John Passarella Author Blog

• Eagles did their best to give me a heart attack today. Whew! #
• @twignest It was kind of disjointed and odd. Not as good as Water/Mars. Hoping PT2 salvages it; hate to see DT & RTD go out on a down note. #
• Anybody interested in buying a BlackBerry Curve 8310 (w Car Charger) out of contract? My eBay Listing: #
• Wow! That was fast. My BlackBerry eBay listing was up for less than an hour when I got a BUY NOW sale. #
• Received a $100 Amazon gift cert for Xmas, so I took the plunge & applied it to a Kindle 2. Hope I can embrace the new reading paradigm. #
• @MikeAbrams The BB Curve 8310 (GPS) that I bought in DEC 07. When my 2 yr contract was up, I bought the BB Bold 9700. in reply to MikeAbrams #
• @angiebatgirl I bought a lot of books lately… & I can use the Kindle in my web business – Kindle ebook conversions. Now I can test them! in reply to angiebatgirl #
• @MikeAbrams Thanks, Mike. in reply to MikeAbrams #
• @DarkWoofer That definitely appeals to my wife; she's needed reading glasses this past year. I have the opposite vision problem. in reply to DarkWoofer #
• @jacobhaddon Glad you're enjoying your Nook! Hope I can adjust. I'm a book person. Save every book I read, but they're overrunning my house. in reply to jacobhaddon #
• Any problem with the NE Blackberry AT&T G3 network? I'm getting EDGE instead of the usual G3 on my BB at this location. #
• Naturally, I meant 3G not G3! Looks like it's back already. There had been 2 BB outages since I got my new Blackberry, assumed this was one. #
• @twignest Hope so. It won't be cold turkey because I still have about 150+ PHYSICAL books in my TBR pile. in reply to twignest #
• I'm going to assume that Paranormal Activity was scarier in a darkened theater than it is at home on the DVD player. Didn't = hype, for me. #
• @twignest Any rhyme or reason to what is or isn't available for Kindle? Certain publishers or authors? Or recent releases only? in reply to twignest #
• @twignest Interesting. Wonder if that's JKR's call. Sure she has total control. Publishers aren't happy re: discounts, but they make sense! in reply to twignest #
• @twignest I had Mote in God's Eye & Lucifer's Hammer in my TBR pile about 20 years before I read them. When no "hope", I donate to library. in reply to twignest #
• Wondering if I can finish UNWIND by midnight tomorrow to break my 27-year-old personal reading record. Probably should go for it. #
• Broke my 27-year-old personal reading record today by finishing UNWIND. Great book if you like YA dystopian SF: #
• Ordered Kindle 2 MON w/ Free S&H (S&H savings = 1 kindle book cost!) & it arrived today! New Year, new reading paradigm #
• Kindle Q: Guide say Amzn charges a fee to xfer your docs thru kindle email acct via Whispernet. Anyone know HOW MUCH they charge for this? #
• @jacobhaddon Yeah, I just saw that – if you download to your pc it's free, to the kindle, you pay. in reply to jacobhaddon #
• @twignest Someone on Facebook (confirmed by another) says $0.15 per PDF conversion. in reply to twignest #
• Happy New Year everyone (a little early). If you're celebrating away from home, be sure you designate a driver. Stay safe out there! #
• Didn't want to buy Kindle cover until I had travel plans, but it's so sleek I worried about dropping it down stairs. Ordered black mEdge GO. #
• Kindle Q: sent file for conversion to my free kindle addr. Get an email w/ link to D/L file. Takes me to login, but won't accept my login?? #
• Kindle free-conversion problem I was having might have been Firefox or NoScript. I open the same link in IE7 and it opened a download box. #
• @twignest Firefox took me to login then nohting; IE7 took me to login; I click it brings up the d/l box. Maybe NoScript blocks it in FF..? in reply to twignest #
• Gearing up for client's weekly podcast & mass mailing. Trying to overcome holiday haze. Planned to see Avatar today, but now 1/9 likely. #
