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Corfu, Greece
Liana Metal lives in Greece, on the island of Corfu. She is an EFL teacher(MAEd -Applied Linguistics), book reviewer and freelance writer. Liana is also an artist. Her drawings/paintings can be found both online at www.aggelia-online.gr and at several shops in Corfu town. To contact the artist visit http://LianaMetal.tripod.com or her blog at http://LianasKerkyra.blogspot.com Η Ηλιάνα Μεταλληνού διδάσκει Αγγλικά στην Κέρκυρα, γράφει άρθρα και ιστορίες για έντυπες και ηλεκτρονικές εκδόσεις σε όλο τον κόσμο και ζωγραφίζει. Μπορείτε να την επισκεφθείτε στην ηλεκτρονική διεύθυνση http://toasprosaligari.blogspot.com και http://www.coffeetimecorfu.com

Storytime

Storytime
A book for kids/ 3 stories in English

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

My Father's Dream Wasn't My own-a review

My Father's Dream Wasn't My own
Jeanette Hewitt-Bailey
www.outskirtspress.com
2009, ISBN: 978-1-4327-2397-2,
paperback, pp. 260, US $ 21.95
Fiction


Jeanette Hewitt-Bailey lives in Lakeland Florida. More information at http://www.outskirtspress.com/myfathersdream

This story is about the life of a girl, George-Ann, who was controlled by her father, Sam. She had to grow up in her father's shadow, and was denied a personal life though she craved for freedom and the chance to develop her own character.

The novel is exceptionally gripping and the readers will be amazed at the turn of events as they unfold. Filled with all kinds of emotion, the author manages to capture the inner feelings of the characters very skillfully thus creating real to life situations throughout the plot. It caters to all romance lovers and is available at http://www.outskirtspress.com/myfathersdream
and other online stores.

Henry Melton's latest novel

This is my latest review:

Golden Girl
Henry Melton
Wire Rim Books, Hutto, Texas, 2009, www.wirerimbooks.com
ISBN: 978-0-9802253-5-8
paperback, pp. 276, US $ 14.95


Science Fiction/young adults


Henry Melton has released his latest novel, Golden Girl, to amaze readers once more. His work can be found at www.wirerimbooks.com.

Golden Girl is about a girl, Debra, who was thrust into the past and then into the future thus experiencing time travel in order to save the planet. Divided into three parts, this novel is nevertheless as amazing as all the previous works of the author. Filled with scientific facts and interesting details, Golden Girl is another science fiction story that will grip the interest of the reader and carry it through to the very last page. Written in a simple and clear style it caters to all young adults and adults who love science fiction. It is an exciting read for the whole family. Get this book from www.wirerimbooks.com

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Meet Debra Eckerling

Happy New Year!


This year starts with the presentation of a talented author, Debra Eckerling.

I am sure you will be delighted to learn about her!


Interview with Debra Eckerling, the leader of Write On! (www.writeononline.com)

Tell us about yourself first.

I am a freelance lifestyle and entertainment writer who developed a niche in writing about writers. I moved to LA from the Chicago suburbs 12 years ago, and freelanced while working fulltime until two years ago when I went out on my own. Some of my “day jobs” included Community Relations Coordinator for Barnes & Noble, Production Editor at Publications International, Ltd., and Director of Communications for an executive benefits company.

I have been leading a writers support group for the last eight years, and have a writers website – www.writeononline.com. I also host workshops in addition to freelance writing, editing, and coaching.


When did you start writing?


Like most writers, I developed a love of writing from the moment I learned to write in grade school. In high school, I did a lot of essays and creative writing, and even had a poem in the high school literary journal (which I find extremely funny since poetry is the one thing a do not do now). I graduated with a degree in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and freelanced for one of the college papers. I also was an award-winning public speaker on the nationally ranked Forensics team. Participating on the team involved a lot of writing and peer-coaching.

What types of writing do you do?

My writing includes non-fiction articles, essays, and corporate communications. In addition to the content for my website – WriteOnOnline.com – I edit the eZines for The Writers Store and StoryLink.com.

I have also written four screenplays and participated in/completed National Novel Writing Month for the first time last November. I am currently working on a non-fiction book on writing and am planning to participate in NaNoWriMo again this year, as well as it’s sister-group ScriptFrenzy, which encourages people to write a screenplay in a month. That takes place in April.


Tell us about Write On! What is it about?


Write On! is the writers support group I have been leading in Santa Monica for the last eight years. We focus on goal-setting, productivity, and accountability, as well as networking with light critique. Whereas most writing groups cater to a specific type of writer, Write On! is open to writers in all areas, mediums, and levels of experience. Most writers create in more than one medium. Plus, all writers need people who understand them to cheer them on.

I launched the dedicated website – www.WriteOnOnline.com – about a year and a half ago. People would move out of town and want to stay involved, have a place to post their goals, and stay in touch with the community. I also met a lot of people from other states and other countries, who liked the idea of the writers support group and wanted to participate.

Over the last year and a half, Write On! Online has developed into an informative website and community. We have Author Q&As twice a week, Expert columns every Thursday, and a drawing for posting monthly goals either on the website or on the Write On! Online Facebook Fan Page (www.facebook.com/writeononline). The Facebook page allows people to participate in writing discussions, share knowledge, and post links to their latest success. I also have a monthly writing challenge with prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. The topic for the January Challenge is Review Yourself: submit a 200- to 400-word review of your own work. Details here: http://bit.ly/5ZUYEW


What inspired you to create this?


I was the Community Relations Coordinator for Barnes & Noble in Schaumburg, Illinois, and, whenever I was at a loss for events, I would sit in the café and talk to our customers. One day, someone asked if I would start a writers support group at the store. I thought it sounded like a good idea, and decided to try it out. It was quite a success. As a bonus, I started writing essays as my goals for the meetings – I don’t believe in bugging people to set goals unless I intend on setting them myself. When a freelance opportunity came up, I had writing samples ready to go.

I re-launched the group in Los Angeles in 2002.

Where is it online?

The website is www.writeononline.com, and the Facebook page is www.facebook.com/writeononline
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Tell us about your other work.

In addition to my niche of writing about writers – WriteOnOnline.com, as well as editing the eZines for The Writers Store and StoryLink.com – I love to teach and I love to talk. I lead workshops on topics such as Breaking through Writers Block and Marketing through Blogging and Social Networking. My next class is Goal Setting & Productivity on January 30 at The Writers Store in Westwood, CA. Details here: http://www.writersstore.com/product.php?products_id=4440

Has the Internet helped you in your writing career? How?

Yes. The internet is awesome. Really the best tool for education, networking, and self-promotion. It has helped me expand my reach to writers, and allowed me to assist authors in increasing their visibility – and share information – through interviews on my website.
Authors need a platform. – and there is no better, far-reaching platform than the Internet.

What do you advise new writers to do?

Start by journaling. Write what’s happening in your life, feelings, observations, unique characters you encounter, and ideas. It’s great practice for developing style and tone, and there’s plenty of material to write about. Writing is exercise: the more you do it, the more skilled you become.

Thanks Debra for being with us!

Good luck!

Liana

Monday, January 4, 2010

January 2010 VBT tour

2 Dianne Sagan Kevin McNamee /www.diannesagan.wordpress.com">Dianne Sagan is hosting Kevin McNamee
3 Harry Gilleland Maggie Ball /harrygillelandwrites.blogspot.com">Harry Gilleland is hosting Maggie Ball
4 Karen Cioffi Lea Schizas /karenandrobyn.blogspot.com">Karen Cioffi is hosting Lea Schizas
5 Kathy Stemke Heidi Thomas /educationtipster.blogspot.com">Kathy Stemke is hosting Heidi Thomas
6 Lea Schizas Martha Swirzinski /thewritingjungle.blogspot.com">Lea Schizas is hosting Martha Swirzinski
7 Vivian Zabel Liana Metal /vivianzabel.blogspot.com">Vivian Zabel is hosting Liana Metal
8 Nancy Famolari Margaret Fieland /nancygfamolari.blogspot.com">Nancy Famolari is hosting Margaret Fieland
9 Elysabeth Eldering Mayra Calvani /jgdsseries.blogspot.com">Elysabeth Eldering is hosting Mayra Calvani
10 Katie Hines Elysabeth Eldering /katiehines.blogspot.com">Katie Hines is hosting Elysabeth Eldering
11 Helena Harper Dana Donavan /helenaharpersblog.blogspot.com">Helena Harper is hosting Dana Donovan
12 Liana Metal Debra Eckerling /lianastories.blogspot.com">Liana Metal is hosting Debra Eckerling
13 Carolyn Howard-Johnson Dianne Sagan /sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com">Carolyn Howard-Johnson</a> is hosting Dianne Sagan
14 Gayle Trent Helena Harper /www.gayletrent.com/blog/">Gayle Trent is hosting Helena Harper
15 Mayra Calvani Stephen Tremp /mayrassecretbookcase.blogspot.com">Mayra Calvani is hosting Stephen Tremp
16 Marvin Wilson Linda Asato /theoldsilly.com">Marvin Wilson is hosting Linda Asato
17 Linda Asato Kathy Stemke /lindaswritingdesk.blogspot.com">Linda Asato is hosting Kathy Stemke
18 Stephen Tremp Katie Hines /stephentremp.blogspot.com">Stephen Tremp is hosting Katie Hines
19 Margaret Fieland Karen Cioffi /www.margaretfieland.com">Margaret Fieland is hosting Karen Cioffi
20 Darcia Helle Harry Gilleland /quietfurybooks.com/blog/">Darcia Helle is hosting Harry Gilleland
21 Marth Swirzinski Jane Sutton /wholechildpublishing.blogspot.com">Martha Swirzinskia> is hosting Jane Sutton
22 Heidi Thomas Darcia Helle /heidiwriter.wordpress.com">Heidi Thomas is hosting Darcia Helle
23 Jane Sutton Nancy Famolari /janekennedysutton.blogspot.com">Jane Sutton is hosting Nancy Famolari
24 Dana Donovan Linda Suzane /www.danadonovan.com/apps/blog/">Dana Donovan is hosting Linda Suzane
25 Dallas Woodburn Marvin Wilson /dallaswoodburn.blogspot.com">Dallas Woodburn is hosting Marvin Wilson
26 Linda Suzane Dallas Woodburn /journeybestseller.blogspot.com">Linda Suzane is hosting Dallas Woodburn
27 Debra Eckerling Vivian Zabel /writeononline.com">Debra Eckerling is hosting Vivian Zabel
28 Heather Paye Gayle Trent /heatherpaye.blogspot.com">Heather Paye is hosting Gayle Trent
29 Maggie Ball Carolyn Howard-Johnson /magdalenaball.blogspot.com">Maggie Ball is hosting Carolyn Howard-Johnson
30 Kevin McNamee Heather Paye /kevinmcnameechildrensauthor.blogspot..com">Kevin McNamee is hosting Heather Paye