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As promised, here is a sample of both versions of chapter 1 of THORNE, my middle-grade, urban fantasy. I'd love to hear which version works best and hopefully why.

Thanks in advance.
Cindy

Original Opening (as it stands right now)

1
THE DEAD HOUSE

Thorne Manor would now stand abandoned if not for twelve year old David Thorne, the only person living there. He threw a glance back at the house and shuttered; since he could remember, it had always seemed more a monster by the woods than a mansion; a phantom reminder that he was—and would always be—what the former servants called a freak: the boy who couldn’t come anywhere near electricity.

Perched high on the oldest tree in the backyard, he stared out at the world he would never be a part of. The smell of rain carried on the cool summer breeze that blew across his face as he lifted his crystal-blue eyes to the sky over Haven Creek, New York; the clouds were rolling in quickly, announcing the coming of a dark storm. Knowing the pain it would bring with it, David’s heart began to drum in his ears. Then a flash of white exploded into the sky off in the distance, followed closely by another that broke through the stars, as though warning him to get back.

First Person Opening:

So, you want the story of me? Okay, here goes. My name’s David Thorne. I’m twelve years old, I like to climb trees, I love animals, and I hate thunder. Sounds pretty normal, huh? Look closer, because nothing I’m about to tell you is normal.

See, I have this condition…if you can call it that. I can’t come anywhere near electricity.

That’s right.

I don’t know why. I don’t know how. But there it is. I’m a freak. A freak who’s gonna die in this old house that sits on a hill in Haven Creek, New York.

Oh, how could I forget? There’s something else I haven’t told you yet. First of all…I’m not crazy, okay? I mean, it’s not like I sit around counting the cracks in the walls like they were my friends or anything. It’s just that sometimes I see and hear things that aren’t there. It started a month ago, and I’m pretty sure crazy doesn’t just sneak up on someone.

___

I would really love some feedback on this. I know both a vastly different, but this is what I talked about in my previous post. The first can be construed as more engaging, no doubt. But I think it lacks the haunting quality that makes this character so sympathetic; though I'm sure I can work that into first person, but to do it without him coming off as woe-is-me is what's gnawing at my butt like a hungry shark.

Cindy

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I just read through a great blog over at Don't Pet Me, I'm Writing. It's the blog of author, Tawna Fenske. Her latest post about Writing Regrets was amazing. It got me thinking about my own path as a writer.

I've read a lot of blogs by authors who, understandably, choose not to make public, their road to success, or should I say, the bumpy path of rejection that led them there. As I said, I understand. Being as public as we are now-a-days, what with blogs and social networking, it's really hard to expose our weaknesses and our self-doubt, much less, our failures along the way. It's a vulnerable position not many people ever want to put themselves in.

But you see, I think it's actually so brave for anyone to do this, and it helps so many in the same position.

Tawna's blog post about writing regrets was so helpful. It really made me stop and look at myself in the deepest possible way a writer can.

See, here's the skinny: I started writing THORNE (a middle-grade, urban fantasy...the first in a series), and believe me when I say this book went through some changes along the way; initially, it was a lot longer, until I discovered it was too long for MG, and so, I thought about it for a couple of weeks, and decided to take a chapter out of the book, and write an entirely new book around it; it became the first in my series, and what was left of the original became book 2, and it worked out amazingly-well.

Ever since then, I've revised, and even recently, I virtually rewrote it in order to tighten it up. I love the end result. That said, one agent I queried a few months ago requested a partial, and later rejected it saying that, although she loves the way I write and the story concept was great, she simply wasn't drawn into the 12-yr old protagonist enough to offer representation. She also suggested I rewrite the book in first-person; she's actually the second agent to make that suggestion. So it makes me wonder if I made the right choice when I first wrote the book.

I've always loved first-person narratives. I love how it allows me to dive into the mind of the characters like no other format can. So, I started trying to rewrite the first book as a narrative from David's POV. It's coming out great, but something in my guy keeps gnawing at me: Could this actually work in first-person? It just doesn't seem to have the same haunting quality as the original, and I'm afraid if I try to bring out the haunting nature of David's inner demons and anger, it might come off as more "woe-is-me".

I don't know....

As for queries, I just don't know what else to do. I can't begin to tell you how many websites I've read on queries, agents, agencies, publishers, writing, and all things authory. On the wings of my dream to see my work out there, I've studied more than I even did in school, and that's saying a lot. And yet, every time I query agents, I do it with what I believe to be a new and improved letter, and still, the rejections keep pouring in. Ever since I started this process back in 2004, I've received probably...and here's the part where I leave myself vulnerable to ridicule and speculation...close to 200 rejections; all based on different letters and different versions of the book's first chapter.

I feel so lost.

Back in 2007, I was approached by a publisher who'd been following my blogs on Myspace, and asked that I send them a partial. Desperate as I was to see my book out there, I pishawed the writer on my should who warned me that publishers don't do this. In the end, they loved it, and asked for more. Then I was told they wanted to publish the book.

