A long story short(er)

I have a few news items to share with you. I'm exhausted today for many reasons so I will try to share the items as quickly as possible.

1. Today is my birthday. I'm celebrating the 10th anniversary of my 39th birthday. You can do your own math. I appreciate all the wonderful birthday greetings I have received. Y'all are awesome.

2. My job ended today. Yes, I became unemployed on my birthday. As you may recall, my boss at the insurance office at which I worked passed away last September. Today the office officially sold to new people whose business plan doesn't include me. After nearly 18 years in that office, I am there no more. I've spent this week moving my things out of my office and closing our company.

3. No, I have no plans at the moment. This happened somewhat quickly, and I'm still deep in the aftershook. I knew a few weeks in advance, but I was sworn to secrecy. (No, I'm not quite sure why.) I wish I could have told you. There were many times when I needed to talk to someone, to vent, to share, but I couldn't. I can now.

4. Well, actually I do have a plan. I'm going to be very quiet for two or three weeks, gather my resources, rest, float in my pool, sell Floozy and Other Stories like mad since book sales will be my only income besides whatever unemployment I receive, and then I'm going to get another job.

5. Yes, I would appreciate your prayers.

6. I'm not defeated or drowning. I do have a knack for survival -- as you know if you've followed my medical adventures over the years.

7. I'm not particularly angry or bitter at anyone involved in this sale. Decisions were based on money and made on that basis only. It's a bit cold, but at least it's reasonable, and I can understand it.

8. Yeah, I'm a bit scared about the future. Who wouldn't be? I've spent nearly 18 years doing my job. I have a particular skill set, but I don't know if that skill set will make me valuable to any other employer. We'll see.

9. Yes, I do believe God will take care of me. But I also believe He expects me to do my part. And I will.

10. Yes, I was hurt by this, but I'm a big boy. The original bounce-n-go boy. I will figure this out. I will be okay. And you will be okay, too. We're going to make a bright future together. You can count on it.

And that's the news for tonight. Now for the commercials...

Tomorrow I'll be at 211 West Main (in front of the Allstate building next to the Chamber of Commerce and three doors up from Polo's Restaurant) signing and selling my books, including Floozy and Other Stories! It's the Ada Sidewalk Sale, and I'll be there 9 am-1 pm. Kyra Childers and Eric Collier will be there with me. I'll have the softcover and hardcover of Floozy there as well as my other books, and you can register to win $200 of Floozy merchandise! Come on by!

Here's the link to purchase the softcover of Floozy: Softcover Floozy.
Here's the link to purchase the hardcover of Floozy: Hardcover Floozy.
And you can purchase Floozy merchandise here: Floozy Merchandise.

Play

When people play you, they should remember that they open themselves up to being played. The only question is whether or not you will. If you do, you should always remember the first sentence.

The important thing

The thing is, what I have to remember, what's important is this: God has a plan. I'm under His protection. He's going to take care of me. It's difficult to remember that, to rest in it, but if I can remember that truth, I can have peace even as things completely change around me.

Come on by!

This Saturday, I'll be at 211 West Main in front of the Allstate Insurance (three doors up from Polo's Restaurant) signing and selling books! It's the Ada Sidewalk Sale, and I'll be there 9 am-1 pm. Kyra Childers and Eric Collier will be there with me. I'll have the softcover and hardcover of "Floozy" there as well as my other books, and you can register to win $100 of "Floozy" merchandise! Come on by!

I'm really enjoying my pool. It's not deep enough to swim in, but it's perfect for floating. I need to put more water in it. I thought it might rain today, but no moisture.

Anyway, I'm exhausted so I'm going to call it a night. My birthday is Friday. I'll be celebrating the 10th anniversary of my 39th birthday. Do your own math. Have a great night. And I'll be talking to you tomorrow.

Here's the link to purchase the softcover of Floozy: Softcover Floozy.
Here's the link to purchase the hardcover of Floozy: Hardcover Floozy.
And you can purchase Floozy merchandise here: Floozy Merchandise.

Weird

Sorry I've been away from here. Weird stuff in my life now. I'll be able to explain at the end of the month. My life is being shaken, and it's a painful and worrisome time here. We'll see how it plays out.

In other news, here's the front of the Floozy and Other Stories bookmark. I think it turned out well.



And here's the back.



Of course, everyone who purchases Floozy will receive a bookmark if they email me and let me know their snail mail address.

Speaking of purchasing, here's the link to purchase the softcover of Floozy: Softcover Floozy. And here's the link to purchase the hardcover of Floozy: Hardcover Floozy. And you can purchase Floozy merchandise here: Floozy Merchandise.

Not much else to tell you other than I sure have been enjoying my popup swimming pool. I love floating in the warm water, watching the clouds in the sky. Not been enough of that in my life lately.

Anyway, need to go. Have a great day!

Other stuff

This post isn't about Floozy. I'm going to mention her, but that's not what this post is about. This post is about all sorts of stuff.

First, the hardcover of Floozy is on sale right now. Here's the link: Hardcover Floozy. Buy. Read. Enjoy. Repeat.

