Keeping Busy and Superbowl Picks

12:00 AM Elizabeth Seckman 45 Comments

I'm shooting for one post this week.

Thanks to winter, the boys have been off school for thirteen days in a row.

That's a good thing, I swear. BUT. Anytime the house is full, it's tough to get work done.

And I promise. I have been working!

I have been making plans to head to Atlanta in March for The Novel Experience. I'm super excited. Not only is it a writer convention, it's a READER convention! Imagine it...hundreds of people gathering because they love to READ. It's like hitting writer gold!

And I must say...it's affordable, and so far, I am impressed by the organizers. So much so that I am checking out some other conventions they are planning in the future.

Is this a tease or what?

I've also been busy with Mark Koopmans and Tammy Theriault on a top secret, soon to be revealed venture.

Let's just say...in the planning there was talk of speedos and Hula dancers on Hulu.

I know, I know...you're confused, but with a trio like Mark, Tammy, and moi? What else did you expect? You'll just have to wait for the announcement next week. When the glow of enlightenment strikes off Mark's bald head, all will be revealed.

Also, I am busy writing. Got a few plots in my head struggling to get themselves on paper (err, well, flash drive). I hate it when stories fight for attention. It's like sibling book rivalry going on in my head!

Book stuff out of the way...

I thought, since I know my way to the football field, that I should share my expert advice on how to pick a Superbowl Champion.

First and foremost, always bet on the Steelers.

Unfortunately, some years, routing for Blitzburgh isn't an option....

So, what's a Steel City fan, with zero second favorite team because you bleed black and gold to do?

Well, this fan(atic) has a back up system.

Here's how you pick a team to route for when you don't really give a fig about either one:

Denver Broncos

Seattle Seahawks

VS.

* Denver Broncos cut Tim Tebow. I love Tebow! Pus ten Seattle Seahawks.

* But the Denver Broncos signed Peyton Manning. I like Peyton Manning. But not as much as Tebow. Plus one point for Denver Broncos.

*A Bronco is tougher than a seahawk. I mean check out the picture...that horse means business! Plus five for Denver Broncos.

* I look horrible in orange. Plus one Seattle Seahawks.

* Prettiest uniform: Plus five Seattle Seahawks.

* Superbowl story: Every year, one team has the better plot. Like when the Steelers were going for "One for the Thumb", that was historically significant...a Superbowl record! Peyton Manning is playing after recovering from a neck injury that could have crippled him. Now, that would make for the better movie. Russell Wilson, Seattle's QB, is a classy guy and he wins in the "being better looking" than Manning category, but Peyton is, dare I say it? Getting a little old and he may not have too many more chances for the Super comeback story. Plus five for Denver Broncos.

*The negatives: Richard Sherman's rant. If you haven't seen it, check it out. It hardly makes him a thug, but it doesn't endear me to him either. It screams sore winner, and I don't like a sore winner. I gave him a pass on the on field rant, but he continued it at the press conference. He's a talented, talented player who has some growing up to do. Plus ten points Denver Broncos.

Now for the after-math...the points are tallied and this Sunday I will be munching on my wings, enjoying the commercials, and routing for the Denver Broncos!

(Maybe I'll see you on Facebook and we can dish about commercials and the half-time show!)

photo credit: wstera2 via photopin cc

45 comments:

Online Marketing Symposium

12:00 AM Elizabeth Seckman 81 Comments

Check other tips here!

The Online Marketing Symposium!

It's time to share tips, ideas, and fails with people in the writing community.

Thanks to

for thinking of this excellent idea!

I'm hardly a marketing expert.

As a matter of fact, marketing is the bane of my writing existence.

I have very few clever ideas. If I had some magic bullet for acquiring readers and book sales, I'd surely be doing it.

But I don't.

But one thing I do know...when in doubt, ask people who do know what they're doing!

So, I went to a couple of my fellow World Castle writers and asked them...how do you sell books?!

Kathi Barton is one of World Castle's best selling writer. Her latest book tore its way to the top of Amazon's list. Kathi said she didn't know any magical tips, but suggested interacting with readers. It's the fan/friends idea. Come on down out of the writer tower and interact with readers.

I agree. Readers weren't put on this earth to buy our books and make our writing dreams come true. Appreciate every sale and let the reader know...you'd be nothing without them.

Alexandria Weiss is another World Castle pace setter. She keeps adding titles to her list like the pro she is. I asked Alex what she thought the key to marketing was and she said "patience". Very few books are shooting stars, but plenty of writers steadily produce good books that eventually make it financially worth their time.

I'd love to have a beautiful, fluffy long tail like both of these ladies! Then I could hope for a reader to pick up one of my books...like it, and then grab another from the list...then another...and another. Pretty soon, with time and patience...I'd be selling books!

Kathi and Alex, being the great gals that they are, have offered books to a lucky reader! Leave a comment and you could win an ebook!

Kathi is offering up Ryland, a paranormal romance:

A wet washcloth was handed to Alistair and he slapped it none too gently on the back of her neck. She tried to lift her head and he pushed her back down and glared at his brother. He had to take his anger out on someone, and he was the perfect target for it. “You had to scare her off on the first day, didn’t you? You just couldn’t stand the fact that you didn’t know that Colette wouldn’t work for you and that I’d found you suitable help in the meantime.” His brother started to speak, but Bronwyn lifted her head again and he shoved her back down. “You should be horse whipped.”

The shrill whistle made him leap from Bronwyn. He’d heard men whistle like that, but never a woman. He smiled at her when she stood. Damn, but this girl had spirit.

Alex is offering Cover to Covers, a contemporary romance

A man driven by his desires

Tyler Moore is considered cold, ruthless, and determined to get everything he wants. CEO of a flourishing oil company, he thrives on order and never gives up control to anyone.

The woman from his past

Monique Delome has left her unhappy past behind to pursue her dream of becoming a writer. Love is something she believes is better suited to the pages of her novels and not meant for real life.

Whether in the boardroom or the bedroom, Tyler Moore is always in charge. But when Monique Delome walks back into his life, everything changes. A successful romance author, all the sexy leading men Monique writes about strangely remind everyone of Tyler. Intrigued, Tyler sets out to seduce the one woman he could never forget. Soon Tyler gets more than he bargained for, and his grip on his well-ordered life is turned upside down.

Tyler Moore is about to find out what happens when a romantic tale jumps from the pages and comes to life between the sheets.

81 comments:

Coffee to Tea

12:00 AM Elizabeth Seckman 54 Comments

Michael's Coffee Hop

Ahhh coffee...how do I love thee?

Let me count the ways?

I love thee to the stench of breath you bring
My soul can wake, when ingesting caffeine
For the end of brewing and ideal taste.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by gurgle, cough, and spit.
I love thee freely, or for dollars a cup;
I love thee purely, black, straight up.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my early hours, eyes stubborn to wake.
I love thee with a love I will never lose
With my saints, I love thee with bad breath,
Colombian, Mocha, or Java- if God chooses,
I shall share a cup better after death.

Yes. Coffee is special to me. Just the aroma stirs special memories.

Every day at 6:30 AM my dad left for work. Five days a week for over thirty years, my dad went to a job he hated because he had five kids...and that's just what dad's did.

When I was a little girl, I'd meet him dad at the front door so he could pick me up and give me a hug. As I got older (and heavier!) I'd meet him instead with a cup of joe.

I later realized I was a HORRIBLE coffee maker, but he never complained. I got a head pat and a "thank you baby". Then he would settle down in his chair with his newspaper and choked down my cup of love.

One of my saddest, reality smacks to the face was when Dad's cancer treatments made coffee a stomach saboteur. He couldn't drink it anymore because it made him feel sick. But in typical Dad fashion, he simply said, "Not to worry. I'll take a cup of tea."

My dad, Ken.
Always was the most special guy.

54 comments:

Road to Somewhere

12:00 AM Elizabeth Seckman 39 Comments

New! From Bloomsbury Spark, a sunny heartwarming story of discovery and sisterhood.

A road trip. A singing competition. And super-hot cowboys.

What could be better?

For Charlie, a post-high school road trip isn't just a vacation, it's life changing. While her parents think she's helping a friend move, a chance at fame is the real reason to grab her best friends and drive to L.A. But when her super annoying, uber-responsible, younger sister, Lucy, has to tag along, it isn't quite the summer of fun she imagined.

Add in a detour to her grandparents' ranch in Texas, and between mucking the stalls, down-home cookin’, and drool worthy ranch hands, this could just turn into the best, and most complicated, summer of their lives.

I know all about siblings!

Me?

I am the annoying, tattle-telling youngest.

I have suffered plenty of noogies and wedgies in my life.

But I wouldn't trade my siblings for nuthin'!

It's the Hartman's!

My sister, Lisa; brother, Dennis; sister, Cathy.

There were five of us.

But in 2006, we lost one of our brothers to cancer.

As my big brother,

he was always teaching me something.

With his passing, I understand...

life is short

and no matter how goofy...

I love these guys.

They are the best friends blood can buy.

Always with us in spirit...

gone, but never forgotten-

our brother Ken "Grub".

He truly was the best of us.

39 comments:

Some Whine with Those Covers?

12:40 PM Elizabeth Seckman 31 Comments

I'm alive!

I got sick right after the holidays and today is my very first full day of wakefulness.

The flu kicked my butt.

Totally.

I don't think I have been that sick in ages. Each day, I'd think, "This has to be the worst of it." And each day, my body would think of a new symptom to smack me over the head with. Ear pain. Sore throat. Congested lungs. Body aches. Hacking cough. Dear lord, even my face hurt.

Of course, a visit to the doc would make sense at a time like this BUT I couldn't.

Problem?

I see a nurse practitioner and this summer the hospital billing department stopped billing my NP under her collaborating physician's code. Instead they billed under a general doctor code the insurance company doesn't recognize as "in network" thereby making all of our claims out of pocket expenses.

The insurance company says, "Tell them to bill under collaborating physician."

The hospital says they can't. That would be fraud because my NP and the collaborating physician are not under the same roof.

My insurance company says the hospital is crazy. They have no problem with roofs and what-nots, but they do have a problem with the strange code the hospital evidently made up and is trying to pass off as a doctor code.

The hospital says my insurance company is lying. The insurance company is the one threatening them with fraud if they bill under the doctor code.

The insurance company suggested we get an attorney.

The hospital says they will write off the debt as they work it all out...and then sent us to collections.

In the middle is my family whose medical claims get rejected, so the hospital bills us and we're up to nearly $1000.00 in medical payments that our insurance coverage should be paying for.

If it was billed correctly.

Bottom line? I wasn't heading to the doctor...even when I started coughing up blood.

I told my husband to sue them all if I croaked.

That's the American way, right?

Anyhow. I am on the mend. No lawsuit in the near future....just some cover catch ups!

I was supposed to post these yesterday, but a day late and a dollar short is the theme of the day, so without further whiney ado...here are some new books to add to your read list!

Book Description:

Note: This title is best enjoyed after Strength (Mark of Nexus #1) and Courage (Mark of Nexus #2). It is told from Cole's (somewhat warped) POV.

Cole Blake is more than just a roguish ladies’ man. He’s also a dedicated worker—so dedicated, in fact, that he’s willing to blackmail his boss with a falsified sex tape in order to keep his job. And his proactive efforts don’t end there. After hours, he uses his Dynari abilities to moonlight as a vigilante, keeping his neighborhood safe from drunks, dealers, and would-be thieves.

Until a mistake stops him dead in his super-accelerated tracks.

Now burdened with the closest thing he’s ever had to a conscience, Cole struggles to justify his once-reckless actions. It’d be all too easy to give in to his darker impulses, especially with ERA making dangerous advances toward their goal of revolution, but embracing that hatred could jeopardize the few relationships he actually cares about—including his pursuit of the saintly Rachel Ranford. No, in order to keep everyone safe, he’ll have to come clean about his warring compulsions and ask for help... before his dark side takes over.

Title: HONESTY (Mark of Nexus #2.5)

Author: Carrie Butler

Category: New Adult

Genre: Urban Fantasy

About the Author:

Carrie daydreamed her way through college—until they thrust a marketing degree into her hands, slapped a summa cum laude seal on the corner, and booted her out into a less-than-stellar job market. Instead of panicking at the prospect of unemployment, she used her Midwestern logic to steer into the skid and point her life in the direction she really wanted to go: writing out those daydreams.

Her passion for New Adult fiction led her to co-found NA Alley—one of the first websites dedicated to the category. A year later, she started a design business specializing in graphics for the publishing industry, called Forward Authority. Her Mark of Nexus series has appeared on Amazon bestselling, top-rated, and hot new release lists.

Where to Find Carrie:

· WEBSITE,· BLOG· NA ALLEY· TWITTER· FACEBOOK· GOODREADS· FORWARD AUTHORITY:

COMING MARCH 2014

Been there. Done that.

Feisty and independent, Anya Davies lives by her own rules. The one thing she’s hell-bent on avoiding is a conventional relationship. Nor is she interested in romance, thanks to her abusive ex who refuses to stay in the past. The second complication in her life is a secret that condemns her to constant guilt and a solitary life. A series of near misses and escalating threats are a third and worrying factor. Only a special man would understand or live with Anya’s challenges and demands.

