Featured Author: Bethlehem Writers Group, LLC
December 21, 2023 by Bethlehem Writers Group in category Apples & Oranges by Marianne H. Donley, Contests, Featured Author of the Month tagged as #TheBWG, 2024 Short Story Award, Bethlehem Writers Group, Bethlehem Writers Roundtable Short Story Award, Fur Feathers and Scales, new release, Short Story Award
About Bethlehem Writers Group, LLC
The Bethlehem Writers Group, LLC (BWG), is a community of mutually supportive fiction and nonfiction authors based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The members are as different from each other as their stories. BWG also publishes quality fiction through their online literary journal, Bethlehem Writers Roundtable, and their award-winning A Sweet, Funny, and Strange Anthology series.
Each anthology has an overall theme—broadly interpreted—but includes a variety of genres. All but the first anthology include stories from the winner(s) of The Bethlehem Writers Short Story Award.
Their first anthology, A Christmas Sampler: Sweet, Funny, and Strange Holiday Tales (2009), won two Next Generation Indie Book Awards: Best Anthology and Best Short Fiction.
An Element of Mystery: Sweet, Funny, and Strange Tales of Intrigue is the latest in A Sweet, Funny, and Strange Anthology. This anthology was a finalist in both the 2023 Next Generation Indie Book Award and the 2023 Killer Nashville’s Silver Falchion.
About An Element of Mystery
The Bethlehem Writers Group is pleased to present this collection of tales of mystery and intrigue—the latest in its award-winning series of Sweet, Funny, and Strange® anthologies. From classic whodunnits to tales of the unexplained, each of the twenty-three stories contained herein have an element of mystery that will keep you guessing and wanting to read just one more story.
We’re thrilled to have old friends, but new members of BWG, join us this year. Award-winning author Debra H. Goldstein favors us with a mystery set among volunteers at a synagogue entitled “Death in the Hand of the Tongue,” while “Sense Memory,” by the multi-talented Paula Gail Benson, brings a delightful mix of mystery and the paranormal that helps a young couple find their way to each other.
In addition, we are happy to bring you the winning stories from two of our annual Bethlehem Writers Roundtable Short Story Award competitions: “Good Cop/Bad Cop” by Trey Dowell (2021 winner) and “The Tabac Man” by Eleanor Ingbretson (2022 winner).
You’ll also find stories from your favorite BWG authors, including Courtney Annicchiarico, Jeff Baird, Peter J Barbour, A. E. Decker, Marianne H. Donley, Ralph Hieb, DT Krippene, Jerry McFadden, Emily P. W. Murphy, Christopher D. Ochs, Dianna Sinovic, Kidd Wadsworth, Paul Weidknecht, and Carol L. Wright.
So get ready to be mystified . . . or intrigued!
Next up for BWG
BWG is working on their eighth anthology, Season’s Readings: More, Sweet, Funny, and Strange Holiday Tales.
In connection with this anthology, they are hosting The Bethlehem Writers 2024 Short Story Award.
The 2024 Short Story Award opened on January 1, 2024. The theme will be Holiday Stories (broadly interpreted).
BWG is seeking never-published short stories of 2,000 words or fewer. First Place will receive $250 and publication in their upcoming anthology: Season’s Readings: More, Sweet, Funny, and Strange Holiday Tales or in Bethlehem Writers Roundtable.
The final judge of the 2024 Short Story Award is Marlo Berliner, the multi-award-winning, bestselling author of The Ghost Chronicles series.
Books from Bethlehem Writers Group, LLC
The Bethlehem Writers Group, LLC (BWG), founded in 2006, is a community of mutually supportive, fiction and nonfiction authors based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The members are as different from each other as their stories, spanning a range of genres including: children’s, fantasy, humor, inspiration, literary, memoir, mystery, paranormal, romance, science fiction, women’s fiction, and young adult.
See the schedule of meetings and events here.
A Pug’s Tale: The Pawfect Match
December 18, 2023 by marianne h donley in category Apples & Oranges by Marianne H. Donley, Rabt Book Tours tagged as A Pug's Tale: The Pawfect Match, Children's stories, Dr. Adam Palladino
Children’s Book
Date Published: December 2023
In the heartwarming tale, “A Pug’s Tale: The Pawfect Match,” meet
Roy, an 8-year-old boy with a fervent desire for a loyal companion. His
dream of having a pug named Chug becomes an enduring journey filled with anticipation. Through the moments of hopeful waiting and the ticking of time, Roy’s wish is granted, and the enchanting story unfolds as he discovers the joy of finally having his pawfect match, a furry friend who becomes his inseparable companion and confidant. Join Roy on this touching adventure that celebrates the magic of friendship and the fulfillment of
dreams.
