Saturday, February 1, 2014

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I  HAVE NOW GONE ROGUE.....OR INDEPENDENT, SELF PUBLISHED, AUTHOR
I had a publisher until this last summer, when 12 of her authors discovered she had embezzled from all of us. What to do? 
Take down all our books with her imprint, and replace them by using the Create Space feature from Amazon: 
.ALL MY BOOKS ARE NOW ON AMAZON.COM AND 
KINDLE 

FICTION: 

Product Details



 Storm Warning ) - $4.99

 ( Formerly titled Forces of Nature)
Suspense/Thriller

What would happen when a bomber from the nearby Air Force base is flung by a fierce tornado into the county’s largest shopping mall?  Begin the day with the mall manager, his assistant, the security officer and Howard the Weatherman, whose predictions are always uncannily accurate, and in this case, deadly.


Kindle Link: -
ebook/dp/B00GFV20T2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-t=UTF8&qid=1390243286&sr=1-1&keywords=marilyn+celeste+morris



Product Details

The Unexplored Heart  $12.99 
Historical Novel/Adventure/Romance

Impoverished but proud Vanessa Danforth is forced from he mother’s home by her new stepfather’s treachery in 1860s England.
After graduating from stenographer’s school, she accepts a position at the estate of famed world explorer, Harrison Courtland.
Made a widower by his wife’s tragic death in the Himalayas, Courtland has retreated into his work, while Vanni forges friendships with his daughter Katrin and the handsome physician from the neighboring estate.
As Vanni encourages Courtland to unearth the ancient ruins at the edge of his property she discovers not only a stunning secret and a hidden treasure, but also her own heart’s desire.

Amazon Link: 

Kindle Link: $4.99



Product Details


Sabbath’s Gift     $8.99
Paranormal/occult
Book One of the Sabbath Trilogy
Kindle Link: http://www.amazon.com/Sabbaths-Sabbath-Trilogy-Marilyn-Morris-ebook/dp/B00GL9XSIK/ref=sr_1_6_title_1

Product Details

Sabbath’s House     $8.99

Paranormal/Occult 
Book Two of the Sabbath Trilogy

Best selling author Joanna Elliott and her growing family are looking for another house because, quite frankly, finding bodies in the cellar and a psychotic old woman kidnapping her son were not events conducive to bringing her new child into the world. 
She discovers a charming old Victorian mansion owned only by women of the Emily Harris family, but the remaining heiress has no descendants to inherit.
Once the family moves in, however, psychic black cat Sabbath encounters spirits determined to continue the legend, once again putting the family in peril,

Amazon Link: 

Kindle Link:

Coming Soon: Book Three:
Sabbath’s Village
Where the magical, mystical black cat once again saves Joanna and her family from peril in their small town seized by witchcraft. 



Product Details

My Ashes of Dead Lovers Garage Sale and other adventures of a Single Woman of a Certain Age  $6.99


Author’s Note:  This book is a selection of articles written over a ten year period for Suburban Newspapers, in Fort Worth, TX.  Essentially, the title sprang from a conversation I had with my Tall Blond Friend as we held a joint garage sale.
Looking at some of the items, Tall Blond Friend asked how I got them. My reply was something along the lines of: “You remember old What’s His Name. Before he rode off into the sunset with a younger woman, he gave me this ________(fill in the blank) I think it should bring at least a quarter.”
And so on, with three or four cast-off items from old boyfriends, we marked each piece until it occurred to me that I should call this “My Ashes of Dead Lovers Garage Sale

 Amazon Link: 

Kindle Link:





Product Details

My Second Annual Ashes of Dead Lovers Garage Sale
And Other Adventures of a Single Woman of a Certain Age

$5.99


Author’s Note:  This book is another selection of articles written over a ten year period for Suburban Newspapers, in Fort Worth, TX where I was paid, essentially, to have fun.

