Okay so, I know I haven't been able to update the official Writers Together website as of late, but I assure you, I have a great reason.

I have been working on something that may surprise many to no end, but for now I'm keeping that under wraps. What I will say is that it will affect countless authors, and we all know what that means.....BIG THINGS TO COME!

Anyhoo, I'm now able to update the WT website, and while I have a vast amount of material, I'm opening up the gateway here and inviting authors who wish to promote their books via BOOK WATCH to submit their info to me at editor(at)writerstogether.com. Please follow the instructions below to the letter as it will make the process a whole lot more viable. All Book Watch emails MUST use the subject line: Submission, BOOK WATCH, (and the genre).

Email me (C. L. Freire). Send me your photo and book cover (jpg or gif please), plus a one paragraph (jacket flap copy) description of your book, as well as your website link(s) and any links to where book may be purchased. I will be selecting among them up to four to be spotlighted on Writers Together. the spotlights currently running on WT can be viewed over at the website under Author Spotlights so you can get an idea of what I'm talking about here.

Spotlights are by invitation only, so please do not request one. BTW, one of the spotlights slots is already filled, and I have already received countless Book Watch submissions this past week alone.....so get your Book Watch submissions in ASAP if you would like to be considered. If your book is selected, you will receive an email from me requesting further material, which should be responded to as soon as possible as I am giving one week to all those selected to get their material in on time.

Also, if you have a short story you'd like to have appear on WT, please go ahead and email it over. Please use the subject line: Submission, SHORT STORY, (and the genre). Note that the word limit on Short Stories is 3500. Also send along your photo, bio, and any links you'd like to add to the sidebar of the page your story will appear on.

On another note: I've lost count of how many authors have asked me about book reviews. Please understand that it is absolutely impossible for WT to conduct book reviews at this time. In addition to writing, I also run my own Myspace page here, a Facebook page, the WT Myspace page, the official WT website, blog, answer comments and emails, do some editing, and occasionally take a deep breath, so book reviews are simply not a possibility. What I already offer is this, however: If your book is spotlighted, I do include any reviews you send me, so if your book is in the spotlight, the reviews are included, providing you send them to me. Who knows, I may surprise many and start including some in the book watch section.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at editor(at)writerstogether.com.

Now get back to work and pump out the next best sellers so together we can bring them to the world at large.

Cindy

Okay so, I know it's been a while, but there a lot that's been going on. So let's get to it, shall we?

I'm updating the official Writers Together website, and I'm looking for new entries.

All submissions are to be sent to me, C. L. Freire at editor(at)writerstogether.com or click HERE to submit.

I'm looking for:

>Short stories in any genre (up to 3k words)
>Books for the Book Watch section (must be accompanied by a synopsis)
>And authors vying for the spotlight.

Please remember to send along a bio, picture of yourself and your book cover(s) (in jpg format), a brief synopsis for books that will appear in Book Watch, and any pertinent links to your website or to where book(s) are sold. All short fiction is to be sent in WORD format.

The website has been an immense success, so join in the world of Writers Together and let YOUR voice be heard on the website that goes all out to promote you and your talents.

Thanks
Cindy

Okay so, here is how the official Writers Together website is going to work:

The website will be updated on a regular basis in order to give exposure to more writers. Those already FEATURED, interviewed or listed in BOOK WATCH will be archived to make room for others. Space is filling up quickly. So if you have a short story you'd like to have considered, or you have a book you'd like to have appear in the BOOK WATCH section, email them to C. L. Freire at editor(at)writerstogether.com, using the subject lines as indicated in the Submission Guidelines.

Here is the link to the press release issued about the launch of the website. As my goal is to reach as many people as possible, I will be issuing regular press releases announcing authors will are featured or interviewed, or have amazing books that must be screamed about from the rooftops.

NEWS


2009 Press Release about Writers Together

So hop on over to Writers Together today.

Hugs and Humble Thanks to all and to those who follow:)
Cindy

Okay, so quick up date....

The Official Writers Together Website is now up and running!

WRITERS TOGETHER
Enjoy!

And feel free to leave your thoughts in your wake:)

HUGS and YAYS

Cindy

Okay so, get ready folks, the much-anticipated launch of the Writers Together website is coming.

I have been working on this website for months now, and let me tell you all, it looks absolutely amazing! This is a website by an author for authors across the globe. Sharing the same passion for the written word, and knowing how vital is to be HEARD, my goal was and is to help as many authors as I can, in any way I can. I know how hard it is to reach people, but as someone who has spent the last few years meeting thousands of authors and seeing what's out there, I really wanted to bring you all together....hence the name, which from what I've seen and been told, has been on the lips of countless who've been part of Writers Together, and want to continue doing so.

The website will feature authors, their work, and links to where their books can be purchased. It will also provide hundreds of links on writing in general, genre-specific links, short fiction, and interviews.

As the doors to a new era of author promotion open, you will find interviews with Louise Bohmer (an Editor with Lachesis Publishing), Cynthia Leitich Smith (renowned, award-winning children's and YA author), and J. B. Kohl (Author of The Deputy's Widow).

Spotlights will be on Cynthia Leitich Smith, J. B. Kohl, Jordan Dane, Jordan Krall, and J. D. Rhoades.

And don't miss the Featured Fiction section, where you can read the work of authors new and seasoned.

So get ready, my dear and cherished friends and followers...because I guarantee, this is only the beginning.....

Please hop on over to www.writerstogether.com. And on Feb 1, 2009, bookmark it. Tell every author you know, because on Writers Together, your voice WILL be heard!

Here is the banner, for those wishing to spread the word and display it on their pages and websites.


<a href="http://www.writerstogether.com"><img src="http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/21/l_5835714e25094b60a7b81ec1985be060.gif" border="0" /></a><br />

Okay so I just wanted to let everyone know that with the holidays coming up, and so much going on right now....I have decided to hold off on the magazine launch until Jan 5. This will give everyone time to recover from the holiday hustle, and get their submissions in on time.

So, there's still time. If you want to submit something, please see the submission guidelines here on my WT page...

Have a great Holiday, and eat plenty of Gobbler for me......

Hugs and Happy Turkey Day
Cindy

Okay so, as you all know, there's a new player in town.....Writers Together Magazine. Okay so it's not such a newbie, but I promise you, NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN CAN PREPARE YOU FOR WHAT'S COMING!

I'm launching the magazine on December 1, 2008.

Now, with as much of a success as TREI was, I guarantee, WTM is going to blow it out of the water! I'm literally taking it well beyond what I did with TREI. THIS will be the magazine for every author everywhere, of every genre, every walk of life and taste. And it WILL satisfy like nothing before it.

Submissions are officially open......

I'm looking for the following in Horror, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Mystery, Paranormal, Romance, and Mainstream.

***Short fiction (no more than 2000-2500 words MAX)
***Books to Announce in BOOK WATCH
***Inspiring Dream Nook stories of achieving the dream of being published
***Columns on writing and the industry

I will be contacting authors soon, for interviews and author spotlights.

All Submissions are to be sent to editor@writerstogether.com,
ATTN: C. L. Freire, using the subject line: Submission, "type of work submitted", Genre

ATTN: C. L. Freire, using the subject line: Submission, "type of work submitted", Genre. All submissions must accompany an author bio, at least. I prefer to be sent as well, an author photo (not mandatory but helpful), any links to where book(s) is sold and/or to author website(s), AND if it is a spotlight or interview for which you are sending material, I require a book cover and brief synopsis of the work.

I can not stress how VITAL it is that everyone follow these guidelines to the letter. I was inundated with submissions for TREI, and I need to set certain measure in stone right out of the WTM gate.

Just so everyone knows, with every issue, I will be releasing a press release, to maximize the exposure of all involved. After all, my goal is to make sure YOUR VOICE IS HEARD.....

With everything I'm doing and everything I have planned.....THIS is going to be GINORMOUS!

