Sunday, November 30, 2014

Mind over Matter

I am almost through editing Past Prologue.


The upload will start early tomorrow.


I will post it the information here when I'm done.


It's just a simple thing as mind over matter.


Since I don't have much mind nothing much else matters. 

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Never Felt Like This Before

I'm not going to keep u guys long tonight. I Just finished working the bill paying job and I'm off to do a chapter before bed.


Again, Past Prologue has a likely upload date of Monday. Look for it.


I don't know where the big uptick in page views has come from since Thanksgiving Day, but welcome to my blog. I appreciate each and EVERY one of you. As some of the others who hang around here know, I try to keep the discussion to current and future projects. I'm not truly into the social networking scene. For me at least, I think that should go on elsewhere.


In speaking of future projects...


I'm this close (put your finger and your thumb as close together without touching close) to finalize where I'm going after the Where are our Children Serial is done.


It's going to be a doozy if I say so myself.


More details as we draw nearer to the end of this serial.


It is safe to say that I haven't felt this good about my writing and publishing since I sat down and started 411 a month in a half ago.


Yea, it feels good to say it.


I never felt like this before.  

Friday, November 28, 2014

busy busy busy

I'm working on the 8th of the 10 chapters of Past Prologue.
I'm going to get started soon before I collapse.


I have a REDICULOUS schedule ahead of me over the next two weeks outside of the house.


Somehow...someway...I've got to continue writing. 


Busy, busy, busy...stay tuned.

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Sometimes HE works in mysterious ways

Once again Happy Thanksgiving to all of you looking in from the US and the standard hello for everyone else in the world.


I'm not going to get religious on you this morning. I won't. I won't mainly because I am nowhere near where I need to be with HIM. But I will say this: I was feeling about as low as I could feel about writing and publishing over the past seven days or so. Those of you who tune into my blog regularly know about my struggles with overcoming what writers term as the Critical Voice. This voice tells you that what you are writing is crap as you put it down. It tells you that no one will read it once you publish it. It tells you that if they did they didn't like it. And it never fails to tell you that you are wasting your and everyone else's time.  


I've been locked in a battle with it my entire adult life. I've let it steal years of productivity from me. And even after I made a small come back with the publishing of the first three episodes of Where are our Children-it jumped on me big time last week.


I managed to get a chapter done yesterday.


I think what I saw this morning though was far more important.


So far, Children only seemed to me to be getting downloads at Smashwords only. My two sports articles continue to do well at I tunes. In fact they get nearly double digit downloads over there everyday. People are right down the middle on whether they agree with me in my assessments on each subject but that is okay. My only point is to present my argument well. Those downloads tell me that I did that much right.


Children, on the other hand, has done nothing on I Tunes. maybe that will change. Ultimately, fiction is my first love. It is eventually what I am banking on for long term success. There are non fiction projects ahead but fiction will either make what I do here, or break what I do here. I don't have anything selling on Amazon, Google Play wasn't showing downloads and Kobo is in the single digits in downloads period since I started publishing there last month.


But like I said in an earlier passage, I think I saw something this morning that was very important to me.


I looked at my profile at Goodreads. That's nothing new. I look at it and all my other info across the net daily. But HE led me to look as an item I had never noticed before when I looked at the site from my phone.


Anyone who has been to the author's sections there will notice that if any of their work has been recommended that the data for that book is there next to all your other stuff. Well, all six of my writings are there. I always knew that. I always appreciated that fact. What I didn't see is HOW MANY times they've been recommended. The children series is getting nearly 2 recommends a day since their publication. Rapture has more recommendation than it does downloads on Smashwords. I wondered how that was possible.


I have to remember that Smashwords is a global distributor. My (and everyone else who publishes there) stuff is going globally. It is in libraries and at sites that I have never heard of. My trade paperback editions (especially of my first three works) is also selling SOMEWHERE.


Boy, did I need this. I really needed the assurance that someone...somewhere is reading my stuff. It means so much to me and I thank you all.


I know if I'm completely past my crisis but I feel a lot better.


So much better that I'm off to complete another chapter of Past Prologue when I'm done here.


Like I said at the beginning: I'm not going to get religious on you this morning. I won't. I won't mainly because I am nowhere near where I need to be with HIM. But I will say this: I was feeling about as low as I could feel about writing and publishing over the past seven days or so.


