The publisher I edit for (Lyrical Press) wanted me to start an official monthly blog post regarding editorish topics, and including submissions:acceptance ratios and the like.
So.
My first one is up today: "From the desk of Piper Denna"
Have a great weekend.
Piper Denna
Romance is sexy!
USA Today Best of 2012
Friday, November 5, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
An excellent read
For a quick, touching, sweet story, try...
Christmas Holly, by Sutton Fox.
Wonderful.
Piper Denna
Romance is sexy!
Christmas Holly, by Sutton Fox.
Wonderful.
Piper Denna
Romance is sexy!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Experiment failure
Problem/Question: Is there any way in the world to get these dang 6th graders to sit down and do their math? (experts tell me no, not with this bunch)
Research: After considering results in several other grades, playing music seems to help settle kids and help them concentrate. Older kids especially are motivated to behave because if they don't, the music goes off.
Hypothesis: I believe if I make a deal with the 6th graders--they work and the music stays on, they dink around and the music goes off--they'll perfom better.
The test: I created a playlist of school-appropriate music in my iTunes (since shuffling my music invariable brings up I Touch Myself, anything by The Beastie Boys, certain Aerosmith or Guns and Roses songs--or George Strait, not a big hit with adolescents, because kids don't know what's good, right?). The next day at school, I taught the lesson and set forth the assignment. I told the kids I had music for them and I'd play it, but not until they quieted and only as long as everyone continued to work. Several kids immediately responded with, "We don't want music" and turned to their neighbors to talk.
Conclusion: This crop of 6th graders are from another planet.
Prediction: I will not be subbing in 6th grade any more this year.
Autumn Piper
Got Xanax?
Research: After considering results in several other grades, playing music seems to help settle kids and help them concentrate. Older kids especially are motivated to behave because if they don't, the music goes off.
Hypothesis: I believe if I make a deal with the 6th graders--they work and the music stays on, they dink around and the music goes off--they'll perfom better.
The test: I created a playlist of school-appropriate music in my iTunes (since shuffling my music invariable brings up I Touch Myself, anything by The Beastie Boys, certain Aerosmith or Guns and Roses songs--or George Strait, not a big hit with adolescents, because kids don't know what's good, right?). The next day at school, I taught the lesson and set forth the assignment. I told the kids I had music for them and I'd play it, but not until they quieted and only as long as everyone continued to work. Several kids immediately responded with, "We don't want music" and turned to their neighbors to talk.
Conclusion: This crop of 6th graders are from another planet.
Prediction: I will not be subbing in 6th grade any more this year.
Autumn Piper
Got Xanax?
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
5 out of 5!
I've had a few reviews now. And honestly, I look forward to them. Only one or two have had parts I didn't enjoy reading.
But really, when I get a great score, it really floats my boat. :)
Fallen Star Trouble just received 5 out of 5 stars and Top Pick rating from Night Owl Reviews, and I am just tickled pink (to use one more cliche...)
Anyway, the graphic will be appearing on my web site just as soon as I get time to go add it.
Have a wonderful day!
Autumn Piper
Got romance?
Monday, November 1, 2010
Hallo-wieners
Pardon me for a few seconds while I rant (and believe me, I had awesome news for today but it's getting usurped until tomorrow so I can do this, I need to vent that bad).
Halloween. A night for little kids to dress up and go from house to house singing, "Trick or treat!" and receive candy from strangers, while Mom or Dad or some other trusted big person goes along to make sure they are safe.
This is a lovely picture of Life As It Should Be. So for all the greedy, annoying adults (and yes, they were adults, not older teens) who were running around last night with a candy bucket begging, let me remind you--the candy giveaway is for kids. That also goes for mommies out with their little ones... I don't buy candy for you to carry around your own bucket, you greedy jerk. Just because people are giving stuff away does not mean they want to give it to you. Maybe next month buy one less eyeliner and you can afford a bag of candy of your own.
Also, parents who drive around behind their kids in a car. Really? You're too fat/lazy/ignorant/obsessed with your phone to get out and walk down one side of the street behind your kids, then up the other side, where your car waits? You cannot see what's going on with your kids from the lit-up inside of your car anyway, so it's not like you're keeping them safe. Besides that, you're blinding the other kids with your headlights, congesting the streets...it would be different if it was a rural area, or one where only a few houses were handing out candy. But this is basically every house here. Sheesh.
The true kids I saw last night were all very respectful, used "thank you", didn't try to wreck anything... I even had a few teens stop for photos with my scarecrow. It's just adults who are attempting to ruin the fun.
Done ranting now.
Autumn Piper
Got romance?
Halloween. A night for little kids to dress up and go from house to house singing, "Trick or treat!" and receive candy from strangers, while Mom or Dad or some other trusted big person goes along to make sure they are safe.
This is a lovely picture of Life As It Should Be. So for all the greedy, annoying adults (and yes, they were adults, not older teens) who were running around last night with a candy bucket begging, let me remind you--the candy giveaway is for kids. That also goes for mommies out with their little ones... I don't buy candy for you to carry around your own bucket, you greedy jerk. Just because people are giving stuff away does not mean they want to give it to you. Maybe next month buy one less eyeliner and you can afford a bag of candy of your own.
Also, parents who drive around behind their kids in a car. Really? You're too fat/lazy/ignorant/obsessed with your phone to get out and walk down one side of the street behind your kids, then up the other side, where your car waits? You cannot see what's going on with your kids from the lit-up inside of your car anyway, so it's not like you're keeping them safe. Besides that, you're blinding the other kids with your headlights, congesting the streets...it would be different if it was a rural area, or one where only a few houses were handing out candy. But this is basically every house here. Sheesh.
The true kids I saw last night were all very respectful, used "thank you", didn't try to wreck anything... I even had a few teens stop for photos with my scarecrow. It's just adults who are attempting to ruin the fun.
Done ranting now.
Autumn Piper
Got romance?
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