A Litany of Love for All Women on Mother’s Day

I first published this essay two years ago on Mother’s Day. It is still relevant, so here it is again.

We are surrounded by images of a Happy Mother’s Day. TV commercial s and print ads shout at us with dozens of gift ideas. We see pictures of happy children and even happier mothers. It can be a great feel-good holiday, despite the over-commercialization.

But not all mothers are so happy this day.

There are mothers who are estranged from their children; mothers who have lost their children due to illnesses or injuries. There are mothers whose children have been ripped from them by abduction and murder.

There are women who would give up everything they have to become a mother, but it has not happened for them.

And there are women who have chosen not to become a mother. They often endure guilt trips and judgments about their choice, even though no one knows what is in the heart of a woman.

This litany celebrates all women today. Happy mothers, sad mothers, tragic mothers, women who are desperate to be a mother, and women who have chosen not to become a mother. God bless all women today.

To all mothers, may you enjoy a day of delight with your children—Happy Mother’s Day

To all grandmothers, great-grandmothers, and great-great-grandmothers, may you revel in the joy of the next generations of your babies– Happy Mother’s Day

To all godmothers and women who have taken on the role of mother, may you feel the gratitude of those who call you Mother in their hearts– Happy Mother’s Day

To all mothers whose children have passed on, at no matter what age, may you cherish the memories of your children– Happy Mother’s Day

To all children whose mothers have passed on, may you make peace with the loss of your mother– Happy Mother’s Day

To all mothers who do not know where their children are, by choice or by tragedy, may you keep hope alive that in this life or the next, you will be with your children again– Happy Mother’s Day

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The Mimi Chronicles–Is the Easter Bunny Real?

Welcome to the newest feature of this blog–”The Mimi Chronicles”. Using the writer’s adage of “write what you know”, I’ll be talking about my life as Mimi to three rambunctious grandchildren. Being a grandparent is full of joy, hope, delight, and sometimes exhaustion. Sometimes all at the same time. It’s a way of life I’ve quickly come to love. Of course, I’ll also be telling stories about my sweeties, who provide me with an unending supply of antics to entertain you with.

Today’s story is an update of an earlier post. When my children were growing up, I endured the typical tough questions that all parents face–Where do babies come from? How did they get there? My friends said Santa Claus isn’t real, is that true? As my youngest child entered high school, I breathed a sigh of relief. I was done with that stuff. Or so I thought.

A few years ago, for reasons known only to her, one of my granddaughters decided to ask Mimi about the Easter Bunny. I managed to get through it, not necessarily unscathed. I now have my radar on at all times, wary of another ambush. Here’s how it folded:

“Is the Easter Bunny real?”  That’s the question Harper asked me last Tuesday when I was on Skype with her, her  sister, and her mother.

Harper and her twin sister, Molly, were three-and-a-half years old at the time.  How can she ask such a question already.  And especially of her grandmother.  Isn’t that a question for a child’s parents, for heaven’s sake?

The girls’ mother, my daughter, and I were blind-sided by this question. What parent or grandparent wouldn’t be when the child is only three?

“Of course he is,” I answered.  “Where do you think  the candy comes from?”

“Have you seen him?” Harper pushed on.

“Well, no, he’s magic. I can’t see him.”

“He comes when you’re sleeping, like Santa Claus does,” her mother finally chimed in.

“What color is he?”

“I don’t know, Harper, I’ve never seen him.”

I looked to my daughter for help, but she just shrugged her shoulders, letting Mimi carry the ball on this surprise.

“Maybe he’s blue,” Harper offered.

“He might be, ” I answered.

The look on her face and the tone of her voice told me that I had fallen into her trap.  She narrowed her eyes and tilted her head.

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The Shrimp Family Has a Merry Christmas–A Stop on Terri Giuliano Long’s “Meet the Family Holiday Blog Hop”

This week, I’m participating in Terri Guiliano Long’s “Meet the Family Holiday Hop.” I’m so happy to be part of celebrating families and their holiday traditions and celebrations.

It’s hard for me to believe, but it’s been two years since the Shrimp Family made their initial appearance in my kids book Tales From Shrimps. I thought it would be fun to visit them this Christmas and see what they’re up to.

I hope you enjoy the surprise the Shrimps have and the extra reason they have to celebrate this holiday!

Please visit the other blogs in the hop by clicking on the linky at the end of the story. And make sure to use the Rafflecopter link to enter the drawing for the great prizes! It’s going to be a week filled with wonderful holiday stories!

The Shrimp Family Has a Merry Christmas

One day, Mama Shrimp said, “It’s time to get ready for Christmas.” Harper and Molly Shrimp were so excited. This would be the first Christmas for their new baby brother, Liam Shrimp.

Mama and Papa bundled all the little Shrimps in their winter coats. They were going to the Magic Forest to cut down their own Christmas tree. 

Molly and Harper ran from tree to tree. “This one, Papa,” cried Molly. “No, this one, this one,” called Harper. “Ba, ba, ba,” said Liam.

Mama and Papa found the perfect tree. It was tall and fat. It had enough room to hold all the special ornaments the Shrimp Family treasured.

When they got home, Papa put the tree in the stand while Mama prepared a snack of Christmas cookies and hot chocolate. “Thank you, Mama,” said Harper. “Thank you, Mama,” said Molly. “Ba, ba, ba,” said Liam.

After the Shrimps finished their snack, they carefully hung the ornaments on the tree. “Here, Mama, put on the talking Santa ornament!” exclaimed Molly. “Papa, Papa, look—put the bell on next,” cried Harper. “Ba, ba, ba,” called Liam as he tossed the wooden soldier ornament out of the box.

Soon the tree was full of ornaments and lights and tinsel. It was beautiful!

Mama and Papa gathered the little Shrimps around the tree to sing Christmas carols. “Silent night, holy night,” sang Harper. “Jingle bells, jingle bells,” sang Molly. “Ba, ba, ba,” sang Liam.

And then they went to lunch.

Shrimp Family Portrait by Stacy Kelley

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Happy Thanksgiving–Pass the Subs, Please

For the past month, at least, I’ve been collecting recipes on Pinterest, deciding where to spend Thanksgiving, trying not to guilt Older Son into traveling to Daughter’s with us, assuring Younger Son (and myself) that I really do understand why he’s staying in Utah a little longer even though his seasonal park ranger position has ended…You know, the typical holiday rituals families undertake each year in some fashion or another.

