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).
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
The Last Spartan: Different Paths
Enjoy and I am looking forward to your reviews and comments.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
The Last Spartan Cover
I hope to have it available before the end of February. I will keep everyone posted.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
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
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
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
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.
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.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
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.
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.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
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.
I hope to have it available on Smashwords later this week.
Time for work, got to go. See ya.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
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
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
Monday, October 31, 2011
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!
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!
Monday, October 17, 2011
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?
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?
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