Thursday, June 14, 2007

Off to Austin

The Amarillo writer's conference last weekend was really fabulous!! Great time to catch up with old friends and make new ones as always. Our book made its debut and the reception was excellent. We're off tomorrow for the Austin Agent's & Editor's conference and anticipate great things. I actually have some time to make my to do list for next week and so far here's what's on the slate:

1. Gathering more stories from some of my girlfriends about their views on aging for the Aesthetic Cosmetic book.
2. I received some background material from a new client that is involved in funding real estate through non-recourse loans within an IRA - very interesting concept and the book cover was fabulous! Can't want to start writing this one.
3. Finish up editing a book concerning the meaning we associate with money and how that affects us.
4. Get TAG Publishing website up and start email marketing campaign for our book.
5. Get Bosses From Hell website up. This was an idea I had a couple of years ago when I was contemplating the Doctoral degree in Management. The basic idea is to run a contest to let people submit stories of awful bosses and then write a book with those stories as well as advice for dealing with them in the jungles of corporate cubeland. This is one of those ideas that just won't die - so be thinking of the worst things your boss has ever done to you so you can submit! I'm not sure what the prize will be but I'll let you know.
6. Get some sleep!! You'll notice this is last on the list which means, if there's time, I'll get to it.
Happy Writing!

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Excitement!!!

The book is out in two days!!! So exicted! We also found out this week that our financial book that comes out this fall will have a cover quote from Bob Procter (Mr "Secret" himself) and possibly Jack Canfield of 'Chicken Soup for the Soul' fame. It's really more than I hoped for and a great sign I think.

Projects for TAG are picking up nicely, as they tend to do during the summer. July and August may be wild but we're clearing out a number of old projects and have the room. We've also added some more members to our ranks and several of our member school teachers will have more time during the summer so it works out great.

The Amarillo writer's conference is this weekend and I'm very much looking forward to seeing old friends that come into town for the occasion. Speaking of friends, there are several you need to meet. The first is Leanna Ellis. She has her new website up and a new book out soon called Elvis Takes a Back Seat. It's a wonderful read and a great cover! Visit her at www.leannaellis.com.



Candy Havens, who many of you have meet if you've taken one of my classes, also has a new book out this week. Charmed and Deadly is her third for Berkley and there's more on the way! You can visit her at www.candacehavens.com. Don't miss her blog! She's one of the most entertaining bloggers I know.



I'm off to class now, tonight's subject will be the business side of writing and the elements of a great query letter.