Childhood Nerd Syndrome ;)

Reposted from my Node account:

I started pretty young....it was all innocent at first with Wonderwoman, Sid & Marty Kroft hour, Bionic woman and Starsky & Hutch (met them one in LAX when I was 5. Paul Michael Glassier tweaked my nose & gave me a piece of gum. David Soul was kind of a dick, but I digress).
My favorite show in the whole world though, even above cartoons or the Bugaloos was In Search Of hosted by Leonard Nemoy. In fact I still get chills when I hear the theme song!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK4PGCQQ4Oc

My other favorite thing as a kid was Omni magazine (http://omnimagazineonline.com/). I would steal them from my father ALL the time. I was heartbroken when they got thrown out :( All those articles and Geiger artwork gone *sigh*

Needless to say, this did nothing for my popularity points in the neighborhood or in school ;) But whatev, I would rather have grown up the outcast only child who has thousands of stories lined up in her head for books than anything in the world. I wear my nerdiness proudly and there are many facets to said state of being.

So what are your nerd badges of honor???

Boycott

Okay normally I don't post stuff like this but.....
On top of boycotting BP and it's affiliates, for obvious reasons, I am now boycotting Mattel.
Here's why, http://www.speakupforsay.com/ feel free to join me.

Happy 4th!

Hope everyone has a fun and safe holiday! Enjoy the libations but have a designated driver please... I'm out on the road with you!

Also wanted to pass along a message from Kate Douglas.... this is for unpublished authors.

"Wanted to get this out for those of you who are writing with the hope of one day getting published--Kensington Brava has a neat contest going. Check it out at bravaauthors.com Unpublished only!"

So if you're an aspiring author take a chance and enter. Good luck!

Have a great weekend everyone!

DW

Follow up

Yesterday had me stressed quite a bit..... it was mostly the comments in the forums that had me all riled up and confused. Me being me, should have known better than to listen to the hysteric masses, I usually don't fall into that trap. Not to say I'm not fallible, I'm not so brazen as to claim that, but I can usually spot that from a mile away. Thankfully the Square staff saw this and answered questions, finally.... another reason panic can get out of hand is if "mommy & daddy" don't calm the "kids".

So, that being said, it looks like the ship will sail after all once they get all the paper work in place. I am going to wait my turn in line, but Square looks like a very viable and excellent option for me at this point. If you have and Android, Iphone, Ipad or Iwhatever.... you can use this app. They are working on this option for Blackberry, so take heart.

Here's the run down that I got out of yesterday.... you sign up, activate your bank account, they will run a credit check, (to affirm that you are a meat-popcicle & not Hal 2000), they put you in queue for a reader, once you get it, activate it with the little code and you're good to go. You do have the option of opting out of the credit check, but you don't get a reader.... you can then only use the app to keep track of cash transactions.

I plan on using this for book signings and conventions... no more turning fans away because of cards. I also plan to use it to do Tarot readings on the fly *for entertainment purposes only* (legally have to add that in there). click on the word Square <~~~that one right there, to check out their website!

Rant

Sorry, but I have to get this off my chest....

I signed up for a service called Square which will allow me to take credit and debit card payments anywhere I go with my phone. As an author this is an ideal service as I had to refuse a few book sales recently because I didn't have the capability to take cards.....I had already signed up for Square at this point....let me explain. You are required to activate a card reader that attaches to your phone via headjack....hadn't received the reader yet and you can't use the service until you activate said reader. After you activate, you can THEN take payments with out the dongle (at a higher rate) but NOT until then.
Some people signed up with Square months (we're talking March & April) ago and are STILL waiting on readers...I've only been waiting since just before the Con Carolina's event. I don't mind waiting a bit because, hey, the dongle is free. My problem is I can't use the service AT ALL until they send me this damn piece of plastic....and NOW when they finally do give us an update on the slow progress of things have told us we need a credit check or we can cancel our service.... doesn't seem to be a choice. I'm pretty sure there is some sort of legal issue with changing the rules midstream but will cross that bridge when they answer the question of whether this is the case or not. A lot of people are canceling their accounts and going with other services such as GoPayment. I may have to go with them as well, but am not sure if my needs warrant a monthly $12.95 bill, (which is WAY reasonable BTW), just yet.

*sigh* I will update you all again as things progress. This is a fledgling company and the services seem awesome IF we ever get the chance to use it...but be warned....their communication is almost NON existent, save for poor Beth who has been thrown to the wolves of the CEO's making and the fact that you can't use it until you get the reader. If you're considering signing up, I would highly recommend waiting to see if this ship sinks or not, because it's REALLY iffy at this point. They launched WAY too early and are pissing off a lot of people right now.

*edit*
All right I have gotten at least a satisfactory answer on the credit check issue...they always do one and have not done one on anyone yet....but at least there is not a second.

Con weekend.

