Halloween Spooktacular---and the #1 THING THAT SCARES ME

Thanks for joining me and all the other bloggers during this blog hop as a part of the Spooktacular. If you'd like to get a free copy of my short story collection, just leave a comment, or follow the instructions at right to click on the wonderful blog, "I'm a reader, not a writer."

To celebrate this week, I've counted down the top ten things that scare the crap out of me.

Feel free to scroll through past entries, but to recap, they were:

#10. Bob Saget
#9. Parking Garages
#8 Ventriloquist Dummies
#7. Going to the bathroom in strange places
#6. My sister's cat
#5. Tales told around the campfire
#4. Paranormal stuff
#3. Heights
#2. Eyeballs...


And the #1 thing that scares the crap out of me?

THE MOTHMAN!!!!!!!!!

Okay, this is to show people why the Mothman Prophecies movie scared the crapola out of me. I am convinced I saw the mothman. Now before everyone dismisses me as a conspiracy theorist, let me just say that I am typically the logical sort. I realize that this may have been some kind of rapid flying squirrel from hell, or an earlier reincarnation of my sister's evil cat...all I'm saying is whatever it was, I'm calling it Mothman.


The  Mothman was a creature or something that was most famously seen around Point Pleasant, West Virginia.

Here's a two-minute primer from Animal Planet. And for the record, there is also a school of thought that the Mothman doesn't CAUSE these disasters, but rather is a warning, or harbinger.

Here's my story...

 I was in 10th grade, it was the middle of the night and I felt kind of barfy. So I went to the bathroom. (it's a second story bathroom that overlooks the pasture behind our house). I looked out the window and saw this bat-like thing with red eyes--just all the descriptions you hear about the mothman.

Note: this was not a bat (wasn't flapping wings), was not an owl (give me a break), it wasn't a crane or bird.  The thing that really struck me--and that you see in all the Mothman stories--was that it was moving toward me, flying, but was not flapping its wings. There was something really creepy about it, and I just had this feeling of dread.

So being the logical sort, I thought it was just the result of a fever or feeling as I mentioned, "barfy." As a writer, I realize that I do tend to let my imagination run away with me.

This is supposedly a drawing --possibly from a
police report about the Mothman. I swear to
you guys--this looks EXACTLY like what
I saw.  When I saw this picture, I couldn't
feel my legs or fingers.....

So I wiped my face with a cold washcloth, slapped my cheek a bit and rubbed my eyes, thinking, "man, that was a strange hallucination." Then I looked back out the window ...
.......AND IT WAS STILL THERE!!!!

That's what freaked me out. That and it seemed to fly closer to me without moving it's wings. Not an owl, though maybe it could have been a big bat (but it didn't move its wings) So I screamed and mom came in and of course it was gone.

On the plus side, I had forgotten about barfing.

Now before everyone dismisses me as some kind of nut---let me relate this story:
Some of my Facebook friends had asked what was the deal with me and the Mothman (I think there was some silly quiz about what frightened you or what not) and so I just wrote the whole epistle about my encounter with the mothman....
...then one of my FB friends told me she was babysitting not far from where I live and saw the same thing.

Her account, as posted on my FB wall:

"Now this is weird, Dawn, because I had a similar thing happen not too far from your house when I was in high school. I was babysitting and the home was in a cul-de-sac. I saw the same thing. I was babysitting these two little girls and I had put them in bed. The littlest girl yelled from the bedroom and told me she had seen a monster climb up her wall and was scared. I thought she was just lonely. So I went to her room, retucked her in and went to the dining room and looked out the window into the cul-de-sac and I saw what looked like a dark skinned very old man with red eyes. It looked at me and then moved toward me JUST LIKE YOU DESCRIBED. I got the girls in one room and we huddled up until the parents came home. I was so freaked out and scared the kids so badly that the parents never let me babysit again after that. The part that always scared me so bad about the "apparition" was that it was looking at me through the window before I saw it, like it was expecting me. That is what I never shook."

I forgot about it until 20+ years later when I saw the Mothman Prophecies movie. It really freaked me out ---bad---but I couldn't quite put my finger on why. Then, out of curiosity, I went online and looked up some of the sketch stuff that people had submitted that were in police reports and thought, "that looks familiar" then I realized I had seen it before....

