 Friday, July 27, 2007 Looking forward to August July was my Cerridwen Press release month, (One Juror Down, July 13th) and now I am back to promoting my Anh Leod identity until Heather Hiestand returns for December's release of Gunshot Grange. For those of you who have found time for One Juror Down despite the new Harry Potter being released less than two weeks later, be reassured that there is another book in the series scheduled to be out in March 08, and it's all ready to go, edited and everything! It's called Two on the Hunt and I'm mulling over books three and four now. I'm really looking forward to seeing my next set of CP covers. I just got my cover for my August EC release, Aphrodite's Kiss, and our beloved artist Seneca did me proud. I hope it is official soon so I can post it! If you are an author or aspiring author, you might want to check out my friend's new e-business, Ninth Moon. The website is http://www.ninthmoon.com. The website is full of products meant to energize, enrich and inspire authors. She has an article download service too, and I have a new article listed there (http://www.ninthmoon.com/searchresult.aspx?CategoryID=33) titled "How to Choose an Electronic Publisher" that I hope will be of assistance to aspiring authors trying to decide if they should submit in the e-world. I wish I'd had an article like it to read when I was deciding! Enjoy your summer! Labels: Heather Hiestand Anh Leod Ninth Moon 
Thursday, July 26, 2007 I admit I got this from another website but I just loved it. So I though I'd share. Hope you all enjoy it. All the best... Mary Eason www.maryeason.bravehost.com Don't Close Your Eyes - Coming August 2007 to Cerridwen Press Thirteen Reasons to Go to Work Naked 1. No one ever steals your chair. 2. Gives "bad hair day" a whole new meaning. 3. Diverts attention from the fact that you also came to work drunk. 4. People stop stealing your pens after they've seen where you keep them. 5. You want to see if it's like the dream. 6. You could easily hold 2 cups of coffee and a "Dozen" doughnuts. 7. "I'd love to chip in... but I left my wallet in my pants." 8. Inventive way to finally meet that ''special'' person in Human Resources. 9. Can take advantage of your computer monitor radiation to work on your tan. 10. So that you can add "Exotic Dancer" to your exaggerated resume. 11. You get to say, "Boy, it's cold in here!" 12. To stop those creepy guys in Marketing from looking down your blouse. 13. Your boss will never say, "I wanna see your ass in here by 8:00!" ever again.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007 I saw the movie, The Lakehouse, not too long ago. I know, I know, I don't get out much. Anyway...the feeling I had after watching that wonderfully romantic movie reminded me of what I felt after watching the movie from "a few" years back entitled, Kate and Leopold. It was a beautiful romance starring Meg Ryan and Hugh Jackman. But how I felt and what I heard really tells the tale... After seeing Kate and Leopold at the movies, I was once again reassured as to why I write romances. There are people who sneer at the idea of reading a romance novel, yet some of those same individuals came out of the movie with happy, satisfied, and yes, even dreamy expressions. As I strolled out of the theater I could hear comments from the folks around me. And, as I picked up what was being said, I did what any red-blooded romance writer would do. I followed the crowd to the end of the line for the restroom, so that I could overhear more. By the way, shouldn’t waiting in line for the bathroom be listed somewhere as the second most frequent national past time for women? But wait, I digress. What I overheard again and again were comments like, “That’s the best movie I’ve ever seen”, or “That’s in my top ten list of favorite movies”. To my surprise, this came from women of all ages and nationalities. Some dressed to the hilt, some wearing t-shirts and jeans; Intellectuals and hipsters. When it comes to romance there seems to be no boundaries. People like love stories. And what’s not to like? Once upon a time two people fall in love. There are often obstacles for the hero and heroine to overcome, but when they succeed, and the day is done, their bond has grown stronger. The feeling of satisfaction, which comes when two characters find their way through difficulties and then are free to be together, is incredible. This was echoed again by the moviegoers around me as they declared, “That was the greatest ending”, and “I just loved how that movie ended”. Deep down, we all want happy endings. So, despite the often daunting task of proving to friends and family that romance is a legitimate genre of literature, and that it is not something to be shrugged off or dismissed as drivel, I have once again experienced an affirmation of my own belief. Love is important to the world. Romance makes us feel happy and gives us hope that everything is going to be all right. The stories written by romance writers are at the very core of what most people want for their own lives; love, success, and of course, happily ever after. Labels: Romance
