amberhillwrites

update bookmarks

2012-02-01T11:15:00.000-05:00

I will not be renewing my domain name this spring, so please update your bookmarks for this website. It will be located at http://amberhillwrites.blogspot.com with the goal of combining all of my websites in the near future.

books make great stocking stuffers

2011-11-27T14:14:00.001-05:00

Ruth on Lulu code:

BUYMYBOOK305- 25% at checkout - expires December 14, 2011

Current Coupon Codes

2011-09-23T13:33:00.001-04:00

Ruth on Lulu code:

OKTOBERFEST305 - 15% at checkout - expires September 26, 2011

google searches and such

2011-04-03T22:40:00.000-04:00

If you search 'ruth the reality of redemption' on google, the top result is a review of the book on Amazon (US) and the second hit is my book on Amazon (UK). I always have a bit of a chuckle when I see my book pop up on amazon.co.uk for two reasons:

1. Once you get an ISBN and your book is available on Amazon, your book title also becomes searchable on Google. If you're any normal interwebber, you google yourself every once in awhile to see if anyone else knows about your book besides yourself. I remembered one day in early December that I had submitted my book for final Amazon approval back in October. I decided to search my book and found it listed on amazon.co.uk ... not in the USA. And then I thought everything got messed up, but then I found it so I stopped freaking out and got excited instead.

2. I decided that the people who make these sorts of decisions of where my book should and shouldn't be knew about my obsession with trying to perfect my British accent. They thought I would be happier to see my book in the UK rather than the USA... Except I don't know anyone in the UK except these two guys I met at a conference a couple years back who tutored me in some of the finer points of the English language... Only I'm not friends with them on facebook, so I can't say I know them officially.

So now when you search for my book on google and you choose to look at my book in the UK store, you will also notice that you can buy 3 new available copies of my book brand new for much cheaper than the 1 used copy that is 3 times as much. Crazy.

On the road again...or something like it

2011-02-28T07:45:00.000-05:00

Did you know that March 1-7 is National Procrastination Week? I will not be celebrating this year (or maybe I will). I have begun serious work (and by serious, I mean I'm sticking to one of my many outlines I started last year) on my next study. I'm telling you because that gets me one step closer to being serious. If you haven't read Will Write for Food yet, you should because there (under the Writing section) you will find out how hard it was for me to buckle down and write Ruth.

Since you have now read this announcement, you have permission to ask me about the next study each time you visit. I would be more than happy to tell you about my progress and even happier to have you be a part of the process. I always enjoy getting feedback from fellow Bible readers.

We're Getting There

2011-01-12T14:10:00.002-05:00

* Will Write for Food is now complete (unless you have more questions).

* There are three ways you can purchase Ruth: The Reality of Redemption.
1. Amazon - Qualifies for free shipping if you order $25 worth of merchandise.

2. Lulu - Look at the bottom of the Ruth page for a coupon code to save you 10%. The book is also available as an ebook on lulu.

3. Me - I will discount orders of 2 or more.

Amazon!

2010-12-15T09:33:00.000-05:00

My book has made it to Amazon! Finally! I feel just about as giddy as I did with all the other big steps the book has taken. Go check it out!

Ruth on Amazon!

big news

2010-10-07T14:38:00.000-04:00

* You may purchase an original copy of Ruth: The Reality of Redemption directly from me for $11. You save $1+shipping. I will discount orders of 2 or more. Email me for more details.

* Ruth: The Reality of Redemption has an ISBN and will be available on Amazon sooner than you think.

alas, autumn is here

2010-09-27T15:04:00.000-04:00

* I have answered more questions on Will Write for Food. My schedule will be a little bit more sane for about two weeks, so I'm hoping to finally complete that page.

* The September coupon code expires Thursday. Check out Ruth for the code; it changes each month.

* I have the ISBN, but it hasn't quite made it to the cover. Once it's been applied, Ruth: The Reality of Redemption should be available on Amazon and searchable on Google.

will write for food updates

2010-07-28T18:03:00.003-04:00

The questions I've answered so far on Will Write for Food:

* Why did you write about Ruth?
* When did you start writing?
* You do what?!
* What was your drafting procedure?
* Why publish with Lulu?
* What is your favorite suggestion for how to market your book?
* Why not submit your book for publication with a "real" publisher?
* How do you keep yourself free of distraction?
* Do you ever experience writer's block? And if so, what do you do get writing again?
* Where do you write?

must summer end in July?

2010-07-26T17:13:00.000-04:00

* Don't forget to check out Will Write for Food. New questions are being answered every week.

* Later this week, you'll want to read little.amberguesa for a great summer dessert recipe.

under construction

2010-07-16T18:30:00.002-04:00

I feel like my entire life is always under construction. My website isn't any different. My ~~old site~~ ~~is still at wordpress, but I'm in the process of moving and updating.~~ (I have officially moved here.) Don't forget to follow me while you're here. You can also follow me on twitter.

you do what?!

2010-06-04T17:00:00.000-04:00

* I’m starting to answer my FAQ at Will Write for Food. Check out my answer to the first question ‘You do what?!’ Don’t forget to come back each week for a new question and answer.

* The new coupon code is VACATION. Don’t forget that there’s free shipping all summer on orders of $19.95 or more. Why not get a copy of my book and my friend’s book? You won’t regret it!

* The ISBN is getting put on the cover, so I’ll have some updates regarding the latest edition ASAP.

websites

2010-05-10T16:57:00.000-04:00

* amberhillwrites.com is undergoing a few changes. I am now moving my news updates to the blog page. Since I’m usually busy writing other things, I probably won’t blog here anymore. If that’s why you came here, you can go to little.amberguesa where I blog once a week about food, hiking, music, books, etc. BUT I don’t want you to stop coming here! There’s always something new going on.

* I will soon be devoting a entire page to writing. Over the past several years I have been asked 34.67 (I would say hundreds, but I haven’t kept track and don’t want to estimate too high) questions on the writing process.

* I am doing final edits on Ruth to get my ISBN.

* I have also started writing a new study.

proactive vs. reactive

2010-02-15T16:56:00.000-05:00

During part of seminary, I worked at a church in the college ministry. I look back on so much that experience with such thankfulness and joy. While sitting down here to write about stress, one of those great learning moments came to mind. The pastor I worked for read The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People at some point in his life, and he was often reminding us (the college ministry staff) to plan to live in the first quadrant. I haven’t read the book myself, and threw away my worksheet explaining the quandrants, but I think about the first quadrant every-once-in-awhile. During that time in my life, it was easy to live in the first quadrant. I had a very predictable schedule and had only a couple circles of friends to interact with on a weekly basis. My life is completely different now. My schedule is always different, I have so many people to keep up with or that I want to spend time with, and I want to accomplish so much with my time and effort.

The last time I wrote a post here, I had mentioned the desire to simplify my life. I think that simplifying is a good desire but more difficult than learning how to effectively deal with the stress of life. (Actually, that’s just as difficult but more practical.)

So much can happen in ten minutes….I’m laughing at myself because I have lost my train of thought regarding the purpose of this post. It’s indicative of my life lately. Yesterday’s icing on the cake was cutting out the wrong coupons for Walmart…and leaving my phone and glasses at home. All of those things are typical for me even under different circumstances, but while the Lord used those forgetful moments to show me a few things while I was at Walmart (always a great place to be praying). When I am stressed out, resisting or adjusting to change, and feeling a lack of control, my behavior and decisions are reactive instead of proactive. I allow my flesh to take over instead of pursuing godliness.

I spent quite a bit of time in November reading scripture about our sin nature vs. walking in the Spirit. [Galatians is a great book for further reading.] I want to be a woman who fears the Lord, so I must sow to the Spirit and not to the flesh. And it’s not even about setting my priorities…it’s about drawing near to the Lord. I cannot begin to do this life on my own when there is One greater who can.

