Thursday, December 4, 2014

Goodreads Friends Limit


Goodreads keeps deleting my friends. Ever since they instituted the 5,000 friend limit, it’s been a personal gripe of mine. Other authors definitely feel the same. Just look at Neil Gaiman who lost over 4,000 friends on Goodreads when they lowered his friend count from 9,000 to 5,000.

The thing is, I keep getting new friend requests every day, particularly from the cool folks I meet on Twitter who also want to stay connected on Goodreads. However, if and when I add them, one of my other friends gets randomly removed about a week or so later. Blah.

Anybody else having this issue? Any workarounds that you have discovered? Don’t get me wrong, I love using Goodreads, but man I really wish they would change this particular friend requirement.

Friday, November 21, 2014

San Francisco Olympics Bid 2024

San Francisco has put in its bid for hosting the 2024 Summer Olympics, and is currently one of the top finalists vying for the honor. As an avid sports and Olympics fan, I’m particularly stoked for this opportunity because the San Francisco Bay Area is my home. And, the proposed stadium and Olympic Village would be built just a few miles from my house. Sweet!!!

But of course, 2024 is a long way off, and the bidding begins in earnest for the U.S. candidate city in 2015 with the International Olympic Committee choosing the winning city in 2017. However, only 4 U.S. cities remain in the running: L.A., D.C., Boston, and the City by the Bay. On top of that, we’ll have some stiff international competition from cities such as Paris and Rome.

However, it’ll have been almost 30 years since the U.S. hosted an Olympics, and the IOC is said to be particularly inclined to select a U.S. city for 2024. Especially since few other locations can offer the increased security and economic infrastructure that the games demand. Whatever happens, I’m just glad my hometown is in the running, and I sincerely hope to someday attend the Olympics in person with my children. Fingers crossed!


Tuesday, November 18, 2014

La Boheme

This weekend, my wife and I went to see La Boheme at the San Francisco Opera. Needless to say, it was pretty darn awesome! I'd definitely recommend it to first time visitors as well as frequent opera-goers.

Puccini was certainly a genius, mixing all the elements of a good story, particularly his use of tension and comedy. I was surprised how much I laughed during this opera. Even after a hundred years there are some pretty good jokes in this piece.

The music was really great too. If you've seen the movie Moonstruck, you'll recognize a lot of the signature songs. Most of us won't get to Paris any time soon, but if not, check out La Boheme and I guarantee you won't be disappointed. 

Monday, November 3, 2014

Finished First Draft of Sequel!!!

Whew! It took me about twelve weeks, but I just recently churned out the first draft of my sequel to Between Two Fires, entitled The Long Defeat. Now for the edits and rewrites.

The Long Defeat follows what happens after my debut novel, Between Two Fires, and the continued struggles of the medieval Welsh trying to survive barbarian invasions. As part of my two-book deal with St. Martin’s Press, I need to provide the sequel to my publishers in addition to my first book so that we can make sure to follow up my debut novel when it comes out in bookstores about a year from now.

In the meantime, in addition to my usual awesome readers, I’m looking for any other beta readers interested in reading anywhere from one chapter to the full length draft of my new book. I of course reciprocate, and would be more than happy to beta read any of your work. Any takers? 


Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Giving a Talk to Students


I gave my first talk to college students at my alma mater, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo on Monday evening. It was pretty rad being part of a panel of other talented folks who use writing and new media in their every day jobs. I talked a lot about my work as a Technical Writer, but also got to connect with students afterwards regarding my fiction writing as well.

I am both flattered and thankful that Cal Poly Career Services reached out to me and invited me to talk at this awesome event. I remember all those feelings, fears, and doubts I had when I was finishing up my college career, wondering what I was going to do with the rest of my life. It was really rewarding to get to share my experiences with other students both in Liberal Arts and other disciplines as they decide how best to begin their careers in writing and other new media fields.

It’s funny to think that seven years ago I was finish up my masters and had no job or apparent prospects on the horizon. Since then I’ve worked as a Tech Writer at places like Google and Facebook, and now have my two-book deal signed with St. Martin’s press for my novels. Here’s to the next seven years, may they be as fun and invigorating!   

