Cathy Perkins's Blog, page 127
January 7, 2015
Twelve Step Program, Anyone?
by Janis Patterson
Help.
I really need help.
As most of you know, I spent half of last year republishing my backlist (and two new novels) through my own company Sefkhat-Awbi Books. It was a lot of work (and a lot of money!) but once they were out there I wouldn’t have to worry about them again. Or so I thought.
Of course, there is always the continuing publicity, which is the bane of all writers both self and traditionally pubbed, but there was one pitfall I didn’t foresee, one which is strictly...
Help.
I really need help.
As most of you know, I spent half of last year republishing my backlist (and two new novels) through my own company Sefkhat-Awbi Books. It was a lot of work (and a lot of money!) but once they were out there I wouldn’t have to worry about them again. Or so I thought.
Of course, there is always the continuing publicity, which is the bane of all writers both self and traditionally pubbed, but there was one pitfall I didn’t foresee, one which is strictly...
Published on January 07, 2015 00:30
January 5, 2015
It’s resolution time!
How about instead of posting lofty goals, (which I tend to forget about far too quickly!) let’s look back at 2014 and assess the success of our business? Most of us on this blog have been writing long enough we’re used to thinking of our writing as a business, but have you set up a balance sheet? Assessed your inventory?
Sidebar – my tag line is “mystery with a financial twist.” The interviewer for an online magazine’s (I’ll add the URL later) first question began: Finance is boring. Why would...
Sidebar – my tag line is “mystery with a financial twist.” The interviewer for an online magazine’s (I’ll add the URL later) first question began: Finance is boring. Why would...
Published on January 05, 2015 08:28
January 2, 2015
December 31, 2014
A WRITER'S RESOLUTIONS FOR 2015--AND BEYOND!
In 2015, I resolve to:
Revise, revise, revise every page I write all year long.
Enjoy all the minutes, hours and days I’m lucky enough to spend writing.
Slow down my typing and check what I’ve written before sending any e-mails. (This is not just a resolution; it is a vow.)
Obey the law of love to the fullest extent I can, except when torturing my characters.
Listed and Lethal is the name I’ll pursue for my new mystery series.
Understand—even though...
Published on December 31, 2014 08:57
December 27, 2014
Character Mimicry—Redux
In a previous blog I mentioned how sometimes I find myself mimicking my heroine’s world and that I bet I could get a lesson in a helicopter. Well, my husband arranged for me to get an intro ride in an R-44 Raven ii (Robinson helicopter) as a Christmas gift!
KC Copters Simulator Johnny Rowlands, owner of KC Copters, and long-time friend of my husband’s, gave me an intro in a simulator (about 15 minutes of very realistic takeoffs, landings, and cruising using the cyclic, collective, and pe...

Published on December 27, 2014 20:01
December 26, 2014
A Most Wonderful Holiday.
Had a most wonderful holiday. Hope you did also. Spent it with some family and new friends. This next week I will be sooooo enjoying my gift to myself. Binge watching TV series. No commercials and no week long wait between episodes. Yippee. The first on the list is Downton Abby. Then Call the Midwife with five others waiting in the lineup. I will be de-junking my office as I do this. And, lord there is a lot of junk. Then, as I move to other rooms in the de-junking plan, I’ll be listeni...
Published on December 26, 2014 05:29
December 24, 2014
Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays from the Not Your Usual Suspects crew!

We hope you're warm and toasty and looking forward to a special holiday season. Thank you for sharing 2014 with us.
We wish you a peaceful holiday season and a happy, healthy and prosperous 2015!
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Published on December 24, 2014 00:00
December 23, 2014
A WRITER'S RESOLUTIONS FOR 2015--AND BEYOND!
I n 2015, I resolve to:
Revise, revise, revise every page I write all year long.
Enjoy all the minutes, hours and days I’m lucky enough to spend writing.
Slow down my typing and check what I’ve written before sending any e-mails. (This is not just a resolution; it is a vow.)
Obey the law of love to the fullest extent I can, except when torturing my characters.
Listed and Lethal is the name I’ll pursue for my new mystery series.
Under...
Published on December 23, 2014 11:02
December 22, 2014
When did Christmas creep up on me?

Shock / grump / horror / moan etc etc :)
Don't get me wrong - I LOVE Christmas. In many ways, the lead-up is even better than the actual event for me. I love the glitter of tinsel everywhere - surely the tackiest and most splendid decoration for Christmas ever invented? - and the songs being played every darned place you go,...
Published on December 22, 2014 00:00
December 19, 2014
What the Heck is a Cozy Anyway?
I probably don’t have to tell you cozy mysteries are in a class by themselves. Cozy readers are some of the most passionate people I know, but in case anyone out there is stumbling onto the term for the first time, let me tell you the cozy “rules.” Okay, I used quotes because I’m kind of a most-things-are-probably-guidelines girl. Plus, “rules” seems so rude and totalitarian, doesn’t it? I prefer Guidelines. Maybe that’s me?
Cozy guidelines are easy. These lively little mysteries are part of t...
Cozy guidelines are easy. These lively little mysteries are part of t...
Published on December 19, 2014 05:00