Friday, February 28, 2014

Goals, Celebrations, and Galveston

The last Friday of the month brings quite a few hops, which is a good thing for me since I am still running on empty when it comes to ideas for blog posts.



First up is the Cephalopod Coffeehouse hosted by The Armchair Squid. This is a simple and fun hop where we all share the best book we've read in the course of the month. If you'd like to sign up and join in, visit Armchair here.

Source: Amazon purchase page

The best book I read this month was Galveston by Nic Pizzolatto. In a word, this book is fantastic.

I mentioned last week that I have become a huge fan of HBO's True Detective, which is also written by Pizzolatto. I picked up Galveston for this reason and wasn't disappointed. If you like haunting and atmospheric noir stories you will love this book. It's a thriller that is hard to put down and I was actually sorry when I came to the end of the book. I think Pizzolatto is an amazing talent and while I'm sure he is quite busy with HBO now I hope he will write more novels in the future.


Next up, Misha Gericke's Do You Have Goals? hop.

This is my second month participating in this hop and I'm really glad I signed up as it's helped me focus on my goal of making a full-time living as a writer by June, 2015.

February was really a great month for me in terms of working towards that goal. I wrote an article about Martha's Vineyard and The Ghosts of Aquinnah that was accepted for publication in the Spring issue of Cape Women Online. That issue will go live in April and I can't wait to see my article there.

I also set up a book signing on May 24 at Edgartown Books on Martha's Vineyard. I'm going to be on the island that week and I was thrilled to be able to arrange something for Memorial Day weekend. As I mentioned previously, I also got accepted to be a festival author at the Ohioana Book Festival on May 10 in Columbus, Ohio. Finally, I arranged to do a presentation about the Vineyard combined with a book signing at my local public library on June 24.

So I feel like I had a very productive month in terms of arranging activities to help gain more exposure. I'm excited about all of these events I have coming up.


Finally, it's time to Celebrate the Small Things again with Vikki at Scribblings of an Aspiring Author.


This week I'm celebrating getting several of my A to Z in April posts written and scheduled to post. Last year I had all of my posts done in advance and I'm determined to do the same this year as it made the Challenge much more fun and less stressful. Are you participating in the A to Z Challenge this year? If you're on the fence about joining in, I can't recommend it enough. Just click on the badge above to sign up.

I'm also celebrating the fact that our weather was warm enough last weekend to melt all the snow and I could walk with Clancy this week without stumbling around in the snow or worrying about falling on ice. The weather turned cold again during the week but that's fine with me as I actually like walking in the cold as long as there is no snow or ice accompanying it. So Clancy and I had some great walks in the park this week and it felt great to be out and about with no snow in sight.

Hope everyone had a great week and has a good weekend coming up!

50 comments:

  1. That's cool about your article! If it's online, let us know when it comes out.
    Glad you're getting ahead with the Challenge posts. That was such a weight off my shoulders when I finished preparing mine.

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  2. I'm really really loving those blog hops. It's decided: I'll be participating in the upcoming ones as too.

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  3. Congratulations on the article. And well done for being so on top of the A-Z, it's not even March :-)

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  4. *hides from the A to Z*

    You're doing so well with your mega goal! Good job!

    That book sounds great - I've added it to my wishlist on Book Depository. :)

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  5. You are doing so great working on your goals, Julie! And I made a note of that book - I'm intrigued. :)

    Have a great weekend!

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  6. Awesomeness! You did get lots done towards your goal. I'm glad my blogfest helped in some small way. :-)

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  7. Congrats on the festival and book signing.

    One year I might do AtoZ, but not this time around. I'm about to go insane with all I have to do to get my debut out there. Gah. But I'll cheer all you AtoZers on. Woot! Go for it! :D

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  8. Thanks for the recommendation! And good luck with meeting all your goals...you seem to be immensely busy!

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  9. Good luck with your A to Z posts! I still have to do mine, I really ought to get a move on.

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  10. Julie, sounds like a good month! Good Luck with all your goals.

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  11. @Alex, I definitely will, thanks!

    @Vanessa, glad you are joining in!

    @Annalisa, thank you! And I'm kind of amazed I have been able to get A-Z posts done, usually I am the queen of procrastination LOL.