What keeps me grounded is the memory of the Thanksgiving I wrote about in this post. We tend to get immersed in the flurry of traditional foods and who cooks what and who hosts. Those things are just the trimmings around the main event–the giving of thanks. And we can do that whether we eat scrumptious turkey, MacDonald’s hamburgers, or sub sandwiches.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and your family and friends! And always remember–it’s not what you eat that makes a holiday, but with whom you share your table! 

(For the record, I have been successful in my efforts to assure both sons, and myself, that it’s their holiday, too, and they are free to spend it in whatever way they like. Our love transcends time, place, and choice of meals.)

I love to eat and I love to cook. The upcoming holiday combination of both can make me high.

I watch every Food Network show, and print stacks of recipes. I love to visit people to sample what has piqued my friends’ and family’s culinary interest. And I love to have company to show off what has caught my attention.

I also fall back on a few of my “secret” recipes—store-bought cookie dough, already made into cookie shapes so that all you have to do is plop them on a baking sheet and pop them in the oven. And there are a few box mixes I just can’t live without.

When all is said and done, though, for me, food is fuel. When I travel, the smallest part of my budget is always for food. I’d much rather spend my money on museums, ancient ruins, and subway tokens to get to those places. I love sitting at sidewalk cafes, watching people go by, even if means eating the cheapest item on the menu.

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Flying By the Seat of My Pants

Today’s post is experimental. I almost never write directly on the blog; I write what I want to say in a Word document first. Some days I spend more or less time polishing it than others, but I always do some reviewing and editing.

Not today. Today I have so much to do, and so little energy, that I will either write directly here or not at all.

I had a nice chat with my Daddy on Skype this morning. I told him I was getting ready for work. Work? Daddy was confused. I retired nearly four years ago. But yes, I am working again. A dream job for a writer and voracious reader! I am now working at our tiny town’s awesome indie bookstore, From My Shelf Books ( http://www.wellsborobookstore.com/ ). They moved from a small, basement-level space to a large, airy, building on the best corner of downtown Wellsboro, and I’m happy to say that I recently joined the staff.

Daddy kept insisting that I didn’t really grasp the concept of retirement, if I was preparing to go to “work.” I was finally able to convince him that since the point of retirement is to be able to do what you enjoy, I had a firm grasp on how to spend my “golden years.” (Truth be told, I think I’m only as far as silver years, but that’s beside the point.)

Anyway, the conversation stayed with me, and it brought me back to some thoughts I’d had a while ago. It seems that I never, ever have enough time to do everything I “must” do. I have more books on my to-read list than hours in the coming year. There is a stack of books that either I want to read and review, or I’ve promised others I would review. And I swear, I will get to that biography of Albert Einstein that has been mocking me for the past eleven months.

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How Do You Define Success as an Author, and How Do You Pay for It?

There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Or, as I like to put it, there’s a price for everything.

In January, I set my writing goals for this year—publish at least one of the two novels I have in first-draft form; find another outlet to get paid for writing essays and articles, since ViewsHound went belly-up; and figure out what I want to do about writing book reviews.

All things being equal, I would love to write a novel that makes all the bestsellers lists. I’d love to go shopping for fancy new clothes to wear as I make the rounds of all the morning news shows promoting my book. It would be so cool if I had to change my phone number to unlisted to avoid the endless number of calls from avid fans. Wouldn’t it be nice to have to decide on how much to charge for speaking fees? (Actually, I have been asked several times what my fee is for reading my kids’ book Tales From Shrimps at day care centers. That is always a rush! [I have no fee; I’m thrilled to be invited.])

But all things are not equal. In the world of writing, as in most other aspects of life, you do not succeed simply by writing a great book. In fact, it seems like writing the book is the easiest part of the journey to becoming a published author.

I participate in several Facebook author/writer groups, some for support and others devoted to sharing the mechanics of self-publishing and marketing techniques. Others emphasize readying books to be submitted to agents and publishers. Blog posts and writing journals and classes abound, offering numerous perspecitives on what writers must, or must not, do (and sometimes, the advice from different sources contradict others).

One of the biggest requirements of achieving success these days is the concept of buliding your platform. An author must have a presence on Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and all the other latest social media outlets.  Numbers are important. How many followers do you have on your fan page? How many Twitter followers do you have? How many blog hits do you get? What’s your Klout score?

Once your book is published, the number chase turns to rankings. Sales rank on Amazon, paid downloads, free downloads, Goodreads members’ to-read shelves. How many stars does your book get in reviews. The higher these numbers, the more successful you are.

Or are you? More importantly, is that what success means to me?

I see how very hard authors work to attain those numbers. They spend an inordinate amount of time analyzing their numbers and determining how to increase them. And those efforts are built around the time they spend actually writing; working a day job; going to school; and taking care of kids, pets, and sometimes parents. I often wonder when they have time to sleep.

I’m happy to see others achieve whatever measure of success they are working towards; they work hard and they deserve it. But I’m not sure that these measures of success matter to me enough to pay the price, because the price is high.

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“In Leah’s Wake” Social Media Whirlwind Tour–Thursday

Announcing the In Leah’s Wake Social Media Whirlwind Tour! Today’s post is an interview with Terri, you don’t want to miss this!

After you take a look at how you can enter for some awesome prizes, scroll on down to meet Terri!

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the In Leah’s Wake eBook edition has dropped to just 99 cents this week.

What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes, including Amazon gift cards of up to $500 in amount and 5 autographed copies of the book. Be sure to enter before the end of the day on Friday, December 16th, so you don’t miss out.

To Win the Prizes

1. Purchase your copy of In Leah’s Wake for just 99 cents on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
2. Fill-out the form on Novel Publicity to enter for the prizes
3. Visit today’s featured event; you may win an autographed copy of the book or a $50 gift card!
4. BONUS: If you leave a comment on this blog post, you have another chance at $100!

…And I can win too!

Over 100 bloggers are participating in this gigantic event, and there are plenty of prizes for us too. The blogger who receives the most votes in the traffic-breaker poll will win a $100 gift card as well. So when you visit Novel Publicity’s site to fill-out the contest entry form, don’t forget to say that I referred you, so I can get a point in the poll.

