MGOC Contributor News: Lynn Salsi Wins Literary Awards

Many Genres, One Craft contributor, Lynn Salsi, has won several literary awards for her Children's book Jack and the Giants (illustrated by James Young) and published by Headline Books, Inc.:

Lucy Bramlette Patterson Award for Excellence in Creative Writing
North Carolina General Federation of Women’s Clubs gives the award annually in memory of its first president, Mrs. J. Lindsay Patterson, to honor a female North Carolina published writer for outstanding creative writing. The award recipient receives an engraved Jefferson Cup at a luncheon ceremony and the club will give in Salsi’s honor a $1,000 scholarship to the Salem College Center for Women Writers to a rising senior.

Military Writers of America
Gold Medal, Best Children’s Book

The Great Southeast Book Festival
Honorable Mention Best Children’s Fiction

MGOC Contributor News: Matt Duvall's Speculations: Short Stories

Many Genres, One Craft contributor Matt Duvall has a new book--Speculations: Short Stories.

DESCRIPTION:
All proceeds from the sales of this book will go to my brother, Steve, who is battling lymphoma. He (and I) thank you.

This book collects eight stories and one novelette of speculative fiction, originally published in magazines such as Chizine, Horror Garage, The Ultimate Unknown, Eye Contact and more. What would happen if your shorts grew eyes? What could be creepy about Christmas? And why shouldn't you rent your spare room to a stranger? These questions, and more, are answered inside.

MGOC Contributor: Rebecca Baker

REBECCA BAKER
EXCERPT from "Getting Your Words Out: The Basics of Promoting Your Fiction" by Rebecca Baker in Many Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction

While I have met writers who are perfectly comfortable with the business of promoting their work — and to them I say good luck and Godspeed — the greater majority of us would prefer to believe that someone will show up, someone who knows and loves our work as much as we do, to take care of all the commercial unpleasantness that happens after we get the blasted book finished.

That person does not exist.

Actually, that person does exist. It’s you.

--

Rebecca Baker currently serves as the manager of communications and web content for Seton Hill University. Previous positions include associate director of media relations and staff writer, both at Seton Hill, and community affairs coordinator for Mellon Bank (now BNY Mellon). Becca is also a freelance writer. She lives in Greensburg, Pa. with her husband, Bruce Siskawicz, a photographer and graphic designer. They have two cats, Max and Sam.

MGOC Contributor: Nicole Peeler

NICOLE PEELER
EXCERPT from "Almost Finished" by Nicole Peeler in Many Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction

I’m nearly finished with my rough draft of Eye of the Tempest. In fact, I’m just about to embark on (gutting and re)writing one of the mini-climactic scenes that will shortly lead up to the big bang climax. This is not to say that the book is nearly done. How hard it is to get oneself over that last hump which is the near-end of the book. I think this difficulty consists of a bunch of elements, including (but not limited to) the following:

* Commitment issues! We all have ‘em, to a certain extent. And let’s face it: finishing a book is a commitment. You’ve committed yourself to having written book X, when, conceivably, you could have written books Y, Z, or (unpronounceable symbol, a la Prince, here), instead.
--
Nicole D. Peeler received an undergraduate degree in English Literature from Boston University, and a PhD in English Literature from the University of Edinburgh, in Scotland. She’s lived abroad in both Spain and the UK, and lived all over the USA. Currently, she resides outside Pittsburgh, to teach in Seton Hill’s MFA in Popular Fiction. When she’s not in the classroom infecting young minds with her madness, she’s writing Urban Fantasy for Orbit Books and taking pleasure in what means most to her: family, friends, food, and travel.

You can find her blogging at http://www.nicolepeeler.com, as well as at the League of Reluctant Adults and Pens Fatales. She’d love for you to add her on Facebook (Nicole Peeler), and on Twitter (NicolePeeler).

MGOC Contributor: Steven Piziks

STEVEN PIZIKS
EXCERPT from "A Primer for Writing Media Tie-ins" by Steven Piziks in Many Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction

Two weeks before Christmas, 2002, my agent Lucienne called me out of the blue. Like most authors, I love it when my agent calls me out of the blue. It means good news. When it’s bad news, agents send e-mail.

