Saturday, November 4, 2023

It's That Time of Year Again - NaNoWriMo2023

YES! It is that time of year again. Have you signed up for #NaNoWriMo2023? Well, I have and I am determined to finally finish both "Bloody Murder at the Blanche Hotel" and "Dastardly Deeds at the Dearborn Theater" Because I still have 3 or 4 books waiting in the wings for the Misadventures of Janie and Diane. I have one chapter done in the Blanche series and I will be doing one chapter tonight in the Dearborn one. Of course, as I get them done they will be posted on Kindle Vella for all to read, comment, like and subscribe to.


I really just wanted to see how many words I actually type in a month when I do it regularly. Yes, I have gone back to college and am taking 2 courses in 7 weeks before the Spring term begins. I am hoping to get scholarships and grants by then so that I can take 6 classes in Spring, 4 in summer and that will leave only 4 or 5 for next Fall! Obtaining my bachelor's degree has always been a goal of mine. So wish me luck. 

And if you really want to help an author out you will purchase coins to read my stories on Kindle Vella, buy some merch from my LJ Green's Emporium and share all of these with your friends and family. Directed donations for my college fund are also very much appreciated. My Company - Southern Dragon Publishing - is also offering discounts on their services for self-publishing authors who are just starting out and want to get their book business off to the right start. She has self-publishing packages and even personal one-on-one training sessions available in the coming weeks and months. These are all scheduled through her ZOOM account.

CLICK HERE For those writers who are participating this year check out my profile page

Monday, August 21, 2023

The World of Steampunk - Episode 6 with Gail Carriger


Found a great steampunk show on YouTube. They do not have a lot of episodes yet but they do have an entertaining venue. This episode has my favorite steampunk author, Gail Carringer. Check it out!

Wednesday, July 5, 2023

Romancing the Tropics - Author LJ Green contributed her A Widows Dilemma...


Here's is the First Coast Romance Writers group promo video for my short-story - A Widow's Dilemma in Cuba that is part of the Misadventures of Janie and Diane series. This one is set in the year 1904 with Janie and Diane going on vacation to Cuba after the Spanish/American War which had taken Diane's husband from her. 

The story is part of the FCRWs Anthology which are fundraisers for the group. They have exclusive rights to the story for 6 months to help build up their membership, pay for interesting speakers for the members, etc. Once the six months are over I can then publish the story under my own label. However, I have been encouraged to expand the story into a full novel!

So if you want a collection of sweet romance stories for your summer reading please CLICK HERE and purchase your copy today.

Friday, June 2, 2023

Romancing the Tropics Anthology Has Short Story from L.J. Green

The Widow's Dilemma in Cuba by L.J. Green. 1904. A widow ventures to the tropical paradise of Cuba for a vacation with her niece. Reunited with a former friend of her husband's, her heart gets involved. Will she get a second chance at love? I volunteered this short story for the groups fundraising efforts. They support local writers with informative workshops, annual romance awards, membership only website with lots of great resources. https://books2read.com/u/bWp6z7 The story is available for preorder today until July 19, 2023 when you will receive your eBook or paperback you ordered. The anothology is filled with sweet romance stories set somewhere in the tropics from 1904 to today and even a paranormal one or two. Below is a rendering of the preliminary book cover for this particular story

Monday, May 8, 2023

Janie and Diane Go to Cuba

As a participant with the First Coast Romance Writers group my very first published novella will be added to the bi-annual anthology. This one is filled with 'sweet romances' somewhere in the tropics. Love the preliminary designs for the book cover. The anthology will be available for pre-order in June. The picture above gives some hints about the elements within the story. And yes, there will be a romance. Stay Tuned for More Details!

The story is an in-between short set after the Bloody Murder at the Blanche Hotel and one other that hasn't been written yet. I know that seems a little strange but the opportunity to write a feature story for an anthology that is produced by one of the writers groups I joined last year was an exciting opportunity. Besides helping them with their Social Media and new website design I was also one of the volunteer judges for the NERFA contest. Those winners will be announced in July. 

The Anthology is non-paid for the writers. Each of us had to pay for our own editing but the club will be paying for a nice digital marketing package. This is considered a great opportunity for new writers to get their work out in the public. My editor is insistent though that after the six months contract is over I incorporate the story in a full novel. By then I hope to have all of the stories published on Kindle Vella and them have them revised and re-edited for publication as full-length novels.

In the meantime I have uploaded thirty-nine chapters, so far, for the new Kindle Vella book, Dastardly Deeds at the Dearborn Theater. Today there are episodes posted each weekday until June the 2nd. This story introduces the characters and why they started their adventures in the first place. The Dearborn Theater was a historical building in Chicago with a German Opera Theater and acting group putting on shows all through the year. The theater was built next to and part of the the old Schiller building with large sculpture heads of men from the theater including Shakespeare gazing down on the patrons as they entered the building. It was also known as the Garrick Theater. Sadly the whole thing was demolished in the 1970s.

From Chicago History Website

Opened in 1891, the Schiller Theater was originally funded by former Illinois Staats-Zeitung publisher Anton C. Hesing (1823-1895) and other German investors and was projected to be used for German-language operas and cultural events.

I am collecting names and emails for ARC Readers for the upcoming anthology. If you would like to participate I have a couple of slots opened. I also would like to start a news letter for the Janie and Diane Series. Please use the CONTACT FORM on the right side of the page and I will add you to the listing. Gmail account holders can also click on the FOLLOW button. 

Prizes and Giveaways will be forthcoming