Helen B. Henderson's Blog, page 103

Cover Reveal - Imprisoned in Stone

Just received the cover art for Imprisoned in Stone. It's a change of pace from dragons, but the storyline while sans flying creatures, is still full of adventure and romance.

Stay tuned for more release announcements. Till the next time.
Helen




 

In Memorium, Linda Houle

When beginning to write this post, I filled a wastepaper basket with crumpled sheets of paper. Each aborted start had a comment about the darker side of the publishing industry. But the real topic, the woman I wanted to write about symbolized just the opposite. Then I realized that I didn't need to bring in reality, Linda Houle had already provided the answer in her work, The Naked Truth About Publishing.

But, she did more than just write. As one of the founders of L&L Dreamspell, Linda along with her business partner, Lisa Rene Smith, helped give many authors a start in the world of fiction. In fact, the dedication in The Naked Truth About Publishing tells authors to never give up their dream. Working together, Linda and Lisa made it possible.
They supported authors in another way. Many businesses claim to be a family, but the relationship between members is often more antagonistic than cooperative. Those associated with L&L, although many had never met face to face, did in fact form relationships. As one author stated, Linda and Lisa created  a business model that, "included striving for excellence tempered with caring."

That ended with Linda's death early in the morning of July 12, 2013 and the closure of L&L Dreamspell. Additional thoughts about Linda can be found in the Friday, July 12, 2013 post at thegalaxyexpress.net. Although I had been a non-fiction author for many years, it was L&L Dreamspell and the dynamic team of Linda and Lisa that started me on the path of writing romance and fantasy.
My deepest sympathy to Lisa Smith, the other half of L&L, and to Linda’s family.
Till the next time ~ Helen 

Fireworks, the Fourth, and Thanks

Fourth of July, a symbol of national pride and resilience. Today through the weekend, many towns in New Jersey are hosting events of some kind. This year many of the celebrations had special meaning as people and communities continue to recover from the devastation left by Superstorm Sandy. But in the hustle of shopping and the parades celebrating our nation's independence, remember freedom isn't free.

Thanks and gratitude not only to those actively serving in the armed forces but the families left behind to guard the homefront. And don't forget to thank a vet for their service.

Happy Fourth of July. Off to watch fireworks over the river.

Till the next time,
Helen

Free Marketing Summer Camp for Authors

Authors, want marketing advice & free training? Well, it's time for marketing summer camp.

Camp starts on July 12th (Fri) and ends on July 14th (Sun). This is MFRW's Marketing Summer Camp and it's free. This year's camp will be held at the CoffeeTimeRomance forum rather than on the yahoo group.

More info on events and teachers shortly. In the meantime, be sure you sign up for camp by joining the CoffeeTime Romance forum (and the MFRW group.) Here are the instructions and links to follow. http://marketingforromancewriters.org/media/CTRforuminstructions.pdf
(Note it downloads a pdf document) Short URL for Coffee Time Forum is http://is.gd/mfrw_ctr (there's an underscore between the W and C)

Can't wait to get started! Last year was fun and informative and this year is expected to be even better. No sleeping bags or camping equipment required for this camp.
See you there. Helen

The Redcoats are Coming, The Redcoats are Coming

As a historian, I always try to make the point that while every facet about history isn't known, it is a writer's responsibility to their readers to be as accurate as possible--and that the duty also applies to fiction writers. And not just authors whose characters live in settings now a distant memory. Yesterday, whether recent or long gone, can creep into fiction whether it is the town the character walks through, their family history, or an event that set the future in motion.

 One fun way to research is with a road-trip to a historical site. Another way to learn history--watch first person interpreters at work and play. Or you can combine the two with a reenactment at a historic site. While small encampments offer the opportunity for more intimate contact, larger events such as the Battle of Gettysburg for the Civil War or the Revolutionary War Battle of Monmouth offer other advantages including cavalry and artillery units.
Tips on how to approach such a day will be discussed in a future post, but it doesn't have to be a solitary event. While the ideas presented at  www.njfamily.com/NJ-Family/June-2013/Watch-a-Reenactment-of-the-Battle-of-Monmouthare for a specific event, they can be applied elsewhere.
This year the Battle of Monmouth reenactment is being held June 15-16. More than 1,000 re-enactors will be encamped at the Monmouth Battlefield State Park to drill, demonstrate, and recreate Revolutionary War battle tactics.  You can watch meals prepared over wood fires, see officers training infantry, cavalry, and artillery, and smell the gun smoke as British and Continental armies do battle. More information on the re-enactment and a schedule of the days' events can be found at www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/monbat_re-enact-index.html.  An $8 per vehicle donation to defray the costs of the weekend. If you go be sure to check out the newly-renovated visitor center.  Although I've attended the reenactment in period garb and mingled with the civilian re-enactors, this year I'll be in the crowd watching, camera and notepad in hand.