Amazon Link: 

Kindle Link:




Product Details


Ladies of the Club

Historical Novel, WWII Era 

(formerly titled The Women of Camp Sobingo)


Four women of diverse backgrounds form a bond while en route to join their Army officer husbands in Korea in 1946.
Their experiences in a far-flung military compound strengthen three of the women, but a fourth chooses to end her life, and during a reunion twenty-five years later, long-held dark secrets and sorrows are revealed. 



Formats

Price

New
Used

$13.99











NON-FICTION: 



Product Details




The Cards We’re Dealt: And the Joker is Lupus $8.99


When she was suddenly assaulted by myriad baffling symptoms of joint pain and extreme fatigue, the author embarked on an intensive search for diagnosis and treatment of what would be diagnosed as systemic lupus Erythematosus, a little-known autoimmune disease that promised to destroy her body, her mind and her spirit.  From the pages of her intimate daily journal, we travel with her through chronic joint pain, frustration, anger and grief for her former self to her current state of playing the cards she was dealt.
She has found support and friendships with an online Yahoo group known fondly as Lupies, and shares some of their often outrageous, somewhat irreverent and always heart-felt stories and comments.

Amazon Link:

Kindle Link:

Product Details




Once a Brat, Always a Brat   $.12,50


As one of the first dependents to be sent overseas at the end of WWII, eight-year old Marilyn Celeste Morris received her very own orders from The War Department. 
From Seoul, Korea to Linz, Austria, she traversed the globe from 1938 to 1958 with her Army Officer father, mother and younger brothers.  Between assignments in the primitive
world of the Far East, to the sublime luxury of exploring castles in Bavaria, the family shuttled between the various Stateside Forts:  Bragg, Bliss, Hood and Sill.
Sometimes hilarious, sometimes gut-wrenchingly sad, her narrative is part travelogue, part therapy session.  She still cries at “Taps” and stands tall when the colors pass; yet she realizes she carries an odd mixture of pride and resentment over her nomadic way of life.
Her conclusion, however, is that she wouldn’t have had it any other way.  Once a Brat, Always a Brat.

Cover is photo of my father's retirement ceremony at Fort Sill OK,1958. L-R- Myself, my father, RM Morris, US Army Artillery, my mother, Frances Garrett Morris, and Wally and The Beaver -- my brothers Gary and Robert. 









Editing Services: 

Editing Excellence

In the April, 2004 Writers Digest, Novel Writing Edition,  Marilyn Celeste Morris  was listed as one of 40 recommended editors.

All Editorial Styles must meet the needs of different jobs for various clients.  To help determine the type of editorial serves you want or need, I offer the following definitions:
Copyediting/Copy Proofing; “Hard” Editing, or Requests to Improve or Re-Work Manuscript; Developmental Editing/Consulting/Ghostwriting

Manuscripts may be submitted either electronically or on hard copy, as you prefer.
 
For Electronic Editing:  Send me your manuscript via email attachment, in MS Word format, prefer MS Word 7, single-spaced and page-numbered, with your name and title of your manuscript at the top of each page.  Other formatting consists of paragraph indents, chapter headings, etc., in Times New Roman or Courier 12 point font.  Please, no “fancy” script or colors. 
You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt within 24 hours. 

I will use the “red-line” method of editing, with comments/insertions noted in parenthesis in blue.  A separate summary of edits will also be sent to explain the reasons for such edits, and suggestions on how the work may be improved. 

For Hard Copy Editing:  Send your manuscript via postal mail of your choice (USPS, FedEx, United Parcel Service, etc) but please do not send via Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, Registered Mail, or any other means where my signature is requested upon receipt.  If your manuscript is returned to the Post Office, etc. for lack of my signature (because I may have been away from my office upon delivery), retrieving it from such delivery services actually delays beginning the editing process.  Regular mail is more cost effective than other means, and this will be my mode of choice for returning your work. 
I will edit with a red pen, making comments/insertions in the margins.   A separate summary of edits will also be sent to explain the reasons for such edits, and suggestions on how the work may be improved. 

