Monday, May 08, 2017

#IWriteBecause, eBook Distribution, Blogging, Hero Lost, and Loss

Today at The Insecure Writer’s Support Group site: Have you ever wondered what’s involved in putting together a writing conference or book festival? Thinking of starting your own? Let author Austin Camacho tell you what’s really involved! 
 * * *

The IWSG is also helping Reedsy spread the word today about #IWriteBecause.

The graphic says it best:


EBook Distribution

Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C. recently expanded with a new eBook distributor. In doing so, many of our books were updated, both in content, links, and formatting.

One thing that had been on the back burner for me was updating my own How to Publish and Promote Your Book Now! This forced me to do so, and now the dead links and information are gone and new links are added. The updated version can be purchased here - Barnes & Noble / Amazon / Amazon UK.


12 Years of Blogging

I always seem to miss it, but April 9 is the anniversary of this blog. I started it 12 years ago after attending the Virginia Festival of the Book and hearing an author and a blog tour host discuss blogging.

Blogging has changed so much since then! When I began, there was no way to follow other blogs or show a following. Yes, GFC, which is being phased out now, didn’t even exist then. The best option was Feedburner.

Blogging has changed, but it’s still a great social networking platform and a great way to bring information and news to the world. I intend to keep this blog going for many years.


Latest Dancing Lemur Press LLC Release

Hero Lost: Mysteries of Death and Life
An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology

Find at Goodreads
Purchase print at Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Books-A-Million
Purchase eBook at Barnes & Noble / iTunes / Kobo / Amazon / Amazon UK / Amazon CA




I’m so very proud of these writers and the wonderful stories they created!


Loss

Finally, and I hate to end on a sad note, but as those of you who follow me on Facebook saw on April 29 - we had to put our dear, sweet baby girl to sleep. Rocko truly was Mama’s Little Kitty.

Rocko and Spunky came to us in the fall of 2005. The vet estimated their age at four months, which placed their birth about the time we lost Calvin. So we gave them the birthday of July 18, 2005, the day after. (Hobbes was with us for one more year.)

Sadly, we lost Spunky to cancer in 2015.

Rocko was our “special needs kitty” and had some behavior issues. For that reason, I always joked that she would live to 20 just to drive us crazy.

Her yearly check up was perfect. Yet a month later, something was wrong, and I took her back to the vet for a full blood test. It revealed that she had early symptoms of kidney disease and hypertension. We started special KD food and medicine for the high blood pressure. Five days later, she became very lethargic and wasn’t eating. By the time we got her to the vet, she was blind. After that, she refused to eat and became very agitated and unhappy. Her joy in life was watching the birds at the birdfeeder, and I think without that, she simply lost the will to live.

For the first time in 27 years, our house is devoid of cats. It’s been really, really weird and very sad. We have no children of our own, so our four fur babies were our kids - and now they are all gone. Those who don’t love animals will never understand. Those who do know the pain.

In the meantime, I am coping. If I am slow to respond, know that it is due to a lack of fur on the keyboard.

Tweet: #IWriteBecause, eBook Distribution, Blogging, Hero Lost, and Loss https://ctt.ec/9Xp4b+

53 comments:

The Cynical Sailor said...

I'm so sorry about your loss. As an animal lover, I completely understand how devastated you must be. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I'm so sorry to hear about Rocko. A friend, a companion, a gorgeous fur ball. I understand your pain and send virtual hugs.

Congrats on 12 years. That's truly impressive.

Natalie Aguirre said...

So very sad about your cat. I have a daughter, but love my dog (my first). She has been with me through these last very challenging years and I'll miss her when the time comes to put her to sleep too. Take care of yourself as you grieve your loss.

Awesome that you have been blogging so long. I've enjoyed the connections I've made over the years too. But I've got years of blogging to catch up with you.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

So sad about Rocko. She was robbed of her full nine lives.

H. R. Sinclair said...

I'm so sorry to hear about Rocko. Take care.

Twelve years! That's pretty great. Happy Blogivesary. I will spread the word about #IWriteBecause. It's too bad it's just video though.

Christine Rains said...

So sorry about your loss. And happy blogiversary! 12 years is awesome. :)

Bish Denham said...

Oh Diane... how well I understand how empty your home must feel. I'm so sorry. It's hard to see our fur babies grow sick and weak. At least you know they had a good home and were well loved.

12 years of blogging! Wow, I'm impressed. This is the second time I've heard about GFC being phased out and I don't even know what it is!

I'm also happy that Dancing Lemur Press is expanding. Congratulations.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I'm sorry. When we lost our cat two years ago, it was also very weird. Cats are quiet pets but somehow without her the silence in the house was deeper. I kept expecting to see her everywhere. Sorry again.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Thank you, Ellen.

