Hibiscus Moon's Blog, page 71
August 15, 2011
Book News & Trailer!
Comment from my book editor whose opinion I am depending on: "The book is funny, engaging and informative. I very much enjoyed reading your manuscript, and learned a lot!" Let's hope readers feel the same!
Here's the cover (if you haven't already seen it on Facebook):
...as well as the Book Trailor:
Crystal Grids: How and Why They Work will be released in paperback and e-book editions in September 2011! Wooohooo!
Here's the cover (if you haven't already seen it on Facebook):
...as well as the Book Trailor:Crystal Grids: How and Why They Work will be released in paperback and e-book editions in September 2011! Wooohooo!
August 8, 2011
Wayne Gretsky, Crystals and Astrology
Well, the Universe certainly arranged things quite nicely to help me with my slef publishing of my book, Crystal Grids. I've been using Catherine Ryan Howard's book Self Printed as my bible with the whole process. Just as I was expressing my fears about formatting the book with my editor Sarah, she suggested I contact Catherine to see if she knew anyone who could do it for me. Ms. Howard, the best selling author and self pub. guru? No way. But lately, I've been muttering Wayne Gretzky's famous quote to myself: "You'll always miss 100% of the shots you don't take." So I took the shot!
Well, turns out Catherine (yes, I'm on a 1st name basis now with the self pub guru) had been thinking about providing formatting as a service. From her blog: "Something funny happened to me last week, a sort of message from the Universe about what I should be doing with my time. Well, it was more like an elbow to the gut. Let's just say I'm embarking on a bit of a new business (ad)venture, one that ties in quite nicely with Self-Printed if I do say so myself. Check back on Friday for details. For now, I shall leave you with a clue: migraine." I suspect that migraine was caused by me, but I digress.
OK, change gears, different topic. Many people ask me if there are certain crystals for certain birth months. or if crystals are aligned with certain astrological signs according to their natural properties. Now, I don't jive much with the Gregorian calandar and its respective birthstones. Not at all really. Its a calandar invented by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 so it has no Mother Earth cyclic basis and that's where I lose interest.
I do, however follow and agree with some of Edgar Cayce's teachings and he has listed specific crystals aligned with the Zodiac signs. I feel every stone has its own properties and if that set of properties meshes well with a particular astrological sign, well, that's how they get paired up together! Some people are very in tune with astrology so, I can understand why that's a crystal concern for many.
So here's Edgar Cayce's suggestions:
Aquarius, garnet
Pisces, amethyst
Aries, bloodstone
Taurus, sapphire
Gemini, agate
Cancer, emerald
Leo, onyx
Virgo, carnelian
Libra, cat's eye
Scorpio, aquamarine
Sagittarius, topaz
Capricorn, ruby
Do you think your respective crystal would benefit you?
Well, turns out Catherine (yes, I'm on a 1st name basis now with the self pub guru) had been thinking about providing formatting as a service. From her blog: "Something funny happened to me last week, a sort of message from the Universe about what I should be doing with my time. Well, it was more like an elbow to the gut. Let's just say I'm embarking on a bit of a new business (ad)venture, one that ties in quite nicely with Self-Printed if I do say so myself. Check back on Friday for details. For now, I shall leave you with a clue: migraine." I suspect that migraine was caused by me, but I digress.
OK, change gears, different topic. Many people ask me if there are certain crystals for certain birth months. or if crystals are aligned with certain astrological signs according to their natural properties. Now, I don't jive much with the Gregorian calandar and its respective birthstones. Not at all really. Its a calandar invented by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 so it has no Mother Earth cyclic basis and that's where I lose interest.
I do, however follow and agree with some of Edgar Cayce's teachings and he has listed specific crystals aligned with the Zodiac signs. I feel every stone has its own properties and if that set of properties meshes well with a particular astrological sign, well, that's how they get paired up together! Some people are very in tune with astrology so, I can understand why that's a crystal concern for many.
So here's Edgar Cayce's suggestions:
Aquarius, garnet
Pisces, amethyst
Aries, bloodstone
Taurus, sapphire
Gemini, agate
Cancer, emerald
Leo, onyx
Virgo, carnelian
Libra, cat's eye
Scorpio, aquamarine
Sagittarius, topaz
Capricorn, ruby
Do you think your respective crystal would benefit you?
