Full Moon & Stars Were In Alignment

After the fish fry and the DH went back to the cottage to fish, my friend, Jeanne, and I drove over to Lake of the Torches Casino. My budget's been kind of tight, but I had enough money stashed away for vacation.

I started out on the Sun and Moon slot machine and miracle of miracles, after being way too stubborn and not leaving it when I'd lost more than I should have, suddenly I got five sun and moons in a row, which means 50 free spins. I love free spins because I'm not putting extra money into the machine. Also, they usually pay better.

It happened again and the winnings grew larger. I played there a bit longer, then stopped, since the machine seemed to have turned off.

After that, Jeanne treated me to one of her comp tickets for an acrobatic show called ZZYXZ in the Hall of Nations room at the casino. I cannot believe what those performers do. They are so limber and contort their bodies into such strange positions. Also, they're not afraid of heights. Of course, they were in the best of shape. They didn't have excessive rippling muscles like wrestlers do, but they had just the right amount to look good and do those spectacular contortions.

After the show we proceeded back for another round of slot machine playing, where I lost some of the money I'd won before, but then miraculously gained it back again. Jeanne did well also.

So, as we left, the full moon was shining down on us and the stars were all in alignment. Such a night is rare, which makes it all the more enjoyable and an evening to remember.

Any slot players out there? Or maybe you prefer poker or black jack? Or maybe you hate gambling?

Fish Fry and Fishing

So far, we've got a fish fry lined up for our Friday night's entertainment. No, it won't be the ones the DH catches. Those go to our neighbor across the street for her and her daughter to prepare. The DH likes to catch fish, but neither he nor I like to clean and cook them. Better that way, anyhow. It doesn't seem as personal that way seeing the fish alive, then eating it later.

What about you? Do you like fish frys? Do any of you like to fish?

Any Bingo Players Out There?

My friend, Jeanne, already emailed me and asked if I'd like to go to Bingo in LacduFlambeau, so Thursday is Bingo day for me, after hanging up and putting away the clothes and such from the van. The good thing about Bingo is if you lose, it takes longer to lose your money. Not like the casino, where it's gone really fast. Actually, last trip, way in June, I actually won a game. Not enough to retire on, but still exciting.

I'll let you know how I do.

Any Bingo players out there?

Back to the North Woods

My group blog today is about Killer Career in the NorthWoods. Read about it at http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com

If you want to let me know you've stopped by here first, that would also be great.

Thanks,

Morgan

WINNERS OF BLOG BOOK TOUR CONTEST

I promised two winners for my blog book tour contest. I'm glad to announce two worthy bloggers/authors.

They are - ladies first - Jane Kennedy Sutton from Jane's Ride - She wins the cap with the Killer Career cover art !!!

And the guy is - Stephen Tremp of Breakthrough Blogs for the Aspiring Author - He gets the manly Killer Career tee shirt (no cover art) !!!

Check out their blogs, if you get a chance. They are worth seeing. They both do a great job.

They will receive their prizes after I return from my extended Labor Day vacation starting Thursday and ending the following Tuesday.

I will attempt to get my blogs out those days, but who knows what may happen in the North Woods.

Drive By Signings - How's That For Product Placement?

On Sunday, the DH and I took a ride to two Barnes & Nobles in our area so I could sign more Killer Career stock. At the one store in Deer Park, Illinois, the booksellers were super nice, bringing the books to the customer service desk and furnishing autograph stickers. Afterwards, I asked where they'd gotten the books so I could take a photo there.

That's when one of the booksellers gave me an offer I couldn't refuse. He said something like, "How about if we leave them here, between Teddy Kennedy and Dan Brown?"

The DH took photos of me signing stock, then the other bookseller offered to take a photo with the DH and me. Afterwards I asked if the books would be put back on the shelf. No, they said they appreciated authors who came in to sign stock, so the books would stay right there at the customer service desk in the middle of the store. How's that for product placement?



At the Arlington Heights Barnes and Noble, the booksellers there were also super nice, although I didn't get any offers to place my books at the customer service desk.

Killer Career's home there is in the New Romance Books section. Unfortunately, it's alphabetical, which means near the bottom. Still I'm glad people can see the cover and not just the spine.

Instead of a Drive By, next I plan on a walk over to Barnes and Noble DePaul Center in Downtown Chicago at State and Jackson on a lunch break. I won't have much time, so I'll be hiking in and out.

A book signing is tentatively scheduled for Barnes and Noble, Arlington Heights for October 17. A date certain is set for Barnes and Noble, 590 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg IL on Nov 7, from 1-3pm. A signing is in the works at Deer Park some time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, plus a date certain signing will happen at Barnes and Noble DePaul Center, State and Jackson, Chicago, Illinois on January 13, 2010.

Those are just the Barnes and Noble stores. Next Saturday, Sept 5, on vacation I'll again participate in the Arbor Vitae Wisconsin Fireman's Flea Market. When I come back, I'll be doing a promo workshop and participating in a panel at the Schaumburg Township District Library in a Sisters in Crime event from 10am-4pm. September 19 is the St. John United Church of Christ Annual Flea Market from 9am-4pm

October 24 is a blog talk radio interview at A Book and A Chat by my host Barry Eva at 10am Central Time (Illinois) time.

By that time, I hope to resume my regular blog talk radio shows as well, at http://blogtalkradio.com/booksandblogs . I've got many offers of guests, just no time at the moment to host them.

I'll be posting the event schedule soon, as well as the entire set of permalinks from my blog book tour.

What about you? Do you enjoy doing book signings? Do you prefer online marketing? Do you like both?

Day 7 of Self-Pub Series - Downloading, Proof, Acceptance

Day 7 of Morgan Mandel's Basic Guide to Self-Publishing is up today at http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com . I finish with an excerpt. Come on over for how it all ends.

Thanks,
Morgan

Day Six of Self-Pub Series - Promo

Tomorrow will be the grand finale when the upload begins, the book is finished, and I share an excerpt. Before that happens, promo must begin. I've some of the basics covered at http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/ so head on over and see what's involved. Note I said basics, because promo is never done. We all know that. (g)

Morgan

Day Five of Self-Pub Series - Choosing Cover Art and Setting it Up

Day Five's topic on my Self-Pub Series is Choosing Cover Art and Setting it Up.
Come on over to The Blood-Red Pencil, and give your take on the subject.

Would you try it yourself? Do you have a favorite cover artist you prefer to use?
Are you a cover artist?

Thanks,
Morgan

Day Four of Self-Pub Series - Choosing a Printing House and Getting Familiar With It

Hi Gang,
Today's topic at my blog book tour series on The Blood-Red Pencil is about Choosing a printing house and getting familiar with it.

Come on over and add your two cents. You may have takes on other printing houses than mine. You may agree or disagree with what I say. Please chime in.

Thanks,
Morgan

Day Three of Morgan Mandel's Basic Self-Publishing Manual - Why Use an Editor

Today, at The Blood-Red Pencil, I'll be revealing why and how I chose an editor for Killer Career.
I might add, I'm glad I did. Helen Ginger did a fantastic job of leading me in the right direction, while not taking over my book.

If you're doubtful about whether or not you need an editor, come on over and check out my post.

Thanks,
Morgan

Day Two at Morgan Mandel's Basic Guide to Self-Publishing

Hi Gang,
Come on over to http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com for Day 2 of Morgan Mandel's Basic Guide to Self-Publishing where the topic is How to Get Started: Legalities, Technicalities, References.

Thanks,
Morgan Mandel

Why Self-Publish?

Find out why I self-published at http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/2009/08/morgan-mandels-basic-guide-to-self_24.html

Day One of Morgan Mandel's Basic Guide to Self-Publishing - all week look at the aspects of self-publishing at http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com


What about you? Are you up to the challenge?

Killer Career Blog Book Tour Recap, Permalinks, Schedule of Self-Pub Posts at Blood-Red Pencil

First,
You'll find the permalinks for all of my tour stops in a post below this one. Later, it will also be available through a click on the left column of this blogspot. I'm offering them in case you missed one, or if you'd just like to come back and check one for reference.

To let you know what I've learned from my Killer Career Blog Book Tour so far -

Everyone said it would be tiring. I usually blog here everyday, so I didn't think blogging somewhere else would make much difference. I was wrong. It did. For one thing, I wanted the posts to be super-good, instructive, entertaining, with as few mistakes as possible. Because of that, it took longer to compose them.

I not only owed my best efforts to my hosts, but also to myself. I spent lots of time getting Killer Career together just right and I wanted my posts to reflect that fact.

Getting the posts ready wasn't enough. Before I left for work, I spread the word to Twitter, Facebook, Live Journal, MySpace and Hi5. On the train, I spread more word to my e-groups, and believe me, I belong to many. I also plugged the tour at Book Place, my ning network. With Twitter once wasn't enough. During the day, I'd quickly do a tweet about the blog when I could.

After I'd spread the word, I checked the blog-of-the-day numerous times on my work breaks and on the train going home and at home so I could answer comments. I'll carry on in the same manner next week for the rest of my tour at The Blood-Red Pencil.

