Ekta R. Garg's Blog, page 30

Happy 2023, Write Edge readers!

Happy new year, Write Edge readers! I’m so excited about 2023! I have some new features to announce for The Write Edge Writing Workshop, and I’m a little more than a month away from the release of my original fairy tale, In the Heart of the Linden Wood. This book will appeal to those of you who loved The Chronicles of Narnia and The Secret Garden when you were younger. It’s about a grieving king who must save his kingdom from a threat by going on a quest. Along the way, he’ll have to rescue hostages and mend another broken heart by putting it back together piece by piece, all while trying to figure out whether he’s worthy of his crown. For more information on pre-ordering a signed copy from me, go to my author website now!

Now, on to the new features on The Write Edge Writing Workshop! I started this arm of the blog about 10 years ago as a way to challenge myself to get better in the craft, and every year I try to up the challenge. In 2023, I’ll share a new haiku with you on the first Monday of the month on The Workshop. The second Monday will bring you my efforts at writing stories in second person. On the third Monday, I’ll write stories about things in threes. On the last Monday of the month, I’ll continue to support other writers with my monthly writers’ showcase. If there’s an extra Monday (as there is in January,) I’ll share an extra haiku with you on that fourth Monday and do the showcase on the fifth Monday.

To that end, check out my first haiku of 2023 by going now to The Write Edge Writing Workshop!

This past weekend, I previewed on Instagram the book I’m reviewing for this week. Find out on Wednesday what I thought of Blaze Me A Sun by Christoffer Carlsson. You can check it out on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

Finally, on Friday, it’s back to Instagram posts from my writing and non-writing lives. Find previous posts on Insta with my handle, @EktaRGarg, or on my Facebook author page!

One change to note. Even though it was a really hard decision, I’ve decided to retire my parenting blog called Growth Chart. While I absolutely enjoyed sharing my parenting adventures for you, I thought long and hard over the Christmas break about what’s best for the blog and my writing, editing, and publishing goals going forward. Growth Chart was a way for me to share with family, friends, and other parents my joys and frustrations in parenting. While it definitely gave me some practice in writing, it was always more of a fun project rather than a serious venture. As I looked for ways to streamline The Write Edge and its extensions, I knew I had to stop posting on Growth Chart. I don’t know if I’ll keep the blog itself up; I’m still mulling that decision. But I’ll no longer post to it.

Those of you who read and enjoyed it, I hope you can understand and also that you’ll find other content here to enjoy and share.

Have a wonderful week, readers! I’ll be back on Wednesday with my new book review.

Here’s to magic and hope for the new year!

E.R.G.

Last Instagram posts and Biblio Breakdown for the year!

Happy new year’s eve, readers! On the cusp of this new year, I’m sharing my last Instagram posts of 2022. They include a special deal and what I’m reading for next week’s review (the first of 2023!) Check them out now on Instagram with my handle, @EktaRGarg!

I also have a new episode of Biblio Breakdown to share with you! Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen is brilliant for its simplicity in storytelling. Find out how writers can implement what she did so well by listening to this latest episode. Go to my author website now and check out this and other episodes of Biblio Breakdown!

On my author website, you’ll also find that holiday deal I mentioned above. My newest book, In the Heart of the Linden Wood, releases on February 7, 2023. If you pre-order it from me by midnight tonight, I’ll send you a copy before the release date! Get all the information and order your copy now on my author website!

I end this year with a deep well of gratitude for all of you and your support and kindness, Write Edge readers. Here’s wishing you and yours a safe, healthy new year. May 2023 bring you lots of laughter and time with loved ones. See you back here on Monday, readers!

E.R.G.

What books did I binge this year?

Hello, Write Edge readers! It’s the last Wednesday of 2022, which means it’s time to look back at the books I binged this year. Find out now what books I gave the coveted 5-star rating. Check out the list on The Write Edge Bookshelf now!

Also, I’ve extended my holiday special on my own 2023 release! In the Heart of the Linden Wood comes out on Feb. 7, 2023, but pre-order the book from my author website by midnight on New Year’s Eve and I’ll send you a copy before the release date. Go to my author website now for details!

Take care of each other and yourselves, readers, and perform an act of kindness for a stranger this week!

E.R.G.

Last writers showcase of the year!

Hello, Write Edge readers! For those of you who celebrate Christmas, I hope you had a wonderful weekend with your loved ones. For everyone celebrating other holidays, I wish you the best and the brightest of the season with your nearest and dearest!

This is the last Monday of the month — and the year! — and it’s our last writers showcase of 2022. Hop on over to my workshop blog to see the stories that caught my eye in this last month. Find those now on The Write Edge Writing Workshop!

This week will also bring us the last Wednesday of the year, and like the last couple of years I’ll share with you my list of the binge-worthy books of 2022. These are the books that earned 5 stars from me this year. Like other reviewers, I’m a little stingy with those 5-star ratings. Find out which ones captured my heart this Wednesday on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

Finally, on Friday, I’ll share new Instagram posts. Check out what I’m reading and what else I’m doing for the start of 2023 on Friday on Instagram. See previous posts on the platform using my handle, @EktaRGarg, or on my Facebook author page.

Also, I’m happy to announce that I’m extending my Christmas special to the rest of the 2023 for my newest book, In the Heart of the Linden Wood. Pre-order the book from my author website now, and I’ll send it to you before the official release date of February 7, 2023. Go to my site now to get your copy of the book!

