What The Artist can (silently) teach us all about writing and publishing.

A few months ago I saw The Artist. It was a great film (if you haven't seen it, SPOILERS AHEAD!) and it got me thinking. It is a great parallel to the state of writing and publishing today. 

The character George Valentin is the biggest star in 1927's Hollywood at the film's start. He loves the spotlight and easily pushes aside those who seem to not share his vision of his greatness. As the silent films give way to talkies, he maintains that they are just a fad and will fall by the wayside.

George is sorely mistaken.

He clings to his beliefs, even as a young starlet he helped give a break to becomes more famous and successful. His career crashes and burns while she rises to the skies. 

It immediately reminded me of the state of writing and publishing today. Most book publishers and writers still cling to the idea that independent publishing is just a passing phase and will eventually go away or flood itself in a deluge of poorly written books and cheap quality printing.

Not so fast, George. I mean, Big Houses. It's true that some poor quality books will come, but the freshness of the independent movement is today's version of the 'talkies.' New ideas and approaches will eventually push aside giants. Books will always be there, but the acceptance of the new publishing and ebook models have to be accepted or the George's of the publishing world will lose.

Just like George, good decisions can be made and art (no matter in what venue) will survive. 

Darth Vader, Writer-at-Large

October is my favorite month. The crisp air, the rustle of dry leaves under foot and, of course, Halloween. There was never any time as a child I enjoyed more than Halloween. It was a chance to get away from who I was.
I was a withdrawn, pudgy kid. I could be obnoxious on the outside, but inside I wished I could be someone else. Instead of being able to pull my face off and reveal a new person, I realized I could just put on a new one.
Darth Vader was one of my favorites. The dark helmet and the black clothes were the perfect combination to hide who I was. It also allowed me to inflict fear upon the galaxy! Swinging an imaginary light saber, I would go through the streets to strangers' houses asking for candy. Never mind that! Vader didn't ask for candy. He DEMANDED it! The tributes the denizens paid to Darth Vader were put in his bag and taken back to the Death Star.
 Of course as I removed my mask I remembered I was home. No galaxy crushing here, just me and a bag of candy. I would always stop halfway through and clutch my overstuffed stomach as I groaned myself to sleep.  Too many years have passed since my days of hiding behind a mask. Actually, I'm not really sure about that. I do get to put on the visage of a writer. The keyboard is my Death Star and the words are the tribute paid. It's not so bad, although I don't get to eat as much candy.
I do wear the helmet once in awhile, at least in my head. That helmeted Vader you see knocking on your door this Halloween isn't me. I swear it.
Now give me some candy.

Take That, J.K. Rowling!

I lead a boring life. I teach, I write and I go to the movies. I’ll watch television a little bit before bed and that’s about it. My book signings are just about as exciting. People show up, I give readings and talk to them, then l pack up and go home. I never get many sales from these events, but it’s always nice to meet others. I never expect a turnout like Stephen King or J.K. Rowling would have.
Then things changed.
On a sunny day a few months ago, I was doing a book signing at a Barnes and Noble. The good weather meant that people were out having fun and not that many were in the store buying books. A few readers were in the store milling about, stopping to check out my children’s novel Connie Cobbler: Toy Detective and sometimes purchasing one. Not a great turnout, but it was nice to meet people who enjoyed reading. After a few hours, I had a chance to grab a cup of coffee and a brownie. As I walked back to my table, I heard a woman loudly say, “Where is he?”
A salesclerk pointed at me. “There he is.” She had a young boy with her. He looked to be about nine or ten. She waved me on hurriedly as she gave me a piercing look.
I had no idea who this woman was. Had I insulted her without knowing it? Did I scratch her car? Did I owe her money? I rushed over to the table, almost dropping my brownie.
She turned to her son. “David, this is Mr. DeSalvo. This is the man you wanted to meet.” He kept his head down, looking at the floor.
“Hi, David. You can call me James.” Still no response.
Then something amazing happened. He looked up and recited a full page of Connie Cobbler. Word for word, beat for beat. He stopped and returned his gaze to the floor.
“That was incredible, David.” He was fiddling around in a bag he brought in with him.
He pulled out some papers and slid them across to me. His finger touched mine for a quick moment. He pulled it back with cat-like speed. I was taken aback. His mother must have seen the look on my face. ‘It’s okay,’ she mouthed.
I looked at the papers and was yet again astounded. David had drawn pictures of several of the book’s characters. They were wonderful and looked just like I had imagined the characters. There are no illustrations in Connie Cobbler: Toy Detective and I was now glad there weren’t. No other artist would have done justice to the characters the way David did.
“Those are for you,” he whispered. His mother smiled.
His mother asked David if he would like to look for a book in the children’s section. He went on his way as she kept an eye on him. “Hi, I’m Amy. I want to thank you for talking to David.”
“He’s a talented child.”
“David wanted to see you when found out you were coming. He’s read your book so often out loud that I know it backwards, too.” She paused. “David has autism. He enjoys reading. He came across your book from another child at school. I had to get him a copy.”
I was unsure of what to say. This was partly because of what she had just told me and the fact that I was becoming emotional and didn’t want to cry my eyes out in front of the entire store.
David came back with a book. Amy and I said our goodbyes. “Good bye, David.” He walked away.
I framed the pictures and keep them in my office.
My book signings may never get the attention that the big authors get, but they never got the chance to meet David.
Take that, J.K. Rowling.

