How to do a Successful Blog Tour. And John Carter! And Prize Package Winner!

Or maybe I should say how to survive a blog tour?

Thanks everyone for your encouraging comments last Friday regarding FandomFest2012 Yes, it will be a bummer that my name won’t be listed on the program for FandomFest, but my wife is more important. Next year!

And special thanks to Chuck at Apocalypse Now for his amazing review of CassaFire. You the man, Chuck!

Cate Masters’ new book, Dancing With the Devil, is now available – congratulations, Cate!

John Carter – review and author revelation

One word – awesome!
This movie more than lived up to expectations for me. It was epic in scope, with a story that remained fairly faithful to Princess of Mars and featured believable special effects. It was adventurous, moving, and at times really funny. And hey, for all the guys, the princess played by Lynn Collins will keep your attention – close to the Frazetta interpretation and easy on the eyes. Shame it won’t do well in theaters as I would’ve enjoyed another John Carter movie.

And something dawned on me while watching the film. Several reviews of my books have stated they hearken back to the Golden Age of science fiction and adventure. While watching John Carter, I finally caught the connection – the innocent adventure portrayed in this type of story mirrored what I tried to capture in my own books. Now I am eager both to devour more stories like John Carter and to dive back into my third book. Not that I’ll create anything as classic or epic as what Burroughs wrote – but now I understand my voice and style. And I’m excited!

So, go see John Carter and enjoy the adventure!

CassaFire’s blog tour – what worked and what didn’t

Another heartfelt thank you to all of my hosts and everyone who posted for the Catch Fire Blog Party. The last two weeks were the most humbling I’ve ever experienced.

First let me tackle the Catch Fire Blog Party. WOW. I visited over two hundred and fifty blogs on February 28 and still missed a few I’m sure. It was overwhelming to see that banner featured everywhere. Will I ever do something like that again? Probably not. I spent over ten hours that day trying to visit every person who posted. And while it was cool to see my book cover everywhere, and many commented they were touched by the support for my book, I think it was too much. I’ll either spread it out or just let people post on their own next time.

Now for the tour itself. My hosts were awesome! Each guest spot was unique. My goal was for my post to generate more comments than normal for my hosts, and many of you visited every post – thank you for that! And the best hosts interacted with the comments, which was cool. There were ten official stops – next time, I might only do five. I don’t want to wear out my followers and I admit I was beat when it ended. Again, thanks to everyone who tagged along for the ride.

And I will need to make plans for a third tour, because this week I launch back into working on the third book, CassaStorm. After seeing John Carter, I am stoked!!!!

Now, for those of you still holding your breath, the winner of the awesome prize package is…

After random numbers generated for tour day and then comment…

Jeremy at Retro Zombie is the big winner!!! Congratulations, dude. And thanks for following my book tour.

Anyone else see John Carter? Share your thoughts on my blog tour? (I’m open to suggestions!) Think “Golden Age” is a good description of my books? Think I should write just one more book? Or are you just mad you didn’t get the CassaFire coffee cup?

And I will still be visiting blogs, but taking a break on posting Wednesday. Awesome guest on Friday though!!!!

CassaFire Tour Last Day, Ninja News, Trivia, and FandomFest2012

We made it! Last day of the party and last stop in the tour. I don’t know about you, but I’m one day away from being beat!

The final stop of this crazy tour is at Sia McKye’s Thoughts Over Coffee

I met Sia just under two years ago – I think! She’s my one and only returning host, as she also hosted me on my tour for CassaStar. Sia hosts authors often and always compels them to provide thoughtful insights into their world. Well, can’t say I did something thoughtful, but Sia did beat an account of how writing has changed my life out of me. Yes, life used to be so simple…

Think you’re ready for the changes? Then go visit Sia McKye’s Thoughts Over Coffee

Don’t forget that everyone who comments here on my blog will be entered to win this cool prize package from my publisher. Last day to comment!

Ninja News

Thanks to everyone who visited Damy at Daily Writes to see why critique partners rock.

My buddy George at Cinemarvellous is celebrating his birthday today! Yes, I thought it was Thursday. But today he’s posting his top ten favorite movies of 2011 to celebrate. Please go wish him a happy birthday!

Dreaming About Other Worlds posted a really thoughtful, in depth review of CassaFire on Thursday. All the major reviewers seem to echo the same thought – my books are throwbacks to the Golden Age of Science Fiction. I can live with that!

Yes, I did pre-order my iPad 3. Can't wait!

And to top off one heck of a blog tour, I’m almost to 1400 followers. Whoa! I remember when I had fourteen...

FandomFest2012

Earlier this week I got an email from the organizer of FandomFest2012 This convention attracts over ten thousand people and this year’s headliners are Timothy Zahn and Bruce Campbell.

The email? Would I like to attend and be one of the featured authors?

To have my name listed on a program with Zahn and Campbell? To be able to meet them in person, two of my heroes? Are you as shocked as I was???

Well, here’s where I’m really going to throw you for a loop. I declined.

Yes, I will one day regret it! But that weekend was already dedicated to a vacation I promised my wife back in January. She said she’d be willing to cancel, but I couldn’t do that. She’s watched me prepare for CassaFire’s launch, spending more and more time online. She’s hardly seen me for the past month. After all the sacrifices, the last thing I want to do is disappoint my wife. Besides, this isn’t going to be my career or anything.

So, I’m not going. But you know what – I was ASKED. And that’s really damn cool!

Special thanks to my buddy Edi at Edi’s Book Lighthouse - the organizer had seen my interactions with Edi and was very impressed. Plus I’m sure Edi put in a good word (or twenty) for me!

Trivia answers from Thursday

Quotes – name the movie:
1 – “I was born a poor black child. I remember the days, sitting on the porch with my family, singing and dancing.” The Jerk
2 – “They don’t advertise for killers in the newspaper. That was my profession. Ex-cop…” Blade Runner
3 – “Where are you going, Mr. Fat Jack?” Splash
4 – “Badges? We don’t need no stinkin’ badges!” Blazing Saddles (It’s been in other movies, but that was MY source – awesome movie!)

Final Trivia – are you ready?

What is your name?

What is your quest?

What is your favorite color?

Who’s ready to win that prize package? Winner will be announced on Monday! (And I’ll do a post about my blog tour – what worked, what didn’t.) Think I made the right decision about the convention? Get any questions right from Thursday? Understand the real meaning behind the three today? Anyone got a sponge? Think after two weeks of catching fire I’ve melted…

Now, go visit Sia McKye’s Thoughts Over Coffee!