Mixed bag

I love book events. Well, my heart and soul do. My body hates them with a passion. My chronically in pain short ass loathes those damn chairs. My back and hips pay the price for the next five days or so. My body has a hangover that lasts nearly a week. I'm not sure how much longer I can do these events. I've already booked half a dozen of them for next year. We'll see how that goes. Toting everything around does a number on me. 

I need a little chart I can put on the front of my table.

Has:

Anxiety

Chronic pain

Fibro

ADHD

Proceed with caution.

I feel bad because the expectation from readers is usually the author stands as they come by. Sometimes, I simply can't. Or I'll stand and lean against the top of my pushed-in chair. But, being mostly deaf in my left ear doesn't help communication, either.

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE!

Have I mentioned I love readers? Like LOVE THEM??? There is nothing like engaging like-minded people, laughing, and having a wonderful conversation with them. I appreciate each and every person who stops by to say hi, grab a book, or simply make conversation.

You are my people! 🩷

Spent yesterday practically catatonic in my rocker recliner. Back and hips still pissed today. 

But, right now I'm sitting like a shrimp at my desk and eyeballing all the things I need to do.

Don't blame me...blame the chucklefuck fairy

I had a full day by 10:30 this morning.

Went to the wrong event.

Got lost in the parking garage--both walking and driving.

Nearly went ass-to-water as the toilet seat in the public bathroom was up because it was freshly cleaned.

Choked on the juice of a single grape.

Almost had to use my alarm to find my car in the WM parking lot. So much for parking close to the cart corral.

I'm home now for both your and my safety.

Taking 13 titles tomorrow because The Morrigan arrived yesterday!

Tomorrow is her release day, and I'm so excited. 

Already listed Ace as a preorder for eBooks. That's Plot Twist book 3 for those keeping track.

And another thing, what in the fuck-all is Netflix doing with "life style" shows? I want serial killers, cranky Scottish detectives, and ruthlessly aggressive thrillers.

Went through the "new" shows, and I was not remotely impressed.

Please stop.

Red Dirt Romance Eve

Spent the morning sorting and stacking my titles. Ordered "The Morrigan" in time to take Saturday for the book sale, but Amazon is going to Amazon. May or may not receive them tomorrow. Should have been here Wednesday.

Made four bundles of my "Canary" series. Pried Murphy's jaws off my books, post-it notes, and totes. He was in rare form. Currently passed out.

Readying myself for these is like going on vacation. I try to get everything I can done previously so I don't have to deal with it when I come back. Because I will be tossed.

Also, give it a week, and I'm off for Ft. Smith, Arkansas, August 15th. Doing all the hard work today. But Executive Dysfunction is coming through with bells. I didn't want to start. 

Not like there was a choice. 

As I grew more and more irritated with myself. 

Finally, literally, threw up my hands and did what I needed. 

It's hard to fight your brain, you know. 

Oh! Received a preorder for Book Me Romance so that is uber exciting. I've only had a few, and a lot of attendees say they prefer to see the books in person unless it's like an auto-buy.

For Saturday, I'll be using my display rack for the first time. 

I. Am. So. Fucking. Excited!

Should I be editing Ace? Starting on The Rabbit God? Editing through Warrior and the Sparrow? 

Indubitably. 

Am I?

What the opposite of indubitably?

Ooooo...actually dubitably. 

I have never used that word in my entire life. 

Probably won't start now.

But my ADHD is ADHDing today, also.

Always a party in the Sanctuary.

Cha cha forward...cha cha back

You ever feel like you're really getting somewhere, only to find out that maybe you weren't getting as far as you thought?

Yeah.

Stroll with me. 

My favorite episode of Doctor Who is "The Doctor's Wife." Hands down. No comparison. I love several episodes, but this one touched me.

The big voice, villain, in this case told The Doctor that The Doctor should fear him since he's killed several Time Lords.

And Matt Smith, as the beloved doctor replies, "Fear me. I killed them all."

