Just a reminder – Book Blogger Appreciation Week begins tomorrow. The celebration of book bloggers is an idea that My Friend Amy came up with last year. She did nearly all of the work herself and it was very well run. This year it has it’s own web site and even merchandise to show off your appreciation… Continue reading Book Blogger Appreciation Week September 14th – 18th
Author: Amber
Interview with Elle Newmark
Last month I reviewed Elle Newmark’s book, The Book of Unholy Mischief. She was kind enough to answer some interview questions via email. Thank you goes to Tracee Gleichner from Pump Up Your Book Promotion for arranging the interview. Amber: Your story is inspiring partly because it’s unique. You took a gamble on yourself and… Continue reading Interview with Elle Newmark
August 2009
These statistics are all for short stories, poems, or contest entries. Book reviews are not included. Sales in August: 0 Rejections in August: 2 Submissions sent out in August: 0 Total stories/poems/contests pending responses: 3 So the lesson this month is… better tracking. I know two of my submissions in pending response status are for markets not listed in Duotrope. I… Continue reading August 2009
A Spell for the Revolution by C.C. Finlay
 After making early gains on the battlefields, General Washington’s struggling young armies are being relentlessly pressed back by British troops and Hessian mercenaries. Among the enemy’s ranks is a mysterious force from the Covenant, a secret society of evil witches that for centuries has been pulling the strings of European history: a Hessian necromancer… Continue reading A Spell for the Revolution by C.C. Finlay
I’m Still Here!
Just wanted to write a short note to say I’m still here and around. My day job recently underwent some changes that require more hours of me and this week it caught up with me. Very little time for sleep and blogging though I’m hoping this will change soon. I have a few reviews to… Continue reading I’m Still Here!
Imperfect Characters Make Perfect Characters
An interesting character to the reader is going to be one that isn’t perfect. Perfection is boring. Writers should create characters with bad habits or character flaws they just can’t seem to shake. In Joanna Scott’s Follow Me, the main character keeps running from her poor decisions to a new town and a new surname. She’s really… Continue reading Imperfect Characters Make Perfect Characters
Reminder About Book Blogger Appreciation Week Awards
It’s almost time! Nominations for the Book Blogger Appreciation Week Awards close tomorrow. Stop by their site at http://bookbloggerappreciationweek.com/index.php/awards to show a book blogger or your favorite author a little love.
The Book of Unholy Mischief by Elle Newmark
In 1498 Venice, Luciano is caught stealing a pomegranate in the market by the doge’s chef. Chef Ferrero brings the homeless boy to the kitchen to begin life as his apprentice. Luciano is provided with room and board in return for emptying and refilling the cistern and running the prepared food from the kitchen to… Continue reading The Book of Unholy Mischief by Elle Newmark
Economic Crunch for Small Publishers
There are some regularly scheduled writer’s chats over varying topics each week and I don’t often get to attend them. During the course of one I recently attended it was mentioned a small publishing house would not be publishing any new books for the remainder of the year and not accept any new submissions until 2010. … Continue reading Economic Crunch for Small Publishers
The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts by Tom Farley, Jr., and Tanner Colby
 The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts is a remembrance of Chris Farley as a person and a comic. Comprised of interviews, the book is a surprisingly fast read. The interviews come from his brothers, kids he grew up with, and people from the comedy world. It was surprising to find out Chris… Continue reading The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts by Tom Farley, Jr., and Tanner Colby