August 2, 2011
My Book Cover: Your Opinion Please
OK, so I have 2 basic book cover designs mocked up here. I really like the blue cover better. You have to click on them and see the larger version to fully appreciate the 3D effecton the font, etc. You all have been so wonderful in helping me so far and giving me some very valuable opinions. I am truly very grateful for your help in this process...would you please tell me which cover you like better? Any other comments are much appreciated, and as always, please be totally honest! Mwwwaaaahhhh! Crystal Blessings.
August 1, 2011
Mercury Retrograde
So its the retrograde again. This time I'm looking at it as a time to renew, revamp and redo! And I truly am doing all those things. I'm getting reviews for my book so I can print them inside, I'm revamping my website and business model and I NEED to re-do something with my emotions for the last few days. This is so unlike me but I feel very unsettled. I'm not sure why, but I feel a bit scared with all I have going on, a bit uncertain perhaps. Some say its shifting Source energies. I tend to think its that. Whatever it is, I need to give it the boot! *why doesn't blogger have spell-chekcer?!*
Thank you so much for all your feedback on my last post. I really took it all into considertation and am adjusting it. OK, so here's my About the Author blurb (different from Back Cover Blurb):
About the Author
Hibiscus Moon has learned to channel her inner-geek then merge it with her serious obsession with crystals and stones, bringing her unique perspective to the world of crystal healing. As a National Board Certified Professional Science teacher, Hibiscus Moon delivers the science behind the metaphysical aspects of working with crystals. As a Certified Crystal Master and Registered Metaphysician, Hibiscus Moon speaks, teaches and writes about crystals and is the founder and director of The Hibiscus Moon Crystal Academy and has a YouTube channel dedicated to crystal healing. She resides in Florida with her husband and kitty, Topaz, aka "Topaz Panina Meow Meow".
And here's the first cover draft. I wasn't too keen on the color spectrum for this since it doesn't really have anything to do with the subject matter of Crystal Grids:
Comments on any of this are welcome and appreciated. OK, my real name is coming off of there b/c of my job as a science teacher. 14 year olds can be nosey and mean. I have a pretty big online footprint that I don't need them following. There are other reasons as well. So, the author name will be Hibiscus Moon. I am thinking of starting to use an alias name for all of it though. Or should I just leave it as Hibiscus Moon? This indeciveness is very strange and alien for me too. Busting out the crystals to help me along!
Thank you so much for all your feedback on my last post. I really took it all into considertation and am adjusting it. OK, so here's my About the Author blurb (different from Back Cover Blurb):
About the Author
Hibiscus Moon has learned to channel her inner-geek then merge it with her serious obsession with crystals and stones, bringing her unique perspective to the world of crystal healing. As a National Board Certified Professional Science teacher, Hibiscus Moon delivers the science behind the metaphysical aspects of working with crystals. As a Certified Crystal Master and Registered Metaphysician, Hibiscus Moon speaks, teaches and writes about crystals and is the founder and director of The Hibiscus Moon Crystal Academy and has a YouTube channel dedicated to crystal healing. She resides in Florida with her husband and kitty, Topaz, aka "Topaz Panina Meow Meow".
And here's the first cover draft. I wasn't too keen on the color spectrum for this since it doesn't really have anything to do with the subject matter of Crystal Grids:
Comments on any of this are welcome and appreciated. OK, my real name is coming off of there b/c of my job as a science teacher. 14 year olds can be nosey and mean. I have a pretty big online footprint that I don't need them following. There are other reasons as well. So, the author name will be Hibiscus Moon. I am thinking of starting to use an alias name for all of it though. Or should I just leave it as Hibiscus Moon? This indeciveness is very strange and alien for me too. Busting out the crystals to help me along!
July 27, 2011
Can I Get Your Opinion?
Thank you all for your support!!! The former-mentioned rejection letter has not swayed me in the least. That was just a shot in the dark while persuing the Self Published route. And I'm still moving right along.
So! Can I ask for yoru assistnace please? For the Back Cover Blurb. Does this work?
"Have you heard of crystal grids but wondered what they are, how they work and how you work with them? Me too! That's why I wrote this book. This is not an airy-fairy sort of crystal healing book. Using science as our platform, you'll explore the "how's" and "why's". Through my love of "science-y" subject matter, I help explain what a crystal grid is, the sacred geometry foundation of them, their energy fields, the connection to Mother Earth's own grid, how you can use them with distance healing work, how to set your intention, how to choose a grid formation, the components of a crystal grid, how to select which crystals to use in your grid, how to activate and maintain your grid, how to charge other objects within a grid and even some practical grid "recipes" for various purposes! This practical guide will help you to infuse crystal grids into your everyday life in a powerful way. Being practical, you'll find this guidebook outlined with clear, basic instructions on specific crystal grids and their use."
