Quote of the Day

“You never have to change anything you got up in the middle of the night to write.”

― Saul Bellow

Grammar Day: Apostrophe S ('s)

Grammar is a tricky subject. With all the rules and exceptions, how can a person keep track? I can't answer that, but I can help with little pieces here and there.

Today's Topic: Apostrophe S ('s)

Basic Rule: When it comes to apostrophes, a good rule to follow is that an apostrophe adds a second word. This isn't always true, but you'll be right more often than you're wrong.

For example, let's vs. lets:

let's = let uslets = allows

Since context always helps me learn...

Let's [let us] go to the beach.

She lets us swim without a lifeguard. 

Some Other Examples:

it's = it is/it was

that's = that is/that was

there's = there is/there was 

Basically...apostrophe s is not the way to make a word a plural.

Any Exceptions? When making nouns (people, places, or things) possessive, the apostrophe s doesn't create a second word.

Jane's dance bag. 

The company's contract.

I love to learn; let me know what I'm forgetting!

Have a grammatical question? Email me at Jansina@rivershorebooks.com to learn the answer--and have your question featured in an upcoming Grammar Day post! I'm here to help and encourage in any way I can.

Visit my website to learn more about me, my books, and my proofreading services, or join the Rivershore Books Writing Forum for support from fellow authors.

Still want more? Find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Twitter!

NaNoWriMo Facebook Event!

While it's not for everyone, NaNoWriMo is a great motivational tool for many authors. Forgotten Memories and As Fairydust Settles (soon-to-be-released) were products of NaNo. Possibly my favorite part of this writing challenge is the way authors unite and support one another. Who says writing is a solitary occupation?

(Okay, a lot of people say that.)

This year, Rivershore Books is hosting a NaNoWriMo event on Facebook. Not participating in NaNo? You're still welcome to join! It's meant to be a place of support for all authors.

Now, for a request. If you have a blog, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, or any other social media account...would you consider sharing the URL and one of the below images with your followers? I'd love to see this event spread.

URL: https://www.facebook.com/events/1423309784554388/

Thank you!

Grammar Resources

As an editor, I'm always looking for ways to improve my grammar. The Grammar Day posts here often help me as much as (or more than) they help my readers, since they force me to consider the reasons why a grammar rule is in place.

I've been a fan of Grammar Girl for years; her explanations are helpful and clear, and she's my go-to resource when I'm not quite certain about something specific.

Recently, I was directed to another wonderful resource: GrammarBook.com. There are concise explanations and examples of just about any rule you could want to learn--and quizzes to reinforce them! There are plenty of free quizzes, but if you want even more you can subscribe for a nominal fee (currently it's under $30 for everything, or $0.99 for individual quizzes).

Memory Ghosts by Chelise Fry

We are delighted to share Rivershore's newest book, Memory Ghosts by Chelise Fry.

"The battle between hero and villain is one most often fought within ourselves"

This is the first in Fry's History of Eyrthum fantasy series, and follows brothers Reinhold and Lamertyn as they learn the secrets and dangers of Eyrthum. The intensity of the details, depth of the content, beautiful wording, and realistic characters combine to make this a book that draws the reader in and keeps their interest to the end. We are eager to read book 2!

Note: This book is meant for ages 16+, due to thematic elements.

For a limited time, the paperback of this book will be available at the reduced price of $10.99 on Amazon and the Rivershore Books store! 

Be watching in the coming weeks for the ebook! The price of the paperback will revert to $12.99 when the ebook is released.

Book Spotlight: Northanger Abbey

Northanger Abbey

by Jane Austen

I've made it no secret that Jane Austen is my favorite author. My mom introduced me to her books when I was around ten years old, and within weeks I had read all her novels and was seeking out her unfinished stories. Since then I've read every piece of hers that I could find--including her letters. I enjoy them all, for different reasons. Her snarky insights are, for me at least, still relevant to today's world. But I do have a favorite: Northanger Abbey. As an avid reader with an active imagination, I connected to Catherine Morland as soon as I started the book...and Henry Tilney is far more charming to me than Darcy ever was.

This book is available for $0.99 on the Kindle.

Book Excerpt: Tomatoes Don't Judge

“You know I hate this, don’t you?”

“Oh, do you?” Joe chuckled as Robbie put his barista apron on. “It suits you.”

“Shut up.”

Ella glanced up from her notebook, with a small frown. “Be kind.”

Joe’s eyebrows went up in an attempt to be stern. “Yes, Robbie. Be kind.”

“I was referring to you both.”

Robbie rolled his eyes. “I have to go.”

“Good. Finally. Thought you’d never leave.”

Ella threw her pen toward Joe’s head.

He ducked. “You be kind!”

“I always am.”

Robbie groaned as the two hugged and Joe kissed Ella's nose. He swung his bag over his arm as he left the house.

---

Tomatoes Don't Judge has an expected release date of early 2014.