My first royalty check

                              I got my first royalty check today.

I have to admit I was disappointed. Yes, I was happy that many people liked my book, that people paid me to entertain them, and yet...

Writing is an art, not a science. No one can well predict which book will suddenly become a hit and which one will trudge along unnoticed and unloved. I know that I have only one book out, that I'm a new and untested author, that fewer and fewer people read and that there are many other alternatives to The Junior Inquisitor. Perhaps I'm expecting to much, that I've watched to many episodes of “Castle,” or I know too many successful authors, those who have paid their dues, and have been where I am now; fought on past the doubts to write another book and another until they were successful. I know all of that logically.

 

                               But the disappointment lingers.

I marketed the hell out of Junior Inquisitor, I was on a dozen or more different blogs promoting my book. My editor and I came up with excellent seeming promotional materials. I had both a Facebook and Twitter account established before my release or soon there after. There is this blog which can sometimes get decent traffic, my friends and family pitched in, the guys and gals from my Reserve unit helped as well, telling the world that there was a great new story available. My reviews on Amazon are positive, close to thirty 5 star reviews, many of those are from certified buyers, which are apparently more trusted. Despite this, I still have not gotten into the black with my upfront costs. I owe no money to the IRS as I have not yet made a profit, a small blessing I suppose, but that means that I am still a hobbyist; that I am not yet good enough to be considered a professional writer.

So the doubts linger, sticky and cloying. Unwilling to be banished. Did I do something wrong? Is my marketing strategy not working, perhaps my stories are to different, to dark, to find a large audience. Maybe, worst of all: maybe my stories are just not good enough for prime time.

 

 

 

I just don't know. The lack of understanding makes me hesitate. Should I sink even more money and time into The Soulless Monk? How long will my wife put up with me missing out on things to craft a story if no money is coming in from it? How much and for how long am I going to sacrifice on something that does not seem to be working?

                        I don't know, and that bothers me a great deal.

At the same time I am driven to tell my tales, they must come out. I did not choose to write so much as was cursed by it. There is only one real way past these doubts, and that is to work. Hone my craft and abilities, tell others that there is a great story, soon to be a series of stories, awaiting them. I must continue on until the day arrives when I am a success in my eyes and in the eyes of those I love.

                                         I just pray it is soon.

        Want a great story for less than the price of a cup of fancy coffee?

         Amazon - http://goo.gl/D6KrbX

         Smashwords - http://goo.gl/XsGgAC

         Nook - http://goo.gl/MVLXia

         Google Play - http://goo.gl/g2kNPa

 

Liza O'Connor's The Gods of Probabilities

Today, instead of me blathering away about the lack of organic, free-range Twinkies at Food Lion, I have a very dear friend and excellent writer Liza O'Connor promoting her latest book, The Gods of Probabilities. When I was just starting out; trying to become an author it was Liza who encouraged me, provided me advice, and helped me grow. She also suggested my excellent editor Danielle Fine, as a good match for my twisty style after several others did not work out. Liza is a prolific writer who likes to find love and romance in every imaginable situation. Even if you do not care for romance as a genre, you will enjoy her books as they are crafted with attention to detail, interesting premises, and for her historical novels, so much authenticity, you will swear you can hear horses clop past your window.

 

                                                      Take it away Liza

 

 

 

Meet Medusana & Lucifer

 

Medusana is a junior style officer. So while the Sr. Style Officer is on maternity leave, she takes her place on the Officers Round Table. Contrary to the evidence and the instructions of Captain Zousan, she declares Pane guilty of seven code violations, which angers our God Captain.

Excerpt 1:

“What is your prime directive?” Zousan demanded.

“To ensure we look like Gods,” she replied.

Second gripped her arm and whispered in her ear with great energy.

She paled. “Forgive me, Commander. My prime directive is to ensure the Path of Light and thus I find the unstylish fellow not guilty of all but violation seven. And to be honest, I will try, but I do not believe I can bring him into compliance with our style standard.”

The auditorium filled with chuckles at her conclusion.

Pane, if anything, grew smaller. His head hung in shame.

“Then this court procedure is concluded. Second, you are to locate me a new style officer at once, someone less prejudicial who knows our prime directive without being told.”

(After complimenting Pane for a job well done, he noticed the young woman remains at the round table.)

“I want her gone,” Zousan barked, pointing at Medusana. The pretty brunette looked at him, her eyes rounding in fear, and without another word she scurried from the room, her curls bouncing about like writhing snakes.

Excerpt ended:

When Zousan wants someone gone, he normally means sent through the next black hole they pass. Thus imagine his surprise when he later contacts the Dreams department only to find Medusana beneath the table servicing the worthless Poseidon Jr.