So, whatever it was---whether it was a bat or bad mayo or some crazed flying squirrel having a crack fit--- it scared the poop out of me. So I'm just calling it the mothman, because I'm afraid if I discount it I will accidentally summon the mothman.

And here's the trailer from the Mothman Prophecies movie... I had to drive home from a blind date in Raleigh after I saw this movie. I was sufficiently creeped out.

And that's all I have to say about that.

Thanks for joining me.
Feel free to follow my blog. I'm releasing a book on Kindle in December, and if you follow, you'll get first dips on a coupon code to get it for free, too. It's called "Ten Thousand New Year's Eves," and it follows seven people (and a bomb-sniffing dog) on their search for new beginnings.

And btw, if you do like me, please "like" my books on Amazon.com. I mean, don't do it if you do NOT like me (no hard feelings there).

Thanks and please feel free to support our authors and the awesome "I am a reader, not a writer, blog."
Peace out.

#2 on my countdown list....

Things that scare the crap out of me?

#2 EYEBALLS!!!!

I cannot stand anything near, around or even looking like it's coming into my eye. When I saw the movie "Minority Report," and the "I have to have an eye transplant to evade the retinal scanner detection" scene--it didn't matter that things were SUGGESTED instead of SHOWN. I felt myself swoon.

Demonic Cat Update---and Alfred Hitchcock Trailer

DEMONIC CAT UPDATE:  As if realizing I had profaned him in the blogosphere, my sister’s cat (#6 on the list of things that scare the crap out of me) just recently threw up on the top of her new car. Some of it leaked into the car itself. My, that’s a great way to start your morning. And yes, the car was in the garage. There are those of you who will say “Oh, the poor cat. He was sick. He couldn’t help it.” 

Riiiiiiight.

Trust me. It was planned. 

The only thing that cat is sick over is that he didn’t get to barf all over ME.

Now, to continue with the Spooktacular giveaway (details in sidebar at right)….

So many of you have come SO CLOSE to guessing the #1 on my list to win FREE copies of all three of my books, that I’m giving one more hint – a BIG one. In fact, this is probably going to give it away, but heck, this is all supposed to be in fun…

This “creature” was featured in a movie that starred Richard Gere.

But now, on with my countdown with #4 and #3 of the top 10 things that scare the you-know-what out of me…

#4. Paranormal stuff

Okay, first let me make this statement and get it out of the way: I respect what other people believe. It’s the first amendment and God Bless America. I do not apologize for what I believe, nor do I force or push my belief system on others, though I am not ashamed of what I believe.

That being said, I am a sincere (albeit heavily flawed) Christian, and I personally believe there is a reason that in the Bible, God says about the paranormal: Do. Not. Mess. With. That. Stuff.

Well, He doesn’t say it like that, of course.

I know that believing in ghosts is not theologically sound, but let’s just say that I’ve experienced some things that defy all scientific explanation. It totally freaks me out, and that’s one reason why you won’t see me going into amateur ghostbusting or ghost tours. I don’t know what that stuff is. I just know that ---whatever it is---it is real. Let's face it--when it comes down to it, we know relatively  little about the universe.

And whatever this stuff is, it scares the crap out of me.

So—I’m not messing with it.

Why? The story (one of many):

I was at a writer’s retreat, staying in a room that was reputed to be haunted. Writers in that room have experienced something sitting on the bed with them, items neatly arranged in order / lost/ reclaimed without any explanation, and doors loudly slamming when it is obvious that there is no one else on that side of the house.

For some reason, the ghost (or whatever it is) only bothers women, and if you are easily wigged out by it, it messes with you. If you aren’t, it leaves you alone. (And yes, I found that out through trial and error). Long story short, I was staying in a room beside the “ghost room” (because I was totally creeped out). I was taking a break in the communal kitchen and my writing group partner, B (who was also in residence) came by. She was surprised when she saw me.

“I thought you were in your room.”

“No, “ I said.

“How long have you been here?”

“About twenty minutes. Why?”

“I just walked by your room to ask you if you wanted some tea, but I heard you typing on your laptop really loudly, and I thought ‘Dawn must be in the zone’ so I didn’t bother you.”

Yep, you figured it out.

THERE WAS NO ONE IN MY ROOM WHEN SHE HEARD THIS.

And no one on the other end of the house.

What did I do?

I played the Jesus card.  I don’t know what it is/was, and I do NOT want to mess with it. In fact, I don’t WANT to know what it is. Like I said, prayer is a part of my personal belief system. I don’t apologize for it.