I had a ball this weekend. Got to catch up with old friends and make some very cool new ones! This year I was lucky to have some physical copies of my books and sold out of them...mind you, I only had two on hand....but one of my publishers brought copies of Mating Season and I was able to sign them.
I finally got to hang out with Yvette, it was an honor meeting her. She was the first publisher (Amira press) to take a chance on me and say yes to Cold Kiss. We were seated in between Faith Hunter and Sabrina Luna. I want to send a big thank you to Faith's husband as well for his patients with my son's constant raspberries aimed toward him. Got to meet Mark Baranowski, his lovely wife Ryli and their son. Got some hang time with David Pendragon (a.k.a. Mr. Big Mamma D), James, Marcia Collette, Eliza Gayle and Rachel & Tally Johnson. Pig Bird made an appearance with his parents who are long time friends of mine....Evil Twin & her hubby Myrddin Wolfe.
The media guests were amazingly nice! I made a fool of myself with Claudia Christian...I wasn't expecting her to be standing there and I stumbled for what to say. Bill Blair is such a sweetheart and put up with me being a bit of a flirt. Richard Hatch, what can I say, really nice gentleman who let me interrupt him enjoying chocolate ice cream for a picture and a nice big squeeze. I almost made a fool out of myself here as well by not watching where I was going and tripping over Bill Blair's foot :(
I also met a really cool gentleman named Doc Geressy who, get this, drives the Ecto-3A. I'm going to go ghost hunting with him and Carolina Ghostbusters soon.
A few other cool happenings, got some hang time and panel time with Robert Aldrich....he also drew a picture for me that now hangs in my office.
I'm going to be doing a post on my author friends in the next few days because I know I'm skipping a few :(

Had a blast, miss you guys already!

Few more days!

This weekend is the Con! If you are in the Charlotte NC area please come by. I will have a few copies of the 100% American Beef Anthology on hand or if you already have your copy come by the Sugar & Spice Press table and Dahlia Rose and I would be happy to sign it for you! Sabrina Luna will also be at the Con, so you can have three of us sign them. Dahlia and Sabrina will also have their other books for sale so you should def grab some.
I'm also bringing my computer so there may be a video cast or two throughout the weekend ;) A good time will be had by all...looking forward to seeing some of our friends like Faith, Tally, David, Davey, A.J., Misty, Robert, J.F., Edmund and Allen. Check out the guest list to see who all will be there. Again, I am so STUPIDLY excited to meet Richard Hatch, the original Apollo!! I'm going to try from going all fan girl on him.
We would love to see you there!

Getting...

geared up for Con Carolinas in a few weeks. So excited to see everyone again and maybe make some new friends. Also done with my respite after Dedicated To You and back to work on other projects. I have so many books to write it almost freezes me up when I sit down to hammer them out.
Later on this year I will be launching my young adult books under another pen name... Penelope Percival Dragonwick. It's been a busy few weeks...finally getting my office in order and trying to spend more and more time working in there rather than the kitchen where there are too many distractions. Also trying to get back in shape....I really need to get back down and into my old clothes. I've cut out the port wine...I do so love it but it does my waistline no favors!
In a few days I should have a copy of my second print book!! DTY was part of the 100% American Beef anthology with Dahlia Rose, Jordyn Tracy, Sabrina Luna and Anastasia Rabiyah and should be available on Amazon.com soon...I will post the link when it's up.

All right my lovelies....back to work!

Entertainer Friday!

Today I would like to introduce you to some more of my amazingly talented friends. Some are close friends, acquaintances or people I admire and have talked once or twice.

Mark McColl my dear friend & Pisan is the drummer for an awesome band called Doubting Thomas.

Thomas Wood The Pyro Juggler I've known since I was 16 and we worked together at the Ren Faire in Glen Helen.

Big Mamma D is the Queen of burlesque, especially here in the Queen City. She actually has a show going on this evening go check her out!

Spicky Hilton, my lovely cousin whose Birthday is today!!

My wonderful kooky friends from NCPCOW who do a pagan broadcast called Circle Round. Very informative, I love these guys!

Tasmine Archer...not only a beautiful singer an amazingly nice woman!

Kelly Marlow from Rotor....another cool band!

A few more mentions of peeps I like...

Gregory Behrendt... comedian, author, actor and front man for the kick ass band Reigning Monarchs!

Chris Hardwick....Nerd of all trades! He host's Web Soup & AOTS on G4, works for Wired AND has a band himself.

Last but not least....Mariqueen Maandig Reznor. I've been a fan of her husband since forever but she is an amazing talent. Check out here new band How To Destroy Angels!

Once again, click on the links, enjoy and maybe make a purchase or two ;) Happy Friday!

Ride my see saw.

It has definitely been an up & down kind of week (& a half). Started out with me going to the Dr., (I'm okay). Some crazy woman is trying to extort money out of me...she was paid in full for goods YEARS ago and I'm not the only one she's doing this to. I received a copy of my first print book! Had another release on Sat, (thank you everyone who bought a copy, you rock!). Went with my bestie to pick up her new puppy and got a chance to meet with some dear friends we haven't seen in a while. You need a good ghost story, Tally Johnson is your man! FINALLY found the perfect red hair dye...so far I love it! Hubby was sick most of the weekend so I didn't get to cruise over to Kings mountain for the Beltain Brouhaha to see my friends from NCPCOW. :(
OH, and last night I bought a sample of this to hang on my wall. Growing up in So Cal we visited Disneyland quite often and the Haunted Mansion is my favorite ride, only seconded by Pirates (one of these days I will eat at The Blue Bayou!), in fact New Orleans square has always been my favorite part of the park. Some of you may recognize it as the wallpaper in part of the mansion...mind you, I'm not papering my entire office because it's $75 a roll...but I am going to frame the sample. I found the link on Doombuggies.com
So, how was your week? I didn't get a chance to do a list of my entertainer friends last week, so please come back Friday and check them out!

Available Now!

Dedicated To You was released at midnight! This is the last in the 100% American Beef anthology, so grab a copy!

Mating Season in print!!!

So excited, just got this in the mail today....

Click here to buy your print copy.

Artist Friday!

I would like to take some time today to introduce you to some of my amazingly talented artist friends. Some of them I've known since childhood, some I've known for years and some I've been lucky enough to have recently met...they are all wonderful and I'm glad to know them. Now it's your turn to be introduced!

Annie aka, Mommy Babou~ Jewlery
http://web.me.com/mommybabou/Baboutopia/Welcome.html

Tiffany Hill~ Jewlery
http://www.etsy.com/shop/MarleyLondon

Shaunna Peterson~ Paint
http://www.shaunnapeterson.com/

Lydiaemily Archibald~ Paint
http://lydiaemily-archibald.fineartamerica.com/

Queenie~ A little bit of everything
http://www.pocketfullofposiez.com/

Jim Ferante~ Design
http://www.ferranteworld.com/

Greyson Wolf~ Fangs
http://www.facebook.com/GreysonWolfTheOfficalPage

Jack Moore~ Poetry
WWW.poetrypoem1387.com

If I missed someone this round, I apologize. I will be doing another. Please go check everyone out, buy something and come back next week when I will be listing my talented entertainer friends!

There's nothing wrong with your face.

*sigh* this weekend was a hard but happy one for me. We celebrated my husbands birthday which was also supposed to be the due date of our child. Not going to lie, we were hoping for a girl and her name would have been Amelia after my grandmother...before we found out Max was a boy, it was going to be his name as well. Amelia was and is not to be, at 14 weeks along my body betrayed me. At least that's what I felt at the time and in the months that have followed. I was blindsided, but luckily in the Dr.'s office and they rushed me to the hospital and into surgery to stop the bleeding.... and it was over. I was alive, but our child was gone. The Dr told me the baby had ceased to be a few weeks before. I went through the range of emotions at top rate speed, how could I not have known?
April 11th came and it was almost a relief, like I could finally let go. I am the mother of two wonderful boys and will be mother-in-law to two wonderful women, or men if they should so choose. I have an amazing husband who has put up with me breaking my own heart over and over since. I have the best family and friends anyone could ask for and I am ready to let myself be happy...fully.
This is a song Ash gave to me when we first found out I was pregnant and I am just now able to listen to it again because it's a damn good song!

Present/infant

100% All American Beef Anthology Contest! Enter to win A Fab Prize!

Check this out and enter to win!

There are five books in this exciting series (one is mine!..whoot)
One coming out each week.
With the final release, Dedicated To You, on May 1st.
This anthology goes to print!
But there more....Also from the time of thie first release on April 3rd to May 1st!
Any reader who buys one of these books
or anyone who emails us at admin@sugarnspicepress.com
with (Gimme some of those Hot American Men)
In the subject box.
Will be entered to win
Our All American gift basket
Filled with tokens of each book from DVD's to CD's
Military memorabilia and so much more
Plus a copy of this book in print!
*****
At Sugar and Spice Press
Romance is Everything Nice!

Cubo review

From Coffee Time Romance.

New Cover

Cubo is getting a new cover sometime today....I've already gotten a sneak peek and it's HOT. I like my cover, but the publisher has gotten the same question numerous times...."Is that a young adult book?"
To avoid anymore confusion we've decided to go with a more grown up looking couple. I wanted to let you guys know because the old one will be coming down soon.

*edit* New cover for your viewing pleasure ;)

Available today!!!

Go pick up your copy of Cubo!!! from Sugar and Spice Press!

Last call!

This movie is a bit darker than the others.....

"Feck off, you round tub of Guinness!"

In my e-mail wit ye!

Good luck to all contestants!!! Remember, you can still answer back questions as well.

*Butcher Boy...Francie Brady*

One, two, skip a few....

Sorry bout that guys! Today, an easy one.....

Who's on a box of Lucky Charm's?


*Lucky*