Monday, July 23, 2007 * Friday the 13th list mom at the CP chat room (with lots of help from other authors : ) ) I posted the first four pages of Underdead, messages 16658, 16704, 16725 and 16773. * Article on promotion in the July CP Newsletter (If you didn't seen the article, keep scrolling. I'm anchor-manning the newsletter with it.) http://www.cerridwenpress.com/newsletter/newsletter_0707.asp * Blogging here (last blog 7/9: "What would you do if you found yourself turning into a vampire?") * Interview of other CP/EC authors on things they do to promote their books, including contests and giveaways. The full interviews are posted on my website: http://www.lizjasper.com/. For e-book authors or anyone who's interested, you can email me and I'll send you a "to do" promo list compiled from all the interviews. * SUMMER CONTEST: Come up with the best name for the new vampire in my next book (surely you can do better than my filler name: Natasha's vampire arm candy). Winner gets a TY in the book and a copy of it. See my website for details. That's http://www.lizjasper.com/ in case you're too lazy to move your eyes up four lines. No judgement. Not on a Monday. And for those of you still reading (hey, you were warned!), who might want to know something about my cozy vampire mystery, UNDERDEAD, here's the latest review and the back cover blurb: "UNDERDEAD is certainly not your typical vampire story, it’s better…. I guarantee UNDERDEAD will have you laughing out loud, while keeping you in suspense right up until the end.” ~~ Two Lips Reviews Blurb: Science teacher Jo Gartner thinks teaching geology to hormonal pre-teens is deadly... until she is bitten by an inept vampire and becomes UNDERDEAD--all the problems of being a vampire, none of the perks. When she finds a body on her classroom floor with teeth marks in his neck, she must figure out "whodunnit" before her Underdead secret gets out. But she's running out of time. The detective in charge of the case is dogging her every move, her vampire traits are evolving in new and embarrassing ways, and someone wants Jo dead...the traditional way! That's it. I'm done promoting today. Stop cheering and go read a book. And have a great day!! Cheers, Liz Jasper Labels: blurb, cerridwen press, mystery, promotion, Reviews, underdead vampires
Sunday, July 22, 2007 Here's what she had to say:"Jessica Shin's incredible talent becomes apparent as she gently unfolds this heartwarming story, giving us two strong characters who will instantly win your heart. Yet she never forgets that the supporting characters are equally important to the essence of any successful story. The readers are left breathless and wishing it were they when Noelle and Antonio finally give into their feelings and let A Rapture of Centuries sweep them away.It doesn't get any better than that." And it really doesn't get any better than that for a first review! So they spelled my name wrong on the web page...I'll live. Where's the champagne?? After all the time and effort you put into a book, to have someone read and appreciate it - especially with comments as great as that - is really something valuable. Jessica Shin A Rapture of Centuries now available from Cerridwen Press Tell Me Lies coming soon from Cerridwen Press http://www.jessicashin.com http://www.myspace.com/jessicashin Labels: A Rapture of Centuries, Reviews
Friday, July 20, 2007 Now, I am a "professional" writer. I'm starting to realize I do have some procrastination in my style. In the past I noticed that I lost about 3 months of writing time when I started a new job. I don't have that luxury any more! I'm in the end zone on the first draft of my first complete novel with my new job, but guess what, I got promoted and move to a new location starting this Thursday! So what am I doing? Writing about 4 times more than I usually do over the next few days so I can at least get the first draft done before starting the new job. It would be much easier if I'd just kept to my very reasonable new-job writing schedule in the first place! Don't you hear it all the time though-writers talk about working 12 hour days, or even pulling all-nighters, when they have a book due? Then there's those book-in-a-month type projects that people are always doing. Is procrastination/mad work just part of the life cycle of creativity? What do you think? Labels: Heather Hiestand Anh Leod creativity
