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A lofty place for authors, writers, and readers to connect |
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Vol. 5 Issue 2 |
Writers in the Sky Newsletter |
February 2009 |
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Whether you are a published author or a
writer-wanna-be, this e-zine is for you. Here, you will find
articles, book reviews, announcements, poetry, and information
about the craft and business of writing, publishing and book
marketing written by our readers. Our goal is to connect the
writing and publishing community through networking. |
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Author's Corner |
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A word from WITS owner, Yvonne Perry |
Feature Article |
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by Kelly Kilpatrick |
The Seven Ps of Freelance Writing |
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by R.J. Medek |
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The Writing Life: English is a Fickle Language |
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by JJ Murphy |
Book With a View |
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Read this month's book reviews |
Twenty-two Tips on What to Wear
for Interview |
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by Scott Lorenz |
Poetry Corner |
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Poems from our readers |
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by Yvonne Perry
Welcome to the month of lovers—literary lovers that is! Readers and writers will find this month’s issue filled with
ideas, places to contribute, and inspiring information.
Instead of thinking of Friday the thirteenth as an ominous day, think of it as a day to do
something different—like read poetry! WITS is creating a special poetry issue to publish
on Friday, February 13.
If you would like to send a poem with your name, short bio, and a link to your blog or Web site, please get it to me before February 6 using
WITS contact page.
The conversation I had with editor Carolyn Howard-Johnson was fabulous! We recorded our candid chat about editing books, querying publishers,
and some of the common mistakes writers make and how to correct them. We also answered questions our readers sent us. If you missed your chance
to eavesdrop on us, you
can listen to this conversation with editors
now. If reading is more your style than listening, you may read a partial transcript
of the highlights of our conversation.
The WITS mentoring program is going strong. So far, we have learned how to write a media release,
write a strong resource box, explored article marketing, and some handy dandy Microsoft Word features and keyboard shortcuts such as this one:
Pressing Ctrl+F together will open a box that allows you to type in the word or exact phrase you are looking for. Click OK and Word will start
from the point in your document where your cursor is located and find the next word or phrase that is exactly as you typed in the search. To replace
that word or word phrase, click the “replace” tab at the top of the search box and type in the word or phrase you want to substitute.
Word will replace one at a time so you may review each change or you may opt to have Word replace all of the occurrences at the same time.
If you missed the deadline to sign up for our newbie class, you may want to speak with me about one-on-one mentoring sessions. You get the same
lessons and assignments as the Tuesday group, but more individualized focus on a day other. Learn more at
http://writersinthesky.com/mentoring.html.
As you know, we have three grandbabies on the way. So far, we have learned that Katie and Sareya are having boys.
Amanda is scheduled to have her sonogram this month. We’ll soon know if
the boy to girl ratio is 2:1 or 3:0. Thankfully, things are progressing
well for all three of our daughters and the wee-ones in the wombs.
Enjoy the newsletter. I hope to hear from you soon!
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Just Do It – Getting Your Freelance Career Started |
by Kelly Kilpatrick
Many people dream of a career in freelance writing for various reasons and motivations.
While there are countless writers who are capable of being successful freelance writers, certain things
ultimately end up preventing them from achieving success. Starting off a career as a freelance writer can be a
challenging endeavor, but it is not impossible. Here are a few tips for people who are interested in freelancing
that will help get things moving forward.
Write About Everything. As a freelancer, you will rarely be able to actually pick your topics, except during the initial bidding process. In order to make sure that you are marketable, you must be versatile. This means that you need to be able to write about as many topics as possible at a moment’s notice. Start working on building up your repertoire while honing your skills on topics and subject matter that lies outside your comfort zone.
Write Frequently. If you want to pound those keys full-time, you are going to be a busy person indeed. Expect to spend some quality time with your favorite coffee cup come three in the morning. Writing frequently will keep you in practice and on your toes so that you will be well-trained for the day when you have more assignments that you know what to do with.
Compile a Portfolio.
A good portfolio highlights you abilities and your range, emphasizing style and professionalism above all things. Whatever you do, take time when selecting pieces to include in your portfolio that will speak to your potential employers about your abilities. Do not include everything you have written; rather, select the pieces which have earned you acclaim or that you are particularly proud of.
Submit Your Work Often.
Getting the ball rolling regarding a freelance writing career involves perseverance above all else. Rather than waiting for someone to pluck you out of the crowd, you need to go out there and get it. This means that while you are waiting to get into the field, you need to submit a lot of articles and pieces often. The internet is a great place to start building a name for yourself, so start there as soon as you can.
This article was contributed by Kelly Kilpatrick, who writes on the subject of online schools. She invites your feedback at kellykilpatrick24 at gmail dot com
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Listening to Writers in the Sky Podcast on a computer is
easy. Just click this link:
http://yvonneperry.blogspot.com
and go to my blog. On the right sidebar there is a list of
archived shows. Click on the interview you would like to
hear and it will open a post that has a link to open the
audio file. For information about being a guest on Writers
in the Sky Podcast, see
www.writersinthesky.com/writing-podcast.htm |
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February 6
Sarah Moore, author’s assistant for Writers in the Sky, will be interviewing Irene Brodsky about her new book
Poetry Unplugged.
Ms. Brodsky is a recent, sixty-two-year-old graduate of Brooklyn College and Poetry Unplugged
is her first book of poetry. In this collection, she shares
freestyle poetry that reflects on childhood experiences,
everyday observations, and her life in Brooklyn. Listeners
will learn about the inspiration behind Brodsky’s poetry,
her method for writing, and reasons that she chose to return
to school and pursue writing at this stage in her life. For
more information, please visit
www.OutskirtsPress.com
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February 13
As we enter into this Valentine’s weekend, Dodi Elhalogy will be our podcast guest to discuss her book
The Secrets of Dodi’s Home Cooking.
Perhaps listeners will be inspired to cook a nice meal for that special someone! Mrs. Elhalogy was raised on an estate in a small Egyptian village.
