Theme for the Month: One
of Those Months
Insights
Have you ever had one of those months?
Not one of those days, one of those months… in the words of Mike Warnke, "Now that's a drag."
Let me just say, I am still writing-or at least working at writing. I haven't done much actual writing since the baby's arrival five months ago. Six pages I think is all I've really written, and that was because the baby-sitter MADE me write them. No, mostly I've been trying to do promotions (and I had a story come out in another book this month, which is really cool, but you'll get to read more about that later).
Now, I don't have the budget to send press releases to CNN, so I'm starting a little smaller, which really isn't bad, but it sure takes an awful lot to sell a few books. I've been calling willing and non-willing groups to see if I can come and either speak with their group or set up a raffle with them or something of that nature. In short, trying every way I can think of to get my books into readers' hands.
That's why I ran the contest on my site this month. For those of you who haven't been there in awhile, I was offering a free "The Long Way Home" to anyone who subscribed this month. Last time that went over famously. This time, umm, well… The only subscribers I got were two that a friend talked into signing up, and she emailed me their names. I couldn't figure it out. About that point is when my month turned downhill.
First my computer started acting funny. Then really funky, and then to put it nicely, "It CRASHED like Evil Kenievil on a bad day." Because there were various things that I hadn't saved (trust me, even as you're reading this, go save everything you have!), they got vaporized. Little things like: the interview for this month's "The Masters Speak" page, photos I was planning to send to the newspaper for publicizing the up-coming book signing with me and two other authors, three lessons of the course (now, really, you would think I would've been smart enough to save those!), and every publicity thing I had put together using Publisher (review packets, speaking packets, business cards… You get the idea). Not to even mention a whole year's worth of emails!
I spent two days on the phone with Dell, finally got my computer back up, started rebuilding everything, and then my kids got sick. First it was the four-year-old who within 12 hours had given it to the baby who then tried to attack me with it! Then in trying to fix my computer while holding the baby and praying that either someone would get better or at least no one else would get worse, I figured out why I wasn't getting any subscribers (or at least one of the reasons), I had the wrong email address on the site form, so it was bouncing back any subscribers who tried to sign on. Worse, it's been doing that for five or six months!
Like I said, it's been one of those months. Luckily, I've pieced together enough stuff that I'm hobbling along for the time being (still fighting that cold however). For the most part, the kids are better, and luckily husband and baby-sitter didn't get sick like they did at Christmastime. And yes, you will get the final two chapters of "Silver Rain" in addition to this newsletter. It's hard to believe it's gone so fast. Also, don't forget to check out below for the link to the new The Masters Speak page.
Finally, here's wishing you a better month than the one I'm leaving! "'Cause the God on the mountain is still God in the valley. When things go wrong, He'll make them right. And the God of the good times is still God in the bad times. The God of the day… is still God in the night." This has been one month, I'm certainly glad for that!
Wisdom of the Ages
The
only thing that's necessary is to begin to believe that it is possible to
change. The past doesn't matter. Whatever hasn't worked in the past has nothing
to do with what you'll do today. What you do right now is what will shape
your destiny. -Anthony Robbins
A Life Question
When things go wrong, do you go with them? Realize that difficulty can be the rock that polishes you or the rock that grinds you down-only you can decide which it will be.
Those of you who
were subscribed to the newsletter by December will be receiving Chapters 19
and Epilogue of "Silver Rain" (by Staci Stallings) in the next few
hours (unless Hotmail finds the subscriber list is too long again-praise God,
in which case, you'll get them as soon as Hotmail will let me send them out!).
Next month: the exciting conclusion. Don't miss it!
To those of you not subscribed,
we've closed the gate for getting "Silver Rain" for free. Sorry.
However, keep watching the newsletter for your chance to purchase it through
Chapter1.com coming in 2003. And if you want to receive the newest cyber-serial,
"The Price of Silence" by Staci Stallings coming in May 2003, sign
up for the newsletter TODAY! You certainly don't want to miss this one, too!
If you want to receive
the newest cyber-serial, "The Price of Silence" by Staci Stallings
coming in May 2003, sign up for the newsletter TODAY! You certainly don't
want to miss this one, too! Plus, you'll automatically be signed up for the
continuing "The Long Way Home" contest. Back for another month-hopefully
creating popular demand : )
Congratulations!
To Don Littau and Mary Ann Richards on winning the raffle of "The Long Way Home" books at St. Mary's Altar Society Casserole sale February 2, 2003. The raffle made $78 for the Altar Society.
If any group is interested in using
Staci's books as a fundraiser-either for a raffle or for a sale, please email
at: staci_stallings@hotmail.com
so we can work out the details.
Pass this Newsletter
Tell others about this newsletter! Feel free to share this newsletter with anyone you think it will bless and invite them to join us every month. If you'd like to subscribe, either email staci_stallings@hotmail.com with "Subscribe" in the subject or visit the website at www.stacistallings.com/newsletter.htm and sign up there.
Until next time, live
in God's peace and love!
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS NEWSLETTER FREE!
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February 25, 2003
Edition 3,
Volume 6
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Quote From On High Dear brothers and sisters: Whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. --James 1:2-3 ***** |
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Life, love, relationships, hopes, dreams, success, faith… We all want them so how come some people find them and others don't? Staci wanted to know too, so she started asking some questions of those people she has learned so much from. Now she's going to share their answers with YOU! The first installment of "The Masters Speak" is with guest speaker Kendall Bell, the person who compiled "From the Heart: Stories of Love and Friendship"-the newest book featuring Staci's writing. If you haven't subscribed, sign up now to get this one-of-a-kind insight into how dreams become reality delivered right to you every month! You can do this by filling out the form at the bottom of this page. You'll be glad you did! ***** |
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Scheduled Appearances for March, 2003: Saturday, March 1, 2003 Staci will be at each of the following with Terry Burns and John Fair, two other local authors who have stories in Staci's newest book: "From the Heart: Stories of Love and Friendship." * A&D Bookstore 47th & Western, Amarillo, TX, 10 a.m. to 12 noon. * Hastings W 45th, Amarillo, TX, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Both are open to the public. Monday, March 3, 2003 7 p.m. St. Mary's/St. Gerard's Circle. Tuesday, March 11, 2003 7 p.m. St. Mary's/ St. Monica's Circle. Friday, March 14, 2003 7 p.m. St. Mary's Knights of Columbus Fish Fry. Staci will be raffling off one copy of "The Long Way Home" and one of "Eternity." All proceeds go to the St. Mary's school air conditioning fund. ***** |
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