Someone came up with the perfect excuse for readers to do what they love best. “No, I can’t clean the house or go to your office party. It’s National Reading Month, and I’ve sworn to do my share.” If you’ve taken a close look at the book market lately, you already know there are more […]
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Delivering the Sizzle
Have you ever had this experience? You go out to eat, choosing the place based on the promises made in their ads for friendly, attentive service in a relaxing atmosphere, and on the photos of food on their website. You’re hardly in the door before you realize you’ve been duped. The level of sound booming […]
wordhaus – New Short Story eZine Ready to Launch!
You may remember my posts, back in June, about the upcoming new ezine, wordhaus. Publisher, and blogger, Emily Wenstrom realized that many sources for short stories were available only to the small community of short story writers. Her personal desire for a constant supply of short stories in the genres of romance, mystery/thriller, and sci-fi/fantasy […]
Scare Up Some Readers this Halloween
Most children I’ve met love a spooky, scary story. They love to huddle in a tent, flashlight beneath their chins, and whisper about the scarecrow that climbs down from his post and creeps through their neighborhood at night. They love to shriek with terror when the family dog scratches against the tent wall, whining to […]
Good News and Fascinating Tribute
Good news first, right? And good news last, today. Madavor Media has acquired The Writer magazine. Just a couple of weeks ago I wrote about Kalmbach Publishing looking for a buyer for the 125 year-old magazine. In a surprisingly short time, the deal was struck, and the print magazine will carry on. Madavor intends to […]
Book Review: Speculation by Edmund Jorgensen. Plus, Gift Card or Autographed Copy up for Grabs!
As anyone would, upon hearing that the Law Offices of X, Y and Z were calling, philosophy professor Andy Wrangles suspects he’s the recipient of a prank call. He soon learns that not only is the law firm real, but that he is a beneficiary in the will of a long-time friend. Still determined that there is some […]
Kickstart a Writer’s Dream: You Can Be Steampunk Holmes' Angel
What if the book you are currently reading was fully interactive? What if you could touch a scene in your book, and see it come to life as a movie? Or examine a detailed drawing of the equipment and weapons in use? What if your book spoke with an English accent? What if a map of old London […]
Book Review: House of Order by John Paul Jaramillo
There’s no beauty in this collection of short stories. Instead, they reveal a harsh people, living in a harsh environment. There’s nothing kind in the characters. Not in the way men treat women and boys, not in the way boys treat each other, and as they grow to manhood, the way they treat other people according […]
Step Away From The Keyboard: Read For The Sake Of Your Craft
I’m addicted – to reading, that is. I read an average of 500 books each year. Sometimes to the detriment of my own writing time. And to all the authors reading this, yes, I buy 95% of them new. A few are passed on to me from family and friends. No, not all those books are literary masterpieces. […]
Take a Book to Dinner: Today is World Book Day
This is one holiday I never have a problem celebrating. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve stopped in the middle of a busy day for a quick meal, and spent more time than I realized – because I was reading a book as I ate. Now, come on. Admit it. You’ve done […]