As March is rapidly coming to a close and April Fools' Day is hours away, I wanted to get a quick blog post in lest you think me a prankster. (Honestly, the biggest joke played on all of us this year has been the promise of Spring weather...) So, without further ado, here's how you can get your hands on a free, autographed copy of "Crawl!"
First, head on over to Michelle Davidson Argyle's blog and familiarize yourself with her upcoming projects. She is an author of contemporary, literary and fantasy fiction who recently had her novel "Monarch" picked up by Rhemalda Publishing. The site is full of news, advice and contests all centered around the literary world.
"Sounds great," you say, "but how do I win a copy of your awesomazing book?"
All right, settle down. You can click here to check out her post announcing the contest as well as all the goodies you can win. Here's a peak:
* 1 query critique w/ full discussion over email, phone or Skype about your book
* 1 partial critique (first 3 chapters) w/ full discussion over email, phone or Skype about your book
* one book by Mette Ivie Harrison with some signed bookmarks, two signed books by Ren Garcia, and one signed book by Vincent Kale.
Oh hey there I am! So do yourself a favor and sign up for the newsletter! You'll not only get to keep tabs an on up and coming writer, but you'll get a chance at winning free swag!
Stay tuned to Crawlspace to see when I might just be running a contest of my own!
~VK
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Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Have Crawl, Will Travel
In the few short weeks that "Crawl" has been available, copies of it have already traveled the world. I fully expected to saturate every corner of Pennsylvania with the book because it's my homebase and that's where I know the most people. And, let's face it, people are still the ones reading books...at least until our alien overlords arrive. I will gladly sell "Crawl" to them too and autograph it in whatever language they choose...
Due to the magical powers of the interwebs (and some awesome networking hookups from a friend of mine), "Crawl" has already traveled further than I have. Yes, it's crept its way into the neighboring states of West Virginia, New Jersey and New York. Why, it's even gone from the suburbs of Boston to the sandy shores of Florida to the poolside patios of Las Vegas. What's truly amazing to me is that "Crawl" has gone international. And not just the copy I'll be sending to a reader in the UK (which is awesome!) but the TROPICAL kind of international. I present for your viewing pleasure and jealousy: "'Crawl' in Cancun"
How gorgeous is that? The way the sunlight is swallowed by the darkness? The way the skull takes on the color of the sand? Yeah, I'm talking about my book cover but I guess the beach is nice too. And no, that's not my dainty little hand holding the book. Sadly I did not get to accompany this particular copy on vacation thankyouverymuch to a friend who will remain nameless!
I swear, a guy works his fingers to the bone to write a good book and before you know it, the thing runs off to Mexico with some hottie while I'm stuck here! I'll remember that the next time.
~VK
Due to the magical powers of the interwebs (and some awesome networking hookups from a friend of mine), "Crawl" has already traveled further than I have. Yes, it's crept its way into the neighboring states of West Virginia, New Jersey and New York. Why, it's even gone from the suburbs of Boston to the sandy shores of Florida to the poolside patios of Las Vegas. What's truly amazing to me is that "Crawl" has gone international. And not just the copy I'll be sending to a reader in the UK (which is awesome!) but the TROPICAL kind of international. I present for your viewing pleasure and jealousy: "'Crawl' in Cancun"
How gorgeous is that? The way the sunlight is swallowed by the darkness? The way the skull takes on the color of the sand? Yeah, I'm talking about my book cover but I guess the beach is nice too. And no, that's not my dainty little hand holding the book. Sadly I did not get to accompany this particular copy on vacation thankyouverymuch to a friend who will remain nameless!
I swear, a guy works his fingers to the bone to write a good book and before you know it, the thing runs off to Mexico with some hottie while I'm stuck here! I'll remember that the next time.
~VK
Monday, March 14, 2011
News and Reviews
Let me bring you up to speed if you haven't been around for the last few weeks:
I recently made my horror novel "Crawl" available for purchase in print or in eBook format from Lulu (you can order by clicking that stylish orange button on the right). It's also in e-format over at Amazon if you have yourself a Kindle.
