For those who like words…

For those looking for information on agents

Shannon has some fun thoughts on writing. I did love Goose Girl.

This funny site allows you to improve your vocabulary and give away rice simultaneously. Who comes up with these ideas?

To see what books I've authored as well as those that I've edited check out this fun website.

I love bookplates! This inventive website allows you to download any of a number of fun bookplates for free. One of my black and white favorites is by artist Polly Dunbar, and since I love Stella, my eye immediately went to the whimsical and oftentimes fitting (in our household of readers!) bookplate by Marie-Louise Gay.

My father’s family immigrated to California as bakers in the late 1800’s. My brothers, father, uncles and grandfathers have all worked in the baking industry, which probably explains my attraction to ovens of all sorts. I bake regularly at home, would love to outlaw Wonder bread, and am aiming to start a whole new trend of folks baking their own jacos in their own kitchens. Here are two great bread baking websites:

I love fountain pens—and I found these very inexpensive ones on a trip to France. They’re made by Agata Ruiz de la Prada and are adorable. Since they’re inexpensive I don’t mind when my toddler bends the tip... I order them by directly calling her store in New York and have them shipped to my home. Here’s her website:

If you want to have a fountain pen, then you need to have ink! My favorite ink is made by J. Herbin. They come in many colors, and some are even scented. J. Herbin has a website but they don’t sell directly to the consumer. I like to stash up on these inks when in Boulder, Colorado at the Two Hands Paperie.

The J. Herbin website has a list of retailers who carry their inks, and they have a fabulous bit of information about how best to apply sealing wax to envelopes. See my musings page for more on that…

I work for Conciliar Press Ministries—acting as the project manager for children’s books, and as an editor for The Handmaiden, a quarterly journal for women. And The Man and the Vine, and the upcoming The Woman and the Wheat are published by St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press. If you’re looking for Orthodox Christian books or icons, or other information on the Orthodox Christian faith, here are some places to go:

Abigail Halpin did the splash page illustration for this website. I worked with her on a project at Conciliar and fell in love with her style. She’s very sweet too, and easy to work with. Here’s her website:

Claire Brandenburg is another wonderful artist and person. So lovely to work with. I adore her book, The Monk who Grew Prayer. My two year-old and I have almost worn it out… Find her at:

One of my favorite writer friends, Robin Gowen, is also a fine art painter. I’m trying to save money to buy a really large piece! See her work at:

If you’re ever looking for affordable, handmade calligraphy work please check out my sweet friend Carla Harris. She’s exceptionally talented, humble, and a true artist.

Chris Humphreys is a most excellent photographer and lives here in Santa Barbara. He has done magazine and book shots for me, family photos, and now he is the one responsible for all the photos on this website. He’s awesome!

Wow, there’s not enough space on this page to talk about the professionalism and artistry of Hani.