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Friday, November 4, 2011

The Ninja News… and More!

Guest post!

I’m honored to have a guest post this afternoon at TL Conway’s site giving a convincing argument that NaNo Novels Can Rock!

Thanks again to Lynda at W.I.P. It for allowing me to talk about writer support on her blog this week!

New Books!

Elizabeth S. Craig’s new book came out on Tuesday - Hickory Smoked Homicide.

Donna Shield’s book, The Swan Cove Murders, comes out November 9.



Groups!

Charity Bradford’sBirth of a Novel Blog Chain is available for those not officially participating in NaNo. (And she’s looking for guests.)

Sommer Leigh’s group is for those officially participating in NaNo.
(You’re covered either way!)



Giveaways and Awards!

Lydia Kang is hosting an awesome 1000 followers giveaway.

Karen is hosting the Best Awards Show Ever Blog Awards. Nominate your favorite today.

The 411 Movie Awards are still in the nomination stage. I’ve been nominated for Best Science Fiction Blog and Best Blog Post (for the Worst Movies Ever Blogfest.) But, it’s only the top five nominated blogs who go on to the voting stage! George at Cinemarvellous! had been nominated for Gold and Best Design and Melissa at Melissa’s Imaginarium for Sexiest Female Blogger, so don’t forget these awesome bloggers when casting your nomination.



Fests and Opportunities!

The A to Z Challenge blog is up, so be sure to follow to get all the news on this awesome challenge for next April.

Dave Wrote This is hosting The Noughties Blogfest on November 14.

And Draven at Another Slightly Scary Story is looking for short scary stories or guest posts.


To wrap it up, this week’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group! posts were amazing and so heartfelt. You guys are awesome in the way you supported one another. Which I appreciate, because try as I might, this Ninja can’t be everywhere…

And yes, now I understand the obsession of checking Amazon rankings. I can’t help it - it’s freaking me out!

Don’t forget to visit TL Conway’s site this afternoon for NaNo Novels Can Rock!

That’s the Ninja News. I’m your host, Ninja Captain Alex…

Whew! Did I miss anything? Any movies this weekend? How is Nano coming along? (And since so many of you are writing, I just might take Monday off. But be back Wednesday for an awesome guest post from another Ninja!)
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103 comments:

  1. AnonymousNovember 4, 2011 at 6:15 AM

    We are going to try to see that Hugh Jackman movie today (forget the title) but it's the one where he trains the robots. My husband wants to see it; I'd like to see Hugh Jackman. ;-) Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anne GallagherNovember 4, 2011 at 6:17 AM

    How do you keep up with all this stuff? I barely know it's Friday.

    I guess that's why they call you Captain Alex.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Alex J. CavanaughNovember 4, 2011 at 6:21 AM

    Liz, Real Steel! Heard it's fun,

    Anne, this Ninja gets around.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Donna ShieldsNovember 4, 2011 at 6:21 AM

    It must be your Ninja mind keeping up with everyone.

    Thank you for the mention.

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  5. Mary@GigglesandGunsNovember 4, 2011 at 6:36 AM

    Wow! So much going on I have to read this again.
    Happy weekend!

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  6. CiaraNovember 4, 2011 at 6:43 AM

    Wow, you do it all! I hope you have a great weekend and enjoy your break on Monday.

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  7. Natalie AguirreNovember 4, 2011 at 6:47 AM

    Awesome that you were nominated best blog. Congrats!

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  8. Alex J. CavanaughNovember 4, 2011 at 6:53 AM

    Donna, you're welcome.

    Thanks and everyone have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Marta SzemikNovember 4, 2011 at 7:02 AM

    Good morning. Great Wrap up Alex! I need my coffee then I'll start scrolling through everything again :)

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  10. Old KittyNovember 4, 2011 at 7:04 AM

    My head just exploded with all these hip n happ'ning things!! YAYYAYAYYAY!

    big hugs! Off I go to vote for the Cap'n!

    Take care
    x

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  11. Old KittyNovember 4, 2011 at 7:08 AM

    ERm... ok... my grey cells are greyer and older - you;ve been NOMINATED and the voting is not yet happening.

    I need coffee.

    And hugs!

    Take care
    x

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  12. A Daft Scots LassNovember 4, 2011 at 7:18 AM

    My noughties blogfest is already written.