Second, I'm worn out, and I have so much to do. I need to wash my dishes, wash a couple loads of laundry, do more publicity for Floozy (including setting up a couple more book signings), work on the Greeting Card project, file, housework, etc.

Third, the Greeting Card project? Have I not mentioned that? Well, in the midst of working on Floozy, I decided to launch a tiny line of greeting cards. I have five designs so far -- concentrating on birthdays and humor -- but want to have about fifty designs. I'm thinking they will be available on Cafepress in the Harbor Street store. I'll let you know what develops there.

Fourth, it's so dang hot here. It was 94 today with a heat index of 106. Whew. Supposed to be warmer tomorrow. Yikes.

Fifth, the inflatable ring on my popup pool keeps trying to deflate. We thought we had repaired the leak. I wonder if the birds -- who insist on landing on the ring in an attempt to get a drink and dig their claws in on the surface -- poked another hole in it. Have to try to find it. Don't want it to deflate.

Sixth, my birthday is July 30th. I'll be fo ... for ... forty ... forty- ... No, I can't face it today. I'll be older, let's say. But still cute. CUTE!

Seventh, The Closer is back. Watched Covert Affairs, and it might turn out to be an okay show. Warehouse 13 is also back; we'll see how they do with this new villainess.

And that's enough for now. Have a great night. I'm going to veg a bit.

Here's the link to purchase Floozy: Buy Floozy!

Now through the end of July, you can purchase the paperback Floozy for $17.95. Also, Lulu is offering FREE SUMMER SHIPPING with a purchase of $19.95. And remember you can purchase other authors on Lulu now, also -- authors like Clive Cussler, Stephen King, Stephenie Myer, etc. -- at great prices.

So now's the time!

Buy Floozy and Other Stories at Lulu.com

Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Barnes&Noble.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Lulu.com

Buy Murder by the Acre at Amazon.com.
Buy Murder by the Acre at Barnes & Noble.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in HARDCOVER at Lulu.com.

Buy Floozy, MBTA & MBDD items and more at Oakleaf Harbor

Floozy items at Oakleaf Harbor

I've mentioned that there are Floozy and Other Stories items for sale on Oakleaf Harbor. Here's a few of them.






Here's the link to purchase Floozy the book: Buy Floozy!

Now through the end of July, you can purchase the paperback Floozy for $17.95. Also, Lulu is offering FREE SUMMER SHIPPING with a purchase of $19.95. And remember you can purchase other authors on Lulu now, also -- authors like Clive Cussler, Stephen King, Stephenie Myer, etc. -- at great prices.

So now's the time!

Buy Floozy and Other Stories at Lulu.com

Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Barnes&Noble.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Lulu.com

Buy Murder by the Acre at Amazon.com.
Buy Murder by the Acre at Barnes & Noble.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in HARDCOVER at Lulu.com.

Buy MBTA & MBDD, and Floozy items and more at Oakleaf Harbor

Also for IPad and other e-readers

I've forgotten to mention that "Floozy and Other Stories" is available as a download, also, for $7. (The file format is PDF, if that helps.) I'm curious about how it looks on an IPad. Should you purchase "Floozy" for your IPad, please let me know how it looks on your screen.

Here's the link to purchase Floozy: Buy Floozy!

Now through the end of July, you can purchase the paperback Floozy for $17.95. Also, Lulu is offering FREE SUMMER SHIPPING with a purchase of $19.95. And remember you can purchase other authors on Lulu now, also -- authors like Clive Cussler, Stephen King, Stephenie Myer, etc. -- at great prices.

So now's the time!

Buy Floozy and Other Stories at Lulu.com

Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Barnes&Noble.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Lulu.com

Buy Murder by the Acre at Amazon.com.
Buy Murder by the Acre at Barnes & Noble.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in HARDCOVER at Lulu.com.

Buy MBTA & MBDD items and more at Oakleaf Harbor

Book signing for Floozy scheduled!

I'll be attending the Chisholm Trail Book Festival with all my books, including the Floozy, of course.

The Chisholm Trail Book Festival seeks to improve literacy in Stephens County by giving readers of all ages a chance to meet authors and find books that inspire them to continue their reading adventure. Families that read together, succeed together.

The Book Festival will be held at the Simmons Center, 800 Chisholm Trail Parkway, in Duncan, Oklahoma on September 18, 2010 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Published authors from all over the country will be there to offer their books for sale. We hope to have some authors reading selections from their books and perhaps giving a workshop.

I hope to see ya there!



Here's the link to purchase Floozy: Buy Floozy!

Now through the end of July, you can purchase Floozy for $17.95. But afterwards, the price will go to the regular retail price of $18.95. Also, Lulu is offering FREE SUMMER SHIPPING with a purchase of $19.95.

So now's the time!

Buy Floozy and Other Stories at Lulu.com

Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Barnes&Noble.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Lulu.com

Buy Murder by the Acre at Amazon.com.
Buy Murder by the Acre at Barnes & Noble.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in HARDCOVER at Lulu.com.

Buy MBTA & MBDD items and more at Oakleaf Harbor

Cover me!

This is how the final cover looks. I'm pleased with it. Love the illustrations.



