Fall Into a Good Book at the Fall Home & Garden Show

Yes, that's right, the Home & Garden Show in Portland, Ore. has a Book Booth. 

The NIWA exhibit features more than twenty NW indie authors and will be displaying 170+ titles.

The event runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. - 8 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m, October 6 - 9. 

Admission is $10 to the entire show (and $8 to park), BUT if you're coming on Thursday or Friday, print out the coupon at the bottom to get a discount on admission any day (AND parking is FREE after 4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday).

I'll NOT be participating after all this year go anyway and see the other writers (they need your encouragement, too). BTW: It's booth #843.

Coming Soon: Home & Garden Show "Book Garden"

The NIWA Book Garden is coming soon to the Portland Spring Home & Garden Show! Don't miss out on the chance to pick a bouquet of beautiful books.

Dozens of LOCAL AUTHORS will be signing their books throughout the weekend.

Click the link above for more show info. Click here for a $2 discount coupon.

Want Some New Books for Your Home?

It's time once again for the Spring Portland Home and Garden Show and that means that, once again, the Northwest Independent Authors (NIWA) will have their Book Booth at the show.

Many Northwest Authors will have their books for sale (including my ten titles) and many of the authors will appear for signings (I'll be there Sunday). Thursday the admission is FREE (with coupon) and parking is FREE after 4 p.m., too.

It's a great way to shop for new books (as well as other stuff) to grace your home and support local authors!

NaNoWriMo and Mo' Bits and Pieces (an aggregation)

I've been trying to blog once a week, but I think that might fall by the wayside for much of this month. There's just not much on the docket for the rest of the month except NaNoWriMo writing. And that's taking up much of my time.

I'm working on my first full-length adult novel (most of my fiction works have been novellas for youth and young adults). It's an exciting sci-fi tale based on a true story encased in speculative science and spiritual quandaries. It should be out by next spring (2016).

For those joining me in the NaNoWriMo challenge, I wish you well.

As for other news:

• This weekend is Wordstock in Portland, but I'll not be going. If you go please buy an indie book and fill out a survey asking for more representation by indie authors at the event. Wordstock has typically sided with the publishing industry and panned indies.
• Speaking of indies, many authors I know (especially through NIWA) have new books out and they would love your support. These are good authors with some very intriguing new titles. You can look at the NIWA titles here.
• And, of course, there's my new book, Plays and Sketches for Schools & Churches, for those into theater. I'd appreciate you sharing with school and church theater people you might know.
• I had planned to have a new cookbook (Tex-Mex and Southwest BBQ) in time for Christmas, but I'm behind on the project. Hopefully we'll see that in time for the summer grilling season.
• Finally, my wife and I are still collecting humorous (yet poignant) short stories for an anthology we're editing called Chicken Poop on My Sole (Funny Fodder from the Farm). So if you got 'em, write 'em and send them in.

Many Books are Looking for a Good Home this Weekend

The NIWA Garden of Books will once again make a presence at the Portland Fall Home & Garden Show. Many local authors will have their works available for purchase and many will be doing signings throughout the show.

There are books for everyone, so do stop in and take a looksie. You're sure to find a book or two to take home. For a discount admission coupon click here. And remember parking is FREE on Thursday and after 4 p.m. over the weekend.

Note: I won't be there this year though my books will be.

So Many Reasons to go to the Rose City ComicCon

As if you need a reason to go this weekend... 

I mean, who doesn't want to see Star Wars' Carrie Fisher (Princess Leah), Star Trek's Walter Koenig (Chekov), Star Wars' Dan Park (Darth Maul), Brandon Roth (Superman), Star Trek's Wil Wheaton (Wesley), Star Trek's Nichelle Nichols (Uhuru), and many many more from Grimm, The Walking Dead, etc.

Plus the Rose City ComicCon is the place for crazed costumed fans, the out of this world merchandise, the sneak peeks, the insider info and much, much more.

Well, if that's not enough, how about Sci-Fi and Fantasy books from local authors? Look for the NIWA booth on the expo floor and that's what you'll find them--including my Bayou Boys Adventure series and The Amish vs. the Zombies.

NW Book Festival in Portland's Pioneer Square

It's that time of year again. The 7th annual NW Book Festival is just around the corner. Mark your calendar for Saturday, July 25. 

The event fills the Pioneer Courthouse Square at the corner of SW Morrison and SW Sixth Avenue and runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Many, many NW authors and publishers will have booths and there are two NIWA tables. You'll find my books* with them at booth number 10.

The event is FREE, but be sure to bring along cash (or plastic) to buy books.