Two editors there both commented (apparently) that my book had some of the best dialogue they'd ever read. And that was just the beginning. Sadly, in 2008, a week before the book was to come out,

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You know, in my quest for an agent, I've done a lot of research into what literary agents are looking for in fiction. Sure, some say they want a "fresh take on this and that," but what is it they're really hungry for, I wonder...what with fiction being such a broad category; adult, YA, middle-grade, genre, etc..

So it begs the question, if an agent specifies (and I use the term loosely), their desire to represent "fiction," are we to assume that their decision to omit the word, "genre" means no genre fiction?

Speaking of genres, there's one I especially love: urban fantasy. You know, I went to the bookstore the other day, and I scoured the juvenile section for something that combines these two great tastes that taste great together: middle-grade and urban fantasy, and unless I missed it (and please let me know if I did), I couldn't find anything. There was a slew a books with alternative "historical" accounts, books dealing with pirates, and surprise, books set in magical lands with names sure to test the palate of the most ravenous lexophile.

Note: If it's hard to pronounce, it's hard to remember. Never a good thing.

Then I strolled over to the YA section, where I was enthralled by the amount of YA urban fantasy out there. But what I found odd, was the lack of middle-grade urban fantasy in the previous section.

So why is this such an untapped market when it's such a great combination? I mean, the possibilities alone...

For instance, my novel, a middle grade urban fantasy is the first in a series about a boy who, after discovering a city built and powered by magic, goes on to train as a detective in this magical world; a place where technology IS magic, where the vehicles fly and must be refueled at enchantment stations, and where cell phones and televisions are made of water, etc...

I truly think kids would love this. I think they'd love the opportunity to walk in the shoes of characters that--though they exist in a parallel world--they can still relate to them; and at the same time, readers will no doubt look at the world around them and remember what those characters use in their everyday lives each time the readers go about their own lives in similar ways.

So, again, I have to ask why it's not a wider market? Anyone read anything lately that falls into the realm of middle-grade urban fantasy? If you have, please share; I'd love to read it too.

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So there we were, my hubby and I, prepping to watch two of our favorite shows, Dexter and The Walking Dead. I gotta say, these shows are absolutely amazing.

The Walking Dead: A great show about a global pandemic that turned the living into an all-you-can-eat buffet for zombies. The cast is made up of a group of survivors who ban together to take back what's left of their world.

The show premiered this season on AMC. To say I was blown away is the understatement of the century. The show was incredible! Great characters, amazing atmosphere (it's a biggie for me, you know), and so thoroughly absorbing. There was little-to-no music, and it opened with a cop walking alone through a devastated city street, calling out for anyone; low and behold, he comes upon a little girl, and when he approaches, and she turns, she's a zombie. What an opening! And the show itself has never once let us down since that first introduction to a show I know we're going to follow to the end. And speaking of the end, last night's episode was the season finale (I will say no more about last night's episode, in case you haven't see it yet). Wow! Can't wait for it to come back.



If you haven't seen The Walking Dead yet, I insist you give it a go. Warning though, it is gory, which truly surprised me; past shows on varied channels, i.e. ABC (which I think stands for All Balls Cut-off) have watered genre shows down so much, you'd think it was written by Disney for Disney viewers. But that's for another post altogether...my take on fiction that's "cleaned up", or should I say watered-down to the point of no longer fitting into the genre it claims to be...

Dexter: This is, without a doubt, one of the BEST shows on t.v. right now. It has some of the best writing on television I've ever seen. There's so much depth to the characters. Set in Miami, it's essentially about a man named Dexter who kills murderers. His sister is a detective, and he is a blood splatter expert on the force. Amazing show. If you haven't seen it yet, try it. Those with any sense of good t.v. will LOVE it!



Some might say, as I said, that the way he kills is pretty much anti-climactic, but, it's not about the method he chooses to kill, so much as about a man with a desperate need to spill blood and his decision to use murderers as an outlet for a desire that, on anyone else, would show him to be a monster. When he's not killing the guilty, he's father to two step-children and a baby he fathered with a woman who was murdered in season 5. Even the opening credits is done so perfectly, showing him doing everything everyone else does in the morning, only, here we see it all with a murderous edge; instead of freshly-squeezed orange juice, for instance, we see freshly-squeezed blood-orange juice, etc..

I truly love good writing, and these two shows deserve any and every award on the shelf for best shows (Dexter has won many so far, btw). I know, as writers we want to read, but I think we can learn a lot of writing from also delving into really amazingly-written television.

Any thoughts on these or other shows with great writing. Please share...

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Part 2 of my pet peeves about literary agents takes us into the pit of vagueness.

THE SECRETS THEY KEEP: Okay, this particular aspect of agency websites is something that has plagued many authors, including myself. Those agencies that, on their sections about the agents themselves, is so vague sometimes. Be specific, please. Rare is it when an author comes upon an agency website or page about an agent and finds detailed information about what exactly said agents are actually looking to represent (and fine, we can assume that if genre is not mentioned, they don't want it, but would a little clarity do us all some good from time to time?). For instance, they may claim to be seeking, say, YA or middle-grade fiction, but not whether that includes genre fiction. And you can't even always go by what they currently represent because I've often read (from agents themselves), that they're open to anything, or that sometimes they receive a submission in a genre that, although they don't normally rep the likes of said submission, one happens to draw them in just the same. So how are we to decipher the mystery behind what agents want when, at best, what they leave is a microscopic trail of information?

How often have you come to an agent's bio and found that you learn all about their education (which is definitely important, don't get me wrong), and where they live and sometimes, what they do in their spare time? Now I ask you, isn't just as important to know what they're looking for? I mean, seriously, all the Do's and Don't's about agents tells us that we much do our homework, but it seems, agents expect us to read every book they represent in order to weed out the ones that the agent we're interested in represents in order to see if they're a good fit for our projects. We're also told to go to the bookstore, find all the books from that agency, and read through the acknowledgments to see which agent is mentioned; as I've recently discovered, however, some authors don't mention their agents; sometimes they only go as far as mentioning the agency itself; sometimes neither.

Clearly we need to do our part, but it just seems that some agents see this as a one-way street for those not on their client list. How hard is it to specify what they want and don't want? There's a particular agency, The McVeigh Agency(which, from what I understand, is fantastic), and they have detailed info about their wants with regards to submissions. Obviously, I queried them, and am now waiting for a reply. I've read up on Mark McVeigh, I've read some interviews with him, and I saw him in a vid on YOU-TUBE. I really like this agent, and I'm hoping he responds soon.

So why is it that so many agencies refuse us much-needed and always appreciated information that can ensure we don't submit to the wrong agent, wasting their time and ours?

Any thoughts?

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1

THE DEAD HOUSE

Thorne Manor would now stand abandoned if not for twelve year old David Thorne, the only person living there. He threw a glance back at the house and shuttered; since he could remember, it had always seemed more a monster by the woods than a mansion; a phantom reminder that he was—and would always be—what the former servants called a freak: the boy who couldn’t come anywhere near electricity.

Perched high on the oldest tree in the backyard, he stared out at the world he would never be a part of. The smell of rain carried on the cool summer breeze that blew across his face as he lifted his crystal-blue eyes to the sky over Haven Creek, New York; the clouds were rolling in quickly, announcing the coming of a dark storm.

Knowing the pain it would bring with it, David’s heart began to drum in his ears. Then a flash of white exploded into the sky off in the distance, followed closely by another that broke through the stars, as though warning him to get back.

His eyes drifted from the house, to the sleepy little town, to the sky, shoulders slumping. With a wring of his hands, he let out a huff, then grabbed the sock full of berries he’d collected in the afternoon and shoved it between his teeth; the sock was old, but for the past month, it had played its part well in his survival.

He climbed down to the leafy ground and ran, trying not to think about the long, shadow-filled corridors and empty rooms that awaited him. But what he tried hardest to put out of his mind were the strange things he’d been seeing and hearing as of late; things he was certain any psychiatrist would have had him committed for even talking about.

David raced towards the window he’d left open at the back of the house; anything to avoid having to walk through the front door, as the echo of it closing was too cruel a reminder that the place was dead. The thunder roared behind him when he was about twenty feet from the window. Startled, he tripped over a soft spot in the over-grown grass and fell to the ground, face-first. He rolled over, sat up, and rubbed his ankle. As he made to stand, a rustle of leaves drew his attention forward.

There, not ten paces away, appeared—for the second time in the last few days—a figure in a black cloak, sitting on a red sofa, staring down at, what looked like a photo.

“Not again,” muttered David, closing his eyes. When he reopened them, both the sofa and the figure sitting on it were gone.

The storm screamed out again, bringing David back to the danger at hand. He leaped up and ran to the house, glancing over his shoulder every few seconds. Without missing a beat, he dove through the window. The instant his feet touched the marble floor, a cold blast of air rushed past him. He looked back at the yard where the figure had appeared. It was still gone.

He whipped around at every creak and scrape that sang out of the darkness as he tip-toed into the living room. It was hard to ignore the few remaining pieces of furniture that sat shrouded in dusty sheets. But still, he forced himself to try, as images of things hiding under there just waiting to pounce, fueled his imagination in ways he hated more than the house itself.

Making his way to the once-grand staircase, he came upon the painting-sized mirror that the former servants had failed to cover when they left. Just as he passed by it, he caught a glimpse of the strangely-dressed people he’d seen earlier.

David stopped dead and jerked back to the mirror. The people were still there in the reflection, following the luggage that floated ahead of them as they hurried through, what looked like, a train station. In the blink of an eye, however, they were gone, replaced by a reflection David took no interest in: his own.

He was about to turn away when a long and loud whistle suddenly echoed behind him. He spun around and then back to the

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Okay so, Thursday night I was interviewed on BLOG TALK RADIO by the fantastic, Yolanda Renee. I just gotta say, the show was amazing! You guys who might have missed it, feel free to grab some coffee or whatever floats your biscuit and kick on back. You can listen to the show here.

I talked about the unbelievable response to and launch of TREI Literary Magazine, which you can check out by hopping on over to http://www.treimagazine.com. I can't believe how many people have written to me about the magazine. OMG! YAY! I'm so excited! I'm like a drunken sailor turning down the sobbering gift of coffee. I just do not want to wake up from this euphoric feeling.

