Wednesday Mutterings

Had sinus infection last week and went to the doctor. Got a prescription antibiotics from the doctor that is six pills to take in five days. Well,on the last day I caught a bad cold. That's when I remembered I got these pills before, two years ago, and the same result--a nasty cold. Still a little hoarse and a little stuffed, but much better after more over the counter sinus pills and blowing my nose. Got Shevacon in two days and I can not be ill.
Now that I am better, I was able to go exercise and to my hairdresser. And looking forward to Shevacon. We leave tomorrow morning to stay at the hotel day before and check out some bookstores in area.
Whoops! Gotta go. In an hour got to pick hubby up from work, and I need to go pay a bill and have our mail put on hold until Monday. Have a great over-the-hump day, everyone!

Check Out My BlogTalkRadio Interview Tonight at 9PM Eastern

I'll be doing a blogtalkradio interview tonight about my books, both as Pamela and my pseudonym, Sapphire Phelan. It will be at 9PM to 9:30PM Eastern, as their show was moved to half hour later. The show is aired LIVE at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Circle-Of-Seven and there is an online chat session there. After the show is aired, it is available for download at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Circle-Of-Seven

Haunted Virginia To Be Available in May!

Exciting news! I just found out that Haunted Virginia: Legends, Myths and True Tales will be available sometime this May. When I learn the exact date and get the link for preorders up at Schiffer Publishing's website, I will post it here. If you want to keep tabs yourself, just bookmark http://www.schifferbooks.com.

I Have Book Signings Tonight and Saturday, February 21st

I have two book signings this week. The first one is tonight at Short Pump Barnes and Noble. I'll be talking about "Social Media for the Author Before and After" to the Virginia Writers Club and will do a signing after. This is at 6:30PM and the address for the bookstore is 11640 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA, 23233 and the phone number is 804-360-0103. The event is free and opened to others outside of VWC. It will be upstairs.
The second one is a book signing at Walden's Bookstore in Virginia Center Commons this Saturday, February 21st, 1:00pm to 3:00pm. The address is 10101 Brook Road Glen Allen, Virginia 23059 804-262-9479. I'll be signing copies of Haunted Richmond, Virginia, along with hopefully copies of Shifting Desires, that I have a novella in by my pseudonym, Sapphire Phelan. Author Sammie Jo Moresca will be sharing the signing with me, signing copies of Smolder.
Do come by and say hi. And if you have copies of my book and they're not signed, bring them by and i will do that for you.

To Farpoint, and Back Home Again

It was a fun weekend, with a dance Saturday night that for an hour author Helen Madden and I attended (while my hubby went to bed early) amd a nice dinner Friday night that the con gave and that we guests attended. The committee was nice and made sure we had everything we needed. Another nice thing; no snow so that driving to the hotel and back home again had no Next con: Shevacon in Roanoke, Virginia February 27th, 28th and March 1st.

Enjoy the photos above from the convention.

I'm a Writer Guest at Farpoint in Maryland This Weekend

I'll be at Farpoint Convention in Timonium, Maryland this weekend, February 13th-15th, as a writer guest, doing panels and a book singing on Valentine's Day. To check up on the panels, other guests, and more look at their website at www.farpointcon.com

Haunted Virginia's Layouts Done--Now Waiting

Above is the cover for the book, Haunted Virginia: Legends, Myths and True Tales, coming no later than this fall from Schiffer Publishing Doesn't it look cool?
Did the layouts and page numbers for the Index and now it's been back to them as of Thursday. So now it's wait and see--I assume the printer's is next. So it's getting closer to be here, an actual copy in my hands.
This book is bigger than Haunted Richmond, Virginia, much bigger. But I wanted to let everyone know and give the teaser of the cover.

Pictures from the Creatures and Crooks BookShoppe Books and Bling Event

Creatures and Crooks had their own official photographer for the Books and Bling event last Saturday, January 31st. He sent me the link to let others check out the pictures.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/llorrac1969
If anyone is interested in a photographer for their own event you can check out his website at http://www.LLorracPhotography.com to contact him.

Today at Creatures and Crooks' Books and Bling Event

I went to the Books and Bling event at Creatures and Crooks Bookshoppe in Carytown and at first slow, by the end of the first half hour the place was jammed full of bodies of authors and readers. The weather outside may be bone chilling, but inside the warmth was more than from heaters.
People were enthusiastically communicating with us authors, plus other readers, especially if they ran into a friend not seen in a while. Others perused the bookshelves for books. Once they got an armload or just a couple, they trudged up to the counter where Lelia and Andrew took their money and bagged or boxed their books. Not long after the first of many giveaways began.When four o'clock rolled around and the event ended, authors and buyers began to leave.
It looked as if the bookstore did a brisk business that day. I hope it did well. With businesses failing and closing their doors more and more, Barnes and Noble even shaken, a great little bookstore like this where Lelia makes each and every person welcome, I do not want to see it go.

Come to the Books & Bling Event at Creatures and Crooks BookShoppe This Saturday

Books & Bling:
The Event of the Year



Come to buy books. Leave with an armload of treasure -- over a dozen fantastic gift crates have been created, featuring signed books, posters, a vintage Tiffany necklace, gourmet goodies, and more!

When: Saturday, January 31st from 1-4 p.m
Buy Books in January! Over 100 authors from across the country have contributed to the incredible reader reward prizes to be given away throughout the month of January. That’s right! Whenever you shop at Creatures ‘n
Crooks, you have a chance to win a fabulous prize! Prizes will be given out each week and you’ll never know which reader will receive a reward! (This includes phone customers). Reward prizes include signed books from authors in the field of mystery, fantasy, horror, nonfiction, and children’s fiction.

Contributions include a vampire basket from Charlaine Harris, a character donation from Margaret Maron, gold and sapphire earrings from Denise Swanson, a Carolyn Hart basket, a culinary basket with goodies from Joanne
Fluke, a historical mystery book prize including a vintage Tiffany necklace, a fantastic fantasy book crate with signed books by George R.R. Martin and much, much more.

Some of the authors attending the January 31st event are Pamela K. Kinney aka Sapphire Phelan, Katherine Neville, Donna Andrews, Ellen Crosby, Maria Lima, Ellen Byerrum, Andy Straka, Joseph Guion, John Gilstrap, Austin S. Camacho, Maggie Stiefvater, Kristy Tallman, Tony Ruggeiro, Dennis Danvers, Elizabeth Blue, Tee Morris, and J.B Stanley. We’ll all be there to shower you, the reader, with attention and prizes!


Creatures 'n Crooks Bookshoppe 3156 West Cary Street Cary Court Park & Shop Richmond, VA 23221 804-340-0277 or toll-free (888) 533-530 3http://cncbooks.com



I not only donated a signed copy of Haunted Richmond, Virginia, but a copy of Shfting Desires that I wrote as Sapphire Phelan.
And even if you can not come, please pass this on to those you think may be interested. Help a great bookstore.

Northern Haunts Anthology Trade Paperback Now on Amazon!

9now for sale o78-0-9801870-5-2 0-9801870-5-2 Trade PB
The trade paperback editon of Northerm Haunts: 100 Terrifying Tales of New England, that I contributed "Pukwudgies: Little Monsters of New England" is on Amazon.The
The link for Amazon is http://www.amazon.com/Northern-Haunts-Terrifying-England-Tales/dp/0980187052
This is the anthology that flash fiction stories had to be based on legends and myths of New England, and where the proceeds of the sales goes to the American Cancer Society. A 100 scares that cares.
if you want the hard cover book, it's not out yet, but you can still preorder it at http://www.shroudmagazine.com/anthologies.html

The World Outside the Window Anthology Is Now Available on Amazon

Yay! The World Outside the Window anthology that I have my ghost story, "Misery Loves Company" is on Amazon! By Monday or Tuesday it will be available through Barnes and Noble and brick and mortar bookstores, plus other internet stores.

You can find it at http://www.amazon.com/World-Outside-Window-Anthony-Waugh/dp/0979170192/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232827369&sr=1-6

By 19 authors in the Amazon Shorts Program. The anthology consists of 19 adult fiction stories by 19 authors, many of them published novelists. The stories run the gamut of fiction, from romance to horror, from suspense to science fiction and fantasy.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

FALLEN STAR, RISING STAR - Mark Terence Chapman
MISERY LOVES COMPANY - Pamela K. Kinney
ROSE'S QUESTION - D. K. Christi
SMILE - Anthony Waugh
THE SILVER LINING - Rebecca Buckley
THE BLACK ROSE - Woodrow Walker
SAYING GOODBYE TO MISS MOLLY - Morgan St. James
THE SPLIT MIND - Robert A. Meacham
NEAL'S NOEL - Jay Osman
THE MAILBOX - Larry L. Evans
STRANGE DREAMS - B.W. Philpot
ONLY THERE WAS NO WIND - Jim Wilsky
AUSTIN, MY HERO - Tory Lynn
ETUDE & SMOKE RINGS - Lana M. Ho-Sheing
TWILIGHT - Matthew Alan Pierce
THIS TIME FOREVER - Erin Gordon
SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY - Curtis M. Hendel
HOUSE ARREST - Richard Lord
KILLING FROST - E. Don Harpe

Northern Haunts Anthology To be Available Very Soon!

Looks like Northern Haunts: 100 Terrifying Tales of New England fiction anthology that I have 'Pukwudgies: Little Monsters of New England" included in, will soon be shipping out. So if you haven't preordered this fine book from Shroud Publishing, remember the proceeds goes to the American cancer Society. A lot of authors submitted and only 100 tales made it into the books. You can preorder it either in trade paperback or hardcover at a sale price at http://www.shroudmagazine.com/anthologies.html .

Here is what the publisher has said about it coming out on Shroud Publishing's blog at http://shroudpublishing.blogspot.com/ :

NORTHERN HAUNTS! Whew! This guy clocked in at 366 pages! I am absolutely in love with this collection of homegrown ghost stories and campfire tales. It has been a joy putting it together. So, well... after MUCH delay, the trade paperback final proof has been reviewed and approved. I KNOW we were almost at this point before, but a power outage screwed up the whole process. But now, I am simply waiting on the printer to do its print run and ship them to me for distribution. In the next week or so I will have the hardcover ready for printing as well. I know you all have waited long for this, but given the fact that the profits of NH will go to the American Cancer Society, I wanted to make sure I out it together right. I really feel like it's a project we can be proud of. I also needed to change the dedication to honor two very special horror writers and friends of Shroud that passed way recently: Phil Kuhlman and Joe McGee. I miss these guys and Phil was the big inspiration for NH.

