An online promotional and news source for all Oklahoma writers, authors, artists, publishers, or creatives who work with Oklahoma related materials. We are especially supportive of independent authors and small presses.

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5/23/12

Author Michael Taylor

Amazon.com
Taylor's Devil's Hideaway (Tate, 2011) is a rollicking ride of adventure involving treasure, threats, and thrills!

Author Thelma J. Summers

"Heartthoughts" is only one of the titles by Thelma J. Summers  available on Amazon.com. "Be surprised and inspired by the twists and turns that end these entertaining and heart-warming true stories that reflect God's love and care to one friend or family member after another. Let these true-to-life accounts written in her inimitable descriptive style--as one reader has said--"bring you to the feet of Jesus."

Author Ann M. Jayne

Kory's Jungle (Tate, 2010) is a delightful children's book which is sure to please readers and listeners alike.

Author Kristi Burchfiel

Author and speaker Kristi Burchfiel is known for her applicable Bible studies and devotionals.  She strives to help people find encouragement hope, and truth through understanding the Bible better.  Her works include: The Decay Within: A Study of Amos, Without Regrets: A Study of Ecclesiastes, The Daily Devotional Series: Gospel of John, The Daily Devotional Series: Genesis.   Visit her webpage at www.kristiburchfiel.com, on Twiter at -@kristiburchfiel, and the FB page on "Without Regrets".   For today's devotional: http://blog.kristiburchfiel.com

Author Kelsey Wagner


The Rumble with Grumble is a fun book for children that is encouraging, thoughtful and enjoyable.

Author Heather H. Baer


Apollo's Lights (Tate,2011 ) what happens when a teenager discovers she has a special gift? 'The faces were all in shadow, the voices getting more strident with each word. My heart pounded in my chest. 'This has gone far enough,' a calm voice spoke. 'It stops here.' Shifting dark figures oozed away from the wall. 'I don't think so, my friend,' another man's cold voice retorted. I shivered. The shadows crept toward him. 'You'll never get away with this!' The man's slow, agonized moans pierced the night. Someone screamed... The scream was mine.'   Adventure, action and strange powers combine in Apollo's Lights - not to be missed.

Northern Oklahoma Literary Arts Festival

Some of the people attending the event, seen here is the lovely sunroom of the Marland Grand Home, filled with author/book displays.

Author Sherrilyn Polf


A Matter of Trust, A Faithful Soul.

Authors Gene Edward Veith Jr. and Mary J. Moerbe




Family Vocation: God's Calling in Marriage, Parenting, and Childhood by Gene Edward Veith Jr. and Mary J. Moerbe  ( Crossway Books, 2012 ) .   What does it mean to be called as a husband, a wife, a parent, a child?  How does the grace of the gospel impact how we carry out these particular callings?  How does God’s presence address the struggles that our own family faces?  Gene Veith joins forces with his daughter Mary Moerbe to explore these kinds of questions in light of Christian vocation and its applications for family life. They show how the Christian faith is lived out precisely in our ordinary relationships, and how a biblical understanding can equip us to move away from common confusions and dysfunctions to persevere in love.

Written with sensitivity and wisdom, Family Vocation addresses the perennial problems and joys of family life and provides a compelling paradigm for creating loving families in the face of cultural pressure.


Author David Gerard


His award book, God's Acres is available on Amazon. It was a 2011 winner of the Oklahoma Book Award.

Author Jess Davon Joslin


The book, A Trail of Broken Promises (Tate, 2010), is a novel of historic fiction but it is filled with people real enough to become part of the story, living, struggling, and dreaming with its people. 

 A nation torn apart. A woman ripped from her husband. A terrifying forced march. When the Cherokee nation is forced to relocate, Elsie Feather is snatched from her husband and children. Will she find her family? A Trail of Broken Promises is a gripping story of love and loss, peace and despair, and the beautiful story of love's redeeming power. Travel the Trail of Tears and experience the heartache and pain through the eyes of Elsie Feather, a young Cherokee wife who nearly loses it all and rises up to fight back at those seeking to destroy her and her people. A Trail of Broken Promises takes the reader down a dark road in the history of a nation built on religious freedom and the concept of all men being created equal.

