and the winner is…

Thank you to all the mother writers who submitted essays as part of the Use Your Words virtual book tour. And congratulations to the finalists!! I’m so grateful for your words. One essay celebrated the birth of a third child, a son. One described the bittersweet and terrifying preparation of leaving the NICU with oxygen tanks…

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why the river teeth conference is the best writing conference out there

I spent the weekend of May 18-20 at the inaugural River Teeth Nonfiction Conference at Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio, and let me tell you: It was the best conference I’ve ever attended. Why? Well, I’ll tell you. Here are the Top Ten Reasons that the River Teeth Conference Rocks: 1. It’s small. (Seriously, have you…

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must read: last tour post

I’m sitting at my desk in my cubicle at work, which I probably shouldn’t admit since I’m on the clock (though honestly, I don’t take smoke breaks or even lunch breaks, so I think I’m okay). Anyway, I’m sitting here with tears running down my face.  I have no shame. I just read the last post on…

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from one of my first students: day 16

The night before my first Motherhood & Words class, I sat on the couch, going over my notes and fretting until D handed me a glass of wine and told me that I’d do a great job. I don’t remember if I nodded or if I even believed him. I’m sure I drank the wine and I’m…

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mom’s own words: day 15

I can’t believe that it’s already Day 15 of the Use Your Words virtual tour. The writing contest finalists are starting to pop into my inbox, and I am so impressed and excited about these pieces. The grand prize winner will be posted on the Literary Mama blog on June 8, so stay tuned. Please…

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I heart carly: day 14

Thank you so much to the wonderful Carly of Chubby Chicks Run Too for hosting Day 14 of the Use Your Words book tour. Carly is fabulous. I had the privilege of meeting her at the Train Like a Mother party last month, and she’s funny and warm. And she’s also a writer, mother, and runner.…

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haiku contest extension

I’ve taken the liberty of extending the deadline of the 5th annual Motherhood & Words Haiku Contest deadline because participation has been unacceptably low. Come on, don’t be scared. Click here to read this year’s guidelines and then post your haiku in the comments field. Haiku with me. You know you want to.

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day 13: cami checketts

Thank you to Cami for hosting day 13 of the Use Your Words virtual book tour today. Cami writes the blog Love. Pray. Read. and she’s also the author of Dead Running, an e-book. She’s an avid runner and reader, and she definitely understands the mother-writer balance. Please check out Cami’s post about Use Your Words.…

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reading tonight at magers and quinn booksellers

I’m still glowing from the weekend at the 1st River Teeth Nonfiction Conference in Ashland, Ohio. The. Best. Conference. Ever. I’ll do a full post about it on Friday, because I don’t have anyone lined up for the blog tour that day. So stay tuned for some nuggets of wisdom from the brilliant writers who…

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day 12: the princess and the pump

Thank you so much to Hallie of The Princess and the Pump for hosting day 12 of the Use Your Words virtual book tour. Hallie started writing again after many years of not writing when her beautiful daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease that strikes mainly in childhood…

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