Stephen Burckhardt's Blog: My Blog Ramblings, page 71

Sneak Peek Sunday!

Look at this! I said I was going to get a Sneak Peek Sunday post done and I actually did it. Will wonders never cease? Not only did I do that but I have gotten a lot done the last few days including changing the site's background to something a little more seasonal. I'll change it up again as we get closer to Christmas. So, what else have I been up to, you ask? First, I have somehow managed to entice a few more people to join the posse. Please welcome Pam W., Wendy F., and Michelle S. to our motley crew. I promise to do my best to make you ladies glad you signed up. Be sure to join the Member's Only page while you are here. It's free to join, you can cancel at anytime. I never sell, share, or use your personal information to create riduclous memes, promise. Second, as I wrote above, I actually got the next sneak peek posted on the Members Only page. It's quick and easy to join if you haven't already done so, and again, it is always FREE. On the Members Only page you will find private family photos and videos, special free downloads, free short stories that follow some of the characters I think you might be wondering about after they left the main story, and Member Only contests. I'm adding more stuff on there all the time so head on over and check it out today. Third, these past few weeks I have been interviewed a few times about my writing. You can find these articles listed on the new located under Books in the menu bar. I have recently been contacted about possibly being interviewed on a few upcoming podcasts. Those of you who know me personally know this will be quite a revelation for some people if I do these live interviews. But for now, I'm going to keep everything underwraps just in case they don't come through. Eventually I'm going to have to do a reveal just because it's getting harder and harder to keep all my private information comepletely private and still be able to promote my work too. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, be patient, it's nothing too terribly surprising. It's actually rather common for writers, but I want to keep things as they are for a while longer if I can. I'm having too much fun as it all is.Fourth, Dianne got our sample stock of tote bags all printed up and ready to go. We have a few that were the trial and error bags as we figured out what we wanted the final design to be. That is good news for you! We are going to use these practice bags as contest prizes along with a few other goodies just in time for Christmas. I plan to announce the first contest on Thanksgiving Day, so one (or maybe two) lucky winner(s) will win a bag with my promotional materials we've been designing and maybe an autographed something or other, we'll see what we have on hand. The fifth and final point, I have a meeting tomorrow with a local library. They are meeting with me to discuss the possiblity of carrying my books on their shelves. My books are already available in the ebook lending program with libraries but I wanted to get some physical books on the shelves too. I thought the best place to start would be the local library in my town. I plan to take some of my promotional materials for them to have at their information desk to introduce my books to the people who come into the library. I'm hoping if I give them the first two books for free for their shelves and a stack of my promotional material to let people know they are there, it might generate some interest. No matter what, it can't hurt. Well, that is all for today, posse! It's been a busy weekend. I hope your week starts out great and remember to watch for the contest notice coming Thanksgiving Day. I will post a video announcing it on Facebook and send a shout out to the mailing list. If you are not on the mailing list, now would be a good time to sign up so you don't miss this contest or the any of the ones coming up in the following months. Thanks for sticking with me posse, it means everythign to me! Stephen

Sometimes I Think Murphy Wrote His Law Just For Me!

I have been trying to drag myself back to health this week. I have been taking all the meds the doctor gave me. I've slept more in the last two weeks than I did proablby all last month. I have stayed inside and let P.R. take care of me, something that is not easy for me to do being the control freak that I am. But honestly, even sitting here just writing this blog, I'm so exhausted. I just want to crawl back in bed and sleep but I have so much to do and some of it I blame on Murphy's law. As most of you who follow me know, I spent a good deal of time picking a promo item to have made. I did polls to get advice from you, my readers, on the item, style, and color. I finally ordered stylus pens with my web address on them. They were scheduled to be delivered on the 13th of November. They didn't arrive. On the 15th, I went on the site to see why we had still not received them. They had changed the delivery date to November 26th. No one contacted me about this change. The problem with this is I have a meeting on the 19th about getting my books on the shelves of a library here locally and it would have been wonderful to have those pens. Most annoying about this delay is I talked P.R. in to getting some pens engraved as gift for P.R.'s team members to take on a business trip. P.R. leaves on November 22nd. After they repeatedly ignored my emails, I decided to unleash P.R. on them (I am coughing and sneezing way too much to effectively yell at someone over the phone). After one phone call from P.R. they have promised to have them delivered either Monday or Tuesday. I'm hoping for Monday so I can have them for my meeting but as long as they make it before P.R. leaves for India, I'll be satisfied. I won't be happy mind you, but satisfied. I do not see myself using their service again.Right now, I'm so unfocused. I think I need a nap before I try doing something else today. I plan to spend this evening writing and there will be a sneak peek this Sunday. Take care, posse!Stephen

