Stan R. Mitchell's Blog, page 55

Update on Mexican Heat — Brace yourselves for next week

Hey guys!

Hope everyone has had a great week! And for those who haven’t, buck up! Smile! Laugh! It’s Friday!

Just wanted to give you guys a quick update. We’re in the final stages of pulling together “Mexican Heat,” so unless something unexpected happens, look for it to drop at the end of next week.

For my new blog subscribers, here’s the teaser info on “Mexican Heat.”

A powerful drug cartel, led by a madman, threatens to topple Mexico’s government.

An American SEAL Team Platoon sent to handle the situation is ambushed and decimated.

Can Nick Woods — one of America’s greatest warriors — stop this out-of-control cartel?

I need to amp up that teaser info, which is from about — oh — February, but that’ll be one of the last things I do.

Just know that the book has more firefights and small unit battles than you could possibly imagine. It’s got quite a bit of hand-to-hand that I managed to somehow (THANKFULLY!) work in. And, there’s a sick psycho who wields (effectively and often) a katana sword. 

And none of this accounts for a hot Latina by the name of Isabella, who Nick gets teamed with. Nor a  talented team of shooters he recruits — some of America’s best. Nor the edge-of-your-seats drama that Mexico’s President and his number one supporter goes through as they fight to keep Mexico from destabilizing and ripping apart at the seams. 

I can’t wait to get you guys this book, and I apologize for the delays.

The life transition from newspaper magnate (err, never mind) to a ferociously driven man trying to pay off a fair amount of debt through some lucrative consulting gigs on the side hasn’t done much to help me hit my original deadline of roughly April.

But we’re finally there and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all of your all’s support and encouragement.

Even crazier, it’s not just you all who are with me! Thankfully, the first Nick Woods book “Sold Out” continues to sell better and better, and I increasingly get emails from folks I’ve never met asking questions or saying some really kind things. (Who’s paying them to do this?!)

If you’re one of my new blog subscribers and you’re here because you loved my Western thriller “Little Man, and the Dixon County War,” you’ll probably want to read “Sold Out” first if you’re intrigued by the sounds of “Mexican Heat.”

While you can read Book 2 of the Nick Woods series without having read Book 1, there are some things given away in Book 2 that you’d really rather experience in real time as a part of Book 1. Trust me on that!

Thanks again everyone!!! I owe so many of you so, so much for your support!

Keep the faith,

Stan R. Mitchell

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

About me: My name is Stan R. Mitchell and I’m an action fiction author with books similar to Vince Flynn, Stephen Hunter, and Tom Clancy. I’m also a prior infantry Marine with Combat Action Ribbon, and a guy who spent 10+ years in the news business, working as a reporter, editor, and publisher. I write every chance I get and I’m far too ambitious for my own good. Please consider subscribing to my blog for email alerts or taking a look at some of my action books.

Why every man should be strong

Tons of great tidbits in this article: Why every man should be strong.

Keep the faith,

Stan R. Mitchell

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

About me: My name is Stan R. Mitchell and I’m an action fiction author with books similar to Vince Flynn, Stephen Hunter, and Tom Clancy. I’m also a prior infantry Marine with Combat Action Ribbon, and a guy who spent 10+ years in the news business, working as a reporter, editor, and publisher. I write every chance I get and I’m far too ambitious for my own good. Please consider subscribing to my blog for email alerts or taking a look at some of my action books. 

Another author interview and more tough questions from a book reviewer…

Morning Books and Coffee, a book review site, featured and interviewed me last week.

Huge thanks to Ash for that!!!

Among the questions she asked were, what are my ambitions for my writing career, what draws me to the action fiction genre, and why Nick Woods “can be a total ASS at times?” lol

You can read the full interview here: Author Spotlight Stan R. Mitchell.

(And if you check out the interview, can you say a kind word and thank Ash for taking the time to interview me? Thanks!)

Keep the faith,

Stan R. Mitchell

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

P.S. Please consider subscribing for email alerts of new posts.

