Happy New Year!

I hope you had a great holiday season and that this New Year promises to be better than the last. My youngest son turned 10 a few weeks ago and, for Christmas, he received a Rand McNally globe from Santa. Yes, that was actually one of his requests. He’s getting into geography—his father’s influence entirely, since I get lost just driving to the store. He also received several G.I. Joe toys and DVDs. Again, his father’s influence. The two of them could watch World War II movies forever. They love history.

My 12-year-old daughter received a new Dell desktop computer, monitor and printer. It’s faster than the one I use and has far more storage, and cost a lot less. But she’s also old enough to use it for online research for school and she loves to write stories on it! Might just take after her mom, huh?

The kids received an early Christmas present: a puppy, Oscar (see my online newsletter at my main website: http://members.aol.com/lbmwriter/romance/INDEX.html).

Oscar is a “Borkie” (half Yorkshire Terrier, half Bichon Frise), adopted from the Lost Dog and Cat Foundation of Virginia. I wanted a mutt and he was the perfect fit: large enough not to squeak when he barks and small enough that he wouldn’t be taking me for walks. We learned after we got him home that Borkies are being specially bred in Arkansas and Sweden (from AKC registered parents) for their non-shedding hair (great for allergy suffers), high intelligence and…they’re wonderful with children.

The kids, naturally, promised they would walk the dog, feed him and give him baths. But kids tend make promises they don’t always keep and, big surprise, mine are no exception. But small dogs also tend to attach themselves to one member of the family, and he chose me, which is great, until you get 2” of snow. I figured it would be a quick in-and-out for Oscar, but no such luck. He loves licking and eating the white stuff. Bad enough he spends a good twenty minutes sniffing his territory and digging those darn mole holes, but he loves to jump up to grab my gloves off my hands. And believe me, he can really jump high. So I hide my gloves in my pockets. My hands get mighty cold after a while, but he’s so cute and funny, he warms my heart and makes the kids laugh. Any dog that does that deserves his weight in doggie treats.

A Reader's Comments…

Dear Linda,

I just finished reading SHADOW OF DOUBT. It's an excellent book, and you are such a story teller. I wanted to skip through to the ending--but was afraid I'd miss something exciting on the next page... there's not a shadow of doubt, in my mind, that writing runs through your veins.

Hank LeGrand

Hank is the author of the children’s book, “Paddle Tail,” the story of an adorable little beaver who was born with just a stump for a tail. He learns (and so will your child) that is okay to be different! Available through Amazon.com and Port Town Publishing’s website: http://www.porttownpublishing.bigstep.com


Appearances and Book Signings

If you live in the Metro D.C. area, please join me for a special Valentine’s signing at Bloomingdale’s at White Flint on February 12th. More signings are in the works. Here’s a partial list of signings scheduled thus far:

Saturday, February 12, 2005
1:00 – 3:00 PM
Bloomingdale’s–White Flint Mall
11305 Rockville Pike,
Kensington, MD 20895
For more info and directions, call (301) 984-4600

Saturday, October 22, 2005
9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Second Annual Book Em Event
Waynesboro Public High School
1200 West Main Street
Waynesboro, VA 22980
Sponsored by Central Shenandoah Crime Stoppers, Central Shenandoah Reading Council, and Friends of the Library. For more information, visit: Book ‘Em’s website: http://www.bookemfoundation.org/


The Contest Winners are…

Special Holiday Gift Basket Winner...
Congratulations to Leslie Lato of Altoona, PA, who won the special Holiday Gift Basket selected for the lucky winner. Among the gifts included are Christmas items, candles, chocolate and other special treats.

Special Holiday Contest Bonus Prize Winner...
Congratulations to Mary Boozer from Garden City, MO. She won an e-book version of Carolyn Howard-Johnson’s fantastic book on promotion: THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER. Carolyn is the author of the best-selling e-book, THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER: HOW TO DO WHAT YOUR PUBLISHER WON'T, a great source of marketing tips for authors (also available in trade paperback).


Special Valentine’s Contest…

I have put together a wonderful Valentine's basket as the prize for my February contest, filled with chocolate and other wonderful items. To enter my Valentine's basket, email me: RomRiter@aol.com, or "snail" mail your entry to: PO Box 551, Glen Echo, MD 20812-0551. Include your name and address, and "Valentine's Contest" in the subject line (or on your mailed envelope).
But that's not all...

The response to Carolyn Howard-Johnson's E-book, THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER: HOW TO DO WHAT YOUR PUBLISHER WON'T, was so great that she has kindly agreed to donate another for my special Valentine’s contest. To enter, indicate "Promo Book" in the subject line (or on your mailed entry). If you want to enter both contests, list "Valentine's and Promo" in the subject line of your email.

But hurry. The contest ends February 28, 2005!