About the Author
Dr. Adam Palladino is a second-time author who wanted to publish a book
that would bring humor to his students. As a K-12 educator and
administrator, he showed his passion for learning and laughing by creating a
pun-filled book. He currently resides in New York with his wife, LisaMarie.
When he is not writing, you can find him studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu,
watching movies, walking around Barnes and Noble or being adventurous with his wife.
Dr. Palladino’s first book, Terror in GuacamoleVille was a huge success,
and the popularity of it continues to grow. If you have not received your copy yet, please pick yours up now!
Dr. Palladino’s second book, A Pug’s Tale: The Pawfect Match is a wonderfully adorable book for children from infancy to 8 years old. Dr. Palladino will be traveling around the nation to promote both books, conduct read aloud, meet fans, and sign copies of his books. Please do not hesitate, get your copies today!
Contact Links
Purchase Link
Winston Brother Series Now in KU
December 17, 2023 by marianne h donley in category Apples & Oranges by Marianne H. Donley tagged as A Winston Brothers Novel, KU, Penny Reid
★★NOW IN KU★★
We have BIG news! NOW IS THE TIME TO TELL YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND ENEMIES!!! The sexy and oddly intellectual Winston Brothers series from New York Times bestselling author Penny Reid, is now available in Kindle Unlimited! That’s 14 books for your binge-reading enjoyment. Grab the entire series (plus the Cletus / Jenn spinoff series) and find out why Green Valley is one of indie publishing’s favorite fictional small towns. Read for no pennies!! in KU
Get the series in Kindle Unlimited TODAY!
https://amzn.to/3Tk1A29
Start things off with the Winston Brothers Box Set featuring the first two books in the series: ‘Beauty and the Mustache’ and ‘Truth or Beard’!
https://amzn.to/41jKOCe
It’s Holiday Story Time!
December 13, 2023 by Bethlehem Writers Group in category From a Cabin in the Woods by Members of Bethlehem Writers Group, Writing Contest
This time of year, wherever we turn, we encounter something that helps fill us with the holiday spirit. Whether it be decorations, music, TV movies, or maybe just a friendlier, lighter spirit among those we meet, there’s no escaping that we’re in the midst of the many popular holidays jammed into the last weeks of the year: Thanksgiving, Hannukah, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Eve/Day, just to name a few. No wonder we’re exhausted by January!
Still, this is perhaps the easiest time of year to think about writing a holiday story. But what is it that makes a story a holiday story?
When I saw the movie Die Hard listed as one of the top Christmas stories, I was curious. I had never seen it, but with that kind of recommendation, I gave it a try. I was, frankly, disappointed. It’s a Bruce Willis action movie, exciting, and set at Christmas, but for me, it missed the mark for a true “Christmas story.” I’ve since learned that this is a long-standing debate among viewers.
That got me thinking about what elements would have made it seem more like a holiday story instead of just a story set at a holiday.
After some thought—and a lot of holiday story reading—I think there are four criteria that, working together, make a story a holiday story.
- The holiday that is anticipated, celebrated, and/or remembered during the story must be integral to the story. (Note that a “remembered” holiday often occurs during a subsequent celebration of that holiday and the memory has an impact on the current celebration.) Alas, Die Hard fails this test.
- It must include familiar events or traditions of the holiday celebrated or anticipated (even if those events or traditions are botched!) Hmm—the brief Christmas party scenes in Die Hard might be said to meet this requirement—or might not.
- More than one major character must be involved in the anticipation or celebration of the holiday, e.g. a family or community involved in the celebration. (Sometimes the other characters can be fantasy or non-human characters.) I don’t think you can count the Christmas Eve partygoers as “more than one major character” in Die Hard. Even Bruce Willis’s movie wife doesn’t fit that description.
- It leaves the reader with a sense unique to the holiday anticipated, celebrated, or remembered. Nope! I don’t think Die Hard can claim that. You leave that movie thinking about the action, not the warm fuzzies of the Christmas spirit.
