That Black Girl Radio Show

We are the very first guests on That Black Girl Radio Show!! We had a ball chatting with host and http://thatblackgirlsite.com founder and black girl extraordinaire, Corynne Corbett.

Check out the site and the show!!!

BROKE STORY CONTEST ONLINE WINNERS

First we want to say THANK YOU to all who shared your Broke Stories with us. They have made us laugh and made us cry and ultimately made us truly grateful for what we have and for the opportunity to talk about this sometimes difficult subject.

Congratulations to all who entered our contest and for those of you who live in cities we’ll be visiting on book tour (http://deberryandgrant.com/DGTours.html) please be aware that you can STILL ENTER the Tell Us Your Best Broke Story Contest at your local participating book store! Please see website or bookseller for details.

We know our Judge, finance expert, Deborah Owens had a tough choice to make but we are pleased to annouce the Winners!!!!!
(Imagine drum roll here)

First Prize goes to Stephanie Carter —read her story below:

The Best Broke Summer of My Life
By Stephanie L. Carter

In January 2000, my husband landed what we believed was the perfect job. He was making more money than he had in years and we could finally be comfortable. We were able to make rent without struggling; we purchased a new car and the bills were paid on a regular basis. This lasted for exactly one year until the company lost all their government contracts and my husband was without a job.

He fought to find comparable employment, but it just wasn’t happening. Being disabled, I was basically of no assistance because his meager wages, while not enough to support our small family of 4; were too much to qualify me for Supplemental Security Income. But we held on as long as we could….which was exactly 7 months.

In June, we realized that we would have to leave our rental property because it was totally unrealistic to think our landlord could continue to let us stay there without being able to come close to the monthly rent. But we had nowhere to go and no family that could offer us shelter. We attempted to reason with our children (my 11 year old son and 12 year old daughter from a previous marriage) and have them stay with their grandmother, but they didn’t want to be separated from us.

As the deadline for our move grew closer, we prayed for an answer….and as usual…God delivered. With a loan from my mother, we purchased a 3-bedroom tent and some basic camping gear; and on July 4, 2001, we claimed our independence from fear of the unknown.

My husband, daughter, son and I moved all of our belongings into storage; packed up our personal necessities and pitched our tent at the Groveland Oaks County Park in Holly, MI. We simply knew that God would move before it became too cold for camping. After 3 expensive weeks in Groveland Oaks (at $23 a night); we became worried because funds were running low and another temporary job had gone bust for my husband. God still hadn’t found us a place, but he did point us to the Holly State Park, which was only $11 a night.


Yes, we were homeless, but we swam, barbecued, nature walked, and enjoyed the peacefulness of being together the entire 45 days we were there. I have to admit that we haven’t been camping since, but we talk about it fondly even now.

Yes, God did deliver us from the camping experience, but there were still more trials we had to endure before we finally had affordable housing and there have been many struggles since, but the one thing we have always held onto was that if God saw us through 45 days living in a tent, He can see us through anything else that may come upon us in this life.

God Bless!

Second First Prize goes to C Cooke-- read her story below:

KAROLYN'S KLOSET, LTD.
MY STORY OF MAKING IT THROUGH MY "BROKE TIME," PROBABLY MIRRORS THAT OF MANY OTHER PEOPLE. HOWEVER, MY STRENGTH WAS IN MY DETERMINATION NOT TO ACCEPT BROKEN-NESS.

DURING THE EARLY 70'S I FOUND MYSELF, AT THE AGE OF 28, DIVORCED WITH 3 CHILDREN, ONLY AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE AND RECEIVING $45.00 PER WEEK IN CHILD SUPPORT, ...THAT IS WHENEVER IT CAME. LORD HOW I REMEMBER GOING TO THE BANK WITH KNOTS IN MY STOMACH, PRAYING THAT THE CHECK WOULDN'T BOUNCE. ALREADY I WAS SUPPLEMENTING MY MEAGER INCOME OF $7,500 A YEAR BY DOING SMALL CATERING JOBS, WHEN I REALIZED MY GROWING CHILDREN WOULD NEED MY HELP WHEN THEY WERE READY FOR COLLEGE.

IT WAS ABOUT THAT TIME I REALIZED I HAD TO FIND A WAY TO GET MY 4 YEAR DEGREE, WHILE WORKING FULL TIME. THEN THE IDEA CAME. I ENVISIONED STARTING, KAROLYN'S KLOSET, LTD.

