I know this is usually a blog about writing, but I am jumping on my soap box for a greater purpose, to protect my child where the school he goes to has failed.
My son's name is Noah, he is a sixth grader and he is a bullied child. He looks like a normal happy kid, but he's not, he is deeply depressed and is scared to go to school and here is why. He goes to Moore Middle School in Louisville, Kentucky. He has been bullied all school year by a child that has beaten him up in front of the school's staff on several occasions. Did the school call to tell me my son had been beaten up again a week ago, in front of them mind you? NO, they sent him to class where four hours later he called me from his orchestra class to tell me. My husband drove from work to pick him up while the little terror menace child who beat on my son's face was still walking the halls.  The principle Mrs. Letty and vice principle Mr. Primm did not call me to tell me about the incident, he failed to render proper aid, and Mr. Primm avoided my calls. My husband HAD TO explain to the principle, dressed in his corrections officer uniform, how the principle had broken the law by failing to render aide to my son.
Since then, the child who beat my son up, posted a video on YouTube of his "whipping of the burnt biscuit boy."
Yesterday my son came home very upset telling me he was done, he couldn't go back. I asked why and he started crying, and told me the same child was boasting about his video on YouTube while paying other students money, including high school kids to strike my child. My son told the bus driver who mumbled through a mouth full of sunflower seeds to go sit down and he continued driving while my son was further bullied.
What good are anti-bullying laws if the people in the middle of the mess won't use them to remove problem children like Codie Green from schools?
DOES MY SON HAVE TO COMMIT SUICIDE FOR YOU TO PAY ATTENTION MR. PRIMM & JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS?
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I would like to express my gratitude and happy holiday wishes to family, friends and fans of A.R.B. publishing. My best to you in the new year and beyond. You have made me a better person with your input and kind notes.

It's been an eye opening year. Thanks to Amazon my first two titles are available for free to borrow if you are a Kindle owner and premium member.

The releases of "My Novel Affair" and "My Four Fathers & Eleanor", have taught me a lot. I am still proud to have written them and had them enjoyed. The reviews have been a wonderful gift to me throughout 2011.

The future release schedule will be available as soon as I get dates. The first novel "The Twelve", with Detective Casey Lattimer, the imaginary foe of Sinara Ellis, will be out in 2012. I hope to have this followed by the second "Murder Through the Looking Glass," in the second quarter.

"Miro," the first of the Ammari Sky Young Adult novels will also find the light of day in early 2012.

More to follow as I get dates.

Happy Holiday with love and respect,

A.N.R.


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After some fabulous reviews, I realize that I have to move forward. I'm still looking for a job because I have to support my need for an editor.
I have decided to go ahead and try to find an agent, something I gave up on six months ago. I think my story is strong enough to find a home. At least that's what reviewers are telling me. Now to test the waters with a positive outlook and lessons learned.
So if you will, cross your fingers for me and My Four Fathers & Eleanor.
My fans are the greatest, for helping me realize I'm not wasting my time. Thank you and I love you!
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Was it Worth it? 08/02/2011
 
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Recently I asked myself, why aren't my books selling? I searched writing websites and books until B&N kicked me out for putting up a tent and brushing my teeth in their restroom. Why aren't my two 5 star novels with great reviews flying off of the shelves? I will be honest, with about 6 books selling a month, I'm wondering what's wrong. I feel like I am non-stop spamming Twitter and Facebook and I feel real bad about it. I don't have thousands of dollars to advertise, in fact I  have less than $20.00 to my name. That's barely enough to keep me in gummy bears for a week. Yes, starving artists are actually starving. And here I am trying to give a quarter or more of my "profits" to UNICEF, I know that makes no sense. I expect a well deserved stoning for this reason alone. I wanted to do something for other people and it backfired, I made 7 dollars for UNICEF total in the month of July.

Well in all my reading and thinking (where there is smoke there is fire), I have learned several things.

1. I thought I had defeated in all my internet endeavors I read up on and I failed. NO ONE knows who the hell I am because I don't have a publicist out there selling me like a well oiled whore. I can't sell myself well because I lack confidence and covered in oil I can't keep the camera in my hands long enough to take a decent picture.

