tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61452645219774633832024-03-12T23:48:29.400-07:00A Temperamental Yet Bitter StoutWriting, publishing, and other assorted thoughts.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6145264521977463383.post-29056000833998616572013-10-05T07:46:00.001-07:002013-10-05T07:49:54.392-07:00Book Trailer: The Seventh Equinox by Matthew WarnerI'll be honest: I've never really been a fan of book trailers. To me, trailers are great for movies because they utilize the same medium, and give you a general idea of what the sights and sounds will be in that movie. Books are a bit of a different beast. They don't employ CGI or other visual and auditory effects. While many of us authors write with a soundtrack in mind, it isn't necessarily what they reader will hear when he or she is immersed in our world.<br />
<br />
But every now and again, something comes along that breaks away from what I expect and catches my eye. This trailer from my friends at <a href="http://rawdogscreaming.com/" target="_blank">Raw Dog Screaming Press</a> is one such instance. It certainly got my attention, and now I kind of want to see someone make a movie version of this book too. Check it out and let me know what you think, whether of this one in particular or book trailers in general.<br />
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THE SEVENTH EQUINOX by Matthew Warner will debut on November 6th but the <b><a href="http://rawdogscreaming.com/books/the-seventh-equinox/" target="_blank" title="Seventh Equinox, The">pre-order</a> </b>starts today and we're celebrating with the reveal of the book trailer:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/4FQLeOX6wSE" width="420"></iframe>
“The best part of Warner’s easy-paced, almost pastoral tale is the friction between Bessie’s attraction to Robin, her longing to believe in magic, and her fear of trusting again—all of which run deep. This is a world-shattering crisis acted out in small scale, with a subtle appeal to romantic fantasy.”
—<i>Publishers Weekly</i><br />
<a href="http://rawdogscreaming.com/books/the-seventh-equinox/" target="_blank" title="The Seventh Equinox "><img align="right" alt="The Seventh Equinox" class="alignright size-full wp-image-1874" src="http://rawdogscreaming.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/BOOKS-theseventhequinox.jpg" /></a>
<br />
<b>From the Back:</b><br />
Her recent divorce left Bessie Henderson on guard against being exploited by any man. When she escapes to Augusta, Virginia, she’s captivated by the small town’s charm, but also its quirks: her intrusive elderly neighbor, the secret labyrinth of caverns beneath her Victorian house — and the man hiding from the law in her root cellar.<br />
But Robin Goodfellow is not just a criminal. He’s a fertility demigod called the Hunter. He’s been injured, and he needs Bessie’s life force to survive. By the spring equinox, he must complete the grand Hunt, an ancient ritual of environmental renewal, or the planet will slowly die.<br />
As the equinox nears, the couple must reconcile their growing feelings for each other. Bessie may not be ready to trust and give to another man, especially one who takes so much from her. And Robin must choose between love and duty — a duty that means life for the planet but death for himself.
<br />
<b>About the Author:</b><br />
Matthew Warner’s publishing credits span a variety of formats, although readers mostly know him through his horror novels and short stories. Dramatic works include films from Darkstone Entertainment based on his screenplays, plus a radio play and stage play premiered by theaters in central Virginia. Warner lives with his wife, the artist Deena Warner, and sons, Owen and Thomas. Readers can visit him at <a href="http://matthewwarner.com/" target="_blank">matthewwarner.com</a>.
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Pre-order <a href="http://rawdogscreaming.com/books/the-seventh-equinox/" target="_blank" title="Seventh Equinox, The">NOW</a> for $2 off
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6145264521977463383.post-31925321082599228622013-07-16T14:04:00.003-07:002013-12-06T16:51:12.631-08:00Wytovich's HYSTERIA Is Infectious<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5FWQSb3yK-OsJkaIx82Ru3pcBK8fTYZFdvwBpu2ZhQS8ZVSeVE3iJxkZECkbzYQaOvXqvIfpHQWbZvIlVZkDuZdM-01XEYkr1lFRUSStXqCGDlYJ9aQ8_Vs2HQ9D2VyjUeQCOZtemxo/s1600/Hysteria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5FWQSb3yK-OsJkaIx82Ru3pcBK8fTYZFdvwBpu2ZhQS8ZVSeVE3iJxkZECkbzYQaOvXqvIfpHQWbZvIlVZkDuZdM-01XEYkr1lFRUSStXqCGDlYJ9aQ8_Vs2HQ9D2VyjUeQCOZtemxo/s1600/Hysteria.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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I don’t review books very often. It feels like a bit of a
conflict of interest because I am so involved in the writing and publishing
business, both as a writer and an editor. So many of the books I’ve read
recently are by people I know, and often people with whom I am lucky to be
friends. But I figure – fuck it – this is my blog, so I think I’m allowed to
post a review if I want, especially of a book as powerful and stunning as
HYSTERIA, a collection of poetry by the talented <a href="http://joinmeinthemadhouse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Stephanie M. Wytovich</a>. Disclosure:
yes, Stephanie is my friend. Yes, I paid for my copy of the book. I was lucky
enough to purchase one of the first 15 copies released during the <a href="http://inyourwritemind.setonhill.edu/" target="_blank">IYWM author signing</a> at the end of June at <a href="http://www.setonhill.edu/" target="_blank">Seton Hill University.</a> No, I’m not a poetry
expert by any means. Okay, I think that covers everything…<o:p></o:p></div>
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HYSTERIA is one of those books that gave me chills
in the face of the raw emotion on display. That doesn’t happen very often. I
can think of four books I’ve read in my lifetime that had the same effect, only
two of which weren't even published. I’m still holding out hope for the other two,
especially since the authors have returned to the craft. But I’m digressing.
