Welcome

 

 

You have reached The Shades Writer, a blog and announcement board for emerging and newly published writers who need a shoulder to lean on, an ear to listen, someone to borrow pencil and paper (and a few ideas) from, or just a buddy to laugh with.

The road to getting published can be long, dark, bumpy and tiresome…or it can be short and quick and financially rewarding.  The Shades Writer is here simply to bring all of us “travelers” together, so that we don’t have to go it alone.                                                                                                                                                                                          We

We hope you’ll log on often, and share your thoughts, laughs, comments, trials and triumphs.  Remember, writing is a lonely business.  We have to be here for each other.

Best wishes and happy writing!

Rita

MY NEW BOOK IS HERE!

 

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 Here it is everybody…my baby that I ”carried” for over four years!  The title is,  African Americans of Chattanooga:  A History of Unsung Heroes, and it is listed on my publisher’s website, The History Press at $19.99 without tax.  It can also be ordered  at Barnes and Noble Bookstores, and at Amazon.com.   As soon as it is possible, I’ll make it available for purchase from this website.

DID YOU KNOW that Chattanooga is the home of the first African American lawyer to ever argue before the Supreme Court? 

DID YOU KNOW that this same African American lawyer won the first stay-of-execution for an African American client?

DID YOU KNOW that this same African American lawyer was the first African American ever assigned as lead counsel by the Supreme Court?  Unfortunately, he would never get to assume that lead role and argue his case…but you’ll have to buy the book to find out why.

This is an important, one-of-a-kind historical, and I do hope you’ll purchase a copy for your historical/research library. 

IMPORTANT DATES:

Below is a photo of the Sidewalk Marquee on the February 8, 2008 Rockpoint Booksigning.

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Here I am on February 13, 2008 on the WGOW Talk Radio Show with Jeff Styles.  I had a wonderful time!

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MORE IMPORTANT DATES

February 16 - Booksigning, Chickamauga Battlefield

February 23 - 2:30pm - Booksigning, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Library, downtown, Chattanooga.

February 23 - 4:30pm - Creative Venture, Lecture and Booksigning sponsored by Chattanooga Barnes & Noble Bookstores and Howard Schools

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This is a February, 2008 newspaper article in which my book received a raving review from Ms. Adera Causey of The Hunter Museum of Art.  Hunter Museum is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions in Chattanooga, and it is no small matter when one of its renown staff members writes a favorable review.  Thank you, Adera.  You’ve given me the memory of a lifetime!

Thank you for your support! 

THE LIST!

 

Welcome!

 

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OTHER FREE DOWNLOADS!

1.  How Much Should You Charge for Your Writing Services?

 how_much_should_i_charge.pdf

2.  Need Help With Grammar and Style?  Just click on the following link, and you’ll get the help you need.

http://www.sparknotes.com/writing/style/topic_32.html

3.  Stories For Children Magazine has made its beautiful MAY, 2008 issue available for free.  Once again, this is a very large file, so please be patient while it is downloading.  Just click on the following link and follow directions:

http://storiesforchildren.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/sfcmagazine_may_2008_finaledits.pdf

SPECIAL THANKS TO VS GRENIER, EDITOR, AND THE STORIES FOR CHILDREN STAFF! 

 If you have questions, concerns or private comments, please email me at   theshadeswriter@bellsouth.net.


Oh yeah, one more thing…

 

 

 

Responses

hi I thought i would never get to this point.
well I’m here now. this is great. hope to write and read more later. c.u.

By: grannywithapen on May 15, 2007
at 16:10 pm

Welcome Granny! We’re glad you made it. Be sure to upload your avitar (picture) so we’ll feel more cozy when we talk to you. We hope you enjoy The Shades Writer, and look forward to your comments and contributions.

By: theshadeswriter on May 15, 2007
at 21:35 pm

hello, i’m finally able to make a comment. This is a reat site for writers and feedback. Thanx for the info on contedts and grants. I was able to get in today with no problem. This is a site i will return to often

By: wgracet99 on May 31, 2007
at 13:17 pm

I just want to take the time out to say, thank you!, to the founder of the shades writer site. This site is very informative and opportunity friendly. It is nice to have a site available to review up coming contests, projects, grants, etc. If you are like me and need this site to keep you in the writing loop lets do what we can to keep it up and running. lets leave comments, posts blogs anything so the founders can know we need, want and appreicate this site.. Thanks

By: natalieg on June 22, 2007
at 18:02 pm

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful and restful holiday. Also, I’m writing to offer some words of encouragement as you exercise your gift of writing.

1. Make a writing schedule and stick to it.
2. Finish what you start.
3. Edit what you finish.
4. Have courage, and exchange your manuscript for a fresh perspective.
5. Have faith that you’re not wasting your time. You have the gift of writing, or you wouldn’t be doing this in the first place. Have faith, and keep working with your gift.
5. Send your work out! If you never send it out, you might as well never have written it at all.

I hope these words will encourage you in some way, and inspire you to keep moving toward the goal of getting published.

Best wishes and happy writing!

Rita

By: theshadeswriter on July 4, 2007
at 13:58 pm

I love the background for this site, its so inviting….

By: natalieg on July 12, 2007
at 15:01 pm

Hi, it’s me. I am so thankful for this site. I have learned so much, and I don’t feel so alone in the writing world. Thank you!

By: grannywithapen on October 9, 2007
at 2:31 am

Hi Granny,
Good to see you again. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the site. Don’t forget to nominate us for Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers.

Best wishes,
Rita

By: theshadeswriter on October 9, 2007
at 18:11 pm

Rita,
Found your site this morning while looking for information about writing & illustrating books for young people. Great place to keep informed!
Thank you.

By: youngatart on October 23, 2007
at 10:08 am

Hi Youngatart,
Thanks so much for stopping by. Best wishes for all you do. By the way, if you’re a children’s book illustrator and have a site online, send me an email and I’ll check you out and add you to our blog roll.

Have a great day!
Rita

By: theshadeswriter on October 23, 2007
at 15:29 pm

My friend put me on to this site today and I just thought I would browse to see what some other writers are doing and ran across your site. Great site! I am a new writer my book Lily in the Valley will be out soon its a inspirational book that include some of my poems and journal writings. This was definately something God wanted me to put out its about my walk and journey with him during my trials. Im looking to do an inspirational site that will have some of my writings as well as some of my friends that write or have a inspiring word for other women thats in or coming out of there valley. I will have to sit down and get things up and rolling on my site and get familiar with this site. Yours is truly awesome and very informative.

By: womeninthevalley on November 16, 2007
at 21:55 pm

Just dropped by to say hello and ask…”how come I’m just finding out about this?’ :)

In time, I will finish my book. Thanks for encouragement.
Scottie

By: slsmithsr on December 10, 2007
at 18:05 pm

Hi Scottie,
I’m so glad you found us. I hope you’ll drop by often! Next time you visit, please be sure to sign the guestbook and upload your picture. Keep us posted about your book.

Best wishes for all you do.

Rita

By: theshadeswriter on December 11, 2007
at 4:47 am

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