Cliff Ball's Blog, page 15

My March sales numbers

Here are my sales numbers for March. I dropped the prices to $.99 for the whole month to see what would happen, and I'm very surprised by the results. It's nice to see all the hard work at promoting I'm doing is paying off. Of course, I'm not one of those big name Indie authors who sell thousands a month, but I hope I'm getting there.

Don't Mess With Earth

Kindle: 136

Barnes & Noble: 100

Smashwords: 18

The Usurper

Kindle: 33

B&N: 7

Smashwords: 27

1 paperback

Shattered Earth:

Kindle: 61

B&N: 3

Smashwords: 87

2 paperbacks

Out of Time

Kindle: 34

B&N: 3

Smashwords: 15

1 paperback

Making it 528 sold this month, which is more than double any other previous month I've ever had. Of course, this was probably due to having my novels at $.99 for the month, which is cool anyway. Plus, I have now sold at this moment 1567 novels, which I never thought I'd ever get to. Thanks to all the readers out there who have bought copies.

#SampleSunday – Chapter 4 of The Usurper

Thank you for coming to my blog for Sample Sunday. After reading the sample, the links to buy are below, and please feel free to look around, check out my other novels, which are listed on the pages above. Plus, for 3 more days, this novel and my other three are on sale for $.99 each on Kindle or Nook. The Usurper has also received two new reviews, both 4 stars, posted here. Thanks!

Featured this year on:

Daily Cheap Reads

Kindle Nation Daily

No Trees Harmed

Bookaday

Kindle in the Wind

Kindle Author

Character interview

Two Ends of the Pen

CHAPTER FOUR of The Usurper

The KGB had managed to bring all of the terrorist groups of the world together, but, also made sure each organization did their own public relations, and made absolutely no mention of the KGB. Occasionally, the KGB allowed a small attack on Soviet soil. This was meant to appear to everyone else on the planet, that terrorists were targeting Soviet interests. The response to the terrorist attack, which was fierce and brutal, was supposed to show to the rest of the world that the KGB was completely serious about defeating terrorists. Showing that the Soviets came down hard on terrorism, the Soviet Union wouldn't be attacked again, thus making a perfect cover. In 1970 alone, the KGB organized four attacks on the United States using regional groups, like the Black Liberation Army. One attack was blamed on the Jewish Defense League, but, in reality, was conducted by the KGB itself. The United States didn't seem to worry all that much about the attacks, which would be an effective weapon when Gary was put into place as an adult.

One of the most effective terrorist attacks on the world, was by the group Black September, who was trained by John al Hussein, and operated by Yasser Arafat. They targeted the 1972 Olympics in Munich to test how well people could be taken hostage, and to see how well they could negotiate a release of other terrorists jailed in Israel. They had the men become workers in the Olympic Village, as not to raise suspicion, and they scouted the Israeli Olympic teams' dorm. Due to West Germany wanting to make the Olympics open and friendly because of the black mark for them that was the 1936 Olympics, the security was rather lax.

The terrorists stormed the apartments where the Israeli athletes were staying, two weeks after the start of the Olympics. The terrorists ended up killing two of the Israelis immediately because they fought back, and the rest of the athletes were tied up. Israel refused to negotiate, but Germany tried to, and had an airplane ready for the terrorists. Everything fell apart at the airport, the terrorists killed all of the hostages, and the Germans killed most of the terrorists. The German attempt at a rescue effort was criticized for how it was poorly planned. Meanwhile, the KGB and al Hussein thought it was a fairly successful effort, because it showed how weak the western powers were in dealing with terrorism.

For the next five years, by the time he was 10 years old, Agent Putin and John al Hussein had taught young Gary about their ideas of the evils of the world, pouring into his head all sorts of ideas about how the United States, in particular, had caused droughts in Africa, all the economic collapses in the world in the last two centuries, both world wars, and was a threat because of their use of nuclear weapons against Japan. They told him capitalism was evil, and must be brought down.

"Can I ask why we use Comrade Bornos' money for all of this if capitalism is so evil?" asked the 10 year old.

"Herr Bornos isn't using his money for his gain. He is using it to fight the United States, that's why he supplies us with everything we need monetarily. The KGB has the means, but, not the money. Does that make sense?" asked John.

"I guess. The United States is bad because the government doesn't have total control, and nobody is equal, while the Soviet Union is good, because the government controls life, and everyone is equal. Did I get it right?"

"Yes, you did, very good Gary. We call that social and economic justice. Do you know who else is enemy of the people?" asked Putin.

"The enemy is anyone who questions the word of the government and the KGB. They must be destroyed; nobody can be spared if they disagree,"

"You know who is one of your enemies, Gary?" asked al Hussein.

"No, who?"

"One of your enemies is your mother. She doesn't agree with the government controlling peoples' lives, and she thinks terrorism to control the people is bad. What do you think we should do with her, Gary?" asked Putin.

"My mother is an enemy? But, she could be on our side," Gary innocently said.

"We've talked about this before, Gary, and you know what you must do,"

"But… but…. I don't want to do this,"

"Yes, I know, but she will destroy all that we are working for, and all of your future hopes and dreams. Again, I ask you, what should we do to people like her?"

Gary sighed, gulped a couple of times, and said, "The enemy has to die as an example to others not to think for themselves and do what they want. If my mother is an enemy, she must die,"

"Correct response. We need to go visit your mother to see that she is no longer a threat. Let's go, Gary." ordered Putin.

A few minutes later, the trio arrived at the house Gary and his mother lived in. They went inside, where Ann was in the kitchen cooking dinner, she heard them come in, went to meet them, saw her son, and went to hug him, but, Gary didn't hug her back, so she asked, "What's wrong?"

"You are the enemy, you must be destroyed."

Putin handed Gary a Russian made Tokarev TT-33 service pistol, and Gary aimed it at Ann, who was shocked, and wasn't sure what was happening. Gary, who had no expression on his face, aimed, and fired point blank at her forehead, his mother had no time to react. Blood, and brain matter, spattered everywhere. Ann died instantly, her body falling to the floor with a thud. Gary handed the gun back to Putin, left the room, and he was determined to leave this in his past, hopefully to never be dwelled on again. Putin checked to see if Ann was completely dead, which she was, and the three quietly left the house. Putin called for a clean-up, and for the house to be destroyed.