Update

2010-01-05T16:54:00.000-05:00

It’s been awhile since I’ve said anything to you. It hasn’t been on purpose. I began telling you the things I was learning at least twice a week. Then it dwindled to once a month. Now it’s every couple of months. I always make these big plans to do lots of things–too many things.

Whenever I read a book, I usually visit the website of the author. I’m always frustrated when they have a blog and they don’t update very often. Here I am doing the same thing.

Over the summer I decided I needed to simplify my life. Whenever I have this notion (this wasn’t the first), I have maybe one week without stress. I always end up filling up with something else the space that I emptied.

If you have a solution for this, let me know what it is.

dangling carrots

2009-09-21T16:48:00.000-04:00

Have you ever seen a cartoon where an animal (usually a donkey) has a carrot dangling in front of its eyes to move it along? As a child, I solemnly believed that the animal would get it until I saw that some type of trickster was involved. Sometimes I feel like the same thing is happening to me…a carrot is dangling in front of my eyes. No matter how far along I go, it’s still there taunting me to go just a little farther before I can get my reward. I look around and everyone else is already eating their carrots–sliced, diced, raw, baked, steamed, glazed…but mine is just dangling.

One psalmist felt the same way. Here is Psalm 73 from the ESV.

Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled,my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek. They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind. Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment. Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies. They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression. They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth. Therefore his people turn back to them, and find no fault in them. And they say, How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High? Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches. All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence. For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning.

If I had said, I will speak thus, I would have betrayed the generation of your children. But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin. How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors! Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.

When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you. Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

I think we are all guilty of allowing carrots to be dangled in front of our eyes. We compare ourselves to others or allow others to dictate our needs and wants. We even allow our God-given desires to be dangled in front of our eyes.

When the psalmist entered the Lord’s sanctuary, his perspective was completely changed. He saw God’s goodness for what it really is. God is not a trickster dangling carrots in front of our eyes (even though it may seem that way at times). He wants us to desire Him above all else.

This is one of the psalms I think upon often. It’s hard not to compare myself to others. My task does become wearisome when it seems that others around me are prospering and it seems as if all I’ve done has been in vain. But I move forward anyway…redirecting my perspective in the Lord’s sanctuary, writing His words on my heart, knowing and believing God that He is the only God and there is no one before Him.

Bible Study

2009-09-02T13:09:00.000-04:00

* If you live in the Acworth area, the Bible study I am involved in on Tuesday nights will be going through Ruth: the Reality of Redemption. If you are interested in joining us, please email me at amberhillwrites@gmail.com.

* Every month there is a new code to get 10% off. Check the bottom of the Ruth page each month for details.

WorshipGod09

2009-08-19T16:44:00.001-04:00

Tuesday, 4 August A friend and I left early to make our way to Maryland. It was a long but beautiful drive (11hrs). I dropped my friend off in Gaithersburg and then continued my journey to Leonardtown to visit a dear friend. It was a great way to prepare for the conference.

Wednesday, 5 August As we started our day, we were serenaded by Kathryn Scott. I had a wonderful time of fellowship with my friends. Then I was off to the conference.

During the music portion of each session, a different worship leader and team would lead us. John Piper was the first speaker.

Thursday, 6 August Keith and Kristyn Getty led us in a beautiful communion hymn [Behold the Lamb - From Awaken the Dawn]. John Piper spoke again. This was my favorite main session message (The Heart of Worship).

I went to the seminar teaching classically trained pianists to play from guitar charts. I was overwhelmed because this is my greatest weakness as a pianist. I was encouraged when we were reminded that we’re worshippers first and musicians second.

The second seminar I went to was the Getty’s telling the stories behind four of their songs. I enjoy listening to other writers talk about how they go about doing what they do.

Friday, 7 August (I recommend downloading the messages from the conference. They aren’t just for worship leaders.) The third seminar I went to was led by Pat Sczebel on guarding your heart against sin and drawing near to God. It was focused on Psalm 73. This was probably my favorite seminar. [The seminars should be available for download at a later date. Check back at worship matters for links.] The last seminar I attended was Donald Whitney’s on Leading Your Family in Worship.

During the evening session, I had a wonderful time of worship.