Since her father was mayor of the province, many important social events were held in their home. By helping her mothers and sisters prepare for
these functions, Mrs. Elhalogy mastered the art of Middle Eastern cooking and is now showcasing her family’s traditional recipes. During the
interview with Sarah Moore, Mrs. Elhalogy will share more
about how her family background prepared her for this book,
the health benefits of the recipes she included, and how the
book is formatted to include cultural and culinary details.
www.OutskirtsPress.com |
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February 20
This week’s podcast interview takes a serious turn as Sarah Moore discusses the new book
My Name is Michael with author Thomas Pompeo.
Mr. Pompeo spent two years in China absorbing the culture and learning as much as possible from its people. Along the way, he discovered
a horrible trend of children being forced to beg in the streets. He decided to create the fictional story of
My Name is Michael to shed
light on a very real problem. Mr. Pompeo’s interview will focus on how he gathered the material for this novel
and the risks he took in doing so. Listeners also will have the opportunities to learn more about the characters developed by this first-time
author and the process he used to share this story in the most effective manner possible.
http://www.outskirtspress.com/ |
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February 27
Davis Aujourd'hui will be discussing The Misadventures of Sister Mary Olga Fortitude with Sarah Moore.
This novel, the first in a series, centers around a hard-drinking, chain smoking nun who shares the latest gossip on the
colorful personalities in her town while doing her best to refrain from judgment on their behavior. As readers quickly learn,
even those who portray an air of perfection have some ridiculous flaws. Through Sister Mary, we all learn about acceptance of
others who live on the fringes of traditional society. Mr. Aujourd’hui will discuss the messages he tries to impart through
Sister Mary and how they stem from lessons learned in his own life. Listeners also will learn what they can expect from the
future books in the series.
www.OutskirtsPress.com |
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Do You Want to More for Your Marketing Dollars?
WITS publicity is an affordable and effective source for marketing your book or business.
Choose two or more services, and get a 10% discount on the total project price
if you mention this ad from our newsletter!
An affordable deal for anyone needing online publicity
or help with a writing project!
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The Seven Ps of Freelance Writing |
by R.J. Medek
1. Performance – Performance in this case is not missing the deadline, writing your best and giving
the customer what they asked for, and are willing to make any edits the client may ask for in a timely manner.
If you want your brand to stand out, or be talked about in a positive light, doing what you said you would on time
and the best work you can do will be your brand, and allow you to gradually negotiate for more money.
2. Presentation – Presentation is the overall look of the work done for your client. By that, means no typos,
spelling errors, grammar errors, not following through with the guidelines set by the client. If you have any doubt as to
what the client wants, ask before you start to make sure that you and the client or on the same page of the same book.
3. Professionalism – Professionalism is simple yet hard. Freelance writing is a job, just like working for someone.
You must approach your client as your boss, because they are. The client offers you an assignment; you have to treat it as
through your boss in a 9-5 job asked you to perform some task. You can do nothing less than your best effort to complete
the assignment on time and to the client’s satisfaction.
4. Polish – Polish is not an easy task. Polish means to write and edit your piece of writing for grammar,
typos, punctuation, or spelling errors and correct them. You need to do this within the time constraints, and guidelines
given to you or negotiated with the client. When you take on a client’s assignment, polishing the piece has to be
part of your time assessment when you tell the client how long it will take to complete the assignment.
5. Personal Contact – Personal contact is keeping the client informed how the assignment is coming along,
if something came up, you need more time for research on a specific chart, technology, or whatever it is the assignment
needs for completion. If say, you or a family member becomes ill and is taken to the hospital, this could cause a delay.
Let the client know and ask for time or tell the client you will be unable to complete the assignment because of it.
DO NOT leave your client hanging wondering where you and the piece are.
6. Persistence – When first starting out, your writing assignments may be few and far in between.
If you give up easily, choose another profession. You have to keep writing and keep applying for jobs. Take
this down time to update your resume, work on cover letters, read, write. Practice your chosen profession. Never
let a day go by that you don’t write something or try to make a contact looking for writing jobs.
7. Patience – Patience is not the long suit of many. If you expect to make a ton of money from the start of your
freelance writing career, you will be greatly disappointed. All of the hype that overnight you can become a great copywriter,
or sell all kinds of eBooks, is just that, hype. It takes time to brand and market yourself. Like wines, it will happen when
the time is right, and not before. There are places where you can write for free, like the church newsletter, something for the
PTA, or your social club. These are good places to hone your skills, improve your writing, while giving you exposure to different
types of writing, and people that may you’re your writing. You cannot be in a hurry with either your writing,
or your writing career.
R J Medak is a freelance writer with 300 articles written. He has over 40 book reviews written and
posted to Amazon and Barnes and Noble. He maintains a blog at
http://rjmedak.wordpress.com/about/.
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Add your announcement or brag about your
writing accomplishment. Tell us about your book or business.
Share information and ideas or send articles or advertorial
for the next issue by contacting us on our Web site
www.writersinthesky.com/contact.php . Here are some
announcements from our readers this month: |
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Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog has won the Wisconsin Pet Hall of Fame 2008 in the companion category.
Companion winners are pets who have provided a benefit to their human companions or their community.
As the proud mom and author of Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog I am happy to say
that Frankie not only changed my life for the better,
but she is enriching the lives of the elderly, hospice and hospital patients as a unique therapy dog because of her wheels.
Frankie is also touching the lives of special needs children, showing them through her example, that they too can do anything
they set their minds to do. To read more about Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog and to watch a touching video, visit Barbara
Techel and
Frankie on their Web site,
www.joyfulpaws.com.
2009 Be My Valentine's Story Contest
Want a chance to get your story published for free? Submit your romance or love story to the 2009
Valentine's Story Contest.
http://www.PublishYourself.com
Submission Deadline: February 14, 2009.
Need Resources?
Be sure to check out WITS resources page for some great recommendations on books to improve writing,
assist with technical issues,
finding industry newsletters and Web sites, Internet radio shows and podcasts, book publishers and literary agents, book marketing sites,
book printers, and online promotion books and e-books.
