News from AKA Publishing/Compass Flower Press

AKA Publishing/Compass Flower Press has announced the release of its first anthology, Uncertain Promise: An Anthology of Short Fiction and Non Fiction, edited by Von Pittman.

Among the contents of the anthology are these winning entries: 

• First Place: “Body Language” David G. Collins, Fulton, MO
• Second Place: “Our Ventana” Mary Pacifico Curtis, San Jose, CA
• Third Place (Tie): “Ballerina” Sally Whitney, Millersville, MD and“The Broom” Marlene Lee, Columbia, MO


Other selections include the works of finalists in the anthology contest.

Von Pittman served as the anthology's editor. Following a career in academic administration, Pittman began writing fiction.  His short stories and creative nonfiction pieces have appeared in The First Line, Cantos, Crime and Suspense, Perspectives Magazine, Well Versed, Cuivre River, and Iowa History Illustrated.  In addition, he has contributed to several recent anthologies, including Storm Country (Missouri Writers Guild, 2011), Deep Waters (Outrider Press, 2012), and Educators as Writers (Peter Lang, 2006). Pittman has won first-place awards in the annual Missouri Writers Guild competition in the categories of Short Story and (2008) and Article (2012), as well as several other awards.

Uncertain Promise can be pre-ordered at a discount through AKA Publishing.

I'm In! Not Your Mother's Book . . . On Being a Mom

I'm so excited! I got my official "Congratulations" e-mail last night.

My story, "A Hairy Situation," will be among the 65 stories in Not Your Mother's Book . . . On Being a Mom, from Publishing Syndicate.

Don't you just love the cover--on the left?

The book, edited by Dahlynn McKowen, Ken McKowen, and Dianna Graveman,  is on fast-track for publication.The nationwide release date is April 8, 2014.

What's also exciting is that I've read posts from some of my writing friends on Facebook who also have stories in the anthology!

After I get my contributor copies I will have a giveaway here on my blog, so stay tuned.

Main Street Books in St. Charles to Close in January

The Post Dispatch has reported that Main Street Books in St. Charles is going to close on January 31, unless a buyer steps forward.

Vicky Irwin, owner for the past seven years, has been a champion for local writers.

The news also reports that the store will have a "retirement sale" in January.

The store is open for business as usual through December. Gift certificates will expire Jan. 31.

Here's a link to the article.

I'm hoping someone with deep pockets and a passion for books will buy the book store to keep it open.

From Anthologies to Interviews, There's Lots Brewing at Coffee and Critique:

Coffee and Critique, the critique group Lou Turner and I co-founded in 2007, has some exciting projects brewing.

Lou came up with the brilliant idea for our group to put together an anthology. Lou and I are serving as co-editors of this members-only anthology. We are looking for well crafted, critiqued, polished, and elegant unpublished short stories and essays of up to 2,500 words.  The C&C members' anthology will be published by High Hill Press, with a release date and book launch scheduled for late fall. Stay tuned for details.

My idea isn't quite as glamorous, but it's entertaining, informative, and a lot of fun. Beginning this month I will post my interviews with members of Coffee and Critique on the Coffee and Critique blog. The feature is called "Take Ten with Coffee and Critique."

Using a Q&A format, a selected member will respond to ten writing-related questions, plus one bonus question. It's a great way to get to know the remarkable members of C&C, as well as gain insight into their writing processes. The Take Ten feature will include member bios and links to their websites or blogs.

Earlier today I published my first Take Ten interview with Doyle Suit. If you get a chance, check out Doyle's interview.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Look for my review of "The Great Gatsby" movie next week.

See What's Brewing at Coffee and Critique

Today I posted news about my weekly critique group, Coffee and Critique.

Pop on over to the C&C blog to see what's brewing with the writers there.

Anthology News from Welkin Press: Shadows After Midnight and Cupid's Quiver

 If you like to read scary stories on long winter nights, check out the Shadows After Midnight Anthology, which has recently been released by Welkin Press and is available on Amazon as a Kindle e-book.

The anthology of "12 spooky tales of terror by 12 award-winning authors will raise the hair on the back of your neck and make you want to check under the bed and sleep with the light on."

