Waving As I Wander Through

[LauraJUnderwood]

I have deadlines, which is why I have been scarce.

I have galleys to finish ploughing through now that the copyeditor is done.

I have one book just released that I am trying to get publicity out on. (By that, I mean locally trying to convince area bookstores to carry it and maybe allow me a signing or a reading or anything--the publisher is advertising it and we are getting good reviews).

I have a two novellas that will soon be available.

I am teaching a writing course to teens, and have four more sessions to prepare for.

I have several unfinished writing projects, and it is getting close to the time when one of my editors and I must sit and discuss what happens next as far as my books and their house.

And of course, I am feeling just a tad grumpy because one of my editors is a month behind the promised date they were going to pay me--and their reason is legitimate enough that I feel grumpy with myself for wanting to grump at them.

So as a result, I have been and may well be scarce a bit.

And then World Fantasy is looming.

And another court date where I must stand before a judge and state that the slimeball debt collector who thinks he can get away with buying my debt for pennies on the dollar and collecting it in full has no right to demand payment from me...

Oy...

Just so you know. I'm not deserting you folks. Just have more things to do than time allows.

Laura J. Underwood
Author of DRAGON'S TONGUE and THE HOUNDS OF ARDAGH

 

[the smiling weirwood]

*Waves at Laura*

 

[j d worthington]

Best of luck with all that, Laura; and -- when you've got time enough for it not to be an added stressor -- keep us posted!

 

[carrie221]

*waves* Hi... I hope everything calms down soon and you will have time for the world again... well the world as chronicals

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

If anyone can handle all that, Laura, it would be you. (Although even for you, it's probably enough to make you tear out your hair.)

Collection agencies are the scum of the earth. I speak from experience. Not because I owe vast sums of money myself, but because they keep calling here for my friend Pat who rents a room from us (disabled, in constant pain, living on disability) and they even get nasty with the rest of us. It's no use telling them that she can't pay them, never will be able to pay them, has no assets they can attach, and suing her would do no good at all (for one thing, they know that part, otherwise they would have done it a long time ago), because they've been told and told and it makes no difference, and even if they did listen, periodically her debt gets sold to a new agency, and we have the pleasure of dealing with them.

 

[nixie]

Good luck Laura

 

[alicebandassassin]

good luck

 

[Trey Greyjoy]

Good luck LJU and all the best!

 

[dwndrgn]

Wishing you the best of luck with everything. You should come down here to Florida for a book signing. I guarantee an audience of one at least ;-)

(and I agree that debt collectors are scum)

 

[Adasunshine]

Best of luck!

xx

 

[Carolyn Hill]

Eeegods, Laura, you're dealing with major stress. I sympathize!

 

[Rosemary]

Hope those issues are resolved soon Laura

 

[LauraJUnderwood]

On the GOOD side (she says, peering out from under the haze), I just got a box of copies of THE HOUNDS OF ARDAGH, and I must say they is beeutiful...

Am told one of the novella's is at the printers now...

The other is getting the "final inspection."

And an editor I sold a collection to got through his back surgery fine, but is still recouping (good thoughts for him, please--he is a nice man and not just because he is one of my editors), but apparently has the wherewithal (or is on Really Good Drugs) to ask about yet another collection I mentioned working on...

So I am back to working on that and writing another novel and...

*pant, pant, pant*

And it's almost time for Dr. Who Season 2...

Laura J. Underwood
Author of DRAGON'S TONGUE and THE HOUNDS OF ARDAGH

 

[j d worthington]

Congratulations, Laura... and good luck!

 

[Redhawk]

If anyone can handle all that, Laura, it would be you. (Although even for you, it's probably enough to make you tear out your hair.)

Collection agencies are the scum of the earth. I speak from experience. Not because I owe vast sums of money myself, but because they keep calling here for my friend Pat who rents a room from us (disabled, in constant pain, living on disability) and they even get nasty with the rest of us. It's no use telling them that she can't pay them, never will be able to pay them, has no assets they can attach, and suing her would do no good at all (for one thing, they know that part, otherwise they would have done it a long time ago), because they've been told and told and it makes no difference, and even if they did listen, periodically her debt gets sold to a new agency, and we have the pleasure of dealing with them.

FYI...unless the laws have changed in the past several years...it is a federal offense for ANY collector or creditor to discuss or mention to a THIRD PARTY (room mate/house mate/boss/business associate/your child/mother/father/brother and so on) that they are calling with regards to a DEBT or money owed.

The only thing a collector or creditor IS allowed to say to anyone but the person who supposedly owes the debt is: "I am calling for Sam, with regards to a business matter."

In addition, if you tell them Sam no longer lives here, do not call back again, or Sam is not allowed personal business calls at work, do not call back again...and they do call again...you can turn them in and if it's a common practice they are supposed to LOOSE their collections license...it is supposed to COST THEM BIG TIME to get their license back after this.

I hate nasty collections attitudes. No one needs to be an ass to do that job. You are supposed to help resolve a problem, not sell tickets on the guilt trip express! I've worked that field off and on for years, and only twice did I run across two people who did run up their mess with no intent to make any payment ever on it. Most people never start out trying to create a problem, life happens to all of us and most people do the best they can to take care of their situation. Sometimes bad things happen to nice people.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

FYI...unless the laws have changed in the past several years...it is a federal offense for ANY collector or creditor to discuss or mention to a THIRD PARTY (room mate/house mate/boss/business associate/your child/mother/father/brother and so on) that they are calling with regards to a DEBT or money owed.

Which is why, when you ask them to tell you what the call is in regard to, and they say, "I'm not allowed to say," you know it's a collection agency. Or they'll say, "It's a matter of personal business." Well, um, is it personal or is it business? Or they'll say it's a banking matter, and won't say which bank. I know from experience, if Wells Fargo calls and leaves a message, they'll tell you it was Wells Fargo.

 

[Who's Wee Dug]

Let's hope the judge is on your side, so you can nail the AH's foot to the floor

 

[the smiling weirwood]

Hope you make it back soon!