Reader/Writer Tidbits -- January 30, 2010

I meant to blog about how the accountability thing is working for me earlier in the week. Not sure how we got to Saturday so quickly. I'll post on that next week, but it's going okay.

Last tidbits for the month of January:

MotherVook? Sounds alien to me, but it's another brick on the changing publishing landscape. Barnes & Noble announced that publishers, by way of the MotherVook platform, will be able to upload content to create multimedia versions of their books themselves.

A continuing discussion within publishing--at least among the African-American members--is how poorly books by and about African-Americans are treated by booksellers and publishers. A sad fact. Kudos to agent Kristin Nelson for highlighting the truth of this based on her experiences: Publishing Is Not Color Blind.

I get that Zondervan and Baker want to provide something other than "Thanks, but no thanks" to authors of rejected manuscripts, but authonomy?

The big news of the week, of course, is the launch of Apple's iPad, a touchscreen device bigger than an iPhone and smaller than a laptop. Along with it, Apple is launching its own iBook software and iBookstore. iBook titles will run about $15. (If readers don't like paying $9.99 for Kindle titles, will they pay more for iBooks?) It will also support the ePub format. No phone capabilities, which to me seems to be a drawback. Do folks want an iPod--wait, that's included--,an iPhone and an iPad? Not to mention a laptop because I'm thinking that on-screen keyboard is not great for writing. I'm guessing Apple hopes you do. I've not been converted yet, but...

Watch the 8-min demo video below for a look at the iPad:

And here's what pundits in the publishing world think about it...

Have a great weekend!

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Reader/Writer Tidbits -- January 23, 2010

I compiled my "tidibts" for last week, but somehow missed posting them. Here they are:

For those who saw last week's post about the dying slush pile, here's a take on it from Jane Friedman, editorial director for F+W Publications, publisher of Writer's Digest.

If you really want to understand "high concept", let Larry Brooks of Storyfix explain it to you (and pretty much anything else related to story structure).

Then, hop over to Happy Endings where Larry explains the 7 key (story) values to maintain while writing romance.

The 2010 writing contests are in full swing. The San Antonio Romance Authors (SARA) Merritt contest will include an inspirational category for the first time. Get more information about this and other contests here.

Thought about creating an ebook but don't know where to start? Editor Craig Morgan Teicher of Media Galleycat's eBookNewser will teach you how to format an ebook from scratch. Find lesson 1 here.

The 2010 ACFW Genesis contest is now open for entries. This year's deadline is March 31st. A nice thing about this contest for Christian fiction of all types is that you will get feedback from at least three judges. Go here for rules and more information.

And just when are they supposed to read? A new study by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that children ages 8-18 are quite digitally minded. This group spends nearly 8 hours (yes, you read that correctly) interacting in some sort of digital manner -- TV, cell phones, mp3 players, video games, etc. (10 hours if you count multitasking.) The good news is that their reading levels remained steady over the past five years.

Have some stories you'd like to publish yourself for the Kindle platform? Amazon is offering a 70% royalty (up from 30%) beginning June 30th.

Agent Steve Laube's post, "Is Print Dead?" sums up how I feel about the whole digital book thing: it's coming...but it ain't here yet. Relax!

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Featured Book: Beautiful Ugly by Sheila E. Lipsey (GIVEAWAY)

If I Could Just Lose Some Weight, Maybe...

Have you ever had that thought? Layla Hobbs has so much to offer, including a beautiful singing voice, but obesity and low self-esteem hold her back from life and finding true love.

Take a Peek Inside Layla’s Story (excerpt from Beautiful Ugly by Shelia Lipsey):

Layla sat in her oversized chair in her apartment like she was oblivious to the storm raging outside her window. Her focus was strictly on watching the classic movie Sparkle on TV One while munching away on her last piece of fried chicken. “If I could just lose some weight, maybe I could be on television singing. That would be a miracle.” she berated herself followed by sucking the last piece of meat off the chicken bone.

Layla sat the empty plate of bones on the end table, then quickly replaced the plate with a container of peach cobbler she had sitting on the table too. Her telephone rang and she struggled to lean over to get it, huffing and puffing with each movement.

“Hello.”

“What’s going on, baby?”

