Celebration Time--Win a Flamingo!

It's celebration time! My mystery/light horror story, Sunshine Boulevard, was released one year ago today, March 1. What an exciting time for me. 

Last year I experienced the joy of being published and the agony of wondering if anyone would like the story. The experience is similar to sending a daughter or son off to school. Mom is thrilled to have some time to herself, but worried how cruel the world will be to her "baby." 

I think many authors feel their stories are their children, so the publishing process is like giving birth. Today I am celebrating my book's first birthday! 

One benefit of publishing an e-book is it can have a chance to celebrate many birthdays. Booksellers will not remove it from the shelf after three months to make room for another book because there are infinite book shelves in cyberspace. 

In my blog introduction I wrote, "Come along with me on a new adventure into the world of writing, publishing and selling." What an adventure it has been. This past year I learned about the publishing world, honed my writing skills, and made so many new friends.  


I want to recognize and thank Lea Schizas, the editors, and cover artist Delilah Stephans at Muse It Up Publishing for shepherding me through this daunting, but exciting world of publishing. Karen McGrath, content editor on my book, is in my thoughts today. I'm sure she is red lining passive words and suggesting changes in the POV for stories written by Heaven's angels.

Muse It Up Publishing Bookstore

The generosity and support of editors and fellow authors overwhelmed me. That is not what one would expect in this world of thousands of books. Who knew instead of competitive attitudes and petty jealousies, the world of publishing includes so many thoughtful, kind people? Bringing my book to readers truly has been a journey, and I look forward to more challenges and adventures as I continue along this path.

I imagine you're wondering about winning a flamingo... Perhaps you are even asking, "Why a flamingo?" Take a look at the book cover for Sunshine Boulevard. Delilah Stephans, cover artist at Muse It Up Publishing, chose flamingos as the image to evoke Florida. Since my book takes place in the Sunshine State, I agreed it was the perfect design for the book cover. 


Notice the flamingos are in a heart shape? Delilah decided that too because the main characters are Jim and Gloria Hart, snowbirds from Michigan. 

Flamingos at Homosassa Springs State Park, Florida

Oh, yeah, about winning the flamingo. You KNOW you want one. But you probably don't want the hassle of feeding, watering, clean-up, and walking the bird. So I have the perfect solution.


Just enter a comment to be eligible to win a flamingo...that is a flamingo pen. Now if you are a writer or not, I know you will cherish this unique pen. You will be the envy of your neighborhood, school, co-workers, family, and friends. I mean really, who else is going to have this one-of-a-kind writing utensil? Maybe in your comment you can tell us how you plan to use it. The winner will be chosen in a random drawing and announced on Sunday, March 4. Look at the picture below to see the prize.

Can't you just see yourself penning a best selling novel, writing out a note card, or sending off a postcard using this delightful creature?

Thanks for stopping in for the celebration. Help yourself to the delicious flamingo cookies and fresh strawberry punch. (Strawberry Festival time in Florida now!) Please note the flamingo napkins and lovely floral centerpiece with the big plastic pink flamingo in the center. While you are munching the cookies, be sure to take time to watch the Sunshine Boulevard video.

Big thanks to Cool Text for the Celebration graphic.

Sunshine Boulevard is available at 

Muse It Up Publishing Bookstore

 Amazon 

bn.com 

as well as at many online booksellers.

You can find me in cyber space here on my J.Q.Rose Blog 

and at the J.Q. Rose Website 

J.Q. Rose Amazon Author Page 

Kindle Free E-books, Yes Really!

FREE E-books! I know it sounds like a come on, but this is a valid program through the Amazon Kindle library. Author Ginger Simpson shared the information on the Muse Authors loop. 


I already downloaded four books....mostly self-help, so far. You can download anything that sounds interesting to you for free, but if you don't like it, just delete it. If you subscribe to the service, you will receive the list of available e-books in your e-mail inbox.


I always wonder why. What's the point of giving away an e-book? I believe it is purely a promotional reason. First, amazon gets a lot of traffic and more exposure to their product resulting in more sales in the store. I'm sure the author hopefully "sells" a book hoping the reader will like the offering and return to spend real money on one of her books to gain a reader for all the present and future books in her list.


So it sounds as if we all win with such a promotion. Incidentally there are not just a few books for free. There are over 2000 at this writing. I'm sure there will be one or more you might like to get. Hey, it's free!! Have fun.

My Brain is on Overload

This is the week of amazing learning, talented teaching, and mind-blowing information gathering. It is the Muse Online Writers Conference--a FREE, yep FREE, writers conference. A writer can attend any hour of the day, but best of all, there is no need to dress up or even get out of your jammies to get in on all the writing information.

Discussions go on all day and night about the business of writing, fiction, non-fiction, publishing, self-publishing, editing, book covers, grammar.....you get the idea. There are handouts for attendees so if the brain is on overload, the participant can read the information at her leisure (whatever that is...in the bathtub?)

If you didn't get a chance to register for this year's conference, do sign up for next year's. There is something for everyone. Just don't forget to get your stash of chocolate to get you through this fantastic experience.

Muse It Up Publishing Readers Group--Join Now

It's time to get in on the active Muse It Up Publishing Readers Group where readers mingle with authors, ask questions, discuss books and writing. The site will host upcoming events, excerpts, reviews, and tons of goodies throughout the year.

Exciting times at Muse It Up Publishing--flinging open their doors to new reads, free reads, entertaining books and e-books, prizes. Check out the October Masquerade Festival and be ready for a spooky good time.