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The myth that publishers have stacks of manuscripts  and that writers have to line up in a long queue was deflated by Jennifer Bacia during her talk at the Gold Coast Writers Association meeting . ‘Actually, that is not the case’ she stated. According to Jennifer, publishers are always looking for something that will make […]

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IT Forum Gold Coast (ITFGC) is the best place to network with industry peers, potential clients and employers.  The Federal, State and local Governments give well-deserved recognition to ITFGC for being an active voice of the IT industry on the Gold Coast and Brisbane. Being a member gives you an unprecedented opportunity to stay informed […]

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(If you want to know the general History of BarCamp – click the white button below) A free community event, the BarCamp Gold Coast 10 was organised by the founder and current President of Gold Coast TechSpace – Steve Dalton, by the current committee member and Secretary of Gold Coast TechSpace – David Tangye and Open Source Software Engineer – Anna Gerber. It was a fantastic event with intense social interactions, interesting discussions, well-organised workshops, clear visual demonstrations and plenty of practical advice – just like this one that I was able to capture on the spot: On a serious note, I can honestly say that I was listening and learning as much as I could.  I mean, seriously, where else would you find such a fantastic opportunity to meet with people like Singularity University Ambassador (NASA Ames Research Center), Adjunct Professor at Bond University and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University – Dr ... Read the rest of this post

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Only three years have passed by, since tablet computers became a globally known product category, thanks to the Apple release of iPad. These days, almost everyone I know regardless of age has a tablet. No doubt these devices are the ultimate in electronic simplicity but are they rally so easy to use? And which one is better? The second question is easy to answer. Usually the choice of a tablet is a matter of the user’s preference. Apple stands alone against countless manufacturers of Android tablets and the only significant difference is in the operating system. But does it really bother the users to even know what these systems are? Not really…  Young people have got it right; they do not hesitate to try every button out of curiosity or ask each other what button to press in order to have what they want. The majority of the older generation is ... Read the rest of this post

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At some point in our life we will face the fear of public speaking when we need to deliver a speech during a special occasion, address an audience, make a professional presentation or simply tell a story to a group of strangers; it is inevitable.  Public speaking can be and really should be a satisfying experience.  However, the majority of people feel fear, anxiety or experience stage fright. So, how can it be avoided? To answer this question I went to a ‘Dare to Speak!’ workshop at the Helensvale library which was organised by members of Toastmasters International. It wasn’t news to me that learning public speaking skills can be beneficial to effective communication and help to become a better leader. However, my pen was filling pages very quickly and I am happy to share what I learnt with you. ‘Dare to Speak!’ was well-organised, presented and lead by the Master of Ceremonies – ... Read the rest of this post

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Out of the blue, I was recently (and kindly, I might add) awarded The Liebster Award, by Murees Dupé at  Daily Drama of an Aspiring Writer.

Here's how it works:

Liebster Award Rules:
1. Thank the blogger who gave you the award and link back to his or  
     her blog.
2. Answer 11 questions from the presenter; list 11 random facts about
    you, and create 11 questions for your nominees. (Whew, this part
    is a lot of work, which is why it's taking me awhile to complete.)
                                                      3. Present the Liebster Award to 11 bloggers whose blogs have 200
                                                          followers or less and whom you feel deserve to be noticed. Leave
                                                          a comment on their blog notifying them of your nomination.
                                                      4. Upload the Liebster Award to your own blog.

Murees's Questions for Me:
1. What is the worst job you ever had?  A laundry I worked in, once. The biggest problem was boredom.
2. What is your favorite snack? Cookies. Any kind. I love them.
3. What is your favorite TV series? Downton Abbey. I confess, I'm hooked.
4. Who would you like to meet? (Person could be dead or alive.) Hmm. Perhaps Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Then I could ask him why he felt his Holmes stories weren't literary.
5. If you could be any animal, what would it be? A dog. They are such noble creatures.
6. What are you most grateful for? My marriage, my extended family, and my friends.
7. What do you hate? I don't hate.
8. Do you include exercise into your daily routine? I should, shouldn't I . . . Does gardening count?
9. Do you like animals? Dogs, cats, horses, for sure. Maybe not octopi.
10.What is your favorite season? Fall, but Spring runs a close second.
11.What is your favorite food? South Indian cuisine. So many delicious dishes. So much variety.

