Flip The Script Fridays: The Press Kit

I love how fancy this sounds. Visions of little first aid-like kits come to mind whenever I hear this word.

In truth, the press kit is much more simple than the name belies. It can be as simple as a press release, book cover, and head shot.

I know. Not much of a "kit."

It's not saving any lives or even making a boo-boo better.

But don't underestimate the importance of the press kit. It is the tool, by which, a reporter sniffs out potential articles. And for every reporter who says they don't pay a release or a press kit much mind, there are others who have followed up and covered the story.

So what, really, does a kit require to help give the reporter what they need?

When putting together a press kit, think to yourself - What can I provide this reporter that will help them form a good story without overwhelming them?

Some people try and stick everything but the kitchen sink in a press kit. And I can tell you, from being a freelancer who often gets material from PR agencies - it's a real pain to get a bunch of crap that falls out as soon as I open the folder.

Crap that doesn't much help me see the story anyway.

We'll talk about teasers, next week. Teasers can sometimes be cutesy and work. But for now, let's focus on the press kit do's and don'ts.

DON'T

- Send a complete press kit when a one page press release can do the exact same thing!

- Throw a pile of papers and stuff in an envelope and call it a press kit

- Get all fancy. Reporters get these things all the time. They're fairly immune to the packaging and only want the straight dope. Yes, your hot pink folder with the electric blue writing may get noticed but not necessarily in a good way.

- Use the type of folders that require papers to be bound.

- Send via Fed Ex. It's a waste of money and truly not that urgent considering it will still end up in the news outlet's mail room.

- Send generically to "Podunk Times." Your kit may never find its proper home if you're not going to do enough homework to identify which reporter covers what you're selling.

DO

- Include only those things that help to form a story: press release, fact sheet, bio, head shot, book cover, CD with digital files (if necessary)

- Put your info into a folder. A glossy (or not), two pocket folder will do. Ah-ha, so that's why it's called a "kit."

- Put contents in order of key info. On the left hand side have your press release by itself, on the right hand side your extras (fact sheet, cover, bio, photo). This is not a tried and true science. I say put the release on the left because we read left to right. Some say put it on the right because that's where your eye is drawn when you open a folder. Live dangerously...try both methods.

- Send in a plain white or manila envelope via regular mail

- Send your kit to the attention of a specific reporter, hopefully the one who actually covers books, new authors etc...

- Remember, that you may not always need to send a copy of the book. One of the stories you should try and place is the story about your as the author. This could save you from having to send a copy to a reporter who may not need to read it for the story you're pitching.

Next week: Teasers

Flip The Script Fridays: The Press Kit

I love how fancy this sounds. Visions of little first aid-like kits come to mind whenever I hear this word.

In truth, the press kit is much more simple than the name belies. It can be as simple as a press release, book cover, and head shot.

I know. Not much of a "kit."

It's not saving any lives or even making a boo-boo better.

But don't underestimate the importance of the press kit. It is the tool, by which, a reporter sniffs out potential articles. And for every reporter who says they don't pay a release or a press kit much mind, there are others who have followed up and covered the story.

So what, really, does a kit require to help give the reporter what they need?

When putting together a press kit, think to yourself - What can I provide this reporter that will help them form a good story without overwhelming them?

Some people try and stick everything but the kitchen sink in a press kit. And I can tell you, from being a freelancer who often gets material from PR agencies - it's a real pain to get a bunch of crap that falls out as soon as I open the folder.

Crap that doesn't much help me see the story anyway.

We'll talk about teasers, next week. Teasers can sometimes be cutesy and work. But for now, let's focus on the press kit do's and don'ts.

DON'T

- Send a complete press kit when a one page press release can do the exact same thing!

- Throw a pile of papers and stuff in an envelope and call it a press kit

- Get all fancy. Reporters get these things all the time. They're fairly immune to the packaging and only want the straight dope. Yes, your hot pink folder with the electric blue writing may get noticed but not necessarily in a good way.

- Use the type of folders that require papers to be bound.

- Send via Fed Ex. It's a waste of money and truly not that urgent considering it will still end up in the news outlet's mail room.

- Send generically to "Podunk Times." Your kit may never find its proper home if you're not going to do enough homework to identify which reporter covers what you're selling.

DO

- Include only those things that help to form a story: press release, fact sheet, bio, head shot, book cover, CD with digital files (if necessary)

- Put your info into a folder. A glossy (or not), two pocket folder will do. Ah-ha, so that's why it's called a "kit."

- Put contents in order of key info. On the left hand side have your press release by itself, on the right hand side your extras (fact sheet, cover, bio, photo). This is not a tried and true science. I say put the release on the left because we read left to right. Some say put it on the right because that's where your eye is drawn when you open a folder. Live dangerously...try both methods.

- Send in a plain white or manila envelope via regular mail

- Send your kit to the attention of a specific reporter, hopefully the one who actually covers books, new authors etc...

- Remember, that you may not always need to send a copy of the book. One of the stories you should try and place is the story about your as the author. This could save you from having to send a copy to a reporter who may not need to read it for the story you're pitching.

Next week: Teasers

Thursday Thirteen: Edition Quatre

I'm on a double deadline to get the first draft of TWISTED to my editor as well as an approved proof of DRAMA. The creativity required to write a witty and interesting blog entry has escaped me this week. But, Thursday Thirteen I can handle...

Thirteen Things I've Taken for Granted...And One Thing I Haven't 1. Four years of Fall foilage in the Shenandoah Valley. If you've never seen the orange, yellow and reds of the Virginia mountains you don't know autumn. 2. Pledging one of the most prestigious service organizations as a frosh. It's always great when you're young and dumb because you don't always understand that some of the things you do are a privilege and not a right. 3. My metabolism of just one year ago. 4. That feeling you have when you first fall in love. What is it about that euphoric state that's so hard to re-capture? Not saying comfortable love isn't cool. But if someone could bottle the first pangs of love...that would be some serious mojo. 5. Late night runs to Denny's with the Hubster pre Princesses. I no longer understand the phrase "pick up and go." It's more like: Pick up, carry an extra Pull-up for Princess Bea, make sure I balance the check book before we go out spending, check Princess A's calendar to avoid double booking, check to make sure we have a stroller, oops did I bring the right purse...and...GO. 6. Living in a community far away from a busy, major road. Just how much money do you have to spend to live somewhere unassaulted by commercial zoning? 7. Having no street lights in front of my home. Those sleep blinders stopped looking silly to me six years ago. Why I haven't invested in a pair is beyond me. 8. The ability to say that all of my closest friends were just a phone call or email away. R.I.P. Big Ed. 9. Having someone else solve my problems for me. Man, to be a kid again and have my parents do the heavy lifting. 10. The four-hour day. Classes 8 a.m. to noon, lunch at PC Dukes and nap time in front of the Oprah show. Those were the days. 11. Sundays before the end of the Blue laws. Okay, so you'd get hella bored. But I still miss 'em. 12. The television sitcom. Reality TV can be entertaining, but I'll take a hilarious sitcom any day. 30 Rock is shaping up to be very funny. 13. The purity of mountain air. I was just down in the 'Burg and the air was as crisp and clean as I've ever smelled it. The thought of buying a house and doing all of my writing in the mountains is so on my mind, right now. One thing I haven't taken for granted... My blessings, which include a supportive, loving family and a successful career. Sure, sometimes I wanna run into the night screaming from one or both, but life without them...not an option. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Flip the Script Fridays: The Windup, The Pitch

Today is the second in a series of Friday posts dedicated to the art of basic promotion. I'm off to my alma mater's homecoming, JMU. Good friends, good fun, pretty mountains. GO DUKES!

