Hello everyone:

I am a single mom who had published my first book.
My book is called "A Long Journey to Home" it is an
inspiring book that will take a reader from desperation
to triumph. This book has a combination of poems and stories
behind each of these written poems. I am using this book
as a way to start an awareness of child abuse and domestic
violence. I am using my words to encourage those whose
a victim and survivor. And educate the community on
what victim/survivors had to deal with the mental
aspect of the aftermath. It is time to STOP sweeping
this issue of ABUSE under the rug and START doing something.
I had use my story (to not take pity) to find it encouraging.
This book will make you laugh, cry, and make you think. This book
is available NOW over 2800 online bookstores. You will
LOVE this book. ENJOY!

Hi everyone my name is Carlos Aranda and I am a new author. You can check out my book, blog, and website here.
http://carlosaranda.tateauthor.com/

Researched and written by myself, this book is the ultimate guide for those who are passionate about building either a static or a dynamic website. It not only contains recipes on five core web technologies including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP and MySQL but, also demonstrates how to put these building blocks together to build a meaningful construction. Unlike other books, it doesn’t leave you stranded at the other end (guessing what to do next) but takes you to the final milestone. It builds the learning momentum in the initial five chapters with simple and concrete examples. In the final chapter, you go through a website project where you fit in almost all the blocks from the initial chapters. Starting with professional static web pages, you’re shown how to put life to a website by creating dynamic web pages. In the final task of this project, you are provided with step by step instructions to move your website from your development PC to a hosting server on the internet.

From web introduction to hands-on examples and from website designing to its deployment, this book surely is a complete resource for those who know little or nothing about professional web development.

Links: http://the-web-book.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-web-book-build-static-dynam...

Good morning, all!

So much talent on the boards here! Very exciting!

I am here to talk a bit about my first novel. It's called A Vicious Cycle. I began writing the thriller-mystery back in December and completed it this March. I submitted the book to Sarah Book Publishing at the end of March and low and behold they are publishing my very first novel! It will be out fairly soon, available at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and on their website, sarahbookpublishing.com. The novel will be available in paperback as well as digitally. I don't have a specific date yet, but I have been told by my editor that it is possible it will be out by the end of this month which is very exciting.

Here's a synopsis of my book:

Rebecca Lawton is a mystery-thriller novelist, author of the Vicious Cycle book series.

It has been six years since Rebecca was brutally attacked late one night after attending class. Since that night, she has been somewhat of a recluse, venturing no further than the corner market, a half a block from her apartment. Her only real contact with the outside world is through chat forums and message boards. When she receives a message from user TheExecutioner8, her world comes crashing down around her as she is thrust into a game of cat and mouse. He knows things about her and he is using her novels to create a real-life Vicious Cycle.

Rebecca teams up with Detectives Jennifer Adams, Brody Scott and Kyle Rickards as they race against time, the body count growing by the minute, in this thrilling, shocking, and macabre tale of murder and obsession.

I have also created a website for my novel, which can be found at: http://aviciouscyclenovel-cwlambert.webs.com/. I update information about the novel as I hear things from my editor, so please feel free to sign my guestbook, comment on my blog, or sign up for updates when they are posted. I am very excited for the publication of my first novel as well as getting to talk about and promote it here on booktalk.org.

Thank you.

Hello everybody,

I'm Jasper Storm, author of A Little Help and Forbidden Love. I found this website through a blog, and I must say that I'm impressed so far!

I think it'll be a lot of fun getting to know people here. My website, Stormy Novels, went live earlier this week and to celebrate that event I'm giving a 50% discount on all my novels at Smashwords. For more information about that offer, or if you want to learn more about me, my novels, or future plans, feel free to click on that link. :-)

Dear fellow NBers,

My name is Ian Shaw and I am the coordinator of a small micropress in Canada, called Deux Voiliers Publishing. At the moment, it is a hybrid between a loose writers cooperative and a commercial publisher. Our basic goal is to work together to bring down the barriers to publishing for first-time Canadian novelists, get our works read, and have creative fun in doing so. So far, we are only focusing on Canadian writers, given our small size, but we are open to suggestions.

Our submission policy is very easy. Just send an electronic version of your novel to . We don't expect long pitches or query letters or even author bios. Essentially, we will take a look at your work to determine whether it is a good fit and ready or close to ready for publication. We are a general fiction publisher, but would like to focus mainly on literary fiction, mysteries, thrillers, historical fiction and crime stories. Generally, we do not publish erotica (although erotic scenes in novels of other genres are acceptable), vampire stories, the paranormal and poetry (at least not yet).

We also need volunteer copy editors, graphic designers, videographers and book reviewers to make this venture sustainable. Finding a top-notch web designer to revamp our web presence would also be very helpful. We operate on a cooperative basis and each author is expected to pick up the printing, shipping and marketing costs of his/her books. Any sales revenue is passed onto the authors and DVP members are expected to pitch in to help each other promote their books where they can.

