Marlene Dotterer's Blog, page 88
October 31, 2011
October 28, 2011
More about Marketing and Titles
Wow, lots of great of great comments on yesterday's post. Those are really helpful ideas. I have to agree with Patty about the branding. In fact, as soon as I published the post, that's something that occurred to me.
Authors become brands. We have to work at it, but in general, people begin to follow an author they like. The author's books, even if they are all discrete novels with unique settings and characters, will tend to appeal to the same kind of people. This builds on itself until, for ...
October 27, 2011
Marketing: Be Careful About Your Title
I found out something yesterday, and it made me sad. I've recovered, thank you, but I am still not sure what to do about this.
It all started when I was reading through my subscribed blogs and came across a post by Evangeline Holland on her blog, Edwardian Promenade. This is a wonderful and entertaining blog, all about the Edwardian era – fashion, culture, food, manners… it should definitely be on your list if you have an interest in this period.
So yesterday, Evangeline posted a list of...
October 24, 2011
The Amazing Pumpkin
Juliet left a comment on the last post, saying she liked the ice cream idea because she didn't know what else to do with pumpkin besides make soup.
I must help out. There are so many things you can do:
Pie (perhaps only Americans think of this)
Quiche – just like pie, except it's savory. Leave out the sugar, use the eggs and milk, add a diced, sautéed leek, sage, salt, pepper, and shredded Gruyere cheese
Ravioli – Mix the pumpkin with ricotta, parsley, sage, and an egg. For easy ravioli, use...
October 23, 2011
Countdown to Halloween: Pumpkin Ice Cream
My countdown has not been consistent, but I knew that would happen. Roads are bumpy around here.
I still don't have all the decorations out, because I can't reach them, even with the ladder. If someone doesn't get them down, then we just use what I have out. I'll survive. We're having some friends over for a Halloween party on Friday. Just dinner really, but we'll dress up and have pumpkin martinis and other cool things to eat. Don't ask me what, exactly, 'cause I haven't decided.
Except for...
October 21, 2011
Pagan Writers Presents Samhain
I'm excited to be a part of this amazing anthology! My short story, Webs, is set in the same universe as my in-progress novel, Verdandi. It's a look at Samhain, or Halloween, aboard an asteroid spaceship in humanity's future.
Isn't this a beautiful cover? Here's the blurb from Pagan Writers:
[image error] Edited by Camenæ E. deWelles, Angelique Mroczka, and Rosa Sophia $14.95 Taking pre-orders for this anthology now! Please disregard the shipping date in the system. Books will ship within 1.5 to 2...October 19, 2011
Like to Eat? Watch Natural World: Farm for the Future
This is an amazing video. It's nearly an hour long, but if you have the least curiosity about food and the future, I beg you to watch it. It's produced by Rebecca Hosking, who is a wildlife filmmaker, and a British farmer. She talks about her experience as she prepares to take over her family's farm during an oil crisis and economic insecurity.
The film is British, but every bit of it is applicable to other countries.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2750012006939737230
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October 18, 2011
Another Travel Post
We are still in the midst of visiting family. Today, we are back in Oceanside, after our six-day stay with my stepson and his family. We had a great time running around the old mining towns of southern Arizona, and introducing the grandkids to cowboys, horses, and… dust. Lots and lots of dust.
I do not like southern Arizona, but that is not what this post is about.
To be honest, this post is not about much more than just checking in. I feel like I've been out of touch for months. So, *waves...
October 17, 2011
Food Politics » Five new books about global food systems
Food Politics » Five new books about global food systems.
I haven't read any of these yet, but I thought I'd pass on the information about them. I believe it's important for people to understand where their food comes from, and what they're choices are. Learning about the global food system and becoming aware of our dependence on corporations and government subsidies is a big first step.
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October 12, 2011
A Special Treat
Here is a wonderful video about Thomas Andrews:
