Saturday, December 26, 2009

On Christmas eve I started writing the first chapter of my latest book. It will be called Unknown Scent - Werewolf Series, Book Two. What an exhilarating wave of emotions passed through me as I dove into the storyline of my beloved characters: Kara, Daniel, Dominic & the others. I've received awesome feedback from readers of Unknown Touch - Book One who requested more action & more werewolf stuff! I promise you won't be disappointed. As I read the entire outline to my husband, his facial expressions for the many different scenes were priceless-anticipation, shock, surprise! Now I have to map out TIME to write!

December 23, 2009

It's been a bit hectic with Christmas approaching! Every night I'm exhausted & not getting much writing done if any at all. I'm sure most people are flying around like chickens with their heads cut off at this time of the year. Nice visual I just gave you, huh?

December 19, 2009

The foreword is written & I have the beginning lines started for the second book. Title & cover image are tentatively figured out. Sunday afternoon I should be able to dive into some full-fledged writing! My husband had some suggestions with the wording...amazing!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Done writing the outline to Werewolf Series-Book Two. Not positive on actual title. It will be Unknown (and one of the 5 senses that I haven't used will go here) Probably Scent...Have toyed with book cover designs, too. I have my timeline of how long a chapter takes to play out (1 day, 3 days, a week, etc...). All characters, names, locations are figured out. I tend to write a foreword before I start writing "the book". I will work on that tonight. I will also create my own personal "time to completion" goals for the book. Would you say I'm a nutcase or very organized/scheduled...or perhaps a combination? I'll go with the combo, please!

Monday, December 14, 2009

My hand hurts. Really. You may ask - "What happened?" Hmmm...I've been writing!!! Outline for Book Two almost complete. Give me another 20 minutes & I'll have it totally outlined. I hand write my outline in a notebook & my wrist was honestly in pain so I stopped to get on the internet. Within a day, I will start writing (on the computer!) the actual book. Woohoo!

December 12, 2009

Thanks to all who supported my book signing today! It was fun & interesting talking w/everyone! If anyone has suggestions on other places for book signings, let me know....I'm still trying to figure out how to arrange my homepage...mostly referring to the "old posts" & where to put them. I don't like having the old stuff on the main page & clicking through to this spot to access new info...it seems backwards. Also...drumroll, please...Sunday afternoon I plan on finishing the outline of Book Two!!

December 9, 2009

My book shipment came today! Ready for Book Signing (& selling) at Troy Library this Sat from 2 - 4! Free Bookmark! I'm getting positive feedback from my YouTube.com/ginamarielong video - even though I think I'm a dork in it! That's what my husband says, at least! Re-organized the cafepress.com/ginamarielong store. The image on black shirts looked messed up...black ON black...so no dark or black apparel available. Don't forget Amazon & BN reviews - greatly appreciate any! Can't believe Christmas is only 2 weeks away!! And I ordered from Amazon: Lost-Season 5, Adam Lambert's new CD and Twilight-New Moon soundtrack. Yay!

December 7, 2009

New YouTube video of a Book Reading excerpt...I'm so goofy! www.youtube.com/ginamarielong. Also, Husband posted info about my book at an old car forum he visits & it's gotten more than 800 hits! Amazing!!

December 2, 2009

Book Selling & Signing: Sat., Dec. 12 from 2 - 4 at Tri-Township Library, Troy. Complimentary Bookmark given out. Don't forget: www.cafepress.com/ginamarielong for really awesome shirts, mugs, etc w/book cover on them! I just bought my 2nd shirt!! Just purchased another 4 boxes of books to sell! Still waiting on Borders to be able to order books & offer for sale in the store. Delays... Publisher just informed me that they will soon be able to offer my book as a digital platform e-book, available only to the Amazon Kindle. Woohoo! We're stepping on up in the world!!

November 29, 2009

For the people who've read the book, does anyone have questions about the story, the characters, something that isn't very clear for you or got you wondering, "Wait a minute...how come...?" Send me your questions, as I'm still wanting to create a FAQ page for my website! Post it here or email gina@ginamarielong.com.

