I know, we are not supposed to plug our products too much on our blogs, but I just can't help tooting my own horn once in a while.
You guessed it, my murder mystery is in the final stages of Author Review at the publishers and I can't sleep, eat or think clearly. There is only one thing that is never affected and that is my ability to shoot the bull! God save the Queen!
Please click the title of this blog and visit my Web site...your going to love it!
Mittster
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
I want to be a Ghost Buster!
During high school, I hung around the usual nerd group reserved for not jocks and not so popular teens. We were not super beautiful or super handsome, sporting fab hair and no pimples. We were middle of the road normal, if you can call any teenager normal.
Some of this group would fade into obscurity, but some would developed into bright, shinning stars. Nancy Bradley is one of those stars...
I was reunited with Nancy at out 40th. high school reunion, along with others who had fled Escondido, California after graduation. Nancy migrated to northern California and became a Celebrity Psychic and International Paranormal Investigator. Even though I was not a believer in such stuff, I was fascinated with her journey from high school to TV, radio, writer of best selling books and renowned Psychic.
After the reunion, Nancy and I stayed in touch and she re-kindled my desire to write self-help books. She would send me her newest book and I would reciprocate with my newest small, self-published effort. Her knowledge and enthusiasm was contagious and soon I found myself wanting to write a murder mystery novel.
Nancy introduced me to Cat Noble, educator and a member of Nancy's Paranormal Investigations Team. With much help from both of these extraordinary women, I was able to write Evil in the Mirror which will be published next month. You can bet both these ladies are mentioned in my acknowledgements.
I just finished reading Nancy's new book, Be A Ghost Buster, for the second time and marvel at the her team's professionalism. I am especially thankful for their approach to things that go bump in the night. The reader is encouraged to make up their own mind as to the creditability of the content. I never liked being forced to believe in any subject or philosophy.
I think it would be great to travel the world looking for paranormal activities, especially with a group like Nancy's. I salute you dear friend...keep up the good work!
Mittster
Some of this group would fade into obscurity, but some would developed into bright, shinning stars. Nancy Bradley is one of those stars...
I was reunited with Nancy at out 40th. high school reunion, along with others who had fled Escondido, California after graduation. Nancy migrated to northern California and became a Celebrity Psychic and International Paranormal Investigator. Even though I was not a believer in such stuff, I was fascinated with her journey from high school to TV, radio, writer of best selling books and renowned Psychic.
After the reunion, Nancy and I stayed in touch and she re-kindled my desire to write self-help books. She would send me her newest book and I would reciprocate with my newest small, self-published effort. Her knowledge and enthusiasm was contagious and soon I found myself wanting to write a murder mystery novel.
Nancy introduced me to Cat Noble, educator and a member of Nancy's Paranormal Investigations Team. With much help from both of these extraordinary women, I was able to write Evil in the Mirror which will be published next month. You can bet both these ladies are mentioned in my acknowledgements.
I just finished reading Nancy's new book, Be A Ghost Buster, for the second time and marvel at the her team's professionalism. I am especially thankful for their approach to things that go bump in the night. The reader is encouraged to make up their own mind as to the creditability of the content. I never liked being forced to believe in any subject or philosophy.
I think it would be great to travel the world looking for paranormal activities, especially with a group like Nancy's. I salute you dear friend...keep up the good work!
Mittster
Sunday, April 18, 2010
An open letter to my brother in Tucson
Dear Bro,
Well, this is how it works...Amazon is the biggest name in book sales. My promotional efforts will, of course, be centered on Web sales through Amazon.
The Wheatmark Book Store is another place where the book can be purchased online, but it will be at the full price. Amazon cuts that price by a bunch. Wheatmark pays me a 40% royalty while Amazon only pays me a 20% royalty, but that is how Amazon sells for less. Well, that and volume.
Now for those who cannot buy online because they don't have a credit card. The book will be available at some brick and mortar stores and I am sure it will be full price. I think Barnes & Noble and some others that follow Wheatmark will carry the book.
I receive 20 Author Copies and if I want more I have to buy them at 40% off the retail price. I could do that; pick them up in Tucson, thus saving shipping costs and sell them to friends who cannot go online. This would only be viable to Tucson friends and would sell for somewhat higher than Amazon, but lower that retail.
This time the focus has to be on sales. The chances of an unknown, newbie author becoming a best seller is like winning the lotto. Selling 2000 copies is a huge thing. It is at that point that Wheatmark takes over financially for future promotions. Only a handful of their published authors have made that level. I intend on being one those authors through hard work and smart promoting! Free is a bad word...buy is a good word.
