Fiction Writing + Publication Course in #Falmouth! #amwriting #CapeCod #writingtips

I'm thrilled to be teaching a new "Fiction Writing and Publication" course this September, back at The Lawrence School in Falmouth.  For the last few years, I've taught this popular class for both Cape Cod Community College's Center for Corporate and Professional Education and for the Town of Falmouth's Community School in a number of locations, and I've met so many aspiring authors and hopefully helped them on their writing journey.  I've even read some of their finished manuscripts and visited their writing groups, which has been so rewarding.  If you're interested in writing a novel, or exploring publishing options, and you're in the Cape Cod area, consider joining us!  The press release is below, along with sign-up info and some reviews from class attendees!

Ready to Write That Novel?

A course offered this fall in Falmouth provides instruction on writing fiction and guidance on publishing options.

For many writers, a quote by Nobel Prize-Winning Author Toni Morrison summarizes the beginning of the journey: “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”  Many people dream of writing a novel, but aren’t sure how to begin.  Even once a manuscript is finished, the choices within the publishing industry seem to grow every day.  Literary agents continue to seek clients for the big publishing houses, smaller electronic presses have become a force in the new digital world, and more options than ever exist for those looking to publish independently.  Unfortunately, this type of growth has also resulted in many sites looking to take advantage of authors eager to publish and promote their work.  The entire process can become overwhelming quickly.

A five-week evening class offered by Falmouth Community School aims to offer guidance to aspiring authors.  “Fiction Writing and Publication” will be held at the Lawrence School on Tuesday evenings, September 25—October 23, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.  #1 Amazon and B&N Bestselling Author Kathryn Knight will teach the elements of successful fiction writing and outline the various options in the rapidly changing publishing industry.  Key concepts such as voice, POV, the hook, Goal-motivation-conflict, and character development will be discussed. Idea inspiration, common pitfalls, and query letters will also be covered.  Finally, avenues to publication - from self-publishing to small and digital presses to seeking agent representation - will be explored.

Lawrence School is located at 113 Lakeview Ave.  Pre-registration is required; please visit Falmouth Community School online or call 508.548.5739 to register.  Cost is $149, no materials or experience needed.

The Origins of #Halloween ~ Happy Halloween #Halloween2017 #Samhain #amblogging

The month of October conjures up images of turning leaves, hayrides, pumpkins, scarecrows, black cats, and of course Halloween decorations.  I love learning about the origin of the holidays we celebrate, so I did a bit of (admittedly rudimentary) research to discover some of the reasons we dress up and try to scare each other on October 31^st.

Originally known as All Hallows’ Eve, Halloween is linked to the Celtic festival of Samhain.  This last day of autumn was considered the time of year when the barrier between the paranormal and physical worlds grew thin. 

The Christian holiday of All Saints’ Day (All Hallows) also influenced Halloween.  It was said that the souls awaiting release on November 1^st had one last night to extract revenge on their enemies before leaving the earth.  Cautious Christians would disguise themselves with masks to avoid recognition.

The custom of carving pumpkins originated from a Samhain practice of remembering souls with turnip lanterns.  Trick-or-treating can be traced back to “souling”, a medieval practice which involved the poor and hungry travelling door-to-door and offering to pray for the dead in return for food.

My favorite Halloween tradition is visiting haunted houses.  This year, I dragged my best friend to an incredible haunted house and haunted basement at Paxton Manor in Virginia, when we were there visiting earlier in the month.  We screamed the entire time, but we laughed just as much, and we made it out alive (see below).  I love being scared like that, when you know in the back of your mind that it really is just an attraction (or movie, tv show, or book).

Emerging from the Haunted Basement victorious!

