Steve Vernon's Blog, page 4
January 10, 2012
New Book Review
Check out the SIZZLING HOT BOOK REVIEW of my horror/historical novel, Devil Tree.
http://www.sizzlinghotbooks.net/2012/...
Devil Tree is listed on Goodreads and is available in e-book format on Amazon, Kindle, Nook, Kobo, etc.
yours in storytelling,
Steve Vernon
http://www.sizzlinghotbooks.net/2012/...
Devil Tree is listed on Goodreads and is available in e-book format on Amazon, Kindle, Nook, Kobo, etc.
yours in storytelling,
Steve Vernon
October 13, 2011
GUEST BLOG ENTRY - CABBAGE NIGHT, COLCANNON & CREATIVITY...
Check out my guest blog on "Cabbage Night, Colcannon & Creativity"!
http://enchanted-rachelsbook.blogspot...
yours in storytelling,
Steve Vernon
http://enchanted-rachelsbook.blogspot...
yours in storytelling,
Steve Vernon
October 10, 2011
Where I've been...
There's a new blog in town.
I've been blogging at wordpress.
http://stevevernonstoryteller.wordpre...
I will attempt to be more diligent at reposting over here - (ha, classic male resolution - "I will attempt...") - but for those of you deep diehard addicts you can always find me over there.
yours in storytelling,
Steve Vernon
I've been blogging at wordpress.
http://stevevernonstoryteller.wordpre...
I will attempt to be more diligent at reposting over here - (ha, classic male resolution - "I will attempt...") - but for those of you deep diehard addicts you can always find me over there.
yours in storytelling,
Steve Vernon
A brand new interview
I've been blogging at another site and neglecting this Goodreads blog - but let me tell you quickly about a brand new online interview at THE GINGER NUTS OF HORROR!
http://thegingernutcase.blogspot.com/...
See, I told you I'd be quick.
yours in storytelling,
Steve Vernon
http://thegingernutcase.blogspot.com/...
See, I told you I'd be quick.
yours in storytelling,
Steve Vernon
June 27, 2011
Sneak Peek Excerpt - eek!!!
Halifax Magazine, in their dubious wisdom, has decided that I must be the subject of their cover story for their READING IN SUMMER July/August issue.
I'm stoked.
I've already taken part in an arduous three hour photo shoot involving rubber ducks, ice cream, beach balls, water guns and popsicles.
There will be a special "Making of the photo shoot" feature in the Halifax Magazine blog a little later in July.
I will keep you all posted on this.
For now you'll have to make do with the chapter one sneak-peek sample.
http://halifaxmag.com/2011/06/special...
Check it out!
yours in storytelling,
Steve Vernon
I'm stoked.
I've already taken part in an arduous three hour photo shoot involving rubber ducks, ice cream, beach balls, water guns and popsicles.
There will be a special "Making of the photo shoot" feature in the Halifax Magazine blog a little later in July.
I will keep you all posted on this.
For now you'll have to make do with the chapter one sneak-peek sample.
http://halifaxmag.com/2011/06/special...
Check it out!
yours in storytelling,
Steve Vernon
May 24, 2011
May 8, 2011
Update on May 7 booksigning...
Saturday was a looong day.
I headed out early on the bus to Chain Lake - thinking that the signing began at 1:30pm. I was planning on getting there by noon time to give me some opportunity to shop for some books.
See, that is the added benefit of doing a book signing is to get an undeniable excuse to prowl around a bookstore - like I needed any excuses.
I got off the bus and hot-footed it to Harvey's for a bacon cheeseburger - because I am a great believer in balanced nutrition.
Then I walked across Chain Lake, making my way towards Chapters. Along the way I picked up a dvd set of the Rat Patrol - season 1 and Season 2 - for ten bucks each at Future Shop.
(loved that series)
Then I walked into Chapters and I bought a couple of books - (hey, I had a Mother's Day coupon for 25% off).
Then I realized that the signing wasn't until 2:30pm - and my table was covered with chocolate samples - not a bad thing but chocolate might stain the books.
So I headed back across the Chain Lake mall - (which, for those who aren't familiar - is a huuuge industrial park made for cars and very unfriendly to pedestrians) - and picked up a DVD set of the Critters series - all four movies.
So much for culture.
I stopped at a sweet shop, had a bottle of chocolate milk and two peanut butter truffles.
So much for nutrition.
Then I walked back across the parking lot. By now my feet had swollen to the size of snowshoes.
I was still early, but the manager at Chapters was kind enough to break out another table. I grabbed my books from the shelf and got down to some serious signing!
Books sold.
Sinking Deeper - 4 copies
Halifax Haunts - 8 copies
Haunted Harbours - 2 copies
Maritime Monsters - 4 copies.
That's a total of 18 books - not bad for a Saturday signing.
Then I caught the bus home, had a quick meal of fries and a homemade chicken burger (thanks Belinda), and called a cab to head for the New YA Book Bash at the Writers Federation.
