Tune to the Radio Interview of Sidney Andrews

Sidney Andrews will be doing a radio interview about A Fall to New Heights with Barb Elgin, on November 26, 2011, at 1 p.m.on www.blogtalkradio.com. The interview will reflect the attributes of a long lasting and fulfilling partnership/relationship; closing with a question and answer period.

 

Sidney is now a member of the International Professional Women's Association.

Devil Wind by Deborah Shlian and Linda Reid took First Place for Best Thriller

Congratulations to Deborah Shlian and Linda Reid.  Their book Devil Wind took first place for best thriller, Royal Palm Literary Award. Last year, book #1 in the Sammy Greene series "Dead Air" also won first place.

Here's a little about Devil Wind

Fired from her job as a TV producer, Sammy Greene gets a second chance when she lands an after-midnight show at a small radio station in LA. But will Sammy’s second chance be her last?

It’s December 1999, days before the dawn of the new millennium. With Y2K looming and the Santa Ana winds threatening to turn the city into a fiery inferno, LA is on edge—and Sammy’s listeners are burning up the phone lines predicting the end of time. When a listener calls in to report the discovery of a burned body, Sammy starts to investigate and to her horror, learns that the victim is the wayward daughter of an old friend.

As she blazes a trail to find answers, Sammy realizes that this death was no accident. All signs point to murder—murder conveniently obscured by the raging wildfires. But Sammy’s investigation takes a chilling turn when she uncovers a sinister plot that could claim thousands of innocent lives.

There’s evil at work in the City of the Angels. Time is running out.  And Sammy Greene is playing with fire. When the Devil Wind is blowing, anything can happen. Anything.

According to Gayle Lynds, New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Spies, “Bristling with suspense, Devil Wind sizzles with the heat of high-level corruption, lowdown murder, and scorching desert winds howling down Los Angeles canyons and ratcheting up the excitement.  Part Raymond Chandler, part Michael Connelly, this combustible tale is perfect beach reading.” 

Deborah Shlian is a physician, healthcare consultant and author of numerous non-fiction articles and books as well as five award winning medical mystery/thrillers, three co-authored with her husband, Joel.  Linda Reid is a physician-broadcaster-author and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA. She has been published in the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and Woman's Day. Deborah Shlian and Linda Reid are also authors of Dead Air, which won top honors in the Thriller category of the National Indie Excellence 2010 Awards as well as First Place for best thriller, 2010 Royal Palm Literary Award.

Devil Wind is available in hardback, eBook and Audio formats. It can be purchased online from Amazon and Barnes and Noble or from your local bookstore.

 

Eating an Elephant: Write Your Life One Bite at a Time by Patricia Charpentier wins award in Royal Palm Literary Awards

Charpentier with Award

Eating an Elephant: Write Your Life One Bite at a Time by Patricia Charpentier was awarded first place in the 2011 Royal Palm Literary Awards, educational/informational division, sponsored by the Florida Writers Association at its annual conference banquet last Saturday night. 

Eating an Elephant: Write Your Life One Bite at a Time helps you break down the elephant-sized task of putting your life on paper into quick, easy-to-understand bites. Learn a little Cajun French and get a glimpse into South Louisiana culture in examples used as Patricia walks you through the process of writing your life story. Be encouraged, be inspired, be entertained, be guided in reading Eating an Elephant.

In celebration and as a thank you to everyone, please click here to download a free, signed copy of the first ten pages of Eating an Elephant.  If you want the book for yourself or for someone whose life story you'd love to read, please click here for a print edition or here for an e-book version from Amazon.com. You can also purchase your copy by sending a check for $19.99 payable to Writing Your Life, P. O. Box 541527, Orlando, FL 32854.

Get started today writing the story only you can tell!

2011 Royal Palm Literary Awards

Florida Book News Congratulates all those honored with Royal Palm Literary Awards at the Florida Writers Association Conference last weekend.

