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Guest Post with Susan Helene Gottfried, Author of ShapeShifter: The Demo Tapes Year 1

May 5, 2009 by Darlene

Today I’d like to welcome Susan from West of Mars-The Meet and Greet and West of Mars–Win a Book to Peeking Between the Pages. Yesterday I had the pleasure of reviewing her novel ShapeShifter and you can see that review here. Susan has been gracious enough to join us today with a wonderful guest post. So, without further delay, let’s check out what Susan has to say…

I need to thank Dar for asking me to come hang out with you guys today. Not only do I love meeting new people and talking about my book, I love talking about books in general. Since Dar’s got a book blog, that means that all of you readers also love books, possibly as much as I do, if not more. I feel right at home.

That’s good. That means you’ll understand where I’m coming from.
You see, a week or two ago, my friend Bridget and I played hooky from our West of Mars–Win a Book blog (yes, our. She’s integral to the success of it, as are all you book bloggers who send us your links, and you readers who subscribe and come by every day). Bridget and I were headed, among other places, to a local library’s annual used book sale.

Now, mind you, we hardly needed to do this. I have 516 books here in the house, waiting to be read. If Bridget and I see each other and fail to pass at least one book between us, I feel like something’s wrong. Even if she tells me about a book she borrowed from the library that she thinks I’ll like, it’s the same as the actual, physical handoff.

Still, off to the book sale we went, on a gorgeous Thursday morning. I brought a copy of my wishlist along, with the vow to only buy books on the list. Mind you, this still left a darn good selection for me, as my wishlist is over 1800 books long. It’s gotten so big, I don’t even remember all of what’s on it. I was determined to honor my vow and make a dent in the stupid thing.

I came home with ten books. I was pleased.
Until we were eating a late lunch and I was poring over the wishlist, having noticed duplicate entries and titles I’d somehow neglected to remove upon acquisition. I kept seeing the titles and authors of books I am jazzed about. These are books I’m so eager to read, I pratically drool at the thought of them. I ache to read them, to have them live up to expectation, to blog about them.

And I sighed to Bridget, “There are so many good books out there. I want to do more to help spread the word about them all.”
Her jaw dropped; her face went slack. You know: it was one of those looks that says the speaker’s cracked. Maybe I have.
As any good friend will do, she didn’t address my mental state. “More? You’re doing plenty as it is!”

“I know. But it’s not enough.”
Maybe she’s right. Maybe between Win a Book and my own author’s blog, where I feature new releases and talk about books and even sometimes give them away, I’m doing all that one person can. Yet it still feels like I should be doing more somehow, although I can’t figure out what that more could possibly be, especially since, as a writer myself, I need to make sure my quest to promote others doesn’t hinder my quest to promote myself and my own books — let alone write them!

This is my quest, my passion. To not only write books that people want to rave about, but to help get books written by others into equally passionate hands. Come join me in my quest. Let’s share great literature — in all meanings of the word — with others.

Like every other author out there, I’d sure appreciate it if you’d start with West of Mars–The Meet and Greet and my books, but I’d be a hypocrite if I said I refused to understand if there are other things awaiting you first. What’s important is that you’re reading, you’re talking to others about the books you love. You’re on the same journey I am, and that means I’m not alone in this.

Thanks to Dar, and thanks to you, for joining me. Keep on reading, and keep on spreading the word. It really does make a difference, for every single author out there.

__________

Thanks so much for joining us today Susan. It’s a real pleasure having you here. I wish you lots of luck with ShapeShifter and I’m looking forward to the Demo Tapes-Year 2 and Trevor’s Song! Check out Susan’s book on West of Mars–The Meet and Greet here.

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Comments

  1. Sandy Nawrot says

    May 5, 2009 at 11:18 am

    I love her! She is one of us, which is not always what you find in an author. And I thought I had a big stack of books and long wish list! Thanks for introducing her to us Dar!

  2. Ladytink_534 says

    May 5, 2009 at 11:32 am

    I’m not sure if I have 516 unread books that I own but I know I at least have 200 or so lol.

    *wild applause* Really, really great guest post! Everybody should help do their part in promoting reading 🙂

  3. Scrap girl says

    May 5, 2009 at 11:48 am

    Susan talks the same language as we do. I shall definitely be heading over to her site. Thanks Dar.

  4. bermudaonion says

    May 5, 2009 at 12:13 pm

    Fantastic guest post! I can totally relate to Susan’s feelings. There are so many books that I want to read next – I wish I had more time or could read faster.

