EVENTS

Watch out! My pen is moving.

4/3/2018

The Literary Circus. L-R, Alli Marshall, Randi Janelle, and Jennifer Fulford!

Okay, okay, so you want the last book, eh? Well, I'm writing it, just veeeeerrrrryyyy slowly. BTW, the fact that the word very makes an appearance here is pretty remarkable because that word irks me. I'm about halfway through the draft of the final Musketeer book, but in the interim, I've been busy with my Literary Circus crew. We performed an awesome show at the Asheville Fringe Festival in January 2018. It was so great, we're trying to take it elsewhere. But, have no fear, we are planning an appearance at ZineFest this June.

We Invade a Block Party

9/16/2017

Me and my writer gal pals will perform underwhelming feats of literary circustry at the 5-Points Neighborhood Block Party on Saturday, Sept. 23. Please join us for very bad hula hooping, cat impersonations, and general mayhem. Plus, prepare for some really fine writing and reading of said writing. We actually can be entertaining. It's free! Follow us on Facebook @LiteraryCircus.

And We Will Fringe in 2017

1/1/2017

Happy New Year! God save us! So, what does an artist do in the face of an increasingly strange world? Fringe, of course! Join me and my gal-pal writers (in photo from left to right) Randi Janelle, Alli Marshall and Nina Hart at this month's Asheville Fringe Festival. We're bringing the circus to town, the Literary Circus, that is. Read all about it! Monkeys, elephants, and maybe frontal nudity! You won't know unless you go! Thanks to Adam McMillan @amphotoavl for the great group shot, to The Odditorium for our backdrop, to Downtown Books and News for hosting our event, and to Malaprop's Bookstore for just being an indie. Also, FringeFest organizers are the bomb!

Poetry by Request at Malaprop's

8/27/2016

The amazing Tracey Schmidt invited me to participate in a special day this summer at Malaprop's Bookstore in Asheville. We wrote poems for customers on the spot during Poetry by Request day. It was so much fun to talk to book lovers in the store and write short, off-the-cuff personalized poems. Good practice. Maybe a few lines will be remembered by the folks who sat with us. Thanks, Tracey, for the invitation! Happy Summer, everyone.

Review of Book Two: "Fascinating, Earthy"

6/23/2016

The Historical Novel Society gave Book Two in the series a thumbs-up! Read the review and share. Better yet, buy the book and write your own review online. Thanks for supporting my novels about Musketeers and love. Let's keep the Dumas dream alive. ~ SWAK, jmf

Guest Blogging About Book Two

1/4/2016

Many thanks to writers Melissa Snark and Susan Finlay for giving me space on their blogs recently to wag on about my second Musketeer book, "Athos & Milady." A teaser excerpt is included free. If you have a minute, give their blogs a read:
> Snarkology
> Susan Finlay Writes

Meet & Greet at Asheville Bookfest

12/3/2015

I'll be signing and selling my books at the Asheville Bookfest on Sat., Dec. 12, starting at 10a. It's a fun day to meet new people and make friends with potential readers. I hope to have my latest book in hand for sale.

My newest mantra is #BuyABookFeedAWriter. I'd love to buy you a coffee if you stop by the booth. I'll be at the table for BlackBombBooks.com. Grab some cash and come downtown! Buy a great Christmas present. Here's a little more info online. Also see the festival website.

Three Musketeers Prequel Out in November

10/28/2015

Finally. The story of Athos and Milady is finished. I couldn't find any book in print that answered the question of WHY? Why did Athos marry Milady and what made him hate her to the degree that he abandons his sovereignty to become a Musketeer? So, I had to write the story. "In the Beginning" is the early heart-breaking tale of the two lovers before they cross paths in The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas. Warning: If you blush easily, hide the book when you read it. It will be available in November.

Nothing Like a Hometown Crowd

8/1/2015

Meet me at the Henry County Library to visit and catch up on the news. I'll be in Clinton, Mo., for my high school class reunion and am taking the chance to promote my book. I'll read from my Musketeer sequel during the trip. I bet my dad skips the event; he doesn't know what to think about my work as a writer.
Here are the particulars:
Saturday, August 8, 2016
1:30 p.m.
Henry County Library
123 E. Green St.
Clinton, Missouri
I'll also bring copies of my book of poems. All are welcome!

Summer is Writing Conference Time

5/7/2015

WillametteWriters

One of the best decisions any writer can make is to attend a conference. I recommend the Willamette Writers Conference held each August in Portland. There, writers meet good writers, editors, movie producers, agents, and plenty of up-and-comers. You'll leave with a greater sense of purpose and excitement about your work because the caliber of talent and information at Portland's premier writing conference is excellent. If you're a writer, I hope you build a fire under you this summer. Here's a short piece about my experience as a WW conference volunteer.