My novelette The Wallace House of Pain has made it onto the "short list" for the 2023 Shorts Book Awards competition sponsored by Chanticleer International Book Awards (CIBA). "Shorts" encompass short stories, essays, novelettes, novellas and short story collections. From here, finalists are named, and then the winners will be chosen. About The Wallace House … Continue reading “The Wallace House of Pain” Short-Listed for a CIBA Award
I realize I haven't posted in a while, but that doesn't mean I haven't been busy! In fact, things are cookin' in my book kitchen. The book projects keeping me busy are: 1) Publishing Beautiful and Terrible Things, with my new publisher Black Rose Writing. Their awesome team is plugging away behind the scenes to … Continue reading What’s Cookin’ in My Book Kitchen
I'm happy to share two new reader reviews of my award-winning novelette, The Wallace House of Pain. Both readers gave the short fiction work five stars, for which I am grateful. I am especially grateful to hear that my story resonated so strongly with this first reviewer; nothing makes an author more appreciative than knowing … Continue reading New Reader Reviews of “The Wallace House of Pain”
My children's chapter book Shannon's Odyssey is now available in audiobook format! Did you know audiobooks are hugely popular with kids (and their parents)? I'll be honest, I was surprised to learn this. Studies have found that listening to audiobooks encourages children to use their imaginations. Audiobooks serve as a gateway to reading print books … Continue reading Children’s Chapter Book Now in Audiobook
I'm very excited to announce that a second edition of my adult contemporary novel Horseshoes and Hand Grenades has been published! It's the same story, with minor updates, that has been winning accolades like the following: “A novel that will likely stick in my mind for years to come.” -- The Audiobook Review “A beautifully … Continue reading Second Edition of Horseshoes and Hand Grenades Published
Shepherd, as my regular readers know, is a relatively new site for finding your next book, but with a twist: the book recommendations are from authors. I am one of 884 authors asked to name our 3 favorite reads for 2023. Choosing was tough, of course, and stopping at three was even tougher. But here's my … Continue reading My 3 Favorite Reads for 2023
My little novelette, The Wallace House of Pain, is having a good month! Three weeks ago, I announced that this story of family strife and personal identity won an American Fiction Award in the novelette category. Today, I am thrilled to announce that The Wallace House of Pain has made it onto the "long list" … Continue reading Chanticleer/CIBA Recognizes “The Wallace House of Pain”
I don't usually post twice in a week -- that's why I call this blog a space for "semi-occasional" news. But it's been a good week for my novelette/play The Wallace House of Pain. A few days ago, I announced that the script for the play has been published in a literary journal. Today, I … Continue reading “The Wallace House of Pain” Wins American Fiction Award
Maybe I should have called this post: Book Deal, Take 2: Beautiful and Terrible Things. Beautiful and Terrible Things is my next novel -- the story of six friends who remind us that friendship has the power to validate, destroy, transform and save lives. I have bad news and good news. And the bad news … Continue reading Book Deal Update: Beautiful and Terrible Things
Time to report in on two recent writing events I attended. NHWP 603 Writers’ Conference I was thrilled to be one of five finalists in the "Pitch Party" competition at the 2023 603 Writers' Conference sponsored by the New Hampshire Writers' Project (NHWP) on June 3rd. My submission was for my work-in-progress, a novel entitled … Continue reading It’s a Pitch Party in the 603