In searching for new ways to promote my books, I recently submitted my second novel "Assassin's Trap" for the Independent Publisher Book awards. It was an odd experience and I was only slightly more informed as to the purpose of the awards by the end of the submission as at the beginning. I'm wondering if there are other awards and contests that are open to self-published authors. I think that the most unique part of the experience was the fact that I spent more money to enter the contest…

Iread a lot, and I set 99% of books right back down again. The problem with most fiction is it throws off my rhythm. See, my writing pursues a flow. And popular fiction lulls me into complacency. If I read too much, it's like I spend all my time driving thirty miles an hour. Then when I'm on freeways, I'm uncertain of traveling over fifty five. And in that situation, my passengers would rather get out and walk. That's what happened to me, so I write my own terrors and…

Itake feedback very seriously. Criticism is always helpful and usually beneficial, so I hope I don't offend anyone who makes an effort and personally communicates with me. The last thing I want is to impress anyone I won't answer my phone or read my email. The second to last thing is that I don't want to suggest I close my ears. Bearing that openness in mind, I own my irascible self. I don't know if the character is in my genes or a product of my environment – or even a…

Concerning writing, I admit I've gotten a late start. I don't have the education or the natural-born talent. All I've got are stories and a mentally unhealthy compulsion to tell them. Equally obsessed, I've worked hard to clean-up the spills I've made. The start of Summer 2012, I dedicated myself to producing professional-level stories told in a mainstream Active Voice. And I'm nearly done with every scrap I've written to date. I'm not lying, check out my revised work…

The new book is in print and available from Amazon/Create-Space and Kindle. This is an action-packed thriller about a cop and a cop who becomes a hero as he struggles to save his family from the forces of evil.The book has received Six 5Star reviews and counting. For details on this book at deep…

I am proud to announce that my audiobook version of “Cherries – A Vietnam War Novel” is now available on Audible.com, Amazon.Com and I-Tunes as an MP3 download. Even if you’ve already read “Cherries”, the audiobook version brings the story to life. The narrator has a dynamic and exciting voice – each character having his own distinctive voice and accent. I was truly captivated and mesmerized by the narration – the style and emotion make it seem like a new story all together. Judge for…

The New York Times is reporting that the Encyclopaedia Britannica is going out of print.

“It’s a rite of passage in this new era,” said Jorge Cauz, the president of Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc., “Some people will feel sad about it and nostalgic about it. But we have a better tool now. The Web site is continuously updated, it’s much more expansive and it has multimedia.”

So what do you think?

As one who works for a weekly local…

Books For Film eBook: A Web First

An Invitation to all authors, and all books Fiction and Non-Fiction.

BooksForFilm eBook (Only 150 Authors selected for this first volume)…

It’s a New Year, so start if off by honing your writing or marketing skills.

As an author or writer it’s no doubt you know how important it is to stay on top of your writing and marketing game, that’s where knowledge comes into play. The more you learn, the more you can apply that knowledge to your craft. And, a new year is the perfect time to start.

Whether it’s writing or marketing, there is an e-book for you. Get help writing your children’s book with…

Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep and Trouble on Earth Day received The Children’s Literary Classic Seal of Approval!

The CLC Seal of Approval is a designation reserved for those books which uphold the rigorous criteria set…

SIXTY BOOKS IN ONE, AND IT'S OUR FREE GIFT TO YOU!

Christmas Gift 2011…

I thought many of my old writing friends would like to give their writing friends the gift of success. It's not too late to order the beautiful new edition of The Frugal Book Promoter (http://budurl.com/FrugalBkPromo) for a special writing friend for Christmas. It's already a USA Book News award-winner! Of course, if you'd like to treat yourself to the new edition (Updated! Expanded!), what you'll get that you don't have in your old edition is…

Querying with PixApple? Really?

 

Yes, you read correctly. I have always subscribed to the dictum that familiarity breeds contempt (more…

I often look for resources for our authors so they may spread the word about their books. One online source is Freelance writing jobs at freelancewriting.com.



There are plenty of articles to guide the new or even the seasoned writer. If you are an author, you need to get additional exposure and online writing is a great way to do…

I don't know if I will ever get around to making an audio book. I hear it is very time consuming and difficult.

But I have decided to do the next best thing by doing 30 minute readings of my vampire books on Blog Talk Radio at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/petekleinvampires 

I completed the first 30 minute section today and will continue as time and my job permits. Hope to do…

MY LIFE FOR SALE

I can't say I knew what to expect with any certainly since I've never had a book published before now.  Still, I did read, research, take notes, make lists, and plan plans.  I didn't fall into anything blindly, but even so, there were, and continue to be, plenty of surprises.



Marketing 101



At the risk of sounding whiny, there are far, too, many days when…