I also want to thank everyone who's signed the guest book there. OMG! I'm so humbled by everything you guys have written there, here and across the web. It's just....it's just so....

*blushing*

Well, I'm honored to say, this is only the beginning, my dear and cherished friends. Oh my, my, my,.....what I have instore for you guys and your books is going to BLOW YOU AWAY! It's going to pull the world aside, shake them off their rocker, and make them listen while YOU shout that YOU are coming, YOU are here, and YOU are going to ROCK THIS JOINT!

Dnow, don't forget....October is our HORROR issue, and I want YOU all to scare the hell out of me and every reader out there. I have been bombarded by submissions, but, in the words of a certain little vampire...I WANT SOME MORE. I want the scariest short stories imaginable and dark poetry. I'm looking to feature illustrators of dark art. As for those of you who've written to ask me about being a guest columnist for TREI. Well, what I'd like to do is a multi-author interview. Sort of a How-to-Write horror article from the view points of 3-4 authors of horror. I think it's a great way to get into the minds of a variety of horror authors. So tell everyone you know who writes or is into horror. THIS IS REALLY GOING TO SET THE BAR!

Now, back to the show.....

I also spoke about DAVID THORNE: The Golithian Orbs, my edgy tween fantasy about a boy's deperate fight to save the life of the first friend he has ever had....a man charged with murder.

And then I was asked about my book cover, done by the amazing Doron Ben-Ami (www.doronbenami.com).

October 1, 2008, DAVID THORNE will be unleashed...YAY!

I'm still floored and absolutely humbled by the response the book and the book cover have gotten. Thank you all so much. You've no idea how much it means to me....how much YOU all mean to me. Your friendship and your steadfast support from day one takes my breath away. I just so honored to call you guys my friends. Truly:)

Lastly, I spoke very lightly about the new book I'm working on......you know...*hehe*

So there you go.....the show was awesome! Renee was amazing! I hope you guys enjoy it at least half as much as I did.



Feel free to leave your thoughts in your wake:)
GINORMOUS HUGS and Humble thanks to all and to those who follow:)
Cindy

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Okay so, today I got to flipping the channels since that "ultra-special and oober reliable" cable company of mine (Comcast..*gag*) informed me by way of an annoying error message, that my "On-Demand" was out....AGAIN!

See, I've been so busy (like that ever changes), going through the tedious ritual all writers face when they're on the brink of being published.....EDITING. Yup, it's a necessary evil, my dear and cherished friends. So I push on. And on. And on.

And when I need a break, I flip through the TV channels in the hopes that some great big surprise awaits me in the form of something to ACTUALLY WATCH. And this is what I did today when the editing proved to call for break-time. I was so happy to find that one of my favorite all-time movies was playing.

"GREASE."

The instant I saw it was on, I stopped surfing the cable waves and sat back...smile on my face, warmth in my heart, memories rushing at me like a tidal wave. You see, this movie holds such a place in my soul. I remember like it was yesterday.

Wait, wasn't it just yesterday?

I'll never forget it, as long as I live. I was six when that movie came out. My parents bought the soundtrack (the record album...2 LPs).....HEY, I'm NOT that old, okay! Anywho, I don't remember the first time I saw the movie, but what I do remember, is listening to that album over and over. I remember dancing to it with my friends, lip syncing to the songs for my family (me standing on a chair...them, watching...).

BTW, that doesn't leave this blog! I'd hate to have to hunt you down and assault you with waffles...the overly toasted variety that riddled with hard little nipits like...oh, I don't know...something sharp and sticky…..you get the point.....or you will if you tell anyone I danced on chairs when I was six, while singing and/or lip syncing to the GREASE soundtrack!

The point is, that movie has always held such a deep and cozy place in my heart. I mean, even today, every time I see it or I hear the music from it (yeah, I have the CD and have it on my computer), I still sing to it (no, not on chairs anymore....I've grown a bit and realized heights are not my friend).

And then there was me at ten years old. Hm! The same age as David Thorne....cool! Anywho, I went to Puerto Rico alone for a month to visit my grandparents. I swear, every time I went there, I was just terrified of their living room. It was nestled deep within the house...the walls a deep Spanish tan, the sofas and chairs blood red suede. And with the candle sconces and the feel of centuries-old stories hidden behind the facade of modern day living, it just felt creepy and haunted, and so not a place I ever wanted to be in.

Needless to say, every time I visited them, I walked right past the living room. Now that I think back though, it was pretty cool! Anywho, when I was ten, I remember there was this neighbor lady who lived across the street. She always liked me and when she saw me get out of the car the day I arrived, she ran over and gave me a big hug. Somehow, she found out I liked the movie GREASE, and told me that she had it on tape. Said, that anytime I wanted to come over and watch it, I could.

And so I did....everyday I was there that month...over and over and over again. I would just sit in her room by myself and watch the movie. I still remember what it felt like to sit on the edge of the bed, eyes glued to the screen. I was just mesmerized by the music, the dancing, the STORY! God, if only I had known back then that writing was so much a part of me. It's funny you know, how we can go through life wondering who we are, what makes us "US", what makes us tick and what makes us love what we love. Until one day we wake up and look back upon our lives and "JUST KNOW". Like someone just turned on a light.