2. All the people, on my friends lists on social media sites, are other writers struggling to also sell their literary wares and just as starved as me. I like them well enough, but they are NOT going to buy my floundering pile of pages.

3. Lack of reviews to push me up the pages of all the websites selling my books are lacking. I have sold a few books, but of those sold I have only a third of those people have left reviews. Reviews, reviews, reviews, my bane. People tell me, "That was great, I loved it." But then they never put it in words unless I harass them and I HATE to bug people. I have put in for reviews from different sites only to come up against six-month or more wait times, because every other starving writer out there is in line ahead of me.

4. Other writer's advice has not worked for me (not to say it won't for others). Writer's say don't list your work at .99 cents because that looks bad, while others say just do it. I have done both. At .99 cents the books didn't sell at all. I am actually in the hole with Smashwords by -6.99 and I dread them collecting from my empty bank account bouncing me and leaving me with 36.00 in fees on top of the 6.99. I tried contests, had five prizes for the seven entries I got. I tried offering signed books on-line for those requesting them, one sold. I was happy for the sale but I have learned people either really didn't actually want it or it was too expensive at 16.80 a copy. I made book trailers. I did every bit of marketing I could afford total books sold since I stopped working 31.

I'm left wondering if I am good enough to do this or strong enough to keep doing it. It's been one year of writing since I quit my day job.

To deal with the mounting bills and to be able to pay my editor, I'm walking away defeated by a dream to once again find my place in the world of the office work I loathe and leave behind this experience with a lesson. Writing is a thankless job of sharing your soul for pennies on the hundreds of dollars and a diet of Ramen that has left me overweight and depressed. I'm moving on to a juice diet and sending out resumes trying to find a job before my student loans call in my soul for payment.

Keep in mind I stayed as cheap as possible to keep my other half's head from exploding. Costs for writing for one year strictly money put into writing, this does not take into account living expenses at all, which were not paid by me. -$989.74 + 157.99 = -$831.75 So is it worth it, for the experience yes, but for living no. I owe more than I made and now it's time to pay the piper.

I will continue writing, but I am not writing for anyone other than myself and if I make a few bucks doing it I can at least pay the copay for the therapy I need after this roller coaster of a year.
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The other night while my muse was on a smoke break, (I don't have the dirty habit myself, but my non-committed whore of a main character just shagged someone silly so I figure she deserved it.) I was looking around on Netflix when I saw a documentary I found interesting. It was called Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead. It had won numerous showing awards so I thought what the hell, I'm bored and I don't want to spend all night writing scene's that would make a porn star blush.
So I gave it a go and I learned a lot. My old veg diet that I had in recent years changed to a larger mixture of things less on the veg side, was now total rubbish. Not to mention spending too much time in front of my computer had not really helped my overall health. Yes, as most writers will tell you, one book written means five pounds to the keister. I have written several and I can do the math. I'm not Jabba the Hut yet, but I don't want to work my way there.

Summary from IMDB because it says it all the best.
Joe Cross is really feeling low. He is 100 pounds overweight, loaded up on steroids and suffering from a debilitating autoimmune disease, Joe Cross is at the end of his rope and the end of his hope. In the mirror he saw a 310lb man whose gut was bigger than a beach ball and a path laid out before him that wouldn't end well- with one foot already in the grave, the other wasn't far behind. FAT, SICK & NEARLY DEAD is an inspiring film that chronicles Joe's personal mission to regain his health. With doctors and conventional medicines unable to help long-term, Joe turns to the only option left, the body's ability to heal itself. He trades in the junk food and hits the road with juicer and generator in tow, vowing only to drink fresh fruit and vegetable juice for the next 60 days. Across 3,000 miles Joe has one goal in mind: To get off his pills and achieve a balanced lifestyle. While talking to more than 500 Americans about food, health and longevity, it's at a truck stop in Arizona where Joe meets a truck driver who suffers from the same rare condition. Phil Staples is morbidly obese weighing in at 429 lbs; a cheeseburger away from a heart-attack. As Joe is recovering his health, Phil begins his own epic journey to get well. What emerges is nothing short of amazing - an inspiring tale of healing and human connection. Part road trip, part self-help manifesto, FAT, SICK & NEARLY DEAD defies the traditional documentary format to present an unconventional and uplifting story of two men from different worlds who each realize that the only person who can save them is themselves. Written by Jamin Mendelsohn

After watching this film I decided to turn back time to what I used to love most, the vibrant rainbow of colors that left me energetic and happy even when the shit was hitting the fan in my life. I hope to feel as brilliant as Joe did after his 60 days of fruit and vegetable juice fasting. I started yesterday and it's not too bad. I have my brand new Jack Lelanne Juicer on the counter and I have tried three different juices that would surely make any common kid cringe. I'm crossing my fingers and filling my super hero glasses with veg juice and waking up without the assistance of coffee. I may need my head examined after this.

My Breakfast
V28
3 large Red Beets
2 medium Carrots
2 stalks Celery
4 Plum Tomatoes
4 cups Parsley, leaves and stems, roughly chopped and packed into the measuring cup
1 Jalapeno, ribs and seeds removed
12 Red Radishes

Calories: 340
Protein: 17 g
Fiber: 2 g

It's just so purple! The downside is, I ruined my t-shirt with beet juice.
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Thank you Alyssa Milano, for reminding me of what the media can do to help children. You are the Twitter angel sitting on my shoulder; Larry is powerless to your charms and good heart.
Ms. Milano got me thinking, no matter how much time I spend imagining up new stories or dreaming up a bigger and better ways of destroying Gary, there are things out there even greater than my imagination.
The world's future writers may not always have what the rest of us take for granted, like schools to learn in, enough food to sustain them, clean water and a safe environment to grow up in.
How many children out there aren't getting the chance to go to school? How can the next great thinker learn to write his or her thoughts if there are no schools? How many children lack food and water to grow up with healthy bodies or minds? The numbers are staggering. When I think, any one of these children could be key to solving the problems plaguing the world, it makes me want to do anything I can to help.
So, I have decided that July 1st 2011 until December 31st 2011, I am donating $1.00 of every sale of My Novel Affair to UNICEF. I hope that maybe, just maybe, one of those children could be the next great world problem solver and we have helped them get there. If you would like to get some funny for your money and help at the same time, click on the My Novel Affair cover and help the future. I am hoping to raise $10,000 for UNICEF!
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Presenting the first 250 words of Miro a YA Scifi novel. This novel is complete t 65,000 words. I stalk Shelley Waters on Twitter and on her blog. I tweeted and retweeted the contest page.

The Slavic meaning of the word Miro is peace, and that is what he is.
Chapter 1
The End of Mankind…Save One

In the year 2251, seventeen year old Ella Petrov saw the sun for the first time.

“No, Miro, go back. We can’t leave them,” she cried, grabbing onto his arm, as the craft the two of them stood in rose out of the darkness of her now collapsing underground world.

Ella closed her eyes as his voice whispered in her mind, “I cannot ignore their wishes Ella. It is too late to save them.”

Knowing he was right, but hating that he was, she released his arm and fell to her knees crying.

As the ship crested the edge of the collapsed cavern, she was suddenly blinded by daylight. Quickly, Ella shielded her tear-filled eyes with her hand, even though she had always wanted to see the amazing star that had shown light on the surface she had lived miles beneath since birth.

Miro grabbed Ella's hand. His large eyes blinked quickly as her mix of emotions became his. He understood her great sadness, yet felt the awe of her seeing the sun. She looked at him trying to smile, as the corners of his mouth did their best to copy her physical expression of happiness. He'd learned how to smile from Ella when she was four, but even after thirteen years Miro was only able to get a momentary half grin that made him look more silly than happy.

The momentary joy of the overdue first dissolved as another explosion from the planet, one of many heard that day, sounded close.

