I’m a Guest Poster and Other Exciting Tidbits

Today I’m featured at The Unpublished Writers’ Guide to Survival where I tell how I got to where I am, publishing-wise, that is. Which isn’t much, but hey, I’m still new. So come on over and say hello or boo or laugh at me and maybe you’ll find a new blog to follow. J Here’s the LINK.

I’ve got big news! I’ve mentioned before that I’m one of thirteen authors involved with a Facebook page, Sizzle and Sass. It’s been up and running for awhile now, pretty much available to any of us that want to post under the Sizzle and Sass name. Starting this week, one author will take over hostess duties each week for the next 13 weeks (my week is November 3-9). So what’s the big news? Starting tomorrow, Sizzle and Sass will be holding a sweepstakes.

 

My cover is on this - see? Far right. Yahoo!

 

One lucky follower will win a Kindle and a book from each of us. Now, my book isn’t available until January 6, but I will either send an ARC or gift a copy when it comes out. So…Like the page. Enter the sweepstakes. Spread the word. Here's the LINK.

Soon-to-be self-published author, Laura Stephenson asked if I would help get the word out regarding her Kickstarter project. I don’t how much my word will mean, I don’t even have 100 followers (that I know about, anyway). I’m lucky to get 75 hits a day (and who knows how many of those are my own - haha!). But hey, if putting the word out here helps her, then I’m all for it. So here’s the LINK to her blog, which has the link to her project (if you care to help her out).

 

That is all! Well, until Wednesday, that is. J

Happy Monday!

 

Stacy

 

Changes, Schmanges

Okay, how many you belong to a Yahoo group? How many of you use AOL software? Recently, they have both upgraded. I use both. Can’t say I’m happy with either one.

AOL switched their browser from Internet Explorer to Google Chrome. I made sure NOT to make it my home page, and to only have it affect my mail. Thank goodness I did, because when I upgraded I had no idea WHICH browser it was switching to. Only once I upgraded did I find out.

Opening e-mails is a pain now. I click on the “next” button, but if the e-mail has any links, I don’t get the “enable links” button unless I close the e-mail and re-open it. How is that better?

AOL said it’s faster. I open a news article and it locks everything up. How it that better?

I’m not putting the blame on my computer. With AOL 9.6, I may have had some problems, but nothing compared to what I’m getting now. This only reinforces my hatred for Chrome. And yes, I sent AOL feedback. We’ll see if they do anything.

As for Yahoo... Yes, they upgraded. For the most part I don’t have an issue. I’m not there a whole heck of a lot. The problem I have with them is through their Groups and getting messages through e-mails. Most of my groups are set to immediate e-mail. Ha! I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen replies to e-mails come through before the original e-mail. Heck, even an e-mail I sent to a group last week has yet to show in my own e-mail. Kind of wonder when I’ll finally see it.

I did go to the site to offer my feedback, but I think they’re getting the message. LOTS of people are complaining - and I’m able to see the complaints.

Sometimes I wonder if these companies actually TEST their new software before spreading it out to the masses.

I’ll admit it, I hate change (especially when I think it’s unnecessary). It’s one of the reasons I hope I never have to lose Vista. The stuff that replaced it has not interested me in the least (and I’ve used Windows 7 and seen enough of Windows 8 to not even want to bother). Don’t even get me started on upgrading Word 2003. Does that make me a dinosaur? **ROAR**

So how do you feel about change? Has Yahoo or AOL made you crazy yet? Or do you use another browser/software that drives you just as batty?

Here’s hoping it’s not driving you too batty not to enjoy the upcoming weekend. Happy Friday!

 

Stacy

 

Wednesday Reads

My motivation is waning. Oh, not with reading or writing (like that will ever happen!). With exercising. Since June, I’ve been doing the weight training basically three days a week (one hour each day, increasing my weights regularly), walking and/or bike riding the days I don’t go to the gym, and even cutting back on my eating and I have no weight loss to report (my clothes aren't getting baggy, either). It’s sad and so depressing! I guess I have mother nature to thank for that (as I fan off another hot flash). Something’s gotta give soon. I’m pretty certain I’m gaining muscle. When will it eat off the fat?

