Sunday, August 4, 2013

Happy Monday!!!

Hi everyone, as always, thanks for stopping by. I hope you had a safe and fun weekend!
Better Late Than Never
 
 
A couple weeks ago I ordered copies of Breakthrough and Opening. I planned to sell them by the beach over the weekend. They arrived late Friday via UPS. Talk about cutting it close.
 
The fam and I spent the day getting fresh air and hanging around the boardwalk in Balboa Island, CA. Nothing Fancy. Just my books, an old sign I used to use at book signings, and my smiling face. I sold some books and met some very interesting people from around the world.
 
One guy immediately recognized the background of the cover art as Boston as he we from the area. What an easy ice breaker. And he bought a copy! It's fun when things like this happen.
 
IWSG: Don't forget Alex Cavanaugh's Insecure Writers Support Group is this Wednesday. I have my post ready to go!
 
Did You Know: These are the names of our closest 10 stars:
 




Number
Star name
Distance from Earth in light years
1.
0.0000158
2.
Proxima Centauri
4.2421
3.
Alpha Centauri (binary star)
4.3650
4.
Barnard's Star
5.9630
5.
Wolf 359
7.7825
6.
Lalande 21185
8.2905
7.
Sirius (binary star)
8.5828
8.
Luyten 726-8 (binary star)
8.7280
9.
Ross 154
9.6813
10.
Ross 248
10.322

 

Unfortunately, none of these stars are believed to have planets that could support life. Reference
 
Fun Fact: The closest known such planet, referred to as a ‘super earth’ is located 42 light years away. The huge planet is thought to be in the perfect place in its six-planet solar system to have liquid water, atmosphere and distinct 'days' and 'nights' - thought to be crucial life.
 
The huge rocky planet - seven times the size of our Earth orbits its star, at a similar distance to Earth's orbit around our Sun, so it receives a similar amount of energy from the star as the Earth receives from the Sun - increasing the probability of it being habitable. Reference



The New Dr. Who: Thanks to Old Kitty for the news on the next Dr. Who. It’s Peter Capaldi. Reference
 
W4WS: A reminder this month Wednesday August 21st is Writers4Writers (W4W). We will spotlight a couple amazing writers: Thanks to Old Kitty for the news on the next Dr. Who. It’s Peter Capaldi. Carrie Butler and Thanks to Old Kitty for the news on the next Dr. Who. It’s Peter Capaldi. C. Lee McKenzie.
 
Thanks To Everyone who helps make this monthly event a smashing success! And feel free to make mention or do a shout out for these awesome writers leading up to August 21st. And if you haven't already done so, sign up on the Linky List below to be a part of this monthly event!

20 comments:

  1. Fun way to sell books!
    Thanks for mentioning the IWSG.
    Ready to help Carrie and Lee. Awesome ladies.
    And there is a star called wolf? Very cool.

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  2. Our kids are still crushed that they're losing Matt Smith as the Doctor, and they're a bit disappointed with the new choice - I don't think an older Doctor appeals to the younger audience.

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  3. GOOD LUCK with your book sales by the boardwalk!!!! Of course they'll go like hotcakes and ice cream!!! Yay!

    Oooh I like that there are 2 stars named after Ross - guess Ross discovered them! Fantastic!

    Awwww I cannot wait for Peter Capaldi's new take as The Doctor! Take care
    x

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  4. How great you were able to set up and sell some books by the boardwalk. That sounds like a lot of fun.

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  5. I wish we had a place like that for selling books. Not too many places in our town where it's hopping or I'd want to hang out.

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  6. I see not only locals but a lot of tourists so this helps get my book into the hands of people from different countries too.

    And I'm now using QR Codes. We'll see how this turns out. in the weeks to come. People can see the poster, scan the QR Code, the download by books with one click. Cool!

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  7. Great way to sell books! And it's always so fun to meet people from everywhere!!

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  8. Wow, what a fun way to sell books. Glad you had some success, sounds like a lovely day.

    Looking forward to the next Writers 4 Writers, Carrie and Lee are both fantastic. :)

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  9. Now that's what I call dedication! The ocean within sight, and you're sitting by the boardwalk selling books. Good for you. I hope you sell a bazillion.

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  10. You are always involved in so many amazing things, Stephen! I love it.

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  11. Fantastic! That sounds like a nice way to spend the weekend. I can't wait to see the new Doctor in action!

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  12. I'm not sure about this new Dr. Who. Or if he will appeal to the younger crowd. We'll see.

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  13. That would be the most fun way to sell books, I think.

    I did NOT know that those are the names of the closest stars.

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  14. That must have been a fun time at the beach, and a bit profitable selling some books.

    I appreciate the info on the nearest "earth-type" planet. It will certainly come in handy. Now to figure out how long it would take to travel 42 light years with our current travel technology. Hmmm...

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  15. I think hanging on the Balboa Island boardwalk is a win all by itself. Selling books, too, is a huge plus!

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  16. It's a fun way of selling your books and fun for the buyers to be able to say they met the author.

    42 light years eh? One day that won't be any distance at all - so I believe anyway.

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  18. Came here from Imagination Sparks Blogfest. 'Breakthrough and Opening' might just be my kind of a book, given the title of your blog and the info here about the stars. I'm going to check it out.

    I'm also here to pass on the Super Sweet Blog Award to you. Hop over to http://www.swatichavda.com/2013/08/catching-up-blog-awards-and-other-things.html to collect your award and spread the goodies to other bloggers.

    Nice meeting you.

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  19. An interesting venue for book sales and glad it's working for you =)

    Sort of some bland names for stars, but what can ya do? Cool info, though.

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  20. Hi Stephen .. congratulations on the sales of your book .. it does sound an excellent idea considering your home location ..

    Cheers Hilary

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