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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:

  1. 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.

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

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

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  3. 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.

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  4. 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

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

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  5. 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.

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  6. 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!

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

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

    betty

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  9. 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.

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

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

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

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  12. 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.

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  13. 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

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

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  14. 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

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  15. 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

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  16. 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!

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

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  18. 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!

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

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

    Hank

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  21. 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.

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

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  22. 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.

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

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  24. 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.

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

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

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

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

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  28. 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.

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    Replies
    1. 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.

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  29. 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

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