Friday, January 05, 2007

Say What?

I know it’s hard to believe, but yes, I really am suggesting you go read Kevin Wignall over at Contemporary Nomad again. Now, just between us, I wonder if he’d mind if I called him Wiggie. Probably safer not to ask. But it’s just so damn confusing distinguishing between my Kevin and Kevin Wignall. This is why I dislike common names.

Okay, but to the point, Kevin (Wig-ee-er-um-nall) has put up an interesting post with a very interesting question at the end. Again, authors, soon-to-be-authors, anyone thinking and talking about book promotion will find this worth their time to consider.

He’s probably slaughtered me in the comments by now. But it’s okay. We don’t always agree, but it makes for interesting discussions. Actually, Kevin Wignall was the reason I really want to do a panel called “Is Fair Foul and Foul Really Fair? Do we really need those bleeping expletives? Swearing in crime fiction.” Some day, Kevin and I will be on that panel at a convention. Of course, not if the event organizers know what’s good for them…

Now, in a bit of a BSPish moment here, I’d like to thank some people. Mindy. Trace. Ken Bruen. Angie. SW Vaughn. James. (And if you read James Oswald’s story in the fall Spinetingler, congratulate him. He’s written a manuscript based off that story, and I can’t wait to read it. He put down the final words on the draft on New Year’s Day – what a way to start 2007 James!)

What does thanking them have to do with BSP? Each of them posted this week about my book being available for pre-order on Barnes & Noble (or in Ken’s case, commented on the book in an interview). And none of them had to. They all decided on their own they wanted to, and surprised me. I’m sure from time to time I’ll hit other blogs and see mentions as well, and there are probably some I’ve missed here. But I’ve been simultaneously honoured and humbled to see you guys spreading the word about my book. Thank you.

Thanks to Norby, we now know my ratio of dog to cat in my breeding

You Are: 60% Dog, 40% Cat

You are a nice blend of cat and dog.
You're playful but not too needy. And you're friendly but careful.
And while you have your moody moments, you're too happy to stay upset for long.


And since I was there anyway, I had to settle this question once and for all

You Are 40% Sociopath

From time to time, you may be a bit troubled and a bit too charming for your own good.
It's likely that you're not a sociopath... just quite smart and a bit out of the mainstream!



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16 comments:

Anonymous said...

I scored 52% Sociopathic. Somehow I expected it to be higher.

s.w. vaughn said...

Sandra, you are most welcome! I want you to kick ass right out of the gate with this book, yanno...

Stephen, I beat you. :-) I'm 56% sociopath, and according to the picture, I enjoy a good swallow of blood now and again. Interesting.

Anonymous said...

56%? We should trade notes.

Blood, it's what's for dinner.

Sandra Ruttan said...

Stephen, I'm deeply disturbed by your score. You must be exceptional at lying.

And SW, you seem so nice. Scary!

Anonymous said...

I scored 16% Sociopath. It said I'm empathetic and loyal, but good at spotting sociopaths. I think their test is flawed. Just in case, I plan on keeping a safe distance from all of you. norby

Anonymous said...

I'm the same as norby. I thought I was meaner than that.

angie said...

Wow. 50/50 dog/cat split - which is a little weird 'cause I'm totally a dog person. And only 20% sociopathic. That's good, right?! It's funny, but I've only met one honest to god sociopath in my life. She scared the shit out of me.

And I think Stephen was totally lying.
;)

Anonymous said...

Of course I'm a good liar, Sandra. I have Angie fooled.

s.w. vaughn said...

We all have to be good liars. We make stuff up for a living, don't we? *G*

Of course I'm nice, Sandra! Ask anyone. You can keep believing that as long as you never read any of my books. LOL

Anonymous said...

I am now having fantasies about winning those books. It would be better than the guy showing up with the giant cardboard check from Publisher's Clearinghouse.

angie said...

Got me fooled? No way, Stephen. I'm convinced your score should have been higher.

Lisa Hunter said...

Sandra,
Just pre-ordered your book. Can't wait!
Lisa

Sandra Ruttan said...

Hmmm. Maybe Bill and Norby hide it well?

Angie, how could a dog person be a sociopath? It must be the cat in you.

Stephen, yes, you've got Angie fooled. Do you have her address?

SW, not going there!

Eileen, I know! Imagine winning that many titles! Eish. Where would I put them?

Lisa, awwwww. Thank you. That's the sweetest thing I've heard all day.

Anonymous said...

Quit disrespecting 'Kevins'. Common name, uncommon coolness...

Sandra Ruttan said...

You should know I disrespect at least one Kevin all the time.

Lisa Hunter said...

Yeah, I'm sweet. According to the test, I'm "likely not a sociopath" at all.

The most interesting wannabe sociopath I ever met was a guy in my college journalism class. He scored a job writing obituaries (which are done well in advance of a famous person dying) at a Major New York newspaper. He'd have to call up his obit subjects and pretend the paper was "updating its files" to get current biographical information. But none of his work ever showed up in print (i.e. he never got any clips from the Major New York newspaper) because none of the famous folks had the courtesy to die for the sake of his career. He liked to entertain fantasies of knocking them off so his byline could be on page 1.