Honest feedback is much appreciated. :)
So! Can I ask for yoru assistnace please? For the Back Cover Blurb. Does this work?
"Have you heard of crystal grids but wondered what they are, how they work and how you work with them? Me too! That's why I wrote this book. This is not an airy-fairy sort of crystal healing book. Using science as our platform, you'll explore the "how's" and "why's". Through my love of "science-y" subject matter, I help explain what a crystal grid is, the sacred geometry foundation of them, their energy fields, the connection to Mother Earth's own grid, how you can use them with distance healing work, how to set your intention, how to choose a grid formation, the components of a crystal grid, how to select which crystals to use in your grid, how to activate and maintain your grid, how to charge other objects within a grid and even some practical grid "recipes" for various purposes! This practical guide will help you to infuse crystal grids into your everyday life in a powerful way. Being practical, you'll find this guidebook outlined with clear, basic instructions on specific crystal grids and their use."
Honest feedback is much appreciated. :)
July 26, 2011
The Rejection Letter
Well, I told you, you'd be 2nd to know. The letter came in while I was on vacation. After initially telling me they were considering my book, here's the let down (why even tell me they were considering it?). I now move on with the rest of my evil plan! ;):
July 25, 2011
I've Gone & Written a Book
So, I've decided to write a book. I've been writing articles and curricula for a while and have been urged by many to do this, but shied away b/c of the discipline I knew it would take…and the fact that I know that abbreviations like "b/c" are frowned upon in the all mighty book-writing world. :P (So are emoticons!!!)
So what's this book about? Well, of course, I'm sure you've guessed by now that it will be about crystals. But if I wrote a book about all my crystal theories, it would literally be a brick. Plus I am always changing my theories based on new information brought to light or experimentation so I figured attacking my theories in smaller chunks was a better idea. So the book I have written is about Crystal Grids. *aahhhhhhh, angels singing*
You may notice from my blog that my writing style is a tad quirky when compared to the traditional crystal authors out there. Well, I haven't changed that one bit. My book is no different. I was advised to change the quirky conversational tone but I can't. This is me and this is how I roll, this is how I teach, this is how I do. If you like my communication style and you like working with crystals then you may like my book.
I took a two prong approach to this whole book writing thing. I simultaneously have submitted it to just two publishing houses: Hey House and Llewellyn. At the same time, I chose to embark on the Self Publishing route. Whichever gets me to the finish line first, wins! I was very selective with the two publishing houses I chose to submit to for a reason. I like their subject matter and style and I don't want to go batty in the process. I've already heard back from Hey House; they won't take submissions directly from an author, only from Literary Agents. No desire to hire a Lit Agent so that's the end of Hey House. I'm still waiting to hear back from Llewellyn and you'll all be the second to know when I do. (Hubby's 1st). In the meantime, I'm having the book professionally edited and cover design done by a professional graphic artist. I think I'm more excited about the cover than anything else! Of course, I'll post that here too as soon as I get it. :D
Crystal Blessings!
So what's this book about? Well, of course, I'm sure you've guessed by now that it will be about crystals. But if I wrote a book about all my crystal theories, it would literally be a brick. Plus I am always changing my theories based on new information brought to light or experimentation so I figured attacking my theories in smaller chunks was a better idea. So the book I have written is about Crystal Grids. *aahhhhhhh, angels singing*
You may notice from my blog that my writing style is a tad quirky when compared to the traditional crystal authors out there. Well, I haven't changed that one bit. My book is no different. I was advised to change the quirky conversational tone but I can't. This is me and this is how I roll, this is how I teach, this is how I do. If you like my communication style and you like working with crystals then you may like my book.
I took a two prong approach to this whole book writing thing. I simultaneously have submitted it to just two publishing houses: Hey House and Llewellyn. At the same time, I chose to embark on the Self Publishing route. Whichever gets me to the finish line first, wins! I was very selective with the two publishing houses I chose to submit to for a reason. I like their subject matter and style and I don't want to go batty in the process. I've already heard back from Hey House; they won't take submissions directly from an author, only from Literary Agents. No desire to hire a Lit Agent so that's the end of Hey House. I'm still waiting to hear back from Llewellyn and you'll all be the second to know when I do. (Hubby's 1st). In the meantime, I'm having the book professionally edited and cover design done by a professional graphic artist. I think I'm more excited about the cover than anything else! Of course, I'll post that here too as soon as I get it. :D
Crystal Blessings!
