tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39982546816795128712024-02-02T15:34:16.236-08:00HOLY CRAP!! I'M A WRITERAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553221457499533633noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998254681679512871.post-21478847292658019602015-07-19T05:26:00.000-07:002015-07-19T05:26:25.041-07:00PHSYCIS AND WEREWOLVES AND SPACERS! OH MY!<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">WELL. That certainly was a crazy few
months!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">So much has happened since I last posted.
Of course I<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>have</i> been
writing but that's just part of it. So here's the scoop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In December, in the middle of writing<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Inherit the Moon</b>, I had a total
knee replacement of the right knee. I had put it off for months, it was
supposed to happen in Sept. 2014, not December. But I realized after the 3
month recovery and physical therapy time, it'd put me out on the tiles in the
middle of a Michigan winter. Gah! So I had it rescheduled to December. By
the time the surgery rolled around I was informed by my Doctor that had I
waited as little as one month more, something terrible would have occurred with
that leg. I knew something was up because it was<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>so</i> painful to walk. This
was pain beyond the osteoarthritic pain...all the way down to my foot. Long
story short, what was left of the knee cap had relocated itself to the far
right of the where it was supposed to be and the two large bones were tilting
in toward my left leg. It was grindy and crunchy when I walked. So<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>that's</i> why it had become
so painful. Yikes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">So under the knife I went. I'm happy to
say my sense of humor was intact and I kept my nurses and aids in a state of
giggles during my 5 day stay in hospital. If you've ever had surgery, you know
they bother the heck out of you every 45 minutes or so to get vitals and dose
meds. My nurse said I got to where I would hear the door open and stick my arm
up (while still asleep -- something I learned from Alessio, I guess).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Suffice it to say, surgery was a total
success and in 5 days I was out and ready to start physical therapy -- what I
lovingly call physical torture. And it was going great for about a month.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Then all of a sudden I had a weird symptom
that sent me to my Gynecologist. Four days after that visit I am informed that
I have an aggressive cancer of the uterus. WTF?! What is it, pick on the fat
chick year? Within a week of that diagnosis I was on the operating table<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>again</b>! Two major
surgeries within a month and a half of each other. Repeat GAH!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Again, totally successful surgery. I am
hollow now...total hysterectomy including cervix. I am ready for
stuffing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I am happy to say that it was gotten to
early enough that they got it all. It had not spread anywhere else, not even to
the outer wall of the uterus or to the lymph nodes. No chemo, no radiation (as
if my personality isn't glowing enough). I am -- at present -- cancer free. And
yes I feel extremely fortunate that mine was literally a mere brush with
cancer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">One great thing associated with all this
cutting? My appetite was affected and between then and now I have taken
off a whopping 60 lbs! I feel great!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">So. Back to writing and finishing<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>ITM</b>. Then off to the editors and
then rewrites. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Inherit the Moon</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> -- my novel about a reluctant cowboy
werewolf and his daughter -- premiered at MediaWest*Con Memorial Day weekend
2015. Sold nearly all I brought and a few<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Relevance<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></b>and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Epiphany<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></b>as well. Went with two large boxes
of books and came home with one not even completely full. It was a great
weekend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">That was end of May and here it is
July. I was going to turn my attention to
the Italian cowering in the corner (cuz he knows <b>Fathom</b> is going to be very hard on him, physically and mentally)
but I realized I had been nearly finished with <b>The Galaxy <br />
According to Phaser Spangles </b>which had been pushed to the side for <b>Inherit the Moon</b>. So I gave my attention
to the obnoxious teen aged spacer boy and am now about 4000 words from finishing
that novel. Reprieve for the Italian.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">So that’s where I am now. About the finish
<b>TGATPS</b> and send it off to two
editors. This will be quite different than the other two series. For one thing
I plan to do some illustrations for it. I’m actually looking forward to that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">While that is being edited, I will turn my
full attention to Alessio. Get over it, buddy. It’s your turn. I presently have about 45,000 words on <b>Fathom</b> and 50,000 words on <b>Hunters’ Moon</b> – the 2<sup>nd</sup> book
in the <b>Knights’ Moon Series</b>. So if no major hitches jump into my path, I
should have 3 – count ‘em <b>– 3 </b>new
books out by MediaWest*Con 2016. Very exciting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553221457499533633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998254681679512871.post-42302239543920940842014-10-20T08:57:00.002-07:002014-10-20T08:57:58.673-07:002014 NANOWRIMO<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I’m going to take part
in NANOWRIMO once again this year. This will be my third year. I’ll be taking a
shot at getting the first draft of <b>Embrace
the Moon</b>, the second book in the Knights’ Moon Series. I’m still in the
throes of rewrites for book one, <b>Inherit
the Moon</b>, but NANOWRIMO is always a good shot in the arm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I can’t stress enough
how taking part in something like this helps you establish a rhythm with your
writing. My personal goal has always been about 2500 words per day, but
sometimes you just can’t get that many down for some reason. Fifty thousand
words in thirty days come out to roughly 1675 words a day. So I always try for
1700. This is a great exercise! Give it
a try!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It begins Saturday,
November first. I’ll post my daily word count here. If any of you would like to
sign up for it, drop me a line and let me know. We can be writing buddies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553221457499533633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998254681679512871.post-8017589707473990642014-10-13T11:58:00.003-07:002014-10-13T11:58:56.900-07:00THAT'S MY COVER AND i'M STICKING TO IT<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Okay, let’s talk about covers
today. The cover of your book is the first thing that is seen by the
prospective reader, so it should be noticeable and say something about the
book. For my cover of <b>Relevance </b>I wanted a man with sadness
on his face and I wanted to show the city wherein the book was set – in this
case Chicago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The first thing I did was go
in search of sites that offered stock photos. I found quite a few, but my
favorite, so far, is Dreamstime.com. They have thousands and thousands of stock
photos. So my quest began first by searching crying man. Because I have a
picture in my mind of my lead character Alessio Magarelli I was looking for
someone with amazing, expressive eyes. Alessio’s eyes are mentioned several
times by his costars as having sadness about them. So finding a model with the
right eyes was quite a challenge. Finally after going through hundreds of
photos, I found them. Perfect. A man with his hands over the lower part of his
face (nose on down) focusing on his large, dark, teary eyes. Beyond perfect.
These were Alessio’s eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After purchasing the rights to
that photo for $4, I went in search of the skyline and found a terrific one
that included the Willis Tower (formerly known as The Sears Tower). Another $4.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now to put them together.