“I have a proposal for you,” Lucienne said. “Have you heard of John Cusack?”

“Yes,” I said cautiously.

“He’s doing a thriller called Identity, and Pocket Books acquired the rights to publish the novel based on the movie. The editor called me to ask if I knew anyone who wanted to write it. The movie deals with multiple personality disorder, and since your first novel was all about MPD, I thought of you. Interested? They’re offering ten thousand dollars.”

--

Steven Piziks currently teaches English in southeast Michigan. When not writing, he plays the folk harp, dabbles in oral storytelling, and spends more time on-line than is probably good for him. Visit his web page at http://spiziks.livejournal.com or find him on Twitter as @StevenPiziks.

MGOC Contributor: Sally Bosco

SALLY BOSCO

EXCERPT from "The Manga Explosion" by Sally Bosco in Many Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction

A half-werewolf, half-vampire undergoes a mysterious and terrifying transformation during the full moon: he turns into a girl.

A young woman artist meets a vampire who is so beautiful and breathtaking she uses him as a model.

A rebellious angel is sent back to earth. His curse is that he's in love with his sister.

What type of writing has these genre-bending plots? Why, manga of course!

Why do people like them? They are little portals into other worlds that entertain, delight and educate. At sales of $210 million per year, manga, or Japanese comic art, is a huge and lucrative business. Formerly only popular in Japan, manga has exploded into the U.S to the point that schools are putting manga into their curriculum in an effort to encourage students to read. Large book retailers such as Barnes and Noble and Borders have created separate manga sections. In a sagging publishing market, manga is infusing new life into the industry.

--

EXCERPT from "From Far East to West" by Sally Bosco in Many Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction

Fans I've interviewed often state that they like manga because it doesn't follow the typical dramatic formulas we see in western stories.

In the stories we're used to seeing, the good guys almost always win. The Japanese feel that this isn't realistic; good guys usually don't win. It's not unusual for a major character to die, to lose the one they love to another, or to fail at what they are trying to do. Villains can change their ways and heroes can commit horrid acts.

--

Sally Bosco has always been drawn to the dark side. A corporate slave by day, at nights and on weekends she writes young adult horror and paranormal romance. Sally recently received her M.A. degree in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She has published a YA horror novel, AltDeath.com and an adult paranormal romance, Shadow Cat (as Zoe LaPage). Her hobbies include painting, working out, running and traveling. She lives in Florida with the most spoiled cat in the world, MiniKitty. Check out Sally at sallybosco.com and zoelapage.com.

MGOC Contributor: Michael Bracken

MICHAEL BRACKEN

EXCERPT from "I Write Short Stories" by Michael Bracken in Many Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction

I write short stories. A lot of them.

In a publishing environment where many writers bemoan the lack of markets for short fiction, I've placed almost 900 short stories. That's 2.7 million words, give or take, or the equivalent of 45 short novels.

When I began writing as a teenager in the 1970s, short story publication was considered the first step to becoming a genre novelist. Writers learned their craft by publishing short fiction in the popular magazines of the day before grappling with the complexity and length of novels. They established writing credentials, providing heft to their query and cover letters, and developed a readership before their first novel ever hit the wire racks at the grocery store.

That doesn't seem to happen much today, and many writers, perhaps encouraged by the ease of publication offered by low-cost vanity publishing companies, leap directly into novel writing without first establishing their writing skills and publishing credentials. Among those who succeed as novelists, some write short stories as an afterthought and some established genre novelists write short fiction only at the invitation of anthology editors.

--

Michael Bracken is the author of 11 books, including All White Girls, Deadly Campaign, and Tequila Sunrise. More than 800 of his short stories have been published worldwide. His “Dreams Unborn” was named one of The Best American Mystery Stories 2005 and “All My Yesterdays” received a Derringer Award. Bracken edited five crime fiction anthologies whose stories have been short-listed for the Anthony, Derringer, Edgar, and Shamus awards. Bracken served as V.P. of both the Private Eye Writers of America and the Mystery Writers of America’s Southwest chapter. He also belongs to the Horror Writers Association and Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Bracken received his B.A. in Professional Writing from Baylor University.

