John A. Heldt's Blog, page 23
February 17, 2014
Review: Isaac's Storm by Erik Larson
The thing I like most about researching possible settings for new books is discovering works I might have otherwise ignored.
Isaac's Storm
, by Erik Larson, is one such work.
Subtitled "A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History," Larson's book examines the Galveston hurricane of 1900 through the eyes of meteorologist Isaac Monroe Cline and other survivors of the storm. Eight thousand people perished in the disaster.
Larson does more, however, than trace a cyclone across the North Atlantic. He offers compelling look at Cline and his family, the fledgling Weather Bureau, and a prosperous turn-of-the-century community that saw itself as Houston's economic rival.
I found Larson's 1999 nonfiction work as informative, entertaining, and readable as The Big Burn by Timothy Egan, The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger, and even many novels. I strongly recommend it to fans of science and history. Rating: 5/5.
Subtitled "A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History," Larson's book examines the Galveston hurricane of 1900 through the eyes of meteorologist Isaac Monroe Cline and other survivors of the storm. Eight thousand people perished in the disaster.
Larson does more, however, than trace a cyclone across the North Atlantic. He offers compelling look at Cline and his family, the fledgling Weather Bureau, and a prosperous turn-of-the-century community that saw itself as Houston's economic rival.
I found Larson's 1999 nonfiction work as informative, entertaining, and readable as The Big Burn by Timothy Egan, The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger, and even many novels. I strongly recommend it to fans of science and history. Rating: 5/5.
February 13, 2014
The writing road at Milepost 2
I remember the day like it was yesterday. I clicked a button on a web page in the morning, waited impatiently for several hours, and finally noticed a subtle change shortly before taking my wife to dinner.
The Mine , the first novel in the Northwest Passage series, was no longer "in review." It was no longer an idea or a rough draft or a work in progress. It was live on Amazon.com. It was a published book and subject to the scrutiny that all books face.
I've learned a lot since February 13, 2012, when I joined the ranks of published authors. I've learned that covers matter, that marketing is a never-ending job, and that readers like happy endings and characters they can relate to. I've learned that producing a novel is time-consuming, humbling, and often frustrating but infinitely rewarding.
The rewards, for most of us, are not large royalty checks, awards, or publishing contracts but rather the thoughtful and often useful comments from readers. As one who cares about his craft, I've learned to pay attention not only to those who like my works but also those who don't.
Supporters are important, of course, because they keep indie authors going. They remind us that the hundreds of hours we spend on our "hobby" are ultimately worth it. Their opinions can make a day.
Constructive critics are no less relevant. When they point out flaws in our books, they help us improve. They ensure that we focus on what's important to the consumers of literature and not the creators.
In two years, I've also learned the value of perseverance and patience. When you try to find a niche in a world of millions of books, you learn that this business is a marathon and not a sprint. Even modest success takes time.
This year I plan to continue that marathon by releasing The Mirror and then starting a new time-travel series. With any luck, I will be able to apply what I've learned and keep a good thing going. It's been fun.
The Mine , the first novel in the Northwest Passage series, was no longer "in review." It was no longer an idea or a rough draft or a work in progress. It was live on Amazon.com. It was a published book and subject to the scrutiny that all books face.
I've learned a lot since February 13, 2012, when I joined the ranks of published authors. I've learned that covers matter, that marketing is a never-ending job, and that readers like happy endings and characters they can relate to. I've learned that producing a novel is time-consuming, humbling, and often frustrating but infinitely rewarding.
The rewards, for most of us, are not large royalty checks, awards, or publishing contracts but rather the thoughtful and often useful comments from readers. As one who cares about his craft, I've learned to pay attention not only to those who like my works but also those who don't.
Supporters are important, of course, because they keep indie authors going. They remind us that the hundreds of hours we spend on our "hobby" are ultimately worth it. Their opinions can make a day.
Constructive critics are no less relevant. When they point out flaws in our books, they help us improve. They ensure that we focus on what's important to the consumers of literature and not the creators.
In two years, I've also learned the value of perseverance and patience. When you try to find a niche in a world of millions of books, you learn that this business is a marathon and not a sprint. Even modest success takes time.
This year I plan to continue that marathon by releasing The Mirror and then starting a new time-travel series. With any luck, I will be able to apply what I've learned and keep a good thing going. It's been fun.