A Day in History for America

Today is a day in history. It is the day that Barack Obama becomes officially President of the United States.

Since I woke up and turned on the TV to WTVR-6 to watch the Early Show, there is nothing on but about this. The Inaugural does not start until 10AM, but the Early Show (as I am sure the other ones have been as well) is there in Washington D.C. since yesterday, showing all the fervor and excitement from people who are coming to the Capitol to see this charismatic man being sworn into office. It is estimated to be around 2 million. I wish I was there, but I will watch it on TV instead.

They are talking about the first African-American becoming President, but I see something more. I see someone who will try to unite all of us. It is not about color, it is not about male or female, but about maybe hopefully that we are all equal. When I voted for him, I did not see the color of his skin, but that he would be the right person for the job.

Yes, we should all be proud of where we came from, or where our ancestors came from. But that’s not the point. I had a Native American half breed grandmother who told me my mother one time that she was American. Okay, it might have been shame from her side, as that was the times. But that’s what we all are: Americans.

He started by saying yesterday was a day of service, that we must all serve to help others. Not black nor white nor yellow nor brown, not even aged or young, but all. Think about that. That is what equality really means: together as one unit, not separate beings.

And so, will America go forward into that dark night, carrying the lamp to light the way? Being maybe a little smarter and more gracious to each other? I hope so.

I wish President-Elect Obama all the luck in the world; he has quite a job ahead of him. I know he is the man for the job. But I will pray for him and his family in the four years ahead. For the road will not be a easily traveled one, not just for America, but for the rest of the world is going through these sad economic times and people still wanting to war with each other.

But this is the first step in one day, just like in the science fiction books, movies and television shows, that not only an United States, but one day in the future an united world.

Barack Obama, as you depart Blair House and get into your limo to drive for church service at St. John's Church, the first thing in your goal of becoming President, I wish you well, and know that I too, am behind you. As an American, just like you.

Come Join Me Jan. 16-18 at Marscon in Williamsburg

.
I'll be a writer guest doing panels and selling and signing my books as both me and Pamela K. Kinney at Marscon 2009, January 16-18. The science fiction, fantasy, horror, and paranormal romance convention will be held at the Holiday Inn Patriot 3032 Richmond Rd Williamsburg, Va. 23185. Hotel phone number: 757-565-2600.
Convention website: http://sites.google.com/a/marscon.net/marscon-2009/Home

Catch Me on Virginia This Morning 1/9 for Creatures and Crooks Books and Bling Thing

Since I'll be on Virginia This Morning ( http://wtvr.com ) tomorrow morning at 9-10AM Eastern promoting people to buy from Creatures and Crooks and for January 31st. If you're an author and have a signed book you like to donate, send an email to mystery author Jennifer Stanley at jbstanleyauthor@comcast.net . If a reader, please stop by if in richmond, or give them at call at 804-340-0277 or toll-free (888) 533-5303
and order. Now to find something that does not make me look plump on TV.


Books & Bling:
Reader Rewards from Creatures ‘n Crooks
Come to buy books. Leave with an armload of treasure!
When: Saturday, January 31st from 1-4 p.m. Mingle with authors, eat sugar-laden treats, win incredible door prizes and buy books in support of the most charming book store in Richmond.
Where: Creatures ‘n Crooks –3156 West Cary Street. Cary Court Park & Shop Richmond, VA 23221 804-340-0277 or toll-free (888) 533-5303
Buy Books in January! Over 100 authors from across the country have contributed to the incredible reader reward prizes to be given away throughout the month of January. That’s right! Whenever you shop at Creatures ‘n Crooks, you have a chance to win a fabulous prize! Prizes will be given out each week and you’ll never know which reader will receive a reward! (This includes phone customers). Reward prizes include signed books from authors in the field of mystery, fantasy, horror, nonfiction, and children’s fiction.
Contributions include a vampire basket from Charlaine Harris, a character donation from Margaret Maron, gold and sapphire earrings from Denise Swanson, a Carolyn Hart basket, a culinary basket with goodies from Joanne Fluke, a historical mystery book prize including a vintage Tiffany necklace, a fantastic fantasy book crate with signed books by George R.R. Martin and much, much more.
Some of the authors attending the January 31st event are Katherine Neville, Donna Andrews, Pamela K. Kinney/Sapphire Phelan, Ellen Crosby, Maria Lima, Ellen Byerrum, Andy Straka, Joseph Guion, John Gilstrap, Austin S. Camacho, Maggie Stiefvater, Kristy Tallman, Dennis Danvers, Elizabeth Blue, Tee Morris, and J.B Stanley. We’ll all be there to shower you, the reader, with attention and prizes!
For a complete list of reader reward prizes see Creatures ‘n Crook’s website: http://www.cncbooks.com/index2.html or the organizer’s site: www.jbstanley.com
Email questions to: jbstanleyauthor@comcast.net
Preserve this independent bookstore! Call or stop in today! You could walk out with an armload of treasures!

