Friday Linky Love: Space Porn & Blogger Buds & RT Art Gallery . . .

Morning from my porch at Killian Knob!

Remember I wrote last Friday that I’d not be on any panels at the Fairhope Conference? Welp, somehow I ended up on two panels *laughing* lawd (Our Rose & Thorn Journal panel of what editors are looking for, and I’ll be on a “what works and what doesn’t in social media [when it comes to our books], etc, panel). If you are in around those parts, come join us. Angie Ledbetter and I would love to say hello.

Also, I hope you will stop by our newest feature at the Rose & Thorn – our Art Galley “wall.” We are blown away by the art/artists. While there, check out the prose and poetry–soon, May 15, our spring issue will go live. Every other Wednesday on our blog, our Art Director Alaine Benard announces two new artists. We are honored. The alternating blog posts are Back Story posts from our writers and poets. Y’all come!

Linda Hoye, a wonderful beautiful woman, has a new book coming out in June, a memoir “Two Hearts.” Go by and check it out. I’m looking forward to buying my own copy!

I’ve been visiting Write It Sideways, and today’s post is about “How to read your way to better writing.” I can’t imagine never reading (double negative -haw!). It’s always been about The Book. I adore books, and that’s part of the reason I became a writer–the two are intertwined.

Karen Elliott has had “Musician Week” over at her blog. Prior to that was “editor week” — I always look forward to her “weeks” :-D

Sharla Lovelace is having some wonderful contests over at her blog to celebrate the release of her new book “The Reason is You,” which comes out next month. Go by – it’s easy and fun and you just may win a prize.

I had a wonderful time at Book Blather on Marilee’s blog. Unfortunately, I, and some others who stopped by, weren’t able to comment, so I want to to thank those who stopped by and read. I enjoyed the conversation with Marilee. As well, I was so nervous about putting up that small excerpt from the new Graces book coming out this spring– it was one of the sadder/darker parts of Family Graces.

spring is here in the mountains! wow!

I stumbled on this site, Space Porn (laughing!), from a Huffington Post article. I love science and physics, and even if I don’t always grasp every concept, I can’t get enough of it! At Huffington, I spend time on the Books and Book Publishing areas, but I’ll also go to the food and science posts as well.

That’s enough for now. I’m busy listening to the Sweetie audio book files just to make sure all is well. I want to finish that this week, since I’m hopping in the BoopMobile and heading Down South to Fairhope next week. Poor GMR and Not Quite Fat Dog and Psycho Cutie Girl will miss me – - maybe, haw! Oh, ‘course they will, teeheehee. I am amazed at how the “voice-artist” reads–her instincts are so on point and her voice so clear and mesmerizing, it’s really not a chore at all to listen. She’s absolutely wonderful and is bringing to life my characters. She’s perfect for Melissa’s voice. Love it and her!

boop-boop-beep-beep!

Now, y’all go do the day, feel Gratitude, and have a wonderful weekend.

Friday Linky Love Day: Little’a this and little’a that.

Colleague and friend, author Vanessa Gebbie - the US edition of her novel, The Coward’s Tale, comes out early next week with Bloomsbury. I read Gebbie’s collection of stories, “Words from a Glass Bubble,” and oh, I was so happy to have read that book, so looking forward to her novel. She also has a really cool website that rather fascinates me.

Some of you may have already read this post from a while back, but if not, I’m a guest on Bellebooks/Bell Bridge books blog – Is the Novelist Work Not Valued, or Under Valued?

Stacy S. Jensen ”Writing My Way Through Life” has a Thankful Thursday (love!), and for her TT this week, she talks about the wonderful Writer Unboxed, for which they will soon have a newsletter. Go by and check out Stacy’s blog, and while there, read all about Writer Unboxed and their up-coming newsletter news. Excited!

A friend of mine has a new blog, so want to send her some linky love – Stories of Strong Southern Women–”Nothing is ever truly forgotten. The past lives forever in our memories. Marina Aimer.”

I adore MORE magazine, and am a subscriber. Received my new issue yesterday and am gobbling it up. I love how it is geared towards women over 40, although the magazine attracts other ages, as well. They are also online, and have a 20 Get-Healthy Beauty Picks. Since I do my “I’m your guinea pig” series on Wednesay Free-for-all, I may try out one or two of these products and let you know how it goes–especially the Miss Oops for rosacea. I would be in a state of YAYY! if More would have my books in their “books” section. Especially for “women over 50″ who have achieved a life-long dream. A girl can dream for more (haha! hey -!) can’t she? :-D lawd.

On the Rose & Thorn Blog, we added a feature in the comments section where you may now add a link to your blog or website when you leave a comment. We’re hoping you will stop by and subscribe, read, comment. Our poets, writers, and artists will appreciate you. Up now is notice on our two new artists for our new Art Gallery.

I read a lot of my publishing news on Huffington Post. It’s an easy way to see things at a glance. They also have many things to read — health, beauty, entertainment, etc etc etc — as if I need one more place to distract me – haw! But, well, dang.