So submit away, my dear friends, and tell everyone author you know...because frankly, WRITERS TOGETHER MAGAZINE is going to ROCK like nothing this world has ever seen. THAT is a promise!

Here's the link to the Writers Together Myspace page, so anyone not on that list can add it immediately, which will be important for updates on the magazine and everyone featured in it come December.

BTW....FEEL FREE TO REPOST THIS BLOG ON YOUR WEBSITES.....I mean, the wider the spread, the better the exposure for all......

HUGS and MASSIVE DREAMS
Cindy

Okay so, in honor of the new magazine, Writers Together on Myspace is going to be completely revamped.

Anyone looking for a free banner add here may contact me at editor at (@) writerstogether.com. Just so you know, I'm only listing the email addy like that to avoid those annoying spiders that downright piss me off. Just replace the word "at" with the @ and you're golden.

So, if you want a free banner here, let me know. What I do is this: you send me the image you want to use as a banner, along with where you want it to link to, and I'll make the banner for you. If you have a banner, pass it along with where you want it to link to and I'll post it here on the WT Myspace page. In exchange, if you could post the Writers Together Banner, that would be great for all.....I mean, the whole idea is to let the world know YOU'RE coming, or Already HERE, right? The best way to do that is to have as many people see you as possible.

<a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LndyaXRlcnN0b2dldGhlci5jb20="><img src=" http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/32/l_15d1284855df4a8d88ae2b941fcaa324.gif" border="0" /></a><br />

Also, I'm looking for books to feature in BOOK WATCH. Regardless the genre, Writers Together Magazine has you covered.

You heard me.....one of the unique features of Writers Together Magazine is that genres have their own page, look, and feel, with music and muse-tickling photos to inspire.

I'm telling you, this is going to ROCK! So submit now. I'm still open to short stories of any genre, and columns on writing and/or the industry.

Please, before you submit, see our submissions guidelines Blog, or click on the submissions link on the Myspace page here.

The Magazine is launching December 1, 2008.

Hugs and Great Things To Come
Cindy

Okay so, you all know about THE DREAM NOOK, the newest feature on Writers Together. This is where we want YOU to share YOUR experience with your FIRST publisher.

To have your story posted in the Nook, remember to keep it brief (no longer than 300 words max). And when you're writing your story, try to answer the following questions, but not like in a list or anything. I want it to be in YOUR words, as YOU experienced it.

1. How did you feel when you first learned that your book was finally going to be published?
2. How did you find the publisher, or how did they find you?
3. How did you feel when you first held your book?
4. When was your first book published?
5. Who published your first book?

When you are ready to share your story with us, please email them to us here at Writers Together. We will post them in the order they arrive, and they will include a link to your page or website, and a photo of yourself or your book cover.

PLEASE DO NOT POST YOUR STORIES HERE IN THE COMMENTS. EMAIL THEM TO US HERE, AND THEY WILL BE POSTED IN THE ORDER I RECEIVE THEM
I look forward to hearing from you. I all want to hear what you have to say, and many are looking forward to feeding off the inspiration of your journey and your success along the road to seeing your dreams come true.

Now get cracking and let the world in......

HUGS to all dreamers:)
Cindy:)

Okay so as you all know from the blog I posted on Surprises and Changes and Blogs, Oh MY!, Writers Together will now be featuring one author a week in the DREAM NOOK.

The Dream Nook is a place where authors everywhere can share their stories how their first encounter with their publisher, or about the first time they learned they were going to finally see their dream of being published, realized.

As authors, we can all attest to how long and lonely that road to publication is. But as long as you have a strong community of friends standing beside you, there is NOTHING you can't do.

And you all know my motto right? NEVER GIVE UP!. I created this place to give authors a place to hang out and learn about themselves and others. A place where you can all come when you need a friend, a little feedback, and a nudge of your muse.

So, I want you to share your stories about how you first got published, or about your first encounter with your publisher. Again, we will feature one story a week, you know, cuz we're only human).

Anyone who wishes to be featured should send your stories to us here by email, attn: Cindy. Please limit it to two or three paragraphs. And please let us know what image you'd like to have displayed with your feature:) Make sure you don't post your story here in the comments.

