Note

Giving thanks

I'm thankful that I'm still here. That despite all the endless health problems, I'm still kicking. Maybe not as vigorously as I once did, but there's still a two-step or even a -- if I'm lucky --
pas de deux left in me.

I'm thankful that my problem is over-eating and not starvation. The grim fact is most of the world doesn't have enough food. I suffer from a lack of willpower and not a lack of substance.

I'm thankful that the good guys still outnumber the bad guys in the world, despite all the press coverage given to the villains. Each day millions of us get up and go to work and love each other and do the best we can. We keep the world working. We are the true heroes.

I'm thankful that Americans are the most generous people in the world. Yes, we're wealthy and certainly spoiled, but we give more money to the less fortunate than any other country in the world. We fight poverty, starvation, ignorance, and disease, and we pray and hope people find better lives and sometimes we stumble in our eagerness, but we try.

I'm thankful that books have always been a part of my life. I have spent most of my live in worlds that don't exist and living lives that could have never been mine. I'm thankful for all the wonderful authors who have touched my life: J.R.R. Tolkien, Terry Pratchett, Stephen R. Donaldson, Mary Stewart, Holly Lisle, Glen Cook, Susanna Gregory, Jim Butcher, Jack McDevitt, James Rollins, Clive Cussler, Rita Mae Brown, C.S. Lewis, Neal Stephenson, Caroyln Hart, Tony Hillerman, Mary Brown, David Brin, Robert Jordan, Robert Asprin, Lindsey Davis, Arthur C. Clarke ... The list goes on and on.

I'm thankful that we can remember to laugh even when we don't feel like it. Humor is an uniquely human quality. I'm thankful for humorists, such as: Bob Hope, Dave Barry, Jean Kerr, Patrick McManus, Mark Twain, Ellen Degeneres, Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Don Knotts, Tim Conway, Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Eddie Izzard, Elayne Boosler, Dawn French, and many others.

I'm thankful for my readers, those of this blog and my books. Their feedback and support makes the writing flow easier. Many times I'm discouraged and think I should give up, but then I'll get an email or comment or someone buys a book, and I keep putting those words on paper.

I'm thankful for science. Admittedly, it has made horrible mistakes, but it has given us amazing things and opened the universe to us. It's humbling to look at all the things I don't know and exciting to think of all the things I can learn. We can use technology to make our lives and environment better. All things are possible, and science helps make those possibilities into realities.

I'm thankful for my family and friends. Without their love, I don't know what I'd be or where I'd be, but I suspect I wouldn't like it. They enrich, exasperate, excite, and exalt my life. I wouldn't have it any other way even if I could.

I'm thankful for my faith, my many blessings, and my connection with God. Life is good, despite its problems or maybe because of them. Life's ironies and surprises keep my interest as nothing else can. I hope I live a long time. I hope you live a long time, too. Let's grow old together, and be thankful for our long years.

Grow old along with me!

The best is yet to be,

The last of life, for which the first was made:

Our times are in His hand

Who saith "A whole I planned,

Youth shows but half; trust God: see all, nor be afraid!"

Robert Browning

Press conference

Hello. I'm Stephen B. Bagley. Thank you for coming to this press conference. Today we're going to be talking about the recent release of my latest mystery novel Murder by the Acre, the sequel to last year's Murder by Dewey Decimal. In the new novel, librarian Bernard M. Worthington and reporter Lisa Trent stumble on the body of a local jeweler and ladies’ man in an underground house. As the young couple and Police Chief Donaldson investigate, they find themselves drawn into a confusing mystery of lies and alibis that involves the upper crust of Ryton, Oklahoma. Questions abound: Who killed him and how? Why doesn’t the widow care that her husband is dead? Why doesn’t his mistress? What does the mysterious Aventura Corporation have to do with the murder? What is the corporation hiding? Soon events spiral out-of-control as the killer strikes again and again. As the three dig for the truth, they upset powerful, vengeful people. The chief might lose his job, but Bernard and Lisa could lose their lives. We'll open the floor for questions now.

Will it keep zombies away?

Uh ... what?

Will it keep zombies away?

Sure. Whatever. Next question.

What about evil aliens from distant stars?

What? Yeah, of course.

Does it come with a guarantee?

Of what?

That it keeps evil aliens away.

I don't ... Why don't we move on?

On the zombie question, I'd like to follow up. Why do zombies always want to eat brains?