2008 Is Almost Gone and 2009 Will Soon Be Here

Well, 2008 is almost over. At midnight, just as the ball drops in Times Square in New York City and the ball rises to the top here in Richmond, in Carytown, 2009 will sneak in.
I know I will try to stay up till midnight, same as my husband. Though it is getting harder and harder to do so each year. We won't be going out anywhere to celebrate--just stay home. But as reported on the news and early Show, we won't be alone as many people will be staying home to bring in the new year this year. The economy seems to have done that. But that's all right. What better way to ring 2009 in, but with your family, in a relaxed atmosphere and in the comfort of your own living room? You can drink alcohol and not worry about driving home or designating someone as the designated driver--right? I plan on making some comfort food for us and we are going to watch some rented DVDs and then the ball drop on Times Square. I have some wine left over that I won at a Christmas party earlier in December and a bottle of sparkling white grape juice I bought since my husband's on call for his job and can't drink. We'll toast in the New Year, comfortable and relaxed. Unless hubby gets called out on a job.

The Baby
And now for some background on New Year's celebration. The symbols are an old man as the old year and a baby as the new year. The tradition of using the baby began in Greece, around 600 B.C. At that time, the Greeks celebrated parading a baby in a basket in honor of their god of wine, Dionysus. The baby represented the annual rebirth of the god as the spirit of fertility. Early Egyptians also used the baby as a symbol of rebirth.
Now, though the early Christians denounced this practice as pagan, the popularity of this tradition made the church to reevalute its position on the matter. They allowed their members to celebrate the New Year with the baby, symbolizing the birth of Jesus Christ.
The image of the baby as symbol of New year was brought to America by the germans. They had used the effigy since the 14th century.

Luck in the New Year
People believed that what they ate or did on the first day of the new year would affect the luck for the rest of the year. parties would last past midnight and people would celebrate the first few minutes of the brand new year in company of family and friends.
Once upon a time, it was thought that the first visitor on New Year's day brought either good or bad luck for the rest of the year. That's why, you would want a tall, dark-haired man to be the first person to step through your doorway, for he brought very good luck.
Certain foods also bring good luck. Like any thing inn the shape of a ring is considered good luck. The Dutch believe eating donuts on the New Year's day brings good fortune. Many Americans eat black-eyed peas, because they symbolize good luck. These are accompanied by ham or hog jowls. The hog, and its meat, is the symbol of prosperity. Cabbage is another food to consumed on New year's day. Cabbage leaves are considered a sign of prosperity, representing paper currency. And in some regions, rice is a lucky food that is eaten on New Year's Day, too.

Auld Lang Syne
Meaning "old long ago," or more familiarly, "the good old days," Auld Lang Syne is always sung in most English-speaking countries at the stroke of midnight. Partially written by Robert Burns in the 1700s, it was first published in 1796 after his death. There had been earlier variations of the song prior to 1700. These inspired him to write the modern redition.

So tonight at midnight, if you managed to stay awake, and either sing "Auld Lang Syne" or kiss someone, think of the centuries that others have celebrated it before you.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Reading is Still the Cheapest Entertainment

As the news reports more and more, the economy is worsening.

People are fearful that their jobs may be the next to go. Christmas spending at the stores wasn’t what the businesses were hoping for.

And yet, I feel that books are the cheapest entertainment someone can buy. Whether mass or trade paperback, or eBooks, a book, print or on an ereader, can be read anywhere. In your home, snug and warm during the winter, summer at the beach, at the doctor’s office (hey, a lot of those magazines at the doctor’s are sometimes a year old), and when you’re the passenger in the car, keeping you busy from the long drive.

There’s something about a book that can bring comfort. You can travel without ever leaving home. Visit other countries, and even more exciting, other planets and dimensions. Fight monsters, fall in love with one, do undercover work, fly a plane or do a paranormal investigation. Learn facets of history you never learned in class

or learn how to do something you never done before.

Since cavemen huddled around a campfire and the village shaman told tales of gods and monsters, books have been with us through thick and thin. Magic lies between their pages.

And so I say, reading is one of the cheapest entertainment. Maybe with the economy and things too expensive to buy or do, there will be those who haven’t read much coming back to the fold, discovering a writer’s talent for bringing forth words and their own imagination is still and always will be, the best entertainment.

Read a book today and let loose your imagination.

Catch Me on Internet Voices Radio Jan. 1st

I'll be promoting my books (esp. upcoming ones in 2009 that I know about) on Lillian Cauldwell's radio show Thursday, January 1st, on Internet Voices Radio 4:15 to 4:30PM Eastern Standard Time. That time, go to http://internetvoicesradio.com. Click on the Logo, and it will take you straight to windows media. You can listen to the show that way.

If you want to call up toll free and ask me a question, be sure to listen at the beginning of the show where Ms. Cauldwell will announce the phone number that you can call in on and say hi. It will have to be brief as there may be others who might want to call in as well.

