A Home in the Library

Growing up, the library was home to me. I mean, I was born into my parental home and I loved it, but the library was the first home my soul chose. I remember spending several recesses hiding out in the school library, lost in a book. On weekends, I would haunt the British Council Library in the community. Even today, rows and rows of books, colorful spines with a rainbow of titles, comfort me like nothing else can.

So imagine my joy to find both A Tale of Two Djinns and Wildfire on the shelves at my local library. I SQUEED! Yes, I know it's the library, but I couldn't help it. :)

Here's a picture:

Happy dancing in West Texas!

Libraries bring readers, young and old, to new worlds and possibilities. They fuel the imagination and let you get your hands on books, precious books, even when you don't have a job or live on a limited budget. They are the best kind of entertainment and education.

So support your local library, go read a book!

xoxo

Mina

The Readers' Crown & the Life of a Story

Woot! Woot! So I just found out that A TALE OF TWO DJINNS won the 2013 Readers Crown for Best Paranormal Romance. Oh yeah, happy dancing over the moon here :)

What I'm stoked about is this is a reader-judged contest and 6 readers who didn't even know I exist read Shay and Maya's story and loved it enough to help it win (I haven't seen the scores yet...dying to!).  While I respect and appreciate all opinions, when it comes to stories readers rule. Why? Because stories are written not for the editors, agents etc., but for the readers.

A story is born as a spark of an idea in the author's imagination. It comes into form when the author actually sits down and puts it into word. It grows with every word written, every chapter added, through cycles of edits and revisions. (Lol, yes parenting a story is almost as hard as parenting human kids)

However, it doesn't truly exist until the moment a reader picks up the story and reads it, connects with it. That connection is the breath of life. And as longs as a story keeps getting read by different readers it thrives and stays alive. This fact was brought home to me as I watched librarians at my favorite library removing books from the shelves because they hadn't been checked out in a long, long time. And it saddened me. When a story is forgotten, not read by new eyes, it dies.

So yes, readers rule and I'm so glad six wonderful readers read and connected with my story. Thank you from the depths of my heart.

Come Visit with Some Texas Authors!

 Dear readers,

Good news! I have been busy working on a multicultural ghost story for Halloween. An Indian-American woman grapples with life and death in West Texas...intrigued?

Well, let me just tell you the cover is sumptuous...and I can't wait to share it with you :D

So if you want a first peek, make haste and come to tomorrow's fun author event ~

The Tom Green County Library is hosting a very special event:

Write On! - Meet Texas Authors
6:00 - 8:30 pm , Thursday October 18
Stephens Central Library
33 W. Beauregard, San Angelo, TX

Here's your chance to meet some of Texas' finest and most interesting authors. There will be readings, door prizes, a game to play and refreshments in a Texas-friendly setting where you can take some time to visit with the writers. No cost to attend.

If you can't partake of our Texas hospitality, that's okay. I promise there will be a cover reveal...real soon. Or go like my Facebook Author Page so you know as soon as the reveal happens. 

Until then, happy reading!