Spoof on the Raven

Once upon a midday dreary
as I laundered weak and weary
in faded housecoat that I as housewife wore
there suddenly came a rapping
'twas certainly a tapping at my utility room door
'twas just the wind and nothing more...

(and so begins my spoof on The Raven... and no, I am not a housewife nor do I wear housecoats)

Workshop a Success Last Night

Nathan Richardson and I had the pleasure last night of leading the Spiritual Writing Workshop, from Inspiration to Publication, at Russell Memorial Library. At least 22 writers turned out to hear the ins and outs of publishing and share their own experiences. All ages were represented, even some teens who are working on their own novels. I always get excited when I see young people who are actively honing their craft. There were a lot of great writers and friends in the crowd and I would have loved for all of them to have read some of their works but there wasn't enough time for that. Bill Blake won the door prize basket of three books, candy and cookies. We've been asked to do another presentation like this in the future and I'm looking forward to it. We havn't set a date for the workshop yet but it's in the works.

SPIRITUAL WRITING WORKSHOP- Oct. 19

From Inspiration to Publication
A Spiritual Writing Workshop


WHEN: Monday, October 19, 2009 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
WHERE: Russell Memorial Library
2808 Taylor Road, Chesapeake, VA 23321
Join Nathan Richardson and Phyllis Johnson for a free evening of information and knowledge sharing at the Russell Memorial Library in Chesapeake to discuss their journeys From Inspiration to Publication.

Door prize basket to be given away

For more information contact Ms. Tunkie Stone 757.410.7020


Nathan Richardson www.scpublishing.com/about-us/nathan-richardson
Phyllis Johnson www.PhyllisJohnson.net
Amazon.com. Phyllis Johnson’s latest release.
Twelve Is for More Than Doughnuts.
ISBN: 978-0557090211

With Mark Victor Hansen at Books in the Park

The Books in the Park event at Town Point Park in Norfolk was a super event.

There were over 100 authors in attendance signing their books. A poetry reading was awesome and I got my chance at the microphone too. A highlight was meeting Mark Victor Hansen and his co-writer Robert Allen, authors of Cash in a Flash. Mark Victor Hansen and Jack Canfield were co-creators of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. I also met Crystal Dwyer, author of Pure Thoughts for Pure Results- How Messy Thinking Can Make or Break Your Life. I bought a book from Joe Tennis, The Marble and Other Ghost Tales. Barnes and Noble is to be commended for putting on a wonderful venue for local authors. (photo of Mark Victor Hansen and myself)

From Inspiration to Publication- My Workshop with Nathan Richardson

Spiritual Concepts Publishing - A Suffolk, Virginia Based Publishing Company
Check out Nathan's website and see info about the Christian writing workshop I'm doing with him on October 19 at 7 p.m. at Russell Memorial Library.

2nd Annual Books in the Park

If you love reading, you can't miss the Second Annual Books in the Park event at Town Point Park in Norfolk on Sunday, September 27 in conjunction with the Sunrise to Sunset Acoustic Music Festival from noon to 6 p.m. Food and drinks will be available for purchase and you can bring lawn chairs for the event. Last year it was great and I have a wonderful time meeting other authors. Of course my pile of books I've purchased has grown to the point that I need another lifetime to read them all! Two of the featured authors are Mark Victor Hansen, co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books and Robert G. Allen, author of some New York Times best selling finance books. Together they have written a book, Cash in a Flash that is sure to sell well. Go to festevents.org to see who all the authors are. There are nearly 100 in total. Here is the link to the featured poets and other authors. http://festevents.org/mini-site/books-in-the-park/authors-of-poetry-and-music-and-religion-and-inspirational-and-romance See the website for other listed authors. Come on out and join us!

Contest for Twelve is for More Than Doughnuts

Everybody likes something free. The first person who orders my book, Twelve is for More Than Doughnuts from www.lulu.com and can fill in the blank about the premonition I had and shared at the end of my book will win a prize. I had a premonition about A ______ Lady and then met her. If you can correctly fill in the blank and give me your contact info, I will send you another one of these books for gift giving or you can request a copy of Hot and Bothered By It or Being Frank with Anne.

People Love Reading About Food

When I'm not writing books, I write a weekly newspaper column for The Virginian-Pilot and also do restaurant reviews. I have proof now that folks love food as much as I do. There is a blog that I post on that has community news as well as the restaurant pieces. They track the visits and the 3,000 and more hits received for the food article reinforce the fact that we all love to eat. Here's the link to the piece that got a lot of attention. I reviewed Clayton's Restaurant in Portsmouth, Virginia. Even if you don't live in this area, you'll probably salivate enough to want to find a similar place near you and order some great food. http://hamptonroads.com/2009/08/expect-great-seafood-steak-cozy-hidden-treasure

TWELVE IS FOR MORE THAN DOUGHNUTS

Picture this. You've been given a choice for breakfast between oatmeal and a doughnut. Which are you going to pick? Well, there's something special about a nice doughnut. In fact, I love them so much, they're in the title of my latest book, Twelve is for More Than Doughnuts at Lulu.com Based on poetry and essays from the Bible, it's a nice read when you're sitting down in the morning with a cup of coffee and a doughnut (or a hot bowl of oatmeal...) A friend referred to my book a bite sized chunks of spiritual nourishment... kind of like munchkins....yeah...

Women Who Wine

There is an upcoming event celebrating midlife and my book, Hot and Bothered By It. I will be signing copies of this book at a wine tasting in a nearby town. Women Who Wine is the event for those who are close by. Contact me if you are in my area and I'll tell you the location of this event.

re: Writer's Block

In response to David L's post at Printnpost.com writer's block are very real indeed. As a creative person, for me it is easier to write and then market the work than to be given an assignment and a deadline with a word count before the first word is written. The worst writer's block I've ever had came when I was given a contract for a mermaid story. To that point, I'd always written the work and then tried to sell it. This was in reverse and had me sweating. I am happy to say that the story got written and is now published in a book, thank goodness.

Author of Hot and Bothered By It- Phyllis Johnson

Incidentally, Hot and Bothered By It is written by my alter ego, Phyllis Johnson!

HOT and Bothered By It is catching on

Hi all, I took my book on my cruise to Bermua and there is a shop owner at the Tobacco Bay Concessions who wants to order my books to sell at her two shops. Yay! Women were passing it around on the beach and reading it! It was awesome!

I have another book signing coming up at the Barnes and Noble in Newport News on July 28 from 1-3 pm.

HOT AND BOTHERED BY IT - 50 Poems for the Midlife Chrysalis

Do you suffer from Oreoporosis? Is there Instant Mess-age at your house whenever your away message goes up? Is a period for you now just something found at the end of sentences in the romance novels you read as you fan yourself? If the answer to these questions is yes, then this poetry book, HOT AND BOTHERED BY IT is for you. Published by Community Press at
www.communitypresshome.com this book celebrates the midlife chrysalis for women.
Great for taking in your purse while you're out on the town with your women friends...

Phyllis Johnson- author/poet