New Voices Telling Great Stories.
Fawk U Press
A Picture Is Worth...
A Thousand Words...or Less
Support Independent Creatives In The Starving Artists Foundation By Partaking In 1,000 Words...Or Less
$20.00 To Participate In Writing A Story, Poem, Etc. Based On Our Monthly Vintage Photo And What The Image Means To You.
There's A Chance To Win Our Monthly Contest, And Also Have Your Story Be Featured In An Upcoming Compilation Book!
Submission Cut Off Is The 28th Of Each Month.
Even If You Don't Feel Like Being Creative, You Can Donate To The Starving Artists Foundation, And The Featured Creative Of the Month, On Our Go Fund Me @https://gofund.me/a5860d98
Feed Us, We're Hungry!
A few months back, I did a post about big things coming to Fawk U Press.
The first thing I can share is that we will begin featuring independent creative types, artists, photographers, writers, and creators on many different fronts each month, under the umbrella of the Starving Artists Foundation.
And there’s a way you can show them some love. Starting on January 1st, you can take part in 1,000 Words...Or Less on www.fawkupress.com.
The concept is simple; I will be posting a vintage photo, donated by Bad Madge in San Diego, both on the website and our social media, and you have 1,000 Words...Or Less to come up with a story of what the picture means to you.
There will be two each month and a contest for who comes up with the encapsulation of a picture being worth a thousand words. And the winner will receive either a prize from that month's artist when applicable, or an autographed copy of my second novel, The Best Laid Plans. But every participant will have their story featured on the aforementioned website and social medias. And a book of the stories down the road.
It only costs $20.00, and proceeds will go to benefit the featured Creative of the Month! Feel free to share this post and get word out. Even if you don't want to partake in 1,000 Words, you can still donate at: https://gofund.me/a5860d98
Feed us, we're hungry!
Creatives of the Month:
Alex Camacho and Jo Gonzales
Acid Queen Jewelry
Idyllwild, CA.
-How did you become interested in becoming a creative person?
From a very young age I knew that it was possible to realize my dreams and forge a path for the type of life I wanted to live. Born from two entrepreneurs, I knew the value of hard work and was unafraid of always putting my best foot forward. I was always a creative, opting to make gifts rather than buying them, I knew the power that handcrafted art held. But as I grew older my thoughts on what success truly was shifted and I found myself trying to find a place in a more corporate setting, that is until an opportunity presented itself and I never looked back.
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At the time, 2011, my now husband lived across the country and was opening a record shop, a dream he had for years. So, I chose to leave my job and my family and move to help him. While this move was scary and I was giving up a job I had worked so hard to get; I knew in my heart this was the right move. Having started my jewelry company as a side hustle about 6 months prior- I deep down wanted to see where it could go. Little did I know that this step would change the entire trajectory of our lives. I started taking metalsmithing classes and week by week, month by month, my business slowly morphed into what it would become today.
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In 2015, we closed our record shop and decided to move back to California where I am from. I spent about a year and a half working side jobs and all the while working at building my business. My parents helped me along the way when I needed it, and they were happy to do so because they could see how much passion I had to see this through.
In late 2016, I hired a consultant who told me she thought I could do it, and then in 2017 I started with Flourish and Thrive. In 2020 my husband joined, and we continue to build the business together to this day. I love that owning a business allows me to make a greater impact in my community and in the lives of women around the world.
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While our business has grown over the years, our mission stays the same: “To create quality hand-crafted jewelry that inspires our customers to live in their true magic.” In simple terms, it’s about being inspired and empowered to come as you are and celebrate the magic within you.
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Through the power of adornment, we can change the way we treat and speak to ourselves, and we love creating jewelry that supports that. But the magic of our brand doesn't stop there, because behind our brand is the true intention to bring positivity and beauty into the world. Whether it’s through the friendships I've forged with my customers, or the exemplary customer service we offer, we truly aim to create wonderful experience from beginning to end.
​I honestly think that my biggest accomplishment is the feeling of autonomy in my life, that I get to call the shots and I get to experience joy. That I can support other female owned businesses and artists, lift my friends up and so much more. I truly enjoy what I do, and I think that is just such a major achievement because then I can pass that along.
I'm proud that my business has over 900 5-star reviews and almost all of them mention the way our jewelry makes them feel, the compliments they get, the joy they experienced. That is all I could ever ask for. Sure, there have been REALLY hard moments, but those moments are the times I had to push through, the times when I actually learned the most. I'm not afraid of challenges because it's those times that make the achievements so much better. I've gotten to learn alongside my business, and it's been a really cool journey so far.
-How would you describe your work?
It’s hard to put our work into words because there are so many different things we make and create. But if I had to sum it up into a few sentences... We specialize in handcrafted sterling silver wearable art that inspires and empowers you to live in your true magic. From daily armor to jaw-dropping statement pieces, our work is meant to be with you through the journey of life and beyond. Magic is everywhere, especially inside of us and it’s about setting the intention to embrace and lead with that sentiment in life.
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-What inspires you and brings you the most satisfaction in doing your creative endeavors?
Honestly? It’s my customers... they are truly the best. The fact that I get to work with my husband while doing something I love (and am good at) for work is a true blessing. But it's not always easy to be a working artist. There is a lot of pressure, self-doubt and limiting beliefs that we have to push through. But it’s the constant support of our customers, kind words, reviews, and deep conversations about life and art that really inspires me to keep going, keep pushing and lead by example. Beyond that it is the fact that we are putting beauty and confidence into the world with every piece we make.
Socials:
Instagram: @acidqueenjewelry
Facebook: facebook.com/acidqueenjewelry
Pinterest: Pinterest.com/acidqueenjewelry
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Autographed Copies!
Can't make it to one of the book signings?
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I've got you covered!
Simply fill out the form, Send payment and your personalized book will be on its way!
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Explore Tim Parks’ Literary World
Uncover the magic behind the words – delve into the captivating stories and inspirations that define Tim Parks’ unique narrative.
About The Author
Ever since the age of five, Tim Parks knew that writing was in his blood, and began writing short stories, one of which was published when he was 12 in a children’s magazine. Fast forward to now and Parks has amassed over 300 celebrity interviews, including Janet Jackson, Kylie Minogue, John Waters, Olivia Newton-John, Margaret Cho and Chelsea Handler to name a few. He relishes the fact that he has gotten to thank the people who have populated his pop culture landscape over the years.
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His 24-year freelance writing credits include being a columnist for 19 years and he currently lampoons all things Tinsel Town with his column Hollywood for The Rage Monthly. He began his writing career with The Gay & Lesbian Times in his hometown of San Diego and branched out in subsequent years. He has also contributed to reFRESH Magazine and the websites Digital Spy in the U.K. and afterelton, which is owned by MTV and Logo and more recently, Pop Trash Museum.
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Parks’ first novel, The Scheme of Things, made him an award-winning author and Lambda Literary Award nominee, a finalist for The Beverly Hills Book Awards, and he also received Honorable Mentions from The Los Angeles and San Francisco Book Awards.
Aside from being a proud father of two novels with the release of The Best Laid Plans, a follow-up to The Scheme of Things, Parks is also a cancer survivor.
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“Parks’ story is an often touching tale of a young man’s self-discovery… the author’s prose is also full of funny quips and puns…Henry, as the narrator of the story, is also likable and tender, which makes it easy for readers to root for him. An action-packed, if sometimes over-the-top, story about a young gay man’s desire to join a community that accepts him.”
– Kirkus Reviews
The Scheme of Things, a coming-of-age story with a thriller twist, poses the question: Have you ever had a secret? For young Henry Dodge, every day is an exercise in keeping his. Whether it’s his sketchbook falling into the hands of his older brother, John, or saying the wrong thing to his parents Big Ed and Kate, which may tip them off to the fact that he knows he is different. He would rather spend his afternoons with his friend Kelley, perfecting their disco moves than join in with the neighborhood boys and their sporting ways.
When Danny Woodson moves into the neighborhood and becomes his brother’s best friend, Henry’s world is turned upside down, as his attraction to him is electrifying.
In an effort to find a place to hide, Henry turns to TV, movies and music that provide him a great escape, a solace, which he can’t get from the world-at-large. Unfortunately, the nighttime soap operas of the ’80s plant the seeds of a scheme that involves running away to find Danny in Los Angeles.
But the City of Angels holds only devils in disguise, backstabbing and heartache, as Henry thinks he has found shelter in The Palace of King George and his court of supporting players.
In a tale that is equal parts comedy and heartbreak, Henry struggles to find acceptance and eventually going against the grain to find his place in the scheme of things.
The Scheme of Things was reviewed by Kirkus Reviews and placed on their Recommended Reading List.
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The Scheme of Things and The Best Laid Plans
Awards and Press
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Step behind the curtain and into the world of recognition and acclaim with The Scheme of Things and The Best Laid Plans Awards and Press. In this section, explore the accolades, honors, and media coverage that have embraced the narrative. From prestigious awards to noteworthy press features, this space chronicles the external journey of the book in the larger scheme of literary recognition and public reception.
The Rage Monthly
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You have a beautiful sense of words, dialogue and imagery. What part of the “faction” as you call it, is found within you for your first work of fiction?
I would say about 80 percent of it is based on actual things that happened to me during my coming out experience. Obviously, I got to ramp some things up for fiction, which was kind of nice. I really had to look inside myself and figure out what it all meant at that time and at that place in coming out to my family. The one thing that kind of differs in the book is that there is just one brother and I have four older brothers. I only ended up telling one of them at the age of eighteen…​
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The Best Laid Plans
Henry Dodge’s trials and tribulations continue in The BookFest Award-Winning novel The Best Laid Plans, but this time around the stakes are much higher! He struggles with the aftereffects of the Summer of 1985 and all that happened in Los Angeles with King George and his minions, including his childhood crush Danny, confessing to murder. 
He attempts to stop the storm of memories with drugs, and soon enough becomes addicted to crystal meth, which is provided by his dealer Jeff, who has a duplicitous side that Henry must also contend with. 
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Of course, his family and their creed of “nothing to see here,” comes into play. Henry discovers a secret about his father and goes-to-toe with him upon his discovery of it. His mother Kate, tired of the homemaker routine, now that her nest is soon to be empty, enters the workforce and lets Henry in on some of the family’s dirty laundry. Meanwhile, John also delivers some surprising news to the family.    
All the while, Henry still yearns for a tribe to claim as his own, and finds it in new friends Nina, Derek, and Michael. He is also on the quest for love, with one encounter unraveling the very fabric of his being with an HIV scare.
His love of pop culture reaches new heights, as he still uses the flickering glow of the television and movies, and getting lost in music and making mixtapes, to grant him much-needed solace from his complicated life. It becomes even more complex with several love interests, including a most unlikely candidate.  
Like its predecessor The Scheme of Things, this novel has a thriller aspect and the turn-on-a-dime element of drama becoming comedy, pop culture references galore, and nods to the soap operas of the 1980’s. Yet it stands alone as its own contained tale.
Every good story has a soundtrack,
hear it now!
5% of proceeds from sales of The Best Laid Plans purchased through this site will benefit
The Trevor Project.
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The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people. Every year, more than 1.8 million LGBTQ young people seriously consider suicide in the U.S. alone—and Trevor is on a mission to provide every single one of them with the support that they need as we work to end suicide among LGBTQ youth.
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For more information about The Trevor Project, log onto www.thetrevorproject.org
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