Kat's Prairie Child-A Novel Memoir -e-book avail

Subject: RE: Kat's Prairie Child-A Novel Memoir -e-book avail
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 May 12 - 11:47 PM

Wow! Clearly Amazon has been a good place to publish.

SRS

Subject: RE: Kat's Prairie Child-A Novel Memoir -e-book avail
From: Monique
Date: 13 May 12 - 01:28 AM

It's also available at Amazon France, German, Austria and UK in Europe. Neither at Amazon China nor Japan yet!

Subject: RE: Kat's Prairie Child-A Novel Memoir -e-book avail
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 May 12 - 10:45 PM

Ya never know what you'll find in a google search. Prairie Child is now available in Australia via Angus & Robertson!

Subject: RE: Kat's Prairie Child-A Novel Memoir -e-book avail
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 May 12 - 03:26 PM

bbc, I forgot to tell you, BookBrewer works with libraries, making the books of authors who "opt in" available as lending e-books. All a library has to do is request it. Both of my books are included in that.

Subject: RE: Kat's Prairie Child-A Novel Memoir -e-book avail
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 May 12 - 10:40 AM

Thanks to sharper eyes than mine, another typo has been found. If any of you want a refund, I will pay it to you, no problem. I'd rather do that than have you ask Amazon etc. for a refund as I don't want them to think I'm some kind of flake.

I will definitely be correcting all found mistakes and have it reissued and can provide free copies to those of you who want them or a refund, either way.

Thanks for your understanding.

Subject: RE: Kat's Prairie Child-A Novel Memoir -e-book avail
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 May 12 - 06:00 PM

Well shoot, just goes to show, even a good copy editor makes mistakes. I just found two in Chapter 2! Sorry folks! I may spend the little extra it takes for them to recreate the e-book after I make the corrections. If any of you, who have already bought it, want a fixed edition, please let me know. I will send it to you free as soon as they do it for me.

Thanks!

Subject: RE: Kat's Prairie Child-A Novel Memoir -e-book avail
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 May 12 - 05:44 PM

Merci beaucoup, mon amie! (see, I remembered my French lesson:-)

Subject: RE: Kat's Prairie Child-A Novel Memoir -e-book avail
From: Monique
Date: 07 May 12 - 05:14 PM

I've downloaded it this morning but could read the very first pages only. I like it, I like the atmosphere.

Subject: RE: Kat's Prairie Child-A Novel Memoir -e-book avail
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 May 12 - 10:36 AM

Thank you, RtS! I am honoured...to be read in Greece. Wonderful!:-)

Subject: RE: Kat's Prairie Child-A Novel Memoir -e-book avail
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 07 May 12 - 06:18 AM

I've just downloaded it to my Kindle- look forward to reading it on the beach in Karpathos in June (if Greece hasn't imploded by then- should we buy Euros now or wait for them to go back to the drachma?).

RtS

Subject: RE: Kat's Prairie Child-A Novel Memoir -e-book avail
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 May 12 - 08:10 PM

Thanks, KarenSpaw!! Hope you like it!

Thanks, maeve, for the further help and comments.:-)

Subject: RE: Kat's Prairie Child-A Novel Memoir -e-book avail
From: catspaw49
Date: 06 May 12 - 03:48 PM

Well, I know for a fact that you got at least one Kindle sale on Amazon.....Karen.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Kat's Prairie Child-A Novel Memoir -e-book avail
From: maeve
Date: 06 May 12 - 07:36 AM

Rags, when Bruce e-published his book there was a link to an e-book software that downloaded fairly easily and worked beautifully on my quite ordinary desktop.

Kat, keep it up! You've done so well writing and publishing your lovely stories!

Subject: RE: Kat's Prairie Child-A Novel Memoir -e-book avail
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 May 12 - 11:23 PM

That's a good question, rags. I don't have a Nook or Kindle, but I can read e-books online and, any I download I can read on my computer. I use a FireFox Add-On called EPubReader.

If you use a different browser, I am sure you can find free software for it, too.

Thanks for asking.

Subject: RE: Kat's Prairie Child-A Novel Memoir -e-book avail
From: ragdall
Date: 05 May 12 - 08:04 PM

Please excuse my ignorance. Is an e-book something which can be read on a computer or must one also buy one of those little flat electronic devices to read it?

Thanks,
   rags

Subject: RE: Kat's Prairie Child-A Novel Memoir -e-book avail
From: bbc
Date: 05 May 12 - 07:46 PM

Thanks, kat!

Subject: RE: Kat's Prairie Child-A Novel Memoir -e-book avail
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 May 12 - 10:16 AM

Thanks, bbc! I don't know why Amazon doesn't have a preview available, but if you follow the link to google books, it will give you a random sample.

If we're lucky and if she has time, maybe Sins will post about why she likes it so much.I already owe her my first-born.;-)

Subject: RE: Kat's Prairie Child-A Novel Memoir -e-book avail
From: bbc
Date: 04 May 12 - 09:56 AM

Congratulations, kat! Since there are no customer reviews on Amazon, as of yet, is it possible to add the "click to look inside" feature, so folks can sample your writing style? I, usually, read the blurb, read reviews, & check writing style before I order any book I don't know.

best always,

Barbara

Subject: RE: Kat's Prairie Child-A Novel Memoir -e-book avail
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 May 12 - 05:55 PM

I hope you do that, Bobert. I'd love to read them! And, thanks so much. I've got two more done except for the final copy edit: On Garfield Creek and On Poison Spider Road. Gotta get OGC done as a paperbook, asap, as an old family friend, 98 yrs young, is waiting for an autographed copy. He read the ms. Incidentally, I have National Novel Writing Month, NaNoWriMo, learned of here on Mudcat, to thank for getting the first 50,000+words in a month first drafts done of the two above and PC.

As for ordering the e-book? It's up to you, but I would hope anyone being so generous would help get the ball rolling.:-) If you mean the paperback, that is fine, too.

Thanks, again, so much.

Subject: RE: Kat's Prairie Child-A Novel Memoir -e-book avail
From: Bobert
Date: 03 May 12 - 04:26 PM

You have my complete support and admiration, Kat, for having the determination and courage to write any entire book... I will even buy one... Ol' hillbilly doesn't exactly do "entire books"... I like short stories and news and documentaries but an entire book??? Just can't do them...

Yes, getting two college degrees was tough but one was in art so all we had to do was finger paint and eat paste... Yummy...

BTW, I do like to write short stories and, using you as inspiration, just might corral 'um all up into some kinda, ahhhh...

...book...

But if you need me to order your book let me know...

B~

Subject: RE: Kat's Prairie Child-A Novel Memoir -e-book avail
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 May 12 - 03:58 PM

Ah, MariGold, thanks so much. You've been it's biggest fan and really encouraged me so much. Thanks, darlin'. You figure out how I could add that as a teaser without totally lying to folks and I'd do it!

As soon as I have the extra sixty bucks, I will be having a paperback done. Shouldn't be too long, though I don't know long they take once I order it.

Subject: RE: Kat's Prairie Child-A Novel Memoir -e-book avail
From: SINSULL
Date: 03 May 12 - 11:46 AM

Not an ebook fan but I want several copies when it is in paperback form.
SINS

Subject: RE: Kat's Prairie Child-A Novel Memoir -e-book avail
From: SINSULL
Date: 03 May 12 - 11:00 AM

That can wait until the sequel, Amos.
LOL
It will help sales, kat, if you add that as a teaser.

Subject: RE: Kat's Prairie Child-A Novel Memoir -e-book avail
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 May 12 - 10:34 AM

Sheesh, Amos, where were you when I was asking for submissions?!**bg** I love it!

Thanks for everyone's support. If any of you who contributed to this thread, would like a free copy of the e-book, please let me know.

Thanks,


kat

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb- e-book available now
From: Amos
Date: 01 May 12 - 12:29 PM

How about "In the sleepy realms of the wide prairie, Kally is the first to learn the secret of the zombies who are slowly taking over the Midwest. As a vampire who knows how to use sex for her own advantage, she is not afraid of zombies. The problem is that this makes her the only one who can save Amurika and the Merkin Way from the growing tide of evil seeping across the plains."

Whaddya think?

You can have it. I got a million of 'em.



