Introducing THE COUNTRY AUTHOR

After much consideration, God nudging at my heart, and even a few sleepless night, I finally "broke" down and started my own blog. I've been following a lot of blogs, and learning tons about the writing craft from the talented authors who own them. There's so much to learn out there. It can be overwhelming. I got to thinking that I can help other authors who are new to the world of publishing make sense of it all. I'm no expert, so who am I to instruct another person in the craft of writing? I figure that if I'm researching a particular topic I wish to write about, I'll be learning as well. And I plan to present what I've learned in a way that will hopefully appeal to a novice writer. Maybe even a lightly seasoned one like me.
Please check out my new blog by clicking on THE COUNTRY AUTHOR link in the left side bar. Leave a comment, if you'd like, and let me know what you think.

Sneak peek at Linda Strawn's new book

Linda here. It's been quite a while since I posted. Feverishly working on a new trilogy tends to shove other things onto the back burner. Last night I got to thinking about this blog. I asked myself, why not share what I've been working on? So, here you are, chapter one of Liberty's Tears:
Libby Brooks paced the floor of the small one-bedroom apartment.
“Would you relax already?”
Libby halted and stared at her roommate and best friend. “I’m sorry. I’m just nervous about the meeting with Pastor Jim. He wants another update on the fundraiser.”
“So?” Jayne Licerio shrugged. “What’s there to be worried about?”
Libby plopped down on the couch and picked up a computer generated list she had tossed there moments earlier. “This.” She ripped the two sheets of paper apart from the stapled corner. “This is all I have to show for months of work. I should have a lot more donations for the silent auction by now. Pastor Jim’s not going to be happy.”
Jayne stood up and walked into the kitchen. “How about a cup of chamomile tea? It’ll calm you.”
Libby gazed at her watch and shook her head. “No thanks. I have to be at the church early.” She rubbed her temples. “Now, where did I put the envelope?”
“A big, brown one?”
“Yeah. Have you seen it?”
Jayne gestured to the stack of papers sitting neatly on the desk. “Is that it over there?”
“Yes. What would I do without you?”
“Hard to say, but I will say this: don’t be so hard on yourself. You may not have a boat-load of donations, but you are organized. I looked at that list of yours and I’m impressed by the tidy way you have everything listed.”
“I’m afraid Pastor Jim won’t be very impressed.” Libby carefully inserted the print-out into the envelope. She grinned as she grabbed her purse and car keys. “He raved about how much of a people-person I am—so giving and all. The thing is, I’m better at giving, but horrible at asking people to donate stuff. Now that I’m the only one on the committee, I have to be organized. It’s the only thing I’ve got going for me.”
“I think you’re doing a pretty good job since all your so-called committee members deserted you. You should’ve asked the pastor for more help, or at least learn to say ‘no’.”
Libby shrugged. “Yeah, maybe, but once summer hit and they all dropped out like flies, I didn’t have the heart to quit. Either way, I’m letting the church down.”
Jayne walked toward Libby and gave her a hug. “I wouldn’t say that.”

Libby stepped back as her friend released her. “Well, that’s how I feel.” She grabbed the doorknob and gave Jayne a wave before leaving the room.

