Authors, Kai Strand & LA Dragoni

Writing : A totally exciting year. I had two books published this year (Guardian Angel Publishing and Featherweight Press). My short stories were included in two anthologies this year (Wayman Publishing and Knowonder). I signed contracts for two more books to be published in 2013 (Whiskey Creek Press and MuseItUp Publishing). And expect more anthologies, the first one releasing on January 1 st , 2013!   I finished a novel at the last possible moment. Wrote loads of short stories and saw most of them published by Knowonder, Beyond Centauri, Spaceports & Spidersilk.   I thank each and every one of these publishers for taking a chance on my writing and me. I value the work you put into producing a quality product and I work hard to spread the word about it so that we can both stay in business and continue to work together into the future.   Social Media : I continued to love my weekly blog feature Three Times A Charm. I’ve met so many wonderful peo...

  Welcome to my new blog feature, Building Character in which you get to meet a character from a book. I’m really excited about this feature, because it is so much fun talking to a character outside of their book! Huge. Amounts. Of fun.   This week Strands of Thought is host to Myra Gibson from Life on Hold. Welcome, Myra. Tell us readers a little about yourself and what your life is like.   Myra : Hi, I’m Myra Gibson, sixteen, and even though my family’s not perfect ¾ my younger sister can be a brat; my mom and dad won’t let me see the boy I’m crazy about ¾ we get along pretty well. I’ve always trusted them and tried to do what they wanted, even to staying away from Jeremy. This summer I discovered I was wrong about my parents, way wrong. For sixteen years, they’ve lied to me, and now I want the truth.  O h Myra! That’s a tough one. What on earth did they lie about?  Myra : My parents think they’re protecting me by keeping the fact that the ma...

Three Times a Charm is a weekly feature that spotlights authors, illustrators, bloggers, agents, editors or promoters from the publishing industry. This week author, Kay Lalone, stops in to visit. Kay, tell us about you. I’ve been writing since I was a young girl, but seriously for about fourteen years. I have short stories published in a few children’s magazines. Ghostly Clues is my first MG novel. And I have a lot more stories in the revision stage. I’m the mother of three sons, two are adults now and I live in Michigan with my husband and youngest son. Tell us about your middle grade novel, Ghostly Clues. This is the back cover of Ghostly Clues. The sweet scent of lilacs permeates the air around Grandma’s gravesite. Only Sarah Kay can smell Grandma’s favorite flower and they’re not even in bloom. Sarah Kay and her best friend, Mary Jane, believe the lilacs are a sign from Grandma’s ghost. The girls follow one ghostly clue after another to discover if Dad is alive...

Welcome to my new blog feature, Building Character in which you get to meet a character from a book. I’m really excited about this feature, because it is so much fun talking to a character outside of their book! Huge. Amounts. Of fun.   This week Strands of Thought is host to Thelma Hill from The Ghost of Thelma Hill. Thelma, can you tell our readers a little about yourself, please? Like, maybe a bit about what kind of conflict you have in life. Conflicts?   I’m a ghost, Kai.  Ghosts don’t have conflicts . . .  Unless you call living in eternal limbo a conflict.  And my name WAS Thelma Hill.  Was is the operative word here, dear. Oh, I see. It’s almost like you live in past perfect tense – all the time! What are some of the biggest stumbling blocks you’ve encountered trying to overcome your ghostly challenges? Mainly the fact that no one ever heard me rattle my chains, scream or moan.  For 40 years I have tried to get someone to pay a...

Three Times a Charm is a weekly feature that spotlights authors, illustrators, bloggers, agents, editors or promoters from the publishing industry.  This week non-fiction children’s author, Kelly Bakshi, joins us. Thank you for agreeing to be a part of my weekly feature “Three Times a Charm.” Thanks for interviewing me- love the format J First, Kelly, tell us about you. I am a former Social Studies teacher, turned stay at home mom to two little boys (a 2 month old and two year old- that’s right,  “spit em ups” and “poo-poo in the potty!” are part of my daily vernacular), turned non-fiction children’s book writer!  I live in New York City right along the Hudson River.  I have a serious weakness for cupcakes and am kind of obsessed with Dancing With the Stars… Lol! I’d like to say that will go away, but as a mother with boys (and a husband) the potty humor never stops! Tell us about your writing. My newest book, Myth-Busting Columbu...

