Part Two of The Book Asylum with Author Laura Kaighn

               

 

There is a little shop up in Blackwood, New Jersey that sells old and new books. The Book Asylum is located on 26 N. Blackhorse Pike and I’ve been to this little gem several times in the last two years. There is something special about this little shop that also hosts a café with damn good coffee, teas and bakery goods. Yummy! And, the reason for this good feeling is due to the owners Jeff and Rosemary Moore. You can find my interview of them, here.

                                                                

Today, I’m interviewing Laura Kaighn, who is a published author, a professional storyteller and a pretty amazing woman. Best of all, she is a very good friend. Laura and I both belong to the South Jersey Writers’ Group, but she is also co-facilitator of The Book Asylum’s Writing Group. This is Laura’s site: http://www.ladyhawkestorytelling.com

Steampunk Granny Chats with Author Laura Kaighn

Marie: “Hi Laura. Surprise! I wanted to interview you before you began the meeting with the group. What is the name of your group here at The Book Asylum?”

Laura Kaighn: “We call ourselves “The Book Asylum Writers” or the “Asylumites” for short. Word doesn’t like how it’s spelled, but I said the heck with it.”

Marie: “How often does your group meet, here?”

Laura: “Actually, there are two parts to the writers’ group. Mine, in which we focus on writing, critiquing, feedback and little mini workshops on the writing process and concepts such as plot and character development, and all that stuff. We meet on the first Thursday of every month. There is another woman, who is a retired art teacher named Pam Laurenzi. She comes in for journaling. She gets them writing, but it’s not organized where they have to have a theme for the night. Pam gets them to write and they share what they’ve written around the table. All positive feedback, and they have a good time. And that’s it.

                                                                  

So, depending on what you want to experience as a writer or to grow as a writer, you decide if you want to come to one or the other, or both. It’s very open, and Pam is very good. She’s a sweet lady. She switched days with me because I was originally doing the third Thursday, but that is when the South Jersey Writers’ Group meets. Pam was willing to switch with me so that I could attend the meetings while she was here doing her thing here. That’s the writing group, I call myself the co-facilitator because I bow to her since she was here first.

It started with Johanna Swank. She’s a member of the South Jersey Writers’ Group. When she was finished with her workshops, she asked if we wanted to stay as a writers’ group. Everybody thought that was a great idea. At that time, I had poked myself in towards the end, and she asked me if I could take over. First it was only going to be the one night when she couldn’t make it; but before you knew it, I was here. I’ve been here every first Thursday.”

Marie: “How many people are there in the group?”

Laura: “Overall, we have around twenty-one, but luckily not all twenty-one people show up for the meeting. I keep in contact with them through e-mails. We have a core group of about five writers that are here pretty much every time. And again, some don’t necessarily come to my group. They’ll go to Pam’s because they are interested in just journaling without any end product, like a book or memoir.”

                                                             

Marie: “So, on your end are you trying to help people get published?”

Laura: “Well, just to be better writers. I help them with whatever they are interested in. I have an entire list of topics that we’ll touch upon from time to time. If they have an interest, I’ll put together a bunch of stuff. And then we’ll do a writing exercise. I’ll show them examples, or they’ll give me examples. We’ll critique and go over where their weakness and strengths are: grammar, punctuation, dialogue, character development. You know, whatever. So I’ll periodically bring that list up again and say, “Okay! We’re just playing ‘Swap & Share’ all the time and reading aloud.  Now, let’s get back into the writing process. What do you want to attack, next?”

I know that I’m going to have to touch upon Point of View again, because that’s a bit complicated for those who are interested in writing fiction. We have a couple of people that are interested in memoir, but not a lot of poetry. Even my other group at the Margaret Heggan Library; they’re not really interested in poetry, but memoirs mostly and autobiographies. One member over there is writing a cookbook with family stories. She keeps getting sidetracked with her ninety-three year old mother. I said to her, “You better get back here.” It’s a diverse group between the two venues and I enjoy their company. I learn from them as much as I think I guide them.”

Marie: “You’re a busy person because you have several books published and you are busy doing book signings and also doing presentations. When is your next presentation?”

Laura: “I don’t have anything scheduled at this point. But because it is the beginning of the year, that is the topic that I’ll be broaching with both groups. I want to know what they want to take away from this and what instructions I can guide them through that will make them stronger writers. We will be picking more topics. I have a list of strengths and challenges. What I do is: I’ve collected their works in a recent assignment. I took them home, checked them over and made a list of where I saw that they needed help. We are definitely going to be touching upon dialogue, grammar rules, using good verbs, good adjectives, strong subjects and all that stuff. I’ll do sentence structure and dividing up sentences so they aren’t rambling on. Just those things that I saw some needed help on.”

Group Member, Claudia: “I tend to ramble.”

Laura: “I do too. I end up with long, long sentences and then when I go back to proof-read, I go, “You’ll run out of air by the time you get to the finish. It’s time to break it up!” So, yeah, that is what we do a lot of. We write, and then we look at our writing. It’s not just writing, “Oh this is wonderful. I love it.” You need more specific feedback if you want to get better. We help each other with the critiquing. But once in a while, I’ll bring them all home and give them a more thorough once over.

If you are a strong writer, yourself, you can step back a little bit and see some things that other people missed because they are focusing on the story or focusing on the grammar and it’s hard to do both, plus focus on the dialogue and word choice and sentence structure. That’s why there are four different editors to go through when you get a book published. There is the copy editor, the line editor, the proof reader and...”

Marie: “The developmental editor, right?”

Laura: “Yes, exactly, which is the first one to see it. That’s a lot to think about. So, I do what I can.”

Marie: “Well, you’re having fun and it’s a great coffee shop/ book store to have these meetings at.”

Laura: “Oh yeah. Jeff and Rose are such wonderful people to have us here, and they let us talk loud.  When we are at the library, we’re in the conference room. So we just shut the door and we laugh and don’t worry about anyone shushing us or having the librarian shaking her finger at us.”

Rosemary: “I love when they do Mad-Libs.”

Laura: “Yes, we do Mad-Libs. When I did substitute teaching, I always had at least three activities just in case the teacher didn’t leave materials and I couldn’t do a lesson. I would say, “Hey, let’s do this.”  I always had my goody bag, like these which I got from ‘Toys R Us’ while Christmas shopping.” Laura hands me one of the flip books to look over. “One is Story Starter, the other is Silly Starters and this is Creative Thinking. It’s slated for grades first to third, but you just throw it out and write a journal entry. It’s challenging.”

                                                                 

Marie: “I know you do storytelling events. When is the next event?”

Laura: “It’s not a public event because of it being so early in the season, but I’m happy to say that Rabbit’s Tale and Other Rites of Passage has been accepted by the Spring Hills Senior Living Centers, and there are eight facilities, mostly on the east coast from Florida up to Connecticut.  Once a month, they are reading, sharing and doing activities based on one of my stories. Last month, for December, it was “Dad’s Charlie Brown Tree” because it was Christmas. This month, in fact next week on January 12^th, I’ll be going to the Cherry Hill facility and reading “Tornado Child”. It’s the story about my three year old little sister who got into my room and wrecked it. In February, because of Chinese New Year, I’ll be doing the story, “Holding up the Sky” which is based on a Chinese fable. “

Marie: “Are there any public events?”

Laura: “In the summer, I’ve already booked a program for the Burlington County College on July 15^th for the summer reading program. It’s at 5 Pioneer Blvd. in Westampton and here are the directions.” http://home.comcast.net/~ladyhawkestorytelling/site/?/event/view/110/

Marie: “People can check on your calendar of events on your site?”

Laura: “It’s not up yet, but there will be more events posted between now and then. The only ones that I post on my website are the ones that are public.”

Marie: Thank you Laura for taking the time from tonight’s meeting to chat with me. For all my followers out there, you can find all of Laura’s works here:  http://home.comcast.net/~ladyhawkestorytelling/site/?/page/Writer%27s_Portfolio%3A_A_Collection_of_Works/

Steampunk Granny's Interview of Bruce Capoferri

                                                             

 

                                 

As you all know, I've recently published my first book, Roof Oasis. It's the first of a series and it's a love story that takes place during the apocalypse. As one of my friends from the South Jersey Writers' Group, James Knipp explained during a book signings for our group's first anthology, "Marie's story is Romeo and Juliet meets "The Walking Dead" done by Jules Vern." 

 

                                                                             

 

But I'm not the only one with good news! Hypothetical Press which was edited my Amy Holiday and Jessica A. Walsh has published their first anthology, Reading Glasses. Hypothetical Press is the publishing arm of The South Jersey Writers' Group and I'll be interviewing all the authors featured in Reading Glasses here on my blog.

 

My first guest is Bruce Capoferri. Bruce Capoferri sells automobiles, but enjoys writing stories and songs in his spare time and is currently working on a novel. He has four autobiographical stories published in Primo Magazine and one in Buona Salute. He lives with his wife, Barbara, and cat, Krikat.

                                                             

Marie Gilbert: Thank you, Bruce, for taking the time to do this interview. I’m happy to meet you and we have a few questions for the people out there. What got you started in writing? What was your inspiration to take pen to paper? What authors inspire you?

 

Bruce Capoferri: I have always been a story teller.  But I have to thank Miss Shepherd, my eighth grade English teacher, for recognizing it and encouraging me.  I wrote a short story entitled The Paradise Lost Affair that she edited and submitted to a teacher’s magazine and got published.  I wish I had gotten a copy of it, because it was the first time I was recognized for having some talent.  I must also blame - I mean, thank - my fantastic coach and brother-in-law, Glenn Walker, for coaxing me into putting my stories down on paper and submitting them to magazines. I have to thank my wonderful wife, Barbara, for introducing me to HP Lovecraft, Phillip K Dick and a host of other fantasy and science fiction writers. Barbara is a children’s librarian and constantly supplies me with a wide variety of fodder for my imagination.

Marie Gilbert: What type of stories do you enjoy writing about?

Bruce Capoferri: The first few stories I got published were autobiographical.  I truly enjoy documenting my slightly askew memories of growing up next to my Italian grandparents in Elm, NJ.  But fantasy and science fiction is right up there as well.  I guess it’s because I can make my characters say and do whatever my devious mind dreams up.  I am in the process of finishing the last few chapters of my first novel and I’m enjoying wreaking mayhem and chaos so much I’m having difficulty reaching the conclusion.

Marie Gilbert: Where did you get the inspiration for this story?

Bruce Capoferri: The inspiration for ‘The Malocchio’ sprang from the Italian belief that someone can impart bad luck upon a rival or enemy with a malevolent glance. Over the years I have also heard this curse referred to as ‘The Maloiks’ or ‘The Maloikies’.  But, no matter how you may pronounce it, my story takes this old world superstition to a more deadly level.

Marie Gilbert: Amy mentioned that you are working on a novel. Could you tell us a little about that?

Bruce Capoferri: “The Children of God and Men” sprang from a conversation I had with my cousin, Sandy Core, at a family reunion.  She mentioned that a short story I had written and shared with her titled “Hitching a Ride on Borrowed Time” reminded her of an excerpt from the book of Genesis in the Bible. It portends that Angels (known as The Watchers) were sent to Earth by God to supervise the development of man-kind.  But finding the women of men attractive, the Angels took as many of the women as they wanted for wives resulting in the births of giants and men of renown (also known as Nephilim). In my research I discovered the banned ‘Book of Enoch’ and then really became intrigued. The book allows me the opportunity to explore comparative religions and how world-wide myths and legends have shaped multi-cultural beliefs. If you enjoy reading stories about conspiracy theories, ancient alien influences and Native American prophecy mixed with apocalyptic action, you will love my book.  By the way, did I mention it is also a dark comedy?

Marie Gilbert: Do you belong to a writers’ group? If so, why and if not, why?

Bruce Capoferri: I'd like to consider myself a member of the South Jersey Writer’s Group because it is the only one who has recognized me. It will also be the first entity to publish one of my stories in a hardback book. The difficulty I have is time to attend meetings.  This is because I am a full time automobile salesman and work most evenings.  I do my best to keep in touch with what is going on, however, and read Writer’s Digest and similar publications. 

Marie Gilbert: Was this the first kickstarter that you ever participated in? What was it about our kickstarter that made you want to help out?

Bruce Capoferri: Although I have submitted my manuscripts to various contests, this was the first one of this type.

Marie Gilbert: Thank you Bruce for doing this interview

Bruce Capoferri: I want to thank everyone at South Jersey Writer’s Group and the Hypothetical Press for making my dream a reality.

 

I hope you enjoyed learning about Bruce Capoferri and in a few days, I'll be posting another interview with J. Keller Ford, another author featured in Reading Glasses.

                                                                        

 

You can find Roof Oasis  on Amazon. com and on kindle.

You can find Reading Glasses on Smashwords, for Kindle, Nook, iBook downloads and more.

Our group will be doing many book signings over the next few months. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by and say hello. We'll have plenty of books to choose from: Tall Tales and Short Stories from South Jersey (our group's first anthology) What to Expect When You're Dead by John Farquhar, Reading Glasses (A collection of speculative short fiction by Hypothetical Press), and Roof Oasis by Marie Gilbert.

 

                                                                          

Writing and Sharing Ideas Over Coffee

I'm having some "me" time with my fellow members of the South Jersey Writers' Group. We are at Audubon, New Jersey's Treehouse Coffee Shop and we are all either working on our blogs, or learning how to set up a blog, or writing period.

Our President is at one table helping new bloggers set up a blog and giving helpful hints on how to manage and share their posts. While Amy Hollinger is busy doing this, Glenn Walker is doing his normal saintly duties by helping the rest of us bloggers who are a bit tech challenged.

All in all, it was a very productive day for all who attended our monthly Blog Fest. If you want to learn more then check out the South Jersey Writers' Group Blog  http://south-jersey-writers.blogspot.com

Steampunk Granny interviews the Fabulous Dawn Byrne

                                                     

 

Dawn Byrne and I are both friends and members of the South Jersey Writers’Group and both of us have stories featured in the group’s first anthology, Tall Tales and Short Stories from South Jersey We have traveled many places this past year promoting the book, and people up and down the Jersey highways and byways know us as Super D and Super G.

                                                         

                
                     Dressed up for the Novel Idea Author Fair                                       

It is quite an adventure for both of us whenever to go to a book signing. We love meeting new people, and this year we have met so many new friends; some have even joined our group. Since neither of us have a great sense of direction, even with GPS, we consider ourselves New Jersey’s version of Lewis and Clark.  

                                                                           
                                       

  

 

 

Dawn is a very talented writer, but she’s been so busy promoting others, that I figured it was time to shine the light on her. So, to all my followers out there, please allow me to introduce you to the best sidekick, ever, Dawn Byrne.

                                                                

       
              Dawn, Marie and Bob at the Novel Idea Autumn Authors Fair

 

Marie Gilbert: Dawn, thank you for joining me on Gilbertcuriosities. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

Dawn Byrne: In a nutshell: An inspirational writer who also writes memoir, humorous slices of life and family fiction. My four adult children live nearby, and my husband and I are expecting our third grandbaby.  I've taught Sunday School for years, volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, facilitate the Juliette Writers' Group and am also a member of two other writing groups. It's difficult to breath when I don't read daily, and leaving a small carbon footprint is essential.

                                                                   

Marie Gilbert: What type of stories do you like to write?

Dawn Byrne: Writing about families and their relationships comes natural for me.  They say write what you know.  Coming from a large family and raising my own, that's what I know.  I get to tattle on them and call it fiction.

Marie Gilbert: What inspires you to write?

Dawn Byrne: I'm a smelly artist.  Odors trigger my subconscious that spews ideas onto the page.  Then I consciously piece them together like the jigsaw puzzles I put together with my mother and grandmother.  Of course, my family inspires me because that's who I write about.  Memories of my grandmother help me shoot humor onto the page, especially when I'm targeting her in my tale.

 

Marie Gilbert: You’ve been published in the South Jersey Writers‘ Group’s first anthology, but you also have stories published in Chicken Soup for the Soul. Tell us what stories have been published and what inspired you to write these two stories?

                                                             

                                                               Grandma

 

Dawn Byrne: The piece I wrote for, "Tall Tales and Short Stories from South Jersey" is a series of slices of life that feature Grandma as the lead character.  And Grandma was one quirky character.  My empty nest story in, "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories for Wives" is obviously about my husband, who still isn't comfortable with my public tattling.  "Chicken Soup for the Soul: It's Christmas" has my story about being in cahoots with my husband to steal his sister's baby Jesus decoration and saying "nana-nana" to her all year long.  That was fun for the whole family.
                                                

Marie Gilbert: Do you plan on submitting more stories to Chicken Soup for the Soul?
 

Dawn Byrne: Chicken Soup for the Soul may get sick of reading my stories because I enjoy writing for their audience.  My daughters and I have read Chicken Soup stories for years, so we're their audience too.  I'll submit a story to any title this publication is working on that I have a story for.  If inspirational is what you write, send your story to them too.  Chicken Soup welcomes new writers.

                                                              

Marie Gilbert: You and another member of the SJWG are in charge of the Critique Group. Tell us what is involved? What are some of the rewards of doing this worthwhile project? What makes you crazy? Has this project helped with your own writing?

Dawn Byrne: Critique guru here: I preach to writers how helpful suggestions on specific parts and aspects of their work in progress improves craft and growth.  The South Jersey Writer's Group's critique sessions happen every month of the year.  It's the perfect give and take situation.  Each participant submits their work for that session to either me or the other facilitator via attachment in an email.  We make sure everyone in the group receives a copy of each participant's work to critique two weeks before we meet to discuss the works.

                                                                                             

Even though sessions can be humbling, our format has worked well over the last nineteen months.  Participants are sent critique etiquette rules so that everyone's on the same page.  Criticism and a helpful suggestion are two very different things.  One is accepted, the other isn't.  Those who repeatedly don't show, are late or come unprepared aren't serious writers and aren't welcome.  This hasn't been a problem lately.  Our members are great. My devotional piece for Chicken Soup went through critique. As a result, I made significant changes before sending it in. This group is vital for me because it gives me a deadline to come up with something new. Also they point out the holes in my work that I don't see and don't wantan editor to see. They point out information fauxpas I've made that would also embarrass me.  
 

Marie Gilbert: If you were able to meet with any famous writers; living or dead, who would you pick?

 Dawn Byrne: A critique participant told me that my writing had an Erma Bombeck feel to it. This confirmed my suspicions about my stories.  Would be nice talking with her.  And chatting with James Thurber would be a hoot.  A fellow writer years ago in my first writer's group gave me a copy of, "The Thurber Carnival" for Christmas.  He said these writings came to his mind when he read my first Grandma vignette.

Marie Gilbert: Any advice for a new writer starting out?

Dawn Byrne: New writers, like professional ones, need support and accountability.  Become part of a writing community or start one yourself.  Go to libraries and coffeehouses and listen to author panel discussions and attend book signings.  Talk with the authors afterwards.  At any free or low fee workshop, author-speak, book festival, writing conference or retreat-I'll be there. Hope to see you too.

                                                                     

Well now we all had a chance to learn about the fabulous Dawn Byrne aka Super D. You can find her on these sites and look for both of us and our other sidekick, Super B (Bob Cook). You never know when you’ll bump into us. We’ll be the ones selling books.
You can find Dawn on Facebook, Linkedin and http://dawnbyrne.yolasite.com/

Steampunk Granny interviews Terri Louise about Lone Wolfe

                                                      

You meet the nicest people when you’re a writer and, I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing a few amazingly talented writers. Writers are story tellers and the tales we tell are sometimes plucked from our vivid imaginations, but more often from personal experience. Terri Louise has so graciously agreed to be a guest on my blog and tell us about her new book “Lone Wolfe”.

                                                                 

Marie Gilbert: “Thank you Terri for joining me and my followers. Tell us all about Terri Louis.”

Terri Louise:  “Well, Terri is a mom, a grandmother, a gardener, a dog owner and a lover of the mountains. After a horrid divorce from my ex-husband, I bought a new computer and started writing. I was determined to make that dream come true…And so…I did.”

                                                                    

Marie Gilbert: “When did you start writing and who influenced you?”