When he calls in Second to explain why she’s ‘not gone’ yet, Second admits she escaped a locked room, and the only way that could happen is if one of his security guys assisted her. It takes him a while, but he finds the culprit: Lucifer.

Lucifer has inserted a virus into the ship’s computer and threatens to kill everyone unless he and Medusana are allowed to leave the ship alive. After a bit of negotiation, Zousan agrees to send him to the closest planet, which he hopes is the nearby sun.

Excerpt 2:

“Computer, state name of the planet closest to ship.”

“Planet Zepwick.”

“Damn it. I wanted him sent to the sun!”

“You can’t change that, but you didn’t state when they’ll arrive. I can send them back to a time megazega-echons ago. That should keep them out of trouble.”

“That’s not even possible.”

“Oh, I can do it. However, established time doesn’t like having its data changed, so it ignores new input,” the female computer-voice explained in a tone one might use when talking to a child.

Zousan laughed at the computer’s brilliance. “Do it.” It was a clever solution. Lucifer and Medusana would arrive on an ice-cold barren planet with no way to influence, change or interact with it. He couldn’t have chosen a better Hell if he’d tried.

The Gods of Probabilities

By

Liza O’Connor

Blurb

The Gods require a time shifter to ensure the Path of Light reigns during the final collapse of possibilities. To speed the process of finding an Oceanic with the specific talents needed, God DNA is induced in several batches of Oceanic eggs, resulting in a generation of brilliant tiny blue Oceanic children.

One charming boy named Drogan has the ability to manipulate quantum reality in ways that will strengthen the Path of Light. Only trouble is that his gift runs a high probability of killing him and wiping out the Path of Light for good.

While the bureaucratic Gods will try to assist, in Quantum all possibilities not only can, but do happen, so the future is never certain.

Sales Link

Amazon

About Author

Liza is a multiple genre author of 15 novels. A Late Victorian Series, The Adventures of Xavier & Vic, plus a spinoff, A Right to Love, is an ongoing series. A Long Road to Love is a humorous Contemporary Disaster Romance series (5 books). She has two single books. One is a humorous, bad boys contemporary novel with ghosts, called Ghost Lover, the other is Untamed & Unabashed, a spinoff from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

Now, she’s rolling out her Science fiction series (with romance & humor) called The Multiverses. The first four books are slotted for last half of 2015. In addition she hopes, if she hasn’t dropped from exhaustion by then, to re-release a sometimes humorous/suspense thriller called Saving Casey.

Liza would love to know: What’s your favorite genre?

Social Networks

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT

LIZA O'CONNOR

Investigate these sites:

Liza’s Multiverse Blog

Liza's Blog and Website   Facebook   Twitter

 

As for me The Soulless Monk is back from Danielle for revisions, and with luck, it be ready to go by August. I still have to finalize the cover, work on some ads, and line up bloggers for a blog tour, but I am headed towards the finish and soon The Soulless Monk, #2 of the Inquisitor Series, will be ready for purchase by you.

M.Y. David's BoBo

As this is a short story it is tough to describe this story with out spoilers. It Begins with a father reading a bedtime story to his son, when his son starts talking about his imaginary friend, “Bobo.” Only maybe Bobo isn't really imaginary. I found this to be a rapid read, maybe ten minutes for me. The setup was well done, the payoff was a bit abrupt for me, but overall a good story. It'll be worth watching this author for his future work, and buying his previous story.

 

                                                       4 Stars.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                               Price - free


Where – Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/548543

I'm going to be doing some training with the Dutch at the behest of the U.S. Army, so it maybe a bit before I post again. I will be very busy learning new drinking songs, and sometimes that takes a while.

Speaking of beer, how about putting a bit of coin in my pocket, so I won't have to drink Schaffer Light or National Bohemian or even Schlitz, and be ridiculed by my classmates. This isn't just for me, but to uphold the pride of the U.S. Army!

 

                                                  Now just 2.99!

 

Amazon - http://goo.gl/D6KrbX

 

Smashwords - http://goo.gl/XsGgAC

 

Nook - http://goo.gl/MVLXia

 

Google Play - http://goo.gl/g2kNPa

My review of David Rodger's “God Seed”

As we write in similar genres, I follow David Rodger on social media. Recently he held a contest and I won a free copy of his book “God Seed.” He did not ask me to write a review, but I enjoyed the book so much I decided to do so.

