29. “What I Know about Mindfulness and Living into Your Dreams”
Tom Ingrassia is a man of many talents: historian of the Motown legacy which he keeps alive in his radio program on WCOW (91.3FM), writer and director of workshops on self-fulfilment and relaxation, former Executive and Creative Director for Mary Wilson of the Supremes, and now a filmmaker. With his award-winning writings and various creative endeavors, Tom’s blog on finding your own dream and “living into it” gives us some fun and inspirational food for thought.
28. “Seeking the Source of Seeker in the Mortar & Pestle Series“
Jean M. Grant is an award-winning author who writes historical and
contemporary romance, women’s fiction, and articles for family-oriented travel magazines. Our March blog from Jean explores how she and some of her historical-romance compadres came together to create a series of mystical romances that stretch through the centuries. Jean’s contribution, Seeker, draws from another series she has created: The Hundred Trilogy and enables her to give much deserved attention to two supporting characters from the final book. Just for fun, Jean fills us in on her love of Scotland and the visits there that inspire her writing. Though Jean’s original background is in science, she draws from her interests in history, nature, and family for inspiration. Her email address is: www.jeanmgrant.com
27. “Inspiration Surges from the Seashore”
Joanne Roach takes us on a journey from writer and painter inspired by
New England seashore flora and fauna to published writer and painter through a small press and self-publication. Her books Sea Shells, Marine Algae, Seaweed, Shore Birds, and Little Piping Plover are beautifully self-illustrated and reveal knowledge and an infectious love of the Northeast ocean world. Joanne has degrees in Art, English, and Graphic Design from The School of the Worcester Art Museum, Worcester State University, and Quinsigamond Community College, respectively. She has also earned a Masters in Education from Worcester State University. I can tell you from experience that her books make great presents for the little ones in your life!
26. “Vendor at the Farmer’s Market”
Leslie Wheeler joins us again to tell about an experience that is
fast becoming one of the best venues for writers to meet readers and sell books: outdoor markets (farmers, harvest, holiday, or book fairs). Leslie has some delightful stories about the interesting people she has met and the friends she has made at the New Marlborough Farmers Market in western Mass. Readers,Leslie’s blog shows you a wonderful way to find new books and authors that will delight or to meet favorite writers. Authors, this essay will give a you a smile as you see a lovely way to get to know your loyal readers or to cultivate new ones!
24. “Who I Am. What I Write”
Would you believe two guest blogs in one month (just barely!)? This August/July guest blog is from one of my favorite mystery writers, Julianna Deering (DeAnna Dodson), who has created the Drew Farthering Mystery series. I’d never met Julianna before, but I reached out to her because I so much liked her 1930s witty and human Cristie/Sayers/Allingham-style mysteries. Rhys Bowen isn’t the only one who does the period well! DeAnna was kind enough to send me this engaging guest blog where she reveals the travails of battling your way through roadblocks in writing as well as the joys of creating the kind books that you love to read yourself. Her love of 1930s-40s on the screen and on the page makes her a gal after my own heart! Please enjoy! JuliAnna is represented by Wendy Lawton of the Books & Such Literary Agency (www.booksandsuch.biz).
23. “Play It Again … And Again”
At last! The Guest Blog is back with Award-winning mystery and
romance writer, Janet Raye Stevens! Janet is a smart-talking gal after my own heart, with a penchant for forties films and mysteries. Her blog concentrates on one of my own favorites, Casablanca. She celebrates the characters, tone, and setting that makes the film that over-used, but here totally appropriate, term, a classic. Janet is a mom, reader, tea-drinker (okay, tea guzzler), and weaver of smart, stealthily romantic tales. Janet writes mystery, time travel, paranormal, and the occasional Christmas romance with humor, heart, and a dash of suspense. Her latest mysteries are Beryl Blue, Time Cop and A Moment after Dark. She lives in New England with her handsome better half and their equally impressive children. Connect with Janet at https://janetrayestevens.com/
22. “The Oral Tradition”
In our first blog for 2022, we have poet and novelist Catherine Zebrowski explaining the influence of the oral traditions of bards and ballads on her writing, showing us how an ancient tradition lives on by firing the imagination and creative juices of listeners. Kate has had two chapbooks of poetry published, inspired by her Irish Heritage: Immigrant and Gone Stealin’ are available through lulu.com. Her novels, Sleepwalking Backwards (2017) and Through a Bakery Window (2021) were published by TouchPoint Press and are available on Amazon. She is currently working on another novel and a poetry collection. Visit her web site at Catherine Zebrowski Writer.
21. “Book and Screen: The Haunting of Hill House”
We’re right in season with this October’s blog by Bret Laurie. Bret’s
essay explores the similarities and differences of Mike Flanagan’s 2018 Netflix series and Shirley Jackson’s disturbing novel of horror. Bret provides us with an insightful analysis of how both texts delve into modern fears about isolation from human connection and pressures of modern life. Bret has published in online journals on the horror film and its working out of human anxieties about guilt and loneliness. He also works in editing and social media marketing for an educational publisher. On top of that, he was also one the sharpest students in my Romantic and Victorian Gothic class at Worcester State University!
20. “The Lewton Legacy”
This month’s blog is by author Michael Samerdyke. He shares with us his inspiration by a filmmaker, whom I agree is one of the most haunting, even poetic, creators of horror in the golden age, Val Lewton. Mike’s collection of short stories, His Queen of Darkness embodies that inspiration. Michael Samerdyke grew up in Cleveland, Ohio but has lived in southwest Virginia for several
decades. He holds a Master’s in History from Ohio University and has done research in Berlin and Moscow. He writes horror fiction such as The Kino Trilogy and the Tales of Kurgania trilogy, as well as non-fiction about pop culture, such as “Wascally Wabbit: The History of Bugs Bunny” and “The Horrible Possible and the Horrible Impossible: Thoughts on the Horror Film.”