January 10, 2005
Volume 1 No. 39
ISSN 1530-5287

From the Publisher:

Intro

E-Book Ecstasy is back for its fifth issue. It seems like we just did the last one, but it’s been a quarter ago. This time we’ve got a couple of great articles for you. The first is an article by Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen," titled Does Your Marketing Have "Skanky Scrunchie Syndrome"? If you’re marketing your book and yourself, this is an article you’ll want to read. The second article, Tax Deductions for Writers, by Pamela S. Thibodeaux, is a must for anyone who writes. It provides some guidelines to help determine what deductions you can take.

Our featured author is Barri L. Bumgarner, author of 8 Days, a thriller of bioterrorism. Barri shares her thoughts about writing, her life as a teacher, and her goals for the future. 8 Days is Barri’s first published novel, and it’ll give you goosebumps! I’m proud to say it’s published by Tigress Press.

We’ve got three reviews by Barbara M. Hodges, and all the books she writes about sound like great reads. There’s also a review of Barbara’s latest book, The Silver Angel, by fantasy author Robin Wayne Bailey. Check these out to see which books appeal to you.

Contents
1. Publishing News
2. Market News
3. Featured Articles
4. Featured Author
5. Book Corner
6. New Releases

Featured reviewers: Barbara M. Hodges and Robin Wayne Bailey
Featured articles: Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen" and Pamela S. Thibodeaux
Featured Author: Barrie L. Bumgarner

Publishing News

NOTE: Submit your publishing news as it occurs so we can make it available to readers in the next available issue. You can e-mail news to jmusick@tigresspress.com.

Announce the release of your new book in the e-book announcements forum and list the title in their e-book directory: http://www.knowbetter.com/ebook/titles/add_info.asp.

Jada Press announces 2005 annual book award winners!!! Information about these winners and their books can be seen at: http://www.JadaPress.com. Email Glenda at JadaPress@aol.com.

Karenne over at Coffeetime Romance has created a wonderful author page and interview for Amanda McIntyre. Please hop over and see what a wonderful job they do there! (and while you're there check out Amanda's books! http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/AmandaMcIntyre.html.

The Romance Studio has posted the 2004 Cupid and Psyche Award Nominations. The awards will be announced on February 14, 2005. Congratulations to all the nominees. http://theromancestudio.com/

N.D. Hansen-Hill says: You're welcome to download my first NaNo novel free at Fictionwise: http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/NDHansen-Hillebooks.htm.

We're looking for a few good women! Scheherazade Tales Romance E-Novels is interested in acquiring manuscripts for a new romance e-book section featuring "older" heroines. If you're sick and tired of heroines on the young side of thirty, with perfect features, perfect hair, perfect Barbie-doll figures... If you're ready to see more realistic stories involving a true-to-life heroine in the prime of her life... If you can write a gripping story of passion between two mature adults seeking love and romance... Then come strut your stuff with our new line of romance e-books called "Hot Flashes!" Whether it's romantic suspense, paranormal, light-hearted humor, or matron-lit, we want to see stories aimed for maturing baby-boomers who still love a gripping, tender, passionate romantic tale. Sensuality from sweet to spicy, but no erotica. Minimum 40,000 words (novel-length only, no novellas). Quality, not quantity – Free excerpts online. Query with sample of writing or send entire manuscript by email attachment to editor@scheherazadetales.com.

Market Bound, the new upcoming newsletter from Author Shoppe, is seeking book release and contest information. Listings are free. We are also open for suggestions on author announcement information. Please send everything to editorial@authorshoppe.com

Laura’s Guide to Self-Publishing is a site to help others in self-publishing, as well as marketing and publicity: http://www.freewebs.com/lauraonselfpublishing.

Check out the SLF Small Press Co-operative, an organization designed to help small presses within the science fiction, fantasy and horror genres cooperate on projects and exchange useful information. For more information, send e-mail to slf-coop@speculativeliterature.org with the subject line: Small Press Co-op Application.

