So Much to Do, So Little Time

Another month has slipped away. I'm not finished with that first draft yet, though I've very close. And it's nearly time for the monthly posting of IWSG. You can still sign up on the list and be part of this dynamic group. There are some exciting announcements coming your way on Wednesday.
This month's question, should you decide to use it:
Have you ever pulled out a really old story and reworked it? Did it work out?

More sad news from the world of small presses. Samhain Publishing is closing its doors tomorrow. It was a powerhouse for a while but began facing the same difficulties all small publishers and indie authors have been facing over the last few years. I've heard nothing but good things about Samhain and how they've treated their authors and continue to treat them. It's still a sad time for the authors and the owners who have put so much work into their business. I'm quite worried about all small publishers.

As I've mentioned before, many small presses sell books directly from their site. The publisher and the author make more money from those sales without the middle man such as Amazon taking its cut. My latest release, The Outlaw's Savior, last in The Galactic Outlaw series, is now for sale on New Concepts Publishing Website.

The warm weather last week spoiled me a bit, but I put in lots of outside miles while exercising. Winter is back this week, but it's not so cold as some years. The good weather didn't help reduce my TBR pile which is very tall right now.

One of my top two favorite TV shows returns next week, Once Upon a Time. I noticed this week, how little live TV I've been watching. Sometimes, while I reading blogs in the mornings, I'll catch up to something on Demand such as Scorpion, Supernatural or a few other shows I like but don't love. Many times, I'd rather watch reruns on Netflix than check out any recent TV.

Does Samhain closing touch anyone you know? Is the weather strange in your part of the world? Are you ready for March?

“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.” ― Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

Leap Day & End the Winter Blues

Christine Rains, Tara Tyler, and C. Lee McKenzie put together a Meme Bloghop to help chase away the winter blues.  Share something humorous or encouraging to smooth the way to spring. If you find writing difficult some days, just remember that only means you're doing it right.

Actually, spring is making an early appearance here. Sixties yesterday and fifty degrees today. Some cold spring-like rain on the way for the next two days. There are some bulb shots poking up through the ground here and there. Huge flocks of snow geese have been flying over by the hundreds. I love watching them.

Work associated with the writing groups I belong to is burying me. I'm definitely convinced to stay for only one term in each office. Paperwork, even when it's digital, is the burden of even nonprofit organizations.

Today is Leap Day, the traditional Lady's Day when the women can do the asking. Of course, in our modern world, there's no reason why the woman can't do the asking any day of the year. Lots of speculation about who started this day and the traditions and exactly when it started but to me, it only means that February and therefore, winter, gets an extra day of our lives.

Some more sad news about the future of small presses as another one closes. It was announced a few days ago that Samhain Publishing will be closing its doors. This is sad for their authors and all the editors and other workers at the publishing house. It's scary for those of us with other small publishers. Samhain has been around for a long time and is one of the larger small presses. They've been around since 2005 publishing romance and horror fiction. They've published over 2000 books from more than 600 authors over the years. Here's the letter they sent to their writers, where they demonstrate their professionalism and also share the things that have brought about their closure. Yes, Amazon is mentioned.

The current struggle of writers and publishers is a depressing thought for writers. I'm so happy with my publisher that I can't imagine going back to the beginning and starting a search for a publisher again.

"I can't go back to yesterday because I was a different person then." Lewis Carroll

But enough of this downer stuff. I'm determined to get that next book plotted out by the end of the week. Don't forget that Wednesday is the posting day for IWSG.

Do you know anyone who was born on or proposed to on Leap Day? Do you know any of the writers affected by Samhain's closing? Any signs of spring at your house?