Reader/Writer Tidbits -- May 29, 2010

Looking for a guaranteed read of your query and first chapter by a literary agent? All you have to do is purchase a copy of Allison Winn Scotch's latest title, The One That I Want. Go here for details.

Toronto-based ECW Press and literary magazine, Joyland, are teaming up to launch a new imprint, Joyland eBooks, and are open to submissions.

Inspired by author Lynn Viehl who shared her book royalty statements, author Sasha White shares her ebook royalty statement and gives a little insight into how ebook publishing differs from traditional publishing.

Now of course, I've linked to the news about J.A Konrath's Kindle success but before you assume you can duplicate it, especially for first-time authors, consider what author Dana Kaye has to say.  Then, how about a little more on the Konrath deal from Publishers' Weekly.  Seems like traditional publishing is not thrilled at the same time they want to pooh-pooh it.  Nice to see some agents rethinking they way they do business.

Thinking about writing short stories?  See what author and story structure expert Larry Brooks has to say about story structure in a short story.

Interesting essay on the relationship between research and writing for authors.  Which comes first?

You may have already seen this video of what every booksigning author fears most, but if you haven't, it is hilarious.  "Parnell Hall on Signing in the Walden Books".

Amazon now offers two side-by-side Top 100 lists for Kindle titles, a paid list and a free list. I found it interesting that a large number of the free titles are Christian fiction, category romance or classic literature.

The private label rights scam being perpetrated right in front of us, and how it affects authors who legitimately write and have something to say.

Last, a word from Your Inner Critic...

It's the Memorial Day weekend. Warm weather (HOT, here in FL), BBQ, friends and family, a graduation party and maybe a good book or two. Take a moment to remember those who died in service to our country (and those who serve even now).

What's the holiday look like for you? Whatever it is, ENJOY!

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Finding Nonfiction Writers' Groups

I'm a joiner.

No great revelation there. I enjoy people. I like meeting and interacting with people, getting to know them and making friends. Always have. Probably why I enjoy blogging and social networking.

I'm wading into murky waters, the sea of freelance writing. Is the water cool or warm to newcomers? Are the requirements and expectations shallow or deep?

I have many questions specific to freelancing so as I embark on this new venture, I thought, "Hey, I wonder if there's an organization focused on nonfiction writing similar my fiction-oriented one?" (That would be American Christian Fiction Writers.)

Didn't want to begin with an online search so, knowing that a lot of ACFW members also freelance, I figured I'd ask there.

Got a number of responses from members interested in any responses I might get from members. Hmmm...

Got a few leads that I need to follow up on--American Christian Writers, The Christian Writers Guild, Fellowship of Christian Writers--organizations I knew about but that hadn't come to mind. These are all Christian groups but the information and support they offer isn't limited to writing for the Christian market.

These suggestions got me to thinking about local writing groups in my area, of which there are several and they are much more geared toward freelancing than fiction writing. Then, there were the Yahoo and Google loops, which I'd already begun to search for but thankfully, the specific recommendations helped to narrow things down. I also got a couple online sites for finding freelance writing gigs, a couple of FB notes, and an email from a writing coach and freelancer willing to answer my initial questions.

I'll summarize all of it in another post for others who may also be in need of this same info.

See why I was looking for a group like ACFW? They are a very helpful bunch of people.

I've got two more small writing gigs to finish this week, and lots of follow-up.

Thanks all!

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Teaser Tuesdays: Not Quite What It Seems

"Quin locked eyes with her mother and he had the look of a crazed maniac intent on murder on his face.  Everything seemed to go in slow motion after that." -- page 157, Not Quite What It Seems by Mari Walker

This one has some rough language so I had to be a bit selective in my teaser.  An interesting read, though, as are all of Ms. Walker's books.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
  
• Open to a random page
  
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page (in the comments or via link to your own blog)
  
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  
• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Reading anything interesting?

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Taking a Break from Fiction to Freelance

Yep, that's what I'm doing.

I was driven largely by the need for some supplemental income and a desire to bring that income about using my writing skills.  If I can't focus on penning a 80,000 word novel, for all that I've got going on in life, I can at least write short and sweet, which I think I'm pretty good at, and get paid for it.

Becoming a freelance writer, however, is more than a notion.  My foray into blogging for Examiner.com was an attempt at freelancing, in retrospect.  It hasn't worked out so well for me because I found it difficult to put time into blogging for them for pennies in addition to maintaining my own blog.  I still think it's a great gig given a specific topic area and time to not only blog but earning money requires building an audience, something I didn't have time to do at this time.

Not long ago, I saw a mention of DemandStudios on another blogger's site.  Short articles for immediate publication and pay.  Sounded good.  I applied and was approved.  I jumped in really quickly, identifying and "claiming" several topics to write.  At DemandStudios, every article is copyedited and approved based on specific guidelines.  It's a process and you're given 7 days to make it happen.  I lost out on my first few articles because I didn't turn the rewrites from copyediting in on time, thinking the expiration date meant after the stated day, not at midnight the start of the deadline.  But I've got the hang of the schedule now.  I submitted, rewrote and had approved my first article.  Payment was swift, just as I like it.  Not a whole lot but hey, it will buy gas for the car so I'll continue to write for them.

Now, I've set my sites on bigger things, i.e more money.  I could go back to writing confessions, where I began my professional writing career, and I may as yet, but I'm looking at writing for magazines.  Right now, I'm in the research phase.  What can I write about?  Well, I have an MBA and 25 years of corporate and start-up experience so I could write for business or entrepreneurial publications.  I'm a mother of three so I could write for parenting or children's magazines.  I could write for women's magazines, Christian magazines, magazines targeted toward African-Americans...  Give me a few years and I could write for AARP.  (The minimum age is only 50, not what you might think.)  So there are options but they require research.  (If you can think of any specific ones I might pursue, toss me a note.  I'm open to suggestions/recommendations.)

Once I've finished my research, I'll put together a plan and starting writing and/or querying.  Meanwhile, I can knock out a few articles for DemandStudios each week.  I'll keep up with the fiction writing community via blogs, ACFW, and the loops.  I'll still be reading and writing book reviews.

This is where I am for now.

Who knows?  There might be a novel storyline in here somewhere...

