Return of Psychic Tarot

I tell you, being an author gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "hurry up and wait." Psychic Tarot (and I'm getting the sense that's going to be its official name) came back last week with edits that need to be done by May (very few, which I am optimistically attributing to Nance and my wonderful readers' groups catching the mistakes and confusing bits before we sent it off). The changes are actually mostly cosmetic, such as the name.

As for the wait, I am still waiting for my laptop (technology hates me) which should be arriving either today or tomorrow. Stock Cars edits were done at the Hastings Public Library. I think I will give them a copy.

And, as to writing and taxes, my wonderful tax lady Margie told me that they recommend setting aside 30% of writing profit for tax purposes to be safe.

In other news, I've been accepted to teach Creative Writing and Tarot for Beginners (2 different classes) through Hastings Community Education. We at the Blessings and Breathing Center, LLC decided we'd make public education part of our mission.

Hope that laptop comes soon! Lots to do!!!

-Mel

Edits

Carrie said she liked my edits. I'm glad. I'm not sure if I see the layout again or not before it goes to press, but Stock Cars is definitely very close to being done.

No word yet on Tarot Within Sight, but I think its publish date is Spring 2011, so there are probably just a few people ahead of us in line.

Still no Pavillion. I seem to remember it taking about a month to get the Dell, but I'll check in at Smartie Computers anyway just to see what's going on (I think I'm now the crazy/hysterical lady with the red Dell who calls all the time. Just kidding, they're very understanding).

Tomorrow (or next week, depending), I get to go talk taxes with my CPA. Now that I get paid to write I need to *gulp!* figure out how much the FED wants from my labors! (For the uninitiated, publishers don't generally take taxes out of your payment/royalty checks. You have to try to figure out what to withhold on your own. I want to be ahead of the game. Royalties, which I will be making in 2011, can be especially tricky.)

In other news, Shaula's making all kinds of neat hats for the homeless! Check it out at the 2010 Hat Project (I think it might be linked to my blog somewhere).

-Mel

There and Back Again

I haven't posted in a while (mostly because there wasn't anything to post), but here is an update.

Last Thursday I got Stock Cars back in layout for final edits. I've added my 2 cents and sent it back to Carrie (who did a marvelous job with it, I must say!).

In other news, I am doing research on Graphic Novels for another possible Nance/Mel joint project.

The little red wonder finally died (limiting my internet access) over Christmas. My new HP Pavillion is coming in today. Smartie Computers is a GODSEND I recommend them to EVERYONE.

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. I know I did!

-Mel