National Library Week

We just wrapped up another "National Library Week" in America.

National Library Week (April 7- 13, 2019) is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and library workers and to promote library use and support. From free access to books and online resources for families to library business centers that help support entrepreneurship and retraining, libraries offer opportunity to all. The theme for the 2019 National Library Week was "Libraries = Strong Communities," and  Gates Foundation Co-founder Melinda Gates served as 2019 National Library Week Honorary Chair. 

Gates  has dedicated her life to achieving transformational improvements in the health and prosperity of families, communities and societies. Now she will lend her support to advocate for our nation’s libraries as honorary chair of National Library Week. Over the last 20 years, Gates has invested more than $1 billion through her foundation’s Global Libraries initiative to enhance the power of libraries to improve lives. As co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, she sets the direction and priorities of the world’s largest philanthropy. She is also the founder of Pivotal Ventures, an investment and incubation company working to drive social progress for women and families in the United States.

On April 23, Gates will debut “The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World,” a timely and necessary call to action for women’s empowerment. The candid and inspiring book traces Gates’ awakening to the link between women’s empowerment and the health of societies. It introduces us to Gates’ heroes in the movement toward equality, offers startling data and shares some of the moving conversations she’s had with women all over the world. Gates details the tremendous opportunities that exist right now to “turbo-charge” change, and she provides simple and effective methods that each of us can use to make a difference.

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and observed in libraries across the country each April. All types of libraries - school, public, academic and special - participate.

Most writers and readers adore their local libraries, and it's often an included vacation locale. However, many don't realize the full range of services a good library offers. For great examples, check out this article at The Write Life.

Did you, or your local libraries, celebrate with any special events this year? What is your favorite aspect of libraries?

IWSG: 2019 Anthology Contest Announcement

IWSG is opening for entries sooner and extending the submission timeline this year. It now opens May 1 and closes September 4. 

This year the genre is – Middle Grade Historical – adventure or fantasy. 

They will announce the theme on May 1. 

To learn more, check out: http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/




Don't forget the Masquerade anthology is hitting the shelves on April 30!

Masquerade: Oddly Suited

An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology

Find love at the ball…

Can a fake dating game show lead to love? Will a missing key free a clock-bound prince? Can a softball pitcher and a baseball catcher work together? Is there a vampire living in Paradise, Newfoundland? What’s more important—a virtual Traveler or a virtual date to the ball?

Ten authors explore young love in all its facets, from heartbreak to budding passion. Featuring the talents of L.G. Keltner, Jennifer Lane, C.D. Gallant-King, Elizabeth Mueller, Angela Brown, Myles Christensen, Deborah Solice, Carrie-Anne Brownian, Anstice Brown, and Chelsea Marie Ballard.

Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these ten tales will mystify and surprise even as they touch your heart. Don your mask and join the party…

Website - IWSG Anthologies

Young Adult Fiction: Romance - General/Paranormal/Contemporary

Print ISBN 9781939844644

eBook ISBN 9781939844651

Goodreads

Print and eBook:

iTunes, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo

IWSG: Writing Wishes

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs. You can also join us on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG, or on the Facebook page.

Now, IWSG hosts have changed up the format in an effort to make it more fun and interactive.Every month, they will announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Don’t forget to visit others that day to see their answers. Want to join, or learn more? Visit our - Sign-up List.

APRIL QUESTION: If you could use a wish to help you write just one scene/chapter of your book, which one would it be?

MY ANSWER: For most of my fiction pieces it would be the the scene or chapter just before the climax. I usually seem to have a lull or awkward scene just before the final showdown. I've heard a lot of writers say their weakest spot happens in the middle, but mine seems to happen maybe 2/3rds into the story. I do have one story that it seems to be the last chapter instead. Perhaps I just need to end this one sooner. I'm not sure what to do about the 2/3rds weak spot. Any suggestions?

If you could use a wish to help you write just one scene/chapter of your book, which one would it be? When reading, do you notice a particular area where you wish other authors had used a wish for help?

2019 A to Z Challenge Sign Ups and Theme Reveals

It's almost time for the annual "A to Z" blogging challenge. Ten years ago, 100 bloggers made a commitment to post the alphabet daily for a month, and at its height, there were several thousand participants. 

I myself participated for quite a few years. I enjoyed the experience greatly. It became a very inspiring, motivation, and educational experience each year. I made many blogging friends that I still keep up with, and even earned a few publications due to the exposure.

While the way it is held, run, and maintained has changed over the years, the spirit of fun and friendship has not waned. Unfortunately, I will not be able to participate this year. I have just taken on too much at work to commit the appropriate amount of time to blogging for a solid month. I still hope to visit many of the participants though.

Most of the repeat participants have already begun planning their posts for this April, and have begun posting theme reveals. While a theme is not a necessary requirement to participate, some feel it makes the challenge more interesting, fun, or cohesive. The theme reveal form closes on March 28 if you haven't made it over there yet. Are there any themes you would particularly care to see, or learn about in April?

This year is the TENTH ANNIVERSARY! Sign ups begin on March 1 and theme reveals began on March 18. To learn more about this challenge, or what you can expect to see this April, be sure to follow their website which is full of other useful information in addition to challenge fun: http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/ 

Have you ever participated in this challenge? Will you be taking part this year? What do you think of the changes?

Irish Classics, Prompts, and Party Tips

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Can't figure out how to celebrate? Try reading or watching one of the classics below, or click Here for a few writing prompts and party tips to help you celebrate a love of the Irish.

How will you be celebrating?

Scribbler

If you haven't noticed, a new fad has swept our nation in the last couple of years: the highly coveted box subscription craze. There are now box subscriptions available for just about any obsession: flowers, food, fashion, fitness, Disney, etc.

If you don't know what these are, it's when you can pay a fee (one time, annually, or monthly) to receive shipments of "selected for you material" pertaining to your fancy. I've been curious enough about these subscriptions to watch a few videos online, but so far I had not been tempted into joining in the trend.

The OCD side of my personality doesn't like the idea of paying for something when I don't know without a doubt what I should be getting in return. The allure of the "surprise" aspect has not overridden this emotional response.  However, I finally came across one that has tempted me. Now I'm considering one called SCRIBBLER.

Touted as "The only subscription box for novelists - created by authors, for authors." The monthly box can be purchased for just $27.50 -  $29.99. So, what's in this particular box that has piqued my interest? 

The website claims the box will help novelists do the three most important things: stay motivated, improve craft, and connect with writing professionals. Inside each box - curated writerly gifts, new release novel, a revision letter from an editor, exclusive invitation to chat with a publishing professional, and a collectible "writing passport" from a bestselling author.

I've watched a couple of unboxing and review videos now, and I'm very tempted. Are you? To learn more: https://www.goscribbler.com/

Do you subscribe to any boxing services? Have you heard of SCRIBBLER? Are you tempted to join?

IWSG: Hero or Villain?

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs. You can also join us on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG, or on the Facebook page.

Now, IWSG hosts have changed up the format in an effort to make it more fun and interactive.Every month, they will announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Don’t forget to visit others that day to see their answers. Want to join, or learn more? Visit our - Sign-up List.

MARCH QUESTION: Whose perspective do you like to write from best, the hero (protagonist) or the villain (antagonist)? And why?

MY ANSWER: I've enjoyed both at different times. Sometimes, they have ended up being the same person: hero and villain.

Whose perspective do you like to write, or read, from the best?