Book Industry

Author Laura Ellen will be meeting and greeting readers at the Mesa Arts Center 2016 Season Kick-off on Friday, September 9th from 6-10 pm. There will be fun for everyone with performances, art, and food! This year’s theme is ‘Between the Lines‘, and Laura Ellen will be there along with fellow Arizona authors Sharon Skinner,… Read more »

Submissions for the 2017 International Thriller Awards are now being accepted! Did you publish a thriller this year or know an author who did? International Thriller Writers has opened submissions for the 2017 International Thriller Awards! Novels first published in the English language by an ITW Recognized Publisher or from an ITW Active Member between… Read more »

WHAT’S NEW? It has been way too long since I posted on my website — and I really have no excuse except that I’m still learning how to balance writing, marketing, and life! To ease back into it, I thought I’d share what’s new: NEW BOOK: I have been working on a second, stand-alone novel — another YA… Read more »

As I get closer to my book release, my focus is shifting from edits to marketing, and more specifically, swag. Now some of you may be asking: what the heck is swag? Don’t worry, you aren’t alone. Six months ago I thought it was what guys like Mick Jagger have — but no, that is… Read more »

Since I have begun my inquiry into making a book trailer for BLIND SPOT, I thought I’d talk about them a bit. First of all, if you are like my husband, you may not even be aware that there is such a thing — don’t be embarrassed. It’s something relatively new to the book promotional… Read more »

#8: The Scary Art of Query Writing Let’s face it, query writing can be scary. Most of us would much rather begin writing a new novel than boil down the one we just finished into a short, concise pitch. But if the rest of the world is to read that finished novel, you’ll have to… Read more »

Possess by Gretchen McNeil Published August 23rd 2011 Fifteen-year-old Bridget Liu just wants to be left alone: by her mom, by the cute son of a local police sergeant, and by the eerie voices she can suddenly and inexplicably hear. Unfortunately for Bridget, it turns out the voices are demons – and Bridget has the rare… Read more »

For my first blog back after a very long-lasting, not-so-fun eye infection, I have decided to start a regular Friday post featuring upcoming or just-released must-reads. Here’s my first installment: Pregnant Pause by Han Nolan Published September, 2011   Nobody gets away with telling Eleanor Crowe what to do. But as a pregnant sixteen-year-old, her… Read more »

Yeah, I know I promised a debrief on the SCBWI LA conference, but this does sort of relate. While at the conference my friend Su brought her kindle and I got to check it out. Pretty cool. I especially liked how one can change the font size – for someone like me who can’t read… Read more »