When they were back at al Hussein's office, Putin said, "Gary, you did a good job. You did not let family get in the way. All enemies of the state must be treated the same way. Soon, we will let you participate in some of the operations we have planned, but, you need more training. Go find Khomeini, and see if he needs you for anything."

Gary found Khomeini speaking to his followers, and whipping them up into a fury over how they were going to take Iran away from the Shah. An hour later, Khomeini was finished, and Gary went over to him, and said, "Comrade Putin asked me to come. I'm supposed to ask if you need help."

"Allah demands that I lead Iran, and I seek followers to help me take over my country. Master Gary, you can help me by helping me plan this. I must bring Islamic clerical authority to the people; they must be cleansed of the evil influence brought on by the Shah, and the Great Satan, the United States, and its lapdog, Israel. The Great Satan is a corrupting influence on the world; didn't they have, just last year, a leader who resigned in disgrace because he did not follow Allah and His laws? Only those who know Allah's laws should govern, and those not ruled by Allah should die. Allah has appointed me the person who is strong enough to do all of this. The people will be happy again once I have cleansed the country of evil influences. Men shall be men again, and women shall be women again, Allah has commanded it. Come, Master Gary, we have a lot of work to do."

For the next four years, Gary helped Khomeini and his followers, which kept growing in ranks day by day, plan the eventual coup of the Shah of Iran. News came from Iran, occasionally, that the people were awaiting the return of the Ayatollah, and they would do whatever they were asked to do. Strikes and demonstrations were started by Khomeini's followers inside Iran itself, to pressure the Shah to give up his power. The Americans also had a weak President, who was willing to do whatever he could to maintain peace, so Khomeini also added the destruction of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran on his list of things to do, in order to force the United States to do whatever he wanted. Gary was not allowed to actually participate in the coup, because the KGB didn't want their star pupil to get hurt in the ensuing chaos, so Gary had to watch the whole thing unfold on TV.

The Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, went into exile in January 1979, shortly before Khomeini returned to Iran. The rebels and guerilla forces that were trained in Pakistan, overwhelmed the soldiers who were loyal to the Shah, and the government collapsed a short time later. A few months later, on April 1, the Iranian people voted to make Iran an Islamic Republic, and made Khomeini the Supreme Leader under the new theocratic constitution. This took the whole world by surprise, and the United States went the feeble route, freezing Iranian assets. The U.S. embassy was under constant siege, until November, when students stormed the embassy, and took all of the Americans who were inside, hostage.

The Iranians released thirteen of the hostages, but kept fifty-two. In the United States, President Carter attempted to appease Khomeini, while most of the American people wanted to bomb Iran. Carter ordered an ill-fated rescue mission, only for mechanical failures to occur on the helicopters, including one crashing into a C-130 re-fueling aircraft, killing the men on the helicopter. This affected the outcome of the U.S. Presidential election, when Ronald Reagan became President. The Iranians took him seriously, unlike Carter, and released the hostages after 444 days. Saddam Hussein used the change in relations between the United States and Iran to attack Iran a short time later, starting a very bloody, and costly, war that would last eight years.

In Pakistan, Putin and al Hussein were pleased with the outcome. Putin was given new orders to transfer to foreign intelligence as the First Chief Directorate of the KGB, since he did such a good job keeping all the terror organizations in line. Al Hussein was going to continue operating the terror headquarters. Putin went to talk to Gary when Putin learned of his promotion.

"Comrade Gary, I have good news,"

"What is it, Comrade Putin?"

"I have been promoted to First Chief Directorate in the intelligence division of the KGB, and now I must return to Moscow for training. I have also been told that you will now be sent to the United States, since you are now 16, and the next part of your education shall begin,"

"Congratulations on your promotion, Comrade. However, I don't welcome the news that I have to go live among those infidels. Who am I going to live with, how will I know what to do?"

"You must not worry, everything is planned out. We have told your mothers' parents that you will be coming to stay with them. They are not communists, so you must be very careful when you are around them, do you understand?" asked Putin.

"Yes, I don't like it though. How will I know what to do, I don't know anyone,"

"We have many agents who will assist you; some of them will be a phone call away. I will give you all of their numbers if you need to talk to them. In order to be a convincing American, you must attend their high schools, work in a place where other teenagers work, and then attend college. At the college you will be attending, Harvard, we have turned many of the professors to our side, so they will be of no trouble to you. Remember, we will take good care of you Gary, do not worry."

"I trust you, Comrade, you haven't let me down yet. When do I leave?" the two men sat down, and talked about the arrangements.

Where to buy, in paperback it's $8.99, e-book, it's $2.99

Apple iPad

Smashwords

Barnes & Noble

B&N Nook

Amazon

Kindle

Amazon UK for paperback Kindle UK

Books a Million

Sony Reader

Diesel E-books

Kobo for your mobile phone

Hastings

Independent Bookstores

Powell's Books

Check out Out of Time, which is a time travel novella going for the sale price of $.99 as an e-book

Shattered Earth, which is science fiction, which is going for the sale price of $2.99 as an e-book.

More reader reviews

Two new reviews for The Usurper, one from Goodreads and the other on B&N:

From Goodreads, from Heather, who won a copy of the paperback:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/126805727

This is the first Cliff Ball book I've read…and I'd have to say that if he writes another political thriller … I'm in! "The Usurper" is a fast-paced fictional story that has non-fictional elements in it of events that really happened. Cliff makes you think 'could this really happen?' He makes it all seem possible…which is a scary thought! This book had lots of twists and turns that kept the reader on the edge of her seat throughout the book. I gave this book to my dad to read since he likes the same kind of books that I do. I'm sure he'll have a good review as well. Thank you Cliff for writing this book!

On B&N, from a reader named Linda:

http://my.barnesandnoble.com/communityportal/Review.aspx?page=Review&reviewid=1575412

I agree with the other reviewer's statement that it is Clancy like. The characters don't have as much depth as Clancy's, but Clancy has developed his over many books. This book was very similar to current events, with a frightening back story created. This back story was, unfortunately, plausible – at least in the goal if not the execution. It builds off of the fears of the cold war and moves into the role and power of government in our lives, as well as the battle of capitalism vs. socialism. This was filled with lots of symbolism and relations to actual current events. In summary, a very good read and I look forward to reading more by this author.

