Farworld: Water Keep by J. Scott Savage --- Blog Tour

Six years ago a new member joined my writer’s critique group. Back then his name was Jeff Savage, and he only had one published book, Cutting Edge from Covenant Books. I’ll admit, I gave him a hard time on that one. It was a great story, but there were things about the writing that just bugged me, and if anyone has been a regular reader of my columns and reviews, you’ll know when something bugs me, I’m sure to let people know.

Today I’m happy to say, that Jeff’s (okay, J. Scott’s for this one) writing has improved, and his storytelling has become spectacular (listen to the jealousy and pride in my voice). Many a night I have come home from a late meeting of critique and not been able to sleep because of some scary scene that Jeff read from his latest horror novel, or I’ve found myself jumping at some noise because his latest Shandra Covington book had me seeing the boogie man around every corner.

This time though, we didn’t really have to worry about bad things that go bump in the night—well, there is the Thrathkin S’Bae, Bonesplitter, and the Dark Circle, but Kyja and Marcus can handle them. After all, this is young adult fantasy, and like Harry Potter and his friends, these two likable protagonists should be able to handle anything, especially since we know there are more books to come in this five book series.

Farworld is the story of a girl, Kyja, who wishes she had the use of magic in a world filled with spells, charms, and potions; and Marcus, a crippled boy who escapes his cruel surroundings by dreaming about another world. Together they take on the Dark Circle, prepared to keep Master Therapass’s secret and protect Farworld, while seeking the Elementals, and convince them to open a draft between the both worlds that will save both the children’s lives.

Because I know Jeff so well–and because I didn’t want to embarrass him too badly—I’ve asked him a few questions to let all of you know more about both his book and its author.

1. You know all your readers love that little ishkabiddle. What is your take on the reason why and why was that single scene at the beginning so surprising to you?

Well first of all, the ishkabiddle was a last minute throw-in. It was originally just a rabbit. But I needed the reader to understand we were not on Earth. But I guess it shouldn’t surprise me that the ishkabiddle became such a hit. One of the first rules of writing a thriller is to put an innocent in peril. And what is more innocent than a funny mother animal with cool little spinning thingies that come out of her feelers?

2. I've always wondered, did you write about the scenes where Marcus is being bullied so clearly because you were the bully or the recipient as a child?

I was bullied like you wouldn’t believe. But that’s probably what pushed me into reading, which in turn pushed me into writing. So, thanks—jerks! Plus I got some good advice on the initial dialog for an amazing writer who shall remained unnamed. Lu Ann.

3. You're committed to a five book series, and I would imagine Shadow Mountain intends that to extend over a period of five years. How do you, as an author, think you will be able to keep your momentum going for the series? Do you plan to write more than one "episode" each year or to wait and write them a book (and a publication year) at a time?

I will write more than one book a year, but not in this series. For me, at least, the story needs to stay fresh. When I’m writing a book, it’s the coolest story ever. But it’s hard to keep that enthusiasm once you are done writing. I’d hate to write all five books now and be bored out of my skull with the series by the time the last book comes out. The nice thing about this series is there is a clear progression in my mind. I know about the cool things that will build in each book. It’s not like, “Sammy goes to school,” “Sammy makes a friend,” “Sammy goes to prison.”

4. I hear you're planning a nationwide motor home book tour. That says to me you're planning to make enough money to pay for the gas (tee hee!) What fabulous cities do you plan to visit and will the school and bookstore visits also allow you enough time for sight-seeing?

Well. It can’t happen until book two at the earliest, and probably book three. But my wife and I would like to take our youngest boys on an RV tour of all 48 states. I would do school tours three days a week. We’d travel one day and week. And the rest of the time would be spent exploring this amazing country. I think it would be a one-in-a-lifetime chance for all of us.

5. I know you well enough to know you write fast and frequent, what do you plan to work on to keep your writing habit flowing freely between the segments of Farworld?

Yeah. I’m the ADHD author. I’ve got tons of other ideas. I’ll still keep my mystery series going, of course. But I’m also really excited about a series where a hit man/PI gets sent to hell and has to earn his way out. Kind of an urban fantasy with cool magic and weapons.

6. You've had a successful run as an author in a local niche market. What changes---both positive and negative---do you anticipate as you move into the national fantasy arena?

From a positive side, suddenly the whole world is your oyster. It’s great to be a bale to drop into a bookstore in Boston and say, “So do you have my book on order?” I even had a book ordered from Amazon.UK the other day. How cool is that? Plus I really like hearing from people who have never read a book by me before. I think it’s the truest test of whether your writing is any good when someone just picks your book off a shelf with no idea of who you are. On the other side of the coin, you’re swimming in deep water now. You can’t just be as good as the other regional authors. You’ve got to be as good as the big boys and girls or people will not try you again. It’s a challenge, but I think every author wants a chance to compete with the best.

7. What are five pieces of advice you've learned from other authors that you wish you had listened to more carefully?

I actually listen pretty carefully. I value the insights of other authors a lot. The problem is I didn’t really talk to any authors before writing my first book. But here are some good pieces of advice I’ve received:

★ Don’t quit your day job.
★ Find a good critique group.
★ Understand what each POV buys you and choose carefully.
★ Write for kids instead of to kids.
★ Don’t use back and that so much.

8. What are five pieces of advice you'd now share with other authors, now that you're among the ranks of those publishing?

Other than the whole SASE and prologue debates?

★ Don’t waste the first page. That’s where you win or lose your readers.
★ Avoid flashbacks unless they are absolutely vital.
★ Don’t break the rules of good writing unless you really understand them. (The first time you think you understand them, you don’t.)
★ Write because you love to, not to be published. That way, you’ll enjoy writing no matter what, and when you do get published it will be icing on the cake.
★ Don’t ask for feedback on your writing unless you are prepared to throw out anything and everything that doesn’t work. A good writer learns not to be defensive.

9. How does your wife really feel about you hanging out with the "Ladies of Wednesday night"?

Well at first, she was a little jealous about me spending one night a week with six beautiful women. But once she met them and saw that they are great people, she was totally cool with it. Plus I’m not real fond of pizza so she and the kids make that their pizza night.

10. Come on, we all know there's one question you've been dying to answer, but that none of us have been astute enough yet to ask you. What is it? And what would be your answer?

Hmm. How about, “Did you ever take a girl on such an incredibly creative date that even after she got married she said it was the best date she ever went on?” Answer yes. “Did she kiss you good night?” Nope. She totally blew me off.

11. Tell everyone one more time, just how important was I to the final process of your getting this book published and in having such great discussion questions at the end.

I hereby testify that without Lu Ann’s incredibleness Farworld would never have happened!!

And without Jeff (Scott) as a member of my writing group, I wouldn’t have gotten as far myself as a writer or an editor. I think you’ll all love Farworld, and I hope everyone who reads this book goes out and buys a copy. Of course, maybe I am biased. (Having my name in the Acknowledgment section of a nationally published book is a little heady—see page 419.) But it sure is nice to see such a nice guy make it good in the book market.

If you’d like to know more about Jeff, or just hear what his voice sounds like, listen to the podcast I did with him Saturday, April 28, 2007, by going to my blog for that day titled “It's a Techno-World, After All!” and clicking on the podcast icon.

If you'd like to win an advanced reader's copy (ARC) of Farworld, listen to the podcast and correctly answer this question in a reply to this post on either of my blogs. He gives the answer during the podcast, so only that answer will do. I'll draw a winner from all correct answers on Tuesday, September 9, 2008. Good luck.

The trivia question is: "What is one of Jeff's favorite things to do?"

To buy a copy of Farworld, visit here:

Surprise Packages

by Nancy Anderson, Lael Littke, and Carroll Hofeling Moriss

I’ve been reading LDS fiction for a long time; at least since I joined the church in the 1970s. The novels of Shirley Sealey were my first introduction to Mormon fiction. Although I loved them at them time, I can certainly see how far the genre has come in the past thirty years. Stories are more complex, situations more realistic, and the authors themselves work hard to hone their craft and bring us novels we can be proud to say we read.

Although I have loved many of the novels I’ve read along the way, I’ve begun to feel more recently that many of the books are no longer about me—often about younger women still looking for their eternal mate. I enjoy those stories, just as I like the crop of mystery, historical, and even fantasy I’ve read recently.

When I agreed to do this review as part of a blog tour, I had no idea that I would be in for such a treat. Surprise Packages was indeed my surprise. With characters that are older—although the photo on the front cover still depict women that are not as old as the ones I see in the story—at last, a Mormon women’s novel that speaks to me.

Characters Juneau, Willadene, and Erin—three women who met fifteen years ago at Education Week—were first introduced in Almost Sisters, supported each other in Three Tickets to Peoria, and remain supportive to each other despite the miles of difference here in book three of The Company of Good Women trilogy.

I wish I’d known about the series with enough time to read all three because there were times in my reading that I realized I didn’t know a character or her history well enough to feel supported in the reading, but overall, I enjoyed this novel and shared so much in common with its characters.

One part that especially spoke to me was in chapter eight, when Erin takes a serious fall. She had the felling she should make the climb (just I like I had a feeling about moving my foot to hit that rock), and her question rang true to me: “How are we supposed to tell which of the fleeting feeling and random thoughts we have every day are worth paying attention to?” Like Erin, I’d be more likely to respond in the right way if I could see a neon sign. But the Lord doesn’t work that way, and that message is easier to take when delivered through the pages of a well-written novel like Surprise Packages.

Told through three unique voices, each woman has a story that is interesting and filled with challenge. Willadene—known as Deenie—has recently moved to Florida and wonders if the move to a new place should also be a call for her to improve herself; Juneau’s feeling of guilt must be faced when a childhood secret resurfaces; and Erin takes another chance with love—with unexpected results.

Although not always together, these women keep in close contact, giving support whenever needed, and wondering how they will have changed from their first meeting to now when they reunite.

I’ll admit that time got away from me and I haven’t finished the novel yet, but the first half has been so good that I know I will, maybe yet today. In the meantime, I’m posting my blog tour entry on time and waiting for answers to some interview questions I sent the authors. Check back in sometime this next week as I may have more to share with you about the book or its authors. In the meantime, I’m outta here—time to go read a few more chapters on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Getting Better All the Time . . .

But, will my recovery be good enough? It's Friday afternoon and my left arm still only can be stretched to about 85% capacity. I have an appointment to see the surgeon on Tuesday for a follow-up. He wants my arm to be STRAIGHT by then.

"Yeah, right," I say.

If not, he plans to put a spring brace on it to hold my elbow straight. My physical therapist tells me I don't want to do that. Why doesn't he tell me something I don't already know?

So, I'm off to see the therapist again tonight. Time to hold that 20 pound weight (at least that's what it feels like) strapped to me hand.

"Gravity," he tells me. "Gravity."

Tell that to my screaming muscles, my raging pain, and the arm that refuses to make itself straight.

Ah, the agony!

Politics as Usual

After playing games of "I know who I'm gonna pick, but I'm not gonna tell you," Senator Obama has just negated his own campaign this morning by going with a long-time Washington D.C. insider with Senator Joe Biden. How does choosing a man who has served in the U.S. Senate since 1972 (the year I graduated from high school) fit with the theme of "Bringing Change" to the U.S.?

If you watch much politics---and I admit I do. I'm a politcal junkie.---you'll know that what you think you'll get and what you really get rarely look much like each other in the end. Before you vote this November, I hope you'll take the time to read at least Chapter 1 of Dick Morris's new book, Fleeced. An Obama presidency will not be what people believe it will be.

One of the Reasons I Love the Osmonds

In case you didn't see the Osmonds 50th Anniversary concert on PBS or the Pioneer Day Concerts from Salt Lake City, I wanted my visitors to have a chance to at least hear one of the songs I love from my favorite group. It's been my pleasure to work with Alan Osmond since 1988, and he is a great man who stands as an example to me in so many ways. Enjoy the song!

Good News for Joey + Rory

Vanguard/Sugar Hill Records has announced that Joey + Rory have signed a recording contract and plan to release their debut album in the fall of 2008. Better still, “Cheater, Cheater,” a song they performed on the show, will be the first single and a video should be out soon.

You can download the song already from iTunes.

Surgery Update

Good thing I love my husband. This is the photo he took of me before I passed through the doors into my left elbow replacement surgery. Such a flattering pose and beautiful party hat and attire.

The surgery went well, but I had to stay the night in the hospital because they couldn't get me to stay awake long enough to breathe! At least the surgeon was also able to pop my right elbow back into place, so I can bend my arm and type with all five fingers on that hand.

A night on oxygen helped me breathe, sleep, and stop being nausiated at least. Now it's a week of healing before the torture begins---physical therapy!

Tides Across the Sea

I've decided to bring my baby out in the public. Although I've worked on this novel for nearly the entire fourteen years I've been married, drafted, rewritten, and submitted it to several places, I'm now taking the marketing and selling of this manuscript more seriously. Alexandra Penfold, Assistant Editor at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, asked for chapters after we talked last March at the UVSC Forum on Children's Literature. You all know how busy my life can be, but I finally completed all the last minute fine-tuning on those chapters, likely bored members of my critique group silly as they looked at yet another synopsis, and worked, then reworked the query, finally realizing she asked for these pages so all I really needed was a cover letter to remind her of that. Cover letter done, all the necessary pages printed, and this baby is off to New York City. Of course, my husband is taking her to the post office. After all, I have a broken elbow and can't do oh so many things---like drive!

Last night, Annette Lyon forwarded a blog to our group from Nathan Bransford, an agent with Curtis Brown, Ltd. , about trends in writing which seem to include Mayans. Well, my novel happens to be about Aztecs, thank you very much, but I started reading Nathan's blog and realized he is in the market for YA novels. Tides Against the Sea is YA---the human sacrifice scene alone should guarantee that. So instead of working on my final graduate paper like I was supposed to be, I spent the rest of the evening reading his submission guidelines and drafting a query to ask him if he thinks my baby is pretty. Hey, I figure it can't hurt. I haven't sent the query yet---that dratted assignment is still weighing heavily on me--but I will by next week. After all, I have to have a minute to recover after my surgery!

In the meantime, if any of you would like to read Chapter One of Tides Across the Sea, you'll find it posted at http://tidesacrossthesea.blogspot.com. I look forward to hearing what you think.

After the Fall

Perhaps some of you have been wondering where I've been (and if you haven't, then why are you reading my blog anyway?) Most of my friends know why I haven't been blogging the last few weeks---all those days, after the FALL. Here's the inside scoop for any of you who might have missed the whole story.

It all happened in California on a beautiful evening the last Saturday in June. My husband had gotten us tickets to the Symphony at the L.A. County Arboretium. Our four sons, my husband and I were walking into the venue. I glanced down in time to see a huge rock in my path. I moved my foot just far enough to the right to miss the rock. Unfortunately, I hadn't seen the 3" piece of metal (perhaps a sawed-off Stop sign post) that was lurking just behind it.

Of course, it caught my toe. I yelled my husband's name as I fell in slow motion toward the asphalt driveway. I scrambled my legs, hoping to keep my balance, but the pull of gravity and angle of my body had already conspired against me. My arms were up in front of my chest, elbows out.

SPLAT! My left elbow and left leg hit the ground full force. Then, BANG, the right side followed. I'm surprised my face didn't plant itself as well.

The next problem---I couldn't get up. Every muscle and bone in my body had moved into automatic shock, refusing to move. I had to be picked up and put into a chair. The Red Cross came, my husband the nurse looked me over, and we filled out some paperwork.

Honestly, I knew I was bruised, I thought I was sprained, and I knew my left arm was going to swell, so I pulled off my wedding ring and watch before they were stuck to my body forever. There was a weird sensation in my left arm, but I didn't think anything was broken. My left arm was wrapped, and I hobbled to a spot on the grass to listen to the first half of the concert.

I spent the next two days of vacation in the hotel room, taking OTC pain meds, and I thought I was getting better. The drive home was uncomfortable, but I was black and blue so I expected some pain..

So, off to the doctor I go once we are home, and the X-ray shows I've chipped a piece of bone from my elbow. Should be no problem, but let's go to the orthopedic surgeon just to be sure. After all, it is my elbow, an important functioning piece of the anatomy.

Five days later (July 4th holiday, so no one was in the surgeon's office, you know), he tells me the break shouldn't be a problem to heal on its own. No surgery needed. I'm suddenly feeling much better, then he says, "Except, there seems to be some stray chips of bone that I don't know where they came from."

Next stop---a CT scan, then back to his office for a consult. Sure enough, there on the computer screen I watch as he shows both me and the other specialist the five pieces of my shattered radial ball scatter all over the screen. Yippee! I'm now scheduled for replacement surgery, but I can't get there until July 23rd.

In the meantime, my right arm and left leg are still killing me. Back to the doctor's office I go. Another X-ray. Nothing broken this time it seems, probably just a sprain (althought I still wonder if it's not dislocated because I can't straighten my arm after three weeks!) Deep bruising an tissue damage in my leg is causing swelling in my lef and foot. At times it feels like my skin is ripping like hundreds of layers of paper and that a stake is being driven into my foot at the same time. Lovely though, isn't it?

Today, the surgery is five days away, the radial bone (which turned out to be twisted) aches, my left foot and leg are now wrapped to match my left arm, and my right arm still protests if I move it too close to my body.

On top of all this, I have a two-day graduate class that I must attend and present for tomorrow and the next day (the professor says it's required!). At least my husband came home from his second business trip to L.A. The neighbors have been bringing in dinner, and I've found out that at least two of my boys are willing to help Mom when she needs it. (Two more of them WILL if I ask, but they don't come to check on me by themselves.)

Everyone assumes me that once the surgery is over, I'll feel great. I sure hope so, but until then, know you all know why I haven't been blogging, writing, reading, or doing much else of what I usually do. Hopefully, I'll be back up and running by the middle of August---before if I'm lucky.

Glenn Beck Like You've Never Seen Him

Give yourself a few minutes and watch this piece from Glenn Beck. It brought tears to my eyes.

Lu Ann Staheli Wins Utah Best of State Educator K-12

Lu Ann Brobst Staheli has been named as the Utah’s Best of State Educator K-12 at a recent Gala. Staheli graduated from Alexandria-Monroe H.S. in Alexandria, Indiana, in 1972, and the Indiana University Blooomington School of Education in 1976. She taught English and psychology at Rockville Jr. Senior High School in Rockville, Indiana, for five years before moving to Utah. In 1984, Lu Ann joined the staff at Payson Jr. High School in Payson, Utah. For the past twenty-three years she has taught English, Writing for Publication, and Reading Options. In May she earned a Masters Degree in Instructional Technology with a Library Media endorsement through Utah State University’s School of Education.

Lu Ann is a teacher of teachers. Two of her former students teach with her at Payson Jr. High, one is an administrator there, and numerous others have entered the education field. She has been a mentor to four students teachers, all of whom have continued in the field. In addition to helping students become teachers, she also has moved students to careers in creative writing and journalism, but perhaps the most successful thing she has done is encouraged a generation of lifelong readers.

During her twenty-nine years as an English teacher, Lu Ann has shared her love of reading and writing with over 4,000 students, and it doesn’t look like she is ready to stop teaching them anytime soon. “Once my student, always my student” is her personal philosophy, and her students seem to know that without ever being told. They come back to visit her classroom years later, stop her in the local grocery, and track her down via the Internet to ask her for book recommendations, tell her about their latest writing project, or share a favorite memory from a long-ago class she taught. Through shared literacy, students develop a sense of connection to Lu Ann that leads them into an adult world where books and writing are important. The fact that many of her own students have become teachers, and that she also mentors student teachers, broadens her influence even farther across the state and perhaps the world.

“Until I’ve given them a million words, I can’t teach them how to write,” describes the beginnings of an English program under Lu Ann’s tutelage. “So many students come to me—even in my Honors programs—with a limited view of reading and a fear of writing. A boring book or a single blood-red paper returned from a well-meaning teacher can halt a student’s progress toward engagement in reading or improvement in writing for years, sometimes even a lifetime.”