Eleven Random Facts About Me:
1.  I love to read a good mystery, whether for adults or for children.
2.  I love poetry, both reading it and writing it.
3.  So, it follows that I hang out at book stores and libraries, right?
4.  I love the French Impressionist painters.
5.  I'm hooked on the Victorian Era. So much so, that I'm starting a second blog, called, Victorian Scribbles. It's still in construction, but it should be ready for visits by next week. Take a peek.
6.  I love opera. Especially Puccini's operas. Especially La Boheme, Madame Butterfly, and Tosca.
7.  I once nibbled a dog biscuit just to see what the appeal was for my dog. I don't recommend it; not my kind of cookie. Probably not yours, either.
8.  One of my ambitions in life is to walk a part of the pilgrimage road in Galicia that leads to Santiago. To get a certificate, you have to walk 100 kilometers on it. (Hmm, maybe I should start exercising. See Murees's question #8.)
9.  I drink a cup of hot chocolate every morning. It's a great way to start the day.
10.That said, I'm not particularly keen on chocolate per se. I mean, I enjoy a piece now and then, but I can have a gift box of chocolates on the shelf for a good six months before its contents are finally gone.
11.Some day I would like to go to Ireland. It's a land that seems (to me) both haunting and haunted.

Here's My List of Questions for My Award Recipients:
1.  Who is your favorite artist?
2.  Favorite author?
3.  Have you ever interviewed someone? If so, who? and about what?
4.  What is your favorite genre in literature?
5.  Do you speak any languages other than English?
6.  If you were 19, what career would you choose—the one you did choose, or another?
7.  Which deceased author would you most like to meet, and why?
8.  Which living author would you most like to meet, and why?
9.  What is number one on your bucket list?
10. Do you believe in Hobbits?
11. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

And Here Are My Picks for the Liebster Award:
(Go check out their sites; they write good stuff!)
1.  Rosi Hollinbeck - The Write Stuff
2.  JaNay Brown - JaNay With Words
3.  Richard Hughes - Writing and Living by Richard P. Hughes
4.  Victoria Lindstrom - Writ of Whimsy
5.  Julia Hones - My Writing Life
6.  Catherine Winn - The Writing Room
7.  Julie Luek - A Thought Grows
8.  Joanna Marple - Miss Marple's Musings
9.  Linda Jackson - Writers Do Laundry Too
10.Shannon Lawrence - Writing from the Peak
11.Kenda Turner - Words and Such

Ciao for now . . .

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Achieving the title of becoming a published author now is far more reachable than no one had ever dreamed of just a couple of decades ago. Many writers have thrown themselves into the vortex of self-publishing industry, but as usual, only a few have achieved the desirable recognition and satisfactory pay cheques. Determination and honest, hard work plus the risk of committed capital are not aspects I would like to focus on. All writers are trying their best but only a few books are good enough for the modern day readers who are well educated, know what they are paying for and have become very astute and choosy. Unfortunately, many writers tend to look at their written work as a manifestation of their sacrifice to educate or entertain the readers. The readers do not take into consideration the writers ‘effort. They are boldly and brutally looking at every book as a ... Read the rest of this post

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Visit and explore the Sunshine Coast (Queensland, Australia). The answers about the Sunshine Coast from personal experience. What can be better than to take a couple of days, jump in the car with couple of friends and explore your own regional area along the coast and into the hinterland? Particularly if you, like me, live in one of the most beautiful places on Earth where nature’s pristine playground is all around you in the Australian State of Queensland. You can just take a map, close your eyes, place your finger where you wish and choose a weekend destination at random. My friends and I did just that and discovered some of the countless places to visit and explore along the Sunshine Coast. (Photo above was taken from http://beachmere.blogspot.com.au/2011/06/visiting-hinterland-glasshouse.html ) We booked a little motel for one night in Mooloolaba, put a full esky with lunch in my car and off we went towards Lake Baroon, so-called ... Read the rest of this post

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Answers from Publisher The real number of the authors in Australia can be only estimated approximately. So far, the figure is between 5,000 -10,000 authors that are considered to be fully employed or employed as a part-time. However, the authors now becoming the publishers by adding numbers of the authors quite significantly. Go figure it out! Internet puts everything in different perspective for the publishing industry as a whole. Regardless to many changes, every country is trying to ‘save’ their publishing industry against the unavoidable globalization and legal reformation of publishing industry, internationally. Australia takes these changes seriously, in order to protect its own publishing industry by shielding it from foreign competition, respectively through import restrictions. Basically we are talking about availability, price and quality matter of the books. . In order to protect copyright beyond the borders, Australia had signed two international agreements: 1886 Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works and ... Read the rest of this post

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Rediscovering Byron Bay after 15 years was an unforeseen revelation. (Part One) The only reason I went to Byron Bay (NSW, Australia) more than a decade ago was as a spontaneous romantic breakfast with my husband. Even then I wouldn’t stay for more than couple of hours. My general perception on the place then was associated with “…you’re spinning me out, man…” type of people. It wasn’t my honest opinion from experience, rather a perception gained from a collection of many comments by the respectable Gold Coast crowd. I took it as a warning: “Murky place with unstable people.” But last Thursday, I received a short note invitation from my friend who flew from LA to relax at Byron Bay for a week. “Relax?” – thought I to myself. I was sure that she had no idea of what she was talking about. However, seeing her was more important than worrying about the place or my peace ... Read the rest of this post

