My newest novel, Red Lightning, will annoy some people. Yes, I know it, and I suppose I should be sorry. But I am not. Let me explain, if I may: For the first several years I was writing this book, it was “normal”—there was a standard arc, plot, characters, narration—and I just didn’t like it. …Read More
My Favorite City on Earth … by Sarah Wisseman
Siena, Italy: the magical city of medieval towers, pigeons, and a suicidal horse race called the Palio. If you want to test your fear of mobs, hang around after the race with the demented men from the losing contrada, one of seventeen Sienese districts dating back to the Middle Ages. You will witness grown men …Read More
Wrecked … by Scott Graham
A couple of decades ago, I courted trouble when my wife, Sue, and I went on a November backpacking trip into the Mummy Mountain Range in Rocky Mountain National Park. Because it was the off-season, I convinced Sue it would be okay to leave our car in the deserted trailhead parking lot without the required …Read More
Sometimes Even the Vampires Get it Right: a quote to make you smile
On Laughter: “It is a strange world, a sad world, a world full of miseries, and woes, and troubles. And yet when King Laugh come, he make them all dance to the tune he play. Bleeding hearts, and dry bones of the churchyard, and tears that burn as they fall, all dance together to the …Read More
Book Review Monday: What I’ve Been Reading
Today is just a quick note on what I’ve been reading and a couple of quick observations. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Coast Trail by Cheryl Strayed is a memoir by a young woman who had been through some rough times and decided to find her way back by hiking huge sections …Read More
Best Way to Market — Be the Biggest Cheerleader … by Alex J. Cavanaugh
This will amuse you – I never wanted to be an author. True story! I wrote some when I was younger, but it was never my goal. I had other passions in my life. But I found that old manuscript in a drawer and decided to rewrite it. Then my wife pushed me to submit …Read More
Book Review Monday — notes about my latest reads
I have no official book review today. I’ve read a bunch of bestsellers recently and liked all of them, but I feel it’s kind of silly to write detailed reviews of books that already have scads of ratings and reviews. I will just tell you I would recommend all of these novels if you like …Read More
The Winner of Allan J. Emerson’s Book Giveaway
Tyrean Martinson has won a copy of Death of a Bride and Groom by Allan J. Emerson Tyrean blogs at Everyday Writer Congratulations, Tyrean and thanks again to Allan for being here and offering the giveaway.
The Saturday Report
First of all, don’t forget to leave a comment at Allan J. Emerson’s Thursday guest post if you are a U.S. or Canada resident and want a chance to win a copy of his debut mystery, Death of a Bride and Groom. Meeting Jake I’m off to The Eclectic Reader this morning to attend Pam …Read More
GETTING THE WORD OUT: Social media and I have an uneasy encounter … by Allan J. Emerson
I think there’s a basic conflict for many writers, when it comes to marketing. By nature, we tend not to relish the role of salesperson. But nowadays, it’s not enough to write the best book you can. You have to publicize it too, even if your lack of skill at doing so leaves you feeling …Read More