I have been reading fantasy books for as long as I can remember. When I was a kid, I really liked the science fantasy publishers. I read books like The Giver and A Wrinkle in Time voraciously. I just could not get enough. It was so thrilling to read about galactic struggles between good and evil, post-apocalyptic societies living in a world of enforced conformity, and all that other stuff. It was the perfect food for a young and developing mind like mine.

As time has gone on, however, I have started to think about fantasy publishers in a different way. I have recently completed my first fantasy novel, and started looking for a fantasy publisher of my own. It has been no easy task. Nowadays, fantasy publishers, like the rest of the publishing industry, are really market driven. A lot of them are not so much looking for a good novel as one that they think will sell. They study recent sales trends instead of classics, trying to find the next big thing.

Still, you can use that to your advantage if you know how. You see, fantasy is sort of a niche market, and the various fantasy publishers occupy their own niches within that market. One fantasy publisher might focus for the most part on Gothic fantasy, while another might go in for sword and sorcery. Still another might cater to a Steampunk audience with that quirky aesthetic. If you know where to look and who to talk to, you can save a lot of headache shopping your book around.

My new ride.

Original post by chemcopout and many thanks to them and their entry and picture of their BMX Bike

Don’t see alot of these around

Original post by motox2000 and many thanks to them and their entry and picture of their BMX Bike

ex factory rider Michael Lundy’s frame

Original post by motox2000 and many thanks to them and their entry and picture of their BMX Bike

Dyno’s low-end bike

Original post by 84master and many thanks to them and their entry and picture of their BMX Bike

Very popular bike in the early-mid eighties

Original post by 84master and many thanks to them and their entry and picture of their BMX Bike

1st Restoration Project / Suggestions Welcome

Original post by Rushfan99 and many thanks to them and their entry and picture of their BMX Bike

Midi/Mini Thruster Tri-Power flat brake bridge

Original post by GASOH and many thanks to them and their entry and picture of their BMX Bike

Check out that Dragster on the Sticker—RARE!!!

Original post by GASOH and many thanks to them and their entry and picture of their BMX Bike

Ok, I admit it. I stink at decorating. Really and truly. I don’t think it’s fair that my mother is so good at but I inherited absolutely none of her skills. I got maybe 10% of her ability. That means when I walk around a home decor store I stare in wonder at all the amazing things, try to think where I’d put it and then give up knowing that it would take a miracle for me to figure it out and have it look good with everything else that is already there. It doesn’t help that I’m a tightwad and hate to spend money. I’m known in my family as hating dust collector items, but in order to keep the house from looking drab I do have to put some decorations out.

My favorite home decor items right now are grandfather clocks, indoor water fountains and decorative switchplates. I know that seems like a crazy mix, but they’re the most fun. Ok, the clock is more sentimental, as it belonged to my husband’s grandmother and fits perfectly on our north living room wall. I had one growing up and the chimes were so soothing. Now I have one again and my kids can grow up with the chimes and learning how to read the clock face instead of just using digital ones. Plus, it gives them a chance to learn about grandfather clock plans if they want to.

The bamboo water fountains are just cool. They remind of happy days under the caribbean sun with water flowing through streams and the gentle splash of water against the rocks below. I really like the large ones, but the little table top versions are pretty cool, too and a great accent piece for any home.

Now the light switch plates are really just a nice eclectic touch that most people probably don’t notice. But for those who do, they can walk around and see all the unique ones used in each room. The kids could have a fanciful boating switchplate, the bathrooms would have ones that match the main theme, and even the laundry room would have it’s own. My mother used to wrap our switchplates in the wallpaper for that room and perfectly match it to the wall. She did so well you sometimes couldn’t find the switch unless you were really paying attention.