Rust, Rats, and a Reminder

I'm probably the only person in the country who seriously DOESN'T want a new car. I don't like switching cars and tend to drive mine until they're on the verge of death. My last car was 2 years old when I bought it, and 18 when I sold it (poor Merrie Grace couldn't manage the hills around here any more, but I sold her to people who lived in a flatter part of the state and just needed a second car for the wife). The car I have now, a Mazda Protege that I love, was 2 when I got it and is 12 now. And the car stills runs great, so I'd hoped to keep it for another couple of years. But then there is this:

 Rust--the scourge of New York State. It is caused by the salt they put on the roads to deal with the ice during the winter, and it eats away at cars like nothing else. Bah. There's quite a nice breeze through the bottom of that door, and the other side doesn't look much better.

My plan had been to replace the car before winter, but I've run into a snag: there are very few decent used cars available (due to the crappy economy and living in a small area with limited options to begin with and a bunch of people who can't afford to replace their cars until they're in the same state mine is in) and the few that are out there that are on my "list" [Mazda 3, Honda Civic or Fit, Nissan Versa...but only some years, Ford Focus, ditto, and the Hyundai Elantra] are priced almost as high as the new cars.

So I broke down yesterday and actually test drove a new Honda Fit. It was quite nice, actually, but I can't deal with the thought of paying full price for a new car (nor, honestly, can I afford to). At the moment, it looks like I'm going to try and get through another winter with my trusty rusty Mazda and hope for better results in the spring. But it is kind of discouraging.

As is the fact that I heard a noise in the walls a couple of weeks ago, so I put the rat traps out in the basement again. I checked them every day for a week, and nothing, so I figured it was a mouse. Went down last night to pick them up, and out of the four I put out, one had a dead mouse (sorry buddy), one was empty, and one had a rat in it. DAMMIT. So now I'm back to putting down traps and checking them daily, and hoping that lone rat was somehow one that just wandered in by mistake, no relation to the outbreak I had earlier in the year. (On the bright side, I haven't heard any more noises.]

What's that? Oh, you caught that, did you. Yes, I put down four traps and only told you about three. Why? Because the fourth one DISAPPEARED. Yes, you heard me. It's just GONE. VANISHED. I checked the entire basement, and I can't find it. So now I have visions of some rat with a trap on its tail, dragging the thing back off into the walls. Seriously, no clue. And it is freaking me out a little.

On a more positive note, my last (sniffle) online class, the "Crystals & Gemstones" workshop that runs Monday 23-25 is filling up fast, which makes me happy. I just finished writing it up, and I think it is going to be a lot of fun. I've got mixed feelings about giving up the classes, but I just don't have time for them now that the writing career is taking off. Don't forget to sign up soon if you wanted to take the class. Class registration
You can also still sign up for the ongoing Sabbats class if you missed it. We only have the last three Sabbats of the year to go, but all the info for the first 5 is still available, including rituals, recipes and more.

So, you have any interesting "R" words going on in your life this week?

Gemstone Class, A Big Surprise,and Samhain Pics

As many of you know, I will be teaching my last online class at my Witchcraft and Writing Workshop Loop this month. (Other than the last couple of installments of the ongoing year-long Sabbats class.) Everyone seems to be pretty excited about the upcoming Crystals & Gemstone Magick workshop, and the class is filling up fast! I have decided on a few of the gemstones I will be discussing already: crystal quartz, amethyst, carnelian, tiger's eye, and lapis. But I am taking requests for another couple of stones that people would really like to learn more about. So--if you're planning to take the class (and if you are, I'd register HERE soon), which other stones and crystals do you want to learn about? Now's your chance to tell me!

And speaking of gemstone magick, you're not going to BELIEVE what I stumbled across the other day.

These are all necklaces from my "Spirit and Potential" line of jewelry, that I made for a while to sell in a friend's shop and when I went to Pagan events. They are necklaces (and the occasional bracelet) all designed to work for a specific task: prosperity, healing, protection, peace, or love, and they're made using the stones that are best suited for that task. I was cleaning out the upstairs room [to make a place to put the lizard] and stumbled across a display box full of these necklaces that I had somehow forgotten about. See--cleaning IS good :-)

I'll talk more about these later if anyone is interested.

And because it is Friday, here is Samhain, demonstrating what happens when you try to take a close-up picture of a cat with a camera that has a dangling handle thong.

 I hope you all have a fabulous Friday and a wonderful weekend. Now, tell me which stones you want added to the class...what about black onyx? Or maybe red jasper? Or turquoise....

Registration Open for Crystals & Gemstones Class

This is it, folks...the last class on my witchcraft and writing loop. Sniffle. I may do one somewhere down the line, but for now, I'm giving them up to concentrate on my writing career.

So many of you requested the Crystals & Gemstones Magick class, I decided to go ahead and give that anyway. It will be next month, September 23rd-26th at the Workshop Blog -- the class is posted daily to an online Yahoo loop, and I pop in and out to answer questions and respond to comments. It isn't time zone sensitive, so you can take it no matter where you live. Go here to register Workshop Registration Page and you will be sent an invitation to the loop right before the class starts.

While you're registering for the crystals class (towards the bottom of the page), you might want to also register for Heather Long's final class, "Pre-Writing," which is a fabulous tool for authors. That class runs at the end of this month, from the 26th-30th. Heather helped me start and run the online loop (which would never have happened otherwise, since I am simply not that tech savvy), so I'd love to send her out with a big thank you from everyone who has taken classes there.

If you missed it, you can still take the ongoing year-long Sabbats class. All of the information from the Sabbats already posted is still available, and we will be adding new info for Mabon, Samhain, and Yule.

I hope to see you at my last class, but either way, stay tuned for bigger and better things here!

Crystals & Gemstone Magick Class

Back a ways, before Stuff Changed, I had plans to give a number of online witchcraft and writing classes, just as Heather and I did the last couple of years. The one that most people seemed the most excited about was the new, "Crystals & Gemstone Magick" class. As many of you know, after signing the book contract with Berkley earlier this year, I had to make the tough decision to give up the classes after this year--at least until I could figure out exactly how much time and energy was going to have to be devoted to my new obligations.

The only class still on the schedule for this year is that Crystals & Gemstone Magick workshop, which in theory will run for three days in September, the 23-25th. (And cost $15, like most of the others.)

What I need to know from y'all is if people are still interested in taking it. If enough folks are, I will happily give the class, but I don't want to take the time to write up an entirely new workshop if no one really cares.

SO....there is a simple "yes" or "no, thanks" poll posted at the top of the blog, which will be open for the next few days. Please let me know (and you can also comment if you have something to day) if you want to take this class. My last. (Sniffle.)

Thanks

Witchcraft for the Paranormal Author Reminder

Just a quick reminder that I am giving my most popular class, "Witchcraft for the Paranormal Author" starting this Monday and running through the 16th. It's over at the FFnP RWA loop (you don't have to be a member to take the class). I probably won't give it again any time soon, if ever, so here's your chance if you wanted to take it!

Hope to see some of you there!

http://www.rwa.org/p/cm/ld/fid=870

Get Yer Workshops While They're Hot!

I always feel a little bit odd about doing promo--as if I were hawking my wares on the street, yelling to all those walking by, "Get yet workshops while they're hot!" (Or books, or whatever it is I'm trying to draw attention to.) On the other hand, for those people who are interested in what I do...and I'm assuming that's at least A FEW of the folks who read my blog...how are they to know unless I tell them?

So here is a reminder of the couple of classes I have coming up, and a gentle reiteration of the warning I gave last month: that this is probably the last time I'll be giving them, since I need to focus more of my time and energy on the writing, now that I have a fiction book contract. If you were planning to take either a witchcraft or a writing workshop with me, better get them while they're hot!

At my own Workshop Loop I will be giving Herbal Magick & Kitchen Alchemy at the end of this month, Tuesday 28th-Thursday 30th. The class is given online via a Yahoo loop; I post the lessons in the morning, and come back throughout the day to respond to comments and questions. The students can check in at their own convenience. The class is $15.

[And while you're there registering for this class, don't forget to check out Heather Long's "Worldbuilding for the Paranormal Author," which she'll be giving in June, while I'm off doing the following]

In June, from the 3rd-14th, I'll be over at the FFnP (Futuristic, Fantasy and Paranormal RWA Chapter) giving my popular Witchcraft for the Paranormal Author class. You don't need to be a member of either the chapter or RWA to take it. (click on the class name on the top to register) -- $15 for FFnP members, $20 for everyone else. This is my most popular writing class, in which I help authors who write paranormal fiction to learn how to craft more realistic witch characters. We always have a ton of fun!

After this, I'll be presenting the new "Crystals and Gemstones Magick" class in September...and then the plan is to be done with classes, at least for now. As much as I love giving them, there simply isn't enough time to do everything! So get 'em while they're hot, or not at all :-)

Quick Important Question about My Online classes

Hi all!

