WordShaping

Why I Write Fantasy - Pat McDermott

2012-01-24T01:00:00.000-07:00

The Balm ofFantasy

Aren’t there enoughtroubling issues to write about for teenage readers without making stuff up?

Sure. That’s one reason why I write fantasy. Not only did I used to be ateenager, I also had two in the house for thirteen years or so. Theirexperiences gave me some knife-edged refreshers on what it’s like to be a teen.As if I could forget.

I recall my own teenage years well because I disliked them so much. Many teensdo, for reasons ranging from embarrassing skin to curfews and cliques, STDs andmental health, body image, peer pressure, bullying, depression, drug abuse, andworse. Being a teenager is, and always has been, hard work.

Some teens find comfort reading about characters plagued by problems akin totheirs. Others prefer to bury themselves in rousing adventures that helprelieve stress for a while. Those looming final exams don’t seem sodesperate when vampires, werewolves, dragons, and aliens threaten the world.

During my teens, I often sought refuge in tales like Treasure Island, GreatExpectations, the Hardy Boys mysteries, Peter Pan, and all sorts offairy tales. Even better, I started creating my own escapes. I love to writeand have three adventures coming soon from MuseItUp: the "Band ofRoses" stories, alternate histories set in an Ireland that might havebeen. Glancing Through the Glimmer is the "prequel" to thattrilogy.

Glimmer’s hero and heroine, Liam Boru and Janet Gleason, struggle todeal with their own teenage issues. Their problems fall by the wayside when theKing of the Fairies decides he’d like to dance with Janet—for the next fewcenturies. Danger and magic shadow her and hinder her budding romance withLiam. What would you do if you were Janet? Or if you were Liam, could you fightfairy enchantment to save her? Can Janet save Liam when the Fairy King turns onhim? (I sure hope so. I need them both for the sequel.)

Whether readers identify with a character, or whether they simply enjoy goingalong for the ride, fantasy offers a respite from the world’s afflictions, andnot just for teens. I love all genres of YA—but I still like the fantasy best.

Pat McDermott

Born and educated in Boston, Massachusetts, Pat grew up in a family fullof music and myths that have found their way into her stories. Her"Band of Roses" trilogy and her young adult novel, GlancingThrough the Glimmer, are romantic adventures set in an Irelandthat might have been. One of her short stories, By the Light of MyHeart, was featured in the recently released Mammoth Book of Irish Romance. Pat is amember of the New Hampshire Writers' Project, Seacoast Writers' Association,Romance Writers of America, and Celtic Hearts Romance Writers. Pat'sfavorite non-writing activities include cooking, hiking, reading, andtraveling, especially to Ireland. She lives in New Hampshire, where she iscurrently working on Autumn Glimmer, thefairy-filled sequel to Glancing Through the Glimmer.

Learn more about Pat McDermott at her website

& her Writing/Travel Blog (Put the Kettle On)

Jane Toombs - Why Writing epubs Is Relaxing

2012-01-17T11:24:00.000-07:00

What really stresses me about mywriting is getting a project done. For example I’m currentlyworking on dividing a long California saga I wrote ages ago into a series of sevenseparate novellas for Books We LovePublishing Partners to put onto Kindle. Yes, everyone tells me howeasy it is to do it myself, but they don’t understand I will never be a techieand do not need the additional stress of trying to be one. So why do Ifind this project stressful? Because I have another half-finished projectI really need to be working on since another publisher is waiting for the thirdbook in a different series. I’m not exactly procrastinating, but it feelslike it and I hate feeling this way.

What tends to relax me and keep mecreative? Well, for the immediate future I’ve resolved when Ifinish the second novella in the California saga series, I’ll stop and finishthe other book I need to turn in, thus taking the pressure in my mindaway. Because, actually, what I’m doing with the saga is onlyediting. Any revisions are additions to the first chapter at thebeginning of each book for clarity, as I’ve already done the work of separatingthis very long book into seven shorter ones. I’ll then turn in the firsttwo books to BWLPP so they can start working up covers for them and I’ll finishthe book I really need to turn in, thus eliminating the stress.

I’ve stopped writing for NYpubs because killer deadlines were keeping me pretty much always stressed. With additional stress because I was constantly having to remember to fit mybooks into a line, when I’m really not that kind of writer. By that Imean some of my books need to be sexy and others don’t. Someneed to be paranormal and others don’t. And so on. Even though I’ma plotter, not a pantser, because I work with a synopsis, I can’t alwaysforesee what the characters will tell me about themselves as I work withthem. I truly love the no-pressure, no-line epubs.

My primary way to relax is toread. I once compared this to the need to fill up again on words afterI’d used up all my current ones in my own stories. Whatever the reason,reading does relax me so much that I sometimes fall asleep in the middle of abook. Which really has nothing to do with how interesting it is.

I sometimes take a walk along thebeach as I live across the road from Lake Superior’s south shore. Or do aspot of easy gardening, like snapping off old flower heads. OccasionallyI do a bit of cooking ahead, like making soup. For some reason,soup-making is relaxing for me. Maybe because it reminds me of being achild and watching my mother make soup while we talked. I’ve triedrelaxation techniques, but they don’t work for me because I can’t shut off mymind. I start to feel myself drifting and the next I know, I’m in themidst of creating a plot for another story, which is not relaxing.

So I’ve come to believe that sinceevery writer is an individual, what works for one may not for another. But I believe we all should explore ways to de-stress ourselves because Iwell-know how tight we can get wound up during the writing process. There is no right or wrong way to relax, although it’s wise not to getdependent on drug use for that purpose. That said, I admit to having avodka tonic with cran-cherry juice and lime every evening before supper withthe Viking. But only one. We have a screened porch where we sit ingood weather and watch the birds and chipmunks. I get so relaxed I sometimesfall asleep. My advice to writers is that every one of us should exploreevery possible way to relax until the “right” way or ways for each individualis found.

Jane Toombs, alongwith the Viking from her past, lives in Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsulawilderness with the Viking from her past and their calico grandcat, Kinko.Jane, multi-published, with books in many languages, writes in all genres,including non-fiction, but excluding men’s action and erotica. She favors paranormal. Her published book count, including her novellas, is near ninety. Janehopes to reach 100 published books before she’s that old.

Taken In

In New York City Gail Sarandon watches the murder of a man she knows. Afraid the hit man has seen her, she flees her apartment, heading in a rental car for the Adirondacks. Both Secret Agent Jason Tregarth , who intends to turn her over to a US Marshall, and the hit man pursue her. Jason reaches her first, but his attempt to get her to safety is thwarted by the hit man. Jason, Gail with him, is forced to flee. They evade the hit man but the car crashes and burns on a lonely mountain road. Both are forced to take shelter in a old and haunted Victorian called Dagon House…

Excerpt:

Inside Dagon House, one of the three women Jason didn't know took his arm and led him to a chair, standing over him. Gratefully, he sank onto it, glad to be sitting down inside a house, out of the rain. Between the throbbing in his head and the pain in his arm, he couldn't think straight. He had no idea where he was, though he knew one of the women had brought him here from—what? Some kind of accident? But all three were strangers.

"In case you didn't catch my name, Jason," the woman said, "I'm Anita, and I'm a nurse. We're going to get that jacket off and take a look at that injured left arm of yours."
Even though she was careful removing the jacket, he was forced to clench his teeth against the pain. Anita set a towel on his knees and he watched blood drip onto it.
"Krystal," she said, "please bring me my first aid kit."
"I know where it is," a child's voice said. "I can get it."
"Krystal will take of that," Anita said. "Just what are you doing out of bed?"
"I heard someone knock and I got scared."
"As you can see, everything is all right. Take Rex upstairs with you for company. "
"That man's arm is all bloody, Mom."
"I'm going to fix it. Go back to bed. Now."
"Come on, Rex, " the child called. The brown mixed-breed dog wuffed and followed the dark-haired girl from the room. Jason figured she was about ten. She had her mother's hazel eyes. The blond woman who must be Krystal had already disappeared.
"You have a long gash on your forearm that needs stitches," Anita told him. "I don't know what else might be wrong with the arm, but I don't think any bones are broken."
Krystal returned with the kit, set it on the table beside Anita and opened it.
"I'll pad your arm with gauze to stop the bleeding till we can get you an emergency room.," Anita said.
"No ER." Jason's tone was clipped.
Anita gave him an assessing look. "Do you have any other injuries?"
Involuntarily, Jason's right hand rose to his forehead.
She took a penlight from the kit , bent over and shone it into one eye, then the other. Then she ran her hands over his head, He winced when she touched the left side.
"Some swelling," she said. "So you banged your head in that car wreck. Your pupils are both the same size, so you're okay so far, but you really need an X-ray to be sure you don't—"
"No X-rays. No hospital."
Anita looked at the woman who'd brought him here.
"He has a reason," the woman said.
So she knew him. A blade of fear sliced through Jason. Why didn't he know her? But she was right. There was some reason he couldn't be taken to any hospital. If only he could remember what it was.
Anita looked from her back to Jason. "Since I told you no one asks questions in this house, I'll have to give you both the same courtesy. But I do recommend you see a doctor, and will be glad to drive you to an ER. "
"That's not an option," Jason told her.
"Okay, understood. You both need to get out of those wet clothes." She turned to Krystal. "Why don't you take Gail upstairs and get her into something dry. Once she's set, you could see if there are any men's clothes in those attic trunks." Focusing on Jason, she told him, "I'll stitch you up first. Got to warn you, though. I don't have any local anesthetic, much less any curved needles or sutures. I'll have to sterilize a regular needle and thread for the job."
"Do whatever needs to be done." Now he knew Gail was the name of the woman who brought him here. Why didn't it sound familiar? What the hell was wrong with his mind? And what was this no questions business?
The stitching-up hurt him every bit as much as Anita had warned, plus her moving his arm caused excruciating pain. When she finished and was bandaging up her work, she shook her head. "What is it with men? Wouldn't have bothered me a bit if you'll yelled every time I stuck the needle in. But, no, men like you always have to prove how rugged they are."
Men like him? What did she mean? When she finished, he rose from the chair and had to grab the table top when the room whirled. Without thinking he used both arms and couldn't avoid grunting from the pain in his left one. He sat back down and closed his eyes.
"So you're dizzy. Not surprising," she said.
"Arm hurts if I try to use it." he confessed. "May need some aspirin."
"I told you I didn't find any broken bones when I checked. My guess is you've got some bruised muscles from whacking that arm on something during the accident. They'll heal in time, but they'll go on hurting till they do. I'll fetch some aspirin. In the mean time, you sit right here. Put your head down on the table if you feel faint. Don't try to get up until Krystal comes back downstairs. All the bedrooms and the only bathroom are upstairs. It'll take the two of us to get you there."
Jason hated the fact he needed help, but she was right. He wouldn't make it on his own. He hoped the aspirin would help clear his head.
After the hot shower she'd dreamed of, Gail, dried off and put on the gray sweat pants and T-shirt Krystal had given her. The watch resting on the washbasin had both hands on twelve. Midnight. She left the bathroom just as Anita hit the stair landing.
Anita opened a door and gestured for Gail to enter. "I'm putting you in this bedroom with the twin beds. Your husband will need checking on during the night, so I'll bring you an alarm clock and a flashlight."
Gail opened her mouth to set Anita straight about their relationship, but bit back the words. If she didn't check on Jason, then Anita would have to, and she'd done enough already.

To find out more about

Taken In

& Jane Toombs

visit her website:

http://www.janetoombs.com

Why I Write Fantasy - Rahima Warren

2012-01-13T09:47:00.000-07:00

Amber: Why do you write fantasy?

Rahima: First, I have to say that I didn’t plan to write a fantasy trilogy. The hero, Kyr, took over my life and turned me into a fantasy writer, so he could go on his arduous but healing journey. (See my essay on how this happened on my website, www.rahimawarren.com.) Second, I blame my parents. They left fantasy and sci-fi magazines, such as Galaxy, If, and FandSF, etc., lying around the house. The cover art was fascinating to me as a child and I started reading the stories as soon as I could read. I remember the first story I read, “Lorelei of the Red Mist,” which I thought was wonderful as a third grader. (Later I reread it, and wasn’t so impressed.) Anyway, my parents got me hooked. So, the third reason I write fantasy is because that’s what I have been reading since I could read. You might say my brain is steeped in it. It’s the natural language of my unconscious mind.

More importantly, I love deep fantasy novels thatexplore the truths of the soul, and magical possibilities beyond the screen ofordinary life. In Western rationalism and scientific thinking, truth is foundin provable facts. For the human soul, that is a dry fountain.

What does your soul long for? Something juicy,freeing, or inspiring? Something thatleads you deeper into the mystery of life? That helps you discover more of yourown unique truth? That opens your heart and thrills you with wondrous possibilities?The best fantasy novels offer all this, wrapped up in a fascinating story withstrong characters and lyrical writing. That’s what I long for, so, of course,when I found myself writing Kyr’s story, I couldn’t help but write it as a fantasy.

Amber: What fantasy subgenre do youprefer?

Rahima: My trilogy—TheStar-Seer’s Prophecy— is hard to classify. On the one hand, it starts outvery dark, so one might think it is dark fantasy. As Kyr’s journey begins, heknows nothing but evil and pain, both as victim and perpetrator. But his storyis about his struggle toward healing, and to learn to forgive others, and evenhimself. I see my story as visionary fiction, in that it offers a vision of away beyond inner and outer hatred, revenge and punishment toward love,forgiveness and healing, cleverly disguised as a gripping story of mysteries,challenges and forbidden love.

Amber: What are your favorite fantasynovels?

Rahima: Phew! That’s a hard one. I have an extensive collection of favorites that I keep to reread. Well, I have to start with Ursula K. LeGuin’s novels – almost all of them, especially The Wizard of Earthsea series. Then there’s Lord of the Rings, of course. All of Patricia McKillip’s stories. Her writing is magic in itself! Carol Berg’s duology: Flesh and Spirit, and Breath and Bone, and her trilogy Transformation, Revelation and Restoration. Most of Charles De Lint’s work, especially The Onion Girl, and Trader. Then there’s C. J. Cherryh’s Fortress series. I could go on and on!

Amber: Why do readers love fantasy?

Rahima: Oddly, not everyone does. Isn’t that strange? Anyway,I’m sure it’s because people love to escape from our rather harsh reality,enter worlds of imagination that speak to the magical, non-linear side of oursouls, and go on adventures beyond the confines of so-called reality. In thebest fantasies, reader are touched by the struggles and evolution of thecharacters, learn something about themselves, and may even be inspired to expandtheir own vision of who they can become.

Rahima Warren

I’m athird-generation native of California and reside there with my husband, where Iperiodically chase squirrels off the wild bird feeders, and deer away from myroses. For 20 years, I was in private practice as a licensed psychotherapist,but retired in 2006 to focus on my expressive painting, creative writing, and spiritualstudies. Dark Innocence is my first novel. I’m currently editingBook Two of The Star-Seer’s Prophecy trilogy, DifficultBlessings. The third book, Dangerous Bliss, awaits revision.

DarkInnocence ~

Book One of The Star-Seer’s Prophecy

published by Rose Press

now available on:

www.starseersprophecy.com

www.rahimawarren.com

Also available from Amazon or Barnes and Noble

Have a Blessed & Creative New Year!

2011-12-31T09:28:00.000-07:00

May Your 2012

Burst with Creativity!

Follow 

Relaxing the Writer blog 

to help stay relaxed and creative

throughout the New Year.

Christmas on Wherever Island - Why not?

2011-12-08T13:45:00.000-07:00

Fly Off to a Caribbean Island for Christmas?

Christmas on Wherever Island by Amber Polo

A Magic Santa brings Caribbean Christmas Joy!

Marti Bell is facing the prospect of a very unmerry Christmas. Reluctantly, leaving her married lover she travels toward ice, snow, and judgmental family until a magic Santa sends her to a surprise destination in the warm waters of the Caribbean.

Wherever Island would be a winter paradise except the only place to stay is the beachside cottage of romantic globetrotting photographer Cliff Holmes. Cliff wants to unwind and treat Marti to a little romantic Caribbean Christmas fun but she’s determined to stay in the warm ocean and out of hot water.

Watch the Christmas on Wherever Island book video

And check out the Magic Cake Recipe

“Not only is the setting sensational, the hero will sweep you off your feet…this is one story I can read every Christmas season. …a great happily ever after story.”
A “You Gotta Read” fro m You Gotta Read Reviews. Reviewed by Roberta

Novella in ebook only

Christmas on Wherever Island

Amazon Kindle

Barnes & Noble

All Romance ebooks

A Review of Donna Boyd's Renegade, at last!

2011-12-03T16:59:00.001-07:00

Ten years is a longtime to wait, but fans of Donna Boyd's “The Passion” (1998) and “The Promise” (1999)waited not so patiently for the third in the Devoncroix Dynasty series. Nowthere is “Renegade” - published by the author whose real name is Donna Ball andwhose other names include Rebecca Flanders, Donna Carlisle, Leigh Bristol, and TaylorBrady.

I discovered her workwhen I first shared my fantasy manuscript filled with shifter dogs and a fewwerewolves. A dog trainer friend told me I must read “The Passion.” I found notthe werewolves of scary movies, teens from “Twilight” (2005), or the children’sfantasy world of Harry Potter (1997). Here was a race of creatures living amongus - our business leaders, sports stars, and glittering celebrities - like us,but more gloriously beautiful and intelligent. They embodied the best and theworst of humanity. I believed in that possibility as I imagine did many of herfans.

Step into the worldof the Devoncroix werewolves and look at the world differently. I loved returning to the castle in Alaska and leaning more about their lives inItaly. “Renegade" like the others is an exciting, well-crafted mix of urbanfantasy, suspense, mystery, romance, shapeshifting werewolves, and historicalfiction.

Writers will wantto read her story of why her well-reviewed, popular series was canceled by amajor publisher and how “Renegade” is out in print and ebook along with many ofher earlier books in eformats.

And writers will want to read “The Passion” forthe shifting often missing in many shifter stories.

“The Passion” and “The Promise” are, sadly NOT in ebook format. If you want to read it in eformat

Click on “Tell the Publisher! I’d like to readthis book on Kindle” on both Amazon pages tolet them know.

More please, Ms. Boyd. Don’t let the lupinotuum keep you from sharing theirstories.

Read a great interviewwith Donna on “Blood Rose Books”
And don’t miss "The MillionDollar Deal That Ruined My Career,” her own story of why it took ten years and whyshe self-published “Renegade.”

For more about Donna Ball and her books visit her website.

Dragons Are Forever - Kari Thomas thanks Anne McCaffrey

2011-11-25T11:46:00.001-07:00

Anne McCaffrey, The "Dragon Lady," "Mistressof Pern," and the first woman author to win the top two science fictionwriting prizes, the Hugo and the Nebula award for Dragonflight, passed at age 85 on November 2st. Her book The WhiteDragon became one of the first science fiction novels to reachthe New York Times Best Seller List.

The first time I picked up Dragonflight I was already devouring books and getting the seed ofan idea to write my own. I immediately became happily lost in the world ofPern. No fairy tales here. No fantasy dragon story. Anne McCaffrey immersed me ina complicated science fiction world with more depth than I, at first,comprehended. I have to admit that I skipped over a lot of stuff andconcentrated on the dragons' stories.

Ahh, the dragons! Incredible flying creatures of all shapes,sizes and colors. I couldn't get enough of them. I couldn't choose a favoritebecause I loved them all

I sat down to write my own dragon stories. Lucky for thereading world, those stories were eventually filed away in the garbage (LOL). Butthey were FUN to write!

I never lost that fascination with Anne's dragons of Pern. Idevoured ---er---read all her books, and still dreamed of writing my own. Years,and eight published books, later, I’ve set aside my cat-shifters (temporarily)and written my own dragon story. Inspired by Anne, in Surrender Her TouchI created a clan of dragon shapeshifters in a mountain compound, who minglewith humans in the city below, but keep their heritage secret.

A heartfelt thanks to Anne McCaffrey who gave readers aworld of dragons that will live forever and inspired so many of us.

Happy Reading HUGS!

Kari Thomas

Surrender Her Touch

(Release date:
Dec. 7, 2011 -

ParanormalRomance
from Eternal Press).

Sexy dragon-shifter Slade has to convince Summer, the onlywoman capable of healing dragon-shifters, to save his dragon ruler's life from amysterious illness. Summer’s horrific memories convince her she would rathersee them all dead.

A sensual love-hate romance filled with dragons, danger and death.

Secrets for Successful Paranormal Writing

2011-11-14T14:29:00.001-07:00

Secrets forSuccessful Paranormal Writing - Kris Neri

Crossing paranormal with other fictional categories — bethey romance, mystery or general fiction — couldn’t get any hotter. But thereare pitfalls those new to paranormal writing can easily fall into, which candoom a manuscript. Here are some tips to help you avoid those pitfalls:

1. The worst mistake newbies can make is thinking thesupernatural elements are just tack-ons. The paranormal aspects must anintegral part of the storyline. If you can imagine removing the magicalelements, while telling the same story and having it turn out the same way —you’re not using it right.

2. Readers need to understand the rules governing themagical aspects of the world you’re depicting. You can explain those rules —and whatever consequences might result — either explicitly or by allowing thereader to absorb their essence by showing them at work. Most writers use acombination of both. Some can be accomplished by including a character thatencounters the paranormal for the first time. The reader can learn how theserules function as the character does, and the reader can share her surprise.That’s what I did in my magical series, by having fake psychic Samantha Brennanencounter the true paranormal for the first time and sharing her shock with thereader.

3. You need to decide whether the magical aspects are knownto the general populace of your world, or not. Either way works, but there is abuilt-in level of conflict if your paranormal beings have to struggle to hidetheir natures. In the Harry Potter novels, the muggles — non-paranormal beings— are generally unaware of the wizardry being performed in their midst, whichprovides lots of opportunities for conflict and plot direction, as well ashumor.

4. Characters who possess supernatural abilities must beseen using those abilities, or we need to know why not. For instance, AnnabelleHaggerty, the Celtic goddess/FBI agent protagonist of my Magical Mystery,MAGICAL ALIENATION, needs to be careful how much magic she performs at the FBI,where she must hide her secret nature. But I once worked with a writing clientwho described her protagonist as telepathic with animals, yet the characternever displayed any telepathy in her frustrating interactions with animals,until the three-quarter point of the novel, for no reason that was everexplained.

5. Magical characters must still be real characters, asrichly developed as those not possessing paranormal abilities, yet not beperfect beings, either. Your novel should contain challenging personal growtharcs for these characters, too, even if they also have some extraordinaryabilities. Sharing in character growth is why we read fiction.

6. Just as everything comes together in the climax of anyother novel, it must in a paranormal work. The solution your protagonistemploys to meet her goal must rely on both her natural and supernaturalabilities, to bring about a solution that works on both levels. She should alsoovercome her personal challenges, achieving personal growth as she achieves herstory-objective.

7. Most importantly, even magical beings have to earn theirsuccesses. If you allow your protagonist to finalize the action in the climaxwith the effortless waving of a wand, or some solution not inherent within thestoryline, you will lose your reader’s respect. If you change the magical rulesyou’ve already established to allow your character an effortless solution,you’ll also lose that reader. For the reader to continue to suspect disbelief,she must trust in the integrity of your novel. If you want to get around somegenerally accepted paranormal beliefs, find a realistic way to do it. In theTWILIGHT series, for example, Stephenie Meyer circumvented the belief thatvampires can’t go out during the day without burning up by choosing a localethat’s heavily overcast.

Writing paranormal can be extra challenging because so muchhas to be integrated, and it must work equally well on multiple levels. Butit’s great fun to write, and these tips should speed you on your way towardwriting paranormal cross-category success.

Kris Neri writes the Samantha Brennan and Annabelle HaggertyMagical Mystery Series, HIGH CRIMES ON THE MAGICAL PLANE and MAGICAL ALIENATION, as well as the Tracy Eaton Mystery Series. She can be reachedthrough her website

Why I Write Fantasy - Vonnie Winslow Crist

2011-09-10T01:00:00.002-07:00

Welcome Vonnie Winslow Crist, fantasy author artist, and friend of fairies.

Amber: Why do you write fantasy?

Vonnie: First of all – it's fun to write. Secondly, writing is a form of communication. I send out a message, and hope beyond hope, that there are people out there who read my stories and poems, and say: “Yes! I've felt that way before.” or “Wow! I want to be a part of that world.” or maybe even, “Thank you. Your words were just what I needed on a bleak day.” In my new collection of fantasy stories, The Greener Forest, I hope readers will not only have fun reading the tales, but maybe look around themselves and spot the places where the world of Faerie might leak into their day-to-day lives. Speaking of fun, here's a link to a FREE Greener Forest maze I drew.

Amber: How do you find fairies?

Vonnie: Here's a peek at a poem that gives directions on how to findFaerie creatures – it was used to introduce the stories in The Greener Forest: And here's a link to "Angels," one of the stories in the book.

Amber: What are your favorite fantasy novels?

Vonnie: The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and other books by JRR Tolkien; The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis; Anne McCaffrey's The Dragonriders of Pern books; Neverwhere, Stardust, and other books by Neil Gaiman; the Shannara series by Terry Brooks; JK Rowling's Harry Potter books; The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins... I could list many more. I'm drawn to books where the author has worked hard at world-building and writes compelling characters.

