• Fun Stuff,  publishing,  Recommended Reading

    Cold Poker Gang Kickstarter Launched

    Fun New Campaign… JUST LAUNCHED!!! We’re trying to get The Cold Poker Gang books into hardback. And I have a new novel in the series called BOTTOM PAIR coming out later this year. So if you want to get an early read of BOTTOM PAIR, you can do so through this Kickstarter Campaign. Plus limited edition signed hardback set of all eleven of The Cold Poker Gang novels. Plus a limited edition signed hardback of BOTTOM PAIR. And a very, very limited set of Cold Poker Gang chips, with the special decks of cards in a metal case. On top of all that, there is a special workshop that you…

  • Challenge,  On Writing,  publishing,  workshops

    A Streak Still Holding

    Day 2,860… That’s how many days it has been since I missed writing something here on this blog. August 1st, 2012 I started. And the reason I counted this tonight is because I have a Kickstarter campaign I will announce here tomorrow afternoon, but needed to keep my streak alive here tonight. So write about the streak. Duh… I suppose I should also tell you that June Regular workshops are starting today and tomorrow. And those of you signed up for the June session of Creative Nonfiction Writing workshop from the last Kickstarter, it also started today. (Only could get it in the Kickstarter.) And the June Historical Fiction special…

  • Challenge,  On Writing,  publishing,  workshops

    Wow! It’s June!

    We Made It Through May… Actually, unlike April which seemed in a time sense to take forever, May flashed right past. And I do understand that a lot of people did not live through May. I got that. But the rest of us out here, trying to do what is right, stay safe, keep working and writing and taking care of families. We made it through another month of the craziness. Another month closer to whatever point all this is going to end. Who knows what the rest of 2020 has to offer. Like Kris, I just want to flip to the end of this book. But we can’t, so…

  • Challenge,  On Writing,  publishing

    Why Am I So Against Traditional Publishing?

    I Published 106 Novels Traditionally. But that was a different time, different companies, different contracts, different level of respect for authors. I would be a distant and faint memory in writing now if not for indie publishing. Never would have continued to work in the current traditional publishing environment. Never. So let me list a few reasons why I try to keep writers with dreams away from traditional publishers. THE SHORT VIEW… TRADITIONAL Most early-stage writers have a very, very short view of being a writer. They think that just selling a few short stories and then getting a novel sold to a major publisher will make their career. Nope.…

  • Challenge,  Fun Stuff

    Cool Deck of Cards

    Been Wanting to Do This For A Long Time… Finally, just tonight, after designing and ordering a nifty set of Cold Poker Gang chips in a nifty case last night, tonight I put together a Cold Poker Gang deck of cards. All eleven book covers randomly placed on 54 cards. Next week we are firing up a Cold Poker Gang Kickstarter campaign to help us get all eleven books into hardback and also to give fans of the series an early look at BOTTOM PAIR, the eleventh novel in the mystery series.  Plus we will have limited signed editions and a few limited poker chip sets and these decks of…

  • Challenge,  On Writing,  publishing,  workshops

    Decade Ahead Second Quarter 2020

    Seven New Videos Are There… Also, since this second quarter is so different than any normal second quarter for writers, we have decided that no only will this Decade Ahead class go through the end of the year, but we will do the second quarter, and more than likely the third quarter, next year with a bunch of normal videos about how to get through these months writing in a normal year. This month, like last month, I have some videos up on how to write through this pandemic there as well. So another class gets extended. The licensing transition is already extended for a full year as well. Both…

  • Challenge,  On Writing,  publishing

    Year of the Cat and Workshops

    First Year of the Cat Book Out! Kickstarter supporters of the campaign who got all twelve books should have gotten it by now in electronic format. Paper will lag a few weeks, like normal. The first book is called “A Cat of a Different Color” and is also now out for sale and I have put a link for anyone in the Year of the Cat Study Class to get a free copy.  In the class I will start talking about the stories in July from this first volume and then go from there every month for an entire year. That’s right, as an editor, I will talk about 100…

  • Challenge,  News,  On Writing,  publishing

    Shopping and Other Fun

    Headed Out Shopping Today... The one big trip out of the week. Walmart for things we need for the new office, then got gas, then on to the grocery store. You know, standard stuff. I had a pull-0ver mask (regular ones don’t seem to want to stay on my ears) and gloves. Yes, I know I really don’t need gloves, but I have them soaked in anti-bacterial spray before I leave the car each time. And besides, gloves keep me from touching my face and constantly adjusting my face mask. Masks were the normal now in both stores. Very few without them. Social distancing was also well done. Had zero…

  • Cave Creek,  Challenge,  workshops

    Hoping To Finish Book

    Starting on Wednesday… I will be doing two, maybe three more days of reporting on the Card Sharp Silver novel because I am going to focus all my attention on Wednesday and Thursday on writing and finishing it. I have three short story assignments due next week, so figured I had better get the novel done and off to WMG Publishing so those in the Shared World Class can get it in the middle of the month or so. That way next week I do the short story assignments and get started on another project. Speaking of classes, the Year of the Cat Course will be firing up next week…

  • Challenge,  workshops

    Killing Critical Voice Workshop

    Now Available!!! After that incredible response yesterday, and a ton of letters from people, all 100% wanting the new Killing Critical Voice workshop, Kris and I spent some time on it and it is now available. Thank you all for the feedback!! Like Writing with Depth workshop, and the Publishing 101 workshop, Killing Critical Voice workshop will be available every month. First one starts on June 3rd, next week. As we got this together, I was very surprised we hadn’t offered this one before. Sort of a well-duh kind of thing. And I warned in the introduction video, this might hurt a little for some people as I hit at…