Benjamin Jones's Blog, page 5
April 21, 2011
Draped In Happiness
I am truly in a happy place right now.
I feel SO good with everything that is going on in my life right now in regards to my writing. I'll start by talking about the radio interview that I did on April 16th with Mr. Marc Medley and his radio show. The interview went extremely well and at the end their was a caller that called in and said that the conversation that Mr. Medley and I had inspired him and that is a MAJOR thing to me and made me feel SO GOOD. I'm hoping to have the audio from the interview soon so that I can post it.
Thanks to The Butterfly Effect, S. A. Payne and Profitz for hooking up the book trailer for H.U.B. It turned out so well and exceeded my expectations. You can view it by visiting http://www.youtube.com/user/hubiscomi.... Let me know your thoughts on it. I'm hoping this will draw some attention (and sales) to me for H.U.B. but also give some attention to The Butterfly Effect and Profitz. You can find more about S.A. Payne by visiting http://www.aprilraynestories.webs.com
As you know from my previous postings I sent a copy of my book to a bookstore in Alaska and, lo and behold, the manager, a nice gentleman by the name of Royce, actually CALLED me and discussed his thoughts with me on it. He was very honest and positive with it, liking the story but wanting to see some more/better editing on it which I couldn't complain about it. So, I wrote down all his recommendations and am now putting them to use and working to tighten up not only H.U.B. Volume 1 and 2 but also volume 3 as well.
Speaking of Volume 3: The Tipping Point, the early reviews have been GLOWING and that can't make me happier. Can't wait for it to be released in September. Reminder to visit http://www.whatishub.net to get the latest info on the HUB universe. You can also follow HUB on http://www.twitter.com/hubiscoming
I REALLY want to open a bookstore and have it consist of mostly undiscovered authors like myself but the costs are utterly RIDICULOUS. The cheapest thing I've seen has been around $1400 a month and that's not counting lights, insurance, stock, etc..., etc... If anybody wants to contribute to my bookstore fund then hit me up. ;-)
Anyway, I'll be back with more later. Keep writing and reading.Humanity's Ultimate Battle (H.U.B.) Volume 1 and 2 Collection
I feel SO good with everything that is going on in my life right now in regards to my writing. I'll start by talking about the radio interview that I did on April 16th with Mr. Marc Medley and his radio show. The interview went extremely well and at the end their was a caller that called in and said that the conversation that Mr. Medley and I had inspired him and that is a MAJOR thing to me and made me feel SO GOOD. I'm hoping to have the audio from the interview soon so that I can post it.
Thanks to The Butterfly Effect, S. A. Payne and Profitz for hooking up the book trailer for H.U.B. It turned out so well and exceeded my expectations. You can view it by visiting http://www.youtube.com/user/hubiscomi.... Let me know your thoughts on it. I'm hoping this will draw some attention (and sales) to me for H.U.B. but also give some attention to The Butterfly Effect and Profitz. You can find more about S.A. Payne by visiting http://www.aprilraynestories.webs.com
As you know from my previous postings I sent a copy of my book to a bookstore in Alaska and, lo and behold, the manager, a nice gentleman by the name of Royce, actually CALLED me and discussed his thoughts with me on it. He was very honest and positive with it, liking the story but wanting to see some more/better editing on it which I couldn't complain about it. So, I wrote down all his recommendations and am now putting them to use and working to tighten up not only H.U.B. Volume 1 and 2 but also volume 3 as well.
Speaking of Volume 3: The Tipping Point, the early reviews have been GLOWING and that can't make me happier. Can't wait for it to be released in September. Reminder to visit http://www.whatishub.net to get the latest info on the HUB universe. You can also follow HUB on http://www.twitter.com/hubiscoming
I REALLY want to open a bookstore and have it consist of mostly undiscovered authors like myself but the costs are utterly RIDICULOUS. The cheapest thing I've seen has been around $1400 a month and that's not counting lights, insurance, stock, etc..., etc... If anybody wants to contribute to my bookstore fund then hit me up. ;-)
Anyway, I'll be back with more later. Keep writing and reading.Humanity's Ultimate Battle (H.U.B.) Volume 1 and 2 Collection
April 14, 2011
Guest Post by author Reena Jacobs - Test Driving In the Indies
Today's post is by a lady by the name of Reena Jacobs, one of my writing pals that I had the pleasure to meet on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/reenajacobs - follow her now!). So, read it, get some knowledge and buy her book. :-)
Test Driving in the Indies
Reena Jacobs
Unlike many, I wasn’t one of those people who dreamed of being a writer since before they could read. No. My dreams of publishing happened less than three years ago. I had nothing but time on my hands and a goal-oriented attitude.
Life got in the way; motivation waxed and waned. A year later, I had the first draft finished. What a joyous time! I boasted, cheered, and twirled. When I came down from my high, my next thoughts were: What’s next? That’s when the hard parts came—editing/revisions, learning the craft (I had a LOT to learn), and of course selling myself and my work.
Agents would race to the phones, each one more eager than the last to represent my instant bestseller. Hey! A girl can dream, right?
To make a long story short, the market was/is tough. I received a few nibbles, some suggestions, and even a couple of offers to resubmit after revisions. One issue which bothered me about the entire process was I found myself doing more querying than writing and working on my craft. Writers write. How could I call myself one if I wasn’t writing? At that time, my job title should have been “submitter.” :)
Here’s what I found during my nine months of bumping heads with the gatekeepers. Agents and publishers are searching for the book which will be the next bestseller. They don’t know what that’ll be, just hope they’ll know it when they read it. Really, it’s all a guessing game. Publishing is a business, and the individuals running the companies can only take so many chances. They have to limit their risks in order to be as profitable as possible. I respect that. It’s just smart business.
Well, I don’t accept failure so readily. Knowing how the process worked didn’t mean I had to give up my dreams. Publishers and agents weren’t infallible. They win some; they lose some. I asked myself: With the technology available, why not take a chance on myself—let the readers decide if they want to hear my voice rather than let the gatekeepers decide for both you and me. And so my quest to self-publish began.
