tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329181252024-03-07T03:25:04.672-06:00Straight From HelIdeas may be heaven-sent, but these words come straight from Hel.
Writing advice, publishing news, book reviews and links from writer and freelance editor, Helen Ginger.Helen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comBlogger1770125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-75042181581884808952017-06-29T11:27:00.000-05:002017-06-29T11:29:03.094-05:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Deadpoint’s</span></b></span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> Book Release</span></b><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Over 40 of my friends, fellow authors and my old Bunco group
attended my book release and signing party in Austin. I want to express a special <b>“Thank You”</b> to Terri Schexnayder with Writing,
Editing and Marketing Services (</span><a href="mailto:texnayder@gmail.com" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1155cc;">texnayder@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">) for organizing a very special
and successful event for me. It was great
to see many of my old friends to talk about </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Deadpoint</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">
and to hear about all the events that the Texas Writer League and Sisters in
Crime are providing for Texas Authors.
Thank all you who attended and very special appreciation to those people
who purchased </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i>Deadpoint</i></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Helen Ginger -- all about writing, <a href="http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/">Straight from Hel</a>.</div>Helen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-74941139941290592952017-06-11T11:36:00.003-05:002017-06-29T10:49:19.107-05:00<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIqd7JRi7e68HL9rXgMAYyYv4mrAyvKMIGVo5-F3YK4KdX9gh7XFIUBniCtQO8x76wX_8lcPJ28Gc4pnKIv7g4UfloicOoNQIv7lbgvh64NbSf9-OHcNMO_NWyF84oK82F7bF/s1600/DEADPOINT+COVER_Front+page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="955" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIqd7JRi7e68HL9rXgMAYyYv4mrAyvKMIGVo5-F3YK4KdX9gh7XFIUBniCtQO8x76wX_8lcPJ28Gc4pnKIv7g4UfloicOoNQIv7lbgvh64NbSf9-OHcNMO_NWyF84oK82F7bF/s320/DEADPOINT+COVER_Front+page.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<b>“An Afternoon with the Author”</b> featuring Helen Ginger, author of <b>DEADPOINT</b><br />
<br />
<b>Date:</b> Sunday, June 25, 2017<br />
<b>Time:</b> 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.<br />
<br />
ABOUT DEADPOINT: A dead maintenance supervisor and an intrusive firebrand preacher have popped up at
Hart of Atlantis Park and Aquarium in the Hill Country. Although divorced from Michael Lansing, the park’s
security officer, Codie Hart resolves to work with him to protect her family’s business. When a skilled,
ritualistic killer arrives to steal newly developed technology and seek revenge on an old enemy, Michael must
decide how to protect Codie and the park without reliving his past.<br />
<br />
Born in Georgia, Helen Ginger moved to Texas when she was ten. She lives in the Hill Country west of Austin,
Texas, with her husband Dave. From her office window, she can see squirrels, armadillos, deer, jackrabbits,
and all kinds of birds. Author of mysteries, ANGEL SOMETIMES and DISMEMBERING THE PAST, she has also
been a mermaid, a college instructor, President of the Sisters in Crime Heart of Texas chapter, board member
and executive director of the Writers League of Texas, and volunteer chair for the Texas Book Festival. In 2005,
Helen received a Fellowship from the Brown Foundation and the Vermont Studio Center.<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Helen Ginger -- all about writing, <a href="http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/">Straight from Hel</a>.</div>Helen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-17105873763388974452015-02-04T00:30:00.000-06:002015-02-04T00:30:02.968-06:00Agents on the Move<div class="MsoNormal">
<em><b><span style="background: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%;">Allison Hunter has joined the Stuart
Krichevsky Literary Agency as an agent</span></b></em><b><span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">. <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Previously she was an agent
at Inkwell Management, and at SKLA will continue to actively acquire literary
and commercial fiction</span></em>,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">memoir</span></em>,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">narrative nonfiction</span></em>,
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">cultural studies and pop culture</span></em>.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background: white; color: #545454; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Agent<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://click.publisherslunchdaily.com/cp/redirect.php?u=NTAwNnwzNDQ4OXxoZWxlbi5naW5nZXJAZ21haWwuY29tfDg5MTIyNXw3NjAzMzM0NXwxMjA2OTc0&id=24315804" target="_blank"><strong><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Sara Megibow</span></strong></a></span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">, who recently
left the Nelson Literary Agency, is joining KT Literary.</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<strong><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Nan Vermylen Thornton</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">will join Zachary Shuster Harmsworth as an
agent.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://click.publisherslunchdaily.com/cp/redirect.php?u=NTAwNnwzNDQ4OXxoZWxlbi5naW5nZXJAZ21haWwuY29tfDg4NzExMHw3NjAzMzM0NXwxMjAwNzcy&id=23864786" target="_blank"><strong><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Stephen Barbara</span></strong></a></span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">will move to Inkwell Management on<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aqj">January 5</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>after six years at Foundry Literary +
Media, and he will be followed by all 50 of his clients.</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://click.publisherslunchdaily.com/cp/redirect.php?u=NTAwNnwzNDQ4OXxoZWxlbi5naW5nZXJAZ21haWwuY29tfDg4NDE4MXw3NjAzMzM0NXwxMTk3MDk0&id=23578696" target="_blank"><strong><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Rayhane
Sanders</span></strong></a></span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">will join Lippincott Massie McQuilkin as
Agent, effective January 1, continuing to build her list of upmarket and
literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, and memoir.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://click.publisherslunchdaily.com/cp/redirect.php?u=NTAwNnwzNDQ4OXxoZWxlbi5naW5nZXJAZ21haWwuY29tfDg4MjI0OXw3NjAzMzM0NXwxMTk0Nzc0&id=23399918" target="_blank"><strong><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Sheree
Bykofsky Associates</span></strong></a></span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">has taken over the list of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://click.publisherslunchdaily.com/cp/redirect.php?u=NTAwNnwzNDQ4OXxoZWxlbi5naW5nZXJAZ21haWwuY29tfDg4MjI0OXw3NjAzMzM0NXwxMTk0Nzc0&id=23399919" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">DSM Agency</span></a></span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">.</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Natasha
Alexis and Lana Popovic have joined Chalberg & Sussman as agents. Both were
previously at Zachary Shuster Harmsworth</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Helen Ginger -- all about writing, <a href="http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/">Straight from Hel</a>.</div>Helen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-61629514169177514442014-12-09T13:46:00.000-06:002014-12-09T13:46:29.314-06:00Hi everyone.<br />
<br />
I found out last night that the cover of <i>Angel Sometimes</i> is up for an award. The winner will be the one that gets the most votes. So far, I have some votes, but <i>Angel Sometimes</i> will need more to win.<br />
<br />
The voting goes on all week and you can vote once every day.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6g5x4PPu4LrKYhOp2Asm18qzRVDJaneaZoolxSrD088dcd_jzexHyh_oTIbrKxWTyKQgvz61PBp4hLbnlU-WGNGi_udNMd0iEPBndhcF2HF5c8IPr0NB7NIjzz6OQ1rlarA6B/s1600/ANGEL+SOMETIMES200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6g5x4PPu4LrKYhOp2Asm18qzRVDJaneaZoolxSrD088dcd_jzexHyh_oTIbrKxWTyKQgvz61PBp4hLbnlU-WGNGi_udNMd0iEPBndhcF2HF5c8IPr0NB7NIjzz6OQ1rlarA6B/s1600/ANGEL+SOMETIMES200.jpg" /></a>If you can vote, that'd be much appreciated. I'd really like for Patty Henderson, my cover artist, to win.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://authorshout.com/cover-wars/">http://authorshout.com/cover-wars/</a><br />
<br />
Thank you<div class="blogger-post-footer">Helen Ginger -- all about writing, <a href="http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/">Straight from Hel</a>.</div>Helen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-60697582208709199642014-12-01T17:00:00.000-06:002014-12-01T17:00:01.664-06:00Angel Sometimes Speaks Up<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrkc3_rhdj1NrudfeMF4YK8CaEwtdRYCblihGOkRD6EflKmE1KWSCq5i6b6NG9h2bB9chkApSjuoFu_YP-lfDCiSMMHQ_eZacfgKhyphenhyphen7wYs-z9BPyHfnhR0s4kdze2-dNfoBj-/s1600/ANGEL+SOMETIMES200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrkc3_rhdj1NrudfeMF4YK8CaEwtdRYCblihGOkRD6EflKmE1KWSCq5i6b6NG9h2bB9chkApSjuoFu_YP-lfDCiSMMHQ_eZacfgKhyphenhyphen7wYs-z9BPyHfnhR0s4kdze2-dNfoBj-/s1600/ANGEL+SOMETIMES200.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> I started writing <i>Angel Sometimes</i> a
couple of years ago. She came into my head and wouldn't leave. I had finished the first of many drafts of
her story when I was awarded a four-week scholarship to the Vermont Studio
Center. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For four
weeks, I wrote, walked, met other authors, wrote, listened to lectures, wrote….
Did I mention that I wrote? Then I came home and edited and wrote some more. I
gave Angel the job of swimming as a mermaid because I knew she could do it. I
swam for four years as a mermaid while I was getting my B.A. and M.A. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqamgNMUztChnRXhjsihBPagdgMkborsA8CY3Vt8XJg04uJhz7zC51AM3De4-lpsp_80fp0xfu27LrYMzBVg8JJ8SA0GDpxwyD-T6OBcoXpP87gsqGuU6zbhs7JNw3bzzoyC3u/s1600/MermaidonVolcano400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqamgNMUztChnRXhjsihBPagdgMkborsA8CY3Vt8XJg04uJhz7zC51AM3De4-lpsp_80fp0xfu27LrYMzBVg8JJ8SA0GDpxwyD-T6OBcoXpP87gsqGuU6zbhs7JNw3bzzoyC3u/s1600/MermaidonVolcano400.jpg" height="320" width="205" /></a><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It took a while
before I felt the book was done. Not long after it was published, <i>Angel Sometimes</i> was awarded a USA Best
Book Award. As you might guess, I was hop-around-the-office happy. But what was
even more fun was talking with readers who emailed me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I can't
speak for other authors, but for me, my days are mostly spent typing on the
computer, re-reading what I typed, catching grammar mistakes, and re-reading
some more. An email from a reader or a "hi" on my Author Facebook
Page is great. For a few minutes, I'm connected to a reader. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What this
all boils down to is: listen to the voices in your head. Write down what they
say. If it's a character talking to you, pay attention. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Helen Ginger -- all about writing, <a href="http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/">Straight from Hel</a>.</div>Helen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-3613078914872988142014-11-25T09:44:00.000-06:002014-11-25T09:44:52.608-06:00Hi everyone. Thank you for dropping by.<br />
<br />
I'm not here today because I'm over at The Writers Lens. Come over and say hi.<br />
<br />
I'm answering questions in the post:<br />
<br />
<b style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17px; line-height: 18.546667098999px;">How much fact is in your fiction? </b><br />
<b style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17px; line-height: 18.546667098999px;"><br /></b>
<b style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17px; line-height: 18.546667098999px;">What's the highest compliment someone could make about your writing?</b><br />
<b style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 17px; line-height: 18.546667098999px;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19.2600002288818px;">What movie star would be perfect for (<i>your main character</i>) and why?</b><br />
<b style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19.2600002288818px;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19.2600002288818px;">Would you share a bit about your next project?</b><br />
<b style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px; line-height: 19.2600002288818px;"><br /></b>
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 19px; line-height: 19.9733333587647px; text-align: justify;"><b>Where to Find <i>Angel Sometimes</i> and Helen</b></span><br />
<br />
If you have other questions, leave them in the comment section. I'm happy to answer them.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thewriterslens.com/2014/11/helen-ginger-mermaid-career-link-to.html">http://www.thewriterslens.com/2014/11/helen-ginger-mermaid-career-link-to.html</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Helen Ginger -- all about writing, <a href="http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/">Straight from Hel</a>.</div>Helen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-88539639346072426492014-11-04T00:03:00.000-06:002014-11-04T00:03:00.198-06:00Publisher's Lunch 11-4-2014<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here's
more news from Publisher's Lunch:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Former
ceo of Atlantic Books <b>Toby Mund</b>y has established </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://click.publisherslunchdaily.com/cp/redirect.php?u=NTAwNnwzNDQ4OXxoZWxlbi5naW5nZXJAZ21haWwuY29tfDg3MzkxMnw3NjAzMzM0NXwxMTg0NDMw&id=22677165" target="_blank"></a></span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> his
own literary agency, Toby Mundy Associates. He will use Ed Victor Ltd.'s
service operation Bedford Square Literary Management for "turn-key
back-office service." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Caitie
Flum</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> has
joined Liza Dawson Associates as assistant agent, also working on audio rights
for the agency. Previously she was editorial coordinator of Bookspan's
Children's Book Club.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Natasha
Alexis and Lana Popovic have joined Chalberg & Sussman as agents. Both were
previously at Zachary Shuster Harmsworth, where Alexis supported business
affairs and Popovic managed international rights.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dave Fessenden</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> formerly acquisitions editor at CLC
Publications, has joined WordWise Media Services as literary agent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Helen Ginger -- all about writing, <a href="http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/">Straight from Hel</a>.</div>Helen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-43044546092199181212014-10-03T11:44:00.000-05:002014-10-03T11:44:04.321-05:00Literary Agents Update<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Leon Husock</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">joins L. Perkins Agency as an associate agent
specializing in speculative fiction, as well as young adult and middle grade
novels.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">At the Andrea Brown Literary
Agency,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Laura Rennert</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>has been promoted to executive agent.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Jennifer Laughran</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>has been promoted to senior agent, and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Jennifer Mattson</b>has been
promoted to agent.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Pam van Hylckama
Vlieg</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">has joined the D4EO Literary Agency. She was
previously at Foreword Literary Agency.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<strong><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Lydia Moëd</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">has joined The Rights Factory as foreign rights
associate, and will also build her own domestic list. In addition,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><strong>Cassandra
Rodgers</strong><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>has been
promoted to associate agent.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Literary agency Alive
Communications has hired<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><strong>Lisa Jackson</strong>, former associa</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">te
publisher of Tyndale, and</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><strong style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">Brian Thomasson</strong><span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">(a senior editor at NavPress) to
join the Colorado Springs-based firm as agents.</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">James Lance</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">formerly publisher at Kumarian Press, has joined
WordWise Media Services as literary agent and can be contacted at<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="mailto:Jlance007@comcast.net" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Jlance007@comcast.net</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://click.publisherslunchdaily.com/cp/redirect.php?u=NTAwNnwzNDQ4OXxoZWxlbi5naW5nZXJAZ21haWwuY29tfDg2ODQyMXw3NjAzMzM0NXwxMTc3MzM0&id=22297255" target="_blank"><strong><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">William LoTurco</span></strong></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">has joined Kuhn Projects as an associate agent.
Previously, he was at Vigliano Associates and WME.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://click.publisherslunchdaily.com/cp/redirect.php?u=NTAwNnwzNDQ4OXxoZWxlbi5naW5nZXJAZ21haWwuY29tfDg2Njk5MHw3NjAzMzM0NXwxMTc1NDY2&id=22197804" target="_blank"><strong><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Noah Ballard</span></strong></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">has joined
Curtis Brown as a literary agent. He had previously been with Emma Sweeney
Agency. He will continue to represent literary fiction, thrillers and narrative
non-fiction.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Helen Ginger -- all about writing, <a href="http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/">Straight from Hel</a>.</div>Helen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-70982185514351877092014-09-25T14:18:00.000-05:002014-09-25T14:18:21.031-05:00Book PeopleIf you live in the Austin area, come over to BookPeople this evening.<br />
<br />
I, along with Nan Cuba, Katherine Catmull, and Suzy Spencer make up the panel. We'll be talking and taking questions from 7pm to 9pm.<br />
<br />
Our discussion topic is:<br />
How does a writer achieve emotional resonance in his/her narrative? How can one attain the mindset to accurately convey a tone or a character's depth of feeling? Authors often mine from their own lives -- tapping into emotions, experiences, or memories in order to recreate the right mood or state of mind on the page. But how? And at what cost?<br />
It's free to attend.<br />
<br />
BookPeople is located at 603 N. Lamar.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhNXjanJkD9-ezz27maKVJ-IhgxdPDPCa5BmFK12n6PD19pn3S5oyVwe6vnVzsnbxafc0UlFgGJH8J3aFhleKjrPFI1tb5quOF2q-ooGho5xKwOHxHNrqiTK2M_mU__-Q5nku/s1600/ANGEL+SOMETIMES190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhNXjanJkD9-ezz27maKVJ-IhgxdPDPCa5BmFK12n6PD19pn3S5oyVwe6vnVzsnbxafc0UlFgGJH8J3aFhleKjrPFI1tb5quOF2q-ooGho5xKwOHxHNrqiTK2M_mU__-Q5nku/s1600/ANGEL+SOMETIMES190.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyLsX9awKVyFLV7TC_AxnvGMiFXeq_tRgZ7KmZUWy_YAtSc48dKz8sMAvCU1moRgjH-7QCgrDyt_e9B1BWtBClzqyi6zWqVKkk53OP5k6rEkyz8gu7tSE7D0UgQcoSn1rMLkS/s1600/DISMEMBERING+THE+PAST_190X123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyLsX9awKVyFLV7TC_AxnvGMiFXeq_tRgZ7KmZUWy_YAtSc48dKz8sMAvCU1moRgjH-7QCgrDyt_e9B1BWtBClzqyi6zWqVKkk53OP5k6rEkyz8gu7tSE7D0UgQcoSn1rMLkS/s1600/DISMEMBERING+THE+PAST_190X123.jpg" /></a>Once you park, head up to the third floor. You can use the elevator in the back of the store.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Helen Ginger -- all about writing, <a href="http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/">Straight from Hel</a>.</div>Helen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-10774040976745842942014-09-24T12:29:00.000-05:002014-09-24T12:29:00.086-05:00Looking For An Agent?Sandy Lu has returned to the L. Perkins Agency as senior agent after a brief departure, and will also oversee the agency's foreign rights.<br />
<br />
At Foundry Literary + Media, Matt Wise has been promoted to agent. He is interested narrative nonfiction and commercial fiction.<br />
<br />
At Kuhn Projects, Nicole Tourtelot has been promoted to agent.<br />
<br />
Rachel Marks has joined Rebecca Friedman Literary, representing young adult, fantasy, science fiction, new adult and romance. She has worked as a publicist for authors for the past three years.<br />
<br />
Sergei Tsimberov has joined Ayesha Pande Literary as an associate agent, specializing in literary fiction and nonfiction. He was previously with Anderson Literary Management.<br />
<br />
Heather Alexander has joined Pippin Properties as an agent. Previously she was an associate editor at Dial.<br />
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<div>
Thanks to Publishers Lunch for this information.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Helen Ginger -- all about writing, <a href="http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/">Straight from Hel</a>.</div>Helen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-71804723941707246652014-08-11T14:28:00.000-05:002014-08-11T14:30:46.424-05:00Mermaid Helen GingerCome over and talk with me today on Jennifer Modette Perry's blog: http://madameperryssalon.blogspot.com/2014/08/mermaid-picnics-computer-gaming-and.html<br />
<br />
I'll keep checking her blog all day. If you have questions, I'll do my best to answer.<br />
<br />
In case you're asking if I was really a mermaid, the answer is yes. I really did eat and drink underwater as well as do a mermaid ballet. (I'm the tall girl on the left.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VM3gc5PYUqR7oNscZr0HKMW0Xc9CaNMTj7_whg3j-JHypIWg3JgRI0tZ-lJjW3mzMhW0TkkMuUENnQ56n270Agj6hLP0Yf_TrUhdzJ6gP0Njhwsv6KaSMdeBZzZJLYg8HU0u/s1600/MermaidonVolcano400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VM3gc5PYUqR7oNscZr0HKMW0Xc9CaNMTj7_whg3j-JHypIWg3JgRI0tZ-lJjW3mzMhW0TkkMuUENnQ56n270Agj6hLP0Yf_TrUhdzJ6gP0Njhwsv6KaSMdeBZzZJLYg8HU0u/s1600/MermaidonVolcano400.jpg" height="320" width="205" /></a></div>
<br />
Just head over to Madame Perry's Salon: http://madameperryssalon.blogspot.com/2014/08/mermaid-picnics-computer-gaming-and.html<div class="blogger-post-footer">Helen Ginger -- all about writing, <a href="http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/">Straight from Hel</a>.</div>Helen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-91226630572304639592014-06-27T00:05:00.000-05:002014-06-27T00:05:00.385-05:00Book Review: Chain Reaction by Diane Fanning<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDdi76Ev1F59oTNthnMEVk8q3mD4zLtDMOLIgsw87lWmTRvuDPw1RfAeXiI6yKx3AjveSJRXrtaYaap23delxtVrkj4tU0krZZPWEkt9OrrYdGUK9ASbTEdYiAd1YBeGKCaOB/s1600/ChainReaction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDdi76Ev1F59oTNthnMEVk8q3mD4zLtDMOLIgsw87lWmTRvuDPw1RfAeXiI6yKx3AjveSJRXrtaYaap23delxtVrkj4tU0krZZPWEkt9OrrYdGUK9ASbTEdYiAd1YBeGKCaOB/s1600/ChainReaction.jpg" /></a>This is not the first book by Diane Fanning that I have
read. As a matter of fact, I have quite a few of her books on my book shelf.
<i><b>Chain Reaction</b></i> is the latest in her Lucinda Pierce series. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I like this series. With each book, it's like getting back
together with a friend. I like Lucinda. <o:p></o:p></div>
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When a bomb goes off at a high school, two bodies are found
in the aftermath. The FBI move in to investigate, but Lucinda, a homicide
investigator, doesn't agree with the FBI's theory of what happened. Lucinda begins
to investigate on her own. She's not alone, though. She has the backup of her
boyfriend, FBI Agent Jake Lovett. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In addition to the bombing, there's a suspicious teacher
who's not above soliciting the male students.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I like books with female protagonists. I especially like
ones like Lucinda: smart, determined, concerned, involved. The people in
Fanning's books come to life. Some of them you'd like to sit down and have
coffee with in the morning. Some you'd like to punch. There are no cartoon
characters, only ones that are believable and relatable. Ones that you'd like
to meet again in another book.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Helen Ginger -- all about writing, <a href="http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/">Straight from Hel</a>.</div>Helen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-35404823616732831902014-06-12T00:03:00.000-05:002014-06-12T00:03:00.440-05:00Publishing News 6-12-14Simone Garzella Literary Scouting has been appointed US literary scout for the Lira Publishing Group in Hungary.<br />
<br />
After 25 years at Ed Victor Ltd., Sophie Hicks has set up her own literary agency. For more information, see the new site for the Sophie Hicks Agency.<br />
<br />
Tisse Takagi has teamed up with The Science Factory as an agent, based in New York, focusing on non-fiction in the areas of biography, food, and music as well as science.<br />
<br />
At Trident Media Group, Alexander Slater has been promoted to domestic agent, and he will focus on children's, middle grade and YA authors. He was a foreign rights agent for TMG, also focused on children's authors.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Helen Ginger -- all about writing, <a href="http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/">Straight from Hel</a>.</div>Helen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-74292813646184744152014-05-30T00:03:00.000-05:002014-05-30T00:03:00.596-05:00Book Review: The Doll<div class="MsoNormal">
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<i>The Doll</i> by Taylor
Stevens is a thriller with heart-racing action, unexpected twists and dangerous
turns.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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The main character, Vanessa Munroe, can change herself and
"become" whatever she needs to be to survive. She's a fighter. More importantly, she is a
survivor. In <i>The Doll</i>, she gets kidnapped
and taken into an underground world in Dallas where women and girls are sold, used
and abused. This world and the women
forced there are controlled by a man known as the Doll Maker. He captures women
and young girls and sells them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Munroe has not only herself to save, but also a young girl,
Neeva, who also has escaped. Munroe doesn't want to be saddled with Neeva, but Munroe
knows if she doesn't take Neeva with her, Neeva will either be killed or taken
back into slavery.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Munroe is used to violence. Most of her life has been marked
by violence. She can speak multiple languages and she knows how to fight and
how to survive. She could escape and disappear into the shadows, but she'll
have to take Neeva back to the Doll Maker, even though she knows what will
happen to her. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Munroe will have to decide between Neeva and someone she
dearly loves. I give <i>The Doll </i>a
rating of <span style="color: red;">Hel-of-a-Ride.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: red;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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This is a dark book. Women and young girls being kidnapped
and used in sex trade. It took me a while to realize the book was set, not in
some far away country, but in Dallas. But the story moves at a fast clip and
will keep you turning pages.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Helen Ginger -- all about writing, <a href="http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/">Straight from Hel</a>.</div>Helen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-65210526554999385892014-05-28T00:03:00.000-05:002014-05-28T00:03:00.261-05:00Agents on the MoveIf you're looking for a literary agent, it can be a bit frustrating. You hear of one you'd like to query, but then you can't find them. Agents tend to move around. Some stay with the same agency their whole career. Others don't. New agents join. Some retire.<br />
<br />
Here's some information on agents (on the move) that you might find helpful.<br />
<br />
Maria Ribas and Paul Lamb have joined the Howard Morhaim Literary agency as literary agents. Ribas was an associate editor at Adams Media and will continue to focus on cookbooks, self-help, health, diet, parenting, and humor. Lamb was most recently senior marketing manager at Viking, and will focus on representing non-fiction in the areas of business, memoir, political science, sociology and sports, as well as crime, mystery and literary fiction.<br />
<br />
Jana Burson has launched The Burson Agency, a literary agency and speakers bureau. She had been an editor for the FaithWords and Center Street imprints of Hachette Book Group and before then, the imprints' director of publicity.<br />
<br />
Dr. James Lance has joined WordWise Media Service as a literary agent. He was an acquisitions editor for Kumarian Press. He'll focus on scholarly but reader-friendly books in international relations, environmental science and policy, anthropology, economics, history, public health, cultural studies, public administration, US foreign policy, and philanthropy.<br />
<br />
Michelle Richter is joining Foreword Literary as an associate agent. She has been an editor at St. Martin's. She is planning to represent a broad selection of fiction, and nonfiction focused on fashion, film, television, science, medicine, sociology/social trends, and economics for trade audiences.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Helen Ginger -- all about writing, <a href="http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/">Straight from Hel</a>.</div>Helen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-17312856270514227812014-05-22T11:12:00.000-05:002014-05-22T11:12:00.800-05:00Interesting article on Publishers Weekly<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are the opening two paragraphs from an article called: <i>Will the Agency Model Survive?</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="article" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">For
publishers, negotiating terms of sale with Amazon has always been difficult.
But<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/62254-much-at-stake-in-amazon-hbg-fight.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #551a8b; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">reports last week of Amazon’s hardball tactics</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>with the Hachette Book Group suggest
that this year’s negotiations could be among the most brutal yet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="article" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="article" style="line-height: 15pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">One
likely reason is that when<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/content-and-e-books/article/53870-federal-judge-approves-settlement-in-doj-e-book-case.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #551a8b; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">the publishers' 2012 consent decrees<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></a>in
the e-book price-fixing case begin to expire this fall, so too will Amazon’s
ability to discount e-books. The parties don't comment on specific negotiations
(and neither Hachette or Amazon will comment directly on the current dispute or
ongoing talks). But it is fair to say that Amazon officials likely see the
current negotiations as their best chance to push for the end of agency pricing
for e-books, and are apparently prepared to bring to bear all the pressure they
can on publishers—whether on the Kindle side, or print. The question is, will
the publishers stick together to keep agency pricing for e-books?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="article" style="line-height: 15pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
To read the full article, go here: <a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/retailing/article/62349-will-the-agency-model-survive.html">http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/retailing/article/62349-will-the-agency-model-survive.html</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Helen Ginger -- all about writing, <a href="http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/">Straight from Hel</a>.</div>Helen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-86396941494007118462014-05-19T09:12:00.004-05:002014-05-19T09:12:54.743-05:00Shelby O'Neill<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKyjDWYWBf-VjD1BRuLn1pS55VvOMjy4WjLRuZE8d8MRkm7tEkL5_LhR9lhRzulS3p5o7yEPv6_luYtlqSJN4rdDNciHB5DMhmzMaCaO5eXc4akmQGIKCswOXi7ttZUp3vMHj/s1600/ANGEL+SOMETIMES200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKyjDWYWBf-VjD1BRuLn1pS55VvOMjy4WjLRuZE8d8MRkm7tEkL5_LhR9lhRzulS3p5o7yEPv6_luYtlqSJN4rdDNciHB5DMhmzMaCaO5eXc4akmQGIKCswOXi7ttZUp3vMHj/s1600/ANGEL+SOMETIMES200.jpg" /></a>If you have time, zip over to <a href="http://chickstermag.com/wordpress/2014/05/bookworm-reviews-angel-sometimes-and-austin-author-helen-ginger/" target="_blank">Bookworm Reviews on Chicksters</a>. Shelby O'Neill wrote a review of <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Angel-Sometimes-Helen-Ginger-ebook/dp/B00876VHI8" target="_blank">Angel Sometimes</a></i>. Thank you Shelby for the review.<br />
<br />
Shelby is a great writer and editor. The local chapter of Sisters in Crime does a Mentor/Mentee event each year. Those more established in publishing mentor up-and-coming authors. This year, Shelby was my mentee. Not that she needed much advice from me.<br />
<br />
Shelby's first novel is currently a quarter-finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest. And she's already hard at work on her next book.<br />
<br />
Keep an eye on Shelby, 'cause I think she'll be big.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Helen Ginger -- all about writing, <a href="http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/">Straight from Hel</a>.</div>Helen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-41047278906638496342014-05-16T10:27:00.000-05:002014-05-16T10:27:00.683-05:00Fellowships at the Vermont Studio Center<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 11.25pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For
those of you who might be interested in a getaway to write and meet other
writers and artists, I recommend the Vermont Studio Center.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 11.25pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Several
years ago, I received a fellowship there and spent a month writing, walking,
and making friends. If you like that idea, here's some information about
getting a fellowship to go there.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 11.25pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
Vermont Studio Center has announced 43 fellowship awards for artists and
writers, including:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 25.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">25 VSC
Fellowships--open to ALL!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 25.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4 fellowships
supported by the Joan Mitchell Foundation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 25.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5 Pollock-Krasner
Foundation Fellowships<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 25.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 Sustainable Arts
Foundation Fellowships for parents of children under 18<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 25.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 Grace Paley Fiction
Fellowship </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 11.25pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For
a complete list of fellowships and eligibility requirements, visit:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 11.25pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b><span style="color: #b30e0e;"><a href="http://vsc.cmail3.com/t/j-l-ijjjhlt-uymhrei-g/" target="_blank">www.vermontstudiocenter.org/fellowships</a> </span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 11.25pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The deadline to apply is June 15th, 2014. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 11.25pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Apply
online at <a href="http://vsc.cmail3.com/t/j-l-ijjjhlt-uymhrei-w/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #b30e0e;">vsc.slideroom.com</span></b></a>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 11.25pt;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Applications must be received by June 15th, 2014.</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 11.25pt;">
<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It was a fabulous month for me. Hope it is for you.</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Helen Ginger -- all about writing, <a href="http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/">Straight from Hel</a>.</div>Helen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-4763132661783697622014-04-23T00:05:00.000-05:002014-04-23T00:05:00.517-05:00Publishing News 4-21-14<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Maria Ribas</b> and </span><b style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Paul Lamb</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> have
joined the Howard Morhaim Literary agency as literary agents. Ribas was an
associate editor at Adams Media and will continue to focus on cookbooks,
self-help, health, diet, parenting, and humor. Lamb was most recently senior
marketing Manager at Viking, and will focus on representing non-fiction in the
areas of business, memoir, political science, sociology and sports, as well as
crime, mystery and literary fiction.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mike Salisbury</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> has joined Yates & Yates as associate
literary agent. Most recently he was marketing director of trade books at David
Cook.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sara Sciuto</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
is joining Foreword Literary as an agent, specializing in children's books. She
was previously an agent with Full Circle Literary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(From
Publishers Lunch)</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Helen Ginger -- all about writing, <a href="http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/">Straight from Hel</a>.</div>Helen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-86474476896279411842014-04-21T00:05:00.000-05:002014-04-21T00:05:00.343-05:00Updates from Publisher's Lunch 4-21-14<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">At Sterling Lord
Literistic,</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span><strong style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Caitlin McDonald</strong><span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">and</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span><strong style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Mary Krienke</strong><span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">have been promoted to associate
agents, while</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span><strong style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Nadyne Pike</strong><span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">moves up to managing director.</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Jon Baker</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">is leaving Mary Ann Thompson Associates after 7
years to start his own scouting company, Baker Literary Scouting, Inc.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Julia Kardon</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">joined Mary Evans as a foreign rights director
and agent. Previously she was an agent at Sterling Lord Literistic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>Kirby Kim</b> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">joined Janklow & Nesbit, effective March
18. Kim was at William Morris Endeavor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Helen Ginger -- all about writing, <a href="http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/">Straight from Hel</a>.</div>Helen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-49494502358088108782014-04-10T00:05:00.000-05:002014-04-10T00:05:00.340-05:00Tequila Sunset<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCw6QmjF04zfPXUEUSGGFg-EglTk2Bzrri7847JgAXzYltW7qoNbofhGGGyY2nNk4hLZv0-VTYzlG4YQ7aNkosvRd2xt-XefRbVBvrte_-6oYGbSZgEPNzKUpE2IbF9PKonL4L/s1600/TequilaSunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCw6QmjF04zfPXUEUSGGFg-EglTk2Bzrri7847JgAXzYltW7qoNbofhGGGyY2nNk4hLZv0-VTYzlG4YQ7aNkosvRd2xt-XefRbVBvrte_-6oYGbSZgEPNzKUpE2IbF9PKonL4L/s1600/TequilaSunset.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Tequila Sunset</i> is
the second book I've read by Sam Hawken. It's set primarily in Ciudad Juarez,
Mexico, which is just across the border from El Paso. Felipe "Flip"
Morales is the main character in this tense story.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Flip, whether he wants to or not, joins the ruthless Azteca
gang. Being part of a group or gang is necessary to survive. Over the course of
<i>Tequila Sunset</i>, Flip is pulled deeper
and deeper into the gang. At the same time, the police and a Mexican federal
agent are trying to use him to rat on the Aztecas. They don't care that he's
being forced to do things he does not want to do. Things that he will pay
dearly for doing. What he wants is peace and a life with his girlfriend
Graciela without violence<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nothing could be more dangerous for Flip. He's not only
trying to survive, he has family that he needs to protect, as well as Graciela.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There's quite a bit of violence in the book, but that's the
way it is in Flip's life. That's the way it is along the border of Mexico.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Tequila Sunset</i> is
a captivating and powerful book. And at times, very intense. <o:p></o:p><br />
-----------------------------<br />
Disclaimer: Okay, what do you think of the cover? I think it's great. It really fits the story and the setting. My husband and I used to go into Mexico every year. Friends who lived close to the border would go across for dinner or lunch. But we haven't been in years, probably decades. It became too dangerous to go. The last time we went, we got to the border back into the U.S. and the border patrol guy waved us back into the U.S. without looking at our passports. It pays to have a Federal agent in the front seat. If I ever went back to Mexico, I think I'd look for the mask on the cover. I'd hang it on the living room wall. Probably wouldn't have relatives showing up at the front door unexpected.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Helen Ginger -- all about writing, <a href="http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/">Straight from Hel</a>.</div>Helen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-66362993853378531222014-04-07T00:05:00.000-05:002014-04-07T00:05:00.071-05:00Pearls and Poison<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-trPfy6Aoh2_znEE8j93MeUZPOpy6qhcLdcjRo4yD9HEa9oPdXQpCCQcLSRfDPylbcD7eiQANAVL2e2ySBepcVtQUV2pSnL3hvI8CMUrWKd6jLMiIdYZniE1gMFUtA4ty506L/s1600/PearlsPoison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-trPfy6Aoh2_znEE8j93MeUZPOpy6qhcLdcjRo4yD9HEa9oPdXQpCCQcLSRfDPylbcD7eiQANAVL2e2ySBepcVtQUV2pSnL3hvI8CMUrWKd6jLMiIdYZniE1gMFUtA4ty506L/s1600/PearlsPoison.jpg" height="320" width="199" /></a></div>
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<i>Pearls and Poison</i>
by Duffy Brown is a cozy mystery. As in other books in this series, Reagan
Summerside is up to her neck in craziness going on in town. If you've read a
Consignment Shop Mystery, then you know Reagan
is like a daisy caught up in a wind storm. She tries not to get involved but,
in this case, she has to stand up for her mom.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Reagan's mom is running for alderman and Regan supports her
campaign. But then her mother's opponent in the race is poisoned. With her
dead, Regan's mom becomes the number one suspect. From there things move fast,
from costumes to sneak around in, to friends trying to help, and, of course,
there's Boone, the best looking guy in Savannah … and possibly the most
dangerous.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I think anyone would like this tale, whether you're from the
South or not. I was born in Georgia and lived there ten years. I can relate to
this community. But even if I weren't originally a Georgia peach, I would have
liked <i>Pearls and Poison</i>. It moves
fast, has characters who feel real (and the crazy ones could be my relatives),
and is set in Savannah.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you've never read a Consignment Shop Mystery, <i>Pearls and Poison</i> is a good place to
start, but don't blame me if you get addicted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Helen Ginger -- all about writing, <a href="http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/">Straight from Hel</a>.</div>Helen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-55862253835832428772014-03-28T00:05:00.000-05:002014-03-28T00:05:01.032-05:00Publishing News 3-28-14<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; line-height: 107%;">At the Ethan Ellenberg
Literary Agency, Evan Gregory<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>has
been promoted to agent.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; line-height: 107%;">After more than 20 years
at ICM, agent Heather Schroder left the firm recently to start her own agency,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><strong>Compass
Talent</strong>.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; line-height: 107%;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; line-height: 107%;">Just as Kirby Kim joins
Janklow, Nesbit from WME, Alexandra Machinist<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>is
leaving Janklow, Nesbit after 3 years with the agency for ICM Partners.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; line-height: 107%;">Rebecca Friedman </span></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; line-height: 107%;">has started her own agency,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><strong>Rebecca Friedman Literary</strong>.
She can be reached at </span><a href="mailto:rebecca@rfliterary.com" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #1155cc; line-height: 107%;">rebecca@rfliterary.com</span></a></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">. The agency is interested in commercial and
literary fiction with a focus on literary novels of suspense, women’s fiction,
contemporary romance, and young adult, as well as journalistic non-fiction and
memoir.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Helen Ginger -- all about writing, <a href="http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/">Straight from Hel</a>.</div>Helen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-2024726003794079662014-03-22T00:05:00.000-05:002014-03-22T00:05:00.395-05:00How to Break Into Freelancing<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’d like to introduce you to Nikolas Baron, who’s
guest-posting today on Straight From Hel. <span style="line-height: 115%;">Nikolas discovered his
love for the written word in Elementary School, where he started spending his
afternoons sprawled across the living room floor devouring one Marc Brown
children’s novel after the other and writing short stories about daring pirate
adventures. After acquiring some experience in various marketing, business
development, and hiring roles at internet startups in a few different
countries, he decided to re-unite his professional life with his childhood
passions by joining Grammarly’s marketing team in San Francisco. He has the
pleasure of being tasked with talking to writers, bloggers, teachers, and
others about how they use Grammarly’s online proofreading application to
improve their writing. His free time is spent biking, travelling, and reading.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: inherit;">How to Break Into Freelancing<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Breaking into freelance writing can be
challenging. With the plethora of blogs and online publications, it may seem as
if everyone is writing online. Job boards can make the writing scene seem even
more depressing, with ridiculously low rates offered for high word counts.
