Susan Hanniford Crowley's Blog: From Nights of Passion Blog, page 189
March 10, 2016
The Value of My Harry Potter First Edition by Stacy Hoff
Two weeks ago, Yahoo had an article on it’s home page about the surprisingly high value of first edition Harry Potter books (both British and American editions). The article gave specific information as to what people should look for on the copyright page to determine if they owned a copy valued in the thousands. I am sure every Potter owner who saw that article salivated at the very thought their copy was worth big bucks. I drooled along with them. (Especially since replacing my iPhone, which was stolen last week, was extremely expensive. A Harry Potter pay-out? Whoo hoo!)
Though I held out little hope I would be lucky enough to own a valuable Harry Potter first edition, I asked my husband to go on a search mission downstairs in our basement. Oddly, it turns out he found two copies of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” I was confused until I remembered that I had loaned out my copy of Book 1 to someone, eventually became convinced I’d never get it back, bought a second Book 1 at a local “Friends of the Library” sale. Right after I bought the second copy, my original was returned to me.
I held both books in my hot little hands, feeling a growing surge of optimism. Why have one lottery ticket when you can have two? My husband, however, remained unimpressed. Unless the copyright page info matched, he reminded me, my obsessive-compulsivene need to own every book in a series could still be pooh-poohed.
For a few minutes it looked like he was right. The first copy we looked at was so way off on the copyright information we laughed. Instead of a first edition, we probably had the nine millionth. Then we tried the “Friends of the Library” book. That one… well… it MATCHED!!!! Yes, matched I tell you! My husband and I stared at each other, and then back at the book. And then back at each other. Speechless.
I then proceeded to go crazy tracking down rare book dealers in my state. Some referred me to different dealers. Others would not bother talking to me at all. But I found one (out-of-state) rare book dealer who was willing to explore the potential value of my book. After we spoke, he asked me to send him all kinds of crazy pictures of the book—the spine, the back cover, the inside and outside jacket flaps, all in addition to the copyright page.
Obviously I complied. I took all those pictures and sent it off to him faster than you can say the name of the bad wizard who shall remain nameless. And the answer was…
I did have a first edition “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” Sort of. My version was actually a “book club” copy. Even though the copyright information was exactly the same, the value was off by, basically, everything. Total estimated value of my copy (which is in near perfect condition) maybe as high as $50. Retail. Which means I’d be paid way less than that.
Sigh… This hasn’t been my week. But no matter what this rare book dealer told me, my “Harry Potter” books still have extremely high value—in my heart.
WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS FOR STACY HOFF:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorStacyHoff
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/authorStacyHoff
AMAZON LINK FOR DESIRE IN THE ARCTIC by Stacy Hoff:
AMAZON LINK FOR DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES by Stacy Hoff:
AMAZON LINK FOR LAWFULLY YOURS by Stacy Hoff:
AMAZON LINK FOR SEASON OF LOVE (Box set with Stacy Hoff):
AMAZON LINK FOR HOT SEDUCTION (box set with Stacy Hoff):
Filed under: A writer's life, children's books, Publications, romance, Stacy Hoff
March 9, 2016
Sharing Isn’t Always Caring by Heather Novak
You’ve all read the horror stories of famous people being stalked by a crazed fan. If not, catch up on a few here. While we expect it with people like Stephen King and Stephanie Meyer, we don’t expect it being authors who are under the radar.
I’m here to remind you it only takes one fan. As authors, we are now in the public spotlight, no matter how small our careers may seem.
The best general rule to stick by: If you wouldn’t want it splashed on the front page of the newspaper, don’t put it online.
Here are a few more specific tips:
Think twice what you post on social media. Don’t put your city, address, phone number, or personal email. I don’t have any information about my day job. For LinkedIn, I’m very careful who has access to my full profile.
Be careful when you tag your location.