To help her students overcome those fears, Lu Ann begins her school year with reading. She teaches strategies and tips to improve reading skills, no matter what level a student currently tests, then she gives them plenty of time to practice those skills. She reads high interest books aloud to them, lets students read in small groups, and includes time for plenty of independent reading, providing audio books for students who need additional reading support. “The more words I can put in front of them, the more likely they will discover something—a book, short story, poem, or piece of non-fiction—anything that will hook them, giving them a reason get excited about reading and hopefully leading them to reading on their own. If it takes giving a student something new to try every day, then I’ll do it. All it takes is one book—the right one—to make a lifelong fan of reading.”

In addition to reading, Lu Ann leads her students into writing fluency. “Getting words down onto the page is hard for most people, but this is especially true of junior high students who are already a little insecure. I believe in letting students feel comfortable with writing, validating their efforts and ideas, long before I make corrections and suggestions.” A professional writer herself, Lu Ann teaches the craft of writing rather concentrating during early draft stages on the skills of editing. “Editing is the final process in writing. Too many teachers seek perfection from their students long before the work is ready. Editing too early can ruin voice, stop the flow of fresh ideas, and squelch any student desire to attempt, let alone perfect, a piece of writing,” she says. This process of building readers, then teaching the craft of writing, has found Lu Ann’s students of all ability levels not only among the highest scores on a variety of state and standardized tests, but also eventually following career paths that allow them to use these skills without fear.

“People who read succeed, or so the slogan goes. If a student reads well, school is easier for him or her. The information disseminated via teacher lectures, textbooks, and other materials becomes accessible and interesting,” Lu Ann states. “Eventually my students leave the junior high school. Most of them graduate from high school. Obviously, those who leave with reading and writing skills will move on to successful careers that add to the economy,” something Lu Ann herself does through the various employment and volunteer opportunities she follows beyond her work in the classroom.

In addition to teaching, Lu Ann has long served her local community. As a member of the staff at Alan Osmond Productions, Lu Ann was an Associate Producer for Stadium of Fire, a member of the Spanish Fork Arts Council, State Coordinator for the National Council of Teachers of English’s Promising Young Writers program, on the Speaker’s Bureau for the League of Utah Writers, and has been on the Middle Level and Young Adult Book Selection Committees for the Children’s Literature Association of Utah. Lu Ann served as coordinator for the Spanish Fork City Arts Council Writer’s Workshop and the Nebo Young Writer’s Conference. She is often called upon by church groups, book clubs, and other members of the local and state community to present workshops on literacy, give book reviews, or serve as a judge in writing contests. She has worked on district and state textbook and media adoption committees, as well as helping to write the previous state CORE for Secondary English Language Arts. Past-President of the Utah County League of Utah Writers and freelance editor for WriteWise, Deseret Book, and Covenant Communications, Lu Ann edits for several local and nationally published authors. She is currently a member of the Payson Jr. High School Accreditation team, and works for the One Heart Foundation and TheFamily.com.

Lu Ann has earned several awards and recognitions through her teaching career, including Nebo Reading Council Reading Teacher of the Year 2006, Christa McAuliffe Fellow Utah 1999, Utah English Language Arts Teacher of the Year 1999, Excellence in English/Language Arts Instruction 1999 from the Utah Writing Project, and Celebrate Literacy Award 1996 from the Utah Council IRA. She was selected for the USWest/UtahLINK Teacher Network Project 1995, the Marquis Who’s Who in American Education for several years, and has previously been nominated for both the Disney Hand Award for Outstanding Educators and the Huntsman Awards for Excellence in Education.

Beyond the classroom, Lu Ann continues to teach reading and writing to former students and the community at large. Through her two weekly newspaper columns, "Read All About It" and "Out of the Best Books," Lu Ann shares her love of books and her expertise when it comes to literacy issues. In addition, she writes two subscriber-based e-zines, several blogs, and publishes book reviews in three national educator magazines, Library Media Connection, The SIGNAL Journal, and The ALAN Review. She has taught classes and workshops for her school, district, and state organizations, including her popular workshop “Recipe for the Reluctant Reader.” As a Senior Editor for the Precision Editing Group, she teaches Mastery Writing classes for BookWise Publishing. Her own publication record in the area of education includes an invitational chapter in Teaching Ideas for 7-12 English Language Arts: What Really Works (Christopher-Gordon Publishers), Books, Books, and More Books: A Parent and Teacher’s Guide to Contemporary Adolescent Literature, and Teaching Secondary English: One Day at a Time, as well as featured articles in the Utah English Journal.

Past-President of the Utah Council of the Teachers of English Language Arts and the League of Utah Writers, Lu Ann currently serves on the board of the Nebo Reading Council and the UVSC Forum on Children’s Literature. Through her newspaper column and personal donations, she helped the Nebo Reading Council build a library collection for the Nebo School District Young Mother’s School in 2008.

Joey and Rory Finish Third, but . . .

So, Joey and Rory finished in 3rd place on Can You Duet, but that may turn out okay. I've heard through the grapevine that a record company exec may already be talking contract with them, and the exposure was certainly good for Rory's already established song writing career. I expect we will be hearing more from this duo in not too much time. Here's what Naomi Judd had to say about them:

I must say that I could have never predicted how this competition was going to turn out. Not that I’m unhappy with the final choice. In fact when you look at it purely from inside the music business, the duet with the best chance of establishing themselves and making a long career as artist were the winners.

It’s no secret that Joey and Rory were my favorites. To me they were the most authentic duet on the show and I loved practically everything they did. After the filming of the last episode I found out that my masseuse, Richard Valdez and family, is their next-door neighbor and never told me. It must have been difficult for him to have kept that secret, but knowing that it could have impacted the show, he knew it was best not to tell me. My husband Larry and I just had lunch a few days ago at Joey’s little restaurant, Marcy Jo’s, outside of Columbia, Tenn. Pork Chops, mashed potatoes and green beans. (http://blog.cmt.com/2008-06-13/can-you-duet-naomi-judd-surprised-by-finale/#more-945)

BEA for Booklovers

I had the best opportunity in the world for a bibliophile like me: FREE BOOKS! I spent a day in Los Angeles the end of May, meeting with agents, editors, booksellers and hundreds of authors who were at this annual trade show, ready and willing to give away and autograph copies of their books. You’ll be hearing more about some of these authors and books in the coming weeks, but I wanted to give you an overview that might make some of you salivate to attend the one scheduled next year in New York City.

BEA stands for Booksellers Expo America, and it is the place to be if you have anything to do with the book industry. In addition to the open trade show and author autographing areas there are workshop sessions, special breakfast and luncheon presentations, in-booth one-on-ones with authors, illustrators, editors, agents, book publishers, and others involved in the industry. Some of these opportunities are geared toward specific audience members such as librarians, educators, book buyers, booksellers, and those who are building and renewing contacts with others in the industry.

You’ll have the opportunity to meet just about anyone and everyone at BEA. While standing the line to meet Peter Walsh (Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat?), I chatted with an agent who handles Middle Grade and Young Adult fiction, one of the many things I write. She handed me her card so I could send her sample chapters. Walking from the trade show to the autographing area, I ran into T.A. Barron (Merlin’s Dragon) who I had met several times at conferences in Utah. We talked about doing an interview for one of my blogs. Back at the autograph tables, I met George Hamilton (Don’t Mind if I Do) most recently of Dancing with the Stars fame, who was just as good-looking, tanned, and suave as ever.

Sometimes the encounters I had there were almost comical, like when I tried to find the end of the line to meet Slash, a member of the heavy metal group Guns and Roses who was there giving out copies of his forthcoming autobiography. The line wound out of the autograph area, and halfway around the building, yet I still hadn’t found the end! Then there was meeting Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn) and realizing as we talked that I had taught his wife at Payson Jr. High School. And I loved the moment when a publicist chased me through the line to get my card so she could add me onto her list of advance copy reviewers.

It’s easy to forget these people are famous or critical to my writing career when I have authors like R. A. Salvatore (The Orc King) stop in the middle of autographing my book to introduce me to Heather Graham (The Death Dealer) whom I had actually met last fall at the WriteWise conference in Salt Lake; the head of Roaring Press Books take a minute to introduce me to one of her favorite agents while we were discussing my review of one of their recent publications; And New York Times best-selling authors like Richard Paul Evans and Robert G. Allen giving me advice on how to pitch to an agent or editor while at the conference.

All in all, going to BEA was a great experience for me, as I’m sure it was for the rest of those who went from here in Utah. And it’s one I plan to have again, only this time I hope it’s me sitting at the table autographing copies of my book. Target date: Las Vegas 2010.

Lu Ann Meets Her Favorite Organizer at BEA

Anyone who read my article at Desert Saints about Clean Sweep knows how much I love Peter Walsh. I admire the genteel way he works with people to overcome their clutter habits and obsessions. When I saw that Peter was going to be signing copies of his latest book, Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat? I knew I had to get there early to be in his line. I wasn't disappointed. Peter was funny, he was kind, he posed for this photo, gave me his email address so I could contact him about doing an interview, gave me a hug with a kiss on the cheek, and declared that I was hysterical, meaning in a funny way not like a super-fan gone crazy. I told him how I was training my boys to clean house the clean sweep way, and his publicist through that was great, too. Okay, I know my house has a long way to go to be as neat and clean as the ones Peter does for his stint on Oprah, but at least the memory of this day will help keep me on the right path when I battle the mess that I call an office. Speaking of which. . . I guess I should get started now or it will take me all summer to do. In the meantime, if you want to read more about another one of Peter's books, visit my Book Review blog about It's All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Leading a Richer Life with Less Stuff.

Can You Duet - Top 8

Just finished watching this week's episode of Can You Duet, and I was excited to find that Joey and Rory have made it into the Top 8.

If you haven't yet had a chance to visit their website, I encourage you to do so. And while you're there, listen to some of Joey's music. She's great.

www.joeyandrory.com

WINNER 2008 Best of State Education K-12

I just found out this morning that I have been named the winner of Best of State K-12 Education.
You can see my name listed at: www.bestofstate.org. Just scroll down to the Education section.

Precision Editing has posted this blog about my win: http://writingonthewallblog.blogspot.com/2008/05/editor-wins-2008-best-of-state-award.html

Yesterday I participated in the hooding ceremony for my Masters of Education in Instructional Technology, with a Library Media endorsement from Utah State University.

It's been a great weekend!

Smalltown U.S.A. Goes to Nashville

I grew up in Alexandria, Indiana, a small farming community that was once made famous as it was chosen for a brochure during World War II that depicted what life was like in Smalltown, U.S.A. This booklet featured photographs of my brother-in-law as a small child on his family's farm.

I've been to that farm many times. It sits right next to the house where my sister raised her family. Today, the old homestead and farm are owned by Jack & June Martin. I've known June since I was a kid. She used to sing gospel music in the church my mother took me to, and her younger sister Mary Ann was a friend of mine in school. June had the voice of an angel, and I loved to listen to her sing.

All that family history and knowing how beautiful June could sing, made it a natural choice for me to buy a CD, songs unheard, by her daughter Joey Martin when I heard about it in 2005. I was not disappointed! This CD is my absolute country favorite. It's downloaded on my computer and my iPod. I keep the CD in the car where I can listen on my commute.

Like her mother, Joey, too, has the voice of an angel.

Today I discovered that Joey and her songwriter-husband Rory are contestants on "Can You Duet," the country music contest from American Idol producers on CMT. Soon America will know how great Joey can sing, too!

If you've got time, in between voting for David Archuleta, I'm here to invite you to send a few votes Joey's way too.

If you'd like more information about Joey and Rory, visit their website JOEY AND RORY
(You can even download a copy of Joey's solo CD while you're there.)
or YOU CAN DUET.

Updating

Today I've been a busy bee.

I've updated all of my blogs, made sure everything I needed to do for my graduate classes was done, and folded a ton of laundry. I also wrote both of my newspaper columns, something I've been on a two month vacation from because of all the graduate assignments I had to get done.

Of course, I still have lots to do before the day is done. There are two manuscripts sitting on my computer that I need to finish editing for clients, three chapters of one of my own novels to polish and get submitted to the editor who requested them, and a screenplay to continue work on.

The likelihood of getting everything finished before sleep and exhaustion overtakes me? Slim to none.

Tonight my husband is taking me out to dinner. The momentous occasion is that tomorrow is my birthday.

On Monday, I'll be back at work, trying my best to get everything done. Yesterday was midterm at the school where I teach, Friday I walk in graduation for my Master's degree, and fewer than twenty school days until summer vacation.

And this bee can't wait until she has more days of the week to spend in her hive, getting her personal writing goals done!

It's Not on the Test

As my classes were frustrated this morning while the school computer system froze during the state U-PASS tests, I checked my email and found this little ditty from a friend of mine. If you are a teacher, you'll probably appreciate the sentiment.

Click on this link to to watch IT'S NOT ON THE TEST

Coming Soon! Season of Salvation: The Movie

Lu Ann Staheli is currently under contract to write the film adaptation of Seasons of Salvation, a novel by Dennis Mangrum. With principal photography to begin early in June, producers plan to release the film in time for the 2008 Christmas season.