Good question!

Thank you. I felt like it needed to be asked. Livers, sure. Kidneys, certainly. But brains?

I really have no answers on any zombie questions. Murder by the Acre is not horror or science fiction. It is a murder mystery set in a small town in Oklahoma. Let's stay on course. Does anyone have a question regarding my book?

Yes, I do. Why is there so much sex in the book?

Sex? There isn't. I mean, there is some adultery because of the nature of the mystery, but it's not a ...

So when you think sex, you think adultery.

... sex book. No, that's not what I said. Did you read the book?

I find reading the book only confuses the issues.

Exactly.

Oh, good point.

I'd really like to get the zombie question settled.

I do find it interesting that he never answered it.

"They" probably got to him. The military/secret service. The men in black. Don't expect any answers from him. I pity him.

Is there anyone who has a question about my book? Anyone?

I was probed once.

How exciting! Was it the greenies or the grays?

Anyone? I'm beggin' you.

My second cousin knows a man whose brother's wife's uncle's son was probed. It changed his life. He became a free-range Methodist.

I once dated a Methodist. Don't they wear those skullcaps?

You're thinking of Northern Baptists. They wear skullcaps?

The beings who probed me wore skullcaps. Could they be connected to the Northern Baptists?

I guess we'll close. You can order Murder by the Acre below. I need an aspirin.

Click here to order Murder by the Acre in softcover.
Click here to order Murder by the Acre in hardcover.
Click here to order Murder by the Acre merchandise.

Cold

I have a terrible cold. Can't hardly breathe. Drowning in snot. Coughing up various organs. The usual aches and pains. Sigh. At least I have Thursday off. That will be nice. Hope things are going well for you. I just have to make it through work tomorrow. Talk to you later.

Click here to order Murder by the Acre in softcover.
Click here to order Murder by the Acre in hardcover.
Click here to order Murder by the Acre merchandise.

Photos from the Muldrow book signing

Several people attended the Muldrow signing, including three of my aunts and three classmates from high school. I had a good time visiting with them. I sold 21 books -- Murder by the Acre, EndlesS, and even a couple Murder by Dewey Decimal. Still in the hole, but not as deep as I was. I appreciate the Muldrow Public Library and Stanley Tubbs Memorial Library hosting me, and I appreciate my friends and family for helping me launch Murder by the Acre.

















Click here to order Murder by the Acre in softcover.
Click here to order Murder by the Acre in hardcover.
Click here to order Murder by the Acre merchandise.

Sallisaw book signing

Here I am at Sallisaw. Just me, a bunch of books, and an empty room. That's right. No one has shown up. Nada. I thought I'd be more upset because I do have a lot of books to sell -- I'm in the hole about $900 at this point -- but I'm rather calm, all things considered. I only sold six here last year, and apparently those six aren't back for seconds.

I was actually born in the hospital in this town. Just a few blocks from where I'm typing this is where I entered the world at. Of course, I was raised in Muldrow, which about eight or nine miles farther down the road.

One of my dad's lady friends stopped by just then to see me. She hugged me, asked how I was doing, flipped through a book, wished me luck, and was gone. After my mom passed away, my dad dated a few women; she was the first. Unfortunately, we children weren't kind to her. I've always regretted that. I might regret it more if she had bought a book.

Now it's just me again. They have a coffee maker in the room that makes a terrible noise every now and then. It's sort of comforting. Now a train is going by. The library at Sallisaw is the old railroad depot building. The train is making the whole building tremble. The building has a lot of character and charm, but it needs some repairs done as well as some maintenance.

Lots of books, of course. Nothing has quite the aroma of old books. It's musty with the overscent of old glue and paper. New books have a scent all their own.

The Ada librarian told me about a few people who had poorly attended book signings. Apparently they took it badly. I'm doing okay other than the occasional suicidal impulse. The Sallisaw librarian just bought a book -- a pity sale, but hey, pity money spends just like regular money. It's going on the library shelves so maybe someone will read it here. Or not. You can only let your baby go into the world. You have to have faith in the story and your talent.

At this moment, I still have faith. I know the book is better. I know the story is stronger, the characters better defined, the dialogue sharper and funnier. That's all I ultimately am responsible for. Well, I guess the publicity, too, but I did all I could do within the limits of my budget. That has to be enough. Or not.

