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Scribe & Quill ~ December 2004
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Vol. 2 Issue 8
ISSN: 1098-6375

Section 1 of 2 Sections

=========
MASTHEAD:
=========

* Editor/Publisher
Bev Walton-Porter <editor@scribequill.com>

* Assistant Editor / Advertising Manager
Mindy Phillips Lawrence <mplcreative1@aol.com>

*Contributing Editor
J.M.Cornwell <jcornwell@peoplepc.com>

* Humor Editor
Jaden Trinsic <humor@scribequill.com>

* Poetry Editor
Donna "Kai" Wilson <scribequillpoetry@gael-song.com>

* Book Review Editor
Sonali T. Sikchi <sonali_sikchi@hotmail.com>

* Nonfiction Columnist
Joyce Faulkner <katieseyes@aol.com>

* Humor Columnist
Sharon Wren <swren1@msn.com>

* Featured Columnist
Michael LaRocca <michaellarocca@yawweb.org>

* Video Game Reviewer
Jonathan Porter <editor@scribequill.com>

* Mascots:

-- Isis, the Feline Freelancer
<isis@scribequill.com >

-- Popeye the Editing Wonder Dog
<popeye@scribequill.com>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~Editor's Note

~Reader Praise!

~Scribe & Quill Patrons

~Featured Editorial:
Then They Came for Me
By Mindy Phillips Lawrence (mplcreative1@aol.com)

~Featured Article:
Don't Let Procrastination Stop You from Writing Your Book
By Alyice Edrich (dabblingmum@yahoo.com)

~Featured Fiction:
Food for My Soul
By Anne Dameron (skyangelannie@yahoo.com)

~Quotables

~Scribes of Note -- Virtual Quills

~Featured Article:
Why Do We Publish?
By Michael LaRocca (michaellarocca@yawweb.org)

~Call for Submissions

~Featured Article:
Amazon Offers Perks Authors Can Use to Promote
(An excerpt from "The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't")
By Carolyn Howard-Johnson (Hojonews@aol.com)

~Book Reviews
--"Timeless Incantation" by Jay Blue
--"This Time I Dance" by Tama J.Kieves
--"The Craving" by T.K. Sheils
--"The Little Mornings" by C.M. Albrecht
--"Osama Caper" by Bruce D. Bullock
--"Shadows of the Soul" by Bev Walton-Porter

~Scribe & Quill Professional Writing Courses

~The Last Word: Recommended Links for Writers

~Contact and submission information

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NOTE FROM THE EDITOR:
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Dear Gentle Readers,

As we stand on the edge of yet another year, I want to thank all of you who continue to read Scribe & Quill. As writers, we are all in this together. With a network of support and encouragement for writers of all experience levels, there is no limit to the goals we can reach! If you haven't already done so, grab a piece of paper (or open up a document in your word processing application) and set down the writing goals you'd like to achieve this year. Putting your goals in writing has a certain magic in it and tends to help seal your intent toward meeting your goals. We certainly don't need a brand new year in order to write down and track our goals, but it can't hurt to do it either, now can it?

Thanks for being a wonderful group of readers. May you and yours have a prosperous and fulfilling 2005,

Bev Walton~Porter, Editor
editor@scribequill.com
***
Mindy Lawrence, Asst. Editor/Advertising Manager
mplcreative1@aol.com

***

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***
COMMUNITY JOURNAL!

Scribe & Quill also has a journaling community on Live Journal: http://www.livejournal.com/~scribequill Come express your innermost thoughts/feelings about being a writer in this community diary -- stream-of-consciousness and personal journal entries relating to the ups/downs/sideways of the writing life are welcomed! This community is exclusively for the right-brained, abstract side of Scribe & Quillers!

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READER SUPPORT FOR SCRIBE & QUILL
~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**

We have the BEST readers on the planet! It's because of your encouragement that we continue to publish our 'zine for writers. We believe in your writing goals and we are there to support you every step of the way. Thanks, in turn, for lending us support as well!

Here's what readers are saying about Scribe & Quill:

"Dear Bev,
Thanks for your newsletter and for sharing about the things you are doing without a partner to support. That puts me to shame and I wish you all the best in all that you are doing. God bless."
--Nana Yaa Larbi

"Thanks for your wonderful newsletter and for letting me share my exciting news. Best regards."
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--Karin Gillespie, author of "Bet Your Bottom Dollar"
(Simon and Schuster)

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PARTNER WITH SCRIBE & QUILL
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Developing and distributing a regular publication, either online or in print, requires time or incurs costs such as Web hosting, domain fees, program renewals and operating costs.

We are glad to deliver S & Q to our readers at no charge, but we appreciate any contributions made to show support for this endeavor. Become a patron of Scribe & Quill and help support the continued publication of this 'zine. When you become a patron, we will list your name on our Web site and run a short personal profile of you in our 'zine as our thanks to you for your support.

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Thank you for reading our magazine, and for your continued support.

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FEATURED EDITORIAL:
Then They Came for Me
By Mindy Phillips Lawrence (mplcreative1@aol.com)
~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**

"They came for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me -- and by that time no one was left to speak up."

~ Pastor Martin Niemoller

The Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to free speech in this nation. It grants us the power to speak our minds without being subject to imprisonment, fines or unfair treatment as long as we peaceably assemble and do not slander or libel others with our words.

Years ago when the former Soviet Union was in existence, their people were unable to assemble and speak out on issues on which they disagreed with their leadership. It was a punishable offense to say anything negative about government policy or about anyone connected with that government. Our country has always been different. Is that changing?

A small group of far-right extremists now think that only THEIR voices should be heard. Reports from Colorado Springs say that supporters of these groups have gone to peaceful rallies which disagree with their agenda, copied the license plates of peaceful protesters and submitted them to the FBI. This is NOT my free America.

When any group decides that any other group which disagrees is automatically made up of dangerous "radicals" who must be silenced, we have a serious issue on our hands. This smacks of a latter-day version of McCarthyism. If this is actually happening, as I believe it is, what can we do to straighten out this country and make speech a free commodity again?

