Yeah! Events Galore!

Well its been a bit of dry spell but the virtual event was fun and I am going to have another one in February to celebrate my Birthday. Its the big 50, (I just made a sound my cat would recognize, a whimper.) So I want to have a big party with all my fans celebrating my life and writing. This event will be about both my books and fan fiction writing. So come with all your questions and I will be happy to answer them for you. I am still working on a date so I will get back to you on the date and time.







I am going to participate at an event at the Borders in Sherman Oaks. It's an open mike nite where writers read there works, I will be reading a selection of Fantasy Time Inc. If your in Los Angeles on Jan. 8. 2011 at 730pm please come and see me if you can.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=189307661083946#!/events/create.php?eid=189307661083946






My new interview is with writer Braddon Mendelson and about his children's book,
He is an old friend and has written an adorable book called;
Have You Seen the Tickle Bug?



1. What is the best inspiration you ever had for a story?

I can't identify anything external that stimulates my creativity. At any given moment there are dozens of ideas rushing through my brain. Now most of them aren't very good, but suddenly one of them will come along and I'll think, "Wow! I have to write this." Nothing inspires me more than coming up with a good idea...



2. Is the best motivation for a character love or hate? Are heroes or villains more fun to write?

While love and hate can certainly motivate a character to action, I don't see them as being any better or worse than any other emotion in the palette of humanity. (i.e greed, lust, envy, revenge, psychosis, etc.)

I like characters who are heroes to some; villains to others.



3. Do you use the same process for writing every time or does it vary?

I often create notes in longhand before opening up the word processor. There's a different part of the brain invoked when using a pencil as opposed to a computer. It's especially helpful in writing comedy, when I'm searching for relationships between contemporary concepts, language and culture. The computer can sometimes be a barrier to free association.



4. What is your favorite character that you wrote yourself? What is your favorite character from another writer?

For the German sitcom I worked on, "Rita's World," there was a character called Schumann -- he was the manager of this grocery store in Cologne. On the outside, he was a rule-bound, insensitive disciplinarian, but inside, he really had a heart, and those scenes where it was exposed -- where I could peel off the icy facade and reveal his vulnerable side -- uncovered a wealth of humor and humanity. He was a fun character to write for.



5. Do you write in one style or several? Do you prefer one genre to another?

My first love is comedy, but I enjoy writing anything. I've written screenplays, press releases, poetry, short stories, internet satire, song lyrics, ad copy and a children's book entitled "Have you seen the Tickle Bug? (ISBN 1453669124), which is available from; http://www.amazon.com/dp/1453669124?tag=noisivision-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1453669124&adid=1WCQY4MYGHJ05HBRBR5P&
or your local bookstore.








Thanks Brad for the great interview, I'm sure our fellow writers will find enjoyable and informative.




Till next time;

Sherri

Just a reminder my book is available directly at the publisher site;
http://outskirtspress.com/webpage.php?ISBN=9781432758110

Virtual Event part 2

Well I had my Virtual Event and it went very well. I had some amazing people with amazing questions. Here is the link for a partial text of the event;


http://www.facebook.com/#!/note.php?note_id=129143120479934&id=162131603803045


It brought up questions and ideas that I wouldn't have thought of because they were a bit personal and outside of my comfort zone. I will most likely think about developing some of the ideas. They excited me:)





My new addition to my blog is an interview series with fellow writers. One of my favorite writers Melissa Good agreed to be my first interview. She wrote a series of books called The Tropical Storm Series. She came from Fan Fiction like I did and wrote two of my favorite characters Dar and Kerry.





With out further ado, here is Missy;





What is the best inspiration you ever had for a story?





The events surrounding 9/11.





Is the best motivation for a character love or hate?
Are heroes or villains more fun to write?





Love is far more powerful and devastating than hate and longer lasting. It's hard to hold on to fierce hate, but it's possible to never give up love in certain circumstances. So - really I would not say one or the other is better motivation but I think you have more fun writing from a position of love.





Do you use the same process for writing every time or does it vary?





I don't really have a process. I just start and see where it goes. So I guess it's always the same.





What is your favorite character that you wrote yourself?
What is your favorite character from another writer?





I don't know that I have a favorite personal character - I like a lot of them. I enjoy writing the main characters because they have unique viewpoints. For other authors - there are also a lot.


I enjoy science fiction mostly - probably Katherine Kurtz's Camber Macrorie is one of them and in the mystery realm I love Agatha Christie's Jane Marple.


(note from Sherri; I have to agree with Missy; love Jane Marple:)





Do you write in one style or several?
Do you prefer one genre to another?





I generally write pretty much in the same style - and I don't have a preference for genre in writing. It's more about the characters than the background really.





Thank you so much for being my first interview, it was great!





Now for my Know Your Creative Past this time a personal story of the star I would like to tell you about. It was in the 80's and I was a manager of candy store called Blum's. She was one of my regular customers and I knew who she was but was too shy to ask her. Then at Christmas time I asked her about her past. She told me all about her movies and answered all my questions and on the top of that gave me a huge order.





