June Scribbler Box

I just received my third box from Scribbler. You can learn about the April box, and why I subscribed here. Or you can learn about my May box here.

At first glance, I don't love it as much as the second box. Just as before, the first thing you see upon opening the box is a writing exercise postcard. Each month provides a new challenge for writers to practice.

The first item after that was a bag of coffee. As I mentioned in April I don't drink coffee, but I do enjoy the smell of it so I will be passing this bag (which smells wonderful) to my husband.

Some other goodies included a coaster that reads "Rise & Write," four different bookmarks with pictures/quotes, and a "Reading Guide" notepad.

This months new release novel is STORM AND FURY by Jennifer L. Armentrout. The description for this one sounds mildly interesting. As usual, there is also an autograph plate, a revision letter from an editor, an exclusive invitation to chat with a publishing professional, and a collectible "writing passport" from a bestselling author. 

This months theme was AUTHOR CAREER and the revision letter included was from a different novel by this author.

The monthly professional invitation is to chat with Natashya Wilson, executive editor for Inkyard Press. I absolutely love that this subscription service is connecting us to professionals in the field. I had to miss the last two months invitation to the live interaction due to work conflict, but have since caught the recording. I'll let you know how all three have gone soon.

I originally ordered a three month subscription, and I'm not sure about the long haul, but I will subscribe for a few more months to see what quality and variety they offer. To learn more about this service: https://www.goscribbler.com/

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

The Haunted Book Shop

Every summer I make sure to include some kind of literary stop in my vacation. Last week I came across a truly enjoyable find.

The Haunted Book Shop in Mobile, Alabama was a surprising delight. The original namesake was created in 1941 by Adelaide Marston (later Adelaide Trigg) and Cameron Plummer and named for their favorite book, The Haunted Book Shop, by Christopher Morley. 

The Haunted Bookshop is not a novel of  the supernatural. Rather, the name refers to the ghosts of the past that haunt all libraries and bookstores: "the ghosts of all great literature." - Christopher Morley

The current bookstore’s owner, Angela Trigg, is the granddaughter of Adelaide Trigg and knows that the store is “..haunted by the ghosts of all great literature.”

She’s also been moonlighting as a romance author, writing under the pen name Angela Quarles. She is a RWA RITA® award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, time travel, and steampunk romance.

This charming store is full of interesting finds, tidbits, and more. Wall displays offer interesting breakdowns and ties between genre stories, authors, and timelines.

Sticky Notes can be found around the store pointing out interesting information about the plots, cover designs, and more.

Themed rugs adorn each genre section of the store. And a writer's room mimics a dream home office complete with shelves full of books on craft.

To learn more about Trigg and this delightful bookstore, you can visit:  https://thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/

For other ideas on fun Literary Travels:

17 New Orleans French Quarter Literary Hot Spots
26 Days of Literary Scotland
7 Austin, Texas Literary Locations
10 Italian Literary Hot Spots
10 Places You Can Drink Like Your Favorite Writer
10 Reading Venues Worth a Visit
7 Literary Locations to Visit With Kids
5 Writers Homes for Literary Vacations
Poe Museum

How about you? Have you found any great literary spots you would recommend while traveling?

IWSG: Favorite Genre

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.

JUNE QUESTION: Of all the genres you read and write, which is your favorite to write in and why?

MY ANSWER: I genre hop quite a bit, but the most common element seems to be romance. Whether I'm reading, or writing, I enjoy elements of love. It's the most basic human need, and universal theme, so it makes sense that I would prefer a tale with elements of that emotion - even when it's not an outright romance novel.

For a sample, check out a few of my FREE short stories:

Thankful Every Day
Madame Tooshkas Spell
Masters in Love
Love's New Beginning

Which genre is your favorite to read and write in and why?