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I know I’m in my own little world, but t

As a writer how many times have you thought this? The worlds I create, that I escape to are so cool! I am not me, boring little me. I am super-human, perfectness that everybody loves. I can do amazing things, I can kick-butt! I tell the students I talk to about writing: “Writing is magical! […]

Roman Numerals and Super Bowl XLIX

So I was watching the Super Bowl last night… for those who know me – they KNOW that would NEVER happen! But alas, I was invited to a Super Bowl party, so I studied up on football and went in ready to enjoy the game (and commercials and halftime show!). While watching the game I noticed […]

Remembering 9/11 from a Writers Perspect...

When I remember 9/11 – when I watch those scenes unfold as they replay in their compilation videos each year – I look at the faces of the people. I take in the trauma in the eyes of those walking stone statues covered in soot. I see the people running and feel their fear as they are terrified to turn around to see that billowing cloud of debris barreling towards them. I see the disorientation of the students standing next to President Bush, having smiled with excitement for this auspicious visit, only to hear a terrorist attack has taken place and not having a clue how to respond because even the teachers you look up to are flabbergasted.

Crazy an adjective for good

In 1570 the word crazy was used to describe someone who was diseased or sickly. In 1580 the word crazy described a person of unsound mind, or who was insane. Jump to today and crazy means cool or good. When did insane become cool? And let’s not forget about driving someone crazy. In the sixties, […]

I was interviewed by the Van Show!!

Award Winning Author Kathleen J Shields educational books

This was so much fun! I felt like I was 5 years old again and my dream of meeting the muppets had finally come true! I LOVE educating children and I LOVE talking about my books! Hollywood here I come (hint, hint). Watch other great author interviews on their website: library.austintexas.gov/literature-live/van

DEAR Texas Radio Interview Part 7

Interviewed by DEAR TEXAS Radio: Author Kathleen J. Shields tells all! In the past weeks I’ve posted short clips from my radio interview from Wimberley Valley Radio 94.1 FM KWVH and their latest show DEAR Texas Radio. These questions really dug down deep and in this interview question she’s asked about Her Guarded Desire.   […]

Car Wash for Dogs

The other day, while in Ohio visiting family, a conversation came up about a car wash in the neighborhood with a dog wash. As a writer and permanent child – can you imagine the visual that popped into my mind? When I was young, I fondly remember a full-service car wash, on Post Oak in […]

DEAR Texas Radio Interview Part 6

Interviewed by DEAR TEXAS Radio: Author Kathleen J. Shields tells all! The following short clips from my radio interview from Wimberley Radio 94.1 FM KWVH and their latest show DEAR Texas Radio. In this audio clip Kathleen is asked about the Kaitlyn Jones trilogy and she explains how Kaitlyn was her alter ego, a heroic […]

A Thank you letter from the kids

Award Winning Author Kathleen J Shields educational books hamilton troll

I just wanted to share this. I received it about a month ago and thought it was adorable. The Sunshine Cottage is a school for deaf children and the entire day was amazing! The technology, the children, the facility. I was quite impressed and very favorably received. It was a wonderful day – one I […]

It takes hard work, for this dance!

I love watching dance movies. Whether it is ballet, or hip hop, I simply love them. Why? Because the hero must endure. They must work hard, practice, face the challenges, keep struggling and then in the end – they succeed! They give the best performance of their life and win! It’s a feel-good moment that […]

Halloween Inspiration

Happy Halloween Everyone! I wasn’t sure I’d be able to write a post this Halloween – you see, this was my father’s favorite day of the year. I grew up with a dad who’d terrorize me with his many masks throughout the year in order to prepare me for the chaos that would ensue on […]

Using Amazon and Buy Now links

In this post I’m actually going to combine questions 8 and 10 together because they truly go hand in hand. Q. Do I need links to Amazon for my books on my author web site? A. I would! I would link to absolutely every bookstore and online shop I can. Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Powell […]

Inspiring Future Authors

Keep your eyes peeled for Deana, future author of a series of horse rescue stories, because this young author is letting her imagination Run Wild! I met Deana at the Utopia Fall Festival three years ago. She loved to read, wanted to write,  and was a joy to talk with. This was the year I […]

How to market your author website

While I am not an expert on marketing, I do know enough to get by. I know that a website that doesn’t change grows stagnant. I know that Google is going to drop you down if you don’t add new content every once in a while. And I know that a website takes work, a […]

The importance of keywords

Award Winning Author Kathleen J Shields educational books hamilton troll

Keywords are the words and phrases that Internet users type into search box of a search engine, such as Google, to find what websites that match what are looking for. Keywords are the same in books when you publish them. The keywords you choose for your book(s) is just as important as the keywords you […]

Author websites, yes or no?

In the coming weeks I’m going to be discussing author websites. There are many questions regarding whether you need one, what you should have on them and how to market them. This first question is about their necessity. Q. Is it necessary for an author or writer to have a web site? Why? A. If […]

How to market on a shoestring budget

A few weeks ago I was interviewed for a column and wanted to share some of my insight to help future authors. This industry, the book publishing industry is a challenging one. It is chock full of pitted roads and sharp turns and navigating those streets are not easy. But as a fellow author, one […]