I still remember the day I went all in. Other than formatting, my manuscript was ready to go live. I had one full out with an agent at the time. Call me crazy, but I withdrew my submission. January 7, Shadow Cat went live in digital formats. A month later, I had shiny print copies in my hands. I can’t express to you the giddiness I felt handing one to my mother.
My journey on the indie road is exciting, full of trials and errors, but totally worth it. Whether readers love or hate my writing style, I love the idea that readers get to make a choice on my offerings. It’s an opportunity I may never have experienced if I hadn’t taken a chance on me first.
Whether it’s writing or some other dream, the pitfalls are there. That’s life. You can take a chance on yourself. Or will you be the one to “go gentle into that good night?”
Ben, thank you for letting me share my indie experience with your readership.
*******
Reena Jacobs is just your typical writer who loves to see her words in print. As an avid reader, she’s known to hoard books and begs her husband regularly for “just one more purchase.” Her home life is filled with days chasing her preschooler and nights harassing her husband. Between it all, she squeezes in time for writing and growling at the dog. You can find Reena on Ramblings of an Amateur Writer, Amazon, Goodreads, and Smashwords.
About her novel, Shadow Cat:
Eric Randall’s plan is simple—fix the mess his researchers have created in Malaysia, experience the pleasures the country has to offer, and return to the comforts of America. All it takes is one beautiful aborigine, and Eric finds himself stranded in a world of Malaysian myths and legends.
A novice shaman amongst her people, Berani is free and independent. Yet all is not well in her homeland. Demons prey on her people, pushing them to extinction. When a strange speaking man invades her forest, she has one more worry to add to her already troubled life. Attraction or no, she will fight Eric tooth and claw to maintain her freedom. But will she destroy herself in the process?
If Berani wishes to save her family… if Eric wishes to reclaim his old life, they must stand together against the threats of encroaching wehr-tigers and bloodsucking demons… or perish.
Links to Shadow Cat:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Cat-Stri...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.uk.co/Shadow-Cat-St...
Barnes and Nobles: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/book...
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...
Test Driving in the Indies
Reena Jacobs
Unlike many, I wasn’t one of those people who dreamed of being a writer since before they could read. No. My dreams of publishing happened less than three years ago. I had nothing but time on my hands and a goal-oriented attitude.
Life got in the way; motivation waxed and waned. A year later, I had the first draft finished. What a joyous time! I boasted, cheered, and twirled. When I came down from my high, my next thoughts were: What’s next? That’s when the hard parts came—editing/revisions, learning the craft (I had a LOT to learn), and of course selling myself and my work.
Agents would race to the phones, each one more eager than the last to represent my instant bestseller. Hey! A girl can dream, right?
To make a long story short, the market was/is tough. I received a few nibbles, some suggestions, and even a couple of offers to resubmit after revisions. One issue which bothered me about the entire process was I found myself doing more querying than writing and working on my craft. Writers write. How could I call myself one if I wasn’t writing? At that time, my job title should have been “submitter.” :)
Here’s what I found during my nine months of bumping heads with the gatekeepers. Agents and publishers are searching for the book which will be the next bestseller. They don’t know what that’ll be, just hope they’ll know it when they read it. Really, it’s all a guessing game. Publishing is a business, and the individuals running the companies can only take so many chances. They have to limit their risks in order to be as profitable as possible. I respect that. It’s just smart business.
Well, I don’t accept failure so readily. Knowing how the process worked didn’t mean I had to give up my dreams. Publishers and agents weren’t infallible. They win some; they lose some. I asked myself: With the technology available, why not take a chance on myself—let the readers decide if they want to hear my voice rather than let the gatekeepers decide for both you and me. And so my quest to self-publish began.
I still remember the day I went all in. Other than formatting, my manuscript was ready to go live. I had one full out with an agent at the time. Call me crazy, but I withdrew my submission. January 7, Shadow Cat went live in digital formats. A month later, I had shiny print copies in my hands. I can’t express to you the giddiness I felt handing one to my mother.
My journey on the indie road is exciting, full of trials and errors, but totally worth it. Whether readers love or hate my writing style, I love the idea that readers get to make a choice on my offerings. It’s an opportunity I may never have experienced if I hadn’t taken a chance on me first.
Whether it’s writing or some other dream, the pitfalls are there. That’s life. You can take a chance on yourself. Or will you be the one to “go gentle into that good night?”
Ben, thank you for letting me share my indie experience with your readership.
*******
Reena Jacobs is just your typical writer who loves to see her words in print. As an avid reader, she’s known to hoard books and begs her husband regularly for “just one more purchase.” Her home life is filled with days chasing her preschooler and nights harassing her husband. Between it all, she squeezes in time for writing and growling at the dog. You can find Reena on Ramblings of an Amateur Writer, Amazon, Goodreads, and Smashwords.
About her novel, Shadow Cat:
Eric Randall’s plan is simple—fix the mess his researchers have created in Malaysia, experience the pleasures the country has to offer, and return to the comforts of America. All it takes is one beautiful aborigine, and Eric finds himself stranded in a world of Malaysian myths and legends.
A novice shaman amongst her people, Berani is free and independent. Yet all is not well in her homeland. Demons prey on her people, pushing them to extinction. When a strange speaking man invades her forest, she has one more worry to add to her already troubled life. Attraction or no, she will fight Eric tooth and claw to maintain her freedom. But will she destroy herself in the process?
If Berani wishes to save her family… if Eric wishes to reclaim his old life, they must stand together against the threats of encroaching wehr-tigers and bloodsucking demons… or perish.
Links to Shadow Cat:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Cat-Stri...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.uk.co/Shadow-Cat-St...
Barnes and Nobles: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/book...
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...
April 11, 2011
From Maine to Alaska...