Sometimes He does work in mysterious ways.

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

A Crisis of Confidence and Character

Hey guys.


I missed a posting for the first time since I've been back. Some out there may be happy about that. (grin)


I told myself that I would not post to this blog again until I wrote something. Well, I did just that. I  finished another chapter of Past Prologue today. I hadn't written in five days or so. I am truly going through a crisis of confidence and character.


My downloads are really down at Smashwords. I published to Google Books the other day and either are getting no response there are I am not understanding how to upload their stats reports. I really haven't been the same writer since Rapture debuted with NO sales during the 24 to 30 hours I had it up.


I'm going through what a lot of writers do at this point. We expect huge returns when we haven't put in a lot of investment at this point. I'm human, guys. Be patient. Stay with me.


I'm pressing forward. I'm trying to remember that I'm doing something very special. If I don't sell one book or nothing is downloaded that has my name on it, I am doing something very special.


Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I hope that each and EVERY one of you has a wonderful, safe and prosperous holiday. I'm going to try and do so very well.


And then I'm going to continue to battle this crisis of confidence and character.


And press on and write another chapter.    

Monday, November 24, 2014

A Brave New World

Wow.


I was pleasantly surprised how well the uploading process to Goggle Books went. All 6 of my works are there for a free download. I'm interested in how well my stuff will do over there.


I'm also anxious to see how Children did at I Books after I moved it from category to another.


Once again it looks as if Life and the Job will stop any progress I wanted to make in getting restarted on Past Prologue. I absolutely have to sleep to make during the day to make it through my nights at work.


Maybe I'll try some editing of the chapters I do have complete.


A brave new world maybe lies ahead. I just wish I could get some things out of my way. 

Sunday, November 23, 2014

A Not so Sad Sunday

A couple of constants retained their status quo on this rainy Sunday.


My Jags continue to stink and I haven't added any new words to Past Prologue.


I do, however, see sunlight on the horizon on the latter part. I do expect to return to new writing tomorrow.


I did get some things done on the publishing front.


I got all 6 books uploaded to Google Play/Books. The problem is (as of this writing) I don't know if I did it successfully or not. The process wasn't as difficult or as time consuming as I thought It would be. I had some advantages over some other folks that may have had issues with it: Smashwords is a bitch to upload to when you first start this. That forces you to have more patients for anything else you try to tackle. I looked around a bit and got help from others who had struggled with Google before I got there so that aided me as well. I use d my epub of each book from Smashwords as well for my content upload. Again, I will have to wait to see if it worked, but that helped with this process.


The whole point of this exercise was to get my books into as many reader's hands as I can. As this point I have made the decision to be READ. And Google Books was too big an outlet to continue to ignore.


In speaking of being read...I changed my settings for Where are Our Children. I want to test a theory of mine when it comes to the I Book store. My fiction as done NOTHING there. And I do mean nothing. The two sports themed books do VERY well. They have double digit downloads nearly every day, especially on weekdays. I wanted to try something to give my serial novel a boost there. I believe, I certainty could be wrong, but I believe it is more about lack of visibility than anything else. I'm trying to change that and have little to lose. My fiction does VERY well at Smashwords. I would like to see at least some of this translate to I Books as well.


I'll check back with you guys tomorrow hopefully with good news on both the writing and publishing front.


But today was a not so bad Sunday after all.      

Saturday, November 22, 2014

The most versatile of us

Im posting from my phone so bare with. Still nothing new written though i will get vack 2 it 2morrow or mon. 

At least im showing some versatality. Check in 2 morrow.

Friday, November 21, 2014

Weekend Warrior

I return to work 2night and that is both good and bad.


The good...well, it's work. That means I am drawing a paycheck and taking care of the family.


The bad...well, it's work. That means elevated stress levels and aggravation.


Also good, I come up with boat loads of ideas when I'm there. Maybe I'll come up with something to get me out of the rut I'm in right now.


Also bad...well, see line 3.


Anyway, I have been investigating Google Books. I'm curious. I may try to upload my present collection into it this weekend to see if I can get past it's interface.


I guess I'll be a weekend warrior.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Better than nothing at all

A late posting is better than nothing at all.


I did not get anything done today as I am in a rut.


I did look at google books as a means another means of distribution but I am reading horror stories about their uploading system. I read it makes Smashwords meat grinder look like child's play.


