Wo Doesn't Like Cute Animals?
Current mood: cheerful
Category: Pets and Animals

I know I'm awfully biased since I interviewed the folks at Noah's Pals, but I have to say just how much I love their blog. It's full of cute animal facts (and images) and written so kids can understand it.

12:37 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Inside Publishing
Category: Writing and Poetry

I've started a new blog dedicated to this business of being a publisher, which I don't think needs to be as dull or stoic as folks say it should be.

I'd love to hear your thoughts...

Currently reading : Suburban Diva: From The Real Side Of The Picket Fence By Tracey Henry Release date: 01 February, 2006

11:01 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Technorati Post (Ignore)
Category: Blogging

Technorati Profile

12:16 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

6 Degrees of Amy Sedaris
Current mood: bouncy
Category: Blogging

Anyone else playing Six Degrees of Amy Sedaris?

Thanks to this interview with Keith of FredFlare regarding The Next Big Thing contest (which has a rockin' legacy and a $1,000 prize), I am just three away from Amy.

There's Me (1), Keith (2) and Amy (3).

Which means that I am just four away from Steven Colbert.

I am so cool, I may faint. Instead, I'll just sign autographs.

Ping me if you want one and I'll tell you how to pay via PayPal -- a girl's gotta eat.

12:24 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Happy Birthday, Cat in the Hat (& other reading tales)
Current mood: enthralled
Category: Writing and Poetry

Inspired by the Life-magazine article Why Can't Johnny Read?, Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat turns 50 today.

To celebrate, you may buy the book -- but most importantly, spend some time today reading with your child. And if he or she is 'too old for that, mom,' spend time reading in front of your child so they know the love & importance of reading.

Last weekend, my six year old son read to me -- an entire book for the first time. (I did my best not to cry with happiness through the whole thing.) He only consented to read one book to me, but afterwards I made sure he 'caught' me reading myself. And then, something even more miraculous occurred: we had a conversation about a book. Our first real conversation about a book!

I was reading a a biography of Tiptree (a copy borrowed from Gracie, who finally did her review) and Hunter came in the room. He looked at the book and said, "There's no pictures in there." Derek laughed. And I showed him that there were indeed photos, and he asked what the book was about.

"A lady who, a long time ago, went to the deepest jungles of Africa -- at a time when no other white people had. Africa was so 'new' that there were no elephants or gorillas or lions in zoos and not many here had seen them. She was just 5 years old and had to be carried in a hammock-type sling by men who had never seen a little white girl. She liked Africa, but was angry she couldn't hunt like her dad -- and her mom. She grew up and became an author. She wrote science fiction stories -- stories about men & women who traveled in spaceships to different planets. But she couldn't write as a woman, so she used a man's name to write and publish her stories. She was a woman, but everyone thought she was a man."

"Cool," he said, with eyes as big as saucers. "Is she still alive?"

"No," I said.

"How did she die?"

"I don't know, I haven't read that far yet..."

"Will you tell me?"

"Sure," I said. My eyes welling with tears... We had had our first real book conversation. Now I know he understands the power of reading.

The sad thing is, now that I've finished the book and know how she dies, I am hoping he won't ask me. A murder suicide is not something I want to share with a six year old.

Currently reading : A Thousand Dollars For A Kiss By Cindy Bokma Release date: 06 December, 2006

1:42 PM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

My Sugasm
Current mood: chipper
Category: Writing and Poetry

The best of this weeks blogs by the bloggers who blog them. Highlighting the top 3 posts as chosen by Sugasm participants.

Want in Sugasm #68? Submit a link to your best post of the week using this form. Participants, repost the linklist within a week and you're all set.

This Week's Picks
First Orgasm (http://deliciously-naughty.typepad.com)
"His thumbs begin to stroke my nipples, and I watched my breath, coming out in little puffs of air, quicken."

It's in the Genes (http://www.sex-kitten.net/home.html)
"I found old magazines disguised as photography and drawing magazines but were actually full of nude women and some men […]"

Why You Should Never Sit on Hotel Bedspreads (http://brooklynrake.blogspot.com)
"We are looking for someone who can get a bit rough. Is that you?"

