Author Archives: Ellen B.

Williamsburg Book Festival February 24

2024 Williamsburg Book Festival

February 24, 2024 from 10 am – 4 pm in the Stryker Center and Williamsburg Community Building

The Williamsburg Book Festival’s mission is to promote and support the art of literary composition in the Williamsburg area and expose writers to the reading public.  The free event includes authors from various genres, speakers, illustrators, and publishers from Virginia and beyond.  We hope you’ll join us for a family-friendly day of celebrating books and book lovers as we fill the Stryker Center and the Williamsburg Community Building with over 40 authors.

The event is free and open to everyone. Attend one of the workshops to learn more about the craft of writing and the field of publishing. Or discover new books to read in our author showcase featuring local and nationally recognized authors.

Schedule of Events

10:00-4:00 p.m. Location: Community Building and Stryker Center

Meet the Authors & Publishers

Authors and publishers will be exhibiting, signing, and selling their books in both the Stryker Center and Community Building which are cattycorner to one another. Please stop by the festival Information booth in the Community Building for a guide outlining where each exhibitor is located and for the festival presentation schedule.

Speaker schedule:

11:00 – 11:45  Laura Elliott, Young Adult author; Sponsored by: Pale Horse Publishing and The Williamsburg Library

12:00 – 12:45   Student Writing Contest awards (sponsored through the Williamsburg Community Foundation)

1:00 – 2:00      Keynote: Mollie Cox Bryan

2:15 – 3:30        Poets Panel:

Moderator: Ed Lull, Poets: Sofia Starnes, Ron Smith, Carolyn Kreiter- Foronda, Henry Hart, Luisa Igloria.

Spoken Label Podcast with Andy

I had a lovely time chatting with Andy, from across the pond, at Spoken Label Podcast. We chat about writing, writer’s block, my process, and what’s up next. Visit Andy’s website to find links through your favorite Podcast app at https://onewriterandhispc.blogspot.com/2023/12/new-spoken-label-ellen-butler.html

Andy N. at Spoken Label Podcast

Drinking With Authors Podcast

I had such a fun time chatting with Erika Lance about Operation Blackbird, Spectral Revelations, and cocktails at  Drinking With Authors. 
You can hear the podcast on your favorite app. Links below:

Hanover Book Festival

See you Saturday at the Hanover Book Expo! 


First Chapter for Spectral Revelations

Prologue | Monday

The dumpster reeked of sulfurous rotten eggs, decomposing vegetables, and remnants of the restaurant’s catch of the day. She pinched her nose, regretting the choice of a hiding place. Peeking around the fetid trash, she watchfully awaited her mark.

He’d have to come out sooner or later.

There was a waxing gibbous moon tonight, but the scuttling dark clouds covered any sort of light it may have provided. Due to town ordinances, the limited lights in the parking lot barely spread their glow farther than five or six feet.

The flickering light he’d parked beneath flashed bright one last time and went dark. It didn’t matter; his white SUV sat like a beacon in the empty lot.

Finally, she heard the squeak of the back door swinging open.

The car beeped, and taillights blinked. He walked rapidly, carrying something in his left hand. His head swiveled back and forth, scanning the empty lot.

Silently, she pulled out of sight, going so far as to cover her mouth, even though she wasn’t close enough for him to hear her breaths. The car door closed with a quiet clunk. She waited for the telltale sounds of an engine revving to life. Instead, she heard the back door creak again and poked her head out in time to watch it close behind him.

He’d forgotten to lock the vehicle.

She pulled the sweatshirt hood over her head and darted across the lot to the SUV.

A small brown box sat on the passenger seat. In a trice, she had the box in her hands. The vehicle’s dim overhead light revealed a flash of shiny metal.

The scrape of a shoe and a skittering stone were her only warnings.

She pivoted. “Surprised to see me?”

Sunday the 15th at Elaine’s Restaurant

 

Great Escapes with Dollycas Blog Tour

SPECTRAL REVELATIONS TOUR PARTICIPANTS

October 16 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT

October 17 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST

October 17 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 18 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

October 19 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

October 19 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

October 20 – Bigreadersite – REVIEW 

October 21 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

October 22 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT

October 23 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 24 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – AUTHOR GUEST POST

October 24 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 25 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

October 25 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

October 26 – The Book’s the Thing – SPOTLIGHT

October 27 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 28 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – SPOTLIGHT

October 29 – Cozy Up WIth Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Podcast

It was a pleasure speaking the Dr. Katherine Hayes on her Podcast Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality. We spoke about Operation Blackbird, writing life, and what happens when we are constantly bombarded with the negativity of the News and concerns of the world today.  Listen to the podcast at Spotify. Or your favorite podcast distributor.

Dr. Katherine received her BA in English and a MA in Elementary Education at Adelphi University. She received her Doctorate of Education and Supervision at Arizona State University. Katherine taught for 8 years before moving to the principalship of K-8 and K-6 schools for approximately 10 years. She has served as a freelance writer for various magazines including, Church Weekly, Prom Guide and Glendale Magazine. When Katherine isn’t working as counselor or writing curriculum she loves painting and photography. Some of her work in art, poetry and short stories has been distinguished by awards including the New York Mayor’s contribution to the arts Award, Outstanding Resident Artist of Arizona and the Foundations Awards at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. She also runs recreationally, coordinates fitness boot-camps for women and has a black belt in Taekwondo. Katherine loves speaking to groups delivering her messages with quick wit and real-life stories. She has been involved in church ministry for 18 years leading women’s ministry, teaching, playing piano, singing, and teaching liturgical dance. Learn more on Dr. Haye’s website, https://www.drkatherinehayes.com/

Mysterious Goings On Podcast

I realized, I’ve been remiss in updating you about a great podcast I had the pleasure of being a guest on – Mysterious Goings On with Alex Greenwood. Alex is an award-winning writer, public relations consultant, speaker, and former journalist. He is best known as the author of the acclaimed John Pilate Mysteries. Every week Mysterious Goings On features interviews with bestselling authors, indies, and creative people from all walks of life.

I found Greenwood to be an excellent host ready with tantalizing and thought-provoking interview questions. For those who enjoy listening to podcasts about mysteries and creative outlets, Greenwood’s entertaining podcast is for you.

You can listen to my interview with Alex Greenwood here. Intelligent Escapism and Cold War Fiction. 

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About the Karina Cardinal Mysteries

When you walk the halls of power, make sure your wits—and stilettos—are razor sharp.

An art heist, cybercrime, diamond theft, and artifact forgery. What do they all have in common? Karina Cardinal and her unchecked inquisitiveness.

As a Capitol Hill lobbyist, Karina Cardinal’s quick wit and powers of persuasion are her stock in trade. Unfortunately, her skill set includes a heaping helping of curiosity—and a talent for landing in trouble, where the crooks, conmen, and outright murderers lurk.

Lucky for her, when she finds her stilettos caught in a jam, she’s got lots of friends in the right places on speed dial. Like her intrepid colleague Rodrigo, her on-again-off-again FBI boyfriend Mike, and shadowy Silverthorne Security. Without them, Karina’s next political power suit could be a body bag. And without Karina, who’d keep her building full of nosy, quirky neighbors entertained?