Our Encore Signing

Our encore signing at Seton Hill University in June 2012 was another success, and several readers took advantage of the one-of-a-kind opportunity to get their hardcover copies signed by the fount of contributors on hand. Headlines Books provided quite a spread of books to sell. Photos have been posted at Mike Arnzen's website and the Raw Dog Screaming Press page.

After the signing, we learned that Many Genres won another publishing award: this time, a Silver Medal in the 2011 Book of the Year Awards sponsored by ForeWord reviews. It's amazing how many awards this book has had the honor to receive. We're proud of all the great work that the contributors and Headline Books put into this book to make it such a raving success this first year in print. -- Mike & Heidi

MGOC Contributor: Teffanie Thompson White

TEFFANIE THOMPSON WHITE

EXCERPT from "And the Award Goes To..." by Teffanie Thompson White in Many Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction

Frederic Melcher saw the need in 1921 to encourage children’s authors for their gifts to the literary community. He proposed an accolade and named it after eighteenth century bookseller, John Newbery.

Once a year, since 1922, the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Librarian Association (ALA - www.ala.org), presents an American children’s book with the Newbery Medal and names the runner-ups as honor recipients. The book must have been published in English in the previous year. Original published work should have appropriate style, quality presentation and exceptional development of the elements of literature.

--

Teffanie Thompson White played with pen in hand. When pen was absent, she scratched words on ashen legs. Teffanie has worked as a tutor, teacher and administrator to high school students. She completed the Institute of Children's Literature and received a Master's degree in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. Through these programs Teffanie created several writings for children to include her thesis, middle grade novel, Dirt. Her picture book manuscripts, Bug Talk and For Tents and Ribbons, have been adapted into onstage ballet performances. Teffanie co-authors and co-publishes pictureless books. She lives in Texas with her children, Imhotep and Halima.

Many Genres, Many Awards -- An Update

Last June, we had a phenomenal book event at the Seton Hill University writer's workshop, celebrating the launch of our collection, Many Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction. As we come up on our one year anniversary, we're honored to note that the book has been doing so well, receiving so many accolades from readers, teachers, students and reviewers... and even awards from the publishing industry.

Here are the awards we've been fortunate to receive:

• Winner, "Business: Writing and Publishing" category, 2012 International Book Awards.
• Winner, "Education/Academic" category, 2012 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.
• Winner, General Non-Fiction Award. 2011 London Books Festival Award.
• Listed 5th in "This Year's Ten Most Terrific Writing Books" by The Writer magazine (Dec 2011).
• Finalist, "Business: Writing and Publishing" category. USA Best Books 2011 Award.
• Finalist. 2012 Eric Hoffer Book Awards.
• Finalist, "Writing" category. ForeWord Review's 2011 Book of the Year Awards.

We're proud of our contributors and owe it all to them. Every testimony we've heard has been positive about the book and the lessons it has to teach.


In other news:

Our publisher, Headline Books, is looking into releasing an ebook edition in the near future. Considering how hefty and voluminous this title is, that is sure to be a treat.

We'll have copies of Many Genres for sale and signing once again at the In Your Write Mind alumni workshop at Seton Hill U in Greensburg, PA, on Friday, June 22nd, 2012. 7-10pm.

The editors have new books out, so if you don't hear from us here as often as you'd expect, come on by our individual websites to learn more about what we're up to. Heidi's latest book is Greenshift and you can learn more about it at http://heidirubymiller.blogspot.com. Michael's latest is The Gorelets Omnibus, and you can visit him at http://gorelets.com. Chances are very good that if either of us are at a convention or publishing event, we will be talking about Many Genres somewhere on the program, or will have copies of the book with us to show you or sell if you'd like one. Of course, the book remains in print and is available to order online from amazon or your favorite bookseller -- see our "Ordering" page for more information.

Thank you to everyone for sharing their reactions online and in person... it means a lot to us to know that the book is helping you write. There are many genres, one craft to study...but you also have many stories to write...especially the one you're working on right now. So go -- get to it... and persist!

Cheers!
-- Michael Arnzen & Heidi Ruby Miller

Many Genres One Craft Wins First Place at London Book Festival

We are pleased to announce that Many Genres, One Craft won first place in General Non-Fiction at the 2011 London Book Festival!