I accomplished absolutely nothing that I had planned to do over the weekend other than finishing Duma Key by Stephen King (good book by the way). Having said that, today I did some things that I intended to do over the weekend which was mail two copies of my book off, one to a reviewer in Maine and one to an independent bookstore in Alaska in the hopes that she will like it and will carry it on consignment in her store. Keep your fingers crossed for me on both of those. I've sent out a TON of email across the United States and even to Canada to help get the HUB brand and my name out and I know that with much effort and hard work good things HAVE to emerge from it. I still have a few more states to work through.
I feel like a rapper/MC sometimes because the roads traveled are pretty much the same. At first no one knows you so you're independent and you're trying to get your name out (selling records out of your trunk for rappers, putting books out on Amazon, Smashwords, B&N, etc... for writers) in the hopes that people will eventually take notice and then a major will come sign you (a label for the rapper, an agent/publisher for us writing types). So we continue to hustle, building a buzz, not really making a lot of money but we don't do it for the money - we do it for the love. The money is great - don't get me wrong - but there are plenty of other things to get money than write.
It takes a LOT of self confidence to be a writer and it's a "slow burn". I would even say it takes a bit of arrogance as well. I have to believe that I have something so good to say that, when I write it down, people will pay to read it (same thing with music). So we put ourselves out there, never knowing how it's going to be taken - will people love it? Hate it? Consider it blah?? Who's to say but we do it anyway because we believe in ourselves - all we have is our faith in ourselves to get us through because if we don't believe then how can we expect others to?
A lot of it is the spirit of competition. As a hip-hop head I'm all about the battle. When I hear that one of my friends on Twitter or Facebook sold xxx amount of books I'm 1) happy for them but 2) thinking in my mind that I can do better than that. I hope that makes sense. It's not that I'm hating on what they have done, I just want to be better. I love all my writing peers and wish them all success - anything I can do to help them get the word out about their project or even sell one book, I'm all for it - but I still want to out do them. I want to win at anything I do. I want to be bigger than Stephen King one day because, to me, he's the man at the top of the mountain.
Got back to work on Head Above Water today at work during my lunch hour and I plan on doing more work on it tonight while I'm watching the Red Sox game. Last night we had heavy winds that damaged my fence and sent my trampoline that was in the back yard flying OVER the fence to the other side (true story) so I have to work on that when I get home so that the dogs can be able to go back in the backyard.
I try to not think about H.U.B. Volume 4 much but I can't seem to help it. I keep having these ideas in my head and I may have to start work on it sooner than I thought because I would hate to lose these ideas that I have in my head. I think that I think about it so much because writing this series has been SO FUN for me. Never have I had this many ideas floating around in my head and had something SO EASY to write. I can only hope that people enjoy this series 1/10th of the amount that I've enjoyed writing it.
I feel like I'm rambling and bouncing all over the place so I'm going to wrap this up. One final note, on April 14th be on the lookout for a special GUEST BLOG post from my good friend and fellow writer Reena Jacobs on why she decided to go indie. I'm looking forward to it and you should as well.
More later. Peace! Go Red Sox!!
I feel like a rapper/MC sometimes because the roads traveled are pretty much the same. At first no one knows you so you're independent and you're trying to get your name out (selling records out of your trunk for rappers, putting books out on Amazon, Smashwords, B&N, etc... for writers) in the hopes that people will eventually take notice and then a major will come sign you (a label for the rapper, an agent/publisher for us writing types). So we continue to hustle, building a buzz, not really making a lot of money but we don't do it for the money - we do it for the love. The money is great - don't get me wrong - but there are plenty of other things to get money than write.
It takes a LOT of self confidence to be a writer and it's a "slow burn". I would even say it takes a bit of arrogance as well. I have to believe that I have something so good to say that, when I write it down, people will pay to read it (same thing with music). So we put ourselves out there, never knowing how it's going to be taken - will people love it? Hate it? Consider it blah?? Who's to say but we do it anyway because we believe in ourselves - all we have is our faith in ourselves to get us through because if we don't believe then how can we expect others to?
A lot of it is the spirit of competition. As a hip-hop head I'm all about the battle. When I hear that one of my friends on Twitter or Facebook sold xxx amount of books I'm 1) happy for them but 2) thinking in my mind that I can do better than that. I hope that makes sense. It's not that I'm hating on what they have done, I just want to be better. I love all my writing peers and wish them all success - anything I can do to help them get the word out about their project or even sell one book, I'm all for it - but I still want to out do them. I want to win at anything I do. I want to be bigger than Stephen King one day because, to me, he's the man at the top of the mountain.
Got back to work on Head Above Water today at work during my lunch hour and I plan on doing more work on it tonight while I'm watching the Red Sox game. Last night we had heavy winds that damaged my fence and sent my trampoline that was in the back yard flying OVER the fence to the other side (true story) so I have to work on that when I get home so that the dogs can be able to go back in the backyard.
I try to not think about H.U.B. Volume 4 much but I can't seem to help it. I keep having these ideas in my head and I may have to start work on it sooner than I thought because I would hate to lose these ideas that I have in my head. I think that I think about it so much because writing this series has been SO FUN for me. Never have I had this many ideas floating around in my head and had something SO EASY to write. I can only hope that people enjoy this series 1/10th of the amount that I've enjoyed writing it.
I feel like I'm rambling and bouncing all over the place so I'm going to wrap this up. One final note, on April 14th be on the lookout for a special GUEST BLOG post from my good friend and fellow writer Reena Jacobs on why she decided to go indie. I'm looking forward to it and you should as well.
More later. Peace! Go Red Sox!!
April 6, 2011
Mental Exhaustion!!
Morning/afternoon/evening/night everyone (depending on when you're reading this). As the title of this blog post suggests I am one tired brotha, more so mentally but that's trickling down and making me physically exhausted as well. I've been doing SO MUCH lately in regards to H.U.B. and trying to get it going and I just need to take a nice LOOONNNNGGG deep rest.
H.U.B. Volume 1 and 2 paperback is now on Ebay. You can get your copy by visiting http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?....
Set myself up with an Amazon Advantage account and I just got back from sending the first copy of H.U.B. Volume 1 & 2 to their warehouse in Pennsylvania. Also just completed sending the ASN (advanced shipment notice for those that don't know) so they know that it's on the way.
