Infinite_Worlds_of_Fantasy

Happy New Years from Missy Lyons!

2011-12-31T07:05:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year's everyone!

It's time to end the year 2011, whether we are ready or not--and I am ready!!

I am finding myself looking back over the year and evaluating what I did well and what didn't work. I think 2011 kicked my butt and then turned around and did it again. My husband lost his eye this year and my babygirl underwent a her first surgery. My priorities changed and I began to deal with what was most important to me--family. I stopped writing for the first half of the year and then took it up again in Summer and Fall and I think my word count for the year ended up being around 80,000 words. Not bad for putting my writing on a back burner. It's been quite a ride. Now I can't wait for this year to end so I can take the reins back to my life and get this horse and pony show started. lol

In 2012 I already have two releases scheduled and plans to use my time more wisely. I have a few friends that have already written down a list of the books they plan to write. Me? I'm not so organized, but I will be writing.

What are your plans for the New Year?

Lots of love to you all and I hope all your hopes and dreams come true for 2012! Happy New Years!

Missy Lyonswww.missylyons.com

Tonight I plan to break out the bubbly and celebrate until I can't party anymore and then I'll be sleeping it off tomorrow just like this guy. lol Enjoy your New Year's y'all!

New Release - WHC: Stripping Christmas by Zenobia Renquist

2011-12-14T23:41:00.001-08:00

Out Now!!

Stripping Christmas
White Hot Christmas (multi-author series)
by Zenobia Renquist

Changeling Press

eBook ISBN: 978-1-60521-716-1
Genre: Erotic Romance, Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, Fey/Elves, Interracial, Magic, Christmas
Price: $2.99/US

Alex is firmly on the naughty list, and she wants Santa to join her.

Alex thought she was going to a job. Instead she ends up marrying the heir to the title of Santa Claus. The vows have been said and cannot be taken back, even if Alex isn't the ideal bride Kris was hoping for to re-energize the powers of the House of Kringle. But Alex is about to teach him that being a little naughty -- or a lot -- can go a long way.

Buy Now: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1740

Read Excerpt #1: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1740

Read Excerpt #2: http://zenobiarenquist.com/bookshelf/stripping-christmas

Full first chapter available online at D. Renee Bagby Presents First Chapters blog on 20 December 2011.

Purchase this title and/or any of the other White Hot Christmas titles and you are entered to win Free eBooks for a Year from Changeling Press. Each purchase of a White Hot Christmas title is an entry. Contest ends 31 December. Full details available HERE.

--
Zenobia Renquist
Discover Different and Unique Romance
http://zenobiarenquist.com
Caveat Emptor Series - Follow three couples as they struggle with love during a vampire-mage war.

Spooky YA list for Halloween -

2011-10-14T14:13:00.001-07:00

Halloween Listmania features ten spooky books, each 99 cents, suitable for YA, described as bewitching offerings from 10 authors whose credits include Kindle Bestsellers, Romantic Times Top Picks, and Rita and Eppie award winners! And yea! My short story collection is included. These are stories based on the Mudflat characters and have been previously published in magazines and anthologies.

If you have a YA in the family, pass along this list. Most of these books are only at this lowered price through October 31.

Click logo for direct link to Amazon Spooky Tales Listmania.
Phoebe Matthews

A Fantastic New Name

2011-08-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

Okay, so my book isn't fantasy...but my brand new name for my GLBT stories is. Sineth Killiri is only as real as I make him/her. Aug 28th my first m/m book, Cowboy Obsession, will release from Amber Quill Press

~~~~ Braden Hollace moves to a small Texas town and meets handsome rancher / mayor Eric McCaffrey. While they both have reasons for keeping their sexual orientation out of the public eye, neither can stop lustfully eyeing each other. But all cannot be at peace between them, until a ban on gay literature in their town is stopped. ~~~~

Brenda Williamson

aka Sineth Killiri

http://www.sinethkilliri.com/

Mudflat series - urban fantasy

2011-07-14T10:27:00.000-07:00

Yea! The Mudflat ebooks are all $2.99 now except for Tarbaby Trouble, the EPIC Award winner for 2009 Best Fantasy. Tarbaby is a 99 cent introduction to the series special.

- Phoebe
http://phoebematthews.com

New BDSM Book Release: Chains of Love

2011-02-05T15:03:00.001-08:00

I am very pleased to present the newest release of Hot Tropica books, Chains of Love! If you love hawt men dressed in drag and werewolves who stalk the streets at night looking for their prey, then this is the book for you.

Chains of Love
by Mercedes Black
Published by Hot Tropica books
Price $5.99

Blurb:

Detective Colt Bacard is fighting against time to find a serial killer in Fort Lauderdale, and he is not ready to believe the superstitious nonsense that everyone else is spouting off. There's no such thing as vampires and there has got to be a simple explanation to the trademark holes in each of the victim’s neck.

He is willing to go deep undercover to find the serial killer. Even if that means he has to wear lipstick and high heels to do it.

Dressing as a female to help lure out the killer, he finds an honest to God werewolf whom he can't help but feel an attraction to.

Griffin knows better than to interfere when a human stumbles into his world, but the sexy detective has no idea of the danger he is in, or what his poking around and questions may unearth. When Colt threatens to arrest the leader of the pack of renegade vampire, Griffin is left with little choice except to take the man into protective custody. Colt doesn't go willingly, but it isn't long before his captive heart submits to his new master. Will their love be enough to face life threatening danger together?

Excerpt:
Chains of Love
by Mercedes Black

The scent filling the bathroom turned him on. Tonight he would become as close to a girl as he could without losing his manhood. He cupped his dick in his hands, smoothing around the outside, stroking it until it became harder and stiffer. He needed to come now, so he would not get a hard on while he was with a guy. White cum spurted from the tip of his cock and he leaned against the tile wall letting the hot water fall over his body, washing away any of the soap residue and the evidence of his cum.

He felt some of the tension leave his body, but knew instinctively it wasn’t going to be enough. He dried himself off and exited the shower. He tried on the clothes, and put on the makeup, first the eye shadow and mascara along with a bit of rouge for his cheeks, and finally a black lipstick. He smacked his lips together admiring his work in the mirror. He looked good, but with the wig of short black gothic styled hair, he looked even better.

He looked more like a girl, than most girls, soft and feminine. He practiced using another voice. It was a different tone and pitch than he usually used, mysteriously sexy. This was going to work.

And then, he just stripped his clothes and jacked off some more. It was only six o’clock so he had plenty of time before the official auction. He put in a favorite gay porn movie, watching the guys fuck each other and he masturbated fast and furious. He came a lot, hoping this would help him keep from getting a hard on if he got with another guy tonight. He came until his dick was limp and ached from the workout he gave it. If that didn’t work, he wasn’t sure what would.

He cleaned himself up once more, and then began dressing again. His thigh high nylons slipped on over each leg, and then he put his penis holder on and his sexy panties over the top.

No one was going to be able to tell he was a man.

He put the corset on, and slipped the 36C fake breasts in on each side. He looked down at his new breasts and grinned. This would have everyone bidding on him in this auction, every straight guy in the room. Then he carefully slipped into the low cut dress and put on the high heels. He looked back one last time at the mirror, admiring his handiwork.

He may have to try doing this on his own free time in the near future and not when he was just looking for a killer. The idea of fucking a straight boy who thought he was a woman was hot.

And nobody could tell him he didn’t look damn good as a woman.

****

Now available at Smashwords, ARE, Bookstrand, and most major ebook retailors.
Buy here:

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-chainsoflove-513101-142.html

Who's Afraid of a Wicked Wolf...when he's sexy

2011-01-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

A Wicked Wolf

by Brenda Williamson

ISBN: 9781603105590

Available from Red Sage Publishing

Blurb

Real Estate agent Randi Brown works the rich crowd, selling high-priced homes. With her parents dead it’s up to her to financially support two teenage siblings and she wants to spread her wings by negotiating a billion dollar land deal. Only the landowner, a business mogul no one has seen in years isn’t interested in selling his mountain to a development corporation, and Randi sets out to change his mind any way possible, even if that means sleeping with the reclusive billionaire.

After two years, since his wife’s brutal murder, Nicholas "Nick" Wolfe prefers to mourn her than get involved in business. So he lives cut off from society on Wolfe Mountain. Through his attorney, he’s offered billions, but no one knows to what extent the value of the land is more than the inhabitants—the Lycans, human wolf-like animal shifters.

When Randi shows up on the mountain one rainy night, Nick tires to fight the desires of the wolf in him to take a mate. Unfortunately, nature has made it impossible to resist the animalistic urges strengthened by the influence of a full moon and the power of lust in this woman’s eyes. Can love know no bounds?

Randi has no idea of where this torrid affair can lead until she learns the gruesome details of a woman’s murder by a creature not quite human. Then she becomes the next target and she discovers how falling in love can lead to a fatal attack from a Lycan.

Excerpt

For minutes, he lavished her with kisses. His mouth moved firmer against hers, and his body rubbed hers faster, more insistently. When he stopped, she dared to open her eyes.

He was looking up. She did too.

From the open crossbeams, dried herbs dangled from tied silk ribbons. He let go of her wrist and reached up. She should have lowered her arm, but to move meant to chance breaking the spell.

She watched him tug one ribbon, untying a cluster that fell to the floor. The clean scent of lavender burst from the bouquet. She stared at the other bundles. Had he collected them? They couldn’t be for cooking since his refrigerator was bare.

When J.R. looped and tied the ribbon around her wrist, he jerked her thoughts from the idyllic illusion of everything going smoothly in her business acquisition and her sexual encounter.

“What are you doing?” Her words rattled free.

With the yellow silk strip snug, he drew her arm to the side and fastened the opposite end to the cabinet door knob. As much as she enjoyed aggressively passionate sex in all positions, she’d never been into real bondage.

“I’m not sure I like being restrained.” She tipped her head back and watched him retrieve another ribbon.

“You will.” He tied a blue strip of silk to her free wrist and fastened it to another cabinet knob.

Now was the time to protest and fight the binds, or surrender. He leaned against her, sniffing at her neck, then licking it. She felt its throbbing vein pulsing rapidly against the stimulation. He had more control than she normally allowed a guy. He caressed her jaw with the back of his hand. Did she want him to stop? What would she give up?

His stare into her eyes suggested she’d miss out the hottest sex of her life. The smoldering lust was more than she could resist. There was no turning back—no buckling under to convention. His hypnotizing brown eyes had command over her, and she waited, a captive audience.

His gaze didn’t leave hers as he raised her shirt. She breathed harder, feeling the light touch of his hands running up her sides and over her breasts. He fingered her nipples, rolling them around with his thumbs. They stiffened and ached from the repeated pawing. Then he stopped and stroked her sides. Intense warmth spread, prickling her skin. Goosebumps dotted her arms and shoulders.

His quiet intensity fascinated her. With one hand controlling her Tee shirt, his other took a more serious possession of her left breast. He turned his hand over and brushed his knuckles against the tip. Then grasping it between a finger and his thumb, he pinched it. The fiery sting zinged her to her core.

A moan escaped her.

She closed her eyes and tipped her head back.

“More,” she begged, loving the way the pleasurable pain jarred her nerves.

And yet he didn’t give her what she wanted. Instead, he took his hands away, and the soft cotton of the shirt she wore slid down over her inflamed nipples.

He raised his arm and his fingers neared her face. She sensed regret in his light touch to her jaw. Turning her cheek to his palm, she pleaded with him to continue. “Don’t stop.”

He looked at her strangely, as if what she asked was unusual and daring. His eyes were flickering with other colors, reflections from somewhere in the room kept her spellbound. There she hung, bound to the cabinet doors, and all she wanted to think about was could he make her want him more?

His other hand took a place on the opposite side of her neck. He petted lightly over her pulse, beating beneath the skin. The slow strokes lulled her senses, calming her all over. She closed her eyes, enjoying the caress that moved into a massage of her shoulders. It felt good, relaxing. And then he grabbed the Tee shirt's frayed collar and ripped it down the front, jerking her whole body forward.

Shocked out of her false tranquility, her lashes flew up as she gasped. Mild alarm made her tense as she bounced against the counter from J.R.’s jerking to tear the shirt completely open. Her heart rate quickened. She breathed heavier, stunned by his sudden aggression. A dark edginess fringed his expression as he looked hungrily at her breasts.

She glanced down at her nipples, ruby spiked points jutting in eagerness. J.R.’s long fingers folded around her swollen flesh. He lifted one breast higher then the other as if he weighed each to be sure he had the heavier, more deserving one.

He bent down and licked her taut nipple. She watched his tongue swish and cool the burning flesh. In a frenzy of ecstatic joy, she rolled her head from side to side against the cabinet with whispered moans for more. She arched, shoving her chest toward him. His bathing licks and suckling lips were the sweetest kind of torture. The coarseness of his tongue abraded her flesh, heating every sensitive nerve in her. The cut of his teeth when he nipped the tender tip of her breast came close to making her scream. His withdrawal left her unharmed. Then he did it all again. His mouth swung away sooner than she expected, faster than she wanted, and a frustrated whine slipped out of her. She wanted the moment to last forever.

His kisses journeyed along her collarbone and swept up the side of her neck. “You taste good.” His words whispered around her ear. “I want to devour every inch of you.”

“Yes.” She panted, encouraging him by repeating her total agreement. “Yes, every inch.”

He cupped her jaw and turned her head. His lips crept along. She twisted to catch his kiss on her mouth. Oddly, he avoided the place she desired to feel his tantalizing breath.

His hands left her body without warning. He pulled a red handkerchief from his back pocket and spun it several times folding it to a strip. She drew back as he lifted it to her eyes.

“Is that for me?” she asked, not sure how far she wanted to let him dominate her.

A wicked grin was his only answer.

This wasn’t a position she should be in with a stranger and she debated telling him. No, she didn’t want to play this game. The words stayed on the tip of her tongue as he leaned against her to tie the blindfold around her head. His hard body pressed hers, and she lost focus on her concerns. Her breasts flattened against him. She whimpered. Desire to have mind-blowing sex overpowered reason.

Then the blindfold went on. She wasn’t sure how to handle the unsettling mix of apprehension and anticipation, but she felt another burst of fear. He was a stranger and she was giving him total control.

One of the Most Outrageous Examples Of Piracy Ever

2011-01-18T07:45:00.000-08:00

Here is an egregious example of a shameless copyright infringer advising others how to make money over the internet.

General Chat - How Do We Make A Living ONLINE

"Max" writes (and I quote under the Fair Use provisions of the law, for the purposes of education and commentary and reportage)

I have been making a living online for around 10 years now. You are right, it's not easy!
It takes a lot of time and patience. One thing I have noted over the years is that its important to build a database of 'members' or customers, and keep in touch with them, but only when you have something useful to say!

I have used 'freebies' or 'giveaways' to entice people to join my services. This works well as it cost's absolutely nothing to giveaway a free book (for example), but you can guarantee that they will read your next email!

Over the years I have managed to build a small 'stable' of steady online businesses (I am a strong believer in 'bread and butter' income, and not the 'fast buck' ideas... which rarely work anyway!) through shear hard work and countless hours. I love the web and it's possibilities, however, you must always keep in mind, that its those people with money, are generally the ones who get the exposure, since they throw big bucks at their online projects for marketing campaigns

The answer to this, is to find a real niche, then put your all into it!

Max

Marketing Chat appears to be a "sponsor" of a book giveaway site, and since "Marketing Chat" links fold back to the freebie site, and to the home page and yahoogroup of the known and blatant copyright infringers most recently known as "BooksForNothing" I infer that Max is linked to the freebie master.

In fact, they post

Dear Members

This should make you feel that membership is worthwhile!

Here is 106 Free Business Books (you have to join their free Yahoo group first, but you will be amazed at the 1000's of books they give away, including other books like fiction, crafts, audio books etc!)

This selection of biz books is quite extensive, and there is definitly something there for everyone!

http://www.marketingchat.info/freebies.html

Regards
Max
Admin

YAHOO has refused to do a thing about this brazen, copyright infringing YAHOOGROUP for years. When I reported the group to YAHOO, yahoo banned me!

You many well be amazed at the 100's of books they give away... but the fact is, most of these books are given away by persons who have no right whatsoever to give those books away, and they do so in knowing and blatant violation of the authors' and publishers' rights.

GOOGLE, YAHOO, PAYPAL, FILESONIC all profit from this piracy, and all either drag their heels or do nothing to put a stop to this rampant, deliberate piracy, while Movie companies, Book Publishers, Software Manufacturers, Musicians, and others are ripped off.

They post this message:

Please note: Our pages get shut down on a regular basis (the book companies do not like us!) so join the club (form below) and you will never miss out on the latest goodies!

Join our FREE BOOKS club TODAY!

NOTE: Don't miss out!... 'Its the early bird that catches the worm'
Due to complaints by book companies, files get deleted all the time, so join the club using the form below, and you will be notified the minute a new bookmix has been completed!

Seeing the above, can there be any doubt that they are aware that they are infringing copyright? Why would any reasonable person think that book companies would be successful in getting files deleted, if not for DMCA notices?

Please feel free to share this post.

Mudflat Fortune Cookie for the week -

2010-11-21T09:43:00.000-08:00

11/22-28 PAST THE FULL MOON AND INTO COUNT DOWN TIME, ON MONDAY PROBLEMS FIND SOLUTIONS. AND OF COURSE, TUESDAY BRINGS A NEW BATCH. WEDNESDAY THE PROBLEMS WIN. THURSDAY THINKING IS A BIT BLURRED BUT FOCUS, BECAUSE LUCK IS ON A HOLIDAY. YOU’LL FEEL BETTER FRIDAY. SATURDAY TURNS COMPLICATED SO DON’T CHANGE PLANS. CONFIDENCE GETS YOU THROUGH SUNDAY.

A Special Thanksgiving Event!

2010-11-11T18:02:00.000-08:00

The Holidays are a wonderful time of year, where we thank those in our lives that have done so much for us throughout the year. Romance in the Backseat is also taking part in saying thanks. We have authors giving away books as well as some truly generous giveaways. Those of food for families in need this Holiday. Come and Visit Romance in the Backseat. Nominate those who need some cheer for the book giveaways and those you know who are in need to win the Food Gift Cards from Silver Publishing and author Kylie Brandt.

Romance in the Backseat

Join us and enter to Win a $100 Food Gift Card from Silver Publishing

Author Kylie Brandt is doing a special $50 Holiday Food Giveaway on RITBS

New Release: Rite Men for Maya

2010-11-11T07:11:00.001-08:00

Rite Men for Maya
by Zenobia Renquist

Changeling Press

eBook ISBN: 978-1-60521-535-8

Paranormal, Interracial, Menage (m/m/f), Shapeshifter

$4.49

Maya is a half human, half merman who has decided to attend the fertility-virility rite and learn more about her merman heritage. The rite is meant to help mermen find their perfect mates, but Maya is only interested in using it as research.

Tam and Kessen are participants who are searching for their third. They are drawn to Maya and she to them. But she refuses to acknowledge the bond and runs. Tam and Kessen must pursue her through her dreams if they hope to make their love a reality and prove they are the right men for Maya.

BUY NOW

Read Chapter One

48 Hours of Halloween Event

2010-10-29T10:42:00.001-07:00

Halloween Internet Event!!

It's time to read about bumping the things in the night.

48 Hours of Halloween
and
The All Saints' Day Event

***Where:
D. Renee Bagby Presents First Chapters
http://dreneebagbypresentsfirstchapters.blogspot.com/

***When:
30 Oct, 12:01 AM EST - 01 Nov, 10:01 AM EST

***What:
Every hour, one minute past the hour, starting 30 October at 12:01 AM EST the D. Renee Bagby Presents First Chapters blog will drop a new romance first chapter. Vampires, shapeshifters, witches, demons, angels, and other such Halloween creatures are the theme of this event.

***Prizes:
- Book Cover posters
- Free books/e-books

***GRAND PRIZE (only ONE winner for all three days):
- Those who comment on all 59 posts are entered to win a $50 e-gift card to Amazon, Borders, Barnes & Noble, or All Romance eBooks (winner's choice).

***How to Win:
- Leave a comment. The more posts on which you comment, the more chances you have to win. (Note: Multiple comments on one post from one person only count as one entry.)

- Include your name and/or email on each comment for notification purposes.

- All comments received PRIOR to 02 November 12:01 AM EST are entered to win. Winners announced 02 November ON THE BLOG -- that means you have to check back to see if you won.

- Winners have TWO (2) days from the date of notification to claim their prize (deadline - 04 November, Thursday).

*** Permission to forward granted ***

My Abandoned Love: Fantasy

2010-10-22T04:33:00.000-07:00

Recently, I have been blessed with some really good news for my writing career. I have a new contract for my contemporary, interracial romance Inside Out coming to a bookstore near you in June 2011. I have a couple of novels The Prescription Playboy and The Builder with Lyrical Press, Inc, that I truly enjoyed writing and have been well received by reviewers. It's all very exciting and I am happy and grateful.

Now, though, the pressure is on (internal pressure applied to me by me, lol)to get back to something more dark and meaty and fantastic! My debut novel, Bright Star, is dark fantasy and it is twisted and it was a little sexy and I was in love with it. The follow up novel, Domina, however, is still here on my laptop, awaiting some final edits and tweaks. It's calling to me, beckoning even. And the longer I do not respond, the more it feels as if I've abandoned the line. I haven't, but, alas, I am swept up in a maelstrom of successful contemporary romance.

Don't get me wrong, I love my contemporary romance or I wouldn't write it. I adore it. But, I also adore dark and thoughtful fantasy. So, what's a girl to do?

Not sleep, I think. It's probably best that I stay awake as long as possible and perhaps cut half my day into contemporary romance and the other half into fantasy? Think that'll work? No? Not so feasible? OK, so maybe not.

My real plan is to complete one more contemporary romance then focus on completing Domina, getting it published. But first, you may want to read Bright Star to get prepared for the second book which delves deeper into a source of evil we can all understand: good intentions. Look for it next year!

Stop by and read about Bright Star here. Read more about me here. Hang out at my blog here. Friend me on Facebook here. Reply to this post if you share my dilemma or have a recommendation for me.

Grayson Cole

Lynne's Love Triangle is now available for pre-order

2010-09-26T20:40:00.000-07:00

Lynne's Love Triangle is now up for pre-order and it's one menage you don't want to miss. The fun just gets started after these three get together.

Just a little something about it:

Lynne had to videotape the supernova hot sex the night she landed two men in her bed because she knew it would never happen again. Kurt is sweet and sexy. Troy is dominating and masterful. Both of her new lovers fulfill her better than her deepest fantasy man. How could she pick just one? Will it make a difference that they are both over twenty years younger than her? Will the flames of their desire burn out after this single night of passion is over?

And more importantly, can her new lovers pull together when it really counts and protect her from a crazy stalker trying to kill her? Only time will tell.

Buy your copy here:

http://www.bookstrand.com/lynnes-love-triangle

I hope you enjoy reading your copy!

Lots of love to you all!
Missy Lyons
www.missylyons.com

Free Story by Missy Lyons

2010-09-10T18:47:00.001-07:00

Do you subscribe to All Romance ebooks newsletter? You should! There is tons of free stuff in there, contests, new releases and a free read every Friday. Missy Lyons story 'Till Death Do Us Part' will be featured in it October 22 for Halloween.

If you miss out, or don't sign up in time--don't worry! Missy Lyons will feature it in her newsletter that month too. Sign up here:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Missy_Lyons_Newsletter/

Thanks and I hope you can enjoy it!
Missy Lyons
www.missylyons.com

Fire Pages Review: Eris (And Contest)

2010-08-17T23:43:00.001-07:00

New review and it is totally worth sharing!

"...Renee takes pride in developing rich, three-dimensional characters that continue to grow at every turn of the page... I found myself stalking the novel, devouring each page, and craving to know what happens next. I was also incredibly impressed that there wasn’t a single grammatical error in the book, which is something I’m quite critical about when reviewing novels... I don’t do ratings, but if I had to categorize Eris, I would call it “Literary Perfection.”"
~ Zee, Fire Pages Reviews

Full Review:
http://firepages.wordpress.com/2010/08/18/eris-by-d-renee-bagby/

Along with the review is a contest: Absolute Chaos Giveaway
- Leave a Comment on the Review
- Leave a comment on the interview to be posted Thursday 19 August
AND
- Subscribe via email to Zee's blog

Prizes:
- $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble, Borders, Amazon, or Bookstrand (winner's choice)
- e-copy of ERIS

Contest ends Friday 20 August

Good luck and have a happy!

~ Renee
---
D. Renee Bagby
Building New Realms of Passion
http://dreneebagby.com

SLC Examiner Interview!

2010-08-14T05:19:00.000-07:00

Fran Lee of the Salt Lake City Romance Novels Examiner interviewed me.

Check it out and leave a comment.

~ Renee
-----
D. Renee Bagby
Building New Realms of Passion
http://dreneebagby.com

5 Delightful Divas for ERIS

2010-08-12T01:57:00.001-07:00

This one slipped past me, but I'm sure happy to see it. :D

5 Divas!
"If this were a movie, it would be a box office smash... So if you’re looking for a fast paced book with hunky immortals born in the thirteen century who find themselves captivated by a twenty first century woman, this book is definitely for you!"
~ Dakota, Dark Diva Reviews

Full Review - http://ddrreviews.blogspot.com/2010/08/eris-eternal-truths-series-by-d-renee.html

Eris by D. Renee Bagby

Genre: Fantasy Mainstream Menage (m/f/m), Interracial, Unorthodox Time Travel
Publisher: Siren Publishing, Menage Amour Imprint
ISBN: 1-60601-837-X
Length: 160,003 words (508 pgs PDF)
Format: eBook
Price: $6.99

BUY NOW

Read Excerpt
Read First Chapter

Eternal Truths Series, Book 1

Time is on their side and they can be together, assuming the truth doesn't ruin everything first.

Immortals born in the thirteenth century, Lucien Riordan and Ranulf Styr have waited centuries to be reunited with their love. Want for her cemented their friendship through time even as it tore it apart. She changed their lives, made them want better, and they plan to show her that. There's only one catch--she's never met them before.

Eris Brue is flattered by Lucien and Ranulf's attention but they are her bosses. She doesn't want to get tangled up in an office romance, especially not with two men. Their joint seduction overcomes her resolve and she gives in even though she knows they are keeping secrets that could doom their relationship.

Centuries of planning have finally come to fruition. Lucien and Ranulf have a short amount of time to make Eris love them, because once time has her, everything could come to an end.

Renee
-----------------
D. Renee Bagby
Building New Realms of Passion...
http://dreneebagby.com

Vote for ERIS at HEA (Book of the Month)

2010-08-04T03:52:00.001-07:00

Eris is up for Book of the Month over at Happily Ever After Reviews!

Vote NOW

[Ménage Amour: Mainstream Ménage a Trois Romance, M/F/M, Interracial, Time Travel]

Immortals born in the thirteenth century, Lucien Riordan and Ranulf Styr have waited centuries to be reunited with their love. Want for her cemented their friendship through time, even as it tore it apart. She changed their lives, made them want better, and they plan to show her that. There's only one catch--she's never met them before.

Eris Brue is flattered by Lucien and Ranulf's attention, but they are her bosses. She doesn't want to get tangled up in an office romance, especially not with two men. Their joint seduction overcomes her resolve, and she gives in even though she knows they are keeping secrets that could doom their relationship.

Centuries of planning have finally come to fruition. Lucien and Ranulf have a short amount of time to make Eris love them, because once time has her, everything could come to an end.

Note: Contains no explicit sexual language. Contains physical violence against the heroine.
A Siren Erotic Romance

Adrianne Brennan - romantic dark fantasy and science fiction writer: Why I chose the Boston Area Rape Crisis as my Blogathon charity

2010-07-31T13:00:00.000-07:00

Please support Adrianne's blogging marathon funds- and awareness raiser.

Adrianne Brennan - romantic dark fantasy and science fiction writer: Why I chose the Boston Area Rape Crisis as my Blogathon charity

Visit, leave a comment, Tweet, even if you cannot donate.

Posted by Rowena

LASR-WC Spotlight: D. Renee Bagby

2010-07-26T13:01:00.001-07:00

The spotlight is on me again. This time I'm at The Long and the Short of It's Whipped Cream site.

http://www.longandshortreviews.com/WC/index.htm

Stop by if you would like to enter to win a copy of ERIS. Or just stop by to leave a comment on one of my posts. The spotlight lasts from Monday to Friday with a new post each day. Don't miss out.

~ Renee
---------
D. Renee Bagby
Building New Realms of Passion
http://dreneebagby.com

HEA Reviews - Eris Gets 5 Tea Cups

2010-07-14T08:32:00.001-07:00

Eris has gotten a second review from Happily Ever After Reviews.

"I cried, laughed, had moments of incredible frustration, but in the end fell in love... This is a must read for anyone who likes time travel romance..." ~ Yadkny, Happily Ever After Reviews, 5 Tea Cups

Buy Now

Read the First Chapter

Eternal Truths Series, Book 1

Time is on their side and they can be together, assuming the truth doesn't ruin everything first.

Eris Brue is flattered by Lucien and Ranulf’s attention but they are her bosses. She doesn’t want to get tangled up in an office romance, especially not with two men. Their joint seduction overcomes her resolve and she gives in even though she knows they are keeping secrets that could doom their relationship.

Centuries of planning have finally come to fruition. Lucien and Ranulf have a short amount of time to make Eris love them, because once time has her, everything could come to an end.

Guest Blog at Nana Malone's

2010-07-13T00:55:00.000-07:00

I did a guest blog at Nana Malone's about crying. No, no, no. I'm not crying. You just have to read the blog and see. :P

Take a look

~ Renee
----------
D. Renee Bagby
Building New Realms of Passion...
http://dreneebagby.com

Horoscopes and Smashwords -

2010-07-12T11:54:00.000-07:00

I uploaded a non-fiction book on Smashwords today. Considering my non-techie skills, it was easy. This is a quick guide to partytime fortunetelling, based on a series of articles I once did for Starcraft Horoscope Magazine. Smashwords is a new adventure for me!

The reason I mention it here is because this is a skill Claire the astrologer uses in my EPIC winning BookStrand Mudflat series.

- Phoebe Matthews

Crewkin Available in February 2011

2010-07-09T16:34:00.000-07:00

Here's a introduction to the lead character in Crewkin, a scifi novel coming from MuseItUp Publishing in February, 2011

Renna heard the hatch open and a woman entered. Never raising her gaze, Renna noticed through quick side glances the woman looked alien, so very different from her crewkin. Yes, she wore Markham Corporation uniform, so they worked for the same company. Only she was shorter, plumper, her face, nose, and neck, even her fingers, too thin, her brown eyes and hair, the wrong color. She wore jewelry and makeup. Renna tightened her handclasp. Her training helped her blank her expression and emotions. She fell back on her kin's mantra: calm, professionalism, duty.

The woman sat in the chair on the opposite side of the table. "Well, Renna, this is a strange situation for you, isn't it?"

"Yes." Duty required simple straight answers, no embellishment. She refused to scream, "My ship and the rest of my kin are dead."

"Your crewkin went through a horrible experience. Most of them died. All those you shoved into escape pods only came here to die far from their ship. You didn't join them."

She sat here, so the answer was obvious, and she understood the words were an accusation. She kept her gaze on the table in proper crewkin submission; answer enough. The anger in her belly writhed like one of the reptiles shown in a learning tape she remembered from her childhood. The image always stuck with her because she felt the same knot-making movement inside.

"Medical gave them the suicide drugs." Renna carefully kept her voice clam, concealing her anger. She glanced at the woman. For an instant, she imagined a serpent's tongue flickered from the woman's too red mouth and looked away.

"Because we know your type. You cannot live without your kin." The woman paused. When Renna didn't answer, she continued. "What do you plan to do? You cannot join another crew. Unfortunately, there is no other place for you to go."

"There are other ships." She held her breath at her insubordinate, unkin-like response.

The woman laughed a soft, mocking sound. "You want to join one of the ships making runs to and from the few planets in the system? After the long hauls you and your kin made? You won't fit in. You are too different."

"I'm a speaker."

"Yes, you, of all your kin, were the only one to talk with outsiders. It's probably why you've survived here in the Markham hospital. Shortrun crews, though, aren't crewkin. They all have existing friends and family outside of their ship's crew. Even a speaker will be too strange for the norm crews to accept you. We only want to help you, and the truth is, you belong to your crewkin."

"Will you kill me?" Her defiance at asking a question nearly overwhelmed her. The serpent in her belly moved, her hands shook, and her jaw clamped tight. She wanted to scream, "I was never part of them." The thought startled her.

"No, we don't want to kill you. We want you to choose the correct path and join your crew. If you don't, your only choice is too leave. Markham Company cannot continue to take care of you." She recognized sympathy in the woman's face. The expression looked practiced, fake.

Leave. Alone. Outrageous, frightening words; her breath caught. She felt her body react. The slithering in her belly stopped. "Then I will leave." She nearly laughed at the woman's stunned look, but that would be unprofessional, and unkin. Inside, excitement glittered like stars.

Dear Scott Turow, Allison Kelley, John Scalzi...

2010-06-27T06:32:00.000-07:00

Open letter to the Presidents of RWA, SFWA, and Authors' Guild concerning copyright infringement.

Dear Scott Turow, Allison Kelley, John Scalzi,

Thank you very much for everything you do to defend authors' copyrights against copyright infringement. We very much appreciate having an address to which to send our complaints, and the comfort of knowing that you compile a database of the most egregious "pirates" and pirate sites.

Despite small triumphs, ignorance persists among honest readers; lies about the legality of "sharing" go unchallenged, and the problem is getting much worse.

Please Scott Turow, Allison Kelley, John Scalzi will you talk to one another, set up one powerhouse task force, meet regularly, share resources, engage your members, give authors one central "Go To" address where we can submit complaints, report piracy sites, blogs and yahoogroups, cc our take-down notices.

One forceful industry voice could shut down an entire account and insist on a hosting site complying with their own TOS where their TOS has been repeatedly violated, instead of individual authors taking down one file at a time.

Thank you.

Rowena Cherry (IWOFA)

Permission granted to forward, share, repost, or use as a template for other open letters.

First Review: Eris by D. Renee Bagby

2010-06-23T07:48:00.001-07:00

FIRST REVIEW!!!

Eris has gotten it's first review from Rites of Romance.

5 lyres and a recommended read

"I was so taken in by the characters I loved, yes loved this book... The characters came to life for me, they all had flaws and imperfections and that’s what made them real to me."
~ GJM

Read the full review

Buy Now
Read First Chapter

About zombies -

2010-06-21T09:01:00.000-07:00

Saw a lot of them at Crypticon this weekend in Everett, WA. What an amazing range of costumes! Super decorations and lots of panels and activities. And zombies everywhere, as well as vampires and other scary types. Okay, I went to do research because I am working on a new urban fantasy series for a RPG publisher. The sci fi/fantasy cons are also a great way to meet people who write, edit, or read the genre and I met all of the above. Crypticon is more of a fun party type con and included games, dancing, live performers, and also people who made jewelry and costumes and even makeup to go with costumes.

From Mudflat's Claire here's today's fortune cookie: MONDAY, LONGEST DAY OF THE YEAR BRINGS ANNOYING WORK CHANGES BUT GOOD EMOTIONAL VIBES. Rest of the week is posted on the Prediction page at http://phoebematthews.com .

SciFi, Folklore and the Future

2010-06-17T06:43:00.000-07:00

One reason I like to write science fiction is because I see the genre as folklore of the future. Some writers see the future as apocalyptic, and I tend to agree we will probably come close to ending ourselves with or without the help of space aliens. However, I tend to think that if we learn responsibility as a species, we might become seeds to the universe. The problem is the duality of our natures. We contain both good and bad: generosity tempered with avarice and self seeking, xenophobia combined with an adventurer's desire for exploration. You can come up with more examples, I'm sure. To make matters more difficult, sometimes our good traits result in disaster, and our worst characteristics save us.

In my new novel, Crewkin, corporate leaders, though only indirectly mentioned, are just as greedy and ruthless as some few are today. To create ship crews which won't succumb to the rigors of long-distance space travel the corporations develop specialized crews.

The concept is simple. Raise children from birth who exist only within their own society. Provide nurses who care for but never develop relationships with their charges. Develop leaders and make sure everyone else submits to their leader's rule. Control the genome; make sure they have superior genes, select for disease resistance, strength, a certain look to make sure your crewkin look very similar, this will also emphasize their difference from other human beings. Educate them with information reinforcing the 'rightness' of their isolation and their ultimate superiority. Teach duty and dedication as their sole focus. Finally, use punishment to subvert any independent thought or action. However, no one should call these groups slaves, for they are crewkin, and as far as the general public and government know, choose to live together, even die if kept apart. Then, to increase that perception, brainwash your crews to suicide if the crew can no longer function, make sure the general public believes this myth, and there you have your perfect crew.

Perhaps, in the history of crewkin, there might be one who doesn't fit. What happens when she chooses not to die? What happens if she has the courage to seek life outside the confinement of crewkin indoctrination? Can she survive? And if she does, what type of danger does she pose to the corporations?

Look for Crewkin from MuseItUp Publishing in February.

A quick note to readers -

2010-06-03T08:22:00.000-07:00

June free Summer Reading Trail is up at http://www.voireylinger.com/index.php?p=1_12_Trail-Head. Voirey lists books by type. It's a fun way to discover authors you haven't read before.

Phoebe Matthews
Award-winning Mudflat urban fantasy series

2010-06-03T06:55:00.000-07:00

Lori Foster Conference in Ohio

2010-06-02T20:09:00.000-07:00

I plan to attend the Lori Foster reader and author get together this weekend in Manchester, Ohio. If you happen to be attending too, I can't wait to meet you, and if you are anywhere near the area feel free to stop by on Saturday for the booksigning. It's free and open to the public 2-4 PM.

For more details about the conference check out the website here:
http://www.lorifoster.com/community/readergettogether.php

Friday, June 4 — Sunday, June 6, 2010
Cincinnati Marriott North at Union Centre, West Chester Ohio

There will be lots of food--lots of fun and lots of great new friends to meet. Can't wait to see you there! And if you aren't nearby don't worry, I plan to take plenty of pictures!

Lots of love!
Missy Lyons
www.missylyons.com

Keeping Track of Characters

2010-05-03T00:05:00.000-07:00

Every writer struggles to develop their own style of writing. One of the first decisions you have to make is how to keep track of your characters. The first short story I wrote has a paper list of twenty-five names on it. That’s it just the character names. I quickly discovered more was needed to track descriptions and other important ideas. I took classes, downloaded every template I could find, and didn’t like any of them.

While trying out some different plotting/writing software, my husband suggested I try a mind mapping software program called FreeMind. He liked this program because it was free and being Java based could run on any platform.

I’m still learning the program, but it’s going good. You’re also supposed to be able to organize research, so that would be a plus when I need it. You can add notes (like meaning of names or story ideas), insert links, and add pictures. You’re able to collapse and expand trees as you need them. Here is an example from a novella WIP I’m working on:

The pen and pad icon represents nodes with notes and the red arrow means you have a link tied to the entry. I’m only tracking characters and places right now. You can add other entries like plot points or outlined scenes.

Easy to download and install, give it a try the next time you get stuck. Let your mind develop different tree structures and see what develops for you.

DO ME GOOD by Adele Dubois, New Release!

2010-04-14T07:34:00.000-07:00

In Norse pre-Christian times mortals worshipped gods and goddesses, and angels were called Light Elves. These handsome immortals, "fairer to look upon than the sun", interacted with both mortals and gods, and lived in the place between heaven and earth, called Alfheim.

My new release DO ME GOOD is the story of a Nordic warrior who becomes a Light Elf, but tests immortality for his love of a mortal woman. I hope readers enjoy this paranormal erotic romance novella as much as I enjoyed writing it.

DO ME GOOD by Adele Dubois

Summary:

Penny throws her hot, but worthless mooch of a boyfriend out on her front lawn with his clothes, and vows never again to be a bum magnet. Exhausted by overwork and mountainous debt, Penny pleads for divine intervention.

Gunnar, a rebellious Nordic warrior cast into servitude by an angry god to learn humility, answers. While Penny sleeps, the celestial arrives to complete her chores, but she awakens and finds him. The handsome immortal kisses her, sparking a passionate, forbidden sexual encounter.

Dark forces seeking vengeance for Gunnar’s past misdeeds mark Penny as a target. To protect his lover, Gunnar tests immortality in a death battle using a god’s magical sword. But the strength of Penny’s love might be what saves them both.

Excerpt:

He smoothed the hair at her temple and then rubbed a thick tendril between his thumb and forefinger. “I am Gunnar.” He pronounced the name “Goo-nar”.

A coarse brand of the sun, surrounded by a circle on the back of his hand, and covering the areas between his thumb, index knuckle and wrist caught her eye. His hand looked muscular and powerful beneath her gaze.

She touched the scarred skin with the tips of her fingers while he held a length of her hair, recognizing Freyr’s sacred insignia from her textbooks. “The pain must have been excruciating.” Without thinking, she lifted the old wound to her mouth and laid four kisses against its perimeter before pressing a fifth to the emblem inside.

A low tremor vibrated across her lips as they touched the ancient symbol on the white, extended hand. The brand grew warm and then hot on her mouth, though it did not burn. Her lips tingled and her body hummed with the pleasant sensations. She ran her tongue over the thick scars to erase the heat and then licked the center with the tip of her tongue in a tiny swirl before lifting her head.

His gasp of surprise was the last thing she expected as he released her hair and leaned away.

“Have I offended you? I’m sorry.” She searched his face for clues as to what to do next. Behind his shocked expression she found desire and longing and something completely unexpected.

Thankfulness.

Penny waited for his reply without letting go of his disfigured hand. She could tell his next words didn’t come easily.

“Kindness isn’t something I’m used to finding. Perhaps you’d be less inclined toward compassion if you knew what I’d done to deserve this brand of servitude.”

She reached out and hooked her arm around his neck to bring his face closer to hers. “I am Penelope. And if you are from Alfheim, I know who and what you are. I just don’t understand why you’ve come.” How could she deserve his rare, benevolent gifts? She was just an ordinary woman, barely scraping by.

“Sometimes we get what we need, simply because we ask. That’s the beauty and power of the unexpected.” His warm breath grazed her cheek in shallow rushes, lifting goose bumps across her skin. His wide, firm mouth smelled of sweet ground parsley and fresh-picked mint.

Their gazes locked and held, assessing, appraising.

Searching.

Gunnar’s eyes were like pools of deep blue water speckled with light that pulled her in and down. Down. Her breathing slowed as the sound of her heartbeat intensified in her ears and the inside of her mouth moistened. She licked her lips and became intensely aware of every nerve ending shimmering along her body. Her muscles tensed as if waiting for something unexpected to happen.

As if meeting a Nordic Light Elf in the flesh wasn’t amazing enough.

Just when she wondered how his mouth would taste, he brought his lips to hers and kissed her. An explosion of kinetic energy shot vibrations through her body that prickled every fiber and muscle, held her taut and then released, leaving her breathless.
**

Buy Link: http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8301-50-do-me-good.aspx
www.adeledubois.com
www.adeledubois.com/blog

April Fool's Day

2010-04-01T05:08:00.001-07:00

Today is April 1st and lots of pranks are sure to be played.

The origin of the day is uncertain but it does date back to the 1500's, which maybe the time that the day originated. They changed calendars, moving New Year's to January instead of April 1. Some refused to honor the new calendar and were ultimately regarded as fools. source

One of the best April Fool's pranks (IMO) was a TV show on the BBC in 1957 about Switzerland experiencing an early spaghetti harvest. *blinks* yes a spaghetti harvest.

Enjoy the day. And don't be an April Fool.

Mechele Armstrong
www.mechelearmstrong.com
www.melanylogen.com

Write, Read, Print an eBook

2010-03-12T10:19:00.000-08:00

March 7 through 13 is Read an eBook Week. With the week "officially" closing tomorrow, I wanted to encourage readers and writers to keep the spirit of saving trees and promoting technological advances in publishing alive, with the caveat that we not forget the majority of the audience out there.

A fellow author friend (Henry Hermann) has researched some eBook stats for a book on publishing, and shared with me that "saving 3 billion trees a year just from the publishing field alone is a good reason to promote eReading." I'd say I have to agree!

Henry and I share the same publisher, who releases all titles in hardcover. It takes an act of God (or a call from someone high up on the food chain at Borders) to get a title moved to paperback with this publishing house, thus marketing is a wee bit complicated for Henry and I. Try selling a few thousand units of a $30 book in this economic environment. Along came digital literature and the floodgates have opened.

By releasing our titles on Kindle format, our publisher has given our characters new audiences. Our publisher has saved some trees. Our publisher has given us a chance to market in a whole new realm.

If you're a writer seeking a publishing contract, consider the importance of both print and digital rights. I can't imagine a publishing house that doesn't offer both in this climate. Consider the audience(s) that lines both sides of the aisle. There are rabid print-book fans who refuse to discuss eReaders. Then there are rabid digital fans who are selling off their print-book collections to anyone who'll take them (and their bookshelves) to open up the space in their once-stuffy dens. Personally, I would weep for days if any of my books went missing from my beloved bookshelves, whether I had purchased them in digital format or not. I'm still miffed at my ex for taking my Lord of the Rings set, which I bought with my allowance money when I was in junior high.

My point is you want to accommodate both sets of readers. Only 3 to 5 percent of book buyers purchased and downloaded eBooks last year. That means the vast majority of readers are still comfortable with the physical book. Of course that ratio will shift as events such as Read an eBook Week catch on and more people sit on airplanes with their Sony eReaders, Nooks, iPads and Kindles and discuss their merits. As the ratio shifts, savvy publishers and authors will be there to fill whatever need the audience expresses.

From Sandy Lender
"Some days, you just want the dragon to win."
Tags: ebook, ebook week, ereader, sony, amazon, kindle, nook, ipad, Lord of the Rings, trees

Feeling Green?

2010-03-10T10:13:00.000-08:00

Green is breaking out all over and not just because of spring. It's closing fast on St. Patrick's Day. We were in New Orleans last weekend and St Paddy enthusiasts were practicing for their upcoming parades. Apparently it takes practice to find 22 bars--after the first ten. Green beer is the drink of the day and green is the color to wear.

I thought it was a funny coincidence that The Mystery of the Green Mist not only has green in the title, but lots of green on the cover. And it has a short story by me, that isn't about St. Patrick's Day or any holiday for that matter. But it is in a green book. And this month, it is all about green.

If you'd like to try to win a book that isn't green, stop by the cyberlaunch for The Mystery of the Green Mist and leave a comment for a chance to win.

Have a little fun and a lot of blarney!
Perilously yours,
Pauline

A day to say, Yay!

2010-03-01T07:22:00.000-08:00

A little off topic but tomorrow is Dr. Seuss Day.

Did you grow up listening to the rhyming stories of a man who had a wicked imagination (any book LOL)? Who was environmental before it was "cool" (the Lorax)?

I sure did. Loved Green Eggs and Ham. If I ran the Zoo. Horton hears a hoo. Horton hatches the egg. The Cat in the Hat. The Grinch who Stole Christmas. The latter remains one of my favorite Christmas specials.

As an adult, I love Oh, the Places You'll Go and its inspirational message.

For years, he's been inspiring younger generations to read and making it wacky fun.

I take off my red striped hat to you, Dr. Seuss. A train, a car, and a fox and a box indeed.

Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
www.mechelearmstrong.com
www.melanylogen.com

The Authors Show

2010-02-27T08:09:00.000-08:00

The Authors Show

Who Moved My Buy Button

2010-02-18T23:25:00.000-08:00

WMMBB

An Authors' Guild project to keep authors informed when Amazon with deadly silent stealth removes buy buttons to bully publishers into paying Amazon more, and authors less.

Addicted to reading?

2010-02-16T10:41:00.000-08:00

I am addicted to reading, can never find enough SF/F books, and I have nightmares about waking up in a world where no books are available. My other problem is a limited amount of time free to browse bookstores.

With limited time to browse, an eBook reader has been the answer for me. Here’s why. I go on the various on-line sites and lo and behold, in their eBook listings they allow customers to download samples free. So I find my favorite genre (fantasy, duh) and then go through the lists of authors I haven’t read before and download samples. These are usually the first few pages of a book, enough to get an idea of content and style.

At my leisure I can read through the samples. What happens to me then is exactly what happens when I browse a bookstore’s shelves. Out of every dozen samples, I find a couple books that grab me. So then I buy the eBook on-line.

Sure, I buy 3 or 4 print books every month. Those are books from favorite authors and usually I have been waiting anxiously for their next book. My only complaint about the easy ebook availability is that I am now adding more favorite authors to my list and I am going to have to cut back on other addictions, like eating and paying taxes.

Phoebe Matthews, Mudflat series

Stubborn Muse? No Problem

2010-02-15T17:41:00.000-08:00

Is your Muse snoozing?

I used to teach an online class on this subject but haven't for some time. What I did discover is that many writers suffer from a stubborn Muse. My personal opinion is writers have tender spirits that need extra nurturing. We pour ourselves into the characters we create which is why I made the former statement.

Through the years I've discovered what make my Muses unhappy. Yep, that's right I have two. One female and the other male. Chocolate works, but balancing my life and removing stress are the major bugaboos I have to watch.

When I sense problems looming ahead, that's time to take corrective measures. If I ignore the signs it only makes things worse and can add to the length of time for me to get back to where I need to be.

One of the biggest hurdles I have to overcome is overextending myself. I'm taking the last three classes for finish my degree. They are kicking my ass and I haven't had a chance to escape homework long enough to write or edit.
May can't get here soon enough.
In the meantime, I'm dealing with pain from my spine so bad I'm nauseous. I'm no quitter, I'll take the laptop to bed with me. Writing isn't a chore, it's a joy most of the time. A good attitude and flexibility help.

I can't be the only one going through everyday normal crap like this, so here are some thoughts and positive things of action we can do to get our arses in gear.

WHAT CAUSES YOUR MUSE TO SNOOZE?

With the stresses of day-to-day life taking its toll on a person physically, mentally and emotionally there’s no doubt the muse runs off to hide until the mess is clear.

When you’re exhausted in all areas of your life, how can you write? You can’t. If you push yourself and your muse, you’re either not going to like what you’ve put down on paper, or the frustration of not getting anything down at all will make things worse.

Once you’ve contracted a story with a publisher, you must deliver. You have no time for writer’s block. But what happens if it does come and takes up residence?

Knowing the source of what is causing your muse to take a hike can be the first step to getting everything under control. Or at least manageable.

Physical: If there’s a physical problem hindering you, go to the doctor. Nagging pains, blurry vision etc., can signal something bigger. Having physical aggravations reduces your capacity to concentrate and zaps precious energy.
I speak from experience. I have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue so I must adjust my schedule and writing activities accordingly. This is a neuro-muscular disorder, in the same class as MS, so I never know what condition my muse will be in from one day to the next. It makes every day a surprise.

Consider your writing area. Is it comfortable? Do you need adjustments to your chair, a footrest to ease back stress or a change of table height so your arms are less stressed? Is the lighting too bright or not bright enough?

Many office supply stores can assist with these areas. If you have a spouse or significant other, they might be able to help, too.

If the area you’re writing in doesn’t make you happy it will affect your attitude before you sit down and put words on the page. For example, in my writing room, I write paranormal romance so I have three Twilight posters hanging on the wall, a stuffed bat (cause I love my vampires), a stuffed wolf (cause I love my wolf shifters.) LOL It makes me happy when I walk in my office. And candles. I usually have a candle lit and the fragrance is soothing.

You don't have to spend a lot of money, just surrounding yourself with things that make you happy. I know this is sounds trivial but it does have an impact.

The goal here is to remove as much stress as possible to open yourself up to the creative flow and energy needed to create. For those with children, maybe you could take them to a Mother's Day out program at a local church or day care. Find another writer and watch each others kids. My kids are grown so I'm limited on my suggestions.

Emotional: This area is the most difficult. Family, jobs and friends all vie for a piece of you and your time. When can you find the time or energy to write? By doing for others, but not ourselves, our creativity is blocked by the guilt people rain upon us. Taking the time you need to recharge yourself, will make you happier and in turn productive.

Learning to say no is tricky. Those who really care about you will make an effort to understand that you must limit your activities to achieve your goals as a writer. You must choose what is important and how you need to manage your time.

As writers, we tap into ourselves to bring forth a wide array of emotions in creating our characters and plot. If your emotional tank is dry, how can you dip into something that isn’t there?

Don’t heap criticism upon an already tender, bruised creative self because you didn’t do this or that. It’s okay to take a day or two to replenish and nurture yourself. I think women are especially bad about sacrificing so much for others, that by the time they do stop, there isn't much much left over.

SUGGESTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT

If you haven’t tried one of these, then that is your assignment if you chose to accept.

* When writing in a genre, I read in one that is different than what I’m currently writing in. This will keep you from accidentally taking something from another author and will give your mind something fresh to ingest.

* Try or do something creative that isn’t writing. Paint, knit, crochet, garden etc.

* Walk a nature trail. Take a notebook to jot down anything that appeals to your senses. You can use the notes later in your work.

* Try a new recipe. I write Scottish/Celtic themed stories. I make a wonderful batch of shortbread and shepherd’s pie.

I hope you find something helpful in this post.

May your creativity and your Muse(s) flourish!

Hugs,
Tambra
Wicked Pleasures now in Print
from Red Rose Publishing

Can You Sell Your Back-Up Copy Of An EBook?

2010-02-14T05:34:00.001-08:00

No, sorry, you cannot. Not Legally, anyway.

In the light of the formation of a new task force to combat copyright infringement, it might be a good time to clarify the most common misconceptions about what copyright means for an author and a reader. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1224904520100212

Copyright and Digital Files

Can I backup my computer software?

Yes, under certain conditions as provided by section 117 of the Copyright Act. Although the precise term used under section 117 is “archival” copy, not “backup” copy, these terms today are used interchangeably. This privilege extends only to computer programs and not to other types of works.

Under section 117, you or someone you authorize may make a copy of an original computer program if:

the new copy is being made for archival (i.e., backup) purposes only;
you are the legal owner of the copy; and
any copy made for archival purposes is either destroyed, or transferred with the original copy, once the original copy is sold, given away, or otherwise transferred.

You are not permitted under section 117 to make a backup copy of other material on a computer's hard drive, such as other copyrighted works that have been downloaded (e.g., music, films).

It is also important to check the terms of sale or license agreement of the original copy of software in case any special conditions have been put in place by the copyright owner that might affect your ability or right under section 117 to make a backup copy. There is no other provision in the Copyright Act that specifically authorizes the making of backup copies of works other than computer programs even if those works are distributed as digital copies.

Is it legal to sell backup copies of computer software (in online auctions or on website)? Is it legal to buy and use a backup copy of software I already own?

No. The Copyright Act does not permit anyone to sell backup copies to third parties separately from the original copy of the software. If you lawfully own a computer program, you may sell or transfer that lawful copy together with a lawfully made backup copy of the software, but you may not sell the backup copy alone.

We have been made aware of websites that are offering to sell “backup” copies of software via download over the Internet or in a custom-burned CD-R format, under the guise that section 117 permits this. Section 117 does NOT permit the sale of backup copies. Again, section 117 does not allow you to sell backup copies to someone else except when such backup copies are sold together with the original lawfully owned copy. It does not allow anyone to solely distribute “backup” copies to the public. In addition to being a violation of the exclusive right of distribution, such activity is also likely to be a violation of the terms of the license to the software. In many cases these sites appear to be a front for distribution of illegal copies, which is copyright infringement. You should be wary of sites that offer to sell you a backup copy.

And if you do buy an illegal backup copy, you will be engaging in copyright infringement if you load that illegal copy onto your computer, i.e., the unauthorized reproduction of the infringing computer program into memory. Lesson: if you want a backup copy of a lawfully owned computer program, back it up yourself.

Can I copyright my website?

The original authorship appearing on a website may be protected by copyright. This includes writings, artwork, photographs, and other forms of authorship protected by copyright. Procedures for registering the contents of a website may be found in Circular 66, Copyright Registration for Online Works.

Can I copyright my domain name?

Copyright law does not protect domain names. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a nonprofit organization that has assumed the responsibility for domain name system management, administers the assignation of domain names through accredited registers.

Is it legal to download works from peer-to-peer networks and if not, what is the penalty for doing so?

Uploading or downloading works protected by copyright without the authority of the copyright owner is an infringement of the copyright owner's exclusive rights of reproduction and/or distribution.

Anyone found to have infringed a copyrighted work may be liable for statutory damages up to $30,000 for each work infringed and, if willful infringement is proven by the copyright owner, that amount may be increased up to $150,000 for each work infringed. In addition, an infringer of a work may also be liable for the attorney's fees incurred by the copyright owner to enforce his or her rights.

     Whether or not a particular work is being made available under the authority of the copyright owner is a question of fact. But since any original work of authorship fixed in a tangible medium (including a computer file) is protected by federal copyright law upon creation, in the absence of clear information to the contrary, most works may be assumed to be protected by federal copyright law.

Since the files distributed over peer-to-peer networks are primarily copyrighted works, there is a risk of liability for downloading material from these networks. To avoid these risks, there are currently many "authorized" services on the Internet that allow consumers to purchase copyrighted works online, whether music, ebooks, or motion pictures. By purchasing works through authorized services, consumers can avoid the risks of infringement liability and can limit their exposure to other potential risks, e.g., viruses, unexpected material, or spyware.

     For more information on this issue, see the Register of Copyrights' testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Source:

http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-digital.html#p2p

Last minute Valentines Book Bargains at EBookisle

2010-02-14T04:37:00.000-08:00

Readers:
For their Valentine's PROMO, Book Isle is highlighting 'sets' and in many cases offering special pricing.

For example, just to get you there:
http://www.ebookisle.net/si/1712.html

For all your online book needs please visit http://www.ebookisle.net/ for personal service with real life, all-American, knowledgeable book lovers who read and review and support small press authors.

If you have questions about http://www.ebookisle.net/, please contact Cy Korte at
admin@ebookisle.net.

Book Isle Paperbacks
2212 Division Street
Stevens Point, Wisconsin 54481
USA

Bookisle / Ebookisle are regularly at the Romantic Times convention. This author can vouch for the fact that ebookisle pays royalties to authors regularly and fairly. EBookisle can work with you, as Amazon cannot.

Please support legitimate online booksellers with your business.

Rowena Cherry

President's Day Sale on Lulu.com

2010-02-13T08:00:00.000-08:00

Many readers may find themselves wishing for great deals to increase the TBR pile. Lulu.com is making that a little easier this President's Day weekend. This was brought to my attention because I have a short story in a fantasy magazine that's available on the site. Therefore, I'll provide a link to the magazine, Winter's Night, below. But I'll also give you the link to Lulu in general for your weekend shopping ease.

Here's the scoop! To get a 15% discount on your order, enter the code WASHINGTON when you're checking out.

http://www.lulu.com/wintersnight

http://www.lulu.com/

From Sandy Lender
"Some days, you just want the dragon to win."
http://www.authorsandylender.com/

Tags: sale, fantasy, lulu, president's day

A Little Steampunk and a Transmogrification Machine

2010-01-13T15:24:00.000-08:00

I was trying to write a short story for my writers group's new anthology. After some false (and lame) starts, I got an idea, using Colonel Carey from The Key. It should have been straightforward science fiction romance, but it lurched into steampunk when the heroine strode onto the scene: out of her transmogrification machine.

I commissioned a drawing from an artist friend and she produced this for me:

I think she captured the sense of fun in the steampunk part of the story. Anyway, my short story turned into a novella, but one without a title. After draining my brain, I came up with zip. So I decided to have a "Name the Novella" contest. At stake is a cool steampunk necklace, which can be seen on my contest page. There are also links, an excerpt, and my research booklist (which has got to be my weirdest collection ever!).

And while you're there, check out the contest for my upcoming release, Girl Gone Nova.

Here's hoping your new year is filled with great science fiction romance and chocolate!
Perilously yours,
Pauline

Seducing the Sherriff by Marie-Nicole Ryan

2009-12-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

So--I have a good friend who just had a release this last week. Yes, she's a fellow romance author and unlike some of my other friends. She lives close enough that I get to see her once a month at our local writers meeting. I am so happy for her and want to help her get the word out about her new book.

“Seducing the Sheriff” by Marie-Nicole Ryan
Samhain Publishing
Genre: Historical Romance, Red Hots!
ISBN: 978-1-60504-846-8
Length: Category
Price: 4.50
Publication Date: December 15, 2009

Half dressed and going for naked…

Starlight Tyler needs to lose her virginity, as in yesterday. With her mother, a Pinkerton, and a wealthy man she doesn’t love on her tail, there’s only one place to cut their cruel intentions off at the pass—get herself back into the arms of long-lost love Cordero Tate. Pronto.

She never expected to be tripped up by someone else’s past.

Sheriff Cordero Tate is a haunted man on a mission. Come hell or high water, he’ll round up every member of the gang responsible for the deaths of his wife and unborn child…and make damned sure he never puts his heart on the line again. As in never impregnating another woman. One look at Star, though, and all the old feelings come back in a rush. Worse, she’s just as determined to brand him as hers as he is to keep her chaste.

Their exploration of ways around that impasse leads to three nights of unbearable sensual pleasure. Until her past catches up to her…

Warning: This story contains a lot of hard ridin’, some ass kickin’, and a whole lot of lovin’ goin’ on. No doors left unopened.

Read an excerpt here or buy now.

I got my copy already and can't wait to read it! Just have to get a few minutes of baby free time. lol

Incredible resource... over a dozen different sfr authors' first chapters

2009-12-03T11:02:00.000-08:00

Authors in this sampler include:

Joy Nash, Jade Lee, Deborah Macgillivray, Beth Caudill, Rowena Cherry, Susan Grant, Linnea Sinclair, Dawn Thompson, Cindy Spencer Pape, Charlotte Boyett Compo, Robin T Popp, C L Wilson, Nina Bangs ... and more.

Mudflat Fortune Cookie -

2009-11-12T18:43:00.000-08:00

Part of the fantasy world is fortunetelling. And Mudflat. Mudflat is a neighborhood in Seattle where old magic gets handed down through families, and the fortuneteller plays a big role in the Mudflat series. So once a week a fortune gets posted in Claire's Prediction page. If you are totally bored, hop over and check it out. I won't post here on a weekly basis as that would be taking up too much space, but I'll post now for the balance of this week to give an idea of these simplistic fortunes based on the phase and placement of the Moon and the placement of the Sun and the influences of the decanates. If you know what decanates are, stop now because you probably know a lot more about fortunetelling than I do.

From the fortuneteller, for November 12 thru 15: INDECISION ON THURSDAY, DISAGREEMENT ON SATURDAY. OUCH. OKAY, A FEW GOOD INFLUENCES SWEETEN THE ATMOSPHERE ON SUNDAY.

- Phoebe Matthews, 2009 winner of the EPPIE for Best Fanasy AND (drum roll, please)
the third Mudflat book, Mudflat Toy Boy, is a 2010 finalist!

Writer's Evolution: e-Piracy...You CAN Do Something!

2009-11-08T04:53:00.000-08:00

This blog has some interesting tips for authors.

Writer's Evolution: e-Piracy...You CAN Do Something!

Dragons

2009-11-02T07:18:00.001-08:00

Creatures of myth. Creatures of dreams or even nightmares. Tales of dragons are found in many cultures. Dragons of the air, the earth or the sea. All types of dragons have been imagined by men. Dragons sitting on their hoards of jewels. Dragons breathing fire to destroy towns. Dragons being hunted by valiant knights to rescue maidens or safe towns. Magic beasts. Ones engineered by science. Dragons who help and dragons who harm. Dragons have many faces as shown in stories penned by authors.

I've read many of the tales of dragons and have a number of stories on my shelves or in my ereader. Among my favorite are the dragons of Pern. Dragons who were engineered for a specific purpose. Yjamks to Anne McCaffrey for many hours of fun. Another of my favorites is Temeraire, a fighting dragon and the hero of a series of books in an alternate world by Naomi Novik. There are probably a dozen or more other dragons and writers who have brought their creatures to life.

On the shelf above my computer is a dragon collection, including one made by my oldest grandson by chance when he was doing splatter art in nursery school. There are cloth dragons, glass dragons, pens and lamps. I'm not sure the menagerie inspire me to keep writing but they have influenced two of my stories.

The Dragons of Fyre is the story of dragons threatened by an evil man who sells their hides to the wizards of Fyre. A yellow dragon, the Old One, a green dragon, Verde aid the hero and heroine as they battle to save the dragons. These dragons are magical creatures but they do not flame. Their riders either physically fly on they or fly the dragons during a mind meld.

The Amber Dragon is a novella that will be released next year. Here a spoiled princess is turned into a dragon by an evil magician. To become human again, she must entice a prince to kiss her. Problem is, she has insulted all the princes in the surrounding kingdoms. She does encounter a prince transported from another world to hers. The story revolves around her attempts to gain her kiss and the prince's quest for a kingdom.

So tell me about your favorite dragons, either the ones you've read about or the ones whose stories you've told.

I recommend a quickie, when it comes to research

2009-10-25T05:43:00.000-07:00

Research may be seductive, but it can take too long!

With my very first draft of Forced Mate, I got carried away by the fact that there is (or was, in 1993) still a type of plane just big enough to carry a stretch limousine across the Atlantic, but small enough to take off from an abandoned World War II airbase near Cambridge, and fly below radar all the way to Las Vegas, Nevada.

An amateur pilot mapped out the route for me.

Eventually, I came to see that there was no logical reason why a space alien would abduct his heroine from Cambridge in the UK and take her (kicking and screaming) to Nevada. No! He'd take her to his mothership with the least possible delay.

Another researcher told me that the most plausible place for a spaceship (a smallish shuttle) to land in the UK would be on Salisbury Ridge, close to Salisbury Plain (and Stonehenge). I've lost touch with that researcher, unfortunately.

So, now I'm on my own, trying to find Salisbury Ridge. I'm using Google Earth. There's a place called Ridge at Chilmark. Another possible place to hide and lose a spacecraft appears to be in the Nile Clumps... I hate to make things up, if I don't have to do so!

I took a spin on Google Earth. My first destination was Ridge, Chilmark, which does look possible, but is a bit far from Stonehenge. I can zoom and bank to view the terrain with a hawk's eye view or with the perspective of a galloping sauropod... one with poor eyesight.

Seriously, I can see hills, trees, fields, crop circles, overgrown gun emplacements, drone launch pads (circular). If I wish to, I can see churches, pharmacies, ATMs, Holiday Inns, roads, fire hydrants... and more. I can also view photographs taken by tourists.

Sadly, some of the really cool things, such as "pimples" (of the anti-tank kind) that were posted on the Google Earth 3 version, are not on Google Earth 5, but GE5 has more whizz bang stuff and links to Wikipedia.

While virtually scouring the surroundings, looking for places to hide a star-fighter, and enjoying images of stormclouds over Stonehenge --and very useful photos of forks in minor British roads--, I found a fitting backstory for my latest hero. Now to check it out.

There's a Google Earth Community with forums and chats and groups, not to mention a Search function that is everything you'd expect from Google. It's possible to meet a potential source in whatever part of the world interests you. This is too cool! Moreover, it is free.

Google Earth doesn't stop there. You can look at Mars. It's a separate download. I haven't done that. I doubt I'd find men there, anyway. You can look at the stars, which is a great way to finally get a handle on astronomy and the placement and shapes of the constellations. Finally, there's the Moon and it has flags and icons denoting info dumps, and all sorts of good and useful stuff on its surface.

Enjoy it.

Rowena Cherry
Space Snark TM

Cowboy Up!!!

2009-10-19T07:18:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't enjoy a sexy cowboy story? I know I do!

My writing over the last few years has been mostly experimental. I have been genre hopping. Hoping eventually to settle on a favorite kind of storytelling. When it works--great! When it doesn't--it's time to try try again.

One thing I keep coming back to is westerns. I must have a love for cowboys, but there is something more that calls me to write these kinds of stories. The code of the west, wide open spaces, realizing the dream of making a home and starting a family. It's all just a small part of why I go all sweet on a good cowboy story.

I started writing westerns with a historical called Gold Fever. As much as I enjoyed writing it, I thought it would be my last. I foolishly thought writing about one cowboy would be enough to get it out of my system. Foolish girl! Once is never enough!

I had to have another cowboy come into my life. Jesse Burke is a gentleman, but he is a cowboy first. He gave years of his life to the rodeo and when he came home to the ranch, he put down roots. Angela always loved him, but he treated her like a baby sister. Her last chance to win the cowboy's heart would be to teach him the dance of desire.

Cowboys Don't Dance will be releasing from Siren Publishing December 2009! You can check out my website for more info: www.missylyons.com

2009-10-08T07:26:00.001-07:00

Writing the villain-hero or the likable bad guy!

2009-10-06T09:31:00.000-07:00

By Brenna Lyons

Turning good guys to bad and vice versa or writing characters that are a hearty mix of both has always been a favorite pastime of mine. People were convinced Ty was the hero of TYGERS until about 4 scenes in, when I turned the tables and showed them a 4 y/o boy's best friend was a psychopath instead of his hero, which completely freaked one reviewer for a few chapters. OTOH, Mik, Jorg/Veriel, and Jurel all started out as villains, but when you got to see from their POVs...well, how about that? Not villains anymore...or at least villainous heroes, in Jorg's case. At the beginning of PROPHECY, people were convinced Joe was a stalker. Perception is a fun game to play.

So, how do you do it? How do you make a villainous character engaging and appealing to the readers?

First of all, the character has to be three-dimensional. A two-dimensional villain will automatically be disliked by readers. That's the point of a villain. To be three-dimensional, a villain has to have a backstory and reasons for what he/she does. Those reasons have to have a logic, even if that logic is skewed.

You have to make the reader empathize with the character's position...not necessarily sympathize with or agree with or even approve of the choices morally, but empathize with and understand why and how this happened. One way to do that is with sympathy. People who are seriously wronged and seek revenge is a good way to invoke the knee-jerk support or sympathy of readers, but it's the cheap seats of doing the job.

What else works?

Alien or non-human sensibilities. Write a were or animal-type paranormal creature, and you have instincts in the mix. You can also have instincts for creatures like vampires. Write someone from a culture not our own, and you have cultural mores, ethics, and laws that call for things we wouldn't engage in and might find horrific. Write a creature driven by hunger, and everything will be flavored (pardon the pun) by that driving need.

World situation. Men will commit atrocities in a war that they never would otherwise. I'm not saying war corrupts absolutely. It doesn't, but... A friend of mine (the wonderful author Teel James Glenn) once gave me an old quote that applies here: "The rules of engagement only apply until the first attack." After that, it's fight or die, and any dirty trick that lets you live is fair game, in the heat of the moment. I can't recall the movie, but there is a great scene of Russian soldiers being sent out (WWII, I believe). There were only enough firearms to supply one in ten of the men, so you'd stay close to another soldier and try to stay alive long enough for him to be shot, so you could grab his rifle. Whatever you did to stay alive was what you did. Was that ENEMY AT THE GATES? Maybe?

Likewise, people who are starving will choose the lesser of two evils, steal or die. Ethics are often situational, and the spirit of the law is not black and white. In a severe enough situation, people will rethink their ethics and are much more likely to slide toward neutral from lawful.

Politics. Closely linked to world situation. If you see something happening or coming that you feel is ethically bankrupt, what would you do to stop it? From the Declaration of Independence... "But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security." It is often seen as a duty to right the wrongs, and if the despot is abusing his power, violence may call for violence. THAT is your Robin Hood character, in a nutshell. No, he wasn't a murderer, but he didn't shy from killing a few soldiers, when he had to. That bow and arrow or long sword or staff weren't for show, after all.

Protection of the innocent. This is another lesser of two evils moment. If you had a choice to stand by silently and allow innocent children to be hurt...whether they were your children or not...you may be spurred to do something extreme in their protection.

Madness. Pure and simple. This takes the idea of revenge a step beyond. What if the abuse was so severe, the character went mad from it? What if, in his grief and pain, he does things that are horrible? It could happen, and I've found readers very receptive to the mounting madness in a character.

The mind of an innocent. What if the person doing wrong has a very childlike understanding of right and wrong? What if, in order to protect another, he does things that most people would consider the very WRONG choices, because he doesn't understand what the right choices are? What if the wrong is all he's seen? Or he's so sheltered, he's never faced the situation to know the right answer? Think SLING BLADE. Think DOMINICK AND EUGENE.

The horrific justice-bringer. There is a reason Hannibal Lecter is so popular with readers (including myself). "I only eat the rude." Look at who he preys on: pedophiles, serial killers, officious types, thieves, corrupt or abusive officials in positions of power... In short, all of the people many feel, deep down inside, the world is better off without. The people who are nice don't need to fear him.

However you do it, it's a rare and challenging writing feat to write the villain-hero or the likable bad guy.

Book Fair in Bellevue, Washinton -

2009-10-04T13:39:00.001-07:00

The Greater Seattle RWA is sponsoring a Book Fair on October 10, 2009 at the Bellevue Hilton. The event runs from 4:00-6:00 pm in the Skyview Ballroom and includes signing opportunities with more than fifty authors. This is a free event and open to the public. The Bellevue Hilton is located at 300 112th Avenue SE in Bellevue, Washington. Their phone number is 425-455-1300. Visit www.gsrwa.org for more information.

Yes, I will be there signing books, postcards, bookmarks - so drop by and say hello! - Phoebe

Deja Vu Lover, Vintage Rose, TWRP

Petition for authors, artists, and musicians!

2009-09-18T10:22:00.001-07:00

Are you an author, artist, or musician who lives and/or publishes in the US? Are you concerned about piracy? If so, consider signing Copyright Alliance's letter to President Obama and VP Biden. Let them know we care about our IP rights and need their help to protect them when new legislation comes up!

Copyright Alliance is hoping for 500 signatures in the next week. We can do better than that. Can't we?

Brenna

SUBMISSION CALL- Charity Anthology- Fantasy

2009-09-17T07:51:00.001-07:00

This call comes from Karen Woods of Sleeping Beagle Books. Over the last few years, both she and I have lost several friends to pancreatic cancer. For that reason, Karen has decided to fight back. How do authors and publishers do that? They commit to a charity anthology (or more than one, if she gets enough submissions for them) titled FORSWORN. No one (save the distribution channels) will be taking a cut of this. Authors and cover artists will be donating, and as publisher, she's donating her portion as well.

What is she looking for? Fantasy stories between 5,000 and 10,000 words in length, dealing (at least loosely) with the consequences of being dishonest. It's not as hard as it sounds, since many disagreements and internal struggles come down to people being dishonest with themselves or someone else. All manner of fantasy is welcome EXCEPT fantasy erotic romance and fantasy erotica. Reprints are welcome, as long as you have rights back.

The rights are non-exclusive. The book/s will release in e-book (anthologies AND stand-alone stories) and print, via Amazon. It is a lifetime plus copyright agreement, but with non-exclusive, you can use the story later for your own purposes. Not to mention you'll be getting exposure for your work and supporting a great cause!

Additional details can be found at Sleeping Beagle Books. You can reach Karen directly at forswornanthology@gmail.com.

Brenna

Don't Copy That 2 (Official Sequel to Don't Copy That Floppy)

2009-09-16T04:26:00.001-07:00

The Plant Next Door Wants To Eat Me

2009-09-02T10:15:00.000-07:00

We have a triffid growing next door.

At least, I'm pretty sure it's a triffid. It kudzu-ed its way to domination of the neighbor's backyard and is now swelling up over the back garden wall. Scores of tentacles flail the air, seeking something to grip, entwine and overpower.

It's coming for my balcony. You can see the greedy little green fingers reaching out. And each day it's a little closer.

I think I'm going to have to take up arms against this sea of tendrils. Like some big pruning shears.

Although I don't know what sort of defense mechanisms it might possess. You know that scene from 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea where they fight the squid? What if I'm dragged off the balcony?

Wish me luck. I'm afraid.

- Susanne
Free Book Giveaway on GoodReads!

Do you know a teen writer who wants to hang out with the pros?

2009-08-27T08:00:00.001-07:00

EPIC’s 5th annual New Voices contest opens, and plans are unveiled for this year’s youth writing track at the annual convention

It’s August, and that means big changes for your average middle or high school student: new teachers, new class schedules, sometimes new schools… It also means the opening of the 5th annual New Voices contest, e-publishing’s premiere youth writing contest.

What makes the New Voices contest different than other writing contests? Several things.

New Voices is a worldwide contest, just for middle school and high school students (or the country of origin’s variation thereof). The contest is intended for students aged 11-18 years old, writing in the English language. In previous years, students from as many as sixteen US states, four Canadian provinces, and several foreign countries have won places in the contest.

The contest is split into middle school and high school divisions, then further split into poetry, essay/non-fiction, and fiction short story categories in each division. Contestants may enter one piece of work in each of their division categories.

There’s no entry fee for the contest. At the same time, sponsors and EPIC (The Electronically Published Internet Connection) underwrite the contest to provide prizes for entrants. Prizes range from gift certificates and cash to PDAs and/or e-book readers. And all winners are included in the yearly New Voices anthology.

Entrants never need to pay a dime. Unlimited copies of the e-book anthology are provided to winners. A CD copy and a print copy are provided to each of the winners and their schools. Additional print copies may be purchased at cost, but no one is required to purchase anything.

This contest is ideal for students with an interest in writing. All entrants, win or lose, receive feedback from published authors, editors, publishers, and other industry professionals.

For those with a serious interest in publishing, EPIC provides a youth writer’s track at the yearly convention, EPICon. This year’s convention will be held at the Sheraton (New Orleans, LA) from March 4-7, 2010. The youth track is scheduled for Saturday, March 6th. The youth track costs $40 and includes lunch, where contest winners in attendance will receive their awards. Non-attendee winners will receive their awards by mail. For an additional $27, youth track attendees can have breakfast while several established independent press publishers answer questions about their businesses and submissions.

But time stands still for no young writer. Anyone with an interest in entering the contest has until midnight October 20, 2009 to get an entry in. Anyone with an interest in attending the youth writing track at EPICon has until February 5, 2010 to register.

Any questions about the contest can be addressed to the New Voices chairs at newvoices.competition(at)gmail(dot)com. Any questions about the convention can be addressed to the EPICon chair at cjparker1(at)att(dot)net For more information on them, please visit http://www.newvoicesyoungwriters.com/index.html or http://www.epic-conference.com

Feel free to pass along!

10 Mistakes Authors Make

2009-08-20T06:04:00.000-07:00

This is an excerpt, posted with permission and attribution, from Penny Sansevieri's newsletter. All pronouns are as written by Penny.

Featured Article - 10 Mistakes Authors Make That Can Cost Them a Fortune (and How to Avoid Them)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When it comes to books, promotion, and book production I know that it can sometimes feel like a minefield of choices. And while I can't address each of these in minutia, there are a number of areas that are keenly tied to a book's success (or lack thereof). Here are ten for you to consider:

1) Not understanding the importance of a book cover
I always find it interesting that an author will sometimes spend years writing their book and then leave the cover design to someone who either isn't a designer, or doesn't have a working knowledge of book design or the publishing industry. Or, worse, they create a design without having done the proper market research. Consider these facts for a minute: shoppers in a bookstore spend an average of 8 seconds looking at the front cover of a book and 15 seconds looking at the back before deciding whether to buy it. Further, a survey of booksellers showed that 75% of them found the book cover to be the most important element of the book. Also, sales teams at book distribution often only take the book cover with them when they shop titles to stores. And finally, please don't attempt to design your own book cover. Much like cutting your own hair, this is never a good idea.

2) Trusting someone who has limited or no track record
When you hire a team, make sure you ask the service provider for their track record. Often I see an author who successfully marketed their single title now feel they have all the marketing knowledge they need to help you market yours. Unless you are in similar markets, I would avoid this at all costs. You want people who have worked in the industry and know the needs of the market beyond just one title. You also want someone who has some history. Ask for referrals, and success stories. I give references all the time to potential new clients, but when I am the one interviewing a new service provider I will ask for them but never call them. I mean who's going to give you a bad referral? I want to see that they have some names they can give me, then I'll go online and Google them to gain some insight into their history and online reputation.

3) Listening to people who aren't experts
When you ask someone's opinion about your book, direction, or topic, make sure they are either working in your industry or know your consumer. If, for example, you have written a young adult (YA) book, don't give it to your co-workers to read and get feedback (yes, I know some YA books have adult market crossover appeal, but this is different). If you've written a book for teens, then give it to teens to read. Same is true for self-help, diet, romance. Align yourself with your market. You want the book to be right for the reader, in the end that's all that matters.

4) Trusting Oprah to solve all your problems
Getting on Oprah is an article in and of itself, but let me say this: the quickest way to turn off a publicist is to use the "O" word. Why? Because anyone worth their salt knows how tough a road the Oprah pitch can be. Not just that, but sometimes authors will become so myopic and obsessed about this show that they lose sight of other, maybe better opportunities. And trust me on another point: someone (friend, co-worker, family, spouse), somewhere will tell you, "You should go on Oprah," and while you might be 100% perfect Oprah material the only people who can determine if you should be on her show are her producers. Shoot for the stars, dream big, but be realistic about your campaign, otherwise you'll spend a lot of time and a lot of money chasing a potentially elusive target.

5) Planning for the short-term only
There's a real fallacy that exists in publishing and it's this: "instant bestseller." Anyone who has spent any amount of time in the industry knows there is no such thing as "instant," and certainly the words "overnight success" are generally not reserved for books. Book promotion should be viewed as a long runway. Meaning that you should plan for the long term. Don't spend all your marketing dollars in the first few months of a campaign. We find this especially true for self-published titles that need a little more TLC than their traditionally published counterparts. We offer campaigns that last 90-days, but that's not because we think 90 days is all it will take to make your book a success, it's because we find it's a reasonable time to get started, get a foothold and start your progress down the runway of success.

6) Not understanding timing
Timing is a funny issue. First, there's the timing that books follow to get reviewed, lead times as it were. Then there's production timing, and if you're lucky enough to get a distributor there's the time it will take for a distributor to get your book into the proper channels. A book launch should be planned carefully and then leave wiggle room for slipped dates and late deliveries (which will happen). I recommend that you sit down with someone who can help you strategize timing so you can plan appropriately for your book launch. A missed date is akin to a missed opportunity.

7) Hiring people who aren't in the book industry
Let's face it, even to those of us who have been in this industry for a while it still doesn't always make sense. So hiring someone who has no book or publishing experience isn't just a mistake, it could be a costly one. With some vendors like web designers you can get away with that. But someone who has only designed business cards can't, for example, design a book cover. Make sure you hire the right specialist for the right project. Also, you've likely spent years putting together this project, make sure you make choices based on what's right and not what's cheapest. If you shop right you can often find vendors who are perfect for your project and who fit your budget. There's an old saying that goes: You can find a good lawyer, and you can find a cheap lawyer, but it's hard or near impossible to find a good, cheap lawyer. The same applies in the book world.

8) Designing your own website
You should never cut your own hair or design your own site. Period. End of story. But ok, let me elaborate. Let's say you designed your own site and saved a few thousand dollars instead of paying a web designer. Now you're off promoting your book and suddenly you're getting a gazillion hits to your site. The problem is the site is not converting these visitors into sales. How much money did you lose by punting the web designer and doing it yourself? Hard to know. Scary, isn't it?

9) Becoming a media diva
Let's face it, you need the media more than they need you. I know. Ouch. But it's the unfortunate truth. So here's the thing: be grateful. Thank the interviewer, send a follow-up thank you note after the interview. Don't expect the interviewer to read your book and don't get upset if they get some facts wrong. Just gently, but professionally correct them in such a way that they don't look bad or stupid. Never ask for an interview to be done over. Most media people don't have the time. I mention this because it actually happened to a producer friend of mine who did an interview with a guy and he decided he didn't like it and wanted a second shot. Not gonna happen. The thing is, until you get a dressing room with specially designed purple M&M's, don't even think about becoming a diva. The best thing you can do is create relationships. Show up on time, show up prepared, and always, always, always be grateful.

10) Hiring the best and then not trusting their advice.
Here's the thing that's always confused me. You hire me, then don't listen to my advice. And it's not just me, I hear this all the time from other industry professionals. Look, it's not an ego thing, it really isn't. It's just this: if you're paying good money to your vendors, asking them for advice and then not taking it, you might have a disconnect. Perhaps a breakdown in communication, maybe you don't trust the person you hired. If you don't trust them, then you should part ways and find someone you have some chemistry with. Otherwise what's the point? Build your team with people you enjoy working with and respect. Then when they try and guide you or save you some money, take the time to listen.

Reprint permission
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~
You are welcome to reprint any items from "The Book Marketing Expert Newsletter." However, please credit us as a source with the following paragraph:

Reprinted from "The Book Marketing Expert newsletter," a free ezine offering book promotion and publicity tips and techniques. http://www.amarketingexpert.com

Contact Information
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
email: penny@amarketingexpert.com
web: http://www.amarketingexpert.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fantasy Fans on Facebook (it's all about the F's)

2009-08-16T06:38:00.000-07:00

On Facebook, the N3F group is without many fans (could be because of their fiendishly clever and geeky name) but are apparently very receptive to Fantasy lovers....as fans.

The url is http://www.facebook.com/pages/N3F/89128934330

It's not my group (btw) I'm merely a fan, but one of the admins asked me to spread the word.

Best wishes,

Rowena Cherry
Please vote for my cover/title/blurb in a social networking contest for authors
http://tinyurl.com/Award-5-Stars

How To Make The Most Of Being On A Radio Show

2009-08-13T06:14:00.000-07:00

I spend a lot of time setting someone (maybe three someones) straight on GoodReads about being on internet radio.

A little background.

PIVTR has only been going for three years, and it is not a full time station. It does not do business commercials, and it is heard all over the world where ever people have computers... from grandmothers on tiny British islands (a friend of my mother's heard my show without even knowing I was a talk show host, and emailed me) to truckers crossing continents to publishers and... who knows, TV scouts, as well as the colleges and universities you mention.

We support three charities by sending them the hosts' theoretical royalties from mp3 downloads (which cost around $2.60 last time I asked).

A royalty on $2.60 isn't much, but yesterday I forwarded a check for $25.00 to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen in Detroit.

Hey! If only Howard Stern and Rush Limbaugh would donate their entire host's proceeds for their shows to the hungry and the homeless, and help former incarcerees who've served their debt to society to learn a useful skill (baking bread or organic gardening).

A good show can turn into sales. It's not guaranteed, of course. For a start, the interviewee has to be prepared, has to be absolutely fascinating as an authority on some subject, has to speak clearly (on a land line), has to entertain, and has to be likeable.

Above all else, be likeable. The hard sell doesn't work. Authors who unintentionally project a sense of entitlement don't do so well. Listeners aren't going to buy a book just because someone has written one and mumbles a title and a url repeatedly on the radio.

(I should take my own advice, eh?)

Also, an interview on a show is not the end in and of itself. Authors need to understand that. Before the interview, it is a (flimsy) news item... something to post as news to all your sites and groups and to Tweet and Smak, and post on all your Updates. But, you really need to have a decent hook: an elevator pitch to make people want to tune in.

You also ought to have a Google Alert. You can Tweet that. Afterwards, you can blog about your experience, especially mentioning what you did wrong because people love to read about pratfalls. You can purchase the mp3 from Lillian, and post it on your MySpace page etc etc (I don't need to tell you!) and everywhere that allows you to upload a podcast.

It's not the show that will sell books. It's what you do on the show and with the show. Unless, of course, Oprah was listening.

On my next show, Crazy Tuesday, September 1st, I shall be interviewing USA Today best selling author Jade Lee, and international best selling author Susan Kearney. We'll be talking about Dragons.

:-)
Rowena Cherry

Copyright attorney's blog

2009-08-11T06:23:00.000-07:00

I've just added a new, useful link to the sidebar. Ben is a copyright attorney with lots of helpful and interesting links in his sidebar. The post I've linked to is an interview with an unrepentent pirate.

I think you should read it if your blood pressure is low, or your metabolism needs stirring up.

Rowena Cherry

Give Me Red!

2009-07-20T16:32:00.000-07:00

When a new story starts to form, and I begin developing a book, the first thing I start with is the general feeling. Is it a futuristic Sci Fi? A whimsical fantasy? Is it comical? Tragic? One of my hobbies is collecting rare gemstones, so it’s not unusual for me to assign a gemstone to convey the feeling of a book or a character. For example, in Imperative: Missing You, much of the plot hinged on an aquamarine necklace. In Black Planet: Little Dragon, stolen topaz figured into the story. These are internal cues to myself, and to the reader as to the overall feeling of the book.

When I began to develop the sequel to Bad Angels: Falling, one color came to the front. Red.
Noemi is the heroine who has entered the series. She is ruby. She is fire. She is heat and fire and damnation. Thus the name of the book: Burn.

Rubies are all about their color. Yes, value is also derived by clarity, carat weight and cut, but the most important element to a ruby is its vivid, passionate coloring. The finest ruby should be a medium-dark, vivid red. Blood red.

What does red mean to you? Power, blood and anger, or passion, love and heat? In either case, the ruby is a strong stone, a strong color, and in this case the perfect symbol for a powerful, divided heroine.

Noemi Gastineau is of Native American background, she has black hair, dark skin and brilliant dark eyes. She’s smart and canny, but she’s also a tortured woman with many secrets. She is a doctor and a healer, but also a deadly warrior. She might have started the story as a victim, even as a villain, but her trials and suffering have made her stronger and heroic.

Like the color red, Noemi is passion and love, fire and anger. Red is about good fortune in some cultures, hatred and war in others. Noemi’s red is a wonderful compliment to the calm, celestial blue of Orion the fallen angel, and the earthy colors of Rex the sidhe. Noemi’s heat and fire has the potential to tear apart her lovers, or to bring them closer together.

Regardless of the association that you make with the ruby, and with the color red, you will most likely agree that there is nothing weak about the ruby, nothing passive or indecisive about the color or the gemstone.

Incidentally, the ruby is the birthstone for the month of July.

Bad Angels: Burn releases July 24 at Changeling Press.
Buy Link: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1197
Belinda’s Homepage: www.belindamcbride.com

Second Book Angst

2009-06-29T10:39:00.000-07:00

When The Key released, I had no idea it would be another two years before I wrote the next book. Life happens. It happened to me. Life quit happening quite so much and I've been hunkered down, working on the next book: Girl Gone Nova. I shouldn't have second book angst, when I'm working on book nine (if you only count fiction).

But The Key won the Dream Realm award and took a bronze IPPY. That's a bit of pressure to deliver on the next book. Reviews and reader feedback have been great, too. That pressure had me almost banging my head against the wall (I would have banged my head against the wall, but they have this rough texture. So not worth it.) for the last few months, but I do have a rough draft!

Now I just have to edit it and get it turned in.

I didn't think I'd ever like any character as much as I liked Sara (okay, I always feel this and I always believe it, but Sara was pretty cool, IMHO), but Doc, the female lead in this book is pretty fun (not just my HO, but that my beta readers!). I know that just because me and my beta readers like the book, that doesn't mean readers will, too.

So that got me wondering, do readers have second book angst, too? Do you worry that an author is going to let you down with the next book? How much hope do you feel when you find a book you love? Do you give the author another chance? Or is that it? You move on? (Like I need more angst in my life...)

Okay, need to get back to my edits, but inquiring minds needed to know. Maybe.
Perilously yours,
Pauline

What Time (period) is it?

2009-06-28T05:35:00.000-07:00

