Tag Archive | offer

An Offer

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Hi there! First of all, don’t be put off by the large picture of me in front of you. I’m not that much of an egomaniac, but I am a novice at Mail Chimp and don’t have a great logo. Yet. Remember “Murphy Brown”? She was never able to keep a secretary?  Same with logos and me. I lack the skill to design my own, but cannot get someone else to meet my needs (PS. If any of you are graphic designers, email me. We’ll talk).

I am freshly back from For Love of Books and Florida 2017, held at the OMG SERIOUSLY swank Ritz-Carlton of Sarasota. The For Love of Books and Alcohol blog put on the event and they did a bang-up job. If you see a “For Love of Books and ____” near you, go. Don’t hesitate, either as a reader or an author. The big blue blob in the picture below (on the left. You can’t miss me) is happy and smiling (and the boot is broken toe due to tripping over a dog toy).

I’m writing under two names, Susan Thatcher and Monique DeSoto. Susan writes more mainstream fiction. Monique writes humorous erotica, currently focusing on short stories.

I have been lackadaisical about marketing and engagement. I could blame my day job, but as I say to people who don’t follow up on promises (and I say it in a nasty tone), “If it was a priority, you would have found a way.” The truth of the matter is that I’d rather wave a magic wand and “Bippity boppity boo” a completed novel into existence than do the actual work (come to think of it, if I had a magic wand, I’d be freaking dangerous). Sloth is tied for Gluttony in the Favorite Sin category.

I want to write more, be read more, earn a living (or supplement income) through creative endeavors.

I’m asking a favor: I need reviews. On Goodreads, on Amazon, on other outlets like Barnes & Noble. Amazon may be the 800 lb. gorilla, but they’re not the only seller of books.

Let’s start with liking Facebook pages:

Here’s for Susan:

https://www.facebook.com/spthatcherauthor/

Here’s for Monique:

https://www.facebook.com/MoniqueDeSoto61/

Monique needs some love. Susan has over 1,000 followers, but Monique only has 55 (was 56 on Friday. I lost someone).

We’ll get to Twitter and Instagram later.

Okay, I need volunteers to read and review. “These Foolish Things” is a full novel. “Patti Goes to the Dungeon” is a short story under 6,000 words (take you about 20 minutes).

I make healing bracelets, matching gemstones up to particular needs. And they’re pretty, don’t you think?

So…

If you like both pages, read and review both books on a seller’s site (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Powells, the big guys) and send me a link to it, I will draw a name and the winner will receive a custom-made bracelet in the size and color of the winner’s choosing. This is a $50 value.

Got to finish up because “Game of Thrones” came on, but I mean it: If you will help me out, I’ll give you freebies and first shots.

Have a good evening.

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Standing Still or Still Standing

“Still” is a word with a variety of meanings. The one NOT in play here is a device to distill alcohol. This ain’t Hazzard County and I ain’t a Duke (The occasional “Yeehaw” notwithstanding). “Still” can refer to being motionless and quiet, as one would to listen or to try to calm down after something upsetting. That could apply here and I’ll get to that in a minute. “Still” can also mean that despite the occurrence of something potentially destructive.  From the “Star Spangled Banner,” the phrase “our flag was still there” comes to mind.

star spangled banner

I couldn’t find the quote (because I can’t remember the exact verbiage) from Bear Bryant or Tom Landry or some other legendary football coach  admonishing his players who celebrated  touchdowns with dances unless they were going to celebrate their fumbles as well, they should knock it off (Well, “knock it off” was a favorite phrase of my late father. After he babysat my nephew one afternoon, the kid would tell Ira, the family cat, “Knock it off, Ira.”)

Ira

Ira knocking it off

Under this rule, I offer the following link to a review that wasn’t so enthusiastic:

“At Last” review by Online Book Club

In short, the reviewer said there were mistakes throughout the book and she didn’t like the open ending.

Can’t do much about the ending at this point and I really don’t want to do anything about it, anyway. I’ve lived with these people for over 12 years and frankly, I’d like a break from this particular story.

The mistakes, though…

I’m waiting to hear what she has to say. I learn the hard way; from my mistakes. In order to turn out a better product (and yes, these are products. I will be pushing you, Dear Reader, to buy copies, but that’s in a few minutes) , I need to know what went wrong so that I don’t repeat them. And then I need to beat up the editor withe them because she was supposed to catch stuff.

go to jail

That’s an error. She’s the cop.

I’m a fan of full disclosure, something that’s in short supply in all walks of life lately. In addition to being a hope junkie (See “Tis the Season“), I am an information junkie. I want to learn all the time. I also believe that the more information one has, the better the choices that can be made. In my case, including this review shows that not everyone may have such a great opinion and for good reason.

So, I am standing still in order to listen.

Still Standing: this will not stop, deter, or destroy me.  Failure is not getting back up after you’ve taken a hit.

And for the “Dukes of Hazzard” version of a still: Drinking has never been a coping mechanism for me (Food has that honor). I do, however, have a lovely single-malt Scotch and some Makers Mark 46 that make for some nice sipping.

makers46_brick

Yee Haw.

Promotion/Offer: Still (this is known as a “callback”) making the following offer: If you use the Buy Now link to get SIGNED copies of both books, I will refund $4.00 shipping and throw in a lovely, handmade beaded bracelet. I can do this because I use USPS Media Mail to ship in the US (least expensive option). I cannot guarantee delivery by Christmas Day at this point (Unless you’re in Southern California), but I can guarantee that I will get that sucker out the door ASAP and give you the tracking number.  (This offer is only good for areas served by USPS Media Mail)

Christmas tree

Have a merry and BUY MY BOOKS

On a Roll!

banner

Going on through Dec. 10

snoopy dance

Got another positive review from Nicole over at Author Groupies:

Author Groupies Review

Go read it!

Here’s my current offer: Buy both books through this website (Buy Now link right here) and I will rebate $4.00 in shipping AND add in a handmade beaded bracelet

For $19.98, you get autographed copies (AUTOGRAPHED IN GOLD) AND a bracelet (plus thank you notes, a business card and if he doesn’t get his butt out of the way, an orange cat)

Udacity study buddy

And, since it IS the Christmas season, I’d like to leave you in the mood:

Christmas Wrapping – The Waitresses with homemade animation

In Honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month – An offer to survivors

(Yeah, yeah, yeah, I’m late to the game. Sue me. Wait! I already am Sue! Ha!)

If you are a breast cancer survivor or know a survivor or have lost someone to this disease (I have), I have an offer for you to mark 2013 Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

In past years, I would complete the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer course in Boston (it was a trip around the Charles starting and finishing at the Hatch Memorial Shell on the Esplanade. Also the site of some of my deeper sunburns). By walking and getting pledges, I have raised nearly $5,000 for the Boston chapter of the American Cancer Society and I aim to do so again.

Krewe of Kurly 2006

Yeah, I’m the big blob on the far left.

In the meantime, if you are a survivor, know a survivor who might like the book or have lost someone to this disease, if you contact me, I will send you a signed copy (Sorry, I’m going to limit this offer to the US for now. I’m paying for the postage. UK? Canada? You’ll get your chance when I sell more books. Except for Tiff. She’ll get a signed copy).

Link to These Foolish Things on Amazon

This is a $12.75 value being offered for free (while supplies last). The book is well-received and there is a sequel to be released shortly and a prequel in the works. People are already casting an imaginary movie (Could happen).

So, to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I will send a signed copy of my book “These Foolish Things” (not the Deborah Moggach book. You’ll have to talk to her) to breast cancer survivors and those who have lost loved ones to this disease.

And for those of you who have bought the book? Thank you for your support.