***

The drive to Berkeley Christian Fellowship took less than five minutes, but it seemed like five hours. She hoped the pastor wouldn’t be too disappointed. She swallowed against a lump forming in her throat. Maybe she worried for nothing. She always expected too much of herself and hated to let people down.
She parked her royal blue VW Bug and walked across the parking lot toward the front entrance, uttering a prayer for peace. With her purse slung over her shoulder and the manila envelope tucked safely under her arm, she entered the church with her head held high. She would meet with the pastor and accept what ever he had to say, good or bad. If she failed miserably, she’d humble herself and quietly resign from the committee. Only she and her pastor would know. She prayed that the Lord would show mercy and make it a short meeting.
She headed straight for the pastor’s office and through the open door. Pastor Jim McPherson looked up from the desk and smiled.
Libby sucked in a breath and placed the brown envelope on his desk. She released the air from her lungs. “These are all the donations I have so far. I wish there were more, but—”
The pastor stood, cleared his throat, and pointed.
Libby gnawed her lower lip and turned her head. The sight of an impeccably dressed man sitting across from the pastor surprised her. When the gentleman rose from his chair, Libby recognized him as Kurt Stevens, a new member introduced just the week before. So much for a quick, private meeting.
Her eyes flitted toward Kurt then to Pastor Jim, whose face wore no expression as he indicated an empty chair. She felt her stomach tighten. His grim appearance made it clear he required more from her than a simple update. She should offer to step down now and save them all the trouble. Instead, she sat down hugging her purse close to her chest like a nervous schoolgirl.
After both men resumed their seats, the pastor leaned forward and rested his folded hands on the desk. “Libby, the reason I called you here is I’m concerned we don’t have enough donations for the silent auction.”
Libby felt a pang of shock race through her. He hadn’t even looked at her list yet.
“I feel you’re in over your head,” he continued. “In the last few months I’ve noticed a drop in donations. I know classes and the eye clinic take a lot of your time. You’re a dedicated servant and I don’t need to remind you how important this silent auction is for our fundraiser.”
Libby clenched her jaw to keep from crying. She stared at the manila envelope resting beneath the pastor’s elbows, the culmination of months of hard work. Everything she had to show for all the hours she spent outside of optometry classes were contained on the pages inside of it. He didn’t have to look at. He had already made up his mind. Her efforts meant nothing. “I’m sorry, Pastor Jim.” She blinked against the tears that moistened her eyes. “I’ll try harder.”
“Our overseas missionaries depend on the money we raise from events like these,” the pastor pointed out. “I don’t think you can catch up at this point.”
Libby couldn’t breathe at the realization that she not only let the pastor and the church down, but the hard working missionaries as well. And what did Kurt Stevens think of her? It embarrassed her that a total stranger had witnessed this awkward exchange. “You don’t need to remind me.” It took all she had to maintain her composure.
The pastor’s face softened. “I know I don’t. It’s just that the dinner and silent auction is less than two months away and I’m feeling the crunch as I’m sure everyone is. I know you’re doing your best working on this after school, but you need help.”
Libby knit her brows in confusion. “But everyone else is working on other committees.”
Pastor Jim looked at the man sitting across from him. “Libby, have you met Kurt Stevens?”
She looked at the man to her right. “No. I mean we haven’t been formally introduced.”
Kurt extended his hand. For a moment she forgot how upset she had become and noticed for the first time his handsome features. She remembered how his arrival a few weeks before had made quite an impact in the congregation, especially on the women. Even Jayne made a few comments.
She shook his hand and turned her attention back to the pastor. “I mean no disrespect, but Mr. Stevens is new to the church.”
“Yes, but you should know how important it is to involve new members as soon as possible.” He looked fondly at Kurt. “Besides, he has a degree in financial administration and is an executive for a large consulting company in the city. He’s more than qualified to work on this committee.”
The pastor might as well have said he was more qualified than she, a lowly third-year optometry student.
Pastor Jim stood. “I’m going to announce this before the congregation this morning.”
Libby rose, biting her lip to keep from saying something she’d regret. She followed the pastor out of the office then stopped when he paused to face her. “Thanks for meeting with me.” He patted her on the shoulder then turned to Kurt and shook his hand. “I’ll be in touch with you so we can discuss this more.” As he headed for the front door to greet parishioners, Libby felt like a third wheel.
“Are you okay?” Kurt’s voice matched the smoothness of his looks. “You don’t look very happy about this arrangement.”
As Libby turned to face him, she fought the urge to vent some steam. It would feel so good to release the tension mounting inside her, but the last thing she wanted was for someone she hardly knew to see her break down. “I’ll do whatever the pastor feels is best.”
Kurt smiled, revealing perfect white teeth. “Good. I’m glad you’re not upset. We’ll talk later, okay?”
“Sure.”
Libby made her way into the sanctuary avoiding eye contact with everyone she passed. Still fuming, she settled into a middle pew then dropped her purse and printout on the floor by her feet.
Settling on the cushion beside her, Jayne nudged Libby’s arm with her elbow. “Pastor Jim sure has been chummy with that new guy.”
Libby looked up to see the pastor chatting casually with Kurt. Her stomach clenched. Now that she had time to calm down, she could finally admit that she needed help, but she didn’t relish the idea of working side-by-side with someone she hardly knew. Why did it have to be Kurt Stevens?
Jayne leaned back in the pew. “He’s so cute.”
With a slow nod, Libby had to admit that he was good-looking. His casually styled hair, gray suit, and white button-up shirt made him look like he’d just jumped off the cover of GQ Magazine.
Jayne leaned toward her. “I heard he’s from L.A.”
“I heard that, too. The pastor just informed me that Kurt will be helping me with the silent auction.”
“That’s good, isn’t it?”
Libby sighed. “I don’t know. I guess I didn’t expect my worst fears to be confirmed.”
“What did the pastor say to you?”
Libby drew a breath and let it out. “In so many words, he let me know just how disappointed he really is.”
“Ouch! I could see why you’re so upset.”
“I shouldn’t be. It’s just that this is the first time in a long time that I’ve been able to devote myself to something worthwhile other than school. Over the summer it was easy when all I had to do was work in the eye clinic, but as soon as the fall semester started, it was harder finding the time.”
“You’ve got a point there.” Jayne gently touched her friend’s hand. “Accept the help Libby. Everyone stands to benefit from this, so don’t let your pride get in the way.”
“I know that, now.” She looked at Jayne and smiled. “I’m glad I have my street-wise friend to ground me.”
“Yeah, being sheltered all your life has its drawbacks.”
Libby covered her mouth to suppress a giggle as the pastor took his place behind the podium.