Edited by award-winning journalist Patricia B. Smith, the collection pays "homage to a variety of ghosts and nightmarish creatures." I'm please to announce that my short story "Stairway to Heaven" is among the stories in the collection.

***

If you have a flair for writing romance, here's a call for submissions. Be sure to note the short deadline. 

Welkin Press has also announced a call out for Valentine's Day short stories for Cupid's Quiver, a romance anthology.

Word count range is 2500-7000.  Payment is $10, plus royalties. Submit short stories to pbsmith@WelkinPress.com by January 15. Click on the cupid photo for more details.

William Least Heat-Moon Calls for Action in Response to Proposed Closure of MU Press

The proposed closure of the Missoui University Press or reorganization of the press into a new model continues to enrage and sadden writers, educators, alumni, and others passionate about saving the respected press.

In yesterday's Columbia Daily Tribune, William Least Heat-Moon, MU alumni and acclaimed writer and teacher, spoke out against the move and called on others to take action.

At the conclusion of his passionate column, "Fit for Print," he offered a five-figure initial donation to establish an endowment to continue the press in its present form "if the proposal for closure is rescinded." He also called others to join him "with a contribution appropriate to their means."

Least Heat-Moon is best-selling author of "Blue Highways" and "Roads to Quoz." His latest book, "Here, There, Everywhere," is slated for release later this year by Little Brown and Company.

Life Lessons from Dads Now Available

Last week I received my contributor copy of LIFE LESSONS FROM DADS. Yippy!

The anthology is special to me because it includes my essay, "A Just Man," which is about my late father James P. Duly, Sr., and some lessons he taught me, including to be proud of who I am and to never stop learning.

The gift book from Write Integrity Press, has 21 essays about lessons our dads taught us, along with scores of photos--including one of my dad with his large glasses and mustache, looking somewhat like a Mafia Don, except that J. P. Duly was Irish-American.

At 91 pages, the stories, photos, and layout are nicely done. The anthology has a spiritual slant and includes author bios from contributors ranging from: a doctor, a church elder, several teachers (Sunday school, Bible, Homeschooler and Special Needs), a nurse, a TV producer, freelance writers and others.

The book is available in print and Kindle 

Here is a link to the book trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89YW7VK3tYA&feature=youtu.be
which includes LIFE LESSONS FROM DADS

Well Versed 2012 Press Release

This afternoon I received an e-mail and a press release from Judy Stock, President of the Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers' Guild, which I thought I'd share.

Local Author Published in Anthology

Donna Volkenannt (that's me) of St. Peters, Missouri, has had work published in Well Versed, Literary Works 2012, an annual anthology published by the Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers’ Guild. Well Versed features poetry, short fiction and creative non-fiction.

Volkenannt's non-fiction work, "The Magic of Writing," was awarded First Place in the Nonfiction Category and selected by a panel of independent judges for inclusion in the anthology. Her second non-fiction submission, "A Fine Day in November," was awarded an honorable mention and also selected for inclusion in the anthology.

Due to a record number of submissions and acceptances, the 2012 edition is the chapter's largest to date. The volume is available online at http://www.ccmwg.org/ (the group’s website), www.amazon.com, and at Taylor’s Bake Shop in historic Boonville, MO.

Just Got Back from Illinois and News to Share

Last Friday I didn't mean to stir up so much drama with my post when I wrote that I'd have some exciting news to share this week when I got back from the Labor Day soccer tournament.

After reading all the comments and e-mails telling me I wasn't being fair keeping everyone in suspense, I was surprised and felt bad. So, sorry if I left anyone feeling left out or hanging with my last-minute post before I left to go out of town.

The drama and suspense weren't  intentional. I wanted last Friday's post to focus on the winner of the Cactus Country anthology--not on my news.  So, congratulations again Becky for winning the Cactus Country anthology, and thanks to everyone else who left comments about their favorite cowboys, western movies or series.

Since late last night when we "just got back from Illinois," the lyrics from the Creedence Clear Water Revival song, "Looking Out My Back Door," have been replaying in my mind. The Labor Day weekend soccer tournament in Bollingbrook, Illinois, (west of Chicago) was interesting--the thunderstorms there on Saturday were scary. Oh, and believe it or not, while it was raining outside I went to the hotel room and flipped TV channels and watched an episode of "Rawhide" with none other than my favorite cowboy actor--Clint Eastwood. What a coincidence! I hadn't seen an episode of "Rawhide" in a long, long time.

