Blog Posts - shakespeareswitch

Brigadoon at the Hale Theater

10/18/2013

I counted eleven theaters in London during Shakespeare's time, but I believe Salt Lake is at least comparable. The theater that I find exhilarating is the Hale Theater. Locally grown and manned, it displays for our city a depth and breadth of talent that rivals New York. I saw Brigadoon there last night and it was exciting, colorful, beautiful, thought provoking - thrilling. I've not been much of a fan of the play, but last night I became one.
The performers were dynamic and engaging, their voices were rich and the dancing filled the stage with joy.
I highly recommend a night at Hale Theater for any production, but these last two (Tarzan and Brigadoon) cannot be raved about enough!
THANK YOU, CAST AND CREW, FOR A MAGNIFICENT SHOW!

Post Utah RWA Convention Report

10/15/2013

Jewel, Me. Leslie and Lynn.

Wow! Where to begin. What an awesome event the Utah RWA was! Loved rubbing shoulders with our amazing authors. The classes were exceptional. The food was fabulous. The pitches were interesting. My first booksigning was everything I could have asked for.

So I'll end up spending several posts going over what I learned, but for right now I want to thank my dear friends for coming up to help usher in what I can now officially call my career.

I'm a writer! I have books to sell and people are buying them! I'm learning how to market and I know my writing will continue to develop.

As I dreamed, Lynn Kurland was present at the signing; the woman who first told me to join Utah RWA, which helped me walk the steps that took me through the journey. My fellow authors surrounded me. My friend and the woman who's encouraged me to move forward, Lisa, came as a rabbit! My dear sister kept me focused and kept inventory. Thank you all! You are so very dear to me.

Me and Jewel Adams, our valiant chapter President.

Joy and Alisia.

Kellie Ann.

Leslie and Lynn.

Me, Carol, JoAnn and Fred.

Lisa and Carol.

European Sales!

10/5/2013

I'm so excited! I just found out I've sold four books in Europe! What a world. I have no idea who or where, but they went through Createspace and I'm getting some Euros in my royalty payments.
Thanks again to any of you who are purchased. I'm knee deep in the next one and looking forward to releasing it in 2014.
Final note: my book-signing at 'The Ranch' is postponed for two weeks. Information to follow.
**Remember, though, 5:00 book-signing next Saturday (10/12) at 5:00 at the Silver Baron. Come spend a night. Park City is beautiful in October. If you're a writer - still time to sign up for the conference. I promise you won't regret it!

Thanks for your support! See you next Sunday...

10/3/2013

Thanks to everyone who participated in my first book bomb! Hope you enjoy the book...
I'm scheduled for a book-signing next Sunday (10/6/13) at the Olympus Ranch Retirement Community, It's at 974 East 5600 South in Murray, Utah. It seems appropriate that my first should be there since so many friends have listened to my writer stories! Plus, they're just fun folks to be around!

Launching Today! 'Never Quenching Fire!"

10/1/2013

I have successfully uploaded all versions of my Shakespeare's Witch series and today I'm launching "Never Quenching Fire" in digital, print and large print. It's also available in the lending library for Amazon Prime members. Google me, J.D. Steffensen, or 'Never Quenching Fire' for a direct link.
The fun part is that anyone buying today will be participating in my 'book bomb,' which is a marketing scheme designed to push a writer's ratings up on Amazon. This is my first ever, so I'm curious to see how it plays out. Let me know if you run into any hitches.
I'll report the numbers back tomorrow!
Thanks in advance to you all!

Dear Friends and Birthdays! Many, Many Thanks!

9/28/2013

How can I not share this! This is a bouquet that Lisa Young did (I have her link on this website, BTW). She grows all of these flowers in her harden and every year she would bring me bouquets when we worked together at Eastmont. I truly miss those bouquets, so what better present?! Unless it's dinner out and a movie with Richard, apostachuta leftover from my brother, decadent chocolate cake with my co-workers, an after work get together with friends, old and new, a box of salted caramel chocolates, happy birthday songs throughout the day, cards, compliments, and encouragement. Helps me remember what a wonderful world we live in. Additionally wonderful because I can share the experience on this website and facebook.
We are, all of us, made so very much richer by each other.

