Tag: books

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I Can Buy Myself Flowers, But This Time Susan Did It!

If you don’t know, I run Current Words Publishing, a very small partner publishing house. I do primarily editing for authors who have completed books, fiction or non-fiction, and if they want to seek out traditional publishing, Dave writes them a query letter. If they just want to get their book out there, Dave creates an interior file and a cover, and we get the book published and distributed. The second option is one a lot of non-traditional authors take (sometimes authors are older, or young but with no publishing credits, experience, or MFA program mentors to help out, or poets, or diverse in some other way, so not as tasty for the traditional publishers and agents who are only considering the book in terms of its money-generating ability, and not at all choosing books solely based on quality of story, as we all wish they would. Sad, and very true.).

As Current Words Publishing I try to give authors what they tell me they need, so just an edit, okay. Advice only, okay, and always free. Full publication, sure. Publication, by any publisher, does not include promotion. Promotion, unless you already have a large following, comes from the author. The author must pivot from writer to marketer, and learn how to sell the book, even when given a shot by a traditional publisher. This is part of the inequality and difficulty of publishing for authors. It’s definitely not in the author’s favor. We do not contract for marketing, meaning authors cannot buy marketing services from us. Buying marketing services (getting a publicist) is incredibly expensive, and much of the time they simply give you a road map for DIY, so the author is still responsible for the book’s sales.

Dave and I charge for editing, and publishing, because sales for new authors are low, and we’re not college or grant-funded, so we have to stay in business in some way. But, we try to balance that with a lot of free advice, resources for our authors, monthly marketing meetings, and events to help promote them.

Yesterday we had a live event for Susan Burgess-Lent’s wonderful novel, When All the Girls Stopped Singing.

Susan has a long history of work in Sudan, where some of the book takes place. She also gave away three signed copies to attendees chosen at random.

Soon Dave will give us the video from the event. You’ll be able to see Susan read, and she’ll have a video she can share on her socials.

Me, asking Susan some questions about her book, and how she wrote it.
Susan, giving her usual thoughtful answer.

We had such a lovely time. I think everyone who attended (it was on Zoom) enjoyed it. Keep up with our events (always free and on Zoom) here.

Today I had the delightful surprise of a flower delivery from Susan. (Susan, if you’re reading this, I think this may be the first time in my life I have ever gotten flowers delivered!) What a surprise. I filled my lady-head vase with the bouquet, because that’s where flowers go around here.

The bouquet also came with a little succulent. I had recently bought a little Lucky Cat tea cup just perfect for a little plant, so in it went. Now I’ll be able to enjoy the flowers for some time, and the succulent forever.

Thank you so much Susan. I really appreciate your kindness.

If you’re interested in meeting Dave and I just to talk about your project, we are always happy to do a Zoom and talk. We always have a half hour to chat about what publishing is like, and give advice on setting up a website, social media, how to approach trying to land a traditional publisher. So if that’s something you’d like to consider, email me (dianne @ currentwords dot com). Just put that all together like an email address would typically be. Writing a book is a very “by myself” process. Editing and publishing doesn’t have to be. Helping authors like Susan is really one of the lucky joys of my life.

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I Buy Myself Flowers: Iris~

Today my beautiful lady has been filled with what I believe is chamomile, and purple asters, which you can’t quite see in this photo, but maybe the top-down one below, and iris.. Cost for flowers, about $20 @ Trader Joe’s(TJs).

Sometimes I buy flowers at other places, Sprouts, Von’s, Whole Foods, or a garden center, but TJs flowers last the longest, typically, for me, two weeks. I don’t put the flower food packets in, but I do put in ice cubes, and add some every other day. I think the cold helps (though I do not know what I think that!). I also strip off any leaves that might hit the water level and go mush. Yuck! I think TJs must get their flowers in from the farm quicker than other stores for them to last so well.

Just an extra heads-up, TJs had one of my favorite things this week:

The smell of a tomato plant, the leaves, the stem, is one of my favorite smells on Earth. This is exactly it. I’m a bit allergic to the plants, so I cannot rub it on my pulse points, but if you’re not, you could! Like rosemary, the scent transfers well to skin!

I grabbed three of those candles (greedy), and turned to my cart, and one leapt from my hands, and I accidentally punted it, trying to catch it. I found it two rows over. Yes, Philadelphia Eagles, you can call me. I’m so glad I didn’t bean anyone in the brain!

Anywho… if you love flowers, buy yourself some. It’s okay to make your world pretty, no matter who you are.

xo~

Di

PS. Most flowers I buy last a full two weeks! Just keep the water clean, cold, & fresh.