    @Trisha, thanks! And it's an amazing book, I can't recommend it enough.

    @Madeline, I hope you'll like the book. And you have a great weekend as well.

    @Misha, I'm so glad I signed up for it, thanks.

    @Melissa, yay, I'm so looking forward to your debut coming out. :)

    @Veronica, thank you, I appreciate it!

    @Laura, glad you're doing the A-Z too! Good luck. :)

    @Cathy, it was, for a change LOL. Thanks!

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  12. That book got so many less-than-stellar reviews on Amazon, it's good to hear your more positive take on it. (It still has a lot of 5-star reviews, but I always check the 1- 2- and 3-bangers to see what problems some people may have with a book.)

    Good for you on plowing steadily toward your goals. (Oops, with all the snow you've had this year, I don't guess you wanta hear anything about "plowing"...)

    Happy weekend!

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  13. Hi Julie,

    Ahem, quickly skipping by the blog hops! :)

    Galveston? Glad you liked that book. Thanks, but now I've got a certain Glen Campbell song whirling in my mind....

    Delighted in regards to your article.

    Did you mention the alphabet challenge? HELP! LOL

    Have a peaceful weekend and thank you for your kind comment on my most recent posting.

    Gary :)

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  14. It's good to be prepared for A to Z, otherwise it's stressful.

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  15. I do find publically announcing goals makes me so much more motivated to achieve them. Good luck with the writing, the signing and the festival!
    angelinetrevena.co.uk

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  16. Galveston sounds awesome - I love atmospheric gritty books! You've accomplished so many goals! Congrats on getting the article accepted and for everything else you've got lined up. I'm praying I have enough time to get my A-Z pre-written, but I'm determined to finish my WIP's first draft and I have 2 ARCs to read/review. ARGH!! I'll never get it all done. :P

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  17. @Susan, yeah, I saw the negative reviews too and couldn't disagree more with them. I read the book in two days time and honestly had trouble putting it down. Thanks!

    @Gary, you're most welcome! I don't know the Campbell song but I'm sorry if it is an unpleasant one for you LOL.

    @Nana, definitely.

    @Angeline, thank you, and I totally agree about the motivation.

    @Lexa, yikes, you're going to have a busy March! Good luck with everything, especially the WIP. I really need to work on mine as well.

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  18. I really don't like haunted themes, but I am very fond of you, Julie, and what you accomplished to promote your book sounds fabulous. All the best for a great Memorial Day weekend.

    I'm thinking about my A to Z posts, but I really don't like to do them all ahead of time.

    If you sign up to be a helper, like you were last year, it makes sense, of course. A lot of bloggers do them all ahead now and it seems that the challenge is lost then. I mean, what is the point? I wonder what Arlee thinks about this.

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  19. I really don't like haunted themes, but I am very fond of you, Julie, and what you accomplished to promote your book sounds fabulous. All the best for a great Memorial Day weekend.

    I'm thinking about my A to Z posts, but I really don't like to do them all ahead of time.

    If you sign up to be a helper, like you were last year, it makes sense, of course. A lot of bloggers do them all ahead now and it seems that the challenge is lost then. I mean, what is the point? I wonder what Arlee thinks about this.

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  20. Here's to those A to Z posts being done ahead of time. I'm sure you'll do it.

    I've noted Pizzolatto as a writer to look up. Thanks.

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  21. Wish I could go to Martha's Vineyard in May. Enjoy the book signing.
    I have at last joined the A-Z so I'm going to be extremely busy during March if I'm going to have the posts ready.

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  22. I wish I could come to Martha's Vineyard in May too. You are making great strides! I hope you hit the goal quicker than you ever imagined!

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  23. You had a lot to celebrate this month. I also love True Detective. I'll have to check out Galveston.

    By the way, I'm glad you and Clancy enjoyed the lovely weather last weekend. I'm guessing that storm that's heading for Dayton will slap Cinci, too.

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  24. Galveston sounds fun. I haven't seen True Detective but great screenwriting is always a pleasure.

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  25. @Inger, aww, that's so nice of you to say, thanks. And I know what you mean about the A-Z posts, there was something fun about the frenzy the first two years when I didn't have them scheduled. But I think I spoiled myself last year LOL.

    @Lee, I hope you will like his book!

