One of the basic laws of supply and demand is: when demand is greater than supply, prices rise.
Earlier this month, I was looking to purchase a paperback copy of Bewitched, Bothered & BeVampyred. This book is no longer in print, because the publisher, Triskelion Publishing, has recently gone out of business (bankruptcy). However, I hoped that I would be able to find a bookseller that still had a new copy available at a reasonable price. Thankfully, I did.
But, I was shocked at the prices some are charging for this book. $50, $75, $100, all the way up to $200. Supply and demand in action, I guess. A demand for the book + zero new supply = outrageous prices. Sadly, the authors won't see a penny of those increased prices. Or actually, the Red Cross won't see a penny, because 100% of the authors' royalties were to be donated to the Red Cross.
Why I was looking for this book? Come back tomorrow and find out!
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Banned Books Week: September 29–October 6, 2007
This event is held each year to remind Americans not to take their freedom to read for granted.
If you’d like to read about my personal experience regarding a banned book, Click HERE to read my previous post on the subject.
If you’d like to read about my personal experience regarding a banned book, Click HERE to read my previous post on the subject.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Because I Got High
Last night my family saw the movie Disturbia. #2 son actually chose the movie, but I thought it was pretty good. There’s a song in the movie that got stuck in my head (I hate it when that happens!). So all day, I’ve been singing:
I was gonna clean my room until I got high
I was gonna get up and find the broom but then I got high
My room is still messed up and I know why
cause I got high
cause I got high
cause I got high
This was the only part of the song I knew, and I was sick of just singing the same few lines over and over again, so I looked the lyrics up on the Internet. I figured if I was going to sing it, I might as well sing the whole song.
As I was reading--okay, actually I was singing--the lyrics, I was thinking, This is kind of a depressing song. But maybe it will make kids think twice about lighting up. And since I’m always looking for ways to drive home my don’t do drugs, it will screw up your life message with my kids, I was thinking that discussing this song with them might be a good way to reemphasize the point.
And then I got to this part:
I was gonna make love to you but then I got high
I was gonna eat yo p*ssy too but then I got high
now I'm jacking off and I know why
cause I got high
Oh, my! Well, I sure won’t be discussing that part of the song with them!
If you’re interested in reading the lyrics, you can do that HERE.
I was gonna clean my room until I got high
I was gonna get up and find the broom but then I got high
My room is still messed up and I know why
cause I got high
cause I got high
cause I got high
This was the only part of the song I knew, and I was sick of just singing the same few lines over and over again, so I looked the lyrics up on the Internet. I figured if I was going to sing it, I might as well sing the whole song.
As I was reading--okay, actually I was singing--the lyrics, I was thinking, This is kind of a depressing song. But maybe it will make kids think twice about lighting up. And since I’m always looking for ways to drive home my don’t do drugs, it will screw up your life message with my kids, I was thinking that discussing this song with them might be a good way to reemphasize the point.
And then I got to this part:
I was gonna make love to you but then I got high
I was gonna eat yo p*ssy too but then I got high
now I'm jacking off and I know why
cause I got high
Oh, my! Well, I sure won’t be discussing that part of the song with them!
If you’re interested in reading the lyrics, you can do that HERE.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Average Number Of Sexual Partners And Throat Cancer
According to this article, based on data collected from 1999 to 2002 for the National Center for Health Statistics:
The median number of lifetime female sexual partners for men was seven; the median number of male partners for women was four.
Four? Four?
I’m sure there are plenty of women who have had four or less partners, but on average...? Well, in this day and age, that number just seems kind of low to me.
But, I guess it’s an especially good thing for these women that they’ve had a low number of sexual partners, since according to this article:
People who had one to five oral-sex partners in their lifetime had approximately a doubled risk of throat cancer compared with those who never engaged in this activity – and those with more than five oral-sex partners had a 250% increased risk.
