Here’s a link to it.

Here’s a snippet, which I really am starting to like:

It would be easy to dismiss The Unauthorized Biography of Michele Bachmann (and Other Stories) as merely self-indulgent writing. From a self-styled “director’s commentary” introduction to the patronizing first of two intermissions, readers are never allowed to forget they’re reading fiction. They’re never able to fully immerse themselves into the stories without the presence of the author. But like a pinch of cayenne pepper added to a batch of chocolate chip cookies, Brosky’s ego is the flavor that turns his cast of misfits into the perfect confection.

This is totally true. There is a little of my ego in there. This is a smart review. A very, very smart review.

Pretty sure it’s a positive review, though.

Now it’s going to be available in their little bookstore. I love it.

Plus, I’ve also noticed that many “successes” really don’t add up to much in book sales anyway.

So I spent a little X-Mas money to have the book mentioned in Publisher’s Weekly’s PW Select, which is a little booklet that comes with the regular Publisher’s Weekly and focuses on self-published and small press book releases. Some of the books are reviewed. Briefly. The rest are simply mentioned.

Now, I’m sure this isn’t always a waste of money, much like throwing $20 into a nickel slot machine isn’t always a waste of money. But I can tell you without a doubt that the only “response” of any sort I’ve received for this mention so far has been a wonderful email from a book promotion company. Apparently, one of their sales reps trolled the PW Select knowing full-well that he had 221 potential clients on his hands.

Now it just so happens Publisher’s Weekly is getting in the self-publishing game, too. Because, of course, they smell money. The self-publishing world is rife with suckers, myself occasionally included, and after having spent so much time dedicating itself to the printed word and eschewing digital books, PW is attempting to make up for lost time by charging a $149 fee that *might* include a review.

But … probably not. Keep that in mind.

Well, Kindle has provided an alternative to letting stories sit in a folder on my computer never to be read again. And so recently I put together a second collection of horror and sci-fi stories (some previously published, some simply revised) and put them up on Amazon:

Cover design by the great Chris Smith

You know, it’s weird … I’ve never actually been paid for my writing before. I had three short stories published last year (four if you count one “acceptance” who has yet to respond to my emails) and not a single one paid me with anything more than a “contributor’s copy.” And so here I sit, staring at my publisher page on Amazon.com, watching this short story collection sell a dozen copies a day.

And I have to say, it feels really good to be paid for the work.

Did I mention how much I love book bloggers?

Also, since I’m clearly in the mood to show off the covers of my MFA project even though I played no part in their creation (that role belongs to Chris Smith), I thought I’d drop another one on your asses:

The second novella. Cover design by Chris Smith.

And one of those things I’m doing is prepping my MFA project for publication on Kindle. In order to do something of this magnitude, I needed a little help. First, the book itself–composed of three sections–is in the hands of an excellent editor. Second, the actual covers for the book have been designed by Chris Smith, who is quite possibly talented enough to be considered awesome.

Here’s a preview …

Cover design by Chris Smith.

In addition, I’ve been working one-on-one with an editor at an as-of-right-now-anonymous lit mag who’s rejected the same story twice but has been kind enough to actually provide me with feedback. And so of course I’m going to keep sending it until he either:

A) Accepts it for publication

or

B) Clearly communicates that I should cease and desist.

I can’t say enough about editors who actually provide feedback. It’s a rarity in this day and age, unfortunately.

On the Rai29BookReadNReview. It’s a pretty standard sort of interview, but it was fun to do regardless because I had the opportunity to choose from a TON of questions. Always fun.

Also: never underestimate book lovers’ love of books. I know how strange that looks/sounds, but it’s totally true. The book lovers are the greatest people in the world … if you write books.

The Guest Post:

“How to Get Media Coverage” over at Jane Friedman’s blog. She was curious to know about my “failures” so far … and I was more than happy to provide. After all, one of the main points of this blog is a reference for other writers (and those who generally enjoy watching someone suffer unneeded humiliations). I was thankful for the opportunity to write a guest post, and it seems well-enjoyed thus far by her regular readers.

If she ever wants me to write another guest post about my failures … well.

A Tip:

Reviews on Amazon matter. If there’s one thing I’ve noticed so far, it’s that you should be shooting for at least 20 reviews on Amazon.com’s page for your book, whether it’s print or Kindle edition. Here are some tips:

1. Offer free copies for people who promise to review the book on Amazon.

2. Send Kindle editions.

3. Send review copies to book bloggers who specifically state they post their reviews on Amazon.com.

4. Throw copies of your book at people in your local bookstore. They will be mad, but generally curious.

10-15 minutes while waiting for the girlfriend to get ready to go somewhere.

30-45 minutes after waking up early.

30-45 minutes of writing during commercials of whatever TV show might hook me in during the day.

1 hour in the late evening when there’s no pressing TV show.

2 hours every week by not attending church.

This last one is a real time-saver, writing-wise. I heartily recommend it, especially if you have a nagging suspicion that you’ve picked the wrong religion.

In other news, Tahlia from Awesome Indies has a review up, and it was incredibly nice of of her to do it. Once again, book bloggers to the rescue. They are the whipped cream on a writer’s mocha.

I kayak like I write: insanely.