This month has raced by! School is over, I've taken the GRE's (still waiting to see what score I got on the Analytical Writing section) and now summer is in full swing! I have two months until school starts again, and I'm planning on getting the first draft of a new book mostly done before September rolls around.

I have a schedule, but this week it went right out the window, because I had to go and buy a new car. Then I started Tweeting and time just disappeared. But I DID start a new book, and I researched too - it's the Steampunky (I don't think it's going to be a true steampunk, because the machines are going to be more background than vital - well, except for one) Cinderella retelling.

I went round and round with this story before deciding on a time period. First it was going to be 1880 England. I would write about the Season, because what is Cinderella without a ball? Then I though...nah, been done. Then I went to NYC- better. But I finally settled on 1876 Philadelphia. Why 1876?? Doesn't it seem random? Well, no, not really. 1876 was HUGE year in Philly. It was the 100th anniversary of America, and there was the Centennial Exposition in Fairmount Park. You'd call it a World's Fair. This was the very first one. I've spent hours researching it, just to see what was there. The Free Library of Philadelphia has a terrific site with pictures and everything.

What this comes down to is research. I won't bore you with all the details, but it's fa ascinating bit of history that will serve well in the background of my story. And that brings up a question: how accurate do you like your historical fantasy to be? Would anyone but me know much about the Centennial Exposition? Maybe, but probably not. But I like to get the facts right when I can. I could have made up something like a World's Fair for the purposes of my story, but since there is already a real event, why shouldn't I use it? I think it'll be cool if anyone decides to look up the Exposition to find out it really happened.

That isn't to say that I can't bend time a little - I am moving Wanamaker's from it's original location on Market Street (where I think the current Reading Terminal Market is now) to the more well-known location near City Hall, which didn't open until a few decades later. Wanamakers actually DID open in 1876, though. All this research will make the story more real to me, I guess, although I don't know what it will do for my readers. It's one more layer of a time period not many are familiar with. (Never mind I bought a coloring book of Godet's Fashions in order to get the period dress right. We won't talk about that.)

So what do you think: Does research make better fantasy? Not just historical, but any type.

What's in a Name?

2009-06-28T03:12:00.001-07:00

Take a look at the cover sitting over there and you'll see my author name. It's my real name and not a pseudonym. I wanted the people in the town where I grew up to know I did achieve my dream of becoming a published writer even when they said I wouldn't. I am very proud of both names...my father's and my husband's. The names mean even more to me now because those wonderful men are both gone.

One name...BOYETT...is Anglo/Saxon. Not French as some would think or as they would pronounce it. Boyt..like Hoyt... is how it is pronounced. Sharp and succinct, the precise meaning has been lost in the mists of time. It is a harder word than the effeminate pronunciation of the French version which is spelled Boyet or Boyette and pronounced Boy Yay or Boy Yet. The French meaning of the word equates to young bull.

Then there's Compo.

Originally spelled Compeaux when my husband's people came to America from France, it is pronounced Com Poe with the emphasis on the second syllable. His people changed the name because the maternal link was Italian and when they arrived in America, they moved into a predominately Italian neighborhood in New York City and the denizens of that class-conscious area of the city were not enamored of the French. His family labeled themselves Italian to keep the young boys in the group from being beaten to a bloody pulp every day after school.Thus the change in the spelling.

It isn't Camp, Campo, Campes, or Campos. Those surnames are English, French, Spanish and Portuguese, but of Roman (Latin) origins from the 1st century a.d. Those names are topographical in translation and literally mean the countryside.

Nor is the second part of my surname Compton, Compote or Cornpone. It isn't Compass, Composite or Campus, either.

It is Compo. How hard is that to get right?

My first name gets misspelled quite often, too. Many people spell it Charolette for some odd reason that I can't fathom. My paternal grandmother spelled it Sharlet or Charlut depending on her mood. It is pronounced Shar Lut...not Shar Ruh Lut...and is Germanic in origin and means 'free man'. It is a derivative of Charles. The emphasis is on the first syllable, btw.

Likewise my nickname gets misspelled more often than not. It's Charlee which is pronounced Shar Lee..a soft and delicate nickname...but nearly everyone gives it the hard Char Lee as in Charlie's Angels. People spell it Charlie, Charli, or Charley. Some people even chop it off with a brutal Char which is pronounced Shar and which I hate with a bloody passion. I've reached the point that I, myself, even pronounce it Charlie because it just isn't worth correcting nearly everyone in my circle of acquaintances. It's not as important that it be corrected as my professional name is.

Just as I've gotten into the habit of calling myself Char Lee instead of Shar Lee, I've gotten into the even worse habit of pronouncing my maiden name Boy Yet. Most people pronounce it that way, anyway so I go along to get along.That really isn't too bad because my mom often felt compelled....as Hyacinth Bucket of Keeping Up Appearances pronounces her husband's name as Boo Kay... to give herself airs. Daddy didn't seem to mind or care although he hated that his parents called him by his middle name Carl instead of the more forceful first name Floyd.

But I digress.

Put all together, my professional name is Charlotte Boyett-Compo. There is a hyphen there but some people ignore it and leave it off when writing about me. I really wish they wouldn't. Some folks even put me in the C section instead of the B.

And oh! the combinations I've had!

Either Charlotte Boyer-Campo or Charlotte Boyette-Campo seems to be the favorite ones of many reviewers. Some even add the ubiquitous 'S' on the end of Campo to add insult to injury. Charlotte Boyer-Compote, Charlotte Bayette-Compton, Charlotte Boyd-Compos, Charlotte Boy-Comp and Charlotte Boyette-Campus are just a few of the combinations that have slaughtered the name. My personal favorite of all time though was Charolette Bayer-Cornpone. The person who came up with that bizarre combination surely has a special place in Hell reserved for her!

Yes, it rankles me when my name is misspelled. It makes me grit my teeth. It also makes me have less respect for the one who misspelled it in the first place. I feel the same way about people who make errors in their reporting or who use bad grammar in their writing. It's slipshod writing. It's lazy writing. It's just plain discourteous to misspell the name of someone you've interviewed or reviewed. It makes me think they just don't care about what they put their name to. It doesn't take all that much time out of a reviewer's or interviewer's day to make sure they have spelled the name correctly. They took the time to read the book and review it. They took the time to email you the questions for the interview. What's a quick glance to make sure the name is as it should be on the piece? I'm sure they don't appreciate having their own misspelled name put out there for the world to see.

It isn't too much to ask an interviewer or reviewer to get your name right. After all, it is your professional name and you are defined by it. It isn't too much to ask that they glance at a cover from one of your books to ascertain the correct spelling if they are unsure. Nor is it too much to ask that they correct the name in a timely manner when informed they misspelled it.

So, I'm asking reviewers and interviewers and the writers of blogs to LOOK at what you right before you hit the publish button. Make sure you get the author's name right. It's simple courtesy.

And if you're wondering about the above book, Wyndstones is my latest novel and its the first of two long-awaited sequels to my popular NightWind. It was just released this week from New Concepts Publishing. You can read all about it http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/wyndstone.jpg

Charlee

America's Rare Desert Flower

2009-06-22T06:15:00.000-07:00

DESERT WILD has the richest setting of any book I’ve written to date. Set in both Santa Barbara, California, and The Sonoran Desert in Arizona, I learned after months of research that the rare species of plants and animals found in America’s most hostile desert are also some of the most unusual and beautiful in the world.

Living among deadly snakes, mountain lions, and bobcats are exquisite bouquets of Desert Lavender, butter yellow wildflowers called Paper Daisies, delicate Rock Flowers that peek from mountain crevices, and countless varieties of blooming cacti. Even the symbol of The Sonoran Desert, The Saguaro Cactus, ripens with blood red fruit that is crushed into ceremonial wine by the desert’s indigenous people.

The rarest, most exotic flower of all, The Queen of the Night, became a symbol of love inside my stand-alone desert books DESERT FEVER and its sequel DESERT WILD. The queen blooms only one night each year and her flowers die at the first light of dawn. Only the stars enjoy her beauty at midnight and the desert air breathes her intoxicating scent. The flowers remind me of lovers who reveal themselves under cover of night.

To navigate the hostile American desert and keep my hero and heroine safe from predators while seeking the mysterious Queen of the Night, DESERT WILD needed a guide. The heroine’s GPS system, dubbed “Guy,” is a powerful but endearingly kinky navigator who grants wishes. Though not exactly a genie, his satellite receiver locates whatever his driver needs most. “Guy” brings a touch of magic to the desert, where beauty and danger live in delicate coexistence.

If you had a GPS navigator like Guy who could locate whatever you needed most, what would you wish for?

Here’s a short summary of my new release.

*****
DESERT WILD by Adele Dubois

Summary:

Sonny Wild Horse of the Tohono O’odham Nation is a danger to a woman’s heart. Though he lusts after Caitlyn Spencer, his desire to live inside two conflicting worlds—the Sonoran Desert of his youth and the California coast where his future as a photographer is assured—tears the lovers apart.

When Sonny disappears inside America’s most hostile desert, Caitlyn borrows a unique Thunderbird convertible and embarks on a desperate search. The car is equipped with a powerful but endearingly kinky GPS navigator that grants wishes. Though not exactly a genie, “Guy’s” system locates whatever his driver needs most.

And Caitlyn needs to connect erotically with Sonny. Again and again. If only she can find him in time.

http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-7333-50-desert-wild.aspx

*****
Adele Dubois is a former journalist who writes erotic romance that receives consistent outstanding reviews. Titles include DESERT WILD, DESERT FEVER, INTIMATE ART and DREAM TRAVELER. Look for additional titles in 2009 and 2010. Please visit Adele on her website at http://www.adeledubois.com/

Accidentally Paranormal

2009-06-13T05:13:00.000-07:00

This is a story about writing a book, rewriting a book, then writing a book you didn't know you wrote.

Back in December 2007, I had this brilliant idea to pen a "ride along" piece for a paranormal series in development. It was supposed to be short and sweet but also representative of my writing style and this world I was trying to build. In two weeks (lucky it was the holidays) I completed about 30,000 words and was thrilled with the piece. However, I had only wanted it to be about 10,000 words and, well, the story was much more of its own entity than I had ever intended.

So I was left in a pickle. Do I flesh the story out even more and make it a full length novel? Do I cull the novel down quite a bit and go ahead with my plans to publish on my site? OR do I just submitted it to my publisher as a novella and move on to something new? I decided to take option number three. My publisher accepted the piece... Then things really got interesting.

The blending of the paranormal aspect and the strictly contemporary romance aspects of the story weren't as smooth as either I or my editor wanted. Instead of being in synch at some parts those pieces of the story seemed to war against each other. So some tough, tearful decisions had to be made.

I worked long, hard hours to strip out the paranormal second story in order to focus on this outstanding, amazing developing relationship between the principals. My editor helped me do that. She was phenomenal in keeping me on task and keeping the story very tight. By the time the novella released last month, it was something different than it was when it began, but it was still a piece of which I was very proud.

I just received a review for The Builder from The Romance Studio (5 Hearts, yay):

"A bit of the supernatural flowed in this book. Usually I don’t prefer these type books, but this is so well written that I was mesmerized. I promise you a great read from an author who obviously knows how to keep readers’ attention. I highly recommend that you read this book. "

http://www.theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/builderreyescole.htm

Hey, it's subtly paranormal anyway, and successfully so, who knew? I love this story. It's been a harrowing process from the first character typed to the first copy edit, to the great reviews coming in, but goodness it's been worth it.

Grayson Reyes-Cole

http://www.graysonreyescole.com/

The Builder available here.

Check our Bright Star, my dark fantasy/sci-fi-y piece in print.

Back pain and next week -

2009-06-06T18:11:00.000-07:00

Yes, I have the Homedic chair cover plus their foot massager and oh yes! Love them both and yes, they are a blessing for anyone who spends hours working on a computer. I got mine at the local drugstore. About next week, here's your astrological fortune cookie. The main character in my Mudflat series is an astrologer and so I do these things weekly.

6/8 - 2nd week of June - LAST WEEK’S GOOD IDEAS START SHAPING UP. ON WEDNESDAY LOOK FOR REVISIONS RATHER THAN STARTING SOMETHING NEW. STEADY ON UNTIL SATURDAY WHEN LIFE GETS A LITTLE BIT EMOTIONAL.

This week I have a short story titled “Neat Alyssum” in the June issue of Crossed Genres Magazine at http://crossedgenres.com

For more fortunes, reviews, excerpts, check http://phoebematthews.com.

Writing Through Back Pain

2009-06-05T07:40:00.000-07:00

The hardest part about being a full-time author is not writer’s block, but back pain. After several hours at the computer, day after day, the muscles between my shoulder blades tighten to the screaming point. The knife-sharp pain can be so severe it debilitates me for days. Lost time means lost momentum on a project, which adds to my frustration. If I cut my work hours to fend off the back pain, my projects don’t get completed. When I return to writing for several hours to pick up the slack, pain strikes. Either way, my back pain controls my schedule–and I don’t like that one bit.

I’ve tried switching chairs, alternating desks, wearing a neck support, using a heating pad, and writing curled up on my sofa. I take breaks, brisk walks, and beg family members to massage my shoulders. While some of these tactics bring relief, nothing has helped long-term.

My husband and I were shopping recently at J.C. Penny, where a Homedics Shiatsu Massaging Cushion store display allowed customers to sit in a chair and sample a free mechanical massage. I sat for more than a half hour with the massager, the remainder of my shopping forgotten. I’d found the solution to my back pain!

The portable cushion can be placed on virtually any chair, and the moving Shiatsu massage mechanism travels up and down the back to loosen tight muscles. Press a button to add quick heat. Press another for localized massage to upper or lower back. Since the mechanical masseuse never tires, I can use it as long as I like.

If you have chronic back pain, and no medical reason to avoid mechanical massage, you might want to give this product a try. I promise, I’m not a company spokesperson, just a very happy and more productive author.

DESERT WILD by Adele Dubois -- Coming June 17, 2009.
http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-7333-50-desert-wild.aspx

******
Adele Dubois is a former journalist who writes erotic romance that receives consistent outstanding reviews. Titles include DESERT WILD, DESERT FEVER, INTIMATE ART and DREAM TRAVELER. Look for additional titles in 2009 and 2010.

Twenty-five Free Ways To Help A Sister Author

2009-05-20T08:27:00.000-07:00

No one could possibly do everything on this list, but even doing one or two that you are not doing already might be a good idea if you are into "paying forward" or "paying back".

All authors for the purpose of this article will be considered female. (No sexism intended no offense to the great guys in the IWOFA group).

#1. Help the search engines find her. Why? Even if you know where to find your alien romance writing friend, her blog, and her books, “hits” help. The more visitors the search engine spiders find, the more priority the author's website gets. So: Google her. Ask Jeeves about her. Dogpile her. A9 search her. Use Alexa. Try a Yahoo search. Blog search. Search on Technorati. Even better, set up a Google Alert for her name, also common misspellings of her name, and for her book titles.

#2. Having “Searched” or been "Alerted", Visit… her website; blogs; author pages. If you may comment, do so. Everyone who takes the time to blog or post content is grateful when visitors comment. Human nature leads more people to read a post that has received a lot of comments.

#3 Follow. Favorite. Share. Google's Blogger, Twitter, Facebook "Pages", Squidoo lenses, You Tube videos and more allow you to become a follower or a fan. Do so. Connect wherever you can. It's good for both of you, because follower/fan photos show up.

#4 Click to read (and rate) any reviews she has written, or Lists she has set up. These days, anyone can make an EssentiaList on Barnes and Noble.com, a Listmania on Amazon.com, a Top Ten list on Chapters.Indigo.ca, also Listopia on GoodReads.com/ If you like her reviews or lists, click Helpful.

#5. If you see a good review of a book you've enjoyed —on any bookselling site that allows customers and visitors to comment on reviews-- click Helpful if it truly is a helpful review. Votes help both the reviewer and the author.

#6. Tag her books wherever you can. Amazon isn't the only place (Amazon isn't even one site… there's Amazon.ca, Amazon.uk, Amazon.de etc etc) Many book selling sites encourage readers to tag.

What is a tag? It's a search term that a reader might be using to find a type of book she likes, when she is looking for a new author. Some tags might be "Romance", "Fantasy", "Mystery", "Shapeshifter", "Georgian Romance", "Humor" or "Space Opera".

#7. When you are on an admired author's Amazon book page, click on links to:
Put it on your wish list, it’s extra, free advertising for the book. Tell a friend. Scroll down the book page to Tag this product. Or make a search suggestion).

#8. Join in the Customer/Reader discussions on her book page, or on the forums. Ask a question. Start a discussion. Hundreds of eyeballs scan the discussions on Barnes and Noble bookclubs. The search engines pick up on the discussions. The longer a discussion keeps going, the better the PR buzz for your friend. This does not just apply to Amazon and B&N. Discussion anywhere is "buzz".

#9. Review her book… Most people know that a customer can write a review on Amazon.com. There's a purchase requirement with Amazon (and I think with Barnes and Noble, too). However, many sites don't require a reader to have bought a book from them in order to post a review: GoodReads.com, Shelfari.com, LibraryThing.com, E-Bay, Powells, FlipKart, We-Read (on Facebook), NexTag etc etc.

#10. Smak her. Have you ever noticed the "Add This" or "Share" or "Recommend" widgets on online pages and on You Tube? If you think your author friend's blog, or news about her is interesting, syndicate the news to Digg It, Reddit, Technorati, Stumble Upon, Furl and as many of the other 40 or so sites as you have time and energy for. It's self promo when she does it. It's news when someone else does it.

Smak is SmakNews.com. News for women, posted by women.

#11. If the author has a reminder on a public calendar (Amazon has one, other sites have the function, too) for a booksigning near you, click on Remind Me Too. Booksignings are nerve-racking. Support is always appreciated, even if you don’t buy a book.

#12. If she lists an "Event", which one can on Facebook, GoodReads, and too many other places to mention, be sure to RSVP with a kind comment about the book.

#13. Make her a top friend on MySpace, Bebo etc, Give her book cover image as a "gift" on Facebook, with her permission, make her cover into a widget or tile it as a background, or keep it on the top page of your Shelfari/GoodReads/MyB&N display of what you are reading.

#14. If you have a MySpace page or Bebo.com, or Twitters, or Clasmates.com, or facebook.com, or theyack.com (and if you don’t, but really want to help, get one… it’s free) invite your author friends to be your friends there. Write a bulletin about your friend or her book. Add a comment on their profile page’s comments section. Your comment is their opportunity to say something about their book without the appearance of soliciting. Review their book on your MySpace blog. Or on You Tube!

#15. If her publisher has a forum, join it and ask her questions. For instance, Dorchester Publishing (home of Leisure and LoveSpell authors) has http://forums.dorchesterpub.com/

Again, your comment will be seen by hundreds, if not thousands, and it will give your friend a reason to post something interesting and quotable about her book without seeming to be self-promoting.

#16. If you have a blog or website, (and you should always secure your own domain name before you become famous yourself) publicize your friend’s upcoming signings/author talks/workshops on your blog. Mention her website URL. Link to your author friend’s website or blog on yours. Put her book as a 'must read' on your own site, or in your own newsletter. Have a list of links to authors you like, and blogs you enjoy.

#17. If you belong to readers’ group sites, or book chat sites, or special interest sites, post what you are reading. Plugs never hurt. These are also picked up on RSS feeds and the search engines.

#18. Join your favorite author’s yahoo group, let her know where you’ve seen her book in stores, or where you’ve seen discussions of her book, or reviews of her book.

#19. Drop in on her online chats to say how you enjoyed her book. Supportive friends at chats are cool because chats can be chaotic, and typing answers takes time.

#20. Tweet on Twitter about how much you are enjoying the book. Retweet or reply to any comments you see that promote the book, or the author.

#21. Offer to take a bunch of her bookmarks to conventions, or conferences, and make sure they are put in goodie bags, or on promo tables. Or simply visit her table at a convention, and sign up for her newsletter, or pick up her bookmark and tell someone else how good the book is. Offer to slip her bookmarks into your own correspondence when you pay bills, taxes, etc.

#22. Instead of quoting Goethe in your sig file, try quoting a line from your friend’s blurb in the week of her launch.

#23. Ask for her book in your local library. If they don't have it, maybe they will order a copy. If the library won't do that, ask if they would enter the book in their system if the author were to donate a copy to them. Once a book is in one library's system, it gets into the database for other libraries.

#24. If you see your favorite author’s books in a supermarket or bookstore: face her books (if there is room), turn one so the cover shows. Tell store personnel how much you like that book, or that the author is local. If you don’t see her books, especially when they ought to be there, ask about them.

#25. If you are connected on LinkedIn.com and your author friend is listed as "Author" or "Freelance Writer" or similar, consider "recommending her" on the strength of her writing. Recommendations on LinkedIn are intended to be for professional purposes.

Bonus Tip:
If you are an author buy colleagues' autographed books from them at booksignings to use in your own giveaways instead of always giving away your own books.

DEFEATING THRESHOLD GUARDIANS

2009-05-18T08:09:00.000-07:00

Defeating Threshold Guardians by Adele Dubois

During the production process of my upcoming paranormal release DESERT WILD from Ellora’s Cave Publishing, I re-read Christopher Vogler’s The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure For Writers. This landmark work is based on The Hero’s Journey, the universal elements of storytelling, as identified by mythologist Joseph Campbell.

Vogler’s chapter on Threshold Guardians was of particular interest to me, because these character archetypes often separate mediocre fiction from great fiction. They represent the obstacles protagonists must overcome to win their rewards at the end of a story. Threshold Guardians test the protagonists’ determination, while also adding tension and increasing story conflict. While their tactics may be overt or subtle, their purpose is the same—to stop the protagonists from reaching their ultimate goals.

As writers, we meet countless Threshold Guardians that thwart our efforts and test our desire for achievement. Procrastination, nagging self-doubt, fear of success, confidence-shaking rejection letters, poor reviews or negative critique partners may erode our resolve. Unsupportive family members who ridicule our need to create may wear us down. Conflicting demands on our time slow our progress. For us to become successful, career-focused authors, we must learn to recognize and outwit these Threshold Guardians. As Vogler suggests, we must either make them our allies or defeat them and keep going.