How to Learn About E-Piracy

Merry Christmas to all. Today I am just passing on a link to another blog. The author of that one, Jude Mason (who I share as my pseudonym, Sapphire Phelan, two anthologies with, Shifting Desires and Coming Together: Under Fire) has done a fabulous article about E Piracy and how it affects both the author and you, the reader, too. It is an education for all.
Please go read it if you're a reader of eBooks, even print books. Same for authors not sure of the rules either. You can find it at http://jude-mason.blogspot.com/2008/12/e-piracy-what-it-is-and-how-it-hurts-us.html

Marry Christmas-The Christmas Dance

The Christmas Dance

Midnight came, announcing Christmas,

Stars gleaming like iridescent candles

And below on the forest green,

The faeries came out of hiding, glittering like lights

Christmas lights.

They danced, circling in a sensational array,

Wing tip to wing tip, scattered among moon-silvered snow

Other denizens of Faerie appeared,

Lords and Ladies dressed in fashions of magic

Christmas decorations.

From the low bough of a tree, leafless and covered in snow,

Pan played upon reed pipes

Music; seductive and full of good tidings,

All of Faerie danced in frenzy haste

Christmas cheer.

Bird songs filled the cold, crisp air,

Wings of many colors swirled in a cloud of feathers

Songs of joy melded with Faerie music,

Rising, swirling, tornado-like, to the heavens above

Christmas carols.

The King and Queen of Faerie came,

Splendid finery of gold and purple

They sat upon thrones of sparkling jewels and holly,

Beautiful, and terrible at the same time

Christmas wonder.

Then everyone stopped and the hush grew deafening,

Eyes so inhuman and yet, so wonderful

Watched the one star in the East, brightly shining,

It shimmered; they shimmered, all aglow like Faerie dust

Christmas magic.

Christmas Is Almost Here

Christmas is almost here--tomorrow is Christmas Eve. It's a time of magic and wonder.Children are anticipating Santa Claus visiting them and leaving presents. Yes, this year, many all over the world are worried about losing jobs or have, there is war, many homeless, and yet, Christmas is there for us all. The one time, we might truly understand the reason for the season, as they say. That we all might take a minute or two, and think about peace for all. To let the wonder and magic envelope us, and believe, truly believe.
Here is some history about the holiday. Know what started it all.

Christmas is an annual holiday celebrated on December 25 that marks and honors the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. His birth, which is the basis for the anno Domini system of dating, has been estimated by modern historians as having occurred between 7 and 2 BC. The date of celebration is not thought to be Jesus' actual date of birth. It have been chosen to coincide with the birthday of Mithra and the feast of the Saturnalia or the winter solstice, which the ancient Romans celebrated on December 25.

Modern customs of the holiday include gift-giving, church celebrations, and the display of various decorations—including the Christmas tree, lights, mistletoe, nativity scenes and holly. Santa Claus (also referred to as Father Christmas, although the two figures have different origins) is a popular mythological figure often associated with bringing gifts at Christmas. Santa is generally believed to be the result of a syncretization between St. Nicholas of Myra and elements from pagan Nordic and Christian mythology, and his modern appearance is believed to have originated in 19th century media.

Christmas is celebrated throughout the Christian population, but is also celebrated by many non-Christians as a secular, cultural festival. The holiday is widely celebrated around the world, including in the United States, where it is celebrated by 96% of the population. Because gift-giving and several other aspects of the holiday involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians, Christmas has become a major event for many retailers.

The word Christmas originated as a compound meaning "Christ's mass". It is derived from the Middle English Christemasse and Old English Cristes mæsse, a phrase first recorded in 1038. "Cristes" is from Greek christos and "mæsse" is from Latin missa. In early Greek versions of the New Testament, the letter Χ (chi), is the first letter of Christ. Since the mid-16th century Χ, or the similar Roman letter X, has been used as an abbreviation for Christ. Hence, Xmas is often used as an abbreviation for Christmas.

For many centuries, Christian writers accepted that Christmas was the actual date on which Jesus was born. In the early eighteenth century, scholars began proposing alternative explanations. Isaac Newton argued that the date of Christmas was selected to correspond with the winter solstice, which in ancient times was marked on December 25. In 1743, German Protestant Paul Ernst Jablonski argued Christmas was placed on December 25 to correspond with the Roman solar holiday Dies Natalis Solis Invicti and was therefore a "paganization" that debased the true church. In 1889, Louis Duchesne suggested that the date of Christmas was calculated as nine months after March 25, the traditional date of the conception of Jesus. On the Roman calendar, March 25 was the date of the spring equinox. In modern times, it is celebrated as Annunciation.

Non-Christian Celebration

A winter festival was the most popular festival of the year in many cultures. Reasons included the fact that less agricultural work needs to be done during the winter, as well as people expecting longer days and shorter nights after the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. Modern Christmas customs include: gift-giving and merrymaking from Roman Saturnalia; greenery, lights, and charity from the Roman New Year; and Yule logs and various foods from Teutonic feasts. Pagan Scandinavia celebrated a winter festival called Yule, held in the late December to early January period. As Northern Europe was the last part to Christianize, its pagan traditions had a major influence on Christmas. Scandinavians still call Christmas Jul. In English, the word Yule is synonymous with Christmas, a usage first recorded in 900.