I have nothing else much to add.


A late, small posting is better than nothing at all.   

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

The Truth Will Set You Free

I'm halfway through Past Prologue now. I have another chapter to fit in sometimes before the end of the day and I'll be over half way through this episode.


Today, I'll talk about Truth. Truth comes in a lot of forms. I'll tell you the truth about where I am. I'm pleased at how many of you have downloaded all of my writings, and particularly satisfied with the project that I am working on right now. I must admit that it hasn't been the same since Saturday when I didn't draw any sales for Rapture after the previous two episodes had done so well on downloads. I talked about that in full in a rant the other day so I won't repeat all of it here.


I think I am suffering from a bit a fatigue as well. I've put in nearly 4000 words a day since I started back writing on Oct 11th. That is a pace that would put me near 1.5 million words a day in a calendar year. I don't want to continue at this pace. I can't continue at this pace. 


Like I said countless times before, Where are Our children was NEVER meant to be presented to the reader in this fashion. It's coming out of me. I've decided to let it come as it may. Past Prologue has been difficult, partly because the newness as worn off, partly because of what happened Saturday, and partly because of the pace I've been writing at.


I'm going to be fine. I think. For one thing, I can tell you that if you have enjoyed this story so far, then the coming episodes will knock your socks off. Past prologue doesn't have the dramatic moment like the Peacekeepers liberation of Carver like Rapture does or Serena's miraculous escape through downtown Atlanta as Deliverance does, but there are a ton of details and plot that you must not miss.


All that changes with episode 5 which will be titled Zero Hour. I get excited thinking about it. And I think that excitement will help regenerate me moving forward.


That is the truth of it precious reader.


And the truth will set you free.          

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Until We Meet Again

I finished two more chapters of Past Prologue today. I feel like I'm rolling along as I will pass the half way point of this episode by this time tomorrow. Hopefully, I will pass the half way point to this project by the end of next week as well.


In indirectly speaking of numbers, I went over the 132,000 word mark today. Wow. To think when I plotted this thing originally, my concern was NOT having enough material to complete a novel. Go figures.


The downloads of Rapture and all the Where are Our Children are coming fast and furious on Smashwords. Rapture still hasn't made it outside to other distributors as of yet. I guess the meatgrinder is backed up. I'll check in a minute and hope that it has gotten through. I don't expect any formatting issues but one never knows until it this episode's turn to try and get through.


I actually got my first download from someone on I Tunes yesterday. My fiction had done little to nothing over there so I am happy to see it. My non fiction football stuff does VERY well over there and although the reviews aren't as high as I like to see...it is wonderful to see so many people downloading them. I'm talking numbers in the thousands of downloads. I just want everybody to remember that I am expressing an OPINION in those articles. I hope that readers can appreciate my argument. I'm not asking for everyone to AGREE with me. (Though that would be nice)


Again, for you Amazon folks, make sure you price match so that all of my writings are free over on Amazon.com as well. I would love to see my stuff move up their rankings as well.


Anyway, I'm done for today. I've been enjoying my time off with my writing and putting some final touches on my short fiction that I hope to return to after Children is done.


Thanks for your attention guys, until we meet again...    

Monday, November 17, 2014

Stay Warm

I'm over my whining stage ( and the few of you who endured it are happy as well.


I got the first two chapters of Past is Prologue done. Early on I feel that this book won't be as meaty as the first three. If u guys will remember all the way back to my October post, I felt that as we approached the middle chapters the word count would come down. I still believe this.


Well, it is on to two tomorrow. It is supposed to be cold here at the house over the next couple days so that is even MORE incentive to stay inside and work on getting this next episode in your hands.


Stay tuned and Stay warm...
 

Sunday, November 16, 2014

A new Direction

Well it is actually, A new direction.


For all that can't stand long winded fluff just read the next passage and then check back in tomorrow.


I have decided that ALL my writings will be listed as FREE until I make another announcement someday down the road. (If that's all you short patient people can stand then that is all that u need to know I will speak with you tomorrow.)


For all the rest who stayed around


here this.


