The blog tour ended some time ago. THE HAT is still selling in some degree. I did have a blank day, but only one. That seems to be the way of all my releases. They spike as my friends spread the word, then drop off. Still, those seventeen positive reviews might help me out a bit.
Before I get into my weekend plans, I’m going to suggest that not everyone is into the Superbowl. If you’re one of them, you could probably read THE HAT from start to finish before the game ends. The cover in the side bar is a link.
Today was my flex day, which gives me a three-day weekend. I spent today working on Lisa Burton Radio stuff and reading. It looks like tomorrow will be more of the same. That should clean up the interviews I have working, and finish the wonderful book I’ve been reading.
I am going to surf through some active storyboards at some point. I’ve gotten a lot of decent ideas from Lorelei, the Muse, lately. I want to leave a few sticky notes at minimum, and may do more than that on a couple of them.
If the stars line up, I may even add a chapter to ESTIVATION. This is the second novella I have planned and it is a suspense story with a science fiction background. I don’t feel rushed at all with this one. THE HAT is out there, THE YAK GUY PROJECT is a finished product playing a waiting game. I have all year to finish ESTIVATION, and like I said, it’s a novella.
I’d like to start stockpiling some more short stories, but I’m not exactly feeling it right now. There is a pretty good chance that I’ll dive into another novel after I finish it. This one is a pirate story, but it needs to spend act one not being a pirate story. This is because the main character has to spend some time trying to be his father before realizing that he’s not. He is his own person, and has a different skill-set that might solve the big problem. Right now, I’m debating whether this is a deal killer. You put a pirate ship on the cover and people expect some piracy right off the bat.
Lisa would look good as a pirate, wouldn’t she?
Something will come to me. It always does. Besides, I should do something more with THE HAT, and I should find something to do with THE ENHANCED LEAGUE. Pitchers and catchers report to camp in two weeks. Unless someone offers a cool suggestion this might amount to a free period around Spring Training somehow. It cracks me up how a 99¢ book gets ignored, but if you offer it for free – people scoop them up like M & Ms. I’ve gained reviews from free copies too. This is one of those places where I’m inclined to just accept it and go with it.
You guys remember THE ENHANCED LEAGUE, right? Any really good promotional ideas you can spout?
Entertaining Stories 
How about giving away an enchanted league baseball mug to lucky winner(s). You could design some rules around a drawing and of course, can’t require a book purchase but will create enough buzz to sell books. You could put Lisa in her ref uniform on it. Let’s say ten possible winners.
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Possibly. I had to order ten mugs to get a decent price last time, but that image would fit well. I should check to see what a smaller amount cost these days. Overseas shipping can be an issue too.
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True. Well,l maybe mine was a prime the pump suggestion.
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I definitely like the idea of a pirate story and the ensuing Lisa art. Wish I had an answer to the 99 cents going to free thing. That’s always baffled me. I do remember years ago somebody talked about seeing the low price as a sign that the author is ‘desperate’ and will go free eventually. The same person got angry when he was told that it wouldn’t happen, so I don’t think it’s a common feeling.
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I read those posts too, but that isn’t my experience. I want to do something else, but the FB ads and Amazon ads haven’t been that great in my experience.
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Funny that you mention the FB ads. I noticed today that I’m not seeing any of them lately. I used to have them all over the place, but now they’re completely gone. I remember seeing an article that said FB is going to change the algorithm to put family/friends ahead of other pages when it comes to a person’s feed. Makes me wonder if the site has any use for promos these days.
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They still hit me up to promote every word I write there. Maybe change is in the air.
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Maybe they finally got the hint that I didn’t care because I don’t get bugged about that any more.
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That would be awesome.
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I think Lisa would look fabulous as a pirate. Can’t wait to see that art.
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Guess I’d better write the story. Thanks.
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I like the sound of ESTIVATION. I enjoy a character’s internal journey.
Lisa looks good as anything!
Enjoy your extra time off 🙂
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Thanks. I may even weave some goofing off in by Sunday.