Monday, October 20, 2014

Go Giants!!!


Let’s go Giants! For the 3rd time in 5 years my home team has made it to the World Series, and as you can imagine, I’m pumped! After decades of watching the Giants through loss and lean years when I was growing up, I’m enjoying some of the most amazing baseball I’ve ever seen these past few seasons.

To top it off, we got here with a walk-off homer from Ishikawa, eerily reminiscent of when Bobby Thompson did the same thing to the Dodgers back in 1951. I actually got a little misty eyed watching the game (don’t laugh). The Giants win the Pennant!  It’s a great time to be a Giants fan! 

(Note: The video isn't mine, but it gives you a fan's perspective:) )

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

The Cool Kids


I’ve been pretty crazy swamped with writing lately, and the pace isn’t likely to slow down anytime soon. But I wanted to make sure to check in with all of you! I’m getting close to finishing the first draft of my sequel, and I should have the edits back from my publisher for my first novel any day now. On top of that I have other pet projects and short stories I’ve committed to, so I’m getting pretty nose-to-the-grindstone lately, but at least it’s fun!

Anyhow, this song has been in my head lately as I write and ruminate, so I thought I’d share it with you. A pretty talented bunch of young musicians, not to mention they’re all siblings. Enjoy!

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Texas

Hi y’all. I just got back from a vacation in Texas where I visited everything from Fort Worth down to San Antonio. Needless to say it was a fun week full of barbeque, beer, and intensely hot weather.

I got to see great sights like the Alamo, the San Antonio River Walk, and the Fort Worth Stockyards. All in all a pretty interesting trip, especially since my extended family and I all travelled together. It was like a weeklong picnic bonanza with four generations of Noces. And it was pretty darn awesomeJ

I probably don’t need to eat any more meat for the rest of the year, and I’m definitely ready for some cool Fall weather, but I had a pretty good last hurrah of Indian Summer. How are things with y’all? ;)


Thursday, September 25, 2014

Learning About My Publisher(s)


The more I learn about the Publishing Industry, the more I’m reminded of those Russian dolls that have layers within layers. Publishing is an old industry, with a lot of history and it has undergone lots of changes, many of which are happening right now with the ebook revolution. Here’s the gist of how my publisher operates, if you follow the chain up:

My novels will be published via the imprint, Thomas Dunne Books, founded in New York in the 1980s. They in turn produce about a quarter of the books printed by St. Martin’s Press each year, also based in New York and founded in the 1950s. St. Martin’s, in turn, is a division of the British mega-publisher Macmillan (one of the famous Big Six), which is based in London and was founded in the 1840s.

That’s right, the 1840s! They published authors such as Yeats and Tennyson. Macmillan is in turn owned by an even larger media corporation responsible for literary estates ranging from Salman Rushdie to Agatha Christie. And somewhere at the bottom of that mix, at the tail end of that lengthy story is…me. One author, writing one book at a time, hoping to add my own humble little verse to the larger play we call life. Whew! Bottoms up my friends, bottoms up. 


Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Launching My Goodreads Page


Woo Hoo! I’ve now go my own author’s page on Goodreads where readers can list themselves as a fan or add my upcoming book to their “want to read list.” Although my book doesn’t come out for at least another year, you can still check out where Between Two Fires will live here on Goodreads.

The funny thing is, I’ve updated my book and profile pages on Goodreads, but I wasn’t the one who actually created the account. When I asked my agent and publishers they said they hadn’t created the account either. So a big thank you to the mysterious person who added my book and author page to Goodreads. Much appreciatedJ

So check it out and let me know if you like my new page, thanks!

Monday, September 8, 2014

2 Book Deal and Publishers Weekly!!!!

Today, I can officially share the big news! I’ve just inked a two-book deal with Thomas Dunne Books (an imprint of St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan). That’s right, I’m going to be a genuine, bona fide published author with a big New York Publishing House. Sweet!

