April

The Theme of the Month: Author Talks The theme for this month is Author Talks. I’ve already hosted two this month, and I have another one coming up in Gorham on the 30th. If you’ve never attended one of my talks, I highly suggest stopping by! It’s much less of a formal lecture and more of an open discussion. I might even ask you a few questions. 

The Power of Networking During these recent talks, two big topics kept coming up. First is the importance of support from other authors. At one of my recent events, an attendee actually had a connection to a much more notable Maine author. I won’t name-drop just yet—I’m in "wait and see" mode until I hear back—but getting help from established writers is a huge step toward my goals. 

On that note, the friendship I’ve developed with Tim Cotton has been a godsend. It isn’t just about sales; it’s about having someone in your corner to let you know how you're doing. Whether you are a veteran or a novice, I’m always happy to network. We can only help each other. 

From Page to Screen The second hot topic is the transition from books to movies. I want you all to know that I am doing everything in my power, with the resources I have, to reach that goal. However, I’ve heard back from directors and producers who have been very clear: my sales numbers need to be higher to make this a reality. Generally, they like to see a consistent move of 1,000 books a month before they make a move. 

At this point, I’m relying on you—the readers—to help make that happen. Share my posts on the "ole" Facebook, tell your friends about the books, and head into your local bookstores to ask why they don’t have my titles on their shelves. It’s going to take some "blue-collar" sales tactics to make this work, but I have no doubt we can do it. That’s why I always say: it’s a matter of WHEN the books go to movie, not IF. 

Update on Last Light Just a quick update: Last Light is currently with my formatting guy. He’s a working stiff like me and does this as a side gig, so it will likely take 2-3 months to finish. I’m perfectly happy with that timeline, as his work is excellent and his rates are much more reasonable than the other quotes I received. 

Looking Ahead I think that’s enough rambling for this month! Stay tuned for more updates here on the blog. If there is a specific topic you’d like me to discuss, please send me an email. 

I hope you all have a wonderful April. Green grass, warm days, and bright flowers are just ahead.