Eileen Granfors's Blog, page 14
December 21, 2010
Goodreads Rocks
I was having trouble with the voting buttons on the 2010 Choice Awards.
A librarian contacted me within 24 hours and the button was fixed.
I am finding that the groups and reviews on goodreads are helping sales of "Some Rivers End on the Day of the Dead" and though it's a long title, if you write it in under "Cover Art" on the 2010 Choice Awards it will be very helpful and appreciated! Some of the new "vote fors" came from write ins. Let's push for Martha Rodriguez and her wonderful art! Please vote.
A librarian contacted me within 24 hours and the button was fixed.
I am finding that the groups and reviews on goodreads are helping sales of "Some Rivers End on the Day of the Dead" and though it's a long title, if you write it in under "Cover Art" on the 2010 Choice Awards it will be very helpful and appreciated! Some of the new "vote fors" came from write ins. Let's push for Martha Rodriguez and her wonderful art! Please vote.
December 19, 2010
Pub dates
If a book is published August 1, 2010 is it a 2010 book?
Does publishing work on the fiscal year?
A fan was trying to vote for "Some Rivers End on the Day of the Dead" for best cover, and the message kept popping up "this book not published in 2010."
REALLY?
Anyone know about this?
Does publishing work on the fiscal year?
A fan was trying to vote for "Some Rivers End on the Day of the Dead" for best cover, and the message kept popping up "this book not published in 2010."
REALLY?
Anyone know about this?
December 15, 2010
My Top Ten for 2010
It's actually a baker's dozen!
And the truth is my very favorite book that I smile at each time I see it referenced in a blog or on a book list, my own, "Some Rivers End on the Day of the Dead."
1. Room by Emma Donoghue
2. My Hollywood by Mona Simpson
3. Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes
4. Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin
5. Kings of the Earth by Jon Clinch
6. The Irresistible Henry House by Lisa Grunwald
7. Little Bee by Chris Cleave
8. A Private Life by Jane Smiley
9. A Kind of Intimacy by Jenn Ashworth
10. Mornings in Jeninby Susan Abulhawa
11. Every Last One by Anna Quindlen
12. The Madonnas of Echo Parkby Brandon Skyhorse
13. Secrets of Eden by Chris Bohjalian
New authors to me that I have enjoyed:
1. RJ McDonnell
2. Bruce Judisch
3. Vince Zandri
4. Susan Abulhawa
5. Mona Simpson
6. Brandon Skyhorse
7. Laura McNeal
And the truth is my very favorite book that I smile at each time I see it referenced in a blog or on a book list, my own, "Some Rivers End on the Day of the Dead."
1. Room by Emma Donoghue
2. My Hollywood by Mona Simpson
3. Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes
4. Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin
5. Kings of the Earth by Jon Clinch
6. The Irresistible Henry House by Lisa Grunwald
7. Little Bee by Chris Cleave
8. A Private Life by Jane Smiley
9. A Kind of Intimacy by Jenn Ashworth
10. Mornings in Jeninby Susan Abulhawa
11. Every Last One by Anna Quindlen
12. The Madonnas of Echo Parkby Brandon Skyhorse
13. Secrets of Eden by Chris Bohjalian
New authors to me that I have enjoyed:
1. RJ McDonnell
2. Bruce Judisch
3. Vince Zandri
4. Susan Abulhawa
5. Mona Simpson
6. Brandon Skyhorse
7. Laura McNeal
November 29, 2010
Good News from Far Away
A message to me from a facebook friend (a junior high teacher who was once my student)
Hello Eileen!
I finished your book and was wowed. I kept delighting in the rediscovery that YOU wrote it. What I mean is, I'd get "into" the story, hang out with Marisol for a while, then need to stop reading and realize that it was THIS book, THIS book that you had written, that all the emotions, adventures and dialogue I had just experienced came out of YOUR head. TOO COOL. So,I was telling my 2nd period quiet girls about it. Two of them are named Marisol. They both wanted to read it after me, but Marisol Ruiz graciously allowed Marisol Rodriguez to have it first.