Author Victoria Burks


Author of Bittersweet Justice, A Legacy of Love...

Author Marjorie Simmons


Author of The Gift Box That Meant Everything (Tate)  which is the newest work from a very prolific writer.    Visit her on FB at Author Marjorie Simmons or email her at prestonsimmons111@gmail.com

Author Eyvonna Rains

"Sleep, My Child" is a delightful book that both parents and children will enjoy for many years.

5/20/12

NEW FORUMS PRESS, INC.

Author Marc Cullison was present along with New Forums Press, Inc. at the recent Ponca City, Oklahoma book event.  His book, Where's The Ivy? is a new featured regional title with the NF Press.  The press is the product of Dr. Douglas O. Dollar (www.newforums.com)

TRANSFORMATION ROAD


Available from Brace Books
Ponca City, Ok

Author Sean A. Anderson lived his book and in the process the story he shares is dynamic, real, insightful and packed with challenges.   The subtitle says it all Transformation Road: My Trip to over 500 Pounds and Back.  More than just a 'how I did it', this is a sympathetic but challenging work highlighting the results of powerful self-empowerment. No tricks, no hype - just a role model for the trip of a lifetime.


Visit - Transformation Road

MEET STORMI BRADLEY

Native Tulsan, author Stormi Bradley, set herself a goal  of achieving a life long dream.  The results to date are two remarkable fiction books of struggle, challenge, and hope.  Rain, Rain Go Away and Sunshine After Rain. 

MEET LINDA TAYLOR

Born in Texas, author Linda Taylor, served as a missionary in Nigeria for sixteen years.  That experience, and her training as a teacher, combine to produce a charming and educational book, My Dog is Barking...A Story from Nigeria

5/19/12

Ponca City Event Provides Rare Opportunity

Audience enjoys one of the numerous author readings
 in the mansion library.
Is there anything more exciting than discovering a wonderful book?  Yes, actually meeting one!  The Northern Oklahoma Literary Arts Book Festival, hosted at the history Marland Grand Home in Ponca City, Oklahoma is a rare gem for the state. Set in such a elegant setting the event could soon rival events in surrounding states and across the region. 

Such events are important for regional authors to make important connections with local readers and book buyers, important for regional populations to encourage reading for a lifetime, and important to local economies by stimulating local businesses and spurring activities.

Over two dozen authors from at least three states were on hand to meet the public, to talk about books, about writing, and reading in general.  Authors reading from their selections in a lovely oak paneled library room surrounded by history.  Check out the page tab for the NOLABF for some images from the event.  A tip of the hat for one  community and its endeavors to support local literacy by bringing authors and audiences together.

5/17/12

MEET AUTHOR RACHEL HUNTER


Rachel Hunter has always been fascinated with words and the intricate way in which they combine. Since a child, she has been an avid writer, winding vibrant tales and elaborate stanzas on folded bits of paper.

As the years passed, her love of words never died; her adoration for reading fared no equal. Always with her nose in a book, Rachel took fondly to works spanning all genres. Yet it was the compelling grasp of fantasy and science fiction that wrenched her fascination above all.

In 2007, Rachel was selected a state winner of the Minnesota Promising Young Writers Program. Accordingly, her winning poem, "It All Starts with Creativity", was published in An Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans.

Senior year of high school proved another momentous year. A winner of the Oklahoma Young Writers Competition, Rachel was awarded with publication of her "Sestina of Elven Regret" in the 2010-2011 anthology, Growing Voices.

In March of 2012, Rachel published her first short story with Trestle Press, titled, "Perfect Nothing", which recounted her harrowing relationship with an eating disorder and was also fueled by her passion for psychology. But her writing does not end there. While currently pursuing a degree in psychology and in the medical field at the University of Oklahoma, she aspires also to illuminate the creative spark of eager readers. In her desire to incite intrigue, she is simultaneously exploring new worlds and creating vast empires of her own. "Empyreal Fate" is only the first in her Llathalan Annal series. Indeed, it is only the beginning.       