***

After church, Libby made her way to the refreshment table. She stopped at the coffee pot and lifted a paper cup from the stack next to it.
“Hello again.” A male voice startled her. She looked up to see Kurt standing next to her as he grabbed a cup for himself.
“Oh, hi.”
“Do you mind if I join you?”
Libby looked around for Jayne. “Uh, no, not at all.”
“Do you work around here?”
She looked up after she filled her cup. “I’m a student at UC Berkeley.” Forcing a smile, she stirred Splenda into her coffee.
Kurt poured himself a cup and followed her to a table.
“Berkeley, huh?” He pulled out a chair for her. “What’s your major?”
Surprised by his gesture, she sat down then watched him take a seat beside her. Was he trying to win her over?
Two teenage girls walked by the table each flashing Kurt a mischievous smile as they sauntered away giggling.
“You seem to be garnering a great deal of attention around here.” Libby couldn’t resist making the observation.
“I guess, but it’s not them I’m sitting with.” He gazed at her and grinned. Caught off guard by his remark, she didn’t know what to say.
“I’d like to know more about you.” Kurt flashed a grin then took a drink of coffee.
“Me?” Libby wrinkled her brow. She wondered why someone as sophisticated as Kurt Stevens would be interested in her. Where’s Jayne when I need her?
“Yes, you.” He sat back in his seat. “You haven’t answered my question.” Libby acknowledged her omission with a smile. “I’m majoring in Optometry. I’m in my third year.”
“What made you choose Cal?”
“Berkeley’s School of Optometry is one of the best around, and it’s not far from home.”
“Where’s home?” Kurt leaned forward, resting his folded arms on the table. His hazel eyes sparkled with interest.
“Healdsburg. It’s about an hour north of here.”
“Then you must live on campus, right?”
Although flattered by his attention, Libby was reluctant to say too much. For some reason she felt wary. Since high school she had distanced herself from getting involved with men. Her focus had always been on academics. Unwarranted attention from the opposite sex proved a distraction she didn’t need—or want.
Libby chided herself. As a Christian, she knew not to judge a person’s motives. Wisdom had its merit, but sometimes she went too far. She willed herself to relax. “I live near the campus.”
“That’s good. I don’t see how anyone can study in the dorms with all the partying going on.”
“Actually, Jayne and I used to live in student housing up until a year ago, and we never had a problem with it.”
Kurt chuckled. “Well, where I went to college, it was a huge problem.” Libby sipped her coffee then dabbed her lips with a napkin. “What college was that?”
“UCLA, but tell me more about you.”
Libby didn’t know whether to be flattered or annoyed. They hadn’t been there fifteen minutes and already she’d divulged more about herself than she cared to. Why would a total stranger be so interested? Why not? Could it be that she’d been hiding behind textbooks for so long that she forgot how to converse with a guy? It wouldn’t hurt to answer a few questions. “What else do you want to know?”
“Who’s Jayne?”
“She’s my best friend. We met during our freshman year and now share an apartment.” She leaned back in the chair. “Anything else?”
Before he could answer, Jayne stepped up to the table. “Hi Kurt, I’m Jayne. I hear you’re going to help with the silent auction.”
A wave of relief flooded over Libby when her friend pulled out the chair next to her and sat down.
Kurt flashed Libby a smile. “Yes, I’m looking forward to working with your friend.”
Noticing the gleam in Jayne’s eyes, Libby halted her friend with a warning stare. “Are you ready to go, Jayne?”
“What’s the hurry?”
Libby stood up. “I have to call my parents.”
Jayne scooted her chair back. “It was nice meeting you, Kurt.”
“Likewise.” He gazed at Libby. “I’ll call you later. Maybe we can meet or something?”
“Sure.” She grabbed her purse and slung it over her shoulder. “I’ll see you later.”
Libby started to walk away.
“Wait!”
She turned back around to see Kurt holding up the manila envelope. “You almost forgot this.”
Libby’s heart sank as she eyed the brown covering. “Thank you.” She took the envelope from him then stood there for a moment swallowing her pride. “We’ll talk more. I would like that.”
Kurt smiled wide, his hazel eyes sparkling. “Me, too.”
Jayne beamed at them both then waved at Kurt as she followed Libby out of the room.

The Fragrance of Forgiveness

by Delia Latham

As a child, I spent more time at my grandmother’s house than at my own. In later years, she became my best friend. It was long after she died before I found another person I could confide in like I had in Granny.

One particular day, after being seriously betrayed by a friend, I rushed to Granny's grave and spilled my heart to her, just like always. Sobbing, I pulled a rose out of a jar atop her gravestone and breathed in its sweet fragrance. My fingers picked at the petals while tears wet my cheeks and bitter words tumbled from my mouth. Without thinking, I closed my fist around the delicate flower, crushing its perfect beauty.

Tossing the broken petals aside, I buried my face in my hands and sobbed. Eventually the overwhelming fragrance of roses caught my attention. It sweetened the air all around me…but clung strongest to the hand that had crushed the rose.

Granny? God? Are you telling me something?

Driving past a local church the next day, my gaze fell on their marquee, which read, "Forgiveness is the fragrance given by flowers when trampled upon." The words hit me like a two-ton sledge. I pulled my car to the side of the road and wept.

That’s what God and Granny had tried to convey with the rose—to forgive, just as that helpless flower forgave my cruelty, leaving its fragrance on my killing hands. And just as did the Rose of Sharon, Who blessed those who rejected Him with the sweet aroma of Salvation.

Note: This post contributed as part of Mary DeMuth's Thin Places Blog Tour. Send in an entry for your chance to win a FREE Kindle reader.

Note 2: Credit for the beautiful rose in this post goes to artist Pierre-Joseph Redouté. Please ... take a moment to stop in and admire his wonderful botanical art.

Wow, what a good book!

I just finished Amy Wallace's Enduring Justice, and let me tell you, it was well worth the read. Amy covers some touchy topics, but they are expertly handled and the book is very well written. This third novel in the Defenders of Hope Series releases April 14, but can be pre-ordered now on Amazon.

If you like Christian fiction with a suspenseful edge and a powerful punch, come check out my review of this excellent novel on My Book Bag.

Delia Latham

Book Giveaway!

I interviewed inspirational author Shirley Kiger Connolly on my newsletter blog this month. Shirley's an absolutely darling lady, a wise Christian, and an excellent writer. She plans to give away ONE COPY of her new release, I See God in the Simple Things, to someone who comments on her interview this month. There is, however, a contingency: We must have a minimum of 10 comments to seal the deal on the giveaway. Come on over to The Bookshelf and say howdy. You'll enjoy Shirley's interview - plus, there are some great pieces from other authors, as well. See ya there!

Delia Latham

Our complicated English language (from Linda's point of view)

English is undoubtedly one of the most complicated languages in the world, and we authors can attest to this. Having done well in school, especially English, I usually don’t run into problems with my spelling. However, there are certain words I stumble over—words the typical spell-check program won’t catch. Words like chose, choose, breath, breathe, lose, loose, and so on.

When writing, I do a lot of reasoning when words like these pop up. Should I type choose or chose? My character is faced with a decision. She needs to pick which way to go. Well, the word I don’t want is chose (rhymes with hose) because that’s past tense, so the correct word is choose. Okay, good so far. Now I need a word to indicate that she stands to misplace something. Since we’ve established that chose rhymes with hose, the word I need should rhyme with choose. She will loose her mind if she’s not careful. No? The correct word is lose? Like loser? Oh, man! Loose has a harder s sound, like goose, but the word choose has a z sound like lose (with one “o”). What gives?

No wonder people from other countries have a hard time learning our language!

How about breath and breathe? My character needs to take a moment to inhale and exhale. She needs to do something that rhymes with eat. I guess she needs to breath. Eat doesn’t have an e at the end of it, so breath has to be the right word, but that doesn’t look right. It is supposed to be breathe.

See what I mean about this crazy language of ours? Not everything is consistent. So, what is an author to do? Many times I consult my big, fat Websters, other times I rely on my critique partners to catch my blunder, but these methods aren’t foolproof. What I’ve chosen to do is make a list of my most troublesome words. The act of writing them down reinforces something in our brain so chances are the naughty word is less likely to go unnoticed next time. I don’t know if there’s scientific proof to back this up, but it works for me. What works for you?

Writers Write...Right?

I’ve always loved quotes. You know, those wonderful little words of wisdom from various sources that just make you stop for a moment and think.

My grandmother must have passed that down to me. Her tattered, well-read Bible was filled with quotes. They were scribbled inside both covers and on the blank pages at front and back. Even the margins of a printed page wasn’t exempt if a particular scripture brought to mind some witty little saying she’d heard or read – or even dreamed up herself. (Hey, maybe Granny gave me the writer’s itch, too!)

Whatever the reason, catchy little phrases, words of wisdom, proverbs … to me, the really good ones are like gold nuggets – hard to find, but their value far outweighs all the time and effort invested. When one of them really strikes a chord in my mind, it resonates – and I never forget it.

One such little gem is straightforward and succinct: Writers write.

The first time I saw it, I thought, “Well … duh!” (I know, that’s really profound.) But come on … does there even exist a more useless waste of two words? Of course writers write – they’re writers!

Then I got really serious about my own contributions to the writing community, and I finally saw the light. Because no matter how pristine my intentions, every day is a brand new commitment to my chosen field. Back when I was writing in a notebook or pecking out words on a cantankerous old typewriter with four little ones playing at my feet, it didn’t seem so hard to just sit down and do what I needed to do …write.

But then there was the advent of the personal computer – oh, sweet bliss! No more messy eraser ribbons. No more black smudges all over the page. No more retyping an entire page to correct an error I missed in the initial edit. Could life be any sweeter?

Oh, yes, it certainly could.

I was ecstatic when I discovered the World Wide Web. Those pesky trips to the library for research? A thing of the past! Everything I needed was right there at my fingertips – I just had to go online and get it. A multitude of information readily available … along with games. And online shopping. And e-mails. And on … and on … and on. That little CPU box holds a veritable plethora of things that have nothing to do with writing. And for a natural procrastinator like me, they spell d-e-a-t-h to a writing career.

Shopping is a real killer. You tell yourself you’re doing a great thing … after all, you won’t spend as much time away from writing if you just go online and order that blouse you’re looking for in a particularly hard-to-find shade of cantaloupe crush. Uh-huh.

Do you know how easy it is to while away an hour or two playing Boggle online? I have done exactly that in what felt like only ten or twenty minutes. And it’s so easily justified! Any number of writer’s workshops will tell you that in order to write effectively, you must sharpen your mind with a variety of stimuli. The occasional break from stringing words together is good for you. It stimulates! It inspires! It refreshes the thought process for when you return to your manuscript.

And that's the kicker. Returning to your manuscript. I have become the world’s best at finding just one more thing to do before writing. And then just one more.

So, along with a couple of other favorites, I always keep those two words in gargantuan, vividly colored letters somewhere on or near my desk:

WRITERS WRITE.

It’s not a definition any longer. It’s a reminder. I cannot call myself a writer if I don’t write. I’ll never see my name on the cover of another book … if I’m too busy surfing the web to write one. And though I may eventually find that perfect blouse in exactly my size, color and price range, my chances of wearing it in an author photo are nil … if I haven’t done the one thing that qualifies me as an author.

Write. Because that’s what writers do.

Redigo's Choice by Kasandra Elaine

Now available from The Wild Rose Press


"Redigo's Choice"
by Kasandra Elaine

$6.00

"A poor Texas cowboy, a wealthy Mexican socialite, a whirlwind romance, and a secret marriage: the ingredients of a perfect love story, but for Redigo and Marianna they mean nothing but trouble. Marianna's father is determined to tear the lovers apart and devises a well-organized plan of deceit and lies to remove John Redigo from his daughter's life. His plan succeeds and Redigo and Marianna are torn asunder and for years they lead separate lives. It's during these years that Redigo meets Addie Murphy. They both work on the Lazy M Ranch and have been friends for years but finally realize their feelings for one another are much deeper than just friendship. They discover love is good in the later years of life. Everything seems wonderful and Redigo and Addie look forward to growing older together. That dream becomes clouded when Redigo's daughter from his brief marriage to Marianna comes into his life. Now twenty-five years later, an older and hopefully wiser man has to decide if he will risk life and limb to rescue the love of his youth from the man now trying to take her life and steal her fortune. Does Redigo rescue the lady and rekindle the love of his youth or does he realize the last love is the best love?

Rose
PRINT ISBN 1-60154-391-3
(312 Pages)
Rating (sweet)
Read An Excerpt
Soon to be available in print

Rejection Never Felt So Good!

I'm happy to report that I received a rejection letter from The Wild Rose Press today for partial manuscript, The Choir Girl.Here's the many reasons why I'm actually happy about this:

1) I told my critique partner, Kassy, about a week ago that I hoped TWRP rejected this manuscript because after re-reading it before sending it in, I felt that the writing was horrible. I think I described it as, "thirty-two thousand words of crap." Anyway, I didn't think that I would actually get that far when I submitted the query. The fact that an editor of a BIG NY publisher asked to see my manuscript was amazing.

2) I'm also happy that the editor sent me a genuine rejection, rather than a form letter. That's another first. In this rejection letter, she went into detail about what was wrong with my manuscript. Let's break it down:

3) There's too much narration that focuses on the past, rather than the current story. TRUE. When I murdered this novel a few months back, I mentioned that the entire story was based on something that happened in the past, how they were currently dealing with the past, and how the past will effect their future. PAST x 3 = YUCK. You can't create a story with past in the past, past in the present, and past in the future. It just doesn't work. Too much drama.

4) The dreaded POV shifts - head hopping - run rampant. I try really hard. I really do. But POV kicks my ass! I'm writing this beautiful scene with so much emotion, and I can only show you one side. Who's side do I show? And if I don't let the readers see some movement or facial expression on the other person, then it comes across as though they have no emotion. Both characters have to be involved in the action and emotion, but only one can have thoughts. I've been working with Kassy on POV for years. I don't know if I'll ever get it.

5) Christian fidgets too much. I'm going to have to go back and re-read the scene she mentioned, but I think I know what she meant. This is most likely one of those unintentional things. This is why it's good to let many people read your work before submitting because a scene can read one way to one person and another way to another person. I had to re-write chapter one because a member of my critique group said he disliked Ima because she snooty and self-absorbed. This is totally not the impression I wanted to give my selfless, church social director.

6) The progression of the romance needs work. This is most likely because the manuscript is not finished. Several chapters needed to be added in the middle to show this progression.

All in all, I think this was a very well-written rejection from an editor who cares about unpublished writers. How are we supposed to know what we're doing wrong if no one tells us? Thank God for TWRP!

Now I can lay this novel to rest. I murdered it. I resurrected it. But after receiving such a rejection, I feel that I don't have the passion for the characters that I once had. They aren't talking to me anymore, so anything further that I wrote about them would be strictly my words. I don't like my words. I like to let the characters do the talking.

Farewell, Christian Hogg.
Farewell, Ima Rayburn.

On to new projects. There are new characters in my head that need to have their stories told.

Merry Christmas from the Muses!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

New Release for Kassy Paris!

First I'm Nobody
$6.00

He came into Skylar’s life, a stranger with no memory of his past. A troublesome past invades his present. Unfolding evidence indicates Duke Green is a criminal on the run. Does Skylar McCrea trust her instinct or abide by the apparent facts? His past is a mystery, but in the present he is an honorable man. If he were a thief, surely, he would show some characteristics of a man with a criminal mind.

Skylar is a good judge of character and of horseflesh. She knows Skylark’s Son will be another champion for the Lazy M Ranch, and she strongly suspects that Duke Green might be a champion himself.

Their search for Duke’s past takes them across the country. What will be at the end – a life of freedom with Skylar or separation while Duke pays for his crime? What does God have in mind for the two?

Rose PRINT ISBN 1-60154-262-3(308 pages) Sweet Read An Excerpt
Soon to be available in print

Publicity for Kassy Paris

This article came from The Kilgore News Herald:

Look out broadway, you have met your match
CHITCHAT CORNER
LINDA K. BALLARD

Just a little off Broadway and buried in the Heart of East Texas, in a suburban community called Kilgore, you can find the strangest of things.

For instance, just last week approximately 300 gathered at St. Luke's United Methodist Church to be entertained by Reverends Ralph Rudy, Robert Besser and Darwood Galaway with their own version of Broadway hits.

Their attire included top hats, canes and suspenders and the show was presented for their annual Harvest Night. The trio received a standing ovation and it has been told that money was stuffed behind their suspenders during the performance… hmmm. (Perhaps it was the Rangerette kick added to the act that caused such a reaction.) And Nina Fern prepared food for the evening that was considered more of a feast than a meal.

"There's one thing for sure," said Mary Lamb. "Our pastor broke the mold of being the hillbilly of the community, now he is considered Broadway's Musical Man. He is definitely a coat of many colors and has enlivened the church tremendously," she said.

Not to be outdone, the First Pentecostal Church put on a two-day feast this week featuring all homemade goodies. (Rachel Ray you need their recipes.)

Enjoying their makings was Kilgoreite Kassy Paris. She informs us her second novel, "First I'm Nobody" will be released on December 19 and just in time for last minute gift buying. Kassy and former Kilgoreite Elaine Powell co-author the books and have anxiously waited the release date of their latest publication. The pair has been friends since high school and has kept in touch throughout the years. "We have had many discussions over books we were reading over the years," said Kassy. "And we joked about being able to write as well. The joke became serious especially with the ease of cutting and pasting when computer technology took place. Our writing actually began when we wrote the Christmas play for church while we were still in school," she added. More information about the book can be found at http://thewildrosepress.com.

Also seen enjoying chicken and dumplings was Charlie Whiteside. He reminds everyone to come to The Willows at 3 p.m. Sunday to enjoy a community wide singing provided by David Jones from the East Texas University of Marshall with James Holder at the piano. He promises it to be good and we all know what type of performance we will hear from the pianist.

Dr. Kenneth Morrison from Lansing, Michigan and his sister Barbara Howard from Cape Cod, Massachusetts came all the way to Kilgore to reminisce and to see their grandparents home. Unfortunately, the Ana-lab office is now located on the old home site. They are the grandchildren of George and Lola Morrison. "They didn't seem too disappointed," said Charlie Whiteside. "They joined my wife, Jo Ann, and me for lunch and we had a wonderful visit. They remembered playing along the little creek bed that runs behind the office and seemed to enjoy their time spent in Kilgore.

A barrel of information, Charlie also tells us during his trip to the Baptist General Convention lately he saw former Kilgoreites Mark and Ruth Galloway, John Pierce, Frances Gentry and John LaNoue. "We were glad to see them and I'm sure other old timers in the area will be glad to know they were seen.

Be sure to share your fun times ( or not-so) fun times with us. We may be reached at 903-984-2593 or at chitchatlinda@aol.com In the meantime, May His Love and Laughter Fill Your Hearts and Your Homes Throughout the Week.

The list that started it all...

