Here are the updated covers:
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And here is for the boxset of the complete trilogy.
I also updated the blurb (description) for each one. These are so much better than the first ones. More in line with what the stories are.
Showing posts with label ebook. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ebook. Show all posts
Friday, July 24, 2026
New Covers for Shadowkill Trilogy / Happenings In The Outhouse 24-July-2026
My Shadowkill Trilogy has been out for a while. But boy oh boy did they need a bit of a makeover.
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Friday, January 23, 2015
The fallacy of ebook pricing / Happenings In The Outhouse 23-Jan-2015
Over the past few months, I have been conducting a . . . well, unofficial survey. I've spoken with a number of ebook readers (mainly Kindle with a few Nook sprinkled in) and inquired how they go about finding books to read. Many said the covers, the descriptions, and even if it's an author they've read before.
There are several articles over the past year or more concerning ebook pricing. "Ebooks are too high." "Cheap ebooks are the way of the future." "If a book isn't free, it's not worth it." And so on.
Here's what I found with my survey.
Not a single person I met was concerned about the price. Not one. They're readers. One even commented that because of their reading habit, it equalled the amount they paid in cigarettes in a month and quickly decided one had to go.
(Goodbye cigarettes)
For all the fellow indie authors out there, here's a simple message: ebook pricing may not be a big a deal as you think. These people I talked with didn't care if an ebook was free or $.99 or even $12.99. They loved reading and would pay to do so.
So let's entertain them. Sure, we do have to factor in some thoughts on pricing. I won't argue there. In late November, I looked at the various wedding planning ebooks that were in the same category as my first ebook Debt-Free I Do: 99 Ways To Have A Memorable Wedding On A Shoestring Budget. Many of them were priced $2.99 and above. Mine was $.99. It sold a few a month.
Then I rose the price to $2.99. It still sells about the same, but with a much higher royalty. Go figure.
Now, for me personally as a reader, I do focus on price. I love free, of course. And $2.99 is really all I can do because of my budget. Occasionally, if it's an author I really like, I will pay a little more. But not very often.
I am so close to the end of Straight Razor I can taste it. I am around the 56,000 word mark. Editing will add more to it to raise the word count closer to 70,000, but right now I only have a few thousand more words to write on the first draft. I told myself at the beginning of this month that I'd love to finish by the end.
It seems that goal is coming true.
What's next, you might ask?
As Paul Sheldon, the fictional author in Stephen King's Misery would say, "You'll have to wait."
But not too long, my friends.
There are several articles over the past year or more concerning ebook pricing. "Ebooks are too high." "Cheap ebooks are the way of the future." "If a book isn't free, it's not worth it." And so on.
Here's what I found with my survey.
Not a single person I met was concerned about the price. Not one. They're readers. One even commented that because of their reading habit, it equalled the amount they paid in cigarettes in a month and quickly decided one had to go.
(Goodbye cigarettes)
For all the fellow indie authors out there, here's a simple message: ebook pricing may not be a big a deal as you think. These people I talked with didn't care if an ebook was free or $.99 or even $12.99. They loved reading and would pay to do so.
So let's entertain them. Sure, we do have to factor in some thoughts on pricing. I won't argue there. In late November, I looked at the various wedding planning ebooks that were in the same category as my first ebook Debt-Free I Do: 99 Ways To Have A Memorable Wedding On A Shoestring Budget. Many of them were priced $2.99 and above. Mine was $.99. It sold a few a month.
Then I rose the price to $2.99. It still sells about the same, but with a much higher royalty. Go figure.
Now, for me personally as a reader, I do focus on price. I love free, of course. And $2.99 is really all I can do because of my budget. Occasionally, if it's an author I really like, I will pay a little more. But not very often.
I am so close to the end of Straight Razor I can taste it. I am around the 56,000 word mark. Editing will add more to it to raise the word count closer to 70,000, but right now I only have a few thousand more words to write on the first draft. I told myself at the beginning of this month that I'd love to finish by the end.
It seems that goal is coming true.
What's next, you might ask?
As Paul Sheldon, the fictional author in Stephen King's Misery would say, "You'll have to wait."
But not too long, my friends.
Friday, September 12, 2014
Happenings In The Outhouse 12-Sept-2014 / Getting children to read ebooks
A few nights ago, I asked my youngest daughter (she's eight), "Have you ever read a book on the Kindle?"
She looked up at me and shook her head.
Now, she plays games and watches Netflix on the Kindle all the time. So why not read ebooks? We have a number of children's ebooks from Bookbub, so I opened one up for her.
It didn't take long before she read an entire ebook. She had some troubles swiping to turn the pages, but once she was halfway through the ebook, she was turning it with a bit more finesse.
Children can read ebooks. We just have to open up the world for them and let them give it a shot.
I'm currently at the 10,000 word count on the next novel in the Central Division Series. Straight Razor is coming along nicely, even after a brief hiatus to publish Killzone and my short story collection If Walls Could Talk. I'm shooting for publication by the end of the year--a bold, ambitious move, but one I have to make nonetheless.
For information on the latest publications, please subscribe to my newsletter.
She looked up at me and shook her head.
Now, she plays games and watches Netflix on the Kindle all the time. So why not read ebooks? We have a number of children's ebooks from Bookbub, so I opened one up for her.
It didn't take long before she read an entire ebook. She had some troubles swiping to turn the pages, but once she was halfway through the ebook, she was turning it with a bit more finesse.
Children can read ebooks. We just have to open up the world for them and let them give it a shot.
I'm currently at the 10,000 word count on the next novel in the Central Division Series. Straight Razor is coming along nicely, even after a brief hiatus to publish Killzone and my short story collection If Walls Could Talk. I'm shooting for publication by the end of the year--a bold, ambitious move, but one I have to make nonetheless.
