Booking It Through the Mail

The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself. ~Benjamin Franklin

BOOKING THROUGH THURSDAY

Have you ever written an author a fan letter?

No. I have been emailing the authors we review at LASR (the ones we do that aren't by request) -- does that count?

And... I was tidying up the house the other day and found a letter my DD wrote to Brian Jacques. I need to mail it to him! She wrote, in part (it was a LONG letter): "I love your books. They make me feel like I am inside them." How's THAT for a compliment? We won't go into the part where she talks about our dog drooling on her foot...

Did you get an answer?

I have, without exception, received responses back from every author I emailed. That was very neat -- and made me feel all warm and fuzzy (and more likely to buy their next book... Smart Marketing 101).

As noted, I haven't mailed DD's letter yet. But I will. It was very cute.

Did it spark a conversation? A meeting? (And, sure, I suppose that e-mails DO count . . . but I’d say no to something like a message board on which the author happens to participate.)

I have, in fact, carried on fairly in depth email conversations with a couple of the authors. I found out one has a husband who was recently diagnosed with cancer, and another is good friends with the person who edited my TWRP Vintage Rose story, "Miles From You" -- small world!

It's always a good reminder to do something like this, so we realize even the bigger selling authors are still just human beings.

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Judy has posted a challenge at her blog. She claims that August is the month of --



-- and that we're supposed to post one happy thing every day.

Um... I'm happy I know what day it is? Seriously... I've been messed up all week.

And... I'm happy all of my pillars are still alive. No more casualties to note here at Pillar Place: Monarch. In fact, their rate of growth is astounding. I'm adding new leaves daily to everyone (except Clarisse, our accidental latest addition -- she is still nearly microscopic). Aside from the crunchings and munchings in the spare bedroom, there is nothing else to report.

I do anticipate a bonus post for Pillar Place: Swallowtail, however. Lily is due to come out of her pupa today! I'll let you know if it happens.

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You Are Midnight

You are more than a little eccentric, and you're apt to keep very unusual habits. Whether you're a nightowl, living in a commune, or taking a vow of silence - you like to experiment with your lifestyle. Expressing your individuality is important to you, and you often lie awake in bed thinking about the world and your place in it. You enjoy staying home, but that doesn't mean you're a hermit. You also appreciate quality time with family and close friends.

What Time Of Day Are You?

The ironic part of this is... I'm totally a morning person! I have to admit, though, much of what it says is dead on.