I have sent about a bajillion emails the last few days to independent bookstores scattered across the country in the hopes that one of them will take a chance and let me put my book in their stores. So far only a couple have responded but it's only been a day so I'm going to work on being patent. I will keep you posted on what happens with that. Wish me luck.
Booked my room at the Sheraton for Soonercon 20 in Oklahoma City, OK for June 3rd thru 5th. If you're in the area stop by and say hi at the HUB table!
I visited the bookstore by my house that my book is in and he hadn't sold any copies over the last week. Sales of the Kindle and Nook have hit a decline as well but I KNOW that those things are temporary.
There is a contest going on for a signed copy of H.U.B. Volume 1 and 2 via Goodreads.com. There are two copies that I'm giving away so, if you want to enter, and you know that you do, visit the Contests portion of my page and click the link!
Let's see, what else is going on?!?! Work continues on Head Above Water (writing at home then typing up the results at work during lunch). Also, waiting to get feedback on H.U.B. Volume 3: The Tipping Point from my good friend Benjamin Rogers.
I think that's it for the time being. More later....
On a side note, what the f**k is going on with my Red Sox?!?! 0-4. Really? I know it's a long season but DAMN!
H.U.B. Volume 1 and 2 paperback is now on Ebay. You can get your copy by visiting http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?....
Set myself up with an Amazon Advantage account and I just got back from sending the first copy of H.U.B. Volume 1 & 2 to their warehouse in Pennsylvania. Also just completed sending the ASN (advanced shipment notice for those that don't know) so they know that it's on the way.
I have sent about a bajillion emails the last few days to independent bookstores scattered across the country in the hopes that one of them will take a chance and let me put my book in their stores. So far only a couple have responded but it's only been a day so I'm going to work on being patent. I will keep you posted on what happens with that. Wish me luck.
Booked my room at the Sheraton for Soonercon 20 in Oklahoma City, OK for June 3rd thru 5th. If you're in the area stop by and say hi at the HUB table!
I visited the bookstore by my house that my book is in and he hadn't sold any copies over the last week. Sales of the Kindle and Nook have hit a decline as well but I KNOW that those things are temporary.
There is a contest going on for a signed copy of H.U.B. Volume 1 and 2 via Goodreads.com. There are two copies that I'm giving away so, if you want to enter, and you know that you do, visit the Contests portion of my page and click the link!
Let's see, what else is going on?!?! Work continues on Head Above Water (writing at home then typing up the results at work during lunch). Also, waiting to get feedback on H.U.B. Volume 3: The Tipping Point from my good friend Benjamin Rogers.
I think that's it for the time being. More later....
On a side note, what the f**k is going on with my Red Sox?!?! 0-4. Really? I know it's a long season but DAMN!
March 30, 2011
Why I Write
I went to see Sucker Punch over the weekend (actually seen it twice, once with a couple of co-workers and again with my mom - great movie by the way) and I got to thinking about the movie and how it deals with disassociation and what that means to me in my writing. So, I decided to compose this blog posting on why I write. Let me know if you relate:
I write as an escape mechanism, a way to get away from all the troubles and stresses (both real and in my mind) that bring me down. Buried in words I'm not burdened by bills or thoughts of war or global warming. Writing is my happy place.
I write because it's like magic to me. I'm instantly brought to mind of a set of lyrics from 'Till I Collapse by Eminem and they are:
Music is like magic there’s a certain feeling you get when your real
and you spit and people are feeling your shit.
This is your moment and every single minute you spend trying to hold onto it
cause you may never get it again.
The way Eminem feels about music is the same exact way I feel about writing. Every writer is a magician, transforming an empty page/notebook into a one-of-a-kind work of art; what's better than that? When I sit down with a pen and notebook in front of me, my ipod on and beats in my ear, there's no other place I would rather be.
I write because I can "course correct" the world that I live in. Through writing I can bring my grandmother back and she's able to live again, even if only on paper but, through that paper, she will live forever and not just through me but through anyone that happens to read it, even though they never met her. I'm able to take back something I regret in the past and make it the way I felt it should've gone.
I write because it's one of the handful of things that I can say with 100% accuracy that I'm good at it. It's what I was born to do.
I write because I speak better through pen and paper than through verbally talking. Maybe it's because I'm an only child but I can convey my feelings infinitely better on paper than by talking about it.
I write because I want to connect with people. I want to connect with those who like my work and have that dialogue between them. You can never have enough friends.
I write because it's allowed me to meet some great people. I have been fortunate to meet so many of my writing peers via Facebook and especially Twitter and I have learned many things from them and I hope that I have taught them some things as well.
I write because it's the truth, even if what I write is all fiction. Every writer, in my opinion, has a grain of truth and a bit of themselves in everything they write.
I write because I have a voice and I want to be heard.
I write so that I can live forever through the words I write.
I write as an escape mechanism, a way to get away from all the troubles and stresses (both real and in my mind) that bring me down. Buried in words I'm not burdened by bills or thoughts of war or global warming. Writing is my happy place.
I write because it's like magic to me. I'm instantly brought to mind of a set of lyrics from 'Till I Collapse by Eminem and they are:
Music is like magic there’s a certain feeling you get when your real
and you spit and people are feeling your shit.
This is your moment and every single minute you spend trying to hold onto it
cause you may never get it again.
The way Eminem feels about music is the same exact way I feel about writing. Every writer is a magician, transforming an empty page/notebook into a one-of-a-kind work of art; what's better than that? When I sit down with a pen and notebook in front of me, my ipod on and beats in my ear, there's no other place I would rather be.
I write because I can "course correct" the world that I live in. Through writing I can bring my grandmother back and she's able to live again, even if only on paper but, through that paper, she will live forever and not just through me but through anyone that happens to read it, even though they never met her. I'm able to take back something I regret in the past and make it the way I felt it should've gone.
I write because it's one of the handful of things that I can say with 100% accuracy that I'm good at it. It's what I was born to do.