 If you enjoy fast-paced books, you just might like my works. “Sold Out” tracks the life of a legendary Marine Sniper after a CIA unit decides to kill him for reasons of national security. “Little Man, and the Dixon County War” tells the uphill fight a young deputy faces after finding himself in the sights of a mighty cattle baron. And “Soldier On,” a short novel, follows the lives of several German soldiers in a depleted infantry company trying to make it through the final, miserable months of World War II.

A super strong book recommendation

I wrote this more than two years ago. Now, two years later, I still feel the same.

So, if you’re interested in something that helped (and continues to help) me tremendously, here she be:

The greatest gift I’ve ever received: The $10,000 book that changed my life

Keep the faith,

Stan R. Mitchell

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

P.S. Please consider subscribing for email alerts of new posts.

 If you enjoy fast-paced books, you just might like my works. “Sold Out” tracks the life of a legendary Marine Sniper after a CIA unit decides to kill him for reasons of national security. “Little Man, and the Dixon County War” tells the uphill fight a young deputy faces after finding himself in the sights of a mighty cattle baron. And “Soldier On,” a short novel, follows the lives of several German soldiers in a depleted infantry company trying to make it through the final, miserable months of World War II.

 

The gig at the Mitchell Sweatshop…

I merely recommend my wife to a fellow author friend looking for someone to design book covers, and below is how my wife responded. (Note: Pretty much everything she said is true…)

Danah Akin Mitchell: “Wait…you mean to tell me that people actually pay for book cover design? The gig at the Mitchell Sweatshop is that I get to eat so long as I work. Do they also pay for editors? Because I’ve been polishing this one turd for what seems like forever. I get paid in cheese puffs for that. Then I’ve been informed (on a neurotic daily basis) that the second I’m done editing I need to slap together an award-winning cover with the expectation being that “it shouldn’t take more than a couple of seconds.” Tell me, Mark! Do they have still have sunlight where you are?”

Keep the faith,

Stan R. Mitchell

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

P.S. Please consider subscribing for email alerts of new posts.

 If you enjoy fast-paced books, you just might like my works. “Sold Out” tracks the life of a legendary Marine Sniper after a CIA unit decides to kill him for reasons of national security. “Little Man, and the Dixon County War” tells the uphill fight a young deputy faces after finding himself in the sights of a mighty cattle baron. And “Soldier On,” a short novel, follows the lives of several German soldiers in a depleted infantry company trying to make it through the final, miserable months of World War II.

A question on book prices and reader expectations

I need some help on some research from all my members in Mitchell’s Militia!

So, I just got a 4-star review on my book “Little Man,” and here is what the reviewer said:

“Didn’t expect much from this when I picked it up but it was very entertaining and the ending h ad a little twist to it to boot.”

Now, my question is, “What made them not expect much?”

Does the fact that the Kindle version is only $2.99 make you not expect much?

And if you buy Kindle books, how much do you typically pay?

And do you think I should consider moving the price up to $3.99 or $4.99? (Many of the self-published Westerns are $2.99, so it’s a softer field, as far as prices go…)

Love some input from you all. I’m WAY too close to it!

Keep the faith,

Stan R. Mitchell

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

P.S. Please consider subscribing for email alerts of new posts.

 If you enjoy fast-paced books, you just might like my works. “Sold Out” tracks the life of a legendary Marine Sniper after a CIA unit decides to kill him for reasons of national security. “Little Man, and the Dixon County War” tells the uphill fight a young deputy faces after finding himself in the sights of a mighty cattle baron. And “Soldier On,” a short novel, follows the lives of several German soldiers in a depleted infantry company trying to make it through the final, miserable months of World War II.

Hear the words of Marine Corps CPL Kyle Carpenter, and be inspired!

“The enemy killed me. I came back.”

These are the remarkable words of Medal of Honor recipient Corporal Kyle Carpenter.

He continues: “I ran a marathon. Completed a mud run. And jumped from a plane.

“I won’t ever quit. I am just getting started.”

Watch the video, be inspired, and be thankful for another generation of warriors like this.

Then think on what he said and tackle whatever problem (or problems) you have facing you.

Keep the faith,

Stan R. Mitchell

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

P.S. Please consider subscribing for email alerts of new posts.

