8/12/09 - Cicero’s Children – http://www.marywelk.com/ Host: Mary Welk – Villains & Heroes – Gotta Love ‘em.
8/16/09 – Bookland Heights – http://booklandheights.blogspot.com/ – Host: Mary Cunningham - Interview and How I named my baby
8/17/09 – The Little Blog of Murder – http://thelittleblogofmurder.com/ - Host: Jeffrey Marks Libraries and library events – Do they help or hinder book sales?
8/18/09 – Unbound – http://hagelrat.blogspot.com/ – Host: Hagelrat – You’ll have to ask her for her real name. I’m sworn to secrecy. - Interview
8/19/09 - A Writer’s Words, An Editor’s Eye – http://www.lillieammann.com/blog
Host: Lillie Ammann - Interview
8/20/09 - Spunk on a Stick – http://www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com/ – Host: L. Diane Wolfe – Thursday Excerpt
8/21/09 - Straight From Hel – http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/ – Host: Helen Ginger –
How to add description to your novel.
8/22/09 – Murder by 4 – http://www.murderby4.blogspot.com/ – Host: Marta Stephens –
Need to move your plot forward? Consider a secondary character.
8/23/09 – Recap of Previous Week & Schedule of The Next Week’s Guide to Self-Publishing – How I Did It - Weeklong Feature at The Blood Red Pencil – Host: Dani Greer http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/
8/24 through 8/30 Guide to Self-Publishing – How I Did It by Morgan Mandel
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
BLOG BOOK TOUR FOR KILLER CAREER - A PREVIEW
Here's the lineup for my upcoming Blog Book Tour for Killer Career. If you follow a particular blogspot, please mark the date of my appearance on your calendar. If you've never been to some of them, it wouldn't hurt to try them out. They're all great places or I wouldn't have picked them.
Monday, August 03, 2009
Living A Dream - What's Yours?
On my way home from work, I heard one guy say to another, "I was living a dream - sleeping in, playing video games and watching TV."
I had to smile at that one. Sure, I like sleeping a little later than usual, but sleeping really long makes me groggy. I'm also not a fan of video games. I must confess that I do like to watch TV, but not as much as I used to. Cable was supposed to improve the selection, but maybe I'm getting jaded. I usually can't find much I like to watch.
If I were living a dream, it would probably be eating whatever I wanted without gaining weight or cholesterol, living in a perfect home and doing what I like best - writing, instead of commuting and working at a day job. If it were rotten weather, I wouldn't have to fight the elements to get to work on time. Of course, the DH and Rascal would also be in the picture and we'd all be healthy and happy.
What about you? What's your dream? Does it involve travel? Raising a family? Writing? Are you already living it?
Please share.
I had to smile at that one. Sure, I like sleeping a little later than usual, but sleeping really long makes me groggy. I'm also not a fan of video games. I must confess that I do like to watch TV, but not as much as I used to. Cable was supposed to improve the selection, but maybe I'm getting jaded. I usually can't find much I like to watch.
If I were living a dream, it would probably be eating whatever I wanted without gaining weight or cholesterol, living in a perfect home and doing what I like best - writing, instead of commuting and working at a day job. If it were rotten weather, I wouldn't have to fight the elements to get to work on time. Of course, the DH and Rascal would also be in the picture and we'd all be healthy and happy.
What about you? What's your dream? Does it involve travel? Raising a family? Writing? Are you already living it?
Please share.
Killer Career Released at Amazon
It's August, which means Killer Career has been released at Amazon.com. Here's the link for anyone who wants to get a copy.
If you haven't heard, Killer Career is about a lawyer whose career change could be a killer when her mentor, a NY Times Bestselling Author, does more than write about murders. As for her bestfriend, who is also her law partner, does he mean more to her than she thought? Will he let her go without a fight? To save herself and him, she must face her worst fear: claustrophobia.
Getting back to my Sunday post about the dog days of August, that shot of Rascal appears on every cover of Killer Career, only not as large, since she's the mascot of Choice One Publishing Co.
Happy August!
Morgan Mandel
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Dog Days of Summer
In celebration of the Dog Days of Summer, the DH and I took Rascal to obedience class this morning. She loves being around other dogs, not to mention the petting from the handlers and the extra treats.
So, for an hour I tromped around with Rascal and the other owners with their dogs and followed commands like right about turn, left u turn, etc. Fortunately, the weather was not typical Dog Days weather. Actually it was kind of cool, which is one reason we decided to go over there. Since lessons are free for life with dogs from Chicagoland Dog Rescue, we thought it would be a good idea to every once in a while take a refresher class.
She made me proud, following almost all the commands, despite the distraction of other dogs.
Afterwards, we stopped at Bentley's Corner Barkery, her favorite store, where she got another treat and got the royal treatment from Mia, one of the staff.
