EPPIE Winners--veinglory

The EPPIE winners are posted. As a contribution to the format, if any EPPIE winner in an erotic or romance genre wishes to submit an ebook to me at veinglory [at] gmail .com I will post a review and link to their book from this blog within two weeks of receipt.

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GUEST POST: Taking Ourselves Seriously, or, I Got the EPPIE Blues--Mima

And now there is one more dichotomy of “love my epub world but am actually still trying to be part of the print world too.” Let’s talk about the EPPIES. I looked at the EPPIES last year. I heard from people the winning entries weren’t that great. I heard from various places the EPPIES weren’t that respected. And yet, this is our award. A commonly made analogy is that this is the Oscar of the epub world. This year I entered two books in the EPPIES. With one of those books, In Service, I finaled in the erotic scifi category.

Naturally, I feel my book is excellent and am proud it finaled. Curious to see if the dismissive opinions were warranted, I bought several of my fellow EPPIE finalists books and read them. Most were wonderful. A few were just ok. I am sorry to say this, but when I looked at the Quasar Cover Award nominees to place my vote as an EPIC member, I was ashamed. With a few exceptions, the covers I saw there in NO WAY represented the best of epub’s graphical world. In a few categories, I declined to vote.

Let’s imagine that in Hollywood, directors who thought they made a good movie could nominate their movie for an Oscar, for a fee. Then, when the final nominations were announced, no one cared, because they knew the choices weren’t from the pool of the best reviewed or most popular. And the producers and movie houses who funded them never even advertised them. Sound fun? Sound effective? Sound like an industry that has organization and pride?

But that is what the state of the epub awards is in right now. Self-selecting authors pay to enter their works. The finalists come out, and just one of my publishers bothered to make a congratulations statement (on their yahoo group, mind you, not their webpage). Yippee. Imagine if you will the money making machine that is the Oscars—the advertising, the re-releases, the featured lists, the specials. Imagine what it would mean to authors if they got the same treatment in the publishing world for finaling in the EPPIE. Kinda like what the RITA authors get from their houses when the finalists are announced. Only the epub world could do it better, faster, because we work with web presence, not posters and visual logos that have to be added to the author’s next book. In terms of business, buyers DO pay attention to awards they respect. Why aren’t epubs more interested in developing this sales tool?

What if the EPPIES were the BEST of ALL of the epublishers? I propose a call to action. In the spirit of the self-made e-author, the EPPIES can and should still be self-nominated. But what if each of the epublishers made a promise to enter their top 3/10/20 books. Both the ones who landed several perfect review ratings, and the ones who topped the sales charts for the year. Then, just imagine this, the publishers trumpeted their winning books AND their winning authors who might have won with a book from another house. They would do this on the webpage, with a featured sale slot, and through all their means of communications. The logo would be added to the ebook’s cover, and the author’s tag would forever read “an EPPIE winning/nominated author” just like the print world does.

Would e-authors still be bitching about the RITA’s byzantine rules? No. Because we wouldn’t care. Our epublishing world can go head to head with NY. We keep saying that. Maybe we should believe it. Then maybe we should prove it. All it would take is a little organization and teamwork. The framework is in place. I think we’re up for it.


Mima is an erotic romance author published at multiple houses. She lives in western NY and is a children's librarian by day. Visit her at mimawithin.com

Responses to this post:
My Two Cents....--Linda Mooney
Of Cabbages and Kings--Sela Carson
Popularity vs Lifes Legacies--Pickled Cupied

Revisiting Romance Definitions--veinglory

It had escaped my attention that the EPPIES now define "contemporary romance" as "one central, monogamous, romantic relationship between a man and woman". Yee gods and little fishes, this one is back. More info here.

I truly understand that EPIC will get their ass bitten either way -- that goes with the territory in membership organisations. GLBT writers range pretty widely and those basically writing a fetish and those writing about pretty much their own lives sharing what is ostensibly the same theme/genre/box-with-a-bow-on-top. But I think that definition alone should give pause to anyone after the RWA fiasco.

