Laurel Anne Hill

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How to write a holiday letter that people will love (by Laurel Anne Hill, Author of "Heroes Arise")

Want to write a holiday letter that your friends and family will love to read?  Well, don't drown your paragraphs in details.  Sprinkle in your news, like seasoning to flavor a stew.  I've used this technique with success for thirty years.

This month, I'm podcasting a three-part series about writing holiday letters,  available for free on iTunes or  by visiting my bedroom closet at http://laurelannehill.libsyn.com.  I've now posted part one, approximately 13-1/2 minutes long.  And yes, I really do set up my "recording studio" in my bedroom closet.

By the way, if you have book lovers ages 9 to 90 on your Christmas list, please consider my award-winning novel, "Heroes Arise," now available in hard cover, trade paperback and as a Kindle e-book.  For more information about "Heroes Arise," visit my website at http://www.laurelannehill.com.

Warm wishes,

Laurel Anne Hill (Author and Former Underground Storage Tank Operator)

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Climategate: Will Investigative Heroes Please Arise? (by Laurel Anne Hill, Author of "Heroes Arise")

This week I've followed both the "Climategate" controversy and lack of controversy, that is, the simultaneous media reaction and lack of reaction to the electronic documents and communications stolen from the servers of the Climate Research Unit at the University of East Anglia in England.  The possibility that test results unsupportive of man-made global warming have been swept under the scientific rug is profoundly disturbing.  Yes, disturbing enough for me to use an adverb.

As I recall from my own days in scientific research, the scientific method boils down to the following:

*  Ask "the question"

*  Do preliminary research

*  Formulate your hypothesis about the question

*  Test the hypothesis experimentally, collect data and analyze results

*  Draw a conclusion that accepts or rejects your hypothesis

*  Communicate your results/conclusions along with recommendations for future experiments

The process of scientific research should not include concealing data or preventing the communication of results and conclusions.  Nor should scientists close themselves off from criticism.  The scientific method should serve as a tool in humanity's search for truth.

I hope to see this matter clarified in an informative and non-sensationalistic manner.

Will investigative "heroes" please arise?

Laurel Anne Hill (http://www.laurelannehill.com)

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Come to the Bedroom Closet of Laurel Anne Hill (Author of "Heroes Arise) for Sewers and Sorcery

I've now posted all three parts of "An Incomprehensible Force" on my almost-weekly podcast:  Welcome to my Bedroom Closet.  In order to write part three, I had to do research via the Paris sewer tour.  What else would you expect of a former underground storage tank operator? 

Here's the basics about my sewer and sorcery 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. 

Parts 1-3 of "An Incomprehensible Force" are now available for free on iTunes.  (Search iTunes on "Laurel Anne Hill.") Or you may go to my audioblog at http://laurelannehill.libsyn.com.    Each part is approximately 21-24 minutes long, including the introduction and sound effects.  For more information about me or my award-winning novel, "Heroes Arise," please visit my website at http://www.laurelannehill.com

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OryCon 31 Schedule for Laurel Anne Hill (Author of "Heroes Arise")

I'm looking forward to OryCon 31 this week.  Here's my schedule:

FRIDAY, NOV. 27

3-4 pm, "Bread and cheese and yet not constipated?" in the Morrison room, with Laurel Anne Hill, Rebecca Neason, Lisa Linderman & Lenora Rain-Lee Good

4-5 pm, "Will blogs replace the conventional media?" in the Morrison room, with Mark Niemann-Ross, Richard A. Lovett, Michael Briggs and Laurel Anne Hill

SATURDAY, NOV. 28

10-11 am, "But I thought you wanted my opinion!" in the Roosevelt room, with Jeff Soesbe, Laurel Anne Hill, Nisi Shawl, Kamila Miller, Bill Johnson

11:30-12, Laurel Anne Hill will be at autograph table 1

1-2 pm, "Computers and the writer" in the Hamilton room, with John Hedtke, Michael Briggs, David W. Goldman, Laurel Anne Hill and M. K. Hobson.

3-4 pm, Laurel Anne Hill and David W. Goldman will participate in a writing workshop

5:30 – 6 pm, Laurel Anne Hill will do a reading in the Madison room.

9-10 pm, "Smut, gore and more," in the Grant room with Theresa "Darklady" Reed, Deb Taber, Laurel Anne Hill and Kal Cobalt

10-11 pm, "Wash your mouth out with soap," in the Grant room with Laurel Anne Hill, Theresa "Darklady" Reed and Deb Taber

Hope to see you,

Laurel Anne Hill (http://www.laurelannehill.com) 

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GUD Magazine Reviews "Heroes Arise" (by Laurel Anne Hill)

This month, GUD Magazine reviewed my award-winning novel, Heroes Arise.  Here's an excerpt from their review:

"Hill is very adept at building the world of the Kren; the reader gets a sense of how the people live, including what they eat and what they worship. She gives the Kren an honor code that is unmatched by anything human, and a thirst for vengeance that would give pride to any warrior culture. Because she chooses to unveil these details in a slow manner, the world is seemingly built around you as the narrative grows. I'm not a huge Fantasy fan, but I found the world Hill created engrossing."

To read the full review, go to http://www.gudmagazine.com/review/archive/2009/11/9/heroes-arise-by-laurel-anne-hill/.  GUD publishes literary and genre fiction, poetry, art and articles.  Please take a look at this magazine.  Its content has won awards.

Laurel Anne Hill

http://www.laurelannehill.com

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