New Cover for The Gardener and RMFW Conference

Thank you, Anya Kelleye, for this new cover for The Gardener! If you are a writer and ever need help with a book cover, she's your go-to gal! Even though I really liked my original cover, I think the additional visual of the devious, undead character, Alphonso, is an improvement. One of my top goals this week is to make this e-book also availabe in paperback. I do have some nice cards printed up with the new cover image, and I'm ready to rock at the RMFW conference next weekend. I'm not sure if I'm more excited about all the awesome writer's workshops or the market where I get to sell and autograph paperback copies Eaters. The idea of both gives me goosebumps. If I have learned one thing about writing, it's that you never stop learning how to write better. My only peeve about the conference is that I can't decide between multiple worksops that I want to attend that are going on at the same time. There are way too many good ones, and I hate missing out on knowledge!

Permuted Press .99 Cent Sale!!!

Even if you're still reading Eaters, be sure to stop by Permuted Press for the last day of their $0.99 eBook summer sale.  12 books for just $0.99 each through the end of August 22. It's a swingin' apocalyptic deal!

Only Monsters Get Out of Chores

Scary Gary by Mark Buford

"As a writer with a yen for gruesome violence, I'm off on another nefarious quest to destroy human lives in print." Somehow, I don't think this line would get me out of emptying the dishwasher at my house. Some day, I will write a story about dishes that multiply exponentially then attack and eat the house inhabitants. Revenge of the Dishes. They're tired of being used and abused...and they're out for blood! It would be justification to write a climatic scene where the heroine creates a device that vaporizes dishes once and for all, freeing all humans from ever having to wash them again.

Promises...promises...

I have copies of Eaters in my grubby little hands. (Huzzah!)  If you are one of the few that I've personally promised a copy to, it may take a little longer. My employer wants to buy them to hand out to the other employees at work next week, so my inventory has been hijacked. (What are they going to think about that quiet girl who used to work in office #9 after they all read it? I've been trying to warn them :)

I have more books on order from Permuted Press.

It's just bloody amazin' to see this book finally in print (paperback, e-book, and audio book now available on Amazon). Thanks so much to everyone that helped along the way!

I wish I could say that I've been doing oodles of writing this summer, huddled over the keyboard at midnight with only a candle for light and forboding music like something from Nox Arcana in the background to set the mood, but it's been so hellishly HOT, the writing has been pretty sporadic lately. (The brain seems to have more haunted thoughts on the 'cool' setting.) I have dilly dallied with some short story ideas and have a decent start on Eaters II. I expect to see more smoke flying from the keyboard as fall rolls around.

I'm going to creep back under my rock now. If you've read Eaters, drop me a post. The good, bad, and the ugly is all appreciated.

Eaters is now available as an audio book on Audible.com and on Amazon.
It was really WEIRD to hear a narrator reading my words in the sample. Don't be fooled by her bedtime story voice in the beginning. This story was born from a nightmare I had and certainly won't lull you to sleep. A big thank you to Permuted Press for making this audio book happen!

Eleven Random Questions

Thank you, Lauralynn Elliott for the tag on Eleven Random Questions!

(I needed a prompt to actually write something on my blog :)

Who is your favorite author? It's a tie between Margaret Atwood and Tanith Lee

What's your favorite color? Today, it's purple. Tomorrow, it might be turqoise or magenta.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? In January, I'd say Hawaii or Arizona. In July, I'd say Seattle (I miss rain!)

How old were you when you had your first real kiss? 14? (But it doesn't really count 'til it's someone who truly loves you.)

Who is your hero? Anyone who isn't afraid to live life according to their values and passions like this woman: Ilona Royce-Smithkin

Who is the sexiest person on TV right now? Hmmm. Since I mostly watch shows on the Discovery Channel and Science Channel right now, that's a tough one. Smart is sexy!

Who is your favorite vampire? Aidan on Being Human. Dark, brooding,and suffering.

What's your favorite beverage? Coffee

What's your favorite food? Unhealthy=pizza and ice cream Healthy=kale chips and berries

What would be your ideal job? Getting paid to write, paint, and go thrift store shopping

What do people do that annoys you the most? I'm not very fond of narcissists or people who can never think outside their own little box. We're all human beings who look different and have different views. Can't we just peacefully COEXIST?