As you know, I have been giving some online witchcraft and/or writing workshops over at my workshop loop -- I started this endeavor at the urging of a bunch of folks last year (and with the invaluable help of sometimes-co-teacher Heather Long). We had a hugely successful bunch of classes last year, and many requests for repeats and new classes this year.

Sadly, the turnout this year has been kinda sparse. I don't know if this is because of the economy, or if the folks who were interested already took the classes, or what. And honestly, it is fine--I love teaching the classes, but they do take time away from the writing.

We're trying to decide whether or not to continue giving the workshops at all, or maybe only give the couple of new ones we have lined up, and not the repeats from last year. It would really help me if you could let me know if you want and intend to take any of the following classes. Thanks as always for your support.

April – Spells & Spellcasting

May – Herbal Magick & Kitchen Alchemy

June– World Building for the Paranormal Author (Heather)

July – No Class

August – Pre-Writing Workshop (Heather)

September – Crystals & Gemstone Magick

 

I especially need to know about the next couple, so I can tell Heather whether or not to post the registration.

If you're not interested, no biggie. If you are, though, we need to hear from you. Thanks! 

A Few Questions for Y'all

I'm pondering some options and would love some input from the folks who are kind enough to follow me here.

I'm thinking of running a series of contests/giveaways leading up to my birthday at the end of April, and possibly culminating in the ePub release of another one of my paranormal romances [this one is called KING ME! and is is about a modern witch who accidentally brings back King Arthur to save the world. Oops.]
I'm also debating giving a different class up on the witchcraft/workshop loop, and possibly offering some extra services on the side.

SO...which, if any of these, would you be interested in?

1) A new eBook (it would probably be priced at $2.99 like the 1st one)
2) A workshop on "Fast and Easy Edit as You Go" tips. That one would probably be 4 days/$15
3) Tarot readings via either Skype or phone
4) Professional editing (fees would vary, depending on the amount of editing needed/wanted)
5)Giveaway of this year's Sabbats Almanac from Llewellyn (including a Yule ritual and summary by me)
6) Giveaway of a signed copy of Circle, Coven & Grove (my first book, now out of print)
7) Giveaway of a signed copy of my most recent book, Everyday Witch Book of Rituals
8) Giveaway of editing/feedback on up to 10 pages of your writing
9) Some other giveaway (tell me what you want!)

You can answer by simply listing numbers (3, 5 & 7, for instance) or by giving specifics for which ones you'd want and why. Thanks for helping me figure out what I'm doing next!!!!

Deborah

Upcoming Classes: Witchcraft 201

For those of you who are interested in the classes I am giving, the next one up is Witchcraft 201, which is a more advanced workshop for those interesting in delving more deeply into the study of modern witchcraft (either for personal use, or as writing research). Here is the course description:

Introduction: Discussion, open forum for ideas, guidance and exploration. Wicca is not a complicated religion, the tenants of that religion are simple, direct. However, `advanced Wicca' is not an introduction into the Wiccan Rede or even how to cast a circle, although we can certainly discuss that. Advanced Wicca is about integrating your spirituality into your daily life, it's taking the essentials and boiling them down to the essence that is vital to your personal practice. Lessons will include discussion about specialization.

Time: 5 days
Costs: $20
Dates: March 25-29

This class takes many of the basic concepts introduced in 101 and 102, expands upon them and develops them further. This class is useful for writers who are doing research about Wicca, but does not generally include writer specific topics. This class is designed to help seekers increase their understanding as well as integrating spirituality and Wiccan choices in day-to-day life.

Also up in March, the Sabbats (Wheel of the Year) class continues with a look at Ostara, the Spring Equinox. This is a continuing year-long class that covers all eight major Pagan holidays, starting with Imbolc, which was posted last month. You can join in at any time, since the information will be available until the end of the year for any holidays you might have missed earlier. The class is a single post for each sabbat, which includes an in-depth overview of the holiday, plus a ritual, and even a recipe or two. [Note: Heather Long and I are co-teaching this, taking turns. This is great, since you get more than one point of view! We are also co-teaching the 201 class, simultaneously.]

Classes are taught online, and payment is through Paypal. Invitations to the class loop are sent out a couple of days before class starts. Invitations to the sabbats class will go out right away, since it is ongoing.

You can sign up HERE

Keep in mind that we will probably not be giving either of these classes next year, so if you've been considering taking them, now's the time. I hope you'll join us!

