"There is no try," the little green guy says, and I suppose it's true. We either do or we do not. Still, there is something to be said for trying. I present workshops on writing, and often I meet people who seem paralyzed by the "What ifs" of publishing. What if I'm rejected? What if I'm not good enough? What if someone steals my work?

The answer to those "What ifs" is another question: "What if you never try?" If you refrain from sending out material for fear someone will steal it,…

Posted by Sheila Connolly

Recently I've been wondering if I have become a writer because I like to work alone, or if it's because I'm a writer that I end up spending a lot of my time alone.

The public mythology holds that…

Today is my birthday and I am proud of it. Well, considering the alternative, I oughta be, huh??

So. About me.

People are gonna wonder why I started writing. What was the "thing" that did it to me, turned on the switch, sent me rushing down this tube like a water slide.

It was the pilgrims.

Seriously, when I was in grade school, our teacher made us write something about the pilgrims, for Thanksgiving. For my non-US friends, that is the big holiday here where we…

Listen to the interview:

Download Kathryn Lilley.mp3

Right now I'm finishing up the second draft of A KILLER WORKOUT, working on the part of the book that’s always toughest for me—the diet and exercise tips that go in the front of each chapter.



The tips are challenging…

At book signings, negative people and the idly curious sometimes ask me, “With so many writers out there, what makes you think you’ll be a success?” Positive people and aspiring authors often ask me who my inspirations are in the business. Today I might be able to answer both those questions.…

Douglas Quinn

Author, Editor, Book Reviewer

rivercitypress@hotmail.com…

One of the things I love about this Saturday Spotlight is that I learn a lot about my fellow authors. Take today's author. I had no idea N.D. had so many books out with so many publishers. Or that she was an accomplished painter. Or working on an archaelogy degree. She makes me feel like a slouch!

Here's her brief bio and you'll see what I mean:

N. D. Hansen-Hill was the author of 25 fantasy, science fiction, and horror novels until a year ago. That's when she began writing…

A big bachi sandwich anyone?

It's smaller than a bread box or toaster -- yes, it's the first Mas Arai mystery in mass market format! I got it in the mail today from my editor. Hopefully it'll be in a store near you on Jan. 29 for the reasonable price of $6.99.

I'm happy that the type isn't that small. The cover is just a smaller version of the trade paperback, but it still looks pretty spiffy with some nice quotes from the Chicago…

We're getting closer to May when book one of my Romantic Suspense series is released. Until then, my full length, Romance Sci-Fi, Paranormal, adult themed novel has been released by Dark Eden Press. If you like a little spice to heat up a cold winter weekend, check it out. I'm also the Spotlight Author this month. Find out why snow is hot!…

Today is moving day: putting my computer in a new spot. Being a techie wimp, I hate it. I'm one of those who likes to set a computer that I'm comfortable with in a spot that is usable and then do certain things in ways that I've always done them. Moving makes all that change, which makes me nervous. However, behind me as I type a certain gentleman is already moving whatever I'm not in physical contact with to the new spot, so I know it will happen. And I have to add that he can not do this…

My book-blogging alter ego took a much-needed hiatus from doing the weekly Q&A columns with authors as I went through a pretty big transition, moving 400 miles to a new city and starting a new career.

Now that this job is feeling comfortable and most of the boxes are unpacked at my new place, I decided it's time to get back at it.

Therefore, I am re-opening the call for interviews. Have a book published already? Have one coming out? (Not vanity or print-on-demand titles,…

Am I, or am I not, an author? Am I a writer? This week, I didn't think so.

I got my critique back and it was less than stellar. I didn't expect the reviewer to tell me how wonderful I was -- although that would have been nice -- but there was very little the reviewer claimed

to like. Even in the section of the critique called "Strengths."

Ouch. And it was marked up in red pen. Double ouch. And the

reviewer's handwriting leaves much to be desired so it takes…