Category: Writing

  • Horse Book Summer Reading Program

    Tomorrow kicks off the second annual Kids Summer Reading Program managed by award-winning horse book author Rae Rankin. Rae and I met through the 2022 EQUUS Film and Arts Festival, and fortunately, she invited me to participate this year with my three books in the Believing In Horses series! The program grew from 10 participating authors last year to 25 international authors this year.

    Rae Rankin, founder of the Kids Summer Reading Program

    According to Rae, “When I was a kid, I absolutely loved going to the library. All the books I could pick from, take home, read, and savor. Our local library was a short walk from my house, and I spent a lot of time among the shelves picking what I would read next. I lived for summers when I would sign up for the annual summer reading program, a perfect excuse to go to the library every day!

    “In 2022, after participating in the first Buy a Horse Book Day, I got to thinking about what I could do to encourage kids to read and to connect kids who love horses with horse books. The more I thought about it, the more a summer reading program made sense.”

    Horse Canada magazine said, “The goal is to complete the fun suggested reading activities between June 1st and September 1st and keep track on their log, which can then be turned in either via email, uploaded to the website, or shared on social media, tagging the program (with parental permission).”

    Horse Books Summer Reading Program
    #HorseBookSummerReading2023

    Children can choose from picture books, middle grade, young adult, and non-fiction books, depending on their age and interests. The program includes reading logs and resources including bookmarks for Dressage, Western, Racing, and Jumping along with a fun form for book reviews.

    It is free and easy with details at the Kids Summer Reading Program website here.

  • Who’s That Indie Author?

    Thank you to Barb Vitelli for hosting me on her Book Club Mom site and introducting me to her followers and readers. I loved her questions

    Who’s That Indie Author? Valerie Ormand | Book Club Mom (wordpress.com)

  • Podcasts for Writers

    Podcasts for Writers

    As a writer, I’ve found podcasts to be an excellent way to learn from other writers – what works, and what doesn’t work. I enjoy watching YouTube videos, classes, and interviews, but there is something about listening to a podcast while working out, walking the dogs, or driving in my car that helps the information settle in my brain differently than watching and listening at the same time.

    One of my favorite podcasts is Carly Kade’s Equestrian Author Spotlight Podcast, and I recommend this to writers all the time, and not just horse book authors. Carly’s guests include tips on writing routines, marketing, and more from authors of all genres, and she makes the sessions fun and supportive. Her favorite hashtag is #authorsunite.

    I’ve been fortunate to have been a featured guest twice including the most recent episode, “On Revisiting a Series, Awards & Dude Ranch Research Trips with Valerie Ormond.” I hope you will enjoy the show!

    Or, listen to the podcast via Carly’s website.

     Need some ideas for more podcasts for writers? Check out DailyWritingTips’ 8 Great Podcasts for Writers and Book Authors.

    If you have any thoughts about Carly’s podcast or recommendations for others, please leave a comment!

  • Write Your Story

    Military, Veterans, Family Members, and Caregivers

    The Workhouse Arts Center will present its first “Write Your Story” course for writers and soon-to-be-writers during the Winter Quarter 2023, as part of the Military in the Arts Initiative.

    The course will be held in person from Jan 10 – Feb. 14, 2023, on Tuesday evenings, 7:00 – 9:00 pm. The location is the Workhouse Arts Center, W16, McGuire Woods Gallery, 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA 22079. Here is the direct link to register: Write Your Story | Workhouse Arts Center.

    Take the next step in getting your story out and making your voice heard. The goal is for participants to walk away with a written product reflecting their work.

    Terese Schlachter and I are both members of Military Writers Society of America (MWSA), and this is an extension of MWSA’s “Write Your Story” programs held since 2014 across the country. This is the first MWSA workshop held in the Washington, DC area in this particular format. We look forward to seeing writers of all skill levels there!