This past week was challenging as I got scammed by a Reading Group in Jersey City. I asked from the get-go “is this going to cost?” and was reassured that there’d be no fee. I sent them all manner of supporting materials including a video trailer and they even booked me for a Q&A that they would purportedly pay me for doing. But in the 10th email, the inappropriacy of the text and the sudden mention of 2 contributory fees alerted me I was probably speaking to a Nigerian scammer who had gone to great lengths to pass themselves off as Susan Geller, CEO of the Club, complete with a lovely photo and even a joyful city council banner from Jersey below their signature.
As I fought despondency and wondering what to do about my contact form on my web site which is where many suspicious types contact me through (offering dubious marketing services), the Universe took pity on me.
I had a milestone breakthrough.
When The Art in My Palm was published I sent ABR 2 copies.
I was told by a friend yesterday that they now have an extensive review of ART in their March issue.
It is a decent review. On first reading I presumed “muted prose” was a negative description but then I looked it up and saw it is a good thing.
Still, it is a significant milestone as it is my first ABR review albeit for my 6th book.
In other news: SWIMMING has garnered another accolade, announced as a Finalist in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards which are decided by reading groups in the UK and Sweden. Wishing Shelf is one of the Alli founders.
I’m still optimistic for good outcomes in several contests to be decided by November. My logic tells me that the more good contests outcomes next to my name the more chances I have for a US/UK publisher or agent to show some interest.