I knew that starting up would be slow. Gaining readership. Gaining sales. Gaining notoriety (if that is ever possible) would be a slow process. I was cool with that. Really. Until the first 24 hours I saw Rapture up with not one sale. Not one. It hurt. It did. I've spent 8 and 12 hour days on this series so far. I've given up practically everything outside of family, work and eating since Oct 11th. I've put up over 118,000 words and drummed up readership worldwide. I've regenerated readership in my other works that have been up nearly 3 years now.


Yet, not one sale.


A well known author I follow online continually tells perspective writers what a process this is. And it is. It takes most Years to put a foothold into the business. I don't want to take years. I wish I were more patient. I wish I had more courage. I wish I had more will power and time. I wish.


I work hard at the real Job. There is a lot of stress there. That doesn't make me special. All of you who are in the American workforce suffer through the same things I do. You work too many hours, with too few co workers, for too little pay, with Corporate always looking for ways to line their pockets while trying to eliminate you.


I've been blesses/cursed to work at the same place for the better part of 24 years. I will continue to work there until they say that I can no longer clock in, whether that is by death, retirement or they shut us down.


What writing has done for me is that it gave me peace during the hours that I wrote. I don't think about that place. I don't think about the family issues that all the rest of you have as well. I don't think about anything but writing and publishing.
And that was a GOOD feeling.


But having projects sitting on the shelf with big fat zeroes sitting next to them adds to the stress that I already feel.


So I had a decision to make. 1 stop writing altogether. 2 continue along the course I had laid out. 3. and the one I've decided to pursue, is to continue to write but leave the fun in it by not looking it as another source of income for me and my family. I do alright. I'm very BLESSED to be doing alright.


I have a pension coming. I have 401 k coming. Both hopefully will be there when it is time for me to retire. I'm not going to add MORE stress by waiting on the zeroes to change to sells.


So after a hurtful day yesterday and a reevaluate one today, I'm still here. I'm different. My innocence is gone, but I'm still here.


So tomorrow it is back to Where are Our Children. I hope if you've read one or all three so far that you are enjoying it. I'm enjoying putting it out there. Past Prologue is on the way. All the others are on the way.


You good folks didn't need to be subjected to this whining. Thanks for listening (reading) 


An old direction is new, a new direction is an old one.


Carry on, Gary, Carry on.

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Quitting

I'm taking a day off after a maddening 24 to 48 hour session of editing and publishing.


Everything is up for purchasing except for the trade paperback of Rapture that should be up soon.


I'll admit that it is a stiff test of my resolve not to see more action of the latest installment of Where are Our Children.


It's one thing to understand that it is going to be a long process gaining readership and experiencing it after putting in so many hours and words into this latest work.


But quitters never win and winners never quit


I guess I'll quit another day.      

Friday, November 14, 2014

Three IS company after all

It's done.


Rapture will be up within hours on all of your favorite e-book sites. It clocks in at almost 40,000 words. Like I've said, the story is pouring out of me. I love that. I hate that. I love it because it had been a long time coming. I've talked about writing, researched about writing, set up writing templates...did everything but freaking writing. Well, I've done over 115,000 words in about 33 days.


I hate it because the size of this tale limits what I can do with it. One epic volume would be an epic BITCH to format. (Gary, the language) Well it's the truth. And like I said before the story itself does not work as a trilogy as I strongly considered publishing to Amazon. So here we are. Episode 3 is done and I fully expect to have Past Prologue done by this time next week.


Once again to you Amazon folks, welcome to the party. ALL your volumes will be $.99 per Amazon policy. If enough of you price match the price on the first two will fall to free. Part of me wants to see that happen because I'm likely to get higher rankings in the store because of it. The publisher half says get any and all sales that you can Now. So we'll see.


Anyway, I'm leaving here to publish it to Smashwords first. It should be available within the hour and at a fair price for what you've gotten so far.


Amazon's copy, as well as the first two in series, should be up anywhere from an hour to 12 hours from now.


I will probably publish the trade paperback version tomorrow.


Three IS company after all.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

If all else fails...

I stole some hours and edited 7 chapters today. It's late and I'll just deal with editing 2 more chapters tonight and then do the 2nd draft of the final one tomorrow. There will be a final polished edit of that one and then let all the publishing begin.


I have three to publish to Amazon and Rapture to Smashwords.


Remember Rapture is the first episode that will sold for $.99.


I'm almost there guys, stay with me.


If all else fails look for it Saturday.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Black Friday

Whew!!! It took 2 and a half writing sessions but I finished the next to last chapter in Rapture. I hope (and that is a big hop) that I can wrap up Episode 3 within the next 24 hours.


And then we are at Black Friday.


No...no...not THAT Black Friday. You're getting ahead of yourself folks. (smile)


My version of Black Friday features the single most releases by me in one day. Part of my BIG announcement is that 411-Deliverance and now Rapture will be published to Amazon on Friday. I wanted to REALLY do Amazon's version as a trilogy but the pacing just does not work as such. Novels should have a distinct opening, middle and conclusion. And you must have a clear conclusion even if you're doing the trilogy and I couldn't promise that.


I am still debating the one complete and uncut edition although it would be a MONSTER. I'm nearing 110,000 words and I am only a 3rd of the way through this tale.


So, I will publish the 9 episodes over there as well. Amazon does not allow you to put anything on its site as free unless you are in KDP. Anyone who has downloaded Where are our Children already and saw my interview on Smashwords  should know that my word stands as it is. Episodes 1,2,4,5,7, and 8 will remain free. 3,6,and 9 will sell for $.99. 


Amazon's versions will all be $.99. If you guys know how you can price match and Amazon will reduce the free ones on other sites to free on theirs as well. 


I also will be publishing the print version or Rapture as well Friday on Createspace. 


And of course, Rapture will sell on Samshwords and its family of distributors for $.99 as well.


Wish me luck, guys, I have a TON of writing and publishing to due in the next 48 hours. ( I try never to call it work. Work is what I have to do in the morning at 7am sharp.)


Black Friday is on the way...

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Amazon is coming

I finished Seth's chapter last night. I'm technically taking today off and will work on ( and hopefully) finish the next chapter before work in the morning.


If not I will work on it after the Job is done tomorrow night.


Thursday morning I will attempt to do the last chapter of Rapture edit and format Friday with the release to e book  distributors still to be determined. I'll make my mind up about some major things in the next 24 hrs so look for announcements here first.


Here is hint however.


Amazon is coming...and sooner than expected.  

Monday, November 10, 2014

A New Era

I finished Seth's only chapter in Rapture minutes ago. I made some suttee changes from the original draft that I think enhance both of the party's who dominate the scene.


Two more full chapters to go, a strong edit, and then postings Friday.


I'm going to find some way to get those audiobook codes out to people that want them. So far no one has taken advantage of it.


My fault not theirs.


A new era and a potential announcement tomorrow. I'm going to sleep on it one more night.


Till tomorrow... 

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Telling Secrets Day 3

I had a VERY successful day yesterday.


Rapture on track for a release by next weekend. Smashword copies of the first two are going well, I will check Barnes and Noble this morning. Neither have moved a copy at Kobo and ITunes. If that trend continues I will serve the audience that I have at Smashwords by NOT doing a preorder and getting an actual download in these people's hands as soon as I can.


Two more chapters and my pitiful Jags are on tap today.


In speaking of Barnes and Noble, I visited a local store for the first time in months yesterday evening. And it reminded me why I fell in love with books and reading and writing in the first place. It also reminded me how much time I've wasted NOT writing. But that is the past. This is the present and future.


Here is the audiobook download information for those interested in a FREE copy of either Waiting or Fumblerooski at audible.com. Remember the FIRST person to use either code gets the free stuff. I hope someone out there is taking advantage of this. I think it's a good deal. (smile) Remember, all I ask for in return is a fair review of the product. Reviews help products rise in status in the store. A rise in activity in the store allows me a chance to find producers for newer works. And a round and round we go.


Waiting:   7TTC82QQC5GJD             Fumblerooski:    HRL9TZJKPLCA2
  1. Go to my book's page on Audible.com: [INSERT YOUR BOOK'S LINK]
  2. Add the audiobook to your cart.
  3. Create a new Audible.com account or log in.
  4. Enter the promo code and click "Redeem" on the cart page.
  5. To change the price from full price to $0.00, click the box next to "1 Credit" and click the "update" button to apply the credit to your purchase.
  6. Complete checkout, and start listening to the free copy of the book.

Saturday, November 8, 2014

Telling Secrets Day 2

Wow.