Remember folks, get out there and volunteer to judge regardless. Not just the EPPIES but any contest. Its one of those ways to give back and we all ought to do that from time to time.

p.s. the latest twitter from ravenousromance: "In 5 yrs, only bestsellers will be printed.Authors and pubs will make a lot more $, and bookstores will die. Distribution is a commodity."

EPPIE winners--veinglory

Edited to add a question: Would you be more likely to buy a book based on an EPPIE win? Have you ever bought a book after looking it up following the EPPIE announcements?

Category A - Action/Adventure: Murder By Proxy by Robert L. Hecker—Hard Shell Word Factory

Category B - Children/YA: Grizzelda Gorilla by K. D. Huxman—Dragonfly Publishing/Imprint – Kittycat Books

Category C - Contemporary Romance (TIE): Perfectly Good Nanny by Paty Jager—The Wild Rose Press & Thin Ice by Liana Laverentz—The Wild Rose Press

Category D – Erotica: Woman of the Mountain by Angela Caperton—eXtasy Books

Category E - Erotic Romance Contemp/Suspense/Mystery (TIE): Too Good To Be True by Marie Nicole Ryan—Samhain Publishing & Craving Candy by N. J. Walters—Ellora’s Cave

Category F - Erotic Romance Historical Fiction: Let Me Love You by Mary Wine—Samhain Publishing

Category G - Erotic Romance Fantasy/Paranormal: Rated X-mas: Spiritual Noelle by Jet Mykles—Loose Id

Category H - Erotic Romance Science Fiction/Futuristic: Hara's Legacy by Bianca D'Arc—Samhain Publishing

Category I – Fantasy: North Star by Pier Giorgio Pacifici—Calderwood Books

Category J - Fantasy/Paranormal Romance: Rapture by Renee Field—Ellora’s Cave/Imprint - Cerridwen Press

Category K – GLBT: The Lost Temple of Karttikeya by Laura Baumbach—Loose Id

Category L- Historical and Western: Black Crossing by C. K. Crigger—Amber Quill Press

Category M - Historical Romance: By The Sword by Alison Stuart—Wings ePress

Category N – Horror: Labyrinth by L. B. Milano—Mundania Press LLC

Category O - Inspirational Fiction: Meagan's Chance by L. C. Monroe—Samhain Publishing

Category P – Mystery: Underdead by Liz Jasper—Ellora’s Cave/Imprint - Cerridwen Press

Category Q - Nonfiction: General/Category R - Nonfiction: Self Help (combined): Complete Guide to Writing Science Fiction: Volume 1 by Michele Acker, Jeanne Allen, Piers Anthony, Milena Benini, Orson Scott Card, Carol Hightshoe, Ian Irvine, Dave A. Law, Wil Mccarthy, Michael Mcrae, Tina Morgan, Bob Nailor, Darin Park, Kim Richards, Simon Rose, Bud Sparhawk—Dragon Moon Press

Category S – Poetry: The Swing by C. S. Fuqua—Uncial Press

Category T - Romantic Suspense: Bed of Lies by Pam Champagne—Samhain Publishing

Category U - Science Fiction: Twisted Tales II: Time on Our Hands Volume 1 by J. Richard Jacobs—Double Dragon Publishing

Category V - Science Fiction/Futuristic Romance: A Noble Sacrifice by Ciara Gold—Champagne Books

Category W - Single Title/Mainstream: Tales from the Treasure Trove, Volume III: A Jewels of the Quill Anthology by Christine DeSmet, Liz Hunter, Nancy Pirri, Jane Toombs, Cassie Walder, Karen Wiesner, C.J. Winters—Whiskey Creek Press

Everyone Likes to Win...--veinglory

But how many book awards do we need?

...said the grinch.

But seriously, not only is it Eppies [EPIC] and CAPA [Romance Studios] time but the preditors and editors readers poll is now open and every online bookreview site that I had never heard of is giving out their own. Oh, and these guys.

I find myself thinking: what award out there so impresses me that I would run out and buy the book that won it, or even make a point of having a look at it? How many of these awards have any clear function beyond free publicity given by the author to the awarding body? [If you can think of an award that is an endorsement you pay attention to as a reader, which one? Please tell!]

I know how to do well in the polls, you get a whole lot of friends, associates and fellow forum members to vote for you--most of whom have never read the book. But does promoting a website do the author any good, if the few who actually win the small colored digital image prize get no sales as a result? Even a little trophy is, what, a $10 payment to one person for the promotion efforts of every nominated author.

Don't get me wrong, awards are nice. If some one other than me nominates one of my books, I appreciate that a lot. If I win then that probably gives me a little happy feeling. But I am not chasing these things any more, or playing a game of voting for people reciprocally or based on some tenuous social connection. I will not be nominating my own books and I will be voting, should the opportunity arise, only for books I have actually read and liked.

So...The Eppies--Pepper

You know what happened to us yesterday? The revised Category K list initially included Brindisi Bedfellows. So for a few brief moments, we were finalists, and I had to think about what that really means--what the EPPIEs really mean. I was excited and flattered, and annoyed when the list was revised once again, and we weren't on it. It was difficult to get too worked up about it, though, because I was working on an essay that was due this afternoon.

I didn't enter the EPPIEs myself this year. Vivien can enter all the Jamie Craig books she wants, but I am more or less removed from the situation. Did you enter? If so, why? What were the perceived or known benefits? Did you final? If not, will you be entering again next year?

Updated Category K EPPIE Finalists--veinglory

The Lost Temple of Karttikeya
Laura Baumbach
Loose Id

Phaze Fantasies III
James Buchanan,
Jade Falconer, Eliza Gayle, Jamie Hill, Selah March, Yeva Wiest
Mundania Press/Imprint - Phaze Books

Chiaroscuro
Jenna Jones
Torquere Press Publishers

Finding Jason
Lyndi Lamont
Amber Quill Press

Ghosts
Olivia Lorenz
Torquere Press Publishers/Imprint TOP SHELF

For Better or Worse
Jodi Payne
Torquere Press Publishers

Hearts & Bones
M. L. Rhodes
Amber Quill Press

Persistence of Memory
J. M. Snyder
Amber Quill Press

2008 EPPIE Finalists

Congrats to you all.

Edited to add: category K will be corrected and updated soon to reflect the withdrawal of 'A Hidden Passion'.

Category A - Action/Adventure

Murder By Proxy
Robert L. Hecker
Hard Shell Word Factory

Until Death Do Us Part: Book 2 of the Incognito Series
Karen Wiesner
Whiskey Creek Press

Category B - Children/YA

Grizzelda Gorilla
K. D. Huxman
Dragonfly Publishing/Imprint – Kittycat Books

Attack of the Killer Prom Dresses
Donna McClaire
Calderwood Books/Imprint -Calderwood Kids

Category C - Contemporary Romance

Perfectly Good Nanny
Paty Jager
The Wild Rose Press

Thin Ice
Liana Laverentz
The Wild Rose Press

Cover Me
Sharona Nelson
Amber Quill Press

Bride Of The Emerald Isle
Trish Wylie
Harlequin Romance

Category D – Erotica

Coming Together: For the Cure
Alessia Brio (Editor)
Mundania Press/Imprint - Phaze Books

