Today I want to buy a new couch. One I can jump up and down on and shout in happiness. I received four five star reviews today. Was praised for my writing and my artistic abilities and I feel so humbled. Just goes to show, while you're sitting doubting yourself, someone is admiring you from afar. Thank you so much readers.
Ey Wade, @jumpouttheboat

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful love story!,

Alex Canton-Dutari

This review is from: Who Will Hug the Sun? (In My Sister's World) (Kindle Edition)

It took me less than fifteen minutes to read this beautiful story -- perhaps because I got into each picture.
In Spanish the Sun is masculine and the Moon is feminine. I was surprised to read the reverse in English; now I may understand why a car is feminine in the Queen's language.
Do you know what impelled me to buy the book? The title. It intrigued me; the story engulfed this old fellow.
This love story convinced me that Ms Wade knows how to dive into her inner child's fantasies but convey them as the adult she is. The final outcome was excellent.
Grammar and punctuation? Quite flawless.
My congratulations to the sketch artist. (That's me)

• The Perfect Solution-A Suspense of Choices 
  
  
  
  
  This was the first book I read by Ms. Wade. I really enjoyed the storyline and felt that
  
  the story was real. I sympathized with Catrine, and felt the same anxiety she felt in having her child kidnapped. Even though I never actually experienced that situation, it was one of my biggest fears when my daughter was that age. The story also raised the awareness of mental illness and situations that one who is suffering from the illness may experience. I am late in writing this review on smashwords, but wrote one on amazon. I also read her book of short stories "When One Door Closes" and really enjoyed the follow-up story of Brhin as an adult. KUDOS to you Ms. Wade!!!!!
• 
  
•  
• The Women of the Hill- From the series...Yes, Sam Takes Care of Me 
  
  Ms. Wade, you continue to hold my attention with your stories. What I admire about you is that you take everyday life as a foundation. This story of five women was true to
  
  form. You displayed how in everyday life women continue to do what they need5 to do to maintain their families. I experienced both tears and laughter while reading. I was happy to see those who succeeded in finding happiness, while feeling sorrow for those who lives met with tragedy. What you bring to the table is what I look for in a good read. I will continue to read your work!
  

•  
•  
• D.N.A. -Nothing Would Ever be the Same 
  
  D.N.A. was another example of excellent
  writing by Ms. Wade. She was able to bring a fairy tale ending to a story full of tragedy.
  
  Debney was a teenager living amongst a dysfunctional family. Though her father truly loved her, he lacked the courage to stand up for her until it was too late. Her mother, a typical "gold digger" put that child through things no 17 year old should experience. With all that Debney had to endure while attending school, her pregnancy, and after finding out the truth about her parentage, I'm really surprised she did not have a nervous breakdown. There was a cloud with a silver lining for her at the end and I was glad that she had true friends (one who may have shunned her in the beginning and one who was in love with her) stood by her through the whole ordeal. I enjoyed the ending very much, like I said in the beginning, she had her fairytale dream come true.

It's Easter and like all of the major publishing companies Wade-In Publishing is having a Spring book sale. Did I say major? Well I am famous (on the internet)just google Ey Wade. I had a good fight with myself about the idea of a sale.

As an indepenent author/self-publisher everything is crucial.
One little mistake and a major catastrophe could strike and then where would I be?


So I scoured the internet, gleened from other indies, practically losing a proverbial ear and divised my plan. All Ey Wade books are on sale for a limited time at Amazon. Easy to find http://amzn.to/eywadebooks or http://amzn.to/wade-inbooks 99¢ and you buy the best.Watch for me on twitter and Facebook.

And just for the record it wasn't as critical as I thought. Just a cut here and there and all was ready. So, if you want to know more about the books pull up a chair @ http://theinterviewedcharacter.blogspot.com and get to know the people who have succeeded in escaping my brain.

All I can say is....any ideas on where to hide the eggs?