WITH ABSOLUTELY NO FUNDS OR EXPERIENCE, I APPROACHED MY SON'S FOOTBALL COACH, WHO OWNED A WOMEN'S CLOTHING STORE, AND CONVENCED HIM TO GIVE ME CLOTHING ON CONSIGNMENT TO SELL. HE AGREED. SOON, I HAD RACKS OF CLOTHES IN MY GOVERNMENT SUSIDIZED MIDDLE INCOME HOUSING APARTMENT. MY BUSINESS PLAN BEGAN TO TAKE SHAPE.

I RECRUITED A FEW FRIENDS WHO WORKED IN FACTORIES, HOSPITALS, SECRETARIAL POOLS OR ANY SETTING WHERE THERE WERE SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS OF WOMEN, AS SALES AGENTS. I ALSO CAREFULLY SELECTED WOMEN WHO WERE, THEMSELVES "CLOTHES HORSES".

EACH AGENT WOULD ARRIVE AT MY HOME EVERY SATURDAY AFTERNOON TO TURN IN HER RECEIPTS, PICK UP NEW STOCK AND SHOP FOR THEMSELVES. (EVEN WITH THEIR 30% DISCOUNTS THEY USUALLY SPENT MOST OF THEIR EARNINGS PURCHASING NEW CLOTHES FROM ME.) MY BUSINESS BEGAN TO GROW AND I APPROACHED ANOTHER SHOP OWNER WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR ME TO GAIN ENTRY INTO THE MARKET. THIS WAS A REAL STROKE OF LUCK BECAUSE I WAS ABLE TO DO BUSINESS BY SIMPLY PAYING CASH FOR SMALL ORDERS, OFTEN CHOOSING 1 OR 2 ITEMS OF A PARTICULAR STYLE. AT 6:30 EVERY SATURDAY MORNING, I COULD BE SEEN IN MY LITTLE PINTO, DASHING OUT OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY TO THE GARMENT DISTRICT IN NEW YORK CITY. I MADE FRIENDS WITH AN ATTENDANT AT A PARKING LOT AND FOR A FEW EXTRA BUCKS AND AN OCCASSIONAL GIFT OF JOHNNY WALKER BLACK OR
TANGERAY, MY PURCHASES WERE SECURE, AS I DASHED BETWEEN SUPPLIERS, RUSHING TO BE HOME BY 12: NOON.

IN TIME MY CHILDREN WERE RUNNING THEIR LITTLE BUSINESSES AND KEEPING THEIR OWN FINANCIAL RECORDS. MY 2 SONS WERE SELLING MEN'S SOCKS, WHILE MY DAUGHTER SOLD PANTIHOSE AND HANDBAGS THROUGHOUT THE 70 UNITS IN OUR APARTMENT BUILDING. THE WORD BEGAN TO SPREAD AND SOON MY BUSINESS HAD EXTENDED TO THE 2 ADDITIONAL BUILDINGS ACROSS THE STREET AS WELL AS LOCAL BEAUTY PARLORS, BARBER SHOPS AND CHURCHES. WE HAD ABANDONED OUR BROKETIME FOR GOODTIMES.

WOW, IS IT POSSIBLE WE WERE THINKING..., "YES WE CAN?"

We did not change, edit or otherwise alter either story in any way. Look for them on http://deberryandgrant.com, along with the other finalist entries by the end of the week.

And if you’re in the mood—feel free to keep sharing your Broke Stories with us and we’ll post them on our blog and website.

The Inauguration of President Barack Obama - The Big Picture - Boston.com

The Inauguration of President Barack Obama - The Big Picture - Boston.com

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Inauguration Day: From Michael Moore

In case you're not on Michael Moore's mailing list. We thought this was great.
V&D

Tuesday, January 20th, 2009

Friends,
This happy, happy day!
We have made it through the Dark Ages and here we are, in one of the most redemptive moments history has ever witnessed. Barack Obama is our best hope to get it right, to heal our national soul, to reach out to the rest of the world with an olive branch instead of shocking brutality.

I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who has worked to make this day happen. For many, the madness goes back, not eight years but twenty-eight years, to the tragic day Reagan was sworn in to dismantle our precious "government of the people" and our beloved way of life.