I had a great time at the Book Bash, got to stand up and talk a bit about the new book. Woozles had a book table and sold a few more copies of Sinking Deeper. I shmoozed a little and then slogged from the pier to the bus terminal (a looong walk), through the rain with a briefcase full of books and an umbrella.
The books survived.
I did okay too.
yours in storytelling,
Steve Vernon
I headed out early on the bus to Chain Lake - thinking that the signing began at 1:30pm. I was planning on getting there by noon time to give me some opportunity to shop for some books.
See, that is the added benefit of doing a book signing is to get an undeniable excuse to prowl around a bookstore - like I needed any excuses.
I got off the bus and hot-footed it to Harvey's for a bacon cheeseburger - because I am a great believer in balanced nutrition.
Then I walked across Chain Lake, making my way towards Chapters. Along the way I picked up a dvd set of the Rat Patrol - season 1 and Season 2 - for ten bucks each at Future Shop.
(loved that series)
Then I walked into Chapters and I bought a couple of books - (hey, I had a Mother's Day coupon for 25% off).
Then I realized that the signing wasn't until 2:30pm - and my table was covered with chocolate samples - not a bad thing but chocolate might stain the books.
So I headed back across the Chain Lake mall - (which, for those who aren't familiar - is a huuuge industrial park made for cars and very unfriendly to pedestrians) - and picked up a DVD set of the Critters series - all four movies.
So much for culture.
I stopped at a sweet shop, had a bottle of chocolate milk and two peanut butter truffles.
So much for nutrition.
Then I walked back across the parking lot. By now my feet had swollen to the size of snowshoes.
I was still early, but the manager at Chapters was kind enough to break out another table. I grabbed my books from the shelf and got down to some serious signing!
Books sold.
Sinking Deeper - 4 copies
Halifax Haunts - 8 copies
Haunted Harbours - 2 copies
Maritime Monsters - 4 copies.
That's a total of 18 books - not bad for a Saturday signing.
Then I caught the bus home, had a quick meal of fries and a homemade chicken burger (thanks Belinda), and called a cab to head for the New YA Book Bash at the Writers Federation.
I had a great time at the Book Bash, got to stand up and talk a bit about the new book. Woozles had a book table and sold a few more copies of Sinking Deeper. I shmoozed a little and then slogged from the pier to the bus terminal (a looong walk), through the rain with a briefcase full of books and an umbrella.
The books survived.
I did okay too.
yours in storytelling,
Steve Vernon
May 2, 2011
Upcoming May Appearances...
Well, it is going to be a busy May.
On May 7 I will be signing books at the Chapters in Bayers Lake from 2:30-4:30pm.
That night I'll be appearing at the Nova Scotia Children's Roundtable Book Bash at the Writers Federation of Nova Scotia offices at 7pm.
On Friday May 13 I'll be signing books at the Scotia Square Coles from 12-1:30pm.
(Cool, a Friday 13th gig)
On Monday May 16th at 10am I'll be reading at the Woodlawn Library.
On Saturday May 28 I'll be signing books at the Halifax Shopping Centre Coles from 12-1:30pm.
Hope to see some of you there.
Yours in storytelling,
Steve Vernon
On May 7 I will be signing books at the Chapters in Bayers Lake from 2:30-4:30pm.
That night I'll be appearing at the Nova Scotia Children's Roundtable Book Bash at the Writers Federation of Nova Scotia offices at 7pm.
On Friday May 13 I'll be signing books at the Scotia Square Coles from 12-1:30pm.
(Cool, a Friday 13th gig)
On Monday May 16th at 10am I'll be reading at the Woodlawn Library.
On Saturday May 28 I'll be signing books at the Halifax Shopping Centre Coles from 12-1:30pm.
Hope to see some of you there.
Yours in storytelling,
Steve Vernon
April 30, 2011
Book Signing Follow-up...
Well, it was a pretty good book-signing, although I was a little disappointed to find my usual table was a long way from the door. I missed quite a few walk-throughs but I still did all right.
I had originally had a fear that I would not sell as many of the YA novel as I did the ghost story collections - and this fear proved to be true - at least for this signing.
Final day's sales
Sinking Deeper - 2 copies
Halifax Haunts - 8 copies
Haunted Harbours - 3 copies
Maritime Monsters - 1 copy
For a grand total of 14 books sold.
I am hoping that a good book review will emerge in the Chronicle Herald Sunday book section - although I haven't had any word of such. A good review in a local newspaper can go a long way towards getting folks interested.
And I was pleased to find out that Sinking Deeper is prominently displayed not only in the regional shelves - but also in the children's section of the store.
And I'm not really bothered by my ghost stories outselling my YA - because I've got a brand new Nova Scotia ghost story collection coming out this fall.
Yes sir, I have got all my bets covered.
yours in storytelling,
Steve Vernon
I had originally had a fear that I would not sell as many of the YA novel as I did the ghost story collections - and this fear proved to be true - at least for this signing.
Final day's sales
Sinking Deeper - 2 copies
Halifax Haunts - 8 copies
Haunted Harbours - 3 copies
Maritime Monsters - 1 copy
For a grand total of 14 books sold.
