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?
If I seem a bit preoccupied these days, it’s because we are entering the last week of classes. Finals start next Monday and run through Wednesday. Then on Sunday, May 5, I will march with the other professors to graduate our seniors who have earned their right to a diploma. One or two won’t march, … More Making Grades
I decided to advertise on Facebook a while ago, and actually did something about it in late March. At the time I wasn’t sure what kind of results I would get, and I told readers I would share my conclusions at some future date. Well, that date has arrived. When I considered Facebook as a … More Facebook Ads: The Jury Has a Verdict
I confess. Every once in a time I find myself guilty of doing the same things I tell my students not to do. Like fretting over things you have no control over. You know the feeling: you work your butt off to get your manuscript finished, send it off in the mail to some potential … More Watching Paint Dry
I’m not proud. It’s been sixteen months since I made the decision to go into independent book publishing after three decades of traditional publishing. I have already gone into the reasons why I did so, and I still think it was the right decision. And I knew from the very beginning that I was going … More The Biggest Mistake I’ve Made (so far) In Indie Book Publishing
Yes, I am doing another giveaway of “Infinity’s Reach.” This time it is on Goodreads, the social network website devoted to readers. Between now and May 24, Goodreads is giving away 10 of the paperback versions of my book. Here is the link to the giveaway page. Once again, those who downloaded the free e-book … More Another Giveaway!
Well, the good news is, I survived the weekend. And what a weekend it was. If you have been following my blog in the past few days, you’ll know that my wife Shelly took last week off to take care of our 3-year-old grandson Gavin while his parents in Austin moved into a new apartment … More We Survived!
The Great Adventure 