Slover Library

Libraries seem to be an asset that really aren't utilized to their fullest potential.  Which is really sad.  There's something wonderful about libraries in general.  I've spent so much time in libraries growing up.  I must sadly admit that my relationship with libraries has waned.  I must get better about that.  Looks like it's time to renew that library card!

But I digress...

I was fortunate enough to get a tour of the Slover Library in downtown Norfolk by Will Hopkins, a fellow author and painter.

Author Appearnace

Did you miss the last book signing?  Never fear my friends there's always a second chance.

Join us this Tuesday at Slover Library in Norfolk, VA to chat about our book!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Books + Chocolate = Happiness

Everyone wants a happy place.  And we all have different happy places.  But what could be better than books and chocolate?  How about getting your By The Bay book signed by the authors and then getting some chocolate?  Fabulous right?  I thought so.

February 27th we did just that.  We were at The Royal Chocolate in Virginia Beach.

Royal Chocolate here I come!

Left to Right: Jenny Sparks, Mike Owens, Jayne Ormerod,
Mary-Jac O'Daniel, Karen Harris, Michelle Davenport,
Pat Clark & Gina Warren Buzby

I'm sorry I didn't get the word out sooner.  We will be having another book signing on April 30th at The Book Exchange.  More details to come later. 

Hope to see you there!

Big Screen Dreams

So a while back on By The Bay an interesting question was brought up.  How did we see our characters in our mind's eye?  Everyone envisions a character differently, but who would we have play our characters if they were to ever be brought to life in a movie for the big screen or even television?  Hey, you never know, the Hallmark Channel might do something like that!  Something like Chicken Soup for the Soul.  It would be fantastic!

Now when I first started writing my story, I honestly didn't have anyone in mind for any of my characters.  Just some traits and vague notions.  However, as I think on it I can get a 'vision' of who would play whom.

I could see Rick Moranis playing the role of Rick Dandes.  He's adorably distracted and sweet.  I think it's a pretty good match.

As Anna I see Jewel Staite.  She's just darling and would make an adorable match with her on screen husband.

And I definitely see Betty White as Dorothy Dandes.  I think she would be fantastic!  She's so versatile.  She can be tough and wise cracking one moment and the next she's sweet as pie.

Stella was the hardest for me, as I never really gave her any features.  But when it comes down to it I would love for Laura Cohen to play her.  She's extremely capable and I think she could pull it off.  I also have to admit I was binge watching The Walking Dead at the time, so she seemed a natural pick.

Of course Stella's convertible would have to be a 1990 Mazda Miata in white.  And if a movie is ever made I want the car when the movie is wrapped up.  Hey a girl can dream!

So who did you envision playing these parts?  Did it coincide with my mind's eye?  Leave a comment below to let me know what you think.

Count Down: 0 Days

Today is the day!  The day I have anxiously been waiting for.

At 5 pm tonight I will be signing books!

I know people may think I'm weird, but it finally seems completely real.  And I'm a nervous wreck!  Those butterflies in my tummy have turned into stampeding elephants!

However, I do hope you will all come out and see me.  Hopefully by then I'll be calmer.

Count Down: 1 Day

That's right!  You read the title correctly! 

Tomorrow is the book signing!

I hope you're able to join us at East Beach Sandwich Company tomorrow.  If you can't please go  purchase one of our books from Amazon or if you know one of the contributing authors, try getting one from them.

Count Down: 2 Days

When did those butterflies become stampeding elephants?

Those who know me, know I have an odd ball sense of humor.  So I thought I would share it with you.

As my nephew, JD, would say...    "I'm getting all excitedy!"

I hope you are too.  

Count Down: 3 Days

Only three more days until the book signing.

Really that's not too far off...  But it feels like an eternity!

That's the hardest part.  Waiting.  

Waiting for the edits.  Waiting for the revisions.  Waiting for the book to be published.  Waiting for the release.  And waiting for the book signing.  

And don't forget to include the promoting in there.  Get the word out there.  Post.  Blog.  Do what you can to get the word out about your book!

Patience shall endure.

Hope to see you there!

Count Down: 4

I realize that I missed day 5.  Sorry about that.  Things can get hectic some times.

First and foremost...

And I can't seem to hide it!  I'm walking around with a grin on my face and probably annoying the dickens out of my friends and family.

Side note.  Thanks to those who're being patient with me.  It is my first publication after all.  And I love you all for being my support system, by grinning and bearing it instead of bonking me on the noggin and telling me to chill.

And yes, my friends, I am a Star Trek type of gal.  So I thought it very appropriate to share this meme.

Bonus!  You got a tid bit about me that you may or may not have known.  I do try to share.

Count Down: 9

We are in single digits now as we count down to the book signing.

Only 9 more days until you can get your book signed by 9 of the 10 contributing authors as well as the author who penned our forward.

This is a great time to not only purchase your book and have it signed by the authors, but to chat with us.  We love our readers!

I hope to see you at the East Beach Sandwich Company on August 5th from 5 - 8 pm.  

It's Official!

In case you haven't looked to the top left of this blog you may not realize it, but...

We have officially released our book!!

It's for sale at Amazon in paperback and e-book formats!  I can not even begin to express how excited I am.  Imagine Snoopy's happy dance happening here.

If you'd like to have an autographed copy, we will be doing a book signing on August 5th at the East Beach Sandwich Company from 5-8 pm.  Would love to see you stop by!

Interview

The count down begins to the launch of the book.  However, that's not what this post is about.  I realize that I haven't done a lot with the blog lately.  Sorry about that.

But if you're interested, you can go here to the By The Bay: East Beach Stories and check out my interview.

Each author of the book submitted a question and was then asked to answer them all.  It can prove to be interesting.

Go check it out.

Book Signing

In case you haven't checked things out.  I will be at a book signing August 5th.  I've included our flyer with all the pertinent information.

Hope I see you there!

It's A Novel!

Announcing the birth of a novel!

The novel is 187 pages and will be available for purchase as of August 5th.

The book launch is August 5th at 5 p.m. at the East Beach Sandwich Company in Norfolk, VA.  Many of the authors will be in attendance to sign your copy.

Hope to see you there!

Cover Art Reveal!

Cue the epic opening theme number.  Or even a choir of angels singing.

Finally, I can reveal the cover art for the anthology that I have published a story in.  The book title is By The Bay: East Beach Stories.  It is a collection of 12 fictional stories that will have a connection to the real neighborhood of East Beach.  East Beach is a small community set along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay in the northeast corner of Norfolk, Virginia.

Isn't it lovely?

The scene of grass, dunes and shoreline was done in oils by fine artist and fellow author Gina Warren Buzby.  You can see more of her wonderful works at GinaWarrenBuzby.com.

For more information about the project, the stories and the contributing authors go to bythebaystories.blogspot.com.

Exciting Times

Advanced Reader's Copy of By The Bay

So recently I was able to proof an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) of By The Bay: East Beach Stories.  This is not the cover art, but the insides are what will be in the book.

And proceeds from this book will be going to a local charity.  More on that later, I promise.

Color me excited!

It truly makes it 'real' to see your story printed in a book.  And this is my first published piece.