E.G. Manetti's Blog, page 44
November 24, 2014
Chasing bubbles/desperate to surface
It comes to us all. Old age. Joint and muscle failure and the betrayal of wits that refuse to respond to command.
*what is that word? I knew it a moment ago and not it's gone. Goddammit shit to hell. What is that word!*
-my dad
*He doesn't look comfortable. I think he needs to pee. Where is everyone? We're paying a fortune for this.*
-my mum
My multi-tasking superpower has met its kryptonite. Managing the high-end residential care providers for my parents + renovating new home in a new state + plus earning a living + writing + large extended family communications + husband and dog who would like and occasional kiss + …
So all of a sudden, every day is desperate surge for the surface, following the bubbles of hope and ignoring the heavy weight of the vines that are constantly wrapping around me…
I can and will do this.
The only thing worse than old age? The lack of it.
*what is that word? I knew it a moment ago and not it's gone. Goddammit shit to hell. What is that word!*
-my dad
*He doesn't look comfortable. I think he needs to pee. Where is everyone? We're paying a fortune for this.*
-my mum
My multi-tasking superpower has met its kryptonite. Managing the high-end residential care providers for my parents + renovating new home in a new state + plus earning a living + writing + large extended family communications + husband and dog who would like and occasional kiss + …
So all of a sudden, every day is desperate surge for the surface, following the bubbles of hope and ignoring the heavy weight of the vines that are constantly wrapping around me…
I can and will do this.
The only thing worse than old age? The lack of it.
September 26, 2014
Butterflies the size of pterodactyls
Exposure is good. All indie authors need venues to promote their work and their brand. Book Festivals are a biggie.
Tomorrow's Baltimore Book Festival feels like it deserves it's own 'What We Think' poster. The kind that shows what:
my parents think it will be like - hushed crowds lining up to meet the author ,
what my husband thinks it will be like - sitting with my feet up, sipping lemonade and schmoozing,
my friends think it will be like - me gazing starry eyed at regional author celebs *they're not too far off*
I hope it will be like - steady traffic and sales pushing triple digits with someone I don't know staying through my 15 minute reading
I worry it will be like - desert at my station and even the family won't stay for the reading.
Damn the pterodactyls, full speed ahead.
*... and a nice bottle of chardonnay chilling against my return*
Tomorrow's Baltimore Book Festival feels like it deserves it's own 'What We Think' poster. The kind that shows what:
my parents think it will be like - hushed crowds lining up to meet the author ,
what my husband thinks it will be like - sitting with my feet up, sipping lemonade and schmoozing,
my friends think it will be like - me gazing starry eyed at regional author celebs *they're not too far off*
I hope it will be like - steady traffic and sales pushing triple digits with someone I don't know staying through my 15 minute reading
I worry it will be like - desert at my station and even the family won't stay for the reading.
Damn the pterodactyls, full speed ahead.
*... and a nice bottle of chardonnay chilling against my return*
September 5, 2014
Featured IAT Author Interview
I had the chance to participate in fellow Goodreads' Author Justin Bienvenue's series of Book Blogs. Check it out at: http://bookblogs.ning.com/group/iat-i...
Meet the Author! Baltimore Book Festival - September 27, 2014
Hello Everyone,
Saturday, September 27, 2014, I'll be in the 2nd Authors tent at the Baltimore Book Festival from Noon until 8PM.
The mid-Atlantic's premier celebration of the literary arts moves to Baltimore's Inner Harbor in 2014. The festival features more than 200 celebrity and local authors, readings, workshops, children’s activities, panel discussions, cookbook demonstrations, more than 100 exhibitors and booksellers, live music, food and more. http://www.baltimorebookfestival.org
To celebrate The Twelve Systems inclusion in this event, there will be raffle for:
1.Signed copies of both The Apprentice, Volume 1: The Cartel and The Apprentice, Volume 2: Bright Star
2.Name a character in the upcoming third volume, Transgressions;
3.Name a planet in The Twelve Systems.
No purchase necessary, just stop by and say hi.
Saturday, September 27, 2014, I'll be in the 2nd Authors tent at the Baltimore Book Festival from Noon until 8PM.
The mid-Atlantic's premier celebration of the literary arts moves to Baltimore's Inner Harbor in 2014. The festival features more than 200 celebrity and local authors, readings, workshops, children’s activities, panel discussions, cookbook demonstrations, more than 100 exhibitors and booksellers, live music, food and more. http://www.baltimorebookfestival.org
To celebrate The Twelve Systems inclusion in this event, there will be raffle for:
1.Signed copies of both The Apprentice, Volume 1: The Cartel and The Apprentice, Volume 2: Bright Star
2.Name a character in the upcoming third volume, Transgressions;
3.Name a planet in The Twelve Systems.
No purchase necessary, just stop by and say hi.
August 9, 2014
The Cartel Book Cover in the Contest Finals
Thank you everyone. The Cartel Book Cover has made it into the finals
If you like it, please follow the link and vote for it. Winners get some free advertising. ;D
http://bookgoodies.com/cover-contest-...
If you like it, please follow the link and vote for it. Winners get some free advertising. ;D
http://bookgoodies.com/cover-contest-...
July 15, 2014
The Cartel entered in Book Cover Contest
I've recently entered
in BookGoodies Cover contest. If you like and think it is worthy, follow the link below and either Facebook like or leave a comment to vote for it.
http://bookgoodies.com/cover-contest-...
in BookGoodies Cover contest. If you like and think it is worthy, follow the link below and either Facebook like or leave a comment to vote for it.
http://bookgoodies.com/cover-contest-...