Girl, you've already got a waiting list!
So proud of you. BIG congratulations to you.
Hello Eileen!
I finished your book and was wowed. I kept delighting in the rediscovery that YOU wrote it. What I mean is, I'd get "into" the story, hang out with Marisol for a while, then need to stop reading and realize that it was THIS book, THIS book that you had written, that all the emotions, adventures and dialogue I had just experienced came out of YOUR head. TOO COOL. So,I was telling my 2nd period quiet girls about it. Two of them are named Marisol. They both wanted to read it after me, but Marisol Ruiz graciously allowed Marisol Rodriguez to have it first.
Girl, you've already got a waiting list!
So proud of you. BIG congratulations to you.
November 22, 2010
Cool Review
Review for Some Rivers End on the Day of the Dead
This is what an author enjoys seeing, that a work has reached someone's view of the wider world!
From Melissa Barbano:
I loved Marisol's voice and I was absolutely transported into her world. I
I found myself looking at the world a bit differently today. I've always been aware of the migrant workers issues and have tried to be sensitive to their hardship but today I found myself actually scanning their faces as I drove by The Home Depot -- was I looking for Marisol's uncle or even someone like Marisol herself?? I love the view into her life in Tijuana - so close to San Diego but so radically different in environment but still so similar with the love of family and tradition that we all experience no matter what side of the border. A very well-written and heart warming life lesson type book for teens and adults about what is truly important in life and, of course, to never judge a book by its cover (except in the case of this book where the cover art is as cool as the book itself)
This is what an author enjoys seeing, that a work has reached someone's view of the wider world!
From Melissa Barbano:
I loved Marisol's voice and I was absolutely transported into her world. I
I found myself looking at the world a bit differently today. I've always been aware of the migrant workers issues and have tried to be sensitive to their hardship but today I found myself actually scanning their faces as I drove by The Home Depot -- was I looking for Marisol's uncle or even someone like Marisol herself?? I love the view into her life in Tijuana - so close to San Diego but so radically different in environment but still so similar with the love of family and tradition that we all experience no matter what side of the border. A very well-written and heart warming life lesson type book for teens and adults about what is truly important in life and, of course, to never judge a book by its cover (except in the case of this book where the cover art is as cool as the book itself)
November 7, 2010
Away We Go! (with the sequel)
As part of NaNoWriMo, I have been working on the sequel to "Some Rivers End on the Day of the Dead." If you enjoyed Marisol's coming-of-age journey (now available on Amazon and in Kindle too), the next book takes place 14 years later.
It is named "So You, Solimar," and features the daughter of Coach Sneed although Sylvan, Mrs. K, Daryll, Andy Beauman and others from the first book are part of the cast.
I am thrilled that girlscantwhat.com has offered me copyright to use one of their images on the cover.
So now I only need another 40,000 words and then the editing and revisions. Goal: Summer 2011.
Please give "Some Rivers End on the Day of the Dead" a read while you're waiting for Solimar.
It is named "So You, Solimar," and features the daughter of Coach Sneed although Sylvan, Mrs. K, Daryll, Andy Beauman and others from the first book are part of the cast.
I am thrilled that girlscantwhat.com has offered me copyright to use one of their images on the cover.
So now I only need another 40,000 words and then the editing and revisions. Goal: Summer 2011.
Please give "Some Rivers End on the Day of the Dead" a read while you're waiting for Solimar.
November 4, 2010
Eureka!
It took me awhile, but I have finally found a way to see how my book is selling on Amazon. I found the link on createspace.com, which is much easier than trying to track Amazon's hourly updates of total sales and a particular title's standing.
"Some Rivers End on the Day of the Dead" moved as high as 21,000 (give or take) and has been as low as 120,000 at different times of day. The Day of the Dead (Oct. 31, Nov. 1, and Nov. 2) were the highest sales days.
This coming-of-age novel is a good read for moms and daughters, book clubs, and high schoolers, especially reluctant readers as the plot moves quickly and there are a variety of characters, some of them humorous.
