F. P. Dorchak

Speculative Fiction (New Weird) Author

Amazon

Goin’ Indie

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Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark
Goin’ Indie. (Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark , photo credit: Wikipedia)

Yeah, that’s my steely stare.

Determination.

I’m finally doing it.

Made the decision. Jumping in with both feet and my Bullwhip.

I’m going indie. And by “indie,” I mean e-books and (a little later, maybe earlier) Amazon hardcovers. Not going the route of AuthorHouse anymore. E-books. That’s the route. Check out Nathan Bransford’s post. These things are selling.

I’ve mentioned this once or twice elsewhere, but after the past couple weeks, getting a cover done, interacting with the person who will do my file conversions, going over my manuscripts and talking to those in the indie world, at this year’s PPWC (and this doesn’t even count the years I’ve been thinking about this, kinda watching how e-books “go”…), I’m not waiting another second. It has reinvigorated me, in this whole business of writing. I have four titles (one still needs some work—or might be the title I again try traditionally—but, we’re talking at least into 2014) I can publish, five if you count a Sleepwalkers e-book reissue:

  • The Uninvited. This is my whydunnit supernatural murder mystery about a troubled reporter who stumbles upon a gruesome and inexplicable mass murder in Gulf Coast Florida. This will be my first release. I was originally shooting for the end of May, but since this is my first, is my learning curve, it might actually turn out to be June. But I’m still shooting for May. So, please, stay turned—either way, it won’t be long!
  • ERO. This is my one (so far) science fiction-y, action/adventure novel. It’s about a marooned on-orbit astronaut who tries to reconstruct his life by relying on incomplete memories that place him at the very heart of the UFO conspiracy. This novel is, well, somewhat auto-biographical. It’ll be my next release.
  • Psychic. This is a companion book to Sleepwalkers. Okay, it’s the second in a considered series of three.  There, I said it. It’s actually more of a prequel (but, hey, what is Time, anyway?), and features the origins to the Man With No Name, from Sleepwalkers. I plan at least one more book to this series (it won’t take 12 years, like this one). It’s a supernatural action/adventure about a humble, guilt-ridden hotline psychic who becomes embroiled in the ultimate government conspiracy, involving JFK and remote viewers. Oh, and a really cool teenager.
  • The fourth is one that still needs lots of work, so am not going to give its title just yet, but, it’s about guy who falls in love with…ehhhh…a ghost. Of sorts. Yeah, yeah, I’m know, there have been other books about the topic, but what makes mine unique, I’m not even teasing with, because I still have some runway to ride before taking off. But, it’s not your standard, run-of-the-mill everyday ghost, we’re talking about here, and to tell the truth, I haven’t yet seen a “ghost” like this one.
  • Sleepwalkers. This one depends a lot on if AuthorHouse plans on putting it back into an e-book like they said they would a couple years ago. Haven’t even had time (there’s that word, again) to think about that yet. If can do the e-book to it, I plan on redoing the cover.

Depending on how long all this takes, I’m looking to release one book about every 3 or 4 months until I get all these out, so no real new work for me this year. ERO should come out around September/October time frame, and Psychic, November/December. I plan on pushing the Internet-y promotion as hard as I possibly can (I have some guides, but more on those, later). The Uninvited will be free for about the first three weeks or so, and this is mainly for reviews (this is a standard M.O. among the e-book community). It looks like some sites, like B&N, Amazon, have a way of setting prices (still looking into those), but at places where I can set the price, I’m looking to price it at $2.99, after the free period, but this remains to be seen, once I actually get to the upload part. But, from what I’ve read, e-books tend to sell well between the $2.99 to $5.99 range (and it’s not obvious about going right for the higher price).

So, there it is, that’s my plan. Out into the world at large. I’ll post more as I go, but I’m still cleaning up the manuscript to the The Uninvited, which, depending on a couple other logistical issues, is scheduled to be converted into all the different file formats next month (oooh, it’ll be hot off the author keyboard, like freshly baked cookies!). And while that is being done, I plan on beginning and hitting the promotions.

