Hello all! So, it is back to the grindstone, now that I had a really nice vacation in Louisiana and Mississippi with my father! It was nice to walk the sandy beaches and relax for a while. We also went to Biloxi, MS, where my historical pirate novel is set. It's always nice to visit the place you write about! Check out my vacation pictures on Facebook - you can friend me under "Karolina Blaha-Black." Just mention my writing blog when you friend me.

Right after my father left on a plane back to Europe (volcano ash permitting), I turned right around and went to the Oklahoma Writers Conference in Oklahoma City. The sole purpose of me going was to get an agent for my historical pirate novel. I don't want to say that I was succesful, but the verdict is positive- I met with an agent from Oregon. Her words were: "I'm intriqued. Clean it up, edit it, and send it to me. Not making any promises, but I would like to see it." I consider that quite positive! Well, no more delays, back to the manuscript, and back to editing! Until next time, writers!

Well, I am back from the Chisholm Trail Book Fest in Duncan, OK. It was quite packed, full of wonderful authors writing a variety of different genres, and I definitely felt in my element. I did sell a few books (during bad economy, a few is more than any writer can hope for, I suppose, unless you're one of the big names), but I had great fun. In the next few days, I'll be posting info about some of the people I met and their links to their sites and/or blogs.
If you're considering going to a book festival anytime soon, consider these following tips:

1) Arrive early: you'll have a plenty of time to set up, put out your books, and unwind before customers start coming in.

2) Have some freebies: customers like something free with their purchase. Have a small item ready for free when customers buy your book. It can be anything that is related in some way to the theme/genre of your book. For my book, Anika and the Magic Top, I gave out small wooden tops with the purchase of my book. You can buy these and other cute promotional things here: www.orientaltrading.com.

3) Talk to other authors: this is a great way to network, because you never know what will come your way. Exchange books, business cards, emails, make yourself available to not just customers, but to people in your industry as well.

4) Have an email list ready: encourage customers to sign your email list if they liked or were interested in your book. Ask their permission to send them updates about your works, appearances, and other stuff of interest.

5) Be civil, have a smile on your face, and have fun!

Well, a lot of water under the bridge has passed, and I haven't posted anything of value on this blog for a while. That said, I am going to change that and make some cool announcements.

1) Oct. 24th, 2009- my book, "Anika and the Magic Top," will be on display and for sale at the Chisholm Trail Book Festival at Duncan, Oklahoma. Check their site out at http://okwriters.blogspot.com/2009/03/chisholm-trail-book-festival-announced.html

It will be a nice event, with tons of authors selling books on every possible subject. Come out and see us, and if you buy a copy of my book, you'll get- shhh!- a surprise gift with purchase. The event runs from 9-5p.m., and it is bound to be loads of fun for the whole family. Come out for a fun afternoon!

2) In May 2009 I gave a talk in North Branch Public Library in Denton, TX on basics of editing. It was a success, but if you missed one of my talks, never fear- there will be more. Just watch my blog for more announcements of this sort in the future.

3) I am hard at work on my second novel, "Murder of Ravens," a historical pirate adventure. So far I have about 40 K words, I am working hard daily to get the other 20K or so in. So far so good, however, sometimes I have to almost chain myself to the computer to get things done. Writing is such a lonely endeavour, as most writers know.

Well, that is about it as far as announcements go for now. Watch this space for more updates about my book(s), and what's going on with me. Until next time!
Caroline

Here is a great tip on writing and a good quote on reading that I heard recently. I think that these are worth their way in gold.

1) If you get ready to write, DON'T check your email first. Leave it for later, after you're done writing, as a cherry on top. (I am guilty of this one).

2) "A book is like a mirror. If an ass peers into it, you can't expect an apostle to look out."
- G.C. Lichtenberg

Happy reading and writing,
Caroline

Well, here I am with my hubby. We are standing in line to the Pin Show, which was a fabulous indie-designer fashion show in Dallas, TX. There were definitely things to write about, and all those reps from the magazines in the area were, of course, in on the fun, including some TV newscasters and other celebrities. Feels nice to mingle like that, especially now that I have decided to go back to school and get my second degree in fashion. Besides nice clothes, fashion shows are great ways to mingle with magazine editors and models, ask them questions (if you're lucky enough to get a slice of their time), and get writing ideas! Writing ideas are everywhere, even in your backyard.

Here are some websites that I am a member of and that I am crazy about: these are AWESOME!

1. Postcrossing.com: great site where you write a postcard to anyone in the world and receive one back from a random person. The more you send, the more you get! I am absolutely addicted to this site, because it's great, and all it costs is postage.

2. Bookmooch.com: another site, where you swap book with people. Get rid of books you don't want, and swap them with books that other people have that you desire. I have gotten some great prizes this way. Again, all you pay is shipping.

