Geofest February Style

I forgot to post that I was heading to Columbia for Geofest, having missed the last 3 sessions due to lack of funds and no new books out.  Anyway, I had a successful day today - sold 3 books and 19 bookworms so that is the plus side of going down to Columbia today.  Apparently, I am the only book vendor attending this event now as there aren't even any book distributors left to be vendors anymore.  The downside was the weather.  When I left the house this morning, it was raining, not hard but just enough to run the intermittent wiper speed until I got out of town.  I hit the highway and the rain was steady but not heavy again.  I got right outisde of Columbia and had a little heavier rain and then it stopped right as I pulled on Huger Street going to the college part where the event is held.  I got the van unloaded and I think it started raining again but I was inside and didn't pay it much attention.  The folks with the maps said they came from Clemson/Seneca area and it was snowing when they left their area.  I heard someone who came from the Spartanburg area also say it was snowing.  Now, Seneca and Spartanburg are on opposite sides of the arch of the upstate.  The lady with the maps said they had heavy rain by time they got to Laurens, which I have to go through to get to the highway.  I didn't see any snow this morning.  Boy, did I see snow this afternoon.

I managed to get the van loaded and stopped to pick up something to bring back for dinner, although supper didn't make it to the house because it was smelling so yummy that I just had to dig in.  I wasn't really that hungry until I smelled the wings, and no worries about eating wings while driving - I ordered boneless wings and was 2-finger eating.  They were so good.  It did start raining about  the time I was pulling out of town, so I didn't really start eating the wings until I was on the highway and was able to have a clear path.  Then the rain/snow started and then it stopped, then some rain, then some snow/rain, a little bit of sleet, and then more slushy rain/snow.  By time I got about halfway home on the highway, most of the major wet weather had stopped for the most part.  There were no incidents on the highway (thank goodness) and the traffic wasn't too bad, so once I got through all the slushy stuff it was pretty much home free.

I got off the highway to come through Laurens, and lo and behold, there was snow on the ground.  Nothing falling from the sky but there was enough dusting of the white stuff to knowi t had snowed in the area but not all the town had snow; I'd say perhaps the first 3 or 4 miles into the town off the highway had snow on the ground.  I have to travel to the other side of Laurens to get to the road that heads to my house.  I also have to go through two other small towns - Hickory Tavern and Princeton (which is really not a town but they do have some houses, two gas stations and a motel there)  - to get back to my town.  I got right into Hickory Tavern and guess what, more snow on the ground like in Laurens but it wasn't anything major - spots of dust covering and a few places where it had settled in a little hills, probably on something like a pile of leaves or some such. 

I did see a beautiful sunset by time I hit  the road to my house.  So what started out as a  yucky weather wise day ended up with a gorgeous sunset.  The sky and clouds were all pink and purple and pretty.  I should have pulled over to take pictures but I was really at the end of my day and tired so just came straight home. 

So how was your day?  Hope it was a good one - see you all in the postings - E :)

An Educator's Life: Tool #2- Part D- Vigorous Verbs

The next lesson in Mr. Hughes' teaching poetry unit - full of wonderful mentor texts and great poems.  I love how he has the kids do a related activity the day that they are studying whatever it is they are studying.  I was actually present for this class session and that Turkey poem he read was hilarious and had the whole class laughing.  I highly suggest  you at least sign up to get Mr. Hughes' postings via email so you can be kept up to date on his teachings of different units.  He either has this week and next week left in the poetry unit and then we are moving on to POV, which will be my time to do some teaching and I'm going to have to figure out how to talk to all three classes about this topic but it will all work out.  Stop over and share some comment love and let Mr. Hughes know what a great job he is doing teaching this unit and whether his ideas have been helpful to you in your teaching endeavors.  Mrs. E :)

An Educator's Life: Tool #2- Part D- Vigorous Verbs: Welcome back to Post #5 in my Journey into Poetry Land series. To read all the posts in the this series, click HERE to see all the posts f...

