A Slice of Orange

Home

Steve Jobs: iVisionary

October 9, 2011 by in category Archives

I have a confession. I don’t have an iPod. I don’t have a Mac. I don’t have an iPhone. I do have an iPad, bought in the rush of excitement the week of its launch…but I seldom use it. I’ve managed to buy a couple of things on iTunes, but I’m a mass of insecurity about what happens if I want to transfer them to other devices. It seems easier not to try. I looked at buying a MacBook when I needed a new PC recently, but decided the Mac was too expensive and would cut me off from some nice PC-only applications.

All up, I’m not much use to Apple. But I suspect Apple is of use to me in ways I don’t even know about. Whether it’s keeping other companies on their toes, or developing technologies that influence innovation in products I do use, or even changing the way I think about how markets (including publishing) work, Apple has snuck in there.

But the fact is, I don’t think of Apple as Apple. Mostly, I think of it as Steve Jobs.

So even though I never knew him, and even though his company has many flaws (reports of atrocious conditions in iPad factories in China cannot be glossed over) Steve Jobs’ death seems significant, and a loss. A loss to global innovation , and a loss to Apple. Few of us can expect our lives to be celebrated or our passing to be mourned on such a scale.

But above all, Steve Job’s death is a tragic loss to his family. Which is something, hopefully, we all can expect. And while that’s what hurts most, it’s also what matters most.

0 0 Read more

Happy Birthday, OCC!!!

October 6, 2011 by in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston tagged as , ,

I’m so delighted that I’ll be at the celebration of OCC’s thirtieth birthday on Saturday!

I’ve been a member of OCC for about seventeen of those thirty years. I was introduced to RWA, and to OCC, by my dear friend–our current and also former president–Jann Audiss, whom I knew from our mutual work dealing with real estate for Union Oil Company of California. I owe my first book sale to OCC, and to Jann. I pitched my time travel romance A GLIMPSE OF FOREVER to Dorchester Publishing at the 1994 Romance Writers of America conference in New York City, and the rest is history!

About twenty-eight published books later, I still owe a lot to OCC and to Jann. The chapter provides cheers and support. I keep my vase of roses commemorating sales on my dining room table to help keep me going at times when writing becomes more of a chore than a delight–fortunately not often. The chapter also provides information. These days, hearing about successes in e-publishing has become fascinating to me.

Then there’s the camaraderie. I always love coming to meetings as often as I can. This year has been a bit scattered, but I’ll be improving my attendance in upcoming months.

Right now, I’m raising my glass of virtual champagne and toasting the Orange County Chapter of Romance Writers of America. May you be there for me, and for all dedicated romance writers and readers in the area, forever!

