Monday, December 31, 2007
2007 in review - Happy New Year
Everyone is making resolutions this time of year but I don't make resolutions because they are so hard to keep. Anyway - I figured I would take the time to sum up the year and what's happened with my family and me and my writing.
January - I won the Fast and Frigid contest on Echelon Press with "The Tulip Kiss" and my story was published the end of January. It was only a $1 but it was a publication, even if electronically.
February I entered the fast and Frisky contest, "Bride-and-Seek", also put on by Echelon Press but didn't win that or get published from that.
March I entered the fast and fancy contest, "Butterfly Halves", and Janelle won with "Hear the Wind Blow" and I got chosen to be published. Karen was asked many times when it would be published and I was told by the first part of May. So I kept on about the cover art. The first one she sent me was very goth and I didn't feel it fit the story at all. So got a second cover done - which was way more appropriate than and more appealing.
April I entered my story from February into the SCWW anthology. Waiting is the hardest thing.
Hailie went to Myrtle Beach with the youth group at the church for spring break - she had a great time.
May "Butterfly Halves" was published by Karen - finally - the end of the month - like the last Monday.
June - first part of June - Janelle and I had our fliers distributed at the Chicago thing - which is why I wanted to know when "Butterfly Halves" would be published so we could participate in that - I had already paid my $25 for some space to put stuff out. Of course, with ebooks, it's hard to really do much more than fliers and put on your blog or website or places online. It's not like you can hold a book in your hands unless you print out the pages yourself.
We also both entered the fast and foreign contest that Karen ran in June and the winner was a story that wasn't even written for the contest and had already won an award - so I had a rant about that and she made me remove my rant on my blog - so goes life - but I still have the words and they will never be erased.
The end of June I was fired from Karen's house because she did a very greedy interview on Mysterical-e ezine and I was totally appalled and told Karen so. There is no room in the publishing business for the publisher to be all about the money and not about her authors. Without the authors, she doesn't have a business. So because she didn't like my rant about her June contest nor my email to her about her interview, she fired me - reverted all my rights back to me and told me that was it - I was no longer published - oh well the cycle of writing and being published - I was published and still have that to my credit.
Both the kids went to Baton Rouge with the youth group from the church to help work on houses for Katrina relief. It was a definite experience that they will probably never forget. A long trip but they survived.
July I hear back from the anthology for the SCWW conference and my story, "Bride-and-Seek", was accepted for publication - woohooo - I made a full $5 for that story plus two copies of the anthology and if I attended the conference I would receive a third copy. With Susan from our group being in charge of the conference we were all told in our local group that we had better be there or else - so I had to go as a volunteer - well actually I had registered in June knowing that volunteers were comped the cost of the conference and all I had to pay was my room and whatever other expenses I had - like gas getting there - so it all worked out for that.
Hailie went on a trip with the girls' group to Kansas City, Missouri, for the Blume Conference - where over 3000 girls gathered for fellowship and teachings of the church as well as other areas in the world - they had a great time.
The end of July started band camp for the kids - three weeks of intense heat and working out to prepare for the band season. Normally we start school the first week or so of August but the governor had passed a law or added to our state laws that no school in South Carolina could start before the third Monday of August. Since school wasn't starting until the 21st of August this year, then band camp was moved from the middle of July to the end of the month which worked out better for the kids.
August school started and more band practices.
September - band competitions started - our school only competed in three competitions and we hosted one this year - our first that wasn't an upper state or state competition. Our band placed first in class in all three competitions. We took 2nd at upper state, behind Blue Ridge who wasn't nearly that good and are always expected to win and took 3rd at State - can't beat that considering last year we took 5th at upper state (have to be in the top six upper state or lower state to make it to state) and 11th at state. So we had a good band season.
October was the SCWW conference and it was awesome. I enjoyed the contacts I made, the workshops I got to proctor and attend and everything that went with it. It was a busy weekend but well worth it. I will be attending again this year.
November was a fast month - I don't remember anything really impressive about the month - except maybe it is the month Scoobee went missing (may have been the first part of December). We acquired Spazy Taz girl - a couple of months before this and she was pregnant by now and we had a hunting dog on our property causing problems the day before Thanksgiving and I had to call the pound to come get him because of the fights with him and Scoobee.
December what a month. First it was the month of parties - SCWW, Sisters in Crime, blind group, band, and an SCWW signing party at the bookstore - and then an after party at Bob's house - really enjoyed that. Fruit came in the middle of December and it was a ton of fruit to get delivered or made sure that everyone picked up when they were supposed to, but we didn't have too many who didn't get their fruit the first day. Christmas came with not too much excitement - kind of hard to be into the season when you can't do much for the kids or the family. But we survived. Bear gave everyone money and we did as we wanted or needed the next day. Hailie and I went shopping and on our return home - we had puppies (pictures to follow) - check out the video I've put together) -
So here we are about to ring a new year with 10 puppies, two children not here and me and my blog and my friends ringing in hopefully a prosperous and happy and healthy year - happy new year to all of you my friends, hopefully you will be successful and enjoy a great year. -- see you all in the postings - E :)
January - I won the Fast and Frigid contest on Echelon Press with "The Tulip Kiss" and my story was published the end of January. It was only a $1 but it was a publication, even if electronically.
February I entered the fast and Frisky contest, "Bride-and-Seek", also put on by Echelon Press but didn't win that or get published from that.
March I entered the fast and fancy contest, "Butterfly Halves", and Janelle won with "Hear the Wind Blow" and I got chosen to be published. Karen was asked many times when it would be published and I was told by the first part of May. So I kept on about the cover art. The first one she sent me was very goth and I didn't feel it fit the story at all. So got a second cover done - which was way more appropriate than and more appealing.
April I entered my story from February into the SCWW anthology. Waiting is the hardest thing.
Hailie went to Myrtle Beach with the youth group at the church for spring break - she had a great time.
May "Butterfly Halves" was published by Karen - finally - the end of the month - like the last Monday.
June - first part of June - Janelle and I had our fliers distributed at the Chicago thing - which is why I wanted to know when "Butterfly Halves" would be published so we could participate in that - I had already paid my $25 for some space to put stuff out. Of course, with ebooks, it's hard to really do much more than fliers and put on your blog or website or places online. It's not like you can hold a book in your hands unless you print out the pages yourself.
We also both entered the fast and foreign contest that Karen ran in June and the winner was a story that wasn't even written for the contest and had already won an award - so I had a rant about that and she made me remove my rant on my blog - so goes life - but I still have the words and they will never be erased.
The end of June I was fired from Karen's house because she did a very greedy interview on Mysterical-e ezine and I was totally appalled and told Karen so. There is no room in the publishing business for the publisher to be all about the money and not about her authors. Without the authors, she doesn't have a business. So because she didn't like my rant about her June contest nor my email to her about her interview, she fired me - reverted all my rights back to me and told me that was it - I was no longer published - oh well the cycle of writing and being published - I was published and still have that to my credit.
Both the kids went to Baton Rouge with the youth group from the church to help work on houses for Katrina relief. It was a definite experience that they will probably never forget. A long trip but they survived.
July I hear back from the anthology for the SCWW conference and my story, "Bride-and-Seek", was accepted for publication - woohooo - I made a full $5 for that story plus two copies of the anthology and if I attended the conference I would receive a third copy. With Susan from our group being in charge of the conference we were all told in our local group that we had better be there or else - so I had to go as a volunteer - well actually I had registered in June knowing that volunteers were comped the cost of the conference and all I had to pay was my room and whatever other expenses I had - like gas getting there - so it all worked out for that.
Hailie went on a trip with the girls' group to Kansas City, Missouri, for the Blume Conference - where over 3000 girls gathered for fellowship and teachings of the church as well as other areas in the world - they had a great time.
The end of July started band camp for the kids - three weeks of intense heat and working out to prepare for the band season. Normally we start school the first week or so of August but the governor had passed a law or added to our state laws that no school in South Carolina could start before the third Monday of August. Since school wasn't starting until the 21st of August this year, then band camp was moved from the middle of July to the end of the month which worked out better for the kids.
August school started and more band practices.
September - band competitions started - our school only competed in three competitions and we hosted one this year - our first that wasn't an upper state or state competition. Our band placed first in class in all three competitions. We took 2nd at upper state, behind Blue Ridge who wasn't nearly that good and are always expected to win and took 3rd at State - can't beat that considering last year we took 5th at upper state (have to be in the top six upper state or lower state to make it to state) and 11th at state. So we had a good band season.
October was the SCWW conference and it was awesome. I enjoyed the contacts I made, the workshops I got to proctor and attend and everything that went with it. It was a busy weekend but well worth it. I will be attending again this year.
November was a fast month - I don't remember anything really impressive about the month - except maybe it is the month Scoobee went missing (may have been the first part of December). We acquired Spazy Taz girl - a couple of months before this and she was pregnant by now and we had a hunting dog on our property causing problems the day before Thanksgiving and I had to call the pound to come get him because of the fights with him and Scoobee.
December what a month. First it was the month of parties - SCWW, Sisters in Crime, blind group, band, and an SCWW signing party at the bookstore - and then an after party at Bob's house - really enjoyed that. Fruit came in the middle of December and it was a ton of fruit to get delivered or made sure that everyone picked up when they were supposed to, but we didn't have too many who didn't get their fruit the first day. Christmas came with not too much excitement - kind of hard to be into the season when you can't do much for the kids or the family. But we survived. Bear gave everyone money and we did as we wanted or needed the next day. Hailie and I went shopping and on our return home - we had puppies (pictures to follow) - check out the video I've put together) -
So here we are about to ring a new year with 10 puppies, two children not here and me and my blog and my friends ringing in hopefully a prosperous and happy and healthy year - happy new year to all of you my friends, hopefully you will be successful and enjoy a great year. -- see you all in the postings - E :)
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Correction to puppies' count
Well after some checking and moving and feeding the mama, I finally got to look and count - she has 10 puppies - plus the dead one - that was a litter of 11 pups - big litter and I still think she had two mates - because the black ones were expected, the brown ones were expected and the white one - well he's the oddball - they are hungry little chaps and she's finally eating - now to get her to get up and go to the bathroom and stuff - we should be okay - E :)
We have puppies
Spazy Taz girl (the black dog that showed up on our property a few months ago) had puppies yesterday - The best count I can get is seven or eight. Daughter and I went to do a little Christmas shopping yesterday and upon our return, there were three or four already born. We checked her several times in the hour or so after returning and found that one of the puppies was dead - so don't know if it was born dead or died after birth.