My roomie came down here with me. He's concerned about how I'm taking this, which I appreciate. I have had enough losses in my life, however, to not let this one do more than ... well ... depress me a little. This is my life, and I have lots of blessings. Apparently not book sale blessings, but blessing nonetheless. Tomorrow I'll have another signing. Another day.

*

Mary Ann, a good friend of mine, stopped by. She bought two books, and we had a wonderful conversation. We hadn't had a chance to really talk in years. She redeemed the book signing for me. An unexpected and appreciated blessing.

I hope things are going well for you. Talk to you tomorrow!

Taters away!

I’m living a nightmare. A terrible nightmare. What’s so sad about this is that I chose this nightmare. As I lay awake at night struggling with these terrible urges, I tell myself I chose this. But it’s cold comfort when I’ve got the shakes and need a large order of French fries now!

Yes, I’m attempting to give up potatoes. I’ve started the 7-Day Potato Famine. Seven long days with no potatoes. And this gets worse: although seven days start the famine, I’m supposed to give up potatoes forever. No French fries, no baked potato, no hash browns, no scalloped potatoes, no sour cream and potato soup, French onion potato chips … Pardon me while I weep.

Of course, the problem with potatoes is they’re loaded with carbs. Delicious fat-producing carbohydrates. (Why can’t lettuce be delicious?) Even medium-sized potatoes have 33 grams of carbs, and that’s before you add all the tasty toppings: the melted butter, the cloud-like sour cream, the savory bacon bits … Makes your mouth water, doesn’t it?

And that’s what I’m giving up. For my health. Whee. I can contain my excitement. I’ll live longer, of course. Without potatoes. Sigh. Although I’ve done it so far. With almost no complaints or none to speak of if you know what’s good for you.

The Potato Famine isn’t even the worst of this diet I’ve placed myself on. The Soft Drink Drought is coming. I dread that more than I do a root canal. Listen, I dread that more than I would listening to another political speech!

And I haven’t started talking about Walking to Jericho, in which I, a few other people, and some irritable camels attempt to walk from my town to Jericho. Six thousand eight hundred and eighty-four miles. Only 6877.5 miles to go. Yes, it’s sheer madness. Almost as mad as giving up potatoes forever. (See the Great SlimDown for details and progress reports on our fantastic journey.)

When I’m thin, I will have a potato again. Once in a while. But that’s a hundred pounds off. That’s right. Not a single potato will pass my lips to end on my hips until I’ve lost 100 pounds. And if, God forbid, I die before then, please see to it that my coffin is filled with Idahoes.

Of course, you’re reading this while eating potato chips. I can hear you chewing. No, it’s too late. You can go ahead and swallow. I won’t hurt you. Much. I’ll even give you a head start. Now put down the bag and RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!

Copyright 2008 by Stephen B. Bagley

Click here to order Murder by the Acre in softcover.
Click here to order Murder by the Acre in hardcover.
Click here to order Murder by the Acre merchandise.

Photos from Ada book signing

Most of the photos from the book signing didn't turn out, but I wanted to share these three. Everyone who attended was really nice, and we had a good time, and I sold some books! The sugar-free refreshments provided by Librarian Jennifer Greenstreet and the Ada Public Library were especially appreciated. I wish y'all all could have been there.







Click here to order Murder by the Acre in softcover.
Click here to order Murder by the Acre in hardcover.
Click here to order Murder by the Acre merchandise.

Press release on next signings

SEQUOYAH COUNTY — Author and Muldrow native Stephen B. Bagley will sign copies of his newly released humorous mystery novel Murder by the Acre at the Stanley Tubbs Memorial Library, 101 East Cherokee Street, Sallisaw, Friday, November 21, 3 to 5 p.m., and at the Muldrow Public Library, 711 West Shawntel Blvd, Muldrow, Saturday, November 22, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

In the new novel, librarian Bernard M. Worthington and reporter Lisa Trent stumble on the body of a local jeweler and ladies’ man in an underground house. As the young couple and Police Chief Donaldson investigate, they find themselves drawn into a confusing mystery of lies and alibis that involves the upper crust of Ryton, Oklahoma. Questions abound: Who killed him and how? Why doesn’t the widow care that her husband is dead? Why doesn’t his mistress? What does the mysterious Aventura Corporation have to do with the murder? What is the corporation hiding? Soon events spiral out-of-control as the killer strikes again and again. As the three dig for the truth, they upset powerful, vengeful people. The chief might lose his job, but Bernard and Lisa could lose their lives in this suspenseful sequel to Murder by Dewey Decimal.

