New Release - Saving Cicadas

By Nicole Seitz

I need to tell you about this little girl named Janie. She's eight-and-a-half, smart as a whip and loves her mama, even more now that Daddy's gone away. Her sister, Rainey Dae, is seventeen, has Down syndrome, and likes to Google. They both love bugs, and they're extremely close and protective of one another--sisters can be that way. And Mama works--hard--but Christmas is coming, and it never seems she has enough. And now, well, now, she's just found out she's pregnant again.

This can't be happening. But it is.

And so Janie and her sister Rainey and Grandma Mona and Poppy climb into the car with Mama for the last family vacation they'll ever have. Except that this isn't any normal vacation. And this isn't any normal family. These are the Macys. And there are family secrets to unearth. And difficult choices on the long road ahead.

A moving narrative about family, loss and longing, and the transforming power of truth, SAVING CICADAS is an eloquent reminder that life is a miracle—and even the smallest soul is a gift.

"well-drawn characters" — Southern Living

"will leave you awe-struck." — Beth Webb Hart, author of Grace at Low Tide, Adelaide Piper, and The Wedding Machine

"Seitz has a gift for creating wonderful characters, especially the young girls...this tale's spooky sweet dénouement includes a magical twist...marvelously memorable." — Publishers Weekly

"What a deeply moving novel! I literally could not put it down...I think the issues covered in the book …are so relevant to our society. The choices...seen from a child's perspective, was illuminating." — Valerie Jones, Fireside Books & Gifts, Forest City, NC

"a surprisingly creative tale that will leave readers guessing until the end." — River Jordan, author of Saints in Limbo, The Messenger of Magnolia Street, and The Gin Girl

"Plotted as tightly as a murder mystery--brings tears to a grown man's eyes." — Jim McFarlane, Fiction Addiction, Greenville, SC

"Resounding kudos to Charleston resident Seitz for penning a tale that spans Carolina towns, explores family ties, wrestles heart-heavy fare from abortion to the afterlife, and toys with magical realism." — Charleston Magazine

"do NOT miss this novel." — Fresh Fiction

Watch a short book trailer...with your speakers turned up.





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Nicole Seitz releases her fourth novel, SAVING CICADAS, on December 1. Her daughter was the model for the cover painting. Nicole's other titles include A Hundred Years of Happiness, Trouble the Water, and The Spirit of Sweetgrass. http://www.nicoleseitz.com/

WORK WHILE YOU SLEEP! by T. Lynn Ocean

Put Your Subconscious Mind
To Work For You

by T. Lynn Ocean


People often ask authors where they get their ideas. The answer for me is, I'm not sure. But I do know that I'd never have a writing career if it weren't for my subconscious mind (SM).

Everyone has this amazing tool at their disposal. Scientists still don't understand quite how it works, but they do know that we all have a duality of minds: your consciously thinking mind, and your subconscious mind. Whether you are creating a character that people will want to read, composing a song, or trying to solve a dilemma at the office, your SM can do the work for you. It's true!

Ever been with friends discussing a movie or a song, and you can't remember the name of the lead actor? "It's on the tip of my tongue!" you might say. Finally, you give up. The next morning it hits you. You remember the name. Well, folks, that is your SM at work. It's a very simple example, but proof that your mind can problem-solve while you are not consciously thinking about the problem.

There are two basic things to remember about your SM. First, it never sleeps. It's always working, regardless of what you are doing. Second, your SM has no filters or screens. It's like the mind of an innocent child and will soak up everything without prejudice.

So, how do you put your SM to work for you? Very easily. You must fuel, or feed it! For example, when I'm working on a new character, I will sketch out all the basics. A background, including family and career. Physical description. Accent and manner of speaking. Oddities or quirks, such as a man who always jingles the change in his pocket when he's nervous. Next, I'll think about the plot and how the character fits in. And then it's time to feed my SM. If my character were the owner of a bakery for example, I'd quiz some pastry chefs, subscribe to a trade magazine, and watch cooking shows. If my character was a sleazy landlord, I'd read some articles about fraud and scams, maybe interview a property manager or two, and check out the real estate market where the book takes place.

Bottom line? Go on road trips. Talk to people. Read applicable magazines. Attend pertinent continuing education classes or seminars. Brainstorm with friends. AND THEN FORGET ABOUT IT! One of the best times to put your SM to work for you is just before bedtime. Skip Leno or Letterman and take fifteen minutes to review your notes or read that trade magazine. Go to sleep thinking about your project. You'll be amazed at what you come up with.

Once you begin to utilize the power of your SM, your characters will become multi-dimensional and real. They'll begin telling you what they would say or do in a given situation. Your plots will suddenly come together in a way that makes perfect sense. That song you've been trying to compose will vividly spring to life. And that problem at work? You'll suddenly have the solution, and in hindsight, you'll probably wonder why you didn't think of it sooner.

Oh yeah. One more thing. If you're going to tap into the power of your SM, there are a few rules. You must avoid negative people. You must keep an open, welcoming mind. And you must try to remain stress-free. Like everything else, your subconscious mind performs best when nurtured.

It's how I plan, plot, and write. SOUTHERN FATALITY, first in a new mystery series, has just been re-released in paperback and SOUTHERN POISON, second in the series, is now out in hardcover. Jersey Barnes is such a fun character to write… I just love it when the characters start telling you what they're going to do next!

To read some fun articles or see more about my new 'Southern' series (the Jersey Barnes mysteries), visit www.tlynnocean.com .

Thanks to all for checking out our Southern Authors blog, and happy fall reading!

T. Lynn Ocean

NEW RELEASE FROM ONE OF OUR OWN...

SOUTHERN FATALITY is now available in mass market paperback! (St. Martin's paperbacks, US $6.99 / CAN $8.99) Originally released last year (St. Martin's Minotaur) the book is the first of a new mystery series by T. Lynn Ocean.

"…keeps readers entertained right up to the explosive ending." –PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY

ABOUT THE BOOK: Immerse yourself in the magical port city atmosphere of Wilmington, North Carolina and visit The Block-- a historic building situated on the Cape Fear River that serves as a grill and pub downstairs and cozy living quarters upstairs. But don't get too comfortable, because when the sexy and hard-hitting security specialist Jersey Barnes stumbles into a scheme that will steal millions of dollars from American taxpayers, you'll want to go along for the ride!

COMING NEXT: Jersey Barnes is back in SOUTHERN POISON, available September 2.

TO LEARN MORE: Visit the author website at www.tlynnocean.com