Woman of the Mountain
Angela Caperton
eXtasy Books

One To Grow On
Caitlyn Willows
Amber Quill Press

Category E - Erotic Romance Contemp/Suspense/Mystery

Play Hard
Barrie Abalard
Amber Quill Press

Instinct
Denise A. Agnew
Ellora’s Cave

Fortune Cookies
Dee Dawning
eXtasy Books

Tea for Three
Anne Douglas
Loose Id

Derailed
Rhiannon Neeley
Whispers Publishing

Love My Way
Bridget Midway
Loose Id

Too Good To Be True
Marie Nicole Ryan
Samhain Publishing

Mr. Fullservice
Ruby Storm
Ellora’s Cave

Craving Candy
N. J. Walters
Ellora’s Cave

Category F - Erotic Romance Historical Fiction

The Ice Princess
Cheryl A. Cornell
Cobblestone Press

The Sanctity of Marriage
Philippa Grey-Gerou
Liquid Silver Books

Scandalous Profession
Elaine Lowe
Ellora’s Cave

Let Me Love You
Mary Wine
Samhain Publishing

Category G - Erotic Romance Fantasy/Paranormal

Blue Moon Magic 4: Night of the Blue Moon
Lynn Crain
Loose Id

Love's Alcemy
Ciar Cullen
Loose Id

The Knight's Challenge
Summer Devon
Samhain Publishing

Love Me Wild
Renee Field
Ellora’s Cave

Rated X-mas: Spiritual Noelle
Jet Mykles
Loose Id

Cemetery Dancer
K. Z. Snow
Ellora’s Cave

New Year's Kiss
Tielle St. Clare
Ellora’s Cave

Supernatural Bonds: Sophie's Dragon
Jory Strong
Ellora’s Cave

The Witch Stone
Brenda Williamson
Whiskey Creek Press

Category H - Erotic Romance Science Fiction/Futuristic

The Ta'e'sha Chronicles I: Daughters of Terra
Theolyn Boese
Loose Id

Hara's Legacy
Bianca D'Arc
Samhain Publishing

Triple X
Amelia June
eXtasy Books

Hothouse Orchid
Vashti Valant
Ellora’s Cave

Category I – Fantasy

A Time To…

Carol Hightshoe, Lee Martindale, Michele Acker, Kayelle Allen, Bobbi Sinha-Morey, Elizabeth Barrette, J. Michael Matuszewicz,Tracie McBride, M.H. Bonham, Marve Dasef, Ashley Arnold, Ken Goldman
Wolfsinger Publications

Wolves on the West Side
Michelle L. Levigne
Mundania Press

North Star
Pier Giorgio Pacifici
Calderwood Books

Category J - Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

A Knight's Wish
Linda Andrews
Zumaya Publications

Unbound
Lori Devoti
Silhouette Books

Rapture
Renee Field
Ellora’s Cave/Imprint - Cerridwen Press

Threads
Michelle L. Levigne
Amber Quill Press

Category K – GLBT

Chiaroscuro
Jenna Jones
Torquere Press Publishers

Ghosts
Olivia Lorenz
Torquere Press Publishers

A Hidden Passion [edited to add: Oh dear]
Lucia Logan
Dreamspinner Press

Finding Jason
Lyndi Lamont
Amber Quill Press

Persistence of Memory
J. M. Snyder
Amber Quill Press

Category L- Historical and Western

Black Crossing
C. K. Crigger
Amber Quill Press

The Hyghcock Chronicles
E. Michael Fisher
Whiskey Creek Press

Korinna: Daughters of Fire
Kristina O'Donnelly
Books for a Buck

Flag
J. E. Toombs
Treble Heart Books/Imprint – Sundowners

Category M - Historical Romance

His Majesty, The Prince of Toads
Delle Jacobs
Awe-Struck eBooks

Have Christmas Card…Will Travel
Susanne Marie Knight
Unical Press

By The Sword
Alison Stuart
Wings ePress

Highland Magic
Christine Young
Awe-Struck eBooks

Category N – Horror

Shadows in the Heart:
A Jewels of the Quill Halloween Anthology
Margaret L. Carter, Christine DeSmet, Carrie S. Masek,Jane Toombs, Karen Wiesner, C.J. Winters, Karen Woods
Whiskey Creek Press

Labyrinth
L. B. Milano
Mundania Press

Weep Not for the Vampire
William A. Veselik
Mundania Press

Category O - Inspirational Fiction

Hope: An Inspirational Anthology
Barri Bryan, Mary Eason, Loretta Jackson, Giovanna Lagana, Linda L. Lattimer, Janet Mills, Kathleen O'Connor, Steven Douglas Womack
Whiskey Creek Press

