One very talented Canadian artist named Jonathon Earl Bowser sent me a package the other day. Within the standard mailing envelope was a print of "Altar of Freedom's" book cover and the image on a CD.

The first time I saw his extraordinary Goddess art I said to myself, "that's how I see Lea Netera. It was as if his imagination met with mine. I had even written about Lea visiting her Great Grandmother Serenity's reflection pond and there it was in all the colors and form that I'd envisioned.

Others have helped give form to my creative vision: my friend Carmen Bergman (a wonderful writer with a heart of gold) added her special touch through early editing and Linda Morelli (a Port Town editor and author) is working with me now on editing every single chapter. At the same time, she's balancing her family and work obligations. Yes, there are angels.

Denise Fleischer....11:58 p.m.


2nd Annual AuthorFest
June 24, 2006

Just came back from Schaumburg Twp. District Library. Organizing the AuthorFest was a lot of work, but well worth it!. We all had a great time with the panel discussions: Structuring Your Mystery, The Building Blocks of A Great Romance, Writing for Children & Young Adults, Setting the Scene and So You Want to Write Non-Fiction. Susan Gibberman, for the second year in a row, ordered a wonderful Italian lunch. There was time to sell our books and network.

Those who participated were: Libby Fischer Hellmann, Luisa Buehler, T.A. Stone, Margie Gosa Shivers, J.A. Konrath, Linda Mickey, Melody Thomas, Sheila Peele-Miller, Rosemarie Piemonte, Elysa Hendricks, Mary Jane Cole, Kelle Z. Riley, Stacey Klemstein, Tim Smith, Caryn Lazar Amster, Amey Tippett, Joe Wellman, Nick Ostdick, James T. Durkin, Elana Ashley, Mishawn Purnell-O'Neal, Scott R. Etters, Matthew Berrafato, Lillian Bjorseth, Bazil Gray, Rachel Madorsky, Josslyn Christmas, Sharon Shea Bossard, Larry Dale Wetherholt and Archie Eschborn...and I.

What's Ahead
Nov. 4, 2006

I've recently finished chapter editing for Altar of Freedom with Linda Morelli, another PTP author. Linda was a doll in the patience department and very helpful when it came to fine-tuning the manuscript. It's now in the publisher's hands awaiting galley layout and printing. Linda suggested I create a character list and so I did. Now you'll be able to keep track of all the characters that introduce themselves in book 2.

Freelance and PR work - With 20 years of newspaper experience behind me, I'm ready to help promote others and write more articles for magazines. I'd like to write press releases for authors, build more author webpages on GWN, book authors in online chats and libraries and sell their books on my website. Contact me at Netera@aol.com. I do accept IMs if I'm not updating GWN.

Next book - I'm about 150 pages into a Romantic Suspense about a psychic Society Editor and a local detective. I absolutely love this manuscript and hope to learn a great deal about police procedures and the criminal mind. Zoe Montgomery is the protagonist and David Giovanni the good-looking detective with his eye on crime and Zoe. Zoe's father is not your average dad. He's the President of the United States and fully aware of his daughter's gifted abilities.

Reviews and interviews - As always I'm trying to write up reviews and read as many books as possible. I'm running behind because I'm doing a lot more these days, but I'll get there.

Promotional Opportunities - If you're a chat or interview coordinator, I'd love to promote Altar of Freedom and I'd love to hear from you. I have a few things lined up, but I'm spending a lot of time on other authors and have to work my own PR into the schedule.

Denise