Live Chat/Interview with YA sci-fi/fantasy author Simon Rose 6/6/10

The Writer's Chatroom presents Simon Rose.

WHEN?

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Eastern USA Time.....7-9 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are? http://www.worldtimeserver.com

WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at: http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Login. No password needed.

Please note: The chatroom is only open for regularly scheduled chats.

Interview with Phyllis A. Wilson about anthology Many Paths, Many Feet

Phyllis, welcome to Reviews and Interviews. You're the driving force behind a new anthology call Many Paths, Many Feet, as well as a contributor with twelve other women.

Please tell us about Many Paths, Many Feet: An Anthology of Women's Stories.
Many Paths, Many Feet is an anthology of women’s stories written by 13 authors located in various locations in the US. There are 25 stories and poems, some are fiction and some are non-fiction. This book centers on four areas: reflection, unity, praise and inspiration...it will take you on a powerful journey of challenges and discovery!

How did the project come about?
I had written a non-fiction book and during the process thought to myself that everyone has a story. So I approached women that I knew about doing an anthology.

You mention it’s the first of a series. Can you tell us about what is coming in the future?
We may be looking to continue the journey with another anthology in the next year or two.

Do you write full-time?
I do write full-time now...but previously I worked full-time as a recruiter and have always wanted to write and get published.

When and why did you begin writing?
I used to write as a child in my diary and have done journaling off and on. I really began to focus on writing in June 2009.

Did you learn anything from creating the anthology? What was it?
Yes, I learned that managing a project of this magnitude requires creative leadership to engage people of various levels. That being said, I also learned that helping people realize their dreams is such a rewarding experience.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
Growing up I wanted to be a mother! I think it is the most important job one can have and I wanted to contribute to the upbringing of successful, well-rounded adults. I have three adult children now and one granddaughter.

Phyllis, thank you for your time. It's been a pleasure learning about you and the anthology.

To learn more about Phyllis, Many Paths, Many Feet, and the women behind the anthology, please visit their Web site. They can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Interview with author Tisha Morris - Feng Shui Blog Tour

Today I welcome Tisha Morris to Reviews and Interviews. Tisha is a certified life coach, feng shui consultant, energy healer, and author. Her passion is healing spaces by blending traditional feng shui techniques and interior design aesthetics with healing energy. In doing so, not only does the space undergo a transformation, but all those who occupy and encounter the space as well.

Tisha, welcome to Reviews and Interviews as part of your virtual book tour for 27 Things to Feng Shui Your Home.

Please tell us about your current release.
The title is 27 Things to Feng Shui Your Home. It is inspired by a Chinese proverb that says, “If you want to change your life, move 27 things in your home.” This proverb speaks to the power of just how interrelated our energy is with the energy of our home.

I selected the 27 things that I have seen make the most impact on either me or my clients, ranging from aspects of de-cluttering to traditional feng shui techniques. The 27 things are arranged in a logical order for someone who feels overwhelmed and doesn’t know where to begin with improving their home. That being said, anyone can pick up the book, flip to a page, and jump in.

What inspired you to write this book?
For my very first Feng Shui workshop, I prepared endlessly and provided my participants with tons of great information and inspiration. At the very end, one woman raised her hand and said, “What should we do first?” I thought that was such a great question and it became the cornerstone of my future workshops and then the inspiration for this book. Many of us are overwhelmed with where to begin. I wanted this book to be an easy, logical, and organized way to understand such a right-brain concept to apply it in their home without being overwhelmed.

What kind of research do you do to make your book realistic?
The information in my book came together through a hodgepodge of resources – from my experiences with clients to my background in interior design and knowledge of feng shui. I do reference several of my favorite feng shui authors as well. Like most people in service-related businesses, you learn more from your clients than anyone. I have therefore used several of my clients’ stories as examples in the book.

Did anything in the writing of this book come as a surprise to you?
I had been working on a different feng shui book for years and then out of nowhere 27 Things manifested. So many times we put a lot of energy into something. It comes back to us, but in a completely different form and even better than we could have imagined. With 27 Things, it was so effortless that I don’t really even remember writing it. I do remember becoming quite a fixture at my local coffee shop. Then six months later when I picked up the advanced copy to read it, I thought, “Wow, this is really good.”

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was in 8th grade, I wanted to be a writer. I later decided that becoming an attorney would be the best way to give me writing credentials while making a decent living. What I didn’t plan on was . . . not liking the practice of law. So for the ten years following my first law job, I went on a self-discovery journey -- from interior design school to teaching yoga -- to figure out what I really wanted to do from my heart instead of my head. Now those ten years have come full circle, resulting in all aspects of myself – the attorney, the interior designer, the energy healer, and the author – coming together as part of my life purpose.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Honestly, I’m not sure that I consider myself a writer even now. I think of myself as a healer and use books as one of my mediums in which to reach people. We all have different strengths through which we express ourselves and to reach an audience. For me, and at least for now, it is through the written word.

Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
Writing provides a great mix to my typical work day. I tend to get bored easily so my typical day usually involves a blend of seeing clients, blogging, graphic design, networking, and meditation. I wish I could say that I have a structured writing time, but being a moody Cancer, the weather seems to dictate my writing schedule more than anything else. Unless, of course, there is a deadline looming!

Thank you so much for your time. Best wishes with your book and thank you for talking about feng shui.

Tisha is based in Nashville, TN with most of her services available in-person or distance at www.tishamorris.com

Tisha's next blog tour stop is tomorrow at The Wheel of Life Podcast with Shelagh Jones

Interview with author Denise Verrico - BK Walker Books virtual book tour

Welcome, Readers, to Reviews and Interviews' interview with another author from BK Walker Books, Authors Promoting Authors virtual book tour. Here is a listing
of the full schedule.

Hello Denise!

Please tell us about your current release.
Cara Mia, Book One of the Immortyl Revolution is an urban fantasy with sci fi elements. The heroine, Mia and her lover, Kurt, are vampires who are locked up in a lab in California. She tells Dr. Joe Ansari, a neuroscientist, the tale of her fifty-year struggle to survive as a modern woman in a culture where she is regarded a mere chattel to her master. In Mia’s world, she isn’t free to come and go as she chooses, much less be with the man she wants. Only when her master casts her out, some years later, does she gain the independence and love she yearns for. When a would-be oppressor crosses Mia’s path, she kills him and finds herself in possession of scientific data that could cost her life.

What inspired you to write this book?
I’m a big fan of Anne Rice, and I’ve read a lot of her books. After reading one of them, I actually had a dream about a female vampire. When I set out to write this novel, fifteen years back, I had no idea of what the story would be about. I also had no idea how popular vampires would become. I had this idea for a character, which became Mia, the heroine. At that time, I’d only seen females in minor roles or portrayed as victims in vampire stories. I wanted to write a story that really dealt with the unique challenges a woman might face as a vampire. How would she deal with not being able to have children? What would her place be in vampire hierarchy? What would her relationships and love affairs with other vampires be like?

Anne Rice influenced me a lot, but I soon realized that I had to be true to my own rather irreverent voice and vision. So, I set out to create an entirely new world. Since I’m a fan of science and sci fi, I decided to give my vampires a biological basis. That being said, I still needed a story. I was reading a lot about biotechnology. A question occurred to me. What would happen if someone could harness a vampire’s immortality? Someone would want to profit from it. Others might want to exploit their super-strength for military means. Rival factions might compete to corner this market. Still others might find this sacrilegious.

Then I hit upon an idea of different social classes within the Immortyl hierarchy. This led to the idea of Mia and Kurt becoming rebels who stole secrets from their masters to prevent them from using this power for evil purposes.

What kind of research do you do to make your novels realistic?
For this one, I read up on science, the Civil War, Vikings, The Holocaust, and the playwright, Henrik Ibsen. Ibsen’s play, The Master Builder is an underlying thematic element.

Did anything in the writing of the current book come as a surprise to you?
It’s my first novel, and I was surprised how much a character can change the story from what I’d originally imagined. That character was Kurt. His story begged to be told. Twilight of the Gods, book two, deals with his rise to lead the revolution, seen through Mia’s eyes. Kurt is so innately decent, and the injustice of Immortyl culture preys upon him. I love the fact that he’s small and slight, not the typical alpha male hero, yet he’s intellectually strong and resourceful. He casts a spell over those who choose to follow him. Book Two will be released this fall.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
When my first play was chosen for production in a play festival in New York.

Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
During the school year, I work as an instructional aide to a child with special needs, and I do part-time marketing gigs. I’m pretty disciplined. Instead of watching TV in the evening, I write. I tend to do a lot of my creative process in the summer months, because I work a lot of fairs and festivals. It’s kind of slow most of the day. It gives my imagination a lot of time to run wild. On my days off, I’ll write seven or eight hours at a stretch. I tend to do more revising and editing during the winter months.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I ride roller coasters, the bigger, the faster, the more inversions the better. My favorites are Millennium Force, The Raptor, Top Thrill Dragster, The Beast, El Toro, Nitro, The Dominator, Gryphon and The Incredible Hulk. My husband, son, and I travel around the Midwest and East Coast on summer weekends to ride. We haven’t done any west of the Mississippi yet. We currently live in Ohio, and we have a lot of top coasters here.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Everything has to sound right to me. Because of my theatre background, I suppose. I read everything I’ve just written, out loud, including accents.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned while creating your newest book?
I like writing from a male POV. Joe Ansari is a third person, POV in parts of Cara Mia. I originally had a lot more of him. In my third novel, I write in the first person POV of another male character.

I’ve always been a bit of a tomboy and most of my friends are guys. I’m not really a girly-girl. But, there’s some romance in my stories amid the adventure and intrigue. I like a balance of different elements, just like in life.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A marine biologist, veterinarian, or jockey.

Anything else you’d like to share with the audience?
I’m appearing this weekend at Marcon, in Columbus, Ohio. I’ll be doing panels, a reading from Twilight of the Gods, and an autograph session.

My book is available in trade paperback through the Amazon, Borders, and Barnes and Noble Web sites. It’s also in Kindle and multi-format e-book at Fictionwise. You can get signed copies through links to my Web store on my blog and Web site. It’s carried at some bookstores. If your local store doesn’t carry it, they can order it for you.

You can friend me on Facebook at Immortyl Revolution and follow me on Twitter.


Readers - leave a comment to be entered into a drawing to win one of several gifts from promoter of this VBT, BK Walker. Gifts include: a $25 Visa Gift Card, book light,a free-of-charge virtual book tour, or one writing package which includes a journal, pen, book light, and book marker.

My next guest for the tour is June 1 - Debbie Patten

Live chat/Interview with thriller author Brett Battles - 5/30/10

The Writer's Chatroom presents Brett Battles.

WHEN?


Sunday, May 30, 2010

Eastern USA Time.....7-9 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are? http://www.worldtimeserver.com

WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at: http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Login. No password needed.

Please note: The chatroom is only open for regularly scheduled chats.

Interview with poet Cendrine Marrouat

Today I'd like to welcome poet Cendrine Marrouat to Reviews and Interviews.

Born in France, Cendrine is a poet, published author, spoken word artist, translator, and aspiring photographer residing in Canada. She writes for Examiner.com, WAGTi Radio, and WAGTi Media Group. Before Five Years and Counting, she published four other poetry collections and authored a spoken word album. She is currently working on a second CD. Cendrine is the founder of www.soulpoetrysite.com and www.creativeramblings.com. She has a deep passion for educating and inspiring her fellow human beings.

Cendrine, welcome!

Please tell us about your newest release, a book of poetry titled Five Years and Counting: A Journey into the Mind of Soul Poetry.
Five Years and Counting is my fifth collection. It is a book about poetry as a reflection of the human mind and a testimony of the kind of growth anybody can experience if they understand that life is what they make of it. It may be painful at times, but overall, it is extremely beautiful.

At the beginning of this year, I decided to regroup five years of my poetry in one collection. I arranged the pieces according to what I believe are life's most important stages: birth and childhood, teenage years, adulthood, and elevation. The last stage represents man’s understanding and realization of the ultimate fulfilment in life.

The book will be officially released in a few months. For more information, people can refer to the books's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/fiveyearsandcounting.

How do you select poems to be part of a collection?
I do not really select poems. I always start with a title. And as most of my pieces all fall into the same category, spirituality, they are usually relevant to the title and theme of the book. So it is really easy to incorporate them into any collection I want to write.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I think it was only a year or two ago. Before that, a lot of people frowned and laughed and it bothered me. Then, I stopped paying attention. As a result, writing became a healthy and spiritual experience in the purest sense of the word.

What inspired you to write your first book?
Five years ago, when I started writing, my goal was just to share my poetry through my website (http://www.soulpoetrysite.com). However, a lot of readers encouraged me to make a book. Still, I was not really sure of what I wanted to do.

At the end of August 2005, my mother committed suicide. She had attempted to take her life several times already, so I had prepared myself for the worst. As a result, I was able to grieve in a very healthy way and also fast. Death became an important topic to me.

One night, I sat in front of my computer and started writing my first book: Short Poetry for Those Who Fear Death. I really wanted to use my experience to help people overcome the fear they have and offer a positive vision of what I believe is a logical continuation of life. After all, it is not because we do not know what happens in the hereafter that we can draw definite conclusions.

Did you learn anything from writing your current book? If so what was it?
The first part of Five Years and Counting is a translation of the French book that I published in 2006. Going through this particular process really forced me to think differently. The entire book helped me put things in perspective and dive back into questions left unanswered. So I can say that I learnt a lot about myself. I gained a better understanding of my role as a human being.

Do you have any advice for other poets?
A lot of people are “scared” of poetry because they were forced to study it in school. At that time, they did not have the choice to discover it on their own terms. So, poets must understand that their mission is to help readers to reconnect with poetry.

Poets should always pour their heart, mind, and soul into what they do. They must have their own voice and never copy or compare themselves with others. Also, they should always use tools such as dictionaries in order to check their typos, even if they only want to share on a blog or a website. Quality is a very important factor. And finally, the language they use should be accessible so that readers can relate to the message.

In my career, I have heard many poets complain that they are tired of not being taken seriously. I actually did my share until I understood Mahatma Gandhi’s famous quote: “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” Too many poets have not done enough research or taken the time to find effective ways to promote themselves. It is very easy to write and publish a book nowadays. Marketing it is quite another matter. Basically, it all boils down to hard (and smart) work, patience, positivism, and a professional attitude.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I am a very slow writer. It takes me weeks and sometimes months to pen anything. And I cannot start a poem without a title.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
The other day, I was telling a friend that I have been living the life of which I dreamed as a child. I remember wanting to be many things when I was little. I wanted to change lives. And I believe that it is exactly what I do now.

Cendrine, thank you for visiting Reviews and Interviews. I definitely fall into the category of being afraid of poetry - forced to read and discuss in high school and college. I have written a bit of my own, and enjoy find poets whose prose strikes me.

Interview with paranormal author Katie Salidas for BK Walker Books virtual book tour

Continuing to host the BK Walker Books Authors Promoting Authors virtual blog tour, today we have paranormal author, Katie Salidas.

Welcome, Katie!

Please tell us about your current release.
Immortalis Carpe Noctem follows Alyssa as she struggles to come to terms with a terrifying new reality. Mugged and left bleeding to death she is saved by the most unlikely of characters, a vampire. Becoming a vampire isn’t as easy as movies have made it. Alyssa has a hard time with the change and fights to hold on to her humanity.

What inspired you to write this book?
Is it too cliché to say I got the idea from a dream? I know many authors say this, but it is true. The original concept for the idea came from a dream. I was, essentially, Alyssa, having my life turned upside down after a terrible accident. The idea of really focusing on the transformation was one I couldn’t give up. Questions kept popping into my head. How would you deal with being turned into a vampire? How would you deal with drinking blood? How would you deal with never seeing your friends or family again? The answers came as the story progressed.

What exciting story are you working on next?
Immortalis Carpe Noctem is the first book in this series. Hunters & Prey is the next in line and continues to follow Alyssa as she fumbles through immortality. Here is the official blurb:

When Alyssa was turned she was told she could never again see her mortal friends. She was resigned to this fate, until a chance run in with Santino Vitale, thought to be dead, causes her to rely on a mortal friend for protection, trusting that no hunter would attack in public.

By doing so she has broken vampire law and finds out that divulging vampire secrets harms everyone involved. Because of her actions, she's now drawn her friend into the struggle between vampires and hunters, a fact that has her clan calling for punishment.

