Ekta R. Garg's Blog, page 43

Instagram posts now up!

Good evening, Write Edge readers! It’s a blustery day here in Central Illinois. We’ve even seen some flurries today, although I don’t know just how much snow we’ll actually get.

Perfect weather to curl up with a good book, right? Well, check out what I’m reading for next week’s book review by going now to Instagram and looking for my #bookreviewpreview. Also, see what I found in the store today, and get a quick trip into the past that totally brings us back to the future. Find all this and more using my handle, @EktaRGarg.

Also, please do consider adding The Truth About Elves to your personal library. Readers are calling it a great stocking stuffer for the holidays, and it’s perfect for this time of year as the holidays start rolling in. Read reviews and find purchase links — including how to get an autographed copy directly from me! — by visiting my author website.

In the meantime…

Get the vaccine/your booster.

Wear a mask.

Wash your hands.

Show a stranger some kindness today.

Have a lovely weekend, readers, and stay warm!

E.R.G.

Thursday R.E.A.D.s posts now up!

Hello, Write Edge readers! Last night I participated in a lovely event presented by my publisher, Atmosphere Press, with two other Atmosphere authors. We each read from our books, talked about the writing process for our works, and answered questions. You can watch the replay on my author website and see pictures from my first-ever author event this past weekend. See all of that here!

Also, don’t forget that you can order your own copy of The Truth About Elves directly from me. Readers are calling it a great stocking stuffer, and it’s an easy way to give Christmas presents this year. I’ll inscribe your copies with whatever name you send, and the purchase price includes all taxes, fees, and shipping costs. Get more details now!

Now, on to today’s posts. As promised, I’ve put up the first two installments of this quarter’s Thursday R.E.A.D.s for you. This month I’m taking a deeper dive into What You Can See from Here by German author Mariana Leky. Check out my thoughts on the book as a Reviewer and an Editor now on The Write Edge Bookshelf.

In the meantime…

Get the vaccine/booster.

Wear a mask.

Wash your hands.

Show a stranger some kindness today.

Have a fantastic day, readers!

E.R.G.

New book review now up!

Hello, Write Edge readers! First, a quick reminder that tonight I’m doing a free virtual event, presented by Atmosphere Press, with two other amazing Atmosphere authors. We’ll be reading from our work and answering all writing-related questions. I’d love for you to come! There’s no cost, but you do have to register ahead of time. You can do that here.

Also, if you haven’t gotten your copy of The Truth About Elves yet, there are plenty of places to do that — including directly from me! I’ll sign the book and send it to you; all you have to do is let me know you want it. Go to the home page of my author website for more details.

Now, for today’s book review! I’m sharing my thoughts on The Stowaway by James S. Murray and Darren Wearmouth. Here’s the opening to my post:

A former juror in a murder trial finds herself stalked by the murderer after he’s set free. She realizes his motives are personal and races the clock to save others, including those closest to her. Co-writers James S. Murray and Darren Wearmouth kick off a new series with surface-level thrills that don’t get full explanations in their newest book The Stowaway.

Read the whole review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

In the meantime…

Get the vaccine.

Wear a mask.

Wash your hands.

Show a stranger some kindness today.

Have a lovely day, readers!

E.R.G.

Writer events, book analyses, and more!

Happy Monday, Write Edge readers! I hope your week has gotten off to a good start. I had my first-ever author event this past Saturday and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. It’s such an honor and privilege sharing The Truth About Elves with our local community and all of you.

Speaking of events, this Wednesday I’m doing a virtual one with my publisher, Atmosphere Press. I’m joining two other Atmosphere authors for readings and a Q-and-A about the writing process. It’s Wednesday, November 10, at 8 p.m. Eastern time/5 p.m. Pacific. The event is free, but Atmosphere is asking anyone interested to register ahead of time. You can do that here.

Now, on to our weekly content! First, this week’s new short story is now up for you to read. Here’s an excerpt:

She used the bathroom at the station, holding her breath as the acrid odor assaulted her every time she went inside. She didn’t shower for those three days, and by the fourth morning her matted hair hung in limp strands around her face. She thought about busking like some subway residents did, but she didn’t want to risk it. At least, not at first.

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

On Wednesday I’ll share a new book review with you, although it’s not of the book that I previewed on Instagram in my #bookreviewpreview. Sadly, that novel was relegated to the DNF pile. (Don’t know what a DNF pile is? Find out here.) Instead, in the middle of the week I’ll share my thoughts on The Stowaway by thriller co-authors James S. Murray and Darren Wearmouth. Check out my thoughts on Wednesday on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

I couldn’t post the first installment of this quarter’s Thursday R.E.A.D.s last week because of Diwali, which means you get two installments later this week. Keep an eye out for that and my thoughts on What You Can See From Here by Mariana Leky as both a Reviewer and an Editor this Thursday.

Finally, back to Instagram on Friday with a brand new quote from The Truth About Elves and more fun tidbits from my writing and non-writing life. Want an autographed copy of Elves? Order it directly from my author website now!

In the meantime…

Get the vaccine.

Wear a mask.

Wash your hands.

Show a stranger some kindness today.

Have a fantastic week, readers!

E.R.G.

Instagram posts and (delayed) Growth Chart now up!

Happy Friday, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest Instagram posts for you. Check out the newest quote from The Truth About Elves, find out what I’m reading for next week, and more. Use my handle, @EktaRGarg, to follow me and see previous posts!

Speaking of the book, more and more retail outlets are carrying it. For the most popular ones, check out my author website. That’s where you can read reviews and even order your own autographed copy!

Also, I’ve posted the Growth Chart I meant to post last week. This week I share how my kids have parented me recently. Here’s a quick excerpt:

Apparently, the kids picked up on my crowded schedule. When I picked up Thirteen from school on the day I received the coordinator’s email, I mentioned it to her.

“They want me to come and teach,” I said.

“And you said no, right?”

Read the whole post now on Growth Chart!

I’m doing my very first author event tomorrow, and I can’t wait! If you’d like to join us virtually, here are the details:

The Literary is inviting you to our author event with Ekta Garg!

Time: Nov 3, 2021 06:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/94469142719?pwd=WFBJZ2Z6T3lkS3A1NVMyMDU5VXB5dz09

Meeting ID: 944 6914 2719
Passcode: 666427

In the meantime…

Get the vaccine.

Wear a mask.

Wash your hands.

Show a stranger some kindness today.

Have a lovely weekend, readers!

E.R.G.

Happy Diwali!

Happy Diwali, Write Edge readers! To those of you who celebrate the holiday, I wish you the best and brightest of the season.

Diwali is a holiday of lights and presents and good food. This year, because it’s also on a weekday, it also means a busy day around our home. I’d planned to post the first installment of this quarter’s Thursday R.E.A.D.s today, but what with preparing for today and other writing commitments the post isn’t quite ready yet. Be on the lookout for it next Thursday, however, when I share with my thoughts on What You Can See From Here by Mariana Leky as both a Reviewer and an Editor. Check it out next week, and if you want to catch up on previous Thursday R.E.A.D.s, you can do it now on The Write Edge Bookshef!

I do have some fun news, though. The Truth About Elves is now available on even more platforms, including indie bookstores and in the U.K.’s venerated Waterstones! Or, if you want an autographed copy, you can order directly from my author website and I’ll inscribe the book for you. Get the story that readers are calling a great stocking stuffer; find it now on my author website!

Also, my very first author event is this Saturday at 6 p.m., Central time. While the event is in person, you can attend it via Zoom from absolutely anywhere! Here’s the info for logging in:

The Literary is inviting you to our author event with Ekta Garg!

Time: Nov 3, 2021 06:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/94469142719?pwd=WFBJZ2Z6T3lkS3A1NVMyMDU5VXB5dz09

Meeting ID: 944 6914 2719
Passcode: 666427

In the meantime…

Get the vaccine.

Wear a mask.

Wash your hands.

Show a stranger some kindness.

Have a fantastic day, readers, and happy Diwali once again!

E.R.G.

New book review now up!

Hello, Write Edge readers! First, some exciting news: if you want to participate in my very first author event, now you can do it from anywhere in the world. The Literary, the newest bookstore in downtown Champaign, is hosting me this Saturday. Here’s the Zoom link and passcode for you to join in:

The Literary is inviting you to our author event with Ekta Garg!

Time: Nov 3, 2021 06:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/94469142719?pwd=WFBJZ2Z6T3lkS3A1NVMyMDU5VXB5dz09

Meeting ID: 944 6914 2719
Passcode: 666427

If you get the chance, please join me in this wonderful new venture! Also, support The Literary by ordering a copy of The Truth About Elves from them. They’re fantastic!

Want an autographed copy? You can get one from my author website. The price includes all shipping and PayPal fees, so head on over there and tell me who you’d like me to make the inscription out to. Readers are calling Elves a great stocking stuffer. Get your personalized copy now!

