Path to Publication is a writers group for all genres. The Path to Publication writers group is a critique group that meets on the second Tuesday of every month. We also publish a literary magazine, The Path, twice per year. Visit our website: www.pathtopublication.net . We are also on Facebook: htt... more

Path to Publication is a writers group for all genres. The Path to Publication writers group is a critique group that meets on the second Tuesday of every month. We also publish a literary magazine, The Path, twice per year. Visit our website: www.pathtopublication.net . We are also on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Path-to-Publication and Twitter: http://twitter.com/pathtopublicati.

The shift in picture books: Publishers are publishing about 25 to 30 percent fewer picture book titles than they used to as some parents want their kids to read more challenging books at younger ages. The new trend is leading to popular picture book characters such as Pinkalicious, Splat Cat and Bro... more

The shift in picture books: Publishers are publishing about 25 to 30 percent fewer picture book titles than they used to as some parents want their kids to read more challenging books at younger ages. The new trend is leading to popular picture book characters such as Pinkalicious, Splat Cat and Brown Bear, Brown Bear showing up in Beginning Reader books

I had my 1 hour coaching session yesterday. This is the summary: As I suspected, book signings are pretty much a waste of time for marketing and sales purposes, unless you are a celebrity. It is better to spend your time and resources developing a web presence, such as website and blogs. Internet ra... more

I had my 1 hour coaching session yesterday. This is the summary: As I suspected, book signings are pretty much a waste of time for marketing and sales purposes, unless you are a celebrity. It is better to spend your time and resources developing a web presence, such as website and blogs. Internet radio is another avenue. The most important thing is to make yourself known as an expert or person of note.

Have you read Noah's Wife by Theresa K. Thorne? It's a great read...fast paced with more unexpected turns than a rural highway. It has inspired me to consider writing an historical fiction book for middle/upper grade kids about Mary, mother of Jesus. I want to write about her first 16 years, ending ... more

Have you read Noah's Wife by Theresa K. Thorne? It's a great read...fast paced with more unexpected turns than a rural highway. It has inspired me to consider writing an historical fiction book for middle/upper grade kids about Mary, mother of Jesus. I want to write about her first 16 years, ending when she receives word of her pregnancy from the angel. But, like Noah's Wife, there won't be any angels or direct messages from God.

The program at the Microsoft Store was fabulous. In addition to my videotaped interview, the Vice President, Programs & Services of the Arizona Chapter for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society attended, providing useful information about the Society and its services. Everyone who attended receive... more

The program at the Microsoft Store was fabulous. In addition to my videotaped interview, the Vice President, Programs & Services of the Arizona Chapter for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society attended, providing useful information about the Society and its services. Everyone who attended received a complimentary teeshirt from Microsoft. The video will be available on YouTube soon.

The Microsoft Store will be hosting an event for kids and families that have or know someone with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) on July 30th, 2010 from 6:00-8:00 PM. You will have the opportunity to meet with Mary Jo Nickum, author of Mom’s Story; A Child Learns About MS. Mary has been diagnosed with M... more

The Microsoft Store will be hosting an event for kids and families that have or know someone with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) on July 30th, 2010 from 6:00-8:00 PM. You will have the opportunity to meet with Mary Jo Nickum, author of Mom’s Story; A Child Learns About MS. Mary has been diagnosed with MS for over 30 years and is an inspiration for all of those learning to cope with this challenging disease. Her book provides information on how to better understand MS, who gets it, how the disease is diagnosed, the various forms of MS and listing of material and organizations available to assist families in the fight against MS. While parents are learning from Mary Jo in the theatre area, the kids will be provided with fun activities to learn more about the store and the technology used in everyday life. They will even be introduced to future technology through an entirely interactive experience with the staff! We hope to see you there!
When: Friday July 30th, 2010
Welcome time: 6:00-6:30
Event time: 6:30-8:00pm
Where: The Microsoft Store
Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall
7014 E. Camelback Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 308-0800

Light Refreshments will be provided
**RSVP: Space is limited for this event, so please do not wait to RSVP.
RSVP: https://www.clicktoattend.com/invitation.aspx?code=149256

I'm going to a signing by Victoria Holmes this coming Tuesday evening. Here's what Changing Hands, the Indie bookstore has to say:
Erin Hunter's advice for aspiring writers: "Read, read, and read some more! Make sure you read a wide variety of stories: fantasy stories teach you about maki... more

I'm going to a signing by Victoria Holmes this coming Tuesday evening. Here's what Changing Hands, the Indie bookstore has to say:

Erin Hunter's advice for aspiring writers: "Read, read, and read some more! Make sure you read a wide variety of stories: fantasy stories teach you about making up completely new worlds, crime-solving stories teach you about handling a complicated plot, stories with lots of characters teach you how to describe relationships. Also, write as many stories as you can, even if no one else reads them. And remember that the best inspiration comes from what's around you – Kate, Victoria and Cherith go for long walks through the woods to find new locations for the cats to explore. They also spend hours watching their cats -- and other people -- to see how they behave in certain situations."

Erin Hunter is the nom de plume of three British writers who create enthralling, animal-centric YA fantasies in the tradition of Brian Jacques's Redwall books. In 2003, they launched their bestselling Warriors series with Into the Wild, the story of a domesticated kitten who leaves the comforts of his human home to join a family of feral cats living in the woods. Introducing a captivating world where rival cat clans struggle for survival, the book was an immediate sensation with animal- and adventure-loving preteens.