To all of you who have spoken up and spoken out, who have written letters and marched for peace, for all of you who never gave up, you are the true heroes today. Many of you have suffered great economic losses. Some of you have endured a loved one being shipped overseas to senseless and shameful wars, and thousands of you have seen those loved ones returned home, no longer alive. It has been a heartbreaking time.

But the sun comes out at noon today. The disgraced outgoing president will slide out the side door and head to Crawford to sell the Hollywood set known as the Bush "ranch" before he settles down in an exclusive neighborhood in Dallas. I would encourage Mr. Bush to issue one final pardon before noon today -- his own. He had better issue a blanket pardon for all crimes that may have been committed since 2001 by himself, Cheney, Rumsfeld and the whole gang. Serious laws were broken, a war was concocted on a lie, and now, please, justice must be carried out.

So let us move forward and fix the horrible mess we are in. We are fortunate to have a new president who is smart and kind and committed to serving his country. Take a moment today and think about what you can do to join him in helping him do his job. We're all in this together. Our country has been so profoundly wrecked by an administration who decided to mug our constitution and then steal what they can for their Wall Street cronies on the way out the door.

Here is my plea: Let's not leave Barack Obama alone to clean up the mess. As he takes his oath today, please take one yourself -- to work harder than ever to end these wars, create universal health care, save our planet, end poverty, increase knowledge and establish a true government "of, by and for the people" (instead of "of, by and for the lobbyists, the bankers, and the war profiteers").

On a personal note, it's no secret that I have had to suffer an avalanche of hate and attack as I stuck my neck out to simply do my job. Some day I will tell you what the true cost of this has been for me, but not today. Today is a time for celebration and optimism and hope. I'm glad we all lived to see this incredible moment. And I thank each of you for your support of my work and your dedication to our democracy.
12:01pm can't come soon enough! Happy Inauguration Day!

Yours,
Michael Moore
MMFlint@aol.com
MichaelMoore.com

'FESSING UP: We Share Our OWN Broke Story

Over the last few weeks, many of you have sent us Your Best Broke Story—stories that have been hilarious, surprising and heartwarming. We are grateful that so many of you have opened up and revealed personal, private details of your lives. So as the deadline for our online Tell Us Your Best Broke Story Contest approaches (1/20/09)
we thought we would share our very own “Broke Story” with you...

The journey that Thomasina “Tee” Hodges takes us on in What Doesn’t Kill You—from well paid professional to outplaced ex-employee who can no longer “handle her business,” is certainly a timely story which will resonate with a wide audience. There are people all around us who have gotten that call to visit HR and clean out their desks and are terrified because without their job, they won’t be able to afford to buy gasoline or groceries, keep the lights on, or cope with any of the unexpected little emergencies that become a big deal when you don’t have the money to handle them. Then there are those of us who, even though employed, live in fear the pink slip is coming, and don’t know what they would do without the next paycheck.

But Tee’s story is not one we tell from the outside in. Her trip from denial, to anger to acceptance and ultimately to reinvestment in her life is one we know intimately because both directly and indirectly we have lived through it, and it wasn’t pretty. It has been a six year long, down and dirty test of personal strength, our commitment to our craft and our friendship. Parts of the struggle are ongoing, but writing WDKY was a way to begin to take some extremely negative energy and make it into something positive.

There are very few people who know any of the details of how difficult these years have been—what it has taken to keep going, one inch at a time, but by opening up we hope to show readers that they aren’t “the only ones.”

For Virginia the situation started at the confluence of an unexpectedly large tax bill—ironically the result of a good earnings year—and a large sum of money that was contractually due to us – but turned to dust, leaving a devastating financial chasm and nowhere to go but down. As a result, savings evaporated, jobs eluded and bills mounted. So a great many of the hardships Tee goes through in WDKY are related not from knowledge acquired through research, but from having been there, done that and you can keep the t-shirt—thank you very much (Virginia really did learn how to fill her own tooth, and have a job where the commute was 2 hours each way).

On Donna’s part—it was about being Julie and Ron and all the folks who rallied to support Tee when she needed it. While the financial hardship hit Donna equally, she had great good fortune to have a wonderful husband who not only mitigated the burden of the monetary loss, but together, for almost two years, they totally supported Virginia.