Probably because nothing I can say will adequately convey what it was that made
this book so moving.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Stephanie is no novice at the craft of writing. According to
her bio she has credits in over 40 different magazines. So while this may be
her first collection published, it is hardly a freshman effort. She’s
clearly spent time studying and honing her craft. And the results are simply
spectacular. There are no wasted words in this collection. And while the poems
are largely written in free-verse, they all have their own distinct structure
and form. Words are not forced into awkward positions, and the images are not
contrived. The power may be raw, but the presentation is masterful.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The theme of this collection is madness. These poems are
like reading transcripts of interviews with patients from the most horrible
institutions you could ever conjure in your darkest nightmares. There is no
comfort or solace to be found here. So if you are looking for justice or a
happy ending, keep searching. Even the satisfaction of retribution is in short
supply. And the few times it does peek through, that retribution might leave
you feeling soiled and ashamed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are other sub-themes woven throughout, images and
concepts that recur but never feel repetitive. In no particular order, we see a
lot of physical and sexual violence, physical and psychological torture, twisted
fantasies (or are they more than just imaginings…?) and hopeless despair.
Several poems seem represent their subjects’ cries for release into the peace
of death; such cries largely go unanswered. I can never decide if I pity these
patients, or if they deserve their awful fates. But that is probably the point.
After all, a decision would bring closure, and there really is none to be found
here, even when the subject or narrator of the poem has clearly been killed, whether
by their own hand or someone else’s.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What really sets this collection apart, though, is the
honesty. Stephanie doesn’t mince words, she doesn’t shy away, and she doesn’t
whitewash anything. All the pain and fear, suffering and sadism, is on display
here. Lesser authors might fail to transcend the freak-show that this collection
could so easily have been. But Stephanie’s brutal honesty brings these haunted
souls to vivid life. You may think you want to turn away. You might even sleep
better at night if you do. But you’ll be missing out. This journey into
darkness may not be cathartic, but it is instructive. You’ll learn what it
means to face demons, and you’ll witness how to express the terror that such an
endeavor entails. Despite all the darkness and despair on display, Stephanie
has created beautiful art. Her words seduce even as the subject matter
repulses. This is the kind of poetry that needs to be taught, though I suspect
even the most forward thinking schools will shy away from it. Then again,
that’s the point. HYSTERIA moves beyond the safety of mass appeal. They say there’s
a fine line between madness and genius. Stephanie Wytovich has shown that such
a line isn’t so firm after all, and indeed may be an illusion created to
comfort us when the darkness sets in. I highly recommend that you let her lead
you down these haunted asylum halls. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
HYSTERIA by Stephanie M. Wytovich is published by <a href="http://rawdogscreaming.com/">Raw DogScreaming Press</a> and can be purchased from them here: <a href="http://rawdogscreaming.com/books/hysteria/" target="_blank">http://rawdogscreaming.com/books/hysteria/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>or from Amazon here: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hysteria-Collection-Stephanie-M-Wytovich/dp/1935738496" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Hysteria-Collection-Stephanie-M-Wytovich/dp/1935738496</a></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cover art is by <a href="http://www.egolikeness.com/" target="_blank">Steven Archer</a>. You can browse and purchase
his artwork <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/egolikeness?ref=shop_sugg" target="_blank">here.</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Follow Stephanie’s blog here: <a href="http://joinmeinthemadhouse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://joinmeinthemadhouse.blogspot.com/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6145264521977463383.post-4741090036061312212013-06-26T08:58:00.001-07:002013-06-26T09:04:08.658-07:00Cover Reveal: HYSTERIA by Stephanie M. WytovichI'm very excited to reveal the cover for <a href="http://joinmeinthemadhouse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Stephanie M. Wytovich's</a> newest book, HYSTERIA. Coer art is by the multi-talented <a href="http://www.egolikeness.com/" target="_blank">Steven Archer</a>. Links to the pre-order page for the book and Steven's Etsy store appear after the cover and blurb. If I recall correctly, copies of the book will be available this Friday evening at the <a href="http://inyourwritemind.setonhill.edu/" target="_blank">In Your Write Mind Writer's Workshop</a> author signing. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEije6OI9Ncyo2sNpsH5jHScfQiKN2l84CnwZYVVPJuRJ-yJk-ZMFNPVAxr0UoDyUYm5i3Jt1QJ8ngO6uucunRgnP-VfuvD1G_VeYspLk0orVLUAnEHaI29TBk_qEHr4MstSRz47AJpGZ2Y/s1600/Hysteria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEije6OI9Ncyo2sNpsH5jHScfQiKN2l84CnwZYVVPJuRJ-yJk-ZMFNPVAxr0UoDyUYm5i3Jt1QJ8ngO6uucunRgnP-VfuvD1G_VeYspLk0orVLUAnEHaI29TBk_qEHr4MstSRz47AJpGZ2Y/s320/Hysteria.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">SUMMARY: Asylums once used to confine those deemed mentally unfit linger, forgotten behind trees or urban development, beautiful yet desolate in their decay. Within them festers something far more unnerving than unlit corners or unexplained noises: the case files left to moulder out of sight, out of conscience. Stephanie M. Wytovich forces your hands upon these crumbling, warped binders and exposes your mind to every taboo misfortune experienced by the outcast, exiled, misbegotten monsters and victims who have walked among us. The poetry contained in Hysteria performs internal body modification on its readers in an unrelenting fashion, employing broad-spectrum brutality treatment that spans the physical to the societal, as noted in Stoker Award winner Michael A. Arnzen's incisive introduction.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Preorder link: </span><a href="http://www.rawdogscreaming.com/books/hysteria.html" style="background-color: white; color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">http://www.rawdogscreaming.com/books/hysteria.html</a><br />
<br />
Steven Archer's Etsy link: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/egolikeness?ref=shop_sugg" style="background-color: white; color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;" target="_blank">http://www.etsy.com/shop/egolikeness?ref=shop_sugg</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6145264521977463383.post-39839072272250813142013-04-27T15:31:00.000-07:002013-04-27T15:31:06.372-07:00Zombie Poetry: The Discovery of Fire
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Today’s entry is a zombie poem, inspired by playing with The
Fridge of the Damned refrigerator magnets, put out by <a href="http://www.rawdogscreaming.com/" target="_blank">Raw Dog Screaming Press</a>.