Tigress Press LLC is pleased to announce the upcoming release of two new novels: the third book in Barbara M. Hodges’ Daradawn series, The Silver Angel and a speculative fiction anthology by Barbara M. Hodges, Maggie Pucillo, and Jennifer des’ Plantes Stargazer’s Children is scheduled for release in April 2005. See Browse Books and Upcoming Titles at www.tigresspress.com.

Check out Holly Lisle's free e-book on writing fiction, Mugging the Muse: http://www.hollylisle.com/downloads.html#mugging

Books We Love (www.BooksWeLove.net) is a site where readers come to find quality reading, and where authors and publishers benefit shared promotions.

Cybling is a SF, fantasy and horror chat area featuring interviews with the movers, shakers and up-and-comers in the genre: http://cybling.hypermart.net/flashz.htm

ebooklove is a new Yahoo Groups for discussing romance e-books:
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/ebooklove.

Ebookbase is a wholesale distributor of e-books targeted for mobile devices: http://www.ebookbase.com/.

Publishing & Marketing for New Authors is a publishing and marketing email list: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/newauthors

Dawnstar Books! www.dawnstarbooks.com publishes Two Cents.

Book Promotion Newsletter is available at www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com.

EPIC (Electronically Published Internet Connection) has announced the finalists for the 2004 EPPIE Awards. The winners will be announced at the 2005 EPIC-CON aboard the Queen Mary in Longbeach, CA. http://epicauthors.com

Market News:

NOTE: Before submitting to any publisher or publication on this list, see the company’s website for more specific and current information.

Baen Books now accepts electronic submissions. Prefers 100k-300k word novels: http://www.baen.com/

Black Medina is a new online literary magazine. Open to submissions: http://www.blackmedina.net/

Bobbing Around, Dr. Bob Rich's newsletter, is accepting short articles, announcements and brags: http://mudsmith.net/bobbing.html.

Dragonfly Publishing, Inc. is currently seeking 50,000-90,000 word SF/F and SF romance novels: http://www.dragonflypubs.com/dfp/subs.html.

Moonlight Publishing is open to submissions. Send query letter only: http://www.moonlight-publishing.co.uk/.

Mundania Press is open to submissions in SF/F, mystery, horror, romance, paranormal and erotica: http://www.mundania.com/submissions.html.

Runestone Publishing LLC is open to submissions in the following genres: SF/F, mystery, romance, paranormal, suspense and thriller: http://www.runestonepublishing.com/.

Romantic Interludes - http://rominterludes.com – a new website for readers and writers – is currently seeking reviewers and article writers. At this time, we are unable to offer monetary compensation. What we can offer are advanced copies of books and the opportunity to possibly get a quote in the reviewed book when it is published. This in turn will give the reviewer invaluable exposure. We are also looking for authors who would like to get extra promotion as we offer at least a dozen ways to promote an author and 95% of them are FREE!

Twilight Times Books opens to submissions January 15. Especially interested in professionally written SF/F, literary and mainstream novels as well as literate non-fiction: http://twilighttimesbooks.com/subs.html.

Grace Abraham Publishing - Non-fiction:
Do you have a compelling story to tell? Do you have the solution to a problem plaguing moms, dads, families or children? Are you a survivor who wants to share a tale of hope? If you have a non-fiction, book-length manuscript you'd like Grace Abraham Publishing to consider publishing, please send us a proposal. Manuscript must be completed. Multiple submissions are okay provided you inform us of that at time of submission.
 Please answer the following questions in your proposal (besides word count, synopsis, chapter headings, etc.): Is there enough interest to provide an audience large enough to justify our publishing your book? Is there enough material to justify a book on this topic? What's different or better about your book than similar books on the market? What qualifies you to write this book? How do you plan to market and promote this book?
 Grace Abraham Publishing is currently a royalty-paying publisher of works for sale in electronic format and trade paperback. Audio format is also under consideration. Books will be first published in electronic format. Other formats will be determined for each book on an individual basis.
 Please do not send full manuscript unless requested.

Dark-N-Stormies, fiction imprint of Grace Abraham Publishing is currently seeking book-length fiction in the mystery/suspense, psychological thriller, cozy mystery, romantic suspense and procedural mystery categories. If you have a completed manuscript you would like Dark-N-Stormies to consider, please send a cover letter, synopsis, and first two chapters only via snail mail (with SASE) to the address listed on our website (http://www.graceabraham.com ) or via e-mail (posted in the body of your message - attachments will NOT be opened) to gd830@hotmail.com.

Mathews Books is open for submissions. Their goal? To fulfill dreams, one author at a time. Check them out at http://www.mathewsbooks.net.

Tina Adams of Fiction Promotions (http://www.fictionpromotions.com) has introduced a website for fans of fantasy. It’s the Fantasy Author Yellow Pages (http://www.fantasyauthoryellowpages.com), where readers can search out their favorite fantasy authors on the web. If you add a small graphic to your author website, Ms. Adams will post a premium listing for you on the site, complete with author photo and a 35-word ad! Listings are live for one year. For more information, and to get listed, visit http://www.fantasyauthoryellowpages.com.

WriterBreak.com
Check out www.WritersBreak.com, the web site and ezine for fiction and creative non-fiction writers: http://www.writersbreak.com

Feature Article by Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen"

Does Your Marketing Have "Skanky Scrunchie Syndrome"?

A few months ago I spoke at a marketing conference in Atlanta, Georgia. During these events I like to be really accessible to people, so I made sure to hang around my product table with my assistants. This also gives me a great chance to people-watch, which I love. One woman approached my table to ask a few questions. Honestly, she was so attractive it was intimidating. Tall with a pretty face, understated jewelry, a blue designer suit with beautiful shoes and a high-end bag. She looked like she'd just stepped out of a catalog. I thought to myself, "How polished! This woman really puts out a winning image. She must do very well with her business." Then, as she turned to walk away, I spotted it...The scrunchie.

Her silky, shiny hair was pulled back by a dingy white scrunchie that looked in desperate need of a washing, if not discarding. It was a truly skanky scrunchie.

Everything positive this woman had projected was immediately tarnished by this negligent afterthought.

Now, of course I assumed the poor woman must have been traveling and forgotten her good scrunchie, and that's all she had in her bag.

So a few months later I'm at another marketing conference here in Los Angeles, standing at my booth after speaking on the main stage. And up she walks again to say hi, looking fabulous as before. We have another great conversation, and as she turns away, there it is ... AGAIN. The skanky scrunchie!

I realized then that she had no idea it had a negative effect in any way. She must have thought that no one would notice. Or that since the rest of her outfit was so polished that it wouldn't matter.

Wrong.

My point is not to ridicule this woman's choice of accessories. My point is how one piece of a "package" can ruin the entire presentation. Another example is seeing a beautifully dressed man (I just love a man in a suit and tie) with shabby shoes. There goes the sale!

A few months ago, I realized I had a few "skanky scrunchies" of my own, when it came to how I packaged my products. While I'd upgraded most of my marketing materials to my slick new look, there were a few product packages remaining that looked like I'd created them myself using clip art. (That's because I had!) I wasn't proud to ship them to people. I wasn't proud to display them at my seminars. In fact, I avoided showing them to anyone at all, which of course meant no one could buy them.

My good friend Kim Castle of www.WhyBrandU.com says that your marketing materials should "make you tingle" when you look at them. Like your business card for example. I'd say almost half of all people who hand me their business card make some type of excuse for it. "Oh, this is just a temporary card for now." "This is my old logo on here." "Sorry this isn't updated yet." Kim calls this "business card shame." I love that!

I've realized over the last year that if I want to BE a million-dollar business, I'd better start LOOKING like one (and acting like one, for that matter). And that attitude and actions are paying off immensely.

So take about 30 minutes this week and inventory all your marketing materials. I mean ALL of them. Your website, business cards, brochures, product packaging, even forms -- anything that your prospects or clients and customers see. (And even the things only you and your staff see.) Do they all look consistent and professional? Or do some of them look like your kid designed it or it was thrown together quickly?

If any give you shame, they're your skanky scrunchies. Write them down on a piece of paper, and then write down what you're going to do about them, and when.