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The Clean House by Sarah Ruhl (July 2010)   The Clean House is at once a hilarious and tragic peek into the lives of four women brought together by life, circumstance and choices made.  Set in America, the story follows Matilde, a young Brazilian woman who is hired to clean Lane’s house.  Unbeknownst to Lane, Matilde despises cleaning and wants nothing more than to think up the perfect joke, whilst Lane’s neurotic sister Virginia scrubs away her obsessive thoughts by taking over Matilde’s housekeeping duties.  Enter Ana – the woman Lane’s husband is leaving her for – and suddenly, keeping a clean house is the last thing on anybody’s mind.   The straight-forward metaphor for life – a clean house – is surprisingly explored with wit and raucous humour.  Not only does this play avoid the seemingly inevitable cliché which may be expected from such an overused premise, the comedic style in which the ... Read the rest of this post

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Answers from Anya Tretyakova 30 Seconds to Mars, Hordern Pavilion, Sydney 30 July 2011   Almost five years following the release of their second album A Beautiful Lie, 30 Seconds to Mars delivered their third, highly anticipated album This Is War at the end of 2009. Promoting this ground-breaking musical transformation, the group delivers a concert which can only be described as a religious experience for the die-hard fan, and nothing short of an impressive show for the newly initiated. The awesome combination of rock, interwoven with progressive, symphonic composition made this album and this show – the last on the Australian leg of their worldwide tour – truly unforgettable.   It is apparent that the group adopted a more spiritual approach to their latest album and tour. Gone are the charmingly self-pitying lyrics and deliciously melodramatic guitar riffs, replaced with a sound that can only be described as a hybrid between a thousand voice ... Read the rest of this post

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Why Every Man Should Update His Wife. Warning – for men only. Exploring men’s sexuality in graphic detail, this controversial book delves into motivation, purpose and futility of persisting with unsatisfactory relationships. It exposes stark views on marriage, on having children and apparently worthless social values.   $3.99 AUD is a fair price for eBook WHY EVRY MAN SHOULD UPDATE HIS WIFE!     To buy – go to Hot Digital Books and read more.  

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Bangkok First Trip to Bangkok Slideshow: Elena’s trip from Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia to Bangkok, Thailand was created by TripAdvisor. See another Bangkok slideshow. Create a free slideshow with music from your travel photos. Second Trip to Bangkok Slideshow: Elena’s trip from Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia to Bangkok, Thailand was created by TripAdvisor. See another Bangkok slideshow. Create your own stunning free slideshow from your travel photos.

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Housekeeping


All giveaways from Jan and On The Bright Side launch will be shipped this week. I try and ship once a month.

Have you heard of The Reading Room? It is similar to Goodreads but with some additional benefits. They are hosting a Valentine's Day author chat next Tuesday, Feb 14th at 7PM EST. I will be there talking about indie pubbing, my book, and marketing. Mark your calendars and sign up for free to join. The brains behind starting The Reading Room will also be here this Thursday on Bookanista Day to tell you more about The Reading Room.


You can also win one of 5 $50 book vouchers by inviting 5 friends to join or by joing the live chat. I will also be giving away prizes during the chat.




More of your questions...


I would like to know more about book covers: hiring a graphic artist versus doing it yourself. 


I know tons of indie pubbers who get art online or have graphic designers photoshop for them. I personally want to stuff to be original and reflect what I'm trying to get across. 


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So I got a lot of questions yesterday.


Jan Status (Untraceable)

• I've sold approximately 3,600 books to date (from Nov 31st). 
• The highest sales are on Amazon. B&N second.
• ebooks account for most of that at 90%.
• Only about 200 paperback.

Winners for Q/A post
All prizes for launch day will be mailed out on Monday.


Karen Adkins, Mandy, Vera and Danielle. Email me at [email protected] to discuss your choice of prize.


1) a free ebook of On The Bright Side
2) a free ebook of Untraceable
3) a query critique
4) some other books/arcs I have laying around. You can choose.


Don't forget to stop by On The Bright Side tour still going on :) There are are some giveaway, prizes, marketing tips, writing tips, character interviews and more.


Answers to your questions


How do you manage your time with everything?  


Well I'm glad it LOOKS That way. Because I don't feel like I do. fake it 'til you make it that is my motto. So honestly? I try to schedule the time. 1 hour for interviews, 1 hour to write etc etc. I also have ADHD which comes in handy for multi tasking. I'm also a night owl so I get a lot done after 10 pm. Plus I am having so much fun it doesn't feel like work. But I am tired 
:)
3 Comments on Answers, Prizes, and Bookanista - Oh My, last added: 2/3/2012