• Kindle conversion (from ZIP w/ rejected CSS file) didn't work; HTML interspersed with text; sent a mobi version & that converted correctly. #
• Bid farewell to David Tennant's DR WHO tonight. BBC-A's Demons? Mixed feelings… #
• @jenwiehl I think it was Tennant's call to leave. My wife & daughter don't like what they've seen of the new doctor. in reply to jenwiehl #

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• Today was all about snow. Wiped me out. But the Eagles won and the Vikes lost, giving the birds hope for a bye. Hope to see Avatar next w/e. #
• Missed the Doctor Who movie on BBC America this past SAT. Anyone know if it's on ON DEMAND (Comcast)? #
• @DarkWoofer I was able to find it on ON DEMAND. Will watch tonight. Also, so it re-airs SAT before Pt 1 of Christmas movie this SAT. in reply to DarkWoofer #
• @ComcastBonnie Thanks. I was able to find it on ON DEMAND. Will watch tonight. in reply to ComcastBonnie #
• Working on a client's mass mailing html newsletter and wrapping Christmas presents. Alternately, not simultaneously. #
• All the presents are wrapped; ready for Christmas! Will probably sell my Blackberry 8310 & accessories now that I have the BB Bold 9700. #
• Merry Christmas Eve & Happy Holidays to my followers. Wishing you safe travels and a joyous holiday season. #
• Watching District 9 again. #
• Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night! #
• Finished 2nd Dexter book. Starting 3rd. If I finish before JAN 1, I'll tie my most-books-read total since 1982 when I started keeping track. #
• With my one client's weekly podcast & mass mailing out of the way, I'm free to enjoy the new (to us) DR WHO movie on BBC America tonight. #
• I'm getting reports of pirated copies of my fiction showing up on r a p i d s h a r e, which McAfee flags as a "red" site. Be warned. #
• @nilvento Since 1982, my avg is 39. This year, 63 finished. I've never been one to read hundreds in a year, tho I know people who do! in reply to nilvento #
• @angiebatgirl Since 1982, my avg is 39. This year, 63 finished. Never been 1 to read 100s in a YR, tho I know people who do! Read 64 in '82. in reply to angiebatgirl #
• @angiebatgirl In high school, I knew a guy who read 3 books in a day. His mom would read 1 while she was in a book store, then buy another. in reply to angiebatgirl #
• @nilvento Tracking actually helps me read more. I race myself. in reply to nilvento #
• @angiebatgirl I rarely reread any books. I think I've reread maybe 3 books in my life. Although I want to reread the Travis McGee books soon in reply to angiebatgirl #

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• QuickTime headache: Tried to upgrade daughter's iTunes. Failed. QuickTime won't install OR uninstall. Limbo. Removal tool? #
• @twignest My shelves are full. No place for new shelves. Books stacked on floor in front of shelves. I hear you! in reply to twignest #
• Whew! That Eagles game was mentally exhausting. Wild. Glad the birds got the win. #
• Dexter was intense. Edge of my seat the whole hour. Shocker was nullified a bit by knowing the actor had another job. #
• Ordered a Christmas tree ornament with our late dog's photo on it. She died so close to Xmas. Something we can look at each year this time. #
• Liked the Phillies rumors a lot more when it was talk of ADDING Roy Halladay to rotation, not swapping him out for Cliff Lee and prospects. #
• '7 Habits' Deal Could Shake Up E-Book Publishing – Yahoo! News #
• New cell phone day at the Passarella household. 2 of 3 activated. One to go: mine. Replacing my Blackberry 8310 with a Blackberry Bold 9700. #
• RIM's Desktop Manager software consumed most of an entire day with install, freezing & conflict issues. Ugh! Back to client web updates. #
• Finally watched part one of SyFy's ALICE. Liked it enough to want to watch part two. Wondering about his major snowstorm headed our way. #
• @angiebatgirl You're closer to the NJ shore, right? Looks like you could be in the 10-20 inch track. Phila area is 6+ to 10-20. in reply to angiebatgirl #
• @amy_grech Phila area could conservatively get 6+ inches, but we could easily get 10-20 inches if the storm track is a bit westward. in reply to amy_grech #
• @jacobhaddon The contracts basically cover books everywhere in the known universe, so they naturally assume any format ever inventable. in reply to jacobhaddon #
• @twignest Yep, farther west you go, the lower the downfall. in reply to twignest #
• @angiebatgirl Looks like if you get more, I'll get less & vice versa. Depends if the storm tracks head more east or west. in reply to angiebatgirl #
• Now that Dexter season 4 is over, I've started reading the first Dexter book. Enjoying the similarities and the differences to season 1. #
• Per updated forecast: we'll be in the 10-20 inches zone of snow tomorrow. Yikes! Our sidewalk and driveway have never seemed longer. #
• Anyone know of any SIMPLE & basic (affordable) affiliate software you can implement on your website. IOW, I don't need overkill. #
• DVR cut off Alice Part 2 after she meets "construction worker" – anything happen after that? Was he who she thought, etc.? #
• @DarkWoofer I was wondering if it was REALLY him or some sort of real-world doppleganger. 🙂 Thanks. in reply to DarkWoofer #
• Wrapped up client's weekly podcast & mass mailing. Heavy snow here, already 8 to 9 inches, drifts to 16. Will stay heavy to 9PM ET. South NJ #
• To my followers: THANKS for the Alice Pt 2 info. Figured that was ending. Wasn't sure if it was Hatter. Good to know not much was cut off. #
• Since we're trapped in by the snow, my wife is baking scads of Christmas cookies. Yum! Meanwhile, my snowblower is whimpering in the corner. #
• @twignest I have the first three, not the fourth one. Past the halfway point in book one & enjoying it. in reply to twignest #

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• Thought the rule was, you're on 10, ball goes over your head, let it. Probably go into end zone. #
• Glad the Eagles didn't put me through the stress ringer today with another nail biter. Looking forward to penultimate Dexter tonight! #
• Mystery Writers Boots Harlequin from Approved Publishers List – 12/7/2009 – Publishers Weekly #
• Past few days have been somber, in the wake of Sadie's (our dog's) death. Trying to get back into the workaday website routine gradually. #
• Can Cameron deliver Titanic results on `Avatar?' – Yahoo! News #
• Youngest son was home sick yesterday, daughter home sick today. Fortunately, no flu yet. #
• Per Publishers Weekly alert: Nielsen Business Media has announced it's closing book review publication Kirkus Reviews. #
• State of the Art – Barnes and Noble’s Nook Reader Fails to Live Up to Promises – NYTimes.com #
• Anybody know how well Thunderbird 3 imports Outlook (2007) settings? Mail, contacts, notes (?), etc.? #
• Cameron's 'Avatar' has premiere in London – Yahoo! News #
• AP review: Effects wow but story limps in `Avatar' – Yahoo! News #
• Check out Detra Fitch's review of STORIES IN BETWEEN (4 Stars for book & [cool!] 5 stars for my story) #
• Glowing AVATAR Review at The Hollywood Reporter: #
• @twignest Looks cool, but I worry I might miss my BOOKS. Would be fun to try to see if I can adapt. Wish it was a bit cheaper, though. in reply to twignest #
• Two more excellent eps of Dollhouse tonight. Two more next week. Hope they had time to build in some closure before the end. #
• Picked up our dog's ashes today. Wooden box (engraved w/ her name on plaque) above fireplace for now. Finished client's weekly podcast. #
• Detailed recap of double dose Dollhouse: If Dollhouse's Corporation Was Real, You'd Be Its Bitch Too #

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• Took it easy today. Tried too, anyway. Watched the Eagles squeak out a win, read some more Under The Dome. Another great Dexter tonight! #
• Anybody else getting REPEATED notices from Twitter that the service can't connect to their mobile? Twitter issue? Blackberry issue? #
• Author Jonathan Littell wins Bad Sex in Fiction Prize – USATODAY.com #
• Took about 10 days, but I finally finished Under the Dome by Stephen King. (Proof reader missed a few things.) #
• Working on a brutal (CSS-speaking) client home page for over 3.5 hours today. Longest it's ever taken me to place content on 1 page. #
• Forgot to watch Nip/Tuck. Will have to check it out ON DEMAND. I'm already on the "holiday season" TV schedule, i.e., all reruns. #
• Lightning Source in Deal with CreateSpace – Publishers Weekly #
• This evening, Sadie, our Golden Retriever died suddenly & unexpectedly. Only 6-yrs-old. Vet thinks it was a heart attack. We're heartbroken. #
• A picture of our dog, Sadie, from Thanksgiving this year. She died yesterday at 6 years old. http://twitpic.com/s5ors #
• Completely frustrating how GOOD Dollhouse has gotten since we learned it's scheduled for termination. (Summer Glau reference.) #
• My son just noticed it's snowing here. Big gobby flakes and lots of them outside my window. Yesterday it was in the 60s here. Go figure. #
• These jumbo snowflakes remind me of FEB 01 snowfall in Balt MD when Matthew had his 1st brain surgery & we had to wait in hallway for 7 hrs. #
• Thanks to all who have offered condolences with regard to the sudden and unexpected passing of our family dog, Sadie. #

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• I'm 90 pgs into Under the Dome, had to unclog some sinks, reconfigure a client's temp splash page, now yard work. Eagles tonight. Must win? #
• Back to working on client Web updates. Football games playing in the background. Anybody reading STORIES IN BETWEEN? #
• Finished more client web updates. At some point, I need to STOP & take some of the weekend back for myself. Biggest problem w/ home office! #
• In case the Eagles choke 3 weeks in a row tonight, I'm reading between plays, so it's not a total waste of time. #
• Eagles defense needs to get an "end of game" stop, for once. Break this 4th Qtr deficit curse. #
• Best part of Eagles game so far are the Chuck previews for January! #
• Under the Dome, pg 125 – did Horace the dog suddenly become Hector the dog? #
• Dexter was incredible tonight. Only 3 episodes to go. #
• Working on client website issues and eCommerce & SSL issues. #
• Last "V" until March is on tonight. Got "Fortress" (1992) from NetFlix. Can't remember why. Working through "Under the Dome" by King. #
• Ironing out the last kinks of a client's eCommerce system. Web updates, and a web layout up next. #
• Early "Black Friday" Deal: Order signed first print edition (blue) Shimmer for $2 OFF, Plus FREE S&H #
• To all my Twitter followers who celebrate the day, Happy Thanksgiving! If traveling, be safe out there. #
• Early "Black Friday" Deal: Order signed first print edition (blue) Shimmer for $2 OFF, Plus FREE S&H #
• Reading Under the Dome: Did a Snickers become a Milky Way? #
• Just finished up a bunch of client web updates and blog posts. Nothing on the tube tonight. Might watch Doubt; wife picked up from library. #
• More client web udpates, followed by some more client updates. Eyes starting to cross. Need to get away from the LCD widescreen for a while. #
• @sacgeorge Andrews has monster talent. It would be great if he could get into playing shape. in reply to sacgeorge #
• Going to see my 8-yr-old daughter in a local parade today. She'll be dancing (w/ her dance class) with Santa-elf antlers on. #
• On the parade route in Swedesboro, waiting to see my daughter in parade. http://myloc.me/1LszE #
• Topped off our holiday parade with Christmas tree purchase. Maybe little earlier than usual, but seemed like a good time to take care of it. #

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• Taking it easy today after yesterday's marathon book signing, but the inbox is overflowing now for MON client web & blog updates. #
• If you missed the big signing for The Stories In Between, here's book online w/ back cover I uploaded #
• @LdyDisney Thanks! It was really incredible, a credit to the store and its supportive customers. in reply to LdyDisney #
• @LdyDisney Between Books, Claymont DE, about 20 minutes from Phila, PA. in reply to LdyDisney #
• @donlafferty I know. The whole situation blew my mind. Never expected anything like that. Non-stop signing for 4 hours. in reply to donlafferty #
• @LdyDisney I was at Mysterious Galaxy in 1999 when Wither first came (hardbound) and the HWA banquet was in Hollywood. Hope to get back. in reply to LdyDisney #
• I have a few signed copies of THE STORIES IN BETWEEN featuring Wendy Ward in "Blood Alone" $0.99 S&H! #
• Order a signed copy of THE STORIES IN BETWEEN (incl Wendy Ward novelette) & get "Harbinger" PDF free! #
• I really hope JJ Abrams doesn't rehash Khan in Star Trek 2. I want something fresh. #
• Amazon has THE STORIES IN BETWEEN for 28% OFF and the first review has been posted: #
• For those wondering in which order to read my Wendy Ward stories, I posted the preferred chronology: #
• Looking forward to the big genre night on TV: Supernatural, Fringe, Flash Forward, Vampire Diaries, and, yes, Bones. #
• Windows Secrets newsletter sent me here: Twilight: Three Wolf Moon – CollegeHumor video #
• Supernatural delivered the goods tonight. Only downside: Jan 21 before next new episode. #
• Bumpy start to day: picked up sick son from school, now dealing with email & FTP server issues on a few client sites. FRI feels like MON. #
• Steven Spielberg To Bring Stephen King's Dome Horror To Life as HBO Mini Series: #
• RWA, MWA and SFWA Angered by Harlequin's New Self-Publishing Imprint – 11/20/2009 8:06:00 AM – Publishers Weekly #
• @jacobhaddon "Real fiction" sounds like an oxymoron to me! in reply to jacobhaddon #
• Read more books this year than any year since 1982 (earliest tracked). If I start reading Under the Dome, hope it's not my last of the year! #
• @nilvento I'm hoping. But it is AWKWARD to hold the sucker, like a laminated cinder block. in reply to nilvento #

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• Hurt neck SAT w/ yardwork. Slow SUN. Waiting for Eagles/Dallas. Norton Internet Security install holding my PC hostage for the past 4+ hrs. #
• Bummed that Eagles sloppy play cost them chance for sole possession of 1st. Watched Dexter & Mad Men later, made up for the birds mess. #
• Been feeling under the weather lately, but you can't call in sick when you're self-employed. Slogging my way thru client web updates today. #
• @RayGarton Problem is, I can't think of anything I haven't heard before. in reply to RayGarton #
• The Dark Quest Books edition of SHIMMER is now listed on Amazon! #
• Wrapped up invoice preparation for multiple clients. Getting read for client web updates and client blogs, shopping cart, etc. #
• SAT I'll be signing my Wendy Ward story with a big group of authors at the Between Books 30th Anniversary Party for The Stories In Between. #
• Finished designing new postcard (front & back) for Dark Quest Books edition of SHIMMER #
• Free Amazon App Lets PC Users Read Kindle Books – Yahoo! News #
• Eagles lose 2 cornerbacks in one fell swoop: Ellis Hobbs to season-ending neck surgery, Joselio Hanson to 4 gm suspension. #
• PayPal users: How often does your biz come to a screeching halt because PP puts a transaction "under review" and locks it up? #
• @blindconfucius No text to speech at all? I hadn't heard anything. Was wondering about the "share" feature, which seems under fire. in reply to blindconfucius #
• Read my latest Passarella Author Newsletter. Book Signing Tomorrow & New SHIMMER edition: #
• Thanks to Shannon for the 5-star review of Bad-Ass Faeries 2, especially her high praise for my story #
• Special Deal for My Twitter Followers « Passarella Blog (FREE Wendy Ward eStory. Until Midnight ET) #
• At Between Books mega book signing today for The Stories In Between, 2-5pm, 2703 Phila Pike, Claymont DE 19703 302.798.3378 #