Rascal was so happy, after we closed the gate and took her leash and collar off in the backyard, she ran around like a nut. You'd think she'd be tired like I was, but apparently not.
To round off her memorable Dog Day, I gave her a femur bone, which is one of the few bones that are safe for dogs to eat and one of her favorites. Actually, almost any food is her favorite.
All in all, this has turned out to be a wonderful Dog Day for Rascal.
Friday, July 31, 2009
KILLER CAREER'S FIRST REVIEW
I want to thank Hagelrat for such a great review. It's especially dear to me since it's my very first. I kind of went all over the place Friday mentioning the review, but if somehow you missed it, here's the link:
http://hagelrat.blogspot.com/2009/07/killer-career-morgan-mandel.html
http://hagelrat.blogspot.com/2009/07/killer-career-morgan-mandel.html
Thursday, July 30, 2009
It's still me
When I updated my Blogger user profile because Killer Career will be out soon, I couldn't help but notice I was still wearing my Wisconsin sweatshirt. It's kind of hot for sweatshirts right now, even though this summer is running cooler than usual in the Illinois area. I feel much better not looking silly wearing a sweatshirt this time of year. Never fear, I haven't abandoned Wisconsin. I will be visiting there again over Labor Day weekend.
While I was at it, I also updated to the same summer gear at my Google profile. When I have more time, I'll add more pics there for my gallery.
Anyway, if you see someone somewhere in a white top holding her head at a strange angle, it's me. Photographers do have strange ideas for poses.
What about you? Have you updated your Blogger or Google profile lately? What about your profile pic?
Bookmarks
Wednesday night we picked up my Killer Career bookmarks, which had finally arrived at my brother's house. He's the one with the protected porch.
For some reason, I'd put off ordering them. Then I had the other decision of where I wanted to go. I chose Print Place. After that, I had trouble figuring out how I wanted them to look.
I was kind of nervous, but they turned out just lovely. Thursday I'm off to a few downtown Chicago bookstores to hand out my own bookmarks for a change. Usually I'm dropping off those from my friends.
By the way, that's a good in at a store. If you want to get known, just bring bookmarks from friends when they have a new book and drop them off. The staff then gets to know who you are. Sometimes that's all you need to get a book signing.
What about you? Do you drop off bookmarks for your friends? If not before, will you now?
For some reason, I'd put off ordering them. Then I had the other decision of where I wanted to go. I chose Print Place. After that, I had trouble figuring out how I wanted them to look.
I was kind of nervous, but they turned out just lovely. Thursday I'm off to a few downtown Chicago bookstores to hand out my own bookmarks for a change. Usually I'm dropping off those from my friends.
By the way, that's a good in at a store. If you want to get known, just bring bookmarks from friends when they have a new book and drop them off. The staff then gets to know who you are. Sometimes that's all you need to get a book signing.
What about you? Do you drop off bookmarks for your friends? If not before, will you now?
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Scrap at Acme Today
What do you do with your scrap? My topic today at http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com/
Come on over and let us know.
If you get a chance, check out Helen Ginger's post today - A Killer In My House at http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com
Thanks,
Morgan
Come on over and let us know.
If you get a chance, check out Helen Ginger's post today - A Killer In My House at http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com
Thanks,
Morgan
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Two by Two
I received my author copies of Killer Career and already they’re marching out two by two. On a normal day, I lug a laptop computer, a tote bag and purse with me to work. On these Killer Days, I add to the mix two copies of Killer Career. I’d bring more but the 300 page books get heavy along with everything else.
On my lunch break I drop them off at the post office. Today, one is going to Robert W. Walker, another to Austin S. Camacho for providing terrific back cover blurbs. Yesterday, I sent a few out for reviews, tomorrow will be two copies to a friend who already received her own copy and now wants to share Killer Career with others.
You might ask why I don’t do this on weekends when it’s easier to get to the post office in the car. Actually, I did drop off nine filled bubble envelopes last Saturday and will probably bring more the next.
I don’t like to wait and I don’t like to make others wait, so as the need arises, Killer Career is marching out two by two.
The official release date is August 15, but Killer Career is available for pre-order, on & off line.
Publisher: Choice One Publishing
isbn#978-0-9819916-0-3
On my lunch break I drop them off at the post office. Today, one is going to Robert W. Walker, another to Austin S. Camacho for providing terrific back cover blurbs. Yesterday, I sent a few out for reviews, tomorrow will be two copies to a friend who already received her own copy and now wants to share Killer Career with others.
You might ask why I don’t do this on weekends when it’s easier to get to the post office in the car. Actually, I did drop off nine filled bubble envelopes last Saturday and will probably bring more the next.
I don’t like to wait and I don’t like to make others wait, so as the need arises, Killer Career is marching out two by two.
