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Book Review: The Red Palace
by June Hur publisher’s synopsis Joseon (Korea), 1758. There are few options available to illegitimate daughters in the capital city, but through hard work and study, eighteen-year-old Hyeon has earned a position as a palace nurse. All she wants is to keep her head down, do a good job, and perhaps finally win her estranged father’s…
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Writers’ Conferences Part One: An Introduction
It’s summertime, and that means it’s writing conference season! So let’s chat about conferences. Who should go to a writers’ conference? Anyone who’s ready to make an investment in their writing, beginner and advanced alike. Conferences aren’t cheap. Travel, accommodations, and food add up quickly on top of the conference ticket. However, writing conferences are…
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Book Review: The Gingerbread Queen
by Carrie Anne Noble publisher’s synopsis Once upon a time, Gretel defeated the witch of the gingerbread cottage and saved Hansel. Now, she must face what the witch left behind… Germany, 1825. Thirteen years have passed since Gretel and her brother Hansel started new lives in a small town. She’s changed her name, lived quietly,…
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Book Review: In Want of a Suspect
by Tirzah Price publisher’s synopsis It is a truth universally acknowledged, that London’s first female solicitor in possession of the details of a deadly crime, must be in want of a suspect. The tenacious Lizzie Bennet has earned her place at Longbourn, her father’s law firm. Her work keeps her busy, but luckily she often…
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Book Review: A Time to Rise
by Nadine Brandes publisher’s synopsis What more can you sacrifice than your life? Parvin Blackwater is dead. At least…that’s what the Council—and the world—thinks. But her sacrifice tore down part of the Wall long enough to stir up hope and rebellion in the people. Now she will rise again. Strong, free, and fearless. Parvin and…
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Book Review: A Time to Speak
by Nadine Brandes publisher’s synopsis What happens when you live longer than you wanted to? Parvin Blackwater wanted to die, but now she’s being called to be a leader. The only problem is, no one wants to follow. The Council is using Jude’s Clock-matching invention to force “new-and-improved” Clocks on the public. Those who can’t…
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Book Review: A Time to Die
by Nadine Brandes publisher’s synopsis How would you live if you knew the day you’d die? Three hundred sixty-four days, seven hours, and sixteen—no, fifteen—seconds left to live. Like everyone else on the east side of the Wall, Parvin Blackwater has a clock counting down the days until her death. At only seventeen, she has only…
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Your Old Writing
It’s okay to like your old writing. It’s okay to not like your old writing. Sometimes I read my old writing, and it’s pure cringe. For instance, I once had a character talk aloud to themself so I could explain the worldbuiling. However, that was by my twelve-year-old self, who hadn’t studied anything about the…
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Book Review: A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure
by Angela Bell publisher’s synopsis London, England, 1860When Clara’s ex-fiancé begins to spread rumors that her family suffers from hereditary insanity, it’s all she can do to protect them from his desperate schemes, society’s prejudice, and a lifetime in an asylum. Then Clara’s Grandfather Drosselmeyer brings on an apprentice with a mechanical leg, and all…
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Writing Is like A Puzzle
Writing is a lot like putting together a puzzle. In the beginning, you typically start by putting together the border frame, an outline. Then, if you’re like me, you work on the more straightforward sections, where it’s easy to tell what pieces go together. Things start to connect together, and you can get a glimpse…
