No NaNoWriMo

I must admit that I didn't complete the National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, in November.

On the first day, I wrote about 1,300 words. The next morning I sat down and couldn't find the file. I could have swore I saved the initial entry but it was nowhere to be found. 

I tried to start again, but faltered after 500 words or so. And then I flamed out.

My heart really wasn't in it this year because of the passing of a loved one and a prior commitment to judge entries in a writing contest. I couldn't get focused even though I had a rough outline, one that I will be using when I start the third installment in the "John Ross Boomer Lit" series. 

I plan to get moving on the next novel in a few weeks when I don't have any extraordinary distractions. 

This is the first time that I haven't completed a NaNoWriMo challenge. The previous efforts evolved into novels -- "Shooting Star," "The Bully List," "Old Ways and New Days," and the recently published "Darkness Beyond the Light."

I hope those who took the grueling challenge completed the 50,000-word goal. Any may you get published for all the hard work.

Until the next time. . . .

(P.S. While you're here, click on the Goodreads giveaway for "Darkness Beyond the Edge" at the upper right. And I would be honored if you'd follow the blog as well.) 

Third Promotion

My third promotion for "Darkness Beyond the Light" will begin on Nov. 26 and run until Dec. 24 on Goodreads.com.

The first promotion was an ebook giveaway on Amazon and the second was an advertisement in Facebook. I plan to announce other promotions in the coming weeks so stay tuned.

The latest giveaway is for five print copies of the novel. I've done three previous contests on Goodreads with positive responses from readers wanting to enter.

While the promotion involves some financial outlay on my part—five books and postage to the winners—it also attracts attention and exposure for the novel. Most of the readers will  since most click the "Want to Read" button, and perhaps a percentage of those will eventually purchase it.

So if you've like to enter, simply click on the button to the right of this post or go to Goodreads. By the way, Goodreads is a wonderful website that connects readers to authors and vice versa. I'd be honored if you decided to follow and/or friend me when you visit the page.

Until the next time. . . .

New Cover

Sometimes you have to take a step back in order to move forward. That's what the folks at Wings ePress have done with "Old Ways and New Days."

Since the novel is the first in the "John Ross Boomer Lit" series, the cover needed to redone to reflect the change. Digital artist Richard Stroud has designed the new cover, which I believe gives more of an idea of what is between the covers.

Old 

New

Besides the new artwork, Stroud has added the "John Ross Boomer Lit Novel" strip across the bottom and uses a similar font to the one used in "Darkness Beyond the Light." Those elements will continue forthcoming books in the series.

Coming up with a cover that says something about the book is as difficult as trying to say what a book is about in  30 words or less. Authors try to do that (most of us don't) since it is something that would fit nicely in a sound bite.

And if that's not the case, they want a back cover blurb (my publisher prefers 75 words or less)  that attracts potential readers. Just watch readers in a book store, library or some other place as they quickly scan blurbs to see which books they want to read—it's a quick process to capture their attention, or not.

So with the new cover, it's the hope that it will boost sales, especially from those who've read "Darkness Beyond the Light" but haven't read "Old Ways and New Days" because they will see the connection.

Until the next time. . . . 

Second Promotion

I began a second promotion today, using Facebook to spread the word about "Darkness Beyond the Light."

Since the coming-of-old-age novel focuses primarily on AARP-age folks, I targeted baby boomers in major cities in the United States. It will run for 14 days. I've used Facebook in the past to promote by author page, garnering a good degree of success. I hope that holds true for the novel. You can enter the first promotion, an ebook from Amazon, by clicking here. 


The ad will send folks to my author page on Amazon, where they will (hopefully) purchase the book. It will also expose them to my other novels and nonfiction books. I especially want them to consider "Old Ways and New Days" since it is the first book  in the series.

I considered using Twitter, and I may still do so, but I'm going to do more research before I spend allocate any funds. If any authors out there, have you had success using Twitter?

I'll do a Goodreads giveaway as well, when the Facebook promotion is about over. I want to promote the book through the holiday season. By the way, "Darkness Beyond the Light" is set during the Christmas season. 

I've looked into other places but have found them rather pricey, and a few simply come across as scams. 

As I've noted in previous posts, promotion and marketing is not my forte. I do as much research as possible. Networking helps as other authors tell me of their experiences.

Until the next time. . . .

First Promotion

The first promotion for my latest novel, "Darkness Beyond the Light," is on Amazon through Nov. 23.

It's a giveaway of five e-books. You need to click here and tweet that you entered. It's that simple. Also, you don't have to own a Kindle to read the book. Amazon offers an app for Apple, Android, and Windows devices.

I know some folks don't have Twitter accounts so don't despair. I plan to have several other contests in the coming weeks to promote the John  Ross Boomer Lit novel. Stay tuned!

Until the next time. . . .

Published!

My latest novel, "Darkness Beyond the Light," is now out there for the world to see -- and to read -- from Wings ePress.

Here are the links for the e-book:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

And for the print edition:

Amazon
It also will be available at Barnes & Noble. You can also order the novel through your local independent bookstore through CreateSpace.

Check back for updates and giveaways.

If you do purchase the novel, please leave a review and/or rating at the website. And that goes for all books because authors appreciate feedback.

Until the next time. . . .