Colorado Here I come

It's that time of year again. It's time to go to Colorado, cool sweet mountain air. Bears, chipmunks and squirrels coming to visit, gossiping with friends, writing, hiking (more or less) wine, books, and shopping. Did I mention wine?

Renewal is an important part of the writing process, of any creative process-poetry, painting, music, making something from nothing. For me, being at the cabin with my writer friends does it. I focus more clearly and usually make a lot of progress both writing and relaxing while I'm there.

And it never hurts to sit ouside, in the middle of the trees and watch for fairies. Of course, at the cabin, you can't afford not to watch for bears also.

Watched the newest episode of True Blood. Really like the Circe character and Sookie met her cousin. Always interesting seeing Sookie get into trouble.

Contest-EP Launch

In honor or the Eternal Press Launch Day, I'm having a contest. Email me at cshenold@cox.net to tell me the poodles' name and I'll enter you in a drawing for a free, autographed copy of "Fairy Dust" or "Museums are Murder." Also, leave a comment on this post or the one below. That's as hard as it gets.

Signing and 4th

Fire-crackers and sparklers. Time for celebration. Also, I have pics from the book signing with me and Sara Saint John.

On the left are Sara and myself, hot but fun with lots of good connections.

On the right is one of the gorgeous pieces of fiber art from the IAO gallery. Too rich for my blood but so beautiful.

And of course, the center of attention, Jasper P. Poodle.

Romantic Times Review

"Bloody Murder" has a 4 star review in the August issue of RT Bookreviews magazine, page 103., it's classified as a compelling-Page turner. "Shenold has crafted another delightfully wity tale in the Tali Cates series. She's created highly entertaining characters, including a mother with two spiritual advisers, and penned an intriguing mystery."
Excited here and bragging.--

Rachel Vincent has a 4 starreview of her new YA, "My Soul to Take" in the same issue as does Carolyn Wall for "Sweeping up Glass" which received 4 1/2 stars.

Ewww-Too Scary

I went to a book sale/signing at an art gallery last weekend. It was lovely, except for the heat (105 in the shade, my car showed 119 when I got in) but I digress. There was a fiber art show in progress, if you're close to Oklahoma City, it's worth it to go to the IAO Gallery on 8th and Broadway. Beautiful art. All kinds of writers, poets, Christian Writers, essayists, literary short stories were in place. Wine was available. Readings progressed from essays on the misogenistic tendencies of John Wayne movies as they demeaned women on purpose, to really good poetry.

Then there was those of us who write genre-horror, humerous horror, sci-fi, urban fantasy and paranormal mystery. You should have seen the looks directed at our books and covers. It was a university type of literary crowd. Not the best venue, even though I had fun and sold one book, (to one of the horror writers.) We had a nice display, colorful cover art, decorated the table with a crystal ball, quill pen, had suckers for the kids. Still got some curled lips and wide berths when passers-by avoided the table.

Boils down to exposure, fun visiting with friends and showing off the books and making connections. What has been the most interesting venue you visited with your books and how did you handle it?

Things That go Bump

A good thing is happening, and it's all due to Urban Fantasy. Publishers are clamoring for Urban Fantasy, see http://www.samhainpublishing.com/ . I think it's all the fault of the Sookie Stackhouse books, and Harry Potter and Twilight. So, guys and gals, send those manuscripts in now.

I've been angsting about my own but I really need to stop doing that and just write it. Sub plots, the romance, the family issues, will all resolve themselves as a matter of course. I just have to get them woven in to the fairy mutilation murders. Just, right! That's all. I'm also worrying about where to send it, NY or epub. Hell, the thing isn't even written yet. How stupid is that?

So I have to practice what I preach, put aside the "I'm not sure I can write." fears and march on with the work. Saturday I'm scheduled to appear at a book sale at an art gallery so that should be fun. Have to remember to take my camera, post pictures. If you're in OKC Saturday, come to the IAO Gallery on Broadway and join us. Maybe if I sell books It wll spur me back to work.

When you start talking yourself out of writing the book, it's not "good enough" how do you push through it?

Newsletter-still.

Promotions-Got all the addresses in for my newsletter. Now I need to get it written and sent. Finding promotion time is the hardest and something I need to do the most right now.

Craft-Have to push myself forward with the WIP first draft. I keep going back to edit and I know better, but it's hard some time. I just need to get on with the story and remember to polish later. That's the way that usually works best for me.

Home-New puppy did well with potty training this weekend but did not want to poop in the rain this morning and chose my office to do his business. Might have to kill baby dog-kidding, just kidding.