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Confidence, done right!

Confidence is the new sexy. In the last couple of weeks I spent time doing research for a new project geared toward women and happen to come across a few interesting articles on the topic of aging and self-esteem. Interesting fact: national polls indicate that people over 50 make up 34% (2014 data) of the U.S. population, and numbers are expected to rise significantly over the next ten to fifteen years. In reading several articles, a theme emerged, a theme that resonated with me as a mature woman (and I’m certain it does with women of all ages as well): confidence . What does confidence mean for women of a certain age? Here are a few points to consider: Confidence is sexy Confidence isn’t restricted to a specific age group Confidence is not a trend, so it will never go out of style. I want us to keep in mind that confidence exudes a type of sexy that speaks for itself. Remember, confidence is the sexiest accessory you can ever have no matter what age, and guess what, it’s free

Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month I present to you five world renowned Hispanic authors you should get to know. Please see below in alphabetical order: Isabel Allende is a Chilean writer who also pens in the “magic realist” tradition.. In 2004, Allende was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and she received Chile’s National Literature Prize in 2010. Jorge Luis Borges was an Argentine short-story writer, essayist, poet and translator. But he was much more than that. Borges contributed to the so-called philosophical literature movement, and he became a literary icon beyond frontiers, though never recognized with a Nobel Prize. Carlos Fuentes was a Mexican novelist and essayist. This great author was honored with the Miguel de Cervantes Prize as well as Mexico’s highest award, the Belisario Dominguez Medal of Honor. Fuentes, like Borges, never won the Nobel Prize. Gabriel Garcia Marquez also known as ‘Gabo’, was a Col

End of summer reading :)

Read, read, read! Writers hear this all the time, “If you want to be a better writer, you need to be a better reader.” This is very true, but, what is also true is that we need to read effectively. See, reading effectively can help make a huge difference in the quality of work we produce. Below are simple tips to ensure you’re getting the most out of your reading experience this year: 1) Be sure to read books you enjoy. This may seem logical, but many a time we may feel as if we have to read ‘certain types’ of books because it is expected of us as writers. But, really, reading should be fun so reading mandatory books (e.g. poetry, Shakespeare, etc.) is counter-intuitive. Read what you enjoy and you’re likely to read more, simple. 2) Read the type of material you aspire to produce. If you wish to be a best-selling author, you should be reading books written by best-selling authors. So, find an author you admire and read as much of his/her work as possible. 3) Keep a lo

Romance Writers of America - Nationals is almost here!

Friends, The Romance Writers of America (RWA) National Conference is just a few days away and this year the conference will be held right here in NYC! Now, I have been reviewing this year’s line-up, and it promises to be a star-studded event with best-selling authors facilitating many of the sessions. In fact, I’m all booked with back-to-back workshops from Wednesday thru Saturday. Hope to see many of my fellow romance writers at the event. Happy summer folks! Maria

Author Spotlight >>> Michael J. Molloy

Michael J. Molloy is big fan of such authors as: Stephen King, Frederick Forysth, Nicholas Sparks, too. A former graduate of Stuyvesant High School, Michael has read all of Frank McCourt books which is what inspired him to pick up a pen and pad in the first place. An enthusiast of the romance and suspense genre Michael has traditionally published two books through Gypsy Shadow Publishing, a contemporary romance and a suspense novel. Michael has three adult children; he currently resides in Brooklyn, New York. What is your genre? I have two: Contemporary Romance and Suspense. What books/stories have you written? Published? I have two books published: “The Diamond Man” and “Sadistic Pattern” Who’s your favorite author? Stephen King What is the one piece of advice you’d give new writers? Be true to yourself; without that you have no commitment. What are you working on currently? "Sweet Greetings from Carthage". Also, I just started a new contemporary ro

Author Spotlight >>> Melissa Stone

Melissa began performing in musical theater at the age of twelve. Melissa performed in over thirteen plays before she even turned fifteen years old. With a love of the arts, Melissa played the piano and violin and developed a love of reading and writing. Currently, Melissa is working on her first novel. Tell us a little bit about your writing, what is the process like? I usually get a picture, a small grain of an idea. And, if this idea persists over time, I then explore how to build story. Who’s your favorite author? Louisa May Alcott What are you currently reading? I tend to read a few books at once so currently, I'm reading: The Kid Stays In The Picture by Robert Evans and The Invited Jennifer McMahon. What is the one piece of advice you’d give new writers? Read, read, read! What are you working on currently? A suspense novel, something I’m really excited about! To learn more about Melissa and her upcoming projects, please follow her on  Twitter .