The legend of Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named St. Nicholas. It is believed that Nicholas was born sometime around 280 A.D. in Patara, near Myra in modern-day Turkey. Much admired for his piety and kindness, St. Nicholas became the subject of many legends. It is said that he gave away all of his inherited wealth and traveled the countryside helping the poor and sick. One of the best known of the St. Nicholas stories is that he saved three poor sisters from being sold into slavery or prostitution by their father by providing them with a dowry so that they could be married. Over the course of many years, Nicholas's popularity spread and he became known as the protector of children and sailors. His feast day is celebrated on the anniversary of his death, December 6. This was traditionally considered a lucky day to make large purchases or to get married. By the Renaissance, St. Nicholas was the most popular saint in Europe. Even after the Protestant Reformation, when the veneration of saints began to be discouraged, St. Nicholas maintained a positive reputation, especially in Holland.

Sinter Klaus Comes to New York

St. Nicholas made his first inroads into American popular culture towards the end of the 18th century. In December 1773, and again in 1774, a New York newspaper reported that groups of Dutch families had gathered to honor the anniversary of his death.

The name Santa Claus evolved from Nick's Dutch nickname, Sinter Klaas, a shortened form of Sint Nikolaas (Dutch for Saint Nicholas). In 1804, John Pintard, a member of the New York Historical Society, distributed woodcuts of St. Nicholas at the society's annual meeting. The background of the engraving contains now-familiar Santa images including stockings filled with toys and fruit hung over a fireplace. In 1809, Washington Irving helped to popularize the Sinter Klaas stories when he referred to St. Nicholas as the patron saint of New York in his book, The History of New York. As his prominence grew, Sinter Klaas was described as everything from a "rascal" with a blue three-cornered hat, red waistcoat, and yellow stockings to a man wearing a broad-brimmed hat and a "huge pair of Flemish trunk hose."

'Twas the Night before Christmas

In 1822, Clement Clarke Moore, an Episcopal minister, wrote a long Christmas poem for his three daughters entitled, "An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas." Moore's poem, which he was initially hesitant to publish due to the frivolous nature of its subject, is largely responsible for our modern image of Santa Claus as a "right jolly old elf" with a portly figure and the supernatural ability to ascend a chimney with a mere nod of his head! Although some of Moore's imagery was probably borrowed from other sources, his poem helped to popularize Christmas Eve – Santa Claus waiting for the children to get to sleep the now-familiar idea of a Santa Claus who flew from house to house on Christmas Eve – in "a miniature sleigh" led by eight flying reindeer, whom he also named – leaving presents for deserving children. "An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas," created a new and immediately popular American icon. In 1881, political cartoonist Thomas Nast drew on Moore's poem to create the first likeness that matches our modern image of Santa Claus. His cartoon, which appeared in Harper's Weekly, depicted Santa as a rotund, cheerful man with a full, white beard, holding a sack laden with toys for lucky children. It is Nast who gave Santa his bright red suit trimmed with white fur, North Pole workshop, elves, and his wife, Mrs. Claus.

Shopping Mall Santas

Gift-giving, mainly centered around children, has been an important part of the Christmas celebration since the holiday's rejuvenation in the early 19th century. Stores began to advertise Christmas shopping in 1820, and by the 1840s, newspapers were creating separate sections for holiday advertisements, which often featured images of the newly-popular Santa Claus. In 1841, thousands of children visited a Philadelphia shop to see a life-size Santa Claus model. It was only a matter of time before stores began to attract children, and their parents, with the lure of a peek at a "live" Santa Claus. In the early 1890s, the Salvation Army needed money to pay for the free Christmas meals they provided to needy families. They began dressing up unemployed men in Santa Claus suits and sending them into the streets of New York to solicit donations. Those familiar Salvation Army Santas have been ringing bells on the street corners of American cities ever since.

A Santa By Any Other Name

18th-century America's Santa Claus was not the only St. Nicholas-inspired gift-giver to make an appearance at Christmastime. Similar figures were popular all over the world. Christkind or Kris Kringle was believed to deliver presents to well-behaved Swiss and German children. Meaning "Christ child," Christkind is an angel-like figure often accompanied by St. Nicholas on his holiday missions. In Scandinavia, a jolly elf named Jultomten was thought to deliver gifts in a sleigh drawn by goats. English legend explains that Father Christmas visits each home on Christmas Eve to fill children's stockings with holiday treats. Pere Noel is responsible for filling the shoes of French children. In Russia, it is believed that an elderly woman named Babouschka purposely gave the wise men wrong directions to Bethlehem so that they couldn't find Jesus. Later, she felt remorseful, but could not find the men to undo the damage. To this day, on January 5, Babouschka visits Russian children leaving gifts at their bedsides in the hope that one of them is the baby Jesus and she will be forgiven. In Italy, a similar story exists about a woman called La Befana, a kindly witch who rides a broomstick down the chimneys of Italian homes to deliver toys into the stockings of lucky children.

The Ninth Reindeer-Rudolph

Rudolph, "the most famous reindeer of all," was born over a hundred years after his eight flying counterparts. The red-nosed wonder was the creation of Robert L. May, a copywriter at the Montgomery Ward department store.