Bader Field, published by Nightengale Press, is now available in retail bookstores as well as at the
following online sites: www.nightengalepress.com and www.amazon.com.
The author,
Carl David, has several articles about Bader Field (the first US airport), and on the topics of flying
twin engine planes, art dealing, family dealing with suicide at
www.authorsden.com/carledavid.
The book is
creating quite an emotional response in its readers. One
person tearfully thanked Carl for writing it and said it
touched her soul deeply.
My blog, War, Peace, Tolerance and Our Soldiers
www.warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com is where
I get to nag and rag and try to make things better for our troops and maybe for the world.
I'd love to have you leave a comment. ~ Carolyn Howard-Johnson
What would happen if the American people allowed an empowered and strong federal government to trick them into giving up some
of their civil rights to protect them from terrorism? Homeland Security: The Beginning, ISBN 1-60563-585-5, published by Publish America LLLP, answers that question in a unique way.
The story focuses around six central characters, who find out about a deep, dark, secret plan, that a high ranking official is
perpetrating on the American people. They have no choice, but to take it upon themselves to expose the plan, and bring the perpetrator to justice,
or so they believe. The ending will take you by surprise and leave you expectant of a sequel.
The author, Paul P. Lubianetzky, was born in Warren Ohio in 1946. He
served in the United States Army Corps of Engineers from 1966 to 1969. He is a Vietnam veteran and a
survivor of the Tet Offensive. Paul has been a police officer, a
physical fitness instructor, a CPR and first aid volunteer instructor
for the Red Cross, and worked in several other trades.
Upload Your Book Video to Your Book Tube
As an author published through Nightengale Press, I have been permitted to offer folks in my network a
chance to upload their book trailers to YourBookTube at no cost. All authors who have book videos are welcome to
post their videos on YourBookTube. Be sure to include the book's title, ISBN, a short description (25-50 words) and a
link where you want viewers to buy your book.
Just go to http://www.yourbooktube.com and create your free user account. Then, send the title of your book and the category
of your video to publisher@nightengalepress.com to register and join to get free exposure for your book!
Write Better - Get Published
Author's Advocate, Patrika Vaughn, is offering two one-day intensive seminars through Adult & Community Education in Sarasota, Florida.
Feb. 6, 2009 -SELLING WHAT YOU WRITE. Find out who wants what, and how to successfully contact them.
Feb. 13, 2009 -WRITE YOUR LIFE STORY (or our family's saga). You can create this legacy for your family, and in the process rediscover your own hopes and dreams. This method works even if you've never before written anything more than letters or emails.
Seminars are 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Call 941-361-6590 to register.
These classes are also offered online at
www.acappela.com/classes.htm
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The Dream Quest One
Poetry & Writing Contest is open to anyone who loves
expressing innermost thoughts and feelings into the
beautiful art of poetry or to write a short story that is
worth telling everyone! And to all who have the ability to
dream. Write a poem or short story for a chance to win cash
prizes. All works must be original.
http://www.dreamquestone.com
Tuey's Course, written by James Ross, has been released. Hard
cover and paperback copies are now available at http://www2.xlibris.com,
Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.
http://www.authorjamesross.com/
Don't suffer with book proposals. You can be a pro with
an investment of only 20 minutes and 49 cents with Carolyn
Howard-Johnson's Great First Impression Book Proposal Short
on Amazon.com.
Affordable book promotion e-course helps authors snag buzz
Authors who know the importance of book publicity but can’t afford a pricey publicist now have a very affordable option:
a book publicity and promotion e-course offering four weeks of personalized instruction and feedback for under $200. “Book Publicity 101:
How to Build Book Buzz,” a dynamic online course taught in two versions by a veteran publicist and author runs from February 2-27, 2009.
The popular class is taught in a forum format, with lessons and homework assignments posted online in an easy-to-use password-protected forum.
The highly-interactive courses – one for traditionally published authors and one for self-published authors – cover how to:
- Create a book publicity blueprint that makes the most of your available resources
- Craft the most compelling media materials needed to generate results
- Conduct a virtual book tour with bloggers who can help you build buzz quickly
- Employ the media relations tools that will take you the farthest fastest
- Generate high-impact radio interviews
- Build an author Web site that supports book sales and other goals
Students receive instructional materials and resources and complete weekly assignments that help them discover how easy it is to create book buzz. Valuable one-on-one instructor guidance and feedback takes authors’ work to the next level while student interaction on the forum offers fresh perspectives and new ideas for all participants. A free-for-all Q&A corner lets students get answers to questions not covered in the course materials, making this a highly-personalized learning experience for nonfiction and fiction authors.
The class is taught by Sandra Beckwith, a recovering award-winning publicist; publisher of the free e-zine
Build Book Buzz; and author of four books, including three on publicity topics. Registration is $199 and limited to 20 students.
Register at http://www.buildbookbuzz.com/workshops/book-publicity.htm
or
http://www.buildbookbuzz.com/workshops/self-published.htm; send course inquiries to Beckwith at
sb@buildbookbuzz.com.
Announcement of my new book coming out, publication date of February 2009. It's called All In A Day's Work for Real Estate Agents: Humorous & Heartwarming Stories
(by TC McClenning, copyright 2009, 304 pages, Work Like A Dog Books). It contains more than 100 real-life experiences of real estate agents in 44 states and Canada and shows
that Murphy's Law is alive and well in real estate. Stories go far beyond what the average person would think: being asked to be a client's birthing coach, performing CPR to
save a client's life, finding dead bodies, wildlife encounters, writing a contract to trade the world's largest boa constrictor for a small rental property, and much, much more.
Check out excerpts and introduction at the publisher's site, www.WorkLikeaDogBooks.com (under the media section also shows some advance testimonials).
Authors need book reviews
If you like to read books and give your opinion about them, you would
make a great book reviewer. Authors are always looking for someone to review
their books. If you are interested in writing reviews, please
go to my blog and add your name, preferred genres, and contact info. Please do not expose your email address or home phone number.
Instead, use your blog profile, Twitter ID, or link to the contact page of your Web site.
Authors get book reviews!
If you need a review for your book, please check out the above link to connect with someone matched with the topic or genre of your book.
All
Things That Matter Press is a blog about our books, our
authors, publishing news and trends, published and upcoming
titles, and more.>
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The Writing Life: English is a Fickle Language |
by JJ Murphy
English is a Fickle Language When One Word Has Opposite Meanings!
I’m at a disadvantage in the 21st Century, because I still have a 20th Century vocabulary. I need help finding the right key words for my own
Web site. And when I’m researching online it could take me
days to find the word or words that yield the Web sites with the information I actually want.
So, this column is devoted to words that are spelled the same way, even have identical pronunciation, but can mean very different things.
One of my favorites is fast. I find three meanings for this word. If I travel by car I’m moving
fast, as opposed to walking. If I tie my tent stakes so they will not move at all, they are held
fast. When I choose refrain from eating for a set period of time, that is a
fast.
More of my favorite ambiguous words:
- Clip –what you do to a coupon, or what you do with a paperclip
- Note –what’s written on paper, or the specific tone a musical instrument makes
- Sanction - which can mean either to permit or to penalize
- Seed – to plant them for food, or to remove them from food
- Seeded – added to the bread’s crust, or removed from fruit or vegetables
- Shade –tint or hue of a color, or refuge from the sun under a tree or large object
- Trunk – what grandma packed for a voyage, or a tree’s stem
Context is crucial to the meaning of these words. If you teach English as a second language, you have my deepest respect.
I’m not the only writer who has pondered this paradoxical ambiguity in words. My clumsy keyword search did lead me to this
Web site: http://www--personal.umich.edu/~cellis/antagonym.html.
The writer claims to have created the word ANTAGONYMS to describe this group of words. That works for me. The author is kind enough to
create a longer list than my few examples, including slang circa 1999.
JJ Murphy is a freelance nature writer, photographer, blogging hiker, forager, locavore, and tree-hugger with more than 50 years
of eco-centric living experience. Visit
www.WriterByNature.com
if you need relevant content that captures your personal style and tone. |
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My Name is Michael
Author: P. J. Thomas
ISBN: 978-1-4327-3306-3
Publisher: OutskirtsPress.com (2009)
Genre and Target Market: fiction; China; human rights
Pages: 56
Reviewed by Sarah Moore for WITS (01/2009)
Sometimes I find it difficult to review a book when its message is so powerful and its potential
to have a lasting impact on everyone who reads its pages is of great consequence. Will I do justice
to what is being conveyed? How can I effectively capture the feelings I had when reading the book and
the way its characters still enter my thoughts? These concerns sat with me as I reflected on the new
release My Name is Michael by P.J. Thomas. This short book of fifty-six pages tells the fictional story
of a child beggar in China, but the personal research done by the author in learning about this forgotten
segment of Chinese society is horrifically real. I am confident that you will, as I did, become gripped by
this book and read it in one sitting. Then, you will want to pass the novel onto your friends so that you
can have others with which to share a discussion about this unforgettable story.
Michael is a young boy in modern China who earned his beloved school name from an American teacher who tells
the kids about the beauty and liberty in the United States. Tragically, in short time, Michael would be kidnapped
and come to know a life which held no semblance of comfort or freedom. He is taken to the home of Mama Chang,
who plays host to enslaved child beggars. Michael is quickly taken to The Butcher for procedures that, as graphically
described, are revolting and provide physical results that make him a more sympathetic character to passersby.
Despite these unimaginable circumstances, Michael never loses his ability to love, befriend, or place the needs of
others above his own. My Name is Michael is an amazing testimony to the innocence and truth in children that endures
in the face of the harshest abuse and dimmest future.
P.J. Thomas reminds us in the prologue that his book is a work of fiction, but he also acknowledges the
reality in which his story is based. I must admit that I had no idea about the sinister practice of stealing
children, disfiguring them, and then placing them on the streets to earn spare change. Luckily, though, the
story of Michael and other boys like him has found a powerful voice. Thomas spent two years in China learning
about its people and, when he took notice of the many children with deformed bodies, he managed to find a few people
who were not terrified to share what they knew. The resulting book is a beautifully crafted piece of art.
Each chapter heading, such as “A Cry for Help” and “Return to the Butcher” prepares us for another moment in which
we will catch our breaths or become enraged. The use of stark words and phrases throughout the text creates a powerful
image of emptiness. There is no room for flowery language in the world that Michael knows.
In addition to the power of his words, Thomas lays out the book in a way that captures and maintains a reader’s attention.
Starting with the front cover sketch of a young boy who has lost both legs holding a bruised, abandoned baby, Thomas includes
the occasional artwork to make his already stark images even more clear. By seeing the visual interpretation of The Butcher
or Mama Chang’s face, the reader must face the concept of these unspeakably horrible people actually being human.
Each chapter is also formatted to be short and feel almost abrupt. We are let into snapshots of Michael’s life and
the reader gets whisked away after a few quick pages, effectively recreating the uncertainty and lack of peace in Michael’s life.
Whether or not that was the author’s intention, this style choice definitely heightened the reading experience for me.
My Name is Michael is an important new novel that should be read by government officials,
social activists and individuals who have concerns for children in any part of the world. As the character
in the book known only as “The American” tells Michael when recording his life to that point, “When people
read your story they will become outraged and speak out.” This is not a book that will make you feel good or
that simply should be another check mark on your desired reading list. However, it is an expertly-written piece of
fiction that is rooted in truths that will be, and should be, difficult to forget. My hope is that My Name is Michael
becomes one important way in which information about the atrocity of child beggars is shared and action can be taken.
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The Misadventures of Sister Mary Olga Fortitude
Author: Davis Aujourd’hui
ISBN: 978-1-4327-3047-5
Publisher: OutskirtsPress.com (2009)
Genre: fiction, humor, social commentary
Pages: 155
Reviewer: Sarah Moore for WITS (01/2009)
When I reflect on the fictional nuns who have found their way into our collective consciousness through
television and movies over the last fifty years, there seems to be the common thread of a dichotomous personality.
