We're nearing the end of March 2021 ALREADY! I hope your writing has helped you during isolation.

 Hi Fellow Writers and Readers!

I've been looking forward to our lives getting back to normal after the sadness of Covid19 and all of the pain it caused the world.

I feel very fortunate to be a writer with a vivid imagination. Writing allows us to vent or to escape the real world and lose ourselves in a happier world of our creation.

I'm excited to see more and more authors arise during the Pandemic. Not only is it simply an awesome thing to do ... writing stories, but it is cathartic. I hope writing has allowed you to release your feelings and experiences into journals. These journal entries are a part of history. Future generations will want to know what it was like to live and survive a pandemic.

I want to send my deepest condolences to all of the families who have lost loved ones. I continue to send prayers of healing for those whose health has been damaged long-term by this terrible illness.

Finding our way back to normalcy is a long journey. We will get through this.

Keep Writing, Keep Submitting, and Keep Smiling
  

Nice to have an extra hand with my novel in progress!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2019

Keep Writing, Keep Submitting and Keep Smiling

Twitter Help for Writers

Authors need Social Media to be successful. It is not only helpful but it is a requirement. According to Agents, editors, and publishing houses you must have an online presence.

I haven't met any authors who would debate that fact.

During a writer's conference workshop, we were told an interested agent WILL look you up online to see if you are active on social media. The agent wants to know you are willing to promote yourself and your writing.

Young people are genius at social media. I'm still learning how to use social media effectively. I've picked up a bit of knowledge but definitely not enough. I'm working on it.

There are people out on social media who are willing to help. If you "follow" someone on Twitter, there's a good chance they will "follow" you back. If you engage with other people on Twitter, there's a good chance they will engage with you.
Read people's profile pages and tweets before "following" them. Make sure they are legitimate profile pages. If so, engage!
I have received great help this week on Twitter from @digitalbookgirl and want to take a moment to mention her name and hopefully return the kindness. She promoted my children's book, Meet Sandy Gull by posting the Amazon "buy" link on her social media sites and "liking" some photo posts I'd put on the Sandy Gull Facebook page. I appreciate that very much. Look her up on Twitter and make contact. Digitalbookgirl also has a blog page.

Most authors on Twitter have been very social and are willing to engage. Great conversations may be had both in simply enjoying conversation with like-minded people or asking questions and receiving helpful insights. Writing contests, pitch slams, writing tips, and humor are more of the fun social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook offer authors.

Other social media avenues writers enjoy participating in are writing communities on Facebook. Jump in with both feet and increase your online presence.

Keep Writing, Keep Submitting and Keep Smiling

What happens after you "place" in a short story writing contest for publication in an anthology

Hi My Fellow Writers

After I "placed" in the Rehoboth Beach Reads 2018 Contest this is how things went ...

First you get that wonderful call telling you your story has been accepted for publication in the book. In my case I heard from Nancy of Cat & Mouse Press. I was told I received a "Judge's Award" which is not a cash prize but the story receives a special judge's comment. You are then instructed that the story will receive edits. The edits are then sent to you for your review.
**We must always remember that the edits are meant to improve, tighten and make your story the best it can be. I'd like to mention though, if you don't agree with something that has been deleted or changed, don't be shy about sending the editor your comments. The editor will explain why they felt the change should happen and you may explain your thoughts on the change. Maybe with some compromise you will both be happy. Keep in mind your Editor is a professional and gives serious thought to any objections. Your story will be edited for grammar, punctuation as well as spacing for their book, POV mistakes, etc.
This process may or may not make you happy, but remember what I mentioned above, and keep an open mind. Read the edits, then sleep on it and with a fresh eye, read them again. Try not to become defensive.
 Once you and the Editor agree to the edits, your story is then given to a Copy editor. In my case I was told I would get one review of those edits before publication. There may be more punctuation edits and spacing changes to get your story ready for the book. This process went very quickly.
Then you wait until your book launch. Beach Fun will Launch on November 10, 2018.
The book Beach Fun came back from the printer much sooner than was expected and soon I was holding my author copy!

Beach Fun is available at www.catandmousepress.com/shop/  as well as on Amazon.
My story begins on page 81 Where's Miss Birdie?
I hope you'll enjoy it as well as the 24 other stories.

Keep Writing, Keep Submitting and Keep Smiling!

Beach Read - Book Launch Party Date is November 10, 2018

Hi Everyone!
 I "placed" in a writing contest and won a Judge's Award as well as publication in a book of short stories for my story titled Where's Miss Birdie?
The book title is

BEACH FUN  and is published by Cat & Mouse Press.
 The launch part will be held at Browseabout Book store at 133 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware on the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk on November 10, 2018.

  The theme for this year's contest was beach fun. The books in this yearly contest and publication are mainly centered on the local area of Rehoboth Beach. The books are a collection of short stories perfect for reading while relaxing on the beach, sitting in a doctor's waiting room, bedtime reading, etc.
   The book will be available in the bookstore in Rehoboth Beach as well as on the Amazon.com website etc.
I hope you'll enjoy reading my story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Keep Writing and Keep Submitting and most of all Keep Smiling!   

22nd Free "Dear Lucky Agent" Contest: Contemporary & Literary YA

22nd Free "Dear Lucky Agent" Contest is going on now! The deadline is August 24, 2016 so enter before it's too late!

Put your work out there.... go for the dream!

This contest is being judged by Agent Andrea Morrison of Writers House via Chuck Sambuchino!
Very Exciting!

Click here for more information on how to enter

As always Keep Writing, Keep Submitting and KEEP SMILING!

5 Star Review of Meet Sandy Gull

I was fortunate to receive a 5 star review from Emily-Jane Hills Oxford this week for my children's book MEET SANDY GULL

My reviewer is also an author of more than 25 books and resides in Canada. Please check out her website!


KEEP WRITING AND SUBMITTED
and always keep smiling!