Saturday, August 25, 2007
Summer's Hidden Treasures Wrap-up -- and more
Only one thing left to do for the Summer's Hidden Treasures contest I was running -- mail out the books that you guys won. Either Karen or I have contacted all of the winners; check here for the prize list, in case you think you missed a message from one of us. For the record, we had more entrants than prizes, so not all of you won. I'm sorry about that. For Debut a Debut coming up, we'll try for even more prizes.
Speaking of Debut a Debut, yes, we'll be back with that in the winter. I'm working on making some changes, spreading it out over a number of blogs instead of having everything here. If you'd like to be part, drop me a line. Yes, you can feature a book or do an author interview (even if you interview yourself) and still be eligible for prizes.
I need to publicly thank Robin for coming up with the idea for this past Thursday's Concept Thirteen. If you missed it, a bunch of Thirteeners posted about me and ShapeShifter, my fictional band. Why? Because we could.
So I'd like to point out the posts by Thomma Lyn, L^2, Nancy, Jill, and Camille -- and who am I forgetting? Please remind me (I've had a migraine since Wednesday and today is Saturday, so you know how impaired my thought process is by this point)! As the headache fades, the boy's birthday is celebrated, school begun, and fallout from this week's stress is all dealt with, I'll have the Tour Manager put up a new page at my main site. Yup, it'll be devoted to you crazy groupies and all these great posts.
I love it. We're starting to create fan fiction for a book that's not published.
YET.
We so rock.
Speaking of Debut a Debut, yes, we'll be back with that in the winter. I'm working on making some changes, spreading it out over a number of blogs instead of having everything here. If you'd like to be part, drop me a line. Yes, you can feature a book or do an author interview (even if you interview yourself) and still be eligible for prizes.
I need to publicly thank Robin for coming up with the idea for this past Thursday's Concept Thirteen. If you missed it, a bunch of Thirteeners posted about me and ShapeShifter, my fictional band. Why? Because we could.
So I'd like to point out the posts by Thomma Lyn, L^2, Nancy, Jill, and Camille -- and who am I forgetting? Please remind me (I've had a migraine since Wednesday and today is Saturday, so you know how impaired my thought process is by this point)! As the headache fades, the boy's birthday is celebrated, school begun, and fallout from this week's stress is all dealt with, I'll have the Tour Manager put up a new page at my main site. Yup, it'll be devoted to you crazy groupies and all these great posts.
I love it. We're starting to create fan fiction for a book that's not published.
YET.
We so rock.
Labels: prizes, Summer's Hidden Treasures
Friday, August 17, 2007
Susan's Book Talk: Monogamy and contests
First off, entries for the Summer's Hidden Treasures contest are now closed! Thanks to everyone who read a hidden treasure; sounds like you guys found good stuff out there.
Secondly, this week's Booking Through Thursday asks us about monogamy. You regulars around here should know how vehemently Trevor hates monogamy, and that should be the end of it, since Trevor is a creature of my own construct.
However, the nice thing about fiction is that you get to create characters who are different from yourself. Thus, I'm all about monogamy ... where the Tour Manager's concerned. (Once you meet him, you'll agree. And envy me. He's the best.)
That's a marriage, though. The until-death-do-us-part type.
Reading a book is a marriage of a different sort. It's the sort that lets you enter and exit the book's world at a second's notice, yet at the same time, the best ones suck you in and demand full attention.
However, that doesn't mean you should be devoted exclusively to one world at a time. I usually have at least two books going: one upstairs by my bed and one downstairs, in the family room. I'm never searching for my book, only to realize it's midnight, I'm in pajamas that are a bit too revealing for the glass front entry I'll have to pass through, and I'm too tired to drag myself up and down the steps again today. And yes, I've been there. And yes, I've strolled through the front entry in my jammies and given thanks for living on a quiet street with early birds.
Back soon with a final update on the Summer's Hidden Treasures contest. If you can't wait, visit it at my website.
Secondly, this week's Booking Through Thursday asks us about monogamy. You regulars around here should know how vehemently Trevor hates monogamy, and that should be the end of it, since Trevor is a creature of my own construct.
However, the nice thing about fiction is that you get to create characters who are different from yourself. Thus, I'm all about monogamy ... where the Tour Manager's concerned. (Once you meet him, you'll agree. And envy me. He's the best.)
That's a marriage, though. The until-death-do-us-part type.
Reading a book is a marriage of a different sort. It's the sort that lets you enter and exit the book's world at a second's notice, yet at the same time, the best ones suck you in and demand full attention.
However, that doesn't mean you should be devoted exclusively to one world at a time. I usually have at least two books going: one upstairs by my bed and one downstairs, in the family room. I'm never searching for my book, only to realize it's midnight, I'm in pajamas that are a bit too revealing for the glass front entry I'll have to pass through, and I'm too tired to drag myself up and down the steps again today. And yes, I've been there. And yes, I've strolled through the front entry in my jammies and given thanks for living on a quiet street with early birds.
