Romance Author, Nancy J. Parra, Coming on Monday to Double M

Monday, my special guest will be Nancy J. Parra.

Nancy is a fellow Chicago-North RWA member. She has a

brand new release called Mr. Charming, available now from

The While Rose Press.

Nancy is a diligent blogger at her two blogspots:

http://nancyjparra.blogspot.com/ and

http://nancyjparrawebsite.blogspot.com/

You can also visit her at http://www.nancyjparra.com/

Monday, come back to learn more about Nancy.

Saturday at Schaumburg Library Event

If you can, stop by the Schaumburg Township District Library Saturday any time between 10-4 for a mystery writers and fans event, featuring workshops, panels, book signings, raffles, and much more.

I'll be doing the Promo Primer at 1:30 and right afterwards I'll be on a romantic suspense panel with Patricia Rosemoore and Sherrill Bodine.

Hope some of you can make it.

Morgan Mandle

Kindles at my library

The DH and I attended an event at our local library last night. On the way out, I noticed a sign saying kindles were there, so I stopped at the information desk. I learned the library had bought eight kindles loaded with popular books, which they were renting out for two weeks each. Some had fiction, the others non-fiction. Now, I'm on a waiting list for a kindle.

We're running into a little difficulty with converting Killer Career into kindle, since there's a crazy indent thing going on. I suspect Word might be responsible. Anyway, when that's all done, we'll have to put in an order for the kindle version and see if they order it. You never know.

What about you? Does your library have kindles? Or, do you have your own?

Vistaprint Is My Friend

I'm doing a presentation called Promo Primer on Saturday at the Schaumburg Township District Library. To get ready, I've rounded up samples of my promo items for Killer Career, Two Wrongs, Girl of My Dreams and my blogs.

As I glance at the collection, I can't help but notice almost everything came from Vistaprint. I've got postcards, flyers, business cards, brochures, a lawn sign, car magnets, a tote bag, tee shirts, you name it. They're all from the same place. That's because so far I haven't found anywhere to beat Vistaprint's prices. They send me an e-mail just about every day with their latest free offers. Once I had my first batch done, I just selected the same thing next time to save money.

If you haven't checked out Vistaprint, try it, but a note of caution. Don't click on anything else except what you are ordering, unless you really want it. Also, check your cart to make sure you didn't click anything by mistake. You can always remove it before you pay. Also, remember you'll be getting lots of e-mails about free items, so it's not necessary to buy extra of an item unless you're really desperate. It's easy enough to pull up another e-mail and order off of that after you've already placed an order. Just be careful you go to the sale e-mail first when you order because that's the portal to savings. If you just go to the site, you don't always get the bargain.

What about you? Is Vistaprint your friend or do you have a different one? Or, maybe you share friendship with more than one company.

Forget Something?

It took an incredibly long time to get to our home in Illinois from the Minocqua, WI area, over 7 1/2 hours. Minocqua, WI, by the way, does play a role in Killer Career. Of course, the last hour seemed the longest. One reason was a bit of construction work which we couldn't avoid when we got closer to home.

Right now, I have bags and stuff from vacation all over the living room and dining room. I'm not sure how much I'll put away, since I have a feeling October will be here soon, judging by how the two months flew by since our June vacation.

Also, I'm the packer for vacation and the DH is the driver. This time, the packer forgot most of the DH's socks, plus his jeans. I'm kind of afraid to put away the stuff I brought home. There's danger I may forget to pack it all again next time.

One year, the DH forgot to bring his money, one of the few things he does pack himself. One time, quite a while back, before we had the transponder gizmo that we pay tolls for online, I forgot the change purse with the tollway coins.

What about you? Did you ever forget to bring something with on vacation?

A Slice of Heaven

The weather this trip has been nothing short of a slice of heaven. It's the only way for me to describe days in the mid and upper 70s and nights in the 40s where the cottage cools off without the use of an air conditioner. We haven't even had to use it this trip.

For the first time in a while, I've had a chance to really relax. I've spent hours just reading on the deck with Rascal stretched out beside me and the DH either on the lake fishing or not far from us inside the cottage napping on his easy chair.

When the weather is perfect, you don't need too much more on vacation. I take that back. I am also enjoying my trips to Lake of the Torches Casino each day. Saturday night I played this Jaws game with sharks which was so much fun - lots of bonus rounds and different screens coming out of nowhere. I lost on that machine, but I didn't mind because it kept me entertained.

Oh, I didn't mention the food. Saturday for breakfast was the Magnificent Seven at Perkins, Sunday the Tremendous Twelve. I'm guilty of eating all of the first, but half of the second. Then there's the broasted chicken dinner at Fibber's in St. Germain Sunday night, followed by white chocoate raspberry truffle ice cream at Susie's. We just made it for the ice cream, since they're closing for the season on Labor Day.

Monday is the St. Germain Flea Market, where I'm going as a customer. My friend, Jeanne, and I will be on the lookout for one of the vendors whom we call the sock lady so we can fill up on socks for the winter. Who knows what else we'll find. We won't know until we get there.

How will you be spending your Labor Day?

The Flea Market That Wasn't

I got up early on Saturday so I could get over to the flea market. I was looking forward to selling autographed copies of Killer Career. The spot was down the block, not too far away, so I thought I'd walk Rascal over first to see how things were going.

That's when I discovered the sign, the one that said something like - Due to lack of enough vendors, the flea market is cancelled. Contact xxx at --- for a refund.

I was not a happy camper, to put it mildly. Fortunately, we had not come all the way to Wisconsin just for the flea market. If so, that would have been horrendous. Still, I thought the committee in charge handled it very badly. I had filled out an application and paid for my spot. My contact information was right on there. Now, if there weren't that many vendors, how hard would it have been to notify me that the event was called off?

Has anything like this every happened to you? Please share.

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?