I highly recommend you get a set. As of this writing, you can still purchase a copy <a href="http://www.rawdogscreaming.com/books/magnets.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="Body1">
<u>The Discovery of Fire</u></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
Crackling
flames sear and char flesh<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
marinaded
in blood.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
A dead
man shuffling by turns his rotted face<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
as smoke
wafts through the remains of his nostrils.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
A sense,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
a memory
perhaps?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
Sparked
in a brain transformed by virus<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
it
reaches out through the zombie haze<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
and he
turns.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
Rotted
steps pull him<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
across the scorched lawn<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
towards a
smoking bundle that used to be an infant.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
Later, as
he chews tender medium-rare muscle from the tiny limbs,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
he
remembers steak and barbecues.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
Smell,
the most powerful trigger,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
overrides
the raw desire for simple gray matter.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
He
finishes the feast<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
as the
rest of the dead shuffle by in pairs and groups,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
then
rises,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
driven by
a new sensation<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
a thirst<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
and sets
out on his quest for beer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">Copyright © 2013 Chris Stout</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6145264521977463383.post-85337868200186459432013-04-06T08:38:00.000-07:002013-04-06T08:38:06.706-07:00Foresaken: Some Flash Fiction for YouHey gang!<br />
<br />
In the spirit of Spring and bunnies and flowers and all that shit, I thought I'd present you with a piece of flash fiction. Enjoy, and let me know what you think! I might make this a regular thing. <br />
<br />
<u>Foresaken</u><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The day after zombie souls breached
the Gates of Heaven, God was spirited away to an "undisclosed
location." As the streets of gold flooded with blood and angel tears, a
single voice could be heard crying: "Eloi! Eloi! Lema sabachthani?"
Those of the heavenly host left alive shuddered at the plea, now turned into a
chilling prophecy. In the fields of slaughter, filled with the fresh corpses of
their brethren, there was movement: here a fluttering robe, there a torn wing
twitching. A trumpet blast sounded, rasping and out of tune. The survivors
covered their ears and rent their garments and prayed with renewed fervor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At last, the true horror of Resurrection
was revealed-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Copyright © 2013 Chris Stout</span></div>
<u><br /></u>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6145264521977463383.post-28219362437741715142013-02-02T18:53:00.000-08:002013-02-02T18:53:28.816-08:00Word Count Check InAs you may recall, I mentioned in a previous post that I hoped to write 250,000 words in 2013. Spread over the year, that comes out to 20,834 words a month. So how did I do in January?<br />
<br />
I just barely made the word count. 20,858 to be exact.<br />
<br />
January was a brutal month. Bitter cold, extended illness, my day job and my sideline work as an editor... All that left very little room to write. I think I managed one complete short story, a couple of flash fiction pieces, and beginnings for two possible novels. I am sure that spreading my writing so thin also was counter-productive.<br />
<br />
The problem is, without a nice batch of time to devote to writing, it is very hard for me to get in the flow of whatever world I am trying to create. It is much easier to write the start of something than it is to slog through the middle. So that is why I have so many disparate pieces.<br />
<br />
Going forward, I may actually break tradition and start working from an outline. At least that way I won't have to try to figure out what is happening next or who should be involved. I'll probably still write the occasional flash piece. Even if I never create one that is publication worthy, at least it will gets words down and prime the pump.<br />
<br />
And now February is under way. Yesterday was a goose egg. Work just overran my schedule. Today has gone a bit better. Hopefully tomorrow will as well. Because without my fast start in January (4300 words in 3 days,and no missed days the first week) I would have fallen far short of my goal. So I have some mileage to make up.<br />
<br />
Which means it's back to work for me.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6145264521977463383.post-71770976729399360982013-01-07T11:38:00.003-08:002013-01-07T11:40:43.134-08:00Starting 2013 with a Sneeze<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, today we’re one week into 2013. I figure this is a
good time to do a quick check-in.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve officially been sick more than half of the year so far.
Not fun.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the plus side, I’ve written every day so far. My total
word count so far is just over 8000 words.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I also have been interviewed by fellow writer and friend
Stephanie Wytovich. You can get a peek into <a href="http://joinmeinthemadhouse.blogspot.com/2013/01/mysterious-patient-enters-madhouse.html" target="_blank">my madness here.</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m hoping to have a couple of short stories published by
the end of January. Still not sure what to do with the sort-of finished novels
hanging over my head. I’ve been trying to start a new one, but these guys keep
gnawing at me. I think I need a writer’s retreat so I can spend some in-depth
time working them over. When I’ve figured out what to do with them, I’ll let
you all know.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the meantime, I need more tissues. Stay healthy. Being
creative is much easier when you aren’t blowing your nose every two minutes.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6145264521977463383.post-41333425831456276072012-12-29T16:21:00.000-08:002012-12-29T16:21:10.528-08:00Committing to 2013<br />
<div class="Body1">
I have a
confession. I hate commitments. Personal or professional, it doesn't matter. I
like knowing that I have an escape plan, a way out. It's not so bad in my
personal life. If someone doesn't like it, they are free to walk away. But in
the professional world, it's a career killer. Wondering why I haven't blogged
in nearly two years? Curious as to why it's been nearly a year since I
published anything under my own name, and over six months since I published
anything at all? Lack of commitment. I'd love to blame my day job - and I often
do - but that is something I could always leave, if I were willing to commit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
I always,
ALWAYS, hedge my bets. And while it makes me feel safe, it also means I have
very little to show for my efforts. Sales are slowing down now. And because I
didn't commit to anything in 2012, I have no new material to help boost them.