The medium in GULL HARBOR, however, spends her summer in a truly haunted house.  Claire Linden arrives in Gull Harbor ready to take on an aggressive ghost—now that she’s embraced her psychic gift, she’s confident she’ll be able to rid her temporary home of the restless spirit that drove the owners to hire her.  However, she doesn’t expect to encounter Max Baron, the man who promised to love her forever, then abandoned her without an explanation five years ago.  As Claire unravels the truth behind the haunting, Max must share his secret in order to stay close enough to help protect the woman he still loves from a danger that extends beyond the paranormal…

If you like that story, try SILVER LAKE as well...another suspenseful ghost story/mystery with plenty of romance.  Will Rain and Jason get another chance at first love before a desperate spirit tears them apart again...forever?

My latest ghost mystery also has plenty of steamy romance to counteract any chilling scenes, and HAUNTED SOULS was inspired by a trip to the Old Jail, a historic building on Cape Cod which is considered actively haunted.  And the title has a double meaning, as Brett and Emily each have their own torturous choices and memories to overcome if they have a chance for a future together.

A picture I took of the Old Jail...seriously, what's up in
the top right window?  And in this pic, there's a red flash
in the lower window that isn't in any of my other shots.

Happy Halloween and Happy Haunted Reading!

Fall Family Fun Weekend! #Staunton #VA #MD #Travel

Selfie with my brother

I'm back from a whirlwind trip that included seeing a bunch of different family members, celebrating joyous occasions, and reminiscing about the past.  My journey was filled with train and car rides, loads of laughter, and two family events.  Oh, and because it's me, there was also one trip to a haunted building.

I started off making my way from Massachusetts to Maryland via a long but peaceful train ride.  I love the train, actually--I always choose the "Quiet Car", where talking and cell phones are prohibited, and I get to read uninterrupted (with the exception of naps) for hours on end.  It's a mini-vacation in and of itself.

One of the pics I took exploring
Glenn Dale Hospital

From Baltimore, I needed to hook up with my brother and sister, so I took a car to my sister's office.  Like me, she loves all things spooky, so we had to take a quick side trip to the Glenn Dale Hospital,  an enormous, 216-acre campus of abandoned buildings that once served as a tuberculosis sanatorium and isolation hospital.  Built in 1934, it hasn't been used since 1981.  I went into a few rooms (not exactly legal) to snap photos, and while I don't think I encountered any ghosts, it was certainly eerie.  It reminded me a bit of the tour I received of an abandoned prison here on Cape Cod.  In fact, as we get into the Halloween season, I'll probably do an entire post of the history of Glenn Dale hospital and the legends surrounding the facility and include the rest of my pictures...who knows, maybe it will even serve as inspiration for a new book--seems like a perfect setting for one of my stories!  

From Maryland, we hooked up with our brother and continued on to Staunton, Virginia, located in the Shenandoah Valley between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Allegheny Mountains (both parts of the Appalachian Mountains).  We know it best as the hometown of both our cousins on our mother's side and The Statler Brothers, a country music group we used to see in concert every year when we'd visit for the Fourth of July.  Since it was just a sibling road-trip--we left the spouses and kids behind--it felt like we were time traveling, back to the past.    

Staunton, Virginia

My cousin's wedding was lovely, an all-day event that brought us together with family and friends we hadn't seen in years.  We had a great time reminiscing and the two days we spent there went by too fast.  

We took some of the wedding flowers
to use at the Baptism - love these

Then it was back in the car to my sister's house, for the Baptism of my youngest niece.  I got to see more members of the family and play with my nephew and nieces, whom I adore.  

I was back on the train on Monday, exhausted but thrilled to have been a part of the family celebrations.  It may not have been the easiest trip to make, in terms of timing, logistics, and convenience, but I know it was important too.  Now I'm slowly trying to get back into my usual routine, and it's not easy after five hectic days away!  So, time to get off my computer, and get back to the laundry.  Thanks for stopping by! 

Signing #Books in #Falmouth Cape Cod #CapeCod #Author Events #amwriting

I have lots of events coming up this September, both writing-related and personal!  This week brings both an online event and a local 

event.  On Tuesday the 12th, I'll be a guest author at Casi McLean's Beyond the Mist Facebook party--a celebration for her newest release, with 12 author offering giveaways and giftcards!  Check this post for more info on that...all you need to attend is a FB account.  Then the next night, Wednesday the 13th, I'll be in Falmouth. at a Bingo Night Fundraiser.  This is always a good time.  The suggested donation is $20 (proceeds this month go to Walk MS Falmouth, ALS Cliff Walk, and Walk to Defeat ALS), and that gets you 20 games (wear orange OR blue and white for a bonus card!).  Complimentary light appetizers and a cash bar too!

Where do I fit in to this event?  There are a whole bunch of local artists and vendors setting up for shopping before and in between the games, and we've all donated to the cause as well as offered prizes for raffles.  The complete list of vendors is below, so if you're in the area, please consider stopping by!  

Wednesday, September 13th

5:30 to 9:30 at the Holiday Inn Cape Cod
291 Jones Road Falmouth

Shop with local artists and vendors:

PartyLite, LuLaRoe by Brooke, Thirty One, The Pampered Chef, Arbonne, Ruby Ribbon,

Paparazzi Jewelry, Reine’s Creations, Nanny’s Knits, Younique, Pruvit, Tupperware, Mary Kay,

 Dragonfly Dreams, LuLaRoe by Heather, It Works, Limelight by Alcone, Avon, Usborne Books,

Athenas, LuLaRoe by Stacy, Steeped Tea, WarmShades Widgets, Touchstone Crystal, doTERRA,

LuLaRoe by Trina, Allison Asher – Realtor- Kinlin Grover Real Estate, Kathryn Knight Books,

CyAnOriginals, Beautycounter, Jamberry & More! 

Then I get to spend a long weekend away from work, visiting with family for both my cousin's wedding in Virginia and my niece's Christening in Maryland.  The negative...I'll be missing my older son's first Parent's Day Weekend...but we're close enough that I'm making up for that by visiting him this weekend.  And his Dad and brother will be with him for that tailgate while I'm away.

Finally, when I get back from my travels, my latest Fiction Writing and Publication class begins in Falmouth on Tuesday, September 26th. More info on that can be found in this post.  And then comes October, with all the usual haunting-related events I do...but between all that, I hope to finish my latest manuscript...in all my free time????  Wish me luck!

Fiction #Writing Course in #Falmouth! #CapeCod #amwriting Cape Cod

Ready to write that novel?

I'm thrilled to be teaching a new "Fiction Writing and Publication" course this September, back at The Lawrence School in Falmouth.  For the last few years, I've taught this popular class for both Cape Cod Community College's Center for Corporate and Professional Education and for the Town of Falmouth's Community School in a number of locations, and I've met so many aspiring authors and hopefully helped them on their writing journey.  I've even read some of their finished manuscripts and visited their writing groups, which has been so rewarding.  If you're interested in writing a novel, or exploring publishing options, and you're in the Cape Cod area, consider joining us!  The press release is below:

Ready to Write That Novel?

A course offered this fall in Falmouth provides instruction on writing fiction and guidance on publishing options.

For many writers, a quote by Nobel Prize-Winning Author Toni Morrison summarizes the beginning of the journey: “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”  Many people dream of writing a novel, but aren’t sure how to begin.  Even once a manuscript is finished, the choices within the publishing industry seem to grow every day.  Literary agents continue to seek clients for the big publishing houses, smaller electronic presses have become a force in the new digital world, and more options than ever exist for those looking to publish independently.  Unfortunately, this type of growth has also resulted in many sites looking to take advantage of authors eager to publish and promote their work.  The entire process can become overwhelming quickly.

A five-week evening class offered by Falmouth Community School aims to offer guidance to aspiring authors.  “Fiction Writing and Publication” will be held at the Lawrence School on Tuesday evenings, September 26—October 24, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.  Bestselling author Kathryn Knight will teach the elements of successful fiction writing and outline the various options in the rapidly changing publishing industry.  Key concepts such as voice, POV, the hook, Goal-motivation-conflict, and character development will be discussed. Idea inspiration, common pitfalls, and query letters will also be covered.  Finally, avenues to publication - from self-publishing to small and digital presses to seeking agent representation - will be explored.

