Writing Blog
Author Kathryn Maeglin tackles serious topics with humor in her novel A Hunka Hunka Nursing Love
I’m pleased to introduce Kathryn Maeglin’s book and to chat with her about her writing. Kathryn and I ‘met’ virtually through the wonderful, new Women’s Fiction Writer’s Association. If you’re a women’s fiction writer and haven’t run across this group yet, take a look at its new web site here. Kathryn, an American midwest-based former…
Read MoreToday’s the book launch of Catherine McNamara’s Pelt and Other Stories
I am very excited to announce today’s launch of a short story collection spanning continents, Pelt and Other Stories, by my friend, the author Catherine McNamara. I’ve already had Catherine on this blog when her novel The Divorced Lady’s Companion to Living in Italy came out. In an author interview, Catherine shared information and advice…
Read MoreMy story, Amica del cuore, will be published in the Far Flung and Foreign anthology
Recently I got the news that my short story, Amica del cuore, will be published in the annual anthology of Writers Abroad. I wrote about the call for contributions in an earlier post. The title of this year’s anthology is Far Flung and Foreign, and contributors to this year’s anthology were asked to contribute a…
Read MoreLess than a month to go to the Matera Women’s Fiction Festival!
Women’s fiction writers … and female authors of romances, thrillers, mysteries, fantasy, young adult and just about any other genre out there, you have less than a month ’til the Matera Women’s Fiction Festival, so be sure to sign up. I already wrote about this year’s festival in an earlier post . There are lots of…
Read MoreWhy I didn’t say yes – An agent’s perspective
On her excellent blog, literary agent Rachelle Gardner authored a useful post ‘Why I didn’t say yes to your submission.’ As Ms Gardner points out, most agents try to provide an explanation when they pass on a full manuscript. It’s interesting to read the reasoning from an agent’s perspective. She likens it to when you…
Read MoreSarah Waters’ ten rules for writing fiction
I enjoyed British author Sarah Waters’ World War II novel The Night Watch, and I absolutely adored her wonderfully atmospheric, Gothic novel The Little Stranger. So when I saw this Aerogramme Writers’ Studio post with the author’s useful writing advice – Sarah Waters’ ten rules for writing fiction – I had to see what this…
Read MoreYour story architecture
Going through a complete apartment renovation means I probably have architecture on the mind. But I know I should probably take my story architecture as seriously as I do my home architecture. That’s why I was so happy to see this post on the wonderful Writers in the Storm blog : Figuring out your story’s turning…
Read MoreSummer Holiday Reading
Since I adore travel and reading in equal measure, it’s not odd that I love to combine the two. When I visit a place, I always try to have a novel set in that destination tucked away in my suitcase. Some of my most vivid impressions I’ve experienced while reading books have been for books…
Read MoreHappy retirement, Alice Munro!
I know that many admirers – like me – of Canadian short story writer Alice Munro were saddened to know that the talented author has announced her retirement from writing. I love Ms Munro’s stories, always based in the same Canadian regions and following the lives of every day men and women. Although the stories…
Read MoreEven author JK Rowling is a victim of the slushpile
To all you authors querying your work and trying to bounce back after rejections – take heart! The slushpile is a place aspiring authors know all too well, but British author JK Rowling, of Harry Potter fame, hasn’t had to face rejection in a long time. Until now, that is. An article in The Telegraph…
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