The Trilogy is Born!

Did it! Done it! Didn’t we? I am so thrilled to announce the Life is Short trilogy is out (in fact, I’ve already done three booksignings and a dozen more are coming up). I was waiting for the book(s) to hit the shelves before I blogged. This happened in mid-October, and I’ve barely stopped to breathe. But, hey, it’s all good! Brand new: Life is Short, I Wish I Was Taller. Second editions: Life is Short, So Read This Fast! and Life is Short, But It’s Wide. My awesome editor, designer and friend, Kiki Johnson, gets the credit for making this trilogy appealing, awesome and unique. She even created new covers for Fast! and Wide and new layout design inside. If it was just about me, I’d be pretty self-centered, huh? But the way I see it, I gave a job to a talented UNC-W Publishing Lab grad student (Kiki), a passionate and articulate photographer, Sunnie Pennington and a film-and-movie star make-up artist extraordinaire, Rudolph Eavey, III. And now, they are all three my new friends and partners in crime, ha! Hey, I haven’t lost my sense of humor. Honestly!


But not only that, I’m on a “Buy American” kick right now and I’m proud to say: The books were conceived in the good ole U.S.A., (LOL!), designed, made, and now distributed in the good ole U.S.A., and for the most part, the South! Alright, that’s all I’m saying right now. I’ve got a deadline—more humor to write, more stories to tell, more folks to eavesdrop on, and…oh, yeah, wait a minute: a turkey to buy for Thanksgiving! Oh, and lest I forget: Once again, Goody 2 Shoes Publishing is the force behind the fun! Remember to come to my book signings and say “hello” and by all means, contact me for a speaking engagement. I’ve still got room for a few appearances for 2011! Y’all come back now, y’hear?

Third one's the charm (let's hope…)

 

It's official! The trilogy is at the press, so to speak. (Doesn't that sound like "code" for something quite clandestine—wink! wink!) Actually, it's anything BUT covert. It's overt, official and long overdue. Not only that, it was the best birthday ever, when on September 17, this nearly four-month project was completed.

 

Life is Short, I Wish I Was Taller will premiere mid-October to complete the trilogy.  My other two books, Life is Short, But It's Wide (first published, 2003) and Life is Short, So Read This Fast! (first published, 2007) have been completely redone with new covers. Therefore, these two are second editions. I am proud and honored to have worked with Kiki Johnson, book-girl-extraordinaire, a grad student and teaching assistant at The Publishing Lab at The University of North Carolina, Wilmington. Kiki has edited and designed all three books for cohesiveness, clarity and coordination. I can honestly say I've never been happier in all of my (nearly) twenty years of writing and thirteen years of being published.

 

I also want to mention a couple of other very important people who contributed to Taller, making it the best book so far (in my humble opinion): Sunnie Pennington, photographer (and acting coach) and Rudolph Eavey, III, make-up artist. Also, thanks to Mike Womble of Horizon Sites for my new website (which will be updated soon to reflect the new books). Check out www.sunniepennington.com and www.horizonsites.com to learn more.

 

Once again (and as always), God is good! I anxiously await this next chapter in my life with hub-Russ. It's been a long-time coming, but it's been worth the wait. A big thank-you to my precious family, friends and readers who have been with me every step of the way. I couldn't do without you. I hope you'll come see me at one of my upcoming book signings! 

Booking it!

I see it's been a month since I blogged, so here's a quick update:

A small setback that turned out to be a blessing: We are completely redoing the books, "Fast" and "Wide" in such a way that all contents are being redone. This, of course, means a little delay in publishing "Taller," the third book to complete the trilogy. But it's all good and the end product will be amazing! (Even if I say so myself.)

I can't tell you how many folks are asking "When will we see "Life Is Short, I Wish I Was Taller"'? The answer is just as soon as I see it—but seriously, probably late October or early November. Though, not to worry, just in time for the Christmas season!

Thanks, prayers and peace to all who have helped me along the way. But especially to my family, Russell, Katie and Kelly and to Kiki Johnson, my awesome editor and designer.

That's all for now. Happy Labor Day! Be safe, well and happy! ^j^

Getting there...slowly but surely

The last seven weeks have been crazy / busy, but it's all good. Here's the scoop: My newest book, Life Is Short, I WISH I WAS TALLER, will be coming out in the fall. So, everything else aside, I'm in the throes of book publishing. It's all good though! I have lots  of speaking gigs and book signings coming up, but could always book a few more. J

In order to keep my sanity (if there is such a thing), I've been busy lately with various and sundry activities, in other words—STUFF!

SUMMER RECREATION: hosting family visits, going to the beach, swimming in the pool and hanging out with friends. The most fun has been sharing Grammy Camp with our beautiful and precious granddaughters, Madison (almost 9) and Carly (almost 5).

HOBBIES: I WON Bunko last week with 3 bunkos total for the night. This was a fluke as I am the unluckiest player you ever knew. We girls gathered at Cindy's beautiful waterfront home near Emerald Isle, N.C., and had a blast! Don't tell Russell I won because he'll expect me to buy him dinner, since I don't cook much these days. (Unless you call fixing oatmeal cooking.)

GARDENING: still getting lots of cherry tomatoes, red bell peppers and a few cucumbers here and  there. My watering has been erratic (sort of like my entire life), so it's no wonder the veggies seem to be giving up on me (rather than the other way around). Hey, what can I say? It was good while it lasted! Plus it's HOT here! Remember that song, "Oh, I Wish that It Would Rain." And, I do!

READING: Am into (fiction) "Home Safe" by Elizabeth Berg. I LOVE HER!!! She is my favorite author to date, tied only with Anne Tyler. Also reading (non-fiction) "Style Statement" by Carrie McCarthy and Danielle LaPorte, dahlin'.

MUSIC: The Highwaymen by Willie Nelson. Also, Smile by Lily Allen. And Zimbabwe by Toni Childs.

HEALTH: Speaking of pounds—I'm lifting them, too. Weights, that is. My aerobics class, Fit Over Fifty (I am not making this up) is keeping me sane and somewhat buffed. Okay, I can hear you laughing and it's not funny! Hub Russ has lost 40 lbs., so I'm just trying to keep up with him. He did P90X this summer, then Insanity and now he's just running a lot, (mainly away from me when I show him the honey-do list).

Stay well, dear readers and friends.

Ann Ipock
Author, Speaker, Humorist
www.annipock.com
Life Is Short, I WISH I WAS TALLER (Fall 2010)
Life Is Short, SO READ THIS FAST!
Life Is Short, BUT IT'S WIDE
843.457.5406
910.632.6536

New web site, new events, new vacation!

First of all, I am thrilled to announce my new web site (same name). Chances are you've seen it if you're reading this blog. Mike Womble of Horizon Sites did an awesome job. Thanks, also, to Ron Osborne for the super-duper job he did for many years. But with a move 3 years ago to Wilmington, N.C., it made sense to go local.

Second, lots of great events are upcoming. I hope to see lots of friends, family and fans at The Best of Our State put on by "Our State" Magazine on July 3rd (Sat.). Check out my web site or http://www.ourstate.com/ for info. I'll be joining a great cast of entertainers in Pinehurst, N.C. and know that it will be a memorable experience! I've got some surprises up my sleeve (and even a new pair of shoes, my favorite accessory), so 'Be There or Be Square!'

Third, I'm overdue for a vacation. So I plan to chillax in a couple of weeks weeks on a 5 day cruise to Bermuda with hub-Russ and my sister, Nancy and her husband, Keith. We are celebrating our 30th anniversary! Hooray! As always, I'll have my eyes open and ears pealed for any unusual adventures. I usually encounter a dozen or so a week, so I'm sure this will be no different. Did I hear an "Amen, and stay away from the Mopeds!"?

One last thing: Good news! Katie, daughter #2, was accepted into the nursing program at Cape Fear Community College. Thanks for all of your prayers and good wishes. We are especially glad to know that Katie will be able to be our personal nurse in our old age (which is sort of like, ahm, nearly here). It's no coincidence that we bought a house 1 mile from the finest nursing home in town (assisted living) so we won't have to move our stuff (his golf clubs and my high heels) very far.

Oh yeah! Today is daughter #1, Kelly's, birthday. I sent her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY e-mail to her school in Raleigh where she teaches kindergarten. This is a milestone birthday for her, but I'm not going to say which one. I'm feeling old enough as it is. Not really!

Talk soon,
Arthur Ann (my Dad's nickname for me)

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My definition of a perfect day is...

My definition of a perfect day is...today. Katie and I went to see "It's Complicated" at the movies and loved, loved, loved it! I highly recommend it! Meryl Streep is awesome as usual; and Alec Baldwin surprised me with his superb performance. It was a LOL movie with some poignant moments as well. Katie had been "home bound" sort of, since last Thurs., when she had her 4 wisdom teeth extracted. She's doing great now though. Our mother/daughter time was so, so special!

Later we had coffee at Atlanta Bread Co. and saw old friends from when Katie worked there. Then a trip to the library. We discussed her next college classes, as she prepares to hopefully enter nursing school in the fall. Thankfully, she's gotten gigs to play flute (recently, a few at church) and she'll never lose that talent or love of music. But helping others and being in the health field is her main thrust now. God is good and it'll all work out.

Came home and cooked fresh catfish, home-baked fries and blue cheese coleslaw. (The movie made me want to REMODEL my kitchen and maybe even REMODEL my life! When will I ever give up on the idea of owning a small cafe/bakery?) Russell says "This too shall pass..." he says it a lot, actually. But I remind him of his dream, as well: Playing on the Senior Tour of the PGA. Never say never!

Tonight I'm updating my new contact list for 2010 and starting to fill in my new calendar. I love it when a new year unfolds and everything is so fresh. I get excited with anticipation. Till next time...

Happy New Year - Pray more, worry less

I was just sitting here reading blogs from my friends Janice and Emily-Sarah, and feeling kind of guilty that I haven't blogged in months. But then I remembered my New Years resolution: Pray more, worry less. I already feel better. Seriously, there is power in prayer and there is power in words. I hope to also do more meditation and visualization. No, I won't say "hope to", instead I'll say "will." The first sounds/feels tentative and the second sounds/feels imperative. And that's another goal: Prepare, plan, commit. Whether it's to better health, improved finances or quality time with friends and family.

I think the biggest challenge and resulting positive change for me personally last year was teaching Sunday School (which I still do) for the 3-6 year olds at our church. Little did I know that when I signed up to help them grow, I have grown. When I signed up to teach them about God, I have learned about God. Seeing the world through the eyes of children is exciting, enlightening and effervescent. And even though one little boy thought I was hubby Russell's mother, we all had a good laugh at that.

I challenge you to become more child like this year, rethink your priorities and find it in your heart to give away something every day: a smile, a hug, a compliment, a high-five. God bless us everyone!