Meagan's Chance
L. C. Monroe
Samhain Publishing

Adopting Alyssa
Denise Patrick
Grace Publishing

Category P – Mystery

Switcheroo
Herbert Holeman
epress-online

Underdead
Liz Jasper
Ellora’s Cave/Imprint - Cerridwen Press

The Falling Down Man
James M. Lally
Calderwood Books

A Shadow In The Night
Kenneth L. Levinson
Unical Press

Judgment Fire
Marilyn Meredith
Mundania Press

Moon Over Chicago
J. D. Webb
Wings ePress

Combined

Category Q - Nonfiction: General

Category R - Nonfiction: Self Help

Complete Guide to Writing Science Fiction: Volume 1
Michele Acker, Jeanne Allen, Piers Anthony, Milena Benini, Orson Scott Card, Carol Hightshoe, Ian Irvine, Dave A. Law,Wil Mccarthy, Michael Mcrae, Tina Morgan, Bob Nailor, Darin Park, Kim Richards, Simon Rose, Bud Sparhawk
Dragon Moon Press

Self-Promotion for Authors
Larry Moniz
MA Publishing

A Place Called the Bla-Bla Café
Sandy Ross
SLR Productions

Category S – Poetry

The Swing
C. S. Fuqua
Unical Press

Phaze in Verse
Kally Jo Surbeck, Will Belegon, Aurora Black, Kara Fey, James Buchanan, N (Nelli Rees), Michelle Houston, Eden Bradley, Sapphire Phelan, Alessia Brio, Charlotte Boyett-Compo, Missy Lyons, Dahlia Rose, Jenna Allen, Victoria Blisse, Kathryn Lively, Brenna Lyons, Sarah Winn
Mundania Press/Imprint – Phaze Books

Category T - Romantic Suspense

Foxfire
Carol Ann Erhardt
The Wild Rose Press

Bed of Lies
Pam Champagne
Samhain Publishing

Liquid Hypnosis
Tina LaVon
The Wild Rose Press

Seeing Things
Jana Richards
Unical Press

Departed Acts
Katherine Smith
Tigress Press

A Killer's Agenda
Anita Whiting
Samhain Publishing

Your Saving Grace
J L Wilson
Ellora’s Cave/Imprint - Cerridwen Press

Category U - Science Fiction

Twisted Tales II: Time on Our Hands Volume 1
J. Richard Jacobs
Double Dragon Publishing

Twisted Tales II: Time on Our Hands Volume 2
J. Richard Jacobs
Double Dragon Publishing

Hoven Quest
Michelle L. Levigne
Writers Exchange e-Publishing

Category V - Science Fiction/Futuristic Romance

Devil's Due
Rhobin Courtright
Wings ePress

A Noble Sacrifice
Ciara Gold
Champagne Books

Falling
Imogen Howson
Drollerie Press

Category W - Single Title/Mainstream

Tales from the Treasure Trove, Volume III:
A Jewels of the Quill Anthology
Christine DeSmet, Liz Hunter, Nancy Pirri, Jane Toombs, Cassie Walder, Karen Wiesner, C.J. Winters
Whiskey Creek Press

Road Kill Art and Other Oddities
Niles Reddick
Whiskey Creek Press

And the Truth Will Set You Free
Linda Rettstatt
Wings ePress

Awards and the Awarding Awarders who Award Them

I was reading through some research papers when I hit this abstract, specifically this line: "The gender effect was greater for writers of popular than award winning fiction.” I dig deeper and realise that in this paper ‘award winning’ is a synonym for ‘literary’—and ‘popular’ is a synonym for all other genres (or as they call it ‘genre’).

It is entirely implicit that literary fiction wins awards and genre fiction does not; that the only awards that exist for fiction are that a book was“recommended by literary reviewer, or was short-listed for or awarded national literary prizes.” The ‘genre’ actually written by the popular writers is never specified and unsupported sweeping assertions are made: “award winning literature is arguably read by, and intended for, readers with a greater level of education than popular fiction …authors are likely to want to portray themselves as highly competent writers ... [and so] may wish to eradicate displays of their gender …” As opposed, of course, to those of us who write for the under-educated, revel in displays of ineptitude and like to wave our vaginas around at every opportunity.

This got me thinking. For the people who wrote, refereed and published this paper all of this was so obviously true as to require no reference or justification. The only awards are literary awards, national awards—and kudos from professional reviewers. And is this what genres like romance are trying to emulate with peer- and industry-judged awards like EPPIES and RITAs?

Awards like the Booker or Katherine Mansfield award (literary awards I am aware of as a Kiwi) have gravitas with readers of literature because this genre is driven by ‘experts’ and readers, although autonomous, are attentive to their opinions. The wider community cares only to the extent the genre is seen as prestigious. Literature is seen as a defining quality of a culture like other high arts. And besides, book editors and professors are literally paid to drive interest in it though classes and published commentaries. The experts give award to writers, readers heed the awards due to their widely acknowledged cultural worth.

Despite being a much larger portion of the market genres like romance and erotica simply do not hold the same position. There is not a widely recognised cultural worth of either genre. Some industry professionals and a large number of other writers effectively give genre awards to each other, but the reader buy-in is not there. The awards are not discussed in general media, or even very extensively in the genre-specific media. I think we need to think about what awards do, for everyone involved.

1) The author has their book picked out as high quality
2) The awarding body has positioned themselves as qualified to make that judgement

Now so long as author and awarding body believe this they are happy with a bit of mutual back slapping. But what about:

3) The readers must believe 2) in order to believe 1) in order to increase sales of an award winning book. IMHO if it costs money to enter an award it should yield money to win one, by this mechanism of reader recognition and belief. This works because people are impressed with literature, with Hollywood, with Nobel Peace prizes and any effective award. Nor is it impossible to do this with other genres as other traditional ‘low brow’ enterprises like Soap Operas and pop music. You just have to break the circle and realise that even when judging is done by experts, the general public is the focus.

It is not necessarily that awards need to be given by public vote, although we could use a MTV music awards of romance as much as a viable Oscar. But readers, romance and otherwise, need to be part of the equation. Writers and publishers are already in bed with each other—time to make it a ménage a trois? The problem is that our ostensibly ‘less educated’ romance readers aren’t going to be sucked into the idea that they need ‘experts’ and pro reviewers to tell them what is good and what is not. So how would you get them to care what happens on the romance red carpet?

Shelving Niches, Shelving Ghettos

Publishers Weekly quotes Borders spokesperson Ann Binkley as saying the chain does not put restrictions on covers and shelves the books according to content. Erotic romance is shelved with the rest of the romance titles, while "erotic literature" (such as The Almond), goes in the "Sex & Intimacy" section.

But when I looked up "Dream and Desires", an anthology in which all the stories are romance and only 2/19 are erotic, I found it under: Psychology > Sex/Recovery > Erotica. This does not thrill me as I am willing to bet far fewer customers will find a predominantly sweet romance anthology on the erotica shelf in the non-fiction psychology section. Novels by many of the contributing authors are to be found in romance, but the anthology seems to have been deemed, for some reason, not romance.

This got me thinking. Now I do not see all labelling as bad. If being on the erotica shelf will actually increase sales. I will be all for it. But honestly, even with a group like us--how many of you know there is an erotica section in Borders non-fiction area, and if you do do you check it as often as the romance area?



The same thing applies to their shelving of gay fiction and African-American fiction. If books get doubled shelved in both places, great. If they get shelved in the non-fiction area and sell more books there, great. But is this true? If it is not, is Borders institutionally saying somethings about what is and isn't romance--or at the very least it is saying: if you are not in a certain group, this book is not for you.

And I would not be so skeptical of Borders' competence in sectioning their stock if I was not already buying most of my magazines from a section called "Mens Interest".