In 1939, May wrote a Christmas-themed story-poem to help bring holiday traffic into his store. Using a similar rhyme pattern to Moore's "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," May told the story of Rudolph, a young reindeer who was teased by the other deer because of his large, glowing, red nose. But, When Christmas Eve turned foggy and Santa worried that he wouldn't be able to deliver gifts that night, the former outcast saved Christmas by leading the sleigh by the light of his red nose. Rudolph's message—that given the opportunity, a liability can be turned into an asset—proved popular. Montgomery Ward sold almost two and a half million copies of the story in 1939. When it was reissued in 1946, the book sold over three and half million copies. Several years later, one of May's friends, Johnny Marks, wrote a short song based on Rudolph's story (1949). It was recorded by Gene Autry and sold over two million copies. Since then, the story has been translated into 25 languages and been made into a television movie, narrated by Burl Ives, which has charmed audiences every year since 1964.

The New Schiffer Book Has Official Title!

I will be doing a Christmas posting tomorrow, on how it all started. Too much going on today, getting galleys/edits mailed off to Schiffer Publishing, stopping by Creatures and Crooks Book Shoppe in Carytown in Richmond to drop off some signed books (including a copy of Haunted Richmond) for their giveaways, and baking to get done(I am so behind, thanks to edits). But today, I wanted to let all know that my new book to come from Schiffer next fall in 2009 has an official title. It is HAUNTED VIRGINIA: LEGENDS, MYTHS AND TRUE TALES.
So let me go. For those who been asking, if you want them out next fall as early as possible, let me get over to Fed Ex and get them sent off.Have a great Monday.

Today is Winter Solstice-Shortest Day of the Year

Today this is the Winter Solstice, also the shortest day of the year. In the link to the following article online, you can see that hundreds of druids, pagans, and tourists braved the gloomy weather this morning to gather at Stonehedge in England to celebrate the winter solstice. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/feedarticle/8166673
Not being a winter person myself, still it is interesting to me how on two days each year is one for the shortest span the earth goes around the sun and the other for the longest day. Though in places like Alaska, they go into mostly days of darkness, and I am sure they can not wait for the shortest day to pass so that days will get longer and longer, bringing back more hours of light into their lives.
All this means to me, is that winter is officially here. A time to be indoors and read good books and good reason not to go out outside when the sun shines so I can do more writing.

HAPPY WINTER SOLSTICE to you all.

Starting on Edits for My Legends and Myths Book

Letting everyone know that I might be able to squeeze in a Christmas blog before Christmas, but not much of anything else. I am now starting into edits with my editor for the new Schiffer book, (tentatively titled) Unique Legends, Myths, and True Tales of Virginia. It's a big book, so that will take my time away. And I have couple manuscripts I am working on too. Just letting anyone who reads this know.And with Christmas coming, which I spend with family, plus a book signing under my pseudonym, Sapphire Phelan, in Norfolk, Virginia this Saturday the 20th, I will be busy. But that is good--right?

Please Read-Help Genre Bookstore, Creatures and Crooks in Richmond!

I got this in my email from a mystery author, Jennifer Stanley. I am contributing a couple of signed books and plan to be there on January 31st. I hope this reaches out to other authors out there. even artists--if you have a picture that is fantasy, scifi, mystery, or horror related--signed by you. If interested contact Jennifer Stanley at jbstanleyauthor@comcast.net. If you live in Virginia, or call the store and order ( http://cncbooks.com/) to have it delivered to you, please do so. You can be entered for a chance to win some nifty prizes. Their phone number is 804-340-0277, or toll-free: 888-533-5303. Their address: 3156 West Cary Street Cary Court Park & Shop Richmond, VA 23221.




Here's her email ands please pass it on to others:
Hello! I am a mystery author living in Richmond and have been writing other authors in hopes of soliciting help for a beloved Richmond independent book store. I'm sure you know Lelia Taylor, the kind-hearted proprietor. Hundreds of authors love her store as she has hand-sold many of our titles. I had a signing there recently recently and she began to cry and said that she may have to close the store. I was very upset on her behalf!

She asked if I could think of an event that might bring folks into the store and help her pay the rent. I am planning to host a benefit for the store on Jan 31st and was wondering if you could attend. The Event: Saturday, January 31st from 1-4. Come for books, sugar-laden treats, and door prizes.

Who’s Involved: In short, over one hundred authors from across the country contributed to the dozen fabulous raffle prizes to be given away on the 31st. This event will be the culmination of a month-long contest in which customers will earn a raffle ticket for every $25 they spend during the month of January. (This includes phone customers). Weekly prizes will also be given away. These prizes will include signed books from authors in the field of mystery, fantasy, horror, nonfiction, and children’s fiction.

The authors attending the January 31^st event at the bookstore as of this date are Katherine Neville, Donna Andrews, Ellen Crosby, Maria Lima, Ellen Byerrum, Andy Straka, Joseph Guion, John Gilstrap, Austin S. Camacho, Maggie Stiefvater, and J.B Stanley. We are also getting contributions from big names in our field, including a vampire basket from Charlaine Harris, a character donation from Margaret Maron, gold and sapphire earrings from Denise Swanson, a Carolyn Hart prize, a culinary basket including goodies from Joanne Fluke, a Tiffany necklace and much, much more.

