1st impression: Bachelorette Andi

Posted on May 20, 2014 by Carol Burnside / Annie Rayburn

Last night was the premiere of the Bachelorette with Andi Dorfman and her 25 contestants. Among them was Eric Hill, who died from injuries sustained during a paragliding accident (unrelated to the show – he’d already been eliminated). There is talk on the internet of how insensitive it would be for ABC to show Eric and how painful it would be for his family.

I’ve lost family members, including a brother. I know the pain that comes with it and feel much differently about the situation. I give ABC a first impression rose for leaving him in the show.

If his passing is still too raw and the family doesn’t feel they can’t deal with seeing him on the show just yet, they won’t. I suspect some of them will record it to watch at a later date, and when they do, they’ll remember the son/brother/nephew/grandson they loved and will cherish his image and celebrate a vibrant life.

I came to that conclusion because there are many times I wish I had a tape or audio recording of my mother, my grandmother, my dad. I saved the last voice mail I received from my brother and have kept it in my phone for over three years, even though he was sharing bad news relating to his worsening health problems. Does it tear my heart out to hear his voice? Oh, yeah. Sometimes it’s almost unbearably painful, but I don’t have it in me to hit that delete button. Maybe someday I’ll feel differently, but for now it soothes something inside me more than it rips away.

Posted in Carol Burnside, Everyday blather | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Rain makes the garden happy

Posted on May 19, 2014 by Carol Burnside / Annie Rayburn

Things around here are having a growth spurt due to all the rain we’ve been getting. Hardly a day goes by that we don’t get at least one cloudburst. The dogs don’t like it much because it means less time outdoors and some days without their run in the field. Other things are thriving under the delicious drizzle.

Like what, you say?

Well, like my tomato garden on the back deck and new flowers I planted. See?

WP_20140514_011WP_20140514_012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The tomato plant farthest away has 5-6 tomatoes on it now and it’s a Whopper, so they’ll be “sandwich slicers.” The little one next to it is a Patio tomato and has nearly a dozen fruits already. They’re smallish (4-6 oz.) and are delicious. I still have two varieties I haven’t potted yet, but the one closest to the camera is a Supersweet 100, which yields tons of dime sized cherry tomatoes.

I can hardly wait to start serving them up in delicious tomato salads and BLT’s and roasted with zucchini!

Posted in Carol Burnside, Here at home | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Wanted: Street Team Volunteers!

Posted on May 18, 2014 by Carol Burnside / Annie Rayburn

I’m in dire need of a street team filled with readers who love sizzling romance with heart and humor! Volunteer here…

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this Indie publishing gig isn’t for the fainthearted. I knew it would be a lot of work, but…

>Checking off tasksI write the books.
I run them by my critique partner, clean them up and send them to my editor.
I engage a reputable graphic artist to create a professional cover.
When edits are ready, I revise the manuscript again and clean up.
Sometimes a second round of edits/revisions/cleanup is warranted.
I reformat the file so it will produce a clean electronic file.
I even convert theMC900157039[1] files to .mobi, ePub and PDF.
I upload the e-book files to five different sites, some with wider distribution.
I re-format the book for print distribution, enter all the pertinent data and upload to another site.
Once I’m assured I have a final page count, I order the print cover, then upload that file.
I order a proof book and inspect, make changes if needed. Repeat process if needed.
Easiest part: I approve final proof book. Now the print book is live!
And my work has just begun…

Now, I’m not complaining, just explaining why an author without the backing of a publishing house to shoulder some of the work (not that they do much/any publicity) needs a street team. I’m on overload trying to get six or more books out to my readers this year and keep up with this website, guest blogging, plus blogging here and on PetitFoursAndHotTamales.com.

Then comes the promotions work!MM900174031[1]

Believe me, there’s precious little time to write in all that, which doesn’t bode well for future releases. Hence, the need for a street team.

As I understand it, a street team is made up of volunteers willing to:
review the books, then tweet, Facebook, or blog them,
post covers on Pinterest,
add the author’s books and reviews to their individual Goodreads, Shelfari and Library Thing bookshelves and so forth.
In other words, they assist the author in spreading the word about her books through whatever social media they use.
If the author has print books available, they also venture into their local bookstores, tell the manager’s about the author’s books, request they stock them and distribute bookmarks supplied by the author.
Street Teams also “like” the author’s pages, “like,” comment and share the author’s blog and FB posts or tweets.
It’s not a requirement to do it all, just what the volunteer is comfortable with.

Woman Giving Gift, Portrait, Blurred.In exchange, the author supplies them with a private loop (Mine is on Yahoo!, the “Sassy Sizzlers”) or Facebook group (or both) for street team business, advance previews of new works, promotional materials, free books and swag just for them. As the author’s sales increase, swag might include specially designed t-shirts, hats, pens, GC’s, pins or book bags with the street team’s logo.

Interested? Fill out the form below to send me a private message and include the line “I’ll pimp you!” in the comment area. Thanks! I’ll be in touch soon with a grateful heart.

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Posted in Books, Carol Burnside, Everyday blather | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment