Remember, Remember the 5th of November...

...The Gunpowder Treason and plot;
I know of no reason why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes,
'Twas his intent...

And so on and so forth.  Now that I've gotten your attention, let's hope I get to keep it long enough.  Well, at least until Saturday November 5th.

The Champagne Books SF and F writers have banded together in a raggedy group of a dozen to host a LIVE CHAT.  While I can't ensure they'll be any fireworks and gunpowder, there will be loads of giveaways that we writers are offering up.  From PDF books, paperbacks, and trinkets (I hear there's Jelly Belly tins up for grabs).  How cool is that?

Here's a list of the amazing writers being spotlighted that night: K.M. Tolan (Dancer Series), T.M. Hunter (Aston West Series), Ashley J. Barnard (Fox Trilogy), Jude Johnson (Dragon and Hawk Series), Helen Henderson (Windmaster), Jane Toombs (she got soooo many books I don't know where to start).  And we have some newly signed writers as well: Marc Davies (Hive), J.A. Garland (The Mutatio Project), Leia Getty, Ronald Hore, Joanne Renaud.  There is also the chance that Ciara Gold might pop in (Celestial Dragon). And of course, there's me...

Up for grabs on my end, a personally autographed paperback of The Lancaster Rule OR The Master Key...whichever the lucky winner decides.

Where is this live chat taking place?  Over at the Champagne Books Chatroom: http://champagnebooks.com/Chat.html on November 5th (yep, Guy Fawkes Day) at 7pm EST.

So stop by then for a chance to harass me...oops, I mean, for a chance to win something.

Another PDF Is Up For Grabs!

Still wanna win a PDF of The Master Key?  Well, since I'm feeling particularly generous, click on over to Miscellaneous Ramblings and scroll down to see the rules.  It's that simple.

The event lasts until September 9, so you have fair chance to win.

Good luck!

The Writer's Vineyard Mega Contest

So, most of you know that every month I contribute some random words to The Writer's Vineyard blog.  Starting from next week, they'll be celebrating their fourth year, the authors at TWV are holding a Mega contest to give away over twenty of their top rated novels.

From Sept 5 through Nov 28, they will hold a drawing every Monday. The post for each Monday will announce which book is being given for that week, the rules, and who won the prior week. Come join us. Lots of ways to win, and while you're there, scan through our posts. We discuss the good, bad, and ugly of writing and the publishing experience.

And just a side note, my giveaway for a PDF copy of The Master Key, will be up for grabs on Monday November 14th.  Just saying...

10 Things You Didn't Know About Me

And if you want to find out, click on over to Smart Girls Love Sci-Fi and find out.  AND, if you leave a comment or ask another question, you might be lucky enough to win a PDF copy of THE MASTER KEY.

Good luck!

Scratching My Head...

...For ideas, of course.  Marketing ideas that will make you primed and pumped to read my books.  It would also be nice if you bought them as well.  But, that's splitting hairs, and I'd be happy if you simply read them for the sake of enjoyment.

That being said, I'm still up the figurative creek with my lack of motivating marketing ideas.  It's a dire dilemma we writers fall into, sapping valuable writing time and plugging it into marketing schemes.  I consulted my brother on this just this morning.  While Dear Bro is a scientific genius, every so often, he manages to deliver a brain spark that will work in the real world.  His idea: a drawing competition.  The prize...well, my book, of course.  (Me thinks the printed version once its ready for distribution).

So now I'm thinking up exciting ways to push this idea, fine tuning it so that it won't get out of hand, and everyone will have a chance to enter...no matter the drawing skills.  Dear Bro suggested that the competition should focus on the elements that make up the books (well, duhhh) like its characters, the world, etc.  But all in all, it's an excellent idea and in the coming weeks, I will inform the world at large in due course.

Of course, I'm open to all ideas, so if any of my Dear Readers have any fabulous ideas, please feel free to drop me a line.  Up for grabs are ebooks in PDF format (they are limited amount available, of course), printed books (when they become available).  Trinkets like bookmarks (signed) and postcards will also be included as an extra because I'm a nice person.

Eventually, I'll sign up for Amazon gift vouchers (cuz everyone loves their Kindles) and they are growing quite popular - the gift vouchers.  Speaking of Kindles, and signing up, I just did for Kindlegraphs.  Eh, you say?  Electronic autographs.  Come on, people, we live in the techno age!  You can click on over here if you want a techno-graph from me - I know, sad joke...as I said, I'm afflicted with head scratchings right now.

(At the moment, only The Master Key is up, and due to...technical difficulties - haha - The Lancaster Rule won't appear until later).

Right, back to the grind.
Cheers!

Excerpt Day 1

Click on over to Champagne Books Blog where I'll be featured for three days this February.  Today, two excerpts will be posted, the first from The Lancaster Rule, the second from the sequel, The Master Key.

Also up for grabs on the days I'm featured, a PDF giveaway of The Lancaster Rule, so be sure to leave a comment with your contact email.  Good luck!

Hearts & Flowers Blog Party

For the entire month of February, Champagne Books blog will be hosting a Hearts & Flowers Blog Party!

Up for grabs are book giveaways from many of the talented authors at Champagne Books...me included (not sure about the talented bit, though.  Hee hee).

During this month, be sure to stop by and leave some comments if you want to win something.  Or simply click on over and be entertained throughout this month as we writer's jump in and yak about ourselves and talk about our books, and whatever else we writer's yak about.

Here's the link that intro's everything.  Be sure to follow the instructions now... http://champagnebooks.blogspot.com/2011/02/getting-party-started.html

So all I have to say, is stay tuned and good luck.  Don't worry, I'll be sure to remind you when, ah-hem, I am featured.  Would you believe they've given me THREE days spotlight.  How cool is that!!  I won't be boring you with dull prattlings (I'll leave that for this place) but sharing some excerpts from my books.  ALL THREE from the trilogy.  And, the excerpts won't be the usual ones that gets publicity.  So be sure to stop by and have a read.

That's all for now!