Contest News and Website Update

Well, now I know why authors have contests at their websites. You get all sorts of lovely emails from readers! It took me a while, but I read them all, and enjoyed every minute.

I have sent the winners of the ARCs private emails. For those of you who haven’t heard from me, I am going to post the first two chapters to the website in the next week. They will be at eavwrites.com - so check them out when you get a chance!

Beth

White Star Contest!

I have an Advanced Review Copy of White Star that I am going to give away to one lucky reader!

Just send me an email at 'eavwrites at sbcglobal dot net', and put "I want White Star!" in the subject line. The members of my Yahoo Group have their own contest, but they can also register for this one.

Which is a really big hint that you should join my Yahoo Group. Just saying.

I will email the winner and ask for their snail mail addy on Feb. 26th. And yes, I will mail overseas!

And for those that don't win, I will be posting sample chapters on the 26th as well!

Beth

Cough, hack, sneeze, wheeze.

Oh, the joy. I’ve been sick with bronchitis since the holidays. Let me tell you, even my beloved characters avoid me when I don’t feel well.

So instead of writing, I turn to my various reliable comforts. Hot chicken soup with lots of garlic and wasabi. (My own recipe). Cold Coke, with lots of ice. Warm flannel blankets. Thick socks. Cats, cuddled close. Nero Wolfe.

Nero Wolfe?

Rex Stout wrote a wonderful series of murder mysteries staring Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin. Classic characters. While Wolfe has been brought to the screen a number of times, my favorite is the A&E series with Timothy Hutton and Maury Chaykin.

I’ve loved these books since I discovered the series, and I have copies of all of the books, novellas, and short stories. So I have been curled up in my writing room, watching Wolfe and Goodwin and Cramer. Then I crawl under into bed, and read the books over and over.

For those of you who don’t know the characters, Nero Wolfe is a consulting detective in NYC who never leaves his house unless forced to do so. Archie is his assistant and the action man, who hits the streets looking for clues and suspects and brings them back to the brownstone. They are opposed by Inspector Cramer and Sargent Purley. Every so often, they are assisted by Saul Panzer, Orrie Cather and Fred Durkin.

Wolfe is an orchid lover has a greenhouse filled with hundred of plants. He is also a gourmet, with a personal chef - Fritz Brenner. The books are filled with references to food and flowers and I am fascinated by them. There is even a Nero Wolfe Cookbook, and yes, I have a copy. I’ve butchered some of those recipes with my nonexistent cooking skills.

And I really don’t want to tell you how many orchid plants I have killed with my black thumb.

I am feeling much better, so my indulgences are over. My own characters are demanding my attention.

But its nice to know that Wolfe and Goodwin are on my shelf, waiting for the next time I feel under the weather.

Beth

FAQ #4

Who are the characters in "White Star"?

Ah. You wants hints, eh?

The heroine is Lady High Priestess Evelyn.

The hero? Well, since you are asking, dear Reader, go back and re-read Dagger-Star. See that bit about Bethral going to the Black Keep to rescue Evelyn? See the man being taken prisoner and tied to his horse? The one most surely to be put to death once the Chosen takes the throne?

[insert evil grin here]

Beth

FAQ #3

"Will you write more about the Dagger-star characters?"

Yup. White Star (Book #2) of the Epic of Palins will be out in April, 2009. Destiny's Star (Book #3) is sceduled for 2010.

Beth

FAQ #2

"Will you write more Lara & Keir?"

This one is not easy to answer, but I am going to try. The answer is "I want to." But the reality is that publishing is a business. So the better answer is "I want to, but . . ."

Do I have ideas? Listen, those characters never stop talking to me. Try grocery shopping while mounted Plains warriors in full battle gear surround you, shouting about how the Warprize will destroy the Plains. Try driving down the road while Simus explains how he caused an uproar when he. . .

Nevermind. I am saving that one.

So the deal is that as soon as I know what I will be writing, I will let you know. And if you want more Lara and Keir (and Simus and Marcus and Prest and . . .) then let us know by posting a comment.

Next question?

Beth

FAQ #1

I've been getting quite a few emails, with lots of questions so I think maybe I should answer them.

So - the first question is: "Are the Chronicles of the Warlands and Dagger-Star set in the same world? At the same time?"

Yes. Xy and Palins and The Plains are all on the same world, just different kingdoms. As to whether they are at the same time . . .

Not saying.

Beth

Gen Con 2008

Oh yes, I am going to be in Indianapolis again this year for GenCon Writer's Workshops. I always have a great time. This year the program is expanded, thanks to the hard work of my friend Jean Rabe. Here is the link:

http://www.jeanrabe.com/page3.html

Yes, that's me with the microphone in the picture.

And I have to tell you that it is a great experience. This is how I started actually talking to writers and editors and networking. I've been going to Gen Con for a long time, long before I got serious about writing, long before I got my first book published. So I recommend it highly.

Besides, I get to hang out with my gamer friends and my writing friends at the same time. It doesn't get much better than that!

Beth

Writer's Workshop!

I am going to be at the Sinclair Community College's 34th Annual Writers' Workshop on Friday, April 18, 2008, in Dayton, Ohio.

Here is a link to the info: http://www.sinclair.edu/academics/lcs/departments/eng/index.cfm

If you interested, why not come and listen to me talk? Because I love to talk about writing - trust me - they will have problems getting me to stop. It's so much easier to talk about it, then to, you know, like actually write.

I'm looking forward to it!

Beth