Nancy Gideon's Blog, page 66

How to Plan a Successful Blog Tour

It's intimidating. It's scary. If you don't have a publisher who'll set one up for you, it looks like a tremendous amount of work. Wrong on all counts. Setting up stops on active writing sites and blogs to coincide with the release of your book is a huge, FREE way to get your name out to readers. All it takes it some preplanning and a few e-mails. Since I'm ADD, I love lists, so I've given you a few to follow for booking your first (or fifteenth!) blog tour.

Where to start:

What sites have reviewed books similar to yours? Google Paranormal or Romantic Suspense Review Blogs, etc. Then browse, making notes on the site URL and what it offers for later reference. Where have other authors in your genre gone? Check their websites and PR materials for pull quotes. Who has favorably reviewed other books from your publisher? Ask them or look on their book jackets and inside covers. What areas of interest does your book touch on? Dog breeding? Ancient weapons? Child rearing? Don't be afraid to tap into those sites for some cross-over promo! Who do you know that has a blog? Reach out to friends for support. Picking sites for your Tour:

Check out the tone of the site—author-friendly or snarky? Professional looking or slapped together? Do they create an inviting look by featuring author photo, book covers, blurbs, etc.? How many readers go to their site? Check visitor counter, number of networked blogs, Google friends, etc. Check their calendar to see how busy they are and how far ahead they're booked. You have to approach some sites up to 4-6 MONTHS in advance to secure a date. Do people respond to their posts? Check the comment section. What does the site offer? Read their For Authors section for requirements. Do they offer other options such as Interviews? Is there a cost? Do they hype their guests? Check Facebook and Twitter posts. Are you preaching to the choir? Make sure all your posts aren't to the same group of people. You want to bring in new readers, not annoy the same small cliché with a saturating blitzkrieg or PR. Ask and Ye Shall Receive:

They look professional, have lots of reader traffic and author/reader interaction. Check their Contact page and e-mail a request. Just do it! Provide your name, publisher, title, genre, release date and an URL where they can learn more about you (ie website, blog, Amazon page, or publisher site) and ask if they'd be willing to help you promote your book with an interview, a review or just a release announcement. Easy peasy. Nothing to get nervous about. Either they'll say yes or no or that they have nothing available in that time frame (if they don't, ask about your NEXT release date. Booking ahead is a good thing!). Be brief, polite, and to the point and don't be discouraged if you get no response. Sometimes e-mails go to spam files or are lost, so don't take it personally. Keep a record of who you contacted, the date, and the response for later reference.

What You Need to Bring to the Party:

An author photo of professional quality. Your book cover in a good resolution but not toooo big of a file. A short bio with just the facts: name, writing history, a fun factoid and links to where the reader can learn more. CONTENT! Here's the biggy. What are you offering the blog host? Vary your content! Don't send the same canned responses to every site. Try to make EVERY post unique so that even if the reader has read one, they'll be finding out new information each time. I know this is time consuming but it is well worth the effort.What's in it for the Reader? Here are some samples blog offerings you might try to go beyond the simple release information of cover, blurb, where to find it:
Offer an excerpt. Readers love to sample your voice. DON'T send the same excerpt out each time or use the one posted on your website. Keep it short, just a scene that's active, captures the feel of your style and the characters, and keep it CLEAN, unless the site provides a content warning. Ask the blog host for a Q&A interview. Don't give the same stock answers. Keep it fresh. Try something different! Some sites offer blog radio interviews or chats. Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Talk on a topic concerning your writing process, the characters, setting, or genre of your book. Make it fun and personal (but not TOO personal! I shy away from putting up photos and detailed information concerning my family.) or educational, so the reader feels a connect with you. Interview your characters. Give away teasers about the book, but not 'SPOILERS' unless you mark them clearly. Some readers don't want to know ahead of time. Offer a giveaway. Readers love free stuff! A copy of your book is the easiest (check with your publisher to see if they'll provide the book!) but Romance Trading Cards, book thongs, an ARC, the heroine's favorite chocolates, are fun, too. Or even the chance to name a character. Remember mailing isn't free and if you open the contest to outside the US it can get costly. Invite comments. Readers like to interact with you. Ask a follow up question that plays off your post and ask for reader response . . . then go back frequently to answer or leave your own comments. You'll want to begin the buzz a week before your book is available, then continue through release week and into the next. How many is too many? As many as you can comfortably handle – as long as the sites aren't all directed to the same core group. You can group all the reviews on one day to make it an event or do one-a-day to make it a progressive tour. It's up to you. Prepare your content ahead of time so you aren't overwhelmed. Keep them in a folder along with your photo, covers, bio, etc. so you have easy access. Don't forget to promote, promote, promote your appearances – on Facebook, on your website and blog, on Twitter, on your loops (if it's allowed). Encourage friends to post. Make sure you include links and a teaser about what they can expect to find, not just a generic "Check this out…" Posts pull quotes from reviews. And don't forget to thank your host! It takes them a lot of time and effort to present you to their readers and friends. Make sure you get them the necessary information in a timely manner.

