Posted on June 5, 2013 by Joely — 5 Comments

Promo Don’ts

As I gear up for Her Grace’s Stable’s release next week, I’ve had promo on my mind. What has worked. What hasn’t. Where I made mistakes. The lessons I’ve learned.

Then I thought, hey, a blog post! And more importantly, a chance for discussion. I’d like to hear from YOU about what you do and don’t like about author promotions.

It’s really sad, but there are some really basic don’ts that we shouldn’t have to talk about, but they’re done often and it’s annoying to the readers.

NEVER DO:

Never add someone to your newsletter who didn’t deliberately opt in themselves. It’s SPAM.
Never @reply someone on Twitter with a random “hey look at this! buy my book!!!” that has absolutely nothing to do with the original Tweet. It’s SPAM.
Never post on someone’s Facebook wall or timeline with “buy my book” sort of garbage. It’s SPAM.
Never rate or review your own book.
Don’t create sock puppet accounts to rate/review your own book.
Don’t go out and negatively rate/review the “competition” just because you think it’ll make your book look better.
Never attack a reader or reviewer because they didn’t like your book. Certainly don’t send death threats, hunt down their personal information online, etc. (Yes, this has been done.)

Now here’s some facts/opinions I’ve picked up over the years.

1. Does advertising work? Honestly, it’s impossible for me to tell. Even when I’ve done an online ad and saw several clicks through to my site, you never really know whether it led to a sale or not. I do advertising for name recognition, but I don’t count on it helping sales. I probably ought to sign up as an Amazon affiliate at some point, but I just haven’t had the time.

2. Do blog tours work? Again, honestly, it’s impossible for me to tell. All I can tell you is it’s EXHAUSTING. I did two huge tours last year and my blogging mojo has been out of whack ever since. (And I’m pretty sure that my Twitter friends got sick of me tweeting about which blog I was on, sorry about that.) It’s especially hard to keep coming up with unique ideas — much easier if the site provides a basic questionnaire or interview. Small unique excerpts are nice too. But the whole 500-word unique blog post is TOUGH. There are only so many different things I can say about a book after blogging about it for months+ on my own blog! Again, it probably helps with name recognition, but most of the commenters are hoping to win a free book (as they should) and may not go out and buy the book on their own.

3. Do mailings work? I used to belong to Pat Rouse’s romance bookclub/bookstore list and for my first two print books, I mailed out a fairly extensive number of ARCs (considering they were all out of my own pocket and I’m with small presses). It certainly didn’t hurt, but my print sales are an incredibly small piece of my royalty pie. I decided it made more sense to concentrate on where 98% of my market is, and that’s electronic. Plus I did have one bookstore return the opened package back to me marked “refused.” Boy talk about a blow to your self esteem!

4. Are bookmarks, postcards, etc. worth the cost to print? I find it incredibly ironic to have bookmarks printed when most of my sales are electronic…! But it is nice to have something to sign and hand out. If you’re not going to conferences or mailing gifts/prizes out, then save your money. Some other notes…

See this big box of stuff? I went through it today and everything in there needs to be recycled.

Back in 2007-2009, I had a bunch of stuff printed with my Drollerie Press releases, and then the pub went out of business. ALL of these listed the publisher, some had the ISBN, and even the ones I self published since all have new covers. So be wary when printing up 1000 bookmarks! Consider creating bookmarks that support your author brand beyond a single book if possible, too.

I will say that I’m very glad that I still have several hundred Dear Sir, I’m Yours bookmarks. I love the cover, it supports the brand I’m trying to establish nicely, and it’s convenient to hand out. After all these years, Dear Sir is still my #1 seller every single month. Isn’t that crazy? So it’s definitely been a nice investment. Plus I hope that if someone new finds me through this book or bookmark, they’ll go out and buy the other books in the series too.

If you do send out bookmarks, I think it’s nice to sign them. People are more willing to hold on to something that’s signed, even if they’re strictly ebook readers. I personally haven’t found postcards, etc. very useful.

Also, if you’re not a whiz at Photoshop or design, do consider hiring someone to design your print promo for you. It seems “so easy” to create a little postcard based on your cover, etc. but I wasted hours and hours of time trying to get things just right and I was always disappointed in the final product. I know exactly what I want — but I often can’t figure out how to create it! A professional designer has definitely been worth the cost to me.

