Check out my new blog...

on my website www.judithmarshall.net for the lates news.

Checked out the local author event at Clayton Books. Fellow writer and CWC member, Lynn B. Goodwin was there showcasing her new book, you want me to do What? Journaling for caregivers. I introduced myself to owner Joel Harris who is very supportive of local authors. He invited me to be at his next event in November. Can't wait!

Love this Quote!

"Writing is learning to say nothing more cleverly every day..." -- William Allingham
So very true.

Had a delicious dinner last night under the stars at Chevalier Restaurant in Lafayette. Very French, right down to the haricot verts. Ran into one of my critique buddies, Mary Elizabeth, her hubby, and their little doggie, Mia. Lovely evening.

Amazon Outsells Brick and Mortar Stores!

Happy Friday!

Here are some interesting new statistics showing that Amazon.com sales now outnumber brick and mortar sales!
Based upon www.fonerbooks.com :

The numbers for 2008:

Amazon North American Media Sales: $5.35 Billion (16% increase over 2007)
Barnes & Noble Media Sales: $4.52 Billion (3% decrease over 2007)
Borders Media Sales: $3.11 Billion (undetermined loss over 2007 - Borders' own press release reports an almost 9% loss)

Conceivably, if the trend of gains and losses are similar, Amazon will have $6.2 Billion in media sales in 2009 and Barnes and Noble & Borders brick and mortar stores combined will have $7.27 billion in sales. 2010 numbers should show Amazon matching or beating both combined.

Of the big three above (note: these numbers don't include all books sold in North America in 2008, just a majority):

Amazon recorded 41.2% of total sales.
Barnes and Noble recorded 34.9% of total sales.
Borders recorded 23.9% of total sales.

Did you know that 1,100 books get published every day? That's why it's so important to do as much marketing research as possible to ensure that yours get's the attention it deserves. I'm working at present with my publicist on my press release. Need a great hook!

Took a break from being a writer...

Attended a birthday get-together for my long-time friend, Kathleen Warren, at the Claremont Hotel in Berkeley on Sunday. Met some new people, ate and drank and had an overall good time.

The interior of my book arrived from my publisher on Monday. I need to approve the overall format and then we can go to press. My writer's hat is back on!

When the words start to flow...

Nothing can stop a dedicated writer!

Between The Bookendz: Book #38

Check out this book blog for reviews and news, and to follow Eve on her journey to read 50 books in a year.

Between The Bookendz: Book #38

The book is moving through the publishing process and we're making progress. Here's the final cover. Cool, huh? It should be released in the next few weeks.

I know when people read it, they'll want to know how much of the story comes from my real life experiences. My answer: While the book is indeed fiction, my protagonist, Elizabeth Reilly-Hayden and I do share one important element in our lives -- I, too, have been blessed with the friendship of a group of women I first met in high school. We call ourselves, The Wilson Family, (for reasons I won't discuss here), and this book is dedicated to them.
Link to website: judithmarshall.net

Update

No, I didn't die! I've just been overwhelmed with preparing for the release of my debut novel, "Husbands May Come and Go but Friends are Forever," out in a month or so. There's so much to do, working with the publisher on cover design, interior fonts, where to put the page numbers -- you wouldn't believe how much is involved. Anyway, I promise to be more attentive to this blog from now on and will keep you abreast of all new developments. Promise....

My Bad...

Okay, okay. Now it's been even longer since I posted anything; so long I almost forgot I had a blog! Anyway, obviously a lot has happened since last November, we have a new President, the market has tanked, thousands have lost their jobs (including my son), and a bunch of other mostly bad stuff. But in my writing world, some good things have happened. I invited the volunteer readers I mentioned in November to lunch. Four out of six were able to attend. The two absent sent their handwritten comments to me separately. We then had a discussion about what worked and what they thought could be improved. To my delight, all of them genuinely enjoyed the story and saw no major flaws, just a few adjustments. They liked it! They really liked it!

So.... I made the suggested changes, corrected some typos, and once again began to query agents. At present, the entire manuscript is being read by an agent connected to the film industry in Los Angeles. I hope to hear back in the next week or so. Keep your fingers crossed.
I promise to tell you what happens.

Have a Happy Easter!