CRAY-Z Weeks - Updates and Such

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Holy crow, what a nutty few weeks it's been. Today's post is just a little what-not about what's been going on and why the blog has been so everloving silent. Ready? Grab your coffee (or tea), and let's get going!

So, after my London trip, I know you've noticed things have been rather quiet around here. It's hard to get back into the groove after being bombarded on all sides by people, but that wasn't the only issue. My husband was overly stressed, and he had to travel to another state to be with his father in his last few days.

Let me tell you what, trying to concentrate on anything when you wish you were with someone you love while they're going through a hard time isn't easy. I'd just come "down" from the overseas trip, and I thought I was ready to get back on the pony, when all this started.

Sad to say, my father-in-law took his last breath on September 11. I jumped right on a plane, and just returned home Saturday. Now, I sit here, wondering if I'm going to be able to get back on my schedule. I believe I'll be tweaking it today and starting fresh tomorrow. Some things worked, and others, not so much. But you never know until you try! I did well for a month or two, but a couple of things just weren't given enough time (like my blog), and I found myself scrambling to get it done in the short time I'd allotted. If you have suggestions for new topics, drop them in here.


That all changes this week. If you've been following me a while, you'll know I have two events at the end of October. I'll TRY to post during that week I'm on the road, but I'm making no promises. Keep up with my Facebook page, because I intend to have live video happening when I do my keynote speech. Yeah, it won't be me manning my device, but I promise it'll be live--October 20 at around 9am EST. WHEEEEEEEEE!!

On another note, Utterances is about 20-25k from being complete. That story is draining as hell. Very emotional. I'm gonna try like hell to have it out before Christmas. Send me good vibes! LOL!

One upside to all of this is that my road trip is with another author, Tia Bach, so we'll probably spend a good amount of time writing in the evenings. Maybe even plot new novels together. How exciting would that be? *grin*

As for events, these are my last for a lonnnnnng time. I'm only doing Roanoke Author Invasion next year, so if you wanna see me, you'll have to either come to OIBF or GLBB this year, or RAI next year. After that, I'm giving it a rest for a while and getting back to what I do best: WRITING.

November is NaNo month, and I'm planning to get back on my serial killer novel then. Anyone else going to write all the words that month?

Drop your NaNo name in the comments, and I'll give you a friend request/follow before then. Or, you can friend me here.

Well, I've chatted your ears off long enough. Time to get to revamping my schedule! That's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Great Lakes Book Bash 2017 Ticket Sale

Happy Saturday! Now, you know I wouldn't be bugging you folks on the weekend unless it was really important, right? If you're planning to attend GLBB in October of this year, you'll want to read this! Ticket prices are insanely low! Get your clicking fingers ready, and get going!

 ✬✬✬ ➡ TICKET SALE ⬅ ✬✬✬

Are you planning on attending Great Lakes Book Bash this October? Have you purchased your VIP tickets yet? Single day tickets?

Take advantage of our FINAL ticket sale of the year to save 50% off your purchase.

That makes your VIP ticket only $10!!!

VIP tickets gets you…
* A GLBB 2017 tote bag
* Admission to the event on Friday
* Admission to the informational sessions on Friday
* EARLY admission to the event on Saturday

Ticket link: http://bit.ly/GLBB2017

Discount Code: BOOK

Sale price only valid 9/2-9/4/17.

Great Lakes Book Bash

October 27 & 28, 2017

Radisson Plaza Hotel

Kalamazoo, MI

For more information visit www.greatlakesbookbash.com

Attending Authors…

Abigail Grey
A.D. Saddler
Alora Kate
Amazeballs Book Addicts – 2017 OFFICIAL GLBB SPONSOR
Anjela Renee
Anna Reanult
Becca Vincenza
Bev Davis
CC Dragon
Charles Stern
Christina L. Barr
City and Book
Cover Me, Darling – 2017 OFFICIAL GLBB SPONSOR
D.B. James
Deedle Miyares
Delphina Henley
Diana Plopa
Donald Levin
Dora Badger
Elisabeth Popolow
Elizabeth Meyette
Ellie Wade
Emily Goodwin
Emma Shade
G.S. Scott
Heather Mullins
Indie Books Gone Wild
Janet Brown
Jen Cousineau
Jennifer Friess
Jimmy Leonard
✬✬✬ Jo Michaels ✬✬✬
Kacey Hammell
Kathy Coopmans
Kelsey Fox
K.L. Roth
KS Adkins
Kyleigh Castronaro
Linda K Sienkiewicz
Lindee Robinson Photography
Mark Love
Meg Farrell
Melanie Jayne
Melissa Keir
Misty Provencher
M.R. Polish – 2017 GLBB Keynote Speaker
N.J. Ember
Rachael Brownell – 2017 GLBB HOSTESS
Sanzaki Kojika
Samantha Cole
Sara Fiorenzo
Sarah Grimm
S.E. Brown
S.E. Summa
SF Benson
SJ Maylee
Skye Falcon
Stacey Rourke
Sylvia Hubbard
Sylvia Stein
Terri George
Tia Silverthorne Bach
Victoria Scott
Zoe Blake

