Lenore Gay

Author of Shelter of Leaves

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Ten Mistakes in World Building

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I recently watched a YouTube video entitled “Twelve Mistakes in World Building.” I myself have made a list of ten mistakes. Do you have anything to add? Leave a comment or let me know on my Facebook page.

Ten Mistakes in World Building

1. Religion – Usually only Christian tradition. Only cultural practices of one religion. Not usually realistic in a culture.

religion2. Education – Character jumps into a career without any education. Not realistic. Needs schools that train skills for what they’re preparing to do.

3. History – Need to talk about what made things the way they are at the book’s beginning. How did everything come about? Continue Reading...

Celebrate Your Independent Bookstores

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booksellers week

On Facebook, I routinely find announcements for poetry, nonfiction and fiction readings taking place at all three of Richmond’s independent bookstores: Book People, Chop Suey Books, and Fountain Books. VCU’s beautiful library on the West Campus is the good spot for readings hosted by the English Deparment. The former Zata Cafe, now Westover Station, regularly hosts open-mic readings. Workshops on the writing craft and readings are also held at the Firehouse Theater, Urban Farmhouse, and the Main Library in downtown Richmond. On an average week, I could probably attend three or four readings in different venues. Continue Reading...

James River Writers Conference 2018

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james river writers conference

Fall is a busy time for writers. A big highlight took place in mid-October when the annual James River Writers Conference was held at the Richmond Convention Center. 360 people attended this year. Four out of the six Master Classes sold out. Nearly all of the agent appointments were booked up.

Robert Toms and I worked as volunteers for the Silent Auction. Available were twenty items for bidders in three categories: experiences, services and products. This event is a fundraiser for JRW. Continue Reading...

A Wrinkle in Time Giveaway

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Now that we are wrapping up our re-read of A Wrinkle in Time, I have joined authors Sadeqa Johnson and Vivian Lawry in a book giveaway!

wrinkle-time-becoming-madeleine-2

We are giving away:

  • A copy of A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
  • A copy of Becoming Madeleine, a biography of the life and works of Madeleine L’Engle written by her granddaughters

Starting now, you can enter by clicking the link below. The giveaway will end at midnight on March 13. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Help Review Shelter of Leaves!

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Hello friends,

Honest book reviews are important. They help readers decide what to buy, and they help authors reach more readers. If you’ve read Shelter of Leaves, I’d appreciate your posting a review to my Amazon Author Page, Goodreads page, or both. Once on my respective author pages, you’ll see where others have posted their reviews. Here is a link that includes guidelines for writing a review.

Thanks so much,
Lenore

lenore gay shelter of leaves review

Subscribe to my newsletter and receive a free e-book of short stories!

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To (continue) celebrating the Shelter of Leaves one-year anniversary, I have written an e-book of short stories that you can download for free after joining my mailing list!

To join the list, visit my website at lenoregay.com/mailing-list. You’ll then receive an email with the e-book download! Then, let me know what you think of the short stories and Shelter of Leaves with the hashtag #ShelterofLeaves. Check out the gorgeous cover below:

lenore gay Lives Short Stories

BOOK REVIEW: Afterlife by Marcus Sakey  

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BOOK REVIEW: Afterlife by Marcus Sakey

Thomas & Mercer, 2017

marcus sakey afterlife

[Source: Marcus Sakey]

Curious about fiction portraying parallel universes, time travel and life after death, I looked forward to reading Afterlife. Sakey has many fans from his previous books. The online reviews of Afterlife were mostly positive.

The book itself

Sakey’s prose was solid, a well-crafted book full of intriguing ideas. The layered afterlife was well-developed and kept me reading.

The two main characters could’ve been more fully actualized for a better read. The romantic connection felt like a device to serve the plot. Readers want adventure; they also want to believe in the characters, even become the characters, and follow them through the story for a fuller experience. Continue Reading...