Snowing in Connecticut

Its snowing up a storm right now in Connecticut. 

Hopefully everyone reading this is safely home. 

Be warm.  Be safe.  Have a splendid dinner with family.

Tonight we are watching "The Grinch's Halloween."

--Susan
Susan Hanniford Crowley, author of
A Vampire for Christmas

The Wind is Blowing. I Hear Winter Whispering.

It is autumn, and the wind is blowing. I hear winter whispering with its promise of

snowy nights cuddling under the covers and soft songs in the wind singing to dancing snowflakes. Autumn is the growing silence. Many call Winter nature's death, but it's all an illusion. Under the snow, grass sleeps. Bulbs sleep, even some creatures sleep deep in the earth. That's why I don't believe in death. Everything comes back. It may be in a different form, but it comes back. Spring is the promise that winter whispers about.

The wind is blowing.

--Susan Hanniford Crowley

Jennifer's Back with More Great Advertising Advice

Jennifer Fusco will be on Nights of Passion blog on Saturday, Oct. 1st announcing the second volume of her advertising book series: Market or Die. Come and join us and be sure to enter her contest. The link is http://nightsofpassion.wordpress.com

Hope to see you there.

--Susan

An Important Book for Writers: Market or Die by Jennifer Fusco

I want to tell you about an important book for writers. More and more publishers are depending on authors to market their books. Now there's real, practical help.

Romance writer and advertising expert Jennifer Fusco had written the book Market or Die: Sensible Brand Building Advice for Writers (Volume 1). Jennifer will be on Nights of Passion blog on Sat., June 25th. She will also be running a contest. One lucky commenter will win an website analysis. Is your website effective? How can you improve it? Jennifer will let that lucky person know.

This book is available through Amazon Books as a paperback and in Kindle.

So enter at http://nightsofpassion.wordpress.com on Sat., June 25, 2011. See blog for details on entering.

--Susan

Writer Care 1

Writer Care #1

Writers sometimes have this picture of half starving in a cold attic as they write. No, don't do it. Take care of yourself. If you need to take a day job to pay the bills, do it and consider it research for future books. Always take care of your Earthly needs. There will be things you'll learn in your day job that will come to play in your writing--the interactions between people, the technical aspects of certain professions, the change to examine different personalities, the opportunity to do new tasks, be a part of team project, etc. All of this is research that will give you a wealth of character and plot background information. Remember always change the sex and names of characters to protect the innocent or the guilty. In the meantime, cherish your research.

--Susan

NYTimes Best Selling Author Eloisa James on Nights of Passion blog

On the romance blog I share with four other authors, we have a special guest. Our newest contributor Gerri Brousseau met Eloisa James at Connecticut Fiction Fest and asked her for an interview.

Visit Nights of Passion blog http://nightsofpassion.wordpress.com to read the interview and see how to enter the contest for Eloisa's newest book.

Very cool.

--Susan

Goals and Compromises

I'm going to be writing everyday or almost every day at my website-- http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com on the News page. I have some goals to work on. You might have the same ones or different ones. Let's help each other. How? With encouragement.

Goal 1: I would like to lose weight. I lost weight and then gained it all back again. Frustrating, isn't it? I'm going to exercise every day. I will post here what exercise I did. If you have this same goal, you are welcome to post what exercise you did.

Goal 2: I'm going to write a thousand words a day. That's words on a novel or novella. I not counting the words I post on a blog. i will post word count here whether I make it or not.

Goal 3: I needed to buy a new sofa. Mine... well, it sagged. Today my husband and I bought a new sofa. The one we really wanted was too big for the space. Sigh. But we compromised and bought our second choice. I wanted a great sofa to put up my feet and type like a maniac in comfort. It would also be comfy if a friend wanted to stay over and sleep on it. So GOAL ACCOMPLISHED!

This is how it works. You are welcome to post your goals and how you're doing. I will be, and together we'll encourage each other.

What's happening right now? I interviewed paranormal romance author Rebecca Royce at http://nightsofpassion.wordpress.com Rebecca's running a contest, so if you want to enter visit the site above and follow the directions.

I've also given a prize to the Night Owl Reviews Summer Web Hunt. Find out all about it and all the other prizes from a lot of authors at http://www.nightowlromance.com/nor/Pages/Hunts.aspx

--Susan
Goal 1: Kickboxed this morning
Goal 2: In-progress

I Love Vampires Contest

You are invited to enter the "I Love Vampires" Contest at my website http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com You have to go there to enter and follow the directions. They're not hard, but there can be only one winner. It is a worldwide contest that ends at 11:59 pm EST on May 29th.

