Random stuff - the something good happened thread Showing 251-300 of 3,973

[Carole]

And so it begins.... an announcement in Publisher's Marketplace

March 7, 2017


Digital: Fiction: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Originally self published under the pen name Michael Phillip Cash, Michael Okon's MONSTERLAND, pitched as Jurassic Park meets Stranger Things with monsters, a family adventure about a teen and his friends who attend the opening night of a theme park full of real vampires, werewolves, and zombies, to Kevin J. Anderson at WordFire, for publication in late 2017, in a two-book deal, by Nick Mullendore at Vertical Ink Agency (world English). Film/TV: Kim Yau at Paradigm

[Erica]

Thank you Rohvannyn, Alexis, Christine, and Groovy! It completely brightened my day. :)

[Carole]

Alexis wrote: "Erica wrote: "I just got a 5 star review from Readers' Favorite!!!

https://readersfavorite.com/book-revi...

Thank you Becky for recommending this site!"

Congrats Erica!!"

Great news Erica, Congrats. A lovely review. They do lift the spirits!!

[Carole]

Christine wrote: "Carole wrote: "I have very exciting news and I want to share it with you, my Goodreads family.
My son was picked up by a publisher. They bought Monsterland 1 and the unpublished Monsterland 2.
He ..."

Thanks Christine!!

[Erica]

Carole wrote: "And so it begins.... an announcement in Publisher's Marketplace

March 7, 2017


Digital: Fiction: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Originally self published under the pen name Michael Phillip Cash, Michael Okon..."

That announcement probably makes it feel even more real. Has the fact that he was picked up by a publisher sunk in yet?

[Carole]

The kids never call in the evening. We finish all our phone calls by 7 PM and there is a general no call rule for anyone. (Kids sleeping. We are relaxing). Erica, when he called screaming that we did it. Yes, he includes both his brother and myself- he writes, his brother does the covers and I market and promote- was one of those moments that stay in your memory. His voice was like a little boy. He did a three way conversation so we could all hear it at the same time. The words "we did it" is pregnant with meaning. You take a lot of abuse as an indie. In the words of the late, great Rodney Dangerfield, "We don't get no respect." (Sometimes, not even by our peers). Kevin J. Anderson company has sold (according to his bio) over 30 million books. It's like we are tapping on that ceiling (the one I have lived with my entire life). Sometimes it is not about the money (don't get me wrong- that part is attractive). It's about the fact that he conceived something in his head and it was singled out as different enough for people to invest in. While we love the independence of being indies (he is what they call a hybrid), I am firmly indie, there is a feeling of being touched by stardust that he got noticed by THEM-

[Erica]

Carole wrote: "The kids never call in the evening. We finish all our phone calls by 7 PM and there is a general no call rule for anyone. (Kids sleeping. We are relaxing). Erica, when he called screaming that we d..."

That story is incredible! I am very excited for all of you. Keep us posted and congrats again!

[Carole]

Thanks Erica. I will keep all of you in the loop. I love this community. They are wonderful and sweet people in this group. I have the same feeling of excitement for all of our successes. It's like living in the 60's all over again. You feel a part of something really special that is moving toward greatness. That's the way I feel about all the books and authors here.

[Crystal Dawn]

That's excellent! I was honestly curious as to why his pen name had to be changed because (in emails with him as well) I can see just how much effort in promotion has gone behind it. I'm a little confused, is he with Kevin J. Anderson's company? Or is it just a coincidence to be released alongside him? Either way, that's a great name to be attached too, particularly if you're after movie connections.

I wish you all of the luck in the world with your further dealings. This is great news! and a real insight for everyone else. It's like a backstage pass into another world.

[Carole]

I don't know why they want his name changed, but they all insisted. He is now with Kevin J. Anderson's company.

[Amy]

Something not writing related but still good news. We finally have a probate meeting regarding my Dad's will. He died at the beginning of August last year. Friday 17th March I've got to go to two solicitors swear an oath at one and pay money at another. They are both within walking distance and I know exactly where they are. All I need now is for the the house sale to go through. Can't wait until it's all over.

[Groovy]

Sorry to hear about your father, Amy. I hope you get everything all squared away without much headache. Hang in there, you're going to get right through it.

[Amy]

Thank you and don't worry I'll be fine. But I will say I am not known for my patience. This has been dragging on somewhat! And to talk in a way that my money driven father would have appreciated, that inheritance is going to drag me out of a massive hole.

[Amy]

Thanks Alex.

Don't! Over a year! I remember when Mum died going with Dad to somewhere further away to do the same probate meeting and I'm sure it was a lot less than a year. Dad was meticulous with paperwork and money though. I inherited that ability from him. How I've ended up in this financial mess I have no idea (well I do it's called recession and it had better bloody not happen again.)

[Carole]

Glad to hear your are through the worst of it.

[Amy]

Thanks. Hope so. Everyone cross everything that the house sale goes through.

