A Very Random Book Signing

Most of you know that I’m hosting the Sacramento leg of the Random Penguin’s world tour to celebrate the release of Kerry Schafer’s BETWEEN. Last night, RP hosted a launch party and signing for some local fans of Kerry’s work. The crowd arrived on time – and it was standing room only by the time the Random Penguin took the stage. After the reading, Random Penguin spoke to a long (but well-dressed) line of faithful fans. He shook flippers and answered questions for almost an hour. Finally, it was time to sign the books! The Sacramento-area penguins have waited a

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Penguin Negotiation: the Strength of Silence

Welcome back to our continuing Wednesday series on negotiations. Today we welcome a special guest negotiator, Kerry’s Schafer’s friend the Random Penguin, who’s here to teach one of the most important rules of successful negotiation: the Strength of Silence. Novice negotiators often make the mistake of over-talking. But silence is a negotiator’s friend. Most modern negotiations take place electronically, via e-mail or other written communication, but when the negotiation takes place in person or by telephone, silence is an important tactical choice. Here’s how to use it: 1. Let the other party “lead” the negotiation if you can. When you

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In Which Random Penguin Goes Fishing – & Makes a Friend

As some of you may know, Kerry Schafer’s friend the Random Penguin is visiting me this week. He’d been eager to see the seahorses and the aquarium, and today he celebrated BETWEEN’s official launch day … by going fishing. I asked him whether he’d rather do something book related – since today IS the day Kerry’s debut novel is officially released. But he was already telling the bumblebee snails all about his world tour to promote the novel. He tried to talk with Emo, but the clownfish seemed to think the Random Penguin had designs on the anthelia coral and

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Introducing: The Random Penguin

This week, I have a house guest: THE RANDOM PENGUIN! Random is a friend of my friend (and fellow author) Kerry Schafer, whose debut fantasy novel, BETWEEN, debuts this week. (And by “this week,” I mean TOMORROW!) Some of you may already know RP from Kerry’s Twitter feed, where he makes regular appearances. The Random Penguin is currently taking a World Tour to help promote the launch of BETWEEN (which is published by Penguin and also features a penguin named Poe) and I’m honored to have him with me during Kerry’s launch week. So far, RP’s turning out to be

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A Penguin and Mystery Guest Post by DeAnn Smith

Penguins are a standout at Sea World, but I should warn you they are quite stinky. I love the polar bears at the Kansas City Zoo. While the Tower of London zoo had a polar bear, the menagerie never had penguins. Penguin logos adorned some of my favorite childhood books: Jean Plaidy and Nancy Drew. I scooped up Jean Plaidy historical novels at my hometown library in Arkansas. I carefully saved my monthly allowance to buy Nancy Drew books with the goal to own all 56 hardbacks. I came darn close. While I adored Nancy Drew, my heart belonged to

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Shinobi News: January 26, 2013

This week in Spann of Time News: I’m excited about the upcoming launch of Kerry Schafer’s BETWEEN. Kerry is a friend, but I loved her debut fantasy novel – and as part of the launch festivities, I’ll be hosting The Random Penguin here at the blog and on my  twitter feed in the coming week. If you don’t know Kerry’s little friend RP, you’re in for a treat as we celebrate BETWEEN with Random Penguin Week at Spann of Time! Some other places I’ll be this week: 1. On January 30 I’m guest blogging at Writers in the Storm, continuing

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Book Review: Portraits of an Artist

PORTRAITS OF AN ARTIST, by Mary F. Burns (Sand Hill Review Press, February 2013) I recently received an advance review copy of Mary Burns’ upcoming historical novel, PORTRAITS OF AN ARTIST. The novel, which recently won an honorable mention at the New England Book Festival, tells the story of expatriate American painter John Singer Sargent – as seen through the eyes of the men and women who knew him and modeled for his paintings. Short review: Highly recommended. Longer review: I found the novel’s premise intriguing, even though I didn’t think I had ever heard of John Singer Sargent.  However,

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Neko-te: Claws of the Cat

The Japanese word neko-te translates “cat’s claws.” In the context of medieval Japan and the ninja, neko-te refers to a weapon consisting of metal or leather finger sheaths equipped with sharpened metal blades. The sheaths slip over the end of the wearer’s finger, allowing the blades to protrude like the claws of a cat. Neko-te were favored by female ninjas (also called kunoichi) who often poisoned the blades to increase their lethality. The claws were used as a stabbing weapon, and sometimes also to cut or scratch an enemy (or the target of an assassination). Kunoichi often impersonated entertainers or courtesans, which

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Negotiation Tactics 101: Building the List

Welcome back to our Wednesday series on negotiation. For those just joining, you can find the previous posts via the “Publishing Business” category in the sidebar. Today we prepare the “meat” of the negotiation: a list of important terms. After you complete your initial reading of the contract, read the document through again with a pen or highlighter at the ready. Underline or highlight all the terms you’d like to change. Then make a list of the terms you’d like to negotiate and the changes you’d like to obtain in negotiation. (Note: type this on a computer, you’ll be rearranging

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Welcome to Pitch Wars – Did you bring your LANCE?

Welcome to Pitch Wars! The battle has begun! Today and tomorrow, the Pitch Wars entries (posted at YA Misfits blog) will be viewed (and possibly requested) by a group of agents who have graciously agreed to read and consider the pitch wars entries. I’ve been working with Chuck Harrelson on his thriller, THE LANCE. (Great title, eh? Surely you knew I wouldn’t enter a war without a reliable weapon.) Chuck made the process easy. His manuscript is tightly written, fast-paced and beautifully constructed. It was a delight to read, and Chuck was fantastic to work with. In fact, I now

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