Moving On!!!

Well, despite a great job by one and all, the Kindle Scout campaign for Death Haunts the Star did not receive an exclusive Kindle contract. So...this morning I began the process of e-publishing it through the Kindle Direct Program. It's becoming easier to do with each book and I found only one minor typo in my book description!

Long story short, Death Haunts the Stars is now live on Amazon's Kindle Store at: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019VBUUH6. Will be doing a lot of advertising over the next few weeks to hype the new novel (while simultaneously working on a boxset of The Terra-Bravo Saga and a new novel! Fortunately, it's my annual big vacation and I have only one major household project [fixing a broken gate]).

Part mystery, part suspense and science fiction...all action! 

In the early 23rd Century, Humanity is spreading out to the stars. Colonies have been started on many new worlds. The Terran Colonial Vessel Conestoga is one of many star vessels carrying hundreds of colonists to their new homes. 

But the Conestoga's latest voyage to the colony world Camadin is different! First, a number of dangerous incidents occur involving some of the crew of the ship. Then dozens of disruptive teenage passengers endanger the ship. When a passenger dies, questions arise about the cause. 

Captain James Rivers, Security Chief Mac Bradley, and the crew of the Conestoga face a seemingly endless series of threats aboard a ship that is light years from Earth. It appears someone aboard the Conestoga is trying to sabotage their mission! But who could it be? And what is their motive? 

As the danger increases, can Rivers, Bradley, and the crew stop Death from claiming the lives of everyone aboard the Conestoga? 

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Now that Christmas is over, I'm sure there are a number of you out there who received e-readers or tablet PCs as gifts. The Kindle app can be downloaded and installed on many of these devices! So, with the hope that you may need some new e-books to read, let me recommend my other books:

You can locate these e-books on my Amazaon.com Author Page at www.amazon.com/author/jeffreyfortney.

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Well, the U.S. has experienced rain, sleet, freezing rain, snow, blizzards, flooding, and tornadoes all within the past couple of days. Hopefully, you and yours have remained safe. Be careful in the days, weeks, and months ahead!

Gotta run!

Jeffrey

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2015

Down to the Wire!!!

Only 4 more days to nominate Death Haunts the Stars for an exclusive Kindle contract at http://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/19M67224KD07R. I must admit to being disappointed. Not at my loyal readers, but at the project's performance overall. The numbers are down and we've not hit "Hot" or "Trending" once. *sigh*

Here's hoping for a last minute burst of nominations to get us across the finish line in good form! If not, I can still e-publish Death Haunts the Stars through Kindle as I've done with my other e-books. So THAT will be one of my projects over the Christmas and New Years Holiday Break! 

I don't plan to e-publish this one through Smashwords.com. With all of my advertising over the past couple of years, I've only sold 11 books through that site and its partners. Better to focus on Amazon's Kindle.com and ramp up the advertising for that location.

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On another note, I've begun creating a box set of The Terra-Bravo Saga for sale through Kindle! This will combine Chaos on Terra-Prime, Foothold on Terra-Bravo, and Crisis on Terra-Bravo into one volume, with a nice 3D box set cover to boot! Along the way, I've upgraded the covers for all three books and will be developing a glossary for the box set (later to be added as appropriate to the three separate books). I hope to get this completed over the Holiday Break, as well, and get it posted to Kindle.com! 

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With only a few days left before Christmas, some of you may still need gifts for family members and friends. If I may, please allow me to recommend my current set of e-books. Amazon.com makes gifting a snap! My e-books can be accessed through my Amazon author page at www.amazon.com/author/jeffreyfortney.

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Christmas and New Years are a wonderful time of the year to spend with family and friends. Many of you may be traveling over these two holidays and I pray that each of you reaches your destinations (and, later, homes) safely and that your celebrations are happy ones!

I'll be posting one more blog before New Years. So, until then...

Merry Christmas!!!

Jeffrey

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2015

Update on "Death Haunts the Stars" Kindle Scout Campaign

Good evening, everyone!

