Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Solvang No More

Kirk Irwin photo
Yep, it's official. We're packing up, selling our house and moving about five miles east of here to the sleepy town of Santa Ynez. And somehow, Santa Ynez Sherrie doesn't have the same ring as Solvang Sherrie. *sigh* I might actually have to start using my real name. Hmm...

While Solvang is known as the Danish Capital of America (you knew that, right? *grin*) Santa Ynez is known for its beautiful horse ranches, vineyards and wineries. It's the heart of Santa Barbara County Wine Country. Of course, I don't own a horse ranch and I don't know much about wine. I'm just, you know, a struggling writer currently obsessed with throwing out as much as possible so I don't have to move it.

But, just because I'm not paying as much attention, doesn't mean things aren't happening in the publishing world. Here are just a few of the things that caught my notice in the past week:

Free E-Books
Everybody wants to get something for nothing and this website highlights some of the titles you can legally download every day (via Galley Cat). (Don't get me started on the whole book pirating thing.) This week's featured title: Hello Kitty Must Die by Angela Choi. Sounds interesting, no? Also still free (but only available for Kindle) Stealing Jake by Pam Hillman.

Best Book Deal Ever
Jane Austen's unfinished novel, The Watsons, sold at auction for £993,250 (about 1.5 million). Note to whoever ponied up the cash: I've got several unfinished novels and I'm willing to cut a much less expensive deal.

Shelf Awareness for Readers
Speaking of good deals, I'm now a book reviewer for Shelf Awareness (getting paid to read books=awesome deal for me!) and they're giving away a hardcover of The Most Dangerous Thing by Laura Lippman. Sign up here to enter the contest. Follow this link to read my review of Ripple by Mandy Hubbard.

Night of the Giving Dead
And just in case you were wondering, Carrie Harris raised more than $7000 with her book launch / fundraiser for the Mott Children's Hospital. Yay Carrie! And yay for those of you who bid on items, donated items, and scored some sweet deals. I snagged a t-shirt and signed copy of Hold Me Closer Necromancer by Australian author Lish McBride. Woo-hoo!

And that's about it from me. Some empty boxes are calling my name. Stupid things won't shut up! Ugh. Hope you're all having a more relaxing summer than we are...

24 comments:

Kristan said...

Ooo, a new town and a new you? How exciting!

Lol at the Jane Austen/unfinished ms section.

Becky Levine said...

Wow, big changes. Santa Ynes is beautiful--hope the move is all good!

Lenny Lee said...

hi miss sherrie! a new place to live. wow! how cool is that! i hope you could do some pictures after you get all moved. yikes! thats a lotta money for a book that got no end. ack! maybe for a new name you could just be santa sherrie then you could be a saint or an elf! :) ha ha.
...hugs from lenny

storyqueen said...

I agree with Lennie--Santa Sherrie!

Will you'r kids have to go to a different school? I always loved the pictures you posted about their little old schoolhouse.

But life is full of change. That's what makes it wonderful.

Best of luck to you!

Shelley

Laura Pauling said...

Congrats on the new blog gig! And good luck moving - ain't easy. But what a great chance to throw stuff out!

Kelly Polark said...

How exciting to review books for $! And congrats and good luck on your move. I'm sure it's exciting and a little stressful at the same time.
My life is in limbo as we have to sell our house in the terrible IL market to move to Wi where my hubby lives much of the time. We had an offer last week and it fell through. We are devastated. :( But we'll just smile and keep going.

Dianne K. Salerni said...

Good luck with the move! Just remember, it's impossible to completely empty a house. You can move half the stuff, then half of what remains, and then half of what remains after that ... but like Zeno's paradox, you'll never get to the end. There will always be one more closet or drawer you'll discover, after you thought you were done.

That's when you start leaving "presents" for the new owners! ;) I'm pretty sure the people who bought my last house LOVED my old junk drawer -- all kinds of useful things must have been in it, right?

Karen Jones Gowen said...

We just finished a major move. Only 3 miles away but distance doesn't matter, it was still major! Good luck with those shouting boxes :)

Bish Denham said...

Have "fun" with the move. Sounds like a lovely place. I think I've been in that general area.

Tiana Smith said...

Wow! Congrats and good luck with the move :)

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

eeps, no more Solvang Sherrie??? Well, new starts are good for recharging, so I think it's a good time to use your real name (especially since book deals are surely coming, too).
I've finished my move and feeling more settled finally.

Shannon O'Donnell said...

Wow, you've been busy! Moving is such a stressful, exciting time. Thanks for all the links. :-)

Krispy said...

Oh wow! Congrats on the new place! I bet it's beautiful out there. Pictures when you're settled? :)

Good luck with packing!

Lydia Kang said...

No more Solvang Sherrie? How about Super Sherrie? I'd support that new name.
:O)

Tess said...

No more Solvang? Aw, my Danish husband will be so sad :0

good luck w/ the move and congrats on the book review gig .. that rocks!

Corey Schwartz said...

Oh, my gosh! No more Solvang? I can't believe it! At least you'll be close by! (and you'll always be Solvang Sherrie to us!)

Michelle D. Argyle said...

Oh, good luck with the move!

Rebecca said...

I love Solvang and Santa Inez. My great great Aunt lived in the Santa Inez Mission with her uncle who was the head priest and helped restore the mission from 1904 - 1930's. Lance Armstrong, the 7th time Tour de France winner used to train in Solvang. I was wondering you would be interested in an author interview. I can provide more details if you email me.

Stina said...

ROFL about the unfinished mss. You might want to hold onto them. Maybe your great great great grandchildren will benefit from them one day. :D

Wow, on Carrie's auction. I'm still thrilled with my prize, but man was that stressful.

Carolyn V said...

Good luck moving Sherrie! Santa Ynez sounds amazing though. Hope your family will love the new place. <3

Anonymous said...

Best wishes on the move!

Susan Kaye Quinn said...

Good luck with the move! And I think using your full name would be great, but I will miss the Solvang. :)

Joanne R. Fritz said...

Good luck with the move! I know moving can be stressful.

And congrats on reviewing for Shelf Awareness. I read it at the bookstore all the time (of course, I've been on vacation the last two weeks...). What a great job!

Unknown said...

I love Santa Ynez...might just have to come up and visit you!

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