Train of Clues Audio Book

"Train of Clues", my second place winning story and the predecessor to the state series is now available as an audio book through audible.com. It should go live with amazon.com and iTunes.com by the end of the week. Francene is my narrator for this story as she will be the narrator for the state stories and hopefully I'll find a sponsor soon so we can get the state stories back on track. I'm waiting on a cover from Heather for State of Wilderness so that I can go live with that as an audiobook, hopefully by the end of the month. (Singing the Heinz Ketchup jingle here - Anticipation, it's making me waiting.) - Check out the three books available as audiobooks and listen to the samples and let me know what you think of my narrators - Ma America :)

Train of Clues Free Days

Mark your calendars - July 11 and July 12 will be free days for "Train of Clues".  I've decided to remove all books from Nook and Smashwords, not that "Train of Clues" was actually on either of those, and do some free promotional days for everything.  "Train of Clues" will go free again in August but I'll post and let you all know when.  Next Thursday and Friday, "Train of Clues" will be your first chance to download for free. 

For those of  you who don't remember, "Train of Clues" is my first ever story, first entered contest and a second place winning story, which actually was sent to an editor with the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) for her opinion on a direction to turn this into a series with each state being the mystery.  "Train of Clues" is a birthdary party, scavanger hunt on a party train to a mystery destination.  The idea to make each state the mystery came after winning second place. 

I am currently looking for a sponsor or sponsors for the state series so I can get that going again but right now, the series will remain on hold until I can get Heather caught up and be able to pay for future books.  If anyone knows of someone who would like to be a financial sponsor for the series, please pass my contact information, which can be found on the JGDS website home page.  I'm available any time to talk to anyone who has the finances to back a series like this.  I've got a couple of feelers out and will do some followup time next week but I also know that gaining a sponsor takes time, although I've been thinking of this the better part of 3 or 4 years now.  Putting this out in the universe and hoping a response comes in quickly.  Hope you all enjoy your free download of "Train of Clues" next week.  - See you all in the postings - Ma America :)

State of Wilderness rereleased

As State of Wilderness went out of contract in June, Heather and I worked diligently to get it rereleased in July. After a few bumps, we have finally got it the way it should be, so State of Wilderness is available for purchase as of today. Just got the proof copy from the post office and it looks good. Still working on State of Acceleration so be looking for that in the next few weeks (hopefully by the middle of September) and State of Imagination right behind that.

My next fix has to do with Train of Clues - I haven't reviewed it since the Read Across America progam in March but there are some doubled paragraphs in there so that will be rereleased very soon. Happy reading, ya'll - Ma America & the JGDS :)

Mint Hill success/license plate game

Mint Hill Sunday in the Park was very successful this year (not as much as I would have liked to seen for my books in the way of homeschoolers, but still succesful). I took Benjamin with me to help out; he stayed to himself most of the day - did set up the canopy and went to get some pizza and ice cream later in the day for us and helped Shelley take her stuff to her car.

Shelley was selling like a madman - she sold 7 copies of Radium Halos and 2 copies of "The Moose Next Door" (an interative write and illustrate your own essay story book for grades 2 through 4).

I sold my special deal (the first three books with study guides), a copy of "Wilderness" and a copy of "Train of Clues".

The booths on either side of us housed a young girl who is homeschooled selling "dragon eggs" and hair ribbons (flowered and ribbons hanging down type of things) and they were fun to talk to. Ms. Gabrielle, the 4-year-old sister to the girl selling, opened up to me as we were getting ready to leave or close to that time; she just pulled her little Disney Princesses chair next to me and gave me a life story. She was so cute. The young fellow next to me on the other side was doing macrame type parachute cord bands (wrist and keyrings) to benefit the military fallen heroes funds or something like that - he was an ex-marine. He also told us about a festival in Banner Elk, which is in October - the Woolly Worm Festival. It is held at one of the schools in Banner Elk and I've made contact and am hoping to add this to my events this year. So be on the lookout for more information on this if I get in and can possibly do a school visit the Friday before the event - that would be awesome.

I've already added another festival to the October line-up - so check out my website for the calendar of events. This one is very local - right in the town where I live so no major travel time and no staying in a hotel or with friends or anything like that; just need Benjamin to help set the canopy up and take it down but that should be an easy setup.

After getting the car packed up and heading out, Benjamin started checking out license plates on vehicles as they passed us. We saw a good many of the different states - 11 in total, not including South Carolina and North Carolina (obviously being in those two states, those two tags were expected to be seen). One trucker we passed actually had an Ontario plate - so we actually saw international plates - lol.