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I am proud to announce the release of my second novel.
My Novel Affair is a romantic comedy with the usual tools (great white shark, revenge dwarf with access to any and all weapons of mass destruction, yes they do exist, but don't tell Bush),for getting rid of an insensitive spouse without going straight to hell or jail. If you can't find love in your marriage, write your own. That's what Sinnie Ellis does, and this book is the end result. Enjoy!
This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar.
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Twas the night before the end of the world,
when all through the house,
no one was stirring, a trap took out the mouse.
The stockings are hung, filled with rocks and tacks,
to be used as backup when the zombies attack...
Yes that's right boys and girls according to one man, who should be in a straight jacket, this is End of the World Eve. Way to ruin a weekend there buddy couldn't he have picked a Monday, it makes more sense. No one sits around saying I freaking hate Saturdays!
Well anyway, Harold Camping says tomorrow the rapture is going to happen. Not to point out the various other failed prophecies that have plagued the world since people decided there had to be an end to mankind, never mind I will. Mr. Camping, the radio preacher is probably hunkered down in his basement with the rest of his family in brainwash land, praying he's right, if he isn't completely off his rocker.
Well while he is busy dealing with his delusions (being a man deciding the end of the world and all). I will be writing and silently making fun of him and the guy next door who is dressed in a flack jacket and filling his basement with food and water out of the back of a delivery truck (someone waited until the last minute didn't they?). I wonder if he has any idea that electricity would stop being produced if the end of the world came. Might have to go next door and help him with his huge stock of Klondike Bars. This begs yet another question, "What would I do for a Klondike Bar?"
Anyhoo, I have decided since it is "Rapture Eve," I am going to break away from my normal writing and concentrate on writing a list of things I should have accomplished in my short yet somewhat fulfilling life. I'll share it with all of you just because it's not like it matters after tomorrow anyway.
The top 10 things I should have done....
1. Created the ultimate gummy bear army complete with a Twinkie Trojan horse to defeat all those fake gummy foods out there.
2. Finished my "Hug Robot," it could have made unwanted children feel loved and adults who are lonely, happy again.
3. Become a doctor so I could have cured the deluded or at least doped up Mr. Camping so I could wake him up Sunday and say Boo! Of Course I would dress up like a zombie just for fun.
4. Been a prettier person, so I could have been an actress instead of a writer, they just seem to have more fun and make a hell of a lot more money (so I could build the army and finish the robot).
5. Felt up Angelina Jolie (I know cliche at best).
6. To have been the person who chose who was going to be the Green Lantern. Nathan Fillion all the way man!
7. Smacked the CEO of Fox Broadcasting around for canning sooooo many great shows, including FireFly.
8. Been the president for maybe just a day. Long enough to bring all the guys and gals home where they belong. (So I have feelings.)
9. Been able to find a cure for stupidity (see I'm back), or at least banished them to an island with Sylvester Stallone, not Kurt Russel (he knows how to escape).
10. Spanked the person who created junk mail and spam. My member is big enough just ask anyone.
11. Eaten the last Klondike Bar. I know I said 10 but that's what I'd do for a Klondike Bar, totally rebel!
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For Anyone Who Ever Walked into a Girl's House for a Date to see her Dad Cleaning a Shot Gun...
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"My Four Fathers & Eleanor," is now on sale in trade paperback! To celebrate that and Father's Day that's just around the corner, I am holding a contest anyone can win. Do you have a dad, we all do. Tell me about something great you appreciate your dad for! Was it advice about girls, warnings about boys, teaching you how to drive a car? Was it how to start the perfect grill, fix a car or just an ear when you needed it? Everyone has a story so tell me about it!
How to get in on the fun...
Friend me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AutumnRosen and join in the fun. Let me know you are there for the contest. Then tell me what makes your father such a great dad and get the chance to win an autographed copy of "My Four Fathers & Eleanor." a signed ARC of "My Novel Affair," and a $25 Amazon gift card as first prize with four runner-up prizes of autographed copies of "My Four Fathers & Eleanor." Come on do it for Dad!

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