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I promise no spam and nothing but the brief newsletter about once a month.
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Bruce DelReno Newsletter from Mike Bove
June, 2012
-Amazon Kindle Select Program Over.
Willowtree is no longer an exclusive (e-book form) for Kindle at Amazon. This promotion was for 90 days and produced some pretty good results for me. During the five free days it was downloaded over 14,000 times, which in turn produced hundreds of sales. For the first time that I was aware of, it sold in Germany and Great Britain.
-Smashwords.com
Though the Kindle version can be read on many devices with proper applications, many do not know of this, or how to accomplish the conversion. As of June 1st Willowtree is available again at Smashwords.com in many formats for almost any device. Someone who purchases a book at Smashwords may download it multiple times in various formats. If you are unfamiliar with Smashwords.com, you should consider it as a good source of e-books. Many authors offer their books for free, or other discounts, by giving out a code that is entered at checkout.
-Any More Free Promos for Willowtree?
Yes, but not for certain days as with Amazon. I will publish, or otherwise give out the code for discounts of 100% and 50% at various times and places. The price is now $1.99 at all e-book outlets.
-Ad at Zoomvillage and Why.
I have many hundreds of aquaintances in Sedona through my years of delivering mail. The local newspaper, for some reason does not seem to give much support to local authors, except a few that are already quite well known. A local, former newsman, has started an online news site covering Sedona, at Zoomvillage. It is called Sedona Today , and has been steadily growing in its short existence. I placed a small ad on the site to reach some folks who know me and might want to check out my book. If the ad is seen by a few people, that'll be a few more than the zero who heard about it from the paper paper.
-Book review: Rock & Roll Homicide by R J McDonnell
Inside R J McDonnell's home I'd expect to see a guitar leaning against a chair, maybe a holstered police revolver hanging on the post. Without a doubt a portrait of Dad in dress blue would hang on the wall. Well, maybe the gun would be locked in a closet, but those items were close at hand when Jason Duffy's character was 'put on paper,' as they used to say. Duffy, the hero of Rock and Roll Homicide, is determined musician, son of a cop, and stubborn Irishman; those make him a darn good, though new private investigator. On his first murder case, working for the accused wife of a well-known, now dead band leader, Duffy finds himself in the midst something much bigger than it first appeared. He learns quickly as he and his associates are forced to deal with the police, thugs, druggies, and among others, the Russian Mafia. The reader is given a close inside look at the lives of the band members and the business of big time music promotion and production. Duffy gets himself into, and out of, some dangerous and sometimes comedic situations. The story from choice of murder weapon to finally trapping the killer, is filled with many surprises and twists, and enough exciting action to keep your Kindle hot. This is a great PI story told with a good insight into the lives of rockers, the music industry, police procedure, and personal relationships. A bonus is that it is told with a tremendous amount of humor, sometimes hilarious. But there's more. Favorite parts of mine were Duffy's family dynamics, and his take on ethnicity. Sláinte!
-Surprise E-Mails
I was pleasantly surprised to receive many e-mails from readers and long lost friends as a result of the Amazon promo and the article in my college's spring magazine. -Anna Bachtel, from Ohio, wrote that she spent much time in Arizona and has relatives here. The places mentioned in Willowtree brought back good memories for her. She contacted all members of her book club, suggesting they download it.
-Debbie Wittenrich, from New York State, wrote, "Thanks for the book that I couldn't read fast enough." Of course, she mentioned that her maiden name was Bove. Very interesting was the fact that she is of French descent. I knew that there are many Boves in France, but she is the first French Bove I have run into. As you know, most Boves are Italian.
-I got several e-mails from classmates I have not heard from since leaving Castleton State College in 1967. They recalled events that reminded me of the great fun we had as collegians.
-Latest blog entry
I am embarrassed for making the mistake of submitting the wrong file for previous editions of Willowtree. This is further explained on my blog. New Edition of Willowtree. As of June 1, all outlets have the correct, edited file. Anyone wishing to download a fresh copy of the e-book can get it free at Smashwords.com. Enter this code at check-out: XH98K
June, 2012
-Amazon Kindle Select Program Over.
Willowtree is no longer an exclusive (e-book form) for Kindle at Amazon. This promotion was for 90 days and produced some pretty good results for me. During the five free days it was downloaded over 14,000 times, which in turn produced hundreds of sales. For the first time that I was aware of, it sold in Germany and Great Britain.
-Smashwords.com
Though the Kindle version can be read on many devices with proper applications, many do not know of this, or how to accomplish the conversion. As of June 1st Willowtree is available again at Smashwords.com in many formats for almost any device. Someone who purchases a book at Smashwords may download it multiple times in various formats. If you are unfamiliar with Smashwords.com, you should consider it as a good source of e-books. Many authors offer their books for free, or other discounts, by giving out a code that is entered at checkout.
-Any More Free Promos for Willowtree?
Yes, but not for certain days as with Amazon. I will publish, or otherwise give out the code for discounts of 100% and 50% at various times and places. The price is now $1.99 at all e-book outlets.
-Ad at Zoomvillage and Why.
I have many hundreds of aquaintances in Sedona through my years of delivering mail. The local newspaper, for some reason does not seem to give much support to local authors, except a few that are already quite well known. A local, former newsman, has started an online news site covering Sedona, at Zoomvillage. It is called Sedona Today , and has been steadily growing in its short existence. I placed a small ad on the site to reach some folks who know me and might want to check out my book. If the ad is seen by a few people, that'll be a few more than the zero who heard about it from the paper paper.