Advance reader Gloria Williams of the website Wry Words said the book was “…even better than Murder by Dewey Decimal. Funny, surprising, and exciting. I can’t wait for the next one.”

“This book was especially enjoyable to write because the story constantly surprised me,” Bagley said. “The characters went places and did things I didn’t expect. It was a lot of fun.”

Also available at the signing will be EndlesS, a collection of poetry by Bagley published this summer. Murder by the Acre is the second novel in Bagley’s Measurements of Murder Mystery™ series. The third book in the series, Murder by the Mile, will be released 2009. Murder by the Acre, Murder by Dewey Decimal, and EndlesS will be available for purchase at the signings.

Bagley also wrote the full-length plays Murder at the Witch’s Cottage and Two Writers in the Hands of an Angry God and co-wrote Turnabout. His poetry has been published in Byline Magazine, Prairie Songs, Free Star, and other publications. He co-authored two one-act plays -- "Hogwild" and "There’s A Body In The Closet" -- that were published by Dramatic Publishing Co. His articles and humorous essays have been published in Nautilus Magazine, OKMagazine, Pontotoc County Chronicles, Your Country Music Magazine, various Oklahoma newspapers, and other publications.

Bagley graduated from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. For more information about Bagley’s books, plays, poetry and essays, visit his website 51313 Harbor Street at www.51313.blogspot.com.

Click here to order Murder by the Acre in softcover.
Click here to order Murder by the Acre in hardcover.
Click here to order Murder by the Acre merchandise.

Review of "Murder by the Acre"

(Reprinted by permission)

By Gloria Williams

I always approach sequels with a certain amount of trepidation, particularly if I enjoyed the previous work. Rarely does the author improve upon his original vision, and much of the joy of discovery is gone. I’m delighted to say Stephen B. Bagley’s new mystery novel, Murder by the Acre, is a happy exception. It’s even better than Murder by Dewey Decimal, the first novel in Bagley’s Measurements of Murder™ series.

In Murder by the Acre, most of the original characters from the first book return. Bernard, Lisa, and the chief are back as well as the chief’s strong-minded wife Maggie, the efficient Lt. Sims, the annoying Hyatt family, the ever politically minded Ryton Mayor Otis Brunson, and many others. If you’re a cat lover as I am, you’ll be glad to hear that Obsidian, Lisa’s black cat, is also back and has a larger role this time around, although not as large as Obsidian obviously deserves.

Ryton, Oklahoma, expands in this book. We meet many of its citizens, most of whom have something to hide. Ryton is a small town of gossip, romance, adultery, secrets, and intrigue. It’s the Peyton Place of Oklahoma. It’s not a surprise some of these secrets lead to murder; what is surprising is more of them don’t! There are several characters in this book who would drive a sane person to homicide if you had to spend a lot of time with them and knew what is finally revealed in this book.

Bagley juggles many minor plots in this book and never drops a one. I was impressed by his ability to conclude all of them in satisfactory fashion. In fact, he brings two minor plots to a surprising and clever conclusion on nearly the last page of the book. I didn’t even realize the two plots were connected until the revelation.

As for the murders, they are baffling and terrible. I actually figured out who was responsible halfway through this book and then changed my mind when I misinterpreted a clue later on. Bagley plays fair with the clues, but figuring out which clue points to which person is a real challenge. He is also clever in the way he hides clues in plain sight. When every clue comes together at the end, they make perfect sense. I don’t want to spoil anything for you, but I will give you a hint — “how” is just as important as “why” in this book and will eventually lead you to “who,” although it’s a hard path to follow.

I finished Murder by the Acre in one sitting and wished the book had been longer. (It is longer than Murder by Dewey Decimal.) Not because Bagley didn’t finish the story, but because I was enjoying visiting Ryton so much I hated to leave.

As always I enjoyed the relationship between the chief and Maggie. Their loving marriage of many years rings true. Bernard and Lisa’s relationship faces several hurdles this time around, but those are the perils of any love affair. Lisa’s past and her insecurity may complicate their future together, but I hope they will work things through. I want to see how things turn out between these two young people and look forward to reading more about them.

Bagley is especially talented in his portrayal of the minor characters. With a few deft sentences, he brings the smallest of characters to life. I know what Lisa’s brash cousin Lorene looks like and how she acts even though we never “see” Lorene in the book.