In terms of the writing partnership, Virginia was ready to chuck it—without knowing what she would do instead, but Donna was not prepared to let the team go down like that. While the struggle was just as real, this was a darker and more difficult time than at the beginning when we were writing Tryin’ to Sleep. Back then, like Tee, we were full of “hope and expectation” which provides a much better head of steam than resentment and frustration. But because Donna continued to take steps forward in the direction we needed to go and coaxed Virginia to come along we were able to work ourselves back into writing the kinds of books that our readers have come to enjoy.

You NEVER Come to My City...

We’ve got our tour dates posted, and we’re starting to think about what the weather will be like in Little Rock, Arkansas, or Birmingham, AL or . . . This is about the time we get emails saying, “But you’re not coming to my city. You NEVER come to my city.” It’s not because we don’t want to. Honestly, we are very fortunate to be going on a publisher sponsored book tour at all. Like everything else, book tours are not what they used to be. They are generally shorter—more like a sample than a tour, which means there are a lot of folks we haven’t seen in a long time. Like the folks in Texas—Dallas-Ft Worth, Austin, Houston, Florida—Tampa-St.Pete, Orlando, Miami, St Louis, Kansas City, Portland, OR, Phoenix, Denver. . . It doesn’t mean we don’t love you. It just means we—meaning you and us—have to figure out our own way.

How do we do that? Well, it’s about joining forces. We find it difficult to get to individual book clubs these days (although when our schedule permits, we can arrange a phoner). There aren’t enough hours in the day, days in the week, weeks in the month. . . But if you reach out to other book clubs to make a larger group, invite other visitors—you get the picture. The more, the merrier, because we like to visit with as many readers in an area as we can. Besides, who doesn’t love an excuse to get together and meet new people.

How do we get there? Well, we have a four hour rule in terms of driving—if your City is within four hours of the metro NY-NJ area, we will consider driving. We actually enjoy car trips—and we do sing along with the tunes—loud and wrong. If you are further away, then you need to provide transportation—not Greyhound, although we have done Amtrak. We have had sororities, professional groups, and book clubs (Like Tabahani in Long Beach, California and Turning Pages in the Bay Area) fly us out for events. Hey, turn it into a fund raising brunch or lunch. All kinds of amazing things happen when folks put their heads and dollars together! Nothing like having a great time and doing some good too. As for accommodations--what we need is a place to stay if it’s more than a day trip—not cousin Mary’s spare room, although we’re sure it’s very nice. One hotel room, two beds works fine.

We are also available for keynote speeches—how do two people give one speech? The same way we write one book! We have spoken for Dell Computer, Texas Conference for WomenWork! . . . For info and rates contact:
Tyrha M. Lindsey908-672-6024tyrha.lindsey@laicommunications.com

Bottom line—if you’d like us to visit your city-we’re definitely game, so come up with a plan, contact us, and let’s see if we can work it out!

What Doesn't Kill You Launch Party Photos

There are plenty of pics at:

http://photobucket.com/WDKYLaunchParty

Can You Hear Us Now?

For those of you who like to listen--we have a few selections for you. We recently did two Blogtalk Radio shows--one with bestselling author and friend Donna Hill and the other with Tracey Ricks Foster. On both we talk about our process, our friendship, life and of course What Doesn't Kill You. And if you're of the audiobook persuasion, there is an excerpt of WDKY available as well! The listening links are below.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Tracey-Ricks-Foster/2009/01/04/The-African-American-Literary-Review

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Author-Donna-Hill/blog/2008/12/19/Donna-Grant-and-Virginia-Deberry

http://reseller.brillianceaudio.com/product.asp?AuthorId=491&Titleid=15852

We’re Working on It

Y’all are seriously on the What Doesn’t Kill You case. We asked you to head to the bookstore or order your copy as soon as the book came out on January 6th. And bright and early we heard from readers who did. We thank you—Big Time.

But we also got frantic emails from folks who were disappointed because their bookstore did not have the book or were already out of it. WHAT?! Trust us, we have been on the case with our publisher, making sure the sales people get that corrected. So if you find yourself in a bookless bookstore, please ask them to order it. Also, PLEASE LET US KNOW. We’ll push from our end. It’s important that publishers realize the demand is there so they don’t slack off on the supply.

We have also heard from readers who are loving Tee’s story. Thanks. We love her too!

How do YOU like it?

