P.G. Shriver's Blog, page 7

Taking Your Books to the World

Attending book festivals or visiting schools for readings are fun ways to get yourself, and your books, into the public eye. When I first began writing--and publishing--books, I  had no idea how to get my books noticed by the world. There was so much advice from so many authors, but not every author is the same and we all have to find our own way. 
I registered with SCBWI, the Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, but never really attended meetings because of work constraints. Through that resource, I was able to discover various events I could attend to bring my books to schools and children, such as the Texas Word Wranglers Festival for one. Another is an author luncheon hosted by a local 6th grade Gifted and Talented class. Yet one more is our local Comic Con--I have a few fantasy books for young adults. Each time I attend one of these events and pass out bookmarks/ business cards, or expose my books to the world, sales increase. People want to meet authors, speak to them, learn from them. The key to keeping your sales going is attending an event like this once a month, at least, and contact your local news stations to let them know you will be there.
That's great for children's books, you say? Well the same could be done for adult books.Find a convention that links to your novel in some way, sign up for a booth, and get out there, talk to people about your book.Guest speak at a college History, Creative Writing or Literature class. You would be surprised how many community college instructors would let you do so!Contact your local news, and be available to take the call. I've missed calls from leads I've sent and the news will not call back or leave a message if you don't answer.Keep bookmarks or business cards on your person, so when an opportunity arises to talk about your book, you can give that person a card. That very instance has happened to me numerous times!One of the best author events I've attended is the Texas Word Wranglers' Festival. Authors from all over Texas attend and their only expense is the hotel room. The community provides breakfast, lunch and dinner; I get an opportunity to visit schools and speak to children about writing, and I sell books and pass out bookmarks to children all day. This event takes place at a beautiful public library, and the decor is Texas/ western. I've been invited three times to this event and this next September is the 10th anniversary. It is an incredible time for Texas authors as they are honored along with the hometown heroes of this fabulous small city near Austin, TX. I always "feel" like an author when I leave the event. And, I'm always somehow inspired by the event.
The past two years, I've been divising a picture book that would commemorate the event, and releasing it in conjunction with the TWWF 10th anniversary would be perfect because the TWWF committee and library staff have been so wonderful to authors, and their event could be hosted by other libraries for other authors in cities all over the world.Due to the slim marketability of the picture book, though (Central Texas area children/ parents), a publisher won't take it on--even though I plan to write sequels around other book festivals in the country--so I find myself going the self publish route, again. The difference is, I really want this to be a beautiful hardcover picture book. I've commissioned an artist; I've spoken to a layout specialist who will lay it out and do marketing design; I've even designed the main character to create and visit school children. Now, I'm reaching out through Kickstarter (yes, that is a shameless plug) to obtain funding to pay for the professional services and publish the book--the correct way. Hardcover picture books are expensive to publish, and most all picture books should be hardcover because I've found that's what teachers and librarians want. In order to keep the cost of the book down, I'm using a different platform to publish it so it will be listed on Ingram to allow accessibility to libraries.
Do these visits and readings equate more sales for authors?
You bet. Probably not enough to get a book on the news, but definitely enough to cover expenses and then some.

Special Project for Special People!

Project Image
Hello, Fellow Readers and Bloggers!

I have been working on a special project for a great book festival I've attended the past three years. The people behind this festival are incredible, and I wanted to do something to honor their 10 anniversary!
 
If you like books, altruism, and children, you might be interested in helping me with a  commemorative project for a book festival in Giddings, TX--near Austin--the Texas Word Wrangler Festival 10th anniversary is next year and I have written a picture book for the event. Here is the link for the project. Please share this post with any who might be interested in helping fund this project. The project fundraiser will end January 31, 2015. Any funds received will be returned if the total amount is not funded. If you have any questions about the project, comment and I will answer them.

https://www.kickstarter.com/…/17111…/sally-has-left-the-barn

Thanks and Happy New Year!

The Gifted Ones Contest Changes

The Gifted Ones scholarship contest has changed.

Due to low participation, lack of sales and difficulty of challenges, I've had to make some changes to posted rules:
The challenge number has changed to accommodate the scholarship amount. There will be as few as four challenges, one per month in Spring '15. For each $25 added to the current total, a new challenge will be posted on the website. The minimum scholarship amount will be $200, as based on donations by the author instead of book sales.Winners will be selected based on posted criteria and will receive the points per place found in the rules.Due to the small amount of the scholarship total, one grand prize winner will be selected to receive the full scholarship amount. The winner will be selected based on number of points accumulated for challenges. Points accumulated will still be posted for each challenge.A current ID and proof of college acceptance will be required to collect the scholarship.I will continue to donate $25 a month, regardless of book sales, until May when the scholarship will be awarded.