So today, as I watched the movie, I actually got tears in my eyes, remembering how it felt to be ten years old…no worries, no stress…just having fun watching this amazing movie with its great music and great dancing, and just wanting to BE like them. It's a feeling I get all over again every time I see or think of that movie...even today.

I guess it's not so bad growing up, is it? I mean, yeah growing up does come with its pitfalls...but truly, in the end, aren't we better for realizing who are, regardless the age we are when we do see that light come on?

So I say to those days when I was ten, and to that little girl, that dreamer who knew in her heart and still knows today what it means to feel passion for something, "Thanks for the memories, Kid. And for making me who I am today."

GINORMOUS HUGS to the little ones inside all of us:)
Cindy

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Okay so, Just wanted to let you all that tomorrow, Thursday, July 10th at 10pm EST, I will be interviewed on a different radio show. The host's name is Yolanda Renee...the newest cat on the block.

You guys have to catch THIS show. I'm going to talk "in depth" about DAVID THORNE: The Golithian Orbs. I'll be talking about the characters, the world, their life, magic, the newest Myspace page to pop up in Elderon, and Elder City.....OMG!!!!!!!!! THIS is the show that will reveal things that will never be revealed again outside the pages of DAVID THORNE.

Wait til you hear the show! I can't wait! YAY!

Now, don't forget, you can call in (347) 215-9536...or just hang in the chatroom. Tell everyone...bring everyone....this is gonna be a blast!!!!!!!!!!

Here's an excerpt of what Renee posted on her blog and around the web.....

"As author of "Murder, Madness & Love", a suspenseful who-done-it, I began a Blog Talk Radio Show called "Renee's Book Talk", in an effort to give other authors a voice in the world of radio.

On July 10, 2008, at 10:00 PM EDT, CA – C. L. Freire, along with President and CEO of TRIAD Publishing Group, Vern Firestone, will join us for a discussion about C. L.'s journey into the publishing world. As C. L. Freire has discovered, her MySpace Site and interviews on Blog Talk Radio have turned her debut novel into a marketing phenomena. PRE-ORDERS for DAVID THORNE: The Golithian Orbs launched on the night of June 30th, during her latest LIVE broadcast on Blog Talk Radio. The book will officially be released on October 1st.

As a tween fantasy author C. L. has been writing since the age of thirteen, and now, before her first novel hits the market, some have already called her the next J. K. Rowling. C. L. says that writing is a mind bending obsession and as all writers, dreams of being on the NY Times Best Sellers List, and with her pre-orders selling at record breaking speeds, it seems she may be on her way before the book even comes out.

She has been quoted on Myspace as saying, "Give me the atmosphere of a dark city street, where the subtle noises that hang in the air remind me that I'm part of the world."

______

So remember, my dear and very-much-beloved friends.....Thursday night, 10PM EST Blogtalk with Yolanda Renee.
blogtalkradio with Yolanda Renee
Yolanda Renee
Yolanda Renee on Myspace

Be there or be hunted down and poked in all the tickly spots with a ginormous feather-lined stick

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The Snevil Author, The Winner in the City, and The Show that Broke the Seal (blog I posted on my page on July 2, 2008)
Okay so.......

cue magical music that lingers in the air with mysterious bravado.....

On June 30th (sorry it's taken me so long to post a blog about this. What can I say? It was a taxing day:) So on June 30th, I appeared on Blog Talk Radio with LESA, to finally reveal the title of my upcoming debut Tween fantasy.

OMG! It feels so AMAZING to FINALLY be able to talk about the book without having to worry if those feet of mine are going to dance their way into my mouth! Yeah, I know. I have that problem, and it almost surfaced a few times on the air the other night. Even Vern Firestone, President and CEO of TRIAD Publishing Group, my publisher and dear friend, caught my near-flub.

That was a good and hearty laugh we all shared, let me tell you:)

So, the show was really amazing. Tons and tons of dear friends were there to support me and to finally find out the secret behind the puzzles that many were haunted by for the last month. No, I'm serious. I had friends contacting me constantly, telling me they were being followed around by the image of the puzzles. Some were dreaming about them, and one person even spent the entire past weekend obsessing over the puzzles and the title that was so snevily masked by the clues....hehe

Right out of the gate, the calls began pouring in from some of my dear friends (thank you all for your support...I love you!), and some other dear friends lingered with an endearingly voyeuristic ear:)

The first call in was Vern, who sat back and waited patiently for me to prance my way into THE BIG REVEAL:) And then....one by one, my friends called in.
and everyone else who called in (I can't remember who else called in, but I promise to update this list when I do

The big surprise of the night for me was when, fresh from the grave, my good and dear friend, Joni Shanburn, Vice President of TRIAD, called in. I wasn't expecting her because she was having some computer issues:) And shortly after she called in, so did another dear friend, the snevil sinister sister of Joni, Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc came strolling in with her shovel, fresh from digging Joni up:)

And so I spoke about the contest and the world the series is set in....sorry, you have to go listen to the show to get THAT out of me...hehe


I answered questions from callers, laughed a lot, YAYed and OMGded my way through the show...shocker, I know. And then.....

drumroll please.....