As a backlash in post 9/11 America, we are told that we must be vigilant in the war on terrorism to the point of giving up certain rights for the sake of safety. I think not. The minute we begin offering up our precious rights on the altar of Homeland Security, we have ceased to secure that which we once had. We have abolished our freedoms by buying into the confusing mish-mash of the Patriot Act.

I cannot speak for my editor, Bev Walton-Porter. I am not Bev. I cannot speak for friend and fellow writer Joyce Faulkner, I am not Joyce. In fact, I can speak for only one person, myself. The Constitution gives me the guarantee that I can make my thoughts known in safety without fear of repercussion by my government. My son, who is in the Army, is willing to fight for the preservation of the Bill of Rights. His service to this country preserves my right of dissent as well as someone else's right of agreement.

Our country's citizens are separated from those of a tyrannical regime because we have the freedom to speak. Is that fading away? If so, what do I do when they come for me? Who will be left to stand up and speak in my behalf if they are afraid of the repercussions?

I am a mother, a state worker, a professional writer, a poet, a thinker, an independent. Which one of these parts of my life could the submission of my license plate to the FBI discourage me from being? Answer: None. I have never been a radical. I have always followed the laws of this land, I am not perfect. I have garnered speeding tickets on long stretches of lonely highway. I have been wrong about people who have also been wrong about me. I am human. But I am an American. I have the right to speak up because a piece of paper called the Constitution allows me to speak. If I can't speak out, then the Bill of Rights is worthless and we need to start over again.

Oh, by the way I will save the FBI some trouble. My license plate number is N2WORDS. It's a subversive code that means I love to write.

===
DISCLAIMER: This opinion piece does not necessarily reflect the views of Scribe & Quill's editor or other staff members.

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FEATURED ARTICLE:
Don't Let Procrastination Stop You From Writing Your Book
By Alyice Edrich
~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**

Procrastination has been the name of the game when it comes to finishing my latest book. While I am usually not a procrastinator, my new project had me frozen in my tracks for nearly a year.

After trying every writer's block tool under the sun, I still couldn't shake the procrastination. I wasn't sure what was causing me to put off my latest book project, but the more I thought about the book, the more I didn't want to write it.

The worst part was that everything for completing the project was right in my head. There wasn't much research to be done because this particular topic was one that I dealt with on a daily basis. So all I really had to do was write, edit and write some more.

Yet, the more I talked about my book with colleagues, friends and family, the more I found myself turned off. And the more I tried to force myself to sit down and write, the more I found myself with an overwhelming sensation of anxiety.

Then a colleague pointed out the obvious, I had "stage fright!" I had written seven books, publish a weekly e-zine and run a successful online publication. What could be causing stage fright, I wondered?

I pondered that revelation for three weeks when the underlying problem finally revealed itself to me.

I began writing this new book when the only book available on this subject was via electronic download and that book was selling for $295! Since I started writing my book, there have been several, more affordable books written on the same topic which meant I had a lot of competition. Truth be told, I've never read the other books, but I have read their sales copy-all claiming to make tens of thousands of dollars per month doing the exact same thing I was writing about.

"Why would someone read a book from me?" I thought. "Sure, I am making good money doing exactly what I want to teach others, but why would they buy from me when it's obvious these authors are making millions doing the same thing?"

And that's when it hit me. I wasn't writing a book to compete with these authors. While my book would, in essence compete with the other books on the market, I was writing a book for people like me. I was writing a book for the average Joe. I was writing a book for someone who wants to earn a living from home, while still having quality time to spend with their families. I wasn't writing a book to make a millionaire. I was writing a book to help make a difference in someone's life.

So the next time you find yourself procrastinating on a writing assignment, you might want to take the time to evaluate the real reason behind your procrastination. You just never know what you'll learn, or what will break that so-called "writers block" once and for all.

Happy writing!

====
BIO:
====

Alyice Edrich is the author of several work-from-home e-books, including one that allows parents to earn $50 in two hours without joining an MLM or home party business. She is also the editor of The Dabbling Mum.com - a national publication for BUSY parents (http://thedabblingmum.com).

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FEATURED FICTION:
FOOD FOR MY SOUL
By Anne Dameron (skyangelannie@yahoo.com)
~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**

My father's favorite place had always been the kitchen. On the days when he was home, the scent of coriander wafted through the air with an invisible smoke that caressed my nose. The sizzle of vegetables in oil filled the tiny galley. Dad whipped eggs with a strong hand and sliced onions and zucchini with a master's confidence. I watched him at his own private dance, as he moved from stove to counter and back again.

"Can I help, Dad?" I asked him, time and time again.

His answer was always the same. "No, just watch for now. You can learn a lot by watching, you know."

So I watched, the desire to copy him tingled through my fingers. He contended that the old apprentices spent years watching their masters, until the masters judged they were ready for the first step. They wanted to make sure the need to create was there; sometimes that took years. My father was of the old school and tradition needed to be preserved.

Eventually, he allowed me to boil the water, chop the vegetables, and scrub the cutting boards. As we worked side by side, he told me about his father. Ming Tsao had been a personal chef for one of the wealthiest families in China. Ming Tsao's father, and his father before him, stood over their apprentices in the same way. I listened to these tales as the luscious smells rose from the ovens.

We presented the family with dishes of spiced beef in brown sauce. Dad arranged red, green and orange peppers in geometric patterns. The dishes, such as bok choy in broth and noodles mixed with carrots and beans, were unveiled at the dinner table with great fanfare.

Mom looked at the spectacular array and shook her head. "Too much," she pronounced. "It's too much." Then she picked up the chopsticks and ate anyway.

Dad always cooked enough to feed a thousand armies. It was his way of taking care of us. No one noticed as age crept up on him. The supple fingers still worked their magic, but his dance slowed, much like an old clock winding down. Finally, he taught me to make soups and main courses, as well as appetizers and desserts. As I was making dumplings for a party, he stood there, just watching me. This time, the light burned within his dark eyes and a smile trembled on his lips. He walked forward and laid a hand on my shoulder.

"You are ready," he said. Then we went to check on the sweet-and-sour fish in the oven.

