Deborah Macgillivray's Blog, page 72
May 4, 2013
New Cover art photos from photographer Mike Duncan
AUTHORS - COVER ARTISTS - heads up --- a photographer friend in South Africa has started loading hot cover images. He's been a photographer for SA Playboy, does commercials. His mum Monika Wolmarans and I have been rooting for him to load images and he's started. So if you are tired of the same old stock images, check out Mike's new images
http://tinyurl.com/bsvopkk
April 30, 2013
April 24, 2013
Amazon's ever expanding horizons
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-04-24/here-comes-amazons-kindle-tv-set-top-box
Not content with zeroing in on being on the biggest publishers going, and providing readers the biggest catalogue through Kindle platforms, they are moving to release a unnamed "Kindle-TV" later this year, a device to connect to televisions to stream Amazon media. Currently, they have produced 14 television series, and are evaluating which ones to expand into series form.
I think the future of Amazon producing their own series and movies will possibly be a boon to their publishing arm. Where else to find better ideas to put into movies and television series that from their own authors?
Interesting times ahead.
Not content with zeroing in on being on the biggest publishers going, and providing readers the biggest catalogue through Kindle platforms, they are moving to release a unnamed "Kindle-TV" later this year, a device to connect to televisions to stream Amazon media. Currently, they have produced 14 television series, and are evaluating which ones to expand into series form.
I think the future of Amazon producing their own series and movies will possibly be a boon to their publishing arm. Where else to find better ideas to put into movies and television series that from their own authors?
Interesting times ahead.
Authors Guild praises Amazon Publishing's Kindle Singles Platform
http://www.authorsguild.org/advocacy/amazons-kindle-singles-a-win-for-readers-authors/
Some very kind praise from Authors Guild about the direction of Amazon Publishing has taken in creating Kindle Singles platform.
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Some very kind praise from Authors Guild about the direction of Amazon Publishing has taken in creating Kindle Singles platform.
:
April 6, 2013
March 28, 2013
A writer's kingdom
Sharing my corner of the world.
Had you asked me that in 2009, my pictures would have been much different. I had a wonderful, handmade cherry desk, oak file cabinets and built in bookshelves, with knotty pine paneling on the walls. Today, my office is completely different, and not just a decorating choice. My home burnt to the ground at the start of 2010, and I very nearly died in the fire. Once healing was begun, I had to find a new home. From there, I knew I wanted to make my office a haven, something special. So what you are viewing is still a work-in-progress.To start, I had to have a knock-out desk, something fit for an author (LOL). And boy did I get one! I found a Powell Hunt Desk. A beautiful carved mahogany, semi-circle desk, with glass inlays.
Once I had that focal point, then I set out to make the room a reflection of my tastes, my loves, and see it provided a tranquil place to create. The room is 18’ x 17’ so plenty of space to fill with items to speak to what I love. In two corners, flanking the desk, I placed two, matching black suede chairs, with wood and leather footstools.
I learnt long ago, I cannot write on a PC for long. It caused tendonitis of my neck and right wrist. In my agony, I discovered I could work all day on a laptop and not suffer these problems. So while I had my desk to work at when I need space, generally I am found with my legs up and me oh so comfortable in one of the black chairs.I also have a lovely Victorian settee, which I share with my dolly, made by Candy Thompson (sister of the late author Dawn Thompson). Candy, as well, crocheted me a huge red and black afghan (seen in the second picture)― perfect for my black and dark red office theme.
I also have a constant companion with my new kitty, Miss Mouthy― “Mouse” for short. She mostly sits on the small table by my chair, or on the arm of the chair while I work. I have a gorgeous Tudor birdbath outside one window, so we take breaks to watch the “pool parties”.
I love going antiquing, and we have a marvelous store just down the road. I have found some great items there. A new acquisition ― a second desk ― a roll-top oak is in one corner. I am not sure it’s going to stay in the room permanently. I am considering putting a full-size carousel horse there. All about the room, I have several glass carousel horses with medieval style. On one wall behind my desk, I designed a wonderful display with a tapestry of Edmund Blair Leighton’s “The Accolade”, that my marvelous contractor Joe Crabtree brought into being.
He also helped me hang a wall frieze of two knights battling on a small space between two windows. It’s not quite finished yet, but coming along nicely. I have large framed posters of Scotland ― Kilchurn Castle and Duncarloway Broch. I am far from done, but I think my study is beginning to reflect my new beginning in a new home, and speak of my love for medieval times and Scotland.
Mouse and I must be able to see out into the world. Plenty of light comes into the room as we have a large door way to the living room, and two very large windows on two walls. We get some bird-watching (and squirrel-watching) in on our breaks.
In one corner I have a recumbent bike. I think it vital for an author to get up and move around. It’s good for the body and mind to get the blood pumping. I can take a break and do twenty minutes of pedaling, and suddenly I am awake and refreshed. I also have near perfect blood pressure now. Thank you, bike! All phone calls can be answered on my Vintage Snoopy Phone!
It’s eclectic style, a bit functional, a dash of whimsy and a wee dram of Scottish Medieval― perfect for me to get lost in tales of dashing Challon lads!My latest addition is the carousel horse. Not sure where I will put him permanently, but I absolutely had to have him!!
However, there are days, that the outside calls. I have a veranda that covers the whole front of my home. I decorated with rockers and loveseats, so I will take my laptop out there and often work. I rock in the glider, while using my Next Up Text Aloud to read back my writing to me. I find the Text Aloud a grand way to hear my words, feel the flow of the prose. So I can keep working, yet enjoy the outdoors as well.
So where is where I spent my days, writing....
March 20, 2013
Workspace Wednesday at Norah Wilson's
http://norahwilsonwrites.com/wordpress/?p=1510
Want to know where I write my novels?
Check out Montlake author Norah Wilson's blog on Workspace Wednesday
-- and see my work in progress study
leave a comment to win either a set of
The Dragons of Challon ™ or
The Sisters of Colford Hall ™
(signed paperbacks)
March 19, 2013
March 17, 2013
Wishing you a Happy St. Paddy's Day
Happy St Patrick's Day
March 10, 2013
Help Blind Cat Shelter and Rescue win money to support their effort
Please Vote for the cats to win! Here is the link:
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/cl...
1. enter "blind cat" for shelter name, and NC for state. Only those two.
2 . Click search.
3. Their name will pop up.
4. Click VOTE
5. verify captcha that you are not a computer
and THAT'S IT! Simple right? Please VOTE, LIKE, and SHARE everyday to help the cats win the grand prize!!!!
The shelter could win $10,000 to help their work in giving shelter to blind cats.
PLEASE VOTE DAILY until April 28th!!!