If you can't attend, would you consider mailing me a signed book or another prize donation? And if you know any other authors in your genre who might get involved, would you pass them this message? Thanks so much!

Jennifer (JB) Stanley

www.jbstanley.com

www.cozychicks.com

http://www.cozychicksblog.com/

Sci-Fi’s Grand Old Man Forrest J Ackerman Dies

Forrest J. Ackerman passed away Thursday. Read more at the link below. I have one of his books, signed, thanks to a good friend of mine who's a friend of his and interviewed him countless times. It is time to bow our heads down for another legend that passed away.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28073967/

You Can Preorder Anthology My Story, "Misery Loves Company" Is In

I have horror short story (ghost), "Misery Loves Company" to be in the following anthology coming January 2009 for $16.00, published by R J Buckley Publishing. Preorder it at http://www.rjbuckleypublishing.com/amazonanthology.html .

When it is out it will be available on Amazon and in brick and mortor bookstores.

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The World Outside the Window by 19 authors in the Amazon Shorts Pgram

Imagine, if you will, a building of unknown origin. A building in which there are many rooms, each with a window that looks out upon a courtyard and a scene beyond.

In each room a person sits, staring out the window at the same people and objects that everyone else sees from their windows. Yet, as we tell our stories of what we see, we learn a basic truth of the universe. We learn that even though our eyes survey identical scenes, our minds take us to places that only we as individuals know and remind us of stories that only we can tell.

Outside the window we see a winding country lane leading into the distant countryside. We see two boys, perhaps 10 or 12 years old, tossing a baseball to each other. A girl of maybe 7 or 8 swings on a schoolyard swing set, while two lovers walk hand in hand along the side of the road. A ramshackle old mailbox sits on a slanted post, and nearby there is an old car, possibly from the ‘50s - appearing to be in good running condition. We see a church steeple and an older woman walking along the side of the road, seemingly headed for the church. A young soldier stands still, his face is pensive, and it is plain to see that he has much on his mind. Two men are in a heated discussion about something, but from inside our window we can only guess at what is causing their turmoil. Nearby a beautiful girl sits on a park bench, weeping. An old dog lies on the grass, peaceful and serene, watching a puppy frolicking through a flower bed. As day changes to evening and then to night, we see a twinkle in the sky. A falling star, perhaps a starship?

Yes, the characters are there for us, waiting, making no comments that will give us any clue as to who they are or what they may be doing. They are waiting for us to cast them in their roles, to give them direction. We can use one or all of them. We can make them walk down the country lane, drive the car, or follow along behind the woman as she heads for the church. It is our world to create, and we have total control of everything in it. Whatever happens, we make it happen. Loves, lies, war or peace, death or life, shackled to earth or bound for the stars, it is in our hands to decide their fate.

We sit at the window, taking in the complexity of the scene before us and after a few hours of pondering, we sit back and relax as we use our mind’s eye to peer into a world that we will shape into anything we wish it to be.

Slowly, we begin. We pick up our pens and write our stories of the world outside the window.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FALLEN STAR, RISING STAR – Mark Terence Chapman
MISERY LOVES COMPANY – Pamela K. Kinney
ROSE’S QUESTION – D. K. Christi
SMILE – Anthony Waugh
THE SILVER LINING – Rebecca Buckley
THE BLACK ROSE – Woodrow Walker
SAYING GOODBYE TO MISS MOLLY – Morgan St. James
THE SPLIT MIND – Robert A. Meacham
NEAL’S NOEL – Jay Osman
THE MAILBOX – Larry L. Evans
STRANGE DREAMS – B.W. Philpot
ONLY THERE WAS NO WIND – Jim Wilsky
AUSTIN, MY HERO – Tory Lynn
ETUDE & SMOKE RINGS – Lana M. Ho-Sheing
TWILIGHT – Matthew Alan Pierce
THIS TIME FOREVER – Erin Gordon
SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY – Curtis M. Hendel
HOUSE ARREST – Richard Lord
KILLING FROST – E. Don Harpe

Review of X-Files: I Want to Believe DVD

I didn't get to see this film in the theaters this past summer, so wanting to rent the Blu-ray version of it, I made sure I was at Blockbuster at 10AM. First, they separated deliveries for regular DVDs and the High Defs. I came back at 11:15AM, only to find they only got Wanted in Blu-ray only. I went ahead and got me the regular DVD of X-Files: I Want to Believe.
I had seen reviews of it and saw that it seemed more watered down from the TV show and even the first film. But I still enjoyed it. This time, instead of the alien thread, they used one of those stand alone horror episodes made into a movie. The villain in this piece didn't scare me much, except during one scene when he watched one of his victims to be get out of a pool and sunk into the water, with a nasty grin. But the actor didn't make his character evil enough. Yes, he disgusted me, considering what he was having done to the women he kidnapped. But no, not heart stopping evil.
David Duchovney was Mulder, though Gillian Anderson seemed more watered down at first form the way she played Scully in the series. Then toward the end of the film, she brought back the feisty Scully I knew.
If you're looking for perfection, for the best of X-Files when the series was at its hey day, then you will be disappointed. But if you are a fan, I promise you you will enjoy this movie.
I give X-Files: I want to Believe 3 1/2 dragons.