Which writing-related topic should be addressed in the next Inside the Writers’ Studio episode? One of your suggestions WILL be chosen.
Kristen Tsetsi and I have a second episode in production, but we’d like your ideas for upcoming episodes. The only rule is that the topic be related to the writing world (writing, publishing, writers as people, art, etc.).
You can leave your suggestions here in the comments section, via Twitter, or visit our Facebook page.
Have I ever mentioned how very much I hate Valentine’s Day? It is, to quote Joel Barish in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, “a holiday invented by greeting card companies to make people feel like crap.” The latter part doesn’t really apply to me, since I’m happily married. It’s the fact that Hallmark, FTD, and Russell Stover all want to dictate when a man gives the woman in his life a little bit of attention. Even worse are those idiotic jewelry commercials that make men feel like shit if they don’t fork over a year’s salary for a gaudy, disgusting diamond covered-monstrosity.
Here’s my idea of a romantic gift. A few days ago I used up the last of my Cascade dishwashing liquid. The next night my hubby came home with a brand new jug of it. Why is that romantic?
1.) I didn’t ask him for it. I didn’t even tell him we’d run out. The jug made that funky farting noise that happens when there’s more air left inside than soap. He heard it, knew what it meant, remembered it, and bought me a new one.
2.) He got the right scent. (Melon…I love the way it makes my kitchen smell.)
3.) Did I mention that I didn’t have to ask him to pick me up a jug of dishwashing liquid?
I’ll take a jug of Cascade over a card with a corny poem my husband didn’t write, a dozen roses that’ll make me sneeze, a box of chocolates that’ll go right to my ass, and a diamond that some abused little kid dug out of a mine any day. Even Valentine’s Day.
I know nothing about football, except that – because I live in New England, and because Tom Brady is hot – I’m supposed to root for the Patriots. That doesn’t stop me from making a Superbowl prediction every year. This year, like all years the Patriots aren’t playing, I’ll make my decision based on which uniform I like best.
This year’s choice is a difficult one. I mean, both of these team’s uniforms suck big fat eggs. Seriously. Just look:
Bo-ring.
Still, I have to choose, so here goes.
Saints: 5943
Colts: 7
In overtime.
100% of the proceeds from every copy of Waiting For Spring sold at Smashwords (a site that allows you to download books in a variety of formats you can read on your e-reader or on your computer) between now and March 1 will benefit Doctors without Borders.
(NOTE: All WFS sales from Amazon still benefit Spruce Run.)
Two Backword Books – Homefront, by Kristen Tsetsi and Waiting For Spring, by RJ Keller, are #1 and #2 bestsellers in Women’s Fiction at Smashwords.
Four Backword books are in the Top Ten literary bestsellers. (Homefront – #1; Waiting For Spring #5; The American Book of the Dead, by Henry Baum #6; Carol’s Aquarium, by Kristen Tsetsi #10.)
To read more about seven of the Backword authors, download Backword Books: Full Frontal — Author-on-Author Interviews about Literary Fiction, Independent Publishing, and Sources of Inspiration and Desperation at Smashwords (set your own price).
In other Backword news, Philip Persinger, author of Do The Math, is now a member. Welcome Phil!
It’s been awhile since I’ve made a video blog. The last one was posted in July 2009! Shameful! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAmlm5lY84c)
I’m getting ready to make a new one, the title of which will be “Questions and Answers.” As you may have guessed, I will be answering reader’s questions about “Waiting For Spring,” as well as about the new novel. Some of these questions are of the “frequently asked” variety, but I would love to answer specific questions from readers here.
So if you’ve got a question about Waiting For Spring (about the story in general, the characters, locations, inspiration, preferred font, etc) or about the progress of the new novel that you’d like to have answered on the new video, please leave it in the comments section of this note.
I will answer every question posted, however unusual. In fact the unusual-er the better.
Over a span of seven weeks in the fall of 2009, the Backword Books authors published interviews of each other on the Backword blog. Now, these interviews have been gathered together in a single volume available for free download (or “you set the price“) via Smashwords, allowing authors, publishers, and readers to enjoy these insightful exchanges on a device of their choosing.
The e-book is entitled, “Backword Books: Full Frontal — Author-on-Author Interviews about Literary Fiction, Independent Publishing, and Sources of Inspiration and Desperation.” It includes interviews with:
The Backword authors answer questions about their novels (what inspired the stories, who the characters are, what readers can expect going in), and about their chosen genres. Additionally, because each takes a different approach to the work of writing and the tasks of publishing and marketing, you’ll be sure to find plenty of tips, inspiration, and lively exchanges in this volume of interviews.
Check it out!
R.J. Keller 
