![]() I am so happy to be blessed in this author’s journey. Recently, I was asked to read Storytime and book signing at Knights Nook on Saturday, February 1st, 2025, in Yukon, Oklahoma at 10:30 a.m. I am looking forward to this event. (https://www.facebook.com/events/2565244750338336 ) Then, I will be a guest speaker for the Oklahoma City Christian Writers talking about the “5 P’s of a Successful Author”. This event will be at a coffee shop in Oklahoma City, OK on Saturday, February 8th, 2025. I am also working as a volunteer two times in February for the Oklahoma City Public School Book Bus at various elementary schools. ![]() I also was recently approved to be a guest reader at the Books By the Bay Festival in Pensacola, Florida in March 2025 to read, “Nicoli Picoli” I will also be at an author table with another author for the day and at a separate Author Signing Tent. So, I will be busy that day, but it is a blessing that I got approved to be at the festival for the second year. During the festival week, I will be attending some other venues at a military base and a public library. I hope to have some school author events too which are in the works. Oh, glad I am not there now. No, I think it would be cool. It is snowing in Florida where I grew up. Can you believe that? Snow is on the beach. In several areas around the panhandle of Florida, some cities have up to almost seven inches of snow. The next blessing is I will be announcing soon in my blog about another adventure so you will have to wait and see for more information to come soon.
I am coordinating with my illustrators for two upcoming books that should be done by the end of the summer and one other book that will be worked on in the fall of 2025 hopefully with an Oklahoma publisher. Several of my manuscripts were entered into the Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc. and I am still waiting on results from the National VA Creative Arts Festival which has not announced the national winners yet but hopefully the results will come out soon this month. Finally, I am trying to line up some readathon activities for March and am signing up for one for the Oklahoma City Public Schools read across the district.
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I have always heard the statement “busy as a bee” in the jobs I have ever had. Bees are always buzzing around going from one place to another. This past week, I have felt that way with finalizing entries for the Oklahoma Writers Federation Inc. writing contest and the Oklahoma Book Award Competition. I have also been waiting on results of the national Veteran’s Administration Creative Arts Competition results that are supposed to be released this month. The anticipation is real. Bees must also feel the anticipation of going to the next adventure as well. So, besides finishing my entries into the contests, I have been “busy as a bee” working on writing some 2025 manuscripts to get ready for publishing this year, working on finalizing my 2025 calendar as much as possible, and waiting for some exciting new adventures with some book festivals this year. So, authors stay busy constantly marketing their books through social media, other avenues, and venues as well as doing our main task which is writing. Writers write! This is what we do. Honing our craft is a constant process. The good news is my fourteenth published story is now in an Anthology called “Visions” which was recently released. I have two other stories that are in two other anthologies, called “The Quire” and “Flights of Fantasy.” I also entered the Creative Slingers of Ink Ink and Image Challenge Cover contest for the month of May for children’s books. You can vote daily between now and the end of May for BOTH of my covers, and any others that you like. There is a creative rubric that covers will be judged against... but in the event of a creative tie... the popular vote will act as the tie-breaker. So your votes REALLY count! I appreciate your kind support for this contest! Now, on to the next flower, so to speak!
![]() It is the start of a new year. Wow! I cannot believe 2024 is gone for good. It was a busy year with me attending over 50 events, three books published, multiple contest entries, entry into national book festivals, and much more. I had the chance to participate in the Book Bus and donate many books for military children during Month of the Military Child to encourage literacy. I have made some goals for 2025 like trying to publish three new books, enter some book contests, attend local book conferences, and a national conference out of state. I can see already that 2025 is going to be a busy year. Stay tuned to my blogs, events, and new books coming out. Follow me on Amazon too. I am already writing and editing some new manuscripts that I am working on right now. One of the stories this year will be another military story as I already have a couple books, I wrote on this group of dedicated individuals making a difference in the world. Another book will be about some elementary students, and a fun book dedicated to my father. Then, if I get a chance, I will write some poetry into which I do not always delve. Look for new e-books and maybe another audible. You also should see some more interviews and exposure on social media sites like Tik Tok, You Tube, and Facebook to name a few. Thank you for your continued support of a self-published author. May your year be blessed with hope, faith, happiness, and prosperity. |
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February 2025
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