Gene McVay

Profile Information:

Something About Me and My Book:: Colonel Gene McVay's book, Top Gun Management; Principles for Success and Supremacy published by Lulu.com, was just released for global distribution. Few people have the diverse background and experience that Gene McVay brings to the table. From a factory worker at General Motors and Western Electric to an Intelligence Analyst at The National Security Agency to a global qualified aircraft commander on the 325,000 pound C-141 Starlifter to a career as a fighter pilot and commander of a three billion dollar multinational provisional wing followed by a test of the political waters as a candidate for governor running against presidential hopeful, Mike Huckabee.

Top Gun Management employs an arsenal of weapons to achieve excellence with integrity. McVay believes that No head of state or chief executive officer is so high that they can afford to stop learning. No arsenal is so complete that a secret weapon can be discarded. No repertoire is so perfect that it cannot use some spit and polish. Within the pages of this book one will find not perfection but persistence and compassion. While many examples exist for customer oriented service, McVay believes that citizens have come to accept poor service from the postal service and service stations. While great men like Sam Walton and Frederick Smith had the courage to build Wal-Mart and Federal Express into industry giants, the new breed of MBA managers may not be able to sustain what others have created. Too often integrity takes a back seat to deceit and profit wins out over excellence. McVay includes twenty principles including surrounding yourself with people smarter than you, and developing courage. McVay quotes great leaders such as Churchill and George Washington Carver to make his points. He believes that leaders should give back to the community and mentor coworkers. You may never soar to the very top, but you can enjoy the journey and unashamedly be able to look yourself in the mirror with contentment when the battle is over.
Website:: http://www.lulu.com/content/1016085

Comment Wall:

Colleen Breuning

Hello Gene! I am very interested in hearing more about your positive experience with Lulu. I am working on a poetry chapbook & considering either Shadow Publishing or Lulu. (The book is in memory of my Dad who passed away - he was in the USAF, Korean War). Take care!

Aug 13, 2007
Ryan Trevor

Hey Colonel, I was an O3 USAF in Vietnam (1971-1974), 9th FTS-2nd AF (SAC) @ Beale AFB, Ca. At that time we were the Home of the SR-71. Had the OP to fly with B-52, KC135 & C-130, what a ride that was. Good luck! Delete Comment

Aug 18, 2007
Colleen Breuning

Dear Col. Gene,
Thank you for your thoughts on Lulu, the process sounds pretty easy. I also wanted to say that I like the picture of you in uniform - reminds me of my favorite picture of my Dad is in his USAF dress blues. I love it so much I am considering using it as the cover for my poetry book dedicated to him. Thanks again!
Sincerely,
Colleen

Aug 18, 2007
Colleen Breuning

How touching that you were able to administer the oath for your daughter. You certainly have every reason to be so proud of her. She sounds like an amazing young woman who takes after her father! Congrats to you & your wife on doing a wonderful job raising such a talented lady!

Aug 18, 2007
Jerry Pat Bolton

Another Lulu alumi, eh? I have three novel there, but I sure as heck can't compete with you . . . Congratulations and thank you for fighting the fight to keep America free . . .

Aug 24, 2007
Terry Whalin

Gene,

If you want to see me promote my latest book--then sign up to attend my teleseminar tomorrow night: www.askterrywhalin.com It's free and even if you can't attend, sign up because you will receive the notice of the replay. I have a magazine editor who will be my guest for part of the time. I'm promoting my new ebook,
Writing for the Christian Market

I hope I've helped you,

Terry
The Writing Life

Sep 4, 2007
Bill Frank

Hi, Gene. Your question has many answers. First, book signings are slowly dying away. They're being replaced by book events. Few retailers (chain stores or independents) want to devote valuable floor space to someone signing books. Real estate within the stores is too valuable. On the other hand, if the author can present something of value that will drive attendance to the store, then the retailers are interested. For non-fiction, the examples are easy to see. If you have a book on buying foreclosed real estate and can put on a mini-seminar for potential book buyers, then the event manager at the store is interested in hosting you. Don't expect the store to do much promotion, though. If you have an event, you'll have to turn out the crowd. For fiction books, it's a bit harder to come up with a seminar topic, but not impossible. Look for hooks within your book—places, events, history, speciality, etc. If the author wrote on it, then she/he is an authority and can do a mini-seminar on it. For example, if you have a historical romance novel set in the Civil War era, then the author can talk about the Civil War, clothing or customs of the era, the history surrounding the novel, etc.

If a retail store is going to host an event, the author may be able to get the book buyer for the store to purchase a few copies. This is particularly true if the retailer is in the same city as the author. Book buyers have discretion to purchase "local" authors for the store.

You mentioned consignment. ALL books are sold on consignment if they are sold on a returnable basis. If, after a period of time, the book doesn't sell, the retailer has the right to return the book for a full refund regardless of the condition of the book. If the author sells the book on a non-returnable basis, then expect to pay a steeper discount to entice the retailer.

If you're looking to sell books at "events," you may consider looking beyond the bookstores. Think of local companies that might benefit from a mini-seminar on the book. Google, for example, has a rich tradition of inviting in authors to speak at their various offices around the country.

