Marketing Tips, Ninja News, Shannara TV Series, Help with Goodreads List, Ninja Answers, and Movie Trivia Answers

The wonderful Misha Gericke at My First Book invited me to do a post on marketing. Actually, she offered several topics and for some bizarre reason, I chose marketing. Is there a secret to marketing a book? If you are an author, I invite you to visit Misha for my best guess as to how to market a book.

Ninja News!

Juliana Haygert’s novelette, Her Heart’s Secret Wish, will be published by Decadent Publishing in December. Congratulations, Juliana!!

Julie at What Else is Possible just signed a contract with a publisher for her book, Polar Night. Way to go, Julie!

Cherie Reich revealed the cover art for her Gravity Trilogy – and it is awesome!


Joylene Nowell Butler’s novel, Dead Witness, is free today at her publisher’s site! Click HERE to get your copy.

Shannara TV Series!

From Variety:
“Sonar Entertainment has acquired the rights to author Terry Brooks' bestselling fantasy series "Shannara" and is partnering with Farah Films to produce a television series based on the books.
Set hundreds of years after the destruction of our civilization, series follows the Shannara family, who are empowered with ancient magic and whose adventures continuously reshape the future of the world. The plan is to base the show's first season on "The Elfstones of Shannara," the second book in the series.
The 20th bestselling book in the 25-year-old series has just premiered at No. 2 on the New York Times Bestsellers list. Two more books in the series are set to be published in 2013.”

Starting with Elfstones instead of Sword makes sense, as the second book predates the first one. Warner had purchased the movie rights, but based on the success of Game of Thrones, Sonar and Farah are working together to make it a TV series. Brooks has already voiced his approval of this move.

For me, this is awesome! Sword of Shannara was the first fantasy novel I ever read, and I fell in love with the genre. I’ve had the honor of meeting Terry Brooks as well. To see the series that meant so much to me, and spurred my desire to write, come to life will be pure Heaven!

Goodreads List Help

Yes, I’ve been on Goodreads over two years now and had no idea they had lists! (I guess this Ninja needs to prowl better.) CassaStar and CassaFire are both on the list for Best Science Fiction Space Opera – if you get a chance, please vote for either one. (Or both!) Click HERE to open a new window to vote.
Really appreciate it! Be nice to see both books higher on the list.

Getting to Know Your Ninja!

Still working my way through the questions…

From Lynda Young - How long did it take for you to train to become a Ninja Captain? When will you name your heir?
November 9 will mark three years of blogging for me, so I guess that’s how long it has taken. As for an heir… I’m not through yet!

From Michelle - If you had the opportunity to work on a collaborative music project with just ONE great artist, who would that be? Have you written any songs for the guitar? Instrumental or with lyrics?
One great artist? John Petrucci of Dream Theater. The man is beyond talented. I haven’t written any songs, but I have crafted several melodies. No lyrics. I can sing but prefer not to…

From Zoltán: Does the Ninja have to sleep? How many hours per a day do you spent with sleep?
I revel in my sleep! I usually get between six and seven hours a night during the week. (More on the weekends.) Bedtime for me is 10:00pm. Note I didn’t say that’s when I go to sleep though. (I am married to a hot wife!)

Tasha Seegmiller posted about Building the Support System on Wednesday. She liked my answer so much, she emailed me and said I should share it. Said it was romantic or something like that. So here’s the comment:

”I was fortunate my wife was supportive from day one when I began rewriting that old manuscript.
I made a pact with her that I would keep our private life private and never allow any insanity to invade our home. (Outside of me writing for hours of course.) That's why I'm such a secretive Ninja - for her.”

Movie Trivia Answers

1 – “Go that way really fast. If something gets in your way, turn.” – Better Off Dead
2 – “Maybe you’re the plucky comic relief.” – Galaxy Quest
3 – “Ray, next time someone asks you if you’re a god, say yes!” - Ghostbusters
4 – “Take this quarter, go downtown, and have a rat gnaw that thing off your face!” – Uncle Buck
5 – “You idiot! These are not them. You’ve captured their stunt doubles!” - Spaceballs

Excited for Juliana and Julie? Excited about Shannara finally coming to life? (I’m stoked!) Can you help with the Goodreads list? (I can grovel if necessary…) Surprised by my answers? Get the quotes right? And who is catching Resident Evil: Retribution this weekend?

Don’t forget to visit Misha!