First I tried having Alessio in a box to the upper left of the city scape. Both
pictures were in color. That didn’t do it. I moved Alessio all over that cover
trying to find the right combination. Then it hit me, make Al bigger and lay
the city scape over him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here’s where I sing the
praises of Photoshop and its layering (insert choir of angels).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you’re not familiar with
Photoshop, I can’t suggest it enough. It’s one of the most user friendly art
programs out there. First I created the base layer which was Alessio. Then I
overlaid the next layer, the city. I was able to enlarge the city to focus on
the Sears Tower (which – in this story – serves as the straw that broke my
Italian camel’s back). Next I erased around the buildings, revealing Alessio. I’d
like to point out that I survived the insane intricacy of erasing around those
damned antennas on the top of the tower. However I <i>did</i> question the legitimacy of the builder’s birth several times.
Still there was something wrong. It was the color. I turned the image black and white and, BAM,
there it was. Sometimes black and white
just sets the perfect mood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Once my cover art was
designed, I married the layers. Next was the title layer – RELEVANCE. I wanted to throw another hint out to the
readers with that, as well. So I chose to add one color to my cover. Red. Not the whole title, though. Just three
letters. The ELE in R<span style="color: red;">ELE</span>VANCE. And yes, that was not a happy accident. I know
what ELE stands for. For those of you who don’t, it stands for Extinction Level
Event. It was striking against the black and white. I feel it was a good
choice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The next and final layer was
the byline.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Long story short, if you’re
doing your own cover, take your time. Really hunt for the right images. Make
careful decisions regarding color or black and white. Your cover is what makes
them pick up the book; give it the time it deserves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Relevance</span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> cost
me a total of $8 to produce. I was fortunate that I have the training and
background that made cover design easy. And that my editors on book one were
quite happy to do so for a copy of the book and credit on the inner title page.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Epiphany</span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">’s<b> </b>cover was a bit more expensive as I
paid a young artist to create it. I told him what I wanted – a black background
with blood oozing down from the top. He surprised me by having the blood
dripping down to leave the black forming the silhouette of the John Hancock
building. Brilliant! I paid him $50. And once again my editor only wanted a
copy of the book and of course, credit for her work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Fathom</span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">’s
cover will be a little more involved. It will have the underwater ruin of the
Field Museum of Natural History with divers silhouetted against it and a large,
red, pear-shaped diamond to set off the title. Not sure who will be doing that
one. It’s beyond my expertise. My plans for
that one is to be done in a tealish green blue to depict the underwater scene,
with the striking red gem placed near the title.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Add to that my concern over
the cover for <b>Inherit the Moon</b>. I
have no idea who’s going to do that one, and I’m thinking it’s probably going
to be me. Arrrrgh.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That said, rewrites on <b>Inherit the Moon<i> </i></b>are coming along very nicely in spite of the fact I tried to
cut my right index finger off. Note to myself, when slicing cheese, cut
downward not sideways. Still, I lived to write another day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As soon as I get done with <b>ITM</b> it’ll be on to <b>Fathom</b> (book 3 in The Magarelli Series).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553221457499533633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998254681679512871.post-28507242547154573022014-10-04T05:03:00.000-07:002014-10-04T05:03:12.448-07:00A CHANGE IN THE WEATHER<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Wow, it’s fall! They don’t expect our temps to go above 49°
today, although they predict a warm up to upper 50’s or lower 60’s next week.
Perfect writing weather! Got my fleece throw over my legs, a cuppa hot
chocolate (hocho) on the desk next to me, and the keyboard eagerly waiting
being pounded as I finish my rewrites on <b><i>Inherit the Moon</i></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alessio Magarelli is enjoying
some time off while I finish book one of the <i>Knights’ Moon Series</i>. I told him he better gird his Italian loins,
because I’m coming for him in December. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">My knee replacement surgery is
scheduled for December 4</span><sup style="font-family: Garamond, serif; line-height: 115%;">th</sup><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> and the three months following that
surgery will be devoted to two things: recuperation and the writing of </span><b style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Fathom</i></b><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">,
book three of </span><i style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Magarelli Series.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On the general book front, I
have just finished reading <i>The Alter of
Bones</i> by Philip Carter. Interesting book. Liked the premise. I hear there’s
a second one, <i>The Path of Bones</i>. When
I read <i>Alter…</i> I couldn’t help but
think, this does <i>not </i>sound like a man’s
writing. The first thing to send up a flag was the way the author referred to
the female lead’s cats. That just said WOMAN to me. And lo and behold Philip
Carter is a pseud for author Penelope Williamson. I <i>knew</i> it was a woman!! That doesn’t change the fact that I liked the
book. I don’t care about gender when it comes to authors. I just want an
exciting story. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On that note, my name is <i>not</i> a pseud. LOL. It’s the real deal,
legally and forever. I am – and always will be – PJ Morvant-Alexander.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Also new, I am able to take credit and debit cards! I am now the proud owner of a used Ipad tablet and I have signed on to Paypal with a business account. My card reader arrived Wednesday! Yay! Now when I have future signings or attend conventions, I will be able to take plastic. This is going to make it <i>so</i> much easier. So much more convenient for the buyers. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">On that note, it's time for my monthly shameless plug. So here we go:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><b><i>The Magarelli Series: </i>go to www.amazon.com and search Magarelli Series.</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><b>My site: http://www.pjmorvantalexander.com</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><b>My blog: http://www.pjmorvantalexander.blogspot.com</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Well, Mark and KJ Knight are
tapping their cowboy boots at me, with a ‘git ‘er done’ attitude, so I must away to
write. Hope to have <i style="font-weight: bold;">Inherit the Moon</i> out in the next month. No later than mid-November and December on belongs to Al.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For those of you in the
Midwest, stay warm and enjoy the colors unfolding outside your windows!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553221457499533633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998254681679512871.post-27217287134814849322014-09-18T05:47:00.005-07:002014-09-18T05:47:55.566-07:00BOOK SIGNING UPDATEWell, the book signing at ROWSTER COFFEE is only 10 days away! Squeee!<br />
I have just placed an ad in the local paper, the Grand Rapids Press. It can be seen starting tomorrow at Mlive.com and in the newspaper all next week.<br />
<br />
There is one change to the info, instead of starting at 5pm it's starting at 4pm. so:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">AUTHOR PJ MORVANT-ALEXANDER</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">BOOK SIGNING AT ROWSTER COFFEE</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">SATURDAY SEPT 27TH, 4PM -6PM</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>632 WEALTHY ST SE </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>(Corner of Wealthy and James)</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49503</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Relevance $10</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Epiphany $15</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>But WOW get both for $20</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>a $5 savings!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>I am presently unable to accept credit cards</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>please cash or checks only.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>COME ON OUT AND GIVE ME A SCORCHING CASE OF WRITER'S CRAMP!!!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I hope to see you there! </div>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553221457499533633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998254681679512871.post-59901705848995268582014-09-13T04:37:00.002-07:002014-09-13T04:37:11.022-07:00BOOK SIGNING INCHES CLOSER<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">REMINDER REMINDER REMINDER<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The book
