Tuesday, July 30, 2013

The Journey Begins...

Files and artwork are locked and loaded. Search keywords meticulously chosen, and pricing finalized. 'Journeyman Warsmith' is two mouse clicks and twelve hours away from going live. It seems as if I'm twice as nervous about this book release as the first one. If this series goes to five as planned, investing in Pepto Bismol stock might be a wise decision indeed.
The easiest way to overcome the stress is to shift the focus completely. That, I can do.
August 1st is about the library. I spent most of junior high and high school in the library reading everything I could get my hands on. And when I started calling around to local libraries during the release of 'Apprentice Swordceror', one library in particular caught my interest. Diane, the reference and special programs coordinator at the Victory branch of the Ada Community Library was more enthusiastic about my book, sight unseen, than I was during our first telephone conversation. Through two presentations, ten months, and countless emails and Facebook messages, that enthusiasm has not waned in the slightest.
I'm a math guy from way back. I know that there is no reasonable return on investment in a donation program like this, or the others I have been involved in. I've been advised by trusted associates that small-time local promotion campaigns are always a loss.
If we're doing good, it's a win. Seeing the excitement on the faces of the kids and their parents at the filming of our scenes for 'Empire Uncut' was beyond anything I ever saw in a library. We just had books, and a TV on a cart. The things Diane and her coworkers are putting together draw children and their families into the library, which is a much better place than many alternatives in this day and age. We need that.
I don't know how far this donation of 32¢ per copy sold on the 1st will go to helping the library with their special events department. But like so many other things lately, I'm going to find out.

Monday, July 1, 2013

The Next Chapter

The latest updates/fixes to Apprentice Swordceror are uploaded. The preview chapter of Journeyman Warsmith is included at the end of the first title, as well as here on the blog.
The list price for Apprentice Swordceror has  been reduced to $2.99, the lowest price allowed by law at this point in time.
The release date for Journeyman Warsmith is still holding at August 1st.
The donation formula to the Ada Community Library's Special Events Program has been set at 32¢ per US sale on the first full day. That could be huge. For everyone.

The question at the forefront of my mind? What genre will the next chapter of my life fall into? We've been through Legal Drama, Coming of Age, Training Montage, and more recently Romantic Comedy, After School Special, and Drama.

One thing is for certain. I look forward to the ultimate example of life imitating art: the possibility that writing my own story will lead to me being able to... write my own story.