“Nothing; just watching TV.”

“But it’s storming outside. That makes things romantic, don’t you think?” the light voice asked on the other end.

“Romantic? I don’t know if I agree with that, Mike.”

“Let me come over there and show you what I mean?”

The tone of Layla’s voice changed to one of agitation. “You must be crazy. How many times have I told you that I am not somebody to just lay up with?” She played with her black neck length dreads. I’ve tried that and it’s gotten me nowhere, Mike, especially with you.”

Layla had been messing around with Mike on and off for the past two years. He lived with his mother in one of the units behind her apartment. She used to pray that her and Mike could have a serious relationship but things hadn’t turned out exactly like she’d hoped. Mike was the kind of man who wanted to lay up with whoever was convenient for him at the time. She sometimes felt like a tramp after sleeping with him, especially when he asked for money minutes after they finished messing around. Most of the time she gave it to him, somehow feeling as though it was the least she could do for someone who found her attractive enough to sleep with her. But enough was enough. The girlfriend Mike had now was practically living with him and his momma.

One night, Mike’s other girlfriend caught Mike at Layla’s house one night after following him. When she laid eyes on Layla, she laughed so hard that she started to cry and called Layla every name but a child of God. That was the last straw for Layla. She told herself that never again would she allow anyone to humiliate and use her again.

“Mike, why don’t you lay up with your girlfriend? You think I’m going to set myself up again for her to come knocking at my door and cussing me out? I don’t think so,” rebutted Layla.

“Be like that then. Look, let me hold a few dollars. I need to get me a pack of cigs.”

“I do not have a few dollars. Not today and no other day,” she retorted. “Now I said, leave me alone and I tell you what. Don’t call here anymore.”

“Forget your fat butt then. Shoot, you ought to be glad I even want to be with you in the first place. It ain’t like guys beating down your door to get in, maybe to get out,” he laughed after each of his insults. “Anyway, who needs your fat, stanky tail,” he said then hung up the phone in her face.

Layla held the phone in utter shock and disbelief for a few seconds, before exclaiming into the receiver, “Forget you, Mike and all you other good for nothing men out there. I don’t need you,” she hollered. I got who I need, and that’s God.”

Layla didn’t know who she was trying to fool. Mike’s words stung her like a swarm of killer bees. “Whoever said sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me, was nothing but a liar.” Layla pulled herself up from the chair and carried her tears to the bathroom. Maybe a long, hot shower would help to wash away her tears and her fears of being lonely and all alone for the rest of her life.

What Do You Think? --  What do you think of Layla’s situation? Leave your comments below and remember to leave an answer for the contest question too.

ABOUT THE BOOK
Three friends with different struggles rely on God and each other to get by. Layla Hobbs has so much to offer, including a beautiful singing voice, but obesity and low self-esteem hold her back from life and finding true love. Envy Wilson has always been Layla’s backbone. But what about her own dark secrets? She won’t share them with anyone, and it’s starting to eat away at her from the inside. And then there’s Kacie Mayweather. Stricken with cerebral palsy, she’s had her share of men—five baby daddies for six children, in fact. But she’s never had one man to call her own. They’ll need plenty of faith and support from each other to see the real beauty that lies within each one of them and fulfill their deepest desires at last.

BOOK GIVEAWAY
Win one of three autographed copies of Beautiful Ugly by answering the trivia question below and being selected from all correct answers on the blog tour.  The question is based on one of Sheila Lipsey's three novels:

Name the three main tragedies that occurred in Progidal’s life. Tell us the title of the book.

Increase your chances by correctly answering trivia questions on other blogs on the tour. Get the full Beautiful Ugly tour schedule here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shelia E. Lipsey is a multi-award winning author.  Her novels are available at most bookstores nationwide as well as online.  Lipsey’s books have been called "gripping", "life-altering", "memorable" and "realistic". Lipsey was awarded the 2009 Top Shelf Award for Beautiful Ugly by Black Pearls Magazine. She also won the 2009 Shades of Romance Readers’ Choice Awards for My Son’s Wife in the following categories: Author of the Year, Christian Fiction Book of the Year, Christian Romance of the Year, Best Book Cover of the Year, Best Fiction Book of the Year, and has received several other awards for her novels, Into Each Life and Sinsatiable.