The Featured Events include:

Monday, Radio Interview with Novel Publicity! We’re kicking-off on the Novel Publicity Free Advice blog. We interviewed Terri on our radio show Sunday night and have embedded the full podcast and blogged about its highlights. Give it a listen and then leave a comment on the blog post. This is a great chance to get to know more about this inspiring and friendly author. One commenter will win an autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake. Don’t forget to enter for the other contest prizes while you’re over there!

Tuesday, Twitter sharing contest! A tweet is tiny, only 140 characters. But on Tuesday, it could win you $50. Send the following tweet across the twittersphere, and you just may win a $50 Amazon gift card. An autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake is also up for grabs. The winner will be announced Wednesday morning. Here’s the tweet: In Leah’s Wake has taken the publishing world by storm. Get the book for just 99 cents http://ow.ly/7WP5H #whirlwind

Wednesday, Google+ sharing contest! Yup, there’s yet another awesome opportunity to win a $50 Amazon gift card, and this time it just takes a single click! Visit Google+ and share Emlyn Chand’s most recent post (you’ll see the In Leah’s Wake book cover included with it). On Thursday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. An autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake is also up for grabs. Three chances to win! How about that?

Thursday, Facebook sharing contest! Stop by Novel Publicity’s Facebook page and share their latest post (you’ll see the In Leah’s Wake book cover included with it). It’s ridiculously easy to win! On Friday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. An autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake is also up for grabs.

Friday, special contest on the author’s site! Win a $500 Amazon gift card, simply by leaving a comment on Terri’s most recent blog post. Yup, you read that correctly—$500! How easy is that? An autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake is also up for grabs.

 

Remember, it’s all about the books!

About In Leah’ Wake: The Tyler family had the perfect life – until sixteen-year-old Leah decided she didn’t want to be perfect anymore. While her parents fight to save their daughter from destroying her brilliant future, Leah’s younger sister, Justine, must cope with the damage her out-of-control sibling leaves in her wake. What happens when love just isn’t enough? Get it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

About the Author: Terri Giuliano Long grew up in the company of stories both of her own making and as written by others. Books offer her a zest for life’s highs and comfort in its lows. She’s all-too-happy to share this love with others as a novelist and a writing teacher at Boston College. She was grateful and thrilled beyond words when her award-winning debut literary novel, In Leah’s Wake, hit the Barnes and Noble and Amazon bestseller lists in August. She owes a lot of wonderful people – big time! – for any success she’s enjoyed! Visit her on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.

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“In Leah’s Wake” Whirlwind Social Media Tour–Wednesday

Announcing the In Leah’s Wake Social Media Whirlwind Tour!

Today’s feature is a guest post from Terri! Welcome Terri, I’m honored to have you visit!

Take a look at the chances for some great prizes, and then read on to hear from Terri.

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the In Leah’s Wake eBook edition has dropped to just 99 cents this week.

What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes, including Amazon gift cards of up to $500 in amount and 5 autographed copies of the book. Be sure to enter before the end of the day on Friday, December 16th, so you don’t miss out.

To Win the Prizes

1. Purchase your copy of In Leah’s Wake for just 99 cents on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
2. Fill-out the form on Novel Publicity to enter for the prizes
3. Visit today’s featured event; you may win an autographed copy of the book or a $50 gift card!
4. BONUS: If you leave a comment on this blog post, you have another chance at $100!

…And I can win too!

Over 100 bloggers are participating in this gigantic event, and there are plenty of prizes for us too. The blogger who receives the most votes in the traffic-breaker poll will win a $100 gift card as well. So when you visit Novel Publicity’s site to fill-out the contest entry form, don’t forget to say that I referred you, so I can get a point in the poll.

The Featured Events include:

Monday, Radio Interview with Novel Publicity! We’re kicking-off on the Novel Publicity Free Advice blog. We interviewed Terri on our radio show Sunday night and have embedded the full podcast and blogged about its highlights. Give it a listen and then leave a comment on the blog post. This is a great chance to get to know more about this inspiring and friendly author. One commenter will win an autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake. Don’t forget to enter for the other contest prizes while you’re over there!

Tuesday, Twitter sharing contest! A tweet is tiny, only 140 characters. But on Tuesday, it could win you $50. Send the following tweet across the twittersphere, and you just may win a $50 Amazon gift card. An autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake is also up for grabs. The winner will be announced Wednesday morning. Here’s the tweet: In Leah’s Wake has taken the publishing world by storm. Get the book for just 99 cents http://ow.ly/7WP5H #whirlwind

Wednesday, Google+ sharing contest! Yup, there’s yet another awesome opportunity to win a $50 Amazon gift card, and this time it just takes a single click! Visit Google+ and share Emlyn Chand’s most recent post (you’ll see the In Leah’s Wake book cover included with it). On Thursday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. An autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake is also up for grabs. Three chances to win! How about that?

Thursday, Facebook sharing contest! Stop by Novel Publicity’s Facebook page and share their latest post (you’ll see the In Leah’s Wake book cover included with it). It’s ridiculously easy to win! On Friday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. An autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake is also up for grabs.

Friday, special contest on the author’s site! Win a $500 Amazon gift card, simply by leaving a comment on Terri’s most recent blog post. Yup, you read that correctly—$500! How easy is that? An autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake is also up for grabs.

Remember, it’s all about the books!

About In Leah’ Wake: The Tyler family had the perfect life – until sixteen-year-old Leah decided she didn’t want to be perfect anymore. While her parents fight to save their daughter from destroying her brilliant future, Leah’s younger sister, Justine, must cope with the damage her out-of-control sibling leaves in her wake. What happens when love just isn’t enough? Get it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

About the Author: Terri Giuliano Long grew up in the company of stories both of her own making and as written by others. Books offer her a zest for life’s highs and comfort in its lows. She’s all-too-happy to share this love with others as a novelist and a writing teacher at Boston College. She was grateful and thrilled beyond words when her award-winning debut literary novel, In Leah’s Wake, hit the Barnes and Noble and Amazon bestseller lists in August. She owes a lot of wonderful people – big time! – for any success she’s enjoyed! Visit her on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.

What’s the Story, Morning Glory?

The Importance of Music and how it Inspired In Leah’s Wake

Although I find it too distracting to listen to music while I write, inspiration for my stories often arises from music. While I was writing In Leah’s Wake, songs brought me into the emotional state necessary to write difficult scenes. Songs set a mood, which helped me envision places, and songs helped me to identify and shape the book’s themes.

The novel opens with Zoe and Will listening to the Van Morrison song “Tupelo Honey,” a sweet love song that gives their relationship context by suggesting happier, better days. “Showdown at Big Sky,” which Will puts on the stereo next, foreshadows the problems on the horizon, and “Face in the Crowd” speaks to the profound loneliness Will feels as he waits up for Leah that night, imaging all the unthinkable horrors that might have befallen his daughter.

Later in the book, the song “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina,” from Evita, gave me a glimpse into Zoe’s fractured emotional state—remorse compelled by abiding love—as she drives home, wondering what to expect next from her rebellious teenage daughter: “I still need your love after all that I’ve done . . . I love you and I hope you love me . . .” “Stardog Champion” from Stardog Champion by Mother Love Bone, suggests power, so appropriate to the post-fight euphoria felt by Todd and Lupo after a showdown with Will.

Often, songs transport me to a place. Listening to Miles Davis one evening brought me, in my mind, to the coffeehouse Zoe visits with the policeman, Jerry Johnson. Music also helps me to clarify themes. One night, on our way home from dinner, my husband, Dave, played the Bruce Springsteen album Greetings From Asbury Park. The song “Growin’ Up” struck a nerve and I insisted on listening to it over and over. I saw Leah, a good kid, just trying to grow up and make her way in the world.

I heard “Champagne Super Nova,” from the Oasis CD What’s the Story? Morning Glory, when I stepped out of the shower one morning. Our house was wired for sound and Dave was playing the new CD he’d just bought. As with “Growin’ Up,” I insisted that he replay the song, and then replay it again. The pivotal scene, where Justine asks Leah for a cigarette and Leah allows her little sister to smoke, blossomed as I listened to the music.

As I wrote, music came to play a defining role in the book, and I would often search for the right music after writing a scene. The Liszt piano solo “Hungarian Rhapsodies” mirrors Zoe’s frenzied mind as she drives home from her motivational workshop, the day after Leah shows up drunk at 3:00 a.m., after a wild party. The same happened with “Paranoid Android,” from Okay Computer by Radiohead, “I’m On Fire,” from the Bruce Springsteen album Born in the USA, “Stardog Champion,” from Stardog Champion by Mother Love Bone, “I Loves You Porgy” from Porgy and Bess, and “Misguided Angel,” from The Trinity Session by the Cowboy Junkies.

Without music, In Leah’s Wake would be a very different – and for me, the writer, much less compelling book.

For those of you who, like me, find inspiration in music, here’s the soundtrack. Enjoy!

Soundtrack from In Leah’s Wake

“Growin’ Up,” Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ, Bruce Springsteen, Sony Records, 1972

“Tupelo Honey,” Tupelo Honey, Van Morrison, Polydor/Pgd, 1971

“Showdown At Big Sky,” Robbie Robertson, Robbie Robertson, Universal Int’l, 1987

“A Face In The Crowd,” Full Moon Fever, Tom Petty , MCA, 1989

“John Barleycorn,” John Barleycorn Must Die, Traffic, Island Records, 1970

“Not A Pretty Girl,” Not a Pretty Girl, Ani DiFranco, Righteous Babe, 1995

Hungarian Rhapsodies, Franz Liszt, Leslie Howard solo piano, Hyperion, 1999

“Testify,” The Battle of Los Angeles, Rage Against The Machine, Sony Records, 1999

“Don’t Cry for Me Argentina,” Evita (Music From The Motion Picture), Madonna, Warner Bros./WEA, 1996

“The Ride of the Valkyries,” Wagner Without Words, Conducted by George Szell, Performed by the Cleveland Orchestra, Sony Records, 1991

“Chase The Blues Away,” Morning Glory: The Tim Buckley Anthology, Tim Buckley, Elektra/ WEZ, 1966

“Champagne Supernova,” (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, Oasis, Sony, 1995

“The Candy Shop,” The Massacre, Fifty Cent, Aftermath, 2005

“Vital Transformation,” Inner Mounting Flame, The Mahavishnu Orchestra Jazz, Sony 1971

“Strawberry Fields Forever,” Magical Mystery Tour, The Beatles, Capitol Records, 1967

“Mozart Violin Concerto No. 5,” Mozart: The Five Violin Concertos by Itzhak Perlman violin, Weiner Philharmoniker and James Levine, Deutsche Grammophon, 1995

“Surrey With The Fringe on Top,” Steamin, Mile Davis, Prestige, 1956

“Come As You Are,” Nevermind, Nirvana, Geffen Records, 1991

“Paranoid Android,” Okay Computer, Radiohead, Capitol Records, 1997

“I’m On Fire,” Born in The USA, Bruce Springsteen, Sony, 1984

“Stardog Champion,” Stardog Champion, Mother Love Bone, Mercury/Universal, 1992

“I Loves You, Porgy,” The Melody At Night With You, Keith Jarrett, EMC Records, 1900

“Hasta Siempre, Witchi-Tai-To, Jan Garbarek and Bobo Stenson Quartet, EMC, 1973 Records

“As The Years Go Passing By,” Born Under a Bad Sign, Albert King, Stax, 1967

“Misguided Angel,” The Trinity Session, Cowboy Junkies, RCA Records, 1988

“Davidian,” Burn My Eyes, Machine Head, Roadrunner Records, 1994

“Here I Am, Lord,” Wonder, Love, and Praise, Daniel Schutte, New Dawn Music, 1981

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“In Leah’s Wake”–Social Media Whirlwind Tour Tuesday

Announcing the In Leah’s Wake Social Media Whirlwind Tour!

Good morning! I am pleased to be participating in this Whirlwind Tour for Terri Guiliano Long’s debut novel, In Leah’s Wake. It’s an honor for me to be able to champion this great book by one of today’s most talented authors. Starting today and running through Friday, I, and host of other bloggers, will be featuring Terri and her book on our blogs. Today’s post includes an excerpt of In Leah’s Wake. I hope it entices you to take advantage of the blockbuster price for the eBook edition, as well as participate in the other events listed below. Enjoy!

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the In Leah’s Wake eBook edition has dropped to just 99 cents this week.

What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes, including Amazon gift cards of up to $500 in amount and 5 autographed copies of the book. Be sure to enter before the end of the day on Friday, December 16th, so you don’t miss out.