So, you've written a great press release. It has a good hook and it's so head spinningly awesome that Jane Pulitzer Prize Reporter is going to ring you up and say, "Hey, I'd like to talk to you about, New Awesome Book: The Next Bestseller."

Ummm...probably not.

Remember, PR folks are paid to write relases and pitch stories to reporters.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news - but a release doesn't go very far without the pitch.

Fellow freelancers are used to the pitch. Although mostly called a "query," in writing circles, queries and pitches are similiar. It's the creation of a story idea and the art of convincing an editor to buy it.

Where pitches and queries differ:

With a query, the editor gets back to you with a yes or no and either you have a new clip to show for your efforts (and a couple of extra bucks) or another rejection to add to your pile.

A pitch requires more intimacy. Therein lies the scary part.

But us writers, we're used to rejection. Right?

Damn straight. And all that tough skin we've grown from agents and editors and their "not for me's" will come in handy on pitch day. So wo(man) up, people, it's time to get take our press release from paper to print.

Have the following tools handy:
* Two phones
* Your press release
* A one pager highlighting your key message point and angle
* Your media list,complete with each reporter's name
* A pen (or pencil, if you're old school)
* A scratch pad
* Vodka, Rum or your choice of spirit

NOTE: Do not consume the spirits until after the day's pitches are complete.

Take your tools and hole yourself up in the office.

If ever there was a day you needed, peace, quiet and concentration, today will be it. Pitching is unsettling. You will have a very small window of opportunity (if any) to sell the reporter on your story. This isn't the day for the kids to run in and out of the office asking if it's cool to give the cat a mohawk.

Review your media list. If you haven't already, prioritize it based on which media outlets you'd really like to see an article featuring your book.

Now take that list and put those outlets last! You don't want to start off with the Washington Post. You'll be nervous and first time out, your pitch will likely sound more like:

"Hi...I'm Author...I mean, my name is...Debut Author and I sent you...yesterday, or was it two days ago? I sent..."

You will be nervous. That's okay. Knowing you can be shot down to your face (as it were) can do that to you.

So take the outlets that may be smaller fish in the media ocean and consider them "practice" runs.

They aren't really. But it's better to start out with smaller outlets because...

1) They're more likely to say yes. Smaller papers and community papers love soft news and will likely be glad to hear from you.

2) If they say yes or a nice no, your confidence will soar, making the next five or twenty calls much easier to make.

Often you'll run across voice mail. LEAVE A BRIEF DETAILED MESSAGE.

Sounds like an oxymoron. Note, I did not say pitch the voice mail. But do let the reporter know that you're following up on a release about XYZ and you can be reached at 123-456-7890. You'd be surprised how many reporters may actually call you back.

Thus the reason for two phones. You'll want one phone to call and the other free to take other calls or to take return calls.

As I mentioned, last week, many reporters will say they didn't get the release. And you'll have to play the re-fax or re-email game, which will require another day of follow-up.

Dammit!

But keep trying until you get a firm, "You know, sorry we're not interested." -OR- "That sounds great. I need more info."

This means that Pitch Day could turn into Pitch Days. Not ideal, since pitching tends to eat up mental energy and time. But we gotta do what we gotta do.

So, what do you say when you're pitching?

Do NOT simply regurgitate what your release says. Consider the release the bones, the basics. The pitch is the meat, the refined and smooth gem that a reporter can build a story around.

If the reporter does not have your release in front of them, but is still willing to hear your pitch, reference your one-pager and release. You'd be amazed how much of your own information you'll forget once you're on the clock to talk about it.

If the reporter has indicated they have seen the release or have it in front of them, only hit them with the highlights from the one-pager. This page should contain info that is not within the press release.

Overall, the pitch should be multiple angles or story suggestions. You're trying to convey to the reporter all of the great ways your book can/will make an article of interest to the paper's readers.

Although the reporter will ultimately decide how to best pitch this to their editor, your initial job will be to provide them as many story angles as possible or as many as the reporter will allow before shooing you off the phone.

In other words, do some of their job. They'll love you for it.

Next week: The Press kit

I know. It seems a bit backwards to discuss the press kit after the pitch. But forgive me. I just calls 'em as they come to me.

Thursday Thirteen: Edition Trois

Hip Hop is like Rock n' Roll, every generation thinks they're the first to embrace its message of rebellion. Every generation wants to define what the genre means to them and believes their definition is THE definition.

But unlike Rock, Hip Hop is still relatively young. So the battle to own it and define it is still quite fierce.

Hip Hop is about 30 years old (yikes!) give or take a few years depending whether you count from its birth in the streets of New York or its introduction on radio.

So let me end the debate about who "owns" Hip Hop.

I've been a Hip Hop head since I was nine. And the year I was born starts with neither an 8 or 9. So guess what young heads? My generation IS Hip Hop. Ya heard?

