Welcome to my bedroom closet.

Have you ever noticed a patch of ground where nothing ever seems to grow?  My two teen characters, Howie and Frank, encounter such a place in my creepy new short story, "The Grave of Mario Bandini."  The inspiration for "The Grave of Mario Bandini" came from my friends Donna and Jon.  When I was eleven or twelve years old, my friend Donna speculated that a patch of wet earth (where nothing grew) near the local mortuary was really quicksand.  In 2009,  Jon Cory (author of "A Plague of Scoundrels") suggested I write a short story about a patch of soil where nothing grows.  I recalled what Donna had told me many years ago.

If you enjoy "The Grave of Mario Bandini," you may also like "Wings of Revenge," my non-typical vampire short story.  Go to http://www.horroraddicts.net, episode #33 podcast in January 2010.  Please note that "Wings of Revenge" and "The Grave of Mario Bandini" contain some profanity. 

Happy listening.

Laurel Anne Hill, author of "Heroes Arise" (http://www.laurelannehill.com)

    

Welcome to my bedroom closet.

How many of you recall the San Francisco of yesterday and the importance of wearing gloves downtown?  For a dose of San Francisco nostalgia, please listen to my personal true story, Gloved for all Reasons.    Gloved for all Reasons relates my life-long relationship with that basic accessory.

And don't forget to visit my website if you haven't done so lately: http://www.laurelannehill.com.

Thank you,

Laurel Anne Hill

(Laurel Anne Hill is the author of "Heroes Arise," a novel about breaking the cycle of vengeance, about reaching into one's own personal darkness to find the light of reason.)

Welcome to my bedroom closet!

In 2004, KQED-FM (NPR, San Francisco) broadcast "A Handful of Band-Aids," my perspective on the plight of homeless families in Contra Costa County, California.  I had written "A Handful of Band-Aids" in the latter part of 2003.  Today I'm posting a slightly longer version of the piece used by KQED-FM.  In this podcast, I also include information about the Winter Nights Rotating Family Shelter, a worthy nonprofit organization operating in Contra Costa County.  Winter Nights is a project of the Social Justice Alliance of the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County.

Needless to say, I'm a supporter of Winter Nights.  In fact, I used the debut of my science fiction/fantasy novel, "Heroes Arise," to raise funds for the Winter Nights Family Shelter.

For more information about the Winter Nights Shelter program, go to http://cccwinternights.org.

For more information about me or my novel, "Heroes Arise," please visit my website at http://www.laurelannehill.com.

Warm wishes,

Laurel Anne Hill (Author of "Heroes Arise") 

Welcome to my bedroom closet!

What do I do when I crave a festive dinner but finances and dietary restrictions keep me at home?  First of all, I consult the "oracle of the refrigerator" and use my imagination.

Two Happy Hearts: Savoring an Anniversary Dinner relates the true story of my 34th wedding anniversary.  My husband had recently undergone cardiac bypass surgery and, thus, major lifestyle changes.  We both had retired and the economy had tanked.  Our anniversary had fallen on a Monday when many local restaurants were closed.  I took the old fashioned solution and cooked a fancy, "heart-healthy" dinner myself.  Listen to my story (14 minutes) to see how things turned out.

Cook heart-healthy to keep hearts happy!

Laurel Anne Hill (Author of Heroes Arise)

http://www.laurelannehill.com

Welcome to my bedroom closet!  Here's the concluding part of my three-part series:  How to write a holiday letter that people will love to read.

Today's podcast addresses the issue of writing holiday letters during difficult times.  I hope you find the presentation both entertaining and useful.

My next podcast will be posted during the first week of 2010.  Until then, happy holidays and please tell others about my bedroom closet.  And don't forget to visit my newly-designed website at http://www.laurelannehill.com

Warm wishes,

Laurel Anne Hill (Author of "Heroes Arise)

 

Welcome to my bedroom closet!  Today, I'm posting Part Two of my latest presentation: Writing a Holiday Letter.

I've been writing creative Christmas letters for at least 30 years.  Here's my advice on how to write a holiday letter that your friends and family will love to read.

And if you're looking for ideas for Christmas gifts, please consider my novel, "Heroes Arise," a book suitable for readers from age 9 to 90.  "Heroes Arise" is available in hard cover, trade paperback and as an e-book for Kindle.  For more information about "Heroes Arise," visit my website at http://www.laurelannehill.com.

Welcome to my bedroom closet!  Today, I'm posting Part One of my latest presentation: Writing a Holiday Letter.

I've been writing creative Christmas letters for at least 30 years.  Here's my advice on how to write a holiday letter that your friends and family will love to read.

And if you're looking for ideas for Christmas gifts, please consider my novel, "Heroes Arise," a book suitable for readers from age 9 to 90.  For more information about "Heroes Arise," visit my website at http://www.laurelannehill.com.

 

 

Welcome to my bedroom closet!  Today, I'm reading the 21-minute conclusion to my short story and fantasy, "An Incomprehensible Force."

Sorcery toments Olga and has murdered her husband.  To survive black magic, she must return an enchanted, stolen brooch to its rightful owner, somewhere in France.  But who is the rightful owner?

Now an unknown man follows Olga through the streets of Paris at night.  Does he want the magic brooch?  What might he do to obtain it?  She fears for her life and enters the Paris sewer system to hide.

I hope you enjoy my story.  For more about my writing, including my award-winning novel, "Heroes Arise," visit my website at http://www.laurelannehill.com.

 

Welcome to my bedroom closet.  Today, I'm reading part two of my short story, "An Incomprehensible Force."

Sorcery toments Olga and has murdered her husband.  To survive black magic, Olga must return a stolen brooch to its rightful owner, somewhere in France.  But who owns the brooch?  Sorting out clues from her past, Olga arrives in Paris, only to encounter a terror she had never anticipated.

I'm posting Part 2 of "An Incomprehensible Force" (approximately 23-1/2 minutes long) to iTunes.  For more about my other writing, including my award-winning novel, "Heroes Arise," please visit my website at http://www.laurelannehill.com. 

Welcome to my bedroom closet.  Today, I'm starting a new tale.

Mysterious deaths.  A stolen brooch.  A woman tormented by sorcery.  A seemingly harmless Russian fairy tale.  Add them together, sprinkle in a bit of Paris and the result becomes "An Incomprehensible Force," a short story and fantasy.

Part one of "An Incomprehensible Force" (approximately 23 minutes long) is now available for free on iTunes.  For more information about me or my award-winning novel, "Heroes Arise," please visit my website at http://www.laurelannehill.com.