Happy New Year, Smashwords Sale, Planning 2021: Monday Blog Post

Newest News:

I hope your Christmas was very merry with Zoom calls, video chats, texts, or phone calls to family and friends. Now it’s time to do the same to welcome in the New Year. If you’re a first responder or group care home resident, I hope you already have had your Covid19 shots. If, like me, you’re in a later group, please be safe until your turn comes, and it will. I plan on getting my shot as soon as I can. I’ll wear a mask and stay socially distanced until 2 weeks after my second shot then, hoo boy. Can anyone say, nice dinner out? I wish you all a very Happy New Year.

The annual Smashwords End of Year Sale started December 18th, and runs through January 1st. Books I normally don’t put on sale are on sale for this event. At either 50 or 75% off are Recall, Troubled Streets, The Gulliver Station Box Set, and Gold Dreams. You can find all of my books on my Smashwords author page. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/conniecockrell. I hope you can buy a few books not only for yourself but for friends and family as gifts, as well.

Planning was my profession, back in both the Air Force and after I retired and worked for Computer Sciences Corp. So I’ve spent the last week or so thinking about what I want to accomplish, writing wise, in 2021. First on my list, needs to be Mystery at the Reunion. You Jean Hays fans have been waiting so patiently. I appreciate that. But now it’s time to get that story done and out into your hands. I poked around at changes throughout this year, but the story isn’t quite done. However, if I buckle down, I’m sure I can get it out pretty soon. I also have five YA books I call my All About Bob series, that are all but done. The final one needs to be finished and all of them need editing. If I can do that, I could possibly get six books out in 2021. Wow! Stay tuned for more.

Giveaways:

The Christmas giveaway is still live! There’s a $75 Grand Prize of Paypal cash and 30 other prizes. Check out the link at https://conniesrandomthoughts.com/giveaways-and-prizes/ to enter.

Where will I Be?

Unfortunately, I’m self-isolating, so there are no scheduled events for me for the rest of the year. I do hope you have a very happy New Year, and we’ll see each other in 2021.

Newsletter Sign Up:

Click here to sign up for my newsletter. I’ve put sign-up gifts on the regular and the SciFi/Fantasy and the Cozy Mystery newsletter sign-ups. That’s right. If you sign up for my newsletter you get a free story from me. Be prepared for fun and contests! Click on the video link for a short video from me. Hear what I’m working on. Join my “A” Team to be the first to read my books and hear what new books are coming. Don’t forget to follow my blog, too. Different material goes in the blog as in the newsletter. You can share both, so spread the word!

Newest Releases:

Creature in the Night, a short Halloween, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Fantasy story has been published. It is up on Amazon, in Kindle Unlimited or for purchase at $.99. You can also see all my books on https://conniesrandomthoughts.com/my-books-and-other-published-work/. If you’ve read any of my books, please drop a short, honest, review on the site where you bought it or on Goodreads or BookBub. Your review is critical to help me promote the books to other readers. Thanks in advance.

Thank you for reading my blog. Like all of the other work I do as an author, it takes time and money. If you enjoy this Monday blog and the Friday free story and the recipe I put up on the 25th of every month, consider donating to https://www.paypal.me/ConniesRandomThought. I appreciate any donation to help support this blog.

Local Shop the Grid, Smashwords Sale, New Stories, Please Stay Well, Merry Christmas: Monday Blog Post

Robin getting an icy drink!

Newest News:

My local, Payson retailers Shop-the-Grid event hosted by the Payson Chamber of Commerce has ended. The drawing for the winner of the SWITCH will take place on December 21st. I’m sure the winner will be announced on the Chamber website. I hope you had a chance to enter and I do hope you win!

The annual Smashwords End of Year Sale started December 18th, and runs through January 1st. Books I normally don’t put on sale are on sale for this event. At either 50 or 75% off are Recall, Troubled Streets, The Gulliver Station Box Set, and Gold Dreams. You can find all of my books on my Smashwords author page and on December 18th, see the sale prices. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/conniecockrell. I hope you can buy a few books not only for yourself but for friends and family as gifts, as well.