3. Etsy.com: this site has everything handmade, from jewelry to household and pet items and beyond. Myself, I have handmade jewelry on here, some paper goods, some of my books, and little bits and pieces of handmade treasures. Check me out on www.karli.etsy.com.

4. Swaptreasures.com: a site where you can swap anything for anything, from books to electronics. You make an offer to another swapper, and they either take it or reject it. Bartering is a welcome activity on that site!

This is my list of great sites for the month. Besides, these will keep you busy longer than Ebay!
Caroline

In an effort to try to attract more readers to my blog, I am going through a really cool customization process, and I hope it will increase my readership. Please check out the updated look of my blog, as now it looks a little better and is easier to read. Also, it looks a little more "writerly" than before. I am still working on it, so bear with me, but this is a start.
Caroline

Hello writers,
here's a small but important announcement in case any of you are in the Denton, TX area. There will be a booksigning of several local (Denton) authors in the Denton Golden Triangle Mall at the Barnes and Noble. It will be me with my children's book Anika and the Magic Top, and two other authors, Ben Dickerson and Liz Lally. I am not sure as to what they write, but I am sure that they are fine writers with great books to read. Please stop by and support your local authors! The booksigning will go from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, which is tomorrow.

Hi guys, Caroline again. Lately, not much has been happening in my writing life, but I must say that my book is selling fairly well. I'm having fun talking about my book to various people (a little of word-of-mouth marketing, if you will), and that's great. If nothing else, it helps me get over my shyness. And we all know that writers should not be shy, as that is a detriment in selling books.

As far as my writing goes, I'm currently working on my first zine. Zines are cropping up everywhere lately, and I guess that inspired me to make my own. Stay tuned, as I will soon post the title page here for all to see.

Until next time!

Me again. Recently, the editor of SageWoman magazine contacted me, and is considering my story "Baba Yaga" for the upcoming issue of Sage Woman. I am very excited, I hope I make the cut! BTW, Baba Yaga is my favorite goddess, to be exact, a dark Slavic goddess. She's a crone, usually portrayed as an evil witch, living in a house on a chicken leg, a kid eater. This story should be a blast! Wish me luck!
Caroline

Well, I have done it again. This time I've again managed to get a book review published with New Witch magazine (find the latest issue on the shelves of major bookstores). I reviewed a neat book called "Wicca for Beginners" by Thea Sabin. Check it out if you get a chance!

Also, check out my new article, just posted on www.Shebytches.com. It is about the just-passed (whew!) Friday the 13th, and the article is named just that!

Other than that, my book, Anika and the Magic Top, have been selling fairly well, knock on wood, I hope it continues. I just sold one copy to a fellow writer the other day, a lady, who had her book signing in Hastings. What fun!

Cheers and keep writing,
Caroline

my logo!!!

Yey, here it is, my book, Anika and the Magic Top, is finally here. Like I said in my previous posts, I am very excited, but I guess, last time I forgot to post picture! Silly me! Here is the cover pic, then, sorry about this! Once again, it is avaiable on http://www.lulu.com/, and also, if you happen to wander into my corner of the planet, in the Denton Hastings. If you do read the book, feel free to post comments here or on Lulu. Happy reading!

Caroline

Well, people, my book is finally here! It's been such a long road, but it is finally done, done, done!

It is available for purchase from www.lulu.com (just type in the name of the book, "Anika and the Magic Top"), and it'll come right up! You can read what it's all about and also preview the book. You will have to sign up if you decide to buy from Lulu, but don't worry, it's secure and free. If you prefer to buy from me, just drop me an email at brindlecoat@hotmail.com, and I'll send you an order form. Also, it will soon be available in my hometown Denton (Texas) in the local Hastings in their Local Authors section and also on Amazon. com.

I am very excited as you can imagine, and the book has been selling quite well so far. Wish me luck, and if you have young girls, consider purchasing a copy. See the cool cover that's inserted in this posting.

About the book: Anika and the Magic Top is a fantasy story for middle-grade girls (7-12 years old). Twelve-year-old Anika finds a magical spinning top in her mother’s garden. Upon spinning it, it transports her to a land called Animalia. It is a magical land where only animals live, and it is ruled by an evil opossum king called Zarr. Zarr steals the top, Anika’s only way of return to Earth, but Anika and her friends figure out a desperate plan. They manage to trick Zarr, and Anika banishes him with the help of the top to an unknown land, so he can’t tyranize Animalia anymore. Victorious, she returns to Earth with a special gift from the Animalians and rejoins her family.

Stay tuned for more updates about the book!
Caroline Blaha-Black

Hey all! Anybody read any good book on writing (or any good book for that matter) lately? My favorite is Bird By Bird (writers reading this know what I'm talking about). Anybody read anything new lately? Let me know, don't be shy.

