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Posts Tagged ‘Sandra Brown’

  1. Monday Mentions: Rabbit Holes, Sandra Brown & Cats Rule

    October 1, 2012 by Amy Shojai

    Happy Monday. This week has got to be an improvement over last week’s virus, Internet kerfluffle and AC outage. In my world it seems “crappiocca” comes in threes–so hopefully my crap quota has been filled and I’ve tunneled out of the rabbit hole. For now.

    There was some terrific stuff, too. I met an awesome blogger (new to me) at Healing Rescue Dogs Blog and she interviewed me about LOST AND FOUND. Want to know more? October 1-7 (that starts today!) I’m discussing myths about writing thrillers as part of THE BIG THRILL ROUNDTABLE PANEL.

    Want more? (gulp!) I’ll be over at DogRead as the guest author starting today (Oct. 1) through Oct. 15. This is a yahoogroups email list dedicated to discussion dog books–and the many of list members are savvy dog trainers, exhibitors and more, I can’t wait to talk “dawg” and writing! You can subscribe and lurk, post questions, come and go as you like–it’s free. Here’s the link to find out more.

    I will be sending out the copies of the LOST AND FOUND book to the winners–as soon as I get my copies! Arggg! There must be something up with the mail these days, because several of my online orders recently have been delayed or gone astray. Doncha HATE when that happens? I even have the padded envelopes addressed and ready to mail. Thanks for your patience–me, I’m biting nails!

    I promise to get some more ASK AMY videos made. Several folks have asked terrific questions either on my Facebook pages or in blog comments. It’s been too long…but yep, been a weee bit busy. :) I’m saving the questions, though, so stay tuned.

    Monday Mentions is the mash-up-day of all the neato-torpedo writer links and videos, pet schtuff and bling and writer-icity crappiocca collected over the past week. Some of this “schtuff” can be hard to categorize and may fit more than one topic so I urge you to at least scan them all. Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom for an awesome Thrillerfest interview with some legends–Sandra Brown, RL Stein and David Morrell!

    WRITER-ICITY SCHTUFF

    Poison Pen Press Launches YA Mystery Imprint, “Poisoned Pencil” with Ellen Larson, editor, now open to submissions!

    PublishAmerica Lawsuit Dismissed

    How To Host A Free EBook Day (Without Amazon)

    Espresso Book Machine puts POD in your coffee shop. Really.

    Before You Self Publish, Questions to Ask

    Getting GoodReads Reviews on KoboBooks

    A Million Books Sold, What Next? from the incredible CJ Lyons

    Webinar on Selling Film & TV Scripts

    Rudeness Compounded By Internet  ya don’t say?!

    Fake Facebook ‘Likes’ Disappear first it was fake book reviews, now fake “likes” Gimme a break! Oh, and the FanPages may not be worthwhile anymore.

    Nightmare Sperm Donation from the creepy files of DP Lyle’s awesome blog

    PET SCHTUFF

    DOG PEANUT BUTTER RECALLED!

    Cats Rule the Internet & Here’s Proof!

    FUNNY Lost Pet Signs that said, it’s NOT funny to lose a pet so get ‘em microchipped and keep ‘em safe!

    Pets Share Environmental Risks interesting article with what researchers are looking at

    Are Animals Conscious? well, yes…so how should they be treated? Fascinating discussion.

    Of Feral Cats, Conservation & Birds…Again.

    I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, listen to the weekly radio show, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my  THRILLERS WITH BITE!

    Category Cat Behavior & Care, Dog Training & Care, Writing Advice & More | Tags: ,,,,,,,,, | 4 Comments

  2. Monday Mentions: THRILLERFEST!

    July 16, 2012 by Amy Shojai

    Finally back from my annual whirlwind Thrillerfest conference–this year even more awesome knowing that I’m now an ITW Debut Author in great part because of this wonderful organization. I’ll have some short videos later, too, but wanted to post the pictures (they’re out of order, sorry!) as soon as possible.

    Please also scroll down for the usual Monday Mentions link luv about publishing, writing, pets and more. Stay tuned for some quick excerpts from some of the panels and interviews. And don’t forget, the NAME THAT DOG and NAME THAT CAT polls will be posted this week for you to choose some of the pet characters in my book!

    Panel: How Do You Create Spellbinding Series Characters?

    The book signing--wow, next to the awesome Wendy Corsi Staub.

    Yes, I came--I saw--I BLINGED!

    David Morrell, co-founder of International Thriller Writers. You may know him as the author of Rambo. *s*

    Doug Lyle, Craftfest Director and VP of National Events (with LOTS of great thrillers and nonfiction forensic books), with Paula and my friend Teresa Chandler.

