Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Time for a Few Bits and Pieces

Update on The Prairie Grass Murders

The Harlequin Worldwide Mystery mass market paperback edition of The Prairie Grass Murders is no longer available at the eHarlequin online store. The book was sold out. Wow! I've been remaindered, but never sold out. It's like...like...a super bonus. Maybe I'll get a royalty check. Oh, my goodness, we're talking super excitement now.

I know some of you just smacked your forehead with your hand and said, "Shucks. I shoulda bought one when I had the chance." Never fear. You can get the paperback new or used through amazon.com's associate sellers, or you can buy a hardcover direct from me at a discounted rate, or you can buy the audiobook, or...you can wait just a little longer and get the title as an ebook. As soon as I figure out how I want to do it and arrange for a new cover design, I'll make The Prairie Grass Murders available for Kindle, Nook, and any other e-reader as well as computer download.

Note to self: Stop procrastinating. Do it!


The Maeve Binchy Writers' Club

I'm sure lots of you have read at least one novel by Maeve Binchy. Those who are also writers will be interested in her recent release from Anchor Books, The Maeve Binchy Writers' Club. Its intention is to "motivate and encourage aspiring writers, as well as to entertain Maeve Binchy fans the world over."

From Maeve's website:

"Inspired by a course run by the National College of Ireland, The Writers' Club comprises twenty letters from Maeve, offering advice, tips and her own take on life as a writer, in addition to contributions from top writers, publishers and editors."


By the way, did you know Maeve Binchy became a best-selling author at age 43? There are 17 novels and one other nonfiction book listed in the front of The Maeve Binchy Writers' Club.

There are books on that list I haven't read yet.

Yay!


Thursday Guest Blogger: Sarah Wisseman

Be sure to drop by tomorrow and read about archaeologist and museum curator (and mystery writer) Sarah Wisseman's path to publication.


The Northern Colorado Writers Question of the Month

Yesterday morning was our monthly morning coffee. Each month a different mix of writers turns up at the NCW studio and we talk writing stuff. We socialize for a bit, get our coffee, then sit around the tables and do an introduction. This usually consists of our names, what we're working on now, a "get-to-know-each-other-better" question to answer, and any topics we want to discuss.

The question of the month was, "If you could stay any one age forever, what age would you choose and why?" I said, "I would pick 35, but I did some pretty stupid things back then. So I decided on 55, an age where I was brave, and a lot smarter than I was at 35."

Since our group is made up of writers of all ages, it was interesting to see that very few of the older writers would choose to go back to their teens or early 20s. Many chose the age they are now, or just a few years younger. I kept wondering if the younger writers noticed that and realized perhaps their best years are ahead of them, not behind them.

Now I'm wondering about you. If you could stay any one age forever, what age would you choose and why?

17 comments:

Sugar said...

Woohoo sold out!! That's awesome!!!

congrats :)

Terry Odell said...

Good look on the blog--guess I haven't been here in a bit.

I agree--the age I am now is always the best age.

Donna Volkenannt said...

Congratulations on the success of Prairie Grass Murders. It's a great book!
And love the changes on your blog!
Donna Volkenannt
http://donnasbookpub.blogspot.com

Elspeth Futcher said...

Sold out??!! How amazing - be proud! I would suggest a small, tasteful dance of joy. Or don't be tasteful - it's supposed to be joyous! Congrats.

Unknown said...

Wonderful that you Sold Out. (I'd capitalize the "sold out", but that'd be bad manners.)

As for age: I think 50 would be good. I knew enough and still had lots of energy and my back behaved.

Patricia Stoltey said...

Good morning, everyone. If you've already been here and are cruising back to look for comments, please note I corrected all my typos. I wrote this post late last night and apparently I was half asleep.

I also added a reminder about tomorrow's guest blogger. Sarah Wisseman has a great story to tell about her mystery series (and a new series coming soon).

Unknown said...

Congrats on the sold out!
You have so many wonderful things coming up, cant wait.
CD

Ann Best said...

I now have some extra money and can buy some books. How can I get Prairie Grass Murders at the discount you mention? Send you a check? And congratulations!!!

I'd say 50 or maybe 55 on age. That was a good decade; by then I'd had a lot of crucial experiences, I just needed the time then that I have now to write. I definitely want to be younger than my current 70 since this means I don't have a lot of writing years ahead!!

Jane Kennedy Sutton said...

Sold out - how super cool is that!Congratulations! If I had to pick an age, I'd probably choose 50 - not exactly sure why, but it just seems like it was a very good time in my life.

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Congrats on the sell out of your book.

Yvonne.

Gary said...

Congratulations!...and I'd like to be 55 again. I retired at that age and I was in better shape than I was at 35.

Jemi Fraser said...

Congrats on the seel out - that's fantastic!

Anonymous said...

If we buy hardcover direct from you, does the book come with a free autograph?

I'm so happy for you.

As to my age, I love how old I am now. Experienced, yet still excited and energetic. At the moment, I have everything I could ever want and more. Who would be crazy enough to give that up for the drama of another senior prom?

Simon Hay said...

Woot! Sold out! I think my best years are still coming. I'm feeling great! 5 years ago I was chronically ill, today I'm content. I used to be in great shape after years of karate and boxing, now I'm happy not to look back. Honestly, we get better with age.

Patricia Stoltey said...

Thanks everyone. It feels good to have cleaned out an inventory without having to buy the remaindered books myself.

And Cat, autographs cost extra....NO, NO, JUST KIDDING. I'm happy to autograph anything you like (as long as it's a book). Contact me through my e-mail at patriciastoltey (at) yahoo (dot) com if you want to buy one.

Patricia Stoltey said...

I love that so many are content with their current ages or at least not wishing to be 18 again. And I definitely would not want to do high school all over again. I prefer being older and wiser (and brave, don't forget brave).

Barbara Scully said...

Congrats on your sell out! Well done!

Meave Binchey - lives a couple of miles away and I was lucky enough to have tea with her once in her charming house in Dalkey. she is warm and wise and funny and a total pleasure to spend time with. A wonderful talker and story teller! We rightly proud of her!