Her name was Virgina Mayo who was always one of my favorites. She was gracious, kind and funny. She told me all about Danny Kaye who I loved. I told her about the fact that my Dad could recite Danny Kaye songs with him. She loved it and told me to tell him that it was quite an achievement. She was a great lady:)

Till next time:)

Virtual Event

Well I have been working very hard to come up with a great event for my book and I finally have an announcement! Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am going to have a virtual event, it will be a live chat. You can ask me anything you would like regarding my book Fantasy Time Inc. About the stories, the characters? What research I did? Anything you like. One lucky person will win a free autographed book. That person to be chosen on the night of the virtual event. So good luck:)

Kind of cool huh? It came to me while I was participating in a chat with the actors and writers from the show Sherlock. And the free book give away from the chat with the cast of Harry Potter this morning. I think it will be kind of fun and different.

You must be on Facebook, you don't have to be on my Friend list I just have to invite you into the chat. So let me know if you would like to participate either by comment on this blog or email at rithebard@yahoo.com. It will be on December 3, 2010 at 7 p.m. Here is the invite:)

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=171837859511546

So let me know and write all the questions down so you don't forget anything. I'm excited about it, I hope you will be too:)

I also want to tell you I had the honor to be interviewed by Fly High on her web page. It was really fun and it also has a book give away. The link is http://flyhigh-by-learnonline.blogspot.com/2010/11/author-interview-giveaway-sherri.html .

For my Know Your Creative Past this time I was inspired by a new show on TCM called Moguls and Movie Stars. So the star I am going to bring up worked in the silent screen era but she also worked in the talkies right up to the early 90's she died in 1993. She was an actress, a director and a writer. She did it all right after women finally won the right to vote. She worked for some of the greatest names in entertainment. D. W. Griffith to Peter Bogdanovich!

Her name was Lillian Gish, she was a beauty, a movie star and screen legend.

Till next time.

A Rough Week

Well, its been another rough week. I was sick this week so I couldn't run around to push for another site for my next signing. One of the stores I was trying to get is closing at the end of the year. I can't believe it! The Encino Barnes and Noble the one closest to me is closing to be replaced by a drug store. We have about 10 drugs stores in the area and if this one leaves,no book stores.

As someone who grew up with books, encouraged by my parents to read and find true joy and adventure in a book, its a tragedy. This is a loss to the city of Los Angles. Two stores owed by the same company closing because a landlord cares for more for money then anything else. Both stores are on property owned by the same landlord, and according to the people I talked to at the store that man tripled the rent for the strip malls that the stores are on. So to me it is greed that is closing two very much needed book stores.

Between the loss of the book stores and libraries how can we hope to increase the readers in this country? There is musical I love called 1776, The character of John Adams has song, "Is anybody there? Does anybody care? Does anyone see what I see?" In the musical, the song was for our country, but right now I am thinking about literacy. What is wrong with our country that no one seems to give a damn about learning? Knowledge? I don't know about you but it outrages me!!

Now to the winner of my book:) I hope you enjoy it. I know you as only R. I will need you to send me your proper name and address please so I can I send you an autographed copy of my book.

So the winning name for Know Your Creative Past is Dorothy Arzner! She was a great director from the 20's to the 40's. She directed some iconic movies and discovered some huge stars including Katherine Hepburn, Rosalind Russell and Lucille Ball. Some of my faves that I grew up loving and admiring. She was the first women to join the Directors Guild of America. She is on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Till next time:)

more brick walls

Sorry my blog is late this week but I was pretty sick this week so I just couldn't get myself together enough to write. I have been hitting one brick wall after another. The place I was going to have my next signing fell through. The place I was going to have book launch is having a major financial crisis so everything is on hold. Life just gets better huh?

I have been working on my new book. I really do like this one a lot. Its a young persons adventure story. It is from my own youth about a girl who moves a lot and is trying to figure out how to survive yet another move. It's really not as up front as that because it is a science fiction story as well. Its opening up really well but I have a ways to go on it.

I saw my hero J.K. Rowling on Oprah and I am just bowled over by her. She is such an amazing writer but she is also so down to earth. I like how honest and real she is. I also like how she kept throwing the questions back at Oprah. I really don't think I ever saw anyone do that before. They do have a lot in common, don't they? I taped it(blush).

For my contest for my book, I am very excited because I have several interesting nominations. You all have another week to get your nominations in. So come on everyone I will send you an autographed book to the winners. I will send post card with my book cover to everyone who sends in a nomination:)

My latest Know Our Creative Past campaign person is someone who just passed away. Love him, watched every movie he ever made. I actually got the chance to meet him and he was very kind and funny. He acted for many years, was in movies, had a TV series called McCoy. One of his idols was my first nominee Cary Grant.

When I checked with some of my younger friends they had no idea at all who he was. I mean none. (shaking head.)

Its Tony Curtis, he was an amazing one of kind actor and he will be missed.

Till next time.

Working on Novel Three and more...

I have been working hard on my new book today. I really do like this one. It is completely and utterly different then my first two novels. Its for a different audience and in a different style. I am enjoying this because I love a challenge.

I also started a page on face book for my novel. I went to the dentist and I was sitting in bed in pain playing with my lap top just looking at all the pages and I thought, "Why not?" So I started one for Fantasy Time Inc. Here is the link; http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Fantasy-Time-Inc./162131603803045?ref=mf

Check it out and tell me what you think:)

I have been trying to figure out how to get involved locally with a literacy group but there are so many organizations it's hard to figure out how to make the right choice. I have been doing my bit, giving novels to young people that I know can read but won't. I want to help those adults that can't read at all. The only thing is that most headquarters are not local and I have a full time job so I'm trying to figure out how to get involved here in Los Angeles. I know there are places here but to find one is very, very confusing. I will keep trying because I am passionate about it. If anyone is with a local group or knows who to contact please let me know.

I have a new addition to our Know Our Creative Past campaign. This time it's a group of people.

The name has been played with and they have had remakes of their movies but young people only know one person. Its the Rat Pack. The original group. With "The Oceans" series being so popular I was curious if they knew who they were.

The only one everyone knew, not surprising was Frank Sinatra. When I asked about the other famous member's I got; Tony Bennett( huh? Great Singer and I love him but the Rat Pack?) Liza Minnelli (way too young) One guy said Bing Crosby, (he was in the movie Robin and the Seven Hoods but no)

So for your education and edification, the Rat Pack consisted of, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop. It started at the Sands hotel as a lark for the famous friends and became an endearing and enduring tradition for their lifetime. Other people joined in as honorary members among them was Shirley Maclaine but those five will always be the one and only Rat Pack

More Bumps in the Road

I was at my dance class and I came over to tell one my first dance instructors that my book was published. He was excited and happy for me in fact he held up the postcard of my book and announced it to everyone in the studio. His new student was with him and she was introduced as a writer. I smiled and said, "Hi, nice to meet you. Are you writing a novel? Are you published?" She said, "I'm not published yet, its just a concept something that I'm working on." I smiled and said, "Well, getting published is hard but then the work really begins." She just stared at me. I don't think she believed me. That's why I am writing this blog to tell people about my complete journey. There is so much involved that no one ever tells you. So, I tell you as it happens.

I got my post cards and they are really cute and I have started to give them out:) Hopefully drumming up business. While I was doing that I was trying to make my next signing happen. More bumps in the road but what else is new? I will keep trying. I thought it was impossible before and I had one, right?

This is very important to me, I want to help with the Literacy Campaign. I have been putting out feelers trying to connect with people to see how I can help. There is two levels, there are the people who can't read and really want to. And there are the people who can read but don't care. I think both levels need to be addressed. Not only for the individuals but for our country as well.

I want to help teach people who want to read and give them the joy of good book. I would also like to address young people just out of college who won't pick up a book and are proud of it! How can they be inspired to find the fun and adventure in a book instead of a computer game? There must be an answer to both and I would like to help. So if you have any suggestions, please let me know.

OK, here is my latest on my Learn Our Creative Past Campaign.

I asked about five people who Grace Kelly was and then another five people who Princess Grace was? The first three that I asked wondered if she was a singer on America's Got Talent. ( I don't watch that show was there anyone on it with a name close to hers?) One asked if she was on the reality show Big Brother. (Again, don't watch it so I don't know.) The last one was a Hitchcock fan who know who she was. Yeah!

The people I asked about Princess Grace, gave me five blank stares. I was stunned because anytime they mention Monaco they still refer to her. But nothing, not even a blink of an idea who this amazing woman was.

Well I explained that Grace Kelly and Princess Grace was the same person and that she was an actress and model. She married a prince and was that decade's Princess Diana (who they did know). I also explained that brought so much tourism and culture to Monaco that the people of that country still love her till this day.

Till next time:)

Another Roller Coaster Week

I had really a good week mostly. I had a very short week at work, three days. My brother is here for his birthday and we are having a great time. And I have gotten a lot done on my latest epic.

But it was rocky too, the place I was suppose to have my next signing is having financial issues. So I am off looking for a new place. The Barnes and Nobles where I had such a successful signing is going to close on Dec. 31, 2010. Isn't that shocking? It is such a beautiful store in such an affluent area, and yet they are closing it. Goes to show you, you never know.

To me this is a sad commentary on how we are going as a society. Young people stop reading after college, they just play with their cell phones and play games. They have no concept of the joy of losing themselves in a good novel. Sad, sad world we live in.

I have to postpone my book party till November because of scheduling conflict. That is not a bad thing really it gives me time to make sure it is a great event. I think it will be fun for everyone even if you have the book I intend to make it special. So hold on to your party hats!

