Isn’t She Lovely

My stepdaughter went to her first formal, she had no idea her dad would be in town to see her before she left. Oh yeah, he knows it all starts now.

The News

A month ago I was contacted by an editor at a traditional publisher. She wanted to know if I would be interested in having a conversation about turning Home-Ec 101 into a book.

Immediately I turned to Google and Facebook, looking to see if it was a legit company.

Yes.

I returned the email and a few days later we had a conversation that outlined the whole process.  The biggest hurdle is the pitch. She sent me a sample proposal and from that I began piecing together one for Home-Ec 101. After stressing about it and pestering people into giving their opinions, I finally turned it in -before the deadline, thank you very much.

Since then, it’s been a waiting game. Well, until yesterday that is. Around 1pm I got an email from the editor saying they really liked the idea and that it seems marketable. In fact, they wanted to hear it pitched in a larger size. (The original specs were for a paperback, slightly taller than your average novel, but not as thick (about 240 pgs ). Apparently they want to see it priced out in a larger book, I don’t know if that has anything to do with the number of words, adding content, or if it’s to allow for more whitespace.  I’ll negotiate my contract when the final size & cost of production are figured out.

Regardless, I’m beyond excited, if nothing else, this is flattering and validating. I plug away at HE101 hoping I’m not wasting my time.  Insecure much?  Always.

Publishing projects take a while, so it will be some time before I make the big announcement on Home-Ec 101. It’s not a secret, but I’m going to try to not make a big deal out of it until closer to the release.

I’m still on cloud nine.

Highlights from Last Night’s Social Media Club Charleston’s Panel

As per usual there was some great discussion, but there were moments that tickled me to no end.

Someone described being a fan of a brand on Facebook as it being “A friend with benefits.”

Viagra, it’s bigger than the brand.

The highlight of the evening was Andra Watkins impromptu illustration of  inappropriate IRL networking behavior. “Hi! Me. Me. Me, me, me, me me me. ME!” I wish we had been able to get video.

Next time.

Testing

Wordless Wednesday

Tags: Wordless Wednesday

Picture Post

Just a few quick kid pics, before I forget.

Last week I took the kids and my pal Bran up to Chimney Rock. Great day and as all family trips go, it’s not complete until someone gets hurt.

Being Brave?

Well, it’s silly, but there is an open casting call for a cooking show. It’s today from 2 -4 and I’m going to go for it.

What the heck, right?

If I ask my readers at Home Ec 101 to be fearless in the kitchen, then I must follow my own advice, even if it means I’ll look like a stammering goofball in front of people.

Here goes!

Picture Time

Just some random fun.

Now That the Kvetching is Out of the Way

Photo Credit: Rick Bucich

• I met a ton of fabulous people who have and will leave a mark on my life, both personally and professionally. No, I can’t even begin to go into who those people are, the guilt people, the guilt.
• I gained confidence in my abilities as a writer, as a general html / css geek, and as a speaker.
• I learned I can motivate others to look beyond the big resources for social media education.
• I learned I should be more aware of my facial expressions while talking.
• I learned my children are not always to blame when I lose things.

I am also learning that a pile of contact info is quite intimidating.

The Only Parts I Didn’t Like

If you follow me on Twitter, you may have noticed I’ve talked nonstop about the Type-A Mom conference for weeks now.

There are two things I need to bring up, and Kelby, I do not believe either of these actions reflected on the conference as a whole. These two incidents were simply bad choices made by individuals, who you’ll notice are not being called out by name.

#1 As a woman, speaking at conference focused on empowering women, do not ever point to a man in the room and suggest he knows how to code simply because he is in possession of a penis.

I about died. All I could think to do at that moment was to sputter to my tablemate, did she really just say, “There’s a man, ask him?”

#2 Never publicly question anyone about their stance on adult products, toys, marital aids, etc unless specifically invited to do so. I attended the conference as Heather Solos, founder of Home-Ec 101. None of my readership has any business knowing what happens in my bedroom. While I am “on duty” as a representative of the business I have worked hard to build, I would appreciate being treated as a professional. If this makes me sound like a prude, so be it. I have never sought the public’s opinion in that regard.