Life, or something like it
Current mood: excited
Category: Life

Hello, my friends, Gary fans, and readers of this blog!

I am a terrible blogger.  There, I said it.  Y'all know it, lol.  I haven't blogged for several months, and I don't know where to start, so I will jump in somewhere and begin . . . . First of all, let me congratulate our favorite author, Gary, as he is making some exciting progress in his writing career and is working very hard on several new projects!  I am so very proud of him, and I know that he is going to go far!  When I am able to fill you in further, I will do so, but suffice it to say, he is a busy man these days!

I have been a busy woman, too.  Helped my daughter get married on March 1st, and what a beautiful princess bride she was!  The wedding was magical, fun-filled, stressful to the nth degree to get pulled off, but did all work out in the end.  She and Daniel just got back from their Caribbean honeymoon yesterday, happy but tired and ready to settle in as Mr. and Mrs.  My handsome son escorted Danna down the aisle, and my handsome stepson and beautiful stepdaughter were invaluable to me in making sure the last-minute details were taken care of.

I have such a crazy work schedule at the hospital that I have lost track, temporarily, of keeping in touch here, and for that, I am truly sorry.  I am still Gary's 1 fan and publicist, and when he is ready for me to do my thing in regards to publicity, fan get-togethers and such, I will be ready, willing and eager to do so! 

Please, let me hear from y'all with any ideas you would like me to consider for Gary meetings, etc. and I will be glad to pass them on! 

For all of my friends here, please have a happy Monday, and I hope to be blogging again soon!

your friend in cool but sunny central Florida,

Debbie

publicist for author Gary Williams

www.authorgarywilliams.com

Currently listening : 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Three Dog Night By Three Dog Night Release date: 16 May, 2000

6:10 AM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Santa is coming early to the reading community! Attention!
Current mood: excited
Category: Writing and Poetry

Dear friends and fans of Gary's:

In case y'all didn't know, Gary is starting a contest in December, and the winner gets a free, autographed copy of  "Half-Red Skull"!!!! This contest is close to my heart because last year, I won a copy of "Groundswell" in a similar contest, and have been hooked ever since!  I am enclosing Gary's bulletin so that in case you didn't catch the details from Gary, you can catch them from me!

"Announcement: Second Annual December autographed novel contest for my Myspace friends is coming!

Each Thursday in December prior to Christmas, I will be conducting a contest for my Myspace friends to win autographed copies of my fourth novel, "Half-Red Skull." The first contest will take place on December 6th at 10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (U.S) and will occur over the subsequent two Thursdays at 10 p.m.

So how do you participate?  Well, first, you have to be one of my  Myspace friends. Secondly, you must be one of the first two people to answer the question that I post in a blog at 10 p.m. the night of the contest. (I'm giving away two signed copies each time.) Your answer to my posted question much be sent to my Myspace e-mail. The first two correct answers win. You can only win one book during the duration of the contest.

What kind of questions will I ask? The questions will all come from my first novel, "Fish of Souls." It's that simple. If you win, your signed copy of "Half-Red Skull" will be mailed out to you the next day. Might make a nice Christmas gift . . . for yourself!

I'll post another blog in early December as a reminder.

Thanks,
Gary Williams"

So y'all, please participate and tell your friends who love to read about this contest, also!  Gary always makes his contests exciting and fun!  Tell him that his devoted publicist told you about it!

til next time, Happy Thanksgiving to you all, and please be safe if you travel!

your friend,

Debbie

publicist for author Gary Williams

www.authorgarywilliams.com

Currently listening : ZZ Top - Greatest Hits By ZZ Top Release date: 14 April, 1992

4:31 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Half-Red Skull, anyone???
Current mood: curious
Category: Writing and Poetry

Helloooooooo, my friends and Gary fans!  Long time, no blog, I know.  To those of you that have purchased and read Gary's new book, "Half-Red Skull", we thank you!  What I would like to ask is: how do you like it?  Was it as good as you thought it would be?  I haven't heard how y'all like it, but we are hoping that you loved it like you loved his prior books.  Please drop me a line and let me know, ok?