---

[NEWS]

Red Sage has recently opened their ebook imprint.

EPIC members are voting on the inclusion of authors and publishers of short works, and giving voting rights to publishers.

Author Michael Dibdin died on March 30th after a short illness. He was best known for the Aurelio Zen mysteries but my favorite Dibdin work was the fabulous parody "The Last Sherlock Holmes Story".

Am I a Chicken Writer?

At EPICon, Sherrilon Kenyon gave a great keynote speech. I cannot recreate her perspective or tone but the gist of it is to strive and persist and not give up. There was mention of having over 150 rejection in one year, years between contracts and not enough money for a stamp. A repeated refrain was that we all need to believe: "I am the best writer in the world and I deserve my dream."

I do wonder though. When a professional author, an Olympic athlete or a rock star says that all you have to do it persist--does it occur to you that for every person who finally succeeds there must be a great many who never give up and are buried with three tonnes of rejection letters and no contract? Effort is a key part of success, but it I really think we must appreciate that the best-selling author knows what got success for them--and may be overgeneralising a little in suggesting a room full of 100 people should necessarily follow in their footsteps? Sometimes, dare I say it, often--there is a time to give up. There really is. I could train day and night but I will never win a marathon, become a supermodel or fly to the moon.

I admire writers who starve and slave for their art but I wonder at that being presented as the only path for an "real" author to take. If the day ever came when I could not even afford a stamp I would put the laptop aside and go to work--as, indeed, I do. Does this make me less of a writer? Well, compared to Sherrilon, certainly a "lesser" one. It makes me a part-time writer, a person with things in their life other than being a writer, a person who requires the comforts of food and shelter even if I pay for it in other ways. But isn't this one of the things epublishing is there to provide? Writing for epubs can provide a steady, if modest, income for many part time writers--a compliment to the stress and strains of the day job and an outlet for creativity--a modest alternative to the hobby-slash-lottery path of submitting to the big New York presses.

I am not sure I truly say that being on a best-seller list is even one of my dreams at this point. I write, I sell what I write and I will always be able to afford a square meal, a warm coat... and a book of stamps. I am not the greatest writer in the world, but the world is a large place and I really do not think I need to accept hardship and ridicule to find my place in it.

EPICon Epilogue: Favorite Promo Items :)

1) After hours on a plane and several nights in a hotel that took dehumidifying very seriously I was pleased to find that Jay Lygon had provided the one thing I really needed--and all I got her was this lousy link.

2) I love Loose Id's Loowis, and now I can have him on my fridge and my skin (as a temporary tattoo).

3) Resplendence is a new outfit and their promo bookmark is distinctly classy.

4) What better item for a Con at the beach than a cherry-red water bottle from Torquere Press.

and 5) my top favorite from Mojo Castle, a little idea in a box--a friendly muse for any author in need of one. Of course I must admit this is my second as I lost the first one before the end of the weekend :(

So, what did the rest of you hunter-gatherers who were there spot that I missed?

p.s. Here is some proof I was there, presenting the non-fic self-help Eppie :)

Epicon

As I type I am still at Virginia Beach one day after the Epicon (a meeting for writers of ebooks). I couldn't get a reasonably priced flight back until Monday so I stayed over for another day and spent it wandering the beach and having my picture taken in a cowgirl costume ;)

I have met so may people and discussed so many ideas that I will have to sit down and break them into separate topics to blog about. I would love to hear from some of you others who were there, to hear what you learned at this year's Con.

For me the single best thing was to simply put some faces to names. It is a perculiar feeling to meet for the first time people that, in a digital fashion, I already know so well. I was sometimes asked if people were like I expected--and I realized I didn't really have any expectations. Interacting with people online is great but it is only every one dimension of the whole person and you never get much of a handle on what they will be like face to face. However I must say that everyone I met was so friendly, interesting and... willing to buy me drinks. So, a good time was had by all.

So next week will be EPICon themed. I encourage others to blog on that subject and anyone with photos to share can send them to ERECmail at gmail.com :)