HAVE A FANTASY SUMMER


Filled to the brim with forbidden love, an ancient evil, and a nation in disrepair, Empyreal Fate is a tale of riveting bravery and mortal corruption.
The land of Llathala lingers on the brink of war between men and elves, a dark history surrounding each race. Stirred by tensions of the land, a shadow of the past reemerges, taking precedence in reality and consuming the very soul of mans' mortal weakness.

Darrion, the son of a poor laborer, is ensnared in a hostile world, forced to choose between loyalty to his king or the counsel of the elves. Yet Fate has other plans in store, tying his course to Amarya, an elven royalblood of mysterious quality and unsurpassable beauty.

But this forbidden connection incites betrayal from members of their own kin, marking them as traitors to the crown. In a land torn asunder, only Fate's decree can allow such love to coexist with an ancient enmity

Start a fantasy this summer with author Rachel Hunter

5/12/12

CONTEST DEADLINE EXTENDED


 
Dear Writers,
Because of a web hosting problem - an error caused entirely by our web host - that did not allow certain browsers to access our website between the dates of May 3-May 11, we are extending our late deadline to May 31, 2012 for our 2012 competition only. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and frustration this has caused those who were attempting to submit their stories.

All problems have been addressed and rectified by the web host and our site is running smoothly once again.

Below please find the updated Guidelines entry page that appears on our website. The update also appears on our Online Submissions page as well.

Again, our deep apologies. Writing is not an easy process, but it should not be further complicated by trying to submit the work one has meticulously written and edited only to find that the submission will not go through.

With my very best wishes to you all, and my thanks for your patience and kindness,

Lorian

**IMPORTANT NOTICE: Due to a web hosting problem that has now been resolved, we have extended our 2012 deadline to May 31. This applies to our 2012 competition only.

$2,500 Awaits Winners of Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition

Writers of short fiction are encouraged to enter the 2012 Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition. The competition has a 32-year history of literary excellence, and its organizers are dedicated to enthusiastically supporting the efforts and talent of emerging writers of short fiction whose voices have yet to be heard. Lorian Hemingway, granddaughter of Nobel laureate Ernest Hemingway, is the author of three critically acclaimed books: Walking into the River, Walk on Water, and A World Turned Over. Ms. Hemingway is the competition's final judge.

Prizes and Publication:
The first-place winner will receive $1,500 and publication of his or her winning story in Cutthroat: A Journal of the Arts. The second - and third-place winners will receive $500 each. Honorable mentions will also be awarded to entrants whose work demonstrates promise. 

Cutthroat: A Journal of the Arts was founded by editor-in-chief Pamela Uschuk, winner of the 2010 American Book Award for her book Crazy Love: New Poems, and by poet William Pitt Root, Guggenheim Fellow and NEA recipient. The journal contains some of the finest contemporary fiction and poetry in print, and the Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition is both proud and grateful to be associated with such a reputable publication. 

Eligibility requirements for our 2012 competition are as follows:

What to submit:
* Stories must be original unpublished fiction, typed and double-spaced, and may not exceed 3,500 words in length. We have extended our word limit for the first time in thirty years to 3,500 words rather than 3,000. There are no theme or genre restrictions. Copyright remains property of the author.

Who may submit:
* The literary competition is open to all U.S. and international writers whose fiction has not appeared in a nationally distributed publication with a circulation of 5,000 or more. Writers who have been published by an online magazine or who have self-published will be considered on an individual basis.

Submission requirements:
* Submissions may be sent via regular mail or submitted online. Please visit our online submissions page for complete instructions regarding online submissions. Writers may submit multiple entries, but each must be accompanied by an entry fee and separate cover sheet. We do accept simultaneous submissions; however, the writer must notify us if a story is accepted for publication or wins an award prior to our July announcements. No entry confirmation will be given unless requested. No SASE is required. 

* The author's name should not appear on the story. Our entrants are judged anonymously. Each story must be accompanied by a separate cover sheet with the writer's name, complete mailing address, e-mail address, phone number, the title of the piece, and the word count. Manuscripts will not be returned. These requirements apply for online submissions as well.

* *  IMPORTANT NOTICE: EXTENDED DEADLINE: May 31, 2012 for our 2012 competition only. 

