Crowspun.com

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Laura Castoro’s full bio…

Laura A Castoro, author of 39 novels, including Icing on the Cake, Love On The Line, and available in ebook A New Lu. Her new releases in ebook are Rose of the Mists, A Rose in Splendor, and January 2013, The Secret Rose.  These three books form the Irish “Rose” Trilogy, a series of historical romantic adventures set in Ireland and beyond.  Once in a generation  Once in Many Generations Does a Woman of the Fitzgerald Clan Bear the Mark — and the Gift–of the Rose. Only  love can turn change each heroine’s cursed life into a legend to be remembered down through the ages.  Romantic Times said about the series, “Four stars – highest rating!  Read like a beautiful romantic fairy tale.” The San Francisco Herald-Examiner called the series, “Quite simply a treasure of reading delight.” Says Affaire de Coeur, “This is not only Laura Parker at her very best, but it is, without a doubt, super-excellence in the field of Historical romance!  5 stars!”

You can learn more about Laura Parker Castoro and her other books on her website, www.lauracastoro.com

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The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

It’s the NEXT BIG THING Blog Hop

What is the next big thing blog hop? It is a personal way to introduce or reintroduce readers to authors and their writing.  So many new books are available.  Considering the last decade’s rumor of the impending demise of the printed word—this is great news.  More and more—we all love a good read.

I’ve been tagged by Laura Parker Castoro, who has provided moving historical romance books for decades. “Crossing the Line” and “The New Lu” are among my favorities. With over thirty-nine published books, in 15 different languages, and tons of awards, (including the Arkansas Writers Hall of Fame Award in 2005) she is a leader for the Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow and a phenomenal teacher. http://www.lauracastoro.com/

My path to prose writing has come through songwriting and writing about songwriter performers in a quarterly newsletter.  For the last decade I’ve participated with a writing group that meets every other Thursday. This year my first collection of short stories is published.  I’ve tagged some new authors at the end of this post. Please check them out.

Here are the questions:

  1. What is the working title of your book?  “Flights of Fancy”.  With a first name of Crow I couldn’t resist the imagery.  Also, the book is a collection of short stories, essays, memoir, novella and other pieces—each a flight of fancy.
  2. Where did the idea come from for the book?   I’m boggled by the number of fascinating people and adventures that have crossed my days.  From India to Texas, Arkansas…to sleeping in an abandoned car in Gibraltar.   From vagabond musicianship to eco-touring in South America, I love making up stories laced with smatterings of reality and vice versa.
  3. What genre does you book come under?  The publisher, Mockingbird Lane Press, came up with a genre where I fit— “Southern Weird”.
  4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in movie adaptation?   Each of the twenty-three stories would call for a different cast.  Among the more outrageous characters is Madame Butterfly , a professional female impersonator, owner of Puccini’s Theater Bar and Grill, and single father.  Johnny Depp would do a great job. He’s got that come here, go away thing going.
  5. What is the one-sentence logline/description of your book?  “These marvelous stories are about everyday people leading not so everyday lives…”  Lucinda Williams, Grammy winning Recording Artist and Songwriter.
  6. Is your book self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?  Mockingbird Lane Press is an independent publisher  recently established in Arkansas.
  7. How long did it take you to write the first draft?  Ten years, on and off.
  8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?  O’Henry, Poe, Welty.
  9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?  A very exciting, colorful, and adventurous life.
  10. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?  As a touring singer/songwriter, I told stories in songs.  In prose writing there are dimensions to explore that are unavailable in a three minute song.

Below you will find the authors I am tagging to join the blog hop.  Please book mark them and cheer their news and new releases.

Radine Trees Nehring    http://radine.wordpress.com/

Crescent Dragonwagon  http://dragonwagon.com/blogs/

Alison Moore  www.ridersontheorphantrain.org

Ann Hood  http://annhood.blogspot.com/

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Reviews of Flights of Fancy

“…when we make something it holds more than just the materials we use,’ says Miss Henrietta, one of the characters in a short story included in Crow Johnson Evan’s generously laden buffet of a book. With materials ranging from short stories, a novella, and non-fiction essays, tones and genres which include memoir, science fiction, suspense and YA, Evans takes readers from Beirut to the Ozark backwoods, past, present, and future, with narrators of all ages (including a tree). Knitting, weaving, the sounds of a South Indian morning, a loving but lily-besotted partner…these are rich materials. But she makes them “more”, as her observed thoughts, feelings, empathy and insight overlay real and imagined experience. Flights of Fancy takes wing. It will nest in its readers’ branches for a long time to come.”
—Crescent Dragonwagon, author of Bean by Bean

Flights of Fancy is songwriter Crow Johnson Evan’s fanciful journey into prose. Along the flightpath the reader has a wide-angle view of terrain stretching from Gibraltar to India, to Texas. This collection is a feast for the senses as it stitches together a patchwork quilt of storytelling, memoir, mystery and song.”
—Alison Moore, author of Synonym for Love

Lyrical with a touch of magical realism, Crow Johnson Evan’s writing carries the reader along and away to a world where the miraculous is part of everyday life.
—Laura Castoro, author of A New Lu and Icing on the Cake

In this short story collection, author Crow Johnson Evans displays a deep concern and understanding of humanity, a lively spirit of adventure, and a lyrical writing talent. The outcome is a reading treasure providing thoughtful entertainment and delight to all. Enjoy!
—Radine Trees Nehring, author of DEAR EARTH: A Love Letter from Spring Hollow and the Carrie McCrite and Henry King “To Die For” mystery series

In Flights of Fancy, a character says: “I don’t know how long we stayed that way, arms out, feeling the world humming.” Crow Johnson Evans could have been describing her own book there. It hums—with wonder and wit and intelligence, with the natural world and knitting and generosity. It hums indeed.
—Ann Hood, author of The Knitting Circle and The Red Thread

These marvelous stories are about everyday people leading not so everyday lives. Crow leads you through a labyrinth of her own brand of Southern Gothic writing that’s as real as the day is long.
—Lucinda Williams, Songwriter/Grammy winning Recording Artist

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Crow’s Full Biography

I had the great fortune to be raised by artistic people. My dad (Forrest Goodenough) was a composer, jazz pianist, and teacher—my mother (Lucia C. Greer) a flutist and business professional—and my step-mother (Dorothy Churchill Goodenough) a concert violinist and teacher.

The year I was four, Dad was on sabbatical. We lived in the Old Maverick House with two grand pianos in the Woodstock, NY, community. I was surrounded by artists, musicians, and writers— passionate about their work and the work of others. It was a great imprint.

My father was blind since childhood, so it looked to me like he just sat down at the piano and made up music. Years later I began emulating what I saw as a magical process. I began playing in clubs in Houston, TX, in 1962 and continued through college at the University of Texas Austin.

In 1964, Paul Johnson and I formed a marriage and musical duo. I finished my degree in Zoology (encouraged by my folks to find a passion and study something practical with a future…not music). As soon as I graduated, PJ and I took off for Europe to chase the music dream.

We eventually hit London, met fellow musicians, did a demo tape in Stigwood Studios, and were signed by RingMaker Music with deals—publishing, recording, and touring. It was an auspicious time to be in London in the business.

In 1971, I found myself in the Ozarks, building a cabin…determined to do music for the listeners (instead of for a company.) PJ and I parted ways in 1977, I recorded my first solo LP in 1980 with his help, and I had glorious space at Kwuda Cabin to write, rehearse, dream, and take the music on the road.

When diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990 I did stop publishing the Zassafras Music News, a newsletter for and about singer/songwriters. But only in 2002 did I completely step away from touring. TX, AR, OK, LA, KS, NC, NY, CA, NM, TN, MI, FL, etc. Most of the recordings are still available. Big thanks to Michael Johnson, Claire Lynch, Linda Lowe, Carey Creed, Ann Armstrong, Chuck Pyle, Penny Nichols, Mary MacGregor, and the others who have played or recorded my songs. And thank you for the acknowledgements: The Spirit of Kerrville Award 1993 – The World Folk Music Association Kate Wolf Memorial Award 1995- Lifetime Achievement Award from the NWAMA 2002.

The Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow in Eureka Springs, AR, started around 2000. Ned Shank and Crescent Dragonwagon converted their Bed and Breakfast/Restaurant to a space where writers can have uninterrupted time to work and give back to the community. I’m still proud to be involved and supporting this nonprofit organization.

In 1984 my truelove, Art Evans, and I found each other. We share a love of Nature. Our getaways are eco touring to see and photograph endangered wildlife. We look after our parents in our NW Arkansas patch of woods. I write prose, read, spin yarn, weave, knit and work part time in Arthur’s Dental Practice.

So there is an outline of the whole story. I promise to write prose about all of the in between parts. “Flights of Fancy” includes short stories, essays, and memoir.

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Crow’s first book of short stories!

Lightning struck in the best of ways. I’m working with a publisher for my first book of short stories! I know it’s a long way from here to holding the book, but I had to thank all of you who cross your fingers, toes, eyes and hearts that it would be a good match with Mockingbirdlane Press.