Just a Little Industry News...

So, as I'm perusing the Internet (okay, digging, digging, digging) this morning I came across a few interesting tidbits that I thought I'd share because...well, I like to share!

For instance, did you know that in 2008 more than 74 million people read at least one romance novel? Yep...I guess tough times really do put all of us in a happily-ever-after mood, huh?

And, I now have another reason to trade in the old cell for an iPhone - books! ScrollMotion and LibraDigital have finally agreed on how they will supply books, newspapers and magazines to iPhone users. Cool, huh? I wonder if I could use that as a tax deduction?.......

And finally, a contest! Dorchester Publishing is partnering with Textnovel on a new writing contest! Authors over the age of 18 can take part in America's Next Best Celler ... here's how it works: entrants publish at least 20 chapters (6,000 words) of a romance novel to TextNovel by November 1, 2009. The winning manuscript gets a $2,000 advance and will be published by Dorchester in 2010! Read the full rules here. Subgenres: Romance Suspense, Historical, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, High Fantasy, Futuristic and Humorous Contemporary.

To E-Book or Not To E-Book...

Nope, this isn't a post about whether or not to go after an e-book publisher for my next novel. This is a post about which e-book reader is right for me because (gasp) I'm taking the plunge! Yep, I've hemed and hawed. I've considered and reconsidered and finally decided it's time to buy an e-book reader. Now I just have to figure out which one.

Why now? Because I have only so much space in my home for physical books and because e-books are quickly taking over the universe. One report from marketing firm In-Stat reports that e-book sales will reach $13 billion by 2013. That's a lot of books ... and that also means some titles will probably only be available in e-book format so...I'm jumping in.

I've done my research and I like both Sony's e-book reader and I like Amazon's Kindle/Kindle2. My question is for those of you with e-book readers - what version do you have and why did you choose that particular version? What makes it different/better than the other readers out there?

Author Interview: Monica S. Martinez!!

Hey, gang! I had the chance to chat with latina author Monica S. Martinez, who has a new book, Tantalizing Erotic Thoughts & Encounters, coming out soon! Check it out:

Q: Where are you from?

A: I was born and raised in Queens, NY. I grew up in South Jamaica, where I attended elementary and junior high school. I then moved on to Forest Hills where I went to high school and met my first husband.

Q: What kinds of books do you like to read?

A: I enjoy reading fiction, Urban writing, Poetry, Murder Mysteries and also some non-fiction such as memories, biographies.

Q: What are some of your favorite authors?

A: James Patterson, Dean Kootz, Anne Rice, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Ivan Sanchez, and Esmeralda Santiago.

Q: What inspired you to write?

A: I’ve always written, since I’m twelve. I was once sexually repressed and when I turned thirty and remarried I was able to let my inhibitions go. I opened an Adult Novelty company back in 2004 where I would go into women’s houses and educate them on how to keep their sex lives interesting and fresh. It was an eye opener as to how many women were really unhappy with their sex lives. I became sort of a sex therapist and I found myself writing stories to help ignite some passion into their lives.

Q: When will Tantalizing Erotic Thoughts and Encounters available to purchase?

A: Readers can go on my website or grab a copy at Amazon.com.

Thanks, Monica, for dropping by the blog. Readers, if you have a question for Monica, ask away!  

Monday Means A Goal...

Do you have a goal?

I've been a little lax on posting my goals on the blog lately, but I have been making them and trying to meet them. Have finished the first WIP and am now revising and editing, have hit a stopping point on the second and need to figure a few things out. But, with family in town for the week, I'm not certain of my progress in either. So, one with the goals:

get through 3 chapters (editing) and figure out my problem point in WIP #2.

How about you?

Thursday Thirteen - All About Procrastination!

Yep, having one of those days. Can't you tell? It's 1 PM and I'm just now posting my Thursday Thirteen! What's been going on? A bunch of nothing, all of which has been keeping me from my desk - kiddo needed some extra lovin', preparing for a party this weekend, lunch date, working out...and the list goes on.

Which brings me to the point of my Thursday Thirteen - Procrastination!

header by Samulli

Thirteen Things.....I Do To Procrastinate, And Ways I Stop The Procrastination Circle!

1. Checking email. Incessantly.

2. Scheduling too much. When I'm stressed out, I find it easier to overbook myself rather than dealing with the stress.

3. Reading. I could read all day every day. Not great for the writing.

4. Catching up on blogs. See #3.

5. Thinking. When I'm stuck, I think, but I've found I can think myself into a corner. Again, not great for the writing!

6. Doing too much market research rather than writing books from my heart.

So, how do I stop the procrastination madness?

7. Turn off email, phone, cell, text. I actually disconnect my phone, wireless router and turn off the cell. It works!

8. I've signed up with an RSS feeder so I don't have to go blog to blog...they're delivered to my email and I can read whenever I have time.

9. Setting aside a special time to read/research.

10. Plain old sweat and tears - whether I want to or not, I make myself stop researching and start writing the book already!

11. Talk to the CPs.

12. Set goals - it's hard to procrastinate when a big red circle is drawn around your calendar dates.

13. Like the Nike slogan - Just do it.