Lian Dolan's Blog, page 22
May 5, 2013
New Podcasts! Interviews with authors Caroline Leavitt and Tracy Beckerman
presented by Elizabeth the First Wife
The Satellite Sisters WordWrite Festival is back, celebrating new fiction and non-fiction of 2013 with author interviews with great writers who have a story to share! Thanks to the authors and publishers who participated. We appreciate your time. Our first two interviews posted today are with women who are funny, charming and, oh yes, very good writers.
Caroline Leavitt Is This Tomorrow
This episode features author Caroline Leavitt. She is the author of ten books, including the NYT bestseller Pictures of You and her latest novel Is This Tomorrow. She teaches writing at UCLA and Stanford Online. And writes the delightful blog, Leavitttown.
Is This Tomorrow is a haunting literary thriller about a child disappearance in a Boston suburbs in the late Fifties and the aftermath of the case on family and friends decades later. The book is the rare combination of page turner and deeply moving character study. Carefully constructed pacing combined with an accurate portrayal of life in the ‘burbs in the Fifties. Caroline Leavitt is a engaging interview, charming storyteller and generous teacher whose advice about writing is second to none. For more information on Caroline Leavitt and her work, please visit her website and blog http://www.carolineleavitt.com/
Direct download: SSWW_Caroline_Leavitt.mp3
Tracy Beckerman Lost in Suburbia
In this episode, columnist and humorist Tracy Beckerman entertains us with her observations about being a mother, writer and resident of a New Jersey suburb. Tracy’s new “momoir” tackles the same territory as her successful newspaper column and blog by the same name, Lost In Suburbia. Tracy’s book will make you laugh even if you, too, lament losing your cool the instant you purchased your first pair of mom jeans. Smartly observed with a heart, Lost in Suburbia will give new moms hope that they will survive their first Mommy N’ Me class and remind veteran moms of all they’ve endured. A great gift for Mother’s Dad.
You can follow Tracy Beckerman on twitter @tracyinsuburbia and find out more about her book tour, blog and book at her website lostinsuburbia.com
Direct download: SSWW_Tracy_Beckerman.mp3
Brought to you by the Summer with Shakespeare Sweepstakes
Thanks to Prospect Park Books, The Ashland Springs Hotel and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for sponsoring the Satellite Sisters Word Write Festival.
To order Lian Dolan new novel, Elizabeth the First Wife, click here.
To enter the Summer with Shakespeare Sweepstakes, click here.
April 26, 2013
According to Amazon, It’s Publication Day for Elizabeth the First Wife
Apparently, Amazon decided that today was a good a day as any for my second novel, Elizabeth the First Wife, to be born. So they started shipping and downloading and off we go! Here are Mudbath Productions HQ, we were all geared up for May 8th to be the official debut, but now worries, we’re cool. Happy to have my book out in the world. They’ll be plenty more information to come, including a fantastic sweepstakes and book give-aways. But in the meantime, I’m enjoying a little publication party of one!
Elizabeth the First Wife arrives in Austin, TX. Thanks, Erin.
Thanks to those of you who posted photos of Elizabeth as she arrived at your doorstep on my Facebook Page, like this one from Erin in Austin, Texas. I love them and they freaked me out. Just ask Ben & Ferry how freaked I got. oh, wait, you can’t, because I ate them at 11 am this morning. Join my Facebook Author page here: https://www.facebook.com/liandolanauthor
It will start to pop up everywhere now that Amazon has started shipping. So ask for Elizabeth in your local bookstore. Nook users, I hear it will be available on Monday.
Seriously, it’s an honor and thrill to have a new book out. And to have such fantastic support from you all. Here’s a description of the book:
In Elizabeth the First Wife, Elizabeth Lancaster, an English professor at Pasadena City College, finds her dull but stable life upended with an out-of-the-blue visit from her ex-husband, A-list action star FX Fahey. While her high-profile family sniffs its disapproval, Elizabeth heads to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival to protect FX from public humiliation in an avant-garde production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. During her summer in Ashland, Elizabeth adopts a dog, attracts the attention of a handsome political operative, and proves that the immortal Bard knew something about modern relationships. The course of true love never did run smooth…but it is definitely worth the trouble.