But there are bigger dangers looming on the horizon, more pressing than a mere mortal’s knowledge of vampires. The Acta Sanctorum is ready to attack again. It will take everyone, working together and an unlikely truce, to fight against the newest threat, the Frenzy Soldiers.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I think it was after I finished the 10th draft of Immortalis. Writing had taken over. I ate, breathed, and dreamed of writing. How could I not call myself a writer after that? lol.

Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I do treat writing like a full time job. A night job if you will. I’m a nocturnal creature by nature, like my vampires. I tend to do much of my actual writing a night. I need a certain type of quiet to write. Family takes up my day and once the house is quiet and the munchkin and the hubby are all tucked into bed, I go to work. I’ve been known to be up until the very wee hours of the morning working on my various stories.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Not sure how interesting it is, but I almost always have music on when I write. Music helps me, set the mood. For example, if I am writing a sexy love scene, I need music that “feels” sexy. If I am writing an action scene, I need fast paced music with a strong beat.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Oddly enough, I wanted to be a veterinarian. I had never considered writing as a career. Sure I loved to write stories, but I figured that was a secondary thing. The fates saw otherwise and writing became my primary focus. I still love animals though. You’ll be happy to know no animals were harmed in the making of my stories.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I love to interact with my fellow writers and fans. I welcome everyone to please drop by my facebook page and say, hi. I am there regularly, asking random questions, and posting snippets of current and upcoming work. You can also find out about any current promotions and giveaways there as well.

If you are interested in a copy of Immortalis Carpe Noctem, please stop by the Web site. You can also visit my blog.

Thank you for your time today and I wish you well on the blog tour!

Leave a comment to be entered into a drawing to win one of several gifts from promoter of this VBT, BK Walker. Gifts include: a $25 Visa Gift Card, book light,a free-of-charge virtual book tour, or one writing package which includes a journal, pen, book light, and book marker.

My next guest for the tour is May 26, Denise Verrico

Interview with author Melody Dempsey - BK Walker Virtual Book Tour

Welcome, Readers, to Reviews and Interviews' interview with another author from BK Walker Books, Authors Promoting Authors virtual book tour. Here is a listing of the full schedule.

Melody, thank you for stopping by today.

Please tell us about your current release, The Forest Portal.
This book tells of three teens as they embark on a time traveling journey into the past. They are swept up in an unknown world where they save the life of a rapist, obviously not knowing it at the time. Chaos ensues as they also save a young woman from being raped by the same man they saved from certain death, but they inadvertently end up ruining the life of the young woman as well as wiping her entire family off the face of the earth! The three teens end up wreaking havoc, not only in their lives and not only in the life of the young woman they save, but in the lives of others they touch in the past as they probe deeper and deeper into the past.

What inspired you to write this book?
I love Science Fiction, Fantasy and Mystery books. I wrote this book at first, for my own enjoyment, but as the story progressed, I was inspired to actually challenge myself to see just exactly what I could create. During the process of completing my manuscript, I entertained the possibility of publication, but naturally, I was hesitant about actually submitting it after I finished it. Well, I decided to go ahead and send in my manuscript. I sent it in to 3 different publishers. To my total surprise, they all accepted my work! I could not have been happier! I decided to go with Publish America because I thought that was the best choice at the time. I felt I made the right decision.

What exciting story are you working on next?
I am currently working on the sequel to The Forest Portal.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Well, actually it wasn’t until I wrote The Forest Portal that I saw myself as a writer. My very first desire to write came about when I was 14 years old.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
Unfortunately right now, no I do not write full time. I would like to eventually be a full time Author.

I am currently working in the Health Care Field. In my spare time, I am working on promoting my book and working on ideas for my upcoming sequel to The Forest Portal.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I would say that my writing quirk would be that I absolutely have to have my manuscript typed with my sentences double spaced. Typing in single space drives me nuts and really messes with my eyes! lol!

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be an English Teacher.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I have always enjoyed writing and expressing what is on my mind, whether it be about something going on in my life, or if I had a story in me that I wanted to get down on paper.

Also, I am giving away a $50.00 Visa Gift Card and a signed copy of my book to the person who comes closest to guessing what the plot will be in the sequel to The Forest Portal.

Readers can post their guesses in a comment on the host site. They can leave their e-mail so I can contact whoever comes closest in their guess to give them their prizes, or they can email me with a guess.


Wonderful! Thank you for sharing a bit about yourself with us, Melody. Best of luck with the rest of the virtual book tour, and your writing endeavors. :)

Readers, leave a comment here to be entered into a drawing to win one of several gifts from promoter of this VBT, BK Walker. Gifts include: a $25 Visa Gift Card, book light,a free-of-charge virtual book tour, or one writing package which includes a journal, pen, book light, and book marker.

The next guest for this virtual book tour is Katie Salidas on May 18.

Interview with Dallas Woodburn, author and founder of Write On! For Literacy - Part 1

I am pleased to welcome Dallas Wooburn to Reviews and Interview. Dallas is a prolific writer and is founder of a non-profit called Write On! For Literacy which she started in her teens.

She recently won a contest through Glamour Magazine for women who give to others.
She visited Glamour headquarters in New York City as part of a prize she won for her work with Write On! For Literacy for a make-over and photo-shoot! (This picture is from that photo shoot.)

This is the first of 3 parts as a way to introduce the readers of Reviews and Interviews to this inspiring woman.

Dallas, thank you for visiting Reviews and Interviews.

Please tell us a little bit about your background.
I am the author of two short story collections and a forthcoming novel, represented by Foundry Literary + Media in New York City.

I have written more than 80 articles for publications including Family Circle, Writer’s Digest, The Writer, CO-ED, Motherwords, Health & Home, and The Los Angeles Times. I am also a staff writer for the Web sites GradtoGreat.com and TweenParent.com.

My short fiction has been published in the literary journals Cicada, Monkeybicycle, Palaver, flashquake, and The Hudson Valley Literary Magazine.

How long have you been writing?
It’s funny, but looking back it’s difficult for me to remember a time before I loved to write! I learned to read when I was four years old, and I gobbled up books. Like many kids, I made up stories; I was compelled to write my stories down. I think this was largely due to the fact that my dad is a writer. Every night, my parents would read me bedtime stories, and every morning I would come downstairs and see my dad writing. As a result, I was very aware that someone had written the books I so loved to read. And I decided that I wanted to be someone who writes books for other people to enjoy.

What started you writing for publication?
I published my first book, There’s a Huge Pimple on My Nose, when I was in fifth grade. Pimple is proof that with a lot of hard work, a lot of perseverance – and, yes, a lot of support, too – a small idea can snowball into something bigger than you ever dreamed.

My snowball began as a snowflake when I applied for and received a $50 grant from my elementary school to write, publish and sell a collection of my short stories and poems -- but I think here's what set my proposal apart: I would use the profits to repay my grant, so the school could offer an extra one the following year.

My first printing, done at a Kinkos copy shop, was modest: twenty-five staple-bound forty-page books. Actually, they were more like thick pamphlets, but no matter – to me, they were books, my books, the most beautiful books I had ever laid eyes upon.

My fellow students and teachers, bless them, acted as if Pimple was at the top of the New York Times Best-Seller List. The first twenty-five copies sold in a couple of days. Can you imagine what a turbo-boost this was to a fifth-grader’s self-esteem? I was pursuing my dream, but I wasn’t pursuing it alone – my family and friends and teachers were right there with me.

So I went back to Kinkos, ordered twenty-five more books – and soon sold all those as well. After three more trips to Kinkos, where the workers now knew me by name, I searched out a publishing business and ordered a few hundred glossy-covered, glue-bound, professional-looking Pimples. My little forty-page dream evolved from a snowball into a blizzard, with newspaper and radio interviews; appearances at literacy events all around California; even a “Dallas Woodburn Day” at the Santa Barbara Book Fair. I still have to pinch myself, but Pimple has sold more than 2,200 copies and I repaid two school grants.

That's such an inspirational story for all writers, but especially young writers.
Yes. Looking back, I was fortunate to dive into this career at such an early age because I wasn't afraid or self-conscious about my writing. I think as we get older, we tend to lose that child-like pride and confidence in ourselves and our work. I published my first book when I was in fifth grade. I wasn't afraid of rejection, so I sent my book out to anyone and everyone I thought might read it.

I didn't hear back from a lot of them. But I did score reviews in The Los Angeles Times, Girls' Life Magazine, Cosmo Girl Magazine, and others. Many terrific doors were opened for me because I wasn't afraid to hear the word "no."

Thank you for the introduction. How can people learn more about you?
My website is www.writeonbooks.org and I frequently update my blog with writing tips and announcements: http://dallaswoodburn.blogspot.com.

Next month, June 23, we'll have you talk about your non-profit, Write On! For Literacy.

Details and kick-off for Tisha Morris's tour for 27 Things to Feng Shui Your Home

In her book, 27 Things to Feng Shui Your Home, Tisha shows in creative, basic steps how to use the art of feng shui to create an inviting, personal atmosphere in your home that will renovate your life. You will discover how to:

• Manageably clear clutter to optimize space
• Use lighting, color, and simple objects to create good energy flow
• Space clear to promote good health
• Integrate the five elements into your home to create harmony


Here is the lineup for Tisha's virtual book tour that starts today:

May 11 has two stops to kick off the tour:
Day one of a five-day blast on A Successful Woman, with an article titled "5 Steps to Clearing Clutter."

and Tisha will also be featured on Writers in the Sky blog.

May 12 Day two of a five-day blast on A Successful Woman will feature an article titled "The Art of Detaching From Our Stuff."

and Positively Present shows readers "5 Steps to Clearing Clutter."

May 13 Day three of five-day blast on A Successful Woman with "Why Change is Essential to Healing."

May 14 has two stops:
Day four of five-day blast on A Successful Woman "Feng Shui Your Desk for Success".

and Podcast Interview on WITS hosted by the new author's assistant and podcast coordinator Vonnie Faroqui.

May 15 Day five of five-day blast on A Successful Woman shares why you may be having a sudden urge to de-clutter your home.

May 16 Equinaut blog will carry an article called "The Art of Detaching From Our Stuff."

May 17 Naseya Minor discusses why we hang on to certain things.

May 18 has two stops:
Universal Spiritual Connection hosted by Leilani Schmidt-Graham will feature Tisha as a Web radio guest from 6 to 8 p.m. Pacific Time.

and Blogging Authors operated by Irene Watson will run an exclusive article "Writer's Guide to Feng Shui Your Workspace."

May 19 Nickolove Lovemore's blog, Skyline Coaching,will offer an article, "Why Change is Essential to Healing.

May 20 On One Writer's Journey, Penny Ehrenkranz will offer her opinion of 27 Things to Feng Shui Your Home in a book review.

May 21 On Chelle Cordero's Promo Page, Chelle Cordero will feature the book review she wrote for 27 Things.

May 22 Julie Achterhoff's Blog shares a unique article "What does the movie Avatar have in common with Feng Shui?

May 23 Shelagh Jones will share her book review of 27 Things on her blog, Wheel of Life.

May 24 Inside JobJail.com with Stuart Friedman will feature an interview with Tisha: "Want to Change Your Job? Change Your Energy!"

May 25 Join Southside Broadcasting with Alex Lewczuk, as the tour crosses the Atlantic with another great Tisha Morris interview.

May 26th has two stops:
Here at Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews will be an interview with Tisha.

and Catheryn Taylor hosts an article about "Making a House a Home for Children" at Inner Child Healing and EFT followed by an interview with Tisha on her show Take a Soul Step over Blog Talk Radio at 5 P.M. CST.

May 27 The Wheel of Life Podcast with Shelagh Jones.

May 28 WITS' own Vonnie Faroqui will host a book review on Ink Slinger's Whimsey.

May 29 Douglas H. Melloy will air an interview with Tisha on Aware Talk Radio.

May 30 Dallas Woodburn's Writing Life will feature a special article: "5 Tips to Clear Clutter for Writers."

May 31 Nancy Kelly Allen will host Tisha on Writing Workshop with a Q and A interview.

June 1 Writers in the Sky Newsletter will feature a book review written by a team member.

June 2 Chelle Cordero's Promo Page is back for another round with a special article "Our Divine Feminine: How to Navigate in the New World."

June 3 One Writer's Journey. Penny Ehrenkranz offers a Q and A interview.

