Getting Ready To Open Our New Doors

Just a little update on my Highlighted Author blog's new home...  We've got it its own .com and it's filling out beautifully.  At the moment, I'm posting the scheduled author spotlights at both sites so that the transition will be a smooth one.  We've added a slider at the top left sidebar to draw attention to recently featured authors and Amazon sliders for those who would like to advertise their books with us linked to their buy pages.  We also have larger ad space for those who want more exposure for their books or writing related services, and we have author pages for online portfolio use.  If you'd like to get in on the advertising space for July, when we officially announce our new site, you can hop over to HighlightedAuthor.com and check it out. : )

Be sure to read up on the featured authors and their books.  There are plenty of great titles to add to your tbr list.  Lol.  Oh, and be sure to follow us for updates!


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Am I A Gray Blob?

As for the title...  Don't answer that.  I better not be!

For this week’s Fantastic Friday Writers, the topic is Critique Partners.  In a recent interview, the host said, “I’ve heard writers say that participating in critique groups hampers the individual’s creative process; that not only is a lid put on the writer’s inspiration, they come away a cookie-cut shape of the others in the group.”  Then he asked if I belong to a group and what my thoughts on the matter where. 

Well, I suppose if a writer finds a group of authors that are headstrong and set on theirs’ being the only right way to think, that view would be true. 

It’s important to let your muse shine when you create.  Self expression is what keeps us individuals, and in my opinion, brings dreams to life.  How interesting would it be to have everyone appear, sound, think the same?    

It reminds me of (yes, I’m a mom) an episode on The Fairly Odd Parents.  It’s a little cartoon where fairy godparents grant wishes to a little boy named Timmy.  In The Same Game, Timmy is teased for having buck teeth and wanted everyone to look the same so he wouldn't be different.  And he wishes it.  Of course, Wanda and Cosmo make it so.  Everyone in the world turned into a gray blob of a person.  Nobody appeared different.  They were only able to find Timmy and grant his wish to return to normal by finding the gray blob that wore the pink hat—Timmy’s little individual show of expression.

Relating this to critique groups and cookie cutter writers…  If people in your group try to tell you how to think and tell your story, then find another group.  I have wonderful critique partners.  I’ve mentioned them several times in my blogs and all over the internet.  

 

Check out the other Fantastic Friday Writers’ blogs!

Update On Highlighted Author's New Home

Hello, everyone.  Wow, has it been that long since my last post?  *hides in shame*  I do have a small defense.  It has been very busy on my end. 

We've been working hard on getting the new HighlightedAuthor.com site up and running.  With such great authors responding to be spotlighted, I'm booked into the fall of 2012.  It was easy to see that I needed to offer more opportunities for these and others to whom I've had to say, "Sorry, I've closed my submissions." 

Highlighted Author's new home will have Advertising Space for book covers and will have Author Pages where they can share their portfolio. (Up to 5 books).

But Highlighted Author has grown in more ways than just that.  We're adding two new branches to help authors get their work showcased, seen, and known:

• Urban Stars:  The Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance division of HighlightedAuthor.com.   
• Beyond Worlds:  The High Fantasy/Science Fiction Division of HighlightedAuthor.com.

They are direct branches of Highlighted Author and specializes in those genres.  Advertising and Author Pages are also available on those sites.  Submissions for spotlights in those areas will open soon.

We're still ironing out the wrinkles, but I'll keep you posted.  This is very exciting!  I can't wait to invite you to Highlighted Author's new home. : )


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