Seems like Coyote Smart is a bit stubborn. I thought by now it would be ready for purchase, but it looks like it may be another couple of weeks—just in time for Christmas. The first two books went amazingly according to schedule, but I think you will see the main character in Coyote Smart is a brutal, evil individual so I guess he has gone into action again working to make this one hard on me. [Read more…]
The Life of an Author
The physical proof of Coyote Smart arrived Saturday, but a quick review showed an error. So, now I wait for another copy—the life of an author!!! This will slow the release down probably a week, but it should still be out in time to go under the Christmas tree!! Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Don’t eat too much turkey. I’m taking this Wednesday off to enjoy the holiday. See you back here on Monday for an update on Coyote Smart!!
Good news for Kindle readers. The Kindle version of Coyote Smart has been formatted and will be available shortly after the book is published on Amazon.com. Stay tuned…
Virtual Blog Tour Starts Today
Hopefully, you read the guest post about a month ago by Chris Cobb, who has not only become a friend, but who has served as my agent and publicist since this book endeavor began. Actually, it was Chris who encouraged me to persevere when I became discouraged and frustrated by the book publishing challenge. [Read more…]
My Moo Friends
Last blog I introduced you to one of my old bosses. You may have also seen in some of the comments to me a reference to moos or cows. There is a reason for that. These “moo friends” grew from young, fresh, out of college, inexperienced teachers to seasoned educators in the same school district with me.
The years may have caused a change in our hair color and style and added a few wrinkles, but nothing has dampened our spirits and love of life. Over the years we have laughed and cried together, seen each other through marriages and breakups, babies and losses of parents, watched kids grow up and go away, some too soon and some not fast enough, and most of all enjoyed and treasured each others friendship as we continue to do. In the midst of this, we encountered Mr. Superintendent who not only didn’t like my friends because they were fun, but also because they had history in the district and basically a fan club.
They were all excellent teachers or administrators who loved kids and gave all students everything they had to help them grow into responsible young adults. It didn’t take Mr. Supt. long to figure this all out, and in his typical loving way he began to refer to them as “old cows.”
Since these are wise and tough ole educators they turned it all into something fun and began calling themselves: the Moo-Moos. And it stuck. Nowadays, many still get together every month or so and talk about the good ole days as well as show off a few grandbaby or travel photos, share hobbies, or just catch up on the gossip—a few of the things that bring joy in this stage of their lives.
I appreciate them and all my earlier colleagues tuning in to my posts, and making comments when time allows. Just remember all the fun times, Moos, and don’t forget there is a reason we call that thing we flush a john!!!! Now, prepare for a book signing!!!
Keeping Faith – Phase II
Keeping Faith is now in the hands of “the big boys and girls of publishing.” The final edit is complete, the fonts and paper weight/texture selected and all the other loose ends tied. Like a parent watching a kid leave for college, I have mixed emotions. On one hand I am much relieved and glad to get it off and gone, but at the same time I’m a bit sad. There is a certain void and a sense of loss, because after all, it took with it a part of my heart and soul, not to mention loads of sweat and a few tears, plus an insurmountable amount of my time.
Yet in a few weeks it, like a boomerang kid, will be back in final draft/publication form begging for more attention. I will be very happy to see it arrive. And then I will be happy for it to leave again because shortly thereafter, maybe by late November, the BOOK will be welcomed at my house with an abundance of cheers and celebration! Perhaps, a toast or two will be in order.
I know the release date is foggy and vague, and more than anyone, I would love to have specifics and share them with you. There is, however, no exact way to tell how long it will take to transition through each publication phase. Amazon is saying, however, that once it is “print ready,” for me, it will take another two to three weeks to be available. Therefore, a good estimate is that it can probably be ordered in late November/early December. Let’s keep our fingers crossed, but as one who last year went through house renovations and then repairs after Hurricane Dolly, I know to expect the unexpected.
Behind the Curtain
You know from my ABOUT page that traveling is a passion of mine, and in mid-October I am flying to Quito, Ecuador to serve on a school accreditation team. From there I’m going to the Galapagos Islands so I am really looking forward to that experience and hope that Keeping Faith will be available on Amazon when I return. You’ll be the first to know because it will be advertised right here on the web site.
I love traveling, but I don’t love flying although I have logged more than 40,000 miles on planes this year. One reason I probably don’t enjoy the going and coming is because I fly economy which means I sit in the “no class section” of the plane. Not only am I packed in like a salted sardine, the food is bad, the drinks are slow arriving and the people next to me are usually not any happier about being in this part of the plane as I am.
I know the little kids aren’t because they are crying, drooling and otherwise fretting. I want to join them, but I know others would not be as patient with me. But at least now I have acquired so many points that I have an elite status which means I can now sit in rows where I can see people in first class. They are just different you know–a little more composed, relaxed, smug.
On a recent trip from Peru I had my first experience actually sitting in that section because my friend Gayle, who is a classy gal, pulled some strings or used points or something for me to sit with her. The only problem was because of the train ride to and from Machu Picchu, coupled with the high altitude in Cusco and the food poisoning in Lima, I was left a bit spent and unable to enjoy the amenities as much as I know I could on another occasion.
Also, although I will be eternally grateful to my friend, I have curmudgeon tendencies so I kept thinking, why couldn’t this pleasure been used on my almost 14 hour trip from Houston to Tokyo or on the long, boring trips to Europe or Egypt. Destinations in South America don’t usually require the long hours or cause the dreaded jet lag that others do. But it was, nonetheless, long enough to get me accustomed to a better mode of transport, and I will have a difficult time returning to my tiny seat BEHIND THE CURTAIN.