Thirteen Signs You Don't Know Hip Hop 1. If you can't remember the genre before the mainstream came calling. Back in da' day, in Maryland, if you wanted to hear Hip Hop you turned to WEBB 1360 AM 'cause it wasn't played on FM radio. WEBB probably had more listeners during its two hour rap show than V-103 FM (the R&B station) had during its four hour drive time show. 2. If you believe Hip Hop is ONLY East coast or west coast or down south. If you can't embrace all the different flavors of Hip Hop you're missing the point of the genre. You don't have to like all of them, but you need to respect each evolution. 3. You think it's about bling. Man, gritty and grimy is more real than bling and that's what Hip Hop stood for. "Don't push me cause I'm close to the edge. I'm trying not to lose my head." The Message 'Nuf said. 4. If you think Diddy's music is hip hop. That's Pop, baby! 5. You have no idea who Fab Five Freddy is. First host of Yo! MTV raps, the only program that showcased rap on MTV. And guess what? MTV didn't start playing rap until 1988! That's seven years after MTV's inception and a good 13 years after Hip Hop's birth. 6. If you don't know Afrika Bambaata, Rakim, MC Lyte, or Eazy-E. Google 'em. 7. If you think Marshall Mathers is Hip Hop's first white boy. Beastie Boys! You better ask somebody. 8. You think Will Smith is Hip Hop's greatest actor. Wrong, it's O'Shea Jackson. But I ain't talking about Hollywood acting. Ice Cube came out with NWA in the early 90's hard as steel, convincing everybody he was a ganster. Yet, even after people found out Cube was from a typical middle class background, his hard lyrics and in your face style convinced you he was from the streets. Even now after dropping fam friendly flicks like Barbershop and Are we There Yet? Cube still kicks mad hard lyrics convincingly. 9. You only know Will Smith as Will Smith and not the Fresh Prince. 10. You only remember Ice T from Law & Order: SVU; Ice Cube from Barbershop; Queen Latifah as an actress, Flavor Flav as a dateless playah, and Run from MTV's Run House. 11. You can only name two members of the Wu-Tang Clan. Shoot, I'm joking. It's so many of 'em even I can only name, GZA, RZA, Raekwon, Meth, Old Dirty Bastard and Ghostface. Somebody else fill in the blanks. 12. If you think anyone else but Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin are responsible for Hip Hop's success. 13. If you think it matters who owns or defines Hip Hop. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Puzzled

I was never very good at puzzles.

The 5-10 piece puzzles with the chunky, large pieces, I could handle. But the real, puzzles, the kind with more than twenty-five pieces or heaven forbid those torturous six digit kind were out of my league.

So it's nothing but karmic energy biting me in the ass that:

Princess Bea picked up a puzzle at the Dollar Store yesterday, thrusting it into our cart AND as I'm angsting over Don't Get It Twisted revisions, I realize that it's nothing more than a puzzle waiting to be solved.

Bea's twenty-five piece, Clifford puzzle wasn't a head scratcher by any stretch of the imagination. No doubt, it took ten minutes too long to put together, especially since me and the Princesses were working as a team - but, it was a relative breeze.

I'm not lying when I say, had it been double the size, I would have left the girls to do it without me.

Puzzles aren't my thing.

So why has God tortured me by making the re-working of Drama's sequel a literary puzzle?

I don't mean, there are mysteries to unlock. I mean, there's a major story re-write required and working it within the existing chapters has me stumped.

The worst part?

I can see where it should go. I can see how the story line should play out. But when I sit down to write it, I get all locked down by backstory.

I keep flipping the pieces, looking at them from different angles. But I can't meld it together.

I know what you're thinking - I'm afraid to let go of some of the existing text. But you're wrong! I've already had the talk with myself about giving the old heave ho to some of the original text. I'm not afraid to cut.

Seriously.

I wrote Twisted immediately after writing So Not The Drama, three years ago. Needless to say, Drama went through significant changes over time. So, of course, there are elements of Twisted that must be lopped off, cut down, spruced up and mended back together.

I've handwritten notes.

I've started a new document with only new elements.

I've reviewed the existing text to see what can stay.

I've cut and pasted.

And yet, I can't get them to come together to save my blessed soul.

It's exactly like when you're staring at a puzzle and feel you know what piece goes there but can't find it amid the rest of the pieces...the right fit is at the tip of my fingers. I can feel it.

Damn, I hate puzzles!

Wow, it's like looking in a mirror!

Saw this fun post over at the Books, Boys, Buzz blog and thought I'd give it a whirl. It's supposed to be celebs that I look like. But ummm, according to the analysis I look more like Spike Lee (59%) than I do Halle Berry (55%) and I have very mixed feelings about that. None of 'em of the good variety.

Still, I'm not keeping bad company.

The only thing is...I have no idea who three of the celebs are! Ning, Woranuch and Shiri.

Anyone?

Flip the Script Fridays: Secrets of the Press Release

Normally on Friday, I like to turn my brain off. If I muster enough strength and motivation to actually show up on the FTJ, seventy percent of my job is done. But I've decided to flip the script...at least where it concerns blogging.

On Fridays, I'll use my fourteen years of public relations experience to talk about promotions. Not only might it help me to remember from whence I came, but you can take what you will from it to promote your own work.

Today's topic: The Press Release

Behold, the press release. The most basic tool of public relations known to womankind.

If there's an event, new service, new product or the boss happens to fart, a press release is written. Reporters cower at its feet. PR execs frame those that generate headlines news.

Ooohhh!

Ahhhhh!

Bull shit!

Press releases do not generate headline news. If public relations were only about churning out the perfect most awe-inspiring press release, the industry would have no need to exist. Or, PR pros would get paid much, much bigger bucks.

Since there is a multi-million dollar PR market and PR pros, on average, don't make glam dollars (I know, I've been there)the press release must not be all that. At the very least it doesn't get the job done by itself.

A press release should be one tool of many in your arsenal of promotional tricks. And I use that word seriously. Public relations, on the whole, is trial and error. You do what you can to garner interest in your event, service, product and let the hype fall where it may.

Some tricks work. Some don't.

The real power of a press release is the pitch. And it takes awhile to perfect the art of pitching news.

It's a very nervewracking thing, pitching.

Imagine standing in front of one of those machines that spits baseballs or tennis balls at 50 mph and having thirty to sixty seconds to find the magic word that will cut the machine off, saving you from a brutal pummeling.

If you don't find the right word you'll get fast balls pelted at you. Ouch!

If you do, the machine clicks off by itself and you stay unbruised.

Pitching news is like that. Don't find the right words to interest a reporter and you walk away with a bruised ego. Find it and you may be rewarded with a sweet piece of coverage.

But we're not ready for pitching. Let's talk about a getting a press release to the pitch stage.

It's all about ensuring your release, at the very least, gets read.

So, four and a half ways secrets to getting the most out of your press release: (didja think I was going to talk about how to write one? Come on, we're writers. That's the easy part!)

1. Know to whom the bell tolls AKA make sure you're sending it to the right person. As exciting as the news room is made to look on television, it's a wonder that a press release gets any attention at all. Reality is, adressing a release to "Dear Sir" is the best way to get it ignored. And sending it to news room to no one's attention is like playing darts blindfolded.

It might land. It might not.

Reporters have egos (they're writers aren't they?)and they like to know that you've paid enough attention to their past stories to know what they cover. Or, at minimum, that you've taken ten minutes to read the paper and know what sections are featured or what editor assigns what type of stories.

Familiarize yourself with the outlets you plan to contact. Blanket press releases - those that go out simultaneously to a shitload of outlets - only work if a) the news is big enough and b) the organization/person sending it is well-known enough.

Which brings me to...

2. It better be news! Yes, the fact that your book exists is good news to you, your family and friends. But why is it relevant to anyone else? It's your job to figure that out, otherwise your release will amount to this headline, "Author Writes Book."

