Monday Musings, Guest Posts, What's Next

Well, THAT was a short weekend. In fact, it was a short summer. I can't believe it is September. (You know, except for the copious ragweed...that's kind of hard to ignore.) Kids are back to school, here in Oneonta, the students have returned to our two colleges and the tourists are gone, which completely changes the feel of the town.

And, of course, WICKEDLY DANGEROUS is finally out in the world. I've done insane amounts of promo and guest blogs and contests, but that's winding down. You can check out my last two (coff) special appearances today, at
HARLEQUIN JUNKIE where there is a fun interview with me, and she is giving away TWO books
and
THE QWILLERY where I am asked some interesting questions, and have been included as part of their 2014 Debut Author Challenge where participants have to read at least 12 debut books, and get a chance at winning a $100 gift card--doesn't that sound like fun!

This Thursday night, you'll be able to hear the dulcet tones of my voice (coff coff) on AFTER HOURS AM radio podcast (available via computer if you follow this link). I'll be on from 9:30-11pm EST, chatting with host Joe Sturgis about the new novel, the nonfiction books, and witchcraft in general. The show includes a call-in, so you can even call and say hi, and ask me a question if you want. [studio phone number is 612 326 6874]

People have been asking if the book is doing well. To be honest, I don't know. The only clue the author gets is Amazon's ranking numbers, and they change every couple of minute, and nobody really knows what they mean. For a while, my Circle, Coven, & Grove eBook rerelease was in the top of the Kindle witchcraft books (it even made it to #1 for a few weeks!). But that's a much smaller pool, and it was easier to be a big fish in it. [I kind of miss being a big fish in a small pond...apparently you guys need to go back to buying this book. I'm just saying.]

So I just don't know. Most of the reviews have been pretty good, and I am REALLY REALLY REALLY grateful to those who have read the book (or the prequel novella WICKEDLY MAGICAL ) and taken the trouble to post reviews at Amazon, Goodreads, and/or B&N. It is a huge help to an author--to me--when you do that.

As for sales, it is just to early to say if the book is "successful" or not. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed, and getting back to work on Everything Else. Things have kind of piled up in the last few weeks, believe it or not :-)

I'm hoping that I'll be able to announce the exciting Sekrit Project soon, but other than that, things are going back to whatever "normal" (coff coff coff) means around here. Expect the regular meanderings about witchcraft, gardens, cats, writing, and all that jazz for a while. Yes, it is okay to breathe a big sigh of relief.

Thank you all SO much for all of the support and encouragement you've given me during pre-book release and book release time. I have the best friends, followers, fans, and readers in the whole damn world. And if you don't believe me, I've got a dragon-dog who is eager to change your mind.

"The New Normal" Podcast Tonight!

Guess what! I'm going to be on The New Normal Podcast tonight (Wed. the 9th) from 8-9 pm EST. You can listen right from your computer (or probably any other fancy electronic gizmo).

Here's the info from the lovely woman who hosts the show:
To listen live on Wednesday: open a window on your computer to www.Liveparanormal.com, sign in, and click on Shows, and the New Normal to listen. To listen later at your convenience, shows are archived by date on LiveParanormal.com, and they’re organized by date, topic and guest on Tchipakkan.com .

We’d love you to call in 619-639-4606, with any questions for Deborah Blake, or you can share them in the Liveparanormal chat room and I’ll pass them along for Deborah to answer.

I hope you'll come join us!

(PS--I'm going to be putting up another giveaway contest on my blog in the next day or two, so be sure to check in!)

This Saturday

I've got a busy pre-Halloween Saturday coming up. I'm doing a book signing at my local (fabulous) Indy book store, The Green Toad at 198 Main Street in Oneonta from 1-3. If you live in the area, I hope you'll stop in and say hi, and get a book signed! (I am bringing candy...)

The Green Toad

And later that evening, I'll be a special guest on a new paranormal podcast from 9:30-10:30 EST. You can even call in and ask me a question if you want. You can listen on your computer or any ol' fancy device at Podcast to the Mysterious Realms show. It's going to be fun!

I hope you'll join me at one place or the other this Saturday!

The Russians are Coming! And Timely Reminders

I got something cool in the mail yesterday from my publishers, Llewellyn. Check it out:

Don't worry if you're having a hard time reading it--it's not you :-) What you're looking at is the Russian version on my third book, The Goddess is in the Details You can click on the link to see what it looks like here.

How cool is that? (Giggle.)

Also, a quick reminder: I will be on the radio (an online podcast, too, or you can listen through your phone at 1-858-683-1309) Saturday night, 9-10 PM EST at http://drjohnradio.com/

And my next online witchcraft class (also useful for those writing witchy characters) starts Monday morning. But registrations closes at 6 PM EST Sunday night, so if you wanted to take it, better go sign up now!
 Workshop Info and Sign Up

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend,
Deborah heading out to the garden

Live from New York, It's Me...