For those of you who’ve been following along, you know what a year it’s been for me. That the book is done, out and in your hands is it’s own little triumph. One I intend to celebrate, no matter what the reviews say. I look forward to the next few months being out and about, meeting and talking with readers and intend to genuinely enjoying this time. Your support over the last year has made this all possible.
There is a Shakespeare quote from Cymbelline that I use in the book: Boldness be my friend. Perfect for today.
Embracing my Chaos, Lian
Links for Elizabeth the First Wife:
Order Elizabeth the First Wife at Amazon for Original paperback or Kindle
Question and Answers with Lian Dolan about her novel Elizabeth the First Wife
Events and Appearances by Lian Dolan in support of Elizabeth the First Wife
PS: had a Garage band meltdown and lost the podcast. I need to do some investigating– but hope yo have a new one up by Sunday.
April 19, 2013
Product Review: NeatDesk Scanner is a terrific entry level business organizer
Last summer, I signed up to be a product tester for the Viewpoints Blogger Review Panel. I was lured into this product testing detail because of the catch: We’d test products and donate the products to our favorite charities once we had finished the reviewing process. A win-win. But here’s the rub, all of the products we’ve tested, I totally want to keep! I reluctantly gave my Kindle to a wonderful organization in Pasadena that works with moms and kids on literacy .(Yes, it’s better to give than receive but now I dream of a Kindle for Mother’s Day.) Ditto the awesome hi-tech, supercharged Panasonic toaster oven we tested. ( I loved the toaster oven so much, I went out and bought my own. It’s mesmerizing! ) Now, it’s happened again! Viewpoints sent us a NeatDesk scanner to test and I don’t want to give it up. ( But, I will..)
Here’s an official product description of the Neatdesk:
The NeatDesk 00698 for Mac Desktop Scanner would be a great addition to any home or office. The high-speed desktop scanner has the ability of scanning any documents within an area of 8.5 inches by 11 inches. You can scan any of your documents within that stipulated area in a single go. Be it an important business card, money receipts or transaction documents, the 600 dpi scanner will help you keep scanned copies in your record without a problem. The software installed in the scanner helps you to organize all your key information making it easy for you to keep a track of your business. The Duplex desktop scanner comes with an AC power adapter for easy usage.
NeatDesk 00698 for Mac Desktop Scanner
Scan Area: 8.5 x 11″
Resolution: 600 dpi
Capacity: 10 business cards, 10 receipts, 10 letter-size documents or 50-page letter size documents
Includes AC power adapter
My Review:
This is technology for people like me: solo business owners with basic tech skills and sub-par organizational skills. Think of it as an entry-level scanner to launch you on the path to organized contact lists, expense reports, tax documents and contract organizing. It’s almost $400, so it’s not cheap. But cheaper than hiring a home organizer/tax accountant for the day to scan docs, receipts and whatever you need to clean off your desk, get your business expenses in order and make sense of your signed contracts.
I literally cleaned off my desk while testing the NeatDesk! If you regularly read The Chaos Chronicles, you know this has been a long year for me. While difficulties in my personal life took precedence, my work tasks slipped further and further down my To Do List. The result was a stack of stuff, like important contracts, that had piled up and were looking for a home. I was so far behind where I wanted to be during tax time. The first step to cleaning up the mess, was downloading the software from the DVD and tackling the initial 5 minutes of technical set-up– usually where things go bad for me when acclimating to any tech product! But, I followed the directions and was ready to scan in 20 minutes. Then I started, one doc and parking voucher at a time, scanning and converting my stack of stuff into PDFs on my iMac’s desktop. Easy and no issues for me. The scan quality isn’t pristine and most of my docs were no longer than 5 pages so I didn’t experience any of the glitches or freeze-ups I’d been warned about.The NeatDesk serviced my small business needs easily and efficiently.