For information on the latest publications, please subscribe to my newsletter.
Friday, June 13, 2014
Happenings In The Outhouse 13-Jun-2014 / Yes, it's Friday the 13th!
I didn't realize until I started writing this post that today is . . . well, Friday the 13th.
I also have two bits of news to share--okay, three!
First, I finally sold an ebook on Kobo! Okay, to the vast majority of you, you probably could give three shits about that. But I've had two ebooks (now three, as of last week) on Kobo since April and I haven't had a single sale. Honestly, it doesn't discourage me at all, for I'm in this for the long haul, but it was exciting to see that sale number go up by 1. Thanks to whoever in Canada bought it.
Second, I finished the editing to Killzone. At least this round anyway. This was a major rewrite. Now, I'll go back through it another time, putting on a final polish, and then I'll publish it on Amazon KDP.
Speaking of Killzone, my third bit of news is the cover to the book. Here it is:
Pretty cool, huh?
What have you been up to this week? Please feel free to share in the comments.
I also have two bits of news to share--okay, three!
First, I finally sold an ebook on Kobo! Okay, to the vast majority of you, you probably could give three shits about that. But I've had two ebooks (now three, as of last week) on Kobo since April and I haven't had a single sale. Honestly, it doesn't discourage me at all, for I'm in this for the long haul, but it was exciting to see that sale number go up by 1. Thanks to whoever in Canada bought it.
Second, I finished the editing to Killzone. At least this round anyway. This was a major rewrite. Now, I'll go back through it another time, putting on a final polish, and then I'll publish it on Amazon KDP.
Speaking of Killzone, my third bit of news is the cover to the book. Here it is:
Pretty cool, huh?
What have you been up to this week? Please feel free to share in the comments.
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Last Day to pick up Guest Of Honor FREE! Psst! And get a thriller for $2.99!
Last day only! My ebook Guest Of Honor is free this weekend. Normally a whopping $.99, it is now FREE.
18-year old MEGAN DUST lives the wild life. Parties, booze, boys--you name it, she does it. Her parents don't care what she does, and when she is home they ignore her. Their attitude started over a year ago when Megan's older brother was tragically killed in a car accident.
Then, when her parents die on the same road that took her brother, Megan decides to start over and move far away. She auctions off her parents' property, a country home in northwestern Minnesota, and heads down to the Twin Cities.
Megan knows hitchhiking is dangerous, but lately has become a way of life. And this time is no different. She gets picked up by Bart Simms, an attorney from Minneapolis, who agrees to take her where she needs to go. But only after he conducts a bit of estate planning business.
The Engels are a farming family who live not far from Megan's old place. They revel peacefully in their secluded backwoods sanctuary, and have a strong desire to keep as much of the government away from their family's farming legacy. Hence the reason they sought the impecable skills of Bart Simms, who has a deep reputation for saving many family farms from unwanted death and estate taxes.
But Megan has a problem with the Engels. She has never heard of them, and she's lived in the area all of her life. When she explores their home, she finds more that is out of sorts. She discovers a picture of a teenage girl. A girl who resembles that of a recent murder victim from Minneapolis.
Is there more to this backwoods family than meets the eye?
After picking up Guest Of Honor, be sure to also pick up my latest thriller Beholder's Eye. It is only $2.99 in the Amazon Kindle store.
Link to Guest Of Honor
Link to Beholder's Eye
18-year old MEGAN DUST lives the wild life. Parties, booze, boys--you name it, she does it. Her parents don't care what she does, and when she is home they ignore her. Their attitude started over a year ago when Megan's older brother was tragically killed in a car accident.
Then, when her parents die on the same road that took her brother, Megan decides to start over and move far away. She auctions off her parents' property, a country home in northwestern Minnesota, and heads down to the Twin Cities.
Megan knows hitchhiking is dangerous, but lately has become a way of life. And this time is no different. She gets picked up by Bart Simms, an attorney from Minneapolis, who agrees to take her where she needs to go. But only after he conducts a bit of estate planning business.
The Engels are a farming family who live not far from Megan's old place. They revel peacefully in their secluded backwoods sanctuary, and have a strong desire to keep as much of the government away from their family's farming legacy. Hence the reason they sought the impecable skills of Bart Simms, who has a deep reputation for saving many family farms from unwanted death and estate taxes.
But Megan has a problem with the Engels. She has never heard of them, and she's lived in the area all of her life. When she explores their home, she finds more that is out of sorts. She discovers a picture of a teenage girl. A girl who resembles that of a recent murder victim from Minneapolis.
Is there more to this backwoods family than meets the eye?
After picking up Guest Of Honor, be sure to also pick up my latest thriller Beholder's Eye. It is only $2.99 in the Amazon Kindle store.
Link to Guest Of Honor
Link to Beholder's Eye
Saturday, October 5, 2013
FREE this weekend! Guest of Honor ebook! Plus $2.99 thriller!
For 2 days only! My ebook Guest Of Honor is free this weekend. Normally a whopping $.99, it is now FREE.
18-year old MEGAN DUST lives the wild life. Parties, booze, boys--you name it, she does it. Her parents don't care what she does, and when she is home they ignore her. Their attitude started over a year ago when Megan's older brother was tragically killed in a car accident.
Then, when her parents die on the same road that took her brother, Megan decides to start over and move far away. She auctions off her parents' property, a country home in northwestern Minnesota, and heads down to the Twin Cities.
Megan knows hitchhiking is dangerous, but lately has become a way of life. And this time is no different. She gets picked up by Bart Simms, an attorney from Minneapolis, who agrees to take her where she needs to go. But only after he conducts a bit of estate planning business.
