Active and Passive Book Promotion

Sometimes, as authors, we tend to forget about our earlier works. We focus on a recent publication and mentally store previous books in the attic.

I'm guilty of that to some extent. I find myself expending lots of time and energy in promoting a new release. That's probably a good thing to do but I think authors should also look at their catalog and make sure some titles aren't forgotten.

Since the publication of "Old Ways and New Days" last October, I've used various outlets to spread the word about the coming-of-old-age novel. I'd like to report that it has resulted in the book reaching the upper echelons of best-seller lists, but that hasn't been the case, unless you view "upper" in the off-the-chart categories.

But being published by a small publishing house -- Wings ePress -- it's difficult creating a buzz about the novel. That's why I and most authors urge readers to leave reviews and/or ratings on websites such as Amazon.com, B&N.com, Goodreads.com and others. That's a word-of-mouth promotion that can bring more attention to our books.

Recently I've promoted "Shooting Star," a young adult novel about a boy trying to gain acceptance on a team that has aspirations of winning the high school basketball title. Although it was published nearly five years ago, it's a timely (it's basketball season)  and timeless story that's received little promotion. 

After the "Shooting Star" promotion, I'll turn my attention to "The Bully List," which was published nearly three years ago. It's also a young-adult novel, focusing on bullying in a middle school. 

I also try to promote other titles at writing conferences, book signings and similar events. And they're passively promoted on my website, Facebook, Amazon, and other sites -- including this blog page, if you haven't notice.

I try to limit the promotions on places such as Facebook and Twitter. Too much and it becomes unwanted spam. I want to attract readers, not turn them off. 

I confess I don't like promotion but it's a necessary part of the publishing process. I know quite a few authors who have books with large publishing houses, and believe it or not, they find themselves doing many of the things that I do with my novels. And most of them don't like it either; they'd prefer to be writing.

Do you have any marketing tips?

Until the next time....

"Explore. Dream. Discover."

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page" -- St. Augustine

I'll be taking another trip to Europe this spring, making stops in Budapest, Vienna, and Prague. 

For those who follow my blog (and if you don't you can sign up on the right column), you know my wife and I traveled to London, Paris, and Roma last May. It was an unforgettable experience so we decided to return to Europe, this time taking in some other cities that we've read about in publications, seen in movies, or raved about from other travelers. 

"I can't think of anything that excites a greater sense of childlike wonder than to be in a country where you are ignorant of almost everything." -- Bill Bryson

Austria

We're looking forward to seeing places such as the Hungarian Parliament, Buda Castle, Hungarian State Opera House, and perhaps Memento Park in Budapest; Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square and the Jewish Quarter in Prague; and St. Stephen's Cathedral, Schonbrunn Palace, and Hofburg in Vienna.

"Travel like Ghandi, with simple clothes, open eyes and an uncluttered mind." -- Rick Steves

Czech Republic

We're urban hikers so we'll be taking in a lot of sites and sounds from this new adventure to the Old World. We often find the most interesting things off the beaten path.


And we can't wait to taste some of the cuisine from those countries. I've read that Czech beer is great; Austrian pastries are divine; and Hungarian dishes are spicy and delicious. 

"One of the great things about travel is that you find out how many good, kind people there are." -- Edith Wharton

Hungary

I'll be taking tons of photos and writing posts to this blog. (If any media outlets are interested in features and photos, you can email me at michael.embry@gmail.com. I may also be available to visit or speak to groups, there or here.) 

Any suggestions of places to visit?

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." -- Mark Twain

Until the next time....


(Travel quotes from www.autoeurope.com)

Some Sweet Songs for Valentine's Day

What I enjoy about love songs for Valentine's Day is that they can last a lifetime. A box of candy may be gone in a few hours. Flowers wilt. Diamonds  may last forever, but who needs something that will be around longer than mere mortals (don't answer that, ladies!)? 

So here are a few songs I've enjoyed through the years that I believe are sweet, tender and touch the heart -- for a lifetime. 


Canadian Anne Murray sang about everlasting love in her "Could I Have This Dance," written by Wayland Holyfield and Bob House. The crossover hit reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Chart and No. 33 on the Hot 100 in 1980. It also garnered a Grammy Award and was used in the movie, "Urban Cowboy."

"I'll always remember the song they were playin'

The first time we danced and I knew

As we swayed to the music and held to each other

I fell in love with you"

One of the greatest love songs in the rock era was written by Tony Asher and Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys -- "God Only Knows,"  released on the group's masterpiece "Pet Sounds" album in 1966.

"I may not always love you

But as long as there are stars about you

You never need to doubt it

I'll make you so sure about it"

The Beatles' George Harrison also penned a beautiful love ballad in "Something," from the Abbey Road album in 1969. It was a No. 1 hit for the quiet Beatle.

"Something in the way she moves

Attracts me like no other lover

Something in the way she woos me

I don't want to leave her now

You know I believe and how"

And how can you put together a list of love songs and not include Elvis Presley. My choice is "Can't Help Falling in Love," a chart topper for the King in 1961, from his "Blue Hawaii" album.  The song was written by Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, and George David Weiss. 

"Take my hand, take my whole life too

For I can't help falling in love with you"

And finally, "Unchained Melody," a No. 4 song by Bobby Hatfield of The Righteous Brothers in 1965. The tune was written by Alex North and Hy Zaret. The emotionally charged tune was used in the blockbuster movie, "Ghost."

"Oh, my love, my darling

I've hungered, for your touch"

Those are a few of the many songs that touched my heart and soul. What are your favorite love songs?

Until the next time...

Personal E-Book Promotion

I'm always looking for new ways to promote my novels.

I've used websites for promotions, reviews, and giveaways; traditional (and perhaps old-fashioned) approaches such as postcards and bookmarks; and other ways such as posting links and images to emails and other correspondence. (By the way, I still believe word of mouth is the best way to promote).

I'm going to try something new, at least for me. Through this post I will offer seven digital copies of my novels, since that's how many I've written since 1999.  I've already done a print giveaway on Amazon.com and Goodreads.com. 

If you're interested in reading one of my novels, all you have to do is reply to my email at michael.embry@gmail.com with "Contest" in the subject line and the following information the body:

1. I need your email so I can send the novel to you through Amazon.com as a gift. 
2. I will let you pick the novel of your choice -- The Touch, A Long Highway, Foolish Is The Heart, A Confidential Man, Shooting Star, The Bully List, or Old Ways and New Days. You can go to my website or visit Amazon to read a synopsis of the novels. I would recommend going to my author page since all the books are listed there.
3.  Your name, location and selection. When the contest is finished, I will update this post with the winners, e.g., John D., Yakima, Wash., Old Ways and New Days.  I won't use your last name or your email. Promise!
4. So how will I decide the seven winners? That's easy. The first seven who respond will receive a novel of their choice.
5. There are no catches or surprises to this contest. I would appreciate a rating and/or review, but it's not necessary. I know some folks don't like to write reviews. Maybe word of mouth?

I look forward to hearing from you. Good luck!

Until the next time....

Manuscript Reset

As mentioned in a previous post, I'm working on a sequel to "Old Ways and New Days." 

I've written about 20,000 words, so that's a good start. But then I hit a snag. I haven't written any words for a couple weeks as I've contemplated the direction I want the story to take. 

While I haven't been writing, I've been researching some subject matter for the story. I've been one who advocates a stream-of-consciousness approach to writing the first draft, then going back and fixing the problems in the rewrites. 

This time I prefer to get any obstacles out of the way before hitting the keyboard in the storytelling. And I'm ready now.

I'm getting back to the manuscript after completing this post, and will write every day -- unless there are some unforeseen circumstances -- until I'm finished with the first draft. 

Not to make any excuses (does a writer ever make excuses?), but I've also be occupied with other things as well in this new year. Those distractions have been minimized as I'm about to move on.

And I still plan to work on a few more short stories in the coming months as well. 

So that's where I'm at on Jan. 26th. Now to get back to the manuscript.

Until the next time...

Story Songs: Lonely and Lonesome Tunes

While driving my car the other day and listening to the local oldies station (93.5 FM), Rick Nelson's "Lonesome Town" played softly through the speakers.

His voice conveyed the feelings of breaking up with someone you love (teen angst), beginning with the opening verse:

"There's a place where lovers go

To cry their troubles away

And they call it 'Lonesome Town"

Where the broken hearts stay"

The song (No. 7 on Billboard in 1958) lingered in my mind for quite a while as I thought about other tunes I like with "lonely" and "lonesome" in the title.  So here a few I've enjoyed through the years:

One of Elvis' early hits was "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" in 1960, recorded after his discharge from the army. The song, written in 1926 by Roy Turk and Lou Handman, was a chart topper for the King.

"Are you lonesome tonight,

Do you miss me tonight?

Are you sorry we drifted apart?"

If any singer could express loneliness and sadness, it was Roy Orbison. His "Only the Lonely (Know the Way I Feel)," a No. 2 song for the balladeer in 1960. 

"There goes my baby

There goes my heart

They're gone forever

So far apart"

Jackie Wilson is almost in tears (figuratively) as he belts out "Lonely Teardrops," a No. 7 song in 1958. It was also the last song Wilson performed live before collapsing on a stage in 1975, suffering a heart attack. He died nine years later.

"My heart is crying, crying

Lonely teardrops,

My pillow's never dry of lonely teardrops

Come home, come home

Just say you will, say you will"

Singer-songwriter James Taylor reached No. 14 on the charts in 1973 with "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight."

"You ain't gonna see me getting down on my knees

I'm undecided and your heart's been divided

You've been turning my world upside down"

My all-time favorite "lonesome" song is Hank Williams Sr.'s penned "I'm So Lonely I Could Cry," a tune even Elvis said was "probably the saddest song I ever heard." It's not a song to listen to if you're really depressed because it will make you cry along with the singer.

"Did you ever see a robin weep

When leaves begin to die?

Like me, he's lost the will to live

I'm so lonesome I could cry"

My favorite version is by B.J. Thomas, which reached No. 8 on the charts in 1966.

Yes, these are songs about sadness, but they're also contemplative in expressing emotions that we all share in our lives. 

Any favorite "lonely" and "lonesome" songs?

Until the next time.... 

Write Goals for the New Year

I'm not one to make a long list of writing goals. I prefer to keep them short, simple and to the point.

So here's my short list for 2016:

1. Write every day, beginning today. 
2. Begin and finish the sequel to "Old Ways and New Days." I'll get back to the manuscript today and work  on it daily until it's completed. 
3. Publish another short story collection, a followup to "Laments." I've already written six stories; I hope to write six more in the coming months.
4. Stay more focused on writing life. That means I'll have to rid myself of distractions. That can be difficult because some distractions add some spice to one's life. I suppose I'll keep a few of them, such as travel and photography. 
5. Read a minimum of two books a month. I accomplished that reading goal on Goodreads in 2015 so I know that's doable with all the other reading I do (magazines, newspapers, blogs, etc.). As most authors will attest, reading makes better writing.
6. Try to improve my physical condition. I recently joined the Y and have been working out every other day. I believe a healthy body keeps a person mentally fit as well, and being a writer, it's important to stay sharp as possible when working on a novel.

Those are my writing goals for 2016. If I can stay true to my intentions, it should be a productive year.

Until the next time....