I have been discovering new authors (well, actually, famous authors who are new to me)--ones who are going to be a part of the Jane Austen anthology coming out this fall by Ballantine books.  I had the great pleasure of reading Very Valentine, Adriana Trigiani's 2009 book about a woman's quest for self discovery in [...]

Do you spend hours every day sitting down at the screen typing away?  Ask yourself these questions to see if you're stressing your body by not doing it properly!Do your ears line up with your shoulders and hips (like they should if you are sitting up straight)?Is the top of your screen at forehead level?  (hard to [...]

"...you never know what you're gonna get."  Forrest Gump was right.  And it looks like this year, I didn't get a Golden Heart final, nor did some of my very talented friends. But for those who did, Congratulations!   You were recognized for your talent and determination, and you earned it!The GH lists are not quite complete, [...]

It's the week we've all been waiting for!  Doesn't last November, when we cautiously and optimistically FedEx'd our bulging packages full of manuscript copies and binder clips goodbye on the crisp autumn breeze, seem SO long ago?On Friday, the calls go out from RWA to the winners of the Golden Heart Contest for unpublished writers.  I'm [...]

The top ten stories selected by popular vote in the Jane Austen Made Me Do It Short Story Contest have just been posted by editor Laurel Ann Nattress--AND MINE IS ONE OF THEM!!!THANK YOU TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHOM I TORMENTED MERCILESSLY OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS TO VOTE FOR ME.  AND EVERYONE ELSE WHO [...]

You have until tomorrow at midnight Eastern time to vote for your favorite Jane Austen-related short stories at pemberley.com.There are almost ninety!  I'm still reading them all!!My story is #70, The Lost Portrait of Jane Austen.The top ten winners of the popular vote will be announced Tuesday.Oh, and who are you rooting for tonight?!