Timothy J. Desmond's Blog (40)

It has been a while, but I haven’t seen recently a blog post on MEDIA PACKET as part of the tools for author promotions and self marketing. It should a part of the author’s Marketing Plan in the first place. It has been called many things…

It was just released on Kindle Direct at Amazon yesterday. THE MINE, published by Dry River Publications an imprint of Fresno River Press is about a frustrated artist. Ron Mueller is not happy with lack of sales of his paintings. He does get a few small commissions, but it is not enough. He has difficulty relating to his wife's family, which creates…

  Wards of the State - Data Collection v. Privacy – November 4, 2013

       As an author of fiction revolving around the premise of government abuse, the recent fodder supplied by the daily news is astounding. In conjunction with researching for conspiracy theories, there seems to be no end. Using the theories as a story basis is hardly new, but one wonders if it is…

Though any remark from an agent or editor was appreciated as a feedback, and critique, one of the most painful remarks was "need character development." Much of these referred to my short story submissions in the 1990s, on several of the many past rejections. The writing into the story of the "back story" is tricky. When and where does one feed the bits and snippets in? I am reading a new novel, "The Vesuvius Isotope," a first person narration, which uses past flashbacks in…

One older blog began with one sentence and was not finished. “Much of the latest focus on author promotions is weeding out “time wasting” exercises in ego stroking endeavors.” That was in may.  I had written about it in a blog in last June titled Vanity Event.  I wasn’t sure if book signings were that much a waste of time, as was being suggested. The other one, blog, got sidetracked for a number of reasons, but one reason was that I was trying to research the origin of that terms for…

Exciting changes have been forced on website changes for this member and writer. Perhaps I am trying to do too much. Anyway, I had to make a decision on whether to continue two other websites that were not getting much traffic, and yet the costs were going up each year, which  …………. Well, it was nuts to stay there. The two new sites are up at the links below in the signature…

Akira Okihu on a blog, discusses the quest for followers.  Maybe I am late in replying to this piece on "quest for followers" but it is something, the topic, which so many of us are in the middle of these days. It isn't really meeting others in person, but one is developing an audience at this level. I realize there are pros and cons to the entire concept of "social…

It is with pleasure that I introduce Aneta Cruz with this interview. Author Aneta Cruz is pleased to announce the release of her latest novel by Black Opal Books entitled Heartbreak Hotel, on September 14. 

TD – Your website is…

This is about Sunny Frazier’s guest blog THE ROOT OF THE MATTER at:  http://cncbooksblog.wordpress.com/2013/09/03/the-root-of-the-matter/

She is comparing her WHERE ANGELS FEAR  novel character Christy Bristol with her own years growing up as a “Navy brat.”

I commented there, but it is really good.

Other news here, is that coming up soon is another author interview. Next time with Aneta…

It may possibly go away sometime, but one has to wonder. As I wrote in June about NSA and the UK, James Bamford gave a tremendous history of our connection with the UK since and in spite of our gaining independence. They have remained our steadfast ally on the globe. The 2oth century clandestine connections are detailed in particular. Then the “Cold War” connections in late 40s…

This is a shot of the event that was last posted, almost a year ago. What is the last of it's use now is the beautiful cover for THE DOC, the Confederate battle flag surrounding the Washington monument above a wheat field. I am supposed to cease using it as that publishing contract is no terminated. That is what is the new news here. THE DOC is being…

It is good to get back to this site, one of the first that I joined in the mid-2000s decade. I realize an apology isn't necessary, but as an older immediate supervisor once told me, "these things happen." Anyway, had computer problems, lost all favorites lists, and am just thankful I had backed up documents and files. I am thankful that I did not detect that odor of acrid burnt wire that I had when a surge took out a machine at work one time. I had asked the tech administrator, "Do you think…

This is an announcement about the Visalia, California TASTE OF ARTS event. I will be there as a local/regional author in space F7, for one day only on Saturday September 29.

The Taste of Arts event runs from Thursday, September 27 through Monday October 1 at different locations around town. This Saturday location is at the OLD LUMBER YARD, on Oak Avenue and Garden Street.

Here are a few important reminders about Taste the Arts, regional art fair on Saturday, September 29.

All…

A few weeks ago, I posted and referenced a piece with tips for writer promotions. One of the tips was to "have a book trailer" done and get it out there. Below is the link for the You Tube e-book trailer for THE DOC novel. It may be the first of other different versions. Let me know if you like it ... or not.…

I probably have not really known or appreciated how many theories there are. I feel rather humble, on further research, on my not realizing just how much has been written on this topic. To be sure, one theory or another has been the basis of more than one of my short stories, and in a general way, the premise of THE DOC novel. I think everyone can come up with at least one movie and book about one theory. And that brings us to an important consideration. That is that a conspiracy, any…

This PBS series has been on for a short while, three seasons, which I presume is a measure of some success. So, having recently, discovered that series, and having missed the presvious seasons one and two, we went about getting the DVDs for those first two seasons. After watching the entire first season, went to bed and I dreamt of being an English bloke in some farcical situation, as dreams go. The next night we watched part of the second season and for the second evening in a row, I…

Self Promotion.

The topic of promoting oneself brings to mind several aspects and related personalities of the past. There must be a huge ego thing with politicians for their self promotions which is not denied and which is a way of life for them. It could also be true for rock stars and others in the entertainment business. In the writing and publishing business, just look at the giants from the large presses and literature world. Where are the centers? They are: New York City,…

Dana Sweet was raised in a family who were Civil War reenactors. She dressed up in the period attire at reenactments and had a great time going to the period dances and special occasion balls. When she was old enough to participate as a combatant she joined the organization’s infantry company. She loved the drill and shooting her Enfield rifle. She always fired clean volleys. She continued to go to what events she could during her college years. When she was hired at the FAO in Washington,…

Henry “Hank” Houston, MD has his Internal Medicine practice in the Central Valley of California. He has over a thousand patients. On the death of one of his patients, Houston finds a discrepancy with the County Medical Examiner’s post mortem conclusion and cause of death. Houston questions the coroner’s results and his quiet inquiries prompt the attention of the local police department. Thus, Houston’s problems begin to emerge. The Doc novel is available in the Kindle store at…

A few months ago, at old job, I wrote some comments on the “at work email system.”  It was deliberate and about an issue at work. This was regarding a morning video production that went to every office and worker. One person became very upset because my criticism of the video ……… the video the production came from her team. I know this sounds lame, but I did not know that it was her team that produced the crappy video. Anyway, I issued an apology to her, she said, “don’t say anything more,…