The official release date is August 15, but Killer Career is available for pre-order, on & off line.
Publisher: Choice One Publishing
isbn#978-0-9819916-0-3
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Reviewers, Blog Book Tour, Reader
I've got quite a few reviewers lined up for Killer Career and hope to get some feedback soon.
There are only two days left to fill on my blog book tour. I'll be posting the links to the tour stops when I get it all set up. Very soon I'll need to think up some witty things to say on the blogs I visit. The last stop, which will be for an entire week, will be on http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/ when I tell everyone the process of getting Killer Career published.
Anyway, I thought I had the Microsoft Reader conversion figured out until I discovered that the Reader program doesn't support Microsoft Word 2007, though it's the same company. It uses Microsoft 2003 like most of the world. So, even when I set my document to compatibility mode for 2003, I got weird error messages. Now I'm trying to use my old computer with Word 2003 on it to see if the program will work there. So far the old one is getting hung up on adding the cover art. It doesn't have much room. That's why I usually just let the DH use it for surfing. Nothing's easy.
I did get to go to Mount Prospect Saturday night where they had a doings called a Block Party on their main street, with food booths, tables and bands. The DH and I met some fun people to sit with and had a great time.
There are only two days left to fill on my blog book tour. I'll be posting the links to the tour stops when I get it all set up. Very soon I'll need to think up some witty things to say on the blogs I visit. The last stop, which will be for an entire week, will be on http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/ when I tell everyone the process of getting Killer Career published.
Anyway, I thought I had the Microsoft Reader conversion figured out until I discovered that the Reader program doesn't support Microsoft Word 2007, though it's the same company. It uses Microsoft 2003 like most of the world. So, even when I set my document to compatibility mode for 2003, I got weird error messages. Now I'm trying to use my old computer with Word 2003 on it to see if the program will work there. So far the old one is getting hung up on adding the cover art. It doesn't have much room. That's why I usually just let the DH use it for surfing. Nothing's easy.
I did get to go to Mount Prospect Saturday night where they had a doings called a Block Party on their main street, with food booths, tables and bands. The DH and I met some fun people to sit with and had a great time.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
KILLER CAREER NOW AVAILABLE AT MOBIPOCKET
I'm happy to announce Killer Career is making its way along the Internet. I've found several sightings. Of course, I had to print out each and every page I discovered and add all of them to my special folder as keepsakes.
Anyway, the first ebook offering of Killer Career, mobipocket edition, is available for order right now, is over at
http://www.mobipocket.com/en/eBooks/eBookDetails.asp?BookID=208914&Origine=6314
For Pre-Order links of the paperback version to date, with more to come, check out http://choiceonepublishing.com/.
If you haven't gone over there yet, you're missing out on seeing what a sexy villain looks like.
Later on, more about the good guy will be up on that site.
Anyway, the first ebook offering of Killer Career, mobipocket edition, is available for order right now, is over at
http://www.mobipocket.com/en/eBooks/eBookDetails.asp?BookID=208914&Origine=6314
For Pre-Order links of the paperback version to date, with more to come, check out http://choiceonepublishing.com/.
If you haven't gone over there yet, you're missing out on seeing what a sexy villain looks like.
Later on, more about the good guy will be up on that site.
Money
A lot of us authors say we're not into the writing business to make money. That has to be true, judging from the data on how much authors make from books compared to the time spent writing them, as well as the time and money spent promoting them.
Still, it helps to get some of it back. I just got my author copies of Killer Career this week and sold three of them at work. It's not a lot of money, but it did feel good to have the money coming in instead of going out.
The downside is I have to go to the bank and deposit it. That's not hard to do, but putting the money into the bank isn't all. I also need to keep track of what's what. Today's deposit is subject to Illinois sales taxes, so I'm putting it in my checking account. That will remind me at the end of the year that 10 per cent is due the State of Illinois. Come December, that amount may change, as Cook County is repealing the tax increase then. That means I'll have to remember to charge less in taxes on whatever date in December it rolls back, also I'll need to fill out two separate sections in the business sales tax form.
There are other downsides to bringing in money for books. I should be happy I'm getting money, but I don't like having to keep track of it. Still, it goes with the territory.
Gee, I'd hate to be a bestselling author. What a hassle that would be. Only kidding.
Still, it helps to get some of it back. I just got my author copies of Killer Career this week and sold three of them at work. It's not a lot of money, but it did feel good to have the money coming in instead of going out.
The downside is I have to go to the bank and deposit it. That's not hard to do, but putting the money into the bank isn't all. I also need to keep track of what's what. Today's deposit is subject to Illinois sales taxes, so I'm putting it in my checking account. That will remind me at the end of the year that 10 per cent is due the State of Illinois. Come December, that amount may change, as Cook County is repealing the tax increase then. That means I'll have to remember to charge less in taxes on whatever date in December it rolls back, also I'll need to fill out two separate sections in the business sales tax form.