Back soon with a final update on the Summer's Hidden Treasures contest. If you can't wait, visit it at my website.
Labels: Booking Through Thursday, Summer's Hidden Treasures, Susan's Book Talk
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Summer's Hidden Treasures: Enter Here
No, you're not a maroon or in a time warp. This is a sticky post. Scroll on down for the fun new stuff.
Hello friends old, new, and potential, and welcome to the Summer's Hidden Treasures Reading contest. If you are here to enter the contest, please leave your name and the permalink of your book review in the Mr. Linky provided below.
If you'd like to review the rules, click here.
If you'd like more information, click here.
We'll be manually checking all of these reviews. If they:
1. Were posted before 15 July or after 15 August
2. Are a review of a best-seller
3. Are a review of a book that the author paid to have published
your review will remain posted, but you will be ineligible to win prizes from our great sponsors. (see here for list of sponsors. Please thank them. And the authors who are pitching in and helping out.)
Yes, it is this easy!
Yes, you may enter more than once!
Hello friends old, new, and potential, and welcome to the Summer's Hidden Treasures Reading contest. If you are here to enter the contest, please leave your name and the permalink of your book review in the Mr. Linky provided below.
If you'd like to review the rules, click here.
If you'd like more information, click here.
We'll be manually checking all of these reviews. If they:
1. Were posted before 15 July or after 15 August
2. Are a review of a best-seller
3. Are a review of a book that the author paid to have published
your review will remain posted, but you will be ineligible to win prizes from our great sponsors. (see here for list of sponsors. Please thank them. And the authors who are pitching in and helping out.)
Yes, it is this easy!
Yes, you may enter more than once!
Labels: book reviews, contest, prizes, Summer's Hidden Treasures
Friday, August 10, 2007
Susan's Book Talk: Multiples and other things
First off: this week's Booking Through Thursday:
Do you have multiple copies of any of your books?
If so, why? Absent-mindedness? You love them that much? First Editions for the shelf, but paperbacks to read?
If not, why not? Not enough space? Not enough money? Too sensible to do something so foolish?
I have a lot of multiples that have come to me through BookCrossing -- I'll forget to take something off my wishlist (with 1200+ books on there, can you blame me?) or someone will think I'll like a book, so they send it to me, not knowing I've got a copy here that I haven't registered at BookCrossing yet.
And I buy multiples, too -- to share via BookCrossing or the book trading sites ('cause whenever I offer you guys my books, you don't take me up on it. What's up with THAT?). Those multiples are books I loved and want to help spread the word about. You know, sort of like my own way of helping people find a Hidden Treasures book.
Speaking of Hidden Treasures, there's only five days left in the contest. Get your last reviews up! If you're web wandering and you find a review posted, why not encourage the writer to submit it to the contest?? They've already done the hard work; invite them to come get rewards and some extra linkie love for it.
I hear that Jennifer Estep, one of our Hidden Treasures authors, has a few ARCs for the second in her Big Time series, Hot Mama. I'll let you know when the review's up at Front Street Reviews.
And lastly (I think), I'd love to thank Robin L. Rotham for pulling my very own name out of a hat and declaring me the winner of a copy of her new short, Seniorella. This is going to be my very first foray into e-books, so if you prefer Microsoft Reader to PDF format, or the other way, you'd better weigh in on that subject now...
Happy reading, everyone! Let's get some last reviews in for the Summer's Hidden Treasures contest, okay?
Do you have multiple copies of any of your books?
If so, why? Absent-mindedness? You love them that much? First Editions for the shelf, but paperbacks to read?
If not, why not? Not enough space? Not enough money? Too sensible to do something so foolish?
I have a lot of multiples that have come to me through BookCrossing -- I'll forget to take something off my wishlist (with 1200+ books on there, can you blame me?) or someone will think I'll like a book, so they send it to me, not knowing I've got a copy here that I haven't registered at BookCrossing yet.
And I buy multiples, too -- to share via BookCrossing or the book trading sites ('cause whenever I offer you guys my books, you don't take me up on it. What's up with THAT?). Those multiples are books I loved and want to help spread the word about. You know, sort of like my own way of helping people find a Hidden Treasures book.
Speaking of Hidden Treasures, there's only five days left in the contest. Get your last reviews up! If you're web wandering and you find a review posted, why not encourage the writer to submit it to the contest?? They've already done the hard work; invite them to come get rewards and some extra linkie love for it.
I hear that Jennifer Estep, one of our Hidden Treasures authors, has a few ARCs for the second in her Big Time series, Hot Mama. I'll let you know when the review's up at Front Street Reviews.
And lastly (I think), I'd love to thank Robin L. Rotham for pulling my very own name out of a hat and declaring me the winner of a copy of her new short, Seniorella. This is going to be my very first foray into e-books, so if you prefer Microsoft Reader to PDF format, or the other way, you'd better weigh in on that subject now...
Happy reading, everyone! Let's get some last reviews in for the Summer's Hidden Treasures contest, okay?
