August 2007 Blog Posts (247)

The Virgin Islands born singer Jon Lucien, who passed August 18, 2007, was a master of smooth jazz before that term became the definitive one it is today, and many of our best contemporary singers credit him as a major influence. For a tribute in poetry and prose to his life and music, please click or paste this url:…

Want to know how Cheryl Kaye Tardif became an author, and how Whale Song evolved? Check out this interview on Families.com.

'Last night I reviewed "Whale Song" by author Cheryl Kaye Tardif. Today Cheryl is joining us for an interview.

Cheryl, thank you for stopping by on your virtual book tour. I have so many questions…

Did you ever have something happen exactly when you needed it? The timing, though unexpected, seemed to be perfect?…

200 years ago, if you wanted to hear a story, you wouldn't switch on the TV, and probably wouldn't even curl up with a book. You would sit at the feet of those older than you, and listen to the stories they tell. In the old days, wisdom was passed on by word of mouth: stories, tales and legends from one generation to another.

This oral tradition is dying out, with the advent of books, newspapers and the internet.

I think it is one of the responsibilities of those of us who are…

I have been reading, reading, and reading books regarding marketing, promoting, and selling your book(s). What I have tried and what works is the difference between night and day. The best idea that I have used and it has worked for each book that I had published was to invite people to the book signing. How?

When I had my first book signing at Barnes and Noble I was afraid no one would show up or buy my book. I sent invitations to my friends and neighbors and hoped they would show…

Ghostly Tales of Kentucky was not my first attempt at writing a book. I had tried serveral times before, but never finished them. This was was my first finished work and how surprised I was to find a publisher who actually accepted it on the first try.

Ghostly Tales of Kentucky is a trip around Jefferson County and Kentucky, including stories told by my grandparents, parents, and my own experiences with the paranormal. There have been times at family gatherings when my dad would tell…

With one week left of my 'Touring the World' virtual book tour, I want to give you more samples of my work. Today's shocking short is one of my personal favorites, and the first short story of mine that Amazon picked up for their Amazon Shorts program.

So here's a sneak peek...

Picture Perfect…

I was thinking just today about the all the highs and lows of the writing life and came to one conclusion. I wouldn't change it if I could. My only regret is that I started writing publicly at a ah...ahem, later time in life. Okay, I'm old, you happy now?



One of the "highs" about writing is the feedback you get from time to time. Someone will be kind enough to write and say, "I just loved what you wrote about bla...bla..." and you read it six or seven times just to get that…

Advice for Writers: Typing "The End"

There is a time in every author's life when he or she experiences a sudden pang of loss, and sweet sorrow descends like soggy tissues on a broken heart.

Man or woman, romance or action writer, sensitive poet or straight-shootin' scene churner, it hits us one and all.

It's the moment we reach at the end of our long suffering days, those focused, driven, passionate hours, plastered with outpourings of words that evolved…

Greetings to all of my friends. It's time for me to get serious about marketing Loren Douglas' latest detective story entitled, "Verifiable Evidence." As I'm sitting here typing this entry, I have my head phones on listening to Tanya Tucker "Greatest Hits, 1990 - 1992" album. She is sooo good. Call me a nut but I can listen to her by the hour. The same album.

I started a new blog. Everybody says to limit one's website to just one subject. I use a blog because it's so much easier.…

One has not truly experienced life until visiting a pawn shop. It is a cultural experience worth the time. The thing I found most striking on my first visit was the number of wedding rings…

Confessions of an Internet Don Juan…

I have four published books. The first question is always, "Who is your publisher?" When I tell them PublishAmerica and Jawbone Publishing. There response is, "Oh, you self-published."

My response is, "I used an alternative way to have my book published." Some how these individuals think that your book does not meet the standard of a published author. It is unfortunate that writers cannot support those of us whose goal is to have our books in print. Trust me, a traditional publisher…

No, not the one overseas; but the one closer to home.

You know the one I mean—the…

Wonder Woman

Posted by sealingwax at 10:08 am on August 24th, 2007 in .