I write because I speak better through pen and paper than through verbally talking. Maybe it's because I'm an only child but I can convey my feelings infinitely better on paper than by talking about it.
I write because I want to connect with people. I want to connect with those who like my work and have that dialogue between them. You can never have enough friends.
I write because it's allowed me to meet some great people. I have been fortunate to meet so many of my writing peers via Facebook and especially Twitter and I have learned many things from them and I hope that I have taught them some things as well.
I write because it's the truth, even if what I write is all fiction. Every writer, in my opinion, has a grain of truth and a bit of themselves in everything they write.
I write because I have a voice and I want to be heard.
I write so that I can live forever through the words I write.
Same Day, Different Page
As the days in the calendar turn so do the pages in my notebook.
H.U.B. Volume 3 has been completed and I have sent it off to my good friend Benjamin Rogers (check him and his work out at http://benjaminrogers.wordpress.com/ - he's a fellow author/writer that you need to check out) to criticque. So, I'm hoping that he enjoys it *crosses fingers* I feel very good about it; Volume 3 raises the ante some more from volumes 1 and 2, bringing back old friends and saying goodbye to others (but I'll never tell who - you'll have to wait until 9.10.11 to figure that out). Keep checking www.whatishub.net to get the latest and greatest info on the HUB series.
Going back to my good friend Benjamin Rogers for a moment, I was fortunate enough that he let me preview his upcoming novel entitled Azrael and I must say that it is definitely going to be something that you want to read. I was hooked from the second paragraph of the prologue and I know you will be too. So, be sure to check out his upcoming novel when it's released and also check out his book Faith & The Undead which is available now (you can find my review of it on the REVIEWS page of this site). Not only is he a great writer but he's also a great person.
Also, my friend Elizabeth Lafond has a new book of poetry out entitled Poetry From Beyond The Mist. Check her and her work out at http://elizabethlafond.wordpress.com/ Her and Ben are really great people.
Okay, back to me.... Signed a contract today to get H.U.B. Volume 1 and 2 (the e-book) translated into Portuguese to help try and get the HUB brand out to the world. Hoping that I can get the book also translated into other languages, specifically Spanish and French. There's a LOT of people out in the world and that's the potential for a lot of new fans/consumers.
Confirmed to be at Soonercon in Oklahoma City, OK on June 3rd thru the 5th so, if you're in the area, stop by and check out the HUB table. I'm really looking forward to this convention and feel that it will be another great stepping stone to make 2011 much better than 2010. Get more info on the convention by visiting www.soonercon.com
Now that H.U.B. Volume 3 is completed (for the time being) work commences again on Head Above Water, my romance novel. While working on it the other day I realized that it's probably going to take a little bit longer to edit it than I thought but, regardless, it'll be ready when it's ready - can't rush greatness. I'm looking forward to getting this book out to see the reaction. It's not everyday that an author that makes his debut on the writing world with tales of vampires and killing makes his next work to be that of romance - go figure. I am truly a complicated but simple man. I never want to be locked into a Horror (or any) genre; I am a writer, period.
There's a lot of good stuff cooking (can you smell it?) and I'll be posting more about it as it comes down the pipe. Stay tuned.
H.U.B. Volume 3 has been completed and I have sent it off to my good friend Benjamin Rogers (check him and his work out at http://benjaminrogers.wordpress.com/ - he's a fellow author/writer that you need to check out) to criticque. So, I'm hoping that he enjoys it *crosses fingers* I feel very good about it; Volume 3 raises the ante some more from volumes 1 and 2, bringing back old friends and saying goodbye to others (but I'll never tell who - you'll have to wait until 9.10.11 to figure that out). Keep checking www.whatishub.net to get the latest and greatest info on the HUB series.
Going back to my good friend Benjamin Rogers for a moment, I was fortunate enough that he let me preview his upcoming novel entitled Azrael and I must say that it is definitely going to be something that you want to read. I was hooked from the second paragraph of the prologue and I know you will be too. So, be sure to check out his upcoming novel when it's released and also check out his book Faith & The Undead which is available now (you can find my review of it on the REVIEWS page of this site). Not only is he a great writer but he's also a great person.
Also, my friend Elizabeth Lafond has a new book of poetry out entitled Poetry From Beyond The Mist. Check her and her work out at http://elizabethlafond.wordpress.com/ Her and Ben are really great people.
Okay, back to me.... Signed a contract today to get H.U.B. Volume 1 and 2 (the e-book) translated into Portuguese to help try and get the HUB brand out to the world. Hoping that I can get the book also translated into other languages, specifically Spanish and French. There's a LOT of people out in the world and that's the potential for a lot of new fans/consumers.
Confirmed to be at Soonercon in Oklahoma City, OK on June 3rd thru the 5th so, if you're in the area, stop by and check out the HUB table. I'm really looking forward to this convention and feel that it will be another great stepping stone to make 2011 much better than 2010. Get more info on the convention by visiting www.soonercon.com
Now that H.U.B. Volume 3 is completed (for the time being) work commences again on Head Above Water, my romance novel. While working on it the other day I realized that it's probably going to take a little bit longer to edit it than I thought but, regardless, it'll be ready when it's ready - can't rush greatness. I'm looking forward to getting this book out to see the reaction. It's not everyday that an author that makes his debut on the writing world with tales of vampires and killing makes his next work to be that of romance - go figure. I am truly a complicated but simple man. I never want to be locked into a Horror (or any) genre; I am a writer, period.
There's a lot of good stuff cooking (can you smell it?) and I'll be posting more about it as it comes down the pipe. Stay tuned.
March 21, 2011
March Madness
March Madness has totally consumed my life and will continue to do so for the next two weeks, no matter that my brackets are totally screwed and I have NO chance of winning the pool we have going on at work (never mind the fact that my 10 year old daughter's bracket looks better than mine), the point of it all is that I love the tournament and all the screaming at the TV and headaches that it brings me.
Moving along.
