March 24, 2009

New, improved cover!

Cover art: Kindle@RareArts.com
Book design: Walt@FiveRainbows.com

Kindle Project-For those of you producing a book to put on Amazon's Kindle, take note of the two resources below my new cover. Believe me, it will make your life so much easier. There is also a helpful book on Kindle Graphics: Graphics On The Kindle by Manuel Burgos (Rare Arts). If you're an author and don't know about the 16 shades of gray, get this book!

After days of trying to get this project done on my own, I turned to these two sources. They improved the design and readibility of my book immensely. I thank them from the bottom of my heart.

Bernie Madoff-I didn't get my wish. They didn't send Ole Bernie to a regular prison. But at least, they sent him to prison.

AIG-I feel so much better about them after their name change to AIU, don't you? It should have been changed to AOU (America Owns Us). Those greedy stinkers.

Republicans-When will they catch up with the rest of the nation? They are so out of touch they need a ladder to pick flowers.

Obama-I love the example he's setting for the rest of the nation's fathers. Taking time off to be with his family for his girls' spring break is fabulous! I am very impressed.

On my TV- I have just discovered Boston Legal (I'm always about three years behind the trend when it comes to TV shows because they have to compete with the History Channel and baseball). I love it! William Shatner is such a delight. His sidekick, James Spader, is also wonderful, but the whole cast shines. What fun to see Candice Burgen more often!

On my bed table- I've been researching old westerns. They are so bad, I won't list them here. But the American West is a new passion of mine. Along with Lawrence of Arabia. I have a lot of new books on order from that www place that is named after a jungle. So I'll be reading some more of the newer bestsellers. I have to order paperbacks instead of Kindle books because of a complicated gift card purchase I made from a relative.

Quote du jour:
"Never pass up a good beach!" Janelle Meraz Hooper (Inspired from my new romance.)
Read sample pages from my new book:

March 15, 2009

Bears in the Hibiscus


Hi! I finally did get the PayPal connected for my new novel on www.JanelleMerazHooper.com . I don't think there's a way to do it here on Google. Wait, there has to be. Maybe it's time for bed. It's been a 13-hour day.

Quote du jour:

"I'm either going to be a writer or a bum." Carl Sandburg

March 10, 2009

That big, yellow square box in the road...

Yesterday, it snowed again here (and for the three days before). We live on a hill, and a school bus stalled right in front of my house. The woman got out, and dutifully put a small, orange triangular warning road hazard sign behind the bus. How funny! It's required, I know, but if someone can't see a big yellow school bus stuck in white snow...I'm just sayin'...
Bears in the Hibiscus is ready. Maybe I'll get the Paypal hooked up today on www.JanelleMerazHooper.com It'll be on Kindle soon, too. Maybe even Sony. And in a paper cup with string near you...

March 02, 2009

Rainbow Bookfest is gone for another year

The Rainbow Bookfest in Seattle, celebrating writers of color, came and went on Saturday. I love these events. I always meet such wonderful people and learn so much. This time, I took time away from my book-selling table to visit with other authors, take a class on zines (what a wonderful, creative art form!), and listened to a lecture on Woman at War (in Columbia and other South American locations).
I even bought a book that was so beautiful I couldn't resist it, even though it is in Spanish. It's loaded with wonderful color art plates and even has a CD tucked into the back. I have no idea what the cd says, but the whole book it is so beautifully produced: Cantares de un Alma Gitana, by Maria Nelida Mendoza. If you get a chance, give it a look. There was no website listed on the book, but they must have one.

I did release my new romance, Bears in the Hibiscus in an advance copy format. The final is yet to come. I tweaked too long. I always do.

Obama's speech last week- I'm still waiting for that Harvard Online Catalog so I can get that extra year of education that our President wants me to have. In the meantime, as a back-up, I've found some interesting alternatives in the local adult education class schedule: Aerospace Composite Mechanic looks promising, as does: Accounting spreadsheets (I can add 2 plus 2 and get 22 everytime, as my daughter says), American sign language (with my crooked, arthritic fingers, this should be really interesting), Welding and metal skills---well, you get the idea. Seriously, I really did find one I liked: How to make it in voice-overs. I had a radio show years ago, but everything has changed since then. I could really use this.

Have to go. I'm way behind. No time to edit. Send corrections to: http://www.janellemerazhooper.com/

Quote du jour:
"Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning, the devil says, "Oh crap, she's up!" courtesy of my daughter, Chanel Studebaker