Fo me and the simple bookkeeping and organizing I to do keep my media company running smoothly, the NeatDesk was a terrific option. I’m on the road to organization and I can see my desktop. Now, apparently, I have to go get my own!
To read excerpts from other Viewpoint Bloggers and to see a re-cap video, click here.
To read my review of the Kindle Paperwhite, click here.
To read the Viewpoint Bloggers Review Panel review of Body Lotions, click here.
To read the Viewpoint Bloggers Review Panel review of the Panasonic Flash Toaster Oven and see the video, click here.
Embracing my Chaos,
Lian
April 17, 2013
Thoughts on the Boston Bombings
I’m having a hard time finding any grand perspective on Monday’s bombings at the Boston Marathon. Maybe because the event was the most horrific intersection of things I love (big events, parades, races and communities coming together) with my worst fear: suddenly losing a family member. The more news I watch and read, the less sense i can make of this tragedy. So, instead, some Random Thoughts:
The Boston Marathon is a great event. I remember visiting my “Boston” cousins over Patriot’s Day and watching it as a kid. It’s an amazing sporting event and cultural happening. It will come back better than ever.
I hate that we now have “timeline’ for how these violent, tragic news stories evolve: the initial shocking news; the frantic reporting of few facts; the speculation of who did what; the initial details on the victims; and then the heartbreaking stories of the fatalities. All too familiar.
I am struck over and over again by the footage of the first responders and volunteers running towards the victims and then running, really running, the injured to the ambulances. Though the initial moments were described as chaotic, but the video tells another story. It reveals a sense of focus and purpose.
That the victims are brothers, sister, girlfriends, moms, friends, dads , daughters and sons that were waiting to see a loved one finish the race just slays me. Those connections will only deepen the sense of grief and pain for those involved.
The thousands of college kids in Boston will be forever connected to that city in an emotional way.
Ever since 9/11, I think about something like happening every time I go to the Rose Parade.
The investigation process is fascinating and daunting, but I get the feeling they will find who did this. The hundreds of photos, the hours of videotape and details like the pressure cookers make me think they’ll get those responsible .
There are no words to describe the heartbreak of Martin Richard’s family. I get the sense we will hear similar stories for weeks, the stories of multiple family members injured and lives changed forever.
That Krystal Cambell seemed like a really fun girl. As a former waitress at a steak house, I have a soft spot in my heart for anyone in that line of work. Poor mom and grandmother.
The new team over at CNN is doing an excellent job with low-key, informative coverage, especially Chris Cuomo. meanwhile, over at ABC, GMA’s Josh Elliot is unwatchable.
Amazing work by all the medical facilities in Boston. For some reason, listening to all the interviews with the docs, I’m reminded of all the emergency rooms in New York City that never got to treat any patients.
I’ve been humming “Sweet Caroline” all morning.
Your thoughts?
Embracing my chaos, Lian
April 15, 2013
Chaos Chronicles 705: Spring Fever Literally; Not a Belieber; and Design Help Needed
Thank you so much for all your nice messages. Once again, I’m reminded of the healing power of community. I’m feeling a lot better this morning and thought I’d fire up the microphone to discuss a few items.
Mon, 15 April 2013
Chaos Chronicles 705: Spring Break Fever ( literally), Not a Belieber & and Design Help Needed
Lian Dolan is back with her weekly take on Modern Mother, life, news, culture and more:
How I spent my Spring Break: In the Hospital on an IV
Not-so-Newsworthy News: New CEO at Amex; Justin Beiber in a Bubble; and why I don’t like “Bones.”
To Do List: Community Service and Design help needed
Direct download: chaos_705.mp3
Category:2013 – posted at: 4:56 PM
Related Posts:
The new novel debuts May 8th
For Elizabeth the First Wife events, please click here.
