Victoria Zigler's Blog: Zigler News, page 103
December 29, 2017
#Furkid Friday: Lilie The #Westie's 1st #Christmas (FD)
Hi everyone. This is Lilie the Westie.
Well, I never saw him. Santa Paws, I mean. The squeaky things in cages say they aren't surprised, since they haven't ever spotted him either. He must have come to visit at some point though, because our stockings were full, and the humans said he'd been. I mean, they seem to know all about him, so I suppose they'd know, wouldn't they? How he got past me is a mystery though. Either way, he came, and he obviously agreed that trying to be good counts, because I had lots of toys and treats.
My stocking had treats in it, as well as this fluffy squeaky snowball:
And this squeaky toy the humans say is what Santa looks like:
(I'm still not sure how I missed someone wearing a bright outfit like that coming in to our home in the middle of the night).
There were other presents to open too...
...Like this rawhide candycane, which is what I'm opening in the above video...
...Plus other treats - which the humans wouldn't let me have all of - and loads of toys. By the end of it, I had a nice stack of new toys that included balls, squeaky toys, tuggy toys, and some that doubled as more than one thing (squeaky balls, for example). Here I am checking them out where I gathered them together on the big bed the humans insist is their bed:
Later, there was honey roast ham as well. It was amazing!
I love this Christmas thing! Can we do it again?
Lots of licks,
Lilie
Well, I never saw him. Santa Paws, I mean. The squeaky things in cages say they aren't surprised, since they haven't ever spotted him either. He must have come to visit at some point though, because our stockings were full, and the humans said he'd been. I mean, they seem to know all about him, so I suppose they'd know, wouldn't they? How he got past me is a mystery though. Either way, he came, and he obviously agreed that trying to be good counts, because I had lots of toys and treats.
My stocking had treats in it, as well as this fluffy squeaky snowball:
And this squeaky toy the humans say is what Santa looks like:
(I'm still not sure how I missed someone wearing a bright outfit like that coming in to our home in the middle of the night).
There were other presents to open too...
...Like this rawhide candycane, which is what I'm opening in the above video...
...Plus other treats - which the humans wouldn't let me have all of - and loads of toys. By the end of it, I had a nice stack of new toys that included balls, squeaky toys, tuggy toys, and some that doubled as more than one thing (squeaky balls, for example). Here I am checking them out where I gathered them together on the big bed the humans insist is their bed:
Later, there was honey roast ham as well. It was amazing!
I love this Christmas thing! Can we do it again?
Lots of licks,
Lilie
December 28, 2017
#KidLit #Book - Filicity The Musical Platypus Now In #Audio! #Animals #Platypus
Filicity is a platypus who loves music and has only one question on her mind... Why can’t a platypus be musical?
She’s heard the birds singing, she’s heard the music coming from the wonderful musical box with buttons that the humans call an ipod, and she’s heard the instruments of the travelling musicians on their way to the nearby town. All of them sound beautiful to her, and she longs to make music too!
Determined to find a way to be musical, Filicity sets off on a quest to find a way she can make the music she loves so much. After all, there has to be a way for a platypus to be musical too... Doesn’t there?
Previously only available as an eBook or paperback, "Filicity The Musical Platypus" is now also available as an audiobook, read for you by Jenny Bacon.
Here are the main places where you can buy the book, regardless of the format you'd prefer:
Audible, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Chapters-Indigo, iBooks, iTunes, Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon Canada, or The Book Depository.
You can also find the book on Goodreads.
December 27, 2017
#Writing Wednesday: Looking Back At 2017
OK, so... Let's take a look at what 2017 was like for me as an author, shall we?
As I said in this post from January 2017, my goals for 2017 as an author were as follows:
*Complete production of the paperback version of "Ulrike's Christmas" as soon as possible.
*Add to already written poems so as to publish a new poetry collection.
*Continue working on stories, and publish at least one.
*Spend a bit more time on marketing.
So, how did I do?
*"Ulrike's Christmas" is available in paperback. In fact, it's also now available in audio.
*I published a poetry collection in April 2017 called "Catching Snowflakes And Other Poems" and have even written a few new poems since.