Use Facebook wisely. You can post publicly, to friends only, or to an unlimited number of subgroups. Want to just contact your family about that upcoming BBQ? Make sure to select the correct audience.
Be careful who has access to what pictures. The beauty of Facebook is that each photo album allows you to select who gets access. Don’t post pictures of your kids or their school publicly.
Private messages: use them. Don’t talk about things on your Facebook wall/Twitter feed that should be kept private.
Make a separate author page and monitor who you accept as a friend on your personal page. Fan pages exist for a reason. Use them. Writing romance, especially steamy romance, attracts all sorts of weirdos.
Closed Facebook groups are awesome. Want to talk about your books? Make a closed group and invite your friends/fans. There, you can share more personal info and pre-released book posts without the fear of outsiders reading. But keep in mind, some people will always spread news they shouldn’t. Know your audience.
I hope this serves as a reminder to keep you and your family safe!
On this day:
1971 – The U.S. Senate approved an amendment to lower the voting age to 18.
Wishing You Laughter & Good Books,
Heather Novak
Find me at:
Twitter: authorheathern
Instagram: authorheathern
Facebook: authorheathernovak
Hunting Witch Hazel: Spring 2016
Threat of Raine: Spring 2016
Rosemary for Remembrance: Spring 2016
Filed under: romance
March 8, 2016
A Backup Plan
A recently watched the movie Bridge of Spies for the second time and it just so happens that I’m in the midst of reading about Insurance in my studies. Admittedly, the material is a bit dry, but at the same time it is interesting—not sure how this is possible or even makes sense but it’s the truth in my opinion. Besides being a big Tom Hanks fan, I loved Bridge of Spies because it seems to add a bit of glamor to the world of insurance. Now while all of us aren’t dealing with international spies on a daily basis, insurance still does play a large amount of importance in our lives. In many ways, it is our backup plan.
Why do we want a backup plan? Well, life is life and it is rarely predictable. We can do all the planning and research in the world and we still may not be able to cover all our bases or necessarily have life turn out how we plan. Having a backup plan doesn’t mean that we are throwing in the towel as far as our plans go, it just means you’re being open to achieving your goals another way (that’s my thought). In fact, I’d say that a lot of these detours to backup plans are part of our individual life journeys.
So the moral of this week’s blog? Have a backup plan, not because it is glamorous or because your original plans are doomed to fail, but because it gives you alternatives, allows you to be flexible and continue the journey. Happy writing folks!
Filed under: A writer's life, romance, Toni Kelly
March 7, 2016
Catching Up With The Writing
It seems almost like a never ending loop. I never seem to get enough writing done in the day. Definitely not enough to satisfy me because there’s always so much more that needs to be done. A website that needs to be updated, files that need to be loaded, and then there’s my trusty dog to remind me that he needs to be walked and would like his snack for good behavior.
We have a trade off, me and my dog. He doesn’t chew on the books that I leave on the floor like the sloth that I am, and I will present him with dog cookies and marrow bones as a sign of gratitude. Everyone says cats rule the house, but we all know that dogs reign supreme in that battle ;)
Despite my whining and complaining, there are plenty of times when I get all perky and happy about everything.
Namely when a new cover comes in!
Huzaah! It’s a surprise cover reveal!
God I love this cover. It’s so colorful and pretty, and now I’m writing in a bare chested scene where the hero is wearing loose jeans God I love the way the blues and teals and reds swirl together. It looks like a galaxy scene
This is going to be my contribution to the Skeleton Key project. I previously called it Mary Sue, which I realized was a stupid title and so I changed it to something that sounds only about a thousand times better :D You’ll understand why I nearly made that mistake in the coming weeks.
I just got this cover back from the designer which is why I’m eager to show it off. Have to run and show it off to everyone else now because this is too cool!
The dog agrees by the way :) And he wants me to take him out, so I have to go,
Cheers!