To Win the Prizes

1. Purchase your copy of In Leah’s Wake for just 99 cents on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
2. Fill-out the form on Novel Publicity to enter for the prizes
3. Visit today’s featured event; you may win an autographed copy of the book or a $50 gift card!
4. BONUS: If you leave a comment on this blog post, you have another chance at $100!

…And I can win too!

Over 100 bloggers are participating in this gigantic event, and there are plenty of prizes for us too. The blogger who receives the most votes in the traffic-breaker poll will win a $100 gift card as well. So when you visit Novel Publicity’s site to fill out the contest entry form, don’t forget to say that I referred you, so I can get a point in the poll.

The Featured Events include:

Tuesday, Twitter sharing contest! A tweet is tiny, only 140 characters. But on Tuesday, it could win you $50. Send the following tweet across the twittersphere, and you just may win a $50 Amazon gift card. An autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake is also up for grabs. The winner will be announced Wednesday morning. Here’s the tweet: In Leah’s Wake has taken the publishing world by storm. Get the book for just 99 cents http://ow.ly/7WP5H #whirlwind

Read Full Post »

Friday Musings–Are You Ready for NaNo?

Are you ready for NaNo? I am. At least as ready as I’m going to be.

I did NaNo for the first time last year. I had no clue what was in store for me. I had been writing essays for this blog (actually an earlier version) for several months, and I was waiting for my children’s picture book, Tales From Shrimps www.talesfromshrimps.com, to be released in December. The only time novels ever entered my mind was when I was reading them.

I had heard, over and over and over, that writers needed to write EVERY DAY, SAME TIME, SAME STATION. I wasn’t doing that, so I was feeling pretty inadequate. I was trying to develop some discipline, but it wasn’t working. My writing was sporadic at best. I was writing only when inspiration hit me, and only with a big whack at that.

That’s when I heard of NaNo. About two weeks before it started. I decided on the spot that I was going to participate. I had no idea what I would write about until several days before November 1.

Do you realize how much WORK it is to write a novel? I didn’t, not even after reading for…well, let’s just say since kindergarten and not do the math right now.

You can’t write a novel just by waiting for inspiration. Really. I tried, but no dice. To get that word count up, I had to write every day, for a long time every day.

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A Reader Reviews—You Tell Me

Today I have a twist for you—what would you like me to review? I started reading Carolyn Turgeon’s Godmother for today’s review, but I didn’t finish it yet. I looked around my stash of
books for something I’ve already read but not yet reviewed, and didn’t come up with anything I thought you would enjoy. Some of the books I read “just for fun”, meaning not specifically to review, probably wouldn’t be a hit here on this blog. I read astrophysics, cosmology, and other science-related nonfiction for fun. Yep, that’s right. Nerdy, I know, but I love it.

So, I got this idea of having you tell me what you want me to review. Next week’s book is already set. I’ll be reading and reviewing Pavarti K. Tyler’s Two Moons Over Sera as part of the blog tour for the launch of this book. http://www.fightingmonkeypress.com/index.php/two-moons-of-sera/

That gives me four Wednesdays in November for other reviews—November 9^th, 16^th, 23^rd, and 30^th. I’ll be throwing some other cool reviews on other days in November, also. I’m reviewing
Emlyn Chand’s new release, Farsighted http://www.emlynchand.com/farsighted/ later in the month, and I’m reading Melissa Luznicky Garrett’s Turning Point for Adopt-an-Indie month .http://adoptanindie.bookbagsandcatnaps.com/catablog-items/turning-point-melissa-luznicky-garrett-adopted/

So, here’s some of what’s on my “to-read” list:

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Computer Voodoo Be Warned

Just a quickie today–I am having  more computer problems. Again. I’m starting to think the universe is trying to tell me something. The family desktop crashed and burned. My old laptop crashed twice. Now my new laptop is having a battery issue that could not be resolved over the telephone with Best Buy’s tech support. So, I’ll be taking a two-hour round trip drive to the closest Best Buy later today to see what’s up with this new tormenter I’m typing on. Off to the Geek Squad I go!

I’m starting to wonder–does someone, somewhere, have a laptop doll they’re sticking pins in?? Are there computer voodoo vibes out there launching an assault on every keyboard I touch? What computer god have I ticked off?

I’ll tell you one thing, though. This may delay my writing work. It may make the work pile up and lead to some madly busy sessions of catching up, but I won’t be deterred! I had enough smarts to get the old computer repaired when I bought this new one, so I will be back to my work later today.

Take that, you universe-al computer meanies! You’ve won a few battles, but I will win the war!

 

 

 

 

 

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Friday Musings–The Benefit of NOT Writing for a While

As some of you might know, I’m writing a novel. I started it last November as part of National Novel Writing Month. I’m about three-quarters the way through it. Recently, though, work on it had become slow. It didn’t seem to be going anywhere. I had a good beginning and an ending that I thought was great, but I couldn’t seem to connect the two in any meaningful way. But I had laid down the law to myself to finish it. I even made the deadline public, here on this blog and in a very well-received article published on www.viewshound.com. I was going to get that book done by the end of August by hook or by crook.

My husband and I took our daughter and grandbabies in without a conscious thought; it’s
what families do. The downside to me, though, was that I no longer had even one square inch of space, or time, to myself.

In the midst of all of this, I grudgingly accepted that I would have to set aside the novel
for a while and take care of the immediately pressing needs in front of me. I was sad; I felt like I was failing myself, and all those people who thought my advice was so good.

Then I read a very profound blog post by Karen Rowe. It started out sounding like a major warning about the dangers of not backing up your work. Karen told of how a recent computer crash wiped out her entire nearly finished book. Not a trace of it existed anywhere. As expected, she was
initially devastated. But her reaction next is nothing short of transforming.

Karen writes of how the experience liberated her. She, too, had been having difficulty with
where her book was going, which increasingly seemed to be nowhere, but she couldn’t let go of it, because, as Karen writes:

I see that I was hanging on too tightly to the IDEA of the book. My Ego was very
attached to its awesomeness. I had been talking about it so long, and had so
much invested that I was having a hard time letting go of it, even though it
wasn’t really working. My book had its own Facebook Fan page, its own Twitter
handle, a following of raving fans, and campaign partners all lined up to help
me with the Launch. It had the best title in the whole wide world. My book was
going to be wildly successful. I couldn’t possibly not write it. What would people
think??