The response so far has been nothing but positive and that has definitely taken the edge off of my self-publishing anxiety. You may not know this, but there is still a negative stigma attached to self-publishing, as people view it as amateurish and unprofessional. Success stories such as those of J. A. Konrath and Amanda Hocking have helped to narrow this perceived divide between the traditionally and the independently published. I guess becoming an overnight millionaire means you're doing something right.
While my ideal situation would be to make enough money to live comfortably off of only my writing, I know this won't happen any time soon...maybe ever. The above-mentioned authors have put years upon years of practice into refining their craft, increasing their volume and developing a platform. So while it may seem like an overnight success, it was only possible after many months of trials and tribulations. And that is exactly the marathon I'm just now beginning...
But, I'm off to a good start! People seem to enjoy "Crawl" and it will hopefully gain some traction in the coming months and years. Some of my favorite anecdotes so far involve my friend's husband stealing the book from her to read it before she could get her hands on it, another friend sharing "Crawl" with her cousin's horror-appreciation club (new friends + cha-ching!) and, of course, my mother pimping the book out to pretty much everyone she's ever met. I've also discovered there are literally an infinite number of ways to autograph a book, though they are definitely not created equal.
Probably the coolest thing I've seen so far is a book review of "Crawl" done by Jamie Manning over at his Writers Write, Right? blog. How do I love this review? Let me count the ways:
1) Jamie had zero reason to appease my ego. We've never met. We share no relatives in common to my knowledge. No money or free copies or promises of future payments in gold brick were exchanged. In short, it was a completely impartial review and his opinion was based solely on the merits of the work.
2) He actually liked it! Liked is too lame a word. The review was positively glowing and that, of course, made me happy. But not so happy as reason #3.
3) Jamie got it. He really picked up on the emotional range and arc I wanted the reader to achieve. His articulate review had me going "Yes. Perfect. Awesome!" with each beat he described.
4) Also, Jamie made sure to share the review both on my Lulu page and on Amazon, which was above and beyond what I had expected. He also made mention that I was self-published and, though self-published books still carry that amateur tag, he was fully in my corner. Check out Jamie's blog for my review and updates on his own project!
Also, a free copy of "Crawl" will be available through Michelle Davidson Argyle's April giveaway! I will definitely be autographing this sucker, so stay tuned! I'll have more details as spring approaches.
And, since Daylight Saving Time has addled my brains completely, I must be off.
Beware the Ides of March!
~VK
I recently made my horror novel "Crawl" available for purchase in print or in eBook format from Lulu (you can order by clicking that stylish orange button on the right). It's also in e-format over at Amazon if you have yourself a Kindle.
The response so far has been nothing but positive and that has definitely taken the edge off of my self-publishing anxiety. You may not know this, but there is still a negative stigma attached to self-publishing, as people view it as amateurish and unprofessional. Success stories such as those of J. A. Konrath and Amanda Hocking have helped to narrow this perceived divide between the traditionally and the independently published. I guess becoming an overnight millionaire means you're doing something right.
While my ideal situation would be to make enough money to live comfortably off of only my writing, I know this won't happen any time soon...maybe ever. The above-mentioned authors have put years upon years of practice into refining their craft, increasing their volume and developing a platform. So while it may seem like an overnight success, it was only possible after many months of trials and tribulations. And that is exactly the marathon I'm just now beginning...
But, I'm off to a good start! People seem to enjoy "Crawl" and it will hopefully gain some traction in the coming months and years. Some of my favorite anecdotes so far involve my friend's husband stealing the book from her to read it before she could get her hands on it, another friend sharing "Crawl" with her cousin's horror-appreciation club (new friends + cha-ching!) and, of course, my mother pimping the book out to pretty much everyone she's ever met. I've also discovered there are literally an infinite number of ways to autograph a book, though they are definitely not created equal.
