Linda had back surgery today and will be in recovery for at least the next several weeks. She plans to chronicle it all in her blog . If you can, please mark http://livingwithfmandoa.blogspot.com/ on your favorites and keep her company by checking on her a few times during the process. Tell her we sent you :)

BTW...if you're still shopping for Christmas, Linda has a killer little online store called Linda's Gifts And Decor . Check that out too!

The Writer's Chatroom  www.writerschatroom.com  

Newsletter archive

Chat with Robin D. Owens

Robin D. Owens has been writing longer than she cares to recall. Her fantasy/futuristic romances finally found a home at Berkley with the issuance of HeartMate in December 2001. She credits the "telepathic cat with attitude" in selling that book. Currently, she has one domesticated cat and one feral, who is thinking about changing his mind on being wild in the Colorado winter (canned food might also have something to do with this). She has secretly admitted to having as many as six cats. Before purchasing her home, she shared apartments with an innumerable parade of hamsters, and included one as a sidekick in her second Luna book, Sorceress of Faith.

Naturally, for the flying horses in Protector of the Flight, she had to do hands-on research with horses, and enjoyed every minute!

She loves writing fantasy with romance or romance with fantasy, and particularly likes adding quirky characters for comic relief and leaving little threads dangling from book to book to see if readers pick up on them (usually, yes! Reader intelligence is awesome!).

She is particularly proud of her Web site, which includes such pages as Worlds (character interviews, cut scenes/chapters/characters, photos of places/things that have inspired her) and Free Your Artist (motivational quote, artist exercise, affirmation and fun links). Her Web site is updated monthly and has excerpts of all her work. Her monthly contest is for fun items that usually tie into her books: jewelry, pet carriers, runes, etc.

Robin loves hearing from readers, tries her best to respond to any questions and has been known to take reader advice for her work (eg., the mole in Heart Thief). Please e-mail her at robin@robindowens.com .

She is profoundly thankful to be a recipient of the 2002 Romance Writers of America RITA® Award (like the Oscar in her field) for HeartMate, the 2004 and 2005 PRISM Awards for Heart Thief and Heart Duel, the 2003 Denver Area Science Fiction Association Golden Lungfish Award for Writer of the Year and the 2004 Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers' Writer of the Year Award. The Luna books continue to be award winners and when she receives such news she's been known to dance around bored cats....

EXCERPTS: http://www.robindowens.com/reads/reads.htm

On Writing & Publishing http://www.robindowens.blogspot.com
2002 RITA(c) Winner

BOOK BLURB

Alliances and secrets can come back to haunt, as the protagonists in Owens' newest spellbinding tale of the planet Celta discover...heartfelt and riveting - Romantic Times.

DuFleur Thyme is a scientist who's secretly experimenting with time. She'll allow no distractions from her work-not even from a HeartMate. Meanwhile, Saille T'Willow has sent his HeartGift out into the world in hopes of finding his HeartMate, who, it turns out, is DuFleur. Still, DuFleur wants nothing to do with Saille, especially when she discovers that it was his grandmother who brought about her father's ruin. Unfortunately, her body can't help but submit to the passion he stirs in her. But when a scandal threatens Saille's position as head of the family, will DuFleur stand by his side?

FIRST CHAPTER EXCERPT HERE:
http://www.robindowens.com/reads/01Heart%20Dance.pdf

WHEN?

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Eastern USA Time..........................7 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are?  http://www.worldtimeserver.com

WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at:  http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Login. No password needed.

Please note:  The chatroom is only open for regularly scheduled chats. 

Don't forget the open chat on Wednesday nights, 8-11 pm EST!

~*~

On the Products page  you will find some great recommendations. Please use our links to buy, and help support the chatroom!

Please check the Chatroom Schedule for information on upcoming guests and writing-related chat topics. Visit our Previous Guests page to catch up on what you've missed.

~*~

Please feel free to pass this announcement on to anyone or any groups that you think may be interested.  Thank you.

We look forward to chatting with you!

Audrey Shaffer      Linda Hutchinson      Renee Barnes    Kim Richards     Lisa Haselton

The Writer's Chatroom  www.writerschatroom.com  

Newsletter archive

Chat with Lori Z. Scott

Lori Z. Scott remembers three main things about growing up: laughter, prayer, and Super Cat.  

As a child, Lori spent hours around the dinner table giggling at lame jokes, puns, and punch lines. Laughter is still a vital part of her everyday life and her writing. (No joke!)

