The new Women’s Fiction Writers Association

I wrote a post about this new association when it was still an informal Yahoo mail loop. But about a month ago, the group became an official association and I just paid my annual dues and became an ‘official’ member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association a few weeks ago. See their web site here.…

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Wrap-up of Matera Women’s Fiction Festival 2013

I am just back from my fabulous annual pilgrimage to the Matera Women’s Fiction Festival. This is my third year participating in this inspiring event. Once again, I’ve learned a tremendous amount about publishing from the experts, had a great time at live pitching sessions to agents and publishers, met a wonderful group of interesting…

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Greetings from the Matera Women’s Fiction Festival!

I’m writing this in advance, as I’ll have my hands full attending the annual Matera Women’s Fiction Festival when this is posted. This is my third year attending, so I know what an (enjoyable) hectic pace it is. Here’s what I’ll be doing when this goes on-line: First, I’ll be busy eating and drinking well.…

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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…

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Time to sign up for the Matera Women’s Fiction Festival

As some of you may know, for the past two years I’ve attended the Women’s Fiction Festival held each September in the beautiful town of Matera, in Italy’s southern region of Basilicata. The festival is a great way to learn about the publishing industry today, how the environment is changing and what writers should do…

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Gender-bias in book covers? Coverflip.

I’m proud to write women’s fiction, but I know this genre label can raise hackles far and wide. The argument goes that, when men and women write about similar, (often domestic) topics, the men’s work is seen as serious fiction (a.k.a. The Great American Novel), while the women’s work is written off as light, beach-reading…

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More fun with historical research: Ball gowns!

And here’s where most men will stop reading… As Mr. Bennet himself put it so elegantly when his wife attempted to describe ball gowns to him in the BBC film version of  Pride and Prejudice: “No lace. No lace, Mrs. Bennet, I beg you!” Chapter three of  Pride and Prejudice expresses Mr. Bennet’s disdain for discussions…

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The Happy Booker-Alternative Book Award

My friend and blogging buddy, author Catherine McNamara (if you haven’t seen my author interview with Catherine, take a look here), has nominated me to create a list for the Happy Booker-Alternative Book Award. I follow the Booker prize each year – here are the nominations for 2013, but I like the idea of a…

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