Inspired by Dane Golden's guest post on YouTube videos, I have begun a new series of YouTube videos, the second of which answers the question "Should all authors (published or not) blog?" Check out the video below for my answer. Also, one announcement: Litquake, San Francisco's literary conference, is introducing Digi.lit, a one-day digital publishing conference that will take…

An essay that ran in Salon Tuesday titled “I’m a self-publishing failure” recounts how one writer, John Winters, spent countless hours and dollars promoting his book online only to sell a handful of copies. Where did John go wrong? How can you avoid becoming a self-publishing failure?

1. First of all, start early.

Seth…

You know those type of people that say they're going to do something, multiple times, like, "Oh yeah I'm going to start exercising tomorrow" or "I'm totally planning to get into sewing" but then that day never actually comes? I'm one of those people. I start hobbies - lots of them - and I never seem to follow through with any of them. It is my greatest flaw, to be a jack of all trades but none of which I am a master of. 

Why is technically why I'm here at SheWrites. I desire to be a…

The past few months have been rough. From not loving my Conflict Resolution graduate program to not knowing what I want to actually do as a career, I have been experiencing a roller coaster of emotions that I can't seem to get off of. Or rather don't know how to get off of.

It started during the first term of the program when I realized my disinterest in the course readings and materials. The disinterest then turned to being unhappy with the program itself, the structure…

Want to get away and write? TMI Project, the non-profit storytelling workshop I co-run, is planning a women's writing retreat the weekend of March 15th, at beautiful Lifebridge Sanctuary. This is our third retreat. In a safe, alcohol and drug-free environment, over the course of 2.5 days, my partner…

Just in time for the holidays, I’m offering a FREE promotion for the Kindle version of my award-winning book,  "FABULOUS IN FLATS" .  This was the collection of essays that was named “Published Book of the Year” by the Florida…

There’s nothing like a dame

Across the horizon the clouds roll in obliterating the sun and turning an already frigid day distinctly chilly. She does not care about the cold, her low throaty purr never falters as she turns and makes…

She paused in the doorway self-consciously smoothing down the unaccustomed skirt as though to make it longer than it actually…

Curiouser and curiouser.

As far as the eye can see the doors stretch in an endless colourful sea, all so very different neither uniform nor alike. Some catch the eye more than others being gaudy and opulent, designed to draw the eye and the beholder like a magpie to some…

Sometimes I dream about men who want to kill me. Angry, obnoxious, patronizing men filled with resentment and hurt egos. The other night it was my dad chasing me with a pair of scissors, the week before, it was Arabs threatening me, because I didn’t hide my face and body.

Such dreams always occur when I’m about to speak truth, show myself and share something personal with the world, be it a…

I am so thrilled to have this piece published about my relationship to Ani Difranco and her music on The Rumpus!!!

http://therumpus.net/2012/07/albums-of-our-lives-ani-difrancos-like-i-said/

I am so intrigued about Linda Ferguson's new book, Staying Grounded in Shifting Sand.  Staying Grounded in Shifting Sand provides insightful stories and ideas to support your spiritual journey and help you answer your soul's calling.  Inside you'll read how to step fully into who you are as an awakened soul being.  You'll read ways to apply spiritual principles for daily challenges and stressors of relationships, finances, work, or family.  You'll learn how to connect with the joy and beauty…

Fellow personal essayists/ memoirists, READ THIS: http://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/a-personal-essay-by-a-personal-essay

We’re so proud that Shay Olivarria was interviewed by Kristina Puga of…

Camp Fire USA Executive Director/CEO Sandra Rutherford with SCE Federal Credit Union Foundation representative Shay Olivarria at Camp Miss Independent.

Saturday, April 21st was the…

Thursday, April 5, 2012 Shay Olivarria was pleased to present financial education workshop “Creating a Foundation for Wealth” based on her book 10 Things College Students Need to Know About…

Check out my latest blog post: My Husband has been Bewitched