Welcome!

I have some terrific news: Murder Takes the Cake is currently No. 3 on the Amazon Kindle overall bestseller list and No. 1 in Mystery – Women’s Sleuths! Deborah Smith sent Gayle the news yesterday.

I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas and are gearing up for a happy New’s Year’s Day and new year. I went looking for a beautiful New Year’s cake, and I found one (and a lot more!) at Freed’s Bakery of Las Vegas.

Site Spotlight: Freed’s Bakery of Las Vegas

This New Year’s Celebration cake is lovely and whimsical.

Freed’s Bakery was founded in 1959 by Milton and Esther Fried and is still family owned and operated.  Freed’s Bakery has third-generation family members ensuring the continued success of the bakery, and they continue to offer the same delicious products along with the excellent customer service that their customers have come to know and love.

Quality, attention to detail, and friendly, personalized service are only a few of the reasons why Freed’s Bakery of Las Vegas is famous worldwide.  From simple and elegant to elaborate creations, the team at Freed’s will design the cake of your dreams.

Freed’s Bakery boasts an impressive list of celebrity clients, including Wayne Brady, Cher, Vanessa Williams, Thomas Kincade and Chuck Norris. The bakery has been featured on such television programs as Roker on the Road, $40 a Day with Rachael Ray, Sugar Rush and TopThis Party. Freed’s Bakery has also been mentioned in magazines, such as, Bon Appetit, Martha Stewart Weddings and Conde Nast Traveler.

In addition to wedding, anniversary and special occasion cakes, Freed’s Bakery of Las Vegas offers mini pastries, cookies, cupcakes and other baked goods. The bakery offers to ship its rugulach anywhere in the Continental United States. The rugulach is available in chocolate chip and raspberry, cinnamon and walnut, apricot and raisin, and raspberry and raisin.

Visit Freed’s Bakery of Las Vegas’ website for additional photographs and information.

Marcy’s Musings

Hi and Merry Christmas! I know it’s still two days away, but it’s snowy and gorgeous and . . . Christmas. Anyway, she did it. Gayle made the things she said she was going to try. So without further ado, I’ll turn the newsletter over to her.

Gayle’s Stitchery Spotlight

Marcy is right. I gave everything a try these past couple weeks. To the left is my attempt at Hardanger. I told my husband I figured out why this particular form of embroidery is called Hardanger. “It’s hard, and it makes you say ‘dang.’” So, I have to admit, I wound up taking out almost as many stitches as I put in; but I would try Hardanger again . . . as long as it was another “easy kid’s pattern.” If I’d tried an “easy adult pattern” right off the bat, I think I’d have given up.

I love my little snow people. I put them in greeting cards, but I doubt I’ll send them anywhere. I’ll probably put them on a shelf. I love the snowman’s eyes and the expression on his face. He just looks so sweet. I think the girl looks sweet, too.

One reason I wanted to do the swans is because this pattern reminded me of the swan embroidery on Marcy’s wall on the cover of The Quick and The Thread. This was the first time (with this pattern and the snow girl, above) I’d ever done redwork, and I enjoyed it. I’ll probably do more of this kind of embroidery, too.

Like Marcy, I hope all of you have a wonderful, blessed Christmas and a joyous New Year!

I found myself in good company in the Plum Borough Community Library’s November 2009 newsletter (http://www.einetwork.net/ein/plumboro/leaf%20NOV%2009.pdf). Scroll down to page two’s “Fall Into Some Great Reads” section, and you’ll see what I mean. Murder Takes the Cake is mentioned there with books by Stephen King, Patricia Cornwell and David Baldacci. So thank you so much, PBCL!

WRITING UP A STORM

December 2009
================================================================
Welcome!

In case you’re wondering what to get me (or another writer) for
Christmas, this month’s question of the month addresses that issue.
Since there are a lot of cool items I’m sure I’ve overlooked, won’t
you please and add your favorite wishlist items?

Take care & have a wonderful month!

Gayle

================================================================
IN THIS ISSUE

QUESTION OF THE MONTH: WHAT CAN I GET MY FAVORITE WRITER FOR
CHRISTMAS?
CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT
LINK OF THE MONTH
MARKET SPOTLIGHT
S H A M E L E S S SELF-PROMOTION

================================================================
QUESTION OF THE MONTH: WHAT CAN I GET MY FAVORITE WRITER FOR
CHRISTMAS?

Finding a Gift for the Writer on Your Gift List
 
Have you got a writer on your gift list? If you have (even if that
writer is YOU), and you don’t have a clue as to what gift to buy,
I’m here to help.

