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There should be pictures here, but it was a long day at work yesterday. So close your eyes and imagine…two large cardboard boxes from UPS. Using a box cutter to open them…Look, the box is filled to the rim with copies of Hulk Hercules: Professional Wrestler! And so is the other box.

Mmmm, fresh book smell. Look, Bastet is rubbing her cheeks on the boxes, claiming them as her own. Well, I guess I know who gets to keep those books now.

***

Some really good news about Hulk Hercules. The book has been picked up for distribution by Follett Library Resources, Inc. and Book Wholesalers, Inc., Those are the two biggest library wholesalers in the country. Not too shabby.

If you want your kid to read Hulk Hercules, and you don’t want to buy it, ask your school librarian or public librarian to order a copy. Maybe two. They’re small.

Now, here’s another part of writing I haven’t experienced. What do I do with these wonderful books?

I’m not clueless entirely. I have to send out some thank you gifts to the wonderful folks who have helped me out, who have let me interview them, or have made plastic coins for me. Yeah, there’s some gifting to do. And I know there are some interested other parties.

I want to keep some in reserve for the book readings and signings I’ll do this year. That still leaves me with a few books.

I figure I can do some good by sending some out to librarians and reviewers. I need to educate myself about places that review middle grade books and reach those audiences. Any ideas you have are appreciated.

I figure I’ll contact local schools as well.

One thing I’m very wary about is coming across as “that guy.” (which I think is copyrighted by Jim Hines). I don’t want to sound schmoozy, like I’m trying to get *my* book in your library. I truly want to share this book with kids because I think they’ll have fun with it. And I want to spread the love of wrestling. You betcha.

So, please, offer up your suggestions. Teach me about promotion, but help me to keep from sounding, I dunno, slimy.

Or send me a publicist. If you include a self-addressed envelop, I promise to return them.

Catherine

What I need, right now, is a week off. To write. Surrounded by other writers. While other people feed me. Interesting discussions would be nice too.

Does anything like this exist?

Thinking of you all today, and missing you all.

Catherine

This is pretty much it for my con, this year. I’m writing more fiction and less professorial things. Many thanks to my esteemed spouse Bryon who navigated the thornier aspects of our ancient Photoshop program.

I’ll also be at the sign out on Monday. If you have kids and you buy a book, I’ll be sure to send a Morty Moose token for them. It’s the Hulk Hercules exclusive for the con.

I just need to think of something punchy to write for kids that sounds like wrestling. Or mythology. Or wrestling and mythology. Together again.

Catherine

Just got the tracking numbers. Around 50 Hulk Hercules are on their way to my house.

😀

There will be distribution to various parties later. Right now, I’m just going to enjoy the sensation of books in motion.

Catherine

I was negligent in providing you with the first link when it went up two weeks ago, but since a second has come out, I figured I should hook you back up with Demon Muse and their two new posts about Stoking Your Creative Fire, Part 2: Embrace Your Creative Demon’s Rhythm.

Part 1

Part 2

I know what you’re thinking. Same thing I’m thinking. Reading The City and the City by China Mieville and Kid vs Squid by Greg van Eekhout is a lot like having chocolate cake and grapefruit juice for breakfast.

Actually, though, mmmm…

***

It’ll be a busy week at work and at play. I’ll be working on Wiscon promotional material this week for our reading (weenie graphic abilities activate!), and I’ll also be trying to get a profile done on fellow VP’er Sean Craven finished, so I can post it here. (Sean has been a paragon of patience. I need to get this done.)

I’ll be working real person hours instead of professor hours this week, except Wednesday, which is MINE for writing. Next post, then, will be Sean’s profile, or promo material.

Unless the world ends or something.

Catherine

Teacher! Cath cannot resist when writers bring you particularly instructive write-ups. I’ve had the joy of meeting these writers when their first books came out, and the wonderful thing about both Jeaniene and Maggie is that success has not *sniff* changed the sincerity with which they come across on the Internet. 🙂

In seriousness, though, these are excellent articles with instructive advice, and I really encourage you to take a look.

