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Recognitions

Joan McNulty Pulver

Welcome to Recognitions, a column dedicated to proclaim the writing successes of Writers' Village University members!

Miriam van Veen recently interviewed, Joan Fox, author of The Reluctant Duke, Tame My Heart, and Never Let Me Go for the romance website, Love Romances.

Joan, a valued member of Writers' Village University, joined this writing community about four years ago after taking two sessions of F2K, WVU's free writing class. She then became a "Lifer." Foxy, as she is affectionately called by her peers, said, "What a wonderful experience—right from the start. I have met so many good writer friends since that time. Being retired, I spend hours a day at the computer. My world is rather limited, but I can always 'talk' to someone at the WVU."

As a writer of historical, romantic fiction, Joan is working on two unfinished contemporaries that she expects to complete when time allows.

Her fourth novel is a sweet Regency. "It is my current work-in-progress, not completed as yet, but hopefully, it will be done soon. I will then edit/revise it. I plan to send it out sometime in June, and see if it finds a home!"

"I haven't taken classes at WVU lately because I've been writing for publication. I learned so much from those early classes. I really should sign up and refresh myself with a couple. I cut down and signed with only one study group—Hole in the Wall Gang. But I do pop into other groups, because I have good friends in most of them."

Joan invites to you visit to her website at Joan Fox where you will find a short bio plus some reviews, photos, and an excerpt from The Reluctant Duke. She says, "It needs to be updated, but I haven't been able to take the time right now. It was created for The Reluctant Duke, my debut novel. The sequel, Tame My Heart, will be published in the near future." Both books are e-published by Treble Heart Books. To find out more about Tame My Heart, including some reviews and the entire first chapter, visit the Romance Report website. Joan's third book, Never Let Me Go, is being published in November 2003 by Wings Press.

Dee Walmsley will soon be starring in her own cable TV show called "Dee's Den." She will not only be writing the scripts for the show, but will also be producing, directing, starring in, and editing it. The show will air on her local cable network, Delta Cablevision.

"I have produced a number of videos for DCTV and approached them with the concept of "Dee's Den" which will feature some of my stories. It also involves going out into the community to introduce kids to animals and learning things like milking a cow and what other benefits cows bestow upon us. My show will involve visiting the workings of an aquarium, wildlife shelter, riding stable for kids with disabilities, chicken ranch et al. Each half hour segment will be an educational tool."

In 1998, Dee took the F2K course and joined WVU and the Natural World and Misfits study groups. Describing her experience at Writers' Village University, Dee said, "I have benefited from good feedback. Then I learned how to critique, which I think, is just as necessary. I wrote and facilitated the nature courses and learned along with the students."

Dee's deep and abiding love of nature and of teaching children to respect the lessons of nature show in every word she writes. Although her work on two books—one about raccoons and the other a fictional novel, are gathering dust for the moment, she hopes one day to finish them. Dee would like a fairy editor to wave her magic wand over her computer and publish both of them. Knowing this is unlikely to happen, Dee said, "I'll keep visiting schools with my environmental workshops and plugging away at TV shows to educate the public on how to co-exist with urban wildlife and the impact we humans have on our environment."

Dee's advice to other writers: "Keep writing and try different genres. I firmly believe that one can do just about anything with a little determination and courage."

Charity Tahmaseb's short story, Paperback Romance, will be published in the October/November/December 2003 issue of Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine . Her romantic suspense, False Impressions, is a finalist in the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart contest.

When Charity heard that Paperback Romance was being published, she felt both very excited and relieved. Inspired by one of the Writing Boosters workshops at WVU, Charity wasn't sure where else she could send a story that involved a male romance writer, a pregnant woman, and a bank robbery.

"When I heard I was a finalist for the Golden Heart, it was complete disbelief. When I received the call, the first thing I said was, "You're kidding." The woman on the other end assured me she wasn't. Seeing my name in the press release and getting the official packet helped, but I'm still not totally convinced it's true."

Charity joined WVU in 1998 and eventually became a member of Mythic Madness, and she also facilitates the mystery course. She took F2K back when it was Fiction 98 and also mentored a few sessions of Fiction 99.

"The support and friendship I have received are fantastic, not to mention the sharp eyes of my study group. My manuscript had been in the submission process for two years as I tried to find an agent to represent it. I had essentially shelved it in favor of working on other projects. However, I decided, almost on a whim, to enter the Golden Heart. I did so in part because two very special critique partners continued to believe in the story."

Sherri Arnold won the Suspense Me contest at Novel Advice. Her short story, Voices in the Rain, was posted on its website in January 2003. "I received the email notifying me that I had won first place on Christmas Day. Talk about a Christmas present—I was floating the rest of the day. Everyone got so tired of hearing about the contest, but I just couldn't stop talking about it."

Alien Skin Magazine, an online magazine, accepted Sherri¹s flash fiction story, Red Sky, to be published in the June issue. "This is the first story I've had accepted for publication. When I received the email about this I was ecstatic. The first thing I did was tell my family and they just didn't get how I could be so excited over 1/2 cent a word. Then I emailed all my writing buddies and they shared my enthusiasm. I guess it takes a writer to appreciate a sale so small."

Sherri took the F2K, which she says helped her learn so much in sensory details, one of the things she finds difficult. Sherri joined WVU a little over three years ago and became a member of the Shadow Land study group.

"Interaction with this group has been invaluable to me and has helped me grow as a writer. WVU has helped me learn so much about writing. There are so many classes to take that I will never complete them all. One thing I like about these classes are that they are available to take with a group at scheduled times, but the classes are also available anytime to take on an individual basis. WVU keeps me motivated and excited about my writing. The support here has given me the encouragement I need. I would advise every writer to join this group."

She is currently rewriting a dark fantasy novel, titled Dark Regions, which she hopes to finish by the end of the year.

Congratulations, Foxy, Dee, Charity, and Sherri. We wish you continued success in all your writing endeavors.

We look forward to reading about your writing accomplishments in this column. If you or someone you know received recognition for writing, please send the information to recognitions@wvu.org.  Let us know!