And remember, YOU CAN do this! It's YOUR dream! So don't EVER let anyone stand in your way. Don't ever let anyone tell you YOU can't do this. And if they do, just send them our way, and tell them you have an army of friends backing you up, and they can all be found here.



Thank you all so much for being part of Writers Together:)

Now let's rock this joint, shall we?

HUGS and Unending Smiles:)
Cindy:)

Okay so I wanted to let everyone know about the changes you may have noticed on the Writers Together page. Well, I just wanted to inform everyone that the face of Writers Together is changing.

We have added a couple of new "corners" to the page. One is called "THE DREAM NOOK", an area devoted to having authors share the story of their first encounter with their publisher, or about the day they discovered they were getting published for the first time. We will be spotlighting one author a week. And yes, it will be once a week, as I now have the help I so desperately needed in order to give this page the attention it deserves. With my book coming out on Oct 1, and the pre orders opening July 1, and all the MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS I have planned in the coming months, and the running of my own page, and writing, and life, and just breathing, I've been a little overwhelmed lately.

We also added a "BOOK NEWS AND EVENTS" section, which will announce just that, book news and events for authors of WT. It could be the announcement of pre orders, the release of books, book signings, speaking engagements, radio interviews, etc.....

And my favorite change is our return to blogging about "WRITING".

YAY! Yes, those were some of my favorite blogs here on WT, the ones that everyone loved as much as I did. They discussed writing, and offered everyone a chance to interact with everyone else, and get the feedback so many of us desire. Naturally I will either be posting links in the BOOK NEWS and EVENTS section to the blogs of authors with something to announce, or I will post the blogs here as well. BUT, the main focus of blogs will be about WRITING.

And finally, oh this is going to be awesome!

A lot of people are constantly contacting me (Cindy) asking for critiques on their work, or feedback, or advice on writing. I have to say this here and now: "Thank you so much for looking to me regarding your passion. Needing that is something I can totally relate to."

That said, please forgive me but I must regretfully convey that my time is honestly so tight right now. There is a lot on my plate, with my own book coming out, all the interviews, radio appearances (3 over the coming months), the running of two pages here, keeping in contact with everyone (it took me five hours just to get through my emails over on "my page alone" the other day, C. L. Freire, responding to everyone, every comment, every email, every request for friendship or feedback. And I hate to say it because I never liked hearing it from other authors, but I truly don't have time to do everything I want to do.

This is a place of inspiration and positive support.

This is going to be so exciting! OMG! YAY! I can't wait!

I want to thank everyone in advance for being a part of this. Now let's rock this joint, shall we? Let's show the writing world what WE can do....what WRITERS can do TOGETHER:)

HUGS, Great Things, and Infinite Thanks:)
Cindy

Okay, so there I am, strolling through my blog subscriptions and I see this blog called, Looking for the next J. K. Rowling? So out of curiosity I clicked on it. Needless to say I started screaming when I saw the blog post, which was posted by such an amazing page here called, Write in The City.


Hugs and Undying Honor
Cindy


Here's the link to the blog. I gotta say people, you have got to add this page to your friends. I know first hand it is an incredible page, run by incredible people. And have I ever steered you wrong?




LOOKING FOR THE NEXT J. K. ROWLING?

Okay so I know you all know about my old site, The Wordsmith Chronicles. Well, Chronicles be damned.

For a month now I’ve been delving into the mysterious world of XML over on Blogspot. I wanted to do this because I hated the templates I’ve found on the net. They all seem to fit into a mold. An ugly, boring, lack-luster mold that leave no room for personality and self expression.

So as I said, I threw myself into the XML on my blogspot template (all 25 pages of it--and I know it’s 25 pages cuz when I was done I copied it all to my computer for future use.) And after nearly going blind, I’m proud to say that it’s finally done.

Please check it out. You can find it by either clicking on the banner on my page, or on one of the numberous links to the website. Or you go skip that and go directly to:

C. L. FREIRE

Enjoy, and please, feel free to leave your thoughts in your wake.