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! Went out w/family at lunch for a great meal! Before & after-massive computer maintenance on 3 PCs. Prepping for Book Two! 2 weeks-Book Signing at Troy Library-Sat., Dec. 12 from 2-4. New bookmarks w/cover design free w/book! Wow...have a marathon of "The Twilight Zone" on now...strange...Have been looking at artwork for cover of Book 2 and trying to figure out what title to use. A little trivia here: My book, Unknown Touch-Werewolf Series-Book One, is one of five in a series. Each book will have "Unknown" in it, along with another of the five senses: the first book was "touch" as one of the senses. Now I have to decide which "sense" for Book Two, either sight, sound, scent or taste.

November 22, 2009 Updates

Talked to manager at local Borders today. Slowly, I'm getting into their system-not on shelves yet. Greenville radio station - 101.7 WGEL - will make book announcement M-F around 5:30 pm. Will be creating a You Tube video w/either an excerpt read by me or a FAQ w/my answers. Monday I'll be making calls to more libraries, bookstores, etc. Have nibbled at the outline for Book Two!! I need more hours in the day!

Nov. 18, 2009 Updates

Nice article pertaining to Unknown Touch with photos in the Troy Times Tribune newspaper today! Front page of Section B! Also, I'm having bookmarks printed w/the book cover & links to my sites on them. Another book signing coming up at Troy Library on Sat., Dec. 12 from 2 - 4. Love the positive feedback & online reviews about the book, too! Keep up the word of mouth! I appreciate this so much!

Book Signing went well!

Today was the book signing at Box TV, Highland, IL. It went well & was exciting!! Fun answering questions & meeting new people! Thanks for all the support! Keep up the word of mouth about Unknown Touch...wouldn't it be wild if IT became a movie?!

Reviews, etc.

Anyone who has read Unknown Touch, I would greatly appreciate it if you could leave reviews (hopefully positive ones) at Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com or Booksamillion.com. It helps in getting the book "recognized"!! Don't forget: questions about the book, ask me so I can create a FAQ page for my website! Also, huge variety of shirts, mugs, etc. at www.cafepress.com/ginamarielong.

Book Signing Box TV

Sat., Nov. 14 from 1 - 3 p.m. at Box TV & Video in Highland, IL - I will be selling and signing my book, Unknown Touch - Werewolf Series Book One. Looking forward to a huge attendance!

Results of Library Book Signing

The book signing at Marine Library was super successful! For all involved & all who dropped in to buy a book - Thank You! Extremely fun & fulfilling!! Sometimes I felt like I couldn't talk when people asked me questions! I'm such a babbler anyway! I hope everyone loves the book & if you have questions, let me know. I'm still trying to create a FAQ page for the website!!

Updates

Sat., Nov. 7, Marine Library, 1 - 3: Book Signing! I want my hand to hurt from signing so many books!! Did you see the wonderful article in the Highland News Leader? Next week - Troy Times Tribune! For anyone interested in Unknown Touch t-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, calendars, etc., check out: www.cafepress.com/ginamarielong. I received my shirt today & it is awesome! It arrived in 5 days!

Feedback

Now that people are reading/have read my book, Unknown Touch - Werewolf Series, Book One, I'm open to feedback, questions, discussions, reviews. Come on, let me have it!

Book Signings

Book Signings: Sat., Nov. 7 from 1 - 3 at the Marine Library and another on Sat., Nov. 14 from 1 - 3 at Box TV & Video in Highland.

Welcome! And original Website Posts Here

If you're here, it's to find out the latest Updates and Info about my books! Thank you for tuning in! The following was originally posted on my homepage & is now placed here as I didn't want to delete it completely.
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Older Posts From My Website:

November 22, 2009

Talked to manager at Edwardsville Borders today. Slowly, I'm getting into their system. The book appeared in their catalog - not on shelves & still can't order...but the manager said it takes time. She'd like me to do a book signing once they can order books!! Greenville radio station - 101.7 WGEL - will make book announcement M-F around 5:30 pm. Also, will be creating a You Tube video w/either an excerpt read by me or a FAQ w/my answers. Monday I'll be making calls to more libraries, bookstores, etc. Have nibbled at the outline for Book Two!! I need more hours in the day!
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November 18, 2009
Nice article pertaining to Unknown Touch with photos in the Troy Times Tribune newspaper today! Front page of Section B! Also, I'm having bookmarks printed w/the book cover & links to my sites on them. Another book signing coming up at Troy Library on Sat., Dec. 12 from 2 - 4. Love the positive feedback & online reviews about the book, too!
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November 14, 2009
Book Signing at Box TV & Video, Highland, IL. 1 - 3. Selling and signing!!
~~~It went well & was exciting!! Fun answering questions & meeting new people! Thanks for all the support! Keep up the word of mouth about Unknown Touch...wouldn't it be wild if IT became a movie?! By the way, I HAVE started outlining Book 2!!
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November 7, 2009
The book signing at Marine Library was super successful! For all involved & all who dropped in to buy a book - Thank You!
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November 6, 2009
Sat., Nov. 7, Marine Library, 1 - 3: Book Signing! I want my hand to hurt from signing so many books!! Did you see the wonderful article in the Highland News Leader? Next week - Troy Times Tribune! For anyone interested in Unknown Touch t-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, calendars, etc., check out: www.cafepress.com/ginamarielong. I received my shirt today & it is awesome!
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October 30, 2009
I want to create a FAQ page pertaining to my book, Unknown Touch, to place on my website. If you come up with any questions relating to the story that you want me to answer, tell me what the question is! Thanks! gina@ginamarielong.com
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October 26, 2009
My personal order of books to sell locally has arrived! Book signing at Marine Library - Sat., Nov. 7, 1:00-3:00. Another book signing at Box TV & Video, Highland - Sat., Nov. 14, 1:00-3:00. Many press releases have been sent out. Busy but happy!
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October 22, 2009
Today is the official release date for Unknown Touch. It is available on www.Amazon.com now plus my publisher's website: www.blackrosewriting.com It will soon appear on Borders.com & BarnesNoble.com. For local readers, it can be bought directly from me as of Tue., Oct. 27. Local bookstores can order it if not on their shelves, but I will push for them to stock it. Within a few days, I'll add the proper direct links on the Buy Books page. Many, many things to take care of!
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October 21, 2009
COUNTDOWN: Tomorrow - Thurs., October 22 is the release date! Almost half of the books I've ordered are reserved for people! I'll be purchasing more before the stock runs too low! I've been sending out press releases like crazy and I've got a tentative book signing date at Marine Library on Nov. 7.
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October 19, 2009
COUNTDOWN: 3 DAYS TO THE RELEASE! I've learned that means the books will be shipped on or about that day. The personal order I placed won't arrive till next week. Also, I've added a Message Board to this site. I'll monitor it for use and abuse. Over the next few days, I'll add more purchasing info to the Buy Books category.
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October 14, 2009
Above is the final version for the book cover! COUNTDOWN: 8 DAYS till the release!!
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October 9, 2009
I made the deadline! Changed the image for the book cover for third time - hey - the third time is the charm, after all! The image is mesmerizing! As soon as I have the finalized version, I'll add it to this site.
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October 6, 2009
Deadline is looming...October 8! Last minute switcheroo to a different graphic artist. Awaiting her artwork for book cover. Publisher had me complete a final scan of manuscript for edits. Oct. 22 release date is still looking good! Exciting!!
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September 30, 2009
I have completed my end of the line editing & sent changes to the publisher. Still waiting on graphic artist to complete cover art. Deadline is Oct. 8 in order to make the Oct. 22 release date. Will create the outline for Book 2 soon and begin writing. Will also shift into marketing mania for Book 1.
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September 25, 2009
Tentative Release Date is now Oct. 22! I'm working with a graphic artist for the cover of my book. The publisher has sent me what is called a bookblock where I need to line edit next. Guess you know what I'll be doing this weekend (READING MY BOOK)! Very awesome how fast everything is moving!
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September 23, 2009
Happy Birthday, Dad!
Tentative Release Date for Book: end of October/beginning of November.
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September 20, 2009
My book has been accepted by a publisher! I signed on Saturday the 19th! I am ecstatic!!!
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September 14, 2009
I'm hearing back from a few publishers! Nothing is definite at this time. At least I've gotten feedback! I'm working on this site and have accounts setup with Twitter, Faceboook and MySpace. Click on Social Networking to keep track of me on those sites.
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September 7, 2009
During the first week of September 2009, I had contacted/submitted to numerous publishers concerning my novel, UNKNOWN TOUCH. I now keep my fingers crossed as the waiting game begins.
(Remember, the mantra goes like this: "Gina will get a great publisher soon...Gina will get a great publisher soon..." Keep repeating over and over.)