Look, I’m not pie-in-the-sky, I’ve been around, I’ve tried self-publishing by spending three grand, done and occasionally still do a short story or two, and even got an agent. Still, NYC didn’t think they could make any money off me. But I see and hear where e-books are going. I’m just a guy with voices in my head trying to get my work out there. My work has been termed “thinky,” sometimes jumps genres. But I try to tell stories, to show, perhaps, the way things could be, big What-ifs. I—like most every other writer out there—just like to write. For a while that passion was slowly getting snuffed out…but now I’ve found renewed passion. A new way to go.

A new…What-if.

I hope you’ll join me!

Oh…and I’m an optimist.

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I’m Not Spending a Lot For This Muffler!

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The past couple of weeks, I’ve been going back through my supernatural murder mystery manuscript. I’d started it back in 2001, “finished” it three years later, given to a part-time writing schedule, basically about 2 hours a day, five days a week, and whatever I can do on the weekends. But since then, I’ve been trying to sell the damned thing (there’s actually a pun in there…) and tweaking it. Nine years worth of that unrelenting activity. Belief in my manuscript. Anywho, as I’ve previously mentioned, I’ve decided I’m going to e-publish it, so I’ve gotten a graphics artist fellow writer friend of mine to work the cover. She’s been a true trooper!  Karen Duvall (here’s her graphics art page) has hung in there trying her best to find the images I’m asking for for my cover design, sometimes spending hours searching for just the right thing (and I spent a couple of hours one morning, myself, also trying to find the right graphics). But in the world of free art, sometimes you just can’t find what you’re looking for—finding free stuff is haaard! And since I’m e-pubing, I’m trying to keep expenses down. Way down. I already went the AuthorHouse route 12 years ago, when there wasn’t much game in town, but now there is, and I’m not spending a lot for this muffler!

So, Karen came up with a really cool image, after multiple go-arounds and attempts and efforts on her part, yesterday (hope she’s still talking with me…), but I think we’ve finally come up with a great image! I’m looking forward to the Big Reveal, when I finally get everything in place. I love the feel of the cover.

Another interesting development during all this was the Jodi Arias trial. My wife and I have been watching it (me, off and on), and it is amazing to me on many levels, but I bring this up because I have a court scene in my novel that goes in a weird direction, much like Juan Martinez and the Seven Dwarfs goes off in a weird direction (and yes, I included that phrase into my manuscript). Now my court scene isn’t as belligerent as this real-life one, but it amazes me at how utterly combative the Law can get when trying to prove their side of the story. Trying (IMHO) to force witnesses to only give a “Yes” or “No,” when the answer might not really be a case of yes or no, but the “Yes” or “No” can make the witness look bad in the presentation of the case, therefore racking up points for whoever such a thing benefits. It was nice to see someone remain utterly composed (whether or not you agree with LaViolette’s side of the story). And I do mean she is utterly unflappable, not intimidated in any way by Martinez’s constant, unrelenting battering—though he, himself, no matter what HLN commentators say (most of whom I find extremely annoying), is not so (he frequently shows his anger, his frustration, and gives nasty “tone” and body language in his deliveries). I’ve never seen such composure in my life, as I have in LaViolette. I’m not going into if LaViolette is biased…just look at her composure. Incredible. Perhaps comes from dealing with lots of rage in her 36-year-or-so career. She also knows all the psychological tactics Martinez is employing—and calls him on them—and doesn’t fall for them. But I digress. I just wanted to mention this trial because of the weird Seven Dwarfs turn it took, and the trial in my novel also takes a weird turn. I have also had two actual (now retired, I believe) judges read the court-room scenes to make sure it remains true in structure and presentation.

Okay, so after I make all my manuscript redlines, get my Tax ID number, and do the rest of the logistical end of things, I will get this story out there. So, in the meantime, sorry haven’t been keeping up on everyone’s blogs, tweets, e-mails, and what-have-you, but there’s only so much time in the day!