–Linda O. Johnston
www.LindaOJohnston.com

2 0 Read more

What OCC Means to Me …

October 4, 2011 by in category Archives tagged as ,
OCC/RWA acts as my supportive writing family. It keeps me sane, provides inspiration and lets me know that when things get crazy … I’m not the only crazy writer out there. (Notice how the first and last cancel out?)
Usually, I use this blogging date to post reminders about the upcoming meeting … but since we’re headed toward our 30th Birthday bash, and we all should know about it, right? – I’m going to share what this wonderful community means to me, and why I’ve gotten more involved.
Honestly, I don’t want to remember how on ago I joined OCC/RWA with the hope of writing and publishing a romance. I’ve blocked so many of those non-productive years, but it has to be at least eight. Yes, eight years …
At my very first meeting, I met the wonderful Mary Castillo, and Jackie Diamond was ever so gracious, as she still is with new writers. The members were warm and inviting, and then I didn’t go back for a long time. Why?
·      Guilt – I wasn’t writing as much as I wanted.
·      Work – Several of the colleges I work at require teaching on Saturdays, and they always seemed to conflict with the OCC/RWA schedule.
·      Children – I had one infant, and started infertility for a second. For those who haven’t gone through it, the drugs mess with your hormones and it’s not pretty.
·      Bedrest – When I was pregnant, I was relegated to bed for five straight months. That meant I couldn’t even really sit up. I bought an AlphaSmart and wrote laying on my side, and forgot to charge it … and lost everything.
·      Second master’s degree – With my first master’s degree in communications, journalism, I went back to school for a second in English.
·      Too busy – For so long, everything else took priority. And with two small children (who are still only 4 & 8), that’s the priority. I didn’t possess mental room to finish my writing.
·      And did I mention guilt?
Still, I continued to be a member of RWA, paid my dues for OCC and became involved in a variety of Online chapters, including Chick Lit Writers of America, Passionate Ink, FF&P and YAWRA.
My first book, Sex University: Physical Education, published in June 2010. At that time, I told myself that I would attend my first RWA National conference. I signed with my agent Saritza Hernandez of the L. Perkins Agency. This past weekend, I turned in my fourth novel, an erotic paranormal, Chains of Silver, which is a sequel to The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf: A New Orleans Threesome.
And, I became active within the OCC/RWA family. The group has been supportive and encouraging. If time gets tough, another member is there to offer help and most often, someone else has been there. Being part of the board the past year has been unforgettable, whether it’s simply knowing that Eve Ortega still balances work, family life and her writing, or that strength of character that comes from Debra Holland. The expertise of our published authors Kathleen, Pat Wright and Jackie. Or knowing that our unpublished, Liz, Jaimee, Val, Ottilia and Jann, will have their moment. And, we’ll be there to support them the entire way.
But that’s only the board members. Within our chapter, we have such a wealth and diversity of experience, and so many dreams. Thank you to Brenda, Laura, Erin & Erin, Beth, Debra, Charity, Joyce & Cora, Karen, Julia, Nancy, Susan & Harry, Lex, Tara, Marianne, Mary, Kitty, Vicki, Charlotte, Alexis, Jenny, Jennifer, Charlene, Shannon, Shauna, Bobbie, Linda O., Verna, Judy, Maureen, Roberta, Marilee, Stacy, and so many more. It’s impossible to name everyone, but I appreciate every smile, and hopefully I can be there to help and encourage others, too. 
Thank you for being there, and know that you are not alone in your journey either.
This weekend, I’m looking forward to spending more time with my writing family through the 30 Birthday Bash. Hopefully, you’ll be coming! If not, I’ll see you online and at the next meeting. For more information, you should know where to go … OCC/RWA.org.   
0 0 Read more

It’s All About Men — Calls for Submissions

September 30, 2011 by in category Archives tagged as ,

It’s about men this month, whether the theme is the new line from Ellora’s Cave, EC for Men, about sexy, strong hunks in uniform, or the strength of a king or lord.  
Men in Uniform Anthology

Silver Publishing has started a new line, Men in Uniform, and are seeking submissions for 2012. Here’s the breakdown:
•    15K to 20K word count per short story/novella. 4 books per Anthology.
•    Seriously sexy stories about firemen, policemen, soldiers and sailors – we want to read some hot MM stories about men in…and out of uniform.
•    Any combination of M/F, M/F/M, M/M/F, M/M.
•    Heat Rating: 3+ Flames only!
When submitting, please enter “Men in Uniform.” Visit https://spsilverpublishing.com/pages-title-page-24 for due dates. For instance, to be eligible for the January 2012, submissions should be sent in by Oct. 31, 2011.
EC for Men
Ellora’s Cave is now accepting submissions for their new line EC for Men.
·      7,000 to 30,000 words
·      May contain relationships, but should focus more on the sex than the romance; Romantica is fine, Exotika is also encouraged
·      Realistic wording and dialogue for male characters (not the language women WISH men spoke); this extends to the male narrative
·      Written from male POV preferred
·      Should be aimed at male sexual fantasies (what men think of when they get off)
~ More of what men want or need from women: sex, love, acceptance, admiration, dirty talk; less of what they don’t need (judgment, drama, expectation of anticipating woman’s needs)
* Examples include, but are in no way limited to:
– Women taking the initiative during sex
– Female pursuit of the man
– Voyeurism of female/female sex (as well as F/M/F and F/F/M themes)
– Risky sexual situations or locations; a sense of the forbidden (e.g. the boss’s mistress, the maid, the college professor, sex in public, etc.)
For more information, visit http://www.jasminejade.com and click on Submissions.

