Sunday, January 25, 2015

More Give Away's

I just read the blog From the Mixed up Files  they are giving away Gail Nall's debut novel Breaking the Ice.
You can read the interview and enter to win the book.
Gail describes how she plots, and for those that don't like to outline, this may be just what you need. So check it out.
Next week I will announce the winner of the book give away for How to Write a Cozy Mystery by Nancy J. Cohen  and Nightmares! by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller.
Coming up for the month of February:
Nonfiction book on writing will be: Blogging for Writers-How Authors and Writers Build Successful
 Blogs by Robin Houghton.


The fiction book will be: Counting by 7's by Holly Goldberg Sloan.

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Nightmares! by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller

Product Details


Ready for the second book that will be given away this month? It is Nightmares by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller.


There are two more weeks before the book give aways.
The first book is Writing the Cozy Mystery by Nancy J. Cohen.
Don't forget to leave a comment for your chance to win.


Now back to Nightmares!
I'm a dreamer and sometimes those dreams are wonderful, and I never want to wake to up. Then again some are nightmares, and I'm so glad I can wake up.
When Charlie Laird dreams, they are all nightmares. They get so bad that even though he is awake, he is still having nightmares. He doesn't want to confide in his friends, his
Dad doesn't understand, and his brother thinks everything is fine as long as he can wear the Captain America costume his Mom made for Charlie.
It's not until Charlie crosses over to the Netherworld, and he sees his friends nightmares, that he begins to understand.
As he watches one friend after another face their fears, he gets the courage to face his own.
But is too late? Is he stuck in the Netherworld forever?


I'm not going to post a spoiler. You will have to read it for yourselves.
Maybe you will be lucky enough to win the first book in the trilogy.
Yes there are tow more to look forward to!








Sunday, January 11, 2015

Contests

Contests are a great way to work on your writing skills. Some contests give feed back while others may use your entry in their magazine at a later date even if you did not win the contest you may still get published.
Highlights for Children contest for January is a themed contest, a 750 word mystery. It is free and there is still time to enter. For more information click https://www.highlights.com/highlights-fiction-contest or click the contest listed on this page.




You still have until the end of the month to leave a comment to eligible for the free book give away for Writing a Cozy Mystery by Nancy J. Cohen.


Next week I will review the book Nightmares by Jason Segal and Kirsten Miller.




WOW women on Writing winter contest is now open. The entry fee is $10 dollars and for another $10 you can get a critique. I did this and was very satisfied with the feedback I received.


Here is the link: http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/contest.php


Happy writing!


Leave a comment for the book give away Writing the Cozy Mystery or Nightmares!

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Book Review: Writing the Cozy Mystery by Nancy J. Cohen






Product Details


Here is the first book review for January 2015 by Sheila Renfro.
Leave a comment to be eligible for the book giveaway.




Book review: Writing the Cozy Mystery by Nancy J. Cohen

Published by Orange Grove Press Copyright 2014

10 Chapters, 43 pages and includes writing exercises and resources.

I love reading cozy mysteries and often wondered how the author penned them. So I picked up this book by Nancy J. Cohen, author of the Bad Hair Days Mysteries series.

This book is helpful whether you are a cozy mystery, a children’s mystery or even a thriller writer.

It includes all the elements needed to complete a novel.

Chapter one describes the genre and chapter two gets down to the world building or setting the scene.  She suggests as many authors do, on including the five senses when writing a scene to make it come alive. Pick a setting you want to spend a long time in especially if you are writing a series.

Chapter three and four help you map out your character and suspects. She has a clever way of mapping the suspects and motive.

Chapter five is all about keeping the momentum flowing in the middle.

Chapter six is how to solve the puzzle you created.

Chapter seven- Don’t rush the grand finale, let it simmer and soak up every emotional detail you can.

Chapter eight gives you insight into keeping a series going from one book to the next.

Chapter nine offers incredible organizational tools that can be used for any type of book you are writing.

Chapter ten is final words from the author.

At the end is a list of writer’s resources that you may find useful.

 

 

 

 

Thursday, January 1, 2015

A New Year a New Blog Goal

This year I have decided to post book reviews on my blog.
I will review two books a month.


The first book will be a writing book.
After I have reviewed the book, I will offer it up for a free give away.
To be eligible for the book give away you must leave a comment on my blog.


The second book I will review will be a children's book.
It may be a picture book, a middle grade book or a young adult.
Some of these books may be signed by the author.


You will have until midnight (EST) to leave a comment.
On the first day of the next month, I will announce the winner of the free books on my blog.


The winner will need to email the address they would like it shipped to.


I will only ship in the United States of America.
I apologize for any inconvenience.


Happy New Year!