March Madness

Okay, I had to take a break and pull myself away from my computer desk and grab another cup of coffee. Actually, I could ue something with a little fizz in it right about now. I am talking about Pepsi of course. When you are working, you don't need a splash of liquor. Heck, that would put me to sleep. I'd be wasted. I am already drowsy from staring at this computer screen.

If you are wondering what I am doing, let me tell you. I am again on the prowl for a publisher. Last week, I had one book idea to find a home for. Now I have 2. March came in and got my creative juices flowing, causing me to pop out another short story for the kiddies to enjoy. See, for me...the stories are easy to write, especially when I can stay focused. However, finding the perfect publishing match is a humdinger of a task in my career as a writer/author. Boy, I wish my old publisher was still available, then I wouldn't have this big stress-er-doodle hanging over my head.

Today, I jotted down possibilites in my little handy notebook and then I booked marked them just in case something gets lost or misplaced. That's my backup system.
When I do my search, I am picky. I love the publishers who have email submissions, and the ones with their own online forms or queries to fill out. That saves a lot of time. But, you have to watch out for those non simultanious submission clauses and the word count stipulations. I tend to over do it whe the words. I just can't help it...I am long winded and I am a very descriptive writer who believes in giving detail and showing a realistic fiction story, even if it is short. All this means is...I love creating words. I guess you can say that I am a wordzy kind of gal.
When these stories are finally accepted and I am requested to do some cutting, I will do so.

This morning I started with an online search of publishers. This afternoon I am going to check out the publishers own Twitter. Oh yeah, the advertise there too. I will continue creating my list so I will have it for future books. I am going to find that publisher who wants my book ideas, both of them!

The key word here is Positive You have to remain positive, optimistic and inspired in my line of work. I got this! Do you feel me?

Okay, time is up....it is time to get busy again. Considering that it is 1:15, perhaps I should put on some clothes first and come alive. Hey, when you work from home, you can wear whatever. But when your attire makes you want to go back to bed, that might not be a good inspiration when there is work to do. Let me go sparkle!

I hope you enjoyed my March rantings. Stay tuned for more....ya know I have to do a follow up.

Book News and Updates

Okay, here it is the 4th week in May already, and guess what, two of my books are on the best sellers list again at Amazon.com

Broken Voices and A New Home for Her Cubs are still in the spotlight. Yeah me!! This goes to show you, if you are an author, you cannot afford to stop promoting once your books hit the shelf, for that is not the end of the road. You can't let your keepsakes just sit there collecting cobwebs. The world will not know about your books in just one or two swoops, because the world is too vast, even on the internet. If you don't want the readers to forget about your babies, you have to keep showcasing them, make them aware that you as an author is still here and so are your books.

Ella Rose and Kumani are tickled pink to be back in the spotlight. So, if you haven't picked up your copy of these two books, it is not too late. It is never too late if you like to read, or if you want to get your children interested in reading. These two books will do the trick and I don't say that just because I am the author. I say it because.....you just have to recognize a good book when you see it.

I'd love to hear from you if you have in your possession any of my books. Perhaps you will leave a review of it, share it with the world.

Now, hop on over to Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.com or if you want to get even more personal, hop on over to the publisher New Line Press- http://newlinepress.com and get your copies. They are so affordable, especially in today economy. With my books, you will always be able to afford a good read.

Headline News

http://newlinepress.com/nlp_kids

Just had to share this information and put it in the spotlight. This is awesome headline news. You should see the names of these awesome authors, of course my name is in the bunch too.

Getting Ready for the Holidays

Are you getting into the holiday spirit? You know it is right around the corner, and it will be here before you know it. Maybe some of you are already making out your shopping list, at least getting started on it.

Well, don't forget to add some great children books to you gift shopping list. We all know that kids need fruits and veggies for their growing bodies. They also need some great books for their minds. Books that will spark their imagination and let them dream and wonder; books that will take the edge off of boredom and the rainy day blues.

Since I am an author, I can't help but be an advocate for reading. After all, what good are books if there are no readers? What good are publishers if there are no writers and what good are authors if they don't have the creativity to write what they wish to say?
Broken Voices
A New Home for Her Cubs
Sugar and Spice Fairy Tales for Girls
Stories from Grandma's Garden
Smiles and Frowns through Animal Town's Storybook
Wohali and the Little People


Good Books for Great Minds!

