Steve Umstead's Blog, page 6

My name is Steve, and I’m addicted to technology. [Hi Steve!]

There, I said it. I knew it deep down, down in the crevasses of my gadget-loving heart, but it wasn’t until I tried to plug one of my numerous devices into an outlet that was already full of devices that it hit me. I’ve got a problem. And the problem within a problem is that [...]

Totally self-aggrandizing, blatantly nepotistic post – my son and the Philly Boys Choir warming up for CBS taping

Another in a long line of buff-my-knuckles, pat-myself-on-the-back, self-congratulatory posts. A photo of the Philadelphia Boys Choir (and my son Evan) getting ready to tape some Christmas Day television spots for CBS Philly:   Now, a little challenge. As I posted on my Google + page (YES PEOPLE STILL USE GOOGLE +, STOP IT), try [...]

Wrinkled Shorts – releasing a collection of my short stories in one volume

Huge exciting news! Okay, honestly – not so huge, not that exciting, but news nonetheless. I’ve put together all of my short stories into one collection, with a bonus story added. It’s like getting 20% additional for free! [Insert infomercial voice here.] The new volume, called WRINKLED SHORTS, is now available for Kindle and Nook, [...]

The Gabriel Trilogy in paperback makes a great gift! Well, at least I think so…

Just in time for the holiday season*, paperback copies of all of the Gabriel trilogy books are available! And for a very limited time, I’ve got autographed copies. Autographed by me, not Stephen King or John Scalzi, sorry… * To be honest, they’ve always been available – I’m just flogging them now because of some [...]

Autographed Copies of the Gabriel Trilogy Available for Limited Time

For an absurdly limited time (since I waited too long to think to do this, to be honest), I’m offering autographed copies of all of the paperback versions of the Gabriel books (even the big honkin’ 700 page complete trilogy). Use the links below for PayPal or credit card purchases. You’ll be taken to the [...]

Simon & Schuster Joins Forces With Author Solutions To Rip Off Writers

Reblogged from David Gaughran: Simon & Schuster has launched a self-publishing operation, Archway Publishing, contracting one of the most disreputable players in the business to run the show: Author Solutions. We’ll get to that distasteful link-up in a second, but first let’s have a look at what Simon & Schuster are offering prospective customers (i.e. [...]

In Mexico on business. No really, I am. Swear.

I just realized today I haven’t posted any new material here in over three weeks. I suck. The reason (excuse, whatever you want to call it) is I’ve been spending a lot of time since early October working on some projects with partners (day job stuff), and this week all the partners will be meeting [...]

Author Interview with Robert Swartwood, new horror/thriller release THE INNER CIRCLE – and a GIVEAWAY

I’ve met some great fellow authors online over the past couple of years, but in this social media day and age, the vast majority of them have been online. Certainly nothing wrong with that, it’s the way of the world, but I consider it a rare privilege to be able to get together in person [...]

Great article (checklist) from Chuck Wendig on preparing to write a novel

The man can tell it like it is. While the word choice may be…colorful at times, Chuck Wendig, an über-successful author, has put together an absurdly helpful and spot-on 25-point checklist of how to prepare to write a novel. With National Novel Writing Month just around the corner, it’s quite timely as well. If you’ve [...]

Do one star reviews hurt sales? Or “how I spent a morning reading hilarious 50 Shades reviews”

I read an article last week (well, the majority of an article) on top-selling Amazon titles with huge numbers of poor reviews. The article stemmed from the paid reviews scandal headed by John Locke and his ilk, but it got me thinking. Do negative reviews hurt sales? I know when I see a poor review [...]