Published Book of the Year

Fabulous in Flats: Putting my Best Foot Forward by Mary T. Wagner (Autobiography/Memoir)

Still juggling her career as a prosecutor with creative writing, the author follows up her two award-winning essay collections with yet another, finally admitting that spike heels and power tools don’t mix.

Mary Wagner is a prosecuting attorney and award-winning essayist and photographer in southeastern Wisconsin.  A journalist by nature, she still can’t tear herself away from the keyboard.   

Unpublished Book of the Year

Finding Amy by Sunny Serafino (Women’s Fiction)

A mother’s search for her missing daughter leads her on a chase through three states, sinister characters and false leads before she finds the heart-wrenching truth and a surprising love.

Sunny Serafino inspires readers with stories about courageous women.  Publishing eleven novels, three of which were awarded literary awards, she also published a humorous memoir. Check out—www.sunnyserafino.com

Book-Length Fiction

Fantasy (Unpublished)

First Place

Livinity by Bria Burton. The life of a king hangs in the balance, and a fairie hiding her identity in his court may be the only one who can save him.

General Category (Unpublished)

First Place

Mile Marker Zero by Mark Reasoner. What happens when you come to the end of the road? Matt Ridgeway’s about to find out as he hits his own version of the famous signpost, Mile Marker Zero.

Second Place

A Divided Duty by Carol White. Set in Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, a modern day “Othello” pits Charles and Jerry Tobias against each other in a tale of business, love, jealousy and revenge

Third Place

Religious Sisters by Carol White. Two sisters harbor diverse religious plans presenting upheavals to their Jewish family. Mimi and Alison must reach a rapprochement in regard to religion, family, marriage and with each other. 

2011 Annual Space Coast Post Card Show!

Sponsored by the Space Coast Post Card Club will be held Saturday, November 12, 2011, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Azan Shrine Temple, 1591 W. Eau Gallie Blvd. Melbourne, FL.

Admission is $3 for anyone over 12 years-old; free for children under 12; US military veterans get in free with proper military identification.

Meet the Authors Book Fair

Meet the Authors Book Fair will be held in conjunction with the ArtWorks Festival on November 19 and 20, 2011, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This event is FREE and will be held at the Eau Gallie Civic Center, 1551 Highland Ave, Melbourne, FL 32935

More than 45 local authors will be represented and available to discuss and sign their books. Writers of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and children's books will participate, as well as local writers' groups and book clubs.

The Meet the Authors Book Fair is sponsored by Authors for Authors and will have a special gift for their Honor Our Educators program. Authors for Authors invites all educators to attend the Meet the Authors Book Fair and select a FREE book while supply lasts. Come out for a day of fun and let your muse run wild!

For more information contact: Marshall Frank, MLF283@aol.com, Holly Vellekoop, Hvellekoop@cfl.rr.com, or Valerie Allen, VAllenWriter@cs.com.

Angel's True Love by Anne Bonner

Angel's True Love is a seductive tale of treachery and betrayal in the 1800's in the Old South.  Hard headed and reckless, Justeen, an Angel with long blonde hair born into a life of privilege at Briar Manor in Savannah, Georgia, runs away at sixteen with her slave, Ruby, when the wicked stepmother blames Justeen for her father's death. Joining an itinerant charismatic preacher and his family, they meet a dangerously handsome plantation owner in Jacksonville, Florida.  Torn between two loves, an explosive expose' at the lighthouse in sultry Florida decides Justeen's fate.

Anne Bonner, a 5th generation Floridian, born and raised in Brevard County, now lives in Suntree, and is the author of five young adult historical fiction books.  She wrote adventure books about the Civil War in a Trilogy so the children could learn that the war did come to the shores of Florida, and that its people were greatly affected by the terrible hostility and its aftermath.  By popular demand, she added two more books to the series.  Anne enjoyed dressing in period dress and conducting programs at schools, but decided it was time to try her hand at writing historical fiction books with an adult romantic theme in the Old South. She hopes that the mothers and grandmothers who have read the young adults books will continue reading her books written for them.  

Anne will be selling and signing her books at the Authors' Book Fair in Eau Gallie, November 19 and 20.   They are also available at Blue Note Books, 1-800-624-0401 or www.bluenotebooks.com, amazon.com or BarnesandNobles.com.  The book's cover was designed by Paul Maluccio, Blue Note Books publisher, and the art done by an up-and-coming young artist, Yacu Malik.

Poetry Reading and Art Exhibit in Melbourne, Florida

 While making its debut at a reading in Linville, North Carolina, The Stones Speak,a newly published book of poetry and art, will be introduced to Floridians at the Nov 4 First Friday event in the Eau Gallie Arts District. The opening exhibit will take place at the allaprima styling group, 1540 Highland Avenue from 6:00 until 8:00 pm. Fay Picardi, poet for this collaborative effort, will do a reading of selections from the book at 6:30 pm. Cindy Michaud's original art, done expressly for the project, will also hang.

The book is also available on-line for $12.00 at https://www.createspace.com/3626744 or by visiting Michaud's webpage at www.cindymichaud.com. This collaborative expression is a result of the duo's mutual interest in stones: historically, functionally and emotionally. If you have ever stopped to collect stones on a walk or held a rock and wondered from where it came you will definitely enjoy this creative expression.

Fall Meet the Authors Book Fair-Opportunity for Authors

The Fall Meet the Authors Book Fair is scheduled for November 19 and 20 , 2011 from 9 to 5. It will be at the Eau Gallie Civic Center on Highland Avenue in Melbourne, Florida. There are now only five available spaces. Please send in your registration quickly if you are interested in being at the book fair. For those of you unable to attend in person, please consider the Display Only Option.

The application form for participation is at http://authorsforauthors.com/page6.html

All the information you might want is on the website.

Thanks to Authors For Authors (AFA),Valerie Allen, Marshall Frank, and Holly Fox Vellecoop, for organizing the event.

AFA is looking for volunteers to help out at the November 19, 20, 2011,
Meet the Authors Book Fair at the Civic Center, Eau Gallie. AFA needs volunteers
to be greeters at the door and assist visitors into the room where the authors are
set up and similar duties. If anyone is interested in volunteering please contact AFA at contact@authorsforauthors.com.

On Thursday, October 27th at 7 pm, the Florida Historical Society FPAN book event will feature the release of Chasing Bones: An Archaeologist’s Pursuit of Skeletons by Dr. Rachel Wentz, as well as many of the new titles just released by FHS Press. Join them for food and fun and see all the exciting new books FHS has to offer, including the new book by the late Stetson Kennedy, The Florida Slave.

News from Valerie Allen

Valerie Allen has had an article published in the August issue of Family Time Magazine, in Frankfort, IL with a readership of over 200,000. Valerie's article, 12 Steps to the Big K, focuses on preparing young children for their venture into the formal educational setting. Valerie has also published two books for children ages 9 and up: Summer School for Smarties and Bad Hair, Good Hat, New Friends.

ValerieAllenWriter.com  For information, contact Valerie at VAllenWriter@cs.com

Lantana Strangling Ixora -- poems by Sasenarine Persaud

 

This collection of poetry is as much about love and people in and out of relationships as it is about origins and the process of estrangement. The lantana is a flower of South American origin, and the ixora of Asian origin. The lantana, a creeper that grows profusely, often engulfing other plants, provides a ready metaphor for the consciousness of the Americas overcoming that of India in the Americas—the mainstreaming and divesting of yoga from its Indian origins being the most visible manifestation.

This collection ranges widely in its geographical and historical concerns, from Canada to Guyana to India and places in between, exploring the contradictions in our lives: familial influences, terrorism, literature, politics, race, and the power of language and representation. As always in Persaud’s work, love is ever present. This is a collection that displays mastery over nuances of language, and is at once quirky and humorous as it continues an engagement with the theme of “place as muse.”

