In the past 18 months since I started my indie author enterprise, I have experimented with lots of ways to get readers’ attention. After all the contests and advertising and promotions, I have come to the conclusion that the bottom line for selling books online is in reviews. How does one get reviews? You get … More My 99 Cent Sale
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 have a lot of respect for Orson Scott Card. By linking his name with mine in the title, I am not presuming that my writing is the same caliber as his, at least not yet. But I admire him greatly because he has been able to do something that I am trying to do … More Orson Scott Card and Me
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 am a strong advocate for wholistic (not holistic) living. I believe that my brain works better if I put the rest of it to work as well. Not only does it make me feel good, using my muscles circulates the blood and get more blood to my brain. In addition, I find myself being … More Using Different Muscles
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?
It’s the end of my first day of summer. I should be totally chill, relaxing, just taking life as easy as I can. Instead, I am up late with insomnia. My wife is snoring in the next room. Even the dogs are snoring in the living room with me. I am sitting in the dark … More Insomnia
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
The Great Adventure 