Getting the Word Out!

Perhaps my least favorite part of being a self-published author has to be advertising. Self-promotion is too much like blowing my own horn...not something I'm really comfortable with. But, if I'm not willing to take the time to talk up my novels, then who will?

Well, my many friends and family have been of enormous help in getting the word out about my books! They've shared my posts on Blogger, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and for that, I'm eternally grateful! Thank you all!

In the future, I plan to look into additional advertising venues...but for now, I'll continue to use my current methods while I complete my new novel.

Speaking of the new novel, Camadin Station Two: Last Stand, second edits are coming along quite nicely! I'm about half way through the book and I'm fixing typos, tightening up the storyline, and punching them up a bit. I'm feeling real good about this one as a continuation of and change in direction of the previous novel in this series.

I spoke with Sean about the cover and provided him some fresh ideas. I'm sure he'll come up with a terrific cover for Last Stand. Once we get a finalized version of it, I'll share it here! I think we're on track for a late-September/early-October publication.

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Meanwhile, check out my Amazon Author's page at www.amazon.com/author/jeffreyfortney.

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Summer is almost over and Fall is almost here. Enjoy!

Jeffrey

Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2017 

Success and the Part-time Novelist

Let's open this post with good news: 

After several months of delays followed by manic periods of intense work...the first edit of Camadin Station: Last Stand is COMPLETE!!! I need to make another pass through it starting tomorrow, get my cover, then format the book for e-book and print formats. Lots of work yet to do but I'm (finally) another step closer to publishing Novel #8! Another success under my belt.

On the topic of success, let's examine what it means...

People can be success in parts of their lives while other parts are less so. For example:
1) Julie and I've been together for more than 35 years and counting. - SUCCESS!
2) We've raised four kids and none of them turned out to be ax murderers. - SUCCESS!
3) I've served the Fire Service in one way or another for more than 40 years. - SUCCESS!
4) As a Fire Service Instructor, I personally trained over 3,500 personnel. - SUCCESS!
5) In my current position, I've managed and/or written 8 fire training manual projects and performed photography for many, many more. - SUCCESS!
6) Julie and I own a nice home. - SUCCESS!
7) I've become a published author of 9 books (e-book and/or print formats). - SUCCESS!

With all of that said, an area I'd like to improve is in the sales of my books. Yes, I've made money from my novels and how-to book but not enough to qualify as a financial success. And that is something I intend to work on!

What would I consider financial success as an author? Well, I'm enough of a realist to know that I'll never reach Tom Clancy, Dan Brown, or William W. Johnstone levels of sales. So what would be more realistic?

I'd like to make sufficient sales that it would bring in a steady stream of supplemental income. I don't want WEALTH...just comfort. I remember when I met G. Harry Stine back in the early 1990s. He invited me to his home in Phoenix. He and his wife lived in a modest house in a nice upper middle class neighborhood. It was not a mansion by any means; just a quaint ranch-style house with three bedrooms (one of which I'm sure was his office), a two car garage, and modest yards. Their home was much like my parent's (or my own 2-story), comfortable, lived-in, with no airs of wealth.

So with that in mind, I intend to shoot for that level of success. How? Well, I've done my "message" books. Now it's time to work on more commercial projects. And perhaps it's time to look for a publisher as I prepare to roll out the more commercial projects. We'll just have to see. I'm still new at this!

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Meanwhile, my current books are available through my Amazon Author Page at www.amazon.com/author/jeffreyfortney. Remember Kindle Unlimited subscribers can download my e-books as part of their subscription!

Arizona State Guard: Bloody Border (e-book: $4.99 / paperback: $7.99)

Arizona State Guard: Target Terror (e-book: $4.99 / paperback: $8.99)

Arizona State Guard: Freedom’s Forge (e-book: $4.99 / (paperback: $9.99)

Chaos on Terra-Prime (e-book: $4.99 / paperback: $8.99)

Foothold on Terra-Bravo (e-book: $4.99 / paperback: $8.99)

Crisis on Terra-Bravo (e-book: $4.99 / paperback: $9.99)

The Terra-Bravo Saga Volume 1 – (e-book ONLY: $3.99)

Camadin Station One: Death Haunts the Stars (e-book: $4.99 / paperback: $8.99)

Honing Your Instructional Skills - (e-book ONLY: $0.99)

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Please keep the people affected by the wildfires in the West and the hurricanes and flooding in Texas and Florida in your thoughts and prayers!

Stay safe and be good to one another!

Jeffrey 

Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2017