For my last part of the my blog, my Know Your Creative Past campain.
I did a mini survey at work asking about 7 people, all under 26 yrs old. Who is Gene Kelly? Three said, I have no idea who she is. Yes, she again??? Yeash! One asked if it was old Rock and Roller.(shakes head) Two said that the name sounded familiar. Only One smart lad knew who he was, and what he did. I was so proud of him. Good Job Abel!!!! Well Gene Kelly was a great Dancer. Rivaling Fred Astaire. He was very masculine, he usually played working class people. He was a wonderful actor, a pleasant singer and an amazing director. If he just made Singing in the Rain he should be applauded forever. Such an amazing classic.

Till next time:)

Know Your Creative Past

I have had some good reaction to my book signing. The manger at Barnes and Noble, I saw when I picked up my reimbursement said that I sold several copies since. Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And that she had put some more on order. So from what she said I am doing very well:)

I am in the waiting mode again, I am in the midst of setting up stuff so I don't have a lot to report. I am working on my next book which I decided will be my children's story. I really like it. Its an adventure story with some Science Fiction thrown in. I am still in the beginning stages so it will take a while to finish it.

I read it and thought this is the one that touches my heart so this is the one I am going to go with next. It about a new girl who moves into a town and has to do that horror, go to a new school. I was that girl so many times that I know this poor child inside and out. People ask me why I get so anxious and worry all the time I can point straight at that. The new girl syndrome. Its a horror. No, it won't be a horror type story because I can't stand them, and I don't write what I can't stand.

I really just have been relaxing this weekend. Reading, writing, watching movies. I did some yoga and went swimming. I was going to do more but you know I really needed a relaxing three day so that's what I am going to do.

The other part of this blog is my new campaign, once a week I will introduce a creative person from our past that is amazing and wonderful. Someone who is famous who everyone else should know but the young people don't have a clue about.

I was relaxing by the pool today, I swam and then was looking through one of my magazines. I love to do it first thing in the morning when the pool isn't too crowded and it isn't too hot but warm enough. A girl was by me relaxing doing the same, she asked me what I was reading and we got to talking. We were discussing about actors and how they are being overwhelmed by reality TV. Then she asked me who my favorite actor was. I told her I didn't have one really but the one I really enjoy the most and never get tired of was Cary Grant.

She asked, who she was? She???? I explained Cary Grant was a wonderful actor and gorgeous male. Here is the kicker my friends, she said, well you were around when he was here that's why you know him.

Excuse me? I was 5 yrs old when he retired. I know people who were around long before Cary Grant was born, was I around it in the 1800's too?

So at the end of my post I will tell you about someone from our creative history. Education has to begin some where!

A Tribute to a Peer

This is a little off my usual blog. I was one of the many women who was devastated when Princess Diana was killed. She was my age, born in the same year, we shared many of the same likes though we led very different lives. This weekend is the anniversary of her death. What I want to remember is all the good that she brought to the world.

She brought landmines into the media. Slowly it helped to bring about the removal of landmines from many countries. She shook hands and hugged AIDS patients. I think this was healing on many levels. It was beautiful. She helped people that we never knew about quietly and privately. She raised her boys to do the same.

I look back at that time and think of all the good she did and that the media only focused on her dress or hair. Its worse now. People care more about Reality TV then reality. They care about reality stars and not real people who are special and amazing.

George Clooney just won an award tonight for all the good work he did, and he deserves it but I doubt it will be the focus of the media or Twitter. It will be about his jokes or what he wore. Or the bit he did at the beginning of the show.

I learned from my parents to always give and to care about my fellow human beings. I learned from Diana the dangers of fame and how that can over whelm you and all the good that you can bring to a hurting world. I think when people are in such trouble we should re-learn how to care.


Next week I will be back to my writing and what is happening with it, but I felt compelled to say this.

Give to someone in need. It will make you feel better as well.

Waiting period

One thing people don't tell you about the press and promotion of a book, not to mention the money is how long you have to wait for everything. So I sit in a period of waiting and I am not the most patient of people. This might shock my co-workers in my customer service job because I am very patient with our customers. In reality I am a normal American I want instant gratification.

But no, I am waiting. Waiting for the first quarterly report on sales. Waiting for a review. Waiting for the reimbursement for my first book signing. Waiting to hear about my next book signing. A lot of waiting and not much patience.

So what are you doing during this period of waiting you may ask?
Thanks for asking.( I have to be silly or I might cry.)

I am writing of course. I am working on my next novel and some short stories. I also have some other ideas I am feeling out. So I keep my creative side nice and busy, thanks.

I am reading of course one of my favorite pastimes. I just finished, Agatha Christie's Murder in Mesopotamia. I am reading The Jane Austen Book Club. And last but not least Eat, Pray, Love.
I have always loved Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers I have a weakness for English Murder Mysteries written in the 20's through the 50's. They are puzzles and I love a mind puzzle.