Prayer played a key role in Lori's life too. After all, with three boisterous sisters, talking to God was about the only place she held a prayer of getting a word in edgewise.

Lori wrote "The Adventures of Super Cat" in the margins of her high school science notebook. (She just couldn't leave her creative streak out of the equation.) This daydreaming/doodling phenomenon has occurred several times throughout her life, but that information remains strictly confidential.

It's no wonder laughter, prayer, and Super Cat all show up in Lori's new children's fiction series. The first two titles--Meghan Rose on Stage! and Meghan Rose Has Ants in Her Pants--are funny (she figures, if it doesn't amuse her, why write it?) and bursting with energy. The main character, named after her own daughter, is a strong, out-spoken first grader. Her best buddy Ryan and duck-loving pal Kayla help round out the cast.

As a speaker, teacher, and award-winning author, Lori Z. Scott has contributed to more than a dozen books and published over fifty short stories, poems, puzzles, articles, and devotions for children, teens, and adults. Her web site--www.MeghanRoseSeries.com--highlights the Meghan Rose series. Meghan Rose All Dressed Up and Meghan Rose Has a Secret will be released this April.

The Writer's Chatroom  www.writerschatroom.com  

Newsletter archive

Chat with Elizabeth Zelvin

Elizabeth Zelvin is a New York City psychotherapist whose debut mystery, Death Will Get You Sober, is the latest turn in a lifelong path as a writer that has included poetry, songs, and academic and professional materials on addictions and mental health. After majoring in English in college, she spent two years in Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa, where she taught English to French-speaking students. On her return, Liz found a job in publishing and began writing poetry. Her work appeared in numerous journals and eventually was published in two books, I Am the Daughter  and Gifts and Secrets: Poems of the Therapeutic Relationship. 

Liz returned to school for a master's degree in social work and a credential in alcoholism counseling. Her first clinical internship took her down to the Bowery, where her mystery Death Will Get You Sober  begins. Ten years later, she went back to the Bowery to develop and run an outpatient program for homeless alcoholics and drug addicts.  

In 2000, Liz left her day job to launch an online therapy website at LZcybershrink.com and write Death Will Get You Sober. First in a series, it's about a recovering alcoholic whose formula for sobriety is, "Don't drink, go to meetings, and investigate a murder."

A related short story, "Death Will Clean Your Closet," has been nominated for an Agatha award for Best Short Story. Another story, "Death Will Tie Your Kangaroo Down," received an honorable mention in the first annual CrimeSpace Short Story Competition. 

For more information, visit Liz's author website at www.elizabethzelvin.com . Liz blogs on Poe's Deadly Daughters at www.poesdeadlydaughters.blogspot.com .

DOOR PRIZE

Liz  has donated a copy of MURDER NEW YORK STYLE, the small press anthology (by members of Sisters in Crime NY/Tri-state) that includes her Agatha-nominated short story. This will be award to a lucky chatter during the chat. Remember, you MUST be present to be eligible!

WHEN?

Sunday, April 10, 2008

Eastern USA Time..........................7 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are?  http://www.worldtimeserver.com

WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at:  http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Login. No password needed.

Please note:  The chatroom is only open for regularly scheduled chats. 

Don't forget the open chat on Wednesday nights, 8-11 pm EST!

~*~

On the Products page  you will find some great recommendations. Please use our links to buy, and help support the chatroom!

Please check the Chatroom Schedule for information on upcoming guests and writing-related chat topics. Visit our Previous Guests page to catch up on what you've missed.

~*~

Have you joined the forum yet? Meet our members. Keep the discussions going after chat. Learn where the hottest markets are for your genre. Find a critting or writing partner. Get inspiration, education, and social interaction at the same place: http://writerschatroom.com/forum/index.php

~*~

Please feel free to pass this announcement on to anyone or any groups that you think may be interested.  Thank you.

~*~

We look forward to chatting with you!

Audrey Shaffer    Linda Hutchinson    Renee Barnes   Kim Richards   Lisa Haselton

The Writer’s Chatroom  www.writerschatroom.com  

Newsletter archive

Chat with Shelia Lowe

Shelia Lowe  is a court-qualified forensic handwriting expert with more forty years of experience in the field. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and is the author of several published books including Handwriting of the Famous & Infamous, and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Handwriting Analysis, as well as Sheila Lowe’s Handwriting Analyzer software. Her new mystery novel, Poison Pen, received a starred review in Publishers Weekly and introduces forensic handwriting expert, Claudia Rose, who uses her handwriting analysis skills to help solve crimes.