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I see The Hat is on Rosie Amber’s review list, and since I have a copy I can do a review!
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I try to send everything to Rosie. Sorry you missed out on the free copy, but I’m excited to gain a review. Thank you.
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It would be easier to figure things out if it was consistent. I’ve had books that fly off the virtual shelves during free promotions, and others that were ignored during their free promotions and yet people brought copies afterwards. I’ve done giveaways that got loads of attention, and others that were basically ignored. It all makes figuring out what to do really difficult.
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It isn’t easy. Consistency is a double edged sword. I’ll take consistently successful, but consistently bad is another story.
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I’m with you on that!
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Congrats on all of the reviews you have coming in–that’s awesome!
Lisa pirate art would be fabulous. So would a non-pirate/pirate book.
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Yeah, the guy has to try things one way before realizing he has his own unique skill set. I’d have to make Act One pretty fun to keep people with me. Still dwelling on it.
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I have some projects in various stages right now. It’s hard to know which way to go. I’m in no hurry though, just seeing how things go. I used to panic about these things but it feels good to just relax. I have a pirate story somewhere in my idea jars but I’m not too keen on them, lol. I did buy a pirate primer though at some point, just in case. Good luck on your projects!
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Thanks, Traci. It feels good to not be in a hurry for a change.
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Yes, it does.
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I’ve noticed that about freebies too – 99c attracts a few people but free is in the thousands! So, like you, I’m willing to go there once in a while. Glad to hear sales are going well, and writing too 🙂
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Thanks, Helen. I’ll probably do it with this one. I’ll let it settle in for a few weeks first.
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Lisa would look fabulous in whatever costume you choose! Congrats on the results of your hard work promoting The Hat! Forgive my absence over the next few days as I head into the mountains with little or no internet access. I’ll catch up. 😉
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The mountains sound wonderful. I’ve learned that if you miss something, the world keeps turning. Enjoy yourself. We’ll all still be here when you return.
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Pingback: Writing Links 2/5/18 – Where Genres Collide
I took my wife to a movie and dinner during the superbowl. I guess a lot of other people were still watching, because the theater and restaurant were pretty empty.
I’ve usually seen Estivation written as Aestivation, if you like that better as a title. My favorite example is when people build mud-walled huts in dry regions, then it rains, and live fish come out of their walls.
I once DNF a “space-pirate” book because the pirates didn’t show up quickly enough, but I guess the DNF had more to do with all the male anatomy that was showing up all over the place.
There might be ways to bring in some pirate action early — hard to say without knowing the story. Maybe the guy begins his career as a pirate-hunter. Maybe he’s on a merchant ship, and picks up a lifeboat with survivors of a pirate attack.
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Interesting. And live fish crawling from the wall is a great visual. I would imagine Super Sunday is a great time to go out, providing you avoid the sports bars.
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Lisa would make a fantastic pirate!
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Thanks. There needs to be a story to promote, but I’m pretty close to one.
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Oh god! I’ve obviously been away too long… or else you are toiling like a slave over your laptop! I can’t believe how much you have achieved… how do you do it? Maybe its Lisa… sure could do with a robot girl to help me around here. Does she have a friend looking for a home? 😀 well done, Craig, on all the new publications. When will you be releasing Yak Guy?
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Thanks, Ali. I’m thinking of a late Spring or early Summer release. It depends on whether a publisher wants it. If they do, all bets are off.
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Ooooh… You’re trying the trad route? Fair play, and good luck, I’ll keep eveththing crossed for you! In the meantime, I just downloaded The Hat. Looks like fun!
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Thanks for having faith in my little story. I think it’s a lot of fun. I think trad is a dice roll, maybe they will, maybe they won’t. It might help me if they pick it up, but it won’t hurt me if they don’t.
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Well I’ll keep everything crossed for you. I believe the most successful authors of the future will be hybrids, part trad pubbed and part Indie. Good luck!
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It’s one of those can’t lose situations. It will take a few months to find out, but I just had a new release. People won’t forget about me.
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No, absolutely. As if anyone could forget about you!
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Ha!
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