Over the weekend while I was out with my daughter I happened to stop by a bookstore in my neck of the woods (it's actually the only bookstore around for a good 10-15 miles) that I had seen but had never stepped foot into. If you happen to be in the Little Elm, TX area it's called Camelot. Anyhoo, the store is owned by a kind fellow named Kelly McQueary and I asked him what were the chances of my book (H.U.B. Volume 1 & 2) *cough* www.whatishub.net *cough* could be placed in his shop to sell. I was pleasantly surprised when he took me up on the offer and, not only that, said that he would let me even do a signing there when I was ready. Also, he took five copies of my book and has placed them in his store and I'm going to check back with him in a couple of days to see if he had managed to move them or not. Let's hope that he did (for his sake - I would hate to go all Jack Bauer on him). I kid, I kid.
I am booked for the National Black Book Festival in Houston in June (by booked I mean that I have placed my non-refundable deposit down) but, with the way my funds are and the way gas prices are, I may end up eating that deposit and instead attending Soonercon which is June 3rd through the 5th. A table for those 3 days is only $85 compared to the $250 for the NBBF, not counting the gas prices, hotel room costs, etc... I met a man by the name of Ryan Baker who does Marketing & Publications work for soonercon when he stopped by my booth at the Underground Horror Fest 2 in Tulsa and he was very nice and gave me all the information so I'm 99.99987% sure that Soonercon will be my next festival. What do you guys think?
I'm in the process of getting my new site (www.benjaminjoneswrites.weebly.com) up and running correctly and also in the process of updating the HUB site (www.whatishub.net) to make them look better.
Work continues on H.U.B. Volume 3. I should be done typing it up shortly. At the same time I'm working on Head Above Water to try and keep myself busy and away from the Playstation 3. I have a lot of big plans and the only way I can make them happen is to keep the pen moving on the paper. I told my wife I was going to spoil her one day and I plan on doing that.
In the coming days I should be receiving the contract from the translator I'm working with to get the e-book version of H.U.B. Volume 1 & 2 translated into other languages so I'm very excited about that. Any opportunity to reach more people is a good thing.
More later... big things are on deck. Stay tuned boys and girls.
Moving along.
Over the weekend while I was out with my daughter I happened to stop by a bookstore in my neck of the woods (it's actually the only bookstore around for a good 10-15 miles) that I had seen but had never stepped foot into. If you happen to be in the Little Elm, TX area it's called Camelot. Anyhoo, the store is owned by a kind fellow named Kelly McQueary and I asked him what were the chances of my book (H.U.B. Volume 1 & 2) *cough* www.whatishub.net *cough* could be placed in his shop to sell. I was pleasantly surprised when he took me up on the offer and, not only that, said that he would let me even do a signing there when I was ready. Also, he took five copies of my book and has placed them in his store and I'm going to check back with him in a couple of days to see if he had managed to move them or not. Let's hope that he did (for his sake - I would hate to go all Jack Bauer on him). I kid, I kid.
I am booked for the National Black Book Festival in Houston in June (by booked I mean that I have placed my non-refundable deposit down) but, with the way my funds are and the way gas prices are, I may end up eating that deposit and instead attending Soonercon which is June 3rd through the 5th. A table for those 3 days is only $85 compared to the $250 for the NBBF, not counting the gas prices, hotel room costs, etc... I met a man by the name of Ryan Baker who does Marketing & Publications work for soonercon when he stopped by my booth at the Underground Horror Fest 2 in Tulsa and he was very nice and gave me all the information so I'm 99.99987% sure that Soonercon will be my next festival. What do you guys think?
I'm in the process of getting my new site (www.benjaminjoneswrites.weebly.com) up and running correctly and also in the process of updating the HUB site (www.whatishub.net) to make them look better.
Work continues on H.U.B. Volume 3. I should be done typing it up shortly. At the same time I'm working on Head Above Water to try and keep myself busy and away from the Playstation 3. I have a lot of big plans and the only way I can make them happen is to keep the pen moving on the paper. I told my wife I was going to spoil her one day and I plan on doing that.
In the coming days I should be receiving the contract from the translator I'm working with to get the e-book version of H.U.B. Volume 1 & 2 translated into other languages so I'm very excited about that. Any opportunity to reach more people is a good thing.
More later... big things are on deck. Stay tuned boys and girls.
March 15, 2011
H.U.B. News + Festival Updates
Hello all and welcome!
A lot has been going on with me over the 96 hours so I'll get right to it....
Today I knocked one of my things to do off of my "21 Month Writing Plan" and that was the acquisition of my ISBN number for the paperback version of H.U.B. 1 & 2. It felt really good to get that and knock that off my list.
Big shout out to Melissa (@mizzezmellymel on Twitter)! She is an up and coming author you need to look out for! I felt honored that she asked me for advice on publishing; it always makes me feel good to share my experiences with others. Follow her on Twitter - she's awesome: www.twitter.com/mizzezmellymel !
H.U.B. Volume 3: The Tipping Point is coming along nicely. Work continues on this latest round of editing and I'm hoping that, since I'm on my annual March Madness vacation from work, I will be able to get more work done it. We'll see how that goes. Once the editing is FINALLY done I will then pass it off to be critiqued and go from there.
Last Saturday (3.12.11) I was able to attend, with my lovely wife, the Underground Horror Fest 2 in Tulsa, Oklahoma (pics of which are posted on the "pics" page (where else would they be?)) and there were things that I liked and didn't like about it.
I felt that the promoter overstated the amount of people they were expecting to receive. I was told 1000 people so I was look "cool!" but it turned out being closer to 100 (probably closer to 60). But, out of that small number of people I did manage to sell 6 books and, probably more important than that, I gave out a LOT of business cards and bookmarks with my site and book information on it. I met a ton of nice people and got the chance to speak with a representative from Soonercon (which takes place June 3rd - 5th in Oklahoma City, OK - www.soonercon.com ) and he gave me his card and everything and, after emailing him and checking out the soonercon site, it looks like I will be attending that as well.