Probably the coolest thing I've seen so far is a book review of "Crawl" done by Jamie Manning over at his Writers Write, Right? blog. How do I love this review? Let me count the ways:
1) Jamie had zero reason to appease my ego. We've never met. We share no relatives in common to my knowledge. No money or free copies or promises of future payments in gold brick were exchanged. In short, it was a completely impartial review and his opinion was based solely on the merits of the work.
2) He actually liked it! Liked is too lame a word. The review was positively glowing and that, of course, made me happy. But not so happy as reason #3.
3) Jamie got it. He really picked up on the emotional range and arc I wanted the reader to achieve. His articulate review had me going "Yes. Perfect. Awesome!" with each beat he described.
4) Also, Jamie made sure to share the review both on my Lulu page and on Amazon, which was above and beyond what I had expected. He also made mention that I was self-published and, though self-published books still carry that amateur tag, he was fully in my corner. Check out Jamie's blog for my review and updates on his own project!
Also, a free copy of "Crawl" will be available through Michelle Davidson Argyle's April giveaway! I will definitely be autographing this sucker, so stay tuned! I'll have more details as spring approaches.
And, since Daylight Saving Time has addled my brains completely, I must be off.
Beware the Ides of March!
~VK
Friday, February 25, 2011
Cool Things That Happen When You Publish a Book
I'm slowly getting over the anxiety of making my work available to my adoring public. Certain very cool things have helped me along the way. They are as follows:
-My Mom. I mean obviously she's going to buy whatever I write and tell me it's the best thing ever penned by human hands, but her unwavering support makes every endeavor that much easier.
-My friends. Again, I appreciate that they're eager to gobble up anything I put out there. They form the first circle of the fan club.
-Other bloggers. Jamie, over at "Writers Write, Right?" not only bought a copy of "Crawl," but offered to review it on his blog once he finished it. How cool is that? Check out his site and you can see that "Crawl" has taken up a prestigious spot on his Nook.
-Other authors. Michelle Davidson Argyle, author of the lovely novella Cinders, has offered to include a copy of "Crawl" in her monthly giveaway! More details on that as it nears. Pretty cool stuff!
Michelle, recently represented by Rhemalda Publishing, has her debut novel "Monarch" coming out this September. Check out the book trailer here or head over to Goodreads to see how you can pre-order!
Awesome things are happening in 2011 and you can get an early start on it! Click on the orange button on the top right of the screen to buy a copy of "Crawl" from Lulu.com either on paperback or in e-format. If you buy from Lulu, use promo code IDES305 until 3/15/11 to save 15%! Beware the Ides of March!
You can also pick it up for your Kindle at Amazon!
Thanks again to everyone who's already purchased it! I hope you love it enough to post a review wherever you bought it. Have a great weekend!
~VK
-My Mom. I mean obviously she's going to buy whatever I write and tell me it's the best thing ever penned by human hands, but her unwavering support makes every endeavor that much easier.
-My friends. Again, I appreciate that they're eager to gobble up anything I put out there. They form the first circle of the fan club.
-Other bloggers. Jamie, over at "Writers Write, Right?" not only bought a copy of "Crawl," but offered to review it on his blog once he finished it. How cool is that? Check out his site and you can see that "Crawl" has taken up a prestigious spot on his Nook.
-Other authors. Michelle Davidson Argyle, author of the lovely novella Cinders, has offered to include a copy of "Crawl" in her monthly giveaway! More details on that as it nears. Pretty cool stuff!
Michelle, recently represented by Rhemalda Publishing, has her debut novel "Monarch" coming out this September. Check out the book trailer here or head over to Goodreads to see how you can pre-order!
Awesome things are happening in 2011 and you can get an early start on it! Click on the orange button on the top right of the screen to buy a copy of "Crawl" from Lulu.com either on paperback or in e-format. If you buy from Lulu, use promo code IDES305 until 3/15/11 to save 15%! Beware the Ides of March!