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I Buy Myself Flowers: Yellow Is the Inspo~

Today my beautiful lady has been filled with what I believe are gerbera daisies. Cost for flowers, about $20 @ Trader Joe’s.

I had gerberas in my wedding bouquet by necessity and not choice. Unfortunately my April wedding came to be about two weeks after the ranunculus were spent and gone. I wanted ranunculus, because they have a wind-blown look. I wanted orange, and my sister had an orange dress. We both had our dresses made by Kevin Simon, who seems to have vaporized since she once had a very pricey store on Abbott Kinney Boulevard. Kevin made everything in linen, and she was a master of sort of vintage-farm looking clothing, like late 1800s. I loved her work and could not afford any of it, so I splurged on my dress and my sister’s, assuming I was only getting married once. A regular skirt at Kevin’s was over $500. My wedding dress and my sister’s MOH dress combined were $1000. The back bottom of my dress had tulle orange flowers pinned to it. My dress was linen with a silk slip, and my sister’s was orange silk. I’ve since lost about 70 pounds, and I left the dress at Goodwill in Delaware when I moved, but I kept all the organza flowers.

In any case, I do have to say I’m not usually a gerbera girl, except when needs must. But today the yellow (which is a lot lighter in real life) on the flowers screamed, “Butter!” at me, with just a hint of orange at their centers, and so I was compelled. Mixed them with orange and some green greenery, et voila!

The little pumpkin/squash you see there I plan to eat, not carve. LOL. Roasted pumpkin in things is divine! As are these lovely gerbera. Ranunculus are actually not great cut flowers, so droopy.

It is a blessing to have flowers anywhere in the world, of any kind, and especially on my very sunny kitchen counter. Buy the flowers, hold them high, and repeat after me, “Here’s to the times we bless others, and also to the times we bless ourselves!”

Have a wonderful week~

PS. Most flowers I buy last a full two weeks! Just keep the water clean and fresh.

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I Buy Myself Flowers: Orange!

Today my beautiful lady head is holding pincushion protea, safflower, and eucalyptus. When I was younger I was more snooty about flowers: they had to smell, and smell good. None of these really have a smell, although fresh (really fresh) eucalyptus can smell wonderful. Cost for flowers, again about $11 at Trader Joe’s.

I venture to say I’ve almost made it through summer, always a challenge for me as a person who prefers chillier climes. My sister reports that up (up the hill) in Idyllwild where she lives now it has been chilly and stormy… of which I am envious as we’ve had a 90-100 degree heat wave here. It’s been a bit of a year so far, her dealing with a diagnosis of mucosal melanoma, and me dealing with her diagnosis. We’ve done the majority of her doctor’s appointments together, and although I know she sometimes must get sick of me, I really have treasured spending all that time with my baby sis. She was supposed to go visit our handful of a mother, but there were new protocols to try, so that got cancelled. She’s hoping our mother will come to her. I am not holding my breath on that because the mountain usually doesn’t go to Mohammed.

I now present an actual undoctored video of Mama:


Ha!

No, that’s not actually her, but the “everything” about Lucille is pretty close to Mama Pearce. And… if I tease out the comparison… I’m probably Michael in that scenario, who is probably the lamest Bluth. Sorry Michael. I have to tell the truth… on both of us!

As long as I have been a parent I have been worried about my daughter’s summer plans/schedule, because she’s a kid who does better with one than without. She was too old for any camps this year, so we just made a deal: she took an online Driver’s Ed course; she had to make plans with one friend at least once a week, and she did some new and interesting chores around the house in preparation for someday being in charge of her own dorm room or apartment. She mopped, and organized, and did all sorts of things she doesn’t have a lot of time for when school is in session, because her program has days that run from 8-5, but can go as late as 9. She’s joined a teen program at Pasadena Playhouse for the fall, where she’ll begin to get a little real-world backstage experience. And she passed the driver’s ed course. We’re waiting for the necessary pink slip to arrive in the mail, which will allow her to take the permit test (it is a rule in California that they have the pink slip before they take the permit test.).

Anyway, it’s been a busy few months, and I’m glad school has begin again, and the patterns are falling back into place that alleviate some of the the pressure. Is there a mom out there in a hetero relationship whose partner takes on the responsibility for the kid(s) over the summer?

🦗 🦗 🦗 🦗 🦗

Are those… crickets?

Yeah, I didn’t think so.

When life comes in waves of responsibility and busyness, you STILL have to manage to get to the ever more expensive grocery store (wait, I thought he was lowering the prices on day 1…. Good thing none of us held our breath), so skip a few of the overpriced boxes of cereal, or other overpriced things, and make sure you use ten bucks or so to buy yourself flowers!