Witchcraft 101/102: It's now or never!

The next online workshop, a combined Witchcraft 101/102 class (good for witches, Wiccans, writers who use witch characters and the curious) starts Monday, and registration closes Sunday at 6 PM EST.

Despite the enthusiasm for these classes last year, the sign-ups for this year's classes have been minimal, so I probably won't be continuing to give them.

Just a heads up, in case you wanted to take this one, but were putting it off until later.

Witchcraft and Writing Workshop loop

(You can also still sign up for the year-long Sabbats/holidays class.)

New Sabbats Class YAY!

We're going to be posting the information for the first of the Sabbats for the new year-long Sabbats class in a few days!

This class is something new Heather and I are trying over at the Witchcraft & Writing Workshops loop. Instead of a class that runs for 3 to 5 days (like most of the ones we give), it is going to be ongoing for the entire year. The class will consist of a post for each Pagan holiday, starting with Imbolc (which falls on February 2nd). Each class post will consist of general information about the holiday, as well as a ritual, and maybe even a recipe or two. There are eight Sabbats, so there will be eight posts in the class, but I will be available to answer questions about the holidays both leading up to the days and afterwards. The information for the earlier holidays will still be accessible until after the last one is posted in December, for Yule.

All this for only $40! How cool is that? You can register here: Sabbats class registration

You can also join in at any point in the year, if you don't have the time or money to do so now, although of course it will be too late to celebrate some of the holidays if you join in later. Still, they do come around every year :-)

I hope you all are as excited about this idea as we are! It's an experiment, so if there isn't much enthusiasm for it, we just won't do it again next year. But I hope you'll join us...I think it's going to be fun!

New Year! New Classes! New Schedule!

New Year! New Classes! New Schedule!

Happy New Year all! After much discussion and consultation with students, the fabulous Heather Long and I have hammered out the workshop class schedule and while it is still subject to change, we have also opened registration on the first two classes of the year.

The first: Celebrating the Wheel of the Year is based on the special request for a year long class that looks at the 8 major sabbats. This class has a one time registration fee, but once you are registered, you will receive updates around the major sabbats, including information, rituals and more. This class will include some info from my books, a ritual for each holiday, and extras like decorating suggestions and more. There will only be one post per holiday, but you can ask questions both before and after the sabbat.

The second class kicks off in February - a week long class combining Witchcraft 101 and 102. This is a great class for beginners, curiosity seekers, writers looking for research material and will have more in depth information for practitioners and more!

Registration and more info are available on the workshop blog here: Witchcraft and Writing Loop 

 Coming up later in the year will be other classes, including a few new ones by popular request. Here is the tentative schedule:

January – Exploring the Wheel of the Year – Ongoing class with updates for each major Sabbat (8 total) – Begins with Imbolc (February 2)

February - Witchcraft 101/102

March – Witchcraft 201

April – Spells & Spellcasting

May – Herbal Magick & Kitchen Alchemy

June– World Building for the Paranormal Author

July – No Class

August – Pre-Writing Workshop

September – Crystals & Gemstone Magick

October – TBA

November – No Class

December – No Class

 

 We had a great time with the classes we gave last year, and I hope you'll join us this year and spare your questions, knowledge, and enthusiasm! And I'd REALLY appreciate it if you'll spread the word to your witchy and writing friends, and anyone else you think might be interested. The more popular the classes are, the more likely it is that we'll continue with them in the future.

 

If you are planning to take a class, which one are you looking forward to the most? If you took one last year, which was your favorite?

Witchcraft/Writing Poll & BOOK GIVEAWAY

As many of you know, this year (after much nudging...ahem...encouragement) from fans, readers, and other interested folks, I started a new endeavor, my Witchcraft & Writing Class Loop . With the help of my Tech goddess and occasional guest-teacher Heather Long , I began giving classes on witchcraft and writing. I think it went pretty well! Lots of people seemed to enjoy the classes we offered, and I had a good time giving them.

It is time consuming, however, so we're trying to narrow down our offerings for the coming year, so we give only the classes people are most interested in taking. I've put a poll up here, and I would really really really appreciate it if anyone who might want to take a class in 2013 would take a minute to let me know which ones they want the most. And spread the word to anyone you know who might be interested.

You can vote for as many different classes as you want, and the poll will be up until December 8th. You'll note that some of the classes are mostly about witchcraft (although many of those can be useful for anyone writing a witchy character) and a few are aimed specifically at writers. The ones that Heather teaches have her name next to them, otherwise you can assume I'll be giving the class.

To reward y'all for helping me out with this, I'll be giving away a signed copy of the new Everyday Witch Book of Rituals to one person who comments (you can just say you took the poll, or you can tell me which class you would most like to take). If you aren't interested in taking a class, you can spread the word on Twitter, Facebook, or anywhere else you lurk online, and tell me you've done that, and you can still be in the contest. Or click on the link to the new book and go click "like." That's always helpful too.

And thanks so  much for all your support and encouragement in this new endeavor--I really appreciate it!

Class Poll Up & Happy NANOWRIMO

Happy November, all! (OY)

I hope those of you who write are busy writing--especially those of you taking part in NANOWRIMO this month--and recovering from the Halloween festivities. [For the non-writers among you, NANOWRIMO is short for National Novel Writing Month, and people try to write a 50,000 word novel in November. I did it one year and it was intense! But it can also be very motivating.] Let me know if you're taking part this year, and what you're working on, and I'll cheer you on!



I've actually been doing an unofficial writing blitz of my own, trying to get my current novel finished up. Hit the 80,000 word mark yesterday (aiming at about 90K), so I'm getting close...

I'm also finishing up my final online class for the year, and trying to decide which classes to teach next year, since I won't have time for them all. It would be REALLY helpful if you could pop over to my online witchy/writing blog and pick up to 4 classes from the poll I have posted there. I promise, it will only take a minute!

Workshop Loop

Thanks!

Last Workshop of the Year!

I can't believe it, but this month's class over at the Witchcraft and Writing Workshop loop
is the LAST ONE FOR THE YEAR! When Heather Long and I started this endeavor at the beginning of this year (mostly as an experiment, because people had been asking me to give classes on witchcraft for Wiccans and authors for ages), we weren't sure if there would be enough interest to keep it going.

To which I simply say...boy, were we wrong! The participants have been enthusiastic, fun, smart folks, and I have been having a great time giving the classes. But we are heading into my crazy time of year, when I need to focus on finishing the current novel, making jewelry to sell at the holiday season, and running The Artisans' Guild. So the upcoming class, which starts on the 29th, is the last one for the year. Based on how many people sign up for this one, we'll decide how many workshops we want to try to give next year.

Registration closes at 6 PM sharp, EST on Sunday 28th, so go to the link above and register NOW. *taps foot* No, really, I'll wait :-) I'd love to see the class fill up by the end of the day.

Oh, and did I mention that I'll be GIVING AWAY a signed copy of the Everyday Witch Book of Rituals to one lucky class participant? (Considering that the book costs more than the entire class, that's a pretty good deal!)

And don't forget, you still have a few days to enter my BIGGEST CONTEST EVER. You can come back every day and click on a couple of the options more than once. (And that one lucky person will win a free class registration. If you are waiting until the end of the contest to register, don't--we'll either refund your registration fee if you win, or give you a free class next year.) And pretty please, I'd love it if you would spread the word about the contest, the class, and the book. Thanks--you guys are the best!

Here is the info about the class:
For: Practicing Wiccans, witches and more. (If you are writing a witchy character, or one who associates with witches, there will probably be some helpful info here.)

Time: 3 Days
Dates: October 29-31
Cost $15
Optional Texts: Everyday Witch Book of Rituals

Day One –

Samhain, Halloween, and All Hallow’s Eve: Celebrating October 31st past & present

The Witch’s New Year: Saying goodbye to the old and welcoming in the new

Mourning the dead, ancestor altars, and the dumb supper

Q & A

Day Two—

Ritual basics: circle casting & purification, creating sacred space, elements of ritual

Staying safe and keeping focused: what to do and what not to do during ritual

Ritual etiquette for practicing with others

Q & A

Day Three—

A Samhain ritual

A Full Moon ritual

Giveaway of Deborah’s New Book!

Witchcraft 201 Class Starts MONDAY

Good grief! I've been so distracted by the new books coming out (you might have heard about that...) I forgot to talk about this month's online witchcraft class over at the Witchcraft and Writing Class Loop. And it starts Monday the 24th. Oops.

This is going to be a really special class, given jointly by me and Heather Long (author/Pagan/Tech Goddess for the loop). There will be in depth discussion and a deeper look at the practice of modern witchcraft, so we are limiting the class to twenty people. There are some folks signed up already, so if you're interested, run...quick like a bunny to sign up (at the link above)! The class is going to be 5 days, instead of our usual 3, and it is aimed at those who are looking to practice The Craft, but will also be suitable for witchy authors who want to get their characters right.