Hi! Welcome to my new blog feature, Building Character in which you get to meet a character from a book. I’m really excited about this feature, because it is so much fun talking to a character outside of their book! Huge. Amounts. Of fun. Today I’m actually blushing and giggling like a schoolgirl, because I have JULIAN NAVARRO from the Mindjack Trilogy. I fell madly in crush with Julian during Closed Hearts and I am SO excited to spend more time with him in Free Souls. But, I don’t have to wait, because he’s RIGHT HERE! Queue fangirl squeals. (Kai takes a deep breath. Collects herself. Pretends to be professional – but has a blush on her cheeks.) Julian for the poor unfortunate souls out there who don’t know who you are, why don’t you introduce yourself. Good afternoon, my name is Julian Navarro, and I’m a mindjacker. More specifically, I’m a handler, which means I don’t actually reach into people’s minds to control their thoughts, feelings, or memories, like a normal jack...

Three Times a Charm is a weekly feature that spotlights authors, illustrators, bloggers, agents, editors or promoters from the publishing industry. This week author, Kathryn Starke, visits with us. Welcome, Kathryn, can you share a little about yourself?   I am an urban elementary school literacy specialist, children's author, and the founder/CEO of Creative Minds Publications and Consulting, a global educational company. I graduated from Longwood College with a BS degree in elementary education and Master's degree in Literacy and Culture. I have spent a decade teaching first, second, third grade as well as serving as the literacy specialist in Title I/inner city schools I am a freelance educational writer and public speaker promoting quality literacy instruction for all children. Very commendable work, Kathryn. Thank you for what you do for children’s literacy. Tell us about your latest project. Amy's Travels is a children's book that teaches ...

Hi! Welcome to my new blog feature, Building Character in which you get to meet a character from a book. I’m really excited about this feature, because it is so much fun talking to a character outside of their book! Huge. Amounts. Of fun. Wouldn’t you know it? When I was talking to Nelson about doing this interview, Natalie from Save the Lemmings came barging in. At first I was sort of put out, because it’s my new feature, but once I saw how great they got along, I allowed Natalie to do the interview. I think it made Nelson feel more comfortable, too, being interviewed by a twelve year old instead of a...well...an adult. So without further ado, I present the interview of Nelson from Good News Nelson. He's gonna steal your heart ! Natalie: Hi, Nelson! I’m so glad you decided to do this interview.  Why don’t you start by telling our readers about yourself. Hello, Miss Natalie. Thank you to you and Miss Kai for inviting me to your blog. My name is Nelson and I’m a...

Three Times a Charm is a weekly feature that spotlights authors, illustrators, bloggers, agents, editors or promoters from the children’s publishing industry. This week author, Margo Dill, is visiting. Margo, can you share a little about yourself?   I am a freelance writer, editor, speaker, and teacher, living in St. Louis, Missouri. I’m a columnist, instructor, and contributing editor for WOW! Women On Writing and the memoir editor at High Hill Press as well as the assistant editor for the Sunday Books page in The News-Gazette. My first book, Finding My Place , a middle-grade historical novel, was published by White Mane Kids. I have two picture books under contract also . I write a blog called, Read These Books and Use Them , for parents, teachers, and librarians and  own a copyediting business, Editor 911 . When I’m not writing or speaking, I love spending time with my husband, stepson, daughter, and dog—Chester, a boxer. You can find out more about me by visit...

We're proud to announce the publication of Open Doors: Fractured Fairy Tales . A socially conscious press, Wayman is dedicated to helping those in need. Much of the profit from this anthology will be donated to Primary Children's Hospital in the form of Christmas gifts we'll bring to the long-term patients staying there. Welcome to the C h ristmas Book Fair! Wayman publishing has teamed up with many phenomenal authors to bring you this December weekend event. For three whole days --December 2 - 3-4 -- you can find these e-books for great prices. Amazon.com Widgets . . . And . . . Most of the profit from Wayman Publish ing's books (12 /1-12/20) will be donated to those in need! Discover Upcoming a nd Recently Released Books! Goodreads Book Giveaway Sydney's Song by Ia Uaro Giveaway ends December 20, 2012. See the giveaway details ...