Wednesday, December 15, 2010

"South of Charm"



...our lives forever changed the day she saw it.

It had been a day or two since watching the fireworks fill the night sky with spider webs the color of a rainbow over Walnut Creek Park. Later, I swore I could still hear the cannon blasts, like distant gunfire from across the county.

I was nine years old, enjoying summer break, sweating through a July heat wave. Humidity in the shape of a giant mushroom cloud, hovering over the state of Ohio. Its intensity was enough to make our cat pant like a dog and scurry for shade by ten a.m. I'd sneak up on him, a lazy orange tabby, its fur twisted and mangled from a territorial dispute with the neighboring tom, and blast him with the garden hose. He'd spring into the air, his back arched, a guttural screech causing every nearby sparrow to flutter about in graceless circles, and stumble for the bordering maples in the distance. Then I'd giggle to myself as he'd stop, just out of firing range, and offer me a grimace from across the yard as if to say, "Between you and me, that hit the spot."

It was later that evening when she saw it. There was never a warning of things to come. Never a chance to mentally prepare. It just happened, like things sometimes do...


...the final read/edit is in progress. A cover design has been chosen. And we're close..so close:)

"South of Charm" 2011

36 comments:

The Words Crafter said...

Oh my gosh, I can't wait!!!!! One of my kitties loves to play in the water =P

Jodi Henry said...

Oh, Elliot,

This is wonderful. The cover is great too. Congrats!

J

dolorah said...

Love that cover. The title layout is perfect.

Thanks for the teaser excerpt. It made me pant from the virtual heat - and its cold here :)

.......dhole

Roland D. Yeomans said...

What a great cover. Will your book be available for download to my Kindle? Your teaser was great! I am so happy for you.

Come check out Victor sharing a rare Christmas Eve in a children's hospital ward, facing off alone against a revenant Santa Claus.

I have a strange imagination.

Man, your post made my evening, Roland

vic caswell said...

gorgeous cover! oooohhh!!! almost done! :)!!!

Anne Gallagher said...

What a beautiful cover! It's so YOU Elliot! I can't wait for 2011.

Is the little girl spending Christmas with your family. Oh please, oh please, oh please.

JEHELB said...

we're all so proud of you! Its all perfect! The similarities to your middle kiddo in the pic of the cover... is a little hard to swallow. Its all come together! Its time! The yellow tabby at the end is just the start of the beginning!!! Yippie!!!!

JEHELB said...

OMG- it is your middle child! Now I remember who the cover designer is... Man, she has some talent of her own! We can be proud of her, also!!!! Awesome!!!

Lola Sharp said...

OMG! CONGRATS!! ✩☆∴*★∵∶。◦°✰*¨*•.¸¸ ☆∴*★∵∶。◦°✰*¨*•.¸¸✩

I'm so excited for you, El! I hope you are savoring each moment.

LOVE the cover.

Hugs,
Lola

Golden Eagle said...

I love the cover design for your book--especially the title! Congratulations!

Unknown said...

Wow, so exciting! That cover is precious. The mom in me just wants to hug him. :)

Elliot Grace said...

...thanks all for your comments:)

Roland, yes, from what I've heard, it will be available for download on Amazon, or so David's promised.
Jody, wasn't able to comment on your blog in regards to your interesting post concerning the blog-publishing of one's material. As you've read, I've been doing it for quite some time. My belief is that we as writers have to get our work out there to be read. It's a gamble, but hopefully a rewarding one.
Helb, yes, when it was decided to use a live shot as opposed to artwork, the model we chose came much cheaper, and without all the legality involved with snotty pros. And he kinda fits the character:)
Thanks Donna,Anne and Lola:) Your copies will be rushed to your doorstep upon publication!
Hey Crafter, considering your passion of felines, you'll be happy to know that the tabby wanders about throughout the pages...(just for you:)
Thanks again. You guys are great!
EL

Cinderita said...

Now THIS is exciting!

DEZMOND said...

There is such amazing lyrical grace in your writing, Elliot!
Although, as a book translator, I must admit your writing wouldn't be easy for translating because each sentence brings a brand new vivid picture.

Carolyn V. said...

Oh my gosh! Congrats Elliot! AWESOME cover! =D

RaShelle Workman said...

Elliot - Amazing! Between you and me, I loved it! Can't wait. =D

Anita said...

Close is good...you're gonna make it!

Denise Covey said...

Elliot, your knockout prose has us all waiting for more. I hope you'll continue to keep us up to date so we can rush out and purchase it right away. Pat Conroy is one of my favourite writers - I like his broad brush strokes and you remind me somewhat of him. You may be insulted but it is a big compliment! One of my fave books of all time is his Beach Music, swoon!

I hope you do as well as Mr Conroy! Oh, and thanks so much for popping by, reading my vamp cinders story and following my flash blog. I'm so appreciative!

Denise Covey said...

Oh and forgot to say, love the cover with the kid on it!

Jules said...

Oh, not fair! What a teaser, I can't wait :D

I wanted to apologize, you are a blog that is not updating in my dashboard. I've made a note and will try to be more regular now :)

Merry Christmas!
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

B.E.T. said...

That's so awesome! The cover looks great and I was hooked by the teaser. Can't wait!

Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barré said...

Wow, wow, WOW! I LOVE your cover, it screams summer heat and disconnect-hold-on-to-your-seat, heart-thumping, sweaty-palm pages are in store for you if you just pick me up and buy me! And the tickler confirms it.

So ya know? Outta the ballpark grand slam! Can't wait to get my hands on a copy.

~ Olivia

Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barré said...

P.S. Can we put a copy of your cover on our blogs with a link over to this post?? I'd love to do that! Olivia

Elliot Grace said...

Olivia, I'd be honored:)

Thank you,
EL

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hey EL,
Fantastic cover and wonderful excerpt. Looks like a winner!

Thanks for stopping by my blog and introducing yourself. I'm glad you liked my Red Riding Unhooded fairytale twist.

Good luck with your book.

Michael

Jemi Fraser said...

I can't believe I missed this... wait I can, my life has been upside down crazy lately!

Anyway - wow!!! I adore the cover - it is perfect. Can't wait!!

Christine Danek said...

OMG Elliot! This is...I'm speechless. This is awesome. I'm so happy for you. I love the cover!
The writing is beautifully done.
Love this! I'm so excited.
Have a wonderful holiday!

Anonymous said...

Your work is inspiring, your publication well earned. I can't wait for my copy!

Samantha J.

Terry Stonecrop said...

This is thrilling! I love the excerpt and the cover.

Three cheers for Elliot!!!

notesfromnadir said...

Really like the title & the cover is memorable. It'll look good in any size which is important on Amazon & B&N.

The excerpt was terrific--really felt the heat & humidity of that July day.

Helen Ginger said...

Now of course I want to know: she who? it what?

Is that the final cover design?

Kimber said...

Elliot, I so love the cover! It's going to look perfect on Amazon and B&N.

Congratulations!

Mark said...

I can't believe I missed this... wait I can, my life has been upside down crazy lately! Anyway - wow!!! I adore the cover - it is perfect. Can't wait!!

yanmaneee said...

supreme outlet
goyard
goyard
golden goose
golden goose outlet
yeezy
golden goose sneakers
moncler jackets
goyard handbags
goyard

Kurang Kerjaan said...

smart bokep indonesia
.
bokep semi hot
.
bokep semi indonesia
.
bokep semi terbaru

sheynnash said...

allez sur le site Web Hermes Dolabuy cliquez sur ce site sacs de répliques de Chine cliquez portefeuilles de répliques