On the Mend

To begin, I'm sorry there was no Sneak Peek Sunday this weekend. I was in bed trying to breathe. I am just now starting to feel somewhat human after being hit hard with the flu. I feel totally ripped off about that too, I just had the flu shot a few weeks ago! There is a very good reason why I call P.R. my better half and this past week illustrates it. P.R. works 10-12 hour days then comes home and often has to do work here too. I work from home so it just makes sense that I take care of most of the chores around the house since I'm the one who is actually here. However, while I've been sick, P.R. just keeps sending me back to bed and taking care of everything and me. Today is a good example, after working all day P.R. is going to the grocery store becuase I usually go on Monday's. I offered to make a simple tortellini soup for us for dinner or spaghetti but P.R. said to go back to bed, it's already covered. I will never know how I got so luck as to be married to P.R.While I was sick, the second of my two recent interviews went live online. You can find it here on Scott Harris' Friday Forum page of his website, Friday Forum Featuring Stephen Burckhardt (click to read).This illness has thrown me off a bit. I had a writing time table that would let me get Into the West: Sharon Springs ready for sale by the first week of December so anyone who wanted to buy a printed copy of it for the holidays would have plenty of time for delivery. With this flu, I just lost about 5 days for writing but I'm not giving up on my time table! I'm just going to have to write like the wind from now until the end of the month. Luckily, the story is finally snapping into place in my head and it will just take getting it on the page now. I'm going to do my best to make this happen but I will not put out a subpar story just to meet this deadline. The most important thing for me is always doing a good job crafting the story. The good news is, from the beta reader comments I have gotten, what I do have written of the story so far is having the emotional impact I was hoping for, this will be another tearjerker. Just so you know. If you would like to become a beta reader too, just click here for more information. I think I have the designs for the totebags settled, the pens should be delivered tomorrow, and I'm thinking about coming up with one more promo item. I'm going to take a nap then try to write some. It's going to be a few more days before I'm back to 100% but I'm heading in that direction. Thanks for being part of my posse! Stephen

Hot Off the Presses!

Recently, I have had the privilege of being interviewed by two different individuals. Both interviews will be published online this week. To celebrate these articles being published, I have created a new page for my site, News! Terribly original, I know. The first interview was with Ramona Portelli. Ramona is a freelance journalist writing on a variety of topics. We found each other through social media and she was interested in my personal biography and my books. The second interview was with Scott Harris. If you read my blog at least some of the time, I'm sure you have read where I have mentioned this award-winning, bestselling, western author. I have had the privilege of being a contributing author in two western micro short story writing challenge books compiled by Scott. There are two more of these books due out before Christmas which also contain stories I wrote. You can find links to them on the My Books page of this website under Contributing Author. In other news (like the tie-in?), we have ordered the burgundy promotional pens. Thank you to everyone who gave us input on which colors and styles of pens would be most appealing to readers getting as a promotion. I have printed up sample tote bags with my new logo on them. These mockups are going to be given away here soon. I will sign them, toss in the one of the new pens, and a few other promotional items I've recently had printed up. Keep watching my page or sign up for my newsletter and you'll never miss a big announcement. I only send up to three a month, never more than that (because that is how many I can send for free), and you can cancel at any time! I'm also working on a new improved Members Only page. It will always be free to join; I'm just trying to make it more impressive! So, check out the articles, sign up for the newsletter, read my books, and have a great week! Stephen

Answering Questions

I'm afraid there is no sneak peek for today. I was rather busy answering questions for an interview about my books. This is the second interview I have done recently. Both interviews will be published here in the next week or so. When they are available I will post links to them on a new page on my website. You will find it under the My Books heading. When the drop down menu appears, sellect News. I have been seeing a slow increase in traffic on my social media pages recently as well. These are all good things and with luck, the upward trend will continue. I am working fast and furious on Into the West: Sharon Springs. P.R. has several businesss meetings this week so I will havea few free nights to get some work done. Also, I just ordered my promotional pens I had been asking everyone to vote on. The winning color was burgandy and the text will be two lines: Western Author, www.StephenBurckhardt.com. These will be part of my swag bags I'm creating for future contest giveaways. Later this week I will print up a few test bags and post photos, I'd love to get feedback on the designs. Thanks for following me as I find my way to building an actual writing career. Stephen

Beta Readers Wanted!