signing at ROWSTER COFFEE is<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now exactly
2 weeks away! That’s on the corner<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Of James
Ave SE and Wealthy SE.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s a
lovely little place with superb coffee!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
special is this: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">RELEVANCE
- $10 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">EPIPHANY
- $15<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But
buy both - $20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A
savings of $5.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Yes the book signing inches closer. The month so far has been a whirlwind of prep for the 27th.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I have now got my poster printed. Lucked out on a great price and got my collapsible easel FREE. If you're low on funds that word sounds like it's sung by a choir of angels. FREEEEEEEE...in amazing harmony and accompanied by a golden light shed upon said easel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here's what the poster looks like. It will be obsolete by May 2015 when I will have the third installment of the <i>Magarelli Series</i> out. That being <i>Fathom</i>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Also out by that time will be <i>Inherit the Moon</i> the first offering in the <i>Knights' Moon Series</i>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Back to the subject of the book signing, though. As I relay my experience setting up the first signing outside of an attended convention.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Why a Coffee Shop?</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Frankly I frequent the shop. I enjoy spending some time at Rowsters on Saturdays and I noticed that two things stood out -- besides their awesome coffee. Patrons were either on laptops or reading. Given that the shop supports the arts (offering themselves as a gallery to local artists) I thought to ask them if they would like a book signing to add to that support. And I'd be reaching readers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><b>Why Not a Book Store?</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Since my books are not available in mainstream book stores, it was my thought they might have issue with me wanting to use them. I have not -- as yet -- approached any. I have, however, approached several libraries and come 2015 will be having book signings in a few of those. Be watching for announcements as time wears on.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">It became apparent to me, early on, that the coffee shop -- while enthusiastic -- had no clue what a book signing involves and communication has been spotty at best. Still my liaison is a lovely gal and eager to have this work. They have mentioned it both on Instagram and Twitter, however refused to hang a flyer promoting the signing in the shop. And this I found out after I had the flyer printed. Crap. Communication glitch number one. Would have been nice to have been told that when I first mentioned the Flyer in late August and again the first week of September, instead of finding out AFTER I had the 11x14 full color promo done.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">This is that flyer:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeA0GWEdqkpyYY16ZWvLr24oJbBnODuYa87uI8KE2veiW-P-R2tsWKP0kHVJErZoIDBIQAidRPYCBqlckY23VHX5boACasBvsRW0z4PXj-GGxlZyXe2zSWNNvieURVfdO3XS0UfpWif4rT/s1600/Poster+for+Rowster+reduction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeA0GWEdqkpyYY16ZWvLr24oJbBnODuYa87uI8KE2veiW-P-R2tsWKP0kHVJErZoIDBIQAidRPYCBqlckY23VHX5boACasBvsRW0z4PXj-GGxlZyXe2zSWNNvieURVfdO3XS0UfpWif4rT/s1600/Poster+for+Rowster+reduction.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I think it came out rather well. But it was time and money wasted as, not only would it not be used, but somehow it got damaged after I turned it over to the lady at the counter (not my liaison). And I still ask myself, why would the gal at the counter even accept it when I told her what it was when it was not their policy to post flyers. Weird. Sad thing is I could have posted the flyer elsewhere had it not been damaged. Chalk it up to experience and the realization that all points no matter how simple should be agreed upon ON PAPER. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Still I'm an easy-going sort, so I just made a mental note and will be more careful next time. I think it's because both myself and the shop are extremely new to this territory. Mistakes are how we learn.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The next thing I had printed was my promo poster. It came out wonderfully, laminated and mounted on foam board and will be displayed on its easel in my signing area.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I'm sure things will be better with Libraries, they do this sort of thing all the time.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553221457499533633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998254681679512871.post-43355568419233656552014-09-05T04:25:00.002-07:002014-09-05T04:25:54.276-07:00BOOK SIGNING REMINDER<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">REMINDER REMINDER REMINDER</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujiibe4mgzOPdLs2anBL3Voclmo2-1h0PbpZtzZSTc5nCWF5geAApnO0skMvc2xXKx5JHD4Nf3629gqm7WQE14RnQnkN6uVCl4MXW9vircu-AKfArS1L3Pv1PiIfsFkb8Ftd5zDTl-whd/s1600/Poster+for+Rowster+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujiibe4mgzOPdLs2anBL3Voclmo2-1h0PbpZtzZSTc5nCWF5geAApnO0skMvc2xXKx5JHD4Nf3629gqm7WQE14RnQnkN6uVCl4MXW9vircu-AKfArS1L3Pv1PiIfsFkb8Ftd5zDTl-whd/s1600/Poster+for+Rowster+copy.jpg" height="400" width="258" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Relevance $10</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Epiphany $15</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">OR</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A special!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Both for $20</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">a $5 savings.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">COME OUT AND GIVE ME A </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">SCORCHING CASE OF WRITER'S CRAMP!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553221457499533633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998254681679512871.post-27999080371397092312014-08-06T15:52:00.000-07:002014-08-06T15:52:02.147-07:00BOOK SIGNING, BOOK SIGNING, BOOK SIGNING!!<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Yes! The book signing at Rowsters Coffee is on!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">BOOK SIGNING<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">FEATURING THE FIRST TWO BOOKS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">IN THE MAGARELLI SERIES<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">AT<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">ROWSTER COFFEE CAFÉ<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">632 Wealthy Street SE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(corner of James and Wealthy)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Grand Rapids, MI 49503<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(616)780-7777<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2014<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">5PM<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I will have both Relevance and Epiphany at the signing and have I got a
deal for you! Relevance is $10 and Epiphany is $15, however if you purchase
both books, I will give you a $5 discount. Both books for $20. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">You local folks!!! Come on out and support a local writer!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <b>SPREAD THE WORD!!</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553221457499533633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998254681679512871.post-62594583465443782832014-08-03T05:21:00.001-07:002014-08-03T05:21:24.255-07:00WEREWOLVES and SPACERS and PSYCHICS, OH MY!<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This has been an eventful
weekend! After a foray out to our local
super store (Meijer), I found the perfect futon for my living room and it was
one sale!! (Bonus!) So instead of writing, much of the remainder yesterday
before supper was spent putting it together. It was a Sauder piece and anyone
who is familiar with Sauder knows that assembly is required. Really all it
involved was putting the legs on. But it is all together and quite comfortable. It’s very firm. Not like my previous couch
(that I sank into and had to battle to get up from), I can sit there for hours
and not feel a twinge in my oh-so-crappy back or hip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Did I ever mention I’m a
senior citizen? A dippy senior hippy? A
Granny Goth? Well I am. Don’t mind the
aging process so much, it’s kinda cool watching my hair go gray – in some parts
white. What I do mind is the aches and pains that come along with an aging
skeleton. PHAH! I have placed myself on
a waiting list to have my brain (Abbie someone…Abbie Normal) put in an android
body. And I wouldn’t mind if that body looked like Sandra Bullock…or even Tom
Welling…I’m open minded. As I approach 70 (only 3 years away), I marvel that I’ve
lived this long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Last bit of personal news is
