Number 10 on the Top 10 List

My Top 10 has changed a number of times over the past couple of weeks, but I’m finally came up with a list, at least for now. Of course, as I travel more there will be other changes. It's hard after traveling to 50+ countries because so many captivated.

Number 10 is Victoria, British Columbia. There is a lot of Canada and I’ve been fortunate to have visited several areas, but city of Victoria on Vancouver Island is a favorite. Pulling into the dock on the fairy from Washington State is fun and beautiful. One sees an adventure ahead.

 

Walking along the path winding along the water, there are flowers to enjoy, the great architecture of the old buildings and entertainment by buskers.

 

If you’re in the mood for tea, the Fairmont Empress is good, though not inexpensive. Plus, you need to make reservations, usually well in advance.

 

 The pictures I used are from the internet because it has been so long since I’ve been there that mine are buried in boxes in the basement, but the beauty is still etched in my mind.

 

What are some of your favorite travel destinations?

Another Sad Day for Publishing

As some already know, the loss of another small publishing house was announced on Friday. The closing of Musa Publishing on February 28^th brings sadness to my heart. Not only because they have quite a few of my novellas, but I’m sad for the people behind the creation of a publisher that worked to treat authors fairly. They paid on time and always ready to answer questions or direct one where they might find the answer.

Now, they are stepping up to accept the fact they can’t continue with the decline of sales the past few month. This was a publisher who started on a shoestring budget and the directors concluded the string has frayed. Instead of continuing to go forward and start holding back author royalties as so many publishers have before they cried “uncle,” Musa is once again showing dignity.

After February 28, 2015, Musa will no longer sell books and letters will go out to their authors returning all rights. Then, the directors will keep the bookkeeping open until all royalties from 3^rd party vendors have come in and authors have received any monies due to them.

Class act, ladies! But, then you always have been in my dealings with each of you.

For readers, this is a good time to snap up on great deals and explore new authors. All books are 80% off through 11:59 EST February, 28^th.

If you enjoy fantasy/paranormal with humor, check out the DEAD collection…all 6 books in the series can be purchased for $1.00 on the Musa site.

http://musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=35_27&products_id=832

 

 

 

Between now and the 28th, I need decide what I want to do with the rights...seek another publisher, self-publish, or let these books set for awhile. And with the DEAD series, should I combine them into a set instead of individually publishing. So over the next few days I'll be doing lots of thinking :)

 

 

Have you ever been faced with a decision that you took time to consider the options, or do you go for it when an idea occurs?



Sharon Ledwith is Celebrating Her Birthday with Giveaways!

Celebrate with Sharon for a chance to win!!!

As an author I had to ask myself this question: do we sell a product (book) or an experience (memory)? I recently read a marketing post where there was a study conducted in which people were asked if they would prefer to purchase a product (car, couch, etc.) or an experience (holiday, concert, etc.), and guess what most said? Yup. You guessed it. An experience.

 So this got me to thinking that authors have it pretty good. Yes, we sell a product whether it’s a book or an ebook or an audio-book or all three. We still have to market and promote these ‘products’ in order for our consumers (readers) to find them. But once our books are in the hands of readers, magic happens and they’re whisked away into another place, and another time. We authors create an experience for each of our readers. And that’s the payoff. Experiences tend to have a lasting effect on people. Sure, buy a car and you’ve got that new car smell for about a year. But I bet you remember going to your first concert, don’t you? Or maybe your first trip to Disneyland? I certainly do.

 If you purchase a book, true you may lose it, but I guarantee you that story will stay with you for years to come if the tale hits an emotional cord. And isn’t that why we authors are in this vocation to begin with?

 And since February is my birthday month, I’m hoping to generate lasting memories for readers by offering two Goodreads Giveways. One for The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis, and one for the prequel to my time travel series, Legend of the Timekeepers. BTW—both giveaways are international so no one is left out in the cold! Happy Birthday to me!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

 

 

The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis

by Sharon Ledwith

Giveaway ends February 25, 2015.

  See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

 

Enter to win

 Goodreads Book Giveaway

 

 

Legend of the Timekeepers

by Sharon Ledwith

Giveaway ends February 25, 2015.

 See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

 

Enter to win

 

 

Sharon Ledwith is the author of the middle-grade/YA time travel series, THE LAST TIMEKEEPERS, available through Musa Publishing, and is represented by Walden House (Books & Stuff) for her teen psychic series, MYSTERIOUS TALES FROM FAIRY FALLS. When not writing, researching, or revising, she enjoys reading, yoga, anything arcane, and an occasional dram of scotch. Sharon lives a serene, yet busy life in a tourist region of Ontario, Canada, with her hubby, one spoiled yellow Labrador and a moody calico cat.

