Joanna Campbell Slan

Thanks for visiting the official website for New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author and Winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence, Joanna Campbell Slan.

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How to Make a Contest Judge Very, Very Grumpy

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The organizers of the contest I was judging sent an urgent email saying that a few of the judges had opted out at the last minute. Would I review two more entries?Of course, I said, "Yes."One of those is still upsetting me.You see, this particular entry featured a charming and highly original story idea. To my mind, it was "high concept." It was a big idea that causes people to smile and say, 'Ahhhh!"But the writer didn't proof her work. The 30 … [Read more...] about How to Make a Contest Judge Very, Very Grumpy

Kiki Lowenstein World Tour–Will I Visit YOU?

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I'm starting to plan my Kiki Lowenstein World Tour (May 2010)--and so far I have a lot of nice invitations to consider. After all, I'll be celebrating the release of Photo, Snap, Shot (Book #3 in the Kiki Lowenstein Mystery Series) and National Scrapbook Month.My goal is to start out from my new home in the Washington DC area and drive west. Once I get as far west as I can go, I'll fly home. I'm thinking of traveling through Pennsylvania, Ohio, … [Read more...] about Kiki Lowenstein World Tour–Will I Visit YOU?

Speaker Net News

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A wise man once said there's no such thing as genius, only good ideas transferred from one discipline to another.That's why I've added a link to Speaker Net News.It's a lonely world being an author or even a scrapbook designer. You need great ideas to help you sell yourself. And Speaker Net News has them.I first started reading it years ago when I became a member of National Speakers Association. Now, I often hear authors say, "It's so hard to … [Read more...] about Speaker Net News

Julie Hyzy's Apple Tart–And A Chance to Win One of Her Books!

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Julie Hyzy is the author of Hail to the Chef and State of the Onion. Here she shares a perfect recipe for this time of year--Apple Tart. In her books, Mercel is a pastry chef at the White House, and Ollie, her protagonist, is the chef in charge of the kitchen. If you like knowing the inside scoop (pun intended!) about life in the executive mansion, this rollicking, fun series is for you!If you'd like to win one of Julie's books, send me an email … [Read more...] about Julie Hyzy's Apple Tart–And A Chance to Win One of Her Books!

Almost Seems Like Home

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Yesterday I drove to the grocery store and back without thinking. Not a big deal to you. But it was to me. You see, I'm feeling at home.This has been a year of tumult. In January, my mother's exam found spots in her lungs. However, the spots didn't light up, so the doctors were convinced it wasn't cancer. "Probably scar tissue," they told us. By June we knew the truth: She had terminal lung cancer.Still, Mom clung to hope. After all, last time … [Read more...] about Almost Seems Like Home