*I published a stand alone story called "How To Trust Your Human" in July 2017, and even have it available in paperback and audiobook as well as eBook already. I've made some progress with working on other stories too, though not as much as I'd have liked to have done, nor as much as I'd hoped/planned to do. Still, any progress is a good thing, right?
*I did several guest posts and interviews, as well as a couple of blog tours. I even attempted a live Facebook event during one of my blog tours. I know of a few other things I could have done, but it's an improvement on previous years, when I only did the odd guest post or interview from time to time. Plus, some of the things I could have done are things I don't plan to do... Not every marketing option works for everyone, after all.
I also did something that wasn't part of my goals list, which was to arrange for a large chunk of my books to be made available in audio. Almost half my books are now available in audio, with several others in various stages of production, and the rest awaiting their turn to be produced. I've been working with a great bunch of narrators to make this possible.
So, the writing and publishing of new stories wasn't quite as successful as I'd hoped it would be, the same goes for marketing. On the other hand, I hadn't planned when I'd be starting audiobook production, yet I've made great progress with organizing that, which helps to counter the fact I didn't do quite as well as I'd hoped to with other things. Besides, even though I'd hoped to do better with actual writing progress, I did meet my goals for the year, so I can't complain, and it does seem - looking back over the year - that 2017 was a successful year for me as an author.
Next week I'll share my goals for 2018. In the meantime, if you had any writing/publishing goals of your own in 2017, how did you do with them? Are you joining me in looking back or moving forward? I'd love to hear how you did. Let me know in the comments.
As I said in this post from January 2017, my goals for 2017 as an author were as follows:
*Complete production of the paperback version of "Ulrike's Christmas" as soon as possible.
*Add to already written poems so as to publish a new poetry collection.
*Continue working on stories, and publish at least one.
*Spend a bit more time on marketing.
So, how did I do?
*"Ulrike's Christmas" is available in paperback. In fact, it's also now available in audio.
*I published a poetry collection in April 2017 called "Catching Snowflakes And Other Poems" and have even written a few new poems since.
*I published a stand alone story called "How To Trust Your Human" in July 2017, and even have it available in paperback and audiobook as well as eBook already. I've made some progress with working on other stories too, though not as much as I'd have liked to have done, nor as much as I'd hoped/planned to do. Still, any progress is a good thing, right?
*I did several guest posts and interviews, as well as a couple of blog tours. I even attempted a live Facebook event during one of my blog tours. I know of a few other things I could have done, but it's an improvement on previous years, when I only did the odd guest post or interview from time to time. Plus, some of the things I could have done are things I don't plan to do... Not every marketing option works for everyone, after all.
I also did something that wasn't part of my goals list, which was to arrange for a large chunk of my books to be made available in audio. Almost half my books are now available in audio, with several others in various stages of production, and the rest awaiting their turn to be produced. I've been working with a great bunch of narrators to make this possible.
So, the writing and publishing of new stories wasn't quite as successful as I'd hoped it would be, the same goes for marketing. On the other hand, I hadn't planned when I'd be starting audiobook production, yet I've made great progress with organizing that, which helps to counter the fact I didn't do quite as well as I'd hoped to with other things. Besides, even though I'd hoped to do better with actual writing progress, I did meet my goals for the year, so I can't complain, and it does seem - looking back over the year - that 2017 was a successful year for me as an author.
Next week I'll share my goals for 2018. In the meantime, if you had any writing/publishing goals of your own in 2017, how did you do with them? Are you joining me in looking back or moving forward? I'd love to hear how you did. Let me know in the comments.
December 26, 2017
#Smashwords End Of Year #eBook #SALE - My #KidLit And #Poetry Is All Enrolled
Did you - or your children/grandchildren - get a new eReader for Christmas? Do you want to fill that eReader with some discounted eBooks? Or, perhaps, you just love books and want to get as many as you can with the money someone gave you for Christmas?
Regardless of which of those applies to you - or whatever other reason you might have for wanting to buy more books (not that you really need a reason) - you're in luck!
Smashwords is doing its first ever end of year sale, and several authors have enrolled, including me.