There are other downsides to bringing in money for books. I should be happy I'm getting money, but I don't like having to keep track of it. Still, it goes with the territory.
Gee, I'd hate to be a bestselling author. What a hassle that would be. Only kidding.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Continuing on with the frenetics at Acme
I'm continuing on with my frenetic happenings at Acme. The link is http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com if you want to see what I'm up to.
Thanks,
Morgan
Thanks,
Morgan
Monday, July 20, 2009
A POST OFFICE IN MY FUTURE
My author copies arrived today. After the DH and I picked them up at my brother's house, I couldn't get anything accomplished. I had to check every box to make sure my babies were okay and that someone else's babies hadn't been substituted. Okay, I didn't go over every book, but I did peek inside the first two or three rows in each box and all appears to be well. They did survive the ride over.
Anyway, I was admiring the babies so much and so distracted, I couldn't do lots of the things I still need doing, like getting letters ready to send out for reviews, and lots more, way too much to mention.
Anyway, I hope to get one or two letters ready during the week, but Saturday is the target day for dropping off the main bulk of them. Watch out, post office, here I come!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Crazy times
I'm not posting as much here lately because I've got so much going on. It's been kind of organized bedlam lately. All sorts of summer doings to attend. I don't want to disappoint the DH by not partipating, though it takes time away from the production of Killer Career.
All kinds of kinks for Killer Career being worked out, since I want my baby to be perfect.
In the works is a Blog Book Tour, which I plan to start on August 15. When it's all finalized, I'll be posting the topics and sites here.
Gotta go to a birthday party now.
Morgan
All kinds of kinks for Killer Career being worked out, since I want my baby to be perfect.
In the works is a Blog Book Tour, which I plan to start on August 15. When it's all finalized, I'll be posting the topics and sites here.
Gotta go to a birthday party now.
Morgan
Thursday, July 16, 2009
KILLER CAREER Already at Barnes & Noble.Com
Just for the heck of it, I went over to Barnes and Noble.com and searched for Morgan Mandel
Killer Career Came Up!
I'm not sure if orders can be taken yet, but it looks like they can! Here's the link if anyone wants to try:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Killer-Career/Morgan-Mandel/e/9780981991603/?itm=1
If you do order, be sure to let us know how you like it.
Morgan Mandel
Killer Career Came Up!
I'm not sure if orders can be taken yet, but it looks like they can! Here's the link if anyone wants to try:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Killer-Career/Morgan-Mandel/e/9780981991603/?itm=1
If you do order, be sure to let us know how you like it.
Morgan Mandel
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Is that Funny, or What?
Catch the second comment on the top post at http://choiceonepublishing.com. Is that funny, or what? Goes to show it's a small world.
Morgan
Morgan
Dressing your husband? What does it mean?
Check out She dresses her husband at http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com and let us know your thoughts here,there or both places.
Thanks,
Morgan Mandel
Thanks,
Morgan Mandel
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Letting Go of Baby
Last night I checked over the second proof for Killer Career and had to make a tough decision. Should I let my baby walk on her own two feet or hold onto her longer? I'm calling her a girl, since that's what's on the cover.
I'd already restrained baby once when I'd found little things here and there that weren't exactly right. Was it time for her to face the world?
Knowing she has to sink or swim sooner or later, I clicked the box to approve the proof and let go of baby. Now she's on her own, but she'll be visiting me with plenty of author copies to make available for reviews, family and friends, as well as special doings which require me to bring her along. I know I can never really let go of her, although I do hope she can stand on her own merits and make a name for herself.
For more about Killer Career, if you haven't done so already, please go to http://choiceonepublishing.com
I'd already restrained baby once when I'd found little things here and there that weren't exactly right. Was it time for her to face the world?
Knowing she has to sink or swim sooner or later, I clicked the box to approve the proof and let go of baby. Now she's on her own, but she'll be visiting me with plenty of author copies to make available for reviews, family and friends, as well as special doings which require me to bring her along. I know I can never really let go of her, although I do hope she can stand on her own merits and make a name for herself.
For more about Killer Career, if you haven't done so already, please go to http://choiceonepublishing.com
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Choice One Publishing Co.
Please check the current posts at Choice One Publishing Co. http://choiceonepublishing.com for info about my soon to be released romantic suspense, Killer Career.
You'll also find an image of the villain, plus an excerpt from the first chapter.
As always, comments are welcome here or there.
Thanks,
Morgan
You'll also find an image of the villain, plus an excerpt from the first chapter.
As always, comments are welcome here or there.
Thanks,
Morgan
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