Karibu Reader and Happy Father's Day!

Toronto is finally warm and I find myself inexorably pulled outside basking in the sun.

As an author trying to offer entertainment to readers, I'm often baffled by the notion of trying to get fans. If I were to approach a random person (she's a black woman like me) and ask her to purchase my book, what would I say to her? What exactly is she looking for in a story? A heroine who battles aliens? A dark handsome hero in whose arms she can…

This is a question that’s becoming more and more prevalent in my everyday life. I've been told on several occasions that I’m very analytical and that I always give long drawn out answers to simple questions or that I look too, “Deep,” into situations that do not require much thought. Huh? *scratching head* usually after I'm told these things the closing statement is always, "I understand what you saying, but you’re an author so..." 

I'm still trying to make sense of that…

To the Goblin King  |  Linda M. Crate

You dance on the rim of obscurity—you flit just out of my reach on the wings of tissue paper butterflies. You explode into the marrow of a thousand and one white-tailed lantern stars, glimmering in the sky like diamonds … read…

Our Love Could Light The World is a collection of twelve linked short stories about a sloppy, unorganized, yet endearing family, the Dugans. The book begins with the final story in my first collection, All The Roads That Lead From Home (Press 53, 2011). After bringing this family to the page, I decided to…

In art class Emerald announced, “I'm going to make a horse.”

Everyone, with great concern told Emmie, “Don't make a horse!”

“Why?” she asked.

“Horses are hard.” said Franz

“You've never made a horse before.” said Lily.

“It's a lot of work.” said Mr. Potts the Sculpture teacher.

“That's not fun.” said Kiki.

And so Emerald changed her mind.

Emerald tried making a seal like Kiki, but it did not make her laugh. No, it didn't even…

Come check out this new classic mystery tale on my short story zine wordhaus!

Killer Tater  |  Bruce Harris

This was the last thing Del Bland, security head at Broadwell College, expected. With nineteen-plus years on the job, the last half dozen as chief, and his planned retirement less than a month away, he wasn’t looking…

A few thoughts after sending North of Hope into the world:

Memoir is a subcategory of non-fiction, even if creative non-fiction or literary non-fiction. Memoir tells a true story.

Except: if you and I have dinner one week, and recall that dinner the following week, it’s likely we both will recall something different, about the light, the music playing or not, the family at the table across from us, the food. Memory is molded by who we are, the genes we carry, the experiences…

Up in Kings River Life Magazine this morning a review of Dennis Palumbo's brand new mystery novel "Night Terrors" and a chance to win a copy of the book http://kingsriverlife.com/05/18/night-terrors-a-daniel-rinaldi-mystery-by-dennis-palumbo/

We also have another Smart Guys mystery short story by Dennis Palumbo…

"Louise," Thorny yelled from somewhere in the house. Probably his office, I thought, slamming the album of pictures shut. I was scrap booking, designing pages into works of art, adding photos almost as an afterthought. Low on paper cement I'd have to quit soon anyway. But, damn it to hell! What on earth did he want now?

I scooted my chair back from my desk in the dining room and walked into the hall. "Where are you?" I called. No answer. "Where are you, Thorny?" Louder this…

New calls! For all three anthologies, I strongly encourage writers new to erotica and my books to submit; I love publishing new authors and each of these topics is rife for creative voices approaching them with a fresh perspective. Work MUST follow the guidelines below.



Couples' Erotic Romance Stories

To be published by Cleis Press in 2014



Editor Rachel Kramer Bussel is looking for romantic, primarily heterosexual erotic stories for a 2012 anthology of…

Up in Kings River Life Magazine 6 more reviews & giveaways of Penguin mysteries. "The Good, the Bad, and the Witchy": A Witchcraft Mystery By Heather Blake, "Curse of the PTA" by Laura Alden, "Under Currents" by Author Pamela Beason, "Going, Going Ganache" by Jenn McKinlay, "Oak and Dagger" by Dorothy St. James and "The Homicide Hustle": A Ballroom Dance Mystery By Ella Barrick.…

The Ravening

There’s this story we all know. All who live here, I mean. You’ve never heard it, most outsiders haven’t. We don’t usually talk about it, not supposed to. Don’t know why exactly, but that’s the rule. I’m telling you now because I need someone to know I was here. Know I was normal once. By the time this gets to you, that won’t…

This morning in Kings River Life Magazine we have another big group of fun mystery book reviews & giveaways from Penguin: We have "The Christie Curse: A Book Collector Mystery" By Victoria Abbott, "Nickeled-and-Dimed to Death: A Devereaux’s Dime Store Mystery" By Denise Swanson, "Peach Pies and Alibis" by Ellery Adams, Trouble in the Tarot by Kari Lee Townsend, and Wave Good-Bye: A Southern Beauty Shop Mystery By Lila Dare…

But I Am Free

I sat across from him on the black sofa-bed I usually reserved for guests, while sipping my chai tea, and I just stared for a moment. It was so strange to have this man here in my bed still. Usually I would pretend to have a meeting to go to or I would outright let them know that their presence was disrupting my work. That was the good thing about being an artist. I…

Up in Kings River Life this morning--check out this great book giveaway of Julia Spencer Fleming's entire series! There is also a review of 2 of the books in the series http://kingsriverlife.com/04/06/julie-spencer-fleming-reviewsbig-giveaway/

Also up in KRL this morning a new Smart Guys mystery short story from Dennis Palumbo…

Boundless  |  Mary Borsellino

Every time she refills his coffee, the girl lingers for a few seconds to stare at his forearms and throat. Khepri begins counting how many times it happens, wondering how long it’ll take before curiosity gets the better of her.

It’s the fourth time around when she finally…

A story is an artistic arrangement of words that can make us see a lush green field, hear a baby’s terrified wails, smell delicate orange blossoms, and even taste rich red wine.

To write a story you need an idea, a spark that you can…

In celebration of our national Irish holiday, I am giving away three original short stories at my website. 

These original stories are free until 12:00 midnight on March 17th. 

These contemporary tales all center around the topic of infidelity, Irish style.

The first story, "Wednesdays," is posted there now.

To follow: "La Belle Femme" and  

(just in time for…

Previously, I've written crime/thriller fiction, but for some reason, the young adult paranormal genre called to me. I had to listen to the calling and the result is "The Other Side: Melinda's Story." The release date is April 9, 2013. I'm going to share below a snippet of the book, but before I do, I want to share with you a few advance reviews:

"The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” is one of those rare paranormal thrillers that challenges as it entertains.  Starr Reina's…