UTAH RWA Heart of the West Conference Coming Soon! 10/11-12/2013! Come join us!

9/25/2013

I love this poster! Created by Tiffinie Helmer, a talented author and artist, it's promoting our chapter's conference, which is just coming up. If you're a writer - please come join us for great seminars, fellowship and inspiration. I always walk away eager to attack my next book - and more capable of doing so!

Check out the details at: http://www.utahrwa.com/HOWConference.html

Yes! That's my book on the bottom row! Toooo excited!

New Lavender Site

9/16/2013

I found a great website devoted to Lavender!

Mountain Valley Growers sells an assortment of organic herbs. The variety of Lavender that's available is astounding! I can't wait to begin planting next spring. You can bet I'll include as many varieties as possible in my garden next year!

Let me list the varieties:

Spanish Lavender: dark purple, pineapple-shaped flowers. May be referred to as French Lavender.
Kew Red Spanish Lavender: smaller with medium pink flowers.
Yellow Lavender: pineapple-shaped flowers with a lemon chiffon top bracts. The leaves are pungently scented and the plant grows tall and wide.
Sweet Lavender: Largest and fastest growing with the longest flower wands.
French Lavender: traditional gray leaves. This is a large, fast growing shrub which is also referred to as everblooming Lavender.
Goodwin Creek Gray Lavender: hybrid of French Lavender with a shorter growth and darker flowers.
Woolly Lavender: gray foliage and dark purple flowers that loves the heat of summer.
Pinnata Lavender: zone 10 that grows fast with long flower wands and twisted spiral shaped flowers.
English Lavender: large leaves, tall, robust growth with great color and fragrance.
Munstead Lavender: loves head.
Hidcote Lavender: dark purple flowers. This plant prefers cool climes.
Hidcote Pink Lavender: pink flower spike.
Jean Davis Lavender: pink flower. This plant has a fruity-flavored taste.
Miss Katherine Lavender: pink English flower that's small and has a wonderful fragrance.
Sachet Lavender: Medium purple flowers that grow for a longer period and has a heady, sweet scent.
Sarah Lavender: Small plant with a short flower spike, showy dark purple flowers, great for window boxes and containers.
Royal Purple Lavender: darker purple, very fragrant.
Vera Lavender: thought to be the true English Lavender grows best between 2500 and 4500 feet. Considered the best for medicinal and aromatherapy uses.

FANTASYCON - coming soon!

9/15/2013

The Salt Lake ComicCon was an overwhelming success, both in the number who attended and in the variety of events offered. There were more things to see and experience than I can describe in a single blog. So I'd like to highlight some of those I found particularly exciting. One was the looked-forward-to FantasyCon which was introduced with a beautiful display of fantasy artwork in a Grecian Temple-like hall. The structure was impressive and the artwork displayed was moving. I'm told they're looking at Las Vegas. Maybe after Salt Lake's success, however, they'll consider bringing it here!

Salt Lake City ComicCon

9/6/2013

If you're a geek, historian, scifi fan, or just like to rub shoulders with people who like to dress up, YOU'VE GOT TO GO to the Salt Lake City ComicCon this weekend! I went last night with my sister, Carol, and brother-in-law, Phil. We saw celebrities, authors, artists, and an assortment of craft artists that made my head spin. Carol got to meet her long time favorite, Adrian Paul (The Highlander Series). William Shatner will be there on Saturday. Way, way too much fun.
TO MY WRITER/READERS - this is a great way to do a booksigning. I saw several authors sharing booths and the crowds were staggering! Tonight and tomorrow I thought I'd try out my new "shakespeareswitch" dress.

Author

Jodee Steffensen
AKA
J.D. Steffensen

Jodee (J.D.) Steffensen

Historical and Romance Writer, Amateur Herbalist, and Seeker of adventure, new knowledge and all things good!

Hobbies? I've adored cats all my life. I came to love Shakespeare when I was introduced to him in college. I developed an interest in herbs when a dear friend was diagnosed with cancer. I learned about the complex politics of Shakespeare's world when another friend gave me a book, "Shadow Play," by Clare Asquith.

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