• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Elaine Ambrose

Bestselling Author, Ventriloquist, & Humorist

  • Home
  • About Elaine
    • Privacy Policy
  • ALL BOOKS
  • Blog
  • Books
  • Contact
  • Storyteller
You are here: Home / Archives for #AK Turner

#AK Turner

Funny Friends are Finalists for Book of the Year Award

March 16, 2017 By Elaine Ambrose

 

amanda elaine book cover

The Foreword INDIES 2016 Book of the Year Awards honor the best books and authors from independent publishers. Chosen from thousands of entries from across the country, the finalists were announced this week and include two Idaho humor writers, Elaine Ambrose and Amanda AK Turner.

ForeWord Book of Year

The top three winners in the 19th annual awards program will receive either the prestigious Gold, Silver, or Bronze Awards and will be chosen after the final votes are judged and tabulated from librarians and booksellers. Winners in each genre—along with Editor’s Choice winners, and Foreword’s INDIE Publisher of the Year—will be announced during the 2017 American Library Association Annual Conference in Chicago on June 24, 2017.

Ambrose is a finalist for her book, Midlife Happy Hour. She won the Book of the Year Bronze Award for Humor in 2004 for her funny golf book, The Red Tease. Turner, a New York Times bestselling author, is a finalist for her book, Vagabonding with Kids. Both books were published by  Brown Books Publishing Group of Dallas, Texas.

happyhour_sketches_v3 vagabonding

Both authors served on the board of the Idaho Writers Guild, have performed in the popular “Life Sucks, Laugh Hard” live comedy shows, and collaborated on two books of humorous historical fiction, Drinking with Dead Women Writers and Drinking with Dead Drunks. Attendees of the Idaho Writers Guild conference in May can hear their latest readings at the “Life Sucks, Laugh Hard” performance with New York Times bestselling author Jen Mann.

drinking dead women writers coverdrinking dead drunks cover WittyWomen_Flyer_v2_OLF

As part of their mission to discover, review, and share the best books from small, university, and indie publishers (and authors), independent media company Foreword Reviews hosts its annual awards program each year. Finalists represent the best books published in 2016, and submitted to Foreword Reviews for award consideration, and were narrowed down by Foreword’s editors. A complete list of finalists can be found at:

https://awards.forewordreviews.com/finalists/2016/

“Choosing finalists for the INDIES is always the highlight of our year, but the choice was more difficult this time around due to the high quality of submissions,” said Victoria Sutherland, publisher of Foreword Reviews. “Each new book award season proves again how independent publishers are the real innovators in the industry.”

 

Filed Under: blog Tagged With: #AK Turner, #humor, #Jen Mann, #Midlife Cabernet, book awards, Brown Books Publishing, Foreword Book of the Year, Midlife Happy Hour, Vagabonding with Kids

Life Sucks Laugh Hard – Again!

March 4, 2017 By Elaine Ambrose

WittyWomen_Flyer_v2_OLF

Back by Popular Demand At the Idaho Writers Guild Writers Conference

Jen Mann crop 2
amanda turnerelaine portrait crop

Bestselling humor writers Jen Mann, AK Turner, and Elaine Ambrose

will read from their latest works of wit and wisdom on Friday, May 5 at the Boise Centre. The event is FREE all paid registrants of the Idaho Writers Guild Writers Conference. The annual two-day conference features expert speakers, authors, agents, editors, and enlightening panel discussions.

Registration is only $195 for IWG members and $225 for non-members. Go here for details.

idaho writers guild logo

Life Sucks Laugh Hard is sponsored by Mill Park Publishing MPP logo

Filed Under: blog Tagged With: #AK Turner, #Elaine Ambrose, #humor, #Jen Mann, authors, Idaho Writers Guild, Life Sucks Laugh Hard, writers conference

“Drinking with Dead Women Writers” Read by Famous Actress

February 15, 2017 By Elaine Ambrose

drinking dead women writers cover

Jane Merrow, a Golden Globes nominated actress who performed in movies with notable stars including Peter O’Toole, Peter Graves, and Katharine Hepburn, recently recorded a reading of one of the stories in Drinking with Dead Women Writers.

