For those still yessing and maybeing and whatiffing about Viable Paradise, here's a link from San. Notice how many have gone on to sell, or get agents.

The workshop doesn't promise that kind of success. How can anyone honestly promise it, especially in today's publishing climate? I think, though, that what people come away with is a ramified awareness of how story works for other smart people--how to deal with tricky aspects of the industry. How to find that balance between commercial and what you want to express, and most of all, not just how but why your words impact readers.

That's why I think it can be useful for those who've had a few small sales, but keep bumping up against some kind of ceiling.

Anyway, time's running short for this year's crop. . .

Trying to pull together several threads of discussion I've seen around, by both writers and readers. Villains sell. Should I be joining the party in order to be a success?

First I wanted to thank everyone who went over to the BVC site and poked around and left comments. The volunteer techs behind the scenes did their best to implement the suggestions that didn't directly contradict someone else's suggestion. "It's a bug!" "No, it's a feature!" (Look at me doing heavy tech talk!)

Herewith the official launch. BVC is a consortium, and the group decided on a contest, so here are the rules. I will only add: you do NOT have to ask for one of my books to put your comment here. Any of the books with a star (which is most). I wrote down a day and time, the closest comment (if any) to it gets the freebie they asked for. If you like contests or the possibility of winning more books, then visit the blogs of the folks listed on the rules page, and leave comments there, too.

Okay, moving on to my question. I have never done a contest or giveaway, as I am not convinced of their utility. Too much like commercials. Substantive discussion or real recommendation (not squee about my best buddy and her most wonderful book evah and she is so cool) catches my eye, but as others have pointed out, word of mouth only happens if you get out the First Word.

But I could be alone in that attitude--it could be that everybody else loves contests, giveaways, promo squee, etc. This is new territory for us all, this e-book revolution, which includes various publishing ventures, ours among them. BVC is an all-volunteer thing, which means we willingly labor for nothing, but if people buy our books, we get 95% of the royalty.

So the books are there, being added to each week, but meantime, how to get the word out?
My question to you is manifold: do contests and giveaways bring you to to try new authors and books? If not, what does? What is the most effective First Word for you?

Fourth Street Fantasy Faire is coming up in another month. I went last year and had such a wonderful time I am still processing some of the conversations I had.

I meant to return, but the usual unexpected outgoes of cash were not matched by incoming, so I have my sights set on next year. But meantime, if you are able to travel, or if you live in the Mpls Wisconsin area, I can't recommend this con enough.

The other day I was talking to the neighbor across the street about his electric car, specifically the way it handles, and he made a slighting comment about the way the old people drive here, then he caught himself and blushed and mumbled, "I don't mean--" then he realized he'd really stepped in it, and I had to laugh as I told him it was okay, that old people always think someone else is meant, because we aren't old inside.

But I am! 61 is not middle aged, it's old. But my mental me is still pretty much like the me in the icon, at the left, in my mid-twenties.

That aside, I am hoping that anyone who has read this far and might have an extra minute would help me celebrate by linking a beautiful image, or a poem, or song, or sharing anything that gives you joy, because it will give me joy, too. (I do this every year, and all year long, whenever I am a bit blue, I come back to this day and revisit the comments.)

Everybody seems to be at cons, or on vacation, so I thought I'd play the Time Machine game.

Last night, went to see Avengers. Since there's no use talking about it without spoilers, here's the cut and the spoiler warning.
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First, you people who recommended The Exotic Marigold Hotel film, two thumbs up! I went last night with some of my Jane Austen discussion group. We all loved it.

Tonight: Avengers with the family.

A juicy discussion of fanfiction and literature by alecaustin here.

Hooee, have I been swamped! Coming up for air to ask for suggestions: I have been ignoring all movie reviews for a while, though I know what's out. Going to a movie this weekend and so asking for suggestions. I love action adventure with funny, romance is fine. Hates: serial killers, refrigerator women, violently graphic bodily intrusion, depressing endings.

Latest movie seen, the Pixar Pirates as a Mother's Day arranged by daughter. Loved it!

It's probably going to be Avengers, unless there is something else recommended that I have missed knowing about.

I have seen some good Netflix stuff late at night when resting my hands. Anyone else ever seen Bing Crosby's Little Boy Lost? The performances by the French actors made the film. Crosby was a nice foil.

A couple of recent conversations (including a letter conversation with mrissa about history and social customs)plus some interesting links made me think about exploring the connection between history and fiction beginning with time.

People in need--unfortunately, those seem to be on the increase. green_knight wants work, as she's getting freelance biz off the ground. Here's the post. I personally recommend her translation skills from English into German. She also scanned three of my novels and converted them to text files for me to work with.