Exploring New Options

The last few weeks have been difficult since I am still recovering from the latest flare-up of peripheral neuropathy. Since the nerves in my legs are affected, it's hard to rest them. I don't want to come to a full stop as there are so many things to do.

Autumn is always a busy time of year with our fruit trees and care of the pond and gardens. We're making apple butter and applesauce using winesap and golden delicious apples from our trees. Yesterday, a neighbor gave us peaches so we'll be freezing them, making pies and possibly peach butter. Preserving the fruit in various forms gives me a deep sense of satisfaction. Of course, there's always the fun of eating the sauces, jams and butters later.

At Outskirts Press's suggestion, I created an author center on Amazon. I'm not sure who benefits from this, but it is free for the authors who have books listed on their website. My writing projects are playing second fiddle to the autumn chores, but I hope to get going soon.

Until next time, enjoy the changes of the season --- we had snow on the mountains this morning.

Great Summer

Our pond in the spring.

The summer has been great withwonderful flowers and a tremendous yield from our fruit trees which will continue into the early autumn. Another factor was the open house that we held on July 25th to celebrate the release of my most recent book, Unpredictable Crossing. It has been getting some good reviews and some of them are posted on Amazon.com.

Now I'm taking some time to analyze other novels and study some of the books on writing that I have. My future projects challenge me to try new approaches in writing stories. In a few months, I hope to return to a more regular schedule of writing to get these works ready for publication.

Enjoy the change of seasons.

All Publishers Are Not Equal

Some one has asked about print-on-demand publishers. Using a POD publisher means that the author shares part of the risk in publishing her/his book by sharing the financial burden of its publication. I've had experiences with three POD publishers and a small independent press.

Of the three POD publishers,my best experience has been with Outskirts Press. They maintain a high level of contact with the author both during publication and after the book has been released. They first review the manuscript to see if it is one they want to publish and if it is ready for publication. They give the author comments on the manuscript and suggestions for improving it, if needed. I was very pleased with my experience, both during the approval process and getting the book printed and released.
My book, UNPREDICTABLE CROSSING has been out for a few weeks and I receive almost daily messages from Outskirts Press with suggestions for effective marketing. I read all of their messages and chose to pursue some of their suggestions very closely.
Some of you may be looking at Dog Ear Publishing. I have published two books with them. They are very hard to reach and have no support to guide you in selling your book post-publication. When I asked them questions, they generally responded to some, but not all. It's a difficult process.
I have worked with other POD and small independent publishers. My best advice is to research the business well before going with a small press. There is a website for Writers Beware and they will do the reasearch for you.
Similarly, all POD publishers are not equal. Order one of their books and look at the final product. Look at the publishing package they offer and compare it with others. Lastly, do as one of my readers did---he asked me about my experience. I wish all of you writers the very best and if you choose Outskirts Press, tell them I sent you.

Whoops

I thought that I previewed and editted the blog that follows. Despite all that as soon as I posted it, I found a mistake. I apologize and will try to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Happy summer.

It's here!

When a book is finally published, it always feeks as if I've achieved some major accomplishment and this one is no exception. Finally have the book in hand and I've ordered copies for a book signing and to sell.
This book was a struggle because it's completely fiction which is different from the first two books which had a very definite storyline to follow since they were based on the lives of real people. There were editors who refused to work with the concept and others who were dubious. I knew that if I just worked hard enough, the story would tell itself. I hope that you find the story engaging.
Wokring with a new published has offered me other options to make my book available so this time, it's also available in e-book and Kindle. I'm sure this will offer me another adventure. Now another phase of work begins as I try to let people know that the book has been 'born.'
Maybe next time I can tell you about my new writing project.
Until then,
Enjoy the summer.

Latest Book

Things are getting exciting since I've reviewed and approved the galley proof and the cover for my next book, UNPREDICTABLE CROSSING. Working with Outskirts Press has been very pleasant. I recommend them to anyone who is looking for a way to publish her/his book.While you can't read the text from what will become the back cover, you can see what the front of the book will look like. There will also be a Kindle version available through Amazon.

This is the last book to involve Mozambique. I originally wrote these manuscripts very close together and had them ready for publication a few years ago. It took a couple false starts to determine how to get them published.

UNPREDICTABLE CROSSING is a shift from the rather straight forward description of missionary life in Mozambique. The first two books were based on true lives of real people. In contrast, this book is fiction. It does use some characters from the previous book, Unspoken Farewell. (Amanda Bechtel is now married to Jeffrey Allmond.)

Unpredictable Crossing is based on the premise that there was a single survivor from the massacres of entire villages that occurred during the Mozambican war for independence. (These true events are documented in the book by Adrian Hastings, Wiriyamu, My Lai in Mozambique.) As an adult that person encounters the man who ordered the destruction of her village and family. Their paths cross on a transatlantic voyage from Miami to Lisbon. As the ship makes it transit, the man's past as a perpetrator of crimes against humanity is revealed.

The book should be available in the next 3-4 weeks. Please contact me through my website if you would like to know when you can order it.

Enjoy a wonderful spring.

PS Book Reviews

The event in Santa Fe taught me a lot about marketing books. One thing I noticed was that authors print out their reviews from Amazon.com and use them as handouts at book fairs. If you have read Malarial Fevers and or Unspoken Farewell please take a moment and write a short review on Amazon.com
Thank you veery much.