Writing Goals for 2011

One of the writers in my writing group threw down the challenge to write a minimum of ten minutes per day in 2011.  Well, I’m extending the challenge to each of you—only hey, let’s make it 11 minutes!

I’ve already started and it’s working out pretty well so far. I forgot to ask her if we were excused for weekends and holidays. After all, one of my goals for 2011 is to lighten my load a bit so that I have a little free time to do frivolous, fun things.

The official guidelines will be posted at http://www.mozarkpress.com/ by the first part of January for Cougars on the Prowl. It looks like the competition will be pretty stiff for this anthology! I look forward to reading your submissions.

Wishing each of you writing success in the New Year!

Linda Fisher

Mozark Press

Fisher to Sign Hot Flash Mommas Friday, December 10

Sedalia, MO. Linda Fisher will sign A Shaker of Margaritas: Hot Flash Mommas at Sedalia Book and Toy, December 10 from 3-5 P.M. Her prizewinning story “New Identity,” set in Sedalia, is one of twenty-five captivating fiction stories written by talented authors across the U.S. Fisher edited the book published by Mozark Press LLC.

Note from Linda--Update!! Tonya from the Sedalia Democrat interviewed me today and the following story is online at http://www.sedaliademocrat.com/articles/book-29537-signing-mini.html It should be in this week's SWOOP section.

The article in the Sedalia Democrat announcing the signing:

http://www.sedaliademocrat.com/articles/fisher-29505-sedalia-sign.html

Janice Votsmier: Flashes from a Hot Momma

Janice Votsmier author of "Flashes from a Hot Momma" is dressed in her hillbilly formal for the Ozarks Writers League awards banquet. I told her I was just going to tell everyone that Missouri Hot Mommas always wear tiaras and dress in glitz. Janice's story follows Marie through a day where she deals with her hot flashes by spending extra time in the frozen food aisle--at least until the store manager makes her get out of the freezer. And, she is really HOT when she tries on a sexy silk gown.

About the Author: Janice Havlik Votsmier was born in Berwyn, Illinois, just west of downtown Chicago and grew up in a Czech family and neighborhood. She met her husband of forty-four years when they were juniors in high school. Never having liked the cold Chicago winters they settled in Houston, Texas, where they remained for the next thirty years. After raising a son and a daughter, she joined her husband in his insurance agency. Getting ready for semi-retirement sparked an interest to move to a cooler climate and Arkansas proved to be a nice half-way point between families. New hobbies include gardening, fishing and writing. Janice has written several children’s short stories for her youngest grandchild and is now venturing out into a wider variety of stories.

Cheering them on!

Read this article by a local author about Susan Thomas and Sonia Todd's signing at Hastings.

Cheering them on!

Hot Flash Mommas Sets Record at Idaho Hastings Bookstore

Sonia Todd and Susan Thomas arrived at Hastings Books in Moscow, Idaho, for their 11:30 – 3 p.m. Hot Flash Momma book signing cautiously optimistic. They had contacted friends, distributed flyers and the Mozark Press press release was published in local papers.

By 1:00 p.m. the two authors had signed and sold all forty copies of A shaker of Margaritas: Hot Flash Mommas. They stayed and visited with approximately twenty disappointed shoppers who wanted to purchase books. Sonia Todd said, “We broke their store record for most books sold at a signing and we outsold Twilight today at the Moscow Hastings. We had a great time meeting folks and telling them about the book and Mozark Press! So much fun!”

Kudos to Sonia and Susan for their successful signing! Moscow Hastings plans to order more books to have in stock.

http://www.mozarkpress.com/

http://mozarkpress.blogspot.com/

Thomas and Todd to Sign Hot Flash Mommas at Hastings Books, Moscow, ID

Susan Thomas and Sonia Todd will be available to sign copies of A Shaker of Margaritas: Hot Flash Mommas at Hastings Books,  Moscow, Idaho,  December 4, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Ms. Thomas’ humorous story, “The Business of Finding a Husband,” won first place in the contest associated with the anthology. Ms. Thomas lives in Moscow, Idaho, with her husband, Aaron, and their three children—Yesenia, Dakota and Novik. She loves to write, quilt, speak Spanish and help out at her Southern Baptist Church and at various local charitable organizations. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in philosophy at the University of Idaho and is president of an ACW writers’ group, called We Is Writers. She has previously written for Keys for Kids, The Secret Place and Focus on the Family.

Ms. Todd’story, “Mirror Image” was one of 25 stories selected for the anthology. Ms. Todd is a member of two writing groups and ACW. She lives with her husband and two sons in Moscow, Idaho. She blogs at http://myfirstlaunch.blogspot.com/.

Sylvia Straub Sells Hot Flash Mommas at Holiday Bazaar

Sylvia Straub gave permission for Mozark Press to share her November 21 email:

I wanted you to know that of the 20 books I ordered to sell at our church holiday bazaar, 19 have been sold. I have no doubts that the 20th will be snapped up. A member of the church bought a book prior to the bazaar and, after reading several stories (mine included), decided to take it to a reunion with her sisters. She wants each sister to read a story aloud to the others. Several people bought the books as gifts. The other box of books I ordered will be Christmas presents.

I hope sales are going well. By the way, my name, the names of the anthology and my story, and the publisher were printed in the Mystery Writers of America newsletter. I'm almost certain that alumni magazine will have a blurb about the anthology and my story. I'm going to email my sorority sisters from college and tell about my story and where they can purchase the book. They are scattered all over the country.

Sylvia Straub "Dog's Best Friend"

The Story: Maggie Boyd loves animals and will not tolerate abuse. Sylvia Straub's story, "Dog's Best Friend," details Maggie's mission to rescue animals from her neighbor, Jake. Of course, Jake is suspicious that Maggie took his dog Lucy, but the sheriff can't prove anything. When Jake replaces Lucy with Doberman-shepherds, Maggie's rescue efforts get slightly out of hand. Maggie feels a real need for a pot of Darjeeling (with five jiggers of rum) and several slices of her cranberry bread.

About the Author: Sylvia Straub turned to fiction writing following careers in academia and non-profit management. An earlier version of her novel-in-progress, Blood of the Shepherd, earned a second-place award in Shepherd University’s writing competition. “Dog’s Best Friend” was inspired by her experiences rescuing animals for a Humane Society in Indiana.