Author Jo Leigh lost her husband this year to cancer. They were reunited lovers and the loss hit her hard, both emotionally and financially. (authors are self-employed, so often have no medical insurance.)

In an effort to raise money to help her pay off the medical debt, an auction is being held. This is a wonderful way to purchase gifts for yourself or a loved one. There’s something for every writer and reader.

Check out all the wonderful items here: http://www.forjoleigh.com

I’ve donated:

• two Marked series coffee mugs, a Tor Books keychain that lights up when squeezed, an autographed ARC of EVE OF DARKNESS (April 28, 2009), and some surprises

Please spread the word about the auction to any loops, forums, etc. that you might be on. Thank you.

Win all three Marked series coverflats, autographed! [ends Dec. 15]

http://www.sjday.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=18

Coverflats for all three Marked books arrived today. They are fabulous. Matte, glossy, embossed, AND foiled — front, back, and spine.

Christmas.

There. I said it.

I tried (gently) to talk about Christmas trees with my husband on Sunday. He gave me the “you’re nuts” look that I adore and said Christmas trees should go up in December. I argued that they should be up before Thanksgiving. He insists I made that up. Did I? I don’t think so. Regardless, we’ve been married over a decade and the tree has always been up before Thanksgiving. So it will be this year, too.

There are many reasons why I should be dreading the holidays. I have soooo much to write before they arrive that I panic when I think about it. *shudder* The economy is bad, money is tight, it’s hot as hell where I live, and my state is burning down around me. At times, everything seems so dire and depressing… Read more »

I have to say it: I hate daylight savings, even when I gain an hour. It’s only six o’clock in the evening and I feel like it’s nine. I want to take a nap. Until morning.

But I’m not going to blog about hours, I’m going to blog about years. This year in particular. It’s November after all, which means 2008 is almost over. Can you believe it? I can’t. I also can’t believe how much I wish it were already 2009. That’s the bane of authors, I think — half the time, we’re living a year ahead. I’ve spent the last couple of months going over covers, blurbs, copy edits, etc. for books that won’t see a bookstore shelf until well into next year.

So now that we’re approaching the end of 2008 (the holidays will make the next two months fly by even faster…) I’ve been thinking about the goals I set for myself back in January, and whether I’ve met them or not… Read more »