Resolutions for 2016

We are into the second week of 2016. This week, I want to share my resolutions for the new year.

This year, I resolve to be a better writer. I will push and challenge myself. I will study, take classes, and improve my craft.

This year, I resolve to expand my horizons. I refuse to limit myself to just one genre. Instead, I want to grow and see what new stories I can create. My books will now encompass a broader range.

This year, I resolve to create stories that will impact my readers. My books will touch your heart and change your mind. I write to entertain, but I also write with a greater purpose. That will be even more palpable this year.

This year, I resolve to reach a bigger audience. By creating new stories, and promoting my current titles, more people will be aware of my work, and will read them. By doing so, my previous resolution will be reinforced,

This year, I resolve to be the best person and writer I can be for one sole purpose: you!

Happy new year and happy reading!

2015 A to Z Challenge: Pianissimo - Day 22 (V)

 For the third consecutive year, I am participating in the A to Z blog challenge.
http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/

This year, we're going to go through my latest full-length novel, Pianissimo.

Today is V-day!

V is for Vanilla Heart Publishing. I have been with VHP since 2007. Over the past 7 years, we have shared numerous triumphs.

The greatest part, though, is that I was never allowed to rest on my laurels. As soon as one project was finished, I was quizzed about my next story. Better still, I was challenged. I was pushed to try new things. To grow and improve as a writer. To expand my genres and style. Thanks to the encouragement and support, I have a list of titles I can be proud of. I was given the opportunity to re-write the Loving Her stories into the series it was meant to become. Because of VHP, I was able to write Pianissimo.

Writing is not a solitary job. There is a team - or there should be - behind every good book. I love my VHP team; I love my VHP family.

http://www.amazon.com/Pianissimo-Lauren-Shiro-ebook/dp/B00OEOTZMC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1420832795&sr=8-2&keywords=lauren+shiro

I've been nominated...AGAIN!

Happy Thursday, kids!

Today, it is with great excitement that I announce that I have been nominated for MORE awards!

I don't mean to toot my own horn.

I am just honored and excited about all of this!

The Keystone Alliance/Gaylife Newsletter has announced its semi-finalists for their Readers' Choice Awards. I am honored to not only be nominated, but to be a semi-finalist...and in 4 different categories to boot!

http://gaylifenewsletter.com/wwwrcasemifinalistballot.html

I am a semi-finalist for:

1) NEWS MEDIA STAFF OR COLUMNIST

2) LESBIAN OF THE YEAR

3) GLBT COUPLE OF THE YEAR (with my wife, Vicki Shiro)

4) MISS GAYLIFE CONGENIALITY

Semi-Finalist votes will be accepted between February 1st thru February 28th.  Finalist votes will take place between March 5th thru April 5th. Winners will be announced on April 20th in the newsletter.

Send your ballots to keystonealliancegaylifenewsletter@hotmail.com.

Thank you all for your votes and support! It means the world to me!

Thank you, and happy reading!!!

What's in store for 2015

Yet another Thursday is upon us, fellow bibliophiles!

We've talked a lot about Pianissimo since it's release in October. But what's next? Where do we go from here?

Fear not! More goodness is coming your way! ;)

For 2015, I am working on 3 independent short stories, that will all be published together in a collection. They are all very different stories, but I think they all have really great messages.

In addition, I am starting some brain storming for another full-length novel. The idea for this just struck me the other day, so I am very much in the beginning stages, but I will make sure it's something that you will absolutely love.

So yes, there is life after Pianissimo. As long as I keep breathing, I'm gonna keep writing! I hope that you'll keep reading! ;)

For now, enjoy all that we have thus far, and remember that great things are on their way!

The 2014 P & E and Team VHP

Hiya troops!

I may be beating a bit of a dead horse today. I want to talk about the P & E Poll...again. The polls close one week from today, so I really just want to explain the importance of it, not just for me, but for all of VHP.

As some of you may remember, Loving Her Volume 2 took 2nd place in its category last year. Does that make me hungry for the win? I'd be a liar if I said it didn't.

But there's so much more to it than just the win. 

Yes, I want to win. But, it's not just about the accolades for me. Oh sure, it's nice to have bragging rights. The thing is, I don't want to just win. I want to use the win.

Vanilla Heart Publishing and I have some big goals for Pianissimo. I really want to use this book as a means to create more social awareness and acceptance. In order to have a bigger impact, a broader readership is necessary. An award-winning book is more likely to gain more readers, and thus have a bigger positive social impact. That's why I'm asking for your help. Your votes will help me to reach others. I want to touch lives, open minds, and change hearts. With your help, we can do just that.
Together, we can make this world a better place. 

Please vote for Pianissimo here (please note that entries are listed in alphabetical order).

But I don't want you to vote just for me.

My publisher, and all of us VHP writers have been nominated. I would ask that you please help support all of us by voting. You may vote one time in each category. Here are all of the awards Team VHP has been nominated for:

*Angela Kay Austin: Rumer http://www.critters.org/predpoll/novelr.shtml

*Charmaine Gordon: the River's Edge Trio
http://www.critters.org/predpoll/shortstoryr.shtml and Housebroken 
http://www.critters.org/predpoll/novelr.shtml 

*Chelle Cordero: Holiday Happiness  http://www.critters.org/predpoll/shortstoryr.shtml
Can We Talk? http://www.critters.org/predpoll/nonfiction.shtml
Author Page http://www.critters.org/predpoll/author.shtml
Writer's Workshop Living, Breathing, Writing http://www.critters.org/predpoll/writerws.shtml
The Potpourri Parlor http://www.critters.org/predpoll/promotions.shtml
Within The Law Cover Art http://www.critters.org/predpoll/bookart.shtml

*Malcolm R. Campbell: Emily's Stories  http://www.critters.org/predpoll/novelyoungadult.shtml and Jock Stewart and the Missing Sea of Fire http://www.critters.org/predpoll/novelmys.shtml

*Neva Squires-Rodriguez: In Too Deep 
http://www.critters.org/predpoll/novelr.shtml and In Too Deep Cover Art
 http://www.critters.org/predpoll/bookart.shtml

*Tamara Philip: The Trouble with Playing Cupid http://www.critters.org/predpoll/novelr.shtml

*Vanilla Heart Publishing: http://www.critters.org/predpoll/ebookpublisher.shtml

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, everyone!

I cannot believe it's 2015. It feels like 2014 just started! It is amazing how quickly time flies, isn't it?

So of course, I want to talk about the new year, hopes, dreams, goals, and the like. New Year's Day is a day of reflection and hope, so let's do just that.

In reflection, I am proud of what 2014 gave me. Taking 2nd place in the P & E Poll, having all 8 Loving Her stories revamped and re-published, and having Pianissimo come out.

There were certainly hard times, especially after breaking my back this summer, but overall, I think it was a good year.


Holding onto that excitement and joy, I look forward to 2015. The New Year promises some wonderful experiences as Pianissimo has been nominated for a Lambda Literary "Lammy" Award AND for the P & E Poll.

As an aside, I would love to place or even win the P & E this year. Please click here, scroll down and vote for Pianissimo. Thank you!!!

It will be exciting to see what the Lammies have in store as well! Win or lose, I don't really care. To be nominated is such an honor, that I am thankful either way! :)

What else is there? Who knows?! My hope is that my readership will continue to grow, and that my books can have a positive effect on our world today. Even if I touch just one person's heart, I can rest assured knowing that I've done some good. That's really all I want out of all this: to help people. to promote understanding, respect, and acceptance within the human race. To help people open their eyes. To remind us all of our humanity and connectedness.

I can tell you that I am working on some short stories that I plan to have released in 2015.

However many stories or experiences arise day by day remains to be seen. Regardless, I will stay positive, I will continue to write for the greater good, and I will be forever grateful for all the blessings I have received (and continue to receive)!


Happy New Year (and, of course, happy reading), everyone!

This blog post is to tell you....

Happy Thursday, kids! Once again, the week winds down and we look towards the weekend for rest, relaxation, and fun.

So what do I have planned for you today?




Well, today, I have an announcement to make. And that announcement is...

...That I have a big announcement coming up soon!

I have some REALLY big news. Like REALLY big. Seriously. Seriously, really big news. I mean it.

So stay tuned: Same bat channel, same bat time. You are going to be blown away! Do NOT miss this. Keep your eyeballs peeled for my big announcement.

Until then, happy reading!!!  :)

I got a One Lovely Blog Award Nomination!

I want to thank Tamara Philip of http://tamaraphilipwrites.wordpress.com/ for nominating me! :)




According to Ms. Philip, this award was created by Works of Art by Sara as a way to recognize her favorite blogs. Recipients pay it forward by passing the award along to their favorite blogs. and of course it quickly grew because it’s a very sweet thing to do!


Here are the rules:
You must thank the person who nominated you and include a link to their blog.
You must list the rules and display the award.
You must add 7 facts about yourself.
You must nominate 7 other bloggers and comment on one of their posts to let them know they’ve been nominated.
You must display the award logo and follow the blogger who nominated you.


