THE GEMINI EFFECT - Kindle First for March!

This morning, I can finally share what I've known was coming for months ... THE GEMINI EFFECT is one of four books selected by Amazon Publishing editors to offer in their Kindle First program for March 2015! 

It's an opportunity for Amazon customers to purchase/download a couple of books (a single book in the UK version of the program) at a reduced price, one month prior to the book's official publication date.  When Jason Kirk, my editor at Amazon's 47North imprint, asked me if I'd like to participate in Kindle first, I found his offer quite difficult to refuse--although it would delay the official publication date by a few weeks, being part of Kindle First would place my silly story in front of potentially hundreds of thousands of readers in both the US and UK.  Being included in Kindle First is a huge deal for an unknown debut author like myself, and to Jason I pass my heartfelt thanks for pushing THE GEMINI EFFECT out to so many potential readers.  I also need to thank him for the words he added to the book's product page (which I saw on the UK page for the very first time when the book popped-up across the pond yesterday evening):

Wow.   That's all I can say.  Just, wow.  Thanks, Jason.

So, how does Kindle First work?  Simple.  You can find THE GEMINI EFFECT HERE on the US site, and HERE on the UK site.  By buying the book at the reduced price during the month of March, you join a free Kindle First email notification program, where each month you'll receive an email listing that month's selections.  Below I've listed the rules for both the US and UK sites:

So ... if you're looking for something to read, click on over and take a look!

THE PHOENIX DESCENT - Publication Date Finalized

Amazon & 47North have the pre-order page up and running for my next novel, THE PHOENIX DESCENT!  The cover isn't finalized, and it doesn't have any blurb info yet, but the pub date is set at March 15, 2016.  You can see it HERE.  Expect the page to get fleshed-out as the April 1, 2015 launch date for THE GEMINI EFFECT approaches ...

The Publishing Journey ... Just Got Better!

Near the end of the editing process for THE GEMINI EFFECT, Jason Kirk, my editor at 47North, asked if I had anything else written that he could take a look at (which is exactly what I hoped I'd hear).  After going back and forth for a few weeks, we both decided to go with something new instead of trying a re-write of my first self-published novel, THE COMING.

I took one of the short story ideas I had--tentatively titled "The Dark"--expanded it into a 9-page synopsis for a novel, and sent it off to Jason.  He pitched it to their editorial board, and received approval to make an offer.  I accepted.

This evening, I signed a contract with 47North for that next novel--THE PHOENIX DESCENT--which will be out sometime in early 2016.

Winning the 2014 ABNA for Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror was a dream come true, but in a way this is even better--the team at 47North is willing to take another chance on my writing even before THE GEMINI EFFECT's launch date.

It's a good feeling.

My back hurts already.

Friday morning radio on the way to work:  "We'll get some rain, and maybe an inch of snow."  Saturday night:  Winter Storm Warning, up to nine inches of snow.  The winds are supposed to pick up later this morning & we'll have blizzard conditions.  I hear the shovel calling ... and my back hurts already.  Meh.

2015 ABNA . . . not meant to be.

This morning I learned--as did a LOT of other people who'd been checking the ABNA page for an announcement regarding the start of the 2015 contest--that Amazon had decided to forgo the ABNAs this year in lieu of their new Kindle Scout program.

I'm a firm believer in the old adage that when one door closes, another opens.  You just have to find it.

To all my fellow indie authors, I share this ( I don't remember where I got it from, but I saved it):

"When one door closes, another opens.

If it doesn't, try the window.

If the window's locked, break the glass.

If it's barred, claw a freaking hole through the wall."

Don't ever give up.  Don't ever stop writing.  Don't ever lose the fire to share your words, and don't ever be afraid to do so.

Now, go find the damn door with your name on it, and kick that sucker down.

- Chuck

2014 ABNA Finalist Covers are UP!

I noticed today that the cover for D. M. Pulley's The Dead Key is finally up on Amazon, so all five covers are out there now.  They all look great!  If you've read my post from Nov 22, 2014, you know how much time & effort went into the cover design for The Gemini Effect, and I'm sure the same can be said for the other covers as well.

If you're looking for a new author to try in romance, general fiction, mystery/thriller, young adult, or SCIENCE FICTION / FANTASY / HORROR (hint-hint), click on over to the ABNA page & pre-order!

Je Suis Charlie.

The power of the pen IS mightier than the sword.  Je suis Charlie.