It's the first Wednesday of February, which means it's time for another edition of the Insecure Writer's Support Group.
Created by Alex J. Cavanaugh, the IWSG exists so writers can give and get support from fellow writers. This is your opportunity to air your insecurities without risking mockery, because this group is as supportive as they come. Anyone can join. Simply click on Alex's name and put your blog on the list. We post the first Wednesday of each month. Be sure to hop around and visit some of your fellow writers.
The co-hosts this month are: Joylene Nowell Butler, Jacqui Murray, Sandra Cox, and Lee Lowery!
The optional question this month is: Is there someone who supported or influenced you that perhaps isn't around anymore? Anyone you miss?
Woof. Loaded question for me after the last couple years, so I'll just say yes and leave you with a quote from my grandma after I sent her a copy of one of my horror collections: "This is a nice little book you've got here."
Jeremy and I were co-hosts of the A-to-Z Challenge years ago. In fact, my banner is the one he made me, which is why it still says I'm a host on it. I kept meaning to ask him if he could remake it without that, because I didn't want to part with the design since it's exactly what inspired the name of my blog to begin with. But I hate asking people for things, so I just kept it up despite it saying I was a host.
The team in 2012 consisted of Arlee Bird (of course), Damyanti Biswas, DL Hammons, Matthew MacNish, Elizabeth Mueller, Jenny Pearson, Konstanz Silverbow, Stephen Tremp, Tina Downey, Jeremy, Alex, and myself. Tina and I were brought onto the team after we challenged each other to visit ALL the other A-to-Z participants after the challenge had closed. We ended up running the Post A-to-Z Road Trip. I believe Jeremy made us a graphic for that, as well, but I don't seem to have it anymore.
There was a fun trio with Jeremy, Tina, and I during our tenure with the challenge. A lot of joking around. Unfortunately, we lost Tina several years ago. I hope their friendship can continue now.
One of our points of connection was movies and old movie theaters. It was fun discussing our experiences, each with a different old theater (mine was the Elsinore in Oregon, which reverted back to being a playhouse and now may be closed, IIRC; his had been a vaudeville theater, but I don't know the name). We'd both worked in theaters, as well. At one point, Jeremy donated a canvas art piece of his to the conference where I volunteered, Pikes Peak Writers Conference, for a silent auction to raise funds for the organization.
In the last couple years we spoke mostly via Facebook and weren't as close as we'd once been, simply by virtue of distance and no longer working together. My heart goes out to those who were closer to him and to his family. He was fun, genuine, and kind, and his absence leaves a hole in the online community that can't be filled, just as Tina's did. They were both far too young to be gone and had so much to give the world with their presence.
My newest book came out yesterday! I'm so excited to share this book with you!
Whether you're looking to add short stories to your repertoire as a solo pursuit or in addition to novel writing, The Business of Short Stories covers every aspect from writing to marketing. Learn the dynamics of short story writing, where to focus your editing efforts, how and where to submit, how to handle acceptances and rejections, what to do with reprints, and how to market yourself and your stories online and in person. The information in The Business of Short Stories has been distilled from over a decade of short story publishing experience so you don't have to learn the hard way. You'll find information on submission formatting, cover letters, querying a collection, sending proposals to writing events, how to create a website, SEO, social media, and so much more. This is an invaluable resource for short story writers.
There's never been a better time to get into short stories!
$3.99 for e-book | $13.99 for paperback
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords
Reviews posted:
My ongoing book tour schedule is as follows:
May you find your Muse.
27 comments:
Congrats again on your release. I've got my e-copy!!
I didn't know Jeremy well - just through a few interactions on his blog. He will surely be missed by many. Sounds like a truly wonderful guy!
Congratulations on your new book, Shannon. Your schedule looks busy. Best to you.
Lovely tribute to Jeremy. Even though I didn't know I can tell from your post and other's that I've read that he was well liked.
Congratulations on you new book! Busy schedule you got going there. Have fun!
That is an excellent tribute to Jeremy. Keep the banner!
Loved your story about working with Jeremy.
I look forward to hosting you on the 9th!
You had a special working relationship with Jeremy. He was far too young.
Congrats on the release! And I did have to smile at your grandmother's words.
I have no doubt you'll truly miss Jeremy.
Congrats on your book and for giving us an inside look at Jeremy's life as a fellow blogger and writer.
Such a lovely and personal tribute to Jeremy, Shannon. I didn't know him, but you helped me appreciate why he is so well thought of. I didn't know Tina either, but I certainly remember all the wonderful tributes to her. I shall remember Jeremy too. It's heartbreaking when someone dies too young. I am sorry for the loss of your friend. Wishing you success with your book!
Hi Shannon - a brilliant tribute to both Tina and Jeremy ... sounds like a great working relationship. Tina was a delight ... but sadly I never knew Jeremy - yet obviously did through his designs for the A-Z challenge.
Good luck with your book and your tours ... I've seen you around - take care and all the best - Hilary
Thank you for sharing more about Jeremy, though I didn't know him at all. Nice to now remember his creativity (and generosity) every time I see your logo. So looking forward to reading your book on short stories which now resides on my Kindle! May the coming month be a good one for you.
Thank you for sharing a wonderful tribute about Jeremy!
And Congratulations on your book!
What a nice tribute to Jeremy.
Congrats on the new book!
Congrats on the new book! Your grandmother's quote is priceless!
Thanks for the lovely tribute to Jeremy. I only knew of him through Alex, but in reading all of the tributes to him, it's clear that the world has lost a great guy. I've always loved your header image and am not surprised to learn that Jeremy created it. His graphic work was awesome.
Beautiful post. Thank you for sharing. Congratulations on your new book!
A lovely tribute to Jeremy! I didn't know him, but I have one of the A to Z coffee mugs he designed. He did a nice job with your banner too. It's easy to remove objects or text from an image with photoshop. I'll email you about that. Congrats on the new book! My copy has been downloaded to the Kindle. Wishing you much success with it!
Beautifu! <3
Great tour! I'm impressed. I'll try to visit. Your book sounds interesting though I'm not a short story writer. Best of luck with it!
What a nice tribute.
Congrats on your book.
Wonderful tribute to Jeremy.
Congratulations on your book release.
And thanks for sharing memories of Jeremy.
I think I need your book. I was so sad to hear about Jeremy even though I didn't really know him. Some of us have been around the blogosphere so long we kind of know who the big players are.
This month's topic is making for hard reading. I'm sorry for all the people you have lost.
I never knew Jeremy, but was one of the little people who used his A to Z banners without thinking about where they came from.
This is a moving tribute to Jeremy.
Congratulations on your book, and can't wait to host you!
I've got your Business of Short Stories book. Can't wait to find time to begin reading. All best to you, Shannon!
Congrats on the book release. Short stories are hard to write but so good to read! 😁
See you Friday:)
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