If you haven't already, maybe it's time . . .

cj Sez: Writers’ organizations are great for learning and honing the craft and for networking—gathering information and making those all-important connections.

   I’m a member of Mobile Writers Guild (https://www.mobilewritersguild.org/ ), Alabama Writers’ Forum (https://www.writersforum.org/ ), Alabama Writers’ Conclave (https://www.alabamawritersconclave.org/ ), Sisters in Crime ( https://www.sistersincrime.org/ ) and their online Guppy chapter. 

   Each of these organizations is important to my growth as an author 

   If you’re not in Alabama, I’ll recommend the international group, Sisters in Crime. When you become a member of SinC, you’re eligible to join the 1000-member Guppies (i.e., the “great unpublished,” but they don’t kick you out of the group even after you’re multi-published). 

   The feedback from member/writers of these groups is
informative, super supportive regardless of your level of expertise, and on the money. Not only do they have a large list of specialized groups (for agent searches, querying, critiquing of specific genres, manuscript swaps, et al.), they also offer a variety of virtual skill-building classes.  

   If you haven’t joined a writers’ organization, maybe you should think about doing that.

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   Speaking of writers’ groups, here’s a cover reveal of a new YA book from one of my fellow Mobile Writers Group authors, Candice Marley Conner. Sale-priced pre-order is available on Amazon...be sure to look for the launch on June 15, 2021.

Buy Now

 “Sixteen-year-old Bea Pearl knows her brother isn’t dead. Even if her parents don’t agree. Even if the entire town doesn’t believe her.”

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Celebrating Black History Month 

“The richer we have become materially, the poorer we become morally and spiritually. We have learned to fly in the air like birds and swim in the sea like fish, but we have not learned the simple art of living together as brothers.” 
― Martin Luther King Jr.

“Liberty is meaningless where the right to utter one’s thoughts and opinions has ceased to exist. That, of all rights, is the dread of tyrants. It is the right which they first of all strike down.” ―  Frederick Douglass 

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cj Sez: That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.

P.S.  Signed copies of my stand-alone novels (suspense with a touch of romance) are available at The Haunted Bookshop. TO ORDER my autographed books or any book of your choice on-line from an indie bookstore, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us

   The store has re-opened to limited hours, so if you’re in the Mobile area, you can stop and shop, too.

➜ Follow me . . .       

➜ on Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page

➜ on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor

➜ on BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson

➜ on Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6

If you'd like to read more of a favorite author's work, here a few are ways to help out.

 cj Sez: An archived post updated to 2021 requirements...it’s still relevant.

   What follows is a stream of consciousness post about a few free and easy ways to Support Your Local Writers, whether you’re a writer or a reader.

If you’re a writer  

  Invite guest bloggers. When you have a guest, send out “Coming Attractions” promotions on Facebook, Twitter, et al. Be sure to give your guest space to say something about their own books.

   Join a (virtual) critique group and be willing to give your fellow authors’ work a fair critique. Be kind but be honest. Start with kind. 

   If a writer-friend wants to just sit and talk, adjust your mask, grab a 
chair across the table, and listen. Writing is a lonely occupation, and most other people don't understand. 

   Encourage each other. Writing is not a competition; everyone can be successful.

If you’re a reader (and since writers are also readers, this applies to everyone) 

   If you’ve read one of their books, post a review…please. Amazon, Goodreads, B&N, Twitter, Instagram … wherever you can. The briefest of words can be helpful.

   Like and comment on authors' posts on their Facebook pages. Facebook's algorithms only show posts that FB decides other members would like to see. That means the more likes and comments a post gets, the more people will see it.

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Celebrating Black History Month

Katherine johnson

   From Space.com:  On February 20, 1962, astronaut John Glenn successfully completed his mission to be the first American to orbit the earth, but did you know it was really a group of Black female engineers and programmers that got him safely into orbit and home again?

   During World War II, NASA recruited a group of women to act as “computers.” These women became the first Black managers at Langley, and when Glenn was ready to be thrust into space, he trusted one of those women’s calculations more than he trusted the NASA computers. 

   “Despite Glenn's trajectory being planned by computers, Glenn reportedly wanted (mathematician and “human computer” Katherine) Johnson herself to run through the equations to make sure they were safe.”

 Read more about three of these extraordinary human computers here:

https://www.space.com/35430-real-hidden-figures.html 

“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” – Maya Angelou

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cj Sez: That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on
keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.

P.S.  Signed copies of my stand-alone novels (suspense with a touch of romance) are available at The Haunted Bookshop. TO ORDER my autographed books or any book of your choice on-line from an indie bookstore, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us

   The store has re-opened to limited hours, so if you’re in the Mobile area, you can stop and shop, too. 

➜ Follow me . . .       

➜ on Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page

➜ on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor

➜ on BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson

➜ on Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6

Candy or roses?

 
cj Sez: Candy or roses notwithstanding, what would be your ideal Valentine’s Day gift From your special someone?

