Did you see the latest article about the zodiac signs changing? According to the change in the Earth's rotation, I would apparently no longer be a Sagittarius (what??!) but now an Ophiuchus:
According to astrological principles, the Sun travels from the constellation Scorpius and goes directly into the sign of Sagittarius, but due to the constant motion of the cosmos, the Sun enters, for a few days of the year, the star constellation 'Ophiuchus' before entering Sagittarius from Scorpius, thus creating astrologically the birth of a thirteenth sign of the Zodiac, which is named as Ophiuchus the Serpent Holder.
The constellation of Ophiuchus is the only sign of the Zodiac which is linked to a real man. This man lived in ancient Egypt around the 27th century BC, and his name was Imhotep. The attributes of Imhotep can also be found in the Biblical Hebrew man Joseph, son of Jacob.. Imhotep is credited with many accomplishments including the knowledge and use of medicine. It is said of Imhotep that he brought the art of healing to mankind.The symbol of a serpent, which is still widely used today to represent the medical profession, was used to represent Imhotep. Imhotep was also known as 'Aesclepius' to the ancient Greeks.
I'm not sure what to make of this news. You?
Friday, January 14, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Writers' Wednesday: Staying Warm and Watching the Snow
Snow day! That means another day of writing for me (well, in addition to finally taking down the rest of the holiday decorations and doing a little cleaning as well).
Making progress on Entwined, which includes adding a brand new character. I kind of hate doing that, only because it requires going back to the start, but I realized I really think my heroine needs a friend/confidante, so she's getting one.
In other news, check out this website for motivation from fellow authors about staying healthy: The Healthy Writer.
And I wanted to give a shout out to fellow HVRWA member Wendy Marcus, whose debut novel When One Night Isn't Enough... (a medical romance to Harlequin Mills and Boon) is featured in the "First Sales" column of the Romance Writers' Report. Congrats Wendy!!
Making progress on Entwined, which includes adding a brand new character. I kind of hate doing that, only because it requires going back to the start, but I realized I really think my heroine needs a friend/confidante, so she's getting one.
In other news, check out this website for motivation from fellow authors about staying healthy: The Healthy Writer.
And I wanted to give a shout out to fellow HVRWA member Wendy Marcus, whose debut novel When One Night Isn't Enough... (a medical romance to Harlequin Mills and Boon) is featured in the "First Sales" column of the Romance Writers' Report. Congrats Wendy!!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Monday Mentionables: Write for the One-Inch Picture Frame
Another really good piece of advice from Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, a great little writing book I'm reading now:
The moment you feel overwhelmed by writing a scene or a chapter or - good lord - an entire book, tell yourself that all you have to write at that moment is enough words to view through a one-inch picture frame. This is probably equivalent to the first moment we meet a character, opening a door and walking through it, or a few lines of dialogue between a man and a woman thinking about breaking up, or a lonely dog looking in the windows on a cold night. You get the idea. It's a snippet. A step. That's all you have to do, just enough to fill a one-inch frame.
Lamott writes, "You don't have to see where you're going, you don't have to see your destination or everything you will pass along the way. You just have to see two or three feet ahead of you. This is right up there with the best advice about writing, or life, I have ever heard."
So soldier on, and keep this in mind when you're feeling overwhelmed at that keyboard. One inch at a time. That's all. Happy writing!
The moment you feel overwhelmed by writing a scene or a chapter or - good lord - an entire book, tell yourself that all you have to write at that moment is enough words to view through a one-inch picture frame. This is probably equivalent to the first moment we meet a character, opening a door and walking through it, or a few lines of dialogue between a man and a woman thinking about breaking up, or a lonely dog looking in the windows on a cold night. You get the idea. It's a snippet. A step. That's all you have to do, just enough to fill a one-inch frame.
Lamott writes, "You don't have to see where you're going, you don't have to see your destination or everything you will pass along the way. You just have to see two or three feet ahead of you. This is right up there with the best advice about writing, or life, I have ever heard."
So soldier on, and keep this in mind when you're feeling overwhelmed at that keyboard. One inch at a time. That's all. Happy writing!
Friday, January 07, 2011
Friday Fun Facts
The best fun fact of the day is that we're enjoying our first snow day! Would have had one last week with the big storm, but we were already on Christmas break. Having it on a Friday, making for a 3-day weekend, is a little sweeter.
