Bits & Ends: Cover Reveal Winners Coming Soon, A Cruise, Where Do I need to Be, and How Behind Am I?

This week brings a blog of various and sundry items. Sit tight for this trail ride!

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First and foremost, thank you to everyone who took part in my Cover Reveal Scavenger Hunt! 

Thank you, Kate, Renee, Aimee, Val, Justine, Suzanne, Darby, and Laura for sharing your blogs with my characters!

Thank you, Kate and Kendra who made this happen!

Thank you, Vic, my awesome cover artist!

Thank you, Del, for making my website reflect The Kelpie perfectly!

And thank ALL OF YOU who spread the word and took part in the hunt!

Now, the hard part: the balance of believing December isn't that far away for the release…and knowing how much work I have to do in this year that's moving too fast, anyway!

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If you had fun with our Cover Reveal Scavenger Hunt, you've really got to check out this latest promotion from Spencer Hill Press for another of my fabulous authors, Kimberly Ann Miller, for her debut novel: Triangles.

WIN A FRIKKIN' CRUISE!

Seriously!  Here are the details: http://www.site.spencerhillpress.com/Triangles_Sweepstakes.html

And because you ought to know what this awesome book is about, here's the back copy:

A cruise ship. A beautiful island. Two sexy guys. What could possibly go wrong? 

In the Bermuda Triangle—a lot.

Hoping to leave behind the reminders of her crappy life--her father's death years ago, her mother's medical problems, and the loser who’s practically stalking her--seventeen-year-old Autumn Taylor hops on a ship with her sister for a little distraction. When she wakes up in the Bermuda Triangle, she fears she's gone nuts for more than one reason: that loser’s suddenly claiming they're a happy couple... a hot guy is wrapping his arms around her and saying "Happy Anniversary"... and suddenly, she’s full of bruises, losing her hair, and getting IV medication. Autumn visits the ship's doctor, hoping for a pill or a shot to make the craziness go away. Instead, she's warned that these "alternate realities" could become permanent.

She just has to ask herself one question—how the hell is she going to get out of this mess?

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Travel. I haz some lined up, y'all!

This Saturday, April 13, I'm helping Annie's Book Stop of Worcester host a Dark Carnival of Authors. Join Annie's Book Stop of Worcester for a day-long event of horror and dark fantasy authors sharing from their own work and honoring award-winning horror author Rick Hautala, who passed away this March. Stop in to hear some amazing, chilling writing, chat with authors, and remember the kind and talented Rick.

Confirmed authors include: Eric Dimbleby, Morven Westfield, Frank Raymond Michaels

K.A. Laity, Errick Nunnally, Inanna Arthen, Kristi Petersen Schoonover, TJ May, Rose Mambert, and Jessie Olson.

Next Thursday, April 18th, I'll be reading poetry at the Wordfest celebration at Stained Glass Creations and Beyond down in Stafford Springs, CT.

And then, the very next day…

Friday, April 19th, I'm reading specifically horror poetry back at Annie's Book Stop of Worcester!

The following Saturday and Sunday include me prepping and riding with Calico for our Second Official Horse Show Evars!! Yaaaaayyy!! *cue Kermit hopping and hand waving* Let's hope I don't fall onto another mounting block and crack a few more ribs, right?

After that, I've got guests and a Big Arse OMGWTFBBQ Birthday Bash to throw, which includes some of my top tier horrors: housecleaning. Yeah.

And then there is my May Madness, which includes one long trip to Myrtle Beach for Scott's Veteran's Golf Tournament, Baltimore for Balticon, and NYC for Book Expo America. 

(Then, should all go well, I will arrive home and promptly collapse and call in half-dead for a full week to recover.)

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And what else might I be doing? Because I am doing more stuff, yes indeedy!  And that stuff is:

Finish First Round Edits for three of my SHP editors who I adore and love.

Get the last bits of Doorways to Extra Time done and sent to Anthony so we can submit it to a copyeditor.

Get Volunteer stuff squared away for Broad Universe.

Do a galley's Edit on another beloved author's novel.

Finish The Earl's Childe draft.

Edit another of my novels per editorial comments.

…And I'm sure there's more, but those are the "looming closest" items.

What am I waiting for, you ask?  Um…well, I'm writing this blog thing. And. Erp… Bye!

Another "Bits and Ends"

My "New Year" September is really pushing me!

I have about six more Round 2 edits to review for UnCONventional, which should be done Monday.  (Pinky swear, Kate!!)  Also today, I have article calls & emails to make.  I'm doing a comfort food piece and a chef profile for Worcester Magazine due on Friday, I have an avocado article due in two weeks, a yet-unwritten short story that needs to be printed before Friday, edits on "Photo of a Mermaid" due… end of the weekish, and critiques for Traveling Java need to be done before Tuesday.

During the week, I will be traveling every day but Monday.

Oh, and on top of all that, there is another fabulous benefit to the Bay State Equine Rescue happening on Sunday:

Horse of Course Benefit!

It's taking place at Whip-O-Will stables and is one of those "family fun" events where we've got things planned for all ages… even if you're not all that into horses.  Check out the event page!

It's happening from 11AM-4PM this Sunday, September 25th. 

If you live in MA or CT or anywhere driveable, please try to come?  :)  Thank you!

I have this blog written on my to-do lists; let's see if it actually happens for more than this post. ;)

And Even More Bits & Ends

And Even More Bits & Ends

On Technology

I totally thought my Blogger blog was what was getting posted to Facebook.  In general, the Blogger version is a better overall blog because it does more and gives me less trouble.  I can load photos more easily, I can caption said photos, and it doesn't inundate me with ridiculous advertisements whenever I want to do something.  If you read me at novelfriend.blogspot.com, you often get a better blog that looks nicer.

So, when I couldn't get a cute Nylis picture to load on my Live Journal, I didn't think twice.  In fact, for the past week as LJ was just not working at all and freezing, I didn't care.  Then I got comments on my little [imagine cute cat photo here] or something quippy that I wrote on the LJ from my Facebook feed (because those come to me via email).

Ugh!

So, I got some suggestions.  The biggest one was for the NetworkedBlogs app… but my ability to fake technology know-how has failed.  I went through all the links on that and couldn't find how to just make my Blogger blog be automatically sent to Facebook (and, hopefully, LJ for that matter, so I don't have to double post all the time.)

Of course, I've been meaning to do something with the Wordpress account I opened about two years ago, but my fake-techno-superpower fails me there, too… and I don't have hours to kill. 

Hell, I haven't even written up the copy my web mistress needs to update my website, which we worked on over a month ago.

Add to that: I lost my charger for my netbook at Readercon and the hotel cannot find it… and you have my great levels of Technology FAIL!!!

On Animals

Loki is still kicking… pretty well, too, despite the heat.  He gets frozen water bottles twice a day and a fan on him constantly, so he actually has a better cooling system in his little hutch than we do in our overall house where the only AC unit is in the bedroom… and if that dies, we're SOL because it's built into the wall. (And it's getting testy.)

We're dealing with sunburns on Nylis' ears.  The vet recommended we make sure to put Bullfrog brand sunscreen on her ears before she goes out, which we're doing.  It's helping, but she's scratching the existing burns, so the vet said to put cortisone on those.  They are slowly getting better.  We're trying to avoid any need for a Cone of Shame… the local squirrels and birds laugh at her enough and are entirely unimpressed by her abilities to occasionally catch (and even less frequently kill) a slow mole or mostly-domestic mouse or an obese chipmunk or a seriously stupid baby bunny.

Calico is doing great.  She's gotten a lot peppier during lessons and has a CLEAR preference for the outside--if only there weren't any aggravating bugs.  We're in the process of discovering that we can bend (purposeful "we;" I'm not exactly the most athletic person, either.)

No, I don't have any new photos.  I'm too busy having fun.

On Writing

I was supposed to start in on the critiques for UnCONventional, but I lost my day.  I don't know where it went, but it ran away… likely in the Thunderstorms.  So did any writing except for this blog, which is being posted after midnight… after the day has already run away and it's technically the next day and my blog is late.

Oh, and I still have hours to work… so, this is my writing.

Happy Manic Mon… er… Teriffic Tuesday.

Another Bits & Ends for a Manic Monday

Here comes the last week of July, and what's up with Trish?  A lot, actually!

The pics are old ones from a very messy desk.  My very messy desk… which is currently, horrifically, messy once again.  It's bled out to one side and the book cases and has been doing so for some time.  About a week or two ago, Scott got me a file folder cabinet and it has finally been moved into its new home beside my desk today, along with a new, narrower, bookshelf. 

So, Stuff is getting rearranged.  It makes for a great metaphor.  I'm doing an awful lot of rearranging life around stuff right now.  Here's a glimpse!

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Good news!  I have an acceptance to announce!!

New England Horror Writers accepted my poem "Kali's Promise" into their upcoming anthology, Epitaphs, which will be available 11-11-11 for Anthocon, in New Hampshire!

I haven't written much about New England Horror Writers, but it's another grassroots group that I'm proud to be a part of.  If you write horror or dark fantasy and live in the New England area, definitely check out the group!

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As I mentioned on Friday, I'm the new president of Broad Universe.  :)  There's a ton of stuff I need to do and reorganize for that… not the least of which is to write the press release. 

I also have to reorganize all of my Broad Universe stuff that I inherited from Phoebe.  I put two boxes in what I think will make a nice home.  I have two more, plus my own collection of stuff. 

That said, I am already talking about specific new projects on the horizon!  Stay tuned. 

 

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Pi-Con just sent me my schedule!  I'm on a bunch of panels AND working on a Rapid Fire Reading for Broads!  I'll post it shortly.

Oh, and if you've missed it, I am their Guest of Awesome!

I'm also putting together a dealer's room with a few friends.  We'll have art, jewelry… and some very special surprises.  :)

Related to-dos: Um, actually fill out dealer paperwork, get party room for Broad Universe!

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Come August, Kate Kaynak and I will start sending edits back to our fabulous contributors for UnCONventional!

As hard as some of the "no" responses were that we sent back, hearing so much excitement from all those we accepted is just amazing!  We do have an excellent line-up, so keep an eye out for the book.

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I owe my webmistress a bunch of stuff so she can update my website… oi!

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On the non-fiction writing front:

1.  I have a deadline on apples for the end of this week.

2.  I have a review deadline end of this week.

3.  I have to put together some horsey news within the next two weeks.

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On the fiction writing front:

1. I owe my Trickster novel a synopsis; I promised the main character.

2. I need to re-edit "Photograph of a Mermaid" per various trusted people's advice and then resend it to Kate for UnCONventional.

3.  I need to finish editing Kelpie. 

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And if you don't think that's enough to keep me busy (on top of my tutoring and training!), then you are far more sadistic than I am masochistic.  :p 

What am I doing blogging?  I need to get to bed so I can get to work!!

Monday's News and Organizational Blog

The snow is disappearing!  The snow is disappearing!

Even the "neighbors" are happy.  Or they are just so sick of it that they'll get this close for a picture in case it may provide food.

In any case, more sunlight means I can get more done!  Why?  Well, there's the biological, vitamin D thing.  And the psychological and emotional need for at least a little sun - even for this semi-stealth Goth girl.

Of course, it so happens that there's plenty to do with this increased energy and sunlight.  Here's some of what's been going on:

A teaser: I've seen the sketches for the UnCONventional cover, and they are fabulous!  I can't share yet, but I squeed all day despite the aggravation of being late on some of my reviews.

If you're interested in being part of this excellent anthology, our submission guidelines are up here.  Check 'em out!

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I met with my webmistress about a redesign of my website.  :)  Have I actually gotten my news updates to her yet?

Um.

*scribbles on to-do list.*

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My email inbox is still just under 150 emails that need me to do something at sometime… so, uh, if you're waiting for some sort of response from me, you're welcome to email me again with a  virtual kick in the caboose.

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Still working on Big Editing Project, and I've got a bunch of equine writing deadlines this week.  Along with the few team reviews I'm behind on… but those WILL get done when I wake up.

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I'm slowly moving forward on Kelpie.  I met up with a few more writing friends from the Common Ground group that was active a few years ago, and they're pushing, too.  I also owe a letter and a copy of the UnCONventional open call to my correspondence writing group.

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I'm waiting for checks.  And that just sucks.

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I need to go to bed so I can now be better prepared to do all this stuff that I didn't do today… when I wake up on Monday/today.

This is even more "Bits and Ends" than my usual.  Therefore, it needed a different name.  Logically.

Yes, I'm tired.  Happy day!

Writerly Bits & Ends

Chaos reigns!

Yay chaos?  Can I get some reins for it?

In any case, I'm exhausted and this blog is obviously later than late.

What's going on?  Funny you should ask!  'Cos thatsa what Ima gonna list right now.

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My good friend Aimee, the Tokyo Writer, has some fabulous news that is tentative in it's concrete-ness… at least by American standards.  In any case, we are doing some hopeful, yet mysterious celebration.  Check out her blog for a few more hints!

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Calico!

Here's a cute pic of my friend Renee riding.  Calico's not keen on actually walking forward with people on her back, so we all needed a little help in making her move.

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I am still crazily working on the revamped Broad Universe page (Link is to the current/old one).  As I have been allowed to appoint myself both the Readings and Events chick, I kinda took over all of the Events and Events-related sections (which include readings).  Will I ever learn to stop taking on more work?  Probably not, but damnit if it we aren't gonna have a sweet new website with a kick-ass Events section!

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I owe an interview email to Shaenon K. Garrity for the Broad Sheet, but I'm behind.  I love her comic, though, so go check it out.

I also owe an interview with Voltaire to Worcester Magazine, but he is insanely busier than I am.  And I need to hear my editor about time & length.  -poke poke … in case said editor reads my blog.  <3 U! -

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Still getting through Kelpie.  Had a great review with new in-person writer's group.  Which reminds me I owe some DragonWriters some crits - eep!

But, Kelpie is moving slowly as I have a gap of how I get from where I am to another part, and then from that part to the end.  In other words, neither my protag nor I have any clue exactly how we will fix this kelpie issue… just that the ending requires said kelpie issue fixed/removed.

Yeah… not exactly writer's block, but definitely writer's spinning gears.  I will likely end up writing lots of useless crap until I figure it out… and believe me, useless crap is flowing.  Advanced apologies to pre-readers.

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From Danielle on Bad-Ass Faeries:

Some MAJOR updates over at the Bad-Ass Faeries website. A few more artist pages are up, the complete set of freebie wallpaper is live, and all existing  author pages have live excerpt links. Check it out! www.badassfaeries.com

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I keep meaning to do a link plop of people who's blogs you should be reading… but I am a terrible friend who is too exhausted to actually look up the urls for the blogs that remind me to read them via email (or diligent friends in chats, on FB, or Twitter.)

I still love you gals & guys!

xx

Zzzzzzzzzz……..