I’m currently working with the head editor at Thomas Dunne Books on my historical novel Between Two Fires. My agent also let me know that Publishers Weekly mentioned me and the new book deal here (see bottom of the Publishers Weekly page). Needless to say, there will be lots of work ahead, but for today I’m just soaking up the celebration. Yes, that's a picture of me enjoying some celebratory absinthe...because that's what writers do, right? ;) 

A huge thank you to my agent, to Thomas Dunne Books, and to all my awesome friends, family, and fellow writers who have inspired and supported me. Thank you!


On another note, I’m also participating in the #LifeisGood tribute to Tina Downey today. I’ll repost my sunflower pic on Twitter in memoriam. May all be well with you and yours today.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Very Inspiring and Versatile Blogger Awards

Big thanks to Elizabeth Varadan and Kristin Smith for nominating me for the Very Inspiring and Versatile Blogger Awards! I’ve combined my answers for both awards below and have nominated some of my awesome fellow bloggers. Thanks again!



Very Inspiring Blogger Award and Versatile Blogger Award (List 7 Random Facts About Yourself)

1.       I love gardening (especially growing things I can eat).
2.       I try to read 3-4 books per week (and always carry a book with me).
3.       My dad and I enjoy sailing on San Francisco Bay (when I have the chance to join him).
4.       My aunt first took me backpacking in Europe when I was 15, and I’ve been an avid traveler ever since.
5.       London Bound was my first published short story in college, based on my firsthand experiences during the 2005 London Bombings.
6.       At age 3, I wanted to be a Ghostbuster (and have never entirely given up on the dream). ;)
7.       My wife and son are the two best reasons why I wake up each morning to another awesome day!

Now go checkout some of these other terrific bloggers/writers!

Nominees for Very Inspiring Blogger Award: Rachna’s Scriptorium and Milo’s In Medias Res.

Nominees for Versatile Blogger Award: Alex J. Cavanaugh and Lynda’s W.I.P.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Newest Short Story Published Today!!!


Checkout my newest publication on Every Day Fiction, my short story entitled Disturbance at Apartment 408. Let me know if you like it! Any stars or comments you could leave on Every Day Fiction’s website would be most appreciated.

In other news, things are going very well with my novel Between Two Fires, but I can’t talk too much about it just yet. My agent has been shopping around my manuscript with various publishing houses, and things have been going quite well. Hopefully, I can tell you more about it in another week or two.

Keep your fingers crossed! Thanks!

Friday, August 22, 2014

2Cellos Friday


Happy Friday, everyone! I’ve been posting my eclectic musical moods each Friday, and have been pleasantly surprised by how many of you share my tastes. Here’s one of my favorites by the Croatian duo, 2 Cellos, who became an instant sensation a few years back with this familiar hit. Enjoy and happy weekend! 

Monday, August 18, 2014

Purple Sunflowers


Mother Nature is full of surprises. I’m big on growing my garden from seed year after year, and each summer the bees mix things up a little differently. Six years ago I planted mammoth, white seed sunflowers. Two years ago, the bees mixed it with something and the seeds turned black. This year those same seeds now come up purple and have a nice floral fragrance. Go figure.

But I enjoy the curveballs Nature throws me, and each year it makes my garden a little more unique. I have purple sunflowers, red corn, and some pretty tasty tomatoes. I should have more pumpkins, but the gofers have been unforgiving this season.

What types of plants to you like to grow in your garden? Do you enjoy harvesting your own fresh food? Or perhaps you enjoy herbs and flowers? How do you enjoy summer in your backyard?  


Friday, August 8, 2014

Welsh Folk Song


Happy Friday, everyone! This Welsh folk song has been in my head lately, probably because I’m working on the sequel to my Medieval Welsh novel, Between Two Fires. You can certainly look up the translated lyrics to this song, but it’s amazing how a piece of music can touch you even if you don’t know the words. It seems that the most essential human emotions transcend language.

Close your eyes when you listen to this song, it brings it to life. Happy weekend!  

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

New Short Story Comes Out This Month!


My third short story with Every Day Fiction gets published later this month! Disturbance at Apartment 408 is another of my San Francisco noir pieces, and will be released on Tuesday, August 26. Please check it out in a few weeks and enjoy!