Sasenarine Persaud is an essayist, novelist, short-story writer, and poet. He is the author of ten books: seven poetry collections, two novels, and a book of short stories. His latest book, In a Boston Night, was published by TSAR in 2008. He was born in Guyana and has lived for several years in Canada. He has served as a vice-president and chair of the membership committee of the League of Canadian Poets, on the Board of Directors of the Scarborough Arts Council (Toronto), and on juries for the Toronto Arts Council and the Ontario Arts Council. He presently resides in Tampa, Florida.

The Tampa launch of Lantana Strangling Ixora will be at the New Tampa Regional Library (10001 Cross Creek Blvd, Tampa, FL 33647) on Saturday November 5, 2011 at 3:00 PM. This event is hosted by the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Libraries.

Lantana Strangling Ixora was launched at the University of Toronto on October 2, 2011, as part of the Festival of South Asian Literature.  I gave two readings during the festival and participated on a panel discussing Indo-Caribbean Literature.

All TSAR Publications books are available from bookstores, online booksellers, and wholesalers. 

www. t s a r b o o k s . c om

Valerie Allen published in Metro Family Magazine

Valerie Allen's article, Tea for Two: The Parent Teacher Conference, was published in the Metro Family Magazine, October issue. This parenting magazine is called Central Oklahoma's Parenting Connection. Valerie's articles for parenting magazines have been published nationally. She is also the author of two children's books for ages 9 and older: Summer School for Smarties and Bad Hair, Good Hat, New Friends. She will be presenting another marketing workshop for writers on October 19, 2011 at the West Melbourne Library. For more information conctact Valerie at VAllenWriter@cs.com.

Find Your Agent, Meet Your Publisher, and Put Away Some Really, Really Good Food

Sure, you can find your agent, meet your publisher, and get the skinny from industry insiders during workshops and pitch sessions at FWA’s annual conference. But don’t forget the fun stuff: genre breakfasts, open mic, amazing door prizes (can you spell, Bed, Breakfast, & a Balloon Ride?), a major awards banquet, a Silent Auction, and—did we mention the food? “Our” Marriott chef has won awards aplenty, and with good reason.

What: Florida Writers Association Tenth Annual Conference
When: October 21-23, 2011
Where: Orlando Marriott Lake Mary
Who: FWA members (Not a member? Become a member instantly)
How: Three days of workshops, networking, and events
Why: To support writers at all stages, in all genres

If you haven’t registered, please don’t wait. And don’t forget to reserve your room at the Marriott: 800-380-7724 or 407-995-1100.

Check out the Conference Schedule of Events, now available online:
.

Cracks in the Sidewalk President's Book Award Finalist

“CRACKS IN THE SIDEWALK”
PRESIDENT’S BOOK AWARD FINALIST

Cracks in the Sidewalk – the novel that won the 2009 Royal Palm Literary Award for Women’s Fiction is now a finalist in the President’s Book Awards, hosted by the Florida Publisher’s Association. The novel written by Bette Lee Crosby of Port Saint Lucie, was published by Bent Pine Publishing and is available as a traditional book or in Kindle and Nook reading formats.

Cracks in the Sidewalk is Crosby’s second novel and follows on the heels of Girl Child which won the first place award for published fiction at the 2007 National League of American Pen Women Florida Biennial. To date, Crosby has won five awards for her work.

Crosby’s novels are based on female characters who are easy to like; women who have big hearts and strong backbones, women who have the reader rooting for them from word one. Claire McDermott, the storyteller in Cracks in the Sidewalk, is just such a woman. Based on actual events, this touching story tells about a grandmother’s search for her missing grandchildren, and the consolation she finds by helping other children in need. It is an inspiring tale that leaves the reader with tears of joy.

Cracks in the Sidewalk is competing in the broad spectrum category of adult fiction. Gold and Silver Award winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony and dinner on Saturday, November 5th at The Florida Publisher’s Fall Ed-U Conference which will be held at the Helmsely Sandcastle Hotel on Lido Beach in Sarasota.