Labels: book reviews, BookCrossing, Booking Through Thursday, books, Front Street Reviews, Jennifer Estep, prizes, Summer's Hidden Treasures, Susan's Book Talk
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Summer's Hidden Treasures Entry Update
Yep, I've crawled out of the woods near the PA-WVA border. I braved severe thunderstorms all by myself in a Boy Scout-issued tent that's not much more than two metal cots, some moldy mattresses, a wooden-planked floor, and an oil cloth over it all.
And I'll tell you die-hards about it later, so be sure to stop back.
If you haven't read all three entries about the Deadly Metal Hatchet, be sure to do so and leave comments. You guys didn't leave much for the Tour Manager to do, you know!
Right now, I want to highlight the entries to the Summer's Hidden Treasure contest. Be sure to check out these books and, where you can, the review authors -- once you've read and reviewed your own Hidden Treasure, of course!
Lauren reviewed Whiskey Sour by JA Konrath.
Cathepsut reviewed Passion by Jude Watson.
Wendy (Wss4) reviewed Resurrection Dreams by Richard Laymon.
Henry Martin (himself a HT featured author!) reviewed The Smile at the Foot of the Ladder, by Henry Miller.
Missy reviewed The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn.
Pesh (via Joely Sue Burkhart) reviewed Survive my Fire, by Joely Sue Burkhart.
Wendy/Wss4 reviewed Mammoth by John Varley.
Dew reviewed Wifework by Susan Maushart
.
ChronicBooker reviewed The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne.
ChronicBooker reviewed The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood.
Wendy/Wss4 reviewed Shade's Children by Garth Nix.
Jarlynn reviewed The Dragon's Loss: I'd Tell You I Love You, but Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter.
Megan -- Your Other Left reviewed How to be Lost by Amanda Eyre Ward.
Confessions of a Literary Persuasion reviewed Flight 4, an anthology.
John Mutford reviewed Fall by Fury by Earle Birney.
John Mutford reviewed The Tightrope Dancer by Irving Layton.
Scooper reviewed Wraith by Phaedra Weldon.
Just dropping by to say hi:
Milan-zzz, Erin, Robin Mills.
We have the teeniest bit over two weeks left to go in the contest. Be sure to help spread the word about the contest. My thanks to everyone who's done so, and apologies for any typos I didn't catch; I'm BEAT.
And I'll tell you die-hards about it later, so be sure to stop back.
If you haven't read all three entries about the Deadly Metal Hatchet, be sure to do so and leave comments. You guys didn't leave much for the Tour Manager to do, you know!
Right now, I want to highlight the entries to the Summer's Hidden Treasure contest. Be sure to check out these books and, where you can, the review authors -- once you've read and reviewed your own Hidden Treasure, of course!
Lauren reviewed Whiskey Sour by JA Konrath.
Cathepsut reviewed Passion by Jude Watson.
Wendy (Wss4) reviewed Resurrection Dreams by Richard Laymon.
Henry Martin (himself a HT featured author!) reviewed The Smile at the Foot of the Ladder, by Henry Miller.
Missy reviewed The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn.
Pesh (via Joely Sue Burkhart) reviewed Survive my Fire, by Joely Sue Burkhart.
Wendy/Wss4 reviewed Mammoth by John Varley.
Dew reviewed Wifework by Susan Maushart
.
ChronicBooker reviewed The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne.
ChronicBooker reviewed The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood.
Wendy/Wss4 reviewed Shade's Children by Garth Nix.
Jarlynn reviewed The Dragon's Loss: I'd Tell You I Love You, but Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter.
Megan -- Your Other Left reviewed How to be Lost by Amanda Eyre Ward.
Confessions of a Literary Persuasion reviewed Flight 4, an anthology.
John Mutford reviewed Fall by Fury by Earle Birney.
John Mutford reviewed The Tightrope Dancer by Irving Layton.
Scooper reviewed Wraith by Phaedra Weldon.
Just dropping by to say hi:
Milan-zzz, Erin, Robin Mills.
We have the teeniest bit over two weeks left to go in the contest. Be sure to help spread the word about the contest. My thanks to everyone who's done so, and apologies for any typos I didn't catch; I'm BEAT.
Labels: book reviews, books, contest, entries, Summer's Hidden Treasures
Friday, July 20, 2007
Summer's Hidden Treasures: Week One Update!
Bunches of contest stuff to throw at you before we all go the best-seller route with some dude named Harry...
1. My thoughts are with the Hatchette Group. Their office is scarily close to this week's steam pipe explosion in New York City. While the staff is reportedly okay, I'm sure their lives are a bit upside-down right now, so any good vibes you can send their way will be appreciated. A reminder that Hatchette is a sponsor of Summer's Hidden Treasures, and I've got a box of books here to send you guys as prizes. Be sure to enter -- and to check out some of their great offerings.
2. Today's the release day for West of Mars groupies Christine D'Abo and Joely Sue Burkhart! They have new books out with Ellora's Cave and Drollerie Press, respectively. If you like your romance hot and spicy, be sure to stop by and pick up their books. And if you post a review online somewhere, come on back and enter the permalinks in the Summer's Hidden Treasures contest! Yes, both Ellora's Cave and Drollerie Press are publishers I recognize for contest purposes.
3. Check out the reviews already posted:
Gradiva with The Blue Taxi by N.S. Koenings
Lauren with The Kommandant's Girl by Pam Jenoff
Aryn Kennedy with Fashionably Late by Nadine Dajani
Confessions of a Literary Persuasion with Sigorney's Quest by Gordon Snider
Dana with The Kommandant's Girl by Pam Jenoff
Dana (again!) with Whiskey Sour by JA Konrath
Missy with Stray by Rachel Vincent
Pussreboots with The Chatham School Affair by Thomas H. Cook
Scooper with The Immortals: The Darkening by Robin T. Popp
The Superfast Reader with Magic Casement by Dave Duncan
Wendy/Wss4 with Grave Peril: Dresden Files #2 by Jim Butcher
Wendy/Wss4 (again!) with Lullabye by Patricia Wallace
Jill with Eva by Lucie Page
Wendy/Wss4 (Third time!) with Homebody by Orson Scott Card
Breeni with Protector by Laurel Dewey
and our friends
Mia Romano and
Red Garnier stopping by to leave links 'cause they know they can.
Join the fun, folks!
All of you in the Bay Area, may the ground beneath your feet remain still.
1. My thoughts are with the Hatchette Group. Their office is scarily close to this week's steam pipe explosion in New York City. While the staff is reportedly okay, I'm sure their lives are a bit upside-down right now, so any good vibes you can send their way will be appreciated. A reminder that Hatchette is a sponsor of Summer's Hidden Treasures, and I've got a box of books here to send you guys as prizes. Be sure to enter -- and to check out some of their great offerings.
2. Today's the release day for West of Mars groupies Christine D'Abo and Joely Sue Burkhart! They have new books out with Ellora's Cave and Drollerie Press, respectively. If you like your romance hot and spicy, be sure to stop by and pick up their books. And if you post a review online somewhere, come on back and enter the permalinks in the Summer's Hidden Treasures contest! Yes, both Ellora's Cave and Drollerie Press are publishers I recognize for contest purposes.
3. Check out the reviews already posted:
Gradiva with The Blue Taxi by N.S. Koenings
Lauren with The Kommandant's Girl by Pam Jenoff
Aryn Kennedy with Fashionably Late by Nadine Dajani
Confessions of a Literary Persuasion with Sigorney's Quest by Gordon Snider
Dana with The Kommandant's Girl by Pam Jenoff
Dana (again!) with Whiskey Sour by JA Konrath
Missy with Stray by Rachel Vincent
Pussreboots with The Chatham School Affair by Thomas H. Cook
Scooper with The Immortals: The Darkening by Robin T. Popp
The Superfast Reader with Magic Casement by Dave Duncan
Wendy/Wss4 with Grave Peril: Dresden Files #2 by Jim Butcher
Wendy/Wss4 (again!) with Lullabye by Patricia Wallace
Jill with Eva by Lucie Page
Wendy/Wss4 (Third time!) with Homebody by Orson Scott Card
Breeni with Protector by Laurel Dewey
and our friends
Mia Romano and
Red Garnier stopping by to leave links 'cause they know they can.
Join the fun, folks!
All of you in the Bay Area, may the ground beneath your feet remain still.
Labels: book reviews, books, Summer's Hidden Treasures
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Susan Speaks: THIS is a rocking blogger wench?
In the past few weeks, I've been graced with the Rockin' Chick/Wench blogger award a few times. Three, to be exact. (What's odd is that I've gotten three Thinking Blogger Awards, too. Who says the number three isn't charmed? Not this third child!)
Rhian
Red
and She
have all decided that I rock and roll as hard as Trevor and the gang, something that flatters me to no end. I'm proud to be a Rockin' Chick/Wench blogger. More than you know, especially because Roberta, the originator of the award, mentioned me in her list of recipients. (And yes, whenever I see someone giving ME the props for changing the award to Rockin' Wench, I make sure to correct them. That's all Rhian's doing. I'm graphically challenged.)
But there are times when I don't feel so rocking. No, not that monthly thing (that's definitely playing in TMI zones). It's this contest of mine. The Summer's Hidden Treasures Contest.
Maybe the month-long window for entrants is too long. Maybe it's just that it's harder to establish exactly what a Hidden Treasure book is, even though it seems obvious to me and the Crew working behind the scenes. Finding a book that debuted in a calendar year might be much easier (so stay tuned for next winter! We'll do it again!).
At any rate, I'm finding myself running over to blogs I find that have book reviews that qualify as a Hidden Treasure ... and inviting them to enter. "You've done the hard work; come reap the reward!" I'm telling them.
They are taking me up on this, of course. I mean, have you seen the prize list lately???
It's hard to rock when you're chasing down entrants to your contest, ya know? But when I stop and think about what Trevor would do if he were the one in my place, I know that I'm doing exactly the right thing (although a bit less seductively). Rock and roll is loud and it feels good, but no one said it was non-stop glamour.
