Throughout My Blog Tour...

Throughout my blog tour...
One of my special kitties has been so very ill. She was diagnosed with cancer. They believed it to be lympho sarcoma but aren't really sure because the spot where it lives is inoperable (or mostly so), between the bile duct, the pancreas and the duodenum.

For the past three months she's been tube-fed, force-fed, given subcutaneous fluids, injections of antibiotics, antinausea and steroids. Last Saturday, the doc gave her a shot of Epogen (sometimes called "procrit") to boost her red blood count. She's very anemic. We also decided it would be good for her to get on an iron supplement with a few other beneficial vitamins too.

Today, she's almost back to her old self. She's still weak but feeling SO much better. We're trying to get her strong enough to endure a series of vincristine injections (chemo therapy). And, today, I have to say, she's on her way.

She's only ten years old and one of the loves of my life and to lose her is unthinkable to me. She seems to understand that I'm trying to help her and I know she feels better. I'm forever prayerful that the chemo will send the tumor into oblivion. She's my little baby doll. Her name is Twinkle.

-Susan.

Joyce Anthony gives "Bobby's Diner" Rave Reviews

After much sweating and gnashing of teeth, "Bobby's Diner" first review was released and with accolades quite unexpected.

I knew it was a good story. It just felt right, you know, but I never imagined it would hit home with folks the way it seems to.

A Review by Joyce Anthony (author of "Storm")
"Bobby's Diner. When I read the title, I had the idea this would be another one of those books describing the everyday details of small-town America. Truthfully, I thought I'd find the book rather boring. I was completely wrong!

Susan Wingate has created a unique situation with this novel, bringing together two unlikely women--an ex-wife and the woman who stole her husband--and placing them in a situation where they have to deal with each other on a daily basis. As the new co-owners of Bobby's Diner, these women must learn to work together or give up--and both are too stubborn to give up. Adding in a scalaway bent on taking over the diner, and the situation gets even more intense.

Moments of humor mix with deep emotions in this book. Susan Wingate shows an understanding of human nature well beyond what is normally seen in a novel. She has a mastery of dialogue that I find refreshing--I felt as though I was right there, listening. It isn't often I find dialogue so true-to-life. Between her mastery of dialogue and understanding of human nature, Susan Wingate held me captive with this book.

Can these women come to terms with past hurts? Can they work together to save Bobby's Diner from dying? Is it possible for these women to understand that there was a reason they both earned the love of the same man? You will have to read Bobby's Diner to find out.

Give yourself several hours to read this book. You will find yourself saying "Just one more chapter" over and over again. It is one of those rare books you won't want to put down. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Wingate's work." - Joyce Anthony (author of "Storm" and blog mistress of Books & Authors blog)

Well, needless to say, as I read my excitement grew to the point of overflowing into tears of joy. It gives me great satisfaction to know people like my work.

The ebook of "Bobby's Diner" is available at ebooksonthe.net, FictionWise, Amazon, Mobipocket and Coffee Times Romance.

The print version will be available February 2009. Yeah and don't worry, I'll make sure EVERYONE knows when it's out!
Sincerely, Susan :)

Response to "Now What?"

Yes, Gail Rae is correct about the fiction world of publishing. It's frustrating. There are literally millions of writers out there scrambling for publication whether self-publishing, publishing with a print-on-demand (POD) publisher or going the traditional publishing route. With something like 3 million manuscripts in circulation at any given time spread among only 83 thousand publishers, the numbers of manuscripts to publishers available is a 36,000 to 1 ratio. Ouch.

The point of my teleseminar "Blasting the Market" is intended to enlighten writers and to encourage them to:

1. "Get on the ball" and begin a marketing campaign early,
2. Learn your target market - that means knowing to whom you should send your ms, and
3. Understand publishing statistics

More than ever, it's critical that writers not only are talented storytellers but also savvy about the business world they live in.

A writer who attends conferences and learns the nuances of this unusual industry will have an edge over a writer who doesn't. Always!

And, maybe Gail is right, maybe we should be screaming but I find that sitting in front of my computer and working, plugging away and always keeping my eye on the ball serves me and those people with whom I work much better.

Just try to keep at it - keep writing, keep marketing your work.

Also, as I sit here (at 3 o'clock in the a.m.) I realize a steeping mug of chamomile tea never hurts.

Onward and upward and, by all means, keep the faith! -Susan.

Now what?

This is a different ball game from when I started writing non-fiction almost thirty years ago. Susan thought she was helping when she discussed all the different options for publishing fiction these day and she was, she was.

Unfortunately for me, it widened the range of options, not narrowed it. I'm a spoiled brat used to calling a publisher saying something like, "I've got this idea. What do you think?" and walking away with a contract. Or maybe a publisher would call me with the idea of hiring me to write a certain book. The point is I've never had to sell my work before.