January will be the first month in over a year that I won't get paid any
royalties. And that stings.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
So it's
time to change.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
I'm
miserable when I'm not producing fiction. But before I quit my job and dive
into the lifestyle of a working writer, it's time to assess what I want to
accomplish, and then <gasp!> commit to a plan that will help me succeed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
I'd like
to see myself doing 5000 words a week. 50 weeks a year. 250,000 total new words
of fiction in 2013. At the speed I write, that is only 5-10 hours a week.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
Can I do
it? Maybe. With 55 hours taken up by my day job and commute, I'm already facing
a tall order. Add in time spent editing, maybe 15-20 hours a week, and it
becomes even more daunting. Maybe the goal is too high. For sure I'm going to
be tired more days than not, even before I try to write. When will I see my
family? What about...<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
There.
See how easy it was to almost talk myself out of it? Sneak Preview: I bet I
fight the same battle, with the same arguments, every time I sit down to write
in 2013. But I will try to persevere. Likely I will fail on all fronts. And
fail big. I'll be lucky to get half the words down that I say I'll write. I
hope I fail so hard. Because you know what? Even if I only make it halfway to
my goal in 2013, that'll still be 125,000 new words that I write. At my average
length, that's one novel and more than a half-dozen short stories. I'll take
it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
So here's
to committing, whether to success or failure, in 2013. Happy New Year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6145264521977463383.post-34482577088766080482011-04-07T05:11:00.000-07:002011-04-07T05:11:11.082-07:00March Price Experiment and NumbersSorry it's been so long since I've posted. School is getting hectic. Anyway, I wanted to pop in real quick while the numbers are still fresh.<br />
<br />
So in the month of March, I dropped the price of <i>Days of Reckoning</i> to $0.99. I did this originally so I could gift a copy. Amazingly, while it was at the new low price, I sold 8 copies. So I left it there for most of the month. Results? 31 copies sold on Kindle. This represents 6 times the number I'd sold in any given previous month. Which means I made just as much as I did when it was at $2.99.<br />
<br />
I also released a short story, <i>Charmer,</i> in the middle of the month. It sold three copies. Shorts are a harder sell, and I'm guessing that being listed with a full novel at the same price also hurt its chances.<br />
<br />
I still only managed one sale of <i>Days</i> on Nook, and it looks like I scored a sale through Sony as well. Still don't know if any of my downloads from Smashwords were paid or not. I really hope they go to a monthly reporting system soon.<br />
<br />
So for the month of April, I'm leaving both at $0.99. I should be doing a guest blog later this month, so I'll link to that when it appears. And I'll be buried under a mountain of schoolwork, as usual. May 15 can't get here fast enough!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6145264521977463383.post-65638883212296794692011-03-08T05:02:00.000-08:002011-03-08T05:02:26.954-08:00E-Publishing: Pay Dirt or Fool's Gold?<div class="MsoNormal">I was discussing e-publishing with some of my fellow MFA students this past week, and one of them posed the question: “How big is the e-pub gold mine? How comparable are sales for e-pub and traditional publishing?”<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m pretty sure that attempts to answer this question have ignited small wars recently. Since I don’t want to clog up my class’s message boards addressing the issue, I figured that I would offer my two cents here. I’m going to try to limit things to my own personal experience; however, since I have only been selling my e-book since December, I don’t have a long track record to draw upon. So please forgive me if I have to name drop in this post. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">To answer the question “how big is the e-pub gold mine?” we have to first draw a major distinction between “potential” and “probability.” Right now, the potential for e-pub sales is huge. There are millions of e-reader and e-reading capable devices on the market, and more are being sold every day. Self-pubbed e-books tend to be much cheaper than those offered by traditional publishers (usually $0.99 to $2.99 on the self-pubbed side, and $9.99 to $14.99 for a new traditionally published e-book). So that’s a big advantage in favor of writers self-publishing: cheaper books usually mean more sales (as long as the books are well-written and formatted). The market is there, and all indications are that it will be there for some time.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So what’s the probability that a self-pubbed author of an e-book will be able to take advantage of this marketplace? This is where things get a little dicey. Distribution is no longer an issue. Self-pubbed authors have access to the same stores as those pubbed by New York (there are some small presses who focus on the e-market, and some of them offer their books through their own websites. But when it comes to the major platforms, it’s a pretty even playing field). The challenge for self-pubbers is the same it’s always been for any new or independent writer: exposure. To make sales, people have to find your book. Ad campaigns tend to be expensive, and there is no guarantee that someone will buy your book just because they see a banner for it. Word of mouth still seems to be the most effective means of advertising. Showing up on Amazon’s and Barnes and Noble’s “top sellers” lists seems to help boost sales. Being involved in various forums and other facets of the online community is also probably useful. You’ll also read about a lot of success stories in those online communities, which can be very convincing that electronic self-publishing is the way to go.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So what’s the reality? There seem to be a ton of people making good money in this business. Is it really possible and even probable to join their ranks? Well, it depends, mostly on what your definition of “successful” is. And here’s where I share my personal and perhaps sobering experience.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">You see, I’m not a successful self-published author by most standards. Currently, my novel ranks in the 100,000 range on Amazon, and 800,000 on Nook (disclaimer: this doesn’t include Smashwords sales, because they only release their figures and payments quarterly, so I haven’t received an accurate report from them yet. I’ve had 24 downloads of my book sample in just over a month through them, but I don’t think any of them turned into purchases). I’ll be blunt: those are shitty numbers. I’m averaging 5 sales a month. Again, shitty numbers. That means I’m earning (according to my royalty statements) a whopping $10.30 every thirty days or so. Definitely won’t be quitting my day job for that!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Here’s the rub: I’m pretty much an unknown author. I’ve also only been at this for three months now. Most authors I’ve read about who have been successful have taken several months to a year to find their audience. I only have one book for sale. Again, most successful authors have more (usually at least three). I also have done little promotion beyond Facebook announcements and a couple of guest blog posts. I’m still figuring out the finer points of e-formatting. So there is hope for me yet. And right now, I’m doing better than I was in the print market.