I finished the Xavier chapter that I spoke to you guys about yesterday. It is the longest chapter in the entire story so far at 33 manuscript pages. It did a lot of what I asked it to do. It gave a lot of backdrop to how A House in Chains and the Circle and the Peacekeepers work. It had tension. It had characterization and I'm hopeful that it did what is necessary for its inclusion in the book and story: It explained a lot about the past and foreshadowed the future.


I don't want to get all soapy and teary eyed today. But they say that every thing we do has a time and place. I was exhausted yesterday after my biological clock did its 180 shifting from night to days like I explained yesterday. Then to turn around and write nearly 3000 words is something I wouldn't have been mature enough to do 20 years ago. Physically it would have been far easier on me, but mentally I wouldn't have had the will to do it.


Like I said, wow.




Anyway, I am on to hopefully 2 chapters today and 2 chapters tomorrow.
We'll see.


Here are the codes for day 2.
Remember the these codes are good for ONE user each:

Waiting: 9J4QBFNQKD6MJ


Fumblerooski: GSENQDGQ2QD5J


  1. Go to my book's page on Audible.com: [INSERT YOUR BOOK'S LINK]
  2. Add the audiobook to your cart.
  3. Create a new Audible.com account or log in.
  4. Enter the promo code and click "Redeem" on the cart page.
  5. To change the price from full price to $0.00, click the box next to "1 Credit" and click the "update" button to apply the credit to your purchase.
  6. Complete checkout, and start listening to the free copy of the book.

Friday, November 7, 2014

Telling Secrets Day 1

Let's get right to it shall we:


For the rest of you guys it's TGIF or Happy Friday and don't get me wrong cause I'm glad I made it to this day as well, but it's also a day I transition from working nights to being part of the everyday else crowd. It isn't easy. No matter how much I sleep it doesn't feel like I've rested until I crash again tonight.


It also didn't help that I got a little distracted with some internet hopping this morning after work that set me back sleep wise as well. But I got over those feelings of guilt pretty quick. I've worked the hours to take care of me and mine for another week. I also, as of yesterday, went over 80,000 words total of Where are Our Children. And even though this is mostly second draft stuff and not completely fresh material, I've done this amount of writing in about 26 days. Again, nothing to sneeze at.


In speaking of Children and Rapture specifically, I'm about half way through Xavier's lone entry in this episode. I really felt the pace had picked up and the word count go down in the first two chapters in this book but Xavier's is a HUGE chapter. It has a ton of support characters as we finally have the Circle together on screen for the first time. There is a lot of backstory in this chapter. There is some plotting and foreshadowing as well. And why I am enjoying writing it, I've been about as nervous as any chapter I've put together so far.


The reason...I guess I want to be as clear as I can getting these characters and their relationships to each other and the organization across to the reader. One of my (many) faults, especially as a young writer, was my ability to tell this stuff to the reader. I understand it. I created it. But it is useless if you the reader doesn't give it. So when I originally plotted this thing 5 years ago, I wanted time and space within the plot to tell and expand on these very 2 unique groups and the two people that lead them.


I think (I hope) that Serena and Pandora came across your page or E reader as real as I could make them during her and Thomas Pepper's chapters in Deliverance. I don't want to kill the pace. I don't want to dull the story. But knowing the why that these people and these two organizations are doing the things they are is important to me.

Fast forward to the present. I feel that this Xavier chapter is the last chance to understand his and his associates side in this cold war. The pace picks up again after this chapter concludes. Their are plots shifting and characters transitioning to other parts of the overall novel. I only got a snapshot of this during the creation of its outline. I saw it better  when I wrote the first draft. I am very confident of the directions I'm heading into with this version.


Lastly, for the nest few days I will post these 10 codes that I've mentioned here before for ANY of you who wish to order a FREE copy of either Waiting or Fumblerooski from Audible. com. Once again there is no catch. But you MUST register with the site before you can download the book(s). All I ask is that after you listen to either that you give a fair review of the product. Ultimately, my goal as a publisher is to have EACH and EVERY word I write published in a three available formats: E books, trade paperback, and audio. The first is the easiest, the second takes a little more time and effort but the last is where I need help from outsiders to accomplish. Everyone is in this business to make money. The big book chains. The everyday guys and gals who write either full time or when Life offers the opportunity. And the fine folks that produce these audio book productions fall into that category as well. I've only met a handful of them online and worked specifically with two but the experience was wonderful. Yet, the only way I'm going to get ALL of my coming work to this market is generating interest from what is already there. The more sales I get on existing products, the easier it will be for me to put new stuff up and have a producer take on a project. 411 and Deliverance are waiting to find a producer as I write this. And rather they do or not, the remaining 7 books in Children WILL go up as well.


