My publication news
My book, Building a Cool House for Hot Times without Scorching the Pocketbook, is #8 on this Barnes & Noble top ten list: Barnes & Noble.com Books - Architecture, Domestic->Amateurs' manuals
Here's a free excerpt: Free Book Excerpts : Building a Cool House for Hot Times without Scorching the Pocketbook by Joy Smith
There's a free excerpt available too from my children's book, Why Won't Anyone Play with Me?: Free Book Excerpts : Why Won’t Anyone Play with Me? by Joy Smith
Still upcoming are the Magistria shared world anthologies, Magistria: Realm of the Sorcerer and Magistria: Shards of the Goddess. (The first one should be available on amazon soon.) My stories, Seedlings and Crystal Quest, in this shared world anthology series are about plant mages and their companions, sentient plants.
To listen to an audiobook about time travel adventure, check out Sugar Time at Hadrosaur Audio Odysseys
It includes three complete stories: "Sugar Time," "Flight Test," and "Return to Neander." Maxwell Sweet, along with two professors, have been conducting secret experiments in an old Victorian mansion outside Galveston, Texas. However, the two professors have vanished and Maxwell Sweet has fallen ill. Now, it'sup to Sweet's tough-as-nails niece to find out what happened to the project -- a working time machine. Sugar Time is an audio time travel adventure featuring a full cast, music and sound effects.
I have a collection of some of my published stories in Aliens, Animals and Adventure. You can order it (trade paperback) at the Anthology Builder library: AnthologyBuilder: create your ideal anthology
Table of contents:
The Doorway: Nessa stumbles into the time corridor while helping a friend.
Guard Dog: Sequel to The Doorway. Nessa travels to the time of Earth's first contact.
Pretty Pink Planet: Heroine tracks down planet pirates; saves aliens.
Hot Yellow Planet: Sequel to PPP. Lori and Chiing continue their adventures, meeting up with Chameleons, Ghosters, Splurts, and other aliens and humans.
Flashback: Chessies’ arrival in an ice age. Companion story to Sugar Time stories (audiobook).
Stray Cats: Cats, herps, and humans--sometimes interchangeable.
To the Last Drop: Those aliens should not have touched that coffee urn.
Pilot's Course: Terran humans in the far future settled on other planets. Heroine plots new course.
Moovin' Up: Genetic Engineering.
The Princess Quest: Sword & Sorcery.
When Danger Rules: Reesa came back to rescue the remaining members of the family she loved. Now she had to avoid being killed by her cousin, who wanted the throne, and the new ruler of the planet, who didn't want a throne, and the ones she had come to rescue.
Home Not: When Grief's Aunt Chelsea died, his Uncle Sandro saw his chance, and Grief was at his mercy... Adventure.
The Haunted Garden: Ghosts, Native Americans, and the environment.
Lost in the Long Dark: Boy explores locked hallway in new house; finds danger.
Taking Tawny Home: Sequel to Lost in the Long Dark. Could he take the big cat back?
You Are What You Don't Eat: Why were the Terrans invited to the feast?
My advice to writers is included, along with the advice of a number of other children's writers, in an ebook, I Wish Someone Had Told Me That!
64 Successful Children's Authors Give You The Advice They Wish Someone Had Given Them
We answer these questions:
When I Started, I Wish Someone Had Told Me:
The Best Advice I Ever Got Was:
The Biggest Mistake I Ever Made Was:
The Most Important Thing A Writer Can Do To Achieve Success Is:
I Really Need To Tell You This:
Link: I Wish Someone Had Told Me That!