June 4 Maxine Thompson, owner of Black Butterfly Press, will feature a book review of 27 Things. Tisha will be a guest on Artist First Radio Show.

June 5 Yvonne Perry will publish her book review for 27 Things on her writing blog.

June 6 Vonnie Faroqui, the owner of Ink Slinger's Whimsey blog at
will feature an article: "A Writer’s Guide to Feng Shui Your Workspace."

June 7 The Shift Guru, Barbara Joye, will feature her Q and A interview with Tisha.

June 8 Real life Spirituality with Akemi Gaines at has a unique insight to offer in an article titled "What Do Ascension and Clearing Clutter Have in Common?"

June 9 Tisha is back for another interview with Leilani Schmidt-Graham on her live Web radio show Angels Among Us

June 10 Tales, Tails, enTrails with Irfan Faroqui will feature a written question and answer interview with Tisha.

June 11 Laurel Marshfield's blog, Your Book Your Self, will offer a "Writer's Guide to Feng Shui Your Workspace."

Live Chat/Interview with sci-fi author Mary Rosenblum 5/16/10

The Writer's Chatroom presents Mary Rosenblum.

WHEN?

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Eastern USA Time.....7-9 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are? http://www.worldtimeserver.com

WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at: http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Login. No password needed.

Please note: The chatroom is only open for regularly scheduled chats.

Interview with children's author Fiona Ingram - BK Walker Books virtual book tour

Welcome, Readers, to Reviews and Interviews' interview with author Fiona Ingram, who is touring with the BK Walker Books, Authors Promoting Authors virtual book tour. Here is a listing of the full schedule.

Leave a comment to be entered into a drawing to win one of several gifts from promoter of this VBT, BK Walker. Gifts include: a $25 Visa Gift Card, book light,a free-of-charge virtual book tour, or one writing package which includes a journal, pen, book light, and book marker.

Fiona, thank you for stopping by.

Tell us about your current release, The Secret of the Sacred Scarab.
I have completed the first in my children’s book series Chronicles of the Stone. Book One is The Secret of the Sacred Scarab. It’s the story of two young cousins who go to Egypt on a family holiday and get caught up in an adventure beyond their wildest dreams.

What inspired you to write this book?
I went on a real trip to Egypt with my mom and two young nephews. We had a great time and I thought that I would write them a short story as a different kind of souvenir. The short story became a book that turned into a series.

What exciting story are you working on next?
I have nearly completed Book Two which is called The Search for the Stone of Excalibur. It’s great fun with lots of danger, a medieval castle in Scotland, and hidden clues.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I have always been a raconteur, having had to entertain my three younger brothers with hair-raising stories since I was ten. Then, after beginning a career in the theater, I found myself writing more, until finally I became a journalist. From there it was an easy step to becoming an author.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I am very fortunate to be able to stay at home and write. I am my mom’s principal care-giver since she is slightly disabled. I fit writing in between her therapy sessions. I get a lot of time to write, blog, write articles, and work on projects with other writers or my other writing commitments. I still write freelance and I have just signed a contract for historical romances, so I am looking forward to an interesting schedule.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I have a small office attached to the house where I write. I have two dogs that help by lying in their baskets at my feet, snoring very loudly. I enjoy silence or else very loud classical music, depending on my mood, for inspiration. My most unusual quirk, I think, is having conversations with my characters in my head. Sometimes they make all the decisions as to what will happen next.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a nurse. Luckily my grandmother had the foresight to suggest I do a stint at the local hospital during a high school vacation to see if I really liked it. I discovered I couldn’t stand the sight of blood, so no more Florence Nightingale!

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
Please visit my book site and my author site and tell any kids aged 10+ to enjoy the interactive fun journey on the book site.

Thank you for your time, Fiona. Have fun with the rest of the virtual book tour!


My next guest for the virtual book tour is May 10, Lily Oak.

Live Chat/Interview with literary novelist Martha Engber 5/9/10

The Writer's Chatroom presents Martha Engber.

WHEN?

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Eastern USA Time.....7-9 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are? http://www.worldtimeserver.com

WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at: http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Login. No password needed.

Please note: The chatroom is only open for regularly scheduled chats.