~Mandy
Sign up for my Reader’s List and I’ll send you my Starter Library for Free! http://mandyrosko.com/contact.php
Filed under: romance
March 6, 2016
Sunshine in the Berkshires Paranormal-Scope
The Berkshires. Courtesy of Wikipedia
I’ve just returned from a convention which was fun in itself, but one of the pleasures of going to Albacon in Albany each year is the drive through part of the Berkshire Mountains. I left home in snow showers which followed me into Massachusetts, but when I reached the Berkshires, the sky was clear and sunny and remained so all the way to Albany. Those moments in the mountains are an “Ah” moment. Someday I will have to take a trip just to enjoy the Berkshires. There are some places that call to your heart.
While I am not qualified in any way to read neither stars nor planets, I am intimately linked to the paranormal in the world in many ways. So are you.
The paranormal-scope is for entertainment purposes only and is not meant to guide your life by.
The week for:
Aries:
Werewolves are romping. Spring is in the air! Time to spring clean.
Taurus:
Snow can obscure the vision. Owls know to see things clearly before they fly.
Gemini:
Pixies avoid mountains. The creatures there are more powerful. Take a higher view.
Cancer:
A vampire sits in the shadow of the mountain and waits. Don’t stay in anyone’s shadow.
Leo:
Dragons roar and roll in the mountains. It’s time to party down and relax.
Virgo:
Faeries think they cannot fly high enough. Never underestimate how much you can achieve.
Libra:
Elves love the journey. They enjoy the wonder they find along the way. It enriches their lives.
Scorpio:
Sprites are always in a hurry. They miss the beauty around them. Don’t miss out on life.
Sagittarius:
Goblins are directing your attention to the small details. Are you losing money by paying for things you don’t really need?
Capricorn:
A dragon carries you aloft beyond the snow into the sunlight. Restore your lost energy.
Aquarius:
Temple cats will lead the way to better food. Follow them. Try new dishes.
Pisces:
Shapeshifters revel in the coming of spring. Begin a new hobby or project.
-Susan
Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance
www.susanhannifordcrowley.com
Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!
Vampire King of New York available at Amazon Kindle and print, Barnes and Noble Nook and print and in Kobo
A Vampire for Christmas in Kindle
Filed under: A Vampire for Christmas, Max Vander Meer, Norse, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, vampire books, Vampire David Hilliard, Vampire King of New York, Vampire King of New York In Print, Vampire Maximillion Vander Meer, vampires, Viking, Weekly Paranormal-Scope, Yule
March 5, 2016
What Outlander Has Taught Me About Heroes by Jenna Jaxon
About a year ago, I wrote a post comparing three very sexy heroes from movies and television. I’m not sure how many Outlander fans I have here, but I’m sure if you know me at all you’ll remember I adore the Outlander series on Starz. It’s been on hiatus for almost a year now—Droughtlander to the Nth degree. But we have survived and five short weeks from last night, the wait will be over. Perhaps it’s this that has started me again thinking about what makes a hero, and specifically why I think three specific characters are iconic heroes.
I remember so distinctly waiting for the first episode of Outlander to air in August of 2014. I was writing in my bedroom on Saturday afternoon, champing at the bit, clicking though the programming to find something to watch for six hours.
The first movie to flash up on the screen was the 1992 version of Last of the Mohicans, starring Daniel Day-Lewis as Hawkeye. God, I love that movie! So I watched that, drooling all over my keyboard. Then, immediately afterwards, Braveheart came on.
Okay, I know a lot of people didn’t like the historical inaccuracies in the movie and even
more people now dislike Mel Gibson. But for a romance story, set amid the Scottish highlands, Braveheart has always captured my heart. I can’t watch the ending, but that’s another tale.
Then comes Outlander, which I adored from the opening credits to the last name on the screen. Beautifully done. Jamie Fraser is a romance hero archetype as far as I’m concerned. But then the same could be said of Hawkeye and William Wallace as portrayed in those movies. Watching them back to back like that gave me a chance to compare the three heroes, all of whom I’d trust with my life to keep me safe. Not to mention pant after at every turn. So I started wondering why? What qualities do these men/characters possess that makes them iconic heroes?
