Monday, January 18, 2016

Happy News

Barely into the new year and exciting things are happening. To read about the coolest things so far in 2016 world of writing, visit IWSG and read all about it. What is it? And a very warm and hardy welcome to Chrys Fey to the IWSG team of administrators. She's a terrific addition.

 
The Insecure Writer's Support Group Newsletter will feature articles by industry experts, IWSG members, and administrators. There will also be a dozen links to helpful articles for writers in each edition, as well as a special Member Spotlight. Even if you're not a member of the blogging group, you'll greatly benefit from these FREE monthly newsletters.
First issue goes out on February 24!
Sign up link - : http://eepurl.com/bM8oHL
Those who are part of the IWSG monthly blogging are already signed up.

Isn't that grand! I'm so excited to be part of this group.

Just a week from today, sign ups open up for the A to Z Blogging Challenge. I'm very excited for it this year even though I'll probably be in the middle of my next WIP by then. Mark the date and get up early next Monday to get your link on the list.

We're continuing to have mild weather for January though it's chilly today. My heating bill loves it and I'm getting a lot of my exercise outside instead of on the dreaded treadmill. I'm working on getting a stationery bike so I can ride while I read. I try to read at least an hour every day. If I combine biking with my hour of aerobic exercise, that will give me two hours of each. Win/Win.

"The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it." Henry David Thoreau

My publisher has released my the first book in my Galactic Outlaws series but it is only available on their website for the first thirty days. The Outlaw's Prize can only be purchased here for the time being. Like many small presses, they're trying to make more money for me and them by cutting out the middle man. Writers don't like to talk about money, but it's a fact that it's pretty tough to make a living in this business.

Talking of this business, I went to my local B&N yesterday to do some writing without family distractions. The place was so busy! I was glad to see so many children carrying around books, disappointed to see so many adults on their phones while their kids looks at books, and glad I found a table in the Starbucks that is part of the store. The line at Starbucks was long throughout the entire two hours I was there. I'm pretty sure the cafe alone made enough to keep the bookstore open. What was disappointing was the number of people standing in line to purchase books. Zero. That was unsettling. I hope some of the parents I saw purchased those books their children were cradling.

"The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be ignited." Plutarch

Are you excited about the newsletter? Are you signing up for the A to Z blogging challenge? What do you think of my bike idea to combine two important pastimes into one?


39 comments:

Heather R. Holden said...

Congrats on the release of your first Galactic Outlaws book! How exciting!

And zero people in line at your bookstore? Wow. That's mind-boggling to me, since my local Barnes & Noble is always busy! (Waited in a long line at one just this past week, heh.)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Congratulations on your latest release! Does your publisher sell a lot through their site?
Excited the IWSG newsletter is coming together. Chrys hit the ground running.
We're to be in the thirties this week - perfect winter weather!

betty said...

Sounds like a fun time at Barnes and Noble; I would have enjoyed the people watching :) Congrats on the release!

Nice to see people in the bookstore; our Barnes and Noble closed here a few years back. There is just something fun about roaming the shelves of one and then sipping on a coffee while again people watching.

So excited about A/Z :) Just have to remember that next week is the sign up day!

betty

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

Yeh for the new release!

Still not sure if I'm doing A-Z this year....

I like your idea of reading on the stationary bike. If you end up doing it, maybe let us know how it works for you?

Jo said...

I prop up my Kindle on my treadmill to read. Never could manage to read when on my stationary bike though. Good luck with it. Congratulations on the new book.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Congrats on your book!

Wait until you visit me today and see what B&N is going to try next.

M.J. Fifield said...

I like the idea of reading on the stationary bike. I couldn't do it, personally—especially for an hour—but it's a great idea.

I haven't decided yet on the A to Z Challenge.

Congratulations on your new book!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

It seemed like only the coffee shop was busy yesterday.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

My publisher has some regular customers who buy enough to make it worth the month of exclusive sales.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

There were plenty of people to watch. I would be very upset if our B&N closed.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I will let you know how the bike thing works out. I can't wait to get it but we're still shopping for best quality and price.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I've tried reading while I'm walking and I just can't make that work.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I hope B&N can stay open. PA is so stuffy about alcohol, they'll probably never allow them to do that here.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I know you're buried in edits but I hope you find the time for A to Z.

