2. Do this every day for eight days without fail.
What made me happy today?
My four year old read us all a story while we all snuggled in my bed tonight.
He read "Bears In The Night"
2. Do this every day for eight days without fail.
What made me happy today?
Spending some down time with my family. Reading Green Eggs and Ham during a kiddie pile-on. Making plans. Satay vegetable curry.
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lilysea 1. Post about something that made you happy today even if it's just a small thing.
2. Do this everyday for eight days without fail.
3. Tag six of your friends to do the same.
To steal a phrase from steph, I would be interested in their responses, but respect the free will of the following people:
mynxii , redbraids , splanky , babalon_93 , cheshirenoir ,battblush ***
(See, I'm learning)
What made me happy today? I was at an excellent party tonight with good friends, good food, and lovely champagne, and I looked up to catch my youngest's eyes. And I grinned at him and fluttered my eyelashes at him, and he grinned right back at me, making faces and engaging with me across this crowded party, and it was better than anything in the entire universe.
- Mood:
excellent
Chesh and Calli's Birthday Party
:-)
12th of December
4pm onwards
Our place!
BYO Booze (we shall have some softdrink, OJ, and maybe even punch if we get enthused!)
BYO meat/meat substitute/whatevs, and we shall do up salads.
:-)
Otherwise, post here. I also need to know allergies/intolerances for salad prep.
- Mood: chipper
*grumps*
We had a huge pile of kids, and heaps of adults. I had made a whole bunch of pirate ships and swords and wands, and we had facepaint ready to go as well. I made a treasure map! A map! There was treasure in the PIT OF SNAAAAAAAKES!
I declared the party a success before we even go to the treasure hunt! Or the heaps of pirate cupcakes! The kids all had a fantastic time, and I really enjoyed myself too.
The funny thing is that we're so used to putting on the TV, and playing Dragon Hunters during/after parties that once we'd done the one and half loads of dishes (yup, that was it!) and cleaned up, we snuggled in together on the couch and watched Dragon Hunters on the new TV! And it was STILL SO VERY PRETTY! Prettier even! Awesomecookies!
OMG what a rollercoaster the last two years have beem Happy birthday, and gorgeous wishes all day long. I love you very much!
(Both of you LOL, Sharkbait too!)
:-)
- Mood: amused
I just posted a blog with a link to the clean PDF version of the chat available for download (please, private use only!).
Here's the topics covered:
- What do you look for in a client before signing them on?
· Electronic Submissions
· What are the trends now and how does it look in general for the fantasy genre
· people predicting the end of agents as the publishing industry gateway
· democratic publishing process
· Does anyone see a way to make publishing profitable?
· Does the US buy books that are set in Australia (urban or rural)? There has been some rumours that the US are against Aust settings, even with big names like Bryce Courtney.
· If a novel sells well in Germany, is it likely to be picked up in the US?
· Reworking characters and race for US markets
· Kerri Arthur's stories do very well in an international market, and they're set in Australia. Is this an exception?
· How has the global crisis effected buying international books?
· These days’ universities offer creative writing degrees, honours, masters, and doctorates. Is this a good thing for the publishing industry?
· If a successful author disappears for a few years, does the time gap make it hard to get published again?
· ‘Write what you know’, or don’t?
· How do you break in to be classed as a one of the 'core authors' of a publishing house?
· How many books to be a bestseller
· Does a track record from the small press or literary magazine angle count towards your bigger picture as an author when you're going to acquire a book?
· Authors who refuse to accept editorial suggestions
· Are less likely to be picked up in the States if their genre boundaries are blurred
· Kevin: Closing Thought
· Retreat Questions:
o What you need
o What you get
o The importance of contact
o Are you ready
o Advances comparison Aust/US,
o Support
o Obsession
o The love affair of writing and dealing with “well are you making money from it?” or “why not get a real job?”
o Contact details and website
- Mood: calm
Tonight I was going to do a listening circle at Femmeconne, where I would just sit ... and listen. Every one is welcome here, please tell me anything you wish, a story, a lie, a cheat, a re-telling of a story with a new ending, whatever.
Comments are screened.
The chat now also includes Michael Signorelli from Harper Collins and agent Robert Guinsler!
Michael Signorelli
Michael Signorelli is an editor at HarperCollins Publishers. Michael lives for fearless yet disciplined fiction and believes in a bright future for publishing.
Robert Guinsler:
Robert Guinsler has been with Sterling Lord Literistic since 2000. His primary interests include literary and commercial fiction, journalism, narrative nonfiction with an emphasis on pop culture, science and current events, memoirs, and biographies.
Come, hang out, and chat!
- a christmas tree cake
- minimuffins (vanilla this time)
- sausage rolls
- 2 trays of cookies
- a mess
The Government has decided not to change the Australian regulatory regime for books introduced by the previous Labor government.
Australian book printing and publishing is under strong competitive pressure from international online booksellers such as Amazon and The Book Depository and the Government has formed the view that that this pressure is likely to intensify.
In addition, the technology of electronic books (e-books) like Kindle Books will continue to improve with further innovations and price reductions expected.
The Government has not accepted the Productivity Commission’s recommendation to remove the parallel importation restrictions on books.
The Productivity Commission report acknowledged that removing these restrictions would adversely affect Australian authors, publishers and culture. The Commission recommended extra budgetary funding of authors and publishers to compensate them for this loss.
