Monday, January 23, 2012

Testing a New Layout

Lately, the template I've been using has been experiencing some glitches. So I'm playing around with alternative designs.

This is one of them...

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

CALL FOR CONTEST SUBMISSIONS

Now announcing the first ever Mormon Lit Blitz Writing Contest. Send up to three submissions by 15 January 2012 to mormonlitblitz@gmail.com for a chance to win a Kindle and more.

What we want:
Short work for Mormons to be published and read online.

The details:
“Short” means under 1,000 words.

“Work” means creative writing in any genre, from literary realism to far future science fiction, and in any form: fiction, essay, poetry, even play or screenplay if you can keep it under 1,000 words. Give us a tiny, polished gem we can show off to people who love Mormonism and love great writing but “know not where to find” a place where the two meet.

“For Mormons” means for committed Latter-day Saints. Yes, that’s an extremely diverse audience (see the “I’m a Mormon” campaign---and your ward members), but it’s also an audience with distinctive shared values and history that don’t often get attention in creative work. We want you to write something that will appeal to us as people who believe in the sacred, who have ridiculous numbers of brothers and sisters we see every week, who worry about being good and faithful servants no matter what our day jobs are and wonder what it will be like to meet our grandparents’ grandparents in heaven. We don’t need your pieces to preach to us. We do need them to combine your creativity and religious commitment in a way that excites us and gives us something cool to talk about with our Mormon friends.

“To be published and read online” means we’re going to post six to twelve finalists’ pieces on Mormon Artist magazine’s blog (www.mormonartist.net) and then ask readers to vote on their favorites.

One catch: since even 1,000 words can be intimidating on a screen, your piece needs a strong hook of no more than 120 words (or eight lines for poetry) to be visible on the main blog page. Mark the end of your hook with [MORE]. Even our editors will only read further if you’ve piqued their interest.

Submission Guidelines:
Submissions must have fewer than 1,000 words with a hook no longer than 120 words (or eight lines for poetry). Submissions must be engaging to Latter-day Saints and engage with their Mormon identity in some way.

Authors may submit up to three works. Each submission must be attached to an email as a .doc or .pdf file. The selection process is blind, so the author’s name should not appear on the document.

Email any questions and your submissions to mormonlitblitz@gmail.com. Submission emails should contain the author’s name, the titles of each submission, and contact information (telephone number or email address).

By submitting, authors give us the one-time rights to publish their work electronically. Previously published work is OK if you still have the rights to the piece and if it meets the above contest requirements (don’t forget to add a [MORE] tag to the end of your hook).

The prize:
The contest editors will select six to twelve finalists. All finalists will have their short works published online starting in mid-February 2012 and actively promoted across the LDS blogosphere by the Mormon Lit Blitz team.

After all pieces have been published, readers will vote on a single Grand Prize Winner, who will receive a Kindle pre-loaded with LDS literary works, including Parley P. Pratt’s classic short “A Dialogue Between Joseph Smith and the Devil,” Peculiar Pages’ recent Monsters & Mormons anthology, Zarahemla Books’ Dispensation: Latter-day Fiction, the poetry anthology Fire in the Pasture, and recent issues of Mormon Artist magazine.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Kiersten White Book Signings


Meet Kiersten White

Author Paranormalcy and Supernaturally


Wednesday, October 12th
7:00 PM
Barnes & Noble
19401 Alderwood Mall Parkway
*Lynnwood, WA*

Thursday, October 13th
7:00 PM
Barnes & Noble
7881 Edinger Avenue
*Huntington Beach, CA*


Friday, October 14th
7:00 PM
Tattered Cover
9315 Dorchester Street
*Highlands Ranch, CO*

Saturday, October 15th
1:00 PM
Barnes & Noble
2999 Pearl Street
*Boulder, CO*

Sunday, October 16th
2:00 PM
Anderson’s
123 West Jefferson
*Naperville, IL*





Visit Kiersten's website for more events.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Elana Johnson Book Signings

Don't Miss Out on a Chance to See Elana!

