All Blog Posts Tagged 'authors' (181)

Short Story Writing Contest: "Family Stories"

We are proud to present the 5th writing contest for English books: December 21, 2009 to February 23, 2010

Maybe not every family does have its secrets, but they sure do have their stories! Fiction or nonfiction, we want to read yours. The short stories could be about your family in the past, your family in the future, an imaginary family, a family of ducks or a family of your friends you’ve chosen. Enter the latest BookRix Short Story Writing Contest for free to read exciting,… Continue

Added by Nils on January 13, 2010 at 11:11pm — No Comments

Thoughts on Speaking and Listening (R)

Here's what I observed over thirty years of teaching communication. It's important for today's author to be a good speaker, because we must present well before agents, editors, and audiences of potential readers. While I would hate to think we compete with each other, we are compared to other writers as we sit on panels, in pitch sessions, and so on. Many times I've bought books based on the impression a speaker made on me at a convention. Nevada Barr springs to mind; she has such a presence on… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on January 6, 2010 at 10:23pm — No Comments

Not a Clue

Wouldn't you like to just grab some people by the coat and tell them how it is?

"Why is it so long before you book comes out?"
I don't know.

"Will they release it in paperback?"
I don't know.

"When will it be available as an audiobook?"
I don't know.

"Why don't you tell them you want...(any of the above) done differently?"
That I know. Because my name is not Nora Roberts.

Added by Peg Herring on December 31, 2009 at 10:38pm — No Comments

Free Poetry Writing Contest WINTER & POEMS – win cash with your poems

There is currently running a free-to-enter poetry contest on BookRix for poets and readers. The theme is "Winter & Poems". Prizes on the line include $1.600,00 in prize money for writers, "fame!" and Amazon vouchers (each worth $20) for voting readers. The 10 best-rated poetry books will be given to an independent jury consisting of the Georgia Writers Association and a professional writer who works for BookRix as a freelancer.

Perhaps you want to submit your own poetry in the… Continue

Added by Nils on December 8, 2009 at 11:59pm — No Comments

If You'd Read This One First, Then What?

I'm reading a book by an author I like very much...today. Since I like her current work, I went back to find her earlier books and, well, the one I bought just isn't as good.

Of course there's a learning curve, and some authors climb to better writing over time while others plummet downward, racing to keep a book a year in the hands of readers. And not every book can be a gem. But this book, unfocused, too cute in places, and unsure of what tone it wants to strike, got me thinking… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on December 4, 2009 at 10:22pm — 7 Comments

Darden North interviewed on "Mystery Lovers Corner"

http://www.sleuthedit.com/DardenNorthMD/DardenNorthMD.html" target="_blank">

Check out my latest interview on "Mystery Lovers Corner" and register for a chance to win a copy of my third novel FRESH FROZEN.

http://www.sleuthedit.com/DardenNorthMD/DardenNorthMD.html…

Continue

Added by Darden North, MD on December 4, 2009 at 1:13pm — No Comments

Author Friends and Making Friends

I don't mean the people I know who are authors, although they are great friends, great resources, and great fun. I mean the authors whose books you anticipate, whose work you already know you want to read. They won't disappoint you; you'll be lost in their world, making it yours for the duration of the book.

I have a long list of them, and the list keeps growing. I have to remind myself to look for new authors, too, but it's tempting to buy the work of those I trust. I guess that's… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on December 1, 2009 at 10:21pm — No Comments

Feet on the Ground, Ms. Author!

I found somewhere a list of things one shouldn't say to a mystery author, and I got a charge out of it, because I've heard just about all of them: "I don't read fiction" (with nose lifted); "I buy my books at garage sales, but I'll look for yours"; and the most frequent, "Oh. My (son, daughter, granddaughter, neighbor, washing machine repairman, etc.) wrote a book, too." (That one is often followed by, "Would you like to read it?" or "Could you send it to your agent?")

I've added… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on November 9, 2009 at 10:45pm — 3 Comments

Free Short Story Writing Contest TRAVEL STORIES – win cash with your story

While traveling we always have new experiences, whether they are amazing, life changing or just disillusioning. Tell us your travel story. It may deal with a travel journey to a new place, time traveling, revisiting one's past, visiting a lost love or a new one, or an inner journey. Travel reports can be as much about one's internal navigation of their emotions as a physical voyage.

There is currently running a free-to-enter short story contest on BookRix for writers and readers. The… Continue

Added by Nils on November 4, 2009 at 11:14pm — No Comments

What I Love About Crimespace

I would admit that it's not helping me sell books. I admit that I spend more time than I should posting 5 days/week and responding to others. And I'll admit that we hammer at the same old questions over and over: Should I...? Can I...? Why do they...? And so on.

