Ever been read a scary story on a dark and stormy night that makes you so scared, when thunder BOOMS you jump out of your seat and look around in case there is something amiss...

Well, I have written thousands of book reviews, on Amazon, AuthorsDen, and other online sites, and many authors I review are independent authors. They are most times self published and look to any means to publicize themselves so people can be aware of their wonderful books.

In this day, you cannot submit to a major publisher without an agent's help and intercession. Then, THEN, maybe you'll get a response. Then it may sit on some editor's desk for months and then you get a thanks but no thanks letter. 

 But how to find an agent who will look after your interests so your book can be purchased everywhere, and know they will find it in their best interests to help you find the right publishing home, ah there's the rub.

Each of us  dreams for a St. Martin's Press, or Dutton, or Bantam publisher. I surely know I do. I would love my book THIRST to be published by a major publisher. Am almost finished (had to get a shameless plug for myself in here!) and yes, the novel was based on the short story printed on AD, and in the anthology Shameless Shorts.

Included in my listing of 180 reviews and articles, many of the books I reviewed are not only for adults to read, but would make super reading for children. I wish there were several boxes we could check that would reflect that but there isn't as yet (or that I know of) on AuthorsDen.

Ms. Orenstein has several series that are geared toward children, but like Rick Riordon's Camp Half-Blood Series, aren't just for kids to read.  We grown up kids enjoy them too

They are all found in my listings of articles and it would be great to go down the list and see if there are books that pertain to younger folk, to see if they would  be great to buy your child, grandchild, etc.

Ms. Orenstein's Huby series, featuring an enigmatic fella named Huby is an example of this. The first in the series is The Mystery Under Third Base (may be on AD as The Ghost Under Third Base) and its sequel, The Mystery of the Green Goblin. It has Halloween written all over it.

There is an innovative series that features two young boys who enter a 'magical bookstore' and pick out the title of a story, and be transported into that story to rectify something or someone that needs help. Those are The Wizard of Balalac and The Gargoyles of Blackthorne.

When you read these reviews, periodically go through not only my reviews, but look at the authors and support them. This site is wonderful - we can write and get critiqued, and support each other.

Time to go back and see if your little goblins may like these and other books, not only in my listings, but other author listings.

We are here to help each other - be each other's advocates - let's do that!

Fran Orenstein is a member of AuthorsDen and can be contacted through this site, as well as getting plot information.

I will periodically go through my listings and remind that there are a lot of good books 'out there' and we need to review and relook at articles sometimes to get some great reading ideas.

ellen george