I learn something new with every book I publish. What I’ve learned with AlphaOops: H is for Halloween is: 1.) It is WAY easier to write the second book if you already know the characters, what their motivations are, and what they look like. 2.) It is more helpful to write the manuscript in actual theatre or film script…
I love reviewers. Love them. Especially when they 1.) are nice to me and 2.) spell my name correctly. Like this review in particular, from the Pittsburgh Tribune (warning: spoilers!). “A raucous Halloween production,” they say — which I appreciate simply for the use of the word “raucous.” They praise my clever idea and Bob’s exuberant art, and list…
Dude, I went to bed thinking I’d be lucky if one or two people responded to lay eyes on this manuscript real quick. By the time I woke up this morning I had been contacted by TEN PEOPLE, and more have been flooding in who missed last night’s window. I am humbled at this outpouring of generosity. You guys…
I was only going to edit one chapter tonight, but everybody went to bed and I just couldn’t stop. Finally, after far too long a time, I am finished with what feels like the umpteenth revision of HAVEN, my YA paranormal/horror novel. It’s 70K words, and I’m looking for some pre-readers who can get back to me fairly quickly….
As you know from reading this blog (*waves to those who are newcomers*), I’m usually quite vocal about the origin of my stories. For one, knowing a little bit about them (beyond the title), helps you as a reader decide whether you even want to bother. For two, it helps those of you who are writers answer the everlasting…
…the San Francisco Chronicle, for their lovely review of Althea Kontis’s AlphaOops: H is for Halloween. I get it, I do. It’s not totally their fault. Spell check nowadays will actually correct “Alethea” to “Althea” when you’re not looking. I forgive the folks who spell it wrong in emails (even though they’ve somehow managed to spell my email or…
I’m not eligible for this yet. But I will be, someday… It’s a dream I have. (And yes, I am a proud member of SFWA.) *********************************** LOS ANGELES – The jury for the Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy is actively reading works published in 2010. The 2010 Norton Award jury members is chaired by…
I love vlogs. I really need to do one someday. Until then, I will be content knowing that I’ve been name-dropped in one. Hooray! The Qwillery is giving away a copy of Werewolves and Shape Shifters: Encounters with the Beasts Within. This brief vlog shows you the book, tells you a little bit about it, and mentions the contest…
It was all the rage in high school: South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts. As a junior or senior you could audition for their summer program in one discipline: visual art, ballet, drama, singing, writing…there may have been others, but two of those defined who I was. There was only one problem. I had to choose between them….
I have been notified that Zero Gravity, one of the anthologies I’m in this year from Pill Hill Press, has been selected to be released as one of their Limited Edition Hardcovers. These Limited Editions are only available from the Pill Hill website (click here). They are available through December 31st, 2010. Zero Gravity will be available in late…
Dearest Squad, A new chapter is now live! Chapter…
I finished my novel on Wednesday. I had such…
Joan Wilder was always my hero. I was 8…
