Realistic #Fiction – That’s What I #Amwriting - #AtoZChallenge

Today is the “R” Day in the A to Z Challenge – 2016. We’ll try realistic.

Every author has his or her comfort zone. Mine happens to be realistic fiction. I tip my hat to those that can write in the more exotic genres. My mind just doesn’t happen to operate that well when I have to write about a topic with which I am unfamiliar.

Maybe that’s because I’m a keen observer of real life. Daily living feeds me real characters on a regular basis. When my mind is operating in a setting that I can envision, placing the characters in situations that drive the story is relatively easy. I can see them in their regular gathering spot. I can hear their conversation. I can anticipate how they will react. And that’s my baby --- spreading that message to the reader.

Living in this day and age in time is an absolute blessing. We have so much going on in the world and with the media and the new forms of communication we get to read and experience all that life has to offer instantaneously. Fortunately I get to put a spin on those activities and add a little humor and irony and hypocrisy. By writing with a tongue-in-cheek style I can weave a tale that is a little off-center, but close enough to real life to make the reader question whether or not something like that could really happen.

With all of the “I-can’t-believe-its” that we witness on a daily basis my stories force readers to wonder if the story that they just read could actually occur or did at some point in time. Since my mind is capable of adding a twist or two a unique writing style developed. Perhaps that flair evolved from my days as a kid. I loved to read non-fiction. That led to an interest in journalism and a matter-of-fact writing style. Of course that carried on to my first book, Lifetime Loser, where I had to back fill a lot of the past in an attempt to explain the actions of the present.

At any rate, that’s the style of writing that you will get with me. The plots are structured so the reader believes that they actually could occur. The stories are rich with characters that are memorable and believable. The chapters are short and are strung together like pieces of a puzzle. I don’t tell you exactly what is going on. I force my readers to think and connect the dots. If that’s the type of material you like to read then give my writing style a try.

Amazon Prime and Kindle Unlimited customers can read my stories for free with a simple click. My participation in the Kindle Select program allows for their availability. A good place to start would be with the eBook bundles that I’ve put together. The pair is available on Kindle and titled - James Ross– A Young Adult Trilogy and James Ross – A Character-Based Collection. Either one would be a good place to get acquainted with my cast of recurring characters. They certainly don’t cheat life and have something going on at all times.

James Ross has penned several novels from the Prairie Winds Golf Course setting. The stories are character-based, cross many genres, and have become Kindle favorites. Visit his  website for detailed information, reader comments, and contact links.

Quirky Characters Have Put Me On the #BESTSELLER List - #AtoZChallenge

Today is the “Q” Day in the A to Z Challenge – 2016.

There is no doubt about it. Creating quirky characters is my favorite part of writing. Obviously we authors have to have a plot to drive the story. However character creation and placing those personalities in a sequence of events is equally important in my opinion. It has put several of my titles on Amazon BESTSELLER lists.

A lot goes into character creation for me. Once I get the idea for a story I have to dream up a way to tell it. Once that comes to me I have to create fictitious characters that have memorable features. Giving them unique traits is where my mind goes on overdrive.

In my first book I needed to create the core characters. Since my setting is a golf clubhouse they had to add color and humor to the environment. It was fun to have them represent all walks of life and parts of the world for that matter. Fred is an opinionated blue-collar worker; Paul is an ex-military perfectionist. Paco, who came from Mexico, runs a landscaping business. Elia is the barber from Beirut. And so it goes. Captain Jer is a retired airline pilot and the witty drunk. Pork Chop never walked away from a meal. Trot is a vaudeville comedian. Doc is an elderly vet. YouWho is a transplanted businessman from Japan. They’re my regular characters and complement head pro, J Dub and the number one assistant, Julie.

In Lifetime Loser we met a manipulative, neurotic, paranoid scam artist. His associates include a sleazy lawyer, a fidgety accountant, and a slick title company executive. Top investigators include a black IRS agent and nerdy numbers technician. And the list continues. Over 130 characters in all were created for that book.

Tuey was an impoverished black man who wore a lime green skull cap in Tuey's Course. He stole the spotlight in my third book. The overgrown child was frustrated by the manipulative tactics of City Hall yet his low IQ prevented him from rectifying the situation. The Board of Aldermen consisted of a unique cast of characters, each bordering on fantasy.