New York State, that is. No, I'm not going to be on Saturday Night Live (I wish). But I am going to be on the Dr. John radio show, where he discusses all sorts of paranormal and unusual stuff. Any guesses which category I fall under?

I'll be talking live with him this Saturday night, 9-10 PM, EST. You can tune in and listen online, if you've got nothing better to do with your Saturday night. Feel free to wear your jammies and have a glass of wine!

http://drjohnradio.com/

Happy Foolishness!

            Happy foolishness! Today is April Fool’s Day, well known for pranks and trickery and general silliness.

No one really knows how the day originated, although the most popular theory claims that it came about when the Gregorian calendar took over from the Julian calendar in 1582.  According to this theory, some people didn’t get the message about the change, and tried to celebrate New Year’s (previously observed on April 1^st instead of January 1^st) on the wrong date. These poor folks were teased for being “April Fools.”

Other theories suggest that April Fool’s Day was derived from the Roman holiday of Veneralia, which celebrated the goddess Venus. According to Barbara Ardinger, “to the Romans, it was All Fools Day. They spent the day doing foolish things and playing pranks.” It is also possible that there is an association with the Spring Equinox, when Mother Nature is known for playing her own tricks.

Still, whatever its origins, whether you call it All Fools Day or April Fool’s Day, it gives us the opportunity to indulge our playful side. But I look at it as a time to be more serious as well. (Reverence and mirth, after all, are at the core of all we do.)

Let’s take a look at my favorite Fool, The Fool card from the tarot. This card is number 0; either the beginning or the end of the Major Arcana cards, depending on the book you are looking in. Since all things are circular, maybe he’s both!

The most common representation of The Fool is as a young man with his possessions hanging in a bag on the end of his staff, cheerfully preparing to step off the side of a cliff. His little dog dances gaily at his feet.

Popular tarot expert Mary K. Greer, in her book Tarot for Yourself: A workbook for personal transformation, gives the following as some possible interpretations of The Fool: “Leaping off into some new phase of life. Free-spirited. Carefree. Being open to experience. Acting on impulse without thought or plan. Spontaneity. Childlike enthusiasm. Innocence. Lack of inhibitions. Footloose and fancy free. Being silly. Frivolity. Trusting in the universe. Experiencing life in the here and now—from moment to moment. Optimism.”

Doesn’t that all sound wonderful? Who among us wouldn’t like to have a little more of those qualities in our mundane lives?

So today, on All Fool’s day, let’s resolve to let ourselves be foolish. Let us live a little more freely, be open to what the universe has to offer and put aside our fear of change, even if just for a day.

What do you dream of doing? What would you change about your life if you could gather up your courage and take that leap of faith? Is there something you’ve been longing to do, but have held back from out of a fear of looking foolish?

Well, today’s the day! Make a wish list for yourself of all those dreams you keep in that dusty, “I just don’t dare,” corner of your mind and heart. Do you want a new job or a new career? Have you been pining for the guy next door, but lacking the courage to ask him out? Is there a writer or an artist, a singer, actor or comedian inside you, longing to be brought out into the shining light of day?

Today, on All Fool’s Day, why not pick one of the aspects of The Fool and make it your own? Choose to be more spontaneous or optimistic. Take a leap of faith. Trust in the universe to help you make your dreams come true.

And if things don’t work out the way you’d hoped, and you make a fool of yourself, so what? At least on April Fool’s Day, you’ll have plenty of company.

[Some info for this post came from the following very good books:

1. Ardinger, Barbara. Pagan Every Day: Finding the Extraordinary in our Everyday Lives. San Francisco: Red Wheel/Weiser, 2006.
2. Greer, Mary K. Tarot for Yourself: A Workbook for Personal Transformation. North Hollywood: Newcastle Publishing, 1984.]

Speaking of making fools of ourselves...I hope I don't make a fool of MYSELF, when I speak live on the radio/streaming online tonight on the Edge of the Unknown radio show out of Rochester, NY. Host Mark Henry kindly invited me to be his first witch (huzzah!) on his paranormal show, which is broadcast from 9 PM to Midnight EST tonight! I've done podcasts before, although not this one, and they are always lots of fun. Of course, once it gets late and I get tired, who knows what will come out of my mouth!

I'll be talking all things witchy, and answering questions from listeners, so if you have an interest in my books, modern Witchcraft, or have always been dying to ask me something...here's your chance! I hope that you'll listen in, and maybe call to say hi! No fooling!

http://breezebuffalo.com/podcasts/edge-of-the-unknown