Fame and Fortune | Cathy C. Hall Writes

What a difference a day makes, huh? Though, technically, it was Wednesday when I was in a bit of a state about contests. Let’s not nitpick. The point is today, I’m in a totally happy state about contests!

I opened my Inbox today to find my latest Premium Green issue and…I won a Fortune in cool prizes in a PG Contest! And when I get those prizes, I’ll tell you all about them. For now, let me just say thank you, thank you, thank you, PG! And not just for the prizes. I have PG to thank for a query tip that paid off for me, too!

Also in my inbox I found an email accepting my column for another market! (Though technically, it was the editor/publisher who accepted the column. Let’s not nitpick.) The May issue of Senior Living Magazine will be running one of my columns (um, I’m not sure which column; it’ll be a surprise for all of us!) It’s not that easy to get a column out there, even if you’re witty as all get out. Because in the world of freelance writing, if an editor isn’t grabbed by your query, he’ll never get around to reading your witty-as-heck column anyway.

So check out Premium Green here if you’re looking for markets, or great tips in the writing business. Oh, and contests, too! See the difference a day can make? (Though technically, it’s been 48 hours. Enough with the nitpicking).

You know how sometimes you send a story in, wait forever for it to be accepted, then pow! Just like that, it’s in your mailbox!

Well, this is not one of those times. But I did find a book in my mailbox this week. After months and months of changes, Silver Boomers was finally published and sent out to authors. If you want to check it out, I’m afraid you’ll have to order a copy from Amazon. Unless you happen to know one of the authors, like Cathy C. Hall. Otherwise, you’ll just have to take my word that it’s chock full of interesting essays, intriguing fiction and lots of poetry that I don’t quite understand. But don’t let that deter you. There’s lots of poetry I don’t get.

What I do get, thanks to Lookybook, is a chance to read picture books without having to buy them first! Lookybook is a website where registered users can flip the pages of any number of picture books. It’s sort of a look before you buy site, without having to leave the comfort of your chair. So if you’re a librarian, wanting to purchase books, or a godparent, looking for that special book for a child, you can check out the book in its entirety and then place an order.

Of course, there’s lots of other reasons why you might be interested in finding Lookybook. I like that I can take a look at a ton of children’s books without having to check them out and pay the fine because I’ve forgotten the due date. And if you’re a children’s book author, it’s a great promotional tool.

Take a look at Lookybook here to see what I mean. Too bad you can’t click on the pages of Silver Boomers to see what’s inside. But if you’re anything like Sally, you’ll love it!