In a couple of weeks, Hedgebrook’s second Vortext Salon for women writers will take place on Whidbey Island: three extraordinary days of workshops and conversation, in a beautiful setting, led by six renowned writers and teachers: Dorothy Allison, Karen Joy Fowler, Elizabeth George, Jane Hamilton, Ruth Ozeki and Gail Tsukiyama.

Vortext was just a gleam in Karen Joy Fowler’s eye a year ago, when she came to us with…

Latest Release:  Samantha's Cravings

Good morning. I hope you have a great day on tap. I'm up early in Negril, updating Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/cassandrablackauthor?ref=stream), author blog (http://cassandra-black-author.blogspot.com/2013/05/up-until-after-200-am-writing-last-night.html), etc. Getting ready to…

Around the age of four children, who are naturally curious, learn one of the most glorious words in the English language–Why? This single word–tiny and unassuming–is the key to knowledge and, more importantly, the development of true understanding. Of ourselves. The people and world around…

Today's post is another in an occasional series presenting something you might not know about poets or poetry.

http://writingwithoutpaper.blogspot.com/2013/05/monday-muse-asks-did-you-know.html

I've mentioned the Salt Cay Writers Retreat I'm organizing for October in the Bahamas here before - we've been busy over the past several weeks, and there are a number of items I wanted to share.

After making a site visit to Salt Cay in April with my agent, who is helping to shape the retreat program, we now have a detailed program schedule on the website: http://saltcaywritersretreat.com/program/

I've also posted pictures…

Writing on verandah at villa in Negril with Carib sea just in the distance.  Pretty morning, birds talking, flowers all around, sky clear as a bell. I'm ready for my second cup of coffee already. Up early today despite getting to bed little late last night.  Watched game (Miami vs. Chicago) at a local bar last night with big sis, a friend and a couple of rastas. Wow, what a game. Chicago showed out! Was rooting for Miami, but I think next one is Wednesday, so I will be ready. C'mon…

Tracy Kidder and Richard Todd provide the Thought for the Day:

http://writingwithoutpaper.blogspot.com/2013/05/thought-for-day.html

Having an absolute ball in Caribbean ...

I hope your day is going well. This afternoon I'm designing a book cover for big sis (Yuwanda Black, http://inkwelleditorial.com/about).  Her first romance novella will be out soon. Can't wait to read it!

I will walk to Negril's round-about (town area) a little later for some much needed exercise. Will then…

Blogs, Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook… My guess is you are familiar with and use at least one of these formats of social media among,perhaps, others. I also have a hunch if you are a writer you are at least somewhat savvy about the concept of building a platform. According to Christina Katz, author of…

While earning an MFA in Creative Writing, I remember feeling out of place, thinking, “I love to write, I want to write, but I’m not the writer type.” I didn’t want to sit at coffee houses or attend poetry slams and it seemed to me that’s what most writers did. I didn’t enjoy pontificating about literature. I just liked to write.

Much of my attitude was immaturity—believing that people could be grouped so accordingly. And much was fear—thinking I had to fit inside the box, wondering if…

(Me at my favorite place, an over-water house Bora-Bora, 1999. From the MyDestination.com article.)

Promotion is part of the writer's equation. And I'm just not good at it... never have been. Yes, I was a shy kid, but that can't be an excuse to get out of letting the world know…

Here are five easy steps to selling more books than anyone, ever:

1. Surf and study the Internet until you understand every single aspect of it.

2. Gain practical knowledge of the buying habits of every current reader and prospective future readers.

3. Establish a personal relationship with #2 using #1.

4. Maintain #3 long-term with daily contact, offering enticements, encouragement, and unique gifts/prizes

5. Write a steady stream of fascinating books when…

I hope your day is going well. Feeling really blessed this morning, enjoying this life I've carved out  for myself, in spite of so many things.  Of course, money's always a little tight; haven't "made it" yet; but feeling so rich in so many things, and if God took me tomorrow, I would not regret one iota of today.

I hope this is life for you, too. If not, maybe consider changing some things ... I…

On the last day of the quarter, I often ask students in my memoir class to write down on an anonymous slip of paper a question about writing.  When I did this recently, I received a number of questions about the legal implications of writing about others, how one finds an agent, how to decide on the structure of a book...all good questions.  But then there was one question that stood out from the bunch.  On a torn piece of lined notepaper, the writer asked simply, "Am I good?"…

Today's post is another in an occasional series in which Monday Muse offers facts you might not know about poets, poems, or poetry and publishing.

http://writingwithoutpaper.blogspot.com/2013/04/monday-muse-asks-did-you-know.html

The other day, in the midst of spring, or so the calendar indicates, our mountains received a layer of snow. I’m itching to pull my bike off its hook from the garage, lower my kayak from where it's hoisted for the winter, and slide on my hiking shoes for a walk by the lake, watching my dog lope without either of us getting chilled. But I know better. Spring is slow to emerge, if at all, at our elevation. Sometimes we skip the season altogether and just launch into summer.…