Lawrence School is located at 113 Lakeview Ave.  Pre-registration is required; please visit Falmouth Community School online or call 508.548.5739 to register.  Cost is $149, no materials or experience needed.

One of the reviews left by a class member!

Treat Yourself! Cape Cod Events to Help De-Stress #CapeCod #fitness #skincare

I’m participating in two events this weekend designed to help women relax, de-stress, and pamper themselves a bit as we head into the often hectic holiday season.  If you’re on Cape Cod, come by and join the fun!

Cape Cod Skin Care is holding an Open House both Friday and Saturday afternoons this weekend, from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.  I’ll be signing books there today, Friday, from noon until two, and I’ll leave a few signed books there for purchase as well.  Reading is a proven to reduce stress, so come by and grab some page-turning stories filled with steamy romance and spooky suspense!  And pick up a copy or two for gift-giving—readers love a book signed just for them.  And a signed book makes a good gift to bring for any Yankee Swap or White Elephant events. 

You can also enter the raffle for a special Environ Skin Care kit and take advantage of the sales and specials offered on skincare, make up, and services.  Refreshments will be offered as well.  Cape Cod Skin Care is located on Route 28 in Cotuit, near the intersection with Rt. 130. Address is 4650 Falmouth Road, Cotuit.

This evening, the gym where I work is also holding a Ladies Night Out, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.  We’re offering a free Barre Class from 6 – 7, so come try out this new craze in group fitness.  This is a class that is suitable for all levels!  We’ll also have food and wine, a number of raffles, and a chance to socialize.  Our salon has recently re-opened, and to celebrate, we’re offering free polish changes, make overs, and mini-facials.  Several membership promotions will be available for anyone looking to join or renew—exercise is a major stress reliever!  I’ll have books for sale as well, and we’ll have some networking opportunities for members and guests who would like to promote their businesses.  And for the kids, free pizza and movie night in our child care room!  The Fitness Company is located on Rt. 130, near Heritage Park.  Address is 502 Main Street in Mashpee. 

Both events are open to the public – hope to see you there!

#NaNoWriMo2016 Inspiration ~ #amwriting #Nanowrimo

The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones
~ Confucius

Writing a novel is a dream for many, but the entire process can become overwhelming quickly.  Even if you KNOW you can finish a novel, because you've proved it before, sometimes the idea of starting over--moving that mountain--can dissuade even the most prolific authors. It's a big job.

After having three books published within three years, I found myself yearning for a break in 2014.  I figured it would be a good opportunity to spend more time in the real world, but then a story idea hit me, and the idea for my latest release, Haunted Souls, was born.  The initial inspiration came from a ghost tour I went on with my sister in Cape Cod's Barnstable Village, which started and ended at the Old Jail.

I'd never even heard of the Old Jail, and it's truly a historic gem.  It's the oldest wooden jail in the country, actually, and is thought to have been built in 1690, on orders from the Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay Colony Courts.  It's considered actively haunted, and you can read more about it--and the plotline it inspired--in my Old Jail post.

The story grew in my mind, and I managed a few chapters, but I couldn't seem to find much time to dedicate to writing that summer.  Plus, my imagination needed recharging, so in the meantime, I researched what I would need to know about Cape Cod history and my military hero's background to get the details right.

Then it was suddenly October, which is always a busy month for me, as I write about hauntings and other paranormal elements.  So I told myself I would give NaNoWriMo a try, and on Nov. 1st, I opened up that dusty Word document.

It worked!  I don't know if I "won", since I had a few chapters done beforehand, and I didn't finish the manuscript by Nov. 30th, but I did surpass 50,000 words in a month, well on my way to a completed first draft.  The finished product, Haunted Souls, released from my publisher this June.