Have fun! Be enthusiastic (but not obnoxious – it's a delicate balance). Establish that connection so bloggers and review sites will invite you back for your next release or when they host special events. And readers will remember your name and look for your book. And your next book.

So here's my shameless promotion:

Today at Literal Addiction and Book Monster Reviews I'm interviewing Max and Cee Cee, the main couple from the first four books of my By Moonlight series about their relationship, the storylines, and the new couple in HUNTER OF SHADOWS. I'm offering a unique giveaway on each site! Then, tonight I'll be chatting from 8 to 10pm EST, and will be revealing some BIG news for the first time, so you'll want to tune in.

Blogging Wrap-up

I know I promised to take you touring last week, but writing the blogs (and working for a living) got the better of me, so today, I'll bring you the highlights of my uber busy release week for HUNTER OF SHADOWS .

Release Day started out with a final tally at GoodReads—1148 readers signed up for a chance to win 5 free copies of HUNTER OF SHADOWS ! Literary Escapism offered my look at Black Friday shopping with my new hero and heroine, Silas and Nica, and ended the day with a radio interview. Take a listen for Spoilers and insights into the series and my writing process.

Day Two, Coffeetime Romance & More invited me to spend the day chatting with visitors and sharing excerpts. It was also the launch day for my Pocket Blog Tour. SOS Aloha featured a character interview with Silas MacCreedy, the hero from HUNTER OF SHADOWS and Romancing Rakes had me stop in for a Q&A.

Day Three brought a more reviews to the surface. Here's a sampling:

"What a heart pounding read. Silas MacCreedy is all sorts of yummy. Gideon has a way of making the reader want more, need more and then when you think you know what's happening, TWIST!" – Romancing Rakes

"This one of the FINEST and awesome-est 5 Book worthy preternatural romantic suspense novels I've ever read!" – Reviews by Molly

"The characters are just really awesome and strong. Silas . . . good Lord, he could rescue me any day of the week." – Gimme the Scoop Reviews

"This first book of a spin off series is going to satisfy on every level." – Rendezvous, The Romance Book Store

Day Four Friday, I was a guest at Novelists, Inc. talking about "Rolling the Blog Tour Dice" (hmmm, personal experience, you think?) and was playing "I've Got a Secret" at Fresh Fiction discussing how to make a plot line zing by building in surprises.

Today, author buddy Diane Burton has invited me over to her blog where she'll be asking probative questions (you gotta watch those paranormal writers who deal with aliens!) about writing. Stop over to say Hi!

Tomorrow I'll be wrapping up my main PR push with a return visit to Literal Addiction & Book Monster Reviews. I'm interviewing Max and Cee Cee about HUNTER OF SHADOWS and changes in the By Moonlight series, then at 8:00 pm EST, I'll be chatting at LA/BMR and will have some BIG news to reveal for the first time. You'll want to tune in to get the Scoop. You'll also want to stop back here for my Tuesday Tech and Tips where I'll be giving pointers on how to set up a successful blog tour.

It's HERE! Release the Hounds, errr, the Shape-shifters!

Nancy Gideon and Pocket Books are proud to announce the arrival of HUNTER OF SHADOWS. Weighing in at 368 bound pages on 11-29-11, after a 14-month labor of love (oh, my aching back!), Hunter is the fifth in the BY MOONLIGHT series. Unlike earlier siblings that shared the same hero and heroine, Hunter has a new couple to make you cheer, laugh, cry, hold your breath, and fan yourself (Is it hot in here or is it just me?). Here's what the first visitors had to say:

"Sparks fly immediately. Vivid writing, intriguing plot twists, and a satisfying ending will keep readers coming back to Gideon's magical NOLA." – Publishers Weekly

"Tons of chemistry. Full of intrigue and action. Compelling characters, a kick @ss heroine, and a hero torn by his loyalties make for an intense read." – Booklaholics Romance Book Club

"Constantly moving, very hot and exhilarating. Filled with excitement that gives you the rush of your life. There's no better author than Nancy Gideon with her amazing imagination."- Fresh Fiction

"Very gritty and very cool." – VampChix / Bite Club

"5-Stars! Perfect for any reader who loves paranormal romance. Intense, interesting, fast-paced, and the characters are very likable." – Live to Read

Squee! They like my baby!


Today, my friends at Literary Escapism are helping me celebrate my new arrival! I'm participating in their ultra-fun Black Friday event, where my characters from HUNTER OF SHADOWS share a little extra content while shopping for the holidays in my By Moonlight world. Pocket is offering two free copies of HUNTER OF SHADOWS! That's not all! Jackie and Nikki will be interviewing me on TalkShoe blog radio from 9 to 11 p.m. EST. Tune in to listen or call in with questions as we talk By Moonlight, writing, and romance of the paranormal kind.

Stop by tomorrow and we'll go on a blog tour together. I'm driving.

Getting Ready for the Birth of a New Book . . .

A new book release is like the birth of a child. It takes months and months of development. Varying degrees of pain and discomfort are involved. It can get messy. But the anticipation outweighs all the worries . . . if you plan ahead!

In the first trimester, you're in the early stages. You go from your finished manuscript to revisions to line edits, each progressing toward the viable final stage which seems unreal and so very far away. As you discuss names, you realize it's really going to happen! You get a definite pub date and you start watching the calendar. Then the queasiness kicks in as you start to wait.

The second trimester is when things start to stir. You view the first rendering of your cover. It's beautiful even without the quotes and teasers. You get your promotional materials printed, decide on your PR campaign, start setting up interviews, reviews and a blog tour. Your galleys arrive and you feel a pinch of separation anxiety because your baby is getting ready to leave your control.

The third trimester arrives and suddenly you're stressed and grouchy. Part of you can't wait for the delivery and the other panics because there's so much to do! As the days wind down, you start a frantic nesting, getting all your articles written, sending out Social Media announcements, and you pray for no last minute complications. You only have a short while to cradle your precious author copies close before you have to display your baby to the world. Then it's time . . .

Stay tuned for tomorrow's announcement!

To Boldly Go Where This Author Hadn't Gone Before: A New Chapter for Diane Burton

Back in 2001, I was transported out-of-this-world by a funny, smart, and original Space Opera novel called Switched released through ImaJinn Books, the small press known for its outside the traditional box paranormal romances. For those who missed that first orbit, it's baaaack, this time in e-format, and author Diane Burton has another surprise . . . Switched Too is coming soon to a galaxy near you.

 
It's my pleasure to chat with Diane about writing, learning new tricks, and how this Earth girl makes interplanetary romance look easy.

Nancy: Welcome back! What made you decide to enter the e-pub world with SWITCHED?
 
Diane: Thanks, Nancy. I'm glad to be back. I got a Kindle last fall and discovered how great ebooks are. (Yes, I'm late to the party.) I wanted to publish the sequel to Switched (Switched Too). I understood most publishing houses don't want a sequel to a book they haven't published. At the MMRWA Retreat last spring, I heard how writers were publishing their backlists (and new works) using Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing and Smashwords. And here we are. Switched has a new life.

Nancy: A lot of authors with backlists are considering bringing them out in e-format (waving hand). How difficult was it to do all the formatting? Was there someplace specific you went to get the how-to information?

Diane: It was more tedious than difficult to do the formatting. I still had the original digital file for Switched unlike some authors' backlists that were pre-computer. I used Smashwords' owner Mark Coker's Style Guide: How to Format, Publish, and Distribute an Ebook. When it showed up on a blog I follow, "Free Kindle Books Plus a Few Other Tips", I saw it as a sign. The free guide took me step-by-step through the process of preparing the manuscript for ebook formats (which Smashwords then distributes). If a writer has the time (and, believe me, it takes time), it can be done. For those who don't have the time or inclination, there are people willing to do it for a fee. Coker has a list and, I'm sure, all an author needs to do is ask around on-line for recommendations.