And speaking of distraction, I dipped my teeny toe in Pinterest. I’m not sure if I’ll be so active with it, but I do see the appeal! What I want to be careful with is copyright issues. I’m uber careful about copyright, but I will be fiddle-dee-deeing around with it, as long as I am sure whatever images I place on my “boards” are not someone else’s “property.” When I signed up, Pinterest automatically followed a bunch of people, so maybe I am already following you there! :-D

An Update – Author Sharla Lovelace (The Reason is You will be out this spring, right about the time my Family Graces will be – I read this book because I “cover-blurbed” it – it’s wonderful!) anyway, I’m (Sweetie is) on her “Shameless Saturday” where writers can leave a comment and “shamelessly” talk about their works.

 

 

I was fascinated by the images that showed up on just my name and my name + Tender Graces in google images. Including this photo (lawd! laughing!). (No, I wasn’t googling myself -teeheee- I was looking for my Amazon Author Page to make sure these posts were showing up . . . they are . . . and saw the links. Huhn. :-D) Yup, that’s Tender Graces covering the, uh, the, um, well I . . .  anyway . . . *ahem* Anyyyywaaaaay, I have a vague memory of someone sending me this image and our having a good laugh, but I don’t remember who it was . . . haw! lawdy.

This video made me laugh. I don’t do book signings anymore (or very very rarely), so this really hit home “You mean it didn’t go well; I signed you for three more” and the look on his face – haw! :-D

Soon I should be receiving the new bookcover for the 2nd book, Secret Graces, and the for the final in the trilogy, Family Graces, and when I do, I’ll share them *smiling.* Beginning March 1, my “vacay break between novels” ends and I’ll be putting my head down to work on my 5th novel (not counting the novella, but maybe I should!). Terrifying and exciting and wonderful.

What’s your news? What’s happening with you? Any news you want to share?

Linky Love Day! – Something for everyone . . .

I have two posts to direct you to this morning on Writer Unboxed. If you haven’t been to this group yet, or joined us on Facebook, then please do check them out – writers, readers, agents, professionals of this and that and the other, something for all. First, the post Community – What’s In It For Me? by Vaughn Roycroft, where he writes of community in this thang called social networking, and beyond. I make no secret I adore Vaughn.

And next on Writer Unboxed, Surviving the Publishing Industry’s Looking Glass by Christopher Harris, ESPN and sports journalist for Yahoo sports and ESPN the magazine, among others, about his journey to self-publishing his book, despite his “platform.” You know, Platform? The thing we writers are told we must have? Well, seems even when you have one that doesn’t guarantee you a contract.

And because I love to read/watch Science, biology, etc: Nine Stubborn Brain Myths That Just Won’t Die, Debunked by Science

And because those who know me know I have crushes on Physicists, and scientists, and sometimes genius mathematicians, I hope you all visit/watch Nova scienceNOW. And, I also make no secret of my love of Neil deGrasse Tyson. *Grin*

Update – Now Live!: Vine Leaves Literary Journal. Now, you may wonder why I’d talk about another literary journal when I am Publishing Editor of Rose & Thorn Journal – it’s the same concept/reason/idea behind why I write/talk about other authors more than I do my own books – I love promoting/discussing/crowing about new, and old and in between, ideas, places, people!

The Huffington Post, for which I frequently stop by for book/publishing news (and they have more to peruse), now has Huffington Post Book Club. I’m excited to see what they’ll be doing – and of course, I have the wish they’ll choose one of my books, even if that wish is far-fetched (but, see Threadbare Gypsy Soul – brick walls were made to break though, right? Right! If I don’t dream, then what’s the point?)

I love visiting other bloggers and don’t always have the chance to do so as often as I like. I’ve been linking to bloggers, a few at a time. If you stop by, feel free to tell them Kat sent you! *smiling* Today’s offerings are:

The wonderful and supportive of other writers – Kimberly Brock: “What She Would Have Said, Tales of a Storyteller. She will have her debut out this year! Exciting! The River Witch, a women’s fiction novel. to be released by Bell Bridge Books in late May 2012. A fellow BelleBooks/Bell Bridge Books Author.

Threadbare Gypsy Soul – Beautiful, poignant, and thought-provoking.

From the Book Blather, where my Bellebook’s blog post Write What You Know (just another take) has made it’s journey to -Marilee writes:  “If you love to blab about books, welcome!”

And though some may see him as naughty and fraught with f-word bombs and all the like, I love reading this blog – I’m a new

reader so I’m just exploring myself. “Terribleminds” by Chuck Wendig, a novelist, screenwriter, and freelance penmonkey.

No Reason Whatsoever: Cathryn Louis  She writes, “In Louisiana (where I’m from), we tend to speak a little differently. Instead of saying we’re doing something because ‘I want to’, you’re more likely to hear ‘oh, no reason’, ‘just because’ or my favorite ‘no reason whatsoever’. Or sometimes it’s ‘no earthly reason whatsoever’. . >”

women’s fiction writers: no heroes. no zombies. no high heels. well, maybe high heels. If that title doesn’t make you want to go by there, then do it because Amy is smart and funny and she has wonderful guests to her blog.

And we’re having a nice discussion, via FB, e-mail, below, in the “letter” I “sent” to Indie Booksellers. Join in if you like.