Congratulations to all the contributors, the editors, and our publisher Headline Books, Inc. for making this book such a success.


posted by heidi

Many Genres: Finalist for USA Best Books 2011 Awards

We are happy to announce that Many Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction was an Award-Winning Finalist in the Business: Writing and Publishing category of The USA Best Books 2011 Awards, sponsored by USA Book News.

posted by heidi

MGOC Events: Western Maryland Small and Regional Press Festival 2011

Here are some wonderful photos from the 2011 Western Maryland Small and Regional Press Festival, sponsored by Frostburg State University. Photos were taken by Michael A. Arznen.

Michael A. Arnzen and Heidi Ruby Miller

Heidi Ruby Miller, Jason Jack Miller, and Cynthia McCloud of Headline Books, Inc.

Jason Jack Miller with The Devil and Preston Black

Gerry LaFemina and John Edward Lawson

Courtney Ruffner

Cynthia McCloud of Headline Books, Inc.

Heidi Ruby Miller

John Lawson and Jennifer Barnes of Raw Dog Screaming Press

Jason Jack Miller

Heidi Ruby Miller, Michael A. Arnzen, and Courtney Ruffner

John Lawson and Jennifer Barnes of Raw Dog Screaming Press

Heidi Ruby Miller and Jason Jack Miller

Eric Beebe and Andy Duncan

MGOC Contributor: John DeChancie

John DeChancie

EXCERPT from "I Write Genre Fiction But Want to Be a Real Writer Someday" by John DeChancie in Many Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction

One day, while flensing a whale, I was interrupted by a phone call from one of my editors at a prominent New York publishing house. He was calling to discuss my next book, owed under contract. Feeling my oats (or should I say blubber?) that day, I limned the contours of a grand new novel I had in mind. Let's call it Gone with the Winds of War and Peace, a saga of love and revolution set against a sweeping historical background, guaranteed to be a blockbuster, and gave my editor a précis of the storyline in the proverbial twenty-five words or less.

His response? Well, he liked the idea, but had reservations, namely, that he could not give me the kind of advance this kind of book would demand—"floor bids" at auction, "pre-empts," that sort of thing—in other words and in short, he had not the budget to spend on what this best seller would fetch on the market—a whale of a lot of money, presumably, under the right circumstances.

--

John DeChancie is the author of over two dozen books, most of them in the science fiction/fantasy genre. He is best known for his Starrigger trilogy and for the eight-book fantasy series beginning with Castle Perilous. He lives and works in Los Angeles.

Tribune Review Article on the MANY GENRES book signing

Thanks to Marley McMarlin at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review for the great coverage of the event. Don't miss the great photos from the remarkable event.

MGOC Contributor: Karen Lynn Williams

KAREN LYNN WILLIAMS
photo by Martha Rial

EXCERPT from "Writing from Place Across Cultures" by Karen Lynn Williams in Many Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction

Travel and living abroad is one way, we, as writers, can move outside of our comfort zone and tap the muse within. When I am living outside of my own culture, everything is new and fresh and the material for my stories jumps out at me. I am hyper- aware of everything that goes on around me. The challenge is to capture the essence of the culture, and to write honestly and authentically from the experience in a way that I can bring the story home and readers can share my passion for the place, the people and the culture.

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EXCERPT from "If You Write It, They Will See It: Picture Book Illustrations from the Writer's Point of View" by Karen Lynn Williams in Many Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction

Every picture book writer has a visual image in her mind of what the illustrations will look like. The finished illustrated book rarely meets the writer’s exact expectations and often the images take the story far beyond anything the author could have imagined. How can a writer learn to let her work go with confidence that the written story and images will compliment each other so that the final project will be stronger than either of the two parts alone?

I was elated when my first picture book sold to a publishing company…for about ten minutes. Then it hit me. How can they find an illustrator who will do the subject justice?

--

Karen Lynn Williams is the author of more than twelve picture books, chapter books and young YA books and a number of stories, articles and poems for various publications. She has lived with her husband and four children in Malawi, Africa and in Haiti and has traveled extensively. Much of her published work is based on these experiences. Karen lives and writes in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and teaches in the graduate creative writing programs at Seton Hill University and Chatham University. Visit her online at http://www.karenlynnwilliams.com.

