News and Events
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For upcoming events and readings, click here.
Past events and readings: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009.

News
Welcome. Recent news is listed below. Check my blog for breaking news.
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Review: Simple Pleasures
Here we go. After reading the advance review copy, the first independent bookseller, Brenda Seward from Simple Pleasures in Ashland, VA has posted a review of Catcher, Caught at http://tinyurl.com/2fq697y, Richmond, Virginia's My V Magazine site.

Pending Nominee
Second novel Waltzing Cowboys is a pending nominee for the Library of Virginia Fiction award. Three finalists will be announced in late August and the winner on October 16 at the annual awards dinner. Read a competitor's review by Clifford Garstang on his Perpetual Folly blog at http://perpetualfolly.blogspot.com/2010/01/waltzing-cowboys-by-sarah-collins.html.

Review: Armchair Reviews
Armchair Reviews, one of the most selective sites for online reviews, posted their review in January and said: “a fresh, compelling and very touching human story–a page turner, and easy-to-read family saga.” Read more here.

What's New in Fiction?
New fiction recommendations, what I call Books Under the Radar, that you might have missed.
           
Paul Harding's Tinkers is the 2009 Pulitzer, a small press selection which is exciting, but the setting, story and characters will charm you. Complicated prose and the story within the story means it's not a beach read, but well worth it.

A first novel from Andrew Fukada, Crossing plumbs the depths of the school bullying issue from an Asian American's point of view. The consequences are terrifying and painful, but reveal insights that need to be explored.

Not brand new, but new to me, Diane Abu-Jaber's Origin thrusts you into the world of fingerprint analysis and murder while the protagonist is sorting out adoption questions from her childhood. A new slant on adoption emotions in a unique context.

A Gate at the Stairs by Lorrie Moore: Her first book since her outstanding short story collection, Birds of America. Quirky, funny and right on.

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Events and Readings
*For up-to-the-minute event additions/changes/cancellations, please view the Upcoming Events section of the blog.

January 16, 2010
Writers House New Years’ Authors Celebration: Readings by Members. 7 pm. Excerpt from Catcher, Caught at 7:45 pm. Behind Preston Ave Bodo’s.

February 27, 2010
Palmetto Public Library, Palmetto, FL. Cowboy Life Lessons: Presentation and reading from Waltzing Cowboys. 10 am.

March 20, 2010
VA BOOK FESTIVAL Moderator, Writing Contests: Making Them Work for You. 12 noon. OMNI Salon A.
VA BOOK FESTIVAL Cedar Creek Publishers will be hosting their authors. 9 to 4 pm. OMNI atrium.

March 21, 2010
Writers Eye Awards Ceremony: My comments as Judge of Adult and High School entries and Readings by First Place Winners. 2 pm.

March 31, 2010
Essex County Book Club, private home.

May 11, 2010
Presenter at MINDS WIDE OPEN: Virginia Celebrates Women in the Arts at the Kilmarnock Library on School Street. Book Festival hosted by Jinks Holton about women authors in Virginia including a former VA Poet Laureate. 2 pm.

May 15, 2010
THE BIG READ: Discussion on Ernest Gaines’ A Lesson Before Dying. Orange County Library. 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.

June 12, 2010
8:30 am to 4 pm Writers Workshop: Rappahannock Community College, Warsaw, VA. Who Is That Man with the Scar: Memorable Characters 1-2 pm.

June 22, 2010
The Bridge & Writers House Kids' Writing Workshop at Southwood Community Center, Charlottesville, VA (advance enrollment). 9 am to 12 pm.

August 19-21, 2010
National Press Women Conference, Chicago, IL.

September 20, 2010
Private Book Club, Orange VA.

September 25, 2010
S.A.F.E. House Book & Author Dinner at Prince Michel Winery, Culpeper, VA 6:15 pm.

October 16, 2010
Library of VA Literary Awards @ Library of VA, East Broad Street, Richmond, VA. 7 pm.

October 28, 2010
Fluvanna Friends of the Library, Palmyra, VA. Author Panel. 7 pm.

October 29, 2010
Friends of the Library (Rappahannock Community College) Book & Author Dinner at Indian Creek Yacht & Country Club, 362 Club Drive, Kilmarnock, VA. Details TBA.

January 2011
Simple Pleasures Book Store, Ashland, VA Launch Party. Details TBA.

January 26, 2011
Blue Ridge Writers Club, Inspiration to Publication: Working the System. 7 pm. VA Foundation for the Humanities Conference Room.

February 2011
Gainesville, FL Private Book Club.

February 2011
Gainesville, FL Private Book Club #2.

March 2011
Panel including Catcher, Caught. Details TBA.
Panel for Blue Ridge Anthology at VA Festival of the Book, Charlottesville, VA. Details TBA.

March 16-20, 2011
VA Festival of the Book, Details TBA.
 
March 22, 2011
Books Alive, Northumberland Public Library, Heathsville, VA 7 pm.
 
March 23, 2011
Private Book Club, Orange, VA.
 
March 23-27, 2011
Tennessee Williams Literary Festival, New Orleans, LA.  Details TBA.

April 13, 2011
Princeton Smith Club, Details TBA.

May 13-15, 2011
South Carolina Festival of the Book, Columbia, SC. Details TBA.

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