Kim Smith

Day two: Virtual book tour

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:04:12 GMT

If you are following me around the net this month, thank you so much! I appreciate your support so much! If you want to chat with me about goals and resolutions for the new year, go on over to day two here A Book Blogger's Diary

First stop on book tour

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:26:59 GMT

Very happy to announce the first stop on my book tour. Hope you will go out and leave a comment for me! Inteview l Chat l Book Giveaway at PUMP UP YOUR BOOK

Are you ready for a rockin' year?

Sun, 03 Jan 2010 12:32:26 GMT

Are you ready for a rockin' 2010? I am!

I subbed a YA novel to a new publisher, Moongypsy Press and on the second day of the new year *that would be YESTERDAY* I got an acceptance, and a contract for my VERY FIRST PRINT BOOK and it will be my YOUNG ADULT! woot!

Enter stream of consciousness writing:

So all of you who are my friends on LJ, remember the days when we first met and became LJ friends? Some of you were with me in Lauren B's LJ workshops. Those were the bomb!

I know many of you have gone on to publish your YAs and I am so happy for you. I am also very happy to FINALLY have joined you!

I am curious to know what sort of things must be done differently for promoting a print book than an electronic one. It will be out at Amazon, I know that, and that in and of itself is good promo. It will be a Kindle download too, so I really feel like I am getting the best of both worlds.

What did you do when your first book came out in PRINT???? *aside from dancing so much you threw up?*

Now that Christmas is out of the way....

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:34:33 GMT

My next book is coming out in January and I am gearing up for the book tour. Here is the link to my TOUR PAGE

I hope you will make plans to follow me around as I tour the Internet with Buried Angel. I will have give-aways, freebies, and more fun than a barrel full of monkeys.

JOIN ME!

Are you ready?

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:22:10 GMT

Christmas is one week away and I am in a panic. I am NOT ready. Why is it things seem to just get more and more hectic every year? I admit it, I am not anywhere near ready. The only thing keeping me sane is the knowledge that some people don't shop until Dec. 24. The problem is, the weather man just predicted SLEET for Dec. 24 and if that happens, I am screwed.

SIGH!

Catching up again

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 03:06:05 GMT

Hey everybody!

Today I realized that I haven't posted in here in a while. Well... it's been a busy December around my hacienda.

I had Wade Rouse on my show tonight. Wow. What an incredibly talented and fun man! Any one who is a fan of Erma Bombeck, is a fun person in my book.

So ... holiday stuff....

I have not put up any decorations to speak of.
I have only bought one present.
I am not cooking a big meal on the 25th.

Do I qualify as the Official 2009 Grinch?

Meet Kaycee

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 22:02:32 GMT

Christmas Layover

My VERY good friend Kaycee Conners has a new sensual short story out just in time for Christmas. You know you need something to keep you warm on a cold winter's night, right? So go out and check out her very adorable site, all decked out for the holidays and then check out her story for a very cool 99 cent download!
SITE is HERE and STORY is HERE .

My newest book

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:29:46 GMT

Thank you to naomi-jay *who is a very cool author and you so should check her out* for reminding me that I haven't announced the upcoming release of my newest Shannon Wallace Mystery. Yes, it is coming in January! On my birthday to be exact! How's that for coolness?

So... here's the blurb, When Shannon and Dwayne are hired to videotape mysterious goings-on in the local cemetery in South Lake, Mississippi, they find more than just old tombstones, including a “plot” that has nothing to do with the dead!

Yep. That's it. Get ready world, here it comes!

Something to say....

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:39:28 GMT

Do not know where I got this originally but found it on my blog from like 2004 and decided it was pretty timely. Especially now with all the traffic from holiday shoppers.

If you have ever lived in or visited Memphis you will know how true this is. For those of you that plan to visit, please print this out, and bring it with you to use as a reference guide. You may find it amusing now, but you will thank me later!

Basic Rules For Driving In Memphis

Rule #1-- Remember that the goal of every Memphis driver is to get there first, by whatever means necessary.

Rule #2-- Turn signals are just clues as to your next move in road battle,so never use them.

Rule #3-- Under no circumstances should you leave a safe distance between you and the car in front of you, no matter how fast you're going. If you do,the space will be filled in by somebody else, putting you in an even more dangerous situation.

Rule #4-- Large SUV drivers think they're immortal, especially if they have 4WD; challenge them because they are usually women and cave in easily.

Rule #5-- The faster you drive through a red light, the smaller the chance you have of getting hit.