Pat Hatt said...

Congrats on your book. I've seen that too at book stores and yeah, very hard to ever make a living off writing.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Susan - excellent news re the IWSG newsletter and the A_Z sign up day ... oh dear how sad re the zero in the queue to buy a book at B and N ... but glad the kids were there ... Congratulations on your book - cheers Hilary

Sarah Foster said...

Congrats on the release!
I think I've tried to read on the treadmill before but I'd rather listen to music while I exercise. But if you can pull it off, I say go for it!

Maria Zannini said...

Sometimes I think B&N sounded its own death knell. They might as well just open up a coffee shop.

nashvillecats2 said...

Contrats on your latest release, I'm sure it will be a success. Looking forward to the A to Z Challenge.
Yvonne.

Liza said...

Hooray on your release! Can't believe it is A-Z time again...wishing all the participants the best. Hopefully, at least those parents are downloading books...

Chrys Fey said...

Thank you for the warm welcome, Susan! And CONGRATULATIONS on your release! I wish you much success. :)

I'm not sure if I could read and concentrate while on a treadmill or other exercising tool, but if you can then GO FOR IT! :D

cleemckenzie said...

Great news about your release! Congrats to you. As to multi-tasking. . .I'm not good at it. Let us know how you do.

Stephen Tremp said...

"The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be ignited." Great quote. Fuel for my brain today.

J E Oneil said...

It sure is chilly here today. I hope you can stay warm. Wouldn't it be nice to have such mild weather all winter?

Sigh...bookstores are too neglected these days.

mshatch said...

I am doing a-z this year and looking forward to it! In fact, I should probably start writing my posts now...

Christine Rains said...

That's a great idea to ride the bike and read at the same time! I'm all signed up for the newsletter. Have a terrific week. :)

Nicola said...

I am plunging into the unknown and will be signing up for the A-Z challenge. Last year I chickened out. Didn't think I could manage it. But this year, I am kicking all doubt in the teeth. Really looking forward to joining in the fun. It's bitter cold here too but the sun is shining so I'm not going to complain :)

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Congratulations on your new novel, Susan. I'm thrilled for you. I'm still the chicken or maybe it's just plain lazy, girl I've always been and won't be signing up for the challenge. Maybe next year. Haha, I know, I say that every year. Best of luck!

Misha Gerrick said...

Congrats! I hope the book does well!

Elizabeth said...

Congrats on your book! It saddens me when adults get caught up with their phones instead of enjoying the things around them. When I go to B&N I get as excited as a child going up and down the aisles looking for new books, lol.

Looking forward to the IWSG newsletter and the A to Z Challenge!

Robin said...

I read this and am reminded that I need to knuckle down and Just Write.

Crystal Collier said...

Yay for the book release! The book business is hard. With the way prices have jumped in the last decade, it's painful to swallow the bill for even a single picture book. I mean, 20 to 30 for a book? (I wish I was exaggerating.) I like discount bookstores or library sales.

Unknown said...

Congrats on the new release! I'm one of those parents on their cell while the kids look at books :( I'm addicted to checking sales stats but it also keeps me from micromanaging their choices.

Denise Covey said...

Congrats on your release, Susan. I've tried that reading on the exercise bike thingy, but it took away from the enjoyment of the book for me. I can be on the bike and watch tv, but books, bed and a cuppa is my preferred reading style. :-)

BB said...

I loved reading when riding my exercise bike. Unfortunately my knees got so bad I had to stop. That would definitely be a win/win for you!

diedre Knight said...

A stationary bike would be fabulous! Much as I adore my daily walks, it's impossible to read - or write - while doing so;-) Whenever I feel the need to push myself harder I choose a steeper hill to climb.
Lots of exciting things going on, looking forward to it all!

Arlee Bird said...

I wish they'd open a B&N near me, but instead they're closing any of the ones I knew of. For that matter though I miss circuit city. Even grocery stores around where I live are closing. No shortage of restaurants though. I could eat out in a different place every night each month and never even have to drive.

I'm thinking about signing up to that A to Z thing.

Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
&
Wrote By Rote

Gina Gao said...

Congrats on your book release!

https://ficklemillennial.wordpress.com/

Shanaya Tales said...

Subscribed to the IWSG list. Thanks for sharing. :)