    Jon Land, one of the ITW vice presidents...and best seller, too. There's a lot of great authors at this conference...just saying.

    THRILLERFEST AWARDS

    Saturday night July 14 the International Thriller Writers (ITW) announced the winners of the 2012 Thriller Awards.

    Best Hard Cover Novel:
    11/23/63, Stephen King (Scribner)

    Best Paperback Original Novel:
    THE LAST MINUTE, Jeff Abbott (Sphere/Little, Brown UK)

    Best First Novel:
    SPIRAL, Paul McEuen (The Dial Press)

    Best Short Story:
    HALF-LIVES, Tim L. Williams (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine)

    ITW has also announced the addition of two new Thriller Awards next year–Young Adult, and Original Ebook.

    MORE WRITERICITY SCHTUFF

    6 Reasons to Celebrate “BAD” Reviews

    HarperCollins Buys Thomas Nelson

    Smashwords Publishes 138,070+ Books

    Ebook Pirates–Open Fire or Ignore?

    Publishing Jobs from Disney, Hachette Book Group, Little Brown, etc.

    PET SCHTUFF

    Sasquatch Lives?! from Doug Lyle’s awesome blog

    Pet Supply Catalogue–shopping that helps pets! Check it out!

    Cat Myths from Sally Bahner’s awesome blog

    BLOGPAWS Gives Back donates $12,120 to several worthy animal causes, kudos!

    I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, listen to the weekly radio show, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter .

    Don’t forget to check out the NAME THAT DOG/CAT character in the forthcoming THRILLER, LOST & FOUND! Poll with SEMIFINAL NAMES for you to vote to be posted this WOOF WEDNESDAY and FELINE FRIDAY so get your suggestions in ASAP.

    Category Cat Behavior & Care, Dog Training & Care, Writing Advice & More | Tags: ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, | 16 Comments

  3. Monday Mentions: Thrillers, Pets & Writing

    April 9, 2012 by Amy Shojai

    Monday Mentions is the mash-up-day of all the TASTY neato-torpedo links and videos, pet schtuff and bling and writer-icity crappiocca collected over the past week. Some of this “schtuff” can be hard to categorize and may fit more than one topic so I urge you to at least scan them all.

    WRITER-ICITY SCHTUFF

    Why Small Presses Fail–and what to watch out for, from Writers Beware

    Congrats to fellow ITW Debut Author Donna Galanti. Her thriller A Human Element released this month. This story, like its characters, is a hybrid that combines science fiction, suspense and romance. As a twin myself, I found that aspect of the story both chilling and fascinating. Read more here–and aspiring authors may wish to take a closer look at this publisher, too!

    For more thrilling romance from well known authors, check out the upcoming collection. That’s a must-read, to be sure, cain’t wait! PW Starred Review says, in part: “If a person is known by the company she keeps, then the company of the 30 romance and suspense writers in this stellar all-original anthology speaks volumes about bestseller Brown. From Lori Armstrong’s sexy “Holding Mercy” to Vicki Hinze’s sweet “Wed to Death,” there’s romance aplenty. But there’s also loads of suspense, including Lee Child’s “I Heard a Romantic Story” and Cindy Gerard’s “Dying to Score.” Hankering for a flight of romantic fantasy? Take a trip to a bizarre Savannah neighborhood in Dianna Love’s “Deadly Fixation” or to the Chicago of Patricia Rosemoor’s “Hot Note.” The action spans the globe, imparting a real feel for locales as diverse as the Mexican jungle; Halifax, Nova Scotia; London, England; and south Texas. There are familiar characters such as Allison Brennan’s Lucy Kincaid (“Vacation Interrupted”) and new ones readers are sure to want to see more of, like William Simon’s Nicholas White (“Spider’s Tango”). Chockablock with nifty plot twists, these stories aren’t to be missed. (June)”

    More from ITW--some of your fav thriller authors, check it out!

    WEIRD-ICITY & FUN SCHTUFF

    You Type, She Says in any language, fun to play.

    Middle Eastern Poetry Meets Bollywood & More from my friend Carol Shenold’s blog

    Google to End Ebook ReSeller Program

    Amazon Ebooks in Spanish

    PET-ICITY SCHTUFF

    10 New Cat Health Studies Funded by Winn Feline Foundation

    Ally Cat Allies Petition Re: Loews Hotels Killing Cats Animal friendly? really…

    Cat World Records–most toes, longest whiskers, loudest purrs, oldest (38 years!) and more

    ALLEY CAT RESCUE Hosts International Free Feral Cat Spay Day April 27, 2012

    Scottie the Flower Shop Kitty

    Lost German Cat Returns Home After 15 Years

    High Cost of Cutting Edge Vet Care–would you do it?