As a handwriting expert, Sheila is often seen in the media analyzing celebrities, presidential candidates, and people in high-profile criminal cases. She provides services to corporate clients, mental health professionals, attorneys, private investigators and staffing agencies, and many others.

Read a sample chapter at www.claudiaroseseries.com 

~*~

On the Products page  you will find some great recommendations. Please use our links to buy, and help support the chatroom!

Please check the Chatroom Schedule for information on upcoming guests and writing-related chat topics. Visit our Previous Guests page to catch up on what you’ve missed.

~*~

WHEN?

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Eastern USA Time..........................7 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are?  http://www.worldtimeserver.com

WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at:  http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Login. No password needed.

Please note:  The chatroom is only open for regularly scheduled chats. 

Don’t forget the open chat on Wednesday nights, 8-11 pm EST!

~*~

Have you joined the forum yet? Meet our members. Keep the discussions going after chat. Learn where the hottest markets are for your genre. Find a critting or writing partner. Get inspiration, education, and social interaction at the same place: http://writerschatroom.com/forum/index.php  

~*~

We look forward to chatting with you!

Audrey Shaffer   Linda Hutchinson   Renee Barnes   Kim Richards   Lisa Haselton

The Writer’s Chatroom  www.writerschatroom.com  

Newsletter archive

Chat with Jordan Dane

After award-winning author Jordan Dane sold her first 3-books in auction to Avon/HarperCollins in June 2006, her debut title "NO ONE HEARD HER SCREAM" held more significance. Everyone heard her scream! And this went double when she sold another 3-book series in May 2007 without having one book on the shelves yet.

 

Ripped from the headlines, Jordan’s gritty suspense plots weave a tapestry of vivid settings, intrigue, and dark humor. Her first back-to-back releases are planned for Apr, May and Jun 2008. Jordan and her husband now share their Oklahoma residence with an intelligent canine and two cats of highborn lineage.

 

In spring 2008, take a front row seat to suspense with Jordan Dane’s NO ONE HEARD HER SCREAM, NO ONE LEFT TO TELL, & NO ONE LIVES FOREVER.

 

 

Are We Ready to P-A-R-T-Y!?! 

The "Show--Not Tell" Virtual Book Tour is almost a wrap and we’ve been gearing up all month for the "Launch P-A-R-T-Y!" for debut author Jordan Dane.  Be here Sunday March 30th at 7:00 p.m. Eastern US time.  (The virtual bar will be open, but feel free to BYOB.) The place:  The Writer’s Chatroom, of course! 

Since March 5^th, "newcomer" Jordan Dane has been the guest of honor at 7 virtual book tour stops sponsored by The Writer’s Chatroom.  She’s been open to all questions and has shared personal and business information with anyone who stopped by.  The last stop on the tour is hosted by Glenn Walker, founder of TWC, on March 29^th at http://www.monsura.blogspot.com/ 

There will be prizes galore up for grabs at the P-A-R-T-Y.  Every person who interacted with Jordan at the VBT stops, except for the host at each tour stop, is eligible to win one of FIVE gift cards to B&N bookstores.  (If the hosts stopped by at other tour stops, they are eligible and entered there.)  The more comments left by each person, the more chances to win.  So far, Tina M. Russo holds the record for having the most entries.  Her prize for that?  Just click on her name/hotlink to her website.  It’s all about the marketing, folks.  (Tina has a very nice website, btw.) 

More opportunities to win prizes:

The Browse Inside Link:  http://...com/28nd9x

Jordan’s contest page:  http://www.jordandane.com/contest.php 

And ... there will be even MORE prizes given away during the P-A-R-T-Y!   

Jordan sold SIX books to Avon/HarperCollins before the first one, No One Heard Her Scream, was released on March 25^th.  She has back-to-back releases in April and May for the next two!  And, she’s currently at work on her next series. 

Don’t know about you, but I wannabe like Jordan!  I want to learn just how she managed to do that, how she markets, how she plans her stories, how she sells them, and how she plans to get to the top of the New York Times Bestseller list! If you’re a Jordan wannabe like me, check out what she had to say at the VBT stops: 

Billie Williams at http://printedwords.blogspot.com

Linda J. Hutchinson at http://reviewhutch.blogspot.com

Kim Richards at http://kim-richards.livejournal.com/

Lisa Haselton at http://lisahaselton.tripod.com/reviewsandinterviews/

Cricket Sawyer at http://www.Cricketshearth.blogspot.com

Diana Castilleja at http://dianacastilleja.blogspot.com

Renee’ Barnes at http://msqtpi.livejournal.com/

Glenn Walker at http://www.monsura.blogspot.com/

See you at the "Launch P-A-R-T-Y!" on March 30^th at TWC!

