Dead End - the sequel to "Don't Talk to Strangers" is on the premium list at Smashwords.com.

Dead End starts where Don't Talk to Strangers ended, in the parking lot of a bar in Sturgis, South Dakota. The trail runs to Houston, Texas, where Katrina survivors are given a new start and identities are there for the taking.

Download a free sample at the Smashwords site:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/6743

My ebook, "Don't Talk to Strangers" has received premium status on Smashwords! I'm excited about it. So excited, I'm going to offer 40% off the already low price to readers of my blog. The coupon code is: ZV64Y (not case sensitive).

I hope to get more books available at smashwords soon.



http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/5894

I'm baacckkkk!

Back in Iowa after a week of loafing in Florida. I plan on finishing my NaNoWriMo book, and publishing another on Smashwords.



Have to pick up Furlong, the cat, first!

No Picture, But my book is online!

Well, I tried sending a picture from my BlackBerry, but it didn't work. I guess I'll have to read the directions.

Good news is, my first book, "Don't Talk to Strangers is available in all digital formats from Smashwords.com. Here's a direct link to it http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/5894 Check it out and let me know what you think. I'm looking for all the help I can get.

Does this actually work?

I sent this from my BlackBerry. I guess it does work!

Fun! I'll try a picture next.

Smashwords!

Just signed up for "Smashwords". I'll be publishing my books to them, but I'll have to wait until I return home probably. We're in Destin, Florida. Came here for the sun and beach, got here just in time for Hurricane Ida!

Oh well, having a good time anyway.

Anthony Awards

Here is the list of the Anthony Award winners from Bouchercon 2009:

◊ Best Novel: The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly

◊ Best First Novel: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

◊ Best First Novel:◊ Best Paperback Original: State of the Onion by Julie Hyzy

◊ Best Short Story: "A Sleep Not Unlike Death" by Sean Chercover

◊ Special Service Award: Jon and Ruth Jordan (CrimeSpree Magazine)

◊ Best Critical Non-Fiction: Anthony Boucher: A Biography by Jeffrey Marks

◊ Best Young Adult Novel: The Crossroads by Chris Grabenstein

◊ Best Cover Art: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

My books on Kindle

I mentioned in the last blog that I had my books available on Kindle.

You can order either or both from Amazon.com.

Bochercon and Kindle

We had a great time at Bouchercon. Didn't get to see as many of my favorite writers as I have in the past, but I did meet a few new people that I'll be following.

I attended the session on Amazon's Kindle. I already have my first two books uploaded. I think/hope Kindle will make traditional publishing sit up and notice. It sure levels the playing field when it comes to publishing.

Michael Connelly was the Guest of Honor this year. Here's a picture of him signing his latest, "9 Dragons".

Peoria and Bouchercon

I've been house-sitting in Peoria for the last week. I'm starting to realize that Peoria is a pretty nice town! I've had some excellent food and met some really nice people.

Bouchercon will be coming up soon. I'm all registered and have reservations at the hotel. Might be my last, getting pretty expensive! Check it out: www.bouchercon2009.com.

Rejection...again

Got another rejection. Oh well, back to looking for an agent/editor/publisher. Somewhere, out there....

Agent?

Haven't heard anything from my last submission. Guess I'll have to get busy again and re-submit.

Going to get my newsletter out today. If you haven't signed up for your free copy, let me know and I'll put you on the mailing list. Back issues can be seen online at my website, www.jerryhooten.com

Rainy

Rainy day. Good day to get some things done inside!

Tweeted out!

Twitter was over capacity! Too many tweets. Odd.

Wife went back to work today after she broke her leg 8 weeks ago. Still has therapy twice a week. Been a long process. Maybe I can get back to work on my book?

Going hunting!

I'm going hunting for an agent. I think my latest book is about as good as it's going to get. Time to get to work and try getting it published.

Wish me luck!

My latest book

Friends and Others

 

The main character of my book, Ben Walters, tells a story of his growing up with a birth defect in a single parent home. His mother works two jobs, and he is left with an elderly neighbor most of his growing years. It is a lonely childhood and he does what many children in that situation do. He creates an imaginary friend named Theo.