-Book review: Rock & Roll Homicide by R J McDonnell
Inside R J McDonnell's home I'd expect to see a guitar leaning against a chair, maybe a holstered police revolver hanging on the post. Without a doubt a portrait of Dad in dress blue would hang on the wall. Well, maybe the gun would be locked in a closet, but those items were close at hand when Jason Duffy's character was 'put on paper,' as they used to say. Duffy, the hero of Rock and Roll Homicide, is determined musician, son of a cop, and stubborn Irishman; those make him a darn good, though new private investigator. On his first murder case, working for the accused wife of a well-known, now dead band leader, Duffy finds himself in the midst something much bigger than it first appeared. He learns quickly as he and his associates are forced to deal with the police, thugs, druggies, and among others, the Russian Mafia. The reader is given a close inside look at the lives of the band members and the business of big time music promotion and production. Duffy gets himself into, and out of, some dangerous and sometimes comedic situations. The story from choice of murder weapon to finally trapping the killer, is filled with many surprises and twists, and enough exciting action to keep your Kindle hot. This is a great PI story told with a good insight into the lives of rockers, the music industry, police procedure, and personal relationships. A bonus is that it is told with a tremendous amount of humor, sometimes hilarious. But there's more. Favorite parts of mine were Duffy's family dynamics, and his take on ethnicity. Sláinte!
-Surprise E-Mails
I was pleasantly surprised to receive many e-mails from readers and long lost friends as a result of the Amazon promo and the article in my college's spring magazine. -Anna Bachtel, from Ohio, wrote that she spent much time in Arizona and has relatives here. The places mentioned in Willowtree brought back good memories for her. She contacted all members of her book club, suggesting they download it.
-Debbie Wittenrich, from New York State, wrote, "Thanks for the book that I couldn't read fast enough." Of course, she mentioned that her maiden name was Bove. Very interesting was the fact that she is of French descent. I knew that there are many Boves in France, but she is the first French Bove I have run into. As you know, most Boves are Italian.
-I got several e-mails from classmates I have not heard from since leaving Castleton State College in 1967. They recalled events that reminded me of the great fun we had as collegians.
-Latest blog entry
I am embarrassed for making the mistake of submitting the wrong file for previous editions of Willowtree. This is further explained on my blog. New Edition of Willowtree. As of June 1, all outlets have the correct, edited file. Anyone wishing to download a fresh copy of the e-book can get it free at Smashwords.com. Enter this code at check-out: XH98K
Bruce DelReno Newsletter from Mike Bove
May, 2012
-April Promo -Why authors give away books.
“13 e-books by 13 mystery authors on Friday the 13 th” was April's promotion for Willowtree. I joined 12 others to offer our e-books free for that one day. It was quite successful as 8596 copies of Willowtree were downloaded. It rose to #8 on a list of Amazon's top 100 for the day. These lists indicate popularity of a book and reader/buyers look at them, so being high on the lists spurs future sales.
-Progress on DelReno, book II.
I am continually being asked how the next book, Stinger Maguire is coming along. I admit to slacking, but I have been writing some notes, so aim to get more ardent at writing more chapters soon. Maguire is a Willowtree, AZ native and a successful golf pro. He is murdered during a visit for a charity event. A draft of chapter one is at my goodreads.com author page.
-Next book signing
I will be at Bookman's Entertainment Exchange, 1520 S Riordan Ranch Rd (next to Target) in Flagstaff from 2 to 4 pm on Sunday, May 20. Willowtree will have a special price, I will sign, and offer a door prize. I will glad to talk about my books, golf or self-publishing.
-Book review She Walks on Gilded Splinters by Gene Dwyer
This is a historical novel spanning four centuries; it is at the same time modern crime fiction. The basis if the story is events which brought Negroes to America to be sold as slaves, and the effects of those events on the lives of decendents of both trader and slave. The mix of incidents happening in 1590 through 1990 is a brilliantly crafted narrative. The reader travels from Africa, on the slave ships, and to the port of New Orleans with vivid details of the journey. The modern part of the story follows New Orleans cops trying to piece together information concerning Marie Laveau, the black woman whose activities and life is a real legend in the city. How much of her legend, the voodoo religion, and circumstances involving horrific murders one believes are true is up to the reader. Accurate descriptions of various neighborhoods in the city and the development of likeable characters, especially Marvin and Laureen, lead one to believe all of it is true. Then, invisible demons can be seen, and one wonders how much, if any of it, is true. This is a thoroughly entertaining book that also awakens thoughts about the present social condition in our country. Especially in New Orleans which stands out as one of the greatest places for music, fun, education, and tolerance, but also is notorious for murder, racism, and occult influences. "She Walks on Guilded Splinters" by Gene Dwyer is top-shelf literature. I'll be looking out for more of his work. And awaiting the return of Marie Laveau. Gene's website.
-Heads-up
The last chance to get a free copy of Willowtree in e-book format will be May 26, which is my 69th birthday. So, if you want a digital copy, or have a friend that might want one go to Amazon. Com on Saturday, May 26.
-Latest blog entry
A Sunday Morning Walk in New Orleans.
The following is a reprint of an article in the Spring, 2012 issue of The Castleton Magazine, by Ennis Duling.
I loved my time at Castleton State College in Vermont.
I loved my time at Castleton State College in Vermont.
