Horse Stories Wanted!

I'm searching for more horses to include in my fourth book of the BELOVED HORSES series. The theme will be horses in second careers and will feature both famous and backyard horses.

So many wonderful horses have lived two lives. Some start their younger years on the racetrack and later train as show horses. Or show horses become therapy mounts, Western cutting horses retire to trail riding and school horses end up as family pets. College equestrian programs and police mounted troops are always seeking and receiving horses who retired from a previous life. I’d love to share with horse lovers young and old stories about those special horses.

My horse books are illustrated collections of true short stories describing the unique bonds between horses and their riders. The anecdotes are amazing, amusing and inspirational. The third book of the series, BELOVED SPORT HORSES released in 2007, features a variety of equine athletes including Belladonna ridden by Katie Prudent.

I'll be meeting horse owners while on my Equestrian Book Tour from September 19th through 27th starting from Tampa. I'll be stopping at independent book stores and tack shops along the way in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Connecticut. Follow my travels here where I'll be posting locations where I stop.

I'll conduct interviews in person and by e-mail beginning January 2010, but I'm building a list of contacts now. Submitters receive a complimentary copy upon publication. To learn more about the books, visit http://www.sharonminer.com/ and http://woogiestravels.blogspot.com/.

To submit a horse for consideration, e-mail me at sharonminer@yahoo.com with a brief description of the horse and its skills.

Happy Trails!

More Young Artists!

I had so much fun at Wilson's Books in St. Petersburg today! Met several animal lovers including the young artists above.

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Mary Grace drew a Golden Retriever in the top photo. Jordan colored a couple horse sketches from Beloved School Horses. And Bella (with me) drew her two pets. They all received free gifts.

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Thank you for sharing your coloring talents with me!

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Many thanks to Jeff Morris, owner of this lovely independent bookstore. It was founded by his mother 39 years ago. There are separate sections for each genre and stocks an amazing amount of used book titles! Be sure to visit Wilson's Books on 2394 Dr. ML King St N when in St. Petersburg, FL. He takes books in trade too!

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If you would like me to attend a book signing at your special event , e-mail me at sharonminer@yahoo.com with your request! I also speaks about the craft of writing at school visits - no charge!

Labor Day Saturday Book Signing & Art Show!

A call for Young Artists for the "Ponies & Puppies" Contest!

I'll be at Wilson's Books on Dr. M.L.King St in St. Petersburg, Florida on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009 from 11 am - Noon for a special Labor Day Saturday Event. Along with readings, face/hand paintings and book signings I'm once again asking young artists to draw a horse or dog for a prize!

The winner of the horse category will win one of the BELOVED HORSES series and the dog category will receive WOOGIE’S TRAVELS – LOOKING FOR A FRIEND. Children through age 16 years old may submit their entry at Wilson’s Fine Books on 2394 Dr. Martin Luther King St. from now until noon on September 5th, when winners will be announced. Results will also be posted on this blog after the event.

My horse books are illustrated collections of true short stories describing the unique bonds between horses and their riders. The anecdotes are amazing, amusing and inspirational. The third book of the series, BELOVED SPORT HORSES released in 2007, features several equines from Florida. I'm looking for more horse owners to interview for the fourth book in the series to be released in 2010. Submitters receive a complimentary copy upon publication. To learn more about my books, visit http://www.SharonMiner.com and http://woogiestravels.blogspot.com.

Infinity Writer's Conference

I'll be attending the Saturday workshop of the Infinity Publishing’s 10th Annual Express Yourself…™Gathering of Authors Friday, September 25 – Sunday, September 27, 2009Park Ridge Hotel and Conference Center, Valley Forge, PA

Infinity has been publishing my books since 2004, and this will be the third conference I've attended. They focus on marketing your book and have a wonderful panel of speakers.

From their site:

Infinity’s 10th annual “Express Yourself…” event is now transformed into an enticing Gathering of Authors. This will be same high-caliber and quality event we have earned a reputation for in the publishing community as well as the acclaim of authors. But, instead of the conference format of panels and seminars in meeting rooms arranged in classroom style, our Gathering of Authors attendees will participate in dynamic discussion circles facilitating dialogue on timely publishing topics. Indeed a more fluid alignment for brainstorming specific book promotion challenges and talking about how to benefit the most from exposure opportunities. At the beginning of each session an expert or two on the topic will make opening remarks suitable for expanding upon by the group. This interactive arrangement increases the flow of beneficial information – more takeaway ideas for promoting your book.

Visit http://www.authorsconference.com/ to learn more and register.