I will add a caveat here. Before attempting to self-publish, an author needs to make sure the manuscript has been well edited. There are many poorly written, poorly edited self-published ebooks out there. Don't be one of them. If you don't have a friend with an eye for the big picture as well as the nit-picky details, hire someone to edit your book.

Nancy: Do you foresee e-pubbing by authors as a threat to traditional publishing? Are you going to pursue both?

Diane: From what I've read, the traditional publishing industry has been slow to change. In these days of instant everything, any industry that doesn't change with the times loses. Who knew how quickly readers would embrace ebooks? What we (the older generation) forgot was we started our kids on this path when we gave them their first Atari or Nintendo. As adults, they embraced the electronic revolution, leaving the rest of us in the dust. A writer who doesn't capitalize on that loses a huge audience. That said, there are still those who love physical books, myself included. So, yes, I'm pursuing print publishing, also.

Nancy: With so many e-titles flooding the market, what are you doing to capture the attention of a would be fan?

Diane: I'm learning as much as I can about self-promotion in the Digital Age. I checked out other authors' websites and blogs. I learn best by example. I'm reading what others say on-line about how they're promoting their books. I read your book Getting It Out There: PR and Social Media for Writers. Very helpful, by the way. I'm putting into practice what I learned.

Nancy: What's the story behind SWITCHED and the soon to be released original, SWITCHED TOO , both literally and fictionally?

Diane: Switched is a space adventure. It's the story of twins who were separated before birth. Yep, you read that right—before birth. Jessie was raised on Earth, Veronese on an alien planet. When Veronese goes AWOL from her starship to meet her biological family in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Jessie is "beamed" aboard the starship by mistake. She's a wise-cracking free-spirit—a good sport, just one of the boys—who's never met a guy who raises her heart rate. Until she meets the hunky captain. Marcus is flummoxed by his unexpected visitor who displays all the emotions he forces himself to suppress—a regular Mr. Spock. As Marcus and Jessie work together to save the crew and themselves from sabotage, their mutual attraction escalates until treachery forces them into decisions that tear them apart. Switched, Too is Veronese's story.

Switched came out of my fascination with space travel. Ever since the U.S. took its first baby steps by sending men into space, I've been excited about the prospect of exploring other worlds. Star Trek, the original series, whetted my appetite. My fascination really took off when I heard John Williams' score to Star Wars. Now that was space adventure. Skip several years and I started writing romances. Received a lot of rejections. Was told there's no market for futuristic romances. I wrote one anyway because it was fun. Then, I heard about ImaJinn Books, a niche publisher of paranormal romances. The publisher liked Switched and gave me my first break. Switched was published in 2001. After it went out of print, I got the rights back. Skip a few more years and Switched has a new life as an ebook. There are some differences in this version, new scenes, changes in others, but the story is the same. I mention that (here and in all the descriptions) because I don't want those who bought the original to feel conned by the new cover into thinking this is a new book.

Nancy: How cool is it seeing your name on a book cover again (especially a gorgeous Pat Lazarus original)?

Diane: Thrilled beyond belief. Pat knows how to capture the essence of a story. Everything started in Switched with Jessie being "beamed" aboard a starship. The way Pat indicates movement in the cover, with the high-tech designs in the background, lets potential readers know right away they won't be in Kansas anymore.

BTC: What advice would you give to an author struggling with frustration and rejection?

Diane: Don't give up. Don't take rejections/criticism personally. Hard to do, I know. Try to be objective. (It's hard to be objective when someone says your baby is ugly.) Listen—really pay attention—to the reasons for rejection. You can't do much about "it doesn't meet our needs", but when an editor/agent/contest judge takes the time to write comments, pay attention. Also know when to cut your losses. Sometimes, you need to set a project aside and come back to it later. Sometimes, the project belongs under the bed. As soon as you finish a story and start sending it out, begin a new project. Don't waste time haunting the mailbox or checking your email inbox. This is a business. You have to expect rejection/criticism. Develop a thick skin. Do I follow my own advice? LOL As I said, it's hard.

BTC: Any tips or tricks for getting the ole creative juices flowing? Music, coffee, pictures of H/H (Mine is vacuuming, but that's just me!)?

