2007 Contest–A Free Signed Book

I thought I’d challenge you to something different. Yeah, we’re all
planning on losing five pounds or working out more or eating right or
spending less or whatever. But here’s my challenge: Tell us five NICE
things you’re going to do for yourself in 2007. I’ll pick a person who
answers here and on my blog to win a signed copy of Lords of Ch’i or
Mayan Nights (or if you have those Princes of Anfall when it’s released
in March). (The ebook is out now, so don’t delay ) Winner announced 1/1–and don’t forget my website contest at http://www.ciarcullen.com for a chance at a signed seascape–that also closes the same day!

Well? They can be as simple as finding time to watch your movie alone
or getting a manicure.

I’ll start:
1. Go to the beach alone one day and read all day
2. Buy a very expensive pair of running shoes with the proper support
3. Get a massage
4. Go to a really good stylist to get this growing out hair mess
straightened out
5. Ask DH to do the dishes for a month (teehee)

Oh Gawd, He’s Gay

I’m mentally unstable. It’s the only explanation. I had no idea one of my characters in my WIP is gay. He just announced it to another character. Imagine my surprise! Now I have to write a m/m scene. I don’t know how to do that! Looks like it’s time to catch up on some new reading material. Crickey. It really throws a monkey wrench into my original plans. Okay, now this is the ultimate panster’s dilemma. I don’t even control my fictitious characters. Is anyone else this strange?

The Year’s Wrap Up–What about You?

Anyone tempted to look back over the last year already? Since I mostly blog about epublishing here, I’ll try to limit my ramblings to writing. I was thinking that after a really, really rocky end of 2005, 2006 wasn’t so bad. I guess my third year of writing. Three books released from Samhain, two from Loose ID, I sold to EC. I got a Gold Star and CAPA nomination for the Biggest Kahuna. Under the counsel of my former editor at Samhain, Angie, I moved away from rereleases and started down some new paths (just started).

I haven’t really figured out what I want to do this year, and I’m kinda okay with that. Got this agent thing kinda on and off again, and I think off is better for right now. Had a real live booksigning! On the down side? Kinda disappointed Love’s Alchemy didn’t sell better, but I still love it and hope it will catch on a little. Got good reviews anyway )

Some pressing questions to answer in the next week: go back to martial arts (for the first time in years I’m officially out of shape and not working out–it’s no good, my body mind and spirit are screaming at me)? Try to stick to a writing schedule? Go visit my brother in Iowa early in the year? And write…what? I’ve started three things–Steam Age Scandals, the Relic Hunters, and the sequel to Wizard of Time. I also need to overhaul Unholy Vows. There’s something else in me screaming to get out–I hope it finds a way to my keyboard in 2007.

How about you???

Winners! Nominate a Friend

Congrats to “Moondancer,” who wanted a copy of Love’s Alchemy for her husband, and to “Clint,” who wanted a copy of Princes of Anfall for his mate. I wish I could give a book to everyone, truly I do. These folks were picked completely at random, because as I started to read all the lovely sentiments, I couldn’t choose. God bless you all for being so thoughtful. I hope your holiday is wonderful!

I’ll be Home for Christmas

My last post for a few days.

I’ll be blogging at Samhain’s new blog spot tomorrow, so do stop by! I’ll also pick two ebook winners on Friday and contact the “givers.” You have until 5pm EST Friday to enter below.

I wish you all a lovely holiday, whatever you celebrate. God bless us, every one!

Booksigning Day!

I swear I normally look better than this. Honestly. But here I am (I’m in red) with pal Melanie at the Borders’ signing last Saturday. There were books there, really. I signed Mayan Nights and Lords of Ch’i and had a very wonderful day!

Check out this funny review for Love’s Alchemy

I am now in love with a woman. It’s official. Her name is Annie Dean. Read her full review under ebook Thursday (scroll down to the bottom). It’s worth it; she’s very funny. Here’s a bit:
“Hawt cover. Hawt writing. Great author name; if it’s her real name, she’s lucky and if it’s a nom de plume, she picked extremely well…Man, that book was good. Two thumbs up. Hawt sex, great characters, great backstory, great writing, great story, great cover. It all works. Get this book and don’t stop until you’re done.”

Ciar Plays Santa–Nominate a Friend!

In the spirit, I’d like to give two ebooks to deserving tots. Okay, the tots need to be over 18. To enter, simply tell me which of my ebooks (you can visit my Web site to pick) you’d like to give to a friend, and why you think that friend would like the freebie. Please note: if you do not name a book and why your friend would like that book, you won’t be entered! Contest closes Friday, 12/22. God bless us, every one!

Beffudling Booksigning or What’s Wrong This Time?

I had a really nice time signing Lords of Ch’i and Mayan Nights at a local Borders yesterday. I sold a bunch, and folks were truly nice. My wonderful (formerly only electronic-) pal Melanie roped folks to my table, and family and friends bought books I could have given them. (Hey, my “state trooper” friend even sent her wonderful partner and baby to the busy mall to buy a book–note the dedication SM!) I don’t think I’m at the point where a signing is a great career booster (I think I remember Jaci Burton or someone talking about this), but it’s a real affirmation that you’ve actually published a book that folks are willing to hand over money for. I mean, you watch them walk to the cash register with it in hand. Amazing. Photos to come.

So, at the risk of really establishing myself as the most clueless writer in cyberspace, I found myself gaping at the books for sale, especially the romances… How can I do that? I wondered. Can I ever do that? In my post-flu haze, they all started to look alike–the trade size suggestive entwined torsos, the mass market dark-haired fellas, all looking basically the same. Dark this and dark that. Kenyons and Sheehans just falling into shopping bags. JR Ward–do love the latest. I’m not only in awe of these writers, but the soon to be huge ones I’ve rubbed cyber elbows with at places like Samhain. The ones who can stick to a style, run with it, get better…the Jaci Burtons and Angela Knights, for example.

I’m all over the map. Satire, contemporary, fantasy…seems like fifteen publishing houses in three years. I don’t have a niche. I don’t even have a genre. I like them all. I’m starting a steampunk, I suppose just to venture even further from some center. I always said “I don’t do vampires.” Now I’m writing one for my satiric sequel to Wizard of Time at EC.

So readers, is it true what they say about you? You want to know what you’re getting when you pick up a book by an author? You know that the book will be dark, or have a vampire, or be the same as the previous title? Your Skippy peanut butter always tastes the same, and you like it that way? I think I’m like that. When I pick up Nora’s books, for example, I know exactly what I’m going to get. And I like it that way.

Any other writers pantsters all the way? You not only don’t plot out your books, you don’t plot out what you’re going to write this year? Do the questions “What should I be writing?” and “Where should I send it?” sound familiar–like once every hour?

Princes of Anfall on Sale! and Earring Winner

I’m so excited this book is available again. The “boys” of Anfall are close to my heart. Better yet, the book is on sale until December 24–that’s a good last minute gift! Stop on by Samhain to read and excerpt and take advantage of the sale!

Winner! Lori Benson won my Princes of Anfall earrings giveaway. Congrats, and thanks to everyone who entered )