Wednesday, July 31, 2013

2, 3 and 4 in Equestrian Sports!

This is so exciting!  Thank you.


And yes, I reached the end of Bittersweet Farm 3.  Need another edit.  Off to the proofreader soon, then formatting and then publication!

Friday, July 26, 2013

Hubris and Nemesis

This morning I checked all the sites selling my books and I realized I had never uploaded Charlie aka Dream Horse to iTunes.  So I took care of that.

Yesterday the news was going around about a big Romance Writers convention where authors always made appointments with editors and agents to try/struggle to get the attention of these demi-gods.  The demi-gods would be bored and after the alloted 10 min. it would be "Next!"  This year, instead of it being impossible for writers to get one of these coveted appointments, the dance cards of the demi-gods were wide open.  The people getting the attention were fellow writers who struck it big in digital and they were glad to share their knowledge and experience with everyone.  "Come on, you can do it, too!" is a lot more empowering than "I don't know how this would sell in a really tough market."

In ancient Greece there were two words.  Hubris means extreme arrogance, an overestimation of one's own competence or capabilities.  Nemesis is the spirit of divine retribution against those who succumb to hubris.  If you get too big for your britches, somehow you will be taken down.

Those much maligned women who write in a category no elitist will deign to mention, just gave traditional publishing their first big newsflash.  "We don't need you anymore.  Not on your terms, not when you abuse us."

I published a book today without the permission of an agent or editor or beancounter.  I did the cover myself, I edited it myself, I formatted it myself.  I didn't need anyone else.  All I need are readers.  Readers only want good books.  Wow.  What a concept!

Now I'll get back to Bittersweet 3 because I really am very close to also publishing that without the permission of the demi-gods.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Bittersweet Farm 2: Joyful Spirit Is On Top

I love it and maybe I'll get a 2nd wind out of the enthusiasm for 2 as I finish book 3!  
I promise you I'm close to the end, I'm looking at publishing it the 1st week of August.  Lots of twists and turns to deal with and make sure everything works in concert.


Amazon Best Sellers Rank:

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Bittersweet Farm 2 New Cover

Yes, it's still #1 in its category.  YAY!

There was no pressing need to change the cover and I didn't change it much but here's the thing.  I was advised to use a panel by a paper book designer.  So I figured she knew what she was talking about.  The more I looked at the cover, the less the panel worked for me.






So I took it out.  I'll redo Bittersweet 1 when I have a chance.  Hey, I'm busy.  I'm finishing Bittersweet 3.  Lots of surprises!

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Hotter Than a Match, Yeah

I always thought it was match head. That works, too, though, doesn't it? What's with the sideburns? It's another fun summer song that makes you feel like everything is hunky dory.

 

My brakes burned up, too. So everything is either hot or wet this year. I think Bittersweet Farm 3: Wingspread will be published soon. We'll all be happy about that. Then I can start working on 4. I thought that would be titled Available but now I'm not sure.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Peppy Pop Music

It seems like pop music used to be happier.  Maybe it was naive.  Maybe it wasn't really reflecting the lives of kids in the city but there is something to be said for just being light-hearted for three minutes.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Summer and Rain

It has rained more than shined around here and while my tomatoes may not exactly be suffering, it's the rare variety doing well.  I spent the last 10 years collecting varieties that would do well here.  I tried probably 100 Russian/Eastern European types thinking that if they can take Siberia, they can take it here.  Pretty much true.  But the best, I think, most reliable, is a variety from Kentucky called Grandfather Ashlock.  Every year I'm surprised.  Sort of like Groundhog's Day.  If we have a long summer and a late fall, all will be well.





Yes, I am working on Bittersweet 3.  "Scorching the world one mouth at a time."  You'll have to read the book to understand it.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Bittersweet Farm 2 is #1!

Yay!  Amazon created a new category this week so it's neat that my YAs don't have to be in with "Betsey Rides Her Bike" or whatever it was.


Monday, July 1, 2013

Bittersweet Farm 3: Wingspread

I'm excited that there are people anxiously awaiting book 3 and I can assure everyone I'm working on it.  It will definitely be published this summer.  There are lots of surprises, twists and turns and everything you expect from Lockie and Talia and some you totally do not expect.

This is the mock-up cover.






Again,  a huge thank you goes to Sommer Wilson for her terrific photograph.