Book Teasers Pub! An Effective Approach For Your Book Promotions

Looking for an effective way to promote your books? Check out my new Blogspot: Book Teasers Pub! For many years, I've been designing and producing effective book trailers, mini teasers, and videos that not only excite readers about your books, but promos that make you look good as an author.

Each week you'll find informative articles about promoting your books, looking good on video, and enhancing your platform as an author, plus much more! Watch the Book Teaser Samples here:

http://bookteaserspub.blogspot.com/

Inside Google Books: Books of the world, stand up and be counted! All 129,864,880 of you.

Inside Google Books: Books of the world, stand up and be counted! All 129,864,880 of you.

Nerd Alert - Get Your Facebook Game Face On

OMG have you ever seen such an exciting dork-fest before? I mean, ever? My gosh, those Harvard boys sure know how to "par-tay" and rattle the proverbial cage. They're so sassy, so witty and so damn gay! How wonderful is that?

I think I'm going to love this movie! After all, what's not to like? It's ultra-white, super geeky, and ever so flamingly gay and happy. Don't you just love the way they enunciate every syllable? Makes you wonder if they're going to break out and do the robot dance to Styx' Mr. Roboto. Now wouldn't that be a blast?

It just can't get more Anglo Saxon than this! I think they should put out a "Black Folk Alert" just to warn all our dark-skinned friends, you know. You think they should include subtitles just for ghetto minorities like me? You know in Spanglish or Ebonics. That would be so cool, don't you think?

Gosh darnet, I know this movie will win an Oscar. After all, their PR firm says it will, so what's stopping it now? How exciting! I just can't wait till October to chat with all my Facebook buddies while we're waiting on line at the theater. That's going to be the best part, all the socializing and the snappy repartee to be had. ooogah!

OMG, this is huge! Don't you think?

Uhh?...yeah!

You go Justin! (J.O.K.E.)

HELLHOUND ON HIS TRAIL - The Stalking of MLK

The Stalking of Martin Luther King Jr.

This book was hard for me to put down. I devoured half of it in almost one sitting, right up to the point when Galt, a.k.a., James Earl Ray, had finally shot MLK.

Borrowing from the song title "Hellhounds on My Trail" - by Robert Johnson, (Blues singer, 1911-1938) this book serves as a good example of what it takes for readers to be spellbound by so many elements of a particular story. First of all, I was only ten years old when this happened, so at the time it had made an indelible impression on me, till this day, I might add.

I remember seeing a lot of it unfold on television (when color television itself was in its infancy) right before my curious eyes and ears, not unlike the JKF assassination in 1963, the slaying of a Muslim activist by the name of Malcolm X, or the Bobby Kennedy assassination only months after the MLK tragedy. It's no wonder I'm so fixated with these kinds of stories. I've lived through so many of them and I have always been curious about the details of each of these crimes.

First, let me say that if you have a sensitive stomach to bloody details, beware because this account is quite graphic, although it is not overtly presented just for the sake of dramatization. Hampton Sides, at least as far as I can tell from this story, has a very matter-of-fact writing style and by no means seems to embellish this story. He has authored several other good books as well.

What really appeals to me about this book though, is how the author peppers his narrative with unrelated events such as the whereabouts of Elvis Presley, the goings on in the world of music in Nashville, or how Pete Townsend was putting the finishing touches on his song about a pinball wizard, all this intersecting during this precarious time in American history. All those gregarious details adding plenty of texture and a peculiar interest that almost seems out of place if it were not for their almost comic convergence in this unsettling timeline.

It's almost as if we are watching a film reel countdown of the year 1968 in slow motion, where the main event is blurred by so many asides. If not for its lack of artistry, one might easily construe this technique with a bastardization of the plot through-line. Instead, Sides manages to succeed by delineating historical facts, however unrelated, in a most satisfying, if not perverse literary mash-up all his own.

But this is non-fiction, after all, and regardless of sensationalized fictive elements, if any, at the beginning of this story, without another alternative, Sides ends this thriller just as uneventful as the understated events that took place in real life back in June of 1968.

MLK's assassin was caught without incident or struggle (no spoilers here) in London after a daring escape from a seedy Memphis motel in early April of that same year after traversing his way through Canada, supposedly on his way to Rhodesia.

I think the most poignant aspect of this book is its honesty and its unrelenting attention to detail, much of which Sides had insiders help with by way of a retired Memphis detective that was working on this case. Sides also says that he went on his own journey around the world, as he literally traced James Earl Ray's fidgety footsteps that eventually led to this crime.

That kind of dedication to story is commendable to say the least and without question adds a richness and a resounding depth to the narrative that might have otherwise been obscured by second-hand facts.

Some may argue that this version of the MLK assassination only helps raise more questions than provide answers to an already suspicious set of circumstances surrounding Rays final prison break, which led him to commit this murder. Was it a conspiracy or not? Did Ray in fact have help escaping the ultimate security penitentiary in Missouri, and was he paid to silence Dr. King?

James Earl Ray had once said that he would take many secrets to his grave regarding this crime, and he probably did. Then again, he was also known as a pathological liar.

