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Apr 9th Mountain of Authors – What Fun!

What wisdom was bestowed upon me at the Mountain of Authors? Where the phrase ‘Blowing smoke up my #?#’ came from. LOL Yep, Keynote Speaker, Mark Lee Gardner an award winning local author, historian and musician told the story. But fellow writer, Donnell Bell repeated the tale so eloquently. “The origin of blowing smoke up one’s &$@&. Once upon a time, tobacco was thought to be of great medicinal value. As a matter of fact, it was actually thought to be able to save drowning victims. This belief was so widespread that when people who lived on or near the Thames in England recovered a victim, the way to resuscitate him was to roll tobacco and shove it…well, where the sun doesn’t shine. Hence the lovely saying we’ve come to think of as exaggeration or telling lies.”

Okay, I learned more than that. We listened to a panelist of writers on Writing for History. Gotta get your facts straight or you can bet someone will call you on it. Yep, that’s why I write paranormal romance, I can make things up as I go and no one is the wiser. <grin>

The next panel discussed “I Wrote a Book, Now What?” The panel of three were experienced in the publishing industry and gave us their take on the industry today. Which is kinda like the Colorado weather, if you don’t like the way things are going, just wait a week or so. The industry seems to be always in flux. Tough if you’re a new writer — heck, if you’re a seasoned writer as well.

I laughed, waved, talked, and snickered with lots of old friends, Pikes Peak Writers were well represented. Then compared notes with several well-known authors, and met a lot of new authors, wanna be authors and readers. As luck would have it, I sold and signed a few books which is always good. I hope the purchasers enjoy reading my books as much as I did writing them.

It was a pleasant way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Now it’s time to prepare for the Pikes Peak Writer’s Conference April 27^th – 30^th. Gee I wonder what kind of trouble I can find lurking in the halls of the Marriott Hotel where the conference is held? Check back for my guest author later this week.

Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Authors, fantasy, Fun, history, horror, Mountain of Authors, Pikes Peak Library District, Romance, Sci-Fi, Writers by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.

Apr 26th 10th Anniversary – Mountain of Authors

Saturday, April 23, 2016, I had the pleasure of being part of the Pikes Peak Library 12376634_954175368023532_4984978655902082006_n District Mountain of Authors. It was a blast. Thirty-four local Colorado authors were on hand to showcase their work. A panel of three mystery authors and a panel of two authors and an agent each presented stories and their experiences in the publishing industry.

The keynote speaker was Anne Hillerman, daughter of award winning author, Tony Hillerman who penned eighteen Navajo mysteries. I loved his books and was deeply saddened at his passing in October of 2008. I own every one of his books and have enjoyed the adventures of characters, Joe Leaphorn, Jim Chee and Bernadette Manuelito.

I was excited to learn that Anne has followed in her father’s footsteps breathing life into his beloved characters once again. Giving Bernadette a fresh, strong woman view point in Spider Woman’s Daughter and Rock With Wings. She also researched and wrote Tony Hillerman’s Landscape: On the Road with Chee and Leaphorn. A stunning collection of original documentary photographs of the New Mexico and Arizona landscapes that were integral to Tony’s detective novels. Pictures by photographer, Don Strel, Anne’s husband. This is a timely showcase of a hauntingly beautiful region that captured one man’s imagination for a lifetime, and is a daughter’s loving tribute to her father. Yep, you guessed it, the book enjoys a place in the center of my coffee table.

Okay one more fangirl observation. Nancy Atherton, author of over twenty Aunt Dimity mysteries, including many bestsellers. These cozy mysteries whisk you away to a small village in England filled with quirky characters. Again, I have all of her books. Nancy’s participation in the Mountain of Authors – It’s A Mystery Panel was very entertaining along side her cohorts in crime, Robert Greer and Manuel Ramos.

It was thrilling to visit with the above authors as well as many other talented local authors. I look forward to next year’s Mountain of Authors. I’d love to see you there.

Thanks for putting up with my fangirl musing. Oh did I mention I sold a few of my books too. Exciting adventure for a new author. Warning shameless promotion! June 15th my third book, A Witch’s Journey will be released. You’ll love it!

I enjoy hearing from readers and other authors. So please feel free to leave a comment. Until next time, take time out of your hectic schedule to read a good book. Its a great stress reducer, if only for a few hours.