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Reader/Writer Tidbits -- May 22, 2010

Try as you may, authors, you don't control your online presence completely.  And now you can add Facebook, with its newly created Community Pages, to your list of folks to thank.

There may never be another week of tidbits without some mention of ebooks and ereaders. Amazon announced that it is launching a Kindle app for Verizon's Android phone later this summer.

Agent Kristin Nelson recently raised a thought-provoking issue regarding enhanced ebooks.  She doesn't have an answer to this dilemma, and neither do I, but authors, you'd better start thinking about this stuff.

More on authors making a living off ebooks. Recently, I referenced J. A. Konrath as one such author.  Well, it seems Mr. Konrath has set a new precedent, signing a publishing deal directly with Amazon for his next book.

Now here's something I think will be very interesting. Rochester Institute of Technology is working on open source software for publishing across various media. "Open source" typically means free, available to anyone, full-featured versions of software. For publishing? Wonder what this will do to the vanity presses?

And Barnes & Noble is jumping on the self-publishing bandwagon with its new PubIt publishing platform.

Critique groups provide valuable feedback, but you can't take everything said as gospel. Author Anne Allen gives us "Bad Advice to Ignore from Your Critique Group".

Publisher Richard Nash proposes a new business model for publishing based on short-term licensing rather than life-of-the-work contracts.

For those in the New York area, Book Expo begins on Tuesday.  This year's expo includes a keynote address by Barbara Streisand.  (Yes, that Barbara Streisand.)  Get more information here.

Enjoy the weekend. One child done with school; two to go. Summer, summer, summertime...

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Debut Author: Sistergirl Devotions by Carol Mackey

I'm on my other blog today talking about the debut release from Black Expressions Book Club editor Carol Mackey, Sistergirl Devotions.

This one's such a winner, I had to mention it in two places!  Come on over and join the conversation.

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Debut Author: Thicker Than Blood by C. J. Darlington

Author C. J. Darlington's debut novel, Thicker Than Blood, won the 2008 Operation First Novel contest sponsored by the Christian Writers' Guild, earning her a publishing contract with Tyndale House and a $20,000 advance.  Announced at the Writing for the Soul conference in February 2009, her novel was released 10 months to favorable reviews.

I heard so many good things about this novel, when C. J. asked for a few more influencers, I eagerly raised my hand, and I'm glad I did. 

REVIEW

Following the sudden death of their parents, young siblings Christy and May part ways.  Christy takes off, leaving her family with no word as to her whereabouts or well-being.  May is raised by their Aunt Edna, and grows up to pursue her childhood dream of ranching, but she's never forgotten about, or stopped loving, her big sister.

Now May's ranch is in danger of foreclosure.  When Christy's relationship with a co-worker disintegrates, snared in a web of deceit, fraud, and theft, she has nowhere to go but the one place she least wants to be.  After 15 years with nary a word, Christy heads to sister May's ranch, the prodigal sister come home, placing both her and May in physical danger to add to May's financial peril.

What I liked about Thicker Than Blood...  Well, there are several things I like about this book.  First, I love books that introduce me to slices of life by immersing me in such a way that I come away with a pretty good understanding of that world.  C. J. Darlington does this with antique book selling by way of the inclusion of details like the book authentication process and the scene in which Christy bids at her first auction.

This story is part suspense, part women's fiction.  I like the way the story builds from the first pages to the climax.  Minor details become important along the way to the satisfying conclusion.  I also like the way Darlington kept Christy resolute in her character's negative traits.  Writers are told to show character growth, but Christy was determined not to grow for as long as possible, a stubbornness drenched in denial that was both real and believable.

I pretty much figured out how the story might end before I got there, but there were enough story threads capable of taking it in a different direction that I had no choice but to keep reading. After reaching The End, I wanted to read the next chapter in Christy's life, as it was clear that in some ways, her journey was only beginning.

Thicker Than Blood is a notable debut novel from a skilled and entertaining writer. You can read a first chapter excerpt here.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

C.J. graciously agreed to answer a few questions about her novel debut:

C.J., thanks for joining me on the blog today.  Is it true you began this novel when you were fifteen?

Yes. But of course the story has changed considerably over the years so that now it really doesn’t even resemble those early writings. Thankfully! :)

How did you come to apply to the Operation First Novel contest, and what were your expectations going in?

I actually entered an early version of Thicker Than Blood in the very first Operation First Novel contest back in 2004. It placed as a semi-finalist (in the top 20) but didn’t place as a finalist (the top 10).

For the next four years or so, I submitted the novel to publishers. I also began writing a second novel. I began to get really discouraged when all I amassed were rejections. Thicker Than Blood was actually rejected by most of the top Christian publishers.


By this time I was starting to wonder if I should just shelve the book and start submitting my second novel. I was literally days away from doing exactly that. I’d already decided which publisher I was going to send my second book to, and I’d even written my cover letter. But as I lay in bed one night a thought came to me. I really believe it was God speaking to me. It wasn’t a voice from the clouds or anything like that. The thought sounded just like me, but it came so out of the blue, I now realize it had to be from Him. I thought, “Hey, wait a minute. I have a completed novel that I think is better than what I first submitted to Operation First Novel. What if I submitted it to this year’s contest?”

I went and looked up the deadlines at the Christian Writers Guild website, and I had something like two weeks before it would’ve been too late to enter that year. I quickly became a member and sent in my submission.  (PW Note:  Membership in CWG is required for entering their annual contest.)

That was in September 2008. In November, I got the e-mail telling me I was one of four finalists. I attended the Writing for the Soul conference in February 2009 where I waited with bated breath as they announced the winner from the stage. I was shocked when Thicker Than Blood won.

What a great story!   Another one of those I-almost-missed-my-blessing tales.  I'm glad you did.  TTB is a great story with great characters.  The main character, Christy, works in an antique bookstore, a world you are familiar with from personal experience. What made you choose this backdrop for the novel, and is there a particular scene related to antique bookselling that draws from your experience?

Believe it or not, when I first started writing Thicker Than Blood, Christy was a real estate agent! When I finally realized I would be better off writing about something I was passionate about---in this case, rare books---things started to click, and the story took on whole new dimensions.