Utah Valley University Book Academy
Blogging Basics
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Utah Valley University

Book Signing with authors Becca Fitzpatrick, Moira Young, and Michelle Hodkin
Tuesday, October 11
Provo City Library
550 North University Avenue
Provo, Utah 84601
7:00 PM

Book Signing/Panel with authors Tyler Whitesides and Amber Argyle
Saturday, October 15
Logan Library
255 North Main
Logan, UT 84321
2:00 PM

Book Signing with authors Kirsten Hubbard, Jessi Kirby, and John Corey Whaley
Wednesday, October 19
Mysterious Galaxy
7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. Suite #302
San Diego, CA 92111
7:00 PM

Book Signing with authors Kirsten Hubbard, Jessi Kirby, and John Corey Whaley
Thursday, October 20
Oceanside Barnes & Noble
2615 Vista Way
Oceanside, CA 92054
6:00 - 8:00 PM

Provo Teen Book Festival with authors Ally Condie, Robison Wells, and Kristen Landon
Saturday, November 12
Provo City Library
550 North University Avenue
Provo, Utah 84601
12:00 - 5:00 PM

Visit Elana's website for updates

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Win a Copy of Hot Ticket


Interview with YA Author Tracy Marchini

E-Book Give-Away August 29 - September 7: To win an ebook of Hot Ticket, leave a comment at http://lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com with your e-mail.

International.

Hot Ticket is the story of Juliet Robinson, the only sixth grade in John Jay Jr. High who doesn’t have a hot ticket. When one of the dorkiest kids in school, Crammit Gibson, gets a hot ticket before she does, she knows that the only way to salvage her middle school reputation is to stop the mysterious ticket dispenser once and for all. With the help of her best friend Lucy and her semi-crush Crammit, Juliet is determined to catch the ticket dispenser and climb a few rungs on the middle-school social ladder. Unfortunately for Juliet, things don’t quite go as planned.

To win a book, leave a comment at http://lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com

Friday, September 2, 2011

iPad2 Giveaway by Shadow Mountain & Josi Kilpack


From Josi: I'm very excited to announce this contest for a iPad2, sponsored by my publisher, Shadow Mountain, and myself in conjunction with the release of Pumpkin Roll. We really want to spread the word and let people know about the series as well as reward the avid fans.

There are a variety of ways to enter and multiple entries are encouraged. You can find full details on my website HERE.

And, as a reminder, here are the events I'll be at during the month of September--attending a live event is another way to enter the contest.

The first two chapters of Pumpkin Roll are also available on my website if you want a sample.



Live Events:

Saturday, September 10th
12:30-3:30 p.m.
KSL Book Festival
U of U campus
I'll be doing a demonstration on how to make the signature recipe, Pumpkin Roll, at 12:45 on the cooking stage and will be signing books afterward.

Thursday, September 15th
5:30-7:00 p.m.
Reflections of Utah Bookstore
47 South Main St.
Brigham City, UT
Pumpkin Roll will be served, while supplies last.

Thursday, September 22nd
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Barnes and Noble
5300 South State St.
Murray UT
Signing with Melanie Jacobson and Sarah M. Eden, who also have new books coming out this month. Just my Type (Jacobson) and Seeking Persephone (Eden). There will be refreshments.

For other event information or for links on where to order Pumpkin Roll, go to my website www.josiskilpack.com.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Blogging 101 Class


Learn how to set up and maintain a free Blogger® blog in Blogging 101—a hands-on workshop for beginning bloggers.



August 20, 2011
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Noah's in Lindon, UT


Cost: $25 per student; includes Blogging 101 guidebook

Instructor: Karlene Browning, LibrisPro

Seating is limited and pre-registration is required.

Click here to register and for more information.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Win First Chapter Critique


Win a First CHAPTER Critique From Ms. Shreditor!

Give-Away August 8 - 15: Get a full first chapter critique from an experienced editor.

Visit LDSWriterMom.blogspot.com (aka Julie Coulter Bellon) and help her spread the word about her newest release, Ribbon of Darkness.


Click here for details.