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  13. Isis RushdanNovember 4, 2011 at 7:19 AM

    I hope to have time to see The Three Musketeers this weekend. Lots going on, not so sure I'll make it to the cinema, but I'm going to try.

    Enjoy your down day on Mon!

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  14. Will BurkeNovember 4, 2011 at 7:21 AM

    Wow, this really is the hub of All Things Wonderful, isn't it? I'll look forward to another Melody Hill review, but I won't read any untill I've posted mine, just so I'm not influenced. I am enjoying the album, though, and "On the other side" keeps getting stuck in my head!

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  15. Rusty CarlNovember 4, 2011 at 7:24 AM

    I don't know if I'll see a movie this weekend, probably not. My Nano is going slower than I thought it would. Mostly because I chucked my outline about 10 words in to the story. I must be doing it wrong.

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  16. T. Powell ColtrinNovember 4, 2011 at 7:37 AM

    Awesome stuff, Alex. So much good news that it will make my Friday even better.

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  17. TonjaNovember 4, 2011 at 7:47 AM

    I think I slept all week - can't believe it's Friday. Off to your guest post (the link isn't right but easy enough to figure out).

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  18. Jessica BellNovember 4, 2011 at 8:03 AM

    I think I'll take April off blogging next year :o) PS: I get ya on the Amazon thing ... lol

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  19. Alex J. CavanaughNovember 4, 2011 at 8:16 AM

    Kitty, you can still nominate me! The blogs with the most nominations in each category go on to the voting stage.

    Will, it wasn't my normal fare, but I was really impressed.

    Rusty, you changed horses, didn't you?

    Tonja, sorry, I fixed it.

    Jessica, you can relate...

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  20. LisaNovember 4, 2011 at 8:41 AM

    I wonder when you chose Ninja, you knew you were going to be this efficient and quick!

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  21. Matthew MacNishNovember 4, 2011 at 8:50 AM

    Wow. You are seriously the busiest dude in the world.

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  22. UnknownNovember 4, 2011 at 9:09 AM

    I think i am with Anne on this one, how do you keep up? Great work! :)

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  23. Sommer LeighNovember 4, 2011 at 9:16 AM

    Thanks for the shout out! The NaNoers on my list are doing awesome!!!

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  24. AnonymousNovember 4, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    I'm keeping on task with NaNo, and I'm super happy you did a post about how NaNo rocks. This is my first year and so far I'm keeping pace and loving it. We'll see how it goes at the end of the month!

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  25. Bossy BettyNovember 4, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    Love keeping up with you and the news, Alex. Such energy! Can I have some of what you are having? Please?

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  26. JulesNovember 4, 2011 at 9:45 AM

    Man Captain, the warp drive is near overload! I thought this was suppose to be a slow month. :)
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  27. Charity BradfordNovember 4, 2011 at 10:14 AM

    Yay! Thanks for the shout out Alex. I hope you have a great weekend.

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  28. TL ConwayNovember 4, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    Thanks for the mention and for the great guest post!

    No movie plans for me this weekend. Instead, I have a hot date with my NaNo novel. I'm seeing pots of coffee, sweatpants, and lots of snack food in my future.

    Oh yeah, and laundry. Stupid chores... :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Carol KilgoreNovember 4, 2011 at 10:36 AM

    You covered lots here.
    Happy Weekend!

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  30. ~Sia McKye~November 4, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    Lord have mercy, Alex. You're like the energizer bunny.

    I'll have to check out your guest blog.

    Have a good weekend!

    Sia McKye's Thoughts...OVER COFFEE

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  31. RaShelle WorkmanNovember 4, 2011 at 11:02 AM

    Congrats on the nominations! You know I'll be voting for you. =D

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  32. Alex J. CavanaughNovember 4, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    Sommer, you are welcome!

    Betty, you may have some Ninja energy

    Charity, you're welcome.

    TL, thank you!

    RaShelle, thank you!

    And I just keep track of stuff...

    ReplyDelete
  33. Margo KellyNovember 4, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    Great links! thanks.

