Today, there are many options for getting your books out to readers. This is a good thing, as the big publishers resemble dying dinosaurs, more so every day.
Got a good book and want to get it printed? A couple of options here-- they're local to this area, northern Mass/southern NH, although I'm sure they'd work with you in other locations as well:
Rosstrum Publishing (www.rosstrumpublishing.com) - This is a Print-On-Demand company, who will work with you to set up and print copies of your book. You pay to make it happen, but the fees are far less than other pay presses, and the value and quality are high. You can print more as you sell more, but don't have to buy a set number, or come up with exorbitant fees.
Briona Glen Publishing (www.brionaglen.com) - If you don't have the cash, but have a good book, try this new company, who will partner with you. They'll release the book through Lulu, so you don't need to pay up front. They don't pay advances, but you get a much larger share of the book sale, unlike how you'd fare with a big publisher. They offer a working partnership to get you into print and promote your book.
So there you have it- no more excuses for not getting your book out. This is the year.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have more books to write!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Master Cleanse
I'm at the end of an experiment called the Master Cleanse. It's a way of letting your body rest and get rid of years of accumulated crap by not eating for 10+ days. Yup, you heard right- I've gone without food for that long. Who'd a thought?
For nutrition, you drink a concoction of lemonade and maple syrup. Add a dash of cayenne pepper as an appetite suppressant. It's enough to give you the energy you need, without climbing the walls from hunger.
So you find out a lot of things while on this regime. How much of eating is habit or emotion, and how much you can do without. I was amazed at my ability to stay the course. Sure, I had cravings, but I had a goal in mind, and had to persevere. You also get more free time, because you're not always thinking about food and meals.
This last stretch is hard, because afterward, you have to ease back onto food. Two days ago, it was just orange juice all day. Yesterday, I had some oranges and broth. Today I had vegetables in my soup, and a salad for dinner. Tomorrow I can try regular food again. I will most likely weep for joy. I love food, and my wife Mindy is a fantastic cook. I've had to skip some pretty tasty meals these last two weeks.
Another benefit is weight loss. I carry far too many extra pounds, but I dropped 15 of them during the cleanse, with 3+ inches off my belly. Pretty good. And I felt great through it, and better now.
It's not just a crash diet, it's a way of changing your thinking about food. I'm declaring victory.
For nutrition, you drink a concoction of lemonade and maple syrup. Add a dash of cayenne pepper as an appetite suppressant. It's enough to give you the energy you need, without climbing the walls from hunger.
So you find out a lot of things while on this regime. How much of eating is habit or emotion, and how much you can do without. I was amazed at my ability to stay the course. Sure, I had cravings, but I had a goal in mind, and had to persevere. You also get more free time, because you're not always thinking about food and meals.
This last stretch is hard, because afterward, you have to ease back onto food. Two days ago, it was just orange juice all day. Yesterday, I had some oranges and broth. Today I had vegetables in my soup, and a salad for dinner. Tomorrow I can try regular food again. I will most likely weep for joy. I love food, and my wife Mindy is a fantastic cook. I've had to skip some pretty tasty meals these last two weeks.
Another benefit is weight loss. I carry far too many extra pounds, but I dropped 15 of them during the cleanse, with 3+ inches off my belly. Pretty good. And I felt great through it, and better now.
It's not just a crash diet, it's a way of changing your thinking about food. I'm declaring victory.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Dealing With Rejection
So while still riding high from the great praise for my story "Heartsounds," out at Every Day Fiction, today I get two story rejections, and the notice that another market I've submitted to has folded up shop, leaving my story in limbo.
My way of dealing with rejection is working that much harder for success. Sent all three stories to new markets. I'll repeat as necessary until each finds a home, while writing more.
One market had a requirement word length, so I had to trim 700 words from a story, about 15%. Not easy, to keep the quality, but it worked. Takes time, though, as does reformatting for specifications. You can spend a lot of time redoing a story for a few-dollar market.
Now I'm researching another place to send something else. Writing the stuff takes time, and finding a home for it takes more time, and getting the word out even more. This is why writers live more than one life- we have to!
My way of dealing with rejection is working that much harder for success. Sent all three stories to new markets. I'll repeat as necessary until each finds a home, while writing more.