I love Jane Austen, I have read her whole lexicon and loved it. I saw the movie The Jane Austen Book Club and loved it. So when I found the book a bit worse for wear at a book sale I had to get it. So far so good its different but very interesting and I am enjoying it. I am about halfway through it.

I hadn't heard of Eat, Pray, Love till it became a movie. I don't really look to see who is on the best seller list I buy books by my instincts so I didn't know about it at all. I started to read about it on the Internet and it sounded fascinating to me. I have been on a spiritual search since I was in college. So looking for the spirit with in is quite a draw for me. So I bought the book and saw the movie.

There were several things in college that drew me to the spirit. I went to a spiritual center near school as a lark with a friend and found it fascinating. I was taking comparative religions in school because I was studying Anthropology so I really wanted to find about all spiritual practices. I come from a form of Judaism that is really open to exploring all forms of spirit so I had no fear only open eyed interest. The reading was spot on and the books in the shop were fascinating I think I bought about four of them.

The second thing that happened at that time that I thought was just cool but now I realize was truly an honor as well as a really big deal. One of my classes was Peoples Of India. I was in an advanced class in my second year because I adored the professor. He was a wonderful teacher full of enthusiasm and he love to help students in any way possible. In fact he sponsored our Anthropology club. He was a cute little man with gray hair, very attractive with a wonderful voice. He was funny and open . He loved to teach and love to have exchanges with his students. He had been traveling in India for years and knew everyone.

One day we were told one of our guest lecturers was going to be the Dali lama. Yes, himself. We were all thrilled he had brought several very famous experts to our class but we were never given instructions on how to act with them before. I think we were all nervous. He came in with his brother who acted as his translator. He was wonderful, funny, open and loved to hear our questions and was very much into open discussion. We stayed pass our time we were all impressed with how down to earth he was since he was a spiritual leader of a whole religion. When he left we couldn't stop chattering about him. One thing was that he spoke wonderful English and really didn't need a translator but that we were glad his brother came because he was as sweet and funny as his famous brother.

That was it, no great spiritual encounter it was an educational encounter about his people in Tibet and how his religion developed. So though I was very, very impressed with him I never connected it to my own spiritual quest till much later. About ten years later I was taking an extension course in UCLA and he came to promote saving Tibet. I didn't go because I couldn't afford it, I was a starving student, but I had already met him with only 15 other people, spoke one on one with him got to shake his hand so I knew that I was ahead of the game. This was to be a massive audience with thousands of people and the only view of his holiness would be from the back of the theater. One of the girls from my class went and came back to class with a black eye. Her story was that she was overwhelmed with his presence and swooned and hit her eye on the corner of chair. I realized then I was fortunate, I met him under the best of circumstances and it was a memory I will always cherish.

The other part of the book and the movie I loved was Italy. I have always loved movies with Italy I am very drawn to them. Summertime with Katherine Hepburn, Enchanted April, with an all star British cast and several others. I am also drawn to travel, I have been a traveler and seeker all my life. So I really enjoyed that part of the movie. I always wanted to go to Italy...maybe someday.

Well that's it for today.
(I think that is enough don't you? quite the ramble)

pictures from the event

Here are some pictures from my signing. The lady behind me is my Mom. She sat back there very proud of her kid because she knew I overcame shyness to do this kind of thing. My mother still suffers from innate shyness so she mostly watched and was my support system. I had a lot of support that day. It was really nice. My relatives came, my friends came, but I was pretty proud that I had a few strangers come up and chat.

Two people I didn't know bought the book and I was really proud that it had happened. The point of the book signing is to interest new people to my writing and I did! I had three strangers other then the two that bought the book. One was a lookiloo, one was trying to sell me bookmarks and one just wanted to rest and chatted to one of my relatives. That was ok, maybe they will remember how nice we all were and they will buy the book later. At least I am hoping that will happen.

At the table beside my Mom was a lot of snacks for my guests. They were really good, I had one of each and My Mom had one too. We were both too nervous before we left to really eat so we were both hungry. We were starved after so we went to lunch together to celebrate my first successful book signing:)

I have to admit I was really a nervous wreck that day. First after weeks of preparation I was terrified no one would show. Then I was terrified no one would buy the book.
Then I was scared that no one would like it. All my fears were groundless but that doesn't stop them from being very, very real.

One question that kept coming up was what was next. I think I confused people with my answer. This is not shocking because it confuses my family but I have always worked this way because I get easily bored. I am working on three books. Yes, I said three.

I don't work them all at once. They are all in different stages and they are all in different genres. So there is no way to get confused and I work best this way. One book is being loaded in the computer, I write onto pads, in my horribly scribbley handwriting that only I can read. One is going into second draft and the third I just started. I like them all so I may do any one of them as my next book. I have no idea yet.

Well I am working on my next book signing, hopefully it will go smoother and my book launch. This weekend I just tried to relax and recover from last weekend. So I will be a diligent little worker bee and get cracking on the next terror raising event.