Terri Louise: “I’ve been writing for most of my life. I had a few stories published in our local newspaper, but until I got into my eight grade year in middle school, I didn’t have the passion. My favorite teacher helped light the flame and off I went with a dream.”

Marie Gilbert: “Tell us about the book.”

Terri Louise: “My latest book is “Lone Wolfe”. Perfectly spelled incorrectly, just the way he was. Perfectly imperfect! It is about my best friend and his death. How it affected me and my whole family and what happened after he was gone. Although Mr. Bill was gone, we had many things occur that would not have if not for him, and we learned that maybe he wasn’t all the way gone.”

                                                              

Marie Gilbert: “Did you go traditional publishing or self- publishing?”

Terri Louise: “I self-published on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Kobo.” http://www.amazon.com/terri-louise/e/B0071A7879q/REF=sr

                                                                    

Marie Gilbert: “How are you using social media to promote your book?”

Terri Louise: “I don’t overdue the social media, but I do use Twitter and Facebook and about me to advertise what I have for readers.”

Marie Gilbert: “Do you belong to a writers’ group?”

                                                       

                              Terri Louise traveling across America
Terri Louise: “I have several writers’ groups that I am in. I’m not as socially active as I would like to be, but for the time being it will have to do. I am in Authors and Book Lover Discussion group, Lori R. Lopez and Friends, ASMSG, Pimping Indie and Book Summit Talk and Giveaway for Readers. I enjoy all of them.”

Marie Gilbert: “What encouraging words would you like to say to new writers who are just starting out?”

Terri Louise: “Just write! Even if you can only get one word out a day…Write! And one day at a time, you will find your way to being published.

Thank you so much for joining me as a guest on my blog, Terri Louise. For all my readers, you can find Terri Louise on Facebook, Twitter and About me.  Her blog site: http://gradergalbooks.wordpress.com/

Check out her book. “Lone Wolfe”

An Interview with the Ladies of LITERATIPOP

                                                                   

                        


I have very talented grandchildren; nine of them, and each one amazing. Okay, I know what you'll say, "All grandmothers think that their grandkids are amazing." True, but this post is not only about my granddaughter Kitty Bergeron, but her equally talented and amazing friends and co-creators of LITERATIPOP.

Kitty not only led me to a great writing group South Jersey Writers Group, but she's published in the groups' first anthology, Tall Tales and Short Stories from South Jersey...yeah, I'm going to brag a bit about her and her friends.

This past weekend was the big launch party of  LITERATIPOP. So join me now as I interview these lovely and talented ladies, Kitty Bergeron, Lynn Bee, Kylee Justine, and  Lyzzy Redd

Q: What is LITERATIPOP?

                                                                 

Kitty Bergeron: LITERATIPOP does two things. The first thing we have is a boot camp for writers, which is a cycle of giving and receiving constructive criticism on writing done by members. The second thing we do is take something usually academic – substantial literature – and making it more relatable and accessible to more people but putting it in a more familiar context with the likes of music, movies, fashion, photography, and other art forms, and how they are all in the same category.  We also encourage writers to experiment with other art forms, not only for the joy of doing something creative, but how it improves their writing.

                                                                        

K. Lynn Bee: “LITERATIPOP is about making literature a part of the art cycle of inspiration. We often see other art forms interact and inspire each other, but literature is never a part of that. So we're here to change that.” I absolutely love the way that [Kitty and Kylee] worded it—I seriously can’t put it better myself. LITERATIPOP is all about merging the arts.

                                                                       

Kylee Justine: LITERATIPOP is an intense writing website that encourages authors to use other art forms to inspire their writing. Members can swap critiques on each other's stories, improve their writing, chat with other serious authors, and learn about the influences of other art. We also have a monthly Artist Ambassador, which is an artist who can post their work to the site for a select month. They can comment on members' stories to give an opinion from a different point of view.

                                                                    

Lyzzy Redd: LITERATIPOP is an art and literature-inspired website that draws on these inspirations in order to critique budding writers. Its focus is to stimulate creative senses and show how art and literature go hand-in-hand with each other.

Q: Who are the people behind LITERATIPOP? Tell us something about each one of you and how you all met.

Kitty Bergeron: LITERATIPOP was initially my idea, but I built it with the help of Kylee, Lyzzy, and K. Lynn. We all had met on another site together where Lyzzy and I were moderators. Kylee and K. Lynn Bee were just members, but they worked very hard, whether it was writing constructive criticism on other people’s writing, or for the magazine, Literati Quarterly, and the quality of was always high. I saw a lot of leadership potential in both off them, so I asked them if they were interested, and both said yes. I’m so lucky to have such a hard-working, talented team to help this happen.

As for myself, I write mostly realistic fiction, but with something darker or twisted. The horrors of reality are my biggest inspiration – I couldn’t make up some of that stuff of if I tried.

K. Lynn Bee: My name is Karalynn Blatchford but my pen name to K. Lynn Bee. I have big dreams that seem to always be unstable. But there are two constant things in my life; my love for Jesus and my passion for writing. By His will, I’m able to intertwine both. I met Kitty, Lyzzy and Kylee on another writing website where things didn’t quite work out. Not long after Kitty approached me with her fabulous idea. I’m ever so grateful to be a part of it!

Kylee Justine: Hi, my name is Kylee Justine. I write general fiction, fantasy and adventure stories. In my spare time I love to read, run, play basketball and pick apart people's brains. I can't live without my laptop and my favorite books include the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, and Looking for Alaska by John Green.

I met the other admins on a website originally named Literati Sedition. After the website closed down, we wanted to start a new website, which would involve the intense critiquing factor but also bring other forms of art into the creative process.  

Lyzzy Redd: Hey, I'm Lyzzy Redd! I'm primarily a fantasy writer (who occasionally delves into other genres). I write to uncover my unconscious thoughts and desires and maybe reflect on those to help others perceive their own. On a lighter note, I'm a huge Harry Potter fan, and that's what got me interested in writing! As for all of us meeting, we all used to be members on another writing website. Sadly, that one fell through. We reconnected when Kitty brought forth the idea of LITERATIPOP and have been working together on it ever since then. 

Q: What type of stories do you feature on your site?

Kitty Bergeron: If you’re looking for a formal list of what we do/don’t allow to post, you can visit this page. But I’ll let the other admins elaborate more.

K. Lynn Bee: Fiction of all colors shapes and sizes. Science fiction, realistic fiction, fantasy, horror, romance, mystery, and so forth.

Kylee Justine: All genres are accepted! Also, both short stories and novels are welcomed.

Lyzzy Redd: Fiction! So give us your insane fantasies, your deep science fiction, your touching realism, and more! As long as it's not for too young of an audience or too "mature" of an audience, you're set. 

Q: What are your long term goals with this site?

Kitty Bergeron: LITERTATIPOP is something very special to me, and I hope it inspires a new period in literature. The next era in history is always a reaction to the previous. This is my reaction to how the writing world responds to outside influences.  I understand coming from just a nobody on the internet it’s quite a statement, but you can watch other creative fields have done this. The most well-known examples of today are probably Lady Gaga and her ARTPOP app, Jay-Z’s art film Picasso Baby and Kanye West on his latest album, Yeezus.  While it’s certainly debatable if they’re original, substantial, or if they’re simply being pretentious, it’s important to see other art forms interacting with each other. We hope to ignite something similar, but with more inclusion, clarity, and joy! 

K. Lynn Bee: For varieties of artists to express themselves in varieties of art.

Kylee Justine:  We hope to encourage other writers to draw influences in from other artists. We want to create a website where authors can improve their writing with help from other authors.

Lyzzy Redd: We all hope LITERATIPOP will be around for a long time. We want to help others and ourselves continually find new ways to connect art with literature and put that in our own prose.

Q: And finally, what does LITERATIPOP look for in applying members?

Kitty Bergeron: I was going to write an answer, but I saw Lyzzy’s response and it was all I would have said. Have it, honey.

Lyzzy Redd: Dedication, good work ethic, someone who's willing to learn and share their knowledge and won't put others down for not being as competent as they may be. That being said, we strive for a positive environment, something people can look forward to when they log on to review each other!

I want to thank all four of you lovely ladies for being a guest on my blog and I'm sure that all my followers will now be following you.
For all my friends out there, take a few minutes to check out LITERTATIPOP