The Best Book Festival Ever

I’ve attended many book and author events over the years, but nothing compares to Book ‘Em. I’ve participated in events in Virginia and S. Carolina and this year I’m thrilled to attend the first ever Book ‘Em in N. Carolina. I’m also honored to be on the Book ‘Em committee and will participate in two panel discussions during the event.

If you are a reader, writer, or author, you don’t want to miss Book ‘Em NC!!

Book 'Em North Carolina
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Robeson Community College
Lumberton, North Carolina

Attendance is FREE and open to the public.

Book 'Em North Carolina Writers Conference and Book Fair brings together more than 75 authors, including two New York Times bestselling authors, Carla Neggers and Michael Palmer, more than 24 award-winning authors, and authors of almost every genre for all ages under one roof to sell and sign their books, participate in panel discussions and talks, network and interact with fans one-on-one.

It is open to readers of all ages. There are book readings and events scheduled for children from pre-school to teens. There are panel discussions and talks for writers trying to break into the field or working to increase their sales or exposure. There are talks and events for readers of various genres, including mysteries, romance, true adventure, historical, biographical, and many others.

The purpose of The Book 'Em Foundation and this event is to raise public awareness of the link between high crime rates and high illiteracy rates. Proceeds from the Book 'Em North Carolina book fair will go directly to increasing literacy in Robeson County, North Carolina and to reducing crime in the area.

The Book 'Em Foundation was founded by suspense author p.m.terrell and Waynesboro, Virginia Police Officer Mark Kearney as a partnership between authors and law enforcement. The mission of The Book 'Em Foundation is to raise public awareness of the correlation between high illiteracy rates and high crime rates.




Visit these sites for more information:
Official Website
Twitter
Facebook
Book ‘Em NC Blog


Please join us on February 25th!

The End of the First Draft

This week I finally finished the first draft of my next book. A month behind schedule, but it is done!

This weekend I begin the task of entering it into the computer and doing the first round of edits. (I hand-write all of my work.) Usually I start this process after writing a few chapters, but this time I didn’t. So, I am in new territory.

Since this is a non-fiction how-to book, I have a lot of references to include. Most I already have saved in several files, but some will require me to jump online or check book listings to complete. So the first round edit will be very time consuming.

I’d hoped to be further along in the process, but I’ve been pulled in many directions this year. Here’s a short list of what else I do besides write:

Speaking engagements - which includes sending out flyers, making calls, developing new seminars, research, announcements, and lots of travel.

Social networking and website maintenance.

Book ‘Em NC committee member duties - author school visits and school writing contest.

Publishing consultation and ebook formatting.

Run and maintain another business that requires travel.

Obligations to three different clubs and organizations.

Obligations to church and our local photo club.

Family obligations which include husband (very important), two needy cats, and phone calls and trips to Oregon for my mother, who is in assisted living now.

(They say diversity is good - you shouldn’t rely on just one income source - but some days I wonder.)

I think once this next book is done, I need a vacation!