Calling all Writers! You have to check out the Backspace Writers Conference

Hi Everybody, I'm rushing through all my work, getting ready to go to the Backspace Conference. It runs from Thursday to Saturday and I have to say it's the best conference I've every attended. It's so low-key! There aren't any pitch sessions that make the author feel they're being herded like cattle. In fact, there are no pitch sessions, but there are lots of opportunities to get your work in front of agents in small group query sessions, opening pages sessions, and ten minute one-on-one sessions with agents to review your opening ten pages. The agents and published authors in attendance are very relaxed and approachable - its a great opportunity to ask questions and learn tons of new information about the publishing industry The primary goal is to get feedback that improves your craft - in some cases, though, people have found their agents at Backspace. If there's one group that's significantly influenced my development as a writer it's Backspace. Check it out at http://www.backspacewritersconference.com/ Trust me, it's amazing! If you can't make the conference, there are other opportunities online that are available through a Backspace Membership. Happy Memorial Weekend! Cheers, Mary

Patience and the Absolute Requirement for Chocolate - preferably Godiva

Patience is a virtue, right? Hmmm...maybe, but it's definitely not my strong suit. There is an absolutely wonderful agent reading my revised manuscript whom I would love to have represent me. I should be calm, cool,& collected about this, don't you think? I'm an experienced professional, a former Vice President of a publicly held corporation, so waiting to see how it goes should be no problem. Besides, I've had interest from other agents - but this situation just feels like the right one.

So am I calm? Totally, absolutely, not. Am I cool? Okay, I'm not sure I even know what that means. Am I collected? Just ask my family, who I am driving completely nuts. Good thing they love me. Otherwise they'd be ready to kill me. Even the dog looks exhausted just watching me.

Wish me luck and either a short wait or a large vat of chocolate.

(A girl needs a break somewhere : )

Cheers,
Mary

The Grimoire - On it's way!

There's lots of excited happenings with my new young adult series, The Foreseers. The first book of the series, The Grimoire, has caught the interest of a New York based literary agency I've only dreamed of working with. She's very excited about the series and is waiting on some changes I've decided to make to the most recent version. Keep your fingers crossed for me! This series is closer to my heart than anything I've ever written, and not only because my intrepid husband did the world building with me.

The more I write about this family of witches who are struggling to live in the modern world and balance responsibilities to an ancient coven with trying to live even a semi-normal life, the more the world is coming alive for me. This first book is just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many layers to the world of The Foreseers, I wonder if it all will ever come to light. Guess we'll have to wait and see!

In the meantime, happy reading, everybody!

Happy New Year!

It's five in the morning - my favorite writing time. Most people I know say 'Are you crazy?' Well, probably, but I always wake up eager to get back to my characters. By 6:30 my three kids are yelling either "Mom, I want...", "Mom, I lost..." or "Mom, I'm hungry for..." so that's the end of writing for awhile. By the time I get them settled on weekdays I'm at my desk being an epidemiologist (the day job) and on weekends scooting the kids to various activities, being house manager for my daughter's theater group, or learning how to make Lego creations with my 6 year old boys. Legos are not my strong suit, but my husband and the boys are trying to teach me. : ) My husband suggested a great project - have them build a huge storage box and we stick all the Legos in it!

I won't get back to my characters this evening, what with waiting for the ball to drop in Times Square and all, so they'll have to be patient until tomorrow.

Hope everyone has a terrific New Year!

Happy reading!

Cheers,
Mary

The rewrite is done!

I'm finally starting out my own blog. When A Dangerous Dream and Never Trust a Matchmaking Witch were released I was in the group blog Equestrian Ink with some absolutely fabulous writers! But now since I'm writing fantasy (although I did sneak a couple of equestrian scenes into The Grimoire)I'm moving on to a new blog, although I'm always going to be a big fan of Equestrian Ink!

Just in time for Christmas I have my final set of edits done on The Grimoire. Yes, I finished it awhile back, but then I got an exciting new idea and the itch to rewrite. So we have a hopefully more exciting story for you! I introduced a couple of surprise plot twists (I love doing those!) and added a lot more magic to the story. In my book there can never be too much magic!

Here's hoping you all have a wonderful, magical holiday!

Cheers,
Mary