5. Do giveaways work? Again, who knows? I *hope* that whoever wins a free copy of my book will a). give it a try and b). love it and c). maybe review it somewhere or talk about it to a friend, etc. But you just never know. People do love to win free things, so I do think giveaways help with name recognition. The bigger prizes will often draw contest-junkies though – not necessarily readers.

For me, I like giving stuff away, especially books or cute/cool little things that made me think about the book. As soon as I saw the Jane Austen Royal Mint Stamps, I had to have a set for myself and I also knew it was the perfect thing to give away for any of the Jane Austen Space Opera books.

I love the personalized giveaways that Lynn Viehl always does – like her fantastic quilted totes. I can’t sew, but if you can do something like that, what an awesome prize! Handmade, beautiful items are always a treasure to win, at least to me.

Gift certificates are nice too, but you never know how the winner will actually spend it. e.g. don’t expect them to use it and buy ONLY your books! That’s a totally unfair expectation. I like to giveaway a free copy of my newest book along with the gift certificate, so people can feel more open to buying whatever they want, while giving me the feeling that at least they have one of my books to try.

What else do you have to say about promotion don’ts — or better yet — what you wish more authors would do?

Posted on June 4, 2013May 29, 2013 by Joely — Leave a comment

Scorching Summer: Harper Fox

As part of our Scorching Summer giveaway, I’m thrilled to have Harper Fox stopping by today!

Scorching Summer is here!

Joely Sue, thank you so much for featuring me on your blog today. I’m very privileged to be sharing a Samhain Publishing release date on 11^th June with four super-talented ladies – Mari Carr, Erin Nicholas, Shelli Stevens and, of course, Joely Sue, whose summer scorcher is called Her Grace’s Stable.

Brothers Of The Wild North Sea is a big departure for me – M/M of course, but my first foray away from contemporaries and into historical romance. I loved writing the book, though. It’s a tribute to my native Northumberland, England’s northernmost county, and the passionate spirits who helped form the land and its wild, beautiful culture in its earliest days. And a starred review by Publishers Weekly certainly makes me feel a lot more confident about unleashing the story on the world!

Brothers Of The Wild North Sea – what happens when the deadliest of enemies becomes heart’s desire?

Caius is working really hard to be good. He loves his life as a monk in the far-flung Christian stronghold of Farne, but he’s the son of a warrior chieftain, with hot blood in his veins. His biggest temptation is Leof, his sweet-natured friend – and, all too often, his lover.

When Vikings raid the monastery and Leof is killed, Cai questions his whole existence. All he wants is vengeance on the raiders. The last thing he expects is to find compassion in his heart for Fenrir, a young Viking wounded and left for dead. Defying his abbot, Cai uses his skills as a physician to save Fen’s life.

At first Fen tries to repay the kindness by attacking every Christian he can reach, but as time passes, Cai’s goodness to him reaches his heart – and Cai, who had thought he would never love again, feels the stirring of a profound new attraction.

But Cai and Fen are from different worlds. When old loyalties call Fen back to his tribe, can love be hold them together – and will they discover the ancient secret of Farne in time to prevent a catastrophic war to end all wars?

Here’s an excerpt:-

Up ahead was a crescent of rocks whose outer edge was turned to the storm-driven tide. A wave broke over it just as Cai and Fen fell into its sheltering curve, but it would do. The wind howled a little less fiercely there. The sea still stretched out its paws, but couldn’t drag them back. Sand was piled up here, strange rippled structures marked with kelp and a million fractured shells.

Cai pulled Fen out of the storm. They dropped to their knees, huddling against the rock. This time when Fen’s mouth sought his, he turned to him with a cry of joy and relief. Fen had been right—his blood was singing already, so loud the angels must hear. His skull banged off stone, and he reached up through exploding stars to grab anything he could of the Viking’s hot muscle and bone. Fen resisted him, tearing back to arm’s length, far enough to see him. “Caius.”

“My wolf from the sea.”

“Yes.”

“You came for me.”

“Well, none of your other lily-arsed brethren would do it. They saw you, and they ran around like headless chickens, but…”

“They’re not sailors. They’re not…” Not you, Cai wanted to finish, but his throat had seized up.

“Not pirates. Not vikingr.”

Cai nodded. Like their shelter, it would have to do. Another wave broke, spray arcing high, landing with a seething crackle all around. Fen’s mouth was salty with it when it next landed on Cai’s, and he moved like the thunder, bearing Cai down onto the sand. But Cai was full of newborn faith and certainty. He rolled on top, pinning him, and Fen looked up and whispered, “There you are,” as if in recognition. As if at the end of a long, lonely wait.

Cai shuddered. He straddled Fen’s thighs and ran a hand down over his stomach, over the hard plane that rippled and arched to find his touch. Fen was erect beneath the leather thong of his leggings. He moaned when Cai freed him, sea-chilled fingers clumsy on the lace. His cock lifted stiff and full into Cai’s grasp, a vision seared into Cai’s brain by the lightning. In the green-flashing darkness that followed, Cai plunged down on him, shifting to allow him access in return. He buried his face on the side of Fen’s neck. That great, strong hand was on him now, between their bodies, undoing him.

Brothers Of The Wild North Sea is available to pre-order from Amazon, Samhain and Barnes & Noble. Be sure to stop by and read Mari, Erin and Shelli’s posts on our blog hop – you’ll get the chance to win some great prizes, including a $50 gift certificate and my special prize for our tour, a signed coaster and mousemat featuring the fantastic Brothers cover art.

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Posted on June 2, 2013May 29, 2013 by Joely — Leave a comment

Scorching Summer: Shelli Stevens

As part of our Scorching Summer giveaway, I’m thrilled to have New York Times bestselling author Shelli Stevens stopping by today!

Scorching Summer is here!

Are you ready to get hot? 😉 Scorching Summer has arrived!

In case you don’t know me, I’m Shelli Stevens, and I’m seriously excited to be sharing an upcoming release day with some fun, talented authors! Check out these fantastic books releasing June 11th from Samhain Publishing.

Good Girl Gone Plaid by Shelli Stevens (that’s me!)
Her Grace’s Stable by Joely Sue Burkhart
Full Moon by Mari Carr
Brothers of the Wild North Sea by Harper Fox
She’s the One by Erin Nicholas

Today Joely is allowing me to hang out on her blog and share a bit about Good Girl Gone Plaid, and sneak you a pic of my prize! Thanks, Joely.

Let me say the title of this book came to me first, and I developed the series around it. I adore The McLaughlins, my imported Scottish family who now resides on Whidbey Island in the Pacific Northwest. And, seriously, I hope you adore the first in the series, too!

Falling for the bad boy is even more dangerous the second time around.

* * *

The McLaughlins, Book 1

In high school Sarah fell for her best friend’s older brother—one of the sexy, Scottish McLaughlin boys. But a painful betrayal showed her she’d been a fool to give her heart to a bad boy. At least it made it easier to leave him and move halfway around the world when her Navy dad got stationed in Japan.

Eleven years later, the death of her grandmother has forced Sarah back to Whidbey Island for a month. It’s the length of time she must stay in her inherited house before she’s allowed to sell it, take the money and run. But when she sees Ian, bad as ever and still looking like sin on a stick, she can’t keep her mouth from watering.

One look at Sarah stirs up the regret lingering in Ian’s heart—and never-forgotten desire lingering in his body. He should walk away, especially since divorced single mothers aren’t his style. But when she starts showing up at his family’s pub, he can’t resist a little casual seduction for old time’s sake.

One thing quickly becomes clear, though. The heat between them is causing an avalanche of secrets and betrayal and nothing will ever be the same.

WARNING

A bad-boy hero who’s good with his hands, a heroine who’s trying to be good. Contains liberal consumption of Scotch whisky, a Highland Games competition, men in kilts wielding large poles, and a potential Sarah McLaughlin of the non-musical kind.

Now available for pre-order on Kindle | Nook | Kobo | Samhain

Excerpt

“Give me a Glennfidich 18. Neat.” Ian kept his hands folded and his gaze on the bar counter, but he could still feel the surprise in his eldest brother’s stare.

The pub was near empty—apparently Old Man Cooper had gone home already as well.

“You do realize it’s just about lunch time.” Aleck made his way down the bar until he was positioned right in front of him. “And you’ve gone and ordered one of the most expensive spirits we have?”

“You think I’m daft, big brother? Shut your mouth and just pour it already.” Scowling, Ian lifted his head to make sure his brother hadn’t taken offense.

Aleck, the eldest of all the McLaughlin kids was now sole owner of the pub. He didn’t seem the slightest bit offended by his brother’s comments. He was used to Ian’s quick temper. Instead, his green eyes crinkled around the edges with laughter and his mouth was twisted into a slight smirk.