Vern proceeded to talk about how there were about a hundred entries in the Crack the Code contest, and how there were eleven people who had conquered the puzzles. After asking me to select a number from one to eleven, I chose 8 (my hubby's favorite number), and BOOM!
THE WINNER OF THE WORLD'S FIRST COPY OF MY BOOK was.......more music please......SHERRI SCHWEDOCK of Write in the City



It's a replica of the dragon statue that sits in the center of ElderSquare, which is the heart of Elder City, the oldest city in the magical world I set my series in. For those of you who never got the chance to read the first three chapters of DAVID THORNE: The Golithian Orbs, Elder City is a towering metropolis built entirely by magic.

Yup, being the city girl I am, I couldn't think of a more "ME" choice to base this series in, can you?

And finally, as promised, the instant I FINALLY ANNOUNCED the title, DAVID THORNE: The Golithian Orbs (god that feels so freeing), Vern Firestone OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED THE PRE ORDERS.

Yes, my dear and cherished friends, because of the OVERWHELMING response to the date of the opening of pre orders, Vern decided to open them up during the show, instead of waiting til midnight. And so, the chatroom began filling up with people announcing
"I just placed my order!"
"GO! CINDY! I just ordered the book!"
"Got my copy!"

OMG! YAY!

I can't believe my little book, the one I've put everything I have into, is finally AVAILABLE FOR PRE ORDER! And, people are ordering it in droves! That's right, by midnight, the pre orders were already in the dozens. OMG! OMG! OMG!

Some people even left comments on my page here about how they had already ordered the book and couldn't wait to read it! A lot of you emailed me about it.

OMG! OMG! OMG! Is THIS really happening?

And the last time I checked, the PRE ORDERS were STILL POURING IN.



Now, remember, PRE ORDERS will be open until September 1. AND....everyone who pre orders DAVID THORNE: The Golithian Orbs, will be able to have it autographed by me personally. Not to mention, those who do pre order it, will also save nearly ten dollars off the price it will be once it hits the open market on October 1.

So take a jaunty little stroll over to TRIAD Publishing Group's website and click on the black banner on the right side of the homepage. You'll know it when you see it. It's got four orbs (two blue, one red, one green), and then click on the "BUY THIS" on the next screen.

ENJOY it, my dear and cherished friends. As I said, I've put everything I have into this book, and nothing would make me happier than to know that DAVID THORNE: The Golithian Orbs is a book you WILL NEVER FORGET:)

And so, there it is:) The show was amazing! YOU are all AMAZING! And if I dare confess, everyone who HAS read the book so far has admitted not being able to put it down. So get your copy now and save yourself nearly ten dollars off the price the book will be once it hits the open market:)

Here is the show, for those who missed it. So grab your favorite comfy beverage and kick back. Enjoy, and feel free to leave your thoughts in your wake:) Like you, they are always welcome:)

GINORMOUS HUGS and SECRETS REVEALED:)
Cindy
author of:
DAVID THORNE: The Golithian Orbs
(Still feels so great to be able to say it publicly...YAY!)

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Okay so, in honor of the PRE ORDERS opening on JULY 1 (OMG! Only 6 days to go!), I decided to give you all a little taste of an important chapter of the book. Now, I know that I've posted the first three in the past, and they have all been amazingly well-received (THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH). Well, now I wanted you to get a glimpse at part of the book you've never read before. It's from one of my favorite chapters.

Enjoy! I'm dying to see what you all think of it.

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Even though the morning was bright, it seemed to grow darker in the neighborhood they soon found themselves in, where the buildings rose higher and were more closely situated. The shadows that fell over the streets spoke volumes about the daylight’s inability to penetrate the brick maze.

David could not help but wonder if this was a part of the city his friends had warned him about. Now he understood, and was glad Charlie and Raven hadn’t let him come alone.

When they turned a corner a while later, Raven leaned forward. “I think that’s it.” She pointed towards a black Gothic building, its towers and spires piercing the sky. The street was a mishmash of seedy shops, filthy-looking restaurants, condemned apartment buildings, and dishonest-looking street vendors. People moved along as if the black building was nothing to them, but David caught several pairs of eyes glancing at the building and turning away quickly.
Scanning the structure, David couldn’t help but hope Raven was wrong about it being the one they were looking for. He felt small and unsure at seeing how alive and watchful the building appeared. His heart awoke with a thud, and took on a bothersome beat.

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You know, when I sit and think about how much my life has changed just in the last six months, I have to stand back and wonder if it IS actually my life I'm walking through these days.

Six months ago, I was just a writer who was desperately trying to get my work out there. And ever since that day that TRIAD Publishing Group found and contacted me here on Myspace, my life has been an absolute whirlwind roller coaster ride that has been on a consistent upward climb.

I've been on the radio several times. I've been contacted by numerous magazines who want to interview me. I've made even MORE amazing friends as the days have passed by. Honestly, I have the MOST INCREDIBLE FRIENDS EVER, AND I LOVE YOU ALL!

