Nick sent me this link from Para Publishing that details some pretty interesting publishing statistics. The ones that particularly caught my fancy? Here they are:

1. “On the average, a book store browser spends eight seconds looking at the front cover and 15 seconds looking at the back cover.”

2. “81% of the population feels they have a book inside them.”

3. “6 million have written a manuscript.”

4. “6 million manuscripts are making the rounds.”

5. “Women buy 68% of all books.”

6. “Men are more likely to shop in chain stores than women. Women are more likely to shop in discount stores and supermarkets than men.”

7. “58% of the US adult population never reads another book after high school.” Sorry–but to this one, I have to say WHAT???

8. “80% of US families did not buy or read a book last year.” Sorry–this is another WHAT???

9. “57% of new books are not read to completion.”

10. “Most readers do not get past page 18 in a book they have purchased.”

Interesting…very, very interesting…

All data obtained from: http://parapublishing.com/sites/para/resources/statistics.cfm

Heather Graham is planning a Writers for New Orleans Workshop. The workshop will be held September 1-3. Christine Feehan and Kate Duffy will both be attending, and there will be such tempting workshops as “Vampires, Ghosts, Just Plain Evil Beings, Things that Go Bump in the Night.”

Oooohhhh…I am so interested in this workshop. And the ghost tour…

A chance to help New Orleans and hone my writing skills. Definitely count me in!

I just spent a good hour trying to map out my schedule for the upcoming RWA conference. I’m super excited to be heading to Atlanta for the event, and, of course, I am also super obsessive–so that means I’m attempting to plan out all the details of my conference days down to, oh, the exact minutes. 🙂

There are a few big events that I know I’m going to attend–the Gathering for FF&P, the Passionate Ink luncheon, several PAN activities, every publisher spotlight that hits my sub-genre…and, well, there are several craft workshops that just look cool and interesting. One even has the title of “50 ways to nearly kill your lover.” Come on–how can I not go to that one?

This conference is my big opportunity to network with other writers/editors/agents, and I’m sooo looking forward to this trip. I’m even going to print out nice little business cards to take with me–in case I meet a prospective editor or agent. Gotta think positive!

For anyone else out there going to RWA, is there an event or workshop that’s definitely on your to-do list?

Hope everyone out there has a great 4th of July! I”ll be eating barbecue chicken, watermelon, and, maybe, a nice batch of homemade ice cream today.

Be safe and enjoy the fireworks!

I’m currently working on my galley edits for The Wizard’s Spell. It’s nice to have the actual pages in my hot hands. Ooohhh…I love getting a galley!

My goal is to mail this baby back to my publisher on Saturday. She told me that if I could get the galley back to her by the end of next week, then The Wizard’s Spell would be released on July 15. Wow–that will be two releases in one month: Secrets, Volume 16 (Never Enough) and my Wizard tale. Dang–that’s exciting for me.

I’m going to be hosting a contest soon in conjunction with the release of The Wizard’s Spell. And, yes, for anyone who might be curious, I will be posting my book trailer! 🙂 Thanks, Nick, for working on that project.

I’m also trying to finish up my current WIP. Just a few more days, and that story will be done. And then, well, it will be time for something new. I’ve had a few stories rapping at my mind for the last few days. I don’t know yet which story I’ll chose, but I’m currently leaning toward writing a full-length werewolf story. I do so love my wolves!

By the way…Jack Sparrow will be back next Friday…I can hardly wait!