Answering your questions about writing, publishing, and marketing books

By Sarka-Jonae Miller

May 5, 2016 (San Diego's East County) - Local writer, award-winning journalist and USA Today best-selling author Jennifer Coburn is finally joining me to offer advice to authors and talk about her latest book, We'll Always Have Paris: A Mother/Daughter Memoir. I've been trying to get her here for months and have been a fan since reading The Wife of Reilly, though I had no idea at the time that Coburn lived in San Diego – not until we both ended up scheduled at a local author event at the Barnes & Noble in Santee. She was promoting We'll Always Have Paris, her first memoir. Coburn has also authored six novels and contributed to four literary anthologies, not bad for someone who originally thought she couldn't write a novel.

How do you decide whether to write a sequel? - G. Elizabeth Kretchmer, author of Women on the Brink

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County.

East County News Service

April 26, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) --This week’s Destination East County includes Cinco de Mayo festivities, an Arbor Day celebration, theatrical performances and more.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

April 24, 2016 (San Diego’s East County ) -- We’ve all encountered them at one time or another, and never a pleasant experience “snakes!” (and I’m not referring to some of those ‘special’ people in your life or at work). “Snake season usually picks up steam between April and May," says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.

Answering your questions about writing, publishing, and marketing books

By Sarka-Jonae Miller



April 23, 2016 (San Diego's East County) - Aidan Donnelley Rowley and I tackle works in progress (WIPs) in this week's column, specifically the part of the process when they stop being “in progress” and become completed manuscripts. Rowley is the author of Life After Yes and a Yale University graduate with a law degree from Columbia University. Her latest novel The Ramblers is a “sophisticated tale of entangled urban lives” about three 30-something Manhattanites whose lives are forever altered over the course of Thanksgiving week.  

How does an author know when to stop editing/changing/reading the WIP and send it out into the world? – Linda Crawford

By Miriam Raftery

April 17, 2016 (San Diego) --In light of issues in some other states about long lines to vote, cuts in polling places or numbers of voting machines,  lack of enough voting machines on college campuses and Indian reservations, and an inquiry from a reader, we sent questions to San Diego Registrar of Voters Michael Vu.  We also asked about deadlines to register to vote , change parties or get a mail ballot for the June 7 primary, and procedures to verify your registration. In addition, we got information on how you can vote early, as well as the need for poll workers, particularly bilingual poll workers for the election.

Below are our questions, along with Vu’s responses.

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County.

By Miriam Raftery

April 15, 2017 (San Diego's East County) --This week’s Destination East County includes the opening of Cajon Classic Cruises this season, an antiques and crafts fair in Flinn Springs, a Victorian tea in Alpine,  and a Magic in the Mountains event in Ramona benefitting our own nonprofit  media and wildfire alerts.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including a Spring Garden Festival, Lakeside Western Days Parade, an Arbor Day Celebration, the Coyote Music Festival and many others.

So scroll down for all of these events and more.

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County.

East County News Service

April 1, 2016 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes Mozart, an Old West Art Fest, the Garden Native Tour, Padre’s Opening Day and more.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including the Spring Garden Festival at Cuyamaca College, Chaldean Nights at Sycuan in El Cajon and an El Monte Flume Trail Hike.

So scroll down for all of these events and more.

By Miriam Raftery

March 29, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) — Increasingly, media watchdogs are citing bias by the mainstream media as a key factor influencing the  presidential primary race.

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ radio, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County.

East County News Service

March 25, 2016 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes an Eggstravaganza at Santee Lakes, Spring Harp Fest – a harmonica festival in La Mesa, a water-wise garden tour, Vietnam remembered in Lemon Grove, and more.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including the Music of Mozart in Spring Valley, an Old West Art Fest in Shelter Valley, and a Garden Native tour across East County.  So scroll down for all of these events and more!

By Miriam Raftery

March 17, 2016 (Washington D.C.)—The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed legislation with rare bipartisan support that would make it easier for the public and media to obtain government records under the Freedom of Information Act.

The bill was authored by Senator John Cornyn of Texas with San Diego Congressman Darrell Issa as the lead sponsor of the bill.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

It’s Called Common Sense – Not Irish Luck!

March 14, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- St. Patrick’s Day is here and this is the day when everyone of every nationality turns Irish. You’ll need more than “Luck of the Irish” to have a Happy St. Patrick’s Day, you’ll need your common sense!

From the Editors of E - The Environmental Magazine

March 7, 2016 (San Diego's East County) -- What are the health and environmental risks of using a 3D printer to make stuff? —Will Nady, Pittsburgh, PA

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

March 6, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- I don’t think I’ve sported a better tan during what has been predicted to be the wettest year in decades. I know I’ve been preaching El Nino Preparedness and catching grief about it. Please El Nino - raise your head and rain upon us…I can look foolish on my own!

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ radio, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County.

By Miriam Raftery

This week’s Destination East County includes a night hike with stargazing at the Santa Ysabel preserve, a Pirate’s Cove run/walk at Lake Cuyamaca, live music in La Mesa, and the Julian Doves and Desperados performing wild west skits in Julian.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, egg hunts, garden tours, a desert art show, a backroom beer pairing, a harmonica festival, a spring carnival, Snoopy the musical, and a hike to the Valley of the Moon..

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

Ignorance or Arrogance?

February 23, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- You probably don’t remember me, but I remember you. At the bank, the gym, the receptionist...you were the one disgustingly sneezing, coughing and hacking without covering your mouth. Like a driver texting, you’re placing everyone else at risk. Is it just ignorance or arrogance?