Monica B. Morris's News

If you want to start your day with a smile, take a look at my piece in the Los Angeles Times. It's titled "Happy from the Feet Up" and appears in the Health section today, September 3. You can access it on the Times website at latimes.com

Click on the HEALTH button and look for the title.

Happy Labor Day!

I am delighted to announce that I will be participating in a teleconference August 28, 2007!

The subject is "Re-entering the Dating Scene" and it is being hosted by the National Association of Baby Boomer Women.

The time is 7:pm EST, and at corresponding times across the country. In California, it will be at 4:pm.

Telephone 1(712)580-7706
Conference Code: 3153035

Make sure you save this information as you will need it when joining the Teleseminar.

If you are new to teleconferencing, just dial the number and you will be advised how to continue.

Here are some of the things we'll discuss for women who are nervous about re-entering the world of dating:

Maturity is an Asset!
How do you gain the confidence to go out in the world and meet strangers?
What does it take to get in shape?
Where are the men who might interest us?
Have some fun!
But keep safe!

Greetings Friends!

I look forward to seeing you at the PEN USA booth at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at UCLA on Sunday April 29. I will be talking to people and signing books from 1 p.m. until 2. p.m.

My two most recent books will be on display: THAT RIDICULOUS BLUE SKY and FALLING IN LOVE AGAIN: THE MATURE WOMAN'S GUIDE TO FINDING ROMANTIC FULFILLMENT.

Love to meet you!

Hi to my loyal readers!

You will be as pleased as am I to learn that That Ridiculous Blue Sky "Has been awarded the prestigious Editor's Choice designation...in recognition of its outstanding editorial quality."

What a thrill!

Do take a look at my essay this month. You'll find it fun!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Delighted to say that I have just finished editing my new novel: THE LANDSCAPE OF OUR LIFE. The title draws from Frederick Law Olmstead, the designer of New York's Central Park. He wrote "The Landscape of our Life, Shapes our Nature." This appealed to me, given my background in sociology. As our circumstances change, so our outlook on life changes.

The editing complete, I will now look for representation - an agent, in fact! I have never worked with an agent, although I have published five books and scads of articles and essays. It seems to me that it is easier to find a publisher for non-fiction than for fiction - although it is never easy! And I'm told that it is no easier to find an agent than to find a publisher! Wish me luck!

THE LANDSCAPE OF OUR LIFE follows two sisters, Marie and Naomi Almonson, from their childhood in the East End of London during the Great Depression, through to the California of the 1980s - a swath of 20th century history. Her evacuationfrom London at the start of World War Two, transforms Marie's life. Naomi's transformation comes later, when she emigrates to California with her husband and young children. Their stories are rich, entertaining, filled with music and the joy of achievement. Still, achievement often exerts a price...

I'll keep you informed about the book's fate from time to time.

I am delighted to learn that my novel, THAT RIDICULOUS BLUE SKY, has been chosen as the "Featured Book of the Month" in All Books Reviews, a fine, literary website. You will find it at http://www.allbookreviews.com

Do take a look! Let me know what you think.

Best wishes to you all for the holidays, and for 2007!

I am delighted to learn that my novel, THAT RIDICULOUS BLUE SKY, has been chosen as the "Featured Book of the Month" in All Books Reviews, a fine, literary website. You will find it at http://www.allbookreviews.com

Do take a look! Let me know what you think.

Best wishes to you all for the holidays, and for 2007!

I am happy to share with everyone an excellent review that I just discovered on the Boomer Women's World Newsletter. It is a publication of the National Association of Baby Boomer Women. Here goes:

that ridiculous blue sky
By Monica B. Morris, Author and former professor
www.Monicabmorris.com
Reviewed by Patti Hill, www.pattiswriting.com

"that ridiculous blue sky" was an absolute pleasure to read! It proved to hold my interest from its opening pages. I found myself thinking about the latest twist while at work; I had to discipline myself to finish my tasks before returning to the developing plot. I thought I knew where the story was going, but was pleasantly surprised when it didn't!

For any woman who thinks she needs romance to live, for any woman trying to find her way in a new world, for any woman who needs to laugh at her own insecurities, for any woman learning to trust her instincts, for any woman striving to develop courage - this book will allow you to explore the inadequacies of your own life through the language of the story. You'll find your own deepest thoughts reflected through the characters; and, perhaps discover something new and revolutionary for your own journey.

"that ridiculous blue sky" could very well become one of those favorite books you return to again and again, one of those faithful companions thaat curl up with you in your favorite chair on lazy afternoons.
Between its pages you will find: rest, excitement, hope, fear, courage, commitment, friendship, love and self discovery. A true gem.

******

Here's wishing all of you a happy holiday season!

Hi Everybody!

Happy to be back home after an extended promotion tour. Had a great time, meeting new people and talking about my books, especially That Ridiculous Blue Sky. From here on, I will be providing seminars based on Falling in Love Again, as well as talking about writing and publishing s a career. Contact me for information about booking seminars! I'd love to come and speak to your group.

Good luck, everyone. Have a happy Halloween and a tasty Thanksgiving!

Welcome, everyone.


I'm happy to announce that I will be speaking and signing books at:

THE BLISSFUL SOUL, 4870 Eagle Rock Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90041
(Tel: 323-258-6900) on:

SATURDAY, September 23rd. 6.p.m. til 7:pm. and throughout the evening of fun and music.

The books are: That Ridiculous Blue Sky, a novel AND
Falling in Love Again:
The Mature Woman's Guide to Finding Romantic Fulfillment

THE BLISSFUL SOUL carries a delightful selection of candles, jewelry, aromatherapy,
incense, skin care, books and music - and more. Come take a look!

See you there!

I AM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING NEW PEOPLE - AND OLD FRIENDS- AT MY NEXT SIGNINGS, READINGS, AND TALKS.

I will be giving a talk and a mini-workshop on THAT RIDICULOUS BLUE SKY and FALLING IN LOVE AGAIN
at CURVES at 527 N. Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004 on SEPTEMBER 7 at 7.45 P.M.

and on SEPTEMBER 17, I will be signing both books at the CIRCUS OF BOOKS BOOTH at THE WEST HOLLYWOOD BOOK FAIR FROM 1.P.M TO 3.P.M.

October will see me in Ventura County:

On OCTOBER 9, I will be reading and signing at BARNES AND NOBLE, 160 S. Westlake Blvd, at 7.p.m.

and at the SIMI VALLEY CULTURAL CENTER, 3050 Los Angeles Avenue, on OCTOBER 10 at 1.p.m.

I hope to see you at any or all of these events!

I'm so much enjoying speaking to groups of women - and a few men - about love, and how to find it! One of the joys of university teaching was standing in front of a class, and making people laugh - and encouraging them to think, and to voice their opinions.

In ordinary social situations, I'm really shy about presenting myself, but teaching gave me permission to be a ham. I loved it! Since I left the university to write full time, I have subdued that more flamboyant side of my personality - until now.

I'd love to hear from any group or club in the Los Angeles area who would enjoy an evening or an afternoon of talk and fun. I've had years of experienceof speaking in public and I have a lot to say about my research for FALLING IN LOVE AGAIN: THE MATURE WOMAN'S GUIDE TO FINDING ROMANTIC FULFILLMENT. For that book, I actually dated around a hundred men in just over a year! Did I say I was shy? Well, yes, I am. And that's one of the points, really. If I could do it, so can you. Courage is the key!

That research also led me to write my first novel, THAT RIDICULOUS BLUE SKY after several non-fiction books.

So, push the button to contact me - and let's talk!

Welcome to everybody and anybody who has found my site! This is the first entry.

Launching the new book, THAT RIDICULOUS BLUE SKY, has been exciting! From the initial signing at Chevaliers Books, in Larchmont, Los Angeles, to the presentation at "Women's Night Out," and all the appearances in between, it has all been rewarding, encouraging and fun.

More appearances have been planned. The next is at "Curves", 527 N. Larchmont Boulevard, Los Angeles, on September 7 at 7:30 p.m. I'll be talking about my 100 dates in a year (!!) researching FALLING IN LOVE AGAIN; THE MATURE WOMAN'S GUIDE TO FINDING ROMANTIC FULFILLMENT - and the way that research led me to write the novel, THAT RIDICULOUS BLUE SKY.