Sharon E. Cathcart's Blog
May 7, 2012
Dear friends:
I just underwent a physical, complete with a big blood panel. Everything was within normal limits except for one test, which demonstrated that I was hypothyroid. This explained a lot about some of the health issues I've been having over the past year.
Anyway, I don't ordinarily use this space to talk about personal things, but I do want to let you all know what is happening. I know that it takes a while to get thyroid meds to the right level, and I don't know what I will experience during that process.
I felt it was vital to let my friends and fans know what is going on; I am so grateful to each and every one of you for your support, thoughtfulness, etc. I will talk more about this process as I go through it; I think that we, as a culture, need to talk more about invisible illnesses like this so that people do not feel ashamed to have them.
I just underwent a physical, complete with a big blood panel. Everything was within normal limits except for one test, which demonstrated that I was hypothyroid. This explained a lot about some of the health issues I've been having over the past year.
Anyway, I don't ordinarily use this space to talk about personal things, but I do want to let you all know what is happening. I know that it takes a while to get thyroid meds to the right level, and I don't know what I will experience during that process.
I felt it was vital to let my friends and fans know what is going on; I am so grateful to each and every one of you for your support, thoughtfulness, etc. I will talk more about this process as I go through it; I think that we, as a culture, need to talk more about invisible illnesses like this so that people do not feel ashamed to have them.
May 4, 2012
Hi, everyone. The first shipment of swag for Clockwork Alchemy arrived last night. My show special postcards, a keychain and pen that will likely be prizes during one of my three presentations, and a tote bag to cart it all around with (emblazoned with the cover art for In The Eye of The Beholder: A Novel of The Phantom of the Opera).
I also just learned about this whole culture of collecting convention ribbons, so I ordered a tiny quantity of ribbons for myself and my husband (they are different ribbons) to try it out.
What will I be doing? Two readings and a presentation as part of the "Culture 101" workshop (my segment is entitled "Is there culture outside of Victorian England?"). I only know the time for one of the readings at this point (the panel is on Friday, May 25, at 2 PM). There, I will be reading Heart of Stone, which was featured in Around the World in 80 Pages. The second reading will be Chapter 1 of In The Eye of The Beholder.
I surely do hope you will be there to join in the fun.
I also just learned about this whole culture of collecting convention ribbons, so I ordered a tiny quantity of ribbons for myself and my husband (they are different ribbons) to try it out.
What will I be doing? Two readings and a presentation as part of the "Culture 101" workshop (my segment is entitled "Is there culture outside of Victorian England?"). I only know the time for one of the readings at this point (the panel is on Friday, May 25, at 2 PM). There, I will be reading Heart of Stone, which was featured in Around the World in 80 Pages. The second reading will be Chapter 1 of In The Eye of The Beholder.
I surely do hope you will be there to join in the fun.
April 30, 2012
Hi, everyone. First of all, a big thanks to everyone who reads my blog here at GoodReads, via my website, via RSS feed, etc. Very much appreciated!
Next: Live Life: The Daydreamer's Journal is scheduled for release on May 7. This anthology, which benefits the American Cancer Society, contains The Scribe of Rashid, my short story that originally appeared in Around the World in 80 Pages.
And speaking of ATW80P, as of today it's the #7 Anthology on Amazon! I'm delighted and honored at this news. Thanks to all who are downloading and reading the tales.
Next: Live Life: The Daydreamer's Journal is scheduled for release on May 7. This anthology, which benefits the American Cancer Society, contains The Scribe of Rashid, my short story that originally appeared in Around the World in 80 Pages.
And speaking of ATW80P, as of today it's the #7 Anthology on Amazon! I'm delighted and honored at this news. Thanks to all who are downloading and reading the tales.
April 25, 2012
Hi, everyone. I have great news to share: Whispered Beginnings ~ A Clever Fiction Anthology is out a few days ahead of time. You can find it in paperback and Kindle formats on Amazon, and in multi-format eBook on Smashwords. It will soon be available on Barnes & Noble and the usual outlets.
Do take a look; along with my "An Upsetting Package," there are short stories by some other great independent authors. This is a chance to check out their work.
As always, thank you; I have the greatest fans in the world and I am grateful to each and every one of you.
Do take a look; along with my "An Upsetting Package," there are short stories by some other great independent authors. This is a chance to check out their work.
As always, thank you; I have the greatest fans in the world and I am grateful to each and every one of you.
April 23, 2012
I have been so busy writing, doing editing projects and so on that I have not posted since 2 April!
Yesterday was Earth Day. I went to a lecture in the morning that really got me thinking. There is so much we can do to help Planet Earth. Along with the reduce/reuse/recycle that we hear about so often, we can make sure that we truly *see* those who are suffering.
I'll bet there are homeless people in your community. Have you ever offered them a little money or perhaps some food? When I lived in Berkeley, I would always box up my restaurant leftovers to give to someone in need of food. I would also take a little time to talk with the person; you would be amazed at some of the stories you will hear.