The Engels are a farming family who live not far from Megan's old place. They revel peacefully in their secluded backwoods sanctuary, and have a strong desire to keep as much of the government away from their family's farming legacy. Hence the reason they sought the impecable skills of Bart Simms, who has a deep reputation for saving many family farms from unwanted death and estate taxes.
But Megan has a problem with the Engels. She has never heard of them, and she's lived in the area all of her life. When she explores their home, she finds more that is out of sorts. She discovers a picture of a teenage girl. A girl who resembles that of a recent murder victim from Minneapolis.
Is there more to this backwoods family than meets the eye?
After picking up Guest Of Honor, be sure to also pick up my latest thriller Beholder's Eye. It is only $2.99 in the Amazon Kindle store.
Link to Guest Of Honor
Link to Beholder's Eye
18-year old MEGAN DUST lives the wild life. Parties, booze, boys--you name it, she does it. Her parents don't care what she does, and when she is home they ignore her. Their attitude started over a year ago when Megan's older brother was tragically killed in a car accident.
Then, when her parents die on the same road that took her brother, Megan decides to start over and move far away. She auctions off her parents' property, a country home in northwestern Minnesota, and heads down to the Twin Cities.
Megan knows hitchhiking is dangerous, but lately has become a way of life. And this time is no different. She gets picked up by Bart Simms, an attorney from Minneapolis, who agrees to take her where she needs to go. But only after he conducts a bit of estate planning business.
The Engels are a farming family who live not far from Megan's old place. They revel peacefully in their secluded backwoods sanctuary, and have a strong desire to keep as much of the government away from their family's farming legacy. Hence the reason they sought the impecable skills of Bart Simms, who has a deep reputation for saving many family farms from unwanted death and estate taxes.
But Megan has a problem with the Engels. She has never heard of them, and she's lived in the area all of her life. When she explores their home, she finds more that is out of sorts. She discovers a picture of a teenage girl. A girl who resembles that of a recent murder victim from Minneapolis.
Is there more to this backwoods family than meets the eye?
After picking up Guest Of Honor, be sure to also pick up my latest thriller Beholder's Eye. It is only $2.99 in the Amazon Kindle store.
Link to Guest Of Honor
Link to Beholder's Eye
Friday, September 20, 2013
Happenings In The Outhouse 20-Sept-2013 / Some projects coming to a close, others starting
Yesterday I submitted another short story to the Writers Of The Future contest. I think it's pretty good, but I have some very stiff competition. No matter the outcome, I am at least doing something and submitting instead of not doing anything.
Because that is what one needs to do in order to become successful. Do. Do something. Do something to further your work--your art--into the world.
It makes no sense for all of your stories to sit in a drawer with no one to enjoy them--I truly wish J. D. Salinger would've published more stories than the few he did; the rumors of all the stories regarding the Glass family have been rampant.
Your work needs to be out for others to enjoy.
I am also putting the finishing touches on an inspirational novella titled Gabriel's Hope. My goal is to get it done by the end of the month.
I am also editing a previously submitted short story from Writers Of The Future--that didn't win, of course--to be sent out to the traditional SF market. If I get no luck there, I'll end up adding it to a collection to be self-published later.
I am starting to work on the sequel to Beholder's Eye, in the Central Division Series thriller novels.
Because that is what one needs to do in order to become successful. Do. Do something. Do something to further your work--your art--into the world.
It makes no sense for all of your stories to sit in a drawer with no one to enjoy them--I truly wish J. D. Salinger would've published more stories than the few he did; the rumors of all the stories regarding the Glass family have been rampant.
Your work needs to be out for others to enjoy.
I am also putting the finishing touches on an inspirational novella titled Gabriel's Hope. My goal is to get it done by the end of the month.
I am also editing a previously submitted short story from Writers Of The Future--that didn't win, of course--to be sent out to the traditional SF market. If I get no luck there, I'll end up adding it to a collection to be self-published later.
I am starting to work on the sequel to Beholder's Eye, in the Central Division Series thriller novels.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Happenings In The Outhouse 17-May-2013 / A strange thing happened at work
"I bought your book."
Those four words floored me. Not that the person who spoke it was a complete stranger, because she wasn't. I work with her at my full-time job. But as we are in two different departments, this statement took me by surprise.
Ironically, I happened to be working on the hard copy of a future novel--possibly my four published work this year, with two others slated before it--at the time. She had a few kind words to say about it, and how she read it while recently on a plane.
Aside from family and my writers' group, this is probably the first encounter I've had from someone who wasn't in one of those categerories.
I was jazzed!
I am currently over 52K words into Shadowkill, and I'm slating this novel to be done by May 31st. It's coming along nicely, the plots and subplots emerging in a nice little tangle. A subplot will soon be tied up, and others will follow. At this point, I'm almost certain I will not make the 75K word count, and I'm okay with it. Besides, I already know where I can strengthen it in the editing stage.
I'm also currently editing a short story to be submitted in this quarter's "Writers of the Future" contest. I submitted one last quarter. I have a little time before the July 1st deadline, but I'd like to get it off my plate soon.
Those four words floored me. Not that the person who spoke it was a complete stranger, because she wasn't. I work with her at my full-time job. But as we are in two different departments, this statement took me by surprise.
Ironically, I happened to be working on the hard copy of a future novel--possibly my four published work this year, with two others slated before it--at the time. She had a few kind words to say about it, and how she read it while recently on a plane.
Aside from family and my writers' group, this is probably the first encounter I've had from someone who wasn't in one of those categerories.
I was jazzed!
I am currently over 52K words into Shadowkill, and I'm slating this novel to be done by May 31st. It's coming along nicely, the plots and subplots emerging in a nice little tangle. A subplot will soon be tied up, and others will follow. At this point, I'm almost certain I will not make the 75K word count, and I'm okay with it. Besides, I already know where I can strengthen it in the editing stage.