Wednesday, July 18, 2007 Again, the heading is ambiguous. Is "when" we write the point at which we take pen in hand or (more likely these days) set fingers on keyboard and let fly those words rolling around in our heads? Or is "when" we write the period or era that we like to write about? Both interesting questions. The "when" when we write... I know writers who prefer to do their writing in the middle of the night. For them, of course, it's the best time to write. It's quiet, there are no distractions (or at least fewer), and the entire world seems to be waiting for them. I really wish I could write in the middle of the night. Then, of course, people like me are asleep in the middle of the night. In fact, because I wake up at a gruesomely early hour (allowing me to do my own work before I go into the Day Job), I tend to start dozing at an embarrassingly early hour in the evening. If the Hub is off at a baseball game, I write later into the evening before hanging it up about nine. If not, and we try to catch up on what we have waiting on TiVo (love that TiVo!), just the act of sitting down in front of the TV increases the odds that I'll be out like the proverbial bug light. And that annoys me, because I'll wake up a couple of hours later, just in time to go to sleep, to again wake up at a gruesomely early hour. Quality time with the Hub? More likely quality time with him listening to me snooze. So for me, the hours between coming home from the Day Job and drifting off/making dinner/taking care of something else are precious. Heck, any time that I'm not dozing off is precious! Now, the other "when." I write fantasies, futuristics, contemporaries and near-future stories. Why? Those speak loudest to me. That doesn't stop me from reading and enjoying historicals, but I couldn't write 'em. For me, the stories that are right around the corner, whether literal or figurative, are the ones that make me sit up (hey, maybe even wake up!) and take notice, and make me wonder. I know that history has its own mystique and charm -- a time no longer within memory, a time with questions of its own, questions that may never be answered because, hey, it's past. But I also know that history is written by the winners, and the voice of the losers, those who lost out on the social evolution, may never be heard. Although that's an interesting idea too. Oh heck. I may find myself writing a historical yet. Eilis Flynn THE SLEEPER AWAKES and FESTIVAL OF STARS, Cerridwen Press "With The Sleeper Awakes, Eilis Flynn has quickly catapulted herself to the top of any fantasy fan's 'must buy' list."--Two Lips review "Festival of Stars allows two loving people another chance in life to be with each other. ... a heartwarming read, one full of emotions and family issues that transpire in real life."--Fallen Angels review --
Saturday, July 14, 2007 Ah, those simple days when I could just read all day long, all night long and my only care was making sure my chores were done so I wouldn't get in trouble. I remember one night devouring both my dinner and Peppermints in the Parlor while sitting on the couch, oblivious to everything else. I even remember what I was eating - a Totino's pizza with Canadian bacon. I will forever associate that book and that food. Why is that memory so strong? Don't know, but I have a feeling it was because that was a hell of a book. A few years ago I started picking up random books on ebay or half.com that I remember vividly from childhood or teenage-hood. On the list: The Girl With the Silver Eyes, The Egypt Game, Peppermints in the Parlor, A Little Princess, The Secret Garden and The Vampire Diaries series to name a few. What's on your list? Jessica Shin A Rapture of Centuries now available from Cerridwen Press! Tell Me Lies coming soon from Cerridwen Press! http://www.cerridwenpress.com http://www.jessicashin.com http://www.myspace.com/jessicashin Labels: books, childhood, memories, reading