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It would be eminently helpful if I had a novel published in print so that I could compare the two. Unfortunately, that dream never came to pass. And I don’t want to speculate on what I might or might not be earning if I kept trying for a print deal. Once you start dealing with pretend numbers, I think your whole argument falls apart. So I can only compare my online experience to the two short stories I had published in anthologies released by small presses. Again, this is an imperfect comparison, but it’s the only experience I have to go on. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So my first short story sold in 2005, and was printed in 2006. I received about $150 as an advance. It never sold enough to earn any royalties, but I did make about $250 profit off of copies I had purchased at my author’s discount, and then sold at list price during a book signing. So all told, in the five calendar years of 2006 - 2010, I earned $400 from that story. Five calendar years is 60 months, so doing the math, I’ve earned $6.67 a month off of that story. And that’s it. That number will only decline as the months go on, unless new income comes in. Now, I knew this was a likely scenario, so maybe it’s not quite fair to break it down this way. I was happy to get $150 for a short story, and even happier when people actually bought copies at the signing. So it’s a $400 story on the whole, and unless I ask for my rights back it will probably stay there. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My second story sold in 2006. I was supposed to earn almost $400 as an advance. But the publisher fell on some hard times, and I still haven’t seen a cent in payment. I haven’t gone to court over it, because the fees and time just aren’t worth the hassle. It remains to be seen whether or not I’ll demand my rights back. For now, I’ve chalked this up as an expensive learning experience, and it’s also been motivation for striking out on my own. I don’t want to be burned again, intentionally or unintentionally. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As for my novel that is currently online, it’s averaging around ten bucks a month. So right now it’s a $30 story (since it’s been selling for three months). I’m going to risk slipping a bit into “imaginary” mode, but if those numbers hold, in a five year period it will earn $600. Factoring in expenses for cover art and the ISBN I purchased, and it will take seven years to hit that number, roughly. Again, this is not major money, but it’s better than I’ve done before, and it certainly beats what it was earning sitting on my hard drive.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Now, the question begs to be asked: is it worth it? It is for me. It might not be for you. I’m not viewing this through rose-colored lenses, either. First, I do plan on releasing more material electronically, to see if the trend of “more books = more sales” holds true for me. Second, I will probably be playing with price points and incentives, which will throw off the math above, but might make it more interesting. Finally, at least I can say that - even if I fail - I’m giving it my best shot. I don’t like failing. I can’t imagine many people who do. But at least I can learn something from this process, whatever the outcome. And at least I’m not failing because someone else made bad decisions that turned into me not getting paid.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’ll probably revisit this topic again at the end of the year, when “Days of Reckoning” has been on sale for a full year. At that point, I’ll have more of a track record to go on. I also should have more material available. I don’t know if I’ll have struck paydirt. But at least I can say that I tried.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Special thanks to Jen Brooks, a talented writer and colleague from Seton Hill University, for posing the original question.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6145264521977463383.post-47134932258884307702011-03-01T06:16:00.000-08:002011-03-01T06:17:15.292-08:00Big Pulpy Shoes to Fill<div class="MsoNormal">I wrote earlier how exciting I think the “e-book Revolution” is for readers. If you have an e-reader or don’t mind consuming your books on a computer, there is a whole new world of inexpensive fiction out there now. And for writers, e-books represent an amazing way to connect to readers, and maybe even earn a few dollars along the way.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But before you can start counting the money, you have to write the books. A lot of them. The more material you have available, the more likely readers are to find you. If you scroll through the comments sections of blogs like<a href="http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/"> JA Konrath’s “Newbie’s Guide to Publishing,”</a> you’ll see many readers who are much more inclined to buy from authors with multiple titles available than they are to buy a single lonely book. Readers like to read. A lot. And they love it when a new book comes out by their favorite author. Before, a reader might have to wait a year or more for a new title. Now, the author might release two or three or more a year. That means there’s opportunity for both readers and writers to benefit from the world of e-books.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Back in the heyday of pulp fiction, titles would be released on a monthly or even bi-weekly basis. Walter Brown Gibson, the original author of “The Shadow” mystery series, cranked out two 60,000 words novels a month (Hutchinson, 18). That’s a tremendous amount of output. I don’t know many people who can match it. An author named Lester Dent wrote at perhaps a more reasonable rate: he created one “Doc Savage” novel a month during his career, although he also branched out and wrote for other pulps as well (Hutchinson, 42). And this was all in a time before laptop and tablet computers, and e-mail submissions or electronic uploads.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Those are some serious shoes to fill. I don’t know if I could do it. I’m fast, but am I 12-24 novels a year fast? Probably not. But it’s possible. Gibson and Dent did it. And anyone who has ever completed “National Novel Writing Month” can do it. I’ve had three successful NaNoWriMo’s. So maybe it isn’t so farfetched.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Of course, production is only half of the battle, especially today. Novels and stories also need to be edited. That’s a topic we’ll look at next time, so stay tuned!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Work Cited:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Hutchinson, Don: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Great Pulp Heroes.</i> Niagara Falls, NY: Mosaic Press. 1996. Print.<o:p></o:p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6145264521977463383.post-86454900552983617162011-01-28T18:19:00.000-08:002011-01-28T18:19:14.935-08:00A Pulp Renaissance?<div class="MsoNormal">There are plenty of blogs that talk about the game-changing effects of selling directly through the Kindle and Nook stores, as well as other distributors like Smashwords. So I’m not going to rehash all of that. My stance as an author should be pretty clear by now. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Instead, I’m going to talk a bit about the e-book revolution from the standpoint of a reader.