The Books I Read in 2022

I'm a member of Goodreads and always participate in its Reading Challenge every year. This year's personal challenge was to read 30 books; so far I've exceeded that at 32 and still have a couple more on my bookshelf.

As a writer, I'm a voracious reader. I believe reading makes me a better writer. I think all writers feel that sentiment about their writing. While I love books, I also read newspapers, magazines, blogs, and various Internet sites. Even cereal boxes. 

Here are the books that claimed some of my precious time this year.

I spent an inordinate amount of time reading about our disgraced former president. It wasn't so much that I wanted to read about him, but to gain a deeper understanding of the workings of the government and why people are motivated to do certain things for the sake of power. It was a disheartening look at U.S. democracy in the 21st century. 

     Among the books:

     "Peril" by Bob Woodward and Bob Costa (up close and personal)

     "Trumpocalypse" and "Trumpocracy" by David Frum (a conservative's viewpoint)

    "The Plot to Destroy Democracy" by Malcolm Nance (a cyber expert)

    "The Big Lie" by Jonathan Lemire (details longtime game plan)

    "How Civil Wars Start" by Barbara F. Walter (scary outlook about the nation's future) 

    "Betrayal" by Jonathan Karl (my favorite of the books)

    

I've been a fan of mysteries for a long time. I try to read those that have a distinctive voice, believable characters, and gritty dialogue.

    "Sins of the Father" by Judith White (a pleasant discovery for me)

    "Looking at Kansas" and "Last Train to Miami" by Chris Helvey (one of my favorite murder-mystery writers)

    "Harmon Creek" by Thomas Fenske (based on a heinous crime in Texas)

The next few books probably fall under the General Fiction category. Each has elements of suspense, mystery, sadness, and humor.

    "Uncle Ahmad's Toys" by E. William Fruge (focusing on immigration and racism)

    "Where the Crawdads Sing" by Delia Owens (who hasn't read this book?)    

    "The Necessities of Life" by Ed Ford (Eastern Kentucky mining town during the Great Depression)

    "Zorrie" by Laird Hunt (Woman seeks purpose and understanding in life)

And some nonfiction and poetry:

    "Small Acreages" by Georgia Green Stamper (reflections on a interesting life) 

    "Promise" by Patricia Rose (dealing with a broken heart)

    "Gangsters vs. Nazis" by Michael Benson (something new about "good" bad guys against evil bad guys)

    "Being Mortal" by Atul Gawande (end-of-life options to consider)

Other books I read and enjoyed.

    Nonfiction: "Enemy of the People" (Terrence Petty), "Factfulness" (Hans Rosling), "USA National Parks" (DK Eyewitness Travel), and "Balance Exercise for Seniors" (Baz Thompson).

    Fiction: "She's Missing" (Mike Paull), "The Island" (H. Wakefield), "If She Knew" (Blake Pierce), "Antique Mourning" (Eileen Harris), "Alaska Shelter" (Debbie LaFleiche), "Death Canel" (Michael Hartnett), "After the Ark" (Dick Shead), "Journey to Mackinac Island" (Kileen Prather), and "Adultery 101" (Margaret Kona). 

I've reviewed the books on Goodreads if you're interested in reading them. As an author, I ask readers to leave ratings and/or reviews of my books. So as a reader, I do the same. 

I'll be signing up for the 2023 challenge soon. This time, I'll probably increase the number to 36 books. I hope you join in the challenge as well. It's rewarding, entertaining, and fulfilling. And while you're at it, connect with me.

Until the next time . . .

Bluegrass Writers Coalition: From Pen to Page

I'm a founding member of the Bluegrass Writers Coalition, formed about 18 months ago in Frankfort, Ky., to discuss everything related to reading and writing. 

We get together the second Thursday of each month at the local Panera Bread Co. and share our thoughts about poetry, fiction, nonfiction, promotion, marketing, or whatever anyone cares to discuss in the one-hour meeting (we set the alarm to ring one hour after our 5:30 p.m. start). We also have brief readings and share our work as we build the writing community.

We have about 20 members but usually around 12 to 15 show up for meetings since many of them work full-time jobs. Our ages range from the 20s to the 70s. We have newbies and published authors. No dues. No commitments. Just show up when you can.

It's an eclectic group of interesting men and women from  various backgrounds and vocations who simply enjoy writing and reading. And on top of that, we seem to like each other so you might say we're a social group as well. 

This past summer we decided to publish an anthology, with members submitting novel excerpts, short stories, poems, essays, and creative nonfiction works. The result was the 154-page "From Pen to Page: a selection of writings from  the Bluegrass Writers Coalition," published in late October. It's available in print and ebook (and just in time for Christmas gift-giving). 

The book is dedicated to Mark Kinnaird, a founding member who passed away unexpectedly last summer at age 59.  Besides an insightful poet, Mark was a staffer at the Paul Sawyer Public Library in Frankfort, involved in book clubs and the annual Gathering of Authors" event as well as other responsibilities. He loved the written word.

Our group has other plans such as book signings and public readings. Other activities may develop in the coming months.

Feel free to join us at our next meeting on Dec. 12 (or any meeting on the second Thursday of the month). We also have a Facebook page if you want to learn more about BWC.

Until the next time . . .  

Introducing My New Vlog and/or Podcast

I'm not sure how effective this will be or how long it will last, but I've started a short vlog or podcast. I'm really not sure what to call the format.

Checking on the Internet, the definition of a vlog is "a blog that features mostly videos rather than text or images."

And a podcast is "a digital audio or video file or recording, usually part of a themed series, that can be downloaded from a website to a media player or computer."

I've thought about doing a vlog for quite a while but put it off because I wanted it to complement what I do here. I am a writer, remember, and this is what I do best (at least I hope so). I also have novel, New Horizons, that will be released on May 1 so I'm trying to maximize the promotion. 

I subscribe to Joanna Penn's blog and have admired her work in marketing and promoting books. And she does a great job with her podcasts. 

Her podcast on growing readership through podcasting, featuring Paul Sating, probably tipped me over the edge into this new adventure. I even purchased his ebook so I guess the podcast worked on me. By the way, I highly recommend subscribing to Joanna's blog/podcasts.

I plan to keep my podcasts short and sweet. In addition to my journey as a writer, I'll also have posts about my travels, music and book recommendations, and other interests. I hope to keep them to 60 seconds but that may prove to be difficult. And I'll try to refrain from being political since there's more than enough of that stuff on the World Wide Web.

So here's the first podcast. Please feel free to subscribe to my YouTube Channel as well although I plan to do dual posts here. You might consider clicking the "follow" button in the right margin of this blog to keep current with my posts.  

Until the next time . . .

New Year Thoughts

Can you believe it's 2018? I know it's a cliché, but the older you get, the faster time flies. 

And time is the most important commodity you have as each year passes by and a new one begins. Health, financial security, and friendships certainly rank high, but time is the component that determines the degree of each.  Treasure each day. 

I'm not much on resolutions; I prefer to have goals as a writer.

So here's what I hope to accomplish over the next 365 days:

• Write the third installment to the "John Ross Boomer Lit Novel" series. That begins today.
• Complete the second volume of "Laments" short-story collection.
• Write more posts to this blog. I plan to write more music-related posts and add short author interviews. Reader beware!  
• Participate in more author-related activities, such as book signings, panel discussions, speaking engagements, and so on. I already have two radio interviews coming up this month and February (more details later). 
  

There will be more items that will be added to the list as time (that word again) goes on, but I'm not taking anything for granted. And I don't want to commit to more than I can handle because that can be frustrating, especially when you can't attain those goals. 

So I'm keeping it short and simple. Balance is key. That includes quality time with family and friends as well as reading, travel, and activities that interest and enrich me as a person.

Here's hoping that you have a enlightening and entertaining new year. 

Until the next time. . . . 

Happy Holidays

A quick note to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Like every year, 2017 has had its up and downs and a few things all around. That's what life is all about. You simply try to adapt and adjust to the situations confronting you and try to make the best of them, if possible.

Maybe 2018 will have more ups than downs. At least some days when life is at an even keel. I must confess, that at my age, deaths to family members and friends throw me for a loop. My guess that most people feel the same way, and perhaps regardless of age.

I certainly hope that all the writers out there keep the muse in their lives as they venture into uncharted territory. I've always believed writing was an adventure and the rewards came during the process that also involves thoughts being transformed into words.   

And I hope readers find entertaining and edifying books to satisfy their emotional and intellectual needs. I always want to gain something after investing time in this worthwhile pursuit. Furthermore, that's one of the things I try to deliver as an author.  Time is a precious commodity that I don't take lightly.



Until the next time. . . .

Promote...Promote...Promote...

It's been several weeks since I posted something here. I must confess that I needed a breather, especially after finishing my latest novel and all that comes with it, such as edits, cover design, and promotion.

"Darkness Beyond the Light" will be released Nov. 1, by Wings ePress. While it's still more than five weeks away, I've tried to do several things to have a successful launch.

I have postcards, business cards, and a display poster printed printed. The postcards will go to selected libraries, bookstores, and readers in the coming weeks. The business cards will be handed out at book signings and related events while the poster will be prominently displayed with my books. I've also ordered bookmarks that will be given to those who purchase the novel. 

I've also had periodic updates on my Facebook author's page (be sure and visit and "like"), personal website, and other book-related sites the past few weeks. More will be forthcoming. And I have some book signings scheduled (check at the bottom of this post).

I hope to get back to working on the third installment in the "John Ross Boomer Lit" series in November, perhaps with National Novel Writing Month. I have some life events that need my attention before I go full bore into another manuscript.

So that's where I'm at right now. I plan to get back to regular postings if life doesn't get in the way.

Until the next time. . . .

Value-added Book Signings

While participating in a book signing a few months ago, another author and I discussed the importance of authors providing some value to book signings at stores, libraries, readers groups, civic organizations and other places.