I came up with four major (and several minor) characteristics all these men had that would draw women to them and make men follow them.
Strength. Intelligence. Compassion. Passion.
Over the next four weeks I plan to explore each of these characteristics as they relate to heroes and measure my three “lads” against my findings to determine, at least in my mind, what makes these men heroes.
That will also take me up to the opening of Outlander’s second season. Expect to hear a full report of that on April 10. :)
Filed under: Historical romance, Jenna Jaxon
March 4, 2016
Albacon 2016 in Albany, New York
These are only some of the sweets we enjoyed. In addition to several panels in the evening on science fiction and fantasy, there is an art show and dealer’s room to explore. There was an ice cream social too. I spoke on an animation panel before coming back to my room to blog.
Tomorrow the fun starts again. If you are in the Albany area, you don’t want to miss this event at the Best Western Albany Airport Hotel.
-Susan
Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance
www.susanhannifordcrowley.com
Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!
Vampire King of New York available at Amazon Kindle and print, Barnes and Noble Nook and print and in Kobo
A Vampire for Christmas in Kindle
Filed under: A Vampire for Christmas, Max Vander Meer, Norse, paranormal, paranormal romance, Readers Conference, Readers Conferences, romance, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, vampire books, Vampire David Hilliard, Vampire King of New York, Vampire King of New York In Print, Vampire Maximillion Vander Meer, vampires, Viking, Weekly Paranormal-Scope, Writer Workshops, Yule
March 3, 2016
Writing Despite My Terrible Week by Stacy Hoff
This week was awful.
My iPhone and wallet were stolen right off my desk at work. (Yes, we had “office visitors” that day. No, the police have not made any arrests yet.) I spent hours recreating what was lost. I went to DMV. Spoke to the bank, the mobile phone carrier and the credit card companies.
I dealt with the many “challenging” personalities at my “day job.” I also had a very difficult assignment given to me with a too-short deadline to deliver.
Then I learned some of my author friends will no longer have a home for their stories because a well respected publisher gave notice it will be closing its doors. Considering how small the publishing industry has already become, I worry about my friends, as well as the publisher’s employees.
In my state, jobs are moving out or shutting down, and my family has been affected. While my job is sticking around, the health insurance plan they are giving us will be permanently downgraded as of next month.
Oh, and last week I lost my wedding ring. Topped off by a pipe in my basement suddenly breaking. Water poured out with a force worthy of a typhoon. Cleaning that up required buckets, which we emptied endlessly.
I’ve done my best to hold myself together while my family give me hugs to cheer me up. I should at least get points for pretending to be calm.
It is so hard to keep on writing with all these bad things going on. It is depressing for me as a person and distracting for me as an author. When all this bad news started hitting, I sat around and thought about whether I wanted to hold off writing until I’m in a “better place.”
Then I thought to myself, writing is my better place. A place where I can live vicariously through my characters’ challenges. I can handle their hardships because I know that they will pull through. I need to have that same confidence for me personally. For my family. My author-friends. My community at large.
I write romance because I strongly believe that everyone’s life needs a “happily ever after.” I hope to live out my own “HEA” soon. Until I do, I’m going to write away.
WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS FOR STACY HOFF:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorStacyHoff
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/authorStacyHoff
AMAZON LINK FOR DESIRE IN THE ARCTIC by Stacy Hoff:
AMAZON LINK FOR DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES by Stacy Hoff:
AMAZON LINK FOR LAWFULLY YOURS by Stacy Hoff:
AMAZON LINK FOR HOT SEDUCTION (box set with Stacy Hoff):
AMAZON LINK FOR SEASON OF LOVE (Box set with Stacy Hoff):
Filed under: fear, Life, problem-solving, stress, writing, journal, diary, resolve, worked, relax., publishing, romance, Stacy Hoff, Writer's life, Writing
March 2, 2016
Why Netflix Binging is Okay by Heather Novak
Let’s be honest.
