Allan Krummenacker's Blog, page 21

Proof Copies, Worth The Investment Or A Waste Of Time?

Allan Krummenacker

What is a Proof Copy?

On the surface it seems to simply be a regular printed copy of your book. Nothing more, nothing less. But when you look at the final page...

Okay? So it has "PROOF" printed on the very last page, so what?

That one word let's you know that you are holding an uncorrected, unedited version of a book. These are what come before even a 1st Edition of a book is created. Before electronic books, Proof Copies (also known as Galley Copies) were what publishers would create and send out to the editing staff for corrections and proofreading.

These copies were also referred to as "Advanced Copies" and would be sent out to critics and advertisers in advance to get them fired up about the upcoming final version of a book. The critics and company would build hype for the novel before it was released thus getting the readers anxious for the release date.

However, with Indie Publishers like Smashwords, Createspace and others, are Proof Copies even worthwhile anymore? Do they serve any purpose?

In my opinion the answer is a resounding "YES!"

Sorry for the shout there, but this is a subject I feel is important. First off, I will tell you right now that if you work with Kindle, Smashwords, or Createspace you will have a chance to look over your entire book right there on your computer so you can look for issues. Basically you have an e-proof copy available.

So shouldn't that be enough? I cannot speak for everyone else, only myself. But in my case I would much rather have both the E-Proof AND the printed Proof Copy to look over. Why? Simply because, even when reading one word at a time on the computer, errors still slip past me. I only found them when I was actually reading the printed book. My eyes tend to fill in or glance over problems when I'm looking at a computer screen. These errors even got past half a dozen Beta-Readers who had the electronic version of the book.

So, for me, having a printed Proof Copy is simply another extra tool in my arsenal. It only costs a few dollars to get one done on Createspace and to me it was totally worth it.

In the end it's up to the individual author what they want to do. I've simply shared my experience and why I find them useful. What are some of your experiences? I'm sure me and the other readers will find various points of view quite useful. Leave your thoughts in the comments below and thanks for reading.

Until next time, take care everyone and keep writing.

LIMITED TIME LEFT! HALF OFF BOTH BOOKS IN "THE PARA-EARTH SERIES"!

WELCOME TO THE PARA-EARTH SERIES...

When I started writing, I wanted to create something new and different. Something that could become an ongoing seriese, with recurring and new characters that would take the reader's imagination to new places and introduce new concepts. The result was the Para-Earth Series: a unique blend of horror, paranormal mystery, with a sci-fi twist that would make the Twilight Zone proud.

Through these tales, I introduce both my characters and the audience to a whole new vision of Parallel Earths unlike anything you've seen before. I hope you'll join me on this journey as together we discover beings and realities found only in dreams. The door is open and you are always welcome...

****UNTIL MIDNIGHT MONDAY JUNE 9TH YOU CAN GET EITHER OF THESE TITLE FOR JUST $1.49, half off the usual asking price of $2.99. Or you can get both for $2.98****


BOOK 1 "THE BRIDGE"
Something waits...



Alex Hill buried his psychic talents for eighteen year. But with with scream of tires and twisting metal, all this changes.

When his girlfriend, Police Sergeant Veronica Ross , is nearly run down by two teens he becomes concerned. But upon learning that both the driver and passenger of the vehicle in question, had been dead for almost twelve hours before the incident, he knows what he must do...


BOOK 2 "THE SHIP"
Every ship needs a navigator...



Cassandra Elliott is a billionaire heiress, who has just come out of the closet. She's also a powerful psychic who has seen incredible and terrifying things.

In fact just two weeks ago she and her girlfriend Julie Cloudfoot survived a terrifying experience. Fighting alongside their friends Alex Hill and Police Sergeant Veronica Ross, they faced creature from a parallel reality, where evolution had taken a decidedly different turn.

As a result of that encounter Cassie and Julie have come to Santa Cruz, California to bury Julie's uncle who fell to the creature. They've also come to see if their new romantic relationship will work out. Unknown to either of them an old adversary has followed them.

A white-haired man in a flowing black cape is lurking inside an old wrecked ship. He has plans for Cassandra and will need her soon, but until then he must keep her safe. However, a new threat appears, a legendary ghost ship arises from the sea and marks the girl as its next target.

Soon the two women find themselves fighting not only for their lives, to be keep from being separated forever...

AVAILABLE IN ALL E-BOOK FORMATS:


KINDLE: amazon.com/author/allankrummenacker

NOOK, SONY E-READER, APPLE, PDF OR E-PUB FORMATS:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/byse...


*PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW SO THEY TOO CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER!*

THANK YOU AND HAPPY READING.

BIG SALE THIS WEEKEND AT AMAZON.COM

****1/2 OFF SALE AT AMAZON****

Both books in my Para-Earth series "THE SHIP" and "THE BRIDGE" are available for Kindle at Amazon for $1.49 each, 1/2 off the regular asking price of $2.99.

See where it all begins in "THE BRIDGE" (18 reviews, 4-5 stars) where reluctant psychic Alex Hill, his police officer girlfriend Veronica Ross, and their friends Cassandra Elliott and Julie Cloudfoot are drawn into a strange mystery. IT all begins with a car crash and two dead teens but culminates at a stone bridge which hols a secret dating back to the time of the Paleo Indians who Julie is distantly related.

The adventures continue in "THE SHIP" (4-reviews, all 5 stars) where Julie and Cassandra come to Santa Cruz to start a loving relationship with one another, only to find themselves facing a new threat. A legendary ghost ship has arisen from the sea and marked Cassandra as it's next target. Now the two women must ,fight to stay together, but unknown to either they are also being stalked by an old enemy who has followed them from ""THE BRIDGE".

The regular price for either book is $2.99, but now you have until Monday to get either one at $1.49. Or you can get both for $2.98, still less then than the regular asking price of just one.

Get a copy for yourself or a friend, Amazon does sell e-books as a gift. And if you're still not sure, you can take a sample the novel at Amazon so don't wait. Take advantage now, because this sale will be over on Monday.

So take advantage get to know the expanding worlds of the Para-Earth Series. The third book will be coming out this December!

Just click on the link below and it will take you to my Amazon Author Page where you can find both books.

*PLEASE REMEMBER this sale ends on Monday so please SHARE this link with everyone you know who loves the paranormal so they can take advantage too!

http://www.amazon.com/Allan-Krummenac...

My Review Of Peter Straub's "GHOST STORY"

Ghost Story by Peter Straub

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Ghost Story



"What's the worst thing you ever done?"

"I won't tell you, but I'll tell you the worst thing that ever happened to me..."

These are the words that set the "The Chowder Society", four elderly men who've known each other since they were young, into telling each other ghost stories. They've all known each other since their youth, when they were wild and reckless. Friendship and loyalty binds, them along with dark secret from those past days.

They tried to bury that secret and forget it, but some things don't want to be forgotten. Sometimes, they also want... revenge!

"Ghost Story" is the first Peter Straub book I ever read and as mentioned by other reviewers, the book is NOT a fast read. In fact it seems to plod along at times... HOWEVER, there is a method to the author's madness. Everything he gives us serves a purpose in the story.

Furthermore, his pacing and many references are reminiscent to classic ghost stories from long ago. Spine-chilling and haunting the story catches the imagination and refuses to let go.

However, it's not a short easy read. Mr. Straub has a lot of material to throw at us but does so in a manner that builds suspense and terror.

This is a brilliant piece of writing that is thoroughly worth a read. Just don't expect to be taken on a thrill-a-minute joyride. Like it's elderly protagonists, the story moves a slow and steady pace, but it draws you in deeper and deeper as it goes. Soon you'll find yourself wanting more and more as the various pieces and "ghost stories" start coming together, leading to terrifying encounters that build up to a mesmerizing climax.

My only beef with the story the first time I read it was the prologue which is longer than I would normally like to see. But as I said earlier, Mr. Straub links everything he presents us into one tidy and creepy package. Nothing he gives the reader is wasted, so I can forgive him for the lengthy prologue. This is still a 5 star read!

So come and meet The Chowder Society: The respectable Doctor John Jaffery, the randy Lewis Benedict, the respectable Sears James, and the faithful and easily overlooked Ricky Hawthorne. These men are not your usual run of the mill 'action-heroes', but they will take on an evil unlike anything you've ever read before.



View all my reviews

5 More Stars For My First Book "THE BRIDGE"...

Well, well, well...

Another review for my 1st book "THE BRIDGE" has appeared and it's a 5-STAR one. Woo-hoo! Let's hope this is the start of something really good folks...

5.0 out of 5 stars delightful, May 29, 2014
By Stacey Lettich - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Bridge: Something waits (Para-Earth Series) (Paperback)

A great book and relatively easy read. It took me 2 or 3 chapters to get into the story but once I was hooked I never looked back. The characters are dynamic and I found myself fully invested in the story line. Looking forward to reading Allan Krummenacker's next book.

http://www.amazon.com/Bridge-Para-Ear...
*Also available for Nook at:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/allan...

The Bridge

Cause and Effect, Interest In My First Novel "THE BRIDGE" Is Increasing After The Release Of My Second Book "THE SHIP"...

All right fellow writers, here's some food for thought....

I was told in the past that as you got more books out, your earlier titles people might develop an interest in your earlier titles. This seems to be the case as I've been seeing some new activity on "THE BRIDGE". Not a lot of purchases, but more than I've seen in a while. There are also new reviews being posted on Amazon. Here's one of them...



4.0 out of 5 stars First indie book I read, The Bridge., May 30, 2014
By Kees Bijker - See all my reviews
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Bridge (Para-Earth Series) (Kindle Edition)

This was my first book I read by an indie author. I met Allan a year ago on LinkedIn and, both being budding writers, we shared ideas and situations to do with writing. I was given the opportunity to read his book and took it.

It is my opinion that the story line is strong and very convincing. The book has a great deal of well developed characters, although I find a few of these character traits not fitting the situation the person is in, this could just be me with a biased opinion on how people should behave sometimes. Overall the characters are real enough to be believed and liked by the reader, I did.

The story has several layers which, although coming together at the end, do not always seem clear at the time they develop. Some of the events were hard for me to reconcile but this is life after all. Not everything that happens is clear why or how, so why not in a book. I did however ask myself this question a few times and perhaps the story would have been equally as strong if these loose threads would have been omitted or cleared up more conclusively, or maybe that is just me again.

It has helped me decide that for my own novel I will attempt to spend the money needed for a professional edit. Again it is my opinion that I would have enjoyed it a lot more if these little oversights had been filtered out by a professional eye trained to catch them.

Despite this, I will read the sequel I am sure. I gave this book a 4 out of 5 because I had no choice. If the stars could be allocated I would have given 5 out of 5 for story line, story strength and for character development. Maybe less on the grammar, sentence structure and therefore overall readability.

Still a big thumbs up and looking forward to the next one from Allan.

http://www.amazon.com/Bridge-Para-Ear...

"THE SHIP" Earned Another 5-Star Review Over On Amazon...

5.0 out of 5 stars: Fast paced,well plotted read
May 26, 2014
By Caroline D. Henry
Verified Purchase

"I just read The Ship straight through after reading it in bits and pieces during the months in which Allan was writing and revising it. It was such a pleasure to read as an exciting tale and find myself drawn into it even though I knew in advance how it would all turn out. The author needs to keep writing, because I (and others) want to follow whatever is next in store for the intriguing characters we have met in The Ship and its predecessor The Bridge."



To find a format that fits your e-reader or to order a signed paperback copy click on the link below. There you will find links to whatever style you want along with news about upcoming books in the Para-Earth Series:

Allan Krummenacker Web-page

A Little Snippet From My New Paranormal/Mystery Novel "THE SHIP"...

I added this little piece to the end of "THE SHIP" and called it  BONUS MATERIAL.  The reason I added this to the novel was because among the ghosts and psychic phenomenon, there is also a heavy element of Native American Seneca lore in the book.

I've been fascinated by all kinds of legends and lore from  a number of cultures for many years (Native American, Norse, Greek, Asian, you name it).  From these tales I've gotten a number of ideas over time for future stories.  But in both "THE BRIDGE" and "THE SHIP", I found myself drawing in characters with Native American heritage. I remembered the Iroquois Confederacy which had been made up of 5 tribes namely the Seneca, Mohawk, Oneida, Cayuga, and the Onondaga.  Eventually they were joined by a 6th tribe the Tuscarora.   The Iroquois were located in the New England area, including Connecticut which was the setting for "THE BRIDGE", so I immediately began scouring their legends and tribal tales for material I could use in the books.

As luck would have it the Senecas had several tales I was very attracted to and here is the one that really made an impact on "THE SHIP"...





The Warrior Cared For By Wolves
A chief named Ganogwioeo, went on the warpath with ten braves into Cherokee country.  They found the Cherokee watchers but could do nothing.Ganogwioeo told his men to stay in hiding while he entered the Cherokee village in secret.  He succeeded in sneaking into the village and even captured the Cherokee chief’s daughter and scalped her.  But while trying to escape, his bow broke and he was captured.After being brought back to the village, the two head women of the Cherokee decided his fate.  “Tie him up and place him near the fire so the soles of his feet will blister.  Then drain the blisters and place kernels of corn under the skin.  After that chase him with clubs until he dies.”Ganogwioeo was stripped naked, tied up and his feet tortured as instructed.  But after the corn was placed under his skin and the chase was about to begin, he managed to escape his captives.However, he was still far from home and all alone.  When night fell he found a hollow log and crawled inside it.  As he lay there, he heard the sound of feet approaching then halt right next to the log.  For a moment he feared that his pursuers had located him.  Then a voice spoke, “This man is our friend.”A second voice called out his name and said, “You think you are going to die, but we are going to take care of you.  Stick out your feet.”Ganogwioeo did as he was instructed and then felt someone licking his feet. When they were finished the first speaker said, “We must keep him warm, let us climb into the log and lie on either side of him.”         Soon Ganagwioeo felt two warm bodies slip inside the log with him.          When morning came he found himself alone inside the log and then heard a voice outside say, “Put out your feet.”  Immediately he obeyed and once more his feet were licked.  Once the licking stopped the speaker instructed him to head to a specific location where he would find something hidden under a large piece of bark.        Ganagwioeo climbed out of the log and found himself alone.  But remembering the words of his protectors he followed their instructions and indeed came upon a place he knew.  He and his braves had come here several years earlier, while on the warpath and remembered they had left weapons hidden underneath a large piece of bark.  After a quick search he found the piece laying untouched, along with the weapons left behind.That night, he found another hollow tree and climbed in.  Within minutes he heard footsteps outside.  “Our friend his here.  Put out your feet.”He immediately obeyed and once more felt his feet being licked.  Afterwards, he was joined inside the hollow tree by two warm bodies. This pattern was repeated over the next several days, but never once did he see his protectors.  He always followed their instructions and found clothing, food, and coverings for his feet along the path they told him to follow.Finally, on the last night after laying inside another hollow tree he heard his saviors familiar footsteps.  Only this time they said, “Friend, tomorrow you will reach your home.  And now we will tell you why we healed and protected you. Whenever you went hunting and killed game, you have always given the best part of the animal to us, while taking the smallest for yourself, for which we are grateful.  In the morning you will see us and know who we are.”When sunrise came Ganagwioeo arose and saw two men, just as he expected.  Soon they took their leave of him and started off.  But Ganagwioeo wanted to see his friends for as long as possible and turned to look at them.  As soon as he did, he saw his friends change into a pair of wolves, one black, the other white.  Smiling he thanked them once more and then headed home. For the rest of his days he always remembered the special bond he and his friends now shared. 
 I hope this little snippet captures the imaginations and interest of you all.  Remember, "THE SHIP" is available for Nook, Kindle, Apple, Android phones, and Sony e-readers, as well as in PDF form for laptop or desktop computers.Just click on the link below to read a sample of the book, or purchase a copy for just $2.99.  Paperback copies are also available through Barnes and Noble, or Amazon.com.  Just type in my name and go from there.  Thanks again for staying with me and keep writing everyone.
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/433111

Signed Trade Paperback Copies Of "THE SHIP" Are Now Available...

I've heard of ships being torpedoed, but 
"Photo-Bombed"???


Anyway, as you can see trade-paperback "THE SHIP" have arrived.  Originally I wanted to pose with the books but I have a huge bandage on my neck from some surgery, so much for me being camera ready.  However, "THE SHIP" is ready for you.  
So anyone interested in getting a signed/personalized 1st edition copy of the book, here's your chance.
The price is $15.00, plus $3.00 for shipping and handling WITHIN the United States. Outside the U. S. the shipping is going to be more (sorry that's the postal service not me folks). Leave me a message down below or e-mail me at:
allan.krummenacker@gmail.com 
I accept Paypal as well as checks.
*And if you prefer e-books you can go to Amazon (for Kindle) or Barnes and Noble (for Nook) and type in my name. Smashwords is also an option for Apple and Sony e-readers, as well as getting a copy of the book in PDF form for your laptop or desktop computer.
Thanks for all your support and please help spread the word.  I'd love to see this book surpass it's predecessor "THE BRIDGE" which managed to sell 1500 copies in all (this is counting paperback and e-book sales).
Take care and keep writing everyone!

"THE SHIP" CAME IN EARLY!

*****EARLY RELEASE... "THE SHIP" HAS ARRIVED, ON KINDLE, NOOK, APPLE, SONY AND OTHER E-READERS****
Yes, I know I'd said it would be coming out next week, but an unexpected expense in the form of summer tuition for my wife's teacher credential education forced me hand. The book is here so come and grab your copy now folks for just $2.99

For the KINDLE edition click on this link:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Ship-Every-navigator-Para-Earth-ebook/dp/B00K3A7XG6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1400171116&sr=8-2&keywords=allan+krummenac

For a NOOK, APPLE, SONY, OR PDF (for laptops or desktop computers) click on the Smashwords link here: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/433111

SIGNED PRINT COPIES will be available next week so keep watching here for more details.

Happy reading everyone and thanks for your friendships and support.