Reading your books that is.
Are you a diehard gotta hold the book in your hand reader?
Do you like to listen? If so what are you doing while you listen--driving? Exercising? Relaxing?
If you like to listen--what's your format of choice?
And as fellow blogger K.L. Pinson(myspace.com/klpinson ) asked the other day--what do you think of the new "EReaders" like Kindle?
We're curious--so let us know what you think...

Today's the Day! Buy the Book!!!

Today, January 6, is the official release date for our new book, What Doesn't Kill You and we’re totally jazzed! When we were writing this book we couldn’t have imagined that our character’s story would be so current. Life is funny that way. This is the book we thought would be our first with Simon & Schuster, our new publisher, but they requested a sequel to Tryin' to Sleep in the Bed You Made, so we put the story of Tee Hodges' personal economic meltdown on the back burner and decided to write Gotta Keep on Tryin' which you all know came out last year. We guess things happen in the way and at the time they are supposed to--whatever we think!

So because of Grace and serendipity, here we are in January 2009 and What Doesn’t Kill You is coming to a bookstore near you. And, in light of what is happening in our country's economy--with so many people facing unemployment and dealing with all of the fallout from a sudden, drastic and unexpected change in their lives, this seems like just the RIGHT time for this book!

FYI this book is NOT a downer-- in September, the Publisher's Weekly review said it was "The anti-pity party: snappy, fun and inspiring." And we've told you before--WE LOVE THIS BOOK AND WE LOVE TEE HODGES. She is everywoman--in more ways than we can count.

What Doesn't Kill You, is perhaps one of the most personal of any of the novels we have written-- for a number of reasons. And while neither of us is exactly Tee many of her trials and tribulations are ones we became all too familiar with back in 2002 after our deal with our previous publisher fell apart and left us in a financial lurch. We will post a blog (http://twomindsfull.blogspot.com) about the personal side of this story next week as we approach the Jan. 20 deadline for our contest: "Tell Us Your Best Broke Story" (http://deberryandgrant.com)


You may or may not be aware that for better or worse, books have now fallen into the same category as movies--they REQUIRE a "strong opening week" in order to remain on the shelves. So we’re asking you to shop early for your copy of What Doesn't Kill You, even if it’s not your book club pick until April or July. (It's OK if you shop often too--WDKY will make a great gift!). Some of you may be planning to get your copy at one of the signing events we're having and that's wonderful. But if your city isn't one of the tour cities (http://deberryandgrant.com/DGTours.html), please go to your local bookstore or one of the online booksellers to place your order--we'll be happy to sign it whenever we see you--or you can mail us the book (return postage please!) and we'll happily sign and return! AND please feel free to pass the word along to your lists!

Thank you for supporting us and all the other writers who give you the kind of stories you want to read and share, for emailing us, for telling your friends about our books—and convincing them to buy their own copies, for coming to our events, for encouraging us to keep on writin'!

We wish for you a 2009 chock full of the good stuff!
V&D

REVIEWS, REVIEWS, REVIEWS!!

We’re so happy to have gotten excellent reviews for What Doesn’t Kill You—below are three from very different sources, Publishers Weekly, RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers (online) and the most prolific reviewer out there—Harriet Klausner--how does she read so many books?! We wanted to share these with you--and of course we can't wait to hear how you feel about What Doesn't Kill You!

Tomorrow is official drop day (but we’re sure you can get your copy of WDKY today!)

Publishers Weekly review of What Doesn't Kill You:
When it rains, it pours for Tee Hodges, the spirited, stiff-upper-lipped protagonist of DeBerry and Grant's latest. Tee, the longtime right-hand woman of fragrance entrepreneur Olivia Markson, gets the shock of her life when, shortly after Olivia dies, Olivia's daughter pink-slips her. Even worse, the bad news hits just as Tee's putting the finishing touches on her daughter's elaborate wedding. Yet even when she finds her world swirling out of her grasp, she maintains the image that she has everything together. As her savings dwindle, her employment prospects look bleak, creditors begin calling, her parents explore the possibility of divorce and friends she trusted turn out to be less than supportive, Tee begins to trust her instincts, which sharpens her confidence in her entrepreneurial drive and leads her into the arms of a doting man.
This is the anti-pity party: snappy, fun and inspiring. (Jan.)