And I mustn’t forget the one-liners. Thankfully, Bagley can’t resist a good zinger, and several of them are laugh-out loud funny.

If you pick up Murder by the Acre, you won’t be disappointed. It’s funny, surprising, and exciting. I can’t wait for the next one.

Click here to order Murder by the Acre in softcover.
Click here to order Murder by the Acre in hardcover.
Click here to order Murder by the Acre merchandise.

BOOK SIGNING TODAY!

I and some friends went to see classical guitarist Peter Fletcher last night at a free concert at the Ada Library. Awesome! I was very impressed. I purchased two of his CDs. You can hear snippets of his work at www.peterfletcher.com.

My book signing for Murder by the Acre is TODAY at the Ada Public Library from 4-6 p.m. Drop by if you can. I'll be in the main part of the library. I'd love to see ya, and you can register to win over $100 in Measurements of Murder books and merchandise. In fact, the signing is less than two hours away so I've got to do some more preparation work. Talk to you later.

Click here to order Murder by the Acre in softcover.
Click here to order Murder by the Acre in hardcover.
Click here to order Murder by the Acre merchandise.

Newspaper story

They cut the press release quite a bit, but the important facts are there so I appreciate the publicity.

From the Ada Evening News, Sunday, 11-9-2008

Local author to sign copies of his new book

ADA — Local author Stephen B. Bagley will sign copy of his new mystery novel “Murder by the Acre” at Ada Public Library Friday, Nov. 14, from 4-6 p.m.

“Murder by the Acre” is the sequel to last year’s “Murder by Dewey Decimal.” In the new novel, a young couple stumble upon the body of a jeweler/ladies man in an underground house. As Bernard and Lisa and Police Chief Donaldson investigate, they find themselves drawn into a confusing mystery of lies and alibis that involve the upper crust of Ryton, Okla. Questions abound: Who killed him and how? Why doesn’t the widow care that her husband is dead? Why doesn’t his mistress? What does the mysterious Aventura Corporation have to do with the murder? What is the corporation hiding? Soon events spiral out-of-control as the killer strikes again and again. As the three dig for the truth, they upset powerful, vengeful people. The chief might lose his job, but Bernard and Lisa could lose their lives in this next entry in the Measurements of Murder Mystery series.

The novel will be available for purchase at the book signing. The softcover will be priced at $17.95.

Prayer request

Frenzied Feline's dad passed away unexpectedly this morning. Please remember her and her whole family in your prayers.

Overhaul, etc.

I started my Complete Body Overhaul yesterday. Go to the Great SlimDown. You’ll be hearing more about the Overhaul here, but the Great SlimDown will be the main source of information.

I've been mailing out the Murder by the Acre bookmark, designed by the talented Frenzied Feline, and everyone who has received it -- and I do mean everyone -- have raved about how nice it looks. My older sister said it was one of the nicest she had ever seen, and as a librarian, she receives a lot of bookmarks from authors and publishers. Perhaps FF needs to start a career as a graphic designer. I bet she would be great.

Speaking of the MBTA bookmark, one can be yours in the Win A Bookmark contest. Just 1) comment in comments that you want one and 2) send me your snail mail address (mailing address), and I'll get one right out to you while supplies last. I have 44 bookmarks left for this giveaway.

I spent today doing housework and working on the September (!) family newsletter. I finished it. I'm printing it now. I started the October newsletter and hope to finish it this week. Then I'll do the November one before end of the month. I hope.

I wrote the following humor column for the September family newsletter. I thought I'd share it here.

The joys of getting older and other lies

I celebrated my 47th birthday in July. Well, not really celebrated. Mourned might be the better word. Not that I minded getting older. In fact, other than cold sweats, weeping, wailing, sudden fits, and gnashing of teeth, I was quite calm about it.

Just think: the world has endured – uh, enjoyed 47 years of me. This does explain a few things, doesn’t it? Global warming, environmental degradation, those CD cases that are impossible to get into without a cutting torch — I had nothing to do with any of those so why are you blaming me?

What really annoys me about getting older is how my body is wearing out. You’d figure after all this work I’ve done in avoiding work in any fashion, I’d be in better shape. I mean, why would my body be wearing out? It hasn’t had to do anything in years!

