Signed my first 3-book contract!

I signed a 3-book contract with Seventh Star Press, a speculative fiction publisher and am super excited about this opportunity. I am also very nervous. What if they don't like where my books are going? My series is a cross genre story that involves legends, myths, romance and fantasy. The series is "Wizards of the Vatican." This series allows me to dance with the scary side, and throw in an unprepared woman in the mix, and watch the sparks fly!

I will keep everyone posted as I make my way through the editing process with my new publisher.

Kinky Boots!

I had the pleasure of seeing Kinky Boots this weekend. I know, most people will think this doesn't really count as I saw this at a movie theater. BUT I don't live near New York, so seeing a Broadway play in person is something that will probably never happen.

Lola rocks and it was such a grand, extravagant time. The crowd was laughing, cheering, and clapping. The hardship of being different is the point. Life wouldn't be nearly so exciting if we were all the same. Lola might have been born a man, but is a woman at heart and body. She can strut in some kinky boots and look damn good doing it!

Image courtesy of Fathom Events:

https://fesapusewebsite.blob.core.windows.net/fathom/kb2-13de4979dbe765395474be137d15cddf.jpg

The songs were catchy and the emotions were believable. All the lyrics and music were by Cyndi Lauper. It was such a fun time and so glad I was able to experience it!

The Problem with Godzilla

I love big monster movies! And I'm constantly hoping for a decent Godzilla to grace the big screen. I was hoping the newest installment would meet my expectations. I was wrong. From the beginning I found I didn't care anything about the mother and daughter. The father was somewhat more tolerable.

Photo courtesy of denofgeek.com

As the movie progressed, I became angry at the decisions each made (and the stupid plot lines). I could understand the underlying drive that pushed the mother to do what she did, but really.

The movie didn't set up good fight scenes with all the "Titans" aka Godzilla, Mothra, Rodan,  King Ghirodah, and 13 others. It was overload, and vaguely similar to having sit through some sermon preaching about how bad people are and how huge monsters need to be the ones in control to restore power.

The scenes were blurry, shaky and seemed like a cheap gimmick to cover up the not-so-great fights. I still get a chill when I hear Godzilla roar, and the sound of him"charging" up to fire his nuclear fire was pretty awesome, but overall, I found the movie vastly lacking.

It also left me with a strong urge to watch Pacific Rim again.

A Girl's Guide to Purgatory is now released!

We did it! My Girl's Guide sequel is now available in ebook and paperback! This is one of my favorite stories. I finished it a few years ago, it got better editing and a new cover design. Originally it was to be traditionally published... but that's a long story and does't end well.

But I love this story so much, I didn't want to give up on it. The idea of someone falling in love after they die is so compelling to me. I also wrote it during one of the toughest times of my life. One of my work friends (and someone I called a true friend) passed away while I was writing it. I think creating a character in my friend's memory helped me get through my sadness. I was able to keep her with me a little longer.

And even though it was bittersweet to write THE END, I have a feeling Kathy would be proud. I am not religious, but she was. And even though we have our differences in beliefs, she still welcomed me in her world. We were friends, and that is not something I grant very often. I'm a solitary soul. I love the people closest to me, but rarely invite anyone else in.

So with thoughts of Kathy, I'm re-releasing A Girl's Guide to Purgatory. This book has action, danger, love, and everything in between. I took the strange and unusual and tried to blend it in to an environment that I thought would be familiar, yet different.

If you feel like reading a fast-paced book with super neat characters, take a try at Purgatory!

https://www.amazon.com/Girls-Guide-Purgatory-Penny-Pearson-ebook/dp/B07S6QMH8S/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=a+girl%27s+guide+to+purgatory&qid=1559184130&s=gateway&sr=8-2

Big festival tomorrow!

I'm headed to Louisville, KY tomorrow for SpringFest Old Louisville. It's a local festival and I've never been there before. My booth is set up right behind the Kid Zone area (great for my coloring and children's books). I'm slightly worried about my "Man," aka Greek demigod with the most amazing smoldering look and washboard abs. He's a show stopper.

I'm hoping all the stressed out moms will see him and want to read all about his adventures. I will be bringing 14 different books - the biggest selection. Hopefully I'll have 2 more to add on to my June event (Time Travel sequel, A Girl's Guide to Purgatory and a new kids book called My Mom is Sick and It's Okay). 

I'll follow-up with a show recap. This will be the biggest event for me so far, even though it's only 1 day from 10am - 7pm. The reports were that in the past almost 10,000 people came through. They will have bourbon slushees to combat the extreme heat.

Write on!
Penny

A Girl's Guide sequel releasing soon!

A Girl's Guide to Purgatory, the sequel to my Girl's Guide series is complete! My proof will be here this weekend. I found a great cover that conveyed what I was going for and look forward to the feedback on it. This book is about a girl that dies and falls in love with the manager of purgatory.

Stay tuned and I'll report how it goes!
Write on!
Penny

Scammed again, darn it! Sometimes the writers' world makes me want to scream.

So, it's official. I have been scammed out of money. Again. It's a part of being a writer. You not only have to be creative. You also have to watch for warning signs of potential scammers. But what happens if none are given? I've worked with someone in the past and I've loved their feedback with editing and cover design. When they ventured out on their own, I was quick to follow them. I wanted my second story in the series I was working on to be edited by her.

When we talked, she said she would work on my cover design, as well. When she texted me, telling me she usually takes payment at a certain point, I eagerly paid. Sigh. Many months later, this person has dropped off the radar. The money wasn't the big thing. It was the idea of this great partnership going down the drain.

Where does that leave me? Trying to pick up the pieces and edit again. This wasn't the first time I've been taken in by a writing scam. It probably won't be the last. I have found the perfect cover design that, if I don't say so myself, works better than the cover she found for me.

That is one thing I've found in the twenty-plus years in writing: perseverance.

If something gets you down, take it in stride and take notes. It's the only way. If you let it get you down every time something does something says something bad about your, or takes your money by subterfuge, you'll never get anywhere. So, just remember, keep your head about you, and tell yourself if it sounds too good to be true, it might well be.

Stay weird!

Penny