99¢ Book sale on all Ey Wade books http://amzn.to/eywadebooks #ian1#fiction#amwriting#kindle#kids#thriller#history#AA

I hope you have been following me as I have gone a-wassailing to blogs and websites I find inspiring, funny, educational or plainly a must read.
Two sites I admire for the purpose they have chosen to pursue are Reads for Pleasure and Color Online. These blogs like White People Meet Black Authors are doing their best to bring to light books written by people of color. It may not seem like a big deal to some people, but segregation in bookstores and whitewashing in the publishing industry (The Book Smugglers did a great post on this Cover Matters-on Whitewashing) is devastating to the authors of color and a loss to the reading community. We have to realize books as well as life is written in more than black and white.

The fireplace is lit, hot chocolate in the cup and waiting. Show me the best books to read you two cuz: Here We Come A-Wassailing"

http://www.reads4pleasure.com/

is a blog the I follow her on twitter first of all because of her name and second because the reviews she has written have truly made me want to read. Like most of the people I follow on twitter, she has the greatest  sense of humor.
 Reads for Pleasure 
Follow on
Facebook and Twitter
Reads for Pleasure accepts books for review. The review policies can be found HERE.

http://coloronline.blogspot.com/

The Color Online blog focuses on women writers of color (not just African-American) for adults YA and children. Founded in September 2005, their vision is to engage reluctant and non-readers. Color Online also accepts books for review. This is their policy. Follow on:
Facebook



Remember to leave a simple holiday cheer with a small comment or just a hello. Also, make my day & leave one here.

 I'm sure by now you know the history of wassailing as provided through Wikipedia and that it is the practice of people going door-to-door singing Christmas carols. Well today we're going to be outside of John T. Wills'
door.
Listen for us caroling outside your doors John cuz:  Here We Come A-Wassailing".

http://www.justaseason.com/

I was really excited when I fell across John T. Wills’ page  Thought Provoking Perspectives. Just the title of the page made me want to visit it. His topics really made me think and yet it seems as if his personal opinions are not forced on you. From there I followed his links to his other site John T. Wills Chronicles where there are a constant flow of timely interesting articles.

John T. Wills is a  Speaker, Author, Professor/Teacher, Radio Host, member and past officer of several Business/Community/College Board’s, a Volunteer, and friend to many. Regardless of the worldly titles given, John prefers to be called a man. 

 

I love the fact Mr. Wills is in the mindset to promote other authors regardless of race and without cost to them.I implore you to visit his sites and take time to listen to his author interviews.

If you are an author and would like to be a guest on The Book Tree Radio Show, you are invited to contact:
John T. Wills
author@justaseason.com
http://johntwillschronicles.com/
LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEWS
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/john-t-willschronicles Time:8:30(7:30 ct) PM every Wednesday Call-in Number: (347) 989-1049

This week The John T Wills Chronicles presents Iyanla Vanzant with Kathleen Wells

http://www.justaseason.com/

John T. Wills is a man who believes education is the single most important ingredient necessary to neutralize those forces that breed poverty and despair. This philosophy planted the seeds that cultivated a life, which is "Just a Season" - the novel.

His favorite quote-I only have a minute. Sixty seconds in it. Didn't chose it, can't refuse it, its up to me to use it. It's just a tiny little minute but an eternity in it. You can change the world but first you must change your mind.... Made a gigantic impression on me. I have always believed a single person can make a giant change whether it benefits or hinders success. Mr Wills strives to make a change in the positive. Join me in sharing a little Christmas cheer and wassail on over.

You can follow John T. Wills on Facebook and 

Twitter.

Remember to leave a simple holiday cheer with a small comment or just a hello. Also, make my day & leave one here.

I love Christmas and visiting blogs so I thought why don’t I share these joys with others? So join me throughout the month of December as I make a wassailing to blogs and websites I find inspiring, funny, educational or plainly a must read.

Today's visit will be to Jessica Ferguson and her site Praise, Prayers, and Observation, but first let’s review the history of wassailing as provided through Wikipedia. The House-Visiting wassail, is the practice of people going door-to-door singing Christmas carols.