Plus, a review for Shattered Earth from a reader on Goodreads who won a copy of the paperback:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/149311972

Just finished this book. It was not at all what I thought it would be. The story line was was so imaginatively written, very interesting. I haven't read a sci-fi, fantasy book written in such a way to be so interesting. I really liked it. I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but it is obvious that a lot of thought went into the writing of this book. The story line and the history aspect of the story kept me involved in the story from the beginning and had some really fun and interesting twists. I really enjoyed this book and hope to read more from Mr. Ball.

 

Sales numbers for February and $.99 ebook sale

First off, I have reduced the prices to all 4 of my novels to $.99 on all ebook formats for the month of March, Smashwords, B&N Nook, and Amazon US, and Amazon UK. I'm also happy to report that I'm nearing the 1000 sold overall mark, which, as of right this minute, I'm one away. So, a big thank you to anyone who has bought any of my novels.

Here are the sales stats for each title and what platform:

THE USURPER

sold 3 paperbacks

Amazon US: 24

UK Kindle: 2

B&N Nook: 6

Smashwords: 45

Was also featured this month on: Daily Cheap Reads, No Trees Harmed, Karly Kirkpatrick's Bookaday, and Kindle in the Wind

OUT OF TIME

Amazon US: 14

Amazon UK: 15

B&N Nook: 9

DON'T MESS WITH EARTH

Amazon US: 21

Amazon UK: 8

B&N Nook: 10

SHATTERED EARTH

Amazon US: 7

Amazon UK: 1

B&N Nook: 4

Smashwords: 1

For a grand total of (drum roll please)… 174!

Thanks again to anyone who buys a copy, and please share with all your social networking pals… lol

#SampleSunday-Shattered Earth excerpt

For Sample Sunday, this is an excerpt from Shattered Earth, one of my science fiction novels. Check out the excerpts for Out of Time and The Usurper from previous Sample Sunday's. Once you read the excerpt, buy links are at the end, or click on the picture to take you to Smashwords for all e-book formats. For a limited time only, on Nook and Kindle it's on sale for $.99.

Chapter Five

Around this period, two very rich Terran adventurers had decided to hitch a ride to Mars, after bribing a starship captain. The two wanted to see what it was like on Earth, after hearing news reports about how utterly barbaric and primitive the planet was. They were visiting Britannia just as the Roman legions were recalled to defend the city of Rome. After seeing what was going on with the local Brit tribes, the two decided that it might be fun to organize them, so that the tribes could defend themselves against the Vikings, Normans, and others who had conducted raids on the island. The two named their kingdom Camelot, led by the Terran whose name was Arthur, and his cohort, who was named Merlin. Merlin was considered an eccentric inventor; other Terrans thought he was more than a little insane, while the primitive humans around him thought that Merlin was a great and mighty powerful magician. After all, he looked the part. Merlin had long, straight hair, a long white beard, and wore very colorful robes. Arthur was tall, lean, but muscular, dark hair, and looked like a mighty warrior might look.

Merlin cooked up a scheme to get these primitive humans to accept Arthur as their leader, so he told Arthur of an idea he had, "I have a brainstorm, Arthur; tell me if you like it. These Brits have a legend about a sword in a stone and if a man of great virtue pulls it out of the stone, he will become the undisputed leader of the people. I propose to use our advanced technology to convince these people to believe you're destined to be the king. What do you think?"

"Sounds like a good plan, Merlin. How do you plan on making it work?"

"I think I'll build a sword with computer components that will recognize only your handprint. I will then stick the sword in what will appear to be a stone, except this stone will keep the sword in place with an elaborate computer aided locking system. Once you take hold of the sword, the system will recognize your handprint, then it will unlock, and the sword will be yours. You'll have the masses begging you to be the leader,"

"Sounds like a very good idea, Merlin. Nothing like a little technology turned into sorcery to make one a good leader. Get to work." ordered Arthur, who was looking forward to this new scheme of Merlin's.

A few weeks later, Merlin, with the help of an experimental Terran transportation device, suddenly, and without any warning at all, appeared in the town square with the sword in his hand, and a very convincing looking stone placed next to him. He called for the townsfolk to gather, and then, he said, "Good citizens of Camelot. I have created a test for those who wish to lead us. This sword, I will put in the stone, and it can only be pulled out by a virtuous, and good man,"

Merlin then slid the shiny, intimidating looking, sword into the stone, "The challenge has been laid, all men throughout Camelot are welcome to try to pull out the sword, which I have named Excalibur." with that, Merlin vanished into thin air the same way he had appeared.

Merlin and Arthur watched for little over a month, as man after man attempted to pull Excalibur from the stone. Everyone had a different way of trying to pull the sword out of the stone, which served only to amuse the two Terrans, and tick off the human men who tried to pull out Excalibur. As Merlin expected, not a single man could pull the sword from the stone, so Merlin again reappeared in a flash of light, and said, "Is there no one here who is virtuous enough to take the sword? Who among you is left that is willing to try?"

Having not convinced the people up to this point that he would make a good leader, Arthur boldly, and with tremendous confidence, walked into the town square to pull the sword from the stone. Everyone was whispering, and a few were taking bets seeing if Arthur could pull Excalibur from the stone. Arthur confidently walked up to the stone, put his hands on the swords' hilt, which activated the computer lock system, and he slowly pulled Excalibur from the stone. The people were shocked at first, but, then began cheering. Arthur wielded Excalibur for a few minutes, going through swinging, hacking, and thrusting motions with the sword, and then motioned for the townsfolk to calm down. Then he spoke, "People of Camelot. I have pulled Excalibur from the stone, so I am now your leader. What say you?"

The people chanted, "Arthur" and "Long live the King." Arthur was now the undisputed leader of Camelot. Merlin spoke again, "A king needs knights that he can lead into glorious battle against the forces of evil. Who here among you is willing to be a Knight of the Round Table?"