Lipsey is the proud mother of two sons and the grandmother of three blessed young men. She is president of UCHisGloryBookClub.net, founder of Living Your Dreams Now a non-profit organization, and of Memphis African-American Writers (MAAW).

Visit Shelia online at www.shelialipsey.com.

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Help to the Finish: An Accountability Partner

I procrastinate. (By now, you know this too.)

I also hate to disappoint others so I'm careful about making commitments I will have to keep.

What's the solution for a writer with these traits?

An accountability partner.

An accountability partner is someone to answer to, someone who won't let me wallow in my excuses but will challenge me to find ways around or through them to achieve my goals.

In theory, since I won't want to disappoint her, I'll be more likely to push myself to do the things I want to do even when I can't seem to push myself.

An accountability partner.

I've heard writers talk about having one, and thought it might be helpful. No idea how to find one.

Well, just before the holidays, one of my critique partners lamented her need for an accountability partner on a writing loop we both frequent. I immediately thought, "Hey, if we both have this need, perhaps we can be this for each other!"

So I emailed her and suggested that we pray about becoming accountability partners for each other.

Last week, we agreed to give it a shot.

We began by laying out our goals for this week, next week, the next three months, and the remainder of the year. That alone was a huge step for me. Because I always have a nebulous understanding of what I'd like to accomplish, but I don't always take the next step to break it into the smaller units that will get me there. (Mind you, I do exactly that at work all the time. It's my profession. Why I don't readily apply the same skills to my writing is a whole other subject to explore.)

So this is week one of having an accountability partner. I've been a little slow getting out of the gate, but I've begun to attack this week's goals. Feels good. I'm interested to see where this leads.

I'm not sure how we're going to motivate one another in the weeks when either of us falls short of her goals. Will less than desirable results be due to lack of effort, or were the goals, perhaps, unreasonable? Were there circumstances beyond control, and should that matter? If we fall behind on our goals, what do we do about it?

There's still a lot to learn about being an accountability partner. I found this article, as I've searched some of the blogs I read, for direction in this area. It offers 5 ways having an accountability partner can benefit your writing.

Do you have an accountability partner or group for your writing? Exactly how do you hold one another accountability? What do you do when goals are missed?

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

The Real Deal on the Slush Pile

The Wall Street Journal recently published an article entitled "The Death of the Slush Pile".

Basically, the message to writers is to forget about the slush pile.  Publishers aren't taken unsolicited, unagented manuscripts.  Although some very famous and successful authors were plucked from the slush pile, the message today is "Forget about it; you're story will never be found".

Agent Chip MacGregor, who brought this article to my attention via his blog, went on to say that he's burning his slush pile.  No chance he'll go back to find something he either previously passed on that was nearly good but not quite right at that time, or perhaps something that he previously didn't have time to read.  Not gonna happen.

I suspect this is true for most agents these days.

Might sound like a good time to become an agent.  There will be more and more work for them as publishers push the slush review off their desks and on to those of the agents, but you might wish to pause before jumping into that pool.

One statement in the article is particularly illuminating.   "...relationships trump everything".

Agenting, like publishing, is largely based on relationships.  If publishers don't want to take unsolicitied material from unknown writers, do you think they're any more inclined to take it from unknown agents?  Thus, think twice before becoming a new agent, or signing with one.  Everyone has to start somewhere, to be sure, but publishing is becoming more and more about relationships.  Agents, like publishers, are lamenting their inability to get to their own slush piles, taking us back to the all-important relationship.

Who is referring you?  Who did you connect with by way of a conference or course or even a chance meeting?  Whose blogs are you commenting on in a thoughtful, noticeable manner?  Who have you "friended" and taken the time to develop a relationship with on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace or some other social network.  Getting a business card or occaisonally coming out of lurkdom on the Web is no longer enough.  You have to make a favorable impression, one you--and that agent--will recall.

I don't have a problem with business being based off relationships.  Relationships make the world go 'round (not money, as many like to say).  Still, what if you're unable to go a conference or retreat?  What if you go but you take sick in your hotel room or you're incurably shy?  What if you're technically unsavvy or have no time for the Internet, choosing to focus instead on the quality of your writing?  At some point, shouldn't pure merit amount to something?

Merit still matters because relationship without a good story amounts to nothing.  But today, it is becoming increasingly obvious that you need both.

What's a writer to do?

• Write a good story.  This is still paramount, and one thing that relationships cannot trump.

• Research publishers carefully.  If your desired publisher still takes unagented manuscripts, jackpot!  Prepare a professional submission and go for it.
  
  
• Research agents carefully.  Every writer who has ever commented on getting an agent says no agent is better than a bad one.  Look at who represents the books you like to read, the books most like your, and works closely with the publishers that interest you.  Submit to them.
  
  
• Develop genuine industry relationships.  At this point, agents know that writers who approach them are hoping for future consideration, but make the relationship about more than that.  What do you have in common?  What do you like about a particular agent?  Who recommended you and why?  Key word here is genunine.  I imagine agents aren't excited about pushy, insincere writers any more than they are about hemorrhoids.

That's it.  If you do these things, I believe you've done all you can...within traditional publishing avenues.  This is not a missive about how low the odds are in publishing, but rather a notice to take heed.  Pay attention to a changing industry, and position yourself--and your story--for optimal results.

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Reader/Writer Tidbits -- January 16, 2009

One of my co-workers, Margaret Mula, is getting married today.  Congratulations Margie, and prayers for many, many years of wedded bliss!

---------------------------------------------

Sometimes stress is good for a writer, or so says author Kristi Holl. Have you had your daily dose of eustress today? (BTW, the most inspirational writers' blog I've read is Kristi's Writer's First Aid. She talks about all personal, non-craft stuff a writer needs to consider to be successful.)

Gemini Magazine has launched a Short Story contest. Entry fees are $4 per submission; no restrictions on content, style, genre or length. The grand prize is $1,000. (Not too many contests with that rate of return.)

Dear Author reported that Dorchester sold selected frontlist and backlist titles to Avon. Avon announced that all future titles by the authors, some of whom are big sellers, will be released by Avon. Is Dorchester in big trouble? (While you're over there, note the tidbit about the author who landed a major agent by using a free Kindle release to grab attention.)

Because I enjoy learning new words/terms, and hope you do too.  Do you know what an "embargoed title" is in publishing?

Agent Chip MacGregor's been away--apparently something to do with a Hawaiian beach--but publicist Laura Adams offered a great guest post on how best to work with a publicist. Her focus is the publisher's publicist, but seems to me her advice would work well for any PR situation.

Thomas Nelson CEO Michael Hyatt offers an analysis of the top U.S. publishers and top Christian publishers.

Just what does it take to hit a bestseller's list (and do you really want to?), from Penny Sansevieri of Author Marketing Experts.

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

The #1 Reason (It Feels Like) I’ll Never Finish Writing My Novel

If I'm honest...

Really honest...

With myself, first--isn't that where honesty begins?--and then with you...

I've been procrastinating again.

Although in my defense, I didn't think I was.

This time, procrastination has reared its ugly head in the form of things that feel like writing, but are really writing-related tasks.

Writing-related tasks--perfecting an outline, rewriting a synopsis, conducting research, etc.--don't put words on the page.

I've been called out by Suzannah of Write It Sideways in her post about "The #1 Reason You'll Never Finish Writing Your Novel".  Suzannah, have we met?  Are you spying on me?

Drats!

I've talked about my struggles with procrastination before.  Here, here, here, here, and here.

Obviously, a major issue for me.  Seems that I've found writing-related ways of covering it up.

Just yesterday, I nearly succumbed to the ultimate procrastination-- tossing the current story aside and starting something new.  I won't...I don't think...I'm promise.  Not until after the first draft is done.

Double drats!

Slinking back to the keyboard...

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Featured Book: The Sweet By and By by Sara Evans with Rachel Hauck

Today's featured book comes from two stars, platinum-selling country music artist, Sara Evans, and RITA award-finalist, author Rachel Hauck.

Jade Fitzgerald is getting married. The antiques gallery owner should be ecstatic, and she would be, if it weren't for her mother, an unrepentant holdover from the '60s free love era, with whom she has unresolved issues. Then, she's not quite sure whether she measures up to the expectations of her future mother-in-law, which creates added stress. Not to mention the fact that she's harboring a few secrets that could cause her plan to marry sought-after bachelor and attorney Maxwell Benson to implode.

I'm not familiar with the music of Sara Evans, but I'm very familiar with the writing of Rachel Hauck. I heard Rachel's voice all over this story and wondered about the contribution of Sara, who receives top billing on the cover. (In an interview here, Rachel relates that Sara, whose songs are stories put to music, was approached by Thomas Nelson's senior vice president and publisher, Allen Arnold, and that she was later approached to work with Sara.  Together, they worked on the story.)

I found The Sweet By and By to be a very enjoyable story, one that gently nudges readers to reflect on their own pasts and to consider their relationships with God. This novel, although imbued with romance, is less about romance and more about self-discovery. It's also about understanding, acceptance, and forgiveness.  As with all of Rachel's books, when I close the back cover, it's as though I've passed by a garden and the sweetest of fragrances is still in the air.

The Sweet By and By is the first of four titles from Evans and Hauck in what is called the Songbird series.

To learn more about Sara Evans and her music/books, visit her website at http://saraevans.com/.

To learn more about Rachel Hauck and her books, visit her website at http://www.rachelhauck.com.


This book was provided to me for review purposes by author Rachel Hauck.

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Reader/Writer Tidbits -- January 9, 2010

The Consumer Electronics Show took place in Las Vegas this week. Of course ereaders were all the rage. Take a look at this dual-screen one, the Entourage Edge. I like this combined ereader/netbook except for the lack of a real keyboard. Copia solves that problem with one of its Tidal ereaders, but they forgot the color.

There's the Cool-ER, a slim, light ereader. Then, again if they combined the flexibility and size of the Skiff Reader with the color display and dual functionality of some of the other ereaders, then we'd have... Oh, that's right...the Apple Tablet still is rumored to be coming later this month. (unless Microsoft beats them!)

Not all the buzz was about hardware. knfb Reading Technology announced a new ereader software called Blio which offers color display (great for picture books!), reads aloud, has 3-D capabilities and can incorporate interactive things like a subject matter quiz.

Diversity in publishing, in the pages between the covers (and most likely, although I have no empirical evidence to back this claim up, also in the hallowed halls of the publishing industry--publishers, booksellers, distributors, publicists, editors, and agents), continues to be lacking. Book reviewer Colleen Mondor says its time to go beyond asking for changes to promotion and start calling folks out.

There are a bunch of author group blogs out there. How about one from a bunch of freelance editors? Try the Blood-Red Pencil. This article on what drives editors crazy alone will strengthen your writing.

Should you really write that three-book series? If you do, how do you sell it?

Do you write New Adult fiction? Would you read it?

What if you can't find an agent? Thomas Nelson's Michael Hyatt offers a few suggestions, including their WestBow Press self-publishing arm, a recommendation many might dislike. Still, Mr. Hyatt generally gives pretty sound advice.

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Featured Book: Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida by Sandra D. Bricker

I had the pleasure of reading a really fun book right before the Christmas holidays. Central FL became my home about five years ago, and I'm still getting used to some of its unique characteristics, like flamingos with Christmas lights on them instead of trees. Thankfully, I've been fortunate enough to avoid the slithery co-inhabitants of this area, although I'm told my escape has been just barely. (God love me!)

All this and more is captured in Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida by Sandra D. Bricker. Sandra Bricker is known for combining comedy and romance in her stories. I previously read her Love Finds You in Snowball, Arkansas and it was one of my "Honorable Mention" reads for 2008. This one made my 2009 list of favorite romances. Thus, I'm a fan of Ms. Bricker's.

Cassie Constantine has never really liked Florida. Following her husband’s death, she descends upon their vacation home in Holiday, Florida to prepare it for sale. But she’ll be there longer than planned, first to spend a final Christmas away from Boston, as her husband always wanted to do, and then to spruce up the place for sale—including getting rid of those tacky pink flamingos in the yard.

Cassie discovers there is so much more to Holiday than she remembers, from the quirky neighbors to ballroom dance lessons to the lovely, nearby waterfront towns. It’s also where she begins to shed the buttoned up, reserved personality she’s always worn in favor of a new spontaneous one. A few weeks in Holiday with a last crossword puzzle from her deceased husband and Cassie discovers things she never imagined, about Holiday and herself.