Anyway here are the first two codes and the instructions that was emailed to me.
Remember, the clock is ticking to me offering free items. The Writer in me wants to be read and enjoyed. The Publisher in me says that's wonderful, but we need to start seeing some revenue from the time and effort we are putting in this.


Anyway, here it goes:


Waiting: 9MMCRNR7ERPBB    Fumblerooski: 4Y92KGZ39M8EY


Remember the FIRST person who puts in the code gets the free copy. As you guys know, I post at different times during the day depending on my work and writing schedules.


Alright, here are the instructions.


I'm telling secrets here...
  1. Go to my book's page on Audible.com: [INSERT YOUR BOOK'S LINK]
  2. Add the audiobook to your cart.
  3. Create a new Audible.com account or log in.
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Thursday, November 6, 2014

Linking Tired

I'll keep it real short today.


Remember when I gave you guys the comparison of formatting to playing video games?


Well the same thing goes for linking my Amazon available stuff to this blog.


But it was well worth it.


Sometimes technology can be wonderful, sometimes technology can be a pain in the a$$


I'm off to the Job.


I'm so linking tired...  

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

I wish

I feel good.


I got back at the writing aspect of writing and publishing, after a couple of days of putting my energy and time towards the latter. Chris opens up Rapture with a lunch meeting with his ex wife Denise, and they discuss Erica's disappearance amongst other things. I'm comfortable with the writing after taking a couple of days off.


On the publishing front, 411 and Deliverance are officially for sale in the Createspace store through amazon. I anyone would like to have a physical copy that is the place to go. Amazon itself, Barnes and Nobel online and other outlets should have it anywhere from a day from now until a couple of weeks now.


No excuses but all of this is a learning experience for me as well. Somebody out there has ordered a copy or two of my first 3 postings over there. I wish I could have them back. I wish I had used the 6x9 treatment look that these Serial Episodes are going to get.


I wish.


I also have both of these works up trying to find a producer for audiobook production of these episodes as well. I'm an optimistic person by nature, but I see this being a challenge in the making. You are talking 9 books with probably 36 to40 hours of finished recorded material.


I wish I could find a producer.


I wish I could make these books come alive in this media outlet as well.

I wish.



Tuesday, November 4, 2014

A Publisher's Job is Never Done

I've been busy, but not so much with Rapture, the 3rd installment of Where are our Children.


I've taken care quite a bit of the publishing aspect of what I do including putting up the Deliverance and 411 up on Createspace as a trade paperback. I'll check back there to see if it ready for purchases when I'm done here. It took a minute. Since I went to the standard 6 by 9 look, there was a little learning curve I went through to get it done.


I'll say this about formatting for any of you who haven't done it before. Formatting is like a great video game meaning it is loads of fun while being frustrating as heck. When it goes well, it's wonderful but when you are struggling with it you want to toss your computer across the room. Between what I did last night and putting deliverance up as an e-book Sunday night, I must have spent 6 or 7 hours with the process. That doesn't include moving my stuff around from one distributor to another  this morning.


It is all well and good though. I learned a lot. And with the publishing schedule I'm putting together for the future the frequency that I do this won't cause these gaps in memory and repetition it takes to get it done.


Ah, yes I looked at my outline for Children and it just doesn't work as a trilogy. I wanted it to. I really did. Novels have a specific starting, middle, and ending that knowledgeable readers expect. You should also provide a sense of closure for each book no matter if it is trilogy or a series of novels. I couldn't pull that off with Children being presented that way. The publisher of me wanted to give it a try especially because of all the reasons I mentioned to you guys yesterday. In the entrainment world we are taught to think in three's. And it would have been nice to have 3 revenue streams up at Amazon than 1. Also, the sheer size of this book is going to scare some folks off no matter how much of a bargain the reader thinks the price is. But in the end, the writer said no. I can get away with the odd pacing in spots that these Episodes provide, because they are exactly that--episodes.


So Amazon readers can expect one big (and I mean big) Complete and uncut edition soon after the 9th and final episode Whirlwind appears on Smashwords. 