June 17, 2014
June Writing Process Blog Hop
For those of you who may not be familiar with a Blog Hop, authors answer a few questions and then tag each other so that the tagged authors keep up the chain the following week. I was tagged last week by Katie Beitz who has recently published her debut novel, The Shadow Miner. A young adult fantasy, its vivid imagery is inspired by the rugged landscapes of Australia where she makes her home.
See more: http://www.buniac.com/honorendures.php
See more: http://www.buniac.com/honorendures.php
May 30, 2014
Real Books
Although it continues to surprise me, I'm often in conversations that run something like this...
Friend: Your novel sounds interesting, where can I buy it?
Me: Amazon, Apple, Nook, Kobo.
Friend: I don't like e-books, I like real books.
Me:
While I worry a bit about the trees, the price of on demand publishing (USA distribution only) has dropped to the point where I can produce 'real' books via amazon. So I have. In the interests of the planet (and sales)the e-books are still cheaper, but now I have 'real' books. So I guess that makes me a 'real' author.
Friend: Your novel sounds interesting, where can I buy it?
Me: Amazon, Apple, Nook, Kobo.
Friend: I don't like e-books, I like real books.
Me:
While I worry a bit about the trees, the price of on demand publishing (USA distribution only) has dropped to the point where I can produce 'real' books via amazon. So I have. In the interests of the planet (and sales)the e-books are still cheaper, but now I have 'real' books. So I guess that makes me a 'real' author.
May 12, 2014
The price of fear
This past Friday, a friend posted something remarkable on facebook: I am not going to say that I met Bill Gates, but I'm also not going to say that I didn't. If I did, he was very down to earth and did offer me a ride.
My friend is brilliant with a degree in international business and a desire to save the world. Many of her friends where surprised, even shocked, that she didn't exploit the opportunity to discuss her ambitions with such an important global player.
Her friend1 : Did you take the ride?
My friend : -- it was raining and I was catching a shuttle. It was spur of the moment, so I said I was all set, thanked him. Looking back I definitely should have.
Her friend2: Did you miss that day in school where they said if the richest man in the world wants to take you somewhere you go lol
My friend :I was absent that day;) Now there's like a billion things I would've wanted to ask him, but it's sort of like when you're carrying a ton of heavy things and someone says, "You need help with that?" and you just say "No, I got it. I'm fine" .....kind of like that.
ME : You are a woman of your time. We're all trained to turn down a ride from a man we don't know even if it means hoofing it in our heels in the rain. The 30-second later 'OMG' that was Bill (so not a danger) Gates' is exactly what I would have done.
My Friend: Thank you. Because while not wanting to be awkward and take him out of his way, I did have a "Wow - how did I manage not to get to ask him about every corner of the globe he's been to, the evolution of the internet and Microsoft, all the people he's met, what inspires him, scares him, etc."
So I'm trying to imagine, how would it be not to be afraid of strangers? Particularly men if you're a woman. Not in a, 'I'm the biggest baddest thing in the valley' kind of way. In a 'it's not even an issue' kind of way.
I've invented an entire alternate universe for my novels and I'm having trouble imagining it. I'm going to keep trying.
My friend is brilliant with a degree in international business and a desire to save the world. Many of her friends where surprised, even shocked, that she didn't exploit the opportunity to discuss her ambitions with such an important global player.
Her friend1 : Did you take the ride?
My friend : -- it was raining and I was catching a shuttle. It was spur of the moment, so I said I was all set, thanked him. Looking back I definitely should have.
Her friend2: Did you miss that day in school where they said if the richest man in the world wants to take you somewhere you go lol
My friend :I was absent that day;) Now there's like a billion things I would've wanted to ask him, but it's sort of like when you're carrying a ton of heavy things and someone says, "You need help with that?" and you just say "No, I got it. I'm fine" .....kind of like that.
ME : You are a woman of your time. We're all trained to turn down a ride from a man we don't know even if it means hoofing it in our heels in the rain. The 30-second later 'OMG' that was Bill (so not a danger) Gates' is exactly what I would have done.
My Friend: Thank you. Because while not wanting to be awkward and take him out of his way, I did have a "Wow - how did I manage not to get to ask him about every corner of the globe he's been to, the evolution of the internet and Microsoft, all the people he's met, what inspires him, scares him, etc."
So I'm trying to imagine, how would it be not to be afraid of strangers? Particularly men if you're a woman. Not in a, 'I'm the biggest baddest thing in the valley' kind of way. In a 'it's not even an issue' kind of way.
I've invented an entire alternate universe for my novels and I'm having trouble imagining it. I'm going to keep trying.
May 9, 2014
The Never Ending Search
As most authors know (and all indie authors), it is a never ending search to find new outlets for displaying our novels. My most recent success is the inclusion of my first novel The Cartel - The Apprentice Volume 1 in the BookBuddies 'bargain book' site. They only promote books under $3.
From a book buyer perspective, I'm impressed by the site's layout. I find it easy to navigate and the books much easier to assess than on the more traditional 'thumbnail' only sites. Of course, I may be slightly biased since they have shown the good judgment to include The Cartel.
http://bookgoodies.com/the-cartel-the...
From a book buyer perspective, I'm impressed by the site's layout. I find it easy to navigate and the books much easier to assess than on the more traditional 'thumbnail' only sites. Of course, I may be slightly biased since they have shown the good judgment to include The Cartel.
http://bookgoodies.com/the-cartel-the...