Now here is the funny thing - she is black with some brown in her but she looks black from a distance - can't see the brown unless you are right next to her - with one white spot on her chest. Scoobee Doo was totally brown. We have had stray dogs on our property on and off but for the most part Scoobee and she have been the only two dogs around. There look to be two black dogs, two or three brown - can't tell when they are all trying to feed and some are hidden, one grayish looking (blackish with brown throughout it's fur) and one white pup with black spots. Weird. I think the pup that died was black -
Large litter for a first one
Last night I went to bed worried about the pups and Spazy Taz because she was kind of laying on the pups or who knows - the line from Gone with the Wind comes to mind - no Ms. Scarlet, I don't know nothing about birthing no (babies) puppies. I've not had a dog who gave birth to pups since I was 15 but at the time, the dog stayed in the basement and so I wasn't around when the pups were born since they were born during the night and before the first week was over, four of the five had died (three had died during the day while I was at school) and the other one wouldn't feed - we ended up taking the two remaining pups to the vets to help them feed but the little female wouldn't eat. So my puppy birthing experience is really not great.
So I got up this morning to make sure everything was good and had to call the vet for advice - Did you know it was recommended to feed the mama dog puppy chow while she's producing milk? I didn't and this is a good thing - the puppy chow has more nutrients in it and is better for the nursing pups and the mama too - so now I have to figure out how to get some puppy chow - because I just bought some Alpo gravy food and I'm strapped for cash until payday - guess I'll have to get some money from the bear and get her some puppy chow for now - oh well, so goes life.
Anyway - I'll be giving puppies away looks like around the end of January. So if you are in the area and would like a puppy, come on and get them - except one of the ones that looks like Scoobee (since he is no longer around and the kids want to keep one of them). Need to go check on the pups - they are pretty loud and whiny right now - more later (and hopefully I can get some pics of the pups put on here)
Now here is the funny thing - she is black with some brown in her but she looks black from a distance - can't see the brown unless you are right next to her - with one white spot on her chest. Scoobee Doo was totally brown. We have had stray dogs on our property on and off but for the most part Scoobee and she have been the only two dogs around. There look to be two black dogs, two or three brown - can't tell when they are all trying to feed and some are hidden, one grayish looking (blackish with brown throughout it's fur) and one white pup with black spots. Weird. I think the pup that died was black -
Large litter for a first one
Last night I went to bed worried about the pups and Spazy Taz because she was kind of laying on the pups or who knows - the line from Gone with the Wind comes to mind - no Ms. Scarlet, I don't know nothing about birthing no (babies) puppies. I've not had a dog who gave birth to pups since I was 15 but at the time, the dog stayed in the basement and so I wasn't around when the pups were born since they were born during the night and before the first week was over, four of the five had died (three had died during the day while I was at school) and the other one wouldn't feed - we ended up taking the two remaining pups to the vets to help them feed but the little female wouldn't eat. So my puppy birthing experience is really not great.
So I got up this morning to make sure everything was good and had to call the vet for advice - Did you know it was recommended to feed the mama dog puppy chow while she's producing milk? I didn't and this is a good thing - the puppy chow has more nutrients in it and is better for the nursing pups and the mama too - so now I have to figure out how to get some puppy chow - because I just bought some Alpo gravy food and I'm strapped for cash until payday - guess I'll have to get some money from the bear and get her some puppy chow for now - oh well, so goes life.
Anyway - I'll be giving puppies away looks like around the end of January. So if you are in the area and would like a puppy, come on and get them - except one of the ones that looks like Scoobee (since he is no longer around and the kids want to keep one of them). Need to go check on the pups - they are pretty loud and whiny right now - more later (and hopefully I can get some pics of the pups put on here)
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Merry Christmas - Christ is born
I have somehow lost the holiday spirit and I guess that's because of so much that has been going in with me mentally and physically this year that I have had no desire to participate in the holiday festivities. I have attended several parties with the writing group I belong to as well as our Sisters in Crime party earlier this month but alas, Christmas wasn't even celebrated much in our house this year. I didn't put any decorations up, didn't even put a tree up. I don't mean to be cynical or anything like that but it really has been a rough year and it doesn't feel like Christmas really - the weather here has been low 30s and some nights down into the 20s and then highs in the 40s and 50s one week and the next week we would have highs in the high 70s and then calm, cooler evenings but not cold enough to warrant the winter wear. And I guess I've never been officially diagnosed with SADD but it is definitely a mental illness that affects a lot of people and is very prominent around this time of year (wintertime is my least favorite time of year, although I do like fall because I have less allergy symptoms).
So I worked today which is nothing out of the ordinary. As a medical transcriptionist, unless you work for an office or a state facility, you don't get holidays. Hospitals don't close. So there should be work every day of the year, 24/7. That hasn't been the case since before Thanksgiving and the lack of funds and not being able to get out of the hole hasn't helped my mood nor has it helped me in feeling like it is Christmastime. But things are looking up. Anyway, the bear gave everyone a little bit of money to buy what they want for Christmas presents and that way no one is dissatisfied with the gifts they receive. Of course the kids want to go out right away and spend it so they can not be bored but nothing is opened the day of Christmas and we have to wait until the day after, when the stores will be crowded with everyone and their brother exchanging things, returning things, et cetera and the super big sales going on. So tomorrow I will battle the crowds with the kids and do a little shopping - will probably spend some of my money on groceries.
I knew before I could head to town and do any shopping I needed to get gas, so I decided to go get gas tonight. Took daughter with me and we were having a good time in the car just the two of us talking and cutting up like girlfriends. The only place in our town that was opened was Spinx and Hardees (which was kind of weird but heay - I'm glad they were). I wanted hot chocolate and had my freebie coupon (still have one left - if you purchase a Spinx travel mug for $2 you get four coupons inside for four free refills) and daughter was going to get hot chocolate but when she saw that Hardees was opened (it's catty corner across the street from Spinx - this is a very small town) she decided she wanted a shake from them and not hot chocolate. Spinx was crowded so we got some snack stuff, some sodas for later for bear (that's what I call my husband because he is like a bear hibernating all the time and growls just like one) and my hot chocolate and water - and gas. So I get up to the register with my coupon, my drinks and snack stuff and tell the lady I'm going to put $20 in gas as well and gave her my coupon for the hot chocolate and the cup was opened and brought from home and she asked me if it was a new cup - like I know not to open the cup until I've paid for it and then get the four coupons for later use - so I don't know why she thought it was a new cup. Anyway - we left the gas station and went over to Hardees which was kind of crowded too.
We had placed our order and then daughter looks at me and we were talking about things that had happened upstairs today. She asked me if I had sneezed earlier today while eating lunch or after eating lunch - and I had - had a sneezing attack about that time. She said she was lying on the floor near the TV and her dad's stomach had been rumbling and making weird noises and then I sneezed and she turned to him and told him his stomach just sounded like "ah" "chee" and he laughed and told her that I had just sneezed.
So we had a good laugh about that - my floors are pretty thin because when bear is on his cell phone he sounds like the adults on Charlie Brown or a bee buzzing, depending on how much he's talking, and he sounds like he is right over my head but he isn't really. He is a good 5 feet behind me - just a weird house we have.
I did have to deal with my son being bored today and we hadn't gotten up good when his friend called wanting him to come over today - so guess where my son headed before lunch was finished - to his friend's house.
Other than that whiney time from him, it's been a pretty quiet day. I hope to do a "year in review" kind of posting next week so everyone can see what's been going around here. Hope you all had a joyous day and got everything you wished for Christmas and hope you all got to spend the day with friends and family the way it should have been spent - see you all in the postings - E :)
So I worked today which is nothing out of the ordinary. As a medical transcriptionist, unless you work for an office or a state facility, you don't get holidays. Hospitals don't close. So there should be work every day of the year, 24/7. That hasn't been the case since before Thanksgiving and the lack of funds and not being able to get out of the hole hasn't helped my mood nor has it helped me in feeling like it is Christmastime. But things are looking up. Anyway, the bear gave everyone a little bit of money to buy what they want for Christmas presents and that way no one is dissatisfied with the gifts they receive. Of course the kids want to go out right away and spend it so they can not be bored but nothing is opened the day of Christmas and we have to wait until the day after, when the stores will be crowded with everyone and their brother exchanging things, returning things, et cetera and the super big sales going on. So tomorrow I will battle the crowds with the kids and do a little shopping - will probably spend some of my money on groceries.
I knew before I could head to town and do any shopping I needed to get gas, so I decided to go get gas tonight. Took daughter with me and we were having a good time in the car just the two of us talking and cutting up like girlfriends. The only place in our town that was opened was Spinx and Hardees (which was kind of weird but heay - I'm glad they were). I wanted hot chocolate and had my freebie coupon (still have one left - if you purchase a Spinx travel mug for $2 you get four coupons inside for four free refills) and daughter was going to get hot chocolate but when she saw that Hardees was opened (it's catty corner across the street from Spinx - this is a very small town) she decided she wanted a shake from them and not hot chocolate. Spinx was crowded so we got some snack stuff, some sodas for later for bear (that's what I call my husband because he is like a bear hibernating all the time and growls just like one) and my hot chocolate and water - and gas. So I get up to the register with my coupon, my drinks and snack stuff and tell the lady I'm going to put $20 in gas as well and gave her my coupon for the hot chocolate and the cup was opened and brought from home and she asked me if it was a new cup - like I know not to open the cup until I've paid for it and then get the four coupons for later use - so I don't know why she thought it was a new cup. Anyway - we left the gas station and went over to Hardees which was kind of crowded too.
We had placed our order and then daughter looks at me and we were talking about things that had happened upstairs today. She asked me if I had sneezed earlier today while eating lunch or after eating lunch - and I had - had a sneezing attack about that time. She said she was lying on the floor near the TV and her dad's stomach had been rumbling and making weird noises and then I sneezed and she turned to him and told him his stomach just sounded like "ah" "chee" and he laughed and told her that I had just sneezed.
So we had a good laugh about that - my floors are pretty thin because when bear is on his cell phone he sounds like the adults on Charlie Brown or a bee buzzing, depending on how much he's talking, and he sounds like he is right over my head but he isn't really. He is a good 5 feet behind me - just a weird house we have.
I did have to deal with my son being bored today and we hadn't gotten up good when his friend called wanting him to come over today - so guess where my son headed before lunch was finished - to his friend's house.
Other than that whiney time from him, it's been a pretty quiet day. I hope to do a "year in review" kind of posting next week so everyone can see what's been going around here. Hope you all had a joyous day and got everything you wished for Christmas and hope you all got to spend the day with friends and family the way it should have been spent - see you all in the postings - E :)
Sunday, December 16, 2007
More on the unofficial good news - stories hopefully will be published soon
I've had contact with Randy's partner, Tom, and so far things are looking up and I've been put "in the pot" for an editor's position that will need to be filled (and yes it pays but those details haven't been worked out yet). So fingers crossed I get this position, plus get my stories published. I have to have a core of 15-20 right now but hopefully by the end of January or February I have all 50 of them and I think I finally have the idea that will work for the stories (thanks to my good friend Batya) - so who knows by the end of January - you may see me in your kids' schools supplementing the social studies curricula.
Anyway - I'm posting another call for submission for the 5-minute mysteries and hopefully some of my readers will submit stories -
Randy O'Kane posted a looking for 5-minute mysteries ont the Short Mystery Fiction Society forum on yahoo. I have had contact with both Randy and his partner, Tom - who works for an educational publisher. This looks to be an excellent opportunity if you can write very short stories - no more than about 4 or so pages (1500 words is probably too much as far as reading time goes)
Anyway if you are interested - here is the information that was posted and remember even though they are looking to use these in the schools, doesn't mean that they have to lack the usual information you need in a mystery.
--- In Shortmystery@yahoogroups.com, "Randy" wrote:
I hope this is an acceptable post on this site. My company is
currently in the process of
launching a new web site which will be utilizing short mysteries in
an educational setting.
We are currently looking to find writers to submit stories for
publication as we need about
200 stories. We are hoping to work with organizations such as yours
to find qualified
authors to submit stories. If there is anything that you can do to
advise and/or assist us,
we would be greatly appreciative. Thank you in advance for your
assistance.
Our submission guidelines:
1. We ALWAYS include the author's name with each and every use of
the story.
2. Only previously unpublished stories can be used.
3. Given that we will be using the short stories both for
electronic and audio purposes, we
will need full copyright.
4. We pay upon the story being scheduled for publication.
5. We pay $50 for each short mystery used.
6. Once we have accepted one of your stories, you are eligible to
upload other work to be
sold on our affiliate site.
Submission guidelines:
1. Stories must be about 1500 words.
2. Stories should be written for the sixth to eighth grade reading level. While stories
outside of this range might be purchased, preference will be given to those that fall within
it. In Microsoft Word, there is the ability to check for grade level prior to submission
3. The story needs to have the main portion of the story which includes at least 5 clues
and at least 3 suspects as well as the solution section.
4. We want to give the authors as much freedom and latitude to be creative as possible in
terms of theme, etc. Note that we will be using these stories in schools so keep that in
mind when dealing with sex, drugs and violence. It is okay to say someone died (that is
the who done it), but no need to get highly graphic unless it is crucial to the story.
5. No red herrings
Randy will be accepting submissions at the above address. The way this system is going to work is by ranking the readers - how soon you solve the mystery based on the clues and info provided in each line so make each word count. I am currently working a different aspect of the mysteries in that I've been wanting to do something sort of like "Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?" with each state as the mystery place. So when I get my stories worked up, they won't be murder mysteries but they will be able to supplement the school curricula in social studies and state history information - so I'm gearing my stories to 4th and 5th grade levels.
Hope to see lots of stories from here and the SMFS forum. I think they are going to try to do a new story a day so definitely need lots of stories. Good luck everyone. - see you in the postings - E :)
Anyway - I'm posting another call for submission for the 5-minute mysteries and hopefully some of my readers will submit stories -
Randy O'Kane posted a looking for 5-minute mysteries ont the Short Mystery Fiction Society forum on yahoo. I have had contact with both Randy and his partner, Tom - who works for an educational publisher. This looks to be an excellent opportunity if you can write very short stories - no more than about 4 or so pages (1500 words is probably too much as far as reading time goes)
Anyway if you are interested - here is the information that was posted and remember even though they are looking to use these in the schools, doesn't mean that they have to lack the usual information you need in a mystery.
--- In Shortmystery@yahoogroups.com, "Randy"
I hope this is an acceptable post on this site. My company is
currently in the process of
launching a new web site which will be utilizing short mysteries in
an educational setting.
We are currently looking to find writers to submit stories for
publication as we need about
200 stories. We are hoping to work with organizations such as yours
to find qualified
authors to submit stories. If there is anything that you can do to
advise and/or assist us,
we would be greatly appreciative. Thank you in advance for your
assistance.
Our submission guidelines:
1. We ALWAYS include the author's name with each and every use of
the story.
2. Only previously unpublished stories can be used.
3. Given that we will be using the short stories both for
electronic and audio purposes, we
will need full copyright.
4. We pay upon the story being scheduled for publication.
5. We pay $50 for each short mystery used.
6. Once we have accepted one of your stories, you are eligible to
upload other work to be
sold on our affiliate site.
Submission guidelines:
1. Stories must be about 1500 words.
2. Stories should be written for the sixth to eighth grade reading level. While stories
outside of this range might be purchased, preference will be given to those that fall within
it. In Microsoft Word, there is the ability to check for grade level prior to submission
3. The story needs to have the main portion of the story which includes at least 5 clues
and at least 3 suspects as well as the solution section.
4. We want to give the authors as much freedom and latitude to be creative as possible in
terms of theme, etc. Note that we will be using these stories in schools so keep that in
mind when dealing with sex, drugs and violence. It is okay to say someone died (that is
the who done it), but no need to get highly graphic unless it is crucial to the story.
5. No red herrings
Randy will be accepting submissions at the above address. The way this system is going to work is by ranking the readers - how soon you solve the mystery based on the clues and info provided in each line so make each word count. I am currently working a different aspect of the mysteries in that I've been wanting to do something sort of like "Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?" with each state as the mystery place. So when I get my stories worked up, they won't be murder mysteries but they will be able to supplement the school curricula in social studies and state history information - so I'm gearing my stories to 4th and 5th grade levels.
Hope to see lots of stories from here and the SMFS forum. I think they are going to try to do a new story a day so definitely need lots of stories. Good luck everyone. - see you in the postings - E :)
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Unofficial good news
I've been holding off posting this but I think I can post now, since I really did need to update my blog and put some good news around. A guy came on the Short Mystery Fiction yahoo forum and posted a link looking for stories, wanting to keep them about 1500 words, and to keep them at a 6th grade reading level or so. They are using the stories to put on the 5-minute mystery site (which will be up soon) and so I emailed him after the posting hit the forums. I told him my story idea of using each state as the mystery and writing a bunch of children's stories. I have all the information gathered and this idea has been brewing for a couple of years now (since Train of Clues won a shared second place on Armchair Interviews' fan mystery contest for Silence of the Loons, which came out at the time of the contest. I had that story edited by a professional editor, asking for advice on how to expand the story out, how to make a series of the stories, et cetera. She gave me some wonderful advice. So I've changed my mind about a dozen times about how to go about coming up with 50 stories that are different yet similar and getting the kids from one place to another without the stories feeling like fill-in the blank type things or cookie cutter stories.
I received an email from Randy saying that his partner, who is either an educational publisher or works for an educational publisher, was very excited about my story ideas. He asked if I would give him my phone number to pass to his partner so he could call me. I completed the first story Wednesday night during the last few hours of NaNo (National Novel Writing Month) and had a few more questions, so I emailed him again and put a little, btw - I haven't heard from your partner yet but I know he's probably busy and all. His partner, Tom, called me Thursday. We were on the phone for over an hour discussing my ideas and so my kind of like Where in the World is Carmen San Diego stories are being looked at a complete "Geography Mystery package" to be put in the schools, kind of as a supplement to the curricula in social studies, ELA and maybe science. Now I have to write the stories. I've written two for the 5-minute mystery site but the second one kind of sucks. I need to work on it and then write the other 20 (starting with about 20 to have on hand and then will go from there) so that we can talk more than just 5-minute mysteries.
So maybe within the next couple of years, these stories will be expanded out and will be in the schools complementing the curricula around the United States. Good news for me and this will keep me quite busy from the way Tom was talking. Let's just hope I can keep up the pace and get them turned around like he wants.
I received an email from Randy saying that his partner, who is either an educational publisher or works for an educational publisher, was very excited about my story ideas. He asked if I would give him my phone number to pass to his partner so he could call me. I completed the first story Wednesday night during the last few hours of NaNo (National Novel Writing Month) and had a few more questions, so I emailed him again and put a little, btw - I haven't heard from your partner yet but I know he's probably busy and all. His partner, Tom, called me Thursday. We were on the phone for over an hour discussing my ideas and so my kind of like Where in the World is Carmen San Diego stories are being looked at a complete "Geography Mystery package" to be put in the schools, kind of as a supplement to the curricula in social studies, ELA and maybe science. Now I have to write the stories. I've written two for the 5-minute mystery site but the second one kind of sucks. I need to work on it and then write the other 20 (starting with about 20 to have on hand and then will go from there) so that we can talk more than just 5-minute mysteries.
So maybe within the next couple of years, these stories will be expanded out and will be in the schools complementing the curricula around the United States. Good news for me and this will keep me quite busy from the way Tom was talking. Let's just hope I can keep up the pace and get them turned around like he wants.
I have a new logo
What do you all think of my logo, designed by WillowRaven? She can be found on my sidebar on several locations - her blog, her ifreelance site and other forums. She is now getting lots of work coming in for her to illustrate some children's books and from the sounds of it, she will be very busy. I wish I were that talented to be able to do illustrations or make money from my artistic creativity (which I don't have; my son does but I only cross stitch and that isn't very artistic or creative - taking a printed pattern and following it to put a picture on cloth).
I like the soft colors of my new logo and I think the logo does say a lot about who I am. Read WillowRaven's blog posting here to understand how she came up with the design - see you all in the postings - E :)
I like the soft colors of my new logo and I think the logo does say a lot about who I am. Read WillowRaven's blog posting here to understand how she came up with the design - see you all in the postings - E :)
Monday, November 19, 2007
Announcement - NEW EDITOR named - Nefarious ezine
I just wanted to share with you all - hope you will submit stories when we start taking submissions (which hopefully will be after the holidays) and that you will come join the ezine at least to read the stories - E :)
from "Robert K. Foster" hide details 5:55 pm (3 hours ago)
reply-to "rkfoster@nefarious-tales.com"
to webmaster@nefarious-tales.com
cc rkfoster@nefarious-tales.com
date Nov 19, 2007 5:55 PM
subject NEFARIOUS - Important Announcement
mailed-by lsh125.siteprotect.com
Greetings Readers of NEFARIOUS - Tales Of Mystery,
Since my last doom and gloom email to the Members announcing the possible
shutdown of the webzine a number of things have occured that I wanted you
all to know about.
After that email I posted a volunteer job posting on the site indicating
the need for a new Editor. I had a few responses to that posting and I'm
happy to announce that I've begun working with an Editor who will be taking
up the reins of some of the editorial duties for NEFARIOUS. Her name is
Elysabeth Eldering, a member of Sisters In Crime and the South Carolina
Writer's Workshop as well as being an Author herself. She approached me
after the recent demise of yet another small press magazine where she was
also an Editor. We'll have more information about Elysabeth on the web site
as we go along.
Elysabeth will be going through all of the previous submissions to
NEFARIOUS that were never finalized after they were submitted. If you
submitted a story and never heard back from me about it then you may be
receiving an email from Elysabeth in the next month or two. If your story
is no longer available for publication in NEFARIOUS then please let
Elysabeth know when she contacts you.
Provided that my financial situation does not figuratively pull the plug on
the website, we hope to have a new issue in a month or two, hopefully in
December. Provided we can keep this thing going then I will hope to open up
submissions again with the new issue.
I hope all of you will stop by for the new issue and also welcome Elysabeth
on board.
Thanks for bearing with me through this difficult situation.