Which brings to mind this question--when participating in the survey for the National Center for Health Statistics, did these women take the Bill Clinton approach…it’s not sex unless actual penetration is involved?
The median number of lifetime female sexual partners for men was seven; the median number of male partners for women was four.
Four? Four?
I’m sure there are plenty of women who have had four or less partners, but on average...? Well, in this day and age, that number just seems kind of low to me.
But, I guess it’s an especially good thing for these women that they’ve had a low number of sexual partners, since according to this article:
People who had one to five oral-sex partners in their lifetime had approximately a doubled risk of throat cancer compared with those who never engaged in this activity – and those with more than five oral-sex partners had a 250% increased risk.
Which brings to mind this question--when participating in the survey for the National Center for Health Statistics, did these women take the Bill Clinton approach…it’s not sex unless actual penetration is involved?
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Perception Of Beauty
This is a video from Dove's Campaign For Real Beauty. Take a peek. It's very interesting to say the least.
You can find out more about Dove's Campaign For Real Beauty, by clicking HERE.
You can find out more about Dove's Campaign For Real Beauty, by clicking HERE.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Great Review for Finding Passion!
Valerie at Rites of Romance Reviews gave Finding Passion 4 Lyres!
She said:
For as short as the story was it had all the right stuff. The plot, flow, content and conclusion were all done clearly and smoothly.
This is a great quick little read!
If you’d like to read the entire review, click HERE to visit RoR's website and download the August issue of their ezine. In addition to reviews, the ezine also includes interviews, articles, and other goodies.
She said:
For as short as the story was it had all the right stuff. The plot, flow, content and conclusion were all done clearly and smoothly.
This is a great quick little read!
If you’d like to read the entire review, click HERE to visit RoR's website and download the August issue of their ezine. In addition to reviews, the ezine also includes interviews, articles, and other goodies.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
I'm On Fire!
Well, it feels that way anyway.
#2 son had baseball games yesterday. Yes, gameS. Two of them, back-to-back. So I spent four hours sitting in the blistering sun...90+ degrees (a full 10 degrees above normal for this time of year), no shade, no breeze...I was melting!
And now, I’m sunburned. My skin feels like it’s on fire.
On the plus side, son’s team did win both games!
#2 son had baseball games yesterday. Yes, gameS. Two of them, back-to-back. So I spent four hours sitting in the blistering sun...90+ degrees (a full 10 degrees above normal for this time of year), no shade, no breeze...I was melting!
And now, I’m sunburned. My skin feels like it’s on fire.
On the plus side, son’s team did win both games!
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Two Contests That May Interest You :)
CONTEST #1
Fellow North Carolina author (and critique partner :) Nicole North is celebrating her first sale, a novella called "Devil in a Kilt" to Red Sage Publishing for a Secrets anthology, by holding a contest.
What is the prize? Two winners will get to choose 2 books each from a list of 10 books in different subgenres (historical, contemporary, romantic suspense, chick lit, paranormal, etc).
How to enter? There are two ways. You can enter by answering the question "What's worn under a kilt?" which is posted at her blog, or by joining her Yahoo newsletter mailing list. Do both and be entered twice!
Click HERE to visit Nicole's blog all the details.
The contest runs through the end of September.
CONTEST #2
Author Linda Warren is celebrating the release of Adopted Son, by holding a contest through the end of October. There will be four winners.
The prizes are:
**Texas Ranger Teddy Bear (a Wilde & Wolly Bear especially made by Terry Spear, who in addition, to being a talented bear creator, is a fabulous author, and another one of my critique partners :)
**Handmade Baby Quilt made by Marlene Urso
**Cowboy Jewelry in a Red Boot
**a stuffed dog that barks
Click HERE to visit Linda’s website for all the details.
Fellow North Carolina author (and critique partner :) Nicole North is celebrating her first sale, a novella called "Devil in a Kilt" to Red Sage Publishing for a Secrets anthology, by holding a contest.
