Monday Miscellany Featuring Books, Indie Writer Help Line, Summer and Write Club

Books 

(Pilot error confession: This posted a week early, so if you think you read it, you did, but I caught the problem early, so give me points, okay? Also there's more that's new. One thing is this SPOTLIGHT. I didn't expect it to happen until much later, but here it is today! Then a GIVEAWAY went up. Forgot about that one until this morning. Arrg. Summer is going at warp speed.)










This book doesn't need promotion from me, but it deserves attention, so I'm going to post about it today. A Thousand Splendid Suns stunned me with the vivid portrayal of life in Afghanistan. Hosseini (The Kite Runner) captures the essence of this country, its people and the history from the Soviet occupation to Taliban domination and beyond. There are scenes that are very difficult to get through because of the cruelty, but so riveting in their prose that you must read them. I will never forget the story of the two women caught up in the turmoil of their world. I highly recommend it.






Indie Writer Help Line
I stumbled on this great piece by Ron Vitale and wanted to share it. Here's how he starts. If you want to read more, I've included the permalink above.


Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here



I will be up front and as transparent as I possibly can. The self-publishing industry is volatile, difficult to predict and more time consuming than I ever anticipated. But, fear not, it's not without hope. What is truly important is to have realistic expectations. If you're looking to make it rich fast, then, yes, abandon hope. If you understand that you'll be putting in years of work and that you'll need to build your platform and brand over several years writing at least three books, then you're in the realm of reality.


Summer 

I got a little carried away with my squash planting this year. I have a sea of squash and my family has already yelled "No more squash anything!"






Ever resourceful, I now pick and stuff squash blossoms. The revolt has been quelled. Who can ever get enough of those tasty morsels filled with cheese?













Hope you signed up for the Write Club.



Anybody read A Thousand Splendid Suns? Comments? Tell Ron I sent you if you stop in and read his post. It's worth your time. Want a few squash? Did you sign up to vote or enter the Write Club? How miscellaneous is this?





Sliding on the Edge, C. Lee McKenzie, WestSide Books, Spring '09
The Princess of Las Pulgas, WestSide Books, Fall '10
The First Time, Fall '11 (Anthology story: Premeditated Cat)
Alligators Overhead, Outskirts Press, Fall '12