Book Review

In Meandering Muses, Gail Boenning beautifully illustrates, with the help of her three fascinating muses, that our minds are messy places where thoughts constantly compete with and interrupt each other, evaluating various perspectives.

I love the muses' contrasting personalities, their authentic conversations, and the foreword, by Stuart James – which tells us how Calliope, Thalia, and Urania have landed in Gail's head.

Enjoy the lessons these fabulous muses offer, and try not to let them stay in your head too long – or you'll find yourself arguing out loud with no one around.

Book Review

The Package, by Bryan Quinn, a well-written international thriller, takes the reader back and forth in time and space to deliver all the elements of the story. The suspense kept me reading, and even though I don't like – and generally avoid – books that include talks about religion, I must say the thought-provoking discussions – both religious and political in nature – between sets of protagonists were fascinating and reflected a great deal of research.

I liked the story with all its twists and turns, the author's word choice, and the main character, Marco Arrigoni.

I give it five stars and recommend it to open-minded readers who enjoy thrillers, religious debates, and historical fiction.

Book Review

The Awful Truth about the Herbert Quarry Affair, by Marco Ocram, also known as Denis Shaughnessy, also known as Comical Genius, is another fantastic, absurd, and hilarious book by this author, brought to the reader with actual lessons on writing.

Ocram, who is the author of the book as well as the writer in the story, once again writes the events as they happen in his life and fights crime alongside Como Galahad, but this time things are a bit more personal. Will Marco be able to help his friend and mentor against whom there is evidence of a gruesome crime?

I absolutely loved this book.

The clever play with words and idioms, Marco's conversations with his mentor, and the interactions between Ocram and Galahad are all priceless.

I look forward to the next book by this author.

Book Review

David Perlmutter's books, Write to Kill and Write to Survive, two thrillers, part of a trilogy, are real page turners. I couldn't put them down and just read all night to finish one and then the other. It was like watching an action-packed movie. 

I can't wait to read the third book, Write to Live, coming out in October. I think this trilogy would make a great movie, or even series. 

I give both five stars because they kept me up... and left me waiting in suspense for the third, which I just pre-ordered.

Book Review

Holly Dobbie's novel Fifteen Point Nine, the story of a teenager and her struggles both at home and at school, addresses serious current issues many teenagers face, including neglect, bullying, and suicide.

The author has done a fantastic job with the writing, character development, and storytelling. Her remarkable insight and brilliant humor make this book a great read. I couldn't put it down. It may be classified as a young adult novel, but I recommend it to anyone between 13 and 113.

Teenagers, Parents, Teachers, Principals, & Humans: This book is for you!
Thank you, Holly Dobbie, for writing this: You are beautiful!

Official Book Awesomeness Scale – 10/10
Official Author Awesomeness Scale – off the charts

Fifty Point Ten

Anthology

Update:

The #book ...said the editor: anthology 2021 has been published and is now available on Amazon. 

Ava is now accepting submissions for ...said the editor: anthology 2022.

If you would like to contribute to this anthology, please feel free to send your piece directly to Ava: avasafran@gmail.com

The rules are the same:

All writers and editors are invited to participate and share their knowledge, perspective, and experience.

If you would like to participate, please know that...

- the deadline for all submissions is September 30, 2022.

- you can use a pen name if you wish;

- your contribution must be between 200 words and 1,000* words;

- you can include a short bio – up to 75* words.

- you can submit more than one piece;

- it's free, so you don't have to pay;

- you won't be paid, whether or not your submission is published;

- you will be notified whether or not your submission is selected;

- your submission must be original and unpublished;

- you will be asked to give your written permission for your contribution to be published;

- your discretion and etiquette are required;

- all submissions must be copied and pasted** directly into the email;

- all submissions must be sent to avasafran@gmail.com with ANTHOLOGY as the subject.

*Submissions below or over the word limits will not be considered.

**Attachments will not be considered.

Thank you!

Post from August 3, 2021:

Ava Safran has been writing about her adventures in editing. Instead of publishing her book, she has decided to create an anthology. The theme is, of course, editing. Her goal is to provide a safe place for editors to freely open up about their challenges. She hopes to create a collection of writings – funny stories, misunderstandings, failures, lessons, articles, letters, and tips – for other editors and for writers.

All writers and editors are invited to participate and share their knowledge, perspective, and experience.

If you would like to participate, please know that...

- the deadline for submission is October 5, 2021;

- you can use a pen name if you wish;

- your contribution must be between 200 words and 1,000* words;

- you can include a short bio – up to 75* words.

- you can submit more than one piece;

- it's free, so you don't have to pay;

- you won't be paid, whether or not your submission is published;

- you will be notified whether or not your submission is selected by October 20, 2021;

- your submission must be original and unpublished;

- you will be asked to give your written permission for your contribution to be published;

- your discretion and etiquette are required;

- all submissions must be copied and pasted** directly into the email;

- all submissions must be sent to avasafran@gmail.com with ANTHOLOGY as the subject.

*Submissions below or over the word limits will not be considered.
**Attachments will not be considered.