Casual sex...so not having that.

Enter Christophe Mondesir. Two years ago, Anya dumped him without explanation. An accidental meeting shoots Anya back on Christophe’s radar. He refuses to be denied and plans to breach the fortress Anya has built around her heart—if she’ll commit to more than a casual liaison. He’s also determined to find out what she’s hiding. That’s if the stalker who’s after Anya doesn’t end her life first.

Genre: Romance, Women's Fiction
Content/Theme(s): Sexual Content (not graphic), Post Abortion Sydrome, Relationships, Spousal Abuse,
Release Date: January 13, 2014
Publisher: The Writers' Suite

J.L. Campbell is a proud Jamaican, who is always on the hunt for story-making material.

She writes romantic suspense, women's fiction and young adult novels. She is the author of Anya's Wish, Chasing Anya, Contraband, Christine's Odyssey, Dissolution, Distraction, Don't Get Mad...Get Even, Retribution, Saving Sam and Hardware (written under the pen name Jayda McTyson).

Where to find JL Campbell:

Website, Goodreads, Twitter, Facebook, Amazon

31 comments:

Friday Fiction: Kimberly Afe

12:00 AM Elizabeth Seckman 13 Comments

Welcome Kimberly Afe!

She's sharing! She's got news about her new book...the journey to publication...and a great give away!

Journey to Publication

The Headhunters Race has a bit of a long journey. The idea was born

on June 26, 2011 after a Zelda game commercial inspired me. The

commercial was brilliant and I thought why can't they make a movie that cool? And then I

thought, why don't I write a cool adventure myself!

So I brainstormed this story with my son over a dinner of spicy spaghetti a couple of nights

after the idea came to me. We worked out the entire novel: the characters and their

motivations, the world, and the details of the race as I frantically wrote it all down. My

husband and daughter also helped me brainstorm items that I needed worked out. I then spent

a little while playing around with Avene's voice and then wrote like crazy. I finished in

December of 2011. I actually started having critique partners read it in November of 2011

and began querying agents in January of 2012 after more revising. I also entered it into a few

popular contests around the blogosphere in early 2012. Then I took a very long break due to

life circumstances with hubby’s heart and moving. Early this year I got back into writing. I’d

been thinking about self publishing for quite awhile so when querying a few more agents and a

handful of publishers didn’t work out, I decided to go for it, and now, 2 1/2 years later, the

book is out there! Wahoo!

Book Summary

Available Now!

Sixteen-year-old Avene was sentenced to prison at thirteen for a crime she didn't commit. Now she has a chance to win her freedom back – if she enters the Headhunters Race. Second prize isn't so bad either, an upgrade to the Leisure Prison if you make it to the finish line. To win either prize, Avene and the other prisoners must navigate one hundred and fifty miles of dense forest, desert, and worst of all, cannibal territory.

With a mechanical collar timed to strangle the prisoners if they're not back in nine days, Avene allies herself with seventeen-year-old McCoy, another prisoner that insists on helping her at every turn and a boy she's trying hard not to fall for. Together they battle nature, other prisoners, and the timed death collars to win the coveted prize. But when Avene is tested with one deadly conflict after another, she realizes there is more at stake than winning her freedom – first she has to survive.

Author Bio

Kimberly is the mother of two awesome kids, wife of the nicest man in the world, and her dog's best friend. She works by day and writes middle grade and young adult science fiction and fantasy novels in her spare time. She lives with her family in the beautiful Sonoran Desert.

Social Sites

Website Goodreads Twitter Facebook Blog Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

13 comments:

To Blog or Not to Blog...

12:00 AM Elizabeth Seckman 31 Comments

IWSG Day! Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh, Bob

Milne, River Fairchild, Julie Dao, and Sarah Foster.

It's the day for writers to unite and ~~whine~~ express their concerns to the world. And maybe get a little support in the process :)

Ever worry that blogging just isn't cool anymore?

Photo: Wiki Commons

That maybe they're going the way of the mullet?

When I first heard the chatter that blogs may not be the best place to spend my busy time, I had that spirit -dropping-awww-shucks feeling I got when I read that leggings were out of style.

Back in the nineties, I LOVED my leggings. They were so comfortable...and versatile. Casually worn with a tee, or dressed up with a bulky, shoulder-padded sweater. With a pair of boots in winter, ballet flats in summer...they were simple, comfortable, and versatile!

But then Glamour black-barred them...same day they ousted the scrunchie.

That was a sad day.

