11.22.15 - Sunday Smatterings

It’s been a rough week for everyone. Trying to find a new normal is always stressful. Here at Casa Ellison, we did the only thing we know to make it right. We went to see one of our favorite bands Wednesday night. Metric played a fantastic show to a packed house at the Marathon Music Works in downtown Nashville. I will admit to being on edge. I will admit to carrying pepper spray. I will admit to finding a nice steel girder to lean against. (The thriller author in me, looking for ways to feel safe.) I looked over my shoulder more than once. Men stood with their women in front of them. We might have been uneasy, but damn it, we were there, singing and dancing, and enjoying the show. I said a silent prayer for the innocent victims of the Bataclan, trying to enjoy a night out just like we were, and finally felt like I had some measure of control back in my life. I choose to live in the face of this threat. I hope you do as well. As Emily Haines sings, “Is this my life? Ahhhhhh!”

And as the statement of the Eagles of Death Metal so aptly states at the end of this very difficult to read article: "Vive la musique, vive la liberté, vive la France, and vive EODM." If you're interested in a unique way to help, I suggest checking out EODM co-founder Joshua Homme's charity, The Sweet Stuff Foundation. No pressure. Just love.

Now, on to the week in review. Here's what I've been intrigued by around the Internets this week:

In "The Annotated Reacher" my mentor Lee Child allowed a shadow to follow his writing journey. There's almost too much insight here. I was blown away— wow. (Note especially the importance of a single comma.)

Having been through the whole fertility disaster myself, I was touched by this piece and it's very solid life advice: What You Should NEVER Say to Someone Who's Had a Miscarriage (and what to say instead).

Confession: I'm in the middle of a six-week, online productivity course by Dean Wesley Smith. And, y'all. It. Is. Amazing. I am getting so much out of this. Learning about my process allows so many wicked insights. Writers, you should think about taking this course—it's worth it.

Have you guys read CHARLOTTE'S STORY by Laura Benedict? Have you?? It's a rich, immersive read. And all of these people think so too!

And here's the rundown from my neck of the woods:

It's book release time! Do you need something to read during Thanksgiving while Aunt Mabel drones on again about her pet snake, Fluffy? The mass market paperback of WHAT LIES BEHIND comes out on Tuesday, and that might be a good distraction for you. And it's only $7.99! 

On the Tao, I got to chat with my brilliant and lovely friend, debut novelist Dana Chamblee Carpenter, about her new historical thriller, BOHEMIAN GOSPEL. This book thoroughly surprised me—and I couldn't read it at night, you guys. 

Here's a sneak peek of my interview for A WORD ON WORDS with my longtime friend, novelist David Bell. We didn't have fun. At all. Come to the website to see today's show! #keepreading

You've got enough choices to make without having to stress over the wine offering. Look no further, folks: The Wine Vixen's got a Holiday Wine Guide for all your serving and gifting needs. 

Black Friday is coming, folks. If you'd like some cheap reads this holiday season, check out Two Tales Press that day for some hefty ebook sales!

Did you know that I round up the daily news from the publishing world on my website? It's a great one stop news source if you're in a hurry. Check it out here!

That's all from me this week. Have a fun and blessed Thanksgiving (are you chickens cannibals if you eat fellow poultry?), and I'll see you soon!

Xoxo,

JT