Friday, July 13, 2007  Today is my fifth anniversary with my husband. No, we haven't been married five years (more like one and a bit) but we met at a mutual friend's housewarming party five years ago tonight and spent seven hours talking. I thought he was "the one" right away. I'd always thought I'd meet my man through mutual friends and that was how it worked out. Unfortunately, this was in Washington State and he was on vacation, headed back to Georgia the next day. Obviously though, it all worked out. I think we'll primarily celebrate our wedding anniversary as "our" day, but this one is still special enough that my husband sent me a cell phone card that had pictures and music (who knew those existed) and we might go out tonight. So for writers, which anniversaries do we celebrate? The day we sold? The day the book's cover came? The day the book came out? The day we got our first royalty statement? The day our book came out in print? The day we found out we'd made one thousand dollars on one book (RWA-ers will have a sad laugh on that one?) I guess we can celebrate all of these, but I was still very happy yesterday when my second novel, One Juror Down was released electronically. Yeah! My hands are tired from chatting about it for 12 hours yesterday, so I will close with that. Have a great weekend! Labels: anniversaries, Heather Hiestand, One Juror Down
Monday, July 09, 2007 Run and hide? That's an option middle school science teacher Jo Gartner of UNDERDEAD would be more than happy to take. Except on her salary she doesn't have a lot of savings and there's that small issue of paying next month's rent. The running part is out. As is curling into the fetal position and hiding in her closet. Go on a rampage? Another good suggestion. And Jo's certainly got the proverbial redhead's temperament to do it. The only problem is, she was raised better. And with her luck, rampaging would put her on the nine o'clock news, which means her mother would find out. And Jo's mother has had the redhead's temperament a lot longer. No rampaging, then. Eat chocolate? Well of course. Stress bake? Defininely. Confront the vampire who's trying to turn you undead and tell him to leave you alone? That would be a lot easier if Will didn't scare the crap out of her. And if he weren't so breath-suckingly handsome. And if he wasn't the only thing that stood between her and the other vampires who want to see her dead--the regular way. Rely on the handsome police detective for help? Maybe, but she's not sure if he wants to help her or stake her. So what does she do? She tries to live as normally as possible. Which would be great if she were normal... ... and if she didn't find a body on her classroom floor. Read about Jo Gartner's adventures in UNDERDEAD, available now at Cerridwen Press. And help Liz Jasper name a new vampire in the sequel--with her thanks and a copy of the sequel (when it's done)--by visiting www.lizjasper.com. And answer me this: What would YOU do if you found yourself turning into a vampire? Cheers, Liz
Labels: contest, detective, murder, mystery, normal, stakes, undead, underdead, vampires
Sunday, July 08, 2007 Does life imitate art? My older sister called today and told me that she was using an online dating service and had met someone who was 'interesting'. Hmm. I just had a book come out that talked about someone who used an online dating service. In that book, there were some problems, but so far, it's working out okay for my sister. Then she said that she was nervous about the whole romance thing after so long being single. Hmm. My recent book with Cerridwen has the same sort of theme. Then she said, "I wonder if I should take a chance on this or not?" That was spooky. One of my characters had the same doubts. In fact, now that I think about it, all my characters have similar doubts about re-entering the dating world after being out of it. Which came first -- the chicken or the egg? Or am I just psychic? Nah. Your Saving Grace is about two people who wrestle with these issues. They come face to face with their own insecurities because they really weren't looking for love in their life. And when love came in, they had to figure out if they were ready for it or not. It's a tricky question sometimes, not always straightforward. Admitting someone to your life means you may have to compromise, you may need to change. And change can be tough, especially when you're not particularly unhappy with the life you have. I'll be curious to see how it all shakes out. To those going to RWA's conference: see you there. To those not going, have a great week! J
Labels: J L Wilson, recent releases
