My book gets published this month. I'm scared shitless it'll be a flop!

     Hi everyone!

     I'm writing from my kitchen watching September 11 coverage on CNN. It feels as if the country is sighing collectively today. I lived in the Bronx when it happened. I remember coming into the company breakroom and seeing one tower surrounded by black smoke. I asked,"Whare's the other one? Aren't there two?" Eveyone looked at me and screamed, "It fell down! An airplane hit it!" God bless America, and the families of the men and womem who died that day.    

     September is finaly here. I am working as hard as I can to get my book, Confessions of an Internet Pornographer, ready for publication on September 29th! I'm publishing it as an e-reader for the Kindle at the price of $4.99. I picked this price because I think a book that took 12 years to write is worth the price of a Starbucks cup of coffee, don't you?

     I've built a website for the book using Weebly.com. It's a great website creation tool. They offer numerous templates, it's easy to use, and free! I'll let you all know how well it works once it's up and running and getting traffic.

     My cafepress.com store is (almost) ready. I've placed my book cover on mugs, t-shirts, and a small personal journal. I've also made a cool black cap with "Internet Pornogapher" printed on it. I'll sell the stuff as fun merchandise for people who really liked the book. I can also use the products to promote the book.
  
      I've just read the novel for the 23rd time, my wife is giving it one last edit so it's perfect. One of the biggest complaints I've read about self published books is that they're not well edited. I can't let that happen to  my book. I want it to be perfect. I've added new material to tighten the tension, and a few moral dilemas to give my character a little more depth. 

     I'd be lying if I said I wasn't very nervous. There have been so many obstacles, so many disapointments with my book. I'm scared no one will buy it. But after the WD Writer's Conference I've realized that self publishing is my future. Traditional publiushers will never go for a story as different as mine.The NY agents said my book was funny, eloquently at some points, and had alot of heart. I hope those things are enough to build a writing career on. Wish me luck.

     I'll keep you posted on my progerss. I'll also be posting about sites like Weebly.com, letting you know what tools are working for me on my self publishing adventure. I hope you'll all benefit from my mistakes and successes. In the meantime, I'll continue writing into the wind, Bye!

Lucho

What is your book really about?

  Hi everyone!

     In this posting I want all the writers out there to consider a question. What is your book or short story about? I know it’s a space age YA western, but what is it really about? There are 7 deadly sins, which ones are in your book?  That is today’s topic. But first, let me tell you about my trip to the Florida Keys.

     Our stay in Hawks Cay resort on Duck Key, mile marker 61, reminded me why the protagonists of my book end up living in the Keys. It has been four years since we‘ve been there and they are still pristine. I also had alot of fun hangging out with my nephews, and showing my older brother Key West. Hemmingway’s house was beautiful; I’d write great novels too if I lived in a colonial mansion surrounded by walking gardens and tall trees. When I die, and God asks me if I want to enter heaven, I’ll say “No. Send me to the Florida Keys.”

     My brother Anthony is also a writer, and it was nice to have someone to talk shop with. It was one of our discussions that led me today’s topic. What is your book about?

     Jaws was a movie about a killer shark terrorizing a small sea side town, right? Or was it really about one man’s obsession and another’s sense of duty. It made me wonder what my book was about, and I think the first part of my book is about desperation. Jose’s desperation to get his family out of the inner city and into the suburbs. But after he becomes successful, his need changes to greed. He wanted a house, now he wants a mansion.  

     So what is your book or short story about? Is it a story about a Civil War soldier enduring the hardships of battle - or is it about lust, fear, regret, the perils of blind faith? And don’t forget, make the actions of the characters in your stories do things that reflect the sin, sorrow, or vice you are trying to display. Good luck!   

      One last thing about the Florida Keys. I saw a real sea turtle swimming in the water. It was just swimming along slowly, below my hotel balcony. It was brown and dull green with flippers the size of canoe paddles. It dove into the canal when a boat came and disappeared. It was beautiful, and big! 

     Until we speak again, I will continue writing into the wind.

Love,

Lucho