I’d also like to give a shout out to fellow author Milo Fowler, who also has one of his latest flash fiction pieces coming out at Every Day Fiction this month. Checkout his story, Captain Bartholomew Quasar and the Bandits on Consortium Moon Prime, which comes out this Thursday, August 7th. I know I’ll be looking forward to it.

Whew, lots of good stuff happening in writing this month! In other news, my agent is currently shopping my novel around to editors at several publishing houses, but the process can be pretty slow, so it’ll probably be a while before I have any updates for you. But if anything good happens, you’ll be the first to know!

Friday, August 1, 2014

West Coast


This song has been in my head for the past few weeks, so I simply had to share. I’m actually pretty impressed by Lana Del Rey’s latest album, a truly unique mix of familiar themes combined with some nicely original lyrics. Plus I live on the West Coast, so it's doubly intriguing for me. Enjoy!

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

1,000 Books Read!

Today, I’m officially one-tenth of the way toward my goal of reading 10,000 books in my lifetime. That’s right, thus far I’ve read 1,000 books…and counting. Needless to say, I’ve got a long, long way to go, but it’s still a milestone nonetheless.

Of course, quality matters over quantity, and I frequently reread my favorite novels every summer. However, thanks to Goodreads, I’ve been able to keep track of all my read books over the years. Now if only they would let me go over that pesky 5,000 friend-limit, then Goodreads would be awesome…but that’s another discussion altogether. But look at the bright side, so long as I read 3-4 books per week for the next four to six decades, I’ve got a shot of hitting my goal, slim though it may seem. 

So what are you reading right now? What books do you hope to tackle this year? 


Thursday, July 24, 2014

Writers' Days Jobs

I often think about all the writers who have had to manage a day job along with their writing career (in other words virtually all authors). I myself work as a Technical Writer, so whether at home or work I write to earn my bread. What surprised me recently was learning about other authors like me who also worked as Tech Writers by day.

Kurt Vonnegut. Ben Bova. Philip Jose Farmer. Just to name a few. I particularly like Vonnegut’s quote regarding Tech Writers and their oddities. Of course my fiction writing is very different from my writing at work, but it makes me wonder how our own work experiences influence our artistic endeavors.

So how do you balance work and play? How do you make room for art while still keeping a roof over your head? How have your own work experiences influenced your writing?  

Monday, July 14, 2014

SOULLESS, Book 2 Cover Reveal (Crystal Collier)


Have you met the Soulless and Passionate? In the world of 1770 where supernatural beings mix with humanity, Alexia is playing a deadly game.

SOULLESS, Book 2 in the Maiden of Time trilogy

Alexia manipulated time to save the man of her dreams, and lost her best friend to red-eyed wraiths. Still grieving, she struggles to reconcile her loss with what was gained: her impending marriage. But when her wedding is destroyed by the Soulless—who then steal the only protection her people have—she's forced to unleash her true power.

And risk losing everything.

What people are saying about this series: 

"With a completely unique plot that keeps you guessing and interested, it brings you close to the characters, sympathizing with them and understanding their trials and tribulations." --SC, Amazon reviewer

"It's clean, classy and supernaturally packed with suspense, longing, intrigue and magic." --Jill Jennings, TX

"SWOON." --Sherlyn, Mermaid with a Book Reviewer

Crystal Collier is a young adult author who pens dark fantasy, historical, and romance hybrids. She can be found practicing her brother-induced ninja skills while teaching children or madly typing about fantastic and impossible creatures. She has lived from coast to coast and now calls Florida home with her creative husband, three littles, and â€Å“friend†(a.k.a. the zombie locked in her closet). Secretly, she dreams of world domination and a bottomless supply of cheese. You can find her on her blog and Facebook, or follow her on Twitter.


COMING October 13, 2014



PREORDER your print copy
or 
Sign up for Crystal Collier's newsletter to receive release news and freebies.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

NEW RELEASE
Second Daughter (The Dharian Affairs #2)
Assassins, skyships, and royal intrigue... Kindle, Kobo, AllRomance
Second Daughter is the second book in The Dharian Affairs trilogy (Third Daughter, Second Daughter, First Daughter). This steampunk-goes-to-Bollywood (Bollypunk!) romance takes place in an east-Indian-flavored alternate world filled with skyships, assassins, royal romance and intrigue.