Diane: Vacuuming? Seriously? My dust bunnies have great-grandbunnies. Coffee is a necessity. Silence helps. If I listen to music, it has to be instrumental. I can't listen to music with words. They get in my head and interrupt my concentration. I like light classical and New Age. Anything by Enya or Andrea Bocelli works too because the lyrics are in a foreign language. Although I work best in silence, I'm learning how to shut out distractions. Difficult but not impossible. Earbuds from the MP3 player work, too.

BTC: Since we're both rather Type-A /OCD gals, do you have a fixed writing process? Time of day, pantser/plotter, note cards, chronic rewriter?

Diane: Really? I've never thought of myself as Type A, but you have the OCD part right. I have "tunnel vision" where I can get so wrapped up in a project that I don't pay attention anything else around me. (The dustbunnies taught the paper in my office how to reproduce.) Contrary to the OCD part, I'm not a plotter—not at the beginning, anyway. I never know what surprises are waiting for me as I write. I find that exciting. In Switched, I wasn't sure who the villain was until almost the end. Consequently, I rewrite a lot. I like your term "chronic rewriter"—very apropos. When ideas pop in my head, I jot down notes in a notebook (I would lose notecards). I write best first thing in the morning when everything is quiet. Since my husband retired, he's turned into a night owl while I've become the morning lark (a complete reversal of how we used to be). In the late morning, he drags me away from the computer to go to the fitness center. Otherwise, when I'm "in the zone" I'd still be in my p.j.s writing into the afternoon. Then, I use the time after lunch to revise, check email and FaceBook, update the blog and/or website, and now do PR. Of course, there's always the mundane stuff that has to be done like paying bills, laundry, house cleaning (yeah, right), etc. If I can help it, I don't do any of those things in the morning when I'm at my creative best.

Nancy: What's next for Diane Burton? What's cooking on your creative back burners?

Diane: As you mentioned, Switched Too (the adventure continues) is in the final stages and should be available in early 2012. I have a P.I. story that takes place in a small resort town on Lake Michigan which I'd like to develop into a series. I also have a YA (more middle grade) space adventure that I had a lot of fun writing. As soon as Switched Too is out there, I'll be trying to find homes for my other projects.

Nancy: Where can we find you and your books?

Diane: You would save the easiest question for last. LOL My website is www.dianeburton.com and I blog every Monday at http://dianeburton.blogspot.com I'm on FaceBook as "Diane Burton – Author". Switched is available at Amazon.com for Kindle and at Smashwords.com for all e-readers.
Thanks, Nancy, for asking me to share so much about myself and Switched.

When Writing Becomes A Literal Pain in the Neck

We don't always take care of ourselves as we ought to. Sometimes it takes a smack upside the head (or in my case, a week of down time with severe neck strain) to get us to pay attention to what our bodies are telling us. I should have known better—I deal with workers debilitated by repetitive injury every day. But we get busy. We push beyond our limits. We never consider that the neck and shoulder pain we get from just typing can be as damaging as being in an auto accident.

Computer work requires the user to perform highly repetitive motions for prolonged periods of time in basically the same position. Doing these tasks continuously for over several hours exposes muscles and tendons in the hands, necks and shoulders to hundreds, even thousands of repetitions that can lead to wear-and-tear and damaging injury.

By taking the ergonomic preventative maintenance steps below, you can stay productive while protecting against carpal tunnel, repetitive strain injury (RSI) and other pains in the neck.