The Government has decided not to commit to a new spending program for Australian authors and publishers.
Compromise proposals were considered, involving reductions in the length of the 30-day publication rule and the 90-day resupply rule.
In the circumstances of intense competition from online books and e-books, the Government judged that changing the regulations governing book imports is unlikely to have any material effect on the availability of books in Australia.
If books cannot be made available in a timely fashion and at a competitive price, customers will opt for online sales and e-books.
Introducing a price cap along the lines of the Canadian system would increase regulation with questionable effects on book prices.
The Australian book printing and publishing industries will need to respond to the increasing competition from imports without relying on additional government assistance.
Cecily Janus hosts a glorious writers retreat in America and is bringing it to Australia!
Others coming with her are Gary Heidt from Signature Literary Agent, Justin Taylor from HarperCollins, Kevin Doughtten from Penguin, Michael Signorelli from HarperCollins, Timothy O'Connell from Random House and Robert Guinsler from Sterling Lord Literistic Agency.
So what is it? A 15,000 word manuscript consult, one on one with a publisher or agent.
Extract from PDF:
Traditional conferences offer you minutes, if you’re lucky, with professionals you need to connect with. If you get those precious minutes with them, often times, they have no idea what you’re doing as far as your writing nor do they know your goals as a writer. As a writer at Writing Away, you’ll receive feedback on over 15,000 words of your manuscript from each of the talents.
By the time you arrive, your manuscript has already been read, analyzed and feedback is completed. And this feedback isn’t given in the form of a letter...It’s given in the form of a one-on-one consultation that has no set limits on time nor is limited to cramming in too many authors in one day.
To further the experience, all of the talent stays in the same location with you. They eat meals with you, take time to get to know you and figure out what would be best for you as the next step in your career is launched.
**SPACE IS LIMITED! SIGN UP NOW. $1,000 USD down is required to hold your place after acceptance through registration process and payment plan available but all fees must be paid within 90 days of reservation. I am willing to work with writers on payments so that if need is demonstrated, they may attend. EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT: 5% off of total cost if registered by Jan, 15th 2010.
Next Saturday at 11am on A Writer Chat Rooms, we’re having the host, the publisher from Penguin and possibly one of the agents to come on and chat not just about the retreat, but the industry. Chat is free, of course. You don’t even have to consider the workshop to come along to it.
The chat on Saturday now also includes Michael Signorelli from Harper Collins and agent Robert Guinsler
Michael Signorelli
Michael Signorelli is an editor at HarperCollins Publishers. Michael lives for fearless yet disciplined fiction and believes in a bright future for publishing.
Robert Guinsler:
Robert Guinsler has been with Sterling Lord Literistic since 2000. His primary interests include literary and commercial fiction, journalism, narrative nonfiction with an emphasis on pop culture, science and current events, memoirs, and biographies.
To get to the chat, go to http://www.
OR
http://awritergoesonajourney.
Notes from me: There's heaps more information on the webpage located here:
http://www.Please feel free to let as many people know as possible!
(Text lifted from A Writer Goes On A Journey Blog)
:-)
I have just posted an amended version of last year's What To Bring List. Let me know if I have missed anything!
It's supercheap this year at $80, with day passes at $35. We'll provide tea, coffee, milks and fruit, and it's up to you to provide your own food.
:-)
We're at Bickley Brook again this year, so we all know it well! Feel free to check out the programme
Highlights this year include discussions on Goal Planning/Life Planning, Art, Home Preserving and Holidays. Activities include skipping rope, bocce, and once again, art!
:-)
If you're coming, or thinking about coming, please come over and fill out our poll on tea, coffee, and attendance. We're hoping to have a tea sampling party one afternoon, and would really love your input!
catundra A. List seven habits/quirks/facts about yourself.
B. Tag seven people to do the same.
C. Do not tag the person who tagged you or say that you tag "whoever wants to do it".
1) I love event organisation too.
2) I read The Last Stormlord in one day.
3) I use the spellchecker a lot
4) I have nothing new to say
5) Four people have asked me if I am doing Nanowrimo this year
6) This is hard!
7) I hate bejewelled but sometimes it's the only thing I can handle doing.
Last night I harvested! I got some broad beans, some swiss chard in red and yellow, and eyed off some lovely looking beetroots. My eggplants are growing, and I bet the f^%$ing snails are growing fat. The celery is disgustingly happy, which it would be since I don't like it a lot! LOL! Great in cooking (ie stocks and stews and casseroles) but not just for eating by itself. Yecch. But I have my swiss chard and greens down pat. I followed Jamie Oliver's instructions in Italy, but in the end I just use french dressing these days. :-)
Chesh's mum has come to pat us and help us out. She is a whirling dirvish of activity, which has been wonderful and frustrating. Frustrating because I can't help in the garden, or int he kitchen, or chasing the kids as much as I would like. Wonderful because she has helped ease some of the workload on Chesh, which has been brilliant, as well as eased some of the workload on Mum too.
Last night was another drug free night. I'm having more drug free nights than non-drug free nights, which is great. I'm pleased with how I'm staying positive. I haven't had many down moments, and those I did sort of resulted in a vague wish that I was still in the hospital. :-)
I am already wishing November was over! OMG the workload ahead! Thankfully it's all stuff that has me in front of the PC, but OMG I do this to MYSELF! I have been looking at projects for christmas presents. Like I need another project.
:-)
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