It's not remotely easy pursuing a career late in life. Many wonderful authors out there are half my age. And the only thing I envy is the time they still have ahead of them.

My books stand. But it's easy to forget when I work six days a week and devote most of my time to the craft.

A woman asked me how long I'd been writing. I replied...on and off over 20 years. And she said, "You must know a lot of things."

Perhaps.

But what I know most of all is that I'm still writing. Will still be writing. 

No matter what.

Last night's event

Sold a few books. 

Brought:

Apollo and Hyacinthus

The Portrait

Please Come Again

Chimera

Over Her Head

Sold all but one title. And it was the book people looked at the most: The Portrait.

Crazy.

Also, gave out 80 business cards, which I love. Met a lovely neighbor table person, Liliana Provencial. She's easy to adore.

All in all, I give it a 7.

What I took in was a few things I'm going to use this coming Saturday, August 1st, at Red Dirt Romance Book Event. 

Will have a sign up for newsletter and ARC readers. Giveaway basket. Some reviews for my books. 

Favorite things from last night:

"They're all so different!"  Talking about my variety of titles.

"I love Greek mythology."  Let me introduce you to my Plot Twist series.

"This sounds so good!" Referring to each title at different points in the evening.

"Are you on Kindle?"  Yes. I surely am.

Also learned:

Never doing another night event.

Never doing another second floor event.

BLESS the young man who helped carry my seven totes and cart up and down the damn steps. May karma give you a massive kiss. You were the sweetest soul.

Today will be working on graphics and verbiage for my ailing website. Needs a good revamp. And I need to keep up with it. 

Panic Mode

 From 1-5, I'm like a 2.5 right now. 

Guthrie tomorrow.

Red Dirt Romance 8/1/26

Ft. Smith and Book Me Romance 8/15/26

Feeling good about tomorrow other than I've never had an event with them before. 

Excited about all of these.

But then...I question myself. Like, more than usual.

Before I break down my breakdown...let me say this: Popular titles will change at each destination and each year. Don't think one title will be the one to RULE THEM ALL. (Man, I love Tolkien.)

Unless it's obviously the whipped cream on your cocoa.

Chimera, an Intersex Romance, is a particular niche, I suppose. At one event, it was the most popular title. Other times, it's Canary, an Urban Fantasy. 

And did I tell you I'm hawking my wares at Smut Palooza 2026?

Mostly C'ann Inman titles, of course. All the Erotic Romance.

Do I need to capitalize genres and subgenres? NO. But I like it.

And I believe that I've previously stated that once I get a ball rolling, that bitch gathers speed like it's covered in grease.

I've stickered all my "display only" titles. Added the genre to some. Tricked out my display rack. Man, to see a lot of my titles all gathered in one place? 

Holy shit.

Amazing.

On the need to do list right now:

Decide on how many for each title for Guthrie and the Red Dirt Romance Book Event.

I ordered more of my Erotic Romance books for Book Me Romance 2026.

What I don't sell then, I'll roll over into Smutville.

Need gold ribbon.

Maybe make a basket?

Panic mode on a cool 3 now.

It's about that time

Book event season!

Let me guide you:

STRESS

Pulling all my shit together

Making more shit

Making sure I have all my shit

EVENT DAY

ALL THE FUN!

Then I will need to lay down for three days.

Finally pulled all my books together for Saturday's event.

Good news? Going back to the pink hair soon. 

And I'll have FIVE titles with me!

Apollo and Hyacinthus--mythological retelling

Chimera--LGBTQIA2S+

Over Her Head--contemporary romance

Please Come Again--erotic romance

The Portrait--romantasy

Bringing a little bit o' everything.

Probably would have squeezed in "Dream Walker", but it may clash with the romance motif. 🤔

My PA is making wonderful reels and posting on my socials. I heart her.

I'm working on my short story, editing Ace, and losing my mind.

Welcome to my Thursday.