Yes, it's true. If you look up work by Michelle McGriff, you'll notice electronic books on the market. But these books are my first 'self-published' eBooks.
Check out this END OF THE MONTH sale
Coupon code for THE DATE on SMASHWORDS.... better check it out before this promotion is over!
Your coupon code is KB35Z (not case-sensitive).
Customers enter the code prior to completing their checkout.
Promotional price: $0.00
Coupon Code: KB35Z
Expires: February 28, 2013
The books are available on Smashwords, Amazon, BN.com and more.
I hold the "electronic" rights to all my books. COLORED SUMMER (now called MY COLORED SUMMER) included. This book particularly has been in the public domain with URBAN BOOKS but is currently out of print. I have contacted an attorney who states that "due to the ambiguous terms" of my contract, all electronic publication rights have always been mine to utilize on all of my books currently in print. I am exercising this right at this time to put up my books (old and new) in electronic format with a NEW ISBN. Thank you for your continued support to me as an author in purchasing only books published by IUNIVERSE or Michelle McGriff. Thank you.
The cover art on It Feels like Falling is a photograph taken by my daughter Qiara Ryans. The covers for A Lesson in Obsession as well as Abby Love and Last Drying Breath, are self taken photographs of my daughter. She doesn't even realize how good she is at what she does. I used her picture with hopes that eventually some would want to contact her to take pictures for their work. I think she is FULL of potential.
"These books listed here are my own original work. written and published by me. I no longer support Urban Books and will NOT be directing the sales of my previous work to them or any outlet that supports their practice of NOT paying authors royalties, NOT producing sales statements, and or selling books in such a way as to gain profit off those books, bypassing the author's benefits." Sincerely, Michelle McGriff
As we approach the New Year I wanted to warn all of you of the ‘not too talked about’ mental health threat of 2012. STUPIDITY
You could have it. It was very contagious this year. Many, MANY people had it. I’m sure there weren’t any of us here that were not exposed to at least for at least a second or three--via face to face or internet interaction. All of us met at least one person or maybe a nation full with folks with it.
Scary thought: There are no ‘stages’ to this virus. Once you’ve allowed yourself to hang around STUPIDITY too long, you’ve got it—you are STUPID.
The worse part of the virus is that once you have it, you don’t even realize it—even when others point it out to you.
No to worry, I’ve noted five early symptoms that will help you self check and maybe get it out of system before carrying it into another year of your life.
1. Believing with all your heart that your inappropriate words and actions are humorous to everyone when in fact you are the only one laughing.
2. Inability to fight the urge to do just the very thing that, everyone who knows you---including GOD-- has told you not to do.
3. Accepting that the term “Well Thought out Idea” is only an 'interesting concept' that someone WAY smarter than you came up with and convincing yourself that it’s too far beyond your comprehension to even think taking that kind of time before acting on any of your own ideas. (Plus they all seem kinda cool and doable)
4. Turning your back on and not giving merit to those who have stood by you in the worst of times—you remember those people....they are called....your friends.
5. Thinking you can do anything and everything—alone.
Now if any of these symptoms sound STUPID to you, you may have already been overly exposed. STOP, DROP and THINK right now—it may be your only chance of survival into 2013. If you don’t, trust me, you’re gonna be STUPID all next year too and that would sad.
Warning: Parents, attempting to beat STUPID out of your children could result in legal action being brought against you by a stupid judge.
In September 2012, amidst a country in change, I thought I had my life totally together. I was working towards my goals, dreams and aspirations as a single, healthy, woman over 50. Around the 15th my phone rang and it was my estranged daughter as me for help. She wanted me to help her recapture her children that had been taken from her over 3 years prior by her ‘other’. At that point in time, I hadn’t seen them since she and I had fallen out and parted ways over 7 years before.
The mother in me came out immediately, and despite the fact that she and I had yet to reunite, I hopped in my truck, picked her up (after passing her three times… I hadn’t seen her in 7 years and she’d done quite a bit of changing), we hit the road to Sacramento to get her children: Ms. L who is now 11 and Mr. K who is 9.
I have to admit, my heart was a flutter and I was eager to help in his endeavor. I had no idea what was about to happen was going to change my life so drastically. Had I known… well, I’da still hopped in my truck “Onyx” and got on that road that day- I know I would have.
This blog is going to be about my new life as a full time caregiver of a two minor children. I never thought I’d be raising kids again… ever. But I am. Yes, a week after getting her back together with her children, she called for me to get them… she was overwhelmed.
I’m not angry with her. I have nothing but respect for the fact that she loved her children enough to call me to get them. She knew when she picked them up, I think, that she was not ready to parent again, but the love of a mother kicked in and she knew she had to get her children back and cross the next bridges… later.
FIRST things first… keeping the children safe—so currently they live with me and my niece. My niece is a licensed foster mom who has children living in her home already. I knew this was going to add to that challenge but, she is my blood and so was ready to take it on! I said… Okay.
We enrolled the children and got them to the doctors… oh man, the doctors… I’ll have to hold that off for the next installment.
What you find out children who have NEVER seen a physician, and or dentist, need? The cost will make your head SPINNNNNNNNN.
...
HAIR REVIEWS:
PRE BLACK FRIDAY SALE 2012
SHAKLEE
WE'RE ABOUT HEALTH
SHAKLEE IS THE NUMBER ONE NATURAL NUTRITION COMPANY IN THE U.S. WHY?
The logical reasons are many:
Over $250 million invested in clinical testing, research, and development
Over 83,000 tests annually for product quality
Over 100 scientific papers, 90 of them published in peer-reviewed journals
Quality far beyond industry standards
But the real reason is much less quantifiable. It's passion.
We think health is the most important thing in the whole world. Without it, you have nothing else.
So everything that goes into every Shaklee bottle is designed to make you healthy.
What's In My Ear
Don't let anybody bring you down. Just don't let em!
I am an Ambassador for Capella University. Please feel free to contact me regarding your questions concering the university: mmcgriff@capellauniversity.edu
Catching UP: NEW YEAR'S DAY 2013
MeCheeisms 2012
"Just because you are my soulmate does not give you the license to suck the soul out of me."
"Why continue trying to see qualities in people that they aren't even looking for within themselves."
"You'll never really know what consumes a person's mind by what they talk about all the time. What they talk about may just be a mask for what's really consuming their mind" MeCheeism 2012.
When Dr. Michelle said she needed something to fill a “biggo” gap on her page, I jumped at the chance to help out. That's me, Mrs. Helpful. Then I got to thinking, “What am I gonna write about?”
I am not a marketing guru. I'm not a nutrition and exercise expert, but I know a thing or two about a thing or two. One thing I know is that laughter is and always will be the best medicine. It's trite, but like many cliches, it's true. Laughter releases all those feel good hormones and gets your blood pumping, your heart racing and your brain jiggling. I could fill this space with all kinds of technical stuff that might mean something to a scientist, but what's the point? All we need to know is that laughter is good stuff.
So, with that in mind, I'm going to share some stories that will, I hope, at least make you smile.
۞
My family is strange. There's really no other way to put it. We aren't like anyone else I know – a fact we're pretty proud of. I don't know any other families who talk in funny voices, sing Beatles songs in the car (loudly and off key) or pick up things with their toes. (Seriously, like freaking monkeys.) So, it's no wonder that guests aren't exactly sure how to take us. Are we crazy? Maybe – but if we are, I'm staying here because it's fun.
We did have one set of friends that kept up with us pretty well. They were almost, but not quite entirely, as crazy as we are. They were always our guests for holiday meals. For simplicity (and the avoidance of law suits) I shall call them John and Maria. The story I'm about to tell took place two Thanksgivings ago – that's two years ago on Thanksgiving....
Maria is from Peru and speaks perfect English as well as her native Spanish. Her mom was visiting and came to dinner at our house. Mom doesn't speak much English, so Maria translated during our meal. Her mom and I spoke to one another and Maria would translate, in English to me and in Spanish to her mom.
Maria and I polished off almost an entire bottle of wine together. It didn't seem to have too much of an effect until suddenly Maria turned to me and spoke in very deliberate and closely enunciated Spanish. Then she turned to her mother and said the same thing in English. Mom and I exchanged a look and started to giggle. Neither of us could tell her what she'd done, we were laughing too hard.
Needless to say, Maria's wine supply was abruptly cut off.
۞
I belong to a small writing group that meets once a week. We have a prompt each week and bring in something that we've written to share with the group. One day, our prompt was “A Letter of Complaint”. I've included mine below.
Letter of Complaint – August 17, 2011
Dear Sir or Ma'am:
I bought this thingummy a fortnight ago and the dumb thing don't work right! You're s'posed to put the whatsit into the doomaflachy thingy but it ain't going. I wiggled and jiggled it some, but that's a no go. Mum kicked it and still nuffin.
I wants me money back pronto! How dare ya sell crap which don't work right? Buggers—all of ya.
Walt Simmons
Dear Mr. Simmons,
We're very sorry that you had problems with our product. Could you, perhaps, be more specific as to which product you refer? This would greatly expedite our refund to you.
Neville McNee
Customer Complaints
Mr. McNee,
Wot kind of name is Neville anyway? Don't know how much more specific I can be. It's that thingummy wot was on sale last week downtown. It sits on your desk and you're s'posed to be able to access that intranet whatchacallit wiff it. I want a proper thingy as will work right.
Walt Simmons
Mr. Simmons,
Do you mean a computer? Have you hooked it up properly? Perhaps you need to read the user's manual or take it to the shop where you purchased it and get instructions.
Neville McNee
Customer Complaints
Whot you talking about, Neville?
Mr. Simmons,
Afraid I don't understand your last communication. I'm talking about the computer you bought at one of our stores last week. I was able to access your purchase information. You also purchased the extended warranty, so any service you require will be covered. Please take your computer back to the store where you bought it and they will be happy to help you out.
Neville McNee
Customer Complaints
Neville,
I done wot you said. I took the computer to the shop and they laughed at me. Bunch of nerdy looking types in blue shirts told me I'm computer illiterate. I'm not sure exactly what that means, but it's and insult, be sure of that. I just want me money back, but Mum dented it when she kicked it, so they say they can't give me a full refund.
I've sent it back to you lot, part and parcel. Take the bloody thing and to hell with you and it! Pox on you, the ruddy machine and the horse you both rode in on! And you never answered my question—wot kind of wimpy, dorky name is Neville anyhow?
Walt Simmons
Mr. Simmons,
Thank you for returning your computer to us. Unfortunately, as you've chopped it in a million pieces, we can't give you a refund. Also, I found the letter you included with it somewhat inflammatory and personally offensive. Neville is a fine, old fashioned family name. My grandfather's name was Neville. I thank you for keeping such comments to yourself.
On a less personal note, any further missives are to be directed to my supervisor, Cedric Hinkle.
Neville McNee
Customer Complaints
Mr. Hinkle,
Wot sort of a daft name is Cedric anyway?
۞
Without laughter, life is extraordinarily dull. When I went through chemo two years ago for breast cancer, I made a goal of finding at least one funny thing to laugh about each day. It was one thing that kept me going. It's important to take care of your body with good food and exercise, but you need to exercise your sense of humor too.
Many people aspire to write — and some are even good at it! But there is difference between wanting to write for the love of it and wanting to write to generate income. If you are a decent writer and want to turn that ability into a business, then here are three income-related matters to consider:
1. What kind of writing will you do? Will you write pieces for magazines and newspapers or will you serve businesses and organizations? I have built my writing business around serving the needs of businesses. I started out helping clients with copywriting projects such as press releases, brochures, websites, newsletters, etc. But I now specialize in ghostwriting books. There are lots of different types of writing needs out there. You don’t have to specialize in a certain area right off, but you should know the general direction you want to go in, in terms of whether you’re focusing on editorial markets such as newspapers and magazines or if you are going the corporate route.
It’s more likely that you can set your own rates (and control your own income) when you work with corporate clients rather than editorial clients such as publications. While some publications pay well, many do not pay at all or pay low rates. So consider this when deciding which direction you want to go. The direction you purpose can have a huge impact on the amount of income you generate.
2. Think of at least three ways you will market your work. If you are going to run a writing business, you’ve got to let people know you write. Don’t just expect people to come to you. They have to know you exist. Even if you are an author transitioning to copywriting or business writing, this still holds true. Many authors know how to sell books, but aren’t sure how to leverage that experience into a writing business. Make sure you have some ideas for marketing your business before you start, or as early in the process as you can. Check out this post I wrote on the subject: How to Sell Your Writing Services — Even If You Don’t Feel Like a Salesperson.
3. How much will you charge? Many writers charge too little and end up struggling just to make ends meet, even though they are working a lot. The goal isn’t to work yourself into the ground being a freelancer, but to build your income so it can provide the kind of life you want. That starts with determining how much you will charge. If you are unsure of your rate, then research rates for the types of services you will offer. Know that there is a broad range, so it’s not enough to know the “going” rate. Also consider the time investment that will be necessary to produce a project, the amount of money you want to make, and even how much you want to work. And consider your cost of doing business — such as subscriptions or fees, professional services, taxes, etc. Factor all these in before coming up with a rate.
For instance, if you want to earn $50,000 a year, and factor in two weeks of vacation time, you may at first come up with an hourly rate of $25 ($1,000 a week, divided by 40 hours a week). But remember, you won’t necessarily be working on client projects for 40 hours. You’ll have other work to do, like marketing, answering calls, working on your website, attending networking events, etc. But your income still must accommodate all this. So you may decide that your hourly rate should be $50. So that way your billable time will be more valuable and bring you in more income to cover those times that are not billable.
You can launch or grow a writing business when you take care of these three very important income considerations. Addressing these issues can help you start making income more quickly.
Monica Carter Tagore is a ghostwriter and the publisher of the Writer’s Living blog, a resource to help writers manage the business side of their careers. Writer’s Living provides actionable advice for ambitious writers. Visit Writer’s Living, comment on a post, and join the mailing list.
RENTA BROWN
Thanks all of you for being connected to Artson365.com
The coming year is exciting 2013 is going to be a great year in the Indie Artist Movement. We at Artson365.com plan to be right in the thick of it. Remember the core of what we do is free. Please tell a friend to tell a friend to link up with us!. We are launching a whole new site in February that will be interactive and allow direct uploads and groups.
We have one more event before the year is out and that is the Holiday Raffle
Raffle is open to the 48 continuous United States of America (due to postage)
Please see next's year tentative schedule
Artson365.com Schedule of Events for 2013
February – Pajama Party – Cruise fundraiser (Virtual and Atlanta)
March – Poetry/Fashion Show (Atlanta)
April 12&13– Artson365.com & Blacktastic.com – Talent Showcase Sacramento, California
June 28 & 29 – Talent Showcase Staten Island, New York
August – Cruise for a Cause – 4 day – 3 night cruise to Baja Mexico
Dr. MeChee's Health Corner
Body Transformation
by Dr. Michelle McGriff
With the changes going on in my life, my gym routine dropped dramatically from 8 workout sessions a week to barely squeezing in 5. So I guess you know what that means... yup, I need a new eating regimen because my caloric intake needs to drop just as dramatically.
Nonetheless, when I work out, I’m working out HARD. So, it’s a tricky sticky trying to get it just right.
Just as I got used to eating like a champion, I now have to cut back to eating as if I worked a desk… yet, continuing to burn fat and not muscle when I work out.
I’m still working the pool once or twice a week, but now I’m back to Free Weights because there isn’t always a class for me when I’m ready to hit the gym.
Over the next few months I will be putting together a stringent workout routine so that when I do hit the gym for that mighty hour it’s gonna be a hard sweaty intense hours that will make up for the zumba and or body combat classes I missed during the week.
In 2013, in addition to muscle gain there is a planned 40 pound weight loss. This goal will put me back to my high school weight… but a lot healthier than I was … even then.
