Mary Stanik's Blog, page 4

My first piece for Medium: Dividing America

As many of you already know, Medium is becoming quite the place to write opinions and more. I was honored to be invited to write for them (knowing they are asking thousands of people to do so) and posted my first piece yesterday. On the difficult mechanics of actually dividing America.

https://medium.com/i-m-h-o/f98793b6608c

Really nice review from the judge of the 21st Annual Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards

I entered "Life Erupted" in this contest. Some 2,800 books were in the competition, with one grand prize winner and nine first place winners, one for each of nine genre categories. While I did not win, I felt as if I had won, somewhat, after I read the great review the judge sent me today. Here is an excerpt. Thanks to the judge and to all of you who have bought the book and enjoyed it.

Judges Commentary*:

I really enjoyed reading Life Erupted. The main character, Jenn, is immediately likable and very vividly drawn; I was able to discern her character very quickly, and I enjoyed the interactions she has with the various other characters--especially her father, Bianca, Tony, and Erik. The other characters are drawn well and everyone seems to grow throughout the narrative.

One of the strongest parts of this book is the authorial tone. The descriptions of various people and settings, told through the lens of the POV character, are masterful and set the tone for the book. I never felt like this description was heavy handed. You also do a beautiful job, for the most part, of balancing exposition with action. While there are parts where you do "tell," the information you're conveying is important, and it's told through the lens of the POV character, so it still works and engaged me.

In terms of design and packaging, I found the illustrations to be cute and fitting for the tone of the book. The overall package is professional.

Overall, this is an excellent book. Thank you for the chance to read!


*Commentary may be quoted as: “Judge, Writer’s Digest 21st Annual Self-Published Book Awards”

Life Erupted on Leifur Eiriksson Day

Happy to have been asked to sell copies of
"Life Erupted" at the October 5 Icelandic American Association of Minnesota's Leifur Eiriksson celebration. Been told a splendid cod dinner will be had by all.

http://www.inlofna.org/IAAMN/Leif.html

Letter on Obamacare in the Los Angeles Times

Got a letter in the Los Angeles Times on September 28, regarding what I feel has been the government's poor communication of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). As a former University of Minnesota medical spokesperson (yes, just like Life Erupted's protagonist, Jenn Bergquist), I support the ACA and wish it had been conveyed to Americans in a much more concise and thorough way. And that such communication would have started much sooner.

http://www.latimes.com/opinion/letter...

Life Erupted is a Weekly Featured Great Read

For the week of September 18-24, on Digital Book Today. All featured books must be independently published, available on the Kindle format, and have earned at least 25 four star or better Amazon reviews. Happy to be included in this group.
http://digitalbooktoday.com/2013/09/1...

Wonderful trip to Ottawa

Many, many thanks to my good friend Carolyn Chisholm, who hosted a super meet the author party for me on August 22 at her home. Met terrific people, sold some books, spread the word, ate too many of Carolyn's daughters excellent blonde brownies with M&Ms and in general, had a fantastic time.

My response to the REAL Women of Canada

A conservative group in Canada, known as the REAL Women of Canada, recently criticized Canada's foreign minister (and a member of the Conservative Party of Canada) for his defense of gay rights. I propose an outlet for their energy in this response published Aug. 13 in the Toronto Star, http://www.thestar.com/opinion/letter...

More thanks

Wanted to thank everyone who has added "Life Erupted" to their Want to Read list. Can't tell you how great it is to get the Goodreads reports on my ad and to see people not only looking at the ad but adding the book.

I hope you all enjoy the book. Thanks again.

Weiner is a wiener but leave Huma alone

My op-ed for MinnPost on the latest sex scandal to seize the attention of the American people:

http://www.minnpost.com/community-voi...

Reviews

Every author lives for good reviews, though all of know lousy notices are quite likely. Those of us lucky enough to get mostly good ones are grateful for each and every kind word. I recently received a very bad review, my first. It came, as it were, from the wife of someone mentioned in the acknowledgements section of my book. I guess friends of friends are not always friends.

If you've read "Life Erupted" and liked it, I'd sure love it if you'd consider giving it a nice review here on Goodreads and/or on Amazon. Thanks in advance for the support. I would not be anywhere with this book without readers who love it almost as much as I do. Life Erupted