All of the story draws from my personal experience, either things I’ve experienced directly or heard about from other book dealers. The points of a first edition For Whom the Bell Tolls were some of the very first I learned from the bookstore manager my sister and I book scouted for as teens.

The auction scene was one which I experienced firsthand (minus the conniving dealer, Fletcher!). In that scene, I described the auction house where my family and I watched some of our own books be sold, and we bought books there too.

Book deals with some heavy topics including abusive relationships, sibling relationships, addiction, recovery, and finding faith. Which was the hardest for you to tackle?

Getting the relationship between Vince and Christy right was hard sometimes. I am thankful I’ve never personally experienced many of the negative things my characters have, so there was some research involved. I wanted to portray everything accurately and avoid getting too melodramatic. That was a tricky balance.

Your research certainly added credibility to the story.  But there were hints of romance on several levels, yet there wasn't a strong romantic thread in the story. Was this intentional?

Yes, I do intentionally leave the romance plots to others far more skilled than me! I’m a single gal who’s quite happy in her singleness, and I wanted to write a story that was realistic and also honored the single life. Sometimes I think single Christians get left out in Christian media. This isn’t to say love doesn’t play a big part in my stories, but it’s usually familial love.

I'm hearing more lately about your concern regarding single Christians.  It will be interesting to see how ministries--and authors of Christian fiction--address that issue.  

What message would you like readers to take away from this book?

That no one is ever too far gone for God’s love. That no matter what you’ve done or how many steps you’ve taken from Him, it only takes one step back to place you in His arms. God’s love truly is thicker than blood.

POTENTIAL  SPOILER (Skip to the next question in bold to avoid this one and its answer, if you wish):  Any chance there might be a sequel featuring Christy and/or Jim? I was kind of hoping they might be a love match. :)

Yes! There will be a sequel. It's called Bound by Guilt and comes out in early 2011. You are not the only one to ask me about Christy and Jim---my Mom was hoping for a love match between them too! We shall see... :)
 
What's up next from author C. J. Darlington? 

I’m currently working on my third book, which continues in the tradition of the first two. Bound by Guilt is the latest project though, and I’m really excited about it!

Find out more about author C. J. Darlington via her website, http://www.cjdarlington.com, and her blog, http://www.cjdarlington.blogspot.com/.  She has a wonderful recurring blog feature, Advice for Novelists, in which publishing insiders answer the question,"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"  It's up to answer #113.

Learn more about the 2010 Operation First Novel contest, currently underway, here.

A copy of this novel was provided courtesy of the author for review purposes.

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Teaser Tuesdays: Uptown

I would have loved to give you teasers for some of the books I featured last week, especially Gina Holmes' Crossing Oceans or Ginger Garrett's Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther.

But I've finished those already.  Now I'm reading something equally delicious although of a different genre.  

"Dwight was aware partner wasn't an accurate assessment of their relationship.  They might be your partner, but you were never theirs.  Ever." -- page 105, Uptown by Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
  
• Open to a random page
  
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page (in the comments or via link to your own blog)
  
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  
• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Reading anything interesting?

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Reader/Writer Tidbits -- May 15, 2010

Missed posting this on Saturday.  Celebrating the oldest son's b-day.  Here are last week's tidbits:

Whew! A lot of book reviews this week. Didn't plan it that way but when the final dates come out, a few always move and this week I wound up with four featured books back-to-back. There were some real winners in the group though. I hope you have a chance to check them out.

Due to the recent flooding in Nashville, this year's Romance Writers Association Conference will be held in Orlando, July 28-31, at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts.  It's not too late to register, get a new hotel booking in Orlando, or to cancel your registration.  For more information, check the RWA site.

I'm not a huge science fiction fan.  Fantasy even less.  But I like knowing the difference between, say, "Sci-Fi" and "Futuristic" in genre writing.  Elsa Neal from the Blood Red Pencil defines everything from "Science Fiction" to "Contemporary Fantasy" here.  Did you know that "science fiction" and "sci-fi" aren't exactly the same thing?

Agent and author Nathan Bransford tells us How to Craft a Great Voice.

Now Borders is releasing an ebook reader, the Kobo eReader.  At first glance, reminds me of a Kindle, which on the heels of the full-color iPad seems a bit, well, dated.  Even the B&N Nook has color.  But this is an ereader, nothing more.  Not a way to browse the Internet or a laptop replacement, so what more should I expect?  The good news is that Borders claims their new ebook store will not tie you to a particular device, even the Kobo.  You can download to your ereader, phone, or PC in a format that works for you.  (Of course, they don't offer the Amazon-proprietary Kindle format.)

Still too much flux in the ebook device world for me, but Hubby saw someone using an iPad last week and got excited about it.  Until I explained that it's not really a replacement for the laptop...yet.

Authors continue to do interesting things to garner attention for their books in this crowded publishing environment.  Author Cheryl Robinson, whose novel, Sweet Georgia Brown, was one of my favorites a few years back, is serializing a new novel on her blog as a means of introducing her writing to new readers in advance of her September 2010 release, When I Get Where I'm Going.  She's already posted the prologue and the first 7 of 20 chapters for Heaven Help Me.


Do you need a Facebook Fan page? Writer's Digest editor Jane Friedman gives us some things to think about.

Lee & Low Books announces the 11th annual New Voices Awards. The award is given annually to an author of a childrens' picture book by a writer of color.

Writers often talk about the seductiveness of the Internet, and how online activities interfere with their activities. Well, Freedom, a new online tool, will lock you out of the Internet for up to 8 hours so you can remain focused on whatever the offline task. There's a version for PC and one for Mac. If you can't restrict yourself...

Enjoy the weekend!

Ok, well, it's Monday when I'm posting and you're reading this, so I hope you had a great weekend, and are looking forward to a wonderful week in books!

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Featured Book: Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther by Ginger Garrett

If you enjoy historical fiction, Christian fiction, women's fiction...fiction of any sort, you should take a look at Ginger Garrett's Chosen:  The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther.