How it works:
I've enrolled all my books at 50% off, which makes some of them free, many of them just $0.99, and all of them $2.50 or less.
Yes, this does include my poetry as well as my childrens' stories.
You can find my books via my Smashwords author profile. Simply choose your book, add it to your basket, and then enter coupon code SEY50 before taking the books through the checkout. Yes, it is the same code for all the books, and you can use it for as many of the books as you like.
I enable all formats Smashwords allows, which means my books are available in multiple eBook formats, including mobi (for Kindle) and ePub (for Nook) as well as a couple of formats that will work on your computer (such as PDF and HTML). This means there's a format that will work for you, regardless of your eReader of choice. In fact, if you can read this post, you can read my books.
To see what books other authors have enrolled in the sale, and get your hands on some great eBook bargains, go to Smashwords' website and browse the catalogue of books on sale.
Hurry! The sale will be ending soon!
Oh, and... Don't forget to tell your friends!
Regardless of which of those applies to you - or whatever other reason you might have for wanting to buy more books (not that you really need a reason) - you're in luck!
Smashwords is doing its first ever end of year sale, and several authors have enrolled, including me.
How it works:
At one minute past midnight Pacific time on December 25, the special Smashwords End of Year promotion catalog goes live on the Smashwords home page. Readers can browse the catalog and search by coupon code levels and categories. After 11:59pm Pacific time on January 1, the catalog disappears.
The coupon codes only work at Smashwords and will not affect prices at other retailers.
I've enrolled all my books at 50% off, which makes some of them free, many of them just $0.99, and all of them $2.50 or less.
Yes, this does include my poetry as well as my childrens' stories.
You can find my books via my Smashwords author profile. Simply choose your book, add it to your basket, and then enter coupon code SEY50 before taking the books through the checkout. Yes, it is the same code for all the books, and you can use it for as many of the books as you like.
I enable all formats Smashwords allows, which means my books are available in multiple eBook formats, including mobi (for Kindle) and ePub (for Nook) as well as a couple of formats that will work on your computer (such as PDF and HTML). This means there's a format that will work for you, regardless of your eReader of choice. In fact, if you can read this post, you can read my books.
To see what books other authors have enrolled in the sale, and get your hands on some great eBook bargains, go to Smashwords' website and browse the catalogue of books on sale.
Hurry! The sale will be ending soon!
Oh, and... Don't forget to tell your friends!
December 25, 2017
#MondayMotivation And #Inspiration - #Christmas Edition
When we remember a special Christmas, it is not the presents that made it special, but the laughter, the feeling of love, and the togetherness of friends and family that made that Christmas special.
~Catherine Pulsifer
Christmas is more than just presents, it's love and harmony.
~Julie Hebert
Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others. It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values.
~Thomas S. Monson
I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.
~Charles Dickens
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.
~orman Vincent Peale
If I could wish a wish for you, it would be for peace and happiness not only now, but for the whole year through!
~Catherine Pulsifer
Merry Christmas!
December 24, 2017
#Christmas #Music
I'm not a Christian by any stretch of the imagination. But I do enjoy Christmas music - even those songs with a religeous tone to them - and happen to think most Christmas music is beautiful. I also think the music is even more beautiful still when children are singing the songs. With that in mind, here are a couple of videos of Claire Ryann singing Christmas songs. She's four years old in the first, but turned five by the time the second was done. Anyway... Enjoy!
December 23, 2017
A #Christmas #Poem By Lilie The #Westie #Puppy
Christmas Lilie
I thought she planned to play with me
When I saw she had a ball,
But she attached it to my collar
(Which made no sense at all).
When I saw the thing she called tinsel,
I once more thought we'd play,
But it turned out she had other things
Planned for me that day.
She attached that to my collar too,
Then she tied it in a bow.
She said I looked real festive,
But I just don't know...
I thought I looked a little silly,
And the degu said I was right,
While the chinchillas squealed with laughter,
And said I'd made their night.
I've heard it said this time of year
Many humans decorate a tree.
Well I guess she got a bit confused,
Because she decorated me.
Though, if I’m being really honest,
I thought it was kind of fun.
My favourite part though was the treat
I got when she was done.
