Day P in the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. I had a bad couple of days with the “N” brain freeze for book title and then almost forgetting to do the “O” post because I had a guest blogger scheduled the same day. I think I’m over the mid-challenge slump now and ready to carry on.
Today I’m featuring one of my all-time favorite authors.
And for the book … I couldn’t help myself. I slipped in a little blatant self-promotion. I’m going to make it interesting, though. I promise.
Featured Author: Annie Proulx
I selected this author because I loved The Shipping News, cried when I read “Brokeback Mountain” in the Close Range: Wyoming Stories Short Story Collection .. and, in her bio, it says she lives in Wyoming (as well as Newfoundland).
The Shipping News won the Pulitzer Prize.for fiction 1994.
Featured Book: (The) Prairie Grass Murders by Patricia Stoltey
My very first novel, an amateur sleuth mystery featuring 60-something Sylvia Thorn and her older brother Willie Grisseljon was fun to write because I used the Illinois farm country where I grew u to set a lot of the action.
What I wanted to do here, however, was show you the cover art for the many incarnations of this book. First there was the hardcover from Five Star.
And then the audio book from Books in Motion:
The mass market paperback for Harlequin’s online mystery book club:
And finally, thanks to the new popularity and ease of publishing an e-book:
That e-book cover was designed by a college student. I think she did a great job.
Word of the Day: Psychic
I’m not psychic, as far as I know.
However, there’s a lovely lady who’s a member of Northern Colorado Writers who is a psychic. I attended one small group reading with her a couple of years ago, and then went about a year ago for a private session. She knew stuff about me and things happened during that session that kind of freaked me out.
I’m thinking about going back, though. I have a list of questions about a mile long. (And a couple story ideas.)
Have you ever visited a psychic?
Trisha — Don’t you wish you could read every good book and author you hear about? I was really sad as a kid when I realized I could never read every book n the world.
Hi Hilary — Psychics are fun to read about and talk to. I don’t have any conclusions yet.
I was so pleased the novel won a Pulitzer Prize, Damyanti.
I found Shipping news hard to get into, but once I did get in, I found it hard to get out of. It has stayed in my system.
Damyanti, Co-host A to Z Challenge April 2014, My Latest post
Twitter: @AprilA2Z
#atozchallenge
Hi Pat – I’d like to read Annie Proulx’s stories at some stage .. how lovely seeing the reincarnations of your book .. and now your College friend’s take for the ebook .. fascinating ..
Psychic – saw a murder mystery detective thingie last night on them – so not at all sure now. But interesting to read about ..
Happy and blessed Easter – Hilary
I’m so bad – haven’t read any of Proulx. Even though we had an excerpt of the Shipping News in our year 12 final exams, and I wrote about it out of necessity – that was the first and last time I read any of the book! But I am going to double check it’s on my list – along with Brokeback.
Hi Penny — Always good to see your paw mark on one of my posts. You’re already an internet superstar!
Susan, I’m even afraid of ouija boards, so it was a big step for me to visit a psychic. I wasn’t sure “who” might show up.
That college student did do a fine job. Not sure I believe in psychics and pretty sure I’m afraid to test it.
Hi human, Patricia,
Nice to note your featured author and book.
And nothing wrong with a bit of um, self-pawmotion.
I’m actually psychic. I stare into my doggy bowl and pawdict that I’m going to be an even more modest internet superstar!
Pawstive wishes,
Penny the cordial host of the Alphabark Challenge! 🙂
Prairie Grass is not as giddy as Desert Hedge, Dean, but I like it better.
I know you’re open to psychics, and ghosts too. I’m leery of ghosts because I don’t understand what they’re up to.
Silly me for reading Desert Hedge Murders but haven’t gotten back to Prairie Grass!
And as you say…psychic? as far as you know…maybe you know more than you do?
Yes, I’ve been, I’ve done, I’ve experienced some amazing things.
Welcoe, Mardra. Thanks for cruising by on the A to Z journey. Having a psychic for an anniversary party sounds like a lot of fun. I’ll stop by and check out your posts over the weekend.
SO much covered here: Thanks for sharing your book covers that’s an interesting study in each medium. Speaking of medium…(HA!) We had a psychic come as “entertainment” to our 10 year wedding anniversary party. It was more novelty than belief and a great conversation keeper-upper. 🙂
Please check out our A-Z: http://roadwevesharedgzp.weebly.com/8/post/2014/04/pis-for-patience-plus-a-to-z-blogging-challenge-on-the-road-weve-shared.html
Thanks, Margot. P seemed like the perfect opportunity for a little BSP.
Yes, Alex, you do.
Madeline, I’ve always been a skeptic, so finding someone I trusted was the first challenge.
Hi Mason, I think the progression of covers is fun. The requirements for an e-book cover are so different from hardcover and paperback.
Thank you, Rachna.
Trying to retrieve that forgotten information may be the reason some folks turn to psychics, Diane. For me, it was more about satisfying my curiosity.
I’ve never visited a psychic. I think when one is young, there is this innate ability to know things and we lose it as we age.
I know the Prairie Grass Murders Author. She is a lovely lady.
I have not met any psychics 🙁
Patricia, your books were perfect feature for today’s post. Love the various covers. I’ve always wanted to visit with a psychic, but haven’t yet.
I like seeing the series of covers.
I’ve never been to a psychic but I’d be open to it. 🙂
Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption
Minion, Capt. Alex’s Ninja Minion Army
The 2014 Blogging from A-Z Challenge
I think I know that Prairie Grass author…
Pat – I really enjoyed The Prairie Grass Murders. I’m glad you’ve featured it – I really am. As to psychics? I’ve never visited one. I think there are a few genuine psychics perhaps, but all of the crackpots and fakes out there have made it much harder for the few who may actually have what used to be called ‘the gift.’