    @Fanny, I'm glad you've joined the A-Z too, yay!

    @Elizabeth, I am really looking forward to the trip, May is going to be an exciting month. Thanks so much.

    @LD, if you like TD I really think you will love the book. The style is very similar. And yeah, we are supposed to get the storm too. Mostly ice which really makes me nervous. :( Glad we had one nice week at least!

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  26. @Armchair, it is! And this definitely qualifies.

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  27. Congrats on the new publication and the signings.

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  28. I had almost forgotten how much I enjoy a bit of noirish detection! Considering the A-Z, but yet to commit!

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  29. @Beth, thanks!

    @Lisa, I hope you will decide to do it, the more the merrier. :)

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  30. I think I'll look out for this book after reading your review. I'm planning to do the A-Z again this year so see you there!

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  31. Well done on getting ahead on your A=Z posts, that sounds like a good idea!

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  32. @Sally, great, see you! :)

    @Words, glad you liked it.

    @Vikki, I hope I can get them all finished, fingers crossed.

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  33. Congrats on your article - that's very cool!

    That's so great that you've got some posts done for your A to Z challenge already. :)

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  34. Congrats on all your productivity in February! So exciting about all those events you have coming up. I hope every single one of them goes well! :)

    Also, I'm so impressed that you're taking part in the A-to-Z challenge. That always seems so overwhelming to me!

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  35. Congrats on getting your article published, and on all of your upcoming book signings! I'm sure that you'll have no problem reaching your goal in 2015! Great book review! I'm also a huge fan of True Detective. Looking forward to your A to Z posts!

    Julie

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  36. It sounds like you are making good progress with your goals. Well done.

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  37. @Kimberly, thanks, I'm really excited about it.

    @Heather, it kind of is but in a fun way LOL. Thanks so much.

    @Julie, thank you!!

    @Ruth, thanks, I appreciate it.

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  38. Congrats on the article! That's great. I haven't watched True Detective yet, but they are showing it in the UK.

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  39. I love how you have a definite (and attainable) goal, Julie. And you're actively working toward it. I may have to check out True Detective. We just finished up season 2 of House of Cards and are looking for another good watch.
    Congrats on all you've accomplished.

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  40. @TB, I'm really excited about the article, thanks!

    @Susan, I can't recommend TD enough, I'm sorry it's almost over. Thanks so much.

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  41. Excellent! I shall keep an eye out for both show and book.

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  42. Crikey Julia, you really pulled it out of the bag this month!

    Superb news about all those appearances. I'd be chewing my fingernails down the stumps if it were me, mind you. And I'm so impressed with everyone who has preplanned all their April posts already.

    Hope you get finer weather and a little break. :)

    shahwharton.com

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  43. @Chris, hello, so nice to meet you! Thanks for following and I will look forward to checking out your site.

    @Armchair, I hope you like them!

    @Shah, honestly I am chewing my fingers too LOL. That is my topic for this month's IWSG!

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  44. Have fun at the book signing! As for the A to Z Challenge, I'm scheduled through "U".

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  45. That's great about the article!

    Well, and everything else you have going on :D

    I'm with you on the weather. It's still cold, but at least the snow is gone.

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  46. Sounds like you had a productive month! Congrats on the article! :D

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  47. No A-Z posts for me this year-- it's just too much time for the goals I want to work towards. But they're always fun posts to read. Speaking of goals, good for you for being so productive!

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  48. I'll be visiting Galveston next month. Maybe I'll buy the book there.

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  49. Hi Julie - Galveston sounds an interesting read .. and the author I haven't heard of (probably not surprisingly!). Well done on all the things you've organised for promoting Ghosts of Aquinnah and Polar Nights - good news.

    Then starting on your A-Z posts .. a reminder: Hilary get going!

    Cheers to you - Hilary

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  50. @Bish, wow, you are rocking for the A-Z! I need to catch up with you LOL.

    @Samantha, thanks so much, I appreciate it.

    @Cherie, thanks!

    @Julie, thank you, I hope I can do half as well this month, we'll see.

    @Carol, oh that would be fun, if you do I hope you like it.

    @Hilary, I hadn't heard of him either but now I'm a huge fan. Thank you! And good luck with your A-Z posts. :D

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