Our accomplishments to date have been the publication of four novels and an anthology of short stories. Our five authors are Stephen Lorne Bennett, Chris Turner, Brendan Ray, Paul Duong and myself (I write under the penname Con Cú - Vietnamese for owl). See our website at www.deuxvoiliers.com for the list of titles and further information on who we are. While we do produce e-books, our main focus is rather on trade paperbacks. We distribute through on-line vendors (Amazon, Lulu, Barnes and Noble, etc.) and in Canada, through our national book distributor Red Tuque Books - www.redtuquebooks.ca - to independent bookstores and public libraries. BTW, if you are a self-published Canadian writer or a small Canadian publisher, you would do well to consider distribution through Red Tuque - they offer an excellent service at a reasonable fee.

I have just listed my own novel, Soldier, Lily, Peace and Pearls under the Book Review Program. There is even a full PDF version of it there for those who are interested.

Here are the DVP titles on Amazon. http://pinterest.com/seanmalcolm/deux-voiliers-publishing-books-availabl...

Cheers,

Ian Shaw (Con Cú)
Deux Voiliers Publishing
Ottawa, Canada
E-mail:
Website: www.deuxvoiliers.com

Hi everyone

I've just joined the group, and provide below info about myself, and my novel GABRIELLA. Feel free to respond in any way, whether by checking it out or reviewing it...

I'm a director of an English language school for foreign students. Married, with one daughter. Poetry pamphlets: Wasted Leaves, 1996; I Went With Her, 2007. I've had poems published in such magazines as Orbis, Iota, The Interpreter's House, Poetry Nottingham, Poetry Salzburg Review, Poetry Cornwall, and others. I have now written five novels. I would describe them as surreal novels exploring the nature of relationships, romantic and sexual, and Britain's class-system, with liberal use of comedy and satire, creating original and riveting settings full of humour, romance, sex and adventure.

Have you ever imagined what a story would be like that combines romance and a game of cricket? Well, imagine no more, and read 'Gabriella'. This is 'Roman de la Rose' updated from medieval France to present-day England. No longer a question of plucking roses, or even stealing cherries, but more of whipping off bails and knocking stumps over.

http://www.amazon.com/Gabriella-ebook/dp/B009H7SCMA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital... »

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gabriella-ebook/dp/B009H7SCMA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digit... »

http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/gabriella/id566645363?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3... »

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/239576?ref=ebookspublisher

Alan

Hello fellow humans, I’m a new author on the scene and are looking for some fans, advice, criticisms’, and anything else anyone cares to share about my book The Legend of Lee More Tales of Debauchery, along with my website. You can check both if you like at http://www.leemore01.com . It has links to my book. Also, Smashwords gives a free sample. Feel free to blog and leave links at my blogspot http://legendofleemore.blogspot.com . Thanks for your support, and I look forward to supporting you.
For only $3 you can get a laugh, a memory, and a social reflection that is worthless, or price less, depending on your own perspective. The Legend of Lee More is a fictional autobiography that should really be classified as one big half truth. You would have to read it to understand what I mean. It is available on e-book for your Kindle or Nook at SmashWords.com, Amazon.com, and Barns&Noble.com.

Well it took over year to happen but finally "The News Factory' has been released to the general public. This collection of poetry and short stories is about the part of New York City which is quickly disappearing due to gentrification and exorbitant rents. These are residents of SRO's, along with the buildings themselves, which continue to disappear at an alarming rate. It is also about some of the iconic locations around the city which are now gone, including CBGBs and some of the older customers of Max's Kansas City. But more than that, this collection of works is an up close and personal look at these individuals, their dreams, hopes and more importantly, their humanity.

Most of the individuals in this book are not image conscious at a time where image seems to be everything. Here, between these pages, there is no pretense to anything, the people and places are exactly what they appear to be, confessions from a dying city.

Referring to New York as a dying city is in no way indicating that it's becoming a ghost town but rather, it is losing, and in many ways has already lost, that piece of it's heart which separated it from most other US cities. Up until the early 1990's this was the place one would go if you were an outcast, either to your family or your home town. No one really cared about how strange you came across, there was just too much to do and this was also the place to let it all hang out. But it was understood, that while you’re here, that it was important to accept all five boroughs on their own terms. This was often shown in the downtown music scene of the 1970's and 80's which was often seen as dirty but was a testimonial to the raw and pure energy of the time. From Punk to No Wave and even early Rap it was honesty in its most naked form. Writers from of all colors and stripes and genders have often testified to the energy which came from this New York City, the same one that gave the early platform to the Beats and later to people like Jim Carroll, Lou Reed, Pattie Smith and Lydia Lunch along with many others. The News Factory is an homage to that past city.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/chattininmanhattan/2012/03/30/the-news-fact...

Hello! Here is the blurb to my just released book, The Legend of Rachel Petersen.
Outraged when The Post Gazette overlooks him for a promotion, 39 years old Sports Writer Christian Kane quits and moves to the country to write fiction. Inspiration flows from a grave he stumbles upon in the woods. He compiles The Legend of Rachel Petersen, a fascinating story revolving around the dead twelve year old girl lying beneath the weathered tombstone. His book becomes a Best Seller; then Hollywood makes it in to a blockbuster movie. Kane becomes rich and famous, but only to have Rachel rise from the grave to seek revenge on him for slandering her name! Or does she?
Portions of the book's proceeds will be donated to The Leader Dogs for the Blind.
Visit my website for more details! Thanks! JT Baroni
www.jtbaroni.com

Hello,

My name is Cynthia Dawson and I'm new to NB. I have had a cookbook self-published July 2011 called "Tasty Ideas From An Accidental Home Cook". I have a website called "accidentalhomecook.com" which is updated weekly. I just wanted to say hello and look forward to talking to readers and authors. Please take some time to check out my book and website.

Hi, I'm new here. I'm trying to get published, but I need some place to rant. Is that okay?

I'm 24. I've written 1 adult novel @ about 200K words, and 4 young adult fantasy novels @ about 52,000 words. (3 of which I wrote last year) I've written a few magazine articles (which didn't pay) and some screenplays, which are currently being considered. I am taking a break at the moment to concentrate on school and publishing.

A few weeks ago I went to a reading by an author that shall remain unnamed. He was new, first novel out, and he shared his 'miraculous' story of how he got published right out of the gate. If anything he was ungrateful, because he was trying to sell a book of short stories, and no one wanted it. So he shipped around a novel, and one house wanted it, but not the short stories. he had to make them take that one as well. Oh how terrible, he published 2 books, but only cared about one. That poor author and that awful publishing house.

Afterwards there was a small workshop. He covered basic writing (which I already know) and as far as publishing went, summed up the following points. 1) You never get published right out of the gate. (never mind that he did) It takes at least 2-5 years. 2) You need to have written at least one million words before you even think of submitting. 3) No one gets published before they are at least 35-45. That's the youngest authors ever get. 4) You don't make any money at all. (this is true) 5) Publishing houses aren't interested in first time authors, so get published before you submit. (WTH?)

Obviously becoming frustrated, I asked "If that's all true, at what point do you give up?" Haughtily he replied "Oh, you NEVER give up. If you give up you're not really a writer. You shouldn't be doing this for money, but for the love of art itself."

...

Let's let that soak in for a moment. It doesn't pay. It can't be done. I'm too young. I need to get published before I can get published. 5 novels aren't enough.

I don't need this. I have the stories in my head. I could go the rest of my life without writing another word if I had to. I love writing. I'm good at writing. It is the ONLY thing I can see as a career path, because I lack any other form of ambition. I need this to PAY. I need this to be a career, that I can support a family on. If I can't do that NOW, not in another 15 years but right this moment, I'm going to go work some place for 40 years in a job I hate and be miscible like the rest of America. I've already been told that when school is over I have to stop what I'm doing and "get a real job" because things are too tight right now.

I am understandably frustrated. I will admit my lack of organization is a downfall, but I am bamboozled. I have material. I know that blindly submitting doesn't usually work. I have $0 for anything else. I'm not a huge fan of an agent because I see that as taking money that I will desperately need to live on. I don't want to be famous, I just want to live. While I am capable of it, the idea of freelance writing frazzles me. Having a different article each week that will pay the bills for that week alone just makes me scratch and shake my head at the same time.

I've got people ahead of me telling me it can't be done. I've got people behind me shouting at me to move or do something else. I'm standing in the middle of the road with a dazed look on my face, knowing where I need to be, and a general idea of how to get there, but not sure how to put the car in gear.

I'm frustrated and need to vent. Thanks.

Also, has anyone ever had any success from this place?

Hey there - just celebrating the launch of Terth Willager: Age of Mythology. Professionally edited and independantly published through Indi Publishing Group, now available as an e-book on Amazon Kindle at $4.99:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0045Y1N8K

Stay tuned for different e-book releases:

http://kevinghare.com

Thanks!

Kev.

I just want to introduse myself, My name is Susan Betters I am the author of
"Death of a millionaire" and "With love life goes on.
I am from Providence RI.

Jane E Hill has written the first of her ‘alternative ending’ books entitled, So Here I Stand.

"Originally born in North London, Jane escaped an unhappy childhood using her writing. Through adult life, ingenuous to most, the pen was never far from her hand. With annotations scrawled in restricted notebooks, her passion for writing was kept alive. Unable to publish any of her work during a troublesome and violent first marriage, she held on to these notebooks. Now happily married again and residing in Kent, her efforts are offered in this first publication".

[RG] Hi Jane. So, firstly, could you tell us a little bit more about the alternative-ending concept in your book, please.

