Natalie's recent posts

Recent public posts (showing 1-8 of 8).

Interesting little book. A bit quirky, but interesting. A quick peek into this unusual person's wellspring, his own creative process. Personally, I've enjoyed David Lynch most in his public appearances with Donovan. His is animated, enthusiastic and exhibits a brand of creativity in a "live" setting that transcends the book and even goes beyond what he's accomplished in film---I came away completely inspired. I am especially impressed by his leadership role in providing scholarships to full-time students so that they may learn the Transcendental Meditation Program. These kids are getting an important key to unfolding their own mental, physical, social and creative potential while still in school. They are sure to be a new wave of dynamism emerging to make this world a better place!

And the winner is...

Fresh Kills by Bill Loehfelm is the winner of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award.

Amazon says: Praised by Elizabeth Gilbert as "a story of real psychological complexity" and hailed by Publishers' Weekly as "the next Dennis Lehane," this debut mystery unfolds against the gritty backdrop of Staten Island as an estranged son struggles to find his father's killer and make peace with a terrible past.

Congratulations, Bill!

This is valuable information. I believe many people do not recognize that they are in a relationship with someone who has Asperger Syndrome. If I had had access to this information earlier in my life, I could have been a more compassionate person. As it was, I judged someone harshly for something he himself did not understand.

Stella,

Thank you for the invitation to join this group. I'm still used to this site, but can see the richness and diversity offered here. I'll jump in as soon as I can get a feel for it.

Best regards,
~Natalie

Hi Margaret...
I just got a "thank you" from Amazon for participating, and an offer to give me a really good deal on self-publishing my manuscript with BookSurge, their in-house publishing service. Mmmm.

I think I'll pass on that.

Good luck with your novels. You and I both know there is a strong market for romance out there. We'll just keep writing and polishing and sending queries until the job gets done.

Best in the whole wide world to you,
~Natalie

Here is the list of Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Finalists! Contest administrators narrowed a pool of more than 800 manuscripts to these top ten:

The Hellraiser of the Hollywood Hills by Jennifer Colt; Casting Off by Nicole R. Dickson; Bad Things Happen by Harry Dolan; The Wet Nurse's Tale by Erica Eisdorfer; The Butterflies of Grand Canyon by Margaret Erhart; Ring of Lies by Karen Laugel; Fresh Kills by Bill Loehfelm; Motherless Children by Randall Luce; The Prospect of My Arrival by Dwight Okita; Wrecking Civilization Before Lunch by John Ring

For more information navigate to: http://www.amazon.com/b?node=3...

I hope everyone reads and enjoys these entries. Each one is well-deserving of high praise.

~Natalie Neal

Russell...
Looks like Amazon closed the contest two days early. It will be interesting to hear why the contest administrators chose not to accept reviews after late Friday evening. Best wishes for success to all our semi-finalists. ~Natalie

Thanks for starting this group, Russell...

I have just reviewed Russell's book and found it to be excellent. I will be doing my best to review as many other entrants as possible. And I invite anyone who enjoys contemporary westerns to review my novel, Best in the Whole Wide World. I certainly would appreciate your insightful feedback. Please navigate directly to: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00126595W or go to http://www.NatalieNeal.com for a little background information about the book.

Hope to see you in the finals! ~Natalie Neal