I whined to my niece, Kari, who in her then teen-age honest wisdom, declared..."Seriously? Aren't you like old enough NOT to be riding the fashion band wagon?"

What an epiphany!

One benefit of aging is NOT being a slave to trends.

Most trends are simply arbitrary dictates anyhow.

We get yanked back and forth by the powers that be...throwing out good things for the sake of coolness.

I'd like to say I was immune to the talk, but in hindsight, I know all the yack about blogs being out got under my skin. It's hard to put so much time into something that all the cool people say is a waste of time.

So, I stepped away. And paid a price. Hits down, sales down...insecurity way up!

But then I had to ask myself...what do they know?

And since when had I jumped back on the band wagon?

Blogging was working for me.

And it isn't really about being cool. It's about finding a place where I feel content.

Like a lazy day where I can curl up on the couch with a good book and wear my over-sized tee and some leggings...leggings which ARE, once again, for sale and hip again.

Seems you can't keep a good trend down!

Casual...

Click here to buy now from
Victoria's Secret

Stylin'...

Click here to buy now from
Victoria's Secret

31 comments:

Brinda Talkin' bout Walkin' and Workin'...

12:00 AM Elizabeth Seckman 68 Comments

Hope you all had an enjoyable holiday! Mine ended much too fast and left me feeling under the weather...just when I made my usual resolution to be all organized and on top of EVERYTHING!

Okay, so I am NOT the lady who pops into anyone's head when talking organization...but I know a lady who could be the poster girl for being the accomplishing shiz!

So, to help you (or at least me!) get a little more done at once, here's Brinda Berry on:

Multitasking to the Max

My life has become a crazy blur of trying to figure out the secret of squeezing 35 hours work into one day. You, too? I am a grant administrator, writer, book marketer, blogger, dog mom, wife, mother, exerciser, occasional cook, grocery shopper, house cleaner, laundress, bill payer and friend--not particularly in the order listed. The house cleaning might be last if that were the case.

In the past few years, I have learned the art of multitasking. I listen to audiobooks during the commute and cleaning. I market from my smartphone while standing in a line at a store or during my lunch break at work. I critique manuscripts while exercising. You heard that right.

I have the Notability app on my iPad. I import the file into my app and take the iPad with me to the gym. Granted, I'm only walking at 3.2 mph, but I'll take that over skipping exercise due to my busy schedule. The treadmill has a book holder, so I'm able to place my iPad on it and use my finger to highlight and make one word notes. I can't write long paragraphs while walking, but it's fairly easy to insert a highlight or use the pen tool. Then I can make the extensive notes later. If I'm critiquing a friend's MS, I can email the file from Notability with the notes intact.

Here are some screenshots. In the first screenshot, you can see that there's a folder system within the app to stay organized. In the second one with the pink highlights, you can see I was trying to choose some passages from my new release, Watcher of Worlds, for excerpts.

Someday I'd like to have one of those fancy treadmill desks (e.g., trekDesk), but for now I'll be okay with using my iPad at the gym.

Do you have some multitasking tricks for other writers?

Watcher of Worlds

By Brinda Berry

Whispering Woods Book 3

Novel

$5.99

ISBN: 978-1-941133-00-2

Senior year should bring fun, friends and happiness. Not portals, treachery, and murder.

Seventeen-year-old Mia Taylor, gatekeeper to an interdimensional portal, wants nothing more than to heal from her romance gone wrong. Illegally falling for her co-worker Regulus had been a huge mistake. But when Regulus goes rogue to hunt down a murderer, Mia must forget her broken heart and use her unique abilities to save him. Traveling across dimensions, she enters a strange and hostile world where a rebel faction holds the key to their escape. Her gift of synesthesia is in high demand, and a secret organization of the otherworldly kind has her in their sights. But sabotage and murder may be the least of her worries. Her ex-boyfriend wants a relationship. Her dad wants her to act normal. Her friends want her to stop moping. Who knew faking happy would be the easiest part of senior year?

AUTHOR BIO:

Brinda Berry is the author of The Waiting Booth (Whispering Woods #1),Whisper of Memory (Whispering Woods #2), and Watcher of Worlds (Whispering Woods #3). She also contributed a short story to the anthology, Wild at Heart, Vol II.

Currently working in higher education administration, she spends her days thinking of ways to improve education for college students. Brinda spends her nights devising exciting tales that involve teens who might be saving the world.

Connect with Brinda on the Web:

WEB BLOG FACEBOOK TWITTER GOODREADS YOUTUBE