Theodore’s Comments (group member since Apr 01, 2017)

Theodore’s comments from the Navigating Indieworld Discussing All Things Indie group.

Hmmm...what an interesting question...difficult to beat Alex's experiences, especially with the naval landing craft (nice job, Captain! hahahaha)

1. I was the co-concertmaster of the Milwaukee All-City Senior High School Orchestra
2. I almost died in a typhoon off the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula attempting to return to a Chilean naval vessel in a small tender following some geological work on the peninsula (spoiler alert: I lived)

3. As a 2nd LT in the US Army, Corps of Engineers, I was assigned TDY to work in Israel on a special mission with the Israeli Army in 1966. While there, was allowed to visit the area where work was being performed on the archaeological site of King's Solomon's Stables.
4. As a contractor, created and led a Skunk Works-type research and development organization that produced, for the Navy, the first operationally capable AI and neural network programs. (1984). [And you think this stuff was invented yesterday?]
5. Briefed a federal law enforcement agency, at their request, on evidence I had collected while writing one of my Det. Louis Martelli, NYPD, mystery/thrillers. Unfortunately, the statute of limitations (5 years) on the crimes I uncovered had run out.
6. As a licensed Amateur Radio operator for more than 62 years (call sign: N4XX), I have spoken on the air to King Hussain of Jordan and the King of Saudi Arabia . I also transmitted (under special temporary authorization from the FCC) the first television pictures to Antarctica from the US in the shortwave bands (1972) using a special technique call slow-scan television.

Carole wrote: "Welcome to the group, Dale. You'll find a lot of helpful people here, Ted being one of the very best. It is very easy to vote for his wonderful stories. He is a rare talent."

Thanks, Carole. Dale's pretty much up on his game, as well. (;>)

Dale wrote: "Hey Ted,

Just found this group, and now I see where so many of your votes are coming from. ;-) I admit to doing a Facebook blitz this week to try to get more than the paltry few votes I normally g..."

Hi, Dale!

Yes, I see you cracked the code! LOL It's always good to bring in the cavalry. This has been a lot of fun, and, of course, there's always the Editors' Choices, though, for some reason, they are months and months behind.

The flash fiction book now comprises 72 stories, each with a photo and word/phrase prompt. I'll be cutting it off in a week because I want to send it to Forward Reviews in the hope they will select it for a free review to be inserted in their organization's publication. They need four month's advance notice, so I've set the release date in February.

Not sure what I'm going to do after that. Have done novels, YA novels, short-story anthologies, and children's storybooks...not sure what's next up to bat. But that's what makes life interesting.

Good luck with your Bernie & Melody stories. I'll be on lookout for them.

Have a great evening.

Ted

Carole wrote: "I hope it doesn't scare the kiddies. I love swag. We sent out the newspapers (my younger son did those) along with a letter offering them an arc. One woman wrote back that it was the best swag she'..."

Oh, we'll be careful to vector the stuff to the adults, though the teenagers will grab some of the things, for sure.

Carole wrote: "Kids will love them."

That's what I'm counting on...their dragging their parents to my table (where the parents will be given YOUR son's stuff!)

Thanks to all for your comments! My wife loves these little guys and gals. They ARE cute, aren't they?! (Thanks, Erica...Susan took the picture...I'll let her know!)

Hey, Gang…

If you’ve published a children’s book that involves animals, here’s a neat way to draw attention to yourself, increase sales, and spur profits at book signings, book fairs, and other events in which you participate: offer plush, stuffed reproductions of your main character(s) with each purchase at a somewhat discounted retail price (let those who don’t purchase the book pay a somewhat higher price!).

For example, my anti-bulling, illustrated, children’s storybook, Pepe Builds a Nest, is about a penguin names Pepe. So, I just took delivery of a ton (okay, maybe three dozen) stuffed penguins that I’m going to bring with me to sell at the Bucks County Free Library Author’s Day event on November 11, 2017, in Doylestown, PA. My hope is that not only will the little guys and gals (Pepe and Ms. Amber, for whom he is building the nest) draw children and their parents to the table (a real “discriminator,” as we say in marketing), but that kids being kids, some will want both the book and the stuffed animal.

Here’s the source of my penguins:

http://www.carnivaltoys.com/

Search under “PLUSH – STUFFED TOYS” for your book’s animal(s).

You can get just about any plush, stuffed animal here: dogs, cats, horses, whathaveyou, WHOLESALE! And they are safe for children three (3) and up. The thing I like best about the penguin—aside from the fact they truly are loveable (ask my wife!)—is that, unlike other stuffed animals I found on the Internet, these have “embroidered” eyes, not the buttons that could come off in a child’s mouth. (Be sure to check that this is true for any you order. It’s easy to e-mail the site, and they are very responsive.)

I hope this helps you with your sales. And I’ll be back in mid-November with a follow-up as to how successful this strategy proves to be.

Carole wrote: "Next week will be better."