Beat the crowds and order them on line. http://www.amazon.com

What it is Like to be an Author

Okay, so you know I love being on Facebook with all my buddies and playing my favorite games and all, games like Yoville, Petville and Cafe World, plus a few word games. That's the silly side of me, things I do to unwind and relax. But, there is a serious side of me, and it all deals with writing; I am so hooked. I believe if you cut me open, sentences and paragraphs would just fall out. lol

When you are a serious writer, you can stay up until the early hours of the morning writing, especially when characters or ideas start talking to you. It will make you get up out of bed and start jotting stuff down. It will make you work out a scene that you stumbled on earlier in the day.

When you are a serious writer, it will take the place of housework, yard work, grocery shopping and make you catch up with all that other stuff later because you can't help but to put it on hold until you finish doing what you are doing. You can have the TV on, but you can't see it or hear it because you are deep in your work. Oh, and don't let the phone ring while you are busy being creative, if you are like me....it makes your blood boil because you don't want the interruption, especially if the call is as unimportant as a telemarketer or a bill collector, or someone looking for someone else in your household. It will make you just wanna say....Ahhhh Crap! (of course crap was substituted for something else. I am keeping it clean here cause that's how I do.) lol

When you are a serious writer, no matter if you are writing a short story or a novel, when you are knee deep in it, you might not stop to eat until it is late at night... if you stop to eat at all. You just don't have time for it. That's why you keep a cup of coffee or a Pepsi and a bag of chips close at hand so you can keep going. Well, what can I say....that's what I do. It works for me!

A serious writer will always be thinking up new story ideas, especially when a writer is coming close to the end of a story that is almost ready to submit. After all, someone is bound to ask if you are working on anything new, and of course I am. If you are like me, you have on file old stories that need to be tweeked or worked on. I have stories dating back to when I first started writing for children, when I was enrolled in a writing course. That was the best thing that could happen to me as a wanna be writer back then. I learned so much aboujt writing and the process of it. It was then that I knew my destiny was writing for children and teens. All this happened back in the 90's. Before that I dabbled in writing adult material and poetry; bet you didn't know that about me. But you know, it just wasn't my niche and nothing came of it. I guess you can say I was in the wrong genre and going nowhere. When you find where you belong when it comes to writing, the genre will suit your style and it will fit like a glove, bringing you together like a marriage united. It is awesome when you find your niche.

Well, this is suppose to be a note, however, it is more like a newsletter. What can I say...I am a writer and I love to write. I am just doing my little thing until I drag myself out into the kitchen and cook dinner....so boring. But doing this....it's exhilerating! Writing, regardless of what or how much you write, it is an awesome experience and it can take you to places and situations that you have never been.



For me, it's author interviews and author events........I am loving the life!

Hey there people. Just wanted you to know that this author has been a busy little bee. I have three author events to prepare for. Oh yeah, doesn't that sound super great?
On the 30th of this month, I will be appearing on the online blog Rack Radio show, and then on September 2, I will be appearing at a DC library open house with my books. Then on September 11, I have another radio interview.

As they said back in the day....this is groovy. I am loving this. There is so much to do after your book has been published. I plan on writing about this experience when all of the events are done. This will be one long blog I am presuming when I start writing about this experience.

Just remember writers, it's not over just because your book is published. You have to market it too, or else your book will sit on the shelf collecting dust bunnies. We have to help our books reach their targeted audience.

Author Interviews

As a dedicated writer, you can always find something to write about or talk about; especially if you have a blog or an author's website, which is a must have.

A writer doesn't always have to be working on their manuscript, or searching for new ideas for a new book. But, they must always keep their writing juices flowing, even if its nothing more than a few sentences a day, or a few paragraphs a week. You can always write or talk on any topic or subject that floats your boat. At least you are writing and telling what is on your mind.

This is what is on my mind today: Preparing for an Author's Interview

Now that your book is published and in the bookstores, that's not the end of the road for an author. Now you have to market it and promote it. After all, it's not going to fly off the shelves by itself. You have to put the wings on it. One way of doing that is through author interviews. Get yourself on TV and the radio. Do online author interviews through blog radio networks. They are fabulous!

When you have been booked to do an interview, be prepared! Get ready beforehand, before the big day. Most interview host will ask you for talking points for the discussion about you and your book. What do you want to talk about? Have your questions already prepared and know the answers. You do not want to become tongue-tied. After all, you have to know what you are talking about and sound like it too. Show confidence.

My first radio interview will take place at the end of August, and the same thing that I am telling you...I am doing too.

But, most of all, it doesn't hurt to have a fabulous publisher helping you along the way, showing you the ropes and giving you hot tips and advice as you prepare. I have a fabulous publisher with New Line Press, who is educating me on the process. Catherine, you are remarkable!

Do you have a fabulous, dependable and trustworthy publisher that you are working with?