STILL ROLLING (AND WRITING)!

While I didn’t have a monster week like I did last week in working on my two projects, I think it was still pretty impressive. My novel jumped from 160 pages to 198. The story is coming together really nicely. It’s all in my head, I just need the time to get it on paper.

My other project is a biography I am doing on a businessman from Kaua’i. I’ve now completed everything on that book up to our last interview. I’m scheduled to talk to him next on Saturday. Once I speak to him I I will be back to writing some more on that project.

I also met a guy who very well may be the feature of another book… and another challenge. The guy is a young homebrewer who is pursuing a dream to open his own craft brewery. If we can work out the details, I’m planning on following his journey and writing about it. This is something totally new for me as he’s still about two years out from getting his business going. It should be an interesting project and make for a really cool book. I hope this one comes through. I am scheduled to talk to him later this week as well.

It’s all exciting stuff. It always is!

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CYBER MONDAY & THE INDIE AUTHOR

All of my work is done for 2014. I do not have any further works getting published this year. I am starting on a couple of project that will be out next year. I’m working on both some pre-production work on both my novella and my book on bourbon (I have the companies I want to approach identified and I will be contacting them soon).

Even though I don’t have any other books coming out this year, it doesn’t mean I’m done promoting my current work. Cyber Monday, the Monday after Thanksgiving, is the busiest online shopping day of the year. Many of you will spend a good deal of time shopping the many deals being offered for this retail event (even if it means you are a little less productive at work).

Even I, and indie author, want to get in on this action!

First of all, my latest book, Leo the Coffee Drinking Cat Gets on TV, is a great item to pick up if you are shopping for someone in the 2 – 6 year old set! It’s a fun story and my “primitive” drawing style (as my Mom labeled it) actually works well with the young ones. They seem to like the simplicity of my work.

At a price point of less than $8, it’s an affordable gift and it may even help you round out your shopping cart on Amazon.com if you are looking to get to their $35 threshold for free shipping.

I’m even starting off the holiday season by giving a few gifts for you. Two of my mini eBooks containing single chapters and bonus material from my book Small Brand America IV: Special Beer Edition, are free on Amazon on December 1 and 2. You can download both Brooklyn Brewery and Odell Brewing Company for these two days only. Just click on their name above to go directly to the site (if you don’t have a Kindle device, just download their free app). I only ask that you please review these books on Amazon as return of the favor of these free gifts.

As always, I thank you for your interest in my writing and wish you a happy and healthy holiday season!

WHAT A WRITING WEEK I HAD!

It’s official, Small Brand America IV is done. My ode to the craft brewing industry is complete and out there. As they say in the infomercial world, “But wait, there’s more…”

In an almost unbelievable whirlwind, I’m pleased to announce I published twenty-seven books in the last week. That’s not a misprint.

27!

“How can this be true?” you are probably asking.

Well, what I did was deconstruct Small Brand America IV into 26 mini books. I’ve always said the individual chapters in the Small Brand America series read like individual books. Think about it – you’ve got an entire company history, the story about the person or people behind the brand and tons of photos showcasing everything about the brand.

I figure fans of the breweries can buy just those individual chapters. People just wanting to get a feel for the book might like them as well.

Of course, I felt just releasing an individual chapter doesn’t give enough value so in addition to the reprint of what appears in the regular book, I also added bonus material with a “behind the scenes” approach. Rather than a narrative of the company with no author’s voice, in the bonus material I speak directly to the reader and tell them what the interview was like, share information which didn’t make it into the book and show off some additional photos.

I have to tell you that this book has everything. The stories of the individuals behind the brands are so interesting it’s unbelievable. I go into these projects totally blind. I have no idea who the individuals are owning these companies before I reach out to them. Then you find out they covered the Middle East for Associated Press during the assassination of then Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, they got pulled into the business after already retiring two times, they worked as a carny and much more (these are all real stories detailed in the book, mind you). It’s so fascinating and truly and honor to be able to bring them to the world with this book.

The printed book is available for $14.99, electronically for $9.99 and the individual chapter mini books are only 99¢ each. Here are the links to all of them:

Print Version – $14.99 List Price
Small Brand America IV/Special Beer Edition: A Look at 26 Craft Breweries

Electronic Version – $9.99 List Price
Small Brand America IV/Special Beer Edition: A Look at 26 Craft Breweries

The Individual Chapter Mini Books – 99¢ Each
Belching Beaver Brewery 
Blue Pants Brewery 
Brooklyn Brewery 
Cape Cod Beer 
Dale Bros. Brewery 
Dead Armadillo Craft Brewing
Epic Ales 
Foothills Brewing 
Fordham & Dominion Brewing Company 
Full Sail Brewing 
Great Northern Brewing Company 
Heavy Seas Beer
Jester King Brewery
Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales 
Lakefront Brewery
Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company 
Lucid Brewing
Mad River Brewing Company 
Mother’s Brewing Company 
Odell Brewing Company
Red Brick Brewing Company
River Horse Brewing Company 
Rock Bridge Brewing Company
Smuttynose Brewing Company
Spider Bite Beer Co. 
Yards Brewing Company 

GREAT WEEK

I really got things rolling with Small Brand America IV this week. I completed six chapters, about 25% of the book. I’ve got a pretty aggressive schedule lined out over the next two weeks to complete interviews. Should everything stay on course we are looking at a late summer release for this offering.

The book itself focused on craft brewers. The stories of these individuals and their companies have been great so far. I look forward to speaking to more owners of these companies the next few weeks and really delivering a great book.

I’m off to the liquor store. After all, it’s part of the job for this project!

 

BEER

I’m officially off-and-running with Small Brand America IV. Hence the hint in the subject line:

BEER

Yes, it’s a great way to get most people’s attention. It’s there because Small Brand America IV is once again going to be a special edition. This time focusing on craft brewers.

My first interview is in the books. I spoke to Ron Jefferies of Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales. Fascinating guy. He will be a great addition to the edition!

Back to writing…