February 4, 2014
Next stop: 1964
If there is one thing I enjoy most about writing historical fiction, it's that it allows me to build a story around actual historical events and escape to another time.
The Mine examines life in the Pacific Northwest in the months leading up to the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. The Journey and The Fire do the same with the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens and the Big Burn of 1910, respectively. The Show captures Seattle in the weeks before and after the end of World War I.
The Mirror will follow a similar course. It will offer readers a snapshot of the pivotal, exhilarating year of 1964, with references to everything from civil rights, Barry Goldwater, and Vietnam to contemporary TV programs and the Beatles.
An entire chapter, in fact, will be devoted to the Beatles' concert on August 21, 1964, when the Fab Four played to 14,000 screaming fans in the Seattle Center Coliseum. The stop was the third on the band's twenty-six-city summer tour of North America.
This Sunday, CBS will mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Beatles' iconic appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show with a live multimedia event. It will likely be the first of many glimpses of a year that changed the country. As a Baby Boomer and a fan of history and nostalgia, I look forward to them all.
The Mine examines life in the Pacific Northwest in the months leading up to the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. The Journey and The Fire do the same with the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens and the Big Burn of 1910, respectively. The Show captures Seattle in the weeks before and after the end of World War I.
The Mirror will follow a similar course. It will offer readers a snapshot of the pivotal, exhilarating year of 1964, with references to everything from civil rights, Barry Goldwater, and Vietnam to contemporary TV programs and the Beatles.
An entire chapter, in fact, will be devoted to the Beatles' concert on August 21, 1964, when the Fab Four played to 14,000 screaming fans in the Seattle Center Coliseum. The stop was the third on the band's twenty-six-city summer tour of North America.
This Sunday, CBS will mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Beatles' iconic appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show with a live multimedia event. It will likely be the first of many glimpses of a year that changed the country. As a Baby Boomer and a fan of history and nostalgia, I look forward to them all.
January 25, 2014
The Wright person for the job
One of the most enjoyable things about producing novels is enlisting the help of others on jobs that, frankly, should be left to others. And few jobs, of course, are more important than creating the cover.Last month I sought and received assistance from Indiana designer Laura Wright LaRoche. In a matter of a few days, she was able to create a cover that captured of the spirit of a book about nineteen-year-old identical twin sisters who travel in time to 1964.
I would recommend Laura to any author in need of a cover illustrator. Examples of her work can be found on her LLPix Photography & Design web site.
Work continues on The Mirror. I expect to publish the fifth and final book in the Northwest Passage series by early March.
January 6, 2014
New goals for a new year
An author friend recently asked me if I had any writing goals for 2014. I thought it was an odd question at first. Most authors have at least one goal. They want to write more books!
The more I thought about the question, though, the more I realized that I do have goals that go beyond simply producing another novel. Some are bigger than others, but all involve putting my works in the hands of more readers.
I will see one longstanding goal reach fruition this Friday with the release of The Mine audio book on Amazon.com and Audible.com. Until now, all four of my published novels have been available only in e-book format. Though I have no immediate plans to turn to print, I will not rule out that option.
I also plan to start a new series following the March release of The Mirror, the fifth and final book of the Northwest Passage series. The new series will be much like the first and offer a blend of time travel, history, humor, adventure, and romance. I hope to publish the first installment by August 31.
As in past years, I will also do what I can to promote existing books, whether through reviews, interviews, contests, or advertising. Like many indie authors, I've learned that marketing a novel is just as important as writing it.
Here's hoping that your 2014 is a productive one!
The more I thought about the question, though, the more I realized that I do have goals that go beyond simply producing another novel. Some are bigger than others, but all involve putting my works in the hands of more readers.
I will see one longstanding goal reach fruition this Friday with the release of The Mine audio book on Amazon.com and Audible.com. Until now, all four of my published novels have been available only in e-book format. Though I have no immediate plans to turn to print, I will not rule out that option.
I also plan to start a new series following the March release of The Mirror, the fifth and final book of the Northwest Passage series. The new series will be much like the first and offer a blend of time travel, history, humor, adventure, and romance. I hope to publish the first installment by August 31.
As in past years, I will also do what I can to promote existing books, whether through reviews, interviews, contests, or advertising. Like many indie authors, I've learned that marketing a novel is just as important as writing it.