I fit in as much promotion as I could during another busy Cape Cod summer, and then in was Back-to-School obligations and another Halloween season keeping me away from my keyboard. But I promised I'd get going again on Nov. 1, and here I am, back in NaNoWriMo mode.  So, fellow NaNoWriMo participants, I'm wishing us all good luck...keep moving that mountain, 1,667 words at a time!

The Origin of #Halloween ~ #Paranormal Postings #Halloween2016

The month of October conjures up images of turning leaves, hayrides, pumpkins, scarecrows, black cats, and of course Halloween decorations.  I love learning about the origin of the holidays we celebrate, so I did a bit of (admittedly rudimentary) research to discover some of the reasons we dress up and try to scare each other on October 31^st.

Originally known as All Hallows’ Eve, Halloween is linked to the Celtic festival of Samhain.  This last day of autumn was considered the time of year when the barrier between the paranormal and physical worlds grew thin. 

The Christian holiday of All Saints’ Day (All Hallows) also influenced Halloween.  It was said that the souls awaiting release on November 1^st had one last night to extract revenge on their enemies before leaving the earth.  Cautious Christians would disguise themselves with masks to avoid recognition.

The custom of carving pumpkins originated from a Samhain practice of remembering souls with turnip lanterns.  Trick-or-treating can be traced back to “souling”, a medieval practice which involved the poor and hungry travelling door-to-door and offering to pray for the dead in return for food.

My favorite Halloween tradition is visiting haunted houses.  In the town next to ours, a large farm designs an incredibly creepy haunted house each year.  It’s out in the woods, almost pitch black inside, and people are hiding in corners to jump out at you.  There’s no guide, so sometimes a group takes a wrong turn, only to discover a ghoul standing behind them.  I scream the entire time, but it’s fun, because in the back of my head I know it’s not real.

The medium in GULL HARBOR, however, spends her summer in a truly haunted house.  Claire Linden arrives in Gull Harbor ready to take on an aggressive ghost—now that she’s embraced her psychic gift, she’s confident she’ll be able to rid her temporary home of the restless spirit that drove the owners to hire her.  However, she doesn’t expect to encounter Max Baron, the man who promised to love her forever, then abandoned her without an explanation five years ago.  As Claire unravels the truth behind the haunting, Max must share his secret in order to stay close enough to help protect the woman he still loves from a danger that extends beyond the paranormal…

If you like that story, try SILVER LAKE as well...another suspenseful ghost story/mystery with plenty of romance.  Will Rain and Jason get another chance at first love before a desperate spirit tears them apart again...forever?

My latest ghost mystery came out this year, with plenty of steamy romance to counteract any chilling scenes.  HAUNTED SOULS was inspired by a trip to the Old Jail, a historic building on Cape Cod which is considered actively haunted.  And the title has a double meaning, as Brett and Emily each have their own torturous choices and memories to overcome if they have a chance for a future together.

A picture I took of the Old Jail...seriously, what's up in
the top right window?  And in this pic, there's a red flash
in the lower window that isn't in any of my other shots.

Happy Halloween and Happy Haunted Reading!

Fiction Writing + Publication Course #Falmouth Cape Cod #amwriting

I can’t believe it’s September already, but the school year has arrived and I’m gearing up to teach two new sessions of Fiction Writing and Publication.  This is a 5-week, non-credit course held in the evenings, and I’ll be in two locations this fall.  

The September class begins on Tuesday, Sept. 20^th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Lawrence School in Falmouth.  More details and sign-up information can be found at this link: Falmouth Community School.

Another class will begin on Thursday, October 20^th, also from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, in Hyannis.  This is held right on Main Street in the Hyannis Center building (540 Main Street).  The link for details and sign-up information can be found here: Center for Corporate and Professional Education at Cape Cod Community College.

I’ve had really great reviews from past participants in both classes, so if you’re interested in writing a novel, this is a valuable resource to help you achieve your goals.  Writers at any stage are welcome, and no matter where you are in the process, you’ll find useful information to help you on your journey.

The class descriptions can be found on the sites--hope to see you there!