I'm also currently editing a short story to be submitted in this quarter's "Writers of the Future" contest. I submitted one last quarter. I have a little time before the July 1st deadline, but I'd like to get it off my plate soon.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Happenings In The Outhouse 10-May-2013 / My deadline
I have given myself a goal for finishing the first draft of my alternative history military novel: May 31st.
It's a doable goal, and one that can be obtained by writing roughly 1200 words a day (everyday, including weekends). I figure it'll be roughly 75K words, so that is the finish line I'm shooting for, and right now I am almost at 48K. If it'll be more, that's even better. If it's not, I don't mind. I've already thought of a lot I'll be fixing in the editing process.
What's next?
I have an inspirational novella I'm brainstorming, then in early June I'll be formatting Beholder's Eye and self-publishing it (unless an agent contacts me in the meantime and asks to see it). After that, I'll be putting the finishing touches on a short story for the next "Writers of the Future" writing contest as well as starting to edit another novel.
The latter novel I just mentioned I'll be doing while on breaks and lunches at my day job. Right now I'm about three-quarters into George R. R. Martin's A Storm of Swords, so I vowed once I finished that I'm going to work on that book.
My goal for the year is to publish 3-4 books. I already have one, with Beholder's Eye and the inspirational novella being the next two. I'd like this last book to be #4.
I'll cross my fingers.
And I'm doing this while also taking care of three children and a wife who's recovering from Acute Myeloid Leukemia--she's doing good, except her eyes hurt her on occasion (and that's for another day).
It's a doable goal, and one that can be obtained by writing roughly 1200 words a day (everyday, including weekends). I figure it'll be roughly 75K words, so that is the finish line I'm shooting for, and right now I am almost at 48K. If it'll be more, that's even better. If it's not, I don't mind. I've already thought of a lot I'll be fixing in the editing process.
What's next?
I have an inspirational novella I'm brainstorming, then in early June I'll be formatting Beholder's Eye and self-publishing it (unless an agent contacts me in the meantime and asks to see it). After that, I'll be putting the finishing touches on a short story for the next "Writers of the Future" writing contest as well as starting to edit another novel.
The latter novel I just mentioned I'll be doing while on breaks and lunches at my day job. Right now I'm about three-quarters into George R. R. Martin's A Storm of Swords, so I vowed once I finished that I'm going to work on that book.
My goal for the year is to publish 3-4 books. I already have one, with Beholder's Eye and the inspirational novella being the next two. I'd like this last book to be #4.
I'll cross my fingers.
And I'm doing this while also taking care of three children and a wife who's recovering from Acute Myeloid Leukemia--she's doing good, except her eyes hurt her on occasion (and that's for another day).
Friday, May 3, 2013
Happenings In The Outhouse 03-May-2013 / "Guest of Honor" gets a facelift
Earlier this week, my novelette "Guest of Honor" got a facelift. Click on this link to view it (and purchase, if you already haven't--heck, it's only $.99)
Why did I decide to change covers?
Let me be honest, I liked the first design with the sexy girl on the cover. But it didn't portrait the essence of what the book was about. So, I changed it.
As I march closer and closer to the publication of my thriller Beholder's Eye, I've been thinking a lot about covers lately. For my two published works so far, I've created them myself--I know, I know, they're still not up to the highest standards, but they're better than the boilerplate Amazon puts on their books. In my research, I found two companies I've been considering to design the cover for Beholder's Eye.
Graphicz X Designs
SelfPubBookCovers.com
I'm sure there are others out there, but right now these are two interesting ones I found. If you know of any others out there, or if you are a book cover designer, please feel free to add yourself to the comments section below.
I have a lot cooking on the writing stove. For the first draft of my alternative military history novel, I am currently on chapter 37 with close to 44K words.
Why did I decide to change covers?
Let me be honest, I liked the first design with the sexy girl on the cover. But it didn't portrait the essence of what the book was about. So, I changed it.
As I march closer and closer to the publication of my thriller Beholder's Eye, I've been thinking a lot about covers lately. For my two published works so far, I've created them myself--I know, I know, they're still not up to the highest standards, but they're better than the boilerplate Amazon puts on their books. In my research, I found two companies I've been considering to design the cover for Beholder's Eye.
Graphicz X Designs
SelfPubBookCovers.com
I'm sure there are others out there, but right now these are two interesting ones I found. If you know of any others out there, or if you are a book cover designer, please feel free to add yourself to the comments section below.
I have a lot cooking on the writing stove. For the first draft of my alternative military history novel, I am currently on chapter 37 with close to 44K words.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Take the time to do it right
You've devoted months--if not years--of your life writing a book. You've sent it off to beta readers, filtered through the feedback, and now you believe you have a polished manuscript. You may have even shopped it around to agents and/or publishers with no bites. Now you wish to self-publish--a movement that has been growing these last few years.
Without thinking, you upload it onto the Amazon KDP and/or Smashwords site, not even bothering to read up on formatting, etc.
Bad, bad move.
Much like the actual writing of the book, take a little time to format it right. I learned this the hard way--almost--when I started formatting Guest of Honor. Let me be up-front on this though. The formatting and preparing can be a pain in the butt.
But it's worth it. Take the time to research and do it right.
Check out a sample even of Guest of Honor, and please give me an honest review of it. Heck, it's only $.99. Less than a bottle of pop, and it'll last a lot longer. I even have a short story added and a sample chapter of Beholder's Eye. Cheap entertainment.
Without thinking, you upload it onto the Amazon KDP and/or Smashwords site, not even bothering to read up on formatting, etc.
Bad, bad move.
Much like the actual writing of the book, take a little time to format it right. I learned this the hard way--almost--when I started formatting Guest of Honor. Let me be up-front on this though. The formatting and preparing can be a pain in the butt.
But it's worth it. Take the time to research and do it right.
Check out a sample even of Guest of Honor, and please give me an honest review of it. Heck, it's only $.99. Less than a bottle of pop, and it'll last a lot longer. I even have a short story added and a sample chapter of Beholder's Eye. Cheap entertainment.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Sorry, it's not for me
Over this past weekend, I watched two movies that I borrowed from the local library: The Avengers and Lincoln. One I liked and the other one made me yawn. Can you guess which one?
Steven Spielberg's Lincoln won all sorts of awards, but it bored the ever-loving crap out of me. Truthfully, it took me three nights just to watch the whole thing. Then again, it wasn't made for me. The Avengers on the other hand was awesome--a little confusing in places, but overall a great flick.
When you're writing or creating whatever work of art or even in business, you need to knowwho your customers are. Not everyone is going to buy from you. Not everyone is an Apple lover or wants to eat lunch at McDonald's. If you're writing a thriller, your potential audience will probably not consist of those who are into erotica--unless your thriller is bent in that way.
Remember that when you're creating your project. Not everyone is going to love it. But you need to find out who will.
Speaking of creating something, I want to remind you that last week my novelette Guest of Honor is up for sale for $.99 on the Amazon Kindle store--in the near future I'll be uploading it to Smashwords, and I'll announce when that's available as well.
Here's the cover below:
And here's a link to purchase it:
http://www.amazon.com/Guest-Of-Honor-ebook/dp/B00CB2NDFY
Steven Spielberg's Lincoln won all sorts of awards, but it bored the ever-loving crap out of me. Truthfully, it took me three nights just to watch the whole thing. Then again, it wasn't made for me. The Avengers on the other hand was awesome--a little confusing in places, but overall a great flick.
When you're writing or creating whatever work of art or even in business, you need to knowwho your customers are. Not everyone is going to buy from you. Not everyone is an Apple lover or wants to eat lunch at McDonald's. If you're writing a thriller, your potential audience will probably not consist of those who are into erotica--unless your thriller is bent in that way.
Remember that when you're creating your project. Not everyone is going to love it. But you need to find out who will.
Speaking of creating something, I want to remind you that last week my novelette Guest of Honor is up for sale for $.99 on the Amazon Kindle store--in the near future I'll be uploading it to Smashwords, and I'll announce when that's available as well.
Here's the cover below:
And here's a link to purchase it:
http://www.amazon.com/Guest-Of-Honor-ebook/dp/B00CB2NDFY
Friday, April 12, 2013
Happenings In The Outhouse 12-Apr-2013 / What's next on the stove?
On Wednesday, April 10th, I uploaded my ebook Guest of Honor to the Amazon Kindle site. Here's a link to the ebook here: Guest Of Honor. And it's only $.99. I have also included a short story titled "Hatchet Harry" and an excerpt of my thriller Beholder's Eye.
There's a lot more I could say about the publishing process . . . but I'll wait for another blog post where I can go more in detail--or, it might be a series of posts, as the process can be quite complicated.
Now that the ebook is done . . . what's next?
Or, in other words, what's cooking next on the writing stove?
Thinking of stories this way seems to be very interesting. Stories can be deep in the freezer, chilling out in the refrigerator, thawing out on the counter, simmering along the back, or cooking well in a pot of boiling water. Now that Guest of Honor is complete, I can move on and rearrange the pieces.
What's next?
First and foremost, I'm heading back to my alternative history military novel. That one is boiling well along the front of the stove.
Simmering along the back is Beholder's Eye. I'm still waiting to hear back from a handful of literary agents, and by next month if I get either no response or no request to see more, I'm going to start the process of formatting it and self-publishing it. Also simmering is Guest of Honor to be uploaded onto Smashwords.
I am also looking ahead and reviewing some of the novels I've already completed, and for one reason or another is sitting in the deep freeze. One such novel I'm taking out and thawing out--this would be my third novel, a horror novel set up in Lake Of The Woods, in northern Minnesota. I'm currently rereading it to see if I can get it ready to go into the realm of self-publishing this year.
I also have a book, being it novelette or novella in length, which is more inspirational/Christian based. I'll keep this one under wraps for now, but I think once I get the opportunity I can crank it out in no time.
I have a lot cooking in various stages. What do you have cooking? Please share.
There's a lot more I could say about the publishing process . . . but I'll wait for another blog post where I can go more in detail--or, it might be a series of posts, as the process can be quite complicated.
Now that the ebook is done . . . what's next?
Or, in other words, what's cooking next on the writing stove?
Thinking of stories this way seems to be very interesting. Stories can be deep in the freezer, chilling out in the refrigerator, thawing out on the counter, simmering along the back, or cooking well in a pot of boiling water. Now that Guest of Honor is complete, I can move on and rearrange the pieces.
What's next?
First and foremost, I'm heading back to my alternative history military novel. That one is boiling well along the front of the stove.
Simmering along the back is Beholder's Eye. I'm still waiting to hear back from a handful of literary agents, and by next month if I get either no response or no request to see more, I'm going to start the process of formatting it and self-publishing it. Also simmering is Guest of Honor to be uploaded onto Smashwords.
I am also looking ahead and reviewing some of the novels I've already completed, and for one reason or another is sitting in the deep freeze. One such novel I'm taking out and thawing out--this would be my third novel, a horror novel set up in Lake Of The Woods, in northern Minnesota. I'm currently rereading it to see if I can get it ready to go into the realm of self-publishing this year.
