Dear Readers, Sadly, the closure of horse slaughter plants in the U.S. HAS NOT stopped the death of many horses. They are being trucked hundreds or thousands of miles to Canada in doubledecker trailers. I've seen video of these torture chambers -- two and three metal decks towed behind trucks. Horses can't stand up and their heads are rubbed bloody from the metal. These trailers are not only cages of misery for horses, they are are illegal and very dangerous to the other motorists sharing the highway.
If you see such a trailer carrying horses on the highway use your cell phone to call 911 MAKE THE CALL PLEASE! If for some reason you are not able to get an appropriate response contact the CFIA 1-800-442-2342 and call the Police. According to reports I've received, the CFIA has actually encouraged the general public to call this in so please help --
1-800-442-2342 or Call 911
This is an emergency and the CFIA condones the use of 911 for such a risky load on the highways.
Dear Readers, The PULSE BLOGFEST is over, but posts from all the authors will stay up for a while! If you haven't had a chance to visit, you might start here :) http://pulseblogfest.simonsaysblogs.com/?cat=48 and leave me some messages. Oh, and if you haven't checked out the PHOTO ALBUM page of my website lately, I hope you'll go see some of my photos with readers. I've been running around the U.S. for a while...now it's time to stay home and write! Back into my cave with fresh fingertips -- Terri
Good morning all, One of my reader/writers asked such a good question, that I asked her permission to share and she agreed. Hope it helps you, too! Terri
Hello Terri,
I was just wondering, after you finished writing one of your books, where did you go next? like the next step on getting it published. I just finished getting my book edited, i have the manuscript printed and bound, i just don't know if i should go a head and take it to a publisher, or what to do! Am i missing a tiny step that important in the publishing field?
HI Heather, The most totally up-to-date information on this (which even I don't have!) is available in the WRITERS GUIDE which is published every year by Writer's Digest. I bet your library has a copy. If not, most bookstores do. If I were you, I'd consult a library copy if you can, because it's expensive. Things change so fast in the publishing industry -- how editors want to see a manuscript, etc. -- that this is the step I'd definitely recommend. Also, there's a listing of editors, by name, and what they'd like to see and buy! This is such a great question, I think I need to use it on my blog (if you don't mind) because a lot of people don't think of that last step which is the difference between publication and rejection. Good luck! Terri
Humane Society of the United States Offers $10,000 Reward for Info. on Horse Soring
(March 18, 2008) — The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any violator of Tennessee’s “horse soring” law, which prohibits the deliberate infliction of pain to horses’ feet to produce an artificially high-stepping gait.
Soring is used on Tennessee Walking Horses and other gaited show horses. It sounds innocent. We've all had sore feet, but these horses are burned with toxic chemicals like acid. Their hooves are cut almost to the bloodline so their shoes exert painful pressure with each stride. Yes! Sure enough, the horses jerk their feet up at every step they're forced to take, "prancing" in an exaggerated, high-stepping gait that increases their entertainment value.
It's hard to believe this happens very often, until you learn that in 2006, NO WORLD GRAND CHAMPION was named because most of the finalists were disqualified for soring.
Missing out on prize money infuriates cheating owners, so some horses are "taught" not to flinch when their painful feet are handled by judges looking for abuse.
How do you teach a horse to fool a judge? Each time a horse flinches when his painful feet are handled, you burn his tongue with a lit cigarette. Pretty soon, he learns to stand still, no matter how much it hurts. How can you help?
If you're at a show for gaited horses, keep your senses sharp!
"The first thing you might notice about a sore horse barn is a strange smell. That is, if you're not distracted by a smooth talking barn employee or just run off altogether. Though the barn might have a "public area" much of it is off limits. The barn may seem dark because stalls are kept shut up, to keep horses from view and to muffle the sound of groaning. Horses are down a lot. If you get close enough to look at the horses, look in their eyes. That pain shows through." This quote is from this informative article: http://www.eagleridge-twh.com/soredhorses.htm
Anyone with information on this cruel practice should call 1-866-411-TEAM (8326).
