Okay, this just went live at Dafeenah - questions about writing, getting published, and the next novel. Thanks, Dafeenah - you rock!
Ann Carbine Best’s book, “In The Mirror,” was released this past Tuesday. It’s a powerful memoir and I admire the strength required to tell this story. Go check it out and give Ann a hug!
Wendy Tyler Ryan also had a book release this week – “Fire’s Daughter” Go admire the fireworks at her blog and tell her congratulations!
I’ve been grateful for all the awesome reviews of CassaStar, but this one really surprised me. I’ve followed Aleta’s BLOG for a while now and I had no idea she was reading my book until Monday night when it appeared at the top of my Google Reader. I was stunned! And if you’ve never visited Aleta’s blog, you need to pay her a visit. The only way I can describe it is ‘love.’
Now, I invite your to check out my Fantastic Friday Writers partners, as we have some new members - Elizabeth Mueller, Anastasia V. Pergakis, J. D. Brown, Deirdra Eden Coppel, M. Pax at Wistful Nebulae, Jeffrey Beesler at World of the Scribe, Charlene A. Wilson, and Andrew Cooper. I’m sure their take on this subject is better than mine!
Query Letters – Tips and Advice
That topic made me chuckle. Advice? From me? I think the only thing I did right on my query letter was make it short. My synopsis was a whole six lines. Pretty sure I spelled every word correctly as well. Yeah, I can tell I’m really rocking your world with those tips!
However, I can tell you where to go for great feedback! Matthew at The Quintessentially Questionable Query Experiment posts and critiques query letters every week. He provides a full analysis and others add their two cents worth in the comments. Matthew is a sharp dude and his suggestions are awesome. So, if you want some REAL advice, visit his site!
And I’m seeing Pirates of the Caribbean this weekend. Anyone care to come along and keep me amused in case it sucks? I’ll splurge for the Hot Tamales…
Wonderful review by Aleta!
ReplyDeleteI notice your followers are 777, is that magic or what?!
You're too kind, thanks for the shout out and the linkage, Alex!
ReplyDeleteMake it sour skittles and I am there! I have seen ALL of these films anc can't wait for the new one to go DVD so I can watch it. It is one of the very few I actually know lol.
ReplyDeleteIt's a date!! Yay!!! Much as I'm Mr Depp's loyal parrot, I quite like to see gorgeous pouty and doe-eyed Ms Cruz swashbuckle away!
ReplyDeleteAnd yay for Ann!!! She's a star!!! Yay too for Wendy Tyler Ryan!!
More Yays for Aleta too!!!
Yay!! take care
x
Well ok, if you promise to up for the hot tamales! ;-)
ReplyDeleteHey - great review, dude - kudos!
Marvin D Wilson
Yay, for all the releases!! Congrats to the authors. Yeah, Matt rocks. 'Nuf, said. :)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see Pirates with you...but it has to be with Snow Caps, not Hot Tamales! Looking forward to your review, since I won't get to see it for a while.
ReplyDeleteI don't often go to the cinema but for you how could I refuse.....so will make an exception.
ReplyDeleteGood post as always.
Yvonne.
i'm not sure if we'll be able to hit pirates this weekend. We want to, but half the fam is on a canoe trip and they don't want us to see it without them, so it all depends when they get back. Le sigh
ReplyDeleteI pretty much told writers to keep fighting the good fight when it comes to query letters today, Alex, so don't feel too bad.
ReplyDeleteI see some new names under your Fantastic Friday Writers. I'll check them out this morning and meet some new people.
ReplyDeleteAnd querying is in my immediate future too. Trying to put one together for my second book.
Thank you, Gail! And maybe that is a magic number...
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Matthew!
Dafeenah, you're on!
Cool Kitty - I have a date now as well!
Marvin, I never renig on Tamales...
Liza, snow caps - check!
Yvonne, you'll be so close soon, we should!
Sarah, just go and don't tell them...
Jeffrey, if people are coming here for serious author tips, they are in trouble anyway!
I wonder how many more movies they'll make.
ReplyDeleteYeah for al this news!! So glad the good reviews are coming in for you!
ReplyDeleteAww, Alex. Thank you. For your kind words and for sharing your talent with CassaStar. Any heads up on when the Sequel is coming out? :)
ReplyDeleteI'm planning on seeing Pirates of the Caribbean tonight with Greg.
My family went for pirates yeterday...I had to miss it :(. They came back all cooing about it, apparently was totally worthwhile on 3D and iMax!
ReplyDeleteGreat review indeed!
ReplyDeleteAlex: thanks so much for the shout out. I know Ann would be thrilled too.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen! That's a lot of reading.
ReplyDeleteAleta, thank YOU, and I'll keep you posted!
Damy, that's good to know.
Wendy, you're welcome! Sorry it had to wait until today.
Congrats on another great review.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear what you think of the new Pirates movie. I'm a little dubious myself, but I hope it's good.
Tell you what, it really sucks! I watched it.
ReplyDeleteVery nice to get a good review. Fun to be surprised by it, as well.
ReplyDeleteHope you and the wife have a good weekend. I'm headed to the shop soon, but later next week, we go on holiday for 10 days.
Woohoo!
Thanks for the book suggestions, Alex. Will check them out!
ReplyDeleteOh, I want to see Pirates. Let us know what you think! Come share your favorite blogs! http://writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteHolly, I'll let you know!
ReplyDeleteFresh, I'm not going in with high expectations.
Whisk, enjoy your holiday! We're taking a vacation next weekend.
Well, at least you know where to go for query help. :)
ReplyDeleteI'll go see POTC with you if you buy me nachos! I *heart* nachos as much as I *heart* Johnny Depp...
I'm going to try to see the new Pirates this weekend with Manly Man. I really hope it doesn't suck!
ReplyDeleteI didn't like the last two Pirates movies, but we'll probably see it anyway.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the round-up and congrats on the reviews. Me, I'm still trying to work out what the last Pirates movie was all about ...
ReplyDeleteAlex, do not believe the grumpy critics. POTC 4 doesn't suck AT ALL!:) Go see it.
ReplyDeleteI'm so there! But you can keep the Hot Tamales. I'll stick with popcorn. :)
ReplyDeleteJD, you can have your nachos and Depp!
ReplyDeleteNebular, I'll be in the theater tonight!
I hope it doesn't suck. Johnny Depp is so fun as Jack Sparrow. Hope it's good!
ReplyDeleteThrow in some Junior Mints and I'm sold. I read it ain't worth seeing - sorry to mention this - but you can't go wrong with Johnny Depp and piracy. Right?
ReplyDeletexoRobyn
Will check out these bloggers. Your book is actually on my list.
ReplyDeleteI hope the new Pirates is better than the last two.
I'm going to see PotC 4! I HAVE to. What kind of pirate would I be if I didn't go see that movie?!?! I've seen them all in the theater, along with all the Harry
ReplyDeletePotter movies. And even if people say it isn't worth seeing, make that decision for yourself. I am all for movie reviews, but I've enjoyed lots of movies others have said "sucked".
Have a great weekend Alex!
I will be begging for Matt's help soon. Thanks for the tips on who to pop in on today. :)
ReplyDeleteSee you at the cinema !!
ReplyDeleteI would require M&Ms instead of the Hot Tamales...
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy the movie! My favorite PoC movie was the first one.
I look forward to his criticism of Pirates of the Caribbean 4. The above does not dislike me, but I think Deep overact.
ReplyDeleteLydia, it didn't suck!
ReplyDeleteRobyn, it was worth seeing.
Jo, thanks! And it was - by a lot.
Mel, it's rare I pick a dud - I just go and enjoy.
MJ, mine as well.
Thanks for the query tips - every little bit helps.
ReplyDeleteHi Alex. Jam packed with cool links today. Thanks. I might even check out a few. How could Pirates disappoint? Hope it's great. Will see it soon.
ReplyDeleteJust saw your comment at KarenG's about your wallpaper. I've seen where you got it when I was searching for one for my flashquake blog. It's really cool. Here's to wallpapers! To each his own I say!
Denise<3
How kind of you to highlight my book along with the other wonderful writers. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWell, I don't really write romance either. (This is my response to your comment on my poem I posted today.) I'm just trying to come up with something because I'm very fond of those women who are doing the Friday Romance Writers. So I've been searching through old poems....
And you have Friday Writers. I'm going to check some of them out now to see what THEY'RE writing.
Alex I would indeed come with to the Pirates. I can't get enough of Depp as Sparrow. Hope it's good.
ReplyDeleteKeep it short & spell the words right. Got it! :)
ReplyDeleteOff to check off the links...
Let us know about Pirates. I like the upgrade in lady talent. Can't wait to see it, despite the reviews.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of reviews, you deserve every good one you get.
i lost interest after the first one
ReplyDeleteThanks for the links, Alex...
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
Exciting book releases!
ReplyDeleteI think this Pirates is going to be pretty good. In spite of Penelope Cruz. The first one was great, but they messed it up with the trilogy. This being a stand alone story, I think it'll live up to the first one.
