A Declaration of Independents (bookstores, that is)

The Short Review

I'm honored and thrilled to have my short story collection Women Up On Blocks reviewed at an excellent website devoted exclusively to the literary short form. The Short Review

Rethink the Shark

Website

Okay, so I've been saying for years now that I need to get a professional website for my writing. I'm not a web designer by any stretch of the imagination, but I'm a big-time do-it-yourselfer. If I don't know how to do something, I want to learn. I read a bit about it, and then I dive in headfirst. That doesn't always provide me with the best results, but it does teach me a lot and keeps my mind fresh. If I go to a restaurant and like a dish, I go home and try to recreate it. If I get my hair cut and I hate it, I break out the scissors at home. If my clothing needs a nip or tuck to hang better, out come the needle and thread. I just like to do things myself and I like to have them done my way. My most common refrain is, "I bet I can do that." Don't know where such cheeky chutzpah comes from (I'm guessing from my father), but there it is.

And so, here is my newly created, still-evolving professional website thanks to a couple of looong sessions at GoDaddy.com.

Everything Matters!

Ron Currie Jr.'s new novel is about to be released and--lucky you--you can download and read the first chapter over at his website for free.

Sotto Voce

I am thrilled and honored to have my short story "Thunderstones" appear at Sotto Voce.

And at the end of the story, if you've liked it, you can vote to have it included in the annual print anthology. What a cool idea. Let the readers decide. :)

The Launch!!

No, not the space shuttle--Women Up On Blocks! It may be three months post-publication, but this was the official party to celebrate the launch of my short story collection.

Signing books. There are bright red shoes you can't see, and matching bright red shoe earrings.

The launch started at 6PM. The signature drink--The Red Stiletto--had its own table and looked great: fancy martini glasses (long stemmed, with crooked, blue glass stems), a tub of ice with pitchers of red stilettos and my postcards with the recipe on them. It's a yummy and beautiful drink, garnished with a fresh red raspberry. Recipe here. (Scroll down the page.)

I ended up reading at about 6:30, because we wanted there to be time for desserts and signing. It turned out to be a good decision. The door prizes were well-received. At least one woman yelled "whoo hoo!" and threw her arms in the air when her number was called. :)

Then I read for about 20 minutes. People had to gather in, the chairs were filled, the stairs to the loft were packed with people sitting close together on them, the hearth had people sitting on it, and some were standing. Afterward, there were a number of excellent questions and comments. Desserts were lovely: cake squares, cheesecake, a lovely, fresh trifle, and a silver-tiered stand of various cookies. (I didn't see any of this for quite a while because I was signing books and talking to people.)

Here's the location from the outside, the beautiful, historic Roycroft Campus in East Aurora, NY. A big thanks to Christine Peters, Martha Augate, and their amazing staff for hosting such a lovely event.

It was all over so quickly, I felt like Cinderella not wanting that midnight bell to chime. Wait! Everyone's leaving?? I'm just starting to enjoy myself!

It took a lot of work and planning, but it was worth every minute. Thanks to all those who attended. :)

Oceana and Ted Danson

Oceana is working with Ted Danson to save the world's oceans. CNN reports on their collaboration for World Ocean Day. Full article here.