Tomorrow (8/25/09) I'm kicking off a 7-day celebration called PARAPALOOZA on my blog where I'll be giving away copies of my new release, BARELY BEWITCHED, and those by other fabulous paranormal authors.
If you read paranormal romance please drop by because I have these great books, and I need people to give them to. And, of course, you're welcome to forward this to anyone you think will be interested.
Here's the link: http://frostfiction.blogspot.com/
Thanks,Kimber
What I really want to know today is where the heck the first half of 2009 went. I know I've been busy with the first book release and the impending release of book 2 in the Southern Witch series, but I honestly feel like someone is stealing days of the week. Time just seems to melt, like the clocks in those Dali paintings. Are you feeling that, too?
Hugs,
Kimber
Hugs,
Kimber
There's a term in writing for when an author interrupts the normal flow of the story to inject something that she wants the reader to know. The intrusion can take many forms, but they're all generally bad because it reminds the reader that she's reading a book (rather than living through an experience with the character.)
Anyway, I wondered if I might be an in-the-flesh author intrusion when I was invited by a wonderful bookseller to sit in on a paranormal readers' group that was going to discuss Would-Be Witch. How could they have a real discussion about what they thought with me sitting in the circle? Also, what if someone hated the book and wasn't afraid to say so? Would that be awkward?
In true Tammy Jo tradition, I felt bringing chocolate would be a good way to break the ice, so I had mint fudge brownies with me. (The brownies were pretty gooey in the center. I'm not sure what's up with that, but it turns out gooey brownies are as good as fully cooked ones.) Anyway, the ladies had their own supply of snacks and sodas, and I tried Peach Fresca. Amazingly good!
I was asked to talk a bit about how I'd come up with story, which I did. Then I listened to their thoughts. They're quite a savvy group of readers, which is very cool. And it was a relief to hear them report that they liked the book. I can't be sure, but I don't think they were just being polite since some of them told me they've been recommending it to others. (I don't care what pirates say, word of mouth -- better than gold!)
So it was a terrific experience for me--though because I was a bit nervous, I talked more than I'd intended to. Those who know me will not be surprised to hear that. ;)
Anyway, I hope it was good for them, too, but to learn what they really thought of my being there... intruder v. welcome visitor, I'll have to debrief with Karla this weekend. What I wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall sometimes...
People asked questions; friends later told me that I answered them all articulately and seemed to be in my element. Honestly though, I don't remember a lot of what was said during that part. What I remember--what I'm sure I'll remember for the rest of my life--was how much energy there was in the store. It was mind-boggling in the very best sense of the word.
I had a line of people waiting for me to autograph their books. (A line?!) One lovely reader invited me to stay with her if I come to Galveston to do research for any later books in the series. And I thought...I may just take her up on that offer. That sounds like a lot of fun to me. (I have readers? I can be their houseguest?!)
The after party at my friend Elizabeth's was a great celebration, too. I can't say how touched I was to have so many friends come out to support me and to share in my joy, both at the bookstore and at the party. And I realize that this was not a typical signing experience for a debut author, but in a perfect world, it would be.
So now I'm working on my Book 2 revisions surrounded by flowers and cards and bottles of champagne that people brought last night, and I still can't believe it all. I was CinderKimber at the ball, having my rock star moment, and in terms of memories, it doesn't get any better than that.
- Mood:
giddy
Feeling Like a Real Author - Part I
Over the past few weeks, some people that I've never met have sent me e-mails through my website telling me that they've heard about the book and that they can't wait to read it. These messages make me misty-eyed with joy every time I get one. The internet continues to be an incredible tool for helping people connect. Don't we live in amazing times?
Further, aren't people amazingly generous with their good will and support for other human beings? A couple of my MySpace friends have created "widgets" that are counting down to my book release. I can't describe how warm and fuzzy (important in these times of frigid temperatures) it feels to have others celebrating this event with me. Also, the widgets allow me to cheat...sometimes people ask how long until the book comes out and I go to my friends' pages to get an exact number of days. Probably, I should have a "Would-Be Witch Countdown" widget on my own MySpace page, but I like visiting their pages better.
- Mood:
bouncy
Ahem. No. I don't think anyone's allowed in Neverland who is over the age of fourteen--fifteen on the outside--and I'm well past that now. No, my glitter stylings come from shedding Xmas cards. And these weren't cheap cards, so what's the deal?
