I did do some woodwork in June, prepping material for some little projects. (More news about those next month.) I’ve also been cleaning up both my shop and studio, since they were getting a little filthy from past projects.
I had three Etsy sales, but they were only for dulcimer books. Making very little on those. The last printing costs had risen, and postage rates have more than doubled since this time last year. What used to be a $4 shipping cost has now risen to over $9. For an $18 book, the print cost was $6, and with $9.40 shipping, and Etsy’s cut, I’m lucky to make a dollar, if that. Once I’m sold out this time, that’s it. No more.
I still have three instruments (all psalteries) in process and a plan to make a couple more thumb pianos. Those have been popular in the past, and I hope will be popular again. We’ll see.
On the writing front: My developmental editor made quite a few suggestions and corrections to my third author’s proof of my fourth Charles Blue Paranormal Mystery, A Warlock in Provence, and I just competed them. I’ve submitted the new copy for printing, but, because of the holiday, haven’t received the okay to go ahead to order from the printer yet. Maybe Monday the 6th, or Tuesday the 7th. I’m anxious to finalize it for mass printing.
Coming up July 17-19 is the Mystery Writers Conference at Book Passage Book Store in Corte Madera, up in Marin County. This will be my second time there. There are great panels with some really great authors and agents. This conference is for authors and prospective authors. Most of the panels are technical and informative. I really enjoyed it last year, and, I’m sure, will enjoy it this year too.
Meanwhile, my next thriller, Strung Up, is coming along. I’m at a point now where I need to add more drama; more mystery, and let the reader know “who done it!”.
Well, that’s it for now. Onward Through the Fog!