On to my exciting news:

Last Thursday I received a big brown envelope in the mail with the return address of Delois McGrew, co-editor of Voices Anthology. Inside were a check, a letter, and a contract. The letter informed me that my short story, "Under Grandma's Bottle Tree," won first place in the Voices Anthology contest. Wowser!

Seeing the check raised my eyebrows and put a smile on my face, but reading the letter brought tears of joy. I was shocked and thrilled when I learned that my short story is being nominated for a Pushcart Prize by the editors of Voices Anthology. Double Wowser!!

Thursday afternoon, when my husband -- who had just returned from having two new tires put on the van so I would have a safe trip -- noticed I was crying, he asked me why.  Speechless, I showed him the letter with the check attached. Always the practical one, his comment was, "Good. That will pay for about half of what it cost to get the van fixed."

Later that day I called Lou Turner, one of the Voices co-editors, and thanked her for picking my story. Being the insecure writer that I am, I wanted to make sure my story wasn't picked because we are friends. During our conversation Lou assured me that was not the case, and she gave me insight into how the contest selection process worked.

From more than 60 stories submitted, a panel of three judges independently selected their top three picks. My story was in the top three of all three judges. From those three top picks they then selected one story to win, and my short story was the winning entry.

"Under Grandma's Bottle Tree" is a short story I wrote this summer. It's edgier and darker than what I usually write, so I wasn't sure how it would be received. I'm grateful and happy it won, and I'm excited and humbled at the Pushcart Prize nomination.

The Voices Anthology will be published this fall, and I'm not sure how the Pushcart Prize nomination process works, but as has been said and written by others thousands of times before--and I sincerely mean this-- it is truly an honor to be nominated for the award.

Coming Soon - Cougars on the Prowl

It's official!

Several weeks ago I signed and returned my contract to Mozark Press, and the cover art has recently been posted on their website.

I'm tickled to announce that my short story, "Look Back, But Don't Stare," will be included in A Shaker of Margaritas: Cougars on the Prowl anthology.

For the record: My short story is definitely a work of fiction. No one has ever accused me of being a cougar!

Cougars on the Prowl is the second book in the Shaker of Magaritas series, both edited by L. S. Fisher and published by Mozark Press.

Linda does a fantastic job editing, and I love the covers for both anthologies.

Last year, my short story, "Criminal Minds," which appeared in A Shaker of Margaritas: Hot Flash Mommas--won FIRST PLACE in the 2011 Missouri Writers' Guild President's Award for best short story . Woo hoo!

As more details become available on Cougars on the Prowl, including the release date and purchasing information, I'll post them here.

If any of my blog visitors has a story that will be included in the anthology, please let me know. I'll be happy to share the news!

For more information about Mozark Press, including titles of possible future Shaker of Margaritas anthologies click on the link.

Stay tuned!

News to Share and Welcome

Yesterday was a day for good news.

My granddaughter Cari participated in the regional competitions with her high school's Future Business Leaders of America team. Cari received a first-place trophy in the Introduction to Business Communications category.

By placing first, she qualifies for Missouri State competitions next month. If she wins in the state competition, she will qualify to compete in the nationals in Orlando, Florida, in the spring.

Congratulations and good luck, Cari! We are so proud of you.

Earlier in the day our critique group crackled with good news.

* Paul told us that his book signing at Big Sleep Books on Saturday went well. His interview by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch appeared in the A&E section of the weekend edition.

* Claudia reported that an agent has requested a full manuscript of her latest romantic suspense novel. The request for a full is a result of Claudia winning a Romance Writers of America competition.

* On Monday, Alice received 30 contributor copies of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Grandmothers, which will be released soon. The reason Alice received so many copies is because she has three stories in the anthology. Way to go, Alice!

* Tommie brought along as a guest her lovely daughter Cameron, who is a marvelous critiquer--but more impressively--she's going to have a baby girl on Friday.

Talk about a busy and an exciting day!

