A SWEET, CLEAN READING EXPERIENCE BROUGHT TO YOU BY AUTHOR MORGAN MANDEL
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Updated Website
Thanks,
Morgan
People Are Crazy
The lady said she was going to the bank and left in her limo. She came back and told everyone she hadn't won the lottery after all. She couldn't even pay the limo driver the $900 she owed him. People got so mad they started trashing the store.
Who was more crazy, the lady who lied, or the people who trashed the store? I'd hesitate about putting a scene like that in a book since it would be unbelievable, unless it were maybe a comedy.
Have you heard of any stories about people doing crazy things? Have you included a scene in a book where a person or persons does something crazy?
By the way, here's the link on Youtube for Billy Currington's song, People Are Crazy. It's one of my favorites.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqrogegV1lw
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Hallopalooza coming at the end of this month
It will end 5 pm ET, Sunday, November 1.
Winners will be announced at noon ET on Monday, November 2 at the Stiletto Gang blog site, at
http://thestilettogang.blogspot.com/
The Stiletto Gang is writing a mini-mystery, with a different clue to solve the mystery found on the home page of each of the participating blogs. The mystery will begin and end at The Stiletto Gang, but in order to solve the mystery, the reader will have to visit every one of the 24 participating blogs.
Each blog will provide a clue which will be posted. The reader will move from blog to blog, collecting the clues which will help solve the mystery.
In addition to the mystery clue, each blog will post the name of the next blog the reader should visit in order to find the next clue.
The grand prize is a $50 gift certificate that the winner can use for books from any online or bricks and mortar bookstore (winner’s choice of bookstore). If multiple readers solve the mystery, we will have a drawing to select the grand prize winner. Runners Up will receive a book from one of the authors of The Stiletto Gang. If there are more than 10 Runners Up, then there will be a drawing among the Runners Up for the books – maximum number of books to be awarded by The Stiletto Gang is ten (10).
More later about this fun event.
Stay tuned to learn how you can win some great prizes at stops along the way.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Midwest Book Review awards 5 stars to Killer Career!
Here's the permalink for the review:
http://www.amazon.com/review/R169FXMK7RVLB6/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm
The review also appears at the main site for Midwest Book Review on the Small Press Bookwatch page in the Mystery/Suspense category, where Killer Career is "highly recommended" -
http://midwestbookreview.com/sbw/oct_09.htm#Mystery/Suspense
I just found the review when I was on the train Monday evening after coming back to work after vacation. It certainly brightened my day!
Morgan Mandel
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Vacation Report
The good thing was I enjoyed shopping, going to dinner, going to the casino, and doing book signings. The bad thing was my cold dogged me most of the week. I did lots of sleeping in between doing things. I noticed lots of other people seemed to have colds also. Even tonight, the weatherman has one. It has to be a new strain, I guess, because they say once you have a cold you can't catch the same one again. Or is that a myth?
Anyway, I finally got the better of the germ by Friday when we went to visit WJJQ again in Tomahawk, WI. I'll be doing another interview there again in the Spring and a book signing at their local bookstore, Cover to Cover. Such is the life of an author - always looking for ways to get my books noticed. I'll be posting some pics later this week after I get kind of organized.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Acme Authors Link about my Eagle River Book Signing & New Blogger Features
Topic is my book signing at Eagle River on Oct 3, plus new Blogger features.
Come on over if you can to http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com/
Thanks,
Morgan Mandel
Monday, October 05, 2009
The Lakeland Times reviews Killer Career
http://lakelandtimes.com/main.asp?SectionID=15&SubSectionID=15&ArticleID=10238
She says: "It is a real thriller - a page turner that is hard to put down. However, unfortunately images don't go away as you turn out the light for a night's sleep. Perhaps it is best read during the day."
If you want to read more, click the link above.
Thanks,
Morgan
Friday, October 02, 2009
Sleep
5:45 to get ready for work.
If I could sleep, I wouldn't sleep later than 7 or 7:30 anyway.
What about you? If you could sleep as late as you wanted, how late
would that be?