The party was a success, but somehow, I knew it was the beginning of the end. My father's limbs shook like rushing leaves. He forgot where he kept his special spices and ingredients. More than once, I turned off the oven after he was finished baking, because he did not remember that he had left it on. He came to the kitchen less frequently, until he could only stand there at the door, an old king surveying his kingdom. Dad needed to pass the kingdom to the next generation, but until then, he reigned.

One night, Dad asked for a simple bowl of broth. I added extra mushrooms and onions, just as he liked it. He finished the entire bowl and put it aside. Then he called Mom into the room and whispered something into her ear. She gazed at him with a questioning look.

"Are you sure?" she asked in Cantonese.

"Yes," he replied.

She left the room, but quickly returned with a simple, worn, wooden box. The gold leaf on the lid no longer shone in the lights. I recognized the characters etched into the side of the box. Ming Tsao. It was the name of Dad's father, my grandfather, the esteemed chef of the family.

Mom gave him the box with the reverence of a priestess. He carefully blew the dust off the lid and traced the characters. Then he looked up at me. Again, I saw that burning light in his face, and I realized that light was the only thing that kept my father alive.

"I give this to you," he said in a formal tone. "It will help you."

I accepted the box with the same gravity. My hands shook as I touched a piece of family history. Mom stifled an audible sob as she said, "Open it, Mei. See what is inside."

I slid the cover off the box. Folded pieces of parchment lined the inside of it. They surrounded a stack of cards written in Chinese. I held one up to the light; it read "Szechwan chicken." They were recipes, all in my grandfather's hand. I bowed my head in gratitude.

"There is more," Dad said. He pointed out all the additions and revisions he had made over the years. Black and white photographs were scattered among the recipes. One of the photos showed my father as a young man, standing next to my grandfather. There was a strong resemblance between the two. Dad kept meticulous notes on every party he had catered, and ever new dish he had tried. It was as if the years had finally granted him permission to share his vast knowledge. Why had he held back all these years?

"I wanted to make sure you wanted to continue the tradition," he explained. "I wanted to make sure you had the choice."

Tears streamed down my mother's face. I noticed she held my father's hand while he talked. I felt a definite sense of finality in the air with the passing on of those traditions. I reached over, took his other hand, and brought it to my lips. He smiled as I said, "Thank you, Father."

He nodded and said, "Go to bed now."

I took the precious box with me. That night, I spent hours looking through every card and every photograph. They were the ingredients of my father's life story. There was so much to absorb; it would take me a lifetime. I did not mind. It was like food for my soul, the encouragement to further my dreams.
Mom came to my room at dawn. She did not have to say a word. I knew.

In the cold light of sunrise, I crept down to the kitchen. Soon, the word would spread and the house would be filled with visitors. But now, I turned on the flame of the burners and poured oil in the wok. The smoke rose to meet my father's spirit as I cooked, and tears sizzled in the heat.

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QUOTABLES
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"You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you."
--Ray Bradbury

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SCRIBES OF NOTE
~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**

At Scribe & Quill a virtual quill is our way of congratulating scribes of note who have made an article sale, published a book, snagged an agent/publisher or have reported to us a number of other notable successes in writing/publishing.

Our quills are virtual because they exist only in cyberspace. We honor the recipients here with an old-fashioned pat on the back and publication of your news so our readers can celebrate with you!

Have a success you'd like to trumpet to the rest of world? Send your triumph to editor@scribequill.com with VIRTUAL QUILL in the subject line.

This issue's virtual quills are awarded to:

Rosanne Catalano (ctrosanne@aol.com) has launched her new e-zine, "The Cat's Meow for Writers & Readers." To subscribe, visit: http://subs.zinester.com/61545/

Joyce Faulkner (katieseyes@aol.com) is currently in Colorado promoting her new book, "Losing Patience," recently published by Red Engine Press. Readers may order a copy of the book directly from http://www.losingpatience.com

"Ghost Story," a poem by Ilona Hegedus, a young Hungarian writer and literary translator, appeared in the September 2004 issue of Expressions Newsletter. Read it here: http://samsdotpublishing.com/expressions/septemberexpressions.htm For more information on Ilona and her work, visit her Web site: http://www.tar.hu/fairy

Marcelino Sepulveda of university radio station KCSB has requested an interview with Mindy Phillips Lawrence (mplcreative1@aol.com) about her new book, "One Blue Star."

Biff Mitchell (mailto:tmitchell@engageinteractive.com) has signed a contract with Double Dragon Publishing for the release of "The War Bug" in paperback. The book will be available in June 2005. For more information, visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/11/prweb181320.htm

Sam Vaknin (vaksam@mt.net.mk) has released the sixth edition of his groundbreaking book about pathological narcissism in abusive relationships. For more information on the author and his work, visit http://www.narcissistic-abuse.com/indexqa.html

Bev Walton-Porter (editor@scribequill.com) has signed with the Meredith Bernstein Literary Agency in New York City, NY.

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FEATURED ARTICLE:
Why Do We Publish?
By Michael LaRocca (michaellarocca@yawweb.org)
~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**

A major "character" in Mark Salzman's first autobiography is his father. Sometimes his father paints. But his father hates painting. He likes it when his painting is done. He likes having painted. But the act of painting itself is, in his opinion, a big pain in the backside.

Nobody reading this approaches writing like that, do they? I know I don't. Of all my experiences as an author, whacking those words down onto the paper is the best of the best. Always has been, always will be. Even though I cut most of them. I like creating.

I've quoted Hemingway before. Long periods of thinking, short periods of writing. These days, my thinking's taking longer and my periods of writing are getting less frequent, but both still happen, and I still love creating something from nothing.

If it weren't for me, you would never read the words you're reading right now. Nobody else would ever write them. And they contain my thoughts. Through time and space, better than telepathy, you hear what I'm saying.

So, there's one reason to write, isn't it? The biggie, if you ask me. I write what I do because I can't NOT write it. I may be clarifying my thoughts in my own head. But, most certainly, I'm just so moved by those thoughts that I must put them on paper. They're in me and they have to get out, kinda like those critters in the ALIEN movies. (If we want to extend this sick analogy even farther beyond the pale, self-editing is the process of cleaning the blood and guts from the sucking chest wound. Then we work with editors because we miss a few spots and perhaps have trouble stitching up our very own guts and... I should shut up!)

Is this the only reason to write? Because I want to zap my thoughts into your heads? I don't know. But let me change the question. Is this a reason to publish? Why not write your books and stick them in a filing cabinet like Sean Connery did in the film "Finding Forrester"? Every fraggin’ guru on the circuit talks about self-expression. Write it, express it, file it away. Why publish it? (It's okay if you haven't seen this obscure little gem. I will explain all.)

In fact, there are writers who do exactly that. Some fear rejection or criticism. We hear about them whenever we pop into a writing workshop. But, I don't think there are very many of them. I have trouble picturing someone who can spend months (years?) doing something as essentially egotistical as writing a novel, but who is fundamentally lacking in any sort of self-confidence. Naw, they're thinking posterity but lack the stones to admit it.

At times I've got an inferiority complex I wouldn't dream of whacking onto your shoulders, but it was absent when I wrote my books. During the act of writing itself, you think, "My words are better than your words." You do. You feel that you must record your thoughts because they're that much better than most. That's what writing is. So, I would say that by definition the author isn't ALWAYS plagued by self-doubt.

In "Finding Forrester," Sean Connery's character won the Pulitzer with his first book, saw that every reviewer misunderstood him and decided they could all get stuffed. This is a movie, a work of fiction, but I understand the attitude. I once wrote a true story, where the main character was Michael LaRocca, only to have a critic slam the main character as "unbelievable." Apparently I don't act like real people.

I could never shove all my writing in a filing cabinet, unpublished and tell the establishment to get stuffed. But yep, there are stupid people in the world and some of them review books.

So, we've identified two groups who won't be seeking publication. Hopelessly insecure and hopelessly arrogant. But, like Aristotle, I prefer moderation. You still may be wondering why I seek publication. So do I. Let my exploration of this question continue.

I've hit best-seller status for two different e-publishers with three different books. Minor thrills at the time, but there's no way I could call them enough of a reward for what I put into writing.

You're an author. You know what I'm talking about. We all but kill ourselves to make our books. So, let's be blunt here. Unless you're going to throw Rowling/King/Clancy/Grisham money at me -- and you are NOT -- money isn't sufficient reason to publish. Nobody reading this article has quit his/her "real job"
to be a full-time writer.

Publishing isn't just a case of sending it to a publisher, signing a contract and being done.

Next up is editing, which is a blast. Not at the time, perhaps. Any editor worth a damn will beat you over the head with every bad word choice you ever made. And you made hundreds! But at the end of that gauntlet, you know you are da bomb.

Seeing my cover art is almost always awesome. Yes, I did say "almost." One bad experience among seven. It happens. But, if you've worked with a publisher, you know what I mean. You log onto the old Internet one day, not fully conscious, amazed that you poured that first cup of coffee without burning off your
naughty bits. You pop open an e-mail and see cover art that almost makes your head explode. You get this big rush, thinking, "Someone understands my writing!" What you don't realize, naïve little author, is that some artists don't even read the books they do the art for. But still. The art rocks your world. Feel that. I always enjoy clicking those e-mail attachments and seeing MY book covers.

But, then comes marketing. Biggest pain in the... Well, let's just say it makes me want to not publish sometimes. So, why publish? I've entered the EPPIES twice, and been a finalist both times. Off the top of my head, I can think of no other e-book award that gets my attention. The second time one of my books was an EPPIE finalist, I made some wisecrack in an author's e-group about how "finalist" is a synonym for "loser" and was raked over the coals.

Oops!

(Maybe I annoyed entrants who weren't finalists. I'd always wondered if they existed....)

Let's say I'm not publishing for money or awards. They sing a siren song to new authors which this jaded old bastard quit hearing long ago. Really, I got all that mess out of my system in the previous millennium. So, why do I still publish? What are my rewards? Let me mention a few:

A psychologist turned English teacher formed a women's reading group at the university where we once worked together in China. Her concept was women readers, women writers. But the first book the group ever discussed was my very own "Rising from the Ashes," which is about Mom. My only foray into women's literature. I couldn't attend the reading group, since I'm a guy, but my wife was there. What I learned about my book is priceless, as is knowing what those young students discussed because of my writing. Issues of such depth that I'd be proud to inspire any student, in any country, in any language, to tackle them.

I used to work on North Carolina hog farms. I enjoyed the company of some damn fine people at every one of them. Hog farming is hard work. This isn't the backyard family farm, folks, this is 13 people with 98 boars, 3500 sows and all the babies they can make. One of my toughest coworkers was a lesbian who could break Xena in half, and my one foray into writing horror gave her nightmares.

I don't consider myself a poet, and I believe most of the reading world agrees with me. But I have published six poems. There is one that a hog farm coworker insists will be read at his funeral. Don't ask me why he was planning his funeral during our lunch break because I have no idea. But, well, I guess I'm invited, in a manner of speaking. Back when I was young enough to plan my own funeral, it involved a friend playing Elton John's "Funeral for a Friend." So, compared to Sir Elton John, I know a guy who would prefer that somebody read MY poetry. Freaky.

Master Pizza, 30th Street, Tampa, Florida. A bunch of drunken Italian relatives reading one of my less-than-serious poems ALOUD between pitchers of beer. It was like a Joe Dolce moment.

I was working as a security guard in a particularly unpleasant place. This was 17 years ago, I think. A fellow guard read one of my short stories. It is, by far, the most allegorical thing I've ever written. I can't tell you how many times I've thought about throwing it out. But then, I remember Bob's words. "This is me. This is my life." Me too, old pal, and I don't care if you and I are the only two readers to have any idea what I'm talking about. {Scapegoat Bob!}

I've written some pretty heady volumes, but I've also written quite a few short works. I've heard from numerous students here in China that, "This is the first book in English I've ever finished reading." When I write, I certainly never set out to help anyone learn English. (Some of my editors may claim I never learned the language.) And, students will LIE to teachers. But I've decided that at least one was telling the truth.