Many Genres One Craft Virtual Book Tour (VBT)

Our recent VBT stops for Many Genres, One Craft are:

Stop: At Your Fingertips
At Your Fingertips highlights the work of author Tamela Quijas and that of her fellow authors, but isn’t only about the latest romance novels on the market. Stay for a while and you’ll find her reviews on a variety of books and movies, fantastic author interviews, sneak peeks into upcoming book releases, recipes, as well as being granted a private look into Tamela's world.
Host: Tamela Quijas
Tamela is a romance author that loves to write–from paranormal to contemporary romances and an occasional cookbook. Her work includes the novels Blood Moon, Blood of the Beast, My Lord Raven, Angel's Fire Demon's Blood.
Event: Ratio of Romance
Contributor: Heidi Ruby Miller

Stop: Born to Write
Fantasy, Horror, and Science Fiction! Alexa Grave reviews books, comments on the craft of writing, and talks about her own journey as a writer.
Host: Alexa Grave
Alexa Grave is a fantasy writer trying to break into the cut-throat market. She has a Master of Arts degree in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. And please, at least pretend you think some of the stuff she says in her blog is funny - it makes her feel a little less like a dork.
Event: MGOC Series on Fantasy
Contributor: Anne Harris

Stop: Gorelets
Michael Arnzen's weblog and Bram Stoker award-winning newsletter features a department of weird, sick and crazy "prompts" (a.k.a. "story starters") for creative writers working on the dark side.
Host: Michael A. Arnzen
Our co-editor of Many Genres One Craft teaches in the Writing Popular Fiction MFA program at Seton Hill University. He holds four Bram Stoker Awards for his often funny, always disturbing horror fiction. Visit him at http://gorelets.com to find out more.
Event: Dark Promptings
Contributor: Jason Jack Miller

Stop: Heidi Ruby Miller
Read author interviews and thoughts about the blended genre of Science Fiction Romance at Heidi Ruby Miller's blog.
Host: Heidi Ruby Miller
Heidi Ruby Miller writes stories where the relationship is as important as the adventure, just like in her debut SF Romance novel AMBASADORA. She is co-editor of MANY GENRES, ONE CRAFT.
Event: David J. Corwell
HEIDI'S PICK SIX: Venessa Giunta
HEIDI'S PICK SIX: Albert Wendland
HEIDI'S PICK SIX: Teffanie Thompson White
PATHS TO PUBLICATION: Michael Bracken
PATHS TO PUBLICATION: Crystal B. Bright
PATHS TO PUBLICATION: C. Coco DeYoung
PATHS TO PUBLICATION: Lee Allen Howard
PATHS TO PUBLICATION: Adrea L. Peters
PATHS TO PUBLICATION: David Shifren
Contributors: Michael Bracken
Crystal B. Bright
David J. Corwell
C. Coco DeYoung
Venessa Giunta
Lee Allen Howard
Adrea L. Peters
David Shifren
Albert Wendland
Teffanie Thompson White

Stop: Kate N. Ryan, Romance AuthorWatching You Sleep--Comic book store-owner Abigail “Abby” Kirkman believes her life complete. She runs a successful business, has a fantastic studio apartment above her store, and lives in a picturesque sea-side town. Life is perfect unless you count the insomnia, and the fact that her last boyfriend dumped her to take a promotion in another city. So a few little bumps, but nothing she can’t handle.
Host: Kate N. Ryan
Kate and Ryan are living their own happily ever after in Western Washington with their son on a small acreage, combining geek enthusiasm with modern homesteading.
Event: What Makes My Work Romance?
Contributor: Alayne Adams

Stop: Phylactery of Nightmares & Dreams: The Webspace of W. D. Prescott
For discussions, reviews, and previews of all things dark.
Host: W. D. Prescott
W. D. is a good ol’ New Hampshire boy currently living as an ex-pat in the swirling doom of New Jersey. With an equal passion for writing and music, it’s no wonder that he has a B.A. in Creative Writing and Musical Theory and Composition from Simon’s Rock College. He went on to Seton Hill University’s Writing Popular Fiction Program for my M.A. His stories have been published in Tainted: Tales of Terror and the Supernatural and Dead Bells.
Event: SHU WPF Spotlight Series: Many Genres One Craft

Stop: Time Discovers Truth
Sharing history, research, tips, trailers, travel, maps, and books.
Host: Meg Mims
Meg Mims is a freelance writer, artist and photographer. An award-winning author, she writes historical mysteries and romantic suspense on the fiction side.
Event: Wednesday Spotlight
Contributor: Ryan M. Williams

There's still time to be a host. Email Heidi Ruby Miller at heidirubymiller@gmail.com for details!

