Sean Keefer's Blog, page 6
June 10, 2011
One Book at a Time
I've never been a marketer. Never really been a salesman either. Sure, I've sold stereos at the now sort of defunct Circuit City but the idea of planning a marketing strategy was enough to make me roll my eyes and throw up my hands in surrender.
Oh, I'm talking about marketing my book, The Trust.
I remember the day I received a phone call from a publisher saying he wanted to publish.
There was much rejoicing.
The contract was reviewed and signed. Then waiting began. Sometime between my pen hitting the contract and the day the book was released there was an "Oh S*#T!" moment when I realized that I, the marketing apprentice at best, was going to be leading a marketing campaign for my first book.
Rejoicing turned to terror.
So I took a deep breath and embraced my reality. I compare it to being thrown into the deep end of the pool. At night. With sharks. Hungry sharks.
So with that I began to learn about marketing and today I'm going to talk about a few non-traditional ideas for selling your books. I should warn you that this is going to be old school and low tech. We are going to talk about book events.
1 – The First Step
As obvious as this may seem, the first step is the most important. Think to all of the cheesy real estate commercials you've seen.
Location, Location, Location. This is the most important thing you can do – target your event location. However, I would encourage you to avoid visiting only bookstores as the location for your events. Simply put in a bookstore you book will be one of many. Sure you will be there, but so will countless others. Mix it up. Have fun with it.
2 – Think Outside of the Box
This is the most important component of the equation. I've developed a formula of sorts for book events. To be successful I need a stream of people, a comfortable location, and a conversation starter. If I can get people talking then I can get them talking about my book. If I can get them talking about my book I can get them to buy it.
An example of such a location is a small wine shop. Small wine shops (or gift shops, or tobacco shops or specialty shops or store with a theme matching your book, etc.) don't stock or regularly sell books. You'll be the only game in town, competing with not a single other writer.
What wine shops do have is wine tastings and sometimes they are free. Keep in mind people love free stuff, especially free wine. There's the comfortable location and stream of customers. Now all you have to do is get them talking. (Hint – the wine never hurts when it comes to that!) People will naturally want to see the author in the wine shop. Start the conversation and watch the books sell.
Think locations where there are large groups of people. Sporting events for instance. Nearly every mid-size plus urban area has a minor league sporting team of one ilk or another. These organizations are AMAZING for community support and will generally welcome an author out for a game. Offer to pair your event with a fund raising cause that the team supports. They'll love you. Think about an afternoon at the ballpark signing books and talking to baseball fans. Stream of people, great location and people talking about your book.
3 – Give the People what they Want
Book clubs are a great way to market your book and to get feedback at the same time. If you get a book club interested in your book then you can count on a number of sales. To help this, I offer to attend the meeting when my book is discussed. These have been some of the most enjoying times involving my book.
For every book club I've approached they've loved having the writer come to speak to them. Seems most readers don't get to meet writers. Book club members have friends in other book clubs. They talk. If you're a hit at one, word will get around. I'm starting to believe there is a book club circuit.
4 – Don't be afraid to try something new.
You'll have some book events where you'll feel lucky to have sold one book. However, always smile and tell the host how great it is to be there. Follow up in your most gracious fashion and keep plugging along. Keep books in your car when you drive around so you can always be prepared to pitch for an event. Always have promotional material for people so they will know how to buy your book when they are looking for a new read.
I look at it the same as being a band trying to hit the big time. I'm sure that U2 or The Killers or the current band de jure played to an empty house or two on the way up.
The point of all of this is that one step, or in this case, one book at a time, is always a step in the right direction. Think outside the box and if people are seeing you and your book, sales will follow.
So while you're here why not read a chapter from my book or even buy a copy of your own. A portion of all proceeds from the sale of The Trust will be donated to canine related charities.
Oh, I'm talking about marketing my book, The Trust.
I remember the day I received a phone call from a publisher saying he wanted to publish.
There was much rejoicing.
The contract was reviewed and signed. Then waiting began. Sometime between my pen hitting the contract and the day the book was released there was an "Oh S*#T!" moment when I realized that I, the marketing apprentice at best, was going to be leading a marketing campaign for my first book.
Rejoicing turned to terror.
So I took a deep breath and embraced my reality. I compare it to being thrown into the deep end of the pool. At night. With sharks. Hungry sharks.
So with that I began to learn about marketing and today I'm going to talk about a few non-traditional ideas for selling your books. I should warn you that this is going to be old school and low tech. We are going to talk about book events.
1 – The First Step
As obvious as this may seem, the first step is the most important. Think to all of the cheesy real estate commercials you've seen.
Location, Location, Location. This is the most important thing you can do – target your event location. However, I would encourage you to avoid visiting only bookstores as the location for your events. Simply put in a bookstore you book will be one of many. Sure you will be there, but so will countless others. Mix it up. Have fun with it.
2 – Think Outside of the Box
This is the most important component of the equation. I've developed a formula of sorts for book events. To be successful I need a stream of people, a comfortable location, and a conversation starter. If I can get people talking then I can get them talking about my book. If I can get them talking about my book I can get them to buy it.
An example of such a location is a small wine shop. Small wine shops (or gift shops, or tobacco shops or specialty shops or store with a theme matching your book, etc.) don't stock or regularly sell books. You'll be the only game in town, competing with not a single other writer.
What wine shops do have is wine tastings and sometimes they are free. Keep in mind people love free stuff, especially free wine. There's the comfortable location and stream of customers. Now all you have to do is get them talking. (Hint – the wine never hurts when it comes to that!) People will naturally want to see the author in the wine shop. Start the conversation and watch the books sell.
Think locations where there are large groups of people. Sporting events for instance. Nearly every mid-size plus urban area has a minor league sporting team of one ilk or another. These organizations are AMAZING for community support and will generally welcome an author out for a game. Offer to pair your event with a fund raising cause that the team supports. They'll love you. Think about an afternoon at the ballpark signing books and talking to baseball fans. Stream of people, great location and people talking about your book.
3 – Give the People what they Want
Book clubs are a great way to market your book and to get feedback at the same time. If you get a book club interested in your book then you can count on a number of sales. To help this, I offer to attend the meeting when my book is discussed. These have been some of the most enjoying times involving my book.
For every book club I've approached they've loved having the writer come to speak to them. Seems most readers don't get to meet writers. Book club members have friends in other book clubs. They talk. If you're a hit at one, word will get around. I'm starting to believe there is a book club circuit.
4 – Don't be afraid to try something new.