What is the prize? Two winners will get to choose 2 books each from a list of 10 books in different subgenres (historical, contemporary, romantic suspense, chick lit, paranormal, etc).
How to enter? There are two ways. You can enter by answering the question "What's worn under a kilt?" which is posted at her blog, or by joining her Yahoo newsletter mailing list. Do both and be entered twice!
Click HERE to visit Nicole's blog all the details.
The contest runs through the end of September.
CONTEST #2
Author Linda Warren is celebrating the release of Adopted Son, by holding a contest through the end of October. There will be four winners.
The prizes are:
**Texas Ranger Teddy Bear (a Wilde & Wolly Bear especially made by Terry Spear, who in addition, to being a talented bear creator, is a fabulous author, and another one of my critique partners :)
**Handmade Baby Quilt made by Marlene Urso
**Cowboy Jewelry in a Red Boot
**a stuffed dog that barks
Click HERE to visit Linda’s website for all the details.
Friday, September 21, 2007
The Winner Is...
A huge thanks to everyone who entered my September contest! I received over 50 entries.
I had my hubby draw a name out of the hat, and the winner is....Denise M. from Nebraska.
Congrats, Denise! You should receive your prize--an assortment of some yummy chocolates--sometime next week. Enjoy!
Please remember to check my website and blog the beginning of October for information about my next contest, as well as information about a few special Halloween activities that I’ll be participating in.
I had my hubby draw a name out of the hat, and the winner is....Denise M. from Nebraska.
Congrats, Denise! You should receive your prize--an assortment of some yummy chocolates--sometime next week. Enjoy!
Please remember to check my website and blog the beginning of October for information about my next contest, as well as information about a few special Halloween activities that I’ll be participating in.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Winning Wednesdays at Whisper Your Fantasies Group
On September 12th, Whispers Publishing will begin Winning Wednesdays.
The Whispers' authors will pop into the Whisper Your Fantasies Group throughout the day and tell you something about themselves which is not posted on their website. At the end of the day, all readers will have until Friday to gather up all the responses and e-mail them (at an address provided at the group) for a chance to win some prizes.
If you're not already a member of the group, join now by sending a blank e-mail to: whispersauthors-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
We hope to see you there!
The Whispers' authors will pop into the Whisper Your Fantasies Group throughout the day and tell you something about themselves which is not posted on their website. At the end of the day, all readers will have until Friday to gather up all the responses and e-mail them (at an address provided at the group) for a chance to win some prizes.
If you're not already a member of the group, join now by sending a blank e-mail to: whispersauthors-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
We hope to see you there!
Saturday, September 01, 2007
September Contest (ends 09/20/07)--Win Chocolate!
This month I’m celebrating my first year as a published author. In September 2006, my debut book, Her Protector, was released from New Concepts Publishing. I was extremely pleased with the reception of this book. It received some excellent reviews, including a 'recommended read' from Rites of Romance Reviews. It also received the 'Best First eBook of 2006' award from EcataRomance.
So, since I’m celebrating--and what’s a celebration without chocolate--the winner of my September contest will receive an assortment of some of my favorite kinds of chocolate (includes Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares, Lindt Lindor Truffles, and a Godiva Chocolate Bar).
Contest entry will require reading the blurb and a short excerpt from Her Protector, and correctly answering two brief questions.
The contest will run through September 20, 2007. One entry per person please.
Click HERE to visit my website, then click on the contest button for the full details.
Good luck!
So, since I’m celebrating--and what’s a celebration without chocolate--the winner of my September contest will receive an assortment of some of my favorite kinds of chocolate (includes Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares, Lindt Lindor Truffles, and a Godiva Chocolate Bar).
Contest entry will require reading the blurb and a short excerpt from Her Protector, and correctly answering two brief questions.
The contest will run through September 20, 2007. One entry per person please.
Click HERE to visit my website, then click on the contest button for the full details.
Good luck!
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