Friday, March 21, 2008
A Gift for You Writers!
It took me a couple of hours, but I have put together a list of children's literature agents. All my information came from Agent Query. This is for Wishcraft, but I thought it would be nice to share. What I have done is put only children's literature agents who are currently accepting queries into a table in Word. There were 160 entries, but a lot of them were not accepting unsolicited material, yada yada yada. I sorted through those and the ones that Agent Query needed more information on. The result is a list of ligitimate agents who represent children's authors and are actively seeking queries at this time. Another great thing about this list is that I combined agents that are from the same agency. As you know, it would be a terrible thing to accidently query 2 agents from the same company at the same time. Talk about blacklisted at that agency. With my list, you won't make this mistake. If the agent has an email address, that means they accept email queries. The Word table did not paste into this blog, so below is the list of agents with their addresses and email. Here's what you do: copy and paste the list into Word and then create a table with 4 columns out beside it. The 4 columns should be labeled: work queried, date sent, date response received, and response. When you send out multiple queries on multiple works, this chart will help you keep it all organized. Enjoy and let me know if I made a duplicate entry. I copied and pasted the information straight from Agent Query, so it all should be spelled correctly, but I would always check the agent's site first. Plus, you will need to check their site to see exactly what to submit anyway. Now get busy doing something for your career!


Helen Breitwieser
Cornerstone Literary Agency
4525 Wilshire BoulevardLos Angeles, CA 90010

Ethan Ellenberg
Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency
548 Broadway, #5ENew York, NY 10012
agent@ethanellenberg.com

Jill Grinberg
Kirsten Wolf
Jill Grinberg Literary Management
244 Fifth Avenue, Floor 11New York, NY 10001

Faye Bender
Faye Bender Literary Agency
337 West 76th Street, #E1 New York, NY 10023
Fayebender@fbliterary.com

Faith Hamlin
Sanford J. Greenburger Associates
55 Fifth Avenue, 15th floorNew York, NY 10003
fhamlin@sjga.com

Alex Glass
John Silbersack
Alyssa Eisner Henkin
Trident Media Group, LLC
41 Madison Avenue, 36th floorNew York, NY 10010
aglass@tridentmediagroup.com
silbersack.assistant@tridentmediagroup.com
ahenkin@tridentmediagroup.com

Sara Crowe
Harvey Klinger, Inc.
300 West 55th Street, Suite 11VNew York, NY 10019
sara@harveyklinger.com

Michael Bourret
Dystel & Goderich Literary Management
One Union Square West, Suite 904New York, NY 10003
mbourret@dystel.com

Miriam Altshuler
Miriam Altshuler Literary Agency
53 Old Post Road NorthRed Hook, NY 12571

Ginger Clark
Laura Blake Peterson
Elizabeth Harding
Ginger Knowlton
Anna Webman
Curtis Brown, Ltd.Ten Astor Place, 3rd floorNew York, NY 10003
gc@cbltd.com
ajw@cbltd.com

Stephanie Abou
Foundry Literary + Media
33 West 17th Street, PH
New York, NY 10011

Joy Harris
The Joy Harris Literary Agency, Inc.
156 Fifth Avenue, Suite 617
New York, NY 10010

William Reiss
John Hawkins & Associates, Inc.
71 West 23rd Street, Suite 1600
New York, NY 10010
reiss@jhalit.com

Jennifer Lyons
Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency, LLC
151 West 19th Street 3rd floor
New York, NY 10011

Jennifer Carlson
Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency
27 West 20th Street, Suite 1107
New York, NY 10011

Robert Lescher
Susan Lescher
Lescher & Lescher, Ltd.
47 East 19th Street
New York, NY 10003

Julie Castiglia
Castiglia Literary Agency
1155 Camino del Mar, Suite 510
Del Mar, CA 92014

Susan Cohen
Jodi Reamer
Rebecca Sherman
rsherman@writershouse.com
Lindsay Davis
ldavis@writershouse.com
Writers House
21 West 26th Street New York, NY 10010
Stephen Malk
3368 Governor Dr, #224F
San Diego, CA 92122
smalk@writershouse.com

Sandra Dijkstra
Kelly Sonnack
Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency 1155 Camino Del Mar
Del Mar, CA 92014

Jennie Dunham
Dunham Literary
156 Fifth Avenue, Suite 625
New York, NY 10010

Barry Goldblatt
Barry Goldblatt Literary Agency, Inc.
320 7th Avenue, Suite 266
Brooklyn, NY 11215

Tanya McKinnon
Mary Evans, Inc. 242 East Fifth Street
New York, NY 10003
tanyamckinnon@yahoo.com

Helen F. Pratt
Helen F. Pratt, Inc.1165 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10029

Victoria Sanders
Victoria Sanders & Associates
241 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 11H
New York, NY 10014
queriesvsa@hotmail.com

Susan F. Schulman
Susan Schulman Literary Agency
454 West 44th Street
New York, NY 10036
Schulman@aol.com

Alice Tasman
Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency
216 East 75th Street, #1E
New York, NY 10021
atasman@jvnla.com

Scott Treimel
Scott Treimel New York Agency434 Lafayette Street
New York, NY 10003

Bill Contardi
Brandt & Hochman Literary Agency1501 Broadway, Suite 2310
New York, NY 10036
bill@billcontardi.com

Emily Sylvan Kim
Rachel Orr
Prospect Agency
285 Fifth Ave., PMB 445
Brooklyn, NY 11215
esk@prospectagency.com
rko@prospectagency.com

Joe Veltre
Artists Literary Group
27 West 20th Street; 10th Floor
New York, NY 10011
jv@algmedia.com

Andrea Brown
Laura Rennert
Caryn Wiseman
Jennifer Jaeger
Michelle Andelman
Jamie Weiss Chilton
Andrea Brown Literary Agency
1076 Eagle Drive
Palo Alto, CA 93905
andrea@andreabrownlit.com
laura@andreabrownlit.com
caryn@andreabrownlit.com
jennifer@andreabrownlit.com
michelle@andreabrownlit.com
jamie@andreabrownlit.com