Linda J. Hutchinson

TWC team member/moderator

Freelance writer/copywriter

www.lindajhutchinson.com

 

We look forward to chatting with you!

Audrey Shaffer      Linda Hutchinson      Renee Barnes    Kim Richards

If you’ve been reading these announcements you’re aware that we have been conducting a Virtual Book Tour for debut author Jordan Dane for over a month.

We’re down to the final stretch—and who better to bring it home than The Writer’s Chatroom’s own—Renee’ Barnes and Glenn Walker!

Stop by these last two stops on the tour to find out even more about our featured author—who sold SIX books to Avon HarperCollins before the first one hit print.

Jordan is a dynamo! She not only writes well but understands the publishing industry and knows how to market herself. Learn from her while imagining yourself in her position. She is one to watch, one to learn from, and one to emulate if you want to be a successful novelist.  "If you can see it and believe it, you can achieve it!"

Every comment you leave at a tour stop enters you to win one of many fabulous prizes!

March 26 Renee’ Barnes at http://msqtpi.livejournal.com/

March 29 TWC founder Glenn Walker at http://www.monsura.blogspot.com/

More opportunities to win prizes:

 The Browse Inside Link: http://...com/28nd9x)

 Jordan’s contest page: http://www.jordandane.com/contest.php

And then GET READY TO P-A-R-T-Y! Sunday, March 30^th is the date and you are invited! The party starts at 7:00 p.m. Eastern US time.  http://writerschatroom.com

If you’ve missed any of the tour stops, please stop in before the P-A-R-T-Y! to read the interviews with Jordan. Be ready to L-A-U-N-C-H your burning questions at her this coming Sunday.

Billie Williams at http://printedwords.blogspot.com

Linda J. Hutchinson at http://reviewhutch.blogspot.com

Kim Richards at http://kim-richards.livejournal.com/

Lisa Haselton at http://lisahaselton.tripod.com/reviewsandinterviews/

Cricket Sawyer at http://www.Cricketshearth.blogspot.com

Diana Castilleja at http://dianacastilleja.blogspot.com

• Visit each stop of the Jordan Dane Virtual Book Tour and
leave a comment (with your name). Each stop enters you into the
drawing to be held at the live "Launch P-A-R-T-Y!" on March 30th.

(Up for grabs are FIVE $20 gift cards to B&N bookstores.)

• Stop by Jordan’s website: Jordan Dane says, "By going to my
website contest page, you get an exclusive sneak peek inside my book-up to 20% of it. And to celebrate my first release, my publisher is giving you three different ways to WIN MY BOOK or OTHER BOOKS from HarperCollins. Click on the links below for more details."

• The Browse Inside Link: http://...com/28nd9x)

• Visit Jordan’s contest page: http://www.jordandane.com/contest.php

• Show up for the live "Launch P-A-R-T-Y!" on March 30th! Who knows what might be up for grabs there! After all is said and done, this is TWC.

Next up on the tour:

March 19 Cricket Sawyer at http://www.Cricketshearth.blogspot.com
March 22 Diana Castilleja at http://dianacastilleja.blogspot.com
March 26 Renee’ Barnes at http://msqtpi.livejournal.com/
March 29 TWC founder Glenn Walker at
http://www.monsura.blogspot.com/

Jordan has had plenty to say in our TWC interviews. If you haven’t already done so, visit these previous stops for some first-hand info on how to succeed as a novelist:

Billie Williams at http://printedwords.blogspot.com
Linda J. Hutchinson at http://reviewhutch.blogspot.com
Kim Richards at http://kim-richards.livejournal.com/
Lisa Haselton at http://lisahaselton.tripod.com/reviewsandinterviews/

Thank you!
Linda
http://writerschatroom.com
www.lindajhutchinson.com  
http://reviewhutch.blogspot.com
http://livingwithfmandoa.blogspot.com

The Writer’s Chatroom  www.writerschatroom.com  

Newsletter archive

Chat with James McMullen

Since 1976 James McMullen has been an author, naturalist, tracker, environmental education teacher, wildlife lecturer, photographer, and wildlife consultant in nationwide video productions of the Florida Everglades.  

Jim devoted years to writing his New York Times best-selling book, Cry of the Panther: Quest of a Species. (He is presently writing Cry of the Panther, Part II, Quest for Survival). 