That also means, since school just started up again, I don't have any paperwork or grading to do, so I can devote myself to writing for much of the day. Hooray!
And just because I love Joshua Radin and this new song of his...Enjoy :)
That also means, since school just started up again, I don't have any paperwork or grading to do, so I can devote myself to writing for much of the day. Hooray!
And just because I love Joshua Radin and this new song of his...Enjoy :)
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Writers' Wednesday: Dedicating Novels
Dedications - they're always a fun part of putting the finishing touches on a novel for me. I have 5 books in print, and my 5 dedications have been, in order to the following:
1. My parents & my 5th grade teacher
2. My husband
3. My sister and my best friend
4. My father (after he passed away)
5. Two of my oldest and best friends from childhood/college
My mom emailed to ask me about that last one, after she'd finished Summer's Song. She wondered if I'd told my one friend it was dedicated to her. I hadn't, partly, because by the time a book makes it to print, I've sometimes forgotten about the dedication. And partly, I'm not in close touch with that friend anymore. But it did get me to thinking - since I thought enough of our friendship back then to name her in the opening pages of a book, I probably should let her know, hm?
Fellow authors, what about you? How do you choose your book dedications - and do you always let the person know when you've chosen them?
1. My parents & my 5th grade teacher
2. My husband
3. My sister and my best friend
4. My father (after he passed away)
5. Two of my oldest and best friends from childhood/college
My mom emailed to ask me about that last one, after she'd finished Summer's Song. She wondered if I'd told my one friend it was dedicated to her. I hadn't, partly, because by the time a book makes it to print, I've sometimes forgotten about the dedication. And partly, I'm not in close touch with that friend anymore. But it did get me to thinking - since I thought enough of our friendship back then to name her in the opening pages of a book, I probably should let her know, hm?
Fellow authors, what about you? How do you choose your book dedications - and do you always let the person know when you've chosen them?
Monday, January 03, 2011
Monday Mentionables: The Pressure of Publication
"To reach a port, we must sail—Sail, not tie at anchor—Sail, not drift." ~Franklin Roosevelt
For the first time in 4 years, I'm looking at a new year that doesn't have a book scheduled to come out. That is not really a good thing. True, I spent much of 2010 working on a Young Adult and promoting my two other romance releases, but I still can't believe I let a year+ slip away without signing a contract for another book.
It's tough, especially when you are juggling a full-time job along with writing, but here's the thing to be aware of: if you are a new or aspiring author, it's really important to look at your career and build a steady backlist of books. Your name grows with every new release (as do your sales and royalties). Readers grow to wait for your next book, and if it doesn't come, well...
In a very practical sense, I also heard recently from a fellow author that she'd been "fired" by her small press since she hadn't signed a contract with them in 2 years. Now, this doesn't mean a whole lot except that if she chooses to resubmit to them, she can no longer submit to the editor she worked with before. She has to submit through the slush pile along with everyone else. Maybe not as terrible as having rights revoked or being blacklisted from the publishing company, but it's still a step backwards. And that's a step I don't want to find myself taking in a few months!
So my goal is to finish (yes, really finish) Entwined and submit it by the end of January. I'd also like to rework a novella that's about 22K right now and submit that as well, by the end of March. Those are my two goals for the first half of the year...in the spring I'll reassess.
What about your goals, writing or otherwise?
For the first time in 4 years, I'm looking at a new year that doesn't have a book scheduled to come out. That is not really a good thing. True, I spent much of 2010 working on a Young Adult and promoting my two other romance releases, but I still can't believe I let a year+ slip away without signing a contract for another book.
It's tough, especially when you are juggling a full-time job along with writing, but here's the thing to be aware of: if you are a new or aspiring author, it's really important to look at your career and build a steady backlist of books. Your name grows with every new release (as do your sales and royalties). Readers grow to wait for your next book, and if it doesn't come, well...
In a very practical sense, I also heard recently from a fellow author that she'd been "fired" by her small press since she hadn't signed a contract with them in 2 years. Now, this doesn't mean a whole lot except that if she chooses to resubmit to them, she can no longer submit to the editor she worked with before. She has to submit through the slush pile along with everyone else. Maybe not as terrible as having rights revoked or being blacklisted from the publishing company, but it's still a step backwards. And that's a step I don't want to find myself taking in a few months!
