Monday, July 25, 2011

"Charmingly Kindled"




...rumor's can be feisty deviants if not tended to with a proper frame of mind. Allow one's concentration wander, and the tiniest exaggeration may sprout wings and take flight, darting about like a bat at dusk...

Throughout the course of my first-ever book signing, several visitors, who's copies I nervously sprawled ink to, mentioned noticing "South of Charm" being advertised on Kindle. I politely shrugged off the notion, assuming they'd been mistaken.

A few hours later, upon returning home following an evening of celebration, I tapped on a few keys, brought up Amazon, and realized the joke was on me ;)

Funny, those publishers of mine, always one step ahead, playing the role of prankster while their writer's attention has wandered elsewhere...

"South of Charm" debuted on Kindle during the eve of my first book signing.

Rumors...sometimes they're nothing more than vengeful chatter. Other times, well... ;)

"...I found my sister in the closet. She was sitting Indian style under the protective covering of both our wardrobes, various designs of cotton or denim mashed together and hanging from a steel rod. She'd shoved a few pairs of shoes to the side, allowing herself enough room for play in the back corner. With the bi-fold doors partially closed, she was all but impossible to see from the entry.

"What are you doing? I asked.

"Feeding 'Becca," she said.

In her arms she was cradling her favorite baby doll, a small plastic bottle shoved into its mouth. Like our mother, I noticed that Katie had spent the day in her nighty. She was barefoot, her curls tangled and twisted like auburn-shaded jungle foliage.

"Why are you in the closet?"

"Mommy's been yelling all day."

"At who?"

"The phone. It ringed and ringed."

I could hear Mom through the paneled wall, her voice steadily rising to a screech.

"I think Kitty's sick," Katie said.

"Huh?" I asked, trying to listen to both my mother and sister at the same time.

"Kitty. She just sits and stares now."

"It's a he, and he's pretty old. Maybe he's dying or something."

It was strange how hearing Mom plead her case to Grandma somehow managed to comfort me. She didn't seem as frightening when I could recognize her voice. When I knew it was really her I was looking at.

"How do you know he's a boy?"

I turned back to my sister, incredulous. "Don't be dumb," I said. "What the heck do you think those fuzzy things are under his butt?"

She considered this for a moment, then said, "Someone knocked on the door too."

My head on a swivel, I asked, "Who was it?"

Katie shrugged her shoulders. "Don't know. Mommy said to stay here. They knocked, then left."

"Mom didn't answer the door?"

"Nope."

Mom's voice was rising and falling through hills and valleys, normally what happened before she'd start crying. She'd go from pleading her case in a pitch similar to Katie's, to dropping her tone deeper than anything Dad could ever muster, all in the same breath.

"She's getting mad," I mumbled.

"See why I'm here?" Katie said, glancing up from her doll. "It's quiet in closets..."

"South of Charm."

Thanks for reading ;)

EL


40 comments:

Roland D. Yeomans said...

I just bought your book for Kindle, Elliot. And you already have two great reviews. One by the hard to impress Donna Hole. Good for you.

Tomorrow, like Jack Sparrow, I go under the guns of Captain Donna on her blog for my own book. I have already read the interview. Ouch!

I wish you nothing but the greatest of sales, my friend, Roland

Michael Di Gesu said...

HI, EL,

Thanks for the excerpt. What an exciting time for you. Signings, in print, and now on Kindle. All the best.

Michael

Sue said...

Congratulations, how utterly exciting! Thanks for the snippet. I'm off to check it out on Amazon right now. Sue

Elliot Grace said...

Hey Roland, I'm honored with the news of your purchase. Thanks so much! And yes, Donna's review was my very own "Christmas in July."

Hey Michael, with seven kids currently under my trembling roof, its also been frantic and a bit insane, but yes, blessed as well. Thanks for stopping by :)

Hey Sue, thanks for hopping over. So glad I piqued your interest!

EL

Sarah Tokeley said...

That snippet is very enticing!

Congratulations on your kindle news Elliot. Based on your writing, seems to me you deserve the good things coming your way :)

Flying high in the sky.... said...

congratulations!! :)

Wendy Tyler Ryan said...

I guess I should have waited! I ordered your book weeks ago, but have not seen hide nor hair of it. I'm not sure how much longer to wait before contacting your publisher. I'll give it to the end of this week. I'm anxious to receive it.

Cynthia Lee said...

You've been Kindled!! Yay!!

dolorah said...

Yay for Kindling :) What a special treat for you. It seems you're doing great at the book signings, despite your nerves. I'm glad to see all is going so well. You - and the book - deserve all the praise you're getting.

........dhole

Elliot Grace said...

Hey Sarah, thanks for the encouragement...keeping my fingers crossed ;)

Hey Flying, thanks for your support!

Hey Wendy, I emailed my publisher regarding your copy's no show. I agree, should have been there by now. Thanks so much for the purchase, and keep me updated on the book's whereabouts. I'll twist some arms on my end if need be!

Hey Cynthia, it took long enough, but Kindled it is ;)

Hey Donna, you're a sweetheart! Thanks for everything :)

EL

Fresh Garden said...

Congrats! That's wonderful! Yay!

DEZMOND said...

well it wasn't nice from them not to tell you that you are going Kindle!

Helen Ginger said...

Loved that piece from the book. You never described the characters, but I could see them in my head.

And congrats on being on Kindle. Happy sales!

M Pax said...

Curious as to why the Mom's stressed. Wonderful and rich excerpt.

Emily R. King said...

Wow, so good. I want more! Encore, please!

Anonymous said...

This definitely got my attention. I'm always on the lookout for something compelling to read. I've just found it!
Ann Best, Author of In the Memoir, A Memoir of Shattered Secrets

Denise Covey said...

Hi Elliot. Thanks for visiting and reading Ann's review. I hope you buy/enjoy her memoir very much.

Great that your worthy tome in on Kindle too! Thanks for the excerpt.

Denise

Jennifer said...

Congrats on being Kindled. I will spread the word to my Kindle die hards that they can finally read your wonderful book.

Victoria Dixon said...

Intriguing snippet. Thanks for sharing and congratulations on the kindle debut. I've heard so many people talking about how their sales are better electronically. Good luck!

Jennifer Hillier said...

Great excerpt! Congrats again! :)

Christine Danek said...

Congratulations Elliot. So happy for you. This is a great snippit, I must get my hands on one.
This is wonderful.

Wendy Tyler Ryan said...

Hi Elliot: Book was in my mailbox yesterday.

Nicki Elson said...

Yay for Kindle! But I must admit, I've not yet joined the eBook revolution, so that's why a paper copy of South of Charm is on it's way to my home right now. :)

This excerpt is riveting - and a little heartbreaking. It feels quite authentic.

LisaAnn said...

What a great excerpt, and thanks so much for your sweet comments on my blog. You have a gift, and I'm so happy for you during this exciting time!

Elliot Grace said...

Hey Garden, thanks for stopping by. Love your veggie spots ;)
Hey Dez, I knew it was coming, but this is very typical of them...keeping their writers guessing at all times. Keep the movie news rolling in!
Hey Helen, thanks for stopping by and your constant support!
Hey Pax, thanks for your thoughts, and glad I piqued your curiosity.

EL

Elliot Grace said...

Hey E.R., that was sweet, thanks for your kind words ;)
Hey Ann, hoping you find it an enjoyable read. I'm smelling a book tour in our future ;)
Hey Aussie, glad you enjoyed the excerpt, and thanks for stopping by!
Hey Jennifer, thanks so much for your unprecedented support throughout. You're a good friend.
Hey Victoria, Kindle sales have caught up to my paperback sales and quickly passed them by from what I understand. It's not my cup of tea, but has become all the rage. Thanks for stopping by!
Hey Jennifer, thanks for dropping by, and just so you know, "Creep" has been ordered and is headed to my mailbox ;)
Hey Christine, you're a great friend, and glad you enjoyed the excerpt.
Hey Wendy, great news! Let me know how you like it. Wishing only the best for "Fire's Daughter."
Hey Nicki, you're a sweetheart, thanks so much! I think you'll enjoy the fact that it's an '80's drama ;) Hope you enjoy!
Hey LisaAnn, thanks so much for your kind words of support.

EL

Michelle Fayard said...

Your dialogue and voice are excellent, Elliot. Congratulations on all the success your book is enjoying!

I’m glad to be a new follower and have left a response to your comment on Bird’s-eye View at http://michellefayard.blogspot.com/2011/07/getting-blog-comments-to-work-for-you.html.

JJ said...

Congrats! I am now your newest follower.

Abby Fowers said...

Wow - this is great! I can't wait to read the whole thing. (And that's funny about the book being on kindle without your knowing it.) ;D

Elliot Grace said...

Hey Michelle, so glad you stopped by, and thanks so much for your comments!

Hey JJ, love your blog, those pics of the sunshine state, the beaches and those memories. Thanks for stopping by;)

Hey Abby, hope you enjoy the book, and yes, that's very much like my publisher...the prankster.

Thanks guys,

EL

Talei said...

Definitely exciting times right now. And a wonderful excerpt, thanks so much for sharing this with us! I do want to read more. ;-))

Jules said...

Hey Elliot, thanks for stopping by with the wonderful comment. As to all your wonderful rumors...

It's always great when someone makes it over that rainbow. :)
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

Elliot Grace said...

Hey Talei, so glad I piqued your interest. Thanks for stopping by!

Hey Jules, it's been a fun ride, but I don't consider myself as being over the rainbow just yet...there's still stories to be told ;)

EL

Darwin Bruno said...

Muy interesante. Buen texto. Un gusto conocer tu espacio y seguirte con el permiso tuyo. Te envío un cordial saludo deseándote un buen fin de semana.Buen blog.

http://socialculturalyhumano.blogspot.com/

*^_^* said...

Wonderful! Well done, Elliot!
Congratulations! ;D

Carolyn V said...

That's awesome! (Both the writing and the Kindle news!) It will be great to read it in it's entirety! =D

Talli Roland said...

Fantastic! Massive, massive congrats! I must go check out your Kindle book now!

Theresa Milstein said...

Very cool that you had your book advertised on Kindle.

Unknown said...

This is a great read.

Elliot Grace said...

...there is no better feeling than stopping by after a long week and seeing the supportive comments from so many. Thanks guys ;)

EL