 If you enjoy fast-paced books, you just might like my works. “Sold Out” tracks the life of a legendary Marine Sniper after a CIA unit decides to kill him for reasons of national security. “Little Man, and the Dixon County War” tells the uphill fight a young deputy faces after finding himself in the sights of a mighty cattle baron. And “Soldier On,” a short novel, follows the lives of several German soldiers in a depleted infantry company trying to make it through the final, miserable months of World War II.

This nearly brought tears to my eyes

Turn your volume down, get everyone to leave you alone, and take four minutes and watch the entire thing.

Just watch it and think about what you’re seeing.

(My thanks to Stacy Reller for highlighting this and bringing it to my attention.)

Keep the faith,

Stan R. Mitchell

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

P.S. Please consider subscribing for email alerts of new posts.

 If you enjoy fast-paced books, you just might like my works. “Sold Out” tracks the life of a legendary Marine Sniper after a CIA unit decides to kill him for reasons of national security. “Little Man, and the Dixon County War” tells the uphill fight a young deputy faces after finding himself in the sights of a mighty cattle baron. And “Soldier On,” a short novel, follows the lives of several German soldiers in a depleted infantry company trying to make it through the final, miserable months of World War II.

Author Mark Allen interviews me, and tosses some tough questions my way

Author Mark Allen interviewed me earlier this week. He asked me everything from what brought me into the action fiction genre to what I say to those who claim the genre glorifies violence.

Definitely some great (and tough) questions. The interview is located here.

Big thanks to Mark for the interview. He’s an amazing writer, and I’m lucky to have crossed paths with him.

Keep the faith,

Stan R. Mitchell

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

P.S. Please consider subscribing for email alerts of new posts.

 If you enjoy fast-paced books, you just might like my works. “Sold Out” tracks the life of a legendary Marine Sniper after a CIA unit decides to kill him for reasons of national security. “Little Man, and the Dixon County War” tells the uphill fight a young deputy faces after finding himself in the sights of a mighty cattle baron. And “Soldier On,” a short novel, follows the lives of several German soldiers in a depleted infantry company trying to make it through the final, miserable months of World War II.

Some wisdom about arguing politics, with some great humor, as well

I see some nasty political arguments, and facebook has made such arguments all the more easy.

I’ve seen two totally reasonable people, both of whom I know well, unfriend each other and do everything but curse each other out.

With this nasty divide that’s spreading in our country, I thought I’d share some wise words from author Len Levinson:

I just read a line in a history book, and the line made me think of Facebook. The line was:

“But when you’re in the midst of hot argument, you don’t always present the other side fairly.”

This plays out constantly in Facebook. I’d estimate at least half or two-thirds of posts are political. People misrepresent opposing views so as to better shoot them down. Even I, the very soul of fairness and decency, sometimes get tempted into playing this dishonest game.

Evidently many people feel threatened by dissent, and become desperate to defend certain points of view, or attack other points of view. In their desperation, they believe that anything goes, including cheap shots, vituperation, character assassination, ridicule, omission or distortion of pertinent facts, etc.

We can’t have a better world unless the dialogue is elevated. Instead, the dialogue shows every sign of sinking deeper into the muck. I have no solution. I’m just trying to be a voice for moderation in this increasing immoderate world.

If these words helped you any, maybe consider sharing them with a friend or family member. I continue to worry about how divided we are as a country, and how completely unable we are to even discuss things with someone that we disagree with. (And Congress is even worse.)

Remember the words of Gandhi: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

(Note: Being a Marine, it’s nice to have a back up plan. So, if the words of wisdom don’t work, share this video. It should have them laughing so hard they’re crying, and then peace will be restored. The political argument forgotten.)

(Note No. 2: If the laughing doesn’t work, just try some of the moves. It’s for the good of our country, after all. George Washington said he’d approve.)

Keep the faith,

Stan R. Mitchell

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

P.S. Please consider subscribing for email alerts of new posts.

 If you enjoy fast-paced books, you just might like my works. “Sold Out” tracks the life of a legendary Marine Sniper after a CIA unit decides to kill him for reasons of national security. “Little Man, and the Dixon County War” tells the uphill fight a young deputy faces after finding himself in the sights of a mighty cattle baron. And “Soldier On,” a short novel, follows the lives of several German soldiers in a depleted infantry company trying to make it through the final, miserable months of World War II.