And that value involves giving back to those who invite you to sign books.

Among the ways:

• Participate in a panel discussion that relates to your book. 
• Discuss your writing process.
• Take part in readings.
• Give a presentation about your book and invite questions from readers.
• Talk about the craft, such as research, point-of-view, writing descriptions, developing characters, etc.
• Discuss the reasons why you wrote your book.
• Take part in a writing workshop.
• Develop multiple presentations to address different grade levels when invited to a school.
• Talk about the business side of writing, such as marketing, promotion, agents and publishing houses.
• If self-published, talk about how it differs from traditional publishing.
• If you're an illustrator or writer of picture books, discuss the process of illustrating a book (and perhaps provide a few signed samples as part of a giveaway). 

Before the book signing, work with the host or group to promote the event. That entails social media, assisting with a news release, and making yourself available for interviews with local media.

And when it's over with, don't forget to send a thank-you note for allowing you the privilege to sign books at their venue (and let them know you're available for return visits).

Do you have any suggestions to offer?

Until the next time....

P.S. -- I can be contacted off my personal web page for book signings and author-related appearances. A good resource in the U.S. for locating authors is Authors for Libraries, which shows authors living  close to zip codes who are willing to speak to groups.

Signed, Sealed and Delivered

I signed the contract for my manuscript, put it in a legal-size envelope, and mailed it to the publisher this week. If everything goes as planned, it will become a book for young adults on Oct. 1.

The book has been assigned ISBN numbers for print and electronic editions. 

Before publication day, there's more work to be done. At this point I'm completing forms that will be part of the marketing and promotion plan and the cover design for the publisher. That involves providing a synopsis, blurbs, excerpt, bio, keywords, cover ideas, and a dedication.

I'll be doing some self-promotion as well. I generally have bookmarks and postcards printed for distribution to friends, bookstores, and libraries. And I'll be spreading the word on Facebook, Twitter and other social-media sites and reader-writer sites such as Goodreads, Authors for Libraries, Authors Den, Shelfari, and Manic Readers.

As many authors will tell you, promotion and marketing can seem as time intensive as it was writing the book. Most authors would probably prefer not to do it -- they'd rather be writing-- but it's a necessity if a book is going to have a chance in the marketplace because publishers have only so much money to go around. 

I'll also be working with an editor in getting the manuscript ready for publication. And then I'll receive the galley proof for one last read. 

By the time the book is released, I want to hit the ground with some momentum. 

I've already started the promotion. Look at the bottom of this post for the Countdownr widget. I'll be watching it as well during the coming weeks.

Until the next time...

Authors for Libraries

One of my favorite places in the world is a library because, for the most part, when I'm there I have the whole world at my fingertips. 

It's easy for me to get lost in a library. Once I step inside and start exploring, I lose track of time going from one thing to another. 

It's wise for me to have a "to-do" list so I can stay somewhat focused on my initial purpose for venturing down those hallowed shelves.

Of course, much of the excitement for me in going to the library is to have no purpose at all except to explore the books, music, magazines, newspapers, movies and anything else I stumble upon in my journey.

The other day I was in a hurry and returned books that were due that day. On my way out, I couldn't help but take a look at some of the books and media being offered at the used book store, operated by the Friends of the Library group. I ended up purchasing four books and three CDs.

I recently joined Authors for Libraries, which is part of United for Libraries, a division of the American Library Association.

Why did I join? Well, some of the reasons are mentioned above. I believe libraries are vital to communities by what they have to offer. And they're free (with support from tax dollars)for anyone to use.

And because I'm an author, I feel it's important to offer support for places that house my works as well as those of thousands of other writers. Furthermore, it's somewhat of paying back since I've done research for my books at libraries.

And the benefit will be mutual since it will connect me with libraries and vice versa for presentations, speaking engagements, and ways to promote writing and reading.

So my message to all those authors out there: Support your local library!

Out of Books

My wife asked me to take her to Fayette Mall in Lexington this weekend, and being the dutiful husband that I am, I agreed. Fayette Mall is the largest mall in Kentucky so you can imagine the traffic it draws from Lexington and surrounding areas. I hate dealing with traffic.

I'm not much into shopping. When we walked inside she said we could meet somewhere after she made her rounds. In the past, I'd go to Waldenbooks and browse. She'd know where to find me when she finished her shopping. And I was content to wander among the books by Kentucky authors, magazine rack, bargain books, new releases, and everything else they had to offer.

But there is no longer a Waldenbooks in the mall. There is no bookstore among the hundred-plus stores. Period. In the space once occupied by Waldenbooks is an Apple store.

So while she went to the various stores, I sat down at one the rest areas. And it got me to thinking as I people-watched.

There are a lot of people who probably don't give it much thought that there isn't a bookstore in the mall. Some may be so young that they never knew there was a bookstore and won't miss it in years to come.

They'll be content to browse the Apple store. Maybe they'll purchase an iPad or some other device to store their music, videos, photos, and perhaps even a book or two.

Until the next time...