Celebrations, Contests, and NaNoWriM0

It's the last week of October and while many of you will be celebrating Halloween or Dia de los Muertos, others are preparing for NaNoWriMo and/or the next step.

I will be attending a marching contest in which my youngest is a part, a live performance of Dracula in which my oldest is Stage Manager, and then trying to enjoy some time with additional friends and family. I probably won't have time to participate in NaNoWriMo.

No matter where you are in your planning, writing, or publishing journey, I thought you might be in need of some inspiration and advice.

https://nanowrimo.org/

Becoming Your Own Best Critic

Interview With a Gatekeeper: Riverheads Rebecca Saletan

Ask the Editor: An Interview With Sarah Cantin of St. Martins Press

Picturing the Personal Essay

How about you? What is your next step?

Practically Magic Unboxing: The Witch

I went shopping at a craft fair with my youngest daughter last weekend. We came across a woman who was selling "Blind Date With a Book" options. In addition to picking from beautifully decorated "blind books" in the $20 - $45 range, she was selling mystery boxes in the $60 to $85 range.

I've tried book themed mystery unboxing services before. They are usually exciting at first, but eventually very underwhelming. However, I like to support local artists, and I enjoyed meeting this woman. So, I bought this unassuming "Practically Magic" bundle box. As you can see, it's just a plain white box about 10" x 14".

I was more than pleasantly surprised upon lifting the lid. Inside, was a beautiful 9 x 12 framed Halloween "Witch" print, a gothic themed tote bag featuring a possible witch with ravens and the tag line "We're all mad here", a lace fan, lace stockings, a black coaster, a small metal black cauldron with a removable lid, a purple rose and clear glass vase, a beautiful metal bookmark with dangles, several Halloween themed magnetic bookmarks, three different Fall teas, sage, a black crystal beaded hair vine, a purple and gold quill, a candle, and a "blind date book".

The book packaging was so adorable with a nod to Alice in Wonderland just as the tote did. As you can see, the packaging was beautifully decorated and stuffed full of goodies. There were multiple themed bookmarks, stickers, a hair scrunchie, ChapStick, sticky notes, flowers, book review and reading list cards, a pencil pouch, a pen, highlighter, more tea, book shaped paper clip, lotion, and eye masks.

The book was a hardback deluxe edition of The Witch by Freida McFadden. This newly released book includes beautifully sprayed edges and the timing is perfect. Not only was this book just released on October 6, but I am also teaching The Crucible right now.

The description for The Witch:

Some secrets don't die―they wait.

When Julia Barlow loses her job and her apartment, she has nowhere left to go but Pemberton, her family's sprawling seventeenth-century estate in rural Massachusetts. Officially, she's there to check in on her aging grandmother. Unofficially, she's hoping the old house will give her a place to disappear.

Instead, Pemberton begins to unravel her.

Every night, the grandfather clock stops at exactly 3:41 a.m. The lights flicker without warning. And a disembodied voice cries for help outside Julia's bedroom door.

As Julia digs into the house's dark history, she uncovers the story of a woman executed for witchcraft in 1692―and realizes the past may not be finished with Pemberton yet. When decades of family lies begin to surface, Julia must confront a terrifying truth: Pemberton may be haunted by women whose voices refuse to stay silent.

While this book and box collection idea may not be for everyone, I am extremely pleased with the purchase.

How about you? Have you enjoyed any unboxing services, blind date with a book experiences, or Freida McFadden reads? What are you doing for Halloween? Anything special planned for Fall?

Bandtober, Fall Fun, Reads, and Frights

It's that time of year again!

Fall temperatures are finally arriving in our area. While it's still near 90 for a high, the lows have made it into the upper 60s or low 70s thankfully. 

Orange decorations, and pumpkin everything, seem to be surrounding us. My family usually stays busy all month long with many seasonal activities. We call this "bandtober" due to marching at the games every Friday night, and marching contests every Saturday - all day and often out of town. 

We will try to squeeze in some Fall festivals and the Texas Renaissance Festival, but band comes first in our house. We also enjoy visiting the local pumpkin patches and Scarecrow Festivals when time allows.

If you prefer to stay home cuddled up with a good read instead of heading out to crowds celebrating seasonal festivals, try one of my suggestions from 10 Scary Reads to Terrify Your Inner Child.

I also recommend my short story "Lights Out" which can be found in Road Kill, Texas Horror Volume 4 from Hellbound Books Publishing: here.

If you're looking for something a little lighter, try my romantic Halloween short story (about 800 words): Madame Tooshkas Spell.

Interested in FREE scary books? Try one of these!

Need a few scary good costume ideas? Try one of these 10 Minute Literary Halloween Costumes and dress like your favorite characters.

How are you celebrating this season?

IWSG: Ghostwriter Confessions

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs. You can also join us on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG, or on the Facebook page.

Now, IWSG hosts have changed up the format in an effort to make it more fun and interactive. Every month, they will announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Don’t forget to visit others that day to see their answers. Want to join, or learn more? Visit our - Sign-up List.

OCTOBER QUESTION - Many people are calling for writers who use AI to disclose it. Most who employ ghostwriters do not admit it - do you think authors who use ghostwriters should have to disclose that, too?

MY ANSWER - No. Authors are not and should not be legally or contractually required to disclose the use of a ghostwriter because there is no plagiarism issue here as defined by law. The practice of using a ghostwriter operates under a work-for-hire model where copyright and ownership legally transfer to the credited client. An author is not definitionally "stealing" someone else's work. If a "ghostwriter" desires credit, then they should include that in the contract. However, many choose to give up the "credit" because they are being offered steady, high-paying work without the stress and pressure of marketing their work. Nor do they have to deal with public scrutiny or brand restrictions. Ghostwriters often express that they are freer to enjoy collaboration, learning, and working on their terms - not someone else's.

How about you? Do you think authors who use ghostwriters should have to disclose that, too? Do you feel they enjoy more freedom?