But my eyes are going bad, my back wants to fold up like a Republican’s conscience, my waist is expanding faster than a Democrat’s budget, my hair is departing my scalp and moving into my ears, and my brain is forgetting things I didn’t even know I knew.

Speaking of my brain, the other day someone asked me some question and I was trying to remember something when someone else came by and maybe asked the same question and I told another someone about how that first someone was always asking something about something, if you know what I mean.

I’m not saying I’m over the hill, but the view is awesome from where I’m at. I can see for miles and miles and miles, or I could if I could find my glasses. Oh, they’re on top of my head. Who put them there? Someone’s been sneaking in and moving things around my house. Probably those pesky Methodists again.

I blame my siblings for my advancing age: my older sister gets older and she pulls my older brother along, and he pulls me along, and my younger sister pushes me from behind! It’s no wonder I’m not as young as I used to be! If my older sister would just stop, this senseless aging would be over. I’m sure my other siblings wouldn't. But she has up a head of steam, and if I know my older sister — and I do, despite her claims that she’s never heard of me — she’s not going to stop until we all reach our 90s. Or older.

Well, there are worse things than being only 37. Shut up now. No one needs your math.

And now I'll close. Night! Talk to you tomorrow.

Click here to order Murder by the Acre in softcover.
Click here to order Murder by the Acre in hardcover.
Click here to order Murder by the Acre merchandise.

MBTA items

I've been playing over at Cafepress.com and put together these new items on the Murder by the Acre merchandise page. They're goofy cool, I think. Feel free to order something. What great Christmas gifts they would make! Ahem.


The mug for your green tea and/or beverage of your choice.


A pillow for your weary head.


Longsleeves to keep you warm this fall.


And a box to keep your precious things.

Click here to order Murder by the Acre merchandise.

And have you requested your FREE Murder by the Acre bookmark? All you have to do to get one is 1) comment in comments that you want one and 2) send me your snail mail (USPS) address by email, and I’ll mail a lovely Murder by the Acre bookmark direct to you while supplies last. This bookmark, lovingly designed by the talented Frenzied Feline, can be yours by 1) commenting in comments that you want one and 2) sending me your snail mail (USPS) address by email. I have 44 bookmarks left for this giveaway. Trixie, Frenzied Feline, Adam Huckeby, Roen, Michelle, and PowerSleeper have all been mailed their mark for books. Join them in bookmark bliss. Be one of the Fab 50 and claim your bookmark today!

When more people have the book, I'll be running a couple of contests where you can win MBTA merchandise. Cool, eh?

Not much else happened today. I was off this afternoon and spent it in housework and errands as well as working on Murder by the Mile. Yes, I've started the next one. I said there would be at least three, and three there will be at least, barring acts of deity and nature.

And now I'll close. I hope things are going well for you. Take care, and buy Murder by the Acre. My creditors would appreciate it. Night!

Click here to order Murder by the Acre in softcover.

Click here to order Murder by the Acre in hardcover.

Shameless promotion

The election is over -- thank the good Lord for that -- so now y’all can concentrate wholeheartedly on Murder by the Acre … Fine, have a life. See if I care.

Except I do care. BUY MURDER BY THE ACRE!!! Go HERE or HERE and buy your copy now! I SAID NOW!!! Get them while they’re fresh! Don’t be left out! Be the first in your neighborhood! Flaunt your new shiny book! I SAID FLAUNT!!! And maybe some strutting, too.

Enough of this shameless selling, this endless nagging for you to BUY MURDER BY THE ACRE. Did I mention I need money to pay for an operation for my aged aunt? Poor auntie … sweet elderly aunt … who needs you to BUY MURDER BY THE ACRE!!!

And why haven’t you requested your FREE bookmark from me? WHY? All you have to do to get one is 1) comment in comments that you want one and 2) send me your snail mail (USPS) address by email, and I’ll mail a lovely Murder by the Acre bookmark direct to you while supplies last. This bookmark, lovingly designed by the talented Frenzied Feline, can be yours by 1) comment in comments that you want one and 2) send me your snail mail (USPS) address by email. I have 45 bookmarks left. Trixie, Frenzied Feline, Adam Huckeby, Roen, and Michelle have all requested and been mailed their precious bookmarks. Join them in bookmark bliss. Be one of the Fantastic 50 and claim your bookmark today!

WE INTERRUPT THESE COMMERCIAL MESSAGES FOR SOME CONTENT:

So how are you? Survived the election, I hope. Whether or not your candidates won, I hope you enjoyed being part of the process.

Hey, this is cool: Classical guitarist Peter Fletcher will perform at Ada Public Library Thursday, Nov. 13, at 6 p.m. The performance is free and open to the public. (This is the night before my book signing for Murder by the Acre.) He’s a world-class performer and has been on TV and radio. Naturally he’s won tons of awards and been featured in many music magazines. He has a couple of CDs out. Very cool that he’s coming to Ada. I’m going to be there. Join me!

I’ve been reading a very interesting book called Anticancer: A New Way of Life by David Servan-Schreiber. He espouses a nutritional approach to cancer prevention. (He supports both nutritional and medical treatments if you have cancer.) Not sure how much of this will be eventually proved by studies and research, but he makes a great case for drinking green tea, Kirsten and Michelle! It’s interesting reading whatever you might think of his conclusions.

My books arrived this afternoon! Finally I get to hold them in my hands. Publication seems nebulous until I hold the finished product. These books are for my book signing at the Ada Public Library, next Friday, Nov. 14, 4-6 p.m. I hope to see you there.

And now I'll close for the evening. You take care. Night! Oh, and BUY MURDER BY THE ACRE!

Click here to order Murder by the Acre in softcover.

Click here to order Murder by the Acre in hardcover.

Click here to order Murder by the Acre merchandise.

1st MBTA contest modified

EDITED ONCE AGAIN TO ADD: Guess who's going to get a box of his book tomorrow? Yeah, me! That's right. Fed Express is scheduled to deliver a box of my books tomorrow sometime. I will hold my baby in my hands. I'm so excited! Wahoo!

EDITED AGAIN TO ADD: To get a bookmark, 1) comment. Then 2) send me your snail mail address by email. I have this nifty program that will grab your snail mail address out of your email and make it into a label. I'm lazy. I don't want to type. I am sending a bookmark to: Trixie, Adam, Michelle, Frenzied Feline, and Roen. Surely you'd like a bookmark, too? We have 45 left. Come on, you know you want one. They're pretty cool.

EDITED TO ADD: Trixie has sent me her snail address so a bookmark will be snailing its way to her tomorrow. I should have mentioned if you want a bookmark, say so in comments and then send me your snail address. Yes, I want comments. Yes, I'm giving away bookmarks for comments. Me bad.

I have been told the Win A Bookmark Contest is too hard. That my creative and intelligent readers are having trouble figuring out legal, cheap, and reasonable ways for me to publicize Murder by the Acre that I hadn't already thought of and listed in yesterday's post.

Fine. I find that hard to believe, but fine. I'll modify the contest. Send me your snail mail address by email, and I'll send you a bookmark, one per address per request. The contest will still end Nov. 30, 2008 if not sooner because I'm only going to allot 50 bookmarks for the contest. When those 50 are gone, the contest be over.

Winners so far are:

Adam Huckeby
Frenzied Feline
Roen

Although I don't know if any of those three have sent me their snail mail address yet. (Yes, I know I have your snail addresses already, but send them anyway!) That means we have 47 bookmarks left, always assuming these three send their snail mail addresses to me.

By the way, at the book signings, each book has a bookmark with it. So come to the book signings! Also at the signings, you can register to win over $100 in MBTA, MBDD, and EndlesS merchandise. Is that cool or what?

Subject change: I continue to wrestle with health issues. I wish the doctors would figure out what's wrong. I've been attempting to take better care of myself. Vitamins, rest, healthy food, controlling my blood sugar, etc. I figure that such care couldn't hurt and should help.

My brother-in-law had another seizure and fell at church while taking up the offering. His glasses cut one eyebrow to the bone. He's doing okay, but the doctors have yet to tell them what's going on. They go back to the doctor for test results tomorrow. Keep him in your prayers.

127 people lost their jobs at our local hospital last week. Many of them are my friends and/or customers. Keep them in your prayers, too. For most, it was completely unexpected. 127 may not sound like much to you, depending on where you live, but for my little town, it was a hard economic blow. It accounts for over six million dollars in salaries lost, and that ain't chicken feed.