The idea for the alternative ending developed due to the reoccurring question I continuously asked myself, ‘Why is it upon arrival at the end of a film or book the conclusion is never one you would select necessarily by choice?’ The ending to a book or film with a single conclusion is normally one, which is expected.
The alternative ending is a unique idea, for the first time the reader can complete the beginning, and middle sections of the story and once arriving upon the conclusion is faced with the opportunity to decide the fate of the characters for himself. Drawing upon the end of many books, (as I am sure many readers have) I have on countless occasions felt the overwhelming disappointment when the outcome was not one, which was expected. How many readers have read a book and thought to themselves: ‘I could write an unrivalled climax surpassing that one?’ The odds become greatly compromised with a choice of two endings. The probability the reader will enjoy at least one of the two endings is at best 50%.

[RG] Your book is self published. Can you tell me a little bit about the process you went through to get your work on the shelves.

Self-publishing ‘So, Here I Stand’ was a long and tedious process. Originally handwritten, the manuscript was in need of typing before the publishers would even consider looking at it. Once they were in receipt of the typed document, I was informed it was in the incorrect format. Upon alterations the manuscript was revised a number of times and returned. I signed off each and every part of the process to agree the final adjustments. The additional entry into Waterstones was also a time consuming process. The information relating to my book was sent through a data site and this updates all the online bookstores and some associated bookstore information sites. The information regarding my book has been despatched and has only been received by certain online stores but not others as yet. I am informed this can take up to 30 business days.
The cover was also a lengthy process. Sifting through hundreds of stockpile photographs until I could find a satisfactory selection of combined images to connect the cover to my storyline. The cover is my first port of contact between the reader and myself as the Author and is vitally important. The cover also has to represent the story and has to be significant to the content contained within. Fortunately, after some hours spent searching I discovered the images you now see on the cover of my book.

[RG] What are your writing habits? Are you a morning scribbler or a night owl?

Everyday from morning to afternoon I can be found writing. Intellectual conversation can arouse a spontaneous urge to scribble at any time of the day or night and an unorthodox need to write.

[RG] What are you working on at the moment? Do you have any more alternative ending books in the pipeline?

‘So, Here I Stand’ stems into two sequels and I am working on both of these storylines concurrently. Due to the complexity of these books and the fact these books both again have ‘alternative-endings’ it is inevitable they are written simultaneously.
The basis of these sequels is to provide the reader with the ability to choose either sequel to continue the story from ‘So, Here I Stand’ regardless of which one is selected the story will be maintained. Therefore, the reader can select the original ending in ‘So, Here I Stand’ and continue the story in the second sequel or read the alternative ending and select the first sequel. Either book will continue the plot regardless.

Both sequels will again provide the reader with an original ending and an alternative ending and the possibility to create his own fictional thriller.

[RG] Last but not least, what keeps you going when the ‘doubt fairy’ creeps in? How do you keep plugging away at the page?
Escaping into my writing is therapeutic and relaxing. I have no problems with ‘doubt faeries’ or ‘walls’, I simply open the laptop returning to the sentence I had previously written and continue my work. My only one real frustration is I can never seem to type fast enough to express in words the sentences I would like to compose my story.

Writing should always be pleasurable and effortless and when it becomes a chore, there is always a threat the Author will not find it quite so enjoyable anymore.

Many thanks for your time, Jane

Richard Grayling

Hi all,
I am Joy J Kaimaparamban. My first novel 'The Azure of Solicitude' is now on bookstores. I have created a website www.kaimaparamban.com with the synopsis and excerpts from the novel. I am expecting your valuable comments after visiting my webstie.

Win an autograph copy of a Julius Thompson novel. Click on the following link and let the writing begin: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs042/1102633929372/archive/110303729...

check out my article here:

http://searchwarp.com/swa563374-How-To-Write-A-Memoir-In-Twelve-Easy-Ste...

I worked hard to get this National Radio Interview. I talked about the writing process, marketing on a zero budget, and the ups and downs of writing. Please listen I think this will help all writers. Please copy and paste into your browser to listen:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/denise-turney-/2010/01/16/philly-style-and-...

Articles written by yours truly:

http://hubpages.com/hub/Self-Publishing-on-the-Internet
http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Ability-to-Self-Publish

Hi everybody,

I just wanted to post a message about my upcoming novel, Drokgar Anock: Terrgant Revelations

If you are interested in a good sci-fi tale written from real-life experience including combat check it out here:

www.drokgaranock.com

We are looking for feedback from the weekly short stories we post. They are set in the universe of our novel leading up to the start year, 4310, of the book.

Thanks,
D Klimut
www.drokgaranock.com

I will be releasing Terth Willager: Age of Mythology soon via self-pubishing, probably through CreateSpace. In my Writing page at http://www.kevinghare.com under Terth Willager, I have added the caption I am using for the synopsis on the back of the book and I also included a pdf file of the first two chapters. Hope everyone who reads will enjoy (and be enticed to buy the book!)

Cheers!

