Penny Pearson's Blog, page 5

Ready for spring and ready for a sequel!

My sequel to A Girl's Guide to Time Travel will be out in the next few months. This story doesn't involve any characters previously met before. I realize people want sequels and publishers know this, but I wanted to create a series where the situations might be similar but each story contains completely different people. The pitch I could use would be: My main character finds themselves in strange situations.

Pretty simple, huh? Well, why did I pick something that requires so much research? I'm a glutton for punishment. The second story, A Girl's Guide to Purgatory, still needed research, but not as much. For purgatory, I could use my imagination and didn't have to rely on so much book work. And now that I'm working on the third installment, I'm back up to my neck in research.

I don't hate research, but it's hard for me to keep it all organized. Sometimes I find myself spending hours on background info, but in the end it will make the story more well-rounded.

Stay tuned for more Purgatory info!
Stay paranormally weird!
Penny

Surviving rejection letter after rejection letter... why do I go on?

The title does seem a bit melodramatic, doesn't it? At the moment, I feel that way. It might be twenty years I've done this, but every rejection cuts like a small knife. Now don't get me wrong, I know this comes with the territory. Even Stephen King got rejection letters. I tell that to all the authors I meet that relate their tales of woe.




It still doesn't make it any easier. I take a few hours to wallow in pity, while I wonder if I should just quit. But then I realize I write because I want to, not because I plan on getting rich. I write in hopes that a small number of people enjoy my adventures. I also write to keep my brain strong. With a chronic disease, I must keep my brain striving for more. I need more words, more phrases, and some days, it is just hard to think of simple words.

But that is why I continue. I write not just for potential fans. I write for my health. So, with every rejection letter, I grow stronger. I might not remember characters from my early books, but I strive to create more that will entertain my brain in the future.

This rejection letter was actually helpful and gave more information than the usual "Thanks, but no thanks" formality. I will go back to my manuscript and tweak. I can only do what I can do, but I will enjoy doing it.

And I will keep looking for something positive each day. I won't back down and maybe someday my work will end up in the hands of someone who loves it as much as me.

Write on!
Penny

A Girl's Guide to Time Travel made the LONG LIST for Chanticleer's Ozma award!

I survived the slush pile!! Quite a few months ago, I entered my traditionally published book, A Girl's Guide to Time Travel, into a contest. I did some research and came across the Chanticleer Awards and thought it worth taking a chance. I've never entered Time Travel into a contest before. I chose to enter the Ozma Contest that is geared toward the fantasy genre. Today, I just checked to see if any results were posted and I just saw my book has made it from the slush pile to the Long List.

I never expected to make even this first list, so I am tickled pink! I'm really not expecting to move forward, so thought I'd take this chance to toot my own horn for the day.

You can read the full article here: https://www.chantireviews.com/2018/11/29/ozma-book-awards-cibas-for-fantasy-fiction-the-2018-long-list/


These titles have moved forward in the judging rounds from SLUSH pile to the 2018 Long List (aka the Slush Pile Survivors). We incorporate the Long List when the judges request an additional round of judging to accommodate the number and/or quality of entries received.  These entries are now in competition for the 2018 OZMA SHORT LIST. The Short Listers will compete for the Semi-Finalists positions.
The coveted First  Place Category Winners of the 2018 OZMA Book Awards will be selected from the Semi-Finalists in the final rounds of judging.  The First Place Category Winners will be announced at the Chanticleer Awards Banquet and Ceremony. 
The First Place Category winners will automatically be entered into the OZMA GRAND PRIZE AWARD competition.  The 16 CBR Grand Prize Genre Winners will compete for the CBR Overall Grand Prize for Best Book and its $1,000 purse. First Place Category and Grand Prize Awards will be announced and recognized at the Chanticleer Awards Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday, April 27th, 2019, Bellingham, Washington.
These titles are in the running for the SHORT LIST of the 2018 OZMA Book Awards novel competition for Fantasy Fiction.
The following works have made it to the 2018  OZMA Book Awards Long List:Pamela LePage – Virtuous SoulsJ.V. Rutz – The Illusion KillerMegan Wong – Island WhispersAllan Batchelder – Steel, Blood & FireEa Bishop – RAGNAROK: Demon SeedDaryl Ellerbe – The AmazonsKristin Secorsky – Dragon Chosen: The Dragon Riders of EryiethPaul E. Vaughn – Luminess Legends: Dragon AscendantsKathleen Neeley – Master NoneDavid M. Jarboe – Realm Portals “The Celtic Otherworld”M.K Williams – The Phoenix Chronicles: Alone in the LightJennifer Allis Provost – GallowglassT.K. Riggins – Money JaneSusan Faw – Heart Of ShadraGlen Shipherd – Infinity – RulersFranklin Posner – Suburban Vampire RagnarokNancy Guild Bendall – Nethermost RegainedAnthony Nordvik-Nash – Hedda Stein-Sun’s UnRemembered IslandsNancy Guild Bendall – Nethermost RegainedElana A. Mugdan – Dragon SpeakerElizabeth Crowens – Silent MeridianLindsay Schopfer – Into the North: A Keltin Moore AdventureM. K. Wiseman – The KithseekerMiriam Cumming – NamesakesPenny Pearson – A Girl’s Guide to Time Travel Chris Dews – Antler Jinny and the RavenPhilip Carlisle – Surviving Eros: Heart of PhireD.M. Cain – A Chronicle of ChaosTo view the 2017 OZMA Book Awards winners, please click here.
The OZMA Grand Prize Winner and the First Place Category Position award winners will be announced at the April 27th, 2019 Chanticleer Book Awards Annual Awards Gala, which takes place at the Chanticleer Authors Conference that will be held in Bellingham, Wash. 