Did you like the snippet from my November Nano story last week? Are you interested in more snippets like that from my other work? Let me know and I can work something out. Any story in particular you’d be interested in? Any particular genre?

I have been participating in an annual story advent calendar and this year was no different. On January 8th, my story appeared in this year’s line-up of stories. To see all of this year’s stories, go to https://adventcalendar.katharinagerlach.com/ and click on the numbers in the calendar to see each story. At the top of the page, you can sign up for the alerts that Katharina sends out each day for the new story. It also signs you up for next year’s Advent Calendar. A great way to meet new authors. I’ll have to say, this year’s stories have been top notch. Can’t wait for next year.

Corona Virus rates are now sky-rocketing all across the United States and the world. Please take care to stay home when possible or wear a mask and maintain distancing when you must go out. You are all valued by friends and family. Stay safe. Stay well.

Since the 25th is now just a few days away, let me say to you and yours, Merry Christmas. May it be safe, warm, and joyous.

Giveaways:

The Christmas giveaway is now live! There’s a $75 Grand Prize of Paypal cash and 30 other prizes. Check out the link at https://conniesrandomthoughts.com/giveaways-and-prizes/ to enter.

Where will I Be?

Unfortunately, I’m self-isolating, so there are no scheduled events for me for the rest of the year. I do hope you have a very happy Christmas and New Year, and we’ll see each other in 2021.

Newsletter Sign Up:

Click here to sign up for my newsletter. I’ve put sign-up gifts on the regular and the SciFi/Fantasy and the Cozy Mystery newsletter sign-ups. That’s right. If you sign up for my newsletter you get a free story from me. Be prepared for fun and contests! Click on the video link for a short video from me. Hear what I’m working on. Join my “A” Team to be the first to read my books and hear what new books are coming. Don’t forget to follow my blog, too. Different material goes in the blog as in the newsletter. You can share both, so spread the word!

Newest Releases:

Creature in the Night, a short Halloween, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Fantasy story has been published. It is up on Amazon, in Kindle Unlimited or for purchase at $.99. You can also see all my books on https://conniesrandomthoughts.com/my-books-and-other-published-work/. If you’ve read any of my books, please drop a short, honest, review on the site where you bought it or on Goodreads or BookBub. Your review is critical to help me promote the books to other readers. Thanks in advance.

Thank you for reading my blog. Like all of the other work I do as an author, it takes time and money. If you enjoy this Monday blog and the Friday free story and the recipe I put up on the 25th of every month, consider donating to https://www.paypal.me/ConniesRandomThought. I appreciate any donation to help support this blog.

Local Shop the Grid, Snippet of my NaNo Fantasy, Smashwords Sale, Please Stay Well: Monday Blog Post

Newest News:

My local, Payson retailers Shop-the-Grid event hosted by the Payson Chamber of Commerce runs through December 18th. Spend $200 (collectively) at any of the participating vendors and be entered to win a Nintendo SWITCH Game System. Shopping must be submitted to the Chamber of Commerce before the end date. The drawing for the winner of the SWITCH will take place on December 21st.

I’m excited to be one of the vendors. You can shop online on my Amazon page, https://www.amazon.com/Connie-Cockrell/e/B009O6199C, or at https://conniesrandomthoughts.com/my-books-and-other-published-work/ to go to other online outlets. Any way you buy, you just have to show the receipts! Here’s a copy of the grid and the contact info for all of the vendors. I’m also posting this on my Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/ConniesRandomThoughts. Good luck and have fun shopping local, small businesses!

Energy Ball 001 by ISO Stock via www.deviantart.com

I thought it would be fun to give you a snippet of my NaNoWriMo fantasy. It is a totally raw piece of writing, so be warned. For lack of a title, I’ve been calling this story, Fantasy of Light.

I waited, stomach churning, as Pica Longstream stared at me. It wasn’t my fault. No one’s fault, really. It’s just the way it is. I tried to keep my whole body still, relaxed, but ready. Ready for a scream, a blow, anything. He was clenching his fists. A blow was coming, perhaps. He was breathing heavily. A trained warrior, I could see, and he was struggling to control his emotions. I had delivered a heavy blow, after all.

It was his father, Gren Straightwood, though, who answered. “Witch. You gave an oath that you’d never return.”

He glared at me, his remaining eye burning with the same fire as I remembered from our youth. I briefly wondered how his left eye had been lost then pushed the thought away. He was a warrior. Explanation enough. “I did make that oath, Gren, When I passed the child to you.” I spared a quick glance for Pica. He’d suppressed his surprise and shock. What I saw now was both anger and hurt. He had his father’s glare. I took a deep breath. Half the village was now standing behind Gren. Some were puzzled or curious. Those my age though, they were just as angered as Gren. I swallowed. “There’s a danger to us all that I must warn you about.”

The mumbling from the crowd grew louder. A shout from the back from someone I couldn’t see came flying forward. “All your doing, witch?”

I knew this was going to be difficult. “Not mine. No.” I kept my focus on Gren. “An evil is spreading across the land. It must be fought.”

Gren’s hand went to his sword hilt. His left rested on his dagger hilt. Wearing full armor in the village seemed unusual to me. Unless he already knew of the danger or it was already sniffing around the village. I could see Pica do the same, as well as Gren’s men, lined up behind him. He scowled. “Come to the hall in an hour.” He nodded at the soldier standing next to me. “Take her and her horse to the stable. See the animal is cared for then return to your post.

The man gave a quick bow.

“Thank you, Gren.”

Gren gave a short grunt and turned away. The public excitement over, the villagers drifted away, still giving me the eye. I was used to it though it did sting that the village where I had grown up would treat me so and turned to lead my horse to the stable. I knew where it was, but followed the soldier anyway, just to keep the peace.

I’m also involved in the annual Smashwords End of Year Sale. This starts December 18th, and runs through January 1st. Books I normally don’t put on sale will be on sale for this event. At either 50 or 75% off will be Recall, Troubled Streets, The Gulliver Station Box Set, and Gold Dreams. You can find all of my books on my Smashwords author page and on December 18th, see the sale prices. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/conniecockrell. Again, the sale begins Friday, December 18th, just as the Shop the Grid event ends. I hope you can buy a few books not only for yourself but for friends and family as gifts, as well.

You’ve probably heard that Corona Virus rates are now sky-rocketing all across the United States and the world. Please take care to stay home when possible or wear a mask and maintain distancing when you must go out. You are all valued by friends and family. Stay safe. Stay well.

Giveaways:

The Christmas giveaway is now live! There’s a $75 Grand Prize of Paypal cash and 30 other prizes. Check out the link at https://conniesrandomthoughts.com/giveaways-and-prizes/ to enter.

Where will I Be?

Unfortunately, I’m self-isolating, so there are no scheduled events for me for the rest of the year. I do hope you have a very happy Christmas and New Year, and we’ll see each other in 2021.

Newsletter Sign Up:

Click here to sign up for my newsletter. I’ve put sign-up gifts on the regular and the SciFi/Fantasy and the Cozy Mystery newsletter sign-ups. That’s right. If you sign up for my newsletter you get a free story from me. Be prepared for fun and contests! Click on the video link for a short video from me. Hear what I’m working on. Join my “A” Team to be the first to read my books and hear what new books are coming. Don’t forget to follow my blog, too. Different material goes in the blog as in the newsletter. You can share both, so spread the word!

Newest Releases:

Creature in the Night, a short Halloween, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Fantasy story has been published. It is up on Amazon, in Kindle Unlimited or for purchase at $.99. You can also see all my books on https://conniesrandomthoughts.com/my-books-and-other-published-work/. If you’ve read any of my books, please drop a short, honest, review on the site where you bought it or on Goodreads or BookBub. Your review is critical to help me promote the books to other readers. Thanks in advance.

Thank you for reading my blog. Like all of the other work I do as an author, it takes time and money. If you enjoy this Monday blog and the Friday free story and the recipe I put up on the 25th of every month, consider donating to https://www.paypal.me/ConniesRandomThought. I appreciate any donation to help support this blog.

Haircut, Fund Raiser, Another Fire, Smashwords July Summer/Winter Sale: Monday Blog Post

Corona Hair. I couldn’t take it any longer.

Newest News:

Anyone else staying at home? I’ve kept myself at home since the beginning of March. My last haircut was the end of February. I looked a mess with my hair grown out nearly 4 inches. The bangs came down to the end of my nose and the side hair had turned into wings. I couldn’t take it any longer so I had my hubby put the biggest clipper guard on the clippers (an inch and a half) and buzz cut my head. I feel so much better. Here’s a quick video to see the aftermath. Above is a before picture. By the way, feel free to follow me on that Youtube page. https://youtu.be/5ppG669Vwto

I’m asking that people donate to my favorite 501c3 non-profit, the Payson Book Festival as my birthday fundraiser. Cancelled this year for the Coronavirus, I thought I’d try to get a jump on earning money so that the 2021 Payson Book Festival will be even better than before. So if you’d care to, pop on over to Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/donate/952277878565180/10217646111446962/, and drop a little money into the kitty. You can find out more about our festival at www.PaysonBookFestival.org.

Arial view of the Polles Fire.

Another fire has cropped up, lightning caused, about 11 miles west of us, called the Polles Fire. It’s been hot, dry, and windy so the fire has a hot shot crew, and at this point, a level 1 management team. The fire is in a wilderness area, no roads, so the firefighting crews have to be helicoptered into the area. It’s rough and rugged landscape but the firefighting teams are keeping the fire in check, though it’s still at zero percent contained. News about the fire is on https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6825/.

Stay safe. Stay well.

Giveaways:

New sale! Over on Smashwords starting the 1st of July, it’s the summer/winter sale. Several of my books are on sale and I hope you get a chance to go to that site and check them out. Click on the link and scroll through the list to see books on discount sale. Have fun and check out some other authors while you’re there! https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/conniecockrell Don’t forget. The sale starts 1 July and ends on the 31st.

The spring giveaway, Spring Flings and Book Things, is over. I’ll let you know when the winners are drawn.

In the meantime the Summer giveaway is now in progress! Check it out here: https://conniesrandomthoughts.com/giveaways-and-prizes/. As always the authors are giving away at least 2 prizes and there’s a Paypal cash grand prize.

Where will I Be?

Phoenix Fan Fusion, September 25th – 27th. This event has been Cancelled. The next one is next May and note that the event is a day shorter, starting on Friday rather than Thursday. For people who have special Thursday passes and other special tickets, check out the Fan Fusion website for details on how those will be handled.

Pine Library, 6124 W. Randall Place, Pine AZ, Friends of the Library meeting, has been officially rescheduled. The new date for my appearance is October 26th, still at 1pm. so if you happen to be in Pine, AZ on that date, come on by. I’ll have some books available for purchase and signing.

Newsletter Sign Up:

Click here to sign up for my newsletter. I’ve put sign-up gifts on the regular and the SciFi/Fantasy and the Cozy Mystery newsletter sign-ups. That’s right. If you sign up for my newsletter you get a free story from me. Be prepared for fun and contests! Click on the video link for a short video from me. Hear what I’m working on. Join my “A” Team to be the first to read my books and hear what new books are coming. Don’t forget to follow my blog, too. Different material goes in the blog as in the newsletter. You can share both, so spread the word!

Newest Releases:

Gold Dreams released May 13th, 2019. It is up on Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, (Direct link doesn’t work, copy the URL and paste it into your browser, or go directly to Kobo.com and search for Gold Dreams, Connie Cockrell), and Smashwords. The print version is available on Amazon. You can also see all my books on https://conniesrandomthoughts.com/my-books-and-other-published-work/. If you’ve read any of my books, please drop a short, honest, review on the site where you bought it or on Goodreads or BookBub. Your review is critical to help me promote the books to other readers. Thanks in advance.

Thank you for reading my blog. Like all of the other work I do as an author, it takes time and money. If you enjoy this Monday blog and the Friday free story and the recipe I put up on the 25th of every month, consider donating to https://www.paypal.me/ConniesRandomThought. I appreciate any donation to help support this blog.