Rule #6-- Never get in the way of a car that needs extensive body work. They might not have much to lose, but you do.

Rule #7-- Braking is to be done as hard and late as possible to insure that your ABS kicks in, giving a nice relaxing foot massage as the brake pedal pulsates.

Rule #8-- Construction signs tell you about road closures immediately after you pass the exit before the traffic begins to back up.

Rule #9-- The new electronic traffic warning system signs are not there to provide useful information, just to make Memphis look high-tech.

Rule #10-- Never pass on the left when you can pass on the right. It's a good way to scare people entering the highway.

Rule #11-- Speed limits are arbitrary figures, given only as suggestions and apparently not enforceable in the metro area during rush hour.

Rule #12-- Just because you're in the left lane and have no room to speed up or move over doesn't mean that a Memphis driver flashing his high beams behind you doesn't think he can go faster in your spot.

Rule #13-- Please remember that there is no such thing as a shortcut during rush hour traffic in Memphis.

Rule #14-- Always slow down and rubberneck when you see an accident or even a person changing a tire and reflect on why you're glad you're not them.

Rule #15-- Throwing litter on the roads adds variety to the landscape, keeps the existing litter from getting lonely, and gives Adopt-a-Mile highway crews something to clean up.

Rule #16-- Everybody thinks their vehicle is better than yours (especially pickup truck drivers with stickers of Calvin peeing on a Ford,Dodge, or Chevy logo).

Rule #17-- Learn to swerve abruptly. Memphis is the home of high-speed slalom driving thanks to MLGW, which puts manholes in key locations to test drivers' reflexes and keep them on their toes.

Rule #18-- It is traditional in Memphis to honk your horn at cars that don't move the instant the light changes. This is a drag race, isn't it?

Rule #19-- When the light turns green, put the pedal to the metal; gas is cheap in Memphis, and this is a drag race, isn't it?

Rule #20-- Seeking eye contact with another driver revokes your right of way.

Rule #21-- Never take a green light at face value. Always look right and left before proceeding. (See Rule #5)

Rule #22-- A right lane construction closure is just a game to see how many people can cut in line by passing you on the right as you sit in the left lane waiting for the same jerks to squeeze their way back in before hitting construction barrels.

Rule #23-- YOU MIGHT AS WELL STAY AT HOME IF IT'S SNOWING!

More About Memphis

1. Downtown Memphis is composed entirely of one-way streets. The only way to get out of downtown Memphis is to turn around and start over when you reach Arkansas or Mississippi.

2. All directions start with, "Go down I-240..."

3. I-240 has no beginning and no end.

4. Coca-Cola is bottled in Memphis. That's all we drink here, so don't ask for any other soft drink. And, by the way, it's pronounced "Co'Cola."

5. Memphians only know their way home and their way to work.

6. Gate One at the Airport is 32 miles away from the Main Concourse.

7. It's impossible to go around a block and wind up on the street you started on. The Chamber of Commerce calls it a "scenic drive."

8. The 8 a.m. rush hour is from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The 5:00 p.m. rush hour is from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday's rush hour starts Thursday morning.

9. Reversible Lanes (for example, Union Avenue) are not understood by anybody. Note: They finally got smart and made Union into a normal street.

10. "Sir" and "Ma'am" are used by the person speaking to you if there's a remote possibility that you're at least 30 minutes older than they are.

11. "Sugar" is a more common form of address than "Miss." So is "Honey," And don't be offended; it is used by both sexes.

12. "Presley" can only be properly pronounced by a native Memphian, so do not attempt the pronunciation. People will simply tilt their heads to the right and stare at you with their mouths open.

13. The falling of one raindrop causes all traffic to immediately come to a screeching halt. So will Daylight Saving Time, a girl applying eye shadow across the street, or a flat tire three lanes over. Should (Godforbid) one snowflake fall in Memphis, all drivers on the roads immediately lose any ability to control a car. Or, if in a pickup truck or SUV, they will drive as though the roads are dry. (See Rules #4, #14 & #23)

14. If you're standing on a corner and a Metro Bus stops, you're expected to get on and go somewhere-although no one actually knows where the buses go.

15. Memphis is pronounced "MEM' fus."

16. Construction on I-240 is perpetual, a way of life, and a permanent form of entertainment for the road construction companies.

