By any other name...

As my Summer release date approaches and encouragement and congratulations roll in, something occurs to me. And I know I won't get any more work done until I address it.

I frequently find myself in the awkward position of telling publishers, friends, readers and fellow bloggers they are pronouncing and/or spelling 'Thoeba' incorrectly.

It 'o' before 'e', not the other way around. And it's not pronounced 'Theeba' like Phoebe from 'Friends'. Nope. It's pronounced with an 'oh'. As in 'toe' with a 'th' sound in front of it. Thoh-bah.

Sorry.

You'd think that someone who wants to establish a long career in writing would name their first novel something a little more memorable and user friendly. Yeah, that would have been the smart thing to do. Again...sorry.


Why did I do it? I blame my sub-conscious mind.

When I was fourteen years old, I had a bad dream. I was a naked angel hiding in a garden. I crouched behind the hydrangeas clutching a crystal, knowing I had to protect it at all costs. A man and his children tried to coax me out, but I saw demons circling overheard and knew they were searching for me. These idiots were going to give me away!

They appealed to me, patting their chests and saying their names. I tried to respond, but the only thing I could say was, "Thoh-bah! Thoeba!" And it's been that way ever since, even the weird spelling.

So now you know. I could never bring myself to change it. At least I have the knowledge that the book title and my character's name will remain unique. Nobody else will be dumb enough to copy my example. ;)

A week and a day late.

Yes, I know. Thoeba and I didn't post last week. Or yesterday. Truth is, after almost two and a half years, I felt like I had nothing interesting to say. It's hard to come up with discoveries that would be new for Thoeba after all this time. She was getting as bored as the rest of us. Oh, and did I mention I was really busy?

So it gives me great pleasure to unveil the new cover for Thoeba. Isn't it awesome?

For those of you who know me, or read this blog, you'll remember that I lost my publishing contract. My previous publisher was great about it, taking the time to introduce me to another. Lucky for me, Heather Savage at Staccato Publishing read 'Thoeba' and signed me up.

Needless to say, I'm ecstatic. Things are looking up again. We're hoping for a spring release and I'm currently doing new drafts for my second novel 'Aphrodite's War'. Soon I'll work on the outline for a third novel with the working title 'Chasing Monsters'. And there's the sci-fi erotica. (I'll be using a pseudonym for that one.)And my work with Edmonton Paranormal is gearing up nicely. Yes, I'm kind of swamped, but it's a great place to be.

Thoeba and I are back, and looking forward to the future. We'll see you there.

I like sl-zzzzzzzz...

This post is so very late. Because I slept very late. Thanks to a human condition known as insomnia. Things were much simpler in Eden. We were never too cold to sleep and we had so few worries to keep us awake.
Now here I sit in the dead of winter dreading drafts and fussing over work and its making me tired and weird. Some things are excessively funny at 2 a.m. on the internet.
http://images.icanhascheezburger.com/completestore/2008/8/26/dudexanax128642391274241200.jpg
And I could have done without dreaming about the naked German guy.


Photo by:smokedsalmon@FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Gimme a Pee!

This is new...and not in a good way.
It's called getting a 'physical' And I'm afraid I'd rather not!
I know, I know. Mankind has come a long way from the medicine men of old. I understand no one's going to chant at me and shake bones in my face.
But no one told me they were going to steal my blood with a sharp instrument. Or make me urinate in a cup.
I didn't see any lizard skins or rattles, but I'm not sure...eight years of school, you say? To collect bodily fluids? Your ancestors had it easy.
So what do they do with the stuff? Divine your future?


Photo by :jscreationzs at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Happy New Year...burp!

Not that I keep track. When one has lived for hundreds of years, one has a tendency to miss such things as 'New Years'. And one doesn't usually eat and drink so much in Eden.

I know now why Resolutions are so necessary. And why so many of them are about weight loss. I crave vegetation. I will not miss chocolate, alcohol, or rich savory foods.

Well...at least not until Valentine's Day.


Photo by Sarunya_foto@FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I Like Stuff!I

I love Christmas! See these delicious little cups of custard topped with malt sugar and fruit? My writer's beloved made creme brulee. He also made the lamb dinner. I've often said you humans are obsessed with food. This week I don't mind. However I should note that Pepto Bismol should be included in the stocking stuffers. Along with Aspirin. That was a LOT of wine and beer.

The company was great too. Besides my writer and her husband we were joined by my writer's younger sibling and a family friend. Giggling after pigging out is fun, but it can't be good for the digestive system.

Best of all were the presents! I like stuff!

I got a Thesaurus, (Because you humans keep changing the meanings of your own words and making up new ones) a chainmail bracelet handmade by Rebecca Bartlett, soaps and lotions that smell better than they taste, a GPS, (why must humans keep changing the face of the planet?), and a toy named 'Chewbacca' that growls at me when I squeeze him. That little item came from the sibling called Jody. Still better than a chia pet.

How was your Christmas? Was that fat guy in the red suit good to you too?

All I want for Christmas

It's almost here! Another Christmas! And I'm excited and hopeful.
I want only one thing, and Santa can't give it to me. Only one person can.

That person is hopefully my new publisher. IF she becomes my new publisher.
For those of you who read this blog, you will know we had a setback due to illness. Vamptasy Publishing had to downsize, and thanks to shipping issues, we were probably among the first to go.

Our contract is up in 90 days, and we are on amicable terms. Nicola is doing her very best to find us a new home with a new publishing house. Wish us luck.

All I want for Christmas is a new contract with a new publisher. In the meantime, 'Thoeba' is still available at www.vamptasypublishing.co.uk