Resolve to fix them yourself or outsource the design and production to get them revised ASAP. I guarantee you'll thank yourself once you do! You'll not only be more proud to give out and sell your materials, you'll see your business rise as well.

© 2004 Alexandria K. Brown

Online entrepreneur Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen," is creator of the award-winning home study course, 'Boost Business With Your Own E-zine.' To learn more about this step-by-step program, and to sign up for FR*EE how-to articles and teleclasses, visit http://www.EzineQueen.com

Feature Article: Tax Deductions for Writers
By Pamela S. Thibodeaux
© 2003

Writing is more than creating the ‘great American novel’; writing is a Business and a business requires record keeping and tax preparation. Many have already begun gathering information and getting things in order. Most will wait until the last minute then be in a panic. Don’t be one of them; be PREPARED!

IRS rules state that you can claim a loss for business expenses even if you’re unpublished as long as you can “prove you are actively pursuing a career in writing” and as long as the expenses are considered “necessary business expenses.”

Most writers will use a Schedule C or Profit and Loss statement to file their business tax. This form is found in your 1040 forms and instructions book or from your local IRS office. You can file a 1040 form with a Schedule C and still take standard deductions in lieu of itemizing. Use your social security number and your name unless writing under a pseudonym then it’s your name DBA (your pseudonym). The “Principal Business or Professional Activity Code” (711510) is listed in your 1040 book under the Performing Arts section.

How do you prove you’re “actively pursuing a career in writing” and what are “necessary business expenses”?  Here are a few examples:

1) Send letters to agents, editors, publishers. Postage is deductible as well as return postage on your SASE. Do this via email? Print out a copy of your email query and their response.

2) Office supplies (paper, ink, envelopes, business cards, etc.) are valid expenditures. If you have an office set up in your home you may be able to claim a portion of your rent or house note and utility bills for the use of this room. Also,long distance phone calls that are writing related are deductible as well as Internet service fees if you’re using the Internet to develop your craft and/or promote yourself and your work.

3) Membership dues, conference fees, hotel expenses, gas mileage and meals are all deductible expenses even for unpublished writers.

5) Fees related to the creation, development and maintenance of your website are tax deductible.

6) Professional fees and services (CPA, Tax Consultant, professional evaluation or critique, attorney fees, etc)

How do you keep track of all those expenses?
Spreadsheets and receipts. Keep receipts in a standard manila envelope or organized by category in a pocket sized file folder. Spreadsheets are easy to set up and easy to maintain. Most programs like Windows come with a standard spreadsheet application. One column (or page) for Income and one for Expenses.

What about all those formulas? Simple. Most spreadsheets have an Auto Sum (feature for the addition of a column or you can manually do this by using the formula =sum(cell+cell) or =sum(cell:cell) for a range of cells. Need to subtract, divide or multiply? Formula would be: =Sum(cell*cell) to multiply; =sum(cell/cell) to divide; and =sum(cell-cell) to subtract.

Additional items that can be written off as expenses for published writers.

1) Promotional expenses (brochures, flyers, press kits, press releases, etc.)

2) Books donated to libraries or given away for promotional purposes may be deducted at retail value.

3) Books bought for research.

4) Dry-cleaning those nice clothes you wear for speaking engagements, book signings or other author appearances.

5) Postage and/or shipping fees for books sent to wholesalers, retailers, readers, reviewers, etc.

6) Agent fees and commissions.

7) Set up costs, cover art, and the charge for producing (or buying) your self or e-published books. Occupational or Resale License fees are also deductible.

Remember, if it falls under “Necessary Business Expense,” it is deductible!

Worried about being audited? Don’t be. Be careful and be honest.

One more note; IRS suggests that you keep all tax records for a minimum of seven but up to ten years. Remember, tax laws change yearly. For more information visit the IRS website @ www.irs.gov or call them toll free at: 800-829-3676 and request publications such as # 334 (Tax Guide for Small Businesses and Individuals who use Schedule C or C-EZ), #535 (Business Expense –this guide tells you what you can and CANNOT deduct), and #552 (Record keeping for Individuals).

