Email Malfunction

When did everything we used to write in a notebook suddenly only appear on our computers? And, of course, saying you'll back it up, and actually following through with that task ... well, seriously, who does that?

I sure wish I did!

I've lost every email address I had the privilege of obtaining. Poof! Gone into the nether reaches of wherever those things go. All my loyal customers, friends and family.

So, since I hope you are checking up on my blog (even though you didn't receive an email indicating that I have a new post up), if you'd like to be placed back onto my email list, please send me an email at garnetseyes at myfairpoint dot net. Sorry I had to spell it out, but spammers love it when you put email addresses "out there", and I already get enough "want a bigger penis", "get cheap prescription drugs", and the like in my junk folder.

Help me rebuild my connection to the world. I'm counting on you.

Oh, and I promise to back it up from now on. Hard lessons always bring about change.

Print on Demand Just got Simpler

Just when you thought the publishing business might fold altogether, a new machine emerges that may revolutionize how we buy books.

The Espresso Book Machine 2.0 will print, bind and trim a perfect library-quality paperback book with the touch of a few buttons  all in about 5 minutes. It even remits royalties to the publisher.

Using pdf files via the web or your own computer, it will print black and white or color, with a 4-color cover.

How cool is that?

Just think, no more overruns of hundreds of thousands of books that use up natural resources and sit in warehouses as waste. This will allow you to purchase a book while you wait, having a cup of joe, perhaps (hence the name Espresso). Prices of books in the future will be less due to no shipping, warehousing, or destruction of unsold books.

More out-of-print and obscure titles would be made available using a global list instead of just by country by country.

Royalties will be accurate because the publisher won't have to wait for returns to cut the final check to the author. Only books sold to the public will be created, therefore, cutting out much of the distribution, hence allowing more money for the author. ;o)

It opens up a world of possibilities, and I like possibilities.

I had heard about this machine a couple of years ago in the Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, Vermont. It was a much larger, slower machine, but the premiss was there and being modified for ease of use by nearly anyone.

Right now, the Espresso Book Machine 2.0 is being used in Blackwell's Book Store in London, England, and soon will be utilized in their 60 UK branches. It's only a matter of time before it's put to use in the US. The price tag is a bit steep—about $175,000.—but the ramifications are amazing.

I love technology!

Universal Knowledge

Have you ever wondered just how little control you have of your life?

Last year, with the introduction of Sightless, I had scheduled 22 signings and talks for the summer, fall and winter. With Double Vision just having been released, I should have been doing the same thing.

But I didn't schedule anything for the entire month of June. Why not?

I'm fairly confident in my answer as, over the years, I've noticed how the Universe works . There's just some things you don't push on, some things you don't try to get accomplished because they'll blow up in your face.

The Universe knows what's going to transpire, even if we decide to forge ahead with plans of our own.

Case in point. On Memorial Day I tore the ligaments in my ankle. A stupid, unplanned, and rather painful ordeal that I'm still recovering from.

But what if I had a full schedule of signings to do this month? That would have really sucked, because aside from being a klutz, trying to get around in a city on crutches would have been a nightmare. That, and the fact that I have a clutch in my car, and it's my left ankle that's been ruined … well, suffice it to say, traveling would have been a disaster.

This all leads to a rather philosophical discussion on what we choose to listen to and what we choose to ignore in our lives. And, for that matter, who the hell is really in control here? It apparently isn't us.

Some will say it's God's will. Others will say it's Providence. Still others call it Fate. Whatever you want to call it, I just have one question. If we don't have control, who does?

Is there a lesson to learn from the experience? Or was the Universe telling me to stay home because in this economy, I'd have been sorely disappointed with all my efforts?

There are obviously forces bigger than us at work here. I'd just like to know how to get on the better side of it!

Nearly There

Thanks for all your insightful emails on my cover last week. As a result, I have made adjustments to it and I'm fairly confident it's a winner.

I hope you agree.

The final copy from my editors is filtering back to me and, with luck, I'll be sending it off to my agent by the end of next week.

Usually, I take summers off from writing. Between working a four to five day week, plus the fact that summers in Maine are all too precious and short, I put the writing aside.

However, Gregor seems to have other plans. Yup, I've already begun the second in Gregor's adventure series. This one will take a bit of research, though, unlike Despite Them, where I just wrote and finished it in four months.

I can't really tell you anything about it yet, but suffice it to say, the big man will getting into trouble again. While I may be the first to know what's happening, it's not until I actually write it.

I read a historical fiction by James Irvine Robertson, which is more fact than fiction, and was pleased to be validated that what I write is based in truth, even in Gregor's story.

The jacket text for Despite Them is as follows:

Gregor Macgregor, an 18^th century Scottish Highlander, has seen his fair share of death. The Campbells saw to that with his father's murder at the strange standing stones when he was ten. As one of the hunted clan—as all Macgregors are—Gregor learned to melt into the mountains and stay one step ahead of the hunters: Clan Campbell.

With no family left, the man-sized child roamed the heather for two years before being taken in by Alexander Robertson, the Chief of Clan Donnachaidh. Now a man of twenty-one, Gregor wants to become his chief’s personal guard, but must prove himself at the Games that his strength and cunning are worthy to serve.

After taking his safety at Blair Castle for granted for so long, Gregor once again becomes entangled with the Campbells when the murders of several Macgregors in his old hometown sound all too familiar. Could his father’s killer still be on the loose after all these years? He has no choice but to find out.

When the murderer abducts the woman he desires, leaving her worse than dead, Gregor vows to capture the killer and make him pay. With his life. But first, Gregor has to find the elusive ghost before he kills again.

Despite Them Cover

Let me know what you think of the cover for Despite Them, A Gregor Macgregor Adventure.

Also, if you've finished reading Double Vision, post your review on Amazon or Barnes and Noble, or both!

The Finishing Touches

As I fight my way through the second draft of Despite Them, I stare at my computer screen with glassy eyes burning from looking at it for too long. Once I'm done with this rewrite, I read the entire story out loud to Dan, who, having a clearer mind, makes sure everything sounds right. Then it's off to my editors to correct any missed words, bad punctuation, or inform me of any story lines that don't make sense.

While I wait for their feedback, I work on my cover. Now, usually the publishing houses do this part, but there's no way I'm not helping them along with my ideas since I have the professional capability of doing it myself.

All I can think of is when romance author, Janet Chapman, gets surprised by the covers her publishers deem adequate, when they have absolutely nothing to do with the story. They just have a naked chest of a man on them, no matter what. Remember, sex sells.

My covers at least depict what the story is about. I'd like to think they also sell the books, as I've received many compliments on them.

So, once all that is done, and I've made the writing as best as I am capable of, I'll send it off to my agent with good wishes and lots of hope that she'll find it a great publisher. And hopefully, that publisher will want to take on the Eyes of Garnet trilogy so I can get good placement on the bookstore shelves with an immediate 4 books.

Remember, if you can't dream big, what's the point!

Excerpts from Despite Them

The signing season is upon me. I have a multi-author Mother's Day event at the Fertile Mind Bookstore in Belfast, Maine tonight. I'll be with Susan Vaughan and Janet Chapman. We've all got new books just out and hope to have a good crowd. If nothing else, we'll have a blast!

This week, I'm posting the first three chapters of my next book, Despite Them. This is Gregor Macgregor's story of how he came to be. After playing such a large role in Double Vision, he seemed the next logical step to take for another book.

I've written it in the first person from his perspective, something more challenging than I thought it would be, though I feel like I know him better because of it.

I must advise you, though. This story is gritty, graphic and a bit twisted, so for those who might be a bit squeamish … well, I've warned you.

It's a story a man would enjoy, I think. And for those women out there who like in-your-face novels the likes of J.A. Konrath's "Jack Daniels" series, Tess Gerritsen's novels, and Patricia Cornwell's "Kay Scarpetta" stories, you'll probably enjoy this tale.

Check it out and let me know what you think.

http://www.eyesofgarnet.com/despitethemexcerpts.html