The Check Was In the Mail

I've been holding my breath until I actually got paid for the article in Your National Forests. Not that I didn't think the Forest Service was good for it... I think I'm still in shock at how much they paid.

If you can actually read that, go for it. I'll just say that yes, there is a number higher than one in front of the word "hundred."

I've been told that writers actually get paid in this range once they are established and credible. It wouldn't break my heart to enter that circle.

Bio Added to Twin Trinity Books

My bio and an author interview has been added to the Twin Trinity Books store.

To see it, click on TTM Authors & Staff in the left sidebar, and I am number 48 (they aren't in any particular order).

Owner, Michelle L. Devon, says that the covers will be done and the books ready for purchase this weekend. And, she is offering a fantastic deal for early bird interest. Here's her offer:

We're offering you a special right now that if you sign up for an account on the Twin Trinity Media website prior to June 20th, we're giving you a $5 store credit. This is enough to buy several shorts, or you can use your credit to purchase a discounted copy of any of our fine paperback books

All books will be available in a variety of formats for Kindle, Apple iStore, nook, Mobi, and also pdf or plain txt for reading on the computer. Why not sign up right now before you forget, and you can buy some interesting stories as soon as Monday.

Contracts on Two Stories

Yesterday was a stellar day! I received (and signed) contracts for two of my short stories that have been accepted by Twin Trinity Media. They are listed at the store as Upcoming Releases from Twin Trinity Media. No cover art available yet, and as of this morning, my bio hasn't been added to the Authors List. But it's all part of the process.

As soon as all the mechanics are done, they will be available for under $1 each. The two stories are "Toby and Harry," submitted under the theme of Anger. and "On Time for the Wedding," submitted under the Wedding theme.

I have several more stories which were accepted for digital downloading from TTM, so those will be showing up over the coming months as well.

I Make Publisher-Editor at Shared Reviews

I knew I was getting close, but I awoke to find this posted on the Shared Reviews blog this morning:

Joan Young has just earned the first Publishing Editor badge on SharedReviews. The bar was set high, and through the difficulties we’ve had over the last few months, an amazing feat. She has proven herself as our TOP author in the system based on the criteria of effort, perseverance, and achievement.

Congratulations Joan, everyone here at the company is very proud of you, and we hope you enjoy this moment for the amazing feat that it represents! We’re going to award you a special prize of $50 for this great achievement.

This is partly due to persistence, striving to make top levels during any phase of growth that the web site has experienced. Yes, I can write decent reviews, and now articles since general content has been added, but like any writing site, one needs a body of work to do well. I've tried to keep adding content regularly. Some months I mangage to write more than others.

Shared Reviews has gone through several phases in an effort to remain viable and serve its authors. They are currently working toward a complete overhaul of the site. All regular authors are waiting rather impatiently and some are choosing to participate less until these changes are made. I'm looking forward to the "new" site, whenever it is complete.

Owner, Peter Ejtel, admits that he didn't expect anyone to reach this level so "soon." The current levels of accomplishment were unveiled last September. Those of us who had been there a long time and had completed a certain number of tasks were set at levels which matched with those achievements. At that time I began as a Publisher-Rater, level 1. So I had to build to level 10, completing more challenges along the way.

In the end, the thing which I needed was more high ratings of my own writing, and the author has no control over when these will happen. But last night, someone gave me the final push I needed to go over the top.

Now, in addition to earning money from readers, I will have some administrative rights and responsibilities, and will earn $25 residual income a month in addition to earnings from readers. It's been a lot of work, but I think it's worth it!

Use this link if you would like to join Shared Reviews.

West Side Gang- Writers' Group

Came home from the writers' group last night a bit put off. Most of the members are of one particular political and spiritual persuasion, and they often get off on tangents promoting those and bashing all who may not agree with them. They just assume that anyone who likes poetry is of a similar mindset. This was actually said aloud at one meeting.

I wonder how long it will take for anyone to notice that I am very silent when these discussions take place.

I enjoy the writing support and the thoughtful comments about things I take to read, but if I wanted to discuss politics and/or religion I would have joined a different kind of group.

Succintly Yours- Flash Fiction

Grandma's Goulash regularly runs a Flash Fiction challenge. So far I've been inspired every other week. Here's my next installment of 140 words. The extra credit word is "lavender." Here's the picture that is to be the inspiration:



Here's my story:

"...and lavender is such a nice color for a nursery, since we don’t know if the babies will be boys or girls or some of each. I want deluxe feather beds for each of the eggs, you know, the kind with eider down, that will be especially warm for our little ones. Are you listening, dear?"
"honk"
"See, I’ve been talking with Alexis, she’s the goose that lives down at the south end of the pond, and her nest is much better positioned than ours. She has a wonderful location with afternoon shade, but yet a good stretch of water between her and the fox. I realize that it’s not entirely your fault that we didn’t get here first this year to claim the best spot, but we really have to do something special to show her and Freddie that..."

____________

To see other entries visit Grandma's Goulash

Your National Forests Article

Three copies of the Summer- Fall 2011 issue of Your National Forests came in the mail yesterday. They added graphics in addition to my photos, and the article looks really great! I added the circle around the place on the cover where it indicates the story on the inside. That's pretty cool that it is mentioned on the cover.

The check is supposed to follow very soon. A real check. As in, a new printer for me check.

Here's what the article looks like:

I'm off to add this to my resume!

The magazine will be available as a pdf soon from the National Forests web site. I'll add a link when that happens.