Guest Post

HAVE A BOOK TO PROMOTE? Lyrical Pens welcomes guest posts. Answer a questionnaire or create your own post. FYI, up front: This site is a definite PG-13. For details, contact cjpetterson@gmail.com cj

Sunday, February 25, 2024

Things to do coming soon

cj Sez: Let’s get to the Important News first: Local or near-local readers and writers, mark your calendars for Saturday, March 23. SAVE THE DATE, and come on down to the place to be . . .


  At this one-day conference held at Mobile’s Ben May Library in conjunction with the Mobile Writers’ Guild, published authors will present panels on character development, setting, marketing, and plotting. The Haunted Book Shop will hold a pop-up sales store, and some of your favorite local authors will be in attendance to sign your purchase.
  
  Best of all, the amazing Mobile Literary Festival is FREE.

  For more information, click this link: 

§§

A reminder (From a dot com news article.*):

    Hey, all you local Mobile-area peeps and post-Mardi Gras revelers! There’s a way you can put all the shiny Mardi Gras beads you snagged at the parades to good use, and it’s a two-fer: You can give back to the community and get rewarded with a sweet treat at the same time. 

  On March 2 and March 3, bring 12 pounds of Mardi Gras beads (the article said "about a grocery bagful") to Augusta Evans School (6301 Biloxi Ave.) and get a Krispy Kreme coupon good for a dozen original glazed donuts. Augusta Evans students get the beads ready for resale, and the proceeds help support programs at the special needs school.


 §§

  There are no absolutes in writing (my words), and I just found a bit of support for that comment in a recent post by author Randall Silvis on Jane Friedman’s blog. Read on: https://janefriedman.com/writing-rules-that-beg-to-be-broken/

§§

  Health follow-up: Son Jeff bested his Covid bug and is doing fine. I, however, did test positive for Covid . . . actually turned out to be one of my birthday presents . . . and I am now in quarantine. According to CDC guidelines, if all continues as it has (praying it does), I should be “free to move about” the world in a couple more days.

  You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safe you and yours.

cj

Now some words from my sponsors:



  For your to-be-read stack: My novels, THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA are fast-paced, thriller/suspense stories with sassy banter and a touch of romance. The books are available on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer and bookstore. Got a library card? You can read the ebooks free from Hoopla.

  The Haunted Book Shop has signed copies of my paperback books in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us 
 
➜ Follow me on . . .  
➜ Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page
➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6

 

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Sunday, February 18, 2024

Call for applications

 cj Sez: Sisters in Crime is accepting applications for their 2024 Eleanor Taylor Bland Crime Fiction Writers of Color Award.


  The Eleanor Taylor Bland grant is administered by Sisters in Crime, a 4000+ member international organization of mystery authors, readers, publishers, agents, booksellers and librarians.

 “Submissions Now Open through March 31st!

  The Eleanor Taylor Bland Crime Fiction Writers of Color Award is an annual grant of $2,000 for an emerging writer of color. 

  You do NOT have to be a member of Sisters in Crime to submit an application.

  This grant is intended to support the recipient in crime fiction writing and career development activities. The grantee may choose to use the grant for activities that include workshops, seminars, conferences, and retreats, online courses, and research activities required for completion of the work.

  For complete details on thee award and the process of submission, go to:

§§

For readers and writers:

  Mark your calendars and SAVE THE DATE . . . 


. . . for an upcoming one-day reader and writer event—The Mobile Literary Festival at Mobile’s Ben May Library in conjunction with the Mobile Writers’ Guild. Published authors will present panels on character development, setting, marketing, and plotting. Pick up a book and have it signed by the author!

 And best of all, this amazing literary festival is FREE. For more information, click this link: 

§§

  Okay, that’s it for today's abbreviated post . . . lots of life taking my mind in another direction—son Jeff was diagnosed with Covid after spending two days being the official photographer for a couple of Mardi Gras krewes events. I tested negative but will need to do that again in a couple of days.

  You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safe you and yours.

cj

Now some words from my sponsors:


  VALENTINE’S DAY PIECES, A Mobile Writers Guild anthology. Available for $1.99 on Kindle at the time of this post:

  Filled with wonderful short stories and poems perfect for every day of the year.


  Also for your to-be-read stack: 

  My novels, THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA are fast-paced, thriller/suspense stories with sassy banter and a touch of romance. 

  The books are available on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer and bookstore. Got a library card? You can read the ebooks free from Hoopla.

  The Haunted Book Shop has signed copies of my paperback books in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us  

  If they happen to be sold out, shoot me an email for a personalized copy. I have a small stash (for a discounted price plus shipping).

➜ Follow me on . . . 
➜ Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page
➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6

 

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Sunday, February 11, 2024

Quiz: And the day before Lent is called . . . ?

cj Sez: After weeks of parades with brilliant kaleidoscope floats, wonderful cacophonies of marching bands, and thousands of carnival throws, the revelry all comes to an end on February 13—Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday/Shrove Tuesday, the day before the start of Lent, Ash Wednesday.


  Plush toys, shiny beads, and tasty Moon Pies are the favorite things masked krewe members throw from their parade floats to the outstretched hands of excited revelers.

 Knights of Revelry Krewe    

  What is a krewe you ask? 

  Krewes are clubs or organizations that exist to celebrate carnival. They introduce their ceremonial kings, queens, and royal courts at elegant formal balls.


Little history lesson:

  “Mardi Gras” is French for "Fat Tuesday." In Mobile, AL, however, Mardi Gras has evolved beyond a one-day celebration into a weeks-long carnival that begins on January 6. New Orleans’ claims notwithstanding, Mobile is the birthplace of America's original Mardi Gras.

