Gretchen Stull's Blog, page 2

Of Tricks and Tiny Treats--Upcoming Release News

My blogging has been more sporadic as my workload has increased. While this saddens me in one respect (I really like blogging), I can only be grateful for the clients and work that I have. For someone who took the leap into full-time freelancing only 7 months ago, it has been a gratifying experience, and I'm rather proud of the business I've been building for the better half of a year now. I'm also humbled and amazed by the brilliant women who've mentored and assisted me throughout this rathe...

Of Harry Potter and Fond Worlds Revisited

JK Rowling has released an obscure tweet (and several hints about it) that seem to indicate another Harry Potter novel will be forthcoming.


Some fans have taken it to be an anagram that translates as: “Harry returns! Wont say any details now. A week off. No comment.”
Rowling has denied this, saying instead it is in reference Newt Scamander and the upcoming screenplay she's penning about his adventures in early 20th century New York. The anagram, it seems, is properly translated as "Ne...

Of Pinterest Inspiration, Decoupaged High Heels, and Harry Potter

Sometimes I like to play it a little fast and loose with the Mod Podge. I like crafting. What I lack in skill I make up for in blind enthusiasm and crafty naïveté. Because of this, Pinterest is a dark, dangerous place for me to lurk. Life can be going along at a merry pace when suddenly Pinterest pulls up in a van marked "free candy" or "DIY crafts" and I'm suckered in for the long haul.

Let's be honest, a Pinterest van would look WAY better than this[photo credit: Randy Stewart via photopin c...

Of Bedtime Rituals and Rocking Chairs of Doom

I originally posted this to Facebook after a particularly trying evening. With encouragement (apparently, this is a shared struggle), I'm re-posting an enhanced version here. Enjoy!

Bedtime, toddler edition:
7:45 pm - Announce "It's story time!" because that gets a better response than the dreaded "B" word.

7:46 pm - Wrestle toddler into bathroom. Put toothpaste on toddler toothbrush. Watch as toddler manages to escape during the .08 of a second both hands are required to recap the toothpaste.

7:47 pm -...

Of NetGalley Approvals and Declines

In addition to writing and editing, I work as a virtual assistant for several romance authors. The duties I perform vary depending on client need and preference, but one of the things I do for several clients is manage NetGalley requests.

If you aren't familiar with NetGalley, it's a service that allows "professional readers" to request free digital copies of upcoming releases (generally Advanced Reader Copies or ARCs), ideally in exchange for a review. From their website:

Do you love to d...

Of Fangirling and the Genius that J.K. Rowling

J.K. Rowling has written a new Harry Potter short story.

Ahem, let me say that again with the proper amount of enthusiasm...

J.K. ROWLING HAS WRITTEN A NEW HARRY POTTER SHORT STORY!

See? Dumbledore gets it. 
Apparently, Rowling's written a series of shorts to accompany the Quidditch World Cup Finals and is posting them on Pottermore. How I didn't know about this before now...

Not the point. The point is, I'm excited. I've loved this series for a long time, and I'm thrilled with any update it...

Of Common Sense and Logical Fallacies

I love Fizzygrrl. That's not her real name, obviously. She's actually named Summer, and she's an author/blogger who never fails to make me laugh. But, more often than not, her posts are more than just funny; they manage to cut so succinctly to the heart of an issue that I find myself nodding along while reading, wishing I had her gift with words. Such is the case with her recent post about the gay rights debate. Specifically, she addresses the (surprisingly still existing) argument that legal...

Of Generational Advice, Cat-Style

I know this has been making the rounds on Youtube and Buzzfeed, but I couldn't resist posting it here. The following may be my favorite commercial of all time. Okay, maybe not all time (I'm still a huge fan of "Running with the Squirrels" and "Poo~Pourri"), but we're talking Top 10, at least. I have 2 cats, Simon and Garfunkle. If Simon could talk...well, I don't know that he would ever lower himself enough to welcome Garfunkle into the house--I live at ground zero of the great cat wars of Te...

Of Corporate Douchery and Consumer Response

If you've been following this blog for a while, you know Comcast and I have had our differences. Disagreements are common in any relationship, and sometimes it feels like we're just not speaking the same language. For example, I'll say:

"Comcast, darling, I pay you on time and in full every month for high speed digital Internet service. Why is my service down 15 days out of 30? Is it something I've done? Talk to me. We can work this out." 

And Comcast will reply:

"I can't hear you, LA LALA...

Of Conference Do's and Don't's

Much of post was originally an article I wrote for the MCRW President's Pen section of our monthly newsletter. I've decided to share it because it presents some things to think about for authors heading into the convention circuit. 'Tis the season, after all.

♪♫ "when books will be selling and everyone's yelling 'more drinks over here!'" ♫ ♪ 
I love conventions, whether they're fan-based or professional, aimed at readers or writers. You can learn so much: latest trends, emerging technologi...