These flowers I love because… orange, and green, the two best colors ever.

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I Buy Myself Flowers: Iris!

Today my beautiful lady head is holding iris and Veronica. I once saw neighbors rip up an enitre patch of iris and throw them away I asked if I could have them, but they said no because they didn’t like them, so they didn’t want to see them anywhere. Can you imagine? They put in something foul, like geraniums. When I return from the temporary status as renter back to home owner, iris are absolutely in the plan. Veronica I wasn’t aware of until this year, which is painful to admit. They are absolutely brilliant flowers, long lasting, straight and tall with sometimes a graceful curve to them. They’re a real eye-catcher. A friend once took a plant pot filling class, and was told that if you plant a pot you should have a filler, and spiller, and a thriller. Veronica is the thriller. Cost for flowers, about $11 at Trader Joe’s.
Also pictured… future Chex mix!

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I Buy Myself Flowers: Pride Flowers

Back when Target was still DEI-cool, I bought myself this head planter. I never quite had the right plant to put in it though, and I decided to use it as a vase instead. I especially like the way the flowers come out the the head and look almost like hair, or a fancy hat.

I buy myself flowers. All the time. I buy them at least twice a month, depending on how long they last. I admit to really loving them and not wanting to throw them away or compost them until they’re really spent. Today I went into my local Vons (I usually get pretty and inexpensive flowers from Trader Joe’s, but they had nothing interesting a few days ago when I stopped in for half and half.), and found these cool tie-dyed roses. I thought they were perfect for celebrating Pride. I’m straight and cis, and a very much in support of Pride, and trans rights, and gay marriage, and all that good stuff. And I love flowers, and fun, colorful, or heavily-scented , off-beat, exotic, just about any kind. (Except geraniums, but that’s a post for another day!)

I just thought these were so pretty and uplifting.

My mother has always considered flowers a waste of money, which seems too sad to me. This bunch of roses and the yellow “filler” cost me ten dollars. That means I’m spending around about 20 bucks a month for a little hit of joy every time I walk into my perpetually untidy kitchen.

Get yourself some flowers and enjoy the color. This is your one life: make it beautiful. Don’t wait for someone else to do it.

And go Miley!

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Clothes: Today’s Outfit (Actually AWC’s Outfit)

I have been taking photos of myself in clothes (lucky for us all! Not naked!) because I love clothes, and I figured I could be brave enough to share that side of myself which you would not know unless you knew me in person.

I also snap a lot of photos of pets, flowers, and, when she lets me, my kid, so the phone gets pretty full. I finally got around to downloading a bunch, and here, for my second (?) clothes post is what I wore back in March to the Atlanta Writer’s conference. It’s a Lucy and Yak Ragan, and my, what are they? Snake? Leopard? I think snake, boots. and some sory of cropped black sweater.

Having been a fat woman for most of my adult life, I often go black in professional situations because it feels safer, cleaner, slimmer. This L&Y Ragan is a USA size 10, as an FYI, so I think I’m down in average size for that, not plus, but I still see me as large, too large, and probably always will.

It was a wonderful day, though, as I had someone come sit at my table with me:

The fantastic Emilie Khair.

The moment I met Emilie I was in big-time girl love. LOL. Emilie and I are in the same age range, and that’s all anyone needs to know abut that, and she is a person who, the moment we saw each other in person, I felt like I’d known forever. So, even though we’d worked together for many months, to meet her and just hang out was so much fun. Honestly, and I know this is going to sound really dorky to say, but when I work on a book with an author I get really attached to the book, well, because usually I had to likethe book a lot to begin with to want t publish it, and then, because I am a gigantic super-nerd, I am very very excited when I get to meet the author in person. I didn’t ask Emilie for her autograph on her book, but I wanted to. I was really sorry to leave Atlanta. I wished I could have hung out the rest of the week with Emilie. Does anyone else out there feel like there’s never enough time for connection and just fun? Back on the plane, and, that week, home to a huge amount of chaos as an exchange student had come while I was in Atlanta, and the exchange student was a delight, but she was only staying for a week, and it happened to be the same week (the school, IMHO, arranged it badly) the kids the vsiting students were staying with all had all their midterm stuff due, and my chronically procrastinating child was losing her mind when I arrived back in the house, much to the chagrin of the poor the exchange student. So Mom was on immediate duty, and, oh, how I thought back fondly on hanging out with Emilie. Being a mom to my daughter is one of the best joys in my life, but it is not lost on me that when you become a spouse, and then a parent, you are giving up most of your allowance of fun. So you have to get it in where you can. I would love to escape to Atlanta with Emilie again, or anywhere. She felt like a lifelong friend right away, and she’s also an interesting and talented author.

