Dragon Shaman 2 progress update

Yesterday I got news from my editor that she has finished reading the rough manuscript for Dragon Shaman 2: The Smoky Mirror. She was very excited and pleased with it. So the project continues, as I must now go through and make the suggested revisions, and then submit it back to her for another check before I can release this to the public.

It's a project that I am very glad to see coming to it's close, as I it will be circulating Faith's editing skills and Victoria's cover art. I am also looking forward to getting started on the next project, and adjusting the deadlines projected for the next books. This is all very much a learning experience for me. I must balance my own writing, my family life, and eventually a day job. I also find a way to make time for eventually including other authors when I find someone with a project that will fit in with my visions for this publishing enterprise. There is also the RPG administration that I do for Rowan Wookie's "Dragon Hearts" Project.

I also greatly look forward to starting on the next book, and I have not yet decided if I will be following Marie O'Drake/MountainChild's adventures, or if I will be focusing on Jewel O'Drake's thread in the tapestry. Marcella O'Drake will also have to have her own spotlight as we work toward the events that will eventually break the family curse and reveal more of the family history... as well as a few twists that I have in store for my characters.

In other news, I (Teresa Garcia) have submitted an essay to Immanion and editor Brandy Williams for their upcoming anthology "Women's Voices in Magic." There are also other side projects that I plan to do which are not going through StarDragon Publishing.

It's Done! Well, Roughly...

Ok, somebody crank up the dance music, I'll order up the pizza, somebody cover the chips and drinks! Unless BlowingWind breaks Ryu's favorite frying pan on my head, I've finished the rough draft for Dragon Shaman 2: The Smoky Mirror. This means that I can stop stressing about it's lateness and enjoy the fact the rough draft was finished before dad's birthday (even though he's not physically here anymore).

You heard me, we celebrate. Then I go over it, and I'll be having two others going over it as well. I may very well change a few things to make it work better, and work with the descriptions to appeal to the senses more while going through the editing process, and with more eyes the unintentional grammar irregularites and the typos should hopefully all get caught.

There will be a sake offering tonight. I think this is big enough to warrant it. Let there be junk food as well, though separately... Junk food for me... maybe really go out on a limb and have a bowl of icecream... XD

Anyone hears fanatic whoops and screams tonight... that's just me blowing off steam. ;) *whoops and busts out the drum and tie belt to sling that around her hip and go dance*

Woaaaahhhhh... Made myself dizzy there. Food first, then "dance dance party celebrate life in general."

• Mood: POSITIVELY ECSTATIC!
• Music:>.> .... *SQUEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!*

March 27, 2009

Tuesday I talked to two of the teachers involved in Crescent Elks Middle School's Language Department. There is excitement involving "Taming the Mountain's Blowing Wind" and the possibility that it might be used in their school. Currently, the teachers are reviewing the book, and will bring it before the school board. In May or September, though we are shooting for May, I will hopefully get to go and speak with the students,hopefully generate interest in my book, and if nothing else then hopefully inspire them to consider careers in writing.

One of the subjects I intend to touch on is writing and it's place in publishing. I am quite excited.

I have also taken several photos during my trip, quite a bit of time was spent out in nature. I don't know about creating a photo book, but I am considering including photos in the next poetry book I will release.

I am also still interested in looking over submissions from other authors in fiction and non-fiction categories. I have received a few inquires since deciding that I wanted to publish not just my own works, but so far they were for formats that would not have been cost effective for them (I sincerely do hope that they were able to find people able to get formats better suited), or in need of revision so that what was being conveyed was understandable.

For inquiries, please email ladyrainstardragon (at) hotmail.com and include "submission inquiry" in the subject line.

Paypal's Security department is great

Quite pleased with Paypal, I checked the account and found they'd credited back that money that was taken for the unauthorized charge.

Of course, found an email trying to get me to follow a link to go validate my account... So opening a fresh window, and not following the link (pretty sad when the Paypal copyright doesn't give the right spelling) I find all's good in the account.

Go away phishers. I don't write, draw and paint my fingers off to let you have my funds.

Photo Shoot

Thursday (Mar 12, 2009) I stopped by Burney Falls on my way back to my place with mom. The time alone was very needed, and it's a great place to go to recharge one's batteries. I walked down to the base of the falls, and then took the whole 3+ Falls Loop, taking pictures along the way. I was rather tired, but I'd also been interested in walking up to the headwaters to get photos there as well, so I took the .7 mile trail up to the headwaters pool.

Right now, I'm transferring my photos, and I'm pleased with how many of them turned out as I'd intended (they always look better on the computer than on the camera). I'll be upping the dpi and then uploading some of these to my photo and art gallery.

http://amehanarainstardrago.deviantart.com

I am contemplating using one of the shots from this trip on the cover of the next poetry book.

Kinda small press to get hacked...

It's very strange to check one's email one day, and then find that while one has been busy, someone over in China has accessed one's Paypal. Betamax still exists? I saw them mentioned on Cowboy Bebop when someone was looking for a Betamax to play an old tape because it wasn't a VHS.

Now that's old... So it was odd to log directly into my Paypal, find it all in Chinese, get it set for US English... and then find a charge paying money to Betamax... in Euros... And then to set about getting things fixed and re-establishing security...

Ayyyyyy... So today, despite being a day I INTENDED to work on my novel manuscript, was spent doing damage control on all fronts (big time on mentally and emotionally).

Come on... CHINESE!!! I don't read Chinese and this computer won't show it because the language packs aren't installed -_- Yes I'm very slowly working on learning bits and pieces of both Chinese and Japanese... But... honestly...

Public Speaking

So, my aunt has invited me to speak at the school she teaches at, regarding my book. We will be working on scheduling it, sometime Mid March most likely. I will make a post with more news once it is set.