Book links:
The Gifted Ones The Fairytale eBook amzn.to/1lKqBOX The Gifted Ones The Fairytale paperback  

The Last Gift

"I can paint it myself, Namaw," a little sass touched the tips of the words that spilled from the seven year old as she defiantly placed hands on hips.

"Okay. It is what it is," the grandmother stepped back, sighed and opened the paints, set out the brushes, and hovered without instruction.

The little girl stared at the bare wood, tilted her head left, then tilted her head right, lifted the object and set it down. "She likes blue," she stated after a few minutes.

"Does she?"

"I think so, and pink."

"Are you sure?"

"Mhmm, and green."

"Okay, well get started. Christmas is next week and it will need coats and coats of paint, and then shellac to make it shine and... "

"I know, Namaw!" the girl picked up the brush near her, dipped it into an ocean blue paint, tipped the object up, and touched the brush to the front. She quickly drew the blue tip back, leaving only a blue dot.

"What's wrong?" Grandmother asked.

"I think she likes blue," the girl frowned with the thought of a possible mistake.

"Oh, she is a creative person like you. I'm sure she loves the color blue."

"You're right, Namaw."

Grandmother nodded.

The girl painted and painted until Grandmother called her for lunch, "How's it coming?" she asked over peanut butter cut out sandwiches.

The girl bit off the top of the candy cane, chewed and swallowed. "Good... I think. Will you come and look, to make sure it's right?"

"Right after lunch, but I'm sure it's just beautiful!"

After lunch, they returned to the workshop where Grandma studied the object. "Hmm ..." she walked around the table, "It appears you have finished it."

 "I have, Namaw. How does it look? Will she like it?"

"I think... she will love it!"

"Me, too, Namaw!"

"Well, let's cut out the window glass while it dries some more. Then we'll seal it with some shellac and let it set until Christmas Eve. "

"No, Namaw! I don't want to mess up the paint."

"Okay, let's get the windows ready, then."

The Grandmother guided the tiny hand with her own as they cut the faux glass pieces. She chuckled at the seven year old paint job, remembering the first time she painted with her grandmother. How similar the two objects were in her eyes. She had come a long way with her art, with painting, and she had begun her journey with the same project.

Christmas Eve arrived and their guests did, too. The little girl and her younger sister were so excited about Santa, and gifts, and Christmas lights, that she forgot about the object she'd made.

They ate snacks.

They took a drive to see Christmas lights, and they returned home to open gifts.

Her aunt, uncle, and cousin had always found the neatest gifts for her and her sister. She couldn't wait to open their gifts. When Christmas was at their house, they created the funnest projects for her. The little girl remembered last year, the Christmas scavenger hunt houses her aunt and cousin made for her sister and her. That was so much fun. This year, everyone was coming to their house, and she had something very special for her...

"Oh, no! Mom!" she wailed.

"What? What is it?"

"I forgot..." she looked at her aunt, who was fortunately talking to her dad.

"Oh, okay. I'll call Namaw."

While they opened all their presents from their aunt and uncle, Namaw secretly wrapped the gift. As the two girls took pictures with their brand new digital cameras, Namaw rushed over with a gift bag.
Mom grasped the handle and passed the bag to her oldest daughter.

"This is for you, Aunt Penny," she gripped both handles of the bag, one in each hand, and thrust it toward her aunt.

"What's this?" her aunt cocked her head.

"Open it!" the three year old squealed and pulled tissue paper from the bag.

The aunt peered into the bag. She removed the object as if holding a delicate flower. She lifted the lid, closed the lid,peered into the empty window spaces, "Did you do this?"

The girl nodded proudly. "It's a picture box!" she announced, her head held high.

"And it is beautiful! I love it!" the aunt pulled the young girl into a hug, kissed her cheek, and released her back to the short time she had to play before Santa's arrival. She looked at the box, opened the lid again, pictures of both girls inside, ready to be fitted to the windows. "The best gifts are always saved for last," she whispered as a tear pressed its way into the corner of her eye.