  5. Blodeuedd says

    May 5, 2009 at 2:43 pm

    Great guest post 😀
    She sure sounds nice

  6. Susan Helene Gottfried says

    May 5, 2009 at 3:04 pm

    Wow. I’ve got goosebumps from these comments!

  7. Melody says

    May 5, 2009 at 3:05 pm

    Great post!
    We are so much like Susan – when our TBR pile is concerned! 😉

  8. Nely says

    May 5, 2009 at 3:57 pm

    Oh, but I love her. I definitely see eye to eye with Susan. I’m heading on over to her site right now.

  9. Wanda says

    May 5, 2009 at 6:54 pm

    Susan: You are definitely not alone in your desire to read and talk about/blog/promote books that deserve the attention but WoW, that is some wish list!

    Dar: Thanks for inviting Susan to do this guest post. She is a great friend to the book blogging community!

  10. The Book Resort says

    May 5, 2009 at 7:49 pm

    Oh, LQQk @ this:
    http://thebookresort.blogspot.com/2009/05/sunshine-on-my-face.html

  11. Janel says

    May 5, 2009 at 10:37 pm

    Thanks to all of Susan’s contest alerts I have overfilled my bookshelves!

    We’re with you and love you, Susan. You showed great restraint (more than I ever do) at the library sale!

  12. Toni says

    May 6, 2009 at 4:45 am

    Fantastic post! You know…I love what Sandy said… What a great down to earth post. I can so relate…. Thanks Dar.. this was great.

  13. Anna says

    May 6, 2009 at 2:18 pm

    Susan rocks! Though we haven’t emailed much lately, I always enjoy “chatting” with her. I know many of us are just like her, rushing out to library sales or book stores, etc., despite the fact that we already have towers of unread books. 🙂

    –Anna
    Diary of an Eccentric

  14. Zibilee says

    May 6, 2009 at 6:54 pm

    Susan, you sound like just my kind of person! I too feel I need to acquire books at an almost breakneck speed and would love to talk about books almost exclusively. It is so nice to be involved in a community that loves and reveres the written word. Great post!

  15. Susan Helene Gottfried says

    May 6, 2009 at 6:57 pm

    Well, everyone, come on by the Meet and Greet at West of Mars and hang with me. I’d love to get to know you all!

  16. Red lady-Bonnie says

    May 7, 2009 at 6:24 pm

    How exciting to see a guest post here from Susan!! She’s a great supporter of book blogs and spreading the word on books and she has a great sense of humor! I loved reading her post as I have the same dilemna with a huge TBR pile. Mine may not be over 500 books but it is a lot, I haven’t counted! I can relate to that love and passion for books. Bravo!

  17. Melissa - Shhh I'm Reading says

    May 7, 2009 at 10:54 pm

    Awesome guest post!! And yes, we understand…about library sales and about wanting to tell everyone about books we love. 🙂

    I always love to find people with as big a TBR pile and WL as I’ve got!

  18. Staci says

    May 9, 2009 at 1:16 am

    OMG…I’m in love!! She sounds like someone I would love to hang out with!!! Fun, fun, post!!

  19. Jenny Girl says

    May 10, 2009 at 1:35 am

    I will absolutely join you over there. I love to give newer authors all the help they can get. And I love discussing books. 517 books…OMG! How do you find the coffee pot?
    Funny post also.

  20. Teddy Rose says

    May 10, 2009 at 5:13 am

    Great guest post Susan. It’s good to know that someone has a list of books almost as long as mine (uh umm, almost 2000).

    I love sharing the gift of books as well. That’s why I have stuck with blogging and host all the giveaways that I have. What’s better than a sharing a good book and spreading the word about awesome authors?

  21. Dawn - She is Too Fond of Books says

    May 10, 2009 at 3:51 pm

    Susan, you are braver than I! I don’t want to count the books on my shelves that are yet to be read.

    I think you showed great restraint in coming home from the sale with only 10 books. 🙂

    Thanks for your great enthusiasm about connecting books/authors and readers … it’s contagious!

  22. Luanne says

    May 11, 2009 at 1:34 am

    Loved this guest post!! Susan is so funny. But I must pose the question Susan – is it exactly 516?

  23. naida says

    May 11, 2009 at 8:06 pm

    great guest post. 516 books to be read, wow!! I cant resist a library book sale either.
    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

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