Emery’s first piece of wisdom for the day:  Smoothies, however tasty, are a BAD idea when one works in an icebox.  Not a literal icebox, mind, but I have yet to work in an office anywhere that doesn’t go subzero in the summers.  Winters aren’t so hot either, ha ha.  Smoothies bad, sweaters good.

Auntie Emery’s second treat for you:  http://www.maureenjohnsonbooks.com/2010/06/08/manifesto/.  Pretty much sums up my feelings on promotion and sums it up far more eloquently than my rambly style allows for.  If there’s one thing Grey and I butt heads over more than my pantsing vs. her plotting, it’s promotion.  I dig my heels in like nobody’s business.  Now, before you get the wrong idea, she’s not exactly gung ho about the marketing aspect either, but she’s willing to give it a go, whereas I’m all NONONONONONO!!!!  Yes, I understand that you have to get your name out there or no one’s going to buy your book, but it just makes me feel, well, dirty.  Discussion groups and forums strike me as too self-serving and too incestuous to do what they’re purported to do.  If I want to talk about myself, I have a blog—okay, two and a half.  Awards submissions are a waste of money and pointless anxiety.  And book signings…okay, I like book signings, mainly for the chance to chat with other authors and the odd person who takes an interest in something I wrote.  I like conventions for that same reasons, though book signings are a bit more budget friendly.

And in writing news:  Grey and I are still moving forward with our fourth Creatures book.  Though it’s a bit slow in writing with figuring out the plotty bits, but forward is forward.  And when your solo stuff is *crickets* you’ll take whatever the muse gives you.