Of things to come...

This next month is going to be pretty crazy for me. I just don't know how to say no sometimes. I think I am finally starting to realize that I am becoming over extended. Yes, being Not Quite Superhuman is catching up.

I registered at NaNoWriMo's website but have not written a single word. I just like my WIP too much to switch to another idea right now. Though I admit that I love this month because there is just soo much advice out there from writers, agents, and publishers. The fabulous Carrie Ryan, author of The Forest of Hands and Teeth, was at my library last month. She started out during NaNoWriMo and said community was the best thing she took from the experience. So for the moment I am going to follow along on the networks and lurk on the blogs for all the advice and ideas that can be found.

I have also started what I am calling the great coupon experiment. I am in month two of trying extreme couponing. So far I am spending the same amount of money each month, but my pantry is full and we have been going out to eat way less. This month will be the true test because even though it is just the three of us, we still spend more when there are holiday meals.

I also started reviewing over at No Flying No Tights which is a graphic novel review website. Yeah, finally a legit excuse to spend more time reading manga and watching anime.

I fully have plans to revamp this blog started prob in January with more of a defined schedule. Some features that I am toying with are more book reviews, discount deals, and crafts. I am not sure yet what the schedule will be or what names I will call the features, but in the mean time I will offer a peek at a great discount deal. Enjoy!

Head on over to NoMoreRack for great deals on electronics, clothes, and more. Deals are good just for either one day or when they sell out, whichever comes first. You can get some items for up to 80% off or more in some cases. Plus shipping is just $2 per item. Great for holiday shopping!

Twitter Twit

Follow me on Twitter! @woofer_kyyiv, a photo by Slava Baranskyi on Flickr.

Okay, so around this time last year I was very anti-twitter. I just couldn't see a need for it when Facebook did everything that Twitter did. That was until I seriously started blogging and writing and, well, you get the picture. 

It helped that I spent a lot of time on my smartphone and was seriously bored. Yes, there is an app for that. It made me realize how many of my favorite authors, agents, and publishers were using twitter. The great thing is that they will even reply back to your comments when you @mention them. There are even Q & A events using hashtags like #YALit and #AskAgent. Very helpful.

I even won a box of books from an @YALSA twitter #whyYALSA contest. Coolness!

Twitter is a great resource for me. I am connected to other writers and bloggers. I am able to keep up on new technology and other trending topics. I can even find out the latest Dr Who and Marvel news.

BTW last night because the wonderful @KierstenWhite and @WolfsonLiterary retweeted the link to my book review for White's Supernaturally, the blog has seen 100 hits in two hours. That is a record. Now how can you not love that?

Come follow me on Twitter @JHopwood80

Coolness, I got some awards

Thanks to Deirdra at A Storybook World for the Beautiful Mommy Writer Award. Coolness!

I've also been awarded the Stylin' Award by Giggle, Laugh, Cry. Total Awesomeness! Check out her blog!

To accept the Stylin' Award, you have to do the following:
1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself. *See below
3. Award 10-15 blogs who you think deserve this award.
4. Contact these bloggers and let them know about the award.

Seven wonderful, glorious things about me are:

1. Have a wonderful family.
2. I love paranormal/supernatural type stuff but think the big baddies should, well, stay big baddies, i.e.not the romantic interest (unless the name is Spike and has a Brit accent, also a bleach blond.)
3. Have a serious tech addiction.
4. Tend to be a workaholic overachiever.
5. Have a second addiction--chocolate.
6. Will do anything to get out of folding the laundry, which includes contacting stomach flu.
7. Can find the answer to anything, i.e. a librarian.

Deserving blogs for the Stylin' Award are:
The Daring Librarian
Vintage Revivals
Mouses Houses
BonBon Rose Girls
Kiersten Writes
Adventures in Bento Making
Cherry Tomatoes Productions
A Storybook World
Read & Riot
Craft Gossip
Please check out their blogs!

Now if I could just figure out how to post these awards on a permanent page...

      

H Is For Hot Apps

It has already been established that I am in love with my iPad. There are some great apps out there that are free or relatively cheap. Here is a list of some of my favorites:

Grocery IQ-- Free. This app is also available for my droid which makes it even better. It keeps a running list of items I need from the grocery store; when I update on the iPad it will automatically update the droid and vice versa. The list can be divided by store which means I can have a list for Wal-Mart and one for Sam's. It let's me input the prices to keep a running total of how much I am spending and keeps those listed in my history. Very useful and such a time saver-- it even has coupons!

Blogsy-- $2.99. Now I have been having trouble updating my blog from the iPad. I use blogger and for some reason the two just don't like communicating. That is where the new app Blogsy comes in. The app is new on the market and I mean new as of this week. Right now it has an introductory price that will change with the next update. It is compatible with both Blogger and Wordpress. You don't even have to know HTML code! (though I have to say, I am getting better at embedding the codes for links). Blogsy allows you to grab links and images from the integrated browser, Google Images, YouTube, Picassa, and Flickr. Simple and easy just like it should be!

Twitter-- Free. I use to be very anti-Twitter, but I have since discovered that it is a great networking tool. I am connected to authors, librarians, bloggers, and tech news. It keeps me up to date on the things that I need to know about.

Angry Birds-- Free. I am not obsessive about this game, but I can understand how some might be. It reminds me of an old shareware DOS game where these huge monkeys held on the top of these buildings and the object was to throw bananas at other buildings and helicopters. The one thing I will say about it is that it is very useful to have when you are sitting waiting somewhere with a five-year old who doesn't want to sit still...it even works on husbands!

Do you have a favorite iPhone or iPad app? Any for the droid?

Gatekeepers Post

Sometimes being superhuman means knowing when something big is happening. That is why I am excited to tell you about a brand new website coming for the book and publishing community. Check out below the press release for The Gatekeepers Post coming February 1st!

Author and media personality, Jeff Rivera launches The Gatekeepers Post, a new social media community intended to make a significant impact on the conversation of book publishing.

With the decline in print book sales, the increase of eBooks, the rapid closing of independent bookstores and the boom in young adult fiction, the world of book publishing is experiencing a flux few could have anticipated even five years ago. 

Industry outlets have struggled to keep pace with the new developments in publishing but the changes are happening too fast for anyone to cover it all.  The industry and public's insatiable appetite for fresh news on the rapid changes has only increased.

The Gatekeepers Post hopes to satisfy that appetite.  A cross between Huffington Post and Publishers Weekly, the outlet features some of the most important and respected voices in book publishing. 

Joined by an editorial advisory board that includes the likes of print and online magazine editor, Neal Boulton, Planned TV Arts’ Rick Frishman, Editor-in-Chief of Publishing Perspectives, Ed Nawotka, Smashwords’ Mark Coker, St. Martin Press’ Brendan Deneen, eReads.com publisher and veteran literary agent, Richard Curtis, former Writers Digest Book Editor at Large, Jane Friedman, Authorpreneur Joe Konrath and Hachette’s Director of Multicultural Publicity Linda Duggins.  The new outlet also features Gatekeeper bloggers, site founder and Editor-in-chief Jeff Riverahandpicked himself.  

"The support from the industry has been overwhelming," says Rivera, "I'm proud of the high caliber of Gatekeepers and guest bloggers who'll be joining us."  Veteran agents, major editors, librarians, publishers, publicists and authors such as New York Times bestsellers Zane and Alisa Valdes Rodriguez will be lending their voice to the community as well.

A steady stream of book-centric reviews, headlining news, articles, and op-ed pieces, will be incorporated within the outlet along with forthcoming special events such as virtual panel discussions and online conferences.

Gatekeepers Post officially launches on February 1, 2011 at midnight.