To sweeten the pot, I intend on giving each person who buys Evil in the Mirror in Tucson a copy of Why I Ride Harleys and Stop Smoking Guardian Angel for free. Through research, I have learned that book signing parties at brick and mortar stores do not sell books, thus I have narrowed this kind of promotion. They are good for ego and vanity, but those two things only hinder sales! I plan one signing at this year’s high school reunion in August, and one in Sedona at the Worm book store. The owner of the Worm was the only guy who wanted to help me with my first self-published books last year. I think he deserves to get some traffic from Evil. I know enough people in Sedona to make it worthwhile in exposure, if not sales.
There you have it in a nutshell...please follow my blog and see if your friends will do the same.
Love,
Mittster
Well, this is how it works...Amazon is the biggest name in book sales. My promotional efforts will, of course, be centered on Web sales through Amazon.
The Wheatmark Book Store is another place where the book can be purchased online, but it will be at the full price. Amazon cuts that price by a bunch. Wheatmark pays me a 40% royalty while Amazon only pays me a 20% royalty, but that is how Amazon sells for less. Well, that and volume.
Now for those who cannot buy online because they don't have a credit card. The book will be available at some brick and mortar stores and I am sure it will be full price. I think Barnes & Noble and some others that follow Wheatmark will carry the book.
I receive 20 Author Copies and if I want more I have to buy them at 40% off the retail price. I could do that; pick them up in Tucson, thus saving shipping costs and sell them to friends who cannot go online. This would only be viable to Tucson friends and would sell for somewhat higher than Amazon, but lower that retail.
This time the focus has to be on sales. The chances of an unknown, newbie author becoming a best seller is like winning the lotto. Selling 2000 copies is a huge thing. It is at that point that Wheatmark takes over financially for future promotions. Only a handful of their published authors have made that level. I intend on being one those authors through hard work and smart promoting! Free is a bad word...buy is a good word.
To sweeten the pot, I intend on giving each person who buys Evil in the Mirror in Tucson a copy of Why I Ride Harleys and Stop Smoking Guardian Angel for free. Through research, I have learned that book signing parties at brick and mortar stores do not sell books, thus I have narrowed this kind of promotion. They are good for ego and vanity, but those two things only hinder sales! I plan one signing at this year’s high school reunion in August, and one in Sedona at the Worm book store. The owner of the Worm was the only guy who wanted to help me with my first self-published books last year. I think he deserves to get some traffic from Evil. I know enough people in Sedona to make it worthwhile in exposure, if not sales.
There you have it in a nutshell...please follow my blog and see if your friends will do the same.
Love,
Mittster
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Ridin Harleys and Lovin Life
WHY HARLEY-DAVIDSON?
Native Americans call it “The Iron Pony”, a description well put. When you straddle the leather seat, there is a feeling not unlike when a cowboy mounts a wild horse at a rodeo. You know something awesome is about to happen, but you’re not quite sure what. Starting a hog for the first time is part of a love affair that will last forever. When that “Twin V” engine comes to life between your legs, you will have an idea of how that wild horse rider must feel.
Nothing on the planet sounds like a Harley. At an idle, it has a low chugging beat, slow and strong like a rhinoceros just before the charge. The weight and massiveness of the machine is deceptive, even a little intimidating. Your first thought is that if this bike falls, it’s all over but the crying. Oh, well, either ride it or sell it! Once you let the clutch out and start to move, magic happens. The ponderous, chrome hog becomes a graceful lady, responsive to your every touch. Each gear a different dimension to her character. Every mile per hour faster a study in stability.
You look at your companion riders in front, on the side and behind. A knowing smile spreads quickly. You are part of an American legend. Ride your “Iron Pony” into the sunset. A great adventure waits!
Mitt Winstead
Native Americans call it “The Iron Pony”, a description well put. When you straddle the leather seat, there is a feeling not unlike when a cowboy mounts a wild horse at a rodeo. You know something awesome is about to happen, but you’re not quite sure what. Starting a hog for the first time is part of a love affair that will last forever. When that “Twin V” engine comes to life between your legs, you will have an idea of how that wild horse rider must feel.
Nothing on the planet sounds like a Harley. At an idle, it has a low chugging beat, slow and strong like a rhinoceros just before the charge. The weight and massiveness of the machine is deceptive, even a little intimidating. Your first thought is that if this bike falls, it’s all over but the crying. Oh, well, either ride it or sell it! Once you let the clutch out and start to move, magic happens. The ponderous, chrome hog becomes a graceful lady, responsive to your every touch. Each gear a different dimension to her character. Every mile per hour faster a study in stability.
You look at your companion riders in front, on the side and behind. A knowing smile spreads quickly. You are part of an American legend. Ride your “Iron Pony” into the sunset. A great adventure waits!