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">About ten years ago, I was reading Dashiell Hammett’s “Continental Op” stories. And I thought how cool it would be to have stories and books like that again. But pulp fiction seemed to have sailed. Vestiges still remained, in the form of men’s adventure books like “The Executioner” and the monthly releases from Harlequin. What appealed to me about books like that (and still does) is how easy and, well, fun they were to read. And it also helped that they were cheaper than the other paperbacks in the bookstore. Yeah, the quality was hit or miss, but if you only dropped a few bucks on them, as opposed to six or seven on a stand-alone title, what did it matter?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Prices in the bookstores have gone up now, even on the monthly release titles. And on Amazon, most paperbacks can be had secondhand for as little as a penny, plus about four dollars shipping. So there hasn’t been as much of an advantage to buying current pulps. But now we have programs like Kindle, Nook and Smashwords. And prices are good - often as low as $0.99 to $2.99. So I think we’re seeing a renaissance of pulp fiction.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Some will argue that the price of e-reading devices negates this theory. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to have a dedicated e-reader to read e-books. Millions upon millions of people now use smartphones, iPads and iPods, and other tablets and laptops. I think it’s fair to say that most households in the US at least have a desktop computer. And reading applications are available for all of these devices. Granted, most people aren’t going to lug around a Dell for the purpose of reading a $0.99 novel. But someone with an iPhone, waiting at the subway stop? A student sitting in class, bored with the lecture, taking notes on their iPad (Not that I would ever advocate classroom distractions…)? My own mom, who used to have a travel bag dedicated to the books she wanted to read on vacation, and now has an iPad as well?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">The devices are already here, and people are already using them. Now, the product is here too. Some of it good, some of it not so much. Kinda like the Executioner books, or the monthly romances, or the old pulps of old. And the best part is, you can try samples for free of most of these books (as long as the author has made it available). A whole world of inexpensive, fun books is becoming available again.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Welcome back pulps! We’ve missed you.<o:p></o:p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6145264521977463383.post-26446642143656451922010-12-07T10:10:00.000-08:002010-12-07T13:51:11.462-08:00The Thrill of SuccessWell, I did it. I'm sitting in Barnes and Noble, waiting for my car to be repaired. I've played with one of the Nook devices, and there it is: "<a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Days-of-Reckoning/Chris-Stout/e/2940012715036/?itm=1&USRI=chris+stout">Days of Reckoning</a>," by Chris Stout (that's Deacon's alter-ego!). Curious to see if Amazon has caught up, I've used my laptop to go to the Kindle store. Holy crap, there it is: "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Days-of-Reckoning-ebook/dp/B004FEFD7M/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1291744896&sr=1-7">Days of Reckoning: Kindle Edition</a>." At $2.99, what a deal! The iBooks version should also be available shortly. I will post the link as soon as it is live.Suddenly the new starter I need for my car doesn't hurt so much (that will come when the credit card bill comes due). My book is published. Yup, it's self-published. But it's out there, nonetheless, which is more that can be said for it during the last five-going-on-six years since it was submitted as my thesis at Seton Hill University.<br />
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Right now I'm going to bask in the glow of having succeeded in bringing this novel online. It's a pretty righteous feeling. When I make my first sale, I'm pretty sure that will be righteous too.<br />
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Later, I will post some lessons I learned as I went through the process of uploading to each of the three outlets. I will probably do a post for each one (Kindle, PubIt and iBooks) so that the posts are manageable and unified. If I branch out into any other retailers, I will keep you updated. In the meantime, thank you to everyone who helped this novel along: critique partners, mentors and especially my sister, who was my first and coolest reader. Also, thank you to Michelle Hess for the awesome cover art.<br />
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Oh yeah, and PLEASE go buy my book! It's a fun ride.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6145264521977463383.post-27358098983638935022010-11-20T06:38:00.000-08:002010-12-07T15:24:59.570-08:00Lessons From the Thickets of NaNoWriMoI know it's a bit a a departure from what I've been posting about. So sorry if I'm disappointing anyone. For those who are interested, the book cover for "Days of Reckoning" is done and looks awesome. I have about 10,000 words left to edit, and then it will be ready for launch. So stay tuned. In the meantime, I figured I'd throw down some thoughts on my NaNoWriMo experience this year.<br />
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So we're entering the last 10 days of National Novel Writing Month. It was probably a huge mistake for me to try and take it on. I have my full-time job, the school semester is wrapping up in 20 days and I have a paper to write by the end of the term, and - you know - there's that whole book thingie that I want to finish editing so I can get it to market. But I had this story idea that I just HAD to write, because it's been gnawing at me since September. And what can I say? Apparently I'm a glutton for punishment. I'm almost a thousand words behind according to the word-count tracker (not counting the total due for today, since my day is just starting), and "Days of Reckoning" isn't finished yet (but it's close). So yeah, maybe starting a new novel wasn't the best way to allocate my time resources. But I'm pretty sure I'm learning some important lessons here. So I figured I'd share them with you, in no particular order.<br />
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1) There are some haters out there who think NaNoWriMo is a huge waste of everyone's time (if I can find some of the links I'll post them). Obviously I'm going to disagree. I will agree that it is a waste of time if you are expecting a perfect novel have developed at the end of 30 days. If you follow the NaNo guidelines, at the end of the month you will have a draft of what <i>could</i> be a novel. 50,000 words is about 15-20,000 words shy of what most publishers want for word counts. If e-books continue to become popular, that may change. We may start seeing more novella-length material on the market, the idea being that it is easier to digest on a computer screen than something that would be 300-400 pages in print. We'll see. Bottom line: have reasonable expectations, and if you are serious about writing, know that you will have a lot of editing to do after November.<br />
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2) NaNoWriMo is a perfect time to see just how efficient you can be. To illustrate: I have an hour commute to my job each way, give or take. So five days a week, I lose 10 1/2 hours a day that could be spent writing. Now, I was smart enough to read ahead for one of my classes, so I didn't have to worry about that this month. But I still had a 30-page story to critique, 2 critical analyses to post, and responses to other analyses to come up with and post. And don't forget "Reckoning." 72,000 words to be edited. I'm through about 60,000. And of course life continues to happen. But with all that, I've still written just shy of 31,000 words of a completely new novel. Granted, I'm tired every day, and I doubt I could keep this pace up for more than a month, but when push comes to shove, writing is important to me. And it's amazing how we can find time for the things that really matter.<br />
