Fresh Ink and Wet Paint
A blog on news and reflections on art, writing and life
New Pet Portrait: “Malcolm”
By Lori DeBoer I’m always thrilled to have the opportunity to paint the portrait of a beloved pet, and Malcolm was no exception. He is a sweet Border collie with the most beautiful pale blue eyes imaginable and he has a large personality. I did a drawing and a...
New Painting: “The Cardinal Came to Tea”
“The Cardinal Came to Tea” by Lori DeBoer With the holidays approaching, it seems fitting to paint one of the season’s most symbolic birds, the cardinal. The idea for this painting sprang from a sweet Ellgrave antique teapot I saw on Instagram on...
New Painting: Belgian Hare
“Belgian Hare” painting by Lori DeBoer One summer, my brother decided to raise some rabbits. I don’t remember if they were for a 4-H project or if he was raising them for meat. Since I was quasi-vegetarian, he liked to tease me that we were going to...
June 5, 2021: Female Alchemy Art Show
I’m pleased to announce that I have had six paintings accepted into the Female Art Show at the Sassa Bird fine Art Gallery in Denver. The art gallery is owned and operated by the talented Sara “Sassa” Geller, who is herself an extraordinary artist....
Client News: S. Mariah Rose Launches Memoir
By Lori DeBoer It’s always exciting when a client launches a book that I’ve helped them with; I always feel a little bit like a doting grandmother or great aunt. I have helped usher more than 70 books in all genres into the world, working as a writing...
BAAaa! Show, Museum of Boulder, December 3, 2020
by Lori DeBoer Two of my paintings will be exhibited at the Boulder Art Association show being held at the Museum of Boulder, December 3, 2020 to February 1, 2021. The theme of the show is “The BAAaaa! Show: In and Around Boulder,” as a pun on the Boulder...
Small Works Showcase, R Gallery, Boulder, June 1, 2019
By Lori DeBoer I’m so excited to have two of my paintings accepted into the Small Works Showcase at the R Gallery in Boulder. The juried exhibit features pieces 12 inches and smaller. The works I submitted are animal paintings inspired by the designs of William...
Client News: Anita Halvorssen Publishes Thriller
By Lori DeBoer It was great fun to work with Anita Halvorssen on her new book The Dirty Network. Anita is a Boulder, Colorado, author who comes from a legal background and has worked on climate change issues. She drew on her knowledge and passion to spin this...
“Twenty-Five Random Things About Me” Nominated for a Pushcart Prize
By Lori DeBoer I feel very grateful to have my short story “Twenty-Five Random Things About Me” nominated by the editors and staff of The Saranac Review for the Pushcart Prize. The story was published in the October 2018 issue. The Pushcart Prize is an...
Kerry Parry Publishes Conversations with the Faithful
By Lori DeBoer Conversations with the Faithful: Seeking Enlightenment Over Lunch is an amazing new book released by Wi-Do last summer. I enjoyed working with the author, Kerry Parry; she’s a gifted storyteller and handles this deep and personal subject with wit...
Client News: Michael Carson Publishes Dystopian YA Novel
By Lori DeBoer I am a big fan of YA novels and I was particularly excited to work with Michael Carson, a Boulder author, on his new novel Thirst. It is a really gripping and emotionally engaging novel that offers a unique perspective on climate change through the lens...
“All the Love in the World,” Shortlisted for the Bellevue Literary Prize, Available on Wattpad
By Lori DeBoer Wattpad has been getting a lot of buzz lately for its ability to reach more readers, which is why I’m pleased to announce that my short story, “All the Love in the World,” is now available there. The short story was shortlisted for...
Client Book Receives Accolades, Nominated for “Best of the West” Award
by Lori DeBoer One of the joys of working as a developmental editor and writing coach is being a small part of somebody’s success. And, it seems like I work with so many talented and hard-working folks, that success comes often. It certainly does for Judith...
Shadow Engineer Has Been Released by Addie Rose Press
By Lori DeBoer I am always excited and happy when my clients have book releases, but the feeling is more like proud auntie or grandma. With the recent release of Shadow Engineer by Addie Rose Press, I feel like a proud book mama. The book was originally a solo...
Clients Dominate 2015 Zebulon Awards
By Lori DeBoer Three of the 17 winners for the 2015 Zebulon Awards, a national writing contest organized by Pikes Peak Writers, were books I worked on as a developmental editor and coach. Kim Lajevardi, Westminster, took first place in the mainstream/literary...
After NaNoWriMo: Revising Your Novel: Dec. 8, 2015
Writing a first draft is merely the first step to bringing a book or story into the world. Most of the magic of writing occurs during the revision process. As Author Barbara Kingsolver notes: “Pounding out a first draft is like hoeing a row of corn – you...
Workshop: Secrets of Professional Writers
Do you dream about quitting your cubicle and following the muse full time? This course delves into the strategies professional writers use to step up their writing game. You’ll learn about the pathways to publication and professionalization and income opportunities...
The “Deceitful Guiles” of Moll Flanders: A Post-Structuralist Mauling
Essay by Lori DeBoer The famous Moll Flanders seems the most slippery sort of literary character, somehow eluding exposure since she first introduced her “own History” in 1722 under an assumed name in Daniel Defoe’s manuscript. The alias is necessary, she...
“All the Love in the World,” Bellevue Literary Review
This short story was shortlisted for the 2013 Bellevue Literary Prize, judged by Jane Smiley, and published in the April 2013 issue of the Bellevue Literary Review. It was inspired by my father, Eldon Rohlk, who had Alzheimer’s Disease and was a farmer in Iowa. ...
