About C. A. Sanders

Hi, everyone. I am a semi-established writer of fiction and non-fiction. I live in Rockland County, NY, where I ply my trade and occasionally get paid for it. You can see my full website, with links to published work and my blog, at www.casanders.net

Did I Make Amazon Mad?

Posted on March 31, 2016 by C. A. Sanders

I have no clue what I did, but over the past two weeks Amazon has removed several of the reviews for The Watchmage of Old New York, and blocked at least five (people have told me that their reviews were blocked). I’m now down to 18 reviews, and who knows how far it will fall.

I don’t understand what I did wrong. I’ve never broken the terms and conditions or tried anything shady. Hell, I don’t even let my family leave reviews for fear of breaking terms. I guess i’m just unlucky.

the-very-best-of-the-bad-luck-brian-meme-u1

They also removed several reviews that I’ve left on products and books. I think that this is kinda funny, but funny sad. They send me emails asking for reviews on this and that product, but it’s those reviews that get removed.

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The Style of Elements

Posted on March 28, 2016 by C. A. Sanders

Here’s another article that attempts to help people write. I tried using the metaphor of elements and alchemy to describe the parts of a story. Feedback is always appreciated.
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In other articles, I’ve written about how a story rests on three pillars: plot, setting, and characterization. While I still believe in this, I consciously left out that most elusive of trait…

Source: The Style of Elements

Tutoring

Posted on March 23, 2016 by C. A. Sanders

I would like to start tutoring students again.

Right now I’m a floating teacher and TA for BOCES (the NY alternative program for special needs and learning challenges), but I feel like I don’t do enough there. I’m far more effective teaching one-on-one as opposed to a large class. If you know me, you’d know that I’m a very mellow guy and seem to have a way with kids, especially when they’re frustrated with something.

Further more, a lot of my assignments are for students with MR or severe Autism. It’s a completely different form of teaching, and while it is rewarding, I miss teaching in more mainstream programs.

On the side, I’ve been working as a writing coach and editor, but that’s for adults. I’m good at it, and I think that it, combined with my own published work, gives me a very unique skill set.

The plan is to slowly phase out teaching with tutoring. It’ll give me more time to write and edit as well, plus, it’s more rewarding. Every student needs a tutor, because there’s always room to level up.

I’m even considering offering tutoring through Google Hangouts to increase my range. Might as well embrace the new technology, right?

Now for the hard part: actually getting clients.

doge in space card redux

Mondays Suck

Posted on March 21, 2016 by C. A. Sanders

I’m about to plagiarize Garfield: I hate Mondays.

Here’s my hatred in gif form:

gif monday slap

gif cat punches cat in bag

gif mondays office space

Mondays should come with margaritas.

BTW: The GREAT MAY 99 CENT SALE of The Watchmage of Old New York is still going on. Pick up your copy RIGHT MEOW!

Love you all. Hope your Monday doesn’t suck.

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casanders pirate kitten

True Colors

Posted on March 18, 2016 by C. A. Sanders

I’m different, and I know that a lot of my readers are the same way. Maybe you had a rough time in school: didn’t fit in, were bullied, or just ignored like a shadow on the wall. I know that many of my followers are LGBT. Although I suffered the weirdness of being…well…me, I can’t even imagine what it must be like for them. Imagine your entire identity as contrary to the harsh rules of teen society, where any deviation got you torn to shreds physically or emotionally.

There’s never been anything on TV that focused on growing up LGBT. But there is one project that might change that. It’s called True Colors, and it needs your help.

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Update Update Update…Update

Posted on March 15, 2016 by C. A. Sanders

If you couldn’t tell from the title, this is an update. A bunch of cool writing stuff happened in the past few days.

My short story “Skully” is now in the anthology Twisted Tales: 15 Literary Lies and Epic Yarns, published by Readers Circle of Avenue Park I’m in very talented and established company here, and I’m tickled magenta…which is even more tickled than pink.

You can buy it on Amazon for $2.99, or you can get it for FREE by joining their mailing list her e

. twisted tales

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Better Writing Through Fan Fiction

Posted on March 10, 2016 by C. A. Sanders

Here’s an article I wrote about the legitimacy of fan fiction and how it will make you a better writer. Read it, don’t read it, whatever…no, read it 😛

It might seem a little strange that I’m a proponent of fan-fiction. Aren’t professional writers supposed to look down on it? It’s amateurish, right? It’s derivative and unor…

Source: Better Writing Through Fan Fiction