Battle of Puebla Day = Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo, (Spanish for “Fifth of May”), also called Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla, is a holiday celebrated in parts of Mexico. This particular holiday celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. While it is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations. In the state of Puebla in Mexico, the day is celebrated with parades, speeches, and reenactments of the 1862 battle, though it is not much noticed in most of the rest of the country. In the mid-20th-century in the United States, the celebration of Cinco de Mayo became among Mexican immigrants a way of encouraging pride in their Mexican heritage. Click here to learn more about the Battle of Puebla. Happy Cinco de Mayo! Maria

Author Spotlight >>>Shari Broyer

Shari Broyer writes in many genres and indie-publishes her works via Amazon KDP. Her short Inspirational Christmas story— Jesus on a Park Bench —published 12-24-12, is a long-running Amazon Inspirational bestseller. Besides authoring her own works; Shari is a professional manuscript editor who also helps others publish their works via Amazon KDP. Shari does it all: editing, formatting, and cover art. She is constantly honing her craft/s as an author, editor, producer and even cover designer. In 2017, an email from a friend in California led Shari to the small, but artsy town of Ajo, Arizona, where she bought a cute little house, one that she shares with “Baby”, her adopted ten-year-old cat. Shari loves Ajo. For such a tiny, seemingly “nowhere and nothing” place, Ajo is happening! Art shows, music concerts, fabulous food, fun and friends! How long have you been writing? More years than I want to admit! But really, ever since I could hold a pencil. I wrote a “Goodby krewel world!”

Author Spotlight >>> Antonia Aquilante

Antonia Aquilante has been making up stories for as long as she can remember. At the age of twelve she decided she would be a writer when she grew up. After many years and a few career detours, she has returned to that original plan. Her stories have changed over the years, but one thing has remained consistent—they all end in happily ever after. Born and raised in New Jersey, Antonia is living there again after years in Washington, DC and North Carolina for school and work. She enjoys being back in the Garden State but admits to being tempted every so often to run away from home and live in Italy. How long have you been writing? Forever! When I was a kid, I was always coming up with stories and imagining characters. When I was about 12, I decided I would be a published author when I grew up. I kept writing, but college, law school, and work—and a good dose of fear—kept me from pursuing my dream for a long time. Finally, I got serious and began writing to get published. It to

Author Spotlight >>> Tee O'Fallon

Tee O'Fallon is the author of the Federal K-9 Series and the NYPD Blue & Gold Series. Tee has been a federal agent for twenty-three years, and is now a police investigator, giving her hands-on experience in the field of law enforcement that she combines with her love of romantic suspense. Tee's job affords her the unique opportunity to work with the heroic men and women in law enforcement on a daily basis. When not writing, Tee enjoys cooking, gardening, chocolate, lychee martinis, and all creatures canine. Tee enjoys hearing from readers and can be contacted via her website http://teeofallon.com where you can also Sign up for Tee's newsletters and contests! What books/stories have you written? Published? I have two romantic suspense series, the first of which is the NYPD Blue & Gold Series: BURNOUT, BLOOD MONEY, and DISAVOWED. This series follows a heroic and hunky team of NYPD detectives as they fight to protect the public and those they love most. BURNOUT

Author Spotlight >>> Katrina Shawver

Katrina Shawver is an experienced writer, blogger, speaker, and author of the award-winning HENRY: A Polish Swimmer’s True Story of Friendship from Auschwitz to America. She spent fifteen years researching WWII, Poland, Auschwitz, and the Holocaust and is the recipient of the 2018 Polish Heritage Award from the Polish American Congress of Arizona. A reader at heart, she loves curling up with a good book and a glass of Merlot by her side. For more information, visit katrinashawver.com . How long have you been writing?  My accidental writing career began in 1996. I penned a letter to the editor of the Arizona Republic newspaper in Phoenix, Arizona, and in it I complained about their coverage of schools. Six months later they called me up and asked me to write a regular column in a new community section. I did that for eleven years until the paper downsized. I met a lot of interesting people along the way. A chance meeting in 2002 changed the direction of my life. I met an eighty