I am hoping that a good book review will emerge in the Chronicle Herald Sunday book section - although I haven't had any word of such. A good review in a local newspaper can go a long way towards getting folks interested.
And I was pleased to find out that Sinking Deeper is prominently displayed not only in the regional shelves - but also in the children's section of the store.
And I'm not really bothered by my ghost stories outselling my YA - because I've got a brand new Nova Scotia ghost story collection coming out this fall.
Yes sir, I have got all my bets covered.
yours in storytelling,
Steve Vernon
Seven Tips for a Happy Book Signing...
I'm going to the first book signing of my new book Sinking Deeper: Or My Questionable (Possibly Heroic) Decision to Invent a Sea Monstertoday at the Mic Mac Mall in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia - from 2:30 to 4:30pm.
(and I realize that officially I should be calling Dartmouth by it's proper title HRM - but that belongs in a whooole other blog posting)
A lot of writers I know dread book signings - but I welcome them. I love the opportunity to hand-sell. There is a really cool feeling in watching as somebody actually pays money to reads your words - not to mention hearing them say "Cool book, dude."
(and I realize that there are very few people below the age of 100 who even say the word "cool" anymore)
So I thought I'd offer a few tips on "proper" book signing techniques.
#1 - Brush and floss! Bring your smile with you and use it. The customers who approach you at a book signing are potential readers - and they aren't going to approach you at all if you look as if you're about to break into tears. And wear a nice shirt.
#2 - Make certain your books are all well displayed. I often bring along a couple of those folding bookstands. Bookstores don't always have too many extras kicking around.
#3 - Speak up. Ideally, I like to sit close to the entrance of a bookstore and greet people as they walk in.
"Hi.", "How are you?" "How'ya doing?". "Good day." I know it sounds corny. I know you might initially feel like the greeter at a WalMart store - but try it. Catch their attention, catch their eye - and then, if they approach you step right into your pitch.
#4 - That's right - you'll need a pitch. Make certain you can sum up what your book is about in a sentence or less. People are busy these days and they do not want to fart around listening to some guy try and figure out just what the heck he wrote.
For example: Haunted Harbours: Ghost Stories from Old Nova Scotiais a book of twenty-one ghost stories of Old Nova Scotia - all of them lifted from legend and lore and history.
#5 - Practice your signature. Don't be that guy with a prescription-blur of a signature. This person paying money for a signed copy would probably appreciate being able to read that autograph of yours. Slow down. If you're a messy writer take a little time to practice it.
#6 - Try and write something personal, if time provides. A little note or something that will make this particular signed copy stand out from all the rest. Ask them their name. Get them to spell it. Be creative, you're a writer aren't you?
#7 - Don't freak out or get scared. This isn't all that much of a trick. You'll get better as you practice. The thing to remember is most book-buyers think it's cool (there's that word again) to talk to a real-authentic author. You've got that going for you - so work it.
Above all else - have fun.
yours in storytelling,
Steve Vernon
(and I realize that officially I should be calling Dartmouth by it's proper title HRM - but that belongs in a whooole other blog posting)
A lot of writers I know dread book signings - but I welcome them. I love the opportunity to hand-sell. There is a really cool feeling in watching as somebody actually pays money to reads your words - not to mention hearing them say "Cool book, dude."
(and I realize that there are very few people below the age of 100 who even say the word "cool" anymore)
So I thought I'd offer a few tips on "proper" book signing techniques.
#1 - Brush and floss! Bring your smile with you and use it. The customers who approach you at a book signing are potential readers - and they aren't going to approach you at all if you look as if you're about to break into tears. And wear a nice shirt.
#2 - Make certain your books are all well displayed. I often bring along a couple of those folding bookstands. Bookstores don't always have too many extras kicking around.
#3 - Speak up. Ideally, I like to sit close to the entrance of a bookstore and greet people as they walk in.
"Hi.", "How are you?" "How'ya doing?". "Good day." I know it sounds corny. I know you might initially feel like the greeter at a WalMart store - but try it. Catch their attention, catch their eye - and then, if they approach you step right into your pitch.
#4 - That's right - you'll need a pitch. Make certain you can sum up what your book is about in a sentence or less. People are busy these days and they do not want to fart around listening to some guy try and figure out just what the heck he wrote.
For example: Haunted Harbours: Ghost Stories from Old Nova Scotiais a book of twenty-one ghost stories of Old Nova Scotia - all of them lifted from legend and lore and history.
#5 - Practice your signature. Don't be that guy with a prescription-blur of a signature. This person paying money for a signed copy would probably appreciate being able to read that autograph of yours. Slow down. If you're a messy writer take a little time to practice it.
#6 - Try and write something personal, if time provides. A little note or something that will make this particular signed copy stand out from all the rest. Ask them their name. Get them to spell it. Be creative, you're a writer aren't you?
#7 - Don't freak out or get scared. This isn't all that much of a trick. You'll get better as you practice. The thing to remember is most book-buyers think it's cool (there's that word again) to talk to a real-authentic author. You've got that going for you - so work it.
Above all else - have fun.
yours in storytelling,
Steve Vernon
