Gerald Dean Rice's Blog, page 121

eBook

I've begun work on an eBook I'm hoping to have out by the end of next month.  It's previously published stuff, but also stories that have never seen the light of day for one reason or another.  Right now I'm editing out errors I missed the first time around, but I'm currently working on the story 'Goner' I did for Living Dead Press.

Valuable Advice from the Great Noel Hynd RE: Sold Library Book

Of course he's telling me about the loose step when I'm already laid in a tumbled heap at the bottom of the stairs, but it's good nonetheless...

"Live and learn: Here's some fee advice: The mistake you made was not being specific about the nature of your donation, i.e., that you're an author and the book was for circulation. The way to keep this from happening in the future is to write a letter to the Head Librarian and make the offer of a book donated to them for circulation. That gives them the opportunity to accept or decline. If they accept, sign it to the Library and bring it in in person and try to hand it to the head honcho yourself. (That way he/she knows you, always useful.)

Also, "they know because they work there, right?"

 

Wrong.

 

If I had gone in there with you i would have given a karate chop to your wrist when you reached toward that dump box.

 

But, live and learn......"

Pick up A Room for the Dead by Hynd if you ever run across a copy.  Great book. 

So the Library Sold My Book...

Here I was, trying to be the nice guy and they screwed me. I wanted to donate a copy of my book and stopped in on a Sunday. The woman at the circulation desk told me to take it behind a partition where they had boxes and boxes of items that had been donated. It seemed a little weird, but hey, they know because they work there, right?

 

In my eagerness, I emailed the library to ask when it would be placed in their system. The person who replied had no awareness of my book being donated, but stated she'd check into it. Monday, I got an email that she had located the person who remembered selling my book. Apparently, I was directed to the donation pile for items to be sold. She invited me to donate another item, though.

 

I'm disappointed, but short of donating another book, there's not much I can do. These babies cost money and I can't afford to give away multiple copies. But on the other hand, I really wanted them to have a copy.

 

I guess I should be glad someone bought it.  I wonder if they'll stumble across the website.

Picking up my Neo Tonight...

This is going to revolutionize how I write.  No more destractions, no more waiting for the laptop, no more spellcheck--hey wait a minute--I might need to rethink that one.  I wanted this thing since I laid my eyes on it.  Let's see how quickly I can crank now.  I have to catch up on The Golden Ones, and there's a new side project I'm about to ramp up on.

Horizon Books

The hand is all but shook, but I will be appearing at Horizon Books in Traverse City to sign books.  I love Traverse City.  It's on my short list of places to retire when I'm old.  TGT should be on the shelves well before I arrive.

Open Book

The grand opening of Open Book is this Saturday.  I'm excited to be doing my first book signing.  Fenton is a great small town (I saw Galaxy Quest at the movie theater there; best popcorn I ever had).  Got my books and I'm hoping to see some familiar faces.

Literary Agents NOT to Pursue

Like any burgeoning author, I'd like to progress.  To be able to get a manuscript in front of a publisher you wouldn't have had access to prior.  I check for an agent every now and then, so far to no avail, but I do occasionally come across scam artists.  One thing I've learned, I'm not looking for an agent in Michigan anymore.  I've found two and they both want things agents never ask for (at least up front) and have nothing to show for themselves sales wise.  I pulled this list of top 20 worst literary agents in America from the site www.sff.net.  As much a reminder for myself as for anyone else who might see this list, I post it here for all:

 

The Abacus Group Literary Agency Allred and Allred Literary Agents (refers clients to "book doctor" Victor West of Pacific Literary Services) Barbara Bauer Literary Agency Benedict Associates (also d/b/a B.A. Literary Agency) Capital Literary Agency (formerly American Literary Agents of Washington, Inc.) Desert Rose Literary Agency Arthur Fleming Associates Elite Finesse Literary Agency formerly Finesse Literary Agency (Karen Carr) Brock Gannon Literary Agency Harris Literary Agency The Literary Agency Group, which includes the following:

                 1.  Children's Literary Agency

                 2.  Christian Literary Agency

                 3.  New York Literary Agency

                 4.  Poets Literary Agency

                 5.  The Screenplay Agency

                 6.  Stylus Literary Agency (formerly ST Literary Agency, formerly Sydra-Techniques)

                 7.  Writers Literary & Publishing Services Company (the editing arm of the above-mentioned agencies)

 

Martin-McLean Literary Associates Mocknick Productions Literary Agency, Inc. B.K. Nelson, Inc. The Robins Agency (Cris Robins) Michele Rooney Literary Agency (also d/b/a Creative Literary Agency, Simply Nonfiction, and Michele Glance Rooney Literary Agency) Southeast Literary Agency Stillwater Literary Agency (formerly Sherwood Broome, Inc.) Mark Sullivan Associates West Coast Literary Associates (also d/b/a California Literary Services)

Draculas

This was my second official e-book.  The first was another offering by Blake Crouch and Jeff Strand.  I forget the title offhand, but nevermind that now (it's included with Draculas anyway).  Draculas is a rollercoaster.  It'll take you up, it'll take you down.  It'll drink your blood (though I'm not sure if rollercoasters do that- been a while since I've been on one).  You're going to love Randall Bolton and Clay Theel, the heroes (at least in my mind) of this story and how they don't let things like thinking get in the way of getting the job done.  Yes, this will make you laugh, but it'll have you afraid to put your Kindle down (or whatever your choice of e-reader; I printed mine out, but I'm special like that). 

 

Mortimer Moorecook, whose surname name I'm certain is a misspelled double-entendre, is the blame for the slaughterhouse that becomes Blessed Crucifixion Hospital, but you'll hardly have the time to blame him.  Draculas will be flying at you left and right with scythe-like teeth set to rip you to shreds.

 

As a writer, I have got to admit I would love to be a part of this franchise (surely you couldn't think by the end of this story that is the end) as this is one of the most original vampire stories I've read in a long time and since reading Interview with the Vampire and I've read exactly 3 novels in that genre.  So I've got my VampCred, in case that was in question. 

 

Crouch, Strand, Wilson and the other guy won't disappoint (I looked it up; Kilborn).  I'm only sure that Crouch wrote the first section, but each author hands off the story into very capable hands as there is no lag in the fear or action.  You'll find yourself rooting for the good and poopooing evil.  Pick up--click a copy as soon as it is available.  It'll be the best $2.99 you've spent this side of a Big Mac and it won't raise your cholesterol nearly as much.

 

Oh, you can get yours here.

Peabo!

For anyone who's finished the book, you should know I'm a Peabo Bryson fan.  I just had a great idea- what if I could interview him?  It'd be a serious interview, I don't want to goof on him or anything.  But someone whose music I grew up listening to would be great.  I always loved how he was able to blend a powerful voice with perfect diction.  I can't think of anyone else who has done that.  Not even Stevie Wonder.

 

So I'll be putting out my feelers...

Got My Neo Word Processor

I just put my order in. I'm really excited because if this works the way I anticipate my writing is going to be kicked up a notch.

 

[image error]