Deadlines and Entry Fees:
* The entry fee is $15 for each story postmarked by May 1, 2012. The late entry fee is $20 for each story postmarked by May 15, 2012. We encourage you to enter by May 1 if at all possible, but please know that your story will still be accepted if you meet the later deadline. Entries postmarked after May 15, 2012 will not be accepted. Entries submitted online after May 15, 2012 will not be accepted. Writers may submit for the 2013 competition beginning May 16, 2012.

How to pay your entry fee:
* Entry fees submitted by mail with their accompanying stories may be paid -- in U.S. funds -- via a personal check, cashier's check, or money order. Please make checks payable to LHSSC or The Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition. Entry fees for online submissions may be paid with PayPal.

Announcement of Winners and Honorable Mentions:
Winners of our 2012 competition will be announced at the end of July 2012 in Key West, Florida, and posted on our website soon afterward. Only the first-place entrant will be notified personally. All entrants will receive a letter from Lorian Hemingway and a list of winners, either via regular mail or e-mail, by October 1, 2012. All manuscripts and their accompanying entry fees should be sent to The Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition, P.O. Box 993, Key West, FL 33041 or submitted online. For more information, please explore this website or e-mail: shortstorykw@gmail.com 

5/11/12

Tears for the Mountain.

On Tuesday, January 12th 2010, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake shook the island nation of Haiti. The United States Agency for International Development estimated the death toll to be somewhere between 46,000 and 85,000 people, with 220,000 injured and over 1.5 million homeless. 

Many organizations, both from the U.S. and abroad, responded to the appeal for humanitarian aid. Dr. Stephen Schroering and Chris Rakunas went to Haiti to deliver over 21,000 pounds of medical and surgical supplies to the New Life Children's Home in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and several other hospitals. 

In Tears for the Mountain, Chris recounts his mission to deliver these supplies to the earthquake-ravaged island nation. Chris discusses both the triumphs and heartbreaks of the trip, the problems with distributing aid in a nation lacking the most basic infrastructure, and his unexpected encounter with a notorious Haitian warlord. A portion of the proceeds for this book will be donated to the New Life Children's Home in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

To order this book at Amazon.  Or, Barnes and Noble _   and locally at Clinton's Oldee's Book Store.   People can always get information at  www.facebook.com/tearsforthemountain

5/6/12

ADA WRITERS WILL SIGN BOOKS


The members of Ada Writers will sign copies of their new anthololgy, "Creations 2012," on Thursday, June 7, 4-6 p.m., at the Ada Public Library, 124 S. Rennie. The anthology will be available for purchase at the special hometown price of $10, regularly $12.

Readers can enjoy short stories, poems, essays, memoirs, articles, and book excerpts in the anthology, said Ken Lewis, president of Ada Writers. "We have science fiction, mysteries, ghost stories, vampires -- everyone can find a work that speaks to his or her tastes." For more about the anthology, including brief excerpts, and to buy online, visit http://www.creations2012.blogspot.com/

Lewis said the mission of Ada Writers is to provide education and support to writers in any stage of their development. The group meets the second and fourth Saturday of each month at 11 a.m. upstairs at the library.

The anthology features the work of the following Ada area authors: 

Stephen B. Bagley wrote "Murder by Dewey Decimal" and "Murder by the Acre," both in the Measurements of Murder™ series. "Murder by the Mile," the third in the series, will be published in 2012. Available now is "Floozy and Other Stories," a collection of his humorous essays. His poetry has appeared in Byline, Prairie Songs, Free Star, and other print and online journals.

Arlene Aren Howell, who writes fantasy and science fiction, lives in Ada with her peaceful Chihuahua Missy and protective Sheltie. Her novel, "Tears of the Dreamer," is expected to be completed this summer. She currently serves as vice-president of Ada Writers.

Mel Hutt and his wife have been married for more than sixty years and have three children, eight grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. When his father died in 1945, he entered the Navy and served more than three years in the Pacific, including Operation Crossroads of the atomic bomb experiments at Bikini. He shares his memories in memoirs.

