Random Thoughts

Welcome!

While this blog was originally a side project from my original Random Oenophile blog so I wouldn't annoy the cork dorks, I'm happy that it's grown into something more. I hope that this will be a place for fun stories, thoughtful discussions, and, above all, chocolate. Yes, chocolate! Since most of the pictures on my phone are of food, I'll try to add a tempting treat to the end of each entry.

I'm still working on the self-published book reviews. My aim there is to help you find the books that were published with love, care, and above all, good design and editing.

Also, please let me know if you'd like to be added to the blog roll at the right. All of the writers and authors included thus far are worth a look.

Finally, if you're just not getting enough of my random thoughts here, you can follow me on Twitter as @RandomOenophile. Bert the Catfish, snarky minion and ladies' fish also has his own Twitter account at @BertTheCatfish.

Monday, September 5, 2011

Metapost: A Little Light Self-Promotion...



In January, I entered publisher Buddhapuss Ink's Mystery Times Ten contest, and in March I got an email that I had been selected as one of the twenty finalists. This meant a lot because my story had impressed the teen panelists, who I figured would be the toughest of all. Then I got an email on a Friday in April that I was one of the ten finalists, which excited me because it meant that, even if I hadn't placed, I would be able to skip the slush pile if I were to ever submit a Young Adult novel to them. The following Monday, I got the very happy news that I'd placed first! Yep, I got a Kindle. This is somewhat ironic after my long debate over what kind of e-reader I'd buy. Between that and my Nook Color, I now have access to just about everything.

The books themselves came out on July 22, and my story "The Coral Temple" is the first one. One of the judges said the following:

"[This story] was fantastic! Seriously, so well-developed with a multitude of characters that come alive at once, a tautly wrapped up mystery, and that wonderful element of a mysterious far off place we’ve never been. The social hierarchy, the setting description, and the emotional pieces all work, too. Plus the characters are teens. Oh joy!"

This is my first major short story publication, so of course I'm very excited. You can order the book directly from Amazon here, or if you would like a signed copy, please email me at cecilia {at} ceciliadominic {dot} com, and I'll send you details about shipping, payment, etc.

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