So my goal is to finish (yes, really finish) Entwined and submit it by the end of January. I'd also like to rework a novella that's about 22K right now and submit that as well, by the end of March. Those are my two goals for the first half of the year...in the spring I'll reassess.
What about your goals, writing or otherwise?
Friday, December 31, 2010
Happy New Year!
“For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice.” ~T.S. Eliot
Wow, here we are, another New Year's Eve. What are your plans? Something out and extravagant? Or something quiet and at home? Will you stay up to see the ball drop or raise a glass earlier and go to bed long before the stroke of midnight?
There's something about a new year that inspires us to change, to reach, to set goals or perhaps reflect on those we set one year ago. It's like a Monday. Or the first day of summer break. Or the day you wake up after a loss and realize this really is the first day of a whole new existence.
I'm not sure what I'd like to accomplish in 2011. I'd like to continue to enjoy my health - that's probably my #1 goal. I'd like to sign another publishing contract - that's a close #2. I'd like to travel someplace I've never been before and I'd like to meet someone new.
I think that's enough for today. Mostly, I'd like to remember to take advantage of every day, to appreciate the little things and always keep a positive outlook. And you? My wish for all you blog readers is that you have a safe, warm, wonderful 2011 - and that whatever your dreams and goals are, they come true!
Wow, here we are, another New Year's Eve. What are your plans? Something out and extravagant? Or something quiet and at home? Will you stay up to see the ball drop or raise a glass earlier and go to bed long before the stroke of midnight?
There's something about a new year that inspires us to change, to reach, to set goals or perhaps reflect on those we set one year ago. It's like a Monday. Or the first day of summer break. Or the day you wake up after a loss and realize this really is the first day of a whole new existence.
I'm not sure what I'd like to accomplish in 2011. I'd like to continue to enjoy my health - that's probably my #1 goal. I'd like to sign another publishing contract - that's a close #2. I'd like to travel someplace I've never been before and I'd like to meet someone new.
I think that's enough for today. Mostly, I'd like to remember to take advantage of every day, to appreciate the little things and always keep a positive outlook. And you? My wish for all you blog readers is that you have a safe, warm, wonderful 2011 - and that whatever your dreams and goals are, they come true!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Writers' Wednesday: Words from Writer's Digest
Time for my round-up of the January 2011 Writer's Digest - there are always so many good nuggets of information, it's tough to pull out my favorites. But here you go!
One author featured in the Debut Writers section talked about finding his first agent. He rewrote the entire structure of his book, which took several months, and then ultimately the agent who requested that change declined representation. In the end, though, he found an agent based on that revision. Talk about believing in yourself even after rejection!
***
"8 Ways to Write a 5-Star Chapter Chapter One" has terrific advice for tackling that challenging part of a novel. My favorite piece of advice: agents are editors are looking for "honest, original, and brave" writing - not perfect or careful. Free yourself to be daring & different, and that's what can grab them. Among two "great chapter ones" mentioned: Jane Eyre and Little House in the Big Woods.
"Hooked on a Feeling" talks about emotion-driven ways to develop characters. Among the advice I really liked: make a list of people from your life (include a few physical details & their effect on you) that could include the following: a family member you're close to a family member you dislike, your first love, your greatest love, the person from childhood who annoyed you most, the person from adulthood who annoys you most, your favorite co-worker, an older person who inspires you, a person you deal with on a daily basis...There are more, but that gets you started thinking how many real-life characters you can draw from when you write.
And "What to do When Your Novel Stalls" was great for me because I am STILL struggling through a 3rd? 4th? revision of Entwined. The article compares fixing your novel to diagnosing and repairing a car and has some good advice for jump-starting problem areas or dealing with your own insecurites and doubts: "Expecting too much from an early draft will result in frustration and disappointment. You write a first draft in order to have something to revise. It will be a failure. Writers are the ones who don't let failure stop them."
***
There are also great articles on finding a mentor, saving face after email gaffes, and other secrets to great story-telling.
OK, venture forth and create! Happy writing :)
One author featured in the Debut Writers section talked about finding his first agent. He rewrote the entire structure of his book, which took several months, and then ultimately the agent who requested that change declined representation. In the end, though, he found an agent based on that revision. Talk about believing in yourself even after rejection!