When I left the U.S., I embarked on several journeys. Learning to live in China. Learning to love again. Taking another shot at the writer dream. And, eventually, teaching. After all that, I tried my hand at writing humor for the first time. Every time I hear my wife laugh at something I've written, I file it away as a reason to keep writing.

I've written one play in my life. I was young, and quite hooked on the album (pre-CD days) "Jesus Christ Superstar." So, you guessed it, I tackled JC. I wrote something that nobody can read without having a powerful reaction. Readers love it or they hate it. I'm proud of that. And hey, it's only one act long. I have a short attention span.

I loaned Clint "Two Dawgs" Hill my very first book. My cousin. He took it to Durham (North Carolina) and loaned it to a bunch of hippie buddies. He asked for another, because the first one fell apart from overuse. That's why we publish. People all but fighting for the chance to read my words. And heck, the book wasn't even good yet. It's 20 years older now.

I mention all this for the jaded old bastards who have a few novels and bit of minor success under their belts. Nobody else is reading this anymore, are they?

So, maybe this is why we don't just stop when the book is written, stick it in a drawer and uncork the champagne. Although I do hope you uncorked the champagne. This planet contains far too many people who "want to be authors" but who haven't written a book. Never have, never will. Meanwhile, you and I are sitting here knowing we had no choice. We had to write.

And now, I guess it's time to publish. "Who Moved My Rice?" is available from Books Unbound.

===
BIO:
===

Michael LaRocca's Web site at http://freereads.topcities.com was chosen by Writer's Digest as one of The 101 Best Web sites For Writers in 2001 and 2002. He published four novels in 2002 and has two more scheduled for publication in 2004. He also works as an editor for an e-publisher. He teaches English at a university
in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, China, and publishes the free weekly newsletter Mad About Books.

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End of Section I
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Scribe & Quill ~ December 2004

Section II

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ISSN: 1098-6375

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What are the Dames up to this Christmas? Book-giveaway galore! All through the month of December, Jewels of the Quill will be giving away paranormal, contemporary, historical/western and mixed offering stockings full of autographed books, along with a $15 shopping spree in our merchandise store. Only Fans of Jewels of the Quill newsletter members (set to receive mail) will be eligible to enter. Once you've signed up for our (see details on our Web site) newsletter, visit

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FansofJewelsoftheQuill/message/44 (HTML version) or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FansofJewelsoftheQuill/message/45

(plain-text version) to read the December Fans of Jewels of the Quill newsletter for details on how to enter our Christmas giveway. Find out what the Dames are up to at http://www.JewelsoftheQuill.com.

What are the Dames up to now? In December, Roxi Romano, our first Special Guest Jewel, is the featured author at Jewels of the Quill http://www.JewelsoftheQuill.com. Roxi discusses her upcoming release, "Fantasies R Us," a romantica comedy. (Please note that the book/excerpt is erotic fiction and cover art contains nudity.) Roxi is giving away a download copy of "Fantasies R Us" along with an adorable stuffed mouse. For more information and to be to be eligible to win, visit our Web site to find out what the Dames are up to in December.

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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS:

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TIMETRAVEL-BRITAIN.COM

Moira Allen, Editor

EMAIL: editors@writing-world.com

URL: http://www.timetravel-britain.com/adm/guidelines.shtml

TimeTravel-Britain.com is a combination of a travel e-zine and a travel database. The emphasis of the site is "historic destinations." We want every article on the site to give the reader an idea of the history of the site or area being covered, as well as a glimpse of what the visitor to that site can see today. Articles can approach topics from the historical side (e.g., a historical overview of an event, along with a discussion of locations associated with that event that a visitor can see today), or from the travel side (focusing on a destination and what one can see today, along with some background history on the site). The site is expected to "go live" in early spring 2005. We're looking for a variety of travel features, including:

"All About the Town..." Historic highlights of a specific town in England. The article should begin with an overview of the town as a whole (e.g., what makes this town interesting historically and as a travel destination?), and discussions of several key sites within the town, such as historic houses, the best museums, etc. Query first to make sure the town hasn't already been covered. 2000-3000 words, $200-$300.

"Destination Feature." Focuses on a particular "must-see" single historic destination. The destination could be a single stop or (like Hadrian's Wall) include multiple stops. 1500-2000 words, $100-$200

"Miscellaneous Feature." This could include profiles of artisans/crafters involved in a historic craft; "hands-on" travel such as participating in an archaeological dig; round-ups of "best" destinations (such as best haunted inns), seasonal articles (where to experience a Victorian Christmas), etc. 1500-2000 words, $100-$200.

"Worth a Stop." Short features on destinations that may not merit full-length coverage -- e.g., a place you'd visit if you're in the area, but might not drive out to see all by itself. 500-1000 words, $50.

"Short Miscellany." Short features on interesting, quirky, unusual topics. This section could include articles on food, recipes, costumes, crafts, recent historical/archaeological discoveries, etc. 500-1000 words, $50.

We're also interested in column proposals. Columns will initially run bimonthly; pay is $100 per column.

Photos are strongly recommended. Please see our online guidelines for more details.

LENGTH: See above.

PAYMENT: See above.

RIGHTS: First electronic rights; exclusive electronic rights for three months after publication; nonexclusive archival rights thereafter.

REPRINTS: Yes, PLEASE. Pays $25-$100 for reprints.

SUBMISSIONS: Submit query or complete manuscript by e-mail to editors@writing-world.com. If photos are available, submit one to three low-resolution sample jpgs as attachments; do NOT attach large photo files.

GUIDELINES: http://www.timetravel-britain.com/adm/guidelines.shtml

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"Secrets of the Professional Freelancer" by veteran freelancer Bev Walton-Porter delivers the solid information you need to jump-start your writing career today. Bev has published hundreds of articles by using these methods and ideas -- now you can, too! To purchase your copy for only $4.95, visit: http://scribequill.com/SecretsFreelancer.html

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FEATURED ARTICLE:

Amazon Offers Perks Authors Can Use to Promote

An excerpt from "The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't"

By Carolyn Howard-Johnson (Hojonews@aol.com)

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Ahhhh, Amazon. When it comes to book sales, she strides on the sturdiest of legs.

--Carolyn Howard-Johnson

Among authors, Amazon.Com has earned its name. For many it is their most important tool for online sales; sometimes it is their not-so-gentle giant. It is a business many love to hate. Several of its policies are perceived to be anti-author. Because it has so many features that are an advantage to authors, I, instead, hate to love it.

Amazon will sell your books here and overseas. She may not cater to authors of any stripe, but she tolerates them as long as they are assigned an ISBN (the number on the back of your book near the barcode). Small or large publishers, subsidy, and self-published books may be found in her pages making her a unique buying and selling tool. She also offers -- with an outstretched hand and only a few guidelines — avenues that will expose your book to a very important target, readers. Because Amazon is fickle — always adding a feature or taking something away, always changing page designs, I can only attempt to give exact instructions for implementing the features she offers. It is important for you to sign in so that a little index tab sporting your name pops up on the home page. Mine says "Carolyn's Store." Yours will be equally well personalized once you are a customer. Click on that tab for a myriad of possibilities for you book.

Amazon's "Your About You Area" is the cog in the wheel that exposes you, the author -- if you are a publisher all of your authors -- to readers. This area on Amazon.com is a page — much like a Web site of your own that you can tailor to appeal to readers surfing for something to read. When a visitor to Amazon finds your book, the reviews, essays and recommended reading lists you have posted on the site, they will also find a link to this page where they can read more about you — not necessarily the private you, but the author you. Because these perks reach your targeted audience —- readers -- and because they cost you nothing but time, they are a bargain. Make them part of your promotion strategy. Here's how you post your page:

Go to http://www.amazon.com.

Find the tabs near the headline. You've signed in with Amazon so you'll find a personalized tab at the top of the page. Click.

Find an area that says "Friends and Favorites" on the blue strip near the top of the page. Click.

Find the link to "Your About You Area." Install your page, add your picture or book cover art. Use a short synopsis of your book as part of your biography.

While you're there, explore this area.

There are many features here which I discuss in "The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't." I have excerpted only the one below for NABP members.

Now you have "Your About You Area" posted, you have the foundation for a virtually free media blitz on Amazon ready go. My favorite Amazon feature is their "So You'd Like To...Guides." SYLTs are set up so that you can post essays, rills or rants on any subject that you wish. At the bottom of the article you type in the ISBN numbers (but Amazon calls them ASIN numbers) of books or other products related to the subject of your piece. Readers who visit the pages of the books you listed may then find your article available to read.

"So You'd Like To..." guides are an excellent place to recycle your old articles (Learn more about recycling in Chapter 6 of "The Frugal Book Promoter") because the interest of readers is as wide as the world and beyond. That means that pretty much anything you still own the rights to can be posted here to be read by book-lovers. Edit the material so that it relates to your book in some way. This connection is the primary reason for giving an essay to Amazon.

Here are some tips for contributing a successful "So You'd Like To":

Find the "So You'd Like To..." link on "Your About You Page."

Read the instructions and guidelines at the top of the page.

Come up with a title that invites browsers to read it. One of mine that has attracted heavy readership is "So You'd Like To...Know More About Elizabeth Smart's Culture." Every time Elizabeth's court case makes the news, this essay gets another spurt of curious readers and the subject of the essay is closely related to my award-winning novel, "This Is the Place."

Copy and paste your article into the text window.

Carefully edit. Amazon's free offer deserves to be honored with your best. Besides, you reputation as a writer is on the line. At the end, type in up to 50 related book, tape and video titles according to the instructions. I used the book written by Elizabeth's parents and others on facets of Utah's culture including its renegade polygamist cells.

Include some books on your list that will attract heavy traffic from book-lovers. That helps exposure. Longer lists are spotted throughout Amazon more often than short ones.

You can use my "So You'd Like To..." guides as examples by going to: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/cm/member-guides/-/A3JH18T58CY65P/ref=cm_aya_bb_sylt/102-3003008-8964967. So far I have 17 of them and each day they attract more readers. Include the title of your book in the body of the essay. If you have chosen your subject carefully your book will be a natural fit.

Click on the "publish" button when you're done. You don't want your brilliant new ploy for getting hundreds of readers to go to waste. (My SYLT Guides have been read by nearly 20,000 readers so far.) You may begin with a short list and add to it using the edit feature. Voila! This list will magically appear on many pages throughout the Amazon site. It will be targeted primarily to the books that you chose to list but may appear elsewhere.

I recently started helping authors I know by offering to include their books on one of the "So You'd Like To..." lists. I rewrote one of the Back to Literature columns I had published at http://www.myshelf.com. It was an opinion piece on how important it is for authors to be accessible to their fans. Then I posted an offer to fellow authors who share a list-serve with me. I told them what I was doing and asked for volunteers. I also asked them to promise me they would be accessible to fans by offering a gift or a signature label to them if they were contacted. I had to turn away so many grateful authors who wanted to be included that I'm planning another article as soon as I figure out a new angle that will help other authors and give the right kind of exposure to my books. Here is the link for that essay:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/guides/guide-display/-/H3M5DP3WRXDS/ref=cm_bg_dp_l_2/102-2927160-6432116.

Some of my SYLTs have made it to Amazon's top 100, but I haven't figured out the criteria they use and I can't find anyone else who has either.

There are at least a dozen other ways to use Amazon to publicize your book. Read more about how to do so in either the paperback or e-book version of "The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't." To purchase a paperback go to: http://www.amazon.com or to http://ebookad.com for an e-copy.

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E-COURSE DIRECTORY

Do you need more exposure? More sales? More students?