AND.....OMG......Now, gauging from the response I've gotten here about the book, and the response my publishing house has gotten through their website, PRE ORDERS are expected to EXPLODE OFF THE CHARTS LIKE NEVER BEFORE FROM A DEBUT AUTHOR.

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is this for real? Is THIS really happening to ME? I feel like I'm walking on a cloud I just want to pitch a tent on!

It's just so hard to believe! I mean....I....I...I just...I'm speechless!

Thankfully, I'm not blogless.

I truly, from the bottom of my heart, want to thank you all for always being here to support me. Thank you all for the amazing friendships you and I now share. I can't begin to tell you all what you mean to me. I mean, seriously!

Now, don't forget, June 30, I'm going to be on BlogTalk Radio with the Fantabulous LESA at 8pm EST. I'm going to OFFICIALLY and FINALLY ANNOUNCE THE TITLE OF MY BOOK, and the WINNER of the CRACK THE CODE CONTEST. Plus, I'm finally going to actually TALK about the book and the series. TRUST ME, you DO NOT want to MISS THIS SHOW!

From what Lesa's told me, MY MAY APPEARANCE ON HER SHOW was the highest rated for the entire month. OMG! She told me I even rated well over a NY Times Best Selling Author!

WAIT? ME?
OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! YAY!

So don't miss the show June 30. PRE ORDERS OPEN 2 1/2 hours after the show ends. So,And if you could spread the word, I would be FOREVER grateful, and WOULD NEVER FORGET IT:)

OH, btw, here's the banner about the PRE ORDERS of MY BOOK. If you could copy and post it on your page, oh god, what that would mean to me! I mean, HONESTLY, I can not begin to find the words to thank you all the way you DESERVE to be thanked and honored for the amazing friends you truly are:)
And come July 1, 2008, you can place your pre orders for THE BOOK (hehe...what, did you think I'd let the title slip?) through TRIAD Publishing Group's Website. By July 1, there WILL be info on how and where to place those orders.


<a href="http://http://www.triadpublishinggroup.com"><img src="http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i94/spooky-gal/TRIADBannerExchange.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />



GINORMOUS HUGS and HUMBLING YAYs:)
Cindy





<a href="http://www.triadpublishinggroup.com"><img src="http://a56.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/33/l_7f86629382c2742f054b93e330ee3897.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />

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Okay so, I just wanted to let you all know that TREI Literary Magazine is OFFICIALLY CALLING FOR SUBMISSIONS!

YAY!

doin' the jig of publication joy.......

Now I know you all know that I'm the Editor-in-Chief of TREI, so you're probably thinking of asking me here what the submission requirements are, right?

Well, I'm not telling.......you have to go over to

TREI's Myspace page and check out the blog, "CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS.....OMG! THIS IS SO GOING TO ROCK THIS JOINT!!!!!!!!!!" to find out.

After all, I don't like repeating repeating myself.....and besides, it's funnier this way.....

Anywho, after you're done here, take a little jaunty hop over to CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS.....OMG! THIS IS SO GOING TO ROCK THIS JOINT!!!!!!!!!!. And after you do that, if you're not already a friend, add TREI Literary Magazine to your list. I'm telling you, I would NEVER steer you wrong, would I?

No I would not. Why? Because I truly care for and love all my friends, and I want to see you all SOAR!

GINORMOUS HUGS and INFINTE THINGS TO COME:)
Cindy

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Okay so, get this.......

Do you guys remember my short story, The Newcomers? The one I posted here a long time ago?

Well......IT'S GETTING PUBLISHED IN THE JUNE / JULY ISSUE OF NEXGEN PULP MAGAZINE!

OMG OMG OMG OMG

YAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!

I have to say, this particular story holds a special place in my heart. It really does. I wrote it a couple of years ago for a short story contest that was being held by Writers Digest.

It's about a woman who's desperate to get published, who goes to great lengths to "find" a story for a short story writing contest that promises publication of the winning piece. And what she finds is so much more.

Yes folks, it was a moral imperative that I write about that....

The woman in my story won the contest, but needless to say I didn't. But PISHAW to WD!

If I had won, who knows where it would have led me and to what hell-hole publisher too. I LOVE TRIAD....not that I've said that a few times or anything. And TRIAD is where I belong, so I'm glad I didn't win that contest.

So yeah, the story is getting published.......FINALLY! I was really heartbroken in thinking that this story would never get out. It's something every aspiring writer can really relate to.....well, at least up until the MURDER takes place....LOL

Hopefully not many can relate to that part of it. Unless it ended up like the story does, cuz that would be kinda cool actually...once the anger subsided, that is.....

So there it is, folks. Another dream realized. This is why I'm always telling everyone NEVER GIVE UP. Never let anyone EVER tell you you can't do it. NEVER let anyone tell you YOU ARE NOT good enough! AND NEVER LET ANYONE HOLD YOU DOWN! YOU CAN DO IT! You CAN! But if you don't try, all those ignorant nay-sayers win! And that's a slice of pie I don't ever intend to indulge in. And neither should you:)

It may take some time, but oh, when it happens, it happens BIG!Who knows what may come of it, and you won't until you try:)
I really want to thank NexGen Pulp Magazine for this AMAZING opportunity.

