My week in review:

I’ve a fistful of professional flotsam and jetsam to report for the week so I’m going to do the least creative thing possible and give ya a bullet point list of my week in review, because there’s been quite a few highlights, and as this career is a marathon – rather than a sprint – the high points should always be celebrated and shared.

(A quick note before start: I have one cover flat of THE TAKEN to give away. I’ll sign it (or not) but there’s only one and I’m giving it away to one of my newsletter subscribers next week. If you’d like a shot at it, you can sign up for me newsletter at the bottom of my homepage. Easy peasy, no spam, or shared contacts between me and Nigerian princes.)

 

1)   I had a glimpse of my Booklist review! It comes out in the May 15th issue, and I don’t want to cut them off at the knees by posting it first, but it was positive, it was gratifying, and it labeled THE TAKEN as “a sure bet.” I’m a Vegas girl, so I can appreciate that.

 

2)    Suspense Magazine also reviewed it positively, calling THE TAKEN an “Intriguing mix of paranormal, romance and mystery with just enough suspense!” They’ll be running the full review in the June issue – just in time for the June 12th release date – along with an excerpt and an extensive Q&A I’ve already completed for them, which goes in-depth on the series origins and world and character building. I can’t wait to share that with you.

 

I’ve word that there’s some more good early buzz coming, and I’ll share that as it hits my desk, but I have to say Thank You to those who’ve embraces THE TAKEN, and my new friends, Kit and Grif. I love writing them, and I’m happy to finally share them with you as well.

 

3)   DARK MATTERS, my e-book containing the Signs of the Zodiac short story from the UNBOUND anthology came out Tuesday, and you can dl it for only $.99! (Remember: cheap … not easy!)

If you’re uncertain where this falls in the series – and are loathe to read out of order – the suggested reading order is here. Happy reading!

 

4)   Personal note: I took a day off from writing this week to attend the Superstars Writing Seminar, held in Vegas this year and featuring a slew of hardened writing professionals who shared … well, everything I wish I’d known starting out in this business. It was organized in great part by Kevin J. Anderson, and in addition to being a tremendous and prolific author, he is an incredibly generous person. Seriously, every once in awhile you meet people in this business who make you happy you chose this career just for having met them. Kevin and his wife – another generous, awesome writer – Rebecca Moestra, are a force in kindness and professionalism.

Note: New writers looking to go to the next level: there are DVDs and MP3s available of all the workshops, so check out their site to see if any might be of interest to you. Also keep the Superstars Writing Seminar on your radar and see if it’ll be in a town near you next year. It’s well worth it. (And Rebecca/Kevin: if you ever read this: I promise I’m going to try the recorder thing – even if the thought does make me break out in a cold sweat!)

 

5)   Second personal note: I took another day off this week to have a Life. My girlfriend was in town from Scotland, and obviously we don’t get much time vis-à-vis. But you know how there are some people you can leave off with for six years, and then when you do meet up again it was like you’d seen them yesterday? This is that friendship, she is that girl, and I go back to the page more energized and happy today because of her space in my life. Goals are nice, but good friends are truly a blessing. Champagne on a warm day is a blessing too – another reason why I didn’t make it to the page, but I suppose that’s another personal note.

 

6)   Third personal note: Champagne is a blessing. There.

 

7) Work: I had some great meetings with my agent this week. We’re both excited about this new idea I’m picking my way through because it’s both 1) awesome and 2) won’t leave me alone. The second point is the most important. When it comes to committing to my work, I need to be haunted.Anyway, I’m working to make sure it’s grounded and real enough in my mind before I have to leave that world for THE LOST edits, second in the Celestial Blues series. Those land next week.

 

So, yeah. Busy week, but busy learning and plotting – which is essentially one’s dreaming caught in a web of words – and living … and better for it all.

 

Hope you’re all learning, dreaming and living well, too.