I'm Not Spending a Lot For This Muffler!

by

The past couple of weeks, I’ve been going back through my supernatural murder mystery manuscript. I’d started it back in 2001, “finished” it three years later, given to a part-time writing schedule, basically about 2 hours a day, five days a week, and whatever I can do on the weekends. But since then, I’ve been trying to sell the damned thing (there’s actually a pun in there…) and tweaking it. Nine years worth of that unrelenting activity. Belief in my manuscript. Anywho, as I’ve previously mentioned, I’ve decided I’m going to e-publish it, so I’ve gotten a graphics artist fellow writer friend of mine to work the cover. She’s been a true trooper!  Karen Duvall (here’s her graphics art page) has hung in there trying her best to find the images I’m asking for for my cover design, sometimes spending hours searching for just the right thing (and I spent a couple of hours one morning, myself, also trying to find the right graphics). But in the world of free art, sometimes you just can’t find what you’re looking for—finding free stuff is haaard! And since I’m e-pubing, I’m trying to keep expenses down. Way down. I already went the AuthorHouse route 12 years ago, when there wasn’t much game in town, but now there is, and I’m not spending a lot for this muffler!

So, Karen came up with a really cool image, after multiple go-arounds and attempts and efforts on her part, yesterday (hope she’s still talking with me…), but I think we’ve finally come up with a great image! I’m looking forward to the Big Reveal, when I finally get everything in place. I love the feel of the cover.

Another interesting development during all this was the Jodi Arias trial. My wife and I have been watching it (me, off and on), and it is amazing to me on many levels, but I bring this up because I have a court scene in my novel that goes in a weird direction, much like Juan Martinez and the Seven Dwarfs goes off in a weird direction (and yes, I included that phrase into my manuscript). Now my court scene isn’t as belligerent as this real-life one, but it amazes me at how utterly combative the Law can get when trying to prove their side of the story. Trying (IMHO) to force witnesses to only give a “Yes” or “No,” when the answer might not really be a case of yes or no, but the “Yes” or “No” can make the witness look bad in the presentation of the case, therefore racking up points for whoever such a thing benefits. It was nice to see someone remain utterly composed (whether or not you agree with LaViolette’s side of the story). And I do mean she is utterly unflappable, not intimidated in any way by Martinez’s constant, unrelenting battering—though he, himself, no matter what HLN commentators say (most of whom I find extremely annoying), is not so (he frequently shows his anger, his frustration, and gives nasty “tone” and body language in his deliveries). I’ve never seen such composure in my life, as I have in LaViolette. I’m not going into if LaViolette is biased…just look at her composure. Incredible. Perhaps comes from dealing with lots of rage in her 36-year-or-so career. She also knows all the psychological tactics Martinez is employing—and calls him on them—and doesn’t fall for them. But I digress. I just wanted to mention this trial because of the weird Seven Dwarfs turn it took, and the trial in my novel also takes a weird turn. I have also had two actual (now retired, I believe) judges read the court-room scenes to make sure it remains true in structure and presentation.

Okay, so after I make all my manuscript redlines, get my Tax ID number, and do the rest of the logistical end of things, I will get this story out there. So, in the meantime, sorry haven’t been keeping up on everyone’s blogs, tweets, e-mails, and what-have-you, but there’s only so much time in the day!

Let’s Kindle a Fire in HD

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OK.

I’ve been on the fence about getting any kind of a tablet. Any kind. Had “nice little discussions” with info geeks and you name it. But, even I’m starting to get interested in these things…especially the smaller (7 inch or so) versions. They are great information platforms.

The Kindle Fire HD.

Check out this video—sure, it’s over an hour (but you can drag faster through the timeline), so run it in the background while doing other things, but this thing—if it delivers—sounds really cool. I don’t have a smartphone, but this thing could be my mitigator…accessing e-mail and keeping more “live” on what social media I belong to, making me more accessible to post comments and timely responses to my agent and other writerly needs without paying for the data coverages that rape smartphone users (really, does all of Humanity need to pay such outlandish rates when nearly every human being has a smartphone?!). Were I to own one of these things it has exactly what I’m looking for, and at a rather nice price.

According to Mr. Bezos, with the Kindle Fire HD (7-inch model to ship September 14th, 8.9 inch November 20th), they wanted to create the best tablet at any price. They want to be about services, not hardware. They make money when people use their platforms, not when they buy them and leave in the drawer somewhere.

Many think Amazon the enemy. I’m not convinced they are. And I find this new tablet of theirs quite intriguing, better than nearly every other one I’ve looked into, including the iPad (did I just write that out loud?). For a while I was thinking an iPad the best platform (click here for a comparison link)—better if they came out with a 7-inch model, but so far, I’m really liking what I’m seeing in this Kindle Fire HD.