Top Ten Reasons Your Words Disappeared

What's that you say?

You commented on my Facebook post and it disappeared?

Really?!

That's fascinating!

Let me check my FAQs for you.

Oh, I see what happened.

I'll explain it in terms you might understand.

There are ten reasons why your words may have disappeared. If you read the list and find that the reason your comment disappeared is not listed, please let me know and I will look into the technical difficulty surrounding your missing words (and add another very specific reason for you).

FAQs
#10:  You are not my friend on Facebook, and you will never be my friend--I don't like you. #9:   You made a misinformed, ignorant comment that had nothing to do with my post--and I don't like you.#8:    You had a moment of guilty conscience after reading a post that had nothing to do with you and then verbally attacked me, my family, or my animals--and I don't like you.#7:    You wouldn't know a fact from an opinion if the meanings were stamped on your hands so you would remember them--and I really don't like ignorance... or you.#6:    Your hair color-- enough said. You fit the stereotype because your comments let me know what you have inside your head--air, and I really don't appreciate ignorance, or the need to act it... or you.#5:    You may be over 18, but you haven't achieved maturity beyond eighth grade and you really don't know how to read that well--and I really, really don't like you.#4:    You should provide your middle name in your FBID, and it should be Drama--as in Queen--and I really, really, really don't like drama... yep, you guessed it... or you.#3:    You made a rude, accusatory comment on my post, and unlike myself and my family who were taught to apologize for jumping to conclusions, you were not taught humility and responsibility--and I really don't like people who aren't mature enough to admit when they were wrong in stating something--Oh, and let's not forget, because of that, I really don't like you!#2:    You have made a reputation for yourself on Facebook, and in real life, for not being a good friend, so why would I want your controversies on my Facebook posts? Yeah, let's face it, I really don't like you, or the drama that surrounds you!#1:    You only read or listen to parts of a conversation (it's obvious you didn't pay much attention in school) and then twist the truth so that it fits your cyber-bullying attacks (might be because you are a sociopath). Oh, yeah, and then you don't apologize! Hey! Guess what? I'm not afraid of you or your comments, so bring it! You will be deleted--oh, yeah, and that's why I don't like you!If you have your words have been deleted from one of my Facebook posts, please check my FAQs for the reason before contacting me. If you can't find a reason in my FAQs, you can probably guess that it's because I don't like you.

Have a wonderful day! Please visit me again when you are not in a mood to bully people. Thanks for you patronage.

Terror in My Own Backyard

Warning: The image near the middle in this blog post is gross, but no more so than video games or TV shows today.

This is our Great Pyrenees and Nemo's mother, Reba. Beautiful, right?
This is Buck, the neighbor's Great Pyrenees and Nemo's daddy, and Nemo when he was about four months old.
A sigh escapes me as I begin to write this. How to start? How to share this experience with all of my readers in order to create that same enlightenment I received when this happened on Sunday? My heart is broken; my stance challenged.

When I was in sixth grade, my parents enrolled me in a sharp shooter class. I learned how to handle a gun, when to handle a gun, what a gun could do, and how to keep those around me safe while using a gun. I learned to respect guns for what they are... weapons used for protection and food sources. Of course, I also feared my parents, my teachers, and other adults in the community because I knew what they could do to my behind if I got out of line. I never left the house with a gun unless an adult was with me, and the gun went into the car and far away from civilization. Unfortunately, today some adults have no sense when it comes to gun use, either.

In my youth, guns were a part of our life. My father took us hunting with him, though I preferred fishing--my love for animals exceeded my desire for venison. Fish was good. Who cared if it had bones in it? We learned the necessity of guns and shooting. We never took our guns out into the backyard for target practice toward the woods... someone could be walking out there enjoying nature. We learned to shoot, then we learned to shoot only when necessary. We learned that guns were not toys. Of course, it could be that was burned into us because my grandfather was a retired police officer.

Growing up with guns led me to believe in the second amendment, therefore siding with the NRA and others who use guns respectfully and responsibly. However, a recent event has created doubt in my belief in the second amendment, and perhaps enlightened me to the fact that before a person can own a gun, they need a course like I took back in middle school; they need to fear what a gun can do to others; they need to respect the power behind guns; they need to respect the rights of others. New gun owners need to be sensitized to the outcome of careless shooting, or using a gun as a toy. (Anyone reading this who wants to use a gun like they would a toy, buy a video game. Those guns are near realistic enough to satisfy your urge to "shoot.")

