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The Writing Life and More!

March 6, 2012 by in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston, Writing tagged as , , ,

I used to believe that writers just wrote. And then I really became one.

That’s when I found out that there’s a lot more to writing than just sitting at a computer and composing a story, then, hopefully, selling it.

The writing life, when you’re not writing, can even be fun and exciting. How? Because of all the events relating to it.

First of all, there are meetings of local writing organizations. As you know, this year I’m co-coordinator of OCC’s morning Published Authors Workshop, along with Charlotte Lobb. That means attending as many monthly OCC meetings as possible. I also attend meetings of other local chapters of writing organizations such as the Los Angeles Romance Authors, Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America.

Then there are other library events. This month, I’ll be on a mystery panel at the Ojai Library. Next month, I’ll be appearing as part of the Fresno Library’s Big Read event about Jack London’s CALL OF THE WILD–and will be speaking to the local Sisters in Crime chapter. This is a result of my writing so much about animals, both in my Harlequin Nocturnes about shapeshifters and my Pet Rescue Mysteries.

Other kinds of book events include the very first LitFest Pasadena on St. Patrick’s day this month. Yes, I’ll be there, signing at the Book ‘Em Mysteries booth. The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books on occurs in April and I’ll be signing at several booths there, too.

Conferences? Yes! How about Malice Domestic, in Bethesda, MD–followed by the Festival of Mystery in Oakmont, PA? And of course there’s the Romance Writers of America National Conference at the end of July. Among other things I’m looking forward to there, I’ll be on a panel there about How to Sell a Series You’re Passionate About. There are other conferences I’m interested in but can’t attend because of time–a lot of them!

Am I done yet? Not quite! World Book Night is April 23, and I’ll be giving away copies of Sue Grafton’s Q IS FOR QUARRY.

And I haven’t listed all my upcoming blogs and guest blogs. In addition, I belong to a critique group which is always a fun get-together nearly every week to discuss family, events in our lives and, yes, critique each other’s writing. Plus, there are other things that’ll be happening but aren’t yet for publication.

So… writing isn’t all there is to the writing life, is it?

How about you–what events and meetings are you attending that fit along with your writing?


Linda O Johnston’s Pet Rescue Mysteries, a spinoff from her Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime, feature Lauren Vancouver, a determined pet rescuer who runs a no-kill shelter. Of course, in this cozy mystery series, “no-kill” refers to the animals, not people! Her most recent Pet Rescue Mystery is   THE MORE THE TERRIER , and next will be  HOUNDS ABOUND , an April 2012 release.

Visit Linda at www.LindaOJohnston.com  or KillerHobbies.blogspot.com



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Catering to Special Interests

March 5, 2012 by in category Archives tagged as ,

As we’re gearing up for RWA Nationals locally in Anaheim, I wanted to share some information about “special interest” chapters that are online. Some may not know of the opportunities. In addition to OCC/RWA, I’m also a member of a number of Online chapters. One is Passionate Ink, which is for erotic romance writers (http://www.passionateink.org/).
Every year at Nationals, most of these chapters host a party (because they don’t get to meet in person during the year!). Passionate Ink recently announced that their party will be on Thursday, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The theme is “Dungeon,” and the guest speaker is Sascha Illyvich, who taught the “Writing from a Man’s POV” course for OCC in 2010. Last year, it was “Burlesque,” and it cost $25 to attend for nice appetizers and two drink tickets (plus the “show”).
Anyway, to join that chapter it costs $25.
Other special interest chapters include :
ChickLit Writers of the World — Self-explanatory
http://chicklitwriters.com/
Faith, Hope and Love – Inspirational
http://faithhopelove-rwa.org/
FF&P — Future, Fantasy & Paranormal — Another great party, and I know we have a lot of members in there.
http://www.romance-ffp.com/
Hearts Through History
http://www.heartsthroughhistory.com/
Kiss of Death – Mystery/Suspense
http://www.rwamysterysuspense.org/
Rainbow Romance Writers
http://www.rainbowromancewriters.com/
Those that write same-sex romance, and we have a good half-dozen OCC members in there. 
Women’s Fiction Chapter
http://www.rwa-wf.com/
YARWA — Young Adult RWA
http://yarwa.com/
I’m a special interest junkie! I belong to five other chapters. So if you have a special genre, see what’s out there, and look into joining before it gets too close. This way, you’ll have the info on the parties at National! (The YARWA event sells out every year.)
Hope to see you there!