Friday, July 06, 2007 I save my first page excerpts for my newsletter (you can sign up through my website), so I won't post the prologue here, but this is a taste of Chapter One. Chapter OneMonday The courtroom was smaller than Cass Bellair expected, more constricting. The exhausted victim in the witness box, tawny hair hiding her bowed head, sat only inches away from the plush juror chairs. The counsel tables were just a few feet from Cass, Juror One on this trial, The State of Washington vs. Oscar Nesell.“Did the defendant tell you to ‘shut the hell up’?” Mary Diamond, the prosecutor, demanded, ignoring the tears trickling down Brenda Quinn’s pretty face. Painfully young and very pregnant, the girl elicited great sympathy from Cass, who knew what it felt like to be in her shoes.“Objection, leading the witness,” the defense attorney said from the counsel table. A gaunt man in his fifties, he had a hangdog expression suggesting he didn’t want to be there.“Sustained, rephrase the question, please,” Judge Yu responded.“What did the defendant say after he escorted you into the bathroom?” Mary Diamond said quickly, without looking at the judge.Cass squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, as if hiding from the testimony would help. To distract herself, Cass glanced at Juror Two next to her, hoping to gauge his reaction. An elderly gentleman, the only juror wearing a suit, shifted anxiously in his chair. She could hear other jurors rustling in their seats behind her and had to admit this was the first time any of the proceedings of the court had seemed like the trial shows on television. Until now the testimony had been delivered in dispassionate monotones.Brenda sniffed. “I don’t remember the words exactly, ma’am. “I was so frightened, I—”“Calm down, Brenda, take as much time as you need.” The prosecutor scanned the jury, no doubt to see what they thought about Brenda’s testimony so far.Behind Cass, a juror sneezed. The cottonwood seeds that blew for a couple of weeks right before school let out for summer turned the Seattle area into a paradise for allergy doctors. After the second sneeze, Cass turned her head slightly and saw the hunky juror in the back row hand the sneezer, a girl who Cass had dubbed the barista from the way she reeked of coffee, a handkerchief.The hunk’s name was Ben and he was delicious. Ben’s well-formed head was crowned with thick, wavy dark hair that begged her hands to run through it. He had broad shoulders, a tapered torso and biceps that bulged in the black T-shirt he wore. She wished she knew how to get his attention, but she hadn’t been sure of herself in that way for a long time. http://www.heatherhiestand.com/ www.myspace.com/heatherhiestand
Thursday, July 05, 2007 It’s been a long road to get this far and now that release day is here, I’m….I’m nervous. I feel like I’m walking around in the itty bitty teeny weeny yellow polka-dot bikini, terrified of what people are going to think. What if they don't like it? WHAT IF THEY DO? But…I’ve been facing my fears for years so it’s par for the course. Skydiving, getting a black belt, doing public speaking...this ought to be nothing. That butterflies-in-the-stomach feeling is becoming second nature to me. But this...this is different. This is the first big step in a journey that began long ago when, at four years old, I scribbled garbage on the back of my brother's homework assignment and ran to ask my mom if I'd actually written anything. It continued when I plopped down during the summer between third and fourth grades decided I was going to write a book. All those stories and books I wrote through junior high and high school primed me for the real stuff I would write as I got older. Writing is a friend I've always had, invisible like an imaginary friend, yet more real than anything else. And today, I start to share my friend with the rest of the world. Jessica Shin A Rapture of Centuries now available from Cerridwen Press! Tell Me Lies coming soon from Cerridwen Press! http://www.cerridwenpress.com http://www.jessicashin.com http://www.myspace.com/jessicashin Labels: cerridwen press, facing fear, romance novel, writing
Wednesday, July 04, 2007 as a nation decided not to be ruled by England. In other parts of the world, though, it's just July 4. But wherever we are, no matter what culture we're currently in, today is Interdependence Day for my husband and me, because it's our anniversary. We got married on July 4 in Brooklyn, NY, 23 years ago, in the restaurant in Eventually, we moved away -- across the country, even, to Washington state -- How is any of this relevant? Well, I write romances. And our wedding was Eilis Flynn |