Jeaniene Frost brings you a comprehensive article on Advice for Writers, or Everything Jeaniene Knows about Getting Published. Jeaniene has put together a great series of links from her journal trying to comprehensively answer reader questions about the entire process. It’s a great orientation and one stop shop for those general questions that an author might have as they start the zany journey in the right direction. I admire Jeaniene for putting the links together, and for being accessible.

***

Additionally, Maggie Stiefvater writes a thought-provoking article on time management. And it’s really good stuff.

I was impressed by number three, priorities. And I have to say that since I decided to make writing a priority in my life, rather than letting everything else happen first, it has made a huge different. It really was a matter of deciding how I wanted to spend my time and then doing that, rather than lamenting how much time I didn’t have to write. I agree totally with Maggie on that one.

Doing what you love is also a point well-made. Many of us turn writing into a psychologically twisted, guilt ridden thing. It’s work to right, sure it is. It is also uplifting, soulful, and creative on occasion. If I didn’t enjoy it overall, I wouldn’t do it. I feel much the same about teaching.

Maggie’s post is a good touchstone for writers who need to remember that they can do it, or perhaps remember why they started doing it.

***

*dust hands* Well, that’s Monday’s entry done. With much less fuss than usual too.

Catherine

Oh no you don’t, subconscious! I am finishing this troll novel, and the WQ costume.

I am not…

going to start on the small town werewolf novella because I know where to send it now.

writing a short story for Writers of the Future because I wonder if I’d look good in a tux there.

starting on that story for the Realms of Fantasy women’s issue. Yet.

outlining the 1960s story about the girl who travels back to meet her spy fi grandma.

dropping the trolls to work with the Klarions.

Listen up subconscious. I am finishing this troll novel. I am beating it into submission. People are waiting on this thing. I’m rather excited to see how it turns out, finally.

I’m on to you, so you might as well just cut it out.

Catherine

(This is the most common problem in the writerverse, init? All those shiny new projects waiting to be free. What’s tempting you to eat the apple?)

Another scrapbook moment for the newb. Bear with me.

Ahem. The first appearance on line of my book.

Thank you Barnes and Noble.

In other news, I have my copy of Kid vs Squid. Do you have yours?

Catherine

Here are some more books coming out soon that I’m interested in. Okay, eagerly anticipating by pacing across the floor and wearing a hole in my carpet.

Jim Hines’ third book of the Princess Series, Red Hood’s Revenge is coming out in two long months. To help pass the time, Jim is having a book contest. He’s giving away 8 books in the 8 weeks out from his series. Well, yeah, I have everything, so fat lot of good it does me, but you might benefit. Click on Jim’s name for details. Jim is a writer’s writer. His humor and sincerity make his journal a joy to read.

Nnedi Okorafor didn’t release a book last year, but this year she’s releasing two, so she can make it up to me. I will pick up a copy of Long Juju Man, but the one I’m really excited about is Who Fears Death, the author’s study of grief and loss concerning the death of her father. Nnedi is one of today’s finest speculative writers, and she’ll be able to pull this off.

Mary Robinette Kowal is an author I’ve not read before, but her book Shades of Milk and Honey is being spoken of highly. I like the weaving of fantasy and literature (when it’s not done to ride the campy zombie wave), and I’d love to read another book reminiscent of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. I read the author’s journal, and what also attracted me to the story is that she is researching period clothing to wear at the first events of book release. The costumer in me finds her research fascinating.

Any time now, Ilona Andrews’ Magic Bleeds will hit the stores, and I’ll be there. The first two books were great, but Magic Strikes really pulled me into the interpersonal twists and turns between the main characters, and I’m excited to see how the relationship between Kate and Currran turns out in book 4. Hungry, actually. Ilona is another writer who gives a lot to the writing community at large. She is a teacher’s writer.

Let’s get these books out soon, ‘kay? I’m excited to read them all.

Catherine