Louisa Bacio
Love Knows No Bounds 

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Conversations with Barb & Jann

March 2, 2012 by in category Archives tagged as , , ,


Barb:  Hey, Jann, how’s the story coming? Got it nailed down yet?
Jann:  Well, I can tell you that my brain has been storming, that’s for sure. I have this seed of a story I’ve been wrestling with for months (soon to be a year). My plot and characters are all over the place. For years I have read and listened to some talented writers explain their writing techniques. I’ve tried out several, to the point that I’m totally confused on how to get this story on the page. I was pulling my hair out by the roots, so I sat down and asked myself this question, “which one do I feel most comfortable with?” Answer – The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler. I guess it goes back to the beginning when I joined OCC and the first writing technique I was exposed to was a workshop given by Jill Marie Landis on the hero’s journey. I found the handout Jill gave us breaking down the 12 steps (but can’t locate the one she had completed with one of her books – darn it) and pulled The Writer’s Journey off the shelf and started to reacquaint myself with a tried and true concept. I have to say it’s working.  It’s slow, but working!
Barb:  That’s super, Jann! The Hero’s Journey is a great tool for a lot of writers, but I have trouble using it for some reason. I usually start out with a germ of an idea for a story, a hook of some sort, and think about it for days before I write anything down. When I’m really excited about it and can’t wait any longer, I get out a legal pad and start writing a story blurb or even a short outline. At that point I consult GMC and the three-act structure with its turning points (or plot points), midpoint, etc., to get the characters and story filled out. The three-act structure process seems to work best for me. I guess it’s my love of the movies. I can break down my favorite movies into their three acts, and frequently refer to them for inspiration when I’m stuck.  I believe the best handout I have on the subject is Lou Nelson’s Basic Paradigm Plot Definitions.  She provided it to everyone who attended her “pajama party” at OCC’s birthday bash last October. She included a blank three-act paradigm for everyone to fill out.
Jann:  Barb, I think what we can take away from this is that not one process works for every writer. I say, whatever works for you, go for it.
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Calls for Submissions March 2012

March 1, 2012 by in category Archives tagged as ,
From Secrets of the Sea to White Rose inspirational romance and horror from Samhain, this month’s call for submissions once again features a variety of outlets and heat levels.
Bono Books

Bono Books is an imprint of Decadent Publishing specializing in mainstream fiction, YA and non-fiction. We accept only one manuscript at a time per author. We DO NOT accept simultaneous submissions.
Word count is 3k-50k.
Romance submissions should be sweet. If you can see it on primetime network TV, then it’s acceptable for this site; PG-13.
Bono Books does not accept submissions that contain illegal sexual acts, bestiality (including un-shifted/shifted shapeshifter combinations), incest, pedophilia, glorified racial intolerance, necrophilia, or graphic rape for purposes of titillation – if it is an integral part of the story and not posed in a positive light it may be considered.
If you wish to submit your story to us, please send an email to the following address and request our submissions form: submissions@decadentpublishing.com
White Rose

White Rose is strictly ROMANCE. Although we take all romance sub-genre, every story must have romance as a strong element and in ALL lengths. This includes short stories.
  • Short stories range between 10,000 and 20,000 words (ebook)
  • Novelettes are between 20,001 and 35,000 words (ebook)
  • Novellas are between 35,001 and 60,000 words (ebook)
  • Novels are between 60,001 and 80,000 words (ebook & print)

As in every romance, the focus of a White Rose story should be the conflict between the main characters. These stories encompass protagonists who may, or may not, be spiritual at the onset, but come to realize that faith is a cornerstone of love. Protagonists should possess layered, three-dimensional, personalities. They should be people who struggle with decisions on a regular basis, using their existent or burgeoning faith to augment their growth both, together, and as Christians. Remember, Christians are emboldened by their faith, not burdened by it. Protagonists’ backgrounds do not have to be exemplary, but in the current story line, protagonists must have already come to terms with those issues which do not live up to Christian morality and virtue; their past immorality should not be overtly displayed on the page, but should be the catalyst for their internal conflict and growth.
White Rose books should convey life as it is lived, or can be lived, by people of faith. Because life can be humorous, mysterious, hazardous, and even a bit otherworldly, with angels popping in at times, White Rose books can encompass a variety of elements. The setting for White Rose books can be contemporary, historical or futuristic. They can be straight romances or include other factors such as mystery, suspense or supernatural elements, etc; however, an element of faith must be present in all White Rose stories-without becoming overbearing or preachy. (Please specify in your proposal if your story includes elements beyond simple romance. Also, please take note that supernatural themes are not the same as paranormal themes. Supernatural themes must be limited to Christian elements [e.g. Angels would be acceptable; a talking witch’s familiar would not.])
White Rose books should have an emotional rise and fall; however, the characters should not make love unless they are married, and then it should be behind closed doors. Feel free to delve into sensitive topics (e.g. infertility, terminal illness, infidelity), subjects that affect real people, but without profanity or nudity. There are no detailed love scenes in these accounts, but natural sexual tension is encouraged. We want to feel the emotion the hero and heroine feel for one another, not explicitly see the physical culmination of those feelings.
Protagonists should be Christian, or should be discovering Christianity. Elements of non-Christian faiths may be present in the story, but issues, which deny the essence of mainline Christianity must not be conveyed as acceptable. (e.g. Denying the Trinity [One God in Three Persons] or denying the divinity of Christ, etc. would not work if conveyed as acceptable; however, showing someone struggling with these beliefs, and then coming to realize the truth of Christianity, might work.) Please specify in your query if your story includes elements of non-Christian religious beliefs, and briefly describe how they are handled within the story, and why they are essential to the plot.
For more information, visit http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/write-for-us
Ruby Lioness Press is currently looking for submissions for its Christmas Anthology, Under the Mistletoe.

