Happy Happy Joy Joy!!!

They did it! The Penguins are the Stanley Cup Champions!!! I’m so happy!!!

And now it’s time to buy some new shirts!!!!! Haha!

I had fun at the Annual Reader Author Get Together this past weekend. And I got an awesome gift from a reader!!

I saw her handing out a similar glass to the author next to me. When the author thanked the reader for the gift, the reader thanked the author for writing a good book. I thought that was rather sweet. Then this reader pulled out another glass and headed my way.

I saw what was written on it and I said, “Oh wow! You read my short story.”

She said, “Yep. I liked it so much I bought all your others, so it worked.”

 

I love how it has John’s stethoscope and a snowflake (since it was snowing in my story). The vampire mouth is pretty awesome, too. I think I need a display cabinet now. J Until then, this glass will sit on the entertainment stand, beside the neat snow globe Kensington had made for my first two books.

Let me tell you, though… It’s readers like that that make me think that maybe I do know how to write well. She certainly made my con!

So… it’s late as I write this. Don’t know if I’ll be able to get any sleep. Just so freakin’ happy! What a way to begin a week.

Have a great Monday!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and Keeping Fingers Crossed

Since I’ve been doing all my walking outside (weather permitting, that is), my reading has really taken a hit. And I doubt I read much this weekend, either. Why? Because I’ll be at the Reader Author Get Together. I’m sure there will be moments that I’ll FEEL like going into my room and read (or decompress), but I’ll do my best not to. Kind of hard to be seen if I’m huddled in my room.

Here’s what I read the past week:

June 3: “I Am Legend” by Richard Matheson, a horror novella at 170 pages. Blurb from book: Robert Neville is the last living man on Earth…but he is not alone. Every other man, woman, and child on earth has become a vampire, and they are all hungry for Neville’s blood. By day, he is the hunter, stalking the sleeping undead through the abandoned ruins of civilization. By night, he barricades himself in his home and prays for dawn. How long can one man survive in a world of vampires? I had seen the Will Smith movie, but until recently, didn’t know it was based on a book (or rather, novella). And I’d heard it was different, so I had to check it out. Yep, the book is way different and way better. But then, the books usually are.

Funny how I came to read this story. A discussion on Charleton Heston (one of my favorite actors) led to “Omega Man” (which I had never seen), which led to the book. Boy! Sometimes I feel like I’ve been living under a rock. Well I can now say I’ve seen “Omega Man,” too and realized I wasn’t missing much. J I still like Charleton Heston, though.

With the Penguins win on Monday night (whoo hoo!!), putting them up 3-1, I sooooo want to celebrate the Pens championship on Thursday night (**fingers crossed**). Hopefully I don’t disturb my neighbors too much. I can get a little vocal during the games. J

So… Are you enjoying nice weather in your area? If not for my walking, I’d probably never go outside! Ain’t that horrible?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Penguins, Walking, RAGT, and the Dentist

Well, no chance of the Penguins sweeping the Sharks now (they are up 2-1, though). I was hoping they would because I’ll be at the Annual Reader Author Get Together (RAGT) on Thursday and really didn’t want to watch Game 5 at the hotel. At least the game is supposed to be on NBC, so I shouldn’t have any problems seeing it in my room. But I’ll miss watching it with my daughter. And getting my game-day smoothie.

Whatever will I do???

**Must look to see if there is a Tropical Smoothie Café located near hotel**

Drat. There isn’t. Guess I’ll have to find something else.

Last week (Mon-Fri) I walked over 10,000 steps each day. I’ve never done that before. The weekend? Not even close. I think I was too pooped! J But I will continue with my quest to walk to and from the fitness center during the week.

Until Thursday, that is.

I’m co-hosting one of the pre-con rooms (with Teri Anne Stanley and Meg Cooper) at RAGT and I need to be there by 10. Which means I need to leave at 9. Which means I ain’t walking. J I doubt I walk on Friday, too.