I’ve posted my latest book review for you this evening. I’m sharing my thoughts on Inkslingers 2021: Many Worlds, Many Stories by the West Valley Writers Workshop out of Avondale, Arizona. Check out my review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

In the meantime…

Get the vaccine.

Wear a mask.

Wash your hands.

Show a stranger some kindness.

Have a great night, readers!

E.R.G.

Happy November!

Hello, Write Edge readers! It’s November, and I’m not really sure how. This year is zipping past us!

A lot of good things coming your way this week. First, I finally managed to fix my tech issues and got to post my latest episode of Biblio Breakdown. For the month of October, I focused on Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr and how reading the book can teach us how to go big in our stories. Listen to the entire episode now on my author website!

Speaking of which, did you know that now you can order your own autographed copy of The Truth About Elves directly from my site? All you need is a credit card or a PayPal balance, and you can get as many copies as you’d like. I’ll even personalize them for you if you tell me what name to use! Find out why reviewers are calling this a great stocking stuffer — get your copy of my debut novella today!

In more Elves news, my amazing publisher, Atmosphere Press, is holding a virtual event for me and two other Atmosphere authors on November 10. Check out the cool graphic below:

Listen as Laurel, Pasquale, and I read from our books and answer your questions! If you’d like to attend this free event, click here to register and get your Zoom sign-in link.

Now, on to our regular content. :>

First, I’ve posted this week’s short fiction. It’s a micro piece, so I won’t share an excerpt, but you can check it out now on The Write Edge Writing Workshop.

On Wednesday, I’ll share a brand new book review with you. The Inkslingers out of Avondale, Arizona, are releasing their fifth anthology soon. I had the immense privilege of working with these writers on their first three anthologies and am thrilled to see what they have in store for this one. Come back in the middle of the week to The Write Edge Bookshelf to find out what I thought of this newest Inkslingers volume!

It’s the last quarter of the year, which means a new Thursday R.E.A.D.s. Go deeper with me on the summer release What You Can See From Here by Mariana Leky. Find the first installment, my thoughts on the book as a Reviewer, later this week!

Finally, Instagram and my (delayed) Growth Chart on Friday. Get the latest quote from Elves as well as other bits and pieces from my writing/editing life, and this week I’ll definitely have that new set of parenting adventures and how my kids were parenting me for a change! All of that at the end of the week.

In the meantime…

Get the vaccine.

Wear a mask.

Wash your hands.

Show a stranger some kindness today.

Have a wonderful week, readers!

E.R.G.

Autographed copies now available, Instagram posts now up, and more this weekend!

Good evening, Write Edge readers! Great news — if you live in the U.S., now you can order autographed copies of The Truth About Elves directly from my author website! All you have to do is go to the home page, choose however many copies you want, and use either your PayPal balance or a credit card to get your copy of my debut novella and a personal note from me. Check it out now!

My Instagram posts are now up! Check out what I did last weekend, what I’m reading for next week’s review, and what’s coming later tomorrow. Plus, get a little taste of fall here in Central Illinois. Use my handle, @EktaRGarg, for these posts and more!

Today is the fifth Friday of the month, which should have meant a new Biblio Breakdown. Alas, technical issues kept me from posting today, but I’m working on fixing them. You should get a new episode before the end of the day tomorrow along with my latest Growth Chart. When I first set the production schedule for The Write Edge 11 years ago, I didn’t include Saturday posts but it looks like they’re becoming a thing. Hey, better than not posting at all, right?

In the meantime…

Get the vaccine (or the booster!)

Wear a mask.

Wash your hands.

Show a stranger some kindness this weekend.

Have a great night, readers!

E.R.G.

New book review now up!

Good morning, Write Edge readers! I’ve posted my latest book review for you. Today I’m sharing my thoughts on Grave Reservations by Cherie Priest. Here’s the opening to my review:

A psychic with less-than-reliable powers works with a police officer on a case. As they pursue clues and interview people of interest, the psychic tries to manage her paranormal hunches and her intuition while the cop just tries to manage her overabundance of enthusiasm to help. Author Cherie Priest gives a breezy feel in the mostly entertaining paranormal thriller Grave Reservations.

Read the whole review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

Speaking of reviews, they’re coming in slowly but surely for The Truth About Elves. I’d love to know what you think about the book! If you’ve read it and loved it, send me a link to your review online. If you want to see what other people are saying about it, check out reviews on my author website. Thank you, readers! I can’t do this without you!

In the meantime…

Get the vaccine.

Wear a mask.

Wash your hands.

Show a stranger some kindness today.

Have a fantastic day, readers!

E.R.G.