Readers & Writers & Contracts...Oh My!

So much to post this week and (per usual) I am swamped. Up to my unwaxed brows in work, work, work!
Let's make this as painless as possible shall we? No reason to simulate the agony of an epilady on the bikini line.

Readers!
For you I have a short review of a short. Not really a story...no I take that back, it is a story. A prequel, written by none other than Mary Janice Davidson, the New York Times best selling author. Touted as hilarious from the first word and free on Amazon.com for my Kindle, Outta the Bag got rave five star reviews all over the place.
Needless to say I was excited. New York Bestseller...free? Love it!
Um, not so much. I gave it two measly stars on my Goodreads review; and I am an extremely generous reviewer (accused of liking everything. I'm sorry! I am an agreeable lassie). To be fair, I haven't read  
Me, Myself, & Why. This could explain why I had a hard time getting into it.
The premise is pretty intriguing. Speed dating plumber that spends his time at the event recalling his run in with what appears to be a schizophrenic possible FBI agent-- what's not to love?
I just couldn't get into the characters. By the time I started to enjoy it, it was over (which, coincidentally, was the point. Short, sweet, leave them wanting more). It just didn't work for me.
Nuff said! Moving on...

Writers!

I opened my inbox yesterday & guess what? 
I had not one, but two glorious pieces of  enjoyable fiction to post to my Elsie Love website! Egads, I was really starting to think that all my closet writer friends had left the country.

The Man in My Gucci Wallet by Betsy Knapp
&
In Training by Kara Kelch
(Links people--click on the links!)
Both of these fabulous ladies deserve a round of applause for creativity, humor, and having the courage to write & post it (or allow me to post it) for all the world to read. Please, check out their stories, pass them along, and make comments. Nobody needs a little feather preening like authors--and I mean nobody. The less than zero pay that comes with the art is hardly why we do it. We do it for the fans baby. Let them hear your cheers!

Last, but certainly not least...

Contracts, oh my! (Well, one contract anyway)

I am happy to report that my third book, Confessions of a PTA Mafia Mom, was offered what appears to be a very generous & exciting contract this weekend!
Normally, this would be the spot where I gush about the publisher and talk about all the details, but I have decided to remain momentarily mute.
The moment won't last. I'll be surprised if I make it all the way until Saturday.
Why? Good question. I have two reasons:
1. Superstition
I am, by nature, a rather superstitious gal. Even though I have a signed contract & was given the name of my editor, I am not 100% this is the real deal. Silly? Yes. I did my research; spoke with other contracted authors (all of whom LOVE this publisher--not a single bad word has been uttered) & nagged all my friends into giving me feedback...so what's the problem? Just nerves. I got pretty screwed once. All it takes is one big screw to really mess with your head. After a big glass of red this weekend I will blab everything. Just you wait & see...

2. Fear
What if my editor hates it? What if, after reading it they decide it isn't worthy after all? What if I get hit by a bus tomorrow? What if the sky rains birds and dead fish wash up everywhere? (Oh wait, that already happened) The list goes on & on. I know I've written three novels, countless blogs, and gotten published in the newspaper (solicited out of the blue! Still my biggest thrill). None of that matters. I'm still just the girl that feels like she can talk a good game and pull it off, so long as you don't pull out your super strength magnifying glass...

Which brings me full circle to this blogs original purpose: YOU.
If you write and stick things in your closet....send them.
If you've always wanted to write, but aren't sure if you can, write & send it.
If you have no desire to write, but have a lifetime of funny stories...then hire me & I will write it for you!
Until next time :)
Elsieloveslit@yahoo.com

The Weaver's Loom

Happy crappy February. Tired of 100 degree temperature swings in one week and sick children, I decided to take a minute and post a review of  a book I recently finished.

The Weaver's Loom by P.L. Reid

I give this book a five star rating. I wasn't asked to rate it (technically I was asked to read & review it on Amazon.com, which I did) but since I took the time to read and review it elsewhere, I figured why the heck not?

This book is historical fiction, a first for me. I can't even begin to guess the amount of woman hours that went into researching this puppy. It is full of fascinating history. Not a history buff? Don't be put off by the scholarly introduction I've given this novel. No, no sister, this one is so much more than that.

The book tells the tale of  of two women living in Hungary, during the Nazi invasion of World War II. Eva, a well loved pillar in the Jewish community, and Izabel, a Rromani Gypsy, shunned by decent honest village folk. Both women suffer unspeakable tragedy at the hands of fate, while building an unlikely bond that defies logic.

