IWSG: April 2018

Welcome. It’s the first Wednesday of the month, making it IWSG time. A special thanks goes out to Alex J. Cavanaugh and co-hosts for putting this on, I know it can’t be easy. If you’re new here, or don’t know what it’s about, this is a blogging world version of a writer’s group, where we talk about (vent over) all the insecurities this whole writing thing brings out. And it does, in each of us. Where else do you lay yourself out there so vulnerably? I can’t think of anything. Most people who read my work are surprised I wrote it. People who know me best would assume I’d write sappy historical romances, or middle-grade pioneer sagas. Nope. I write dark young adult. And I couldn’t imagine writing anything different. What I cant get is that they can’t see me in my writing; because I’m there, in every line. Maybe they don’t know me as well as I thought, or maybe I don’t present myself the way I think I do. I don’t know which is more frightening. So I guess that’s my insecurity for today—have I been true to myself, not only in the written word, but in my life? Something to think about.

Okay, I promised a big announcement, and here it is. I’ve been talking about Ubooks for a while (You, know, that new book format I invented?) Well, now I’ve developed a reading program using that format to teach kiddos how to read in a whole new, fun way. I’ve set it up so it will be free—commercial only—and so far it’s gotten some really positive feedback. Check it out for yourselves at www.setbooksfree.org Please share this with anyone you know who has kids in the 3-8 year age range, or those wanting to teach their kids to read. As far as publication goes, we’re looking for picture books to publish into the fall. They have to be really, really good. If you have one, feel free to submit to: submissions@blackandwhitepublishingco.com. Also, we’re planning on having a second site for young adults who are learning to read/struggling with reading, which will go live in September. We’re looking for short stories, flash fiction for that. Again, it has to be really, really good. I don’t care what genre, just good writing.  Send it to the same email. That’s enough for me for now. Have a great week everyone.