Arthur had not heard this scheme from Merlin, but thought this Knights of the Round Table thing might be a really good idea. According to Merlin, the knights in good standing would gather around a round table, so that there would be no man who thought they were better than the others. Many men came forward to join the ranks of the knights, more than Merlin had expected. So Merlin did something unusual in the eyes of these humans in this time period, he interviewed each applicant, and tested their sword fighting skills. After doing the interviews, Merlin also worked on Excalibur to make it appear more magical to these primitive humans, and when he was done, he showed Arthur the sword, "I did some more work to Excalibur. Press the green button on the hilt, and see what happens,"

Arthur took hold of the sword, and pressed the small green button on the hilt. The sword lit up in an almost blinding, white glow, so Arthur asked, "What is this, some sort of glow saber kind of thing?"

"I would have to say yes, and no, Arthur. It's supposed to strike fear in the hearts and minds of your enemies. I'll later add a sound effect to increase the fierceness of the sword. Anyway, I thought it was a cool idea."

"You do realize you ripped-off a wretchedly bad movie idea from a hundred years ago, don't you? Next thing you'll tell me, you're some sort of ascended being with powers you're not supposed to use. Come back to reality, Merlin, this is not science fiction."

"Oh, I know that, but the townsfolk already think I have great powers, so acting like I have telekinesis, or the ability to appear, and disappear at will, isn't going to do any harm. They won't know about that movie, who is ever going to see it on Earth? I know what I'm doing, believe it or not. The next thing on your agenda though, is to meet your Knights of the Round Table."

Arthur was introduced to his new knights the next day; his impression of them was that they all seemed like good, honorable men, and fierce warriors. Merlin was right about the more powerful looking Excalibur scaring enemies. In battle, some retreated rather than fight Arthur. The knights, and Arthur, fought Vikings and Danes; Arthur himself killed a lot of the invaders, increasing his legendary status among Saxons living near, and in Camelot. Merlin set up great adventures for the knights and Arthur to go on, giving the knights legendary status for themselves too. Sir Lancelot was considered the best of the Knights of the Round Table, and he always had the ear of Arthur whenever he had some pithy thought about another great adventure they should all go on, or how Camelot should be run.

Several years later, some strangers appeared in Camelot, who turned out to be a Terran military contingent. They were looking for Arthur and Merlin; when they were found in the castle, the Terran commander said, "Arthur and Merlin, you are hereby arrested for crimes against humanity. You are herby ordered to come back with us to Terra, to explain what you have done. Now, come with us."

"Crimes against humanity? Seriously? What crimes have we done, exactly?" asked Merlin.

"Take a look around you. Setting up your own little kingdom, and using technology in battles against the Vikings, which we heard about because the rumors made it to Rome, which, naturally, ended up being heard by a scientist there. He contacted the Mars Outpost, and that's why we're here, because Terra's government is not pleased. Now, come with us."

"Wait! Can I address my subjects, and the Knights of the Round Table, one last time?" asked Arthur.

The commander sighed, and said, "Very well."

Arthur called together Camelot, and everyone gathered together, to listen to what Arthur had to say, "People of Camelot, and Knights of the Round Table, hear me this day. These men are from my home country, and they are seeking the Holy Grail. They wish for me to go on a long journey with them to search for it, which will take many, many years. So, for my last official duty as king, I place Sir Lancelot as the new king of Camelot; follow him as you have followed me. Fare thee well Camelot, I wish all of you good and long lives."

Arthur and Merlin left Camelot with the Terrans. They boarded a shuttle that was hidden a few miles away, which took them to a ship in orbit, and the ship headed for Terra. Once on Terra, the two men were brought before the Oversight for Earth Committee, who seemed like a bunch of stuffy old fools to Arthur and Merlin. The chairman of the committee, Senator Tyranous, began to talk the second both men sat down, "Arthur Pendragon, and Merlin Ambrosius, you have both been called here to explain yourselves, and why you decided to interfere in human affairs. Now, what say you?"

Merlin and Arthur looked at each other, Merlin shrugged his shoulders in a nonchalant kind of way, so Arthur said, "We didn't see any harm in doing what we did. We didn't give them any of our technology, and they're still just as primitive as before we arrived."

"While you may not think you did harm, you gave some ideas to some of those Brits, what were they called? The Knights of the Round Table? Those Knights could get it into their heads that they could invade Europe, on some misplaced idea of a grand adventure, and then plunge the whole continent into another series of wars. Also, we've had to go in, and clean up the technology you left when you were arrested. Do you realize that because of your so-called adventure, we've had problems with others who want to do the same thing?"

"Well, that really isn't our problem, Senator." Merlin sarcastically said.

"Oh, you don't think so, huh? It has been decided, until further notice, that only our official representatives will be on Earth. All tourism to Earth is now hereby forbidden for the foreseeable future. Merlin Ambrosius, and Arthur Pendragon, you two are now hereby subject to house arrest. This means that you'll never be able to leave Terra, and you will be watched for the rest of your natural lives, no matter how long that takes. This Committee will now recess for twenty minutes."

Both men were escorted to their individual homes, injected in their arms with a tracking chip so that they would be tracked anywhere on the planet, and told that if they ever leave Terra, the punishment would be severe, especially if they tried to return to Earth.

Paperback at $12.99

Createspace

Amazon

e-Book for $2.99

Kindle US

Kindle UK

Nook

18 Ways to Help a Book Author You Love

Reposted from http://hipriestess.com/writers-resources/

18 Ways to Help a Book Author You Love

Eileen Flanagan, author of The Wisdom to Know the Difference, wrote a blog post about a year ago telling friends of book authors how they could help the author sell more books. You can read her blog post here: http://bit.ly/9v5TgA.

I thought I'd include some of the highlights of her help list, add my own comments, and provide a few more ways that friends can help book authors to sell more books.

If you have a friend who is a book author, please use these suggestions to help them out. If you are a book author, please share this page with your friends (so they can help you out).

1. Buy your friend's book. Encourage other friends to buy the book. Go to your local library or bookstore and encourage them to buy the book. Buy books as gifts.

2. Don't put off buying the book. Don't wait for the holidays to buy the book as a gift. First, the sooner you buy, the more confidence you'll inspire in your friend. Second, media and other decision makers pick up on a book based on the momentum the book inspires. The more sales at the beginning of the book's life, the more attention it will get from key decision makers, the media, and consumers.