Honor Guard
Decadent Publishing is looking for stories for their new Honor Guard line, which is composed of contemporary, multi-national romance stories. Heat level of 3-5 and word count between 10k-25k.

Setting: Countries around the world. The hero can be any alpha male. Military or covert ops: Marines, MP, CIA, Homeland Security, NSA, etc.

Heroine can be an American or foreign national. Her age should be 25+. Wherever your setting, we need local flavor. Tap your travel experiences! Give us fun, adventure, romance, interesting settings, strong characters and hot lovin’, cultural insights.

Kingdoms of Desire: Erotic Tales of Fantasy
Kingdoms of Desire: Erotic Tales of Fantasy is a place where lust and legend abound, and adventure, passion and danger entwine. Think mystical lands and creatures, kings and queens, knights and renegades, heroes and villains, warlords, maidens and princesses. Think battles and danger, honor and dishonor, good and evil. Most of all think hearts filled with passion and secret desire. This is a place where romantic chivalry is alive and well, but so too is romantic wickedness. This is a place where the good do not always win, and the bad are often more captivating and desirable than their altruistic counterparts. In these lush and timeless landscapes, the battle for flesh can be as important as the battle for power. Intrigue, sorcery, revenge, lawlessness, dark secrets and mysterious elixirs; entanglements with supernatural beings – everything is possible in these magical mythical landscapes. Think Game of Thrones and you get the picture!
Word count: 3,000 to 6,000 words. No reprints (be it print, digital, or online). Original fiction only. To be published by Cleis Press in autumn 2012. One-time payment in the range of USD $50-70 (payable on publication) and 2 copies of the anthology. Due by December 15, 2011. Visit http://mitziszereto.com for technical submission information.

— Compiled by Louisa Bacio

0 0 Read more

A Fantasy Life by Janet Quinn Cornelow

September 28, 2011 by in category A Fantasy Life by Janet Cornelow tagged as ,

I have been writing in the limited time I have with the classes I have been teaching. I put the fantasy story aside for the moment and dug out a historical time-travel that I started several years ago. I have to polish the beginning, but I have it all plotted out, so hopefully it will go along smoothly, or at least as smoothly as any book goes. This story includes a father and his son going back in time and ending up on a horse ranch where the heroine is in need of help since her father died. She is training horses for the Calvary and of course there are those who do not want her to succeed.

I put my fantasy short stories up at Kindle. They used to be Whiskey Shots, but now they are all together in one volume. The fun part about putting them up at Kindle was that I could include the illustrations I had done for them. They can be found at: http://www.amazon.com/Chronicles-of-Augeas-ebook/dp/B005MVAQ7O/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

They are called Chronicles of Augeas and are set in the city-state of Augeas. The city is a combination of those with magic and those without. Those without want to steal the magic or destroy it. They are also destroying the city and there are those who wish to stop them. There are six stories in all.

The newest member of our household, Count Rugen, is growing by leaps and bounds. For six months he is huge and can get on top of everything. I have had to redecorate most of the surfaces. All of the breakables are now in the only bookcase he can’t reach. He now has a kitty condo which is a major redecoration of its own. It takes up a large amount of space. When he first got it two weeks ago, he could reach the ceiling beams if he stood on his hind legs. Now he can reach them sitting on his bottom.

I wish everyone a good month of writing.

0 0 Read more
«‹470471472473474475476›»

Copyright ©2017 A Slice of Orange. All Rights Reserved. ~PROUDLY POWERED BY WORDPRESS ~ CREATED BY ISHYOBOY.COM

>