This weekend, Pastor Chris Alford of Epiclesis church in Sacramento interviewed me for his weekly Ancient-Future Faith Podcast.
Read moreMonth: July 2016
Fushimi Kandakara Jinja: The Dragon Shrine on Japan’s Mt. Inari
One of my favorite aspects of Japan, and Japanese culture, is the constant possibility of discovering something unexpected. If you keep your eyes (and mind) open while traveling in Japan, you will discover a multitude of fascinating things to see, do, eat, and experience, many of which may take you by surprise. While visiting Fushimi Inari Taisha (Shrine) I climbed the path up Mt. Inari, following the pilgrim route to the shrine at the very top of the mountain. Along the way, the “normal path” passes through a variety of stations, sub-shrines and places where visitors can stop to worship or enjoy
Read moreGo-Shuin-Cho: Pilgrim Stamp Books of Japan
During my trip to Japan last summer, I started my first go-shuin-cho (a stamp book which, historically, pilgrims had stamped and inscribed with calligraphy by monks or priests at Japanese Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines).
Read moreHidden Dangers in Short-Form Publishing Contracts
Authors have plenty to watch for when evaluating a publishing deal, but one of the most common dangers is one even savvy authors might not recognize: an abbreviated contract that omits important clauses and protections. Most authors look at standard-length (12-30 page) publishing contracts with a combination of excitement, fear, and confusion. For those not versed in legalese (or, more precisely, Publishing-ese) these contracts can range from “hard to read” to “penned in Greek or Sanskrit.” Authors often see a three-page form and think “finally, a contract that makes sense!” Beware…that way be dragons. Publishing contracts are long because they have to deal with many
Read moreBeware of Deer . . . and The Ninja’s Daughter
I took today’s photo in Nara Park, Japan in June of 2015:
Read moreA Visit to Kasuga Shrine (Nara Park, Japan)
Kasuga Taisha lies in the heart of Nara Park, home to numerous shrines and Buddhist temples, as well as 1200 sika (deer) that, although no longer legally considered sacred objects, still enjoy protected status and have no fear of visitors.
Read moreThe Purification Deer at Japan’s Kasuga Shrine
I took today’s photo near the entrance to Kasuga Taisha (Shrine), in Nara, Japan.
Read morePhoto Copyrights, and the Importance of Shooting B Roll
When it comes to the type of images a writer might need for a blog or online article, the sky’s the limit. Done. Writing a blog about stopping to smell the flowers? The B(ee) roll can help there, too: Like this bowl, you’ll be glad you did.
Read moreA New Giveaway of The Ninja’s Daughter!
Want to win THE NINJA’S DAUGHTER before the book releases? I’m sponsoring a Goodreads giveaway from now until July 31 – and five random entrants will win a signed trade paperback copy of my newest Hiro Hattori novel, THE NINJA’S DAUGHTER, which releases from Seventh Street Books on August 2. To enter, click the giveaway details link below. No purchase necessary to win. Good luck! Goodreads Book Giveaway The Ninja’s Daughter by Susan Spann Giveaway ends July 31, 2016. See the giveaway details at Goodreads. Enter Giveaway
Read moreTo the Summit of Mt. Inari
This week marks the final installment in my blogging “tour” of Fushimi Inari Shrine, which means today, we finally reach the summit.
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