Launch of a New Novel

My latest mystery novel, Death of a Scam Artist, was released by Encircle Publications two weeks ago. In preparation I had a postcard produced that showed the cover of the book on one side with a blurb and relevant information on the address side. This was then mailed to my mailing list. I also have an email list and sent information about the book to people on this list. Upcoming events include signing at two book stores, a book fair at a senior living community and a presentation at a retirement home. This book features older characters, and my earlier six book Paul Jacobson Geezer-lit Mystery Series was well-received by older readers.

Independent Book Stores

Let’s hear it for independent book stores. As a writer and reader, I’m glad to have an independent book store near where I live.

When a new book comes out, I hold a signing and give a presentation at Gatsby Books 5535 E. Spring St., Long Beach CA. For my recently released mystery novel, Death of a Scam Artist, this will take place at 3 PM on Sunday September 10, 2017.

At these types of events, I always enjoy seeing familiar faces and meeting new people.

 

The World Situation

In high school, one of my favorite singing groups was the Kingston Trio. Here's an updated version of words for their song, The Merry Minuet:

They're rioting in Charlottesville
There’s strife in Iraq
There's fake news in Washington
And immigrants are sent back
The whole world is festering with unbridled hate
Republicans hate Democrats, Liberals hate the Right
Arabs hate Israelis, Shiites hate Sunnis
And the President Tweets all night

But we can be tranquil and thankful and proud
For man's been endowed with a mushroom-shaped cloud
And we know for certain that some lovely day
Some lunatic will set the spark off
And we will all be blown away

They're missiles in North Korea
There's a nuclear threat in Iran
What global warming doesn't do to us
Will be done by our fellow man

I've Got the DTs

My hands are a shakin’

My head is a bakin’

I’ve got the DTs

 

News is a fakin’

Lies are escalatin’

I’ve got the DTs

 

Russia is a chucklin’

Confidence is a bucklin’

I’ve got the DTs

 

Climate is a heatin’

Civility is retreatin’

I’ve got the DTs

 

Politicians are a bickerin’

Other nations are a snickerin’

I’ve got the DTs

 

North Korea is bombastin’

Peace may not be lastin’

I’ve got the DTs

 

Medical insurance is implodin’

Blame is explodin’

I’ve got the DTs

 

Walls are fabricatin’

Foreigners are extricatin’

I’ve got the DTs

 

Hate is aboundin’

Statements are astoundin’

I’ve got the DTs

Author Transition Week

This is a transition week for me. My current novel, The Tesla Legacy, has been out since February. I gave a library talk about it yesterday and have another one on Saturday.

The transition. Next week my mystery novel, Death of a Scam Artist, is being released by my publisher. Whenever a new book comes out, I develop a new presentation to give. So rather than practicing my speech for The Tesla Legacy, next week I’ll start rehearsing for my presentation on Death of a Scam Artist.

Writing and Editing

As a writer, I invest time and energy in both writing and editing. By editing, I mean my self-editing before it gets in the hands of the external editors at the publisher. Some writers edit as they go. Others edit after a rough draft is completed.

My own process is to write a fast first draft. I want to get the plot, characters and setting down in words. Then I go through many editing passes to clean up inconsistencies, improve the flow of the manuscript, fix errors and correct grammar.

The fascinating aspect of the writing process is that there is no one or correct way of doing it. We each find what works for us.