“The students piled the packages high on the porch, rapped quickly on the door, and then secreted themselves nearby. Finally, a sleepy-eyed little boy opened the door and stared wide-eyed at the mountain of Christmas presents. Santa's sleigh crashed right here on my porch! In this heartwarming, feel-good story based on an actual event, distrust, abandonment, and lack of hope give way to love and service in an early morning seminary class full of problem kids who help their teacher pay an overdue debt of gratitude.”

Farworld: The Blog Tour

My friend, and a member of my writer's critique group, J. Scott Savage has a new YA fantasy novel, Farworld: Water, that will be released September 5, 2008, from Shadow Mountain.

As part of the promotion for this introductory book in a great new series, Scott and his publisher are preparing to send the ARC (advance reader's copy) of the book to bloggers who would be interested in reading it and writing a review on their blog.

I've already read Farworld: Water in manuscript form and loved it. Participating in this blog tour will allow you to get a copy and read it too. Plus, Shadow Mountain is willing to send along a second copy for you to give to one of your blog readers!

If you're interested, visit the instructions on Scott's blog at: http://jscottsavage.blogspot.com/2008/04/marketing-part-ivthe-blog-tour.html

Be sure to tell him I sent you, and we'll both see you in FARWORLD.

If you want to know more about J.Scott Savage, you can read more from his blog at:

http://jscottsavage.blogspot.com, read his entries on http://sixldswriters.blogspot.com/ or listen to the podcast interview I did with him in The Author's Corner at http://luannslibrary.blogspot.com/search/label/The%20Author%27s%20Corner

Books, Books and More Books: Parent & Teacher's Guide

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Paypal: allstars@prodigy.net
For check or money order, send me an email and I'll send you my address.
luann@luannstaheli.com

Whitney Awards Announced

Tonight was the 1st Annual Whitney Awards for LDS writers, and I'm excited to say my critique group was well-represented.

The first award of the evening, Best Romance/Women's Fiction went to Michele Paige Holmes for "Counting Stars." Michele was up against such heavy-hitters as Rachel Nunes and Stephenie Meyer (yes, the one from Twilight fame). Michele was also a finalist in the Best New Author category.

Next was H. B. (Heather) Moore who won Best Historical for "Out of Jerusalem Book 4: Toward the Promised Land." Annette Lyon (Spires of Stone) was also a finalist for this award, and Heather was also a finalist for Book of the Year.

Congratulations to you all!

To see photos and read the blog about the rest of the evening, visit:
The Whitney Awards.

Finding my Name One More Time

I couldn't sleep, so I logged onto my laptop. After checking my email, I scanned the bookmark list on the side of my screen. My regular computer doesn't have this list showing, so tonight when I looked at the list and saw Six LDS Writers and a Frog, I thought, "I haven't read that one for awhile." So, I hopped on over (Frog---hopped. Get it?) and found that Jeff Savage has been talking about me again!

If you want to read what he has to say this time, click on the link and read his message about the need for critique groups at http://sixldswriters.blogspot.com/

By the way, Jeff, I loved the last line, and I did catch the reference.

Awarded to Writing on the Wall

I'm a member of the Precision Editing Group, and we've been given two blogging awards as a recognition to what we do over there. If you are interested in becoming a published author, may I invite you to visit the Precision Editing Group at http://www.writingonthewall.blogspot.com/.

Another Guest Appearance

I really need to do a better job at finding time to read my friends blogs more regularly. Now I find that J. Scott Savage is talking about me over on his blog. I'm going to have to watch myself and be sure I only doand say helpful things. If people are going to talk about me behind my back, I at least want to make sure it's all good!

To read what J. Scott had to say read the entry titled Questions About Questions.

Personal Visit to Michele Holmes' Blog

Last night at critique, Michele told me she was talking about me on her blog. That junior-high mentality I sometimes find myself stuck with (perhaps because I TEACH Jr. High) thought, "Oh, no! What did she say about me?"

So, I cruised on over there this morning and found the entry titled True to the work. It wasn't anything bad about me, but I had to feel sorry for Michele. As one who knows the pain of rewrite, I also felt lots of empathy for her as well.

The good news for her is, the book is great and the polishing only makes it better!

Nebo Young Writer's Conference a Success!!

Thanks to James Dasher (The 13th Reality: The Journal of Curious Letters), J. Scott Savage (Farworld: Water), Julie Olson (Hip Hip Hooray for Annie McRae!) and acquisitions editor Chris Schoebinger (Shadow Mountain), the 6th Annual Nebo Young Writers Conference was fabulous. This year found the largest crowd ever. Attendees were excited by the presentations and the opportunity to meet with the authors, have autographs signed, pose for photos, and take home door prizes from the Nebo Reading Council, author Richard Paul Evans, Bookwise, and Shadow Mountain who also brought free posters of The 13th Reality for every participant at the conference. Here are photos from the conference, including some of my 7th grade English Honors students---Carlie B., Grace H., Mikayla W., and Austin B.---who James dubbed "my posse." These students have been listening to the book in class and LOVE it!

Mitt Romney Suspends His Campaign

I can hardly believe it, but Mitt Romney just delivered a speech at CPAC in which he announced he is dropping out of the race for President of the United States. His speech was presidential; his ideas overwhelmingly received by these conservatives, but Mitt said he fears that, in this time of war, the Democrats would win the White House if he didn't withdraw. He feels John McCain is the man who will help us win the war on terrorism. Much of his speech sounded like The Family: A Proclamation to the World.
What will now happen? Where will Mitt serve the country? Who will John McCain choose as his V.P. candidate? Why do the news articles refer to Mitt as "suspending" his campaign instead of saying Mitt "drops out" like they have with other candidates? If we want Mitt Romney to be that Vice-Presidential candidate with McCain, then we must stand up NOW and let John McCain know!

Dare I Say It?

Super-Tuesday is only six days away. I've done pretty good at keeping my mouth shut in school and even on this blog about politics. My family knows who I support for the presidency, even though not all of them agree. (My brother thought Fred Thompson was going to ride in and save the world.) At one time, I was pro-Guillani---after all, he WAS America's mayor, and a pretty dang good one in my opinion. So as Republican candidates drop like flies (well, except for Ron Paul, but is he really a Republican anyway?), I have to tell the truth and explain why I will NOT be voting for John McCain.

For my entire life, I have been a good judge of character. Maybe that's part of the gift of discernment I was blessed with. Who knows. But the fact remains, I can't think of a time my initial gut feeling toward someone I have met has turned out to be wrong.

In 1996, I attended a rally for Senator Bob Dole at the Salt Lake City airport. John McCain also appeared at the rally. I had the opportunity to meet them both, just for a handshake, but that was enough. I felt an immediate sense of connection to Senator Dole. He was warm and genuine in the way he spoke to everyone as he passed through the crowd. He looked people in the eye and spoke directly to them as he shook each person's hand. His speech was brief, yet heart-felt.

