Due Credit

As Ron said, it's nice to be recognized publicly. For as long as I can remember (quite literally), I wanted to "be a writer," whatever that means. As I finish growing up, I struggle to redefine just what that means for me. Publish or perish doesn't exist only within the ivory tower, and I've found myself regressing toward the need to write versus the need to be read. For now, I am content. Perhaps.

I'm not even sure if there are any who remember that what drew me first to LiveJournal was the need for a forum in which to be read. My first LJ wasn't even mine, per se, but one for a secondary character (Declan O'Leary). That was five years ago now. As I've continued to write, I've gotten better (as Zelda would say, "Well, duh."), but I've also grown more selective in what I can tolerate reading. I purchase almost zero fiction anymore, preferring to read those writers online who I know to be first rate and whose characters engage me. (My non-fiction is still purchased, but that's a different sort of thing altogether.) Thus, when Ron chose to honor me on a list of five writers to read online, I was both honored and delighted to be able to select five of my own to pass on to you. Because I will post this both here and on my blog, I don't worry so much about the redundancy of LJ and the fact that many of my LJ readers will also read those I recommend.

Here are the rules/suggestions for this nomination. Do with them what you will.

Leibster is a German word meaning "dearest," and the award is given to up-and-coming bloggers with less than 200 followers. (I don't really care if a nominee has more than 200 followers to be frank.)

If you receive the award, you should:

1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you. Again, thank you, , also found at The Road to Donnick Cottage
2. Reveal your top five picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
4. Hope that the people you’ve sent the award to forward it to their five favourite bloggers and keep it going!

Ron Runeborg

Ron Runeborg deserved the nomination that got this ball rolling, and he deserves mine. He is one of those rare writers whose natural talent is the envy of many. Whether Suessical or serious, his verse sings always and is delivered damned near without effort. When he turns his pen to fiction, he peoples his worlds with characters and situations that transport the reader and, often, transform the reader. To add insult to injury (or the cherry on top), Ron's recorded readings of his own and others' works delight us all. My only complaint about this nominee is that he withholds his talent as often as he shares it.

Rachel Green

Rachel Green, the Renaissance artist of our time, is truly one of my favourite writers. I have been enriched beyond measure since I began reading the tales of Harold & Jasfoup four years+ ago. Her wit is razor sharp, her characters fully fleshed (even those whose flesh is slightly decayed), and her plots as tight as a Christie or Doyle. Writing primarily in the urban fantasy genre, Rachel also does a bit more than dabble in the BSDM and gay/lesbian arenas, often overlapping the two. She is brilliant, funny, humble, and a complete delight, as are all of her works. As if that were not enough, she also boasts a compendium of accomplished poetry, penning seven each day and sometimes more.

Nathalie Bouchard-Beudin

Nathalie is a little Lovecraft, a bit Atwood, and completely herself. A Frenchwoman who lives in Italy and writes in English, she pens poetry, flash via Twitter, and feature-length horror that will have the reader suspending disbelief before we realize it's even required. Despite the fantastic elements of her stories, Nathalie reminds us always that the dark we have to fear generally lies within ourselves.

Chan Pheng Lew

Chan writes, as far as I am aware, within the confines of Live Journal. If you are an LJer, you may know Chan's work already. These stories, typically set in Laos, are sweeping, beautifully set tales of human frailty and strength. I am always struck by the breathtaking prose she crafts within the economy of words she chooses. Chan's gift is the offering of stories to those of us fortunate enough to read. If you haven't discovered her yet, please do so now.

Teresa Frohock

Fellow North Carolinian and fantasy writer Teresa Frohock is destined to become of favourite of readers around the web and elsewhere. Her recently published Miserere: An Autumn Tale recently received a starred review in Library Journal (and I can say I tweeted with her when...). In all seriousness, Teresa is a serious writer with a serious ability to craft a complete world with characters that will stop you in your tracks and pull you into their lives. She also has a gifted ability to talk the craft as well as work it. Read her work and her thoughts on it. You'll be delighted that you did.