Win Simply Salsa


Interview with Christian Author Janet Perez Eckles

E-Book Give-Away August 8 - 15: To win an e-book (pdf), Simply Salsa, leave a comment about this interview with your e-mail.

International.

“With a bit of sassiness, a touch of humor, and an amiga-to-amiga style, Simply Salsa encourages women to accept God’s call to dance!”

When Tough times touch our lives, God’s hand whispers comfort, His power ushers peace and His promise makes all things possible. Blindness and other tragedies didn’t stop this author from helping others. In Simply Salsa: Dancing Without Fear at God’s Fiesta, Janet brings you inspiration to soothe your soul, insights to encourage you, and boldness to claim God’s triumph.

To win a book, leave a comment at http://lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Win Mormons: Tall Tales & Truths


Interview with Jenni Rose Maiava

Book Give-Away through August 8, 2011:
To enter to win a copy of Mormons: Tall Tales & Truths, visit Epic Writer. Read the interview and follow the instruction on that post.

There are four ways to win. Winner will be chosen on August 8th.

Mormons: Tall Tales & Truths is a book about myths and misunderstandings abound about Latter-day Saints and our faith. My book shares stories and experiences I have had over the years with people curious about the Mormon religion and attempts to clearly define what we do believe.

Do Mormons have horns?!?
...tails, or religious tattoos?
These are a few of the more bizarre assertions I’ve heard over the years. I included them because as odd as they are, I’ve heard them each several times.

We have friends that throw a Halloween party every year. Most of the guests dress up. One year, my brother and his wife showed up as a devil and an angel. My brother’s costume was pretty simple; he had on a red shirt and little stick-on horns. One of the other guests wasn’t sure what he was and asked about his costume. Before he could answer, I said, “He’s a Mormon!” The funny thing was that just about everyone laughed and admitted to hearing that a time or two themselves.

There isn’t much difference between Mormons and everybody else. Just like there are lots of really wonderful Methodists, Baptists, Catholics, Lutherans, etc. out there, there are lots of good Mormons too. Mormons are just regular humans. Promise. No tails or horns included.

Cedar Fort Authors Signing Schedules


Taken from Cedar Fort's blog at http://www.cedarfortbooks.com/upcoming-events/



August
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2

Danyelle Ferguson at Kids On The Move in Orem, 7:30pm – 9:00pm

Author/Buyer Appreciation Dinner, 6pm-8pm

3

LDSBA

4

LDSBA

Author Mix and Mingle at South Towne Expo Center, 6pm-8pm

5

LDSBA

Danyelle Ferguson, Elodia Strain and Rachelle Christiansen at Confetti Book, Spanish Fork, 11am – 2pm

Chris Hall at Sandy Costco, 5pm – 9pm

6

Danyelle Ferguson, Elodia Strain and Rachelle Christensen at Orem Pioneer Book 1pm – 4pm

8 9 10

Seth Sorensen at Orem Costco, 5pm – 9pm

11

Connie Sokol at BYU Bookstore, 1pm-4pm

Seth Sorensen at Sandy Costco, 5pm – 9pm

12

Chris Hall at West Valley Costco, 11am – 3pm

13

Chris Hall at Murray Costco, 11am – 3pm

15

BYU Education Week

16

BYU Education Week

Mary Mueller at BYU Bookstore, 12pm – 2pm

Rachael Anderson at BYU Bookstore, 2:30pm – 4:30pm

17

BYU Education Week

Arnold Grundvigat BYU Bookstore 11am – 1pm

Elodia Strainat BYU Bookstore, 11am – 1pm

Wendy Paul at BYU Bookstore, 1:30pm – 3:30pm

Elodia Strain at Sandy Costco, 5pm – 9pm

18

BYU Education Week

Andrew Skinner at BYU Bookstore, 4pm – 6pm

Chas Hathaway at BYU Bookstore, 4pm – 6pm

Richard Godfrey at BYU Bookstore, 4pm – 6pm

Alonzo Gaskill at BYU Bookstore, 4pm – 6pm

Elodia Strain at Orem Costco, 5pm – 9pm

19

BYU Education Week

Caleb Warnock at Orem Costco, 11am – 6pm

Lynn Parsons at BYU Bookstore, 11am – 1pm

Elodia Strain at Sandy Costco, 1pm – 4pm

Wendy Paul at Murray Costco, 5pm – 9pm

*Connie Sokol at Orem Deseret Book, 5:30pm – 8:30pm

20

Caleb Warnockat St. George Costco, 11am – 6pm

Seth Sorensenat Lehi Costco, 11am – 5pm

*Wendy Paul at The Woolley Residence, 2244 W Jordan Haven Ct (9925 S), South Jordan, 6pm-8pm