Also, I’ve been noticing that TONS and TONS of people have posted my banner on their page, even people I’ve just met, or don’t even know that well. I have to say that the amount of support I’ve found here is just mind-boggling, to say the least. Truly. I’m so touched by the amount of amazing people I’ve met here, many of whom have become dear and close friends. Many more, in fact, than I ever thought possible for one person to have in a lifetime.

You all know who you are, and I hope you all know you’re in my heart always:)

HUGS to all, and to those who follow:)
Cindy

Okay, so as you may have all noticed, I changed the song on the page. I felt the need to blog about it because I think, as dreamers, we need to be reminded once in a while about the importance of never giving up on what makes us who we are.

There will be days in our lives when our confidence can dwindle, our nerves can be shaken, and our spirits can be broken by rejection, errors in judgement, or simply a bad "writing" day. These are the days when we must stand up and take control of our lives the most. We must be true to ourselves and know that days like that are inevitable. And on days like those, you can come here, listen to the words of the song, and know that it is Me speaking to You.

Always believe in yourselves. You are authors, artists, dreamers. Our kind is what brings beauty to this world, and frankly, I'm damn proud to be part of that group, aren't you?

Now, many of you have written to me asking me what more you can do to get more people to notice your books. Many have written to tell me they're losing hope. And many have written just to say hello--but within their words, I can feel their self-doubt.

Please never allow yourselves to be frightened into stagnation. You can do anything your heart desires, anything your heart strives for, and know that anything you truly believe you want to fight for is within your grasp.

So here are the lyrics, for those of you who've never heard this song, and for those who choose to lower the music so you can focus on what you're reading. Trust me, I understand, but the message must be passed along.

It's been a long road - Getting from there to here.
It's been a long time, but my time is finally near.

And I can feel the change in the wind right now
Nothing's in my way
And they're not gonna hold me down no more
No, they're not gonna hold me now 

Chorus:
Cause I got faith of the heart
I'm going where my heart will take me
I got faith to believe.  I can do anything.
I got strength of the soul
And no one's gonna bend or break me
I can reach any star.  I got faith.  Faith of the heart.

It's been a long night, trying to find my way.
Been through the darkness now I finally have my day.

And I will see my dream come alive at last
I will touch the sky
And they're not gonna hold me down no more
No, they're not gonna change my mind 
Chorus

I've known a wind so cold.  I've seen the darkest days.
But now the winds I feel are only winds of change.
I've been through the fire and I've been through the rain.
But I'll be fine
Chorus

'Cause I got faith of the heart
I'm going' where my heart will take me
I got faith to believe
And no one's gonna bend or break me
I can reach any star.  I got faith - faith of the heart.
It's been a long road

I hope this is a blog you will remember and come back to. I hope I've been able to give you something to take with you always. Always into your heart, and always into your hopes of taking your place among the stars.

HUGS and Dreams:)
Cindy

Okay, so here we go:

I was thinking about this last night, and just knew I had to hear from everyone on this.

When designing your villians, what would you say your first step is? Do you first come up with a name and then develop the person you envision when you think of the name? Or do you let him.her develop organically once you have the name.

Or....

Do you create the character first, and then decide which name best suits him/her?

What is your favorite villianous name and look?

Which do you think makes a better villian, a man or a woman, and why?

Who is your favorite villian of all time and why?

What would you say would be your masterpiece in terms of the ultimate villian you would like to create and write about?

And finally.....

Describe the one person you would never want to run into in a dark alley, and why? Would you want to write about this person?

Come on. Let's get those creative juices flowing here.

Personally, I love very intelligent villians, be they men or women, as long as they're given--by the author--the justice they deserve. These are the ones who you never see coming, and even when you do, you actually love to read about them more than any other character in the book (unless, of course, the author has done right by his/her readers by making the other characters just as interesting). I find these villians the most intimidating of all. I mean they're the ones that really get under my skin and stay there long after I finish the book. Those are the ones I will never forget.

Your turn....GO!