Robert K. Foster
Editor-In-Chief
NEFARIOUS - Tales Of Mystery
from "Robert K. Foster"
reply-to "rkfoster@nefarious-tales.com"
to webmaster@nefarious-tales.com
cc rkfoster@nefarious-tales.com
date Nov 19, 2007 5:55 PM
subject NEFARIOUS - Important Announcement
mailed-by lsh125.siteprotect.com
Greetings Readers of NEFARIOUS - Tales Of Mystery,
Since my last doom and gloom email to the Members announcing the possible
shutdown of the webzine a number of things have occured that I wanted you
all to know about.
After that email I posted a volunteer job posting on the site indicating
the need for a new Editor. I had a few responses to that posting and I'm
happy to announce that I've begun working with an Editor who will be taking
up the reins of some of the editorial duties for NEFARIOUS. Her name is
Elysabeth Eldering, a member of Sisters In Crime and the South Carolina
Writer's Workshop as well as being an Author herself. She approached me
after the recent demise of yet another small press magazine where she was
also an Editor. We'll have more information about Elysabeth on the web site
as we go along.
Elysabeth will be going through all of the previous submissions to
NEFARIOUS that were never finalized after they were submitted. If you
submitted a story and never heard back from me about it then you may be
receiving an email from Elysabeth in the next month or two. If your story
is no longer available for publication in NEFARIOUS then please let
Elysabeth know when she contacts you.
Provided that my financial situation does not figuratively pull the plug on
the website, we hope to have a new issue in a month or two, hopefully in
December. Provided we can keep this thing going then I will hope to open up
submissions again with the new issue.
I hope all of you will stop by for the new issue and also welcome Elysabeth
on board.
Thanks for bearing with me through this difficult situation.
Robert K. Foster
Editor-In-Chief
NEFARIOUS - Tales Of Mystery
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Robert's Snow Auction - week 1
Today is the last day to preview all the wonderful snowflakes and illustrators on everyone's blogs. I have tried to access the links through my sidebar but apparently they don't work. Tomorrow starts the auction. Why not stop by and bid on a few snowflakes to help a worthy cause.
Here is the link to the auction and the featured snowflakes for week 1.
Here is the link to the auction and the featured snowflakes for week 1.
Auction 1 will begin accepting bids on Monday, Nov. 19 at 9:00 a.m. with a starting bid of $50 for each snowflake. All bids must be placed before the close of Auction 1 on Friday, Nov. 23 at 5:00 pm. Don't forget that 100 percent of the proceeds from this online auction will benefit sarcoma research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and that all but $25 of the winning bid is tax deductible.
Read about all the illustrators who contributed to this auction at the sites linked below. (The order presented is the same as on the auction page.)
Read about all the illustrators who contributed to this auction at the sites linked below. (The order presented is the same as on the auction page.)
- Daniel Mahoney at Paradise Found and Great Solutions to Team Challenges
- Brie Spangler at Lectitans
- Yangsook Choi at What Adrienne Thinks About That
- Ginger Nielson at MISS O's SCHOOL LIBRARY
- Philomena O'Neill at Jo's Journal
- James Gurney at Charlotte's Library
- David Ezra Stein at Hip Writer Mama
- Barbara Garrison at Brooklyn Arden
- Hideko Takahashi at The Silver Lining
- Brian Floca at A Fuse #8 Production
- Mary Peterson at Brooklyn Arden
- Maggie Swanson at Chicken Spaghetti
- Elizabeth Dulemba at sruble's world
- Michelle Chang at The Longstockings
- Gretel Parker at Finding Wonderland
- Sara Kahn at Kate's Book Blog
- Ann Koffsky at Book Buds
- Frank Dormer at What Adrienne Thinks About That
- Erin Eitter Kono at Sam Riddleburger
- John Nez
- Julie Fromme Fortenberry at Your Neighborhood Librarian
- Sharon Vargo
- Abigail Marble
- Marion Eldridge at Chicken Spaghetti
- Chris Gall at Through the Studio Door
- Annette Simon at Check It Out and Deo Writer
- Rolandas Kiaulevicius at a wrung sponge
- Paige Keiser at Your Neighborhood Librarian
- Tracy McGuinness-Kelly at Sam Riddleburger's blog
- Jeannie Brett at cynthialord’s Journal
- Peter Emmerich at Loree Griffin Burns: A Life in Books
- Anna Dewdney at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
- Erik Brooks at Bildungsroman
- Joan Waites
- Patrick Girouard at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
- Yuyi Morales at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
- Jennifer Thermes at Through the Studio Door
- Liza Woodruff at Check It Out
- Ilene Richard at Something Different Every Day
- Molly Idle at The Shady Glade
- Leanne Franson at Just Like the Nut
- Anni Matsik at A Sound From My Heart
- Inga Poslitur
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Robert's Snow - last week of previews
Robert's Snow is an online auction that benefits Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Over 200 children's book illustrators have created art on individual snowflake-shaped wooden templates.
Auctions start next week. Hope you all have enjoyed visiting the featured illustrator's, although not all could be featured since they got their snowflakes a bit later than the original call went out. Hope you all have checked the Robert's Snow site for all the snowflakes. Remember - these are being auctioned for a good cause. Hope you all get a snowflake and support the cause. Wish I could afford them but alas, I can't. Anyway, here is the schedule for the week.
As you know if you've been visiting any children's book blogs for the past few weeks, Robert's Snow is an online auction that benefits Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Over 200 children's book illustrators have created art on individual snowflake-shaped wooden templates. The snowflakes will be auctioned off, with proceeds going to cancer research. You can view all of the 2007 snowflakes here. Jules and Eisha from Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast have found a way for bloggers to help with this effort, by blogging about individual illustrators and their snowflakes. The idea is to drive traffic to the Robert's Snow site so that many snowflakes will be sold, and much money raised to fight cancer. The illustrator profiles have been wonderful so far - diverse and creative and colorful. And there are lots more to go.
Here's the schedule for Week 5, which starts Monday. As previously, this early schedule links to the participating blogs, instead of to the individual posts. You can find links to the posts themselves, and any last-minute updates, each morning at 7-Imp. Jules and Eisha have also set up a special page at 7-Imp containing a comprehensive list of links to the profiles posted so far. Also not to be missed is Kris Bordessa's post summarizing snowflake-related contests to date over at Paradise Found.
Monday, November 12
- John Nez at ChatRabbit
- Liza Woodruff at Check It Out
- Jane Dippold at Just Like the Nut
- Mike Wohnoutka at laurasalas
Tuesday, November 13
- Cynthia Decker at The Silver Lining
- Cecily Lang at Kate's Book Blog
- Jane Dyer at Whimsy Books
- Akemi Gutierrez at AmoXcalli and Cuentecitos
- Lee White at Please Come Flying
Wednesday, November 14
- Philomena O'Neill at Jo's Journal
- Maggie Swanson at Chicken Spaghetti
- Timothy Bush at Here in the Bonny Glen
- Peter Emmerich at Loree Griffin Burns: A Life in Books
Thursday, November 15
- Yangsook Choi at What Adrienne Thinks About That
- Laura Jacques at cynthialord's Journal
- Mary Newell Depalma at Wild Rose Reader
- Leanne Franson at Just Like the Nut
Friday, November 16
- Mary Haverfield at Your Neighborhood Librarian
- Lisa Kopelke at Lisa's Little Corner of the Internet
- Salley Mavor at ChatRabbit
- Greg Newbold at The Longstockings
- Elizabeth Sayles at AmoXcalli and Cuentecitos
Saturday, November 17
- Paul Brewer at A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy
- Aaron Zenz at Jo's Journal
- Wendy Edelson at What Adrienne Thinks About That
- Joan Waites at Chicken Spaghetti
Sunday, November 18
- Giles Laroche at Book, Book, Book
- Annie Patterson at Check It Out
- Teri Sloat at The Miss Rumphius Effect
- Annette Heiberg at Lisa's Little Corner of the Internet
- Wade Zahares at Wild Rose Reader
Please take time out to visit all of these blogs, and read about these fabulous illustrators. And, if you're so inclined, think about bidding for a snowflake in the Robert's Snow auction. Each snowflake makes a unique gift (for yourself or for someone else), and supports an important cause.
See also the following note from Elaine Magliaro of Wild Rose Reader:
Note to Blog Readers about Blogging for a Cure: When Jules of 7-Imp put out her call in September for bloggers to interview/feature artists who had created snowflakes for Robert’s Snow 2007 at their blogs, a number of artists had not yet sent in their snowflakes to Dana-Farber. As time was of the essence to get Blogging for a Cure underway, we worked with the list of artists whose snowflakes were already in possession of Dana-Farber. Therefore, not all the participating artists will be featured. This in no way diminishes our appreciation for their contributions to this worthy cause. We hope everyone will understand that once the list of artists was emailed to bloggers and it was determined which bloggers would feature which artists at their blogs, a schedule was organized and sent out so we could get to work on Blogging for a Cure ASAP. Our aim is to raise people’s awareness about Robert’s Snow and to promote the three auctions. We hope our efforts will help to make Robert’s Snow 2007 a resounding success.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Author Interview - Darrell Blain - Savage Survival
I admit I slipped up on this - for some reason I thought I was supposed to do this tomorrow but here it is - my interview with author Darrell Blain
Author’s Bio: Over the last several years, Darrell Bain has become one of the best selling authors in the world in the realm of electronic publishing, winning just about every honor available in that area of publishing. He has now moved actively into print publishing and is currently working on a collaboration with best selling science fiction author and scientist Travis S. "Doc Travis" Taylor. Most of Bain's books are also in print or scheduled for print and all of them are available as e-books. He produces a very popular monthly newsletter, discoursing on various subjects brought up by fans or by his own voracious reading habit, written in an informal, narrative style. It is available around the first of each month from his web site at www.darrellbain.com
A publisher recently became interested in both his newsletters and his memoirs, which tell of a hard childhood and early life before finally settling down with his present wife. He has signed contracts to have them published first as e-books and then in print. His autobiography is already available now at www.fictionwise.com under the title Darrell Bain's World Of Books. The newsletters will be published as annual books, untitled as yet.
Darrell is the author of more than three dozen books in many genres, running the gamut from humor to mystery and science fiction to non-fiction. For the last several years he has concentrated on science fiction and suspense/thrillers, with an occasional foray into humor and short stories. Some of his most memorable titles are The Sex Gates, Savage Survival, Alien Infection, The Melanin Apocalypse, Strange Valley, The Pet Plague trilogy and the Williard Brothers series. Savage Survival will be his first novel issued in hard cover.
Darrell served 13 years in the military and his two stints in Vietnam formed the basis for his first published novel, Medics Wild, and the sequels featuring the zany Williard brothers, where the latest book has brought them up to their present day exploits. Some of his most avid fans are constantly clamoring for more books in the Williard Brothers series and for sequels to his other popular thrillers and science fiction titles. Darrell has been writing off and on all his life but really got serious about it only after the advent of computers. He purchased his first one in 1990 and has been writing furiously ever since.
While Darrell was working as a lab manager at a hospital in Texas, he met his wife Betty. He trapped her under a mistletoe sprig and they were married a year later. Darrell and Betty operated a Christmas tree farm in East Texas for many years, which became the subject and backdrop for many of his non-fiction humorous stories and books.
