Whew doggie have these past 48 hours been a whirlwind of awesome! 
  I plan to keep you updated throughout the week on how the book tour is going - both for friends interested in hearing about the experiences, and for other indies who might read this someday, kind of like I studied Hugh Howey and Joe Konrath's archives. (Yes, I'm reaching high again, but you expect that of me, right?)
  Before the recap, check out the poster to the right for all relevant information about tonight's meet up. I'll be at Thorntown Public Library tonight at 6:00 p.m. to give a little talk, (about 30 minutes), answer questions, then sell and sign books. Hope to see you tonight!

  The Salted book tour starts tomorrow!
  Ahhhh! 
 That's right. You asked me to come home and sign books, that's what this author is doing. So please show up. Help me convince the wife this trip home is worth it so we can plan future tours!
  *Karen will be in attendance, btw, for those of you who wanted to meet her. 
  My very first book tour...whew. Little nervous, but more pumped than anything. Can't wait to see your beautiful faces and catch up in person. I'm heading to the airport in an hour and kicking things off bright and early tomorrow morning at my old elementary's Career Day. :)
  Starting tomorrow, May 28th, through Sunday, June 1st, I'll be at various stops signing books, talking shop, and generally hanging around praying someone shows up to talk with me. If you're interested in stopping by, (and you should be), you'll find my full schedule below listing where I'll be and when. I'll have print copies of Salted available for $12. Happy to sign them for free, including those who might've already purchased a copy online and bring it to the event. Also giving away free bookmark thingys that are ginormous!
  Can't wait to see you all!

  I first learned of underwater photographer Kyle McBurnie last summer when I pulled up Yahoo News and saw the above picture. I literally gasped.
  The reason Yahoo News featured the photograph?
  Kyle won National Geographic's Best Underwater Photos Contest. 
  So yeah...he's kind of a big deal.
  I wasn't prepared for cover design yet, but I followed the link to his personal site, copied/pasted it, and filed everything away to revisit later. This past February, I went back to Kyle's site and saw even more stunning photographs, including the one he graciously allowed me to use for the Salted cover and related banners.
  In these past few months I've learned not only do Kyle and I share a love for marine life, he carries a similar entrepreneurial spirit I find inspiring. So here today, ladies and gents, meet my incredibly gifted friend and photographer, Kyle McBurnie.

  Remember that little post where Karen mentioned you people expect general silliness and bad decisions from me?
  You're welcome. ;)
  (For the record, I swear she's not tipsy).

  It’s funny how life gives you little gifts and time changes your understanding of things. This morning, I finally watched the American Comedy Awards from last week. Truth be told, I only cared about the fifteen minutes where an idol of mine was recognized with the Johnny Carson award.
  That idol is Bill Cosby.
 The dark terrified me as a child. I’d constantly leave my room to wake Mom and Dad, telling them about the various monsters in my closet or demons outside my window. To keep Dad from winding up on the news for murdering his child, Mom found a way to keep me in bed.
  She gave me her old record player and albums to fall asleep to. Amongst the Bette Midler, Melissa Manchester, and one of my dad’s old Beach Boys records, I found one by Bill Cosby – To Russell, My Brother, Whom I Slept With.
  Quite appropriate, that. 
  My own brother and I shared a bed for about a year while our family transitioned to a new home. Listening to Cosby (also the eldest in his family) talk about he and Russell fighting for their side of the bed, stealing covers, and their father's threats mirrored my own experiences.

  Wednesday, May 28th - Sunday, June 1st
 Mark those dates on your calendar, people. This Hoosier author is coming home to sign books, say hey, and see all your beautiful faces.
 I've created event calendars on Facebook. You can link to by clicking the highlighted locations. I'll be making tour stops in Lebanon, Thorntown, Indy, Marion, Lafayette, and just south of Fishers.
  I'll have print copies of Salted available for $12 at each location and will be happy to sign it for free. If you already bought a copy, bring it to the event with you, and I'll be sure to sign it for free too. :)
  **Jr. & Sr. High School teachers in the greater Indy area - I have a few morning and afternoon openings available if you'd like me to come in and talk writing, acting, publishing, filmmaking, etc. with your students. I've marked my openings on the schedule below. Facebook or send me a private email, ([email protected]), if interested.

  I hail from the film world. Something I've discovered is most moviegoers tend to forget after a film ends that all those names in the credits are actual human beings. It's easy to think of them as shadow people. After all, most of us will never have the chance to meet them, nor ask what it was like to work on such productions.
  I've found books to be much the same. Truth be told, I used to skip straight to the story, rather than look at the credits page. 
  I know better now.
  In preparing Salted for its release, I've been blessed with an amazing team of talented individuals and their unique talents. Today, I have a special treat for you! Interior book designer, cover designer, and technical wizard are but a few of her titles. Meet Valerie Bellamy, the interior book designer and formatter of Salted.

  “Because of my mother it never occurred to me that you couldn’t do what you wanted to do.” -Francine Prose
  I can't think of a more fitting quote for the young lady in this picture. It doesn't matter what crazy dreams I've had, she's never told me I couldn't accomplish them.

 I love Inside The Actor's Studio. Listening to actors, directors, etc. I've admired discuss how they struggled keeps me in the fight. One I specifically recall is Matt Damon's. 
 Matt said that when he was a kid, he remembered watching The Natural, starring Robert Redford as Roy Hobbs. Matt specifically quoted this scene: (thanks to IMDB for the inclusion).  
Roy Hobbs: I coulda been better. I coulda broke every record in the book.
Iris Gaines: And then?
Roy Hobbs: And then? And then when I walked down the street people would've looked and they would've said there goes Roy Hobbs, the best there ever was in this game.
  After the film, Matt claimed to be inspired. He went outside and found his mother. "Mom," he said. "When I walk down the street. I want to hear people say, 'There goes Matt Damon. The best there ever was."
  Her reply? "That is the most self-obsessed thing I ever heard."
  :)
  I also remember Brad Pitt telling a similar story. He called up his grandparents one day. His grandfather said, "I saw that movie you did."
  "Oh yeah? Which one, Grandpa," says Brad.
  "Hmm, I don't remember. Hang on." 
 Grandpa then shouted for his wife. Apparently, Gramps needed to ask which movie they recently watched featuring their grandson that he didn't like. 
  I bring these stories up because I had a similar funny instance a week ago. 

  Okay, so that's a headline often thrown around liberally. We all know only one person can truly have the best fans ever...
  His name is Me.
  Well, not Me...I meant me as in...you know...
  *sigh* 
  Squirrel! 
  Behold this gallery of awesomeness!