Most of my fabulous Beta readers have come back to me with feedback on All for Owen. I can't believe how much better the story is. There are still a few readers who I am waiting to hear back from, so in the meantime, I've talked my lovely wife Stephanie into reading the entire book again, this time out loud to me. We are finding a few typos in every chapter. It feels good to tighten up the prose.
As far as the release date goes, we are still on track for October 16th, though I have a surprise in store for those of you who really want to get a copy early.
Friday, September 27, 2013
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Monday, September 23, 2013
Book Trailer
You may have seen the book trailer Jay Jensen did for The Cause. We got together one evening with an actor and Jay filmed an awesome trailer. How did I manage to get a pro like Jay to make me a professional trailer when I had absolutely no money to pay for it? He did it for a couple reasons:
1. He is an awesome guy.
2. I told him if I made any money from The Cause, I would give him a cut. I couldn't promise anything, but there was a little bit of hope.
If you haven't seen the trailer yet, watch it.
Unfortunately, I didn't make a truck load of money on The Cause. I considered the release to be successful and yes, I did make some money, but not enough to pay Jay what he really deserved.
The time around, I wanted to do things differently. I decided to film and edit the book trailer myself. It took me about 20 minutes to realize I'm not made for film making. I think I had some pretty awesome ideas, but I am seriously lacking in execution.
So now, I'm at a loss.
Does anybody buy books based off the book trailer?
1. He is an awesome guy.
2. I told him if I made any money from The Cause, I would give him a cut. I couldn't promise anything, but there was a little bit of hope.
If you haven't seen the trailer yet, watch it.
Unfortunately, I didn't make a truck load of money on The Cause. I considered the release to be successful and yes, I did make some money, but not enough to pay Jay what he really deserved.
The time around, I wanted to do things differently. I decided to film and edit the book trailer myself. It took me about 20 minutes to realize I'm not made for film making. I think I had some pretty awesome ideas, but I am seriously lacking in execution.
So now, I'm at a loss.
Does anybody buy books based off the book trailer?
Friday, September 13, 2013
Release Date
I'm pleased to announce the All for Owen release date is... (Drum Roll)
October 16th!
If you're excited, that's great, because I'm excited too.
As for the blog tour, I'll be sending out advance reader's copies to bloggers soon. If you or someone you know wants to write a review, host a giveaway, or just talk about All for Owen online, let me know. You don't have to have a professional blog and tons of followers. All you need is to be interested in joining the tribe. Comment here or message me, and we'll get things rolling.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
The Proof Is Here!
The All for Owen proof arrived. Here it is.
There are a few issues that I'll have to fix before it's ready for publication. This copy is really for beta readers to go through and suggest changes. It is also a good time to inspect the cover art.
In the mean time, I'm putting together a marketing plan, including a blog tour. If you have a blog and are interested in being a part of the blog tour, let me know. I'd love to provide giveaways. I'll be posting more over the next few weeks on marketing and how you can be a part of the action.
There are a few issues that I'll have to fix before it's ready for publication. This copy is really for beta readers to go through and suggest changes. It is also a good time to inspect the cover art.
In the mean time, I'm putting together a marketing plan, including a blog tour. If you have a blog and are interested in being a part of the blog tour, let me know. I'd love to provide giveaways. I'll be posting more over the next few weeks on marketing and how you can be a part of the action.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Typo Hunt
This week I've been going over All for Owen in search of typos. I know this is going to sound crazy, but It's been kind of fun. I've tried several new techniques for editing and It has really helped a lot.
In the meantime, Beta readers are reading through the manuscript. I've already had some great insight and advice come back. If I can keep up with all the suggestions and corrections, All for Owen should be in good order by the end of the month.
Any suggestions on how to root out typos?
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Finished!
I finished draft 3 last night at 11:00 p.m. I was so excited I couldn't sleep.
I've already sent All for Owen off to one beta reader and I've contacted 3 others. If all goes well, all my readers will have a copy in their possession by next friday.
