Next year – 2010 – Donna Hill will celebrate 20 years in publishing. She’s had at least one book on the shelf every year since her first book, Rooms of the Heart, debuted in 1990. What an absolutely spectacular accomplishment.

Donna writes primarily romantic suspense, but her stories often have a women’s fiction edge to them. Her most recent releases include books in her Ladies Cartel Series – Sex and Lies, Seduction and Lies, and Temptation and Lies.

Look for her next original title, Prize of a Lifetime, Sept. 29, 2009. In addition, Harlequin will reissue two of Donna’s favorite books – A Private Affair (June 29, 2009) and Pieces of Dreams (September 2009). Later in 2009, the third book of that trilogy will hit the shelves.

A very busy lady, indeed. That makes me doubly grateful that Donna made time to chat with us about one of the nonprofit organizations she supports, Poets & Writers Inc.

Donna, welcome to Novel Hearts. We’re thrilled to have you here. Could you tell us please how you learned about the Poets & Writers Inc. memoir writing workshops for seniors?

I was invited to be the instructor for Shalom Presbyterian Church through Dr. Brenda Greene, Director of the Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College.

What motivated you to teach these workshops and how long have you done so?

This will be my second year. My class is working on producing their book. I was intrigued by the idea of working with seniors and hearing their stories. It has taught me so much and made me realize how much we all have in common.

I’m certain it’s been a wonderful experience. What does Poets & Writers do and why do you think its work is important?

Poets & Writers Inc. is the primary source of information, support and guidance for creative writers.

Founded in 1970, it is the nation’s largest nonprofit literary organization serving poets, fiction writers and creative nonfiction writers. Our national office is located in New York City. Our California branch office is based in Los Angeles. They provide grants, resources, funding programs, etc. It also produces a monthly magazine, Poets & Writers Magazine.

Poets & Writers is so important to writers everywhere, both established and aspiring as a major resource of information on what is available to writers from numerous disciplines.

It sounds like a very valuable organization. Thank you for telling us about it. How can readers learn more about Poets & Writers?

They can visit Poets & Writers’ Web site, http://pw.org.

Thank you, Donna. By the way, in addition to Poets & Writers, are there other nonprofit organizations you support? 

I recently joined Organize for America, and I’m in the process of working toward setting up a literary mentoring program for young adults. Keeping my fingers crossed.

You’re doing wonderful work, Donna. Good luck with the mentoring program. In the meantime, how can readers get in touch with you?

Readers can find me all over the Web, DonnaHill.com, DHFanClub.ning.com. I’m on Twitter and Facebook.

Donna, thank you very much for taking the time to chat with us about Poets & Writers. Best wishes for continued success with all of your endeavors.

Novel Hearts is a forum to raise awareness of the charitable causes some of our favorite authors support. Each month, we’ll chat with one or two authors about the nonprofit organizations they help, either with time, money and/or materials.

If there’s an author you’d like to see featured on the blog, please send me the author’s e-mail address and the name of the nonprofit organization she or he supports. You can reach me at BooksByPatricia@Yahoo.com. Thank you!

Multi-published author Janie Mason loves happily ever afters. Then, is it any wonder she writes romances? Janie writes contemporary romances. Her heroines are women you can root for. Her heroes are men you want to know, and her Happy Ever Afters make you glad you were part of it all.

Janie’s releases include Servicing Rafferty and Model Behavior. Let’s take a moment to “oooh” and “aaah” over the covers, shall we?

When she’s not writing, Janie does her best to help make our military men and women’s lives a little happier, a little easier by volunteering with AnySoldier.com.

Janie, hi, and thank you so much for joining us on the Novel Hearts. Could you tell us how you learned about AnySoldier.com?

Actually, I heard about AnySoldier.com from a message forwarded by fellow romance author and Central Ohio Fiction Writer member, Saralee Etter. I didn’t know any of the soldiers beforehand. I’m pleased to say, however, I have made some wonderful pen pals through this experience. I even have a little Ohio State University-University of Michigan rivalry going with one of my Marine friends. It’s a lot of fun.

How cool that you’ve made friendships through your volunteering. How long have you supported AnySoldier.com, and how do you support it?

I sent my first package in November of 2008. If you go to the Web site, www.AnySoldier.com, you can read the requests of the soldiers. I try to send customized packages containing the types of items they need.

I want to thank the wonderful members of COFW and Cambridge Writers Group who have donated items for me to include in my boxes to the troops. 

I think it’s wonderful that you invite other people to have an opportunity to help our troops. Could you tell us more about what AnySoldier.com does and why you think this work is important?

The concept of AnySoldier was first created in 2003 by Sergeant Brian Horn and his parents while he was serving in Iraq. What began as a family effort to support his unit has grown exponentially, and is now a valuable link between civilians and personnel from all branches of the military.

Many people don’t realize that mail addressed to “Any Soldier” without a specific soldier’s name and address will not be delivered or distributed. AnySoldier.com is a way for us to connect with military personnel who have agreed to receive and distribute support packages to other soldiers who might not get mail or supplies from home.

Our service men and women are making such huge sacrifices for us. Letting them know we’re thinking about them and praying for them seems a small thing each of us can do. I’ve received so many notes and e-mails of thanks. Letters of appreciation and support packages really lift the soldiers’ spirits and let them know they are not forgotten.

That’s beautiful, Janie. Thank you for all you’re doing for our soldiers.

How can readers learn more about AnySoldier.com?

I hope all your blog readers will take the time to visit www.AnySoldier.com to read about how they can support our military personnel.

In addition to AnySoldier.com, are there other nonprofit organizations you support?

In addition to our church and its missions, my family supports NNEMAP Food Pantry and Interfaith Hospitality Network (a shelter for homeless families), both in Columbus, Ohio.

It’s wonderful that your children are also involved with helping nonprofit organizations.

Last question, Janie, and then I’ll free you from our clutches. How can readers get in touch with you?

I would love to hear from readers through the Contact Me link at my Web site, www.JanieMason.com.

Janie, thank you so much for spending some time with us, and for all you do to help support various nonprofit organizations.

Novel Hearts is a forum to raise awareness of the charitable causes some of our favorite authors support. Each month, we’ll chat with one or two authors about the nonprofit organizations they help, either with time, money and/or materials.

If there’s an author you’d like to see featured on the blog, please send me the author’s e-mail address and the name of the nonprofit organization he or she supports. You can reach me at BooksByPatricia@Yahoo.com. Thank you!