Fast and Foreign Fiction Writing Contest (June 2007)

As writers we have a wonderful array of locations to set our fiction in. This month Echelon Press challenges you to step outside your comfortable neighborhood and take us to someplace foreign. We want you to send us your stories of the unique and exotic, the bold and adventurous, the mystical and romantic. Take us far away. We want to read your stories that take place anywhere outside of the United States. For some this may mean where you live, but not where live!

Every author at every level should be committed to keeping their name in front of readers. Are you looking for your first publishing credit? Are you between books? Looking for a way to revive characters from books that have been out for a while? Want to introduce new characters for upcoming books? Looking for a way to build your readership? Have we got a promotional opportunity for you!

Echelon Press would like to publish your "Fast and Foreign" June story. The fast part means you have until June 11, 2007 to submit your story of 3000-6000 words. The winner will be notified by June 12, 2007 and have 5 days to edit/revise the story. Echelon Press will publish your story in its e-book division on June 18, 2007. Simple!

Send your submissions as a Word (doc) attachment to contest@echelonpress.com. Your cover letter should be in the body of an e-mail. Cover letters that do not adhere to professional standards will disqualify the submission from further consideration.

Our only real request is that the setting, anyplace outside of the United States be the catalyst for your story! You pick the genre. Stories must adhere to the following guidelines.

Standard Manuscript format:
 File saved in Word format (.doc) or (.rtf)
 8 ½ x 11 page
 Times New Roman 12pt font/black
 1-inch margin on all sides/ 1.5 line spacing
 Align text left, do not justify (aligning text both left and right)
 Header containing title, author name, and page number
 Capital letters at the beginning of sentences and proper nouns
 Indent new paragraphs .3. Do not add blank line between paragraphs.
 Show scene breaks with * * * * centered in the appropriate line.

All cover letters must include:
 Name (and pseudonym if applicable)
 Mailing address
 Phone number
 E-mail address (required)
 Web address (required)

Bang Up Party

Although my latest book hit the market a few weeks ago, I launched it last night with a bang up party right on the beach. Great food, live music, ocean breeze, friends, family... I couldn’t have asked for a better time. Here’s a pic:

Rolling Sculpture. Red Ferrari Enzo Upstaged!

This is part of the journey of Jay Rolfe From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You can see some completed expressions of Jay Rolfe's unique artistic idea on his website at www.3dssc.com.

It’s not often that a red Ferrari Enzo gets upstaged! Yet it happened and I witnessed it on Saturday morning, April 21, at 7:00 a.m. at the weekly Cars & Coffee show in Irvine CA, the successor to Crystal Cove Car Show in Newport Beach CA.

I go to southern California about twice a year from my home in West Chester PA, and I make it a point to get up early Saturday morning and go to the car event. This time I took my daughter and she loved it. The last time I went, last October 14, happened to be the last time at Crystal Cove, as the landlord of the Crystal Cove Promenade strip mall pulled the welcome mat.

The same red Ferrari Enzo was the most photographed car that Saturday at Crystal Cove. And there were some even rarer cars that day. There was beautiful silver Saleen S7 (just like the one I saw last week at the Saleen showroom at the Irvine Spectrum Mall). And Henrik Fisker brought a beautiful blue Fisker Tramonto with all the Kleeman engine mods (610 hp, 650 lb-ft) for an Illinois owner, and talked up his cars. Fisker told me it was the latest one and only number 11 off the production line in Milan Italy. Both Fisker and Saleen have HQ’s in Irvine.

You’re probably wondering what could upstage the red Enzo. It was another spectacular red Ferrari, a 2003 Formula 1 race car, S/N F2003GA/R16. The F2003-GA is the model that won Ferrari’s 5th straight Constructor’s title and earned Michael Schumacher his 6th Driver’s title. I’ve seen them at the racetrack and on TV, but I’ve never done the pit walk at Monaco or Indy, so the closest I’ve been is in the grandstand. Up close they are even lower, narrower, and more fragile than they look on TV. The wheels are only 13” and the cockpit looks so small it’s a wonder the driver can fit in at all, let alone move his hands and feet. The race commentators talk about the carbon fiber suspension, but I never imagined it was so delicate. A beautiful work of art!

There were about 100 cars exhibited, although the regulars said it was a light day, and it certainly would have been light at Crystal Cove. There was a black Ferrari F430, silver F430 Spider, and a number of Ferrari 355’s and Ferrari 308’s. There was a stunning black Lamborghini Diablo with a dramatic black and yellow leather interior. Porsche was represented by a black GT3, various Carrera 4S’s, Carrera 4’s, 911’s, 356’s, and even a beautiful mid-50’s Speedster with a nifty hardtop.

A big hit was a new Audi R8 which looked beautiful in medium gray with a silver accent panel. And seeing the new Audi TT in the sheet metal shows that the TT really has grown up. BMW was well represented with a Z9, and lots of other beautiful cars. Two Ford GT’s attended, an all black model and a white with blue stripe model. There were several vintage Cobras, both 427’s and 289’s, and lots of Mustangs. There was a Maybach, the family car carrying the wife and kids of the Enzo driver, and a Bentley Continental GT equipped with 2 car seats in the back. There was a classic Jaguar 150 coupe, a classic finned Chrysler 300, a classic Dodge Charger R/T, several old VW Beetles, a new Lotus Elise, and many more too numerous to mention.

What was missing because it was a light day? If it was your first time there you wouldn’t notice that anything was missing. It had rained hard the day before, a rarity for this area. Maybe that’s what kept away the dozen F430’s and 360 Modena’s, a couple of 360 Challenge Stradale’s, and the 3-4 Lamborghini Murcielago’s and 6-8 Gallardo’s that graced each Crystal Cove event I attended. Hopefully it was just an off day, not the 20 minute drive from Newport Beach or the lack of Starbucks’ cappuccino that kept them away.

Cars & Coffee features whatever shows up, but mostly exotics, foreign, and classic cars, at 7905 Gateway Blvd, Irvine CA. Up the coast in Huntington Beach (Surf City USA) there’s another event at the same time which features, so I’m told, mostly muscle cars, hot rods, and classics. So there’s a lot for car buffs to choose from on Saturday mornings in Orange County CA!

New video for my website.

Jay Rolfe had video taken as he created a 3DSSC painting titled "Girls Just Want To Have Fun," a bright fuchsia stiletto pump 8 feet high and 8 feet wide. I started editing the video today, and will put it on my website in the near future.

This is the latest step on the journey of Jay Rolfe From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You can see some completed expressions of Jay Rolfe's unique artistic idea on his website at www.3dssc.com.

"Beach Tan"

This is the latest on the journey of Jay Rolfe From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso. You can see some completed expressions of Jay Rolfe's unique artistic idea on his website at www.3dssc.com.

Here's a photo of Jay Rolfe's new 3DSSC (3-D Shaped Stretched Canvas) painting titled "Beach Tan." It's one of my new "smaller" paintings, 72 inches (6 feet) high, smaller than a similar one I created at 96 inches (8 feet) high. This new "smaller" size will fit into a home with 8 or 9 foot ceilings. At this size, it's an "Uplifting Conversation Piece For Your Home."

Completing paintings ... my journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso

Jay Rolfe has completed another new painting. He'll post some photos soon. Meanwhile, here's a photo of the painting jigs and some of the body parts for paintings that are part of Jay Rolfe's 3-D "Adam and Eve" series.

You can see some completed expressions of Jay Rolfe's unique artistic idea on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. That's the latest step on the journey of Jay Rolfe From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso.

Red Stiletto Pump ... From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso

Jay Rolfe painted and finished painting two paintings today. They both need some drying time before all the pieces can be assembled into the finished shape. You can see some completed expressions of Jay Rolfe's unique artistic idea on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

I love the color of red I was using today, cadmium red medium hue. It's so bright. It's great for a stiletto pump shaped painting. Here's a photo of Jay Rolfe using that color.

This is today's step on the journey of Jay Rolfe From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso.

I Love Fan Letters!

I love fan letters! They make all my hard work rewarding. They make me fuzzy warm. They make me glow. And they let me know someone out there is actually reading every single word I typed!

Here’s one I got this week:

Hey im a 14 year old girl and im probably one of ur biggest fans! Shannon I LOVE your book, The Specialists: Model Spy! I just read it like yesterday and im reading it again now it is the best! It makes me want to become a spy as well! It so beats my favorite book, Once Upon A Marigold! I love it! I only wish you would print down to the wire sooner and get to stores faster! Are you finished writing it? And one more question...does GiGi and David stay together in the next novel? cause i really like them to gether!...well like i said i love ur book! And Will You Please email me back?

This letter has inspired me. I’m going to visit my favorite author sites and email them. Maybe I’ll make them all fuzzy warm, too.

Power Flower

That's the nickname a writing friend bestowed on me. Power Flower. I'm not quite sure what it means, but I love it! To me, it indicates someone who is generally gentle and kind, but can also pack a wallop.

So, tell me. What is your interpretation of "Power Flower?"

Surprised? My journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso

Guess what? Jay Rolfe painted some more on his 3DSSC paintings today! No surprise there. You can see some completed expressions of Jay Rolfe's unique artistic idea on his website at www.3dssc.com.