To Like the Lian Dolan Author Facebook Page, please click here
To pre-order Elizabeth the First Wife on Amazon.com, please click here.
For this week’s Satellite Sisters Podcast 04-14-13: All Five Sisters in the House! Julie on North Korea; Sheila and Monica get lost in The French Connection; Liz gets lucky and I go to the hospital. Click here to listen.
April 10, 2013
How I Spent my Spring Break: In the Hospital
This spring break, I took an unexpected trip: to the hospital. Thanks to a small cut on my hand which developed into a staph infection, I made two trips to Urgent Care, spent eight stressful hours over two days in the ER and then was admitted to the hospital for 72 hours. (My first time ever being a sick person in a hospital.) Honestly, there were a few very, scary moments over the weekend and quite a bit of pain and anxiety. But today, I’m home- exhausted, relieved, and recovering- thanks to quick intervention, massive amounts of IV antibiotics, my supportive husband , family and friends and the care of great doctors and nurses.
This week, I’ve been advised to lay low, rest and do my important follow-up care. I am literally wiped out today. But I wanted to let you all know what was up and that I’ll be back at full strength soon.
Embracing my chaos, Lian
March 26, 2013
Springtime Renewal, Pasadena-Style: Photos
Wisteria in full bloom
I arrived home Sunday afternoon from my father’s funeral. After a cold, sad weekend in Connecticut, I was amazed to see that in my absence, Spring had arrived in Pasadena. My whole yard seemed to be in bloom or about to burst- the wisteria, the jasmine, those pink flowers whose name I don’t know. I thought I’d share some photos because I know many of you are still stuck in snow, winter refusing ot let go.
Here’s to a litte springtime renewal for all!
A wall of sweet smelling jasmine and some yellow flowers I call roses but aren't actually roses.
Welcome Hummingbirds! The garden will be full of them this year.
My Easter Bunny
My purple iceberg roses ready to bloom
Hmmm. what are these pink beauties?
I hope you have your own Spring Awakening soon.
Embracing my Chaos, Lian
Related post:
New Landscaping in the Front Yard: Photos
March 18, 2013
Chaos Chronicles 704: Glitter Bombs, Oz, Sheryl Sandberg and Steubenville
The new Chaos Chronicles podcast is up!
Chaos Chronicles 704: Glitter Bombs, Oz, Sheryl Sandberg and SteubenvilleLian is back for a full hour of Chaos:
The Joy of Volunterring
News Nuggets: Cookie Crimes; Oz at the Box Office; Glitter Bombs
The Case for Sheryl Sandberg and Lean In
What to learn from Steubenville
Plus, To Do list
Direct download: Chaos_704.mp3
Category:2013 — posted at: 8:51 PM
March 8, 2013
Chaos Chronicles 703: Air Emergency; Martha Stewart Goes to Court; a Tribute to a Satellite Mister
Fri, 8 March 2013
Chaos Chronicles 703: Air Emergency; Martha Stewart Goes to Court and a Tribute to a Satellite Mister
Chaos Chronicles 703:
An update on Lian’s excellent trip to Dallas and her scary flight home
What’s happening with College Admissions at Lian’s house
Related Link: The College Bound Chronicles
Martha Stewart back in court with some fantastic testimony
A tribute to a Satellite Mister and the power of the community
Related Link: The Satellite Sisters Facebook Group
Direct download: chaos_703.mp3
Category:2013 — posted at: 7:25 PM
February 22, 2013
Chaos Chronicles Podcast 702: Thank you for your Condolences
A new podcast with an update on events since my father’s death. Many thanks for your support. My gratitude to all of you.
Sat, 23 February 2013
Chaos Chronicles 702: Thank you for your CondolencesAn update on Lian’s father’s death and her advice for those who are caregivers. Plus, an update on her new book, Elizabeth the First Wife.
Direct download: chaos_702A.mp3
Category:2013 — posted at: 12:20 AM
Embracing my Chaos, Lian
