I have been submitting articles and poems left and right for two weeks. Duotrope has made my life so much easier. If you are not familiar with Duotrope, I would suggest everyone try it. This is a way to keep up with all your submissions in one easy place. It will give you the name of the publisher you submitted to, the name of the piece you submitted, when it was submitted and if it was accepted or not.

I may be way behind everyone else, because you may already know about this wonderful tool, but it has helped me triple the number of submissions I send out. Now, it's the waiting for a reply that is getting to me!

Book Launch and Signing

A huge thank you to everyone who attended our book launch and signing and made it such a success. For the very first event, we were pleased with the turnout. Here are a few pictures:

Original Ruse

Original Ruse

Barbara Sabol

Paperback

Publisher: Accents Publishing
Language: English

ISBN-10: 0984411879

ISBN-13: 978-0984411870

Part of the Winged Series

Barbara Sabol's poetry and prose has appeared in Public-Republic, Blood Lotus, Poets 350, the Tupelo Press Poetry Project, Tributaries, and on the Akron Art Museum's website. She has an MFA from Spalding University. Barbara is a long-practicing speech therapist, living in northeastern Ohio with her partner and dogs.

This small chapbook of poetry is excellently executed with vivid powerful words. Until I read "Original Ruse," I had never heard of Barbara Sabol, but I will be on the lookout for more of her work.

To give you an example, “Winter” is one of my favorite poems in the book. She has used such rich words to describe how the coldness of winter seeps into your bones.

“Winter is a country

That settles

In your limbs, stir

The joints …”

Just reading this, I can feel the cold of winter stiffening my joints. The imagery is perfect.

“Hula Girls” is another favorite that made me laugh out loud.

“The saleswoman assured me it was fashionable revealing

Just a hint of thigh, white as twice-whipped potatoes …”

Her words are prodigious and stout and her lyrical and narrative approach to poems can’t help but make you thing about the world around you. "Original Ruse" was printed and released by Accents Publishing, “…an independent press for brilliant voices.”

Book Mention

The Bluegrass Bookshelf from the Lexington Herald-Leader on Sunday, August 21st, gave us a shout out. Thanks everyone!!

Places to buy my new book

Here are the places in Harrodsburg that will be carrying the new book:

Shaker Village/pleasant Hill
Beaumont Inn Gift Shop
Kentucky Fudge Shop
Rumors and Razors Hair Salon
Harrodsburg Herald
Royalty's Florist and Gift
Old Country Store
Bee Hive Gift Shop
Old Fort Harrod

Seeing My First First Book Display

I was so shocked to walk into the Harrodsburg Herald office this afternoon, only to be greeted by a display of my new book with co-author Anna Armstrong. I know my jaw dropped to the ground!

So, like a total geek, I went back out to the car for my camera and had to take a few pictures. There's just something about see your name on the cover of a book you are so proud of!

And I'm sorry Beverly and the young man selling papers - I had to have my little girl, squeelie moment!

(My uploading computer is in the shop, ut I'll post pictures soon!)

From Press Release Distribution

From Press Release Distribution (PROLOG):

PRLog (Press Release) - Aug 01, 2011

"The newest addition to Arcadia Publishing’s popular Images of America series is Harrodsburg from local authors Bobbi Dawn Rightmyer and Anna Armstrong. The book boasts more than 200 vintage images and memories of days gone by."

A Blurb from Outskirts Press

Here is a blurb from Outskirts Press

Soon to be released from Arcadia Publishing is Images of America: Harrodsburg, written by Harrodsburg’s Bobbi Dawn Rightmyer (writer) and Anna Armstrong (photography).

A Blurb on World News

From the World News website:

"Soon to be released from Arcadia Publishing is Images of America: Harrodsburg, written by Harrodsburg’s Bobbi Dawn Rightmyer (writer) and Anna Armstrong.(photography). The book will be released the week of August 8th, but is already up for pre-order on several different websites: Amazon Barnes and Noble Arcadia
As of this moment, we are not sure when the book launch and signing will be, but we will keep you up-to-date. The book will also be for sell in several local
business, as well as Lexington and surrounding areas."

Featured in Danville Advocate

I would like to give a big shout out to Jennifer Brummett at the Danville Advocate for doing such a nice job with the release of our new book. All information in this article is copyright Danville Advocate and Jennifer Brummett.

Bobbi Dawn Rightmyer and Anna Armstrong traveled a circuitous route to get to the publication of their first book together, “Images of America: Harrodsburg.” The pictorial history of Harrodsburg will be released Monday from Arcadia Publishing, which is based out of Mount Pleasant, S.C., outside of Charleston.

Rightmyer’s daughter was friends with the acquisitions editor for Arcadia Publishing, who approached Rightmyer for a book about Owen County. Rightmyer said she didn’t know anything about Owen County but she knew Harrodsburg. That started her on the path to developing a book about Harrodsburg.

