Vicki Pettersson's Blog, page 7
March 1, 2013
FREE FRIDAY
Today only:
FREE.
Seriously, guys. This — along with the entire Signs of the Zodiac series currently reduced to $0.99 each (here & here) — means that you can get every novel I’ve written to date for less than the price of the first book when it came out six years ago. So please RT and Share with your friends.
Also, a gentle reminder: If you love an author or a book, the best thing you can do for them is to review it on one of those sites. It really does help, and in some cases determines whether that author continues to write. Because at the end of the day, it’s the connection to the reader that’s All Important.
Happy reading!
February 27, 2013
Reviews are in!
What a relief! RT and PW have spoken — and I even got a star out of the deal! — so I guess this means THE LOST is finally Real. I’ve done a cut-and-paste, because really. What do you need me for?
Only 3 weeks now until you can read it for yourself, and if you want to come discuss it with me, remember: I’ll be in Vegas, Charlottesville, Richmond, Houston and Dallas. Full details/dates on the homepage sidebar. Exciting times!
February 19, 2013
Zodiac series: 6 books for !!
Happy reading!
6 books for the price of 1!
For a limited time, all of this:
For $0.99.*
That’s the full Signs of the Zodiac series for less than the regular price of the first book. Limited time, so I’d get on it — and spread the word to your fellow readers, too!
*That’s $0.99 each, e-books only.
Nook.
February 18, 2013
Zee Monday Metrics
Zee Monday Metrics:
I am gaping at:
Still: Kevin Spacey in ‘House of Cards.’ I went on a bit of a bender last night and gorged on five episodes while others were, I guess, engrossed with Downton Abby. Whatever, no regrets. Kevin Spacey is still So Incredibly Good.
I am reading:
Still on a Lisa Gardner binge.
On the desk:
I finished the line edits of the book I was critting last week, my site is updated, and I can now turn my full attention to my spec draft. I want this baby looking punchy in the next couple of weeks.
In Real Life:
* Workout routine is still going strong. I’m gonna get to it as soon as I post this.
* I had coffee with another author last week in Dallas. She’s a bit reclusive, so I won’t say who it was here, but let me just put this out there: It’s so nice to connect with people who get it. Not just those who understand what you do (other writers) but why you do it (connection – it’s about you, baby, not me). Good peeps.
* My editor was on her way through DFW and she hand-delivered me my first copy of THE LOST! Now that’s editorial support, guys!
Social Hour:
The tour for next month’s release of THE LOST (March 19) has shaped up with new stops in Richmond, VA (Supernatural Sunday, also with Kim Harrison, Jeaniene Frost and Pamela Palmer) and Dallas, TX — my home away from Vegas. Dallas is exciting because I met so many new readers last month at Kim’s signing — I’ll be signing at the same bookstore, and I’ll have a dinner with readers (through the fab Fresh Fiction) beforehand. So come out and nosh with me. Check out the sidebar for all events!
February 11, 2013
An insomnious entry
Insomnia. Ah, my midnight visitor (or 3 a.m. visitor, in my case) strikes again. I’ve noted that this seems to be a pretty common problem for a lot of writers. I think it’s a combo of busy brain and worry over the business of writing. There’s just so much you can’t control.
I used to get extremely frustrated with insomnia until I read an article in the Times about how sequential sleep (ie. 8 straight hours) is a relatively new invention, and that many people find the waking hours between their “first sleep” and “second sleep” the most creative and productive. It also claimed that it doesn’t matter if you sleep or nap – as long as you hit deep sleep at some point, your brain can rebound. So I’ll try for some good Zzzz’s later in the day.
Instead of fretting about the sleep I wasn’t getting, I plotted world domination for about an hour, emptying out everything that was occupying my mind into my working journal. I have, like, the next ten years of my writing life now charted out. (I’m a genius!) Now there’s only another fifteen minutes before my husband gets up for our workout, and no point in going back to sleep, so I thought I’d blog, but keep it easy and light. So here goes.
Some Monday Metrics:
I am gaping at:
Kevin Spacey in ‘House of Cards.’ This show is my carrot, my obsession, my all. Spacey can do more with one arrowed gaze than other actors achieve with their entire body. He’s so good, it’s sick, really.
I am reading:
I’m on a Lisa Gardner binge.
On the desk:
I’m line editing a book for someone else, and being so critical that I know they want to slap me, but hey. If I’m going to put in the time, I’m gonna do it right.
I also finished the ugly draft (ie., too ugly to be called a first draft) of a spec book in January. I’m cleaning it up now so when I send it to my agent he doesn’t run screaming in the other direction. (Actually, I rather like that idea, but I’d prefer it if he ran in reaction to the thrilling story, and not the prose.)
In Real Life:
A new workout routine. I was bored with running, and had plateaued with my last gym routine, and as much as I’d like to attend a gym or classes or join a league, my peripatetic lifestyle won’t allow it. I need something that can travel with me, including on tour, and I seem to have found it in P90X. I’m only four weeks in, but haven’t missed a day. So far, I love it.
Social Hour:
I’m planning a tour for next month’s release of THE LOST (March 19). So far it’s Vegas, Virginia, Houston and (waiting to see) Dallas. Details are on my sidebar. Will you be in or near any of these cities? Come say hi!
Finally, some link salad that caught my eye:
* An article in the Times about the Neon Boneyard/Museum for you Zodiac lovers. Joanna Archer’s old sanctuary got a facelift.