I have been working a crazy schedule at my "night job", so I haven't been able to blog like I used to.  As always, though, I absolutely love hearing from each and every one of you!  And Trapper Dan, thanks so much for remembering I love Charlie Brown and Snoopy for Halloween!

Til next time, my friends!

hugs, Debbie

publicist for the best author around, Gary Williams

www.authorgarywilliams.com

Currently listening : Time and Tide By Basia Release date: 25 October, 1990

2:30 PM - 3 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Half-Red Skull is finally available!!!!
Current mood: happy
Category: Writing and Poetry

Hello, my wonderful friends!  I am so very sorry that I haven't blogged in forever and a day!  I am going to try to get back into the swing of the real world and blog more regularly, as working night shift does tend to take you out of reality. 

My news is thrilling, to say the least!  My friend, boss, and enthralled literary idol, Gary Williams, has had his fourth novel recently published!  I imagine most of y'all know that its' name is "Half-Red Skull" and it is set in the small Florida communities of Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island.  I have proof-read parts of HRS and let me tell you, it is an outstanding book!  I can hardly wait to get my hands on my copy!

You may order your copy by going to Gary's website, www.authorgarywilliams.com, and it will be in the mail to you within a few days.  Please, please let me know how you like "Half-Red Skull"! 

Oh, I can't forget our poets!  "Half-Red Skull" has the winners of our poetry contest and their beautiful poems published within.  My congratulations again to all of our winners!  They deserve kudos for all of their hard work and their bravery in submitting their work.  I don't know if I would have been brave enough to put my words out there!

I have noticed that our numbers are dwindling a bit here on our fan site for Gary . . . if y'all know any of your myspace friends that would like to be a part of our groupies, have them send me an add request.  Also, plans are in the works for a possible book-signing party, a Myspace get-together, and other fun and exciting social amenities in the future.

As always, my friends, please let me know what you think.  I treasure you all!

your friend and hopefully, favorite publicist,

Debbie

publicist to the one, the only, the wonderful:

Gary Williams, Florida's author extraordinaire

Currently listening : The Essential Electric Light Orchestra By Electric Light Orchestra Release date: 10 April, 2006

5:33 AM - 4 Comments - 7 Kudos - Add Comment

Hello, my friends and Gary fans!
Current mood: anxious
Category: News and Politics

Hello to you all!  First off, let me say that I am sorry I haven't blogged in several weeks.  I was all tied up trying to get used to the new job, you know?  I have lots of things planned for the near future that we can dish about Gary and his new book, and we shall be making plans for public appearances, book signings, author engagements, and the like. 

Gary's new video giving you a sneek peek into "Half-Red Skull" is out now, and let me say, it is an awesome video.  Y'all, please check it out here on either my profile page or Gary's page, and if you should want to put it on your own website, please click the "embed" button and it will tell you how.  This is very exciting, and I would love to encourage any and all ideas of more exciting things we can do to get Gary's book(s) on the forefront of everyone's minds who loves to read.  You know, the non-reading people of the world, there is nothing you can do to talk them into reading anything, but we voracious readers just have to be pointed in the direction of anything that is good, and we are then off and running towards it.  Gary is an outstanding writer and you fall in love with his main characters, sites, and definitely the story lines.  If any of y'all haven't read him yet, what are you waiting for???? lol

Please y'all, hang with me, as I don't want to lose y'all, and I will be on some sort of routine after this week.  I hope everyone is having a lovely summer, and please drop me a line and let me know all the fun and exciting things you are doing for summer vacation!

hugs,

Debbie

publicist for author Gary Williams

www.authorgarywilliams.com

Currently reading : The Knitting Circle: A Novel By Ann Hood Release date: 22 January, 2007

6:53 AM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

The Spotlight's on Gary!!!
Current mood: cheerful

y'all, please check out Authors on Myspace, which is one of our friends here. 

 http://www.myspace.com/myspace_authors  

They have an author interview and he is in the spotlight for several weeks on that site.  Please, if you like Gary's books, please spread the word for your friends to check out the site, ok?  let me know what y'all think of it, ok?