Sep 4, 2007
Colleen Breuning

Hi Gene,
Thanks so much for your nice compliments on my photographs. It is a passion of mine that seems to compete with my writing at times! I do take many photographs wherever I go, whether it's visiting family, on vacation, or my daughter cheering at football games. I always seem to be the unofficial photographer at every event, lol. But nature photography and sunsets are my absolute passion.

I have four Canon cameras: My newest is the Canon EOS 30D Digital SLR with a stabilizing lens, a Canon Rebel XT Digital SLR, a compact Canon Powershot digital that I always keep in my purse, and my original Rebel XT SLR (which sadly, I never use anymore!). At one point I considered the Nikon, which is an excellent camera... but because of the interchangeability of lenses, I opted to stick with Canon. The good news is that the prices on some of the digital SLRs are coming down, so if you are into photography it is well worth the investment. (Exception - the most recent one I bought was a major investment, but the results are amazing.)

I used to buy double prints of all my photos....not anymore! I wouldn't be able to afford that now. I load them onto the computer & pick and choose the best ones after editing with Adobe Photoshop. I don't consider myself a professional, there is always so much more to learn about the cameras and the editing programs. So treat yourself when you get that first royalty check, you'll be amazed at how much fun photography is.
~Colleen

Sep 4, 2007
Colleen Breuning

Oh, I forgot to mention that both of my Canon Digital SLRS are 8 megapixel. There was a Canon 10 megapixel available, but I was advised by a knowledgable source that model was not a particularly good camera. The newest one I bought was an improvement on the 10 MP camera, even though only a 8 MP! So sometimes that's misleading.

Sep 4, 2007
Jerry Pat Bolton

I am the world's worst at promoting my books . . . There is a couple of reason for that which I won't go into just now. You asked how a fledgling author goes about setting up book signings when you are self-published. I have only had one signing and it was given to me by a friend who owns a tourist shop. Yes, you do need to buy enough of your book and try to interest a prospective book store into signing you, at least on a local level. But if you are trying for a Barnes & Noble, etc. signing they buy the books themselves, they set the price also . . . One thing, you almost always need a "return" clause in your contract with your publisher . . . I hope I have answered your questions . . .

Sep 5, 2007
Author & Book Promotions

Hi Gene,

It's nice to meet you, and thanks for writing me. You asked me about book signings earlier; unfortunately, everything you've heard about book signings for unknown authors is what I've also been told. I have an article on Author Promotion about book signings. It may provide additional help. Let me know? I hope this helps!

-Nadia

Sep 6, 2007
Kathleen Gage

Hi Gene,

I would like to invite you to join my Ning Book Marketing network. I have been a published author for many years and love to network with others who have a passion for writing and publishing.

If you get a chance, please visit my blog to read my special feature called The Author’s Corner. This week’s featured author is Nikki Leigh. http://www.kathleengage.blogspot.com Nikki shared some excellent tips on how an author can market themselves.

Have a great day.

Kathleen Gage
The Street Smarts Marketer and Author
www.streetsmartsmarketing.com

Sep 7, 2007
Author & Book Promotions

Hi Gene,

Have you ever consider doing a virtual book tour. I've never done one myself. But, I just may consider doing one. If you are interested, you can visit this link sent to me by Dorothy.

http://www.pumpupyourbookpromotion.com/virtualbooktours.html

-Nadia

Sep 12, 2007
Author & Book Promotions

Gene, is it that expensive? I'm not certain, but if I had the money I may do one later this year.

-nadia

Sep 12, 2007
Author & Book Promotions

Thanks. I will have to check it out more thoroughly.

Sep 13, 2007
Lynn C. Johnston

Gene, I personally recommend looking for book festivals in your area. I've done a few. You may not sell a lot of books, but you do have the opportunity to meet other authors in person and book lovers. Entrance fees on festivals can get expensive, so I participate with a group when I can to cut my costs. I created the Burbank Self-Published Meetup Group in Southern California earlier this year as a means to network and support other self-published authors (including one with Lulu). We had 4 authors sharing a table at a book festival in Ventura last month. It was great camaraderie and we each paid 1/4 of the cost of doing it alone. Something to think about.

Lynn

Sep 16, 2007
Lynn C. Johnston

Yes, I did a book festival that benefited a library. I think they made most of their money by charging the authors an entrance fee. The library had their own table selling old and donated books. There are also a lot of hundry people at these things -- especially author who are there for 5 or 6 hours, so you may want to consider adding food vendors or a bake sale element to it. Just a few ideas. Let me know how it turns out.

Lynn

Sep 16, 2007
shirley dicks

To do the booksignings the way I do it, is I'm a member of Authors4Charity www.authors4charity.com and we call on small book stores, or Walmart, the shopping malls or small gift stores, or even the grocery stores which is very good for a lot of authors.

I tell them I'm a member of AFC and ask if I could set up a signing for such a night or day. If they are not familiar with AFC I tell them about us and that two or three of us would like a signing on such a day and ask if they furnish a table and chairs or should we bring our own.

Once they give us the okay on the date we ask for, we get things ready. I hate do any signings alone so I do them wiht one other person and we bring our own table cloth and things to put on the table.

It's not hard to do a signing, I just don't like to be alone and do them so feel more comfortable with someone else there.

One year they set us up beside of Santa. That's not the place to be as with all the noise of the kids yelling you can't talk to anyone wihtout yelling...so never sit right next to him....hope this helps you out....

Sep 19, 2007