“Aye, I’ll give ya your drink. So long as you fill me in on why the fook you’re in such a foul mood.” Aleck’s accent had always been the thickest and slowest to fade.

“As if you don’t know.” Ian accepted the shot and glared at his brother. “Go bring Kenzie a tire, you say. As if you don’t know just who exactly you were throwing in my path.”

“No. I haven’t a clue.”

The genuine bewilderment on Aleck’s face convinced him that maybe his brother wasn’t lying.

“Look, Kenzie called and said she was in a bit of a mess and needed me to come out and bring her a tire. She didn’t say she was with anyone.” Aleck placed the bottle of scotch back up on the shelf with the other bottles of spirits. “Fill me in already. Who was with her?”

“Sarah,” Ian finally growled.

“Sorry, who? Tera?”

Ian tipped back the scotch and slammed the glass on the bar. “Sarah.”

“Sarah?” Aleck went still and tilted his head. “As in your Sarah? The good girl you shagged around with in your youth?”

“Aye. That’d be her.” He stared into his empty shot glass, not seeing the drop of amber liquid, but instead the image of Sarah half-naked in the back of his Camaro. “And I wouldn’t necessarily call her a good girl.”

“Wasn’t she now? One step from the nunnery from the impression I got.” Aleck grinned. “Though I’m sure any corruption she acquired back then came from your doing.”

“Hmm. Maybe.” The single malt scotch had warmed his insides and taken the sharp edges off the memory of his encounter with Sarah.

“So, how was it seeing her again?”

“Oh just fucking fantastic.” He gave a harsh laugh and pushed the empty glass to his brother. “Nearly as fantastic as taking a foot to the balls, I’d imagine.”

“That lovely? Was she mean? Did she go and hurt your feelings?” Aleck teased good-naturedly.

“No.” Ian hesitated, unable to share the humor. “More like I hurt her. I probably said some things I shouldn’t have.”

Aleck nodded. “Well, it wouldn’t be the first time either one of you has let your temper best you. You want another drink?”

“No.” Ian thrust a hand through his hair. “Wait, aye. One more.”

His brother grabbed the bottle and poured another glass. “I’m sorry. But let me guess. She’s fallen toward the ugly side and is as warm and cuddly as a porcupine?”

“Perhaps on the porcupine bit, but she’s not ugly.” He drank the second round. “She’s prettier now, if you can believe it.”

“Hmm. I’m trying to remember her. Short?”

“Petite. And she’d punch you in the stomach if she heard you call her short.”

“Which is probably as high as she can reach,” Aleck mused. “Long black hair, I think?” Ian nodded.

“Aye, I remember her hair. She was a pretty thing. Quite exotic. She had that hint of olive skin, but blue eyes. I’m surprised you captured her interest. Back then she was too innocent for the likes of you.”

And maybe still was. He’d calmed down considerably from what he’d been in his teen years. But he wasn’t an idiot. Ian knew his reputation on the island, and his bad boy image hadn’t fully gone away. Then again, he hadn’t done much to dissuade it.

“Will you see her again?”

“I doubt it. I don’t think she cared much for seeing me today, to be honest.”

“Aye, well you didn’t end on the best terms. Am I right?”

No. They certainly hadn’t. Just the memory of it was like taking a two-by-four to the chest. His jaw clenched against the wave of guilt and pain. Both emotions had been violently at war that day—as much as they still were now. Beneath those two emotions had been another one. Bitter disappointment. And it was always there. Hot and dark, running a river of anger through his blood.

He didn’t think about it much. Couldn’t go there in his head, because it was all such a mind fuck.

“There’s a reason the past is behind you.” Aleck’s quiet words resonated through the warm haze the Glennfidich had left.

“Aye. And it’ll stay there, no need to worry about that.”

Be sure to check out all the other gals’ blogs and don’t forget to enter the big contest—lots of great prizes and chances to win!

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Posted on May 29, 2013May 29, 2013 by Joely — 2 Comments

Scorching Summer from Samhain

I’m thrilled to share a June 11th release date from Samhain with fabulous authors Mari Carr, Erin Nicholas, Shelli Stevens, and Harper Fox! To celebrate, we’re offering a really cool prize package, including a $50 gift certificate and individual prizes from each of us.

My offering: a Jane Austen Royal Mail stamp set I ordered from the UK, featuring images from Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice and more. It’s just gorgeous!

