Elizabeth SimsElizabeth Sims | Official Website | CLICK HERE TO GO BACK TO THE HOME PAGE
  • You've Got a Book in You

    "Elizabeth Sims proves herself a true writer's friend."

    —Jamie Morris, Director, Woodstream Writers
  • The Actress

    "Sims' wry commentary on life in Hollywood is dead-on."

    Publishers Weekly
  • The Extra

    "an intelligent thriller."

    —Jay Strafford Richmond Times-Dispatch
  • On Location

    "You just have to love Rita."

    Kirkus Reviews
  • You've Got a Book in You

    "Packs a twelve-week writing course into 280 pages."

    —Julie Compton, author of Keep No Secrets
  • The Actress

    "Intricate and surprising, this is a gripping read."

    —Kristine Huntley Booklist
  • The Extra

    "The two leads, Rita and George, are engaging and believable."

    —Hallie Ephron Boston Globe
  • On Location

    "Sims orchestrates the action—and occasional comic relief—for maximum impact."

    Publishers Weekly
  • You've Got a Book in You

    "The spark of inspiration to get started writing a book."

    —Hallie Ephron, award-winning author
  • The Actress

    "A page-turner from stem to stern!"

    Kirkus Reviews
  • The Extra

    "Goes down easy, like a perfect cup of coffee."

    Crimespree Magazine
  • On Location

    "A fast-paced, atmospheric mystery. Sims shines."

    —Melinda Bargreen The Seattle Times
  • You've Got a Book in You

    "The approach is always positive and well worth the price of admission"

    —Ellen Hart, award-winning author
  • The Actress

    "The fascination will keep you up late."

    —Jay Strafford Richmond Times-Dispatch
  • The Extra

    "An engaging thriller."

    —Harriet Klausner
  • On Location

    "As smart as it is compelling."

    —Michele Leber Booklist
  • You've Got a Book in You

    "It doesn't have the arrogant undertone found in other writing books."

    —The Book Depository
  • The Actress

    "Sims has a well-plotted and engaging winner here."

    —Melinda Bargreen The Seattle Times
  • The Extra

    "...and a lost beagle."

    Kirkus Reviews
  • On Location

    "Heart-pounding and page-turning."

    —Jay Strafford Richmond Times-Dispatch
  • You've Got a Book in You

    "In-depth, comprehensive and witty, but never complicated."

    —the office of LETTERS AND LIGHT
  • The Actress

    "Exhilarating! Elizabeth Sims provides a fascinating tale."

    —Harriet Klausner
  • The Extra

    "Brisk prose, facile storytelling, engaging characters."

    —Michele Leber Booklist
  • On Location

    "Rita's best role to date."

    —Lynne F. Maxwell Mystery Scene
  • You've Got a Book in You

    "I found great little gems of advice."

    —L.J. Sellers, bestselling mystery author
  • The Actress

    "Rita is a strong and believable voice."

    —Roberta Alexander The Mercury News
  • The Extra

    "A perfect blend of mystery, comedy and romance."

    —Rosa St.Claire Miami Books Examiner
  • On Location

    "A fabulous novel."

    —Harriet Klausner
  • You've Got a Book in You

    "Encouraging, practical and witty."

    —Gesa Kirsch, Ph.D., Professor of English, Bentley University
  • The Actress

    "A veteran mystery writer with a crackerjack tale."

    Seattle Post-Intelligencer

more


news newschat archive oddball shots links

newschat August 2011

Subject: Newschat

Dearest Correspondent,

I hope you're enjoying all the good things of summer, like lightning that splits the night sky and stops your your breath in your throat; root beer floats; and a new sun bonnet (even if you're a guy, in which case maybe a white captain's hat like the Skipper wore on 'Gilligan's Island').

From the digital mailbag:

Q: I'm feeling terribly lonely for Lillian Byrd.

A: Even though that's not a question, I sense your longing. I'm hoping to be able to write another adventure for my favorite alter ego. Meanwhile, I've launched all four Lillian Crime Novels on Amazon Kindle, for $2.99 each. That's HOLY HELL, DAMN STRAIGHT (winner of a Lambda Literary Award), LUCKY STIFF, and EASY STREET, all with new covers. If you're new to Lillian, check out the free samples on my web site or from the Kindle store.

HOLY HELL: http://amzn.to/kGIDZL
DAMN STRAIGHT: http://amzn.to/jKcLgx
LUCKY STIFF: http://amzn.to/j2wDTW
EASY STREET: http://amzn.to/q5RGKT

I'll be putting them into other electronic and print formats as soon as I can.

Q: I'm working on a novel, and everybody who reads it keeps telling me my dialogue is good, but not great. I need it to be GREAT. Can you help?

A: Boy howdy, can I ever! Join me this very Thursday, August 18 for a live webinar: HOW TO WRITE DIALOGUE LIKE A PRO: WRITE REALISTIC DIALOGUE THAT BRINGS YOUR CHARACTERS TO LIFE AND MAKES YOUR FICTION POP OFF THE PAGE.

The place is Writer's Digest University, the time is I p.m. Eastern, the cost is $89, and you get 90 minutes with me, plus a constructive critique of up to two pages of your work by me afterward. I am absolutely packing this webinar with information, techniques, tips, and a professional's perspective to help you generate terrific dialogue for your fiction.

http://www.writersdigestshop.com/product/how-to-write-dialogue-like-a-pro-webinar/?r=sims?lid=sims

(Some of you have wished for evening hours for webinars, and I've asked Writer's Digest, but they're not prepared to handle that yet.)

Q: Sounds good, but should I really spend my hard-earned money on it?

A: I understand and do not feel insulted. If it helps, here's what an aspiring author had to say about my prior webinar, on writing mysteries and thrillers:

First off, I wanted you to know that your presentation was professional and informative. I loved it. I appreciated the fact you chose to make sure you got through your presentation before going into the Q & A section. I am fairly new at writing and every bit of information from a professional is vital and appreciated. I felt like there wasn't anything I would add to this webinar to make it better. I thought you did an awesome job.

and one more (perhaps my personal favorite):

Ms. Sims, I could kiss you!!! The webinar and the critique provided insight, confidence and more importantly-hope. I especially found the brainstorming piece insightful and have shared some of your strategies with my fellow writing friends.

Q: That helps, thanks. What other irons do you have in the fire?

A: Am developing some short e-books based on my articles for Writer's Digest magazine aimed to help the aspiring author as well as the published author who wants to take his or her work up a notch.

Furthermore, my agent and I are in negotiations with a leading publisher on a new book by me. It's one I've been wanting to write for a couple of years now: A complete, stress-free guide to writing the book of your dreams, including an honest-to-Gosh model for writing a book. We're close to a deal, but it's not signed yet. Gotta keep you posted on that one.

To keep up a bit more with what's new, join me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ESimsAuthor and you might consider following Lillian Byrd on Twitter as well: http://www.twitter.com/LillianByrd then there's: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lillian-Byrd-Crime-Series/228810600479125

That's a lot of links, but you can keep track of everything with just one: www.elizabethsims.com

Thank you for being my friend and thank you for reading! Let me know what's up with you!

Elizabeth Sims
The Rita Farmer Mysteries: "Crime fiction as smart as it is compelling." -- Booklist
The Lillian Byrd Crime Series: "By far the best detective of the bunch." -- Just Out
Contributing Editor, Writer's Digest Magazine
www.elizabethsims.com
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/people/Elizabeth-Sims/658506610
Facebook Author Page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Elizabeth-Sims/99751708742

To opt off this list, hit reply and type 'remove'. - Web master


newschat archive

Elizabeth's newschats are emailed a few times a year. If you're not getting them, you can sign up here: join the email list











Printable Page