Launch Party: The Pirate's Bastard!

The publisher is hosting an online launch party for The Pirate's Bastard and a few other new authors on Sept. 29 and 30. If you join us, you'll have chances to win free copies of autographed books and other swell prizes. Save the date and visit the online launch party!

Final proof approved

I got a proof of The Pirate's Bastard this week. After a careful review of every page, I approved it. So any and all errors from this point forward are mine, all mine. I lay claim to them. If any dear readers find errors, they can let me know and I'll fix them before the next print run.

Copies should be available by the end of the month, bringing to a close the long process of getting a book published. Next, the marketing the book begins in earnest. Books to sell! Books to sell! Autographed copies available. Get your copy here from the publisher!

Second Wind Publishing creates promotional video for book!

Stacy, the woman who created the cover of my book, is very gifted. She creates short videos promoting the release of books (or soon-to-be-released ones, in my case). She adds music, the cover, and short enticing blurbs of each one for a quick introduction.

Check out the new one she's created that includes The Pirate's Bastard here.  It's not the first one, but the whole video is short, so you can sit still for it. (Can't you?)

BookMarks Book Festival -- Fun!

Saturday's BookMarks Book Festival was interesting on many levels. First, I met my publisher. Since I submitted my manuscript 1 1/2 years ago, I've talked with him on the phone once, and emailed two dozen times. Second, I got to meet other authors whose books are carried at Barnhill's Bookstore, the bookstore in Winston-Salem that is owned by the publisher. And finally, I got to see lots of people who came to the festival thanks to a shared interest in reading. They braved the rain to hear speakers, talk to authors, and to graciously take bookmarks shoved in their general direction!

As I understood it, the pre-morning crowds were eager to buy books. The rain slowed the purchasing power of the crowd in general. Plus, there were lots of other events going on around town on Saturday, including an air show, a college football game, and the grand opening of a new arts center.

The venue on Trade Street was perfect, with lots of choices for good eats or a hot cuppa something, plenty of parking in the parking garage, and galleries and stores where authors could speak about their books -- these were the scheduled and promoted speakers, some of national fame. There was a children's area, though it was not brimming with activities when I stopped by to see what they had going on there.

In all, it was a good day. I hope the event's planners agree -- it's a worthwhile event to spread the word about books!

Winston-Salem NC BookMarks Book Festival Coming September 11

I'll be at the Winston-Salem BookMarks Book Festival on Saturday, Sept. 11 promoting The Pirate's Bastard and the publisher, Second Wind Publishing. The festival has been around for several years, and this year's event wil be held in the arts district near Trade Street -- a great place for an event! If you're in Winston-Salem Saturday, you're in for a treat with loads of authors, publishers, and fun things to do for adults and children. If you love books, this is the place to be!

Check out this link for more information and directions.

Patience still lives here

My book, The Pirate's Bastard, was originally planned to be released August 15. It's September 6, and I don't have a copy yet. Seems birthing a book is a lot like going on a sailing trip: you can plan to arrive on a certain date, but weather, tides, and mechanical malfunctions can alter an ETA. When announcing a cruise, it's a better thing to give a destination that a date.

I think I shall take that approach -- announcing a destination. My book is going to be released this month. So what's another few weeks, given the big picture? This book took me six years to research and write, then another four to find a publisher. I'm thrilled that Second Wind would see the merit in it. I'm tickled about the way the book has come together, with a fantastic cover. And I'm elated that The Pirate's Bastard is going to see the light of day this month.  In the remaining weeks until it arrives, I'm still tied to the docks, waiting patiently for my weather window.