While my heroine in DESERT WILD escaped vipers and bobcats in The Sonoran Desert, I found a way to eliminate chronic back pain and keep writing. When my hero from the Tohono O’odham Nation confronted the inner demons that threatened his future, I closed my office door and turned off my Internet access. No outside forces deterred us from our paths. We tackled one problem after the other until our goals were reached.

What are your Threshold Guardians? The challenges may change from day to day. They may be friendly forces or hostile, yet they stall our progress. Once we learn to identify roadblocks we can make them our allies or learn to outwit them, and ultimately reach our goals and claim our rewards.

©Adele Dubois, 2009

********
Adele Dubois writes paranormal and contemporary erotic romances for Ellora’s Cave Publishing that earn consistent outstanding reviews. Titles include DESERT WILD, DESERT FEVER, INTIMATE ART and DREAM TRAVELER. Visit Adele Dubois at www.adeledubois.com/

Try the e-book experience at Dorchester

2009-05-02T04:38:00.000-07:00

Several IWOFA authors are published by Dorchester Publishing. Let me think... Deborah Macgillivray is (amongst others), Helen Scott is. I am.

This last week, we all received emails from Erin Galloway, the Dorchester PR boss, informing us that we now have widgets, which will allow readers the e-reading experience. Yes, the pages turn.

These widgets don't give away the entire book, but they do allow readers a very decent sneak peek. Up to 10% of the book. Now, having said that, anyone can choose any keyword they please. I chose "and" because there is an urban myth that words like "and" and "if" will fake out a system and let a reader read the entire book.

Doesn't work. I haven't tried requesting indecent words, but then again, my royal aliens don't use a lot of those... unless they are villains, who deliberately want to shock and offend.

Check it out. Let me know what you think of the technology.

If you click on one of the other links, I expect it will take you back to http://www.dorchesterpub.com where you can try out other widgets.
Best wishes,
Rowena Cherry

Writing advice

2009-04-26T15:23:00.000-07:00

Advice on becoming a writer
Years ago when I first began to dream about becoming a writer, I went to a one day writer's seminar. The main speaker was a well-known author, but after many years I can't remember his name. He said three things about becoming an author that have stuck with me for the forty years I've pursued my dream.1. You have to wish to be an author. For me this means the dreams I had since I was a child and the stories I tried to write and seldom completed but I kept dreaming even while I pursued other goals, like becoming a nurse and being a mother.2. You have to want to be an author. To me this means more than just the wish. This means reading other authors, reading books about how to write and most of all sending one's writings into the world. This can be hard because there is the rejection and leads to the third piece of advice.3. You have to need to be an author. I remember him saying rejections shouldn't matter. You have to keep writing and sending things to editors. This piece of advide was about persistence and about obsession. Persistence is a writer's best friend and obsession is what drives the dream. So it all comes to a circle.
Posted by JL Walters at 1:52 PM 0 comments
Labels: Author's advice. Wish, Dream, Need, Persistence and Obsession

The Wolverine, The Queen, and The Pirate

2009-04-05T07:18:00.000-07:00

"it's only stealing if you take something away from someone - so if i wasn't going to pay to see the movie if even if i couldn't watch it for free, then it would be ok if watched it for nothing - cos i wouldn't have paid to see it even if i couldn't get it for free - right?
if you are working in movies and you can't support yourself perhaps you should give up on a dream you're never going to achieve and step back into the real world."

To read the rest of the discussion of Wolverine and some lovely shots of Hugh Jackman in action here:
http://timesonline.typepad.com/blockbuster_buzz/2009/04/wolverine-is-loose-on-the-internet-ignore-him.html

It's been an interesting week.

J K Rowling and other bestselling authors took on SCRIBD, and the Times of London Online reported sympathetically.
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/the_web/article5998918.ece?Submitted=true

On a Copyright Alliance blog, a commentator suggested that President Obama's gift to The Queen of England may have set an unfortunate example of piratical behaviour.

How about the Queen? Should she have to give her Ipod back? Technically what she did is infringement!

http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2009/04/first-sale-president-obama-and-queen-england

Another interesting discussion of infringement
http://blog.copyrightalliance.org/2009/04/whacking-infringement/

Apparently, there is a report that someone at the prestigious TED conference has analyzed morality and petty theft, and the conclusions may tend to be rather depressing.
http://blog.copyrightalliance.org/2009/04/a-file-sharing-honor-code/

If I read the argument correctly, humans are hardwired to cheat and steal if they think they can get away with it, especially if they know someone else who does so.

When I started teaching, it wasn't easy to steal copyrighted material. Those were the days of carbon copies and the Banda machine which you rolled to press out glorified and very messy copies one at a time, and before you could do that, you had to use an old fashioned typewriter, and type every character. Your time had to be worth very little for piracy to make economic sense!

Now, photocopiers are everywhere, and they probably do not come with the same warnings that are stuck on FedEx Kinkos machines for the public to use. "Copying Is Illegal" is printed large on materials intended for school use, and teachers copy the materials, warnings and all, and give them to children. A generation has grown up honestly believing that, if you don't have the budget, it is fine to copy and share, and nothing bad will happen.

What a difference 25 years make! Where will we be (morally) in another 25 years, assuming that Nostradamus was mistaken, and the world doesn't end in 2012.

Will there be an entertainment industry? Will it be like ancient Rome again, with the Emperors responsible for putting on mass entertainment (free) to pacify the masses and deciding --based on brutal popularity polls and Imperial whim-- whether we are paid and how much, or whether we are put to death for not being appropriately amusing?

For those artists and writers and musicians who want their copyrighted work taken down from "file-sharing" sites, look at the Footer of the site in question for words such as "Copyright". That's the text link to find out what their requirements are for a "Take Down Notice". Usually, you will need a screen capture, and dual processor so you can have two windows open at the same time. You also need an ISBN. Not all works have ISBNs.

You also need an email account that suggests that you are the copyright holder. This, too, is a problem these days.

Here's the form of words that one site requires:

Pursuant to 17 USC 512(c)(3)(A), this communication serves as a statement that:

1. I am the exclusive rights holder for [TITLE OF WORK] ISBN [OF WORK], the titles of copyrighted material being infringed upon, which were published [DATE OF COPYRIGHT/DATE OF PUBLISHING];

2. These exclusive rights are being violated by material available upon your site at the following URL(s): [GIVE THE URLS TO THE DOWNLOADS AND TO THE PAGES OFFERING YOUR WORKS]

3. I have a good faith belief that the use of this material in such a fashion is not authorized by [YOUR NAME] the copyright holder, the copyright holder's agent, or the law;

4. Under penalty of perjury in a United States court of law, I state that the information contained in this notification is accurate, and that I am authorized to act on the behalf of the exclusive rights holder for the material in question;

5. I may be contacted by the following methods
[GIVE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, EMAIL ADDRESS]

I hereby request that you remove or disable access to this material as it appears on your service in as expedient a fashion as possible. Thank you.

Please be aware that if you send a take down notice, the site is likely to post a note telling the world that you were the person who requested that the download be removed.

Talking Futuristic Romance

2009-03-19T04:28:00.000-07:00

The Authors Show host, Don McCauley, wrote of my interview (which is streaming today, March 19th on http://www.TheAuthorsShow.com ,

"I have done hundreds of interviews throughout the years. Most are enjoyable, some are enlightening, a few are downright painful. Others though, stand decidedly apart from the group. These interviews create memories that I will enjoy for the rest of my days. My recent interview with Rowena Cherry was one such interview."

Behind the scenes...

When an author queries a radio station to request airtime, quite often she is offered the opportunity to suggest ten or so appropriate questions which she'd like to be asked.

If I get the chance, I like to get the word out about the speculative romance subgenres. Even if I'm not the most eloquent or best qualified spokesperson, any discussion is better than none.

So, I suggested that Don might ask:

You write "FUTURISTIC ROMANCE." WHAT is that?

I gave him a brief overview of what "Paranormal" covers:

"Paranormal" is much more than ghosts. It covers space opera, speculative romance, dark fantasy, light fantasy, fantastic "snark", science fiction romance, time travel, also historicals and contemporary romances with strong psychic heroines.

This means that my aliens hang out in bookstores with vampires, shapeshifters, angels, demons, gargoyles, were-wolves, were-dragons, ghosts, elves, faeries, gnomes, mermaids, genies, and gods.

Don was kind enough to compare his experience of my interview to being dropped into the middle of a Monty Python skit.

"I believe I enjoyed the interview so much due to the fact that, throughout the conversation, I kept getting the distinctly odd impression that I had somehow been magically transported into the very middle of a somewhat peculiar Monty Python skit."

He's in great company with that comparison. I'm not sure what I said that struck him as Pythonesque, but it might have been this comment about how I see Paranormal Romance:

"It's a confusing family! So, I visualize "Paranormal Romance" as like a giant hen. Under her wings are multi-colored, dark and light chicks, a gosling, couple of kittens, a puppy… and a very small dragon!"

If you get the chance to listen, to my interview, I'd love to know what you think.

If you visit http://www.TheAuthorsShow.com and scroll down the page, you can submit your own request to be interviewed. If you live in Arizona, or don't mind traveling, you can apply to be on their sister TV program, too.

Best wishes,
Rowena Cherry

Wendy Burt-Thomas on getting Query Letters right

2009-03-01T11:10:00.000-08:00

Today we have a Q & A with Wendy Burt-Thomas. She is a full-time freelance writer, editor and copywriter with more than 1,000 published pieces. Her third book, "The Writer's Digest Guide to Query Letters" hit stores in January 2009. To learn more about Wendy or her three books, visit www.GuideToQueryLetters.com. If you have a writing-related question, you can also post it on http://AskWendy.wordpress.com.

1. Q: Can you tell us about your book?

The book was a great fit for me because I'd been teaching "Breaking Into Freelance Writing" for about eight years. In the workshop, I covered a lot of what is in this book: writing query letters to get articles in magazines, to land an agent, or to get a book deal with a publisher. Since I'm a full-time freelance magazine writer and editor with two previous books, this was incredibly fun to write because it didn't require tons of research. I was lucky enough to receive lots of great sample query letters from writers and authors that I use as "good" examples in the book. I wrote all the "bad" examples myself because I didn't dare ask for contributions that I knew I'd be ripping apart!

In addition to the ins and outs of what makes a good query, the book covers things like why (or why not) to get an agent, where to find one and how to choose one; writing a synopsis or proposal; selling different rights to your work; other forms of correspondence; and what editors and agents look for in new writers.
It was really important to me that the book not be a dry, boring reference book, but rather an entertaining read (while still being chock full of information). I was thrilled that Writer's Digest let me keep all the humor.

2. Q: Why are query letters so important?

Breaking into the publishing world is hard enough right now. Unless you have a serious "in" of some kind, you really need a great query letter to impress an agent or acquisitions editor. Essentially, your query letter is your first impression. If they like your idea (and voice and writing style and background), they'll either request a proposal, sample chapters, or the entire manuscript. If they don't like your query letter, you've got to pitch it to another agency/publisher. Unlike a manuscript, which can be edited or reworked if an editor thinks it has promise, you only get one shot with your query. Make it count!

I see a lot of authors who spend months (or years) finishing their book, only to rush through the process of crafting a good, solid query letter. What a waste! If agents/editors turn you down based on a bad query letter, you've blown your chance of getting them to read your manuscript. It could be the next bestseller, but they'll never see it. My advice is to put as much effort into your query as you did your book. If it's not fabulous, don't send it until it is.

3. Q: You're also a magazine editor. What is your biggest gripe regarding queries?

Queries that show that the writer obviously hasn't read our publication. I'll admit that I did this when I was a new writer too – submitted blindly to any publication whose name sounded even remotely related to my topic. One of the examples I use was when I submitted a parenting article to a magazine for senior citizens. Oops! A well-written query pitching an article that's not a match for the magazine isn't going to get you any further than a poorly written query.

4. Q: There's an entire chapter in the book about agents. Do you think all new writers should get agents?

Probably 99% of new writers should get an agent. There are lots of reasons, but my top three are:
1) Many of the larger publishing houses won't even look at unagented submissions now; 2) Agents can negotiate better rights and more money on your behalf;
3) Agents know the industry trends, changes and staff better than you ever could.

5. Q: You've been a mentor, coach or editor for many writers. What do you think is the most common reason that good writers don't get published?

Poor marketing skills. I see so many writers that are either too afraid, too uniformed, or frankly, too lazy, to market their work. They think their job is done when the write "the end" but writing is only half of the process. I've always told people who took my class that there are tons of great writers in the world who will never get published. I'd rather be a good writer who eats lobster than a great writer who eats hot dogs. I make a living as a writer because I spend as much time marketing as I do writing.

6. Q: What are some of the biggest misconceptions that writers have about getting a book deal?

That they'll be rich overnight, that they don't need to promote their book once it's published, that publishing houses will send them on world book tours, that people will recognize them at the airport. Still, you can make great money as an author if you're prepared to put in the effort. If it wasn't possible, there wouldn't be so many full-time writers.

7. Q: What must-read books do you recommend to new writers?

Christina Katz (author of "Writer Mama") has a new book out called "Get Known Before the Book Deal" - which is fabulous. Also, Stephen King's "On Writing" and David Morrell's "Lessons from a Lifetime of Writing." Anything by Anne Lamott or my Dad, Steve Burt.

8. Q: What's the biggest lesson you've learned as a full-time writer?

Seize every opportunity - especially when you first start writing. I remember telling someone about a really high-paying writing gig I got and he said, "Wow. You have the best luck!" I thought, "Luck has nothing to do with it! I've worked hard to get where I am." Later that week I read this great quote: "Luck is when preparation meets opportunity." It's absolutely true. And writing queries is only about luck in this sense. If you're prepared with a good query and/or manuscript, when the opportunity comes along you'll be successful.

9. What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
Writing the "bad" query letters. I've read – and written! – so many horrible ones over the years that it was a little too easy to craft them. But misery loves company and we ALL love to read really bad query letters, right?

10. Q: What do you want readers to learn from your book?
I want them to understand that while writing a good query letter is important, it doesn't have to be overwhelming. You can break it down into parts, learn from any first-round rejections, and read other good queries to help understand what works. I also want them to remember that writing is fun. Sometimes new writers get so caught up in the procedures that they lose their original voice in a query. Don't bury your style under formalities and to-the-letter formatting.

Rowena Cherry is interviewed on Ask Wendy

2009-03-01T05:52:00.000-08:00

If it is Friday, March 6th, it's my turn to be interviewed.

http://askWendy.wordpress.com

Ask Wendy is a writer-related blog run by freelance writer, editor, copy-editor, and columnist Wendy Burt-Thomas.

Over the next year, Wendy's blog will expose over 600 authors' responses to questions about their best advice to other writers, and about their worst writing experiences.

Here's a sample to whet your appetite. ("Whet" as in sharpen.)

10. Tell us a story about your writing experience. Can be funny, embarrassing, inspirational, etc. ("I once pitched an agent at a urinal. It did not go well.")

I may have mentioned that I am very keen on research for my books. Sometimes, my research is unexpectedly dangerous.

Take “Insufficient Mating Material” (the title refers to a game that looks impossible to win, no matter how good your own moves, or how bad a player your opponent is). The hero has a tattoo in a delicate area. It’s bioluminescent, which means that it glows in the dark under certain circumstances. There comes a point in the story where the hero (Djetth, pronounced Jeth) needs to find out if the heroine has ever seen a tattoo like it. So, he goes into the sea, and pretends that he has been bitten by a fish… there, and asks the heroine to see if the (non-existent) fish broke his skin.
Yes. There is quite a bit of bathroom humor.

It’s ironic. While doing some eleventh hour research for the cover scene, I was attacked by a fish! I went away for my summer holiday, thinking that I could relax secure in the knowledge that Insufficient Mating Material was all ready to go to the printers. Then, my editor sent me the cover art. Have you seen it? Almost everyone who sees it thinks of the Burt Lancaster movie “From Here To Eternity.”

The problem was, there was nothing at all in the book involving a couple frolicking in the surf. Nothing! There is now. One of my passionate beliefs is that cover art should illustrate something in the book.

I had a couple of months, one of which was my summer holiday, to tear apart the book and write in that scene. That is a story and a half in itself! At least I was at the seaside, but it was a cold sea, and I couldn’t persuade my husband to immerse himself in the interests of scientific research. The best he would offer was to stand ankle deep on the shore at low tide, while I lay at his feet and did what I had to do.

Trust my bad luck, there were weaver fish buried in the sand, and I stepped on one… not heavily, but I felt the spine and the sharp injection of venom. I was lucky on two counts. First, we knew what to do and home wasn’t far away, so I spent the rest of that day with my foot in a bath of Epsom salts and water so hot that it felt cold for an instant when more hot water was added to keep up the temperature. Second, I go barefoot a lot. You may extrapolate what that means. The spine probably broke.
I suppose I should thank my luck stars I didn’t sit on one!

And then, there's the story that begins with a quote:
"…the fish skin couldn't be used as a condom but the intestines of the rabbits could…"

Best wishes,
Rowena Cherry

The importance of poop... werewolf poop

2009-02-28T06:11:00.000-08:00

Some of us push the envelope... JA Konrath is going to be on my Crazy Tuesday internet radio show at ten a.m. Eastern Time on March 3rd on the strength of his werewolf story S.A. which begins with a most unhappy --but healthy-- gentleman crossing a snowy parking lot, carrying a semi-see-through, blue plastic box containing a large stool sample. In fact, it's not a sample. It's the whole enchilada.

He's taking this vigorous specimen to his doctor because there's something unusual about it. There are buttons and coins embedded in it. Now, it's nothing like that health insurance advert where the patient has money coming out of the wazoo, as the western oriental ER surgeon explained when making one of those predetermination phone calls.

The coins are small change. The doctor's advice about unhealthy midnight snacks is... priceless.

After a thorough rectal exam which brings to light many strange things and leads to some unpalatable conclusions in the mind of our hero, he waddles off to search the internet for clues as to whom he's been eating when the moon is full.

Just when I thought I'd read every dragonish permutation of bad people tasting good (or bad), or good people tasting bad (or good), JA Konrath comes up with a fresh twist.

This story is a riot. I laughed out loud three times in the first three pages. Of course, there are certain bathroom words that will make me laugh out loud. One of them is poop.

The would-be sci-fi writer in me appreciated the elegance of JA Konrath's solution as regards mass. The hero has a mind-boggling telephone conversation with a were-squirrel... who collects nuts... and he asks both questions that spring to mind, much to this reader's delight.

However, I came not to praise J A Konrath, but to talk about craft. Poop is a very good place to start, when one is creating a convincing werewolf. Done right, starting with the scat is an excellent short cut to world-building.

Jacqueline Lichtenberg advises world-builders to start with the sun. But for a short story about a magical being, why not start where the sun don't shine? I'm not a gentle reader. I don't suspend disbelief easily. I'm not programmed to trust my author, no matter how outrageous. Not at first, anyhow.

I can give a turd the benefit of the doubt for several reasons. For a start, the narrator is embarrassed about it. That's believable. He's also frightened. He's not Mike Rowe (of Dirty Jobs), so he's probably not inclined to put it through a sieve.

If there are bits of teeth, chips of bone, coins, buttons, a crucifix, a clump of dead man's beard... I get the picture. I don't worry about the force of a werewolf's bite, or his stomach capacity, or the inhuman speed of his digestive processes whereby the indigestible evidence of his midnight feast ends up in his morning toilet bowl.

Yes, I do think of these things in passing. I can't help myself. However, it was a good beginning, well built upon by a believable reaction from the werewolf, and an account of a Google search that reminded me of a Tom Clancy novel.

Honesty compels me to say that the story degenerated into heart pounding, action packed farce. The joke went a little too far, and the quality of the research did not keep pace with the increasingly outrageous demands upon my credulity. However, it was a Christmas fairy story, and quite enjoyable.

I'm not going to tell you what "S.A." means, because I had fun guessing.

"S.A." can be found in the anthology "Wolfsbane and Mistletoe"
http://www.amazon.com/Wolfsbane-Mistletoe-Charlaine-Harris/dp/0441016332

Best wishes,
Rowena Cherry

Inspiration

2009-02-15T09:59:00.000-08:00

It’s been said that inspiration can come from anywhere, if only you pay attention. I can certainly attest to that. You can't plan for it, you can't force it. It comes when it comes. You just have to take advantage when it happens.

One Friday afternoon, while driving home from work, I decided to come up with a catchy name for a character. I didn’t have a character in mind; neither did I have a story. I merely decided that I wanted a catchy character name—along the lines of Luke Skywalker or Indiana Jones—for a future story.

So there I was, driving along, and I passed a breakfast restaurant called the Sunrise Biscuit Company. I thought, “Hmm, Sunrise might be an interesting surname for a character. But I need an equally interesting given name to go along with it.” Within seconds, I came up with Donatello. I have no idea why. But as soon as I said “Donatello Sunrise,” I knew it was the name I was looking for.

Then I got to thinking about what sort of character would have a name like that. I immediately thought of a private detective. Then I thought “’30s/’40s private dick, gun moll, organized crime.” I decided instead to set the story in the near future, but have him be something of a throwback to the days of Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe. I actually started writing dialog in my head, hearing Humphrey Bogart speaking the lines.

In the fifteen minutes it took me to reach home, I had the first few scenes outlined in my head. I wasn’t sure whether it would end up being a short story or something longer, and I didn’t really have a story outline, just a premise: a futuristic private detective, with a neural implant to help him, is investigating a series of kidnappings—but I started writing. By Sunday night, I had two chapters written and was well on my way to finishing my third novel.

The resulting 101,000-word novel is called Sunrise Destiny. It'll be available shortly on Amazon.com. And it all came from one word: Sunrise. How’s that for inspiration?

Mark.

Web: http://markterencechapman.com; Blog: http://tesserene.blogspot.com