Senator John McCain was another story. His speech was that of an uncaring politician. It was obvious he was here not to promote Senator Dole, so much as to make himself look good during a election year, where he hoped to be picked as a vice-presidential candidate. A cold chill passed over me as I shook his hand, and I felt like I had just touched something slimy. His eyes darted around, never focusing on anyone, including me as he shook hands. My gut reaction was: "Avoid!" I was fearful that Dole would choose him as a running mate and I would be forced to vote for this man , even though I had such a negative reaction to him at our brief meeting. (Thankfully, Dole chose Jack Kemp, a man for whom I had much more respect.)

Here we are twelve years later, and I might face yet another difficult choice. Can I make myself vote for McCain if he wins the primary? Will I really be voting for his running mate, hoping that person could actually hold the country together? Will I be forced to look at another four years of a Clinton in the White House if I don't vote at all? I certainly hope not.

I've never met Mitt Romney, but I know his values. I know the values of his family. I know people with whom he associates, and they are people I like and respect. That's why my vote will be going to Mitt. He is a man I can trust. He is a man who respects the Constitution. He is a man who will lead our country toward a better tomorrow. He is a man who isn't afraid to look at both sides of an issue, admit when he was wrong and change his mind.

I hope you will take the time to truly study the history of these two men, then decide for yourself which one you would rather have lead our country for the next four years. If you follow your gut like I do, you'll know which choice you have to make.

LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley Passed Away January 27, 2008

For the official announcement, visit
http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/

A news report with details of his life can be found at:
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=2560344

Our family has been blessed enough to hear him speak several times in person. What a great man, and how he loved not only the members of the Church, but all peoples of the world. He will be greatly missed.

Life Full Speed Ahead, Despite the Overload!

It’s a brand new year, and I have some incredibly wonderful opportunities facing me. Let’s just hope this semester’s graduate school classes are not as frustrating as last term’s were, or I’m dead in the water! Here’s a quick review of what’s going on with me right this minute. Maybe some of you will be there and I’ll get to meet more of my readers. Some of us are already friends so it will be great to see everyone again.

1. January 18-19, 2008 WriteWise Conference Presenter

As a Senior Editor for the Precision Editing Group, I will be joining Editing Director Heather B. Moore , and Senior Editors Annette Lyon, Julie Wright, Josi Kilpack, for a presentation titled “The Nuts and Bolts of Writing.”

2. February 2008 Teleconference Presenter WriteWise

Throughout the month of February I will be teaching more in-depth classes on “The Nuts and Bolts of Writing” to those authors who are part of the first class enrolled in WriteWise, the publishing arm of the Bookwise company. In addition, the entire Senior Editing staff will be working with new writers who hope to publish with Bookwise.

3. My Bookwise Bookstore

Of course, I’ll continue to build my clientele for my own Bookwise Bookstore. If you’re interested in becoming one of my preferred customers, please visit: http://www.mybookwise.com/luannstaheli/

4. The Osmond Family Blog

I’ve returned to work once again with Alan Osmond after a twelve-year absence. I’m doing the updates for family blog at http://strengtheningfamilies.blogspot.com and handling the email at OsmondStrengtheningFamilies@gmail.com. If you know anyone who loves the Osmond family, but sure to pass along those addresses and ask them to sign up to be on our email list.

5. The rest of my life includes: teaching English at Payson Jr. High, finishing my MEd in Instructional Technology through USU, both my newspaper columns, as well as the other writing projects I have in the works, serving on several boards and committees, being in charge of the Nebo Young Writer’s Conference, doing publicity for the UVSC Forum on Children’s Literature Conference , and on and on. That’s not counting trying to be a wife and mother, or the million other obligations that seem to swirl around me at any given time.

Overall, it’s a wonderful life, even when I am over-booked and over-scheduled. If I get a little bit behind, please know that I’m doing my best and will get everything done that I need to, eventually. Thanks for all the support everyone gives me in each of these endeavors.

Rumors

The e-mail rumor mill is running full blast this month, all about the award-winning book and new movie The Golden Compass. The cry is boycott because the author—gasp—is an atheist! My response is “so what?” Does that mean we don’t read Edgar Allan Poe because he was a heavy drinker, Shel Silverstein because he once published an article in Playboy, or Ernest Hemingway because he committed suicide? All of them espoused ideas and ideals that we might not agree with.

Should only Mormons read Standing for Something: 10 Neglected Virtues That Will Heal Our Hearts and Homes by Gordon B. Hinckley, only Catholics read Jesus of Nazareth by Pope Benedict XVI, or only Buddhists read The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living by Howard Cutler from interviews with His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama? Of course not. We become more tolerant and understanding, finding the similarities between us more important that the differences when we share the common bond of the written word.

Besides, The Golden Compass is a children’s book. A fantasy, a genre that came into being at the time the highly successful works of J.R.R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis were published. Should we not read The Chronicles of Narnia because Lewis shares his views Christianity, or The Lord of the Rings because Tolkien was a devout Catholic? Has it not always been true that fantasy uses as its basis the war between good and evil? Through the telling of story, both sides are presented, but the didactic efforts to preach a philosophy do not make it to the level of popularity reached by each of these series.

A graduate of Oxford, the same school where both Tolkien and Lewis were among the faculty, Pullman first came up with the idea for the series known as His Dark Materials after reading John Milton’s Paradise Lost. Close friends, Tolkien and Lewis were both members of the informal literary discussion group at Oxford known as the Inklings, defined at Wikipedia as “a group of literary enthusiasts who praised the value of narrative in fiction, and encouraged the writing of fantasy. Although Christian values were notably reflected in several members' work, there were also atheists among the members of the discussion group.”

For what it’s worth, I’ve met Philip Pullman and had a nice long sit-down luncheon with him at the 2000 National Council of Teachers of English conference. He’s a very nice man, albeit he had a few oddities about himself as a writer. At the time, he wrote his books by hand only on yellow legal pads that were two hole punched, stopping for the day after he had written a single line of text on the next page. His workspace was a gardener’s shed on the back of his property.

Never once did he try to convert me to his way of thinking about religion, just like I never tried to convert him to mine.

Rather than being among those who spread rumors and encourage boycotts, I would hope that readers would at least accept that gossip is never fair, and that the best way to know if the information being presented as fact is indeed true, is, in a situation involving literature, to read the book, in its entirety for yourself. Get to know the author and their intent before you spread the word.

To end with Pullman’s own words from his website: “As a passionate believer in the democracy of reading, I don't think it's the task of the author of a book to tell the reader what it means. The meaning of a story emerges in the meeting between the words on the page and the thoughts in the reader's mind. So when people ask me what I meant by this story, or what was the message I was trying to convey in that one, I have to explain that I'm not going to explain. Anyway, I'm not in the message business; I'm in the ‘Once upon a time’ business.”