I also have a book, being it novelette or novella in length, which is more inspirational/Christian based. I'll keep this one under wraps for now, but I think once I get the opportunity I can crank it out in no time.
I have a lot cooking in various stages. What do you have cooking? Please share.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Kindle KDP Select or Smashwords
My ebook novelette Guest of Honor is near ready to go.
But where to put it?
I already have an ebook out there, which I published on the Kindle KDP Store a year ago: 99 Ways To Have A Memorable Wedding On A Shoestring Budget. I've kept it on the KDP Select site, which allows me to do promos for it from time to time.
Guest of Honor is going to be treated a little differently. Instead of exclusively on Amazon, I'm going to try my hand at Smashwords as well. If you do not have a Kindle (there are a few out there, right?), and purchase ebooks through Sony or Nook or the Apple store, those ebooks would be available through Smashwords. I'm still going to put it up on Amazon, but it won't be exclusively on the Kindle store.
I've been doing a lot of research this past year regarding self-publishing, mostly on The Creative Penn and the Self-Publishing Podcast, and even though Amazon is a viable source for my indie authors, one shouldn't put all of your eggs in one basket.
Hence the reason I'm going to self-publish on both sites.
But where to put it?
I already have an ebook out there, which I published on the Kindle KDP Store a year ago: 99 Ways To Have A Memorable Wedding On A Shoestring Budget. I've kept it on the KDP Select site, which allows me to do promos for it from time to time.
Guest of Honor is going to be treated a little differently. Instead of exclusively on Amazon, I'm going to try my hand at Smashwords as well. If you do not have a Kindle (there are a few out there, right?), and purchase ebooks through Sony or Nook or the Apple store, those ebooks would be available through Smashwords. I'm still going to put it up on Amazon, but it won't be exclusively on the Kindle store.
I've been doing a lot of research this past year regarding self-publishing, mostly on The Creative Penn and the Self-Publishing Podcast, and even though Amazon is a viable source for my indie authors, one shouldn't put all of your eggs in one basket.
Hence the reason I'm going to self-publish on both sites.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Happenings In The Outhouse 05-Apr-2013 / Get your facts straight when it comes to geography
I learned a valuable lesson Thursday--one that would've been embarassing if I let it slip through.
I'm currently in the final editing stage of Guest of Honor, my 10,000 word novelette inspired by The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (the 1974 film version, not the 2003, although the newer film does hold some merit). As we speak I am roughly halfway through it. On a whim, I launched onto Google Maps Thursday to look at the town the story is set near--note that I did not say set in; it is actually set 4 miles south of this town, which really does exist. I took a small tour on the Google Street View, then for some reason I went to the town's Wikipedia page..
Then I saw it. A glaring error in my story.
In the beginning, there is an eighteen-year old girl hitchhiking down towards the Twin Cities. A cop picks her up and gives her a ride to the county line. There's only one problem: the county line in real life is really only a mile south of the town and in the story it's more closer to ten.
Oops!
Good thing it hasn't been published yet. That would've been embarassing.
I'm currently in the final editing stage of Guest of Honor, my 10,000 word novelette inspired by The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (the 1974 film version, not the 2003, although the newer film does hold some merit). As we speak I am roughly halfway through it. On a whim, I launched onto Google Maps Thursday to look at the town the story is set near--note that I did not say set in; it is actually set 4 miles south of this town, which really does exist. I took a small tour on the Google Street View, then for some reason I went to the town's Wikipedia page..
Then I saw it. A glaring error in my story.
In the beginning, there is an eighteen-year old girl hitchhiking down towards the Twin Cities. A cop picks her up and gives her a ride to the county line. There's only one problem: the county line in real life is really only a mile south of the town and in the story it's more closer to ten.
Oops!
Good thing it hasn't been published yet. That would've been embarassing.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Happenings In The Outhouse 29-Mar-2013 / Slight detour (AKA Next Project Almost Done)
I am pretty jazzed. I've been going through my small but ever-growing backlist of podcasts and found out one from last week, of Mur Lafferty's I Should Be Writing, that she answered my feedback question regarding fictional blogs. It's near the end--now, she didn't know of any although a listener made a comment on one that, strangely enough, I'm reading in ebook form. Thinking about it now, I might do a post soon on fictional blogs and what I'm doing. Bottom line: I'm creating a fictional blog for my thriller Beholder's Eye and the series, and it is called the Twin Cities Crime Blogger. There isn't much on there now, but I'm brainstorming what to add to it down the road.
In early February, I posted that I completed a novelette titled Guest of Honor. After consideration lately, I have decided to self-publish it as an ebook on the Amazon KDP Kindle store. As we speak, I'm about halfway done editing it, and by next week it should be completed and formatted . . . and ready to go. I'm possibly going to include a bonus short story and another bonus sample chapter from Beholder's Eye too, just to get more of my work out there.
With this slight change of plans, I've put the emergency brakes on my alternative military history novel. At around 26,000 words so far, I figure I'm around a third done. I will get back to it, but I want to get these projects out there first.
In early February, I posted that I completed a novelette titled Guest of Honor. After consideration lately, I have decided to self-publish it as an ebook on the Amazon KDP Kindle store. As we speak, I'm about halfway done editing it, and by next week it should be completed and formatted . . . and ready to go. I'm possibly going to include a bonus short story and another bonus sample chapter from Beholder's Eye too, just to get more of my work out there.
With this slight change of plans, I've put the emergency brakes on my alternative military history novel. At around 26,000 words so far, I figure I'm around a third done. I will get back to it, but I want to get these projects out there first.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Happenings In The Outhouse 22-Mar-2013 / Reviewing my 2013 goals
I have nearly 28,000 words written on my alternative military history novel so far, and am currently on chapter 24 (and to top it all off, I added a love interest that I have no intention of ever having - I love not being an outliner). After a week and a half hiatus--where I not only battled illness, lower back pain, and muscle strain--I also organized what I plan on working on next once this book is done. There is also something I'm going to be doing while I work at my day job as I cannot take the first draft of the book with me--okay, I really could but the logistics would be difficult--so I'll try juggling two writing projects at once.
I also came to a realization when I reviewed how my 2013 goals are sitting so far. I've accomplished a few things already, but now I find myself tweaking the goals list. I then decided that even though I'm going to set my yearly goals, I'm also going to be reviewing these quarterly as my knowledge expands and I decide to change a few things.
Hence, I came up with a revised 2013 goals list. This is between me and God (or whoever you call the Ultimate Being, if you so believe in one; if you don't then it's just for yourself - the choice is up to you). There were some things that I wanted to accomplish but was already doing: blogging, attending my writers' group on a regular basis.
I have five completed novels written so far--and working on number six, of course. This week, I've decided to tackle editing (again) my third novel titled Fog Islands. And, if all goes well, I'll self-publish it later this year. But first, I want to edit Guest of Honor and self-publish that first.
Speaking of self-publishing, you may remember I self-published a little wedding ebook in 2012 titled 99 Ways To Have A Memorable Wedding On A Shoestring Budget. In fact, I'm coming up on the one-year anniversary for it. Now, I don't necessarily want to hang a lantern on this, but if you click on this link for the ebook, I have a single 2-star rating. This came about a month ago. Although it may be an honest review, and am delighted someone at least reviewed it, the comments do seem a little unfair--okay, the reviewer calls it common sense yet it's a fact that hordes of couples go into huge amounts of debt for their weddings each year. I show a few simple things you can do to assist with that. I disagree it's common sense (and someone else flagged the comment as not helpful, so thanks for the one who did that). If you've bought the book, please give an honest review. I don't expect a 5-star, but even a bunch of 3s would be helpful. I'm not angry at the reviewer (and I've taken up enough of this post for it now) because hell even the top bestselling authors get 1- or 2- star reviews.
Also, I didn't publish the ebook for any huge literary merit or to make tons of money on it--I have made some, so no complaints there. I published it because it was the right next step for my writing career--despite a few people making fun of me, I could freaking care less what they think (I've accomplished something very few have the guts to do . . . so there!)
I also came to a realization when I reviewed how my 2013 goals are sitting so far. I've accomplished a few things already, but now I find myself tweaking the goals list. I then decided that even though I'm going to set my yearly goals, I'm also going to be reviewing these quarterly as my knowledge expands and I decide to change a few things.
Hence, I came up with a revised 2013 goals list. This is between me and God (or whoever you call the Ultimate Being, if you so believe in one; if you don't then it's just for yourself - the choice is up to you). There were some things that I wanted to accomplish but was already doing: blogging, attending my writers' group on a regular basis.
I have five completed novels written so far--and working on number six, of course. This week, I've decided to tackle editing (again) my third novel titled Fog Islands. And, if all goes well, I'll self-publish it later this year. But first, I want to edit Guest of Honor and self-publish that first.
Speaking of self-publishing, you may remember I self-published a little wedding ebook in 2012 titled 99 Ways To Have A Memorable Wedding On A Shoestring Budget. In fact, I'm coming up on the one-year anniversary for it. Now, I don't necessarily want to hang a lantern on this, but if you click on this link for the ebook, I have a single 2-star rating. This came about a month ago. Although it may be an honest review, and am delighted someone at least reviewed it, the comments do seem a little unfair--okay, the reviewer calls it common sense yet it's a fact that hordes of couples go into huge amounts of debt for their weddings each year. I show a few simple things you can do to assist with that. I disagree it's common sense (and someone else flagged the comment as not helpful, so thanks for the one who did that). If you've bought the book, please give an honest review. I don't expect a 5-star, but even a bunch of 3s would be helpful. I'm not angry at the reviewer (and I've taken up enough of this post for it now) because hell even the top bestselling authors get 1- or 2- star reviews.
Also, I didn't publish the ebook for any huge literary merit or to make tons of money on it--I have made some, so no complaints there. I published it because it was the right next step for my writing career--despite a few people making fun of me, I could freaking care less what they think (I've accomplished something very few have the guts to do . . . so there!)
Monday, August 13, 2012
To be free or not to be free - the debate on giving your stuff away
Here's one side of the coin, by the brilliant marketing genius Seth Godin:
Here's the other side, a very famous rant by Harlan Ellison (I'll warn you ahead of time - there is a bit of colorful language on this one):
So . . . when all is said and done, who do you listen to? There are points to be taken on both sides of the issue. Seth and Harlan may be two extremes, but in truth are they? Some days I feel like a greedy bastard because of all the free stuff I download, through podcasts or free Kindle editions or sample PDFs. Okay, I'll admit, I a whore of the free - a free junkie, in other words. My favorite four-letter F-word is FREE. Followed closely by FOOD. But if I find someone I connect with and like their work, I will turn around and purchase their wares. (Harlan, I for one would've watched the interview and said, "I'll find out what he's written and buy their books." I may be a rare beast that way, but that would be me.) Speaking of free, one author I've discovered is Scott Nicholson, and he has a ton of Kindle books out there, and according to a recent blog post he has nine books he's promoting this month for FREE! A few I already own, but by God I'll be picking up the rest once they become free.
I lean towards Seth a bit more on this debate, although I do have a mortgage that needs to be paid and my children need to eat too. Keep in mind, Seth said that in order for someone to go from getting your free stuff to paying for your stuff, your work needs to stand out. It needs to be remarkable. If you're putting out a bunch of free crap, nobody will buy the paying stuff.
