Writing for the Future We Want with H.T. Lyon

I need to create worlds where it’s not all the white guys getting stuff done…
I am trying to create works that provide assertive role models for women and minorities.

Diving into Darkness with Melion Traverse

I’m a heartless bastard robot, but one quiet, understated scene in that book makes me cry each time.

Publishers Don’t Want Good Books

Originally posted on John M. Cusick:
This conversation has happened at every agency in the world (particularly in the kids and teen department). Agent 1: I’ve got a new project. Agent 2: Yeah? How is? Agent 1: It’s good. Agent 2: Good? Agent 1: Yeah, good. Agent 2: Oh…Damn. Agent 1: Yeah. Agent 2: *Sips…

The Right Way to Grieve a Human Being?

Who knows the right way to grieve, to honor the passing of another’s life, to channel and heal the hurricane of emotions? Oh yeah? You all know how? And your way works for everyone? Every time? Thanks, Dude. I can always count on you for support at least. I don’t know the right way for […]

Grieving My Abuser

I was Robert Cook’s first wife and the mother of his first child. When I met Robert, I was young, vulnerable, and eager to belong. I was swept away by his confidence, his talent, and his potential. When his abuse began in earnest, it crippled me–mind, body, and soul– and I am lucky I escaped […]

Into Winterland with Kristen Kooistra

Without giving away anything, I’ll say that I’m currently a third of the way through a second book in the series

Dirty Sex and All with Imogen Keeper

This month I’m stoked to have one of my very first beta partners by to talk about her current project. *Cue lights and fog machines* Imogen Keeper, author of The Bonding. Take it away, Immy! Hi! I’m Imogen Keeper. But please, call me Immy. I’m from the East Coast, born and raised and back here now […]

#NaNoWriMo taught me how to pummel the page full of words

Originally posted on Right place, right Tim:
Yeah, that’s right Inner Demons – you were wrong about me. All that hopelessness and doubt you whispered in my ear was baseless baloney. You’re like the Breitbart of my mind – telling me everything is awful and finding people to blame other than myself. Well eat this,…

Discussion Post: Child Abuse in YA and MG Novels

Originally posted on Pages Unbound | Book Reviews & Discussions:
Although middle grade and young adult books have become increasingly open to getting “darker” and taking on serious issues in the past few years, many of them seem reluctant to take on the topic of child abuse with any thoughtfulness. (For instance, I published a post on…

Smut and Publishing with Milli Gilbert

This week I interviewed Milli Gilbert, self-published author of Perfect Ten, Hopeless Romantic, and Shift. JR: Have you written works in collaboration with other writers, and if so, how did it affect your sales? Milli: I have done this. Under a different name. We’ve done a couple so far, and it’s been great fun! We […]