 

 

 

God Seed is Cthulhu, cyberpunk, and Sci-Fi wrapped into one fantastic story. In the not to distant future a documentary film maker Adam Kyle is on assignment, filming a team of corporate mercenaries on what is supposed to be their last mission before retiring. Inevitably things go wrong, dozens are killed and Adam is on the run with the last living member of the team, Kurt Hansen. Law enforcement, corporate spies, wet work teams, and something not human are all hunting Adam and Kurt. The chase goes from London, to Florida, to Cairo, to the Hygens Space station orbiting Titan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rodger's world is one of shadows and double dealing, cloak and dagger. No one is as they seem and everyone has a tainted past and secrets. There are numerous of twists and turns, not for the sake of obfuscation by the author, but because Adam Kyle lives in a very dark murky land and that is just the way things are. Reveals are not there just to jar the reader and keep them off balance, but are natural, and believable.

The action is tight and fast paced, once you start reading you will not want to stop until the last line. I will be adding more of David's books to my collection and you should as well. Yep, another 5 star book.

So what about me and my book? Where can you get it?

Glad you asked, cause it's now just 2.99

Amazon - http://goo.gl/D6KrbX

Smashwords - http://goo.gl/XsGgAC

Nook - http://goo.gl/MVLXia

Google Play - http://goo.gl/g2kNPa

Beneath a Sunless Sky by Jessica Alter

Beneath a Sunless Sky is a coming of age story in the same way Dune is a story of a boy named Paul becoming a man. Under Jess' careful hand, the story, Remy, the main character, and all of the other inhabitants of this world come alive. Almost everyone lives in a dome controlled by a central computer, placed into a rather rigid caste system depending upon skills and testing. At the same time what appears to be a utopia has a dark side, and there are hints the central computer is acting more of a puppet master, than benevolent deity. Information has been suppressed, history sanitized, and the obstinate eradicated. This is not a free society, but one where obedience is compelled.

Remy was on track to become one of the leaders, a member of the highest caste when a freak accident, an impossible accident, causes brain damage that even the best doctors can not fix. Yet, healing does occur, she remembers more and more of what she was and the knowledge she had before the accident. Despite her improvements, for some reason she can not pass the central computer's standardized test for even the most basic level of citizenship.

Remy's biggest problem, and one she does even seem to quite understand is that men want to possess her, like a trophy. They do not want her love, marriage is only offered as a gilded cage, These men want to collect her, own her. It is from this many of her problems spring forth.

Remy is penned in detail, she is real, alive. She makes mistakes, and shows brilliant flashes of insight, she can both be the naive little sister and the ingenue. She picks fight where she shouldn't and avoids help when she should. She comes across as fallible, human.

This is not a fast read with lots of explosions and pirates fighting ninjas, this is a thinking book one best digested over time. Even after you put it down, it will linger with you asking questions, fostering internal debates on the nature of people, how civil society is versus how it should be, and why did Remy make a particular choice.

For me, a book that lingers, that I remember long after I hit “The End,” is the best type to read, even if there were no dinosaur rampages or zombie outbreaks. It is well worth the three dollars it is currently priced at Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Beneath-Sunless-Sky-Jessica-Alter-ebook/dp/B00RU1ON82/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1433694879&sr=1-4&keywords=jessica+alter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manassas Disaster

Last Saturday I was at a book fair. I'd been invited, along with a variety of other local writers to come out to the Bull Run Library in Manassas Virginia, and market my wares to the public. As a newbie writer, I've never been on the other side of the table, so I reached out and got some suggestions from more experienced authors I know and to find out what I'd need beyond myself and copies of my books. I ended up with far more advise than I could use, but it gave me a start of what I'd need. A consideration I had to take in was how much to spend versus what could I expect in sales. If I figure five dollars per book sold, and expect to sell twenty books my promotional ceiling is 100 dollars. I'd break even, any more money spent would either be a loss or have to be recycled at another fair or convention.

I went cheap, had some fliers printed up and bought a stand for my books, and some candy. Total outlay, maybe 30 dollars. Selling six books did not seem like a stretch to me.  I also hit Twitter and Facebook hard letting everyone know about the event. I even wore my lucky Poe and Lovecraft t-shirt.

When I arrived, I was able to get a table in line with the door, so the candy, my books and promo material would be readily visible. As I was early to the event, I chatted with a few other authors, some of whom really knew how to market at these kinds of events. They were all very polite and friendly, giving freely of their time and expertise. They told me about local author clubs and meeting places, and where I could go to get my book in a local independent bookstore.

Two o'clock arrived and I was ready. And I sat, and sat. There were maybe thirty visitors in the two hours, there was never a time when there were more people looking at books than there were authors. I had three possible sales, but for one reason or another my patter was not quite good enough to convince them to actually buy. Perhaps they went online and got the e-book. I was interviewed by the local free newspaper, and later sent her my media kit, but since she never sent me a link to the piece, I imagine other authors were featured instead.

