Inspirational First Novel From a winner of the Writer's Digest Writing Competition 2003

A story of survival when the most unthinkable event happens - the loss of a woman's only son. Her inispirational story will make you cheer for her, cry with her, and be glad it wasn't you.

(PRWEB) January 25, 2004 --At its core is the unstoppable human spirit,
the ability to move past denial and sorrow."
    Book reviewer Kimberly Hayes on                                    Erika Dallass debut novel, Sing Me No Sad Songs

Sing Me No Sad Songs,
An Inspirational 1st Novel about Heartbreak, Love & Healing
Set in the World of Songwriting

From a winner of the Writers Digest Writing Competition

Can the devastated Alanna Wayne find the courage to re-build her life? Thats the challenge facing this modernday heroine who had it all-a songwriting career, as well as marriage and a child. But then this enviable life is shattered when Alannas husband Stephen, a prominent LA attorney, walks out on her because of jealousy over the attention she pays their son, and the youngster is soon killed in an accident.

Using the backdrop of the music industry in Los Angeles, writer Erika Dallas offers the reader excitement, along with a story of personal loss and growth. A writer since the age of 15, Dallas pulled from firsthand experiences in the music business, where her country lyrics have been published by independent labels.

Recently the power of the story in Sing Me No Sad Songs was recognized when Dallass movie script version took an Honorable Mention prize in the Writers Digest Writing Competition. In addition, award-winning novelist Parris Afton Bonds has told Dallas: Your first effort is good. Much better than my first effort, in fact. I mean that." Founder of Southwest Writers, Bonds has written more than 34 books including Snow and Ice, Lavender Blue and Widow Woman.

It took tragedy to make room in Erika Dallass life for the writing of her first novel. But this tragedy taught her the lesson she shares in Sing Me No Sad Songs -- that somehow one must find the strength to keep moving forward when your life falls apart.

I was in a car accident that took my youngest sons life," says author Erika Dallas. After a time in the hospital, I had to stay home and not do anything for weeks. Though I had written songs, short stories and articles, Id never taken the time for a novel before.

Writing the novel helped me find closure in the aftermath of my sons death. Yet I didnt want to make this story entirely autobiographical. I just borrowed enough from my own experience to make the novel real. And from that sharing came healing."

Publishing her first novel at the tender, ripe age of 69, Erika Dallas earned a nickname -- the Grandma Moses of the Fiction World. Now through articles on writers websites and an new e-book, Dallas offers advice to others who have waited a long time to put pen to paper, or fingers to the computer keyboard.

Its never too late to start that writing career youve dreamed about for years," she advises. Sometimes its an advantage to be older. You have a broader perspective on everything -- life, your way of thinking, whats important -- everything." The new e-book, Secrets of a Published Author, offers valuable tips on writing and publishing based on Erika Dallass experiences. Secrets of a Published Author is available online at www.writersline.net for $7.95.

The novel Sing Me No Sad Songs (265 pages, ISBN 1-55395-127-1) is sold through Desert Mesa Publishings website -- www.desertmesa.net. It can be purchased in paperback via MasterCard or Visa for just $11.95, plus $3.00 postage. Or an e-book version of the novel can be downloaded from the Desert Mesa site; the cost is just $7.95. With the purchase of either edition of Sing Me No Sad Songs from www.desertmesa.net, the e-book Secrets of a Published Author comes as a free bonus.

In her Sing Me No Sad Songs, Dallas shows that it is the people in our world who help us to continue moving forward when we are in pain. After Stephen leaves, it is through the encouragement of Liz, Alannas manager and gregarious friend, that the songwriter considers expanding her career by recording some of her own music. When this effort turns Hollywood gold, Alanna grows close to her collaborating vocalist Jared Kincaid, an established recording artist. But with the death of her son and urgings from her husband to reconcile, the songwriter must come to terms with her circumstances and make the choices that will create the best life.

Everyone hits bumps in the road at some point," notes Erika Dallas. Sing Me No Sad Songs shows how one woman faced her pain and made the choices that were right for her. While you feel Alannas anguish when her life goes topsy turvy, you also feel her joy as she finds her way."

A second novel by Erika Dallas, For Love of Teddy, is in the works. Its subject is the turbulent teen years. The screenplay version also took an Honorable Mention in the recent Writers Digest Writing Competition.

For more info, call 505/393-1590, e-mail books@desertmesa.net, or visit www.desertmesa.net.

A unique and touching story," Dan Phelan, Creative Executive

Read with interest. You are a talented writer," Susan Kelley, Literary Agent

Contact: Jo Fulkerson
Phone: 505/393-1590
Email: books@desertmesa.net