Netflix (hulu/amazon prime) is a saucy minx. It sucks you in with the promise of fulfilling your addiction to whatever tv show has caught your eye over and over and over again until there are no more seasons.
I myself got sucked into Heartland, only to discover there are NINE SEASONS! US Netflix only has the first six (#dies). Based on Lauren Brooke’s book series by the same name, the tv show is basically the Canadian cowboy version of Parenthood. And it’s crack.
So why, when I have a trilogy about to hit the shelves and a full length I need done by April, do I think binging on Netflix is a good idea?
The music is great! I keep finding songs that I can write to, or am currently writing to, that attach certain feelings based on the episode. This allows me to quickly access those feelings when I’m working, just by clicking “play”.
Reward system! I promise myself that if I make my edit goal for the day, I can watch an episode or two as a reward. Trust me, I work harder.
When we fall in love with characters, we have the opportunity to examine why they appeal to us. My being in love with Ty (and who isn’t ?!) helps me understand how to better build my own characters.
My favorite cowboy – Ty Borden played by Graham Wardle
Me time. We are in this world where working non-stop is considered the only way to be successful, but we need “me time”. Each episode of Heartland gives me 45 minutes of me time to forget about my problems and watch pretty cowboys horses.
Fulfills a need. When I’m knee-deep in edits, I don’t have time to start a book. While there are bigger plot lines at work, typically each episode helps quench my need for a fictional story outside of myself. That’s 45 minutes vs 2-5 hours of reading.
Portable. Thanks to the power of my iPhone, I can put on an episode and still do laundry and dishes! This makes for a happier house.
See friends? I justified your habit, you’re welcome. Just make sure you use your habit for good.
On this day in 1931 – The first jazz album to sell a million copies was recorded. It was “Minnie The Moocher” by Cab Calloway.
This one hits close to home. I was a co-host on the international radio show Somewhere In Time, which played big band and theatre organ music for nearly a decade.
Wishing You Laughter & Good Books,
Heather Novak
Find me at:
Twitter: authorheathern
Instagram: authorheathern
Facebook: authorheathernovak
Hunting Witch Hazel: Spring 2016
Threat of Raine: Spring 2016
Rosemary for Remembrance: Spring 2016
Filed under: romance
March 1, 2016
Open to Change
“The only constant is change” is a frequently used saying because it is a true saying–that’s my opinion of course. My day job is in corporate America in the convoluted world of finance. It is a fast pace world not only changing at the macro level, but constant change seeps down into the daily details as well.
As a writer, I have found change just as prevalent. Publishers and editors come and go or merge into one. Genres evolve as fans’ tastes due.
My reason for pointing out how prevalent change is, is to emphasize how important it is for us to be open and adaptable. In a way it sounds like common sense and I’m sure many of us believe we are adaptable to change, but each day I see the contrary in the candidates I interview, the employees I coach and the clients I speak to.
Change isn’t always easy. In fact, I believe that sometimes change is more difficult than staying constant. Why? Because we get comfortable or fear what could happen. Sometimes we aim to evolve but remain unable or even paralyzed from doing so. Time passes faster than we realize and then come the questions, what if,what if…
So what is the risk if we are open to change? The truth is that risk may vary and in some instances we will never know its potential. But at the same time, I could ask what is the risk of not being open to the change our minds ponder? To me, the possibilities and risks are endless. We could miss out on our full potential or even once in a lifetime opportunities. I realize this sounds a bit dramatic, but as someone who has spent a great deal of time thinking about this, I believe the risk is worth a shot at the extraordinary.
Food for thought… And of course, happy writing this week!
Filed under: A writer's life, romance, Toni Kelly
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