After the evening session I was able to hang out with the girl who allowed me to stay at her home. Again, I was encouraged by a sister in Christ who is at the same stage of life as myself. Hanging out with great girls at the front and back ends of my trip were great bookends to the experience!

Saturday, 8 August The conference was brought to an end, and my friend and I made our long journey back home. I was exhausted.

This post doesn’t go into much detail regarding all that I learned while I was gone. As I continue to process the things that I was taught, I’m sure that they will come up again as I continue writing here.

open your mouth wide

2009-07-29T16:41:00.000-04:00

This summer I’ve been part of a group going through Believing God by Beth Moore. The past couple of weeks we’ve been talking about other people’s journeys of faith. George Müller’s has been one of my favorites ever since I returned from a summer in Asia. Last night we read Psalm 81:10, which was one of George Müller’s life verses.

I, the LORD, am your God,
Who brought you up from the land of Egypt;
Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.

OPEN YOUR MOUTH WIDE AND I WILL FILL IT! I expect the Lord to work in my life. It’s not because I deserve it because I don’t. I expect Him to work because of His promises. I give Him my worship, and I expect Him in return.

You can read George Müller’s story here. (For free! I really like free!) It’s a great story.

pre-thoughts on WorshipGod09

2009-07-16T16:40:00.001-04:00

Even before I registered for WorshipGod09, I was excited about it. Worship is one of my favorite topics and has been for so many years (it’s also one of my favorite things to participate in). I read several books on worship each year and took as many classes as I could (not many due to availability and other requirements) during school. When I couldn’t take the classes, I bought the books. There’s so very much to learn!

My excitement has grown ever since I registered for WorshipGod09. I anticipate the experience every day. Why? So many reasons.

1. John Piper. I like hearing what he has to say. He’s going to be “saying” twice, and I’m going to be “hearing” twice.

2. The keyboardists seminar on Thursday. I happen to be improvisationally challenged. I often keep it a secret from church people that I can play the piano because this is my biggest weakness. I’m quite dependent on music. (And I have a short attention span that makes it difficult to play well with others.) I’m hoping this seminar is the beginning of a cure…or a final diagnosis of my limitations.

[Details: Keyboardists: From Notes to Charts, Bryan Deitrich, The goal of this seminar is to help classically trained pianists interpret guitar charts effectively and find a part to play within the context of a contemporary band sound. Topics will include chord structure and voicings, harmonic and rhythmic options, different uses of the left and right hands, deciding when to play melody, and the use of the various sounds available on an modern synthesizer. ]

3. The leading your family in worship. (I don’t have a family yet, but there’s no reason why I can’t be prepared!) Worship happens more than Sunday morning at church. I read a book this spring that included history on early believers gathering at mealtimes to sing in order to teach the Bible and to encourage one another. Ever since then I have been curious as to how to incorporate that sort of thing in my daily life.

[Details: Leading Your Family in Worship, Donald Whitney, Thousands of families are rediscovering the importance of worshiping God as a family. In this seminar, Don surveys the biblical teaching on family worship, demonstrates how our heroes throughout church history have practiced it, and then shares some simple, specific, and practical how-tos of family worship. He’ll address different situations and also make application for single men and women.]

4. I’m looking forward to a few days of being immersed in worship with other worshipers. I am always so refreshed by our Lord when I worship.

5. I love hanging out with other musicians. There’s always so much to learn and share.

6. I get to spend a little time with one of my friends who inspired me to start learning the guitar. It was an added bonus (to the conference) the day I remembered that she lives in Maryland!

7. I’m hoping this experiencing lends a little to my thoughts for writing. I will be around a lot of creative people and hearing their thoughts on worship and God. I will be hearing some great teaching. I will have some time away from my normal schedule (and maybe the computer!) to concentrate on some of the things that are usually fighting for attention with other distractions.

So, yeah, I’m a little excited! I will be talking about this more in the future!

make big the face of God

2009-07-01T16:36:00.000-04:00

Last night I participated in worship with a group of people who are preparing for a mission trip. For some of the participants, it’s their first time to embark on such a journey. Others are seasoned professionals. Listening to each person give a reason for going on their particular trip made me think about my first trip.