The recording features Merrow reading about Jane Austen, and Merrow’s delightful British accent lends authentic charm to the performance. Austen’s actual quotes are used in the conversation.

jane merrow

The book was written by Boise author AK Turner and me as the first of a two-part series and published by Mill Park Publishing of Eagle, Idaho. Drinking with Dead Women Writers describes our encounters with 16 deceased female authors, including Erma Bombeck, Louisa May Alcott, and Dorothy Parker. The sequel, Drinking with Dead Drunks, highlights 16 male authors, such as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and William Faulkner. All the stories include authentic quotes from the authors that are weaved into the narrative of the stories. The books received several awards from the Idaho Author Awards Program.

drinking dead drunks cover

Alan Heathcock, award-winning author of VOLT, reviewed the books as “A rare mix of cleverness and intellect, and a total blast to read.” Flashlight Commentary wrote that the books were “Engaging and revealing, but most of all, flat out funny.” Readers are encouraged to listen to Merrow’s clever reading and enjoy the books.

amanda elaine book cover

Filed Under: blog Tagged With: #AK Turner, #Drinking with Dead Women Writers, Drinking with Dead Drunks, historical fiction, Idaho Author Awards, Jane Austen, Jane Merrow

Guest Blogger Ruth Knox Describes Idaho Writer’s Retreat

November 27, 2015 By Elaine Ambrose

 

Ruth Knox, left, and Christy Hovey discuss writing goals.
Ruth Knox, left, and Christy Hovey discuss writing goals.

 

The Guest Blogger today is Ruth Knox, a writer from Boise, Idaho. She attended our writer’s retreat in October and was inspired to finish the first draft of her novel. Here is her review of the retreat. (The next Creative Kindling Retreat is April 29-May 1, 2016.)

The Word by Ruth Knox

photo 3

 

Saturday night. A bunch of giggling women are gathered at night in the dark woods behind the Garden Valley cabin, taking part in a wilderness survival exercise put on by workshop leaders, Christy Hovey and Amanda Turner. Elaine Ambrose, who is hosting this writers retreat for women is there, giggling right along with us. This is my first ever Creative Kindling Women’s Writing Retreat, and this little workshop goes to show you that you never know what’s going to happen when you get together with this bunch. I can’t divulge details. What happens at the cabin stays at the cabin. We didn’t pinky-swear or anything, but you just know there are some things of which you must never speak. Sisterhood and all that.

On Sunday morning, I’m sitting in a big ol’ rocking chair on the veranda, watching the mist play along the river bank. Just a few yards from the porch, deer are lazily grazing. It’s like a picture out of a story book, but it’s real. We’re sipping our coffee, cradling our steamy mugs in both hands. A fire in the hearth completes this perfect setting. The usually still morning air is alive with women’s laughter. Welcome to our women’s writing retreat.

When we arrived on Friday afternoon, most of us didn’t know each other. Now it’s Sunday, and we are reluctant to break this magic spell of camaraderie and leave our new friends to return to our busy lives in the city. If I had to say how they managed to pull off this magic transformation in less than 48 hours, I, the writer of words, would have no answer. Maybe it is our hosts and mentors, Elaine Ambrose, Amanda Turner, and Christy Hovey. Each has specific skill sets that every writer needs, and when you put them all together at this retreat, you get what I like to refer to as the Power Pack.

Not only did they host workshops with invaluable information, they each gave us a two-hour, one-on-one private session to work on our own specific current writing project. This is where the real gold is in this weekend retreat. This kind of personal coaching is not something you have available at most retreats. They also limit the number of attendees so that the feel is intimate and comfortable, and everyone has time to address any questions they have. As well, this made it easy to get to know the other attendees, and develop a rapport which made learning together fun.