Mr. Sugasm Himself
Why Porn's Already Decided the Next Generation Video Format (http://sugarbank.com)

Editor's Choice
Take Your Sick Fantasies to the Shrink (http://adelehaze.com)

Erotic Writing and Experiences

The Beginning (http://thebridgeofshame.blogspot.com)

Birthday Wishes (http://loladavid.wordpress.com)

The Black Widow - Erotic Poetry (http://eroticjournals.blogspot.com)

Correction: Instructive Desire (http://lumpesse.com)

Eclectic Slut part two (http://junohenry.wordpress.com)

Fair Play - Part I (http://lafillemariee.blogspot.com)

Hot and heavy (http://marriedexploits.blogspot.com)

A La Carte (http://confessions112.blogspot.com)

The Lilith Quotient, Part The First (http://udoj.wordpress.com)

More Interruptions (http://gentlygently.blogspot.com)

My Girlfriend the Stripper, part 4 (http://erotischism.blogspot.com)

The Sex Competition! (http://mandyseroticlife.blogspot.com

Sex & Politics

The Cop vs. The Stripper (http://www.radicalvixen.com/blog)

Morning After Malarky (http://www.jessicagoldharalson.com)

BDSM & Fetish

Escape into Darkness (http://blog.myspace.com/tit_elation)

The Golden Question (http://www.neongolden.com)

In Search of the Inner Lesbian (http://sweatshopsissy.wordpress.com)

Story: A Mystic Meeting (http://acestrokes.blogspot.com)

Sex News, Reviews and Interviews

Silicone Taffy Tickler Water Buddy Vibrator Review (http://stilettodiaries.blogspot.com)

NSFW Pics (& videos)

Happy HNT - Valentine's thumbcuffs (http://darkside-journey.blogspot.com)

Lady Dalbin - On the Waterfront Part One (http://thebootcam.com)

Sexy Humor
Secret Reads: Skippy The Fluffy Fucker II (http://secretbrain.blogspot.com)

Uniform Fetish (http://spankingwriters.com/blog)

What If? Part 1 (http://principalquattrano.com/blog)

Sex Work

Danni's pics and his crush on danika! (http://www.princessmorgan.net)



Thoughts on Sex and Relationships

10 Reasons to Masturbate (as if you needed any) (http://edinerotica.blogspot.com)


I Got Some Amazing Comments (http://wecouldbenaked.blogspot.com)

Of Floggers and Fire Escapes (http://talktovanessa.com)

Selfish (http://perverselypoly.blogspot.com)

Sex Blogging/Sex Writing

The Affair (http://blog.myspace.com/deannadahlsad)


The POD Stigma (Or Scratching the Self-Published Itch) (http://www.writingup.com/blog/dark_blue)

9:46 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Attention Authors & Writers
Current mood: busy
Category: Writing and Poetry

Jerry D. Simmons is starting a New Marketing Project To Help Independent Authors Sell More Books -- all genres, including erotica, are welcome.

Note the interview takes place at Gracie's marketing blog, The Marketing Whore, which has a free newsletter. We, naturally, recommend that you subscribe and blogroll it.

Currently reading : A Thousand Dollars For A Kiss By Cindy Bokma Release date: 06 December, 2006

8:41 AM - 1 Comments - 1 Kudos - Add Comment

Author News!
Current mood: bouncy
Category: Writing and Poetry

Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc & Michael won second place in the Horror category of the 2006 Preditors & Editors Readers Poll. Andrea is also the author of the award-winning A Man Of Two Worlds and The Two.

Tracy Henry made the Chicago Tribune: Suburban Diva Tweaks Stereotypes.

Currently reading : Michael By Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc Release date: 01 October, 2006

3:07 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Take 5 Books
Current mood: amused
Category: Writing and Poetry

Bookseller to the Stars a Blog Meme about Books:

1. Take five books off your bookshelf.
2. Book #1 -- first sentence
3. Book #2 -- last sentence on page fifty
4. Book #3 -- second sentence on page one hundred
5. Book #4 -- next to the last sentence on page one hundred fifty
6. Book #5 -- final sentence of the book
7. Make the five sentences into a paragraph:

I took the first 5 laying 'round the sofa, which was/is books I've recently reviewed (or am in the process of reviewing) & books I am working on pr for... So my twist on this meme is that it's somewhat about me ;)

Of the seventeen films in which Monroe appeared through 1954, she played some version of a sexually opportunistic woman -- gold digger, prostitute, or woman "on the make" -- in nine. Which Esther Williams do you want to hear about? Safe travels. As long as it wasn't too dark, what did he have to lose? I was thinking just the other day how will I get my kids to eat more cookies?

In my defense, that's an awful lot of questions for one paragraph ;)

#1 The Million Dollar Mermaid, Esther Williams

#2 The Many Lives of Marilyn Monroe, Sarah Churchwell

#4 Micheal, Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc

#3 The Suburban Diva: From The Real Side Of The Picket Fence, Tracey Henry, the Suburban Diva
#5 Ambient Findability, Peter Morville

I'm gonna tag 2 peeps so that someone plays along...