For more information on deductions available to you, check out: Tax Tips for Freelance Writers, Photographers and Artists by Julian Block. Julian Block is a nationally recognized attorney who has been singled out by the New York Times as a "leading tax professional" and by the Wall Street Journal as "an accomplished writer on taxes." E-mail him at julianblock@yahoo.com or telephone (914) 834-3227. His address is 3 Washington Square, #1-G, Larchmont, NY 10538-2032.

Variations of this article have appeared in print and e-publications including but not limited to SpiritLed Writer Ezine, Longridge Writers Group Website, and Romancing the Skyz print magazine.

Author Bio: Pamela S. Thibodeaux has been a bookkeeper for over twenty years. She is the co-founder and a member of the Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana and a member of ACRW (American Christian Romance Writers). Her writing has been tagged as “Inspirational with an Edge!” and reviewed as “steamier and grittier than the typical Christian novel without decreasing the message.” Visit Ms. Thibodeaux’s website @ http://www.pamelathibodeaux.com or email her at: pthib-7@centurytel.net.

Featured Author Interview: Barrie L. Bumgarner

BMH: Your young adult novel, Dregs, is being adapted for the stage and is due to be released April of this year. Tell us about the story, and how it came to be chosen to turn into a stage-production?

BB: The production director, Jill Womack, had heard about 8 Days and met with me to see its viability for the stage. Upon meeting, she asked about other projects, because she said 8 Days sounded too big for her production crew. I told her about my young adult book, and since TRYPS, Inc, is a youth production company, she said she would read it. One she read the first fifty pages and synopsis, she was hooked.
    Dregs is something all of us can relate to. It’s about two boys who see themselves as the “dregs” of their school’s social structure. They’re nobodies, and while lurking in the shadow of all the elite groups, they choose to expose the frailty of cliques and popularity by using Operation Cappuccino. Their plan works – suddenly jocks turn on cheerleaders, preps grow suspicious of richies, and the wake sends Westwood Junior High into a tailspin. Before it can be righted, there is a school shooting, and none of the students’ lives will ever be the same.

BMH: For what did you receive an honors mention in the Writer's Digest 72nd Annual Writing Competition, and where can we read your entry?

BB: I won for an article published in School & Community Magazine called “Inspire Magic.” It's about how popular Harry Potter has made reading, and how that has helped reading teachers across the country. It then gives teachers the hot books young adults are reading (as of 2003). It is in the Spring 2003 issue of School & Community Magazine.
    8 Days was also just nominated for a 2007 Gateway Readers’ Award!

BMH: Of your freelance writings, which has been your favorite, and why?

BB: I would have to say “Inspire Magic” holds a special place for me because it is one of the first true money-making articles I wrote, it received statewide attention, and then garnered the Writer’s Digest award. I am also very proud of an article I wrote about identifying bullies, how to treat them, and how teachers can help them avoid that path.

BMH: What grade do you teach?

BB: I teach 8th/9th Grade Reading Workshop. I have over 1,500 novels in my classroom!

BMH: Do your students know you are also a writer?

BB: Absolutely. Many have already read my new novel, and some are currently reading it (with parent permission since it is NOT a young adult book). I’ve had numerous kids buy it and bring their copy to school for me to autograph. That has been quite a trip! I also use many of my own stories and poems when I teach units on making inferences, connections, and synthesis. It’s more meaningful if they see that the writings I use aren’t always some dead guy buried in England!

BMH: What have some of their comments been?

BB: Many students are floored to see my dark side. I’m an incredibly upbeat, energetic teacher, and positive. I joke that my ADHD helps me keep up with them. Reading this book, they see how twisted my imagination is and how graphic my writing is. Before 8 Days, the main pieces of mine they had read were some stories I had published called “Lifelight” and “Top Dog,” both of which are light-hearted and comical, socially driven poetry.

BMH: Have any of your experiences as a teacher had a bearing on your writing?

BB: Much of my writing centers around characters who are a conglomerate of past students and one of my novels is based on the real life of an 8th grade girl I had. Fifty Cents for a Dr Pepper is the story of Timmy, a ten-year-old who is homeless in St. Louis. He doesn’t remember what happened to take him from his Cosby life to the cold streets of northern St. Louis, but he intends to find out. My student who inspired this book spent a summer living in her car with her mom before getting help from social services.

BMH: Do you dream in color?

BB: Oh, my gosh, yes. It’s funny you would ask that, because my friends and I joke that I dream in red. Several stories I’ve written and quite a few scenes in my books started as dreams. And all of them seem to be the more graphic ones.

BMH: What is the most vivid dream you’ve had that you can remember?

BB: All of them that get recorded are vivid – Chapter one of 8 Days is actually the result of a dream. I had finished the novel, but I was trying to decide how to give the beginning a kick. That night I had the most detailed dream I’ve ever had. I got up and wrote what is now Chapter One in less than thirty minutes.

BMH: How long have you been writing?

BB: I vividly remembering writing a story about my dog when I was seven. My mom says that’s about when I started really keeping my squirrelly poems and stories. I didn’t write seriously until I was about 13. I published my first poem at 14 and started working seriously as a novelist when I was 28.

BMH: You also write poetry. Who is your favorite poet? Why?

BB: You first have to understand that poetry has spanned my life and is a large part of what I use in my classroom. So there is a “writer-me” and a “teacher-me”…the writer-me loves John Greenleaf Whittier, Edgar Allen Poe, and Uncle Walt (Walt Whitman). The teacher-me loves Tupac Shakur, Shel Silverstein, Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson, and Theodore Roethke. I also have favorite novelists: Stephen King, James Patterson, Harlan Coben, and Tami Hoag. And I love a good Oprah-recommended novel (favorite recent books have been Lovely Bones, Angels and Demons, Secret Life of Bees, and The Five People You Meet in Heaven.)

BMH: Would you share one of your short poems with us?

BB: Absolutely. My most published poem is called “Childhood Dreams,” but I’ve gotten the most feedback from “The Little Flower.” I’ve attached both.

BMH: What do you love most about Columbia, MO? Least?

BB: I love the diversity, the liberal-mindedness of the community, and that it is a mid-sized small city with all the perks of living right smack dab between two of the biggest cities in the country (Kansas City and St. Louis). I have access to theater, concerts, and culture, plus the nuances of middle America. Least: I HATE cold weather, snow, and anything else associated with winter. I travel south every summer. Last year I went to Puerto Vallarta; this summer I’m going to Belize. As a teacher, I love to travel, but since it’s expensive, I invested in time-shares so I can do it as often as I want! My goal is to find the perfect place to live.

BMH: If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Why?

BB: I’m considering Austin, TX, right now – for the weather, culture, and size. I am also looking into San Diego, Phoenix, and Ft. Lauderdale. Several factors are weighing into my decision: family, universities where I can complete my doctorate, and warmth! I would like to live somewhere I can continue my education, be within driving distance of my mom, and not ever have to wear a heavy coat. I like to see a good play every once in a while, concerts, and want to be able to get a rare steak after ten o’clock. I’m also a HUGE Chiefs’ fan, so I need to live in a city that will play against them every year! (That’s a huge plus for San Diego!)

BMH: What’s next for you?

BB: Selling my three finished books, completing the prequel to 8 Days (The Movement), and signing with an agent. I have outlined three other books, so what I really plan to do is what I love most – keep on writing! I am also marketing 8 Days to several playwrights.

BMH: Where do you see yourself in five years?

BB: Teaching creative writing at a college and writing as full-time as possible. By then, hopefully I will have made it onto the NY Times Bestseller List. That’s my real mission. I would also love the opportunity to conduct workshops for fellow writers.

The Little Flower

The little flower lifted its head to the sky
and breathed in deep as he let out a sigh.
A withered petal fell from his arm,
and he watched it fall with little alarm.

He turned to see his pasture of friends,
but only saw a field of lifeless stems.
A cloud of dust settled on his head,
and he shook it hard but lost a petal instead.

Weaker still he tried to look down,
where once was grass was ashen ground.
His little leaves wanted to soak in the sun
but succeeded instead in losing all but one.

Shriveling slowly, he turned again to the sky
and with painstaking effort asked God, “Why?”
For the longest time silence filled the air,
and then suddenly His voice was everywhere.