Gearing up for holiday bazaar season! Ho ho ho!

Well, Christmas is right around the corner (I know, right?? Who can believe it's almost December??) I have been trying to find book events to attend to sell my novel and coloring books, but the last several book only events have kind of been a bust for me. The foot traffic just wasn't there.

So, I've been thinking out of the box (still) for my next couple of shows and have come up with Christmas bazaars and craft shows. The need for different Christmas ideas got me thinking that maybe my coloring books might be good to promote. At such a great price point of $5, it's not a pricey Christmas
investment.

Now I'm just trying to figure out what kind of Christmas décor I need for my table. I only have a 6 foot table (and possibly a 4 ft. card table), so 3 coloring books will take the bulk of the space. Also, I don't think my Greek demigod romance novel will be a top seller around Christmas. I mean, I would love to stumble across such a find at a bazaar, but I'm not sure if the "normal" people of southern Indiana want to see such a thing.

I have 2 holiday craft shows lined up; one this weekend and one in December (see my Events page if you're curious where they are located). After that, I'm still searching. My family will probably be happy to have me stay home for a weekend, anyway.

I'll keep you posted on how the events go!
Keep writing on!
Penny

Doctor Who - Season 11 Episode 3 "Rosa"

(Spoilers, sweetie! Don't read on if you haven't seen this yet!)

This episode of Doctor Who had me riveted the entire time. The sense of doom and sadness seemed to be one step out of scene. The Doctor and her companions are brought to America on the eve of Rosa Park's famous bus protest in Montgomery, Alabama 1955. Her bravery is echoed in the performance.

Rosa meets Krasko (Time traveling racist)
Courtesy of BBC
It was brutal to watch Ryan's reaction to his simple act of helping someone. The despair and wonder that come across when all realize they are about to witness such profound history doesn't fall short. Yaz has her own demons to fight as a Pakistani woman. Being called a Mexican and told to go back home, caught her off guard.

The idea that someone had come back to this timeline to disrupt all Rosa Parks had done for civil rights movement made me feel ill at ease. How many times have we thought about something bad that happened and wonder if we had just turned right instead of left or said "no" when we should have said "yes."

[image error]Ryan meets Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Courtesy of BBC
This episode shows that making the future better doesn't always mean changing the past.

I'm looking forward to the next adventure the Doctor takes us on!
Write on everyone!
Penny

Getting ready for holiday season shows!

I will be attempting to try my hand at selling my coloring books and novels at an area bazaar in November. I'm hoping my coloring books do well, but don't hold out much hope for the demand of my novels.  We'll see. I have a 8 foot space to use, so I'll have to condense and not use many of my marketing items. Probably just need a big sign that reads $5 for the coloring books - should be a big attention grabber.

I've been trying to work out my winter show schedule, but sadly I don't see much offered. No local book festivals or shopping events. I might go back to the coffee shops since I have new material to present. Also, I have 2 pending publications - a children's book Princess Polliwog & the Swing Thief and A Girl's Guide to Purgatory.

I just finished a 2nd in my Wizards of the Vatican series and have the third started. Also, working on the 3rd installment of my Girl's Guide series. So busy, busy, busy!

What happens when your festival tent meets 40 mph wind?