This is today's step on the journey of Jay Rolfe From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso.

I'm painting different parts and colors of several different paintings at the same time. It should all come together pretty soon. I'm looking forward to the completion of several paintings. That will feel great!

More painting ... my journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso

Jay Rolfe painted all day. Here's a photo of some work in progress. You can see some completed expressions of Jay Rolfe's unique artistic idea on his website at www.3dssc.com.

I bought another 3 tine hayfork for a new 3DSSC painting of "American Gothic." It will be interesting.

That's today's step on the journey of Jay Rolfe From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso.

One Writer's Accomplishments

Monday was a great day. I accomplished soooo much! Did I finally finish my long-awaited series? Or, was the editing completed on my latest manuscript? How about receiving a much-anticipated review from School Library Journal?

No, no, and…NO!

I cleaned out my closet. Yep. Probably the most uplifting experience I've had all year. I threw away clothes that Goodwill wouldn't touch. Salvation Army would've turned up their collective noses. I did find a few decent items that I either couldn't, or wouldn't wear, so they went in a bag to be given to charity.

Answer this question, if you will. What made me think that clothes I bought ten years ago (packed and moved at least four times), would STILL FIT?? Have I not looked in a mirror lately??

Anyhoo, my closet is clean. Clothes are neatly hung on color-coordinated hangers. And, I have nothing to wear.

Mary
www.marycunninghambooks.com

3DSSC painting completed today ... my journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso

Jay Rolfe completed another 3DSSC painting today! What a long process it is. This one is slightly smaller than usual, only 6 feet high instead of 8 feet high. It's still big and impressive. Hopefully I can post a photo of it tomorrow. Meanwhile, it looks like "Tan Lines" on Jay Rolfe's website, www.3dssc.com.

I worked hard painting Saturday, Monday, and today, Tuesday, to finish this painting. I did take off Mother's Day, as we had a visit from our son, daughter-in-law, and two and a half month old grandson. Then we went to Lambertville NJ for the afternoon and had a great time, before visiting Randy's mother and going out to dinner. Phew. A busy day.

I'm taking the rest of the evening off, as it is our monthly anniversary (we were married on March 15, the Ides of March, and we celebrate out love and commitment every 15th).

That's today's step on the journey of Jay Rolfe From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso.

New 3DSSC Painting ... my journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso.

Yesterday Jay Rolfe cut out the framework for a new 3DSSC painting and assembled the framework yesterday and today. Jay Rolfe also worked on his other works in progress. You can see some completed expressions of Jay Rolfe's unique artistic idea on his website at www.3dssc.com.

I learned today that Catalina Island, about 25 miles off the coast of CA near Long Beach, is having serious brush fires which led to the evacuation of the main town on the island, Avalon. It was only a few weeks ago that we visited Catalina on a Sunday with our daughter and had a great time. It was very beautiful. It took an hour or so to get there via ferry. I'm sure the location hampers the firefighting efforts.

That's the latest step on the journey of Jay Rolfe From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso.

Heather Waters

My cool friend Heather Waters (also an author) featured me on her blog. Check it out at: http://ideaboutique.blogspot.com/

More 3DSSC paintings ... my journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso

Jay Rolfe has again been working hard on his newest 3DSSC paintings. While paint drys, he's started another 3DSSC painting. You can see some completed expressions of Jay Rolfe's unique artistic idea on his website at www.3dssc.com.

We just got back from seeing "Spiderman 3." It's really action-packed. That's the latest step on the journey of Jay Rolfe From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso.

3DSSC Paintings ... my journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso

Jay Rolfe has been working hard on his newest 3DSSC paintings. They're coming along, but it will take maybe a week to finish all the details. You can see some completed expressions of Jay Rolfe's unique artistic idea on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

Yesterday I also worked hard, had coffee with one of my artist friends, and visited the new exhibit at the The Arts Scene. The new exhibit was a group show that was very interesting and included a number of nice works.

Right now I'm waiting for paint to dry to go onto the next step. That's the latest on the journey of Jay Rolfe From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso.

Painting and more painting ... my journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso

You can see some completed expressions of Jay Rolfe's unique artistic idea on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

On Friday, Saturday, and today, Monday, Jay Rolfe painted and painted my new 3DSSC paintings I'm creating. I made a lot of progress, but it takes a lot of time for these large paintings. I also had to buy more supplies Saturday and today, so I was on errands both days.

On Sunday I rested, recuperated, or took it easy, however you want to look at it. We also watched the movie "Blood Diamond" which was very well done and quite a brutal and emotional story. No wonder it was nominated for so many Academy Awards. And I watched "Khartoum," a 1966 movie I don't think I'd seen before starring Laurence Olivier, Charlton Heston, and Ralph Richardson. The period scenery of the Nile area from the Great Pyramid at Giza up the Nile to Khartoum, where the White Nile and the Blue Nile join, was breathtaking, even without the Cinerama or even widescreen.

That's the latest on the journey of Jay Rolfe From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso.

Peed for two days straight

My awesome webmistress redesigned my site in prep for next week’s release of The Specialists: Model Spy. Check out my new site at www.shannongreenland.com

And I got very techno and put a slide show up on MySpace. Check it out at http://www.myspace.com/shannongreenland

Now here’s a funny story for you, and I’ve already told this to a few people. So if you are one of those few people, just ignore the fact you’ve already heard it. Anyway, here goes:

Earlier this week I went and swam laps. It was just me and this geriatric in the lane beside me. Geriatric is code for “old fart”. So anyway, I’m busy lapping it, breathing heavy, got the ole heart rate up, and here’s what happened.

Geriatric: “Hi.”
Me (having to stop my laps): “Hi.”
Geriatric: “Guess what?”
Me (do I know this lady?): “What?”
Geriatric: “I lost 19 pounds. Not twenty. Just 19.”
Me: “Ummm...that’s great.”
Geriatric: “And guess what else?”
Me: “What’s that?”
Geriatric: “I peed for two days straight.”
Me: “Ummm...that’s great?”
Geriatric: “Of course its great. How do you think I lost 19 pounds?”
Me: “Ummm...”

And then she waggles her fingers at me, “You may continue on now”. As if I was the one who had interrupted her. Ha! Gotta love old people.

Painting today .. my journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso

Today Jay Rolfe started painting the 2 new 3DSSC paintings he is creating. Here's a photo of him painting. You can see some completed expressions of Jay Rolfe's unique artistic idea on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/.

When that dries a bit, I'll paint some more.

That's today's step on the journey of Jay Rolfe From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso.

Pissarro ... my journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso

The Baltimore Museum of Art beckoned to Jay Rolfe today. He's been intending to go to see the "Pissarro: Creating the Impressionist Landscape" exhibit since he read Ed Sozanski's excellent review in the Philadelphia Inquirer on April 1, 2007 (no fooling!). I mentioned Sozanski's review in my post of April 2. The exhibit was all Sozanski said it was, and I enjoyed it. Since it was landscapes, it didn't include Pissarro's great paintings of crowds on Paris' plazas and bridges. The development of his landscape style over about 10 years, from 1865 to 1875 covered by the exhibit, showed the development of impressionist style. Here's an sample from 1873 lent by the Musee d'Orsay in Paris, "Hoarfrost at Ennery." The first Impressionist exhibit was in 1874, and Pissarro had spent many months painting separately with Cezanne and Monet by that time. I can see the cross influences. Here's a link to the Museum's page on the exhibit. www.artbma.org/exhibitions/index.html

This was my first visit to the Baltimore Museum of Art. What a great museum. They've got scads of Antioch mosaics, great old master paintings such as this Botticelli, "Madonna Adoring The Child With Five Angels," and a great 20th Century collection which is especially rich in Matisse paintings and other materials. Here's an example of Matisse, "Striped Robe, Fruit, and Anemones" from 1940.

It was a wonderful day today! You can see some completed expressions of Jay Rolfe's unique artistic idea on his website at http://www.3dssc.com/. That's today's step on the journey of Jay Rolfe From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso.

Stretching canvas ... my journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso

Jay Rolfe stretched canvas over 2 stretcher frameworks for 2 new 3DSSC paintings today. You can see some completed expressions of Jay Rolfe's unique artistic idea on his website at www.3dssc.com.

I've got a number of other things to do the rest of the day which don't involve creating art.

That's today's step on the journey of Jay Rolfe From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso.

New paintings ... my journey From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso

Today Jay Rolfe built stretcher frameworks for 2 new 3DSSC paintings. Phew! That was a lot of work. You can see some completed expressions of Jay Rolfe's unique artistic idea on his website at www.3dssc.com.

The Sculpture Garden of the National Gallery of Art that I visited last Wednesday was about equal to the Sculpture Garden of the Hirshhorn Museum, although the average sculpture was more recent. Alexander Calder's "Red Horse" was cool - a stabile of his was in the Hirshhorn's Sculpture Garden. Louise Bourgeois's huge "Spider" was typically creepy. The large "Typewriter Eraser" by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen was playful. Roy Lichtenstein's "House 1" created an optical illusion, one of those optical illusions that even when you know it's not what it seems, it still looks like it is. I really enjoyed all of them.

That's today's step on the journey of Jay Rolfe From Starving Artist To 21st Century Picasso.