Give Yourself a Break: Reduce the stress placed on the body during an extended stretch at the keyboard by streeeeeeetching to loosen up muscles after a long period in the same position. Every twenty minutes or so, take a break from the screen to do shoulder rolls and neck stretches. Every hour, get out of your chair and walk around to get the blood circulating. Room to Work: Keep your work area clean, clear and area free of things that restrict movement so you're not reaching over, under, around and bumping into things. Have the space to use your mouse with either the right or the left hand. Make sure you have proper air circulation and that you aren't seated under vents or in front of fans that blow right on you. Shed Some Light on the Situation: Bright light or glare from overhead lights, desk lamps and windows can lead to eye problems. Glare can cause eyestrain, squinting and headaches, so adjust monitor screen height or tilt it so your light source isn't reflected (to test, turn off monitor and if you can see your reflection in it, you've got glare). Also tweak your screen brightness and font size for vision comfort. Posturing: Listen to your mother and sit up straight. Hunching leads to back pain, neck strain and shoulder tension. Your head, neck and torso should be naturally aligned when seated. One of the biggest causes of neck, upper back and shoulder pain is what's called a "Forward Head." Tilting or craning your head and neck forward is like supporting a bowling ball with the muscles of your upper back and puts strain on your cervical discs, causing a tension pain across your shoulders and often headaches, and even rotator cuff pain or impingement and reduced cervical lordosis (I love to throw technical jargon from the day job around—and I know how to spell it all, too!). When you try to overcompensate by forcing your head back and tilting your chin up, it only makes matters worse. Check your posture by standing with your back against a wall. With correct spinal alignment, your heels, butt, shoulders and back of your head should all be making contact. Try a Pectoral Stretch and a Trapezius Stretch to loosen and strengthen tight muscles. Hand Position: Keep arms bent at a 90-degree angle with elbows near body while typing and wrists and hands even with elbows. Use the keyboard more than the mouse by incorporating keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl+S to save, Ctrl+P to print. Take a Seat: The best desk is sturdy and has a low keyboard tray. The best chair has comfortable arm rests (but don't depend upon them), with lumbar support that fits your low back, and adjusts so that feet rest fully on the floor and knees are at a 90-degree angle. It should have a smaller seat so there are a few inches between the inner knee and the edge of the seat. The back should be high enough to reach the shoulder blades. Align the monitor, keyboard and mouse so you aren't twisting your back or neck as you work. Your monitor should be positioned an arm's length away and centered in your line of vision with sight line about 3" below top of screen so you're not straining your neck to look up at it. The keyboard should sit flat, not elevated in the back, so your wrists aren't bent. Don't let your hands rest on the keyboard while you type. If you use a laptop, think about a wireless keyboard on the pull out tray and a second monitor. Go Through the Motions: Watch out for movements that strain the body, especially if they're repetitive i.e. bending, reaching, twisting to look at your work, get envelopes and letterhead, or, heaven forbid, watch TV over your left shoulder (darn that HGTV!) Change it Up: Vary your tasks throughout the day to bring different muscles into play and give your body a chance to recover. Mix non-computer work in with your keyboarding. File, do your bills, take a brisk ride on your elliptical, vacuum, walk to the mailbox, sit in a different chair so your posture is altered. Sometimes that work marathon can't be avoided. What do you do when long hours spent at the keyboard bring that dull, burning, or sharp pain across your upper back and shoulders? Rest is the first remedy. Your muscles are sore and tight because they're not getting proper circulation. Exercise with gentle stretches that strengthen the back, shoulders and stomach. A strong core improves posture and reduces chance of injury and pain. Practice proper Posture by avoiding slumping, slouching and forward head position. Try OTC Medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Motrin/Advil/Aleve) to reduce swelling of aggravated areas. Heat alternating with Ice brings fast relief. Start with ice cubes or frozen peas in a towel for 20 minutes followed by a heating pad for 20 minutes (keep both from direct contact with your skin!) to speed up healing.

For long term care of your body, sleep on a firm mattress and try a cervical support pillow or even feather pillow you can shape to fit the curve of your neck. Lying flat on your back is often recommended for forward head problems.

I don't pretend to be a doctor, so see one if pain persists, especially if it's accompanied by weakness in arms or legs, numbness in arms, legs, chest or belly, or loss of bodily functions. They can diagnosis a more significant injury such as torn tendons or herniated disc.

Bottom line: Take care of yourself . Be aware of good ergonomic health practices. And give yourself a break when you need one. Your neck and shoulders will thank you!

Slow Down, You Move Too Fast!

I'm a Type A with ADD/OCD so I only function on two levels—Full speed ahead with Keurig on high and, I came in here to do something . . . oh look, David Bromstad is on HGTV! When I set my focus, nothing gets in my way, not time, not outside distractions, and lately, not inside distractions . . . until this week. Sometimes it takes a natural disaster to get my attention when I'm running in high gear.

I'd be a fabulous juggler if I didn't have an issue with cross-dominance (my right brain never knows what the left is doing). I can get one, two, three, four, six, twelve projects in the air and keep them all spinning at a ferocious speed. But once in a while, that first ball slips . . . look out below.

I was juggling furiously going into last week, building a Haunted Open House (1,155 visitors scared!!!) that kept me at the keyboard 18 hours straight one day and ten the next, updating my website, writing two articles, three of my own blogs, guest posting on four others, outlining the next topic in my GETTING IT OUT THERE: PR and Social Media for Writers series, typing my way through hours of dictation at my 9-to-5, and hardly taking any time to stand up and stretch (except for a quick trip to see Three Musketeers). Then on Thursday, I got an ache between my shoulder blades. (Nothing unusual, just pop a few Motrins).

I'd moved my laptop down to a lift up table in my living room to take advantage of the natural light, spread out all my paperwork, and so I could glance over to watch American Horror Story. By bedtime, I could hardly move my head. I couldn't sleep. By mid-afternoon Friday, it felt like one of the characters had stepped from FX to stab me repeatedly in the neck and shoulders. When I lay down for the night, I couldn't roll over. I worried I might be having a heart attack. I tried Flexeril, then Vicoden (they'd been in my medicine cabinet for three year after taking one for a back spasm), nothing helped. I spent the weekend computer-free, icing/heating and trying not to move. By Monday, I was planning to go to the doctor but after two days of no typing (well, maybe just a few words…) it was a manageable ache. I was able to sleep for most of the night with four Motrin every four hours.

I work in a law office that deals with work comp. I know all about repetitive stress and related injuries. So I started researching. Yesterday, I did an ergonomic study of my home and work environment. If it had been toxic, I would have been glowing in the dark!

I'm a professional here, and I was overlooking the obvious. I would never treat my car as neglectfully as I was myself, and I know I'm not alone. Life has a way of slapping you upside the head (or between the shoulder blades) to get your attention. The last time was when a computer crash forced me to take time off. I can be so oblivious. Must be the ADD.

Sometimes it takes forced rehab time to wake you up and make you come to terms with workaholic or control addictions (that volunteer 'Yes I Can' syndrome!). I sat back (very slowly and carefully) and weighed options to reduce my stress load. I pushed back deadlines to a comfortable distance, let a couple of opportunities go in favor of less work-intensive alternatives. I'm making some adjustments in my environment to be kinder and gentler to my aging chassis.

What have you done for yourself lately?

Next Tuesday's Tech and Tips blog will feature what I culled from this experience with ways to prevent and/or treat work stress and strain. If you sit behind a desk for a living or at a laptop for fun or profit, this one's for you.

Has it been four hours? Pass the Motrin . . .

On a happier note, my Haunted Open House was a huge success (1,155 guests!!!). Su, the Lean Mean Green Secret Agent Machine won the Costume contest and I'm coming up with an appropriate award that will involve a free book and probably chocolate.

And if you were thinking of asking me to write an article, do a blog, help with your project, ask away. It might just take me a little longer to get to it. Is tomorrow soon enough?

Last Day to Tour the Haunted Open House!

What a week! I never imaged when I opened the doors on Monday that almost 1,000 visitors would pass through in four days! Now, I'm thinking if I'd charged admission, I could have taken the week off work!





Today is the last day to get in on the fun. The highlight will be judging for the costume contest. We've got Lucky 13 contestants strutting their stuff. View the costume parade and post your winner in the comment section.

Winners from our Party Chatter giveaways this week are:
 
Rhinna (Monday, October 24, 2011)
Kathi H (Tuesday, October 25, 2011)
Meg (Wednesday, October 26, 2011)
Enya (Thursday, October 27, 2011)

Winners, please e-mail nancy@nancygideon.com with your addresses. Thanks to everyone who participated for being such great sports. You can party with me any time. I've got two new games for you in the Party Chatter Room along with my own personal Halloween scary favorites. Enjoy!

So, take one last stroll through the house. Write down your favorite recipes. Visit every nook and cranny to make sure you haven't missed anything. Play games, vote for your favorite costume and have a safe and FUN Halloween!

A big thank you to all who helped make this Open House a fabulous event!

Today, join me and Dark Faerie Tales/All Things Urban Fantasy with a new retelling of a Spooky Legend! I've incorporated The Reflection urban legend into my By Moonlight world. Stop by for a bit of scary extra content as my characters bring this terrifying tale to life.

Haunted Open House-Over 600 Scared!

One of the most fun and unique things I've done for promotion (or just for the heck of it!) has got to be my Haunted Open House (doors open from October 24 to October 28!). I can't take credit for the idea. My virtual assistant Florence Price of My Girl Friday, built the house for Tell Tale Publishing author Sherry Ficklin for a one day launch of her book BORN OF BLOOD . Once I got a sneak peek and fell in love with the creepy architecture, Florence slyly hinted that the property would soon be available for someone else to move in. 

Now I've moved before, from apartment to house, to bigger house, back to apartment, from office building to old house office building. Not my favorite thing to do. If I'm going to do all that heavy lifting, I'm going to stay a while and get comfortable. So I told Florence I wanted to move on the 24th . . . for the week.

When you move, the first thing you do is decorate to your own tastes and needs. The structure was sound but I wanted to knock down some walls and add more room (hey, I watch HGTV!) I wanted more interaction and more content. If I was going to bring visitors back through the House, I'd have to give them something new each day. What do visitors like? Special guests, new topics, FREE STUFF!
 
It's who you know. I shamelessly reached out along my network of Who's Who in writing to tag some awesome party guests: my Pocket team of editor, publicist and marketing director, my agent, my editors at ImaJin, Tell Tale and Wise Words, my author friends, and my bling mistress (actually my D-i-L) who creates all my oh, so cool jewelry. I cornered my son with the promise of Halloween candy to be special advisor for the horrific details. ImaJin publisher, Linda Kichline generously offered a free download of the first book in my vampire romance series. My graphic art guru Patricia Lazarus whipped up an drool-worthy wallpaper featuring my six By Moonlight covers. And Saint Florence gave up her weekend to take my rapid-fire ideas and made them virtual reality. It truly takes a scary village to haunt a house properly!

The doors opened on Monday. 394 visitors wandered the spooky halls and left wonderful posts on Twitter. But would they return . . . with friends? 208 showed up yesterday for Pumpkin Pie-tinis and Candy Corn Cheesecake. The costume contest instructions were revamped to make uploading your own Avatar easier and it looks like a Diva-off is in the making for our Friday voting.

If you haven't stopped in, you've got my personal invite to attend: 

http://hauntedopenhouse.blogspot.com. Go through all the rooms, play the games, grab up some freebies, comment for a chance at the daily win in the Party Chatter room (Rhianna took home the Monday prize and yesterday's winner was Kathi H.).

Visit My Spooky Library [image error]
Today, I'm also visiting the Romantic Theme Party thrown by Marie Treanor for the Werewolf/shape-shifter event. How could I resist? Check out my take on werewolf vs shape-shifter and have a chance to win an advance copy of HUNTER OF SHADOWS .

Also check out my "10 Reasons We Love the Dark, Dangerous & Sometimes Undead" on Simon & Schusters website: 

http://www.tipsonlifeandlove.com/love-and-relationships/10-reasons-we-love-the-dark-dangerous-and-sometimes-undead

More cool news: BUDGETING TIME & MONEY (Available in Kindle, Nook and PDF), the new installment in my GETTING IT OUT THERE: PR and Social Media for Writers series for Wise Words Publishing, debuted this morning at #22 in the Writing section of the Kindle Store on the Top 100 list!

Happy Haunting!

You're Invited to My Haunted Open House!

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Do I know how to throw a Haunted Open House, or what?

To celebrate a paranormal writer's favorite holiday, I'm throwing the doors open for a week long party!

Stop In: http://hauntedopenhouse.blogspot.com Monday October 24th through Friday October 28th for fun, prizes, and even a costume contest!

Name your poison at my full service Bar (I'll be your designated driver!) then feel free to explore.

Join other reader/writer ghouls and guys for Party Chatter to discuss your favorite spooky books, movies, and biggest scare. You won't believe the special guests who are already here, but we can eavesdrop on their conversations—a new main topic each day! Best of all, if you speak up and share your experiences, you may be the lucky commenter chosen at random to win a frightfully good daily prize!

Once you've tried the Just Desserts (calorie FREE and just a little bit scary. Don't let any of these fellows follow you home!) test your skill in the Game Room. Don't forget to Trick-or-Treat. I've got some wonderful Treats to give away (be on the lookout for the first cover reveal of SEEKER OF SHADOWS!). Make sure you stop into the Library to browse the shelves.

Build a costumed Avatar to participate in a monstrous runway stroll with a chance to win a trophy fit for a demon diva. All the instructions you need to participate are included. Then, come back on Friday to be a judge (You can even vote for yourself!). You can be the next Top Monster Model!

All prize winners will be announced here the day after the each drawing.

Have fun! Be adventurous! Talk to strangers (because in my House, everyone's a little strange!)

Happy Halloween!