You can also pick it up for your Kindle at Amazon!
Thanks again to everyone who's already purchased it! I hope you love it enough to post a review wherever you bought it. Have a great weekend!
~VK
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Lulu Discount!
For those who've already made your purchase, my sincere thanks...and apologies. Lulu just sent me a promo code that would have saved you 20% off a purchase of "Crawl."
If you haven't bought a copy yet, make sure to visit Lulu.com and put in the promo code HAPPY. You can click this handy button on the right side of the screen to automatically put both the paperback and electronic editions in your cart!
(I don't know why Lulu does this, unless it's trickery to get you to buy double copies. For shame, Lulu!)
For you Kindle owners out there, "Crawl" is still available on Amazon.com for $2.99!
~VK
If you haven't bought a copy yet, make sure to visit Lulu.com and put in the promo code HAPPY. You can click this handy button on the right side of the screen to automatically put both the paperback and electronic editions in your cart!
(I don't know why Lulu does this, unless it's trickery to get you to buy double copies. For shame, Lulu!)
For you Kindle owners out there, "Crawl" is still available on Amazon.com for $2.99!
~VK
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
News! Bigger News! BIGGEREST NEWS!
Happy 2011!
(Maybe you've caught on by now that I'm not the most timeliest of people...)
So what is all this news, you ask? Well first and foremost, I am alive and well and still writing. That's item #1. But now that THAT'S out of the way...
Some of you may remember that I participated in National Novel Writing Month and I not only survived it, but I actually enjoy what came out of it! "Indigo" is still in the rough stages, but I have finished my first read through and am anxious to get the red ink flowing across those pristine pages. That's the medium-sized news. Are you ready for the really, really good stuff???
"Crawl" is finally available for purchase! ::deep sigh of relief:: I've been tweaking this story for years now but I finally feel comfortable putting it out there for common consumption. The best part is, you have 3 choices on how to read it!
First, for you old fashioned people who need to hold an actual book in your hands, you can have your very own copy of "Crawl" for the low, low price of $9.99! (plus S/H). Believe me when I say that I made this as cheap as my OCD would allow. (Who charges $8.37 for anything??)
For those of you who would rather save a few bones and do away with primitive shipping charges altogether, there is a downloadable/PDF/e-version available from Lulu as well! It will set you back $2.99 and cost you absolutely zero in S/H! I'd recommend this version for those of you who read on iPads or other eReaders. UNLESS you happen to have a Kindle! Which brings me to...
This fella here! Competitively priced at $2.99, the Kindle version of "Crawl" features all the creepiness of the paperback edition, delivered via Amazon's whispernet. (I've checked it out and there are some minor formatting issues, but nothing too distracting.)
Well, there you have it! My biggest news so far in 2011! Any and all feedback is appreciated. If you have difficulties purchasing anything, please let me know!
So go grab a copy of "Crawl" and while you do, I'll be working on getting the next project ready for release!
Be gentle or be brutal, I can take it!
~VK
(Maybe you've caught on by now that I'm not the most timeliest of people...)
So what is all this news, you ask? Well first and foremost, I am alive and well and still writing. That's item #1. But now that THAT'S out of the way...
Some of you may remember that I participated in National Novel Writing Month and I not only survived it, but I actually enjoy what came out of it! "Indigo" is still in the rough stages, but I have finished my first read through and am anxious to get the red ink flowing across those pristine pages. That's the medium-sized news. Are you ready for the really, really good stuff???
"Crawl" is finally available for purchase! ::deep sigh of relief:: I've been tweaking this story for years now but I finally feel comfortable putting it out there for common consumption. The best part is, you have 3 choices on how to read it!
First, for you old fashioned people who need to hold an actual book in your hands, you can have your very own copy of "Crawl" for the low, low price of $9.99! (plus S/H). Believe me when I say that I made this as cheap as my OCD would allow. (Who charges $8.37 for anything??)
