FRIDAY ROUND-UP

Are you ready for another sock puppet interview? John Brantingham is the hand behind an interview with an author discussing her publicist. Doug Danielson discusses the value of the oft maligned Amazon reader reviews and Sunny Frazier throws down the gauntlet asking if you're as prepared as you think for a career in writing. All that and more in the Friday Round-Up!  

JOHN BRANTINGHAM, author of soon-to-be-released “Mann of War” has another sock puppet interview discussing the pros and cons of hiring a publicist. He also talks about the upcoming San Gabriel Literary Festival:  http://johnbrantingham.blogspot.com

DOUG DANIELSON, nautical author of  “Shore Loser,” talks about the continuing thrill of a good review and the value of Amazon reader reviews toward selling a book. Doug's next book, “Sea-Duction” will be released soon by Oak Tree Press.  

http://www.doug-danielson.com/blog/new-review-for-shore-loser/

BJ: Sunny Takes No Prisoners

“Are You Even Ready For a Writing Career?” SUNNY FRAZIER challenges in a guest blog about platform building over at:

http://athoughtgrows.blogspot.com/2013/01/meet-sunny-frazier-acquisitions-editor.html?spref=fb 

JOHN LINDERMUTH, author of Pennsylvania mystery “Fallen From Grace,” and “Practice To Deceive,” pays tribute to the great Jack London this week.

http://jrlindermuth.blogspot.com/

Have you read a book you think would make a great movie? Would the book offend anyone like some of today's movies? These questions are asked by MARJA MCGRAW on her blog:

http://blog.marjamcgraw.com/

On January 8, MARY MONTAGUE SIKES spoke about Life as a Writer and Artist at Abingdon Woman’s Club in Gloucester, VA. The audience was especially interested in the cover art of her books as well as her latest paintings on display.

The painting used for the cover art on ANNE WHITE'S  “Affinity For Murder” is one of the Sikes paintings on display in a show at Claris Financial in Richmond. Sikes was among the artists honored at a reception on January 10th. 

Sikes is Artist of the Month at Petersburg Regional Art Center and will do a painting demonstration January 11 during the open house. The painting on the cover of “Eagle Rising” won an honorable mention in this month’s juried show there.

Monti took the photo for this early OTP title, and then painted the scene.

This was photo by Monti, also.

Sikes also set up pages on AskDavid for her books “Daddy's Christmas Angel,” “Secrets By the Sea,” and “Night Watch.” Hmm. Will have to ask David for some of our own publicity!

http://askdavid.com/reviews/book/adventure/3583 and http://askdavid.com/books/2221.

Rabbi ILENE SCHNEIDER, author of  “Unleavened Dead” was given a terrific interview over at the Jewish Community Voice of Southern New Jersey;

http://m.jewishvoicesnj.org/node/32117