My next project

I've been thinking about my next project. I have a couple of short stories that would lend themselves beautifully to a full blown novel. I even have titles for both. Both are dark and I wonder why I'm leaning in that direction. I'll start writing notes and see where they lead. What fun!

 Any suggestions?

Off to Nova Scotia to two presentation venues for Swamp Robin

I have been invited to the Yarmouth County Museum in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, my home town, to present and discuss Swamp Robin, A Memoir. I'm looking forward to this experience inasmuch as part of the story takes place in Yarmouth, the town where I was conceived. Things have changed a great deal in the town and most of those who were peers of mine are either deceased or moved away long ago. Brown Street, where my grandparents and I lived, is still there although most of the building have been replaced by new structures, I can still walk down Brown and remember, somewhat sadly, the happy times spent on that street. This presentation willl take place on August 23rd, 2014.

Then, on August 25th I will travel to Weymouth, Digby County, where I spent the first three years of my life and do anothr presentation at the Sissiboo Landing Community Center. In Weymouth, folks live longer and many of my cousins, old and young, will be there and remember how I came to live among them.

My Nova Scotia trip in August will be most meaningful.

Stay tuned. Make a comment. Ask questions.

Rosemarie

During the month of June, we were fortunate to have a young woman from Bangkok, Thailand, a student of fashion design, staying with us. She was a most enjoyable friend who enjoyed telling us about her country and her studies in the fashion design school in Bangkok. She was a petite person of pretty features, an endearing personality and  who already displayed exceptional taste in clothing.

She talked lovingly of her parents, her sister and her life in general. It was a good life, she said. She is a most unusual young woman; one whose inspiration for a wonderful future is set stone. I gave her a copy of Swamp Robin for comparison.

Good luck and God speed, Dohla

I was very fortunate to have two major bookstores in Camden, The Owl and Turtle and Sherman's accept Swamp Robin for their shelves this summer.

Here's how it happened:  At least six very good friends were unaware that the books were not available at these shops at the time they visited. Consequently, after four of them requested the book on special order, both stores now carry Swamp Robin. The new owners of The Owl and Turtle, Selena and Ricky Sheaves, are lovely people who are interested in supporting local writers. And their coffee is excellent. What a great idea. Better than the fireplace at the old location.

Sherman's, too, even before opening their new shop in Portland is keen on doing their part. I walked into the Camden store the other day and was happy to see copies of Swamp Robin prominently displayed.

By the way, not only is Swamp Robin available at Amazon.com, but also Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and for retailers, from the Ingram book catalogue.

Send comments. I'd love 'em.

Attended workshop with Unicorn For Writers LLC

On June 21st, 2014, I attended a workshop for writers, hosted by the Carver Memorial Library in Searsport, Maine. Jan L. Kardys, President and Jeanne E. Rogers, Vice President, Unicorn for Writers LLC,  gave a spirited discussion on self-publishing vs. traditional publishing. Neither was totally against either aspects of the publishing process. Each presented a worthwhile argument for their favorite method of publishing a book.

While Jan Kardys has 35 years of formal publishing experience with ten major publishing corporations, and  is now a freelance editor and publishing consultant who sponsors writer's conferences, Jeanne Rogers is a self-published author who has successfully self-published via CreateSpace, both in book and eBook format.
Jeanne is a prolific reader who reviews books and posts them to Amazon and Goodreads as well as her own blog, Australian Fantasy Adventures. She is always happy to share her experience with her fellow writers upon request.

I took the opportunity at the workshop in Searsport to ask Jeanne to review Swamp Robin. I received an email a week or so later to tell me that she took my book on vacation and that I should have my review by the end of July.

I can hardly wait.