Whatever your point of view, Sides brilliantly succeeds in presenting this killer just as he was. A troubled, delusional man, a racist, and a cold-blooded killer.

Nothing more or nothing else should do.


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I'm working on reading Karl Marlantes epic about his Vietnam experience, "Matterhorn," so this review will be forthcoming in several months since my reading time is short these days. What attracted me to this story, aside from its gripping narrative, is its author, and how he developed this story over the course of 30 years. You gotta love a behind-the-scenes story like that. Stay tuned.

The Things They Carried--What's The Moral?

Okay, talk about another book that was hard to put down, The Things They Carried certainly was a treat for the ears and a treat for the weary soul too. This little book has it all. Witty storytelling, an interesting non-linear plotline, and plenty of humor along the way. What more can you ask for? A finalist for the Pulitzer Prize to go with it? Sure, why not? This is the kind of stuff that Pulitzer committees live for.

Since I have scarcely turned the pages of my upcoming book for review, Karl Marlantes’ “Matterhorn,” the best way I can compare these two books about Vietnam is on their tone. While Matterhorn sticks to the standard, rigid plotline, (nothing wrong with that) right to the end, TTTC, tells its protagonist’s semi-autobiographical story through a series of vignettes and short stories instead.

I’ve always liked this technique because it’s so easy to get through the story even if you happen to skip parts of it for whatever reason, without really missing important plot-points along the way (great for lazy, hurried readers like me).

And that’s not to diminish Marlantes’ style of storytelling by any means, mind you. Every author has their own voice and both these master storytellers know how to use their strengths to their advantage.

At first glance, Carried comes across as a tedious lesson about military artifacts and the endless gear, “humped by frontline grunts marching into the shit,” only for events to turn on a dime and smack us with a decapitation or a horrific dismemberment along their merry way. The ultimate juxtaposition of tragedy and comedy, not unlike many Shakespearian plays, harrowing events that broadside you when you least expect it.

The brilliance of “Carried” certainly comes from its almost flippant view of the Vietnam War, reminding us in part of Kurt Vonnegut’s, Slaughterhouse Five, and his own brand of humor about the ironies of WWII. Although, Tim O’Brien, treads on very different waters throughout his own peculiar narrative, which borders more on cliché, that is, the birth of clichés, as they apparently happened.

We get that eerie feeling that somehow, some way, from someone, we’ve heard many of these outlandish war stories before, yet O’Brien manages to package them in such a way that they become fresh, exciting and new all over again. And it’s that uncertain familiarity that we embrace and enjoy from one unbelievable story to the next.

It’s almost as if we want to hear these stories repeated, as they are time and again by different characters, each time every character adding their own brand of incredible details that mesmerize us on the spot, and just like the gossipmongers that we are, we clamor more.

Like this gem:

“But Ted Lavender, who was scared, carried 34 rounds when he was shot and killed outside Than Khe, and he went down under an exceptional burden, more than 20 lbs. of ammunition, plus the flak jacket and helmet and rations and toilet paper and tranquilizers and all the rest, plus the un-weighed fear. He was dead weight.”

“There was no twitching or flopping. Kiowa, who saw it happen, said it was like watching a rock fall, or a big sandbag or something―just boom, then down―not like the movies where the dead body rolls around and does fancy spins and goes ass over teakettle―not like that.”

“…the poor bastard just flat-fuck fell. Boom. Down. Nothing else.”

O’Brien delivers in grand style throughout of course, as he wittingly takes us through seemingly unrelated short stories and artfully threads his word-fare with brilliant metaphor, again, blindsiding us with his literary prowess unlike anything we’ve ever witnessed before in the course of such a short book.

Brandishing the fine sword of a wordsmith with the sensitivity and morals of an evangelical minister. And yes, forever endearing us to the Gospel of Vietnam, all according to Tim O’Brien.

Touché.

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Upcoming Book Reviews:
Hellhound on His Trail, by Hampton Sides
Child of God, by Cormac McCarthy
Kings of The Earth, by Jon Clinch
MatterHorn, by Karl Marlantes

Gran Torino, The Movie by Clint Eastwood - Liberals, Get a Clue!

When will it end? No, not this long movie, the white man's guilt and the quasi race relations messages that most movies strive for these days. Don't you people in Hollywood get it already? Films will never save the day or even begin to improve race relations, ever.

Hey, you guys really want to improve race relations? Join the ACLU! Stick to making lousy movies and a good one every now and then and for the love of God, stop pandering to black folk. They're going to despise you anyway, and you deserve it, so suck it up and "shut the fuck up!" (Just to borrow a damn good line(s) from Julianne Moore in the movie, Assassins.)

That being said, Eastwood is one of my favorite actors and this film is among one of my favorites because it doesn't take itself too seriously. It serves up a strong message about gang violence, racism, and morality, plus it's very funny in a Clint Eastwood kind of way, a lot like Heartbreak Ridge.

Yes, it's worth a few hours of your precious time, despite its preachy undertow.

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My next Post will be about author Hampton Side's new book, Hellhound on His Trail - The Stalking of MLK. Look for it on Monday, July 12th.This story is too good to pass up so I hope to Post it soon, and I'll try to bang out the review for "The Things They Carried" this book is also one of my favorites. Sorry folks, been through hell lately, hope to catch up soon.
Godspeed.

Create Your Own Product Search Ad on Google!

Someone emailed me this link and I thought it was a fun idea.
Here's my own Google Search ad for my novel:

I know, I know, these promos are pretty lame but they're okay for about a minute then they get on your nerves. Not enough music to choose from, no voice overs, etc. And of course, Google gets all the glory. Who really cares? Have fun. ( I think.)

http://www.youtube.com/user/SearchStories#p/search

The Things They Carried--What's The Moral?

Okay folks, once in a while you come across a fascinating book that you must tell about. Tim O'Brien's "The Things They Carried," has done it for me. I know, I know, it's an old book (first published in 1990), and an even an older topic, but if you're into the Vietnam thing, this book is probably one of the best you'll ever read about the Vietnam experience.

This gem has recently been released as a Twentieth Anniversary Hardcover Edition, and my blistering review is coming soon!

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Really? I have yet to see it. Don't remember if I ever wrote this review. For the handful that may be interested in reading it, drop me a comment and I'll Post it.

Better late than never. This long-awaited, highly anticipated review is finally up. Read it and weep. (Not even close, but it's ok.)

"Tinkers:" You Too Can Win the Pulitzer Prize

Fear not rejections my fellow scribes, for even you can win a Pulitzer. Well, maybe not, but it doesn’t hurt to dream. Paul Harding, winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Letters, awarded for his debut novel, Tinkers, was rejected numerous times by savvy New York publishers, who seem to be in search of something a little racier than an old man’s last days on his deathbed. "They would lecture me about the pace of life today. It was, 'Where are the car chases?' Nobody wants to read a slow, contemplative, meditative, quiet book" (Paul Harding).

You know, I doubt that NY publishers regret not publishing this story. They could probably care less about high society Pulitzer Prizes and even less about a book that is not an out-of-the-gate huge blockbuster bestseller, which, I predict Tinkers will eventually become in due time.

This is nothing new, where big publishers miss out on the book of a lifetime. New York publishers, in particular like to keep their publishing picks, “down and dirty” and usually frown upon uppity little feel-good books like Tinkers. And no, this is not a wake-up call for publishers. They do have a “list” (code word for micro-market) to fill and your book is most likely not a good match for their list so, no regrets. To hell with art, they prefer the money.

Is this wrong? After all, everything is about money and far less about art, and what’s wrong with making a fortune selling pulp-fiction? Isn’t that what most readers want? Yes. Well, there you have it.

It just seems bizarre to me why most New York publishers are obsessed with fast-paced, edgy, commercial stories, as if this brand of story represents or justifies the citified image of New York City, just because it was published there. Are they campaigning for the city of Manhattan or trying to sell books? Seems to me that most NY publishers are caught-up in all the big city hype and are too blind to see what’s real in the world, or what is noteworthy in the world of literature. Have they forgotten that literature is all about the human condition, whether it’s pulp-fiction or not. The humanity of things is always at the core of any worthwhile story, in any genre. Period.

BTW, university presses are always a good option when trying to market literary stories, especially when themes in the story (epilepsy in this case) match the institution’s background. I suspect that writers whom have written these kinds of stories will query more of them in the months to follow. But don’t get your hopes up too high. Don’t forget, you still have to write a great story first. Yes, there is always a catch.

I congratulate Mr. Harding with his wonderful book and his Pulitzer Prize win. He didn’t give up for too long and eventually got around the publishing maze and found a publisher in New York (an editor, as in Erika Goldman, editorial director) that not only liked his story, but championed it to resounding success. Good for him and the Bellevue Literary Press, and especially good for the readers who still believe in this kind of story.

Readers are still human--last time I checked. It’s no wonder they like Tinkers.

*************************************************

BTW, if anyone knows where I can get a hardcover copy of Tinkers, please drop me a line. And no, I’m not plunking down $2000 for one. I’ll be happy with a copy from the next printing, fourth, I think. First printing limited run was only 3500 paperbacks and 1250 hardcover (500 copies produced for The Book Passage Bookstore, and 750 copies for Powell's Books. How I wish I had a handful of those, they were all signed!

A note about the book jacket: First of all, it is minimalist, fitting the themes of the story, and the image appears to be a dreamy, cold, snowy field in heaven with a lone man wandering about, lost perhaps. It’s a simple, austere, and beautiful cover, but more importantly, it stands out like a sore thumb in store bookshelves since it’s mostly white.

This is an old advertising technique used by admen where they use a lot of white space to compete with the colorful and mostly cluttered ads (book jackets) that surround it. This seems like somewhat of a trend these days. Kitty Kelly’s new book, Oprah’s Unauthorized Bio, also uses white space to its advantage.

Gruesome and Beautiful Zombies: Viewer Beware

Interesting, although somewhat disturbing.

Death & Beauty (Photo Slideshow) from Nakayama Studios on Vimeo.