June 1-10 we’ll be hosting each other on our blogs, so be sure to visit for your chance to win. Entries will be managed via Rafflecopter. Note: the giveaway is already open and working, so I’m going to go ahead and post this so you can start entering! Just click through to Rafflecopter below.

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Posted on May 17, 2013May 16, 2013 by Joely — 7 Comments

RT13 Swag Giveaway

I’m going to start parceling out all of the goodies I brought home from KC, including all sorts of books, pens, postcards, bookmarks, and even an Ellora’s Cavemen calendar. I have enough goodies to make a nice package for *at least* five winners. If I still have stuff, I’ll pick more winners from the entrants. Each package will include a book and as much goodies as I can stuff in a mailer.

You can enter by commenting on this post and the other Rafflecoptor options listed. In addition, I’d like to get as many reviews as possible for Her Grace’s Stable (coming June 11th) and/or Lady Doctor Wyre (already available). (If you need a review copy, please contact me.) If you have an online review posted anywhere (even ones you already did for either book), post a comment on this blog entry containing the link. Even if it’s the same review posted in multiple locations, eg GoodReads and Amazon, post both links separately for maximum entries!

This giveaway is open to the planet, even if you’ve won something from me before. Yes, I’ll ship the prize package internationally!

Giveaway closes 5/24/2013 at midnight EST.

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Posted on May 5, 2013May 5, 2013 by Joely — 3 Comments

RT2013 Summary

I’m home from Romantic Times in Kansas City. Sorry for the blog silence this past week but I was insanely busy and there wasn’t wireless internet at the hotel. It was easier to do some tweeting and posting pix on Facebook via my phone. So stop over on FB if you’d like to see some pictures of the giant book fair or my costumes.

It was a fantastic trip. I got to meet Laura Kinsale and managed to talk like a reasonable human being until she asked if I had a card. Then I turned into a blushing stammering idiot (but I did give her my card). I also met Lauren Dane, Jaci Burton, and Shannon Stacey. At once! It was amazing. I had dinner with my editor, Tera. We had a blast at the Carina author get-together (AND THEN SOME!!!!), the Here Be Magic breakfast, and the Carina cocktail party.

Ann and I successfully room-mated for the second year in a row. And we’re even still friends!

I gave away lots of masks, tons of pens, and even managed to sell a few books. I loved meeting readers and fans and bloggers alike. I wore my costume several times and even participated in two contests. I walked at least a mile every single day, most days 2-3 miles. Food was at times a problem — dinner at 9 or even 10 PM, no lunch, etc. But I totally fell in love with Panera’s. What a lifesaver after the crappy $20+ breakfast at the hotel the first day.

I even learned that the Sheraton was actually the old Hyatt where walkways collapsed and over 100 people were killed. (Now we know why getting to the other side of the hotel was such a pain at times.)

I came home with two tote bags full of books. Not as many as last year, but still a ton. I also have a huge tote full of promo swag that I’ll be setting up as giveaways here on the blog. Yes, I fully intend to share the wealth of goodies!

So stay tuned!

(And yes, as soon as I can swing it, I fully intend to reserve my slot for 2014 in New Orleans!)

Posted on April 25, 2013April 25, 2013 by Joely — 1 Comment

Scrambled

I’m in full panic frenzy mode.

Tomorrow’s my last day at the Evil Day Job until May 7th and I’ve got soooo much to do! We’re in the middle of a large project with a hard deadline, and I’ve got to try and come up with enough stuff for a very efficient programmer to work on while I’m out. She whizzed through all the stuff I did this week already so I have absolutely NO CUSHION.

Oh, and I’m getting yet another new boss. My current new boss gave his notice and is moving to a new department within the company. Third boss in less than 5 months. My mantra: Change is a good thing. Change is a good thing. Change…

I still have to finish gluing my mask promo items. We only have about 25 or so done.

I still have to find more clothes to wear during the day, although I’m covered for the nightly events for the most part. The dress I bought for the award ceremony is gonna be snug. Thank God for Spanx. I want to get at least one more pair of black jeans. Maybe another shirt or two. I’ll see what I can find this weekend, but I’ve struck out on my favorite brand of jeans once already.

Granny brought by the cute little vest thing to wear beneath my corset. The only problem I see with it: it’s extremely short. I don’t know how comfortable it’ll be if I’m fighting it all the time, but I suppose under the tight corset it probably won’t go anywhere!