© 2017 Victoria "Tori" Zigler
~Written on behalf of Lilie the West Highland White Terrier.
I thought she planned to play with me
When I saw she had a ball,
But she attached it to my collar
(Which made no sense at all).
When I saw the thing she called tinsel,
I once more thought we'd play,
But it turned out she had other things
Planned for me that day.
She attached that to my collar too,
Then she tied it in a bow.
She said I looked real festive,
But I just don't know...
I thought I looked a little silly,
And the degu said I was right,
While the chinchillas squealed with laughter,
And said I'd made their night.
I've heard it said this time of year
Many humans decorate a tree.
Well I guess she got a bit confused,
Because she decorated me.
Though, if I’m being really honest,
I thought it was kind of fun.
My favourite part though was the treat
I got when she was done.
© 2017 Victoria "Tori" Zigler
~Written on behalf of Lilie the West Highland White Terrier.
December 22, 2017
#Furkid Friday: Lilie The #Westie's Letter To #SantaPaws (FD)
Originally posted on Sue Vincent's Daily Echo as part of Ani's advent. You can see the original post here.
***~~~***
Dear Santa Paws,
The humans and the squeaky things in cages say you’re coming for a visit, and that you plan to bring toys and treats. I love visitors, especially if they bring stuff like toys and treats with them, so I hope you’re coming real soon.
I’m not sure how this works, because this is my first time writing to you, but I’m told I should tell you how good I’ve been and what I want you to bring when you visit. Apparently if I haven’t been good you won’t bring me toys and treats. That’s OK, because I really have been good. OK, mostly. Well, I’ve tried to be good, and since I’m only a puppy that counts, right? I mean, it wasn’t my fault about the audio book. The thing with the slippers wasn’t my fault either. Besides, I already went to puppy jail for those things, so it wouldn’t be fair if I had to go without toys and treats when I was punished already.
Anyway, you can bring me any toys and treats you want. I’m especially fond of chicken though, and my favourite toys are balls and the kinds of toys that go squeak when you grab them in the right place... Just so you know. Oh, and I really do need new toys, since I’m getting low on them because of how they keep falling apart when I’m playing with them – also not my fault!
I hope you’re coming to visit soon. I can do stairs now, so I’ll come greet you at the door when you arrive. If you remember the toys and treats, I’ll even do my happy wiggle dance for you.
Lots of licks,
Lilie
***~~~***
Dear Santa Paws,
The humans and the squeaky things in cages say you’re coming for a visit, and that you plan to bring toys and treats. I love visitors, especially if they bring stuff like toys and treats with them, so I hope you’re coming real soon.
I’m not sure how this works, because this is my first time writing to you, but I’m told I should tell you how good I’ve been and what I want you to bring when you visit. Apparently if I haven’t been good you won’t bring me toys and treats. That’s OK, because I really have been good. OK, mostly. Well, I’ve tried to be good, and since I’m only a puppy that counts, right? I mean, it wasn’t my fault about the audio book. The thing with the slippers wasn’t my fault either. Besides, I already went to puppy jail for those things, so it wouldn’t be fair if I had to go without toys and treats when I was punished already.
Anyway, you can bring me any toys and treats you want. I’m especially fond of chicken though, and my favourite toys are balls and the kinds of toys that go squeak when you grab them in the right place... Just so you know. Oh, and I really do need new toys, since I’m getting low on them because of how they keep falling apart when I’m playing with them – also not my fault!
I hope you’re coming to visit soon. I can do stairs now, so I’ll come greet you at the door when you arrive. If you remember the toys and treats, I’ll even do my happy wiggle dance for you.
Lots of licks,
Lilie
December 21, 2017
Blessed #WinterSolstice 2017
Today is the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere: the darkest day of the year.
Apparently, the exact time and date of the Winter Solstice this year in the Northern Hemisphere - as in, the astronomical event that occurs at the time we call the Winter Solstice - will be at 16:28 (that's 4:28pm) on Thursday 21st December 2017.
Of course, that's based on UK time, so you have to adjust that time depending on where exactly you happen to be in the Northern Hemisphere. If it helps with your calculations, this post is scheduled to go live 6 hours and 28 minutes before that time.