I hope to see some of you there! (Registration closed at 6 PM EST on Sunday the 23rd.)

Just a note: This is the second-to-last class for this year. I will be giving a class in October (29th-31st) on Ritual Basics and Celebrating Samhain (Halloween). Then we'll be closing up shop until the new year.

Shoestring Class YaHell Issues

YaHell is living up to its nickname and giving us some problems getting people signed into the Witchcraft on a Shoestring class that started this morning. *headdesk*

Heather is doing her best to help the folks who have contacted her, but if you are supposed to be taking the class and haven't gotten an invite, or haven't received a post about the first lesson yet (which went out about an hour ago), please contact either me at magicmysticminerva at yahoo or Heather "heathervlong at gmail.com" and we will make sure you get into the classroom ASAP.

We're also considering a move to some other venue--anyone have any suggestions?

Sorry about the problems, if you're one of the folks having them. Remember that I always post the lessons in the "Files" so you can easily download them from there, too.

Happy Monday *headdesk again*

Feline Friday

We did it! The blog is now over 40,000 page views AND I've gotten a few new followers, which is fabulous. Thanks to everyone who helped!

And a quick reminder: you only have until 6 PM EST on Sunday to sign up for Witchcraft on a Shoestring Class

Now, to the kitty pics!

Mystic is exhausted from so much lounging around. (That's a catnip pillow he's sleeping on, made by a woman at the shop I run.)

 Magic and Mystic look like they're getting a little annoyed at me always taking pictures of them. Maybe I should stop?

Mama Minerva giving look-alike Mystic a bath. She's always been the most amazing mother cat.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Anyone have exciting plans? (I'm going to be putting up tomatoes...)
 

Today's Harvest OMG CARROTS

Most years I struggle to get my carrots to grow. I'm not sure why. But I tend to throw a LOT of seeds into the ground in the hope of getting a few. For some reason, this year...

They seem to be doing pretty well :-) That's about 2/3rds of what's out there, maybe a bit less. And no, you're not imagining it...some of them are purple. They're a kind called "Purple Haze" and they taste sweeter than a regular carrot and have extra beta carotene. Also, they're pretty. I think that's important in a carrot, don't you?

Of course, not all carrots are pretty. Some are kind of...perverse looking. LOL

So--anyone have any good carrot recipes???

Here's today's Frog Prince picture

And the rest of today's harvest

Three kinds of potatoes, a few tomatoes, two scrawny ears of corn (not a good corn year, alas) and also, a huge bunch of edamame (soybeans) that I need to take off the plants and cook.

I'd forgotten I put a copy of the upcoming Everyday Witch Book of Rituals up on a Goodreads giveaway last week, and was amazed to discover that there were almost 300 people entered already! You can enter HERE.

And don't forget that the new online class, Witchcraft on a Shoestring class is going to start on August 27th over on the workshop loop. Registration is open now, and one lucky participant will be gifted with a signed copy of the new ritual book as soon as it comes out!

So, about those carrot recipes...

NEW CLASS: Witchcraft on a Shoestring & GIVEAWAY

As many of you know, my last book from Llewellyn was a little treasure called Witchcraft on a Shoestring which was full of suggestions for ways to practice Witchcraft without breaking your budget. It included all sorts of Craft crafts (heheheheh) and recipes, and a lot more.

Because so many people seemed to like this topic, I've added it as a class over on the Witchcraft & Writing Workshop Loop. The class runs August 27th-29th and only costs $15. Registration is open now, so why not make my day and run over and sign up now? No, really...I'll wait :-)

As a special bonus, since we're getting close to the release date of my next book, Everyday Witch Book of Rituals (official release date October 8th, but I will get a few author copies some time in September), I am giving away a copy of the new book to one of the people who takes this class!

That's right, you read that correctly: one of the folks who takes the Witchcraft on a Shoestring class will receive a pre-release, signed copy of my new book. And what's more, I don't care where you live. I'll send the book to whichever class attendee is chosen at random, even if she/he is one of my Australia fans.

So go sign up now. And if you get a friend to sign up, come back here and let me know, and I'll enter your name TWICE.

Yes, it has been very hot here and I'm a little punchy...why do you ask?

[If you want a chance to win a copy of the new book, and aren't interested in taking this class, don't despair--I'll be doing more giveaways between now and October, I promise.] 

I hope to see you in class. We always have a great time!