* FINALLY ANNOUNCING NEWS *

Below is something I posted on my blog on July 9th!

I DO have some exciting news...I think...about an upcoming publication!

I'll post more about it when I know more info!

~~~~~

Well, I've known for quite some time now that my story and recipe will be included in a very unique cookbook, but was asked to refrain from saying anything until...now.

http://womensmemoirs.com/

Matilda Butler & Kendra Bonnett

If you're not familiar with Matilda & Kendra of Women's Memoirs, you can click on the link above.They offer help for memoir writers, have contests & have published other books.They are wonderful! 

Matilda also posted an interview with me on their website on February 26, 2014.

https://womensmemoirs.com/memoir-writing/my-long-and-zig-zaggy-road-to-memoir-publication/fbclid=IwAR0BI_gEwRFgF9DUpsvgJC0YzQE82b4zXmb0mkNpa1DPNZFOCuadubKYTjA

Their first cookbook, Rosie's Riveting Recipe:

Comfort Foods & Kitchen Wisdom from 1940's America (Vintage Living)

was published in December 2013. 

I wasn't aware of that one (probably because I was feverishly finishing

my memoir which came out in November 2013!)

I discovered their call out for submissions when I happened upon their facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/womensmemoirs/ 

And this is directly from their website: "Why are we contacting you? We need your help! We researched the recipes Rosie likely made. We even created a Rosie the Riveter Legacy Cookbook based on some of our well-loved family recipes as well as some found in a WW2 Department of the Army cookbook. We are now expanding our cookbook and are looking for recipes Rosie might have prepared."

I love the idea of not only submitting the recipe, but also the story behind it. Needless to say, I am thrilled that mine was chosen to be included!

It is due out in 6 weeks, so in plenty of time for a unique and thoughtful

Christmas/Hannakuh gift!

I'll share more news when it comes available!

* WOMEN AND MEMOIRS *

As I mentioned in a previous post......

I'm featured today on Women's Memoirs, in a Q&A post: "My Long and Zig-Zaggy Road to Memoir Publication."

Please stop and leave a comment if you can. Matilda worked very hard getting everything set up for me.

 

I'll share more info in another day or two, but for now, please hop over to here!

 

 

 

"Whether you believe you can or not, you're right." - Henry Ford

* SO MUCH TO SAY, SO MUCH TO DO *

Hello and Happy Monday!

 

 

Yeah, it's Monday. So, what do I have to be happy about?! My laptop is still working and I can write another new post! I'm trying to catch up with topics I've wanted to mention for quite some time. (AND, it was semi-warm here this afternoon -- like temps above freezing, and even warmer predicted for this week!)

 

Before I forget, please stop here and read my writer/blogger friend Claudia's beautiful poetry. And leave a comment if you can. (I had troubles, but it worked after I left out my blog address.)

 

I have some upcoming blog appearances that either mention my memoir or are longer guest posts.

 

February 18, tomorrow, I'll be at Elizabeth Seckman's blog. Please stop by and say hello. Elizabeth has an awesome blog, is also an author, and knows how it feels to self-promote books!

February 26, I'll be featured on Women's Memoirs, in a Q&A post. Please stop and leave a comment if you can. Matilda worked very hard getting everything set up for me. The title of it is:

My Long and Zig-Zaggy Road to Publication

Or

So, You Think You're Too Old to Write?

 

March 10, I'm doing a guest post on Carol Kilgore's blog, Under the Tiki Hut. My post there will be different from previous ones.


Date still to be specified The lovely Karen Lange has been patiently waiting for me to answer the questions she sent me ages ago, so I can also be a guest on her blog. Thank you, Karen!

Date still to be finalized Another blog stop happening at Juanita Nobles' blog sometime in April. (I apologize for inadvertently leaving this one out when I first posted it on Monday!)

~~~



* I'll also be hosting other writers on my blog very soon. If you would like to be featured here, please send an e-mail to the one listed in my profile. (And if we've already discussed your visit, but I've been a bit forgetful, please remind me!) *

~~~

I'd like to know opinions and/or knowledge about:  Kirkus Reviews

 

I just don't understand this. Writers from all over the world pay lots of money -- anywhere from $425 for "standard service" to $575 for "express service" for a review of their books. And what if the review isn't favorable? Has anyone paid for a Kirkus Review, or something similar? Or know anyone who has?

"A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do." -- Bob Dylan 

(surely he knows that applies to women, too!)



CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS, CONTESTS, SPECIAL E-BOOK SALE, ETC!

Hello everyone! I can't believe it's been nine days since my... last confession....Oops! No, that's definitely not what I meant to type. But as I said those words in my mind, some very old memorized lines from my childhood popped right into my head!

I'm at my library branch, using one of their computers because I haven't been able to post anything new on my blog since January 22! It's been driving me nuttier than normal. I could reply to comments on my blog, and on others' blogs, but that's all I could do. I couldn't get to Layout or any other editing type areas. I'm REALLY hoping my son, Scott, can fix it for me.....hope, hope, hope....

Now, here's a truly dumb thing I did, by not doing something. I forgot to print and bring the Word document that contains all the things I wanted to post on here this afternoon.

SO, for now I'll just provide a few tidbits to hopefully get your attention and interest!

**  Please stop by Women's Memoirs at the link below. They're having a fabulous 53 HOUR E-BOOK SALE, to launch their brand new series of four e-books, spring, summer, winter, fall. Please hop over and check them out. The covers are gorgeous and I'm sure the stories included are wonderful!

http://womensmemoirs.com/memoir-writing-news/february-1-the-day-to-get-inspired-and-improve-your-memoir-writing/ 

~~~

**  Julie Luek is the winner of a print copy of my memoir, from Margo Dill's blog when I was the guest blogger. Congratulations, Julie!

~~~

** I have some calls for submissions and contest info....at home in my Word docs. BUT, I think I remember at least some of them:

A call for submissions for a new literary magazine in Ontario, the Tin Roof Press. Our inaugural issue launched with much success in December 2013.  This will be a quarterly magazine, published seasonally.  The next issue - our Happiness issue - will be published in March 2014.  The deadline for submissions is Feb 10, 2014. *Note: I checked with Jen McGuire, the editor, and they ARE accepting submissions from Non-Canadians, too.*

The Tin Roof Press is named after a legendary old bordello that once ran perched high on a cliff overlooking Georgian Bay called the Tin Roof.  It was so named as a nod to Margaret “Mag”  Matthews, an ancestor of mine who was the Madame of the Tin Roof and a local legend. 

The Tin Roof Press is looking for stories full of irreverent humour.  Or tragedy.  Or lust.  Or horror. We want to treat our readers to an exceptionally fun, engrossing read.  And we are looking for writers who feel up to the task.

Submissions of short stories (under 2500 words) and poetry can be sent to jen@tinroofpress.ca.  To get a sense of what we're looking for, check out the pdf version of our beautiful magazine online or email jen@tinroofpress.ca to subscribe if you would like a copy - though they are running out quickly. 

Hope you like the new magazine!

All best,
Jen McGuireeditor/publisher
Tin Roof Press

~~~

** The Erma Bombeck Contest deadline is coming up soon! February 17 at 8:00AM -- EASTERN Standard Time. I suggest sending it by Feb 16, just to be sure! 

~~~

 

I have an exciting bit of news about a new marketing tool I discovered. I have rented a display case at The Cultural Arts Centre in St. Peters, Mo. to advertise and sell my memoir! 

 

Jan. 31-March 24

What's on the Horizon?

All Media Landscape Art Show and Competition

Receiving: Tuesday, Jan. 28, 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

Reception: Friday, Jan. 31, 6-8 p.m. 

The reception, as you can see is tonight! There will be all kinds of artwork on display: paintings, drawings, photography, etc....plus the three or four display cases. Stop on by if you're in the area....and we don't get bad weather! 

 

Gotta run.....My time on the computer is about to end!

Thanks for stopping by!

What Are You Reading?

Ever since I began writing (about 12 years ago) my "reading for enjoyment" time has really dropped. One reason, obviously, is because I spend so much time writing, thinking about writing, editing, and scouring through books about writing.

I'm happy to say I borrowed a book from my local library last week that I am gobbling up! It's Rita Moreno, A Memoir. It's a fascinating story and I can't wait to get back to it! 

I learned about it when I watched Tavis Smiley's PBS TV show , the day he interviewed Ms. Moreno. He is such a wonderful host and asks excellent questions, and I'm sorry I only recently discovered him. You can see the 2-part interview and/or read the transcript here.

book cover: npr.org

What about you? What are you reading? 

“Reading is the sole means by which we slip, involuntarily, often helplessly, into another’s skin, another’s voice, another’s soul.” — Joyce Carol Oates

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR MY MEMOIR

I am thrilled to post my first book blurb!

"Becky Povich has a light and whimsical way with words, and a knack for making the everyday seem a bit more special."  -- Philip Gulley 

(image: Philip's website)

Seeing the above words written by the fantastic author Philip Gulley, makes me feel as if I'm dreaming! I'm so excited and I can't imagine what I'll actually do when I'm holding my book in my hot little hands, reading Philip's recommendation. Wow! 

I borrowed the following from his website: Philip Gulley is a Quaker pastor and beloved writer and speaker from Danville, Indiana.  An eclectic writer, Gulley has published 17 books, including the acclaimed Harmony series..... and the best-selling Porch Talk series... Philip has also written four books on Christianity. 

      

I've read quite a few of the fictional Harmony Series books and I just love them. It's small town life at its best.

Thank you, Philip, from the bottom of my heart. This means the world to me. 

*Welcome to my newest follower, Rita. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you! *   

  

"A writer never has a vacation. For a writer life consists of either writing or thinking about writing."

 - Eugene Ionesco

* Nostalgic Sunday *

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday!

Today's Nostalgic Sunday is about a writing contest presented by Matilda Butler & Kendra Bonnett at Women's Memoirs. 

In honor of the 70th Anniversary of the Rosie the Riveter poster, they are looking for true stories about women during WWII. You may not be able to interview any living female relatives, but hopefully you already know some details, or have other family members you can ask.

Rosie the Riveter

(courtesy: Women's Memoirs Blog)

There is no entry fee and if enough quality submissions are received an e-book will be published. Go to: http://womensmemoirs.com/memoir-writing-news/two-memoir-contests-close-new-contest-opens/ for all the details, including word count, and deadline. And please pass along this info to everyone you know who might be interested. 

(My mother's first husband was killed in WWII and I plan to submit a story about her life during that time.)

* P.S. Don't forget to leave a comment HERE for my Two-Book-Give-Away! I will choose the winner tonight at 9:00pm CDT, by random drawing. *

"If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman." -- Margaret Thatcher