I have finally made some decent progress with part three of my Into the West Saga Serial, Into the West: Sharon Springs. I have a fairly clear idea of where I want to go for chapters one and two and sort of a clear idea of chapter three. After that, it gets a little foggy. This is where beta readers would come in very handy. As I write the chapters, I'd like to be able to hand them off to at least three people to read and give me feedback on the storyline. There will be no editing involved, I pay a very capable editor for that. All I want is feedback on the story. For example, does it flow well? Could you follow along with the action okay? Where you intrigued? Where you bored? Was he language too confusing? These are the kinds of things I need an outsiders opinion on. This all makes sense to me because it's in my head. However, for those of you not in my head, and I would say that is most of you, it might not come across as clearly when you are just reading it. If you have any interest in being a beta reader for her here is the legal horse pucky that always has to go along with such things to spoil the fun. Beta Reader Terms and Conditions:1. You cannot share, copy, distribute, reproduce, or alter the pages I share with you. All rights will forever remain with Stephen Burckhardt. Should you do any of the aforementioned actions, this contract will be null and void. You will be blocked from all media associated with Stephen Burckhardt and Dianne Burckhardt. 2. You must agree to read and review the files sent to you in a timely manner. I will be working on a very strict timeline for this third novella and will need your reviews back within 10 days of receiving it. If you do not meet this deadline, you will receive one warning. If it is not returned within three days of the warning, this contract will be null and void. 3. If your feedback is not constructive or beneficial, your contract can be terminated without notice. If your contract is terminated before the book has been completed and put on sale, you forfeit your rights to any and all payments, including but not limited to acknowledgements, copies of the book, and gifts.4. You agree that any comments you make within the feedback you submit to me regarding my books I have presented to you for review, can be used in perpetuity regardless of your contract status for any promotional endeavors including but not limited to: future book covers, press releases, promotional materials, and advertising. 5. You understand this is not a paid position. If you are chosen to be a beta reader, you will receive a gift bag with promotional materials from this series. For each book you review, you will be given credit in the acknowledgements of that particular book and you will receive a free autographed copy of that book when it is published. 6. Stephen Burckhardt reserves the rights to update or change these terms and conditions as needed without prior notice.If, after reading that snooze fest of jargon, you still have any interest in being a beta reader for me just drop me a line here. I promise to try to write exciting, soul-wrenching stories that drag you in and hold you enveloped in a world so real you can practically smell the wood burning in the campfire. Or at least I'll try . . . with your help!Thanks for being a part of my posse!Stephen .

There are Actual Words on the Page!

Well, I finally seemed to break through my writers block on this story, Into the West: Sharon Springs. I managed to get about 5,000 words written in two days. Thanks in large part to P.R. This past weekend, P.R., my amazing better half, looked at me and said, "I'll do everything around the house this weekend, you just write that f***ing book!"Lovelier words have never been spoken to an independent author! Is it any wonder I love P.R. so much? Tonight, I managed to run the first chapter through a text to speech app and was able to get the first edit made and then sent it off to Greg Wood, my actual, legitimate editor. (He should probably be taking a look at these blog posts too!)So now it's in the hands of Greg but, to be honest, I'm still a bit trepidation about this story. It's not flowing as well as the first two did and I worry that it's going to all be too convoluted when I get it finished. This is where beta readers would really come in handy. If anyone would be interested in being a beta reader for this book, I would greatly appreciate the feedback. You have to be willing to commit to reading the story in a timely manner. I hope to get this book out for Christmas so time is running out! It would be very helpful if you have already read parts one and two so you know the whole backstory. If not you can still read this one and let me know if it makes sense and is easy to follow. If you would be willing to be a beta reader and read the chapters as I get them finished, drop me a line at s.burckhardt@stephenburckhardt.comThanks for following along, I hope you are enjoying the ride!Stephen

Sneak Peek Sunday

I wanted to share a quick note to remind you to check out the sneak peek available today on the Members Only page of this website. Just go to the members only page to sign up and start enjoying the perks. Now I'm going back to writing. i hope to get this book done in time to go on sale for Christmas. Thanks for following along!Stephen

Working on Our Swag

We are working diligently to come up with some promotional items that people might like as contest prizes. We have one possibility of a reusable tote/shopping bag.With so many places going bagless nowadays (thank goodness), We thought this would come in handy and be a little advertising for my books in the process. I have purchased a few canvas totes and we will be making iron-ons to personalize them.Now comes the hard part, what do we print on them? We have come up with a few options so far. We can keep it simple and just put my new logo and a few social media addresses on one side or go with a picture of the books covers, or both with one image on each side. Keep in mind, that doubles our printing costs.Take a look at the options below and tell me what you think.What would you want to carry around?

Getting Noticed

Getting a following can be a serious uphill battle when you are a new self-published author but I feel like I'm finally gaining some ground. It would be great to have a publishing house behind me, with their publicity department, established mailing lists, teams of editors, and designers but I have chosen to go the self-publishing route instead, at least for the moment. This means that, for the most part, I do everything myself. I do have some help from Dianne Burckhardt, I hired a fantastic editor, Gregg Wood, and now I have joined the Independent Author Network, which is helping me reach more readers. This weekend I'm planning to do a big push writing part three, Into the West: Sharon Springs. Be sure to join my members only page to get a free sneak peek of what I've been working on. It's free to join and you can cancel at any time. There are a lot of members only freebies on this page including a special contest for members that will be coming up soon with one of my new swag bags as the prize. Be sure to keep checking my blog ramblingsfor more updates and the new promotional items Dianne and I are busy designing. Thanks for following my journey!StephenBe sure to check out my other social media pagesFacebookIndependent Author Network BioTwitterGoodreadsGoogle+