You'll have some book events where you'll feel lucky to have sold one book. However, always smile and tell the host how great it is to be there. Follow up in your most gracious fashion and keep plugging along. Keep books in your car when you drive around so you can always be prepared to pitch for an event. Always have promotional material for people so they will know how to buy your book when they are looking for a new read.
I look at it the same as being a band trying to hit the big time. I'm sure that U2 or The Killers or the current band de jure played to an empty house or two on the way up.
The point of all of this is that one step, or in this case, one book at a time, is always a step in the right direction. Think outside the box and if people are seeing you and your book, sales will follow.
So while you're here why not read a chapter from my book or even buy a copy of your own. A portion of all proceeds from the sale of The Trust will be donated to canine related charities.
June 7, 2011
Sex Part 2
I've written blogs previously on sex – for example see here. These articles have covered the topic of how to construct a sex scene. What is enough sex? What is not enough sex? Generally the focus is how to construct a sex scene.
However, that begs the question of should you have sex, in your writing, at all?
Many would say that basically anytime you want would be a good time to have sex – again speaking of having it in your writing. Others, most certainly, would say there is no need to include sex in your writing at all.
So what is a writer to do? Sex or abstinence? Which is the road to literary fulfillment? Or perhaps, which is the path to literary enlightenment?
As with any question of a literary nature, the answer is somewhat less that clear.
Likely it would be safe to say in the opinion of many there is no formulaic approach as to when to or when not to have sex. There is many a literary masterpiece out there with not a single scene of intimacy. The same is true on the other side of the equation. Many a literary masterpiece has an overload of intimate scenes.
Different strokes for different, well, writers and readers.
Perhaps the easiest way to answer this question of whether or not to have sex in your book is to understand that a sex scene alone will not automatically make bad literature good, but it may make good literature bad.
In short it is not simply breaking up the work for a sex scene. It is more about weaving a sex scene into the tapestry of the literature.
What? How do we do that? Well, write about it to start with.
First and foremost, don't make the sex awkward. Simply put, you don't want to end up with sex scenes, even well written ones, that are gratuitous. These will add nothing to the work, will seem contrived and will likely hurt your characters and the work as a whole.
Perhaps the most important tidbit of guidance a writer can have is that a sex scene is not and should not be an isolated scene in a book (generally speaking).
For the most part, an effective sex scene builds, sometimes perhaps for a goodly amount of time, over several chapters. While there will be occasions where the sex scene comes out of left field, if there are two characters in a sex scene, there needs to be some prep-work. Readers want to identify with the character and their efforts.
For example consider two characters, perhaps a male and a female detective. Say they're working a case and suddenly end up in bed. That's certainly not out of the question, but imagine how much more effective the scene would be if one of the two, or perhaps both, had been harboring thoughts of their encounter. Perhaps they had dreamt fantasized about having sex with their partner. Perhaps one thought about it and one didn't. Perhaps one of them is married.
This give you a vehicle to build tension prior to the sex scene, but also allows you to lay the groundwork for what happens afterwards.
Also keep in mind that just because the sex is over it doesn't necessarily mean that the tension between the characters has or should end. A sex scene between two characters can give you tension fodder for the rest of your book (and into the sequels if you play your cards right.)
Take the example of our detectives. Sure the actual sex scene is tremendously important; however, the options for sexual tension leading up to the actual sex scene provide for a sub-plot all their own. Then there are the consequences of the sex for the characters.
Perhaps the detectives discover that they're great as cops, but lousy as lovers. Perhaps they discover their soul mate in each other that causes problems with their professional relationship because now instead of a partner in harms way it is a loved one. Perhaps one loved it and the other not so much and the feelings end up in contrast. Loads of possibilities.
The lesson is that sex allows for the opportunity for a great individual scene, but also for build up and aftermath. Sure, a talented writer can evoke some incredible thoughts and emotions on the part of the reader with a well-crafted sex scene, but the real measure of the writer is how they are able to weave in the changes in the relationship between the characters as a result of the actual sex.
Experiment and be creative, build some tension, release it and let the characters guide you through the changes in their relationship post-sex. You may just see that the book you started got a little better along the way.
So while you're here why not read a chapter from my book or even buy a copy of your own. A portion of all proceeds from the sale of The Trust will be donated to canine related charities.
However, that begs the question of should you have sex, in your writing, at all?
Many would say that basically anytime you want would be a good time to have sex – again speaking of having it in your writing. Others, most certainly, would say there is no need to include sex in your writing at all.
So what is a writer to do? Sex or abstinence? Which is the road to literary fulfillment? Or perhaps, which is the path to literary enlightenment?
As with any question of a literary nature, the answer is somewhat less that clear.
Likely it would be safe to say in the opinion of many there is no formulaic approach as to when to or when not to have sex. There is many a literary masterpiece out there with not a single scene of intimacy. The same is true on the other side of the equation. Many a literary masterpiece has an overload of intimate scenes.
Different strokes for different, well, writers and readers.
Perhaps the easiest way to answer this question of whether or not to have sex in your book is to understand that a sex scene alone will not automatically make bad literature good, but it may make good literature bad.
In short it is not simply breaking up the work for a sex scene. It is more about weaving a sex scene into the tapestry of the literature.
What? How do we do that? Well, write about it to start with.
First and foremost, don't make the sex awkward. Simply put, you don't want to end up with sex scenes, even well written ones, that are gratuitous. These will add nothing to the work, will seem contrived and will likely hurt your characters and the work as a whole.
Perhaps the most important tidbit of guidance a writer can have is that a sex scene is not and should not be an isolated scene in a book (generally speaking).
For the most part, an effective sex scene builds, sometimes perhaps for a goodly amount of time, over several chapters. While there will be occasions where the sex scene comes out of left field, if there are two characters in a sex scene, there needs to be some prep-work. Readers want to identify with the character and their efforts.
For example consider two characters, perhaps a male and a female detective. Say they're working a case and suddenly end up in bed. That's certainly not out of the question, but imagine how much more effective the scene would be if one of the two, or perhaps both, had been harboring thoughts of their encounter. Perhaps they had dreamt fantasized about having sex with their partner. Perhaps one thought about it and one didn't. Perhaps one of them is married.
This give you a vehicle to build tension prior to the sex scene, but also allows you to lay the groundwork for what happens afterwards.
Also keep in mind that just because the sex is over it doesn't necessarily mean that the tension between the characters has or should end. A sex scene between two characters can give you tension fodder for the rest of your book (and into the sequels if you play your cards right.)
Take the example of our detectives. Sure the actual sex scene is tremendously important; however, the options for sexual tension leading up to the actual sex scene provide for a sub-plot all their own. Then there are the consequences of the sex for the characters.
