Sunday, July 9, 2017

ALMOST IN SESSION


I'm loading the rolling suitcase with class materials today since my writing workshop for junior high kids begins tomorrow. I LOVE teaching this class. Every single kid wants to be there. They're huge readers. They love writing challenges. And once they get over the reluctance to read their work in front of strangers (which only takes an hour or two), they can't wait to share every time I call for volunteers. Their writing is amazing! Did I mention how much I love teaching this class? 

In other news, my middle-grade novels are on sale until 7/31 for Kindle only. Check them out at the links below. 


Also, there's a huge giveaway going on now, sponsored by Bookhounds, with a $250 PayPal cash or $250 Amazon Gift Card prize, for one lucky winner. I posted about it last week, so if you haven't entered yet, here's the link. 

Happy Reading!

                                                                                                    Dawn

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Thursday, July 6, 2017


Lazy Days of Summer $250 Giveaway July 6th to 26th

 Thanks to this fabulous group on bloggers and authors for joining me 
to bring you this awesome giveaway. 
Enter for your chance to win 
$250 in Paypal Cash or a $250 Amazon Gift Card.

   Sponsor List

Giveaway Details

$250 in Paypal Cash or a $250 Amazon.com eGift Card Ends 7/26/17 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the authors, bloggers and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Saturday, July 1, 2017

Reading, Writing and Prizes

I'm part of the Kindle Book Review's July Author Meet and Greet this month, and one of the sponsors for a fun prize pack for readers. The 'Ultimate Reader Basket includes a 7-Inch Kindle Fire, a $25 Amazon eCard, and a bottle of wine. Go to Kindle Book Review's page where you can enter for your chance to win. Good luck!

In other news, I had the pleasure of taking part in a panel discussion on getting starting in writing and publishing last Saturday. Four authors and an illustrators met with an information-hungry crowd at the Books to Benefit location in Normal, IL, and signed books after the event. The author panel was pretty diverse, representing the horror, children's, spiritual self-help, and mystery genres. A special thanks to Books to Benefit, which with the proceeds of their used book sales, donate to theYouth Build and Star Literacy programs.

Since I'm in between writing projects (actually, not true—just working on two short stories at the moment instead of a longer work), I'm kicking up my reading game. I just finished Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance, and am almost finished with Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman for a library group discussion. I'm also working on The Emotional Craft of Fiction by Donald Maas. Next up: The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen (one of my favorite authors!).

What are you reading?
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Friday, June 9, 2017

FINISHED

I love that word, especially when it's related to the manuscript that's dogged me for the last two years.  The drafting, revising, workshopping, and critiquing has all come together and allowed me to feel confident enough to type 'The End' on the last page and mean it!

Here's a little hint at what the
next book involves. Yum!
In other bookish/writing news, I'm over at Lia London's blog today for a fun interview and a never-seen-before photo of high school me interviewing Chicago Cub Ryne Sandberg back in the day. It was taken during a 'Meet the Press' day for high school newspapers. Good times!

Also, I'm reading the Newbery Honor book, One Came Home, by Amy Timberlake, and loving it.  It's full of mystery, humor, and a fascinating account of the passenger pigeon population during the late 1800s. Next up is Donald Maas's The Emotional Craft of Fiction.

What are you reading?






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Saturday, April 1, 2017

The Importance of Atmosphere to Writers



   The effort a writer makes to get into a creative state has always fascinated me. Whether it means first reading from a page of a mentor text or lighting a candle, creating a character collage or placing that plastic replica of Godzilla next to the laptop to get into The Zone, a common mantra seems to be 'whatever works!'
     For me, walking into the familiar atmosphere of my study always flips the 'write' switch. My bookshelves are like old friends cheering me on. There's my son's paper mache bowl made in third grade, filled with M & M's, that keeps my chocolate cravings at bay. And my pink sunglasses, a gift from author Eileen Spinelli during a Highlight's Foundation workshop, reminds me to see the world through my main character's eyes.



    


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  Spring Into Cash $250 Giveaway

Spring is here!! 
To celebrate, an awesome group of bloggers, authors and publishers 
has joined with me to bring you one fabulous prize!! Enter for a chance to win $250 in Paypal Cash or a $250 Amazon.com gift code!!

Thanks to these sponsors for helping make this giveaway possible.

 Sponsor List

Giveaway Details

$250 in Paypal Cash or a $250 Amazon.com eGift Card Ends 4/15/17 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the authors, bloggers and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


GOOD LUCK!
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Thursday, December 15, 2016

Cover Reveal: Shackled by Angela Carling



     I'm pleased to host author Angela Carling today and help her reveal the new cover on her already-released novel, Shackled. Angela writes, "Shackled has an amazing story, one that pushed me to write this important and suspenseful story. Today I'm excited to share the new cover and make a big announcement! Shackled, originally written as stand-alone story will stand-alone no longer!  I've already begun work on part two of this truly emotional story inspired by my sister's own real-life struggle."
     The new book, titled RELEASED, continues the story of SHACKLED. Angela says that for those who have ever wondered what happened to Ryan, Released will change everything!
     SHACKLED is currently on sale for KINDLE through Dec. 19th


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