So if other folks want to find out about the “Ghost” in that room, go for it. But not me.

I’ve also had other mild paranormal experiences like this (one while working as a tour guide at Biltmore House in Asheville—but that’s a story for another Halloween.)

#3. Heights

I’ve always, always, been afraid of heights. Ever since I was a little girl. I don’t know why. I’ve never fallen or been trapped on a roof. Airplanes only bother me on take off and landing (because looking down from so high is kind of surreal that it all looks like a movie set).  But otherwise, I get shaky when I stand up on a stepladder more than two steps high. I’ve only fairly recently got to the place where I could change lightbulbs without shaking.

Well, this clip describes it all. Alfred Hitchcock was absolutely brilliant. I also love me some Jimmy Stewart.

Man! I miss men wearing SUITS!

Tomorrow--#2 and #1

Also, feel free to follow my blog. I've got some good stuff coming up---mainly info on Kindle publishing, ergonomics, and other crazy random stuff.

Also--some of you may be surprised to note: SNAKES and SPIDERS are NOT on my top list. Not at all. 

Snake in the garage? No problem. (granted, I'm not thrilled over it, but no problem.). HUGE spider web at the back door? No problem. In fact, maybe it will eat some of the gazillion mosquitoes that frequent Eastern North Carolina. 

But ask me to stand on a stepladder and change a lightbulb? Freak out city.

Spooktacular Giveaway -- and continuing with my creepy list

Welcome to the giveaway --- details and cool stuff are in the sidebar on the right. Woo hoo!

See previous posts for scary things  #7-10 by scrolling below.

To recap, I'm counting down the Top Ten Things that Scare the (insert expletive of your choice) Out of Me

6. My sister’s cat.

My sister’s cat is what Billy Bob Thorton would be if he were a cat. It’s one of those cats that is so sweet, kind, gentle…purrs up to you… leans lovingly against your hand…. gives a sweet ‘meow,’ as you lean close to it….
…then it scratches your face off.

Actually, I don’t know if Billy Bob Thornton does that…but I’m sure he could if he wanted to…

Case in point: On Dec. 24, I was staying in my sister’s guest room and the cat (ironically, named “Baby”) was snuggling up to me and purring in that way that cats do. I felt this was a breakthrough in our relationship (I actually do like cats) and so I was very thankful...

"Baby" hijacks my suitcase during a visit to my sister's. 

...but at 12:01 Christmas morning, the cat got on the floor (within easy smelling range of me) and hacked up the nastiest, smelliest, most disgusting furball I've ever seen/ heard/ experienced in my life. Then the cat looked at me as if to say, "Merry Christmas, you stupid b--"

Once I just looked at the cat and he hissed. The cat will snuggle up to me. "Love me" he seems to say, then, when I attempt to pet him--and I am not kidding-- he once slapped me so hard my glasses flew to the other side of the room.

I know he's trying to kill me.

I hate this cat. Wait, what I meant to say was....
....I hate this cat.

Put Bob Saget, a creepy puppet, the cat and me all in a parking garage and it’s my own ninth circle of hell.

Tune in tomorrow for #5...

Head back to the linky link list for more giveaways by clicking here...

Continuing my fearful countdown for the Spooktacular giveaway

How does it work? Well, all you need to know is on the right underneath the logo.
Be sure to scroll down for the hints to the #1 thing that scares the (expletive of your choice) out of me...

And in the spirit of the season (and, well, because I have no social life and nothing better to do), we continue. Scroll on down for numbers 9 and 10...

Top Ten Things that Scare the Bleep Out of Me....

8. Ventriloqust dummies…such as Jeff Dunham’s Walter or Peanut


(kewpie dolls, creepy dolls, and the like)

Surprisingly though, not clowns. I don’t particularly LIKE clowns, but they don’t really creep me out like they do my sister. But “dummies” or any dolls that look cutesy and TALK…well, that’s just strange. They act human. Some of them look human. Some look VERY human. But something just isn’t quite there.

 Maybe that’s why I’ve never been able to really get into Jeff Dunham, though my friends tell me I’d love his humor. Peanut isn’t some cute purplely-muppet-thing. He’s scary. He’s going to snap my neck when I’mnot looking. Want to know where his other shoe is? He shoved it down someone’s throat and killed them….