Amber: Why do readers love fantasy?

Vonnie: The easy answer is: because they're fun to read. But I think there's more to it. Fantasy stories have been with us since our ancestors told tales about magical beings and miraculous events around a cooking fire. Humans come from a tradition of fairy stories, folktales, myths, and legends. I think it's because unlike our “real” world, in fantasy stories: decency triumphs over evil, people get their just desserts, everyone can be afraid sometimes without ridicule, there's a reason for bad things and a solution to every problem, things can be beautiful underneath an ugly exterior, complex issues can be fairly resolved, and at the end of the story, the universe is balanced.

Amber: Would you write fantasy even if no one read it?

Vonnie: Of course! It would be a lonelier life, but the need to capture with words the fantastical worlds of my dreams and imaginings wouldn't vanish because no one was listening. For me, writing and drawing fantasy are like breathing.

Vonnie Winslow Crist was born in the Year of the Dragon. Linked to fantastical creatures since then, she's written poetry, fiction, and nonfiction with a mythic or folklore tilt. She's also an award-winning fantasy artist. She enjoys gardening with fairy-friendly plants, feeding wild birds, walking beneath the trees at Wood's Edge, and making a sparkly bit of jewelry every now and again. Her motto: The world is full of mystery and magic. We just need to look, listen, and believe that wondrous things are still possible.

Vonnie's Books

The Greener Forest (Cold Moon Press)

Sideshow by the Sea, Assassins, and Bells(Echelon Press)

River of Stars and Essential Fables (LiteCircle Books)

Leprechaun Cake & Other Tales (VegetarianResource Group)

To find out more about

Vonnie and her books, Visit:

Her Website

Radio Interview & Audio Adventures

2011-08-26T12:41:00.001-07:00

Audio Adventures

I love audio almost as much as print. And I like to talk.

Besides good book promotion, a radio interview is great practice talking about your book. And if it’s done by telephone you don’t have to dress up and go into a studio. A good interview should feel like listening in on a relaxing (and interesting) conversation.

Recently Connie Gotsch interviewed me for her radio show Write On Four Corners on KSJE Farmington, New Mexico.

The interview is on ksje.com the station’s website.

After you get the interview what do you do?

Listen to at least one show to know the tone the interviewer uses – fast and peppy or laid back and casual.
Send the book and synopsis if you haven’t already done this to get the interview.
Send a few questions the interviewer might ask that might be interesting to listeners. Think talking points or frequently asked questions appropriate for the show.
Write out and memorize a brief synopsis (like a pitch), Be sure to include how your book can be purchased.
Ask how long the interview will be and what the interviewer wants to talk about and if you will be reading an excerpt.
Will it be live or recorded? Live means you keep going even if you make embarrassing mistakes. If it’s recorded, ask what to if you say something you want to eliminate or do over.

What I did the day of the interview –

Moved my desk to a quiet spot
Plugged in a land line. (Don’t take a chance with a cell phone connection.)
Poured a glass of water
Printed out notes in a large font and laid them to avoid paper shuffling. Copied the pages for the book excerpts I’d read aloud (as requested by the interviewer to mix into the interview.)
Removed clanky jewelry
What I forgot to do – check the time difference between New Mexico and Arizona (a state with no DST)
Turned off call waiting
Sat up straight and took a deep breath

If you are an author writing about the southwest or living in the southwest, or both, Connie’s show may be perfect for you. Her show Write On Four Corners takes all genres, self published, traditional, and non traditional publishers. And of course no excessive cussing, gratuitous sex, or hate of any person, religion, ethnic group, sexual orientation, gender, etc. Connie is a great interviewer and makes it easy to give an interesting, relaxed interview If you think your book would be of interest to Connie’s listeners, check out her blog and email her.

For more on audio see my interview with Dana Davis "How Authors Can Use Audio for Promotion & Publishing."

More Audio Adventures 

Last week I spent time in a sound studio re-recording my relaxation CD. The new full “album” Relaxing the Writer Relaxation contains a 20 minute relaxation with tense and release instructions and another track called “Prelude to Sleep” to help listeners fall asleep. This time I also recorded two 10 minute meditations: Relaxing the Writer Hand Meditation and Relaxing the Musician’s Hand that I plan to offer as MP3 downloads.All three will supplement my soon to be published book Relaxing the Writer.

Since this was my second time in the studio, I was more relaxed and the studio owner asked if I’d like to audition for reading textbooks. Maybe is was my excellent pronunciation or my non-Lady Gaga outfit that intrigued him. Who knows, it sounds like fun and I wouldn’t have to write my own script. It even made me think of doing podcasts and audiobooks...or not. I may be too good at helping listeners fall asleep.

Why I Write Fantasy - Helen Henderson

2011-07-16T10:37:00.002-07:00

Welcome Helen Henderson, author whose fantasy that takes readers to visit other times and places and worlds of imagination!

Amber: Why do you write fantasy?

Helen: I've always loved to escape into other worlds, whether I became a fast-gun in the American West, an interplanetary explorer, or a fire-throwing mage. Fantasy allows me to create environments where magic lives and heroes rule. Being able to hang out with dragons or horses with a touch of magic in their souls are other reasons why I write fantasies.

Amber: How does writing non-fiction help you in writing fantasy?

Helen: I believe one of the key elements in a successful fantasy story is the believability of the world, even though winged horses or elves might inhabit it. In creating 300+ articles covering antiques and history, including military history, and two local history books, I've had to research, research, and do more research. Knowledge of the past is often transferrable to the worlds of fantasy. If the reader feels the weight of the sword dragging down the heroine's arm, smells the smoke from an inn's fireplace, or walks through an ancient culture, it brings the world to life for them. No matter what genre I'm writing, one major element carries through them all—I try to make the world I build for the characters real for my readers.

Amber: What are your favorite fantasy novels?

Helen: Although I avidly devoured the works of E. E. Doc Smith when I was younger, Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern and her books chronicling the families of the towers are my favorites.

Amber: Why do you think readers love fantasy?

Helen: Fantasy is a vacation of the mind. With a well-crafted story, the journey wings the reader to foreign worlds and lands. Regardless of whether the destination includes sword fights or magic, dragons or elves, fantasy takes readers beyond the trials and tribulations of their own lives into other times and places where heroes rule and life is simpler. As readers, we often see a bit of ourselves in the characters, and our hopes and dreams reflected in their quests, their achievements...and their romances.

Amber: Would you write fantasy even if no one read it?

Helen: This is a great question to ask an author as it could have different meanings. Many times we are driven to write, even without the expectation of publication. I have written stories to be able to spend time with the characters and in their world. So, the answer would have to be yes.

There is a different way to interpret the question, one not related to publication, but to reader interest. I would write fantasy even if times change and worlds turn and no one read fantasy any more. Although I think our lives would be the lesser for it.

More About Helen Henderson
Although I wrote fiction for myself as long as I can remember, I never pursued it for publication until late in my writing career. My stories take readers to the old West, the stars, or worlds of imagination. I often work to music. Celtic harp and flute take me to other worlds where I create science fiction and fantasy. The musical inspiration for Civil War or historical adventures is the Ashokan Farewell, and movie themes from the genre for westerns.

For excerpts or to learn more about Helen, stop by her website. Learn more about Windmaster, her new release from Champagne Books. Available at Champagne Books, Amazon.com, All Romance Books and online bookstores.

Here's a peek at Windmaster

Despite his insolent attitude, Ellspeth, captain of the Sea Falcon, is attracted to the dark-haired worker she hires to help unload the vessel's cargo. When the supposed dockhand reveals he is Lord Dal, the last member of the Council of Wizards, and her passenger, Ellspeth breaks a cardinal rule—fraternizing with the paying customers. Bringing Dal back from near-death releases her latent powers and threatens her captaincy. For to have magic she must give up the sea.

In accordance with an ancient prophecy, Dal allows Ellspeth to be handfasted to him without her knowledge or consent. However, the prophecy doesn't state whether she will return his love. A likelihood threatened as the deception is unveiled and they are hunted by fanatical clerics bent on ridding the world of magic and those who wield it.

Trapped within the Oracle's Temple and marked for sacrifice, Ellspeth is forced to choose between survival, saving the future of magic...or love.

For variety, look for her western, Ambush Luck, in Dreamspell Goddess (August 2011), A Place at the Table, a young adult piece in A Yuletide Wish: Poems and Stories for the Extended Holiday Season from Night Wolf Publications, or the science fiction romance with a twist, Recov, in Romance of My Dreams II.

Arizona Dreamin’ 2011 - A Romance Reader Event!

2011-06-25T10:34:00.001-07:00

Welcome Kris Tualla, creator of

Arizona Dreamin’ 2011 - A Romance Reader Event

Amber: All authors want to connect with readers and potential readers. Many conferences and events are directed at writers or those who want to write. Not that writers don’t buy a lot of books (and those that don’t definitely should) but readers who gobble books for the sheer joy are like triple chocolate cake every night. Kris Tualla’s vision created Arizona Dreamin’ - Arizona's first Romance Reader event!

Amber: So Kris, how did you become the Arizona Dreamin’ Queen?

Kris: I attended the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention and heard about reader-focused events in other parts of the country. I thought - why not in Phoenix? A city this size can certainly support such an endeavor!

Amber: How did you advertise to attract readers?

Kris: The vision was to bring my fans and introduce them to your books, and vice versa. So I asked each of the 24 authors to get 4 of their own fans to come. If they did, we would be full.

Amber: Did you break even the first year?

Kris: Not even close, sad to say. Half of the authors didn't generate any ticket sales at all! I learned that new authors are hungry and understand that they need to promote. Authors published four or five years ago (or more) have no clue.

Even so, those readers who did attend had a blast! I have never seen so many consistent smiles in a very long time. Everyone was talking about who they would bring with them "next year"! Not only that, but they bought $1800 worth of books and raised $315 for charity!

Amber: Anything authors who want to attend and be part of AD2012 needed to know?

Kris: Yes. First, we are expecting double the attendees. Part of that will be generated by a special incentive offered to the 2011 attendees. Another part will be generated by the authors themselves who will each purchase 4 tickets to resell at a discount, or use in raffles and contest prizes as a thank-you to their fans.

Second, I am committed to keeping the event small and intimate. We plan to cap the authors at 24, and keep the "Book Clubs" - the meetings of authors and readers - at 10 per club.

Amber: I saw some pretty yummy photos with a cover model (definitely not female). How did you arrange that and did it help the publicity?

Kris: Ah, yes. Jimmy Thomas is definitely a thing of beauty - and currently on more than 1400 book covers. He's sweet as can be and was a doll to come, plus he added a very special touch to the event! He's also a smart businessman; he stages, photographs and sells images designed for every genre of romance novel (http://www.romancenovelcovers.com/ ). I had him on my blog last year as an example of businesses that will rise up in support of independently publishing authors.

When I asked him to come to Arizona Dreamin' he agreed. While he was here he worked, shooting covers with two different models in two separate sessions. The fun part for us is that he allowed us to watch! Then he posed with readers in exchange for a donation to our charity. Next year we'll have a special backdrop that looks like a book cover for those photos!

Amber: What about the details for Arizona Dreamin' 2012?

Kris: Saturday, June 2, 2012, Noon - 10:00pm. Tickets (probably around $30) include a delicious and bountiful buffet dinner with the authors.

Breaking News!

Location - Windmill Inns & Suites of Chandler / 3535 W. Chandler Boulevard / Chandler, AZ 85226. Event room rates are $79 per suite for those who want to make it a girl's overnight or weekend (it's next to the Chandler Mall)!

!Subscribe to our blog to receive the latest updates

on Arizona Dreamin' 2012

http://arizonadreamin.wordpress.com/

Amber: What is the one (scratch that)… What are the 5 most important things an individual or group would need to pull this off?

Kris:

Passionate belief in the concept. I took the financial hit in 2011 because I know this event will grow!
People working with me who have a passionate belief in the concept. My committee was small but comprised of some truly amazing authors, including Deena Remiel and Tami VanGurp.
Energy - which plays out in commitment and follow-through. This isn't a path for the faint of heart!
The understanding that no author is an island. I help you and you help me; we are stronger together.
Make certain that the things which are in my control are efficient and planned to the last detail. That way when things that are out of my control go awry (and they will) we are still successful!

Amber: Thanks Kris for telling us about your event for romance readers. And good luck with next year.

Kris Tualla, a dynamic award-winning and internationally published author of historical romances, writes with a fast-paced and succinct style. Her plots are full of twists, passion, and very satisfying outcomes! Kris started in 2006 with nothing but a nugget of a character in mind, and has created a dynasty - The Hansen Series.

Find out more about Kris and her books on her website!

