Monday, September 19, 2011

"A Charming Endeavor" - Blog Tour



...while I suspect it won't generate the type of following that an Eagles Reunion Tour would surely anticipate, we're hoping for the best.

Happy to announce that in October, I will be blazing a trail across BloggerLand, promoting "South of Charm," chatting it up with fellow storytellers and friends, while meeting new writers along the way.

Dutifully named, "A Charming Endeavor," the journey will begin at KarenG's on October 3rd, and running through the entire month before finishing up at Meilori's, and a much anticipated chat with my friend and yours, Roland Yeomans.

Along the way, there'll be signed copies of "South of Charm" up for grabs, Barnes & Noble gift cards, and even a copy or two from several of the greats, (courtesy of my editor, who owns a book store ;)

Contest details will be forthcoming. But until then...

"...none of us had seen the cat since returning from Washington. We'd thought perhaps he'd moved on, considering how we'd forgotten to leave him any food during our absence. Yet there he was, poised on weary haunches, considering my emotional state with calm reserve. I hadn't noticed him sitting there until that moment, never sensed his presence nearby.

Feeling the muscles in my arm growing stiff, I turned my back to the tabby and threw another pitch. Then another. Pop, bounce, breathe.

Now I did feel the cat's gaze. Ageless golden gems piercing holes into my back. I offered him a glance, then threw. Pop, bounce, breathe.

I'd always thought cats tended to follow movement. An insatiable desire to stalk anything considered a possible threat, or their next meal. Yet with every pitch, the tabby never once took interest in the ball's trajectory, choosing to focus its attention on me instead.

Unnerved, I finally turned and answered his stare with one of my own. A boy and a cat, caught up in a moment of solace. His face revealed no purpose driving its behavior. With the exception of an occasional twitch from a partially mangled ear, his expression was vacant.

My breathing slowed. My anger grew tolerant. The question left my mouth with little thought in advance. "Well, what am I supposed to do?"

Unblinking, he tilted his head as if to say, "Come on kid, be reasonable. I'm a cat."

When at last he sauntered off, I half expected him to do so on two legs, hunched over an ancient cane crafted from a downed hickory..."

"South of Charm"

19 comments:

Judy Croome | @judy_croome said...

Elliot, will you be putting a list of your blog tour dates & blogs in your side bar? Will make it easier for us to stalk, er, track you!

If you have the time, you're more than welcome to do a stopover at my blog as well, even if it's later than your "Official" tour. :)

Judy, South Africa

Robert Guthrie said...

Very exciting. Good luck.

So cool: "Come on kid, be reasonable. I'm a cat."

Michael Di Gesu said...

Terrific excerpt EL...

I'm Looking forward to you blog tour.

Melissa Pearl said...

Very cool excerpt.

Good luck with your blog tour :)

Anne Gallagher said...

Looking forwared to it.

Jennifer said...

Thats awesome. Good Luck I am sure you will gain many new readers from this tour!

DEZMOND said...

good luck with the blogtour and remember no groupie girls during tour :P

Sarah Tokeley said...

I'm looking forward to playing hostess. I hope I can do you justice.

Golden Eagle said...

Looking forward to the blog tour!

I love the half-imagined dialogue between the boy and the cat. :)

dolorah said...

Yes, I still laugh every time I read this passage. The book was very enjoyable, and I'm looking forward to the tour.

I've been out of the loop while completing my revisions, and I was afraid I'd miss the post.

BTW: Twilight did not make my list of worst ever movies, but you know, there is only so much room in a hsort list :)

........dhole

Elliot Grace said...

Hey Judy, thanks for the offer! And yes, I'll be listing all tour stops shortly. (I'll be in touch ;)

Hey Robert, thanks for the compliment, glad you enjoyed it.

Hey Michael, glad to hear from ya! Looking forward to our chat next month.

Hey Melissa, thanks for your thoughts, the tour's a bit overdue from what I've heard, but better late than never!

Hey Anne, looking forward to stopping by as well!

Hey Jennifer, my fingers are crossed!

Hey Dez, no worries, I've already received that lecture from my wife ;)

Hey Sarah, I'm looking forward to our chat as well ;)

Hey Eagle, it's funny, I've received more emails about the cat, than the overall storyline...might not be a good thing, but glad the tabby's a hit!

Hey Donna, thanks for stopping by, and hoping those tedious revisions are nearing the finish line...

You guys are the best. Thanks so much for your comments!

El

Carolyn V said...

That is SO AWESOME!

Good luck with the blog tour.

Jennie Bennett said...

Blog tour! I love blog tours :)

Creepy Query Girl said...

what a beautiful book cover! Thanks for the heads up on the blog tour and for these excerpts!

M Pax said...

Congrats, Elliot! I wish you all success.

Anita Grace Howard said...

How exciting! And your book cover is beautiful! I loved that last line, when the child personifies the ageless wisdom of the cat, envisioning him as an old man. SO COOL. You're a wonderful writer.

Elliot Grace said...

Hey Carolyn, thanks! Hope you tag along for the ride.

Hey J.A., it's my first, hoping for the best ;)

Hey Query Girl, thanks for the compliment! I'll pass the word along to the cover designer.

Hey M Pax, thanks for stopping by and your support!

Hey Anita, you're a sweetheart, thanks so much for stopping by!

El

Nicki Elson said...

A boy and his cat. Sweet and funny and touching scene - you pack so much into simplicity.

I'm looking forward to the Charming Endeavor, and will have my lighter at the ready. ;) I'm thrilled to be one of the stops along the way.

Misha Gerrick said...

Good luck with your blog tour!

Love the excerpt. :-)