Sent from my iPhone
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Look What I Found
I got a chance to Google the other day and my efforts were rewarded! I found a review for Killer Career at Internet Review of Books. I'm not sure how long it was there, but I'm very happy I discovered it. . If you'd care to look, it's at http://internetrevi ewofbooks. com/sep09/ brief_reviews. html?dsq= 17850973 The fun thing about this is the reviewer has the exact same name as my main character, Julie McGuire. Moral of the story - Remember to Google - kind of reminds me of Remember to Floss, which I always forget until right before the next dental appointment. (g) If you feel the urge - here are some buy links: KILLER CAREER Is At Ingram, At Barnes & Noble, NOW ON KINDLE FOR $5.77, ALSO AT BOOKSAMILLION.COM, AMAZON.COM, BN.COM, MOBIPOCKET.COM, DIESEL-EBOOKS.COM |
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Wednesday at Acme Authors Link
Please stop by Wednesday and let us know at http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com/.
Thanks,
Morgan
Monday, September 28, 2009
Samples - Kindle - BSP
Speaking of samples, Kindle offers free samples of books. If you own a kindle, along with all the bestselling novels, I invite you to try out a free sample of Killer Career. If you want more, it's at a very attractive price for a brand new book - $5.77. (g) Hope you like it.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Everybody, Blurb Your Book
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Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Ouch - My Aching Back
My desktop computer was still on. I reached over to turn it off and all of a sudden my low back really hurt, not just was stiff. It was hard making it up the stairs to the bedroom. I did go to work today, but left early so I could make my train. When I walk slow, it doesn't hurt too much. When I sit still, it feels stiff, but doesn't hurt a lot. But, if I try to walk normal, bend over or try to carry anything with any kind of weight, my back protests.
I'm turning on the heating pad, then gulping some generic Motrin, and hoping that will help.
The pharmacist said that would be okay with my other pills. She also mentioned a pain patch might help. I asked my boss who has had his share of back problems if bedrest was the answer. He said the going advice was to keep active instead.
What about you? Have you ever had a backache? What did you do for it?
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
To Pay or Not to Pay For a Blog Book Tour
If you don't mind spending time to research popular blogs to make sure they get enough hits and are the right ones to promote your book, you don't mind contacting their owners and asking if they'll host you, you don't mind doing all the advertising yourself, have a very tight budget, then maybe a do-it-yourself blog tour is for you.
Then again, if you don't have the time or the patience to do the research, don't like making direct contact with hosts, don't believe your own advertising is enough, have enough money saved up for such a promotion, then maybe you'd prefer to leave it in the hands of a professional.
Either way you choose, you'll have lots of work ahead of you getting topics and blogs ready beforehand. During the tour, to make the most of your opportunity, you should be commenting on your hosts' blogs to establish your presence, plus tweeting and sending emails to Facebook and your egroups, and other spots.
With my recently completed Killer Career Blog Book Tour, I practiced a hands-on approach, but I had a great advantage. I not only belonged to the blogbooktour egroup run by Dani Greer, but also the pumpupyourblog egroup, run by Dorothy Thompson - The first being an immensely informative hands-on, do-it-yourself group, the other a group comprised mainly of hosts and guests of Pump Up Your Book Promotion Virtual Book Tours. I've made wonderful friends in each group, love them both, and respect their methods. Although I didn't pay for my own tour and arranged it all myself, many times I've served as a host for Dorothy's tours and enjoy doing so.
What about you? Do you prefer to pay for a blog book tour and leave the driving to people like Dorothy at http://virtualbooktours.wordpress.com/? Or are you a do-it-yourselfer?
What are your reasons? Please share with us.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Please Welcome My Guest at Make Mine Mystery Today
I've got a terrific guest over at Make Mine Mystery today. Bill Walker is a graphic designer who specializes in book and dust cover design.
He's also got a new romantic suspense called A Note From an Old Acquaintance, which sounds very intriguing. Please hop over to http://makeminemystery.blogspot.com/ to check him out.