Ahhh!

Ooooh!!

Believe it or not, knowing what's news ties in directly to #1.

If you're familiar enough with the outlets you plan to contact, you know:
- What segments the paper has. Special book section, lifestyle, business, etc... there are many places your story can find home.

- What type of stories the segments cover.

- What reporters write hard news vs. soft news.


3. Hook 'em. The hook is essential to avoid "Author Writes Books" type of releases. The who, what, where are the easy parts of a release. The hook normally lies in the WHY. Why is this important to the general public?

And the WHY can vary depending on what section of the paper you're targeting. If it's the busines section - which is tricky because that's hard news all the way - the WHY may be that the info within your book could save the business commmunity money.

For warm and fuzzy stories, the why usually revolves around some sort of niche audience. For us children's writers, the WHY could be anything from a void in literature we're filling to a special initiative tie-in relevant to youth.

Find your hook. Embrace it. Love it. Know it inside out.


4. Write.Send.Follow-up. These are the three steps of media relations. The most important being the third. Why? Because when you're in the PR biz, it's a given you're going to write a head spinning, attention grabbing release. And of course, you're going to send it. It's the follow up that kills ya.

Chances are, if you're doing your PR by your lonesome, you'll be sending a release to one, maybe two outlets at a time versus twenty. Following up with twenty news outlets makes for a brutal day only soothed by copious amounts of wine at Happy Hour.

Sending out one, we can all handle. Follow-up is key. I guarantee, when you call Jane "Pulitzer Prize" Reporter and say:

"Hi, I'm The Next Great Author, I was following up on a release I sent yesterday..."

One of two things will happen. Either,

She's going to interrupt you (because reporters are always very busy) and say, "No. I don't remember seeing that. Can you send it again?"

At that, she'll expect you to say yes and get off the phone. Re-send immediately. Follow-up again the next day.

Don't try and pitch her unless you've nailed your elevator speech. Reporters are pros at getting you off the phone with the brusque, I'm busy technique.

-OR-

"Look, I only have a few minutes. I'm on deadline. What was it about?"

Ding, ding, ding, ding!

If she says the latter, be ready to pitch the highlights. Because likely either she'll like it enough to ask for more info. Or she'll tell you she's not interested, but Reporter XYZ may be or that she's not interested and better luck next time.

Be ready either way.

5) Be visual. This rule is for the brave hearted who have decided that broadcast news is their target. Releases can be and are sent to TV news outlets. But know this - your story better be visual. Think a clown juggling flaming balls of fire.

Whatever you're pitching has got to be interesting to watch.

The only two things I've ever pitched that generated a TV news piece were a doctor I repped who was among the first to do vascular stents (the news recorded one of his surgeries) ::gross::: and a segment about how wireless technology played a part in the rescue efforts of 9/11.

So unless you're targeting a specific segment of the TV news that covers books, I'd stick with print media.

The ultimate goal of a press release is to get coverage. So remember, even a brief is coverage.

We'd all love a full article. But nine times out of 10, even PR pros have to be happy with a brief - those small, maybe 50-60 word news bits you'll see in each section of the paper, usually on the left hand side, announcing various happenings.

Many news items end up here. If you get one, rejoice.

Next Friday: The Pitch

Thursday Thirteen: Edition Deux

As much as I love music, this was a tough one! Live shows are hella expensive.

Thirteen Live & In Concert

1. Budweiser Fresh Fest, Baltimore Civic Center Yes, it’s totally irresponsible for a beer to sponsor a concert that was targeted to under-aged kids. Yes, there was marijuana aplenty at the arena. Can you say, contact? But my very first live show, seeing Run DMC, sexy ass, LL and Whodini (Gah, Five Minutes of Funk is the shit!!) hands down was the Best.Concert.Ever!

2. New Edition, Merriweather Post Pavilion
Ahhh, the original 80’s boy band. Screw the New Kids on The Block, they were just N.E. wannabes! Hangin’ Tough my ass. Wanna talk about losing your mind? This is the first concert I ever cried at. When you’re thirteen and only dream of walking hand-in-hand with your fave boy band member then finally see him up close and personal, it can be quite an overwhelming experience.

3. BBD & Keith Sweat, Capital Center
Ya know, I always thought this an odd combo for a live concert. BBD (Mike Bivens, Ricky Bell & Ronnie Devoe from New Edition) were at their height with the whole Hip Hop, smoothed out on the R&B tip with a Pop appeal to it. Keith Sweat was still riding high from his whiney R&B debut. Never really thought they had the same audience but, the house was packed.

Me and my girl, Nise, were just doing a girls night out thing. I had a mad crush on Mike Bivens (still, seven years after the NE hype) and had just pledged a group of girls who I forced to greet me as Big Sister Poison in honor of BBD’s hit single. I was astounded when Keith was the one who really turned the concert out. Go figure!

4. Jodeci, Constitution Hall
Alright look, the acoustics in Constitution Hall suck! It sounds like the artists are singing into a stringed can and you’re holding the other end up to your ear. It’s awful. But when Jodeci came out (Yeahyay-e-yay-yeah-e-yayyyyy) it was a must-see concert. Bad news. They didn’t have a band, they sang against the track and the stage at C.H. must be small because it seemed like they were bumping into each other all night.

5. Mary J. Blige, Constitution Hall
But seriously, this was Mary when she was still dating K-Ci from Jodeci and probably doing all types of illegal pharmaceuticals. In other words, Mary used to seriously rock the mic, channeling all of her man troubles and substance abuse issues into song.

I’m not saying she needed that to make good music…but damn, Mary’s songs were ripe with all types of unresolved angst. She earned those Queen of Hip Hop Soul stripes!
The best MJB CD, hands down, Mary. All that live instrumentation surrounding her throaty vocals…if you don’t know you better ask somebody.

6. R. Kelly, Capital Center
This was before the infamous pee tape. Let me say this, I do not find R. Kelly sexy in the least. He’s tall and has some definition in his arms…but…he doesn’t do it for me. But Lord his concerts are packed with so much sexual tension it could melt your socks right off your feet. I needed a serious cold shower afterwards. And that’s all I’m gonna say about that.

7. D’Angelo, Constitution Hall
I know, right. Why do I keep going to concerts here?!

D’Angelo had cancelled the original date of this concert and this was the make-up date. No doubt in my mind he was doing all he could to make up for cutting out on DC a month earlier. It was a mellow, mediocre concert until, Oh My God, he did Shit, Damn, Motherf***er (yes, that’s really the name of it) as a rock song. His band cranked this joint so hard I thought the ceilings were going to crumble. The crowd went completely NUTS! D if you’re out of jail and getting yourself together, release this live, rock n roll version as a single. Gah!!!!!

8. Capital Jazz Fest, Year 1- in Annapolis, Year 2 – Bulls Run

Jazz fests are the shiggity. I love that you get a full day of music. Granted, I’m tired mid-way through, but getting your money’s worth is not a problem.

The first year, it was great having it, basically, in my backyard. I thought the Navy-Marine Corps stadium was a perfect place for it. Lounging around listening to jazz all day ain’t a shabby way to spend a Saturday. But of course the snooty Annapolitans who lived across from the stadium complained about the noise and the trash and the Fest moved on to Virginia, the next year. Yes, because when the Midshipman have their games and tailgate from high noon til midnight, there’s never any noise or trash. Please!

Bulls Run was muddy, messy and un-enjoyable. I haven’t been back since, even though it moved to Merriweather Post three years ago. Annapolis gets the gas face!!

9. Maxwell, Constitution Hall
Clearly Maxwell is in the witness protection program or something, because I haven’t seen or heard from the man since this concert. But if going into hiding is what helps him make good music, hide on brutha. The live version of Ascension is BANANAS.

I’ll never forget it, damn near front row seats. Maxwell was rocking the vagabond look – baggy hobo khakis, a white tee under a sweater vest and sneaks – and the women in the audience were losing their minds. I’m talking take your panties off throwing ‘em on the stage mind loss. The hubster, arms folded, looks around the arena, shakes his head and goes, “Now, you know damn well if brother came up to you trying to holler dressed like that you and the rest of the women in here would be pissed off thinking, I know that raggedy-ass expletive not trying talk to me.” Truth! Truth! All I could do was laugh.

10. Vivian Green, Constitution Hall
She was a relative unknown. Her CD wasn’t even out yet. Prior to the concert, I’d interviewed her for Liquidsoulradio.com. We knew she’d be a star if radio would let her. She’s completely under rated. Without any glitz, glamour or backdrops she mesmerized the audience with her band and her vocals. Live version of Emotional Rollercoaster, insane! Made me remember what music should be about.

11. The Scream Tour, MCI Center
Yikes! Do you know how big the MCI Center is? It’s where the Washington Wizards have their games. Okay, well the place was sold out. Wall-to-wall screaming teenyboppers bringing the house down every time Bow Wow or one of the little young ‘uns from B2K or IMX lifted their shirt.

It was Princess A’s first concert and when I wasn’t worried about finding the emergency exits (seriously, the place was ridiculously packed) I had as much fun as she did. My cousin and I had the girls make B2K hats with their favorite members name on it and we played the B2K CD all the way to the concert to get in the mood. We had a blast! First concerts rock. But umm…B2K broke up two months later.

12. Best of Both Worlds Tour, Baltimore Arena
Highlight of this concert with Jay-Z and R. Kelly, I got to see Mike Bivens from New Edition walking into the concert. No, really. That was the best part.

I really like Jay-Z. And I’ve already mentioned that R. Kelly in concert is foreplay. But together, meh…they were aiight. I hadn’t seen R. Kelly in concert since the first time, five or six years before. And I’d never seen Jay-Z, live. I expected a lot. It was mostly glitz (R. Kelly’s elaborate sets and clothes changes) and Jay-Z didn’t have a live band, so ya’ know I could have listened to his CD and jammed equally as hard.


Okay in order to make thirteen I have to cheat. These are two concerts I saw on television. But they’re live!

13A. Janet Jackson, HBO Special (the first one, not the second)

This concert was hot, hot, hot. If I were a guy, Janet would totally be on my list. I forget what this HBO special was called. But, I remember that she was donating some of the proceeds to a charity headed by Colin Powell. And he was in the audience.

Most memorable moment about this concert was Janet’s performance of Rope Burn. She chose this guy from the audience (pre-determined for sure) and tied him into a chair. As she sang to him she rubbed, cooed and lap danced. It’s no secret that many of Janet’s dancers and those in her circle of friends are gay. And I believe the guy she chose for this segment was also. But I tell you what, the song was so hot I’m sure he was having some serious thoughts about his sexuality. Hell, I was!

13B. Usher, Showtime Special
I’ve always liked Usher. I mean before he became Err-sher, he of the six-pack abs. I’m talking, rocking his first single, Think of U, which was three years before he blew up! That’s why I was so disappointed in this concert.

Sometimes, it’s good to keep the illusion provided by videos and thirty second segments on TRL as the only images of your favorite artists - because when given a full hour or god forbid, two, you really get to see how talented they are.

First, Usher lovers, it’s not that he’s not talented. But he’s not as talented as I originally thought. His vocal range is limited. Not saying he’s only a studio singer, but, I don’t know…he strained a lot throughout the night. And while I’m usually always into his dancing on videos, I got bored with the same choreography after the third or fourth song. I’d still buy his CDs. I just won’t be going to any live shows.

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Ruuuuuben! The Velvet Teddy Bear minus some LBs

Ruben Studdard, American Idol winner of Season 2 is back with a new CD, The Return.

He's lost about hundred pounds and I must say he's looking very handsome. He always had a pretty smile. Now his face is a bit slimmer and his current weight hangs well on his tall frame. Gone is the hat he constantly hid under revealing a baldie that becomes him.

Shoot, Ruben got a little hottie thing going on.

His new single, Change Me, goes along with his new look. Instead of apologizing or being the cuddly nice guy, he's actually coming off a little hard. Hard for him anyway.

I ain't mad!

Is it bigger than a bread box?

ETA of So Not The Drama, four months and three weeks. And each day closer to March 6th edges me closer to insanity.

I swing between manic levels of hope and lows fraught with anxiety, all because so much of what will happen between now and R-Day (and after) is one hundred percent out.of.my.control.

I can pretend that I'm worried about what reviewers will think of the book, how widely Kensington will distribute it, or if I'll make the Hot List of magazine XYZ. But the bare bones truth is, I'm afraid I won't find my readership. Or rather, they won't find me.

Or (worse?) the readership will be smaller than "acceptable," for someone claiming to be a serious writer.

Good reviews would be awesome. I love being loved.

Wide distribution? Aces. The more stores it's in the greater the chances readers will find it.

Making the Hot List of Seventeen or Girls Life wouldn't suck.

And yet, none of those things mean much if I can't tap into the readers that will love DRAMA. They're out there. I just have no idea who they are yet or how big the readership will be.

Up until ten minutes ago, that terrified me. But, now, thanks to a post by a fellow writer who pointed out that unless I plan on magic wanding my way to popularity, I need to move the hell on.

I could spend the next four months and three weeks wondering if Drama's readership will fill an arena, a high school auditorium or a class room.

Or, I could savor my place in the publishing food chain.

Three years ago, today, an agent from a well-established lit agency was holding my hand through revisions. No promises of representation, just an industry ear helping me along.

Two years ago, that same agent's rejection led me to take a short break from the manuscript and ponder my "options." As if there were any others besides getting this baby sold.

One year ago, DRAMA was making the rounds to publishers looking for a home.

Ta-da!

Like magic...well, very slow-working magic, the book is on its way to bookstores nationwide...

on the East Coast...

at my neighborhood bookstore...okay, wherever.

It's come a long way and and I'll do my part to get it into readers hands. Those who like it will be in for a fun journey with my clique. Those who don't will find other YA to rock their boat.

Hey, how come no one ever told me that the real fun in writing a book was this whole mental instability thing?

OMG He's Back!

Lost my mind this weekend when I heard that new Jigga!

All the Jay-Z haters, si-lence! Jigga is the fuggin man. Show Me What You Got is the new hotness, period.

Nishi, you by your lonely hating on this one girl. You ain't hard.

Check it out for yourself and tell me that instrumental is not the shiggity.

I dare you!

Independence Day

I love gadgets.

I love things that will make my life easier. I'm a very hip and happening girl, if I may say so myself.

But at the core, I'm an old-school kind of chick.

My Old School playlist, any song that I loved growing up as a kid, is longer than my Head bangers (Hip Hop) playlist. And I love Hip Hop!

I wish stores were still closed on Sundays. I applaud Chick-fil-A for holding to that policy in the face of losing sales. I guess they've realized that if your product is good (mmmm...chicken sandwich)the sales you lost on Sunday will come on back, Monday through Saturday.

And, finally, if an episode of Andy Griffith is playing on TVLand, I watch it. The Brady Bunch too. I don't care that there were never any black people in Mayberry or that the Brady's were scary perfect. They're old school shows about values, that unfortunately seem equally as old school.

So when I read the AP article about the struggle of Indie bookstores to remain an integral part of their community and the book industry, I had to take out my "Go! Go! Go!" pom poms.

Although there are still far fewer independent bookstores now than there were ten years ago, the rumors of the indie bookstore's demise are premature. The number of new indies opening are beginning to rise and those still alive and kicking are digging in their heels.

This is good news for debut authors. Often, the indie bookstore can be a close ally in the war on obscurity.

But what I really love about the indies fighting back is the integration of old school with nu school. Many indies realize they must embrace nu school methods to avoid becoming dusty old relics.

And there lies the synergy between indies and debut authors. Indies don't want to become a thing of the past and debut authors don't want their book to spiral out of print before its time.

We're both attempting to ride a wave versus being crushed by it.

While indies across the country debate whether to put in a cafe, host live music and spoken word performances, or specialize in a particular genre to keep customers returning and happy, authors (especially us newbies) ponder...

To agressively promote -OR- not.

Although the above, for me, is not a dilemma, there are some who believe that a more hands off approach to promotion is how it should be. They're not comfortable with agressive promotion, feel such a technique should be left to the glitzier creative mediums like movies and music and ultimately will do little to no promotion outside of what their publisher provides.

Ya know, write the book and let it sell itself. Old school all the way.

On the flip side are those who can't imagine leaving the success of their books solely to the whims of consumer choice. Sure, the reader may find the book. And sure, the book flap may intrigue them. But that's too many "maybe's" for me.

Both approaches have been known to work.

However, I'd like to point out that praying you don't get pregnant instead of using a condom has been known to work too. But it doesn't come highly recommended!

One of the reasons I'm pro-promotion are my own reading habits. I, like many readers am a loyalist.

If a loyalist is in the book store we're likely there to buy one of our old faithfuls, not some newbie we've never laid eyes on. If the author's name or book title hasn't entered our psyche before we enter the store it's pretty much all left up to chance, luck and good fortune.

And luck does happen.

I bought Tyrannosaur Canyon because of the blurbs. I love Michael Crichton and the blurbs all indicated that T.C. was going to be "better" than a Crichton read.

It wasn't. But it was still good.

I'd never heard of Douglas Preston before walking in the store. Bought his book. Liked it. Thinking about adding him to my list of regular authors to buy.

No idea what Preston did to market this book. Lucky for him, he didn't have to do anything except write a book that received good reviews to snag me.

So, yup, there are authors who may never actively promote and still their book sells. While others beat the pavement and flop. Vice versa on both scenarios.

I'm sure there are some indies who will refuse to do anything else but sell good books; holding fast to the literal meaning of their business, BOOKseller.

It doesn't mean they won't survive. Some have and will.

But others need to do more.

Authors, some of us need to do more. By more, I don't mean donning a costume of the book's character and standing on the street corner singing and dancing. Although, if it's a kids book that could really work.

What I mean, is author's can't be afraid to strike out on their own and toot their own horn.

For the promo shy I suggest:

1. Make school visits your friend. I was doing them before ever receiving a book deal. If you're gun shy about talking about your book, good. Don't. School visits for YA authors are about craft, our rock star lifestyles (stop laughing) and why creative writing isn't nearly as boring as academic writing. And guess what, this is promotion! Your book's name will be mentioned, you'll hand out book marks or your URL and bam, twenty-two more people in the world know you exist.

2. Flip the script. Yes, it would be totally awesome to think that having our book included in the publisher's catalog will do the trick. It may. But when your book is in a catty with fifty other books, odds are you're not standing out. Once the catalog is out, do a personalized letter or visit to those bookstores in your area/region. Exposure + Real-time Pressing the flesh = Recognition.

3. Become an expert. Is there any topic you know enough about that maybe the local media (broadcast and print) might need your services for? Reporters are always looking for sound bites and quotes. If you identify the right producer, writer, editor that will be interested in your topic, you'll gain exposure by being cited as Author of XYZ book, local source.

Relatively painless, no?

Love You, Hate You, Really Like You

Do you remember what it was like to be a tween? When your passion for something ebbed and flowed to ridiculous heights and lows, switching in an instant?

I do.

Not because my memory is good. Hell, I can't remember what I had for breakfast yesterday. But because I live it daily with my oldest Princess.

Twelve year olds have the capacity to be incredibly loving creatures. They'll gush "luv uuuuuuuuu <3 <3 <3" all over their Myspace comments to one another. And then, seriously, by the end of the day they're like, "God, I hate such and such. She gets on my nerves."

Don't bother pointing out that they'd hearted such and such a few hours ago. A) it won't matter and B) a few hours ago they did love such and such and now, at this moment, they really do hate such and such.

The passion with which they love and hate is both fascinating and frightening!

It's funny. At my age, whenever I run into an issue ripe with drama I'll blow it off with an eye roll and a "Life's too short for this." But for tweens and teens, the drama is their life.

Even though my head spins trying to keep up with the daily BFF roster, I admire their willingness to bare their feelings so publicly. Soon enough it'll be uncool and uncouth to cry, scream or laugh out-loud.

Whenever I'm asked why I write YA, the best answer I can come up with is - I really love writing for teens.

But the more truthful answer is, I love escaping into that part of myself that understands life isn't just full of drama, the drama in life is life!

Busy Blogger

When I was approached by Dakota Knight to serve as a regular columnist for Blogging in Black, it occured to me, this is the cycle of life.

Busy people stay busy because...they keep taking on new projects.

No doubt in my mind when someone wants something done, they look around to see who's more likely to do it. Are they going to ask the person playing solitaire on their PC or the one running by like their pants are on fire, talking into their cell phone as they rush into a meeting?

Not in spite of my already full plate did I agree to join the blog but because of it. I was honored that Dakota approached me because it made me stop for a second and realize 1) just how busy I actually am.

I know, it sounds weird. I should know how busy I am. After all, I'm me!

2) I'm not just busy for the sake of doing. I am seriously on my grind when it comes to this writing thing. Most days, I'm just too deep in it to recognize.

Truthfully, I keep thinking I'm not doing enough!

But Dakota's email, very casually saying, Hey we're ready to do this thing and thought maybe you'd like to play a part was literally like someone tapping my shoulder and sheepishly asking if I'd mind helping out on Project X as I sprinted past, phone in ear, feet moving a mile a minute so I won't be late for my next engagement.

Oh my God, I'm the pants on fire, cell in ear, rushing to the meeting girl!

Even though I've pared down my obligations quite a bit in the last year since snagging my book deal with Kensington, I've also increased my writing obligations in the name of promotion and staying nimble.

Blogging is among my favorite creative writing exercises. So joining the BIB, a community of literary professionals talking about, what else, the ins and outs of publishing: being published, getting published, and staying published, was a no-brainer.

Be sure to check me out every third of the month.

However, my committment to BIB is more than a promotional outlet. Being a columnist for a collective that shares the African American perspective on writing is important to me.

I think it has something to do with that "each one, teach one," philosophy. It's good karma to reach back and help someone get where you are.

There are definitely some issues that I look forward to seeing addressed by my fellow columnists, perhaps hear a perspective I've not yet thought about or heard. But in its debut BIB has proven what I've known all along: writing is writing is writing, no matter what color you do it in.

Thursday Thirteen: Edition Uno

You know I can't pass up an opportunity to slack. And in honor of that...

Thirteen Ways P Avoids Writing And this is just today's avoidance

1. Develops sudden urge to workout. Health must come first. Convinces self that trying to write while dead is awfully hard.

2. Stares into refrigerator and ponders whether Mountain Berry Capri Sun is equal to one fruit serving and peanuts in M&M's count as fiber?

3. Just as the laptop warms up, gets engrossed in the Spongebob episode where SB and Patrick are kidnapped by the Flying Dutchman for the hundredth time. "You're good, you're good, you're good."

4. After "quickly" checking email, fave blogs, Teen Chick Lit Loop and Blueboard realizes two hours have passed.

5. Stares outside at the lovely construction a mere twenty feet from home office. Wonders if she's passed by window naked at anytime that morning.

6. Thinks about all the things on the "to do" list for the day. Wishes she had more time to write.

7. Realizes that wishing can easily be converted into doing and opens manuscript du jour. Re-reads last few passages.

8. Falls in love with own witticism and begins to get lost in story.

9. Strange loud noise from the belly area reinforces that Capri Sun and M&M's does not a breakfast make. Feels woozy from lack of sustenance and cooks a real meal.

10. Remembers, Chris Brown is performing on Ellen. Decides to record it for Princess A then gets snagged into watching whole show.

11. Can no longer ignore Princess Bea tearing the house apart, decides to take a walk up to tot lot and unleash the little one on mother nature.

12. Curses overextended schedule (where does all the time go?)as she jets out the door to cheer practice.

13. Drags butt into the office at 11 p.m. and counts posting a blog entry as "writing" time.

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2. Diana


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New Book Wednesday

Okay, so I totally just made up new book Wednesday because I wanna talk about two books that just came out this week:

First, Drama High by L. Divine. Divine and I are pub mates. And while that would be great if it meant we went around to different pubs drinking and carousing, it doesn't.

It does, however, mean both our books are housed at Kensington Books.

Us writers are a loyal bunch. And since a bajillion books come out a year, we tend to buzz the ones of those close to us. It's all in the name of supporting the writing community and giving some shine to some great books that might go otherwise unnoticed.

Drama High is the first in Kensington's new line of YA books. Reading it means 1) you're down with good entertainment-based fiction and 2) you're a total trendsetter and want to be on the forefront of what's hot.

No shame in my game, I love being on the forefront!! And buzzing the book of an author I happen to like is good ju-ju or karma, as they say in some circles.

And speaking of good karma, the next book I wanna shout-out is, I was a Teenage Popsicle by Bev Katz Rosenbaum.

The cover of Bev's books makes me want a popsicle. Which is weird since there are no popsicles on the cover. But it's colorful and besides, most things remind me of food! I'm a foodie!

Here's how I know Bev's book is awesome - 1) She's a former editor and knows books back and forth and 2) Bev critiques books for a living and gives super cool feedback on how to make a book stronger.

Two weeks after having Bev crit my work (and taking some of her advice) I snagged my agent. Coincidence? Please!

I will be snuggling up with these books soon. My TBR (to be read) list is growing ridiculously long! But I'm burning through at a decent pace since dedicating myself to reading at least two hours a day.

Also, don't be surprised if Bev and Divine end up hanging in the clique lounge with me. Because, well they're just cool like that.

That's why he's the King

Alright, alright, so I have a writer's crush on Stephen King. While I've yet to resort to trekking to Maine to stalk him, my crush is so well-known that people send me literary bites about him.

The latest is King's very blunt description of our lives as writers and just how unsexy the whole writing process is. Good looking out to my girl Karen who flipped me the link!

Apparently I'm late to the game. The article came out last week.

One of the reasons I sit slack-jawed, in a state of dreaminess when I read Stephen King's musings is because he's just so darn good at it. I love the images his words conjure up. Like this:

On good days, that creature comes out of the thickets and sits for a while, there in one's writing place.

"The creature," he refers to is the muse. And what better image of a muse than a squat hairy green monster with snaggle teeth and one eye.

Okay, maybe I'm the only one who conjured up that image when I read it.

Whether or not my muse looks like that, I can't say. I think she's probably much cuter, though.

I do know the sentence above holds true for her. She, whom I've affectionately named, Miss Thing-Thing Muse. She's a free-spirited (sometimes mean-spirited) flighty little thing that will not be tamed. Although, since starting the SKR (hail to you Steve)she's been more cooperative than reasonably expected.

I'll not say much about her for fear of pissing her off. Such sensitive little creatures, muses.

Stephen King goes on, in The Washington Post, article to break writing down to its barest essence - sitting on our butts all day entertaining our muse.

Yet, even as he simplifies the process he points out how complex and surreal the whole thing is as words filter into our heads, almost like magic, and then tumbles down from our fingers.

I poo-poo any criticism of King (and there's been plenty) because I don't believe you can argue his talent. His horror is unapologetically graphic with very little use of obvious words like slash, kill, maim, shoot.

Anyone can spill blood and guts all over the page. But try doing it without the same old, same old.

Also, I adore his crafty honesty. Who else could both dismiss writing as boring as paint drying, while also still painting a pretty romantic picture of the beauty of stringing sentences together.

::sigh::

Oh, sorry. The man is just one of the best contemporary word slingers ever.

About the only thing King writes that doesn't get my motor humming are his Entertainment Weekly columns. Often they're a bit...dare I say it? Gah!

Boring! Okay, they're kind of dull.

But ya' know, it's okay.

He's been in the game long enough to be due a gratuitous column by my favorite pop culture mag. And even though the column never sets my heart racing like most of his other work, I read it anyway. Because well, he's the King!

Me vs. Me

The other day on Today, Matt Lauer asked Janet Jackson how she felt about her new CD, Janet 20 Y.O., competing with the likes of Beyonce and Brittany Spears.

Not sure why he threw Brittany in the mix. The last time she was in the news for music was two babies ago.

Still, Janet's answer was a simple, classy, "Well I've been where they are." She went on to say something to the effect that she sees no reason to pattern her style after them because she's traveled that road already.

Translation - These young chicks are patterened after me. The only person I need to compete with is myself.

Smartly, Matt followed up by pointing out that Janet's last CD, Damita Jo, didn't do very "well." To which Janet countered that the CD went platinum.

Touche!

Her CD may not have done as well as a previous Janet CD but it damn sure sold more than a few hundred other artists out there.

And that's what it's about, as an artist/author whatever you're only competing against yourself.

Not to discount the hundreds of others in your field, but it's darn near impossible to focus on how others are doing when the only numbers that matter are your own.

Thank God, the publisher isn't going to come to me and say, "Well, you know you sold 100,000 less than Meg Cabot did last year."

Because they know that if I sell 10,000+ books I'll be doing good for me. A place Meg Cabot has already been...which is why she's not double checking her rearview to see if me or dozens of other debut authors are on her tail.

I've said it many times, I don't see other authors as my competition. We're all in the same exact boat rowing toward our target readers hoping people will like what we've written. Granted, some of us are in row boats and others are in power boats (i.e. more marketing dollars behind them). But we're all striving to reach the shore of Best Seller Island. Or in most cases, Earn Out Your Advance Cay.

Since serious writers release one book a year, and avid readers aren't going to put a moratorium on their book buying as they wait for the next book...we only hope that our book will be the one the readers pick up as they wait for their Old Faithfuls to turn out another one.

The hungrier the reader, the more likely we'll all get a piece of their attention.

The Busy Woman's Guide to Sundays

My grandmother was a minister. She didn't believe in doing anything on Sunday EXCEPT going to church and eating a big family dinner.

When I say, "anything" I mean it. If you attempted to get up and iron your church dress it was met with a stern, "You should have done that last night." I.E. You're heading to church wrinkled and busted!

Sunday, according to my grandmother, was the Lord's day. It wasn't meant for chores, including ironing, errands or anything else not associated with worship or quality time with the fam.

Also, even God rested on the seventh day - if you're prone to follow religious interpretations. Even if you're not, people with busy lives understand the luxury of doing nothing now and then. And that was the underlying premise of my grandmother's strict Sunday ban on mindless wordly tasks.

Thanks to that upbringing, I'm old school. Despite slacking in my church attendance (sorry Grandma) I hate running errands on Sunday and refuse to do any chores. If they don't get done Monday through Saturday they ain't getting done in our household.

It doesn't mean I don't feel the occasional guilt if I spend a perfectly beautiful Sunday lounging. But I understand more than ever what my grandmother was preaching.

During the days of the Blue Laws, when stores were closed on Sunday, families couldn't run to do last minute shopping because nothing was open.

I miss those days.

I'm dead serious. I love shopping as much as the next person. But Sunday has blended into every other day of the week and it makes for a long, week of manic running around.

Okay, maybe that's just me.

There are plenty Sundays I can't avoid a little running around (grocery shopping mostly). But I absolutely crave the type of Sunday I had today:

- Slept in until 9 a.m. (A rarity even on the laziest Saturday).

- Lounged in my PJs ALL day. That's right, no shower, no comb to the dome, just a quick dental cleansing and face wash. Ahhh...freedom.

- Got in two hours of writing (Okay, I know that's working. But I took yesterday off!)

- In between gabbing with the Princesses (i.e. breaking up their constant bickering) reading Douglas Preston's new book.

- Airing the house out by hiking up all the windows.

- Staring out said windows while Love, an incredibly mellow Destiny's Child joint, played in the background (and played and played. Princess A had it on repeat and I didn't object).

- Cooked dinner in stages. The roast one hour, the sides two hours later, the veggies 45 minutes later.

And finally, wondering why I don't spend more Sundays like this. I have no excuses. My grandmother taught me better!

It's a FESTive time of year

Book festival season has kicked off and the Baltimore/DC Metro area is crawling with them.

Have I been to any of them?

Uhhh no.

I had them all mapped out on my hot little calendar expecting to hit at least two of the three. But the truth is, I hadn't planned to begin seriously revolving my schedule around writing events until January of '07.

Without a book in hand to promote, I'm being very low-key about buzzing my book. Not low key as in not mentioning it. Low key as in not hawking it outright (cause there's nothing to hawk).

And yes, there will come a time when I'll have to do that...even if the hawking I'm doing is selling workshop topics to book festivals and writing conferences.

I researched the book festivals spring of this year. It was an exercise in - Oohh where could I possibly be on panels or selling my wares in '07.

I found plenty.

Yesterday was the National Library of Congress and First Lady, Laura Bush's National Book Festival.

This fest intimidates me. Makes me feel like if my book isn't literary, educational or inspirational it has no place there.

I could be wrong...but, the words Library and Congress together has a very tony feel to it.

Also, this weekend was the Baltimore Book Fest. Today, there's a panel on Black Greek authors, sponsored by the Divine Literary Tour. I'm very excited about that since I'll be traveling with the Divine Lit Tour next year.

Next weekend is the Capital Book Fest. My girl, Kelly Starling Lyons will be doing a panel on teen books/readers. She tried to get me on the panel. No happs. Next weekend is our first cheer competition.

Like I said, I wasn't focused on revolving my life around the events like I'll do next year. So seems like every festival, this year, conflicts with something else already on my plate.

It's interesting to watch from the sidelines, thinking about how next year my weekends will be chock full of festivaling.

Or is that festing?

Festivizing?

Whatever, I'll be doing it full-court press next year. I can't wait!