Rightmyer said she’d known Armstrong all her life and was aware of her extensive collection of photos of Harrodsburg that date from the 1930s, with some older ones, as well. She sent an e-mail to Armstrong — an e-mail Armstrong never received. So Rightmyer went ahead and signed a contract with Arcadia to do the historical book, figuring she’d get photos from the local historical society. “I signed the contract with no idea of how to write a history book,” Rightmyer explained. In the meantime, Armstrong had been in contact with Arcadia about a postcard she was interested in creating.

“I have a huge archive of photos from my father (Andrew Armstrong), my aunt (Jesta Bell Armstrong Matherly, who also was an artist) and my work,” Armstrong said. She found out about Rightmyer’s work on a book about Harrodsburg, and wondered what she was using for the photographic element, since her own collection of Harrodsburg photos is unparalleled. Rightmyer said she was thrilled when Armstrong called, and the two got together to discuss the book, which was when they figured out Rightmyer’s e-mail hadn’t made it to its recipient.

“I decided to offer the photographs in order for the book to happen,” Armstrong said. She also had experience with writing historical descriptions, as she’d provided the text for a number of historical markers. Rightmyer said she found that experience invaluable, as she considers herself to be more of a “long writer,” focusing more on essays and longer written works.

Armstrong described “Images of America: Harrodsburg” as a “show-andtell” type of a book. The co-authors indicated such a work was needed in Harrodsburg, since the city lacked a recent, updated history-type book. Armstrong said the tome will be a good companion for people who are touring the city.

“It’s one of the first things I look for (when visiting a new place),” Rightmyer added. “It gives me an idea of where I’m at and what I’m doing.”

She added she hopes “Images of America: Harrodsburg” will inspire others “to get this history out there.”

Armstrong said the postcard pictorial history of Harrodsburg and Mercer County should be released about this time next year. The vintage postcards she will use will date through the 1960s.

Tomorrow's the Day!!

Finding it hard to sleep tonight because the book is being released tomorrow. I am so excited and scared all at the same time! I'm excited that a full year's worth of work has finally come to fruition and scared because I'm afraid people won't like it. This must be the way most authors feel on the eve of the birth of their "baby."

Harrodsburg has needed a new history book for many years. The last one was Col. Chinn's book in 1974, which was released on Harrodsburg's 200th birthday.

I'm going to try and close my eyes now, listening to Dark Shadows on the TV - my comfort noise at night. See everyone in the morning when I know how the book is doing.

Blood Red Road (Dustlands #1)

Blood Red Road (Dustlands #1)

Moira Young

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 464 pages
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1442429984
ISBN-13: 978-1442429987


Nancy Farmer, author of The House of the Scorpion:

“I absolutely loved Blood Red Road. What a great read! Moira Young goes over the top with a most engaging heroine. Saba is a crusty, foul-tempered warrior woman who must be covered in scar tissue by the end of the book, but men still follow her around like starving wolves. The dialogue is fast and often humorous, the pace never lets up. No situation is so bad that it can't get worse in the next couple of pages. I especially liked the awakening of the hellwurms as they emerge to feed. Well done, Ms. Young!”

This dystopian novel, by Moira Young, is her first novel and she hits the ball out of the park. The pace of this book is intense. It has a lyrical, minimalist style of writing, with no quotation marks throughout the book. The book is written in first person from Saba’s point of view and the lack of quotations marks is very easy to get adjusted to. The book is full of violent action and an epic love story.

Saba and her twin brother Lugh have spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland subjected to constant sandstorms. Along with the twins are a younger sister, Emmi, and their father. A tsunami sandstorm arrives in Silverlake along with four cloaked horsemen. Their father was killed in the raid and Lugh was captured for, as yet unknown reason.

Saba sets out on an epic quest to get him back. After leaving Emmi with a friend three days ride from their home, Saba must backtrack and then head out alone on her quest. She is introduced to the unpleasantness of the desolate world outside of Silverlake.

We know that Saba is strong in the beginning of the book, but she is always in the shadow of her brother. The twins have an unusually strong bond, which gives Saba the strength to go rescue her brother. Saba is stubborn and hard headed, making her the quintessence heroine in this series of books. She faces everything head-on with the same strength and stubbornness, but she learns and grows because of the other people she meets along her journey.

It goes without saying that Saba is an unbeatable survivor, a ferocious fighter and had the power to take down a corrupt society trying to rule what is left of the world. She teams up with a daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl rebels called the Free Hawks, in order to help change the course of her own civilization.

