...'Critique' Character Happens! I dare you...

Yes, it's time. Critics...come one and all. To those of you who have picked up the ebook from Smashwords and those who 'PreOrdered' the printed version, it's time for 'THE CRITIQUE.' Most of you know of my sardonic humor, if not, then now you do. So, this offer today might be just what you've been looking for to reciprocate for perhaps one of my past indiscretions, in your direction. Caution! This is not the place to vent about me...leave it for another time. I ask you now, for those who have purchased the book (ebook or printed), please say what you will about the book, Character Happens! Were the stories entertaining? Did the story 'make a point' with you? Did the story discuss the virtue satisfactorily? Were the characters developed to your satisfaction? I don’t want to tell you how to review the book, say what you will...about the book. Click here to be taken to the book's site feedback page. For those who would like more space for your extensive critique, then please use my email address listed above the form. Thanks so much for your time to do this for me. --gg

Naturally, I apologize to those of you who are put-off by my constant ‘marketing’ of the book, particularly my friends on FaceBook. There may be times when you feel like it’s too much. Sorry. This writing thing has sort of taken over my leisure time, usually spent playing golf. Now it’s writing, reading, reading about writing and even to the extent of starting a publishing business for aspiring writers/authors who want to self-publish. There were plenty of people who helped me in my writing endeavors...now I want to ‘pay it forward’ so to speak. I’ll keep you posted on how the publishing venture is going.

All for now, keep those critiques coming. Maybe I’ll post some on the website for others to review. You should know that I’m totally transparent, even though many would say it's difficult given the amount of body mass making up...ur, me.

For those who want to sample ‘half’ of the book, click on this link:  Smashwords

Meet Writer-Artist Susan Mordigal...

Welcome to the second installment of 'Authors Blog Tour' featuring new, old, published and unpublished writers of fiction and non-fiction. The writers featured are professional writers/authors with many years behind the pen...ur, keyboard. Today, we've pushed the envelope with the offering of Susan Mordigal, pro-writer and artist extraordinaire. Please take a moment AFTER reading this interview to visit her site. She's good...so if interested in her work, please contact her through her blog. Let's begin, shall we...

So you’re a writer...what do you write about?
I am still a ‘student’ of picture books, meaning I’m still studying the ins and outs and the craft of writing a book for this very young audience. I have however written many short stories for young people and articles about pets, pet therapy and medical issues.
Are you currently involved in a writing project? Elaborate.
Yes, I am working on writing and illustrating a picture book about our rescue dog – his story of how he came to us. We are a certified pet therapy team and I also plan to write and illustrate a picture book about our adventures in this rewarding cause.
How do you combat times when you’re uninspired?
Luckily this has never been a problem for me, for writing or illustrating. I literally see inspiration everywhere. I seem to have the opposite problem –too many ideas! I have a sort of ADD I guess. I’ll get a great idea, work with it, then I’ll get another one, start it up, then something else inspiring will come along, etc. etc. It’s sort of like people who have endless craft projects or home improvements in the works. I try very hard to stay focused, but sometimes it’s a challenge, my biggest enemy is not enough time!
What interests you about this specific genre?
I have a passion for helping others and for animals in need. I found pet therapy to be the perfect mix of these two, everyone wins! In the future, I also plan on broadening my subject matter to wildlife, and children and their loved ones coping with illnesses.
When can we expect to see your book?
My deadline has to be flexible because of the circumstances in my life right now, but I’m hoping to have a book ‘dummy’ completely ready to send to publishers no later than two years from now. I am also keeping the door open for self-publishing.
Where can reader sample some of your writing?
On my blog there are several articles under the category ‘articles’.
Do you blog about your book?
I blog about the fact that the book is in the works, but do not share any specific passages or illustrations from the book. I try hard to showcase good artwork and interesting topics on my blog – people seem to like it and I’ve made some wonderful friends!

Susan, Thank You. My readers always appreciate a writer with a great 'read' and also one who tantalizes us with a interesting future work. We look forward to your offerings. Please come back and don't forget to answer any questions readers have of you. Again, thanks. --gg

...'Author Blog Tour,' second edition this Wed., the 24th.

Please mark your calendar—Wednesday, March 24, 2010. This date signifies my second interview of a new writing professional, Susan Mordigal. Susan is an artist-writer and will answer questions about her new project. This will be the second in a series of ‘Author Tour’s’ or interview’s of up and coming writer’s—maybe even some you might enjoy. You decide. Please stop by the Character Happens! Blog and taste the styling’s of this new and exciting artist-writer. Thanks, --gg


(bring your inquisitiveness as the author promises to answer any questions you may have)

...my book in paperback, now $15.95

Here is the paperback version of my book. The price has been lowered from Pre-Order price of $25, to it's standard and on-going price of $15.95. The book can only be ordered through my website at the present time. Also, the ebook is available for those who want the electronic version, click here. Thanks so much for your support, encouragement and nice comments. --gg

...Character Happens! Ebook -- now $2.99

$2.99 Character Happens! Ebook. Today I've changed the price for the ebook version of Character Happens! The 5 Most Important--But Fleeting Virtues. You can now download the book onto your iPhone, BlackBerry, Droid, or other phone, all ereader's like: Kindle, Nook, Sony EReader, and others. Ebooks are read mostly (still), on computers. Surprising but true. That statistic may change this year with Apple predicting 5 million in sales of their new iPad tablet computer/ereader/thingy.