Sandra Bricker is known for writing fun, romantic comedy and LOVE FINDS YOU IN HOLIDAY, FLORIDA is another laugh-out-loud feather in her writing cap. This story was touching because Cassie is an older heroine, one of those ages that seemed so far off not so long ago but is much closer than I care to admit.

Having uprooted my family and relocated from New York to within proximity of the very area that Cassie visits, I could totally relate to some of the things she found strange or unusual, and some of the frustrations she experienced, like missing the last exit off I-275 and finding oneself on the very long Howard Frankland bridge. With tidbits like this throughout the story, Sandra Bricker did an excellent job of capturing the feel of west Central Florida and animating the setting into an important character all itself.

The only thing I wasn’t thrilled about was the way in which the sole African-American characters—realtor Tameka and her husband, James—are characterized. She is described as “exotic” and her husband as “a really handsome man, over six feet tall, muscular, with dark cinnamon skin, a completely bald head, and a great confident smile.” Was a picture of Michael Jordan or Samuel L. Jackson at hand? (I believe the latter might even have been referenced at one point. If I’m wrong about that, forgive me, Sandra.)

Either way, their characterization rubbed me the wrong way since I did not see similar explicit descriptions for the non-black characters, a pet peeve of romances that extends beyond this novel. Another thing was that Tameka offers Cassie a soul food dinner, her culinary specialty. Although not wrong or even offensive, I just found these kinds of characterizations, well, lacking. Too easy. Simplistic and a bit stereotypical. It seems as though Ms. Bricker, whose writing I otherwise thoroughly enjoy, could do better.

But that being said, I really enjoyed this romance. Sandra Bricker writes romantic comedy with the best of them, and I hope there are more Love Finds You… books to come from her. In the mean time, she has another book out next month, The Big 5-Oh!. It’s definitely on my TBR list.

Find out more about Sandra and her books at her website, http://www.sandradbricker.com/ .

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Five Days into 2010 and Counting

Five days into the new year of 2010 and counting...

Actually, I'm not counting anything. That would be way too, uh, focused. I have Type A facets to my personality, but not that much.

I am, however, anticipating.

Anticipating the completion of my wip. It may be a ways off but I don't have to wait to get excited, do I?

Anticipating entering the Genesis and TBL contests, and anticipating my contest feedback.

Anticipating what my critique group will tell me when they read my first submission. They're a great bunch of ladies, and I know they will be necessarily honest and direct in the most kind of ways.

Anticipating new connections and strengthened ones in the writing community. As a whole, writers are a great bunch of people!

Anticipating some good reads. Lots of good books coming out this year. I'm still finishing off a few from last year's TBR pile. And we won't even talk about my electronic TBR list which grows like Rapunzel's hair.

Anticipation breeds electricity (think, energy) which breeds action.

I know the old Heinz commerical... "Anticipation is making me wait, It's keeping me waiting."

The difference is that I'm not waiting for something to happen for me. I looking forward to what will happen as a result of what I do.

Anticipation. Energy. Action.

• Finishing that outline.
  
• Finishing that first draft.
  
• Submitting those contest entries.
  
• Starting another story while the first one "rests".
  
• Revising the first story.
  
• Finishing the second story.

I'm anticipating. My energy level is growing; I'm taking action. Wow, this feels great. (I've got to channel this into weight loss.) 2010 will be a good writing year. What are you anticipating in this new year?

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Reader/Writer Tidbits -- January 2, 2010

What a way to begin the new year, with bits and pieces of stuff from around the writing blogosphere! Happy New Year to you!

A piece on writing transitions from literary agent Alan Rinzler's The Book Deal blog. Not a topic I often see covered so I thought I'd bookmark--and share--this one.

The publishing ghetto? One of the best articles I've seen on the issue of how African-American books are treated by the publishing industry.

And, I haven't been blogging as long as Mr. Konrath, but I've learned a few of the same lessons that he's encapsulated, lessons learned in the past five years about publishing and writing.

Happy New Year again, and here's to a wonderful year in the world of books!

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.