Madame Librarian (who still owes me from last time!)

Tess (because I know she has a stack!)

Currently reading : Suburban Diva: From The Real Side Of The Picket Fence By Tracey Henry Release date: 01 February, 2006

1:12 PM - 3 Comments - 3 Kudos - Add Comment

Author Promotion Checklist
Current mood: contemplative
Category: Writing and Poetry

Cut & paste this puppy, then print it out and use it for each work. Or I guess you could print it and then plot the info on your calendar... Whatever works for you. ;)

If not self-published, we as publishers recommend that you check with your publisher for their preferences on when to do what -- and to see what they are doing and when before you waste time &/or confuse and annoy folks with duplications.

6-12 months ahead of release:

* Get a P.O. box or other address if you are worried about privacy.
* Have stationary and business cards printed.
* Update your mailing/contact list. (Continue this throughout pre-launch.)

2-6 months ahead of release:

* Ask publisher for list of reviewers and send a personal note. (Publisher may send letters out for you.)
* Send announcements to "up-coming publications" columns in newspapers, trade magazines,etc.
* Request extra covers or image files of covers from publisher for displays in stores that carry your book and for publicity use.
* Have professional photos, b/w and color, taken professionally.
* Reserve ad space in publications and ask what sort of photo & format they will need.
* Get bookmarks and/or flyers designed and printed.
* Continue to update personal mailing list.
* Write an author profile for magazines advertising your book & media use.
* Write 10-15 sample questions/tips for interviews and press kits.
* Write press releases.
* Update your website or blog.
* Send flyers to distributors, bookmarks to bookstores, etc.
* Send gallies to reviewers & publications.
* Send announcements to regional and local newsletters.
* Notify high school & college alumni newsletters and professional organization publications.
* Start planning book tour or at least local signings & events.
* Assemble press kits and upload to your website.
* Double check media database and write pitch letters.
* Send bio, photo and book cover to publications advertising your book.
* Check with retailers in book tour cities regarding the stocking of your books.
* Send press materials to all national media-TV talk shows, national radio, national TV and print media.
* Send press materials to local newspapers, radio and television.
* Send autographed copies of your book and a pitch letter to local newspapers, radio and television talk shows etc. to secure interviews.
* Send books and press kits and make follow-up calls to all national television/radio shows and print media.
* Contact or otherwise announce the pending release to fans.
* Update your information and upload reviews and book information on Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and other sites.
* Update schedule for book tour and book travel, hotel and author escorts for each city.
* Start follow-up calls to media and bookstores in each city on book tour. Be sure to follow-up on every package you sent out, every pitch you made.
* Keep website/blog updated with current information on appearances, signings, contests and other events.


For Your Book Tour & Other Events

* Get copies of your book for promotion and autograph sessions.
* Arrange displays in bookstores for your speaking session.
* Write a small blurb regarding your talk and book for the bookstore newsletter, local media calendar etc.
* Send copies of newsletters and other media send out to your personal mailing list or mention newsletters etc on your website, in your newsletter etc.
* Prepare and practice speaking session.
* Confirm signings one week before event date.
* Try to speak with store manager to generate excitement over your event.
* Write a memo to the booksellers (very brief) explaining who you are, what your book is about and ask the store manager to mention your event at the daily meeting. Offer a book to be raffled off to booksellers the day of the event.
* Check to see if refreshments are available.
* Check to see if staff of someone will be able to take photos of the event. (If not, plan to bring someone along who can do this for you.)


Event Day Checklist

* Check PA system 15 minutes before speaking.
* Arrange chair placement to be sure the audience can see and hear you clearly.
* Check with the person taking photos to see that the arrangement works, where they ought to stand and that they are prepared.
* Arrange your staging area with your books.
* Bring pens and autograph stickers.
* Ask for an in store announcement 15 minutes and 5 minutes before you are scheduled to begin speaking.
* Remind staff that the music in the store is to be turned off before you being speaking.
* Assist in cleaning up the event, if time permits.
* Personally thank as many of the store employees as you can when you have finished the event.
* When you get home (or to where you are staying on your tour), write and send thank you notes to everyone involved in the event.
* Upload photos and comments regarding the event to your website or blog.
* Check schedule for the next day (if on book tour) and make necessary calls and preparation.
* Collect any video, audio or press clippings for new event and media pitches.

Currently reading : Dance Of Submission By Jude Mason Release date: 15 December, 2005

5:25 PM - 5 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment