Nick Davis's Blog, page 76
November 22, 2012
Black Friday & Cyber Monday Teddy Bear Tale Deals – Limited Time Only!
For the next four days I have a some great deals running for A Teddy Bear Tales Book and Bears. So if you have a loved one who loves Teddy Bears or want to pick up the books for yourself this is a great time to jump on board, and even pick yourself up a Tristan to help defend you against the Monsters in the night. You can view all these crazy limited time deals by clicking here.
November 21, 2012
The Next Big Thing Blog Tour – My Turn!
Last week I was contacted by the ever lovely Melissa Smith to take part in The Next Big Blog Tour you can read her blog post here. Now a week later it is my turn. The basic idea is this is a self-interview talking about our next Big Thing to start spreading the word about our projects. You can read Melissa’s original post here. So with no further ado you can read my interview after the jump.
What is the working title of your next book?
I am working on the next Teddy Bear Tale book, we are starting to make the transition from the illustrated story to a series of graphic stories featuring Tristan and the Cuddly Defenders as they take on the Bogeyman and his Monsters under the bed.
A Teddy Bear Tale Cover
Where did the idea come from for the book?
A Teddy Bear tale was inspired by one of my wife’s Teddy Bears who was left abandoned and dusty on a shelf. This Cuddly toy had been with her for as long as she can remember and I started to think about what if these Teddy’s were quiet Guardians of their children? From there A Teddy Bear Tale was born.
What genre does your book fall under?
While the story is primarily about a Teddy Bear and is aimed at children, the tale is written for all ages and the word play is keeps and adult just as entertained as the child looking at the illustrations.
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
I really don’t know, Tristan is a silent hero and doesn’t speak in the books. Given the nature of this story and the fantastical nature it would be a CGI movie like Toy Story… So errmm… Tom Hanks please 
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Meet the Teddy Bear who bumps back at the Monsters under the Bed.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
All the Teddy Bear Tales are indie published, although there can be advantages of getting an Agency involved just to look after those details you can miss.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
The Teddy Bear Tales are about 4000 words in length so the initial draft takes two or three days.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Since I started writing the Teddy Bear Tales I’ve encountered a number of stories featuring Teddy Bear or Toys protecting or rescuing their children. A couple of which I really want to read, but can’t until I finish with A Teddy Bear Tale and since I don’t plan to do that anytime soon if could be some time.
Who or What inspired you to write this book?
A Teddy Bear… Wait didn’t I already answer this question? Oh no I’m asking myself questions in a circle!
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
A Teddy Bear Tale has a nostalgic feel to it, reading it you cannot help but remember that Cuddly toy you once owned. It is illustrated in the same manner as a traditional children’s story with a little word fun, it really is an all ages story.
You can read more about A Teddy Bear Tales at the books website by clicking here.
November 20, 2012
A new sculpt for Tristan the Teddy Bear to step into another dimension
A new look for Tristan
A few weeks ago I asked my wife Jean a skilled Fondantneer to sculpt a Tristan for me and with a break in her schedule she had a go at him. As you can see from the pictures she didn’t do a bad job, and this Tristan will be the first I will be experimenting with mold building and casting. With this nice clean sculpt this is a good place to start and if I am successful I will make these mini-Tristan’s available.
November 17, 2012
Looking at what is to come with some Teddy Bear Tale Concepts
Moorlock – A Teddy Bear Tale Concept Character
With this post we are taking a quick look into the possible future of the Teddy Bear Tales with four concept watercolors of new characters that may be joining or hindering Tristan as he continues his journey with Wilma in the World within a World, and his struggle against the Bogeyman and his Monsters under the Bed. You can view these new characters in the gallery after the jump.
November 14, 2012
The Next Big Thing Blog Tour with Melissa Smith
Melissa Smith, Author & Hypno Cat Slave
I was contacted by the ever lovely and talented Author Melissa Smith (and owner of Hypno Cat) to join her Next Big Thing Blog Tour, and without thinking I said yes. The Next Big Thing Blog Tour is an event that highlights some of the best Indie Authors you may not be reading, and Melissa’s works are very good indeed, check out the interview after the jump.
What is the working title of your next book?
Crossing the Divide
Where did the idea come from for the book?
From the idea of what if. What if what we’ve always known to be true, isn’t.
What genre does your book fall under?
Mystery; Suspense; Thriller
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Oh, wow. I’m only at the beginning of writing it, so I really haven’t given that much thought. 
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
What if the image on the other side of the mirror is the real one?
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
Self-Published as an ebook sometime next year
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
I’m currently working on that first draft right now! I’m writing it as I try to tackle NaNoWriMo!
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Again, I don’t know. Alice in Wonderland would be the closest.
Who or What inspired you to write this book?
My youngest son. He asked me why I haven’t written anything he would want to read (I normally write paranormal romance) and I’d been toying around with this idea of a parallel world and decided, why not.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
Well, of course because it’s one of my books! LOL I’d like to think people will pick up my book because they’re curious about what if too.
Here are the fabulous authors I’ve tagged to tell you about their Next Big Thing!
Please, make sure you check them out next Wednesday!
To learn more about Melissa and her books please visit her website by clicking here.
November 12, 2012
Social Media Marketing Basics Explained in 61 words I can do it in THREE
You can buy attention (advertising)
You can beg for attention from the media (PR)
You can bug people one at a time to get attention (sales)
Or you can earn attention by creating something interesting and valuable and then publishing it online for free: a YouTube video, a blog, a research report, photos, a Twitter stream, an eBook, a Facebook page.
The words come from David Meerman Scott, it isn’t quite as simple as that, it does sum up what you need to do. I can put it out there even more basic than that in three very simple words.
Give added value
November 11, 2012
Tristan and the Teddy Bear Tales goes to the Christmas Holiday Teddy Bear Show
You have to look carefully I am there, but the perception filter is hiding me…
The last show of the year has now passed, and Tristan, myself, the Teddy Bear Tales and Tristan’s Guest Helper Dana spent it at the Christmas Holiday Teddy Bear show. Now this has to be one of the most unique shows I’ve ever been too, the room was full, and I mean full of unique, antique, handmade and specialized Teddy Bears. It was almost like a home coming for our faithful Teddy Bear friend and we most certainly had the most unique items there. We got to talk to a lot of Teddy Bear fans and the we sold a few more copies of the book to what we hope will be new fans of Tristan’s adventures. A fun little show… Now check out the pictures after the jump…
On the 11th Month, on the 11th Day, on the the 11th Hour we shall remember them… Honor them…
Always and forever they shall be remembered… And we shall never forget…
November 7, 2012
I have to say this… I feel it is a good thing that Obama won four more years and I am very optimistic about the possibilities :)
Last night the people of the USA made a choice, it stood up against the darkness, the lies, the hatred, the anger and said no. You the voter looked the far-right fear industry right in the eye and said your wrong… You don’t know me, you don’t know what I want and I don’t want a future with you calling the shots. Instead of the extremist, the unprincipled power hungry who was just looking out for the 1%, the voter choose the pragmatist, a leader who has demonstrated that he really is looking out for the average American. I have a lot more faith in Obama as a politician and President than I do in most leaders, and being a skeptical Brit that is saying a lot. It is my hope that over the next four years he leads the USA to where it should be a beacon of hope and light in the world… Thank you America 
November 6, 2012
A live action look at what A Teddy Bear Tales could be go take a look at the possibilities
Leave it to Steiff Bears to come up with a commercial eerily similar to the basic premises of A Teddy Bear Tales. It is wonderfully done and pulls at the heart strings. You can check out my sightly edited version of the video below after the jump… Enjoy
