Some Good News
Yes, there is some. It doesn’t hit the headlines all the time, but it exists and it makes me hopeful that more will follow because of it. So here’s one bit of good news from Kentucky.
Raymond Burse, President Kentucky State University |
The President of Kentucky State University took a pay cut of $90,000 (imagine that salary). That meant that all the minimum wage employees got a $3.00/hr. raise.
Now on to the. . .
Hat’s Off Corner
Here’s to Angela on her latest Evernight Teen book. Here’s her character having a bit of a chat with that hunk of a Vampire, Edward Cullen. Shiver me timbers. A vampire on my blog!
I want to thank C. Lee for making the magic happen. My name is Macie Breen. Angela Brown is the author who created me. I’m not sure what she was going through when she wrote Beacon. Are all authors so cruel?
Wait, will Angela see this? Because, if she can… I think you rock, lots and lots, Angela!! (Please don’t torture me so bad in the next book).
Anyway, C. Lee asked me here to have a chat with a character from one of the books I recently read from the banned books list. Hey, if The Colony wants to censor it, I HAVE to read it. I chose Twilight. Some of you know of this novel, maybe? Vampires that sparkle, werewolves that seem to always be shirtless, and a girl who is sought after by both a were and a vamp. I would not want to be her, all confused behind two guys. Give me Thane any day.
Wait… there is Rig…
Yeah, let’s not go there. Oh, look, Edward Cullen just arrived.
*Macie stands up, offers her hand, but Edward quickly settles into the chair opposite her.*
Macie: Uh, okay.
*She drops her hand and sits back down.*
Macie: Nice to meet you, Edward.
*Edward sniffs the air a couple of times then dissolves into an even more pale state.*
Macie: I hope the lights are okay. C. Lee said she adjusted them so they are dim enough for you.
Edward: The lights are fine.
Macie: Oh, good. So let’s get started. Now, I have to know, do you and Bella really –
Edward: What are you?
*Macie’s mouth is left wide open by the sudden interruption but then she closes it.*
Macie: I’m a character in Angela’s novel, Beacon. It’s a YA urban fantasy dystopian. I think it’s pretty cool but I’m probably a little biased.
*Edward leans forward, eyes narrowed.*
Edward: C. Lee told me that. But she didn’t tell me what you are.
Macie: I’m just a girl nobody likes. That’s all.
*Macie’s eyes widen.*
Edward: No. You’re not. And that’s a big problem.
*Macie visibly shivers*
Macie: Uh…why?
Edward: Because I was also told that you liked Jasper so I brought him along to surprise you. One whiff of you and he will go berserk. Honestly…
*Edwards casts his eyes downward.*
Edward: I’m having a hard time holding my bloodlust back.
Macie: Uh…wait…what?
*Edward jumps to his feet, breathing hard.*
Edward: Seriously, what are you? You smell so… delicious.
*C. Lee enters the chat*
C. Lee: And that will be all for now folks. Edward, thank you for coming today. Macie, I suggest we find a different exit for you. And for anyone wanting to know what Macie is – which I better go find out myself – check out Beacon.
Enter to win a $75 Amazon or B/N GC by clicking and entering. Rafflecopter.
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My Quote for the Day: “Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.” Thoreau
Any good news in your part of the world? Would you chat with a vampire? Are you entering to win Angela’s GC? Hope you’ve already entered the #AtoZChallenge. If not, sign up now!
AND. . . DON’T FORGET THE THEME REVEAL
MARCH 23
Ally Swanson says
Great post, I enjoyed reading the chat. I will totally have to add this book to my "to-read" list.
Ree Dee says
What an entertaining post! Hats off to Raymond Burse! I haven't heard of any other rich guys who have taken pay cuts! I'm sure the other employees are thankful!
Joylene Nowell Butler says
What a remarkable man. Great excerpt, Angela. The cover is stunning.
Kelly Hashway says
I'm glad Macie got out of there in time! Edward seemed pretty hungry.
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Pat Hatt says
Wow, a rich guy who is already rich took a paycut, I suppose it is nice haha
Congrats, Angela.
DEZMOND says
$3 and hour? What heaven is that? Most people in my country don't earn that much in a day 🙁
Misha Gericke says
It's awesome of Mr Burse to take a pay-cut so others could get a raise.
Good thing Lee came in when she did. Looks like things would have gone messy real fast.
Cherie Reich says
Okay, now I want to know why she smells so delicious too. 😉 Congrats, Angela!
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee – what a great gesture .. so often Chief Executives or similar give up their bonus . but don't suggest it goes to the workers … good for Raymond Burse …
Congratulations to Angela … cheers Hilary
l choi says
nice blog, follow for follow?
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Southpaw HR Sinclair says
Hum, I could swear I posted here already, but when I came back I can't find it.I'm losing it!
I love the story about the president. That is incredible.
Nice, Angela.
I like the new look here.
Southpaw HR Sinclair says
The look must be super new, yes?
Cathrina Constantine says
How awesome that he would take a pay cut to help others. More bigwigs should do the same!
Congrats to Angela.
Loni Townsend says
Congrats, Angela!
That was nice of the president to do that. It's a good sign that not everyone with influence are money-hungry!
DMS says
Hats off to the president of KSU! How cool and it shows how much he respects his employees. 🙂
Thanks for sharing Angela's book. Wishing her the best of luck!
~Jess
Yvonne Ventresca says
I love good news! And thanks for the info on Angela's book as well.
Yvonne
Romance Book Haven says
I enjoyed this interview and the book sounds awesome!
MomJane says
What an absolutely fascinating conversation these two had. If the book is as good as this, I can hardly wait to read it. Lots of fun and really leaves me wanting to know more.