A

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb- e-book on its way
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 May 12 - 11:42 AM

Prairie Child - A Novel Memoir is now available as an e-book at:

AMAZON;

BARNES & NOBLE;

GOOGLE BOOKS; and,

KOBO BOOKS.

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb-limited pdfs availble
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Feb 12 - 05:04 PM

Just submitted the final version for this to become an e-book. Paperback to follow. Thanks, again, for your input, everyone!

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb-limited pdfs availble
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Jan 12 - 02:16 PM

oops, sorry about that. Here 'tis:

In the conjured realms of childhood, Kally is the fastest, smartest, prettiest and most courageous of all. Enter the world of the 1950s and 1960s. As the youngest of five children growing up in Wyoming and Colorado, she often spends her time alone with Tramp, her dog and Vix, her horse. Her family is close and supportive, sharing a love of reading, music making, storytelling and camping, but Kally feels she doesn't fit in with the others. As the only one with red hair and green eyes she often wonders if she is adopted or a changeling.

Kally creates worlds in which her differentness makes her stand-out as a strong heroine battling tremendous odds. In her fantasy worlds, no taunting words or hard stares sting her heart or make her wish she could melt into the walls. No siblings or schoolmates tease her, for she triumphs over strife and evil, always.

Prairie Child - A Novel Memoir, is a story in which LaFrance combines Kally's real world with her play world, blending a pretend-gypsy dancer dressed in fanciful clothes with entertaining her parents; racing a horse to get home before dark while fantasy ne'er-do-wells lurk in shadows along the road. She goes through experiences which reflect the times, during which she creates imaginative events with herself as the main character. She conjures personas, pretending to be a captured WWII spy in Greece, a freedom fighter from Scotland, a wagon train passenger, a saloon girl at a shoot-out in the desert on her road to work for Gunsmoke's Miss Kitty.

We come to realize, through the love and relationships of Kally's conjured characters and LaFrance's realistic portrayal of a child who doesn't quite fit in her world, that the yearnings we hold within ourselves are no different than those of a young girl named Kally.

Readers also raised in the simpler times of Prairie Child – A Novel Memoir, will find a shared camaraderie which they may just want to pass on to their younger generation relatives and friends.

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb-limited pdfs availble
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Jan 12 - 01:11 PM

Here's the final version, I *think*. Special thanks to Bruce, for his emailed input.

Thanks to all for your comments and suggestions.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb-limited pdfs availble
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Jan 12 - 06:49 PM

That's okay, BK. I really appreciate your stopping by and am honoured you spent some time on it. You bring up a good point, one I haven't thought of how to explain in the blurb, or if it even needs to be since it is introduced right away in the book: the siblings who are six years older than her are twins. I suppose if someone sees Kally is one of five and then the age differences, they may wonder the same thing you did.:-)

Thanks, again,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb-limited pdfs availble
From: BK Lick
Date: 19 Jan 12 - 01:44 AM

Sorry, didn't read the whole thread and interpreted "first draft" to mean your latest draft.

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb-limited pdfs availble
From: BK Lick
Date: 19 Jan 12 - 01:36 AM

A few suggestions about the first draft:

1 She'd just conjure her up...
   maybe omit "her" or substitute "herself"?

2 ...bad weather, Kally...
   ...bad weather. Kally...

3 Her siblings closest in age were six years older...
   were those siblings all the same age?

4 33 1/2s
   33 1/3s

5 ...family of storytellers and who made...
   ...family who told stories and made...

6 These then were...
   These, then, were... or simply These were...

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Jan 12 - 12:07 PM

I have created a PDF "advance" copy of this book, with cover art. The page numbers start too soon because I had them set up before adding the cover and copyright page. I'm not worried about it because it won't matter when I send it in for the e-book and for them to create a POD ready PDF.

Anyway, if any of you, who have posted already would like an "advance" copy, please send me a PM with your email and I'd be happy to send it along as a "thanks" for your input. I would only ask when it does become available online, if you find it worthwhile, you think about posting a review or rating of it on those websites.