<Watch for my newest book, Plays and Sketches for Schools & Churches, coming this fall. 

Also (hopefully) coming next year (2016): The new Bayou Boys Adventure, Alien Ambush; Big Papa Zee's Tex Mex and Southwest Cookbook; and To Hell and Back (a novel).

BIG Gathering of Indie Books/Authors Coming Soon

Once again many, many local indie authors and their books will be all together in one place. There will be even more this year at the Spring Portland Home & Garden Show (and the booth is bigger, too). Mark your calendars and plan now to attend Feb. 19-23. Watch here for discount admission coupons and remember parking is FREE all day Thursday and after 4 p.m. Fri.-Sun. Many of us have new books, so come on out and see us.

ORYCON 36 brings Sci-Fi/Fantasy Convention to PDX

If you like Sci-Fiction and/or Fantasy  this is probably just the thing for you. Several local, indie authors will have their work available at the NIWA booth. The featured author-speaker this year is the writer of Logan's Run. There is cosplay, sci-fi and fantasy collectibles and other stuff to buy (including books), art, gaming, speakers and so much more. If the Sci-Fi/Fantasy world is your thing you might want to check it out. Just sayin'. For more info click here.

Still Time to Catch the NIWA Authors at the Portland Home & Garden Show

My book table setup during my Author Spotlight.

Sales have been fair at the Portland Home and Garden show over the past two days.

I've sold about a dozen books thus far (six Bayou Boys books and six cookbooks or so). Tomorrow is the big day so I'm hoping to sell that many more.

Those who bought cookbooks are rather excited about it. Hope you can come out tomorrow (Sat.) and see me between 4 and 8 p.m.

The books will still be there through 6 p.m. Sunday, but I won't be there. Still, more than 30 local authors friends and 100 books are represented.

Local Authors, a Relaxing Place to Read and Much More at the Portland Home & Garden show

Here's the setup at the book booth for the Portland Home & Garden Show.

Looks nice and cozy, huh? It is--especially for bibliophiles. Perfect place to buy a great book and then lounge around reading it.

There are all kinds of books: Coffee Table Books, Cookbooks, Fiction, Non-fiction, etc.

Come on out for a look. 

FREE parking after 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday and admission to the entire show is just $8 with the coupon below.

Support your local authors and have your books signed.

Hope to see you there! (The coupon is below.)

Local Author Line-up at Home & Garden Show NIWA Booth

Thursday Feb. 20th Authors

11am – 2pm Ripley Patton

11am – 8pm Roslyn McFarland

11am – 8pm Adam Copeland

1pm – 5pm Maggie Lynch

2pm – 6m Gregory E. Zschomler

2pm – 6pm Andy Bunch

6pm – 8pm Brian Tashima

Friday, Feb 21st Authors

11am – 2pm Courtney Peirce

11am – 2pm Ripley Patton

11am – 2pm Patrick Timm

11am – 5pm Roslyn McFarland

12noon – 5pm Susie Slanina

2pm – 5pm Amanda Washington

2pm – 6pm Andy Bunch

2pm – 6pm Gregory E. Zschomler

3pm – 8pm Maggie Lynch

4pm – 8pm Adam Copeland

5pm – 8pm Heidi Tretheway

6pm – 8pm Brian Tashima

Saturday, Feb 22nd Authors

10am – 12noon Steve Davala

10am – 1pm Brian Tashima

10am – 2pm Athena

10am – 2pm Patrick Timm

10am – 2pm Andy Bunch

10am – 8pm Roslyn McFarland

12noon – 4pm Susie Slanina

1pm – 4pm Ripley Patton

2pm – 6pm Tonya Macalino

2pm – 6pm Raymond Macalino

2pm – 6pm Damien Macalino (child author)

4pm – 8pm Pam Bainbridge-Cowan

4pm – 8pm Gregory E. Zschomler

6pm – 8pm Jeff Shermer

Sunday, Feb 23rd Authors

10am – 12noon Susie Slanina

10am – 2pm Tonya Macalino

10am – 2pm Raymond Macalino

10am – 2pm Damien Macalino (child author)

10am – 6pm Pam Bainbridge Cowan

10am – 6pm Andy Bunch

10am – 6pm Roslyn McFarland

12noon – 4pm Athena

2pm – 6pm Brad Cameron

2pm – 6pm Adam Copeland

2pm – 6pm Courtney Pierce

2pm – 6pm Maggie Lynch

Discount to the Home & Garden Show

Come out and see me, my books, other NIWA indie authors and their books and a whole lot more at the 2014 Portland Spring Home and Garden show.

We'll be selling and signing our books. And use the coupon for $2 off admission and FREE Parking!

Schedule Set for Portland Home & Garden Show

I'm scheduled to appear in the NIWA Booth at the Portland Home & Garden Show on the following dates at the times specified. My books will be available at all times Thursday through Sunday.

• Thursday, February 20, 2-6 p.m.
• Friday, February 21, 2-6 p.m.
• Saturday, February 22, 4-8 p.m.

Come on out and sample my RAGIN' CAJUN and CARIBBEAN JERK RUB seasonings, buy my new cookbook or one my other books, or one of the other NIWA author's books (or several) and have them signed.

Northwest Indepedant Writer's Association Symposium

If you are planning on coming to NIWA's Symposium on Independent Publishing, registration rates go up on Monday, Jan 25th, so get those registrations in ASAP! You can find all the information about Symposium here: http://www.niwawriters.com/2014-symposium.html   We have experts coming in from all over the Pacific Northwest. If you are looking to give your career a boost, or even just looking to get started, this will be the perfect place to start. I've pasted the program below, so you can take a peek.  Program for the 2014 NIWA Symposium Saturday, February 1st8:00 – 9:30 a.m.ary 1st writing          The Mark of the Indie: Head Hopping - Cleaning up Your POV publishing    Redefining Success: Introduction to Indie Publishing marketing     Indie Marketing 101: Establishing Your Branding, Message, and Audience 9:45 – 11:15 a.m. writing          Being Your Own Fact Checker: Tips and Methodologies for Research publishing    Writer, Editor, Proofreader, Designer: The Indie Writer's Guide to Wearing All Hats marketing     A Strong Foundation for Your Career: Building a Powerful Marketing Platform   11:30 – 12:30 p.m. writing          Writing Coach: Techniques for Stronger Prose publishing    Channel Surfing: Indie Distribution Platforms Analyzed marketing     Author as Entrepreneur: Writing a Powerful Marketing Plan 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Keynote Luncheon RUMORS OF OUR DEATH HAVE BEEN GREATLY  EXAGGERATED (The State of Our Industry) Mark Leslie Lefebvre  Writer, Bookseller, and Director of Self-Publishing & Author Relations for Kobo.com 1:45 – 2:45 p.m. writing          80,000 Words: Wrapping Your Head Around the Modern Novel publishing    Price Wars: The Great Debate marketing     Advanced Techniques: Viral Marketing   3:00 – 4:00 p.m. writing          Writing to Teach: Making Your Nonfiction Approachable publishing    Book as Product: Designing with Your Customer in  Mind marketing     Welcome to the Circus: Hand Sales and Book  Signings 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Awards Banquet  followed by Committees After-Party The stars of independent publishing shine tonight! The following awards will be presented: The Mike Chinakos Award for contributions to the industry, The Adam Copeland Award for contributions to the association, The NSQ Award of Excellence, and the NIWA Bookseller of the Year Award.  Your new Association Board of Directors will also be introduced. Following the Banquet, the new committee chairs will be hosting tables to gather your input and enthusiasm for this year’s projects. Be there to be heard! Sunday, February 2nd 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.                                  writing            Judge and Jury: How to Listen to Critiques without Writing by Democracy publishing     Basics of Book Design: Principles of Interior and Cover Design marketing     The Power of the Many: Your NIWA Membership as a Marketing Tool   9:45 – 11:15 a.m. writing          The Keeperless Gate: How Do You Know When Your Manuscript is Ready? publishing    Ebook Formatting: The Crash-Course marketing     Guerilla Marketing: Low Budget Strategies 11:30 – 12:30 p.m. writing            Point of Professional Pride: Preparing for the NSQ Review publishing    Writer as Publisher: Keeping Records, Licensing Issues, Copyrighting, and Other Ways to Keep Out of Trouble with the Law  marketing     Your Home on the Internet: Best Design Practices for Your Author Website 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Networking Luncheon By now your brain is bubbling over with brilliant ideas to bump your career to the next level. Take the time to run through your thought experiment with a fellow attendee. Get some feedback and walk away with a plan of action! 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. NIWA Author Showcase Reader, meet author. Author, meet reader! Attendees with NSQ-approved books are invited to set up shop (for additional $20 table fee) for a book-signing extravaganza and charitable funding-raising event benefiting local literacy. This year's beneficiaries are The Right Brain Foundation and The Library Foundation of Hillsboro. 4:00 – 4:30 p.m. NIWA Author Showcase Raffle Drawings Baskets donated by each author in the NIWA Author Showcase will be raffled off to a load of lucky winners, so be sure to stuff those ticket cups! Proceeds go to benefit The Right Brain Initiative and The Library Foundation of Hillsboro. Read more here! Speakers You Might Meet Our speakers include successful authors and publishing professionals from all over the Pacific Northwest. To learn more about them and the classes they'll be teaching, please check our speakers page.

NIWA has been awarded a Community Cultural Participation Grant by the CCWC funded by the Oregon Cultural Trust intended to support our efforts of promoting local arts and literacy at the 2014 Northwest Independent Writers Association Symposium on Indie Publishing.   NIWA serves writers looking to achieve professional standards in independent writing, publishing, and marketing. Whether you are strictly indie, traditionally published, or developing a hybrid of the two, discover how membership in NIWA can boost your career! Copyright © 2013 NIWA

Would You Like a Book to Go with Your Bulbs?

It's almost that time of the year again. The Portland Spring Home and Garden show is just around the corner and once again NIWA will have a Book Booth. I'll have my books stocked for sale with the many other fine Indie authors. I'll also be available for meet n' greets as well as signings per schedule (TBA). Plan now to come on out and enjoy the event. I think I'll showcase the cookbook!

Online News Media Post About NIWA Book Fair

This from The Daily Insider:

The Northwest Independent Writer’s Association (NIWA) announces the first annual NIWA Book Fair from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26, at Latte Da Coffee House and Wine Bar, 205 E. 39th St., Vancouver.

The event features the works of nine local indie authors in a variety of genres. Authors will have wares for sale and be available to meet readers of all ages and sign books.

The day is also the release date of “Playhouse Phantom”, the new and third volume of the Bayou Boys Adventure series by Ridgefield author Gregory E. Zschomler. The book, based on a true local story, will be available for the first time locally and celebrated with free giveaways. For more information contact gregory.zschomler@gmail.com.

Of Biscuits, Books and Bazaars

I, along with several other Northwest Independent Writers from NIWA, will be selling and signing our books next week at Latte Da Coffee House and Wine Bar. There should be about ten of us under the canopy of the covered patio from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.. There may be a fire burning in the fire pit. The beverages and breakfasts will be on, too. Come on out for breakfast and/or lunch. Here's what The Columbian says about their biscuits and gravy:

"Biscuits are made at Bleu Door Bakery, and the gravy is made in house. The biscuits were soft inside with a firm exterior, yet still manageable with a fork. The gravy was thick but not too heavy, with texture and flavor from a generous amount of sausage. A few larger crumbles topped off the dish. Although biscuits and gravy can vary from plain to herb-laden, this dish reflected a classic homemade recipe." Read their full review of Latte Da here.

We expect the sun to shine, so it will be a great day to enjoy.

This is the day of the Official Book Launch Party for PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM, too!

Note: After the Book Fair, I'll be sticking around to zombify neighborhood ghouls and boos at Latte Da's Halloween Party. Something they do for the community, free of charge. While I'll be doing makeups, they'll be lots of other fun activities and food.

Also Worthy of Note

It's that bizarre time of year when the bazaars come out. I'll be making my first appearance at one on

November 1 (and possibly a second on the 16th). Phil Silver (PB&J Author) and I will share a table at Vancouver's Best Christmas Bazaar at Clark County Christian Center on Mill Plain. That'll be 9-5. Check he link for all the details. This is the time time to get all three of the Bayou Boys books as a signed set for just $23. They'll make a great Christmas gift for a young (or young at heart) reader you know.

This from page 11 of the October Issue of Christian News Northwest:

WASHINGTON AUTHOR PRESENTS HIS LATEST WORK OF CHRISTIAN FICTION

Gregory Zschomler

"Vancouver, Wash.- Southwest Washington author Gregory Zschomler will celebrate the launch of his new work of Christian fiction for middle readers Saturday, Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Latte Da Coffee House, 205 E. 39th St.

"The third book in the Bayou Boys Adventure series is titled Playhouse Phantom and is a ghost story of sorts involving a supposedly haunted theater in the Garden District of New Orleans. The work of fiction is superimposed and based upon a real tale involving a theater in southwest Washington.

"Zschomler writes his faith-based works as alternatives to much of today's teen reading fodder. Though his titles seem rather nefarious, his writing is Christ-centered and teaches Christian values. Study guides are available for educators and Sunday schools.

"The other  books in the series, Voodoo Virus and Marsh Monster, along with the new title will be available for purchase and signing by the author. Find out more at http://gregoryezschomler.blogspot.com/"