The Silent Star plus a dozen

THE SILENT STAR plus a dozen  is an anthology of short stories.  These stories proved successful in entering the Winners' Circle as a result of their entry into the WynLit 24 Competitions offered each month by Wynterblue Publishing Canada.

THE SILENT STAR is a story which was most popular and, as a result, placed me third in the public voting.  Thanks to all who voted.

The amazing cover design is created by Susan at http://yuneekpix.com/

THE SILENT STAR plus a dozen contains a wonderful variety of short stories.  To learn more about it please visit my website at http://writeraudrey.homestead.com/shortstories.html

The books will be ready to launch in plenty of time for Christmas gift-giving.  To place your order now please get in touch.

Novella Writing Competition

Can you imagine writing a novella with a minimum of 16,000 words in 73 hours or less?

I know the idea sounds impossible but it is a challenge that can be met.  I'm happy to say my novella entries made it into Wynterblue Publishing's short list two years in a row.  And you can bet I'm registered again this year.

The Wyn Lit 73 Novella Competition commences November 6, 2010.  There is still time to enter.

Check out Wynterblue's website at http://www.wynter.ca/

Writing for "Woman's World"

I learned recently that Woman's World Magazine publishes two short fiction stories in each issue; one a mystery and the other a romance.

I'm told stories need to be short, a maximum of 800 words.

And I'm also led to understand that they pay a dollar a word.......so for a short story, if chosen, there's $800 in your pocket.

I'm not a romance writer but I am going to try to make the time to give it a shot.

Maybe you want to submit your short story to them too?  Get in touch with them and request their submission guidelines.

Cover Design

If you are an author seeking a book cover designer you will never regret getting in touch with Susan.  She is the artist who creates all my covers. She's an amazing talent. But don't take my word for it.  Check out her website at http://yuneekpix.com/

Elliot Lake Writers' Workshop

Elliot Lake Writers' Workshop is a vibrant group of writers.   We get together on the third Monday of each month from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the general meeting room at the Civic Centre under the wonderful leadership of our teacher, Hilda Ross.  

New members are welcome.

For more information get in touch.

Writers' Fall Festival

Lots of help will be required in order to make the Writers' Fall Fesitval scheduled to take place next October, 2011 a vibrant, living reality.

And I am reminded of something a friend said recently.

She said, "God doesn't call just the qualified.  He qualifies those who are called."

Thanks for the quotation, Doreen.

Three little otters at Sheriff Creek

Can't resist.  I have to post this photo sent to me today by a friend.  Three gorgeous little otters were recently spotted at Sheriff Creek in Elliot Lake.

There's a lot going on.........

I've chosen the inspirational colour purple to make today's blog entry.  There is much happening in my writing world and this pleases me.  It has been confirmed by dear Mags at Wynterblue that my short story anthology entitled THE SILENT STAR plus a dozen  will be available in time for pre-Christmas gift giving.  Susan at http://yuneekpix.com/  will be creating a fabulous cover design and I am very excited about this new venture.

And the big event which is Elliot Lake's first WRITERS' FALL FESTIVAL is coming together and soon the planning committee will sit down for the first time to get the proverbial ball rolling.  It's going to be an amazing day.  The Civic Centre will be alive with writing workshops; authors' readings and book signings; music, entertainment and lots of displays at the Book Fair.

There will be a gala dinner followed by fabulous guest speaker(s).

It will be happening Saturday, October 22, 2011.  Yes, that's a year from now but with much to be done it is great that we have an early start to ensure a successful event here in Elliot Lake.

Quick Brown Fox: Writing Workshops & Creative Writing Courses

Quick Brown Fox: Writing Workshops & Creative Writing Courses

SARA and REAWAKENING are available now...The Silent Star plus a dozen prior to Christmas, Ellen and The Hummingtree,spring of 2011 & Keeping it Simple early in 2011

I am very blessed to have all my book cover designs created by Yuneekpix.com

Books available for sale at this time........

REAWAKENING is my latest novel.  I would like to share the following written by Maggie Lacroix, Executive Director of Wynterblue Publishing .

"Every now and then a manuscript comes across my desk

that completely captivates me.  Austin has reached inside

the human heart and removed all boundaries pertaining

to everlasting love ... and her ability to play with the English language

successfully is astounding.

Austin's Reawakening is a must read.

It will take you into a land not far from your heart

 and bring you back to earth again believing that

all things are possible with love and hope."

SARA, a Canadian Saga is my first novel. 

"The time is 1916.  Sara and Roy are 10 year olds living in Maritime Canada. Through their eyes we see, feel and experience their childhood challenges.  We follow them through adolescence

and their turbulent teen years.  We celebrate their courtship and suffer their lost innocence in the wedding ritual.  They take us through The Great Depression and share with us the frustration, dreams and challenges they face in adulthood.  As parents they introduce us to their children.

This story appeals to all ages because Sara and Roy hold up a mirror

and ask the reader to recognize truth about the human condition

for many Canadian families through difficult economic times.

We witness love that does not come neatly wrapped and experience the quiet,

sometimes desperate drama of lives unfolding.

Writers'Fall Festival

The first annual Writers' Fall Festival will be taking place one year from now on Saturday, October 22, 2011.  Throughout the day from 9 a. m. to 5 p.m. the Elliot Lake Civic Centre will be humming with workshops, writing competitions with prizes, book readings, book displays, sales and signings.   

There will be exciting guest workshop facilitators and in the lobby where the displays & signings take place we will enjoy the music of talented local musicians.

At 6 p.m. that evening we will enjoy a Gala Dinner and we will be enraptured by well known guest speaker(s).   

I'll have lots more to say about this exciting event as time goes by.

I am absolutely thrilled with the cover design on my latest writing venture, Ellen and the Hummingtree, which has been created by Yuneekpix.com    

Two more books coming soon are Keeping it Simple  and The Silent Star plus a dozen......

The Silent Star plus a dozen  is an anthology of 13 of my short stories that made it into the winners' circle in the Wynterblue Publishing WynLit 24 monthly competitions.  

This book will be available prior to Christmas 2010.

Calling All Writers......I'm a blogger now

So I'm a blogger now.  Never too old to learn new tricks, huh?   Yes, dear Hilda, that was a cliche.  I want to tell you lots about my creative writing adventures and I look forward to hearing all about yours too.  So I think all I need to do now is hit Publish Post  and Í'm in business.