This is a haunting story. It outlines the plight of two communities set to be slaughtered. Incorporating the often overlooked history of the Gypsies (I don't remember them in the US History books, do you?) and making the many connections that existed between the groups, all the while maintaining a solid story is no easy feat (as a writer trust me on this). I felt The Weaver's Loom did this effortlessly. It brought tears to my eyes. There were several scenes that I put the book down and came back later (It was just too much to bear all at once); but I always came back. I highly recommend you pick it up or add a copy to your ereader list. 

To learn more about Ms. Reid or to purchase her book check out her website:

www.plreid.comwww.plreid.com

P.S. I'm still waiting for your shorts...

www.elsielove.comwww.elsielove.com

Drumroll Please!

Believe it or not, I'm moving things along. It might not appear that way at first glance, but I am. I even have evidence!

After some much needed time for short storying and querying and the like, I took a breather to line up not one, but TWO author interviews for my blog(s). A big shout to my sister in chick lit, Ms. Samantha R. for tipping me off to this awesome opportunity! Samantha is the brainchild behind the followed by many CHICK-LIT PLUS ( if you haven't figured it out by now people, the special font indicates a link. Go ahead, click on it--I'll wait). 

My first interview will be in May/June with Nancy Volkers, author of A Scottish Ferry Tale. A lighthearted romantic comedy, this one is sure to be a summer tickler. A newly single lady, hot Scottish men, and some freaky cows? Can't wait!

Follow that up with a June/July interview with Laurel Osterkamp's Starring the Movie of My Life and the dog days of summer will feel as cool and refreshing as a walk under a waterfall. 

***Buy and read either of these scrumptious books before the interview and I will be happy to add your question into my interview! And, I will post the question with your name, so you will be famous (in your own mind).***

Now, onto some elsielove.com news:

The first brave soul wrote and submitted an entry!

(Of course I posted it before she could change her mind) Thank you to Ms. Maggie Winters for her piece, Letter to a Friend. It is a heartwarming tribute from one friend to another. If it doesn't bring tears to your eyes, you are a robot and must be disposed of immediately.

This is it people. The seal has been broken, the ribbon has been cut, the keg has been tapped, and the cork has been popped. There are no more excuses. Now that I hooked one, I fully expect more of you to follow.

Cheers!

Why This...Why Now?

Why this site? What is it all about?
Good questions. Glad you asked. This site happens to be part of a fabulous blog package that I won in a short fiction writing contest, hosted by none other than Chick Lit Shorties. Never heard of it? You simply must check it out. It is the place to be for everything Chick-lit. There are monthly writing contests and shorts that you can grab and read on your lunch break. Which got me thinking...
Why aren't there more sites out there for the unknown author that lives inside every one of us? Sure, there are plenty of spots to submit to online magazines--but they all seem to have an avant garde feel to them. Leaving out the masses of readers that just want a good story, they print things that are the equivalent of a mind bending soduku puzzle. Great, if that's what you're into.

But what about the rest of us? The ones that don't go to foreign films every weekend and still eat fried chicken washed down with a cold brewski? Aren't we entitled to be heard? The short answer is yes. Not a wimpy, hide behind a crocheted book cover yes; but a hearty drag out the best you've got and make us cry yes.
 That is the reason for this blog and my newest brainchild  ElsieLove.com
I want your poems, your sappy love stories, your tales of the woes of motherhood. Bring me your failed marriages, your hot sex with the man next door and questions of worthiness in the face of supermodels.
I want it all.
I want to put it on my website. I want people to read it and laugh (or cry as the case may be). I want you to show it proudly to your friends; but mostly, I want you to get over your fears of putting it out there. Because, as a person that has put a few things in print, I can tell you the biggest road block out there is fear. Once you conquer your fears of rejection and criticism, the rest is a piece of cake.
In return for your trust, I will link to you, interview you, and give you the fifteen minutes of fame that every American (or foreign national) deserves.
I promise, I don't bite unless provoked.
P.S. I'm still working on the darn buttons. Until I get the kinks out, email me by clicking on the words that say 'email me'!

I am not nearly as tech savvy as I once believed

I won this amazing blog. 

I think it looks great, don't you? Too bad I can't figure out how to make the buttons on the side work!

I'll get there--eventually. 

Check back on Monday.

Until then, check out my website:

www.elsielove.com