Help me make an author's day, why don't you? (yes, our friends published by Ellora's Cave and Samhain and other royalty-paying e-publishers qualify!) In this age when sales mean more than anything else to an author's career, we readers owe it to the good writers to make sure that people hear about them. Here's your chance to point out an under-rated writer AND potentially get rewarded for it.
Besides, it'll make me feel like I really DO rock.
RhianRed
and She
have all decided that I rock and roll as hard as Trevor and the gang, something that flatters me to no end. I'm proud to be a Rockin' Chick/Wench blogger. More than you know, especially because Roberta, the originator of the award, mentioned me in her list of recipients. (And yes, whenever I see someone giving ME the props for changing the award to Rockin' Wench, I make sure to correct them. That's all Rhian's doing. I'm graphically challenged.)
But there are times when I don't feel so rocking. No, not that monthly thing (that's definitely playing in TMI zones). It's this contest of mine. The Summer's Hidden Treasures Contest.
Maybe the month-long window for entrants is too long. Maybe it's just that it's harder to establish exactly what a Hidden Treasure book is, even though it seems obvious to me and the Crew working behind the scenes. Finding a book that debuted in a calendar year might be much easier (so stay tuned for next winter! We'll do it again!).
At any rate, I'm finding myself running over to blogs I find that have book reviews that qualify as a Hidden Treasure ... and inviting them to enter. "You've done the hard work; come reap the reward!" I'm telling them.
They are taking me up on this, of course. I mean, have you seen the prize list lately???
It's hard to rock when you're chasing down entrants to your contest, ya know? But when I stop and think about what Trevor would do if he were the one in my place, I know that I'm doing exactly the right thing (although a bit less seductively). Rock and roll is loud and it feels good, but no one said it was non-stop glamour.
Help me make an author's day, why don't you? (yes, our friends published by Ellora's Cave and Samhain and other royalty-paying e-publishers qualify!) In this age when sales mean more than anything else to an author's career, we readers owe it to the good writers to make sure that people hear about them. Here's your chance to point out an under-rated writer AND potentially get rewarded for it.
Besides, it'll make me feel like I really DO rock.
Labels: Rockin' Girl Award, Rockin' Wench Award, Summer's Hidden Treasures
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Summer's Hidden Treasures Contest update!
Some more ideas if you are still looking for a good Hidden Treasure Book -- and a few prizes, so be sure to read to the VERY end of this post.
Jimmy Coates: Killer by Joe Craig (HarperCollins / HarperTrophy) [alternate title is Jimmy Coates: Assassin?] nominated by the local mystery bookstore in Waterloo, The Mysterious Affair at Waterloo. If you're in town, go check 'em out.
And nominated by Harper Collins in Canada:
Jon Evans Invisible Armies
Janice Kulyk Keefer The Ladies Lending Library
Claire Cameron
The Line Painter
Barbara Gowdy Helpless
Jacqueline Baker The Horseman's Graves
And now for some prizes:
HarperCollins Canada is offering a prize pack to one Canadian winner. Yep, you gotta be in Canada to discover the goodies. And that doesn't mean visiting, either.
And Nadine Dajani sent a copy of her title Fashionably Late.
You'll notice that this last prize is the only one linking you to Powell's. That's intentional. Also, anything you get by using my Powell's links will go toward the purchase -- not of books for myself! -- but for more prizes for you guys. Just thought I'd make that clear.
Happy reading, everyone!
And speaking of reading, those of you with access to the Niagara Area, The Tour Manager and I will be there on Thursday. Anyone who'd like to meet me/him/us can meet us around 3PM in The Book Depot. $29.95 fills a box.
I know, I know. Like I need more books. Hush. I'm hunting for Hidden Treasures!
Jimmy Coates: Killer by Joe Craig (HarperCollins / HarperTrophy) [alternate title is Jimmy Coates: Assassin?] nominated by the local mystery bookstore in Waterloo, The Mysterious Affair at Waterloo. If you're in town, go check 'em out.
And nominated by Harper Collins in Canada:
Jon Evans Invisible Armies
Janice Kulyk Keefer The Ladies Lending Library
Claire Cameron
The Line Painter
Barbara Gowdy Helpless
Jacqueline Baker The Horseman's Graves
And now for some prizes:
HarperCollins Canada is offering a prize pack to one Canadian winner. Yep, you gotta be in Canada to discover the goodies. And that doesn't mean visiting, either.
And Nadine Dajani sent a copy of her title Fashionably Late.
You'll notice that this last prize is the only one linking you to Powell's. That's intentional. Also, anything you get by using my Powell's links will go toward the purchase -- not of books for myself! -- but for more prizes for you guys. Just thought I'd make that clear.
Happy reading, everyone!
And speaking of reading, those of you with access to the Niagara Area, The Tour Manager and I will be there on Thursday. Anyone who'd like to meet me/him/us can meet us around 3PM in The Book Depot. $29.95 fills a box.
