| Beating the Drum from 4RV * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * |
December 2007 - January 2008 Newsletter
| In This Issue Review: Case of the Missing Coach Interview with Holly Jahangiri Writing Tips Upcoming events Remember Contest Al-the-Gator and Freddy Frog update Coming in February Book Tour Information Interview with Jacque Graham |
| Coming Soon Trockle written by Holly Jahangiri illustrated by Jordan M. Vinyard |
Holly Jahangiri
Holly Jahangiri and I have known each
other for over five years. We met on an on-line
writing site Writing.Com, and for some reason
we clicked, perhaps because we both like good
writing. Since we became acquainted, our
friendship deepened, and, although we've never
met face to face, until now, we visited on the
phone quite often.
For the interview we sat in her living room.
She sat curled up in one corner of a sofa, a
large mug of Sumatra coffee ... hot, black,
strong, and fragrant. I nursed a cup of hot tea
while I searched my notes and prepared to write
her answers to my questions.
The first thing I wanted to know was about her life and how it affected
her writing.
Holly chuckled. "I'm tempted to pull a David Copperfield and say, 'I am
born.' Seriously? Okay, seriously (you know how hard that is), I was born
a stone's throw from the Daytona International Speedway (which might
explain the congenital lead foot). My parents – both of them – were just
beginning college. A good education was important to them both. We
moved to Ohio when I was two. My mother and father enrolled at Kent
State University. My mom used to read to me and study at the same time
(when you're a baby, you don't care what your mom's reading, so long as
she's reading it to you). I loved reading.
"I could read by the time I was three. That got my parents in a bit of
trouble with my Kindergarten teacher – she couldn't stop me from
daydreaming, so she told my parents that it (continued page 2 - Holly ...)
Holly Jahangiri and I have known each
other for over five years. We met on an on-line
writing site Writing.Com, and for some reason
we clicked, perhaps because we both like good
writing. Since we became acquainted, our
friendship deepened, and, although we've never
met face to face, until now, we visited on the
phone quite often.
For the interview we sat in her living room.
She sat curled up in one corner of a sofa, a
large mug of Sumatra coffee ... hot, black,
strong, and fragrant. I nursed a cup of hot tea
while I searched my notes and prepared to write
her answers to my questions.
The first thing I wanted to know was about her life and how it affected
her writing.
Holly chuckled. "I'm tempted to pull a David Copperfield and say, 'I am
born.' Seriously? Okay, seriously (you know how hard that is), I was born
a stone's throw from the Daytona International Speedway (which might
explain the congenital lead foot). My parents – both of them – were just
beginning college. A good education was important to them both. We
moved to Ohio when I was two. My mother and father enrolled at Kent
State University. My mom used to read to me and study at the same time
(when you're a baby, you don't care what your mom's reading, so long as
she's reading it to you). I loved reading.
"I could read by the time I was three. That got my parents in a bit of
trouble with my Kindergarten teacher – she couldn't stop me from
daydreaming, so she told my parents that it (continued page 2 - Holly ...)
| Happy 2008 |
| Review: Case of the Missing Coach by Susan Thompson, Novelspot Case of the Missing Coach V. Gilbert Zabel 4RV Publishing LLC Mystery/sports/juvenile/young adult paperback 978-0-9797513-1-8 September 2007 6 quills I'm a soccer mom right now, though I will eventually become a baseball mom. Now that I've read this book, I know a bit more of the sports world my son will soon inhabit. We're introduced to the Base Stealers Club in the prequel of the same name. Ryan, Chevis, Dillion, Colby, and Shane, members of the Jonesville Chargers baseball team, band together to solve problems and mysteries surrounding their team. They formed the club when they solved the mystery of who was stealing money from their lockers during the regular season in The Base Stealers Club. The Case of the Missing Coach picks up the story as they get ready for the National Regional playoffs on their way to playing in the National Championship. Case of the Missing Coach starts with the destruction of the team's equipment between the time they won the State Championship and their first practice for the National Regional. The Base Stealers Club works to raise funds to take their team to the playoffs, and while at the National Regional, they start receiving threatening notes and mysterious events start happening. Obviously, in the Case of the Missing Coach, a coach goes missing, but I can't tell you much more than that without giving away too many details. This is a juvenile/young adult sports mystery geared towards age fourteen and under readers. Adults may find the level of detail in some of the scenes a bit much, but will still enjoy the story. (continued page 2) |
Writing Tips
When submitting a manuscript
to an agent, editor, or publisher,
be sure it hasn't any grammar or
spelling errors.
Yes, I've heard the comment,
"That's the editor's job."
In today's publishing world,
editors will never see a work filled
with errors. Readers hired to go
through material know to chuck
any item filled with mistakes - if
the manuscript finds its way out of
the slush pile.
Therefore, anyone wanting an
article, short story, novel, or
poetry to make it into print should
go over a manuscript with a
fine-tooth comb, as well as have
others who can recognize writing
or grammar problems thoroughly
edit the work.
Only submit when you are
positive few, if any, errors exist.
When submitting a manuscript
to an agent, editor, or publisher,
be sure it hasn't any grammar or
spelling errors.
Yes, I've heard the comment,
"That's the editor's job."
In today's publishing world,
editors will never see a work filled
with errors. Readers hired to go
through material know to chuck
any item filled with mistakes - if
the manuscript finds its way out of
the slush pile.
Therefore, anyone wanting an
article, short story, novel, or
poetry to make it into print should
go over a manuscript with a
fine-tooth comb, as well as have
others who can recognize writing
or grammar problems thoroughly
edit the work.
Only submit when you are
positive few, if any, errors exist.
Update on
Production problems have
finally been solved. The printing
company informs us that the book
should be available in another two
weeks. As soon as we receive the
final copies arrive, copies will be
shipped to those who pre-ordered.
A special gift will be sent with
the pre-orders to thank purchasers
for their patience.
Production problems have
finally been solved. The printing
company informs us that the book
should be available in another two
weeks. As soon as we receive the
final copies arrive, copies will be
shipped to those who pre-ordered.
A special gift will be sent with
the pre-orders to thank purchasers
for their patience.
_____________________________________________________________
| Contest Deadline February 1 For Details Click note savings on entry fee from now until deadline |
Upcoming Events
North Texas Book Festival - Denton, Texas April 18 - 19
for details go to NTBF
OWFI Writing Conference, Midwest City, OK, May 2 - 3
for details go to OWFI
Books to be released in 2008:
Trockle by Holly Jahangiri
illustrated by Jordan M. Vinyard
Lion in the Living Room by Crystalwizard
Prairie Dog Cowboy by V. Gilbert Zabel
Skeleton in the Attic by Jacque L. Graham
North Texas Book Festival - Denton, Texas April 18 - 19
for details go to NTBF
OWFI Writing Conference, Midwest City, OK, May 2 - 3
for details go to OWFI
Books to be released in 2008:
Trockle by Holly Jahangiri
illustrated by Jordan M. Vinyard
Lion in the Living Room by Crystalwizard
Prairie Dog Cowboy by V. Gilbert Zabel
Skeleton in the Attic by Jacque L. Graham