Economically, it was a bust for me. Other authors fared likewise. I think one person was able to sell four books, she did the best. Those who did get a sale, sold one book. Most were like me, and sold nothing. The library apparently had done very little advertising, and it seemed most who came were patrons who wandered in. Tough to sell a book in the same location as where people are borrowing them for free.

At the same time it wasn't completely a waste of time. I did make some great contacts in the local community, I was invited to join a local author's group, and I now know where to take copies of my book and get them into a bookstore. I also know what things I need to bring to the next event I attend to help sell copies. A decent banner, and poster board both with images of my book are something I need to get if I plan on going to another event. The banner has to be something I can affix to a table, and the poster board small enough that it can sit on the table with me. It should also include some of the reviews I've gotten, so people can see at a glance that others have enjoyed my book. I need to practice on my selling technique. I need book marks or something small that lists where one can get copies of my book online. I need copies of my blurb, for people to read when they ask about my book, or have in memorized. In other words I have to invest some money, and hope that I can make it back at a later date.

These days being an author is a business and if you want to be successful you have to treat it as such. Investment in promotional materials is one of those things that has to be done, to help maximize success.

Guess I'll have to go to Office Max and a few other places, so that if I go to an event that has a lot of visitors, I look like a professional. With luck, next time, I'll have some sales.

 

          Want a great book for the price of a fancy cup of coffee?

Order it today from-

 

Amazon - http://goo.gl/D6KrbX

Smashwords - http://goo.gl/XsGgAC

Nook - http://goo.gl/MVLXia

Google Play - http://goo.gl/g2kNPa

Marketing is not Sales

Okay it's been a while, but hey, I've been editing number two so that those few who read this will know that another Brother Sebastian story is on the way. Since my last post I have continued to try to convince a wide, diverse group of people that my book is something that they can not live with out.

Via Twitter, this blog, a very long and far flung blog tour, Friends, co-workers, neighbors, and people I have chased down the street, Facebook, Alumni reports, and I'll even be going to a book fair next Saturday, I have spread the word about Junior Inquisitor.

Yes you should come out to Manassas, meet me and eat some of the candy I'll be bringing. Oh yea, and buy a signed copy of my book!

Last I checked I have somewhere around 13K followers on Twitter, I have several hundred friends on Facebook, a couple dozen flesh and blood friends, a few score of coworkers, and a decent size family, all of whom have, at some level, bought, reviewed, spread the word for and with me about my book. I have quite a few (over twenty-five 5 star) reviews on Amazon out of thirty total, and third of my five stars are verified purchases. Multiple times I have been complimented on my clever marketing pitches, I have had people share my giggle inducing ads, been number one in several people's networks and advertise to a rather large audience.

 

 

 

 

The results – modest at best sales. I can not even claim to be a mid-list author, like Rick Gualtieri. According to Kindle Direct sales, I have not sold a single copy in Canada, a country of thirty million, that speaks English, where I have several cousins and a few fans. I have broken triple digits in book sales, but it maybe a long hard slog to crack four.

As far as I can tell, I have done most everything correctly, I have marketed the hell out of Junior Inquisitor, I have done so in a clever and unique way, that is still appealing, my audience consists primarily of authors and readers who should be receptive to my pitches. Those who have read my story have, for the most part, really enjoyed it, and have become fans, sharing their enjoyment with others, spreading the word. And yet.

So the moral here is that marketing, while essential to the self and indy publisher is not a guarantee of success. Good marketing is not good sales. Fate, luck, or what ever you wish to call it, plays a role. Now, in no way am I suggesting that the hard work of shouting the message - “Buy Junior Inquisitor, you will like it,” day after day in a variety of ways and forums is not rewarded. Luck may assist, but will never replace hard work.

 

Next steps – Obviously I don't quit, wailing that the world doesn't love me and my stories while gnashing my teeth or rending my clothes all dramatic like.

I am neither that shallow, not that childish.

 

 

                   NO!

I will continue to edit The Soulless Monk, until it is ready to go, decide on cover art, tag lines, blurbs, and everything else that needs to be done for a book launch. Marketing continues, but soon it will be for both books.

At some point, I'll hit a tipping point, and my books will sell in volumes I can appreciate. Maybe it will happen with The Soulless Monk, maybe it will happen ten books into the series. So I continue on, working hard and fighting the good fight until I have bent the world to my will and am victorious as I define it.

 

                            So where can you get my book?  Good question -

 

                   Amazon - http://goo.gl/D6KrbX

                  Smashwords - http://goo.gl/XsGgAC

                  Nook - http://goo.gl/MVLXia

               Google Play - http://goo.gl/g2kNPa