hugs,

Debbie, publicist for the amazing, wonderful author, Gary Williams

www.authorgarywilliams.com

Currently listening : The Essential Electric Light Orchestra By Electric Light Orchestra Release date: 10 April, 2006

11:51 AM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

What's up, Deb?
Current mood: cheerful
Category: Life

Hello, my friends!  Tis been awhile since I have last blogged, but felt like I needed to reach out and touch my myspace friends.  My life has been one long, exhausting ride lately, since I started to work a week ago this past Monday.  I love my new job so much right now and I do hope that lasts.  I am learning so many new things, which is very exciting, and the people I have worked around so far have been so very nice.  I worked on the 4th (yesterday) but I do so hope that everyone had a wonderful 4th of July!  I haven't had time or energy to send my usual comments, emails, etc. to all of y'all, and I do feel guilty about that, but it won't get much better until I am through this summer.  I have a 4-day Critical Care course to take later on this month, then next month I have Danna and Jeremy's (my kids) birthdays and an ACLS course I have to take, also.  Whew, my brain is somehow absorbing all of this new info, but the end result is that I am pretty much good for nothing once I get home these days, because I am still adjusting to getting up at o-dark-thirty and dragging my butt to the shower at that ungodly hour.  Y'all, please don't give up on me.  I need you. Now for a piece or two of good news.  One, we were blessed to be able to spend some quality time with our grandkids Emily and Gideon this past Monday, with whom we haven't been allowed to see for three years.  It was so awesome seeing them and spending time with them.  I do so love them and am so proud of them.  We also were lucky to spend time with our firstborn Erika, who I am tremendously proud of and who is a beautiful and loving daughter and mom. Secondly, I weighed in today at Jenny Craig and have successfully lost my first 20 lbs, and have lost a total of 27 inches off of my body, also.  I am so psyched by that, and am hopeful and determined that the next twenty will come off before the end of the summer, now that I am working and walking and running alot.  I was off work today, but had to spend four hours this morning taking my CPR class, then I went to Jenny Craig, then I went home for a bit because I was still very tired.  I laid down as I was going to rest before my 3:00 pm periodontist appointment, but fell asleep and slept through until 6:30pm.  Rut-roh -- I hope I am not in the doghouse with them, because it was a total accident. I haven't had much time to read lately because I am so exhausted, but am looking forward to reading more soon.  I am also excited about the new Harry Potter movie coming out next week, and the last Harry Potter book the week after.  My baby sister and brother-in-law, who have never visited Florida before, will be on their way here in a few hours, and I am so excited about seeing them, too!  They will be staying in my mom and stepdad's timeshare in Ormond Beach (just north of Daytona), so y'all pray for sunny days! Gary is hard at work editing "Half-Red Skull" and should be wrapping that up in the near future.  I am so excited about his new book, and we hope to have some wonderful get-togethers, book-signings, and author appearances coming up this fall and winter. I haven't been in close contact with Gary lately, as he is really busy with his day job right now, as I am busy with my new job (see above), but do know that he is looking forward to our future appearances to promote the books and meet everyone, also.  We will try to arrange these events and notify everyone a couple of weeks in advance so y'all can plan for them.  If anyone has additional ideas or places you think we should go to, please drop me a line and I will discuss it with Gary and get back to you. I hope I haven't gotten too personal in this blog.  There are many of y'all that I have become good friends with, and many more that I look forward to getting to know better.  Have yourselves a great rest of the week, God bless you all, and please drop me an email or a comment, as I miss my friends here terribly and always love hearing from you all. hugs from rainy Florida, Debbie a/k/a the tired Celtic princess, nurse, and honored publicist for the best author around ..> ..> Currently reading : Second Sight By Amanda Quick Release date: By 27 March, 2007..

Currently listening : Bob Seger - Greatest Hits By Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band Release date: 25 October, 1994

7:22 PM - 3 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

vacations, work, and thunderstorms
Current mood: cheerful
Category: Life

Hello, my friends and Gary fans!

I am so, so very sorry it has been so long since I have blogged.  I have missed hearing from y'all and have a few things to relate so that maybe I can hear from y'all again.

First off, kudos to Gary, Jackie, and kids, as they should be returning from a short but definitely well-deserved vacation at the beach!  I hope y'all had a wonderful time, and that you return home rested and refreshed.