“You see, little flower, you have much to learn;
your human friends just continued to burn.
I told them and told them, but they wouldn’t hear,
only a few got the message and knew to fear.

They cut them all down, you see, and now we can’t breathe.
I suppose now, they have to believe.
But what’s saddest of all as I watch you wilt,
for some reason I feel all their guilt.”

The little flower with all his might,
looked up at God and absorbed His light.
“But why did they cut them down when you told them the cost?
Didn’t they realize how much could be lost?”

“Oh, little flower, people want power.
If only for one week, one day, or one hour.
They thought they could take and later give back.
But instead of gray, it went straight to black.

Their children took and their children before.
There’s simply nothing to take anymore.
And when it began they knew it would be years,
and who cares who dries these future tears.

But now you, little flower, are the only one left
to see the devastation and take its last breath.”
Silence fell as His voice faded away;
the little flower looked up at the endless gray.

“I hope you people are happy up there.
At least in Heaven you can breathe the air!
But thanks to you your children won’t see
green grass, weeping willows, or a flower like me.”

As words hung heavy, the last petal fell.
Just another headless stem, a lifeless shell.
A roll of thunder expressed His sorrow,
for flowers, for us, for the lack of tomorrow.

March 1993

Childhood Dreams

Pathways lead to faraway places,
yet go right by our own front door.
Can’t you see all the lonely faces?
They’re not crying anymore.

’Tis the season to be selfish and expectant,
never looking at the down and out.
Always yearning, striving, climbing,
we’re too busy to hear them shout.

Have we come too far to see the light?
Have our eyes been filmed by greed?
Taking, always taking what we can get
when we have more than we’ll ever need.

Tears of pity aren’t enough anymore,
words aren’t a whisper next to action’s screams.
These people aren’t just names and numbers…
they, too, had childhood dreams.

1993

Book Reviews:

Title: Broken Angel
Author: S.W. Vaughn
Publication Date: 2005
Rating: 4 Diamonds
Genre: Suspense
Reviewer: Barbara M. Hodges

Gabriel Morgan has been looking for his sister Lilith for two years. His search takes him into the underground of New York City. In this dark and gritty world, he’s learned to survive. Someone else might have given up after so many no’s, but Gabriel is used to looking out for his sister; he’d sheltered her from an abusive father, and he can’t turn away from her now.

A chance encounter leads him to the Marquis-Grant and Marcus Slade. Their meeting plunges Gabriel deeper into the hell of underground New York; for Marcus Slade has sadistic trainers for prizefighters, conditioned men for one-on-one slugfests that don’t stop until one man can no longer stand. Slade has big plans for Gabriel – he also has Gabriel’s sister, Lilith.

Slade offers Gabriel only one way out for either of them – fight for him – and when he’s earned one million dollars, Gabriel and Lilith both can walk away – or can they?

This book grabs you from the beginning. I picked it up, thinking I’d read a few pages and then get back to my own writing – big mistake. I didn’t read the entire story in one sitting. It took two, but it did keep me up way past my bedtime.

It’s a story of love, but not a love story. We hurt with Gabriel, we fill his frustrated rage, and we swallow our pride along with him as he submits both physically and mentally to save his sister. He grows and strengthens; but more changes within Gabriel than just his body.

Pick up a copy of Broken Angel. Just don’t start to read it until you have some free time, because you won’t want to put it down.
 

Title: Song of the Wolf
Author: Colette Denee
Publisher: Triskelion Publishing
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pub date: June 2004
ISBN: 1-932866-11-6
Rating: 4 Diamonds
Mildly Sensual
Reviewer: Barbara M. Hodges

Amy Michaels dreams of being a she-wolf with cubs to protect. She loves the dream, but it also brings her heartache, for Amy can’t have children of her own. She’s always been fascinated with wolves, even wears a wolf medallion necklace and looks at them as her totem. But one night, a new aspect of the dream surfaces – a watcher she feels staring from among the trees

In the daylight hours, Amy is a kindergarten teacher, a vocation that draws her into the world of Kellan Wagner, a composer she adores. Kellan is a father on his own raising five children in a free-life method frowned on by the local school board.