The Bain family consists of he and his wife Betty and their dachshunds, Tonto and Susie, along with Velcro the cat. They still live on the site of their Christmas tree farm, although it is no longer in business. Darrell is a full time writer now and Betty is retired. They spend most of their leisure time reading.
Mail to Darrell Bain can be addressed to him from his web site, www.darrellbain.com
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I began writing when I was just a kid, and continued off and on until I was about fifty, but was never very serious about it. I was more interested in science and reading. When I purchased my first computer and found how easy writing was with a word processor, the first thing I did was write a novel—and I've been hooked ever since.
How long does it take you to write a book?
It depends on how interested I get in the characters. If I really get involved with them, I can write a book in a month. Other times, nothing seems to jell and it goes very slow, or I'll set it aside until later. I've gone back as far as ten years and picked up a manuscript and finished it.
What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
It varies according to how my back is treating me. If I'm not having much trouble from it, I write every day, most of the day. I'm retired and a full time writer.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Hmm. If I have a quirk, it's always asking my wife's opinion on what I'm doing. She's been wrong only once.
How do books get published?
With difficulty for most writers. It is one of the professions where supply far outstrips demand. It's almost like half the people in America have written a book!
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
Oh boy. Every author gets asked that question. None of us really know. I suppose they just well up from the summation of all our experiences and something we hear or read will strike a bell and we'll think, yeah, that might make a story. Or we'll be daydreaming and something will suggest a story. Once you begin writing a lot, the ideas come easier.
When did you write your first book and how old were you?
I completed my first novel when I was 51 years old. I had started many others during my life, writing by hand, but never finished them. As best I remember, only one of them would have been worth publishing anyway.
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I love to read. Fortunately, my present wife loves to read, too. Twice before I married a woman who wasn't interested in books and it didn't work.
What does your family think of your writing?
They think I'm kind of odd.
SAVAGE SURVIVAL is not just another testosterone driven science fiction novel. At the basic level, it explores the personalities and attitudes of men, women and children when stripped of the comforting insulation of organized society. Invulnerable aliens have captured millions of humans and are subjecting them to the most brutal and horrible environments ever encountered, in essence a survival test of a magnitude heretofore undreamed of.
Lyda Brightner is an eleven year old girl when she is suddenly and without warning separated from her parents and thrown into the midst of undisciplined humans in a harsh desert environment. Food and water and clothing are fought over. Those who control it can do as they wish—and their wishes are terrible.
Lyda is weaponless and alone, like almost everyone. Raped at eleven. Forced to kill. Grieving for her parents. All that stands between Lyda and death is her own innate bravery, her quick mind, her unwavering integrity and ultimately, her belief that someday she will find someone to love.
Lyda's strength of character and fighting spirit make her a leader, even at a very young age. Over the next six years she must constantly fight the ever changing and ever more dangerous environments the aliens subject them to. But she must fight other humans as well, those who have survived by brute strength and ruthless plundering of the weak.
But even if she lives through all this, Lyda must still face the final question: What do the aliens have in mind for the few hundred remaining humans, those few left of all the millions who died?
SAVAGE SURVIVAL is a coming of age novel like no other and Lyda Brightner is a character you'll never forget.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
That you can just about fall in love with some of your characters. That was true of Lyda in Savage Survival. She's my favorite of them all. And The Williard Brothers of the series by the same name (Or sometimes referreed to as the Medics Wild Series after the first book). They're great guys.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I've written about three dozen or so and as many shorter works. Most of those have been collected into anthologies.
Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
The way to become a better writer is to think about what you're doing and to write. And write. And write. And write. And….
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
Oh yes, I get lots of letters. I love getting mail, particularly the letters where someone tells me they have been moved by one of my books. One in particular was from a reporter who said reading my book Medics Wild finally enabled her to put Vietnam behind her. That brought tears to my eyes.
What do you think makes a good story?
A little humor mixed with the drama does it for me. Any story that brings tears to my eyes is the mark of a good writer. I really don’t know if I'm that good or not, but I have had reviewers say they laughed so hard they cried while reading some of my humor.
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
I wanted to go into space. I've always loved science fiction and suppose it influenced me. I may actually fulfill that dream if the private spaceships get going as they promise and if I can save up enough money.
Title of Book: Savage Survival
Genre: Science fiction
Publisher: Twilight Times Books
Publication Date: September 15, 2007
Darrell Bain's finest novel to date. Savage Survival is a coming of age novel like no other and Lyda Brightner is a character you'll remember forever. Raped at eleven. Forced to kill. Subjected to suffering in one brutal and horrible environment after another, with no parents or guardian to protect her as she grows up. Millions of earthmen have been captured by invulnerable aliens and are being put through the strangest and most terrifying survival tests ever imagined. Young Lyda Brightner's first experience after being thrown into the midst of undisciplined humans is horrible enough, but she doesn't know that the trials are just beginning. She doesn't know that only a few hundred of the millions of captives will live through the vicious and cruel winnowing process. Again and again as she grows into a young woman, she has to call on the only resources she has available: her own innate bravery, her quick mind, her unwavering belief in the goodness of the majority of humans and ultimately, an enduring hope that one day she will find someone to love. But even if she lives through all this, she will still have to face the final question. What do the aliens have in mind for the few survivors?
Monday, November 05, 2007
Robert's Snow - week 4
Robert's Snow is an online auction that benefits Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Over 200 children's book illustrators have created art on individual snowflake-shaped wooden templates.
Here is this week's listing of sponsored illustrators on other blogs and who knows some of them may have giveaways (is how I won a copy of "Peanut") so check them out and get ready for the auction coming up the end of this month.
As you know if you've been visiting any children's book blogs for the past few weeks, Robert's Snow is an online auction that benefits Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Over 200 children's book illustrators have created art on individual snowflake-shaped wooden templates. The snowflakes will be auctioned off, with proceeds going to cancer research. You can view all of the 2007 snowflakes here. Jules and Eisha from Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast have found a way for bloggers to help with this effort, by blogging about individual illustrators and their snowflakes. The idea is to drive traffic to the Robert's Snow site so that many snowflakes will be sold, and much money raised to fight cancer. The illustrator profiles have been wonderful so far - diverse and creative and colorful. And there are lots more to go.
Here's the schedule for Week 4, which starts Monday. As previously, this early schedule links to the participating blogs, instead of to the individual posts. You can find links to the posts themselves, and any last-minute updates, each morning at 7-Imp. Jules and Eisha have also set up a special page at 7-Imp containing a comprehensive list of links to the profiles posted so far. Also not to be missed is Kris Bordessa's post summarizing snowflake-related contests to date over at Paradise Found.
Monday, November 5
- Ana Alter at The Longstockings
- Laura Huliska Beith at Just One More Book!!
- Cece Bell at Jo's Journal
- Denise Ortakales at cynthialord’s Journal
Tuesday, November 6
- Carol Heyer at The Shady Glade
- Joe Kulka at ChatRabbit
- Steven James Petruccio at Blog From the Windowsill
- Carol Schwartz at Jama Rattigan's Alphabet Soup
Wednesday, November 7
- Jeff Ebbeler at Sam Riddleburger's blog
- Scott Magoon at Just One More Book!!
- Connie McLennan at The Shady Glade
- Julie Paschkis at the excelsior file
Thursday, November 8
- Genevieve Cote at a wrung sponge
- Linda Graves at Your Neighborhood Librarian
- James Gurney at Charlotte's Library
- Matt Tavares at Please Come Flying
Friday, November 9
- Susan Kathleen Hartung at Wild Rose Reader
- Mary Peterson at Brooklyn Arden
- Annette Simon at Check It Out and Deo Writer
- Melanie Watt at Whimsy Books
Saturday, November 10
- R.W. Alley at at Jama Rattigan's Alphabet Soup
- Jeannie Brett at cynthialord’s Journal
- Daniel Mahoney at Paradise Found and Great Solutions to Team Challenges
- Amy Young at Kate's Book Blog
Sunday, November 11
- Tim Coffey at The Silver Lining
- Elizabeth Dulemba at sruble's world
- Chris Gall at Through the Studio Door
- Amy Schimler > at Please Come Flying
Please take time out to visit all of these blogs, and read about these fabulous illustrators. And, if you're so inclined, think about bidding for a snowflake in the Robert's Snow auction. Each snowflake makes a unique gift (for yourself or for someone else), and supports an important cause.
See also the following note from Elaine Magliaro of Wild Rose Reader:
Note to Blog Readers about Blogging for a Cure: When Jules of 7-Imp put out her call in September for bloggers to interview/feature artists who had created snowflakes for Robert’s Snow 2007 at their blogs, a number of artists had not yet sent in their snowflakes to Dana-Farber. As time was of the essence to get Blogging for a Cure underway, we worked with the list of artists whose snowflakes were already in possession of Dana-Farber. Therefore, not all the participating artists will be featured. This in no way diminishes our appreciation for their contributions to this worthy cause. We hope everyone will understand that once the list of artists was emailed to bloggers and it was determined which bloggers would feature which artists at their blogs, a schedule was organized and sent out so we could get to work on Blogging for a Cure ASAP. Our aim is to raise people’s awareness about Robert’s Snow and to promote the three auctions. We hope our efforts will help to make Robert’s Snow 2007 a resounding success.
Fall Ya'll bloggy giveaway winners listings
I saw about 600+ people offering things to be given away and when I posted my congratulatory link I was the 300th person to report the winner.
For a list of winners, go to here and see if maybe you were a winner but not contacted (that is if you entered any of the giveaways.
I keep hoping but alas so far I haven't been picked or notified - oh well may be in the next one - E :)
For a list of winners, go to here and see if maybe you were a winner but not contacted (that is if you entered any of the giveaways.
I keep hoping but alas so far I haven't been picked or notified - oh well may be in the next one - E :)
Petigru Review Giveaway
So, I finally got my kids to cooperate a little and have my drawing. One drew, one read the name and they have both signed the paper to give to the winner - so without further ado - congratulations go to Nancy Jones for winning a copy of the Petigru Review, with my story autographed for her.
Nancy hope you enjoy the story as well as the other items in the anthology (poems, short stories, et cetera) all from South Carolina Writers Workshop members.
Anyone else who would like a copy of the anthology, please see previous posting for information. The anthology is available from amazon.com -
Thanks to everyone who entered - good luck on other entries. See you all in the postings. - E :)
Nancy hope you enjoy the story as well as the other items in the anthology (poems, short stories, et cetera) all from South Carolina Writers Workshop members.
Anyone else who would like a copy of the anthology, please see previous posting for information. The anthology is available from amazon.com -
Thanks to everyone who entered - good luck on other entries. See you all in the postings. - E :)
Friday, November 02, 2007
Anthology - The Petigru Review
I guess I never really posted the link to The Petigru Review and should have done that. It is available at amazon.com and if you had attended the conference in Myrtle Beach last weekend, you could have gotten it for $15 plus a copy just for attending, but since most of you weren't there, then you have to buy it through amazon.com at their price of $18.89. Of course if you enter my contest below - you may win a copy; but if you don't win, pick up your copy at amazon.com and enjoy the stories and poems and other things available
How big is that "butt" at Ingles?