I just wanted to give you a little update on the Kindle Scout Campaign for my new e-novel, Death Haunts the Stars! 

Well the campaign is still live and will remain so for another 12 days! We haven't hit "Hot" or "Trending" yet, but I'm trying to remain positive that we will! Our daily number of nominations dropped for a couple of days, but are picking back up. So we still have a chance to get our numbers up high enough to trigger "Hot/Trending".

So, please, continue to tell everyone you can about the Kindle Scout program and my campaign to earn an exclusive contract for Death Haunts the Stars! Ask them to go to http://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/19M67224KD07R and click on "Nominate me". That's all there is to it.

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Check out my other e-books at www.amazon.com/author/jeffreyfortney.

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I've had a couple of sick days this week. (Darned flu shot!) So, I didn't get as much writing and advertising in as I would have liked. Will pick back up soonest, I promise!

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With the days until Christmas (and Christmas and New Years vacation) counting down, I ask you all to plan ahead for your holiday travels and festivities. Stay safe out there!

Jeffrey

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2015

The "Death Haunts the Stars" Kindle Scout Campaign

Greetings!

Well, I'd like to tell everyone that the Kindle Scout Campaign is resulting in Death Haunts the Stars Trending and Hot at Kindle Scout's website. That's what I'd like to say...but it just isn't happening. We started off strong, had a couple of bounces, and are now kind of piddling along.

But...I'm not giving up hope! We still have 19 days to bring our nomination numbers up! So, once more I ask my stalwart readers to get the word out to everyone they know, know only slightly, or even think they know! Every nomination helps.

Why am I so interested in this exclusive Kindle contract? Well, I've gotta admit that the $1,500 advance on the book would be nice. But more importantly, Amazon/Kindle will promote the book far more than I can on my limited (non-existent) advertising budget. Yes, I lose a few royalty percentage points in the process but I'm getting Amazon/Kindle's advertising in return to get the book out before more eyes than I can.

So please encourage folks to visit my Kindle Scout campaign at http://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/19M67224KD07R. A simple click (on "Nominate me") is all it takes to nominate Death Haunts the Stars!

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While you are online, check out my other e-books on my Amazon Author page at www.amazon.com/author/jeffreyfortney. Amazon can even help you gift them to friends at Christmas!

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Time to wrap up my advertising, walk around and stretch, then resume work on my next novel...Arizona State Guard: Freedom's Forge.

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Stay safe, everyone!

Jeffrey

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2015

And a New Adventure Begins!

That's right...I started a new adventure tonight!

I've begun writing the next exciting story in the Arizona State Guard series...Freedom's Forge!!! This new novel will pick up a few months after the events of Target Terror, bring back some old friends and introduce some new ones, and be filled with plenty of action, adventure, and thrills. So stay tuned to this blog as I will be posting about writing this new novel in the coming weeks!

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The Kindle Scout nominations for Death Haunts the Stars keep rolling in! Thanks to each and everyone of you who have been telling family, friends, and neighbors about my newest novel and my hope of getting an exclusive Kindle Scout contract. We still have 23 days to go, so please keep up the terrific job of getting the word out!!! 

Nominate Death Haunts the Stars at:

http://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/19M67224KD07R

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My current e-books are now available for purchase through my Amazon Author page at www.amazon.com/author/jeffreyfortney. Drop on by and pick one up!

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Have a great week, folks! Let's be safe out there!

Jeffrey 

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2015

E-readers and E-books!

E-readers are a blast! I own a Pandigital Novel that was my introduction to e-readers and the office provided me with an iPad to use as part of my job. Both provide Internet access and, more importantly, the ability to read e-books. 

One of the great things about e-readers and e-books is that they provide you with a rapid means of continuing whatever particular saga you are reading. Awhile back I was reading an e-book that was part of a rather large series written by William W. Johnstone. Because I was missing several of the paperbacks in the series, I purchased e-book versions of the missing stories to read. (I have since located the missing paperbacks and added them to my collection!)

