With the holidays streaming right along, and the clock ticking slowly on the submission wait time, I decided to experiment with short stories. This fall, my little sister and my daughter introduced me to the world of women's romance which seemed to me more like the "dysfunctional, unfettered twenty-somethings making wanton and blissful love" genre. I found I might have a story or two to tell in my own "Reality Romance for 40-something women" genre. Of course, I only let 5 people read it and four of them were relatives. For the folly that followed, I believe I have to blame the 5th one, a critique group friend, that suggested I try submitting it to one of the magazines that publishes short stories. So instead of checking my inbox every couple of hours, I spent the time tidying up the story--thanks again to my critique group friend--and sent it off to Glimmer Train. (Yes, I understand that was probably an ill-considered act of self-esteem suicide.) That night, I woke up in a cold sweat with the sudden realization that people were going to read that story. Suddenly the words to the song "Breathe (2a.m.)" became really personal. "I feel like I'm naked in front of the crowd 'cause these words are my diary screaming out loud..." Oh, well. I think there's only two "total stranger people who will never see me in real life" that read it, and if I'm lucky, I'll get a nice comfortable rejection letter and sleep well.

Out there looking for an agent? Rayna Erlick, assistant at Robert Astle Literary, may be a bit of light in the dark forest. She has some great advice to offer submitting authors and a very helpful blog on prologues. Check it out here.

INSIDE SCOOP has been named a finalist in the 2008 ForeWard book of the year awards!

Marilyn Peake says Finding the Moment by Rachel DeFriez is an extra pep talk about following through on resolutions, no matter how busy you are. Describing in very funny terms how she’s managed to write while juggling family time with her children, Rachel offers an article well worth reading.

INSIDE SCOOP, the e-anthology created from the GOLDEN GOBLET newsletter published by award-winning author and editor Marilyn Peake was awarded FIRST PLACE 2009 EPPIE for BEST E-ANTHOLOGY non-fiction. Rachel is the author of two of the articles on writing. Take a look and see what makes THE RATH HAVEN CHRONICLES live! www.double-dragon-ebooks.com.

Rachel is now serving on the Board of Directors of the Writers' Guild of Texas. If you're a closet writer, come out and join us at the monthly meeting third Monday 7:00pm Richardson Library. Check it out! www.writersguildoftexas.org/joomla/

Wow! What an adventure 1 May
by jph54
We got this for our son who really likes Redwall, Lord of the Rings, Eldest, etc. He said it was better than Lord of the Rings. So my wife and I started reading it and fought over the book for the next 3 nights until we finished it. Great symbolism and meaning even though it seems to be intended for a younger audience. Each chapter is suspenseful and compels you to read the next. And FINALLY--a book that has children act as real children do rather than characters that reason and act like adults even though they are under 14. (The author must have her own children). A great depiction of summer vacation and fun. Just an excellent book. I'll be watching for the next in the series.

We loved the Book! by tx6kings
My 9 yr old daughter who has read the Harry Potter books many times, loved the book and finished it in 2 days. It took me a little longer than that :) but both my husband and I loved the book also. We didn't have to worry about language or anything else that a young child shouldn't be reading. The book kept us interested until the very end. Great Job! We will definetly be buying the next one.
Laurel

I love fiction - especially when it stimulates creativity and imagination in my children. I'll be adding "the Rath Haven Chronicles" to our library and I expect that it will be read many times by my daughters. Thanks for putting together a really good story.

OUT OF ANNWYN made the top ten in the Preditor's and Editor's Reader's Poll. It came in at #3. Thank you so much for voting.

Happy New Year!

This is the year I hope to finish OF LETTERS AND LORE, the third in the Rath Haven Chronicles. You'll love Ulrich O'Connor--or was it McKee??

The Rath Haven Chronicles: Out of Annwyn is up for best new novel in the Preditors and Editors Reader's Poll. Take a minute and vote. Here's the link
www.critters.org/predpoll/novelsf.shtml. Be sure to click on the link in the return email to validate your vote so it will count.

Merci mille fois!

It's here! It's quite a ride.
And it's stunning, thanks to the cover art of DDP's own Deron Douglas who was recently voted #1 artist in the Preditor's and Editor's Poll.
Visit the website
www.double-dragon-ebooks.com

www.lulu.com/content/710653
for a sneak preview or to buy your own copy.
ENJOY!

If you'd like to purchase a copy of A SHADOW OF LIGHT in paperback, click on the puchase now icon. Choose the double dragon ebooks link. Click on the DDP large type paperback icon just below the add to cart button. Or type the following address into your browser www.lulu.com/content/246813. Enjoy your copy!

A SHADOW OF LIGHT is a terrific coming of age fantasy. Fans will root for the star Jane and her champion her brother Jack. However, Will is the most fascinating character as his antics lead him and his cousins in and out of trouble while adding a touch of amusement yet also serving as a key player in the climax. Rachel DeFriez provides a delightful enthralling fairy tale that readers of all ages will enjoy the adventures of the Weston siblings.

Harriet Klausner
Reviewer

A SHADOW OF LIGHT is now available in paperback! A GREAT BIG HUGE THANKS TO ALL MY FRIENDS WHO REQUESTED IT. You can purchase a copy from www.double-dragon-ebooks.com. Just click on the paperback icon. Or go directly to www.lulu.com. ENJOY!

A Wonderful Book! -I always knew that Mrs. DeFriez was a great teacher, but I never knew what an amazing author she was! This book is a lovely story about present day fairies and people. I adore it! A Shadow of Light introduces a magical world to an 11-year-old girl -- and her readers -- in a way that is both enchanting and extremely believable. There are lots of surprising plot twists. What touched me the most was the love that the main character, Jane, has for her parents and her brother. Many books for girls around age 13 are full of romantic love, which many of us have yet to truly experience, but family love is something that everyone can truly connect with. I can just imagine Mrs. DeFriez in her office, writing about this magic world somewhere in Utah where fairies are real. I recommend this book to everyone.

Modern-day rural Utah seems like an unlikely setting for a fairy tale adventure, but Utah has secretly been a place of refuge for the fairy folk (Tuathan) until now.

This book chronicles the adventures of Jane, an 11 year old girl who comes to Utah to start a new life. She must learn who she really is, and in whom she can trust. Her life may depend on it!

Small-town life is a backdrop for dangers, adventures, and discovery, both in the town and in the beautiful, foreboding forests. The climax is so thrilling you won't want to stop reading until the exciting conclusion.

I highly recommend this book. It begins as a mystery and turns into a grand adventure. I can't wait to find out more about Jane, the other interesting characters, and experience more adventures in subsequent books!
burge (No Attleboro, Ma USA)