IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The 2024 OFFICIAL MASTER LIST: coming soon

Monday, March 9, 2015

Getting to Know Your Co-Hosts – Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh

This marks my sixth year participating in the Challenge and my fifth year as a co-host. The very first year, it changed my blog forever, and I have been a big supporter ever since.

My followers nicknamed me the Ninja Captain, and those who follow my blog are part of the Ninja Army.

By day, I work in web design, graphics, and technical editing.

By night, I am a musician and play guitar in a Christian band. I’m also an author, and my genre is science fiction-space opera. My first three books, CassaStar, CassaFire, and CassaStorm, were all Amazon best-sellers in the US and UK.

My next (and possibly last) book, Dragon of the Stars, comes out April 7. (Yes, right in the middle of the Challenge! My hope is to just survive until the end of April.) I have a special site set up for the book – What Are the Kargrandes? – with new clues every Monday until its release.

I’m also the founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. In addition to the monthly blog posts every first Wednesday, we have a website, a Facebook group. and the IWSG Critique Circle.




Other random facts:
I’m a big movie buff and feature reviews on my blog. My goal is to reach the end of NetFlix one day.
I can be bribed with Hot Tamales.
I’m a fan of all things science fiction, fantasy, and geek-related.
I’m a die-hard fan of RiffTrax and Mystery Science Theater 3000. (And even got to interview my idols HERE!)
I visit a lot of blogs in a day because yes, I do have clones.
Music has always been a part of my life and I’ve played many instruments. Wanted to be a rock star…
I’m a man of mystery, although Mini-Alex likes the camera.
I’m married, no kids, and a born-again Christian.
And ironically, I never even wanted to be an author…



From the questions asked: 

Barbara from Life and Faith in Caneyhead: What would you do if your pc died in the middle of the AtoZChallenge?

Implode? Actually, we have several computers and iPads, so I’d be all right.

Beth from A Bench With a View: How do you manage your time during the A/Z challenge? Other than having all written before the challenge begins, any other tips you can share?

Pace yourself. Don’t come out of the gates too fast or you’ll burn out. I also recommend clones…

LuAnn fromBack Porchervations: After you successfully complete the 2015 A to Z, and they stick television cameras in your face and ask "So, what are you going to do now", what will you answer?

Sleep for a week!

Everyone have a great time with the Challenge!

Find me here –
Blog, Twitter, Google+,Goodreads, What Are the Kargrandes? and at the Insecure Writer’s Support Group

44 comments:

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Survival is always an important goal. :) Sleeping for a week sounds good, too! Good luck with everything, Alex...I have a feeling it's all going to go really well.

Barbara In Caneyhead said...

I did learn things about you Alex and I enjoyed that!.
Life & Faith in Caneyhead

Barbara In Caneyhead said...

P.S. - Where can I find some clones - cheap?

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Barbara, want to take a run through my cloning machine?

Jo said...

You have to get the clones to clone themselves. I've said it before, Dragon had better NOT be your last book. You are too good an author to waste your talent.

Jeremy [Retro] said...

You shall be and always be my friend... you are a great example for blogs, bands and books. I hope that someday we do get to meet, drink back a few root beers and share our own war stories.

Jeremy

Stephanie Faris said...

I didn't know you worked in web design and technical editing! Reaching the end of Netflix? Impossible!!! I watch a lot of Netflix but mostly TV shows.

Heather M. Gardner said...

I think I actually knew all of this information!

This will not be your last book. Your muse loves you way too much!

Thanks for sharing, Alex!

Christine Rains said...

Thanks for sharing a bit about yourself, Alex. And I'm with Heather. I really hope this isn't your last book!

betty said...

Good to know more about you! Cool with your work, both day and evenings! Do wonder when you sleep though!

betty

Dobson said...

So glad to find another guy willing to clearly and boldly admit he is a born again Christian. I hope you will come to my Faith By Acts blog during the A to Z. Without giving away my theme two weeks early it is bible verse based.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks, Jeremy! That would be awesome. And that made me chuckle.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Dobson, I will do that! not afraid to say who is my Lord and Savior.

Karen Lange said...

Congrats on the upcoming book, Alex! It's nice to get to know you better. One question - where exactly can we get these clones? :)

J.L. Campbell said...

Looking forward to the Challenge. Hope you take your own advice and pace yourself during April when you have release activities, plus the Challenge.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

HA! No one is going to let Dragon be your last book. But between your book release and the challenge, you might sleep for a week.

