That is about how I’ve been feeling lately. Just when I think I might have my head clear of the water, another wave comes and I’m submerged again, LOL.
But I like this saying…there is still progress, even when it doesn’t always feel like it. 🙂
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Sailors Take Warning….
It’s been awhile since I blogged. Much is happening with some family members and other elements of life outside of teaching and writing that has been taking up more of my time that usual. Punctuating this is a fall I took on the ice that caused me to crack my head hard enough to require a trip to the ER. Ultimately, I’ll be fine, but I’m not as young as I used to be, and the goose egg on my head and lower spine, combined with lots of achy stiffness, is slowing me down.
But this is a pic I snapped this morning on my way out the back door to drive to my teaching job 30 minutes away. The “rising sun” sky here looks a lot more gold than it looked to the naked eye: it was much more crimson and ruby, and the old saying sprang into my head. “Pink at night, sailors delight. Pink in the morning, sailors take warning.”
Of course this means we’re supposed to watch out for bad weather. I don’t think there is any in the forecast until Saturday, but I guess I’d better go check.
What do you think of old sayings? Do you have any favorites or any that seem to be more “true” than others? Please share in the comments – and thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Be Soft
Love this. It’s a timely reminder for me. I find it very hard to do, sometimes, but it’s so important to remember.
Keeping a Balance
This feeling can sometimes overwhelm (for those of you who’ve read Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven, Pa called it the “black cloud” in the final letter of the book, in the Epilogue).
But I try to remember this sentiment, also, that my dear mother has always told me.
Sometimes easier said than done.
Can anyone else relate?
PS: I love how the color schemes of these two pictures reflect the moods of their messages (I’m holding on to the fact that blue is my favorite color). 🙂
“Writerly” Perks
First Moose Tracks book signing, 2/21/15, with a few of my older titles off to the side
One of the perks of being a published author – for me at least – has always been book signings.
I know it’s kind of a dying form; large, multi-author signings are still popular at annual writing/readers conferences and the like, but there are less and less bookstores to host individual signings. Also, I know many authors who dislike them (and I must admit I’ve had a few “interesting” experiences as well – I remember one notable occasion at a Barnes & Noble many years ago, where the only person to stop at the table and chat was someone who wanted directions to the rest room!)  🙂
But I generally enjoy them because it gives me a chance to meet people and talk about books – and not always my books, either, but books in general. Sometimes people who stop by want to know about writing itself, or how to do it, or they want tips for how to get published. I try my best to address all questions and inquiries to the best of my ability – and I’ve met some really interesting people along the way.
Because Moose Tracks isn’t put out by a traditional publisher, the opportunities for book signings this time around will likely be limited. Chain bookstores won’t carry print copies of it, and only independent book stores who have a reason to carry it would likely go through the process to order (if they have an account with Baker and Taylor, I understand they can get copies through the print publisher, Create Space).
I was happy to have a signing last weekend, therefore, in nearby bookstore: a great little shop called Mysteries on Main Street. It was a lot of fun and I met some new readers, in addition to getting to chat and visit with some I already knew. A photographer from the local paper even stopped by and snapped a few pics.
Signing a book for a friend who stopped by while the news photographer sets up shot
I think if I hadn’t been an English teacher and writer, I would have/should have been a bookstore owner, employee, or a librarian. I love books! I love being around them. And the two hours I spent at this signing flew by, not only because of the activity of people coming in to buy and have me sign a book, but also because the atmosphere of the bookstore just soothes and delights me.
If you’re an author, how do you feel about book signings? If you’re a reader, have you ever been to one – or would you ever attend one? Why or why not?
Moose Tracks Makes a List!
Although my re-published historical romance novels Secret Vows and The Templar’s Seduction have made sales lists recently at amazon.com US (in the “Medieval” or “Scottish” categories), my newest release, the Women’s Fiction novel Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven, has not done so in the US as of yet. But as of this morning, the same can’t be said of amazon.com Australia, LOL!
Moose Tracks listing in Australia!
Take a look at this screen shot from this morning.
Pretty cool.
Who would have thought? I’ve been international with many of my historical romances for quite a few years (they’ve been published – with really neat and very different covers – in Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, German, French, Slovakian, Dutch, etc.), as you can see here.
But making an international sales list is a first for Moose Tracks.  Many thanks to readers in Australia for this happy little perk to my day! 🙂
Going Out On a Limb
I’ve had a few limbs break off behind me. I’m still pumping my wings like mad to keep from hitting the ground, though every now and again, an updraft helps lift me up.
Sometimes it’s an unexpected, nice comment or even a review of one of my books. Sometimes it’s a hug, or seeing something beautiful out in nature or the world. Sometimes it’s a piece of music that seems to pierce in a wonderful way to my inner soul. Sometimes it’s a cup of tea and a quiet night in, with the wind howling around the house while I’m snug inside.
What are your little updrafts, when you’re pumping your wings to stay afloat? 🙂
Price Drop!
It seems there’s been a slight price drop over at amazon for the kindle edition of Moose Tracks on the Road to Heaven! It’s not a huge drop, but, hey, as a reader, I always go by the mantra that every little bit counts, especially for a long book (104,000 words or 347 print pages) like this one.
When you consider that HarperCollins/Avon used to sell my little mass market-sized paperbacks for $5.99 more than a decade ago – and they’re still selling the titles they maintain rights over for that price, with the kindle editions at $5.69 – this is a veritable bargain by comparison. 🙂
PS: if you want to go right to the book at amazon to read more about it/get the deal, then click on the cover or the title link above. Or follow this link to get the same info/back cover blurb/excerpt right here on my website-blog.
And that concludes my PSA for the weekend!
Being Irreplaceable
How do you interpret this? Is it something you try to achieve in any aspect of your life? Why or why not? Please share in the comments! 🙂
Bargain Historical Romance Books!
This post is for those of you who enjoy (or think you might enjoy) historical romance. 🙂
Four of my historical romances – all medieval – Â originally published with HarperCollins/Avon and then re-released by me when rights reverted, are on a deeply-discounted sale for the time being: only $2.99 for eBook, and anywhere from $9.66 – $10.99 for the trade size print edition! The original eBook price for all was $5.99 and print was $11.99.
Of course I also wrote three other historical titles that are still owned by HarperCollins/Avon; unfortunately I can’t get them back and so have no control over their prices. In looking at online purchasing sites, all three of those titles appear to be priced from $3.99 – $5.99 for eBook and $5.99 for mass market size paperback.
You can tell which four of the seven titles are mine and which are still owned by HarperCollins/Avon by the style of the covers.
Check out my historical books page for links to ALL of the titles HERE, or click on the covers below to be brought to each book’s individual page, with purchase links embedded there for your convenience.
Also, please feel free to reblog or share if you think this might be of interest to any of your readers or Facebook friends etc. 🙂
In order of publication:
Secret Vows – originally released by HarperCollins/Avon in 2001 and re-released by the author in 2011
The Maiden Warrior – originally released by HarperCollins/Avon in 2002 and re-released by the author in 2012
The Crimson Lady, originally released by HarperCollins/Avon in 2003 and re-released by the author in 2012
The Sweetest Sin, released by HarperCollins/Avon in 2004
Beyond Temptation: Book ONE of the Templar Knights Trilogy. Released by HarperCollins/Avon in 2005
Sinful Pleasures: Book TWO of the Templar Knights Trilogy, released by HarperCollins/Avon in 2006
The Templar’s Seduction: Book THREE of the Templar Knights Trilogy, originally released by HarperCollins/Avon in 2007 and re-released by the author in 2012
Happy Reading!
M. Reed McCall, Author 