POWER TITLES by Adele Dubois

2009-01-26T17:54:00.000-08:00

In 2008 I presented a workshop for Romance Writers of America chapter Valley Forge Romance Writers called POWER TITLES. A short article based on the workshop followed and was published in several RWA chapter publications.

Since writers seem to find the POWER TITLES information helpful, I'm posting the article here. Please give proper credit when referencing this article.

POWER TITLES by Adele Dubois

Your book title is a powerful marketing tool. Whether your romance novel sits on a bookstore shelf, is listed on an e-publisher site, or is yet an unpublished manuscript, your title makes a critical first impression on readers and editors. Does your title have that wow factor that hooks your target readership and makes them want to know more? Is your ‘working title’ so powerful your publisher will approve it?

Here are tips on how to write a ‘working title’ that will increase your chances of publisher acceptance when your contract is signed.

• Keep it short. A great title should be read at a glance. Four words are the maximum recommended length, but three words or less is best.

• Encapsulate your genre. Your title should offer a snapshot of your story genre (Romance) and sub-genre (Paranormal, erotic, suspense, comedy, science fiction, fantasy, inspirational, historical, etc.).

• Use compelling key words that evoke vivid mental pictures. A strong visual of your story concept creates the emotional response needed to produce sales.

• Make it original. Use ‘power words’ in combination that are fresh and memorable. Be unique.

• Be cool and current. Avoid old-fashioned expressions, cliché, glib, pretentious or trite language.

• Use active, not passive, phrases. DESERT FEVER is active. “Fever in the Desert” is passive and packs less punch.

Editor Advice:

Raelene Gorlinksy, Publisher, Ellora’s Cave Romantica Publishing, says, “Have a focus word. Make it grab the reader—it should be interesting or intriguing or suggestive.”

Hilary Sares, Editor, Kensington Publishing Corp., says, “Long, Latinate, erudite titles seem to be a particular weakness of newbie historical authors…ditto legal thriller writers. The contemps, anything goes—but authors often get too ‘telly’ or too trite. I wish I had a nickel for every contemp romance I saw that was called Second Chances. If you want your manuscript to be remembered, try to do better than that.”

Rhonda Penders, Editor-In-Chief of The Wild Rose Press, says, “Titles with double meanings are always fun for the erotic reads. Something different, unusual. If you have the same title as a dozen other books it doesn't work. You want to be unique and original without being too strange. Titles, like covers, are big marketing pieces, and sometimes it’s best to let the marketing department help the editor and author choose what would work best for a story… The best advice I can give is to make it catchy, cute if it fits the story, and make it grab the reader.”

Adele Dubois is the author of DESERT FEVER, INTIMATE ART, DREAM TRAVELER, and MOTORCYCLE HEAT-- titles Adele created that were approved by her publishers at Ellora’s Cave and Loose Id. POWER TITLES Workshop available upon request. Visit Adele’s website and blog at www.adeledubois.com/

Bad Reviews - Understanding and Dealing as a New Author

2009-01-21T08:26:00.000-08:00

I originally posted this on MySpace back in September 2008 after receiving my first bad review. I was inspired not only by what I considered the less than professional attitude of the reviewer, but by knowing that not every writer who is starting out has a thick skin like mine. I credit my stubborn streak to my family background; I'm Irish, Cherokee, and German. I wrote this for all those writers/authors out there who have been devastated by a single thoughtless comment from a reviewer.

As a newly published writer, I was very lucky with not only my publisher, but also my first reviews. I nearly gave myself an aneurysm with the first review, which was far better than I ever expected. Of course, I'd told one of my best friends that I was looking forward to the first bad review. Now you may ask why? Why would someone want an actually bad review?

The point is that I wanted get it out of my hair. So many writers take bad reviews personally and I've seen some writers run for the hills at the first sign of a critical look at their writing. Speaking for myself, my stories are like my children, I nurture them, and then release them into the world to face everything the world has to offer. Personally, I have always been my own worst critic. I never believe that my work is good enough and if someone can actually say something critical that will make me think, really think, then I am more than open to the idea of graciously accepting the criticism. After all I've been writing non-professionally for 9 years on-line and I credit the people I met over the years for making me a better writer and helping me to this point.

This is a fine stance to have until you run into what I call a literary snob. Now that may not be the nicest way of describing these people, but it's definitely the most straightforward way. My own personal experiences with such people have made me realize that they are one of three categories:

a) Writers successful in their field who have forgotten what it's like to be a struggling writer.

b) Frustrated writers who can't seem to get their foot in the door.

c) Writers/Non-writers with a close minded attitude when it comes to certain genres.

In my humble opinion, if you are going to step into the position of a reviewer then you have to have a certain mindset.

a) Keep an open mind. Just because the story in question is not of a genre you read exclusively that does not make it trash. Don't like the genre and you work for a site where you can pick and chose--don't pick it.

b) Look at the publisher. For example - Are they a publisher that focuses on certain aspects of a genre? Do they prefer PWP (plot what plot) or do they prefer plot over sex? If you prefer PWP then go with works published by those publishers. If you like plot with your sex go with those works.

c) Look at the writer. Are they a new writer? Someone who is just getting into the field of writing? If this is the case, keep that in mind. Writers tend to grow as they write. Few if any writers come out of the gate as expert authors.

d) Maturity and consideration. There are ways to get your point across without being rude or demeaning. If the editing was done badly suggest the writer try for a better editor next time. If there are problems with the characters, suggest the writer spend more time fleshing the characters out prior to writing the story. Insulting a writer in a crude and obnoxious manner says more about the reviewer than it does about the writer.

My first bad review was met by me with much laughter. First the reviewer did not get the title right and even had the location incorrect. Last time I checked Illinois is not considered the South. It was obvious that the book in question was not the type that they would normally read. I ascertained this by checking out previous reviews done by the same person. Comments about the sex scenes along with understanding this was not the reviewers taste confirmed that they preferred a rawer sexual scene as opposed to an emotionally based sex scene. And finally, it was apparent that the plot seemed to get in the way as well as the type of characters. The fact that a character is a man does not mean he can't be emotional.

Example: One character in question had fainted due to blood loss. The other a psychic medium passed out as a direct result of a spirit taking over his body. A negative comment about this was made.

In the end, I got the distinct impression that the reviewer had not actually read the book, but rather skimmed through it quickly focusing in on anything that they personally found disagreeable. Prior to this review, I'd received four reviews all of which enjoyed the book; one from a site that focuses on GLBTQ books exclusively.

This is why I say to those fellow newbie writers that are out there do not take everything a reviewer says as a personal insult. Reviewers are people just like the rest of us and sometimes they have bad days. That doesn't excuse them from being rude though. To be a writer it's necessary to have a thick skin and an understanding that the review sometimes says more about the reviewer than about the writer's talent.

Happy Writing!

Barbegazi

2009-01-19T09:35:00.000-08:00

Researching for fantasy fiction is so much fun! I read about far away lands, ancient cultures and mythical creatures. I collect coffee-table books on any topic. When I need inspiration, I flip through them and look at the beautiful artwork. That's how I came up with the idea for my story "Barbegazi." Perusing my favorite, "Encyclopedia of Things that Never Were," I came across a tiny paragraph about these yeti-like creatures. Of course, yetis are all the rage now with the new "Mummy" movie bringing them to everyone's attention. The Barbegazi are the yetis' cousins from the Alps. Here's a fun background article I wrote for my own fantasy short "Barbegazi." And oh, this image is a needle-felted 'painting' I made from wool.

Who are the Barbegazi?

The Barbegazi are a race of gnome-like people who live in the high reaches of the Alps. The name, Barbegazi, is a corruption of the French “Barbe Glacee”, which means beard of ice. Like most fairy-folk, stories surrounding the Barbegazi vary widely, but a few generalities link all the myths. First, is their miraculous feet. Big enough to be snowshoes, these feet can also used as skis and shovels. A Barbegazi can dig through ice and snow like a mole through soft ground.

Because of this digging skill, Barbegazi sightings are rare. A Barbegazi can dig himself in and out of deep snow within seconds, and only the most experienced tracker will ever know he was there.

Barbegazi don’t fear avalanches but instead, ride snow falls like surfers. Other than hunting, a Barbegazi spends most of his life playing in the snow. In fact, “snow tipping” is an art form to the Barbegazi. It requires much skill, dexterity and imagination to prod the snow croppings into the spectacular avalanches that the Barbegazi ride for sport.

Most legends describe the Barbegazi as short stocky people with long white hair and beards, that are covered in icicles. For many years, it was believed that they wore long coats of white fur, perhaps ermine, but recent evidence supports the theory that the white fur is actually the Barbegazi’s own pelt, and is perhaps the impetus behind the myths of the yeti, and other abominable snow monsters.

Another misconception is that the Barbegazi hibernate during the warmer months. Indeed, the summer sun is a hazard to the cold-loving people. The Barbegazi have a thin layer of frost on their skin above a thick layer of blubber to insulate them. The few Barbegazi who have been captured and brought down to more temperate climates have died within hours. The layer of frost melts first and then the Barbegazi appears to boil in his own skin, a horrible and painful death. Despite their loathing of warmer weather, the Barbegazi do not hibernate. Instead, they migrate to the highest reaches of the mountains, where the snow never melts. They live in shallow caves, but never venture too deep into warm heart of the mountain.

Though the Barbegazi have been known to help lost hikers, warn of impending avalanches or herd lost sheep after a blizzard, they are a shy race and do not welcome outsiders. They are excellent hunters and the most daring will venture down into the green forest to gather late fall berries. They can carve almost anything out of ice, and whittle icicles the way we might whittle a stick. Barbegazi ice horns sound much like an owl and can be heard for miles along the mountain summit. The Barbegazi use these horns to coordinate hunting and to communicate among clans.

Links:

Read more about the Barbegazi at www.kimmcdougall.com
Learn more about needlefelting at www.kimchatel.com/KCArt.html

Attractive groynes

2009-01-11T07:19:00.000-08:00

What do groynes have to do with speculative fiction?
Not a lot, you might say.

On the other hand, look at them! One is split, I could put my hand right through it, and the might of the sea has jammed a boulder inside the cleft. It made me think of the legend of Merlin!

Rowena Cherry

A Strange Coincidence

2009-01-01T06:56:00.000-08:00

Isn't it strange how many things authors find they have in common, when they gather in groups? And how well they work together, when the chips are down?

I've seen it before, of course. The most common one seems to be former military and former military dependents (spouses and/or kids specifically). Granted, the US military isn't a small thing, but I'm talking military from all over the world, and the military establishment isn't (percentage-wise) comparable in the general populace as it seems to be in writing communities. Do we write, because we need an outlet? Is there is just a higher percentage of creative personalities drawn to military life? Opposites attract or something like that? I can't say.

But, I can say I've found another common theme in writing circles...autism. I'd met authors with autistic kids before. The first was probably on FictionThatSells Yahoogroup (formerly called ChickLit). It was an interesting aside that so many of us had autistic kids on there. I learned that Sherrilyn Kenyon was heavily invested in autism causes. That was cool, and I made note of it.

Then Alessia Brio and company over at the Coming Together group proposed COMING TOGETHER: AGAINST THE ODDS, to benefit Autism Speaks. Like all the COMING TOGETHER anthologies, the author, artist and editor royalties are donated to the cause in question. They usually also have a name author (like Barry Eisler or LA Banks) doing the foreword (a sign of how much recognition CT has in writing circles).

So, the call went out...and just closed yesterday. Coming Together editions usually pull in between four times and five times the submissions they need. The lowest turn-out recorded--for an CT anthology, where the authors know they will see no royalties for their work--was still more than double the amount needed, and that issue was limited by a strict theme.

When the call went out, I was FLOORED by the number of authors who came out of the woodwork and stated that they had autistic children, spouses...or were autistic themselves, that being the least common I've seen. I've worked with autistic children (and have two personally), and I know it's not an uncommon affliction, but I never realized how many creative types were directly affected by autism. Just goes to show you...it is a small world.

Thankfully for causes like the ones Coming Together aids, another thing creative types have in common (by and large) is the willingness to give selflessly to efforts that benefit the world at large. The opportunities are everywhere, and I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the charity efforts I've been a part of. Whether you're judging a children's writing contest like New Voices or offering up donations to be auctioned to benefit Jo Leigh (organized by Alison Kent) or even donating a piece of writing to benefit Coming Together's many charity efforts or SimeCenter's charities, it's a feel-good and relatively painless route to doing something good.

Brenna Lyons
Coming Together Author/New Voices Judge/SimeCenter Contributor

Happy 2009 to Everyone!

2008-12-30T06:22:00.001-08:00

May 2009 be the best year ever!

and not forgotting those dear lost to us in 2008

We miss you, Dawn!

Congratulations to Rowena Cherry!

2008-12-30T06:03:00.000-08:00

2008-12-25T03:15:00.000-08:00

Christmas is a time for friends and family. They ARE the holiday. It draws families together, and makes friends appreciate just how lucky they are to have these special people in our lives. It’s a manic time, rushing to get presents, wrap them, decorate, parties and dinners. But it’s a happy time, for giving is what makes it rare, special. It’s giving love, and that always warms the heart, so much more than getting.

As we age, the kids grow, then it’s a little harder to hold onto that magic of childhood Christmases. Why I love watching A Christmas Story and Ralphie’s quest for a Red Rider BB gun. Times were simpler then. It must affect Ted Turner the same way, since TNT runs twenty-four hours of the movie every Christmas.

I cherish images from Christmases past. Those memories live bright and shining in my mind.

Times change. Christmas is no more the hunt for a Barbie Doll, a bike or a BB gun. Kids want their own computers, cell phones, I-phones, MP3 players…lol, stuff that was only seen in Bond Films when we were kids. And this Christmas is harder than most for so many. I have so many dear friends going through troubled times. Several have had surgery, others face surgery come the first of the year, and too many of our sons and daughters are still overseas fighting in a war that is coming to parallel Vietnam. We little understood that war; we little understand this one. We just know our precious children are dying in some foreign place and have no real idea why. BRING THEM HOME. American needs to take care of America. The billions spent on this war could do so much good at home.

Recently they extended unemployment because of the recession. Recession. It’s been a long time since we have heard that word, but that’s what the US economy is seeing. While the US government is wasting billions in fighting a war with no end, people on unemployment were seeing it run out. Families face a bleak Christmas this year because our government would rather send billions overseas, than millions at home for the people who are in need.

Some of you are asking me how Diane Thompson is doing. She is the sister of Dawn Thompson and lost her job while nursing Dawn in her final hours and hasn’t been able to find a job since. Diane “Candy” has a hard time walking, has no car and is far from a bus line, so it’s really made it hard. One job was perfect for her, but they took one look at her wobbling gate and turned her down. The world is just not accessible to someone who cannot get around good, who cannot stand for eight hours at a cash register. Her unemployment was extended 7 weeks, not 14 like most of the nation. New Yorkers didn’t get the full extension. It’s allowed her to stay in her apartment until January, at which time she faces an eviction notice. She is 61 ½ years old, not old enough yet for Social Security. So she is facing a very dismal start of the New Year. She won’t get Social Security until she is 62 (July). She needs medical help bad, but the government won’t give it to her until the unemployment runs out. So she is getting by…just barely. Christmas is very bleak for her. I sent her a small gift, a music box to cheer her. Not too expensive as I knew she could use the money to make ends meet. I used the rest to pay her phone bill so they wouldn’t cut it off. I found a wonderful place that makes delicious meals, which are sealed and can be delivered, so she will have a good Christmas dinner. It’s so sad that Dawn had such a struggle the last year of her life, and now her sister is going through the same thing.

Why friends and families are so important. They are there in hard times. It’s a Christian duty to help, and truly, giving makes you feel so good.

So treasure those precious friends and family…we lose too many of them.

Then it’s too late to say I love you.

My Best for you in 2009,

Deborah

Happy Holidays

2008-12-24T03:53:00.001-08:00

Do we tend to forget?

2008-12-21T09:23:00.000-08:00

I remember what it was like to be a new writer. I tell myself that often. Some days, when I'm learning something new about the NY machine or something similar, I believe the lie that I remember what being new was really like.

Then comes days like today. I signed onto a contest forum and started reading the threads. Many of the questions were things I wouldn't have had to ask, and I passed over them. They're new authors; they're doing what they should...asking, learning... I remember that. That's what being a new author is; that's the process.

Then I came across a set of questions from first-time novelists, anguished... "What do I do? What does that mean? How can anyone learn this? I'm going to fail, because I don't understand..." It's heart-wrenching, and I find myself reaching out to those new authors and offering information...mentoring, anything short of editing them, because I just don't have time to do it.

Was I never that scared new author? Was I always like I am now, save with less personal experience and information at my disposal? Or have I simply forgotten what that panic and anguish was like?

Assuming I was once that scared newbie... Does it make me less to have forgotten something so elemental and stomach-churning? Or does it mean I've just grown and see it with a clearer eye, the internal voice that assures me: "Asking is all right. It's not the end of the world. The worst they can say is 'no.' I can learn this. I want to learn this, to improve my craft and my professionalism. If I fail today, I move on and succeed tomorrow."?

And does it make me a better mentor or worse that I can assure them that "This too shall pass." while I seem to have forgotten how horrible this phase is...or never knew it?

Brenna Lyons

http://www.brennalyons.com

Happy Winter Solstice!

2008-12-21T08:40:00.000-08:00

Have a merry and blessed Yule. :)

~Magickal Graphics~

30 Days of Sweat

2008-12-19T11:21:00.000-08:00

30 Days of Sweat

1000 words a day everyday for the month of January.

Well it’s time for me to get back on track and write regularly. My baby is here, and I have no more excuses, but plenty of deadlines piling up in my near future. To make this work as a career, you have to do two things. Write regularly, and promote what you write. If you are missing one or both parts of the formula, your sales are going to suffer, and you will never get better. Craft is perfected by practice..

There are always reasons to put it off, family should come first. Then you have to prioritize. Money second or third depending—but if you’re writing to get rich—Ahem—you may be in the wrong field. This year we had a lot of setbacks personally, my husband went blind in his right eye, and had multiple complications like glaucoma and extremely painful migraines. I had gotten pregnant as well, and now have a newborn to care for. We had to replace the drainage pipes under the bathroom floor. I didn’t write much of anything. Most of my published books had been written the year before. My time, energy, and pocketbook has been drained, but I will always come back to my first love of writing despite the barriers.

I need to set some achievable goals to get my writing all done. So, for the month of January, I plan to make it a month where I write everyday. 1000 words a day will be enough to finish a novella—and more than enough to get my two major projects done.

Paris Bites rewrite ending lost on computer--20,000 words
Untitled (my first m/m story)—10,000 words

Some people are already doing great, writing 10 pages or more everyday. Others, may be lucky to write that in a month. You may set your goal higher or shorter. This is my goal, because I feel it’s the right amount and that my family won’t suffer for 4-5 pages a day. Fellow authors, please feel free to join me if you can. Tell me what you are working on and post how much you were able to write today. Being accountable to someone will help motivate you (and me).

I plan to post all the updates to my yahoo loop. So join me here:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/missylyons/

Hugs,
Missy
Unleash your passion
http://missylyons.blogspot.com
http://www.myspace.com/missy_lyons

Just released!
French Kiss—A passion in Paris protects Sarafina from a dangerous murderer.
Available at Phaze Books

One Touch, One Glance—a sweet anthology that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy on the inside after you read it.
Available at Freya’s Bower

Play Nice with your Muse: SLOW DOWN

2008-12-19T10:30:00.000-08:00

A while back a WIP had me stymied. I loved my characters, was intrigued by the premise, and had a pre-draft synopsis to give me direction. So why was I not making any progress?

I sent out an SOS to a NY pubbed friend asking about her process. How does she start a new project? I thought I might get a tip or two that would propel my muse and me in a new direction. I got that and more! Wow! Thankyouthankyouthankyou!!

Her example and comments simmered for a few days and my muse took notes. When the muse was ready, I experimented with a few new tools.

Believe it or not, the main tool I played with was pen and paper.

"Oooo," you say with a sarcastic tone. "You actually set your computer aside and wrote with a pen? How...radical!"

For me, it was radical. I hate to write by hand. I have a nervous condition that causes my hands to shake. Writing by hand neatly (which is strangely important to me) requires a lot of energy. BUT my friend had commented that writing by hand in the early stages slowed her down, forced her to inhabit the characters longer, to get to know them on a deeper basis.

Considering that writing by hand is irritating and hard work for me, I avoid it like the plague, but something in her words struck a chord. I decided to play with that particular tool, reasoning that if I was uncomfortable, I might actually discover why my character was uncomfortable. A very good thing for me to know considering I tend to want everyone to be happy, and happy characters don't provide the tension needed for good reads.

The experiment went well. I discovered things about my characters in those hand written notes that had never occurred to me before. I learned that my hero's motivations were nearly 180 degrees off of the standard ones I'd assigned him in earlier character studies, and...wait for it!...my muse revealed that I had the wrong character being killed and refusing the Light in order to save the world from an unexpected evil.

No wonder I hadn't been making progress. My muse needed to stall me until she could tell me I had everything backwards! Since we're still learning to play well together, it took slowing down with the hated pen and paper to allow her to speak.

Note to self: Slow down at the keyboard. Relax. Don't be so focused on where you think you're supposed to go that you drown your muse's voice.

Note to muse (who is also myself!): Learn to shout!!

---Debbie

To learn more about Debbie, visit her at her Flights of Fantasy site.