As I was reading one of the books on my e-reader, I came to the end of that e-book. And wouldn't you know it, Mr. Johnstone ended the story on a major cliffhanger. So there I was, sitting in my recliner, wanting the story to continue. Julie asked me, "What are you going to do?" I quickly opened the Barnes & Noble app on the Pandigital Novel, found the next book in the series, purchased and downloaded it, and, within 5 minutes, was reading the next story...without getting up from my recliner! 

I've also used the search function within e-books to locate specific passages within e-books. It's much, much faster than searching page by page. Ease of use!!!

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So with that in mind, let me introduce you to my existing line of e-books:

These books are available through my Amazon author page at www.amazon.com/author/jeffreyfortney.

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And now, you dear readers can help make the next chapter in my writing career even better. As you may have read already, I have enrolled my latest e-novel, Death Haunts the Stars, in Amazon's Kindle Scout program in the hopes of winning an exclusive Kindle contract. This contract would help me get additional Amazon advertising for this new novel. How can you help, you ask? 

By going to the following link and nominating Death Haunts the Stars for a Kindle Contract. You can make a difference, so I ask you to do so!

http://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/19M67224KD07R

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So thanks to each of you for your role in my writing career! 

Jeffrey

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2015

More of This and That...

Howdy!

The Kindle Scout campaign for Death Haunts the Stars has gotten off to a great start! Now is our chance to build on the number of nominations by encouraging family and friends to visit the campaign website (http://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/19M67224KD07R) and click on "Nominate me". I appreciate everyone's help with this!

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I'll begin work on a new novel in about a week. I'm thinking of working on the next (last?) book in the Arizona State Guard series. It is time to move the story forward there and parts of the research for this story will have major impacts on a later novel. A writer's work is never done...

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Sales have slowed down on my other e-books, so it's time to ramp up the advertising on them. Over the next few weeks, you'll be seeing a lot of Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter ads for the following:

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Going into crunch time at work to try to get as many photo shoots for Essentials Seventh conducted before Winter weather closes in on us. Have several chapters to finish writing for that manual then those will turned over to the committee for their inputs. Need to get as much done on E7 before I have to start real work on Industrial Fire Brigades Second.

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As the days grow shorter and the weather colder, be careful out there! Winter weather with all of its cold temperatures, snow, and ice can be treacherous. Stay safe!

Jeffrey

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2015

The BIG PUSH!

Greetings!

Today I begin the BIG PUSH!

I'm going to spend the next 4 weeks advertising the heck out of my Kindle Scout campaign for my newest novel, Death Haunts the Stars! I'm also going to do the same for my other e-books. So fasten your belts, here it comes:

Death Haunts the Stars:

The Kindle Scout campaign is live and can be found at: http://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/19M67224KD07R. Please visit the campaign site and give Death Haunts the Stars a nomination towards a Kindle Scout contract through Amazon. This contract would mean more advertising from Amazon in getting Death Haunts the Stars out for more people to see!

The Terra-Bravo Saga:

The current trilogy of the Terra-Bravo Saga includes: 

Chaos on Terra-Prime:
Major Kent Morgan (USAF) and his younger brother, Captain Cord Morgan  (U.S. Army), are stationed in South Korea when a new civil war breaks  out in the United States. They and other Americans stranded in South Korea must battle their way home only to be caught up in the civil war at home.

Foothold on Terra-Bravo:
The threat of a growing Islamic Global Caliphate endangers the lives of every U.S. citizen and leads to an escape by some to another alternate Terra where they must struggle to survive in a hostile environment.

Crisis on Terra-Bravo:
The colonists face further dangers on their new world, Terra-Bravo, and the threat of saboteurs who came with them from Terra-Prime.

The Arizona State Guard:

Read the adventures of Marcus Roman and the troopers of the Arizona State Guard in:

Bloody Border
War weary Major Marcus A. Roman returns home to Arizona, ready to move on with his life. The former Special Forces operative finds his home state besieged on many levels. When the Federal Government fails to protect its citizens along the border with Mexico, Arizona's governor and legislature take steps to protect the citizens of the Grand Canyon State. Marcus and his family are drawn into the crossfire when he and his father are recruited to help form the state's new first-line of defense...the Arizona State Guard!

Target Terror
Following the events of Bloody Border, Marcus and the other ASGuard troopers face new dangers! As the 2nd American Civil War continues to smolder between the United States of America and the People's Socialist States of America. Around the globe, the Islamic Global Caliphate is growing as nation after nation falls under their bloody control. And now, the IGC has the State of Arizona in its crosshairs! In Arizona, Lieutenant Colonel Marcus Roman and his fellow ASGuard troopers must defend the Grand Canyon State against a new threat...a terror plot developed by the Islamic Global Caliphate. Join LTC Roman and his troopers as they follow clues across the face of Arizona. Can the ASGuard solve the mystery of the radioactive watch and prevent the immediate death of thousands and the slow death of many, many more!

Honing Your Instructional Skills:

Why some instructors/teachers are more successful than others? How are they able to reach and inspire their students? What are they doing differently than their co-workers? How can you become a more effective instructor/teacher?

Honing Your Instructional Skills discusses nine areas that instructors/teachers can work on to improve their teaching. 

- Be There FOR Your Students 
- Instructors Need TRAINING, Too 
- KNOW Your Subject Matter 
- Have a POSITIVE Attitude 
- Be PROFESSIONAL 
- Preach SAFETY 
- Use HUMOR, But Don't Abuse It 
- Use War STORIES Wisely...and Sparingly 
- Practice, Practice, Practice and Then...PRACTICE Some More 

These topics are presented in short, concise chapters and in everyday language. Quick and easy to read, Honing Your Instructional Skills offers common sense approaches that can help instructors/teachers of all types and levels improve their teaching!

Remember that e-books can make awesome Christmas gifts for your family and friends who read books on their computers, cellphones, tablets, and e-readers! All of these e-books can be found at my Amazon.com Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/jeffreyfortney.

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Here's hoping everyone had a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Stay safe out there!

Jeffrey 

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2015

Eureka!!!

Greetings Family and Friends,

Welcome back to Meanderings of a Middle Age Mind! 

I know it's been awhile since last I wrote a blog post. There have been a number of reasons for this:

1) I was using the time to finalize my new novel, Death Haunts the Stars!

2) I wanted to give you fine folks a break from advertising overload.

3) Local/National/World events have kinda got me down!

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So let's look at these one at a time, shall we?

1) Death Haunts the Stars is now complete and has been submitted to Amazon's Kindle Scout program AND HAS BEEN ACCEPTED for a campaign!!! Starting at 12:00 midnight (EST), this November 25th the campaign goes live. Here is the link to DHtS's Kindle Scout campaign site:

http://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/19M67224KD07R

Please take a moment and go to that page once it's live and vote on Death Haunts the Stars by clicking on the blue "Nominate me" button. Please share this link with your family, friends, the neighbors on either side of you, your favorite barber, your least favorite super-villain, and whoever else suits your fancy. The more people who vote and the longer it keeps getting nominated, the greater the chance I will be accepted for an exclusive Amazon Kindle contract to promote the book far more than I can do by myself.

Don't miss your opportunity to nominate "Death Haunts the Stars". This campaign runs for only 30 days and ends on December 25th, 2015.

2) Yes, I know most of you have purchased my other books and are waiting for other books to come out. (I'm working on that!) So short of you wonderful folks spreading the word far and wide about my books, the current market is saturated and further advertising may/may not accomplish much.

Well, I'm going to resume marking with this blog post. I'm going to add that Amazon allows its customers to purchase e-books such as mine as gifts for family and friends. (There's a "Give as a Gift" button on the right of my e-books' Amazon.com pages.) 

Now we're coming up on that wonderful time of the year where giving is so much better than receiving so here's your opportunity to give to those science fiction/action/adventure/thriller family members and friends who have e-readers! 

E-books are fun, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly! 

3) A few weeks back we had a horrible incident here in Stillwater where a young woman drove her car into OSU's Homecoming Parade, killing 4 and injuring 46. They've determined she was not intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. They claim she has serious mental health issues. Whatever...she killed 4 people and harmed so many more. 

On the national scene, we have a significant portion of our population who just don't seem to live in reality. They're not only willing to endanger themselves but also the rest of the citizens of the United States for their utopian delusions. God knows how many American will die before they open their eyes. And sadly, they've poisoned the last two generations and turned them into self-centered, whiny babies.

Around the world, there is a cult of religious nuts who are mentally stuck in the 7th Century. They are growing in number and strength every day and those same utopians who are ruining the U.S. can't see them for who they really are. The current administration in D.C. assures us that these religious nuts are the J.V. team and are being contained. Let's see...Paris attack and now a worldwide travel warning for American Citizens. Oh, yeah...they're contained alright!

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In a couple of more days, we will be celebrating Thanksgiving. Let me offer you prayers for safe travels to and from for those who will be traveling for this holiday.

Stay safe!

Jeffrey

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2015

A Question for My Readers...

Hi Everyone!

Hope this finds each of you well. Doing okay myself.

I want you to know that the fine folks of Stillwater, Oklahoma are doing well. We certainly appreciate everyone's thoughts, prayers, and support since the tragic events last weekend during our OSU Homecoming Parade. Things are getting better. A nice little memorial is growing at the corner where the event occurred. I hope the city or OSU will take the initiative to preserve each item.

My blog post regarding the event was my most read post with this blog and I greatly appreciate it. In looking back over my blog, I noticed that a fair number of my posts from a variety of topics happen to be a mix of topics beyond just my writing. While I began this blog primary to write about my writing, I have on rare occasions talked on other topics. Which brings me to my question for you...

Would you be more likely to read my blog posts if I change things up on a regular basis? Perhaps if I write a little on my writing, a little on current events, a little something else... I'd be quite willing to try it if you would be willing to read it!

Think about it and you can let me know by commenting on this blog post or on my Facebook page. I really look forward to hearing from you!

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Just two quick notes on writing: 

-- IFSTA's Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (6th edition) has been released! I had a terrific group of people I worked with on this project and wish to thank each them for their vital contributions!

-- The major edits on Death Haunts the Stars are almost complete! Should finish them tonight or tomorrow night. Then one more pass through and the text will be ready to go!

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The Fall colors are coming so take some time this week to enjoy the change in the Seasons. Enjoy life!

Jeffrey

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2015

Tragedy at Oklahoma State University Homecoming Parade

Nothing about writing tonight, no ads, and no humor.

Yesterday morning, a senseless tragedy occurred in Stillwater, Oklahoma when a 25-year old woman drove her car into a crowd of people who were watching the end of the OSU Homecoming Parade. There were many first responders in the parade and they leaped into action to begin helping those who had been struck. 

Sadly, 4 people are (at this time) dead and 44 more were injured. As I write this, several remain in critical condition. Among the dead was a 2-year old boy. His mother is one of the victims who is in critical condition. Numerous medi-evac helicopters were flown in to airlift the severely injured to nearby hospitals.

The woman driving the vehicle was taken into custody immediately by police under the suspicion of driving under the influence. She has already lawyered up and they are claiming she suffers from untreated diabetes or some altered mental state that no one was previously aware of. 

I was driving toward the location of the incident shortly after it occurred, not aware of what had happened. Traffic was backed up terribly so I rerouted to a different store. There I ran into a friend who told me what had happened.

A quick check of my family and friends showed that they were all safe! Sadly, dozens of others I've never met, but shall pray for nonetheless, were harmed. It's sad, tragic, and was totally unnecessary. In time, we'll find out what caused the driver to do what she did. In that time, we may see more of her victims pass (God forbid). In that time, the survivors and their families will endure the pain and hardships posed by the event. 

God Bless and watch over those who were harmed (the victims and their families and friends) on Saturday, October 24, 2015. Please, Father, help our city heal from this tragedy.

I'm too angry and sad to say anymore.

Jeffrey

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2015

When a Coma is NOT a Comma...

Gotcha!

I've come to notice that my most innocuous blog headlines have generated far more "views" far faster than some of my more active headlines! So I wanted to try a little experiment to see how the headline above grabs ya. The blog headlined "A Quiet Weekend...Before I Spend the Week Doing More Editing" garnered 30 views and a +3 share faster than any other blog post I've made.

So let's see how this headlined grabs ya!

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Now that I've got your attention, things are coming along well with Death Haunts the Stars. I'm at the halfway point with the first edits. Taking a little longer than usual but it's a different genre and I want to get it right! I'm really enjoying the interaction between the characters. I'm looking forward to this week and next as I conduct more edits on the e-novel and bring it closer to completion

Spoke with Sean this weekend about the cover and have no doubt he'll do a wonderful job of it. I can't wait to see it and share it with all of you!

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I also plan to spend some time each night this week doing some online advertising for the existing e-books. You, my family and friends, have been instrumental in getting the word out to folks about my e-books and I'd like to ask you once again to get the word out!

It's time to run another series of ads for my e-books and drum up some more sales.

Previously, I encouraged you to 'run out and tell your best friend, your arch enemy, your postal carrier, and your friendly comic shoppe-guy' all about my e-books (the Terra-Bravo Saga, the Arizona State Guard, and Honing Your Instructional Skills)!

You all did such a terrific job, let's add to that list, shall we?!?!

So go out and tell your banker, your waiter or waitress, your bartender (or barmaid), your favorite aunt/uncle twice-removed, and of course, your hairdresser all about my e-books!! Share the attached ad with any and all who will listen. (Tie them up, if you must!) 

A million thanks to each of you!!!

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Well, it's time to put my eyeballs back on Death Haunts the Stars and get some editing done. 

Please take some time to enjoy the start of our changing seasons and have a great week!

Jeffrey 

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2015

The Edits Are Coming Along Nicely!

Yep! You read that correctly...the edits ARE coming along nicely! The work on Death Haunts the Stars is moving along quite well. As soon as I finish this weekend's advertising blitz (and take Julie to work), it's back to wending my way through the draft of the new e-novel.

I've discovered I really like the main characters of Death Haunts the Stars and am hoping that this e-novel sells well enough for me to write a sequel one day that will feature Captain James Rivers; his wife, Dr. Charlotte Hanson Rivers; and his Chief of Security, Commander Mac Bradley. I have some ideas for them (and some of the other characters) for such a sequel.

I'm going to enroll Death Haunts the Stars in Amazon's new Kindle Scout Program. As I understand the program, it's much like a Kickstarter: 
a) I submit my work.
b) They set up a website.
c) I tell all my family and friends to check out my e-novel's page.
d) Family and friends (and others, too!) indicate they like the story (Yes, please!)
e) And, if enough folks like it, then I get a contract for Amazon/Kindle to e-publish and advertise it!

If they don't:
a) Amazon/Kindle return my work to me.
b) I self e-publish it on Kindle with me doing the advertising.

So, when it's ready, I'm going to be asking you all for your help!

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This weeks advertising:

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Have a great week, everybody! Remember...let's be safe out there!

Jeffrey

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2015

A Quiet Weekend...Before I Spend the Week Doing More Editing!!!

Yes, I took a weekend off from writing and editing. So not a lot to say.

Just going to use the time and space (a little sci-fi humor there) to do a little advertising for my current e-books:

The Terra-Bravo Saga:

And the Arizona State Guard series:

And Honing Your Instructional Skills:

Available at Amazon.com, Smashwords.com, b&n.com, and other online e-book stores!

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Oh! I got a new, better bicycle. A Huffy and I have to say, it's a nice ride! Been riding Boomer Lake every day and making it in better time each day.

Stay safe everyone! Have a great week!

Jeffrey 

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2015

Let the Edits Begin!

Yep! It's that time in the writing process where the editor in me takes over from the writer in me. (Well, the writer will pop up from time to time throughout the process but...)

I'm going to get the advertising done, take Julie to work, and THEN I'll start the edits on Death Haunts the Stars! This will probably take me about a month depending on the muse. I need to tweak some character info and add in a few clues along the way. I figure it may add 10 - 15 pages in the process. Need to tweak the dialogue (of course!).

If all goes well, I hope to have  Death Haunts the Stars ready for a final clean up and formatting by end of October. That'll give Sean time to finish the cover design!

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Amazon.com notified me yesterday that I should be receiving my next royalty payment in a week or so. Yay! It's not a lot but it's more than the previous one so it shows I'm growing my customer base. And I want to keep that customer base growing!

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Speaking of Amazon.com, I've created my Author Page at Amazon. All of my books can be accessed through that page for purchase. I plan to include the link in all future advertising (like right now: www.amazon.com/author/jeffreyfortney). I also plan to post some videos and other content on the site in the near future!

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Well, the Fortney Family has a running challenge with each other right now to see who can lose the most weight over three months. Over the last couple of months, I've lost a few pounds...only to gain it back. Lose a little...then gain it right back. It's been very disappointing, to say the least. 

On Friday, I bought myself a bicycle. Nothing fancy...a Schwinn Men's 27.5" Swindler. One speed...me!

There were some problems with the floor model but they had another in stock that they put together for me. Picked it up Saturday afternoon and went out to Boomer Lake for a ride while Julie went jogging. Had some issues with the seat, handlebars, and mudguards so I didn't ride very far. 

Tweaked each issue and went out for a ride this morning at Boomer. Rode all the way around the lake (3.07 miles) in a little over 20 minutes. Only had two spots (uphill grades: a foot bridge and a small hill) slow me down. The bridge I crossed while peddling but I had to walk about 150 feet of the small hill. The bike rode great!

Back home I parked it on the back porch. Went out a couple of hours later to take a photo of it and found the front tire half off of the rim! (Which is what appeared to be wrong with the floor model!) Tried to put some air into it with no luck. Pulled the tire and tube to find a 6-inch tube blow out! Went to the local stores and none of them carry that size of tube! So, I took the bike back! I'm going to do some research and find a better bike!

For now, guess I'll just walk while Julie jogs.

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Enough for now. Need to finish my advertising then start on the edits!

Stay safe out there!

Jeffrey

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2015

The First Draft is Done!

Yes! Your read that correctly...the first draft of Death Haunts the Stars is done! Hurray! Huzzah! Woot...woot!

So how soon is the book coming out you may ask? Well, the book isn't done yet...just the first draft. Lots to do yet!

First, I'm taking the next week off from writing on the manuscript. I do this to recharge the ol' batteries, clear my mind, and get a fresh perspective. Plus, I'm just gonna rest and read.

After that, the edits begin. I go back to the start and look at the draft one line at a time, looking for typos, grammatical errors, continuity errors, and so on. I also use this pass to add some new touches to the novel. In this case, I'll be adding some clues and diversions that will add to the mystery in the story. 

The third step is to make another pass double checking spelling and grammar. I'll also finalize the number of chapters.

While all of this is going on, I'll be working with Sean Fortney on the cover design. We'll get it right and Sean will provide me with a wonderful final work of art that will attract readers!

Last, but certainly not least, I'll finalize the layout of the digital file, create the linked table of contents, and complete the glossary of terms. 

So, as you can see, I'm still a ways off from having the e-novel ready for e-publishing. I expect to have the next two phases done by the end of October. The final phases may be complete as early as mid-November and I hope to have the novel e-published by the end of November!

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In the meantime, please tell your family and friends about my other e-books! 

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Summer is drawing to a close and Autumn is almost upon us! Take time to enjoy the nice weather before Winter comes-a-calling!

Jeffrey

© Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2015