Libraries have always been the place where book lovers of all stripes congregate, so it makes perfect sense that a local library would help support and promote authors in its own community. In this fostering spirit, San Diego Public Library for the past 49 years has been sponsoring an annual … [Read more...]
Defining success
Okay. It's still a brand spanking new year, so it's still time for some new year's resolutions, right? I must admit, though, that for a long time now I've been out of the habit of setting those. Not that I have anything against them, it's just that I figure I usually have some idea of what I'd … [Read more...]
2014: A Memorable Year
At first glance, the above picture shows a postcard winterland that brings to mind a white Christmas. But take a closer look. See the drooping palm tree standing forlorn in the background? And what's that on the snow-sprinkled shrub in front of it? It can't be right, but aren't those orange-colored … [Read more...]
Book Review
The main objective in entering any book contest is to get a rough idea how your work may be viewed by people outside of your supportive network of family and friends. Unfortunately, for practical reasons most book contests only give you a Pass/fail Win/lose categorical answer that leaves you with … [Read more...]
Writer’s Digest 2014 Book Awards
I'm so appreciative and excited to have some good news to share with you: A couple of days ago, I was notified that my book, Once Upon a Mulberry Field, had received an Honorable Mention as a finalist in the Writer's Digest 22nd International Self-Published Book Awards. In this day and age, one … [Read more...]
Book Talks Announcement
Over the next thirty days, I'll be giving a talk about my book Once Upon a Mulberry Field at some branch libraries around San Diego. The talk is approximately 45 minutes long followed by an always lively questions-and-answers session at the end. If you'll be in town, mark your calendar and come join … [Read more...]
A look back at the first six months
August marked the six-month anniversary of the release of my novel Once Upon a Mulberry Field. It seems much longer than that, yet it also feels like just yesterday. On this last day before Fall, I'd like to take a moment to look back on that first leg of the journey and share some milestones with … [Read more...]
Under the Evergreen
Long ago, in my younger years, I used to go camping (almost) every summer. My favorite camping grounds were scattered throughout the Eastern Sierra Mountains, from Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks to Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite, to Lake Tahoe. It was impossible to pick a favorite among … [Read more...]
New Book Award
Just a short post to share the latest good news with my friends and supporters. Yesterday I got word that Once Upon a Mulberry Field had been named the Gold Medal Winner (for Historical Literature Fiction -- Contemporary) in the 2014 Global Ebook Awards. This is one of the biggest eBook … [Read more...]
eBook sales: A case study
As Once Upon a Mulberry Field approaches the six-month mark since its publication date, I think it's time for me to take a bird's eye view of my eBook sales to try to understand this relatively new market. Being an unknown debut author, I'm aware that whatever data I can gather on my book to this … [Read more...]