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3) Given the above, I have spent a lot of time wondering how much I'd be able to write if I didn't have that pesky job. If my book starts making money, I suppose I could find out. But would I really be able to write full-time, or is it the fact that I have so little time to write that makes it that much more appealing? I don't really know.<br />
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4) It's fun to write without worrying about something being good. When I first started working on "Reckoning" the only thing I cared about was it being "good." From word one page one, it had to be "good." That is a very self-defeating way to write, at least in my experience. There is always the possibility of making something better. But you can't improve something that hasn't been finished. So I would suggest that you let yourself play. Explore tangents, make your characters do outlandish things. Anything that keeps the words flowing, put it in there. You can always fix it later.<br />
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5) And you will have to fix it later. Whether you play and enjoy yourself during your first draft, or you torture yourself with every word, I can almost 100% guarantee you that you will have to fix things later. So you may as well have the most fun possible while you can.<br />
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And hey, if you're one of those folks who loves to edit, just imagine how much fun you're going to have come December.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6145264521977463383.post-18462222073668152312010-11-01T18:02:00.000-07:002010-11-01T18:02:43.695-07:00Daily GrindSince today is the start of <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/">NaNoWriMo</a> I'm going to keep this short and sweet.<br />
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1) I purchased<a href="https://www.myidentifiers.com/index.php?page=isbn_blocks"> ISBN numbers</a> for "Days of Reckoning." I got the 10-pack for $250. I figure that should cover me for the various online retailers I want to post to, as well as a print edition if I ever go that route. I probably should have purchased more, but my credit card is already screaming at me. You can get a hundred for $575, currently. If this project is even remotely successful, I'll be going that route. For now, 10 will have to do.<br />
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2) Editing the final draft is taking longer than I wanted it to. That's to be expected, though.<br />
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3) My cover artist is still on board, despite having just had a baby. I'm very excited to see what she comes up with, as my pathetic efforts at creating back-up covers are, well, pathetic.<br />
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4) I'm still in a holding pattern on my other novels. I think I will wait and see what the next few months hold before I decide which way to jump with them. Besides, I need the extra time to clean them up, as they are both still in the early drafts stage.<br />
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5) Yup, even though I'm busy as hell with work and school and this publishing endeavor, I am going to give <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/">NaNoWriMo</a> another go. I must be a glutton for punishment, and I may very well fail this time around (to date I'm 2-3), but I have some ideas bouncing around in my head, and I'd like to see how they come together. So if I don't post for a bit, my apologies. In the meantime, if you're a NaNoer, good luck and happy writing!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6145264521977463383.post-62007207411393968472010-10-21T05:18:00.000-07:002010-10-24T09:06:38.178-07:00The View from Outside the Print BoxIt's a jungle out here.<br />
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There is so much to learn and be aware of. It's easy to feel overwhelmed and completely incapable of finding my way. My old maps - specifically formatting guidelines for print submissions - are pretty useless in the realm of e-publishing. So I've had to leave them back at base camp. And it's kind of unnerving to be wandering around out here, wondering which way to turn next.<br />
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There are others who have gone before me, so I'm trying to use the paths they blazed as a guide. <a href="http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/">JA Konrath's blog</a> has been a gold-mine of advice and encouragement. The big difference is that Mr. Konrath already has a reputation forged in the fires of print, and I don't. That will mean I have to find my own way when it comes to marketing my book (and myself, for that matter).<br />
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For technical advice, <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/">Smashwords</a> has a pretty cool <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/52">style guide</a> available for free download. I don't know if this is the Bible for formatting, but most of what it says makes sense, so at least it's a good jumping off point. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000234621">Amazon's Kindle</a> and <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/pubit-frequently-asked-questions-self-publishing/379002234/">PubIt from Barnes and Noble</a> have formatting info on their websites, but I haven't really found nuts-and-bolts guidelines regarding spacing, paragraph formatting, etc. I'm working on it, though. What I will probably do is format as if I were uploading to Smashwords, and see how it looks once I've submitted it to Amazon and B&N. Then I'll go from there.<br />
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I'm still undecided as to what other vendors to sell through. iBooks would be great, but I'm hearing mixed reactions as to how successful people are at selling through them, mainly because of complaints with how hard it is for users to navigate their selection. I happen to agree with these complaints, which is why I have the Kindle and Nook apps on my iPad. What I may do is upload to Smashwords as well and shoot for their premium catalog, which does the hard work for me and makes my book available on multiple vendor sites. It means taking another cut out of my royalties, but it might be worth the convenience. Apple doesn't sound like the easiest vendor to go through, so a third party might be best for them. We'll see. I have a Mac desktop, so I might do it myself once I've uploaded to Kindle and Nook.<br />
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Then there are the details like ISBN numbers and cover art. Most places don't require you to get your own ISBN number (iBooks being a notable exception). But it is usually strongly recommended. So that should be fun times. I don't know if I need different ISBN's for all the different platforms or not. I do know that if I use my own ISBN for Smashwords, they want it to be different from any other platform. But if I go Premium with them, they'll issue one for me.<br />