For those of you who would rather save a few bones and do away with primitive shipping charges altogether, there is a downloadable/PDF/e-version available from Lulu as well! It will set you back $2.99 and cost you absolutely zero in S/H! I'd recommend this version for those of you who read on iPads or other eReaders. UNLESS you happen to have a Kindle! Which brings me to...
This fella here! Competitively priced at $2.99, the Kindle version of "Crawl" features all the creepiness of the paperback edition, delivered via Amazon's whispernet. (I've checked it out and there are some minor formatting issues, but nothing too distracting.)
Well, there you have it! My biggest news so far in 2011! Any and all feedback is appreciated. If you have difficulties purchasing anything, please let me know!
So go grab a copy of "Crawl" and while you do, I'll be working on getting the next project ready for release!
Be gentle or be brutal, I can take it!
~VK
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
NaNo Completo
I know it's December 1st and NaNoWriMo 2010 is almost 24 full hours behind us, literally yesterday's news. Rest assured, I completed the 50,000 word goal within the month. The 50,000th-ish word crossed the finish line at approximately 22:29 EST on 11/29. Plenty of time!
It's awesome to know that I accomplished something I'd set out to do. It's even cooler to know that thousands of people out there did the same thing and that some of those novels will be published some day soon! But not too soon...
A common misconception about NaNoWriMo is that once you've hit your 50,000 words, you magically have a complete novel. That couldn't be further from the truth. In some cases, people's stories may in fact be finished. But rushing through 50,000 words in a month means you will have a heap of editing and revising to do. Around the end of NaNoWriMo, agents start adding "Do not submit this year's NaNoWriMo until at least six months from now" clauses for that very reason.
Others, such as myself, might not even be done with their story at 50,000 words. A ballpark figure for fiction novels out on the shelves right now is 70,000-90,000 words. "Indigo" will end up somewhere around there. And for the record, I'm having an awesome time writing it! The characters are almost writing their own back-stories, dialogue and action scenes now. They've gotten a lot more interesting over the past month!
So will I attempt it again next year? I don't know. November happened to be one of the busiest months ever and I don't know where I'll be writing-wise next year. If I have a few projects that are begging to be written and nothing else pressing, then sure!
In the meantime, I have one more novel to finish (Indigo) and two to revise (Crawl, Blackwatch). Maybe early in 2011, one (or both) of them will find their way onto a shelf near you!
Happy belated Thanksgiving and congrats to anyone who attempted NaNoWriMo!
~VK
It's awesome to know that I accomplished something I'd set out to do. It's even cooler to know that thousands of people out there did the same thing and that some of those novels will be published some day soon! But not too soon...
A common misconception about NaNoWriMo is that once you've hit your 50,000 words, you magically have a complete novel. That couldn't be further from the truth. In some cases, people's stories may in fact be finished. But rushing through 50,000 words in a month means you will have a heap of editing and revising to do. Around the end of NaNoWriMo, agents start adding "Do not submit this year's NaNoWriMo until at least six months from now" clauses for that very reason.
Others, such as myself, might not even be done with their story at 50,000 words. A ballpark figure for fiction novels out on the shelves right now is 70,000-90,000 words. "Indigo" will end up somewhere around there. And for the record, I'm having an awesome time writing it! The characters are almost writing their own back-stories, dialogue and action scenes now. They've gotten a lot more interesting over the past month!
So will I attempt it again next year? I don't know. November happened to be one of the busiest months ever and I don't know where I'll be writing-wise next year. If I have a few projects that are begging to be written and nothing else pressing, then sure!
In the meantime, I have one more novel to finish (Indigo) and two to revise (Crawl, Blackwatch). Maybe early in 2011, one (or both) of them will find their way onto a shelf near you!
Happy belated Thanksgiving and congrats to anyone who attempted NaNoWriMo!
~VK
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