I know, I know. Like I need more books. Hush. I'm hunting for Hidden Treasures!
Labels: Summer's Hidden Treasures
Monday, July 02, 2007
Summer's Hidden Treasures Contest Incentives!
Hi, there. Susan's back in control; Trevor's off chasing a few English teachers around. All I've got to say about that is I'm glad I taught creative writing...
Now, onto the business of the day.
First of all, let me say that I had a busy day yesterday and didn't make all the rounds I usually do. Apologies, especially to those of you kind enough to comment on Trevor's poem. Please give me a few days; one thing I've noticed so far this summer is how busy I've been with the kids. And my new road bike, which desperately needs more miles put on it. Desperately. Good thing I live somewhere hilly.
(No, I will NOT tell the story for a loooooong time yet. Don't ask.)
Before we get to the business at hand, let me make sure I give the biggest kudos of the day to Marcia over at MeeAugraphie. Trevor's poem inspired her to write a bunch of very good haikus, so please check them out and leave her comments.
Yesterday, too, when I stopped at the post office to check my box, I had a package waiting for me. Seems that Hachette Book Group USA sent me some prizes for the Summer's Hidden Treasures contest. I have two copies each of:
Barefoot by Elin Hilderbrand,
The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani,
Seven Loves by Valerie Trueblood,
Lost & Found by Carolyn Parkhurst, and
Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell for ten of you lucky winners.
HUGE thanks to the folks at Hatchette Book Group! Support their authors, everyone; maybe one day, I'll be one of them.
How can you resist their generosity? If I have bookmarks left over from any of our blogging author friends, I'll throw some in, as well. That also means that any of you who have promotional material you'd like to get out to a wider audience had better be in touch already...
If you're not sure what a Hidden Treasure book is, head over to West of Mars for a list of suggested readings, compiled by a list of cool authors. While you're there, check out the rest of the prizes already offered and, as well, the list of places who've been talking this cool contest up. Why aren't you? I'll make sure everyone knows about it.
Happy Tuesday, all.
Now, onto the business of the day.
First of all, let me say that I had a busy day yesterday and didn't make all the rounds I usually do. Apologies, especially to those of you kind enough to comment on Trevor's poem. Please give me a few days; one thing I've noticed so far this summer is how busy I've been with the kids. And my new road bike, which desperately needs more miles put on it. Desperately. Good thing I live somewhere hilly.
(No, I will NOT tell the story for a loooooong time yet. Don't ask.)
Before we get to the business at hand, let me make sure I give the biggest kudos of the day to Marcia over at MeeAugraphie. Trevor's poem inspired her to write a bunch of very good haikus, so please check them out and leave her comments.
Yesterday, too, when I stopped at the post office to check my box, I had a package waiting for me. Seems that Hachette Book Group USA sent me some prizes for the Summer's Hidden Treasures contest. I have two copies each of:
Barefoot by Elin Hilderbrand,
The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani,
Seven Loves by Valerie Trueblood,
Lost & Found by Carolyn Parkhurst, and
Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell for ten of you lucky winners.
HUGE thanks to the folks at Hatchette Book Group! Support their authors, everyone; maybe one day, I'll be one of them.
How can you resist their generosity? If I have bookmarks left over from any of our blogging author friends, I'll throw some in, as well. That also means that any of you who have promotional material you'd like to get out to a wider audience had better be in touch already...
If you're not sure what a Hidden Treasure book is, head over to West of Mars for a list of suggested readings, compiled by a list of cool authors. While you're there, check out the rest of the prizes already offered and, as well, the list of places who've been talking this cool contest up. Why aren't you? I'll make sure everyone knows about it.
Happy Tuesday, all.
Labels: books, contest, cool stuff, MeeAugraphie, prizes, Summer's Hidden Treasures
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Thursday Thirteen #35 -- Susan Proves her Worth
So that way cool wench herself, Rhian, honored me with the Rockin' Wench Blogger award, formerly known as the Rockin' Girl Blogger award. You should think I'd be used to all the honors you guys show me, but nope. Not yet. At the same time, Red, Wylie, Sophisticated Writer and Xine all made me nuts by tagging me with the same frelling meme! Didn't last weekend's acceptance of the tag teach you anything -- or are you guys clever enough to tag me, knowing I'm going to turn it inside out and upside down and prove how worthy and deserving I am of that Rockin' Wench Blogger Award??? Clever women… All of you.
Instead of going to Wikipedia and following the rules of the Birthday Meme, I'm going to give you thirteen ('cause this is my Thursday Thirteen post) things instead.
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| Hey, wait one fucking minute here. Susan wouldn't have come up with this blog if it hadn't been for me. This fucked-up thing she's doing needs to center around me. Trevor Fucking Wolff. (And if that's not enough to save her from the shame of not being an R-rated blog, I'll call my dealer and have him come liven the party up some.) Without further ado (I've always wanted to say that), here's a list all about me and that day in November. 1. Trevor Fucking Wolff was born. Are you dumb enough to believe that anything else important happened? 2. Other shit happened on that day, too. Like the day when Pam came up to Rusty and told her that Mitchell would like her better if Rusty wore a push-up bra. I knew I'd have trouble hating Rusty properly when she kept calm and said, "Why mess with perfection?" 3. Then there was the night the band played this show and Walter Cicewski jumped up on stage. Turns out he and Mitchell were buddies. The big idiot never bothered to tell any of us he'd buddied up to someone like Chi-Chev. 4. It was the first time I bought anything from Lyric's shop. Mitchell told me to. Like I listen to that dork; I was going to before he told me to. 5. The band landed in Japan for the first time. Two days later, I ran up a sushi bill I couldn't pay. Remind me to tell you that one. 6. On my nineteenth birthday, Harry's Hoagies went back to using the good meatballs. They'd been using this piss-poor recipe before that and if you ate them, you'd have the runs for two days. Three if you were lucky. 7. Chelle LaFleur claims it's the day she said, "You heard it first, and you heard it here. Fat chicks with dark skin do like metal! You sit down and watch 'cause I'll prove it." I'll be damned, but she's doing just that. 8. It was somewhere around my birthday that I hooked up with Amy and started my whole thing with the Voss family. 9. Boomer, the KRVR DJ, played ShapeShifter for the first time. It was our demo, but that didn't matter. It was ShapeShifter. On the radio. On my birthday. I thought life didn't get any better than that. Fuck, I was a fool. 10. Mama Voss actually fed me turkey on Thanksgiving. Okay, that wasn't on my real birthday 'cause Hank knocked eight of my teeth loose the day before when I asked for a day without him drinking, but Sonya put together a holiday dinner once I could eat solids again. 11. I got stoned with Daniel and Eric for the first time. I don't think Eric had ever gotten stoned before. He liked it. 12. Other famous birthdays: Who fucking cares? It's all about Trevor Wolff. 13. Famous people who died on my birthday: Like I care? Life goes on with or without you. So long as it's going on with me, nothing else matters. |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Now that Trevor's lost interest in this and has gone to gaze at his reflection, I thought I'd nominate a few folks for the Rockin' Wench Blogger Award.
First off: my blogging road crew: Karen and Janelle. They've put hours into the Summer's Hidden Treasures Contest, so be a sport and join in the fun!
And then my writing blogger friends: Amy Ruttan, Wylie Kinson, Thomma Lyn, and Sophisticated Writer.
Labels: Goals Meme, Rockin' Girl Award, Rockin' Wench Award, Summer's Hidden Treasures, Thursday Thirteen, Trevor
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Thursday Thirteen #34 - Earring Aftermath
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| So my stresses of the past few weeks haven't been totally resolved (although I managed the bun quite nicely for the dress rehearsal. Now, on to the recital!) and won't be until Friday, at the earliest. Yet for whatever reason, my stress levels have dropped and the muse has returned. If you were here on Monday for Rhian's Poetry Train, you read this outtake. If you haven't read it yet, please make time for it; it's now one of my all-time favorites, with Death By Cheese and Green Hair Week. At any rate, this week's Thirteen springs from that outtake. Poor Mitchell and his newly-pierced ears... Thirteen things Mitchell did Upon Coming To 1. Put a hand up to his ear to find out why it was throbbing. 2. Felt three earrings instead of the expected one. 3. Peeled himself off the bed where Trevor had put him when he passed out and staggered over to his mirror for a better look. 4. Puked all over the mirror and his dresser. 5. Panicked at this latest mess. 6. Proclaimed it was Trevor's to clean up. All of it. 7. Found Trevor smoking out on the back patio. Beat him almost as senseless as Hank used to, only without the psychological torture thrown in. 8. Supervised Trevor's clean up of mess in bedroom, including bloody sheets from the passed-out piercing. 9. Spent four days hiding his ears from everyone. Considered gelling his hair into place in front of his ears (both, to reduce suspicion) but the gel turned his hair an ugly shade of grey. 10. Blackmailed Amy into keeping quiet when she discovered Trevor's handiwork. (Bribes had a bad tendency to get ignored after a few days.) 11. Went shopping with Amy for new earrings to wear as soon as the lame-assed starter earrings could come out. Amy bought him the famed winged dragon that a fan took out of his ear with her teeth while video cameras were rolling. Bitch kept it, too. That clip made it into the band's first behind-the-scenes video, Take the (Back)Stage. 12. Beat Trevor up again 'cause three earrings cost way more than one, and require some finesse to pull off properly -- or so says Amy, who knows more about fashion. Or did, back in those early days, before Mitchell hired stylists and Amy spent her days in long white lab coats. 13. Finally came clean to Sonya and Patterson when they were healed and not about to close when Patterson insisted they come out. Unfortunately for all the trouble Mitchell went through, they didn't care. Mitchell suspected Amy squealed and what they cared most about was his coming clean about what Trevor had done to him. No comment was ever made by either parent about the earrings, although Sonya would buy him some from time to time if she saw some she thought he'd like. Don't forget to check out the Hidden Treasures Summer Reading Contest! And in case you've been living under a rock, voting is still open for the Blogger's Choice Awards. Go make me number one, will ya? |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Labels: Amy, Blogger's Choice Award, earrings, meme, Mitchell, Summer's Hidden Treasures, Thursday Thirteen, Trevor
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Summer Hidden Treasures Author Spotlight
Yeah, I know I raved about Jennifer Estep and her debut, Karma Girl, before. And yeah, you'll be hearing more from me about Ms. Estep, especially next winter, when Debut a Debut returns.
