A Charming Giveaway...

Why do you write? Is it because you want to be rich or famous? Is it because you have stories in you and they must come out? Does writing give you freedom?

For me, I write because I have stories inside me that have to get out.

Back in the summer, my friend Robyn Campbell shared with me a writing project called a Crock Full of Charms. Eighty-eight writers joined together with freelance editor Sally Odgers to create three volumes of short stories. We didn't do it for money or fame...well, maybe some of us did it for the darling charms that Sally sent us. You can only get a copy by contacting one of the writers who is in the book. (So if you want a copy you'll have to let me know and I'll sell it at cost plus shipping.)

My story,  A Charmed Life, is in volume 2.

Three of my critique partners are also in the Charms Anthology.  Lenny Lee and Robyn Campbell are in Volume 2 with me and Theresa Milstein (and her daughter) are in Volume 3.  It was so much fun doing this project with them. Sally tied the three books together, but they can be read separately.

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Josh, Hannah, Ash and Immy are clearing the attic when they unearth a mysterious treasure. Someone has collected dozens of charms in silver, bronze, gold and brass. Whose are they? What are they for? No one knows, but as the four are about to discover, every charm has a story...

The Charms anthology is a collection of stories for readers aged four to fourteen. It will be available in late 2013 in three age-graded volumes. Charms is an innovative project containing more than a hundred stories and poems by authors from several different countries. The stories are linked by a storyline that flows through linking and embracing the stand-alone pieces by contributing writers.

Our authors range from teenagers to senior citizens, from multi-published pros to moonlighting artists and those entering print for the first time. We were all inspired by the project and we all love to write. We look forward very much to sharing our stories with readers. The first volume is packed with stories and poems for younger readers. We have lighthearted poems, bedtime stories, pets, grandparents, friends and wild adventures.  Volume One is a sunny place, where pirates may run but they'll never catch you, and teddies find their way to loving owners.  This is the place where readers from four to eight may happily browse for hours. The last few stories may appeal more to adventurous readers or nine or ten.

The second volume has older characters and broader-ranging themes and genres. Volume Two has more excitement, stronger fantasy, science fiction, steampunk, historical stories, a few tangled dilemmas, some tears and even a few shiversome creeps. Mature readers or nine or ten will find plenty to enjoy, while young teenagers may find the later stories more to their taste. 

The third volume is mainly for the teenaged reader. Watch this page for updates. Titles of the stories can be seen here.

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I'll be giving away a copy of Volume 2 (signed by me LOL) on December 28th. All you have to do is leave a comment telling why you write.