Feel free to forward this newsletter to your friends, family or anyone else you want to annoy. But if you do, all I ask is that you forward it in its entirety with full credit to me. After all, I'm gonna be famous someday, and you can frame it and say you knew me when. And my name is not Anonymous!


First, I must tell you all that I got a lot of messages about the true spelling and use of "baited breath" that I used in last month's newsletter. I really appreciate all of the kind and tactful people who tried to help me out. Not one of them called me an illiterate idiot. (Hey, that's alliteration! Perhaps we should explore that sideshow sometime?) Anyway, they were all very nice. Thank you all.

Okay, I confess, I really do know how to spell "bated breath," and I know that it means holding your breath with fear or excitement etc., but ya gotta admit that it's a lot more fun the other way. (For those of you who missed my last newsletter, you can read it at Author's Den.) http://www.authorsden.com/den/newsletterDen.asp

I love playing with words. Don't you?

Hey, let's do that! I HEREBY PROCLAIM THAT S. JOAN POPEK'S "FUN WITH WORDS" CONTEST IS ABOUT TO BEGIN.
Instant rules: (Just off the top of this tired, little, old, gray head.)
1. The entry can't be more than a few sentences long. (Example: The "baited" breath thingy in my last newsletter.)
2. It can be just one word with a funny, new meaning (Example: Synergy = The effort it takes to do evil.)
3. Correct spelling but the wrong meaning. (Example: The storyteller's tail was long and boring.)
4. You can't make the word(s) up. They must be in Webster's or an equally "Prestigious" dictionary.
5. If you do make the word up, it must have a logical meaning. In that case, you can ignore rule number 4.
6. No dirty ditties please. Smutty stuff shall not suffice. (But alliteration is encouraged!!)
7. That's all the rules. Other than the above, anything your extraordinary minds can create is fair game.

COME ON. LET'S PLAY!

I will be the sole and final judge. ('Cause it's my contest, and I can do that.) The winning entries will be posted on my Website at http://www.sjoanpopek.com for the whole world to giggle at. Heck, I will even post all the entries and have readers choose their favorites, then I'll judge from the top 10. The winner will receive an autographed copy of their choice of one of my 3 currently published ebooks absolutely free--no strings attached--no hidden loopholes--no kidding, free! You can't ask for more than that, so don't try 'cause it will do you no good to beg...well...maybe a little bit of good.

Ok--ok. On with the newsletter.

What's in this newsletter:
GOOD NEWS
MORE GOOD NEWS
FREE STUFF
OTHER NEWS
MY TRAVELS
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GOOD NEWS:
Be sure to pick up a copy of the October issue of Writer's Digest. When you pick it up, hold it reverently in your hands, let your gaze settle lovingly on the top story (at the top of the cover page) "8 Ways To Build A Buzz About Your Book," and realize, with just the right amount of humility and awe, that it was penned with great effort and much research just for you by yours truly--me! Then get your happy little behind to the check out stand and buy the sucker!

But hurry. They are going like..um...hotcakes and you'll miss out if you don't. Uh-oh, I feel the urge coming on to ask the question--What the heck does going like hotcakes REALLY mean? Do hotcakes go? How do they do that? Do they have tiny little feet so they can scurry across the table? Or maybe the syrup and butter give them magical powers? Anyone with a two-year-old knows that as soon as that sticky, gooey stuff gets poured on a hotcake, it somehow makes its way into that same two-year-old's lap, then down onto the carpet where the dog laps at it gently with his tongue until it is...well...gone. Think about it folks. How do it do it?

MORE GOOD NEWS:
Must let you know that my new book, JUMP START YOUR WRITING CAREER WITH
ELECTRONIC PUBLISHERS has been awarded a 5 STAR review by the talented and very perceptive Ms. Molly Martin on Scribes World. YEEE-HAAA!!
If you want to take a look, it's at http://Scribesworld.com/reviews/index.html

FREE STUFF:
Download free books and find links to free and almost free software at my site, http://www.sjoanpopek.com

Want to hear your favorite authors read from their own work in their own voice? How about audio interviews? It's free to download and hear what they have to say. http://www.radiofreegallery.com/

Get free animated graphics at http://www.animfactory.com/

OTHER NEWS:
Danielle of The Book Review Site sent this: You writers/reviewers out there might want to take a look.
Needed: Romance reviewers of ebooks..I have over 20 romance novels that are looking for reviewers, please email Danielle at subs@lakefield.net for more info or if you are interested.
The Book Reviewer Site http://www.thebookreviewersite.com
Horror Lives! http://www.artofhorror.com
Keep Kids Reading! http://www.thechildrenbooksite.com
FreakyFrights! http://www.freakyfrights.com
Gothic Gossip http://www.gothtime.com

MY TRAVELS
Just returned from a fun trip to The High Plains Book Festival in Amarillo Texas where I gave two presentations, autographed a few books and met some great people. If you weren't there, too bad. Ya'll missed a great time and some outstanding books and authors. If you were there, Howdy again!

That's it for now. Send in those Word Fun entries and let's get started.
Till next time,
Jo