In my case, I am currently working on a non-fiction book, Caregiver’s Quilt. When I arrived on Friday, I was stuck, bogged down in details and self-doubt about my ability to complete this project. Yes, I’d done plenty of writing over the years, but not a full length book, and this felt daunting. I didn’t know how to take my ideas and tame them into a usable book outline. Elaine worked with me on blogging, which gave me a better understanding of how a blog can help me write my book and gain readership. Amanda worked with me on my outline, and how to break my big book idea down into manageable sized chunks. Christy helped me get a handle on how to use social media to find my readers, and hold their interest.

Because we not only played hard this weekend, we worked hard too. Our attendees ran from fairly new to seasoned writers. It didn’t matter. We each found something we needed to move us along our writer’s path. Each of us came away with a sense of exhilaration. We were going home with something tangible to work on. And we got something more – a sense of sisterhood, and some new friends. Our attendees decided to form an accountability group, meeting for lunch once a month to update each other on our progress.

It was a wonderful experience. Sharing our ideas and projects with one another bolstered our confidence and our belief in our own project. It took something intensely personal and solitary and gave it life in the real world. Each of us challenged ourselves by reading some of our writing aloud to the group. We were met with encouragement and applause.

Our first workshop was on Friday night. After we dined like royalty on a delicious feast that chef, Robert prepared for us, we gathered around the table. Coffee and wine flowed in abundance. Elaine chose the subject “Music as Muse” for her workshop. The idea was that by using guided imagery, we would open ourselves up to memories and write about them, knowing we didn’t have to share them with anyone if we chose. I’m not going to lie. It was a difficult exercise. With the help of music, we silently revisited the most painful and the most joyful experiences of our lives. As much as I didn’t like revisiting painful memories, I have to admit that this exercise opened me up. And from that place of honest vulnerability I became ready to receive all that the weekend had to offer.

If you decide to honor your writing-self by attending the next retreat, come with a specific project in mind and come prepared to work hard. As well, come prepared to laugh. A lot. The next retreat will probably be in April. Plan now to be there. Opportunities like this don’t come often. Would I go again? In a heartbeat. I’m already feeding my piggy bank.

(Read more from Ruth Knox at https://ruthknox.wordpress.com/ and follow her on Facebook.)

 

Filed Under: blog Tagged With: #AK Turner, Christy Hovey, Creative Kindling, Ruth Knox, writer's retreat

Midlife Cabernet: So, Who Needs some Laughter and Libations?

April 21, 2014 By Elaine Ambrose

When was the last time you laughed until you snorted and then lost body fluids? Do you want to get away from toxic, bitter people who are mad at the world and blame their wretched existence on everyone else? Are you ready to claw out of your mundane routine and revel in a delightful evening with a New York Times bestselling humor author, a nationally-known comedienne, and two local fun writers? You are in great luck!

Come to a comedy show titled “Life Sucks Laugh Hard” on Tuesday, June 18 at Beside Bardenay, 612 Grove Street in downtown Boise. The festivities begin at 7:00 pm and end around 10:00 pm. Tickets are $20, available at www.LifeSucksLaughHard.com. You also can buy tickets at the door. The program is sponsored by Mill Park Publishing of Eagle.

The titles of these authors’ books should give you a clue that this show is for ages 18 and above. That means no kids. Not even one.

Laurie Notaro is the New York Times bestselling author, and she has a new book titled The Potty Mouth at the Table. She was a keynote speaker last year at the Idaho Writers and Readers Rendezvous, and many who heard her still have sides that ache from all the laughter. She will read from her books and regale the audience with hilarious stories.

Stacy Dymalski is a standup comedienne, and she commands five-figure speaking fees. We’re only paying her with laughter and a two-figure honorarium so please come and reward her with loud clapping and foot stomping. She is the author of Confessions of a Band Geek Mom, and she will explain how life as a comic prepared her for motherhood.

AK Turner (our own Amanda Turner) is the author of This Little Piggy Went to the Liquor Store and her new book, Mommy Had a Little Flask. AK and I are the co-authors of two great literary works, Drinking with Dead Women Writers and Drinking with Dead Drunks. We really shared drinks with Jane Austen, the Bronte Sisters, Edgar Allan Poe, and Ernest Hemingway. Really. I’ll also read from my book, Menopause Sucks, and from my forthcoming book, Midlife Cabernet.