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Chosen is the first release in beloved author Ginger Garrett’s new Lost Loves of the Bible trilogy. Chosen tells the story of Queen Esther, the young woman with the future of her nation in her hands. Wrenched from a simple life for her beauty, Esther finds herself at the mercy of King Xerxes. Leaving behind her only relative, her cousin Mordecai, and her first true love, Cyrus, she is thrown headlong into the unrestrained extravagance of palace living. Quick of mind and strong in spirit, she refuses to suffer the fate of her harem sisters and boldly challenges Xerxes to give of his heart before taking his pleasure, thus sealing her place beside him as queen. While conspiracy spins its diabolical web, Esther’s mind and spirit waver, and she is forced to confront the past in order to save her future—and that of an entire nation.

Based on the historical account of Queen Esther of Persia, Chosen, by Ginger Garrett, is a contemporary account of this beloved and ancient story. Uniquely written in first-person diary format, renderings of Esther’s thoughts and experiences are interspersed with current-time news excerpts, which show how Esther’s tale is woven into our own lives.

A fresh examination of one of Scripture’s most inspiring personalities, Chosen has been described by bestselling authors Brock and Bodie Thoene as “A story that is sure to be a classic!  Exciting, dramatic, and filled with truth.  A great read from the first page!”

Chosen is being released as part of Garrett’s series based on the great loves of the Bible:

• Esther, who loved a king who refused to give his whole heart to her
  
• Jezebel, who loved Ahab but destroyed him in pursuit of her own dynasty
  
• Delilah, who loved Samson but sentenced him to die because of her fear

Chosen by Ginger Garrett
David C Cook/April 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4347-6801-8/304 pages/softcover/$14.99
www.davidccook.com 
www.gingergarrett.com

REVIEW

I don't read enough fictional accounts of Biblical stories.  Tosca Lee's Havah led me to this conclusion and Ginger Garrett's Chosen has cemented it in my mind.

Don't get me wrong.  I will always love contemporary fiction, and of course, the first place to go for Biblical information is always the Scriptures themselves.  But Scripture leaves lots of questions unanswered.  Through high-caliber fiction like Chosen:  The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther, I get insights into the period in ancient history and cultural aspects, not to mention the featured characters, that inform and enhance my reading of Scripture.

This is fiction, so it's one person's imaginings--based on extensive research--as to what might have been, but I find that fiction like Chosen makes me think about Scripture in new ways.  That's what I love best about it.  That's not to minimize the entertainment value, for Chosen is a well-written, fast-moving story about young Esther, her journey into King Xerses' palace, and her ascendancy to a dynamic woman of faith who saved her people from a tragic fate.  There's romance, deception, suspense, and more--all the good stuff that readers of contemporary fiction love.

The use of fictional diary entries is both interesting and annoying at times, only because I constantly had to flip back to the author's note to interpret the date information in the headings and to gain an understanding of the Jewish calendar as I read.  I could have ignored these dates, but then I would have lost an important element of the story, the passage of time which feeds the pacing and suspense.  I also was a bit perturbed by the footnotes to contemporary appendix entries that I was never sure were real or also fictional.  Google didn't help much in this regard, so I'm leaning toward the assumption that they too are the author's imaginings.  (The excerpt from President Bush's 2003 speech to the United Nations is legitimate.) It took me awhile to make a determination.  I much would have preferred the author to say so outright as doing so wouldn't have taken anything away from the story or their usage.

Beyond that, though, Chosen is an amazing look into the life of one of my all-time favorite Bible characters, Queen Esther.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ginger Garrett is the critically acclaimed author of Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther, which was recognized as one of the top five novels of 2006 by the ECPA, and Dark Hour. An expert in ancient women's history, Ginger creates novels and nonfiction resources that explore the lives of historical women.

A frequent radio guest on stations across the country, including NPR and Billy Graham's The Hour of Decision, Ginger is also a popular television guest. Her appearances include Harvest Television, Friends & Neighbors, and Babbie's House. Ginger frequently serves as a co-host on the inspirational cable program Deeper Living.

In 2007, Ginger was nominated for the Georgia Author of the Year Award for her novel Dark Hour. When she's not writing, you may spy Ginger hunting for vintage jewelry at thrift stores, running (slowly) in 5k and 10k races, or just trying to chase down one of her errant sheepdogs. A native Texan, she now resides in Georgia with her husband and three children.

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Featured Book: Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Crossing Oceans Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (May 1, 2010)

by Gina Holmes



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Gina Holmes began her career in 1998, penning articles and short stories. In 2005 she founded the influential literary blog, Novel Journey. She holds degrees in science and nursing and currently resides with her husband and children in southern Virginia. To learn more about her, visit May 2010's issue of CFOM at Interview with Gina Holmes or Novel Journey.



ABOUT THE BOOK

Jenny Lucas swore she’d never go home again. But being told you’re dying has a way of changing things. Years after she left, she and her five-year-old daughter, Isabella, must return to her sleepy North Carolina town to face the ghosts she left behind. They welcome her in the form of her oxygen tank–toting grandmother, her stoic and distant father, and David, Isabella’s dad . . . who doesn’t yet know he has a daughter. As Jenny navigates the rough and unknown waters of her new reality, the unforgettable story that unfolds is a testament to the power of love and its ability to change everything—to heal old hurts, bring new beginnings . . . even overcome the impossible. A stunning debut about love and loss from a talented new voice.



If you would like to read the first chapter of Crossing Oceans, go HERE.



Watch the Video Book Trailer:

REVIEW

Crossing Oceans may be one of the most moving books I've ever read.  I dare you to try to get through it without shedding a tear.  I couldn't.  I cried several times.

The story of a dying young mother in search of a home for her young daughter between her estranged family and her now-married ex-boyfriend is heart-wrenching.  I kept thinking how many mothers have had to prepare their children for the pain of losing a parent in this way?  I always say that parents aren't supposed to bury their children, but children aren't supposed to bury their parents either, not before they're grown adults with children of their own.  Certainly not at the tender age of five.

Gina Holmes writes with a literary flair that I'm glad to see a bit more frequently in Christian fiction circles.  She nailed the storytelling, seemingly knowing exactly which scenes to keep and which to omit in order to tell this tale of the enormity of a mother's love with the right dramatic, and at times humorous, notes.  This is a wonderful debut and I look forward to more from Ms. Holmes.