Perhaps the detectives discover that they're great as cops, but lousy as lovers. Perhaps they discover their soul mate in each other that causes problems with their professional relationship because now instead of a partner in harms way it is a loved one. Perhaps one loved it and the other not so much and the feelings end up in contrast. Loads of possibilities.
The lesson is that sex allows for the opportunity for a great individual scene, but also for build up and aftermath. Sure, a talented writer can evoke some incredible thoughts and emotions on the part of the reader with a well-crafted sex scene, but the real measure of the writer is how they are able to weave in the changes in the relationship between the characters as a result of the actual sex.
Experiment and be creative, build some tension, release it and let the characters guide you through the changes in their relationship post-sex. You may just see that the book you started got a little better along the way.
So while you're here why not read a chapter from my book or even buy a copy of your own. A portion of all proceeds from the sale of The Trust will be donated to canine related charities.
May 22, 2011
The Season of the Beach Read is upon Us!
Each year with Memorial Day comes a new Beach Read Season.
The masses will soon be flocking to the shore for a weeklong escape from the reality that makes for the balance of their year. Relaxation for body and mind is generally the goal and to accomplish this, many a page will be turned during the coming months.
I live close enough to the coast for regular visits and while out this morning with one of the Aussies I wasn't the least bit surprised with the near library's worth of books coming out for a day of reading by the ocean.
The Season of the Beach Read is upon us.
But what is a beach read? Opinions vary. Some say mindless fiction. Some say the latest release from the appropriate NY Times bestseller list fits the bill.
However, there is a growing school of thought that the true beach read is actually a discovery of sorts. This doesn't mean you can't read your bestseller at the beach – read away!
However, when you find a book, through recommendation or otherwise, you enjoy not only reading the book, but you have the added enjoyment of discovery. Then you get to recommend it to the masses. Point is there is an amazing trove of excellent writing out there aside from the bestseller lists. You just have to look for it.
Your fellow readers will love having you make a recommendation for them. They'll tell you about what they've just read. And, writers will love you because you're spreading the word about their book. What a wonderful circle - everyone wins!
So to get the ball rolling, I thought I'd pass along a few recommendations that would make excellent Beach Reads. So, for your considerations.
Heresy by S. J. Parris – A historical thriller set in Victorian England. Heresy tells the tale of an excommunicated Italian monk hot on the trail of a killer in the hallowed halls of Oxford. When you finish, you'll see your fingers are crossed in hopes of follow up.
Bridges – A Tale of Niagara by dk LeVick – Bridges is a coming of age tale set in the early 1960's. Through the exploits of a group of teenage boys, LeVick brings the fascinating history of Niagara Falls to life.
Salt by Mark Kurlansky – I had to put a non-fiction book on the list. Salt is the history of, well, salt. Amazing work. Kurlansky has made the history of perhaps the most humble of all compounds into an edge of your seat page-turner.
Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon – This was originally published in Spanish. I'm careful with translations, but the English version is flawless. Books by a mysterious writer are disappearing and people are getting killed. A young boy comes into possession of one of the books and finds his life woven in with that of the author as the plot tightens its grip.
Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin – An amazing book from an amazing storyteller. Set in Mississippi (hence the name of the book) Franklin weaves a tale of lives intertwined and mysteries that span generations. The story telling is captivating, the dialogue as authentic as it comes and the story will keep you glued to the page.
I've also learned to be shameless so I'll include my book, The Trust, on the list as well.
Remember part of the fun of Beach Reads is not only to enjoy the books, but to tell others so they can enjoy as well and will be able to pass the information on to the next.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by! Feel free to comment and remember, a percentage of all sales from The Trust are donated to canine related nonprofits. Support K9 rescues!
The masses will soon be flocking to the shore for a weeklong escape from the reality that makes for the balance of their year. Relaxation for body and mind is generally the goal and to accomplish this, many a page will be turned during the coming months.
I live close enough to the coast for regular visits and while out this morning with one of the Aussies I wasn't the least bit surprised with the near library's worth of books coming out for a day of reading by the ocean.
The Season of the Beach Read is upon us.
But what is a beach read? Opinions vary. Some say mindless fiction. Some say the latest release from the appropriate NY Times bestseller list fits the bill.
However, there is a growing school of thought that the true beach read is actually a discovery of sorts. This doesn't mean you can't read your bestseller at the beach – read away!
However, when you find a book, through recommendation or otherwise, you enjoy not only reading the book, but you have the added enjoyment of discovery. Then you get to recommend it to the masses. Point is there is an amazing trove of excellent writing out there aside from the bestseller lists. You just have to look for it.
Your fellow readers will love having you make a recommendation for them. They'll tell you about what they've just read. And, writers will love you because you're spreading the word about their book. What a wonderful circle - everyone wins!
So to get the ball rolling, I thought I'd pass along a few recommendations that would make excellent Beach Reads. So, for your considerations.
Heresy by S. J. Parris – A historical thriller set in Victorian England. Heresy tells the tale of an excommunicated Italian monk hot on the trail of a killer in the hallowed halls of Oxford. When you finish, you'll see your fingers are crossed in hopes of follow up.
Bridges – A Tale of Niagara by dk LeVick – Bridges is a coming of age tale set in the early 1960's. Through the exploits of a group of teenage boys, LeVick brings the fascinating history of Niagara Falls to life.
Salt by Mark Kurlansky – I had to put a non-fiction book on the list. Salt is the history of, well, salt. Amazing work. Kurlansky has made the history of perhaps the most humble of all compounds into an edge of your seat page-turner.
Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon – This was originally published in Spanish. I'm careful with translations, but the English version is flawless. Books by a mysterious writer are disappearing and people are getting killed. A young boy comes into possession of one of the books and finds his life woven in with that of the author as the plot tightens its grip.
Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin – An amazing book from an amazing storyteller. Set in Mississippi (hence the name of the book) Franklin weaves a tale of lives intertwined and mysteries that span generations. The story telling is captivating, the dialogue as authentic as it comes and the story will keep you glued to the page.
I've also learned to be shameless so I'll include my book, The Trust, on the list as well.
Remember part of the fun of Beach Reads is not only to enjoy the books, but to tell others so they can enjoy as well and will be able to pass the information on to the next.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by! Feel free to comment and remember, a percentage of all sales from The Trust are donated to canine related nonprofits. Support K9 rescues!
May 20, 2011
How's the Weather in There?
Does it rain in your writing? Has it ever snowed? Have you ever had to endure a hurricane? Well, if the answer is no then it's about time the weather took a turn for the worse.
Funny thing is that a lot of fiction must be set in Perfect Town, USA. The weather's always sunny, it never gets cold, there's never any humidity and heaven forbid it rains.