Driving home from my combined Sisters in Crime/writing group meeting tonight (a mistake that caused both groups to be booked in the same room on the same night but it was a fun mistake) the kids and I were on the only direct route to home. We came upon the stop light that is almost half way home and I saw something crawling a few cars ahead of me. Yes I saw legs and it looked like they were crawling - I didn't see bodies or the car. Turns out it was the police pushing a car out of the intersection to the gas station which wasn't too far - but all I saw was legs or something that looked like it was crawling. Okay - freaky - but explained when we saw the police cars on the other side of the road where no traffic was and then saw the men pushing the car out of the way. Oh wait, wasn't halloween last night? Yep, by my calendar yesterday was October 31 (well at the writing of this now at 12:10 a.m. on Friday November 2nd it was actually Wednesday). So whew - we were glad to see it was real people and not something crawling on the road way.
We drove on down and at the point where we cross over the toll road section there is a grocery story (Ingles is one of the south's local stores basically). Of course you expect to see the weekly special advertised on their boards outside but this one really got us to giggling and laughing and me hurting - almost felt heart attack like but I'm still coherent and able to drive so not too concerned.
The sign read as follows (these are the actual way the lines read -
whole pork boston
butt 98 Lb (double stacked wording at end says with card)
now I know that it's supposed to say 98 cents (cent sign)/lb but there was something missing - it just said - butt 98 Lb with card (this is the price with our special card that we use for the specials like this)
So when I drove by I read it out loud just like it is written - and we started laughing so hard. Benjamin started talking like mafia - Well Vinnie - we didn't need blocks to weigh her down, her butt was big enough - funny stuff - it's so much better to hear him. And then it just got too funny - how do you know how much the butt weighed - well we just push it on the truck scale to weigh it - lol - we had a blast (that's about when my shoulder to elbow started really hurting and is still bothersome and not sure if it is just a strain from being in the seatbelt and laughing so much or just not in the right position or what). We did finally calm down about the butt although the butt thing did creep up the rest of the way home.
So we turn down the road that leads to the short back road that goes to the other back road to the house and Hailie says she saw lightning - now it's a pretty clear sky and all. I told her it was probably a tower and she kept questioning - white? aren't they usually red? - so then she looks back and it's a bigger than tower light. The further we drive down the road the closer the light seems to get closer to us. So the kids start freaking out and then I see the light and it's pretty good sized to the right rear of the car. They beg me not to go home, to go into town and not stop at the house because even when we turned down our road they could still see the light and they were really freaked by now.
So I say okay, I'll drive on into town. Right before we get to the bridge that is right before our driveway - we come upon three vehicles with their flashers on - looked like something had been hit and was the reason they were there - so we went down to the driveway and turned around to make sure everyone was okay and to see if I needed to get some help. Apparently one of the cars avoided some deer but hit the fire hydrant (no one even knew there was one there) and then a couple of other folks showed up there - so I told them I'd come into town and get someone who dfinitely could help them since they'd been there a while.
Okay we haven't made it home yet - and they are still seeing the light but not as bright as before. We head to town and figure the fire department would be who would be able to help us - apparently we are a volunteer district because there is no one there, so we cut into the parking lot and go into the police station - guess what? The police station is basically closed down now because we no longer have a jail. So I picked up the phone to call dispatch and one of the sheriff's cars came from out back in the parking lot down the little road between the police station and the free clinic - so we stopped him and told him about the folks who had hit the fire hydrant and then the kids had to tell him about the light and he even played into their thoughts by telling them it was probably a UFO - so funny to freaky to weird night - I thought halloween was on the 31st of October not the 1st of November.
So when I get my states stories written with all my aliens and fun stuff - you will know it was inspired by All Freaky Day November 1, the official start of NaNo - happy writing - see you all in the postings - E :)
We drove on down and at the point where we cross over the toll road section there is a grocery story (Ingles is one of the south's local stores basically). Of course you expect to see the weekly special advertised on their boards outside but this one really got us to giggling and laughing and me hurting - almost felt heart attack like but I'm still coherent and able to drive so not too concerned.
The sign read as follows (these are the actual way the lines read -
whole pork boston
butt 98 Lb (double stacked wording at end says with card)
now I know that it's supposed to say 98 cents (cent sign)/lb but there was something missing - it just said - butt 98 Lb with card (this is the price with our special card that we use for the specials like this)
So when I drove by I read it out loud just like it is written - and we started laughing so hard. Benjamin started talking like mafia - Well Vinnie - we didn't need blocks to weigh her down, her butt was big enough - funny stuff - it's so much better to hear him. And then it just got too funny - how do you know how much the butt weighed - well we just push it on the truck scale to weigh it - lol - we had a blast (that's about when my shoulder to elbow started really hurting and is still bothersome and not sure if it is just a strain from being in the seatbelt and laughing so much or just not in the right position or what). We did finally calm down about the butt although the butt thing did creep up the rest of the way home.
So we turn down the road that leads to the short back road that goes to the other back road to the house and Hailie says she saw lightning - now it's a pretty clear sky and all. I told her it was probably a tower and she kept questioning - white? aren't they usually red? - so then she looks back and it's a bigger than tower light. The further we drive down the road the closer the light seems to get closer to us. So the kids start freaking out and then I see the light and it's pretty good sized to the right rear of the car. They beg me not to go home, to go into town and not stop at the house because even when we turned down our road they could still see the light and they were really freaked by now.
So I say okay, I'll drive on into town. Right before we get to the bridge that is right before our driveway - we come upon three vehicles with their flashers on - looked like something had been hit and was the reason they were there - so we went down to the driveway and turned around to make sure everyone was okay and to see if I needed to get some help. Apparently one of the cars avoided some deer but hit the fire hydrant (no one even knew there was one there) and then a couple of other folks showed up there - so I told them I'd come into town and get someone who dfinitely could help them since they'd been there a while.
Okay we haven't made it home yet - and they are still seeing the light but not as bright as before. We head to town and figure the fire department would be who would be able to help us - apparently we are a volunteer district because there is no one there, so we cut into the parking lot and go into the police station - guess what? The police station is basically closed down now because we no longer have a jail. So I picked up the phone to call dispatch and one of the sheriff's cars came from out back in the parking lot down the little road between the police station and the free clinic - so we stopped him and told him about the folks who had hit the fire hydrant and then the kids had to tell him about the light and he even played into their thoughts by telling them it was probably a UFO - so funny to freaky to weird night - I thought halloween was on the 31st of October not the 1st of November.
So when I get my states stories written with all my aliens and fun stuff - you will know it was inspired by All Freaky Day November 1, the official start of NaNo - happy writing - see you all in the postings - E :)
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Fall Y'all Bloggy Giveaway
We are coming down to the last days of giveaways. Check out the blog that has listings of all the bloggers who are giving things away - who knows - starbucks gift cards, target cards, cash, books, over 600 at last count. This is really a cool idea to have bloggers link back to her site and just post something to give away. Remember to post a comment on my original posting below to be entered for the drawing - My giveaway closes tomorrow night (Saturday) and the drawing will be done Monday evening when the kids get home from school or band practice. I will take a picture of them drawing the lucky winner and post then.
Follow the picture to Shannon's blog for the list of giveaways and you still have time to enter a good many of them - You can't win if you don't enter, so enter away -
See you all in the postings - E :)
Follow the picture to Shannon's blog for the list of giveaways and you still have time to enter a good many of them - You can't win if you don't enter, so enter away -
See you all in the postings - E :)
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
and yet another thing from the writer's conference
It's funny when I'm telling the kids what went on this weekend and things I forgot to put in the original blog posting - but here is the thing - I just thought this was really cool - we were staying at the Hilton at Myrtle Beach - and I had forgotten my deodarant and some Tylenol (the gift shop wanted 5 bucks for a small tube of deodarant and like 4.50 for 8 small tablets of Tylenol - I thought yikes - too expensive for my blood - so I decided I would try to find my ride and get him to take me to Wal-Mart. Well the lady running the gift shop said, "you know, we have a shuttle and they probably can take you." I was like, "Really? to Wal-Mart?" She said probably and I asked how much it would cost me and she wasn't sure so I inquired at the front desk and I was told it was a free service and they would take me to Wal-Mart. Okay, how classy is this - riding the Hilton Shuttle to Wal-Mart - go figure - so that was my highlight Friday but my overall weekend highlight was being slushed - lol - I love that - so anyway - more on the conference fun stuff - see you all in the postings - E :)
some conference tidbits and - oh yeah, I won again!!!
I knew there was more to the conference than I had posted - here is a funny thing - we were at the beach and it rained all weekend - or it was cloudy and kind of cool but not cold. Sunday morning woke up and it was frigid but sunny. Finally got some heat from the sun on the way home and away from the beach. Apparently all the computers and clocks in the hotel were set to automatically change for daylight savings time this past weekend (my alarm was set for 6:30 and I heard my roommate in the shower thinking she was up pretty early and when I looked at the clock it said 6:10 and so I thought - I've got a bit of time, but then another of the roommate's cell phone was going off - so I went to get my cell phone to check on the time and it was really 7:10 - omg - I had overslept due to the clocks automatically setting back and no one who had an early wake up call received their call like they should have. Someone forgot to tell the Hiltons that daylight savings time didn't go into effect this past weekend. So we were all rushed but the day turned out pretty good for the most part.
We had to pay $10 a day for internet usage and then it wasn't even wireless (I was on the 19th floor of the Royale Palms which is a part of the Hilton but just condo like hotel of the same property) and we couldn't even pick up wireless connection - the only place you could pick up wireless was in the lobby and at best it was sketchy. Okay so no wireless in the rooms and we had to share the connection - which was ethernet and it was in the kitchen of all places - not very comfortable - if they are going to use ethernet connections - why not put in each bedroom and/or in the living area of the condo area - but I should have been able to pick up wireless with my built in wireless and I did but it was only one bar when someone else was connected on the ethernet cable and I was sitting in the dining room and she was right there at the kitchen counter hooked up. I think it was stupid but I never got my wireless to work. So goes life - one of the reasons I didn't really check in much this past weekend.
When I did get to check my emails and sort through the tons of things I found out I won another prize - I won a copy of Linas Alsenas' book Peanut on A Wrung Sponge's blog featuring Linas's snowflake last week. I seem to be on a winning streak lately - first the drawing of the goody basket - the mine, mine, mine one featured on Spider and Fly blog from Sheri Goad, and now the book Peanut just from leaving a comment on a blog. Guess you never know.
