• Welcome Home
  • From the Admin
  • Resident Guide
  • Blog Updates
  • Meet the Staff
  • Contact Us
  • † Read Our Story

Cedarcrest Sanctum – The Matriarch Vampires

~ By Kevin A. Ranson

Cedarcrest Sanctum – The Matriarch Vampires

Category Archives: Official Correspondence

Official Correspondence

Thirty is the New Eternity

05 Monday Nov 2018

Posted by Janiss Connelly in Official Correspondence

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

birthday, Cedarcrest Sanctum, drill, Janiss Connelly

Thirty is the new twenty. Forty is the new thirty. Apparently, fifty is back to being thirty again.

I still try to smile at the idea that a Guy Fawkes mask reminds me of my own birthday.

Thanks, mom and dad.

I said no parties for me this year and I meant it. Too much going on. My plate is full.

Our facility drill is this Friday, November 9th; details to follow.

We’ll be busing down the few who didn’t vote to the courthouse tomorrow. See or email Kelly Jean about that.

Take your power seriously. Keep each other safe. Be indomitable.
~ Janiss

Email janiss.connelly@cedarcrestsanctum.com
Twitter @JanissConnelly
Instagram @janiss.connelly
Facebook @JanissConnelly
Tumblr janissconnelly.tumblr.com
Google+ JanissConnelly
Discus @justjaniss

janissanimatedsignature2017whiteborder

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

September Thoughts, Election Day, and Facility Update

06 Thursday Sep 2018

Posted by Janiss Connelly in Official Correspondence

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Cedarcest Sanctum, Election Day, Fall, Janiss Connelly, Kelly Jean, November 6, September, Timothy, update, voting

Yes, I took the summer off from regular updates… my apologies. It’s time to get back to it!

As all of you know since our little send-off party last month, our own Timothy has been working with our friend Nancy — no, that wasn’t a typo — on his special project. I spoke to him over the weekend, and he wants everyone to know he’s doing fine. Nancy sends her best, too.

Denton has also been in school at Glenville State for the last few weeks and is doing very well. Don’t tell him I told you, but I think he might be sweet on a nice young lady he met on move-in day. More on that gossip as it develops…

Thank you for maintaining your voting registration from our drive. We had 100% participation (well done!) and Kelly Jean has already made arrangements for Election Day on Tuesday, November 6 to bus everyone to the polls and minimize wait times. We’re planning something else nice for that day, too — no matter which way you vote (and no I won’t ask).

Happy Fall and just a reminder: my first and only priority is to you and our facility.

Trust me — I’m a Vampire.

Take your power seriously. Keep each other safe. Be indomitable.
~ Janiss

Email janiss.connelly@cedarcrestsanctum.com
Twitter @JanissConnelly
Instagram @janiss.connelly
Facebook @JanissConnelly
Tumblr janissconnelly.tumblr.com
Google+ JanissConnelly
Discus @justjaniss

janissanimatedsignature2017whiteborder

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Local Color and Vampire Inspiration: The Big Easy

12 Sunday Feb 2017

Posted by Kevin A. Ranson in Official Correspondence

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

#theMatriarchVampires, Jonathan Weiss, Louisiana, Mitch Landrieu, Nadine Ramsey, new orleans, old souls, performers, safety, security, street guides, The Big Easy, vampires

Today’s post has been copied from author Kevin A. Ranson’s blog at https://thinkingskull.com/2017/02/12/local-color-and-vampire-inspiration-the-big-easy/
—

I’ve talked previously about the inspirations for my vampire novel series, The Matriarch Vampires. The central West Virginia locations, Glenville State College, and the character nods. After shelving the original first drafts of the book two decades earlier, why did I feel it was time to dust them off and finally finish the story?

One of those reasons was certainly Jonathan Weiss.

neworleansjacksonsquarenight2010My wife and I enjoy walking through old cemeteries and taking local ghost tours. There are many haunted places around the U.S., often in old cities like Birmingham, Alabama, Savannah, Georgia, and St. Augustine, Florida. Back in 2010, we traveled to New Orleans and took such a tour, and our guide to the city at night was none other than Jonathan. He looked the way I imagine a time traveler might, combining a classic appearance with a modern sensibility, a person whom has long since reconciled the old and new ways with a natural ease, elegance, and an eagerness to share his experience.

Not having given much serious thought about fiction writing for twenty odd years, Mr. Weiss captured my attention and filled my imagination with stories and embellishments as we toured the French Quarter and Bourbon Street, recounting local legends with intriguing details and playing to the crowd… and yes, much was said about vampires. He and other occupants felt like a necessary part of the city, a piece of its soul that would be lost forever if abruptly cut out.

Yet, as I understand it, that’s exactly what some are trying to do.
Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Happy New Year from Cedarcrest Sanctum!

01 Sunday Jan 2017

Posted by Janiss Connelly in Official Correspondence

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

#theMatriarchVampires, Cedarcrest Sanctum, Happy New Year, Janiss Connelly

It’s been a tough year, lost some good people along the way, but now we turn toward a new cycle. Hope you enjoyed your favorite drink last night and got some well-deserved rest afterward. Happy New Year, everyone.