Till then:)

Project Book Signing Complete

Well I had my signing yesterday afternoon. I was really excited and nervous. A friend of mine came over to do my make up and hair. ( I had my own stylist :) I had picked up my Mom and she watched as we ran around getting ready, she was very entertained. The three of us left for the book signing about 11a.m. and we were due at the store at 1130a.m. The book signing was set to be at 12p.m.

Its a beautiful Barnes and Noble it has two stories. It has a look of Europe about it. I set up on the second floor and waited. They supplied nibbles and we ate a couple mostly because we were nervous and hadn't had anything to eat. I had a tiny brownie. It was very good.

We waited for a bit before people started to come. It started as a dribble but then it got wonderfully busy. Friends, family. associates from work, old friends and new acquaintances. They all came and sat and chatted it was great!

I really want to thank everyone for coming, I know that a lot of you made special trips to come and I really appreciated the support.

When it was all over, I looked at my cell and it was 216p.m. Time to find out the results. I sold 14 books. I thought I didn't do too well but when I went down stairs so they could run the official tally for me it seems that it was a very good run. Most authors only sell three to five books. I was stunned! They said I had done so well they want me to sign up for the next step which is a discussion and book signing at one of their stores. Wow! I was really excited and ran to tell my Mom who was also very excited.

We went out to a late lunch, early dinner to celebrate it.

Project Book Signing was a success!

6 days away...

Well six days till my book signing. I am so nervous. My biggest fear is that no one will come. It will be just my mother and I all alone. I do know people are suppose to come but I am soooo nervous about it. I think I know what I am going to wear at last. That was a big hurdle.

Yesterday I got a tour of the store and decided where I would have my book signing. It will be on the upper story in fiction. It a nice sunny corner and I think its the perfect place for it.

We also discussed my next book. I am working on two and the manager who was showing me around seemed to think one would be more well received. One is a historical drama and the other is teen adventure/fantasy story. Which do you like better?

On the bad side the library has decided not to do a book group featuring Fantasy Time Inc. I am very disappointed but not surprised because of the change of climate with the city funding.

Well I hope to see you at my signing Saturday at Barnes and Noble in Calabasas between 12p to 2p.

Till next time:)

Tough week

This has been a really tough week so this will be rambling blog. I have suffered a true roller coaster of emotion and I have been going up and down screaming, crying, laughing, mad, scared and happy. It has been scary, crazy and very emotional.

I have a lot I am worried about that I hope gets better soon and I have a lot that's good that I hope stays that way. Life is so fragile.

The best thing is that I am not alone, I have loving friends and family. People who love and support me no matter what. I can't tell you how much I appreciate that. I know that I am lucky and I do feel gratitude and love towards everyone in my life.

My Mom as always is right there, listening to me giving me wisdom and love. Thank goodness for that. I needed her so much right now because I feel lost and a bit scared. I can't go into it right now but I will at later time but thank goodness for a loving mother.

My brother and friends have all been there too. Thank goodness for all of them and their solid support. Again I know how lucky I am.

The last support I want to thank is my furry one. Xena, who is right there, loving me, rubbing against me, giving me supportive licks. She knows when I am upset and she supports me through all of it. I think the best thing that ever happened to me was that I found my little Xena. She has given me joy, love and great emotional happiness.

On a note for my writing I do have good news about my book launch. I found a venue. Yeah!!!! It will most likely be in October. As I get more details I will let you know what's happening.

To a more peaceful week.

Road Blocks

I know that life is full of road blocks but I seem to get more then my share. Other people may get things as gifts from heaven but I am not one of those people. For every goal I have made, I worked like a dog to get there. It is always the way, I know I am not alone but sometimes I feel that I am.

First road block this week is that I am having an issue with my publisher to show my book returnable status for Fantasy Time Inc. It is returnable but there is this long ugly process and I am terrified it will unravel all that I worked so hard to accomplish. I have worked up the chain and I am trying to fix the problem but the anxiety it is costing me is with out equal. Your book has to show as returnable or book stores will not have anything to do with you. That is why it is crucial that I get my publisher to fix this issue as soon as possible. Cross your fingers for me.

My second road block this week is really sad. If you remember a couple blogs ago I told you the plight of the libraries and that my arrangements were on hold till that was settled? Well the worst happened. The lady I was working with was let go and the man who is now in charge is brand new. It's not that he isn't interested, he was very nice, but the thing is that I have to start the process all over again. It means waiting another two or three weeks for something that was suppose to happen in August. It just really saddens me and make me wonder.

I am sitting here trying to come up with something positive to leave you with but the only thing I can think of is that I have started the second draft of my next novel and that I got an idea for another story. At least I am trying to be productive.

Till next week, (I hope I am teeming with good news)

Sherri

My Very First Book Signing!

Well as you can see by the title of this blog I achieved my first goal. I have set up my first book signing. Now I have to get my publisher to put the information on the Barnes and Noble site before the book signing or I am in huge trouble. I have sent them several emails and they keep promising but nothing is happening so I asked for a supervisor. I will call up the chain till I get what I need. You would think they would be more cooperative they are going to make more money from my book then I will.

So I am going to work my back end off till I get this accomplished. I am so excited! The other thing is I need to get people there. It is really important that it is successful. I have sent evite, facebook evite and tweets and called all my friends and family. It is only 4 weeks but I am going to work really hard to get this thing together.

Next I find I am responsible for getting the poster too. All these things that no one ever tells you. You have to get markers too. Wow! It just keeps coming. So I have my work cut for me. Thank goodness for credit cards.

On the minus side of things, the person I talked to at the library was one of the people who were let go. So I have to start all over again with a new person. I have no idea if this person knows anything and if he will be as enthusiastic but I really pray it works out. I have meeting with him on Monday night. Cross your fingers and toes!

The most important thing is my first signing is on Aug. 7th at Barnes and Noble in Calabasas. Yes, that is the same Calabasas that Kim Kardishian made famous. I was chatting to one of the sales people at the store and he basically said that the Kardiashian's put Calabasas and The Commons on the map. That when TMZ mentions it, they just say the Commons not where it is or even the state. The power of Celebrity.

Till next time,

Sherri

Book Launch

Hi Everyone,

I got really cute business cards with the cover of my book. I am so excited I already gave a few out:)

Well my interview was postponed because the Bookstore Manager is gone for the holiday. Yep, he didn't tell me. Luckily, I called to confirm it. I rescheduled with his assistant, but yesssh!





The rest of the weekend I was trying to figure out what venue to use to get for my Book Launch. I was going to ask to use the library but from my blog you know that won't be possible. Then I tried two small book stores I always used. I was really upset because they both closed and went virtual. Can't have a party on line.





Then I thought of a restaurant but they are really expensive and I can't afford it. Now my new idea is at hotel lobby but all the sales offices were closed today. If you know of venue please let me know. Point me in the right direction because I need help!





Well for the rest of holiday I was watching movies. I watched my fave movie for this holiday. 1776! It is a musical about the founding of this country if you like to have fun and learn something at the same time, I highly recommend it.





Till next time:)

sick and watching movies

Well I got sick, I don't know if it was from the pressure of work or my feverishly trying to promote my book, but I have a cold. So I have put everything on hold right now.

So I will have to wait to find out about the book signing till I can talk without coughing and sneezing. I will have to wait to find a venue for my book launch till I can sit for more then ten minutes and not cough and sneeze every time I speak to someone about it.

So I am sitting in my bed watching movies on HBO and Cinemax for free this weekend. I am enjoying the movies though I think I went through a whole box of Kleenex and have spent two days either in bed or the bathroom. (sigh)

I watched a movie called Marley and Me. I really enjoyed it and it reminded me of my own little furry sister Duchess. I got Duchess on my tenth birthday. I was home sick (ironic) and my Dad brought home a bundle of fur. My Mom had said no more pets because we lost three in a row for different reasons, so my Dad knocked on the front door put this adorable bundle fur in my Mom's hands and said "Here, turn her out into the snow" Knowing my Mom would never, ever do that.

My Mom smiled up at me on the stairs with the cute little puppy and said, "I guess we have a dog."

We named her Duchess, she was the sweetest best dog in the world. She loved everyone. She only barked at three people in her whole life, and with what turned out to be great taste. She traveled from New Jersey back home to California on a train. She loved it and everyone loved her. The conductors knocked on the door and asked, "Would the puppy like to go out? We're coming to a station." She would jump off the bed and wagging her tail, she understood.

Duchess was a good dog, she was loving and fun. She had her moments of mischievousness. When she was a puppy she would escape out the door between our legs and play catch me if you can. All four of us, My Mom, Dad, Brother and I would run like maniacs to catch her. The only way we could ever get her was with her puppy snacks. When she was caught she would be wagging her tail so happy it was like she was on a high. I guess maybe she had been.

We took her on vacations, everyone wanted to adopt her, of course that was never going to happen she was all ours.

When she passed away I was in college, I was so devastated I couldn't function. Luckily I had very kind professors who understood and let me take make up tests.

I still miss her. She was and is an angel in our lives. I think she is here all the time guiding all the pets we have had since, including my little knuckle head Xena.

Duchess, I know that you know how much I love you and always will.

Sherri

Strike out one and up for bat again...

Hi Everyone,

Well I heard back from the manger at the book store. They put a halt on all book signings. I felt like my heart would sink to the floor. Then she said she knew of another store that did a lot of local author book signings. So my heart zoomed up again.

I called the manger at the other store and he said that he was interested but said that everything was wrong on the book's website. He said I needed to write my publisher with a list of corrections. Which of course I did.