*In Celestial Blues news, my main research trove for All Things Rockabilly is fast approaching. The Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender is scheduled for March 28-31st. If you’re in or around Vegas, it’s a blast. I’ll be out of town this year, and will miss Little Richard performing — likely outdoors at the car show, but is anyone else going?
* I’m a voyeur at heart and love stalking home design sites for beautiful rooms. I’d like to say that I look at them solely to see where my characters might live, but that’s a lie. I project myself into every room. This one caught my attention last week. Could you see yourself living here?
* Why do so many women wear shoes that look like hooves? Why don’t you just go all the way and start eating grass and moo-ing at the neighbors? Sheesh. Then again – I could be cranky because anything above a four inch heels makes me, at 5’11″, look a bit Amazonian. And not in a good way.
* Finally, as my Facebook friends know, I tried to cook. Again.
*sigh*
Off to it. Have a good Monday!
February 7, 2013
Coming to a town near you … THE LOST
A righteous, if truncated, touring schedule to celebrate the release of THE LOST, which drops March 19th:
· B&N Las Vegas (2191 N Rainbow Blvd): March 21st at 7pm
· Virginia Festival of the Book March 23rd
· Houston Murder by the Book Sat. March 30th at 4:30pm
These are confirmed, and I’m waiting on two others (Dallas, I’m looking at you), so more to come there.
Meanwhile, if you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you know I attended Kim Harrison’s signing in Dallas as a fan. See:
And I had enough readers come up to me asking why I didn’t do a signing there, too. Well, I have signed — in that exact same bookstore — which makes me realize that I’m not being too effective in reaching my readers.
Sorry.
So if you can take a moment to help me out — how do you like to engage with your favorite authors? What’s your preferred way to keep up with their touring schedules and release dates?
Let me know, please, and I’ll work toward those ends. I’m not a naturally loquacious person, and I generally believe in speaking only when one actually has something to say. (Ie., small talk, not my forte.) However, I love people and genuinely love my readers, so if you want to know when I’m in your backyard, or at least when my latest book arrives there, then let me know the best way to tell you about it.
Also, remember, I’m active on Facebook and Twitter and my homepage blog. When you write me on those sites, it’s me who answers — every single time. Like I said, I love and am grateful for my readers, but if I don’t know you’re looking for engagement, then I’ll be off writing the next book for you instead.
Along those lines, I’m tweaking my site and updating my FAQ’s, so if there’s something you want to know, have been dying to ask, or are just curious about, lemme know that, too.
Finally, don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter. Then you’ll be sure to catch the biggies directly in your inbox — and a few extra nuggets, too.
January 22, 2013
Payin’ it forward…
I haven’t blogged in a while and I find it both interesting and gratifying that my first blog of the year has nothing to do with me (I’m fine, thanks) or my writing (I’m closing in on finishing a book that I think is my favorite – and best – ever, thanks again), but to bring your attention to the best damned web designer I’ve ever met — should you find yourself in need of one.
Austin Design Works has done all but the first of my web designs, both static sites and the WordPress one you’re viewing now* (which I can update at will – it’s so nice). In addition to being fabulous to work with, they are flexible and fast, and – as advertised on their site – darned affordable.
So, whether you’re a big business or a small one, check out their site and their other clients — and do let them know I sent ya. They are good peeps, and I’m happy I get to work with them (and happier still to throw a little love their way).
*Note: I am not tech-savvy, and I don’t have any aspirations in that regard. I asked for a place where I could 1) chat with readers, and 2) provide timely updates. And that’s all I want. Yet Austin Design Works can provide you with a simple template, or design an active site that’s as fancy and complicated as you are. Again, don’t be wary of pricing — just ask. They’ll work with you.
That is all. Back soon with tour info — THE LOST release is only weeks away!
December 11, 2012
The legs have it.
So.
My readers might best know Jim C. Hines as a bestselling fantasy author. Until this, that is. Now the wider interwebs knows him as the go-to man for cover model poses. Women and men.
Recently, one of my novels won the (simultaneously dubious and fabulous) nomination for a pose-off, if you will, with the infamous John Scalzi. Turns out, people are willing to pay to see these men dress up, as well they should.
#1: it’s for a good cause. Jim is raising money for a little known disease affecting girls born in the U.S. — read his post here to learn more.
#2: well … a picture being worth more than a thousand words in this case, here’s a link to what they did to the second book in my Signs of the Zodiac series, The Taste of Night.
I know, right?
So I voted, happily.
And donated, also gladly.
I know funds are tight around this time of year, but hey man. If this isn’t a grand display of holiday spirit (and legs), I don’t know what is. If you can take the time to vote and/or donate, please do. And make sure you let Jim and John know what you think of their work.
I, for one, am going to give my art department an earful for not finding these guys in the first place.
November 27, 2012
Some e-book deals…
While they last:
$1.99 – THE HARVEST (previously published in HOLIDAYS ARE HELL): Zoe Archer, a former superhero—an elite Zodiac warrior—returns to the mortal world for a Thanksgiving reunion with her equally hated and beloved enemy, to do battle for the lives of her imperiled children.
$.99 – DARK MATTERS (previously published in UNBOUND): Following the slaughter of his parents, J.J. became an Agent of the Light. But now his love for the beautiful killer who spared his life transforms the fierce defender into the most perfect predator of all.
£0.99 – THE SCENT OF SHADOWS/UK: The origin story for the Signs of the Zodiac series. It’s a good deal, but for the UK only.
Happy Holidays to you all!
