Tales and Yarns by Laurie Laliberte

Get It Together (free tutorial for assembling the Blog Collection Windmill Bag)

2013-05-19T08:00:00.000+01:00

Okay, last week you got the pattern for the panels of the Windmill Bag based on my signature, Blog Collection, motif. This week, I'm going to show you how I assembled the bag. There are many, less complicated, ways of putting the pieces together, but I use this one because it only requires two seams. (We have already established that I hate to sew, right?) If you're a newbie, I'd recommend

Don Quixote Eat Your Heart Out (free pattern)

2013-05-12T08:00:00.000+01:00

I began working on this pattern about a year ago. This is why I haven't posted any free patterns on the blog in so long. Finding the time to crochet has been tough enough, but finding the time to design and work a prototype has been darn near impossible. However, a few weeks ago, I stumbled across the pattern and supplies again while cleaning and decided I was so close to done that I should

Maisey and Vitka and Shean . . . Oh My!

2013-05-06T04:02:00.001+01:00

So in the very first days of the KAS, my anxiety was through the roof. I had just had my first short story accepted for publication and was working on publicity and learning the ins and outs of independent and self-publication. For the first time in my life I was completely without control, chasing a lifelong dream, and helping others along that same route. Sound tough? It was. Worth the

The Gryphon's Song by Matt Posner

2013-04-30T08:00:00.000+01:00

This is actually an excerpt from Matt's book Level Three's Dream. When I read the second volume of the School of the Ages series back in October, this poem struck me. I immediately emailed Matt and asked his permission to include it, so I thought, What better way to end the month? Shall I sing, as planned?” asked the Gryphon. “Sing,” said the Mock Turtle, still looking worried

Bad Trip by Bruce Alford

2013-04-28T08:00:00.000+01:00

Gratiot Avenue’s throat throbs The Loop lifts us higher We vanish in hallucinogenic delight lost in deadly terrors thrashing machines Stop rocking. Sit still. Tow trucks buildings wings swirl around us dizzy speeds scrawled against the windows our weak watery eyes amazed the voice of the angular-faced bus driver explodes over the intercom The city can make

Peeling of a Pomegranate by Camilla Arnold

2013-04-24T08:00:00.000+01:00

Swollen scarlet orb basking on blanket sun bleached terrycloth Dare you deny provocative display? Cheeks blush overripe pink spongy canvas beneath red folds perfect size for palm. Layer beneath layer reveals protruding ruby cluster. Hungry shards tear fleshy fragments trace of scarlet tells you’ve eaten too much. Perfect seed spotted pluck from honeycomb hideout suck gem until pressure

Writers Write by Bernard Schaffer

2013-04-21T08:00:00.000+01:00

Writers write. Chambered Roundsis now available on Amazon Writers read. Writers find inspiration in the work of others and remain vigilant not to ape anyone else. Writers seek out criticism from those that deserve to give it and they listen. (Most of the time.) Writers work alone without seeking approval from others and finish with something before showing it to anyone because a

Sanctum by Tesa W. Colvin

2013-04-17T08:00:00.000+01:00

I sat down with Langston today hoping that he would help me find my way. As I pulled myself through the pages of his revelations I still walked away with more questions than answers. So again I made my way to the small corner of the book store where poets die to go, and some go to die, and tried to relate my story to the ones already told by Zora, Emily, Nikki, Ralph, Maya and hell, even

succor by Courtney Cantrell

2013-04-14T08:00:00.000+01:00

dont pick at that momma said youll make it bleed i wont forget curled up in the rocking chair listening as you yearn to watch over me i wont forget vulnerable to your gentle hands you knead the pain from my soul heal my winter break my fall even as the black dogs of your despair nip at your vitals i wont forget sobbing the hollowness from my heart into yours and your eyes

Ten K by Laurie Laliberte

2013-04-10T08:00:00.000+01:00

Walk For Freddie Walk For Pedro As you've never walked before I walk With thirty-five thousand Of my closest friends To fight one small battle In a seemingly neverending war It's an overwhelming feeling To know you've done something so right So walk My friends Walk on In hope One day you'll walk no more In addition to curating this blog, Laurie Laliberte is a published author, an

We Interrupt National Poetry Month . . .

2013-04-07T08:00:00.000+01:00

A couple of years ago, I wrote this post which included a link to a pattern for slipper socks. That pattern was written by a designer named Sharon Klinsky. Well, several weeks ago, I was contacted by a woman who asked me to make a pair of the socks for her mother's birthday, which happens to be today. Unfortunately, I had to decline. My schedule is too tight these days to be able to consign

Freefall by Tony Healey

2013-04-03T08:00:00.001+01:00

Gale of water Air He plummets, Down, down, down, Pulled Freefalling. Stepping from the ledge Of the plane, Is the same, As falling back from the edge Of a boat. Aerodynamics Rate of fall They are the same It’s slower under water The ocean gets darker, So too does the sky, As the ground rushes up beneath. He sinks and sinks, Colder, darker, The fall is slow, gradual, A

Welcome to National Poetry Month (April Fool)

2013-04-01T08:00:00.000+01:00

I really wanted to include this in last year's poetry slam, but 2012 was reserved for the Kindle All-Stars and this dude's not one of them. So, uh, April Fool! I really hope you enjoy this month's selections. Feel free to post your own poems in the comments sections.