Anonymous said...

Clones? Care to share the secret with me? I need a handful to send to the day job so I can stay home and write. Don't worry, my boss will totally be for it too. She's stated a few times I need to be cloned. LOL

Pearson Report said...

Great intro! I enjoyed the questions and your witty answers.

I sleep during the A to Z, it's when I get my best ideas. As we know, I like winging it, so the night before, in my dreams, is when it all comes together. LOL, or not!

Cheers, Jenny
2015 A to Z Challenge Ambassador
@PearsonReport

Anonymous said...

Woohoo! Great intro, Alex. I'm super pumped for the A to Z Challenge and look forward to having you as our ninja captain :) I've heard many great things about you over the past several years, and just joined IWSG a few weeks ago. Thanks for all that you do for the blogging community!

-Wendy
Wendy Lu Writes

Elizabeth Seckman said...

Kilgarandes must be some sort of psychic lizards.

Never say no more books. That makes me sad.

And I would use clones if someone would let me borrow the clone machine!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I have a clone machine you are welcome to use!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

You'll have to take a run through my clone machine then.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That's gutsy!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks, Wendy! And welcome to the IWSG.

Matthew MacNish said...

You're an inspiration, Alex!

Dixie@dcrelief said...

I'll be arranging for a clone machine appointment.
Thanks for visiting my blog!

Michelle Wallace said...

Alex, I suspect this clone machine is "one-of-a-kind" and that it's NOT a metal-based machine...
The fact that you are into web design, graphics, and technical editing has something to do with the machine? That's the only logical explanation. Am I right? Is there a connection?
Everybody would love to get their hands on that clone machine...

Thanks for all the behind-the-scenes work that you put in, Alex!

Stephen Tremp said...

Alex, I like the sleep for a week advice. I usually take the first week of may off from blogging to do just that.

kaykuala said...

Thanks Alex. Wishing you every success for this April's challenge!

Hank

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Alex, I can't see you sleeping for week, but I wouldn't blame you if you did. This winter's terrible internet connection has taught me a valuable lesson. Be prepared. If you can't connect, at least write. Thanks for all you do, Captain.

Rhonda Albom said...

Hi Alex, fun interview. I didn't know you loved Hot Tamales. Me too! Only, they can't import them here, they have an illegal ingredient - I am pretty sure it's a color. Friends can bring them to me though.

aFieldtriplife.com said...

Greetings Ninja Captain,
Can I have some of your energy?
I'm excited to be Pam's minion.
Have fun! I know I will.

Nicole said...

It's funny how many people tend to end up working in fields that are different than what we had in mind. The cycles of life spin in interesting and surprising ways. Clones sound cool...I wonder how you manage them all. They must have your Ninja warrior spirit! :)

Playing in a band must be lots of fun and a great way to end a day spent computing designs and such.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

You are welcome to run through my clone machine.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Michelle, there just might be a connection...

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Joylene, thank you! I'll at least sleep for a weekend.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Rhonda, bummer!!! I should ship you a case.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Nicole, yes it is. Playing my guitar is a great way to unwind.

Scribbles From Jenn said...

Truly enjoyed getting to know more about the Ninja Captain. You forgot one thing, you're one of the nicest guy in the blogosphere!

Sherry Ellis said...

Hot Tomales, huh? I'll have to remember that. :)

Sherry Ellis said...

Hot Tomales, huh? I'll have to remember that. :)

Dobson said...

Hey Alex. Do you know how, or know a WordPress blogger to recommend that can tell me how to include something like "2015 A to Z Participant" in my comments automatically. I know I saw this mentioned somewhere, but cannot trace back to it now. Thanks in advance.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Nothing like a tough question first thing in the morning. Dianne Salerni has a Wordpress blog I believe. I think Dean K. Miller does as well.

Philip Verghese 'Ariel' said...

Hi Alex, Nice to be here again!
And of course to read a bit more about you!
Though we met few years back and have good acquaintances with you
and I have had the opportunity to receive some applauds and awards from
you and your team.
This post made me to know a bit more about this wonderful Ninja Captain!! :-)
I am really glad to be here again to look forward to participate in this year's
A to Z. Challenge. I am so glad to inform you that I am in the group of
Joyful Brigade of JL Campbell. :-)
Best Regards
~ Phil