Thursday Updates
– My poem “Suddenly, a Unicorn” is up at Grievous Angel. Scroll down to find it.
– It’s always a bit intimidating when a friend reads your book. Will they like it?! Fortunately, my friend Sara Dobie Bauer did enjoy The Clockwork Dagger and wrote an amazing review. She also interviewed me a few days ago.
– I’ve been pestering my writer-friends about where they bought their book plates or how they handled the whole issue. See, book plates are a nifty way to sign books at a distance. Instead of shipping the entire book, I sign an adhesive label, mail it, and the person can stick it inside their copy of the book. I decided to buy a customized stamp from Tiny Prints so I could use it for book plates, in-person signings, and most anything else. My pretty stamp arrived today!
I’ll post about book plates again after the novel comes out so that any interested folks can send me their address.
Read MoreBready or Not: Maple Truffles
Every time I make truffles, I always end up raving to my husband, “I HATE MAKING TRUFFLES.”
The chocolate is always so slow to melt. I usually end up burning myself in some small way. My truffles never look as pretty as other truffles I see online (yes, I’m judging myself by my truffle beauty, dangit).
However, I always end up making truffles again because my husband’s co-workers go absolutely bonkers for them. They are referred to as “Mrs. Cato’s Balls.” Yeah. Go ahead and snicker.
The standard home truffle uses Oreos. This is my unique version, done using maple creme cookies. You could also substitute Golden Oreos and add more maple flavor.
Everything is better with maple.
Bready or Not: Maple Truffles
Ingredients
A Bready or Not Original Recipe
- 8 ounces cream cheese 1 block
- 1 package of maple creme cookies or substitute Golden Oreos, and add more maple flavor
- 3/4 teaspoon maple flavor
- 11 ounces white chocolate or white candy melts
Instructions
- Bring cream cheese to room temperature, or place unwrapped block in a bowl and zap in microwave until softened, about 20 seconds.
- Pulverize the cookies. Use a blender to rend them to crumbs, or put cookies in a gallon zipper bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
- In a large bowl, combine soft cream cheese and crumbs. Begin to mix together, add maple flavor, then mix until completely combined and fully beige. Arrange a shelf in your freezer that will fit a mid-size cookie sheet; line the cookie sheet with wax paper. Use a tablespoon or teaspoon scoop or a spoon to form truffles, then use hands to compress the balls more. Set them all on the wax paper, then place in freezer for at least 30 minutes.
- Choose your method of melting the chocolate: the microwave or a double boiler. The latter has the advantage of keeping the chocolate warm. Carefully dip the cookie balls into the chocolate to completely cover. Let set. Often it's best to do a second coat.
With any leftover chocolate, use a spoon to form lumps on the wax paper, and add nuts, candies, etc, or dip crackers or fruit from your kitchen.
Keep truffles stored in fridge; they will stay good for weeks.
OM NOM NOM.
Two-fer-Tuesday
I’m over at Sara Dobie Bauer’s site with an interview all about The Clockwork Dagger. She’ll have a review of the book up on Thursday! Eep!
You can also find me at J. Kathleen Cheney’s blog where I discuss the joys of grammatical goofs.
On that subject, Weird Al’s new video has brought me much happiness on a morning where my allergies are doing unkind things to my body. Thanks for the distraction, Al. <3
Read MoreArtwork!
I’ve been blessed with an amazing book cover, but I’m greedy. I want more art! More pretties! Therefore, I reached out to my friend Darryl Knickrehm. He was an editor at Waylines Magazine, where he also handled the artwork. I commissioned two works from him, which I’m delighted to share. They can also permanently be found over on the World of Clockwork Dagger page.
First of all, there’s the illustration of Octavia.
This is closely in line with my original concept of her medician attire, which is strongly influenced by the gear of a World War I nurse. Plus, it includes Octavia’s satchel! That satchel is of vital importance within the book, so it’s thrilling to see it there at her hip.
The other illustration features another central character of the book–Mrs. Stout!
Mrs. Stout is Octavia’s roommate on her airship journey, and quite a colorful character. Mrs. Stout is very much inspired by Mrs. Slocombe from the British comedy Are You Being Served?, down to the vivid hair and bombastic attitude.
I’m so happy with how everything turned out. If you need to commission artwork, go check out Darryl’s page. He’s awesome to work with, and as you can see, the results are amazing!
Read More