An Educator's Life: Poetry Tool #2- Part C Alliteration

Here is the next posting in Mr. Hughes' teaching poetry.  I really encourage all of you who teach writing to your students to check out his blog postings as well as follow his blogs.  He is very good and I've learned a lot  from working with him over the past 4 or 5 school years (2008-2009; 2009-2010; 2010-2011; 2011-2012; and the current one 2012-2013).  I'm also gathering my resource books so that I have an arsenal to do a writing workshop - geared to parents and teachers, still incorporating my state series.  See you all in  the postings - Mrs. E :)

An Educator's Life: Poetry Tool #2- Part C Alliteration: Greetings! It has been FAR too long since I have posted on my poetry lessons, and now I am two weeks behind in posts. So I will try my be...

Sisters in Crime of Upstate SC: NINA BRUHNS TO SPEAK FEBRUARY 7, TAKE PITCHES FOR ...

If anyo f you are in the Greenville, SC, area or even close enough that you wouldn't mind driving to the area and would like to pitch something to an agent, now is your chance.  Nina will be speaking to our local Sisters in Crime group next Thursday, February 7.  Please see the website for setting up pre-meeting pitches and also for the special menu so that orders can be placed, that is if you plan on staying and dining with the group, so that seating and arrangements can be made.  All food orders must be made before noon Thursday, February 7.  If you order and do not show up, you will have to still pay for dinner.  If you only want something to drink, that is fine too but still need to place orders so that the restaurant will be able to accommodate everyone in the meeting room. See you all in the postings - E :)

Sisters in Crime of Upstate SC: NINA BRUHNS TO SPEAK FEBRUARY 7, TAKE PITCHES FOR ...: Nina Bruhns, best-selling author of nearly 30 novels and editorial director for Entangled Publishing’s Suspense line, will be the guest spe...

This and That

I didn't really have much to report today and I've not done a This and That posting in a few weeks.   I'd almost given up hope of seeing sales again but I checked not too long ago and surprise -  I sold a copy of  "Train of Clues" on amazon -

Was going to run a small contest concerning my bookworms but I've been sick and so haven't accomplished as much as I wanted to, therefore, the contest will be run next week once I've had a chance to play catch up with work and a few other things.  Contacting the librarians this week to remind them of the contest an see if they have had any students submit some ideas.

May have some news about the JGDS series but won't get my hopes up nor  yours right now.  When it happens, it happens and the whole world will know about it.  See you in the postings - E :)

Novel Spaces: Culture and Settings

Great reminder about how an author really needs to be familiar with every aspect  of their story including the culture or setting of the story.  Stop over and see what you think.  - E :)

Novel Spaces: Culture and Settings: Have you ever read a novel set in your hometown and wonder what town they are describing?   Or have you ever seen an expert on televisi...

An Educator's Life: Poetry Tool #2- Musical Language- Part B- Invented...

the next in the series on teaching poetry.  i actually was in the class for this one and it was fun even though i didn't participate much.  stop by and leave some comments on how you teach poetry, made-up words and alliteration -E :

An Educator's Life: Poetry Tool #2- Musical Language- Part B- Invented...: Dr. Seuss is such an amazing writer. He ability to bend the rules of writing and poetry astound me. He was the perfect name to bring up as ...

An Educator's Life: Poetry Tool #2- Musical Language- Part A

this is the third in the series on teaching poetry by Mr. Hughes.  enjoy - Mrs. E :)

An Educator's Life: Poetry Tool #2- Musical Language- Part A: Welcome back to Post #3 in this series of Poetry Lessons in my classroom. If you missed the first post, you may want to start HERE and th...

Bookworm Colors and Writing Contest Update

So this morning, I made the trip to Laurens to hit up that Walmart searching for more colors for my bookworms.  I couldn't find the Melonberry (1 bookworm available) or Ocean (14 bookworms available), so looks like when those two colors are sold out then there won't be any more, unless I happen to print off the coupons from Hobby Lobby and can find them there or order directly through Red Heart with no discount, which I'd rather not do. 

At the end of this week, I will hold a quick guessing contest for the bookworms plus a signed copy of a book -so stay tuned for that.

Just a reminder that the Writing Contest for synopses for my characters from Finally Home  is still going on and is open to all students in grade 4 and up.  I had thought of just leaving it opened to upper elementary/middle schoolers, but I've decided to let high schoolers enter as well.  I've also extended the contest to the 5th of February, so that I can make my rounds on the 7th in the local area to collect any submissions (yes payday so I can have gas enough to run around and gather all the entries) and be able to mail out prepaid envelopes to everyone else.  Hoping to see lots of new ideas and lots more stories in the Kelly Watson series.  Good luck to everyone - looking forward to seeing what your students come up with. - Keep on writing and see you all in the postings - Mrs. E :)

An Educator's Life: Poetry Tool #1- Rhythm

the second posting in the series of teaching poetry to students.  stop by and see what you can learn.  Mrs. E :)

An Educator's Life: Poetry Tool #1- Rhythm: Welcome to Post #2 in a series of posts about my current journey teaching poetry to a group of 60 students composed of 4th, 5th, and 6th gra...

All Things Upper Elementary: Poetry vs. Prose... and more- Journey into Poetry ...

Mr. Hughes has been teaching poetry, not my thing really, but sitting in classes a couple of times a week has helped.  I think Richard Gere said it best in Pretty Woman when he was talking about the opera - people either love it or they don't.  If they love it from the beginning, it becomes part of their soul; if they don't they learn to appreciate but it will never be a part of them.  I think the same can be said about poetry and with the lessons he is sharing, I can learnto appreciate poetry.  stop by and follow his postings on teaching poetry to his students.  - Mrs. E :


All Things Upper Elementary: Poetry vs. Prose... and more- Journey into Poetry ...: Greetings Dear Readers! I can hardly believe that we have all introduced ourselves and now it is time to share the "goods"! WAHOO! For m...

YA Authors You've Never Heard Of: The Accidental Series

I feel that Ophelia and I are in the same boat of sorts.  Stop over and read the full posting and leave a comment to help her out with making her novel Haunted a continuing series.  From the description on amazon, I have a feeling once the ideas start coming  that she won't be able to stop this from being a series.

(DESCRIPTION FROM AMAZON:  Staff ghost story night happens every Thursday at the Poet's Corner Bookstore, but this Thursday will change Cassie's life in waysshe could never have imagined.  When Michael Penfield walks into the store as the new hire, Cassie is surprised to see her friend from childhood.  But Michael has changed since the last time she saw him, from his completely serious demeanor to the scar that mars his face and neck.  Cassie, still reeling from the death of her boyfriend, Daniel, has concerns of her own.  That night, Michael tells a ghost story from the earlier years he shared with Cassie, and both of them are soon involved with phantoms from the past, the haunted house whee Cassie lives, a horrific murder from thirty years ago, even the story Michael has never shared with another living soul.

Not everyone is haunted, but everyone has a ghost story.) -- I particularly think this tag line can lead to some interesting ghost stories to continue her originally planned stand-alone into a series, and the first three reviews are asking for a second one - so let Ophelia know what ideas you might have for the second and following books in this series. - E :)

YA Authors You've Never Heard Of: The Accidental Series: Last summer, I decided to try my hand at writing a series. The decision had been a long time coming. Editors and publishers frequen...

Bookworm colors

Seems Walmart isn't carrying many of the colors of my previously made and sold bookworms, so there will be a few changes along the this year.  I guess the saying  for me is, if you have the money at the time and they have several skeins of the varigated colors you want then get them while you can.

I went to our Walmart yesterday and picked up a Monet, Watercolor, Heartfelt and Bonbon print.  This evening I decided to go to the Walmart in Greenwood and was confused because I thought for sure the last time I bought yarn from a different Walmart was this past summer when I was toting my friend Andi around to doctors' appointments and I really thought I had been in the Greenwood Walmart.  But when I walked into the Walmart I was thinking, not the right Walmart because the food center was where I remembered the crafts/yarn/seasonal type things being.  Well, after finding the craft/yarn/material department in this Walmart and seeing that their selection was even less than the Anderson Walmart, it dawned on me that I actually had purchased yarn at the Laurens Walmart this past summer and they had a pretty decent selection.  I did pick up one skein of Woodsy, another one of Heartfelt and a real  pretty one called Wildflower.

If you would like to see samples of the yarns, just go to Red Heart and click on their yarns and checking out the super saver yarns - as those are what I use for all the bookworms.  As soon as I get these made up, I'll post actual pictures of the colors that are new to the collection.  I guess I'll be making a trip to Laurens either the end of this month or beginning of next since I have a pretty big event planned for March and really need to keep my bookworm supply full.  See you all in the postings.  - Mrs. E :)

This and That

I forgot to post this Sunday so figured while I was posting new blog postings better catch you all up on what happened this past week.

Ebook sales are still at nil.  Nothing since the middle of the December, but it's all good.  Last Wednesday, I went to the Anderson County Library for the showing of Brave and started chatting with another parent who was reading a library book and she bought two of the State books (Successes and Quarries) for her two boys.  I also gave each of them a bookworm and a USA map puzzle. 

Hoping the rest of the year shows some serious sales but that is a decent start to the year.  Now to have about 20 more sales this month - lol - that would really make my day to do that on a monthly basis but I'm not going to hold my breath on that one.  I'll take whatever I can get. 

Friday evening while waiting for my supper at the local Wings place here in town (no, I don't eat wings because they are costly and don't satisfy me - I always get a chicken sandwich which is very tasty), a family came up to pay and I offered a bookmark to the older girl and the mother asked if she could have one too because she was a librarian at a school in Greenwood County.  I told her about the writing contest and got her email address to send her the information to pass on to the students.  I'll send out a reminder email to all the schools I've contacted around the 21st so hopefully I'll have many entries.  I've already purchased the envelopes for the schools to send me the entries.  I found some cool ticket reward things for the students whose stories I select at Dollar Tree.  So don't forget if you have a student who  would like to submit an idea for Kelly and Emma Louise, the deadline is the 31st of this month.  All submissions will be considered and I'll probably send a bookworm to each person who submits.  Looking forward to seeing what the students comes up with.  See you all in the postings - Mrs. E ;)

This and That

Last update for 2012 - hard to believe that 2013 is literally right around the corner. It will take me a few weeks to get used to typing 2013 or writing it but by time I start attending events, I should be able to handle it - lol.

Sales have been slow all year but I can't complain because I have had some sales. I would have loved to have seen twice or three times my actual sales, but there is always next year. Hopefully with new stories coming out, my sales will increase.  I wish I knew someone who could do covers fairly inexpensively for both print and ebooks since I'm working on making Kelly and Emma into a series.

What I've decided to do  is open the series to 4th through 8th graders who would like to see a new story featuring Kelly and Emma, keeping in the tradition of Nancy Drew or any other type of mystery on those lines.  I created a flyer and sent to about 30 or  more  elementary and middle schools asking for students who would like to have their story idea published to submit a 1-page synopsis of a story with a title that they would like to see turned into a novel.  If their idea is chosen, they will receivea signed copy of Finally Home plus a signed copy of their story when it is published.  In addition, their school will receive a signed copy of Finally Home plus the student's story when it is published.  It is possible that I could give away over 60 copies of Finally Home.  Mr. Hughes said it best that this sounds like good publicity for me.  I hope most of the schools participate.  I decided the other day, while chatting with Mr. Hughes, that I would probably pick one story from each school that participates.

This writing event is open to homeschoolers as well, so if you know any students who are in the age range and would like to participate, please pass this information on so that they have an opportunity to participate.  The writing contest ends January 31, 2013, so there is plenty of time to submit ideas.  If you would like your student's school to participate, please send me the school librarian's contact information so I can email the information to her and she can pass it on to all the schools. 

The red, white and blue afghan drawing was great. I didn't really count how many entries I had but it had to be well over 300 (considering two sales in November ended up with 35 and 40 entries).  I will keep the cost of the tickets down to 2/$1 and with every book purchase 5 tickets given.  The winner of the afghan was local and she was so surprised and very appreciative of winning.  I know with the cold weather that the afghan has probably been  used a good bit this month.

I think I have a premade cover for "Butterfly Halves" so hope to be able to get the cover next week and publish it as an ebook.  I will be on the lookout for a premade (inexpensive) cover for "La Cave" and "Zombies Amuck" throughout the year plus covers for new stories in the Kelly Watson series.  The state books are on hold for now since I can't pay Heather for the covers, illustrations and book designs.  I'd love to get back to them but until my sales are up to 500 print runs of each title, it's hard to pay her.  I've not forgotten her but she has probably written me off and I may need to look for a new illustrator for the state stories. I'd love to pick  up a sponsor for those books so that all I would have to do is write the stories and then shoot them over to Heather to do her illustrations and the covers and get everything ready to go (by having a sponsor, I would be able to pay her immediately and not have to worry about  it).   I'll keep working on this aspect of the state stories and hope something good turns up this year.

On the sales front, I averaged 28 books sold per quarter, selling a total of 112 books which covered both ebooks available and print books available.  Compared to 2011, I almost doubled sales. If I can double sales in 2013, that will be a step in the right direction.  My best month was November when I sold 18 books total (3 of Finally Home and 2 of each of the state titles save 4 of Successes plus 1 copy of "Train of Clues"). I will need to order some more of "Train of Clues" and Finally Home to start building my stock again as I am running low on both of those.  I'll have to do an inventory so that I can start getting my state stories up in stock as well but I'm pretty good as far as what I do have available right now.

I did sell one of  the Carolina (USC) colored scarves; two of the Clemson (University) colored scarves and no other scarves or afghans this year.  I ended up giving three of the afghans away to my kids for Christmas, so I still have 5 afghans available. I need to restock yarn for the bookworms and get those done before March so that I have a ton of bookworms going into the event season. 

March is the SCASL conference and then I have to decide where to go from there.  So here's to a good year and hopefully a spike in sales - See you all in the postings and hope you have a safe and blessed New Year celebration - Mrs. E :)

Interview is up

I apparently had in my mind I told Karen to post my interview tomorrow but I was mistaken.  It was set for today.  Stop by Karen's blog and see what kind of interesting questions she asked about cozy mysteries and see how I faltered, um answered her.  Don't forget there is an opportunity to win a signed copy of Finally Home from the MysteryMostCozy facebook page, so follow the link at the end of the intereview to get to the MMC page, join, and then go to the current contest and check join or going or whatever the option is there to be entered in the drawing.  The drawing ends Sunday at 11 PM eastern, so make sure  you have joined before then.  Happy reading and good luck to everyone who enters.  See you all in the postings -E :)

An Educator's Life: Mrs. Claus in Jail??? Creative Writing Gone Crazy!...

Mr. Hughes is at it again with writing activities, now one for the holidays.  Looks like fun and wish I coukd have been in class to participate with them.  If you are interested, his kit is available from TpT (Teachers pay Teachers).


An Educator's Life: Mrs. Claus in Jail??? Creative Writing Gone Crazy!...: Little did I know this morning that I would unleash an amazing avalanche of creative writing by my three writing classes. I have been wanti...

Don't forget I'm offering an opportunity for students to share ideas for new stories in the Kelly Watson series, so have your fourth grader up through middle schooler put their thinking caps on and submit a synopsis of a story they would like to see written.  If their story is picked, they will receive a copy ofFinally Home plus once their story is published, a copy of that.  For more details, you can email me at eeldering@gmail.com.  E :

This and That

First, no takers on my deal from last week's postings so basically no sales anywhere - no ebooks have sold since September. 

I was reading one of the posts on the Novel Spaces blog the other day and exploring the ebook cover designs and may have found one for "Butterfly Halves" and possibly one for a story that has never been published, "La Cave".  I've contacted the first site about the butterfly cover and may be able to get the cover after the holidays, hopefully. 

The one for "La Cave" is kind of up in the air right now because I like three covers on the same site that I feel will fit the book pretty much.  So I have to think about it. 

This Friday, I'll be the guest on Karen Rigley's blog celebrating the Mystery Most Cozy's tenth anniversary.  I'm giving away a signed copy of Finally Home for this celebration.  In order to be eligible for the drawing, you have to join the MMC facebook page and when Jenny posts the contest announcement, you have to click on join and your name will automatically go in the drawing.  So, if you like mysteries, and specifically cozies, stop over on the MysteryMostCozy facebook page and join it to be eligible for any of the drawings going on through January.  Help us celebrate ten years.

My last bit of news or an idea I had while sitting here working last night is that I've decided to hold a mini-contest for students.  Since everyone who has read Finally Home says I need to make it a series with my  characters, Kelly and Emma, I'm going to open the doors to students - write a synopsis of a mystery you would like to see written and receive a copy of Finally Home and once that story is published, a copy of the new story.  The contest is open to fourth graders and up (I think that covers the age group of 10 and up) and I will probably pick at least 10 stories.  The mystery has to occur in a small town since that is where Kelly and Emma live and has to be something that 13-year-olds can get around town easily to solve.  Think on the lines of "Encyclopedia Brown", "Nancy Drew" (minus the ability to drive around to other towns) and "The Boxcar Children." 

The mysteries can be anything, remembering that Kelly has a bit of a psychic power (she can touch things and travel back to see things that have happened that lead her to clues to solve the mystery, which is a new trait I just thought of since I hadn't planned on writing a series).  Emma is the noseybody neighbor who helps Kelly; she's the mayor's daughter and has ways of getting around without breaking the law - like keys to houses that would be owned by the city or are in limbo (delapitated type houses set for being torn down); she's the first person who greeted Kelly and her family when they moved to the small town where the story is set.

With the holidays coming up and everyone going on winter break soon, I will run this contest through the end of January.  I'm going to do a flyer to send out to elementary and middle schools in the area and a few others that I know would probably participate.  If any of my readers know of any children who would like to participate by submitting a synopsis of a storyline, please pass the word on.  Submissions can be made directly to me via email as an attachment (eeldering@gmail.com) or mailed to me (please email me for mailing address).  Looking forward to reading the ideas and getting some new stories out there. 

See you all in the postings - E :)

Novel Spaces: Looking for Pre-made eBook Covers?

I was exploring the blog where Sunny posted her article and found this posting.  So I've been checking out sites for premade ebook covers and found some pretty interesting ones.  of course I should have been working but it's all good the work will get done.  explore the sites and who knows what you may find.  Most are geared for romance, chick lit and fantasy, but the last one has an abundant amount of variety to choose from and she is running a sale right now half off - one cover for $30, three covers for $75, which can be used at a later date.  have fun exploring - E :

Novel Spaces: Looking for Pre-made eBook Covers?: If a book has a great cover, it screams 'PICK ME UP!"  When it doesn't, then I'm less likely to notice it unless I've heard of the author or...

Novel Spaces: Are You Holding Your Novel Hostage?

good article by Sunny Frazier to novice writers about letting go and moving forward with their novels.  E :

Novel Spaces: Are You Holding Your Novel Hostage?: I received an interesting email the other day from one of the authors in the publishing house I work for. Sales for this author's book were ...