Reasons to do an #Anthology and a crazy #Giveaway

This past week went much better than the one before. But as I start my new job, things are about to get super busy again. Bring it!

I hope you had a pleasant Easter. Look what I'm sharing from my basket!

So why do an anthology? Here are just a few reasons:

• Flex your creative muscles
• Try a new genre
• Gives you a break from editing or drafting
• Write a short story that's been nagging you to be written
• Take a favorite minor character on a tangent into his own story
• Looks great on the resume
• Might break your writer's block
• Validation
• Many authors = more exposure!

I'm so psyched to be a part of this project! It's very exciting to be working with many of my blogging buddies! Next month I will give you all a glimpse of the wide range of stories by these wonderful, talented writers as we inch our way to the release (May 31). So happy Randi Lee organized this!

You can keep up with the latest developments on Facebook here.


And in other news...

Good luck if you're getting ready for the A to Z challenge! I can't believe it starts Friday!

Make sure to visit the Really Real Housewives for some quick A to Z Around the House tips!

So here's the crazy giveaway - In my self-publishing adventure saga, I did a promotional giveaway on Amazon. I offered 2 Jolissa ebooks. Being a naive noob, I made the odds be 2 random people out of 100 entrants (surely it would take days to reach 100 entrants, right?) Well, the contest was OVER IN 4 HOURS!! That's CrAZy! The best part was I added the caveat that they needed to watch the 1st chapter of Jolissa on Youtube - I went from 50 views to almost 200! SA-WEET! Not to mention, one of my obscure amazon rankings went way up! I will definitely do this again but up my odds for winning to 5 out of 1000. Lesson learned and a pretty cool, inexpensive marketing tool!!

Lastly, since I didn't do a big release party, I'm also going to host a GIVEAWAY for JOLISSA - An Anti-Princess Story here on the blog.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Monday, y'all!

Things NOT to do at an interview

Sometimes I don't know when to shut up - just ask my hub (ba dump bump)

Lately, I've been trying to find ways to make a better living (sons approaching college age = need more $$$!) And we writers know the best kept secret about writing is there's not much money in it. For some strange reason, the general public thinks if you're published, you must be rich AND famous! It really cracks me up when someone introduces me as a "famous author" - ha ha ha!

Anyway, as I said, I'm trying to earn more money. I've been on a few job interviews, sent countless query letters, submitted a few pieces, and begged for book gigs. So far it's all gotten me bupkis! And upon further examination, I seem to be sabotaging myself. I'll tell you what I mean...

Here are Things NOT to do when looking for work:
DON'T tell them you'll understand if they don't want to hire you.
DON'T act like you could care less.
DON'T tell them their workplace is cute.
DON'T bring up sore spots about their financial situation.
DON'T compare them to a better workplace.
DON'T assume you aren't right for the job.
DON'T force a smile.
DON'T oversell yourself.
DON'T show them you're smarter than they are, know-it-all.

I was in an anti-full-time teacher funk when I went on that interview. Yes, I actually did a few of those things. How could I be so dumb? People know when you aren't genuinely interested. They also know when you're trying too hard out of desperation. We must be confident but not cocky. Self-assured but not assuming. And humble not humiliating.

I was disappointed I didn't get a job offer, but not surprised. Then a long-term job was handed to me - things worked out. Not getting the book events was actually better for me. And more changes are on the horizon that would make getting a permanent job not the best situation right now. I believe God has a plan for me. After having things work out so many times, and mostly not how I plan, it's easier to accept and leave things to Him.

Prayer brings results, worry brings wrinkles.

AND IN THE NEWS:
Don't forget to stop by and vote at the WRiTE CLUB!

Many folks are Revealing their A to Z Challenge THEMES today - including the Really Real Housewives where we'll be joining in the challenge. You'll never guess our theme!

And if anyone would like to volunteer to read JOLISSA for an honest review, let me know. Thanks!

Anyone else notice how things work out for the best in ways least expected?

Hope things are working out for you!

Happy Spring!

Monday Already?

I thought making a promotional video would be fun. And I did have a few laughs. But the editing was a big pain! I used several different apps and they all did different things but none of them turned out quite right... so I gave up. Now I'm cranky! I really could use an extra hour.

Oh, right. Stupid daylight savings STOLE my extra hour this morning!

Okay, I've griped enough. I know I can't be the only one struggling with making a promotional video, though I tend to be a perfectionist about publications... There's a ton of brilliant authors joining me for The Thing That Turned Me anthology, and we're all making videos. I'm sure everything will work out...

Now for some great news and views! I saw Annalisa Crawford's new cover and wanted to share it!

In You. I. Us., Annalisa Crawford captures everyday people during poignant defining moments in their lives: An artist puts his heart into his latest sketch, an elderly couple endures scrutiny by a fellow diner, an ex-student attempts to make amends with a girl she bullied at school, a teenager holds vigil at his friend’s hospital bedside, long distance lovers promise complete devotion, a broken-hearted widow stares into the sea from the edge of a cliff where her husband died, a grieving son contacts the only person he can rely on in a moment of crisis, a group of middle-aged friends inspire each other to live remarkable lives.

Day after day, we make the same choices. But after reading You. I. Us., you’ll ask yourself, “What if we didn’t?”

YOU. I. US. will be available June 10, 2016
Add it to your reading list on Goodreads
Annalisa's Website

Congrats, Annalisa!


I hope your Monday is going better than mine!

PS - I'm over at the Really Real Housewives this week, too - today I'm talking about teenagers!

Cramming a Ton of Awesome into Today!

Another exciting Monday...

But seriously, it IS!
The super splendicular Christine Rains is hosting me at her place today AND she's also the specialissimo guest over at the Really Real Housewives this week!

AND I'm super excited to announce the winners of our MEME BLOG HOP!

First, a HUGE SPECIAL THANKS to my co-hostesses, C. Lee McKenzie and Christine Rains. We had a very hard time picking our faves, so there are lots of winners:

2 Grand Prize Winners of $20 Gift Cards

M Pepper Langlinais

and

Yvonne Ventresca

J. Lenni's

We also chose J Lenni Dorner (Broken Branch Falls by Tara Tyler & Double Negative by C. Lee McKenzie) and Juneta Key (Sudden Secrets by C. Lee McKenzie & Of Blood and Sorrow by Christine Rains) as 2nd runners up, winning two ebooks each!

Juneta's

And here's the rest of our winners, each receiving an ebook:
Michelle Wallace - Jolissa by Tara Tyler
Tamara Narayan - Pop Travel by Tara Tyler
Jess Haight/Fairday Morrow - (still deciding)


Thanks to all who played with us! I wish we could give stuff to everyone. But the fun continues all month, maybe longer, as I will be tweeting ALL the entrants' fun and encouraging meme's for everyone to see and enjoy.


And LBNL...

Today is also the first day of WRiTE CLUB 2016!

It's an awesome contest helping writers refine their craft in a blind competition. 

Stop by and VOTE for your favorites!

Have a wonderful week!