One Tired But Happy Blogger Reporting to Duty

There are not enough English words to describe a hike in Yosemite and English has more words than any other language in the world. Well, that's hard to determine, but possible to speculate.

Anyway about words . . . I don't need many to tell you what I feel.



Mountains.
Trees.
Water.
Sculpted Granite.
Sequoias.
Silence.
Thank you.

This is not Haiku, but maybe next time.

Photo Credit.

Thanksgiving

I'm taking a break. It's time to get outside and do some hiking, so I'm off to Yosemite for a few days. 

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

When I come back it'll be time to end the first CONTEST for the free signed copy of Flash Burnout. Looking forward to sending that to someone. 

Why do you Blog?

Someone asked me why I blogged and my answer surprised me. I started to say that I do it because I've written a book and want to build a readership and a following; then I changed my mind. That may have been why I "started" to blog, but that's not why I continue to blog.

I enjoy the writing and I enjoy stopping by other blog sites to visit people who share that passion. How great to read what's happening on Ramble Street with Nan Marino. I've known her for several years now. We've shared manuscripts, watched the books we edited for each other debut, discovered that we have a lot in common and care about each other.

It's great to stop by Mel Higgins' blog and see what funny Veggie Contest she's doing or what she has to say about writing and living and being Mel. We've also exchanged manuscripts and coffee and a conference. I'd never have known Mel if I hadn't been blogging and sharing writing online.

If I need a mini vacation I zip over to Bish's beautiful island and learn about the flowers and fruit and imagine the sea around me and the sand between my toes. Lovely.

Once in a while I crave music or some family stories and that takes me to Kelly's lively blog where I'm always greeted by her smile and warm heartedness.

I learn a lot when I pop into Market My Words and read Shelli's posts about her writing, interviews with agents, other writers and agents.

There are a lot more and next time I feel the need to answer the question, "Why do you blog?" I'll post about all those other writers who share so much with me and who make blogging worth the time and effort.

I'd love hear why you blog. What keeps you writing and posting?

Oh, and about that free Christmas gift. Mike Jung is obviously going to win Flash Burnout if you let him. He must want to read L.K. Madigan's book in the worst way--quite a compliment to that author.

Christmas Gifts

I know. I know. Thanksgiving isn't even here yet, and I'm on about Christmas, but let's face it these few weeks between now and December 25th are winged and involve jet propulsion.

I just happen to have a lovely autographed copy of L.K. Madigan's Flash Burnout and one of Breathing by Cheryl Herbsman.  I'm  willing to part with these great books, but only because I have my own copies.

So here's the deal: You can win Flash Burnout between now and December 1st.  Whoever does the most interesting linked posts to this offer and tweets ever-so-succinctly, but well, can have L.K's  book by early December.

You can win Breathing between December 2nd and December 15th by doing the same kind of linked posts and tweets. You'll have Cheryl's book before Christmas.

Just leave a comment on this post with the URL(s) for your posts. DM me on Twitter whenever you do a Tweet (@cleemckenzie).

Oh wait! There's more. I still have two pewter horse bookmarks and those will be my runner up prizes. 

The judges from previous contests are eager and ready to start doing judge stuff again, and they remain as impartial as ever, unless you can smuggle chocolate frosted cream puffs in somehow. Ahem. I'm not above that kind of bribe myself . . . No! Wrong!

Writers Writers Writers

The audience was large and enthusiastic at Books Inc. Friday night. L.K. Madigan read from Flash Burnout and four other YA authors read from their novels. There were at least five other YA authors in the audience: Sarah Quigley (TMI), Cheryl Herbsman (Breathing), Heidi King (Sea) and others I didn't catch. Sorry. I was so busy listening, watching, chatting. I'll do better next time.

Anyway, here are the Debs doing Deb stuff.

Another Book Signing

This time it isn't mine. I'm going to see L.K. Madigan (Flash Burnout) and have her sign my book. Should be fun. It's a Not My Mother's Book Club event and Jen Laughran throws a great party.

Holidaze with the Debs

We are pleased to announce Holidaze With the Debs, a series of author events in the U.S. and Canada this holiday season. At bookstores, libraries and schools in the New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Toronto areas, members of the 2009 Debutantes will talk about their own books and other 2009 favorites. A full list of events is available below.

"Publishers are working with shrinking promotional budgets in this economy," notes Rhonda Stapleton, author of STUPID CUPID (Simon Pulse). "As first-time authors, we know that much of our promotion is going to have to come from us, and over the last year we've also learned how much fun it is to do events together. So we're especially excited to be able to talk to readers directly this holiday season."


2009 DEBUTANTES' HOLIDAZE TOUR

NEW YORK

Dec. 6, 1-3 p.m.
Books of Wonder
18 West 18th St.
New York, NY
Including: Megan Crewe, Sarah Cross, Deva Fagan, Neesha Meminger, Kate Messner, Shani Petroff, Jon Skovron, Michelle Zink

CHICAGO

Dec. 5, 1-3 p.m.
Borders
161 N. Weber Road
Bolingbrook, IL
Including: Cynthea Liu, Saundra Mitchell, Aprilynne Pike, Kristina Springer, Darcy Vance, Lara Zielin

Dec. 5, 7-9 p.m.
The Book Cellar, Inc.
4736-38 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL
Including: Cynthea Liu, Saundra Mitchell, Aprilynne Pike, Kristina Springer, Darcy Vance, Lara Zielin

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

Dec. 5, 3-4 p.m
Borders
588 Francisco Blvd. West
San Rafael, CA
Including: Lauren Bjorkman, Cheryl Renee Herbsman, Malinda Lo, Sarah Quigley, Jon Yang

Dec. 8, 7 p.m.
Menlo Park Public Library
800 Alma St.
Menlo Park, CA
Including: Lauren Bjorkman, Cheryl Renee Herbsman, C. Lee McKenzie, Sarah Quigley, J.A. Yang

Dec. 9, 12 p.m.
Petaluma High School*
201 Fair St.
Petaluma, CA
Including: Lauren Bjorkman, Cheryl Renee Herbsman, Malinda Lo, Sarah Quigley, J.A. Yang
* Open to the public, but visitors should check in at the school office when arriving

Dec. 12, 2-4 p.m.
Barnes &Noble
119 Colma Blvd.
Colma, CA
Including: Lauren Bjorkman, Cheryl Renee Herbsman, Malinda Lo, C. Lee McKenzie, Sarah Quigley, J.A. Yang

TORONTO

Jan. 9, 2 p.m.
Indigo
Eaton Centre
220 Yonge St.
Toronto, Ontario
Including: R.J. Anderson, Megan Crewe, Sarah Ockler, Rhonda Stapleton, Lara Zielin