Why $2.99 for the book now, you ask? Well...ebooks are a fraction of the cost of a printed book. Amazon has been selling ebooks at $9.99 for some time now. And, there are many books on Amazon and other 'etailers' who have many books for free. My book is 'new' to the marketplace, as am I, a new writer. Until market tested, so to speak, the driving component bringing the product to the consumer...has to be price. Besides, many other writers whose judgment I trust have said ebook sell-through is maximized between the $2.99 to $4.99 price points.

Last week I mailed all backorders for the printed version (paperback, 202 pages). Soon I will be changing the price of the printed version to $15.95. This paperback is available only on my site at the present time. It takes several weeks for book chains like Amazon and Barnes & Noble as well as independent book stores to receive the book from distribution. Should you want to order through your local book store, here is the ISBN number for them to order: 978-0-9844462-0-9. The distributor is Ingram.

Thanks to all my great friends and family for ordering my book Character Happens! To those of you who are still waiting...why? Here is a link to Smashwords, my epublisher, where you can sample 50% of the book, free. Thanks again, --gg    (please tell your 'other' family and friends about this book).

...'free' not yet, but almost.

...read much? books, that is. Here's a deal that might interest you. A promotion (yes someone is trying to sell something to you again), whereby they offer books to read, electronic books--what they call ebooks. There are thousands and thousands to choose from, many are free. Many are $.99, which is almost free. What is an ebook you say? It's a book you can get by using your computer, your BlackBerry, your iPhone, your ereader; Kindle, Nook, Sony Readers, etc., downloading them to your respective device...read and enjoy. Simple huh? Actually, it's the future.

This ebook publisher, there called epublisher's naturally, Smashwords is asking book readers to stop by and download the book(s) of their choosing. It's like an open house but your still in your chair staring into your monitor, phone or ereader. Wow!

Recently I uploaded my book to this epublisher Smashwords. I've been selling my ebook since Feb. 16th, for $9.99. At this 'ebook event,' lasting the week of March 7-13th,  my book Character Happens! will be offered for $5.00. This is a book I presold on my site for $25 with a personalization and author signature.

Ebooks cost less. They cost less because there's no paper, people doing the printing, book warehousing or expensive freight to get the book to the retailer. Those costs disappear. Consequently, people 'expect' to pay less for ebooks. Aside from what you and I think sometimes...people are not dumb. Thoughtless is another thing.

Anyway...just wanted to bring this ebook thingy to your attention. Sorry, my book has not got to 'free' yet. Unless...you are one of the 'good people' who bought a book from me last year when I offered them on a 'preorder basis.' These good people will be sent a coupon for a free Character Happens! ebook. They can download to their device or give it away to friends or family. (These chosen people can do with the free ebook as they desire. I will not dictate how they can use the free ebook--it's part of my new years' resolution, not to dictate to people...as much). Anyway, there you go. Enjoy the ebook event and BTW here's a link to my ebook.
 

                              

Writer Interview...Vanessa Leavitt

The following is first in the series of writers interviewed from my ‘Authors Tour.’ Should you have a question for the writer, please comment under this post. The writer will post their answers for everyone’s viewing within the week. Without further ado, I proudly introduce Vanessa Leavitt, thanks for doing the interview Vr....
So you’re a writer...what do you write about?
My current project is a historical fantasy called, "Shaping Fate." It starts off in plague ravaged London, 1349. William Bennett, a young chandler, is forced to make a decision; take his wife and child and flee the city in the hopes that they can outrun the scourge, or stay and take their chances.
  The instant he chooses to run, he is marked with a strange symbol and his wife and daughter fall ill. Upon their deaths, he is greeted by a foreigner, Gabriel, who tells William that he is to become one of the 'Amamri,' a group of immortals who are responsible for shaping and guiding humanity.
  As William learns more, he finds that the Amamri are in part responsible for the plague that killed his family. He is now faced with another decision; to join them or fight against them.
How long have you been writing?
I've been writing seriously for almost 10 years now.
How do you combat times when you’re uninspired?
I read or see a movie. Something to fill the creative well. Lately I've also been taking Julia Cameron's "Artist's Way" course, which has helped immensely for those times I'm feeling blocked or uninspired.
Why is your genre more important or marketable than another?
This is a good question. I don't think fantasy is necessarily more important than any other genre. As far as marketability, it's enjoying an all time high which is great. Really though, I didn't wake up one day and say, "Hey, I'm going to be a fantasy writer." When I got the idea for "Shaping Fate," it was the characters that came to me first. Then as the ideas grew, it turned into a fantasy story. I never really set out to be a fantasy writer. My first attempts at writing and a new project I'm outlining are completely non-fantasy.
What interests you about this specific genre?
What I like most about fantasy is the ability to bend the rules. Eventhough my book is set here on earth, during a very real time in history, my characters are immortals and have certain magical abilities. Granted, they still have to play by certain rules, but it's nice to be able to write a scene that could never actually happen or give people certain powers that they could never really have. I like playing the "Wouldn't it be cool if..." game.
Where can reader sample some of your writing?
I have a blog at www.vrleavitt.com and will be launching a site for "Shaping Fate" in the next year. Stay tuned!

Again, Thank You very much for taking the time and doing the interview. Readers may ask questions of the writer if they like and answers will be posted within the week. Please check back frequently. Thanks, --gg