For either means of submission, and for all levels of editing, I will copyedit for sentence construction, grammar, syntax and the general use of language. 
For all levels of editing, I will check for the following:

·       Punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and grammar
·       Subject-verb agreement
·       Errors in word usage
·       Consistency in spelling, hyphenation, and numerals
·       Repetition of words in the same paragraph
·       Consistency and adherence to established format and style standards.
·       Other errors not stipulated. 

At the same time, I will not interfere with the author’s “voice” or style; thus, your work remains distinctly your work. . 

TYPES OF EDITING AVAILABLE:

Please note: Technical Writing will be edited only for errors as stated below, but not for content or accuracy of the subject matter.  The author is entirely responsible for any research, outcomes or statistics as written.  All other genres are welcome.

Copyediting/Proofreading


Copyediting considers sentence construction, grammar, syntax and the general use of language.  This basic level of editing is primarily objective and applies basic, accepted rules of grammar and stipulated style.  At this level, the editor does not deal with the content’s ability to communicate, but rather with the manner in which that content is presented.  In addition to correcting indisputable errors, copy editing at one (1) cent per word includes everything covered in Copy Proofing and also addresses the following:

·       Punctuation, capitalization, spelling and grammar
·       Subject-verb agreement
·       Parallel construction
·       Errors in word usage (such as the use of imminent for eminent or nauseous for nauseated)
·       Consistency in spelling, hyphenation and numerals
·       Proper sequencing in lists
·       Consistency and adherence to established format and style standards

“Hard” Editing, or Requests to Improve or Re-Work Manuscript


At your request, and with a fee to be negotiated (generally beginning at $10.00 per hour or two cents per word, depending on the complexity of the revisions), with the fee to be negotiated before beginning the project, I will first scan your manuscript for content, and then read carefully for cohesiveness, clarity, continuity and comprehension of the entire work.  Such changes, deletions, insertions, etc. may involve one or more of the following:

Suggestions to combine or eliminate certain threads in the book; to add more text in some areas and delete others; to restructure entire blocks of text to add the reader’s comprehension of the story line; to add or eliminate prologues, epilogues, or other devices to advance the plot; to further develop major characters and/or eliminate minor characters and/or sub-plots to ensure an unbroken narrative; and other major editing as necessary.

Although a “hard edit” involves more ego-crushing criticism, it is often more beneficial to the author, since any complete reading and re-work of the entire manuscript can be accomplished in one process, and while more costly than a simple edit, is more cost effective in the long run than deciding after the initial edit that you would like a major improvement in your manuscript.
No major revisions of your work will be undertaken without a consultation at each step, which is included in the fee.  The consultation will be either via email or telephone or both, whichever the author and editor agree upon. 

Developmental Editing/Consulting/Ghostwriting


This type of editing involves close collaboration between author and editor, during which time an incomplete manuscript, outline or idea for a book, article or screenplay becomes a completed, ready-to-submit-to-a-publisher document.  On very rare instances, I will consider this type of project, with fees to be determined before commencing, based upon estimated time involved and degree of difficulty in development.  Fees will begin at $10.00 per hour.  Both parties should be aware of the time involved and be willing to cooperate at each stage of writing to completion. 
Depending on the complexity of the project, ghostwriting or co-authoring, while the author will retain the by-line, the editor will appreciate mention in the Acknowledgements section of the final product. 

STANDARD FEES:

Deposit Required
A minimum fee of $50.00 is required for all services, no matter what the length of the project. The same care and attention to detail will be observed for any project, whatever its size.  When a project is greater than the minimum document, a contract will be required
At the minimum range, no contract will be required, unless the client requests one. 
Upon completion of the project, the $50.00 deposit will be deducted from the total amount due.  If either party cancels the project at any time, the $50.00 fee will be retained by the editor. 