Sunday, December 21, my Great Pyrenees, Nemo, took a bullet in the shoulder--let me stress here--on our property. Fortunately, it entered and exited his shoulder. Per the warning above, the image below is gross.


My poor, sweet, big boy Nemo. He is 18 months old now and as big as his daddy.

















The picture was taken the day after he was shot and after we visited the Vet on Sunday afternoon. The Vet told us to let it drain because the blood was pooling beneath the skin of his upper arm and would abscess if the wounds closed.

Judging from the angle, of course we're not experts, of the entry wound at the top and the exit wound at the bottom, he was standing in the yard or pasture while a stray bullet fell from the sky and passed through him, or he was laying in the yard while a bullet ricocheted and passed through him.

Otherwise, this awesomely adorable livestock guardian, predator-killing, family-protecting, child-loving, playful big guy was shot by someone looking down into his beautiful face and the shooter had to be right on top of him--in my yard while we were home! I didn't hear a gunshot that close, but there were people target practicing nearby. That doesn't mean it was a stray bullet from their guns. Somebody 4-5 miles away could have shot a bullet into the air.

What goes up, must come down, and where it falls the shooter won't know, unless it falls into a person.


Ignorance.
Irresponsibility.
Disrespect.

Call it what you will. I keep thinking about my grandchildren, nieces, neighbor kids--playing out in the yard, the pastures, riding horses, shooting hoops at home--what would that stray bullet have done to a young child?

What if, instead of my newest hero Nemo, the bullet had hit my daughter, my husband, myself?

A chill just passed down my spine thinking about it.

One thing is for certain, this lady is one sad person right now. Nemo is using his leg, but that's with pain meds. It's possible he will have a limp due to nerve damage. He seems unaffected psychologically; I don't think he even knows what happened to him. He's not showing any fear or distrust in different situations. He is his typical, happy-go-lucky, goofy self with a limp and two holes from a .40-.50 caliber bullet. Of course, if the damage is permanent, he won't be able to work predator control anymore--and I will be happy to have his big smile in my house permanently, believe me. I love him so much. But his mama will need help with predator patrol and if he can't help, people around here are going to lose livestock because she, Nemo and Buck are the only Livestock Guardians in the area. We've witnessed their coyote herding and killing skills. They chase away the killing, white-winged, white headed buzzards when cows calf. They are a phenomenal team! And, yes, they are always up to date on vaccinations and well cared for and loved! They are a part of our family.

What has been affected by this incident is my feeling of safety. I feel much like I did after the Twin Towers fell, like I'm not safe in my own home, yard, pasture. Another effect is in my pocketbook. I would pay any amount for my sweet babies, my four-legged family members, to stay well, even though this happened right before Christmas when most people have drained their accounts for charities and gifts.

I have some thinking to do, some serious pondering about gun control. I welcome any comments on the subject of gun control. I think it's necessary to own a gun today, for protection, but having this happen to my precious big guy--and thinking about the alternatives--makes me wonder if some changes should be made to the educational aspects of owning a gun, or if the laws shouldn't be stricter.

Merry Christmas Readers!

Return to Shorts

Now that I have taken a nine month contract, I'm finding more time to write. I've returned to one of my favorite writer's group sites, Authorsden, and I have been writing more poetry and short stories for my followers' pleasure. With so many books to finish, these tasks have become more of a warm up exercise before proceeding to work on one of my many novels.

If you care to read some of my newest short stories or poems, visit my den and read away.

Merry Christmas to you all!
http://www.authorsden.com/pgshriver

Solution to the BIG Question!

Okay, it's the holiday season...

As pet lovers, we go through this huge decision making process every year... put up the tree... don't put up the tree? Last year, most every decoration on our tree survived-- most-- but then, we only had two house cats! In the past we've dealt with the same traumatic tree experiences as these great people in the AFV video below, except our tree usually ended up like the last tree in the video.

So, every year we ask ourselves, do we really want to put our poor Christmas tree through another year of cat climbing, ball snatching, bulb breaking torment our sweet cats give it?