In a lot of fiction about the only thing that changes is whether it's morning or night. That is unless the tale has zombies or vampires. When you have zombies or vampires you generally have a lot of cloudy skies and wet air. Rarely do you get vampires or zombies and pleasant weather at the same time.
As a side note, this is why I feel generally secure on the coast should the zombie apocalypse come anytime soon.
However, that still leaves us with the general lack of weather in writing.
Writers have an opportunity to take advantage of weather related events to bring their fiction alive by adding an additional layer of depth; however, many simply don't take advantage of this.
Say you're writing a tale of suspense. The main character is heading towards a critical point of conflict. Perhaps it's a confrontation or perhaps a meeting with another character. Think how much more compelling the scene becomes if the weather is a factor.
Perhaps the character was caught in a rainstorm and is soaked as he first meets a new character or perhaps the weather causes him be late. Or, perhaps it's storming outside when the character has a friend drop him off for the meeting.
The character enters from the storm and is asked, "Did you drive yourself?"
"Yes. I parked in the lot across the street." he says.
The host studies him from head to toe then asks, "So how did you manage to come from the parking lot and not get your shoes wet?"
Now we have a nice set up for conflict.
It doesn't have to be rain, but the element of weather can add to the story in an infinite number of ways. It can create options and conflict for your characters that you simply can't get otherwise. Weather and weather related events can work wonders to set the mood and tone of a story without saying, "It was a dark and stormy night…"
The essence of weather in a story adds to the tone and setting. It can dictate the mood and heighten tension between the characters without having to lecture the reader. Bring the weather and your reader is suddenly reading your book in a hurricane, a snowstorm or a pop up thunderstorm.
Keep in mind it's all about creating the landscape for the tale. If you are walking down the street in the rain and find yourself hoping for a sunny day, it may not be in your future. However, if you are writing your main character down the same street, you can do anything you want.
Pick a scene and add some weather to it and watch it come alive.
Oh and as long as you're here, even though it isn't in person, why not read an excerpt of The Trust or even buy a copy of your own. A percentage of all sales will be donated to canine related nonprofits. Support K9 rescues!
Funny thing is that a lot of fiction must be set in Perfect Town, USA. The weather's always sunny, it never gets cold, there's never any humidity and heaven forbid it rains.
In a lot of fiction about the only thing that changes is whether it's morning or night. That is unless the tale has zombies or vampires. When you have zombies or vampires you generally have a lot of cloudy skies and wet air. Rarely do you get vampires or zombies and pleasant weather at the same time.
As a side note, this is why I feel generally secure on the coast should the zombie apocalypse come anytime soon.
However, that still leaves us with the general lack of weather in writing.
Writers have an opportunity to take advantage of weather related events to bring their fiction alive by adding an additional layer of depth; however, many simply don't take advantage of this.
Say you're writing a tale of suspense. The main character is heading towards a critical point of conflict. Perhaps it's a confrontation or perhaps a meeting with another character. Think how much more compelling the scene becomes if the weather is a factor.
Perhaps the character was caught in a rainstorm and is soaked as he first meets a new character or perhaps the weather causes him be late. Or, perhaps it's storming outside when the character has a friend drop him off for the meeting.
The character enters from the storm and is asked, "Did you drive yourself?"
"Yes. I parked in the lot across the street." he says.
The host studies him from head to toe then asks, "So how did you manage to come from the parking lot and not get your shoes wet?"
Now we have a nice set up for conflict.
It doesn't have to be rain, but the element of weather can add to the story in an infinite number of ways. It can create options and conflict for your characters that you simply can't get otherwise. Weather and weather related events can work wonders to set the mood and tone of a story without saying, "It was a dark and stormy night…"
The essence of weather in a story adds to the tone and setting. It can dictate the mood and heighten tension between the characters without having to lecture the reader. Bring the weather and your reader is suddenly reading your book in a hurricane, a snowstorm or a pop up thunderstorm.
Keep in mind it's all about creating the landscape for the tale. If you are walking down the street in the rain and find yourself hoping for a sunny day, it may not be in your future. However, if you are writing your main character down the same street, you can do anything you want.
Pick a scene and add some weather to it and watch it come alive.
Oh and as long as you're here, even though it isn't in person, why not read an excerpt of The Trust or even buy a copy of your own. A percentage of all sales will be donated to canine related nonprofits. Support K9 rescues!
May 16, 2011
The High School Book Report – Starting a Book Review Blog
Few people ever say they loved writing high school book reports. Even fewer still are able to identify any benefit to these book reports.
Sure the process was a learning tool, but not a skill that you use on a regular basis. Well, that is unless you do book reviews.
As of late there seems to be more bloggers doing book reviews than you can shake a stick at and the number just keeps growing. So much so that to hear authors say there is no real outlet for having their books reviewed makes one wonder if these writers have done any research at all.
So for those of you that are itching to dust off your long lost book reporting skills a common question seems to be, "How do you start a book review blog?"
Easy enough.
In fact, if, as you are reading this you had the thought, "Hey, I think I'll start a book review blog." Well, guess what? You've started one.
The real trick in this process is promoting yourself and getting your name out so people will start to consider your opinion on the books you read. This is where it will take a bit of work.
There are a few things you can do that will help the process along.
1 – Review some books. Pull out the last few books you've read and review them. You want to give authors a feel for what types of books you review and how you review the ones you select. If you're going to stick to a single genre, let it be known on your blog and then review a few books from that genre. If you're going to mix genres in your reviews, show it and let your blog reflect it.
2 – Spread the word. The easiest way to do this is Twitter. Tweet about the books you have reviewed, the books you are going to review and that you want to review books. If you are going to do giveaways, tweet about that. Use Facebook and your web page to promote your reviews.
3 – Visit book review sites. Visit lots of them. When you visit, read the reviews and comment on the reviews. Make sure to leave the contact information for your site. Connect with other review bloggers and trade reviews.
4 – Make yourself known. Find sites where you can be listed as a reviewer. When writers come looking for reviewers, it helps if there are a lot of reviewers in one place. I list reviewers on my blog. If you'd like to be listed, contact me. As well there are a number of sites where you can find books the authors have for review. There are a number of blog review tours, like this one, they are always looking for bloggers to review books.
5 – Be Professional. If you don't love a book, and you don't have to love them all, remember there are positive ways to say it. However, at the same time, don't compromise your professionalism and mislead your readers with a less than accurate review. On this same note, if you don't finish a book don't review it. Let the author know that it didn't click with you, but don't do a review and admit that you didn't finish the book. If you do that writers likely won't be too excited to take their time to get their book to you if you aren't even going to finish it. Would you want someone reading half of a review and then talking about the entire review?
