Caroline Stevermer's Blog, page 3

Damsels in Regress book giveaway

Those Damsels are at it again, giving away a copy of Magic Below Stairs. To enter, just follow the link to their blog and post a comment there about what you are reading now. Love it? Hate it?

Isn't criticism always much more fun?

Good luck, and thanks again, Damsels in Regress!

It's MAGIC BELOW STAIRS week at Damsels in Regress

Damsels in Regress is a delightful resource for readers and writers of YA historical fiction. When they asked me if I would do an interview about MAGIC BELOW STAIRS, I jumped at the chance. Tricia and the Damsels asked such good questions and put me so much at my ease that I may have overdone things.

Heck, I even waxed lyrical about Brandoch Daha.

Perhaps I went off the deep end with the chattiness, but I had a lot of fun doing it.

Thanks, Damsels!

weather notes

Much better weather today. My sympathies to those of you who are getting the brunt of this humid hot weather now.


Back in Minneapolis, some employees of the Olsen Fish Co. — which bills itself as the world's largest producer of the Scandinavian delicacy lutefisk — have refused to go outside on break. Instead, they're hanging out in the 44-degree room where pickled herring is processed, company President Chris Dorff said.

from Associated Press



From the Twitter feed of the Minnesota Twins mascot:

http://twitpic.com/5t67o2

marketing genius

I follow the local major league baseball team, the Minnesota Twins. The local (unaffiliated) minor-league ball club, the St. Paul Saints, have always known their target audience. This year they have the most perfect slogan:

"We won't break your heart."


Not like some others we can mention.

Calling Miss Smith!

Dear Miss Smith,

Your delightful letter of March 26 arrived without its envelope, so I have no return address.

I hope this means of communication may eventually reach you. Thank you for writing!

Sincerely,

Caroline Stevermer

P.S. I am now on Facebook, so perhaps we could communicate more directly there.

MN Arts Count ends soon

www.mnartscount.com

I was going to confine this post on my Minnesota filter, but I think it may be peculiarly Minnesotan enough to entertain those who live far afield. Here's the bumpf:

The MN Arts Count is a census of everyone in Minnesota who engages in creative expression, and of businesses, facilities, and organizations that promote and support creative expression. It's open to anyone who, professionally or personally, sings, acts, dances, writes, draws, paints, sculpts, illustrates, photographs, films, knits, weaves, directs, plays an instrument, composes, shares stories, designs or engages in any other form of creative expression.

To get involved, take an online survey at www.mnartscount.com. A paper survey is also available for those without Internet access or who would prefer to complete the survey offline. Just call 800-748-3222, extension 225. The census will be conducted through April 30, 2011.

Diana Wynne Jones

Several years ago, I had to take my mother in for a medical procedure that scared her. To soothe her while we waited, I read aloud to her from the book I had with me in my weekend bag. As I read "The Girl Jones," from DWJ's anthology Unexpected Magic, the nurses worked. The doctor arrived. Routine medical things happened all around us, but I kept on with the story until it became clear that the time had arrived for the procedure to begin. I put the book back in my bag.

The doctor and both nurses refused to proceed until I read them the rest of the story.

The procedure went well. Mom is still in good shape. And she's never forgotten that story, read aloud to her only once, about seven years ago.

My deepest sympathy to DWJ's family, her friends, and her readers. She was peerless.

For the first time since November 13, 2010, there is no s...

For the first time since November 13, 2010, there is no snow on the roof of my house.

Con or Bust auction

The books are in the mail! Thanks to everyone who participated, and special thanks to tanuki2001 and msss . I hope you enjoy the books.

Con or Bust has concluded

Thank you to everyone who bid on my books! I am grateful.

Additional thanks to those who organized this auction and made it run so smoothly. I'm honored to participate.