This week as been a busy week for me. Monday my art work was revealed. Whoo-hoo! I was so excited about that. I didn't realize that I revealed my cover on National Puppy Day. The Editor and I did not plan that, but, Hey! It worked. The reveal was a success. I went from 35 page likes to 61 likes and my post reached 200 people. That is exciting!

I finished Deep Waters and that is ready to be launched when the ISSN thingie is fixed. That was my very first project for Golden Fleece. I think it came out very well. There was a lot of yelling at Scribus and yelling at Gimp, but we got there in the end. I'm very proud of it. I also have a story coming out in it as well. It will be my very first under my nom de plume, Callie M. Ashton. That is the name I will be using for my other novels so that people won't mix up my novels with my Abby books. Just to play it safe.

I'm anxiously awaiting my next editing project, preferably book 2 in a certain someone's series. *cough , cough * Okay, maybe not anxiously awaiting, but I liked editing. In the mean time, AwesomeCon prep. Whoooooo! AwesomeCon! I'm so excited about going I can barely contain myself. The list of guest keeps getting better and more....dare I say it....Awesome. I have to get busy with the project I need to do for that. Perler beads and more perler beads. I'm really hoping, and praying to the Geek Gods, that some of the celebrities will come by the artist gallery and see us. That would be amazing. I have a book set aside for George Takei. Seriously.

Speaking of which, there is something I want to put out there. I'm absolutely disgusted with what is going on in Indiana. Disgusted. It is not protecting religious freedom, it trying to use religion as a way to discriminate against a group of people who are doing no harm. As a society, we had this argument once before 50 years ago. We should know better. As an author, I will not discriminate against anyone who wants to purchase my books. While this book is geared towards children, it is my hope that everyone, regardless of age, gender, sexual preference, religion, color, etc, will enjoy my work. Should my novels be published, I will hold no prejudice against those wishing to read them. I want to share my art with everyone, not to just a select group. That being said, I hope that this stupid ass law is repealed. It goes against everything our founding father fought for. It is unjust and unconstitutional and I will not stand for it because I don't tolerate bullies. 

I know that direct sales are really big right now. They are an easy way to supplement income or, if you really kick ass at it, become a full time job. I know that several of you are excited to be starting or excelling at a new business adventure. Mary Kay, Pure Romance, Thirty-One, Younique, Premier, Damsel in Defense, Origami Owl, Scentsy, Party Lite, etc. You're booking parties, selling your products, making money, and really excited. That's great! I'm so happy for you! But after a year of being invited and sometimes being pressured and almost bullied, into attending parities and to purchase items, it is time I set some ground rules.

1. I know you are excited to share your business. I know you want to book parties and stuff, but I'm partied out. Last year I went to six, SIX Pure Romance parties and invited to eight various direct sales parties. I went to about five of them. I'm done, guys. Really I am.

2. That being said, if you are hosting a party, I'm not adverse to you asking me to attend, but before you add me to an event online, please ask me first. A simple, “hey I'm having a party with [insert direct sales company here] you don't have to attend, but I would like to add you to the FB event in case you want anything. Is that cool?” I will either say yes, that is cool. I'm okay with that. Or no, that isn't something I'm interested in.

3. To expand further, if you put in me in a FB event, and I leave, please, for the love of my sanity, DO NOT add me back to the event. Seriously. If I have to tell you four times, that I'm not interested in whatever it is, leave it at that. Re-adding me when I ask you not to is just going to irritate the hell out of me.

4. If you are the consultant, please don't try to pressure and/or bully me into buying something. I know how the deal works. I know that the more I buy, the more money you make and the more credit for free stuff the hostess gets. Just because I'm attending the party, doesn't mean I have the money to spend. These parties and products are frivolous expenditures and I don't always have the money to burn. If I'm able to buy something, or want to buy something, I will. Pressuring me or trying to bully me into buying things is not only something a really nasty person would do, but it is also a shitty business tactic.

5. Before you call me, ask yourself, is this textable? Can this be sent in an e-mail or on Facebook? I'm happy to hear about your specials and new products, but I'm on a very erratic sleep schedule most of the time because of my insomnia (tested and diagnosed and everything), my sleep is very precious to me * Gollum, Gollum * and I don't appreciate being woken up at 9am to hear about discounted products.

That being said, I'm happy to support you in your business if I can. There are things I will support and things I won't. Usually if you are selling makeup, I'm not interested. I can't justify $30 on mascara. Same with candles. My cats are assholes and eat them. The only ones that I really like are the Wal-Mart version of Yankee candles. They are cheaper and smell the same. Also, I can't bring myself to pay the insane cost. I don't even buy Yankee candles. I will not, under any circumstances, buy from Thirty-One. Seriously. (A) The bags are entirely too damned expensive and (b) I have had two bad experiences with two different consultants. I don't do jewelry, usually, but may attend a party to look at the shiny pretties. I will support Pure Romance, but with my consultant because I trust her implicitly, Origami Owl, and Damsel in Defense, barring the consultant was a lot better than the last one.

I'm sorry that I'm sounding like such a snobby bitch about this. Actually, you know what? No. I'm not. I'm the type of person that tries to make everyone happy and never says no because I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. That usually turns me into a door mat and I can't let that happen any longer. I have to set up boundaries and these are it. If that makes me seems like a bitch, I'm not apologizing. I wish you all the best of luck in your businesses, guys. I'm kinda done.  

Hellooooo March!

I can't believe that it is March already. Everybody seems to be anxiously waiting for spring. I'm just sitting here enjoying my winter. I love the cold and I love the snow. This past month has been busy for me. I've been working on various projects. The biggest ones were Deep Waters and separating Perler beads. I hate Perler beads now. Thankfully, I have amazing friends who, for some reason lost to me, enjoyed organizing the beads. Like it made their day. I still have more to go, but they managed to separate 2/3 of the several thousand beads I had.

Doing Deep Waters was a great learning experience for me. I have learned that I hate Scribus, but that is okay. I have also learned a great deal of patience when dealing with belligerent computer programs. I also learned that people really need to not hard format their submissions because it is a really really big pain in the ass to fix when I have to put it into Scribus. I had to go through and fix each and every line. I was ready to strangle someone. Seriously people. Use your freaking indent. Move along with the times.

I have great news! The social media for the Abby the Labby series has officially launched. I'm rather excited about that. Also, kinda terrified as well. I mean, wow, it is getting really close to launch. Keep an eye out for the cover reveal later this month.

As for goals......take a look below.



February goals:


1. Work on my submissions for Fandom Universe – It is a work in progress. I've been busy with other things.

2. Complete Deep Waters- almost done. I just have the cover art and table of contents to do. That requires me to use gimp. Ugh....

3. Survive Perler Bead hell- check!

4. Officially launch social media things for Abby the Labby- Whoo-hoo!

5. Be the Minion of Awesomeness- I'm always awesome.


March Goals:

1. Awesome Con prep while trying not to burn my fingers to a crisp.

2. Complete Deep Waters especially since it is due in like a week.

3. Blog Blog Blog

4. Write another short story

5. Think about Camp Nano

6. Finish the daggon blanket that was due LAST year