Publishers Marketplace: Hildie S. Block

This writer is looking for an agent.

"People" an award winning short story available for Kindle or Nook.

Like sailing away to the Keys, but . . . "People" is an award winning short story about what happens when Randolph and Davis' lives are turned upside down by Rita. And the parrot gets the last word.

Second Prize winner of the DelMarVa Literary Short Story Prize for 2012.

http://www.amazon.com/People-Hildies-Stories-ebook/dp/B006YM567K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328116506&sr=8-1

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/people-hildie-block/1108277030?ean=2940013749542&itm=1&usri=hildie+block

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*OH, AND SHE HAS A DOG* is an AMAZON BREAKTHROUGH NOVEL SEMI-FINALIST

*OH, AND SHE HAS A DOG* is a 50,000 word literary novel-in-stories about a young woman living in a group house in Washington DC, circa 1989-92. There's a fair bit sex, drugs and garage bands. The characters struggle with divorce, sexual ambiguity, and loneliness, also pets, semi-requited love, and dysfunctional families. Most of the chapters are short, almost flash fiction style with chapters/stories running about 1-2,000 words. The format is similar to Susan Minot's *Monkeys* or Sandra Cisneros *The House on Mango Street* with a bit of Bridget Jones and Jennifer Weiner in there for good measure. I describe my writing style as putting Brett Easton Ellis and Laura Zigman in a blender. On frappe.

When Samantha Needkin's parents decide to sell the house and buy an RV, the recent college graduate finds her slacker self launched into debt and embroiled in a twisted search of love, home and job (is sleeping with your roommate "living with someone?"). She finds that, plus grunge bands, hippies and more in a smoky group house near alma mater. Between the ghost of her dead boyfriend coming back to haunt her and her house full of politicians, activists, academics and constantly morphing sexualities, Sam has her hands full. Raccoons visit, the back of the house falls off, a snake goes missing, roommates become lovers – and then not, the fridge dies, setting more into motion when the light inside goes on strike. Marriages dissolve instantly, and new ones are born in unexpected places. Cars crash, necks are broken, a house bursts into flame. Samantha eventually hits her groove, resolves her old boyfriend's death and moves on – but not without gaining some scars along the way.

Several chunks have been published in small literary magazines, including Gargoyle and the Cortland Review -- one chapter is in the anthology Gravity Enhanced -- Writing by Washington Area Women.

*HAPPY NEW YEAR, RACHEL* is a 10,000 word early-reader chapter book about a 7-year old second grader who discovers the meaning of the Jewish High Holidays, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Rachel decides she's no longer Jewish because she'll miss a birthday party that is on one of the holidays, which sets this story of Rachel, her baby sister Sara, her parents, her teachers and classmates, and the unforgettable Aunt Roz on a journey to learn tolerance, and forgiveness. The story is funny and touching and probably most like a more grown up Junie B. Jones or Kirby Larson's darling Second Grade Pig Pals.

I have published about 50 short stories in literary magazines and anthologies. Armed with a masters in writing from Johns Hopkins, I lead creative writing workshops with the Writers Center (www.writer.org) -- I've also taught writing at American and George Washington Universities.

Please let me know if I have sparked your interest and you want to see more.