I return to the working world tomorrow, and even though it is orientation this week, I won't have as much computer time as I would like, once I get into the swing of those night shifts again.  I am very excited to be returning to work, as I am learning a new department this go-round, and I do so love learning new things.  Y'all, say a wee prayer for my old brain to keep working correctly and that the old bones can handle the rush-rush of the trauma center lol!

The main reason I have been incommunicado is that nearly two weeks ago, we had a really bad thunderstorm which included our famous Florida lightning strikes.  Lightning that day fried our Vonage router, our Bright House cable modem, my son's new DVD/VCR player, his Playstation 1.  A day or so after we replaced the router and the cable modem, my computer died.  (If it isn't one thing, it's another lol).  So, to make a long story short, we just bought a new computer the other day and have been working the new bugs out of it and setting everything up for the past few days.  I know I have missed tons of y'all's birthdays, and I am so very sorry.  It just couldn't be helped.

Jeremy is doing ok, but we are still waiting on SSI, and the ability to go to an orthopedic doctor so that he can look at his right arm.  He is doing rather well, though, with that exception.  I thank you for thinking of him and for all of your good wishes and prayers you have given him.

Gary is fine-tuning "Half-Red Skull" in the next month or so, so that we can have it to the publisher soon.  I have had the honor of sneaking a peek at it, and let me tell y'all, this is an EXCELLENT book!!!!!!  I can hardly wait for it to be out.  He just keeps getting better and better, exponentially!

I am scooting out of here to go to my least favorite place,  the super Wal-mart, but until next time, my friends, please take care of yourselves and let me hear from y'all and what fun you are having this summer.

hugs,

Debbie

publicist for author Gary Williams

www.authorgarywilliams.com

11:19 AM - 4 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Poetry winners and such!
Current mood: excited
Category: Writing and Poetry

Hello, my friends and Gary's fans!

Tis the moment we have all been waiting for, at least for a couple of months now. 

Gary culled the poems down to 9, then we had a third-party, non-partial person select the one that will be placed in the preface of "Half-Red Skull."  We had them select from the nine poems without knowing who wrote them.

I now have the winner, but Gary states that the other eight winners' poems will also be included in the back of the novel - so really, all of these are winners.
And the poem that will be feature in the preface was written by . . .

Sonya Hall !!!!!!!!


The other 8 poems that will be included in the back pages are:

Luis Galvao Costa, Jr

Witchwriter

Sheridan Kernop

Leala Prince

Apryl Fox

Leigha Fox

Michael Curry

TaVona Salaz Treadwell

Let me say first of all, thank you all so much for sending me your poems; our judge told me that it was very, very difficult to choose because they were all such wonderful poems!  Secondly, congratulations to the winners!  We will be emailing you all individually within the next few days!

Gary is making wonderful headway on "Half-Red Skull" and publishing day will be here before we know it.  I am still hard at promoting his trilogy, as I feel these are wonderful books and deserve so much more attention than what they have gotten from the literary world.  In addition, I am going to be planning some author/fan get-togethers so if y'all want your books signed by Gary, this would be an awesome way to get it done!  I have lots of ideas of things to do before "Half-Red Skull" comes out and of course, after, also.  Any new ideas would certainly be considered, though. 

Let me also say that I will be starting a new job soon, as a trauma nurse, but in no way, shape or form, will that have anything to do with this one, other than the fact that my "thanks for the adds" might be a few days late sometimes.  Also, I would like to say, if I have screwed up and missed someone's birthday, please please forgive me -- I try not to miss any of y'all's birthdays.

My friend Rachel is coming for a short visit this evening, and I need to clean my guest room, so please, y'all, let me know your thoughts about what I am doing right or wrong i.e. promotion, being a good publicist, friend, etc.

Y'all be safe and have a wonderful week!

hugs,

Debbie

publicist for author Gary Williams

www.authorgarywilliams.com

10:57 AM - 13 Comments - 10 Kudos - Add Comment

Gary's interview with Authors of Myspace, and various other items

Hello, my friends, and my apologies for the last blog -- i read it and realized that I couldn't even find the interview with the directions I gave, so I decided to find it myself and just share it on my blog, that way y'all don't have to go hunting all over the myspace kingdom to find it!

here it is:

Author: Gary Williams

How long have you been writing, and what influenced you to get into it?
I began writing in 1999 after I got an idea for a fictional story based on a historical mystery at the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument (the 17th century Spanish fort in St. Augustine, Florida.) I've always been a fan of great stories––whether they come in the form of books or movies. Once the first book was written, I received a great deal of positive feedback on the characters that I linked the next two books to form the "Tools" trilogy.

How many books have you published?

To date, I've published three novels:

Fish of Souls (2002, republished 2005)
Groundswell (2004)
The God Tools (2006)

Have any of them been national releases, if so through which publisher?
My novels have been published through Infinity Publishing––a print-on-demand publisher.

What current book/books are you promoting?
At this point, I'm promoting them all! Seriously, the trilogy is still selling well so I continue to promote all three novels––Fish of Souls, Groundswell, and The God Tools. I'm releasing my fourth novel on November 2nd of this year and my focus will shift at that time.

What projects do you have coming up in the future?
As referenced above, my fourth novel, "Half-Red Skull," will be released on November 2nd. The story is set in present-day Amelia Island, Florida, where a serial killer––whose victims come from different ethnic origins, socio-economic backgrounds, and religious affiliations––strikes terror in the citizens of Northeast Florida. It will take the intuition and persistence of a female reporter to unravel the clues and understand the bizarre link between the severed skull of an 1800s Indian, the modern-day murders and a legendary treasure. But in doing so, her own life will be placed in peril.

What author/authors influenced you to start a writing career for yourself?
I've been (and continue to be) heavily influenced by a combination of Douglas Preston/Lincoln Child and Stephen King. I also love the action of Matthew Reilly. Also, Franklin W. Dixon. (Remember the Hardy Boys?)

Are you a member of a writing group/organization?
The short answer is no. Writers, by the very nature of what we do, are loners. I've never connected with any writing groups although I enjoy conversing with other writers about the trade. But this is just me. Between a full time corporate job, writing novels at night, and a family, frankly, I don't have time to attend writing groups. I'm sure for some there is significant value in doing so. I just choose a different manner by which to propagate my works.

What are some of your favorite hobbies other than writing?
Watching football, playing darts, traveling, history . . . is beer a hobby?

Has "The Authors of Myspace"/or Myspace itself helped you out with sales or networking/friends?
This is my first experience with "The Authors of Myspace." It seems to be an interesting forum by which to connect with readers.

What tips do you have for beginning writers?
I often get asked, "I want to write a novel but don't know how to start?" To which I reply, first, come up with a story idea––a concept. Then develop characters, even if just a few major ones. Then, take your time and create a chapter-by-chapter outline, just like we were all taught in school. Once the outline is created, do the research for any history or expertise you need to create the story. Place this research information with the applicable chapters. When all of this is assembled, you have a roadmap by which to write your story.

Leave your Myspace URL below:
www.myspace.com/floridanovels

Gary and I have been in constant contact for months now, and have been discussing ways that we can make this fansite an exceptionally fun place.  We have plans for book contests, fan get-togethers to meet Gary, and welcome any suggestions you may have of other fun things to do.  I really do appreciate you all. and I am so so sorry that I cannot comment y'all more often than I get to.  We are up to 870 friends on this fan site, and believe me, I keep plenty busy.  I would love to hear from all of you, especially with ideas and comments on Gary's books.  If you have any questions for Gary or for me, please do not hesitate to contact me.

For now, though, I am going to close this and try to enjoy that beautiful sunshine right outside the door.  Y'all all have a safe but happy Memorial Day weekend, and remember why we have a Memorial Day -- to remember all those soldiers who fought for our freedom to live free!  Kudos to our armed forces and those that went before us!

hugs,

Debbie

publicist for author Gary Williams

www.authorgarywilliams.com

Currently listening : Moondance By Van Morrison Release date: 25 October, 1990

11:42 AM - 3 Comments - 3 Kudos - Add Comment