Freelancing is a business, and like any other business, it requires commitment,
dedication, and a certain level of expertise to achieve success.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The writer who approaches freelancing as a
business will succeed more readily than one who is passionate about writing but
doesn’t understand the difference between writing for one’s self and writing
for publication. Writing for publication requires the ability to channel one’s
passion into topics that others want to read and create valuable content.
Professionalism requires a constant pursuit of quality in the craft. Using
tools like writing courses, books, critique groups, and an online spelling,
grammar, and<a href="http://www.grammarly.com/"><span class="-"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span class="-"><span style="color: #1155cc;">plagiarism checker</span></span></a> can help the writer improve his or her
technique to the level of producing publication-worthy material regularly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWotEOBdVFiiNfbQIZLQchyyRqthc8mHzKTKS1oEtGZmn6Gfm-8X4Y0tKCE2H2KVaCRpd9gpEDE3mnC0uSY0K5Z6LsKsYolTKWbOJUjGnB7_mlbe4Oacb_zgY30H1ritOSe95R/s1600/freelancing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWotEOBdVFiiNfbQIZLQchyyRqthc8mHzKTKS1oEtGZmn6Gfm-8X4Y0tKCE2H2KVaCRpd9gpEDE3mnC0uSY0K5Z6LsKsYolTKWbOJUjGnB7_mlbe4Oacb_zgY30H1ritOSe95R/s1600/freelancing.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Writing every day is important to success.
Guest blog posts are an excellent way to get started. The aspiring writer
should seek out blogs that are open to guest posts and send the owner a query,
or a “pitch”, asking about the possibility of writing a guest post for the
blog. These jobs don’t often pay well, or sometimes at all, but they can be an
opportunity to collect writing samples to use when querying larger markets.
Most freelance writers spend about half their working time actually writing and
the rest on seeking out markets for their work. While it is possible to write
first and sell later, it’s more economical to write queries and secure approval
from an editor before beginning to write. By using queries, the writer can save
him or herself a lot of time writing generic articles that don’t capture the
fancy of any one blog or publication. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A solid query is a valuable asset. After
all, the editor is evaluating the writer’s skill in putting together words into
coherent sentences. If the query is sloppy, poorly written, or not carefully
checked for grammar and spelling, the editor is unlikely to be interested in
the writer’s work. The query should receive as much attention and care as the
actual article or blog entry in order to make a solid impression. Even if the
first query is turned away, a writer who presents a professional image is more
likely to have a later idea picked up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Pricing is one of the most challenging
aspects of running a freelancing business. There is a strong temptation to
accept very low pay in order to establish a presence online. Although it may be
wise, occasionally, to write for little or no pay, this should be done very
judiciously, either in support of a cherished cause, or for the chance at
significant exposure. Freelancing is about earning a living by writing. It’s
difficult to pay the bills with likes, comments, and online interactions with
readers. While the fanfare that comes with a well-received blog article is
gratifying, it doesn’t buy groceries. It’s important to set a reasonable price
on work done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Building a freelancing business, just as
with any other enterprise, requires an investment of time and effort.
Maintaining professionalism requires attention to detail and a dedication to
constantly making personal improvements. In addition, deadlines are critical to
the freelancer. Competition is fierce, and writers who do not meet deadlines
will soon find themselves out of work. Writing is also a passion for most
aspiring freelancers. As such, keeping a regular schedule helps keep deadlines
under control and also creates a sense of purpose. The schedule should include
both regular, focused writing time and time for marketing, reading, and seeking
out new markets and clients.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Freelance writing can be a fulfilling
career for the one who is able to maintain focus, self-direction, and
motivation. Certainly, passion for a particular subject may be the driving force
that motivates a writer to begin freelancing. However, sustaining a career as a
writer demands knowledge of running a business, an attitude of professionalism,
and a firm dedication to quality.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRK9x4aTOdTJhBG7gkGzgvwTZJIJAKQET_agCHyVvP7uOsMrUfPjbJuZFOYtk3VfI2-LHRiWmZWmftmtICqb2sNNPggocXeX6_WaWXDTvtGFdnxhtypYh3-YtuJHZYcUsge7AF/s1600/nick200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRK9x4aTOdTJhBG7gkGzgvwTZJIJAKQET_agCHyVvP7uOsMrUfPjbJuZFOYtk3VfI2-LHRiWmZWmftmtICqb2sNNPggocXeX6_WaWXDTvtGFdnxhtypYh3-YtuJHZYcUsge7AF/s1600/nick200.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Leave a comment or question for Nikolas.
Have any of you used Grammarly’s online proofreading application?</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Helen Ginger -- all about writing, <a href="http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/">Straight from Hel</a>.</div>Helen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-6463819861064777502014-03-04T00:03:00.000-06:002014-03-04T00:03:00.884-06:00Publishing News 3-4-2014At Red Sofa Literary, Jennie Goloboy has been promoted to agent, and Laura Zats has joined as an associate literary agent.<br />
<br />
Nicole James has joined Chalberg & Sussman as an agent. Previously she was an agent and foreign rights director at the Aaron Priest Agency, where she worked for 9 years, and is bringing her client list with her.<br />
<br />
Sean McCarthy has left Sheldon Fogelman Agency to start his own agency, Sean McCarthy Literary Agency.<br />
<br />
Emily Keyes has joined Foreword Literary as an agent. Previously she was an agent at the L. Perkins Agency.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Helen Ginger -- all about writing, <a href="http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/">Straight from Hel</a>.</div>Helen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com2