Tara Lynn Masih's Blog, page 9

Read an Ebook Week, and Winner of Dog Star

Because there is a week for everything, we now have Read an Ebook Week, and it's this week, folks! Untreed Reads is having some specials, so check out the site. And I'm also pleased to announce that Goodreads member Bill N. won a free ecopy of my story collection, with his thoughtful entry, which can be viewed here: http://www.untreedreads.com/?p=2536

Thanks to all who entered, and those who opted out of entering and bought the book straight out! I really appreciate it.

The "Acks": A Writer's Academy Award Speech

Have you ever dreamed about writing your own book acknowledgments? Wondered what some established writers have thought while writing theirs? Here's a peek into the world of some of writing's most creative minds. (I loved writing this piece.) Also note that it's published by a great new writing blog, Grub Street Daily. Consider signing up for daily blogs and prompts.

http://grubdaily.org/?p=249&utm_s...

Snowbound Ebook Giveaway from Untreed Reads!

I'm happy to be entering into the world of ebooks for the first time! And for the debut of the ebook version of Where the Dog Star Never Glows, the publisher is giving away one copy in the eformat of your choice. Simply write to me (before March 1) at my website and tell me, in 200 words or less, why you read the types of stories you do, what might attract you to this book, or what kinds of ebooks you like to read. The winner's comment will be posted on Untreed Reads' website and on Twitter and Facebook. And note this book is available at an anniversary discount from Untreed Reads at $4.49 till March 1.

For more information on the book, see the Goodreads reviews under the print version, or go to:

http://store.untreedreads.com/index.p...

And a special thanks to Goodreads author Vincent Zandri for all his help! Vincent is an expert on this topic and walked me through much of it. His blog inspired me to do this in the first place: http://www.vincentzandri.com/

The Short Review is giving away a copy of Dog Star

The fabulous Short Review is giving away one copy of my story collection. Go to this link to see the rules, ends Feb. 1. Good luck! And check out all the reviews and interviews while you're there, and the other book giveaway.

http://www.theshortreview.com/competi...

The Importance of a Cover to a Book and to our Relationships

There are many discussions going on now about the print book vs. the ebook. Will one take over the other? Is one bringing more readers to the page? Are more men reading now? etc. But I loved this discussion by Amy Preiser in her blog post. While she just bought the Nook, she defends her print books and her bookshelves.

One point she brings up is the visceral quality that the book itself holds, and how it can trigger conversations and even reletionships: How many of us have wandered around the home or apartment of a new lover to check out the books' spines and covers, hoping to see something in common? Have you ever been reading a book, cover out, on a train or plane and had someone ask you about it? Do any of your inscribed books bring back special memories? All this she says disappears in the slim screen housing thousands of books we will never see.

But this post gives me hope that the two will live together in cyber and print harmony.

Here's the link to the full post: http://www.shelterpop.com/2011/01/03/...

And note my collection Where the Dog Star Never Glows is coming out in ebook version (yes, I am taking the eplunge) around Jan. 20 from Untreed Reads.

Last Minute Gift Ideas on Women and Books Includes Dog Star

And Dog Star makes another list. Thanks to Glenda at Women and Books for calling out my collection as "a gem I wouldn't be without." See her other wonderful recommendations, which include Howl. And Happy Holidays to all my friends at Goodreads. It's been a great year, much because of you all. I LOVE Goodreads!

Dog Star is on the list for 2010 Book Recommendations by Michelle Hoover

Thanks to Goodreads Author Michelle Hoover (author of The Quickening) for listing my collection on her favorite fiction books of 2010. It's a great list, and worth checking out the other 28.

http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...

Books for Soldiers for the Holidays

My publisher wanted me to promote the following gift idea this holiday season: Buy a copy of my book, Where the Dog Star Never Glows, from Press 53, and they will send another copy, free of charge, to an active-duty soldier. They have done this before and the soldiers have written wonderful thank you notes. They find soldiers who request books through AnySoldier.com.

So, visit Press53.com if interested, before Dec. 12. My book has two stories dealing with World War II, so it's appropriate. And they also have a collection of military stories that many people purchase for this program.

Happy Holidays!

A Mark Twain Turkey Sketch for Thanksgiving

For all you Mark Twain fans, here's a delightful 3-p. sketch about hunting a turkey, just in time for Thanksgiving. Have a good holiday, everyone!

http://storyoftheweek.loa.org/2010/11...

Why Publishing Is About Not Giving Up

I just wanted to share this inspirational publishing story. I was unable to contact the author for permission to use her name, so I have to be generic here, but it is a true story, and one a few of you might recognize from a popular email newsletter.

Well, this writer wrote a YA novel and decided to send it out to 50 publishers, which I think is about the right number for a beginner. After 46 rejections, 4 no hears, she decided to give up. Shortly after that, and two years after she started the submissions, she got a call from one of the no-hear editors who had had the ms on her desk for two years unread, asking if it was still available. The book is coming out in 2011.

So, understand how many places you may have to submit to, and don't give up after 50. Keep writing and working on your craft, and know that many of us published writers have had to work through many years of rejection.