He said I should drop off my book and he would read it and let me know if it is cost effective to have a book signing. Of course I said I would but the loss of another book with no return makes my heart cry.

After all, I sent a bunch of books out all ready with no results so I am hoping that I will get some kind of positive response.

I really need a positive response. I worked so hard on my book and I need to know that this book will be a success. It is my baby and I want it to grow. I don't want it to shrivel and die.

So I will drop off my baby in good faith and hope that the book store manager will take good care of her.

Wish me luck!

Something Troubling And Something Good

Today's blog is going to take a tiny departure from my earlier blogs. I am going to rant a bit about customer service. Since I work in the field I am the first to defend that there are a lot customer service reps out there that are great. This blog is not about all reps just the people out there that give the rest of us a bad name.

As I said I am a Customer Service Rep and the people I have helped know that I will go to last mile to help them as much as I can with-in the perimeters of my job. I will not lie to them. I will tell them how it is and I will tell them exactly the next step to fix any given situation.

This weekend I ran into Customer Service Reps who are just the reverse. I will not name the field but I can tell you it is something that we all deal with. I was just trying to help my Mom out on an issue. I was professional and courteous though I was upset my voice never raised and I never blamed the rep or used foul language. As a rep myself, I know better.

I have to tell you that I was hung up on, transferred and lied to. I wasted almost a whole day speaking to leads and supervisors as well as managers who made promises and never came through. It is an embarrassment to me as someone in the profession that people would do that. So called professionals who have risen to the rank of supervisor or manager and they still tell you bold face lies.

I was promised that someone would see this issue to the end, my Mom told me all he did was blame the equipment and hightailed it out of my Mom's place faster then Superman. This was the expert the manager had promised me, he was suppose to make sure that my Mom was satisfied and fix the situation on the spot. This was the high level technical expert who ran for the hills as soon as he gave a slight check around her place. Then when my Mom called the Manager he didn't even give a damn, just said he would pull the equipment and give her discounts for next time.

Discounts? For what? How about service? How about keeping your promises instead of blaming my Mom? How about follow through? As you can see I am really angry about this and I will go through the proper steps with my Mom to complain.

My question is this? How do they sleep at night? Do they have a conscience?
Don't they have a Mother who they care about? Don't they have an ounce of empathy?


It just disgusts me.

Ok, on to the writing news. I may have a contact for a book signing. One of my friends at work went to order my book, and he told me about someone who may help. I went in and spoke to them and we may have meeting coming up if the big boss ok's it. I will let you know.

Till next time,

Sherri

The brickwalls of the new writer

This weeks blog is about the effect of the economy and the difficulty to get a return call from bookstore event planners.

First of all the economy, all the small bookstores that would give you a chance are falling by the wayside. They are closing and becoming virtual stores. It is very discouraging. The stores that would give you chance to do signings and display your books well are being squeezed out by the giants.

Then the economy is also effecting our libraries to the point that they are cutting hours, closing doors and laying off personnel. I think this is a crime. Our founding father Benjamin Franklin created the lending system so all Americans would have access to books. Now they are cutting down to the point that the very young and the very old can't get the books they want.

Now with the cuts in the economy they are cutting at the most essential places including libraries. Why can't they cut things that are not important, why must we all suffer for their lack of efficiency. All the fat for changing a light bulb or a going on a "fact finding tour" is now being paid for by us. I find this outrageous! Don't you?

I also need to discuss how hard it is to get a return call or email from an event planner at certain big bookstores which will go nameless. They can't even hit reply and say sorry not interested. It is not only discouraging it is rude. The only thing I can say is that I am going to keep trying but it is maddening.

I will let you all know if I have any success.

A New Writers Challenge

Hi Everyone,

My name is Sherri and I have been writing since I was a small child. I always loved it! It was way to express myself since I was very shy. In college I used to write short stories instead of my papers.

I started to write poetry and short stories for Fanzines. Then for Fan Fiction websites. It was way to learn my craft and get feed back. I love it because you meet wonderful people and learn to get better as a writer.

I have written two novels. The first one is called Murder Inc. I learned a lot from that one and how important promotion is and understanding how the public thinks from the reviews. I truly thank all those people both for the good reviews and the bad. I think that helped me become a better writer.

Now I have new baby, Fantasy Time Inc. ( I guess I'm really into titles with the word Inc.) I am going to work like hell to get it out there.

Here's the rub, the thing no one tells you. No one will really help you. I have a P. R. firm and they did they're job with the press releases and such. It's my job to seal the deal and it's very hard to do that if no one will reply to your attempts to meet with them. If your not established they won't see you.

Thus the birth of this blog. My goals are thus;

1. To promote my new book.

2. To help fellow writers.

3. To reach a new audience.

4. To reach the powers that be.

5. To entertain.

There you have it. All you lovely people in blog reading land. I will be silly, chatty, frustrated and maybe a bit angry from time to time. I hope I will also be informative and helpful.

Here's to our joint adventure,

Sherri