A Christmas Carol continued.

 I have endeavoured in this Ghostly little book, to raise the Ghost of an idea, which shall not put my readers out of humour with themselves, with each other, with the season, or with me. May it haunt their houses pleasantly, and no one wish to lay it. - Their faithful Friend and Servant, C.D. Dec. 1843.

 

"What reason have you to be merry? You're poor enough."

"Come then," returned the nephew gaily.

"What right have you to be dismal? What reason have you to be morose? You're rich enough."

I think Charles would be pleased that we celebrate his Ghostly book every year, and that we continued to keep Christmas spirit all year long. Merry Christmas one and all.

The Best Dressed in Books

Black Friday I bought another reading gadget. My other eReader loses power and does nothing else. This new one makes that page-turning noise that we crave, does emails, displays photographs, and accesses this blog.

Things are going well.

Just last night my teenage son says, "Really Mom, why do you get so frustrated over such little things? Use your inside voice, please."

And then my husband says,

"Yeah, really, I agree, come on, it's just a machine. Relax."

"WELL! WHAT DO YOU PEOPLE KNOW. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO DOWNLOAD DRAWING OUT THE DRAGONS FOR A YEAR NOW AND STILL CAN'T. THAT'LL MAKE YOU GO NUTS!!  THIS STUPID THING WAS SUPPOSE TO BE THE ANSWER TO MY PROBLEM. DON'T YOU THINK I'D LIKE TO RELAX!!!" 

Just Luckily enough, I remembered from Tennis to never throw the expensive equipment. I placed it carefully down,  happy in the knowledge that the real copy, from James Owen, is about to arrive in the mail (the book will teach me to be a pleasant person and make better choices). 

The hot flash stopped. I'm all better.

And, Melville and Austen are already magically on this gizmo which is kind of nice, except that I've already read Moby Dick about eight times and even wrote an epic poem using the same themes except Ahab's real problem is a GIANT TABBY who is masterminding finding Moby Dick because it would be the ultimate meal.

Coming to the other side of all these flashes of frustrations, I am impressively ahead of my peers. For instance, at the next Friends of the Linebaugh meeting, I can whip out my gadget the moment someone says, "Didn't you get my email?" Thus proving that they have sent it to the wrong email address again. They do not know that email is sooo 2000. Plus, I will show them 40 pictures of my cute kitten reclining in the bathroom sink.

With 2011 almost behind us, now I know that I will always have to patiently keep up with technology. But, technology has never been my dream.

The real dream, since I was nine years old, making little books with my friends and sisters, is to have my own book published. A lovely big Picture Book. Then, eleven more. Also, chapter books.

My declaration, really HOPE, for 2012 is to find a fabulous publisher, editor, illustrator who believes in one of my books. In my search, I'll post one of my books on this blog per month. 12 posts, 12 books. Perhaps, Janell Cannon will take a liking to one of them! She is the Queen of Children's Books! However, the Queen probably is busy doing her own thing and if she is, I don't mind other fabulousity such as Henry Cole, Brian Lies, Ard Hoyt, just to name a few who make the cutest kind of faces for my funny little things.

Once one of my books is published in Hardback and on the Shelves, they'll like me to speak at the schools. I'll be like Judy Sierra, and the kids will ohhh and ahhh over the cute illustrations done by my new famous BFFs.

And they'll laugh at the 40 pictures of my cat in the sink.  

It's all so wonderfully planned out.

Which brings us to - What Will I Wear?

What Naieva Bookist Wears to School Visits:

My key chain is heavy, but never lost.

An obvious jacket.

Jewelry, pins and adornments.
When I first started at Motorcyclist magazine in the Eighties, my family thought I'd gone to California
and dropped off the deep-end of society. No, it really is a nice magazine, just about motorcycles. Really.

A book necklace that is also the Scrabble piece "E." Better than Gold.

The best designed shoes are the hardest walking.

Placing a watch on my wrist alters my chemistry, sending me to another era,
and life gets confusing, so I don't usually wear a watch, making me ten minutes late.

Purses made from books!
The Crying Sisters cover is most appropriate since I have three sisters.

Turns out, I never use an umbrella. When it rains, I just run for it.

This woman kept staring at my chest,
but then she told me that she was trying to read my shirt.
I'm a Librocubicularist - It means I read in bed.

Skirts that tell a story.
They also have the same design on dishes, so works well at a banquet.

Totes, one advertising The Friends of the Linebaugh Library.

The right Book Tote to carry all my book finds, especially Free gifts from authors.

We already have tote pictures, but come on, this cat is just too darn cute.

Lovely Obert Skye wear.

Top Design Award! This Obert Skye T-shirt is almost too pretty to wear.

"Got Books?" t-shirt is good for yard sales too. Speeds up asking.

Sporting the Chris Bohjalian T-shirt at the Southern Festival of Books.
"Mary, can I borrow your illustrator?"

A Romantic Novel Gown - overdressed is never a bad thing.

The right buttons can enhance any outfit.

Various other T-Shirts when the Chris Bohjalian one is in the wash.

Last, but not least, I could wear my James Owen Dragon Ensemble that is already
the envy of the Linebaugh crew (James in the back working as he should be).

So, I'm ready.
One thing I know for sure is this Signed, Illustrated, Dated, Hardback Novel in my hands, is the DREAM.


eBook Drawing Out the Dragons before midnight  December 31st!

Southern Festival of Book - Part III of a Trilogy

The Downtown Nashville Plaza area where the book festival is held extends from the Public Library to the the Court House. They hold book-talk sessions inside these buildings and in many of the underground chambers.

I get my books signed and rush to see Obert Skye. If he is even there?

Rushing through this underground area, I bump into this scary-bearded man. His beard too black and massive for his white skin. I grow less startled when I see he has a baby in a baby stroller. This would have nothing to do with anything, usually, except that when I finally make it, late to the Obert Skye event, he is discussing The Scary Black-Haired Bearded Guy. Is this some sort of altered universe? 

Creepy bearded guy on Obert's latest book.

 Anyway, I am just glad that Obert is visiting Tennessee. After some late rustling, I feel less embarrassed because there aren't many people in this huge room, and they can use me. It's pleasant for us, but Obert is probably thinking, "I've got bunches of series of books, some are going to movies, why am I not packed?" Fear not Obert, the world loves you. It's just one of those odd things that happens in public appearances. When Obert discusses his book, I feel comfortable in holding up a beautiful copy for the group to see its cover.

 As a another book is mentioned, they turn to me to see what it looks like. It fast becomes the Obert Book Group. He finds me amusing, so that's good, because this could also be very annoying.

Nobody gives a Foo that I keep holding up Obert's books.

The books look pretty on the Big Screen. And yes, you can see my copy of them.

It turned out to be an unexpected magical hour as if we were friends sitting in our living room discussing YA literature.

It being the last session on Sunday, there was plenty of time for pictures.

Obert Skye and me.

 Books signed. He gifts everyone book marks and even posters. Of course, I want one of everything.

My sister reconvenes with me. She went to other authors, not caring for Young Adults Novelists. As I'm finish loading my books in the tote, Obert comes over to where we are standing and hands me a T-shirt and says he hopes I could use it. RUKidding Me? Yes, I can use it. I don't unroll it then, I just give him a hug. The best part is my sister, rolling her eyes, thinking, "Why does this keep happening to her. It's really making me sick." What a great moment! And I didn't even ask for a T-shirt, which is the respectable part. Once I get home, I unroll it and it's BEAUTIFUL.
 What a Naieva Bookist Wears!

So, is his name really Obert Skye or perhaps Robert Keys? Well, Robert is a family name, and they nicknamed one of his uncles 'Bert. Being a character, they kept saying, "Oh, Bert." And the family name stuck.

 So, it was another great year at the Southern Festival of Books. 

It being the eve of Halloween eve, I have to go now and get my wings straightened for tomorrow.

By the way, here is Pseudonymous Bosch's real identity. Now you know.