2016happynewyear

Take your power seriously. Keep each other safe.
~ Janiss

Email janiss.connelly@cedarcrestsanctum.com
Twitter @JanissConnelly
Instagram @janiss.connelly
Facebook @JanissConnelly
Tumblr janissconnelly.tumblr.com
Google+ JanissConnelly
Discus @justjaniss

JanissStakeSignature2016
BloodDrop

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Merry Christmas from Cedarcrest Sanctum!

24 Saturday Dec 2016

Posted by Janiss Connelly in Official Correspondence

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

#theMatriarchVampires, Cedarcrest Sanctum, Janiss Connelly, Merry Christmas

matriarchchristmascard

Take your power seriously. Keep each other safe.
~ Janiss

Email janiss.connelly@cedarcrestsanctum.com
Twitter @JanissConnelly
Instagram @janiss.connelly
Facebook @JanissConnelly
Tumblr janissconnelly.tumblr.com
Google+ JanissConnelly
Discus @justjaniss

JanissStakeSignature2016
BloodDrop

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Eternal Millennial Prequel – Vampire Verisimilitude

02 Sunday Oct 2016

Posted by Janiss Connelly in Official Correspondence

≈ Leave a comment

Vampires aren’t born; they’re made. In my experience, they aren’t a race, a virus, or a curse. While I can’t speak to the exact intent of the bloodworkers who created the first Vampires, evidence suggests it was meant as a blessing… before things got out of control.

That said, I wasn’t always as I am now.

In either a somewhat late or ridiculously early Throwback Thursday #tbt, I found my old college blog — and by “found” I mean I’ve stopped trying to hide it. After what happened to myself and Daniel — what *I* did to Daniel — it hurt… it STILL hurts, but it’s part of who I am: my prequel.

Also, a bunch of you keep auto-subscribing to it without realizing there’s nothing there, so now there is!

So, for all the rest of you, here it is from the beginning: https://janissconnelly.wordpress.com/2007/05/25/im-graduating/

It makes more sense in order, and there’s even a few old photos in there. Happy?

Keep each other safe.

~ Janiss

Email janiss.connelly@cedarcrestsanctum.com
Twitter @JanissConnelly
Instagram @janiss.connelly
Facebook @JanissConnelly
Tumblr janissconnelly.tumblr.com
Google+ JanissConnelly
Discus @justjaniss

JanissStakeSignature2016
BloodDrop

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

I, Fictional Character – Vampire Verisimilitude

25 Sunday Sep 2016

Posted by Janiss Connelly in Official Correspondence

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

#theMatriarchVampires, Cedarcest Sanctum, fictional character, Janiss Connelly, The Truman Show

Ever feel like you’re the star of your own television show? Not a good one or the most watched one, but a show on the bubble, always teetering on cancellation?

You wake up, think about things, then go about your life. There are recurring supporting characters, the occasional guest star, and those who are written out because their contract’s up.

If you were the outside observer — a mere viewer tuning in for a bit of escapism — how many stars would you give your own program?

trumanshowThere’s a movie called The Truman Show about a man (Jim Carrey) whose life being broadcast live 24/7, only he’s blissfully unaware that his existence is scripted — entertainment for the masses. All of his successes and failures are orchestrated under the control of a director and a writer’s room.

I don’t know about you, but I feel like that from time to time.

I’ve updated all of my social media profiles now to include the description “fictional character.” I’ve done this for a couple of reasons — one of which was covering my backside after being warned a few of my private posts were bleeding over into public viewing — but the best excuse is that it seems correct. After some of the most horrible things I’ve endured or seen, I still ask myself too often, “Did that really happen?”

So my question is, how about you? With online media and cameras everywhere, every word recorded and every image archived, doesn’t it feel nowadays like we’re all on television? On display for the entire world to judge or sympathize with? The only control feels like whatever you put into your profile, a sentence or two to sum up your full existence into an easily digestible bite for any potential audience.

janisscorporateportraitgscclock2016Here’s mine:

Bleeding-heart Millennial w/tragic backstory & fangs. Stargazer. Whedonite. Phlebotomist. Fictional character. Hugger.

On half of my profiles, there wasn’t enough room to squeeze even one additional word in, so I changed them all to match the smallest allowed description (turns out that’s Google+ with 140 words or less) and I like the consistency.

But I would be remiss if I didn’t confess a few folks I’ve spoken to don’t believe what I’ve been through in my short thirty years on this earth. I’m obviously disillusioned, a liar, and/or starving for attention… blah blah blah and yada yada yada. So for them and for me, there it is: fictional character — a made-up or imaginary person… because we all present the image of ourselves we want others to accept.

Maybe I should have someone mock-up a few fake book covers and slap my face on them. Timothy?

Keep each other safe.

~ Janiss

Email janiss.connelly@cedarcrestsanctum.com
Twitter @JanissConnelly
Instagram @janiss.connelly
Facebook @JanissConnelly
Tumblr janissconnelly.tumblr.com
Google+ JanissConnelly
Discus @justjaniss

JanissStakeSignature2016
BloodDrop

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Memorial Day and a New Series Book Trailer!

30 Monday May 2016

Posted by Kevin A. Ranson in Official Correspondence

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

#amwriting, #theMatriarchVampires, book, novels, series, trailer, vampires

Kevin here, author of the The Matriarch Vampires.

Janiss has taken Memorial Day weekend off, so I hope your weekend was enjoyable and that a few moments were spent remembering those who gave everything to defend their country.

To provide a brief series update, the first draft of the fourth and final book is well under way, but I took a little time before a convention this past weekend to compile all the new images (and a few of my newest) to create an all-new novel series book trailer.

I hope you enjoy it, and feel free to share it anywhere you can. Also, if you’re a fan of the series and haven’t had a chance to leave a review or rating for any or all of the books, please take a few minutes and leave as little as five words and a rating on Amazon. It really helps get the word out and anything is appreciated.

And now, the new trailer!

Janiss will return next Sunday with more Vampire Verisimilitude.

2016VampireHeavenWestVirginia2

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Nothing Is Set in Stone

10 Sunday Jan 2016

Posted by Timothy Harker in Official Correspondence

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Cedarcrest Foundation of Appalachia, Cedarcrest Sanctum, Louisa Newcomb, New Year, Phase IV, Timothy Harker

From: the desk of Timothy Harker
To: all residents, staffers, and supporters

Good morning.

I wanted to address a few rumors that have been making their rounds at Cedarcrest, not the least of which was suggested by your executive administrator a week ago.

While Louisa Newcomb was still with us, a plan was created to govern how Cedarcrest Sanctum would develop and what the overall scope of the Cedarcrest Foundation of Appalachia would be. Part of it you know already; you live or work here, and we all know each other very well. Our facility has been a success and has remained true to our founder’s vision. That said and in light of recent events, we have begun developing implementation of Phase IV.

I will be personally responsible for a key element in this phase, and this is not a decision I take lightly. Let it be known that these are options on the table and nothing is set in stone, but there exists the possibility I may no longer reside here at Cedarcrest as a result; a significant risk is involved. Ms. Connelly has much experience with regard to this and I greatly value her opinion, but ultimately the decision is mine to make.

When the times comes and a final decision is made, you will not be left out of the loop.

Have a great new year, everyone.

~ Timothy Harker
Operations Administrator, Cedarcrest Sanctum
timothy.harker@cedarcrestsanctum.com

BloodDrop

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Happy Halloween: Beggar’s Night

25 Sunday Oct 2015

Posted by Janiss Connelly in Official Correspondence

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

#amwriting, #fangtastic, #JanissConnelly, #theMatriarchVampires, #verisimilitude, #VWSG, Cedarcrest Sanctum, the Matriarch Vampires, vampires

It’s almost here: Halloween.

No bait-and-switch angst today, just a fun idea. A throwback, if you like.

(“Can’t we have a little of the angst?” “No. Shh! I’ve been a stick in the mud in previous years; I’m done with all that.”)

We’re all-ages here at Cedarcrest, young and old, with many an All Hallow’s Eve tale to tell.

Once upon a time, some of you called it “Beggar’s Night.”

FromTheDeskOfJanissSignatureFor those celebrating, I’ve heard all kinds of stories about you little gremlins and your so-called harmless pranking. One of you titled yourselves “The Goblins of the Season.” Moving furniture off of porches, throwing rotten tomatoes or fruit, eggs and toilet paper. Little hellions all! Parents ignored this as long as it was kept to certain level; there were lines you knew not to cross.

The best part sounded like keeping your secrets each year, with each other or from each other.

Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...
← Older posts
SocialIconFacebook SocialIconTwitter SocialIconAmazon

Facility Updates

  • Thirty is the New Eternity
  • Early to Rise and Early to Vote — Vampire Verisimilitude
  • September Thoughts, Election Day, and Facility Update
  • A Psycho-Sexual Fetish-Driven Delusional Person
  • Fang-Girling

Popular Updates

  • Debunking Dr. Karl - Vampire Verisimilitude

Residents, staffers, & supporters must complete the sign up below to receive updates.

Join 1,453 other followers

Vampires Online

  • Eva Prim
  • Grumpy Vamp's GVC Guide
  • Just Janiss: My GSC Years
  • My Magnum Opus
  • Vampire Maman
  • Vigo the Vampire

Vampire Resources

  • Shroudeater
  • Sun Rise/Set Glenville, WV
  • Taliesin Meets the Vampires
  • The Vampire Library
  • Vamped.org
  • Vampires.com
  • World of Darkness

Site Information

  • † About Cedarcrest Sanctum
  • † About the Author
  • † About the Publisher

Terms of Use

  • © 2013-Present Thinking Skull

A WordPress.com Website.

Cancel
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
%d bloggers like this: