Introducing AuthorsRow.com

Hi all:

Well, my latest endeavor has seen building yet another web site. I think I'm addicted. To that, and buying domain names! As a result of organizing Authors' Row, a group of Edmonton area authors who regularly appear at the Edmonton Woman's Show, I've decided that Authors' Row will now become its owne entity. Hence, AuthorsRow.com, a site that will promote all authors on the Row, past or present.

Please check out the new site at http://www.authorsrow.com

Thanks,
Cheryl

Authors' Row at the Edmonton Woman's Show

Every Spring and Fall, Family Productions Inc. hosts the Edmonton Woman's Show in Edmonton, Alberta. For the past two years, mystery author Cheryl Kaye Tardif has helped to organize a small but important part of the Show--Authors' Row. Authors' Row is but one section of the Edmonton Woman's Show, which regularly features a headliner such as last spring's Eric Stromer, the sexy carpenter from TLC's 'Clean Sweep' and NBC's 'Three Wishes'. The Show before that featured Rob Mariano and Amber Brkich, "Romber" from Survivor fame.

This fall's Show will take place on October 14th and 15th, 2006; the headliner is yet to be announced. The Show will feature fashion shows, cooking demonstrations, tons of exhibits geared toward what women want, a beauty centre, wellness centre, and so much more.

And of course, for attendees who enjoy a good read, there is Authors' Row. The fall Show will feature 7 respected authors: Sue Paulson, Rosalie Rasmussen, Jackson Carter, Patricia Brine, Bruce Atchison, Carissa Reiniger and Cheryl Kaye Tardif. These Edmonton and area authors have written books in many different categories--from self-help for the student to children's picture books, to controversial crime novels and psychic suspense, to mystery, bunny care and dating. There's something for everyone!

Working with the blessings of Family Productions Inc., Cheryl Kaye Tardif has organized her fourth Authors' Row. "I enjoy working with other authors and helping them to promote their books," Tardif states. "I was once called 'the author for the authors' and it's a label I wear with pride." Tardif is active in the writing community, leading a writers' group for fiction writers and often writing articles and short stories for various publications, such as WestWord, Alberta's prestigious literary magazine. She also organized a fundraiser to help victims of the Asian tsunamis. See www.aftercanada.com.

Cheryl Kaye Tardif is the author of three mystery novels: Divine Intervention, a psychic suspense that has been compared to J.D. Robb's series; The River, which one reviewer said was a mix of Dan Brown and Michael Crichton and Whale Song, her 2003 debut, which was recently picked up by Kunati Inc. Book Publishers as a new special revised edition for January 2007. A screenplay for Whale Song was written recently at the request of an executive film producer and is on its way to becoming a possible feature film.

Tardif is also CEO of BookAdz.com, a company that promotes Canadian and American writers; and she is the creator of AlbertaAuthors.com, a site that promotes Alberta authors, writers and singer/songwriters.

If you are in Edmonton, Alberta, in October, be sure to check out the Edmonton Woman's Show held at Northlands Agri-Com on October 14th and 15th. And don't forget to drop by Author's Row to experience some of the finest in Canadian literature. This is a day long event that shouldn't be missed!
Cheryl Kaye Tardif's Events

Mandarin Cashew Chicken Salad

Now that summer is upon us, I thought I'd share with you my summer addiction: Mandarin Cashew Chicken Salad. Of course I realize this has absolutely nothing to do with writing, so I'll segue this with "a refreshing and fulfilling salad to energize the writer". Also...it's a salad 'to die for'! Layer these ingredients in a large salad bowl: assorted greens (especially spinach) 4 cooked chicken breasts, cubed small 2-3 stalks of celery, chopped 1 cup cashews 2 cans mandarin oranges (drained--reserve 4 tbs of juice in a small measuring cup) 1/2 small red onion, sliced thin Dressing: 4 tbs reserved mandarin juice 4 tbs. fresh or concentrated orange juice 1/2 cup of poppy seed dressing 1 tsp sesame oil 1 tsp vinegar Mix dressing well. Serve salad on individual plates and pour on dressing. If you toss entire salad with dressing, make sure it gets eaten right away. ENJOY! Cheryl Kaye Tardif www.cherylktardif.com www.divinenovels.com

One of my favorite fan emails!

Although I appreciate and love all emails from my fans, this one in particular is one of my favorites, and one I'll share with you. Dear Ms. Tardif, My name is J. I am fourteen years old, live in Alberta; and love Whale Song. this email is simply to thank you for writng 'my favorite book of all time'. I read it yesterday, and literally I couldn't put it down. the only time I did was to eat breakfast, and is my mother would have let me, believe you me I would have read it while eating as well. I'm already on my second round of reading it. I don't think that in my life I have ever cried so much at a book. I sat on my bed while reading it slinging to my pillow, that rested un der my chin to catch my tears. I weeped throughout the entire thing (well almost). My mom would come in and say for my to stop rubbing my face on my pillow and get a kleenex, but I didn't want to stop for even a little moment. My grandmother (whom I call nanny) got Whale Song for me as a Christmas gift. She said she saw you in the store signing books and said she simply had to buy me and autographed copy. Me and Nanny always talk about the good books we read, and believe me she was one of the first people I called up to ramble on about my new 'obsession'. Anyways I should get back on track, She got this book for me as well as a few more, and I had saved it for last, scince it was the most colorful, and most inviting. See when I recieve books in order to make sure I stay on top of my reading lists, I leave the books I want to read most for last, so that I will be encouraged to finish the ones before it faster. And just Thurday night I finished 'The Golden Compass'. And Saturday morning I woke up at six, because a squirell had annoyed my puppy, Jodee. I looked at my book self and then at the one lonely book sitting there that had not yet been read, and scince I can't fall asleep after being woken up, I grabbed it and crawled into bed to read. At 10:00 my mother came in calling me down to eat some breakfast, and that was basically my only break from the book. Your book captured me. It is one of those few books I've read that I think of long after I have read the last page. I want to thank you for writng such a powerful book, in many dimensions. I know it will be my favorite book for a very very long time. I'm looking forward to reading many other times then the two times I have already read it. sincerly, J. For me, receiving emails like this one absolutely makes my day. It makes me remember that part of the reason why I write is for my readers. The other reason why I write is because I simply have to--for ME! Please keep sending me your emails, and remember that posting reviews on Amazon or Indigo is also a wonderful way to show your support of my work. I love stumbling upon a new review! Cheryl Kaye Tardif Author of Whale Song http://www.cherylktardif.com/

Review from Edmonton Sun

I received this short but 'sweet' review the other day: "Local author Cheryl Kaye Tardif specializes in mile-a-minute pot-boiler mysteries, usually set in Western Canadian locales. Her latest, The River, is a whodunit centred around mysterious happenings on the Nahanni River up north. An earlier Tardif book, the independently released Whale Song, will be published in early 2007 by Kunati Books." --Graham Hicks, Edmonton Sun (June 15, 2006) Thanks, Graham! Cheryl Kaye Tardif Author of Whale Song http://www.cherylktardif.com

Advice to Aspiring Authors

Today I received an email from an aspiring writer and I thought I would share it with you, and share my reply. Ms. Tardif, I have just completed my first manuscript and I am looking for some advice. I write in the same genres as your novels and I was wondering what I should do. As a Canadian writer, should I seek representation for my work, or go directly to publishing houses? Should I go with a smaller publisher, just to get my foot in the door? Any advice you can give me would be helpful. Thanks. L. My reply: Hi L: Congratulations on completing your first ms!! You should be proud of yourself. Many people start a ms, but never finish. There are a number of things you should do or consider. Pick up a copy of Writer's Market and Canadian Writer's Market. You can get these at Amazon or Indigo or your local book store. These are valuable resources for a writer, with listings for publishers, agents, magazines and more. Join a local writer's group...something that meets monthly. Join your local chapter of the Writers Guild. If you live in Alberta go to http://www.writersguild.ab.ca/. If you're in another province, check online. Join CWC-Crime Writers of Canada at http://www.crimewriterscanada.com/ Get a membership at http://www.bookadz.com/ to promote you as an author and your books as they come out. The Gold Adz package gives you unlimited book ads. You should start now in building an internet identity. Don't wait for your first published book. It shows you're a serious, dedicated writer when someone can type your name in a search engine and find direct listings to your site, blog and other links. See this Article! Learn how to write an awesome query letter. Take a course or learn from online sources. Email publishers only if they say they will accept e-queries. Try to get your work critiqued by a professional writer, avid reader with writing skills, editor, etc. Try to have someone read at least the first 3-5 chapters and give you their professional opinion...friends and family don't count. It is often worth paying for this service! Don't send your manuscript out until you've had someone else look at it. Pick up a copy of Self-Editing for Fiction Writers. This is my "bible" of sorts, although I don't agree with everything the authors say, it's a must-have. Contact agents with query letters. Consider your publishing options. More authors are deciding to use POD (Print on demand) publishers such as Trafford or iUniverse or Infinity. I chose this route and have been extremely successful, with the highest most consistent book sales during signings in Edmonton from all local authors. My 2003 debut novel has already received movie interest and has recently been picked up by a traditional publisher. And they are considering two other novels. Check out this article: http://www.bookadz.com/pubwar.htm. If you go this route of self-publishing, make sure you have your work edited by at least 2 professionals. You have one chance with a debut to catch your readers and start building a fan base. You should be contacting agents AND publishers...only those that accept multiple submissions. Try to send out at least one query a week. And while you wait...edit, EDIT, EDIT! I hope this helps. If you're from Alberta, check out http://www.albertaauthors.com/ and get listed. Cheryl Kaye Tardif Canadian Mystery Author Whale Song, The River, and Divine Intervention http://www.cherylktardif.com/ http://www.kunati.com/ http://cherylktardif.blogspot.com/ http://www.jaysporchmonkeys.com/

A Fresh New Look at CherylKTardif.com!

Ok, well I thought it would take me much longer to re-design my website, but once I get my mind set on something...

I invite you to check out the fresh new look at www.cherylktardif.com. I think you'll agree, this new look is less crowded and easier to navigate. Plus I've added a new site map!

Some of you will notice I have updated my photograph...well, what can I say? The older version was taken back in 2003, when I had a run-in with a pair of scissors (or a lapse of sanity). The next time I have the bright idea to cut my hair short, somebody please stop me!

For someone who is photophobic, I'm getting used to the new photo on my site. Incidentally, the photographer is my best friend and partner in crime (a fellow author, that is!), Shannon Lea, whose upcoming novel Stolen Innocence will be her debut. No release date set on it yet, but I'll let you know when it's available. For now, please check out Shannon at www.bookadz.com/slea.htm.


Other than eliminating my past site (nicknamed "grape"), I've been working on one of my suspense novels--Children of the Fog. And I'm preparing to edit Whale Song (2007) once my editor has finished with it.


What else can I tell you?

Not much...because I have to keep you in suspense. :)

~Cheryl
www.cherylktardif.com
www.kunati.com