So, here it is, people, the holiday season and the New Year rolled by, and it is 2007! For me, it is full of surprises. First of all, Sagewoman magazine published another of my reviews, which is great. Look me up in the latest issue of Sagewoman, in the reviews section. This time I reviewed an awesome astrology jewelry product, but I won't tell you more, you gotta read all about it! If you love jewelry and astrology, you should certainly glance at it.

Also, out of a clear blue, an editor from Stitches, a canadian magazine of medical humor, contacted me and said that they accepted one of my cartoons for publication. I feel elated, as this is the fisrt canadian publication that I have a cartoon it. They pay (yes!), and I'll get an complimentary issue as well.

Finally, my book is coming slowly along. I'm having a little trouble with my front cover and the way it looks, but I'm working on it, and hope to fix it soon. So far, I got my test copy and some stuff in the text needs improving as well. Watch my blog for more updates, and happy writing!

Until next time,
Karolina (Caroline)

So, this is me with Deepak Chopra. I love his books, they're amazing. 

Hey and hello! Caroline here!
I haven't been on this blog for ages! Oh well, busy happens and busy I have been. Besides publishing a few more articles on www.shebytches.com as usual, I have been preoccupied in other areas.

Recently, to my absolute delight, I won a pirate writing contest. One author was creating a buzz about his new book out "Vampirates" and held a contest. Participants had to describe what "a vampirate captain or other member of the crew might look like, and what they do." Each of the three winners got a copy of his new book "Vampirates", and I was one of them. Even though the book is really for children, it is a great read and I fully recommned you look it up. Can't remember the name of the author, though, so the title should be enough. You can imagine that I let my imagination run wild with that entry! For more pirate contests and a pirate newsletter, sign up at www.cindyvallar.com.

Also, on a fun note, pics of my pets got published in a small local pet magazine called City and Country Pets (www.ccpets.com). If you are from the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex area, you can pick up a copy in any local pet store like Petco or Petsmart, or look up the above-mentioned site. I am gonna post my babies' pics here anyway for all to see later.

What else? Those of you who know Deepak Chopra and his wonderful books (I own Seven Spiritual Laws of Success) would be happy to know that I went to Dallas for his booksigning a few weeks ago. Despite the throngs of people I managed to get my book signed AND took a photo with him as well, thanks to promptness on my spouse's part. Pic will be posted shortly. Check out www.choprablog.com for those of you who are interested in his writings.

Yes, my first book, Anika and the Magic Top, will be published soon, so watch this space. I am still working on the layout and design, some blurbs on the back, and other stuff. Will keep you posted on that, but the sheduled out date should be around March 07, like I said before. A lot of work still remains.

So that's it for now. Pics follow tomorrow.
Caroline

Hey all, here I am again. Ready for another post?
My children's book, Anika and the Magic Top, is going to be published a little bit later that I had thought at first. Looks like it will be around March of '07 instead of the end of this year. I have the front cover and back covers ready (the art is amazing), and now it's time to get my ISBN number, print marketing materials like bookmarks, biz cards, etc. Quite a job, I tell you, so much more than the actual writing. Check back often for updates about my book, and watch this space for new posts.

I also recently sold an article on writing scams that has been published by the Writer 2 Writer newsletter. Check out www.writer2writer.com, and you have to sign up to recieve the newsletter, but it's free. And well worth your time.

Until next time,
Caroline

Hello bloggers and writers!
This is the I-must-apologize-for-not-keeping-this blog-up-to-date- Caroline. Yes, I have been busy, and all that stuff, I already know what you're thinking. But, this blog is finally back after this little blogger went to Europe for a long vacation and totally didn't worry about the blog at all.
Oh well, so here we are! So pretty please with a cherry on top, start reading this rag again as I write it.

First some updates: my middle-grade children's book called "Anika and the Magical Top" will be published towards the end of this year from Lulu. I am now collaborating with an amazing illustrator on my cover, and I am very excited about the opportunity to work with her. And, as far as prices for illustrating goes, she's very reasonable. Now, you can't wish for more than that. FYI, most illustrators usually charge between $400-800, and that's probably only for one-time use. My illustrator only charged me $200 and I get to own the rights to the image! Sweet deal, huh?

I am still working on the pirate novel, and I got to about chapter 5. As you can imagine, I am still trying to work out some historical kinks and piratical lingo, so I am subscribing to the only pirate rag in the US that I know off called No Quarter Given (www.noquartergiven.net). Hope it helps me with this kind of stuff.

My new article is posted on Shebytches.com. It's called "They Lied to Us at School." Check it out, especially if you're a student!

My other article on writing scams also got published in the Denton Writers' League Newsletter last month. Look up back issues of the DWL Newsletter at our site.

Until next time!
Caroline