One market had a requirement word length, so I had to trim 700 words from a story, about 15%. Not easy, to keep the quality, but it worked. Takes time, though, as does reformatting for specifications. You can spend a lot of time redoing a story for a few-dollar market.
Now I'm researching another place to send something else. Writing the stuff takes time, and finding a home for it takes more time, and getting the word out even more. This is why writers live more than one life- we have to!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Snowpocalypse
Sigh. Another typical New England January weather day, which means at least a foot of fresh-fallen snow. Soon it will be time to:
A. Dig out the vehicles.
B. Warm up the cars and move them to temp parking, which is usually a half-mile away at this point.
C. Return home, peel off wet clothes, try to warm up, and wait for the Bobcats to come through and partially clear our parking spaces.
D. Redress in layers, finish the clearing with a shovel, at least a half-hour of work.
E. Go get the cars and bring them back.
F. Peel off wet clothes, and try to warm up.
G. Hope it doesn't snow a lot more, or might have to repeat this!
At least we're used to this routine. Down south, they're getting snow and don't know what to do with it. Happy Snow Day everyone!
A. Dig out the vehicles.
B. Warm up the cars and move them to temp parking, which is usually a half-mile away at this point.
C. Return home, peel off wet clothes, try to warm up, and wait for the Bobcats to come through and partially clear our parking spaces.
D. Redress in layers, finish the clearing with a shovel, at least a half-hour of work.
E. Go get the cars and bring them back.
F. Peel off wet clothes, and try to warm up.
G. Hope it doesn't snow a lot more, or might have to repeat this!
At least we're used to this routine. Down south, they're getting snow and don't know what to do with it. Happy Snow Day everyone!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Latest Publication
My flash story "Heartsounds" is out today at Every Day Fiction: www.everydayfiction.com
Even though it just came out, have a half-dozen good comments on it already. Very nice.
If you like the story, please consider leaving a comment and a rating.
Am very pleased, as this is my first mainstream, non-genre piece.
Happy Sunday!
Even though it just came out, have a half-dozen good comments on it already. Very nice.
If you like the story, please consider leaving a comment and a rating.
Am very pleased, as this is my first mainstream, non-genre piece.
Happy Sunday!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Book to Read
Just read "Least Wanted" by Debbi Mack, one of the series starring the character of Maryland attorney Stephanie Ann "Sam" McRae. Sam is a hard-boiled, tough-gal lawyer who helps the downtrodden, and this book is a slam-bang action ride. In the classic vein, the book opens with the arrival of a troubled (and troubling) client. Sam starts off on a simple matter, and soon becomes entangled with a batch of baddies, bodies, bruises, and blood.
Sam's gritty background and determination enable her to go where others could and would not. She can navigate different worlds, from the street-hard gangbangers to the suited sharks of courtroom and boardroom.
Despite growing frustration and ever-increasing personal danger, Sam is determined to find out the truth, amidst a nest of deceit and depravity. Because she has to keep others safe, her moral code allows for lapses in strict legal conduct. And she admits she can't save the world and everyone in it, but she can try to help a few of those in need.
If you like your mysteries with a hard edge, and enjoy reading of the tribulations of tough lady lawyers, you'll want to meet Sam McRae. You can find this book (and others by the author) on Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/34170
Sam's gritty background and determination enable her to go where others could and would not. She can navigate different worlds, from the street-hard gangbangers to the suited sharks of courtroom and boardroom.
Despite growing frustration and ever-increasing personal danger, Sam is determined to find out the truth, amidst a nest of deceit and depravity. Because she has to keep others safe, her moral code allows for lapses in strict legal conduct. And she admits she can't save the world and everyone in it, but she can try to help a few of those in need.
If you like your mysteries with a hard edge, and enjoy reading of the tribulations of tough lady lawyers, you'll want to meet Sam McRae. You can find this book (and others by the author) on Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/34170
Monday, January 3, 2011
Happy New Year
Managed to stay up to see the ball drop on New Year's Eve, but truthfully, wanted to go to bed at 9. Stayed up for the family. We don't drink, so we toasted with sparkling apple cider at midnight. Hoo-rah.
So that decade is over. Let's hope this one is a LOT better. Heck, let's just see if we can survive the year.
So that decade is over. Let's hope this one is a LOT better. Heck, let's just see if we can survive the year.
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