Whispering Pines is OUT!

The Secret of Camp Whispering Pines surprise me while writing it...it evoked unexpected emotions of my childhood, and for that reason...this is a special book for me. Quite a bit of the storyline was garnered from my own childhood (as far as the atmosphere at camp and friendships). It's where my lifelong friendship with my best friend was cemented (Lisa Hansen), and SO many memories created.

If YOU have been to summer camp, than you know what I'm talking about! The smells, sights, excitement and roller coaster of emotions. I went from homesick to dreading to go home. I think that a good summer camp is something every child needs to experience. Not just a couple of days either, but one or two weeks. With swimming, hiking, horseback riding, singing, etc.

I tried to capture that in Whispering Pines, and I really think that I succeeded, without realizing it. So join Sam and Ally on yet another wild, fun and exciting story as they unravel secrets, make some cool friends and learn a bit about themselves.

Amazon link for The Secret of Camp Whispering Pines

Yes, I'm a Photographer, Too!

Now that I am in between books (but not for long) I have decided to focus a bit more on my photography for a couple of weeks. Actually, it is pretty much demanding that I do it, whether I want to or not!

I have devoted SO much of my time and mental energy into writing for the past two years, but my photography is really what's funding everything. And I'm not even trying that much. I keep finding myself, when out peddling my books, getting an art show instead.

This is what happened last week, when I went to one of our newest local merchants at the Woolley Market. They are located in Sedro Woolley, Wa and are SUCH a cool store. They focus on local, organic goods and the atmosphere is amazing. They are working on a co-op section, which I have been keeping an eye on as a possible point-of-sale for my books and cards. Well...I went in to speak with them about it, and when they saw my photography book, it opened up a conversation about showing my artwork in their new gallery area! They didn't have anyone lined up for February and asked if I was interested. My work has been up at United General for going on four months now so it is time to move on (as much as I have enjoyed having it there!).

This is a great opportunity for me to try and improve my merchandise and marketing. It also gives me a chance to spend more time planning for future marketing. Woolley Market has a country theme, with lots of rich woods, which is perfect for my landscape photography. I am going with that theme for my marketing, and I'm having fun with it! I am currently making a really cool, wooden sign, which I will share as soon as it's completed.

Today, I finishing my final edits for Whispering Pines and will have the ebook out by tomorrow! I am also going for a walk in this glorious sunshine (and maybe get some pics) and then working on preparing my photographs for my new venue at Woolley Market. What are your plans? Do you have a to-do list to make sure you are moving forward in whatever your dreams may be?

I'll leave you with my bestselling photograph, one I have shared before! This was taken at Flathead Lake in Montana. Gorgeous country!!!

2015 Is Off to a Fast Start!

Cold, foggy mornings and bright sunny afternoons! This has been our weather for several days now and I LOVE it! (as far as January goes)

We're only two weeks into January and already things have been busy. I am more than halfway through the second book in my middle grade mystery series, and have been writing on it every day. My daughter is back at High School and my son at College. He has his first indoor track meet this weekend down at the University of Washington, and it will be exciting! (he is throwing shot put)

What have YOU been up to?

I've been taking advantage of the weather to get a couple of fun pictures while out on walks. I think this one is my favorite. For years now, these doves have been circling, swooping and then landing on this barn. EVERY time I walk past it...there they are. That is their life. Yesterday, there was a cool sun dog positioned just right so that I could capture it in the background. :)

Last Chance to Vote

I mentioned several days ago, that Bloodline was in the running for top 50 Indie Books of the Year on a Indie book website. Today is the last day to vote, so I am going to post about it one more time. I don't like to go crazy over this kind of stuff (because lets face it: most people don't like reading about it!)

Here is the Link to cast your vote for Bloodline

You can vote up to THREE times! There isn't any requirement to register, but you can enter your email to be entered into a drawing to win the top ten books..but you don't have to!

[Bloodline is still on sale for 0.99 but today is the last day]

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I hope that everyone had a very safe and fun New Years eve. OR...for those that can't think of anything better than getting to sit at home and just do nothing but relax, I hope you got that, too! My kids ended up having a few friends over and we hosted a little party. It was fun, and I managed to get a couple blisters from rocking out too hard on the drums during Guitar Hero. (HEY, don't judge. I can play most songs on expert!! ;)

Have I mentioned that I'm a bit accident prone? Well, I am. To give an example: my daughter got a compound bow for Christmas and my husband and I went to a local range to shoot it with her and get it set up. The only bows I've ever shot, are the kind you make out of sticks in the backyard (those never went very far. I also tried to set up a tight-rope to walk, but that's another story), so I was excited to try it out. My daughter is a natural...seriously. I can shoot a gun pretty good, and so I thought I'd be rather accurate too...I never really got much of a chance to find out. The second try, I slapped my forearm with the string hard enough to leave a wicked bruise from my wrist to elbow. (Katniss I am not) My advice? If you have an arm like mine, that twists a little when you extend it, either leave your elbow bent a little, or get an arm guard. Check. (and no, I didn't cry. Just hopped around a little bit)

***As I am sitting here, writing, our first snow of the year is finally falling outside. I have no doubt that it is melting as soon as it hits the ground and we won't have any accumulation, but I still like it!***

I decided yesterday, that this next year, I am going to focus more on face-to-face marketing. So the first thing I did was a search for any up-coming comic con or science fiction conventions in Seattle. I've never been into cosplay or a anything, but I really have always been a hard-core science fiction fan. I discovered a convention called Galacticon, and it's in Seattle at the end of July. It started out as a tribute to Battlestar Galactica, but has spread out to include the Star Trek Franchise, Firely and several others. I submitted an application for a vendor table to sell my books and got accepted! The guest lineup is very exciting (like the original Starbuck as well as numerous actors from the new series) I think it will be GOOD!  Link to Galactica website

The Emerald City comic con was already closed to registration :( as it is in March, but I got on a waiting list. I'm also going to continue giving my books out to local libraries but will start soliciting for books signings. I purchased a nice, new pop-up booth with the cool, zippered sides for street fairs. I have two or three this next year that I will do for sure (photography and books). Anyone have suggestions on other things I can do?

I am on chapter six now for my next middle grade mystery book: The Secret of Camp Whispering Pines. I am really liking this story! It's moving along well and I don't think I'll have any problems getting it out by the end of this month. (January)

I'll leave you with a picture I took a couple of years ago...some people don't get it, but it's one I refer to when I am in a creative mood. Sometimes...it's all about the small details. ;)