Charlotte Barnes, Florida Poet, Author, and Humorist

Literacy Fair

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 01:42:00 +0000

I had fun at the Literacy Fair yesterday. I met lots of nice people. Definitely check out the work of Pelican Press in Pensacola. I wish great things for them.

I took a break to do some personal reading and projects, but I'm hoping to start back on some notes for a new manuscript this weekend. It's an motivational/inspirational book for women, I guess you could say. I won't reveal my working title--I get too scared that talking about works-in-progress will dry up my creative mojo.

Everyone sleep tight.

Member Settings Updates

Sat, 17 Jul 2010 01:09:00 +0000

I am trying some changes to the member settings to try to cut down on all the spammers/spoofers, etc.

I genuinely would like to hear from anyone interested in my work, and try to keep a clean, family-friendly site up, that can be enjoyed by any who are nice enough to take the time to visit.

We will see how these new settings work out.

On a more positive note, we are getting closer to the literacy event in Gulf Breeze on August 4th.

Take care and everyone have a fun, safe weekend.

Watch "God of Wonders"

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 20:41:00 +0000

If you get the chance, go to www.godofwondersvideo.org and check it out. If you click on chapters, you can watch the video for free. Buy copies for friends!

Go Visit K-T Bug Gifts!

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:46:00 +0000

I took a chance to visit K-T Bug Gifts, a new gift shop in Navarre. It's in Sand Dollar Plaza on Hwy. 87. I love all the stuff in there (bought some stuff as gifts). Also, I got to talking with Dee, the shop owner, and she was kind of enough to agree to try to sell some of my books in her shop. Thanks to Dee, and everyone go visit the shop. I told a couple of ladies at the Chamber meeting about it, as I was signing books.

Navarre Chamber visit!

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:44:00 +0000

It was a very interesting seminar on PR and I was happy to meet everyone. Jeff Nall was a great speaker. It rained off and on, but it was well-worth getting out into the busy traffic of Hwy. 98 to experience everything and meet some new people!

Special thanks to Bill and Jane at the Navarre Chamber for being so nice!

Navarre Chamber seminar visit June 22nd!

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 16:45:00 +0000

I'm sponsoring the June 22nd Navarre business seminar and will be there giving away some free books! So if you're going to be in Navarre area on Tuesday, hurry and RSVP!

Second Chance with Saving Grace!

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 16:37:00 +0000

I'm excited to share that I've now joined the Second Chance with Saving Grace team by donating signed copies of my children's book, "Stella Ducktropolis," for their Love Kits.

SCwSG is a nonprofit organization fonded by Dr. Diane Dike, her husband Paul and her rescued Italian greyhound, Gracie. Diane suffers from a rare and incurable blood disease that challenges her life daily. Instead of giving up, she has used her affliction and devoted her life to helping hurting animals, children, and adults. Diane, along wit her service dog, Gracie, defies the odds and encourages everyone to be the best they can be.

Diane's amazing children's book series is based on the adventures of Gracie and Diane. All sales of Gracie merchandise go to SCwSG so it can provide Love Kits of encouragement to those in need. SCwSG can use your help in providing love, hope, and encouragement to those in need. To find out about Diane, her work, and opportunities to help SCwSG to to www.DianeDike.org.

Sounding Off Published April 28, 2010!

Sun, 25 Apr 2010 22:12:00 +0000

It's already up on Amazon and B&N (minus the cover, which you can see on my homepage or "Finding Charlotte's Work" page), but listed as official publication of April 28, 2010. It's a great gift for the office worker who's soon to retire!

New book out soon!

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 19:52:00 +0000

My next book, "Sounding Off! The Retiree's Journal of Wisdom, Advice, Gripes, and Goodbyes to all the Working Stiffs Left Behind," will be out soon. It will be a great book for anyone in the office who will be retiring in the near future. It will give them a chance to do a last bit of mentoring, express ideas to improve the workplace, etc.

Years ago I had a journal idea I was pitching for a manuscript called, "My Kindness Keeper," which was a journal where people could keep ideas for improving the world, making life easier, and helping people. Although that work got some positive feedback, I was hearing that I need to narrow my focus a bit. I recently took out that old manuscript and thought, "Who knows a lot and doesn't get a lot of chance to express it?" That's when it hit me! Workers! Workers retire all the time and we lose the benefits of their experience and knowledge, and sometimes feel like we haven't really gotten to know them as people, much less found out what they think about the workplace. So I took some of the old material adapted it to my new idea and added more.

I'm still hoping to get a book signing set up for August. I will update any info as it becomes available to me.

As always, thanks for your interest and support.

Charlotte

Sorry it's been so long!

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:56:00 +0000

Sorry it's been so long since I last updated this blog! I've been very busy working on a new book (galley revisions due in

14 days). More about that later. I've also been working overtime at the day job, and just joined as a virtual volunteer for a library transcribing podcasts into Word documents so that the interviews can be enjoyed by the hearing impaired. Whew! I got tired just writing all that! So if you see me looking harried for a bit, that's why.

Once the overtime is done, and the new book is out, I'm hoping to have some more exciting news to share. There may be a book signing/event of some kind in August, but that's not firmed up, so more details when I get them.