lives.

How can such beings be “unspiritual”, especially if they are the very catalyst to shake us, stir us and enliven us—to crack the shell of delusion and slumber, allowing the juicy center of our Being to manifest? To help us discover self-defined reality, truth and meaning?

Unmoving bodies of water get stagnant. There is no life in them (think Dead Sea). But moving, churning water—with an inlet and outlet, multiple channels running through the terrain? Teeming with life.

It’s been said “better the devil that you know than the devil you don’t”.

What devil do you know? What devil do you not?

So what are your thoughts, readers? What is “spiritual”? Why? Really think about this and test it against universal wisdom teachings, life experience and your personal truth. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Also, have you ever been deemed "unspiritual" or even "evil"? Care to share your story here?

Before I go, here are but a few things that people have declared “unspiritual”, “ungodly” or “demonic” over the years. Gives this post some perspective, doesn’t it?

• Music
• Sex
• Homosexuality
• Food
• Alcohol
• Smoking
• Dancing
• Aggression
• Boldness
• Short hair
• Long hair
• Bare arms
• Bare face
• Makeup
• Bowling
• Pants on a female
• Divination
• Praying to spirits
• Honoring nature
• Absenteeism from church
• Not reading holy scriptures
• Lack of prayer
• Ambition
• Female ministers
• Eating meat
• Eating shrimp
• Wearing clothes of different colors or materials
• Making sacrifices
• Not making sacrifices
• Watching movies
• Associating with “unspiritual”, “unclean”  or "shunned" people

I'll leave you with a little example of Jesus the badass:

But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves. 

Woe to you, blind guides, who say, “Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.”. . . Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.   Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. . . .  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness.  Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. . . .  Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? (Matthew 23:13-33)

-- Janet Boyer, Amazon Top/Vine Reviewer, author of Back in Time Tarot, Tarot in Reverse (Schiffer 2012) and the Snowland Tarot (Schiffer 2013). Featured in Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People Who Are Poking the Box and Making a Difference (A Domino Project eBook edited by Seth Godin)