But wait, there's more.

I'm extcited and pleased to WELCOME my three newest followers:

Val Thevictorian
Ann Best
and
Kathy Holmes

Thanks for following Donna's Book Pub. Feel free to leave comments or e-mail me if you have any questions. Hope you visit often and stay long!

Celebrity Writers in the News

While reading Media Bistro's Galley Cat's Deals section, I came across recent announcements about three celebrities signing book deal contracts.

I have mixed feelings on this subject. Like most people, I enjoy reading about famous people (some of them, at least), yet I believe huge advances to celebrities limits the amount of money available to talented writers who struggle to get published. Okay. Enough whining. On to the celebrity deals.

* "How does it feel?" We'll have to wait to find out. Bob Dylan repotedly has signed a six-book deal with Simon & Schuster.

* Brady Bunch mom Florence Henderson is dancing with the literary stars after landing a deal with Hatchette to write her memoir.

* I love the tentative title of Sissy Spacek's memoir--"Barefoot Stories"--with Hyperion. Even more than liking the tentative title, I love this quote attributed to Sissy in Galleycat.

"I'm thrilled to be writing this book. I just wish I had studied harder in English class."

Don't we all, Sissy, don't we all.

Sad News for Cup of Comfort Commmunity

At critique group today, Alice, one of my writing buddies, shared some news from the Cup of Comfort blog. Alice and I have been published in the Cup of Comfort series, and she is good about keeping me updated about calls for submissions, contests, etc.

Today she gave me a copy of this blog post from Colleen Sell, who has been the Cup of Comfort editor for the past ten years.

Effective January 1, the Cup of Comfort website became inactive and Colleen retired from her tenure as editor. (Two books scheduled for publication this year will be the last of the series. )

It's an honor to have had three of my true stories in Cup of Comfort books (Cup of Comfort for Women, Cup of Comfort for Christmas, and Cup of Comfort for Military Families). I'm sad, but I guess all good things must come to an end.

So, tonight I'll drink a cup of tea and with a greatful heart re-read "Julie's Gift" about my daughter, "Santa Wore Cowboy Boots" about my son, and "Welcome Home" about my husband, my stories that all part of the Cup of Comfort stories.

MTV's "Jersey Shore" Snooki Has a Book Deal

You might have noticed I haven't posted since last week. This time of the year is a gloomy time for me, and I find it hard to get motivated to write, especially something uplifting or cheerful.

Another reason I'm in a funk is because of yet another seemingly undeserved publishing deal.

Generally I'm happy when writers get published. It's a cause for celebration, especially if it's someone I know or a celebrity I want to know more about.

But not all publishing deals are reason to pump your fist in the air.

Last week I read that in 2011 Simon & Schuster's Galley Press imprint will publish a book "written" by MTV's “Jersey Shore” star Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi. There's a brief article about it in the Wall Street Journal, which you can read here.

Seriously? Who knew Snooki could write?

Well, at least she can read. Wait. What?

According to news reports, Snooki has only read two books--"Twilight" and "Dear John."

Maybe she's a fast learner. After all, she is famous for her gig on MTV, with her poofy hairdo, fake tan, long nails, and fist pumping skills. Snooki has been spoofed by "Saturday Night Live" and has appeared on late night talk shows. She even taught David Letterman how to do the fist pump. She seems like a personable young "lady," but I wonder about her writing skills. No doubt she will have a ghost writer and lots of editing help.

About now I'm probably sounding like sour grapes. Speaking of grapes, I could've used a glass of wine after reading the news about her book deal.

What I find discouraging is that I have many friends who are great writers with manuscripts that deserve to be published, but for whatever reason cannot. They are the ones who should be getting book contracts. They get passed over, yet someone who reportedly has only read two books is getting a deal from a major publisher.

(Note: I write articles, essays, reviews, and short stories. I have never completed an entire manuscript, so it's not jealousy on my part over Snooki's book deal. Really. Well, maybe just a little.)

Time will tell about the success of Snooki's book deal.

I guess there can be a couple outcomes. Writers like me will have to deal with it--or maybe after Simon & Schuster publishes her book and not many people buy it, they'll be the ones who'll get snookered.