I got a contract from Limitless for 'The Yearbook Series'

I'm thrilled to announce that the terrific Limitless team will publish "The Yearbook Series." The first book in the series is Gina and Mike.

I can't wait to start this journey with you, my readers. I hope that you come to love the characters as much as I do and that I make you laugh and cry, live and love, dare and dream.

The year was 1982. We danced to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” album and watched “E.T.” on

the silver screen. John Belushi died and Prince William was born. We exercised  to Jane Fonda

video tapes and never missed watching “Dynasty” on TV. Gas cost 91 cents a gallon and a stamp 

two dimes. We were spooked by the Tylenol scare and held our breath as the recession began.

It was a year of promise and pain, of sweetness and sorrow.

But it was OUR year.

We were the Class of 1982, and we were ready to take on the world.

One thing that I'm really excited about is seeing the cover for my debut novel. Limitless' covers are absolutely amazing. I'll share it here as soon as I'm able.

Those of you who know me well, know how important I think it is to give back. So, 5 percent of  the profits from my book (ebook and print) will be donated to Causearipple.com. Started by my dear friend, Sharon Kirchoff, Cause a Ripple is about helping others.

I met Sharon about two years ago. She is one of those people who walk into your life and it's forever changed. I tell her that she's my biggest cheerleader, and it's true. She never stopped believing in my dream, never stopped believing in me. So, when she pursued her passion of helping others through Cause a Ripple, I knew that I had to be a part of it. And my part is helping to fund whatever causes she deems worthy.

 I truly believe that if each of us can cause a ripple, together we will create a giant wave. I hope that you will help me do this.

I want to thank God for giving me this gift. I hope I don't disappoint him -- or you. And I want to thank my family and friends who have taught me that life is for living. I hope you live yours and find the happiness you so richly deserve.

Blessings, Buffy

Civil War 150th anniversary content via multiple platforms

If you're interested in the upcoming 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, you might like to check out some of the social media platforms I used to curate material. Enjoy!

Gettysburg 150th New Hive expression 

Gettysburg 150th RebelMouse page 

Gettysburg 150th Pinterest page 

Other Gettysburg links

Poll: When do you write?

poll by twiigs.com

Author Facebook page launched

Please like my Facebook page.

Also, here is my author website.

Great things are happening, so check back for news. I'll share it as I am able. In the meantime, I hope your writing journey is going well.

What I would tell graduates today

It’s been, um, decades since I graduated from high school, but I still remember my graduation speech.

I wrote about a tree, using it as a metaphor for life. Just thinking about it makes me yawn.

B-O-R-I-N-G.

If I could go back in time, here’s what I’d say.

1. Work hard. This might seem like a no-brainer, but plenty of people break from the gate too slowly and never catch up to the pack. Just because you’ve worked hard for more than a decade doesn’t mean you get to slack off for the next four years.

I know, I know. It’s not what you want to hear. But believe me when I tell you that too many people make this mistake and regret it later. It’s not easy bringing up a GPA that you tanked your first year in college; so don’t tank it.

Read the rest

Writer's Digest competition has $3,000 prize

The deadline for Writer's Digest's 82nd Annual Writing Competition is June 14. The grand-prize winner gets  $3,000 first prize and a trip to New York City to meet with agents and editors.

Here are the categories:

• Inspirational Writing (Spiritual/Religious)
• Memoirs/Personal Essay
• Magazine Feature Article
• Genre Short Story (Mystery, Romance, etc.)
• Mainstream/Literary Short Story
• Rhyming Poetry
• Non-rhyming Poetry
• Stage Play
• Television/Movie Script
• Children’s/Young Adult Fiction

Poll: Vote for your favorite Maurice Sendak book

Today would have been Maurice Sendak's 85th birtday. It's hard to believe he's been gone a year. He was born June 10, 1928 and died May 8, 2012. If you haven't seen the animated Google Doodle, make sure you check it out. It's very cool. In honor of the great American author and artist, vote in my poll.

poll by twiigs.com

Other links: 
Goodreads author quotes
  Biography.com

PricewaterhouseCoopers predicts future of ebook and print markets

PricewaterhouseCoopers estimates that trade ebooks sales will surpass print book sales by 2017. Read the report the future of ebooks.

Does the report surprise you?

Writing exercise

Here's a writing challenge. Construct a sentence of 26 words where the words begin with the 26 letters of the alphabet in order.

Post in comments.

Quirk seeks love stories in writing contest

Here's the deets on the "Looking for Love" writing contest by Quirk Books. The grand prize is $10,000 plus publication.

From Will, Middle Name Trouble

I love Will Moran from my middle grade, Will, Middle Name Trouble. Here is a snippet.

...

And I was the  only eight-year-old who didn’t have an adult at the bus stop.

The first time I had to go to the bus stop in the rain, I got soaked. After that, whenever it rained I’d wait on my front porch. I could see the bus stop from there and when the bus pulled up, I’d run as fast as I could to catch it. I missed it once. I stumbled and fell and tore a hole in my jeans and cut my knee. That day, Mom found an umbrella at Goodwill.

“Got you an umbrella good as new,” Mom told me when I stumbled in the door. She pointed to the kitchen counter.

I gulped. “But it’s pink. No way am I carrying a pink umbrella. Everyone will make fun of me.”

“Listen here, Will,” said Mom, shaking her finger. “It was the only one they had. A pink umbrella is better than no umbrella.”

I knew better than to argue. Later, in my room, I took a permanent black marker and drew designs all over it. I figured if I disguised it, maybe no one would notice. I was wrong.

“Hey Moron,” gorilla Nate from the next street over said the next day on the bus.

I clenched my teeth. “My name’s Moran.”

“Well, you’re a moron for carrying a girl’s umbrella.” Everyone on the bus laughed.

That was the only time I used that umbrella. I decided that getting wet was better than getting laughed at.

What's on my mind right now

Here’s what’s on my mind right now:

• I wish there weren’t so many goodbyes in life. Sometimes I feel like it’s all I get done doing.

• I would love to have a home in the Truman Annex in Key West. It’s such a beautiful neighborhood with tree-lined streets and white picket fences.  

• I’m proud of my friend, Sharon Kirchoff, who started Cause a Ripple website to recognize those who inspire and help others.

• I can’t believe my baby is going away to college. Where did the time go? Just yesterday I held him in my arms and  breathed his baby smell. Just yesterday he wrapped his tiny fingers around mine and cooed and giggled. I wish I could bottle the smell. I wish the coos and giggles could be kept in a box to open when I need them most. Like now.