Cora Zane's Blog, page 13

Savvy Author's Workshop - coming July 2014

Mark your calendars! I'm giving a workshop on Critical Reading for Writers in July of 2014. The registration page is already on the Savvy Author's website. 

About Critical Reading for Writers: Using Critical Reading Skills to Improve Writing...

Have you ever read a book and wondered how the author managed to weave in so much detailed information?  Writers are constantly told to read often in order to build writing skills. To quote Stephen King “If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”  Reading helps us learn to write, but reading for pleasure and reading to learn from the text are different skills. This class is geared toward teaching readers how to break down the information cues in written passages so you learn actual writing tips and tricks from your favorite books—an invaluable skill that you'll use throughout your writing career. Critical Reading for Writers teaches you to read with the purpose of learning how a book is put together by breaking down written passages to get a better look at how the elements of fiction work in tandem on the page to create a solid scene.

The workshop is $20 for members of SavvyAuthors/$30 for non-members. Bring a page or two of your own writing if you'd like to analyze what you've written in class. 

I hope to see you there! ♥

How to Date an Android - available now at Smashwords

I have a new futuristic romance short story available at Smashwords for .99 cents. 

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/357055

About How to Date an Android
In a world run by androids, Caitlyn Quincy is one of a few humans still living in the city. Most days she stays to herself, processing invoices in a small shop selling relics from the past. 

Milo Swain spots Caitlyn, and it's sparks at first sight. He's never experienced such a strong physical reaction to anyone. He'd love to get to know her better, but Caitlyn has no idea how to date an android. 

This is a fun, pulp-style short story that takes place roughly 200 years before Connection. 

If you do take a peek over at Smashwords, please take a moment to like my listing and share the link via your favorite social network. Smashwords provides lots of sharing options - Pinterest, Facebook, Tumblr, etc. This is an indie release through my own publishing label Grrl X Publishing, and I truly appreciate any help getting the word out.  

Shhh! Don't Tell Anyone... Erotic Fantasies about Sexy Occupations

The lineup for the upcoming Cleis Press anthology Shh! Don't Tell Anyone...Erotic Fantasies about Sexy Occupations has been announced at Trollop with a Laptop . Woot! Look at those sexy story titles. *fans self* My kinky mechanic story, Body Work, is included in the mix. I hope you'll check it out!

I'll post more about the book when I hear a release date and have the cover in hand. Until then, here's the list of incredibly sexy stories included in this anthology...

Introduction: The “Want” Ads
Construction Worker: Grimy by Sommer Marsden
Cowboy: Bonanzed by Kate Pearce
Professor: O for Effort by Delilah Night
Chauffeur: Driver’s Seat by Sophia Valenti
Meteorologist: Warm Front by Heidi Champa
Physician: Doctors Orders by Sasha White
Delivery Boy: Just A Little Tenderness by A.M. Hartnett
Pool Girl: California Dreamin’ by Andrea Dale
Book Binder: Rule of Thumb by Laila Blake
Baker: Kneading Lessons by Tilly Hunter
Personal Trainer: Work It Out by Elisa Sharone
Stage Manager:  SM Or How I Met My Girlfriend by Giselle Renarde
IT guy: Talk Nerdy to Me by Crystal Jordan
Porn Star: Current Photo, Please by Devin Phillips
Mechanic: Body Work by Cora Zane
Museum Curator: Under Her Auspices by Jeremy Edwards
Treat Vendor: Ice Cream Boy and Sprinkle Girl by Kathryn O'Halloran
Barber: Close Shave by Alison Tyler



Disclaimer: This book is flaming hot! For readers 18 and older only. 

Testing a New Blog Platform

I've been using Blogger since about 2006, but lately I've come across some issues with the interface. Some of the Google Friend Connect features that affect the overall look and function of the blog are in serious need of maintenance, and when I look through the complaint tickets, I see these are issues that have not been addressed for many years. I doubt they ever will be. I'm comfortable using Blogger, and while I have no intention of deleting my old blog, I feel the time has come to find another platform for any important, writerly based posts I may decide to compose.

I've tested a few blogging platforms. I prefer Tumblr, but it has a daily post limit, which has made it virtually impossible to transfer a blog the size of Stars Will Cry. WordPress has a storage limit, so that's not a good option for me, either. Weebly has a stress-free interface, and since it's also where my site is hosted, I've decide to create a blog here just to see what happens.
I've set my posts to appear as links in my Twitter feed, so if you're following me on Twitter, you'll be able to see when I've posted on the new blog. If all goes well, I'll begin adding my posts to my Facebook wall as well. 
Have any thoughts or tips regarding blog migration? I'd love to hear them. Please leave a comment if you're so inclined.