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So many choices! I think this probably sounds more like a rant than anything useful. Hopefully it gives you an idea of all the considerations you have to make after the writing is done and you're ready to sell on your own. In the meantime, I've put my agent search on hold. This stuff takes a lot of time, and work and school take even more. And I have a lot of editing to do before I will have a manuscript that I feel comfortable sending out, in the event an agent requests a full read.<br />
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Speaking of cover art, which I mentioned in passing a while back, I highly recommend either learning how to do you own, or commissioning someone to design cover art for you, if you know someone who has that talent. I tried designing my own book cover. It's okay... no, actually it's pretty lame. But I know some very talented graphic artists, and I commissioned one on Friday, which was very exciting for me as I've never commissioned art before. As luck would have it, my artist then had a baby on Monday, so I'm not really sure where I stand at the moment. But baby trumps book, so congrats to Michelle and her husband Kyle, and welcome to the world, Elliot!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6145264521977463383.post-88060988158192715602010-10-14T06:26:00.000-07:002010-10-24T09:09:58.918-07:00Why Am I Doing This?It's a question that goes through my head at least once a day: Why am I doing this? It's probably just the insecurities and self-doubt of a introvert creeping in. But it can be asked on several different levels, a few of which are even practical. For instance, it's a very practical question to ask when it comes to self-publishing. Because as exciting as modern technology is, and as accessible as applications like the Kindle store, iBooks and PubIt are, it's still self-publishing if I as an author put my work on those sites without the backing of a publishing house. I have a couple of reasons for exploring this route. Hopefully they'll make sense.<br />
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The novel I am planning to sell electronically is called "Days of Reckoning." It's a thriller. If you picture the character Mack Bolan (from "The Executioner" series) as a hot female police officer, you've got a basic idea of who my main character is. "Days of Reckoning" and I have had a rocky relationship. For a few years, we didn't even speak to one another. But I still love this book of mine, and I think it's worth offering to the public. "Days" served as my thesis novel at Seton Hill University. Without it, I wouldn't have my MA, or be in a program working towards an MFA. One of my writing friends was aghast when I suggested I might try publishing it myself, suggesting that it deserved another chance at being sent to agents. In theory, I agree. I'd love it if this book were picked up by an agent and a publishing house. But I've already tried that route.<br />
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I realize I am violating a cardinal rule of writing: "If at first you don't succeed, suck it up and send it out again, dammit!" So everything I say here will probably sound like an excuse. But indulge me and hear me out, please. First, I have a practical problem. As I said, I've already sent "Days" out to several agents. The problem is, the list of agents queried is one document that I didn't have backed up, and was lost when my old computer was wiped out. I remember a few of the agents I've queried, but not all of them. So I don't want to revisit old ground. Second, I think this could be an instructive exercise. I've taught a writing class, and it sure would be nice the next time around if I could give a first-hand account of what the e-book world is like, from an author's standpoint. I'd love to try the same type of path that writers like JA Konrath and David Morrell are exploring. Third, while I have regained my love for my book, I also want to be able to move on. I have two other novels that I've written since I finished "Days," and I want to be able to give them the attention they deserve as I look to market them. And right now, both of them are slated to make the rounds with traditional agents and publishers.<br />
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So those are my reasons for testing the waters of ebooks with "Days of Reckoning." Why am I doing this? Honestly, because it's exciting, it will be a valuable learning experience, and because I think my book is worth it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6145264521977463383.post-7958233890574990112010-10-06T05:00:00.000-07:002010-10-06T05:00:09.417-07:00Entering the Publishing FrayRejection sucks. I don't think it's something to which one ever gets desensitized. At least I haven't. And I've been through it plenty of times, especially as a writer. In fact, I've been so disillusioned by it that I haven't submitted anything in three years. But here I am, back at it again, some masochistic glutton for punishment, I guess. Either that, or maybe deep down I actually do believe in myself and my work.<br />
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Whatever the case, I've decided to make this round a little bit more interesting, at least for me. I have three novels completed which I feel are - or soon will be - publication-worthy. One of them I am going to send out the traditional way, querying agents and hoping to here the magic words "I'd be happy to represent you." Followed by the even more magical phrase "We've sold it to..." The other novel has already been through numerous agents. So I'm going to access the marvels of modern technology and make it available through Kindle, possibly iBooks, and Barnes and Nobles PubIt, if it ever launches. I'll go into more detail about my thoughts re: self-publishing - and how it is changing - later. But for now, I'm just putting a general battle plan on the table.<br />
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My goal with this blog, and with my Twitter feed, will be to track how each one is doing. Maybe give a running tally. X-number of rejections vs. online sales, or something like that. I'm not sure. I'm still new to this whole blogoshpere / social media thing. But maybe this way, I'll be able to look at things like rejection and acceptance a little bit more objectively, regardless of whether it comes from an agent or the reading community at large.<br />
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As for that third novel, it is still undergoing some heavy revising. Right now I have a list of agents to whom I'd like to send it. But maybe my mind will change during the course of this adventure.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6145264521977463383.post-29644148631809422222010-09-27T19:08:00.000-07:002010-09-27T19:08:09.480-07:00Diving InSo I've finally joined the world of online society. Facebook, Twitter, a blog... it was a simple plan, really: get a presence out there so people can find my work if / when it ever gets published. I've even been knocking around the idea of putting some work online myself, now that forums like Kindle and iBooks are available to individuals who want to sell their work themselves. But along the way to networking, I've taken a lot of side trips down memory lane. EVERYONE is on Facebook, it seems. Most are people I'm glad to see, and I can't believe I haven't done more to keep those relationships active. So I feel guilty. And there are some who I haven't talked to in years for a reason. <br />
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So will see how this goes. For now, I am feeling blessed to have so many friends, and glad that I can find them all in one place. And I am hoping that I can keep in better touch with everyone, and that I won't catch too much flack when I start promoting myself more. And I'm really hoping I can avoid all those annoying Farmville updates!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0