December 2011 Newsletter

December Greetings!

First, I'd like to send out special holiday love to the soldiers serving abroad this holiday and away from their beloveds and friends. Stay safe, be strong, and come back to us soon.

Also, a big welcome to my new newsletter subscribers. Thank you for clicking that "subscribe" button or for reaching out to me with a personal email or message. I very much appreciate the time you take to read my notes and to respond.

During this season of giving and receiving, I find myself thankful for the things I already have. In the words of a tiny prayer I said as a child in Jamaica, I remain thankful for "health and strength and the food we are about to eat. Amen!" Also for the friends and family and other ships passing by in the night who have made this life more than bearable.

My body does most things I ask of it, I am thankful.
The sun is shining outside my window, I am thankful.
Strangers reach out to me in friendship and goodwill, I am thankful.

Have a beautiful December!

To read the rest of the newsletter, click here.

November 2011 Newsletter

The Fall has settled firmly around my shoulders here in London. Leaves are on the ground, coats and gloves are on, caps pulled firmly down over the ears. And with that, it's time for me to head back home to the States.

It's been a fabulous two months. The readings in Birmingham and London were amazing, attended by an interested, questioning, and lively audience that I was absolutely thrilled to have. Between the readings and writing, I was able to fly off to Paris, Brighton, and Oxford as well as see most of the touristy parts of London. All in all, a good visit.

Now, with November's arrival, it's time to get cozy with my well-missed beloveds and reconnect with all things home and hearth. Enjoy your own family reconnections this month as Thanksgiving arrives. Keep warm. Give thanks and always be open to receive them.

- Fiona

To see the rest of the newsletter, click here.

October 2011 Newsletter

I'm off and traveling! It's been a whirlwind of a time here in England. Seeing the sights. Writing. Meeting new people. Dancing until 4 a.m. Eating fish and chips. It continues with two official readings - one in Birmingham and another in London - within the next few weeks as well as a few unofficial visits to open mics around the city.

To continue the theme of travel, this month's "Hot Shorts" features my favorite assassin, Wynne (somewhat aged from her last appearance in my fiction) on holiday. Hope you enjoy that tiny peek into her life.

Hugs to you from across the seas!

- Fiona

For the complete newsletter, click here.

September 2011 Newsletter

As summer draws to a close, I find myself increasingly grateful for the deep Florida warmth that lingers with beach days and moonlit, picnic nights long after Autumn wraps us all in its particular colors.

I'd wanted to go to the beach and sip rum runners while my toes curl in the warm sand. But time is not on my side. Instead, I'll be heading to Atlanta for Labor Day Weekend Events then off to Europe for two months to do writing and book signing and research. Warm Florida beach days and nights will be here for me when I get back. I hope.

Happy reading and loving until next time!

See the complete newsletter here.

Summer Greetings XOX!

Summer greetings!

(AzMarie)

Where has the time gone? I feel like every time I sit down to write a letter or email or note, I'm always saying how much time has flown. Maybe that means I need to slow my own life down in order to appreciate the things that are otherwise passing by. Sunrises. Sunsets. Crepe myrtle blossoms swirling past in the rain. The smile of a pretty girl.

Winged time aside, July was a beautiful month. Filled with the fury of moving to a new place, a trip to New York for the Harlem Book Fair, and the debut of my new Young Adult book, Dreaming in Color. New York was hot and wonderful. I ate too much and too richly but plan on jumping in the pool to get rid of all the weight I'm sure I gained in those few days.

August won't be as busy as July. Only a few trips away from home - St. Louis for its annual Black Gay Pride just before I head to Atlanta for Black Pride and the Decatur Book Festival in September. Gotta love the frequent flier miles!

Those of you on the road this summer, please share your stories. I love tales of the road and travel - hot air balloon, trains, bicycles, and otherwise. Travel safe, keep cool in this heat and talk with you next time.

- Fiona

To see the rest of my August newsletter, go to the link HERE.

Juicy July!

July is already shaping up to be a very busy month. Between moving, book signings, script-writing, research in New York, and friends in town, I'll be flying all month. But being busy is a good thing, I always say. Better than being bored and waiting for life to happen.

One of the big things about July is the debut of my Young Adult novel, Dreaming in Color, which I've written under the name "Fiona Lewis." To pre-order the book from amazon.com or just take a peek and see what it's all about, see the site here: http://amzn.to/lqyCDi

I'm particularly excited about the book since it's writing in a genre I've never tried before. It's a story about Jamaican youth and assimilation with a bit of queerness on the side. I'm looking forward to getting feedback on it.

Cool kisses and love to you in this, the hottest month of the year. And whether your July is hurricane busy or easy breezy, enjoy and talk with you next time!

- Fiona

See the rest of the July newsletter here: http://bit.ly/itrV9O

June Greetings!

It was a beautiful May. One of the best times in Florida when the breeze has a touch of coolness to it in the mornings and evenings, when the heat is not so hot, and you can enjoy the southern sun without melting into a puddle on the sidewalk. Perfect for porch sitting.

In this lovely month, I had the pleasure of going to two wonderful conferences: Saints and Sinners Literary Festival in New Orleans and the M.A.L.I. Conference in Austin, Texas. At both I felt absolutely energized by my contact with proudly fabulous artists doing it and doing it well.

Now I'm back home delving into a new project and finishing up with another - sometimes from the porch.

Also, in the past few months, I've had several new subscribers. Thank you all and welcome. Thank you for buying the books and spreading the word about the characters and stories you love so much. Your time and support are SO very appreciated. 

Have a beautiful June and be well.

- Fiona

To see the rest of the June newsletter, click HERE.