The states we saw included Ohio, Virginia (heading south for whatever reason, must be going back to school somewhere down this way), Mississippi, Indiana, Kentucky, Florida, New Jersey (again, heading in the wrong direction - since Jersey is north of us), Tennessee and Georgia (this is pretty much expected coming from North Carolina to South Carolina on I-85, which is a direct route to Atlanta. We saw two cars together with New York plates and one of them actually said "DR BOOK" - now how cool a plate is that. I'm thinking of doing a vanity plate for me but I don't think anyone would really get it (I want it to look something like this but may be too many letters - JGDS ATHR). And the winning plate from the furthest place is Washington state. He really is a long way from home so hoping his trip is successful wherever he was heading. It was fun to see several different states from many different regions of the country.

Remember on any trip you take - play a game and have fun. Mrs. E :)

Passport booklet uploaded

I'm excited. Heather and I finally got the page numbering and the puzzles straightened out for the Passport booklet and I just uploaded the files to createspace.com, so now it's a matter of waiting to make sure we have the layout to their standards, et cetera.

I have a meeting in the morning (well in less than 7 hours from the time this post is being done) with the elementary school librarian here and hopefully she will have some funds to start getting some books as she had talked about last year. I know they (the art instructor and the librarian) were trying to get a grant to get copies of the books to have on hand for the students for giveaways like AR prizes or other things, so I'm hoping that tomorrow she will say yes, they received the grant and would like to proceed with getting books in. If that is the case, we can start getting more books in the series ready for publication. The process is taking about 6 weeks total right now - but that is because Heather and I are still learning each other's styles and we have both had other things going on during this time. She also has been doing double duty the last month for me - creating the Passport booklet and doing everything for State of Successess (layout, interior illustraions, cover, design, et cetera plus deal with me changing my mind on something or making her life more difficult - not really; - lol). She truly has been wonderful to work with, very much wants to make sure I am satisfied. Her mother is thrilled with the series and is excited to be receiving items to use with Heather's younger siblings. So Ms. Mary, be patient - you will get the books, study guides and fun activities as I can get them published and sent to you - lol.

Keeping with the excitement today, my first official order of "Train of Clues" arrived this morning - looks pretty awesome. I will head to Charlotte this weekend with probably 4 or 5 copies in hand - sold a copy today, have three spoken for (will get with Anita tomorrow or Friday) and have one for the winner of my blog comment contest, Ms. Carol, whom I will see this weekend. May have another copy of the book sold Thursday when I go to school to teach class. I will order more copies probably next week unless the librarian has funds available to purchase books. I am taking orders for "Train of Clues" now and when I have at least 10 copies ordered, I will submit the order and ship the books out within a couple of days of receiving them (I've been getting books the day after an order is placed, which is a huge advantage of having books printed in the same state - only 4 or so hours from where I live).

Mr. Hughes and Heather will have to wait on their spoken for copies until the next order goes in - lol; sorry ya'll but you will get them -

Okay - need some sleep - just reporting on updates - see you all in the postings - Mrs. E :)

Congratulations to Carol

As per the Random generator, the lucky winner of a signed copy of "Train of Clues" is #12, which is Carol. Thanks for stopping by everyone. See you all in the postings - Mrs. E :)

LAST DAY - Train of Clues drawing Monday

Last month when I hit 4500 visitors to my blog, I posted a random note of encouragement for everyone to consider leavinng a comment to be entered in the drawing for a signed copy of "Train of Clues." Today is the last day to leave your comments on any post since June 24 through tonight. I had stated I would do a drawing for every 25 comments left and so far I have had 20 comments on various postings, so there will be a drawing for one copy of "Train of Clues" (unless a plethora of comments come in on the postings from yesterday). Good luck to everyone and winner will be contacted Monday - see you in the postings - Mrs. E :)

PROOF APPROVED

"Train of Clues" is available for orders as per my website. If interested in a copy, please either order from website or email me at eeldering@gmail.com and request your signed copies. This will not be available other than through direct orders. When I have at least ten copies sold, an order will be placed. Notification will be made when I send orders out.

See you all in the postings - Mrs. E :)

Delay for Train of Clues

Due to a problem with the printing of one of the illustrations (and lack of funds at the moment), "Train of Clues" will not be available until August 13th. See you all in the postings - Mrs. E :)



See how the page looks like someone had ink fingers?