 

Learn more about Sharon Ledwith on her website and blog.  Stay connected on Facebook and Twitter.

The Top 10 Fun Starts Next Week!

For a gal who never left the Carolinas from the time she was a bouncing 6 weeks old bundle of joy until she was an old lady of 21, I’ve managed to see quite a bit of the world in the years since then.

 

Starting next week the countdown beings for my 10 Favorite spots around the world I've been. Next Wednesday kicks off with number 10!

Everyone has their own places that have appealed to them, and yes, it was hard for me to narrow down to ten. And of course, that’s open for change because who knows where the next stop will rank on the list. Come join the fun and share your favorites!!!

Growing Up Southern!

As a child growing up in North Carolina, I didn’t realize there were sayings the rest of the country didn’t understand. They were the normal everyday expressions we lived with. When I left the South to live up North among the Yankees, I was teased and questioned about how I talked and some of the things I said.

Quite a few years and lots of travel later, the accent is pretty much gone, but the sayings sometimes pop out. I grew up hearing, “you can take a boy/girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the boy/girl,” so I thought I’d share some of the terms I grew up hearing and using—with translations and/or comments.

Definitely not the house I grew up in!

 

Round the bend - Directions. “It’s over yonder round the bend.”

Get my switch - (boy did I hear that! “Keep that up and I’m gonna git my switch,” or at times, “you go get me a switch.”)

Cut the lights out – turn off the lights.

Slower than a 7 year itch - (I grew up hearing that one a lot. “That boy’s slower than the 7 year itch.”)

Whatcha doing? – A shorter way of asking “What are you doing?”

Fixin’ to – Going to do something. “I’m fixin’ to cook some dinner.”

Buggy – items that have bugs - things, even food, could get buggy. That word was also used to describe a mode of transportation pulled by a horse.

A mind to – Thinking about doing. “I’ve a mind to whip your butt for that.”

Bless your heart – a kind of way of telling someone to go ‘f***’ themselves.

Hosepipe – garden hose.

Y’all – don’t think this needs translation.

About to pop – Someone ate too much, or in some cases, “I need to pee so bad I’m about to pop.”

Yankee – Those folks from the north.

Ain’t got no – A good use of double negatives when one doesn’t have something.

I declare! – Response to something amazing…good or bad. “I declare, you ain’t got the brains God gave a mule.”

Right over yonder, or over yonder – A location.  “The bus stop is right over yonder.”

Right smart – “now ain’t you right smart figurin’ that out”

Tickled pink – In a very happy state.

Pocketbook - Purse

Pert near - Nearly.  "I'm pert near ready to go."

Cut off the spicket – Turn off the water faucet.

Rightcheer – Here. “That fence post needs to go rightcheer.”

About fed up or fed up – Had enough. The person ‘fed up’ has reached the end of their rope with whatever the circumstances.

Knee high to a grasshopper – Often used when talking about someone (especially kids) that are small.

Raining pitch forks – A heavy rainstorm.

There are a lot others that I didn’t include here, and in other parts of the South (or North Carolina) some of the local sayings are different than the ones included here. But, when I make it back to my area and listen to some of the conversations, my childhood (and according to my children, may accent) comes flooding back.

Do you have ‘sayings’ that are local to your area that come to mind? If so, please share a few.

 

 

 

 

 

All the Fun of Sick

November didn't go as planned. First, the vacation didn't give the access I'd hope to blog and keep up to date on social media. Then the real fun began when we got home...within 24 hours I was sick and today is the first time in over a week that I'm not hacking my lungs out, though still tired.

All of that said, since I didn't post anything for readers to comment on...yes, there were no comments...LOL, I shall focus on December and coming up with a prize and actual blogs.

Hope all my friends here in the U.S. had a great Thanksgiving and everyone had a good November. Now let the December fun begin, but stay safe and warm.

As for my start to a new month...off for a nap. Amazing how being sick drains a gal.

And here's a little cheer to get your month started. And no, this not, nor will it be my house! Right now the only decoration here may be the Grinch tree!

Book Friday: Free Short Story

This is a short story I wrote several years ago and set aside for whatever reason. Came across it recently and as I read a book idea was born. Of course, there will be LOTS of major changes. But this may give those who don't write a glimmer into the minds of authors and how a short story, or even an idea, blossoms into a book.