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Featured Book: A Woman Called Sage by DiAnn Mills

This week, the



Christian Fiction Blog Alliance



is introducing



A Woman Called SageZondervan (April 1, 2010)by



DiAnn Mills





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Award-winning author, DiAnn Mills, launched her career in 1998 with the publication of her first book. Currently she has over forty books in print and has sold more than a million copies.



DiAnn believes her readers should “Expect an Adventure.” DiAnn Mills is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed novels.



Six of her anthologies have appeared on the CBA Best Seller List. Three of her books have won the distinction of Best Historical of the Year by Heartsong Presents. Five of her books have won placements through American Christian Fiction Writer’s Book of the Year Awards 2003 – 2007, and she is the recipient of the Inspirational Reader’s Choice award for 2005 and 2007. She was a Christy Awards finalist in 2008.



DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope and Love, and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is also a mentor for Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writer’s Guild.



She lives in sunny Houston, Texas. DiAnn and her husband have four adult sons and are active members of Metropolitan Baptist Church.





ABOUT THE BOOK

They took away everything she loved...now, she’s out for revenge.



Sage Morrow had it all: life on a beautiful Colorado ranch, a husband who adored her, and a baby on the way. Until five ruthless gunmen rode up to their ranch and changed her life forever. Now Sage is a bounty hunter bent on retribution.



Accompanied only by her majestic hawk, she travels throughout the Rocky Mountains in search of injustice, determined to stamp it out wherever it’s found. The stakes are raised when two young boys are kidnapped and Sage is forced to work with Marshall Parker Timmons to rescue them. But Sage may ultimately get more than she bargained for.



In this exciting historical romance set in the late 1800s, murder, intrigue, kidnapping, and questions of faith will keep you in suspense until the final pages.



If you would like to read the first chapter of A Woman Called Sage, go HERE.



Watch the Video Book Trailer:

REVIEW

DiAnn Mills has mastered the art of tension on every page.  A Woman Called Sage absolutely smoulders with it.  The conflict arises almost from the first words and doesn't let up one iota until the very end.  Mills paints a beautiful portrait of a strong, determined, independent woman of Indian heritage in Sage Morrow, one who has a softer side but cannot allow that to get in the way of pursuing her revenge-filled mission.  Sage meets her match in Marshall Parker Timmons  who is equally strong, determined, and independent.  Their story is equal parts heartwarming romance and gripping suspense.

Also, Mills is at her finest as she transports the reader into the story by way of vivid imagery and well-chosen descriptive details.  I could see Hawk swooping through the sky and picture the mountainous terrain.  Then, Ms. Mills writes evil with the best of writers, as the villains in this story show no hint of redemptive qualities, forcing the reader to keep turning pages to be sure that justice is served at the end. A Woman Called Sage was a very entertaining read.

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Featured Book: Finding Jeena by Miralee Ferrell

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books.  A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured.  The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between!  Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Miralee Ferrell

and the book:

Finding Jeena

Kregel Publications (March 8, 2010)

***Special thanks to Cat Hoort of Kregel Publications for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Miralee Ferrell and her husband, Allen, live in a rural community in Washington. She developed an interest in writing in high school and took honors English courses in college, but put writing on the backburner for the next thirty years while raising a family and helping her husband with their growing business. A year and a half ago, she returned to the pen, writing a number of short stories and The Other Daughter.

Visit the author's website.

Product Details:

List Price: $13.99
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Kregel Publications (March 8, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0825426456
ISBN-13: 978-0825426452

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Jeena Gregory chewed on her lip as she stared at the red silk dress hanging in the closet. Would it be enough? She wiped her sweaty palms down the legs of her jeans, trying to vanquish the knot in her stomach. The same feeling she’d experienced as a ten-year-old hit her. She’d walked into her new school and tried to ignore the snickers as some of the students eyed her worn-out sneakers and hand-me-down clothes.

   She refused to let fear or insecurity take control. Fear couldn’t hurt her—only men could do that. And Sean loved her.

   No way would she believe the rumor she’d heard from Connie, the biggest gossip in her small group of friends. Sean couldn’t be seeing someone else. He was close to proposing; she’d sensed it more than once. Jeena shook her head, trying to dislodge the disquieting thoughts. He’d have a good explanation.

   Her confidence level soared after applying makeup and slipping into the dress. It had cost her two days’ salary, but it was worth every cent. Hugging her in all the right places, the dark red silk accented her long black hair and green eyes. Working out at the club kept her figure where she wanted it.

   Sean’s car flashed past Jeena’s window and halted in front of her small condo. Jeena ran a hand over her trim hips. She’d be thirty later this year, and her body still looked like that of a twenty-year-old—she’d maintain it if she had to work out every day.

   The doorbell chimed, but this time Jeena didn’t rush to answer. Sean Matthews needn’t think her life revolved around his arrival, even if it did. Playing a little hard to get might work in her favor.

   The bell chimed a second time, and Jeena imagined its tone changed to one of impatience. Better not overdo it. She opened the door and stepped back into the glow of the entry light to give him the full effect.

   A small frown turned down the corners of Sean’s mouth, giving a serious aspect to his rugged face. His tapping toe stilled, but his lowered brows didn’t lift until he stepped across the threshold.

   The smile Jeena expected didn’t appear. Apprehension flickered through her mind. “Something wrong, Sean?” She touched his arm.

   He ran his fingers through his dark blond hair, giving a slightly rumpled look to a man who prided himself on his appearance. “Our reservation is in fifteen minutes. We’re going to be late.”

   He hadn’t seemed to notice the gown or the accentuated curves. “I had a bit of a struggle zipping up this dress.”

   “You might need a jacket. That looks a little skimpy for a chilly evening.”

   The small wisp of fear grew, fanned by the coolness of his impatience.

   “Skimpy? That’s it?” She stepped back, folding her arms.

   He shot a quick, cool look at the dress. “You look great. Is it new?”

   She pursed her lips. Something was up. “Yes, it’s new.” She swung toward the closet. “Fine. I’ll get a jacket.” She yanked open the door and pulled a black cape off the rack. Great start to our evening.

   He helped her into his silver Lexus, then slipped into his seat and turned the key. “You really do look stunning.” Sean paused. “It’s been a crazy day, and I’ve had a lot on my mind.” He gave her a soft smile before turning his attention back to the road.