that I am scheduled for a knee replacement in early December. So I’m going to
be ‘laid up’ for 3 months while I recover from that and go through the torture
they call physical therapy. I’m no stranger to knee surgery, had the left knee
replaced five years ago. So it’s time to get the right on bionic as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What do you do when you’re grounded? Why write, of course! You needed to ask?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That
said, on to writing news:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I have repurposed the <b>Marrok Knight Trilogy</b>…as I approach
finishing the second book, I realize that they are as much about his daughter
KJ as they are about him…some possibly more than others as she comes of age <i>and</i> that these novels will extend past a
trilogy. So now, I am billing it as the <b>Knight’s
Moon Series</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While we’re on the subject of
the Knights, book one, <b>Inherit the Moon</b>,
is off to its editors. <b>Inherit</b> is
tentatively slated for late October. Not only does that involve Halloween (nice
time of the year to present a werewolf book, doncha think?) but the book is set
in autumn. Autumn in Romani, a very lovely time of year there. The leaves are
changing; the werewolves are howling…lovely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Book two <b>Embrace the Moon</b> is 2/3rds of the way done. I had such a good time
writing Mark coming into knowledge of his heritage in the country of his
heritage. But I have to tell you,
writing him in his home territory – northwestern Montana – is even more fun for
me. I’ve always had a love affair with
Big Sky Country: mustangs, cowboys, mountains and the forests…what’s not to
love?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ve looked all over for an
artist for my covers, but alas anyone who has what it takes to do them is <i>way</i> out of my price range. So I’m going
to have to dust off the supplies and do them myself. Yes, I’m an artist, have
been all my days…well since I could hold a crayon, anyway. But I was hoping to
spotlight someone else’s talent since I’m writing the books. I have several
wonderful artists suggested to me, but their styles were too<i> Japanime</i>. I don’t want manga-style art
for the covers of the Knight’s Moon Series. That style of art would do <i>very</i> well for <b>The Galaxy According to Phaser Spangles</b>! As a matter of fact, it would be <i>perfect! </i>But not for the werewolf
series; although I would seriously consider an <i>Art Nouveau</i> style.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now it’s just a matter of what
medium to choose – oils? Acrylics? Color Pencil? Like writing isn’t enough to
do. LOL Never a dull moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Have I forgotten Alessio
Magarelli? Not bloody likely. Al is
enjoying a little sabbatical while I prepare for Mark and KJ’s debut this fall.
I will be returning to writing <b>Fathom</b>
– book three in the <b>Magarelli Series</b>
– as I recuperate from my surgery. That on is on schedule for a late May
release.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That wraps up another riveting
entry here. Hey! Wake up!!! See you next
time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553221457499533633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998254681679512871.post-73870015416282968172014-07-17T09:48:00.002-07:002014-07-17T09:48:50.841-07:00LIONS AND WEREWOLVES AREN'T BEARS! OH MY!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Been a while, I know. But I've been writing like a fiend. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This Summer has been a wild ride so far. I have two surgeries looming toward the end of it. An oral surgery August 29th and A biggie, a full knee replacement Sept 25th. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've made the decision to write book three of the Magarelli Series during recuperation from the knee surgery. So I'll be writing that during October and November.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Right now, I am writing the 2nd book in the Marrok Knight Trilogy. Book one INHERIT THE MOON is going through its first edits. Book two EMBRACE THE MOON is going along really well, Only been writing on it for two weeks and already 20,000 words into it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm having a book signing at Rowster Coffee on James and Wealthy here in Grand Rapids. I'll post the date for you all when I have it. It's either going to be the 1st or 2nd weekend in August. Katie, my contact, needs to get with the manager and see which on it is.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's really funny how writing goes. I sat down two weeks ago to write some ideas and an outline for EMBRACE and when I got up from the laptop I had written the prologue and first chapter.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While the first one was set in Romania and you learned the history of the wolf people I've devised. But this new one is set in my character's home territory in Northwestern Montana. I'm getting to write about two things very close to my heart: werewolves and cowboys.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553221457499533633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998254681679512871.post-37960372106228723682014-05-14T14:26:00.000-07:002014-05-14T14:26:36.756-07:00ALMOST TIME TO HIT THE ROAD!<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">MEDIAWEST*CON
34 May 23-26 in Lansing, MI…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">…
is only 9 days away and the Magarelli Series will be represented there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That’s right, in a week I will
be on my way to MediaWest and I will have a table in the dealer’s room. I will
have <b>RELEVANCE</b> and <b>EPIPHANY</b> (books one and two of the
series) at the table. If purchasers of
the books so desire I will also be signing them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Look for me in the Dealer’s
Room. I have requested a table in one of the center islands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This is the convention that
got me writing seriously, first for fanzines, then for APAs and now mainstream.
Writing for the fanzines our press sold and for various clubs such as Pern,
Star Trek, and original amateur sci fi was my training ground. That training
led me to the next and most obvious step: pro writing. I have a very special
place tucked away in my heart for this convention and always will.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ll be back here more consistently
after this convention. Preparations for attending it have kept me hopping.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">UPDATE: </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
am currently working on <b>FATHOM</b>, the
third installment of the Magarelli Series.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am nearly finished with the
first draft of <b>INHERIT THE MOON</b>,
book one of the Marrok Knight Trilogy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I have started mapping out the
illustrations for <b>THE GALAXY ACCORDING
TO PHASER SPANGLES</b>, my space opera series that will be, thus far, my only
publication to have internal illustrations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As always I welcome questions
and comments here at the blog. If you attend Media, come to my table and let me
know you are also reading the blog. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">See you then!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553221457499533633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998254681679512871.post-60364818318414499652014-03-03T06:02:00.000-08:002014-03-03T06:02:06.943-08:00COMMENTS FROM THE PEANUT GALLERY<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s been mighty cold here in
the Midwest, cold for authors and book characters whose lives are based in the
Midwest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I woke up to -10 degrees this
morning – the apartment was very chilly. I live in a very small place I call
The Hobbit Hole. Last night I was baking and the apartment got very warm. <b>Very</b> warm. So, I opened the window in
the living room about 3 inches to bring in some cooler air. I went to bed at my
normal hour – normal for a writer – and forgot to close it. I only have two windows in this little place,
one in the living room and one in the bedroom. Both double-wide side-to-side
sliders. This morning when I woke up it was <b>fahreezing</b> in here. Even my cat was snuggled up under the covers
with me, as much as she hates having her head covered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I got up and checked the
thermometer in the kitchen. My home was 50 degrees. Wowza! I fired up the Amish
fireplace heater and let it run for a half hour. We’re up to 62 and that’s
acceptable. Note to self, <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>NO MORE FORGETTING TO CLOSE THE WINDOW!! </b></span> Not while
it’s <i>this</i> cold out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Plan to get at least 1500
words down today. I’m finishing Inherit the Moon before going any further on
Fathom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Thank
God for small favors.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Oh, hi Alessio. Interwebs,
this is Alessio, my star of the <b>Magarelli Series</b>. Alessio, the interwebs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Uhm…hi.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Would you prefer I write on
<b>Fathom</b>, Mr. Italian Tenor?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">NO!