Thanks,
Morgan
Sunday, September 20, 2009
R & R and Restructuring
Although a steady stream of potential customers went by, not many seemed interested in free bookmarks much less books. We did sell a few books, but not as many as we would have liked. I noticed not many people walked around with multiple bags. Apparently pinching pennies is still the norm for a while, with customers trying to decide what they can afford to purchase and what to do without.
I spoke to the vendors on each side of us and they were disappointed in their sales as well. One lady said she'd sold three times as much the year before. I know this year at the Arlington Heights Frontier Days Marketplace sales were down from the year before, but they were better than at yesterday's event. Also, rain dogged us the first day at Marketplace, plus Killer Career was not out yet. Many customers recognized me and mentioned they already had my backlist books from the year before.
Since we never had a booth at this one before, we have no basis of comparison., but the consensus was it may not be the correct venue for selling our books. We'll skip it next year and try another method.
Today, I'm spending time experimenting with ideas for spiffing up my website's main page at http://www.morganmandel.com. It's a fun kind of project.
What about you? Do you have lots of bookselling success at flea markets and craft fairs?
Friday, September 18, 2009
Flea Market Saturday - Come Join Us
I'll be autographing Killer Career at the St. John United Church of Christ Flea Market this Saturday from 9am - 4pm, along with Two Wrongs and Girl of My Dreams. Even if you already have one or all of them, stop by to say hi, if you're in the area.
Joining me are romantic suspense author, Margot Justes, and contemporary romance author, Debra St. John.
Hope to see some of you there.
Morgan
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Dog Trainer, Alex Brooks, at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library
Morgan Mandel & Alex Brooks------------------------Twister
Tuesday night the DH and I had a great time at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, where professional dog trainer, Alex Brooks, dispensed welcome advice to his eager audience.
Judging from the number of hands that went up in the question and answer period, it was obvious Alex's expertise was much needed.
Aggression over food, barkers, separation anxiety, and which collars to use were only a portion of the topics addressed.
I asked him what to do about Rascal's aggressive tendencies toward bikers, joggers, and skateboarders. I also mentioned part of the problem was she was deaf and couldn't hear them coming up from behind her. He suggested acquainting her with skateboards by going to a skateboard park. That way she'd come to consider them as routine. Now, I see a skateboard park in our future. (g)
His dog, Twister, shown above, is an American bulldog. She's white like our Rascal, but Rascal is a pit bull Dalmatian mix. Twister is taller and has a brown patch, instead of Rascal's black patch. Twister, like Rascal, is deaf. Alex used hand signals to train her.
Rascal pictured here.
It looked like Alex did a great job with Twister. After the presentation, anyone who wanted to could come up to the stage and pet her. The dog was super friendly, dispensing kisses and wagging her tail vigorously.
We hope to take in another Alex Brooks presentation soon. It was great fun and very informative. Here's the link to the Alex Brooks Canine Center, if you'd like more information about him and his work. Check out the cute dog on the main page while you're at it. Another thing to learn - how to do animation on my blog and website. http://www.absdt.com/index.php
Are You Predictable?
As a writer, being predictable can be a good thing or a bad thing. Lots of marketers say to stick with one genre or area of expertise. That way you'll attract a particular audience that will know what to expect and follow you for it. Over time, the audience will grow. You are reliable. That's a good thing.
Then again, it can be a bad thing for writers like me who get bored easily. I would feel stifled if I only wrote mysteries, no matter how much I enjoy doing them. That's because I also love writing romances. I also enjoy writing about my dog, Rascal. Not only that, I have a great time writing how-to articles on marketing, self-publishing, and a number of other topics. Then there's also my blog. I love sharing my writing and life experiences on the Internet.
What about you? Are you predictable, or do you enjoy a wide variety of writing?
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Check Out the Mystery in My Backyard
Comments here or there or both are always welcome.
Thanks,
Morgan
Killer Career now available at Barnes & Noble, Ingram,
Amazon, bn, booksamillion.com, Mobipocket.com - and
almost on kindle - hopefully later this week.