The four of us will tell stories, read from our books, sip enormous quantities of wine, and sign books for sale. You get to mingle with happy people, enjoy appetizers, and laugh yourself silly. There will be no-host bar with a wonderful array of adult beverages. Best of all, no crabby people are allowed! They can go wallow in a pathetic pity party while we giggle and grin. We win.

Men are more than welcome to attend our fun event. Alan Heathcock, the award-winning author of VOLT, will be the intrepid master of ceremonies. He would appreciate some guys there to join him in this energized evening of entertainment and readings from four funny ladies. We hope to see you there. Taxis will be available for hire to take you home.

Today’s blog is fueled by a bottle of 2009 Domaine Eden Cabernet Sauvignon. This California wine is a rich, velvety blend of Cabernet, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. It won the taste test this week against a French Bordeaux at Crush Wine Bar in Eagle. The retail price is $53, but it’s $44 for members of the Wine Club.

Filed Under: blog Tagged With: #AK Turner, #Boise, #book signing, #comedy, #Laurie Notaro, #Stacy Dymalski

Midlife Cabernet – Don’t Irritate a Menopausal Writer

April 21, 2014 By Elaine Ambrose

Boise’s “alternative” newspaper intends to print a negative review of our new book, Drinking with Dead Women Writers. As the coauthor and publisher of the book, I appreciate any publicity, but I do hope the article will be placed ahead of the provocative ads for bi-sexual swingers and discreet Asian escorts. Otherwise, the book could get lost in that prolific cornucopia of literary excellence.

I was sad for two minutes after hearing about the pessimistic review. But, I’ll save a copy in my “Stupid Rejections” file – which is delightfully smaller than my file labeled “Hot Damn, I Won!” Before publication, the book was reviewed by an internationally-renowned, successful author. He wrote that the stories were “a rare mix of cleverness and intellect, and a total blast to read.” That review goes into the “win” file along with other glowing comments.

On a more positive note, I’ve also learned that my company Mill Park Publishing is a Bronze Medal winner in the 2012 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY), and our book Little White Dress was selected from more than 5,200 entries from around the world. The Ippy Awards honor and recognize excellence in independent publishing and writing. So, put that in your crack pipe and smoke it, Boise Weekly.

Mill Park Publishing has published five books in the last two years, all of them written by local women authors. Little White Dress provided 26 women writers with the opportunity to share their stories about the myth and meaning of their wedding dresses. Now these women can promote the fact that they are authors of a national award-winning anthology. We have four more books scheduled to be released in the next year, and they are written by, about and for women. Most of us are have survived the slings and arrows of outrageous criticism and now we’re mature enough to wash away any lingering homicidal tendencies with a bold Cabernet.

Drinking with Dead Women Writers offers a collection of essays about 16 famous women writers. In researching the greatest female voices in literary history, AK Turner and I discovered fascinating facts: many of these women suffered numerous rejections, others weren’t published until after their death, one published only one novel but it won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, and several wrote under pseudonyms or used a man’s name because the prevailing opinion was that women didn’t have the competence to be writers. My name is Elaine Ambrose.

Today’s blog is fueled by a delightful bottle of Three Legged Red by Dunham Cellars in Walla Walla, Wa. It’s only $18, and it’s the cheap cousin of Dunham Cellars 2008 Trutina, a marvelous blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot. That wine goes for $30, and both wines can be found at A New Vintage Wine Shop near Fairview and Eagle Road. Read the label on the Three Legged Red – it’s a touching story about an injured puppy named Port.

Filed Under: blog Tagged With: #AK Turner, #Boise Weekly, #Drinking with Dead Women Writers, #Elaine Ambrose, #Mill Park Publishing

Footer

Awards

awards

Badges

badges from other sites

Awards

awards

©2022 Elaine Ambrose | Designed & Maintained by Technology-Therapist

 

Loading Comments...