Great Banner!

The library did a great job with the banners announcing my book talk/book presentations.

BOOK SIGNING SUCCESS!

I had two book presentations/book signings in three days! Whew, but it was totally worth it. The first was on Saturday @ the North Carroll Library. Fifteen people showed up and I sold four books, not great numbers, but several of the people had already bought my book. The presentation went well & it was a warm-up for Monday's.

I didn't expect much for Monday's presentation. Middle of the day and on a Monday. Even the librarian said not to expect many people. But, boy were we surprised! I had twenty people show up & unlike Saturday only one had bought my book. The rest were new customers/fans, including a guy who had served in the same outfit as me.

The success of both sessions, Saturday & Monday were based on three factors:
                    1. The article in the paper.
                    2. The library putting out professional posters
                    3. Preparation

So thanks to the library and their staff for really going out of their way in promoting me.

MADE THE FRONT PAGE!

I made the front page of the Carroll County Times! Okay, so it wasn't the New York Times and it probably was a really slow news day, but hey front page? That's a big deal! I got a call on Friday by a reporter wanting to do an article about me and my upcoming book presentations at the local libraries.

It was a good interview, the reporter seemed interested in me and my book. The next morning there I was on the front page with a photo of me and everything.

Lesson learned, if you're going to be an Indie Writer you have to sell, marketing, promote yourself relentlessly and if you do sometimes you catch a break.

Now where's the number for the New York Times?

Summer Where Have You Gone??!

A Northeaster bearing down on Maryland! So much for Global Warming. Seems appropriate to post this poem that I wrote some years ago.

 

Summer Where Have You Gone?????

Summer where have you gone?
I yearn for you all winter long.
Your sunny face
And warm embrace,

Summer where have you gone?
I remember lying on your lawn.
Your pretty green dress and
Flowers in your hair, a mess.

Summer where have you gone?
You broke my heart when you said so long.
What did I do to make you go?
Please come back, I hate this snow!

Summer where have you gone?
I am so woebegone.
They say you went South to Florida Land
Please, Please come back to Maryland!

DEATH IS NEVER PRETTY

Almost finished with the first draft of "Death Is Never Pretty" which finds our heroes, Ted Troutman and Rick O'Neil up against an international gang of human smugglers.  From New Hampshire to Canada and Columbia, Ted and Rick fight for their lives as time after time the smugglers slip through their fingers.

I'm going to take a break from writing to work on the cover design. Stay tune, I'll post a few ideas and would like your feedback.

Book Signing

Well, it's official. I met with Darrell Robertson, the librarian at North Carroll Library. He presented me with flyers and posters that will be used to promote my presentation and book signing on March 24th & March 26th. The library staff created a very professional looking posters which I'm sure will generate a lot of interest.

Introducing "Death Is Never Pretty!"

Death Is Never" is the second in the rick O'Neil-Ted Troutman adventure series and pits Rick & Ted against an international human trafficking ring. The book focuses, more on Ted than Rick. It's several months since the ending of "Da Nang Damned!" and Ted is facing a re-election. Ann Ted's wife wants him to retire and Ted is seriously considering retiring when while fishing, Ted finds the body of a close friend.
At first, it looks like an accidental drowning, but an autopsy reveals he was murdered and his body dumped in the river.  Then a fourteen-year-old girl from Columbia is found wandering along a mountain road. How are these to events connected? Well, you'll have to read the book. "Death Is Never Pretty" is due out May-June of this year.