Monday, June 3, 2013

Just a Quick Post

Hey everyone. How's it going? I thought I'd swing by and give you an update on what I've been doing.

It's been a gnarly couple of months, that's for sure. I managed to get 90% of the yard finished before the weather became too awful. My brother surprised my mother on Mother's Day and came down for a week and he helped me with my fence. (Truthfully, I think he just wanted to play with my father's John Deere tractor.)

I also stripped two bedrooms worth of wallpaper, painted ceilings and walls, not to mention stripping dressers and assorted furniture and restaining them. Let's not discuss the yard sale stuff that I keep adding to (But if I keep adding I'll never have the yard sale so I've got to stop at some point.) Then there's the old house that's just a time sucking nightmare. But it's on the market now, so if you know someone who wants to move to Winston, I've got a cute little house for sale. 3 bedrooms, big rumpus room, nice 1/2 acre fenced in back yard. (I'll send you the specs and pics if you want. email me at piedmontwriter at gmail)

Anyway, in April, Monster's school had a fund raising auction and the secretary decided that I should put my books as one of the prizes. I didn't think that was worth much, so I said, "Well, how about if I use their name in my next book?" and that was a good idea. But after I thought about it, I decided that if they really wanted to spend some money, (It was a fund raiser after all) I'd just write a story about them. And that was how it went down in the auction. The prize I donated was that if you won, I would write a Regency novella about YOU (or a person of your choosing). It was supposed to be a love story. Because after all, I am a romance writer.

However, it didn't work out that way. One of the teachers won and then gave it to her assistant. There's been a whole lot of back and forth with this story line, but I think I've worked it out and what I've come up with will be a fun little exercise in past lives and history lessons. At least, that's what I'm hoping for. We'll see how it ends up. (If you want to know more, there's a tab under my header called A Not So Secret Project on my Anne Gallagher blog.)

Also, in case you didn't know, or I didn't tell you (which I know I didn't) THE LADY'S MASQUERADE is
out across all venues in e-version. I've also been working on the paperback copy, and after one more run-through it should be ready to go sometime this week. What you may also want to know about this book is that I'll be holding a give-away on Goodreads for it during the month of June. Well, that's the plan anyway. So check over there if you'd like a copy. I'm giving away 3.

I'm also going through all my other books to get them ready for paperback. Yes, they were already out once, but after making so many changes I needed to revise them. I also revised all my e-versions so they're totally up-to-date. That's the nice thing about self-publishing. I can always change what I don't like.

I've also been outlining my next books like a crazy person. I've never outlined before, well, precisely outlined like a synopsis, so it's been fun. I have no idea if I'm going to use them, but it's been a fun exercise. I've also developed a few more little short stories for my Robynne Rand personna, but haven't sat down to write anything yet. I don't really have the time just yet. Although, not having written for 5 months, the itch is definitely starting to grow.

So that's it. That's where I am and what I've been doing. Not really all that exciting, but that's fine for me.

Tell me -- What have you been up to?

Anne Gallagher (c) 2013

14 comments:

Bish Denham said...

My goodness Anne, you have been a whirlwind of activity. I, on the other hand, have been wallowing (somewhat) in self-pity.

Stina said...

I feel lazy compared to what you've accomplished over the past month. :P

Anne Gallagher said...

Bish -- Oh, I know. I feel so bad for you. But Ursa's in a much better place. And if it's any comfort, she's playing with my Fred and Lili and Boghz. Because as you know, All Dogs Go To Heaven.

Stina -- Don't feel lazy on my account. This is just all the stuff I've been putting off since last year. I'm a Type A so I need the adrenaline of a deadline to inspire me.

Sarah Ahiers said...

yay for all the house work getting done!
And i think i've told you that i have a soft spot for the Lady's Masquerade, since that was the query you were working on when we met and became internet buddies.
Nothing much new for me. Still revising my WIP, still loving it. Still querying the other one. Same ol'.
Though i did have a YA short story accepted for pub. I don't know if you were around when i announced that. It should hopefully be out this month some time

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

Wow, you've been some kinda busy. Good to see you're enthusiastic about working on your books again.

The paperback version of my book FINALLY made it to Amazon today. When I emailed them to ask why it was taking so long, they told me their "records" showed it had been available since the 20th. Took a couple more back-and-forths before somebody finally LOOKED at the darned site. Bottom line, they finally made reality match up with their darned "records."

(Again, thank you.)

dolorah said...

Wow, you've been busy busy.

.........dhole

Linda G. said...

Holy guacamole, you've been busy! Glad to see you back here. :)

Michelle D. Argyle said...

Sweet about Lady's Masquerade! I want to get a paperback copy of that one. :) And how fun about that contest! I don't think I'm creative enough writer to pull off something like that, so I'm seriously impressed! So, so awesome. :)

I'm finally starting my 10th book after a long break. Yay!

Elliot Grace said...

...Winston, that's a bummer. I've been looking closely at Wilmington as of late, it'll be a couple years before the family commits to the southerly movement, but Wilmington...quite close to South Port, feeling a buzz for that area.

Congrats on the E-expansion, I know it'll do well ;)

El

Bish Denham said...

Hi Anne. I've left you an award on my blog, one I feel you very much deserve.

Rula Sinara said...

You've been busy!! Getting a house ready for sale is so stressful.

Loved hearing about the school auction. What a great idea! Too fun :)

You sound like you're on a roll!

J.B. Chicoine said...

Been missing you Gallagher!

Bossy Betty said...

You've been busy! Love the idea of the prize. Who wouldn't want to star in one of our books?

DL Hammons said...

So, June must have been crazy busy for you because we haven't heard from you. Here's hoping that's a good thing! :)