 

Theo stays with him into his high school years, and then disappears as Ben is hospitalized after an accident. Ben continues on to college, still leading a fairly solitary existence. In his senior year at college, he encounters big problems. His girlfriend leaves him, his car has mechanical problems, and the biggest issue of all, his mother dies.

 

Ben is depressed. He needs support. As if in answer to his despair, his imaginary friend from childhood comes back to help. Only now, Theo is a real live person.

 

Ben and Theo naturally run into problems and then they discover there are also 'Others' they need to contend with. It seems the 'Others' are the creation of "monsters under the bed", and other childhood fears.

 

Ben and Theo find 'Friends' that help them in their efforts and they also discover that Theo was endowed with a few "extras" when Ben created him.

Web Site Update

I think it's about time I updated my website, http://www.jerryhooten.com/ . It's pretty cluttered, and doesn't focus on what I want. I've used basically the same layout for several years and just updated a few parts of it.

I feel just about the same about this as I do about cleaning house. yuk!

Losing it

I think I'm losing it. Had to run over to the post office to mail a package. Took my netbook with me, of course. Stopped at the coffee shop first for a cuppa, ran into my good friend Ron there. Short bull session with Ron. Mailed the package, ran into a couple more friends, then headed home. Walked in the door and duh! No netbook! It had been an hour since I left the coffee shop. I hurried back over and voila! Netbook still in exactly the same place I left it! Somebody is looking out for an old fuddy duddy.

Finally figured out the upload process to Kindle. Now, anybody have any ideas on how to market for Kindle?

I've been trying to edit the upload I did to Kindle. It says it takes two or three hours before it will be available. I'm still waiting three days later. I like the idea, but their support service is slow.

Digital Editions

I signed in to Kindle yesterday on Amazon's website. I read their "Quick Start" and decided, "What the hell?" I think maybe the reason I decided to start uploading to Kindle is a rejection letter I received for my latest book, "Friends and Others".

The posting and uploading to Kindle is very easy. Now, I just have to see if the marketing angle works!

1st Tuesday of the month again!

Getting ready for the writers group tonight. I have some new items for discussion. Possible agent and another spot for self-promotion.

I think I'll bring a red wine tonight. Come and share! Beaverdale Books, 7 pm.

Two weeks and over two thousand miles since my last entry. Of course, I'm way behind on everything again. My May newsletter isn't even started yet, I haven't had the bike out yet, and I'm doing my first cookout tonight. Next week is already booked and I had to make two cancellations just to keep up. Maybe I should go back to work. I had more free time then!

re-write, re-write, right?

Jeesh! Good thing I printed off an edit copy of my book. I found sooo many things to edit on the first edit copy, I printed a second. Hard to believe how much easier it is to spot simple errors in print than it is on a computer screen! It's a process I highly recommend.

"Friends and Others"

Finally got my new book to the edit stage. "Friends and Others" is a story about a lonely, crippled boy (Ben) who creates an imaginary friend, (Theo). His friend is "special" and returns to help his creator at a time of need. The "Others" are the monsters under the bed that have frightened children for generations. The Others want something from Ben and Theo they don't want to part with.

This story is a mystery with a different twist. I'll be hunting a publisher soon, I hope!

April is here and the snow is finally gone! For good, I hope! At least til next winter.

Writers group was good last night. There is some real talent in our group. We meet the first Tuesday of each month at Beaverdale Books. 7 P.M.

Rainy day - gives me an excuse not to do anything outside. I'm waiting for warm sunny days to get the bicycle out. On a day like this, I should be working on my book. Maybe I'll do that.

St. Patty's day! Hockey game tonight. Road trip tomorrow.

I've updated my "Recipes to die for" with 12 more recipes. Available now for 5 bucks by special requests. Still will be free with the purchase of either "Dead End", or "Don't Talk to Strangers".

Another gloomy March day. I'll sure be glad to see some decent weather, go for a bike ride, take a walk around Gray's Lake and just be warm!

Can't seem to find time to get anything done on my new book. It needs a lot of work. I may scrap it and start something new. BUMMER!

I'm back after being out of the loop for several years. Guess it's time to start blogging again. I'd like to hear from any of you that have suggestions. Several people in our writers group are interested in starting a blog. Any ideas are welcome!