Rosemarie Skaine's Newsletter

Rosemarie Skaine's Newsletter brings you news about her, about her writings and about the writings of others. April 27, 2006

Happy Hello Dear Readers!

I extend a heart-felt welcome to a number of new readers. It is good to have you in my reading audience. Along with that welcome, I reiterate my gratitude to each member. I appreciate your faithful subscriptions.

Most of the time my Newsletter discusses my books, articles, poetry and news and events related to my writing. I also like to feature the work of other writers from time to time. The Newsletter is very informal, and I welcome feedback and/or contributions related to writing.

I hope you enjoy the new format of the Newsletter. I welcome feedback on the Newsletter itself. It may take a few times to perfect the format, but the secret to successful writing is always in the rewriting.

Last year I published two books: _Female Genital Mutilation_ and _Female Suicide Bombers_. The _Bombers_ has only been out since the end of February, but it is already doing very well on the market. McFarland Publishers of Jefferson, N.C. has been advertising in the Library Journal, Booklist and Choice.

Marketing through Advertising

McFarland Advertises Female Suicide Bombers in Library Journal
An ad for Rosemarie Skaine's book, Female Suicide Bombers appeared in the _Library Journal_ on page 158, Vol. 131, No. 1 January 2006. This ad was an entire page.

McFarland Advertises in Booklist

McFarland Publishers placed an ad for Rosemarie Skaine's book,_Female Suicide Bombers_ that appeared in Booklist, page 15, Vol. 102, No. 12, 2/15/06.

The ad can be viewed visiting the link, http://www.authorsden.com/adstorage/971/FSBBooklist.pdf. This ad features a number of McFarland's Spring books, and gives an idea of some of their titles.

McFarland Advertises in Choice

An ad for the book, _Female Suicide Bombers_ appeared in _Choice_, page 1135, Vol. 43, No. 7 March 2006. This ad was similar tothe ad placed in Booklist in that it featured a number of McFarland's books. 

Recommended Reading: Female Suicide Bombers

Take the opportunity to read this timely book, _Female Suicide Bombers_. Female suicide bombing IS happening. Chapter 5, "The Conflict in Sri Lanka," provides the context for the recent April 24, 2006 Sri Lankan female suicide bomber attack, The chapter begins with this quotation:

“[Suicide bombing is a] self sacrifice. ... If we have a target and use conventional operations we normally lose 15 or 16 fighters. With self sacrifice we can achieve the same objective and only one dies.”
– Thamilvili, Black Tigress, LTTE 

The Tamil Tigers and Tigresses bomb where the stakes are high, government officials or government property or both. The April 24th attack was no exception. The female bomber was disguised to look pregnant and blew herself up in front of a car carrying the country's top general, killing nine people on the heavily fortified grounds of army headquarters. The general's driver and escort were killed and the general, seriously injured. Over two dozen were wounded.

So, I encourage you to read Chapter Five to aid understanding of this country's struggle for independence. Read it also to understand the bombers themselves. Here is a tantalizing excerpt:

"According to [Robert A.] Pape, ... suicide bombers were basically ordinary people. They were not religious fundamentalists, impoverished, impulsive, delusional, depressed, detached or not able to enjoy life. Rather, the opposite was true ... . They worked for months planning their mission and attended dress rehearsals. They trained and worked closely with others. Pape writes:

"For them, suicide attack was not an escape – it was a duty. From smiles to statements of satisfaction in their final moments on earth, the world’s most deadly suicide terrorists took evident pride in what they saw not as crimes but as sacrifices for their communities."

Contact the editor, me, author of this Newsletter for more information:

Rosemarie Skaine at http://www.authorsden.com/rosemarieskaine. Post a message on my message board.

Author's Castle Corner

For newcomers, my Author's Castle, is where I do my writing. This Corner let's readers know what projects are currently keeping me busy in my Castle. Right now I am still mulling over several topics suggested by McFarland for my next book. Topic selection is hard. Once the topic is selected, another hard step is concept attainment.

Editor's Notes

By way of introduction to new readers and perhaps by way of new information to long time subscribers, I will use this section of the Newsletter from time to time to tell you a little about myself as an author. First and foremost, I have a restless and inquiring spirit. I am unendingly curious about contemporary societies. As Kahil Gibran said, "...self is a sea boundless and measureless, ... the soul walks upon all paths ... ." His words describes aptly who I am.

This period of my life is the most rewarding of all periods. I am free to explore the dimensions of life and to write about my findings. Children are grown and live in other places. Having worked hard most of my life in a "job," has provided me with a nice retirement. I am truly blessed with time to grow once again.

Today, for example, as I sit by my Castle window, I hear the song of a Cardinal while the gentle breeze caresses my face. My thoughts are gentle in peace.

Final Thoughts

For those of you who are writers I recommend a helpful sight that also provides a Newsletter with daily tips: The Writers Market and The Writers Digest.  Sign up on line at http://www.writersdigest.com/newsletter.asp. Their newsletter not only provides tips on writing, but on opportunities, too. One of the opportunities is "doable contests."
Remember:

"...self is a sea boundless and measureless, ... the soul walks upon all paths ... ."
--Kahil Gibran  

Contact the Author

Copyright © April 2006 by Rosemarie Skaine - All Rights Reserved.
Editor: Rosemarie Skaine, Author's Castle
rskaine@cfu.net
P.O. Box 1044
Cedar Falls, IA 50613 USA
Voice: 319-266-8163
FAX: 319-266-1406
Cellular: 319-290-0467

Visit us online at:
http://www.AuthorsDen.com/