Sad Day

After an heroic 2-1/2 year battle with brain cancer, my beautiful mom passed away yesterday afternoon at home, where we'd cared for her through the long journey. I will miss her...have missed her for a long time already now, but am happy she has gotten her wings and flown far from her earthly cage.

You can remember her by doing this -- complain little [never once in 30 months did Mother complain, although it would only be natural to do so] and laugh long [Mom was still chuckling up until a few days ago].

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Thank you for your kindnesses, your prayers and thoughts. They are much appreciated. And especially to our Kathryn Magendie who's hosted several posts about Mom's health.

May love and passion for the things that fulfill you be ever present in your life! 


*Photo taken yesterday afternoon in front of my mom's house.

Writerly Wednesday ~~ Check out this GREAT conference!

Hello writer friends. I'm a day late posting, so let's just pretend today is Wednesday, k? But the good news about my tardiness is that I've been doing some interview work, and you'll soon see some great posts because of it!

You've "heard" me speak of friend Deborah Leblanc before. She's got some awesome books out if you love the paranormal, suspense, spooky genre. And they're all set in our beloved state of Louisiana. Yay. Anywho, this awesome woman has put together her second Pen to Press writers' conference coming up NEXT MONTH. There are NYT best selling authors, top agents and editors, and teachers extraordinaire on hand to guide aspiring authors. I can't tell you how much I got from attending P-2-P #1. Click on the site and listen to Deb and past attendees tell you what's in store.

You really need to check it out and seriously consider attending. Think about investing in your writing career if your goal is to publish a book. 

Here's the scoopage~~~

Pen to Press Writers' Retreat

Time Is Running Out!
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You still have time to register for the 2010 Pen to Press Writers Retreat,but not for long!

Go to [this link] now to register and reserve your spot at the Pen to Press Writers' Retreat in New Orleans, La.!

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Pen to Press Retreats are five intense, hands-on, inspiring days that teach participants how to shape and present a saleable manuscript. You'll learn in a variety of settings, from workshops to one-on-one mentoring sessions to seminars. To that end, you will write and revise, have your manuscript critiqued, and revise some more. This is a remarkable opportunity to transform your writing!

To top it off, throughout the last two days of each retreat, Pen to Press participants are given exclusive, one-on-one time with agents and editors to whom they can pitch their work!

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Our 2010 Retreat will be held at the historic Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans on May 25th through May 30th. Located in the heart of the French Quarter, the Hotel Monteleone is a hotel that combines a legendary history of hospitality with a vibrant contemporary flair. It is one of only two hotels in the United States that has been designated a literary landmark.

Serious Help for Serious Writers Who Want to Get Published

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REGISTER NOW!!

Time and space are limited! Sign-up now for our spring retreat held in fabulous New Orleans! If you're looking for inspiration, New Orleans and the Pen to Press Writers Retreat are for you!

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Contact Info:

Pen to Press Writers Retreat
PO Box 92180 Lafayette, LA 70509 (866) 719-3835 info@pentopressretreat.com
http://www.pentopressretreat.com/

Friday Foibles ~~ You Might Be a Redneck...

Thanks to good friend Jamie for forwarding me these new examples of Redneckism. May they start your weekend off with a smile!

If you're in need of some good short stories, a bit of flash fiction and/or lovely poetry, check out our spring issue of Rose & Thorn Journal just out yesterday.

Now...go forth and enjoy thyself. And do something nice for somebody else along the way, ya hear? :D

Writerly Wednesday ~~ Back in the Saddle!

Hellllllloooooooo my blogging buddies! I've missed you and am glad to be stepping back into Blogland. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the prayers, good thoughts, notes and well wishes. While I've been away, I hope things have been going smoothly for you. Can't wait to get caught up on all your doings!

Things have settled down into a somewhat reliable routine for me as we head into the graduation stretch for my youngest (AKA "Court Jester" of Ledbetter Lunacy cartoon fame), good caregiving schedules for those near and dear to me, and fires put out from various other stuff that's been keeping me from posting.

This past weekend, I attended the Jambalaya Jubilee Writers Conference nearby and got to visit with our Kat. Her new book SECRET GRACES is just hitting the shelves, and it's every bit as good as the first. She made a great showing at the authors' signing tables. After a few days of writing talk (mostly dealing with our SPRING ISSUE OF ROSE & THORN JOURNAL due out tomorrow) and general best friend hilarity, I feel rejuvinated. *I miss yewww Boop!* It was also great to rub elbows with other writers and poets, agents, editors and literature professors. I'll have lots of good posts culled from notes and planned interviews coming up. Wheeee!

So today's Wednesday nugget is a letter from Cup of Comfort editor Colleen Sell in its entirety below. If you are an anthology writer, go check out her site and submission call information.

Love, huggage and all good things. OH...and don't forget to sign up for our R&T Journal quarterly newsletters so you'll know when each new issue goes live! You will probably recognize a fellow blogger or two in the spring line-up. (Several editors read through the many awesome submissions in a blind process, so there are no "favors" granted to friends. Just wanted y'all to know that.) :)

We'd really love your thoughts on the prose, poetry and art in our newest issue tomorrow, as well as suggestions of what you love to find in literary journals. (Post your .02 in a comment and/or just let me know how you're doing with writing and in general!)


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Hi there,

For several years, you've known me as the editor of the Cup of Comfort book series -- a job I love and will continue doing in the months and perhaps years to come. But, as you may have noticed, we're developing far fewer Cup of Comfort anthologies this year than in years past. Consequently, for the first time in a long time, I suddenly have time to devote to other projects and other clients.

To that end, I've reopened and expanded my writing, editing, and editorial consulting biz. Soon, I'll add writing workshops, too. I also have a new website and a new blog. Please drop by soon for a look around.

On the Up & Coming page of my site you'll find calls for submissions for two anthologies I'm developing--one on the Tao of place, the other on mental illness--which I thought you might find of interest. (These are not Cup of Comfort books.) On that page you'll also find call-outs for people to interview for and feature in three nonfiction books I'm writing.

I hope the writing life is being very good to you.

Warm regards,

Colleen Sell
Writer / Editor
541-942-3405
wordsinger@aol.com

*horse photo from flickr