KNOCK, knock Jesse: Here We Come A-Wassailing".

http://jessyferguson.blogspot.com/

Jessica is one of the most inspiring people I know. She is a writing instructor (among other things) and pulls no punches when it comes to getting the best out of you. From her profile Jess states how much she loves encouraging authors and she couldn't have spoken a bigger truth. All my fears are calmed after communicating with her.

Jess wrote for The (late/great)Times of SWLA and is the author of The Groom Wore Blue Suede Shoes w/a Jessica Travis.

She is published in Chicken Soup for the Chocolate Lover's Soul, Daily Devotions for Writers and a number of regional magazines and newspapers. She is the 2010 president of Bayou Writers' Group.

Wassail on over to Jesse's site. Explore her sidebar and check out older posts. It will be one of the best gifts you give yourself this year.

Don't forget to leave the gift of a small comment here and there.

I love Christmas and visiting blogs so I thought why don’t I share these joys with others? So join me throughout the month of December as I make a wassailing to blogs and websites I find inspiring, funny, educational or plainly a must read.

My first visit will be to Carleen Brice and her site White Readers Meet Black Authors, but first let’s have a little history on the wassailing as provided through Wikipedia.
The House-Visiting wassail, very much similar to caroling, is the practice of people going door-to-door singing Christmas carols. Here We Come A-Wassailing".
LET THE WASSAILING BEGIN:

http://welcomewhitefolks.blogspot.com/

Carleen writes her blog in the hope of enticing readers to step beyond the segregated aisles of the bookstores and try books written by African-Americans and people of other ethnicities. You can even read interviews & posts from authors of every color and I really like this premise. Some of the best books and greatest authors are missed because of misconception. Who knows, you may even find yourself buying great Christmas gifts. Carleen even has a very amusing video featured on her blog as an invitation to readers.

In addition to White Readers Meet Black Authors, Carleen can be found atThe Pajama Gardener (her personal blog), on Facebook, on Twitter and at www.carleenbrice.com. Contact her here.

http://welcomewhitefolks.blogspot.com/

Carleen Brice’s debut novel, Orange Mint and Honey, was an Essence “Recommended Read” and a Target “Bookmarked Breakout Book.” For this book, Carleen received the 2009 First Novelist Award from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association and the 2008 Break Out Author Award at the African American Literary Awards Show.

In February of this year, Orange Mint and Honey premiered on the Lifetime Movie Network as "Sins of the Mother," I loved it. Her second novel, Children of the Waters is a book about race, love and family. Carleen is also the author of two nonfiction books, Lead Me Home: An African American’s Guide Through the Grief Journey, and Walk Tall: Affirmations for People of Color,  To read more about Carleen and spread some wassailing spirit visit her site. There's even a contest in effect until December 19th.

Technology is amazing. When I have my first online interview tonight I will more than likely be sitting in the yard by the pool (quieter out there) and the interviewer will be across the country. So far I have heeded some advice garnered from across the web.
1. I know my subject and have supplied (hope to be used) questions.
2.Practiced my answers. Probably not as much as I should have.
3.Tweaked my web and blog sites and
4. Announced the event on various social sites.

And still I'm shaking in my boots but, I'm ready.  
Wish me calm speaking and clear enunciation. Oh and book sales.

Location:http://www.blogtalkradio.com/john-t-willschronicles

Time:8:30(7:30 ct) PM Wednesday, September 15th Call-in Number: (347) 989-1049
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=141222462588022

I'll be discussing the history book of course and mentioning the other three. Oh, did I tell you all are available in all of the major online stores especially Amazon for the Kindle and now in the Apple bookstore for ipad? Excitement!!!
Here is what the book is about and all relevant information.

Well, here I go again. About to step out into a new venture. Got a little fear and trepidation trying to tag along. Getting under foot and trod upon. Those two little trolls have the nerve and always forget that I will mash them under the heel of my shoe and keep on stepping. I only fail when I quit. Lol. I have no problems with putting my beliefs out there and sharing them with whomever and whatever.

Yep, I am lucky and always ready to learn something new.

 Anyway, the new adventure is a chance to work with someone I have come to think of as very knowledgeable and excellent in his way of encouraging and spotlighting authors. I am excited! The thing I like more than writing is listening to others explaining their road to publication.

 The Book Tree Radio Show designed to promote literacy. The “Book Tree” will serve as a platform for all who share our passion for the written word. It is our mission to support authors, writers, poets, and progressive thinkers who desire promoter yourself, your skills, your work, and to benefit others with your stories. from the site

John T. Wills Chronicles is the brainchild of John T. Wills.

Visit the site and garner information on The Book Tree Literacy Project. 

In my youth I felt like the white pegs on the board in the picture. Unseen. It was hard enough growing up as an African American, but much harder growing up under the label 'no color'. Which was sometimes what a light skinned Black is called by our people. Being light skinned made it easier to be accepted by the White teachers and White students and challenged (beat down, berated) by the (some)Black teachers and Black students. Sort of reverse racism and backhanded slaps.

 Racism/Prejudices are the hardest thing in the world to change. No matter what color you are you are sometimes Unseen. One of my visitors yesterday had this to say about my "T" post--

 "I generally feel a bit timid about being seen choosing "black" books -- as if black people would think I shouldn't be interested in them, because maybe they'd think I think they're a hobby or special interest or something."

Wow, unbelievable. *hangs head in shame* How awful we are to make a person have this kind of feeling. Makes me think of teenagers  hiding porn mags in a brown bag. Not that I've ever done it. But it seems like 'we' with our prejudices drive the world to feel as if holding a book from someone of the opposite color is something to be ashamed of and to keep under cover.

I must say, I'm not always drawn to all AA books. I haven't lived the 'Black Urban experiences in some of the books and I don't always want to read them. I'm not a Tyler Perry 'die hard' fan, though when nothing else is on I do watch it on TV. I (slap me if you must) don't like Beyonce's music, or clothing or acting and that's more to a representation kind of feeling. It just goes to show we are all individuals with our own tastes.

I just think we should be able to walk to the romance section  or  any section for that matter of the bookstore and see faces of color and not have to slither through the store to the AA section.

What we need to realize is, nothing changes without "U". As an adult I have come to know those invisible uncolored pegs we're not representing me, but surrounding me to show me the real me and saying 'You matter'. I have a rainbow of faces on my shelves. I stand in the book stores and I buy and read in color. No one stands unseen.

More A-Z challengers     
My other blog

I read this handy little book Buy Ketchup in May and am really impressed. As my daughters and I were reading we fell on the topic of Melatonin. My youngest (18 yrs.)has trouble sleeping and we had recently started using it. The instructions on when to best take it was a great help. As was when is the best day to move (we're doing it in two weeks), time to treat migraine....you name your question and I'm sure you'll find it. Great size, easy to read, and very informative. I like it so much I'm going to post it on my other blog.
I give it two thumbs and two big toes in the air. WooHoo!

After reading Rachel Gardner's post this morning I found a new respect for the agents. What a hard and sometimes ungrateful job they have.I promised to strive to improve myself. I am so willing to learn my trade. Though, I  have had an article in Essence magazine, many in various (mostly local) magazines, my words printed often times in the newspaper, and accolades for my writing I aspire to be a well known author. Because of the many agent blogs I read, I am willing to learn more.

This Sunday I spent the morning browsing through one of the 1/2 Price Bookstores in Houston. I found two of the most helpful books. One is so informative I thought about it before bed and it was one of my first thoughts when I woke. Just so happens the YA Novel writing book is edited by Alice Pope one of the agents I follow on twitter. I have only written one novel for this age group, but it seems to be what the market is salivating for and I must work harder to be the napkin they wipe their

I have come to the realization that no matter how great I believe my novels are I know nothing when it comes to perfecting the query or synopsis. What do you feel about the consistent study and honing of your craft?