Marie Brown
Marie Brown Associates412 West 154th Street
New York, NY 10032

Gina Panettieri
Rachel Dowen
Talcott Notch Literary Services
276 Forest Road
Milford, CT 06460
gpanettieri@talcottnotch.net
rdowen@talcottnotch.net

Jennifer DeChiara
Stephen Fraser
Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency
31 East 32nd Street, Suite 300
New York, NY 10016
jenndec@aol.com

Stephen Barbara
Donald Maass Literary Agency
121 West 27th Street, Suite 801
New York, NY 10001
sbarbara@maassagency.com

Gina Maccoby
Gina Maccoby Literary AgencyP.O. Box 60
Chappaqua, NY 10514

Scott Andrew Mendel
Mendel Media Group, LLC
115 West 30th Street, Suite 800
New York, NY 10001

Marianne Merola
Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents1501 Broadway, Suite 2310
New York, NY 10036
mmerola@bromasite.com

Sally Woffard-Girand
Brick House Literary Agents
80 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1101
New York, NY 10011
woffordgirand@brickhouselit.com

Rosemary B. Stimola
Stimola Literary Studio
306 Chase Court
Edgewater, NJ 07020
info@stimolaliterarystudio.com

Regina Brooks
Serendipity Literary Agency
305 Gates Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11216
rbrooks@serendipitylit.com

Holly McGhee
Emily van Beek
Samantha Cosentino
Pippin Properties, Inc.
155 East 38th Street, Suite 2H
New York, NY 10016
info@pippinproperties.com

Kevin McAdams
The Schiavone Literary Agency400 East 11th Street, #7
New York, NY 10009
kvn.mcadams@yahoo.com
James Schiavone
Schiavone Literary Agency
236 Trails EndWest Palm Beach, FL 33413
profschia@aol.com

Paul S. Levine
Paul S. Levine Literary Agent
1054 Superba Avenue
Venice, CA 90291
paul@paulslevine.com

Tina Dubois Wexler
International Creative Management ICM
825 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10019
twexler@icmtalent.com

Wendy Strothman
The Strothman Agency
One Faneuil Hall Marketplace, 3rd floor
Boston, MA 02109

Lilly Ghahremani
Stefanie Von Borstel
Full Circle Literary, LLC
7676 Hazard Center Dr., Suite 500
San Diego, CA 92108
lilly@fullcircleliterary.com

Jonathon Lazear
Christi Cardenas
The Lazear Agency
431 Second Street, Ste 300
Hudson, WI 54016
jlazear@lazear.com
ccardenas@lazear.com

Nadia Cornier
Ted Malawer
Elana Roth
Firebrand Literary
285 West Broadway, Suite 520
New York, NY 10013
*Note to please contact through website*

Scott Gould
RLR Associates, Ltd.
7 West 51st Street
New York, NY 10019
sgould@rlrassociates.net

Michelle Grajkowski
3 Seas Literary Agency
P. O. BOX 8571
Madison, WI 53708

Jenoyne Adams
Bliss Literary Agency International, Inc.
1601 N. Sepulveda Blvd, #389
Manhattan Beach , CA 90266
query@blissliterary.com

Peter Cox
Redhammer LLC
186 Bickenhall Mansions
London, WIU6BX

Diane Dreher
Rights Unlimited
6 West 37th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10018
submissions@rightsunlimited.com

Jay Poynor
The Poynor Group 444 East 82nd Street, Suite 28C
New York, NY 10028
jpoynor@fcc.net

Catt LeBaique
Heacock Literary Agency
11740 Big Tujunga Canyon Rd
Tujunga, CA 91042
catt@heacockliteraryagency.com

Andrea Cascardi
Transatlantic Literary Agency
P.O. Box 349
Rockville Centre, NY 11571

Marianne Strong
Jason Allen Ashlock
Marianne Strong Literary Agency
65 East 96th Street
New York, NY 10128
StrongLit@aol.com
jason@stronglit.com

Jenny Rappaport
L. Perkins Agency
15-9 Interlaken Court
Freehold, NJ 07728
jrlperkinsagency@yahoo.com

Kate McKean
Howard Morhaim Literary Agency 30 Pierrepont Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
kmckean@morhaimliterary.com

Robert Astle
Robert Astle & Associates Literary Management, Inc.
12 Desbrosses Street
New York, NY 10013
robert@astleliterary.com

Susanna Einstein
LJK Literary Management
70 West 40th Street, Floor 8
New York, NY 10018
submissions@ljkliterary.com

Nancy Gallt
Nancy Gallt Literary Agency273 Charlton Aveune
South Orange, NJ 07079
ngallt@aol.com

Edward Necarsulmer IV
McIntosh and Otis
353 Lexington Avenue, 15th floor
New York, NY 10016

Kirby Kim
Vigliano Associates
405 Park Avenue, Suite 1700
New York, NY 10022
kk@viglianoassociates.com

Laurie McLean
Larsen Pomada Literary Agency
PO Box 258
La Honda, CA 94020
laurie@agentsavant.com

Anne Marie O’Farrell
Denise Marcil Literary Agency
156 Fifth Avenue, Suite 625
New York, NY 10010

Jacqueline Ross
Cornerstone Literary Agency
4525 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90010

Yvonne Woon
Ian Kleinert
Objective Entertainment
265 Canal Street, Suite 603
New York, NY 10013
yw@objectiveent.com
ik@objectiveent.com

Etta Wilson
Books & Such Literary Agency
52 Mission Circle, Suite 122, PMB 170
Santa Rosa, CA 95409
etta@booksandsuch.biz

Peter Riva
International Transactions
PO BOX 97
Gila, NM 88038
priva@intltrans.com

Ronnie Gramazio
Martin Literary Management
37 West 20th Street, Suite 804
New York, NY 10011
ronnie@martinliterarymanagement.com

DeLyn

DeLyn Fisher Featured in the Institute of Children's Literature Newsletter

Featured at the Institute for Children's Literature!

