I'm Back! (but not with a Vengeance)

It's been almost 3 weeks since my last blog. Where have I been, you ask? Not in any location or situation that would impede the composing of a blog. I guess I've just been lazy.

I'm about 60% done with Sons of Sludge 1.0, wherein a zombie just proposed to a human girl (She said yes!). Still progressing a little slower than I'd like, but rolling along nonetheless. I've been resisting flirtations with other writing projects, like the second Float installment, or a concept for another paranormal teen novel that my wife and I toyed with a while back. I just need to suck it up and get this first draft done - I think it'll really shine once I start editing it.

Last week I went to go see Rammstein in Dallas, and it was phenomenal. Their live performances were my inspiration for the Shock Tooth concert in Float (if you've seen Rammstein, and have read the book, you'll know what I'm talking about). 

One of the most entertaining aspects of the show, however, were the security guards standing in front of the pit. I guess no one briefed them on the band's affinity for pyrotechnics, because every time flames shot out they would cringe and try to shield the back of their necks from the heat. And of course, for the closer, Till shot foam all over everyone, including the event staff. At least they were smiling and laughing about it - if you've been to a concert, you know the guards don't normally betray any emotion. Good times.

My sales for Float have slowed considerably, and I think the initial surge for it has come to a halt. I think it's time I start trying to advertise beyond just my friends and family, but I'm not sure how. I've read that no one will buy your book unless they know and like you as a writer, but how will they like your writing if they don't first buy your book to read it? It's a sort of a "Chicken or the Egg" scenario. Kinda like how you to have to get an agent before you can get published, but in order to get an agent you have to have something published first. Lame...

I guess it all boils down to having an audience. I've been playing with the idea of making a viral video, one that will get a lot of traffic, then somehow integrating my literary material into it. I know, it sounds a little sneaky, but what else must I do? I got kids to feed, dammit.

No, they're not starving, my family is actually quite blessed. I was just being dramatic.

If anyone has any ideas on generating a successful viral marketing campaign, give me a holla. Also, I'm still looking for takers on writing up a review for Float on Amazon. If you think that's something you'd like to do, then go right ahead. But please, be gentle - it's my first one.

You'll hear from me again in another 3 weeks, if you're lucky. Adios.

Channelling The Sludge

I'm starting to feel like the Sons of Sludge is getting on track. I've recently broken the plot down into a more detailed outline, chapter by chapter, whereas before I only had Point A (beginning) and Point Z (ending) with a few vague events to occur in between. 

There will be about forty chapters of zombie-urge suppressing action/drama, starring Phase II Hybrid Reanimate Positive, Zaul Jarreux. What is a "Phase II Hybrid Reanimate Positive", you ask? You'll just have to wait until you read it, hopefully at the end of this year, or at the beginning of next year.

Or never. Maybe I'll scrap the whole project just weeks before its release - I haven't yet decided if I'm going to be a spoiled, finicky rock star about my "art" or not.

I'm on chapter 19, so I guess I'm about half way through the first draft. The longest draft. I'm shooting to finish this rough copy by the end of summer, take a couple months to edit it two or three times, and it should be good to go. Although I do feel the narrative is a little skimpy now, might need to take a little longer beefing up the paragraphs.

Whatever the case, the "Sons" are on their way.

In the news of currently available literature, Float has received a handful of hits on Amazon, and so far the readers have been pleased. What's that? You haven't ordered your copy yet?? You'd better hurry, there's only an infinite amount of digital copies left, so get it while supplies last!

What I really need, however, is some kick-ass customer reviews on Amazon for it. I've thought of composing some myself, under such clever anonymities as "Reginald Vuntermunz", "Luella Pottingtonhouserford," or "Osiah Jupton". But I guess some would consider that "unethical". Pff, whatever.

If you've read and enjoyed Float, are good at making sharp reviews, and don't mind spending a moment to help a noob author out, let me know. It would be much appreciated.

Osiah Jupton, signing off...

Getting To Know Your "Float" Characters, Pt. V

Malcolm

Name: Malcolm Martin

DOB: 07/07/1939

Occupation: Martin's Music Owner/Operator

Favorite Band/Artist: Jimi Hendrix

Take a hippie rocker from the Psychedelic Sixties, fast forward 45 years, and you get Malcolm. Long past his days of playing guitar, he now devotes his time to running Martin's Music, Philburn's local musical instrument emporium. With no colleagues or family, the only friendly face in his life is young guitarist and former employee, Clyde Smitherson.