http://www.therawreviewers.com/artman/publish/WhatDoesn_tKillYou.shtml
Date Reviewed: Dec 31, 2008

Thomasina (Tee) Hodges knew she was in for it when she woke up, the morning after her daughter’s wedding, in bed with the best man, her son-in-law's cousin. How did she get there? Well, it all started when she divorced her husband while her daughter Amber was a baby. Having to make a way for the two of them, she meets entrepreneur Olivia Markson and begins an employment association and friendship that would last until Olivia’s death. Because of their friendship and what Tee felt was a partnership, Tee thought the business would always be there, but Olivia’s daughter had other plans. Soon Tee finds herself unemployed, planning a lavish wedding and only probable prospects for the future. Hence, a night of too much champagne and dwindling hope has Tee reeling as she wakes up in bed with Ron.

Tee decides to hide the truth from her family and friends as long as she can and then doesn’t want to except any help. With her savings diminishing, creditors calling and facing possible bankruptcy, Tee reinvents herself using all that she has learned in the business world. As she does, she develops a tentative relationship with Ron that inspires her and could possibly be one of the best things to happen to her. Will she succeed? Or, will she fall prey to economic disaster?

In WHAT DOESN’T KILL YOU, Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant have created a real life protagonist who has the resourcefulness and wit to deal with real world issues. This timely production teaches that though you’re down and out, you can still reach within to succeed in this world; it just may take a little work, a little planning and whole lot of faith to do so. This is my first DeBerry and Grant read and it most definitely will not be my last. I found the characters in this advance reading copy to be engaging, funny and inspirational. I absolutely love the writing style. This is a very good pick-me-up type of read for those who are going through bad economic times right now.
Reviewed by Brenda M. Lisbon of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

What Doesn't Kill You-Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant
What Doesn't Kill You Virginia DeBerry and Donna GrantTouchstone Books, Jan 2009, $24.95ISBN: 1416564209

Divorcee Tee Hodges has always been there for her employer of twenty-five years Olivia Markson at the sacrifice in some ways of her own life. She did what she had to insure that the Markson & Daughter “creams and lotions” empire remained strong and successful; although “Daughter” left the work to mother while living the good life in Europe. Her boss was her mentor and friend. So when Olivia dies, Tee grieves her loss as if a close relative past away.Tee is further stunned when Daughter decides to take control of the firm and fires her mom’s closest associates starting with Tee. Besides psychological shock, unemployment comes at a time when Tee is spending a fortune for her daughter’s upcoming wedding. Unable to obtain employment, Tee has no one to turn to as her parents have their own brouhaha, her daughter Amber has her upcoming wedding, and her friends no longer seem interested in her. Instead of wallowing in self pity, Tee decides to start a company of her own; not expecting her entrepreneurship will lead her to an admiring man.

WHAT DOESN’T KILL YOU is an engaging character study starring a woman who instead of wallowing in self pity, thinks that’s life and death while scrutinizing her options until she comes up with a plan that gives her hope. Tee’s asides are insightful and make her human; for instance when commentating on her ex husband’s public display of generosity at their daughter’s wedding while he failed to kick in one cent for the wedding. Readers will root for Tee as she tries to find life after Olivia.
Harriet Klausner
genregoroundreviews.blogspot.com

Have you heard?

You can listen to an excerpt from the audio version of What Doesn't Kill You by clicking the link.
http://reseller.brillianceaudio.com/product.asp?AuthorId=491&Titleid=15852&=nl2

We recorded this book at the Brilliance Audio studios in Grand Haven, MI back in October. We alternate chapters, and this bit is Donna reading!

A Brand New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy 2009!!
We're glad the new year is here--thrilled with the release of What Doesn't Kill You---'cause we LOVE this book and it's main character!! And of course we hope you will too--and can't wait to hear from you. In the meantime, we're going to be more than the usual "crazed" for the next several weeks so we won't be here with new posts as often. But it's all good!

Amazing entries, both funny and touching are coming in for out TELL US YOUR BEST BROKE STORY CONTEST (details at http://deberryandgrant.com/) Thank you!! So don't forget to check it out and/or pass the word on to your lists...everybody knows someone who has been broke at one time or another!

And when you get a minute, please visit http://www.ekgliterarymag.com/ .
We talk a little about a lot of things--What Doesn't Kill You, our friendship, writing, life, movies and politics!