When I read those words, I felt chills. This was how I had been feeling about my book.
Although I had published a children’s picture book last year, writing that had been a happy accident. My novel was what was going to make me a “real” writer. It was all I talked about. I went to writers’ groups. I wrote about writing it on my blog, on Facebook, and on Twitter. Being a writer of a novel had become my new identity.

And I had made PROMISES. To myself, to those writers’ groups, to my Facebook friends and
Twitter followers. I would be a fraud if I didn’t finish it by the deadline that I, alone, had set as if in stone.

But in the short time that it took to read Karen’s blog post, a peace settled on me. The deadline
I had set was arbitrary. I owed nothing to my friends, followers, and readers other than honesty. And the honesty was that at this point in time, I needed to set aside my novel. It’s tempting to say that the reason was the crisis with my daughter, but the truth is I was not going where I needed to go with the novel. I had lost the story, concentrating only on being able to shout to my world
that I FINISHED THE BOOK! I was deliberately throwing down crap just to get to the finish line.

And so I let it go. I gave it a kiss, tucked it to sleep, and said “I’ll be back when the time is right.”

Karen’s words made me realize that this temporary separation was not a failure. Instead, it was a sign of strength. I had the courage to stand up straight, throw my shoulders back, and say, “No, I am not currently working on my novel. I will again when the time is right, but for now, I need a break.” I didn’t feel like I was letting anyone down, least of all myself.

It has been a few weeks now. My daughter and her family have taken an apartment near their
home while they wait out the months of restoration ahead of them. It took me and my husband some time to get our house back in order; putting away toys, moving furniture back to their original places, tending our neglected garden.

A few days ago, I sat down with the novel for the first time in over a month. I read the most recent chapters to get back into the story and reacquaint myself with the characters. And then I started writing. Tentatively at first, but I soon found myself in a new rhythm. Not one of just throwing down words, but of working carefully to make the story right. The word count will come later, when the story, the right story, is finished.

I have plenty of writing knowledge. Heck, my undergraduate degree is in writing. I was a business writer and editor many years ago. Since I returned to writing, I have read more blog posts on writing advice than I can count and I follow the success stories of writers I admire. Writing I know. Perspective I didn’t.

Thank you, Karen Rowe, for what has turned out to be the best writing advice I’ve ever read. And, I suspect, some of the best life advice I’m likely to need, also.

 

 

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A Reader Reviews–In Leah’s Wake

In Leah’s Wake by Terri Giuliano Long has been a phenomenal success. As the book’s one-year anniversary nears, Terri’s book has won awards and topped best-seller lists in the US. She has sold the UK rights, and a Turkish editor is requesting information on translation rights for that country.

 This is what happens when you combine a superbly written book, self-publishing, outstanding social media marketing, and passionate readers!

In order to concentrate on writing her second book (I can’t wait!), Terri is stepping back from her own involvement in marketing In Leah’s Wake and leaving it in the capable hands of her editor. To commerate her success and wish her well on her next book, I’m re-posting my review of the book, first published this past April. If you haven’t read this book yet, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy, paper or electronic.

Best of luck Terri!!

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Heading for Higher Ground

It feels good to get back to my writing after being away for almost a week. I’ve missed it terribly.

We have a new world order in our house. My daughter’s house was flooded in last week’s major flooding throughout eastern/central Pennsylvania. She and her four-year-old twin girls and one-month-old son are staying with us indefinitely until their house is repaired. It’s still too early to determine when that will be, but it does look like they’ll be here a while.

I am so very sorry for the reason they’re here, but I am loving having my sweeties with me every day, especially the baby. Because my daughter and her family live so far away, I didn’t get a whole lot of time with the twins when they were itty bitty babies. This bonding time with their baby brother fills my heart. And the girls are a barrel of monkeys, let me tell you! We’re having a good time.

Our little retirement house is pretty crowded these days, and I don’t have the use of my office space for a while. But now that we’re settling into a “living here” rather than “staying a while” mindset, we’re all getting situated, and I’ve declared this morning as my writing time.

I’m a week behind on my regular Wednesday book reviews. Last week’s was going to be Tina Fey’s Bossypants. I’ll post that this Wednesday.

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Today’s Stop on the Social Media Whirlwind Tour for “In Leah’s Wake” is a Twitterview with the Author

If you’ve never read a “Twitterview”, today’s post is a great way to learn all about it. Scroll on down after the list of events to read the transcript of a previous Twitterview with Terri Guiliano Long, the author of “In Leah’s Wake.”

Announcing the In Leah’s Wake Social Media Whirlwind Tour—WooHoo!

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the In Leah’s Wake Kindle edition has dropped to just 99 cents this week.

What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes, including a Kindle, 5 autographed copies of the book, and multiple Amazon gift cards (1 for $100, 3 for $25, 5 for $10, and 10 for $5 – 19 in all)! Be sure to enter before the end of the day on Friday, August 26^th, so you don’t miss out.

To win the prizes:

1. Purchase your copy of In Leah’s Wake for just 99 cents
2. Fill-out the form on the author’s site to enter for prizes
3. Visit today’s featured event; you may win an autographed copy of the book!

And I can win $100 too if you vote for my blog over on the author’s website. The blog host that gets the most votes in this traffic-breaker polls wins, so please cast yours right after purchasing In Leah’s Wake and entering the contests!

The featured events include:

Monday, Blogaganza on Novel Publicity! We’re kicking-off on the Novel Publicity Free Advice blog. We’ll ask the writer 5 fun and random questions to get everyone talking. Leave a comment or question in response to the post, and you may win an autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake. Don’t forget to visit the author’s blog to enter for the other prizes!

Tuesday, Twitter chat with the author! Tweet with us between 4 and 5 PM Eastern Time, using the hashtag #emlyn. We’ll be talking with the author about her favorite books and best writing advice. Bring your questions about In Leah’s Wake and don’t forget to use #emlyn or to follow Terri @tglong. By joining in the tweet chat at the designated time, you may win an autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake. Don’t forget to visit the author’s blog to enter for the other prizes!