Next posting will be a small contest for the Fall Ya'll Blogging contest board and I'm still working on what to offer as a prize. So be on the look out for a small contest to come soon - E :)
We had to pay $10 a day for internet usage and then it wasn't even wireless (I was on the 19th floor of the Royale Palms which is a part of the Hilton but just condo like hotel of the same property) and we couldn't even pick up wireless connection - the only place you could pick up wireless was in the lobby and at best it was sketchy. Okay so no wireless in the rooms and we had to share the connection - which was ethernet and it was in the kitchen of all places - not very comfortable - if they are going to use ethernet connections - why not put in each bedroom and/or in the living area of the condo area - but I should have been able to pick up wireless with my built in wireless and I did but it was only one bar when someone else was connected on the ethernet cable and I was sitting in the dining room and she was right there at the kitchen counter hooked up. I think it was stupid but I never got my wireless to work. So goes life - one of the reasons I didn't really check in much this past weekend.
When I did get to check my emails and sort through the tons of things I found out I won another prize - I won a copy of Linas Alsenas' book Peanut on A Wrung Sponge's blog featuring Linas's snowflake last week. I seem to be on a winning streak lately - first the drawing of the goody basket - the mine, mine, mine one featured on Spider and Fly blog from Sheri Goad, and now the book Peanut just from leaving a comment on a blog. Guess you never know.
Next posting will be a small contest for the Fall Ya'll Blogging contest board and I'm still working on what to offer as a prize. So be on the look out for a small contest to come soon - E :)
Fall Ya'll Bloggy Giveaway - small contest
I'm running a contest per the above link - all you have to do is post a comment on my blog and I pick a winner. Contest ends Saturday, November 3 at midnight. Drawing will be done on Monday, November 5 and the winner notified by email and then posted shortly afterwards.
The contest I'm running is I will pick a commentor from this posting only - in a drawing (will probably put all the names in a hat and let my son pick a name to be fair) and the winner will get a copy of the anthology - The Petigru Review with my story in it - signed however they would like on my story - E :)
I've been slushed at the SCWW writers' conference - WOW
As most of you know, I'm a member of the SCWW Greenville chapter and have been very thankful for them and the feedback I get from them. The group is very good to me and to everyone it seems but sometimes folks come one time, get their feelings hurt and never return (I did cry after my first critique but then got a good jolt of reality - I went to the group to get their feedback and they gave it to me and I needed to sit back and think without letting my tender heart get in the way and so because of them, I've grown as a writer in that I can take the criticism much better now, not that I always agree with what is said but I do not have to come home and cry because they didn't like a story or whatever it is I'm reading at the time). I also did a while back link to them as being the best conference in the state or some such wording.
Well this year's conference was great. I'm glad I volunteered and was there for the activities. I'm thankful for the opportunity to meet such great presenters and attendees. My favorite session was the slushfest - which from my busy schedule was the only workshop I attended of my choice - not that I didn't enjoy being a proctor or room monitor for the other things. A slushfest is fun - you bring in two pages of a story on transparencies and the faculty put them on the overhead projector and give some general feedback on what is there - I was in the short story/flash fiction session - we had about nine to twelve people in the room and about eight of us brought transparencies to get slushed - I was slushed and loved it. Time wsa of the essence and after the first five, Anne realized we needed to speed things up, so we ended up only doing one page of the last three - which was fine - we all got read - I got a one page reading but Anne (editor and publisher of the moonshine review, based in Charlotte, NC) did read my second page (she had my hard copy) while Beth, her co-editor, was giving comments on another story. After the session when I was picking up my copies, Anne said she wanted to read the rest of the story. So I got slushed in a postive way - I am going to submit my story to her and also think about submitting "The Cellar" to her in the future. I may have been reverted from ebook publishing but Anne does not consider "ebooks" as being published and since she only takes original, unpublished works for consideration, she said she still wanted to read the story - being that I was published but not print published and the stories are all back to me, then I may have found a home for "The Tulip Kiss".
I had a critique session with Andrea Brown (big time children's/YA agent) but my copies of my story were messed up - so the critique wasn't really necessary. What I emailed to the coordinator of the critiques and snail mailed was identical but didn't get sent that way to Andrea - Andrea received Page 1 (no header on any of my pages as was sent to Katie though) - and then pages 2 through 8 as duplicates - in other words - this is what I got back with Andrea's comments - page 1 with her comments, page 2, page 2, page 3, page 3, and all the way down to page 8 - so there were 17 pages in the packet and it should have been 16 total for the story since it was a short story anyway - and I had only signed up for the standard critique session (10 pages) - but still my title and name and the page numbers should have been on the pages and there should not have been any duplicate pages. I'm not sure what happened from me sending the story to get critiqued and the printing off from the email but since that was a story that had previously been published, I wasn't too worried about the critique. I really wanted to pitch my mystery state stories idea to Andrea and get some feedback on whether or not this is a doable thing.
I got home Sunday evening and was chilling out and got to thinking of what one of the attendees said about her critique and she had signed up for an extended (30 pages) and had sent in 24 pages and only got 12 pages back - so not sure what happened to the email versions of the stories we sent or the snail mailed ones either - because I sent mine with a cover page/synopsis between the two hard copies we were to send and I checked and the emailed version and the printed version were the same and had the header as directed on the website for the critiques - Needless to say, the critiques were good for some and not good for others. I don't really know what to make of that.
Eventually, I will find homes for all my stories and maybe something will snap like it should for the state stories -
I met some fun people this past weekend at the conference and I'll definitely be there next year - but for now - see you all in the postings - E :)
Well this year's conference was great. I'm glad I volunteered and was there for the activities. I'm thankful for the opportunity to meet such great presenters and attendees. My favorite session was the slushfest - which from my busy schedule was the only workshop I attended of my choice - not that I didn't enjoy being a proctor or room monitor for the other things. A slushfest is fun - you bring in two pages of a story on transparencies and the faculty put them on the overhead projector and give some general feedback on what is there - I was in the short story/flash fiction session - we had about nine to twelve people in the room and about eight of us brought transparencies to get slushed - I was slushed and loved it. Time wsa of the essence and after the first five, Anne realized we needed to speed things up, so we ended up only doing one page of the last three - which was fine - we all got read - I got a one page reading but Anne (editor and publisher of the moonshine review, based in Charlotte, NC) did read my second page (she had my hard copy) while Beth, her co-editor, was giving comments on another story. After the session when I was picking up my copies, Anne said she wanted to read the rest of the story. So I got slushed in a postive way - I am going to submit my story to her and also think about submitting "The Cellar" to her in the future. I may have been reverted from ebook publishing but Anne does not consider "ebooks" as being published and since she only takes original, unpublished works for consideration, she said she still wanted to read the story - being that I was published but not print published and the stories are all back to me, then I may have found a home for "The Tulip Kiss".
I had a critique session with Andrea Brown (big time children's/YA agent) but my copies of my story were messed up - so the critique wasn't really necessary. What I emailed to the coordinator of the critiques and snail mailed was identical but didn't get sent that way to Andrea - Andrea received Page 1 (no header on any of my pages as was sent to Katie though) - and then pages 2 through 8 as duplicates - in other words - this is what I got back with Andrea's comments - page 1 with her comments, page 2, page 2, page 3, page 3, and all the way down to page 8 - so there were 17 pages in the packet and it should have been 16 total for the story since it was a short story anyway - and I had only signed up for the standard critique session (10 pages) - but still my title and name and the page numbers should have been on the pages and there should not have been any duplicate pages. I'm not sure what happened from me sending the story to get critiqued and the printing off from the email but since that was a story that had previously been published, I wasn't too worried about the critique. I really wanted to pitch my mystery state stories idea to Andrea and get some feedback on whether or not this is a doable thing.
I got home Sunday evening and was chilling out and got to thinking of what one of the attendees said about her critique and she had signed up for an extended (30 pages) and had sent in 24 pages and only got 12 pages back - so not sure what happened to the email versions of the stories we sent or the snail mailed ones either - because I sent mine with a cover page/synopsis between the two hard copies we were to send and I checked and the emailed version and the printed version were the same and had the header as directed on the website for the critiques - Needless to say, the critiques were good for some and not good for others. I don't really know what to make of that.
Eventually, I will find homes for all my stories and maybe something will snap like it should for the state stories -
I met some fun people this past weekend at the conference and I'll definitely be there next year - but for now - see you all in the postings - E :)
State band competition
This is my third year involved in marching band stuff and this is the third year we have made it to state since I've become involved (I'm sure we have made it to state many years prior to that). We placed second at upper state last weekend (the weekend of the 20th) being edged out by Blue Ridge (who seems to always take first regardless of their performance). This is the first competition I've missed in the three years since starting to be a band parent. I couldn't help it since I had to be at the conference as a volunteer (see next posting for more details). I left my kids in good hands (not bear's for the most part - lol) and left instructions with the lady who looks like me kind of - we could be twins except I think I'm an inch taller than she is - lol which isn't saying much since I'm only 5'2" (or 5'1-1/2" depending on who measures me). Anyway, I was proctoring a class and it was getting near the end of the workshop and she called me - I stepped out onto the veranda which was ocean front and found out the good news.
No we didn't win first (that's Blue Ridge - they got first for the whole state), but we did take 3rd place (this is a big deal because third place is medal winners as well as the first and second place teams). My kids were so excited that they medaled that they have been wearing their medals constantly.
I think one of them even said this was the first time in the school's history of competing and making it to state that they have medaled - so go Bears - we love that band -
I hope to have pictures posted later this week of upper state competition and state competition. I just got the link yesterday for the upper state competition pictures - and he hopes to have the ones from Saturday posted soon. So be on the lookout for those later this week - E :)
No we didn't win first (that's Blue Ridge - they got first for the whole state), but we did take 3rd place (this is a big deal because third place is medal winners as well as the first and second place teams). My kids were so excited that they medaled that they have been wearing their medals constantly.
I think one of them even said this was the first time in the school's history of competing and making it to state that they have medaled - so go Bears - we love that band -
I hope to have pictures posted later this week of upper state competition and state competition. I just got the link yesterday for the upper state competition pictures - and he hopes to have the ones from Saturday posted soon. So be on the lookout for those later this week - E :)
Birthdays and fun stuff
This past weekend was a busy one and I had to miss out Hailie's 15th b-day. I had to leave Thursday afternoon to head to Myrtle Beach for the SCWW writers' conference volunteers' meeting. (see next posting for complete details) I had stopped at Fred's here in town to see about getting a cell phone due to the fact that Bear wouldn't lend me his phone. I knew that the Wal-Mart in Laurens was a bit out of the way but it was okay to get to and get back to the meeting place for my ride (I don't drive long distances and definitely not somewhere I'm not familiar with). Anyway, I picked up a Gophone for the weekend's usage since I knew I would need it for staying in touch with the coordinators and whoever would call me (aka - one of my roommates used me a lot this weekend due to Sandra's phone not ringing and her answering her calls) but it was fine. I didn't mind.