Stay safe, well, and warm, readers!

E.R.G.

Merry Christmas Eve-Eve!

Hello, Write Edge readers! For those of you who celebrate, Merry Christmas Eve-Eve! I’ve posted my latest pictures for you on Instagram. They include a Christmas special I’m running on my newest book, In the Heart of the Linden Wood. Anyone can take advantage of this offer (even if you’re not into decorated trees and a last-minute dash for presents.) The book is available for pre-order now from the usual outlets, but if you order directly from my author website by the end of Christmas Day (which is Sunday,) I’ll send you a copy earlier than the release date of Feb. 7, 2023! Go now to my author website get more details!

Also, check out my other Instagram posts with my handle, @EktaRGarg, or on my Facebook author page.

Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday, readers! Take care of each other and yourselves, and stay warm!

E.R.G.

A teaser of my new book!

Good morning, Write Edge readers! I’m excited to share with you a little teaser of my new book, In the Heart of the Linden Wood. But first, take another look at its gorgeous cover, courtesy of cover designer and superhero Kevin Stone from Atmosphere Press:

I’m offering a special deal for the holidays: Pre-order the book from my author website by the end of Christmas Day, and I’ll send you a copy of the book before the release date! Get more details here.

Once you’ve checked that out, go to The Write Edge Bookshelf for the teaser and be sure to let me know what you think.

Take care of each other and yourselves, readers, and perform an act of kindness for a stranger this week!

E.R.G.

“Happy holidays to you…!”

Hello, Write Edge readers, and happy holidays! We’re officially in the middle of the holiday season now, and here in Central Illinois there’s a bite in the air of winter weather reminding me that it’s December. We may even get a white Christmas for the first time in a few years!

In the meantime, I have all the content for you this week. First up is this week’s short story. I wrote a flash piece for you, and here’s the excerpt:

His horror was palpable. It was the kind of horror you display when you realize you gave the wrong gift to the wrong person. The other thing Lisa read in George’s face was the calculation that someone else had gotten the heavier scent she usually preferred.

Read the whole story now on The Write Edge Writing Workshop!

Speaking of excerpts, on Wednesday I’ll have a very special one for you…of my own upcoming release! Pre-orders are open now for In the Heart of the Linden Wood, and I have a bonus for you: if you pre-order the book from my website by the end of Christmas Day, I’ll send you the book earlier than the release date! For more information, go now to my author website.

On Friday it’s back to Instagram and fun posts from my writing/publishing world. Check out previous posts with my handle, @EktaRGarg, or on my Facebook author page.

Take care of each other and yourselves, readers, and perform an act of kindness for a stranger this week!

E.R.G.

A special holiday pre-order deal!

Hello, Write Edge readers! It’s one week before Christmas, and I’m sure you all are wrapping presents, drinking copious amounts of hot drinks (for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere,) and planning holidays. Whether you celebrate or not, it’s hard to deny that this year brings with it a different rhythm of mayhem and laughter.

I have a new holiday pre-order deal to tell you all about! In the Heart of the Linden Wood releases on February 7, 2023, BUT if you order the book from my author website by Christmas, I’ll get it to you a week before the release date! Check out all the details now on my website here.

This original fairy tale for grownups is about grieving King Christopher who has to fight to save his kingdom by going on a quest. Along the way, he’ll have to rescue hostages and mend another broken heart by putting it back together piece by piece, all while struggling with the question of whether he deserves his crown.

It’s a story close to my heart, and I’m so glad I get to share it with all of you. And if you pre-order by December 25, I’ll get to share it with you even sooner!

I’ve also posted other tidbits on Instagram for you all. Check them out with my handle, @EktaRGarg, or on my Facebook author page.

Take care of each other and yourselves, readers! Stay warm, and perform an act of kindness for a stranger this weekend!

E.R.G.

Pre-order links!

Hello, Write Edge readers! I hope you all have had a lovely weekend. My week has gotten off to an amazing start — pre-order links for In the Heart of the Linden Wood are available now! To find out more about this original fairy tale that I’ve written, go now to my author website to see the cover (isn’t it gorgeous??) and to see where you can buy the book for delivery when it’s released on February 7, 2023!

In the meantime, we have our regular content here on The Write Edge. First, this week’s short story. Here’s a quick excerpt of the flash fiction I wrote for this week:

She read the cards once or twice then folded them in half and reached into her desk drawer yet again. This time she pulled out a simple box made of sandalwood. No one in her family could remember how many generations back had first carved the box, but no one doubted its power.

Read the whole story now on The Write Edge Writing Workshop!

On Wednesday, I’ll be sharing my review of the upcoming release The Blue Bar by Damyanti Biswas. Come back in the middle of the week to The Write Edge Bookshelf to see what I thought of this crime thriller!

Finally, on Friday, we go back to Instagram and bits and pieces of my writing and non-writing lives. Find previous posts on Instagram with my handle, @EktaRGarg, or on my Facebook author page!

Take care of each other and yourselves, readers, and perform an act of kindness for someone this week!

E.R.G.

Instagram posts now up!

Hello, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest pictures on Instagram for you. Check out what I’m reading for next week as well as the cover of my upcoming book, In the Heart of the Linden Wood. Be sure to look at the quote from my first book, The Truth About Elves, and order your copy from my author website. My readers say it makes a great stocking stuffer!

Take care of each other and yourselves, readers, and perform an act of kindness for a stranger this week!

E.R.G.