Reviews of the first book, Third Daughter:
"The author fuses carriages, steam trains, airships and clockwork with the rich eastern culture that underlies Bollywood storytelling..." - Cherie Reich
"The political intrigue, the steampunk gadgets, and the beautiful costumes kept me in wonderment." - Tony Benson
“Third Daughter is vividly breathtaking. Quinn delivers royal intrigue, exotic locations, and sweeping romance. Not to be missed!” - Pavarti Tyler, author of Shadow on the Wall

ON SALE - 99cents until 7/21
Third Daughter (The Dharian Affairs #1)
Kindle, Nook, Kobo, iTunes, AllRomance
(also available in print)

The Third Daughter of the Queen wants her birthday to arrive so she'll be free to marry for love, but rumors of a new flying weapon may force her to accept a barbarian prince's proposal for a peace-brokering marriage. Desperate to marry the charming courtesan she loves, Aniri agrees to the prince's proposal as a subterfuge in order to spy on him, find the weapon, and hopefully avoid both war and an arranged marriage to a man she does not love.
NEW
Both books now have a map!
Speedy Tweets to Share: NEW RELEASE: Second Daughter (Dharian Affairs #2) Assassins, skyships, royal intrigue #steampunk #fantasy #romance http://bit.ly/SDAmazon WIN Gift Card and PAPERBACK Third Daughter (Dharian Affairs #1) #steampunk #fantasy #romance http://www.susankayequinn.com Skyships, saber duels, royal romance: Third Daughter (Dharian Affairs#1) ON SALE 99cents http://bit.ly/ThirdDAmaz

Thank you so much for helping me get this book out in the world! Win paperback copy of Third Daughter  $10 Amazon Gift Card
check out the gorgeous formatting of the print book!

Monday, July 7, 2014

Today, I'm pleased to interview Carol Kilgore! You can learn more about her latest releases here. Carol, take it away...

Thanks so much to Mark for hosting me on his great blog. I’m excited to be here.

Mark is a prolific short story writer. Plus, he writes novels. We’re somewhat similar in that regard--when I first began to write fiction, I started by writing short stories.

All my life, characters, premises, beginnings, endings, and sometimes complete stories have lived in my head. I thought everyone was like that. One day, I realized I should try writing them down. I’m a little slow on the uptake about some things at times--don’t judge J

I’ve always read a lot. And I’ve always written a lot, but my writing was totally different from fiction. I wasn’t a technical writer, like Mark, but mostly prepared proposals and marketing-type material.

The stories in my head tumbled over themselves faster than I could write. I wrote this story, that story, bits that fit photos, ideas, what-ifs, until finally a little patch of clutter was cleared.

In my life, I’m happy, upbeat, and optimistic. Imagine my surprise when my stories turned out to feature a dark side I didn’t know I had.

I wrote from the point of view of killers, of people at the end of their ropes, women out for vengeance, and more. There were a few lighter stories, but for the most part, I wrote dark and darker tales. I kept wondering where it all came from.

After I cleared my brain of more clutter, I could take a good look at what remained--and that was my love for novels. So I dug in.

I was pretty much a pantser at this point. I planned to write a dark tale of a female homicide detective on a case involving the rape and murder of a local anchorwoman. That was all I knew.

Imagine my surprise when my detective is on scene where the body is found and who shows up but a handsome on-air reporter who insists on calling her things like cupcake and sugar dumpling. Plus he has a big friendly dog, and she finds herself attracted to both. They share funny banter. I think I was more surprised than the character.

Remember I said I’m sometimes a little slow on the uptake? It took another book or two before I realized I couldn’t stop seeing the humor in most situations. So there it is. I start with the dark, but I can’t stay there for the long haul of a novel. Truth: I don’t really want to stay there for the long haul. Life’s too short not to have a little fun and romance along the way.

And so, I write Crime Fiction with a Kiss. I hope you’ll give one of my novels a try. Except for the one with the homicide detective and the reporter with the dog. That one was practice J

---

Life was so simple—until she had to save one.