Disclaimer #2--- like Mr. Saget (see #10) I’m sure Mr. Dunham and Mr. Peanut pay their taxes, take out the trash and are good citizens. But that doesn’t mean I want to invite them over for dinner.

But only some puppets freak me out. Go figure.

Miss Piggy = not scary (can’t say why….maybe it’s the overdone mascara? Hard to be afraid of anything with that much mascara)

King Friday from Mr. Roger’s neighborhood= SCARY

Grover from Sesame Street = Meh

Those realistic-looking American Girl-type dolls you can get that look exactly like you = VERY SCARY.

Any psychology majors out there want to take a crack at why?

Seems like when I was little (4 or 5) there was a movie on TV about a voo doo/African doll that came to life and chased its owner around with a spear and knife (This was the early 70s, so I’m sure it was all very politically incorrect and racially insensitive, so my apologies there---I'm just the messenger).

 I vividly remember her having to throw the thing into the oven and even then it about came out, on fire, trying to get her. I didn’t sleep well that night. I had to be reassured that those dolls were not sold in stores. Somewhere deep down inside, I was afraid that maybe Santa would mess up, get my list confused with someone else’s, and put that doll in my stocking one year.

Since then, any doll / toy / thing that seemed to have human characteristics always caused me to freak out.

Except the bionic woman. She was cool.

But if you really want to go back to one of the earlier –and in my opinion--- best version of creepy toys, I say look no farther than Rod Searling’s twilight Zone and Talking Tina. I think this is still incredibly effective because it’s understated. Granted, I first saw this episode when I was in seventh grade, and it scared the poo out of me, but I think it is still chilling because of it requires a lot of viewer imagination to fill in some blanks. Although by today's scare meter, it is mild, it does make the point that sometimes less is more...
Take a gander below. Twilight Zone. Classic stuff. Still one of my all time faves.

7. Going to the bathroom in strange places

If I have to go to the bathroom on a plane, I'm desperate. I mean, come on. I just know part of my rear end is going to be sucked out into space. I can't go to the bathroom on a bus or train, either. I've tried. I sit down, and then I start wondering, "I wonder how fast we're going? I wonder what city/ state/ we're in? I wonder what would happen if there was a wreck and I was the one caught--literally--with my pants down that like scum lawyer dude who was hiding in the loo in the movie "Jurassic Park"? If this thing came to a sudden stop, would the laws of physics dictate that my pee is traveling at the same rate of the train?

Once, when I was in  England  (lovely country, btw. I LOVE the BRITS), I was with travel buddies L and G on the train from Manchester to Birmingham when nature called. Now, I had to cross to the next car where the bathroom was. No problem, right? I can handle this.

I open the door, and while it was a nice, simple walkway, I was very conscious of how fast we were going and then the whole thing turned into a scene from  "Lord of the Rings." Suddenly, I didn't have to go anymore.

This is why they call us Ugly Americans, I guess.

Tune in tomorrow for more, but in the meantime --- check out other way cool blogs on the linky link list by clicking here.... 

Spooktacular giveaway...and top ten things that scare the bleep out of me

Welcome to the Spooktacular giveaway blog hop. Because I'll be posting a lot this week, I want to be sure everyone coming to the blog this week gets all the information they need on how to get a free e-book from me. The information is in the sidebar on the right...
And in the spirit of the season, I’m counting down the Top 10 things that scare the crap out of me. NOTE: this list is supposed to be all in fun. I’m not putting “nuclear war” or global economic meltdown because those things are just too real.

ADDED BONUS?

…..if you can guess the #1 thing that scares me, you will win a coupon for a free copy of all of my books!  I’ll give a series of hints, and you can guess any day of the blog hop. Winners, (and the number one thing that scares me) will be revealed on Halloween

(insert ghost-like “wooooooo” here).

Following are six hints to the #1 item on my list…if you can guess it, you get a coupon for free copies of ALL THREE of my books….Just leave your answer in the comments section. (Friends who know me, please e-mail me privately and refrain from commenting and giving a spoiler to everyone…)

1---It is a “monster”---though not one the kids typically dress up as on Halloween

2—It has never been portrayed by Robert Pattinson.

3—It was featured in an episode of “The X Files”

4—It has been seen all over the world, but particularly in the Southern United States

5— Movies have been made about this “monster.” (Two that I know of...)
6---It scares me most because I believe I have actually seen it. (Though it could have possibly been the effects of some bad mayo…)

And now, we'll begin... (come back if you want to visit again and see all the items on my list...(cue drumroll....)

Top 10 things that scare the crap out of me.


10. Bob Saget

No, I’m not talking about that adorable widower with his cute kids on “Full House,” I’m talking about the wise-cracking host of “America’s Funniest Home Videoes” (AFHV) who kept telling jokes THAT WERE NOT FUNNY. And then he’d LAUGH. And then he’d do different voices for the people in the videos. That was creepy.

Okay, rule number one—don’t laugh at yourself. If it’s really funny, you won’t have to because everyone is already laughing. Seinfeld doesn’t laugh at himself. Foxworthy doesn’t laugh at himself (although if you do, you might be a redneck, yada, yada, yada….)

I’m sure Mr. Saget is a wonderful man and outstanding American citizen. He has done wonderful work for charity, and for this, he should be applauded. (Though I have heard that some of his more Vegas-rated comedy routines are profanely R-rated, in stark contrast to his “Full House” role. ) This is not a personal attack on Mr. Saget and I am definitely NOT suggesting that you leave flaming bags of poo on his doorstep. I’m also not suggesting that if you like him that something is wrong with you....

…but his hosting on AFHV is like nails on a chalkboard to me.

I give you the clip below…

(Shudder, shudder, shudder)

9. Parking Garages


Why is it in the movies, when everything goes downhill, there’s a drug deal shootout, the undead appear for the first time, it’s always, always, in a parking garage?

In the Matrix Reloaded freaky albino twins attack…in a parking garage.

Some movie where killer toys come after people who are trapped……in a parking garage.

Law and Order opening sequence…in a parking garage (cue Lenny with his wiseacre quip “Parking in this city will kill you…” –doink, --doink)

In Aliens, the alien hive is just basically a big parking garage for mutant evil alien eggs.

Doesn’t the Terminator make his first appearance in a parking garage? If not, he should have.

It’s for this reason I rarely park in a parking garage. Ever. Even in broad daylight. Even if I have to walk six miles to get to where I’m going.

Any other movies where the “fit hit the shan” in a parking garage?

Tune in tomorrow for more from the list.... :)
But in the meantime...
...visit some of the authors on the link list of this wonderful blog and get some cool free reads by clicking here.

FREE Halloween Short Story: Proverbs 31 Woman

I entered the NPR three-minute fiction contest last year, and didn't win, but I wanted to share my entry because it was really fun to write.

The parameters were:
1--story had to be three minutes when read aloud.
2-- the first sentence had to be "everyone thought the house was haunted"
3-- the last sentence had to be "and nothing was the same after that."

I hope you enjoy it....and check back in for the Spooktacular promo on Oct. 24 for FREE stuf---plus a countdown of the top ten things that scare the crap out of me.

Here is the story. Copyright, all rights reserved, all of that.

Proverbs 31 Woman

By: Dawn DeAnna Wilson

Some people swore that the house was haunted. But in our town, people swore the moon shot was faked. Our “historic” home had creaky floors, rattling windows, and it didn’t help that our hallways echoed with the bloodcurdling grind of electric sanders and the heart-sickening thunder of the sledgehammer. Kids would ring the doorbell and run, as if trying to get Boo Radley to come outside. Ted ignored them. He was imagining our Queen Anne fixer-upper as a bed and breakfast.

But then Ted got an abnormal PSA. He announced it to my in-laws during Thanksgiving dinner.

“My prostate’s shot,” he declared between spoonfuls of cranberry sauce. “I might even have the cancer.”

“Oh sweet Jesus, Mary and Joseph,” my mother-in-law, Judith, said while awkwardly crossing herself, lest we mistake her prayer for taking the Lord’s name in vain.

“In the meantime, I’m starting my bucket list.” Ted was surprisingly upbeat.

I supported him like a true Proverbs 31 woman—the heart of her husband safely trusts her--- I helped him research skydiving prices, the best time to hike the Grand Canyon, and European travel bargains.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph came through for us; additional tests showed no cancer, but Ted’s bucket list was starting to metastasize. Next morning, I found him at the kitchen table, dark circles under his once-animated green eyes, surrounded by a hurricane of crumpled roadmaps, AAA guidebooks and legal pads covered with his awkward cursive.

“You know it only costs 30 grand to climb Mount Everest?” he said.

“Only?”

“If I take the accelerated course, I can get my pilot’s license in two months.”

“What’s all this?”

“My bucket list,” he said.

“But you don’t have the cancer.”

The doorbell rang. I answered it. No one was there. Kids.

Who can find a virtuous wife? Her worth is far above rubies.

I guess everyone just needed someone to inspire them—the economy sucked, the textile plant closed, and businesses were leaving town. Every other day someone from the church gave me another casserole. Ted wasn’t inspirational. He was convenient.

When Ted was supposed to get estimates on rewiring the house, he got estimates on scuba trips, the kind where they put you in shark cages.

“I understand bucket lists, honey.” I gently massaged his shoulders. “But some of this stuff…it’s just ridiculous.”

“That’s not what Earl said.”

“Earl?”

“Editor at the weekly paper. He wants to do a feature story on me.”

“For not having cancer?”

“On my trip to Angor Watt Temple. In Cambodia.”

“Who’s going to pay for rewiring the house while you’re in Cambodia?”

She willingly works with her hands…she rises while it is yet night.

Judith tells me to support Ted’s dreams-- he’s still her little mama’s boy. She says maybe the bed and breakfast was a bad idea.

“It was his idea.”

“He’s been through a lot.”

“How is he different from millions of people who don’t have cancer? How is he different from those who pay taxes and are living in houses worth less than they owe?”

She handed me a casserole and left me standing in the middle of sawdust and splinters.

She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms.
That’s when I finally realized the house was haunted. Every time Ted added an item, I hammered another hole in the wall. The kids don’t ring the doorbell anymore. Some dreams should just die. Some hopes shouldn’t be on life support. Some walls should be torn down.

Nothing was ever the same again after that.

One of the coolest things I've seen on You Tube in a long time

Unexpected inspiration…..How cool is this?


I was going to initiallyask him to marry me, but I saw the wedding band when he did “Droopy Dog.” So near and yet so far. Another man slipped through my fingers (as opposed to running, screaming as they head out the door.)

But seriously, this guy shows incredible talent. There just simply aren’t enough examples of Woody Allen doing Shakespere.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8PGBnNmPgk

Paying money to get published is still a dicey idea...five things to keep in mind

I think though the self-publishing trend has been revived due to Kindle and electronic publishing, it still stands as a good adage that the money should flow toward the author. Although Kindle may be considered self-publishing, it does not cost to publish on Kindle, and even Amazon’s Create Space for print titles is moderate (I think $35 for a package that lists you with Baker and Taylor and the major distributors.)

In addition, many print-on-demand publishers take a percentage of what is sold (unless you opt to purchase marketing services…which is a whole other ball of wax. ) For the record, I would be hesitant to pay for marketing services unless said organization has a proven track record of ROI (that is “return on investment.”)

You don’t need me to “mother hen” you, but here’s five things you should always consider when sending your book out in the world:

1. Track record of the publisher. Go to Preditors and Editors --- a VERY useful “buyer beware” website.

2. Can you do this yourself? Seriously. How is this publisher different from a print on demand publisher that won’t charge you an upfront fee?

3. Charges for cover art and editing? Well, you SHOULD get your work professionally proofread. That’s a given. But you may be able to find reputable freelancers who will do this (if you don’t, e-mail me and I’ll leave you the names of some I’ve worked with in the past). Cover art? Just like everyone thinks he/she can write, everyone also thinks he/she is an artist. Unless you have a background in graphic design maybe it’s best to leave it to the pros. JA Konrath’s blog has listed some of his cover artists. I can also forward the names of reputable freelancers I have dealt with in the past. Ask yourself if it’s more economical to hire a freelancer. You want your book to be professional.

4. I’m counting #3 as two items because, well, I’m just that lazy.

5. DISTRIBUTION. I’ll say that again. DISTRIBUTION. How do they plan to get this book out and into the world? Just putting it on their website (as opposed to Barnes and Noble, Amazon, etc. and Kindle among others) doesn’t cut it.

Any thoughts?

So happy fall is here!!!!!!

This is my favorite time of year, and in the hot, humid, swampy flat landscapes of Eastern North Carolina, it hasn't come too soon. In fact, it seems that summer has wanted to hang on, and linger, and linger, and linger forever. 

I've always found summer so oppressive.

Fall reminds me of two things:
1-- Football weather.

I don't watch football. Don't really care for it, to be honest. But, I do remember sitting in the stands with my friends as members of my high school marching band, watching the "Mike Man" do push ups from my seats in Kenan stadium while at the University of North Carolina, and yes, even looking over at the leaves starting to crisp from the 7th floor study lounge of Davis Library (I was a geek, what can I say?)

2-- Possibility

I remember the first "floor" meeting we had in my dorm. It was my freshman year at UNC-Chapel Hill (a place I dreamed of going since 7th grade) and there was something about the fall that first year. It let me know that there is always possibility, that there are always new beginnings, that no matter what we've done, it seems we can reinvent and transform ourselves into something greater.

I have a quote on my laptop that I like by Ivy Barker Priest.
It reads:
"The world is round, and the place that may seem like the end may actually, in fact, be only the beginning."

That's what I think of when I feel the first crisp of fall.

Spooktacular Blog Hop Oct. 24 - Oct. 31

I'll be doing the Spooktacular Blog Hop on Oct. 24 - Oct. 31...everyone who leaves a comment will get a FREE copy of "Welcome to Shangri-La North Carolina." This is a collection of short stories that were done as a part of my master's thesis. (I have my master's in English / Creative Writing from East Carolina University).

All you have to do is leave a comment (and obviously, an e-mail addy) and I'll send you the coupon code.

And no, I DO NOT SPAM. First --I don't know how to do it and second---it's totally not cool, man.

But (as the guy says on the infomercial at 3 a.m.) there's MORE -- from those commenters, I will draw THREE who will win my other two books -- "Saint Jude" and "Leaving the Comfort Cafe."

As an added bonus (or not) That week, I will be counting down the TOP TEN THINGS THAT SCARE THE CRAP OUT OF ME.   A note here---this is all meant to be in good fun, so I'm not going to put things like "nuclear Armageddon"  or "collapse of the global economy" because---well, those things are a bit too scary because they are a bit too real. The point of this countdown is not to give you a front row seat on my therapy sessions, but rather to tastefully celebrate some of the spooky season.

Join me. It'll be fun. Plus, if my book isn't your cup of tea, there are TONS of cool books available at this blog hop. I'll have links available.

Dawn to J.A. Konrath: Pass the Kool-Aid

In his recent blog post, author and Kindle powerhouse JA Konrath quoted a literary agent as making this statement:

Do NOT drink the kool-aid on E-publishing. It's too early to be making sweeping statements about any of it. We're all learning this as we go and the right answer to almost everything is "we'll see what happens."


Well, while I agree you can't make sweeping statements about ANYTHING in this world, I do think to say "don't drink the Kool-Aid" leaves out some major opportunities for writers---mainly putting up their books from traditional publishers which have gone out of print (as I did.)

But Konrath takes her statements one by one and I'm not going to reiterate what he said, but the link is here:

http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/

Also, while you're there, check out the "e-publishing predictions" that JA made back in 2009 with astonishing accuracy. Link is here:

http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2011/09/konraths-ebook-predictions-from-2009.html

Update on my Kindle Venture -- three-figure club and print interest?

For those of you who have been following, I have launched my own mini "Kindle experiment" by putting up my out-of-print books and a short story collection (workshopped stories that were done as a part of my master's degree). I was interested to know if the Kindle venture would be beneficial, and I had nothing to lose.

I currently have three titles up on Kindle, and I hear that the more you put up, the more yo sell.

Over the last three months I have earned between $74 and $84 a month total.
This last month I entered the special "three-figure" club--- I have earned $102.

All of this is with every little advertising, though I do participate in some book giveaways and a few events like that.

I've also found that folks are now interested in buying my hard copies. Since they are out of print from the publishers, I will have to find a way to get them up myself, and am looking at Amazon's Create Space to do it.  I think that's interesting that folks have found an interest in the print copies, and I wonder if it has something to do with some random person selling one of the few new print copies of "Leaving the Comfort Cafe" for $43.

To recap, I started this whole thing by putting up my short story collection in the fall of 2009. From there, I eventually put up my other titles. All three titles were up sometime in late 2010. In short, I've not been at this very long.

I'll keep you updated as I progress.

My goal: to earn enough $$ to go to an international writing retreat in Ireland I've had my eye on for a while....