These pious women are portrayed as kind-hearted servants of God and their communities, but also mischievous humans who
are quite capable of less-than-holy behavior. Maria from The Sound of Music cared about those VonTrapp children, but
she was known to be late to afternoon prayers. Sally Field was charming as The Flying Nun, but her unorthodox methods
often had the Reverend Mother up in arms. And, of course, Whoopi Goldberg used her habit to hide from the mob during
her turn as a nun in Sister Act. Davis Aujourd’hui adds another Sister to the roll call of memorable nuns in his
new book The Misadventures of Sister Mary Olga Fortitude. With her alcohol-filled crucifix and Marlboro smoke signals
sent straight to heaven as prayers, this sister will undoubtedly captivate your attention and have you turning the pages.
Sister Mary Olga speaks to the readers directly, with each of the chapters reading like the script from a classic radio broadcast.
I doubt that many of the nun’s stories would have passed FCC scrutiny, however! She draws us in with opening remarks which
immediately command our attention, like “T.L.I.A.M.G, my dears!” (the acronym standing for The Lord is a Mighty God) or
“Now!” Then, she proceeds to share important lessons in Advanced Holiness using some of the residents of Bucksnort,
Wisconsin, home of the Have a Heart convent, as the fodder for her tales. Readers of Sister Mary Olga Fortitude’s wise and
unique perspective will quickly learn that no one is without a fascinating story to his or her name. Although you may never have
discovered a body in the process of cremation as you tried to bake a cake or bore offspring who made inappropriate digestive noises
while playing Baby Jesus in the annual Christmas pageant, I know that you will be able to relate to the flaws discussed by Sister Mary,
albeit exaggerated, that are common to the human condition. Mr. Aujourd’hui’s inspired storytelling and fun use of words
make each of these revelations all the more memorable.
Even while creating a hilarious cast of characters and series of events in which they are players,
Aujourd’hui presents his readers with a serious commentary on the importance of tolerance and refraining from judgment.
Through Sister Mary Olga Fortitude, he introduces us to people who are often considered outcasts in traditionally accepted
society, from transgendered nuns and prostitutes to gay cowboys and morbidly obese women. While sharing their stories and
secrets, Sister reminds us not to be critical of the unusual personalities we meet as the book unfolds. And, as reinforcement,
she repeatedly confesses to her own shortcomings in terms of lust, gossip, and alcohol.
The Misadventures of Sister Mary Olga
Fortitude is a laugh-out-loud interpretation of the Golden Rule.
To further the point of the dangers to be found in judgment and narrow-mindedness, Aujourd’hui
creates a group of women who are known as the Bunheads United Now organization (BUN). These ladies are known
for their tight pulled-back hairstyle, which Sister Mary Olga points out is a hindrance to unimpeded brain functions.
They are critical of anyone who does not fit the acceptable mold of behavior and they create superficial, seemingly perfect
demeanors to hide their most personal doubts and insecurities. The leader of the BUN brigade, appropriately
named Priscilla Bunhead, ends up on the receiving end of some vengeful scissors. Readers who have felt judged for
their lifestyle or decisions will likely take some satisfaction out of this particularly amusing moment in the book.
The Misadventures of Sister Mary Olga Fortitude is a new release by Davis Aujourd’hui that presents a
sharp and irreverent look at humanity. Offered through the lens of an unforgettable nun who knows everybody’s
business but refrains from placing judgments (well, most of the time!), this novel is wonderful in its personality
development and colorful language. And, as is promised on the book jacket, I am thrilled that more “misadventures”
await those who quickly will become loyal readers. I have no doubt that Sister Mary Olga Fortitude has many more secrets to
share and life lessons to teach, and I plan to be sitting in the front row.
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Tuey’s Course
Author: James Ross
ISBN: 978-1-4363-8994-5
Publisher: Xlibris 2008
Genre: fiction, human drama, race relations
Pages: 286
Reviewer: Sarah Moore for WITS (01/2009)
I always enjoy the opportunity to review more than one work by the same author. I am able to see the evolution
of his writing as well as develop a better sense of what he is trying to accomplish through the sharing of his stories
and characters. Tuey’s Course is the third book by author James Ross, with his previous publications, Lifetime
Loser and Finish Line on the bookshelves last year and earlier this year, respectively. The Prairie Winds Golf Course
serves as the consistent backdrop for all three novels, but each book takes its readers on a completely unique journey.
In his first book, Ross unveiled a captivating story of crime and shady business dealings. Next, he shared the coming-of-age
of two teenage boys who learn important life lessons from their ailing mentor. Now, in
Tuey’s Course, Ross challenges
us in his brutally honest portrayal of race, class and political power structures. Those who have enjoyed Ross’ attention
to creating rich detail and fascinating characters in his previous works, as well as readers who are discovering Ross
for the first time with Tuey’s Course, will not be disappointed in this new release that makes you think and may
even make you angry.
Tuey’s Course focuses on WeWildapheet Ulisees O’Tweety (known as Tuey) and his struggles to make an honest
living while fighting the corrupt elected officials in his town who seem determined to thwart his efforts at every turn.
Tuey diligently attends every council meeting and sometimes uses unusual methods to convey his frustration with the city’s
establishment. In sharing the details of Tuey’s life and his standing on the socioeconomic ladder, Ross makes a bigger
statement about the impact that race and money has on the voice a person enjoys in our society. And, he shows that the
desperation eventually reached by the poor and the overlooked can lead to tragic results. Ross continues his practice of
interweaving multiple plot lines by including a referee who throws football games in return for a payout, a gay priest who
flies to Vegas for the weekend with his lover at the expense of a crooked banker, and a developer who is willing to commit
crimes in order to get the land that he desires. All of these characters, as well as the golf course regulars we have come
to know in Ross’ previous books, come into contact with Tuey to create a novel that manages to be both layered and
cohesive in its storylines.
