This was a social week. I was invited to a swanky book release party. The book was the annual Las Vegas Business Press’ Book of Lists. The party was held at one of the new $1M+ home developments in the valley. The house was, to say the very least, incredible. I’ve added it to my wish list! The party, with great food and beverages, was great fun. It was nice to hob-knob with the Vegas literary and business elite. It also provides an idea for future book release events, why not take advantage of local properties willing to donate a fun, different, or interesting space.
Another social event was our monthly writer’s poker night. A small group of writer friends decided we wanted a social evening on a regular basis. So, we each month we rotate to a different home and play poker for a few hours. This is a BYOB and a snack to share evening. Plus, there’s always the possibility that I’ll win enough for a toner cartridge.
I’m still working away on the new novel and I’ve created another new poem. As my list of poetry mounts I’m starting to consider putting together a chap book. If this is something you’ve done, I’d love to hear about your experience.
Keep Moving Forward!
~Gregory
Issue 210
* This Week
* Fabulist Flash Recommends
* FaceBook Profile Pictures
* LAMOO Books Author Spotlight
* Call for Submissions
* Banned Books
* 18Q with K.M. Weiland
Visit http://www.fabulistflash.com and click “Current Issue”
I went to San Diego last weekend to hear Esther Hicks/Abraham speak. It was a thrill. Plus, I had two glorious days of driving. I returned home filled with new ideas and inspiration.
As I continue to edit my NaNoWriMo novel, I’ve found myself thinking about a sequel. So, this week I got back to my 2000 word-a-day habit. It feels good to be pounding at the keyboard again!
With the recent release of Patchwork Path: Grandma’s Choice, I’ve gotten to visit my friends at the post office a lot over the past few weeks. Several people have asked if I don’t find such tasks to be menial. Absolutely not. In fact, mailing out books is one of my favorite things in the world! We become bestselling authors selling books to one reader at a time. A book sold is a book sold.
The news this week is that the 18Q has reached a milestone: 150 interviews have been archived. Keep spreading the word!
Keep Moving Forward!
~Gregory
Issue 209
* This Week
* Fabulist Flash Recommends
* Self Promotion through Online Book Reviews
* LAMOO Books Author Spotlight
* Call for Submissions
* Banned Books
* 18Q with B. J. Loft
Visit http://www.fabulistflash.com and click “Current Issue”
Most weeks there’s some news, but this week’s news is huge! The speaker catalog I co-founded, Presenters & Programs, has been mailed out to 30,000 meeting and event planners. It’s so exciting to know that something I helped create will be seen by so many people in short order. Even better, knowing that I’ll be feeling this same sense of excitement in another year when the 2010 version of the catalog goes out. If you’d like to see our handy work, check out the high resolution PDF version at: http://tinyurl.com/PAP2009.
Thanks to those who wrote in with organization tips. I’m compiling them to share so if you have a tip let me know via email: Gregory@Kompes.com.
One of the keys to writers succeeding during difficult economic times (most times in fact) is having multiple income streams. This week, I offer my review of Café Press, a photo product site that allows you to create cards, postcards, journals, mouse pads, books, CDs, and so much more.
Keep Moving Forward!
~Gregory
Issue 208
* This Week
* Fabulist Flash Recommends
* Create Photo Products
* LAMOO Books Author Spotlight
* Call for Submissions
* Banned Books
* 18Q with Jackie Yoxen
Visit http://www.fabulistflash.com and click “Current Issue”
I always begin a new year with anticipation. I know that there will be many new experiences and projects to look forward to and that prospect is thrilling.
The big news this week is that I picked up the first printing of Patchwork Path: Grandma’s Choice. It’s a lovely first volume for this series. One of my favorite things in life is going to the post office to ship off books that have been ordered. The trip this week was no exception. It felt great to wait in line at the post office while balancing the dozens of boxes. I didn’t mind the attitude of all the other patrons who had to wait while the postmaster placed a postage label on each box and padded envelope, the next step in the journey of hundreds of pre-orders finally shipping out to their new homes. After all, each shipped package represents a sale and I’m in this business to sell books.
While I’m not a fan of New Year resolutions, I have vowed to do a better job keeping up with bookkeeping and paperwork in 2009. If anyone out there has a system that works well, please send me an email and share!
It’s been another exciting week. Patchwork Path: Grandma’s Choice, the first of the new Patchwork Path series, has been printed. Instead of waiting for freight shipment, I’ll be driving down to our California printer on Monday to pick up the books. We had a fun mailing party this week where, along with a group of friends, we stuffed, labeled, and stamped about 800 envelopes for both a wholesale and retail mailing campaign.
The Presenters and Programs catalogs have also been printed and should arrive next week.
The new issue of Mused: BellaOnline Literary Review has been published. It’s available electronically (http://www.bellaonline.com/review/issues/winter2008/) and in print. My poem, “Shifting Sand” is in this latest issue.
Keep Moving Forward!
~Gregory
Issue 206
* This Week
* Fabulist Flash Recommends
* Blog Directories
* Holiday Gifts
* Call for Submissions
* Banned Books
* 18Q with Chemene Crawford
Visit http://www.fabulistflash.com and click “Current Issue”
I found myself wondering what to do this week. The latest big project, the annual Presenters & Programs speaker catalog was sent off to the printer on Tuesday. We’ve been working so hard on this and it’s turned out beautiful. Now, it’s in the hands of the printer who will help us get our 40,000 copies distributed.
