Coming Soon: The Last Spartan: DJ's Mission

Here's a sneak peek at my upcoming Sci Fi Novella. It should be out just in time for Halloween. More info soon.

Novella Cover Contest

Greetings all,

Just a quick post to let you know that I'm having a cover design contest for my upcoming novella 'The Last Spartan: DJ's Mission' over on the DAZ3D Forums. If you are interested to see some of the entries, head over to Sci Fi Novella Cover Contest -- vote for your favorite today!

Putting the finishing touches on the novella this week and should have it out ahead of schedule.
-- Original target release date: Halloween 2012
-- Revised release date: Oct 1st (although that's still iffy atm)

Wrtiting Update

Greetings to all.

I just wanted to take a moment and update everyone about my writings.

1. 'Tales of the Wolf' series updates. I have been plugging away on 'Darkness Falls' and still hope for a December release. I have also been talking with a professional artist (see her work @ Art by Mel) about new covers for the 1st two books in the series and eventually, the 3rd book. Unfortunately, Mel is booked up until mid-Sept but I'm hoping everything works out. She does some amazing work.
2. 'Last Spartan' series update. I have a novella based on DJ's character that I hope to have out next month. AS to the cover, I'm actually running a contest on the DAZ forums for the cover design. It doesn't end until Sept 16th but the early WIP (work in progress) images I've seen are fantastic. The sequel 'The Last Spartan: the Great Hunt' is progressing and still on target atm for an early 2013 release.
3. Other writings...everything else has been put on the back burner for the moment. I still dust off and work on a few other projects now and then, but nothing major.

That about sums it up. I've been on vacation for the last two weeks and been working around the farm, reading and writing. It's been a good thing. Well, the sun is out and more chores are calling.

Gmail accounts/problems

Warning -- I'm about to rant!

/rant on
Okay...my ISP switched to some sort of gmail based program/service about a year ago. No problems. I personally didn't see any changes to my services.

But now, this program - blogspot - is having a conflict with me using my gmail account as my log in since it is 'owned' by my ISP and I need to transfer data from one email account to a different one.
WTF! Since my ISP is actually using gmail technology, I keep getting 'conflict' messages. This is ridculous!

I guess I'm not as tech savy as I thought but this is confusing and frustrating! How hard it is for blogspot to realize that I am the same person since I've been using both products/services in this same manner for over a year? But no, now I have to take the time to figure out what they want and resolve the conflict. Hell, blogspot won't even let me transfer the data to a different gmail account that I already use. Nope, to do such....I have to set up another - new - gmail account. Like I really want another one! Uggggg!
/rant off

July Sales

Greetings all. I wanted to take a moment to thank all my fans for a great July.

My July Sales are as follows:
The Last Spartan:Different Paths - Sold 492  Borrowed 30
The Coming of the Wolf - Sold 56 Borrowed 9 Free 292
Enter the Wolf - Sold 51 Borrowed 2

Obviously, I am jazzed about my sales on Spartan for the month. But my 2 fantasy novels are lagging behind. Is it the story? The genre? The covers? I'm not sure but I've decided over my vacation in mid-August to do a slight rewrite and cover re-design. So, be looking for a 2nd Edition on both Wolf books later this year.

KCCO
Drew

My Blogging Habit

If anyone is a loyal follower of my blogs, you might have found out that I don't have much of a blogging habit. I'm trying but honestly, it is easier for me to post updates and information on my facebook page than to blog about it.

Facebook - A.E. McCullough

I will keep this and my website up to date on major events (ie book releases) but for the daily/weekly report, 'Like' my author persona on FB. With my busy schedule, it is just easier  to post than to blog (and feels less preachy).

The Last Spartan: Different Paths

Okay....all the final tweaks are complete and my latest novel is now available on Amazon in both eBook and print format. My Amazon Author Page

Enjoy and I am looking forward to your reviews and comments.

The Last Spartan Cover

Okay...my Sci-Fi novel "The Last Spartan" is in its final editing phase and should be heading out to my beta readers next week sometime. Here's a glimpse of the cover.

I hope to have it available before the end of February. I will keep everyone posted.

Jan eBook Sales

Okay...the numbers are in...well, the sales numbers. No idea about how much I actually made, yet. Keep in mind, I only have 2 titles available on Amazon atm and no advertising budget, just word of mouth and the 'new book' surfer.

The Coming of the Wolf - sales: 371 borrowed: 55
Enter the Wolf - sales: 137 borrowed:14

Not fantastic. I'm not able to quit my day job or buy a new car on them....yet. But considering that 'The Coming of the Wolf' has been available since June and 'Enter the Wolf' came out in December, I am thrilled. Now to see how my sales hold in February. I will keep everyone posted.

Once again, thanks for reading my work.
-- Drew

Amazon eBook Sales

Okay...I have to admit when I signed the agreement with Amazon KDP to sell my ebooks exclusively on their site I was skeptical. Of course, my 1st novel 'The Coming of the Wolf' had been available on Amazon and Smashwords since June...and I wasn't thrilled with my sales numbers. Then, I did Amazon's KDP.

In the month of December, I had 1608 downloads + 8 borrowed of 'The Coming of the Wolf' and 12 downloads of the sequel 'Enter the Wolf'. I was thrilled. Of course, most of those downloads were the five days after Christmas when I had my 1st novel for free but that meant 1600+ new readers for me. Since then, I've had steady downloads on both books in January. Last night I hit the 200 mark + 30 borrowed on my 1st book and 50+ sold on the sequel. I am extremely happy.

I'm not where I want to be but I'm on my way. I realize that this is a marathon not a sprint. For those who have read my books, please take a moment to write a review on Amazon (good, bad or indifferent). Your reviews help. Once again, thanks for reading my work.

The Coming of the Wolf -- free on KDP

I decided to try Amazon's new KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) -- whereas I agree to make the eBook format of my novel exclusive to Amazon for 90 days.

I have to admit, I was skepitcal. But, since I hadn't sold many on other sites I decided it give it a try. Also, they have make it possible to download your book for free for any 5 days during those 90. I received a Kindle Fire for Christmas (or a few days early) from my lovely wife. One of the first things I did was search and download any free books that caught my attention. So, I reasoned other new Kindle owners would do the same.

As of this posting, my 1st novel - The Coming of the Wolf - has been downloaded 619 times! I am thrilled. Granted I didn't make a dime on the downloads but that is 619 new readers. That is great news to me. Just wanted to share....back to the writing.

Enter the Wolf

Whew....Its done and available on Amazon.
I hope to have it available on Smashwords later this week.

Time for work, got to go. See ya.

Enter the Wolf

Its done. I finally wrote those two words that every writer longs to write.... The End.
I have been through the book several times but now it is time to pass it over to my test readers. I will keep you posted on an expected publishing date...still targeting before Thanksgiving.

Gotta go. Time to put on my 'publishing hat' and work on that aspect of my writing.
-- Drew

The Sequel

Just a quick update....

I have been working on 'Enter the Wolf' - the sequel to 'The Coming of the Wolf' almost daily but life has kept me busy. So, I will not be making my self-imposed deadline of Halloween for the sequel. I am close, but still not ready to send it to my test readers. Soon....I hope.

On a related note, I am always amazed at how 'easy' people think writing is....several people at work can't believe that I haven't finished the sequel yet. I guess they just don't realize how much time really goes into writing a novel. On a side note, that is heart-warming because they are anxious to read the sequel.

Oh well, time to head off to my day job. Have a good day everyone!

MS Word and Synonyms

Okay...I have to rant for a moment.

To any who know me, I like to write on the computer. The words seem to flow more easily when I'm sitting at the keyboard. Maybe its partially that I hate the sight of my own handwriting but that is a completely different subject.

Back to my writing....I have tried several different programs but I really like MS Word. Overall, its a good program. When I am writing, I don't always have a dictionary or thesaurus handy but MS Word has a built-in thesaurus function and many times that's all I need to find the right word that I am looking for. However, the other day while writing a new chapter in 'Enter the Wolf' - I needed a different word for slave. And what did MS Word suggest you might ask? Nothing...nada. Knowing that the word serf was similar but not exactly what I wanted either, I tried that. What what my suggestion? Nothing....nada.

The American Heritage Dictionary defines a Thesaurus as: A book of selected words, a dictionary of synonyms are related words. That same dictionary defines a synonym as: A word having the same or similar meaning as another word. How do you think the dictionary defines serf? 1) a member of a feudal class of people in Europe, bound to the land and owned by a lord. 2) a slave  And the definition of slave? 1) One bound in servitude as the property of a person or household

My point is, why wouldn't MS Word at least give me the word 'serf' when I went looking for a synonym for 'slave'? I'm not mentioning several other synonyms I found for 'slave' in a printed thesaurus I had lying around. Could it be that Microsoft is trying to be politically correct? I have to think so... but why? Why would a company as large and global as Microsoft worry about being politically correct in a thesaurus function in a writing program?

Words are only tools. It isn't any particular word that is politically incorrect, it is how people use those words. Which is something wonderful when you think about it. Words can be used for good or ill. It all depends on the speaker or the writer. So...how have you used your words today?

My Author's Website

Okay, I finally got around to making my author's website. It isn't perfect but its up and running.

I figured since I had it listed in front of The Coming of the Wolf, I needed to get it done. Check it out: http://www.aemccullough.com/

My Blogging Habit

Okay...honestly, I don't have a blogging habit (yet).
I tend to check and post on my blog sporatically. Usually when I have been writing and feel the need to connect with my readers. Hopefully, there are a few of you out there following this blog. Not sure, but I'm going to assume so. Yes, I know the old saying about 'assuming' but even so, I find it slightly liberating to think that someone is following my blog :-)

Update time on my writing:
-- Enter the Wolf
    The sequel to 'The Coming of the Wolf' is progressing slow. Its different working on a sequel. I catch myself referring to the 1st book (since its already in print) to make sure that I have my facts correct. After all, the 1st book has been thru numerous revisions over the years. The cover is complete and I have about 84K words written on it atm. Still targeting late October for release <fingers crossed>

-- Lost Lands: the Game
    Another fantasy novel that I'm working on is progressing nicely. Its is completely different from my 1st book which makes it fun to work on. If things go perfectly, I would like to have this one ready by Christmas.

-- The Last Spartan
     A Sci-Fi novel that I worked on alot last year. It is already about 3/4 done and I have just recently dusted it off. Sometimes my mind needs a break from the fantasy realm and this is the novel it came up with. I am excited about working on it again. I can't wait to finish writing it. In a perfect world, it will be ready by Thanksgiving. Of course, I haven't even considered what my cover would be for it.

Just a brief update for anyone out there reading my blog. More info to come soon and maybe even some teasers.....

Back to work

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Hard at work on the sequel

Greetings.

Even with the excessive heat and my busy schedule this summer, I'm hard at work on the sequel. It is titled: Enter the Wolf (Tales of the Wolf - Book 2)

I am just shy of 70k words in and feel that it is coming along fine. Hawkeye is still trapped underground atm but things are happening around him. I'm always amazed when the story takes a turn that I hadn't planned out but its also enjoyable when it happens.

More later....back to the keyboard.

The Paperback is available on Amazon

Its official. The paperback version of The Coming of the Wolf is now available on Amazon. Of course, it is still available on my Createspace eStore and eBook format also on Amazon. Next, I will be targeting Barnes and Nobles and a few other distributors. Self-Publishing is different. Its fun in its own way but my love is writing. But, it is all part of the game. :-)

For those of you who have already bought my book, thanks. Please post reviews on Amazon or make some comments on here or Facebook. I am always striving to improve my writing and feedback is important. Thanks, Drew