Georgia Writers Association - Serving a diverse writing community

The Mystery of Patricia Sprinkle

Recently I joined Sisters in Crime, because I’d written my first mystery, and I wanted to hang around with other people who dealt in murder and mayhem. One big plus of joining was that I got to hang out with Patty Sprinkle and listen to her tales of the writing game. I’d read several of her MacLaren Yarborough mysteries,  set in the vicinity of my stompin’ grounds below Macon, and was dismayed to hear her say she wasn’t going to write any more of them. Then I found out why.

Death on the Family Tree,    348pp. $6.99

Sins of the Fathers, 368pp., $6.99

Patricia Sprinkle

Avon, 2007

Learning to Breathe

Learning to Breathe
Karen White
NAL Accent, 2007

This novel, set in the fictional small town of Indianola, Louisiana, goes down like a New Orleans praline: smooth and sweet, chock full of nuts. Well—not nuts—lovable eccentrics would be a better word. Brenna O’ Brien, the youngest of five sisters, has survived a troubled childhood under the thumb of her controlling, autocratic father, who blamed her for her mother’s death.

The Little Red Book of Wisdom

The Little Red Book of Wisdom

Mark DeMoss

Thomas Nelson, 2007, $16.99

167pp

In this aptly-described book, Mark DeMoss, successful Atlanta public relations executive, builds on wisdom learned from his successful insurance-company founder father, Arthur DeMoss, and adds life lessons of his own. Underlain with a strong Christian faith, this guide to success in living and business conveys powerful advice to those just starting out, as well as those who need a refresher course.

De Moss specializes in public relations for Christian organizations, and he uses biblical quotes, especially from the Book of Proverbs, to punch up both “wisdom for your personal life” and “wisdom for your professional life.” He relates lessons learned from his own experiences: for instance, what selling encyclopedias door-to-door in the summer heat—his first job after high school—taught him about perseverance, salesmanship, and the rewards of doing what he was most afraid to do.

He radiates confidence and love for his work. “I submit that no one, anywhere, ever, is exempt from PR duty,” he claims. “What about the considerable PR I execute simply by paying my bills, having my teeth cleaned, playing golf, going for physicals, loving my wife and kids, and being a son? In one fiscal year, my life endorses or rejects a lengthy list of companies, organizations, people, philosophies, and beliefs for which I’ll never see a dime.”

One of the lessons DeMoss learned is that sometimes people buy because of the salesman rather than the product. Writers—even fiction writers-- would do well to heed this advice. You never can tell who might want to buy your book.

In this season for “dads and grads,” this book would be a good gift.

Anne Lovett, a Georgia native, began her writing career with a humor column for her high school newspaper, hoping to write science fiction. She was educated at Emory and Georgia Tech, receiving a Ph.D. in natural products chemistry. She helped to found a manufacturing and technical supplies company now doing business nationwide and eventually made her way back to writing, though not science fiction. A member of Georgia Writers, Georgia Romance Writers, AWP and Rosemary Daniell’s Zona Rosa Alpha Babes, her short fiction has appeared in

Easy as A-B-Z-D

Easy as A-B-Z-D: Step-by-Step Recipes from an Italian Kitchen and more

By Victoria L. LaPaglia

Infinity Publishing, 2007, 154pp.

Little did I realize when I agreed to review GAYA nominees, that I’d be sent a cookbook. How do you review a cookbook? Well, the answer is to cook, and cook I did.

Vickie LaPaglia’s little book is a gem.