Why is it when you’re away from home, your routine crashes? Or maybe it’s just me. Well, I’m sure my feet will appreciate the break. Although I will be at a con; I might get that walking in anyway. **fingers crossed**

Today I will see the dentist about my broken crown/cap/whatever-it’s-called. That should be fun (not). Well, at least it shouldn’t be painful (yet). I’m sure that’ll come later. I’ll report the findings in the comments later today.

So… How’s your week looking?

Happy Monday!

Stacy

I Sold Some Books!

Lori Foster’s Reader Author Get Together this year was probably my best year EVER! I certainly sold more books here than I have anywhere else. Now, maybe 8 books doesn’t seem like a lot to you, but hey, I was flabbergasted! I’m a NOBODY (at least when it comes to the author world). And I didn’t know the people who bought my books. That they decided to take a chance on me is a humbling feeling. I sure hope I don’t let them down!

Also, between the three conferences, I managed to add 29 more subscribers to my newsletter. Not too shabby, huh?

But you want to know what maybe the best part of the whole thing was? I got to pick up Darynda Jones from the airport and drive her 45 miles to the hotel! She’s one of my most favorite authors. Sometimes volunteering turns out awesome (because I had volunteered before knowing who I was driving).

So… I had a great weekend (couldn’t you tell?). I hope you did, too. But just trying to get caught up and work on the submissions I’m judging and then realizing I had to put out my newsletter and announce a winner of the autographed book, and then realizing I still haven’t written anything for the blog, well, it just about did me in. So glad it’s all done with. Now maybe I can get back to finishing Ghostly Interlude. Is there something in your life you’ve been putting off and can’t wait to get back to?

Have a great Monday!

Stacy

I’m At RAGT and a DVR Update

Today I’ll be selling/signing books at the book fair during RAGT (that would be the Reader Author Get Together held at the Marriott in West Chester, OH). In fact, I’ll be there all day and tomorrow, so I won’t be on line for awhile.

Gosh, I hope I don’t explode or something! J

I finally went out this week and replaced the family room DVR (which is working fine, by the way—yay!). While at Time Warner Cable, I was told about their new, enhanced DVRs. This DVR can record up to 6 shows and we would only need regular boxes on the other TVs to watch any show recorded on that DVR. Sounds good except… If THAT DVR went out, then we would lose EVERYTHING. I think I’ll stay with the three whole-house DVRs, at least until they have a way of copying (or backing up) shows. We’ve been burned twice by bad DVRs. I’m not going for that charm! Plus, I can’t imagine when all our DVRs will be cleared of shows. We’re not exactly speedy watchers. That’s why we record in the first place.

Yesterday the weather was absolutely beautiful (about time, too!). I took advantage of an errand I had to make at the base and drove my sweetie’s convertible. Yes, I put the top down. One time I didn’t mind going on that errand!

So… Got any summer vacation plans this year? Our summer is relatively quiet this year (just an occasional baseball game). We tend to take our vacations when the kids are in school (and it’s not so busy). Although, spending a week at a beach doesn’t sound all that bad. Hmmm…

Have a great weekend!

Stacy

I’m in a Funk Now, But You Can Find Me At These Events Later

Doctor visit went fine. I just have a cold. The annoying-doesn’t-want-to-leave kind of cold. But I was given lots of drugs, of which I’m using most (one makes my stomach upset and whacks out my nerves, so I just stay away from that one. Who needs a decongestant that doesn’t make you sleepy anyway?).

Still operating at a bit of a funk, though. Hoping that doesn’t still equate to no writing. I haven’t written since last Monday and would really, REALLY like to get back to my project. Of course, I’m expecting my edits back today, too (my daughter promised!). I think I’ll be fine to get to work on those. I’m motivated to finish Blind Temptation. And not just because I want to get it published.

See… I plan on attending a few conventions and would LOVE to have the paperback there to sell and sign. And that can only happen if I get it finished in time!!!

What conventions will I be at? I’m so glad you asked!

May 12-17: Romantic Times (RT) Book Lovers Convention (https://www.rtconvention.com/). It’s held in Dallas this year and I hadn’t PLANNED on going, but my friend wanted to experience RT and I couldn’t say no, especially when she said she didn’t mind driving. I just learned last week that I’ll be giving away copies of Ghostly Liaison at the Kensington book signing event (yay!!). Last year I didn’t have any physical books to give away, so I kind of sat and watched the crowd. This year I decided to participate in the FANtastic Day party (since authors were asked if they wished to be included). I don’t have much swag to give, but hopefully I don’t need much (I’ve got my buttons, a few totes, and plenty of postcards!).

May 29-30: Cleveland Rocks Romance Conference (http://www.neorwa.com/conference-2/). In case you couldn’t tell, it’s held in Cleveland (okay, technically Strongsville) and is being run by the Northeast Ohio Romance Writers of America. I was actually e-mailed and asked if I wanted to be part of the book signing for this event. Shocked the heck out of me (they probably just knew me from the Columbus chapter, but still…). I could have just gone up for the book signing on Saturday, but decided to attend the whole convention because it looked fun.

June 4-7: Reader Author Get Together (RAGT)  (http://readerauthorgettogether.com/). This is held in West Chester, Ohio (by Lori Foster) on the same weekend every year and is limited to 500 participants, of which only 100 are authors. I was very happy to have gotten registered as an author before it filled up (because that happened about fifteen minutes after it opened).

If you’re in the area for ANY of these, the book signings are open to the public. Hopefully by then I won’t still be coughing! J

So… Anyone watching March Madness? Got a favorite team? I was really hoping Dayton would have made it to the Sweet 16, but they didn’t. Oh well… Guess I'll just have to root for West Virginia. Go Mountaineers!

Stacy

Fun at RAGT

Look at me! Surrounded by books. Too bad they’re not all mine. J

The book signing at Lori Foster’s Reader Author Get Together (RAGT) went fairly well. I sold 4 books. Yeah, two of them went to my friend (who accompanied me), but a sale is a sale, right?

I don’t know how the blog thing went (if it was live or recorded or what), but I thought I did fairly well. My friend was sitting in the session and SAID I did, so I can only go by that. I do know I was FREEZING! The air was set to 65 and was blowing on me. And add that to the fact I was just a bit nervous (okay, maybe a lot), I couldn’t stop shivering.

But overall, I had a fun time at the convention. Met lots of friends and made some new ones, too. And my friend absolutely LOVED it. Now she’s interested in going to RT next year (which is in Dallas). If she decides she wants to go, I said I would go with her.

I think I hooked her on reader conventions. J Am I a good friend or what? Okay, don’t answer that!

Have you ever hooked anyone on anything?

Here’s to a happy and productive Monday! Think you can swing that?

Stacy

 

Lori Foster Reader Author Get Together

I’m at the Lori Foster Reader Author Get Together in West Chester, Ohio. Tonight I’ll be at the book fair, selling (and signing) the anthologies I’m included in. It’s open to the public, so if you find yourself in the West Chester area, at the Marriott Hotel, between 5-7pm, come look for me! Haha!

On Saturday I’m included in a live blog feed. Here are the details I got:

2014.RAGT.Live.BackstagePass.png

Sat, Jun 7, 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM - BACKSTAGE PASS
Confirmed Authors: Milly Taiden, Nancy Northcott, Tigris Eden, Chelsea O'Neal, Robyn Peterman, Stacy McKitrick, Jessica Lemmon, Paige Tyler, Catherine Castle, and Heather Long
Interviewer: Joyfully Reviewed
Moderators: Liza Brown
Hangouts On Air Link: https://plus.google.com/events/cq6rh0tndahjl06nmq4opi73rig
YouTube Link: http://youtu.be/UPhEFXtAGq0

Not sure how it’s all going to work, or if I’ll be able to be heard (gotta talk for that to happen, right?), but if you’re free during that time and have nothing else better to do, check it out. And then tell me what you saw/heard. I’m really curious!

Here are some pictures of the gift basket I’ve donated to the convention.

And here’s a better shot of the scarf I made. I thought it turned out pretty nice.

 

Don’t know how often I’ll be on my computer while I’m here, but at least I have free internet (shocker, huh?).

Hope you’re having as much fun as I am this weekend. Well, I hope I’m having loads of fun. I’m trying, anyway.

Stacy