Anyway, I'm off to check on those files at Createspace. Someone...somewhere is buying a few copies of my work that is over there. I don't know where but thank you all the same.


Alright, off I go, a publisher's job is never done. (smile)

Monday, November 3, 2014

On the Way

Just some reminders.


Deliverance is up on Smashwords again for anyone who didn't catch my late night posting. I expect it to go through to the other premium e bookstores in 24 hours or so. I don't anticipate having the issues getting through the meat grinder as I did with 411.


That is in the past now, so on to present decisions to make and I will try not to be long winded about it. Once again, Children was created, plotted and the first draft written, with all the intentions of being one novel. As I've posted before, the 1st draft clocked in at 144,000 words. I'm at over 70,000 words already with 411 and Deliverance which are the first 20 chapters of the original 90 chapter novel. Its left me with decisions to make- with the 9 E-book presentation at Smashwords the first of these decisions.


Now, I'm torn. I'm going to look at my outline (probably for the 100th time) tonight and make a judgment to whether I will make Amazon's publishing a single epic copy or a trilogy. The three book idea would make the paperback and possibly the audiobook copies easier to produce and market. I've learned (as you probably have) that when it comes to entertainment, that things come in 3's. Movies, books and even musical groups tend to be in trios. Anyway, if (and that is a BIG if) the outline tells me that I can pull this off as a trilogy, I will lean towards doing Children for Amazon this way.


The 9 book presentation is working for Smashwords. I'm going to finish what I've started there. But it is my responsibility as a publisher to explore all options. One thing I know for sure is that I will know a lot more about my direction after Rapture is completed.


In speaking of Rapture, this conversation comes in at a good time because I did mention talking about the future. I will be back at it early in the morning with the second draft of those next 10 chapters that will encompass the 3rd episode.


I won't give it all away but I think you the reader will get a lot of bang for your buck. You finally meet Chris ex wife Denise. Joseph Champion makes his first appearance on scene and he is a man who might draw a little interest from Pandora, A House in Chains, and the FBI. Dr. Seth Dupree reappears and Roxanne Sanchez makes a bigger discovery than she anticipated.


But all that is another day...and a pre order. (smile)


For now, enjoy 411 and Deliverance and anything else of mine you may come across.


Ah...in speaking of that, remember that audio books of Waiting and Fumblerooski: How the NCAA Dropped the Ball on the Coming Playoff are available for FREE on audible.com. There is NO catch to this. You email me. I email you the code. You sign up as a user over there, put in the code and get either or both audio books for free. All I ask ( And it is a request and nothing more) is that you leave a fair review on audible. com. 


Thanks everybody for your time, attention, and downloads, of course.


There is so much more on the way...       

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Up Up and Away

I really don't have time for this. (smile)


As soon as I leave you guys I'm off to format and then post Deliverance to Smashwords and many of your favorite E Book outlets.


Remember this episode is FREE so enjoy.


I'm pleased with how it turns out I hope you all feel the same.


Episode 3 is coming and it will be a pre order item and will be $.99.


One last thing 411 and my other works are still available as well. I'm extremely pleased at the life that has been breathed into Waiting as of late. We all remember our first. And Waiting was my story that I ever completed and my first professional sale.


Enough about the past tonight.


Lets move on to the future.


Up Up and Away

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Upset Special

I'm usually long winded on this blog, but time and the Job haven't allowed it over the past few post. (And I know most of you are happy about that.)  


Anyway, tonight's piece will be short as well, although most of us in the US will enjoy an extra hour of sleep tonight.


I have three of the 10 chapters completed for Deliverance with more headed for the editing stage after I speak with you guys. Roxanne's lone entry in this installment is far from perfect, but I finally worked out her history to the point of my satisfaction. I'm very pleased. Its something that has been bugging the heck out of me for 4 years.


So again, with no unexpected delays, I expect Deliverance to be delivered to Smashwords by no later than Monday so look for it early next week at your favorite e-book outlet except Amazon which will be a while longer.


Other announcements:  Both 411 and Deliverance should be ready in print format early next week.


I have decided that I will option Where are our Children in this type of format for audio books as well. Now finding a producer may be difficult, we'll see.


Alright, that is it for tonight.


Well, it turned out a little longer than I thought when I started.


I guess just the results of the Florida-Georgia game here in Duval...


It was an upset special.