Much has been written about the soul-crushing, trauma-inducing terror of the blank page. How does one stare it down and get through the first draft? Here are some things that have worked for me: 1. Start with an outline. I know that dedicated pantsers may vehemently disagree. But for me, one of the things I love about an outline is its inherently imperfect format that removes the need for flawless…
Interview with Antoinette Walker, Co-Founder of The Chaptr
The Chaptr is an exciting new monthly book subscription box and book club rolled into one that is launching this week! Today, we talk to The Chapter’s co-founder, Antoinette Walker about where the idea came from, how The Chaptr works, and what else we can expect from this new venture. THE INTERVIEW Tell us about your self. I was the kid who read everything in sight. Cereal boxes were some…
[News Flash] April 26, 2021
Thanks to Amanda Skenandore, author of THE SECOND LIFE OF MIRIELLE WEST, for joining us this week. Read her full interview here. And THE TIGER MOM’S TALE by Lyn Liao Butler is included in Penguin Random House’s list of books celebrating Asian voices! Way to go Lyn! Denny S. Bryce (author of WILD WOMEN AND THE BLUES) spoke with former Deb Ball guest, Vanessa Riley, about diversity in historical fiction…
Lyn’s Favorite Indie Bookstores
April 24, 2021 is National Independent Bookstore Day. To honor indie bookstores, I’m posting about my favorite ones. For me, there’s nothing like browsing in the aisles of a bookstore, surrounded by so many books and possibilities. I love books. So much. I’m so honored that the bookstore in the town where I grew up, is going to be selling signed copies of my book for my launch. The Village…
Bookstores!!
In honor of National Independent Bookstore day, I am thrilled to talk about some amazing bookstores that I love. First up is Books, Inc. with a genealogy going back to 1851, making it the oldest independent bookstore in the West. Books, Inc. currently has 10 branches throughout the Bay Area. The Campbell branch was incredibly supportive of A DOOR BETWEEN US, providing books, folding chairs and other items for an…
Interview with Amanda Skenandore, author of THE SECOND LIFE OF MIRIELLE WEST
This week’s interview is with dear friend and author Amanda Skenandore, whose award-winning historical fiction explores painful episodes in the American experience with great sensitivity and insight. Her forthcoming book, THE SECOND LIFE OF MIRIELLE WEST will be out in July and was inspired by the true story of a Louisiana leprosy hospital where patients were forcibly quarantined. Below, Amanda talks about the research she did at the national leprosarium,…
[News Flash] April 19, 2021
Many thanks to Pamela Skjolsvik for joining us to speak about her delightful novel of an eternally menopausal vampire, FOREVER 51. Read the full interview here. And join Pamela on April 21, as she discusses her book with the Litchicks Book Club. Follow Litchicks for more information. And Elizabeth Gonzalez James made a trailer for her debut MONA AT SEA! Congratulations to Greta Kelly who received a starred review in…
My favorite bookstore: East Bay Booksellers
Independent Bookstore Day is on April 24th, and so we’re celebrating our favorite indie sellers here at the Deb Ball. I’ve loved many bookstores in my life, starting with Half Price Books in my hometown of Corpus Christi, Texas, to The Raven in Lawrence, Kansas where I attended graduate school, to Green Apple Books in San Francisco. But my favorite favorite of all my favorites has to be East Bay…
Interview with Pamela Skjolsvik, author of FOREVER 51
I’m so excited for this week’s interview with Pamela Skjolsvik whose debut novel, FOREVER 51 is the delightful story of an eternally menopausal vampire on a quest to become mortal. Below, Pamela talks about the strangest job she’s ever had, the remaining items on her bucket list, and the story behind the title of her book. Enjoy! ABOUT PAMELA Pamela Skjolsvik has been published in Creative Nonfiction, Witness, Ten…
[News Flash] April 13, 2021
Many thanks to J.S. Dewes for joining us this week to talk about her novel, THE LAST WATCH. Read her interview here. And please join her Tuesday 4/20 at 7pm CT for a conversation with John Scalzi hosted by A Room of One’s Own. For more exciting events please visit her website. And join Greta Kelly and Genevieve Gornichec this Friday at 6:30 CT as they talk about THE FROZEN…