1) I have very small hands. My wedding ring was a size 4 or 4 1/2.
2) I have moved over twenty times since the year 2000.
3)I can read and write in Spanish far better than I can speak it. :)
4) My upcoming release, Candles on the Spinet, took 2 years for me to complete.
5) Thanks to my maternal grandmother, I can curse people out in Slavish. LOL
6) Our house was built in 1860.
7) I like to play around with wood working and wood furniture restoration.



Here are my wonderful nominees (please check them out. As a side note, Ms.Philip already nominated some of the people I wanted to nominate, so this became a bit tricky! LOL. Rather than just nominating ANY blogs, I am nominating 2 that I really believe in):
http://www.sylviavanbruggen.com/
http://naturespeaceandhope.wordpress.com/

Welcoming Neva Squires-Rodriguez to the VHP Family!

Happy Thursday, world!

Today, I would like to take the time to introduce you to another new member of the VHP family, Neva Squires-Rodriguez!



Neva Squires-Rodriguez was born and raised in a neighborhood located on the North Side of Chicago. Mother, Wife, Expert at Multitasking... and now, Author, Neva creates electrifying stories with a twist.

Neva Squires-Rodriguez earned her Masters Degree from National University, a feat which she worked very hard to obtain and says she will work even harder to pay off.

She claims to be a typical American, full of dreams that will hopefully get her to a more comfortable lifestyle one day. She says, “God has a plan and I will follow wherever it is that He takes me.”


Q: You call yourself "Mother, Wife, Expert at Multitasking... and now, Author, Neva creates electrifying stories with a twist." Obviously, you're a busy woman. How do you find time to write as you balance work and family?

I love writing, but my family takes precedence. I write during my lunch break at work, at night after the kids go to sleep and in the kitchen when I'm cooking dinner. Needless to say, I'm not the best cook, but I have a passion for writing.

Q: You mention how your parents introduced you to writing as a child. When/how did writing sneak it's way into adult your life?

Great question Lauren. When I was about 22 years old my friends at work and I started writing short stories and sharing them with one another. I didn't find the courage to go public with my writing until after I went back to school for my Masters degree and had received a great deal of positive feed back from instructors and classmates.

Q: How have your life experiences in Chicago influenced your writing?

My experiences in Chicago helped to put the flavor in what I write. In Edgewater-the neighborhood that I grew up in, we were one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Chicago during the 90's. I had the opportunity to get to know people from many other countries and in turn I learned to appreciate the life that we live in our own. I believe that you will see some of my appreciation, in my writing-especially in book 1 of the Liliana Series.

Q: You say that you enjoy reading stories that empower women. Do you use your own writing as a way to empower women?

I do, but more so I like to show growth in my stories. Readers are going to find that my writing is very different than they may be used to. I enjoy showing struggle. Why? Not that I am condoning it in any way, but I want women or anyone for that matter to see that no situation is worth giving up on. There is nothing too tough that they cannot handle. We need to learn to find our inner strength, even when we believe it is non-existent. Sometimes watching others overcome extreme obstacles is helpful. That is exactly what you will find in my writing.

Q: Tell us one thing about yourself that we would never expect (a funny story, a talent, a passion in life, etc.).

I would say an odd thing that I do is set goals for myself that I think are unattainable. Then I work my tail off to get to them, for example getting published, I didn't think that I could ever do it and here I am. Nothing is impossible.

About Neva's first release: Book 1 in the Liliana Trilogy.


Boom!

That deafening sound changed Liliana’s life forever. Her mother sits dead besides her,shot to death on the streets of Chicago.

Within weeks, Liliana is sent to live with a father she doesn’t know in Colombia - a foreign land and filled with challenges for Liliana.

While working to pay off her father’s debt, she meets the love of her life, who frees her from her father’s illusory home, only to bring her into a new world of twisted surprises.


Where to find Neva Squires-Rodriguez online



Website: http://NevaSquiresRodriguez.com

Twitter: @NevaRodriguez22

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Neva-Squires-Rodriguez/1497271613835645

Blog: http://NevaSquiresRodriguez.com

A to Z '14 - Opportunity

For this year's A to Z Challenge, I am honoring my grandfather who passed away on April 3, 2013.


O is for Opportunity.

My grandfather taught me a lot about opportunity.



He showed me how to look for opportunities in my life. Job opportunities, opportunities to help other, opportunities to better myself. Opportunity played a large role in his life and career.

One of the greatest lessons I learned was that if there was no opportunity right in front of me, to go make my own. Opportunity knocks, but sometimes you have to clear a path to open the door.



Opportunity works equally. There aren't just a select few that are given wonderful opportunities. Opportunities come to each and every one of us. It's what you do (or don't do) with the opportunities that makes the difference.

Don't miss out. Your next opportunity is right around the corner.



O is for Opportunity.