If you have been reading my blog for any length of time, you know that I have said more than once that there are no guarantees in life. And that goes for writing as well. I told a fellow magazine editor one time while we were watching our first issue roll off the press: “Enjoy … More Positive Strokes
I have a new theory when it comes to book publishing. Well, it’s actually not that new. I’ve been thinking about it for the past year. At 18 months in the indie book business, I am still an adolescent when it comes to publishing. I continue to read advice from other indie authors. Some of … More Critical Mass
I can still remember the day when my mom brought me to Mountain View Academy to register me as a high school freshman. Part of the registration process was getting your photo taken for the “Funnybook” and adding a word to describe yourself. I couldn’t–or wouldn’t–give them a word, but after I left that table, … More Let Your Freak Flag Fly
I’ve worked in various companies since the 70s, and it always amazes me how numbers can be manipulated. The old saying goes, “There are lies, damn lies, and statistics.” The publishing house I was a part of used to boast that they ended each year in the black, but those who worked there knew that … More Playing with Numbers
I’ve never been able to pat my head and rub my belly at the same time, and so I have been remiss in keeping up with my blog, or my writing for that matter. But I had decided early on that this summer was not going to be writing intensive. Instead, I have spent the … More Hits and Misses
Today I am a hostage in my own home. There are workmen outside who occasionally have to come in to use the bathroom. So I am hanging in here, ignoring errands that must be attended to eventually and watching them haul pipes and power cords and equipment past my windows. We have known for a … More Clatter Outside, Scatter Inside
There are millions of wanna-be published authors out there. Some of them–a lot of them, actually–actually end up writing some semblance of a book manuscript. And once it is written, there are quite a few that think this: It is the greatest thing that has ever been written. All I have to do it get … More Is Your Writing Starbucks, 7-Eleven or Home Brew?
Goodbye, Jackson Paul. We hardly knew ye. For those who are unfamiliar with the name Jackson Paul, that’s another good reason why he must die. You see, Jackson Paul is my penname. Or it was. But I discovered that having a penname and self publishing aren’t necessarily conducive to each other. For example, Smashwords is … More The Death of Jackson Paul
We are in the throes of final exams at my school. I gave an exam this morning, and have students turning in final papers for that same class. I am still waiting on four papers that are due today. Tomorrow I have two more tests to proctor, and one on Wednesday. In the middle of … More One down, three to go
Well, it pays to know people apparently. Over lunch, I took a copy of my new book Infinity’s Reach over to Mickey Johnson at the Texas ABC here in Keene. He had been following me with my launch of the book in recent weeks and was eager to read it. I have done book signings once … More Good News
The Great Adventure 