The Associated Writing Programs (AWP) Conference is coming to Chicago, and Dream of Things is teaming up with other local organizations to sponsor two exciting literary events:

Event #1: Love and Loss

When: Tuesday, Feb. 28, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Where: Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St., Evanston, IL 60202

What: Readings by John Rember, Mike O’Mary and Susanna Lang. John writes eloquently about societal and environmental loss. Mike will read from an anthology he published that includes stories of personal loss from 31 writers. And Susanna will read poetry that she has written and translated. For more information, click HERE. RSVP and be eligible to win free books at the event: http://bit.ly/yCQYBJ

Event #2: Writers who teach. Teachers who write.

When: Sunday, March 4, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Where: Open Books, 213 W. Institute Pl., Chicago, IL 60610

What: Readings by Robin Metz, Christine Sneed and John Rember. Robin, Christine and John are all exceptional writers. They also happen to be outstanding teachers of creative writing. They will read from their work and discuss the creative process. For more information, click HERE. RSVP and be eligible to win free books at the event: http://bit.ly/wwTrYE.

Robin Metz & Christine Sneed

Thousands of writers share news and commentary every day on Gather. Join the Gather community to share your own perspective.

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Visit Gather.com and join the Gather community by clicking HERE.

Founded in 1998, Writerspace is the home for over 550 authors, primarily romance and mystery, of the best fiction on the market today. Writerspace communities are familiar places for readers to gather, talk to each other, learn about releases and communicate with authors.

Follow the Writerspace blog to keep up to date with various writers and their news.  Get your weekly dose of Writerspace by signing up for their newsletter.  Whether you visit this site multiple times a day or once a month, its a great tool for readers and writers alike.

Visit Writerspace.com by clicking HERE.

PLUS-the Writerspace staff currently has some open positions.  They include:

Web Designer – expert level HTML, graphics, heuristic design

Marketing Coordinator – very organized, self starter

Chat Moderators – love to chat and to read books

Writers – Articles and columns accepted on a freelance basis.

Find out more about employment by clicking HERE.

While looking for an interesting and helpful site for readers and writers, I stumbled across a site called Backstory.  Backstory was a space  where authors shared secrets, truths, logical and illogical moments that sparked their fiction or memoirs. After reading a few entries I realized that the site has moved. Now Like Fire is the new Backstory (as I understand it). Like Fire is a literary blog devoted to commentary, criticism, recommendation, exploration, provocation, raillery, discovery, and—they hope—fun. They champion the offbeat, the independent, and the underdog.

The site takes its name from a quote by Voltaire, “The instruction we find in books is like fire. We fetch it from our neighbors, kindle it at home, communicate it to others, and it becomes to property of all”.  Thus, Like Fire.

The site welcomes submissions in all categories, as are comments. They can be reached at likefire.mail@gmail.com.

If you feel like sharing your own backstory to something you’ve written, or if you feel like finding out some secrets about other books, feel free to check out Like Fire.  If nothing else, you’ll find a bunch of new ideas for books to read.  Plenty of titles on the site!

Visit Like Fire by clicking HERE.

I’ve always been a Shel Silverstein fan and I’m also a huge dog lover, so this is perfect:

Christmas Dog By Shel Silverstein

Tonight’s my first night as a watchdog,

And here it is Christmas Eve.

The children are sleepin’ all cozy upstairs,

While I’m guardin’ the stockin’s and tree.

What’s that now–footsteps on the rooftop?

Could it be a cat or a mouse?

Who’s this down the chimney?

A thief with a beard–

And a big sack for robbin’ the house?

I’m barkin’ I’m growlin’ I’m bittin’ his butt.

He howls and jumps back in his sleigh.

I scare his strange horses, they leap in the air.

I’ve frightened the whole bunch away.

Now the house is all peaceful and quiet again,

The stockin’s are safe as can be.

Won’t the kiddies be glad when they wake up tomorrow

And see how I’ve guarded the tree.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  Happy Holidays!

The Reading Room is a great site for readers–especially kid readers! The Reading Room is a site specifically made to encourage children to read. The Reading Room also produces a weekly television show.

On the site you can find daily activities organized on a calendar full of various ideas to encourage daily reading. The Reading Room also has a great list of books for children to read. The site offers multiple other features that are fun for kids. It stresses the importance of reading from a young age, but in a fun way.

Check it out by clicking HERE. Get reading!

The Kindle edition of Saying Goodbye will be available as a free download this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Dec 16-18). This is a special one-time promotion being offered through Amazon. The giveaway begins at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on December 16, and ends at midnight December 18. To download a free Kindle edition of Saying Goodbye during that time, click HERE.

Saying Goodbye is a collection of true stories about how we say goodbye to the people, places and things in our lives with grace, dignity and good humor. Here’s what people have said about Saying Goodbye:

• Jann Adams, Department of Psychology, College of Idaho: “This is a book that meets a need for teachers of death and dying classes.  Most of the books currently available are either directed at people who are going through a grief process due to the loss of someone important to them or are fairly dry academic type books that focus on the physiological (and some psychological) aspects of dying.  This book gets to the heart of what I have been focusing on in my course – that life is filled with loss of all kinds and we can learn from each one and ultimately experience life more fully.  The stories in this book do a wonderful job of showing that out of loss there are new beginnings. I recommend it for any teacher of death and dying classes. I also recommend it for anyone who is struggling with a loss – no matter what kind.”
• Christina Johns, Midwest Book Review: “Tender perspectives helping readers with their own goodbyes. If you have ever had to deal with loss, read this book. It will make you feel better.”
• Gretchen Little, Squidoo.com: “The stories are about love, really, not sadness. Despite all the sadness and grief that come with saying goodbye, there is love and joy and comedy on the Other Side.”

Need some ideas for holiday gifts?  Visit the Dream of Things bookstore!  You’ll find numerous books divided into two categories, the Art of the Memoir and the Art of the Essay.  All of these books are less than $10!  

Also available are books published or distributed by Dream of Things.  These include The Note, Saying Goodbye, Wise Men and Other Stories, Everything I Never Wanted to Be,  MFA In A Box, several books by Michael McMillan, and The Simple Truths of Service by Ken Blanchard and Barbara Glanz.

The Note Project Gift Set in particular makes the perfect gift.  The set includes The Note, a DVD video based on the book, three thank you cards and a book mark. Learn more about the gift set by clicking HERE.

Visit the Dream of Things Bookstore now!  Happy shopping!

Poets & Writers, Inc., is the primary source of information, support, and guidance for creative writers. Founded in 1970, it is the nation’s largest nonprofit literary organization serving poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers.

Poets & Writers believes in contemporary literature’s indispensable value to our national culture. The organization’s mission is to foster the professional development of poets and writers, to promote communication throughout the literary community, and to help create an environment in which literature can be appreciated by the widest possible public.

P&W accomplishes this through Poets & Writers Magazine, an award-winning bimonthly publication; pw.org, a website that provides trustworthy advice, information, and a lively online community for writers; Readings/Workshops, which pays writers fees for giving readings and leading workshops throughout New York and California, as well as in eight cities outside those states; and awards for writers including the $50,000 Jackson Poetry Prize, the Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award, the Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award, and the Amy Award.

Each year, tens of thousands of poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers benefit from P&W’s programs, which include its eponymous magazine; a dynamic, information-rich website; financial support for readings and other literary events; and sponsorship of several notable writing prizes and awards.

Visit this great site and learn more about P&W by clicking HERE.

Dream of Things would like to take a moment to share two great publications with you: Pink Bat and Paper Airplane, both by writer Michael McMillan.  You can learn more about Michael McMillan by visiting his website, HERE.  Visit the Dream of Things Bookstore to get copies of both books today!

About Pink Bat

Everywhere you look today there are problems. Turn on your TV or computer—pick up a magazine or paper—and what do you see? Problems! Talk to your spouse, co-workers, family members or friends, and within minutes someone will bring up a problem… or two or three. Problems permeate the workplace, too—new products, old products, customer service, health care, retirement plans, sales, marketing, budgets, IT, personnel— the list of problems we confront each day is vast.

Michael McMillan’s Pink Bat will turn your thinking upside down and get you and your team seeing problems as opportunities. Maybe you think this idea seems impossible, but you’re about to discover: “Pink Bat Thinking” makes the impossible possible.

Pink Bat…Turning Problems Into Solutions is a must-read for everyone who lives in the world of business, or is a part of any organization. In fact, I predict that once you read it, you’ll want everyone in your company to do the same.

Click HERE to buy your copy of Pink Bat right now!

About Paper Airplane

Once you read this book you’ll never think the same way. Paper Airplane will open your eyes to the wonders of creativity, innovation and positive change. This is a thought-provoking story about vision, courage and a sixth grader’s unique response to a class project. The subtitle says it all… A Lesson for Flying Outside the Box. This book provides valuable insights on creative thinking, questioning the norm, and taking action to transform problems into new opportunities

Paper Airplane makes a perfect gift for people of all ages—students, friends, business associates and employees. It’s great for meetings, conventions, employee birthdays or anniversaries, or use to celebrate a milestone, say thank you, or as a “leave behind” for salespeople.

Paper Airplane is a wonderful gift to spark imagination, to encourage people to believe in their ideas, and to build a culture of innovation.

Buy your copy of Paper Airplane right now by clicking HERE, just in time for the holidays!