Let’s start with the simple things. I love these greeting
cards/bookmarks. They’re great and designed to go with any book,
genre, etc. The cards are $3.95 each and you can buy them from
retailers or from the company’s online store.
(http://www.inmybook.net/inmybook.htm)

Literary Calligraphy: This “All American Note Card Assortment”
blends watercolor images with text from American writers. See these
beautiful note cards at
http://www.literarycalligraphy.com/stationery/allamericards.html.

Women Writers Journal — cloth-covered with lined pages. The
Library of Congress has a women writers tote for $24.00. The women
writers featured are Gertrude Stein, Louisa May Alcott, Elizabeth
Barrett Browning, Virginia Woolf, Emily Dickinson, Edna St. Vincent
Millay, Jane Austen, Phyllis Wheatley, Charlotte Bronte, Mary
Shelley and Sylvia Plath.

Submission Trackers: There are several versions of submission
trackers. Most also offer a free demonstration. I’m sure any of
them would be beneficial. See these to determine which might best
suit your writer’s needs.

1) Power Tracker
(http://www.write-brain.com/power_tracker_main.htm) – Features
include automatic follow-up reminders and searchable notes.

2) Quick Query Tracker
(http://www.worldwidefreelance.com/qqt/) – Includes backup feature
and ability to save favorite market details.

3) Write That Down
(http://www.writerssupercenter.com/writethatdown/) – Features
automatic letter of inquiry generator and resume of published work.
 
4) Luminary Writer’s Database
(http://www.luminarypub.com/services/writersdb/) – This is an
online database and it’s f*ree. The service allows you to keep
track of submissions, acceptances, rejections, amount of money
earned, etc.

5) SwiftTrack for Manuscripts
(http://www.swifttechsoftware.com/tracking.htm) – Features 14
different types of reports.

Writing Books:

1) Writer’s Market 2010 (Writer’s Market) is always a popular
choice. You can now get a deluxe version that includes access to
the Writer’s Market online database. If your writer has a
specialty, you can get Writer’s Market 2010 (Writer’s Market);
Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market 2010 (Novel and Short Story
Writer’s Market); Songwriter’s Market 2010 (Songwriter’s Market);
2010 Photographers Market (Photographer’s Market); Poet’s Market
2010 (Poet’s Market); and 2010 Artist’s & Graphic Designer’s
Market.

2) If the writer you’re buying for is considering self-publishing,
Dan Poynter’s book, Dan Poynter’s Self-Publishing Manual, 16th
Edition: How to Write, Print and Sell Your Own Book (Self
Publishing Manual)will get him/her on the right track.

3) If your favorite writer already has a book in print, consider
John Kremer’s 1001 Ways to Market Your Books, Sixth Edition (1001
Ways to Market Your Books: For Authors and Publishers). (
http://www.bookmarketing.com) Other good books on the subject
include Publicize Your Book: An Insider’s Guide to Getting Your
Book the Attention It Deserves by Jacqueline Deval; Confessions of
Shameless Self Promoters by Debbie Allen; and Guerrilla Marketing
for Writers : 100 Weapons to Help You Sell Your Work by Jay Conrad
Levinson, Rick Frishman and Michael Lar.

4) A freelance writer? Some good options include The Renegade
Writer: A Totally Unconventional Guide to Freelance Writing Success
(The Renegade Writer’s Freelance Writing series) by Linda
Formichelli and Diana Burrell; How to Write Irresistible Query
Lettersby Lisa Collier Cool; Feminine Wiles: Creative Techniques
for Writing Women’s Features Stories That Sell by Donna Elizabeth
Boetig; and Facts in a Flash: A Research Guide for Writers by Ellen
Metter.

5) If your favorite writer is a budding Hollywood screen writer,
you might want to get him/her The Complete Book of Scriptwriting by
J. Michael Straczynski; The Screenwriter’s Bible: A Complete Guide
to Writing, Formatting, and Selling Your Script, by David Trottier;
The 101 Habits of Highly Successful Screenwriters: Insider’s
Secrets from Hollywood’s Top Writers by Karl Iglesias; or Power
Screenwriting: The 12 Stages of Story Development by Michael Chase
Walker.

If all else fails, pens, pretty stationery and/or gift certificates
to booksellers, office supply stores and computer stores are always
welcome!

================================================================

CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT

Murder, Mayhem & $25 Amazon Gift Card from Gayle Trent!
Check it out at FreshFiction:
http://freshfiction.com/contest.php?id=2182

================================================================

LINK OF THE MONTH: WOW! Women on Writing
http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/

I know this isn’t the first time I’ve spotlighted WOW! Women on
Writing, but the December issue of the ezine is all about literary
agents; and I know that subject is of interest to many of you. Be
sure to check out my 20-Question Interview with Kim Lionetti of
BookEnds, LLC. She has a lot of wonderful advice and information to
share.