Here's the link to purchase Floozy: Buy Floozy!

Now through the end of July, you can purchase Floozy for $17.95. But afterwards, the price will go to the regular retail price of $18.95. Also, Lulu is offering FREE SUMMER SHIPPING with a purchase of $19.95.

So now's the time!

Buy Floozy and Other Stories at Lulu.com

Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Barnes&Noble.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Lulu.com

Buy Murder by the Acre at Amazon.com.
Buy Murder by the Acre at Barnes & Noble.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in HARDCOVER at Lulu.com.

Buy MBTA & MBDD items and more at Oakleaf Harbor

Floozy commercial break

Announcer: Welcome back. We're brought to you this morning by Floozy and Other Stories, Stephen B. Bagley's latest book, and available at: BUY FLOOZY. And now a brief message from our sponsor.

Woman's voice: Got two nuns and a goat?
Man's voice: Do you enjoy Sabbath Night Fever?
Woman: Or own a flying robot monkey army serving our Alien Masters?
Both: If you do, Floozy and Other Stories is the book for you!
Choir singing: Will Floozy and Other Stories be a much-loved masterpiece? Find out as readers around the globe gather in a love huddle to enjoy humorist Stephen B. Bagley's views of our world in more than 80 hilarious tales from his decidedly different life.
(Thrilling music plays)
Woman: LEARN THE SHOCKING secret of Floozy's true identity!
Man: Thrill to a tale of Republican gypsies and their CURIOUS CURSE!
Woman: Turn your head and COUGH NERVOUSLY at hospital horrors!
Man: Blush hotly AS YOU EXPERIENCE SEX as a single novelist!
Woman: Climb a kind of tall hill in Oklahoma and NEARLY DIE!
Man: LOOK AT the bright sky. THE TRUTH is out there! Near Skiatook!
Woman: Discover the dessert THAT CHANGED the course of HISTORY!
Woman: All this and much more! Get your copy today at: BUY FLOOZY. Stephen's creditors will be glad you did!
Darth Vader sound-a-like: Now through the end of July, you can purchase Floozy for $17.95. But afterwards, the price will be the regular retail price of $18.95. Also, Lulu is offering FREE Summer Shipping with a purchase of $19.95. So now's the time!
(Music fades out.)

Announcer: And now back to our program.

Buy Floozy and Other Stories at Lulu.com

Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Barnes&Noble.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Lulu.com

Buy Murder by the Acre at Amazon.com.
Buy Murder by the Acre at Barnes & Noble.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in HARDCOVER at Lulu.com.

Buy MBTA & MBDD items and more at Oakleaf Harbor

We have lift-off!

WOOHOO! WE HAVE LIFT-OFF! FLOOZY AND OTHER STORIES IS AVAILABLE NOW ON SALE FROM LULU! Here's the link: Buy Floozy!

Now through the end of July, you can purchase Floozy for $17.95. But afterwards, the price has to go to the regular retail price of $18.95. Also, Lulu is offering FREE Summer Shipping with a purchase of $19.95 (not including shipping and downloadable copies).

So now's the time!



Buy Floozy and Other Stories at Lulu.com

Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Barnes&Noble.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Lulu.com

Buy Murder by the Acre at Amazon.com.
Buy Murder by the Acre at Barnes & Noble.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in HARDCOVER at Lulu.com.

Buy MBTA & MBDD items and more at Oakleaf Harbor

What happened

If you're wondering why Floozy and Other Stories didn't go on sale today at Lulu.com -- and even if you're not -- here's the whole discouraging story.

I received the second proof copies on Wednesday morning and flipped through them. They looked good. So I figured I'd approve Floozy that night, and it would go on sale today.

In the evening, I read about a third of the book -- it still looked good -- and decided to approve it for publication. I got a phone call from a friend and talked for quite a while. Afterwards, I went to my computer carrying the book. While opening Lulu.com on my browser, I flipped through the book again. I noticed an error. Not a new error. An error that I knew I had already corrected. What was going on?

I went through the proofs and discovered that about a third of the book -- the middle third -- didn't have the corrections it should. I checked the source file I sent, and sure enough, the errors were there. Including several lines of gibberish where Microsoft Word coding had conflicted with my PDF creator. But I clearly remembered fixing those. What happened?

Took a bit of thought, but I finally figured it out. I'd been correcting the errors on two computers. My laptop and my desktop. I would move the source file back and forth between the two computers on an USB flash drive. Apparently, one time, I forgot to bring the file over. Sure enough, when I checked my laptop, there the corrections were.

So ... I have put in the corrections again tonight. I'm going to make a small change to the back cover since I'm having to resubmit. I will upload the book again to Lulu.com Friday afternoon. Then it will go on sale July 5.

I promise to be more careful this time. Really I will. I'm only using one computer to fix the source file.

How are you doing? Life treating you well? Hope things are going well for you. Talk to you tomorrow.

Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Barnes&Noble.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Lulu.com

Buy Murder by the Acre at Amazon.com.
Buy Murder by the Acre at Barnes & Noble.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in HARDCOVER at Lulu.com.

Buy MBTA & MBDD items and more at Oakleaf Harbor