Ken Lewis has written several articles and short stories of different genres. His interests lie mostly in the paranormal and science fiction genres, but he enjoys exploring other avenues of the art. He’s currently a student of the Longridge Writer’s Group, where he continues to hone the writing craft. He’s a firm believer in “Life is learning.”

Rick Litchfield has a handful of poetry published in globally distributed anthologies. Most notably, The Choice in "The International Who’s Who in Poetry" from 2005. And Shibboleth in "The Best Poems and Poets of 2007."

Martha Rhynes, a retired teacher, began her writing career by researching the lives of American authors and writing biographies and analyses of their work for inclusion in literary encyclopedias. Her book-length biographies include: "I, Too, Sing America, The Story of Langston Hughes"; "Gwendolyn Brooks, Poet from Chicago"; "Ralph Ellison: Author of Invisible Man"; "Jack London: Writer of Adventure"; and "Ray Bradbury: An Illustrated Life." Her works of fiction include numerous short stories and three novels: "The Secret of the Pack Rat’s Nest," "The War Bride," and "Man on First." 

L. D. Robb writes novels and short stories inspired by the challenges of everyday life enjoying a near wilderness and rustic farm life. She lives without many modern conveniences, seeking a self-sustainable way of life, which allows self-introspection and acceptance of the natural processes of existence. She enjoys science fiction and uses that genre to build allegorical stories based on real life events and beliefs. She has so far written two novels in the Apex One series: "Volume One, Epochs in Time" and "Volume Two, Stratégie Royal, War and Honor." The third titled, "Volume Three, The Brothers of The Libertane/ Origins of the Commonwealth," is underway. 

Steve Robb lives with his wife in rural Oklahoma. He is a career ‘Over the Road’ truck driver and is an avid reader. He does little in the way of writing himself, preferring to encourage others in the development of their skills. He has found the written word to be a source of inspiration and solace through the difficult times in his life.

Jeri Elise Tilman lives on a small private farm in central Oklahoma, off the power grid, in a home powered by solar and wind. Jeri writes poetry, short stories, and essays on social and cultural awareness, as well as How To’s on organic gardening, animal husbandry, and natural living. Jeri lectures for women’s groups on recovery from abuse, volunteers time as a lay counselor for mental health and social support groups online and in person, and works as an advocate for acceptance of ‘self’ within the spectrum of human existence.

Joanne Verbridge was born in Oakland, California, spending her life experiences in Northern California. Family brought her to Oklahoma where she enjoys taking time to write about those experiences. She is trying to inspire her young nieces to take an interest in story telling and writing.

Gail Wood has written all her life. “It is as natural to me as breathing. I love the written word, all the nuances, the connotations, the music. I write for a living, but it is in the perverted world of grants, reports, and strategic plans – the bureaucratic graveyard for words," she says. "Besides writing, I have a passion for Zumba® even though I will always be a back row dancer. I love the outdoors and all things natural. The best part of my life is yet to come.”

Tom Yarbrough is the author of three books and numerous articles focusing on helping people improve themselves. He is currently writing two non-fiction works being considered by outside readers and publishers. After a long career in counseling and education, he now spends his time with full time writing, family concerns, and hobbies like Rendezvous (an 1840 living history camp) and making bookmarks called Shepherd Staffs.

5/5/12

Chisholm Trail Book Festival Canceled

The Chisholm Trail Book Festival scheduled for September of 2012 in Duncan, Oklahoma. has been canceled due to unforeseen problems.  They hope to re-asses and plan for a 2013 event in January.  In the meantime, keep checking their website for updates and announcements.  

5/2/12

Vampire Story with Bite

Enid, Oklahoma's own Brian N. Young continues his launch into the steam punk genre with the release of news about the expanded Silent War series.  A dramatic and intriguing story line is inventively woven through the first book  De Civitate Sanguino: The City of the Bloodthirsty. Recently released through Damnation Books,a publisher specializing in dark  horror, and others are already in the works.  It is sure to be a favorite series of not only Oklahoma Steam Punk followers but any who love Gothic, Vampire, Adventure, and Historical fiction. Young holds degrees in history from Northwestern University and University of Wales, Lampeter.   To order go here.