Since I'm researching literary agents and publishers for my novel, my other blog will showcase what I'm learning along the way: www.almarquardt.com/blog<...

Thanks!

What makes a successful blog?

Give me your thoughts at www.almarquardt.com/blog<...

Thanks!

Time, that is.

Where did it go? Anyone know so I can bring it home? It's supper isn't just cold, it's petrified.

I had no idea my last entry was over three months ago.

Writing-wise, I decided to dust off an old Nanowrimo (national novel writing month) manuscript, and see if I can turn it into something interesting and likable. I hated the thing by the time I was done, and I almost deleted it. I love the characters and overall presmise, so it's worth giving it another try.

Mostly, though, I spend my time taking care of my 14-month-old, catching up on my reading, and spending quality time with God.

He's pressed upon me lately that I've let our relationship stagnate.

That's all the time I have for now, but if you want to know more check out my other blog at www.almarquardt.com/blog<...

December 2nd marks two events.

1. Contest winners will be selected and announced. I will post winners here (the first part of email addresses only), on the contest page, and the winners will also receive a private email.

2. My order of fifty books are due to arrive. If you're a winner, or have purchased one via the products page, expect your book to be sent out on December 3rd.

If you still would like to enter the contest, there is still time.

And if you order by December 15th, you'll receive several other small items as an expression of my gratitude.

Speaking of gratitude!

I wish to thank my father-in-law for taking the time to read "A Reason to Hope", and relaying his thoughts to me via email. His review was quite a boost to my confidence I didn't write a piece of crap.

You may be thinking since he's a family member, he would not have been completely honest in his assessment.

I know he was honest, because he focused on specifics, and shared what he didn't like about it. He would have preferred the book contained wider margins and more white space between chapters. I noticed the same after I received my proof. Changing it at that point, however, would have cost me more money, so I left it.

If I self-publish another book, or decide to resubmit a second addition of "A Reason to Hope" I'll make those modifications.

Until then, I'll make my readers suffer with narrow margins.

Muahahahahahaha!

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving day. I won't recommend you don't stuff yourselves stupid, because we all end up doing it whether we want to or not.

Don't forget to wear elastic-waisted pants!

When we look back at our worst of times, we find it's our friends' and family's support that brought us through.

When we look back at our best of times, we find it's our friends and family who cheered us on with the loudest of voice.

Without friends and family, we live a lonely life.

Without the support of my friends and family, my book would be sitting idle, collecting virtual dust in the back room of Amazon.com and my website.

Heck, I wouldn't have invested the money to publish it in the first place.

One friend has not only cheered me on, shared her knowledge in indie publishing, but also helped boost my book's exposure to more potential readers.

She interviewed me a few days ago, and included it on her website:

www.elucidations.us/interviews/almarquardt.htm

She has written and self-published three books so far, two as part of a larger series centered around a rock band trying to make a name for themselves in the 1970s. Her characters are well-developed, and she deftly immerses the reader into what the 70s were really like for musicians and other artists struggling for success.

You can find out more about all her books as well as purchase them direct at her online store:

www.elucidations.us/store.htm

With the economy sour and most of us not willing to spend a lot of money on high-dollar items, books are a great alternative.