What I love about it is the half-ghoulish, half-frantic picking of each other's brains, trying to find out if we're normal writers, whatever that may be. Here we compare experiences, observe and comment on the oddities of the… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on October 16, 2009 at 10:03pm — 11 Comments

Writing contest RAIN STORIES – win cash with your story

Summer is about to end? Autumn is knocking at the door? Take advantage of the unpleasant rainy weather and enter the latest BookRix Short Story Writing Contest for free: Tell your rain story and turn your wordsmith powers into positive cashflow and fame.

Key Facts:

- Write a story that has anything to do with rain, or Mr. Rain, or a dog named Rain, whatever.

- Authors can win up to $1000

- Readers have the chance to win a Amazon voucher

- No entry fee required –… Continue

Added by Nils on September 16, 2009 at 12:02am — No Comments

To Go or Not To Go

Conferences. I love them. Always have a good time. Always meet great people. So what's the problem?

For one thing, I live in the sticks. Attending any con is a major operation, requiring planes, trains, and/or automobiles in great abundance. It costs me five hours' travel just to get out of Michigan by car, and flying requires a puddle-jumper ride first and last, which adds a lot to the expense (and the nail-biting, these days).

Secondly, I have two books pending but… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on August 31, 2009 at 10:08pm — 1 Comment

From Zero to Sixty in One ARC

My ARC's for HER HIGHNESS' FIRST MURDER arrived yesterday afternoon, and suddenly life is teeming with things to do.

First, here's what it could mean to you. It's a Tudor mystery focusing on Princess Elizabeth during Henry's last year of life. If you'd like a copy of the ARC, make a comment on this blog ("Hi Peg I want the book" is good enough, or you can actually read something and respond.) One week from today (Friday, September 4) I'll put the names of everyone who has commented… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on August 28, 2009 at 10:33pm — 5 Comments

BookRix - community connects writers to readers

www.bookrix.com - a social network for writers and readers, where everyone can convert novels, non-fiction, poetry, comics, poems etc public as an e-book in own design.

You can edit your books with a special tool, or simply upload your doc and pdf-files. It's free to read books online. You can even download e-books for e-reader or smartphones for free. Find community features like individual user profiles, forum, groups etc and make new contacts, discuss with like-minded people or just… Continue

Added by Nils on August 26, 2009 at 12:28am — No Comments

Forgive Them, For They Know Not

Had lunch with a friend who just signed her first contract, and I got a flashback. You're excited. You've finally done what you longed to do. You tell people you know, "I'm going to be published." And then, like in the Sinatra song, they spoil it all by saying something stupid.

"So you're going to be just like J. K. Rowling, huh?"

"When will I see your book on the NEW YORK TIMES Bestseller List?"

"I guess your husband can retire now that you're making all that… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on August 12, 2009 at 10:47pm — 7 Comments

On Interviews

I've received notification that I'm the interview subject on Novel Journey tomorrow, July 7th. It's a cool site, so I'm excited to be there, and you can see what I said at www.noveljourney.blogspot.com.

I've done radio, Internet, video, and print interviews and have been lucky so far to have professional hosts who lead me along and don't throw in anything nasty. Still, book/author interviews are a bit static, and there are so many out there that I wonder if anyone really reads any of… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on July 6, 2009 at 10:53pm — 3 Comments

I've Got a Horse Right Here...

Any gathering of authors ends up reminding me of the old song from GUYS AND DOLLS where three racing aficionados tout their choices for the next winner, each one certain that he's got it figured out. They end up singing over each other, an amusing number that's confusing if you actually want to hear the words.

Passing through crowds, standing in line, and seated at dinner at a writers' conference, what one hears is a succession of loglines, each delivered with the certainty that if… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on June 25, 2009 at 10:00pm — 1 Comment

Born to Write

I spoke with a woman on the phone yesterday and got a now-familiar response. We were talking about real estate, but when I mentioned that I write, she said, "I've always wanted to write a book."

Yup. Another one. She went on to say that she's just too busy to get started on it, etc. etc.

I know she isn't lying. I know she'd really like to. But I can't help but think that if you really, really want to write, you'll write.

The last year I taught school, I also… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on May 14, 2009 at 10:35pm — 4 Comments

A Wasted Day...or Not

I went to an Authors' Day celebration at a library 83 miles from my home on Saturday. There were nine authors there, a few Friends members, and very few others. The only sale I saw was two of the authors selling each other their books of poetry.

In one sense, it was a wasted day. Still, I think of it as an investment. The people in that town (well, some of them) now know my name. They know about my book. They even have a bookmark, so that if the stars align just right and they decide… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on May 11, 2009 at 7:00am — 2 Comments

Write That Bestseller!

Browsing the book store yesterday, it occurred to me that there are books that I never could have imagined anyone writing or reading. Who thought up a book about WWII radio operators, or how to make clever cupcakes, or slow-thinking guys named Forest who can run really fast and far?

Of course, not all books succeed, but someone loved the idea enough to write it down and do the editing work. Then someone else loved it enough to sink money into making it a book. And sometimes, someone… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on May 6, 2009 at 10:40pm — 5 Comments