3. Where should you buy the book? First choice: the indie bookstore nearest you (that will help your friend get her book into that store on a regular basis). Second choice: a chain bookstore like Borders or Barnes & Noble (if they start selling the book locally, they might buy books for more stores in the chain). Third choice: the author's website (the author makes the most money when selling direct). Fourth choice: buy direct from the author. Fifth choice: Buy from Amazon.com (preferably from the link on the author's website).

4. Recommend your friend's book. If you like the book, recommend it to friends. Blog about it. Tweet a review or mention. Share a note on Facebook. Recommend the book to your book group. Review her book on Amazon.com, BN.com, GoodReads, Library Thing, and other reader social networks.

5. Tell your friend what you like about the book. Provide your friend with support by telling him something you like about his book. Was it a good read? Did it move you to tears or laughter? Did you learn something new?

6. Help your friend get speaking engagements. If your friend is comfortable speaking, recommend your friend to your Rotary Club, Jaycees, church, Friends of the Library, bookseller, garden club, school, etc.

7. Recommend your friend's website. Link to it from your website, blog, Facebook page, etc. Tweet about it. When your friend writes a blog post, link to it. If your friend tweets something great, retweet it. Feature a quote from your friend's book on your website. Or tweet the quote.

8. Create a Wikipedia page for your friend. While authors can't create their own Wikipedia page, other people can. Every book author deserves a Wikipedia page, since a published book grants the author at least a modicum of fame. On the Wikipedia page, feature a short bio, a bibliography, a link to the author's website.

9. Help your friend with the media. If you know of any newspaper editors or reporters, magazine editors, radio producers or hosts, TV show hosts or producers, columnists, bloggers, etc., send them a copy of the book or a note about the author. Or tell your friend about your connection, and introduce her to your contact.

10. Pray. Prayer always helps. Pray for your friend and his book. If you're not into prayer, ask your favorite tree to help.

11. Ask. Ask your friend how you can help her. You may have some talent, connection, specialized knowledge, etc. that might be just the thing she needs. Or they might just need some of your time to help pack and ship some books or make a few phone calls.

12. Do a video review of the book and post it on YouTube and other video sharing websites.

13. Help your friend make some videos for the book. Every author needs a cameraperson, a scriptwriter, a producer. Again, share on YouTube and other video sharing websites.

14. Look for specialty retailers. As you drive around your own hometown or a nearby larger city, keep on the lookout for specialty retailers that might be interested in selling your friend's books. Cookbooks in gourmet shows, do-it-yourself books in hardware stores, children's books in toy stores, art or history books at museum shops. Make the contacts yourself or pass them on to your friend to follow up.

15. Look for other sales venues. If your friend's book is about retirement, check out accountants, tax lawyers, etc. who might be interested in buying copies to give to their clients. Health books, children's books, and cookbooks might interest doctor and dentist offices. Health clubs might be interested in exercise or diet books. Again, make the contacts yourself or pass them on to your friend to follow up.

16. Suggest catalogs, associations, and other special sales opportunities. If you receive mail order catalogs that feature books like your friend's book, tell her abour the catalog. The same with associations, groups, corporations, etc. that might be interested in buying bulk copies of your friend's book.

17. Help them sell rights. If your friend's novel would make a great movie and you have a connection to an A-list actor or producer who might be interested in making the movie, introduce your friend to your connection. The same with TV producers, audio publishers, agents, etc.

DailyCheapReads.com » The Usurper – Political Thriller

DailyCheapReads.com » The Usurper – Political Thriller.

Where all my novels are located

Dear reader, if you'd like to know where you can buy my novels, here is a comprehensive list:

Out of Time, originally published through iUniverse in 2008 in paperback, now through Createspace, and a 2nd edition uploaded as e-book this year.  With coupon code ZC6JYHVF get this title for 50% off from Createspace.

Paperback:

Createspace

Amazon- 2nd Edition

Amazon UK

Barnes and Noble

Books a Million

Borders

Independent Bookstores

e-Book locations for $.99

Amazon Kindle

UK Kindle

Apple iBooks

Borders

NOOK

Sony Reader

Smashwords

The Usurper, published 2010, through CreateSpace – $5 off with coupon code JKJLG2YW.

Review of The Usurper

Paperback:

Amazon

Amazon UK

Amazon Canada

Barnes and Noble

Books a Million

Borders

Hastings

Indie bookstores

E-book $2.99

Amazon Kindle

Kindle UK

Apple iBooks

Barnes and Noble Nook

Borders

Diesel E-books

Kobo

Smashwords

Sony Reader

Shattered Earth is $2.99 for e-book and $12.99 for paperback



Where to buy, $12.99, $2.99:

Createspace

Amazon

Kindle US

Kindle UK

Barnes & Noble Nook

Smashwords, able to download all e-book formats.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't Mess With Earth – Published by Virtualbookworm.com for $12.95. E-book going for $.99

Paperback: 216 pages

Publisher: Virtualbookworm.com Publishing (March 11, 2009)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1602643415

ISBN-13: 978-1602643413

Indiebound.org

Amazon

Kindle

Amazon UK

UK Kindle

B&N paperback

Currently not available on the Nook

Books a Million

Smashwords

There you go, good luck and thanks for buying!

#SampleSunday – Chapter 4 of The Usurper

Thank you for coming to my blog for Sample Sunday. After reading the sample, the links to buy are below, and please feel free to look around, check out my other novels, which are listed on the pages above. Thanks!

CHAPTER FOUR of The Usurper

The KGB had managed to bring all of the terrorist groups of the world together, but, also made sure each organization did their own public relations, and made absolutely no mention of the KGB. Occasionally, the KGB allowed a small attack on Soviet soil. This was meant to appear to everyone else on the planet, that terrorists were targeting Soviet interests. The response to the terrorist attack, which was fierce and brutal, was supposed to show to the rest of the world that the KGB was completely serious about defeating terrorists. Showing that the Soviets came down hard on terrorism, the Soviet Union wouldn't be attacked again, thus making a perfect cover. In 1970 alone, the KGB organized four attacks on the United States using regional groups, like the Black Liberation Army. One attack was blamed on the Jewish Defense League, but, in reality, was conducted by the KGB itself. The United States didn't seem to worry all that much about the attacks, which would be an effective weapon when Gary was put into place as an adult.

One of the most effective terrorist attacks on the world, was by the group Black September, who was trained by John al Hussein, and operated by Yasser Arafat. They targeted the 1972 Olympics in Munich to test how well people could be taken hostage, and to see how well they could negotiate a release of other terrorists jailed in Israel. They had the men become workers in the Olympic Village, as not to raise suspicion, and they scouted the Israeli Olympic teams' dorm. Due to West Germany wanting to make the Olympics open and friendly because of the black mark for them that was the 1936 Olympics, the security was rather lax.

The terrorists stormed the apartments where the Israeli athletes were staying, two weeks after the start of the Olympics. The terrorists ended up killing two of the Israelis immediately because they fought back, and the rest of the athletes were tied up. Israel refused to negotiate, but Germany tried to, and had an airplane ready for the terrorists. Everything fell apart at the airport, the terrorists killed all of the hostages, and the Germans killed most of the terrorists. The German attempt at a rescue effort was criticized for how it was poorly planned. Meanwhile, the KGB and al Hussein thought it was a fairly successful effort, because it showed how weak the western powers were in dealing with terrorism.

For the next five years, by the time he was 10 years old, Agent Putin and John al Hussein had taught young Gary about their ideas of the evils of the world, pouring into his head all sorts of ideas about how the United States, in particular, had caused droughts in Africa, all the economic collapses in the world in the last two centuries, both world wars, and was a threat because of their use of nuclear weapons against Japan. They told him capitalism was evil, and must be brought down.

"Can I ask why we use Comrade Bornos' money for all of this if capitalism is so evil?" asked the 10 year old.

"Herr Bornos isn't using his money for his gain. He is using it to fight the United States, that's why he supplies us with everything we need monetarily. The KGB has the means, but, not the money. Does that make sense?" asked John.

"I guess. The United States is bad because the government doesn't have total control, and nobody is equal, while the Soviet Union is good, because the government controls life, and everyone is equal. Did I get it right?"

"Yes, you did, very good Gary. We call that social and economic justice. Do you know who else is enemy of the people?" asked Putin.

"The enemy is anyone who questions the word of the government and the KGB. They must be destroyed; nobody can be spared if they disagree,"

"You know who is one of your enemies, Gary?" asked al Hussein.

"No, who?"

"One of your enemies is your mother. She doesn't agree with the government controlling peoples' lives, and she thinks terrorism to control the people is bad. What do you think we should do with her, Gary?" asked Putin.

"My mother is an enemy? But, she could be on our side," Gary innocently said.

"We've talked about this before, Gary, and you know what you must do,"

"But… but…. I don't want to do this,"

"Yes, I know, but she will destroy all that we are working for, and all of your future hopes and dreams. Again, I ask you, what should we do to people like her?"

Gary sighed, gulped a couple of times, and said, "The enemy has to die as an example to others not to think for themselves and do what they want. If my mother is an enemy, she must die,"

"Correct response. We need to go visit your mother to see that she is no longer a threat. Let's go, Gary." ordered Putin.

A few minutes later, the trio arrived at the house Gary and his mother lived in. They went inside, where Ann was in the kitchen cooking dinner, she heard them come in, went to meet them, saw her son, and went to hug him, but, Gary didn't hug her back, so she asked, "What's wrong?"

"You are the enemy, you must be destroyed."

Putin handed Gary a Russian made Tokarev TT-33 service pistol, and Gary aimed it at Ann, who was shocked, and wasn't sure what was happening. Gary, who had no expression on his face, aimed, and fired point blank at her forehead, his mother had no time to react. Blood, and brain matter, spattered everywhere. Ann died instantly, her body falling to the floor with a thud. Gary handed the gun back to Putin, left the room, and he was determined to leave this in his past, hopefully to never be dwelled on again. Putin checked to see if Ann was completely dead, which she was, and the three quietly left the house. Putin called for a clean-up, and for the house to be destroyed.

When they were back at al Hussein's office, Putin said, "Gary, you did a good job. You did not let family get in the way. All enemies of the state must be treated the same way. Soon, we will let you participate in some of the operations we have planned, but, you need more training. Go find Khomeini, and see if he needs you for anything."

Gary found Khomeini speaking to his followers, and whipping them up into a fury over how they were going to take Iran away from the Shah. An hour later, Khomeini was finished, and Gary went over to him, and said, "Comrade Putin asked me to come. I'm supposed to ask if you need help."

"Allah demands that I lead Iran, and I seek followers to help me take over my country. Master Gary, you can help me by helping me plan this. I must bring Islamic clerical authority to the people; they must be cleansed of the evil influence brought on by the Shah, and the Great Satan, the United States, and its lapdog, Israel. The Great Satan is a corrupting influence on the world; didn't they have, just last year, a leader who resigned in disgrace because he did not follow Allah and His laws? Only those who know Allah's laws should govern, and those not ruled by Allah should die. Allah has appointed me the person who is strong enough to do all of this. The people will be happy again once I have cleansed the country of evil influences. Men shall be men again, and women shall be women again, Allah has commanded it. Come, Master Gary, we have a lot of work to do."

For the next four years, Gary helped Khomeini and his followers, which kept growing in ranks day by day, plan the eventual coup of the Shah of Iran. News came from Iran, occasionally, that the people were awaiting the return of the Ayatollah, and they would do whatever they were asked to do. Strikes and demonstrations were started by Khomeini's followers inside Iran itself, to pressure the Shah to give up his power. The Americans also had a weak President, who was willing to do whatever he could to maintain peace, so Khomeini also added the destruction of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran on his list of things to do, in order to force the United States to do whatever he wanted. Gary was not allowed to actually participate in the coup, because the KGB didn't want their star pupil to get hurt in the ensuing chaos, so Gary had to watch the whole thing unfold on TV.

The Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, went into exile in January 1979, shortly before Khomeini returned to Iran. The rebels and guerilla forces that were trained in Pakistan, overwhelmed the soldiers who were loyal to the Shah, and the government collapsed a short time later. A few months later, on April 1, the Iranian people voted to make Iran an Islamic Republic, and made Khomeini the Supreme Leader under the new theocratic constitution. This took the whole world by surprise, and the United States went the feeble route, freezing Iranian assets. The U.S. embassy was under constant siege, until November, when students stormed the embassy, and took all of the Americans who were inside, hostage.

The Iranians released thirteen of the hostages, but kept fifty-two. In the United States, President Carter attempted to appease Khomeini, while most of the American people wanted to bomb Iran. Carter ordered an ill-fated rescue mission, only for mechanical failures to occur on the helicopters, including one crashing into a C-130 re-fueling aircraft, killing the men on the helicopter. This affected the outcome of the U.S. Presidential election, when Ronald Reagan became President. The Iranians took him seriously, unlike Carter, and released the hostages after 444 days. Saddam Hussein used the change in relations between the United States and Iran to attack Iran a short time later, starting a very bloody, and costly, war that would last eight years.

In Pakistan, Putin and al Hussein were pleased with the outcome. Putin was given new orders to transfer to foreign intelligence as the First Chief Directorate of the KGB, since he did such a good job keeping all the terror organizations in line. Al Hussein was going to continue operating the terror headquarters. Putin went to talk to Gary when Putin learned of his promotion.

"Comrade Gary, I have good news,"

"What is it, Comrade Putin?"

"I have been promoted to First Chief Directorate in the intelligence division of the KGB, and now I must return to Moscow for training. I have also been told that you will now be sent to the United States, since you are now 16, and the next part of your education shall begin,"

"Congratulations on your promotion, Comrade. However, I don't welcome the news that I have to go live among those infidels. Who am I going to live with, how will I know what to do?"

"You must not worry, everything is planned out. We have told your mothers' parents that you will be coming to stay with them. They are not communists, so you must be very careful when you are around them, do you understand?" asked Putin.

"Yes, I don't like it though. How will I know what to do, I don't know anyone,"

"We have many agents who will assist you; some of them will be a phone call away. I will give you all of their numbers if you need to talk to them. In order to be a convincing American, you must attend their high schools, work in a place where other teenagers work, and then attend college. At the college you will be attending, Harvard, we have turned many of the professors to our side, so they will be of no trouble to you. Remember, we will take good care of you Gary, do not worry."

"I trust you, Comrade, you haven't let me down yet. When do I leave?" the two men sat down, and talked about the arrangements.

Where to buy, in paperback it's $8.99, e-book, it's $2.99

Apple iPad

Smashwords

Barnes & Noble

B&N Nook

Amazon

Kindle

Amazon UK for paperback Kindle UK

Books a Million

Sony Reader

Diesel E-books

Kobo for your mobile phone

Hastings

Independent Bookstores

Powell's Books

Check out Out of Time, which is a time travel novella going for the sale price of $.99 as an e-book

Shattered Earth, which is science fiction, which is going for the sale price of $2.99 as an e-book.

Sample Sunday-Shattered Earth excerpt

For Sample Sunday, this is an excerpt from Shattered Earth, one of my science fiction novels. Check out the excerpts for Out of Time and The Usurper from previous Sample Sunday's. Once you read the excerpt, buy links are at the end, or click on the picture to take you to Smashwords for all e-book formats.

Chapter Five

Around this period, two very rich Terran adventurers had decided to hitch a ride to Mars, after bribing a starship captain. The two wanted to see what it was like on Earth, after hearing news reports about how utterly barbaric and primitive the planet was. They were visiting Britannia just as the Roman legions were recalled to defend the city of Rome. After seeing what was going on with the local Brit tribes, the two decided that it might be fun to organize them, so that the tribes could defend themselves against the Vikings, Normans, and others who had conducted raids on the island. The two named their kingdom Camelot, led by the Terran whose name was Arthur, and his cohort, who was named Merlin. Merlin was considered an eccentric inventor; other Terrans thought he was more than a little insane, while the primitive humans around him thought that Merlin was a great and mighty powerful magician. After all, he looked the part. Merlin had long, straight hair, a long white beard, and wore very colorful robes. Arthur was tall, lean, but muscular, dark hair, and looked like a mighty warrior might look.

Merlin cooked up a scheme to get these primitive humans to accept Arthur as their leader, so he told Arthur of an idea he had, "I have a brainstorm, Arthur; tell me if you like it. These Brits have a legend about a sword in a stone and if a man of great virtue pulls it out of the stone, he will become the undisputed leader of the people. I propose to use our advanced technology to convince these people to believe you're destined to be the king. What do you think?"

"Sounds like a good plan, Merlin. How do you plan on making it work?"

"I think I'll build a sword with computer components that will recognize only your handprint. I will then stick the sword in what will appear to be a stone, except this stone will keep the sword in place with an elaborate computer aided locking system. Once you take hold of the sword, the system will recognize your handprint, then it will unlock, and the sword will be yours. You'll have the masses begging you to be the leader,"

"Sounds like a very good idea, Merlin. Nothing like a little technology turned into sorcery to make one a good leader. Get to work." ordered Arthur, who was looking forward to this new scheme of Merlin's.

A few weeks later, Merlin, with the help of an experimental Terran transportation device, suddenly, and without any warning at all, appeared in the town square with the sword in his hand, and a very convincing looking stone placed next to him. He called for the townsfolk to gather, and then, he said, "Good citizens of Camelot. I have created a test for those who wish to lead us. This sword, I will put in the stone, and it can only be pulled out by a virtuous, and good man,"

Merlin then slid the shiny, intimidating looking, sword into the stone, "The challenge has been laid, all men throughout Camelot are welcome to try to pull out the sword, which I have named Excalibur." with that, Merlin vanished into thin air the same way he had appeared.

Merlin and Arthur watched for little over a month, as man after man attempted to pull Excalibur from the stone. Everyone had a different way of trying to pull the sword out of the stone, which served only to amuse the two Terrans, and tick off the human men who tried to pull out Excalibur. As Merlin expected, not a single man could pull the sword from the stone, so Merlin again reappeared in a flash of light, and said, "Is there no one here who is virtuous enough to take the sword? Who among you is left that is willing to try?"