Wow, 777 and now 779. I just saw
ReplyDeletethe Runaway Train movie...whoah! I screamed, cheered and chewed the box of the Hot Tamales...hubby ate them. I got the box, lol
enJOY...I can't wait to hear your review. I do have him lined up to go see Super 8; if he bales I'm going anyway!
I have no idea what a hot tamale is, but willing to give it a go! I enjoyed the interview over at Dafeenah's and was interested you'd worked with an adult literacy programme. My time doing that was very rewarding - I almost miss it...I hope Pirates doesn't disappoint, looks like you'll have quite a crowd, so boredom won't be an issue!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the links, Alex :D LEt us know how Pirates 4 goes. I'm fearing that it'll just be 'The Johnny Depp Movie' :P
ReplyDeleteAwesome links and fabulous review!
ReplyDeleteRusty, thanks for humoring me!
ReplyDeleteDenise, it's one of the Blogger wallpapers, but I've never seen anyone else use it. I like my wallpaper and the unique touch it gives my blog!
You're welcome, Ann. And if I wrote romance, it would make people fall out of love.
Jemi, yeah, deep huh?
Thanks, Cheeseboy.
Mack, they went downhill after the first, but the new one's fun.
Karen, it was good, not great, but a big improvement over the last two. And I don't like Cruz much either.
Ellie, wasn't it good? And Super 8 looks amazing.
Sue it was rewarding and frustrating, but I'm glad I did it. Thanks for reading the interview!
Jamie, it wasn't!
am too seeing pirates, don't care for the greatness... it is jack sparrow... i find his character refreshing in a dirty pirate way, though i am all ready missing elizabeth swan...
ReplyDeletei will have two tamales unless we are talking about the candy, then a box...
Hello my sweet bloggy friend. Another one well done!I always enjoy my visits to your blog.I wanted to mention that the new giveaway is up, it would be a nice prize for you to give as a gift! xo
ReplyDeleteI'm in the thinking stage of my query. And synopsis. Hate both of those, so your timing here is perfect.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the query link and congrats on the awesome review! :) Have fun at the movies. Hope it doesn't suck!
ReplyDeleteJeremy, tamales - you're a tough hombre!
ReplyDeleteCarol, they are never easy.
Catherine, it didn't suck!
Congrats! And, enjoy Pirates! :)
ReplyDeleteI've been here most of the morning following all the links from this post and the last. Thanks for the enjoyable morning (morning for me anyway).
ReplyDelete......dhole
As usual, I'm finding lots of great links on your blog. Can't wait to hear you take on 'Pirates' before I go see it.
ReplyDeleteNew here *waves* Glad I stopped by! And I will be seeing Pirates this weekend so PLEASE keep any future posts spoiler-free, at least for the next few days :D
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! You've been getting some terrific news. This weekend, I saw Pirates of the Caribbean in 3D. And Saturday, I saw Thor. Pirates was good, but I though Thor was better.
ReplyDeleteAlex - Congrats on the review. YAY!!! I so want to see Pirates... okay, it's all Johnny Depp!
ReplyDeleteA movie I have actually seen and enjoyed. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post and thanks for the query tips. ;0
Donna, thanks for following the links!
ReplyDeleteSusan, thanks, and my review will be up tomorrow.
Hey, Barbara! Don't worry, I never give anything away.
Thanks Helen, and I have to agree with you.
RaShelle, at least you're honest!
Nice review. And can't wait to hear your thoughts on Pirates as I'm going to see it next week.
ReplyDeleteDid you see Pirates of the Caribbean yet? Greg thought the first one was better, but I enjoyed this one too. Loved the mermaids :)
ReplyDeleteLotsa good stuff going on these days. Hope you're having a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteI wish I was going to the movies with you! I'm dying to see the next installment of Pirates. I'll miss Kiera and Orlando but as long as Johnny is back as Capt. Jack, it's all good :)
ReplyDeleteGeof, look for it tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteAleta, not as good as the first, but I liked it more than the last two.
Talli, the weekend was gone just like that!
MsHatch, Depp was Depp!
Oooh, I can't wait to see Pirates! And yes, Matthew has a great blog for queries!
ReplyDeleteOh I want to see it too...Count me in....I'll smuggle in some popcorn and drinks...
ReplyDeletecongrats for the great interview and the fantastic review. Hope you enjoy Pirates. I haven't seen it yet, but want to. (Can't miss Johnny!)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the good news. I love to read those kind of posts. :)Congrats on the great interview!
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone and Pirates was fun!
ReplyDelete