Sounds good to me.

Anyhow, here’s a few of my latest sketches.  Can you guess what the novel is about?

Here’s another hint…

Okay, one more. But this it…

Hmm…still don’t know?  Well, I can spill the beans quite yet. But I will. Promise.

The Road to Publication – Regional Authors Share Their Stories
Presented by Iris Graville, Steve Horn, Joan D. Stamm, and Kathryn Thurman

In these days of publishing house consolidations and down-sizing, combined with intense competition, getting your first book in print is more challenging than ever. Four Northwest Washington authors will share accounts of their varied roads to publication of their books including trade publishing, self-publishing, and small presses. Each panelist will present a brief overview of the publishing experience, pluses and drawbacks of the approach used, and marketing/promotion efforts that were helpful. A question/answer period will conclude the presentation. Three things people attending will learn: 1. Specific steps four regional authors followed for publication of their books. 2. Pluses and drawbacks of three different roads to publishing (trade publishing, small press, and self-publishing). 3. Marketing/promotion efforts the authors have found to be helpful.

I’ll be helping to kick off Children’s Book Week at Third Place Books. Hope you can join me!

Earlier this month I did a reading and signing at my first Barnes and Noble. I was so impressed with the warm reception I received. I spoke to a lot of nice teachers, parents, and children. Thank you to all who made this a very memorable and lovely day for me.

March 11th- Harbor Heights Elementary, here I come!

March 21st- Elizabeth Blackwell Elementary, I’ll see you soon!

April 9th- Barnes and Noble- Kitsap Mall. 10am. I’ll be reading and signing books!

I’m happy to be blogging from the big island of Hawaii. Especially when I hear we’re getting snow back home.

Today’s excitement was a walk along my favorite coral beach, which included a spectacular show from the migrating humpback whales. They come this time of year to breed and have babies. (It’s a romantic spot, even for whales!) We watched as they flapped their tails and breeched out of the water. Sorry to say I was too busy cheering to try and get a photo.

But I did get this adorable shot of my daughter on our favorite swing.

These are interesting small ponds in the lava beds that are on the way to the coral beach. You wouldn’t expect to see anything in them but they’re loaded with fish.

My final shot is of a wind farm on the Kohala coast. I thought it was so beautiful. Take note of the lucky horse!

I’m super excited to be reading and signing books at Village Books in Bellingham, Saturday, Feb. 12th, 12:00.

It’s definitely one of the coolest bookstores in our area. Hope you can stop by!

http://villagebooks.com/

I’m participating in a fun writing contest called, Pay it Forward. As part of the contest, I’m to mention someone who has really helped me with my writing. This is an easy one for me. Those who know me well already know who it is. Bonny Becker. She read a lot of my manuscripts and gave me invaluable feedback about story structure and the business of publishing. She was kind, firm, and patient.

If you are a writer and have a manuscript finished, check out this contest. http://faeriality.blogspot.com/2011/01/need-agent-pay-it-forward-contest.html