6 – Post your Guidelines. As the reviewer you get to set your guidelines, but make sure that you have them clearly posted on your review blog. Make sure to stick to them.
7 – Communicate. Inevitably you'll review a book and your review will upset the author. It's going to happen and it may even be with a glowing review. Be prepared to deal with authors who may not be the most excited about your reviews. Be polite. Be professional, but be firm.
Finally, have fun with it. After all, you finally have an outlet where you can use the skills you learned doing high school book reports.
Oh and as long as you're here, even though it isn't in person, why not read an excerpt of The Trust or even buy a copy of your own. A percentage of all sales will be donated to canine related nonprofits. Support K9 rescues!
Sure the process was a learning tool, but not a skill that you use on a regular basis. Well, that is unless you do book reviews.
As of late there seems to be more bloggers doing book reviews than you can shake a stick at and the number just keeps growing. So much so that to hear authors say there is no real outlet for having their books reviewed makes one wonder if these writers have done any research at all.
So for those of you that are itching to dust off your long lost book reporting skills a common question seems to be, "How do you start a book review blog?"
Easy enough.
In fact, if, as you are reading this you had the thought, "Hey, I think I'll start a book review blog." Well, guess what? You've started one.
The real trick in this process is promoting yourself and getting your name out so people will start to consider your opinion on the books you read. This is where it will take a bit of work.
There are a few things you can do that will help the process along.
1 – Review some books. Pull out the last few books you've read and review them. You want to give authors a feel for what types of books you review and how you review the ones you select. If you're going to stick to a single genre, let it be known on your blog and then review a few books from that genre. If you're going to mix genres in your reviews, show it and let your blog reflect it.
2 – Spread the word. The easiest way to do this is Twitter. Tweet about the books you have reviewed, the books you are going to review and that you want to review books. If you are going to do giveaways, tweet about that. Use Facebook and your web page to promote your reviews.
3 – Visit book review sites. Visit lots of them. When you visit, read the reviews and comment on the reviews. Make sure to leave the contact information for your site. Connect with other review bloggers and trade reviews.
4 – Make yourself known. Find sites where you can be listed as a reviewer. When writers come looking for reviewers, it helps if there are a lot of reviewers in one place. I list reviewers on my blog. If you'd like to be listed, contact me. As well there are a number of sites where you can find books the authors have for review. There are a number of blog review tours, like this one, they are always looking for bloggers to review books.
5 – Be Professional. If you don't love a book, and you don't have to love them all, remember there are positive ways to say it. However, at the same time, don't compromise your professionalism and mislead your readers with a less than accurate review. On this same note, if you don't finish a book don't review it. Let the author know that it didn't click with you, but don't do a review and admit that you didn't finish the book. If you do that writers likely won't be too excited to take their time to get their book to you if you aren't even going to finish it. Would you want someone reading half of a review and then talking about the entire review?
6 – Post your Guidelines. As the reviewer you get to set your guidelines, but make sure that you have them clearly posted on your review blog. Make sure to stick to them.
7 – Communicate. Inevitably you'll review a book and your review will upset the author. It's going to happen and it may even be with a glowing review. Be prepared to deal with authors who may not be the most excited about your reviews. Be polite. Be professional, but be firm.
Finally, have fun with it. After all, you finally have an outlet where you can use the skills you learned doing high school book reports.
Oh and as long as you're here, even though it isn't in person, why not read an excerpt of The Trust or even buy a copy of your own. A percentage of all sales will be donated to canine related nonprofits. Support K9 rescues!
May 13, 2011
Who is Mike Hessman?
For many when the first pitch of the year is made the ballpark is simply the only place to be. From coast to coast you hear the cry of "Play Ball" and a calm settles over the field.
The great thing about baseball is regardless of whether you're at Yankee Stadium or watching a local Little League game the experience, well, except for the selection of beverages, is at its root, the same.
Sometimes the enthusiasm and energy is more impressive at the non-Major League level. Some of the best baseball you'll ever witness can be found at the Class A minor league level. Though not far removed from high school ball, the players are being paid for the first time to play the game and each of them is shooting for one of approximately 750 jobs at the major league level.
All of the players have talent, but can they balance talent against a variety of other factors necessary to be successful? Some can, most can't and don't.
Writing is a lot like baseball.
When you see the finished product, it often seems effortless. In baseball, Albert Pujols is a great example. If you saw him on the street you probably wouldn't think, "perhaps the greatest baseball player to ever walk the earth." Babe Ruth was much the same, but these guys and many others have that special ability you can't teach. You either have it or you don't. These guys have the natural ability to hit a baseball like few others. There will be many players, but few like Pujols or Ruth.
Writers are much the same. After all, we all have access to the same language and tools of the craft, but some writers just inherently do it a bit better.
What does this mean?
It means that not all writers are going to be Hemingway or Grisham.
Have you ever heard of Mike Hesseman? Probably not. Hesseman is a journeyman minor league player who is a real life Crash Davis. For those of you not familiar with the cinema of baseball, Crash Davis is a fictional character with the "dubious honor" of being the minor league homerun king. Many people would scoff at that and say that his was not a successful career.
I would beg to differ.
Hesseman isn't a household name. He won't be in the Hall of Fame, but he has spent near 20 years making a living playing baseball. He's also walked up to the plate more than 200 times in Major League games. Fourteen of those times the crowd watched him trot out a homerun. Not a lot of people can say that. I'm certain there are many who dream of even having one big league at bat.
So you may not be the next New York Times bestselling author, but I bet you'd be satisfied spending 20 years making a living writing and maybe also hit a few homeruns along the way.
So the next time you get in a rut with your writing, close the computer and head to the ballpark. Of the 18 guys in the game at anytime you may be looking at a Hall of Famer, but chances are there will be a couple of Hesseman's running around who are going to love every minute of their ride.
Remember, you're doing what most only dream of.
You're writing.
So while you're here why not read a chapter from my book or even buy a copy of your own. A portion of all proceeds from the sale of The Trust will be donated to canine related charities. Support K9 rescues!
The great thing about baseball is regardless of whether you're at Yankee Stadium or watching a local Little League game the experience, well, except for the selection of beverages, is at its root, the same.
Sometimes the enthusiasm and energy is more impressive at the non-Major League level. Some of the best baseball you'll ever witness can be found at the Class A minor league level. Though not far removed from high school ball, the players are being paid for the first time to play the game and each of them is shooting for one of approximately 750 jobs at the major league level.