And, I veered a bit off of my outfit, but, what can I say? I’m a veerer.

It’s getting dark outside as I write this, and I have the door open. We live one block off of the restaurant street, and sometimes, like tonight, there are people who are rambunctious in the street. I’ve heard yelling, some fireworks, sirens, dogs barking. Everyone wants to be seen, to matter, to have some attention, and we get squeezed too thin sometimes, and we get loud, when we get a chance to have some fun, to loosen up the reigns. Everyone is guilty of some loud times, but the breeze and the temperature are too nice to allow a little noise to make me close the door. Whever you are, I hope it’s a nice, if slightly loud, spring evening. Sleep tight.

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To Book Award, or Not to Book Award?

Book awards, book awards, do I want thee, book awards?
Let’s take a look at three possible book awards.
Next Generation Indie Book Awards offers cash prizes and seals for winners and finalists, which can enhance a book’s cover and validate it for readers. Their current promotion allows authors to enter one category and get another free. Popular categories include “first novel” or “horror,” but avoid “general fiction,” as it tends to be overcrowded. Here are the categories that you can choose from for this award.

What do seals look like on a book cover? See ECHOES FROM THE HOCKER HOUSE.

Other awards to consider include the Eric Hoffer Award (currently discounted by $15):
 Registration link. Information link.
The National Federation of Press Women (NFPW) contest, which often sees fewer fiction entries, is open to all genders, despite its name, and early entry costs less. Entry Link.

Awards are a personal choice—some authors value the credibility they bring, while others prefer to avoid the cost. If you publish with my publishing company, Current Words Publishing (CWP), your book will stand out due to professional editing, formatting, and design, improving your chances of success. Plus, we can add any award seals to your book cover at any time.

Why do awards charge fees? Running contests involves hiring judges, administrators, and PR teams, much like publishing requires professional services. At CWP, we offer high-quality editing, production, and promotional support. Publishing is an investment, and a successful writing career is built over time, not on one book.

If your book is in production for 2025, aim to have it available by July to maximize award eligibility. If you’re considering publishing with us, we offer free sample edits and meet-and-greet sessions to demonstrate the value we provide. Some awards are closed to authors who self-publish, which is another benefit of publishing with me and Current Words.

Ready to pursue an award? Let my company help you showcase your success.

Happy Black Friday—enjoy those leftovers! I know I’m enjoying mine!

Dianne

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YOU AND ME AND DAVE AND FREE!

bsolutely delighted to extend a warm invitation to join us for a Current Words One-And-Done Session—an exclusive and enjoyable opportunity designed specifically for fiction and memoir writers to refine their skills in a highly supportive environment. And guess what? It comes at no cost to you!

Picture this: a virtual gathering hosted by Di and Dave (D&D), happening from 9-11 AM Pacific time on select Saturdays, and limited to just five participants. In an intimate Zoom setting, you’ll exclusively share your work with D&D along with the other participants. D&D will come prepared for a deep dive into your work, seeking out your distinctive patterns, challenges, and talents as an author.

Here’s the rundown on how to secure your spot: shoot us an email with a 450-550 word snippet of your writing at workshops@currentwords.com. Don’t forget to include your full name and the genre you’re working on (whether it’s short stories, long-form fiction, or memoir). Once you snag a spot, expect an email with exclusive instructions and the meeting URL. Prepare to join our small-group discussion via Zoom, where we’ll give your work the thoughtful attention it truly deserves.

Wondering why you should participate? Every writer has unique qualities—some that add zest to their writing, others that might slow it down. Have you ever pondered the role of an editor or what it’s like to be edited? Find answers to these questions, connect with a small group of fellow authors, and get a boost to your enthusiasm—all in a brief Saturday morning session.

Few things boost a writer’s productivity more than mingling with other authors. We’re eager to dive into your creative world, share in this enriching experience, and connect with our fellow wordsmiths.

Remember, this is completely free of charge! D&D have been extending a helping hand to fellow authors since their bi-monthly free workshop started at their home in 2017. We genuinely enjoy the company of other authors and can’t wait to explore your words, embarking on this exciting writing journey together.

To secure your spot, simply shoot an email to workshops@currentwords.com with 450-550 words of writing for our review.

We’ll then send you the first available date, followed by a Zoom link if you’re able to attend. Looking forward to seeing you at the virtual gathering!