Excellent words coming from the respected Heartland Reviews.
Their Review (9/26) on The Interim.
Without question, landing a '5 out of 5' review over the book makes it much easier to market. Right now, we've shifted our focus over to other states where parts of The Interim are set, such as Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Friday, September 21, 2007
Just When I Thought I Was Out...
Inspiration for writing a new novel comes from so many places -- my own past, this experience or that -- but the "watching a football game is causing a new book" bug, similar to in 2002 with Gotcha Down, is hitting again.
I was so taken by Brett Favre's recent performance against the New York Giants, a rather easy win over the always over-hyped Giants, that Favre's "Cocoon-like" trip back ten years inspired the plot for a fourth novel, scheduled for release in 2009.
Settings and scenes: Starts in Vancouver, British Columbia but heavy in the Green Bay setting.
Four nights into it -- yup, it's got legs. We'll see where it goes.
I was so taken by Brett Favre's recent performance against the New York Giants, a rather easy win over the always over-hyped Giants, that Favre's "Cocoon-like" trip back ten years inspired the plot for a fourth novel, scheduled for release in 2009.
Settings and scenes: Starts in Vancouver, British Columbia but heavy in the Green Bay setting.
Four nights into it -- yup, it's got legs. We'll see where it goes.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
A Final Thanks to Wisconsin Libraries
As I close out my push to get The Interim in libraries all throughout Wisconsin, I'm taking just a moment of thanks to all of the library directors I've been in touch with, even the ones who were, well, a touch short with me at times.
Currently, more than 115 Wisconsin libraries are stocking The Interim as I shift my focus on getting the book into other libraries in the Midwest (Eastern Iowa, parts of Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri and Michigan -- pretty much, anywhere there is a setting in the book).
To the library directors: I appreciate your mission in these days of tight budgets and tighter staffing. Look for my third novel next summer and I hope The Interim keeps moving in the check-out line.
Currently, more than 115 Wisconsin libraries are stocking The Interim as I shift my focus on getting the book into other libraries in the Midwest (Eastern Iowa, parts of Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri and Michigan -- pretty much, anywhere there is a setting in the book).
To the library directors: I appreciate your mission in these days of tight budgets and tighter staffing. Look for my third novel next summer and I hope The Interim keeps moving in the check-out line.
13 Miles. 13 Blisters
Nice work, Tour of Eau Claire.
On Sunday, I was one of about 1,000 from all over the region, running, sweating and gasping all throughout Eau Claire for the first Tour of Eau Claire, a 13.1-mile marathon through the north side, downtown, UW-Eau Claire campus and then back through the Bike Trail along Half Moon Lake.
I covered Grandma's Marathon in Duluth for five years, where 15,000 runners come to a town of 85,000 to run a full-marathon, half-marathon and 5K race. For a first-time, the Tour organizers did a spectacular job of keeping us all hydrated, directed and, essentially, babied all along the course.
Okay...now the goods: My time...2:10. I was absolutely humming, rolling along at about 8:45 mile clips until just past Mile 10. Then the blisters hit -- apparently, my experiment of "two socks on the left, one sock on the right" didn't work so hot -- and I was hampered in an odd, run/walk the last three miles. Still, so many people came out to cheer all of us on and, no surprise, the other runners were fairly jovial.
Well done on this one for the organizers. I'll be ready for next year and, after that, I want to see if I can slide over to Green Bay in the last three weeks for the run/bike Duathlon to close out the summer season.
On Sunday, I was one of about 1,000 from all over the region, running, sweating and gasping all throughout Eau Claire for the first Tour of Eau Claire, a 13.1-mile marathon through the north side, downtown, UW-Eau Claire campus and then back through the Bike Trail along Half Moon Lake.
I covered Grandma's Marathon in Duluth for five years, where 15,000 runners come to a town of 85,000 to run a full-marathon, half-marathon and 5K race. For a first-time, the Tour organizers did a spectacular job of keeping us all hydrated, directed and, essentially, babied all along the course.
Okay...now the goods: My time...2:10. I was absolutely humming, rolling along at about 8:45 mile clips until just past Mile 10. Then the blisters hit -- apparently, my experiment of "two socks on the left, one sock on the right" didn't work so hot -- and I was hampered in an odd, run/walk the last three miles. Still, so many people came out to cheer all of us on and, no surprise, the other runners were fairly jovial.
Well done on this one for the organizers. I'll be ready for next year and, after that, I want to see if I can slide over to Green Bay in the last three weeks for the run/bike Duathlon to close out the summer season.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
A Little Boy's Journey To School...A Father's Journey Within
Today marked the Ground Zero of Parenting. After five years of watching little Sam turn into a healthy, active, curious and constantly growing little boy, this Wednesday brought a morning that I had only heard about.
The day you start to "let them go".
When a 5-year-old says "bye" and runs off to a new playground, with hundreds of new little boys and girls and seems to be completely happy, it makes a father think about his new place in the hierarchy of a child. Still important? Or just Money Bags Dad, there to pay for Skee-Ball, Pizza and, eventually, Car and College?
It first hit over the innocence of a lunch at Perkins. Sam asked to eat lunch there after we registered him at kindergarten. As Sam polishes off his "smiley-face" pancakes, looks at his mother and says, with a thick layer of matter-of-fact in his voice, "Mom, even when I'm in kindergarten all day, I'll still love you."
She lost it. I didn't but it made me think.
I've reassured myself with this notion that I have, literally, spent the past 5 years and 2 months, as a father, building Sam up for this very day. Each and every day we talked about life or cars or sports or just being friendly and social to others. All so that, sometime in 2007 when it was time for full-day kindergarten, he would be ready.
But would I? Am I?
I think so.
However, now I am in a much quieter house as a little girl, all of 2, looks to me to be the Primary Entertainment Provider. For me, Sam played that role for all of her 34 months on this planet. Now he's gone all morning and I get to have the extra time.
And I welcome every minute of it.
Upcoming Book Signing - October 13, Eau Claire
Just a note that Borders Eau Claire, 4030 Commonwealth, will be home base for my upcoming book appearance for The Interim. Saturday, October 13, 1 p.m. Come on by and offer up a 'hello'. Thanks again to the good people there for helping support The Interim.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Midwest Book Review on The Interim
Weeks after sending the review copies out, waiting for word, good or bad on The Interim, now we're getting good news.
"Midwest Book Review's Take"
I'll take the words "deftly written" anyday. More reviews are forthcoming and, the initial contacts do sound positive. Whether 5-star or I get torn beyond shreds, into dust and ashes, I'll put the links up here.
"Midwest Book Review's Take"
I'll take the words "deftly written" anyday. More reviews are forthcoming and, the initial contacts do sound positive. Whether 5-star or I get torn beyond shreds, into dust and ashes, I'll put the links up here.
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