OKLAHOMA - New Favorite Blog

Just got word this week that Land Run is now featured here.  It is a very good site to discover the writing scene in that region of the country.  Please come by and check it out.

Also, be looking for this site to publish a review of Land Run very soon!

Click Link Below:

OK WRITERS

DEFIES EXPLANATION - Photos

Want everyone to know they can see these new updates by clicking here on AUTHORSDEN.

- Addition to the Short Story

- Two news items (Author Interview video and Book Trailer)

- Addition of Author biography

On another note ;-)

I was struck this week by how much nature can inform our lives.  For me this isn't very often.  I tend towards ideas, people, and buildings (their art and history).  But once in awhile I take notice (I have to think that some force outside of me makes this happen - because I am pretty obstinate.) 

Anyhow, we were given a very sickly little Marigold plant last year.  We planted it but there was just no hope for it.  It was free so not too great a loss.  But apparently this spring a seed remained.  It grew into what you see below.  This incredible bush like I have never seen before - not for this kind of little plant.  So I asked my daughter to sit beside it to give the size some perspective.  After I took the photo - I looked at the camera display...I saw my daughter sitting next to this incredible plant.

Now we fought for 3.5 years to get her free from a Ukrainian orphanage two years ago.  12 years of institutional living there has presented some challenges - and coming to a new and different language, culture, and into a family.  But like this plant...she is who you see here.  Beautiful, growing and blossoming in so many amazing ways.  There they were...two of a kind.

Good soil, water, and sun help any plant.  But for these results, defying explanation, coming from such a difficult beginning - there has to have been extra care coming from somewhere, you know.  Just saying. :-)

Have a great weekend!

KINDLE Options

Hey folks!  I just got word from the publisher that they are working out some problems with Amazon in getting the Kindle uploaded.  But it should not take much longer.

UNTIL THEN:

Please check out this location - the eBook is available here!  And compatible with the KINDLE and anything else.  If you have a NOOK - that is always available at -

Click here for NOOK:

Barnes and Noble

click here for KINDLE:
KINDLE file

MORE Than You Ever Wanted to Know About Me

Hey Land Run readers!  I want to update you about a new site that features my novel and recent short story.  I plan to add (much revised) excerpts from my new novel project as well.

It really is a great site!

Also, in other news, Land Run will soon be available in the Oklahoma Metropolitan Library System.  Tulsa is reviewing the novel as well - I am hoping for a positive result there as well.  Choctaw Library is considering the novel for a special feature.

Check this out:

LAND RUN in AUTHORSDEN

Rock Star!

I had a great time doing book-signings this past week.  I was at the Via Cappaccino in Rocky Mount, NC.  I am soon closing in on middle-age and had a college student ask me to sign her arm.  That might be, no - that will be, as close to a 'Rock Star' experience I will ever see. ;-)   After which, of course, I had to leave my make-shift bookstand to keep my two-year old from throwing puzzle pieces at their customers.

Will have another book-signing in Raleigh in August - if in the area please come on out. 

http://www.stevensbks.com/

Have a GREAT weekend!

Via Cappuccino - and Elves....

...Here I come!  Man, isn't that just a cool name for a place?  I could say it 3 times like the guy in the Elf movie did with Mississippi. :-)

Just a reminder of the book signing tomorrow at the Via Cappuccino in Rocky Mount, NC.  Very nice coffee house and local arts community hang-out.  Come by and check them out.

July 14 – Thursday

6:00-8:00 p.m.
Via Cappuccino
3002 Sunset Avenue
Rocky Mount, NC 27804-3647
(252) 937-0004

VERY COOL Updates (KINDLE) and a Free Gift

It has been a busy week for Land Run.  I had a really fun interview on TV Friday.  Go ahead and click the link below - no worries, it's short ;-)

LET'S TALK ABOUT 'CROSSOVER' FICTION

The book-signing after was cool as well.  The book seems to have run out of stock temporarily at many online bookstores - but always available via the publisher at http://markgraham.tateauthor.com/ until supply is filled.

Land Run soon (very soon) to be available on KINDLE.

BOOK-SIGNING this week:

July 14 – Thursday
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Via Cappuccino
3002 Sunset Avenue
Rocky Mount, NC 27804-3647
(252) 937-0004

Now for your free gift:

Psalm 20

1 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!

2 May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion!
3 May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah
4 May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans!
5 May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the LORD fulfill all your petitions!
6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
8 They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.
9 O LORD, save the king! May he answer us when we call.

The Night Before...

Well, that sounded ominous. ;-)  Just want to put out a quick reminder of the Book-Signing tomorrow.

July 8 – Friday

6:00-800 p.m.
Storytellers Bookstore
100 E. Roosevelt Ave
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 554-9146

Also, for you newshounds, I will be interviewed for the novel the same day at 12:30 on WRAL in Raleigh.  Right now I am pretending that will be fun...rather than scary. ;-)

Hope to see you there!

Mark

Happy Independence Day!

Hi!  Just a reminder - if you happen to be in North Carolina this week.  Every so often I will post some Book-Signing events as they come close to the time.  This is one of those times. :-) Please stop by Storytellers Books in Wake Forest, NC if you have time.  There will be music provided and also a local festival going on.  Lots of fun.  (and if you have never been to Storytellers - it is a great hangout with a mess of books!)

Also - the same day WRAL news will possibly interview me for the mid-day newscast.  So - please say a prayer for me as I never know what I might say ;-)

July 8 – Friday


6:00-800 p.m.

Storytellers Bookstore

100 E. Roosevelt Ave

Wake Forest, NC 27587

(919) 554-9146