And, for me to even take the time to post about this, scares even me, but that’s how impressed I am by this thing (at least on paper).

It’s smokin.

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Bitchin and Moanin? Take Responsibility!

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It’s interesting to see the ongoing back-and-forth between “one side or the other,” on this Amazon-vs-the World thing. Each side thinks they’re right, that they’re the only ones with the purchase of truth (pun intended). Fact is things aren’t perfect on either side, which gives existence to the mirrored position. There’s very little “black and white” anymore.

Oooh, Amazon’s taking over the world!  It’s soooo scary!

Yeah, well, before Amazon, who had control of it, huh?  Six guesses.

All I know is that there are writers out there–good ones, we’re not talking about those who still have a lot of work yet before getting into this conversation–looking for representation. And why are they getting turned away?

Projected that they can’t sell beyond a certain benchmark?

Because they don’t have ready made audiences.

They’re not immediate successes out of the fricking gate.

Anyone can be made into a success, it’s all about promotion. Spending a little quality time with those you feel are worth the effort and building a following through word of mouth (include all modes of technology, here, but it’s all the same thing, people!) I am still stunned and amazed at what I see being published and bought. I’ve recently come to the to point in my life where if it loses my interest, I stop reading. I used to be loyal to the book I bought and slogged through it, but I found myself forced-rep reading so many titles that simply were not well done, I decide–no more. Just as recently as two weeks ago, picked up a pseudo-brand namer, stuck with it some 70 pages, and it killed me. Extremely choppy writing that was completely jarring, and words that (sorry) went nowhere for me.

And I’m not a hard reader!

I’ll give most anyone a chance–I would’ve even continued reading had the story half interested me!

Thing is, all this polarization seems to be because of things like brick-and-mortar income versus Internet income. How if authors go to Amazon, they’re gonna “lose out.”

HOW???

These writers who go to Amazon (I’m bettin’) have gone elsewhere. I’m sure they went to Random House, Bantam, S&S, not to mention agents. I’m sure they fought every inch of the way across fields of broken (and poisoned!) glass–just like the rest of us.

And, whatdyaknow?

A publisher took them on!

Yes, a publisher!

Take out any modifier to “publisher,” and look at it from the writer’s point of view. Someone out there in Bookland decided to take a chance on them. Someone with clout. Wherewithal. Is hip to the Coming Things.

How do they lose?

Have you not heard of the Internet?

How instantly global it is?

Low overhead?

Lights always on?

All the success stories?

Oh, right…they don’t get an actual store to walk into. Don’t get pushed by traditional publishers and all their clout.

Bad press.

Have we all forgotten just how much “help” traditional publishers give authors?

The real problem here is not who authors are going to…it’s what’s happened to publishing. How it’s infected all that orbits it. Yes, there are people’s jobs at stake–but so are there at the author end of the spectrum. These big business people are simply doing what’s “best for them,” and yes, at the expense of everyone else. All those in the Big Box Stores do have their jobs at stake and they could find themselves out of a job, and that sucks…and I do feel for them…so I see their angst about the whole mess…but the unfortunate aspect of that is that they (right or wrong) weighed anchor at a port that maybe isn’t long for commerce.

I love books, love books stores, but if they end up drying up because those who run things won’t change, while other avenues for buying books continue to exist…well, it will be a sad world. And (apparently) I can’t save the world. Only my little space in it. All I can do is do the best I feel I can do–just like all the rest of us out there.  Some are just more greedy, more rigid, more scared than the rest, and yes, some of those actually run things. And shit rolls downhill. So, if you’re attached to something whose days are numbered, maybe you should start looking elsewhere.

I don’t believe in End of World scenarios. I think we can all co-exist peacefully and in harmony. Call me full of shit, but I don’t really care. Those who complain without offering constructive suggestion–action!–have only themselves to blame.

Take responsibility for your actions!

If we all treat each other with respect and dignity, we can all prosper and go far. I am so fed up (if you couldn’t tell) with all this fricking finger pointing. Get over yourselves and do something right for a change.

Work with each other!

See the worth and value in each other’s business models. Grow and welcome positive change. Take chances. Make things better.

Just quit bitchin and moanin without action.