During a six-year stint with the Marines, while serving in Viet Nam, Jim was wounded in action three times and was awarded the Purple Heart.   

In 1980, Jim and his wife settled in Naples, Florida to devote full time efforts to tracking the endangered panther/cougar and to help save it from extinction in the Florida Everglades.  

For intensive close up research, Jim raised a female panther/cougar from cub to adulthood through a breeding program, naming her Tracker. She quickly became his wilderness soul-mate and "panther teacher".   

Tracker helped Jim and 600,000 students, through a statewide straw ballot election, get the Florida panther voted in as the state animal on March 9, 1982. Jim and Tracker traveled to Tallahassee and walked down the isle of the House of Representative three minutes before the vote. Her presence easily swayed the vote in favor of the panther 93 to 3.  

Over the years, Jim has presented his wildlife lecture to audiences across Florida, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine, Ohio, and California. He has appeared on local, regional, national and international television and radio.  His panther project has reached London, England, New Zealand and Canada.  

He has appeared in more than one hundred newspaper and magazine feature stories nationwide.  

WHEN?

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Eastern USA Time..........................7 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are?  http://www.worldtimeserver.com

WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at:  http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Login. No password needed.

Please note:  The chatroom is only open for regularly scheduled chats. 

Don’t forget the open chat on Wednesday nights, 8-11 pm EST!

~*~

Jordan announces her New 3-Ways to Win Contest

"HarperCollins has graciously offered a wonderful incentive to promote the debut of my suspense novel NO ONE HEARD HER SCREAM, upcoming release March 25th."

"By going to my website contest page, you get an exclusive sneak peek inside my book-up to 20% of it. And to celebrate my first release, my publisher is giving you three different ways to WIN MY BOOK or OTHER BOOKS from HarperCollins. Click on the links below for more details."

(Well ... there was a big ol’ hurkin’ link inserted, but our very first Virtual Book Tour host Billie Williams shortened it for us.  Here it is, The Browse Inside Link:  http://...com/28nd9x )

And here is a link for a contest on Jordan’s website to promote the Browse Inside 

post, listing the three ways to win:  http://www.jordandane.com/contest.php

Jordan adds, "No obligation of course, but feel free to forward or post. I’d appreciate it."

Next up on the tour:

March 19   Cricket Sawyer at http://www.Cricketshearth.blogspot.com

March 22   Diana Castilleja at http://dianacastilleja.blogspot.com

Jordan has had plenty to say in our TWC interviews.  If you haven’t already done so, visit these previous stops for some first-hand info on how to succeed as a novelist:

Billie Williams at

http://printedwords.blogspot.com

Linda J. Hutchinson at

http://reviewhutch.blogspot.com

Kim Richards at 

http://kim-richards.livejournal.com/

Lisa Haselton at http://lisahaselton.tripod.com/reviewsandinterviews/

~*~

The Writer's Chatroom  www.writerschatroom.com  

Newsletter archive

Chat with Kathryn Lilley

As a pre-teen, Kathryn Lilley had two passions: Nancy Drew mysteries and Pralines 'n Cream ice cream. So it was perhaps inevitable that she grew up to write a series called the Fat City Mysteries.

Her stories are set in Durham, North Carolina, the self-proclaimed "Diet Capital of the World". And like her journalist sleuth, Kate Gallagher, Kathryn understands the Battle of the Bulge all too well. She once lost 90 pounds to land a job on camera as a TV reporter. And even today, Kathryn avoids the street that goes past 31 Flavors.

A graduate of Wellesley College (and former editor-in-chief of the Wellesley News) Kathryn received a graduate degree in journalism from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, interned at stations in Cambridge, MA and South Carolina, and worked as an on-air reporter for WIS-TV in Columbia, South Carolina.So far, she's kept the weight off, too.

Kathryn Lilley is the author of Dying to Be Thin (Obsidian, ISBN: 0451222407), the first book in the Fat City Mysteries series. She lives in the Los Angeles area.

DOOR PRIZE

Kathryn has donated a copy of Dying to be Thin. This will be award to a lucky chatter during the chat. Remember, you MUST be present to be eligible!

WHEN?

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Eastern USA Time..........................7 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are?  http://www.worldtimeserver.com

WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at:  http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Login. No password needed.

Please note:  The chatroom is only open for regularly scheduled chats. 

Don't forget the open chat on Wednesday nights, 8-11 pm EST!

We look forward to chatting with you!

Audrey Shaffer      Linda Hutchinson      Renee Barnes    Kim Richards