Obviously, I'm trying to get some holiday cards out...at least to the people whom I don't talk to very often, but the world is crazy. I'm working. I'm editing. I'm trying to get things in order for my book's February release. I'm trying to be social and have and attend parties... it's madness.
And on top of everything, I've run out holiday stamps or even the nondescript Forever stamps with the Liberty Bell. So, now I'm slapping on any stamp that I can find. Which means some people who have the envelope with "the deer in the winter woods" scene are going to have a bright yellow sunflower stamp in the corner. Sighing heavily. Coordinating stamps and envelopes is officially beyond me.
That's why I can't wait for Xmas to actually get here, when the stores and the post offices will be closed, and I'll finally get to kick back. Then I'm going to do nothing...except perhaps watch a few favorite holiday movies. Here's my want-to-watch list:
1. A Christmas Story (The ultimate holiday movie, full of wisdom imparted through wisecracks. Love it!)
2. Elf
(As far as I'm concerned, Will Farrell has created a new holiday classic.)
3. Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's stone
(Hey, there's Xmas in it! Harry gets the invisibility cloak as a Xmas present.)
4. The Year Without A Santa Clause (It's the one where the seasons are at war. The Heat Miser's one of the main characters. You know it?)
Do you have any favorites holiday traditions or movies?
Happy Turkey Day!This morning, I'm watching Home For the Holidays which stars Holly Hunter and Robert Downey Jr. If you haven't seen it, you should. It's a hilarious take on dysfunctional families over the holidays, and it's become a tradition for me to watch it this time of year.
Later, I've got Christmas music to play while I make stuffed portobello mushrooms to take (along with some wine and dessert) to a friends' Thanksgiving celebration. I can't wait!
What are you doing? Any special holiday traditions?
I hope you're having a great weekend! Wednesday night I went out for drinks with the girls and had the best time laughing about what lunatics people can be. Some of those stories weren't fit to print, but others I think I'm going to have to post later.
In other news, there were a bunch of e-mails last week. One of the documents that Penguin sent was the proposed back cover blurb for Book 2 in the Southern Witch Series, and when I looked at the top, I saw that BARELY BEWITCHED will come out September 2009. Holy Cow! It's perfect timing since it's right before Halloween, but I never expected it to be scheduled so fast since (a) Book 1 doesn't come out until February and (b) I haven't even turned in the first draft of Book 2 yet. (It's not even due until January.)
Anyway, I'm bewildered, but thrilled, and considering everything, I better get back to work!
- Mood:
excited
That's right, people. All Hallows Eve, which was once the feast of Samhain, marks the beginning of the so called "Dark Season" when the doors to the supernatural world are opened and all kinds of scary preternatural creatures spill over into our world. This is a excellent excuse for humans of all ages to don a costume...aka, a disguise. Then the vampires and witches will think you're one of them and pass you by, looking for human victims. So dress in scary wear, and be safe!
Hugs & Happy Halloween!
- Mood:enthralled
Friday morning - worked on creating a brochure for booksellers. It came out really well. Microsoft Word is almost too powerful, you know? I have The Terminator-like fears of the days when the machines take over. It's always the software that you have to be afraid of.
Friday night -worked at the "day" job. It was a long shift.
Friday overnight - crazy random insomnia. I never take sleep aids, but sometimes I am REALLY tempted.
Saturday morning - proofread part of Would-Be Witch. Yay!
Saturday afternoon - missed a pumpkin-carving extravaganza because was busy sleeping all day. Arg! (Still waiting to see pix...hint to friend, RH)
Saturday night - Kim Lenox & Sharie Kohler's book launch party at La Carafe (cool wine bar in very old/awesome building) Neighborhood was too scary to take my expensive Nikon camera. :( Alas, no pictures. Tragic because everyone looked so gorgeous!)
Saturday later night - Rick and I drove aimlessly...well, we had an aim, but it never seemed to work out except for the brief stint at Empire Cafe. We still managed to have a good time, as always.
Sunday - worked on staying hydrated. Got a fever, and hence had to watch millions of DVDs rather than doing anything ambitious like standing upright.
Monday - Proofread during illness recovery. Page proofs ready to go to New York. The next time I see this manuscript from Penguin, it'll be a real book. Yahoooo!
- Mood: chipper
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