Anyway, here’s what I read during the last week (it's light as I’m struggling with my current read):

Sep 18: “Killer Instinct” by Zoë Sharp. This is a mystery thriller. Blurb on back: Charlotte “Charlie” Fox makes a living teaching self-defense to women in a quiet northern English city. It makes best use of the deadly skills she picked up after being kicked out of army Special Forces training for reasons she prefers not to go into. So, when Susie Hollins is found dead hours after she foolishly takes on Charlie at the New Adelphi Club, Charlie knows it’s only a matter of time before the police come calling. What they don’t tell her is that Hollins is the latest victim of a homicidal rapist stalking the local area. Charlie finds herself drawn closer to the crime when the New Adelphi’s enigmatic owner, Marc Quinn, offers her a job working security at the club. Viewed as an outsider by the existing all-male team, her suspicion that there’s a link between the club and a serial killer doesn’t exactly endear her to anyone. Charlie has always taught her students that it’s better to run than to stand and fight. But, when the killer starts taking a very personal interest, it’s clear he isn’t going to give her that option… I bought this book years ago with the intent on reading it soon. Yeah, I have a whole bookcase full of intentions! But I finally got around to this one and became hooked (next one is on order). Charlie is a character I want to know more of. I have a feeling I may never get through my to-be-read list, since it grows faster than I can read them! I gave this book 4 stars on Goodreads. If you like thrillers, give this a try. You might become hooked, too.

So how large is your stack of un-read books? According to Goodreads, I’ve got 73. But then, I don’t think I have them all entered, either.

Happy reading!

Stacy

 

Pictures - Do You Know What These Are? I Don't

Today for a little fun, I would like someone to tell me what these things are on the following pictures. It's hard to gain this information on the web, since I don't know how to seach a picture. So... if anyone out there knows, I would sure appreciate you shedding some light my way.

This one is semi-easy. I know it's a bug (ooh - aren't I smart?). I took this picture from inside my house, so this is the underside of the bug and it's kind of blurry, since I couldn't get it to focus up close. I THINK it's a stink bug (although the stink bugs I used to call stink bugs back when I was a kid living in Southern California were black and looked like beetles). I hate these things, though. They like to jump at you. And, well, I don't like things that jump at me. Especially bugs! And if this is a stink bug, do they really stink? Have you ever smelled one? Curious minds...

This one is a mystery. I noticed it hanging from the top of the porch overhang a couple of weeks ago. I tried to knock it off with a broom, but it ain't budging. I think it'll need to be cut off, but no one remembers to bring out scissors when we go outside. I thought it was just a lone thing until I saw our little tree (below).

Can't tell from this picture too well, but off to the left, where it appears a different tree is growing (and it's all the same tree - I checked), more of those things are displayed. I took a closer shot, below.

There are lots of these suckers. So, is it some kind of seed pod? Or has some strange creature laid eggs? Should I worry? Should we cut the whole thing down? I mean, the tree has looked in better condition. It used to be all one shape! It's strange how this other growth has morphed out of it. Have you ever had a tree do that to you?

I think I've asked enough questions. Sure hope I see some answers! Happy Monday!

Stacy

Aack! Promotion!

It kind of amazes me how obsessed some authors can get over promoting their book. They’re worried if they have the right cover, or if they’re on the right site, or if they should blog or twitter or whatever. Or they wonder how they can get more reviews so they can move up in the rankings. It’s crazy out there.

I wonder how they can write being so stressed out like that.

Even with the little bit I’m doing now, I’m finding it time consuming. Almost overwhelming. I’m not even OUT there with the people, and it’s draining me. That’s how much of an introvert I am, I guess. Do I need to pile on the stress and obsess over reviews and ratings? No, I don’t. But do I need to promote? Hmmm… If I self-pubbed, I probably wouldn’t put much effort into it, but since I’m through a publisher, they kind of expect me to do something.

One promotional tool I’m interested in will get my book promo in front of book clubs. The site isn’t up yet and will cost me a little bit of money, but I will seriously consider using them. Getting the word out to book clubs sounds like the way to go, and a whole lot less stressful. Of course, now I must figure out what kind of promo material to send and how much I want to spend. Aack!

Can you tell I’m not a great decision-maker?

But I am a business. I know this. And a business must spend money to make money. I’m hoping since I’ve been blogging for so long, and have a few conferences under my belt, that maybe I won’t have to go to extremes to promote. Besides, isn’t the best promotion having another book out there? That’s what I SHOULD be working on, isn’t it?

I’ll say one thing: you won’t find me obsessing over something I can’t control - reviews and rankings. I need to just get the next book out there. Easier said than done, though, huh? But I’m working at it!

So how do you feel about promotion? Do you like getting it? I have to admit, I don’t. But apparently a lot of readers do. Especially if the author makes it personal (just another thing I have to figure out). 

Happy Friday!

 

Stacy

P.S. This was posted late because of internet difficulties at home. You know the kind: lack thereof! Hopefully all fixed now, though.