I didn’t do a lot of reading last year. I was too busy writing, and most of my reading was from 2006 catch up but as I was looking over AAR polls, I was struck by a feeling of loneliness. A couple of the series just didn’t attract me the way I wanted them too and I couldn’t get into them. Some of the books I thought were super, weren’t on the list. And a couple of my “Goals” didn’t happen

So, folks, what were you’re reading related meant to’s last year. Did you make them or not? Here were mine.

I felt left out not glomming the brotherhood so I was determined to try the series again a couple books in. Didn’t because of the furor when LU came out. Just didn’t seem “The one” to hook me. Maybe I’ll start the series with the next one.

I wanted to catch up with the Singh series. Did. Loved the second book. Waiting on the upcoming.

Wanted to stay caught up on Liu. I’m a book behind, but I have it.

I have collected all of Christine Warren’s books. Was determined to find the time to sit down and read them back to back. A special treat to myself as I rarely get to do that. Still have not found the time. Am still saving the books and adding to the pile as the series comes out. I might be missing one. I think she released one in an anthology? (putting find that out onto the to do list)

Wanted to promote the Bronze Horseman. Loved that book. Uhm, forgot to do that.

Wanted to rebuild my keeper shelf of the books I lost years ago. (This is a loooong time item on the to do list.) I did start that. Refilled my Sharon and Tom Curtis inventory. Some of the older Liinda Howards. A couple Garwoods. The Sandra Canfield book Night into day. Still working on the list though.

Wanted to delve a bit deeper into the Urban Fantasy phenom, because pretty much, I don’t have any on my TBB or TBR list. Hmm, did you know they are mostly in first preson? Well, I didn’t which explains why I don’t have a huge TBR backlist of them. Just don’t enjoy that POV. I know, not realizing they are mostly first person qualifies as a DUH! moment, but I’ve been a bit distracted. At least I now understand why I don’t have a any in my pile despite KNOWING I’ve looked into tons. So, does that mean I can check that off or have to keep it on?

Wanted to start a new list for 2008 before 2008 got here so I could participate in the what are you waiting for discussions. Didn’t. Have absolutely no idea what’s coming out this year beyond Maureen McKade’s Reason to Sin. Must move that up on the to do list otherwise I’m going to get behind.

Wanted to get through my recommended list collected over the year to see if I want to buy or not.. Haven’t but I still have the list (It’s a piece of paper in my purse so that’s a big yeah!) and I did order one. Second Time Around by Marie Ferriella. Waiting for it to arrive.

So, there’s my list. And I haven’t even started one for 2008. *sigh* Are you all doing better than I am?

Sarah

The McCarty Mobettes NEW Mascot

Happy New Year to Everyone!

January 1st, 2008

Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous new year!

Sarah

5 comments ~ Entry link

You know it’s been a rough year in epublishing when…

December 29th, 2007

I was tired yesterday, my mind half engaged due to the fact I’m hosting relatives by day and editing at night. Dear Author had a post regarding Samhain’s change in focus for submissions. Natch, my post came out ass backwards. Meant to imply I was the third person glad to see proactive behavior. However, the fact I typed three instead of third gave a whole new meaning to the sentence. This is why I should not post on blogs when I’m tired. It would help if I remembered that when I am tired.

However, after reading over the posts, it occurred to me the announcement didn’t really require this level of excitement. In a normal year, no one would have even noticed because shifting to accepting submissions in all genres as long they have some type of romantic element is not much of a shift from what is currently being purchased, and really not news worthy but the level of relief that I and others felt that an e publisher made a simple PR announcement is indicative of just how pessimistic the events in the e world over the last year of so have made many of us.

While I know Samhain’s refocus will be disappointing to some authors, and while I feel for them, I am still going to allow my out of proportion happiness to continue because after a year of disasters, it is refreshing to see a business behaving in a business like manner in regard to their business.

But you know, it’s really been a rough year in epublishing. Just watching from the sidelines, I’m exhausted. I hope 2008 brings a positive change for publishers and authors alike and that this is just the start of a fresh new wave of positive energy.

Oh, and the thread has an interesting discussion regarding the definition of Urban Fantasy and how it’s evolving. Pretty interesting.

4 comments ~ Entry link

Remember when…

December 29th, 2007

I’m stealing this post idea from Denise Agnew over at the Bradford Bunch. Going in to the New Year it’s good to look back and see where you’ve been. In that vein, here are my top “remember whens” What are yours?

