Buy the Book PR

So I started a side freelance PR business called, Buy the Book PR. Right now I have an eclectic group of clients, but I would like to be focused mainly on representing romance and mystery authors, thus the name of my site, which Raphael's very new company, Starting Gate Solutions, designed for me. 

I got the idea after helping out my friend and author Farrah Rochon with her first book release. I had interviewed her on my blog before. Anyway, it's been fun trying this new niche, it's not easy since there aren't many sites or publications that cover romance (unenlightened lot!).

I just got Farrah though on the radio channel KFTZ 'Z103, Idaho's Number One Hit Music Channel. They gave away her signed book and related goodies in a giveaway. The male DJ had fun with the contest  and had callers pick a page number and see if something elicit was happening on that page of a different romance book. I thought it was a clever idea, instead of just simply having the 4th caller win or something. He also read the back cover synopsis on air. You can listen to the fun clip here. I was really happy with the hit. 

I also have another client that's an author, Rebecca Benston, who writes romantic suspense novellas. I submitted her for the above radio opp too, which hopefully will happen soon. We also came up with a fun contest idea for her site. Since she's now writing the third book in her Rona Shively PI series, the contest is to submit your idea for a good character to appear in it. Not only will the winner's character appear in the pages of her book, but they will also win some free goodies and a signed copy. I can't enter, but if you do, feel free to submit the idea of a female blogger named Tara, a native New Yorker who works in PR and now lives in Los Angeles, just an idea off the top of my head. Good luck.

Extreme home makeover?

Here are some before and after photos of our den. The first photo was how the former owner had the living room when we were looking to buy the condo and the latter is with our furniture and how we have it now.

 

Update: Per my post, Photo shoot at The Galley, I appear in one of the rotating photos on their patio page from when my coworker and I were supposed to be having a fun double date. The same photo is in this Shecky's article on old man bars in Los Angeles. I’m also in the far background on a few others, but you can't really tell, that’s it. Fun. 

PS: To echo my previous neo-Paris sentiment, check out this site: Go Away Paris! I wish I had sticker sheets to print those stickers, I’d stick them everywhere.

The best post ever (liar)

I saw SNL actor Kevin Nealon (has been) perform standup at The Comedy & Magic Club (crack house). Kevin's famous skit is his subliminal message guy where he says one thing but then says the opposite under his breath, IE my little parenthesis homage. Anyway, he was really funny and the club was small and fun, and yes, there was magic too. The show also included stand-up from other comics as warm up, Kathleen Madigan was particularly good. 

Also, went to a Dodgers vs. Blue Jays game, but my real reason to go to a non-Yankees game was to see the Hollywood Stars softball game beforehand, which included James Van Der Beek (Dawson), the cop in Heroes and former Alias star Greg Grunberg, Heroes' Nathan Petreli-- Adrian Pasdar, Michael Clarke Duncan (Green Mile) and James Denton (the plumber in Desperate Housewives and the bad guy in Pretender). They all played surprisingly well and were taking it pretty seriously even arguing with the ump. I'm sure there were more stars involved, but I got there late and only caught the last inning.

Say it like the British

Mrs. Mogul's post, The British Are Coming And Soon You'll Be Saying "Smashing" got me thinking of other British words I like. After living in the east end of London for six months back in 2002 (that long ago?) I picked up the following British terms and slang:

Wonky – Just sounds funny.

Brilliant – A more special way to say awesome.

Dodgy - My flatmate introduced me to our broken stove by saying it was dodgy.

Unlucky - When anyone would miss a shot in volleyball, they would politely go “oh, unlucky” instead of cursing or saying “my bad.”

Rubbish – The fancy way of saying garbage or disagreeing with someone.

Smart – I know this is a common word, but they would use it to describe how people were dressed and I thought that was smart.

It’s all gone Pete Tong – mean it’s all gone down the crapper.

Speaking of the Brits, I just ordered my 2nd shipment of white tea from the English Tea Store online. Good stuff.

Article: Top 15 USB geek gadets, ok I must be a geek because I want several of these!

Beauty Product of the Month

Forget the expensive Philosophy line of candy scented bath and body products found at Sephora and try the Italian body care products from Cleo.  Made in Italy (like my dad) since 1876 Cleo is made with natual moisturizing extracts from yogurt to continually improve the textrue and elasticity of the skin. DrugStore.com sells large sizes for only $3.95 to $8.95 and they smell way more yummier than Philosophy's flavors, which sell at higher prices.

I have a 16.9 oz container of their bathfoam cream in vanilla--my favorite scent, a smaller chocolate bodywash and I gave a bottle of their sugar shower cream to my friend Divina when she was visiting. Confession: After applying, I can't help but smell my own skin. I know, weirdo, but the scent smells like a candy bar.

Article: 5 Steps to Getting the Man of Your Dreams. Not that I'm looking anymore, but it's a funny dating guide illustrated with legos and mixed with some good advice too.

Video: This is a great commercial for Bud.TV, the Swear Jar