While there’s always something else on my list, whenever a big project ends I seem to go through a bit of post-partum depression. I know this won’t last long. We’ll start selling space in the next catalog in a few weeks, but in the meantime…
I received invitations for two library, Meet the Author, panels in 2009. Many local libraries are building out their schedules for the coming year. That makes this a great time to chat up your local librarians and get on their speaking schedules.
My thanks go out to the Oasis Writers Guild in Pahrump for a pleasant day.
Keep Moving Forward!
~Gregory
Issue 205
* This Week
* Fabulist Flash Recommends
* Goal Setting Secret
* The Alex Awards
* Call for Submissions
* Banned Books
* 18Q with W. Korol Selley
Visit http://www.fabulistflash.com and click “Current Issue”
It’s been another busy week. We finished the final edits on Patchwork Path: Grandma’s Choice and the book is now in the hands of our favorite printer. If you’re looking for a friendly, well-priced book printer who also produces a quality product, contact Peter Coleman at PrintMedia (peter@printmedia.com).
We’re also in the final stages of compilation, design, and proofing for Presenters & Programs. This catalog of speakers has been a fun stretch for me, but the book is turning out incredibly well.
The novel I wrote during NaNoWriMo has been with my first reader and she loved the story and several of the characters. I’ve lined up my second reader, who is an excellent critic and I’m anxiously awaiting a returned manuscript covered in red!
I’ll be speaking at the Pahrump Library (NV) this Saturday presenting my 3 hour workshop, Internet ACE: Online Self Promotion. If you’d like to attend, please contact Allison Hawkins (allyhawkins@sbcglobal.net ) of the Oasis Writers for details.
Keep Moving Forward!
~Gregory
Issue 204
* This Week
* Fabulist Flash Recommends
* Multiple Income Streams
* Getting on Oprah
* Call for Submissions
* Banned Books
* 18Q with Billie A. Williams
Visit http://www.fabulistflash.com and click “Current Issue”
It’s been a super two weeks. The Turkey Day break was pleasant and I completed the NaNoWriMo challenge. It’s amazing to me that we really can accomplish a great deal if we take it on in small bites. They really do add up—both while eating turkey and writing a novel. Of course, the task of revisions is always greater than that of draft writing; just as loosing weight after a holiday is much more difficult than attracting it. Gotta love those sweet potatoes. But, that’s where the fun and craft come into this writing biz.
For the first (and hopefully annual) holiday gift eBook, Recipes and Writing 2008, with choice selections from nine authors, check out the Fabulist Flash Recommends section of Issue 202.
This holiday season, combined with a poor economy, is making for some excellent deals from traditional printers, that topic is the focus of this week’s article. There’s also my formula and some resources for writing an argumentative essay. Plus, Sr. Christine Kresho takes the 18Q.
Keep Moving Forward!
~Gregory
Issue 203
* This Week
* Fabulist Flash Recommends
* Promotion Printers
* Writing Argumentatively
* Call for Submissions
* Banned Books
* 18Q with Sr. Christine Kresho
Visit http://www.fabulistflash.com and click “Current Issue”
The big news this week, my poem, Shifting Sand, has been selected for publication in the upcoming issue of the literary journal Mused. This is the second poem they’ve chosen and I have to give some credit to Laudably Tarnished, the poetry workshop I participate in each month. Workshops are a great way to improve your writing. If there isn’t a group near you to join, why not start one? That’s how our poetry group came to be.
We’re into week three of NaNoWriMo. My plot needs some work, but I’m going strong at over 35K words. Plus, I’m back into the daily writing habit which is more important than anything else.
Anyone who knows me knows I love technology. This week’s issue is filled with online writer and technology resources you might find helpful for brainstorming and building a stronger online presence. Plus, Joyce Brennan takes the 18Q.
There won’t be an issue of the Fabulist Flash next week. Happy Thanksgiving (a little early!)
Keep Moving Forward!
~Gregory
Issue 200
* This Week
* Fabulist Flash Recommends
* Free Tech Resources
* Writer Resources
* Call for Submissions
* Banned Books
* 18Q with Joyce Brennan
Visit http://www.fabulistflash.com and click “Current Issue”
Most of my week has been dedicated to Patchwork Path: Grandma’s Choice. As the Production Director for this project, I’ve been getting the book ready for the printer. The cover is finished, the interior book design is completed, and the book is back in the hands of our editor for her final read of the galley proofs. Now that the book is out of my hand, it’s on to book promotion.
Plus, I’m writing up a storm! What a thrill to cross over the 25K word mark as part of my NaNoWriMo experience. As I write the new novel, I’ve noticed a few holes in the plot. Instead of taking the time to fix those problems, I’m making notes about them on my style sheet and continuing to push forward, not allowing myself to go back to early chapters and fix those problems. I’m determined to finish this draft by the end of the month. I’ll fix the problems later. For me, this is an important tip to learn.
Working with 1-on-1 clients this week, I was asked lots of questions. This caused me to dust off and refresh a few notes, which are the core of this week’s issue. I recommend Eva Shaw’s DVD, Write Your Book in 20 Minutes, share my formula for the Four Paragraph Media Release, and offer a few tips to building your platform, plus there’s an 18Q from Grace Tierney.
Keep Moving Forward!
~Gregory
Issue 200
* This Week
* Fabulist Flash Recommends
* 4 Paragraph Media Release
* Build Your Platform
* Call for Submissions
* Banned Books
* 18Q with Grace Tierney
Visit http://www.fabulistflash.com and click “Current Issue”