"In the Historical Romance genre, there have been literally countless kilted warrior stories told. Well, I say it's time for a new breed of heroes!

Come along with me and find out why:

Norway IS the new Scotland!"

Why I Write Fantasy - Deborah Riley-Magnus

2011-06-19T01:50:00.002-07:00

Welcome Deborah Riley-Magnus, who writes of vampires in West Hollywood in her latest book Cold in California!

Amber: Why do you write fantasy?

Deborah: I’m the kind of person who drives herself crazy looking for the “what if?” Whether I’m writing fantasy, women’s fiction or non-fiction, my goal is always to challenge the standard thinking. If I explore a story idea, it’s bound to go way out of control before I can even begin to rein it back into the story it will become. It’s just the way I’m built. If I’m writing non-fiction, it’s the same thing. My motto is, “Who says it has to be that way just because it always has been? Why can’t it be this way?” Lure and accepted mythology beware!

Amber: Tell us about Cold in California. Why vampires? Why California?

Deborah: The first thing I probably should say is that I don’t like vampires. Everything I’d read or seen in films was kind of a turn off. It’s not so much the blood and gore, it’s the stripping of humanity that kind of bothered me. Granted, more contemporary authors have made their vampiric characters far more likeable and humane, but still, there was always something about the whole idea that never attracted me. Then I figured it out.

It wasn’t the fact that vampires are dead, scary monsters, it was the fact that they had no hope. No redemption. No heaven. Cold in California is a book about redemption. Based on standard mythology I couldn’t have redemption for my vampire, Gabriel Strickland, unless I could give him a soul and a second chance. Oh, and it had to have humor, too. Lots and lots of humor.

My urban fantasy takes a standard vampire, makes him double dead (twice-baked) and puts him in a West Hollywood warehouse where he has to live out purgatory with other dead supernaturals – trolls, werewolves, pixies, leprechauns, fairies, you name it. A chosen few from each supernatural race are there, even a few you may have never heard of. Against their natures, all these strange characters are challenged with earning the brownie points to get through the pearly gates. Gabriel, of course has far more difficulties, after all he’s handsome, has to now live among humans and dead supernaturals and the other ‘living’ supernaturals infesting the planet. He has to deal with the fact that everything he believed about final death was a lie, tolerate the unique West Hollywood culture, endure intense new love (of course) and win over pending disaster. Go figure. And all this guy wanted to do was be dead.

Amber: What are your favorite fantasy novels?

Deborah: Far too many to list, but I will say this, it must push the boundaries of everything we’ve imagined about a story. Stories of time travel twisted with supernatural elements and sprinkled with a layer of paranormal. To me anything that isn’t the day to day reality is fantasy. Is there a troll living in those trees or under that bridge? Are pixies causing my monitor to blink? Is there a spirit at my shoulder dictating this? Is that woman on the bus a witch? Stories that seem normal but pulse with the fantasy are my favorites!

Amber: Why do you think readers love fantasy?

Deborah: I think the typical answer to this question would be because people want to escape reality, but I don’t believe that for a moment. I think readers love fantasy because it defines our reality. Fantasy readers really don’t believe that a storm is coming; we believe it’s being sent to us. We believe that some force is bringing it to battle another force we just don’t know about yet. And of course, good will win over evil. We look for these confirmations in the newspaper stories and television news. Fantasy readers KNOW there’s more to the world than what we see. We read fantasy because it opens more avenues of thought, it stretches us, it helps us see the average in remarkable characters and worlds and vice versa. Fantasy lovers know we’re right about that too, lol.

Amber: Would you write fantasy if no one read it?

Deborah: I think all fantasy writers have. Of course, it far nicer when people do read it and discover the world you’ve created. Writing isn’t a job or a career as much as an obsession. Writers simply can’t help themselves. The other side of the coin is how to make a living at it or at the least, how to break even and get readers to look for us. I address that subject in my non-fiction, The Author Success Coach: Strategies for Success in a Turbulent Publishing Landscape, being released in August/September 2011. And oh yes, there are many sprinkles of fairy dust in that book too!

Deborah Riley-Magnus is an author and an Author Success Coach. She has a twenty-seven year professional background in marketing, advertising and public relations as a writer for print, television and radio. She writes fiction in several genres as well as non-fiction.

Deborah produces several pieces weekly for various websites. She also writes an author industry blog, Writaholic, and teaches online and live workshops as The Author Success Coach. She belongs to several writing and professional organizations. In 2011, she has two novels and one non-fiction, “The Author Success Coach”, being released.

She’s lived on both the east and west coast of the United States and has traveled the country widely.

Deborah's Website and Blog Links

I blog - http://rileymagnus.wordpress.com/
I teach - http://theauthorsuccesscoach.com/
I fiction – http://coldincalifornia.com
I write - http://deborahriley-magnus.com/
I play - http://whispersofthemuse.org/
I tweet – http://twitter.com/rileymagnus
I facebook - http://www.facebook.com/deborah.rileymagnus
I should be sooo tired!

My Wonderful Publisher’s Link

http://ireadiwrite.com/

Deborah's Contest!

Leave a comment
by June 25th
for a chance
to win a copy of
Cold in California!

Why I Write Fantasy - Zenobia Renquist

2011-06-12T01:22:00.001-07:00

Welcome Zenobia Renquist, fantasy author who makes her characters work for their happily-ever-after!

Amber: Why do you write fantasy?
Zenobia: The only limit is my imagination. I can make the world what I want it to be, rather than limiting myself to the rules of reality. I love world-building. Creating a civilization and introducing it to my readers is my idea of fun.

Amber: What are your inspirations? What fuels your imagination?
Zenobia: I'm an avid anime/manga fan. I love the art and stories that come out of Japan. The way the Japanese handle plot and story creation has influenced the way I write in a big way. I'm also a comic book fan from way back. I still watch cartoons and love watching most fantasy movies and TV shows that cross my path.

Amber: What are your favorite fantasy novels?
Zenobia: Harry Potter series by JK Rowling, Brotherhood of Blood series by Bianca D'Arc, most everything from Stephanie Burke, and I'm finally starting the Dragonriders of Pern series by Anne McCaffrey (yes, this one has been a long time in coming).

Amber: Why do you think readers love fantasy?
Zenobia: I imagine fans of fantasy like it because things out of the ordinary happen all the time. People can fly, vampires exist, characters can change the flow of the world by simply making a wish. Anything is possible so the story is only limited by the authors imagination.

Amber: Would you write fantasy even if no one read it?
Zenobia: Most definitely. It gives me the ability to exorcise real life demons and acts as a nice stress relief when I put my characters through literary tortures before letting them get to their happy ending. Most of all I would continue because I like reading my stories. I still can get sucked into my own books and want to know what comes next even though I wrote them and know what comes next.

Whether as D. Reneé Bagby or Zenobia Renquist, Reneé lives in her imagination. When not traveling through her fantasy worlds, she can be found in MD living with her husband and two cats. She is an Air Force brat turned Air Force wife, which means she’s accustomed to travel and does it whenever possible (so long as she doesn’t have to fly). Her favorite pastime is torturing her characters on their way to happily-ever-after for the enjoyment of her readers.
On the few occasions her muse flees the scene of the crime, Reneé likes to read (comics, manga, and romance), go to the movies, play a few levels of whichever puzzle game has hijacked her interest or experiment with a new chain maille weave.

BOOKS BY ZENOBIA RENQUIST

Cafe Midnight: Chamomile Nights (Changeling Press)

Patrice is the backbone of her company. She's never met a problem she can't conquer, except her stress. She's stretched to the breaking point until she finds Café Midnight. Her waiter serves up a cup of relaxing tea with hot passion on the side. She's found a way to truly relax, but is she willing to let her sexy waiter serve her at home?

Caveat Emptor 1: Charmed Lover (Changeling Press)

It's only a matter of time before someone figures out Ryver and Theron's secret. With the threat of mages bearing down on them, Ryver has to decide if she's willing to give up her vampire lover -- or her freedom.
Buy Link:

Coming 10 June

Caveat Emptor 2: Trapped Lover (Changeling Press)

Now living in vampire territory, Ryver is learning more and more about Theron. Not all of it is good. The more she sees, the more she's convinced that the man she fell in love with, the man who can make her body sing with a single touch, might not be the man she thought he was. What's worse, there's no way to get away from him if he's as bad as she suspects.

Learn more about Zenobia at her Website
& Renee’s Blog

Zenobia's Contest!

Leave a comment for a chance to win an ebook copy of

Caveat Emptor 1: Charmed Lover.

Why I Write Fantasy - Ann Wilkes

2011-06-05T01:41:00.003-07:00

Welcome Ann Wilkes, space opera author, science fiction reviewer, and blogger!

Amber: Why do you write fantasy?

Ann: I like to explore human behavior outside of the trappings of our own world, time or civilization. I love the "what ifs". I love to be transported to another reality and I want to transport readers to another reality of my creation. I want to get readers to consider social issues in a new way without even realizing they are. I love reading it, viewing and reviewing it, but mostly I love writing it. Making the wild things I can imagine become real for a while to the reader.

Amber: What are your favorite science fiction novels?

Ann: I just posted my top 10 2010 favorites with links to my reviews:

The Evolutionary Void by Peter F. Hamilton
Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor
www:WATCH by Robert J. Sawyer
Mad Skills by Walter Greatshell
Soulless by Gail Carringer
Mozaart's Blood by Louise Marley
Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde
Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett
Dawn of the Dreadfuls by Steve Hockensmith
Are You There? And Other Stories by by Jack Skillingstead

In addition, Who Fears Death and The Evolutionary Void will remain all-time favorites, adding to my all-time favorite list below:

The Practice Effect, the Uplift War trilogy and Glory Season by David Brin
Realtime Interrupt, Code of the Lifemaker, Thrice Upon a Time and Multiplex Man by James P. Hogan
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe series and The Long, Dark Teatime of the Soul by Douglas Adams
Fallen Angels by Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle and Michael Flynn
A Swiftly Tilting Planet by Madeleine L'Engle
The original Ender's Game trilogy by Orson Scott Card
The Space Trilogy by CS Lewis

Amber: Why do you think readers love fantasy?

Ann: Partly to escape, but mostly to dream. To let our imagination go and recall the wonder that was second nature to us when we were children. Readers also like peek at what might be around the corner for humanity and to speculate about what individuals or society might do in this or that otherworldly situation.

Amber: Would you write fantasy even if no one read it?

Ann: That would be a very sad state of affairs indeed. I think I would, but not as much. I write not just to entertain myself, but to stir thoughts and feeling in others. I want to write prose that the reader simply can't put down and that they are still thinking about for the next few days.

Most of Ann Wilkes' fiction found in anthologies and magazines leans toward tragic, funny or both. Her first published novel, Awesome Lavratt, is a tongue-in-cheek space opera filled with mind control, passion and adventure. On her blog, Science Fiction and Other ODDysseys, you'll find book and other media reviews, author interviews and commentary on writing and science fiction. She lives in California's wine country with her husband, Patrick. When she's not writing, she's dancing like a Greek at her favorite taverna or listening to the blues.

Awesome Lavratt

(Unlimited Publishing/Redwood Writers)

Beautiful Aranna Navna plans to conquer the galaxy one planet at a time. She steals the Awesome Lavratt, a mind control device, from a freighter in Horace Whistlestop's junkyard. She takes Horace, too. With the Lavratt, Aranna manipulates the thoughts and desires of everyone around her—until she gets to the Emperor of Calistania. Then things go from bad to worse for Aranna. The Lavratt, however, has only just begun! Oh, the fun you can have from a small cube with mind control powers. Travel the galaxy with Tyrantz Lavratt. Silly science fiction at its best. All puns intended.

Read Ann's story "Trapped Star" in the Dark Quest Books anthology

Beauty Has Her Way (Jan 2011) edited by Jennifer Brozek

And "Immunity Project" in

Defending the Future IV: No Man's Land (May2011) edited by Mike McPhail

Learn more about Ann Wilkes and her books

on her website

And don’t miss her Blog -

Read SF author interviews, thoughts on science fiction and writing

Science Fiction and Other ODDysseys

Ann's Contest!

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of
Awesome Lavratt -

Contest ends June 11th

Why I Write Fantasy - Riley Quinn

2011-05-16T10:20:00.000-07:00

Welcome, Riley Quinn, urban fantasy author!

Riley: Thanks, Amber, for inviting me to guest on your blog.

Amber: Why do you write fantasy?

Riley: I write fantasy, particularly urban fantasy, because it’s my favorite genre to read. When I got serious about my writing several years ago, I naturally gravitated toward the paranormal and urban fantasy genre. Funny enough, I have two novellas published, one under Riley Quinn and the other under another pen name, and neither are fantasy. I do have a story coming out in August that features different species of the Fae.

Amber: You say that your characters are "just like us. Except for the super-human strength, enhanced senses, ability to do magic and drinking blood. So not exactly like us but they've got problems too. They just have more interesting ways of handling them." Tell me more.

Riley: In fantasy novels, the supernatural characters have special powers and super-strength. Normally, these attributes would be seen as positives. But sometimes, these same positive can be the cause of problems too. Because of their “quirks”, sometimes their problems require more creative solutions.

Amber: What are your favorite fantasy novels?

Riley: I love series. When I meet characters that I really like, I want to see more of them. Some of my favorite urban fantasy novels are the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs, the Rachel Morgan series by Kim Harrison, the Karma Consultants series by Vivi Andrews, the House of Night series, by PC and Kristin Cast, The Kitty series by Carrie Vaughn, Vicky Lewis Thompson has some great lighter paranormal books that I enjoyed, A Werewolf in Manhattan, Blonde with a Wand and Chick with a Charm. This is a short list of some of my favorites. Several of these authors are automatic buys for me when new books come out. I’m also open to discovering new authors, too, so if any of your readers have suggestions…

Amber: Why do you think readers love fantasy?

Riley: I like to read as a means to entering another world. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been able to transport into the world of a well-written book. Fantasy allows us to explore new worlds, new species, new experiences that aren’t possible in our world. I would venture to guess that other readers love fantasy for the same reason.

Amber: Would you write fantasy if no one read it?

Riley: Absolutely! I write first for myself. The stories that I’d like to read, the characters that I’d like to meet, that whisper in my head. If others find enjoyment in my stories, that’s a bonus. So, yeah, if no one else read it, but me, I’d still write it.

Riley Quinn is a recent transplant from the central Texas area to Bavaria, Germany. She lives there with her supportive husband and crazy dog. While in Europe, she's taking advantage of travel opportunities and storing up the story ideas inspired by historic towns and scenic countryside. She spends her days writing and in her downtime likes to read, quilt, sew, crochet and watch movies.

Let It Be Me, the the first in her Cupid Matchmakers series, will be released in August from Red Hot Publishing. Riley will be one of the great authors of DigitalDigest, a new blog, offering short fiction and other fun stuff Mondays through Fridays. And each month, an ebook of one of the blog’s contributions. Riley will post twice monthly installments of Power Play. The blog goes live July 1 and will be available for uploading to your Kindle .

Blood Diamond

Dodging an angry warlord and running through the rain forest in Congo Brazzaville was not what Jillian St. James expected when she signed up with Doctors Without Borders. Yet that’s exactly what she gets after a mysterious visit from her brother.

Mercenary Mack Nichols doesn’t have much faith in humanity these days. When a beautiful young doctor denies being part of the theft of a blue diamond from his client, he doesn’t put much stock in her story. Read an excerpt.

Let It Be Me

Emily is through with musicians. After supporting her last boyfriend only to find him “thanking” one of his groupies, she’s thrown herself into her café. The new guitarist she’s hired brings in the customers, but he’s serenading her senses and weakening her resolve about musicians.

Mike plays and sings most nights at The Coffee Bean, but his real reason for being there has nothing to do with music. His attraction to the owner is getting in the way of his true mission. He knows building a relationship on lies can lead to more than broken hearts.

Power Play

Cassie’s not having a good week. She’s tired of dealing with the mixed signals from her boyfriend and she’s attacked by a large dog. Then it gets worse. Said boyfriend is keeping secrets and possibly using her for his own ends? And the dog that attacked her? Yeah, that was a werewolf and now she’s going to be howling at the next full moon.

To lean more about Riley and her books check out

her Website
Her Blog :

Digital Digest Blog (goes live July 1)

Riley Quinn’s Contest!

Why I Write Fantasy - Marc Vun Kannon

2011-05-08T01:47:00.001-07:00

Welcome Marc Vun Kannon, fantasy author with "characters in motion"!

Amber: Why do you write fantasy?

Marc: Let me tell you a secret: I don't write fantasy. I write stories, which more often than not have a fantasy setting. Fantasy allows me to make stuff up, to not have to worry about "getting it right". There is no "right" in fantasy, there is story logic, there is consistency, there is coherence, and lots of other words beginning with "C". Like "Characters." Characters are the heart of my stories, which are best described as "characters in motion." Writing a story is showing them in action, discovering the reasons for those actions, revealing the meanings and consequences of those actions. Fantasy is a non-serious way to talk about serious things.

My only real rule of writing is never to do what's been done before, even if the person who did it before is me. As a result I don't confine myself to any one genre, I'm always pushing to try out new styles. Fantasy is a supercategory, with many different fields for me to try yet. The good thing about writing about people is that they transcend categories. A good character can fall in love while solving mysteries and chasing monsters in a space station. These are the types of stories I like to read, and want to be able to write. I have been exceedingly fortunate in finding Echelon Press as my publisher. They don't tell me 'it can't be done'.

Amber; What are some of your favorte fantasy books?

Marc: The books that I love are of course the books with the strongest characters. Lois McMaster Bujold's Curse of Chalion is the best of this breed, combining a strongly developed set of characters with a unique plot and excellent world-building, areas in which I am weak. Lawrence Watt-Evans writes about ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, trying to remain themselves. Dave Duncan (the Seventh Sword trilogy), Tanya Huff, Patricia McKillip (RiddleMaster of Hed), C. Dale Brittain (the Yurt series), and Nina Kiriki Hoffman (The Thread that Binds the Bones) are among my favorites.

Amber: Why do you think readers love fantasy?

Marc: Not all readers love fantasy for the same reasons, of course. Some read for epic sweep, intricate plots, or panoramic world-building. The word here is scope, and scope means possibilities. Readers want to see those possibilities made 'real'. For some simply reading about them is enough. I try to learn from them as well. To me a bad book is one that has no lessons for me the reader to take away. (Not that authors need to hit their readers over the head with "the meaning of life" diatribes, either. Stories are characters in motion. Diatribes are not motion.)

Amber: Would you write fantasy even if no one read it?

Marc: There is no such thing as an unread book. I am a reader, and I write books that I want to read. That's the only reason to write that I know of. For me the possibilities I want to see made real are usually internal, what does the character do, why, what does he become? I do not know the answers to these questions before the book starts. Sometimes I don't even know what the questions are. Writing is a process of spinning out the character's internal logic ("What'll he do now?") and capturing it on paper. As I write page 1, I come up the questions that carry me forward to page 2, the solutions on page 2 leading the way to page 3, and so on.

Marc Vun Kannon has spent his days pumping gas, servicing fire extinguishers, attending school, and writing computer code, while ekeing out whatever time to write that he can. He's itching to reverse those proportions.

Short Stories

Ex Libris

http://tinyurl.com/mvk-el-kindle http://tinyurl.com/mvk-el-omni http://tinyurl.com/mvk-el-nook , http://tinyurl.com/mvk-el-smash

Steampunk Santa

http://tinyurl.com/4k433rj Kindle, http://tinyurl.com/2enahw5 PDF, http://tinyurl.com/4rb53m8 Nook)

Bite Deep

http://tinyurl.com/26pkeqa Kindle, http://tinyurl.com/3az8g9r PDF

Chasing His Own Tale

http://tinyurl.com/47wslrp Kindle, http://tinyurl.com/4cn6enu Nook

Boys Will Be Boys

http://tinyurl.com/4pvowry Nook

Off The Map

http://tinyurl.com/6jxb75x Nook, http://tinyurl.com/4jcqko7 Fictionwise

Novels

Unbinding the Stone

http://tinyurl.com/4u4fy9h Nook, http://tinyurl.com/mvk-amazon

A Warrior Made

http://tinyurl.com/4p4vxma Nook, http://tinyurl.com/mvk-amazon

Coming 5/2011: St. Martin's Moon

The Moon is haunted, but the werewolves don't know that!

Amazon Author Page

Smashwordsprofile

http://www.echelonpress.com (publisher)

Visit Marc at his website

or his blog

Why I Write Fantasy - Gloria Oliver

2011-05-01T01:21:00.002-07:00

Welcome Gloria Oliver, author of fantasy for young adults and more grown up young adults!

Amber: Why do you write fantasy?
Gloria: I write fantasy because it's my first love. It's the genre I fell head over heels for when I began reading in my early teens. That broad shiny spectrum of possibilities! Unlike a lot of other genres, I feel fantasy can be more incredible, more fantastical, more open to my imagination's wanderings. A great big universe just waiting to be explored! All sorts of peoples, places, and things to discover.

Amber: What makes your fantasy titles different from others?
Gloria: I like to think of my books as a very personal experience for those who choose to read them. They'll take you on a journey of discovery and growth hand in hand with the characters I'm writing about. Each book normally has an underlying theme the readers can hopefully relate to at some level - finding our place in the world, realizing we're not bound to society's tethers, discovering your past can always find you no matter how hard you try to hide from it, that truth isn't always what you think it is.

Amber: What are your favorite fantasy novels?
Gloria: Oh my! The more I read, the more of them I have, to the point it'd take forever to list them all. Now I choose authors rather than novels, knowing these individuals will always deliver so I don't care what the subject is - I know I will go on a great journey. Tad Williams, David Eddings, Barbara Hambly, Tanya Huff, Piers Anthony, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Anne McCaffrey and more recently George RR Martin, Martha Wells, Rachel Caine, A Lee Martinez, Rob Thurman, Terry Pratchett (I adore his stuff! I can't believe how long it took me to discover him!). I suppose I can recall a few actual books, sort of...The Belgariad Series, Sword of Shannara, Dragonriders of Pern series, the Xanth books - all oldies but goodies!

Amber: Why do you think readers love fantasy?
Gloria: I think they love it for the same reasons I write it - because of the endless possibilities! The races, the societies, the situations as varied as there are stars in the sky.

Amber: Would you write fantasy even if no one read it?
Gloria: I am a slave to my muse, so I would have to say YES. The genre calls to me. I may dabble in others on occasion, but I will always come back to my first love.
Gloria Oliver lives in Texas making sure to stay away from rolling tumbleweeds and bowing to the wishes of her feline and canine masters. She is the author of “In the Service of Samurai”, “Vassal of El”, “Cross-eyed Dragon Troubles”, and “Willing Sacrifice”, all fantasy and YA fantasy novels. Her latest, “Price of Mercy” should see release in 2011. She is a member in good standing of EPIC and BroadUniverse though she has yet to make the list for Cat Slave R Us.

Zumaya Publications Books
--
In the Service of Samurai

Info & Sample Chapters, Amazon link
Vassal of El

Info & Sample Chapters, Amazon link
Willing Sacrifice

Info & Sample Chapters, Amazon link
Price of Mercy (Coming 2011) -

Info & Sample Chapters

Hard Shell Word Factory Books
Cross-eyed Dragon Troubles

Info and Sample Chapters, Amazon link

Visit Gloria at her website and her blog.

Why I Write Fantasy - Mary Hughes

2011-04-27T08:51:00.000-07:00

Welcome Mary Hughes, author of red-hot and funny vampire romances!

Amber: Why do you write fantasy?

Mary: To me, fantasy is an integral part of life. It’s that sense of wonder, the ability to see the amazing beauty and variety all around you. It’s the fun, the joy, the wow that makes life worth living. I think that, since fantasy is the “what if” that enchants everyday life, all stories are imbued with it, from romance to spy thriller to sword and sorcery.

I write fantasy because it’s got the biggest helping of wow. The most play in “what if”. I write fantasy because that’s the biggest story playground.

Amber: What fantasy books do you read?

Mary: My published books are red-hot vampire romances. Strangely, my favorite novels star mostly wizards: Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files, David Eddings’s Belgariad, J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. I recently discovered Charles Stross’s Laundry Files. I think the series appeals to the computer programmer in me. My favorite vampire fantasy (and comfort read) is Robin McKinley’s Sunshine.

Amber: Why do you think readers love fantasy?

Mary: As a reader of fantasy, I love the interplay of possibilities that you can’t get in a regular story. Fantasy can show human nature against incredible backdrops, stretch it to the limits and beyond, pit the soul against truly impossible odds. I think fantasy is for the reader who wants more, and more again.

Amber: Would you write fantasy even if no one read it?

Mary: Not only would I write fantasy if nobody read it, I did for twenty years!

Amber: Thanks for being my guest!

Mary: Hugs from Hughes!

Bestselling author Mary Hughes is a computer consultant, professional musician, and writer. At various points in her life she has taught Taekwondo, worked in the insurance industry, and studied religion. She is intensely interested in the origins of the universe. She has a wonderful husband (though happily-ever-after takes a lot of hard work) and two great kids. But she thinks that with all the advances in modern medicine, childbirth should be a lot less messy. (Readers have since told her they think babies should come with an instruction manual, which, while painful [Smirks] , would have been very useful for her two.)

