Blogger and Chrome

Rumors have it that the providers of this fine blog software now require us to move to a different browser. I'll keep all our contributors posted.
Ed.

Bike Boy

I'm walking in the park, getting my exercise, and this little kid riding along with training wheels suddenly loses control and falls off his bike right into the grass. I'm reading my book, minding my own business. Sighing, I straighten the kid's bike and look down at him. He's wearing his helmet, lying on his side, knees bent, in a fetal position. He is not whimpering, eyes are open. just lying there contemplating the insanity of bikes, learning at an early age about responsibilities. He is a kid. Kids ride bikes. No one questions this chain of events, certainly not the boy.
I should have asked him if he was okay. Maybe I did. But I distinctly remember inquiring if he was going to get up. He hesitated, as though thinking it over. What's the point, he may be thinking. He does get up and climbs back on the bike. Is too embarrassed to thank me. I continue my walk. A few seconds later he loses control again, practically runs into me, manages to regain his balance, looking at me sheepishly. Go slow is all I can offer. Go slow.
He starts pedaling again and soon is far off in the distance. I keep circling the path with my book, but I never see him again.
Part of me admires the kid for his persistence in the face of this absurd task. Another part feels sorry for him because he will discover no matter how many times he falls he will be expected to rise and start over.One day, after he's retired, he may just have to dodge some fool kid on a bike, going sideways when he should be going straight.

Book Talk/Signing at Caldwell Library - April 11th

Arlene McCarren and I will have book signings and will speak about our memoirs - hers, Knitting and Knowing and mine, Healing Father John - at the Caldwell Public Library on Wednesday, April 11th at 6:30 PM. All are welcome.

Then, on May 10th, I will speak to the justice and peace group at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Orange.

Nancy Taiani

Reaching Out

I'm going to be attending Lunacon, the sci-fi convention in Rye, NY.
I hope to be on a panel talking about self-publishing, a new experience--being on a panel, that is, not talking about self-publishing!
.
There may be a few folks who still think all self-publishing is the same as the old vanity presses. With sites like Indiereader.com promoting the idea that independently published books should be given the same sort of cache as independently produced movies, I know I have support behind me!

Scribbulations writers join up for Meet the Authors

Arlene McCarren and I are taking out some of the scare of speaking about our books by working together. We've each written memoirs following painful losses and have found the writing to be a healing process. We'll read excerpts from our books and discuss our writing.

 We'll be launching our talk "Memoir Writing After a Loss—Meet the Authors" at the Montclair YMCA on Leap Year's Day, February 29th. at 10:15 AM.

The YMCA, 25 Park St., Montclair, The Holm Room, Guests are welcome

Nancy Taiani

Watching Amazon

I'm hearing rumors.
Some folks are finding Amazon.com is listing their print on demand titles as "out of stock." I did a run down of Scribbulations titles and haven't seen any problems. That's as yet. Keep an eye on your book and how it is listed.

Here are the facts:
Print on Demand means when Amazon get an order, they send the order to the printers who then print and ship the book.  There is no such thing as "out of stock."
Amazon also uses the ordinary sales technique of creating an illusion of scarcity by saying "Only 4 left in stock, order soon!" This of course is also bogus, but we don't mind if nudges people to buy the book now.

If however, a customer sees "out of stock" it may put them off all together.
That's why you need to be watching Amazon and jump if a potential customer says they are having difficulties finding your book.
Let me know if you see anything odd.

Count Down to Launch

    Ed correctly identified my mood last week. It was a melt down. There were five hours sitting with editor, Grace, followed by a total read through of my memoir looking for anything we might have missed, followed by another reading once Ed had formatted the book- all within four days. Yes, I was quite stressed.

   Then there was the other stress of finding the perfect cover - one that conveyed the content of the book while honoring the photographer. I had played with various incarnations of two totally different approaches. In the end, Ed found an exciting font that he placed on the original photograph, as well as the design of the back cover.

Now I can relax - sort of (of course I have to notify everyone of the launch )- and wait for launch day, October 9th.
                    Nancy Taiani