***
"8 Ways to Write a 5-Star Chapter Chapter One" has terrific advice for tackling that challenging part of a novel. My favorite piece of advice: agents are editors are looking for "honest, original, and brave" writing - not perfect or careful. Free yourself to be daring & different, and that's what can grab them. Among two "great chapter ones" mentioned: Jane Eyre and Little House in the Big Woods.
"Hooked on a Feeling" talks about emotion-driven ways to develop characters. Among the advice I really liked: make a list of people from your life (include a few physical details & their effect on you) that could include the following: a family member you're close to a family member you dislike, your first love, your greatest love, the person from childhood who annoyed you most, the person from adulthood who annoys you most, your favorite co-worker, an older person who inspires you, a person you deal with on a daily basis...There are more, but that gets you started thinking how many real-life characters you can draw from when you write.
And "What to do When Your Novel Stalls" was great for me because I am STILL struggling through a 3rd? 4th? revision of Entwined. The article compares fixing your novel to diagnosing and repairing a car and has some good advice for jump-starting problem areas or dealing with your own insecurites and doubts: "Expecting too much from an early draft will result in frustration and disappointment. You write a first draft in order to have something to revise. It will be a failure. Writers are the ones who don't let failure stop them."
***
There are also great articles on finding a mentor, saving face after email gaffes, and other secrets to great story-telling.
OK, venture forth and create! Happy writing :)
Monday, December 27, 2010
Monday Mentionables: Regrouping After the Holiday
Well, we didn't get a white Christmas after all - but the snow arrived last night, about 6" worth. Depending on where you are, you probably got more than we did!
Hope everyone had a nice holiday - ours was busy but filled with friends and family, all the most important things we need :) I actually blogged over at Samhain on December 25th - if you didn't have a chance to see it, please stop by and check it out :) The post was inspired by a conversation hubby and I had a couple days before the holiday, all about shopping for people and how we decide what to buy.
And here are some pictures from our Christmas!
Smooch helping to open gifts, of course
Hanna, our exchange student, making traditional Norwegian Christmas porridge
Yum!
Hope everyone had a nice holiday - ours was busy but filled with friends and family, all the most important things we need :) I actually blogged over at Samhain on December 25th - if you didn't have a chance to see it, please stop by and check it out :) The post was inspired by a conversation hubby and I had a couple days before the holiday, all about shopping for people and how we decide what to buy.
And here are some pictures from our Christmas!
Stockings (sans mantle)
Smooch helping to open gifts, of course
Hanna, our exchange student, making traditional Norwegian Christmas porridge
Yum!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
The Little Things
So...last Sunday night, I got up around 1 am to feed my cats who were wandering around making noise. Put them in the basement, turned around to go back upstairs, and tripped on the very first step (thanks in part to the fuzzy socks I was wearing). I landed HARD, really hard, and caught myself on my right ankle and left hand.
Wowowow....the pain in my ankle was incredible. All I could think was "Hope I didn't break it." Made it upstairs, found some ice, lay down on the couch, and hoped it was OK.
Next morning: a little swollen, more than a little black and blue, but definitely not broken. I showed my husband my battle scars, which also included a swollen & bruised left ring finger - it had definitely hurt the night before, but not nearly as much as the ankle. So I ignored it.
Live and learn. By the end of the day Monday, my finger was discolored and even more swollen. By the time I woke up on Tuesday, it had gotten worse. Yesterday afternoon, I decided I'd better have it looked at - and since I work with a group of nurses, they recommended I have a jeweler cut off the rings rather than whatever type of hacksaw they use in the ER.
So I did. The woman who did it was lovely, though she kept apologizing because yeah, it hurt, and I'm sure I was flinching. The worst part by far, though, was knowing she was cutting off my engagement and wedding rings - straight through the "ETERNAL LOVE" inscription. Sigh.
Went to the ER, got an x-ray, found out I have a teeny tiny fracture in the finger, and came home with a funky looking splint. So small. Barely visible on the film. Yet it swelled up my finger to twice its normal size.
I know they're just rings. But I didn't expect to be so upset to lose them that way. Yes, the jeweler can fix them. But it's funny how a symbol like that can grow to mean so much over the years...