All in all, it was a positive experience (it was my first festival/convention/book signing) so it served as a good jumping off point to get my feet wet. In hindsight the venue was probably not the best for HUB (probably needed something more geared towards writers) but it served it's purpose. I sold enough books to cover the cost of the table I had so it's all good. As for whether or not I attend the Underground Horror Fest 3 next year, that I'm not so sure about. This has nothing to do with the festival in general as the host, Art Sunday, is a real cool and nice guy, I just don't know if it's for me.
Moving on, working with a translator to get the ebook version of HUB Volume 1 & 2 translated into different languages which will be a HUGE stepping point to get the HUB brand globally recognized. Gonna try and get it out there in as many languages as possible (Spanish, Portugese, French, Klingon, whatever) to get the book in front of as many eyes as possible.
In closing, reminder to visit www.whatishub.net to pick up your paperback copy of H.U.B. Volume 1 & 2 for the low price of $10.00 + tax (free shipping + it's autographed). Also, visit the new site for Benjamin Jones at www.benjaminjoneswrites.weebly.com .
More later....
A lot has been going on with me over the 96 hours so I'll get right to it....
Today I knocked one of my things to do off of my "21 Month Writing Plan" and that was the acquisition of my ISBN number for the paperback version of H.U.B. 1 & 2. It felt really good to get that and knock that off my list.
Big shout out to Melissa (@mizzezmellymel on Twitter)! She is an up and coming author you need to look out for! I felt honored that she asked me for advice on publishing; it always makes me feel good to share my experiences with others. Follow her on Twitter - she's awesome: www.twitter.com/mizzezmellymel !
H.U.B. Volume 3: The Tipping Point is coming along nicely. Work continues on this latest round of editing and I'm hoping that, since I'm on my annual March Madness vacation from work, I will be able to get more work done it. We'll see how that goes. Once the editing is FINALLY done I will then pass it off to be critiqued and go from there.
Last Saturday (3.12.11) I was able to attend, with my lovely wife, the Underground Horror Fest 2 in Tulsa, Oklahoma (pics of which are posted on the "pics" page (where else would they be?)) and there were things that I liked and didn't like about it.
I felt that the promoter overstated the amount of people they were expecting to receive. I was told 1000 people so I was look "cool!" but it turned out being closer to 100 (probably closer to 60). But, out of that small number of people I did manage to sell 6 books and, probably more important than that, I gave out a LOT of business cards and bookmarks with my site and book information on it. I met a ton of nice people and got the chance to speak with a representative from Soonercon (which takes place June 3rd - 5th in Oklahoma City, OK - www.soonercon.com ) and he gave me his card and everything and, after emailing him and checking out the soonercon site, it looks like I will be attending that as well.
All in all, it was a positive experience (it was my first festival/convention/book signing) so it served as a good jumping off point to get my feet wet. In hindsight the venue was probably not the best for HUB (probably needed something more geared towards writers) but it served it's purpose. I sold enough books to cover the cost of the table I had so it's all good. As for whether or not I attend the Underground Horror Fest 3 next year, that I'm not so sure about. This has nothing to do with the festival in general as the host, Art Sunday, is a real cool and nice guy, I just don't know if it's for me.
Moving on, working with a translator to get the ebook version of HUB Volume 1 & 2 translated into different languages which will be a HUGE stepping point to get the HUB brand globally recognized. Gonna try and get it out there in as many languages as possible (Spanish, Portugese, French, Klingon, whatever) to get the book in front of as many eyes as possible.
In closing, reminder to visit www.whatishub.net to pick up your paperback copy of H.U.B. Volume 1 & 2 for the low price of $10.00 + tax (free shipping + it's autographed). Also, visit the new site for Benjamin Jones at www.benjaminjoneswrites.weebly.com .
More later....
March 7, 2011
March 7, 2011
Morning/afternoon/night y'all (yes I can be country - I do live in Texas).
Got a lot of good things to talk about today. First of all, I found two nice little stands to put my book on at the Underground Horror Fest 2 this Saturday in Tulsa, OK. I was able to find two small easels that were only $2.97 each so I scooped those bad boys up. I was expecting to pay a lot more but caught a break when I spotted them.
I had my daughter over the weekend so I wasn't able to get much writing done on HUB Volume 3 but I did manage to get a little bit done. I should be able to finish this latest draft tonight at which point I can type it up and give it one more edit and be done with it. After that I will be focusing on Head Above Water.
There's a new contest at hellnotes.com for an autographed copy of the paperback version of HUB Volume 1 and 2. Visit http://hellnotes.com/win-a-signed-cop... and leave a comment explaining what your favorite and worst vampire books or movies is and why to win! Best two responses win. Thanks to Dave at Hellnotes for allowing me to put the contest together on his site - much appreciated, Dave!
Leaving in about 45 minutes to go pick up my bookmarks and table top stand for the festival on Saturday. I also printed out a TON of little forms to sign up people for the HUB Monthly Newsletter that I'm going to begin sending out. If you want to be a part of that then visit http://www.whatishub.net/newsletter.html and fill out the form!
Currently reading The Reunion by Jeff Bennington and it's pretty good. I should have a review posted for it at the end of March to coincide with it's release on ereaders on 4.1.11 and in print on 5.1.11. Here's all the info on the book:
Title: REUNION
Release Date: May 1, 2011
Author: Jeff Bennington
Published by: nexGate Press
ISBN-13: 978-0-615-45086-5
Pages: 334
Genre: Suspense/Paranormal
Cost: $12.95 (print) $2.99 (digital formats)
Availability: Available to bookstores everywhere, and most online book retailers.
Okay, will be updating more later. Stay tuned.....
Jeff Bennington
Got a lot of good things to talk about today. First of all, I found two nice little stands to put my book on at the Underground Horror Fest 2 this Saturday in Tulsa, OK. I was able to find two small easels that were only $2.97 each so I scooped those bad boys up. I was expecting to pay a lot more but caught a break when I spotted them.
