Arturo el Rey

AWARD: Writers’ League of Texas First Place for beginning: Science Fiction/Fantasy Novel

"Hall's tight, energetic prose illuminates a futuristic world gone wrong after bio-terrorists destroy most of earth's population. In a gritty and surprising revisit to the legend of King Arthur, Hall creates compelling characters faced with no less a task than finding true love and saving the world."—from M.K. (Marcia) Preston, winner of the Mary Higgins Clark Award for Song of the Bones.

“In Arturo el Rey, Joan Hall successfully revives the gallant legend of King Arthur and, more importantly, the heroic ideal itself in a contemporary setting. Though the tale is particularly chilling in light of the events of 9/11, it’s universal enough to fit any era. Joan's writing style allows the reader to become directly involved, engaged in the story line, an active participant rather than a passive observer. In it’s ambitious scope, Arturo el Rey is somewhat reminiscent of Stephen King's The Stand, and I suspect it will last through generations.”—Harvey Stanbrough, Pulitzer Prize-nominated poet, editor, and author of Writing Realistic Dialogue & Flash Fiction.

"Joan Hall's Arturo el Rey is a most sabroso dish—tense near-future Texas thriller, timeless tale of the Arthurian mythos, redemptive story of love. This salsa version of the Grail Myth is worth questing for from many angles."—Don Webb, author of Endless Honeymoon and Security Alert.

 

For Grand Old Texas Theaters That Won’t Quit

 

* Larry McMurtry, author of The Last Picture Show and Pulitzer Prize winning Lonesome Dove: "In small town America, before television, the moviehouse was the only place to go where one might escape locality. Here was the world beyond the town or village. Joan Upton Hall and Stacey Hasbrook are to be commended for their effort to document the often complex survivals of Texas movie-houses; that any survive at all is testament to our need to look outward, to a place beyond our own."

* Elmer Kelton, author of The Good Old Boys and The Time It Never Rained: "Most of us have fond memories of happy childhood hours spent in movie houses where Hollywood films were like magic carpets taking us to times long past, to lands we would never see, and showing us adventures we could never have. This book takes us back in memory to those movie palaces that are gone but also shows us many that still live, restored to their original glories."

* Liz Carpenter, author of Start with a Laugh and Unplanned Parenthood: Confessions of a Seventysomething Surrogate Mother: "Every library in Texas should have a copy of Grand Old Texas Theaters That Won't Quit."

* Joe O'Connell, columnist for The Austin American-Statesman: "The book is full of ghosts and other interesting tales...But the real lesson is that we should cherish and patronize our historic theaters before they vanish. It's all in this delightful book that could serve as the perfect travel guide for cinephiles."

* Si Dunn, reviewer for The Dallas Morning News: "Austin writers Joan Upton Hall and Stacey Hasbrook highlight 48 old theaters that continue in business or have been brought back to life by dedicated investors, civic leaders and volunteers. The book should be handy both for state travelers and for communities trying to resurrect closed theaters."

"A book for aficionados of architecture, Texas histor, and great stores of survival."-- Sweetwater Reporter

".......captivating stories and legends about the early days of these theaters..."-- Waxahacie Daily Light

Texas Highway carried a whole feature artical based on the book.

In a book review, Editor Elizabeth Klungness (Writers News, Vista, California) states: "The author's humor with words and cartoons, combined with her teaching skills, helps us to understand what we should and shouldn't do, along with the form to do it in....also a pleasant reminder to those who have been writing for a long time....If you are wondering what book to buy...I would suggest Joan Upton Hall's Rx for Your Writing Ills."

David Borcherding, Editor of Writer's Digest Books states: I've enjoyed reading through it; I can see why your students have found it so valuable.... [WDB publishes only full-length books.]

"Joan's critiquing was invaluable in helping me see what my story needed to keep it moving. Her suggestions were clear and concise, never condescending. She also told me what I'd done well, which is tonic to a novice writer." - Cindy Weigand, Duncansville, Pennsylvania (author of Shin Bone; was offered agent's contract, so watch for this book in the future)

"Rx for your Writing Ills is easily the best book of its kind on the market. Joan Hall knows her stuff and makes it easy to understand." - Flann Foster, Waco, Texas (author of Satan's Banker published by Commonwealth Publications)

"Joan's editing instruction is the equivalent to two years college fiction-writing." – Frederick Williams, San Antonio, Texas (author of The Nomination published by Black Renaissance Publications, www.brpublishing.com)