  The first celebration took place in 1703 and was revived after the Civil War when Mobilian Joe Cain, dressed as his imagined Indian Chief named Slacabamorinico, paraded through city streets.
 (unknown photographer, photo in public domain)

  When I lived in Detroit, Mardi Gras was a one-day affair that many in the area called Pączki Day. Pączki (pronounced "punch-kee" or "ponch-kee") are Polish pillows of pastry with a variety of possible fillings—my favorite was cherry. Detroiters lined up outside of bakeries to buy dozens of the special treats on Fat Tuesday. 

   A generous co-worker in the office next to mine would get up at 5 a.m. to make a paczki run to his favorite bakery in the Polish community of Hamtramck where he might have to wait in  line in sub-zero weather, in the snow, barefoot (ha ha, not) for up to an hour to bring in several boxes of goodness for the crew (that part is true).

§§

For readers and writers:

  Mark your calendars and SAVE THE DATE. . . March 23, 2024 . . . 


for the upcoming one-day reader and writer event—The Mobile Literary Festival at Mobile’s Ben May Library in conjunction with the Mobile Writers’ Guild. Published authors will present panels on character development, setting, marketing, and plotting. Pick up a book and have it signed by the author! And best of all, this amazing literary festival is FREE. For more information, click this link: 

***
  Which is the correct spelling: “gray” or “grey”? Well, it depends… on where you live and how the word/spelling is used. Find out more here:  https://www.grammarly.com/blog/gray-grey/

§§

  Okay, that’s it for today. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safe you and yours.

cj

Now some words from my sponsors:

Mardi Gras season is alive and well in Mobile. 
Laissez les bons temps rouler

  Available! These two Mobile Writers Guild anthologies are filled with wonderful short stories and poems to celebrate upcoming special days. They each have a theme, but the content is perfect for any day of the year.

  Also for your to-be-read stack: My novels, THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA are fast-paced, thriller/suspense stories with sassy banter and a touch of romance. The books are available on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer and bookstore. Got a library card? You can read the ebooks free from Hoopla.

  The Haunted Book Shop has signed copies of my paperback books in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us  

  If they happen to be sold out, tell them you want a signed copy and I'll run down to the shop and sign one. Or shoot me an email. I have a small stash.

➜ Follow me on . . . 
➜ Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page
➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6

 

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Sunday, February 4, 2024

Info, smiles, and truisms

cj Sez: I know. I’m supposed to post an interesting and informative blog for our Lyrical Pens followers. I thought I had this week’s post almost done, except for the art, and procrastinated finishing it (or I could blame the cats who insist on sitting in my lap, which means I cannot move until they do).


  Upon re-reading the work I’d done, I decided the info was better suited for next week. So today, I’ll pass along some smiles and truisms that show up with regularity on my Facebook page.
***
I am a multitasking procrastinator.  I can put off several things at once.
***
Noun-verb agreements:  I write. You write. He writes. She writes. They write.  We all revise.
***
It’s funny how Red, White, and Blue represent freedom . . . until they’re flashing behind you.
***
A child who reads will be an adult who thinks.
***
I am a professional writer. I can tell lies with a straight face. But I’m a piker when it comes to atoms. You can’t trust them. They make up everything.
***
Martin Rooney: “Your life will not be measured by the things you started but by the few you finished.”
***
Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.
***
At two a.m.: "I need to stop, I whispered to myself as I started another chapter." (cj Sez: That’s the book I hope to write one day.)
***
I am currently unsupervised. I know. It freaks me out, too . . . but the possibilities are endless!
***
Diablo Cody: “I don’t have a formal rewrite process. I just compulsively groom and re-groom scenes like a cat with OCD.”  (cj Sez: My method exactly.)
***
We are all precious in the sight of the Lord. He may shake His head a lot, but we’re still precious.

§§

  For readers and writers: Mark your calendars and SAVE THE DATE. . . March 23, 2024 . . . for an upcoming one-day reader and writer event—

  The Mobile Literary Festival at Mobile’s Ben May Library in conjunction with the Mobile Writers’ Guild. Published authors will present panels on character development, setting, marketing, and plotting. You’ll have the opportunity to purchase a book and have it signed by the author! And best of all, this amazing literary festival is FREE. 
For more information, click this link: 

§§
For grins:
“Let me know how that works out.”

“The difference between genius and stupid is that genius has its limits.”          Albert Einstein

§§

  Okay, that’s it for today. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safe you and yours.

cj

  Now some words from my sponsors:
Available! Two Mobile Writers Guild PIECES anthologies filled with wonderful short stories and poems to celebrate upcoming special days.

  Everyone from Mobile, Alabama, has a Mardi Gras story. In MARDI GRAS PIECES, the second installment of the Mobile Writers Guild Pieces anthology series, Guild members share their stories—some true, some fictional, some funny, some touching, and some downright chilling. 

  So don your beads, deck yourself out in purple, gold, and green, grab a Moon Pie, and relax while you read MARDI GRAS PIECES to enjoy a little bit of the Mobile Mardi Gras tradition.
Laissez les bons temps rouler

  Also for your to-be-read stack: My novels, THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA are fast-paced, thriller/suspense stories with a strong female protagonist, sassy banter, and a touch of romance. The books are available on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer and bookstore. Got a library card? You can read the ebooks free from Hoopla.

  The Haunted Book Shop has signed copies of my paperback books in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us  If they happen to be sold out, shoot me an email. I have a small stash (for a discounted price plus shipping.

➜ Follow me on . . .  
➜ Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page
➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6

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