Advertise in our e-course store for only 27 cents per day!

http://thedabblingmum.com/advertising/ecourses.htm

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BOOK REVIEWS

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RATING LEGEND:

**** Quills = Excellent

*** Quills = Good

** Quills = Fair

* Quills = Poor

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"Timeless Incantation" by Jay Blue

Reviewed by: Judith Woolcock Colombo (judithcolombo@hotmail.com)

Publisher: Publish America, Baltimore

ISBN: 1413728588

Rating: * * * Quills

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1413728588/scriquil/

"How do I Love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breath and height My soul can reach."

These lines, written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning over a century and a half ago, are famous the world over. Almost everyone who reads or hears them recognizes either the poet or the poem. For the very few who have never heard of this poem, the words are still familiar. They express feelings we have all experienced or will experience: love and passion.

In "Timeless Incantation" by Jay Blue, these feelings of love, passion and friendship are expressed in a series of love poems dedicated to his wife. However, the book opens not with a love poem, but with an ode to a park bench that although inanimate welcomes people, lovers included, to sit and observe nature and the passage of the seasons.

The theme of time passing is tied in throughout the collection with other themes: true love, friendship, nature and God's constant presence. The title poem "Timeless Incantation," expresses some of these sentiments in lines such as:

"For she my muse my dearest friend enables me such passions.

So inspired by her greatest values.

I strive for God's greatest gift.

I embrace her deepest love.

No others shall raise above this timeless incantation."

The poems although dedicated to true love, which the poet believes is eternal, also develop the theme of friendship. In poems such as "The Fractured Shard of You" and "Angels on Silent Wings," the poet speaks of being comforted by this lover and friend whose mere presence restores his equilibrium.

The theme of time and eternal love is mentioned in several poems, but developed in "Eternal Walls I Climb." The poet speaks of searching for his wife and true love through many lifetimes, willing to climb eternal walls and continue the search until he has found her again and again in each lifetime.

The book ends as it starts with the park bench that has witnessed the growth of love through spring, summer and fall and now getting ready for winter.

The appeal of "Timeless Incantation" lies not in the poet's skill, but in the emotions he expresses. This is not the work of Barrett-Browning, Shakespeare or William Harris, but of a man whose entire life is devoted to his love of one person, his wife. The book's charm lies in the emotions it expresses and serves to teach us that we all can be poets with the right someone to inspire us.

===

Bio:

===

Judith Woolcock Colombo is the author of "The Fablesinger & Night Crimes" now available in e-book format from the publisher at http://www.publishamerica.com. For more information, visit Judith's Web site at http://odin.prohosting.com/~night01, or send her e-mail at judithcolombo@hotmail.com.

***

"This Time I Dance" by Tama J. Kieves

Reviewed by: Mindy Phillips Lawrence (mplcreative1@aol.com)

Publisher: Joseph P. Tarcher/Penguin, 2002

ISBN: 1585423300

Rating: * * * * Quills

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1585423300/scriquil

Layoffs are a fact of life in this tense age of business. People in corporate America, particularly those in middle management positions, look over their shoulders every pay period wondering when the next downsizing will come. In "This Time I Dance: Trusting the Journey of Creating the Work You Love," Tama Kieves reverses that procedure. A cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School on track to be a partner in the firm where she works, Kieves quits when she can no longer stand to face the boredom of one more brief. Her heart cries out to be a writer. Faced with family and friends who looked at her like she had a screw loose, she begins the process of learning how to trust her own journey.

Kieves says, "Criticism only strikes a fire when we provide the wood." She begins unburying her creative self while her family, friends and former co-workers question the path she chooses. It seems irrational. In spite of all the criticism, doubt and reflection Kieves goes through, she forges a new creative person who becomes a writer, workshop presenter and career coach. She consistently refuses to fuel negative reactions to her decision and continues exploring herself and the writer she wants to become.

The chapter, "You Have to Color Outside the Lines to Find Your Picture," reminded me of the trouble I had in kindergarten staying inside those pesky lines in my coloring book. My teacher consulted with my mother about this serious problem. Years later, I got a degree in art and put those lines aside forever, but that didn't happen until I refuted those who told me I was only successful if I stayed within restrictions.

Kieves defines discipline as being a disciple to yourself. None of her success was done without dedication and experimentation. After trying the writing schedules of several famous authors, Kieves develops her own flexible agenda. She suggests for writers to do the same, experiment and invent a writing time that works for them.

Kieves's writing style is a bit wired, but so is she. Her journey is a testament to a life seeker who follows his or her desires, steps off the precipice into the unknown and finds an invisible bridge. The bridge is there but not visible until the decision is made to take that first step. Although the writing is sometimes over the top, this book is a great motivator for those who need training in how to dance through life and stop being content with the status quo.

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Karen Wiesner is having a giveaway at her fiction Web site (located at http://www.karenwiesner.com {Fiction}) to celebrate the release of "Mirror Mirror" (available in trade paperback for the pre-order price of only $12.70), including autographed books, a tote bag, and even a puzzle! "Mirror Mirror" received a five-star review from Huntress Reviews, ten out of ten star review from Roundtable Reviews, and a rave review from Harriet Klausner. You can read the reviews at Karen Web site. She also has a new interview up at http://fallenangelreviews.com/Interviews/Nov-Jaynie-KarenWiesner.htm.

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"The Craving"

Author: T.K. Sheils

Reviewed by: Rita Porter (beepmybeep2@mchsi.com)

Publisher: LTD Books (2002)

ISBN: 1553161122, B0000A2U8B (e-book)

Rating * * * * Quills

www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/B0000A2U8B/scriquil

With the disappearance of Harry Somers, Sabrina e-mails Jackson, asking him to meet with her. Coming face-to-face with a shape changer himself, Jackson is somewhat shocked when Sabrina asks for his help. Jackson soon regrets accepting almost immediately. He is afraid that one of these times when he

answers her cry for help, he's going to find that he has fallen so deeply in love with her, he won't be able to walk away.

Jackson realizes that finding out what happened to Harry, who was editing Sabrina's book on shift changers, isn't going to be easy. Having gotten a name and an address for a professor, who had written papers on the subject of shift changers, Jackson and Sabrina travel to Canada. They find getting to the Professor Valben's house difficult, with unknown challenges they have to overcome and no one willing to give directions. Once there, they learn more than would have been believable, had they not had their experiences on the way there.