All of the players have talent, but can they balance talent against a variety of other factors necessary to be successful? Some can, most can't and don't.
Writing is a lot like baseball.
When you see the finished product, it often seems effortless. In baseball, Albert Pujols is a great example. If you saw him on the street you probably wouldn't think, "perhaps the greatest baseball player to ever walk the earth." Babe Ruth was much the same, but these guys and many others have that special ability you can't teach. You either have it or you don't. These guys have the natural ability to hit a baseball like few others. There will be many players, but few like Pujols or Ruth.
Writers are much the same. After all, we all have access to the same language and tools of the craft, but some writers just inherently do it a bit better.
What does this mean?
It means that not all writers are going to be Hemingway or Grisham.
Have you ever heard of Mike Hesseman? Probably not. Hesseman is a journeyman minor league player who is a real life Crash Davis. For those of you not familiar with the cinema of baseball, Crash Davis is a fictional character with the "dubious honor" of being the minor league homerun king. Many people would scoff at that and say that his was not a successful career.
I would beg to differ.
Hesseman isn't a household name. He won't be in the Hall of Fame, but he has spent near 20 years making a living playing baseball. He's also walked up to the plate more than 200 times in Major League games. Fourteen of those times the crowd watched him trot out a homerun. Not a lot of people can say that. I'm certain there are many who dream of even having one big league at bat.
So you may not be the next New York Times bestselling author, but I bet you'd be satisfied spending 20 years making a living writing and maybe also hit a few homeruns along the way.
So the next time you get in a rut with your writing, close the computer and head to the ballpark. Of the 18 guys in the game at anytime you may be looking at a Hall of Famer, but chances are there will be a couple of Hesseman's running around who are going to love every minute of their ride.
Remember, you're doing what most only dream of.
You're writing.
So while you're here why not read a chapter from my book or even buy a copy of your own. A portion of all proceeds from the sale of The Trust will be donated to canine related charities. Support K9 rescues!
Who is Mike Hesseman?
For many when the first pitch of the year is made the ballpark is simply the only place to be. From coast to coast you hear the cry of "Play Ball" and a calm settles over the field.
The great thing about baseball is regardless of whether you're at Yankee Stadium or watching a local Little League game the experience, well, except for the selection of beverages, is at its root, the same.
Sometimes the enthusiasm and energy is more impressive at the non-Major League level. Some of the best baseball you'll ever witness can be found at the Class A minor league level. Though not far removed from high school ball, the players are being paid for the first time to play the game and each of them is shooting for one of approximately 750 jobs at the major league level.
All of the players have talent, but can they balance talent against a variety of other factors necessary to be successful? Some can, most can't and don't.
Writing is a lot like baseball.
When you see the finished product, it often seems effortless. In baseball, Albert Pujols is a great example. If you saw him on the street you probably wouldn't think, "perhaps the greatest baseball player to ever walk the earth." Babe Ruth was much the same, but these guys and many others have that special ability you can't teach. You either have it or you don't. These guys have the natural ability to hit a baseball like few others. There will be many players, but few like Pujols or Ruth.
Writers are much the same. After all, we all have access to the same language and tools of the craft, but some writers just inherently do it a bit better.
What does this mean?
It means that not all writers are going to be Hemingway or Grisham.
Have you ever heard of Mike Hesseman? Probably not. Hesseman is a journeyman minor league player who is a real life Crash Davis. For those of you not familiar with the cinema of baseball, Crash Davis is a fictional character with the "dubious honor" of being the minor league homerun king. Many people would scoff at that and say that his was not a successful career.
I would beg to differ.
Hesseman isn't a household name. He won't be in the Hall of Fame, but he has spent near 20 years making a living playing baseball. He's also walked up to the plate more than 200 times in Major League games. Fourteen of those times the crowd watched him trot out a homerun. Not a lot of people can say that. I'm certain there are many who dream of even having one big league at bat.
So you may not be the next New York Times bestselling author, but I bet you'd be satisfied spending 20 years making a living writing and maybe also hit a few homeruns along the way.
So the next time you get in a rut with your writing, close the computer and head to the ballpark. Of the 18 guys in the game at anytime you may be looking at a Hall of Famer, but chances are there will be a couple of Hesseman's running around who are going to love every minute of their ride.
Remember, you're doing what most only dream of.
You're writing.
So while you're here why not read a chapter from my book or even buy a copy of your own. A portion of all proceeds from the sale of The Trust will be donated to canine related charities. Support K9 rescues!
The great thing about baseball is regardless of whether you're at Yankee Stadium or watching a local Little League game the experience, well, except for the selection of beverages, is at its root, the same.
Sometimes the enthusiasm and energy is more impressive at the non-Major League level. Some of the best baseball you'll ever witness can be found at the Class A minor league level. Though not far removed from high school ball, the players are being paid for the first time to play the game and each of them is shooting for one of approximately 750 jobs at the major league level.
All of the players have talent, but can they balance talent against a variety of other factors necessary to be successful? Some can, most can't and don't.
Writing is a lot like baseball.
When you see the finished product, it often seems effortless. In baseball, Albert Pujols is a great example. If you saw him on the street you probably wouldn't think, "perhaps the greatest baseball player to ever walk the earth." Babe Ruth was much the same, but these guys and many others have that special ability you can't teach. You either have it or you don't. These guys have the natural ability to hit a baseball like few others. There will be many players, but few like Pujols or Ruth.
Writers are much the same. After all, we all have access to the same language and tools of the craft, but some writers just inherently do it a bit better.
What does this mean?
It means that not all writers are going to be Hemingway or Grisham.
Have you ever heard of Mike Hesseman? Probably not. Hesseman is a journeyman minor league player who is a real life Crash Davis. For those of you not familiar with the cinema of baseball, Crash Davis is a fictional character with the "dubious honor" of being the minor league homerun king. Many people would scoff at that and say that his was not a successful career.
I would beg to differ.
Hesseman isn't a household name. He won't be in the Hall of Fame, but he has spent near 20 years making a living playing baseball. He's also walked up to the plate more than 200 times in Major League games. Fourteen of those times the crowd watched him trot out a homerun. Not a lot of people can say that. I'm certain there are many who dream of even having one big league at bat.
So you may not be the next New York Times bestselling author, but I bet you'd be satisfied spending 20 years making a living writing and maybe also hit a few homeruns along the way.
So the next time you get in a rut with your writing, close the computer and head to the ballpark. Of the 18 guys in the game at anytime you may be looking at a Hall of Famer, but chances are there will be a couple of Hesseman's running around who are going to love every minute of their ride.
Remember, you're doing what most only dream of.