Especially for Authors…Valentines for Editors

THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER’s Famous Phrases That Make the Media Love You By Carolyn Howard-Johnson

Show you really care:
You say:
1. Do you have a moment now (and then take only a moment)?
2. Do you have a list of topics or themes for the coming year?
3. When is your deadline (and then have what they need to them early)?
4. Would you like me to provide a head shot or book cover art?
5. Do you prefer I put my material in the mail or send it electronically?
6. Do you accept attachments or prefer an e-mail copy and paste?
7. May I send my media kit to help you out?
8. Would you like a list of possible questions for your interview? (This only works for web or radio interviewers, not print media reporters.)

Help them out:
You suggest:
1. I know others you might talk to on this topic.
2. Do you need any other information for this story; maybe I can help.
3. If you should ever need it, I am also available as an expert on ........

Four Ways to Ruin Good Vibrations
You blurt:
1. May I read your piece before it is published?
2. Why didn’t you include the information I offered on .....? (Any comment or suggestion other than correcting an error that is pertinent to the piece is not appropriate.)
3. Oh, sorry, I know I promised but….
4. I can’t make it; I have to wash my hair.
The Happiest Words of All:
1. The book launch is Tuesday. I’d love to have you come. (Your contact may not be able to make it but she is rarely asked!)
2. Thank you.

-----------------
Carolyn Howard-Johnson will be presenting a seminar on promotion at San Diego State University’s Writers Conference Jan. 21, 22, 23. Her first novel, This is the Place, and her second book, Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered, are both award-winners. Her fiction, nonfiction and poems have appeared in national magazines, anthologies and review journals. She is an instructor for UCLA Extension's Writers' Program and her book, THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER: HOW TO DO WHAT YOUR PUBLISHER WON'T, was named USA Book News’ “Best Professional Book 2004.” She was recently awarded Woman of the Year in Arts and Entertainment by the California Legislature. To learn more about Carolyn and her future speaking events, please, visit her website at: http://carolynhowardjohnson.com. You can also purchase the paperback version of "The Frugal Book Promoter" online through Amazon.com.


Gotta Write Network Online Update…

My latest GWN author interview features Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart® award-winning Regency author, Diane Perkins. She also writes Regencies for England’s Mills & Boon Publishers under the name of Diane Gaston. Don’t miss it!

Soon to come at GWN Online, my reviews of historical romances I consider real keepers. To view the above or my past interviews, please visit the GWN website at www.gottawritenetwork.com/, click on “Genre” and then “Historical.”


Recipe Corner…

The holidays are over, but for most of us, we’re facing cold weather and snow. For me, that means making a quick meal to warm them up. If you serve it with the Golden Rice and Parsley, make the rice ahead, set it aside, covered to keep it warm, until ready to serve.

Quick Veal Ragout (Serves 2; can be doubled)

1 Tbs. all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
6 oz. veal scallops, pounded 1/8 inch thick, cut into 3 x 1/4 inch strips
1 Tbs. light olive or vegetable oil
1 small fennel bulb, trimmed and cut into 3 x 1/4 inch strips (about 1 cup)
1/4 cup red bell pepper, cut into 3 x 1/4 inch strips
1 Tbs. butter or margarine
1/4 cup heavy cream (I use yogurt)
1 Tbs. chopped fresh tarragon or 1/2 tsp. dried

1. Mix flour, salt and ground pepper in shallow bowl; add veal strips to coat both sides. Set aside on plate.
2. Heat oil in 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add fennel strips and sauté about 2 minutes (until they begin to color). Add bell pepper strips and sauté 1 minute. Remove from pan and set aside.
3. Add butter and heat until melted. Slowly add veal to skillet and increase heat to medium-high. Sauté until golden, about 2 minutes.
4. Return pepper and fennel strips to pan.
5. Stir broth, cream (or yogurt) and tarragon into veal and vegetables.
6. Heat to boiling and cook until slightly thickened, about 20-30 seconds. Serve at once.

Tastes great served with white rice or the following…

Golden Rice and Parsley (serves 2; can be doubled)

1 cup water
1/2 cup long grain rice
1 tsp. butter
1/4 tsp. turmeric
1 Tbs. minced fresh parsley

1. Heat water to boiling.
2. Stir in rice, butter and turmeric.
3. Cook covered over very low heat until rice is tender, about 20 minutes.
4. Serve on plates, sprinkled with minced parsley



Question or comments?

I hope you enjoyed this newsletter. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to write me c/o my post office:

Linda Morelli
P.O. Box 551
Glen Echo, MD 20812-0551

Or by Email: RomRiter@aol.com. I’d love to hear from you!

And please be sure to visit my website at www.lindamorelli.us for my latest news, contest, events and signings.

Until next time, all the best!

Linda Morelli