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!

**********

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)

**********

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 

A Student of History and a Novelist Sit Down Together...

I am an unabashed student of history. Many of the college courses I've taken are in history. I love reading books about historical people and events. 

As a student of history, I (like many others with the same bent) have learned that things happen in cycles. What has happened before will (eventually) happen again. Or as Commander Ace Hunter says in the movie Megaforce: "It's all on the wheel, old chap. It ALL comes around!"

Republics come and republics go. They tend to last about 200 years, then elected officials learn that they can buy votes with the public coffers (bread and circuses in Rome; phones and handouts in the modern world). An old story goes that Benjamin Franklin, upon leaving the Constitutional Convention, was supposedly asked what sort of government the delegates had created. His reply was said to be, "A republic, if you can keep it." Whether the story was true or apocryphal, there is truth in the answer given.

The United States of America is a constitutional federal republic...NOT a democracy as so many believe! A federation of states, with a republican form of government with the division of powers between the levels of government (federal, state, county, etc.) codified in a constitution. Many people also forget that the 13 States (Colonies) formed the federal government...NOT the other way around!

Having witnessed the last 45 years (plus) our country's history and weighing it against the history I've learned, I recognized a familiar pattern emerging. So, a few years back, the student of history in me sat down with the budding novelist in me and created the common theme at the core of six of my novels. Six novels grew out of this theme.

The Terra-Bravo Saga and the Arizona State Guard novels share a common event...a Second American Civil War! But, one significantly different than the previous one. First, it begins as a cold war between those separated by political beliefs. Second, it eventually escalates into a hot war. Third, an outside threat uses the fact that this civil war sidelines the U.S. on the world stage to increase its hold around the glove then invades America.

The Terra-Bravo Saga trilogy addresses this new civil war in a science fiction setting employing the concept of parallel worlds. The Arizona State Guard trilogy deals with the civil war in more action/adventure genre approach.

I've had readers ask me if I'm a fortune teller, reading the future in tea leaves or a crystal ball? My answer is, "No, I'm just a student of history. It's all on the wheel, old chap. It ALL comes around!" Is it what I wish for? HELL NO! I'm utterly distressed by what is happening in our country today. One day, they'll stop attacking statues and begin burning books. My stories go against their beliefs and will be prime examples of what might be burned someday.

The novelist in me is both horrified and expectant about this. Horrified that Americans will burn books and expectant that they'll have to purchase my books before they can burn them!

**********

My novels are (still) available in e-book and paperback formats through my Amazon Author page at: www.amazon.com/author/jeffreyfortney.

**********

My thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by Hurricane Harvey. 

Jeffrey

Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2017 

And the Adventure Continues!

It was a sad day for me today as I learned of the passing of one of my favorite comedians...Jerry Lewis! My prayers go out to his family, friends, and fans around the world. Thank you for all the laughter, Jerry!

**********

I've made some good progress on the first edit of Camadin Station Two: Last Stand the past couple of days. About 2/3 of the way through at this point. Hope to finish the first edit by the end of August. After I complete that, I'll make one more pass through it, create one file for e-book format and one for print-on-demand paperback format. This week I need to check with Sean to see how the cover is coming along. If all goes well, hopefully I'll be ready to publish both formats by the end of September.

**********

Meanwhile, my current books are available through my Amazon Author Page at www.amazon.com/author/jeffreyfortney. 

**********

Be careful looking at the eclipse tomorrow!

Jeffrey

Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2017 

Part-time Novelist

My novels are products of my imagination and the limited amount of spare time I have in each day. While I'm a full-time editor and photographer in my professional life, I am a part-time novelist seeking a wider audience.

As a part-time novelist, I also do most of my own advertising with the help of the Internet and you, my loyal readers. Facebook, LinkedIn, and other online sources such as Blogger, help me get the word out to you and it is your word-of-mouth that helps get my novels out to more and more people.

I thank each of you for that assistance! Please continue to share information about my books with your family, friends, and postal service workers.

My novels (in either format) may be purchased through my Amazon Author Page at www.amazon.com/author/jeffreyfortney.

Writing is an interesting process. Sometimes I look at the screen and the muse is not with me but I try to write a little something anyway. I don't always succeed but I do try. Other days, the words just flow from my fingertips onto the page on the screen. Thank God, I'm no longer using a typewriter! Word processors DO make the job easier from a mechanical perspective.

Research can be a problem but thanks to the Internet, the process is improved. I often wonder if someone is tracking my Internet searches!

Something that is helpful in the writing process is privacy, which is currently at a premium in the Fortney Family household. Fortunately, Julie and her family understand that when I'm writing and editing I need some privacy. Of course, this sign above my desk might be part of it!

Work on Camadin Station Two: Last Stand is moving along well. I'm more than 1/2 way through the first edit. Sean thinks he'll be able to deliver the cover by the end of August so I think I'm on track for an early September release of CST:LS in e-book and paperback formats! Stay tuned!

Enjoy what's left of the Summer, my family and friends! Fall will soon be upon us!

Jeffrey

Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2017

Of Past, Present, and Future Things!

Those who know me well know that I’ve been a storyteller all my life. I initially wrote them long hand on legal pads then later on a manual typewriter my parents bought me. My first (very) short story got published in the Arizona Republic newspaper back in the early ‘70s.

The dream of every writer is to get published. While the books I’ve worked on as part of my job with the U.S. Air Force and with Fire Protection Publications count as publication, I still looked forward to the day when I could add published novelist to my list of accomplishments.