Well, it wasn't too difficult of a decision for us this year. We are always searching for a solution to protect our tree and ornaments from our playful family members. This year, we had to design something to protect our Christmas decorations because two months ago, I found this little sweetie lying in the middle of the road about to be run over by a truck--until out of nowhere, Crazy Cat Lady stopped traffic, scooped up the darling, and turned her loose in the car... yep, that's another story for another blog post. Good thing my husband still had the pet carrier in his truck from when we had another cat spayed.
Food, bath and cozy under CCLs neck She was much smaller than she looks in the picture. I could hold her in my hand.



Yes, she also liked to sit on my shoulder. Nothing like the protection of good ol' surrogate mom!Then Fancy--as my husband so aptly named her after the young lady in Reba McIntire's song--discovered she ruled the big cats and she ruled the house. She began to play and tear it up, just like any other kitten.
I told her she was going to hang herself on those strings, but she only yowled at me.



Nothing was safe from her little claws, not even the butts of the big cats! When we brought her home, we hadn't thought about Christmas and decorating and broken ornaments and scattered light strands and all the evil spasms cats have over the beautified Christmas tree.

No, we hadn't thought about that.

Once Thanksgiving was over and done, and the little ones (grandchildren and nieces) begged to put up the tree, we thought about it. Yes, I thought long and hard as I watched that little gray demon hanging upside down from the bottom of the couch, staring up at me, saying with one look, "See what I can do, Mom? I'm having so much fun!"

"No, we're not putting up the tree, yet," I sighed amongst whines and moans and one tiny "Meow?"

So, here we were, once again, with the annual question that came around every holiday season. We wanted a tree, but we didn't want to deal with the tree falling over on delicate presents. We didn't want to redecorate every day. We didn't want to put our poor tree through so much abuse, again. Most importantly, we didn't want any of our sweet babies to get hurt playing in the tree, breaking glass, or biting electric cords.

Last weekend, we came up with an idea after all the guests went home. It didn't take long. It didn't cost much. And it is safe all the way around.

Not only is our new tree pet friendly, but it's cute.

It's a conversation starter.

As one business commented on Facebook, "It's the funniest thing I've ever seen!"

I guess we'll see how it works. So far, so good.

Take a look at our Pet Friendly Christmas Tree and tell me what you think!
Yep, it's about 3.5 feet off the floor. It weighs about 3 lbs.If Fancy can jump high enough to catch hold of the bottom to climb that tree, she's bigger than I thought. Fact is, none of the cats have even noticed it. One cool thing about it, I can turn the lights on and off with the flick of a light switch! No cords to chew on or play with.

Now, that's pet friendly!

If you are dealing with that tiresome question to put it up, or not to put it up, don't miss out and don't let your pets wreak havoc on your Christmas tree this year. Put up a pet friendly tree like this one! Celebrate without the stress!

If you need plans for making it and putting it up, you can get our plans here at FancysFunFiveShop on Etsy. (Yep, the shop is named after the cute little demon.) The plans are customizable to suit your color and decor.

Enjoy your holiday this year, and keep your precious four legged babies safe!

The Quest has Begun

Top Ten Words and Phrases+ the WOW!

Okay, so normally I don't peruse reviews on my books, simply because everyone has an opinion. However, early this week, we had a full moon which made me take a peek at one of my slow sellers to see if I could update the description or make changes that would help sell it and I was surprised to find a review!

I've always told my students that learning is a reciprocal process. You learn from my knowledge; I learn from yours. I found that to be true for reviews, too. After peeking at the slow seller, I went back to check the others for some fun. The following words told me a great deal about my readers and what kind of people they are. Here are the top ten words and phrases associated with my books, plus one Wonderful Off-the-list Word that beats them all! Can you match the words to the reviewers?

From Runt and Arnold Slay Monster Hognose (I know, long title--but cute story)
10. shockingly   9. captivating   



 The Lonely Chair   8. imagination










Moon Thief  7. graceful 










Dead Perfect 6. refreshing   5. outstanding                 4. emotionally charged 
  





The Gifted Ones The Fairytale
3. enthralled2. fantastical       1. splenderifically  (apparently #1 was created especially for this book ;D)




Moon Thief And the W.O.W. (Wonderful Off-the-list Word)WOW! "Luddite"I saw this word and my jaw dropped! I thought, this reviewer knows words and this reviewer can sum up a book in one word! If I had thought about this word while writing the back cover blurb, I think that is all I would have used! 



I stand amazed by the use of words in our society. Words, for a writer, are the air we breath, the life we live, the story we tell, but reading through these reviews told me a great deal about my readers. 
Reciprocal process... 
Definitely!