Pop culture confusion

Today I was standing in line at Wal-Mart reading the cover of US Weekly when it dawned on me that I had no idea who any of those people are. None of them. Apparently someone knows them, because the US Weekly editors were just referring to them by first names, but I didn't have a clue. So does this mean that I'm officially old and permanently out of the pop culture loop? Maybe, but perhaps more evidence is needed before I move to a retirement home and start wearing black socks with my sandals.

Fortunately, there's a source for that additional evidence. I watched the Grammy Awards last night and was startled to find that I knew who most of the nominees and presenters were. Not all of them, but most. I even had some of the Grammy-nominated songs on my phone. OK, I'm feeling less clueless already.

Here's the final test: I spent the weekend at the Capricon science fiction/fantasy convention and it was a blast. It's so much fun to be surrounded by people who like the same movies, books, and TV shows that I do. I understood the slogans on the T-shirts, the jokes, and had lots to talk about with the other conference attendees.

What does all this mean? Probably that I'm a little out of it (Who's Kourtney and why does US Magazine think she's important?), but when it comes to cool stuff (like Grimm and hobbits) I'm not quite ready for a senior citizens discount on the Early Bird Special. Not that an Early Bird Special is so bad. What's not to love about spending less on dinner, then getting home before it gets dark?

The agony of rejection

Everybody has those days sometimes when they want to throw up their hands in frustration and go lay on the couch with a big bowl of popcorn for a Star Trek: the Next Generation marathon. Today is one of those days.

I got another rejection letter today for a manuscript that's really good. This isn't bragging - it's objectively a very good manuscript, if the comments I've received from multiple editors are to be believed. And why would they lie to me? If anything, they'd be better off telling me it sucks so I'll go away and not bother them with anymore of my hideous stories. But instead, I've been told this is a very funny, clever, well-written manuscript. I've heard this repeatedly from multiple different people who I did not pay to say those kind words. And yet every single one of them has still rejected the manuscript. I know I should just be grateful for the compliments - and I am - but it's hard to read that glowing first paragraph of a letter and get your hopes up, then get to the second paragraph and see the word "Unfortunately." I've come to hate that word.

Why all the rejections for an enjoyable manuscript? A variety of reasons, none of which I can do anything about. For some, the manuscript is too different from other things on the market; in other words, it's too big a risk. Others say it's too similar to other things that are on the market. Still others say that while their publishing house wants to branch out into books like mine, the time isn't quite right yet. I've also been told that an editor loved it, but the marketing department said no.

In all of these cases, there's nothing I can do about the rejection. There's no suggestion of a re-write to make it more appealing. I'm just told "good luck with another publisher." But I'm running out of publishers that might be appropriate for this book. I've even put this thing on a shelf for a couple years to give the market a chance to change a bit. But when I dusted it off, updated it, and sent it off again, I got another round of "great book, not for us" letters.

So what to do? It looks like a night of licking my wounds over mindless TV and popcorn, then tomorrow I'll try again. The thought that keeps me going is that someday I'll get that letter that doesn't contain the dreaded word "unfortunately" in the second paragraph. Instead I'll just see the word "YES!"

Fun with Thrift Store Art

Sometimes the internet has the coolest stuff and I feel compelled to share it with the world. Like today, for instance. One of my friends posted this link on Facebook about what to do with those landscape paintings they often sell at thrift stores. http://twistedsifter.com/2012/04/adding-monsters-to-thrift-store-paintings/. Now I just need to learn to paint and I can enjoy hours of entertainment for about $3 and the cost of a paintbrush.
Happy painting!
Kim

We made it to BuzzFeed!

Great news! My new book I SAW YOUR FUTURE AND HE'S NOT IT that I co-wrote with my aunt Louise Helene was named to their list of top 12 most unusual dating books. It's in terrific company, including "Dating the Undead" and "If the Buddha Dated." Sounds like a most entertaining list! http://www.buzzfeed.com/annanorth/the-12-most-unusual-dating-books-on-the-market
Happy reading!

I Saw Your Future in the wild

After yesterday's release of I SAW YOUR FUTURE AND HE'S NOT IT: A PSYCHIC'S GUIDE TO TRUE LOVE, I'm thrilled to report that it's being spotted in bookstores! It was on the shelf of the New Age section in Barnes and Noble's Joliet, IL store, and a few miles away at the Geneva, IL Barnes & Noble. Nice! Please let me know if you spot a copy at a bookstore near you.
Kim

I Saw Your Future and He's Not It Release Day

What do the drummer, the crier, and the guy who fled into the night have in common? They're all men who are featured in stories from I Saw Your Future and He's Not It: A Psychic's Guide to True Love. This entertaining relationship book published by Llewellyn Worldwide is just in time to help get your love life (or your best friend's or your sister's or your cousin's, etc.) in order for Valentine's Day. http://www.llewellyn.com/product.php?ean=9780738734934

I co-wrote this book with psychic advisor Louise Helene, who has spent many years advising her clients on their love and relationship problems. The stories in the book are uplifting and run the gamut from touching to hilarious. You will also learn interesting facts like why people cheat on their partners and how much money people actually spend on their search for true love. You'll even find exercises designed to improve your own ability to listen to your intuition and understand what actions to take in your own life.

Starting today, I Saw Your Future is available everywhere. I hope it helps bring you happiness and love in 2013.

 

Happy holidays!

I hope all of you are enjoying a happy holiday season. It was great that the world didn't end like some had predicted. That would have really put a crimp in the holiday plans. On the upside, no one would have had to pay their post-holiday bills or worry about putting on weight after eating too much.

This year, if you gave gifts, I hope everyone on your list loved what they got. And if you received gifts, I hope those were just what you wanted. If you were celebrating a religious holiday, I hope it was fulfilling. If you're ringing in a new year, I hope it's the best one yet. And if you're doing whatever happens on Boxing Day, I hope it involves plenty of boxes or boxing.

So happy holidays. I hope you're surrounded by family and friends if you want, or quiet and solitude if you prefer. And have a wonderful 2013!

Kim