Lynda, she was a gorgeous little fur ball. I can't believe it's been 12 years either.

Natalie, thank you, and you've established your blog very well.

Alex and Karen, thank you.

Holly, thank you. If it had been just a photo, I could've done it.

Christine, thank you.

Bish, she had a great home. GFC = Google Friends Connect.

Susan, you know exactly what I mean. It is too quiet and I see her everywhere.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

Cyber hugs, Diane.
I'm so sorry. Take gentle care and be good to yourself.

SpacerGuy said...

I am sorry for your loss Diane, it's always sad losing a creature, so terribly sad. An elderly nun near where I work lost her cat recently, blackie was old and wouldn't harm a fly, so friendly but slow. One day the little mite walked up to me and I was amazed, tickled pink really except I had no food and blackie was hungry so he went back to the convent. To cut a long story short Blackie was murdered by a dog across the road from the convent.

I was stunned when I found out and was nearly going to talk to the owner, but it wouldn't have helped - so I had to keep out of it and let the administration handle the matter. The dog could have attacked anyone, even a child but poor Blackie was just too old to run up a nearby to safety. RIP Rocko and Blackie 2017. God bless your little happy souls

cleemckenzie said...

Good news and bad. I'm excited about the Reedsy promo, but very sorry about Rocko. I'm without cats for the first time, too. Kind of lonely and weird.

Pat Hatt said...

Congrats on 12 years. Blogging sure has changed indeed.

Sorry to hear about Rocko. Never easy indeed, especially when it is sudden.

J E Oneil said...

Poor kitty. It's so hard to lose them and I want to cry at the thought of it. Lots of hugs to you.

Carolyn Howard-Johnson said...

Congratulations on your Lemur Press update, Diane! Big undertaking!

Dean K Miller said...

So sorry about your kitty. :-( They say we get through it, but never over it. Nice work on the expanded e-copies (I bought How to Publish and Promote . . . tonight!) and happy blog-aversary.

Tyrean Martinson said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. Our fur babies are family and mourning takes time. Hugs.

nashvillecats2 said...

Diana, sorry for your loss, our pets mean the world to us.
It was losing my old dog many, many years ago I came to write my first poem so I guess Sheba's memory lives on through each poem I write.

Yvonne.

Mason Canyon said...

Congrats on your 12 years of blogging and all the great things going on with Dancing Lemur. But my heart continues to hurt for your loss. The fur babies are members of the family and such a huge part of our lives.

Yvonne Ventresca said...

So sorry about your dear cat.
Blogging for 12 years -- wow, that is a long time!

R's Rue said...

So sorry.

Patricia Stoltey said...

The sad downside of growing to love our pets is losing them. We have a dog and a cat now, and I can't even imagine life without them. My heart goes out to you.

Sandra Cox said...

Oh, Di, I am so very sorry.
Big hug.

M Pax said...

I feel your pain. God bless, Rocko. We lost Kayla last August (Sharknado Day) and we've been catless since. It's very odd. Hugs to you.

J.H. Moncrieff said...

Oh no! I saw your post about her blindness, but had no idea she'd passed away. I'm so, so sorry. This is heartbreaking.

My cats are my babies too. Sending you all my love and sympathy. It'll take time to heal. Do what you need. <3

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

I am so sorry about your precious kitty. Perhaps one just as special will find its way to you!

Congratulations on the 12 year anniversary of your blog.

Chemist Ken said...

Sorry to hear about Rocko. We have five cats, and I dread the day when we start to lose them. I try never to take their time with us for granted.

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

I am so sorry about Rocko and your other fur babies. I understand. They are part of our family, and without them, a member is missing.
Congratulations on your blog anniversary, and all the other good things happening.

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm so sorry Diane. It's so hard. Sending hugs your way

Denise Covey said...

So sorry that you've lost your fur baby, L Diane. Rocko will be sadly missed.
I'm glad to meet someone who's been blogging longer than I have. Awesome. I thin the average life of a blogger is 3 years, so there's a few of us breaking records here. :-)

Cynthia said...

I'm sorry to hear about Rocko. I'm sure this must be a rough time for you. Please take care of yourself.

Loni Townsend said...

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Pets bring us so many cherished memories. I wish the best for you and your family.

Nick Wilford said...

So sorry to hear about your loss. Pets really do become like our children - at least, that's how we feel about our dogs. I have to say congrats on your anniversary. That's an amazing length of time!

Anonymous said...

First, let me start by saying congratulations on twelve years. Wow! That's a very long time.

Also, thank you again for your help. You're so kind.

I'm so saddened to hear about Rocko. I understand your pain. Pets really are a part of our family and when one isn't there anymore, there is an emptiness in the house. I'm so sorry you're experiencing that loss now. I'll hold you in my heart.

Jen said...

I am so, so sorry for your losses of kitties. It's so hard. We lost our big boy Colby last year and I still tear up at pictures of him. Animals have such a way of crawling into our hearts and claiming a bit chunk of them.

- Jen

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Spacer Guy, that is just so sad.

Lee, it is very weird.

Dean, thank you!

Yvonne, Rocko will live on in all the photos I took of her.

Patricia, thank you, and we hope to get both a cat and a dog in the fall.

Mary, it is just so odd and quiet.

JH, thank you.

Ken, don't.

Denise, I hope we continue to do so.

Elsie, thank you.

Jen, yes they do.

LD Masterson said...

Our furbabies are canine rather than feline but I understand the pain of losing a member of the family. I'm very sorry for your loss.

I hope once you've begun to heal a bit that you'll find a place in your heart and in your home for another baby. There are so many out there who are desperately waiting to be loved.

Tamara Narayan said...

So, so sorry to hear about your Rocko. After losing two senior kitties to kidney issues, I know how hard this can be. (And now my senior Mr. M has thyroid problems, so I'm spending extra time with him.) I hope you have the chance to get fur on your keyboard again when you're ready.

I'm interviewing Sarah Foster about her Hero Lost short story over on my blog today.

Karen Lange said...

So sorry about your kitties. It is challenging to lose such beloved fur babies.

Congratulations on 12 years of blogging! Your blog was a good example for me back when we connected in my earlier blogging days (and it still is!). Have always appreciated your support.

kimlajevardi.com said...

I'm sorry about your loss.

Congratulations on your blogiversary!

Chrys Fey said...

I'm so sorry, Diane! Rocko really does look like she could've been a twin of my Rosie.

I don't have children. My four fur babies are my kids. So I understand that 100%.

H.R. Bennett said...

I'm sorry for your loss. It's never easy putting an old friend to sleep like that.

With that said, thank you for the book. I'm going to add it to my list to grab later because I know I'm going to need it when I finally get past editing the first chapters of Xenophobia (which very well may be sometime after I'm dead at this rate)

Arlee Bird said...

Congratulations on ebook distribution deal--hope that really kicks things off in even more success than you've had.

Good to hear that you plan to keep your blog going. You're so right about the changes--they've been rapid changes. Sometimes I long for the way blogging was a few years ago, but things don't stay the same and hopefully keep improving. Sometimes I question that the latter has been happening, but blogging is still an evolving form.

Sorry about the loss of Rocko.


Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out

New Release Books said...

Sorry about your loss. Its always hard to lose a loved pet.

Shannon Lawrence said...

I'm sorry about your kitty. What a lovely life he led with you.

Good luck with the new e-book partner!

Sandra Cox said...

Yay on the new distributor and the update on your wonderful book.

Tara Tyler said...

Sorry about your precious kitty. I know how hard it is to lose a loving pet.

I was heartened to hear about your faith in blogging. I've been lax about visiting others with so much on my plate and I thought blogging was waning. But it was probably just me!

Happy 12 years!!
Tara Tyler Talks

Kelly Steel said...

All the best with your new book. And so sorry about the loss of your beloved pet.

DMS said...

My heart goes out to you. I don't have kids and about a year and a half ago I lost my dog, cat, and bunny within a couple of months of each other. It was the first time in my life I didn't have my pets to keep me company and for me to take care of. After a few months I ended up adopting two kitties who needed a home. It is so very hard to love and lose pets. Sending hugs!

Congrats on 12 years! Blogging continues to change and evolve- but I love it and the connections I have made over the past 6 years. :)
~Jess

Jennifer Shirk said...

I saw on FB and am so sorry about your cat. I know how hard it is to lose an animal family member.

Happy anniversary on your blog. Blogging has changed so much! It's really crazy.

Crystal Collier said...

I'm so sorry about Rocko. Sending virtual cheese hugs.

And happy blogoversary! You've got my 9 years whooped by a good margin.

A new distributor? Here's hoping it's the best and gets those books far and wide. =)

Sherry Ellis said...

Congratulations on your blogversary! Twelve years is a long time. I'm glad blogging has changed to make it easier to find and follow each other.

I'm so sorry about Rocko. It's hard to lose a pet! Hugs!

Unknown said...

So very sorry about your cat, Diane. My mom had cats when she gave birth to me and from then, I've lived with cats all my life (except in college). About 5 yrs ago I lost my last one. I also have no children, so cats were more important to me than to most people. I decided I couldn't take losing any others, so I haven't gotten a new one. But it's easier to have pets in the US than in Egypt (too hot & full of dangerous critters), so I hope you choose to give another cat a good home.