   They pulled out into the street and headed through the residential area toward the edge of town. Silhouetted against the skyline, tall fir trees flanked the elegant homes along the way. Kids still played in front yards, and a couple of eager homeowners mowed their yards. Jeena sighed. She missed having a yard and flowerbeds. The new townhouse she’d put a deposit on boasted a small backyard and window boxes in the front, so she could indulge her gardening hobby on her days off.

   She sank deeper in the seat and released a small breath. Peaceful silence enveloped her as the quiet car snaked around the curves and the sun glinted off the nearby Columbia River. Sean loved her. Losing sight of that was foolish. Sure, he’d neglected to kiss her when he’d arrived, but she understood the stress generated by work. His job as a financial consultant to a large corporation in Portland often kept him distracted.

   Connie was being catty and nothing more.

   Jeena gave a low laugh. “You had me worried. I thought aliens had taken over your body when you didn’t react to this dress.”

   He pulled away from a stop sign and glanced in his mirror, then reached over and took her hand. “Never fear. If aliens attempt a takeover, I’ll shoot ’em dead.” His quick smile flashed. “Hungry?”

   “Very.” She’d been foolish to listen to Connie. An hour earlier, she couldn’t have eaten a thing, but now she was ravenous.



   Sean had chosen a small, rather exclusive restaurant, a rarity in River City, Oregon. They could have driven an hour up I-84 to Portland, but the recent growth of tourism in the Columbia River Gorge had birthed new hot spots, popular with locals and tourists alike.

   They were seated by a window that afforded a breathtaking view of the river, and Jeena could see the colorful sails of windsurfers kiting along in the evening breeze, the soft glow of the late April sunset bronzing the multi-colored sails. Candles glowed against the damask tablecloth, giving off a subtle air of luxury. Strains of low music added to the ambiance, creating a soothing background for the trickle of diners still drifting in.

   Sean had requested a quiet spot in the corner, giving a sense of privacy that still allowed a good view. While he ordered, Jeena glanced around the room, wondering if any of their friends might be here tonight. No familiar faces appeared within her line of sight. Good. She wanted this evening to be theirs alone. Maybe they could sort out the nasty rumor starting to circulate and kill it before it morphed into something worse.

   Sean leaned back in his seat and sighed, stretching his legs out from under the heavy brocade cloth.

   “Long day?” Jeena reached across to stroke the side of his face. He didn’t pull away, but he didn’t wrap his long fingers around hers as she’d expected. A small alarm went off in the back of her mind.

   He gave a small shake of his head, dislodging her hand. “Not really. It feels good to sit across the table from a beautiful woman, instead of looking at bored businessmen all day.”

   She sat back in her chair and relaxed. “Something going on at work that’s bothering you?”

   “Very little. How about you? When does your lease start on the new townhouse?”

   “In ten days, so I’m boxing everything up now. I’ve got my final interview a week from Monday with Browning and Thayer.”

   “It’s too bad it’s only a temporary job, but with your expertise in design, they can’t go wrong contracting you.” He straightened in his chair and leaned toward her, an affectionate smile flickering across his lips.

   She flashed him a grateful look. “Thanks. I hope they feel the same. But being a private contractor has its advantages, and the project is big—it should last at least a year.”

   The waiter arrived, placing steaming plates of fragrant pasta in front of them and gathering the empty salad dishes. A few minutes passed in comfortable silence, and Jeena’s misgivings evaporated in the relaxed intimacy.

   Candlelight cast a warm light across Sean’s face, accentuating his masculine good looks. Jeena smiled and settled deeper into her chair. “So tell me about your family. Last time we talked, you were concerned about your mom living alone, now that your dad’s gone. How’s she doing?”

   “Great, from what I gather when I have time to call.” He wound the last strand of pasta onto his fork and took a bite, then wiped his mouth with a napkin. “I’m sorry—I see a client I need to speak to. I’ll only be a minute. Do you mind?” He nodded across the room to a silver-haired man sitting with an elegantly dressed woman.

   “Not at all.” She smiled, then watched him make his way through the tables.

   She’d first spotted him at a party a little over a year ago. Tall, mid-thirties, dressed in an Italian three-piece suit, and built like a model, he stood out in the crowd of older businessmen. An air of sophistication clung to him, enhanced by vivid blue eyes set in a deeply tanned face. A striking blonde who’d had too much to drink was hanging on his arm. He looked slightly disgusted and appeared to be searching for an escape.

   Setting aside her drink, Jeena strolled across the room, knowing she’d captured his attention even before she approached.

   She extended her hand and smiled when he held it longer than necessary. “I don’t think we’ve been introduced. I’m Jeena Gregory, a friend of our hostess.”

   “Sean Matthews. This is . . . I’m sorry, what’s your name again?” His bored gaze turned to the blonde.

   The woman released her grip on his arm and glared at Jeena. “Angie.”

   Sean cocked his head toward the woman. “Right. Sorry. This is Angie.”

   Angie’s lips turned down in a pout. “I’m getting something to drink. I’ll find someone more interesting to take me home.” Angie flounced across the room without looking back.

   Sean’s blue eyes shone with something more than amusement. “I didn’t bring her, but she’s had too much to drink and must have forgotten. She latched onto me when I arrived. Thanks for the rescue.”

   Jeena spent the rest of the evening in his company—and many evenings after that. Within a few weeks, she knew she wanted to spend the rest of her life with this man. Intelligent, witty, generous, and advancing up the corporate ladder at a fast pace, he possessed much that she found attractive.

   Sean, however, remained an enigma. While engaging and attentive, he had yet to commit to a permanent relationship. Jeena sensed his frustration at her adamant refusal to move in together. She enjoyed the party life and didn’t judge others for their lifestyle choices, but she drew the line at moving in with a man before marriage. She deserved more. Besides, too many of her crowd had gone that direction, and she’d seen disaster strike more than once.

   “Jeena? I’m sorry I took so long. I hope you weren’t bored.” Sean’s deep voice woke her from the memories.

   She brushed the hair from her eyes. “Not at all. Just remembering our first meeting.”

   “Ah, yes. The party.”

   Jeena tried to suppress a smile but failed. “And poor Angie.”

   Sean laughed outright. “Poor Angie, nothing. That woman clung like a leech with no encouragement from me. You came along just in time.”

   She leaned toward him and stroked the back of his hand. “Did I?”

   He slowly pulled back, and the smile disappeared.

   “What’s wrong?” Her heart rate accelerated.

   He cleared his throat and picked up a napkin. “There’s something I want to tell you.”

   Tell. Not ask. Jeena leaned back and crossed her arms. “Yes?”

   “I’ve been offered a new job. It means a huge increase in pay and could lead to a partnership.”

   “That sounds wonderful. I didn’t realize you were looking.”

   “I didn’t mention it until I knew something would come of it. I didn’t want to worry you.”

   “Why would I care?” Her palms grew clammy, but she refused to give in to fear.

   His lips set in a firm line; then he took a deep breath and plunged forward. “It’s taking me out of the States. A large construction conglomerate wants me in the Middle East.”

   A small shiver of fear traveled up her back. “But that’s dangerous. Tell me you’re not going to take it.”

   “I’ve said yes. I’ll be living in Kuwait and going across the border occasionally, and then only to areas that are deemed safe. I leave in two weeks.”

   “Two weeks,” she whispered. “What about us?”

   He shifted in his chair and looked at his hands, then raised his eyes. “I’m sorry, Jeena.”

   “What do you mean, you’re sorry? You’re not asking me to come with you or wait? How long will you be gone?” She tried to keep the pain out of her voice, but her words rose in tone and volume.

   An irritated look flashed across his face. The small, secluded spot he’d chosen closed in around her. No longer did the flickering candles on the table give off an aura of romance—instead, they gleamed with an ominous light.

   “I’ll be gone at least a year, maybe two. You didn’t want to live with me here in the States, so I didn’t think you’d be willing to move to Kuwait.” Sean leaned back in his chair, holding her gaze.

   She’d probably hold onto him if she gave in, but something inside protested. Her parents’ marriage had been lousy, no doubt about that. But her mother had saved herself for the man she married and had often urged Jeena to do the same. Besides, Grammie would be be horrified if Jeena made that decision. A deep love for both her mother and grandmother had prompted Jeena to walk the same path.

   “But if we were married . . .” She could have bitten off her tongue for letting the words slip.

   Sean’s lips twisted in a wry smile. “I have no desire to get married.”

   “So all of this has been what . . . a game? You aren’t in love with me? Never have been?”

   He shrugged. “I think a lot of you. But marriage isn’t part of my plan. I thought we’d have a good time. Frankly, I hung around hoping you’d change your mind.”

   “You knew how I felt about living together. It’s not something I’m comfortable with.”

   Sean smirked. “You told me your dad was a religious Jekyll and Hyde and you had no use for God. I never expected you’d stick with your decision and be such a prude.”

   His words brought the chaos in her mind to a halt. An icy calm washed over her. “Prude. I see. So, who is she?”

   His face flamed red, then faded to a dirty white. “Who?”

   She rose quickly, her chair sliding into the waiter who was walking behind her. Pride stiffened her spine and held her head high. “I nailed that one. Never mind. I’m sure you’ll be very happy together, and my prudish life will be better off without you.”

   She slipped around the table and started to walk past him, but he reached out and grasped her wrist. “Jeena. Don’t be that way. I’ll drive you home. I’m sorry.”

   Shaking off his hand, she stepped out of his reach and lowered her voice, conscious of the curious looks from the tables nearby. “I’ll get a taxi. Have a great life, Sean.”

   Somehow she managed to exit the restaurant without calling more attention to herself. Humiliation at making a scene while leaving the table forced her to increase her pace and not look back. The poor waiter—she’d nearly bowled him over while rushing from the table. But no way could she allow Sean to see her cry. She needed to get home and face this. The tears would come later, and no telling when they’d stop.

   Men. Anger bubbled inside, momentarily pushing aside the sting of tears. Her father had proven men couldn’t be trusted—he hadn’t loved her, either. Why had she forgotten? Never again would a man suck her in with promises and lies. From now on, her career would come first. She’d show them all. The only person in the world who mattered was her grandmother. She’d neglected her recently, but tomorrow was a new day. Grammie would be happy to see her, and Sean was no longer important.

I loved that author Miralee Ferrell took on a topic rarely seen in Christian fiction, homelessness, and examined it from many angles.  The story was believable and enjoyable.

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Reader/Writer Tidbits -- May 8, 2010

More than 1M iPads sold in first month.  Like it or not, they will be game-changers, me thinks.  For now, Apple has the proposed tablet by HP and Microsoft in retreat.

Following up to last week's post on what to look for in contracts, agent Chip MacGregor gives us the worst contract provisions he's seen and what to look out for.

Writer Cheryl Anne Gardner shares her thoughts on the editorial process, from first reader to that final proof.  Are you using the right people in the right capacity to help you achieve your optimal manuscript?

Amazon might be scary at times, but it's not all bad, as it demonstrates by underwriting independent presses.

What's really the difference among the varying ebook file types?  Readers will care, and I'd argue, writers should too.

Perhaps this really is important to know--or not--as Google announces its plan to sell ebooks beginning this summer, which some in publishing see as "a new world order".

The RT Booklovers Convention was last week.  RT launched their new website, and there are posts on their blog summarizing a number of the panels presented.  Check it out.  Note:  The 2011 RT Booklovers' Convention will be held in Los Angeles.

In the same vein, the 2011 Romance Slam Jam, another reader convention, this one featuring African-American authors, will be held in Baltimore.  RSJ just returned from its 2010 Crystal anniversary cruise.  If anyone knows who the 2010 Emma Award and Aspiring Author contest winners are, let me know.  (Google is not being helpful right now.)

The latest version of Afictionado, the ezine of American Fiction Christian Writers, has been published.  This edition has another invaluable writer's tip from author Athol Dickson, a conference update, Karen Witemeyer's first sale story, market news, and reviews of some recent releases by ACFW members.  Check it out!

For you Kindle readers who are highlighting your ebooks, did you know Amazon is watching?  Apparently Amazon is collecting and aggregating the highlighting activities of Kindle readers, then sharing the most highlight books and passages.  Thanks for this one, Brandilynn.  More reason to buy an iPad I think.