You're writing.
So while you're here why not read a chapter from my book or even buy a copy of your own. A portion of all proceeds from the sale of The Trust will be donated to canine related charities. Support K9 rescues!
May 9, 2011
A Fun Diversion
Writing is as much about research as it is about getting the words on the page.
For instance, let's say that in your writing you want to discuss a scene that takes place in a particular building or type of building. It's one thing to say a character went inside a building, but is it another thing entirely if you can take the reader inside the building with the character.
How does one do this?
Research of course.
The same is true when it comes to things like dialogue.
How do you make the most out of a little when it comes to dialogue?
Simple. Know your character. A police officer is going to talk differently than a police detective. A defense lawyer is going to talk differently than a prosecutor. A physician will talk differently than a faith healer. A good cop differently than a bad cop.
How do you sort out all of the differences to make your dialogue genuine and convincing?
Go talk to people in the fields who will be having the dialogue in your book. It's a really simple process. Pick up the phone, call and tell them you'd like to interview them for background on their profession.
You'd be surprised how flattered and helpful people in most any profession will be if you simply ask. Look at the acknowledgement page of the current work of fiction you may be reading. Chances are there are "thank you's" going to people that helped the author in their work.
The reality is, fiction, much as non-fiction, has to be researched. If not the dialogue just won't sound real.
If you have a character doing something and you're writing about it, make sure what they are doing is correct. If it isn't, the character, and you as the author simply aren't believable. Don't have your character cock his pistol if he has a Glock. Don't have a character taking photographs in low-light unless they have the correct equipment.
Basically a great rule of thumb is if you're not an expert on what you're writing about, go ask someone who is and get it right the first time. If you do this both you and your character will be more believable and when you do need the reader to take a leap of faith they'll be more willing to do so.
Capitalize in your writing on what you know. Build your writing skills by taking your research skills to a higher point by making your writing accurate.
Doing your research also makes for a great networking opportunity for you. As you talk to more and more experts, you'll build up a group of sources you can return to for more background in the future. As well, these people likely direct you to more experts. They will also tell the tales of their life and professional experiences. These stories can be great fodder for plots, subplots or just for ideas to kick start things from conceptualization to your next novel.
That and you'll probably sell a few books along the way.
So while you're here why not read a chapter from my book or even buy a copy of your own. A portion of all proceeds from the sale of The Trust will be donated to canine related charities. Support K9 rescues!
For instance, let's say that in your writing you want to discuss a scene that takes place in a particular building or type of building. It's one thing to say a character went inside a building, but is it another thing entirely if you can take the reader inside the building with the character.
How does one do this?
Research of course.
The same is true when it comes to things like dialogue.
How do you make the most out of a little when it comes to dialogue?
Simple. Know your character. A police officer is going to talk differently than a police detective. A defense lawyer is going to talk differently than a prosecutor. A physician will talk differently than a faith healer. A good cop differently than a bad cop.
How do you sort out all of the differences to make your dialogue genuine and convincing?
Go talk to people in the fields who will be having the dialogue in your book. It's a really simple process. Pick up the phone, call and tell them you'd like to interview them for background on their profession.
You'd be surprised how flattered and helpful people in most any profession will be if you simply ask. Look at the acknowledgement page of the current work of fiction you may be reading. Chances are there are "thank you's" going to people that helped the author in their work.
The reality is, fiction, much as non-fiction, has to be researched. If not the dialogue just won't sound real.
If you have a character doing something and you're writing about it, make sure what they are doing is correct. If it isn't, the character, and you as the author simply aren't believable. Don't have your character cock his pistol if he has a Glock. Don't have a character taking photographs in low-light unless they have the correct equipment.
Basically a great rule of thumb is if you're not an expert on what you're writing about, go ask someone who is and get it right the first time. If you do this both you and your character will be more believable and when you do need the reader to take a leap of faith they'll be more willing to do so.
Capitalize in your writing on what you know. Build your writing skills by taking your research skills to a higher point by making your writing accurate.
Doing your research also makes for a great networking opportunity for you. As you talk to more and more experts, you'll build up a group of sources you can return to for more background in the future. As well, these people likely direct you to more experts. They will also tell the tales of their life and professional experiences. These stories can be great fodder for plots, subplots or just for ideas to kick start things from conceptualization to your next novel.
That and you'll probably sell a few books along the way.
So while you're here why not read a chapter from my book or even buy a copy of your own. A portion of all proceeds from the sale of The Trust will be donated to canine related charities. Support K9 rescues!
May 6, 2011
Can you Taste what I Just Wrote?
I get bored rather easily. Always have, probably always will.
As a result of my boredom, cooking and all things food caught my attention some years ago. This interest follows me to this day. I'm as excited about reading a cookbook as I am one of my favorite fiction authors.
Truth be told, I'm probably what would be described as a "foodie." See, not only does the food interest me, but the drink part of the food experience, well, that caught my attention as well. I'll confess, I've been to more than one eating establishment based solely on a wine list or a new cocktail.
And now food has invaded my writing.
For me writing is about conveying the look, feel, the sound and yes, even the taste of a particular locale. I find that adding food to my writing can provide details that would otherwise take pages to establish and may even come off as lecturing to the reader.
When there are food and drink in a setting, I believe it can make the scene flow better. I'm not talking about a exchange of dialogue being better or worse because a character orders steak as opposed to chicken, but think of the statements that can be made as a result of the way a character interacts with food.
What does it say if your character goes into a restaurant and the server asks, "The usual?" Perhaps the character is a creature of habit.
How about when if a character orders with specific and detailed instructions that vary from the menu? Obsessive compulsive? Control freak? Regardless, it shows their personality in action.
What about how the character eats his food? Do they skip around the plate or do they eat one thing at a time? Do they have a mealtime rituals? Maybe the have an aversion to butter knives.
By adding food, and drink, to your scenes you can say so much about your characters without saying anything at all.
Does your character cook? Try writing a scene where two characters are exchanging dialogue as one prepares a meal. You'll be surprised how such a scene will expose traits and aspects of your character you may not have even known.
But there are other benefits of food on the page, so to speak.
In my book, The Trust, I used food throughout the book.
This has been a great marketing outlet. I've started adding recipes from the book to my website. I figure if you're going to read about it, why not be able to taste it?
Point is the more you can weave into your writing that builds and adds to your characters, and to the story, without just plain out saying it is simply more engaging to the reader and will allow the reader to not only develop more of a bond with your character, but it will also allow them to better step into the world you have created.
So while you're here why not read a chapter from my book or even buy a copy of your own. A portion of all proceeds from the sale of The Trust will be donated to canine related charities. Support K9 rescues!