Another thing - I didn't realize my hosts would be so generous. My blog remained up for days on many of the blogspots, which meant extra exposure. For that I'm extremely grateful. I'll keep checking for comments on all the stops off and on in case more appear.

And now, I'm turning the spotlight on my next tour stop of the tour, one that will last seven days. I've got to say The Blood-Red is a special blog. It's comprised mainly of editors who generously dispense wonderful writing tips. I'm honored to belong to such a group.

Here's the Schedule for what I'm calling Morgan Mandel's Basic Guide to Self-Publishing, at
The Blood-Red Pencil :

Monday, August 24 - Why Self-Publish
Tuesday, August 25 - How to Get Started - Legalities, Technicalities, References
Wednesday, August 26 - Why Use an Editor
Thursday, August 27 - Choosing a Printing House & Getting Familiar With It
Friday, August 28 - Setting Up Cover Art & Logo
Saturday, August 29 - Promo
Sunday - August 30 - Downloading, Proof, Acceptance, Publication

Thanks. I hope you continue on for the rest of the tour!
Morgan Mandel

Permalinks for Killer Career Blog Book Tour Through 8/22

Blog Book Tour permalinks Killer Career
http://www.marywelk.com/2009/08/villains-heroes-gotta-love-em.html

http://booklandheights.blogspot.com/2009/08/morgan-mandel-and-her-killer-career.html

http://www.thelittleblogofmurder.com/2009/08/17/libraries-and-library-events/#comments

http://hagelrat.blogspot.com/2009/08/morgan-mandel-blog-tour.html

http://lillieammann.com/2009/08/19/blog-book-tour-stop-morgan-mandel/

http://circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com/2009/08/thursday-excerpt-killer-career.html

http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/2009/08/adding-description-to-your-novel.html

http://murderby4.blogspot.com/2009/08/need-to-move-plot-forward-consider.html

8th Killer Career Blog Book Tour Stop at Murder by 4

Having trouble moving your plot forward? Try a secondary character -
See how at my 8th tour stop today at:

http://murderby4.blogspot.com/2009/08/need-to-move-plot-forward-consider.html

If you missed it, I showed ways to add description to novel yesterday at Helen Ginger's blogspot. Here's the link:
http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/2009/08/adding-description-to-your-novel.html

Tomorrow's a recap and the schedule for my upcoming week's posts at http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com where the week will be devoted to
self-publishing.

Thanks,
Morgan

Blog Book Tour - Stop Seven at Straight From Hel

Today my Lucky Seven Stop on my Killer Career Blog Book Tour takes me to my wonderful editor, Helen Ginger's blogspot, http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com.

Come on over and learn some ways to add description to your novel.

If you missed it, yesterday an excerpt from the 12th chapter of Killer Career appeared at L. Diane Wolfe's blogspot. Here's the permalink which will take you straight to the excerpt post:
http://circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com/2009/08/thursday-excerpt-killer-career.html

Thanks, Morgan

Blog Book Tour - Stop Six at Spunk on a Stick

I'm off today to Spunk on a Stick around 7am. It's the blogspot owned by the perky and talented L. Diane Wolfe, at http://www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com/ . You'll find an excerpt there from Killer Career. I hope you like it! You'll also find information on her Circle of Friends series of books. My host is a busy gal!

Yesterday, Lillie Ammann set up a beautiful spot for my fourth stop. Unfortunately, her server played tricks for some hours in the afternoon. If any of you missed the interview, you can find it at http://www.lillieammann.com/blog . She asked some great questions. It's worth checking out.

Thanks,
Morgan

Stop 5 of Killer Career Blog Book Tour - Lillie Ammann's Blog

Today, my 5th stop is over at Lillie Ammann's A Writer's Words, an Editor's Eye at
http://www.lillieammann.com/blog . I invite you to come on over. She posed some
great questions, plus her setup over there is beautiful.

Thanks,
Morgan

Blog Book Tour - Stop Four at Unbound Today

My 4th stop takes me to Unbound for an interview by Hagelrat at
http://hagelrat.blogspot.com/2009/08/morgan-mandel-blog-tour.html

She offered some great questions. You're bound to learn things about me you didn't already know. Remember, to be eligible for a prize, you need to comment on at least one stop and report here to me before or after that you did, providing your email here.

As a bonus, if you didn't get to see it yet, the post is up at http://booklandheights.blogspot.com/2009/08/morgan-mandel-and-her-killer-career.html
about How I Named My Baby. Find out how I chose the Killer Career name.

Thanks,
Morgan Mandel