Author Archive

ALA Midwinter Mayhem

Oh my goodness. I just had the Most Fun Weekend Ever at the ALA Midwinter conference. I met the Entire Writing World there, and took home a bunch of ARCs I’d been longing for. (Okay, I’m not planning on keeping … Continue reading

The Power of Pajamas: How Not Changing Clothes Can Change Your Life

Guess what, Writer Friends? My very first newspaper interview EVER was just posted! I think I avoided embarrassing myself too much, although I may have given a little TMI on what I wear when I’m writing, and how much chocolate … Continue reading

My Ideal Listener

I am hip deep in halligators, Writer Friends. I’m writing and revising my way to sending a new manuscript off, and I only have a few minutes to post here, but I had to share this wish for you: I … Continue reading

I’m a Bylines Calendar Girl

2012 is almost upon us! Have you bought your weekly writer’s calendar? If not, feel free to pick up this one: Not just because I’m a calendar girl, although of course that would be a good reason. (I’m pretty sure … Continue reading

Christmas Comes Early: My ARCs Arrived!

When you start to explore the crazy world of book publishing, it’s like walking into a room where everyone is speaking Pig Latin: you don’t understand every word, especially not at first. There’s all sorts of terminology to onfuse-cay ou-yay. … Continue reading

Fighting for Silent Night: Keyboard Struggles

I can’t play the piano. Well, not really. I took a few months of lessons when I was a seven, a semester of class piano during my “voice major” phase of college, and four months of lessons when I was … Continue reading

The Perfect Writing Day

On the best writing days, it rains. It’s cold outside, just a little, so I’m not tempted to venture out. My favorite pajamas are clean, and I keep them on until at least noon. I have my special tea – … Continue reading

Will Write for Food (and Love)

News flash! You have two (count them: TWO!) opportunities to buy anthologies with my work in them this month. If you’re a lover of personal essays, chock full of humor and (gasp!) recipes, check out the newest Chicken Soup for … Continue reading

Stray Poems and Homeless Stories

I have a problem, Writer Friends. I have a short story AND a poem ready for submission. Okay, it’s not exactly a problem. More a quandary. I have no idea where to send them. You see, I really, really like … Continue reading

Book Launch Envy

Austin has a lot: great music, wonderful food, a laid-back, wear-your-jeans-to-the opera vibe… and books. Oh, do we love our books. I’ve been hanging out at the local indie bookstore, Bookpeople, a WHOLE lot recently. Not only am I attending … Continue reading