As for me, I'm playing the waiting game. Once beta readers are finished, I'll take their feedback and make changes. Hopefully, these changes won't be too intensive. Next is the typo hunt. I really want to hit typos hard.
Now, I also need to start the marketing machine. I'm planning a blog tour for October/November. And I need to make a book trailer. All that is coming.
For now, I'm going to spend a nice relaxing weekend with my family and forget all about writing.
I deserve it.
I've already sent All for Owen off to one beta reader and I've contacted 3 others. If all goes well, all my readers will have a copy in their possession by next friday.
As for me, I'm playing the waiting game. Once beta readers are finished, I'll take their feedback and make changes. Hopefully, these changes won't be too intensive. Next is the typo hunt. I really want to hit typos hard.
Now, I also need to start the marketing machine. I'm planning a blog tour for October/November. And I need to make a book trailer. All that is coming.
For now, I'm going to spend a nice relaxing weekend with my family and forget all about writing.
I deserve it.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Official Book Cover
I've posted several renditions of possible book cover's for All for Owen. Now I've settled on one. Here is the full cover, front and back. Keep in mind that the book blurb will probably need more attention, so it is likely to change. Other than the blurb and a bar code that will be added later, this is the completed book cover.
I'm happy with this cover. I even created basic matching covers for the next two books in the series. (More to come on book 2 later.)
I've been getting questions about when All for Owen will be published. All I can say is, as soon as possible. I'm pushing through the editing right now then I'll send it off to beta readers. I can promise, that I will keep you posted.
I'm happy with this cover. I even created basic matching covers for the next two books in the series. (More to come on book 2 later.)
I've been getting questions about when All for Owen will be published. All I can say is, as soon as possible. I'm pushing through the editing right now then I'll send it off to beta readers. I can promise, that I will keep you posted.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Back of Book Blurb
The one part I really loath about writing and publishing is writing the blurb for the back of the book. Trying to explain the premise of a book in a few short paragraphs and still make the book sound awesome is difficult. Seriously.
Since the world of publishing is beginning to move past Dystopia and post-apocalyptic novels, I'm probably going to have to self-publish All for Owen. This is fine, because I really love having all that control over the publishing and marketing process. The problem is, the book blurb is such a pain.
After a long Labor Day weekend, and a lot of brain strain, here is my book blurb:
Seventeen-year-old, Jason Lowe thinks he can hide forever in his forgotten neighborhood – pretending like the world had never ended. He is the only one to get the plague and live. At least now he’s immune.
When the masked creatures called Angsts discover Sunset Street, they bring the plague with them and infect most the residents.
The Angsts give the boys of Sunset Street one shot at saving their community – to travel across the barren valley and trade for vaccines. But everything rests on keeping Sunset’s least valuable resident alive, twelve-year-old Owen Rosner.
I'm not a fan of this summary. Really, I think this could be so much better, but I honestly don't know what else to do to make it better, without giving away important pieces to the story.
Any suggestions?
Since the world of publishing is beginning to move past Dystopia and post-apocalyptic novels, I'm probably going to have to self-publish All for Owen. This is fine, because I really love having all that control over the publishing and marketing process. The problem is, the book blurb is such a pain.
After a long Labor Day weekend, and a lot of brain strain, here is my book blurb:
Seventeen-year-old, Jason Lowe thinks he can hide forever in his forgotten neighborhood – pretending like the world had never ended. He is the only one to get the plague and live. At least now he’s immune.
When the masked creatures called Angsts discover Sunset Street, they bring the plague with them and infect most the residents.
The Angsts give the boys of Sunset Street one shot at saving their community – to travel across the barren valley and trade for vaccines. But everything rests on keeping Sunset’s least valuable resident alive, twelve-year-old Owen Rosner.
I'm not a fan of this summary. Really, I think this could be so much better, but I honestly don't know what else to do to make it better, without giving away important pieces to the story.
Any suggestions?
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