I read Ted Dekker's Blink the other day. The book is Christian fiction with a thriller/science fiction slant. (Did you see the movie Next? It has similar elements in it.) I liked the book and recommend it, but at times, I could feel it straining at the constraints placed on it by its genre. (An example: at the end of the book, our hero confronts one of the villains and calls him a "chump." It didn't ring right.) And there are couple of places where the religious discussion seems forced, but the action keeps moving, the characters are appealing, and it raises some interesting questions about free will and the nature of God. Check it out.

I started writing on Murder by the Mile. It's actually my novel for National Novel Writing Month, which is going on now. I'm in Nano, but not sure if I will get 50,000 words before month's end. I'm still enjoying all the writing and being part of the event. That's enough for me right now.

And now I'll close. You have a good day. Vote. Buy Murder by the Acre. Talk to you later.

Click here to order Murder by the Acre in softcover.

Click here to order Murder by the Acre in hardcover.

Click here to order Murder by the Acre merchandise.

60 days & 1st MBTA contest

After Murder by Dewey Decimal was published, I was asked several times by other self-published authors why the book sold so well -- for a self-published novel, that is. Some of its success, I hope, was that the book told a good story. The rest of it was my commitment to do 60 days of publicity for MBDD.

During those 60 days, I did something each day to let people know about MBDD and how to buy it. This ran from sending out emails to telling someone in my office about it. I made some mistakes last time. I won’t repeat those this time, but will probably make some new ones with the publicity for Murder by the Acre.

Here are my publicity ideas for MBTA’s 60 Days.

1. Email announcement on the day it was published. Done.
2. Sign on the window at my office. Done.
3. Give links each day on blog. Done so far, although I didn’t post yesterday.
4. Announce book on Facebook. Done.
5. Announce book on MySpace. Not yet.
6. Send out invites for book signings. I have 50 invites ready for the Ada book signing. I will mail them later this week. I need to put together a list of 50 names for the Sallisaw and Muldrow book signings and get those invites ready to mail next week.
7. Promote MBTA merchandise, such as t-shirts, boxes, etc. Not done much of this yet. Will soon.
8. Mail postcards to Oklahoma libraries. I will do this as soon as MBTA shows up in Books in Print so they could actually order it.
9. Print bookmarks for book signings and for giveaways. Done with help from Frenzied Feline who designed the front of the MBTA bookmark and did a great job.
10. Tell at least one person a day about the book. Done so far.
11. Solicit book reviews for online retailers’ sites. Weeell, I’ll do this if the book shows up there. Doesn’t look likely for Amazon at present. We’ll have to wait and see.
12. Post excerpts on blog. Will do.
13. Run contests on blog. Will do.
14. Print sales info labels and put on back of all mail sent out. Been doing this for a while.
15. Wear MBTA clothing around town. Haven’t don’t this yet, but will do.
16. Do book signings. Have three scheduled and am looking around for more.
17. Send press releases to newspapers, radio stations, TV stations, etc. Not yet, but will do.
18. Posters around town. Not done and not sure if I got any response from them, but maybe.

Well, that’s what I’ve thought of so far. What can you think of? That question leads us into our first contest.

Win A Bookmark

1. Think of something that I can do to get publicity for MBTA. (It has to be legal, cheap, and reasonable. By reasonable, I mean something possible that I could reasonably do.)
2. Post it on this blog on this post.
3. Email your snail address to me. Then you’ll get a nifty MBTA bookmark (one per request) while supplies last. (I have several hundred so your odds are good.) Contest ends November 30, 2008.

And now I’ll close for the evening. I have to work on those invitations. Have a great night. Talk to you tomorrow.

Click here to order Murder by the Acre in softcover.

Click here to order Murder by the Acre in hardcover.

Click here to order Murder by the Acre merchandise.

Bookmark this!

Both versions of Murder by the Acre -- softcover and hardcover -- are now on sale. A great weight has been lifted from me. I feel ... weird and strangely disconnected. I'm always this way after a project ends until a new project claims me. Of course, I have to start work on all the publicity for MBTA. Speaking of which, Frenzied Feline designed the front of the giveaway bookmark for me. Here it is:



And here's the back:



The faint green and blue lines on the bookmark will not print. They're part of the publishing process. I had the bookmarks printed by PrintPlace.com. They did a good job. I've very pleased with how they turned out. Of course, Frenzied designed an excellent front so they had good material to work with.

I have a busy day planned so I'm going to get to it. Have a great day!

Click here to order Murder by the Acre in softcover.

Click here to order Murder by the Acre in hardcover.

Click here to order Murder by the Acre merchandise.