I will give no spoilers to the end of this book because it is much too good not to read yourself. At 450 pages, this book is the first in the Dustlands series and I think it will keep young adults – and even adults like me – eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

New Book to be Released August 8th

BY JENNIFER BRUMMETT
jenb@amnews.com

12:24 p.m. EDT, August 7, 2011
HARRODSBURG — Bobbie Dawn Rightmyer and Anna Armstrong traveled a circuitous route to get to the publication of their first book together, “Images of America: Harrodsburg.” The pictorial history of Harrodsburg will be released Monday from Arcadia Publishing, which is based out of Mount Pleasant, S.C., outside of Charleston.
Rightmyer’s daughter was friends with the acquisitions editor for Arcadia Publishing, who approached Rightmyer for a book about Owen County. Rightmyer said she didn’t know anything about Owen County but she knew Harrodsburg. That started her on the path to developing a book about Harrodsburg.
Rightmyer said she’d known Armstrong all her life and was aware of her extensive collection of photos of Harrodsburg that day from the 1930s, with some older ones, as well. She sent an e-mail to Armstrong ? an e-mail Armstrong never received. So Rightmyer went ahead and signed a contract with Arcadia to do the historical book, figuring she’d get photos from the local historical society.
“I signed the contract with no idea of how to write a history book,” Rightmyer explained. In the meantime, Armstrong had been in contact with Arcadia about a postcard she was interested in creating.
“I have a huge archive of photos from my father (Andrew Armstrong), my aunt (Jesta Bell Armstrong Matherly, who also was an artist) and my work,” Armstrong said.
She found out about Rightmyer’s work on a book about Harrodsburg, and wondered what she was using for the photographic element, since her own collection of Harrodsburg photos is unparalleled. Rightmyer said she was thrilled when Armstrong called, and the two got together to discuss the book, which was when they figured out Rightmyer’s e-mail hadn’t made it to its recipient.
“I decided to offer the photographs in order for the book to happen,” Armstrong said.
She also had experience with writing historical descriptions, as she’d provided the text for a number of historical markers.Rightmyer said she found that experience invaluable, as she considers herself to be more of a “long writer,” focusing more on essays and longer written works.
Armstrong described “Images of America: Harrodsburg” as a “show-and-tell” type of a book. The co-authors indicated such a work was needed in Harrodsburg, since the city lacked a recent, updated history-type book. Armstrong said the tome will be a good companion for people who are touring the city.
“It’s one of the first things I look for (when visiting a new place),” Rightmyer added. “It gives me an idea of where I’m at and what I’m doing.”
She added she hopes “Images of America: Harrodsburg” will inspire others “to get this history out there.”
Armstrong said the postcard pictorial history of Harrodsburg and Mercer County should be released about this time next year. The vintage postcards she will use will date through the 1960s.
SO YOU KNOW
”Images of America: Harrodsburg,” written by Bobbie Dawn Rightmyer and Anna Armstrong, will be released Monday. It is available at www.amazon.com, www.powells.com, www.barnesandnoble.com and www.arcadiapublishing.com. It also will be available at Old Fort Harrod State Park, Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill and Beaumont Inn, as well as other TBA businesses in Harrodsburg. The cost is $21.99.

Taming Clancy

Taming Clancy by Dori

Perfect Paperback, Kindle and Nook
Publisher: Weisiger PublishingLanguage: English
ISBN-10: 0615399215
ISBN-13: 978-0615399218

This debut novel by Dori validates her as an up and coming part of the next generation of new authors from Kentucky. Although many of us remember the awkwardness of our adolescent years, Dori gives us an exquisite look at youth and its explosive passions.


"Taming Clancy" takes place in Bethlehem, Kentucky in 1979. Hollison Hope Fairchild is haunted by the memories of her mother and the misunderstandings of why her mother did not love her. During the winter of 1979, in her hometown of Bethlehem, Kentucky, Holly lives through her 17th year with sheer determination and the help of best friends, Fern, and her twin brother, Alex Troublefield.

Thomas, her father and an expert gardener, was becoming more withdrawn after the death of his wife, Susanna, Holly’s mother. Worried about the emotional state of his only child, he invites Caleb (Jay-Jay), Susanna’s brother, to come and stay with them over Christmas holiday. Holly is upset because she doesn’t know who this person is and she certainly doesn’t want him invading their lives during the holidays.

Caleb and Holly get along like quarreling siblings vying for all the attention. He picks on her endlessly and Holly hates every minute of it. Already in a major depressive state, agony and fear over her mother fill her up and begins to spew out on her family and friends, making everyone miserable.

Abigail, Fern and Alex’s cousin, is the little scene stealer in this book. Her independence and innocence bubble off the page. Her only problem is a monster living in her closet, a girl monster named Clancy who scares Abby at night on a regular basis. Holly seems to do the best job and she loves the child with her whole heart.

