Thursday, December 2, 2010

New Rant!

Hi there! Coming up for air after doing lots of self-editing. So, what’s new with me, you ask? Well, I decided to get a couple of new e-books.  I was tired of reading my manuscript, and I wanted to read someone else for a change.  I decided to take a chance on a different e-publishers and check out what else was out there. EC is usually my default provider for sexy stories, but I thought I’d try something new.
I stumbled on an e-bookstore that had books from several publishers.  I looked around and spotted a title that looked kinda interesting.  It was only $3.99, and I figured my author budget could handle the hit, so I clicked on buy now.  Of course, since I’d never bought anything from that web site, I had to create an account.  Yes, yes, name, password, etc. 
Anyway, I think we’re about done and then I get a message that says I can’t pay with a credit card or even with pay pal.  WTF? It’s the internet. Am I supposed to roll up money and shove it in the hard drive? What do you want? Anyway, I find out this website has a minimum.  A what? A minimum! Yes, they will only accept credit cards if you buy at least $4.99 worth of books or if you buy their website “cash,” like a gift card. Needless to say, I was kinda ticked off and closed the window out of anger…but…
As an author myself, I didn’t want to punish a fellow scribe because her supplier was behaving badly. So I went back, clicked on her book and then quickly clicked on a second book that looked interesting, which basically doubled how much I initially planned to spend.  Now, don’t get me wrong, the books were sexy and fun.  I’m not complaining about that…but damn, I probably won’t go back to that web site because a minimum is kinda…well, crazy!
Anyway, I need to get back to my third book. Maybe someday I’ll actually finish this manuscript!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Cough, sniffle, sneeze

Been a little under the weather lately.  Had to call in sick to work the other day.  Of course the real tragedy was I was too sick to even write! Just stayed in bed the whole stupid day! BOO! Whenever I get sick I’m always reminded your health is by far the most important thing in the whole world.  I think some people forget how great it is to eat solid foods, take a walk or get up and take a shower without help. Money can’t buy good health. 

All right, I’ll get off my soap box now.  I’ll go see if twitter is still over capacity now. And then, it’s back to work!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

WTF? Promotion going too far?

Okay, I admit promoting my book is by far the hardest thing in the whole world.  Ever since Master’s Runaway has come out, I worked very hard to go after readers who have never even heard of Ellora’s Cave.  So, I’ll be the first to say that trying to get people’s attention is not the easiest thing, but I saw something today that quite frankly pissed me off.

I was off from work today.  I went to the dentist, came home and plopped down in front of the TV.  As I flipped through the channels, I stopped on AMC’s Fear Fest because Tremors was on, and I think that’s a cool movie.  And then, this message started to crawl on the bottom of the screen that said, “If you are reading this, you are one of the few survivors of a viral infection…”
My first thought was WTF? Did something happen? What’s going on? And then, the crawl said, “to contact others, be sure to watch AMC’s new series…..”
I’m not going to say the series because I don’t want to reward them for their somewhat sick marketing scheme.  Now, I know it’s close to Halloween, and in all fairness, it was “Fear Fest.”  But, I don’t know.  Implying that there was some biological attack seems a bit extreme just to promote a show.  But hey, that’s just me.

Friday, October 22, 2010

New Laptop!

I’ve been having some problems with my laptop…well, more than problems.  There’s been more than one occasion where I was tempted to hurl my computer from my third story apartment balcony.   So I bit the bullet and ordered a Dell Inspiron.  And I’m so glad I did! When I type the keys, my computer does something now.  It doesn’t just lock up or give me an error message like my old one did.  Right now, I’m trying to fire up my old computer to get some files downloaded to my new machine, and it’s taking forever.  Thoughts of computer-balcony-tossing returning.
Also, still working on my third manuscript.  I was thinking about a possible sequel at work today…you know, when I should have been working.  Have an idea, but I don’t know.  I’m not even sure Ellora’s Cave will want this story, so a sequel may be a bit premature. 
Well, back to work.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Still hard at work

I’m still hard at work on my third manuscript.  This one has really been all-consuming.  I’ve been writing seriously since around 2000, and I don’t think a story has ever been so demanding of my attention.  The bulk of the story is done, so I’m getting caught up on some other things…like cleaning the house and doing some dishes. 
I also found out I’m getting a new editor with Ellora’s Cave, so I’m a little nervous about working with a new editor.  And I’m really nervous about sending this story off, but I have some time.  The manuscript still needs lots of work and self-editing.
Hmmm, what else? I’m kind of struggling with twitter.  I’m not sure I get it.  I’ll try to get better, but a part of me is still stuck in the 80’s.   I’m not exactly the most techno-savvy person on the face of the Earth.
Well, I guess I’ll get back to work on the story.  My anti-hero is demanding my attention.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

I'm a blogger

Hi! I’m Gail Starbright.  For about a year now, I’ve debated whether or not to start a blog.  I actually have several concerns about starting a blog. For one, do I have anything interesting to say?  Two, if I talk about myself, is that too narcissistic?  And three, and this is the big one, will I have the time?
But then I figured, well, no one is forcing anyone to read this.  And if I don’t update my blog regularly, it’s not like there are blog police…are there?
Anyway, I’ve been hard at work on my third book.  It’s going well, but I’m not sure Ellora’s Cave will like it…though I hope they do.  My main concern is that the subject matter may be a bit too risky…yes, even for Ellora’s Cave.
So far, it’s up to 60,000 words, and I think I’m almost finished.
Well, I guess that’s a good enough first post.  Pasta is almost ready.