Jbst says
2nd attempt, Very fun interview with Macie and Edward. LOL.
Jess1
Sherry Ellis says
That's unusual for an official to take a pay cut. He had to be making an awful lot to trim of $90,000. Glad he did it, though.
Congratulations to Angela!
Lexa Cain says
If the man took a "pay cut" of $90,000, what was his salary? I went and looked it up. It's $360,000. Explain to me what a Univ president can do all day that's worth that kind of money. Do you know how much Obama gets paid per year? I looked it up – $400,000. Yeah, that makes sense. One has the fate of the world in his hands, the other has to help educate of a few thousand teens, and apparently the fate of the world is worth an extra $40,000.
Congrats to Angela! Her book sounds terrific!
Rita says
Wonderful post, I enjoyed reading it.
168d7130-34d4-11e2-91ad-000bcdcb5194 says
I've seen character interviews, but never a character chat–love it!
Trix, vitajex(at)Aol(Dot)com
Julie Flanders says
This man in Kentucky definitely should have gotten more coverage for what he did. So nice to read something like this.
And I loved the chat between Macie and Edward. Angela rocks. 🙂
Sherry Butcher says
I love the Some Good News post today. I have been thinking this paycut idea for years but this is the first big one I have read about. TFS.
Goddess Fish Promotions says
Thanks for hosting!
Tammy Theriault says
Now that's a pay cut!! Angela. Sweet sweet Angela! She knows how to do it!!
lorilmaclaughlin.com says
Ha, ha. Funny! No, I would not want to be within ten miles of a vampire. Kudos to Mr. Burse. Wouldn't it be great if CEOs across the country would do that?
Heather Holden says
What a fun post! I can't help but be intrigued by Macie already. And heh, despite how much I love vampires, I don't think I'd ever want to chat with one. I'm kind of fond of my pulse! XD
Stephanie Faris says
That touches my heart to see what the university prez did. I was a government employee for 19 years and saw the governor give raises to his staff and pay his cabinet big bucks while state employees barely made enough to feed their families. I was in IT so I made a livable wage but the employees without college degrees qualified for food stamps. (Seriously!!! It made news that they were getting food stamps and the governor just stammered around when he was asked about it.)
Christine Rains says
Yay for Angela! That was a hilarious interview. Was Buffy lurking around ready to stake Edward?
And standing applause for the president of the university. That is awesome!
Jemi Fraser says
Hope Macie's okay! 🙂
Love what Mr. Burse did – very, very classy!
Maria Zannini says
Macie needs to eat some pasta and garlic bread before meeting Edward again.
Susan Gourley/Kelley says
That is some heroic move by that college president. If only more people making outrageous salaries would follow his example.
Congrats to Angela.
Chrys Fey says
Hehe. That was hilarious. Now I want to know what Macia is!
Karen Lange says
Glad to hear the good news. KY State is not far from where I live, so this will help the local economy. Congrats to Angela! Will check out the giveaway, thanks.
Shooting Stars Mag says
Oh wow, that president is awesome. I'm super excited about that because I'm from KY and we don't always have the best news coming from here.
Birgit says
That girl sounds like she might be in trouble. I wouldn't like it either since he keeps sniffing the air like there is food nearby. That president is great to have done this
Beverly Stowe McClure says
What a fun interview. Congratulations on your book, Angela.
It's wonderful to hear that there are nice, generous people in the world. We should hear more about them.
Love your new blog look, C lee
Elizabeth Seckman says
I would get really nervous if a vamp thought I smelled good. Egads!
Congrats and best of luck to Angela!
Stephen Tremp says
I'm querying agents this week. We'll see what happens. I'm not afraid to go it alone, but if I can find an agent that's really excited about Salem's Daughters I might just give it a go with them.
Donna L Martin says
Hi there!
I just stopped by to check out your blog. I've signed up for yet another year of the A to Z Challenge and look forward to reading many, many posts next month…;~)
Take care,
Donna L Martin
http://www.donnalmartin.com
author of THE STORY CATCHER (Anaiah Press 2015)
coauthor CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL: ANGELS AMONG US (Simon & Schuster 2013)
Lisa says
This was fun! Thanks for sharing…!
Nick Wilford says
That was very entertaining, even though I don't find Edward at all scary!
Good for Mr Burse. More people should follow his lead.
Patricia Lynne says
Awesome find Lee. (Double thought my first comment.)
Yikes, Macie, watch out for the sparkling vampires. They have little self control. Tsk tsk.
Arlee Bird says
Prez Burse did what all the CEO's in this country need to do and they could give up a lot more.
Best wishes to Angela!
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Angela Brown says
Thanks so much for having Macie over, C. Lee. Too bad things withered so quickly lol!
My hat's off to Mr. Burse as well. Why doesn't news like his not make the headlines across the country? Is it because it's too… good? I'm not baffled, just encouraged by his gesture yet sad that such an extraordinary thing get's zilch play.
DL Hammons says
Character interviews are awesome, and Angela did a wonderful job with this!
All signed up for A-Z, but I'm going Commando (no theme) this year. 🙂
L. Diane Wolfe says
That was funny. Someone needs to find the light switch and fast.
Barbara In Caneyhead says
My hat is off to Mr. Burse. Most people who are insanely overpaid would never do such a thing. I read the whole Twilight saga with my teen. Tell Macie to Keep Calm.
Life & Faith in Caneyhead
Natalie Aguirre says
That's a fun post, Angela. And congrats on your book. And that is not very common what the president did. Don't hear that much but some people who make so much could do some good by following his lead.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
Quick, before she becomes a snack!
That was an amazing the president did. You're right, we don't hear stories like that often.