Exciting New Things Happening

Gosh, it's been so long since I've posted a blog but I'm happy to be getting back to it now.  The last few months have been astonishingly life changing but in many good ways.  

First of all, the most exciting news is that The Society of Sylphs is complete and being reviewed by publishers.  I'll let you all know as soon as I get a pub date as I'm planning a big party and lots of promotional events!

Other news is that I've been getting involved with some amazing autism advocacy programs such as Autism Tomorrow, which is a handbook for parents of autistic children to help their child get ready for adult living.  It includes important topics such as career, living arrangements, and dating.  

And if you're in the vicinity of Bristol, Connecticut, please join me at Sheriden Woods Health Care Center on Sunday, Dec. 5th at 2pm for my talk about autism and the spiritual work that I do.  I'm excited to have the opportunity to combine both my passion for autism advocacy and my spiritual work all in one presenation.

Hope to see you soon!

Lea

The Spirit of Autism

Hi Everyone,

I normally don't use this blog to post the links to my radio show, The Spirit Connection, but I had to make an exception in this case for all my Sylph Society friends.

I've received so much positive feedback from my interview with William Stillman, who spoke about the spirit of autism and "Demystifying Autism from the Inside Out", that I'm posting the link here so you can listen to the show.  It will be on the main page until March 23rd and after that, can be found in the Archives listing.  

As you know, the main character in my young adult fantasy novel is a non-verbal autistic boy, so you can probably tell how passionate I am about this subject in the interview!

The Spirit of Autism on

The Spirit Connection

Lea M. Hill interviews William Stillman 

http://webtalkradio.net/shows/the-spirit-connection/ 

Feel free to respond to this blog post with your thoughts about the show. 

I look forward to hearing from you!

I Love New York

Here in New York City on this full moon night, although I can't see the moon, or the sky that is, because the buildings outside my hotel room window are so tall. 

But I am enjoying the weekend here with SCBWI (the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) at the Winter Conference.  I was fortunate to have the opportunity yesterday to read a small section of my young adult fantasy novel to a couple of editors and got good feedback.  Now I'm ready to submit queries to literary agents and make this dream into a reality. 

I have some fill in work to do on the manuscript, but I'm about ready to let some friends and family read it.  Not sure if I'm ready for the critiques though!  Oh well, I'll have to face up to it sooner or later.

Off to do some networking now and meet other writers.  Back home tomorrow night, but so far I'm loving New York!

Inspired Action: Where Will It Take Me Next?

My recent weekend of seclusion in CT to finish my young adult fantasy novel was mostly successful.  I got a lot of writing done and cleaned up some parts that were a little fuzzy.  I still have some holes to fill, though, and am looking forward to getting those taken care of this weekend.

I’m still looking for a literary agent and a publisher, but I’m not discouraged.  I know that it will all come to me when the time is right and I’m paying attention to those little synchronicities that seem to happen very often. 

Once I get the inspiration to act, I jump for it!  I recently got a brochure from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators for their conference in New York City, and immediately felt a little spark of energy, so I signed up for it.  I’m going all alone and won’t know a single person at the conference, but what the heck, I’ll go wherever the sylphs take me.

I’m looking forward to spending the holiday with my wonderful family next week.  I’m so blessed.

Happy Holidays to All!

Lea

In Seclusion: My Writing Weekend in Southeast CT

About halfway through my weekend of seclusion to finally finish The Society of Sylphs. 

I'm thrilled with my accommodations and couldn't have asked for a better place.  I'm enjoying a deluxe sized room in a 200+ year old inn, complete with gas fireplace and an antique sewing table as my writing desk. 

I've had very little human contact while here, aside from ordering food and the daily phone call to a friend who sadly lost his daughter in an accident last week.  The three friendly ghosts who I'm sharing my room with don't talk much, but they're happy I'm here and seem to like being around me while I write.

So far, I'm not lonely, as I was afraid I might be.  I thankfully remembered to bring my iPod speakers and let Chopin charm me as I write (and rewrite) my young adult/middle grade fantasy novel.

I'm curious as to how I'll be tomorrow night, though.  There's a 50/50 chance that I'll either be frustrated that the weekend is coming to an end or sick of myself and anxious to return to civilization.

Only time will tell.....