I put on the beaded corset yesterday to practice lacing myself into it. It has back ties, which are really hard to do alone. Littlest saw me working on it and came in to help me again – by planting her foot on my butt and hauling on the laces. *can’t breathe!!* Thank God she’s not coming with me…. Although dang, she managed to suck me in pretty well! (I could barely move, though, let alone sit down.)

I’m breaking in some new boots to wear during the day. Yeah, not my brightest idea, but I fell in love with these red Dr. Martens. In all my internet reading, I found that Dr. Martens are notoriously tough to break in, but these aren’t bad at all. Of course I am wearing two pairs of socks with them… but I’ve been able to wear them all day without issue. Will I be able to walk all around KC next week in them without crippling myself?

We shall see!

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Joely — 5 Comments

Playing Dress Up

Today I drove back up to Granny’s (my Mom) and helped put the finishing touches on the outfits. I. Am. Amazed. My Mom did such an incredible job! The pieces are gorgeous. They mix and match, with interchangeable bustles and boleros.

Here are a few pictures. Warning: sans makeup and my hair is messy. The fancy beaded corset is harder to put on, so I stuck with just the white one for now.

This one was taken in Mom’s sewing room. The bustle is detachable, simply buttoning onto the black taffeta skirt’s waistband. I thought this would be my favorite bolero, but I actually like the red one (below) better. It might be hard to tell what’s in the pattern on the bustle, but it’s black feathers, skulls, spider webs, etc. Wicked cool and definitely not “usual” Victorian wear!

This one was taken once I got home. This bustle is much more complicated and ties onto loops sewn into the back of the skirt AND buttons onto the waistband. I’m starting to understand why ladies had ladies’ maids, because MAN it’s going to be hard to dress myself at RT. I have to tie the bustle on first, but leave one side undone so I can slip into the skirt. Then tie and button it once on. It’s almost as hard as fastening the busk on the other corset!

The monsters helped me make the hat.

Here’s the same one from the front. That apron thing beneath the corset is also detachable, so I can choose to wear it with either bustle. I adore the flash of red satin in the cascade!

I’m still working on finding the right shirt to wear beneath the corset. This cami works, but the straps are a little too big and I’ll be constantly checking to make sure nothing’s sagging out the side.

The pattern had a lined vest that looked a lot like this cami, but Mom was having problems with it. I told her not to worry about it – the show stoppers are done and are gorgeous. I can find something to wear underneath!

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Joely — 3 Comments

Weekend Roundup

First, the Weight Watcher update. As I said last week, I made a deliberate effort to eat more of my weekly points (22 of 49) and continued Power 90 through Wed. Thursday I took a break because I was really achy. Not exactly sore but just deep down joint achy. Friday I had to finish our taxes. Sat and Sun I lost to business. 🙁 So I have to get back on track TODAY.

On the bright side, I’m down 2.4 this week. Slowly inching back down to my all-time low!

Two of the monsters had school activities this past Sat. Yeah, I know. They were so thrilled. Littlest spent the night with a friend and we had an hour or so where everyone was gone. That rare moment of quiet must have addled my brain because I decided to try and make a petticoat out of tulle to wear beneath my RT costume.

I can cross stitch. I can crochet. I can embroider. But I am NOT a seamstress. I haven’t used my sewing machine since we moved here almost 3 years ago, and of course, I couldn’t find my manual (so I downloaded one off the internet). It took me half an hour to remember how to fill the bobbin. Another half hour to get everything threaded correctly. Then I started making this monstrosity of a petticoat.

I made so. Many. Errors. ARGH. I was trying to sew 10 layers together and I got to the end and held it up, only to realize that I’d “dropped” two random layers as I was sewing it. I also trimmed each piece of tulle with satin ribbon. About 2/3 of the way through, I ran out. It took me 3 attempts to finally get everything attached to the wasitband of 2″ black satin ribbon, or I would have ripped it out and done it again, because my underneath bobbin thread balled up in a couple of places and looks terrible. Of course no one will see it but me (assuming I can even wear the blasted thing), but it really bothers me that it’s so messy.

I finally got it all sewn onto the ribbon and closed it with room to thread the elastic through, but I don’t have a safety pin. It’s just narrow enough — with too much tulle poking up inside — to get the elastic through by hand. I really need a big safety pin and I’m probably still going to be sweaty and cursing before it’s done. I had to take a break, though, because I worked on it ALL DAY.

