FRIDAY STIR FRY - Busy Week

http://morguefile.com

So much has happened this week. Much more than usual in my normally calm life.

First, I received my proof copy of Beyond The Horizon from Create Space. I'm not gonna lie, I shed a little tear. To finally hold my book in my hands was the most amazing feeling. I checked for errors and finding none, I approved it. So my book is now available on Amazon for Kindle and in paperback. If you want to purchase, just click the cover on the side bar.

My 60th birthday was this week. I know, I can't believe I'm that old either. I don't think I look a day over 59. My son and daughter in law gave me a die cutting/embossing machine for my other love, scrap booking. And the writer tee shirt I ordered for myself came in. I received some flowers from a couple of good friends. And best of all, I've had the last three days off work. I haven't been a bit bored. I've gone to cafes, coffee shops and the library. I've done some much needed cleaning and some much needed writing. I could so totally not work.

And speaking of writing, I'm finally getting back to my work in progress. Although, it's been a bit tough. This thing starts out pretty good then goes every which way. Going to take a lot of patience on my part to get it back on track. But, it will happen. I need to get another book out there.

Now, I'm going to enjoy the rest of my time off.

What do you like to do when you have some time off?

FRIDAY STIR FRY - Some Updates and Other Stuff

http://www.morguefile.com

A couple of Friday's ago, I wrote about my attempt at finding a new hangout. Well, after three weeks of exhaustive research - ha ha - I'm sad to report I haven't found a new bar home. I've tried out 7 different places and none of them feel right. The bar stools are not comfortable, their happy hour sucks, or their service sucks or I don't feel like the employees or the patrons are interested in getting to know me at all.

I've thought about giving up. But, I'm afraid going home from my brain numbing job everyday and staring at my four walls will eventually drive me more insane than I am.

Now, on the book front - my publisher is officially closed as of today. But, it's okay. My friend, who is awesome at creating book covers, has already sent me several to choose from. I received my rights back for my contemporary romance Beyond The Horizon, so now all I have to do is make sure the formatting is good for Kindle and move forward. I hope to have a re-launch in the next week or so.

I'm also attempting to write a short mystery for this contest:

http://sleuthsink.blogspot.com/2015/03/whodunnit-contest-guidelines-are-up.html

I've never written one of these type stories, so it is a bit challenging. It's no more difficult than finding a new hangout. I may not be a professional bar locator, but I am a professional writer.

FRIDAY STIR FRY - A New Direction

http://www.morguefile.com

Received the news this week that my publisher, Breathless Press, is closing shop. Financial reasons were the explanation. With many authors going the self-publishing route through Amazon and offering their work at an inexpensive price, it's difficult for a small press publisher to charge enough per book to make any money. Especially after they pay the editors and cover artists. It's understandable, but sad.

About this time last year I was in the midst of final edits for Beyond The Horizon. It was all so new and exciting. A dream come true. I had a publisher, a fantastic cover and an editor I loved. Now, I have to begin all over. Well, not quite. I don't have to write the book again since I'm getting my rights back.

Many of my writer friends are urging me to self-publish. Some have even offered to help with cover art and formatting. Bless their hearts. I already published Briefs and Shorts on Kindle, so I think I could do the same with my book. I've set up a Create Space account to print a paperback version. Onward and upward. I can do this. I think.

So (fingers crossed), in about a month, Beyond The Horizon will be back out there with a new cover, a paper edition, and a lower price.

FRIDAY STIR FRY - Ramblings on a cold February day

http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1420805

I'm sick of winter. Enough said.

So, remember my last post? If not you can refresh your memory below. I was wondering what to do with my novel Beyond The Horizon. Well, I got my answer this week. I received a very nice response from an editor who suggested some revisions and then re-submit it to her. Yipee! No, it's not a contract, but it's closer then I've ever been. I've been reading it on my Kindle (yes you can download your work) and making notes this week. I'm a weekend novelist, so you get one guess what I'll be doing Saturday and Sunday. I'd like to get it close to re-submission. It might take another weekend, but I definitely plan on getting it back to her ASAP. Before she can change her mind!

On a different note: I finally paid my sales tax on my car along with late penalties, title transfer fees, plate transfer fees . . .  I didn't even get a kiss (if you know what I mean). Man, it was painful. But, it's done. I'm now legal. Whew!

I'm looking forward to the Olympics. And I'm loving this twitter feed   https://twitter.com/search?q=sochiproblems&src=tyah     Hilarious and sad all at the same time. Our Olympic athletes deserve better accommodations.

Enjoy your week!

FRIDAY STIR FRY - What to do?

    

http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1238452

I've got lots of questions swirling in my head right now. What is the meaning of  life? Why do I procrastinate? When can I retire? Why is the sky blue? And finally, what should I do with my book?

 

It has been with a publisher since the last of November while I patiently waited for a reply as per their guidelines. (I think I've mentioned I hate publisher guidelines). I sent a follow up e-mail again per their instructions last week. Haven't heard a word. So, what do I do? Should I re-submit to another publisher? Should I query another agent? Should I publish on Kindle? Or should I just give up on it?

 

 The Kindle option is tempting but seems to involve quite the learning curve. Not sure I have the time or patience. Plus what about cover art? Pay someone or muddle through that on my own?

 

 I don't want to give up on it either. I think it's a story that needs to be told.

 

??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

 

Suggestions?

 

 

 

FRIDAY STIR FRY - Random Thoughts

Well, believe it or not, I'm way behind on NaNo as you can see from my miserable word counter. Oh well.

Received another rejection this week for BTH. Up to ten now, I think. I've lost count and interest. I'm really tired of the whole process. Sending the query or whatever the heck they want and then waiting, waiting and waiting. Only to get turned down. Considering putting it on Kindle. If I could only have a week off work so I could do a cover and format it and all that good stuff. I don't think two days on the weekend will be enough. Plus I don't have a clue how to do a cover. There are peeps who have offered to help. We'll see.

Work is kicking my butt (which is my excuse for my pitiful word count). A person in our department is leaving and the three of us that are left are trying to divide her work up between us. My old brain is having to learn new stuff. But, MAYBE, if they don't need to hire somebody, we can get a raise when she leaves. Not sure I'm going to survive to see that.

On a brighter note, I'm loving my new car. Need to take a road trip soon.

Which brings me to my question of the week. Where do you like to go on a one day road trip?

http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1422898