This anthology is open to all romance genres with a Christmas theme. Any heat level is welcome, including Ménage and GLBT. Stories must be romance with a HEA or Happily-for-now ending.

Stories should be:
â–ª                5,000-15,000 words
â–ª                Times New Roman
â–ª                12pt Type
â–ª                Double Space
â–ª                .doc or .rtf format
For more information, visit http://rubylionesspress.com/
Secrets of the Sea

In keeping with Riptide’s nautical theme, we’re looking for gay and trans speculative fiction to launch our Seven Seas line and celebrate our one-year anniversary.
Seduce us with mermaids or selkies. Suck us in with sirens.  Trap us in the Bermuda Triangle and terrify us with ghost ships, or maybe take us on a tour of the lost city of Atlantis. Give us sailors, pirates, adventurers, coastguards, fishermen, tourists, or scientists. Take us on a sweeping trip across the seven seas or make us claustrophobic on an off-shore oil rig. Sail us off the edge of the map to where the dragons be (yar!). Whatever you do, show us the myths of the ocean.
Length: 25,000 to 35,000 words -OR- 50,000+ words;
 Genres: Paranormal, horror, historical, contemporary, near-future. Fantasy is a possibility, but be prepared to wow us.
 Heat Levels: Any;
 Ending: Any;
 Orientation: Gay or trans;
 Submissions Due: April 1, 2012;
 Acceptance Letters Sent By: May 15, 2012 for novellas, June 1, 2012 for novels.
 Anticipated Release Date: October 30, 2012 through November 30, 2012.
Samhain Horror

Samhain is now accepting submissions for our line of horror novels.  We are actively seeking talented writers who can tell an exciting, dramatic and frightening story, and who are eager to promote their work and build their community of readers.
We are looking for novels—either supernatural or non-supernatural, contemporary or historical—that are original and compelling.  Authors can be previously unpublished or established, agented or un-agented.  Content can range from subtle and unsettling to gory and shocking.  The writing is what counts.

Our criteria:
  • Between 12,000 and 100,000 words, for print eligibility minimum 50,000.
  • A fresh premise that can be conveyed in a marketing hook of 2 – 3 sentences
  • Believable, three-dimensional characters
  • A gripping, suspenseful style
  • Credible world-building that can make even the strangest creatures believable
  • Within the horror genre, not fantasy or science-fiction, though borders often blur

To submit:
Email the complete manuscript and a full synopsis that takes the plot from beginning to end as two separate Word attachments.

In the body of your email include a brief description of the novel, estimated word count, and your publishing history (if any) such as previous books, awards, and quotes from other authors or reviews.

Include contact info, and if the manuscript is agented, please provide agent info as well.
Include the title of the novel in the email’s subject line.

Submissions should be sent to: horror@samhainpublishing.com For more information, visit http://www.samhainpublishing.com/submissions/
— Louisa Bacio
Love Knows No Bounds
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A Fantasy Life by Janet Quinn Cornelow

February 28, 2012 by in category A Fantasy Life by Janet Cornelow tagged as ,


Writer’s block.

That is what I have been suffering from for the last three days while I tried to figure out what I was going to blog on. I still do not really have a topic. I think I have graded too many not so good essays for the classes I teach. It seems to be affecting my mind.

I have been doing well on my new book, A Chance For Love, which is a western time travel. I am over half way done, and when I have time to write, it is just flowing right along. I like books that know where they are going. The fantasy story I started last year is still stuck – more writer’s block.

I have the rights back as of Saturday to Dressed for Dying, my one mystery book. I forgot to order a new cover for it, so it probably will not go up at Kindle until the end of next week. I was bad about keeping track of when the rights came back to me. I have to do better on the next one.

I have spent part of the afternoon formatting Dressed for Dying to go up on Kindle and Nook. It isn’t difficult, but it is boring. I kept forgetting where I was, so I decided to blog instead. I can at least have the book ready to go when I do get the cover from Lex Valentine.

My big news is that I am going to be a grandmother again. For those who know my youngest son Robby, he is going to be a father in late September. They don’t know the sex yet, but they did get to hear the heart beat today, so they were excited.

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