Wednesday, Google+ video chat with the author! Join our hangout between 12 and 3 PM Eastern Time to talk with the author and us via video chat. We’ll be gabbing about great books including In Leah’s Wake and about writing. Did you know that Terri is a creative writing instructor at Boston College? She’s got tons of good advice for aspiring writers. By joining in the Google+ video chat at the designated time, you may win an autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake. Don’t forget to visit the author’s blog to enter for the other prizes!

Thursday, Facebook interview with the author! Stop by Novel Publicity’s Facebook page and ask Terri questions. She’s chosen three of her favorite topics to talk about: writing, parenting, and gourmet cooking. Of course, you’re welcome to ask about In Leah’s Wake too. Leave a comment or question as part of the thread, and you may win an autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake. Don’t forget tolike Terri’s Facebook page or to visit her blog to enter for the other prizes!

Friday, Fun & games based on the book! We want to close this whirlwind social media tour with a gigantic bang, which is why we’ve set-up two interactive book-themed features on the author’s blog. You can take the official Facebook quiz to find out which In Leah’s Wake character is most like you and learn how that character ties into the story. Then try out our crossroads story game. Throughout the course of the narrative, you’ll have several decisions to make. What you choose will affect the outcome of the story. Play as either rebellious teenager Leah or the trampled peacemaker and mother Zoe. Leave a comment or question on any of Terri’s blog entries, and you may win an autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake. Don’t forget to check out the other give-away contests while you’re on Terri’s blog!

About In Leah’s Wake: The Tyler family had the perfect life – until sixteen-year-old Leah decided she didn’t want to be perfect anymore. While Zoe and Will fight to save their daughter from destroying her brilliant future, Leah’s younger sister, Justine, must cope with the damage her out-of-control sibling leaves in her wake. Will this family survive? What happens when love just isn’t enough? Jodi Picoult fans will love this beautifully written and absorbing novel.

 

 

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Today’s Stop on the “In Leah’s Wake” Social Media Whirlwind Tour–An Interview with the Author

In addition to today’s event listed below, you’ll find an interview with Terri Guiliano Long a little further down. It’s worth a look!

Announcing the In Leah’s Wake Social Media Whirlwind Tour—WooHoo!

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the In Leah’s Wake Kindle edition has dropped to just 99 cents this week.

What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes, including a Kindle, 5 autographed copies of the book, and multiple Amazon gift cards (1 for $100, 3 for $25, 5 for $10, and 10 for $5 – 19 in all)! Be sure to enter before the end of the day on Friday, August 26^th, so you don’t miss out.

To win the prizes:

1. Purchase your copy of In Leah’s Wake for just 99 cents
2. Fill-out the form on the author’s site to enter for prizes
3. Visit today’s featured event; you may win an autographed copy of the book!

And I can win $100 too if you vote for my blog over on the author’s website. The blog host that gets the most votes in this traffic-breaker polls wins, so please cast yours right after purchasing In Leah’s Wake and entering the contests!

The featured events include:

Monday, Blogaganza on Novel Publicity! We’re kicking-off on the Novel Publicity Free Advice blog. We’ll ask the writer 5 fun and random questions to get everyone talking. Leave a comment or question in response to the post, and you may win an autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake. Don’t forget to visit the author’s blog to enter for the other prizes!

Tuesday, Twitter chat with the author! Tweet with us between 4 and 5 PM Eastern Time, using the hashtag #emlyn. We’ll be talking with the author about her favorite books and best writing advice. Bring your questions about In Leah’s Wake and don’t forget to use #emlyn or to follow Terri @tglong. By joining in the tweet chat at the designated time, you may win an autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake. Don’t forget to visit the author’s blog to enter for the other prizes!

Wednesday, Google+ video chat with the author! Join our hangout between 12 and 3 PM Eastern Time to talk with the author and us via video chat. We’ll be gabbing about great books including In Leah’s Wake and about writing. Did you know that Terri is a creative writing instructor at Boston College? She’s got tons of good advice for aspiring writers. By joining in the Google+ video chat at the designated time, you may win an autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake. Don’t forget to visit the author’s blog to enter for the other prizes!

Thursday, Facebook interview with the author! Stop by Novel Publicity’s Facebook page and ask Terri questions. She’s chosen three of her favorite topics to talk about: writing, parenting, and gourmet cooking. Of course, you’re welcome to ask about In Leah’s Wake too. Leave a comment or question as part of the thread, and you may win an autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake. Don’t forget tolike Terri’s Facebook page or to visit her blog to enter for the other prizes!

Friday, Fun & games based on the book! We want to close this whirlwind social media tour with a gigantic bang, which is why we’ve set-up two interactive book-themed features on the author’s blog. You can take the official Facebook quiz to find out which In Leah’s Wake character is most like you and learn how that character ties into the story. Then try out our crossroads story game. Throughout the course of the narrative, you’ll have several decisions to make. What you choose will affect the outcome of the story. Play as either rebellious teenager Leah or the trampled peacemaker and mother Zoe. Leave a comment or question on any of Terri’s blog entries, and you may win an autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake. Don’t forget to check out the other give-away contests while you’re on Terri’s blog!

About In Leah’s Wake: The Tyler family had the perfect life – until sixteen-year-old Leah decided she didn’t want to be perfect anymore. While Zoe and Will fight to save their daughter from destroying her brilliant future, Leah’s younger sister, Justine, must cope with the damage her out-of-control sibling leaves in her wake. Will this family survive? What happens when love just isn’t enough? Jodi Picoult fans will love this beautifully written and absorbing novel.

 

 

An interview with Terri Giuliano Long, author of In Leah’s Wake

*Questions courtesy of BookBundlz

Terri’s book was voted the 2011 book club pick of the year by the BookBundlz staff and community!

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“In Leah’s Wake” Social Media Whirlwind Tour–An Excerpt from the Book

Announcing the In Leah’s Wake Social Media Whirlwind Tour—WooHoo!

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the In Leah’s Wake Kindle edition has dropped to just 99 cents this week.

What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes, including a Kindle, 5 autographed copies of the book, and multiple Amazon gift cards (1 for $100, 3 for $25, 5 for $10, and 10 for $5 – 19 in all)! Be sure to enter before the end of the day on Friday, August 26^th, so you don’t miss out.

To win the prizes:

1. Purchase your copy of In Leah’s Wake for just 99 cents
2. Fill-out the form on the author’s site to enter for prizes
3. Visit today’s featured event; you may win an autographed copy of the book!