Announcing Gateway to Reality

2013-03-24T08:00:00.000Z

I figured I'd throw one more guest blogger at you before we head into National Poetry Month next week. Becca and I have known each other via twitter for about a year. When she asked me to edit her latest novel, Gateway to Reality, how could I resist? This project was a treat for a number of reasons. First, it's a terrific book (no, I'm not obligated to say that just because I was its editor);

That's How Winning Is Done

2013-03-17T08:00:00.000Z

It's no secret that my guest blogger is one of my most published clients as well as one of my favorite authors, one of my dearest friends, and my biggest fan. So it shouldn't surprise anyone that the moment I found out he was starting a promotion for his most successful series to date, I offered up a spot on my blog for him. But I'll let my buddy, Bernard Schaffer, tell you more. As

#amediting #amwriting #amforgetful

2013-03-10T08:00:00.000Z

Wow. The past few weeks have been a flurry of activity. Even more than usual. I moved...again...into what I hoped would be a more permanent location. Wrong. (I'll be moving once more pretty soon.) I've been editing like a demon with my butt on fire. I think I've published five books in the past three weeks as I also try to work on another project that is so sorely behind I think the

How to Find an Editor

2013-03-08T23:40:00.000Z

Hey all! I got so busy last weekend that I completely forgot to put up a post for Sunday. How about you all check out this guest post I did for Unstressed Syllables instead?

Are You Done Yet?-OR-Why I Don't Read Queries

2013-02-24T08:00:00.000Z

Carnival of Cryptidsis currently available on Amazon for $2.99.All proceeds benefit theNational Center for Missing and Exploited Children I've upset more than one writer lately with the statement, "I don't read queries." Therefore, I thought I would explain my position. First, I should explain my own definition of what a query is and my own definition of what my job is. Traditionally, a

Everything but the . . .

2013-02-17T08:00:00.000Z

We all know I've been playing around a lot with recipes from Pinterest lately. And I'm having a blast doing it. The only problem is that I can be so busy Sunday through Wednesday that I forget (or cant find time) to post my results on the blog as I promised you all I would. So I've decided to stop beating myself up over it and just accept the fact that other areas of my life are more important.

And Now for Something a Bit Different

2013-02-10T08:00:00.000Z

We all know that I enjoy inviting authors with whom I've worked to take over my blog for just about any reason, including plugging their latest literary creations. So when Eisah, author of Flute of the Wind Queen contacted me to request a bit of publicity, how could I say no? However, this time around, we're not plugging a book, we're plugging a children's charity. I'll let Eisah tell you more:

Cryptozoowhat?

2013-02-03T08:00:00.000Z

If you're a faithful follower of this blog, you already know plenty about the Kindle All-Stars and our (insane) project from 2011 that brought together 32 authors from 7 countries in one anthology. Our goal was simple: raise some money for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by releasing the compilation entitled Resistance Front. Shortly after RF's release, my partner in

What if Cryptids Were Real?

2013-01-27T08:00:00.000Z

Yet again, I've put out an invitation for my Kindle All-Stars friends to pop in and write a few words. In answer to my call to arms, our newest member/author, Jeff Provine, sent me a terrific guest blog which explains his approach in writing his short story contribution to Carnival of Cryptids, the latest Kindle All-Stars anthology. I'll let Jeff do the rest of the talking: I love "what

Tony Acree and The Hand of God

2013-01-20T08:00:00.000Z

Hey all! My pal Tony Acree and I have been talking about this book for months and it's finally here. Unfortunately, I have not had the opportunity to read it yet, but I thought you'd all like to see something on my blog this week that did not involve spending hours in the kitchen. Although, you could hang out next to the crock pot as you read his new book. I kid. Many thanks, and welcome, Tony

Yogurt Making 101

2013-01-13T22:46:00.001Z

If you follow me on twitter, you know my latest addictions are avocados and Greek yogurt. Not necessarily together, but they do complement one another well. (I've found I prefer the plain, unsweetened, low- or non-fat Greek-style yogurt to sour cream.) The only problem is that Greek yogurt can be pricey, but I love making my own in the crock pot. I believe I've mentioned it before, but here's

The Way to a Man's Heart

2013-01-09T08:00:00.000Z

My grandmother really did tell me that the way to a man's heart was through his stomach. She was the one who taught me most of the basics of cooking. Mom did too, but I think Babcie was the bigger influence on me when it comes to all things culinary. Anyhow, how could I not experiment with a recipe called "Man-Pleasing Chicken?" I decided to blog three recipes today rather than the usual two