When you are self-publishing, where can you find extremely reasonable or free editing?

A young woman in the early 2000s, who is unhappy with unromantic modern life, is sent to England to attend a strict, old fashioned school and falls in love with her young professor.

However, near the school is an old mansion where an embittered vampire lives.

She and her new love must deal with both the vampire's frightening advances and the fear of their love being discovered by the school's stern faculty and staff.

Let's have a look at the new published/self-published titles hitting the market by NB's authors....

Here's mine: Anderoth's Dragon - available at http://www.lulu.com/content/1171156

My thought is everybody wants to promote their work, everybody wants to see how other writers are making out with their projects... let's get together and see what's new...

I have two interviews with writers in the Man-Kzin Wars anthology series (created by Larry Niven) in the May issue of Expressions: Hal Colebatch and Matthew Joseph Harrington. There's not only interesting background on writing for this continuing theme anthology, but hints about writing and working with editors.

Expressions (writing ezine) URL: http://samsdotpublishing.com/expressions/mayexpressions.htm

I am wondering if I am in the right place. I am looking to write a memoir that hopefully isnt centered around sex but does include a lot of BDSM and violence. Is this acceptable?

Hey Everyone,

My friend wrote a book, and we are looking for people to read it and write up some reviews. It is non-fiction, and is geared towards Young/Adults, and lovers of pop culture. The book follows Wendy "Wind" Cooper on her self discovering journey as she resides in the institution of Robin Oaks, a center for the emotionally disturbed youth. Meet wind, her friends, her family, and find out why wind bleeds. It's a pretty short, but solid read. It can be finished over a weekend!

When Wind Bleeds
by Tracie A. Koehnlein

A blank piece of paper stared at Wind, a reminder of her lack of creativity. After a few more minutes of brainstorming she came up with an idea: a piece of land with two trees on it. Simple. She wouldn’t be able to screw that up easily.
Her hand worked carefully as she drew two trunks and a myriad of little branches. Wind decided to make it a winter scene, so she wouldn’t have to draw any leaves, grass or flowers. She drew a few arches under the trunks and the trees looked like they were on snowy mounds.
This is an awful picture… The trees’ branches looked all bent and the arches didn’t really look like mounds of snow. Feeling defeated, Wind looked around the room, which was covered with artwork. She hadn’t looked at them very much when she walked in, just quickly glanced. When she really focused on the pictures she was completely enthralled. The walls were decorated with collages of pictures and newspapers, paintings, drawings, and things they didn’t even have a name for.
There was one rather large picture of Kurt Cobain with the word “GOD” written across it. Graphic art, angry art, even a few happy pieces. There was one picture of smiling people with the caption “What I’ll never be,” on the bottom. Some silly cartoon pictures also adorned the walls. She was mesmerized.
How can this thing ever compare? I should throw it out…
“Hey Windy,” Sarah said. “That’s pretty good.”
“You’re just saying that to be nice.”
“No I’m not, I like it. Why don’t you put some paint on it?”
“Paint?”
“Yeah, there’s some in little jars over there,” she pointed to a counter.
“Um… okay.”
Even if Sarah was lying, Wind felt good to hear someone say they liked the drawing. She walked over to the counter and picked out a jar of red paint and small brush.
When Wind got back to her seat she didn’t know what to do with the paint. Carelessly, she put a few wavy strokes of red across the gap between the two trees and space above them. It looks even worse now… Along with that, a few accidental drips of paint had gotten onto the paper too.
“That’s really cool!” Sarah exclaimed.
“Are you nuts? It’s terrible.”
“It is not! Jen, Ace, is her picture terrible?”
The two glanced at her picture.
“No,” Jennifer said quickly.
“It’s interesting,” Ace looked closer. “A barren field with two lone trees. And the blood.”
The blood... Wind hadn’t thought of it as blood, just red paint.
“Hey Damion! Alena! Vivica! Lookit what Windy made!” Sarah held the picture up for them to see.
“That’s not too bad,” Vivica said.
“Eh… it’s okay,” Alena replied.
Damion just looked and nodded, “Fine.” He was too absorbed in the strings of his beloved guitar to care.
“It's cool how it looks like the air is bleeding.” Sarah looked at it again.
“No, not the air,” Wind took her paper back and looked at it. “It’s not the air that’s bleeding.”
“Then what is?”
She looked at it, thinking for a few seconds. “The wind.”

