Thursday, January 31, 2013

Falling Apart or Into Place

Writing and publishing, like life, can often be compared to a big box of jigsaw puzzle pieces.
It's easy to form the lower and upper edges along with the sides by finding the familiar, sticking to what's simpler to identify. With publishing, that often meant trying to follow the sage advice of others with more experience and knowledge, those who'd flourished at the time where only an agent got you where you wanted to be. When guidelines were followed and stuck to. Not so much nowadays. Forming the picture within, the final outcome, can take a lot of trial and error. This includes trying to fit pieces where they're not the best fit.

I tried that with Neverlove. I attempted to fit it into a pitch contest early last year. Seemed like the right thing to do, try and get the attention of a growing small press. It got no interest at all. None. No surprise since I have to admit it wasn't a 100% whole-hearted effort. Instead of being totally bombed about it, I took it as the beginning of a revival. I'd been considering self-publishing for a while. At the same time, I'd gotten back some AWESOME feedback on improving Neverlove and got into some great conversations with Gwen Gardner about self-publishing our novels and promoting them at the same time.

Brilliant!!

Far from falling apart, the puzzle pieces were falling into place, not forced or fitted into something someone else may have thought it would/should belong.

Have you ever experienced something where things seemed not to work but in actuality, they were setting the stepping stones for the path meant for you?

Monday, January 28, 2013

We're Coming Out...



The Partners in ParanormYA are coming out....



We have a unique story to tell.

Check us out over at Writers Guide to E-publishing today.








Friday, January 25, 2013

Never Say No To The Grim Reaper


Thank you Debbie Ohi!


I really think I'd be more circumspect about insulting the Grim Reaper. I'd be that guy sweating next to him, agreeing with everything he says and buying him another one.

How about you?


Thursday, January 17, 2013

Spotted: PIP Hoppers and Next Big Thing

Last episode, Gwen and I were taking off down a ginnel - tunnel - for a little ghost hunting. However, I think we made a left when we should have made a right. Or I had the map turned sideways instead of straight side up. Either way, we found ourselves at a magnificent Facebook spot called Untethered Realms. There, we joined with a few other Indie authors to share and support one another. If you haven't already, please stop here and "Like" us :-)

From there, we had to draw the hunt to a close. Good thing we did, too. Piles of paper poured through the door when we returned to PIP HQ.
Gwen handed me her gear and immediately activated her super powers; organizing, collating, grouping, compiling, and turning the place back into a respectable version of chaos. I found my Wild Cherry Pepsis remained unharmed so I was great.

Now, I can't say I'm just excited. I'm excited, thrilled, ecstatic, through-the-roof, dancing-a-jig and boot-scootin' happy to remind everyone of the Next Big Thing my PIP, Gwen, is doing.

It's the Indies 4 Hire Event at FB. Get the deets and more by going here to check it out and join in the fun to come. Starts January 21st. WOOT!

Now, where has entering a dark and creepy ginnel taken you? For us, it was certainly an interwebz adventure :-)

Friday, January 4, 2013

PiPs Disappear on Ghosthunt


December 20th, 2012
A dark alley behind the Blind Badger,
a medieval pub in Sabrina Shores, England


Gwen: It must be here.

Angela: I don't know why I let you talk me into these things, Gwen. What in heaven's name are we doing in this dark fragging alley at this time of night?

Gwen: It's called a ginnel. And I told you. We're looking for signs of paranormal activity.

Angela: Well, can't we look for it inside where it's warmer? 

Gwen: No. This is where Indigo said she last saw the soul collector.

Angela: Say what?!

***** 

Have you seen these Ghost Hunters?

Angela Brown and Gwen Gardner have been missing for two weeks. No blog posts or updated paranormal news. Nothing is missing from PIP Headquarters, except their ghostfinding magnifying glasses. 

Banner by Tara Tyler



They were last seen entering a dark alley on December 20th on a routine Ghost Hunt. No one has seen them since.

The above photo was taken on the night of their disappearance. Gwen is on the left, with Angela to her right. The dude on the far right? You don't really see him.

Or do you?

*****
Were you at the Blind Badger on the 20th?
Did you see Gwen and Angela?
What were they doing?
Do you have an alibi?