Dreams
Story Time
Once upon a time not so long ago, there was a woman who wanted to be a writer. Actually, she was a writer, but she didn’t know what to do with her writing, and since she placed her family’s needs and wants above her own, those writings collected dust in a box in a closet…
Read MoreHow to Handle Self-Doubt
Disclaimer: Profanity ahead. All four of my children are good writers, but only the youngest enjoys it. Which is great for me, as she and I swap plot lines and brainstorm ideas and figure out how to up the stakes. She’s an excellent writing partner, though she can’t read all my work (she is only…
Read MoreLiterary Mama: A Life Transformed
In January 2014, the online literary journal Literary Mama took a chance on a mama writer and editor living in Ohio who had very little professional editing or writing experience. While I no longer have the cover letter I sent to the then editors, it included something along the lines of “what I lack in…
Read MoreCelebrating Women’s Fiction Day!
UPDATE! Sally S. and Jennifer S. are winners! I’ll contact them via email. Thanks for participating! Welcome to Women’s Fiction Day! In 2019, the Women’s Fiction Writers Association (WFWA) established the day “to celebrate the authors, stories, readers, bookstores, and fans of the women’s fiction genre.” I’m a grateful member of WFWA, and I am…
Read MoreShameless Promotion II
If I don’t promote myself, who will? That’s the introductory line of my last post on promotion, and a lesson I’m still learning. Eventually I’ll have learned enough about promotion, marketing, branding, and everything else that I’ll be able to teach a course. Maybe someday . . . But today, I have a fun surprise…
Read MoreThat’s a Wrap!
Never in a million years did I imagine that when I finally published a book, my launch would be virtual. But in the end, I’m glad it was. People from different parts of my life gathered to help me celebrate my accomplishment, and many of these folks would not have been able to attend a…
Read MoreBook Birthday
I’ve spent the better part of this year promoting others. Which is hard, people. It takes time and energy I barely have, and most of the time, people say thank you but don’t reciprocate. Now that’s not why I promote other people—to get them to promote my own things. I help them out because that’s…
Read MoreVirtual Launch Party!
When the author copies of Rewrite the Stars arrived, I was excited. But somehow, this whole journey to book publication hasn’t quite sunk in. My book will be out there! For people to purchase and read! How nerve wracking is that? Very. Let me tell you. Anyway, I’d love for you to join me as…
Read MoreShameless Promotion
If I don’t promote myself, who will? That’s the lesson I’m learning. Hence, my decision to post this little plug for the Five Minute Reads event that will be broadcast next week on Facebook live. Date and time for the event? February 27, 8 p.m. EST. Come join me and three other authors as we…
Read MoreLet’s Talk About THE BLURB
She thinks the hard part is over. She’s written the manuscript. She’s done the homework. She’s sent the queries, imploring someone—anyone?—to take her work on. She’s learned to handle rejection and the constant nagging that her email folder labeled Rejections is teetering on the brink of no storage. She’s chipped away at her self-confidence, and…
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