BUT since I can't get enough, if you head over to Front Street Reviews and click on Interviews, you'll see a short conversation the lady and I had. It blew me away how similar our thought processes are; I hope to one day be able to sit and compare notes with the lovely Jennifer Estep.
Be sure to check out my review of Karma Girl, too, while you're there. And if you missed yesterday's outtake as part of the Poetry Train, make sure you scroll down (or click through and then scroll down, you feed readers). Definitely one of my favorites.
And on a personal note, I mastered the bun! It was actually quite easy. Now, getting all that gel and spray out may be a different story, but getting it together turned into a no-brainer breeze. I'll take it.
BUT since I can't get enough, if you head over to Front Street Reviews and click on Interviews, you'll see a short conversation the lady and I had. It blew me away how similar our thought processes are; I hope to one day be able to sit and compare notes with the lovely Jennifer Estep.
Be sure to check out my review of Karma Girl, too, while you're there. And if you missed yesterday's outtake as part of the Poetry Train, make sure you scroll down (or click through and then scroll down, you feed readers). Definitely one of my favorites.
And on a personal note, I mastered the bun! It was actually quite easy. Now, getting all that gel and spray out may be a different story, but getting it together turned into a no-brainer breeze. I'll take it.
Labels: Front Street Reviews, Jennifer Estep, Karma Girl, Summer's Hidden Treasures
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Summer Hidden Treasures Contest!
A lot of you have said you're interested in joining us for our summer contest (I'll get to "us" in a minute). I know a lot of you are already doing summer reading challenges or other contests. Too bad; here's one more. Read on; you'll dig it.
It's time for the West of Mars, Breeni Books, Morsie Reads, Eclectic Closet, Writing Aspirations Summer Reading Contest!
The rules are simple:
1. Find a book that's a Hidden Treasure. That means a book that hasn't made it to a best-seller list anywhere that you can find. A suggested reading list is available at WestofMars.com. Feel free to find your own treasure, though.
2. The book MUST be from a royalty-paying publisher. If in doubt, ask.
3. Read it.
4. Post a review somewhere on the Internet between July 15 and August 15.
5. Sign the Mr. Linky at West of Mars. Include the permalink for your review. (yeah, that link brings you back here.)
6. Yes, you can use a Hidden Treasure book that fulfills another contest or reading challenge.
7. Yes, you can review more than one book.
8. If, for some reason, you don't want to win a prize, let Susan know.
9. If you have suggestions for the Hidden Treasures Suggested Reading List, or a prize for the winners, drop Susan an e-mail. You can also contact Janelle; she's giving me a LOT of help (so be sure to surf over and thank her).
10. Prizes will be awarded August 20. Winners will be contacted and winning list will be posted no later than 22 August; be sure to have a way for us to contact you!
So, there you go. Got a prize to offer? Got a favorite book that you want more people to know about?
Leave a comment or e-mail me. I'm a bit slow lately, but I'm still here.
Kudos to friends for helping spread the word: Nimrodiel,
It's time for the West of Mars, Breeni Books, Morsie Reads, Eclectic Closet, Writing Aspirations Summer Reading Contest!
The rules are simple:
1. Find a book that's a Hidden Treasure. That means a book that hasn't made it to a best-seller list anywhere that you can find. A suggested reading list is available at WestofMars.com. Feel free to find your own treasure, though.
2. The book MUST be from a royalty-paying publisher. If in doubt, ask.
3. Read it.
4. Post a review somewhere on the Internet between July 15 and August 15.
5. Sign the Mr. Linky at West of Mars. Include the permalink for your review. (yeah, that link brings you back here.)
6. Yes, you can use a Hidden Treasure book that fulfills another contest or reading challenge.
7. Yes, you can review more than one book.
8. If, for some reason, you don't want to win a prize, let Susan know.
9. If you have suggestions for the Hidden Treasures Suggested Reading List, or a prize for the winners, drop Susan an e-mail. You can also contact Janelle; she's giving me a LOT of help (so be sure to surf over and thank her).
10. Prizes will be awarded August 20. Winners will be contacted and winning list will be posted no later than 22 August; be sure to have a way for us to contact you!
So, there you go. Got a prize to offer? Got a favorite book that you want more people to know about?
Leave a comment or e-mail me. I'm a bit slow lately, but I'm still here.
Kudos to friends for helping spread the word: Nimrodiel,
Labels: books, contest, prizes, Summer's Hidden Treasures
