Tag Archives: Authors

Sumo Mouse – David Wisniewski

I spend a lot of time reading titles as I select which books to bring home from the library. This title made me laugh out loud, something you shouldn’t do in the library, but can you blame me? “Sumo Mouse!” With bright and colorful illustrations provided by the author, this children’s picture book is written like a melodramatic comic book with a hint of the old Godzilla movies thrown in for good measure. “Sumo Mouse” is the story of Tokyo besieged. All the mice have been stolen by evil cats and are captives at the Tanaka Toy Factory. They are … Continue reading →

Edgar Allan Poe’s Mysterious Visitor

I just love this story! I have always been a fan of Edgar Allan Poe, but I have never gotten a chance to visit his gravesite. The closest I got was seeing his mother’s grave in Richmond, Virginia. Poe was and still is perhaps the premiere master of the macabre. If you cannot find a Poe story that scares you, you truly have ice water running through your veins. But it is his eerie and odd stories that drove thousands to love him. That love continues today. I myself made a pilgrimage to the Edgar Allen Poe Museum in Richmond … Continue reading →

Author Interview — Karen Ball

Yesterday I reviewed a novel called “The Breaking Point.” The author of that book, Karen Ball, has graciously agreed to answer some questions exclusively for Families.com and I’m pleased as punch to bring you that interview today. Karen, you mention in the author’s notes that your own marriage was rocky for a time and that you used the lessons you learned in your life to write “The Breaking Point.” Was it difficult for you to share such a private part of yourself in such a public way? Yes and no. No, because I tend to be a transparent person and … Continue reading →

Author Review — Louisa May Alcott, Part Two

Thank you for joining us for part two of this author review. If you missed part one, click here. The Civil War hit. Louisa wished she could be a boy so she could go out and fight, but had to settle for being a nurse. The conditions in the Army hospital were appalling, and she contracted typhoid only after a month of being out. She hated to leave, but she was so ill, she had no choice. Her hair was cut off during her sickness, long hair that reached down to her ankles. Her emotions about this fueled the scene … Continue reading →

Author Review — Louisa May Alcott

Most of my information for this author review comes from the book “Invincible Louisa” by Cornelia Meigs. I began reading it for a book review, then realized that it would best be suited to a review of Louisa herself. Louisa was born in 1832 to parents Abba May and Bronson Alcott. Bronson was a peculiar man; very intellectual, very interested in things of the spirit and religion, but he had a difficult time holding down a job. For a while before he was married, he worked as a traveling peddler, going from house to house all over the countryside selling … Continue reading →

NanoWriMo: Always Wanted to Write a Novel?

If you have ever wanted to write a novel, then now is the time to do it! November is National Novel Writing Month. In honor of National Novel Writing Month each year thousands of writers work towards a common goal: to complete a 50,000 word novel in a month’s time. In order to participate in the contest all you have to do is sign up on the National Novel Writing Month (NanWriMo) website. The contest is entirely web based. You can begin writing your book at 12:01 am November 1st, and attempt to complete it by November 30th at 11:59pm. … Continue reading →

Author Interview — Robert H. Moss

Robert H. Moss is one of the pioneers of LDS fiction, coming on to the scene at a time when the genre was in its infancy. With a career that spans two decades, Bob is living proof that writing can be a life-long pursuit and passion, and as his first series prepares for a rebirth with a new publisher, it’s obvious that the classics never die. Bob graciously agreed to take time from his busy schedule to answer the following questions for the readers of Families.com. Bob, can you tell us a little bit about the Nephite Chronicles, your first … Continue reading →

Edgar Allan Poe – Master of the Macabre

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You might not think Edgar Allan Poe is a very relevant author to talk about in a blog today. I mean, after all, he has been dead for over 150 years. However, two historical novels just came out with – you guess it – Edgar Allan Poe as the subject. The Pale Blue Eyes by Louis Bayard explores Poe’s days at West Point. For those that did not know, Poe attended West Point until his stepfather quit funding his studies and Poe himself disobeyed orders. The Poe Shadow by Matthew Pearl examines the mysteries surrounding Poe’s death in 1849. I … Continue reading →