I went to Guatemala when I was 21. It was a 10-day prayer walking trip. The team I was on traveled through Guatemala (to recently mapped areas–included paved and unpaved roads) as the full-time workers planned future medical trips.

I could spend days writing about my first mission trip and then months about the subsequent trips I took, so I’m narrowing down the topic today to two things: God’s bigness and my desire for you.

While we were in Guatemala, we learned the chorus of “Blessed Be the Name” (Charles Wesley version) in Kekchi. The English words we use do not translate the same. Instead, the words we sang meant make big the face of God. That song encapsulates my entire experience in Guatemala. I don’t think I ever realized how big God was before that trip. For the first time in my life I was met with God’s vastness. Not only did He make a very big world, He loves all the people in that world. On that trip my desire to see others worship the One True God took root.

I now think that everyone should go on at least one overseas mission trip. And if you at any point share my brain, then you are very concerned right now that if you go on one trip, that surely means God is going to call you into full-time missions; that is not necessarily so. {Even though that might be true for some of you, and then my prayer is that you will be quick to listen and obey.} Going on a mission trip opens up your eyes to what God is doing around the world.

Another thing you might be thinking if you’ve ever shared my brain–can’t I just give money for someone else to go? Isn’t that a better way for all the money to be used? Could be a better way when you’re thinking about the short-term outcome. However, I’m going to have to disagree with the long-term. Again, going on a mission trip opens your eyes to a lot of things. God has used so much of my experiences around the world to conform me into His image. Parts of those lessons were difficult to learn, but I can’t imagine what my life would be like if I hadn’t taken a few risks to join full-time workers around the world.

One day I’ll tell you about the trips I’ve taken, but for now I hope that you will seriously consider going somewhere. If you look under the Resources page, you can read about partnering with SportsPlus. There are many other organizations that send teams; if you’re interested in more information or have any questions, please email me.

Release

2009-06-16T13:08:00.001-04:00

* The book will be for sale after midnight tonight! (And maybe a little earlier if you catch me in the middle of editing)

* You can now follow me on Twitter -- amberhillwrites

Book News

2009-06-09T13:07:00.000-04:00

* You may purchase Ruth: The Reality of Redemption starting Wednesday, June 17.

Book News

2009-06-04T13:06:00.000-04:00

* My current facebook status: 3-5 business days seems more like 100. I ordered a proof copy on Monday night. It finally shipped last night. Waiting has been difficult.

News

2009-06-01T13:04:00.000-04:00

* The cover is done and is so cool!

* I will complete the book today! You should be able to get a copy sometime ~~next week~~ after June 15 17!

News

2009-05-27T13:03:00.000-04:00

* Saw an almost completed version of the cover today. I'm more than a little excited!

* I have a little bit of aesthetic editing to do on the study.

* It looks like you'll be able to get a copy in a couple to few weeks.

brave

2009-05-22T17:25:00.001-04:00

Two things you need to know about me early on:

1. You’ve Got Mail is my favorite movie, and I relate many things that happen in my life to it.

2. I can never quote movies, books, or songs verbatim, but I can tell you all the phone numbers I’ve ever had, all the birthdays of my relatives and childhood friends, and what you ate for dinner at your aunt’s three months ago. Therefore, You’ve Got Mail is the only movie I’m able to relate many things to because I’ve seen it so many times that I can faintly recall an entire scene and sometimes remember all the characters’ names in that scene.

Now that you’ve been brought up to speed—Kathleen (Meg Ryan) tells Birdie (Jean Stapleton) and Christina (Heather Burns) that she is going to close her bookshop. Birdie tells Kathleen that it’s the “brave thing to do.” (I looked the following up, so I could quote it verbatim!)

Birdie to Kathleen: You are daring to imagine that you could have a different life. Oh, I know it doesn’t feel like that. You feel like a big fat failure now. But you’re not. You are marching into the unknown, armed with, uh…nothing. Have a sandwich.

How many conversations have you had like that? Leaving the safety of the known for the uncertainty of the unknown is difficult. If you’re not good with taking risks, you mull over everything that could or could not possibly happen with whichever decision you do make. I’m convinced that following God is the brave thing to do. It’s definitely imagining that you could have a different life. And that different life doesn’t always look successful in the eyes of the world. BUT one thing is different about a faith adventure! You are armed with the gospel, with Christ, with God’s promises!

There are so many stories that I love reading in the Bible where God chooses the most unlikely people to use for great purposes. David was a shepherd; then he was a king! Peter was a fisherman; then he walked with Jesus as a disciple! Rahab was an innkeeper in the Old Testament; then she was listed as a woman of faith in the New Testament!

I’m very ordinary. I don’t do very extraordinary things in the eyes of others. I even have my terribly boring moments. One thing that is different about all of the things I do and the person I’ve become and am becoming is my attitude. I now see everything in life as an adventure. I never know what God may have for me around the corner. Sometimes I am excited, and other times I am terrified. Some things don’t end up quite as thrilling as I imagined and other things completely surprise me and send me into a season of exponential growth.

What kind of faith adventure are you on right now? If something’s been holding you back, take that first step of faith. Have a friend pray over your decision with you (a sandwich from a caring friend always helps!). Go be brave!

News

2009-05-13T13:02:00.000-04:00

* Saw the first drawing for the cover today. I'm excited!

* Editing an unofficial proof before the official proof.

the rest of the story

2009-04-29T08:15:00.000-04:00

The same day I read Psalm 6, I read Psalm 8. It’s a psalm of worship. Worshiping God in the midst of trial isn’t easy. The truth of who God is and that He’s working out His perfect plan seems contrary to our circumstances and our emotions.

James 1:2-4 says, “Count it all joy, brothers, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you my be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Count it all joy? Difficult, complicated, hard, tricky, challenging, not easy, painful. This is where worship comes in. Worshiping God in the midst of trial is the beginning of counting it all joy. God’s goodness doesn’t change just because we can’t see it.

O Lord, our Lord,
How majestic is Your name in all the earth!

News

2009-04-28T13:01:00.000-04:00

* Unofficially finished. Meeting for the cover next week. In the meantime, going through a proof copy to make changes.

* Look for changes to the website during the upcoming weeks!

those little things we like to call emotions

2009-04-22T09:28:00.003-04:00

I love reading the psalms because of the range of emotion contained in each verse. One moment of pure anger, another moment of grief, thankfulness, praise…

As I was reading Psalm 6 today, I was consumed with thoughts of friends who are experiencing trials right now and even thinking of trials that I continue to face in my own life. No one is exempt. I hate seeing my friends in pain, and I hate it when I can’t fix their “worlds.” I’m deeply troubled when I don’t understand the working out of good when all I can see is bad. And more than anything, I hate cliché answers.

In verse 6, David says,

I am weary with my sighing;
Every night I make my bed swim,
I dissolve my couch with my tears.

David is more than just saying this. I imagine him writing this through sobs of pain. Dry sobs at that! Have you ever grown tired from crying out wondering when it’s going be over already?!

Verse 4:

Return, O Lord, rescue my soul;
Save me because of Your lovingkindness.

Insert lots of exclamation marks. Hear David’s cry! He doesn’t want to be in agony. How much longer must he wait for the Lord? How much longer must we wait for the Lord? I don’t know. I think waiting for answers is the toughest part.

Verses 8b-9:

For the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping.
The Lord has heard my supplication,
The Lord receives my prayer.

Be assured – God hears. When will the answer come? I don’t know! But I know God hears. I know that He is faithful. The truth of the Bible must be what we repeat and build our faith upon. Our emotions are fleeting and deceptive. God remains the same, and His truth remains the same no matter how drastically our circumstances change.

Cry out! And know that the Lord hears!

News

2009-04-20T13:00:00.000-04:00

* Finalizing everything for the cover designer.

* To do here: banner; about; blog; tell you about my book!