Just a quick note today to let you know that copies of The Lion and The Aardvark (Aesop’s Modern Fables) have been spotted on bookstore shelves in the UK.
I’ll have more information about when this tome will be available in the U.S. soon, or you can check the publisher website at www.stoneskinpress.com/ for updates.
I just picked up Shakespeare’s Kitchen: Renaissance Recipes for the Contemporary Cook and I couldn’t be happier. Not only does this provide recipes, which are based off of original instructions from the time period, there’s a touch of history included with each and every section, dish prepared, and anecdote.
My only critical comment is that I wanted to see more pictures of the finished recipes, but other than that I’m very pleased with this cookbook. It makes me giddy that I can read stories about life in the past while making traditional dishes prepared at a time when there were no ovens, refrigerators, or fancy tools. Imagine the luxurious art in this era! Royal banquets included the fabrication of fantastical “meat” beasts, edible portraits, and a whole lot more.
This, coupled with my love of etymology AND Shakespeare… Well, I’d rather like collecting historic cookbooks. I have a Roman-era and WWII cookbook already…
Every time I’ve accomplished something this week, I’ve been saying the word “Success!” This comes from the video game franchise Dragon Age. I recently replayed the first game and all the expansions as a cross-class ranger-rogue. (Cross-classers do it better!)
That particular combination of cross classes was very useful — especially since you can summon a wolf/bear/spider to fight by your side AND you can steal, pick locks, etc. AND wield dual and ranged weapons. That gives you more freedom to choose who you want to fight with, too.
Anyhoo, every time you disarm a trap or break into a chest your NPC will say “Success!” After fighting my way through dragons, darkspawn, broodmothers, and the like? This week is made out of successes!
Though… Erm… It should be said that I don’t actually pick locks or disarm traps in real life. Just finish manuscripts, hit word count goals, make progress on projects… that sort of thing.
I’m finally getting back in the swing of “work,” and I’m falling in love with it again. Mind you, there’s a reason for this, and I feel that that was eloquently put here:
When I shifted from my day job at Weekly World News to fulltime freelance, I was advised that 80% of my time would be spent seeking work and the remainder actually doing the work. We’re out there selling ourselves constantly – partly it’s why we blog and chat and do conventions and book signings and so on. You need to throw something like five times as many projects out there as there is time to actually write one. Salesmen chase five times the number of leads to bring in the one real sale so it’s all the same. — SOURCE: No Need For a Writer To Be Discouraged by Bob Greenberger
I find that 80/20 rule to be true, even if you have residual income coming in. The trick is finding that residual income stream (e.g. royalties or what have you) and balancing that with your non-“work” time online. That’ll give you a little more flexibility when you’re seeking out new publishing opportunities.
Of course, work/life balance is always something to be managed. Freak-outs not required. But in spite of everything? The words, like spice, must still flow.
Just wanted to take a few moments and give a shout-out to anyone who works with a small press either on the writing, editing, or business side.
Annnnnnnd that about sums it up. Hee.