So Friday was Hailie's 15th b-day and I had to call her while I was working which was fun because I was sitting in the bookstore that we had created for the authors to sell their books. We also had some individual publishers/presses selling their authors' books. So in the process of manning the booth, I found this delightful series of tween books - the Shandon Ivy League series - a series of stories written from the animals points of view - where the pets are the ones solving the mysteries (what a unique idea). Anyway about 3:30 I called bear's phone - figuring he was already picking up Hailie from school and she would answer but as it so happened he was at the high school but was in line waiting to ease up to get her and so I had a couple of minutes before she got in the car. So she gets in the car and he hands her the phone and I ask her if she would be interested in these books - at first she said no, probably not and then when I explained they were on the same level as the Bitsy books, she said yeah, probably she would read them. So I purchased all three - and the author autographed them for me to her - since it was her birthday. Ivy even has her own printed stamp - a paw print for signing the books with. The display was really cute and too bad I didn't have a camera phone or something to take pictures with.
So after wishing her happy birthday, asking about the books, and all - she headed to CVS to get some things for secret sister (colorguard thing) and to spend her money on her birthday stuff. I'm still not sure what all she got except last night she did get her $40 from her grandmother and bear gave her another $20 to get an MP3 player. So we headed over to Fred's because she wanted some shoes and they had the MP3 player for half the cost of what bear paid for Benjamin's at CVS - so I have a feeling that Benjamin will be taking his back because it has less memory than Hailie's does and it doesn't have a USB port to hook directly to the computer to download from.
Okay - so it sounds like she had a good birthday - even though I don't know what all she got or spent her money on - on the low side - our football team did lose the game Friday night - but they had a good time because the band competition the next day was worth it - see next posting - E :)
By time
So Friday was Hailie's 15th b-day and I had to call her while I was working which was fun because I was sitting in the bookstore that we had created for the authors to sell their books. We also had some individual publishers/presses selling their authors' books. So in the process of manning the booth, I found this delightful series of tween books - the Shandon Ivy League series - a series of stories written from the animals points of view - where the pets are the ones solving the mysteries (what a unique idea). Anyway about 3:30 I called bear's phone - figuring he was already picking up Hailie from school and she would answer but as it so happened he was at the high school but was in line waiting to ease up to get her and so I had a couple of minutes before she got in the car. So she gets in the car and he hands her the phone and I ask her if she would be interested in these books - at first she said no, probably not and then when I explained they were on the same level as the Bitsy books, she said yeah, probably she would read them. So I purchased all three - and the author autographed them for me to her - since it was her birthday. Ivy even has her own printed stamp - a paw print for signing the books with. The display was really cute and too bad I didn't have a camera phone or something to take pictures with.
So after wishing her happy birthday, asking about the books, and all - she headed to CVS to get some things for secret sister (colorguard thing) and to spend her money on her birthday stuff. I'm still not sure what all she got except last night she did get her $40 from her grandmother and bear gave her another $20 to get an MP3 player. So we headed over to Fred's because she wanted some shoes and they had the MP3 player for half the cost of what bear paid for Benjamin's at CVS - so I have a feeling that Benjamin will be taking his back because it has less memory than Hailie's does and it doesn't have a USB port to hook directly to the computer to download from.
Okay - so it sounds like she had a good birthday - even though I don't know what all she got or spent her money on - on the low side - our football team did lose the game Friday night - but they had a good time because the band competition the next day was worth it - see next posting - E :)
By time
Robert's Snow - Week 3
I'm a day late posting this but had been a bit out of the loop due to the writer's conference (see separate email) this past weekend and so I'm finally catching up on my postings for this.
If you can't get enough of the snowflakes from each of the featured illustrators, stop by 7-impossible Things Before Breakfast for a snowflake that is special; hasn't even been posted on the auction list yet. But it is definitely worth a looksee -
Here are the postings for this week - Hope you all enjoy checking out the illustrators work and continue to follow the auction boards until the auction starts. So many beautiful snowflakes to bid on and of course in my case not enough funds to do any bidding - lol -
If you can't get enough of the snowflakes from each of the featured illustrators, stop by 7-impossible Things Before Breakfast for a snowflake that is special; hasn't even been posted on the auction list yet. But it is definitely worth a looksee -
Here are the postings for this week - Hope you all enjoy checking out the illustrators work and continue to follow the auction boards until the auction starts. So many beautiful snowflakes to bid on and of course in my case not enough funds to do any bidding - lol -
As you know if you've been visiting any children's book blogs for the past few weeks, Robert's Snow is an online auction that benefits Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Over 200 children's book illustrators have created art on individual snowflake-shaped wooden templates. The snowflakes will be auctioned off, with proceeds going to cancer research. You can view all of the 2007 snowflakes here. Jules and Eisha from Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast have found a way for bloggers to help with this effort, by blogging about individual illustrators and their snowflakes. The idea is to drive traffic to the Robert's Snow site so that many snowflakes will be sold, and much money raised to fight cancer. The illustrator profiles have been wonderful so far - diverse and creative and colorful. And there are lots more to go.
Here's the schedule for Week 3, which starts Monday. As previously, this early schedule links to the participating blogs, instead of to the individual posts. You can find links to the posts themselves, and any last-minute updates, each morning at 7-Imp. Jules and Eisha have also set up a special page at 7-Imp containing a comprehensive list of links to the profiles posted so far. Also not to be missed is Kris Bordessa's post summarizing snowflake-related contests to date over at Paradise Found.
Monday, October 29
- Dan Santat at Writing and Ruminating
- Joanne Friar at The Longstockings
- Alissa Imre Geis at Wild Rose Reader
- Diane Greenseid at Just One More Book!!
- Sean Qualls at Brooklyn Arden
Tuesday, October 30
- Ann Koffsky at Book Buds
- Bill Carman at A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy
- Gretel Parker at Finding Wonderland
- Matt Phelan at A Year of Reading
- Stephanie Roth at Writing with a broken tusk
Wednesday, October 31
- Shawna Tenney at Kate's Book Blog
- Adam Rex at Booktopia and Welcome to my Tweendom
- Mo Willems at MotherReader
- Rolandas Kiaulevicius at a wrung sponge
Thursday, November 1
- Karen Lee at sruble's world
- Diana Magnuson at A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy
- Melissa Iwai at Brooklyn Arden
- Victoria Jamieson at AmoXcalli and Cuentecitos
- Molly Idle at The Shady Glade
- Meghan McCarthy at A Fuse #8 Production
Friday, November 2
- Tracy McGuinness-Kelly at Sam Riddleburger's blog
- Sarah Kahn at Kate's Book Blog
- Sylvia Long at Whimsy Books
- Jeremy Tankard at the excelsior file
- Holli Conger at Please Come Flying
Saturday, November 3
- Susan Miller at Your Neighborhood Librarian
- Ellen Beier at What Adrienne Thinks About That
- Hideko Takahashi at The Silver Lining
- Judith Moffat at Jo's Journal
- Wendell Minor at Wild Rose Reader
Sunday, November 4
- Joy Allen at Check It Out
- Robin Brickman at Greetings from Nowhere
- Lauren Stringer at laurasalas
- Nancy Wallace at In the Pages . . .
Please take time out to visit all of these blogs, and read about these fabulous illustrators. And, if you're so inclined, think about bidding for a snowflake in the Robert's Snow auction. Each snowflake makes a unique gift (for yourself or for someone else), and supports an important cause.
See also the following note from Elaine Magliaro of Wild Rose Reader:
Note to Blog Readers about Blogging for a Cure: When Jules of 7-Imp put out her call in September for bloggers to interview/feature artists who had created snowflakes for Robert’s Snow 2007 at their blogs, a number of artists had not yet sent in their snowflakes to Dana-Farber. As time was of the essence to get Blogging for a Cure underway, we worked with the list of artists whose snowflakes were already in possession of Dana-Farber. Therefore, not all the participating artists will be featured. This in no way diminishes our appreciation for their contributions to this worthy cause. We hope everyone will understand that once the list of artists was emailed to bloggers and it was determined which bloggers would feature which artists at their blogs, a schedule was organized and sent out so we could get to work on Blogging for a Cure ASAP. Our aim is to raise people’s awareness about Robert’s Snow and to promote the three auctions. We hope our efforts will help to make Robert’s Snow 2007 a resounding success.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Robert's Snow - week 2
As you all know - we bloggers are hosting the illustrator's snowflakes (over 200 snowflakes to be auctioned off to help raise money for the cure, with about 70 to 100 featured on different blogs throughout the preview period - last week through the time the auctions start). Here is the week's schedule complete with the full listings of all the blogs on my sidebar. I will post the weekly reminders so you all can check out the snowflakes as they come to us. I would so love to be able to bid on some of these but at this moment cannot afford it. I saw two in week #3 that have butterflies on them but the bidding starts at $150 for any snowflake on week 3 that I can't even think of starting the bid. Check out the link on the side bar to go to the auction site and see all the snowflakes. Also, check out all the bloggers' sites that are featuring some of the illustrators who have done these snowflakes up for interviews, contests, et cetera - some bloggers are running contests in conjunction with their illustrator interviews or posted information and others are featuring the illustrator's other work. So check out the websites, check out the snowflakes and get ready for the auction coming in November - have fun - see you all in the postings - E :)
Here's the schedule for Week 2, which starts Monday. Because the posts aren't up yet, this list links to the participating blogs, instead of to the individual posts. You can find links to the posts themselves, and any last-minute updates, each morning at 7-Imp. Jules and Eisha have also set up a special page at 7-Imp containing a comprehensive list of links to the profiles posted so far. Also not to be missed is Kris Bordessa's post summarizing snowflake-related contests to date over at Paradise Found.
Monday, October 22
- Mark Teague at The Miss Rumphius Effect
- Sharon Vargo at Finding Wonderland
- Christopher Demarest at Writing and Ruminating
- Rose Mary Berlin at Charlotte's Library
- David Macaulay at Here in the Bonny Glen
Tuesday, October 23
- Carin Berger at Chasing Ray
- Marion Eldridge at Chicken Spaghetti
- Sophie Blackall at not your mother's bookclub
- Erik Brooks at Bildungsroman
- Brian Lies at Greetings from Nowhere
Wednesday, October 24
- Elisa Kleven at Rozzie Land
- Consie Powell at Becky's Book Reviews
- Jimmy Pickering at Shaken & Stirred
- Frank Dormer at What Adrienne Thinks About That
- Sheila Bailey at Lizjonesbooks
Thursday, October 25
- Julia Denos at Interactive Reader
- Rebecca Doughty at A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy
- Brian Floca at A Fuse #8 Production
- Margaret Chodos-Irvine at readergirlz
Friday, October 26
- David Ezra Stein at HipWriterMama
- Juli Kangas at Sam Riddleburger's blog
- Ginger Nielson at Miss O's School Library
- Margot Apple at Jo's Journal
Saturday, October 27
- Julie Fromme Fortenberry at Your Neighborhood Librarian
- Sarah Dillard at The Silver Lining
- John Hassett at cynthialord's Journal
- Abigail Marble at Please Come Flying
Sunday, October 28
- Ashley Wolff at A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy
- Barbara Garrison at Brooklyn Arden
- Kelly Murphy at ChatRabbit
Please take time out to visit all of these blogs, and read about these fabulous illustrators. And, if you're so inclined, think about bidding for a snowflake in the Robert's Snow auction. Each snowflake makes a unique gift (for yourself or for someone else), and supports an important cause.
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