Readers can visit the Bent Pine Publishing blog at http://bentpinepublishing.wordpresscom. to learn more about Bette Lee Crosby or read an excerpt from this award-winning book.

For more information contact:
Bent Pine Publishing (772) 249-0022
bentpinepublish@aol.com

Holly Fox Vellekoop to appear at Walk to Remember

Holly Fox Vellekoop, MSN, author of How to Help When Parents Grieve, will be the featured speaker on Satruday, October 15, 2011, which is National Infant Loss Remembrance Day, for the First Annual "Walk to Remember." Holly will be speaking at 10:30am and signing books after the 11am Butterfly Release.

"Walk to Remember" is an open event and all are invited to attend from 8am Registration and Breakfast, to 1pm at the Wickham Park Amphitheater in Melbourne. In addition to the walk which starts at 9am, there will be the Butterfly Release, food, raffles, craft table, bounce houses, face-painting and more. For further information about this event, please go to www.cherishingthejourney.org.

Starry Night by Wig Nelson

Wig Nelson will be featured Friday night on October 7th, 2011, at Bookbinders and Watchwinders in the Eau Gallie Arts District of Melbourne Florida. Be sure to stop by between 5:30 and 8:30 pm to meet him.

Starry Night by Wig Nelson

Kevin Murphy had no intention of changing the world as we know it, but he forgot himself for just a short while, and that was enough.

While walking his English Pointer Misty on a lonely beach one night, Kevin happened upon a glowing blue stone. The stone was not reflecting light, but was emitting a light of its own. He casually picked up the stone and eventually threw it into his beer cooler.

The next day he awoke to a phone call from his father telling him to turn on the television – any channel. What Kevin saw on the screen was a space ship hovering six feet above the Atlantic Ocean 90 miles off the coast of his sleepy little town of Melbourne Beach, Florida. A curious point of interest was that the ship was the same color as the stone he had all but forgotten from the night before. He walked into the kitchen and retrieved the stone from the beer cooler.

When he walked back into his living room and looked at the television, he found that the ship was moving as well.

What follows is a story of absolute power corrupting absolutely and a tense relationship between lovers who are immersed in trust issues. Does might give us the right? Just because we can do something, does that mean that we should.

Starry Night is a light science fiction novel in the form of the cozy. The book is a fast paced visual narration of a high speed examination of human values. There's something for everyone between the covers of Starry Night.

Starry Night was featured at the book signing with Wig on October 7th, at Bookbinders and Watchwnders Bookstore during First Friday Art Walk in the Eau Gallie Arts District of Melbourne, Florida. Bookbinders and Watchwinders is located on Eau Gallie Blvd next to Concepts Restaurant.

Great News from Dan Anderson

Contract With New Publisher

Dan Anderson has recently signed a three-book deal with Tell-Tale Publishers. They will publish his next humorous mystery, The Eye of the Tiger in early 2112. They will also republish my first two mysteries, to be titled Killing Me Softly With Your Love and Black Magic Woman. He will be a featured mystery writer for one of their new imprints.

Possible Movie?

He also received more good news. A Hollywood entertainment company came across his first two novels, Bad Vibrations and Death Cruise, and is interested in turning them into films. He has signed an options agreement permitting motion picture production of these novels. He's hoping the options will be exercised and that his mysteries will find their way to the silver screen.



They may have been influenced by the awards and positive reviews received by Bad Vibrations and Death Cruise, such as the one below from Thomas Sullivan, literary giant and Pulitzer-nominated author, who said:

"If you've ever mourned the decline of classic PI intrigues with their whip-sharp wit and atmospheric galleries of people and places, here is Dan Anderson resurrecting that Golden Age with a superb tour de force from sex to hi-tech mystery. No flinching on this one, but the marriage of the sordid with elegant prose is delightfully effective. Read and enjoy!"

The new mystery and reprints of his prior mysteries will be available in the near future. He will announce the release dates as their publications approach.

For more about Dan's books, visit www.murdermayhemmalice.com