Romance Magicians: When Is Enough Enough?

Romance Magicians: When Is Enough Enough?: "When is enough enough? I’ve thought about this a lot the last couple years. My first submission was sent out in 1992 and I didn’t send anyth..."

From Publishers Marketplace

Carla Swafford's debut OUT OF THE SHADOWS, after being kidnapped by the enigmatic leader of a rival mercenary group, an assassin learns she may not have been working for the good guys after all, to Wendy Lee at Avon Impulse, by Nalini Akolekar at Spencerhill Associates.

So cool!  Been reading their Publishers Lunch for years and my name finally showed up in their deals. Totally cool.

Say What?

You won't believe this. Click here and read this. 

Loyalty

Nothing in particular came to mind today about this, but I know that I'm a loyal friend. I rarely say bad things about someone I consider to be my friend. Doesn't mean I don't see the person's faults. (The rarely part.) I just figure they overlook my faults so why shouldn't I overlook theirs?

Just thinking.

Contests

No, this isn't another one of my rants about judges and contests and what they do wrong. It's just that I realized I'm addicted to contests. Give a person a few finals and she wants to enter them all. Thankfully (odd to say that) I'm low on income and can't enter them all. Never really saw the need, so it's a good thing I do have some restraint.

I knew a girl who entered so many in one year, she spent over $3,000 dollars. That was when you had to pay for postage there and back. The supplies (envelopes, clips, paper and ink) could add up quick. But still, folks, that was too much. The most I spent in a year was $427 and I still choke when I think of it. Yes. I do keep a spreadsheet. That was the first year I was without a bonus (been three years now) and still had a little extra funds set back. I guess if I was a smoker or drinker, I would spend a lot more money on those habits than I did on contests. It did cut into my buying books but then I get a lot of those free through readers luncheons and conferences I attend. That's really where my extra money went, but all for the purpose of trying to get published and networking. I must say it's paying off. More of that in another post later this year.  Cruel, ain't I?

As I mentioned in my last post, I'm not going to the national conference this year. This will be the first year in nine that I won't be to a conference, national or regional. I probably needed a break from them anyway.

Back to contests. I realized I can't enter the Maggies or the Golden Heart this year. And I had gotten my highest scores ever in the GH this year. Click here to read about that. It makes me sad, but then I knock myself over the head and think, CARLA (I'm on first name basis with myself), YOU'RE GOING TO BE PUBLISHED!  LOL!

I guess my next addiction will be in searching my name and looking for reviews (good or/and bad) and bemoaning that.  Of course, there are always the Ritas and other "published" contests.

Conferences

I received a surprise yesterday in my email. My agent's agency sent me an email inviting me to their cocktail party during the RWA's national conference. It was really neat looking and you could RSVP directly into the "card." Made me so sad to have to click on UNABLE TO ATTEND. I keep telling myself that next year I should have enough money saved up to attend the one in Anaheim, CA. It's one of the states I've never visited.

All my extra money (and that's not much) is going to our family vacation. We try to do it every other year. I cheated last year and went to another conference. Long story. Don't misunderstand. I love taking family vacations. My girls are wonderful and I love my grandson and his dad. I just wish I had money to go to them all. LOL! I guess I'm being greedy.

Besides, my hubby will probably want to come along to the conference. He doesn't understand how they're the only place I can have my "girls' night out." And plus I enjoy not having to worry if he's bored.

We'll see.

Riddle Me This

Who first started using the phrase, for the greater good? Why does that sound better than, for the bigger best?

A New List

It's funny how I finally sold a book (two actually - YEAH!), I look at a lot of things differently. Here's a little list. You know how I love lists.

1)  Book reviews
2)  Writing contests
3)  Conferences
4)  Book covers
5)  Email signatures
6)  Posting on FaceBook, Twitter, and this blog
7)  Life in general

Surely you understand what I'm saying here without going into detail.

Something you probably knew deep inside that was coming, I have to cut back on my personal blog. I'll probably blog a couple times a week. Maybe in a few months, I can start blogging every day...well, nearly every day.  LOL!  For now, I have a second book to finish and quick. 

Wish me luck.

Deadline Girl

I've decided I'm a deadline girl. Working on a book while knowing someone will want it as long as I keep it in line with the previous one is inspiring. Knowing the genre is the right one for me at this time helps me focus too.

Of course check back with me in a couple months and I might sing a different tune.  LOL!

Happy Friday The 13th

You know the other day on this blog I was talking about the number 13.  A few more have crept up.

In numerology, you add numbers up to find their meanings. Well, I was looking at the original email I had gotten from the editor. It had been sent to me on 5/04/2011 at 1:57 p.m. So add 5, 4, 2, 0, 1 and 1. What do you get? 13!  Then add 1, 5 and 7.  Another 13!  (And if you change the time to military, it reads 13:57!)

Yeah, yeah. I know. That's kind of stretching it. But isn't that freaky!

Then Wednesday I receive the agent's contract. I signed it and decided to go ahead and date it the 13th. It just seem appropriate to sign the contract on another Friday 13th. Maybe now I'll have a lot of good luck.

No. I'm not nuts. Just playing it safe by my way of thinking. 

Thanks, Grandmother!