I had my daughter over the weekend so I wasn't able to get much writing done on HUB Volume 3 but I did manage to get a little bit done. I should be able to finish this latest draft tonight at which point I can type it up and give it one more edit and be done with it. After that I will be focusing on Head Above Water.
There's a new contest at hellnotes.com for an autographed copy of the paperback version of HUB Volume 1 and 2. Visit http://hellnotes.com/win-a-signed-cop... and leave a comment explaining what your favorite and worst vampire books or movies is and why to win! Best two responses win. Thanks to Dave at Hellnotes for allowing me to put the contest together on his site - much appreciated, Dave!
Leaving in about 45 minutes to go pick up my bookmarks and table top stand for the festival on Saturday. I also printed out a TON of little forms to sign up people for the HUB Monthly Newsletter that I'm going to begin sending out. If you want to be a part of that then visit http://www.whatishub.net/newsletter.html and fill out the form!
Currently reading The Reunion by Jeff Bennington and it's pretty good. I should have a review posted for it at the end of March to coincide with it's release on ereaders on 4.1.11 and in print on 5.1.11. Here's all the info on the book:
Title: REUNION
Release Date: May 1, 2011
Author: Jeff Bennington
Published by: nexGate Press
ISBN-13: 978-0-615-45086-5
Pages: 334
Genre: Suspense/Paranormal
Cost: $12.95 (print) $2.99 (digital formats)
Availability: Available to bookstores everywhere, and most online book retailers.
Okay, will be updating more later. Stay tuned.....
Jeff Bennington
March 1, 2011
New Month = New Excitement
Morning/afternoon my lovely readers.
March is here and, as winter begins to give way to spring, I come into this month with a newfound excitement. Why you ask? Let me tell ya. This morning I received word that my bookmarks and table top stand that I will be taking to the HUB booth at the Underground Horror Fest 2 in Tulsa, OK next Saturday (3.12.11) will be in at the end of this week. My designer, Chris Leepow (email him at chrislee1(at)yahoo.com for everything from book printing to cover design to posters, bookmarks, etc.. all at a very reasonable price) sent me the proofs and they look f**king awesome! Thanks, Chris!
Really looking forward to the festival next Saturday. It will be my first festival showcasing my work and I'm hoping that I will be able to move all the copies of HUB Volume 1 and 2 that I have and will be able to make a lot of new fans/friends in the process. I feel this festival will open up a LOT of doors for me and my writing. I'm glad that my wife will be there to assist me at the booth - thanks, honey! If you happen to be/live in the Tulsa area please show up. The event is at the Rose Bowl in Tulsa, OK (can find information on the festival at http://www.undergroundhorrorfest.webs... ).
I did have another book sale over the last few days and I appreciate every single sale that I have. One sale means another person has taken a chance on me. There are a billion books out there to read and to think that someone is reading MY book is a great feeling. Thanks to all of you that have bought/supported what I'm doing. I appreciate it immensely.
Work on the second draft of HUB Volume 3: The Tipping Point is almost done. I put in a LOT of work on it over the last few days and it has really felt great to see how it's progressing. Fans of HUB Volume 1 and 2 will be really surprised with where Volume 3 takes you. One non-HUB development is that, once I complete work on Volume 3 I will be finishing up and putting out my romance novel "Head Above Water" which is a traditional romance novel that has been gestating for the last decade or so. So, be on the lookout this summer for that in both ebook and paperback format. You can find more info on it at www.whatishub.net.
One final thing, big THANK YOU to my writer friends/peers on Facebook and Twitter. I love all you guys and am inspired by all of you.
Become a fan of HUB on Facebook by visiting http://on.fb.me/gDMhmz
One more final thing, any authors out there looking to do some cross promotion or some business/writing together then let me know. I'm always looking to link up with writers who are serious about their craft. Holla at me. You can contact me at ben(at)whatishub.net.
March is here and, as winter begins to give way to spring, I come into this month with a newfound excitement. Why you ask? Let me tell ya. This morning I received word that my bookmarks and table top stand that I will be taking to the HUB booth at the Underground Horror Fest 2 in Tulsa, OK next Saturday (3.12.11) will be in at the end of this week. My designer, Chris Leepow (email him at chrislee1(at)yahoo.com for everything from book printing to cover design to posters, bookmarks, etc.. all at a very reasonable price) sent me the proofs and they look f**king awesome! Thanks, Chris!
Really looking forward to the festival next Saturday. It will be my first festival showcasing my work and I'm hoping that I will be able to move all the copies of HUB Volume 1 and 2 that I have and will be able to make a lot of new fans/friends in the process. I feel this festival will open up a LOT of doors for me and my writing. I'm glad that my wife will be there to assist me at the booth - thanks, honey! If you happen to be/live in the Tulsa area please show up. The event is at the Rose Bowl in Tulsa, OK (can find information on the festival at http://www.undergroundhorrorfest.webs... ).
I did have another book sale over the last few days and I appreciate every single sale that I have. One sale means another person has taken a chance on me. There are a billion books out there to read and to think that someone is reading MY book is a great feeling. Thanks to all of you that have bought/supported what I'm doing. I appreciate it immensely.
Work on the second draft of HUB Volume 3: The Tipping Point is almost done. I put in a LOT of work on it over the last few days and it has really felt great to see how it's progressing. Fans of HUB Volume 1 and 2 will be really surprised with where Volume 3 takes you. One non-HUB development is that, once I complete work on Volume 3 I will be finishing up and putting out my romance novel "Head Above Water" which is a traditional romance novel that has been gestating for the last decade or so. So, be on the lookout this summer for that in both ebook and paperback format. You can find more info on it at www.whatishub.net.
One final thing, big THANK YOU to my writer friends/peers on Facebook and Twitter. I love all you guys and am inspired by all of you.
Become a fan of HUB on Facebook by visiting http://on.fb.me/gDMhmz
One more final thing, any authors out there looking to do some cross promotion or some business/writing together then let me know. I'm always looking to link up with writers who are serious about their craft. Holla at me. You can contact me at ben(at)whatishub.net.