Having not convinced the people up to this point that he would make a good leader, Arthur boldly, and with tremendous confidence, walked into the town square to pull the sword from the stone. Everyone was whispering, and a few were taking bets seeing if Arthur could pull Excalibur from the stone. Arthur confidently walked up to the stone, put his hands on the swords' hilt, which activated the computer lock system, and he slowly pulled Excalibur from the stone. The people were shocked at first, but, then began cheering. Arthur wielded Excalibur for a few minutes, going through swinging, hacking, and thrusting motions with the sword, and then motioned for the townsfolk to calm down. Then he spoke, "People of Camelot. I have pulled Excalibur from the stone, so I am now your leader. What say you?"

The people chanted, "Arthur" and "Long live the King." Arthur was now the undisputed leader of Camelot. Merlin spoke again, "A king needs knights that he can lead into glorious battle against the forces of evil. Who here among you is willing to be a Knight of the Round Table?"

Arthur had not heard this scheme from Merlin, but thought this Knights of the Round Table thing might be a really good idea. According to Merlin, the knights in good standing would gather around a round table, so that there would be no man who thought they were better than the others. Many men came forward to join the ranks of the knights, more than Merlin had expected. So Merlin did something unusual in the eyes of these humans in this time period, he interviewed each applicant, and tested their sword fighting skills. After doing the interviews, Merlin also worked on Excalibur to make it appear more magical to these primitive humans, and when he was done, he showed Arthur the sword, "I did some more work to Excalibur. Press the green button on the hilt, and see what happens,"

Arthur took hold of the sword, and pressed the small green button on the hilt. The sword lit up in an almost blinding, white glow, so Arthur asked, "What is this, some sort of glow saber kind of thing?"

"I would have to say yes, and no, Arthur. It's supposed to strike fear in the hearts and minds of your enemies. I'll later add a sound effect to increase the fierceness of the sword. Anyway, I thought it was a cool idea."

"You do realize you ripped-off a wretchedly bad movie idea from a hundred years ago, don't you? Next thing you'll tell me, you're some sort of ascended being with powers you're not supposed to use. Come back to reality, Merlin, this is not science fiction."

"Oh, I know that, but the townsfolk already think I have great powers, so acting like I have telekinesis, or the ability to appear, and disappear at will, isn't going to do any harm. They won't know about that movie, who is ever going to see it on Earth? I know what I'm doing, believe it or not. The next thing on your agenda though, is to meet your Knights of the Round Table."

Arthur was introduced to his new knights the next day; his impression of them was that they all seemed like good, honorable men, and fierce warriors. Merlin was right about the more powerful looking Excalibur scaring enemies. In battle, some retreated rather than fight Arthur. The knights, and Arthur, fought Vikings and Danes; Arthur himself killed a lot of the invaders, increasing his legendary status among Saxons living near, and in Camelot. Merlin set up great adventures for the knights and Arthur to go on, giving the knights legendary status for themselves too. Sir Lancelot was considered the best of the Knights of the Round Table, and he always had the ear of Arthur whenever he had some pithy thought about another great adventure they should all go on, or how Camelot should be run.

Several years later, some strangers appeared in Camelot, who turned out to be a Terran military contingent. They were looking for Arthur and Merlin; when they were found in the castle, the Terran commander said, "Arthur and Merlin, you are hereby arrested for crimes against humanity. You are herby ordered to come back with us to Terra, to explain what you have done. Now, come with us."

"Crimes against humanity? Seriously? What crimes have we done, exactly?" asked Merlin.

"Take a look around you. Setting up your own little kingdom, and using technology in battles against the Vikings, which we heard about because the rumors made it to Rome, which, naturally, ended up being heard by a scientist there. He contacted the Mars Outpost, and that's why we're here, because Terra's government is not pleased. Now, come with us."

"Wait! Can I address my subjects, and the Knights of the Round Table, one last time?" asked Arthur.

The commander sighed, and said, "Very well."

Arthur called together Camelot, and everyone gathered together, to listen to what Arthur had to say, "People of Camelot, and Knights of the Round Table, hear me this day. These men are from my home country, and they are seeking the Holy Grail. They wish for me to go on a long journey with them to search for it, which will take many, many years. So, for my last official duty as king, I place Sir Lancelot as the new king of Camelot; follow him as you have followed me. Fare thee well Camelot, I wish all of you good and long lives."

Arthur and Merlin left Camelot with the Terrans. They boarded a shuttle that was hidden a few miles away, which took them to a ship in orbit, and the ship headed for Terra. Once on Terra, the two men were brought before the Oversight for Earth Committee, who seemed like a bunch of stuffy old fools to Arthur and Merlin. The chairman of the committee, Senator Tyranous, began to talk the second both men sat down, "Arthur Pendragon, and Merlin Ambrosius, you have both been called here to explain yourselves, and why you decided to interfere in human affairs. Now, what say you?"

Merlin and Arthur looked at each other, Merlin shrugged his shoulders in a nonchalant kind of way, so Arthur said, "We didn't see any harm in doing what we did. We didn't give them any of our technology, and they're still just as primitive as before we arrived."

"While you may not think you did harm, you gave some ideas to some of those Brits, what were they called? The Knights of the Round Table? Those Knights could get it into their heads that they could invade Europe, on some misplaced idea of a grand adventure, and then plunge the whole continent into another series of wars. Also, we've had to go in, and clean up the technology you left when you were arrested. Do you realize that because of your so-called adventure, we've had problems with others who want to do the same thing?"

"Well, that really isn't our problem, Senator." Merlin sarcastically said.

"Oh, you don't think so, huh? It has been decided, until further notice, that only our official representatives will be on Earth. All tourism to Earth is now hereby forbidden for the foreseeable future. Merlin Ambrosius, and Arthur Pendragon, you two are now hereby subject to house arrest. This means that you'll never be able to leave Terra, and you will be watched for the rest of your natural lives, no matter how long that takes. This Committee will now recess for twenty minutes."

Both men were escorted to their individual homes, injected in their arms with a tracking chip so that they would be tracked anywhere on the planet, and told that if they ever leave Terra, the punishment would be severe, especially if they tried to return to Earth.

Paperback at $12.99

Createspace

Amazon

e-Book for $2.99

Kindle US

Kindle UK

Nook