Where's Steven Spielberg When You Need Him?

Writers create stories, but writers also have to create videos to post on publisher's websites. Come and visit the set of my upcoming author video...

Free Reads

Looking for some great summertime reading but you're too lazy to haul yourself over to the library? No, I'm not going to come over and pick up your list and toodle over there for you, but thanks for asking. I will, however, make things easy on you and let you in on a great site you should check out.

Books Should Be Free is a site with a bajillion free public domain audiobooks and eBooks. Okay, so maybe not quite that many, but lots. The layout of the site is easy to use and gives a great summary of each book. The best part of all is that it's free, which will increase your lemonade fund.

Writer's Digest 82nd Annual Writing Competition

Got a spit-shined manuscript laying around the house anywhere? Now's the time to send it in to Writer's Digest. You might just be the lucky winner! Don't procrastinate, though. The deadline is June 3.

The Prizes

Grand Prize: $3,000, one-on-one attention from four editors or agents, a paid trip to the Writer's Digest Conference in New York City, 1 year subscription to Writer's Digest eBooks, a 30 minute platform strategy consultation with Chuck Sambuchino

1st Place: $1,000 and $100 off any purchase from the Writer's Digest Shop

2nd Place: $500 and $100 off any purchase from the Writer's Digest Shop

3rd Place: $250 and $100 off any purchase from the Writer's Digest Shop


The Categories
Inspirational
Memoirs
Magazine Feature Article
Genre Short Story (mystery, romance, etc.)
Mainstream/Literary Short Story
Rhyming Poetry
Non-rhyming Poetry
Stage Play
TV/Movie Script
Children's/Young Adult Fiction

So give it a whirl. Click HERE to enter. The cost is $32, which is well worth it if you win. Speaking of winning, winners will be announced in the December 2013 issue of Writer's Digest Magazine.

A Belly Laugh A Day Keeps The Doctor Away

While it's not "Official" official, most people count Memorial Day as the kick off to summer. Translation: time for fun! Here's a fun game I learned this weekend while I was gallivanting across the wilds of Wisconsin...

The Question Game

Partner up with a buddy, then alternate asking questions. The thing is that you may not ask the same question twice. You may not ask a question relating to a previous question. And most of all, you may NOT answer a question. Breaking any of those rules disqualifies you and you're out. Need a sample? Here goes:

PLAYER #1

PLAYER #2

What's your favorite color?

Don't you just love a British accent?

How heavy is an overweight whale?

Is that a rabbit over there?

Why is my cell phone dead?

Can woodchucks really chuck wood?

Get the idea? I know...it sounds like kind of a lame game, but believe me, when you have to think on the spot, the questions get more hilarious as the game plays on. And you might be surprised just how hard it is to think of nonrelated questions.

Give it a whirl. It really is a ton of fun...and no doctors involved.

The Joy of Books

Can you guess I'm out of town for the holiday weekend? So while I'm not here to write my usual pithy post, enjoy this short & fun video instead...

Announcing the new aBook

And you thought the eBook was so great? Sheesh. Get a load of this sweet baby...

Kings Do As They Please

A Heart Deceived comes out June 20th, and I'll be sharing that month with none other than Stephen King. That's when his latest release, Joyland, hits the stands. Literally. He won't be releasing an eBook version, only a hands-on, page turning, real-deal physical copy.

I don't admit to being a raving King fan (though his writing is fantastic), but I bring this up because I think it's interesting that during this season of eBook frenzy, he's choosing to go hard copy only. Why? What does it mean?

Besides being a playful slap in the face to eBook venues, it will be a huge boost to brick and mortar stores. His choice is curious, though, because his last story release was eBook only and not in  paperback format.

Perhaps King likes variety. Perhaps his favorite first cousin once removed runs a bookstore down the block. Perhaps he's waxing nostalgic. Who knows?

The fact remains that he's a big enough name to do whatever he wants, and I suspect bookstores are ecstatic.