Here's hoping that your 2014 is a productive one!
December 17, 2013
December milestones
Two projects months in the making each came to fruition today with the preliminary release of
The Mine
audiobook and the completion of the first draft of The Mirror.
Narrated by Aaron Landon and published by Podium Publishing, the audiobook is now available to pre-order at Audible.com. The unabridged first novel of the Northwest Passage series will be released on January 10, 2014. It is ten hours in length.
The Mirror, the continuation of The Mine and The Show , will now undergo several rounds of editing and proofing. I expect to publish the fifth and final book of the series by March 31.
Narrated by Aaron Landon and published by Podium Publishing, the audiobook is now available to pre-order at Audible.com. The unabridged first novel of the Northwest Passage series will be released on January 10, 2014. It is ten hours in length.
The Mirror, the continuation of The Mine and The Show , will now undergo several rounds of editing and proofing. I expect to publish the fifth and final book of the series by March 31.
December 6, 2013
A new look for an old book
One thing I've learned in nearly two years of writing and publishing novels is that you should never let an opportunity slip through your fingers. So when I was given the chance to update
The Mine's
original cover with a flashier version, I took it.Podium Publishing, a Toronto-based publisher of audiobooks, produced the new image. The cover will closely resemble the one used for The Mine audiobook, which is currently in production.
Many thanks to Cannon Colegrove for his work on the original cover, which was based on a photograph by Steve Jurvetson of the San Cristobal Mine, an abandoned mercury mine near San Jose, California.
November 6, 2013
Looking in The Mirror
There is something both satisfying and sad about bringing a continuing story to a close. The satisfying part goes without saying. Authors have the opportunity to tie up loose ends, revisit familiar places, and reexplore comforting themes one last time. Last month I began doing all of these things when I started work on The Mirror, the fifth book in the Northwest Passage series.
In this novel, Ginny and Katie Smith, the 19-year-old twin daughters of Joel and Grace Smith, will travel from 2020 to 1964 and see Seattle at the dawn of the sixties. They'll see the Beatles, the civil rights movement, and a changing culture through modern eyes and find new purpose in an era they knew only from their grandparents' stories.
They will also put a final stamp on a family saga that began in The Mine and continued in The Show -- much like Kevin Johnson did in The Fire , the recently published sequel to The Journey . They will give fresh perspective to a story I have enjoyed writing since starting The Mine two and a half years ago.
The sad part is no less obvious. Ending a story means saying goodbye. In The Mirror, I'll say so long to the extended Smith family, which included not only the Greens and Vandenbergs of the early 1900s but also the Gillettes and Jorgensons of the rest of the century.
Whether I do the same to the Northwest Passage series is still an open question. Sometime next year, probably in the spring, I'll decide whether to continue the distinctive series with a new cast or start down an entirely new road.
Whatever the case, I will strive to give readers the very things they have come to enjoy in this particular collection: times and places they can explore, themes they can embrace, and characters they'll never forget. I expect to finish the first draft of The Mirror by the end of the year and publish by April 1. Stay tuned.
In this novel, Ginny and Katie Smith, the 19-year-old twin daughters of Joel and Grace Smith, will travel from 2020 to 1964 and see Seattle at the dawn of the sixties. They'll see the Beatles, the civil rights movement, and a changing culture through modern eyes and find new purpose in an era they knew only from their grandparents' stories.
They will also put a final stamp on a family saga that began in The Mine and continued in The Show -- much like Kevin Johnson did in The Fire , the recently published sequel to The Journey . They will give fresh perspective to a story I have enjoyed writing since starting The Mine two and a half years ago.
The sad part is no less obvious. Ending a story means saying goodbye. In The Mirror, I'll say so long to the extended Smith family, which included not only the Greens and Vandenbergs of the early 1900s but also the Gillettes and Jorgensons of the rest of the century.
Whether I do the same to the Northwest Passage series is still an open question. Sometime next year, probably in the spring, I'll decide whether to continue the distinctive series with a new cast or start down an entirely new road.
Whatever the case, I will strive to give readers the very things they have come to enjoy in this particular collection: times and places they can explore, themes they can embrace, and characters they'll never forget. I expect to finish the first draft of The Mirror by the end of the year and publish by April 1. Stay tuned.
