I am going to overhaul this site very soon…in the meantime, I’m blogging at LiveJournal:

 http://michele-lang.livejournal.com/

This place will be changing soon, with new content and goodies, but in the meantime, please come visit at LJ! 

Hi Everybody!

 It’s been crazy here with the run-up to RWA Nationals in San Francisco.  I am leaving tomorrow morning, but before I left I wanted to give you the heads up on stuff that you might have already seen around the Intertubes…

*Tor.com went live…and it is fantastic.  Lots of free stuff too…go forth and enjoy.

*the KGB Fantastic Fiction series is holding an amazing online raffle — only one day left!  The list of donated items will take your breath away.  Here’s some info about it: from KGB:

The KGB Raffle ends tonight. Don’t forget to purchase your tickets before
it’s too late!

Monday evening at midnight, Eastern Daylight Time, we will be closing the
store to all new ticket purchases and announcing the winners shortly after.
Now is your last chance to purchase raffle tickets.

To everyone who has purchased tickets so far, thank you and good luck! Your
support will help keep KGB Fantastic Fiction viable for many years to come.
You may also want to visit the store one last time. We have added several
new and amazing raffle items this past week.

Raffle Rules and Information:
http://www.kgbfantasticfiction.org/?page_id=3

A Complete List of Raffle Items:
http://www.kgbfantasticfiction.org/store/

*The amazing Lynn Viehl is hosting a Left Behind and Loving It virtual writing conference.  If you aren’t coming out to SF this week, give yourself a treat and check it out. 

*Finally, Azerbaijan.  I know, I know…bad writer!  The thing is, the trip was so amazing that it is taking me forever to sift through all of the photos so that I can show you around.   When I get back…

Have a great week, everybody!

Hi everyone!  I am back…since I last posted I traveled to Azerbaijan and back again.  I will post pictures soon as I can — hope everyone has had a fabulous July so far.

Thanks again to the people who left comments about favorite author swag.  It really does help to get feedback about what folks want to see.  As luck would have it, the great Paperback Writer blogged today about the conundrum of author promo, what works and what doesn’t:  http://pbackwriter.blogspot.com/2008/06/real-estate-of-self-promo.html

 From the comment trail in the Celebratory Swag post, it seems that you, the readers, overwhelmingly prefer books as swag.  Whether it’s a regular book, a sample book, an ebook, or even a short excerpt on a postcard, you want to get a sample of the writer’s talent to see if their world appeals to you.  Makes a lot of sense to me!

Is there any kind of author promo you find off-putting?  What should we writers NOT do? 

Thanks again for your input!

First off, THANK YOU to the many readers who chimed in with their fave author promo items  – we authors are always learning more about what people like to get.

Let me announce the winners of the Celebratory Swag contest!  I will write a little article designed for writers in another post – again, thanks readers for your input.

THE WINNERS ARE (drum roll, please….):

JeanP

cattzpjs

shadow 31071

teresa_ryn

louiesbabe13

All winners, please email me with your mailing address!  Thanks again for entering the contest…it was such a success I will be sure to do another swag contest soon J

Check out this new, excellent Science Fiction Romance blog!

http://thegalaxyexpress.blogspot.com/

The thoughtful and welcoming Heather has collected an awesome blogroll, laid out a comprehensive overview of the subgenre, and has initiated some really fascinating discussions — if you enjoy speculative romance of any kind, you should cruise over there and check it out.

Wishing you and the people you love a meaningful Memorial Day! 

We’re heading into a holiday weekend here in the US — let’s party!!

I was lucky enough to get into ComicCon in NYC this year, and loaded up on some pretty sweet swag — comic books, ARCs, sample books, bookmarks, and the like.  Would you like some?  I have enough to make three swag packs, with ARCs and books from Sherrilyn Kenyon, Jim Butcher, Dean Koontz, and much more.

All you have to do is leave a comment below — what is your favorite author promo or giveaway?  And have you ever bought a book because of it?

I have a contest/announcement yahoo loop that is quiet except for news updates from me, and contest giveaways.  Join here and you are automatically entered in my contests for now and evermore:

 Michele_Lang_Book_Talk-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Oh, and one final plug for Brenda Novak’s renowned auction to benefit diabetes research — I’ve donated a gift basket loaded with escapism.  To check it out and make a bid, go here:

http://brendanovak.auctionanything.com/Bidding.taf?_function=detail&dir=n&Auction_uid1=973498

Have a fabulous weekend — I’ll announce the winners in a week.

UPDATED TO ADD:  Due to overwhelming demand ;-)  I am adding two addtional prize packs with my OWN swag — ARCs and books — including one pack with my latest relese, NETHERWOOD —  and yes, cover flats!  The finest personal swag I can provide :)  And as always, I will mail prize packs anywhere.

Again, have a wonderful weekend!

I started an LJ account, and will most likely start mirror-posting on both accounts…so many cool LJ accounts out there!  Here’s where you can find me, if you are an LJ person:

http://michele-lang.livejournal.com/

See you there!