Yule Be Mine (bonus blog)

by | Nov 23, 2006 | Uncategorized

I’ve had some visitors searching for Yule Be Mine and comments over on Dear Author (where you can win a copy in the Thanksgiving giveaway) and I thought I’d post a quick “about Yule” for those who want to know.

Yule Be Mine was originally published as an ebook by Scheherazade Tales, now defunct. While it was there, I had a lot of requests for it as a print book. Since ST had no intention of ever going into print, we created a trade paperback via Lulu which was available through bookstores. So there are print copies out there circulating from that original edition. One at least is circulating via Bookcrossing.

I resold Yule to Cerridwen Press, and it will re-release Dec. 7 as an ebook.There *should* be a future print edition but there’s no date or anything set yet. I pulled the original trade paperback edition when I resold it because that’s part of EC/CP’s contract terms (that the work not be for sale elsewhere).

So. Yule has been out of print for about a year, re-releases shortly as an ebook, and should re-release in the future in print. It has a fabulous new cover which I really love, but the story is essentially unchanged. (Very minor editorial changes were made for house style, mostly punctuation.) Hope that answers questions! If I forgot something, ask away. : )

Post-turkey Friday

by | Nov 23, 2006 | Uncategorized

I have no amazing insights this morning because it started too early. *yawn* Unless it’s, “Inspiration comes in a mug”. Caffeine, don’t try parenthood without it.

Actually I do find a lot of inspiration outside of a mug. I find a lot of it in books. I went on a book download binge last night and today I have that “new books to read” glow. My buys: From Samhain, With Nine You Get Vanyr which I have been waiting for and then didn’t buy the week of release because I was busy or something, and Project: Man because Alexis Fleming is so freaking funny. From Ellora’s Cave, Interstellar Sparks from the so-entertaining Shannon Stacey and Faer Fetched, a Quickie in Christine Warren’s Fixed series.

Reading is like training wheels for writing in so many ways. It puts the brain in the right place. Sometimes I deliberately study a book to see how X thing was done, sometimes I study it to see why it didn’t work for me, sometimes I just enjoy it. The pure enjoyment factor is just as good for the brain as study because it puts the brain into that relaxed state that’s so condusive to writing. Play and relaxation are vital to work. I’ve done some mental playing around and playing on paper this week and it’s good to do that stuff.

I hear so often the refrain, “I don’t have time to read” or “I don’t enjoy reading anymore” or “I don’t read while I’m writing a book” from writers. I realized some time ago that if I don’t read while I’m writing a book I’ll never read again because I’m ALWAYS writing a book. There is a point in a project when I tend not to read anything new, though I’ll re-read. But sometimes I think picking up a story somebody else wrote is the only thing that gets me through the current project. Reading, it’s good for writers. Especially when it’s just to relax.

Thankful!

by | Nov 22, 2006 | Uncategorized

I am a very thankful writer this year. It would take forever to list all the reasons, but I’ll post a short list. Thankful to have wonderful editors and publishers. Thankful to have readers. Thankful to have the flexibility to work at home and be there to see it the first time my baby learned to climb on and off the couch by herself. Thankful that copyedits are incoming but they’re light. (Woot! Light copyedits!) Thankful, thankful, thankful.

I hope everybody out there is having a wonderful Thanksgiving. I re-read this post this morning and realized what a mistake a short list is because it doesn’t include so many things, like how thankful I am for the people I’m sharing this day with. My husband is stoking up the woodstove, the baby is cuddling in my lap and the toddler isn’t up yet but I can’t wait to see her. I am very thankful for my family.

Twas the day before Thanksgiving

by | Nov 22, 2006 | Uncategorized

And all through the casa, the cranberries were quaking at becoming sauce-a. Yeah, it’s a lame rhyme but the baby was up off and on all night long. I will be so glad when that molar comes through.

Today I’m doing laundry, getting various things made for tomorrow (apple cranberry crisp, sweet potato soufle, more cranberry bread) and writing writing writing. And being really thankful that yesterday’s 50 mph wind with sideways rain and hail is over with. Beginnings if off and running! Let me know if you see it in a store near you.