http://www.jamesdesalvoauthor.com/

MONSTERS EXIST

Most children are afraid of the monster under the bed or the boogyman in the closet. Creaking doors in the middle of the night can send a shiver through their bodies. A shuffling heard in the hallway could stop their hearts, if only for a moment.
We have been told growing up that monsters aren’t real. Just a figment of the imagination. Nothing to fear.
Nevertheless, monsters are real. They are in daylight. You can’t see them and yet you can. They exist around us all.
Leiby Kletzky was eight years old. Only eight. He was murdered by a monster. This monster’s name is Levi Aron. The monster strangled and dismembered this young child. A child gone forever. Leiby’s family suffers and a tight knit Brooklyn neighborhood now must look over their shoulders, watching for the monster in their midst. On their streets or in their synagogues. Or at their dinner table.
Aron claims now that he hears voices guiding him to kill. A monster trying to say that imaginary monsters told him to murder this boy. Like all monsters, Aron takes no blame. He wasn’t in control, just the same way that werewolves are taken by the full moon, or Dracula’s need for blood forces him to kill.
Sadly, Aron isn’t the only monster. Having volunteered as a Crime Victim Advocate for many years, I have seen the tragedy that the monsters leave in their wake. Women abused, children molested and babies raped. Evidence of monsters.
I have met a monster in person. In 1998, my sister Kathy’s body was found in the attic of a monster’s home. She had been murdered much in the same way as Leiby Kletzky. This time the monster was a serial killer in upstate NY. I knew this monster. He worked at a school where I taught. I smiled and waved at him as he mopped the floor outside my classroom. I shook his hand. These same hands took her life. Monster’s hands in human form.
As a writer, my hands have the ability to create monsters. I understand the irony of the macabre subject matter of some of my work. My hands, however, can also destroy these monsters. With the stroke of a delete key, I can make them disappear without anyone suffering. Just hit a button.
Monsters exist. Watch for them.
For Kathy.
For Leiby.

Summer's the Time

As the school year comes to a close, two things come to mind. SUMMER!! and writing. I have no excuse for not writing at all. So it's time to set some goals. I must write a book in a month. It doesn't have to be good, just down on paper (or computer). I've got to get something done.
I must do everything in my power to promote Connie Cobbler: Toy Detective, Miss Mary Pennynickle's Tales of Torment for Toddlers, and Miss Mary Pennynickle's Fairytales of Foreboding.
I went to a writing conference this past weekend. I spoke with a few agents and asked about the acceptance of independent authors and publishers. I was told several times that they would not be able to take the books unless they had a following of several thousands. I had read this many times on various websites, but it had never seemed real. I was a bit despondent. Then it hit me.
I could get hundreds, if not thousands, of books sold on my own. I've read so many promotional books, and yet had not implemented any techniques seriously. Now's the time.
After all, it's Summer. No Excuses.

YEAH!! BOOK SIGNINGS!!

So far I've had 3 book signings. They were all very fun. They were also hard and educational. The first two were through Hudson Valley Parent Magazine for a promotion they were doing. The third one was with Barnes and Noble. The bookstore signing was interesting, but not nearly as fun. I 'worked the room' a lot more, trying to get people interested. It was a good idea to find out what departments are where in the store. Several people asked me to find subjects. It was a great way to meet people and tell them about the book.
The first two signings were in large malls. They were a lot easier in terms of traffic. People had to pass me and a lot of people stopped. Parents and their kids had a lot of questions about writing and they were amazingly friendly. I even made my first little fan. He asked his mother if he could stay in touch. He came to the Barnes and Noble singing to bring me drawings he made of the characters. That was a nice feeling.

Chances Everywhere

Following advice I found online, I have begun giving away samples of my books. For Connie Cobbler: Toy Detective I printed the first three chapters back to back in booklet form. I left them at various stores (with permission, of course) that cater to children and their parents. For my e-books Miss Mary Pennynickle's Tales of Torment for Toddlers and Miss Mary Pennynickle's Fairtales of Foreboding I paperclipped sample stories to mini-posters and gave them to friends who go to goth clubs, midnight movies, and independent music stores. These have proven to be very successful. This works best for the Miss Pennynickle books. I've seen a large uptick in sales at the end of the weekend once the parties have slowed down.
I have placed my book for sale on eBay. I offer it at cost to me and can personalize autographs. Charge around $2.50 for shipping and my money is made back.
If anyone has any suggestions for promotions, please let me know.