To order a copy of Many Genres, One Craft, visit:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Powell's Books
Books A Million
and other fine book sellers!

posted by heidi

MGOC Contributor: Tim Waggoner

TIM WAGGONER
photo by Christine Avery

EXCERPT from "Pick Up the Pace" by Tim Waggoner in Many Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction

If writing a novel can be compared to running a marathon and finishing on your feet, you surely don't want your finished novel to feel that way to readers. You want your novel to read the way a symphony sounds, sometimes slow and evocative, other times fast and exhilarating. In short, you want your book to have effective pace.

Pace equals movement, but whether a given chapter moves fast or slow will depend on what effect you want it to have on readers. The following techniques can help you manage the pace of your chapters -- provided you choose them carefully, and always with your readers in mind.

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Tim Waggoner’s novels include the Nekropolis series of urban fantasies and the Ghost Trackers series written in collaboration with Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson of the Ghost Hunters television show. In total, he’s published over twenty novels and two short story collections, and his articles on writing have appeared in Writer’s Digest and Writers’ Journal, among others. He teaches creative writing at Sinclair Community College and in Seton Hill University’s Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction program. Visit him on the web at www.timwaggoner.com.

MGOC Events: Pennwriters Conference 2011

Thanks to the participants in our all-day intensive workshop based on Many Genres, One Craft.

Seton Hill contributors (Timons Esaias, Heidi Ruby Miller, Jason Jack Miller, Natalie Duvall, Matt Duvall, and Michael A. Arnzen) taught one hour sessions on craft in the morning, then career in the afternoon.

Each participant received a free hardcover copy of Many Genres, One Craft as a thank you gift. Plus, lots of candy for answering questions!

The Author Tea and Signing was huge! So many great books and their creators all in one room. Signing for Many Genres were Timons Esaias, Cathy Teets of Headline Books, Inc., Heidi Ruby Miller, and Jason Jack Miller.

Jason Jack Miller and Heidi Ruby Miller had a wonderful group for their Sunday workshop The First Page is the Worst Page.

Jonathan Maberry, who was the keynote speaker on Saturday, was one of the bestselling authors kind enough to blurb Many Genres.

MGOC Contributor: KJ Howe

KJ HOWE
photo by Russ Howe

EXCERPT from "Give Your Reader Whiplash: Pacing in Fiction" by KJ Howe in Many Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction

Want to write a compelling page-turner that dominates bestseller lists? Focus on pacing. As an author of popular fiction, you want to enthrall readers, keep them so engrossed in your story that your characters become real people. Readers must be invested in your protagonist's plight -- so much so that readers become your hero, vicariously experiencing everything that happens in his/her life. That's what keeps readers coming back for more. And nothing makes it easier to put a book down than poor pacing. How do you keep readers in full fiction immersion? Hone your pacing.

Pacing. What exactly is it?

* The rhythm or underlying beat of your story.
* The rate at which your novel unfolds -- talented writers can manipulate time in readers' minds.
* The way writers structure their novels to engage readers' emotions, eliciting different emotions at different times.

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KJ Howe is a two-time Daphne du Maurier winner, a four-time Golden Heart finalist, and a finalist in the American Title III Contest. She is also the Executive Director of ThrillerFest 2012. KJ earned her Master's in Writing Popular Fiction in 2007 at Seton Hill University, and is now represented by the Evan Marshall Agency. International intrigue and pulse-pounding adventure are her passions. When she isn't writing romantic thrillers, KJ is researching them by shark cage diving in South Africa, interacting with semi-habituated elephants in Botswana, or scuba diving in the Red Sea. You can visit her at www.kjhowe.com.