Determined to draw Kellan and his children more into the community, Amy ventures into his home and world. Kellan is drawn to Amy in a way he has not felt since the death of his wife, but his children have other plans in mind. Their first meeting is full of misunderstandings and false assumptions. But chemistry bubbles between them.

I loved this story. It is very moving and never left me bored, ready to turn off the light and go to sleep. In fact, I read it in one sitting, which is something I rarely do. Pick it up and give it a read. I don’t think you will be disappointed.

Title: Cry, Baby, Cry
Author: Maureen Mackey
Publisher: Awe-Struck E-Books
ISBN: 1-5874948-2-5
Publication Date: 2004
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Rating: Three Diamonds
Sweet
Reviewer: Barbara M. Hodges

Francie and Sam Pope have been married for a year. They’ve moved from the city to a nice home in suburbs. Sam’s commute to the university is longer, and Francie and her daughter Savannah don’t see him as much, but the safer schools and larger home are worth the commute time.

The morning the book begins is like any other, if you discount the body she thought at first was hanging from a tree in the yard next door. Her heart does a little stutter step until she remembers that tomorrow is Halloween.

Francie hasn’t met many of her neighbors yet, but an afternoon journey among them to sell boxes of candy with her daughter remedies that. They all seem nice enough, different in many ways, as in any neighborhood.

On Halloween night, Sam takes Savannah trick-or-treating while Francie stays home to greet all of the little ghosts and goblins.

And Francie does. Later in the night, her doorbell rings and a bigger-than-normal child stands on her doorstep. The teen-age girl, all dressed in black, says trick-or-treat and then after glancing at the bowl of candy, asks for fruit. Francie is surprised, but brings the girl an apple. As the girl turns away, her shawl slips and Francie absently notices the girl is on the stout side, with no waist at all. It all comes together when on the next morning she finds a child on her doorstep.

She becomes determined – obsessive Sam says – with finding the girl again. It causes friction between them, but she can’t stop. Memories of her own past as a young single mother push her on.

Francie’s investigation uncovers things in her neighborhood that are far from typical, but I’ll let you read this story and find them out for yourself.

Barbara M. Hodges shares her life with her husband Jeff, two basset hounds and a sassy cat. Barbara has been published in both fiction and non-fiction, and her first novel, The Blue Flame, was a finalist in the Independent eBook Awards. Her other fiction novels include The Sword and The Flame, co-authored with C.R. MacPhadrick, The Emerald Dagger, released June 2003. Her latest Daradawn novel, The Silver Angel is set for release late in January 2005. She can be reached by e-mail: bassetbarb@aol.com.

Review of The Silver Angel by Barbara M. Hodges
Reviewer: Robin Wayne Bailey

Every once in a while, a new voice comes along in the fantasy field that just makes readers sit up and take notice. Barbara M. Hodges is such a voice. I just finished her newest novel, The Silver Angel, and it's an exciting continuation of her multi-part Daradawn series. Rich in characterization and filled with action, The Silver Angel is sure to please fantasy readers.

Daradawn is a fascinating, well-envisioned fantasy world, wonderfully evocative and beautifully imagined, filled with dragons, unicorns, wizards, elves, humans and much more. Ms. Hodges' skills as a writer and storyteller just get stronger with each volume, and I look forward to more adventures with Regan, Kelsey, Angel, and the rest of Daradawn's colorful inhabitants.

Robin Wayne Bailey is the author of numerous fantasy and science fiction works, including DragonKin, his current best-selling series published by Simon & Schuster. His other well-known works include the Frost series, the Brothers of the Dragon series, and his Fritz Leiber-inspired Fafhrd and Gray Mouser novel, Swords Against The Shadowland. His short fiction has appeared in many magazines and anthologies, and he has edited two acclaimed anthology collections. He has many years of dedicated service to the genre, including service on the SFWA board of directors, host of three Nebula Awards events, and a key player in the creation of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers' Hall of Fame.

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Mundania Press at (http://www.mundania.com/submissions.html)
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