[Groovy]

I am so glad to hear you're getting an inheritance that will help you out, Amy:)

[Groovy]

So happy for you, Alex. I know you'll be on cloud nine all week:)

[Amy]

Brilliant. Well done.

[Amy]

I bought one. Estimated start time to read August. I'm either working, writing, cooking or sleeping at the moment.

[Carole]

Great news!

[Brittney]

So something totally exciting happened a couple of days ago!...
Publisher’s Marketplace placed an announcement about some author guy, you may know him... I have the pleasure of working for him, Michael Okon, formerly known as Michael Phillip Cash!...

‘Originally self-published under the pen name Michael Phillip Cash, Michael Okon's MONSTERLAND, pitched as Jurassic Park meets Stranger Things with monsters, a family adventure about a teen and his friends who attend the opening night of a theme park full of real vampires, werewolves, and zombies, to Kevin J. Anderson at WordFire, for publication in late 2017, in a two-book deal, by Nick Mullendore at Vertical Ink Agency (world English). Film/TV: Kim Yau at Paradigm.’

YAY! He got that 2-book deal! I'm going to be sitting first row on this rollercoaster ride through Monsterland! Congratulations to my wonderful team! Carole P. Roman, Julie Gerber, Michael (of course) and anyone who has made this into our little engine that could! I am proud to be a part of such a force to be reckoned with! #cantstopwontstop #teamgoals #letsgo

[Amy]

Very very cool

[Groovy]

Congratulations!!!!!

[Brittney]

Thank You, guys! It's been a crazy ride and it's just beginning!

[Amy]

(Small random thing that amused me-just seen a book on GR called The Hurst Chronicles. Hurst is my maiden name. It's set on the south coast of England. I have a caravan on the SE coast. Things like that amuse me!)

[Aislinn]

Congrats to everyone's good news that I've missed! (Oops!)

My good news is that this week I sold TWO paperbacks. (One of each, presumably to the same person). That brings the total up to an impressive...four. Lol. Clearly paperbacks are a tough market to crack, so I didn't bother making one for my third book. But maybe one day the two paperbacks I have will earn themselves out. :D

[R.L.]

Yay Aislin. I sold one this week for a total of one paperback lol. I'm right behind ya!!

[Carole]

Great news!!!

[Aislinn]

Thanks guys!

[Aislinn]

Lol, that's the fantasy! Hahaha.

[Alexis]

Congrats Aislinn! Man, I haven't bought a fiction paperback since the last Harry Potter came out..

[Aislinn]

I keep buying them, but only every seem to read ebooks. It's a problem.

[Carole]

Some of our books have made it to Finalist in the Reader's Views Book of the Year


Finalists Readers Views Book of the Year

Young Reader

If You Were Me and Lived in the ...American West

Writing/Publishing

Navigating Indieworld

Children's' Classics

Being a Captain is Hard Work

If You Were Me and Lived in...Italy

[Carole]

Thanks Alex. That would be nice. The book I'd really like to see win is Navigating. (Not that I would mind winning anything!!!) It would be Julie's first win and very special. ;)

[R.L.]

Crossing fingers!! Congrats! So much awesomeness and it's only March?!

[Carole]

;)

[Christine]

That's awesome, Carole. Congratulations!

[Carole]

Thanks guys!!

[Groovy]

Alex wrote: "Well done on the paperback sales. As the saying goes, from little acorns, mighty oaks grow.
You never know, those sales may have been to some really influential blogger who will rave about your boo..."

Oh, for that big, influential blogger, Alex:)

Congratulations, everybody:)

[Amy]

Well done. Better numbers than mine. However since I uploaded the new cover to Smashwords the other day another 3 people have downloaded it for free. Free though. And I only did the free thing because it's their annual promotion. Still no new cover showing on Amazon although everything inidcates it should be there.

[[deleted user]]

Hi everyone! My good news is teeny but it cheered me up today after being sick in bed for two days... My author interview is up and views on my blog have been significantly higher today. Not earth shatteringly huge good news, but enough to encourage me just when I felt I needed it. http://www.indiepublishinggroup.com/a...

[Lucia]

Congratulations everybody! Those are some good things happening indeed!

[Groovy]

Good news, everyone:)

And, Amy, Alex is right, you'll probably have to get in touch with them, I had to.

[Amy]

Ugh really Alex and Groovy.? Ok I'll search the site today and see if I can find a contact us on KDP. I find Amazon and others very good at hiding that one.

[Amy]

(found it)

[Kay]

Congratulations on all the good stuff happening everyone!

[Becky]

So great to hear all the good stuff happening! Positive vibes create more positive vibes!

[Carole]

Julie set up a new page for Michael- The publishers want him doing all his new books under his real name.

Please like, if you haven't already.

https://www.facebook.com/iammichaelokon/

[Amy]

Already liked.

(New cover turned up on Amazon will issue pleas for web site update when at home.)