Rebog: Kristin Tubb at The Last Word

Nashville author Kristin Tubb is at CJ Redwine's The Last Word today, unveiling the cover for her upcoming release Selling Hope. Fearless woman that she is, she's decided to be interviewed by the Spork of Doom. Go and partake of her bravery!

Check out the cover and blurb for Selling Hope:

It’s May 1910, and Halley’s Comet is due to pass through the Earth’s atmosphere. And thirteen-year-old Hope McDaniels and her father are due to pass through their hometown of Chicago with their ragtag vaudeville troupe. Hope wants out of vaudeville, and longs for a “normal” life—or as normal as life can be without her mother, who died five years before. Hope sees an opportunity: She invents “anti-comet” pills to sell to the working-class customers desperate for protection. Soon, she’s joined by a fellow troupe member, young Buster Keaton, and the two of them start to make good money. And just when Hope thinks she has all the answers, she has to decide: What is family? Where is home?

Did I mention she's giving away not one, not two, but THREE different prizes to lucky commenters? Well, what are you still doing here? Get over to The Last Word now!

Of Sad Moments and American Icons

Some photos are iconic, capturing a particular mood, event, or time period. For example, who isn't familiar with this photo?

 

Photo credit to Alfred Esenstadtfor 

(Life Magazine, 1945)

This photo was taken by Alfred Esenstadtfor for Life Magazine on Aug 15, 1945, capturing the Times Square celebrations that marked the end of World War II.

I've adored this picture for years. I had a poster of it hanging in my apartment all through grad school. Not having lived during the time period, it communicates to me the sense of jubilation, pride, and relief that must have accompanied the end of WWII. There is something romantic about it. Not necessarily in the sense of romance between man and woman, but the romanticism of a time period that seems somehow nobler than the one in which we currently live.

So, why post about it now?

Today, Edith Shain passed away at age 91. For years, Ms Shain has claimed to be the nurse in this famed photo.

To read more about Ms Shain and the photo that has come to represent the end of WWII for so many, click here.

Rest in Peace, Edith Shain. Thank you for your contributions to our country.

Reblog: Another Classic Just Got Punked

I'm blogging at The Otherworld Diner today about literary mash-ups and the new release Android Karenina. Stop by and check it out!

Of Woods, Writing, and Weekend Escapes

Last weekend, I was lucky enough to run away for a writer's weekend to Fall Creek Falls with three friends from MCRW.

Trish posted a more in depth review of the weekend at her Healthy Writer's blog. Since I need to be working on revisions, I'm just going to direct you to Trish's post for more details (and pictures!) of our fun weekend away.

Gret, Trish, Lara, and Kim