"There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island." - Walt Disney

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

IWSG Anthology Cover Reveal

Dancing Lemur Press has finally revealed the cover of the next IWSG anthology, Masquerade: Oddly Suited…


Masquerade: Oddly Suited
An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology
Release date – April 30, 2019
Young Adult Fiction: Romance - General/Paranormal/Contemporary
Print ISBN 9781939844644
EBook ISBN 9781939844651

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…


Who's ready for a party now?

Sunday, January 20, 2019

2019 Conferences, Workshops, and Literary Festivals: Texas and Louisiana List

I will try to provide a broader national and international list at a later date, but for now here are a few of my favorites for Texas and Louisiana:


2/16 - Southwest Louisiana Book Festival in Lake Charles - https://www.swlabookfest.org/

3/9 - Jambalaya Writers Conference in Houma, Louisiana - http://mytpl.org/jwc/

3/8-17 - SXSW Film and writers festival in Austin - http://www.sxsw.com/


3/27-31 - New Orleans Literary Festival -  http://www.tennesseewilliams.net/

4/16 - "Serious Writers, Inc." is sponsoring a one day Tour Stop on April 17 in Wimberley, Texas . You can learn more at http://www.seriouswriter.com/wimberley/

5/18-19 - Austin Writer's and Illustrators  Conference - https://austin.scbwi.org/events/austin-2019-writers-illustrators-working-conference/

6/22-23 - Dallas Writer's Conference - http://dfwcon.org/

6/28-7/1 - Unconfirmed - Austin Agents and Editors Conference - http://www.writersleague.org/38/Conference

9/2019 - SCBWI - Unconfirmed so check back - Houston Writer's Guild Conference - https://houston.scbwi.org/

9/14-23 - Unconfirmed - New Orleans Story Con -  http://nolastorycon.com/

10/12 - Unconfirmed - Louisiana:Bayou Writers - A Bridge to Publication

10/24- 10/31 - Austin Film Festival -  https://austinfilmfestival.com/

10/26-27 - Austin Book Festival - https://www.texasbookfestival.org/

10/31-11/3 - New Orleans Mystery Convention - http://www.bouchercon.com/

11/9-16 - Unconfirmed - New Orleans Book Festival - https://www.everfest.com/e/new-orleans-book-festival-new-orleans-la

Please feel free to comment with any you would like to see added to this list or the national one I am working to complete. Anyone know of any in other countries besides the US? Please feel free to comment with those as well. You never know when an opportunity will arise. Right? :-)

Sunday, January 13, 2019

IWSG News


1) The #IWSGPit Twitter pitch is once a year now – and the next one is on January 15. Hundreds of agents and publishers will be checking the hashtag that day. For rules and a list of genre hashtags, visit the #IWSGPit page.

2) Here are the prompts for January over at the IWSG Instagram:


3) Congratulations again to the IWSG Anthology winners! I believe this publication will hit shelves in April 2019. Here are the stories and authors selected for the fourth anthology:

Oddly Suited by LG Keltner
Sea of Sorrows by AV Brown
Behind the Catcher’s Mask by Jennifer Lane
A Diver’s Ball by Angela Brown
Fearless Heart by Deborah Solice
The Dark Charade by CD Gallant-King
The Cog Prince by Elizabeth Mueller
Flower of Ronda by Myles Christensen
Remedy by Chelsea Ballard
Charleston Masquerade by Carrie-Anne Brownian 


What news do you have to share this month? Have you heard any good news lately?

Monday, January 7, 2019

Take What You Need

Last semester my high school students spent quite a bit of time discussing and writing about social issues and controversies. We debated the type of problems that influence a considerable number of individuals in a society in a potentially negative manner - anxiety, depression, suicide, cheating, equality, gender/race/ethnicity identity, substance abuse, education, etc. Their solution? A wall of positivity where students can grab uplifting quotes. This is ready for students who return tomorrow and can be refilled as needed.


The most common positive concepts the classes decided to address: love, faith, hope, peace, patience, kindness, confidence, happiness, self-control, and humility.

Which ones do you find yourself in need of addressing? What about the characters in your story? What are some of your go-to quotes when struggling?

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

IWSG: Questions

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.

JANUARY QUESTION: What are your favorite and least favorite questions people ask you about your writing?

MY ANSWER: 
FAVORITE
I loved your story, when can I expect the sequel?
What would your character do if...?
How did you become such a talented author?
Would you be willing to come read/speak with our group?

LEAST FAVORITE
Have you published anything new this week? 
Why haven't you ever published a full length book? 
If I give you my idea, can you write my book for me? 
Aren't writers just professional liars?

What questions are your favorite and least favorite? What do you wish you knew about some of your favorite authors?


Happy New Year everyone, and congratulations to the IWSG anthology contest winners!