‘Smoking Guns,’ edited by Kaye George,

delivers tales of murder and more

Featured in the Books sections of the Knoxville News Sentinel on Sunday Dec. 8, this anthology from the East Tennessee Sisters in Crime offers a dozen “original tales of crime and mystery” that take readers into the dark corners of humanity.

The writers, with backgrounds ranging from newsrooms to the CIA to underwater naturalist education, share sinister stories of murderm poisoning, theft, stalking, and violent jealousy.

One of the columnist’s favorites is “Fences, Neighbors, and a Gun” by Kaye George intrigued him with its domestic depravity. In the story a tree falls on an elderly woman’s yard leading to a dispute over the cost of the damage that escalates to a chilling level. The story ends up in court, but even the judge’s ruling doesn’t end the matter that leads to neighbors retaliating against one another in unexpected ways.

Creative Writing Contest

Lenoir City High School

First Semester 2024- 2025

 Angela Crabtree, teacher of the junior/senior writing classes at Lenoir City High School has released the first semester winning short stories in the Creative Writing Contest sponsored by the Authors Guild of Tennessee. Ms. Crabtree explains that the students were allowed to submt their favorite short story from those had written in various fiction genres. The students had researched and written about superstitions, zombie apocalypse, modern monsters, as well as historical, comedic, fairytales and folktales.

The first-and second-place winners in Ms. Crabtree’s two classes are linked under this notice.  Three have a dark tone and one is inspirational. All are well-written and worthy of their awards.

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=5bd369cc01&attid=0.1&permmsgid=msg-f:1816091235841622506&th=19340d5b600a41ea&view=att&disp=inline&realattid=f_m3nfzjtw0&zw

Victoria Winifred’s New Releases

When their winter sleep is interrupted by hunger on Christmas Eve, Papa Jed and his family let the North Star guide them on a magical journey through the Smoky Mountains. Alongside creatures of all kinds, they meet and learn about legendary bears and a special human whose story fills their hearts with wonder. After sharing a feast with their forest friends, they return to their den with a deeper sense of community, the true spirit of Christmas, and renewed hope for the future, thanks to the timeless tale of a baby born in a manger.

In the spirit of timeless read-alouds like An Angel for Solomon Singer, Miss Rumphius,    and Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, this heartwarming Valentine’s Day picture book  is a thoughtful choice for classrooms, nurturing the traits of respect, empathy, and kindness.

Immerse  yourself in one of the Bible’s most renowned stories with this beautifully illustrated book.  Each page features vivid artwork that brings Joe Guadagno’s dynamic song, Jonah, to life.  The lyrics, which form the heart of this captivating picture book, are brought to life through striking images of Jonah and the whale, capturing the essence of the wayward journey and the redemptive return.

Ideal for family reading, Sunday school classes, and anyone interested in biblical narratives, this book integrates the actual verses of Jonah and includes a QR code that allows readers to listen to the song for a fully immersive experience.

Gayle Curtin’s New Release

Gayle’s second book is a personal memoir titled Wiser Now. 

Gayle is cash-strapped, lonely, and becoming desperate when she answers a personal ad in the local newspaper. During the short courtship with Jake, Gayle sees differences in their respective lifestyles and values but sets her concerns aside. During their two-year relationship, she has to deal with a controlling spouse, infidelity, emotional abuse, and encounters with alcohol-fueled rage.

Amazon reviewer wrote, in part, “The author’s writing style is engaging, authentic, and keeps the reader in anxious anticipation of the next chapter.”

Susan Kite Wins Special Award for her Latest Book

Susan Kite’re most recent book, Planet of Outcasts, Moon Crusher 2, was awarded gold at the Royal Palm Literary Award ceremony in Orlando, Florida. Congratulations to her for this high honor.

A reviewer wrote of the book: I was excited to find it lived up to the action and suspense in Moon Crusher. Diego, with his foretelling dreams and creative problem solving, leads his ragtag crew in new adventures on a distant planet. Old friends return and new loyal companions are added to the mix as they fight to free a civilization from evil alien oppression. Kite leave the door open for book 3, and I can’t wait. (Book 3 is in the editing stage.)

New Release by Bill Barbour

As a retiring Air Force fighter pilot, Ray Spencer steps into the civilian world which he soon finds is fiercely competitive rather than the cooperative comradery of the military. He performs well above expectations at his new job in strategic planning. When a seemingly upright senator offers him a position in Washington D.C., Ray finds himself embroiled in a tangle of deceit that culminates in a terrorist attack on the American electrical grid. Can Ray successfully confront this new reality as he is involved in a relationship with a young lady coworker while being betrayed by others around him?

“Daisy”

                       by Russ Fine

a short story on the online journal Appalachia Bare

This is the heartwarming story of a small brown dog who was adopted by a lonely man at the request of its homeless owner. The good deed turns into a blessing for the new owner whose life is enriched by the company of this loving animal.

Creative Writing Contest

Lenoir City High School

2nd Semester 2023-24

In the second semester of the 2023-4 school year, Angela Crabtree, teacher of the junior/senior writing classes at Lenoir City High School, selected poetry as the literary form for the Creative Writing Contest sponsored by the Authors Guild of Tennessee.

The first- and second-place winners in Ms. Crabtree’s two classes are linked under this notice. Again, the students were not assigned particular subjects but were encouraged to write from their personal experiences and viewpoints. The poems are honest and personal and sometimes reflect harsh realities in each student’s life. They are all well-written and create word pictures of place and time.

The Authors Guild of Tennessee is proud to publish these outstanding literary accomplishments on our website with parental consent for students who are minors.