Also, this little ditty has never experienced the evil red pen of an editor, so please ignore the glitches you think need changing. Raw writing, especially in fiction, isn't always perfect.

TRANSITION MAN

 

By Lizzie T. Leaf

 

   “Mom, you need a transition man.”

   Shelia Martin looked at her daughter in dismay.  Even as a married woman expecting her first child, Carrie could at times still amaze Shelia with what popped out of her mouth.

   “What are you talking about?  Where on earth did you come up with an idea like that?”

   Carrie repositioned herself on the sofa, placing a pillow under her very pregnant stomach.

   “John and I discussed you last night.”

 Uh-oh, Carrie and her husband’s discussion about Shelia meant trouble.  She mentally prepared herself for the lecture coming.

“You’re a young woman, Mom.  Since Dad died you have no life.  Come to think of it, you didn’t have much of one when he was alive.  Basically, you lived his life, doing what he wanted to do.  He’s been gone almost two years, and when we were talking last night, we came to the conclusion you need to start dating.  You know, someone that you don’t really care if he calls again, but gets that first dreaded date out of the way.  Helps you transition back into a social life—hence a transition man.  If he lasted awhile, that wouldn’t be so bad either.”  Shelia’s mouth dropped. The inane suggestion came close to creating a panic attack.  She inhaled deeply and willed the pounding in her chest to slow.

“After all, you’re only fifty-four and a little sex would be a good thing.  Sheila pursed her lips and studied her for a moment.  “Though I don’t see you as one night stand material.

“Now, we really need to talk.  Things are different in the world for the single woman of today, Mom.  There are a lot of scary things out there, and different diseases.  You have to make sure you’re safe; that the man uses protection.”

  Protection?  Good grief.  A sex talk from her daughter!  When had the parent-child role reversed?

Knowing her face was as red as it felt; Shelia shook her head in wonderment. Changing the subject, she watched Carrie once again try to find a comfortable position for her stretched belly.   

   “I can’t believe my baby’s having a baby.”

   “Now Mom, don’t go getting all teary eyed again.”  Carrie pushed into a sitting position.  “I’m hungry.  What do you have that isn’t good for me?”  

   The one sided conversation did bring Shelia to the conclusion she needed to get a social life on some level.  Her days were filled redecorating the house as she had always dreamed of doing, or reading. 

She didn’t remember when most of their friends stopped calling.  The couples that had been their social network when Tom was alive, she realized were really his friends.  Now that she was no longer part of a couple, the rules had changed.  It definitely was time to establish new friendships. 

   “But how?”  This was the question Shelia mused over when she stopped by her favorite bookstore coffee-cafe.

   Looking around for an empty table she saw only one seat. “Excuse me. If this isn’t taken may I share your table?” 

   The man glanced up from his book, “Help yourself,” and returned to his reading.

   Shelia assessed her table partner—definitely over fifty, probably pushing sixty; an average, safe looking guy.  What the heck, may as well go for broke.

   “Nice day,” she tried to put a smile in her voice. 

   “Yeah,” he grunted, not looking up.

   She glanced at his book cover.   “I’ve read that book.  Isn’t it great?”

   “That’s what I’m trying to decide.”  He gave her a withering look and buried his nose in the pages again.

   So much for meeting people.   She picked up one of the books from her stack and opened it.

   “Excuse me.  May I share your table?”

   Shelia glanced over, realizing Mr. Friendly had left and the chair across from her was empty.

   “Sure.”  She looked up into eyes so blue they would’ve made Paul Newman green with envy.  The complete package was just as good—early fifties, tall, muscular, hair with heavy touches of silver around the temples and a smile that took her breath away.

   “My name is James Anthony.   Jim to my friends.”  

His deep voice was as smooth as butter. Their eyes met and thoughts that a soon-to-be grandmother probably shouldn’t have, danced through her head.  Hello transition man, popped into her mind as he seated himself.

   “I’m Shelia Martin.”  She heard herself saying as she drowned in those glorious blue eyes.

   “Great book.”

    She noticed he referred to the one she had open. 

   Returning his smile, they settled into a conversation about favorite books.  Suddenly the four letter date word wasn’t so scary.  Who knows, maybe when she got home she would be able to call Carrie to tell her she had found her transition man.  Yes, one could hope, especially when Jim asked if she’d like another cup of coffee.