And I can win $100 too if you vote for my blog over on the author’s website. The blog host that gets the most votes in this traffic-breaker polls wins, so please cast yours right after purchasing In Leah’s Wake and entering the contests!

The featured events include:

Monday, Blogaganza on Novel Publicity! We’re kicking-off on the Novel Publicity Free Advice blog. We’ll ask the writer 5 fun and random questions to get everyone talking. Leave a comment or question in response to the post, and you may win an autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake. Don’t forget to visit the author’s blog to enter for the other prizes!

Tuesday, Twitter chat with the author! Tweet with us between 4 and 5 PM Eastern Time, using the hashtag #emlyn. We’ll be talking with the author about her favorite books and best writing advice. Bring your questions about In Leah’s Wake and don’t forget to use #emlyn or to follow Terri @tglong. By joining in the tweet chat at the designated time, you may win an autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake. Don’t forget to visit the author’s blog to enter for the other prizes!

Wednesday, Google+ video chat with the author! Join our hangout between 12 and 3 PM Eastern Time to talk with the author and us via video chat. We’ll be gabbing about great books including In Leah’s Wake and about writing. Did you know that Terri is a creative writing instructor at Boston College? She’s got tons of good advice for aspiring writers. By joining in the Google+ video chat at the designated time, you may win an autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake. Don’t forget to visit the author’s blog to enter for the other prizes!

Thursday, Facebook interview with the author! Stop by Novel Publicity’s Facebook page and ask Terri questions. She’s chosen three of her favorite topics to talk about: writing, parenting, and gourmet cooking. Of course, you’re welcome to ask about In Leah’s Wake too. Leave a comment or question as part of the thread, and you may win an autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake. Don’t forget tolike Terri’s Facebook page or to visit her blog to enter for the other prizes!

Friday, Fun & games based on the book! We want to close this whirlwind social media tour with a gigantic bang, which is why we’ve set-up two interactive book-themed features on the author’s blog. You can take the official Facebook quiz to find out which In Leah’s Wake character is most like you and learn how that character ties into the story. Then try out our crossroads story game. Throughout the course of the narrative, you’ll have several decisions to make. What you choose will affect the outcome of the story. Play as either rebellious teenager Leah or the trampled peacemaker and mother Zoe. Leave a comment or question on any of Terri’s blog entries, and you may win an autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake. Don’t forget to check out the other give-away contests while you’re on Terri’s blog!

About In Leah’s Wake: The Tyler family had the perfect life – until sixteen-year-old Leah decided she didn’t want to be perfect anymore. While Zoe and Will fight to save their daughter from destroying her brilliant future, Leah’s younger sister, Justine, must cope with the damage her out-of-control sibling leaves in her wake. Will this family survive? What happens when love just isn’t enough? Jodi Picoult fans will love this beautifully written and absorbing novel.

An excerpt from In Leah’s Wake

The prologue and first chapter

“. . . little heart of mine, believe me, everyone is really responsible to all men for all men and for everything. I don‘t know how to explain it to you, but I feel it is so, painfully even. And how is it we went on living, getting angry and not knowing?“

Fyodor Dostoevsky

The Grand Inquisitor

Prologue

March

Justine strikes a pose before the full-length mirror hanging on her closet door. Chin up, hands by her sides. She draws a breath. “My dear. . .” she begins, and stops mid-sentence. Wrinkles her nose. She’s got it all wrong. She’s too—Too stiff. Too grownup. Toosomething.

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Today Starts the Social Media Whirlwind Tour for “In Leah’s Wake” by Terri Guiliano Long

Announcing the In Leah’s Wake Social Media Whirlwind Tour—WooHoo!

Today is the first day of this week-long event promoting “In Leah’s Wake.” Read through the schedule of events and find out how you can enter to win some great prizes! Make sure to stop by here tomorrow, Thursday, and Friday for a special feature each day.

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the In Leah’s Wake Kindle edition has dropped to just 99 cents this week. What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes, including a Kindle, 5 autographed copies of the book, and multiple Amazon gift cards (1 for $100, 3 for $25, 5 for $10, and 10 for $5 – 19 in all)! Be sure to enter before the end of the day on Friday, August 26^th, so you don’t miss out.

To win the prizes:

1. Purchase your copy of In Leah’s Wake for just 99 cents
2. Fill-out the form on the author’s site to enter for prizes
3. Visit today’s featured event; you may win an autographed copy of the book!

And I can win $100 too if you vote for my blog over on the author’s website. The blog host that gets the most votes in this traffic-breaker polls wins, so please cast yours right after purchasing In Leah’s Wake and entering the contests!

Today’s featured event is:

Monday, Blogaganza on Novel Publicity! We’re kicking-off on the Novel Publicity Free Advice blog. We’ll ask the writer 5 fun and random questions to get everyone talking. Leave a comment or question in response to the post, and you may win an autographed copy of In Leah’s Wake. Don’t forget to visit the author’s blog to enter for the other prizes!

Can’t make it today? Upcoming featured events include:

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Friday Musings–Presents for Everybody!

I’ve come across some great websites and activities this past week. Take a look and see if there’s something that catches your eye!

In no particular order:

Remember it’s Karmic Friday at Facebook today.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/novelpublicity. Join the chain by leaving the link to your Facebook author page as a comment to Novel Publicity’s opening status. Make sure to read the rules first, this great feature has become so big that FB is chasing some people for “spamming”! Silly me, I’m one of them! I didn’t understand the directions very well (old brain trying to learn new tricks!), and FB banned me for two weeks! Anyway, it’s a terrific way to let people discover your author page and your work, and you’ll discover some real gems, too. 

Even if you’re not a writer and/or don’t have a FB author page, click on the links in the chain and you’ll find a bonanza of great books in all kinds of genres. Some of the best books I’ve read this summer have come from looking at everyone’s page. Go on, get going!

 

Next week is the Social Media Whirlwind Tour for In Leah’s Wake by Terri Guiliano Long.

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the In Leah’s Wake Kindle edition has dropped to just 99 cents next week. What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes, including a Kindle, 5 autographed copies of the book, and multiple Amazon gift cards (1 for $100, 3 for $25, 5 for $10, and 10 for $5 – 19 in all)! Be sure to enter before the end of the day on Friday, August 26^th, so you don’t miss out.

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