    I covered a lot of this cutting-edge care in my book. And I got my first hate mail as a result from somebody deeply offended that so much $$ might be spent on mere pets. What do you think? Have we gone too far? Or would you go into dept to fund health care for YOUR dogs and cats? Do tell!

    I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, listen to the weekly radio show, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter with excerpts from the forthcoming THRILLER, LOST & FOUND, and pet book give-aways!

    Category Cat Behavior & Care, Dog Training & Care, Writing Advice & More | Tags: ,,,,,,,, | 4 Comments

  4. Lights! Camera! Action! Promote or Die (sorta-kinda-in-a-way)

    October 11, 2011 by Amy Shojai

    Today’s Tuesday Tips blog launches the next series and I’m talking about (GASP!) media training for authors. Heck, ANY writer (any NONPROFIT!)  benefits from learning the basics because let’s face it, your publisher ain’t gonna do this for you.

    Okay, I’ll take that back. If you’re the sparkle-tacular Sandra Brown (she’s a Texan, ya know! just “met” her on Twitter, FAN GIRL MOMENT!) or the furry-fantastic James Rollins you’ll get folks rolling out the red carpet-diem for quotes and promo ops. The rest of us schlubs need quite a bit of hand-waving creativity to get a notice about current projects, books and causes.

    I gave this talk last year at the Oklahoma Writers Federation annual conference, and thought I’d share the high points with readers. Just so’s ya know, I’ve used all of these tips and appeared on hundreds of TV and radio shows, been quoted as an expert in (mumble-mumble) LOTS of print and online media, and made numerous public appearances. So I know a wee bit about the process, what works and what might be better relegated to the “who cares, don’t waste your time” circular file.

    [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Maurice, do-ing his doody Dragon." .

    Increase your audience! It'll be a feather in your writerly cap...

    By the way, you CAN hire this done if you’ve got deep pockets and plan to win the lottery to fund such things. But if you’re able to fund hiring it done–I hate you and will send Maurice to do dragon do-do on your inbox. Or something.

    Most writers ain’t got the funds and need to do media on the cheap. Ahem.

    DEFINING MEDIA

    Most folks think of “media” as television and radio. Today there are hybrids and new, better, more creative ways to use technology to communicate. Ten years ago, who ever thought I’d be shooting my own ASK AMY online series? Or have a PET PEEVES radio show via the Internet that never-ever-goes-away (can you say perPETual promo?).

    WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?

    When you’re a writer, author, volunteer for a cause, or other fill-in-the-blank, there are three major benefits of using media. You are, after all, looking for an audience. Well, some of us want more than Mom and Weird Cousin Al to appreciate our creative efforts. There’s nothing wrong with writing for yourself and keeping a personal diary (when you die who cares if the whole family is embarrassed when it’s discovered and pub’d, right?). My own work seeks to empower readers to help their cats and dogs–and since cats and dogs have trouble reading (there’s that whole glasses thing gets in the way), part of my job as an author is to entice pet parents aka “readers” to pick up the dang book and read. I suspect most of y’all out there share that desire.  So the top reason you should care is media savvy allows you to reach a wider audience.

    How many of y’all have made a TV or radio appearance after which your family and friends look at you in a different way? (Dang, shouldn’t have worn polka dots…) Wait, no, I mean your appearance on media–and making a GOOD impression (more about that later) increases your credibility and raises your status. Don’t argue with me, it does. Just having been published gives you an air of coolness but getting MEDIA ATTENTION means that the high-and-mighty MEDIA GAWDS recognize you and that (drum roll….) establishes you as an EXPERT.

    [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="375" caption="YELL about it--sorta-kinda-in-a-way..." .

    Be creative--get the word out! Can you say "photo op?"

    Why do you want to be considered an expert? Because it gets you MORE media attention, which gets your name out there, which sells your book/cause/personal brand (more about BRAND later). See how the circle-of-life makes wondrous things happen? That’s the third major benefit. Media helps build buzz for book sales/appearances.

    So have you leaped from behind the safe anonymity of your writerly desk into the shark-icty of the media circus? How’d that work for you? Are you a new or aspiring author? A writer interested in expanding your blogging readership? A volunteer looking for ways to help your pet cause? What are some ways you’ve used media to work for you? Or (rubbing hands together with glee…) any HORROR STORIES you’d care to share? Don’t worry, I’ll share some of mine, too. We are coming up onto Halloween, of course!

    Stay tuned and next Tuesday I’ll post the next part of this series, including what’s available today and how you might use it.

    I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, listen to the weekly radio show, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter with pet book give-aways!

    Category Writing Advice & More | Tags: ,,,,,,,,,,,, | 13 Comments