• Wow! There's a mob scene at the Between Books signing – in a good way. Stop on by before 5pm! http://myloc.me/1vkik #
• What a signing at Between Books today! We signed non-stop for 4 hrs. Think we had a 5-minute lull between 2-6pm. Biggest I've been part of. #

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• Eagles trounce NY Giants. Now we need the Phillies to follow suit and even the World Series w/ the Yanks. #
• Introduce Your Child to Lovecraft's Horrors with Lil Cthulhu – io9 #
• Have to balance Dexter, the season finale of Mad Men, and the Phillies tonight. DVR hummin' and ESPN play-by-play on the Blackberry. #
• C'mon, Phillies. Time running out. Madsen needs to end this inning, keep it to 1 run. #
• Thought the Phillies had a chance for a walkoff 9th, now it's looking darkest… #
• Less than 2 wks 'til The Stories (In) Between book signing @ Between Books Claymont DE. Wendy Ward BLOOD ALONE in this one! #
• Just realized NEXT week is the Mad Men season finale… Up against Eagles/Dallas. No rest for the DVR. #
• Coming up for air after a bunch of client web updates and blog posts. #
• C'mon Cliff Lee – keep the Phillies' hopes alive. #
• Yes! Phillies live to fight another day. 6 run lead turns into nail-biter. Deep sigh of relief… #
• Watched the SyFy channel movie Ghost Town… I don't know why I put myself through these things. Still not as bad as Alien vs Hunter. #
• V, on the other hand, was decent. Little Firefly reunion going on there. With a dab of Lost and a dash of Smallville. #
• @Dudley228 Must be a touch of masochism in us. That's the only explanation. in reply to Dudley228 #
• Mundania Press's edition of Bad-Ass Faeries 2 available at Amazon. Includes my story Twilight Crossing #
• Kids are home from school until next week. Just made a quick website for my 8-yr-old daughter, with her book reviews. #
• Good luck to Pedro & the Phillies in another elimination game. Would make for a powder keg of pressure on both teams in a game 7. #
• Things aren't looking good for the Phillies. Their old goat was better than ours. And our bats remain silent. Sigh… #
• Chase Utley missed a golden opportunity, would have been a record-setting one (with HR), and would have made it a 1 run game. #
• Sour grapes alert: Looks like the Phillies will succumb to the bottomless purse of NYY. Idealist in me wanted the "team" to win. #
• Note to Harry Kalas "upstairs": The Phillies had high hopes again, and came within 2 games. Maybe next year. #
• Phillies: Thanks for a great season! A few tweaks and we'll get it next year. #
• @thesadeianwoman Yep. Wanted a beer… after midnight. Resisted the urge. in reply to thesadeianwoman #
• Having a Phillies hangover. Trying to get some work done while waiting for the sprinkler people to close the lines for the winter. #
• Party Like it’s 1979: Support a 30 YR OLD Indie Bookstore « Passarella Blog #
• Supernatural cracked me up this evening. Loved the new "theme song." And the "Herpexia" commercial. #
• @VR4SmallBiz As web designer I refer clients to you. I dislike that you EXPIRE credits that have been BOUGHT, discourages sales & referrals. #
• @VR4SmallBiz Many of my clients are authors, who mail around book pub dates. Expiring BOUGHT (not free trial) credits diminishes your value. #
• @VR4SmallBiz You should wait at least a year since the LAST mailing before expiring PURCHASED credits. Not talking about free trial credits. #
• Haven't decided if I like Stargate: Universe. Still not sure if I know what the show is "about" yet. DO like the ongoing vs episodic nature. #
• Just completed a bunch of client web updates, a podcast listing and a mass mailing. Now on to client email responses. #
• @twignest Yes, it's a contining story. They've been short of air, water, food, etc. and each ep seems to deal w/ another crisis. in reply to twignest #
• Bad-Ass Faeries gets New York Times mention. My story appeared in 2nd antho, new edition from Mundania #

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