================================================================

MARKET SPOTLIGHT: WOW! Women on Writing Freelance Job Board
http://jobs.wow-womenonwriting.com/a/jbb/find-jobs

Terrific resources for finding freelance writing gigs!

================================================================

S H A M E L E S S SELF-PROMOTION

Gayle Trent – Look for my latest article, an interview with
literary agent Kim Lionetti in the December issue of WOW! WOMEN ON
WRITING. Also, the reviews for DEAD PAN are starting to filter in,
and so far, they’re all great!

Don’t forget to send in your own success stories!

Welcome!

First off, Gayle would like to thank everyone who came out to her book signing at Waldenbooks in Kingsport, TN on Saturday, December 12. She was saddened to hear that the store will be closing soon.

Do any of you make gingerbread houses around this time of year? If so, please post your photos in the comments. I’d love to see them. Since it’s so close to Christmas, and Christmas brings thoughts of gingerbread and sugar plums, I’ve chosen a special site to spotlight this week.

Site Spotlight: Enchanted Gingerbread

Look how gorgeous this is! There is a little decorated Christmas tree inside. And I think there might just be presents under that tree. I also think, based on what I read at the website, that this house was created for Gwen Stephani.

And, check out the ones at right. They were made for Sephora.  (Gayle wanted me to add here that she loves Sephora!) These were gingerbread boxes that were emblazoned with the Sephora logo and catalog images, filled with gingerbread cookies and tied with a big red satin bow.

And, last but not least, check out the replica of Radio City Music Hall, home of the fabulous Rockettes! (Knee and kick, and knee and kick!) Adorable.

So, if this doesn’t get you in the mood to make your own gingerbread creations, go on over to Enchanted Gingerbread of Nashville, TN, and see what else they have to offer.

Marcy’s Musings

Hi, everybody! How are you? I hope you’re fine and not too stressed out with Christmas shopping, preparing for holiday parties and worrying about all those extra calories you might be consuming. Who am I kidding? There’s no might about it. I’ll be consuming extra calories! I did see a piece of advice on controlling your holiday calorie consumption, though. The article advised, “Splurge on what you love, not on what you like.”  My problem is that I love everything!

Pattern Spotlights:

Rather than do a site spotlight this week, I’m going to do a pattern spotlight. You guys still have two weeks until Christmas, and I thought you might want to make some last-minute gifts.

Here is an adorable cross-stitch fingertip towel from Michaels which wouldn’t take very long at all to make.

Here is a “hardanger for kids” pattern. Now, please don’t be offended. If you haven’t ever done hardanger, it’s a great introduction to this needlecraft. If you’ll scroll down to the bottom, you’ll see the pattern done in all white, which would make a beautiful Christmas ornament. {Note from Gayle: I printed it out, and I’m going to try it!}

Here are some adorable needlepoint ornaments that you can do as a sampler or as individual ornaments; and a needlepoint Santa who is as cute as can be.

Here is a sweet cross-stitch ornament titled “not a creature was stirring.”  

Here are some vintage Christmas embroidery designs you could do in redwork or blackwork. {Note from Gayle: I might try a few of these, too!}

Monograms are nice touches to add to gifts, such as hand towels, scarves or handkerchiefs. You could also make monogram Christmas ornaments. Here is a pattern from Plaid Online. This pattern is backward, so you can print it out on iron-on printer paper and then transfer it to your fabric. {Note from Gayle: I might give it a try!}

Okay, that’s all I’m doing today. Guys, please pray that Gayle doesn’t hurt herself trying all these new things. I think sometimes she forgets I’m the embroidery person; she’s the writer.

Our church is hosting the Power Force, and Shirley Statzer and I were responsible for feeding them last night. They were so appreciative. Power Team members love cookies! (But, then, who doesn’t?)

 My husband said it was a terrific program. I didn’t get to see it, so we’re going back today. That’s me in the middle, by the way; and, no, I’m not sitting down.

Dana Donovan grew up in New England where folklore and superstitions can mold a town’s history as much as its people. Since December is often such a busy month, I’m going to focus on Dana’s book of short stories, Death and Other Inconveniences. First off, let’s have Dana tell you about a few of them:

My inspiration for Bi’Dahji was a simple line that popped into my head: “It moved.” Just two simple words and I thought they would make a great first line for a story. Of course, the problem with coming up with the first two words of a short story is that you need another five-to-fifteen thousand words to follow. With little more than a first sentence to go by, it is no wonder that Bi’Dahji took almost as long to write, as did all the other short stories in this collection together, but that’s the truth. Before those words, there was no such thing as a tewechi, peeket, subit or troller.