I am so thrilled! Thanks to a heads up from some new blog readers, I discovered that one of my blog entries was featured in the Children's Writer's eNews from the Institute for Children's Literature (ICL), also known as Jan Field's Rx List for ICL. This is really special to me because I didn't request to be featured in the newsletter. My blog was "discovered" and rewarded for its merit. It's nice to know that people are really reading my blog and that I truly do have something to offer others. This also explains the recent surge in membership to my Yahoo! Group. Thanks everybody!!! Below, I have copied and pasted the part of the newsletter that has my feature.

Children's Writers eNews
September 11, 2008
"The Write Words to Read"
The Institute of Children's Literature
http://www.institutechildrenslit.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"If you're not scared, you're not writing.... A state of anxiety is the writer's natural habitat."
--Ralph Keyes, The Courage to Write (Henry Holt and Company, 1995)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE

1. News For You: Chat is Back!
2. New: "Attention to Detail" with Bev. Cooke
3. Vintage Goodie
4. Next Guest Speaker Event
5. Come Hang Out in Chat
6. A Blog Worth Reading
7. An Agent List
8. Article
9. Critique News
10.Good News

Lucky #7 is mine and here's the rest:

7. Agent List

This lady has created a list of children's writing agents who are accepting queries.
http://delynfisherromance.blogspot.com/2008/03/gift-for-you-writers.html

This one is for everyone who has asked how you find a list of agents for children's writers.

All I can say is, "WOW!" Thanks and glad I could be of service.

DeLyn

Never the Two Shall Meet? - I Don't Think So!

I'm so excited to report that my friend and Christian Romance Author, Delia Latham, traveled halfway across the United States just to see me!!!

Well...maybe not just to see me, but I was definately on her list of must sees.

Check out the photos!We met up at Bodacious Bar-B-Q in Gilmer, Texas to have lunch and chit chat. Her husband is SO SWEET! We gave each other autographed copies of books.

Even though I'm a writer, it's hard to express in words how much this visit meant to me. I'm good at writing about the world of make believe, but this is real. Until Friday, Delia was a picture on the web, words on a blog, expression in email, and a world away. It takes 3 days to drive from California to Texas and vice versa.

Now I will no longer refer to her as my internet friend. Now I can just call her MY FRIEND. No two sweeter words.

Delia, I can't wait til you move here and bring your beautiful family! Drive home safe!

DeLyn

The BIG Goldeneyes Contest Series

You are INVITED...please come!

When: June through December 2008

Where: Delia's Website

What: It's a HUGE contest in promotion of my new novel, Goldeneyes! God has blessed me with a number of incredible sponsors, enabling me to offer some truly fantastic prize packages. One BIG prize package will be awarded every month from June through December. Some of these packages are valued at well over $100!!! Come on over and get your entry in!

How: Instructions for entry are available on my website. Just visit the contest page and get all the details.

I'll be watching for you!

Memo Pause

Here is a great product for all you writers out there. It's called Memo-Pause. Visit the website for more details. Aren't they fabulous!?!

www.memo-pause. com

Memo-Pause blog: http://memo-pause.blogspot.com/

Author Carla Cassidy: "I would love to win a Memo-Pause. I am definitely memo-pausal. I would wear it daily to write down important notes. I've gotten so tired of wearing post-it notes on my clothes. They don't do well in the wind or rain. I chased one down the other day for two blocks. As a writer I would find the Memo-Pause invaluable for thosemoments when inspiration strikes and I can't get to my office. Actually, it would be kind of like wearing a little office around my neck. It could also draw attention away from the turkey waddle that has appeared with age. (What's up with that, anyway?)"

Author Delyn Fisher: "As an elementary school teacher, my students are a source of endless inspiration. I would use my Memo-Pause to jot down story ideas. It would also help to keep track of those million things I do on a daily basis."

* I was featured in her newsletter, though I didn't win the contest! *

Anyway, I just thought I would share this idea with you. Let me know how you like it.

DeLyn

Breaking News...

...literally! Thank you to all my family and friends who have called with your love and concern for Rebekah. For those of you who don't know, she had a trampoline accident Thursday. After making her suffer all night because we thought she was being dramatic, Scott took her in this morning because she couldn't walk. We're glad he did because it was indeed broken just below the knee. However, she managed to just miss the growth plate.

She's in a lot of pain now, but we're praying for a speedy recovery. She should get the cast off around the 4th of July.

This is a picture of her fabulous hot pink cast. She's talking to her Great-Aunt Brenda on the phone, who called to comfort her a bit. She's upset because nobody has "sent" her anything yet, but I told her that everyone just found out today. So get to sending. She's expecting cards and letters and no telling what all else! Hehehe!

Love Ya'll!

I had a little chat...

...with Author Shirley Kiger Connolly. Well, actually she had a little chat with me. OK, now that we're all thoroughly confused...Shirley interviewed me on her blog. Just a wee little chat to discuss a couple of fun things I'm up to right now. Come on over and check it out!

http://apenforyourthoughts.blogspot.com/

If you're thinking of passing this one up, let me just say this...DON'T! You won't want to miss my announcement in this interview. It's BIG and it's GOLDEN!

Delia Latham

Romance Book Junction

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to pop in tell you all about a great site connecting readers and writers. Romance Book Junction is a wonderful place to find, discuss, and connect with romance books and authors. Come join the fun!


View my page on Romance Book Junction

I also am delighted to announce that I now have my book cover for Her Royal Protege! This sweet romantic novella will be available this summer from Red Rose Publishing.

I also have a short sweet paranormal romance - Blind Love- coming out soon from The Wild Rose Press.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day!