Writing Blog
Last minute holiday shopper? Give the gift of books…
I know what I like to receive under the tree – books. Ever since I was little, I loved seeing stack of books I’d received under the Christmas tree. And that hasn’t changed at all over the years. I still love receiving – and gifting – books. To help cut down on your gift-giving expenses,…
Read MoreGorgeous cover reveal for Laura Morelli’s latest: The Last Masterpiece
My friend Laura Morelli has a new historical novel coming in 2023 called THE LAST MASTERPIECE. Look at this gorgeous cover! And yes, I admit I do judge books that way … especially if they plan on covering the breathtaking beauty of Florence and its spectacular art. If you do not yet know Laura’s work,…
Read MorePreparing my next publication – a short story collection
I’ve been super busy as 2022 comes to a close. After my first three novels, I decided to break with routine and to publish a short story collection. I have loved writing short stories – and some of the stories in this collection have won prizes or been included in anthologies and magazines. Others were…
Read MoreLearning the craft of short stories
While I’m not a fan of Zoom-work, or Zoom-school, I do have to admit I am a big fan of Zoom writing craft classes. I have been taking them recently, and I am pleased to join in on classes I wouldn’t otherwise be able to join. When you’re a writer, craft classes always provide new…
Read MoreOne year as a NetGalley Reviewer!
It has been about one year since I have joined NetGalley as a book reviewer! If you don’t yet know NetGalley, it is an ARC (advanced readers’ copies) distibution platform where publishers and indie authors alike post soon-to-be published books to be read in exchange for an honest review. I first joined NetGalley as a…
Read MoreTaking my novel, In The Shadow of The Apennines, out to meet its setting
My newest novel, In The Shadow of The Apennines, is set in modern days – in the Abruzzo mountain town of Marsicano, and in the nearby town of Pescina at the eve of WWI. While Pescina is very real, Marsicano is an invented Italian mountain town. However, it bears a striking resemblance to the real…
Read MoreMarking Armistice Day through WWI literature
Today is Armistice Day. The day in which the end of WWI fighting was declared at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918. I am fascinated by WWI stories. I love the era and the way society was changing at the outset of the twentieth century. In order to…
Read MoreAbruzzo’s WWI Memorial soldiers in In The Shadow of The Apennines
An important symbol in my newly released novel, In The Shadow of The Apennines, is the memorial soldier statue found at the high peak of the Italian mountain town that serves as the setting of my story. My novel’s protagonist, Samantha, is an American who moves to the tiny Abruzzo mountain town of Marsicano, hoping…
Read MoreA big shout-out to Bookstagrammers and book bloggers supporting my launch
I’m hardly an expert, but this is the third book launch I have under my belt, so at least I’ve gleaned some knowledge about how book promotion is done. And, as I’ve learned, it’s wonderful to leave things to the experts. So pleased to have my Bookstagrammer launch tour through Kate Rock Book tours. Kate…
Read MoreHappy Publication Day to In The Shadow of the Apennines!
It’s here….!! I am so excited to announce that my new novel, In The Shadow of The Apennines, officially launches TODAY! As fellow writers know, it takes a lot to get a novel out into the world, so, even if there will be a million details to handle and assessments to make, launch day is…
Read More