And then when I showed the interior to Hailie and then closed the covers and she saw it near the first proof, she asked why the cover was so much lighter. So a second call to createspace and Ashley told me to document the differences so that in case this contnues to be an issue is documented. So here are the comparison front and back covers:












And then while I was holding the books like they would be on a bookshelf, I realized that there was a difference in the cut. See how the book on top looks like it has been cut at an angle? Not a good thing. I definitely didn't have the excited feeling when I opened the second proof as I did for the first one. Now I know why, colors are off, the edges are slightly different and the one interior illustration is smudged.




Guess this is why they call them proof copies - get all the kinks worked out before getting the real thing - Mrs. E :)

Proof arrived

I've been about town showing it off to folks - the post office people, the librarians, the workers at the dentist office who are fans and following my series. I got home and started checking it more closely and dang if I didn't goof. I kept looking at the wig illustration, thinking "I know Heather moved it down since it was so high on the page" but thought maybe it just wasn't moved enough and showed up different. I started reading the inside and the bio page and realized I uploaded the wrong "final" version of the interior I had in my files. So I have to re-order my proof hopefully tomorrow and next week I'll be able to do a complete order of 50 for the first run. But I do like how it looks. Thank you, Heather. She was the first person I called when I opened the package. I can't wait for her to see the final book. She is going to work out well for the series.

She did assure me that she is working on the covers for "Successes" and "Heights" and hopes to have them to me soon and so I may have new covers to share with you all. Stay tuned - Mrs. E :)

Impressive turnaround for Train of Clues proof

I sent the order for the proof this morning about 8:30 or 9:00 EST. Got my email notifications that the order had been placed. I've got it to do the slowest shipping which states I should have my order by July 23. I left about 10:45 to go to bank and run a couple of errands before heading to College to teach class (well actually had to meet a student to get her started on transcription). After class, went to the grocery store as we had no groceries in the house really to speak of. (Bear definitely needs to start providing grocery money for the summer since I can't do it all.) Came home, unloaded the car and checked my emails. I had one that says my proof has been shipped - So looks like I should have my proof copy Monday or Tuesday or Wednesay at the latest - lol. Talk about quick - I hope it's as good as it should be and I can't wait to get that one in my hands. So next week I should have proof copy. A 50-copy order will be placed on the 22nd so should have those the following week. I'll be happy to sign copies for anyone who is wanting one. Contact me via my website or directly by email for your copy (see profile for email addy). Remember to let me know who to make the books to. Until next time - Mrs. E :)

"Train of Clues" proof

So Thursday, when I get paid a small check (work had a change in paydays recently due to a merge) I get to order the proof copy of "Train of Clues." According to createspace.com, I should have the proof by about the 21st or so and then I can place an order if everything looks good. A 50-print run will be placed on or about July 22nd, if everything looks good, and I should have books in hand by August 2. I'm so excited to see how quickly this booklet came together. "Train of Clues" is 32 pages long and will be sold via my website or email only - for $5. This is the story that started it all. I'm looking forward to seeing the completed book and to start promoting it. "Train of Clues" is available for preorder on my website and will be shipped to anyone who orders a copy the day they arrive in my hand.

Heather is diligently working on covers for State of Successes and State of Heights, so hopefully before too long I'll have two new covers to show everyone. I'm really looking forward to seeing more of Heather's work as I'm pleased as punch with the interior of "Train of Clues."

I'm also starting my search for some homeschool conferences coming in 2011, so if anyone knows of any in their area and would like to see the JGDS series participate as an exhibitor/vendor, please drop me a line and let me know so I can start making contacts about exhibitor spots. I also will do my "Writing Roads" workshop for the kids at any homeschool conference I participate in, if vendor workshops are available. I'd like to stay within the southern states for now until I can really build my readership and have some income from the books to support me instead of me supporting the books, but if it looks to be a good one and looks to be doable on my end (expenses are not too high), then I will be happy to consider it. - See you all in the postings - Mrs. E :)

Milestone reached

I started this blog on January 29, 2008, in the twenty-eight or twenty-nine months it's been up and running, we have just seen our 4500th visitor today. The counter is set to count unique hits to my pages, so thank you all for stopping by and reading my blog. I'm also getting a bunch of nonsensical spam type comments, so now I've been forced to moderate the comments. Hopefully I've set it correctly to be notified when anyone leaves a comment.

I think 4500 visitors in 2-1/2 years or close to it calls for a celebration. I've just seen the temporary layout for "Train of Clues" and I must say, I'm very pleased. So between now and the end of July every twenty-five persons leaving a comment on any post I put up between now and July 31 will go in a drawing. I will do several random drawings for a signed copy of "Train of Clues." Anyone want to read the story that started it all? See you all in the postings - Mrs. E :) & the JGDS