Friday Update 10/29/10

This and that ...

• I'm not doing NaNoWriMo, but I am trying to finish up my work-in-progress, FAREWELL, DOROTHY PARKER, so my updates may be quick these next few weeks. Sending good luck wishes to all my writer friends who are taking the plunge!

• Very happy to announce that I've got the plot pretty well worked out. So now I just have to write, write, write. About 90 pages to go.

• Soon I'll be tweaking the design of my website, but for now I'm updating it with new information, including helpful links on my media page.

• Last chance to sign up for my El's Angels blog and be eligible to win a signed copy of THE OTHER LIFE in manuscript form.

• If you're a writer, please click here to read an exquisite essay by my pal Susan Henderson, Does Publishing a Book Make You a Writer?

• Worthy of your attention: Melissa Senate's new book, THE LOVE GODDESS' COOKING SCHOOL, is now in stores and it looks like a fantastic read. I'm really looking forward to this one!

• Special shout-out to Stephen DeAngelis for putting on a hell of a show last Saturday!

• Still hoping for some pre-order activity for THE OTHER LIFE. (hint hint) See the links on the right. →


Have a spooky weekend!
xo

You're invited!

Friday Update 10/22

Happy Friday! Today I'm posting a few links I hope you'll click ...

• If you're on my mailing list, you should have received a newsletter from me this week. If not, click here to see the online version.

• Very soon I'll be giving away a signed copy of THE OTHER LIFE in manuscript form. If you'd like to be a book angel for me and have the chance to win, please click here and sign up for my El's Angels blog! Just be SURE you click through when you get the confirmation email, or you won't be signed up. If you don't get the confirmation email within a minute or two, check your spam filter.

• My dear pal Saralee Rosenberg posted a Girlfriend's Book Club blog entry, along with a familiar photo. Do check it out!

• A few days ago I blogged on that same site regarding my philosophy on posting negative reviews.

• L. McKenna Donovan has been running a wonderful blog program about overcoming the negative scripts writers fall victim to. She featured input from several writers, including yours truly. Today is the final installment.

• A bit of news: it's rumored a certain very talented celebrity might be reading the audio version of THE OTHER LIFE! More on that soon.

• In case you don't know, THE OTHER LIFE is now available for pre-order, and some of the online bookstores are offering deep discounts. See the links on the right.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday Update 10-15-10

Goodness, I haven't posted a true weekly update since 9/24. Too long. Here's what I've been busy with ...

• My daughter's Bat Mitzvah, first and foremost. As you may know, it requires massive planning. Like, rocket launch planning. I'm usually pretty good at this kind of thing, and get all my ducks in a row ahead of time. But boyo, I was behind on everything. That left me scrambling like a lunatic the last few weeks. And then, of course, both the Bat Mitzvah girl and one of her brothers got sick two days before the big event, which made the bottom drop out of everything.

Still, it all came off without a hitch. And my daughter was magnificent, if I do say so myself.

• Truly love the fact that so many of her friends aren't Jewish and it was their first Bat Mitzvah. It made the event that much more special. I got a kick out of the cards, too. Amidst the Bat Mitzvah cards were three Happy Birthday cards, one Bar Mitzvah card and one Best Wishes on Your Confirmation card.

• Big shout-out to my bro and s-i-l for throwing a glorious brunch the next day.

• In case you missed my last update, I got a final approved book jacket for THE OTHER LIFE, and I am wildly in love with it.

• Exciting news--my publisher sold audio rights to a wonderful company called Tantor Audio!

• One of the world's best bookstores, BOOK REVUE in Huntington, will be hosting the launch event for THE OTHER LIFE on Friday, January 21, at 7pm. You're invited, natch!

• Really enjoying the fact that every date this month is symmetrical. Yes, I am that geeky.

• A wonderful website called readinggroupguides.com is giving away an advance review copy of THE OTHER LIFE. Check it out.

• I recently updated my PublishersMarketplace page. Click it!

• Gearing up to send my first newsletter in a long, long time. Are you on my mailing list?

• Check out this quick and savvy blog post from my agent, Andrea Cirillo, on what Hollywood is looking for.

• Writer L. McKenna Donovan is blogging about how writers can overcome their "negative scripts." Good stuff!

Thanks for clicking. Have a great weekend!

THE OTHER LIFE!!!

I'm so thrilled with my beautiful cover!

(click image for larger view)

Friday 10/8/10

Sorry I missed posting an update last week. It's been nuts here.

Tomorrow is the big day--my daughter's Bat Mitzvah. The kid is prepped and I've done everything I can do. Now I just wait and see what else God or fate or the caterer will throw at me. Right now I'm just hoping the Bat Mitzvah girl and her brother are healthy enough to get through it, as they both got sick two days ago.

Send me strength, will you?

xo