22

Mary Mueller at Orem Costco, 5pm – 9pm

23

Mary Muller at Lehi Costco, 5pm – 9pm

24

Wendy Paul at Layton Deseret Book, 5:00pm – 6:30pm

25 26

Chris Hall at Sandy Costco, 1pm – 4pm

Wendy Paul at SLC Costco, 1pm – 4pm

27

Michael Young at Orem Pioneer Book, 2pm – 4:30pm

29

Wendy Paul at Orem Costco, 5pm – 9pm

30

Seth Sorensen at Orem Costco, 5pm – 9pm

31

Seth Sorensen at Sandy Costco, 5pm – 9pm




The Alloy of Law Book Tour


THE ALLOY OF LAW

Midnight Release

Provo, UT

Date: 11.07.11 Time: 9:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.
Place: BYU Bookstore
Address: Wilkinson Student Center (WSC)
Brigham Young University
University Hill
Provo, Utah 84602
Phone: (800) 253-2578
Type: Release
Schedule: Doors open at 9:00 p.m. on November 7th. The book will be released three hours after that. Books at this signing will be numbered; line numbers will be assigned starting around 8:00 a.m. on November 7th. Check back later for more details.

Mysterious Galaxy, San Diego

Date: 11.09.11 Time: 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Place: Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore
Address: 7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. Suite #302
San Diego, CA 92111
Phone: (858) 268-4747
Type: Signing

Barnes & Noble, Huntington Beach, CA

Date: 11.10.11 Time: 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Place: Barnes & Noble Booksellers – Bella Terra
Address: 7881 Edinger Ave. #110
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
Phone: 714-897-8781
Type: Signing

University Books, Seattle

Date: 11.11.11 Time: 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Place: University Book Store, Seattle
Address: 4326 University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
Phone: 800.335.7323
Type: Signing

Vancouver BC, Canada

Date: 11.12.11 Time: 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Place: Location and time TBA

Joseph-Beth, Lexington, KY

Date: 11.14.11 Time: 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Place: Joseph-Beth Booksellers
Address: 161 Lexington Green Cir # B
Lexington, KY 40503
Phone: (859) 273-2911

Murder by the Book, Houston

Date: 11.15.11 Time: 6:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m.
Place: Murder by the Book
Address: 2342 Bissonnet St
Houston TX 77005
Phone: 713-524-8597
Notes: Store policy requires that you buy one copy of THE ALLOY OF LAW at the store to get anything signed. I believe you can buy it there ahead of time and bring your receipt; call to make sure. They can also get books signed for you if you can't attend; see their site and/or call for details.

Barnes & Noble, Brooklyn, NY

Date: 11.16.11 Time: 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Place: Barnes & Noble Booksellers – Park Slope
Address: 267 7th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Phone: 718-832-9066
PLEASE BE AWARE: This will be a SIGNING ONLY event. There is not enough space for a standard reading and Q&A. If you have questions for me, you may ask them while I'm signing your specific books, but please be courteous to everyone else waiting to get their books signed.


Check Brandon Sanderson's website for additional tour dates.

Other events are listed HERE.

August Authorama!

In case you can't read the image:

August 13th
12:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Pioneer Book
858 S State
Orem, UT

Visit with authors Tristi Pinkston, Nichole Giles, Heather Justesen, Cindy Hogan, and J. Lloyd Morgan.

It will be a real celebration with Face Painting, Balloons, Games, Prizes, and Dutch Oven Cobbler! (YUM!)