Conversion/Deconversion as a Narrative Strategy in Janette Turner Hospital’s Borderline
Essay by Lori DeBoer Janette Turner Hospital’s Borderline opens with a border crossing scene in which a man unnerved about sneaking a bottle of whiskey into Canada commits an act of far greater consequence than bootlegging. He scoops up a Salvadoran refugee, who has...
Client News: Gretchen Clark Receives Pushcart Prize Nomination
Client Gretchen Clark was nominated for a 2014 Pushcart Prize for her short essay, “Pink Chrysanthemum” by the literary magazine 94Creations (www.94creations.com). The Pushcart Prize is one of the most celebrated literary prizes. The Pushcart Prize anthology was...Client News: Carol Test’s Collection is Finalist for Flannery O’ Connor Award for Short Fiction
Congratulations to client Carol Test, for the selection of The West In You, as a Finalist for the 2010 Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction. Carol’s fiction has been published in The Coachella Review, Swink, Night Train, Red Rock Review, The Normal...
Kathleen Pinckard’s Middle Grade Novel is a Finalist for the Colorado Gold Contest
Congratulations to Kathleen Pinckard for being a finalist in the 2014 Colorado Gold Contest for her middle grade novel, Never Believe a Lie Twice. Hundreds of authors enter the annual Colorado Gold Contest, which is organized by Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. Never...
Gretchen Clark’s Recent Publication Success
Congratulations to my client Gretchen Clark for her recent publication success. Her piece, “Kiss and Make-Up,” won second place in Writer’s Advice 9th Annual Flash Nonfiction Contest. She also had a piece, “Territory, Redefined,”...
August 20, 2014 – Lori DeBoer’s Writing Book Club
The Boulder Book Store has asked me to host an ongoing book club at the store. The aptly named Lori DeBoer’s Writing Book Club will meet on Wednesday, August 20 at 7 p.m. at the Boulder Book Store, 1107 Pearl St., Boulder. There is no charge for this event, and...
“Sustainability Tax,” Boulder Weekly
By Lori DeBoer I interviewed a number of folks for an article, “Sustainability tax: Boulder County proposes a new levy aimed at boosting local agriculture,” which appeared in the May 22, 2014 edition. You can read the article HERE....
Client Spotlight: Brenda Barry Talks About Writing her Saga, SEASONS OF LOVE AND WAR
Brenda Barry’s novel Seasons of Love and War has been published by Melange Publishing. Brenda lives in Roseburg, Oregon, by the Umpqua river, and has raised four children. Her husband, who was in the military for 21 years, gave her help and encouragement while...
Dawn Virnig’s Romance Wins First Place in Zebulon Contest
Congratulations to client Dawn Virnig, whose debut novel The American took first place for Romance Fiction in the 2014 Pike’s Peak Zebulon Contest. Her novel is about an American woman who must trust a shady Australian tour guide to protect her after she stumbles upon...
Judith Robbins Rose’s Novel Wins Third Place in the Zebulon Contest
Congratulations to client Judith Robbins Rose, whose novel, Burn, took third place for Historical Fiction in the 2014 Zebulon Contest, sponsored by Pikes Peak Writers. The young adult book tells the story of Joan d’Arc from the perspective of her two brothers. Burn...
Amanda McCracken Appears on Katie Couric Show
Congratulations to essayist and journalist Amanda McCracken, Boulder, whose writing on virginity, sexuality and relationships has captured national attention, landing her a spot on the Katie Couric show. “The producers in their research had come across my essays in...
May 18, 2014 — Trendspotting: Cool Tools for Finding and Engaging Readers
Your book is done and you finally have time to come up for air. You’ve even changed out of the yoga pants, and eaten dinner with your family. The hard lifting is over, right? Well, not quite. Now you need to find a way to connect with and engage readers. As the...
April 27, 2014 – Self Publishing Summit for the Boulder Writers’ Workshop
By Lori DeBoer Many of my friends and clients are turning to self-publishing. E-books have revolutionized the publishing industry. As a an author, it pays to investigate what’s going on in this interesting world. On Sunday, April 27, 2014, I’ll be giving...
June 14 – August 30, 2014: Take Flight and Write Summer Program
I love to offer value anyway I can to my clients and friends. That’s why when an opportunity to collaborate on a program with my friend and Life Coach Susan Osborn came up, I jumped on the chance. This summer, we are offering a three-month foundational program...
Hudson Lindenberger Named Colorado Editor of Bourbon Story
by Lori DeBoer I was very pleased to get the news that Hudson Lindenberger, Boulder, has been named the Colorado Editor of Bourbon Story (www.bourbonstory.com). The online magazine focuses solely on the culture, history and business of Bourbon through articles,...
Denise Schurr to be Published in Odyssey Magazine
By Lori DeBoer Congratulations to Denise Schurr for placing her first freelance magazine article, “Yellowstone: Supervolcano,” with Odyssey Magazine. It will be appearing in the July/August 2014 issue. I worked with Denise on a chapter book about two...
How I Weathered an Unexpected Storm and How You Can, Too
by Lori DeBoer, Author & Writing Coach One of the reasons I love working as a writing coach is the opportunity I have to get to know so many talented individuals. The relationship I forge with each and every one of you is unique, and it is truly reciprocal. My...
Brenda Barry’s Epic Romance, SEASONS OF LOVE AND WAR, is Released by Melange Publishing
Seasons of Love and War, the first book of Brenda Barry’s epic love story and historical family saga was released on March 24, 2014, by Melange Publishing. It features childhood sweethearts Beth Ann Rose and Kaylob Shawn O’Brian, who just want to get married and...