S.A. Garcia's Mutterings, Whimpers and Rants

S.A. Garcia's Mutterings, Whimpers and Rants. World Domination by 2020. Or 2025. Probably never.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Welcoming a New Couch

OK, being excited about a new couch might sound silly, but this is a major milestone in our domestic bliss. We've had our IKEA sleeper couch for 21 years.

Think about the concept. Back when we purchased the couch, IKEA products weren't created with long-term use in mind, or at least the couch we purchased decided it wasn't built to last. One night the cover on lower left cushion split. The right one split. Then one corner began to wear until we discovered part of the couch was crafted using cardboard.

The habit of tossing a throw over the couch to hide the decay became a regular practice. Last year around the holidays we shook our heads in dismay and decided we needed something new, but the endless cycle of car repair bills and other odds and ends made the event seem impractical.

Last week we decided enough already. The couch shed foam like a molting bird.We decided to visit the local furniture store in our small city. Sticker shock set in. $1500 for a couch? Seriously? We wandered around, sighing and trading glances of despair. The salesman was quite nice and completely hands-off.

We went upstairs and discovered the wonderful world of floor samples. The salesman peeked in but let us run wild.

One couch at the room's back winked at us in minty green flirtation. Sleek lines, plump pillows, comfy as anything bliss welcomes our asses. The below $500 price tag really sealed the deal.

And now it sits in splendor. I'm hoping someone will be able to use our ancient couch, that is if they can endure the foamy mess.







Saturday, December 10, 2011

Occupying Silver Publishing Dec 10th from 1-6 EST

I'll be occupying Silver Publishing's Facebook page (with permission, of course) from 1-6 est on Saturday, Dec. 10th. That's like today. 

There will be excerpts, quizzes, a special giveaway or two and, of course, color commentary from my guest host Amando from Temptation of the Incubus. Better to invite him than suffer the pouting if I don't. Never argue with someone who regards himself as a legend in his own mind.

http://www.facebook.com/silverpublishing

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Promo Satisfaction aka Go Away Mick

I have come to believe that tap dancing in many places does help sales. I do some promo, I see an upward spike. When I promote my book with Silver Publishing, I see the spike in my Dreamspinner books. Golly gee wilkers, do I have fans? Boy Howdy! Guide me to the fainting couch.

Guess it's time to teach myself to slam-bam dance like the cast of Riverdance. Case in point: poor ignored To Save a Shining Soul rose from 400,000 to 45,000 in the Amazon ranks. Yeah, that might be one or two sales, but I believe miracles can happen.

Like I say, world domination by 2020. It's good to have goals. *winks*

The Laughing S.A.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

December Garden Blooms

The gardener in me needs to share these little late blooming beauties. Just when I think they are finished, my green friends surprise me.



Promo Redux

Let me clarify. It's not that I don't like promo. It's more that I type like a backwards gerbil, which makes promo all the more painful.

I am one of the world's worst typists. On a good day every sixth word looks like mangled Greek. On a bad day it's every third word. The fingers refuse to keep up with the mind. 

Imagine how frustrating that is as a writer. As much as I try to correct as I plow along, my first drafts always look like a verbal battlefield. They look like something directed by a rabid raccoon on a magic mushroom bender.

I have tried the Dragon speaking software but I don't talk out my books. Although I should try that for this sort of thing. Then I'd only need to edit out the cursing.

Don't get me wrong, I want to perform promo for my books because I love my books. I want my books to succeed, not drop like Jimmy Hoffa into the river's black depths. I just wish there was an easier way.

Yep, I need to explore the speaking thing again. *scampers off to investigate software*

....Hello? Amando here. You need to love me. Really....


Saturday, December 3, 2011

Promo Until You Bleed

I hate promotional work. Hate it. But when one is an indie ebook author you need to toot that horn on an almost daily basis. Like here. Do I blog every day? No. Should I? Yes.

I do promise that soon my characters will conduct interviews with each other.  They are gearing up for the challenge.


Of course Amando thinks he will triumph over all.


We'll see.