It can be awfully humbling to think about, but please consider that you are blessed in more ways than you know. So many people right now are suffering. Sign a petition. Donate money or time. Do something to help our fellow citizens on the Earth, whether two-legged, four-legged or multi-legged. Fur or fins. Just think about doing a tiny bit -- because if we all do a tiny bit, it will add up to something enormous and wonderful.
Yesterday was Earth Day. I went to a lecture in the morning that really got me thinking. There is so much we can do to help Planet Earth. Along with the reduce/reuse/recycle that we hear about so often, we can make sure that we truly *see* those who are suffering.
I'll bet there are homeless people in your community. Have you ever offered them a little money or perhaps some food? When I lived in Berkeley, I would always box up my restaurant leftovers to give to someone in need of food. I would also take a little time to talk with the person; you would be amazed at some of the stories you will hear.
It can be awfully humbling to think about, but please consider that you are blessed in more ways than you know. So many people right now are suffering. Sign a petition. Donate money or time. Do something to help our fellow citizens on the Earth, whether two-legged, four-legged or multi-legged. Fur or fins. Just think about doing a tiny bit -- because if we all do a tiny bit, it will add up to something enormous and wonderful.
April 2, 2012
I received a note from fellow author Nick Shamhart this morning about Autism Awareness Month.
Nick is doing a fundraiser, wherein all of the profits from his book sales this month will be donated to the Autism Society of America. Nick's daughter is severely autistic, so this is personal for him.
One of my "things," if you will, is to figure out more ways to help people. Buy one of Nick's books this month, friends. You will help more people than you will ever know via your generosity.
Visit Author for Autism for more particulars. Thanks for your consideration.
Nick is doing a fundraiser, wherein all of the profits from his book sales this month will be donated to the Autism Society of America. Nick's daughter is severely autistic, so this is personal for him.
One of my "things," if you will, is to figure out more ways to help people. Buy one of Nick's books this month, friends. You will help more people than you will ever know via your generosity.
Visit Author for Autism for more particulars. Thanks for your consideration.
March 29, 2012
Hello, friends! Have you joined my Goodreads group yet? If not, please visit Q&A with Sharon E. Cathcart and opt in. There are opportunities to ask questions, talk about books ... just about anything you'd like.
Thanks, as always, for having a look!
Thanks, as always, for having a look!
March 14, 2012
Hi, everyone. I just did a final tally for this year's Read an eBook Week event. There were a total of 42 "sales," broken out as follows:
In The Eye of The Beholder: A Novel of The Phantom of the Opera - 27
2010 Hindsight: A Year of Personal Growth, In Spite of Myself - 4
You Had to Be There: Three Years of Mayhem and Bad Decisions in the Portland Music Scene - 5
Les Pensees Dangereuses - 6
I am not counting the books that were freebies to begin with here.
This is a *significant* change from last year. As I reported in this blog post, I had 130 sales all together, 100 of which were for In The Eye of The Beholder.
Anything I say from this point on is strictly speculation ... but I think that Amazon's KDP Select portion had a negative impact on this year's promotion. I have read people saying that they downloaded 700 freebies via Amazon; with a to-be-read pile that big, I would guess that those folks didn't feel the need to look for any more. It could be that the majority of people who want copies of my books already have them, yes ... but I cannot imagine not reaching more new readers.
Anyway, suffice it to say that I was surprised at the outcome. Onward and upward.
In The Eye of The Beholder: A Novel of The Phantom of the Opera - 27
2010 Hindsight: A Year of Personal Growth, In Spite of Myself - 4
You Had to Be There: Three Years of Mayhem and Bad Decisions in the Portland Music Scene - 5
Les Pensees Dangereuses - 6
I am not counting the books that were freebies to begin with here.
This is a *significant* change from last year. As I reported in this blog post, I had 130 sales all together, 100 of which were for In The Eye of The Beholder.
Anything I say from this point on is strictly speculation ... but I think that Amazon's KDP Select portion had a negative impact on this year's promotion. I have read people saying that they downloaded 700 freebies via Amazon; with a to-be-read pile that big, I would guess that those folks didn't feel the need to look for any more. It could be that the majority of people who want copies of my books already have them, yes ... but I cannot imagine not reaching more new readers.
Anyway, suffice it to say that I was surprised at the outcome. Onward and upward.
March 11, 2012
Hi, everyone. Just a quick initial report from this year's Read an eBook Week promotion.
I had 39 sales, which is a change from last year. I'm grateful for each and every one.
I'll do a more in-depth discussion of the metrics in a later post when I've had an opportunity to do a complete calculation.
Thanks again for all of your support!
I had 39 sales, which is a change from last year. I'm grateful for each and every one.
I'll do a more in-depth discussion of the metrics in a later post when I've had an opportunity to do a complete calculation.
Thanks again for all of your support!
March 4, 2012
Hi, everyone. Read an eBook Week 2012 has begun! I'm participating for the third year in a row.
Just go to this link and select your titles. Enter coupon RE100 (it's also listed on each book's individual page) at checkout and download the book free of charge.
Thank you so much for your support of my work.
Just go to this link and select your titles. Enter coupon RE100 (it's also listed on each book's individual page) at checkout and download the book free of charge.
Thank you so much for your support of my work.