As you can see, I'll be there! LOL! Will I see you?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Great Lakes Book Bash VIP Ticket Giveaway X2

Happpppy Friday, everyone! This week has been mad crazy, but it's also been fun! Our fairy tale books are releasing like hotcakes. But that's not what today's post is about. Nooooo! Today, I'm giving away TWO VIP tickets for GLBB 2017. Guess who'll be there? Yep, that's right, ME! :D

So, if you'll be in the Kalamazoo, MI area around the end of October (the 27-28, to be exact), you'll want to enter!

About the event:

Founded in 2014 by Authors Rachael Brownell & Casey L Bond, Great Lakes Book Bash is a literary conference and signing held in Kalamazoo, Michigan celebrating the fact that “Readers are our Rock Stars”. The conference is hosted by the Radisson Plaza Hotel.

In it’s first year, GLBB had over 75 exhibitors attend the one-day conference: authors, designers, swag makers, bloggers and models. Those exhibitors were met by over 150 readers from the Kalamazoo area and beyond. Some of those exhibitors led informational sessions, or panels, on specific topics related to the publishing industry. After the conference was over, everyone got together for a little party, sharing stories of the day and getting to know each other better.

In 2017, the conference is being extended to two days. It will encompass more of what readers and exhibitors asked for after the first year – more panels, more signing time and a meet and greet for exhibitors.

More information will be available soon on Great Lakes Book Bash 2017. If you don’t find the information that you are looking for on this website, please use the contact form above and we will get back to you.

Here's what a Rock Star Pass includes:

This ticket includes your admission to Great Lakes Book Bash on Friday, October 27, 2017 from 11am-2pm and Saturday, October 28, 2017 from 10:30am-2pm in the Kalamazoo Room at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in downtown Kalamazoo, MI as well as ALL panels on both Friday and Saturday. This is the ONLY ticket that will allow you VIP early admission on Saturday, October 28th. Registration will open at 10:00am. You MUST stop at the registration table located outside the event room and pick up your name badge to be granted access to the event. A master list will be available and no printed ticket will be necessary.

Are you excited?

Well, here's the Rafflecopter entry form! Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

I can't wait to find out who I'll be meeting!

That's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

My 2017 Signings

Happy Monday! Long time no speak, eh? Well, I'm finally managing to get a few things done, and I have some updates and news for you all. Ready? Let's get going!

First and foremost, in just FOUR weeks, I'll be in Virginia again with all the lovely Roanokeians. If you haven't heard about the Roanoke Author Invasion signing, I suggest you get on over to the website and check it out. It's organized by the lovelies Liz C. Long and Laura Howard. Be sure and give them a shout out on social media via those links. *wink* Tell 'em Jo sentcha. Ha!

What I love most about RAI is that it's very reader friendly. Not only are the tickets 100% FREE, but the first 100 folks through the door get special stuff like tote bags. Very classy.

So, if you're within a couple hundred miles and have nothing to do Saturday, April 8, pop on over and say hello to me. If you mention seeing this post, I'll have a special little something for you at my table. *grin*

Get FREE tickets for RAI here

Now, later in 2017, I'll be heading to a couple conferences. The first is Chapter.con, and it's in LONDON! *squeals*

It's hosted by the lovely Katie John, and it's a true conference lasting two full days. Dates are: August 25 and 26, 2017.

I have THREE super special Saturday signing passes to give away, so keep your eyes on the blog. That will happen very soon!

I've never been to London, so I can't say what I love about the city, and since this is the first year of the conference, I can't drop any super amazing tips or anything about it, either. We can figure it out together!

Find more info and get tickets for Chapter.con London here

OZARKS INDIE BOOK FEST!

Yeah, I typed that in all caps. You guys! I'm the Saturday keynote speaker for this event, and I'm thrilled beyond words. Ticket prices range from $10 for readers (one day, all day, entry either Friday OR Saturday) to $100 for a half table for authors all weekend. DATES: October 19-22, 2017.

Your hostess with the mostest for this event is Ms. Jaci Chaney. While there are several folks working to bring you the most awesome experience ever, Jaci was the one who came up with OIBF. We're forever grateful to her!

Not only is it the first conference I'm going to be a keynote speaker at EVER, it's also donating all the proceeds to pet rescue charities. Loving Paws and Companions for Heroes will be splitting the proceeds from both the conference and the anthology OIBF will be releasing later this year. How exciting is that?

I've been to Missouri once, but we were in St. Louis, so naturally, I ended up at the Anheuser-Busch distillery. It's a little foggy after that. *wink*

I'll be giving away a couple of fan passes to that event this year, too! So exciting!

I'm so looking forward to hitting OIBF. If you're in the area and want to come check out the awesome authors that'll be there, you know the drill.

Get your tickets for OIBF here

For the last conference of the year, I'll be up in Michigan for the Great Lakes Book Bash! It's the weekend after OIBF, so I mayyyy be hitting a few bookstores between one and the other. Keep your eyes open for that. DATES: October 27-29, 2017.

GLBB is organized by the always awesome Rachael Brownell.

This event is also FREE for readers, but you MUST pick up a free ticket. As of RIGHT NOW, there are only TWO Friday tickets left. Your free ticket gets you through the door on either Friday or Saturday. If you want more info before you buy, check out this page on the GLBB website. As you can see, prices range from FREE to $20.

I have TWO Rock Star passes to give away to you lucky readers, so be prepared for that! Not sure what I plan to do for you to enter, but I'll think of something amazing.

If you're ready (and I hope you are!), you know what to do!

Get your Great Lakes Book Bash tickets here

Which of these will I see you at this year?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

GLBB Tickets on Sale NOW! Plus, FREE Entry!

Happy Thursday, good people of the blogosphere! Today, I have the AWESOME news for you! GLBB tickets are on sale NOW! Ready to grab yours? Get your clicking fingers ready and let's get going.

Get tickets HERE.

Here's the info, schedule, and available ticket packages:

A two-day event in 2017, Great Lakes Book Bash is going to be an epic experience that you won't want to miss. It's more than just a book signing. There will be informational panels geared towards authors, readers, and bloggers. Don't forget about the COSTUME Party on Saturday night celebrating that "Readers are our Rock Stars".
For more information about the event, please visit our website at www.greatlakesbookbash.com.

Thursday 10/26/2017
7pm - Registration will open to exhibitors and assistants
7-9pm - Exhibitor set-up

Friday 10/27/2017
9:30-10:30am - Opening announcements and keynote speech from M.R. Polish (everyone is welcome to come to the opening announcements and keynote speech - no ticket required)
10:30am - registration opens for ticket holders
11am-2pm - Author signing (bring your own books or buy them from the authors)
3pm-7pm - Informational panels
9pm - Exhibitor meet and greet (location TBD)

Saturday 10/28/2017
10:30am - registration opens for ticket holders
11am-2pm - Author signing
2pm-3pm - Exhibitor break-down
3pm-6pm - Informational panels
8pm-12am - Readers are our Rock Stars COSTUME Party

(The schedule of events is subject to change at any time. The most up to date version of the schedule can be found on our website at the address listed above.)

WHEN:
Friday, October 27, 2017 at 9:30 AM - Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 11:30 PM (EDT)

WHERE:
Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center - 100 West Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Available Ticket Packages:

• Friday Signing ONLY ticket

  Free
• This ticket includes your admission to the signing on Friday, October 27, 2017 from 11am-2pm only in the Kalamazoo Room at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in downtown Kalamazoo, MI. Registration will open at 10:30am. You MUST stop at the registration table located outside the event room and pick up your name badge to be granted access to the event. A master list will be available and no printed ticket will be necessary.

  Hide Info

• Saturday Signing ONLY ticket

  Free 
• This ticket includes your admission to the signing on Saturday, October 28, 2017 from 11am-2pm only in the Kalamazoo Room at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in downtown Kalamazoo, MI. Registration will open at 10:30am. You MUST stop at the registration table located outside the event room and pick up your name badge to be granted access to the event. A master list will be available and no printed ticket will be necessary.

  Hide Info

• Two-day Signing ticket

  $15.00 (+$1.37 fee) 
• This ticket includes your admission to Great Lakes Book Bash on Friday, October 27, 2017 and Saturday, October 28, 2017 from 11am-2pm in the Kalamazoo Room at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in downtown Kalamazoo, MI as well as ALL panels on both Friday and Saturday. Registration will open at 10:30am. You MUST stop at the registration table located outside the event room and pick up your name badge to be granted access to the event. A master list will be available and no printed ticket will be necessary. This ticket DOES NOT include admission to the Rock Star Costume Party on Saturday night.

  Hide Info

• Rock Star Costume Party ONLY ticket

  $15.00 (+$1.37 fee) 
• This ticket includes your admission to the Rock Star Costume Party on Saturday, October 28, 2017 ONLY that will be held in the Ballroom at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo, MI from 8pm to midnight. You MUST pick up for name badge before entering the costume party at the registration table that will be located outside the ballroom beginning at 7pm.

  Hide Info

• Rock Star Pass

  $20.00 (+$1.49 fee)
• This ticket includes your admission to Great Lakes Book Bash on Saturday, October 28, 2017 from 11am-2pm in the Kalamazoo Room at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in downtown Kalamazoo, MI as well as ALL panels on Saturday afternoon from 3pm to 7pm and the Rock Star Costume Party that will be held from 8pm to midnight at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in the Ballroom. Registration will open at 10:30am. You MUST stop at the registration table located outside the event room and pick up your name badge to be granted access to the event. A master list will be available and no printed ticket will be necessary.

  Hide Info

• VIP Rock Star Pass

  $30.00 (+$1.74 fee)
This ticket includes your admission to Great Lakes Book Bash on Friday, October 27, 2017 and Saturday, October 28, 2017 from 11am-2pm in the Kalamazoo Room at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in downtown Kalamazoo, MI as well as ALL panels on both Friday and Saturday, the Rock Star Costume Party & you will receive a VIP tote bag filled with goodies from some of the attending authors. Registration will open at 10:30am. You MUST stop at the registration table located outside the event room and pick up your name badge to be granted access to the event. A master list will be available and no printed ticket will be necessary.

What are you waiting for? Get on it RIGHT NOW!

Tickets HERE!

Well, what do you think? Are you coming?

That's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Author Rachael Brownell on the Air TONIGHT to Discuss GLBB 2017

EEEEEK! Happy Friday, everyone! Tonight, I have the very great pleasure of interviewing author Rachael Brownell on A Daily Cup of Jo. Please join us, LIVE, at 5:30EST. Would you like a link? Here ya go!

Linky

Here's a breakdown of the show:

Your hostess with the mostest, Jo Michaels, of the Jo Michaels blog, interviews author Rachael Brownell about her book convention, Great Lakes Book Bash, happening in Kalamazoo, MI, October 27-28, 2017.
We'll be discussing why she holds GLBB, what inspired her to do the first one in 2015, and what plans she has for the fun in 2017! Conventions are popping up all over the United States, but so many authors have been duped out of their money. Know where to go and who to trust. Only the most trusted conventions and signings are talked about on A Daily Cup of Jo.

Follow Rachael on Facebook and Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/RachaelBrownellAuthor  and  https://twitter.com/HoldingOn2013

Check out the conference website: https://greatlakesbookbash.com/

Hope you find the time today!

If you were there, what did you think? Any questions for Rachael or me?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Author Convention News for 2017 and Happy Birthday to Me

Happy Tuesday, good people of the blogosphere! Today, I'm over on the radio yet again, but this time, I'm talking all things author conventions for 2017. Ready to listen? Here's your link that will go live at 11AM EST:

LINKY

Here's a quick breakdown of what you can expect to hear:

Your hostess, Jo Michaels, of the Jo Michaels blog, talks about author conventions. Some she's attended, some she hasn't, but all are worth checking out. Plus, a special announcement (or two). Be sure and pop back by Friday as I'm joined by Author Rachael Brownell to discuss Great Lakes Book Bash! But, for today, here are the links you'll need:

http://roanokeauthorinvasion.com
http://utopiacon.com
http://chaptercon.weebly.com
http://ozarksindiebookfest.com
http://greatlakesbookbash.com

If you missed my interview with the amazingness that's Liz C. Long, the lady behind RAI, you can find it in my podcast archives or click here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/adailycupofjo/2015/07/24/roanoke-author-invasion-information-with-liz-c-long

If you're dying to find out more about Ann Aguirre, you can find her online here: https://www.facebook.com/ann.aguirre or here: https://twitter.com/MsAnnAguirre

And you can find her books on Amazon here: Enclave (book one of the Razorland Trilogy) and Mortal Danger (read chapters 1-5 here on Amazon for free).

Oh yeah, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MEEEEEEEEE! hahaha!

Did you listen? What did you think?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo