Reading, wRiting, and Roaming with Author Valerie Biel

Christmas Gifts for Writers (and other hard-to-buy-for people)

December 11, 2018

Momentary panic set in this past weekend when I came across a count-down-to-Christmas clock on a website. I don’t know what date I THOUGHT it was but seeing that Christmas was about two weeks away made me freak out—just a little bit.

I haven’t bought many gifts and I haven't finished decorating the house because I’m immersed in my work in progress. I’ve been slogging through a middle-grade novel for the better part of a year. This is a book that shouldn’t have taken this long to write, and yet, here I am. The rough draft will be finished by December 22. (Yes, you can hold me to that.)

I will need to take a break to finish decorating and buy some gifts. I am certain some of you have the same gift-giving challenges. I’m sharing some fab gift ideas for your writerly family... Continue Reading

October & November Best Reads!

December 4, 2018

These are all books by people I (kinda) know!

During the past two months I’ve read a number of books by authors who I have either met in person or online. I’ve had the privilege of reading a few of these books as a beta reader—giving advice (sometimes minimal/sometimes more than that) for possible changes before the book was published. I feel it’s an important disclaimer to give you before I review these books and recommend them to you.  

Recently, I was asked a question by a fellow reader who had been asked to read a friend’s book and review it. Unfortunately, the reader didn’t feel that she could give the book a good review. She asked what she should do? I jokingly said she had two choices . . . LIE or IGNORE the review request. (She would never actually write... Continue Reading

NOVEMBER WRITER'S FORUM

November 27, 2018

FEATURED ARTICLES:

The Big Picture – Treating Your Writing Like a Business

KDP Books Unavailable to International Readers

The Writers' Forum is a compilation of the month’s important publishing news and helpful writing information for authors, particularly those independently publishing their books. For readers, there are links to southern Wisconsin bookstores to preview their upcoming events. I’ve been an independently published author since 2014 and provide this information to assist others in the way that generous writers assisted me when I was at the beginning of my indie pub journey. On a professional level, I also use my publicity and editorial skills to aid other authors through my company ... Continue Reading

Naming Your Characters

November 6, 2018

I admire brilliant character names and agonized over choosing just the right ones for my Circle of Nine series’ characters. Assuming every author has this same problem, I’ve invited author Kristin A. Oakley to join me today for a discussion on this topic.

Valerie:  Long before I began writing, I admired JK Rowling’s ability to name characters. She used a blend of Latin, Greek, French, botanical, and astrological names to create her characters’ monikers. My series is inspired by Celtic mythology and witchcraft, so I made sure to research Irish names, both... Continue Reading

October Writers' Forum

October 30, 2018

FEATURED ARTICLES: 

The Writing-Marketing Balance

Amazon’s Review Rules

The Writers' Forum is a compilation of the month’s important publishing news and helpful writing information for authors, particularly those independently publishing their books. For readers, there are links to southern Wisconsin bookstores to preview their upcoming events. I’ve been an independently published author since 2014 and provide this information to assist others in the way that generous writers assisted me when I was at the beginning of my indie pub journey. On a professional level, I also use my publicity and editorial skills to aid other authors through my company Lost Lake Press. I'd love to use my skills to... Continue Reading

9 Reading Lists for a Haunting Halloween

October 23, 2018

It’s that time again . . . it’s almost Halloween. Or for those who follow a slightly different calendar, Samhain, is nearly upon us. This is when the veil between the worlds thins and makes it easier for us to commune with the spirit world. (Are you feeling the spooky vibe yet?)

Are you looking for ghostly, eerie, witchy, creepy, spine-tingling reads this year?

Or even just a little non-frightening Halloween fun in book form?

I have some excellent book lists for all ages and fright levels. Nine lists . . . because nine is a magical number.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... Continue Reading

Writing Conferences: Why You Should Attend - Kristin A. Oakley

October 16, 2018

Welcome back to author Kristin A. Oakley with her take on Writers Conferences.

Kristin advised us about the helpfulness of Critique Groups in July and explained all about Hybrid Publishing in September. Before we jump into all the things we can learn by attending a writing conference, I want to give Kristin a huge shout out as she gets set to celebrate the release of her audiobook versions of Carpe Diem, Illinois and God on Mayhem Street. You can read all about this adventure on her blog post... Continue Reading

Tall Poppy Readers Fav Books of 2018

October 8, 2018

This past week, I was invited to the cool kids’ lunch table . . . The Tall Poppy Writers invited me to take part in their Book Blogger Appreciation Week on their reader site: Bloom: A Group for Tall Poppy Readers.

The Tall Poppy Writers are a group of 44 female writers. Ann Garvin (a Wisconsin author) founded the group, and it was Susan Gloss (another Tall Poppy Writer) who invited me to hang out this past week on the Bloom Facebook Page.

Why am I telling you this?... Continue Reading

Book Reviews – August and September Favorites

September 29, 2018

I have been immersed in dystopian, post-apocalyptic fiction during the past two months. What’s new? Everyone knows I love that sort of story!! However, the truly outstanding reads were a memoir and two works of contemporary fiction.

THE HATE U GIVE by Angie Thomas

This is an excellent novel that examines the aftermath of a police shooting of an unarmed black man through the eyes of his life-long friend Starr Carter, the only witness to the shooting other than the police... Continue Reading

September Writers' Forum

September 26, 2018
FEATURED ARTICLES: Log Line – Pitching your book in one sentence. CreateSpace Update

Now in its second year, the Writers' Forum is a compilation of the month’s important publishing news and helpful writing information for authors, particularly those independently publishing their books. For readers, there are links to southern Wisconsin bookstores to preview their upcoming events. I’ve been an independently published author since 2014 and provide this information to assist others in the way that generous writers assisted me when I was at the beginning of my indie pub journey. On a professional level, I also use my publicity and editorial skills to aid other authors through my company Lost Lake Press. I'd love to use my... Continue Reading

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