17. Construction crews aren't doing their job properly unless they close down all lanes except one during rush hour.

18. Memphis' traffic is the friendliest around. The commuters spend hours mingling with each other twice a day. In fact, Memphis' traffic is rated number 1 in the country. You will often see people parked beside the road engaged in lively discussions. (See Rule #14)

19. Nonconnah Parkway(TN-385) is the southern equivalent of the Autobahn.You will rarely see a semi on Nonconnah Parkway, because the truck drivers are intimidated by the oversized SUV-wielding housewives racing home after a grueling day at the salon or the tennis match, to meet their children at the school bus.

20. The 95-pound woman driving the Ford Excursion (the largest vehicle ever produced in the world) absolutely MUST come to a complete stop, then proceed at 2.5 mph over any railroad track. Let's face it, this vehicle was built to invade small countries, and she's worried about the damn railroad tracks!Plus I think it is the Law.

21. Hard and fast rule of the road in Memphis: Never use your turn indicator when changing lanes on any freeway. Use it randomly on surface streets. (SeeRule #2)

22. Pedestrians in Memphis have the right-of-way....but it is a driver's duty to take out the pedestrian when crossing the street.

23. The parking lots at all the malls rotate once every hour, thus ensuring that visitors will be unable to find their cars.

24. Most native Memphians do not know how to get around downtown.

25. Even though I-240 is known as a "loop," you cannot drive the entire circumference of the loop without taking several exits.

26. Even though it is the largest indoor arena in the region, there is no easy way to reach The Pyramid. You must drive under a series of interstate off-ramps and through the back of a concrete company in order to park. Once you reach the building, you must climb up dozens of steps, even if your seats are at floor level, which means you will be climbing back DOWN dozens of steps after entering the arena.

27. A typical set of Midtown directions may include, "take North Parkway east until you reach East Parkway, then take East Parkway south until you reach South Parkway, then take South Parkway west until you reach..."

28. If you drive south from Shady Grove Road, you will end up on Ridgeway Road without taking any turns. If you continue South, you will eventually be on Hickory Hill Blvd., again without taking any turns.However, Ridgeway Road will be parallel to you about a mile to the East. Memphis' street names change without warning. It is common knowledge that Memphis was laid out by a drunk on a crippled horse. Just go to Winchester Road out East, and try to distinguish between the intersections of Germantown Road, Old Germantown Road, and Germantown Road Extended/Riverdale.

29. There is an intersection of two streets near Midtown. The "two" streets are Summer Avenue, North Parkway, Trezevant Blvd., and East Parkway. Again, names change at random. This situation (two intersecting streets with four names) is not atypical.

30. Native Memphians cannot distinguish between the Mississippi River bridges named "Memphis-Arkansas Bridge" and "Hernando DeSoto Bridge". Nor can they distinguish between the "I-55 Bridge" and the "I-40 Bridge".They are ONLY known locally as the "Old Bridge" and the "New Bridge" (even though the "New Bridge" is about thirty years old).

woo hoo

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:22:45 GMT

I love Thanksgiving! It's only a few days away and I just cannot wait until it gets here. Not only do I have two workdays off, but I get to visit with my favorite people, eat a lot, go to the movies, and WRITE!!!! woo hoo!

Another note:

Do you use music to inspire you to write? I am thinking of crafting a sort of music list to listen to for books. I mean, I am dreaming of a thriller book with a Native American heroine. Wouldn't it be great to create a list with music by this guy MY FAVORITE NATIVE FLUTIST Go out and have a listen and I think you will agree!

I will be really running this week as holidays always do this to me, but I will try to post again soon.

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:50:28 GMT

Do you love free books? Don't forget my contest!
http://ping.fm/iZVHC

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:57:51 GMT

I will be here today for an author interview at a new blog especially designed to showcase author’s works. Check me out:
http://ping.fm/nOwDW

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:45:44 GMT

Caridad Pineiro, author of Sins of the Flesh, has penned a great article over at my blog, Book Madness. Check it out!
http://ping.fm/6dnuM

New post

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:26:33 GMT

over at Murder by 4 ... about release day today and the book and me and ... check it out

New release!!

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:25:34 GMT

Tomorrow, on Thursday, Love Waltzes In will be out at Red Rose Publishing and I will be welcoming my second romance into the world. Mystery lovers do not despair! The next Shannon Wallace Mystery will be out in January!

I hope you will join me in my new release day tomorrow!

Hosting LA Burton

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:15:01 GMT

Introducing WRITERS will be hosting LA Burton tomorrow at 730 pm central time. Http://www.blogtalkradio.com/kims She will be discussing her book Storm of Magick

Posted via LiveJournal.app.

Win a free ebook!