Anyway... Whether you celebrate/acknowledge it or not...
Blessed Winter Solstice!
Apparently, the exact time and date of the Winter Solstice this year in the Northern Hemisphere - as in, the astronomical event that occurs at the time we call the Winter Solstice - will be at 16:28 (that's 4:28pm) on Thursday 21st December 2017.
Of course, that's based on UK time, so you have to adjust that time depending on where exactly you happen to be in the Northern Hemisphere. If it helps with your calculations, this post is scheduled to go live 6 hours and 28 minutes before that time.
Anyway... Whether you celebrate/acknowledge it or not...
Blessed Winter Solstice!
December 20, 2017
#Writing Wednesday - December 20th 2017
In case you missed the posts about them...
"Home Squeak Home" is now available in audio, narrated by Jerry Fischer, who you can learn a bit more about by checking out his recent narrator interview.
And...
Just in time for you to count it among your holiday reading/listening for this year, "The Forgotten Angel" is now in audio, narrated by Jenny Bacon, with Beatrice Turner as the voices of Holly and the children.
Both books are now available to buy in audio from Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. Links for those - along with links for the eBook and paperback versions, should you prefer those - can be found in the posts linked to above.
If you have books of your own you want to produce in audio, you may be interested to know that there's more than Audible available for you to use to do so. Personally, I'm sticking with ACX/Audible to do mine, but it doesn't hurt to be aware of having other options.
Regardless of whether you're aware of the various options you can choose from when it comes to sharing your work, I'm sure you're aware that the end of the year is approaching. Are you looking back on the past year? Are you making plans for next year? Most people are. If you're a writer doing this, here are some thoughts from one author on how he handles the end of the year as an author. How do you handle it?
However you view your writing, here are some excellent guidelines for if you using familiar faces in newer works.
Struggling to think of ideas for something to write? Want your story to have a holiday theme? Then check out these writing prompts for holiday inspiration. Some of these can potentially be adapted to work for blogging prompts too, especially if they trigger memories of your own past holidays.
On the other hand, if ideas aren't your problem, but you're still feeling uninspired, and like you want to quit writing the book you're working on, revisit your old favourites.
Always remember: if you're a lonely writer, you're not alone. Also, if you're a writer who worries about, check out this list of things writers really need to stop worrying about.
Finally, here's some advice on how to survive discovering your story idea has been written before - in case you need it.
"Home Squeak Home" is now available in audio, narrated by Jerry Fischer, who you can learn a bit more about by checking out his recent narrator interview.
And...
Just in time for you to count it among your holiday reading/listening for this year, "The Forgotten Angel" is now in audio, narrated by Jenny Bacon, with Beatrice Turner as the voices of Holly and the children.
Both books are now available to buy in audio from Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. Links for those - along with links for the eBook and paperback versions, should you prefer those - can be found in the posts linked to above.
If you have books of your own you want to produce in audio, you may be interested to know that there's more than Audible available for you to use to do so. Personally, I'm sticking with ACX/Audible to do mine, but it doesn't hurt to be aware of having other options.
Regardless of whether you're aware of the various options you can choose from when it comes to sharing your work, I'm sure you're aware that the end of the year is approaching. Are you looking back on the past year? Are you making plans for next year? Most people are. If you're a writer doing this, here are some thoughts from one author on how he handles the end of the year as an author. How do you handle it?
However you view your writing, here are some excellent guidelines for if you using familiar faces in newer works.
Struggling to think of ideas for something to write? Want your story to have a holiday theme? Then check out these writing prompts for holiday inspiration. Some of these can potentially be adapted to work for blogging prompts too, especially if they trigger memories of your own past holidays.
On the other hand, if ideas aren't your problem, but you're still feeling uninspired, and like you want to quit writing the book you're working on, revisit your old favourites.
Always remember: if you're a lonely writer, you're not alone. Also, if you're a writer who worries about, check out this list of things writers really need to stop worrying about.
Finally, here's some advice on how to survive discovering your story idea has been written before - in case you need it.
Zigler News
Author and book news for children's author and poet, Victoria Zigler, as well as general news from the life of the Zigler family; furry and otherwise!
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