(*Chapter 1*)
“Some stories are true that never happened.” ~Elie Weisel

A tractor-trailer lumbered by the window. Wind sighed, looking at the interior of the car. She had already done all of the travel “games” she could think of to keep busy. Comparing the ratios of red cars to blue cars, watching the white lines until she felt sick, listening to her parents argue about traffic, even staring at the sky. Sleep was impossible, and she had nothing to do. The car was a picture of boredom, a picture of boredom she had been riding in for over three hours.
She blankly stared at her bags next to her in the seat, wondering why they weren’t put in the trunk. Wind pulled up her jacket sleeve and saw the scars, remembering why she was in the car. There were a few slash marks around her wrist, the freshest ones. If only I had locked the door...
Her step-father, Allen looked in his rear-view mirror and saw her upset expression. “Hey, don’t look so sad,” he said optimistically. “It won’t be that bad. They might even have bunk beds. It could be like camp!”
She stared at his head in front of her, wondering what motivated him to say such a stupid thing.
“I don’t think they have bunk beds in crazy houses, Allen. They’re probably afraid people will jump to their death from the top or something. And I hate camps anyway.”
“Wendy!” her mother Linda said, turning towards her daughter. Wind flinched at the sound of her real name. “It is not a ‘crazy house.’ It’s a... a place where you can go to get better, and stop... doing that. Then when you get help you can come home and everything will be like it was. Don’t cop an attitude with your father like that, either.”
“Really now? Just a place I can ‘get better’?” she asked sarcastically.
It was crazy house; no one would convince her otherwise. And who said she wanted it to go back to the way it was? Allen wasn’t Wind’s father either, he never was, and never would be. What are they going to do anyway? Ground me?
She thought of something else to escape--about a cloud she’d seen, it looked like a huge feather. It was so cool, and she wished she’d had a camera at the time. It reminded her of the swan feather June’s mother gave her in the beginning of The Joy Luck Club. That was a good book...
The car began to pass through a little hick town. A watermelon stand here, a flea market there, and a farm selling dirt. Wind thought that the car ride was almost like Deborah’s in I Never Promised You a Rose Garden. She was sent away because she cut herself too…but only once.
They went over a bumpy dirt road for about twenty minutes, and suddenly came onto a paved road again. Linda rubbernecked over the dashboard. “I think we’re here.”
“This place looks pretty nice,” Allen added.
Nice? Wind looked to at the red building in front of her. It looked like a hospital, with the words “Robin Oaks Home and School For Disturbed Youth” printed on the side. If that wasn’t proof it was a crazy house, nothing was. Places like that were always named after some kind of tree. It must have been to make it sound peaceful.
Allen put the car in park, and he and his wife got out.
“Come Wendy, get your bag,” Linda beckoned.
Wind groaned, picking up one of the heavy bags. Allen grabbed the other as they all walked into the front glass doors. It looked like a hospital inside too, with white tile floors and rough, black carpeting scattered in front of doors. There was a waiting room with lots of chairs and magazines to the right, and doors to rooms or offices on the left. Linda and Allen walked up to the orange obstruction that blocked everyone from viewing the receptionist behind it.
“I’m Linda Cooper, and this is my husband Allen. We’re signing in our daughter Wendy today.”
“Oh yes, the self-harmer, correct?” Linda squirmed at the term “self-harmer.” “Yes, we’ve been expecting you for about an hour or so now.”
“Bumper to bumper traffic on Route 95,” Allen explained.
She laughed. “Oh yes, that happens all the time. Her assigned therapist, Dr. Morgan would like to speak with you before you leave. She’ll go over your daughter’s treatment, and what her stay here will be like. You just go into that door over there,” she pointed to one on the left, and picked up a large walky-talky. “Dr. Morgan, please report to the lobby conference room. Dr. Morgan, please report to the lobby conference room. Thank you.” She smiled as the two went into the door, leaving their daughter and her luggage in the lobby.
Wind walked over to a directory on the wall.
Ground Floor- Lobby and Infirmary
First floor (Ward A)- Substance related disorders
Second floor (Ward B)- Eating disorders
Third floor (Ward C)- Self-harming behaviors
Fourth floor (Ward D)- Psychotic behaviors
Wow, a whole floor of people who cut... She could barely believe it, so read the line again. “Third floor (Ward C)- Self-harming behaviors.”
“You can sit down you know, over there,” the receptionist pointed to the chairs. “Oh yes, and you can leave your bags here too, if you’d like.”
Wind went over to the waiting area, trying to count how many times the receptionist said “yes.” She sat down in one of the plastic turquoise chairs. Her boredom was picking up again, so she grabbed a teen magazine and opened it to the advice columns.
Dear Helen,
I have this problem. The other day my boyfriend and I were getting pretty hot and heavy, when.. this thing happened. I had a major discharge. And when I say major, I mean it looked like I wet my pants! My boyfriend didn’t mind though, he gave me his sweatshirt to tie around my waist when we went back out into the party. I mean.. is there something wrong with me? Why would I have such a big discharge?
Arching an eyebrow, Wind flipped to another page. The quote blown up in the middle of the article was “when i came home, my bra was filled with blood.” She slapped the magazine shut. O...kay, no more magazines…
The therapist had gone in to talk with her parents by then. I wonder what they’re saying about me... Knowing she’d have to sit there for a while longer, Wind leaned back, and slipped into another daydream.

(*Chapter 2*)
“When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries of life disappear and life stands explained.” ~Mark Twain

“We’re going to go in a few minutes,” Linda’s voice awoke Wind from her trance. “Your father and I talked to Dr. Morgan, and she seems very understanding.” Her daughter nodded, standing up. “So, uh... we’re going to leave.”
Wind noticed the longing in her mother’s voice, and tears welling up in her eyes. How could anyone not feel guilty? Linda wrapped her arms around her daughter tightly, and kissed her. “You’ll come home soon, okay?” she said in a comforting tone, trying to convince herself.
Good lord… “Mhmm.”
“I love you.”
“Love you too, Mom.” She didn’t mean it, like always.
Linda hugged her one last time and wiped a few tears from her eyes.
Allen came closer. He better not try and hug me... He patted Wind on the shoulder. “See ya, kiddo.”
Wind shook her head and walked over to the desk. “Where do I go now?”
“Oh yes, I’m sorry. You have to get a physical examination done before you’re admitted. I’ll show you to the room and keep your bags under my desk for when you need them.” She got up and walked her to a small exam room. “After you’re done, you’ll be shown your room upstairs. The doctor will be in momentarily, just wait here for a few minutes.” The receptionist left Wind alone in the exam room.
It was a typical doctor’s exam room. A scale, sink, table with paper on it, and diplomas on the wall. She closely inspected the glass jars with tongue depressors and cotton balls, and the shine of the silvery tops. White drawers and cabinets surrounded the sink. Being in the room made her think of how Vada always went to Dr. Welty’s office in My Girl. I love that movie... Wind knew the whole film by heart, and had memorized the opening monologue. “I was born jaundiced. Once I sat on a toilet seat at a truck stop and caught hemorrhoids. And I’ve learned to live with this chicken bone that’s been lodged in my throat for the past three ye-”
“Wendy? Wendy Cooper?” a voice interrupted her thoughts. “Are you Wendy Cooper?”
Wind swiveled around to see a young, female doctor with a clipboard. “Yes.”
“I’m Dr. Savino, and I’ll be doing the exam.”
“Okay,” Wind answered, uneasily.
“First I need to ask you a few questions. Birthday?”
“August fourth, 1988.”
“Do you smoke or drink? I won’t tell your parents the answers to these, so don’t worry.”
“No, I don’t do that.”
“Any illegal drugs like marijuana or cocaine?”
“No!” she replied, trying to keep her voice below a yell.
“Are you sexually active?”
Wind almost burst out laughing. “Not a chance.”
“Do you cut?” Dr. Savino asked, in a businesslike manner.
Why did she have to ask that one? “Yes.”
“Any burning, bruising, or hair pulling?”
Her face contorted into an uncomfortable expression and she fidgeted. “No.”
“Excessive nail biting?”
She looked down at her half-bitten nails. “I wouldn’t call it excessive.”
The doctor picked up Wind’s hands to look at her fingers. She seemed satisfied.
“Where on your body do you cut?”
Where?! “Where?” Wind asked nervously.
“Yes, where. On your arms, ankles, legs...”
“Arms... and… thighs.”
She kept writing. “Okay, now the actual exam. Take your shoes off and get on the scale please.” Wind did as she was told, and stood still. Dr. Savino ran the weight along the bar. “I don’t need you girls going anorexic on me too.”
Was that supposed to be funny?
Other monotonous check-up procedures such as looking in her ears and listening to her heartbeat were done during Wind’s exam. Aside from normal discomfort she had at every doctor visit, Wind was relieved that nothing out of the ordinary had been done. Maybe it won’t be as bad as I thought…
After collecting a urine sample in the bathroom Wind handed the cup to the doctor. “Are we done now?”
“Almost. I need to take this down to a lab to be drug, pregnancy tested and what not. When I come back we have to do a body check, so in the meantime, strip.”
Wind's body burned with fear as the doctor left. Strip? Show my body? Show my cuts? Oh God this IS as awful as I thought it would be… What the hell am I going to do now?! Before she could protest Wind realized the doctor had left the room. She opened the door and yelled anxiously down the hall.

* To request more of this reading, and to write and submit a review yourself, please e-mail Mia: *

[Author Profile]
Name: Tracie A. Koehnlein

About the Author: “I am currently studying social work Alvernia University and have been writing stories since I was six years old. I currently work as a writing tutor at Alvernia University and intern at Kidspeace Foster Care in Reading, PA. When Wind Bleeds is one of my first novels which I began writing when I was fifteen. I have interests in animals, films, scrapbooking and (obviously) books.”

Biography: “I was born in New York and raised in Queens the first few years of my life, and then in New Jersey from age five to seventeen. I began writing stories in first grade, the same year I learned how to read and the length and depth of my writing progressed as my age did. A great deal of my childhood involved animals, and I planned to become a veterinarian until age thirteen when I decided to pursue a career in mental health. I self-taught myself many ways to help troubled people, and chose a college major in social work with a minor in addictions.”

Inspiration: “My inspiration for When Wind Bleeds was my friends in high school. I had many friends who were abused, self-harmed and some that were involved in drugs. There seemed to be so little help and understanding for them, both socially and professionally, so I took it upon myself to not only help them but make others aware of similar struggles. Along with being a form of an entertainment, When Wind Bleeds allows others to look into a teenaged world of self-harm, child abuse, and mental illness that only a small amount of outsiders see properly.”

What people are saying:
“When Wind Bleeds chronicles the struggles of a young girl as she is thrown into the psychiatric unit of Robin Oaks, a world far removed from her own, and through her eyes ours are opened to another, hidden, side of our society. In here Koehnlein successfully leads us into a world fraught with pain, yet manages to show us that there is hope even in the darkest hour. A highly recommended read.”
-Alexandra “Shadow” Walsh

I'm a new author here and i just posted a story on my profile. id really like some reviews on it so i can think more about publishing it. i dont have the story for sale anywhere and im still writing it so i just put a few chapters in the preview part. please check it out!

Writers are so caught up in themselves they have no time to stop and smell the roses....

poor souls.

I hope one day you realize what you are truly after.

untill then, keep on pushing.

And dont forget that you dont have time to be reading this, you are too busy with... yourself...(aka nothing)

Jesse

prove me wrong....answer this thread.

It’s every serious writer’s dream to have a story nominated for the coveted Pushcart Prize, one of the highest honors in the writing world.

Publishers who publish stories and poetry can nominate up to six pieces of published writing per year to submit for a Pushcart Prize. While many publishers do this, being chosen out of all the pieces each publishes per year is, in itself, an honor.

I received a message this morning from Silver Boomer Books that they have nominated my flash story, “The Last Thing I Do,” for a Pushcart Prize. They also published my flash piece “Rituals” in this anthology.

“Last Thing” was published earlier this year in their anthology, Freckles to Wrinkles.

An explanation of the Pushcart Prize.

Mary
Write Any Genre

I'm new to the forum and have a website. It's on http://prophecyofthekings.com/ -any comments would be greatly appreciated. I think everyone out here appreciates how tough it is to get their book published so best wishes to everyone. Any advise towards achieving this would be greatly appreciated. I'd just like to say what a great site this seems to be :)

INVITATION NOT PROMOTION

ALL THINGS THAT MATTER PRESS is up and running! Our first two books, COLLECTED MESSAGES: GUIDES FOR PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION Books I and II are now on Mobipocket as ebooks. Book I is in print and on Amazon.com. 3 more books are in the pipeline and we are about to sign on several new authors with submissions rolling in.

HERE'S THE INVITATION

You all know that in addition to the efforts of the publisher, the author's work just begins when the book becomes available. We will be adding an AUTHOR'S RESOURCE page on our web site, http://allthingstha tmatterpress. com . Many of you, and you know who you are, have services/books that can help an author promote and market their new books. I invite you to us send a description of your services/books and contact information for our site. We will not endorse any of these but we will make them available to our authors.

If you are sending in book titles please include the price-I know that is impossible for services since each situation is unique. We do reserve the right to not include your request for inclusion. I have talked to many of you, but not all of you.

If any of you have written in the spiritual/self- help genre, I would be particularly interested in your book submission. We are, of course interested in other genres.

I hope to hear from you.

Phil

Hi to all. We are a new publishing company, Spiritually Speaking Press, and are looking for new writers. We are NOT a vanity press, meaning that WE pay YOU royalties on sales. We do not charge the author anything to publish their work.

If you have, or know someone who has, a manuscript that deserves publishing, please submit it to: .

Our website is still under construction but should be up within the next or so. If you have any questions about who we are please feel free to email us at

We are hoping to hear from your fine group soon.

Namaste to all.

Jeremy Waters

Hi, I'm a newbie.

http://www.agnesjune.com

Hi all,

I have just updated my website http://www.beauxreflets.com and now offer the opportunity for other writers to increase their level of Internet exposure.

Regards

Andy

As a writer, I've always believed that. in some way, we need to reward those who help us. (Actually I believe that about all of life.) When I had my photo taken for my latest novel, I told the photographer and shop owner that I would acknowledge the Faces Studio in my book. I did. But I was so grateful to find someone who could produce a likeable photo that I also sent her a copy of the book. She was, after all, excited to know her work would appear on a book cover.

This is what she wrote in her recent email:

Aloha Mary,

How have you been? Thank you for the signed copy of your book and we also appreciate how you have quoted us inside the book. Our plan is to leave this book on our store counter to share with our customers and introduce your book and our work within it. I’m glad to hear that you really like the picture and if you ever stop by Oahu again please come and visit us. Can’t wait to see your other book go into production! Thank you.

Jennie Hwang
Faces Studio and Salon

What a great way to promote both my book and her talents. You can bet I will have the photo for my next book taken at Faces Studio and Salon. They are superior people.