Wowowow....the pain in my ankle was incredible. All I could think was "Hope I didn't break it." Made it upstairs, found some ice, lay down on the couch, and hoped it was OK.
Next morning: a little swollen, more than a little black and blue, but definitely not broken. I showed my husband my battle scars, which also included a swollen & bruised left ring finger - it had definitely hurt the night before, but not nearly as much as the ankle. So I ignored it.
Live and learn. By the end of the day Monday, my finger was discolored and even more swollen. By the time I woke up on Tuesday, it had gotten worse. Yesterday afternoon, I decided I'd better have it looked at - and since I work with a group of nurses, they recommended I have a jeweler cut off the rings rather than whatever type of hacksaw they use in the ER.
So I did. The woman who did it was lovely, though she kept apologizing because yeah, it hurt, and I'm sure I was flinching. The worst part by far, though, was knowing she was cutting off my engagement and wedding rings - straight through the "ETERNAL LOVE" inscription. Sigh.
Went to the ER, got an x-ray, found out I have a teeny tiny fracture in the finger, and came home with a funky looking splint. So small. Barely visible on the film. Yet it swelled up my finger to twice its normal size.
I know they're just rings. But I didn't expect to be so upset to lose them that way. Yes, the jeweler can fix them. But it's funny how a symbol like that can grow to mean so much over the years...
Monday, December 20, 2010
Monday's Mentionables: Racing with the Clock
Working like a maniac to finish grading all students' papers for the fall semester...see you back here later this week!
Friday, December 17, 2010
Turning the Big 4-0
"We don't understand life any better at forty than at twenty, but we know it and admit it." ~ Jules Renard
So it's come and gone...my 40th birthday.
This past Wednesday, I officially hit the big 4-0. I figured I would blog today about something profound that comes with turning 40. I Googled "good things about turning 40" and found a zillion (well, a lot anyway) websites, including one called turning40.net. So if you're approaching a milestone birthday, I guess you can find comfort and humor by turning to the Internet,
But I wanted to think of my own profound statements to make. I thought I might have some kind of wisdom. I thought I might feel differently. But really? I don't, not much. In fact, the only thing I really feel is pretty damn pleased. When I look at my life -- my career, my relationships, my health -- I can't ask for more. I'm satisfied -- really, completely satisfied. This is not to say that there aren't things I still dream of (that six-figure book advance would be nice), but I have to say that every day I wake up happy and healthy and full of energy and surrounded by good friends and excited students and family who love me.
Can't really ask for more than that, can I? 40 is just a number. I figure I've earned my wrinkles, my heartache, and my accomplishments, every one of them. So yeah, I'm gonna celebrate and keep on living just the way I am. Here's to the next 40!
So it's come and gone...my 40th birthday.
This past Wednesday, I officially hit the big 4-0. I figured I would blog today about something profound that comes with turning 40. I Googled "good things about turning 40" and found a zillion (well, a lot anyway) websites, including one called turning40.net. So if you're approaching a milestone birthday, I guess you can find comfort and humor by turning to the Internet,
But I wanted to think of my own profound statements to make. I thought I might have some kind of wisdom. I thought I might feel differently. But really? I don't, not much. In fact, the only thing I really feel is pretty damn pleased. When I look at my life -- my career, my relationships, my health -- I can't ask for more. I'm satisfied -- really, completely satisfied. This is not to say that there aren't things I still dream of (that six-figure book advance would be nice), but I have to say that every day I wake up happy and healthy and full of energy and surrounded by good friends and excited students and family who love me.
Can't really ask for more than that, can I? 40 is just a number. I figure I've earned my wrinkles, my heartache, and my accomplishments, every one of them. So yeah, I'm gonna celebrate and keep on living just the way I am. Here's to the next 40!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Monday's Mentionables: A Day in NYC!
Spent this past Saturday in New York City as part of an exchange student day trip (which, by the way, I don't ever recommend...NYC in December, that is). While we did luck out on the weather (4o and mild), the crowds were CRAZY, especially in mid-town Manhattan. Having said that, though, we enjoyed some nice sights....AND had a terrific surprise at the end of the day (scroll down to the last pic to see what it was!)
The tree in Rockefeller Center, with all the skaters below
Enjoying the view on South Street Seaport (and a gang of drunken Santas, behind us)
We headed uptown at the end of the evening, to Columbus Circle and the mall there...
Where we went into Borders and found my latest release on the shelves in the romance section!!! I almost fell over in disbelief! No better Christmas present for my writing career :)
The tree in Rockefeller Center, with all the skaters below
Enjoying the view on South Street Seaport (and a gang of drunken Santas, behind us)
We headed uptown at the end of the evening, to Columbus Circle and the mall there...
Where we went into Borders and found my latest release on the shelves in the romance section!!! I almost fell over in disbelief! No better Christmas present for my writing career :)
Friday, December 10, 2010
Friday's Fun Facts: Party Pics!
Note for any locals:
I'll be at the Barnes and Noble in Newburgh, New York this Sunday from 3-5 pm as part of a weekend-long Book Fair sponsored by one of our local public high schools. A perecentage of any sales go to the school's library, and there'll be features from student activity groups (and local authors like me) both days. Stop by if you're around - great time to holiday shop!
****
And some pictures from my 40th birthday party, last weekend. Lots of fun!
My oldest friend from grade school, who came in from Boston to help celebrate
Hubby!
The family: my husband, Mom, sister, and brother-in-law
I'll be at the Barnes and Noble in Newburgh, New York this Sunday from 3-5 pm as part of a weekend-long Book Fair sponsored by one of our local public high schools. A perecentage of any sales go to the school's library, and there'll be features from student activity groups (and local authors like me) both days. Stop by if you're around - great time to holiday shop!
****
And some pictures from my 40th birthday party, last weekend. Lots of fun!
Some of the girls from the gym
My oldest friend from grade school, who came in from Boston to help celebrate
Hubby!
The family: my husband, Mom, sister, and brother-in-law
Monday, December 06, 2010
Monday Mentionables: Getting into the Holiday Spirit
Whew, what a weekend! We had family and friends in town to celebrate an early Christmas AND my (a little early) 40th birthday! Pictures to follow later this week, so make sure you check back.
The Christmas spirit is definitely in the air, though, and not just because we exchanged stockings and gifts here Saturday morning. Lights are strung outside, wreaths are hung, stores are filled with decorations, and carols and TV specials fill the airwaves. Last night we watched "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" with Hanna (our Norwegian exchange student). I hadn't watched either of them in years, so it was fun to see them again. True classics, that's for sure. We also talked about our favorite Christmas movies of all time. Mine: "It's a Wonderful Life." Hers: "Love, Actually" (I didn't even know it was a Christmas movie, but OK). Hubby's: "A Christmas Story."
What are your favorites?
The Christmas spirit is definitely in the air, though, and not just because we exchanged stockings and gifts here Saturday morning. Lights are strung outside, wreaths are hung, stores are filled with decorations, and carols and TV specials fill the airwaves. Last night we watched "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" with Hanna (our Norwegian exchange student). I hadn't watched either of them in years, so it was fun to see them again. True classics, that's for sure. We also talked about our favorite Christmas movies of all time. Mine: "It's a Wonderful Life." Hers: "Love, Actually" (I didn't even know it was a Christmas movie, but OK). Hubby's: "A Christmas Story."
What are your favorites?
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
Writers' Wednesday: Buy Yourself a Blog
Heads up, fellow writers: here's an opportunity you might be interested in looking into...
Lynda Coker is holding an auction to transfer ownership of her blog, Between the Lines. This seems to be a pretty well-established blog, with supposedly 800+ followers (though blog comments don't necessarily indicate a high level of involvement). Still, if you're looking to blog or maybe do some new promo and want a built-in audience of this kind, her auction might be worth looking into. She'll post the current bid amount at the top of her blog. Bidding runs through December, and ownership will transfer in February 2011.
It's an interesting concept. Time magazine this week has a feature on the changes from 2000 - 2010, and one of those is that the number of established blogs went from 3 million in 2004 to 130 million in 2010. Do people read them? Absolutely. Do they affect book sales, if we're talking specifically about authors? Hard to tell. I do think readers enjoy getting to know the authors they love in a blog sort of format. But does a blog exponentially increase sales? I'm reserved on that one. Other types of promo do more, I think. Regardless, blogs are a FREE way to interact with readers, so the chance to "buy" one that's already established is definitely an interesting concept to consder.
Good luck bidding!