Sunday I made a trip up to Granny’s with the tardy black taffeta for the skirt. I was supposed to go alone, but Mom can’t go to the bathroom without company, let alone a trip. I ended up with Princess and Littlest making the 1 hour 45 min car ride with me. I was afraid they’d be bored. This wasn’t a fun trip, but a working trip. I intended to help Mom with whatever menial tasks she could give me (after reading the tulle adventure I’m sure you understand why she couldn’t get me much to do). The girls were pretty good, though, helped out by Mac taking them with him on a shopping trip.

My beloved sister Molly made the drive up too so we could chat and laugh at how many times I had to take the hook and eye off and redo it.

I did help cut out a few pieces. By that, I mean I helped pin and listened while Mom explained grain and fold and how to read the stupid patterns. She did the cutting! Other than that, I stuffed the bustle pillow with Sis and then did the hook and eye. Oh and I made coffee several times and stuffed Granny with turtle cheesecake. It was the least I could do.

We ended the day with most everything cut out except for a lining for other bustle. Mom had the sleeves done for the first bolero and I tried on the other piece of the bolero to make sure it was fitting. I got the wrong kind of interfacing (boo) so she’s going to have to hit the store today. Meanwhile I have 5 yards of some crap none of us can use.

All in all, it was a work-filled fun day. We had fun and hopefully I helped at least a little. I had to leave and head home before it got dark (I’m not a very good driver either. I sure didn’t want to brave the interstate turnoffs in the dark), but Sis said they got quite a bit more done after we left. I can’t wait to see how it all comes together!

When we got home last night, I started some prep work for a promo thing I thought of. I have pens to give out, but I wanted something unique and special. Something that wouldn’t cost me a lot — but also was less likely to get thrown away to make room in the suitcases because it was just too cool to toss. I finally had a neat idea, but it required some printing of little cards with my book cover. I didn’t have business cards anyway, so I designed two last night, one with Yours to Take and the other with Her Grace’s Stable. Now I just have to hit a PartyCity store and buy a glue gun. *cryptic* And feathers. Lots of feathers.

I’m also going to make a steampunk hat.

*buys more feathers, beads, buttons, and trinkets*

Two weeks and counting for RT in KC!

Posted on April 9, 2013April 9, 2013 by Joely — 2 Comments

Unusual Stir Fry

In my effort to continue eating mostly protein and veggies for dinner, I decided to try a new-to-us recipe. It’s actually based on a recipe from Jane Brody that I remember Mom making, only she used ground beef. I say unusual because I don’t often think of ground meat in stir fry, but man, I hate cutting up nasty slimy chicken breasts or trimming all the fat off round steak. This was quick and easy!

Ground Turkey Stir Fry

2 pkgs of 99% lean ground turkey breast (each was around 20-22 oz)
1 T coconut oil
1 t dark sesame oil
1 pkg green beans (I used frozen)
1 pkg sugar snap peas
1 c. chicken broth
2 T cider or rice vinegar
1 T soy sauce
1″ fresh ginger, peeled and chopped small
lots of fresh garlic
green onions chopped into 1″ pieces (I can’t use many because the monsters hate them)
2 T corn starch or arrowroot

Heat a large 12″ iron skillet on med-high heat for 3 mins. Add 1 t sesame oil and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan. Throw in the green beans, peas, and onions, cooking until they start to char a little on the sides. Remove with a slotted spoon.

Add 1 T coconut oil and the ground turkey. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook through.

Meanwhile, mix the chicken broth, vinegar, soy, ginger, garlic and corn starch in a small bowl.

Once the meat is cooked, add the liquid and stir until thickened. Returned the cooked veggies, mix and heat through.

When I made this the other night, I used a separate small pan for the veggies and I ended up using a bit more oil to get my healthy oils in. This made a huge pot, easily 8 reasonable sized portions, at 6 P+ each if you use more like a T of oil for the veggies. I used lots of meat — more than we really needed — because I needed to use it up (I bought it on sale) and I could use the protein. (Plus I like having leftovers for lunch.) You could easily trim some points there if you need to.

I was afraid the monsters wouldn’t like it: white meat and lots of green veggies. But they all really enjoyed it and asked for it again! If you’re not watching carbs, serve over rice or noodles, but it’s really good alone.