DIVINE FALL made the "Perfect #Books for Autumn" List! #amreading #Kindle #romance

Revenge, Romance, &
a Rogue Fallen Angel...

The publishing industry is not an easy one...it should come with a warning label.  And lately, I've had to deal with some of the toughest choices in my career.  I'm a big ball of stress, and it's not fun.  But then something happened to brighten my week - one of my readers sent me a link on Facebook.  "Divine Fall is on the list!" it said.

What list? I wondered as my stomach flipped.  But the title read "14 Perfect Books to Get You in the Mood for Autumn" and the site was the very prestigious BookBub...so I figured it couldn't be a bad thing.  And it wasn't.  In fact, it was so unbelievable, I found myself stunned.  Because this list, compiled by the very respectable Bookbub site, includes novels penned by Nora Roberts, Debbie Macomber, Sarah Addison Allen, Lisa Kleypas, Elizabeth Lowell...and Diane Setterfield, author of one of my all-time spooky favorites, The Thirteenth Tale.  The list goes on, with New York Times Bestsellers, USA Today Bestsellers, award winners, and books with cover quotes from Stephen King.  And then there's my YA Paranormal Romance, DIVINE FALL, sitting right in the middle.  It's no major bestseller, for sure...but it's had some highlights: one of five finalists for 2015 RomCon Reader's Crown, a reviewer pick for BTS Review's 2015 Red Carpet Award, a semi-finalist in The Kindle Book Review's 2015 Best Kindle Book Awards.

At the moment, it's up for the Reader's Choice Award in Young Adult Romance at The Romance Reviews.  With everything that's happened this month, I haven't had as much time as I'd like to ask readers for votes.  But it's easy to sign in via Facebook and click the Vote Now link once you're in!  I truly appreciate each and every vote.  Even if I don't win, I'm going to sit back and enjoy the mystery of having my book on a Bookbub list with amazing authors I could only dream of meeting someday.

And if you haven't read it yet, the Halloween season is the perfect time for some supernatural secrets mixed with forbidden first love.  The best part is the price - 99c on Kindle and Nook!  So treat yourself to a "perfect autumn read" and send me your thoughts for other great fall reads...because losing myself in a page-turning read is the best stress reducer I can think of!

Take an #amwriting break to vote! #Romance Awards #YA #Paranormal

Writing is such a labor of love...so much goes into a book: creativity, energy, time, blood, sweat, tears, occasional break-downs, days you forget to bathe, etc.  So it's exciting when a good piece of news arrives in this very tough industry.  And I got some this week - my Young Adult Paranormal Romance DIVINE FALL is up for a Reader's Choice Award at The Romance Reviews website!

I'd love your vote if you have a minute - it's easy to sign in via Facebook or Twitter, and it's a very safe site.  All you have to do is click the blue box above the book cover here on this page, once you've signed in: Divine Fall Vote.  And if you haven't had a chance to read it yet, the good news is you can get it for only 99 cents!  October is the perfect month for paranormal, so immerse yourself in forbidden first love and supernatural secrets for less than a latte...and check out all the great books up for awards at The Romance Reviews.  And a HUGE thank you for voting!

As the last remaining Nephilim, he's an outcast in both worlds.
He'll risk his life to seek his revenge...but will he risk hers?

Fall Blowout Sale at #TWRP - Stock up!

My publisher, The Wild Rose Press, is having a fantastic sale right now!  ALL of our digital titles are half price - yes, everything on our website.  It's easy to register and download the formats for Kindle, Nook, or even a pdf.  If you're unsure which format is for you, here's a quick explanation.

In addition, print books are 25% off, with free shipping on orders that total over $50.  So stock up on some great fall romance reads!

And since October is around the bend, you might be in the mood for something a little spooky - here's the link to my two paranormals, Silver Lake and Gull Harbor, which contain suspenseful ghost stories along with steamy romance.  It's a potent combination that will keep you turning the pages - addictive reads that are much healthier than candy!  So stock up today and settle in under a warm blanket :)  Happy reading...