Discovery

A word chock to the brim full of wonder, excitement, antici………pation. I love new discoveries, whether new tech, new authors, different or unusual places or random historical facts. This curiousity and the need to examine “what if” is what drives my need to write.

In celebration of the summer and the discovery of new things, I’ve invited an inspiration of writers to guest post right here on this blog throughout the summer.

They’ll be talking about their own discoveries–whether it’s new books, new authors, new themes, a new movie…whatever strikes their respective fancies. I’m hoping that my own readers discover authors new to them, or at least, something they didn’t know about an author they already read.

But wait, there’s more!

In addition to the guest blog posts, some of our authors will be giving away books and/or other prizes (we’re still hammering out details). I’m pitching in with copies of Blood Heat and one lucky reader will come away with he grand prize: a full set of Blood Lines books, including the upcoming Blood Sacrifice!

Winners will be drawn at random from those of you who comment on the blog. To win the grand prize, you must visit at least once a week and leave a minimum of one comment on each author’s guest post!

Participating authors include an eclectic mix of urban fantasy, YA, horror and mystery writers.

So pop in May 5 for and then join me each Thursday through August in welcoming the following authors:

• Nancy Holder
• Diana Pharaoh Francis
• Stacey Jay
• Karen Mahoney
• Elena Santangelo
• John Betancourt
• Suzanne McLeod
• Ellen Byerrum
• Lillian Stewart Carl
• Jim C. Hines
• Elaine Viets
• Dana Cameron
• Carole Nelson Douglas
• Kat Richardson
• Christopher Golden
• Claire Johnson

Pssst…there may be more as the days roll on. Stay tuned, stop by, and enjoy guest posts from some of the most fabulous folks writing today!

Who’d've thunk it? No more typewriters. Mashable (one of my favorite blog sites) reports today that the last typewriter manufacturer on earth is shutting down production.

I remember very clearly getting my first Smith Corona electric typewriter as a graduation gift from high school. I pounded the pete out of that rickety machine. I learned how to touch type and yearned for a fancy IBM Selectric with the nifty ball instead of the keys that would get tangled because I typed too fast. I typed my first short story (for a class) on the kitchen table, the typewriter clacking and bouncing as I began what is now a trend–composing in my head and then doing a marathon writing session near deadline. Little did I know (though my mother did) that this would become not only a habit, but a paid one.

I do mourn the loss of technologies–Kodachrome, floppy disks. They were the vanguards, the harbingers of today’s electronic world. My first computer was a 486 with 4 MB of RAM (yes, 4 Megabytes) and a tiny hard drive. I was excited that it used 3.5 inch floppies, instead of those outmoded 5.25 inch ones. I learned how to edit my config files to load apps into high memory, to tweak the settings enough so Mom and I could play our FPS games (we loved Doom!). Fast forward some 15 years and I’m writing on a 3 year old iMac with 4 GB RAM, 320 GB hard drive, and external 1 TB hard drive…and this is just simple model.

Would I go back? Nah. Computers/word processing made it much too easy to write. But I still look back just a little fondly on the machines that started it all for me. RIP typewriters…you made it easy…at least mechanically.

I love to shop at independent stores (i.e., not chains). Whether it’s a bookstore, art store, music store or a local restaurant, these independent proprietors never fail to intrigue, interest and well, help me spend my money on cool things.

From art via etsy, books from a great indie bookstore, or music, the special touch given by independent non-chain stores is beyond price.

An example (shipping notification email from CD Baby):

Your CD has been gently taken from our CD Baby shelves with sterilized contamination-free gloves and placed onto a satin pillow.
A team of 50 employees inspected your CD and polished it to make sure it was in the best possible condition before mailing.

We miss you already. We’ll be right here at http://cdbaby.com/, patiently awaiting your return.

Can’t beat that, can you? Every single time I get a communication from them, I grin.

Sure, the prices are cheaper at the chain stores (sometimes) but frankly, being able to get a personalized autograph from Neil Gaiman (thanks to Mysterious Galaxy), a lovely collection of folk tunes by author Seanan McGuire or gorgeous jewelry at Cemetery Cat Designs trumps price in my book. The experience totally outweighs the cost–and you can’t get this kind of unique product/service at a chain. Nope. No sirree.

Sure, I still shop online at chains, because I can get really good prices on things like large bags of cat litter and electronics.

But when it comes to products that evoke beauty, creativity and touch the heart? I prefer to shop indie.

What’s your favorite independent storefront? What have you found there that is unique or special?

A lot of fundraising going on around the Intarwebs these days, from major efforts to more modest ones.

Last week, Genre for Japan raised more than £11,000 thanks to a ton of authors who each donated something. My own modest donation went for £60!

This week, the incomparable Jim C. Hines is repeating his last year’s fundraising efforts to support rape crisis centers.

Support rape crisis centers and enter to win an advance copy of The Snow Queen’s Shadow, by Jim C. Hines.

For every $500 raised (up to $5000), Jim is tossing in an additional drawing for other prizes.

I know the economy sucks. I know that sometimes it’s tough to find the extra cash. I’d love it if you were to skip that mocha today and donate the $5 you saved to RAINN or a local rape crisis center. We all know at least one rape victim…even if you don’t know it. I can name at least three friends who have been raped. And that’s without sitting down and thinking.

Thank you in advance.