HUGS and Happy Writing:)
Cindy

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Okay so, before I go any further, I must officially introduce you all to my "snevil" (Thanks Joni) alter-ego, whom I call TYPOGIRL.

Funny thing about Typogirl, she tends to come out at the most inappropriate moments in my life, and she's even worked her way into my mouth, using me like a puppet in her red-cheek-inducing game of "Let's embarass Cindy...YAY YAY!"

Needless to say, it's not a game I enjoy, simply because she frustrates me to bloody hell! But last night, I must admit, Typogirl was at her finest. It was her shining moment in the proverbial sun. And for that I will try not to condemn her to hell as much or as often. She did after all, provide me with an historic moment in my publishing career.

So there I am last night, going about my Myspace business. You know, checking emails, comments, and blogs posted by my dear and cherished friends:)

So I click over to the SHADOW OF PARADOX blog to read Ravenn's post about TRIAD PUBLISHING GROUP'S one year anniversary, which was May 1.

You see, Ravenn posted a blog aptly titled: Happy Anniversary to TRIAD Publishing!

It was such a touching blog post. Really summoned up the warm and fuzzies. Now, realize, other people had already commented on the blog. So, naturally, I had to comment on this too, because, well, you DO know me, right?

Now, here's what I wrote: "And Ravenn:) Oh god, come on, it's RAVENN!!!!!!!! She's another VERN....Vern in a black gothic dress...:)"

At least that's what I thought I had written. And then I moved on to my business as usual....

So, later I find I have comments when I log back onto my page here, and what do I see? None other than Ravenn commenting back to me on my comment to her blog:

Her comment to me was, and I quote, and if you don't believe me, check my comments on my page and you'll see for yourself:

"ROFL!!! OMG, my friend, you have NEVER made me laugh so hard! I almost spit out my coffee! "And Ravenn:) Oh god, come on, it's RAVENN!!!!!!!! She's another VERN....Vern is a black gothic dress... :) I had no idea Vern was a piece of clothing!"

….

My initial reaction was

"WHAT??????? NO! I DID NOT CALL HIM A BLACK GOTHIC DRESS! NO! NO! NO! OMG! OMG! HAHAHAHAHA OMG! OMG! breathe, breathe, desperately gasping for air, OMG! OMG! OMG! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA OMG!

And when I finally caught my breath, I went back to her page and checked for myself, thinking surely Ravenn had read it wrong because I, who vehemently try to beat Typogirl to the punch, tend to go the extra mile to make sure I don't make mistakes in my blogs.

And sure enough….THERE IT WAS…THE COMMENT TO END ALL COMMENTS.

Yes, folks, I had made the most hilarious mistake in publishing history.

Clearly, what I MEANT to say was that "Ravenn was another Vern…Vern IN a black gothic dress." But Typogirl, it turns out, had been lurking in the shadows, waiting to pounce. And fortunately she won this round.

yeah, yeah, applause, applause…whoohoo (insert minor finger twirl here and a roll of the eyes)….bla bla bla…

Now some of you may say, "Hm, funny," and go on with your day. But, come on really try to put yourselves in my shoes for a minute or two and picture YOUR publisher. And try to imagine calling YOUR publisher a black gothic dress in an open forum for all the blogging world to see, when what you're actually doing is praising them.

Think long and hard about it and I think you might find the humor in this situation.

Needless to say, when I spoke with Vern today, he and I laughed so hard. And he went on to tell me that when Ravenn called him and asked him if he'd seen the comment I left, they cracked up to hell too!

So in honor of my near-fatal fashion Faupax, I leave you with this...

"DON'T ALWAYS WORRY TOO MUCH ABOUT TYPOS....BECAUSE SOMETIMES THEY CAN BE FUNNIER THAN ANYTHING YOU COULD HAVE STRUGGLED TO PUT OUT FOR THE SAKE OF MAKING OTHERS RACE TO THE NEAREST TOILET!" --C. L. Freire

VERN

Sorry Vern. But I had to do it. It was a moral imperative!

fingers crossed that you again laugh...and not growl at this blog....

HUGS, Black Gothic Dresses, and Bravos to Typogirls everywhere:)

Cindy

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Okay so, a lot of people have asked me when the book is coming out. So I posted the countdown timer to the release of The Book.

And lately, a lot of people have been asking me when pre orders are opening.

Well, I'm happy to say that....

THEY ARE OPENING ON:

JULY 1, 2008



Yes, my dear and cherished friends:) Come July 1, you can officially pre order the book. Pre Orders will be open until August 31.

Just wanted to let you all know. I can't wait for this book to come out....especially since it's coming out of such an AMAZING Publishing house as TRIAD Publishing Group. And also especially considering what the cover is going to look like when the OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD Illustrator, Doron Ben-Ami gets through with it!

I feel like dancing right now. Dancing and squealing, and singing (yes I can sing!), and YAYing forever. OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG

So I leave you all with this short yet newsy blog:




COSMOS FOR EVERYONE! WHOOHOO...COSMOS!

HUGS AND GREAT BIG GINORMOUS SMILES FOR YOU ALL:)
HAPPY PRE ORDERING:)
Cindy

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