While there, you may want to click around the site check out the book and also the free writing exercises to try. It's fun. You may become inspired.

Thanks for dropping by and feel free to comment.

--Susan

Contests, Interview, Conference, Booksigning

So many things are happening. It’s wild here. And yes, while I’m typing the kitties Bella and Buffy have just run over my body.

Anyway I’m having contest and a fun interview over at Vampires Anonymous. Visit http://nisykitty.wordpress.com/2011/05/01/the-stormy-love-life-of-laura-cordelais-by-susan-hanniford-crowley-interviewcontest/comment-page-1/#comment-53 and follow the directions. The contest is open to residents of the US and Canada only and ends midnight on May 9th. You can only enter at Vampires Anonymous.

I’m writing like a mad woman—steam roller—kitties gone wild and crazy. I think you get picture. I’m having a great time.

I’m going to Fiction Fest at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in North Haven, Connecticut, on Saturday, May 14th. http://toniandrews.com/FictionFest.htm There’s still time to register for the most amazing one day writer’s conference famous for its practical education. It’s fun too. I’m doing a booksigning from 4:30-6 p.m.

May 22nd, I will be having a contest on my website http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com Remember to drop by if you love vampires.

I’m sure I’m doing more. I just can’t think of it right now! I’m wild. Oh, oh! The vampires are getting restless.

--Susan
Susan Hanniford Crowley

Writer's Care #1

Writers sometimes have this picture of half starving in a cold attic as they write. No, don't do it. Take care of yourself. If you need to take a day job to pay the bills, do it and consider it research for future books. Always take care of your Earthly needs. There will be things you'll learn in your day job that will come to play in your writing--the interactions between people, the technical aspects of certain professions, the change to examine different personalities, the opportunity to do new tasks, be a part of team project, etc. All of this is research that will give you a wealth of character and plot background information. Remember always change the sex and names of characters to protect the innocent or the guilty. In the meantime, cherish your research.

--Susan

Writers Conference and Agent/Editor Appointments

Connecticut Fiction Fest (all genre writing conference) on Saturday, May 14, 2011 – Holiday Inn Conference Center, North Haven, Connecticut
Hotel Discount Code for night of Friday, May 13: CFF
This is a day chocked full of excellent writing workshops and guest speakers. Eloisa James is the keynote speaker. Registration is $99 and sells out quickly so sign-up at http://toniandrews.com/FictionFest.htm Sign up for agent/editor appointments at the same time. They go fast.
The Booksigning is open the public at 4:30 pm

PLUS I will be signing my vampire/supernatural romance The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais.

Contest and Guest Blog at The Romance Studio Blog

On Friday, Feb. 18, I am guest blogging and having a contest at The Romance Studio blog. I'm talking about "Loving Characters" and share romantic excerpts from my vampire/supernatural romance The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais and my new steampunk romance Mrs. Bright's Tea Room.

You must go to The Romance Studio Blog first to find out how to enter the contest. The link is http://theromancestudio.blogspot.com

The contest ends midnight EST on February 18, 2011. See you there.

Please, Vote for My Works -- Last Day to Vote

Last day to vote for me. Vampire in the Basement for best romance short

http://critters.org/predpoll/shortstoryr.shtml

Mrs. Bright's Tea Room for best science fiction short at
http://critters.org/predpoll/shortstorysf.shtml

Poseidon's Catch for best other short story at

http://critters.org/predpoll/shortstory.shtml

Thanks so much for your support.

--Susan Hanniford Crowley

Book Release Party, Contest, and More

My steampunk erotic romance Mrs. Bright's Tea Room will be released on Wed., Dec. 15th. I'll be having a release party and contest on the next day on Nights of Passion blog. http://nightsofpassion.wordpress.com
Join us enter the contest, asks questions, dress casually, have some fun.


Also the voting for the Bookie Awards is still open.
My work has been nominated for 3 Bookie Awards. If you haven't gotten the chance to vote.

If this is the first you’ve heard about it, I’d love your vote at: http://www.authorsafterdark.net/bookieawards.html

Vampire in the Basement – Best Shifter Short Story in Poll 1 & Vampire Short of the Year in Poll 4 and

Poseidon’ s Catch for Best Fantasy Short in Poll 2.

Last but not least, this is an invitation to receive my occasional and very confidential newsletter. All you have to do is email me at onlyladyknight(at)yahoo(dot)com and put Newsletter in the subject line. I will be having a special contest for the Newsletter subscribers in January.


Thanks.