Fee Quotes and Estimates:

Quotes for editing reflect comparable rates.  Quotes are by the word or by the project, listing the project requirements and the editorial service provided. 

Besides the minimum charge of $50.00 due for any type or size of the project, my standard fee for proofreading/copyediting is $2.50 per page.  

“Hard” Editing, or Requests to Improve or Re-Work Manuscript: Fee to be negotiated before editing begins; generally beginning at two cents per word, or $10.00 per hour, depending on the complexity of the revisions.

Hard-editing/ghostwriting projects will be negotiable from a minimum of $20.00 per hour to completion of the project.  Any exception to these standards will be discussed with the author before commencing the project. 

E-mail requests for “ballpark” estimates are always welcome, but no firm quotes will be provided for unexamined projects. 

“Start of Service” Defined

Each project is handled in the order in which it is received.  For purposes of defining a “start” of the project, an email will be sent to the author stating the editing has begun, along with an estimated length of time to complete.  This will in no way be binding, but is merely an estimate. 
Scheduling of projects is flexible but reasonable.  Fast turn-arounds are standard and “emergency service” will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

CONTRACTS/AGREEMENTS:  (Provided Under Separate Document)     

 

For the satisfaction and peace of mind of the client and editor, a written Agreement/Contract will be offered detailing

·       the service(s) to be provided

  • the schedule and estimated completion date
  • the rate

INVOICES:

Upon completion of each project, an invoice for services rendered shall be emailed or sent via USPS to the author, detailing
  • type of editing performed
  • word count
  • beginning and end date
  • deposit paid subtracted from amount due
  • total amount due

If payment has already been received, the amount previously paid will be noted on the invoice, showing a “zero” balance. 

FEES FOR PRESENTATIONS/ LECTURES:
(Contract Provided Under Separate Document)

Note:  Expectations of my presentation/workshop/lecture to organization should be precise and stated in writing as to
  • subject matter
  • length of presentation

Any changes in subject matter, format, etc., requiring an adjustment of spoken or written material by the speaker/presenter should be made immediately in an email at least 24 hours before my departure for the event; if not received, there will be an extra $150.00 charge for revising the material. 

The fee for the above begins at $150.00 for speaking/lecture/ per event.  No billings should be sent to my address.  Travel, meals and lodging should be arranged by the organization well within the time limits necessary to plan my schedule.  Written documentation and confirmation shall be updated and emailed up to the day of departure for the event. 

Payment should be presented upon my departure from the event. 

FEES FOR WORKSHOPS:

In the event where I am the sole facilitator of the workshop, the fee shall be as above, as well as other stipulations. 
If I am a panel member, and not the sole facilitator, my fee will be adjusted accordingly, in agreement with the sponsor of the event.  Travel arrangements, meals, etc. will remain as stated above. 


 Speaking Engagements: 

I can speak to your group on the following subjects: 

My experiences with SLE, or Lupus. Since I am a spokesperson for the Lupus Foundation of America, I am limited to speaking only about my own personal experience. I also have written a book, The Cards We're Dealt, and the Joker is Lupus

My Life as an Army Brat: How I followed my Army officer father all over the world in the years immediately following WWII in the Occupation of Korea and Austria. I also have written a book Once a Brat, Always a Brat, which has been widely accepted in the "Brat" community. 

The Writing Experience: How the Real World of Writing a Novel (and getting it published)works in the digital age, including the perils and pleasures of becoming a novelist, including how my 93 year old mother told me my books had "too much sex and violence." 

Given enough time to prepare, I can customize my speech to your group's interest. 

Fees: Negotiable for local venues. (DFW area) 

Where travel is involved:

$400.00 for my speaking services, plus travel fare, lodgings and expenses. 

I will provide a contract stating my estimated fees and expenses and a cancellation for any reason whatsoever will incur a $100.00 cancellation fee. 

Contact me at marilyncmorris.sbcglobal.net to arrange for my services. 

















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