And because Malcolm seems lost and spacey at times, Clyde is especially surprised when he finds out what his mentor has really been up to - constructing a paranormal electric guitar that allows the player to float and walk on walls.

Once Clyde is gifted this musical anomaly he can't help but wonder how Malcolm made it, and more importantly, what he's supposed to do with it. All the old man asks is that Clyde keep it a secret, and under no circumstances bring it anywhere near Soundstone Records, much less use it in the company's upcoming battle-of-the-bands. But Clyde just can't help himself.

Not heeding Malcolm's warnings will prove unwise, and Clyde will learn just how ruthless Soundstone can be. After all, their company practices ruined Malcolm's life...

Quote from the book: "You didn't trust me before, when I told you to stay away from Soundstone. Now you're in over your head, and you want me to clean up your mess?"

Float Is Upon Us!

As of this morning, my very first novel "Float" became available as an e-book in the Amazon Kindle store and the Barnes & Noble Nook store. Which means you can read it.

Now.

And if you don't have a Kindle or a Nook, each website has reading app downloads for free, if you are one of the many who own an iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Windows Phone, Mac or PC.

But now, dare I call myself... an author? *gasp* Maybe my book isn't in print, maybe it's not through one of the so-called "Big Six" publishing companies, maybe I don't have endorsements from J.K. Rowling or J.D. Salinger or R.L. Stine or LL Cool J...

But my book - a composition of thoughts and words from my mind - is available for the world to read, whether they choose to read it or not. I guess I could call myself an author. Won't you make me the happiest author on Earth, and be my reader?

I wish I had more to say on the subject, but this post is of the "HURRAY!" variety. Also, I updated some of this blog's settings, so that you don't have to be a member on Blogger/Blogspot to post comments. I look forward to some feedback.












Why are you still reading this? Clyde and his friends are waiting...

Getting To Know Your "Float" Characters, Pt. IV

Pistol

Name: Priscilla "Pistol" Tolski

DOB: 11/30/1994

Instrument: Antique "Sirena" Classical Guitar, vocals
Languages: English, Spanish

Favorite Band/Artist: Radiohead

Pistol is a foxy little junior from Philburn High, who is accustomed to getting what she wants. She uses her small stature to appear unassuming, and a mixture of sharp wit and flagrant flirtation to get a rise out of people. But the true secret to her success lies in an ancient construction of wood and nylon string: Her Supernatural Spanish Guitar of Desire.

With it, she can control the wants and needs of all who listen.

Not only does she have her sights set on winning Soundstone Records' paranormally-charged battle-of-the-bands, she's got her eye on something else - Clyde Smitherson. And while Clyde's heart belongs to Apollonia, part of him feels drawn to Pistol. Is a sensual private performance with her guitar to blame, or something else?

Quote from the book: "...the only people who call me Priscilla are my mother, and courtroom authorities."

This Tuesday... (on or about)

On Tuesday May 8th, 2012 my debut novel Float will be available as an e-book through amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. For just $2.99. And...

It might even appear sooner.

The average turnaround times for e-books to appear on Amazon and Barnes & Noble after they are published are 24 hours and 48 hours, respectively. To make sure it will be ready on time, I will publish it at noon on Sunday for Barnes & Noble and noon on Monday for Amazon, which means it could show up anywhere within that time frame. So get your champagne ready.

And unless you've accidentally stumbled upon this blog, you're probably already a future fan, and are planning on reading Float anyway. In advance, THANK YOU!!!

But, it can't stop there. I need your help. This e-book is being self-published, so I don't have the luxury of a professional marketing team or high-powered publicist. But you know what works better than all of that?

YOU. You will be my marketing team, you will be my publicist. I'm relying on the power of word-of-mouth. Your mouth. If you read this book and enjoy it, if you connect with the characters, if you think it is worthy of widespread attention, then tell a friend. And tell them to tell their friends.

I know it is an eternal cliché, but it's true: The fans are what make it all possible. By myself, this book won't extend past my friends and family. I think it has greater potential than that. I hope you'll agree.

Once again, THANK YOU!!!