Help Laurie Breathe

Our friend Laurie Laliberte was recently rushed to the hospital. Her respiration system had failed and Laurie almost didn't make it. She is still not able to communicate, and we don't know when she'll be back.

Laurie is a freelance editor for independent authors. Her life's work is to help others, and she gives of herself with reckless abandon. Even though she edits some of the biggest names in the industry, she loves working with newcomers and makes it her responsibility to guide them. In addition to that, she edits charity anthologies for free, and hosts a hugely-popular blog about crocheting where people all over the world get to use her wonderful patterns.  

Now, it is our time to help her. Laurie is facing significant hospital bills and the loss of her residence. We've set up a crowdfundeddonation site called Help Laurie Breathe, where people can give $5 and more via PayPal. If everyone who reads Laurie's blog or has been touched by her work gives just $5, she'll be able to receive the treatment she needs.

There are other levels beyond $5, and one of them contains a special incentive. Thank you for visiting this site, and thank you for supporting our friend Laurie Laliberte. 

Please visit Help Laurie Breathe and make your donation today. 

It's That Time of Year Again!

National Poetry Month is almost here. In honor of April, I am holding my annual Poetry Slam here at the blog. So dust off your old college notebooks and send me your best, your worst, or somewhere in between.

For all the details about participation, go here: 2014 Poetry Slam and don't forget to follow the rules.

Happy Writing!

Survey

Hey y'all! This week's post comes from my need to settle a debate between one of my favorite authors and myself. It is 100% self-serving, and I am fully aware of that fact, so please don't leave any negative comments to chastise me. ;)

I would like to know what my readers think about my writing vs. my editing. I mean, if you didn't like my editing, you wouldn't purchase the books my clients produce, so I have some idea of what you all are looking for when it comes to putting out a piece of fiction. But this time, I'm looking for a bit of feedback regarding bylines.

Have you read Tony's FFH series yet?
This collaboration is set in the same Universe.

Some of the books I've helped produce in the past couple of years required little more than a quick proofread and feedback session; others have required a complete rewrite. In fact, I sent back one novel recently that I did completely rewrite because the author just did not seem to be "getting it."

Having said all that, I'm going to let you in on the big secret. I've teased you a bit with my latest writing project. (No, I do NOT mean my latest crochet book.) I am collaborating with Tony Healey on what will likely become a 90K-word novel, sci-fi, of course.

In the past, my work with Tony (We fondly refer to them as Healiberte productions.) has received only editorial credit regardless of my level of involvement. Some pieces were super-quick and got barely a once-over because he was able to bang them together with ease; a few required much more effort on my part because I know his style, his potential, and his standards.

This latest is a true collaboration right out of the gate. It's 50/50, give or take. Now, I'm not a person who requires, or even wants, the spotlight, but I was working and thinking this morning, and I wondered which would sell better: a book bearing Tony's name as writer and mine as editor, or a book that showed both of us as co-writers.

So please, take a moment to chime in and give me your feedback below or in an email to kindleallstars at gmail dot com and let me know what you think. Are you more or less likely to purchase a book that has BOTH our names on the byline?

Happy Reading!