Sarah

I remember when the back of station wagons were playgrounds for long trips.

I remember when dogs went with their owners everywhere

I remember when the no 2 pencil ruled

I remember when not handing in your homework in a class was an automatic two hour detention.

I remember when the Eagles defined the feel of summer.

I remember Walter Cronkite who brought me the world and through the nuance of his voice prepared me for the good and the bad.

I remember watching the news, catching glimpses of a strange country called Vietnam and straining to see if I could find my neighbor in the devastating shots.

I remember crying when the Cronkite announced the soldiers were coming home.

I remember horror when they did and not everyone cheered.

I remember when we only had three channels on the TV. Two of them fuzzy

I remember rushing to get my chores done by 5:30pm on weekdays so I could watch the Bugs Bunny Roadrunner hour.

I remember flower power and Volkswagon beetles.

I remember Roe vs Wade (though it was a few years before
I understood it’s importance)

I remember the excitement of getting into college followed quickly by the confusion of just what did I intend to do once I got there.

I remember Intellivision, Space Spartans, and Stampede

I remember the myth of the home computer.

I remember the mystery “plague” of Aids.

I remember thinking what was the point of the world wide web.

I remember thinking nothing exciting would ever happen in my lifetime.

Leave a comment ~ Entry link

Happy Hanukkah!

December 4th, 2007

To all who celebrate!!

Sarah

Leave a comment ~ Entry link

Woot! A New Sale!!!!

November 27th, 2007

Drum roll please…

27 November, 2007 Fiction:
Women’s/Romance Sarah McCarty’s REAPER’S JUSTICE and REAPER’S VOW, beginning a Western werewolf romance series in which deadly men move beyond the hell they’ve been living and head West in search of who they once were, yet barely remember, to Cindy Hwang at Berkley HEAT, in a two-book deal, by Roberta Brown of the Brown Literary Agency.

Sarah

13 comments ~ Entry link

More Kindle thoughts

November 23rd, 2007

I read a description of the Kindle today that sums it up perfectly. It’s like carrying a bookstore in my hand.

As for the articles comments on the look, Personally, I like it’s look. I also DON’T WANT something as small and as slim as the Iphone. I want something that sits comfortably in my hand and that I can use easily. I want the keyboard and the large screen that lets me easily read a page at a time. If I wanted a PDA, I would have purchased one years ago on which to read my ebooks but I haven’t because the tiny screens make for tiny print and the having to scroll every couple sentences is annoying. I’m not buying an ereader because I want to hang it on the wall as a design accent. What I want is a device that performs it’s job with the utmost convenience and comfort to me. I want a device that is exactly like the Kindle. Good size, easy to hold, easy to use, point and shoot interface, and a with the plus of being a book store I can hold in my hand. I do think an interchangeable color skin would be nice but I imagine 3rd parties will start on these things soon.

I have heard back from the Kindle people and the web interface is still experimental so maybe I will get he enlarge font with that on an upgrade. YES!!

5 comments ~ Entry link

Time to adopt. Help choose the Mobbettes…

November 22nd, 2007

First Mascot!! Yes we are adopting a very deserving kitty to be our Alphas fur buddy. This kitty will be our virtual mascot. The kitty will not reside with us, but will live in this phenomenal shelter that takes in the cats on death row too sick to find homes, provides them with COMPLETE medical, wonderful comfortable living centers, (no cages) and gives them a chance to find a home. (A VERY unique shelter and truly a beacon for others.) Most of these cats are special needs. And the McCarty Mobettes shall be sponsoring one. We just need to chose which one. So the choice shall be done by vote. This is our chance to make a huge difference in one fur baby’s life. Do remember, none of these babies is in danger of being put down. They have all been rescued from certain death and have to meet a criteria to be accepted for Tabby’s place. The money I donate monthly (in the name of the McCarty Mobettes) to the kitty of our choice makes it possible for Tabby’s Place (I’ve been there and it’s as wonderful as it sounds) to continue to make the huge difference they do. It was a long struggle for this sanctuary to come to be, but it’s here now and the owner who fought for it’s existence in the name of his beloved Tabby, keeps it strong. You can read up on the shelter and look at the special needs animals in the guardian angel program on the website. Pick the one whose story touches you most and nominate him or her on the group.

http://www.tabbysplace.org

Best,

Sarah

4 comments ~ Entry link

« Previous Entries

Next Entries »