Harlan, on the other hand, is almost saying the same thing as far as being remarkable. He differentiates the amateurs from the professionals. I agree that everyone seems to want things for nothing.
Yet they'll think nothing of going to a gourmet coffee house (think Starbucks here) and purchase a $5.00 coffee. Not for me, thanks. I'll make my coffee at home. You do what you want.
What side of the coin are you on?
Here's the other side, a very famous rant by Harlan Ellison (I'll warn you ahead of time - there is a bit of colorful language on this one):
So . . . when all is said and done, who do you listen to? There are points to be taken on both sides of the issue. Seth and Harlan may be two extremes, but in truth are they? Some days I feel like a greedy bastard because of all the free stuff I download, through podcasts or free Kindle editions or sample PDFs. Okay, I'll admit, I a whore of the free - a free junkie, in other words. My favorite four-letter F-word is FREE. Followed closely by FOOD. But if I find someone I connect with and like their work, I will turn around and purchase their wares. (Harlan, I for one would've watched the interview and said, "I'll find out what he's written and buy their books." I may be a rare beast that way, but that would be me.) Speaking of free, one author I've discovered is Scott Nicholson, and he has a ton of Kindle books out there, and according to a recent blog post he has nine books he's promoting this month for FREE! A few I already own, but by God I'll be picking up the rest once they become free.
I lean towards Seth a bit more on this debate, although I do have a mortgage that needs to be paid and my children need to eat too. Keep in mind, Seth said that in order for someone to go from getting your free stuff to paying for your stuff, your work needs to stand out. It needs to be remarkable. If you're putting out a bunch of free crap, nobody will buy the paying stuff.
Harlan, on the other hand, is almost saying the same thing as far as being remarkable. He differentiates the amateurs from the professionals. I agree that everyone seems to want things for nothing.
Yet they'll think nothing of going to a gourmet coffee house (think Starbucks here) and purchase a $5.00 coffee. Not for me, thanks. I'll make my coffee at home. You do what you want.
What side of the coin are you on?
Friday, August 10, 2012
Happenings In The Outhouse 10-Aug-2012 / Video blogs and rants
This past week has been a trying one. Starting around Wednesday last week when my daughter's insulin pump decided to kick the bucket, and fighting with a company called AuraVie over some product we never ordered and have since charged us twice now for (be sure to check out my videos on what I call my AuraVie Rant - and please share with all of your Twitter followers and Facebook friends).
Amongst this and also working on putting together both a podcast and video blog series, centered around and expanding on the topics covered in this blog, I've been working on chapters 40-42 of Beholder's Eye.
My other projects (besides the thriller novel, creating a future podcast and video blog series) include the refining of my ebook 99 Ways To Have A Memorable Wedding On A Shoestring Budget (available on the Amazon Kindle) and its cover--well, okay, the cover only. It's fairly plain, when compared with others in the same category, so I'm tossing down a few dozen ideas on how it can be improved. I'm also putting out a grateful request: if you have any great ideas on how to improve it, please review it on the link above and e-mail any ideas to me at phazerpub@yahoo.com. In return, I'll send you a free copy of the ebook as a complimentary gift.
Amongst this and also working on putting together both a podcast and video blog series, centered around and expanding on the topics covered in this blog, I've been working on chapters 40-42 of Beholder's Eye.
My other projects (besides the thriller novel, creating a future podcast and video blog series) include the refining of my ebook 99 Ways To Have A Memorable Wedding On A Shoestring Budget (available on the Amazon Kindle) and its cover--well, okay, the cover only. It's fairly plain, when compared with others in the same category, so I'm tossing down a few dozen ideas on how it can be improved. I'm also putting out a grateful request: if you have any great ideas on how to improve it, please review it on the link above and e-mail any ideas to me at phazerpub@yahoo.com. In return, I'll send you a free copy of the ebook as a complimentary gift.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Happenings In The Outhouse 20-July-2012 / Kindle promotions for my ebook
Despite spending all day Monday and Tuesday down in Rochester, MN, for my wife's scheduled leukemia appointments, I still completed chapters 34-36.
Next up is chapters 37-39.
It's been a busy week, albeit a productive one. I wrote both Saturday and Sunday, got blog posts written and scheduled, due to the impending time away from home, then while I was listening to a podcast (I believe it was Mur Lafferty's I Should Be Writing), I heard mention of another podcast: Adventures In Sci Fi Publishing. I downloaded a few of their episodes and as I was listening to one, they talked about the pros and cons of doing promotions on Amazon's Kindle site.
I knew I could do promotions, but never really knew how. Until late Sunday night. Hence, a flurry of blog posts and promotions began for my ebook titled 99 ways to have a Memorable Wedding on a Shoestring Budget. Today is the last day to get this ebook . . . for FREE! While I was in Rochester, I posted a lot of stuff on Facebook and Twitter, promoting it like crazy, and it's sold (for free) quite well so far.
Next up is chapters 37-39.
It's been a busy week, albeit a productive one. I wrote both Saturday and Sunday, got blog posts written and scheduled, due to the impending time away from home, then while I was listening to a podcast (I believe it was Mur Lafferty's I Should Be Writing), I heard mention of another podcast: Adventures In Sci Fi Publishing. I downloaded a few of their episodes and as I was listening to one, they talked about the pros and cons of doing promotions on Amazon's Kindle site.
I knew I could do promotions, but never really knew how. Until late Sunday night. Hence, a flurry of blog posts and promotions began for my ebook titled 99 ways to have a Memorable Wedding on a Shoestring Budget. Today is the last day to get this ebook . . . for FREE! While I was in Rochester, I posted a lot of stuff on Facebook and Twitter, promoting it like crazy, and it's sold (for free) quite well so far.
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