Remembering Ruby Hits Television!

My friend Kim Martucci, meteorologist at WUSA-9 in Washington DC, was kind enough to put the book on the air this morning! Thanks Kim, I really, REALLY appreciate it. The link to her blog entry about it (including the tv clip!) is here!

A Lovely Tribute!

After recently winning a copy of my book, Jules at Just Because took the time to write a beautiful Haiku about it for Haiku Friday. I am honored that she did it and appreciate it so much! To read it, click here.

Thanks Jules!! You're awesome!

Happy Holidays!

As you can tell from the last couple of weeks--in which I've mainly posted my essays--my outgoing book promotion efforts (and results) are light right now during the holidays. The great news for me is that I have sold almost 100 books "from the trunk of my car" in the last 2 months, and that's in addition to the online sales from Amazon, et al.

What I have learned is that since I am relying on grass-roots methods, I have to work really hard while at the same time remain really patient. I look forward to trying some new things after the start of the year, like contacting some small radio talk shows and seeking new animal contacts that may have interest.

If you out there have any ideas for me, please e-mail me at the link on the right. As always, I would appreciate your telling your friends and family about the book!

To everyone out there who celebrates the holiday, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

A Shoutout To The Land Down Und-ah!

I have met some incredible people through blogging, even though I've only been at it for a relatively short time. Katie is one of them. Katie--along with Kat--was among my first two bloggy friends (I can't remember who was first: doesn't matter!). Katie, like me, has two blogs. I found her doggy bloggy first; it's called "A Blog By Thy Dog". Her blog follows the activities going on with Phoenix and Sahara, her gorgeous canines.

It was only waaaaaay later that I realized she has another blog which is all about assorted other things going on in her life. That one is called "Made in Melbourne" (a title which, I must admit, is confusing because she is a transplanted Brit. Katie: doesn't that mean your blog should be called Made in the UK? Please explain. LOL). I enjoy reading both blogs immensely.

Check out one or both of Katie's blogs! And tell her that Melisa sent ya!

Blind Blogger Date

I had the exciting chance to meet a real, live blogger in person today! The blogger in question? None other than Manic Mommy! I started to read her blog pretty regularly several weeks ago, and when she checked out my blog we discovered that she lives in the next suburb over! She is a writer who has an agent, and I am a writer who has questions about having agents...and I am a writer who has been through the publishing process and am working on marketing, and she has lots of of questions about that, so we decided to meet!

WARNING: Obviously all of you out there know that arranging to meet someone that you have discovered on the internet could be dangerous. If you do this, meet them only in public, and make sure your loved ones know where you're going and when you'll be back.

Okay, back to the story. Manic and I decided to meet in a place about halfway between our homes: yes, in public. A killing the day before Halloween wouldn't be a good thing, although we joked about it.

I was so excited to meet her, because her blog is hilarious. She and I e-mailed back and forth a few times and I made a list of things I wanted to make sure to tell her so that she could store it in her brain for future use (when she publishes her book).

When we met at high noon, we laughed when we realized we were both wearing black shirts and jeans: can't go wrong with that! And then I ordered a water and a Diet Coke and she said "ME TOO!"

We had a great lunch and got along famously; it was really fun to interview each other about projects that we have going on, and we also talked about our kids a little bit and working out, since I'm an instructor and she's a student. She is afraid to try spinning (she prefers yoga), but I may just get her to come to my class once to see how she likes it.

She made a point of telling me not to take it personally when she says she's not really a dog person, and I already knew that, because of this. I don't have to have only "dog person" friends. LOL

It's such a small world that it turns out her daughter plays with the daughter of someone I knew from my health club about 10 years ago! Crazy!

After lunch, we walked to the bookstore and we looked at some of the children's books and chatted some more. We decided to give away one of my books...so if you're interested in entering the little contest we've concocted, visit her blog! (You've got 'til Friday!)

All in all, a great lunch with absolutely no violence. And I think I've got a new friend, which is the best part!