The Humane Society of the United States will protect the identity of all callers.
Dear Readers, Even though I know most of you won't be able to join me, I have to pass on a couple of cool things I'll be doing. On this Friday from 11 - 4 p.m., I'll be autographing books at the gift shop at the Reno Airport! This should be fun! Next week I'll be teaching a FREE three-day CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP in Silver Springs, Nevada -- about an hour from Reno, Nevada. This will be limited to 30 students. If you're on Spring Break next week and think you would like to attend, check out this article. Local author to lead three-day creative writing workshop | www.rgj.com | Reno Gazette-Journal Then, to register call Bridget at (775) 246-7550. I hope to see some of you! Terri
Dear Readers, Lots of you have been asking when the next Wild Horse Island book, SEA SHADOW, comes out. The date is April 22. I know that's a long time to wait, but if you go here: http://harpercollins.com/books/9780060886196/Phantom_Stallion_Wild_Horse_Island_6_Sea_Shadow/index.aspxyou can download a "widget" which will keep track of the days and hours and minutes for you! If all goes well, my divine website designer will paste in a sample of that widget soon! Know what's exciting? She won a Silver Addy award for the PHANTOM STALLION website! I told you she was a goddess! Best, Terri
Dear Readers, You may know that my title is an allusion to a line from JULIUS CAESAR (by my favorite Will S. ),when Caesar was warned by a soothsayer (truth teller), but I'm tweaking it a bit because today is just about the halfway point between winter and spring. From where I'm sitting with my lap top, that couldn't be clearer. I'm facing a wall with two windows about five feet apart. Through the right window, I see bare black branches against a totally white sky (it's been snowing in northern Nevada). Through the left one, I see brilliant blue sky with the dusty brown branches of a lilac tree and it's close enough that I can see little buds beginning to swell. Lovely...who says symbolism is only for the classroom? If you're not out playing today (or when it gets dark), you must check out Pulseblogfest.com -- a warning though, it's totally addictive. So far, the two questions which MANY writers have answered are something like, IF YOU WEREN'T A PUBLISHED AUTHOR, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? and IF YOU COULD BRING A FICTIONAL CHARACTER TO LIFE, WHICH ONE WOULD YOU PICK? The answers are amazing and you can post a comment and it looks to me, so far, as if the authors are great about responding to readers! If you visit, please check out my posts and let me know what you think. Reading rocks, Terri
HI Forgot to mention that when you visit http://pulseblogfest.com/ you'll see the list of authors (lots of us!) who'll be blogging for you starting THIS FRIDAY!!! I know you'll find lots of your favorites. I did --like Judy Blume!
HI! If you're a fan of SEVEN TEARS INTO THE SEA, my Celtic fantasy-romance, I hope you'll stop by a big author party --
We'll be blogging just for you and I'll be doing my best to answer questions, as well. For more info: PulseBlogfest.com Wish I were at the beach this morning, Terri
Dear Readers, I'm in Atlanta, on the first leg of my trip back to Nevada from Washington, D.C. Your letters were accepted with SMILES, but that's before they started reading. Once that happened, the senators, congressmen and their staffers saw your serious intent and I know you'll help make a difference. That, plus all the incredible people working for the wild horses (more about that tomorrow) are the amazing and hopeful parts. The saddness came when I learned things I never knew about the horses dying every day. More on that, too, if you can bear it. Best to all of you who care, Terri
Dear Readers, Your letters to stop horse slaughter are pouring in! If you'd like to know more about my trip to Washington, D.C., you might check out these websites
Thanks again for all your letters. I'm proud to carry them to Washington. If you haven't sent yours yet, please keep an eye on my blog. I'll talk with other horse organizations and see what's up with them and how you can help. Best, Terri