Thanks!

kat

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: Charley Noble
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 09:09 PM

Sounds awfully good to me. I could use a good read.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 06:23 PM

Thanks for that insight mg, gnu and Dorothy. I have struggled with that, myself, even though advance readers of it (in manuscript form), such as Sinsull, (as she noted) say it is most definitely a book for adults. I think the target audience will be mostly baby boomers as the 50s and 60s had a lot to do with their coming-of-age. I can see a Boomer reading it and then recommending it to their "tween" or young adult relatives. Maybe, fingers-crossed, it is of that genre which crosses over like Little House on the Prairie, Harry Potter, etc. though I don't presume to be such a phenomena.

I may be able to convert the text file I have into a pdf. If so, if any of you who have already posted would like an "advance" copy to read, please PM me with your email addy. It won't be for a day or two, though, Morgan - the Grandson is over for the night!:-)

Thanks, again,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 03:49 PM

mg is correct.

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: gnu
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 03:41 PM

I tend to agree, in a way, mg, but it's hard to say without reading the book.

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 03:09 PM

I would be confused if it is not actually a young adult or pre-teen book..it sure sounds like that from the description. If that is not who..m. it is for, it probably should be made more clear that it is an adult retrospective or whatever...mg

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 01:47 PM

This will definitely NOT be in any final version!:-)

Yes, Virginia, it really was possible for children to get along on their own sans video devices."

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 11:55 AM

My first draft. One person who has read this one thinks I need to switch the paragraphs. I think they are right and i like that this one does bring in the landscape, so Donuel, thanks for that observation. Sometimes I think I should alwys go with my first stab at it!**bg**a

"Kally was a conjurer. It didn't matter if she was the youngest or the littlest of five children. It didn't even matter if she got teased for being a slowpoke when they all went hiking. She'd just conjure her up another world where she was the fastest, the smartest, and the best "hero" for whatever came up: shootouts in the old West; lagging behind a wagon train because of a broken spoke; dangerous spy missions; injuries and bad weather, Kally always made it through, especially if she had her trusty horse and faithful dog beside her.



Growing up in the rural Rocky Mountain West, born to a family of musicians, creators, and readers, Kally was given free reign over eight glorious acres of dirt and hills with clumps of greasewood, sagebrush, and where irrigation water flowed, big, old Cottonwood trees. Her siblings closest in age were six years older, so Kally spent much of her time alone with her dog and horse conjuring with her imagination. Before "www" meant World Wide Web, in the late 1950s and early 1960s, it meant wild, wild West to Kally. No television, no video games, no cell phones; a few rare 78s and 33 1/2s on the phonograph and lots of books plus a family of storytellers and who made music together. These then were part of what fueled Kally's creativity and brought about the wondrous worlds she played in. " Yes, Virginia, it really was possible for children to get along on their own sans video devices." Come join Kally and see how it was back then."

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 11:51 AM

Bruce's Edition:

In the conjured realm of childhood, Kally is the fastest, smartest, prettiest and most courageous of all. Enter the world of the 1950s and 1960s. She's the youngest of five children growing up in Wyoming and Colorado, the baby of the family with six, twelve and sixteen years respectively between her and her siblings. She often spends her time alone with Tramp, her dog and Vix, her horse. Her family is close and supportive, sharing a love of reading, music making, storytelling and camping, but Kally feels she doesn't fit in with the others. As the only one with red hair and green eyes she often wonders if she is adopted or a changeling.

Kally creates worlds in which her differentness makes her stand-out as a strong heroine battling tremendous odds. In her fantasy worlds, no taunting words or hard stares sting her heart or make her wish she could melt into the walls. No siblings or schoolmates tease her, for she triumphs over strife and evil, always.

Prairie Child - A Novel Memoir, is a story in which LaFrance combines Kally's real world with her play world, blending a pretend-gypsy dancer dressed in fanciful clothes with entertaining her parents; racing a horse to get home before dark while fantasy ne'er-do-wells lurk in shadows along the road. She goes through experiences which reflect the times, during which she creates imaginative events with herself as the main character. She conjures personas, pretending to be a captured WWII spy in Greece, a freedom fighter from Scotland, a wagon train passenger, a saloon girl at a shoot-out in the desert on her road to work for Gunsmoke's Miss Kitty.

We come to realize, after all is done, it is love and the relationships among the various characters interweaving their fantasies with a realistic portrayal of a child who doesn't quite fit in her world, that the yearnings we hold within ourselves are no different than those of a young girl named Kally.

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 11:49 AM

Thank you, Donuel. I shall toot away!:-)

Since there really isn't a front cover to speak of for my ebook, the blurb is what will be seen when someone goes to amazon etc. and wants to know a bit more about the book before purchasing. And, in this day and age of self-publishing, the author has to write it, unless they have others offering?:-)

I'm not sure about the bring the landscape into it that much as it is rather secondary to the character's realms of fancy, though those could be more descriptive. I just didn't want to get too wordy.

I still love the name Kat. It should be your nom de plume.

Did you mean just "Kat" or some other combo? And, thanks!

Wish I'd known you when we were back there trying to promote my brother's classical music on a shoestring!

Next post will be Bruce's version, then my first, quite different draft. Pretty soon I"ll go nuts with such variety to choose from!**bg**

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: Donuel
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 09:41 AM

Horn tootin and I told you so's are deeply cherished joys we all pretend to look down on. Toot away. Thats what blurbs do.

Front inner cover Blurbs are not to be written by the author. Back cover blurbs are usually positive reviews.
It should be more about placing the reader at the center of the experience to come, and not just praising the book.

PS If any re weites are to come I would humbly suggest investing time in the landscapes and descriptions of the rugged beauty you see by making the enviorment a living character to play off of as individuals change along with the land.




I still love tne name Kat. It should be your nom de plume.


( I have written blurbs for concert programs at the Kennedy Center and have learned to undersell while creating anticipation )

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 Jan 12 - 06:04 PM

Very funny, Sins!

CH, good question. It varies according to which place one buys it, but the percentages by going through BookBrewer are far greater for authors than trad. publishing houses. I'll have to go look at their graph, again, for the difference. I would assume more for print partly because I chose a very low price for WindWords at $2.99 for the e-book as a sort of "loss leader." It's been available in print for years, but no marketing to speak of then CafePress lost the right file and I lost my backup, so it will be available in print, again, only after I see how it sells in ebook form and then I will use BookBrewer for it, not CafePress. BB's charges are reasonable: from $29.99-39.99 to create an ebook and send it to all the online retailers you choose. $60 for them to create a PDF and do the submission to same for print. They gather all of the sales, have reports available to you, etc. much as CDBaby does, then sends out checks.

Thansk, again, everyone. It's been a long day, so I ma going to let my brain rest and think over the suggestion from Bruce and Crowhugger. I appreciate everyone's support, so much.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: Crowhugger
Date: 12 Jan 12 - 05:18 PM

Which will net you more money per copy sold, kat, the ebook or paper version?

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: SINSULL
Date: 12 Jan 12 - 02:05 PM

HMMMM
I could print it off at work and sell forged autograph copies...HMMM

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 12 Jan 12 - 11:18 AM

email me Kat where I can buy your book

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: Mrrzy
Date: 12 Jan 12 - 11:18 AM

I'd read it!

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 12 Jan 12 - 11:18 AM

Kat
That's it, Wills got it, you could have the sexy alien goddess being tied to the RR tracks and A cowboy coming to rescue her with his old paint and ten gallon hat ...

Love it ... next book cause this one is perfect as is

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: Crowhugger
Date: 12 Jan 12 - 10:36 AM

Well, kat, I'm the odd one out here, it seems. I loved the content, which tempted me into wanting the book. But the style isn't your usual flowing one; I felt it was often stumbling, halting. Maybe betraying your discomfort with blowing your own horn? I thought the best way to explain what I mean would be to show you what is--to me at least--a smoother flow. Let me say here that I'm not expecting an all-easy read in the novel, just that the sales pitch should be, yet without dumbing-down. Part of me wants to apologize in advance in case I'm being too presumptuous--but then you did ask on a public forum...so here goes:

"In her own conjured realms Kally is the fastest, smartest, prettiest and most courageous of all. In the real world of growing up in 1950s and 1960s Wyoming and Colorado, she feels none of those things. Kally is by far the youngest of five siblings, often spending time alone with Tramp and Vix, her dog and horse. Her family are close-knit and supportive; they share a love of reading, making music, storytelling, and camping, and yet Kally doesn't quite fit in. As the only one with red hair and green eyes she often wonders if she is adopted, or even a changeling.

"With her vivid imagination, Kally creates worlds in which being different makes her stand out in a good way, usually as a strong heroine battling the odds. In her fantasy worlds neither taunts nor cruel stares can sting her heart or make her wish she would melt into the walls, and no siblings or schoolmates tease her. She triumphs over every strife and evil.

"In Prairie Child - A Novel Memoir, LaFrance blends Kally's real world with her play worlds, blending her pretend gypsy dancer, dressed in fanciful clothes, with entertaining her parents; racing her horse to get home before dark mixes with fantasy ne'er-do-wells hiding in shadows along the road. She goes through many experiences which reflect the times and which she turns into imaginative events with her as the main character. She conjures herself into a captured WWII spy in Greece, a freedom fighter from Scotland, a wagon train passenger, a saloon girl in a shoot-out in the desert on her way to work for Gunsmoke's Miss Kitty, and other independent personas.

"As her many journeys unfold, it is love that plays out in the relationships among the various characters, interweaving Kally's fantasies with a realistic portrayal of a child who doesn't quite fit in her world."

$0.02, FWIW. Just because it works for me doesn't mean it'll work for you or the world. My sensibilities aren't always exactly mainstream.

(P.S. In para. 4, the 2nd sentence still makes me stumble, but I haven't found a way to smooth it without a big domino effect on the surrounding text.)

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: GUEST,999
Date: 12 Jan 12 - 10:36 AM

Thanks, SINSULL. I see what you meant--I'm a bit thick at times.

Kat, whatever you decide is fine with me. At day's end, writers must choose the way(s) they present their characters so readers get the impact and real meanings of those characters. If you decide any or all of what I sent is not usable, that's ok. You do what you have to do as an author. I'm looking forward to the book because I like your writing.

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 Jan 12 - 10:13 AM

As well a pre-teen girl would not get all of the references..this is definitely for the baby boomer generation and their offspring who may have seen re-runs.:-)

Via an email from Bruce, though, I think he gets it and understands, though I don't presume to speak for him. He sent me a subtly edited version of my blurb,just a couple of phrases reworded, for the better, I think, which I will post, later today, with his permission. I'll decided which one to use over the weekend. I will also include the first blurb, just for laughs/comparison. I think the above is a lot better.

Stay tuned, and thanks to you all!

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: SINSULL
Date: 12 Jan 12 - 08:42 AM

Bruce,
Amos said "I think it would attract the interest of a certain class of reader who was short on testosterone... (Ducks and runs) Actually, it's good!"
That prompted my response.
If you are drawn to Grisham thrillers and the like this may not be up your tree.
That said, I found Kat's book beautifully written with thoughtfully drawn characters and insights for both children and adults. I would hate to see this pawned off as a coming of age pre-teen girl's story. It is not all warm and fuzzy - but a pre-teen girl might read it that way.
Am i making any sense?
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: Will Fly
Date: 12 Jan 12 - 04:14 AM

Sounds fun, Kat - a feisty girl with a touch of Walter Mitty about her. Let's hope she gets tied to the rail tracks by a moustache-twirling villain, with the train coming round the bend...

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: BlueJay
Date: 12 Jan 12 - 03:59 AM

I may have to get a Kindle! Sounds good!

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Jan 12 - 11:32 PM

Oh, yes...just for you Rapparee...perhaps you could give me tips on proper stabbing, slashing, and slicing?**bg** En Garde!

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: Rapparee
Date: 11 Jan 12 - 10:50 PM

And gore. It definitely needs more gore.

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Jan 12 - 10:37 PM

Thanks,so much, Bobert and THANKS, Sins and Bruce! Above and beyond, both a'youse.

Much appreciated folks. By the by, it will be an ebook, first. If it sells even moderately well, it will soon be a paper book also.:-)

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: Bobert
Date: 11 Jan 12 - 10:12 PM

Ain't like I'm a literary critic 'cause I ain't much or a reader but this lexdexic hillbilly thought it sounded like it'd make me want to become one... A reader, that is...

Real nice...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: GUEST,999
Date: 11 Jan 12 - 09:56 PM

Kat, check your e-mail, svp.

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: GUEST,999
Date: 11 Jan 12 - 09:55 PM

"I agree that testosterone maybe inhibit your ability to enjoy this novel."

????? ??

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: SINSULL
Date: 11 Jan 12 - 08:21 PM

Great minds...I just answered your email.

I agree that testosterone maybe inhibit your ability to enjoy this novel. BUT, there are some very adult themes on relationships (parents with children, siblings, etc.) that will give an attentive reader pause for thought. This is not a children's book. Certain children will relate to it and I can certainly see a Kally Doll on Toys-R-Us' shelves. But, for me at least, it touched a nerve - the child who just did not fit in anywhere. And maybe why.

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Jan 12 - 07:55 PM

LOL, you lot! Okay, the next one, after the next two, I promise aliens, vampires, sex, zombies, goddesses, the whole lot! Actually, that sounds like a great plot for a new Mudcat Story Thread!

Thanks, Dan!

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 11 Jan 12 - 07:48 PM

I loved it Kat, but adding some vampires and Aliens from other planets with star trek goddesses isn't a bad idea ..

well come to think of it , It is just perfect as is

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Jan 12 - 07:39 PM

LOL...I think you may have just hit on my Target Audience, though there is at least one Mudcatter of the testosterone class who enjoyed reading the manuscript.

Thanks!

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: Amos
Date: 11 Jan 12 - 07:13 PM

I think it would attract the interest of a certain class of reader who was short on testosterone... (Ducks and runs) Actually, it's good!



A

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Jan 12 - 06:53 PM

LOL...thanks!

Subject: RE: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions please
From: Rapparee
Date: 11 Jan 12 - 06:47 PM

Not enough vampires, sex, zombies and violence in it!

Seriously, it seems okay to me.

Subject: BS: kat's next book's blurb - opinions pls
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Jan 12 - 06:05 PM

Heya!

I am working on the blurb which will entice readers, (that's YOU:-), to want to buy and read my next e-book, Prairie Child - A Novel Memoir, (which will also be a paperback, later)and would appreciate your take on what I've come up with.

A few of you have read it and have been very encouraging. I do not like to write the "toot your own horn" type of things for my books, but even the publishers expect one to do so. I know, I know, if I, as the writer, can't get the point across how can anyone else?! Anyhow, here 'tis and THANKS:

(P.S., on the page where this will appear, the title and my name are readably visible as well as the cover. Oh, and, I am looking for readers for the next one...hint, hint.:-)

"In the conjured realms of childhood, Kally is the fastest, smartest, prettiest, and most courageous of all. In the real world of the 1950s and 1960s, she's the youngest of five growing up in Wyoming and Colorado. She's the "baby" of the family and with 6, 12, and 16 years between her and her siblings she often spends her time alone with Tramp, her dog, and Vix, her horse. Though her family is close and supportive sharing a love of reading, making music, storytelling, and camping, Kally feels as though she doesn't quite fit in with the others. As the only one with red hair and green eyes she often wonders, as young children do, if she is adopted, or a changeling, even.

"With a vivid imagination, Kally creates worlds in which her "differentness" makes her stand-out, but in a good way, usually as a strong heroine battling the odds. In her fantasy worlds, no taunting words or hard stares sting her heart or make her wish she could melt into the walls. No siblings or schoolmates tease her; she triumphs over strife and evil in every situation.

"In Prairie CHild - A Novel Memoir, LaFrance blends Kally's real world with her play worlds, blending her pretend gypsy dancer, dressed up in fanciful clothes, with entertaining her parents; racing her horse to get home before dark while fantasy ne'er-do-wells hide in the shadows along the road. She goes through many experiences which reflect the times and which she turns into imaginative events with her as the main character. She conjures up many personas, pretending to be a captured WWII spy in Greece, a freedom fighter from Scotland, a wagon train passenger, a saloon girl in a shoot-out in the desert on her way to work for Gunsmoke's Miss Kitty, and other independent woman-types.

"As the book moves along, it is "Love" that plays out in the relationships among the various characters, interweaving Kally's fantasies with a realistic portrayal of a child who doesn't quite fit in her world."

(Tip of my hat and heart to Sinsull for that last paragraph!)

Thanks,

kat