I'm surprised at how diminished I feel that no one's popping up screaming, "I want your book! Give it to me!" It seems that there's a whole other industry for writers today: learning the proper methods of approaching agents so they can sell their work. Oh, then there's the P.O. D., another innovation and another method to ponder.

My question is when does the pondering end and the selling (one way or another) begin?

Author Interviews Coming In October

This coming October I'll be hosting two authors to my website on their virtual tours.

• 10/10/2008 - Lili Fournier will be talking with us about her new book, "Quest for Success," and
• 10/20/2008 - MaAnna Stephenson will be talking about her new book, "The Sage Age."

These two events will prove to be very interesting. I hope you'll join us in October!
Sincerely, Susan

Bobby's Diner Website

Well, it must be official. BOBBY'S DINER has it own website!

Click here to view the information about my 2nd novel.

BOBBY'S DINER Blog Tour

BOBBY'S DINER Blog Tour

FOR SEPTEMBER 2008
Monday September 15 –
Susan Wingate begins her virtual blog tour by sharing the details with Nikki Leigh, visit http://detailwithnikkileigh.blogspot.com/ for much more information

Tuesday September 16 –
Susan Wingate is the Author of the Month for ebooksonthe.net and Write Words, Inc, learn more at http://www.ebooksonthe.net/news.html

Wednesday September 17 –
Susan Wingate is hosted today by author, Marilyn Meredith at http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com/

Thursday September 18 –
Read a press release about Bobby’s Diner in a local online newspaper –
http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/sanjuans/isw

Friday September 19 –
Susan is blogging on the Coffee Times – Coffee Thoughts blog - http://coffeetimeromance.com/CoffeeThoughts/

WHERE YOU CAN PURCHASE "BOBBY'S DINER" FOR ONLY $4.40!

Monday September 22 –
Susan has written a guest post for http://murderby4.blogspot.com/

Today is the first day of a four day event with Joyce Anthony. Joyce Anthony features information about Susan Wingate and Bobby’s Diner - http://joyceanthony.tripod.com/blog/

Tuesday September 23 –
Joyce Anthony features an interview with Susan Wingate - http://joyceanthony.tripod.com/blog/

Wednesday September 24 –
Joyce Anthony features her review for Bobby’s Diner by Susan Wingate – http://joyceanthony.tripod.com/blog/

Thursday September 25 –
She will feature an excerpt from Bobby’s Diner - http://joyceanthony.tripod.com/blog/

Friday September 26 –
Pam Thibodeaux hosts Susan Wingate today http://pamswildroseblog.blogspot.com/

Monday September 29 –
Susan visits Yvonne Walus in New Zealand today http://yewalus.blogspot.com/

Learn more about Bobby’s Diner at www.reflectionsonlinemagazine.blogspot.com

Tuesday September 30 –
Read Susan’s guest post about Book Clubs on Apooo Books http://www.apooobooks.com/

FOR OCTOBER 2008
Wednesday October 1 –
Susan Wingate is interviewed by Word Strumpet - http://www.wordstrumpet.typepad.com/word_strumpet/

Read Susan’s article about Quality in Writing - www.thefearlessblog.blogspot.com

Thursday October 2 –
Author, Lula Thomas shares her interview with Susan Wingate - http://missmaesite.blogspot.com/

Friday October 3 –
Learn about how Susan Wingate promotes her books http://bookpromo101.blogspot.com/

BOBBY'S DINER, my 2nd Novel, released!

But wait! There's more!

Publisher, Arline Chase, notified me yesterday that her publishing company, Write Words, Inc., will be releasing the paperback version of "Bobby's Diner" in February 2009! Isn't that fabulous news? Well, as you can imagine, I'm thrilled.

When I know the price and all the places you can buy it, I'll make sure to add the links in my blog. Thanks again for tracking the "Bobby's Diner" progress. There will be updates as I learn what's happening at Arline's end.


Posted: 9/2/08:
"Bobby's Diner," my 2nd novel was just released on 9/1/2008. It's available through ebooksonthe.net, FictionWise, Mobipocket, Amazon and AllRomanceEbooks.com.

Isn't the cover smashing, pumpkin? I love it. And, right now, it's one of the featured "diner" books on The Diner Hotline at: http://dinerhotline.wordpress.com/. Make sure you check out that fab blog.

Well, onward and upward and keep on truckin'! Sincerely, Susan.

"Sincerely, Susan" - September 2008 Available Now!

The September 2008 "Sincerely, Susan," eNewsletter is now available. You can get a copy by clicking here: "SINCERELY SUSAN". The link will take you to the "Sincerely, Susan" webpage and you can subscribe there. All you need to do is send me your email address with SUBSCRIBE-SINCERELY, SUSAN in the subject line and I'll add you to the recipients list.

"Sincerely, Susan" is a writerly rag that discusses writing tips, general topics and, of course, news in my world but it has much more than that. Starting this October 2008 "Sincerely, Susan" will have discussions with other published writers about their new upcoming releases. It's a very exciting time. I hope you'll join us.

Sincerely, Susan.