It is when Holly discovers a journal written by her mother that the story takes a different turn. Reading and learning about her mother gave her a sense of peace and sadness, especially when she learns her mother lived with a life-threatening illness all her life.

This book is a beautiful work of literature, even though marketed as a Young Adult novel. Dori’s style of writing pulls you into the story and holds you on a bumpy ride until you reach the end. Although I didn’t understand the title of the book, even with all the mentions of Clancy, all is revealed in the end.

I am looking forward to more work by this inspiring young writer. She lives in Bowling Green, Kentucky and attends a university in Virginia.

Jesse V. Coffey - Kentucky Author

Jesse Coffey has been writing since she was a child, but has only been publishing her works within the last ten years. She has served as Staff Writer and Senior Editor for Writers Post Journal and Venus Envy magazines. She has also served as the Acquisitions and Copy Editor for several publishers, such as LBF Books Inc., Eternal Press, and Moongypsy Press. She is a member of ASCAP, the International Order of Horror Professionals and the Erotic Authors Association.

Ms. Coffey currently writes for the news site Examiner.com as Lexington Literary Examiner, Lexington Writing Examiner, and the National Indie Romance Novel Examiner. She has written five books, but only four have been published to date:

1.) The Savior (paperback) - is a cross genre of historical fiction and fantasy. Toby Riordan time travels to the first century and meets a young Yeshua ben David long before he becomes Jesus the Christ. An angry mob forces them to leave one night on a journey that will change both of their lives and put them on the path to their individual destinies.

2.) The Brothers Campbell (paperback) - is straight historical fiction. Brothers Stephan and William Cameron are as different as night and day, seldom agreeing in temperament. But they can agree that Baron Joseph Turnbull is behind the death of their father and they're going to prove it--and it could possibly kill one or both in trying.

3.) A Wager of Blood (paperback – the latest novel) - is a really good ghost story that asks the question, "What would happen if...?" What would happen if two friends got together in a haunted in? What would happen if they decided to explore the upstairs? What would happen if they found a haunted room and learned about the terrible past? What would happen if one of them stepped into that haunted room...and disappeared? What would happen if...?

4.) Illusions and Reality (eBook) - is my current release in ebook form and will be out in trade paperback either this month or next. It's a short story collection with a little something for everyone--romance, humor, satire, fantasy. But each story always asks the question, "Is this illusion? Or is it reality?"


Illusions & Reality is a "cobbled together" book she hopes will be successful as an eBook. This book started when Ms. Coffey had been invited to a book signing in Pittsburgh with her past publisher and some others on a roster of authors. The only problem was her book at the time, A Wager of Blood, was not due to be released for another three or four months and she needed something to have for the signing.

Her current publisher and best friend, Jake, was the catalyst for reworking the short story collection, Illusions & Reality. Ms. Coffey was writing full time for a literary magazine, The Writers Post Journal, and she had a fairly good sized collection of short stories. Jake and another friend, Lorrieann, helped her go through the collection and pick out the best. These stories has already been edited, proofed, and polished, so they were publication ready. They also included an excerpt from Wager which got some interest in that book as well.

She is the host of a radio show, Edin Road Radio, aired through Blog Talk Radio. This show focuses on reading works by new authors.

You can follow Ms. Coffey at the following:

Her Official Website
Facebook
Myspace
Live Journal

Here email is: authorjessevcoffey@insightbb.com.


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Homegrown Authors: http://ping.fm/sAbQu lexxmnr xmnr

The Magic of Finkleton

The Magic of Finkleton by K.C. Hilton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The world of Finkleton is a fun new world for children to love. What is the secret of the room of hour glasses and why are there strings attached to each one? Does the lever in the General Store really have an effect on the weather?

Mr. Henry Finkle is the owner of the General Store in the town of Finkleton. It seems that people came to Finkle's General Store not just to buy goods, but also to inquire about the weather.

When Mr. Finkle died, he left his house and store to his nephew, William Finkle. William has a wife, Emma, and three children - Jack, Elizabeth and Robert. Was it a strange coincidence that William and Emma's home had burned to the ground the same day Uncle Henry died?

The Finkle family moved from their former home in Bath, England across the countryside to the town of Finkleton. Work on the home and store began immediately with Emma cleaning, William buying supplies, Jack working on the store's bookkeeping, and Elizabeth cleaning Uncle Henry's library, which she has fallen head over heels in love with. Robert, on the other hand, was doing what Robert did best - snooping and looking for undiscovered treasured.

It is these mysterious and magical features that pull the reader into the world. Hilton is great as pulling elements together so you feel like you are right there. Warning, this book ends as a cliff—hanger, but you don’t have to wait long, because The Return to Finkleton will be released very soon.



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Jesse V. Coffey - Kentucky Author: http://ping.fm/FKBX2 lexxmnr xmnr