Till the next time. Helen

National Doughnut Day

I'm expanding the blog to include different types of posts that are not directly related to writing in general or mine in particular. Historical Tidbits will include stories, tales, and information related to history and research. To start it off, National Doughnut Day--June 7th. Whether you're partial to the cream-filled, glazed, jelly or chocolate varieties, the doughnut is something near and dear to so many of us. While there are several stories (or call them myths) about how the doughnut (or donut) came about, the Salvation Army established National Doughnut Day in 1938 to raise funds during the Great Depression and honor the women volunteers, who supported the soldiers on the front lines during World War I by serving them delicious meals, and of course, doughnuts. Approximately 250 "lassies" provided assistance to American soldiers in France in 1917. Today, women's role has expanded beyond ones more traditionally related to the hearth, such as providing food, to more active military roles. But the tradition of National Donut Day continues with many national chains and smaller shops are offering free doughnuts to celebrate. Doughnuts have a disputed history. One theory suggests they were invented in North America by Dutch settlers. According to anthropologist Paul R. Mullins, the first cookbook mentioning doughnuts was an 1803 English volume which included doughnuts in an appendix of American recipes. By the mid-19th century, the doughnut looked and tasted like today’s doughnut, and was viewed as a thoroughly American food. The story I like the most is not about the donut, but the donut hole. A sailor supposedly pushed one of the treats onto a ship's wheel. It eliminated the raw center and temporarily freed his hands. Now you know why I said, myths.  While donuts may be most commonly associated with police stories (and more than one author has had their character stop for a midnight jolt of sugar), that is not the only way an author could incorporate an event such as National Doughnut Day. If writing a historical, the character could be one of the lassies. Or for later years, the descendent of one or find a letter written by one where they talk about a doughboy (yes I couldn't resist that) who was leaving for battle. For myself, I'm celebrating. Instead of cereal, eggs and sausage, or a bagel, I'm reading my morning emails with a donut in hand.  More information on National Donut Day can be found at gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/national-doughnut-day-2013-where-free-doughnuts-100117192.html. Among the firms following the tradition of the day's founding as a fund raiser, for the third year in a row, Entenmann’s will donate $1 to the Salvation Army for every new “Like” on the company’s Facebook page through June 15, up to $30,000. Go to www.facebook.com/Entenmanns to check it out.  Thanks for joining me. Until next time. ~Helen

Introducing Imprisoned in Stone

It is always exciting when two little words, "The End" are typed in a manuscript. Then the worries begin--and a shift. As authors we have to quiet the voices of our characters. Sometimes they refuse to leave and we promise to bring them back. More on that later as I have a dragon circling overhead.

But while Hatchling's Mate and Legends of the Dragshi wait for times and tides to change, another story demands to be told. Here's the opening to Imprisoned in Stone, coming autumn 2013.

 
The story begins:

 Maerva opened eyes to a darkness, not only of her room, but of the soul. The sense of a presence held her motionless, even though she knew no entry was possible through the closed door or shuttered window. Air whispered over her skin as if someone touched her cheek. A breath later, the impression of an intruder vanished.

The roar of waves crashing against the cliff, something she had heard since birth, comforted Maerva and pushed away the residual fear. Deep breaths removed more of the tension from her body, even though her skin remained clammy from perspiration. The moon reappeared from behind its filtering curtains of haze. No longer obscured, the low-hanging globe sent a shaft of white light streaming through the window. The beam moved up the wall beyond her bed, turning the darkness into a shadowed frame. Glimmering letters written by a ghostly hand resolved into words.

They are coming.I can sense the presence of the Brethren.They murdered my son...my wife.They are coming--the ones who killed me!
The message marks Maerva’s entry into the world of magic. More tidbits and a cover reveal later this summer. Thanks for joining me. Until next time.

Helen

 

 

 

Change, changes, changing

When you come to a certain age, things may lose their importance. The need to collect that sparkling piece of glass is tempered by the reality that you already have a dozen similar pieces--and that you might in the very near future have to strip down your belongings for a move to a smaller home. But that is not the reason the header bar on the blog look simpler. I am a firm believer that you can never have too many books. A look at my office gives me away even if I tried to deny it.

Those who follow my writing may notice the fantasy novels have disappeared.  The books are not gone, just undergoing a re-evaluation while new covers for the Windmaster series and Dragshi Chronicles series are being created. During this time, like moving to a smaller home, my writing has shifted into a minimalist mode and I'm focusing on a new work. Two new volumes for the Dragshi Chronicles are either ready for production or awaiting editing. The first continues the tale of Anastasia and Branin and the second tells the tales, the personal history behind the legends mentioned in the chronicles.

Stay tuned. Helen

World Book Night 2013

World Book Night is an annual celebration designed to spread a love of reading and books. On April 23, 2013, (Shakespeare's birthday) thousands of people in the U.S. as well as in the U.K., Ireland, and Germany will go out into their communities to spread the love of reading, person to person. 

For information on World Book Night in the United States,  visit www.us.worldbooknight.org/. A list of the books being distributed this year can be found at www.us.worldbooknight.org/books/2013. 

Thanks to all the volunteer book givers who will be out and about in 5800 towns and cities throughout the United States.

Happy Reading. Helen

Last Chance for Shared Whispers for Free

Shared Whispers is an anthology of sixteen complete stories about romance, mystery, adventure, and the fantasy contributed by authors of theWritersVineyard.com, is available TODAY FOR FREE from Amazon (usually a bargain at $2.99). It's from Kindle. If you don't have a Kindle, dowload the Kindle for PC app-it works fine. For today's offering, and to entice you to stop by, check out the blurbs below for the fantasy stories. Below are teasers for the historicals and westerns. Helen
Click here to download Shared Whispers.
HISTORICAL ROMANCE/WESTERN Colours by Chris Fenge - One woman seeks to escape the grey coloring her world and return to the bright colors of yesteryear and her true love.
Wailing Down the Wall by Julie Eberhart Painter - A Chinese legend comes to life amidst the creation of one of the world's greatest architectural marvels.
Journey Home by Linda LaRoque - Life is hard and dangerous on the Texas plain for a couple separated by time, distance, and duty. Love brings them together—forever. Click here to download Shared Whispers.







lick here to download Shared Whispers.