Biting Me Softly

He’s a candy box of sex appeal wrapped with a golden bow. She’s on a diet.

Blood, sex, violence. Blood, okay, but computer geek Liese Schmetterling had enough S&V when her cheating ex fired her. Now security expert—and lip-smacking gorgeous—Logan Steel saunters into her Blood Center, setting fire to her libido. And threatening her job.

Visions of pink slips dancing in her head, Liese tries to push Logan away without touching his jutting pecs…or ridged abs. Or petting the Vesuvius in his jeans. He’s hiding something, but it doesn’t seem to matter when his smiles stun her, his kisses crank her to broiling and his bites rocket her to heaven. Fangy bites which, if she weren’t grounded in science, would make her think ampire-Vay.

Warning: contains explicit vampire sex involving absurdly large male equipment (hey, they’re monsters), unbelievable stamina (just how long can he stay underwater in a hot tub?), hide-your-eyes violence and horrendously bad puns. And, just when you think it can’t get any worse, a computer geekette trying to play Mata Hari.

Buy at Samhain Publishing or Barnes and Noble

Also in this series

Bite My Fire Cop Elena O’Rourke takes on suspect Bo Strongwell as she investigates her first murder. Bo Strongwell is a master vampire who needs a cop snooping around like he needs a garlic enema. Warning: Jammed with hot explicit sex, graphic fanged violence, and acid cop humor. May contain donuts.

Biting Nixie Nixie is five foot nothing of punk rock musician. Julian Emerson is six-plus of gorgeous…and a lawyer more buttoned-down than his three-piece suit. And then Nixie discovers Julian’s a vampire. Warning: contains explicit language, violence and cheese balls. Those things are just scary.

To learn more about Mary Hughes

and her books check out

her website

Mary’s Contest!

To celebrate Biting Me Softly in stores around the US,

I’m having a giveaway! Just comment on this post to enter.

For a second chance, let me know the city or bookstore where you’ve seen Softly!

Through April 30, 2011.

Adults only please.

Winner will receive a choice of Biting Me Softly in paperback

(if US or Canada)

or one of Bite My Fire, Biting Nixie,

The Bite of Silence or

Biting Me Softly in ebook.

Why I Write Fantasy - Cindy Lynn Speer

2011-04-24T09:24:00.000-07:00

Welcome Cindy!

I'm pleased to welcome Cindy Lynn Speer fantasy author and practitioner of historical swordsmanship.

Amber: Tell me why do you write fantasy?

Cindy: I write fantasy because I love infinite possibilities. I love the idea of anything (as long as one bases it in reality) being possible. I’ve always been drawn to magic, to things that exist in myth…and even when I write mysteries I mix in magic and fantasy.

Amber: What books do you read?

Cindy: I am very big into Patricia Brigg’s Mercy Thompson series right now…and I can never talk about fantasy without mentioning Barbara Hambly. Her books are what got me started reading fantasy…she has incredible characters that you really care about.

Amber: Why do you think readers love fantasy?

Cindy: I think readers love fantasy because they need an escape…that’s why I read it. Sometimes one just has enough of the mundane world. Sometimes you need to be taken away to someplace utterly different, and see things from new perspectives. Fantasy allows you to see things through other people’s heads…a dragon has a different way of thinking than a human does, after all! *grins*

Amber: Would you write fantasy, even if no one read it

Cindy: Yes…the thing is, I’m telling myself stories all the time. Which might be why my time management skills are off…but I do feel the need to write the best stories down, so I won’t forget.

Cindy Lynn Speer has always been a day dreamer. The life inside her head is infinitely more exciting and less confusing than life outside of it. When she’s not writing about it, or reading and feeding the world inside her head, she’s sewing and practicing historical swordsmanship.

Check out Books by Cindy Lynn Speer!

Unbalanced

(Zumaya Embraces)

Andromeda Pendragon has been trained her whole life

to be an agent of Balance, an organization that acts as a

supernatural UN to keep the peace among werewolves, vampires and magic users.

Blue Moon

(Zumaya Otherworlds )

What really happens once in a blue moon?

Libby Halstead is about to find out.

Centuries ago, Merlin realized that

magic and technology could not co-exist,

and so he created the Merlin Stone and cast one last great spell,

sundering the two worlds.

But Can You Let Him Go?

(Drollerie Press)

A collection of re-told fairy tales,

new stories & an interesting look at the classic Cinderella.

The Chocolatier's Wife

(Drollerie Press)

Tasmin, William's wife to be, was chosen by a spell,

as all wives and husbands are chosen.

It's a nice, tidy way to find a reasonable mate for almost everyone.

Why I Write Fantasy - Dana Davis

2011-04-20T01:32:00.003-07:00

Welcome Dana!

I'm pleased to welcome back Dana Davis, bestselling author of fantasy and science fiction and paranormal investigator to Wordshaping.

Amber: Tell me why do you write fantasy?

Dana: Thanks so much for having me back, Amber. It's great to be here again. Well, I write what I love to read, which is mainly for escapism. Fantasy worlds allow me to get all the crazy stuff out of my head and into a readable storyline. I was weaned on Mother Goose and Grimm’s fairytales. As a kid, I made up stories that barely resembled the real world and even got in trouble a few times for it. Coming from a family with NASA roots as well as paranormal stories, it just seemed inevitable that I would be attracted to the fantasy genre.

Amber: Thanks for sharing your video for Desert Magick: Day of the Dead. It's beautiful and scary and makes me want to read your new book.

Dana: I'm glad you enjoyed the video trailer, Amber. My latest book, Desert Magick: Day of the Dead is the third in the bestselling paranormal fantasy series, Desert Magick. Day of the Dead was just released in eBook format and is available for various reading devices. I have to admit, I really love the cover, too. The artist did a fantastic job with it. This series focuses on witches, magick, ghosts, mediums, telepaths, and the like. I’m a member of a local paranormal investigative team, so I tend to use those experiences in my work, and especially in Day of the Dead. Of course, I change and expand them to fit the plotline but many of the incidents get their start from my real life experiences.

Amber: What books do you read?

Dana: I like to read several books at once, depending on my mood, but I read mainly fantasy and sci-fi. I also read suspense and ghost stories, as well as all types of mythology. Right now, I’m reading the fourth book in the Legend of the Seeker series by Terry Goodkind, The Lost Symbol nookbook by Dan Brown, and the first nookbook in the Trylle series by Amanda Hocking. I have several others queued up on my nook reader, my phone, and on my paperback shelf.

Amber: What are you writing now?

Dana: I’m currently writing the fourth book in the Desert Magick series. I’m under contract for five books in this series. I’m also editing another fantasy novel and a sci-fi novel for future publication.

Dana Davis is an award-winning and bestselling author of fantasy and science fiction and a paranormal investigator. She once worked for Hollywood and Disney. Genealogy fascinates her, and her ancestry includes Irish, Scottish, Dutch, British, and Mohawk Indian. Her great-great aunt is purported to have been a medium and a telekinetic. President Barack Obama is her seventh cousin once removed. And her grandfather was an engineer at NASA. She lives in the Arizona desert with her husband and uses her varied background, along with family stories, to aid in her writing.

Visit Dana at her Website:

And her Blog

Special promotion!

In honor of spring and Dana’s birthday month,

SynergEbooks Publishing is offering

all of her eBooks for just $2.99

for the month of April, when purchased from their site.

Why I Write Fantasy - Berinn Rae

2011-04-17T02:47:00.003-07:00

Welcome Berinn Rae, Author of fun fast-paced urban fantasy!

Amber: Why do you write fantasy?

Berinn: Growing up, my elementary teacher called me her little space cadet. At the time I thought nothing of it. After all, I’ve always been an introvert with an overactive imagination. And I often felt happiest daydreaming in the worlds that I created. My childhood was great, but I still fantasized about more. That’s when I dove into Sci-Fi/Fantasy. Comic books, movies, books, TV. You name it. If it was Sci-Fi/Fantasy, I was all over it.

At some point, I realized I had so many ideas swirling around in my mind that I needed to let them out. Writing became that outlet. All of my ideas focused on strong, sassy women who go for what they want. And when they come out to play, all hell breaks loose. In my debut novel, Knightfall, releasing this month, my heroine is a half-breed angel believed to be the harbinger of Armageddon. The action heats up from there when sexy knight is sent to kill her. What happens next? You’ll have to read the book. J

Amber: Do you do a lot of research or do you rely on imagination in writing fantasy?

Berinn: In a fantasy novel, as readers we’re asked to believe in the fantastic. So, the rest of the story needs to be as real as possible to blend it all together. While I tend to start with what I know, I let my imagination run wild in getting the words on the page. When I hit the second draft, I’ll do my research. For example, my heroine in Knightfall is a bush pilot in Alaska. Even though I’m a pilot, I needed to learn how flying in Alaska was different from the flying I do in the Midwest. I believe it’s important to be accurate when talking about anything we can see, hear, taste, or do today.

Amber: What are your favorite fantasy novels?

Berinn: I read everything I can get my hands on - from comic books to the classics - although fantasy novels always topped my list (as long as they have a glimpse of romance for my softer side). Current series on my pre-buy list include Jocelynn Drake’s Dark Days, Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files, Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson and Alpha and Omega, and Karen Chance’s Cassandra Palmer. A classic I pull out every couple years is Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game.

Amber: Why do readers love fantasy?

Berin: I can only speak for myself as a lover of fantasy. Life isn’t easy. It’s not meant to be. A good fantasy novel can take me out of the real world for a few hours. In fantasy, I can be whomever I want and go wherever I want. There’s no other genre that offers the surreal worlds I can find in fantasy. Give me a story chocked full of escapism, and I’m happy.

Amber: Would you write fantasy even if no one read it?

Berinn: Easy answer. Yes. Although, I got to say that there’s nothing better than having a reader tell me how reading my story gave them goose bumps.

Amber: Thanks for visit Workshaping and sharing.

Berinn: Thanks for having me, Amber!

Berinn Rae writes sexy fantasies about extraordinary women in epic events. Her debut novel, Knightfall the first story in The Seven Seals series, is coming out April 2011 by Crescent Moon Press.

A nomadic spirit with a license to fly, she is always in search of new adventures and happy endings.

Coming April 2011

Knightfall

Life is relatively normal for bush pilot Kerra Cain. That is, until a fallen angel reveals himself, with plans to use her to destroy the Seven Seals.To escape, she must place her trust in the arms of Gareth, a dangerously sexy but enigmatic man who has haunted her dreams for years. Thrown into a desperate war for survival, Kerra must embrace a heritage long denied her in Knightfall, Berinn Rae’s debut fantasy romance coming this month from Crescent Moon Press.

Read the first chapter

Visit Berinn Rae's website

for more information and freebies,

including free chapters and bookmarks.

Why I Write Fantasy - Leanna Renee Hieber

2011-04-10T00:11:00.001-07:00

Welcome, Leanna Renee Hieber, author of the Strangely Beautiful series of Gothic Victorian Fantasy novels!

Amber: Why do you write fantasy?

LRH: I primarily write historical fantasy because I love the chance to dive into another world that is in some ways familiar to us, it being our history, but is wholly another world because it’s a time in which we’ve not lived ourselves. The fantasy aspect is important for me because I like showing history in a new light. Paranormal and fantasy aspects allow me to utilize the era in ways that are unique, boundary-breaking and just plain fun.

I’ve been obsessed with both classic fantasy and classic Victorian literature since childhood, so it felt utterly natural for me to blend them. Considering the paranormal elements already present in great Victorian literature, drawing fantasy and paranormal elements into this historical time period was seamless for me, especially in the Gothic style in which I write. I think many writers write what they want to read, that’s certainly true for my Strangely Beautiful series; I took all my favourite styles and elements from different genres and blended them into my books. Thankfully, considering the Victorian obsession with ghosts and neo-classicism, my use of Greek Mythology and a ton of real-life London haunts all work in tremendous concert.

Amber: What are your favorite fantasy novels?

LRH: There are aspects of Edgar Allan Poe that border on the supernatural fantasy side of things, and he remains my earliest and most profound influence, along with Lewis Carroll, who helped anchor my interest in fantastical Victoriana. I will always think of Narnia and Lord of the Rings as similarly changing my life. Narnia first, then Tolkien cemented my love of fantasy forever. Authors like Ray Bradbury and Stephen King, who can blend the edges between fantasy, paranormal and horror, continued to inspire and influence me. Then Harry Potter came along and re-ignited my creative fire like nothing had done since childhood.

Amber: Why do you think readers love fantasy?

LRH: The word fantasy says it all. It is fantastic. It is full of dreams coming true, but not in the easy way- in a way readers feel they have earned. We want to experience fantasy because of the journey involved. In some ways we can more accurately mirror real life by putting ‘real life’ into extreme and improbable circumstances, thus forcing out real truths in ways that are so much more easy to stomach, the results of which can nestle into our hearts with lasting magic that no other tales can quite deliver.

Amber: Would you write fantasy even if no one read it?

LRH: I was writing fantasy for a very long time before anyone was reading it. J It took a long time to convince me that my books (I started writing my first novel around age 12) needed an audience outside of the secrecy in which I’d kept them.

Award winning, nationally bestselling author, actress and playwright Leanna Renee Hieber graduated with a BFA in Theatre, a focus in the Victorian Era and a scholarship to study in London. Having adapted works of 19th Century literature for the stage, her one-act plays have been produced around the country. Her novella Dark Nest won the 2009 Prism Award for excellence in Futuristic, Fantasy or Paranormal Romance.

The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker, first in the Strangely Beautiful quartet of Gothic Victorian Fantasy novels, hit Barnes & Noble’s bestseller lists, won 2010 Prism Awards for Best Fantasy and Best First Book and the rights have been sold for adaptation into a musical theatre production currently in development.

In addition to new Strangely Beautiful releases, her new Magic Most Foul Victorian Paranormal series set in 1880s New York City begins 11/11 from Sourcebooks Teen Fire. A member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Romance Writers of America and International Thriller Writers, she’s thrilled to be RWA NYC’s 2010 Author of the Year. A member of actors unions AEA, SAG and AFTRA, Leanna works often in film and television. When not writing or on set, she's a devotee of ghost stories and Goth clubs, adventuring about NYC, where she resides with her real-life hero and beloved rescued lab rabbit Persebunny.

Books:
The Strangely Beautiful series: (Dorchester)

- The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker (Strangely Beautiful 1)
- The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker (Strangely Beautiful 2)
- The Perilous Prophecy of Guard and Goddess (A Strangely Beautiful prequel, so it would be fine to start the series here)

The Dark Nest novellas (Futuristic Fantasy - Crescent Moon Press)

The Magic Most Foul series coming 11/11 from Sourcebooks Fire

Leanna's Contest 

Leave a comment for a chance to win a signed, mass market copy of the first two books in the Strangely Beautiful series (U.S. Only please)

Visit Leanna on her website

&
Leanna's blog on books, fluffy animals, the undead and stuff...

View her Book trailers. 

Why I Write Fantasy - Rebecca Ryals Russell

2011-04-03T17:29:00.002-07:00

Welcome Rebecca Ryals Russell, author of YA and middle grade fantasy!

Amber: Why do you write fantasy?

Rebecca: Growing up I read one fantasy book after another and watched every episode of Lost in Space, Star Trek (every episode at least 3 times), Star Wars, anything Sci Fi. I devoured Lord of the Rings, every Anne McCaffrey book written, the Sword of Shannara series by Terry Brooks, I loved the Dark Tower series by Stephen King and read many of David Eddings series. In fact, it was while finishing a David Eddings book the concept for my first book was born. It then took me thirty years to finish writing it. I love writing Fantasy because of the room for invention. World building is so much fun I could just keep building and populating worlds. Does that give me a ‘god’ complex? Only on paper.

Amber: Why do you think readers love fantasy?

Rebecca: It is my belief that readers love Fantasy because of the escapism is provides. Fantasy as a genre has grown in popularity for that reason. Not only does Fantasy provide spectacular worlds to visit but the reader can wield a sword or crown, wings or breathe fire.

What other genre allows so many fantasies to be borne out by the reader? And for those who enjoy Romance, it lends itself perfectly to the Fantasy world in a wide variety of ways. The reader can easily be the Princess finding her Prince or Faeries and Elves. And dragons can be good or bad, helpful or not. Not only that, but in the Fantasy world any kind of magical creature, Mythological or newly created, can be born and used.

Amber: Tell me about your YA series.

Rebecca: Seraphym Wars has been a trip to write. Although it took me thirty years to finally sit down and put the words to paper, the story went through so many evolutions it wasn’t really even the same story by the time I finished. I chose to go the evil dragon route and incorporated the apocalypse and Revelations from the Bible as well as pulling actual news accounts for the evil committed by the dragon-demons. I couldn’t imagine worse evil than I have found in the daily news.

Then I created a world that is Steampunk because Narciss, the head dragon and ruler of Tartarus (Mythological Hell) suppressed technology to control the planet’s population. The planet is predominantly primal forests full of dangerous creatures designed from Mythological elements. But in the farthest corner of the globe away from Narciss sits an enchanted island. After the Great Shuddering, the arrival of the dragon-demons on the peaceful planet of Solsyl, the Majikals who had been living all over the planet migrated to this island.

So now what remains of the Elves and Faeries, Dwarves, Mermaids and other creatures I designed live on the island with a Majikal shield around it. This is where my main character, 18-year-old Myrna leads the other six Vigorios. These are the teenaged demon hunters prophesied to defeat the demons in the final battle between the Seraphym and Demons. On the island they will train with the Majikals and finish assembling the army. But just because something is prophesied doesn’t mean it will come to pass. And that is what the Vigorios are finding out.

Amber: Would you write Fantasy, even if no one read it

Rebecca: Yes, absolutely. I write it for me. If others want to read my books that’s awesome, but I’m the one that has to be happy with the story first.

Rebecca Ryals Russell lives in a Victorian house on five acres with her family. She also runs a Vacation Rental Log House on the property. She is a fourth generation Floridian. She was born in Gainesville (Central Fl), grew up in Sunrise (South Florida), lived in Orlando (Central Fl) and Jacksonville (NE Fl) before settling outside Lake City (North Central Fl).

The daughter of a school principal and school secretary, for fourteen years she taught Middle Grades, preferring English and Creative Writing. She had several students’ works published in anthologies. Her main interests are her four children and hubby of 35 years, writing, drawing, gardening, movies, reading.

As a Young Adult and Middle Grade author she has only just gotten started. Her debut book comes out April 2011, then nearly every month another book is slated for release.

Seraphym Wars Series: Odessa releases April 1, 2011 from MuseItUp Publishing.

The MG series Stardust Warriors Zarena is scheduled for July 1, 2011 from MuseItUp.

This is a MG version of the Seraphym Wars story.

Other releases for next year include: Stardust Warriors Jeremiah scheduled for September 1, 2011; Seraphym Wars Prequel Conscientia November 1, 2011; a horror story Don’t Make Marty Mad October 1, 2011; and Stardust Warriors Laman due out February 1, 2012. I’m waiting to hear about Seraphym Wars Book 2 Harpies and Stardust Warriors Books 4 and 5, Mercy and Magaelbash.

All books will be available on Amazon, Smashwords, as well as many other sites.

To find our more about books by Rebecca Ryals Russell

Find her website
And her website for the Seraphym Wars YA series

And her blog for additional information about writing,
random ramblings
and anything that strikes her funny bone.

Rebecca also participates in a grog (group blog)
Teen Word Factory

written by a group of MG/YA Authors,

who write about how to write for teens,

NaNoWriMo, interviews and more.

Interview with "Cookbook Fetish" cookbook reviewer!

2011-03-27T01:00:00.001-07:00

Welcome Julie Wallace, cookbook blogger and host of Cookbook Fetish!

Overwhelmed by her cookbook collection, each week Cookbook Fetish tries recipes from a single cookbook and writes about her experience. And the photos are luscious.

Let’s talk to Julie and see how “reviewing” cookbooks work.

Amber: How do you choose a recipe to cook as a sample from a cookbook?

Julie: First, I browse the book and see what catches my eye and my tongue or imagination. What recipe tickles my fancy? And what is my fancy, anyway?

Generally, though, as I'm reading I make a list of interesting recipes, then narrow it down to the 3-5 that I will cook and write about. I try to get a cross-section of recipes: an appetizer, a main dish, a dessert or some combination like that. I feel this gives the reader a better understanding of the essence of the cookbook.

And, unlike a lot of food blogs, I don't post many recipes due to copyright issues. It takes a lot of work to type each and every recipe out exactly as it's written in the book, or to chase down the publisher or writer for permission to use the recipe. Some recipes you'll be able to tell how to prepare the dish based on what I'm writing, while with others you may need to get a copy of the cookbook for yourself.

Amber: What about the literary aspects of a cookbook?

Julie: Funny you should ask that. I just picked up a copy of a decidedly literary cookbook: Kafka's Soup: A Complete History of World Literature in 14 Recipes. It is a parody, complete with recipes and recipe instructions written in the style of authors Jane Austen, Raymond Chandler, Franz Kafka, Marcel Proust, Graham Greene and others. Literature and cookbooks go together very well.

I can't tell you how many lovely meals I've had with a novel of some sort for a companion. I also couldn't begin to count the number of cookbooks I've poured through, eating up every word to learn techniques or savor the flavor vibrating in the descriptions. In the course of a long day, I can easily devour an entire novel - why would a cookbook be any different?

Amber: How is reviewing a cookbook different than a review of other books?

Julie: Books tickle the imagination. If you're reading a novel, you are actively participating in the formation of the story, albeit the story is in your head. You see the characters and the locations - even if you've never been to Istanbul or New York or Savannah before. The same is true with reviewing cookbooks, except I get to literally try out the story the chef is telling through recipes. For example, I recently reviewed the Tupelo Honey Cafe cookbook. Tupelo Honey Cafe is in Asheville, North Carolina and prides itself on organic, local ingredients, even maintaining an organic farm just outside of Asheville to supply the restaurant. So the story of the cookbook weaves in and around these fresh ingredients as well as imbues the reader with a sense of location: there are photos of Asheville through the years as well as quotes regarding the town.

Amber: What Cookbooks would you recommend for a basic cookbook collection?

Julie: Everyone needs one basic cookbook that covers everything. For that purpose, I'm a big Joy of Cooking fan and, despite the messy history the book has, and rely on it often. I learned to cook vegetarian using The New Laurel's Kitchen. For exploring the complexities and possibilities of flavor, check out The Flavor Bible - simply reading the various combinations makes my mouth water. Also, if your favorite restaurant has a cookbook, go get it and see if you can recreate the dishes you've enjoyed while dining. Above all, get cookbooks that truly excite you!

Amber: And one more question everyone is asking: You share a name with a famous cook and a famous cooking blogger. Yes, we’ve all read and seen Julie and Julia. So, do you feel that your blog will be confusing to foodies :o) ?

Julie: (Giggles.)

Check out Cookbook Fetish

Recent cookbooks include the

I Hate to Cook Book

& The Grit
And don't miss
Red, White & Greens: The Italian Way with Vegetables
&
Backstage Pass: Catering to Music's Biggest Stars.

Leave Julie a comment.

Tell her about your favorite cookbook.

Taos as Muse, Revisted

2011-03-20T03:12:00.020-07:00

This week I'll be back in Taos, New Mexico for my 6th Yoga as Muse Workshop and Retreat.

To celebrate while I'm off renewing and reviewing, I'm re-posting part of last year's interview with Jeff Davis.

Welcome back, Jeff! This week I want to ask you about your book, Journey from the Center to the Page.

Jeff: The first section of the book introduces readers to what I call The Four Preparations:

Write with intention
Show up and shape time
Stoke the writer's fire
Ride the wave of concentration

The second second section helps writers learn to pay attention to different creative faculties - imagination, deep memory, intuition - in tandem with very specific facets of craft - imagery and detail, syntax, metaphor, dialog. I hope that writers experience craft in a whole new context.

The third chapter consider emotional crags - writing the truth, dealing with the inner heckler, writing beyond trauma.

And the fourth section addresses a variety of issues from revising to forming writers' groups to teaching Yoga as Muse in the academy to engaging Yoga As Muse for artists and dancers.

Each chapter acts like a sort of shapely essay (I hope) that interweaves a topic relevant to a writer with clear examples from writers as and specific yogic tools and philosophies. Several chapters include specific exercises that help writers begin the practice.

Amber: Can you learn this practice from a book?

Jeff: Although I had doubts, several writers email me from around the world to tell me how the book works for them. A writer last week emailed me to say that the book helped her finish her first novel. That's rewarding to me.

Yoga As Muse specifically is a way to help writers and artists become aware of their embodied mind's nuances so they can become their own muses. They don't have to wait for some mysterious muse to show up each blue moon wearing angel wings and blowing a golden trumpet. Those inspired moments - like a Miles Davis impromptu solo - require a lot of practice. Yoga As Muse offers that practice.

Amber: Tell me about the Yoga as Muse.

Jeff: The workshops and retreats immerse writers in this work. They typically focus on a specific theme relevant to writers (and sometimes artists) such as compassion or truth. I always ground the workshops and retreats in readings from contemporary writers. It's crucial for writers to read and to learn to read as writers (that's my old teacher talking, but it's true).