So… I had a festival this past weekend in Clarksville, IN and the day looked like it was going to turn out awesome. I'd been checking the weather forecast all week and rain chances had diminished down to nothing. I thought I was home free. Saturday we wake up and head out to be at ClarkFest by 8am (after getting donuts, of course). It was sunny and warming up nicely.

My husband helped with setting up the new 10x10 tent we bought and I must say it was very easy! The book set up went smoothly, once I worked out where I wanted each book, table sign, floor sign, candy container, book mark, business card, Greek helmet (yes, you read that right), and model horse. I had my first sale not ten minutes after the festival opened.

Everything was going great... until the wind started picking up. When I mentioned it, the person in the tent next to mine informed me we had a wind advisory with 40 mile an hour gusts coming. Boy howdy, did the weather people call that!

The wind broke something glass and expensive sounding from another vendor, knocked over shelving units, moved tents. Soon people were holding on to their tents for dear life. But that didn't work. My tent had a back wall and it acted like a sail, sending my tent marching forward. One by one, tents were taken down.

The event was to run until 6pm. At 4pm, I decided to cut my losses. I was the second to last vendor still there, no festival goers were arriving, and I knew no more sales were in my future. I had been reduced to one 6 foot table, stripped completely bare. I had a copy of each book on the table and nothing else, other than the gallon water jugs used to hold down my coloring books.

This wind event definitely made things exciting! I was glad I had a great start to the day and look forward to ClarkFest next year. My next event will be indoors, but it's in November, so who knows what the weather will bring!

Okay, until next time!
Write on!
Penny

The “Proper Awesome” Doctor Who - 2nd episode review

SPOILERS, Sweetie! So if you haven’t seen this yet, please don’t read on and spoil the fun!
 “The Ghost Monument” opens with the Doctor and her new companions floating in space… without a ship (or spacesuits, for that matter). The Tardis is nowhere to be seen. Ryan and Graham get scooped up by one ship and the Doctor and Yaz are scooped up by another. Both ship captains are competing in a race that will earn them money and safety for their families. This episode was action packed and the storyline tight and fast-paced. I appreciated the Doctor's sentiment of "No guns." She was adamant guns never solved anything, and when Ryan decided to disagree and play the hero, it didn't turn out as he expected. I also appreciated that none of the main "supporting" characters were killed. I grew used to the various people around the Doctor not making it, so this was a pleasant surprise. Courtesy of BBC  We were introduced to the new Tardis, and I'm really liking it. Similar to the theme song, it seems a bit industrial... and right up my alley. I thoroughly enjoyed the 2nd installment of Doctor Who and look forward to where the writers are going to take us. Okay, write on, friends!Penny

Jodie Whittaker makes one awesome Doctor!

(SPOILERS!! So if you don't want to know, don't read any further!!)

I cannot tell you (well, actually I am) how excited I am over our new Doctor. Jodie Whittaker is off to a wonderful start in "The Woman Who Fell to Earth." Just in time, the Doctor takes aim and saves people from an alien in Sheffield. We are introduced to several individuals that will stay by her side to battle a scary, murderous, tooth-pulling Tzim-Sha. At first, it seemed like there were a lot of extra people, and I knew at least one wouldn't make it (based on early sneak peeks). But as each "companion" went about their business, I started liking them more and more.

 

The first episode barely touched on the fact the  new Doctor is female. No big deal. I love the fact she just rolled with it. All things considered, I loved the first episode and can't wait to watch the second one. Leaving them floating in space was quite an ending. We need the Tardis stat!!

Okay, until next time!
Penny

Coloring book crazy and dealing with Create Space/ KDP merger

So I am working on my 3rd coloring book - two horses and now a puppy & kitten one (per my daughter's request). I find it very fun to do and I try to make my own spin on a coloring book to make it slightly different than what is offered by others. I find my second book, Horses in Art, is geared more toward older kids or adults due to some of its intricate lines. All images were taken from The Met's public domain website and it's incredibly awesome they opened up all these works of art to the masses.

One thing I've encountered is during my second book published on Create Space, the merger with KDP went final. I was able to move over my coloring books relatively easy. EXCEPT for the cover. The problem I ran into was the cover selection for designing your own is far inferior in KDP than it was in Create Space. It's unfortunate that we're losing a platform that had more selections. I tried to be so positive when everyone else around me seemed to be panicking because of the merger.

I am still in the process of figuring out how to recreate my covers so they match what was created in Create Space. I had such good hopes. So for now, I will reserve judgement until later.