October 13, 2013
Review: The Great Gatsby
Like a lot of people, I don't read many classics. Classics are books we remember fondly (or maybe not so fondly) from high school -- not ones we actually take time to read as adults. Of the more than four hundred novels I've read in the past twenty years, only six were drawn from the Modern Library's celebrated Top 100.
Prompted by my community's Big Read program, however, I recently revisited No. 2 on the Modern Library's list: The Great Gatsby , F. Scott Fitzgerald's timeless portrait of the Jazz Age. What I found was a book that has held up well since it was published in 1925 and still contains relevant messages for modern society.
In what is considered his greatest work, Fitzgerald introduces readers to the young, enigmatic Jay Gatsby, a self-made man who has everything but the one thing he wants: socialite Daisy Buchanan, the wife of fellow Long Island millionaire Tom Buchanan.
Told from the perspective of Nick Carraway, a young bond salesman who serves as sort of a middleman between his neighbor Gatsby and his second cousin Daisy, The Great Gatsby grabbed my attention from the first page and never let go. Fitzgerald's portrayal of prosperity, greed, arrogance, and recklessness is without peer.
To augment my enjoyment of the novel, I listened to the unabridged audiobook, read by actor Jake Gyllenhaal, and watched the recently released movie, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire. Both were excellent but were no substitute for the text. Fitzgerald's haunting prose still resonates and probably will for another century. Rating: 5/5.
Prompted by my community's Big Read program, however, I recently revisited No. 2 on the Modern Library's list: The Great Gatsby , F. Scott Fitzgerald's timeless portrait of the Jazz Age. What I found was a book that has held up well since it was published in 1925 and still contains relevant messages for modern society.
In what is considered his greatest work, Fitzgerald introduces readers to the young, enigmatic Jay Gatsby, a self-made man who has everything but the one thing he wants: socialite Daisy Buchanan, the wife of fellow Long Island millionaire Tom Buchanan.
Told from the perspective of Nick Carraway, a young bond salesman who serves as sort of a middleman between his neighbor Gatsby and his second cousin Daisy, The Great Gatsby grabbed my attention from the first page and never let go. Fitzgerald's portrayal of prosperity, greed, arrogance, and recklessness is without peer.
To augment my enjoyment of the novel, I listened to the unabridged audiobook, read by actor Jake Gyllenhaal, and watched the recently released movie, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire. Both were excellent but were no substitute for the text. Fitzgerald's haunting prose still resonates and probably will for another century. Rating: 5/5.
October 1, 2013
An overdue thank you
As I head into the fall and begin to market my fourth novel in earnest, I feel indebted to a group of people who have helped me to get even this far. Bloggers have been more than accommodating in getting my works before the public. They have been indispensable.
This is particularly true with ten people I have worked with over the past 18 months. They include Casee at Literary Inklings, Lisa at 300 Word Book Reviews, Nicole at Forbidden Reviews, Carrie at the Mad Reviewer, Donna at More than a Review, Sharon at Sharon's Book Nook, Dianne at Tome Tender, Ailyn at Piece of My Mind, Judy at the Voracious Reader, and D.J. at Pick Your Poison Book Reviews.
These ladies have done more than review The Fire , released August 31. They have reviewed all four novels in the Northwest Passage series. That is the sort of thing you don't forget when trying to introduce your works to new readers in an increasingly crowded and competitive market.
A special thanks goes to each of these reviewers for taking a chance on an unknown author and another to those who are about to join their ranks. This writer is most grateful.
This is particularly true with ten people I have worked with over the past 18 months. They include Casee at Literary Inklings, Lisa at 300 Word Book Reviews, Nicole at Forbidden Reviews, Carrie at the Mad Reviewer, Donna at More than a Review, Sharon at Sharon's Book Nook, Dianne at Tome Tender, Ailyn at Piece of My Mind, Judy at the Voracious Reader, and D.J. at Pick Your Poison Book Reviews.
These ladies have done more than review The Fire , released August 31. They have reviewed all four novels in the Northwest Passage series. That is the sort of thing you don't forget when trying to introduce your works to new readers in an increasingly crowded and competitive market.
A special thanks goes to each of these reviewers for taking a chance on an unknown author and another to those who are about to join their ranks. This writer is most grateful.