In the mornings, we practice yoga and also have Yoga As Muse sessions that generate new writing from the yoga. In the afternoons, we share our writings and discuss facets of craft. We usually conclude with a celebratory reading by the participants. What's beautiful about these events is that inevitably first-timers arrive with some secret trepidation: Is my writing good enough? Do I belong here? I'm no good at yoga. Usually, that stuff gets dispelled within the first 15 minutes.

Every one - including me - is a beginner who learns from everyone else present. Aspiring writers and writers who have published multiple books attend and support each other. Non-yogis and yoga teachers alike show up.

Thanks Jeff, for offering your work to writers who will benefit by bringing yoga into their writing and taking their writing to the mat. Namaste.

Photograph of Jeffery Davis in Taos by Amber Polo
Photograph of Amber Polo in Taos by Jeffery Davis
Photograph of Amber's window in Taos by Amber Polo

How NOT to Shop in an Independent Bookstore

2011-03-12T08:14:00.001-07:00

This week I'm reprinting a blog post from my favorite bookseller, Joe Neri. Joe (Bookseller/Bluesman) and his wife Kris (Bookseller/Mystery Paranormal Author) operate The Well Red Coyote Bookstore in Sedona, Arizona.

How NOT to Shop
in an Independent Bookstore

by Joe Neri

You would think that browsing a bookstore is pretty easy. Walk in the door, find the books that interest you, and browse. You might be surprised, however, at what Kris and I encounter when we open the doors for business each day.

Based on our real experiences, here are some suggestions for how NOT to shop at an independent bookstore:

1. Don’t tell us how much you’re going to miss Borders.

2. Don’t tell us that you just got a Kindle for your birthday.

3. Don’t only look for books by James Patterson and Danielle Steele. Believe it or not there are literally thousands of good authors, encompassing all genres, who actually write the books with their names on the covers.

4. Don’t ask for paper and pen to write down the titles and authors of wonderful books you discovered by browsing in our bookstore, with the intention of buying them online. Especially don’t use our high quality (i.e., expensive) business cards and/or bookmarks to do so.

5. If you must do #4 above, please don’t steal our pens.

6. Don’t use your cell phone’s internet connection to check online availability and pricing for books you find here.

7. In fact, don’t use your cell phone at all while browsing in our bookstore. Your need to be “connected” at all times doesn’t quite fit in with the ambiance we’re going for (why do people think they have to shout into cell phones?)

8. Don’t ask us to research a book, of which you don’t know the full title or the proper spelling of the author’s name, taking up half of our counter space with your notes on scraps of paper, and preventing other customers from getting service, if you don’t intend to buy the book from us.

9. Ditto for phone requests. If you can’t find it yourself on Amazon, don’t ask us to help you.

10. Don’t pretend to browse when all you really want is to use our restroom. Just ask – we won’t refuse your request to answer nature’s call. Just don’t take any of our books in there with you (the “George Castanza” syndrome).

11. Don’t take books from our shelves and randomly scatter them around the bookstore. Unlike the large chain stores, our talent is our knowledge of books, not our need to pick up after you.

12. Don’t hide your empty Starbucks containers or banana peels on our shelves or under our chairs or tables. If you have trash to dispose of, just ask us where to put it.

Of course, the above represents an extremely small fraction of our daily experiences. Most are with the wonderful book readers and book lovers that make owning an independent bookstore worthwhile and satisfying.

But, someday I’m going to write a book. Retail – gotta love it!

Thanks, Joe.

Now if you authors want more advice from a bookseller

read Kris Neri's posts

Authors Behaving Badly Part 1 & Authors Behaving Badly Part 2

She's not shy (either) telling authors how to work with booksellers.

Joe Neri combines years of business experience with his lifetime love of books (along with the added touch of his blues band/songwriting creativity) as co-proprietor of The Well Red Coyote. Originally from New Jersey, Joe is an escapee from the asylum known as Southern California. He has been in love with the Southwest for most of his life and is now living his dream in Sedona. Joe's a proud founder of the Sedona Book festival. His band is Blues Dawg.
Find more of Joe's blogs.

Kris Neri is the Agatha, Anthony and Macavity Award-nominated author of the Tracy Eaton mystery series, REVENGE OF THE GYPSY QUEEN, DEM BONES' REVENGE, and REVENGE FOR OLD TIMES' SAKE. Also recently published is her new urban fantasy, HIGH CRIMES ON THE MAGICAL PLANE. Her other books include a standalone suspense novel, NEVER SAY DIE, the short story collection, THE ROSE IN THE SNOW. If there's anything Kris loves as much as writing, it's reading, and sharing her love of books with others. Now that she's realized her dream of living in Arizona, she enjoys meeting her new neighbors and sharing her love of books and writing with the customers of The Well Red Coyote.

Shop their virtual store

for Sedona books

and the latest Kris Neri hits.

Arizona - Location Location Location

2011-03-06T09:22:00.000-07:00

This photo shows the diversity of water and cactus.

Behind me are snow covered mountains!

In January I represented Arizona on Annette Synder's Blog Tour of the U.S. Fifty Authors from Fifty States. Here's a slightly different version of that post.

Clear dry high desert air, canyons, cactus, casinos, cowboys and 360 degree mountain views. Arizona’s open spaces opened up a mountain of creativity for me. Before Arizona, as a librarian, I only wrote bibliographies and computer manuals.

Like many Western states, Arizona is filled with folks from other places. And that alone offers the seeds for fascinating stories. I’ve lived in eight states and each had its own character. For me, new places always changed my life story and it works the same for my characters.

On a deep visceral level, I love to drive down a straight road in sunshine with high mountains on both sides. My special spiritual place is a spot at the base of Bell Rock in Sedona where I know I’ve lived before. Can you tell why I write fantasy?

In my stories, I bring interesting characters to Arizona, set them in a foreign environment, and see what happens. Just like a time travel fantasy.

My first novel, Romancing Rebecca places a New York intellectual property attorney on a plane and sends her to Sedona. This no-nonsense black suited lawyer is called the most unromantic woman in the world by her romance author clients. Only in Sedona could this fish out of water change in a few weeks. Wearing long goddess dresses, eating Godiva chocolates, and crying at romantic movies, she falls in love with a sexy trance channeler and one of his dark entities.

(Picture of my hangar)

This photo shows the building where I rented a tiny office

(complete with ghost)

to write during my house renovation.

How close to home do I get? Flying Free is set in my own Arizona neighborhood. This residential airpark is one of 500 in the U.S. and we live a lifestyle not well known to many people. To this aviation addicted community I bring a Texas advertising woman who must learn to fly in order to restart her life financially and emotionally. My meddling neighbors (actually their fictional clones) aren’t about to let her take care of business and go on her way. Neither is a vegetarian pilot who falls for this meat industry advertising exec.

This photo shows my neighbors at the

Flying Free book launch party

in the hangar attached to my home

Arizona has a little of everything and a lot of mountains and open spaces. And I get to wear cowboy hats and boots to the grocery store (The real cowboys and Indians don’t’ give me a second glance.)

I feel truly blessed to live in this grand state. Thanks Annette, for letting me represent Arizona!

To find out more about my books,

in and out of Arizona,

visit my website.

Follow authors from other states

at Annette Snyder’s blog

This week stars GEORGIA!

Why I Write Fantasy - Rebecca Ryals Russell

2011-03-03T01:00:00.001-07:00

Welcome Rebecca Ryasl Russell, author of YA and middle grade fantasy!

Amber: Why do you write fantasy?

Amber: Why do you think readers love fantasy?

Amber: Tell me about your YA series.

Amber: Would you write Fantasy, even if no one read it?

Rebecca: Yes, absolutely. I write it for me. If others want to read my books that’s awesome, but I’m the one that has to be happy with the story first.

As a Young Adult and Middle Grade author she has only just gotten started. Her debut book comes out April 2011, then nearly every month another book is slated for release.

Seraphym Wars Series: Odessa releases April 1, 2011 from MuseItUp Publishing.

The MG series Stardust Warriors Zarena is scheduled for July 1, 2011 from MuseItUp.

This is a MG version of the Seraphym Wars story.

All books will be available on Amazon, Smashwords, as well as many other sites.

To find our more about books by Rebecca Ryals Russell

Find her website
And her website for the Seraphym Wars YA series

And her blog for additional information about writing,
random ramblings
and anything that strikes her funny bone.

Rebecca also participates in a grog (group blog)
Teen Word Factory

written by a group of MG/YA Authors,

who write about how to write for teens,

NaNoWriMo, interviews and more.

WordShaping

Why I Write Fantasy - Pat McDermott

Jane Toombs - Why Writing epubs Is Relaxing

Why I Write Fantasy - Rahima Warren

Have a Blessed & Creative New Year!

Christmas on Wherever Island - Why not?

A Review of Donna Boyd's Renegade, at last!

And don’t miss "The MillionDollar Deal That Ruined My Career,” her own story of why it took ten years and whyshe self-published “Renegade.”

Dragons Are Forever - Kari Thomas thanks Anne McCaffrey

Secrets for Successful Paranormal Writing

Why I Write Fantasy - Vonnie Winslow Crist

Whimsical Words Vonnie Winslow Crist's Blog

Radio Interview & Audio Adventures

Why I Write Fantasy - Helen Henderson

Arizona Dreamin’ 2011 - A Romance Reader Event!

Welcome Kris Tualla, creator of

Arizona Dreamin’ 2011 - A Romance Reader Event

Amber: So Kris, how did you become the Arizona Dreamin’ Queen?

Kris: I attended the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention and heard about reader-focused events in other parts of the country. I thought - why not in Phoenix? A city this size can certainly support such an endeavor!

Amber: How did you advertise to attract readers?

Kris: The vision was to bring my fans and introduce them to your books, and vice versa. So I asked each of the 24 authors to get 4 of their own fans to come. If they did, we would be full.

Amber: Did you break even the first year?

Kris: Not even close, sad to say. Half of the authors didn't generate any ticket sales at all! I learned that new authors are hungry and understand that they need to promote. Authors published four or five years ago (or more) have no clue.

Even so, those readers who did attend had a blast! I have never seen so many consistent smiles in a very long time. Everyone was talking about who they would bring with them "next year"! Not only that, but they bought $1800 worth of books and raised $315 for charity!

Amber: Anything authors who want to attend and be part of AD2012 needed to know?

Second, I am committed to keeping the event small and intimate. We plan to cap the authors at 24, and keep the "Book Clubs" - the meetings of authors and readers - at 10 per club.

Amber: I saw some pretty yummy photos with a cover model (definitely not female). How did you arrange that and did it help the publicity?

Amber: What about the details for Arizona Dreamin' 2012?

Kris: Saturday, June 2, 2012, Noon - 10:00pm. Tickets (probably around $30) include a delicious and bountiful buffet dinner with the authors.

Breaking News!

Location - Windmill Inns & Suites of Chandler / 3535 W. Chandler Boulevard / Chandler, AZ 85226. Event room rates are $79 per suite for those who want to make it a girl's overnight or weekend (it's next to the Chandler Mall)!

!Subscribe to our blog to receive the latest updates

on Arizona Dreamin' 2012

http://arizonadreamin.wordpress.com/

Amber: What is the one (scratch that)… What are the 5 most important things an individual or group would need to pull this off?

Kris:

Passionate belief in the concept. I took the financial hit in 2011 because I know this event will grow!

People working with me who have a passionate belief in the concept. My committee was small but comprised of some truly amazing authors, including Deena Remiel and Tami VanGurp.

Energy - which plays out in commitment and follow-through. This isn't a path for the faint of heart!

The understanding that no author is an island. I help you and you help me; we are stronger together.

Make certain that the things which are in my control are efficient and planned to the last detail. That way when things that are out of my control go awry (and they will) we are still successful!

Amber: Thanks Kris for telling us about your event for romance readers. And good luck with next year.

Find out more about Kris and her books on her website!

"In the Historical Romance genre, there have been literally countless kilted warrior stories told. Well, I say it's time for a new breed of heroes!

Come along with me and find out why:

Norway IS the new Scotland!"

Why I Write Fantasy - Deborah Riley-Magnus

Why I Write Fantasy - Zenobia Renquist

Why I Write Fantasy - Ann Wilkes

Why I Write Fantasy - Riley Quinn

Why I Write Fantasy - Marc Vun Kannon

Why I Write Fantasy - Gloria Oliver

Why I Write Fantasy - Mary Hughes

Why I Write Fantasy - Cindy Lynn Speer

Why I Write Fantasy - Dana Davis

Why I Write Fantasy - Berinn Rae

Why I Write Fantasy - Leanna Renee Hieber

Why I Write Fantasy - Rebecca Ryals Russell

Interview with "Cookbook Fetish" cookbook reviewer!

Taos as Muse, Revisted

How NOT to Shop in an Independent Bookstore

Arizona - Location Location Location

Why I Write Fantasy - Rebecca Ryals Russell