Next week may be the last for a while. I'm just about finished with the book of flash fiction I'm writing (it contains more than 70 stories, each with a photo prompt), and I need to button it up for submission to Forward Reviews...they require that they have a copy of the book in their hands four months before publication, so time is of the essence. A draft is with my editors now, and I'm shooting to get the book off to FR NLT the end of this month.

No joy in Mudville, this week. Stay tuned.

And thanks for your votes and support.

Ted (and Alyssa)

Judy wrote: "Theodore wrote: "Sam, Carole...

Here's a little trick...your credit card company should issue up to three cards on an account. Most people ask for two...one, say for yourself, and a second for you..."

No, but they will have the same expiration date.

NHC shifted Jose a little more west. NE still watching close. Overnight ensembles from weathernerds.org show more members nearing the NE. Still see high pressure building possibly blocking easy exit to sea. Still shot of strengthening and expanding... tropical or subtropical (same effects basically). Cone is wide so could just as easy go out to sea. Coastal effects no matter what. TD #14 formed last night. Models on the site. Too far away to worry. Invest 96 in front of TD #14 is riding lower. Could be a worry for someone down the road... just too far away to worry now. BUT I am sending out a warning... "96 you are being watched DUDE!". www.spaghettimodels.com / Mikes Weather Page APP

Brittney wrote: "Here are some of this years behind the scenes pictures for the Swag Bag 2017... Enjoy!


Neat! Good luck to all!








































































"

Anna Faversham wrote: "Many moons ago, I used to train Financial Advisers. I'm very glad to have left it all behind, but I still keep half an eye open on what's going on. I have 3 cards, different companies, different us..."

Saves a lot of trouble.

Eldon wrote: "Theodore wrote: "Eldon wrote: "Theodore wrote: "Eldon wrote: "Theodore wrote: "Carole wrote: "You did. It's a wonderful idea, Ted."

It saved us a lot of trouble a few months ago when our credit ca..."

Roger, that. They might have a Canadian subsidiary.

Tell Karl "hi".

Eldon wrote: "Theodore wrote: "Eldon wrote: "Theodore wrote: "Carole wrote: "You did. It's a wonderful idea, Ted."

It saved us a lot of trouble a few months ago when our credit card was compromised at the local..."

That's a shame about the credit freeze. I don't know about investing in Canada...you're certainly free to give them a call. I'll send you their contact info. (Just did so via your Website.)

Ted

Alex wrote: "That sounds about right, Ted, the moment you threaten, or even suggest, you're going to use a rival's service they'll go the extra mile for you."

You bet...just the sound of competition gets them off their (_O_)

Eldon wrote: "Theodore wrote: "Carole wrote: "You did. It's a wonderful idea, Ted."

It saved us a lot of trouble a few months ago when our credit card was compromised at the local Shell station. I called VISA a..."

Yes, I'm willing to share some financial advice: use my financial advisors in Milwaukee with whom I've worked for the last five years! They did +25% on my money last year! (;>) Contact me via PM, and I'll share their contact information. Seriously.

Ted

Carole wrote: "You did. It's a wonderful idea, Ted."

It saved us a lot of trouble a few months ago when our credit card was compromised at the local Shell station. I called VISA and had them cancel the card.* Didn't have to notify anyone with whom we did recurring business because it was the "outside" card that was compromised...the one we use for gas and restaurants only.

Ted

*I have to laugh...at first, VISA said my new card would be in the mail and that I would have it in a week or so. I said, "Fine...take your time. Meanwhile, I'll use my MasterCharge card." The new VISA card arrived the next day by FedEx Express. (;>)

Active tropics this AM. Jose teasing NC north with some ensembles trending more west as shown here on weathernerds.org models (EURO/GFS). Comes down to high pressure in the NE if it opens door to the Atlantic or builds allowing him to stall and turn left. More chances it doesn't than it does but need to watch nonetheless. Many days away (still past 5-day cone).

Out in the Atlantic Invest 96/97 popped up. 96 could be nearing the Lesser Antilles early to midweek next week. Models have been showing this the past few days. Atlantic high is the question if strong enough to push west. Looks possible. 97 is too far away to speculate yet.

www.spaghettimodels.com / Mikes Weather Page APP

Sam, Carole...

Here's a little trick...your credit card company should issue up to three cards on an account. Most people ask for two...one, say for yourself, and a second for your husband and wife or significant other. Ask them to issue you a third card in one person's name, omitting or adding, as appropriate, say, a middle initial. Use this card only for merchants from whom you make recurring purchases, say, over the Internet (as well, payments for electricity, water, etc.). The card should be tucked away somewhere safe in the house or business...it should never be taken outside. That way, if the card you carry is stolen or compromised (which has happened to us twice this year, once at a local gas station and another time, at a local restaurant), it's that card that's cancelled (and another reissued) while all those accounts on the third card--the card for recurring purchases--never have to be notified. Makes life a whole lot easier.

Hope I've explained this well.