Purchasing Promo Materials

First, let it be said that I have no financial interest in Vistaprint. That being said they do offer some inexpensive promotional materials. Once you order items from them, you will be bombarded with offers for free items. Take a look at them. Plan out what types of promotions you'd like to do and order a few samples.
HERE'S ONE CAVEAT!!! When ordering from them (or a lot of companies) use a credit card gift card. After using my credit card I noticed several unauthorized charges to Denmark. I had even used PayPal. I know use the prepaid gift cards and have not had the problem since.

Book Promos

I've been busy researching book promotion on the internet. I have come across many wonderful suggestions, such as wearing a business card as a name tag in order to start a conversation and book giveaways on your website and other websites (with permission with sites owners, of course).
There have been many unusual promotions that I have uncovered. There is a young woman in NYC who hired several actors to read her humor novel across the city. They were to laugh out loud and create interest in the book. It worked well for her and sold several hundred copies. I have read that other authors found this unethical. I think that if I works and it doesn't hurt or degrade anyone, then do it. Another author created a cereal to promote his book.
I purchased car magnets from Vistaprint (they do a pretty good job, but I'll leave them for another time) and drive around with them, whether it be to the store, work, or the NYS Thruway.
I have had large postcards made up and attach a sample chapter to the back. Invariably, people pick them up and take them away with them. Whether they are effective or not is hard to determine, but it gets the word out. For my Miss Mary Pennynickle books (Miss Mary Pennynickle's Tales of Torment for Toddlers and Miss Mary Pennynickle's Fairytales of Foreboding) I have had friends leave small postcards behind at bars and clubs.
Well, off to the internet for more ideas.

The contest is over

The first Connie Cobbler Mystery Contest is over. A new one will be open next week. The first one went well. I had quite a few visitors, more than I actually expected. Hopefully the next one will be even better.

Connie Cobbler Contest

I'm giving away a signed copy of Connie Cobbler: Toy Detective. Just visit www.conniecobbler.com for more information. It's free and it's fun!!

Out of the car sale

Today I sold my first book to a total stranger! I was mailing two review copies and the woman behind the counter asked me what I was mailing (it seemed like it was for security) and I blatantly self promoted. She said she wanted to buy one and I mentioned that I had one in my car. She was a very forceful woman and made me go to the car to get it. I sold it to her and gave her my email. She said she was going to write and buy some more for Christmas presents. Nice ego boost!

Connie Cobbler is Here!!!

This is it!!! My baby is born! Take a sneak peek of the first three chapters at http://www.conniecobbler.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Connie-Cobbler-Detective-James-DeSalvo/dp/0982917104/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_2

Getting Closer

Connie Cobbler: Toy Detective is getting closer and closer to release. I'm so nervous and excited. There have been so many bumps and bruises along the way to this project. I'm planning a book party and a booksigning at a movie theater to coincide with the release of several children's films. Why not?

Getting Reviewed

I've been looking into getting reviewed. It seems very hard for an independent author/publisher to get reviews. The stigma of POD/self publishing seems to permeate most magazines and other major forms of reviews open to authors. I'm very uncomfortable with paying for reviews, but there seem to be so few options out there. The reviews for my first book Miss Mary Pennynickle's Tales of Torment for Toddlers were great. I plan on asking (begging?) reviewers on that site to review Connie Cobbler: Toy Detective for me. If anyone out there would like to review it for me as well, please let me know and I will gladly send you a copy.

I'm Back!

It's been a long time. A little time in the hospital can be productive. I still found time to write and plan some promotions. What else can you do when you're not allowed to leave a hospital bed? Lesson to learn: use all of your time wisely.

Everything has been approved

Connie Cobbler: Toy Detective has been approved for publication. It will be available on Amazon, my e store on Amazon, Kindle, and through www.conniecobbler.com.

I can't wait. Selling it is the hardest part now.

Miss Mary Pennynickle's Tales of Torment for Toddlers Book Trailer

Cover Approval

The Connie Cobbler: Toy Detective cover was approved today. I quickly hit the approve button and that was that. I was so tired of making small changes on a whim. Now I'm committed to it. The only thing left is the interior text. Yikes!!!!!

Book Signing

I just came back from an amazing book signing. I went to see a young man named Jesse Saperstein. He wrote a book called Atypical about his experiences living with Aspberger's. He told wonderful stories and answered questions with grace and wit. I only hope my first book signing will be great.