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:01:50 GMT

Yes, it is already begun. Last night I saw holiday commercials on television. Wow. Okay, so I will refuse to be left behind this year :) - so I am involved in a great contest, and you as a reader, fan or friend, will benefit from it!

Go here:
COFFEETIME ROMANCE to the Coffeetime Romance contest page and look about half-way down the page. You can win a free ecopy of A WILL TO LOVE!!!

Here's to the 2009 holiday season - let the party begin!

My stuff is now on KINDLE

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 02:34:06 GMT

Tonight I was reading JA Konrath's accounting of his sales over at his blog and it made me wonder if Avenging Angel had made it to Kindle yet. Guess what? IT HAS!!!!!

Avenging Angel at the KINDLE STORE -- and if you haven't gotten your copy for your electronic bookshelf, would you kindly consider doing that?

If mystery is not your thing, A Will to Love is available on Kindle as well.
HERE

Joe's blog says he is making a lot of money through Kindle sales. I don't know yet what that will translate for me, but hehehe... I may just have to share it when I do!

Livejournal posting

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:30:53 GMT

Just went through some of my friends LJ postings and realized I am falling way short in the way of updating my own.

Is it me or are we all getting tired of posting on blogs, websites, and social networking gigs?

I just don't know if I have enough stuff to keep you interested in reading anymore.

It usually falls into this, 1. radio show stuff 2. writing stuff 3. photography stuff or 4. life stuff -- none of which is very earthshattering.

I try not to post much about hot button topics like religion, politics, and child-rearing. It's too tough to defend your position with so many drive-bys giving their opinion, so I just don't.

I would talk about movies but at the moment I am Netflixing rather than real theater going. I am too poor.

I am writing, or rather, rewriting, and it's boring to talk about so.. I won't.

Tonight I do have a great guest though. James Hayman, author of the new thriller, The Cutting will be on the radio show. Come join in the fun.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/kims

see? BOOOORRRRINNNGGG

Lunar smackdown

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:12:55 GMT

Okay so we sent a rocket to smack into the moon to find out if there was water there which was bad enough because seriously who gives a fat rat?? But then the expected resulting pictures failed to appear. Like DUH!! Now I ask you how much $$ did we just blow that could have done this country a lot of good??!

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Meet Rebecca York, USA TODAY bestselling author

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:30:17 GMT

Rebecca will be with me on the radio show tonight! http://www.blogtalkradio.com/kims 730 pm central 830 pm eastern

Blurb:

Slave to a fearsome master, Kenna has come to our universe to prepare for an invasion. When she meets werewolf Talon Marshall, she longs to tell him her terrible secret and enlist his help. But every time she tries to reveal her mission, a lightning bolt of pain stops her words. Can she find a way to communicate with Talon before its too late for our world?

Join us! call in! 646-478-0319

New radio show season begins tomorrow!

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 02:05:38 GMT

Beginning tomorrow, 730 pm central or 830 pm eastern, Introducing WRITERS! radio show will once again be hosting a fabulous and fun author for you to meet.

This time, Mary Patrick Kavanaugh is my guest. Mary is the author of Family Plots and you can find out more about her here:

http://www.mydreamisdeadbutimnot.com/

And find out more about the show and other upcoming guests here:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/kims

remember, the show is always available after it airs as a podcast at iTunes for your convenience.

Join us! call in! (646-478-0319) Let's make this a great year !

Tomorrow's guest

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:14:27 GMT

My guest blogger tomorrow, is none other than the wonderful Naomi C -- who has a blog here on LJ and you should totally friend her.

You can meet her, and learn more about her and her upcoming book, at my blog WRITING SPACE tomorrow, Saturday.

I hope you enjoy the interview and be sure and leave her lots of comments!

Catch up post

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:18:16 GMT

Doing so many things, staying so darn busy, haven't had time to post much.

1. Going through over 1200 photos from a recent wedding shoot. Gah. What can I say? This one will be an eternity getting out of the computer.
2. Got edits for Love Waltzes In and finished them. Story coming out on November 12
3. Redid website AGAIN! http://www.mkimsmith.com give me your thoughts
4. Passed the forty five thou mark on current WIP and now totally brain dead
5. Enjoying the fifty seven degrees outside today! woot! fall is my fav time of the year

Hope you have more news. Or better news. Either way.

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 23:23:03 GMT

I just bought coffee Heath bar crunch Ben and jerrys ice cream and am planning on a little tv and a lot of writing. Yay for the
weekends!!

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