Lynda Coker is holding an auction to transfer ownership of her blog, Between the Lines. This seems to be a pretty well-established blog, with supposedly 800+ followers (though blog comments don't necessarily indicate a high level of involvement). Still, if you're looking to blog or maybe do some new promo and want a built-in audience of this kind, her auction might be worth looking into. She'll post the current bid amount at the top of her blog. Bidding runs through December, and ownership will transfer in February 2011.
It's an interesting concept. Time magazine this week has a feature on the changes from 2000 - 2010, and one of those is that the number of established blogs went from 3 million in 2004 to 130 million in 2010. Do people read them? Absolutely. Do they affect book sales, if we're talking specifically about authors? Hard to tell. I do think readers enjoy getting to know the authors they love in a blog sort of format. But does a blog exponentially increase sales? I'm reserved on that one. Other types of promo do more, I think. Regardless, blogs are a FREE way to interact with readers, so the chance to "buy" one that's already established is definitely an interesting concept to consder.
Good luck bidding!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Happy Post-Thanksgiving!
Well, did everyone enjoy a nice Thankgiving holiday and weekend? We certainly did. Here are some pictures from the day:
In preparation for the big dinner, Smooch waits patiently in his chosen spot
Friends and family enjoy the company and good food!We also braved the crowds and the stores for Black Friday early morning shopping - anyone else that crazy? We've done it every year for the past 4 or 5, so now it's become a bit of a crazy tradition. We don't go SUPER early, but we were out of the house by 4:30 and scored a Canon digital camera, a SONY digital camera, ski clothes, a step stool and some other household items, all for really great prices. After a well-earned breakfast, we were home by 9:00 am - not bad!
I wanted to give a mention to my writing friend Diane Craver, who has 2 Christmas stories out in time for the holidays. Stop by her blog to find out more about them! Perfect gift for someone who's tough to buy for...
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Happy (Early) Thanksgiving!
The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving. ~H.U. Westermayer
If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart
Wishing everyone a very (early) blessed Thanksgiving Day! I'm so thankful for much in my life: my family, friends, health, job, students, books, and lifestyle that allows me to wake up every day safe, warm, and not having to worry about how to pay my bills or put food on the table.
I hope you are equally able to celebrate all the riches in your life - enjoy!
If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart
Wishing everyone a very (early) blessed Thanksgiving Day! I'm so thankful for much in my life: my family, friends, health, job, students, books, and lifestyle that allows me to wake up every day safe, warm, and not having to worry about how to pay my bills or put food on the table.
I hope you are equally able to celebrate all the riches in your life - enjoy!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Monday's Mentionables: Author Promotion at AAD 2011
OK, fellow authors, here's the deal: next August, I'll be attending the Authors After Dark Conference in Philadelphia. This is a conference where readers can mingle with authors - talk to their favorites and find new ones as well. For authors, there are a plethora of promotional opportunities, among them the chance to host a table in the hospitality rooms, food breaks during the conference, happy hours, etc. If authors go in together in sponsoring one of the events, obviously, it costs less per person.
So...I'm interested in knowing if any authors out there are interested in co-sponsoring an event at the AAD Conference. Doesn't mean you have to attend, obviously - it will still be a chance for you to get your name and your books out there in front of readers.
If you'd like to know more about the options available, and the various prices involved, send me an email at allieb@allieboniface.com and we can chat!
Happy Monday...
So...I'm interested in knowing if any authors out there are interested in co-sponsoring an event at the AAD Conference. Doesn't mean you have to attend, obviously - it will still be a chance for you to get your name and your books out there in front of readers.
If you'd like to know more about the options available, and the various prices involved, send me an email at allieb@allieboniface.com and we can chat!
Happy Monday...
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Writers' Wednesday: Two Newsletters Worth Checking Out
Two quick but really good links for writers today:
WOW - Women on Writing's Ezine - it's all about freelance work as a writer this month.
and
The Knight Agency's Newsletter - you can sign up for a free subscription just by visiting their site. Great updates about what's going on with their agency and in the industry overall.
Happy writing!
WOW - Women on Writing's Ezine - it's all about freelance work as a writer this month.
and
The Knight Agency's Newsletter - you can sign up for a free subscription just by visiting their site. Great updates about what's going on with their agency and in the industry overall.
Happy writing!
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