David G. Shrock's Blog, page 14

AudioBoo: Raven Memory Excerpts

I've started posting excerpts from the first chapter of Raven Memory on AudioBoo in 3-5 minute segments. Longer audio might be nicer for a novel excerpt, but 5 minutes is the maximum limit. There are 4 segments so far, and I will post 4 more over the next two weeks.

If you enjoy listening to my voice or prefer audio books, follow along at http://audioboo.fm/tag/raven%20memory

Excerpt 1
Excerpt 2
Excerpt 3
Excerpt 4

Thanks for listening, and tell me what you think. Do audio...

Novel Coming Soon

For nearly a decade, I've been working on stories in Draco Torre's world, or more accurately, translating stories as told by Torre and friends. Keeping the stories to myself seems selfish, so I decided to share them.

Draco Torre stories follow the lives of the last remaining survivors of a lost civilization crossing through time to discover their past and themselves. The stories include time travel, memory shifting, androids, and strange creatures.

Raven Memory Cover

The first ...

Last Hope (for Hope Hill) #FridayFlash

a flash story by David G Shrock (Listen at AudioBoo)

Standing between wagon ruts, Draco Torre considers the sign announcing Hope Hill. Stars meet prairie, flat horizons. Hope without a hill.

Following ruts, Torre scans dark buildings. Nothing stirs. Blasted heat carries the stench of death.

At the far end of Hope Hill, light flows from an open doorway, down three steps splashing the road. The church casts a sullen look. Catcalls of rapists, howls of murderers pour from the...

Perspective

From Publishers Weekly "A Bookselling Tail" from 2006 noting 2004 Bookscan data

80% of books sell fewer than 99 copies
96% of books sell fewer than 1,000 copies
Average American book sells 500 copies

According to Editorial Ass in 2008

Sell 7,000: "you're a star."
Sell 4,000: "strong seller."

From Association of American Publishers on publishers.org

2009 eBook annual sales up 177% overtaking audio books
2009 overall book sales down 1.8%

From Bowker

288,355 new traditional books...

Facebook Page

I started a Facebook page for Draco Torre Books where I'll post about my books. On the main page (www.DracoTore.com,) I added a "Like" button so Facebook users can start following. The Facebook icon at the top of the sidebar links to the page. This way you don't need to try to be my Facebook friend. Just follow the page.

Click the the "Like" button. It's fun!

AudioBoo: Mother Dove #SpokenSunday

This week I read from my flash story, "Mother Dove" which is part of Shadow Memories. Listen at AudioBoo: http://audioboo.fm/boos/150800-mother-dove

Cover Art for Raven Memory

Shadow Memories on Amazon

Shadow Memories

My ebook, Shadow Memories, is now available on Amazon for Kindle and Kindle for iPhone. See my previous post, "New Book: Shadow Memories," for details.

Find the book here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003U2TNDK

You will also find Shadow Memories at Smashwords participating in the Summer/Winter Sale for 100% off during the month of July. Use code SW100 at checkout (or donate a dollar if you prefer.)  http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/17029

Shadow Memories coming...

AudioBoo: The Only Color

Giving AudioBoo a try for the first #SpokenSunday with my story, "The Only Color" which is part of my Shadow Memories collection.

Visit the AudioBoo page to listen: http://audioboo.fm/boos/148479-the-only-color Click on the Spoken Sunday tags to find more.

To learn more about #SpokenSunday, visit http://spokensunday.wordpress.com/

Zombie Luv Flash Fic Contest: Undead Unlove

a flash story by David G Shrock

Alistair Monroe sat on the wood floor, his back leaning against the wall. He watched the flame swirl in the lantern beside him. Every once in a while, blue shot up from the center sending the little flame into a flickering frenzy before settling back into its dance. A revolver sat on the floor between his outstretched legs. Dirt and blood stains covered his boots.

Breathing in the musty air, Alistair smelled rotting flesh. The putrid stench...