Reviews have been positive so far. I'm hoping more goodreads members will take a look at Amazon or createspace.com for "Some Rivers End on the Day of the Dead," a book that celebrates a girl's learning to appreciate her family, her heritage,and herself.
"Some Rivers End on the Day of the Dead" moved as high as 21,000 (give or take) and has been as low as 120,000 at different times of day. The Day of the Dead (Oct. 31, Nov. 1, and Nov. 2) were the highest sales days.
This coming-of-age novel is a good read for moms and daughters, book clubs, and high schoolers, especially reluctant readers as the plot moves quickly and there are a variety of characters, some of them humorous.
Reviews have been positive so far. I'm hoping more goodreads members will take a look at Amazon or createspace.com for "Some Rivers End on the Day of the Dead," a book that celebrates a girl's learning to appreciate her family, her heritage,and herself.
October 26, 2010
Linked Blog: Review from Martha Rodriguez
Here it is. A wonderful first book by Eileen Granfors titled, "Some Rivers End on the Day of the Dead. It is available on Amazon for all of you looking for that special Fall going into holiday gift!
I am so enjoying the experience of seeing one of my calavera paintings on the cover of a Dia de los Muertos themed book. As this is the first book by Eileen, this is also my first experience having one of my paintings published as the cover art for a book. I'm thrilled! I feel very fortunate that Eileen and I were able to connect.
I just finished reading Some Rivers End and was completely absorbed in the tale of Marisol's life of transitions and her relationships with new and old friends. Many of us can remember the trials and tribulations of being a teen. To experience those times divided between two countries is even more painful. Some Rivers End was a great read. I highly recommend it!
http://estudiomartita.blogspot.co
I am so enjoying the experience of seeing one of my calavera paintings on the cover of a Dia de los Muertos themed book. As this is the first book by Eileen, this is also my first experience having one of my paintings published as the cover art for a book. I'm thrilled! I feel very fortunate that Eileen and I were able to connect.
I just finished reading Some Rivers End and was completely absorbed in the tale of Marisol's life of transitions and her relationships with new and old friends. Many of us can remember the trials and tribulations of being a teen. To experience those times divided between two countries is even more painful. Some Rivers End was a great read. I highly recommend it!
http://estudiomartita.blogspot.co
October 22, 2010
Sweet Words
My cover artist, Martha Rodriguez, lives in San Francisco, and we haven't met. But we seem to share a wavelength.
As she is just now reading the rest of "Some Rivers End on the Day of the Dead" after seeing the outline and the first chapter before allowing her art on the cover, it was thrilling to receive her email.
She finds the story of Marisol "enchanting."
I am so happy that this story rings true. I hope you will take a look!
As she is just now reading the rest of "Some Rivers End on the Day of the Dead" after seeing the outline and the first chapter before allowing her art on the cover, it was thrilling to receive her email.
She finds the story of Marisol "enchanting."
I am so happy that this story rings true. I hope you will take a look!
October 20, 2010
What a Feeling!
The first review came in on Amazon for my first novel, "Some Rivers End on the Day of the Dead."
It was a positive review, and I'm very grateful for a happy reader! Here's the link:
http://www.amazon.com/Some-Rivers-End...
Although Amazon is still putting "Some Rivers End on the Day of the Dead" into their data base, the book is available on createspace.com and Amazon is taking an email list of those interested.
I'm hopeful that this first review will spur curiosity beyond the YA genre. It's very much a book club, women-and-daughters book, but even my husband (bless him) liked it. He said, "It's an easy read with lots of twists and turns."
It was a positive review, and I'm very grateful for a happy reader! Here's the link:
http://www.amazon.com/Some-Rivers-End...
Although Amazon is still putting "Some Rivers End on the Day of the Dead" into their data base, the book is available on createspace.com and Amazon is taking an email list of those interested.
I'm hopeful that this first review will spur curiosity beyond the YA genre. It's very much a book club, women-and-daughters book, but even my husband (bless him) liked it. He said, "It's an easy read with lots of twists and turns."