The advent of e-publishing helped me achieve part of that with the release of my seven novels and sole how-to book as e-books through Smashwords.com at first then later through Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing. Still, I felt something was missing. While I could state unequivocally that my e-books exist, it is as digital files, little combinations of ones and zeros. The only physicality they possess is through whatever device they have been downloaded onto for reading.

Now with Amazon’s Kindle Print-on-Demand publishing, my novels have physical presences as well as digital. There’s just something to be said for the feel of a paperback book, the heft of its weight, and the smell of new paper and ink! And now I have in my possession paperback editions of my first seven novels!

I have to give credit as well to my sons, Kyle and Sean. Kyle is my co-author on two novels, Foothold on Terra-Bravo, and Crisis on Terra-Bravo. He and I hope to visit Terra-Bravo again one day soon! Sean has provided covers for my Arizona State Guard series and Death Haunts the Stars. He’s working on the cover for the sequel to Death Haunts the Stars and is designing the intro for my videos. I owe them my profound thanks!

The one drawback to self-publishing is the lack of a dedicated sales staff working 24/7 to sell my books for me. I’m the one responsible for my advertising and the time spent doing it is time not spent writing! What I DO have is you, my family and friends who help me by spreading the word about my novels! I’m forever grateful for all you’ve done.

The next step is to become a commercially successful novelist! Yes, I’ve made (some) money from my book sales thus far. But, not a lot of money. So, in my next phase, I plan to look for additional means to advertise my books (in both formats). What will entail? At this point, I’m not sure…but I’m going to find out!

Meanwhile, please continue to get the word out to family, friends, and the miscellaneous mad scientists in your social circles.

Thanks!

Jeffrey

Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2017

The Past Week and Looking Forward!

So this last week has flown by...and not all in a good way:

1) My eldest son and his family were involved in a nasty car accident on Friday a week ago. They pulled over for an emergency vehicle and the idiot in the truck behind them was too busy fumbling for his cellphone to stop. He plowed into the back of my son's vehicle! The good news is everyone is okay. The bad news is my son's vehicle is totaled...because some jackass was messing around with his cellphone instead of focusing on his driving. Kudos the firefighters at Stillwater FD Station #4 who provided extrication and first aid to my family members.

2) Last Saturday, I went to Tulsa for the IFSTA Validation Conference. Spent Saturday afternoon through Tuesday morning with wonderful people making significant progress on a number of our IFSTA training manuals.

3) While I was in Tulsa on Saturday, the Missus called to say that our water heater died and was leaking. Fortunately, Julie, Sean, and Kyle were able to perform the replacement!

4) On Sunday, I received word that Kirk Harrigan (a friend, mentor, and Brother from my days at Davis-Monthan AFB during the early part of my fire service career) passed away. Kirk, our buddy Tim McPheron, and I rode Rescue together at D-M in 81-83. I credit them with getting my Fire Service career well into gear! Kirk will be sorely missed.

The good news from last week arrived in two parts:

1) The 2017 IFSTA Validation Conference was quite successful. Each of the committees meeting met or exceeded their validation goals. We had an awesome visit to the Fire Protection Publication office on Sunday. 

2) I got to see two more of my Print-on-Demand paperbacks sell on Amazon. I'm sure they're going to a good home and will look nice on my bookshelf right next to my other P-o-D paperbacks! (And I get some of my money back in royalties!!!) Have you bought your copies yet?

**********

Tomorrow night I begin editing Camadin Station Two: Last Stand! My batteries are recharged and I'm ready to hit it hard. I've given Sean my basic cover idea and am eager to see how he makes it come alive. More updates on edits and art in the weeks ahead!

**********

Speaking of my books and e-books, they are still available through my Amazon Author page at www.amazon.com/author/jeffreyfortney! Please let people know about the site and my novels!

**********

Let's be careful out there, folks! Cellphone calls and texts are NOT worth someone's life. Remember your children and your pets in this Summer heat. Stay hydrated and stay alive!

Jeffrey

Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2017

Newly Reformatted and Now LESS Expensive Paperbacks!

For those that read my last blog post, you know that I recently reformatted my e-novels for Print-on-Demand release as paperbacks. While I'm very pleased with the printing, binding, and overall look of my paperback novels, I wasn't pleased with their pricing. As published, they ran about $3.00 to $5.00 more than a conventional paperback. This wasn't Amazon's fault, when I prepped them for P-o-D, I forgot to modify the font size and line spacing of the body text throughout each book. (Hey, I'm new at this part of the busy!)

Yes, the paperbacks are slightly larger (5" x 8") than regular paperbacks and the print was larger and spaced further apart making them look like large print editions. But, that came at a price...they cost more to print. And thus cost my customers more money. The good news is that I'm the only one who's bought any of them.

So...

I've reformatted them (again) to reduce the font size to 11 and the line spacing to 1.15. This has reduced the overall size of each book by an average of 33%. With that, I can lower the prices of each of the novels.

The new paperback prices are:

       Arizona State Guard: Bloody Border ($7.99)

       Arizona State Guard: Target Terror ($8.99)

       Arizona State Guard: Freedom’s Forge ($9.99)

       Chaos on Terra-Prime ($8.99)

       Foothold on Terra-Bravo ($8.99)

       Crisis on Terra-Bravo ($9.99)

       Camadin Station One: Death Haunts the Stars ($8.99)

These prices are now more in keeping with current paperback prices. (Shipping extra.)

My novels (e-books and paperbacks) are available through my Amazon.com Author Page at Arizona www.amazon.com/author/jeffreyfortney. Check 'em out! Tell your family and friends about 'em! 

Heck, tell EVERYONE about 'em!

Cheers!

Jeffrey

Jeffrey M. Fortney - 2017