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  34. Laila KnightNovember 4, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    Tons of great links as always. I'll have to sign up for one. We just had a death in the family so I haven't been able to make it through all the insecure writers. Have a great weekend, Alex. I might not post till midweek either. :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. mooderinoNovember 4, 2011 at 12:10 PM

    Excellent roundup. Ever consider starting your own youtube channel for writers?

    mood
    Moody Writing
    @mooderino
    The Funnily Enough

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  36. MarkNovember 4, 2011 at 12:15 PM

    NanoWritign that works, sound encouraging! Thanks again for pushing the Insecure Writer's Group along, it's really blossoming into something cool:)

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  37. Donna K. WeaverNovember 4, 2011 at 12:24 PM

    That A to Z challenge is an amazing experience. I learned tons when I did it this year, including how to prepare posts early and schedule them for later release.

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  38. Michael Offutt, Phantom ReaderNovember 4, 2011 at 12:31 PM

    I read somewhere that if Alex takes a day off, a ninja chops the head off of a kitten. Seeing as you are the ninja master...all that blood is on your hands.

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  39. Tara TylerNovember 4, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    have a great wknd, super ninja!

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  40. Alex J. CavanaughNovember 4, 2011 at 12:41 PM

    Laila, I am so sorry! Prayers for your family.

    Moody, that is an idea!

    Mark, I'm just amazed at it's growth.

    Michael, but it's just Tawney Kittaen, so it's all right.

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  41. Empty Nest InsiderNovember 4, 2011 at 1:38 PM

    I'll have to catch up on some of the links. Congratulations again on your nomination! We might see Tower Heist this weekend. Julie

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  42. Christine RainsNovember 4, 2011 at 2:05 PM

    Thanks for the news and the links. And congratulations on winning a signed postcard from Cherie Reich. NaNo is going well so far. I need to get off Blogger, though!

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  43. HelenaNovember 4, 2011 at 2:07 PM

    Congrats on the nomination! I knew some guys who were training for Ninja Warrior competitions -- kinda scary guys. But you're a very good Ninja too.

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  44. Golden EagleNovember 4, 2011 at 4:54 PM

    Thanks for all the links!

    Congratulations on being nominated!

    NaNo's going well . . . I'm not as far along as I'd like to be, but hopefully I'll write a lot over the weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise)November 4, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    Boy are you ever a busy beaver over here. All this fascinatin' info is makin' my head spin.

    Congratulations on the nomee, best of luck to ya.

    God bless and have a wonderful weekend Man!!!

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  46. SuzeNovember 4, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    I so want to do the A-Z! I just missed it last year and I've been looking forward to participating this time! :) :)

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  47. Jo SchafferNovember 4, 2011 at 5:53 PM

    Just watched an amazing Korean film on Netflix called- Castaway on the Moon. So good.

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  48. Lydia KangNovember 4, 2011 at 6:03 PM

    Thank you, host Ninja Captain Alex! Wow, that's a long title. HNCA. That works, sort of. :D

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  49. RHYTHM AND RHYMENovember 4, 2011 at 6:37 PM

    How do you keep up with everything Alex? and comment on people's blogs.

    Have a great week-end.
    Yvonne.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Rawknrobyn.blogspot.comNovember 4, 2011 at 7:12 PM

    I can't imagine you missed anything, Alex. Good luck with NaNo and thanks for the never-ending supply of brownies.
    xoRobyn

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  51. Alex J. CavanaughNovember 4, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    Julie, let me know wha thou think do Tower Heist.

    Helena, I'm not that scary.

    Nezzy, you as well! So much energy.

    Thanks, guys. Trying to keep up!

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  52. Susan Gourley/KelleyNovember 4, 2011 at 9:11 PM

    I really enjoy Insecure Day. There are so many great blogs to visit I spend three days trying to get to as many as I can. Can't wait for A to Z.

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  53. Jemi FraserNovember 4, 2011 at 10:33 PM

    That's a LOT! between nano and report cards, I haven't been very active in the bloggy-verse this week. Hopefully better next week :)

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  54. AnonymousNovember 4, 2011 at 10:50 PM

    You're always on top of everything going on... love the new places I discover through your blog... nice one:)

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  55. Arlee BirdNovember 4, 2011 at 11:41 PM

    That's a lot of links. Thanks for the A to Z plug.


    Lee
    Wrote By Rote

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  56. UnknownNovember 5, 2011 at 12:42 AM

    Thanks for the awesome linkage! Checked out your post at TL's blog and it was very inspiring. You are so wonderful at encouraging others.

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  57. AnonymousNovember 5, 2011 at 1:56 AM

    Wow! That's a lot of events! Best wishes to all releasing books. I know Elizabeth and Donna and wish them the best!

    I'll start Nano this weekend. I'm a notoriously slow starter but I'm built for endurance and sprint for the finish.

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  58. LeoviNovember 5, 2011 at 6:57 AM

    Congratulations on the nomination, I hope to see you in the voting phase.

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  59. Alex J. CavanaughNovember 5, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    Susan, I know - I haven't visited all of them either.

    Melissa, thank you.

    Stephen, it's not too late.

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  60. UnspokenNovember 5, 2011 at 12:25 PM

    Alex! How in the world do you keep up with all this stuff? I am stunned here regularly!

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  61. George Beremov [Nebular]November 5, 2011 at 12:29 PM

    Hickory Smoked Homicide's cover looks incredible.

    Thanks for the shout out, Alex. I hope that your incredible army will support all of us during the voting. :)

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  62. Karen LangeNovember 5, 2011 at 3:04 PM

    Lots of great links! Thanks!

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  63. S.A. LarsenッNovember 5, 2011 at 4:35 PM

    Thanks for all the links, especially the A to Z! I'll be heading over.

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  64. alexiaNovember 5, 2011 at 11:42 PM

    Whew, lots of stuff going on! Makes my head spin a bit. I can totally see myself getting obsessed with Amazon rankings when I get published... scary :)

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  65. Enid WilsonNovember 6, 2011 at 12:29 AM

    Awesome stuff, Alex. I need to get back to things.

    My Darcy Vibrates…

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  66. Author A.O. PeartNovember 6, 2011 at 1:18 AM

    Great links, Alex. Thank you for sharing them.

    As for the movies, I have "Blue", the first from the Three Colors trilogy movie by Krzysztof Kieslowski - I need to watch it tomorrow. Here is the link http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Blue/60025677?trkid=1660

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  67. LeoviNovember 6, 2011 at 5:38 AM

    Donna's book promises to be very well.

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  68. Alex J. CavanaughNovember 6, 2011 at 10:43 AM

    She rights, I'm just a Ninja! Been slacking this weekend though.

    George, I hope they do as well!

    Alexia, I never used to look either.

    Angela, I'll check it out.

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  69. UnknownNovember 6, 2011 at 11:19 AM

    Awesome!! Thanks, Alex. Off to read your guest post!

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  70. Lynda R Young as Elle CardyNovember 6, 2011 at 3:04 PM

    You are truly a rocking ninja legend. Thanks again for your fantastic guest post.

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  71. TerryLynnJohnsonNovember 6, 2011 at 5:48 PM

    Holy Ninja! You are amazing to keep up with everything!

    tip of the day - step away from the Amazon rankings!!!

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  72. Jennie BaileyNovember 7, 2011 at 2:07 AM

    NaNo novels CAN rock! Love that - and needed the encouragement from that. I'm only a little over 10,000 words in. I am LOVING it!

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  73. Civil War Horror (Sean McLachlan)November 7, 2011 at 7:31 AM

    Hickory Smoked Homicide? Mmmm. . .I love barbeque.

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  74. Mary@GigglesandGunsNovember 7, 2011 at 8:55 AM

    There's so much here, if you missed anything dn't tink anyone would spot it.

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  75. Maurice MitchellNovember 7, 2011 at 9:37 AM

    I am so excited about the A-Z challenge blog. These news posts are great for catching up! BTW we gave you a "Pied Piper" award! Head over to http://geektwins.blogspot.com/2011/11/friends-friday-catch-cassafire-blog.html to pick it up.

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  76. LynnRushNovember 7, 2011 at 10:39 AM

    I really enjoyed the Insecure Writer's Support Group posts as well.

    This is a great post. Thanks for sharing, ALEX. Have a SUPER Week.

    ReplyDelete
  77. Alex J. CavanaughNovember 7, 2011 at 10:48 AM

    Lynda, thank YOU!

    Terry, is that a warning of something bad...?

    Jennie, keep on rocking.

    Maurice, thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  78. Emily R. KingNovember 7, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    I haven't reached the point when I'm checking Amazon ratings. In fact, I never even thought of it. Tells you how far away I am from being published. *sigh* I wish I had your problems! :D

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  79. MarkNovember 7, 2011 at 11:53 AM

    Really getting into the insecure writers group, ti just keeps growing:)

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  80. Pat TillettNovember 7, 2011 at 1:08 PM

    Alex, your energy and ability juggle so many plates is amazing...

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  81. Julie DaoNovember 7, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    Ok, I really gotta check out this insecure writer's support group. I really need it. And congrats again on climbing the Amazon charts - don't worry too much about it ;) Thanks for the updates, Ninja Captain!

    ReplyDelete
  82. Nicki ElsonNovember 7, 2011 at 2:11 PM

    I'm exhausted just reading this list!

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  83. CindyNovember 7, 2011 at 2:17 PM

    I noticed your book moving up. Congrats!

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  84. Julie MusilNovember 7, 2011 at 2:18 PM

    I'm off to check out your guest post :D

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  85. Jemi FraserNovember 7, 2011 at 9:38 PM

    So many awesome links! So little time... NaNo and report cards are eating my life right now!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  86. Alex J. CavanaughNovember 7, 2011 at 10:57 PM

    ER, you will some day - just believe!

    Mark, yes it does!

    Pat, fortunately I really know how to juggle.

    Julie, please join us.

    Cindy, thanks!

    Jemi, don't get eaten alive.

    ReplyDelete
  87. Susan FieldsNovember 8, 2011 at 7:51 AM

    That is a lot of news! Congrats on your nominations!

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  88. UnknownNovember 8, 2011 at 9:12 AM

    I think far too many people make far too big a deal about the quality of NaNo projects. To be clear, I've never attempted it, but I don't see why drafting something for NaNo would be much different than drafting in any other time; which is to say it's all going to a little rough around the edges.

    It's always the work you do after drafting that's going to make a story sparkle or not. Just my thoughts ...

    Great Ninja work Alex!

    EJ

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  89. Talli RolandNovember 8, 2011 at 9:30 AM

    I'm with Anne - how on earth do you keep up with everything going on? Crazy! Ha, welcome to the crazy world of Amazon rankings!

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  90. Talli RolandNovember 8, 2011 at 9:30 AM

    I'm with Anne - how on earth do you keep up with everything going on? Crazy! Ha, welcome to the crazy world of Amazon rankings!

    ReplyDelete
  91. Alex J. CavanaughNovember 8, 2011 at 10:06 AM

    Thanks, Susan.

    AJ, exactly. Any manuscript requires preparation and then a lot of cleanup.

    Talli, it is crazy! I keep watching it bounce up and down.

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  92. LunaNovember 8, 2011 at 10:39 AM

    Wow! You are my go-to person for what's going on in the blogging world.

    See you Wednesday!

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  93. UnspokenNovember 8, 2011 at 11:20 AM

    It makes me tired to imagine compiling all these links :)!

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  94. DaveNovember 8, 2011 at 11:43 AM

    Thanks for plugging The Noughties Blogfest again, Alex.

    See you on the 14th of November.

    Dave
    Dave Wrote This

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  95. Alex J. CavanaughNovember 8, 2011 at 12:08 PM

    Jamie and She Writes, I just make note of cool stuff as I find it...

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  96. Crazy Life of a Writing MomNovember 8, 2011 at 1:36 PM

    I need to check out the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. That sounds awesome!

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  97. Christopher HudsonNovember 8, 2011 at 3:07 PM

    Chris no know ... what NaNo?

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  98. BrindaNovember 8, 2011 at 5:13 PM

    Yes, checking the Amazon ratings is the bane of my existence.

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  99. Kittie HowardNovember 8, 2011 at 6:59 PM

    Thanks for the great info, Alex. I don't know what we'd do without you!

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  100. Alex J. CavanaughNovember 8, 2011 at 7:17 PM

    Elisabeth, please join us!

    Christopher - National Novel Writing Month, which is November.

    Thanks, Kittie!

    ReplyDelete
  101. UnknownNovember 9, 2011 at 1:31 AM

    Thanks for telling everyone about the blog and submissions. I know everyone is busy with NaNoWriMo right now. I'm going to go check out all these links.

    For now, I am letting NaNoWriMo take everyone's time and not doing many slightly scary stories. Great post again.

    ReplyDelete
  102. nutschellNovember 9, 2011 at 1:34 PM

    Wow the A-Z challenge is up already? Holy bananas! I bet there'll be at least 2000 entries this year! wonder how i'll manage to visit all these awesome blogs.

    nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

    ReplyDelete
  103. TerryLynnJohnsonNovember 10, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    what a party this is! I'm checking out these blogs!

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