--Susan
Susan Hanniford Crowley
http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Bookie Awards, Voting, Newsletter, and Party

My work has been nominated for 3 Bookie Awards. If you haven't gotten the chance to vote.

If this is the first you’ve heard about it, I’d love your vote at: http://www.authorsafterdark.net/bookieawards.html

Vampire in the Basement – Best Shifter Short Story in Poll 1 & Vampire Short of the Year in Poll 4 and

Poseidon’ s Catch for Best Fantasy Short in Poll 2.

I've just sent out my Winter Holiday Newsletter out to the subscribers. Thank you. If you didn't get it and would love to get my newsletter, just email me at onlyladyknightatyahoo.com with Newsletter in the subject line.

Don't forget the Nights of Passion Blog Holiday Party from Nov. 29 to Dec. 5 -guest blogging, recipes, fun, and contests. That will be at http://nightsofpassion.wordpress.com

Best to everyone. Talk to you soon.

An Excellent Day

Today was an excellent day. The air was soft, warm, and sweet. It eased all the worries out of me. I've just finished my steampunk romance and now I'm proofing it, but I did take a break to go to the bead store and get groceries.

I bought some Trinkette stuff to make a bracelet. It's a lot of fun.

It's been such a beautiful day that rests the heart. We opened windows in the house. I guess you'd call it an Indian Summer day. The dog was happy in the yard and the kittens kept sitting in the windows. LOL

Great Time at Authors After Dark 2010 and upcoming Guest Blog

I'm home after a fantastic weekend at Authors After Dark Romance Unlimited Convention 2010. This is the ulimate romance readers convention. I had the most awesome time meeting people. Fun panels, chocolate everywhere, free stuff (including lots of books), great food, rocking parties, a huge book sale and autograph session, great raffle prizes. Everything was just so much fun at a very reasonable price. Next year it will be in Philadelphia. If you love romance books and hanging out with other devotees of romance including the authors, please, come. Jacquelyn Frank is the mostest hostess ever. So when December comes around Google "Authors After Dark" and sign up fast before it's filled.

Thursday, Sept. 23, I will be guest blogging at Fang-tastic Books. Join me for the mischief. I feel Halloween in the air and can't help myself. See you at
http://fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com/

New Book Trailer for THE STORMY LOVE LIFE OF LAURA CORDELAIS

Please, celebrate with me. It's a new book trailer. I'm passing out cyber cigars to some, cyber ice cream to others.



The ebook is available at http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thestormylovelifeoflauracordelais-374695-139.html

The Kindle edition is available at http://www.amazon.com/Stormy-Love-Laura-Cordelais-ebook/dp/B00318D5VY

and also at fine ebooks stores everywhere.

The Author's Blog at Fiction Fest

Hi Everyone,

I had a great time at CTRWA's Fiction Fest. I did on workshop on "The Author's Blog", and I wanted to bring up another matter that I didn't bring up.

Back up your work and the materials on your blog. The world changes and things happen. There are good prices out there on portable hard drives and then again there is Sky Drive. Make sure your materials are backed up.

That's me with Erotic Romance Author Collette Thomas and here's her blog newsletter about the event: http://www.newsletterofcollettethomas.blogspot.com/
An excellent way of using a blog. I encourage you to check it out.

This year Fiction Fest sold out. Next year when registration opens, I encourage you to jump on it right away. Our focus is giving writers practical information that they can use. In addition to the workshops, we had speakers, an agent/editor panels, pitch session with agents and editors, sessions with Leslie Wainger, the book doctor, and a booksigning. With lunch and the cocktail party at the end, it was a full day. By the way Leslie is the author of Writing a Romance Novel for Dummies. I highly recommend it. http://www.lesliewainger-bookdoctor.com/

Until next time, happy blogging and writing and living.

Blog Lesson 3 - Tags and Categories, Labels

For our lesson today in blogging, we're going to look at tags and categories in Wordpress and labels in Blogger. What are they?

Tags and labels are the same as keywords. They make your blog searchable. That means when someone is in Google, they type in keywords for what they are trying to find. Simply saying if your keyword and their keyword match up, they may find you. I say may because your blog may not show up until they've gone several pages in. We'll save Google ranking for another time.

Categories in Wordpress is part of the internal indexing system of your blog. It allows you to find every entry written under the category or topic.

What does all of this mean? To make it easier for your viewers, in Wordpress, go to the right hand side of your dashboard and fill in the tags and then scroll down and enter your categories. Once categories are established, you have to check on them. In Blogger, fill in your labels in the box called Labels for this post.

That's it for this lesson.