Though covering a topic hardly thought to be real, T.K. Sheils draws his readers deeper into the superstitious realm of shift changers and the possibilities that are held there. Sheils's characters interact well with each other. The mystery, tension and violence within the pages of "The Craving" merge well. Quick-paced right from the start, Sheils doesn't allow you to think of the passing of the pages.

***

"The Little Mornings" by C.M. Albrecht

Reviewed by: Rita Porter (beepmybeep2@mchsi.com)

Publisher: Zumaya Publications (2004)

ISBN: 1894942434

Rating * * Quills

www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/1894942434/scriquil

In "The Little Mornings," Darcy Lemarsh tells what has happened to him since he met Angela Berry. Life-altering choices where bad things happen to good people occur at times; Darcy is a firm believer in that now that it's too late. Pondering all the different choices he could've made, Darcy begins to look

back and see the differences.

Upon meeting Angela he falls into lust (or love) too hard to tell when one is unsure of just what love is. Following all the rules of relationships, it doesn't take them long to move in together, and from there to meeting the other's family. Angela is the only one who this can be credited to though. Her grandfather is a drunken old rambling man with big ideas to help Angela be secure. The latest idea drags Darcy into the mix, pretending to be an author to the publishers that have finally agreed to print the grandfather's book.

When hearing the details of the book, Darcy is startled at the comparisons between Angela and his life, minus the major part of the plot. Darcy has agreed to pull this fast one on the public and the publishers. Things start to go wrong almost immediately once the meeting with the personal editor has

started. Things snowball on Darcy quicker than he can imagine.

Turns out there are more than just two authors to the book. Author Havilland catches up with Darcy and Angela on the book tour, claiming that this is his work. Now there are three authors to this book. Darcy is stuck on a parallel spiral with the boyfriend character portrayed in the book.

C.M. Albrecht's writing style took some getting used to. It was confusing and overly descriptive in parts, and seemed to leave too much to the reader to pick up on in others. All in all, the plot was good. Albrecht's characters were well written.

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"Osama Caper" by Bruce D. Bullock

Reviewed by: Sonali T. Sikchi (sonali_sikchi@hotmail.com)

Publisher: 1st Books Library (2001)

ISBN: 0738869503

Rating: * Quill

www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0738869503/scriquil

A terrorist from Saudi Arabia, an Arab from Iran, a pastor's son born in Egypt, a musical prodigy, anti-terrorist U.S. agents and plucky American kids: such is the international cast of this action story by Bullock.

"Osama Caper" is the tale of the unmasking of a terrorist plot by two 13-year-old boys. The book begins with Toby overhearing a conversation in Arabic on the bus going home from school. This spurs Toby and his best friend Kevin to begin spying on the two people planning the bombing. In their quest for information, they run into anti-terrorist agents, who are attempting to apprehend the two criminals by pretending to be on their side. They work alongside these experienced professionals, their youth, intelligence and bravery providing a fresh perspective on thwarting the goal of the lawless thugs.

Bullock builds the story from one suspenseful uncovering after another, weaving the different threads of the plot with the ups and downs of the cemented friendship between the boys and the budding romance between the agents Felicity and Quinn. He maintains the tricky art of the omniscient viewpoint consistently all throughout.

However, the book ultimately fails to deliver due to problems with the craft of writing. Every character, including the Arab men, talks in the same voice, has a hair-trigger temper and swears in English in the same fashion. The romance between the agents comes on strongly from the first encounter, without any warning, without any development, and remains in that niche to the end of the story. Inappropriate word couplings, such as languidly apprehensive, take away some of the enjoyment of reading this fast-paced story.

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BIO:

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Sonali T. Sikchi is a Seattle-based freelance writer with feature articles and book reviews published in national and regional magazines, such as History Magazine, Alaska Airlines Magazine, Horizon Air Magazine, Scribe & Quill, uncapped, Citysearch and others. As a freelance editor and proofreader, she works with authors, magazines, book publishers and nonprofit organizations. She can be reached by e-mail at sonali_sikchi@hotmail.com, or on the Web at sonali_sikchi.home.comcast.net.

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"Shadows of the Soul" by Bev Walton-Porter

Reviewed by: Judith Woolcock Colombo (judithcolombo@hotmail.com)

Publisher: Scribe & Quill Books (2004)

Format: E-book, 35 pages - available in Adobe PDF, .RTF and WORD

Rating * * * Quills

http://www.scribequill.com/Shadows.html

We read such authors as William Faulkner, Toni Morrison and N. Scott Momaday and marvel at the brilliance of their prose, but we read John Milton, Robert Frost and Gwendolyn Brooks, and we are transported into a realm of vivid images and pulsating sound, which surrounds us and vibrates through us. Such is the power of poetry.

The collection of poems in "Shadows of The Soul" by Bev Walton-Porter is no less intense. It is both a testament to life and a triumph over it. In the prose introduction, Walton-Porter speaks of "the pain of living" and the use of words that help us deal with life's disappointments. She arms herself with words, and they become her shield against the world.

In "Like Skin," she speaks about being tough skinned and armed against words and looks that hurt: "...protects like armor. Deflecting words, spoken weapons and reflecting stares like a mirror reflecting my soul." The poems are filled with rich imagery. Some, like "No Woman's Land," are reminiscent of William Blake's work with a little Dante thrown in: "Along the pitted plains I walk -- air putrid and hostile to my senses. Above, vultures...men of misfortune...their diabolical countenances mocking me -- with the blackness of their misshapen wings...."

The style and language of Walton-Porter's poems evolve to produce a well-rounded collection. The poems deal with a wide range of topics from PMS to loneliness, betrayal, love and lost. These are all topics everyone can relate to. You can't live in the world without ever having experienced some if not all the emotions described in this collection. However, "Shadows of The Soul" is not meant to depress, but to illustrate the human spirit's triumph over the hurts inflected on it by an uncaring world.

All the poems are well written, and although there are some poems I enjoyed more than others, they are all worth rereading several times. This is a fine collection, and I recommend it.

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