I walked into Curves in Prescott Valley this morning for my workout. The owner, Vicki Shroyer said, “Look! You’re in the newspaper. We have our own celebrity.” She showed me her clipping from the local newspaper. What an awesome feeling to belong to a gym that shows this level of interest and support in its members!

Of course I had talked about doing the author visit at Glassford Hill Middle School, but I didn’t expect anything beyond friendly conversation. To top it off I had no idea the librarian, Ann Carey was going to send it to the paper! What a cool thing! I got to visit with some really great kids. Then to get local publicity was the cherry on top.

Has your plate ever been so full that you’re wondering if life is serving you on a platter? Of course you have…you’re a parent, after all. Well this has been one of those weeks for me. I have been working so hard that I can’t see what I’ve gotten accomplished, so I resorted to one of my all-time favorites–lists.

I’m at the height of my book promotion season so that means I’m doing a lot of traveling. Just because I’m traveling doesn’t mean I get a break from the rest of what I have to do. Sound familiar? I bet it does. 

There’s so much that I have to stay on top of that I bought a small computer to take on trips with me. And the only way I can remember what I have to do is to write it all down, and I mean all. 

I put everything on the list, from what time to get up to what time to go to bed, and everything in between. I have list for packing. I have list for setting up my author exhibit. I even have lists for the readings that I’m going to be doing. It’s really sad, my lists are now almost as long as some novellas.

Now I’m adding creative writing courses for kids. Sheesh! I must be a glutton for punishment.

Do you make lists? What kinds of things do you put on yours?

A friend of mine, Claudia Greenwood, shared one of her beautiful poems with me. It so struck my heart that I had to share it with all of you. This is the world I choose to live in.

Children of the World

They were        

truly children of the world

raising arms,

clasping hands,

celebrating their many colors,

many languages,

many histories.

They sang with the joy

of shared life experiences

in the Colorado village

that is raising them,

salad bowl of our country

where they mix without noticing,

without realizing the promise

they bring to the future:

a perfect blend

I was listening to an author friend of mine, Maria Cisneros Toth, read a chapter from another friend’s book, Flyer by Judith McAllister. Listening to Maria brought back the magic of being read to years ago. I wonder if this is part of the magic of audio-books.

While thinking about this, an idea hit me. What if I had author’s record their reading from a chapter of their books and posted it on my website? Then I could do two things at once: have samples of books for moms (and dads) to choose from and help my friends promote their books!

I think I’ll do it! So now I’m off to get my friends to start recording! I’ll be back soon to let you know when their samples will be posted.

C’ya!

Yesterday I was having an off day. I have those days from time-to-time when I’m not sure I should be doing what I am or that I am successful and should continue.

Well, yesterday was that kind of day. I was questioning everything about me. God and I had a conversation like friends sharing a cup of hot chocolate. He reminded me that I am just how He created me and that He loves me.

He directed me to a TV show that reminded me of the fantastic thing I love about story and why I write what I do. Then He told me that my path is like no one else’s and I should stay true to it. He even got me all excited about a new story idea that I can’t wait to get started on.

Yep, life is good. God makes it so!

Today is the day! Weight of the Crown, book #2 in the PRINCESS KANDAKE series, is now available! I can’t tell you how excited I am. I’m giddy and bouncing on the edge of my seat.

There are still tons of things for me to do for promotion and sales, but right this moment I’m just basking in the light of getting it done.

Like the first book, Weight of the Crown, takes place in ancient Nubia. There is action, adventure, and a smattering of romance. And just like book #1, Weight of the Crown is written for the ‘Tween audience. So you know it’s clean reading that’s filled with fun and excitement.

I love the cover! Donna Casey outdid herself yet again. It’s such a blast for me when a story I love is enhanced with a beautiful cover. It creates a package with everything I had hoped for and now I can share it with all of you.

So click on the link and get your own copy, too.

Just when I thought I was getting my desk cleared a bit this horrible bug came along and bit me. You know which one. The Grunge! It causes my mind to fill with so much mucus I can’t even think.

It drained my energy too. I’ve spent, what seems like countless days on the couch coughing and sleeping, wishing I could just get one thing done. My reading is behind. My writing is behind. You name it and it’s behind.

Today I feel a little better. There’s a little less coughing and mucus going on. I had enough energy to get a few things done and one of them is posting this blog.

I’ll bet The Grunge is lurking around your neighborhood, too. Don’t let it in. It will take over. It stacks dishes in the sink and piles dust on every surface. Yesterday it splashed soup inside the microwave oven. And if you have small children at home, it takes their toys and throws them all over the house. It will even dump the pet’s food and water across the floor. 

So be very careful. The Grunge is out to get you!

There are so many things that I need to get done. (This is literally what my desks looks like. I’d post a photograph, but in addition to all of the paper there’s also a pile of dust.) So I’m trying to prioritize all of it. Yet, no matter how I arrange the list, it seems like everything should be at the top.

Yesterday I got two really big things accomplished, I published Weight of the Crown in digital format for Kindle and Smashwords (which covers every other format). So now you can find the book in print and formatted for your eReader!

The book doesn’t officially launch until February 1, but I’m making it available now to those of you that read this blog. Just follow this link for print, or Kindle, or all other eReaders.

The next big thing is to finish the curriculum/lesson plans for the creative writing course I’m offering for kids. There is so much that goes along with that, I’m snowed under.

To make the course into what parents, and kids, want and need, I’ve set aside January 22nd to meet with the moms (or dads) of those interested in the Prescott area to get their input.

If somehow I missed getting this information to you, please contact me: stephanie@stephaniejefferson.com or jwrites.stephanie@gmail.com and I’ll get you the details. I look forward to hearing from you.

It’s time to do things better! I have been so lost in getting Weight of the Crown (book #2 of the PRINCESS KANDAKE series) ready for prerelease that I have neglected everything else. I am so sorry.

I would send myself to time-out, but I have too many things to get done. Here’s my list so you’ll understand:

• get blog entries ready
• work on manuscripts (two to be released this year)
• write curriculum for creative writing course for kids
• schedule book tours
• schedule classes for writing course
• upload digital formats for Weight of the Crown
• marketing research and campaign
• and all of the other things that keep my life going.

So you see, I have a few things to do. But I’m determined to do it all better! I guess that means doing what I have neglected to do to this point—schedule my time, get organized.

I’ve been pretending that it wasn’t necessary to create a daily agenda to get it all done, but I’m sure you all know just as well as I do that that is called Denial.

Well, I’m no longer hiding/procrastinating and I’m committed to doing it better. One of the things I’ll be improving is becoming much more attentive to this blog and all of you.

See you more often