Mitt Winstead
Friday, April 16, 2010
Evil in the Mirror Author Proof Review
I worked all night to finish the Author Proof Review of my novel. Now it goes back to the publisher and they make the changes and then send it back to me. If it is OK, I sign off on the book and three weeks later the book is released into the wild.
I am as excited as a rabid dog with slobbering jaws clinging to a mailman's leg!
Got to get some sleep...zzzzzzz
Mittster
I am as excited as a rabid dog with slobbering jaws clinging to a mailman's leg!
Got to get some sleep...zzzzzzz
Mittster
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Critique This!
I must admit that having my work critiqued by a stranger pisses me off most of the time. “What do you mean my book’s timeline is not clear? It’s clear to me, butt head!” Oh, crap, there I go again taking critiques personally.
My first critique ever was from a schoolmarm that lives in California. She said my writing was at the ninth grade level, but that it would target a great range of readers around the world. Another good thing about writing at that level is that it keeps the PhD’s critiquing. After all, if it were not for writers like me, they would be mummified in their library chairs, with a glass of expensive scotch wasted, cigar cold and lifeless and an old phonograph needle skipping like a rock on a pond, repeating the same scratchy musical phrase over and over.
Don’t get me wrong, a person with PhD worked hard to reach that level. I just wish they would have some appreciation for those of us who have PhD’s in the school of hard knocks. We worked hard too, but with no recognition.
I did find one book critic on line who seems to have half a heart. Just click the title of this blog and have a go at it.
Does it help PhDers’ to know that I like Dr. Phil? Probably not, but that’s the best I can do!
Mittster
My first critique ever was from a schoolmarm that lives in California. She said my writing was at the ninth grade level, but that it would target a great range of readers around the world. Another good thing about writing at that level is that it keeps the PhD’s critiquing. After all, if it were not for writers like me, they would be mummified in their library chairs, with a glass of expensive scotch wasted, cigar cold and lifeless and an old phonograph needle skipping like a rock on a pond, repeating the same scratchy musical phrase over and over.
Don’t get me wrong, a person with PhD worked hard to reach that level. I just wish they would have some appreciation for those of us who have PhD’s in the school of hard knocks. We worked hard too, but with no recognition.
I did find one book critic on line who seems to have half a heart. Just click the title of this blog and have a go at it.
Does it help PhDers’ to know that I like Dr. Phil? Probably not, but that’s the best I can do!
Mittster
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Treadmill Aliens
Three times a week, I "Sharpen The Saw" with a wild and woolly workout. When I finish my workout program designed to help with arthritis due to 47 years in the construction industry, I jump on the treadmill for a 30 minute fast paced climb up Mt. Everest.
To keep from being bored out of my skull during all this excitement, I watch television. This morning my usual animal programs were all repeats, so I settled for an expose on the Military Channel about UFOs’, Aliens and Area 51.
“Hey, ma, it’s that alien crap again!”
Why am I drawn to this stuff? Could it be because I feel so alien all the time? My evil identical twin brother (www.murdermysteryevilinthemirror.com) and I were born with super large heads, our own secret language, simultaneous dreams, ESP and God only knows what else. We always knew our parents were mere earthlings, because they were so boring. I wondered if mom knew she was a victim of alien abduction, because it explained everything.
The day I turned 21, I told my mom about seeing a flying saucer while we were going to the San Diego County Fair in 1953.
“Why did you wait so long to say anything,” she replied?
“Simple, mom, you can’t have me committed after I become of age.”
“Silly boy, we could have committed you and your brother many times in the last 21 years had we wanted to.”
Humm, good point…
In any case, click on the title of this blog if you want to see what my bro and I looked like when we were ten years old.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Have a good day in spite of me,
Mittster
To keep from being bored out of my skull during all this excitement, I watch television. This morning my usual animal programs were all repeats, so I settled for an expose on the Military Channel about UFOs’, Aliens and Area 51.
“Hey, ma, it’s that alien crap again!”
Why am I drawn to this stuff? Could it be because I feel so alien all the time? My evil identical twin brother (www.murdermysteryevilinthemirror.com) and I were born with super large heads, our own secret language, simultaneous dreams, ESP and God only knows what else. We always knew our parents were mere earthlings, because they were so boring. I wondered if mom knew she was a victim of alien abduction, because it explained everything.
The day I turned 21, I told my mom about seeing a flying saucer while we were going to the San Diego County Fair in 1953.
“Why did you wait so long to say anything,” she replied?
“Simple, mom, you can’t have me committed after I become of age.”
“Silly boy, we could have committed you and your brother many times in the last 21 years had we wanted to.”
Humm, good point…
In any case, click on the title of this blog if you want to see what my bro and I looked like when we were ten years old.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Have a good day in spite of me,
Mittster
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