 
   Now that that’s settled…what would be your ideal Valentine’s Day gift To your special someone?
 
   When I had a significant other (in the olden days), the thing I wanted most was to be reminded that he cared . . . but I wanted that on any day except Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day or my birthday.
 
   I was always floating when he unexpectedly dropped by the office with a single rose in a vase because he was thinking of me.
 
   Brings back some old, sweet memories.

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   Speaking of something old, I dusted off an old, short story (several years in the making), spent a day cutting/polishing, and sent it off as a submission to an anthology. It was the second short story I’ve re-edited and submitted (to a different anthology) in the past month.
 
   Yay or nay from the editors will come much later. Of course, I’ll be bummed if I get a “thanks, but no thanks,” but really, I’m excited to be excited about writing again.
 
   My advice to writers is: Don’t give up on those old stories of yours. Maybe, someday one of them will be the draft you need to respond to a call for submissions without starting from scratch.

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Celebrating Black History Month

Alan Sealls is a well-respected meteorologist in Mobile, Alabama, and he “owns” the position among his peers. It’s obvious to his fans (me included) that he loves what he does and is happy to share his knowledge. Like the following article says, he’s opening doors and making history and the community loves him.
https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/meet-the-man-opening-doors-and-making-history-in-the-meteorology-field/893769?fbclid=IwAR07ybftA-5uXTtnXMUY767P9XQHU2HbiwyBjUs-rqe9U2JLNa_1nJvB3yc
 
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
― Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

   

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   In VALENTINE’S DAY PIECES, the third installment of the Mobile Writers Guild anthology series, members (cj included) celebrate the traditional romantic aspect of Valentine’s Day with sweet and funny stories of hearts, flowers, and kisses, but they also explore the darkness that surrounds the day with a few tales of intrigue, madness, and murder.  

BUY IT NOW   

   In MARDI GRAS PIECES, Mobile
Writers Guild members share their stories—some true and some fictional, some funny, some touching, and some downright chilling. The street festivities are on hold, the floats are not parading, but no problem. 

   Don your beads, deck yourself out in purple, gold, and green, grab a Moon Pie, and relax with some great stories while you experience a little bit of the Mobile Mardi Gras tradition.  BUY NOW
  

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   cj Sez: That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.

Orona raccoon

P.S.  My stand-alone novels (suspense with a touch of romance) are out of print on Amazon, but The Haunted Bookshop has signed copies in stock. The store has re-opened to limited hours, so if you’re in the Mobile area, you can stop and shop, too.
 
   TO ORDER my autographed books or any book of your choice on-line from a favorite, indie bookstore, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
➜ Follow me . . .       
➜ on Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page
➜ on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor
➜ on BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson
➜ on Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6

Celebrating Black History Month

cj Sez: Please join me in celebrating Black History Month.

    “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

   Marguerite Annie Johnson is better known as the respected American poet Maya Angelou. (1928-2014). A remarkable woman, Ms. Angelou was a memoirist, writer, and poet. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, and several books of poetry in a career spanning more than 50 years.

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Yosemite’s Buffalo Soldiers . . .

   If you’re on Facebook, this is a marvelous and delightful presentation by an enthusiastic U.S. National Park Service Ranger/historian Shelton Johnson:

https://www.facebook.com/YosemiteNPS/videos/875694989639512    16+ minutes

   If you’re not on Facebook, here are two other versions. In the latter one, Ranger Johnson is acting the part of a real Buffalo Soldier who was assigned duties at Yosemite National Park.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrMG4p1rYzg   3+ minutes 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBb9DoziY7M  11.31 minutes

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Have I got a deal for you!  A couple of TIMELY ANTHOLOGIES to fill the shelter at home hours. AVAILABLE NOW . . . 

 

  In MARDI GRAS PIECES, Mobile Writers Guild members share their stories—some true and some fictional, some funny, some touching, and some downright chilling. 

  The street festivities are on hold, the floats are not parading, but no problem.  Don your beads, deck yourself out in purple, gold, and green, grab a Moon Pie, and relax with some great stories while you experience a little bit of the Mobile Mardi Gras tradition.     BUY NOW

   

   In VALENTINE’S DAY PIECES, the third installment of the Mobile Writers Guild anthology series, members celebrate the traditional romantic aspect of Valentine’s Day with sweet and funny stories of hearts, flowers, and kisses.

   But they also explore the darkness that surrounds the day with a few tales of intrigue, madness, and murder.  BUY IT NOW 

§§

cj Sez: That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. 

P.S.  My stand-alone novels (suspense with a touch of romance) are out of print on Amazon, but The Haunted Bookshop has signed copies in stock. The store has re-opened to limited hours, so if you’re in the Mobile area, you can stop and shop, too.

   TO ORDER my autographed books or any book of your choice on-line from a favorite, indie bookstore, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us

➜ Follow me . . .       

➜ on Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page

➜ on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor

➜ on BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson

➜ on Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6