I..I mean…well no, you only have about a chapter left to go on Mark’s story. I
think you should get that done. I can wait.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That’s not the song you were
singing when I was trying to write <b>Inherit the Moon</b> last fall. As I remember, you were pestering the heck
out of me to get on the third novel in your series. What was it you said…let me
see if I can remember… ‘<b>Epiphany</b> has been out for 4 months! You need to get on <b>Fathom</b>!’ Am I close?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Uhm…I
don’t… I don’t remember. But I see the importance of getting Inherit done! I’ve
had a change of heart! Go ahead and finish that! Maybe even start the second one in that
series. Your werewolves of London series.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s Montana. They’re from
Montana. And it's call the <b>Marrok Knight Trilogy</b>. That’s so gracious of you! Are you sure? I’ve already gotten about 40,000 words down
on Fathom. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Yeah,
I’m acutely aware of that. You’re being very mean to me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ohhh pooo beebee. It’s all
about character development, you know that. The first two put you into
situations <i>you</i> had to deal with. This
one is putting you into a situation all the <i>other</i>
characters have to deal with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Really.
Huh. Did you put your werewolf guy
through all this. Victimizing him and all? Putting him through the mangle? Huh?
Huh?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Well, it’s a little difficult
to victimize a werewolf and mangle is an interesting word to use regarding one.
Mark has gone through his own kind of hell, coming to terms with who he is and
what he is. But you are most definitely more fun to pick on Alee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lucky
me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Yes. Lucky you. Lucky I’ve
made the decision to get<b> Inherit the Moon</b> done. Now go cuddle with DeDe
while I get this finished. I have to promote the series and complete Mark's book. Then I’ll
be able to turn my undivided attention back to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">By
all means, take your time. I’m perfectly happy wait until Mark’s story is told.
I don’t mind at all!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Uhm Hm. Shoo! I’ve got work to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That said, it’s now March and just
about time for a shameless promotion:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Magarelli+Series">http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Magarelli+Series</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Stay warm, my friends!<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553221457499533633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998254681679512871.post-5389688352038073992014-03-02T07:24:00.001-08:002014-03-02T07:24:58.628-08:00AH THE GREAT WHITE NORTH<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2014 brings nose-to-grindstone
writing, in spite of terrible weather outside. As a matter of fact the weather
could be beneficial! Who wants to go out and play on <b>HOTH</b>?!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">March finds me very nearly
done with the first novel in the <i>Marrok
Knight</i> werewolf series (<i>Inherit the
Moon</i>) and cranking away on the third installment of the <i>Magarelli Series</i> (<i>Fathom</i>).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Exciting
news!</span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I will be attending MediaWest*Con this May and will have <i>Relevance</i>, <i>Epiphany </i>and <i>Inherit the Moon</i>
at my table along with a copious amount of swag. This convention runs in
Lansing, MI during Memorial Day Weekend (the 23-26 of May in 2014) and while
primarily a fan con, with an enormous amount of programming for the TV and
movie fan, it has drawn quite a few original authors as well. The dealer’s room
is a treat for any convention lover. You can find information regarding this
convention at </span><a href="http://www.mediawestcon.org/mwc34.htm">http://www.mediawestcon.org/mwc34.htm</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The con is now making one day
memberships available to the public for those who cannot make the entire
weekend. I always suggest <b>Saturday</b> because
there’s always so much going on that day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Additionally I will be having
a book signing at Rowster’s Coffee shop in mid to late June here in Grand Rapids,
MI. More updates on that will follow as the plans a finalized with the coffee
shop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A rash of book signings will
follow throughout Summer and Fall both at coffee shops and libraries in the
area. Those will be posted at they are finalized.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Remember! Support your indie
writers and spread the word.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">In upcoming blogs, I'll be having Alessio here beside me throwing in his two cents. Right now he's hiding from me as I drag his skinny butt over the coals in <i>Fathom</i>.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The weather here in Michigan is doing its best impression of Siberia! Good weather to stay in and write, which is exactly what I've been doing. Sheesh!</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553221457499533633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998254681679512871.post-4814109438028395582014-01-16T08:33:00.001-08:002014-01-16T08:33:59.054-08:00HOW DID IT GET TO BE 2014 SO FAST?!!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, the holidays have come and gone. It's a new year and there's writing to be done. <b>2014</b> promises to be a busy year for me writing-wise. I have at least 4 novels planned...not I say <i>planned</i>. Real life always has a way of butting in as I'm sure you all know from your own personal experiences.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
January finds me working on two novels: finishing the first book in the Marrok Knight Moon Series, <b>Inherit The Moon</b>, (I'm happy to say I seem to have found an editor for that one thanks to BG Thomas, fellow author and old friend) and writing away on the third book of the Magarelli Series, <b>Fathom.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am also laying out <b>The Galaxy According to Phaser Spangles</b> which will be in 8x10 format and fully illustrated.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If real life doesn't slam me too hard this winter/spring I plan to have the above mentioned titles on my table at <b>MediaWest*Con</b> in Lansing, Memorial Day weekend.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There's a lot to do between now and then. Of course, getting the books published is number one on the punch list. Then, there's designing the swag that will be on the table by way of brochures, cards and promotional materials. I'll be creating my banner for that table as well. I will be present to sign books for anyone that might want that.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When I look at 2013 in retrospect, I'm amazed I actually got a book out between health issues, sudden moves, and job concerns. <b>Epiphany</b> did get done in spite of all of it an din spite of an insistent feline housemate who only seems to want attention when I'm writing.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm hoping all of you had a wonderful set of holidays and this post finds you ready to take on the new year with renewed vigor. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Onward and upward! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
PJ Morvant-Alexander</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/PJ-Morvant-Alexander/e/B00D5DSHBI/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1389889781&sr=1-2-ent">http://www.amazon.com/PJ-Morvant-Alexander/e/B00D5DSHBI/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1389889781&sr=1-2-ent</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.pjmorvantalexander.com/">http://www.pjmorvantalexander.com/</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
pjmorvantalexander@gmail.com</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=magarelli+series&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Amagarelli+series">http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=magarelli+series&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Amagarelli+series</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>FRIENDS</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://bg-thomas.livejournal.com/">http://bg-thomas.livejournal.com/</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/B.-G.-Thomas/e/B009RUN5EW">http://www.amazon.com/B.-G.-Thomas/e/B009RUN5EW</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/JD-Stockholm/e/B007XBKAQ8">http://www.amazon.com/JD-Stockholm/e/B007XBKAQ8</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553221457499533633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998254681679512871.post-26517764043078929082013-11-24T06:38:00.000-08:002013-11-24T06:38:31.965-08:00GOBBLE GOBBLE<div style="text-align: justify;">
As we gird our loins for the onslaught of <b>HOLIDAYS 2013</b>, I continue to write on book 3 of the <b>Magarelli Series</b>. It's tacking along pretty well, although a goodly dose of real life has made it impossible for me to complete this year's NaNoWriMo challenge. Of all times to have to worry about ending one temp gig and starting another, the holidays are the worst. Still, as always, I roll with the flow. That doesn't mean <b>Fathom</b> won't be written, it simply means 50,000 words of it won't be completed by the 30th.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Owing to the upheaval with the assignment ending, because the business is closing shop, and the crush to get the business all packed up for their move, I may not be able to blog for a week or so. That said I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy and love- filled Thanksgiving. Those of you who have families, especially large ones, will be watching the parade no doubt. And maybe some kind of game? Kids will be eating at the kids' table. We'll all eat way too much and go into tryptophan comas. Enjoy yourselves!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Holy Crap!! </b>will be back online after the holiday for sure.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, one last shameless plug for this month.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_9?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=magarelli%20series&sprefix=magarelli%2Caps%2C133&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Amagarelli%20series">http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_9?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=magarelli%20series&sprefix=magarelli%2Caps%2C133&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Amagarelli%20series</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Have a great day one and all!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553221457499533633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998254681679512871.post-78121818679264816352013-11-20T11:56:00.000-08:002013-11-20T11:56:09.732-08:00CHECKING BACK INSteadily working on <em>Fathom </em>(book three in the Magarelli Series) for NaNoWriMo this month. This post finds me at the 30,000 word mark. Again, this novel will more than likely go 60 to 65,000 words. So I shouldn't have any trouble meeting the 50,000 in 30 days. Of course that depends entirely on real life and my dubious relationship to the Murphys. As it stands right now, I should meet the challenge this year within the next 10 days.<br />
<br />
Sorry to be here so sporadically, but when writing I can submerge myself for days on end.<br />
<br />
How about you folks? Anyone out there who has a novel to share?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553221457499533633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998254681679512871.post-81217867409365541512013-11-06T10:13:00.000-08:002013-11-06T10:13:03.842-08:00BOOK 2 in MAGARELLI SERIES IS OUTEPIPHANY is now available at Amazon.com!<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=magarelli%20series&sprefix=magar%2Cstripbooks&rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3Amagarelli%20series">http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=magarelli%20series&sprefix=magar%2Cstripbooks&rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3Amagarelli%20series</a><br />
<br />
I'm very excited about this. <br />
<br />
I am presently writing the third book in this series for NaNoWriMo. That Book is entitled FATHOM.<br />
<br />
My posts will be short during the month of November and I put nose to grindstone for this personal challenge.<br />
<br />
At this time and 6 days into the challenge I am 200 words shy of 10,000 words and 1/5th of the away through the challenge.<br />
<br />
Wish me luck.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553221457499533633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998254681679512871.post-31829215362728848262013-10-22T15:55:00.004-07:002013-10-22T15:55:55.139-07:00WEBSITE UP!My website is up. It's simple and clean. It will grow as I do.<br />
<br />
http://www.pjmorvantalexander.com<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553221457499533633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998254681679512871.post-17741920817738400042013-10-22T10:05:00.004-07:002013-10-22T10:27:25.591-07:00NANOWRIMO<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>NANOWRIMO</strong> is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Na</u></b>tional <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>No</u></b>vel
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Wri</u></b>ting <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Mo</u></b>nth!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re not
sure if you can actually write a novel, why not take part in this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a marvelous personal challenge exercise!
You’ll meet other aspiring writers! Make friends and meet other writers in your
area as you attend local write-ins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s 50,000 words in 30
days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It runs from Nov 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> to
Nov 30<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will be my
second year participating. There are no prizes for completing the challenge
other than an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ll be using this year’s fall <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">wrimo</b> to write the majority of <em>Fathom</em>,
the third book in my <em>Magarelli Series.</em> I can’t imagine this story coming in
under 60,000, but I will be sure and reach my goal of 50,000 in 30 days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who knows if I get a burn on, I may actually
do 60,000 in 30 days. I wrote RELEVANCE in 21 days and it was 75,000
words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course I had a vicious muse
who kept me chained to my desk <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i> I
was unemployed at the time and could dedicate my entire day and night to
writing. Who needed sleep, right?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This time, I am working at an
ACSET facility 18 hours a week. They are allowing me make my 18 hours in three
days at six hours a day and giving me Mondays and Tuesday off. While I can
attempt to reach my 1700 words a day after work, I have Saturday, Sunday,
Monday and Tuesday off in a row to write all day long instead of only five
hours a day. They stand behind my writing 100%. I love that.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I will post my progress in this
blog perhaps 3 days at a time. Every moment I’m not writing on the novel is a
moment I’m not writing on the novel. Capisce?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In nine days, it’ll be <strong>NOSEY
GRINDSTONE</strong> time for this writer. Wish me luck!<o:p></o:p></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553221457499533633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998254681679512871.post-36614656686230061912013-10-18T13:02:00.003-07:002013-10-22T10:26:25.447-07:00A VERY COOL EXPERIENCE<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last night I had one of the most
wonderful experiences a writer can have – in my opinion anyway. I was the guest
of a small book club at a coffee house. These ladies get a book, then read it,
then get together to discuss the story. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the ladies works in the
same building where I am the receptionist. She suggested I come to the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>coffee house so they could meet me. <em>Relevance</em>
would be the topic of discussion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was a fantastic experience.
Each one told me what they loved best about the book and the general consensus
was that first they loved the main characters, then they loved the supporting
cast. But they went further. They told me <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">what</b>
they liked about them and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">why</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot speak for other writers but this was
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">so</b> important to me personally. It
let me know what I was doing <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">right</b>!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then came the questions! Where
did I come up with the idea? What was my inspiration? Were any of the
characters based on people out of my own life? All the kind of questions that
make you <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">think</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I gave them some insights into
book two and three. Book two, EPIPHANY, will be available in just a week or so
and I’ll be writing book three during the month of November as I take part in
<strong>NANOWRIMO 2013</strong>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What is that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It stands for National Novel Writing Month,
50,000 words in 30 days. November is NANOWRIMO. In my opinion, I think all
aspiring writers should take part. If you’ve never written a whole novel or
even if you have, this is an excellent opportunity to learn how to write under
a deadline. There’s no real prizes; just the knowledge that you can do it. It’s
a personal challenge. I’m taking the opportunity to write the third book in the
<em>Magarelli Series, Fathom</em>. Others will use it to write <em>fanfic</em>, or stories for anthologies. It’s a great deal of fun and a super
online community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check it out: </span><a href="http://www.nanowrimo.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.nanowrimo.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553221457499533633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998254681679512871.post-9727585476950922222013-10-17T08:25:00.001-07:002013-10-22T10:24:40.832-07:00MONTHLY REMINDEROnce a month I like to remind folks about my book, seeing as the 2nd book in the series will be out in one or two weeks, I thought I would do that today.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=magarelli%20series&sprefix=magar%2Cstripbooks&rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3Amagarelli%20series">http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=magarelli%20series&sprefix=magar%2Cstripbooks&rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3Amagarelli%20series</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553221457499533633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998254681679512871.post-65055817153038531442013-10-11T11:53:00.003-07:002013-10-22T10:24:16.160-07:00THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One of the most important things about being
a writer is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">confidence</b>.
Confidence in yourself and confidence in your story. But over-confidence can
work against you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today I
want to talk about the importance of editing. Don’t be so over-confident that
you feel you too good to be edited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nobody</i>
</b>is too good to be edited; I don’t care how long you’ve been writing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you're <strong>earnest </strong>about wanting you book to be all it can be, you will need an editor. So how does one get over the fear of being
edited? I wish I had an easy answer for you. For me, it was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">knowing</i> that I wanted my story to be the
best it could be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think of it as a fresh
set of eyes, a second opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Editors
catch you on grammar, punctuation, spelling, tense, continuity. They’ll help
you with rough spots; show how it could read better. They are nothing to fear.
In truth editors are the writer’s ally not their enemy. Remember that editors’
suggestions are just that, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">suggestions</i></b>. They are not carved in
stone. They may offer a better way to get your idea across. A good editor can
do that without changing you ‘voice’. They may offer a different direction to
make your story more exciting. But again, that’s just a suggestion. It’s up to
you, as the writer, to make the final decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So don’t be afraid to be edited, because you still maintain the right to
accept it or not.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now for me, I go with whatever punctuation,
structure, grammar and tense corrections my editor gives me. Those are my weak
points. I trust my editor to find them and make them right. I have a problem
with passive writing. Again my editor has my complete trust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once you get into characterization, dialogue,
and story, then it’s up to me to accept or not any changes that affect the
direction I want the story to take. When it comes to those, if I think my
editor has missed the point I will talk to her. If she can convince me to change
it, then I will. But if I fell short of making myself clear, I trust she will
guide me to the best way of correcting that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Do <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i></b> fear your editor. Each time you
are edited, you will learn. The whole process of writing and being published is
an experience that will help you grow. It’s kind of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">amazing</i></b>, really! I couldn’t
be happier with the process. This is something I want to do for the rest of my
days.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553221457499533633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998254681679512871.post-10919875165055380212013-10-08T11:34:00.001-07:002013-10-22T10:23:47.945-07:00INDIE ISN'T JUST INDIANA JONES' NICKNAME<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today I want to talk about the
steps I took to be a published indie. Believe me I stumbled around trying to
find a publisher and almost fell for one of those ‘you pay us deals’ before a
good friend across the sea helped out a floundering author in the ‘colonies’. I
want to thank author JD Stockholm (Dear Teddy Series) for the guidance he gave
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>JD you really started something by
unleashing this unfettered author on an unsuspecting world! Thank you most
kindly for your mentorship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">First I want to talk about the
why. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Why</i></b>
I decided to go indie instead of mainstream:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Reason number one <strong>THE VORTEX:</strong> The
amount of time one might have to wait to get their book out. Some as long as
three years! I’m 65 years old! I want to see my book in print before I
croak!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Reason number two (insert drastic
music here) <strong>THE DREADED CONTRACT:</strong> I love to write. Part of that love is being
able to do it at my own speed. I know people who have contracts with publishing
houses. The last thing I want to hear is that I HAVE TO write. That’s an
imagination killer to me. I needed the freedom to choose when I wanted to
write. Once ‘have to’ enters the mix, I balk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Reason number three, <strong>PEOPLE
TELLING ME WHAT TO WRITE:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Editors. Now
I’m not saying I can’t be edited. No. Not at all. I want editing. No one can go
unedited. No one! But don’t tell me my book needs more sex, or more explosions
or more anything because that’s what’s <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don’t write sex novels. I don’t write romance novels. There are many people
out there who are far better at that than I could ever be. It’s not my forte. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I believe in telling a story. If
it happens to have sex in it fine. But I’m not going to put it in there just
for the sake of putting it in there or, presumably, to sell a book. That’s just
not my style.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, with all that explained, I
was lost as to how to get my stories out there. Enter my friend and mentor,
author JD Stockholm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He introduced me to
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Indie</i></b>
publishing and sent me to a place that has been a ‘dream come true’. Create
Space. That’s </span><a href="http://www.createspace.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.createspace.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, I have to tell your right
here and now that getting my book published through Create Space did not cost
me a single penny. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">BUT</i></b>, that’s because I have a background in layout and, being an
artist, I was able to set up my own cover. Create Space offers those services
at a price. I did pay for two stock photos to create my first cover (a whopping
total of $8.00). I use Photoshop 10. My first layer was the man; my second was
the Chicago skyline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the
result.<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7xpl_9TDuvhg1iKg6MEOi5RlFLUs-SG0_7bKK_OsJsXKEqqmQu4U255uD_-AuZON9QR_ni7ku-2l9o_W7Ivm6_y59AncSV3ierBk-JeSgOIAUFoA7-0prCmIJRK2JT50yGZbcamEsMLF/s1600/RELEVANCE+COVER.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7xpl_9TDuvhg1iKg6MEOi5RlFLUs-SG0_7bKK_OsJsXKEqqmQu4U255uD_-AuZON9QR_ni7ku-2l9o_W7Ivm6_y59AncSV3ierBk-JeSgOIAUFoA7-0prCmIJRK2JT50yGZbcamEsMLF/s320/RELEVANCE+COVER.tif" height="320" width="209" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75"
coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe"
filled="f" stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75"
style='width:119.25pt;height:181.5pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\PALEXA~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.png"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p><br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Create Space offers free
templates for the creation of your cover. They have some with stock photos or
you can upload your own. There’s a blank template for folks like me a DIY
person. You spine width is decided by your page count. They make it <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">so </i></b>easy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I admit it; I’m a control freak. I
wear that crown proudly when it comes to my books. I not only want them to be a
good read, I want them to be visually gorgeous! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Create Space offers several different sizes
for your book. They offer 15 standard sizes from 5”x8” to 8.5” x 11” or you can
actually make a custom size. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I chose the 5.5”x8.5” for my
<em>Magarelli Series</em>. They offer free tutorials about layout and copious
suggestions regarding the production of your book. I found the majority of
these extremely helpful. They also provide a template for your text as well. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you use them the first time choose the
step by step option for layout. Once you’ve done one, you’ll find it gets
easier and easie</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br />
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For my werewolf novels <em>(the Moon
Trilogy)</em>, I’m going a bit smaller, 5”x8”, as these novels will not be as long as
those in the <em>Magarelli Series</em>. So far my <em>Magarelli Series</em> novels are within 90,000
to 120,000 words in length. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p> </span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of course it’s hard to tell until
a novel all written, edited and presented in final form. I just let my stories
tell themselves. I don’t really plan to stay within a given word count. But word
and page count are always a deciding factors in choosing the dimensions of my
books. Because they come in sets, though, whatever I choose for the first book will
then carry through the rest in the series no matter what the page count. I like
a set to look like a set with uniform outer dimensions save for the thickness
of the book which is decided by page count. If book one in a series is 5.5”x8.5”,
they’re all 5.5”x8.5”. But that’s just me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Create Space offers you two types
of paper – a white standard and a slightly heavier cream tone. I find the cream
tone to be easier on the eyes of the reader and sturdy enough to stand up to
rereads and wear. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their covers are
glossy and clean. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The finished product
from this company is outstanding in quality. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Books created through Create
Space are automatically sold on Amazon.com. You receive an ISBN number at no
charge. You can choose your markets including international. You can set your
price. AND – and this is a BIG ‘and’ – you can also format your book for
e-readers and sell it through the Kindle store. That, to this writer anyway, is
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">very</i></b>
exciting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well I’ve talked your eyes out at
this point, so I’ll stop for now. Because I was guided by someone, I intend to
pay it forward. I’m here to answer questions if you have them. Go over and
explore the possibilities. There’s nowhere to go but forward. I did it. You can
do it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553221457499533633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3998254681679512871.post-91531218365227321492013-10-07T12:16:00.000-07:002013-10-22T10:08:27.122-07:00HI, I'M PJ MORVANT-ALEXANDER, I WRITE BOOKS.<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As an author, I am told I
must brand myself. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Brand myself</i></b>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i></b>
a cow! (No comments from the peanut gallery, please.)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Treat myself like <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I</b> am a brand. Oh…okay. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well,
hm. Try the new and improved PJ Morvant-Alexander, guaranteed to reduce
wrinkles, brighten your smile, and make your hair luxurious! What? No? Well
what the heck does it mean, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">brand myself</i>?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sell</i></b> myself?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isn’t that against the law? OH…sell the
public <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">on </i></b>me. Make them want to buy my books, hang on my creative words.
Oh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, I can’t really <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">make</i> anyone do anything, so let me just
say this: I believe in my writing. I enjoy writing and I think – if you give my
first book a look/see – you’ll enjoy it and want more. Yeah, I can write. I
love to write. Did it for years in school, won awards for it in fandom, and now
I’m confident that folks will be interested in my original fiction. I have
something to say! Hence, welcome to my blog.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here, I’ll be talking about the
books I have written and the books I’m currently working on. I also plan to
talk about the comparative ease of being an Indie writer; give to you the steps
that will enable anyone to be a published author. If I can do it, anyone can.
But I don’t want to get ahead of myself. There will be more about that in
future blogs.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Coming from Louisiana bayou Voodoo
country, my personal interests lay in all things scary, unusual and
supernatural. Nothing delights me more than a scary movie on a stormy night. I
love it all; from ‘things that go bump in the night’, to time travel, to space
adventures, to psychic phenomenon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
in the latter subject that my first foray into pro writing took hold. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I first started reading
novels at the tender age of 6, I began with Edgar Rice Burroughs’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pellucidar</i> Series and from there I moved
to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Carson of Venus</i> and eventually <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">John Carter of Mars</i> and finally my childhood
hero, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tarzan of the Apes</i>. From ERB’s
formula-driven novels of adventures on other worlds, I moved up to Fritz Leiber’s
sword and sorcery series about Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By this time I was very accustomed to the
serialization style and actually enjoyed following the characters through their
various adventures.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I first started writing my
first novel, I really didn’t have a series in mind. I just had a story to tell.
But as it came to an end, I felt sad because I loved the characters I had
created. A very dear friend of mine said to me “why don’t you make it a series?
There should be a lot of stuff to come up with for a psychic guy!” I gave her a
blank look while that comment sunk in and BAM! I realized the wisdom of her
words. Consequently, I offer for your edification, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Magarelli Series</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Enter my favorite character to
pick on, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Alessio Magarelli</b> – an Italian
lounge singer, a sweet guy, a mother’s angel and a trouble magnet with a capital
M.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And oh, how I do love to get him into
trouble. He makes it so easy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My first book – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Relevance</i> – was a learning experience
for me as well as a delight to write. I started with a loose outline for my
skeleton and, as I wrote, fleshed out the muscle and tissue that became -- what
I believe is -- a fast paced story of an everyday guy thrust into a terrible
series of events over which he has no control. All he can do is warn people to
get out of the way and hope they listen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Relevance</i> is available at Amazon.com.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’d do best to go to that site and search <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Magarelli Series</i> because there are an
awful lot of books named <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Relevance</i> –
but only one about my main character <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Alessio
Magarelli</b>. They even let you read a few pages as a sample – dip your toe in
as it were. Come on, jump in!<br />
All I ask as an Indie author is – if you like it – please, tell your friends
about it. Word of mouth is the best advertisement as it comes from someone who
has <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">experienced</i> the book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06553221457499533633noreply@blogger.com0