This epiphany (another holiday!) comes at a good time. The Bethlehem Writers Roundtable is about to open its annual SHORT STORY AWARD competition on January 1. The theme for 2024 is . . . drumroll . . . HOLIDAY STORIES!
They are looking for short stories of 2000 words or fewer on any holiday between U.S. Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day to compete for:
- First prize—$250 and publication in the upcoming anthology, SEASON’S READINGS: MORE SWEET, FUNNY, AND STRANGE HOLIDAY TALES to be published in the Fall of 2024 or in Bethlehem Writers Roundtable, the literary journal of the Bethlehem Writers Group, LLC.
- Second prize—$100 and publication in Bethlehem Writers Roundtable.
- Third prize—$50 and publication in Bethlehem Writers Roundtable.
- Honorable Mentions (if any) may also be offered publication in Bethlehem Writers Roundtable.
For more information, see the Bethlehem Writers Roundtable site at: https://bwgwritersroundtable.com/short-story-award-2/
Best of luck to all who enter, and . . .
Happy Holidays!
Books by BWG
From Aspiring to Contracted, A Very Big Change
December 12, 2023 by Denise M. Colby in category The Writing Journey by Denise Colby tagged as Contest Winner, Scrivenings Press, Under contractI bring good news and tidings this merry December, as I’ve gone from aspiring to contracted author and I have much to celebrate. And I wanted to share this very big change with all of you.
My word CHANGE was the perfect word for me this year.
From a writing perspective I chose this word because I wanted to change how I approached my writing. To not be afraid to change my opening or what my characters said. I wanted to be able to try new phrasing and change my manuscript for the better.
Besides being able to do all that, I can now add several additional changes that have happened this year!
- 1. I finaled in a contest and had to submit my entire manuscript
- 2. That entire manuscript won 1st place in a contest
- 3. And won the grand prize in a contest
- 4. And that grand prize includes a contract
- 5. And that contract has grown from 1 book to a 3-book series titled Best-laid Plans
- 6. And my first book will be published in 2024
From Aspiring to Contracted Author
I’m excited to share I won the grand prize in the Scrivenings Press #GetPubbed writing contest. My novel, When Plans Go Awry, won first place in the Historical Romance category, and then went on to win the grand prize. The grand prize includes a book contract. My novel is scheduled to be launched into the world on June 4, 2024. The contest results were announced on November 16. I think I will always remember this day. It is a pivotal turning point in my writing story. Where I went from aspiring to contracted.
What’s amazing is looking back over the past thirteen (yes, 13!) years of working on my stories, making friends, learning, and growing as both a person and as a writer. I’m so thankful for the journey. And yes, there has been a path for me getting here. Sometimes it’s been a lot of winding cross-backed, up and down, narrow dirt trails, and sometimes it’s been paved and flat. Just last month, I wrote a blog post of Attitude is Everything, which posted on Nov. 12. It was posted after reviewing results from another contest, where yet again, I didn’t final. Then, November 16, these contest results were announced, and everything changed.
Very Big Changes in My Personal Life, Too
Change has been up front and center in my personal life this year as well. With one college graduation and our youngest’s high school graduation, we are moving on from being booster presidents and weekly performances or activities to attend. Our middle son asked his sweetheart to marry him, and we are experiencing new things with being parents of the groom. We’ve been blessed with new responsiblities in our day jobs, and been able to travel quite a bit this year.
So in the month of June we will celebrate a book launch and a new marriage for my son. I’m so excited for 2024.
Contracted Means Changing and Adapting
I’m already feeling how going from aspiring to contracted is changing me. And as the year 2023 ends, it is the best change possible. I have a plan and I now have deadlines. And all this makes me excited about my word for 2024. You’ll have to wait till next post to find out what it is.
Denise M. Colby loves to write words to encourage, enrich, and engage with others. You can find similar encouraging posts on A Slice of Orange such as meeting writing goals or when your confidence wavers, and on her own website denisemcolby.com , including a blog post about Moments of Encouragement. Or you can scroll through all of her archived posts on A Slice Of Orange here. She also loves to write about her word of the year and share quotes that include that specific word in them. Each word builds a new layer in her writing journey (and her life). In 2022, her word was Work. This year, her word is change.
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DAY OF THE DARK
A recipe for disaster: take one total solar eclipse, add two dozen spine-chilling mysteries, and shake the reader until the world ends in Day of the Dark!
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