As was the case in Finish Line, Ross employs racial stereotypes when writing the dialect and creating the background stories
of his characters. Tuey speaks with the vernacular of an African-American in a way that may have been more common during the
period in which Ross’ distant relative, Mark Twain, was sharing his candid views on American society. The ethnic
neighborhoods described by Ross are blatant in their names, as the Asian residents live in Little Chang Hai and the Arabs
live in an area called the Sand Dunes. The popular rapper has a ridiculous name, the Asian investor is short and shifty,
and the always-drunk pilot and a couple of his cohorts at the golf course have no hesitation in using derogatory slurs.
Every ethnic label is exposed and exaggerated in Tuey’s Course. Upon my initial reading, I will admit that the
language made me uncomfortable. I was concerned that, by taking this writing style to extremes, Ross was simply perpetuating
unfair racial views that still exist in our country. Upon further reflection and after reading the conclusion of the book;
however, I realize that Ross’ intention was to evoke emotion from his reading audience.
Tuey’s Course is not a
light read meant for casual summertime reading at the beach. You will be forced to examine your own reaction to the character
portrayals and think about where our society places different groups of people.
James Ross succeeds in creating yet another thoughtful and detailed book in
Tuey’s Course.
He provides an important and unique voice to the works of fiction that are making statements as to who we are as people.
I believe that readers likely will have varying reactions to the characters in
Tuey’s Course, which will make for
great conversation. And, it appears that Ross is not done with his writing endeavors. A serial killer who makes random
appearances through news reports in both Finish Line and Tuey’s Course is still a mystery. Is this a teaser
from Ross, or just a secondary plot to throw us off-track? Time will tell. For now, I recommend that you grab a
copy of Tuey’s Course and prepare to react!
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Saffron Dreams
Shaila Abdullah
Modern History Press (2009)
ISBN 9781932690736
Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (01/09)
Arissa Illahi, a Pakistani woman living in New York, has it all - a loving husband,
the freedom to pursue the work she enjoys, good friends, understanding family and a child on the way.
Then one fateful morning her life shatters – the World Trade Center in NYC collapses in a terrorist
attack, and takes with it Faizan, Arissa’s husband. Arissa’s world will never be the same. Not only
has she lost her soulmate, her beloved husband and the father of the unborn child, but she suddenly
finds herself in a world where she is perceived as an enemy just for being a Muslim.
There are books that are beautiful simply because they are so positive and pleasant.
And there are those that manage to be beautiful in spite of the pain and the suffering and the
heartbreak contained within. Shaila Abdullah’s Saffron Dreams
is both. Her writing is mesmerizing.
On one hand it feels like a classically cut diamond – precise, sparkling, blindingly beautiful,
but also incredibly sharp. On the other hand her writing reminds me of a dish I’ve often had
traveling in India – a thali. Yes, I am very well aware of the fact that the author is Pakistani
and not Indian, but many of the foods she mentioned in the book reminded me a lot of India, and that
is probably why I thought of thali. Thali is usually a round metal tray with many compartments, each
containing a different item, such as rice, dhal, different vegetables and curries, chutney, yoghurt and
something sweet to finish. Each of those items complements or contrasts the others to perfection, and
together they are some of the best food I’ve ever tasted. This is the way I feel about
Saffron Dreams.
It was comforting, it was funny, it was spicy; and then heartbreaking, full of despair, filled with hope,
amazingly fresh and vibrant and satisfying. Following Arissa’s story makes the reader realize how little
most of us know and understand the world of Muslims, and how incredibly wrong so many of our perceptions are.
If you are looking for a tender love story, you’ll find it here. If you are curious about how people live,
love and laugh in another culture, you are in for a treat. If you want to read about overcoming challenges, your
wish will be granted. If it is simply beauty that you are searching for, you’ll find it in abundance in Saffron Dreams
by Shaila Abdullah. This is a book I would highly recommend to anybody who loves beautifully written and intelligent
contemporary prose, especially to the readers who are curious and open minded, and to those who enjoy stories with strong
female characters.
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Taking the Sea: Perilous Waters, Sunken Ships, and the True Story of the Legendary Wrecker Captains
Dennis M. Powers
AMACOM
ISBN 9780814413531
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (12/08)
Taking the Sea is the fourth in Dennis M. Powers’ celebrated maritime narratives. Research on his book Sentinel of the Seas triggered Powers’ curiosity about the ships used during the building of the St. George Reef Lighthouse, and about the colorful Captain Thomas P. H. Whitelaw and other master wreckers. The book describes an era when shipping was the dominant form of transportation throughout the world. Powers writes about the courage, achievement, risks and the challenges these men faced.
Powers delved into the records of maritime museums, libraries, newspapers, and magazine articles to bring together the facts for the stories for this project. He supplemented this information with interviews and genealogical records.
The account begins in 1863 when, as a sixteen-year-old seaman, Tom Whitelaw, arrived in San Francisco. The book covers his career of over sixty years. Powers documents detailed descriptions of Whitelaw’s most memorable salvaging projects, including: The Rosecrans, the Respigerdo, the Umatilla, the Dumbarton, and the Blaimore.
Tom’s grandson Ken shared intimate insights into the family life of his grandparents and of his personal career with Whitelaw & Company.
Articles in the Literary Digest, American Magazine, Popular Mechanics, and Sunset Magazine all have featured various aspects of Whitelaw’s story. His divers made 17,000 dives while Whitelaw’s salvage operations saved over 289 ships.
In addition to Thomas P. H. Whitelaw, Powers includes stories of other colorful divers and wreckers, like Dynamite Johnny, Martin Lund, T. A. Scott, William E. Chapman, and Israel J. Merritt. He tells of wrecking and salvaging phenomenon’s from the Bering Sea and the coast of Alaska, up and down the western coastline of Canada and United Sates and on the East Coast
from Canada to the waters of the Florida Keys, and the islands of the Bahamas. I especially enjoyed the story of a ghost ship, the City of Columbus.
Detailed background on Maritime Law and its evolution include specific judgments, appeals, and settlements between, Ship Owners, Insurance Companies, and the Wreckers.
An amazing collection of photographs dramatically reinforce Powers’ narrative. The scope of his selected bibliography gives evidence of the background reading and
specific research that has gone into the preparation of this book and which so deftly qualify Powers to compile this chronicle.
Powers’ writing is imaginative, informative, and motivational. He is a gifted story teller. His descriptions are strong and powerful.
He paints word pictures of wave explosions, ferocious storm conditions, and the devastating loss of lives. I could almost feel the tension of the octopus
gripping my leg, squeezing my arm, and throttling my throat in an underwater wrestling match.
Taking the Sea by Dennis M. Powers will be enjoyed by anyone understanding the call of the deep, lured by maritime adventure,
and tales of an almost forgotten era in history when Spanish galleons, steam schooners, and tall-masted sailing ships gave fortitude to commerce and industry.
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How to Make Colleges Want You
Insider Secrets for tipping the Admission odds in your Favor
Author: Mike Moyer
ISBN: 978-14022-1367-0
Pages: 152
$12.95 Soft Cover
Published by Sourcebooks, Inc. (2008)
Non-Fiction Whether you are a freshman or a senior in high school, this book is an eye-opener for you! Mike Moyer tells you the way to dramatically increase your chances of getting into the college of your choice. In How to Make Colleges Want You, he provides fresh approaches to getting your college application out of the maybe or no stacks, to the yes we want you stack. The book also contains references to Mike’s Web site:
http://www.collegepeas.com where additional information and additions to the chapters are contained.
Mike tells you what he did to get accepted to the college of his choice by describing his unusual activity of raising homing pigeons while in high school. He took a homing pigeon to his first interview with the admissions counselor and sent a message to himself from the counselor! This NTA (non-teenage activity) got him recognized as special.
Getting into a competitive college requires a lot more than grades or regular school activities; it is a question of planning. Moyer makes suggestions to accomplish the goal of getting into a prestigious college with his inside secrets. A few are, attending a community college for a year or two to obtain better grades, transfer in to fill one of the vacancies left by someone who has moved on, and start in mid-year instead of competing with the freshman entry class.
Consider there are 43,000 high schools and an equal number of valedictorians who apply to highly competitive colleges. Their applications are your competition for admission to these colleges and even with good grades, you still are not in their strata. The techniques in this book are designed to raise your chances for admission by 10 to 20 per cent. When you apply Mike’s ideas during your high school years, the odds are even better.
Mike Moyer is unique, as he not only provides this fairly
inexpensive blue print for success, he lectures at high schools
giving students a great heads-up on obtaining admission to choice
schools. He has a highly informative lecture on CD which is
available at his Web site:
http://www.collegepeas.com. As a bonus, Mike offers a 25% discount to readers of this column who want to learn more. Enter the code “CLARK” for the discount.
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Twenty-two Tips on What to Wear For a TV Interview |
by Scott Lorenz, President of Westwind Communications
Recently one of my author clients was featured on FOX News Boston. Before he was interviewed on camera he
was nervous but was able to recall the media training that we put him through a few weeks earlier. That, along with
a pep talk, and he was good to go.
What about YOU? Are you ready to be interviewed by local or national TV? If you’ve not had media training, believe me it’s too late
once you get the call. You may have to get in a car or on a plane within an hour’s notice. It’s too late to get the training then. That’s
why you need to be prepared before you get the call.
My experience as a publicist has convinced me that one of the greatest concerns about being interviewed on television is what to wear. For radio or
newspaper interviews, fashion doesn’t matter but how you appear is critical for TV. When my clients agree to media coaching, my first choice for
them to work with is TJ Walker, CEO of Media Training Worldwide www.mediatrainingworldwide.com/
TJ Walker is one of the leading authorities on media training in the world. With more than 20 years of media training experience, Walker has trained
thousands of CEOs, authors, and experts, including leading government officials in the United States, European Prime Ministers, and African diplomats.
Here’s a quick list of “What to Wear and Not Wear!” that TJ Walker and other media coaches have developed that I share with you now
so you can look terrific for your TV interview.
1. Don’t wear white, black or red. White glows and becomes the most noticeable thing on the TV screen. Black is too harsh and can suck up all
the light. Reds “bleed” on camera and are distracting.
2. Pastel shirts work well on TV.
3. The safest color on TV is blue.
4. Don’t wear dangly earrings. They distract.
5. Remove jewelry that moves, makes noise, or could hit your microphone.
6. Be wrinkle-free.
7. Don’t wear stripes, herringbone, small intricate designs, or flashy jewelry. They are hard for a TV camera to pick up on.
8. Don’t wear checks.
9. Dress in a simple, boring manner, unless you are a fashion designer.
10. TV viewers should focus on your face and what you say, not your clothes.
11. Men should have about an inch of their shirt cuff showing.
12. Avoid light colored pants.
13. Wear over-the-calf socks so your skin doesn’t show if you cross your legs.
14. Don't wear more than one ring per hand.
15. Women shouldn't wear short skirts if you want people to focus on your message.
16. If you wear a dark shirt, dark suit, and dark tie, you will look like you are auditioning to be a hit man on the “Sopranos.”
17. Vests look stuffy on TV.
18. Don’t wear stripes. They dance around on the screen and are distracting.
19. Avoid hair products that add shine.
20. No visible logos or companies or brands, except for your own company logo.
21. People shouldn’t judge you by your appearance, but they will.
22. If you do or wear anything distracting on TV, people will remember that and nothing you say.
Clothes are the major factor in controlling how you appear to viewers. While appearance is critical for success on television you also must be concerned about the words that come out of your mouth, the knowledge you display, and the self-confidence you demonstrate. Media coaches like TJ Walker and marketing experts like myself will make sure you are fully prepared for your big day!
The bottom line: RELAX, you’ll do fine. The butterflies you’re feeling are what will drive you to do your best! Remember, it’s not like they are going to ask you the square root of 656! They’re asking you about your book, your company, your story which you obviously know. Just follow these helpful tips and you’ll look as good as you sound.
Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with individuals and entrepreneurs to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz has handled public relations and marketing for numerous authors, doctors, lawyers, inventors and entrepreneurs. As a book marketing expert Lorenz is called upon by top execs and bestselling authors to promote their books. Learn more about Westwind Communications’ book marketing approach at
www.westwindcos.com/book or contact Lorenz at
scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 734-667-2090.
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Scars
There’s a little red spot on my left breast.
Where the biopsy needle went in.
There’s a long purple smile beside it,
Where the surgeon pulled back the skin.
And she scraped all the bad ole stuff right out.
I put my pants back on, and I went home with my doubts.
Did I take one hormone too many?
Should I have drunk more red wine?
Did I smoke too many cigarettes?
Which of these risks was mine?
I was number eight out of ten,
On the clinic dry erase board that day.
We all put our pants back on.
We all went home to wait.
And we all have scars no one else can see.
From pain we don’t want to remember.
They make us move in different ways,
Leave places that are tender.
My Ex signed by all the Xs on the paper.
His lawyer shoved the pen at me.
A judge can sign off on all this stuff.
But I know I’ll never be free.
Somewhere we lost the real-deal love.
I went home, all by myself, and asked the stars above.
Should I have given him a baby?
Would he have stayed home a little more?
Why did he have to correct my grammar?
Why did I scream when he walked out the door?
We were the third divorce case,
In his lawyer’s office that day.
We all put our coats back on.
And went our separate ways.
And we all have scars no one else can see.
From pain we don’t want to remember.
They make us move in different ways,
Leave places that are tender.
~ Jan Bossing © Joelton, TN 2007
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Working the Room
Champagne glasses clink together,
Laughter fills the evening air,
Music set its subtle mood as
Fashion flashes everywhere.
In the middle of it all
You begin to weave your loom,
And I can only stand in awe
To watch you work the room.
There’s a sparkle in your eye
Meant for all the world to know,
Captured from a midnight sky,
Projected in its afterglow.
Lifting up your audience
Far beyond the waning moon,
Magic follows everywhere as you’re
Working the room.
Others try to steal your spotlight,
But they can’t compete.
They just fade into the background,
Left to worship at your feet.
You are every roving star
Filling up the nighttime sky,
Flaunting wings of fantasy;
Never mind the reason why.
Finding favor everywhere to
Chase away the gloom.
There’s a celebration as you’re
Working the room.
~ Dennis S Martin
http://www.iwritesome.com
http://iwritesome.blogspot.com/
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Music Man
You Are Like the Light
You walked along the wrong path
For a very long time,
You stopped when you knew
You had crossed the line.
It took something very wrong
To make something very right,
Before you were in darkness
And now you're in the light.
You learned bad experiences
You almost lived in hell,
You learned possibilities
You were saved by the bell.
The "virus" I call the bell
Because it opened up your soul,
Before the world was over you
But now you're in control.
This time God really barked
He barked, but didn't bite,
It just scared you enough
To make you want to fight.
In your old path of life
You refused your way out,
But now you finally realized
What life is really about.
When you discovered your disease
You thought you were said and done,
Not realizing at all
Your life had just begun.
Now you're on the road
Now you must keep on living,
Testify your experiences
And heal by giving.
Enjoy your living life
Let go of all your fears,
Remember all the laughter
And forget about the tears.
Life can be very long
It can also be short,
Just have proof of innocence
When you reach heavens court.
Oh sister, you're in my heart
And this poem I had to write,
Before you were in darkness
But now you're in the light
I love you! I can't wait to see you again!
I miss you! But until then......
Written By Iris Erielle Foss for sister Maria before she died of AIDS
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A Self
A Self
Is Found
In Each Belief
In Each Moment
In Each Experience
A Self
Is Energy
Completely Aglow
Fueled By The Match
Of Consciousness
Burning At Different Intensities
The Flame
Of Each Self
Becomes A Candle
Within The Framework
Of Spontaneous Selves
The Self
Is A Reflection
Of Becoming
In The Awareness
Of The Wick
The Wax
The Candle
And The Light
From the 2008 Collection of Spirit Songs by Hal Manogue poet and author of Short Sleeves Insights and
Short Sleeves A Book For Friends
http://halmanogue.blogspot.com/
Nostalgic
If you saw me, desire me
Like the moon desires the sun's sighs,
Like the clouds desire the touch of the rain.
Beautiful as the sunset,
Beautiful as the night sky,
You are far away...
I can't have the luxury of having you
Because I cannot have the luxury of having a soul,
That misses you,
That wants you,
That tells me just how empty is my existence without you.
How little poetic we become,
When we turn all mushy and nostalgic!
Yuvia Chairez was born, raised, and currently livesin the border town of Juarez, Mexico.
Writer, veterinarian, and teacher, she has been published in several cultural magazines in Mexico
(Fronteras, Armario, Tierra Adentro), as well as several poetry anthology books from various authors
(Ciudad de Cierto, Rio, Voces de la Frontera, Memorias del Encuentro de Poetras -- all from
Doble
Helice Editorial). Yuvia has won the David Alfaro Siqueiros Award given by the Chihuahua Culture
Institute with her short story book, De la Luna y Otros Vicios (From the
Moon and Other Vices). She currently works as an ESL Teacher at the North
Regional University.
www.deviantart.com
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Disclaimer |
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The views expressed by the contributors are not
necessarily the views held by Yvonne Perry or Writers in the
Sky. While we try to inspect the validity of each entry, we may
occasionally miss something, and therefore, cannot guarantee the
accuracy of any announcements or opportunities.
Yvonne Perry and Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services
will not be held liable for any direct or indirect losses or
damages originating from the use of any information listed on
our Web site, blog, podcast, or newsletter. By using these tools
you agree to indemnify and hold all owners and representative
parties of Yvonne Perry/Writers in the Sky Creative Writing
Services harmless from any claim or demand or emanating from
your use of Writers in the Sky material. Use of our Web site,
blog, podcast and newsletters is an indication of your complete
understanding and acceptance of these Terms of Service.
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© 2008 Yvonne Perry
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