By the end of a long evening working as a special set of eyes for the presidential security detail, all Kat Marengo wants is to kick off her shoes and stash two not-really-stolen rings in a secure spot. Plus, maybe sleep with Dave Krizak. No, make that definitely sleep with Dave Krizak. The next morning, she wishes her new top priorities were so simple.

As an operative for a covert agency buried in the depths of the Department of Homeland Security, Kat is asked to participate in a matter of life or death—locate a kidnapped girl believed to be held in Corpus Christi, Texas. Since the person doing the asking is the wife of the president and the girl is the daughter of the first lady’s dearest friend, it’s hard to say no.

Kat and Dave quickly learn
the real stakes are higher than they or the first lady believed and will require more than any of them bargained for.

The kicker? They have twenty-four hours to find the girl—or the matter of life or death will become more than a possibility.

Available September, 2014
Kindle and Paperback




---

Carol writes grocery lists, texts to her family, new lyrics to old songs for her dogs, love notes to her husband, and novels for herself. And for you. In between, she blogs weekly at Under the Tiki Hut and is active on Facebook and Twitter.

She sees mystery and subterfuge everywhere. And she’s a sucker for a good love story—especially ones with humor and mystery. Crime Fiction with a Kiss gives her the latitude to mix and match throughout the broad mystery and romance genres. Having flexibility makes her heart happy.

You can connect with Carol here:
Monthly Contest: http://www.carolkilgore.net


Thursday, July 3, 2014

I Got Me A Literary Agent!!!


Queue the Rocky music. I’ve waited and worked for this moment a long time. I just inked a contract with a literary agent for my new novel Between Two Fires. Score!

My awesome new agent, Rena Rossner, works for the Deborah Harris Literary Agency, which has over twenty years of experience in the publishing world. Needless to say, the real work is only just beginning, as I’m in midst of final revisions, drafts for the next book, and our marketing strategy going forward. It looks like it’ll be a fun, crazy, and fulfilling ride. You can learn more about Rena and her agency here.

Whew! I’m still a little bit in disbelief that this day has finally come. Thanks so much to all my awesome friends and fellow bloggers who have been such a source of inspiration and support. Rock on!     

Monday, June 30, 2014

Giants Game


Well, the Giants didn’t win yesterday. At least we had a fun time at the park with the whole family. My little guy is getting used to going to the games now, and has his Giants apparel to match.

I’m still following the Word Cup closely, but I can’t ever take a break from baseball season. We’re getting some hot weather here. How’s summer shaping up in your neck of the woods? Any big 4th of July plans?   

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Interview Today at Flash Fiction Chronicles!


Today, they’re interviewing me over at Flash Fiction Chronicles! Head over and check it out, where they ask me about my latest short stories published with Every Day Fiction, such as Meet Me at the Waterfront and Chronicles of the SFPD. They’ll also be asking me what I think about the writing process in general, and also what makes me tick.

Thanks, and enjoy!

Saturday, June 21, 2014

New Short Story Published!!!


Today, my second flash fiction piece, Chronicles ofthe SFPD, comes out with Every Day Fiction! Check it out and let me know what you think! It’s definitely a darker piece. I hope you enjoy it!

Thanks to everyone who read my last short story on EDF. It got so many positive votes that Every Day Fiction has asked to interview me next week! They plan to post my interview online next Thursday.

I’ve got two very different types of short stories that seem to be doing well with publishers. Some are styled with Magical Realism whereas others are much more Detective Noir. Which genre do you like the best?  

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Check Out Donna Weaver's Torn Canvas, Safe Harbors #2


Today, I'm honored to present Donna Weaver's new book Torn Canvas (Safe Harbors #2). Check out her blog and learn more about her book below. Thanks!

Even a hero needs rescuing sometimes...

Modern-day pirates took more than Jori Virtanen’s friends; they stole his face. Not only does the twenty-four-year-old former model have to confront months of reconstructive surgery, he discovers his previous life was as superficial as his looks. Jori struggles to make a new life for himself as an artist while evading the press. They expect a hero, but he knows the truth. His beauty masks a beast.

Olivia Howard’s given up a normal life for her job, and the sacrifices are finally paying off. The twenty-six-year-old talk-show host’s ratings are heading to the top of the charts. Her dream is to make a difference in people’s lives, but the studio wants mind fluff—like interviewing hot model Jori Virtanen. When Olivia learns the guy helped rescue passengers on a cruise excursion from kidnappers, she knows this is the story she needs to make her case. The only problem is the hero was injured, and now he’s disappeared.

The more Olivia learns about the man behind the scar, the more intrigued she becomes. But Jori is no girl’s happily ever after. Once she finds him, Olivia has to free his heart and help heal the beast.



Links:




Author Information:
Author of the Safe Harbors series and Second Chances 101, Book 5 in the Ripple Effect series. A wife, mother, grandmother, Harry Potter geek, Army veteran, and karate black belt.

Contact the author: donnakweaver@gmail.com

Find the author on:

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

World Cup: Team USA

USA! USA! USA!

Finally, we can start chanting. Yesterday, Team USA beat Ghana in our first match of the World Cup. It’s still a long road to go, but this is exactly the kind of start we need in order to be a real contender this year. More Americans than ever are getting into the sport that the rest of the world has been hot on for the last century. Better late than never!

It’s also fascinating to see how sports writers craft these epic stories about 90 minutes spent on the field. Dempsey scores a goal and later gets his nose bloodied, but it’s all part of the larger hero struggle to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds.

How has your favorite team’s World Cup story been shaping up? Who are you rooting for? Which Team do you think will make it all the way?  


Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Big Thanks!!!


A big thanks to all the folks who read my story at Every Day Fiction! You guys made Meet Me at the Waterfront a true success! The generous stars and comments were awesome as well.

It was also great reconnecting with some of you who I hadn’t chatted with in a while. All in all, an awesome experience! My next published short story at Every Day Fiction will come out on June 21, and is entitled Chronicles of the SFPD. It’s a bit darker, but definitely a piece I’m looking forward to sharing with all of you!

Some of you mentioned to me via email that you also write flash fiction and other short pieces. What are you working on now? What inspires you? 

Friday, May 30, 2014

Short Story Published Today!!!

Today, Every Day Fiction published my short story “Meet Me at the Waterfront.” Check it out, and let me know what you think! If so inclined, please leave a comment or a few stars on the page to let people know you like my story.

For some reason, things seem to be going my way, and Every Day Fiction plans to publish another of my short stories, “Chronicles of the SFPD,” in the next month of two. But today, I’m just pumped to see one of my stories in print. It’s flash fiction (under a thousand words), so enjoy it over a cup of coffee or on your way to work.

How’s your Friday shaping up? I hope you enjoy reading “Meet Me at the Waterfront!”

Friday, May 23, 2014

Another Short Story Getting Published!!!

I guess lightning does strike twice. A few weeks ago, I blogged about my upcoming short story “Meet Me at the Waterfront,” which comes out on May 30th with Every Day Fiction. But I also just learned that another of my short stories, “Chronicles of the SFPD,” is slated to be published this coming June or July!

Both stories will be published by Every Day Fiction, who has now made my day twice this month. Both stories are also flash fiction pieces (under a thousand words), but are otherwise pretty different in tone and content. So check them both out this month and next!

How do you like to celebrate when things are going your way? What types of short-fiction do you like to read? Hope to see you online at Every Day Fiction come May 30th, thanks!  

Monday, May 19, 2014

Back from Paradise

I just got back from two weeks of paradise in Maui! I’ve been on a writing hiatus as my family and I enjoyed a much needed vacation in Hawaii. I prefer to disconnect completely from phones, email, etc. when I’m on vacation, hence the lack of any blog posts for the past couple weeks.

Needless to say, traveling with a one-year-old was an experience, but ultimately a good one. Especially, since I had the help of a patient wife, wonderful in-laws, and a baby who seems naturally adapted to travelling. I’ve tried to bring back as much of the relaxed island vibe as possible as I return to work and home this week.

So, how do you relax when on vacation? I humbly suggest frequent trips to the beach, a daily swim, and an occasional bottle of rum.