Last and possibly most important, several Nashville-area publishing professionals are joining forces to have an auction, Do the Write Thing for Nashville, to raise money to help the flood victims.  If you are an author, editor, agent, or other industry professional, consider donating goods or services to their effort.  If you are a reader, consider supporting this cause.  Find out more here.

This summer is going to be a scorcher.  Six more weeks until summer begins, and we're already baking here in FL.  It's 80+ degrees before 8 AM.  Whew!  I wonder if I can find and carry some type of constantly replenishing backpack filled with water.

Enjoy the weekend!   

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL MOTHERS!

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Good Things Come In Threes?

There's a discussion on a bookclub loop about the length of series.  It seems some publishers limit a book series to no more than three books based on statistical evidence that sales fall off significantly after the third book.  So that family with eight kids, a la TV's "Eight Is Enough", would never get to feature each kid in a book.

I'm wondering whether this is really true, or whether some publishers simply get tired of a series, perhaps shifting their marketing dollars--and thereby their sales--to newer titles/series.  Yet, I have noticed that a lot of book series, particularly in Christian fiction, have exactly three titles in them.

I can think of a ton of series that are longer than three books, and have turned their authors into publishing behemoths. (Relatively speaking, of course).

Karen Kingsbury wrote three series about the same family, the Baxters.  The Redemption series has five books; the Firstborn series has five; and the Sunrise series has 4, for a total of 14 books.

Brenda Jackson has two intertwined series consisting of both single titles and category romance books.  The Madaris Family series and the Westmoreland series have 16 and 20 books, respectively, and this juggernaut has spawned 3 other series:  the Steele series, the Jefferies series, and the Bachelor in Demand series.

Francis Ray also has two intertwined series of single titles, the Grayson series and the Taggert/Falcon series, each with at least 4 books, and most recently, the Grayson's Friends series, with another 4 titles.  13 titles in all.

Both Ms. Jackson and Ms. Ray have several other ongoing series in addition to those highlighted here.

Sue Grafton's infamous Alphabet mystery series, which she's been writing for over 25 years.  Only 5 more to go!

Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove series, for which the 10th book will be released in September.

Of course, J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series has 7 books (and 8 movies). 

I don't think fans of any of these long-running series would suggest that the authors and publishers should have stopped at the magic number of 3.

Can a series be too long or too short?  One author who was mentioned on the loop, Gilbert Morris, has a House of Winslow series that is so long, it's a bit confusing to me.  I read one of his novels a few years back and was eager to find more.  Then I learned it was part of a series, but I couldn't figure out the order of the books, there were so many.  40, to be exact.  I gave up.  (I've since discovered that Mr. Morris has many lengthy series, and the book I read was part of a different one, the American Century series.)

Does genre dictate the acceptable length of a series?  Do certain genres lend themselves more to longer series?

If the characters can sustain a longer series, readers are clamoring for more, and the publisher doesn't pull out on the marketing, I think the length of a series should be dictated by the author's willingness to write about the same characters.  Victoria Christopher Murray's readers had to beg her to write another book about Jasmine Larson Bush, the Erica Kane of Christian fiction, a character readers love to hate but can't get enough of.  Jasmine shows up in at least five or six of Ms. Murray's books, and if memory serves me correctly, there may be one more story for Jasmine on the horizon.

Should publishers limit a series to three books?  When should a series be allowed to continue beyond that length?

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Teaser Tuesdays: A Woman Called Sage

"Sage felt the twinge of jealousy swirl through her again, and she despised herself for the sensation. 'I don't think you'll have a worry with Parker looking after you.'" -- page 150, A Woman Called Sage by DiAnn Mills

Truth be told, I always want to give a really good teaser, so it's not quite as random as it's supposed to be.  But DiAnn Mills writes so well, I could open any page of any of her books and get a fabulous tease.


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
  
• Open to a random page
  
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page (in the comments or via link to your own blog)
  
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  
• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Reading anything interesting?

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Going Beyond the Stereotype

One of the best online resources for writers I know is My Book Therapy, a host of writing services including an online forum, a blog, a quarterly ezine, weekly chats, and more from authors Susan May Warren and Rachel Hauck.

The latest ezine was published last week, and includes an article I wrote about crafting multicultural characters, "Going Beyond the Stereotype". 

To learn more about this valuable resource, go to the My Book Therapy website.

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.

Reader/Writer Tidbits -- May 1, 2010

I don't talk much about book trailers because, well, I don't particularly care for them.  Don't dislike them--they're not castor oil, or anything.  Just could take them or leave them.  I truly prefer imagination when it comes to seeing my characters, and I've never been moved to buy a book based on a trailer.  I may come around when the time comes for me to promote a book.  After all, they are marketing tools and probably appeal to some readers.  If you're thinking about making one, check out author Jennifer Shirk's  step-by-step instructions, "How to do a Book Trailer".

If you've got any doubts that it's possible to make a living selling ebooks, check out what author J.A. Konrath says about paying his mortgage using Kindle money.


Because hitting on all the points on the Hero's Journey still baffles me, I'm always interested in plotting tips.  Martina Boone offers the best layout of the journey I've ever seen.

Why editor Jane Friedman of Writer's Digest says you should post your work online and why Chuck Sambuchino, also of WD, says don't be crazy, protect your work!  Bottomline, agent Kristin Nelson says published authors need to communicate before offering freebies.

New authors, and some seasoned authors, might find this interesting:  What's reasonable in a book contract? 
Agent Chip MacGregor weighs in (and make sure to check out the comments for insights from a publisher, Dennis Hillman of Kregel Publications.).

This We Know is a reference for exploring census and other government-collected data about your area (or the setting of your next book).


Last, author Michelle Gagnon is the latest iPad convert.  Here's why... 

May Day is what I remember this being called when I was very young.  I know summer doesn't start for about six weeks, but May 1st does it for me.  School is almost out, the sun is high in the sky and hot (at least down here in Florida), and I'm energized in ways that I'm not shortly after Labor Day.

If you have a comic bookstore near you, stop by.  Today is the annual Free Comic Book Day!

Enjoy the weekend!

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.