As a result of my boredom, cooking and all things food caught my attention some years ago. This interest follows me to this day. I'm as excited about reading a cookbook as I am one of my favorite fiction authors.
Truth be told, I'm probably what would be described as a "foodie." See, not only does the food interest me, but the drink part of the food experience, well, that caught my attention as well. I'll confess, I've been to more than one eating establishment based solely on a wine list or a new cocktail.
And now food has invaded my writing.
For me writing is about conveying the look, feel, the sound and yes, even the taste of a particular locale. I find that adding food to my writing can provide details that would otherwise take pages to establish and may even come off as lecturing to the reader.
When there are food and drink in a setting, I believe it can make the scene flow better. I'm not talking about a exchange of dialogue being better or worse because a character orders steak as opposed to chicken, but think of the statements that can be made as a result of the way a character interacts with food.
What does it say if your character goes into a restaurant and the server asks, "The usual?" Perhaps the character is a creature of habit.
How about when if a character orders with specific and detailed instructions that vary from the menu? Obsessive compulsive? Control freak? Regardless, it shows their personality in action.
What about how the character eats his food? Do they skip around the plate or do they eat one thing at a time? Do they have a mealtime rituals? Maybe the have an aversion to butter knives.
By adding food, and drink, to your scenes you can say so much about your characters without saying anything at all.
Does your character cook? Try writing a scene where two characters are exchanging dialogue as one prepares a meal. You'll be surprised how such a scene will expose traits and aspects of your character you may not have even known.
But there are other benefits of food on the page, so to speak.
In my book, The Trust, I used food throughout the book.
This has been a great marketing outlet. I've started adding recipes from the book to my website. I figure if you're going to read about it, why not be able to taste it?
Point is the more you can weave into your writing that builds and adds to your characters, and to the story, without just plain out saying it is simply more engaging to the reader and will allow the reader to not only develop more of a bond with your character, but it will also allow them to better step into the world you have created.
So while you're here why not read a chapter from my book or even buy a copy of your own. A portion of all proceeds from the sale of The Trust will be donated to canine related charities. Support K9 rescues!
May 3, 2011
Author Interview - Dr. Kerwin Swint - Author of the King Whisperers
Recently I was honored with an invitation to participate in a blog tour for The King Whisperers by Kerwin Swint. You can find my review here. I reached out to Dr. Swint, who is a Professor of Politics at Kennesaw State University, and invited him to participate in an author interview. He graciously accepted.1 – Tell us a little about yourself. What brought you to the world of writing? How did you come to write The King Whisperers?
As a college professor, I'm expected to publish, so I always have. But a few years ago I started writing more for pleasure. My book Mudslingers is an example. The King Whisperers was born out of my interest and curiosity about the power behind the throne throughout history.
2 – In telling the story of The King Whisperers, you use 10 separate and distinct categories. Each category focuses upon traits or styles specific to the Whispers of that category. How did you decide on these specific categories?
I broke it down as far as what categories were distinguishable, and what would make for the best storytelling. You could write a book about each of the 10 categories actually, and go into more depth.
3 – Within each of the 10 categories, you use profiles of different individuals to help the reader understand the traits of Whisperers in the individual categories. How did you decide on the specific individuals you've included in each category? What criteria did you use to include, or exclude, individuals from each category?
Well, I made a list of people I thought fit each category – then I narrowed down the list for each of the categories, based on how well they fit, and how interesting their story is.
4 – Where there any Whisperers who didn't make the list for any category that you wish had been included?
There were lots that didn't make the cut – I thought about having an Honorable Mention chapter, but the publisher thought it was unnecessary.
5 – From the Whisperers in the book, do you have a favorite and is so, who and why?
Machiavelli is just such an interesting character, and ultimately, a rather tragic figure. I also developed a lot of admiration for people like Sakamoto Ryoma of Japan and K. Kamaraj of India. Then of course there is Francis Walsingham and Cardinal Richelieu – both devious and successful Whisperers.
6 – Given that many Whisperers had true power within their grasp, do you have any theories as to why more of the Whisperers, particularly in non-democratic states, didn't take that final step to pursue the ultimate seat of power?
Some were comfortable behind the scenes, such as Talleyrand. Others were not able to for political reasons.
7 – In some cases there seemed an overlap between individuals in different categories. For instance, Trotsky and Stalin. While I'm not sure, given all that was Stalin, it would ever have been possible for the two of them peacefully, and permanently, have co-existed, if the two of them from the start had seen in the other a companion in the cause, do you feel their relationship could have been different?
Yes, some do overlap. Stalin always viewed Trotsky with jealousy and suspicion. He would likely have eliminated Trotsky eventually no matter the circumstances, as he did most of his other rivals.
8 – One profile I thoroughly enjoyed was that of Che Guevara. I was particularly happy to see you address the ironic juxtaposition of the commercialization of perhaps the least commercial person in history. Do you think his recent commercialization will have a lasting impact on his actual role in history?
I think it's very interesting how his image has become so commercialized. His role in history is misunderstood, I believe, due in part to the commercial success of that image. Many who wear it on clothing or on posters really don't understand much about it. It's ironic.
9 – One point of particular timeliness is the profile of Omar Suleiman. Given all that has happened as of late in Egypt, what do you think the future holds for Suleiman?
I haven't read anything about him lately. At this point it seems his star has fallen along with the Mubarak regime.
10 – Apart from Guevara in Cuba, I believe the rest of Central and South America are lacking as to Whisperers. Do any Whisperers from this part of the world come to mind, and if so, who would you suggest as the leading candidate for further study from this region of the globe?
Simon Bolivar is someone I was interested in, and might further develop something with him in it. That region has had its share of Whisperers, but less is known about them in many cases.
11 – What was your biggest obstacle in bringing this work to print?
Having the time to work on it, with a full teaching load, community commitments, and three kids.
12 – Nonfiction can be an intimidating area for the first time writer. What guidance can you offer to those who are beginning the path to a work of non-fiction?
The best advice I ever heard is "write what you know." You are more comfortable and confident when you are working with something that is familiar to you.
13 – Anything you can tempt us with for your next book?
I'm trying to decide between recent political history and something in the area of historical fiction.
14 – Any final thoughts you would like to add?
I love the creative process of writing. Starting and working on a project is exhilarating, and seeing it to completion is very gratifying I intend to do this for the rest of my life.
Please feel free to leave a comment.
Oh and as long as you're here why not read an excerpt of my book, The Trust, or even buy a copy of your own. A percentage of all sales will be donated to canine related nonprofits. Support K9 rescues!
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