Have a Blessed and Joyous New Year!

Well, it’s officially the last day of 2008. I am a person who is always looking forward to what’s next, so I’m excited about 2009. Quite a few mailing lists that I’m on are posting about their 2008 goals. So, the question of the day, “Did you accomplish your goals in 2008 or not?”

My biggest goal was to finish writing a manuscript, the one I had been struggling with since 2006. I’m thrilled I completed the romantic suspense. It was a struggle between suspense and women’s fiction for some months there. After cutting scenes and taking out characters, I feel pretty good with the final result mainly because I finally told the story.

Firebrand Query Holiday

Beginning on December 15 and ending on January 15, writers have the opportunity to submit their first chapter instead of a query to the Firebrand Literary Agency.

They say on their blog.

“The ability to write an amazing first chapter is a much more important skill, as a novelist, than the ability to write a good query letter. So why even bother with a query?

That’s why we’re announcing the first annual FIREBRAND QUERY HOLIDAY—to support authors who want to spend their time and energy perfecting their manuscripts and not just polishing their sales skills.”

Find out more information …

Book Buzz 2.0 | Marketing for the Younger Audience

Over the past ten years, I have had the opportunity to build websites, animations and online games for K-12 students. It’s exciting and fun to build interactive components that are used in school districts across the country. There are certain safety measures to keep in mind whenever you create online products for children. Authors of children’s and young adult books share a similar responsibility when it comes to marketing to this unique audience. In this month’s column, I’m going to address some traditional forms of marketing as well as online routes.

Read the rest of my article on SORMAG.

Story Structure: Getting Started

Originally written for Urban Christian Fiction Today

Story Structure: Getting Started
Plotting Your Novel Series – Part 1”
by Tyora Moody

A few years ago, I was talking with a woman from my church. I made the mistake of confessing to her I wanted to write a book. She proceeded to ask me a question that put a damper on my spirit. “But Ty, there are so many books in the world, what could you write that’s any different?” Yeah, that’s a real “encouraging” statement. Thankfully, the pull to write led me to start developing stories anyway. Read more

BOOK REVIEW | Another Stab at Life

Another Stab at Life
by Anita Higman

Bailey Walker has suffered quite a few losses. In the midst of her downer moments, she receives an unexpected inheritance gift – her grandmother’s dilapidated mansion. The now former realtor decides to move in with the intentions of fixing up the monstrous house. Upon her arrival, some not so friendly neighbors have left her some gruesome surprises. Not sure what to do, Bailey decides to stick it out since she doesn’t have anyplace else to go.

BOOK REVIEW | Amber Morn

I’m looking at my stacks of books (the read pile) and thinking, I need to get some book reviews posted. I have a habit of reading and then writing reviews in one sitting. I also tend to write my reviews by hand and then transfer them to the blog. Uhm, I see making better use of my Alphasmart in the future.

I’m also always reading at least 2 or more books at the same time. So, I’m determined NOT to start another book until I finish this set I have going. Should be easy, but there are so many around me I want to read. LOL!

Amber Morn
by Brandilynn Collins

Amber Morn is the fourth and final book in the Kanner Lake series. In this novel, the infamous Scenes and Beans bloggers (yes, there is a real blog) are center stage. The members of this town have been through a lot in the past few months, resulting in the loss of one innocent life after another (read previous books). Finally, it seems this group will be able to breathe easier again, putting the past behind them. They have gathered at the Bailey Truit’s Java Joint coffee shop to support their favorite science fiction writer, Ted Dawson, as he signs his book contract. In the midst of their celebration, the unthinkable happens and yet again more lives could be lost.

BOOK REVIEW | Unpretty

Unpretty
by Sharon Carter Rogers

The novel opens with an art gallery bombing, where eight people associated with a Michelangelo exhibit are killed. A cult is responsible for the bombing and their mission is to rid the world of all “unpretty” people. The cult’s leader and the bomber made one tiny mistake though. He talked to Hummingbird Collins right before setting the bomb off.