Check Out My Latest Publication

As I was reading Heather Moore's most recent article in Desert Saints Magaine, I realized I had submitted something to this month's issue as well.

I cruised on over to the home page and found a link to Hymn Book Challenge, written by ME!

If you'd like to read my article, go to http://desertsaintsmagazine.com/2007/11/02/hymn-book-challenge/

Heather's article, Sering for Life can be found at http://desertsaintsmagazine.com/2007/11/02/serving-for-life/

Meeting Miley Cyrus

A friend of mine got us great seats to the Miley Cyrus concert in Salt Lake City tonight. We also had backstage passes, so here are the photos of Chan, Kent, and me with Miley.

YALSA Voting Available Through Saturday

If you have any avid readers who might be interested, teens can vote for their favorite books in the YALSA Award nominees until this Saturday.

One book I know my students will be voting for is The Christopher Killer by Alane Ferguson. I've read it to classes and they really liked it. The story is about Cameryn Mahoney, a teen from Silverton, Colorado, who really wants to become a forensic pathologist. Cameryn convinces her father, the county coroner, to hire her as his assistant. She turns out to be pretty good at the job and her dad lets her come along to a murder investigation. The body they find is Cameryn's friend, Rachel Geller. Rachel is the fourth victim of a serial killer who strangles his victims and leaves a St. Christopher medal on their bodies. In her pursuit of the truth, Cameryn finds herself in danger of becoming the fifth victim of the Christopher Killer.

If you know anyone who would like to vote for The Christopher Killer or see the entire list of nominees, click the link below.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=4GlA6OUjRfm1OhoNuaUwdg_3d_3d

Mega-Blogger!

I'm been a busy little bee tonight and posted a new entry on every one of my blogs! At least that little bit of writing lets me feel like I accomplished something over this long weekend. Well, something other than just work for my graduate classes, school, and housecleaning.

Wasn't this supposed to be fall BREAK? Oh, wait! I forgot. That means "fall head cold!" Of course, I get a few days off, and the way of the world for me is that I'm sick. Not too bad, and I know it could be worse, but the croupy nighttime cough, drippy nose, and aches and pains are for the birds, if you know what I mean.

Anyway, I hope all of you will check out my other blogs. Most of them are much more informative that this one because they were actually written when I was feeling so crappy.

By the way, I've reposted my interview with Michele Holmes over on Lu Ann's Book Review if you didn't catch it in the newspaper a few weeks ago.

Time to go, before I sneeze!

In Case You Haven't Noticed . . .


I'm expanding my blogs to include more of what people are asking me for. You'll see a new list of blogs under the Lu Ann's Blogs section on my home page. Let me give you a brief rundown of what each link takes you to:

Library Media Friendzy --- A place where current and future librarians can discuss books, lessons, and more about being an effective library media specialist.

Lu Ann's Book Review --- Reviews or blurbs about books I've read. Occasionally you'll find an interview here with an author.

Lu Ann's Library Technology --- Technology issues for educators, secondary students, teachers, librarians, and writers.

Lu Ann Staheli. com --- General information about my teaching and writing careers.

Out of the Best Books --- My newspaper columns from the Spanish Fork News.

Read All About It --- My newspaper columns from the Spanish Fork Press.

Writers in Heels --- A group of authors who have established a web-ring of their blogs.

Writing on the Wall --- The blog about writing from members of the Precision Editing Group.

I also have a new blog coming at Cre8Buzz.com. I'll add the link for that one soon. In the meantime, I hope you'll check out my other blogs. Hopefully you'll find something there that interests YOU!

• Library Media Friendzy
  
• Lu Ann's Book Review
• LuAnn's Library Technology
• LuAnnStaheli.com
• Out of the Best Books
• Read All About It
• Writers in Heels
• Writing on the Wall

The World is My Audience

The desire of my heart has always been to publish for a worldwide audience. Today, it finally sunk in, that is exactly what I’m doing—and in more places than I ever thought possible. And to think this epiphany came to me because of a little icon titled Stat Counter on my blog site.

One click and I discovered that Saturday seems to be the most popular day for people to visit my blog. That may be because I often write on Friday or Saturday, or it could be because that’s when my readers are home with extra time on their hands.

Another click tells me readers are coming via other websites where I write (LuAnnsLibraryTechnology and Library MediaFriendzy, both at blogspotcom) or after visiting websites run by my friends (AnnetteLyon.com or WritersinHeels.com). Some viewers stopped in directly from blogger.com, and a few did Google or MSN searches for me by name. Cool, huh?

As I expected, the majority of my readers are from North America, but I had no idea they were coming from so many states. Canada also has a fair-sized showing, and I don’t even know anyone in Canada! The United Kingdom and Sweden join France, Israel, Australia, Germany, Turkey, Chili, The Philippines, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, and India who also have at least one person who has stopped by.

I don’t know how you found me, but welcome all! And thanks for making my dreams of being an internationally known author closer to becoming true.

Join the Nebo Reading Council and Come See James Dashner

Author James Dashner will be the featured speaker at the opening meeting for the Nebo Reading Council, Thursday, October 4, 2007, at the Grant Building (400 East 105 South, Springville, UT) at 4:00 p.m.

Dashner will be speaking about his transition from publishing in the local market (Jimmy Fincher Saga) to releasing his first national market book (The 13^th Reality: The Journal of Curious Letters).

Atticus Higginbottom—better known as Tick—wishes his life were more interesting. But, as the old saying goes, be careful what you wish for. On a snowy day in November, the first letter arrives and everything in Tick’s life changes---and only time will tell if the change is for better or worse.

Given the challenge, Tick wants the chance to unravel the mystery all the way to its end by discovering the special meeting place, but Tick will only be there if he solves the clues. And, of course, if he survives. . .

Because the last line of the letter makes him a promise: Very frightening things are coming your way.

I’ve already had the chance to read this novel and it’s great. (I’d say that even if James weren’t in my critique group!) Come meet the author along with the NRC and get a sneak preview of your own. By the way, James will be a featured presenter at the Nebo Young Writer’s Conference in February as well.

The Nebo Reading Council is dedicated to promoting literacy to the communities served by the Nebo School District and beyond. Membership dues are $20, which includes membership in the Utah Council of the International Reading Association. First year teachers, interns, and students may join for $10. You do not need to be a teacher to join the organization. We invite anyone who is interested in the promotion of reading and literacy to become a member.

Cleaning House the Clean Sweep Way

Just letting all of you know about my latest national publication.

Visit Desert Saints Magazine at the following link to read my article.

http://desertsaintsmagazine.com/2007/09/01/cleaning-house-the-clean-sweep-way/