Promo by proxy

Promoting a new book is a tenuous ordeal for authors. You can have a wonderful novel with all the twists and turns of a potential classic. Nonetheless it is still competing among the millions of other literary masterpieces, or so each writer will proclaim. It is especially difficult if you are unable to promote your book in person due to illness. Such is the case of Patry Francis, who is suffering from cancer. Her book The Liar's Diary is out in paperback. Author bloggers are promoting her book by proxy in order to assist this talented writer in her PR campaign. So many books come out everyday that it is difficult for a reader to know what to choose. They depend on the advertising and shameless plugs in order to make the all important decision as to where to put their literary money.

From Publishers Weekly:
A case study in the explosive effects of extreme denial, Francis's debut relies completely on its very unreliable narrator, with mixed results. When local violinist and composer Ali Mather, a very sexy 46, comes to teach music at the Bridgeway high school where narrator Jeanne Cross, a very plain 37, is the secretary, teachers and students alike are abuzz. Ali is separated from her mild husband George, and is soon sleeping with the 31-year-old shop teacher, Brian Shagaury (and also with car dealer Jack Butterfield). Jeanne is married to a buff orthopedic surgeon, Gavin, with whom she has an overweight, dyslexic 16-year-old son, Jamie, who attends the school. An unlikely friendship develops between the seemingly steady Jeanne and acting-out Ali, and Jeanne's purposefully flat narration is effective in doling out disorienting incongruities (as in the offhanded way Jeanne develops a serious pill habit). Ali's provocative lifestyle eventually intersects directly with Jeanne's home life. When tragedy strikes, Jeanne's Stepford routine holds for a while, then becomes a giveaway.
So, there you have it. The Liar's Diary, another thriller/mystery that deserves to sit on top of the heap.

A flowery blanket of fiery softness.

Adjectives, adverbs and repetitive prose can take a great story down a shadowy path. What makes good writing? Well, it's a combination of elements. First off, there must be a good story or subject matter. At the very least, the writing must have some type of audience. The story must evoke a minimal of emotional response. A reader needs to be able to feel that they are part of the story, if only as an observer with their own opinions about the matter at hand. Let's say you have the perfect story, now what? If you want to write about it, then by all means do it. Here comes the tricky part. Depending on what type of genre you're writing about you need the appropriate jargon. Jargon is the language or vocabulary, unique to a particular trade, profession, or group. You may even need to invent new words to use in your imaginary tale.
Ok then, you've got your story and your words, now let's assemble them together into an intelligible book. Here's where some writers become entangled in their own texts. A good writer paints a picture with words. We must remember, however, it is not a painting. Novels leave the reader some room for interpretation. Do you really need to tell the reader that the protagonist's nostrils flared like a bull in heat? Sometimes the emotional background to the scene itself gives the reader enough information. The reader can easily visualize an angry mob without being told what each individual in the mob looked like. A writer should not talk down to his audience. Give your readers credit for having enough brains in their heads to be able to read and actually buy your story.
Imagine vines with beautiful red roses on them. Each crimson rose interspersed between the vine's green leaves. That is a good story. Now imagine the vine overloaded with roses. No green can be seen as the vine is buried beneath. So many roses that you can't tell where one begins and another ends. A story buried in adjectives can be lost in it's own words. A seasoned writer knows how to paint his picture without rubbing the reader's nose in it.

The Wormhole Adventures: Travel Is Relative

Does anyone really understand Einstein's theories? Even when Einstein was alive and being lauded for his remarkable papers in physics, people had trouble understanding them. Nonetheless, he became an icon for genius and as such was embraced into American society. Einstein, being a great thinker, preferred the world of numbers and academics over the world of socializing and public displays. He especially enjoyed the company of unpretentious children who enjoyed life on a different level than most adults.
This children's chapter book portrays Einstein and his theories in a whole new way. His theories are laid out in simple terms that anyone can understand. Three children, Paul, Sebastian and Lynn, meet a talking raven named Barnaby. Barnaby takes the children through a wormhole in time to meet Albert Einstein. In their fascinating exchange Einstein offers the children sage advice. He also explains his ideas to them using analogies such as cookies on a cookie sheet. The reader is able to visualize the concepts in a clear tangible fashion. The story integrates many historical references and concepts on a variety of subjects. The reader will be entertained, informed and left with a desire to read more adventures through the wormhole.
Check out the author's sites. P.M.Russell
The Wormhole Adventures