Opur had a stuttering impediment in Opur’s Blade. Pabby and Shae were special needs kids in Pabby’s Score. Pamela Porter, their caretaker, had an obnoxious voice in that story. Shari was a greedy, spoiled, self-centered bitch in Shari’s Shot. However the secondary characters that only have brief moments shine as well. If they don’t have a physical limitation then their name may say a lot about what they stand for.

In order to make the characters memorable I try to give them characteristics that are either annoying or attention getting. Accents, bad habits, and physical restrictions are devices that I use.

    

At any rate I can go on and on about the characters that I see in my mind. A lot of that comes because I am a very astute observer of life. Many of them have nicknames or names that describe their standing in the world. We see my characters daily. Luckily I get an opportunity to describe them in my stories.

All of my books are available on Amazon in hard cover and paperback editions. Kindle eBook downloads are also available. Members of Amazon Prime and Kindle Unlimited can read the eBooks for free. Perhaps the eBook bundles would be a good place to start. James Ross - A Young Adult Trilogy and James Ross - A Character-Based Collection are in eFormat only and are packaged as 3-book bundles.

James Ross has penned several novels from the Prairie Winds Golf Course setting. The stories are character-based, cross many genres, and have become Kindle favorites. Visit his website for detailed information, reader comments, and contact links.

Pabby’s Score – A Kindle Overall #Bestseller #AtoZChallenge

Today is the “P” Day in the A to Z Challenge – 2016.

Pabby’s Score had its moment to remember in October ’15. During a free promotional period thousands of downloads pushed it into the number 2 Overall position on Kindle. Consequently the book reached the number 1 ranking in Crime Fiction, Legal Thriller, and Teen.

This story is very complex in that there are several subplots that keep the reader guessing what will happen next. The creation of several memorable characters made this a fun book to write. That cast was led by Pabby and Shae, two orphaned teenagers with special needs.

Essentially an Internet dating site fuels the desire of an unfaithful lawyer. His young, adventurous online friend skillfully manipulates his libido. In the meantime Pabby and Shae along with their handlers happen upon Prairie Winds Golf Course. The purpose of their involvement is to orientate them into life after they leave the children's home and transition into society.

As the story unfolds the lawyer calls the shots for the trust that owns the children’s home. It is operated by the wife of a prominent judge who has made countless class actions decisions that have benefited the attorney. The close connections border on civil fraud. In the meantime the same lawyer has filed an injury settlement against the golf course proprietors.

Pabby’s infectious personality makes him a favorite among the regulars in the clubhouse. He and Shae are the show stoppers. But a sudden event changes the direction of the story. A secret law society holds the trump card in a cover-up that affects all of the characters. Readers have to stay on their toes to piece together the clues. I challenge anyone to figure out the end of the story.

Give Pabby’s Score a try. There’s virtually no golf in this tale. Instead readers have a great opportunity to meet all of the characters that I’ve placed in the clubhouse. You’ll have to stay alert to figure out the main plot and the ending.

The book is available in hard cover and paperback on Amazon and eBook downloads from Kindle are available. Members of Amazon Prime and Kindle Unlimited can read the book for free.

James Ross has penned several novels from the Prairie Winds Golf Course setting. The stories are character-based, cross many genres, and have become Kindle favorites. Visit his website for detailed information, reader comments, and contact links.

Opur’s Blade – A Top Overall Kindle #Bestseller #AtoZChallenge

Today is the “O” Day in the A to Z Challenge – 2016.

Opur’s Blade really took off this past summer. During a promotional period in July free downloads started early and continued at a mind numbing pace. Thousands upon thousands of readers received a complimentary copy. Number 1 rankings obviously followed in several sub-genres like Cozy Mystery, Sports Fiction, and Teen.

It was one of my favorite stories to write and I hated to give it away, but what has followed has been well worth it. The freebies introduced readers to my work and that has provided cross sales of many of my other titles.

Finally! It really happened. I’ve got the screenshots to prove it. Indie authors have their work cut out for them. It was encouraging to get the high ranking as well as the attention of Kindle, Amazon, and new readers.

What is the story about? A young teen from a modest family gets introduced to the game of golf during a summer break. His mother, Rayelene, imagines lofty heights for her son. She arranges golf lessons at the local course. The head pro notices golf talent immediately and takes Opur under his tutelage. But Opur's folks go through a messy divorce which clouds his future.

Years tick by and the young lad turns into a confident and successful golfer. His opportunity beckons after winning a qualifying tournament overseas. How does he return the favor? He asks his early mentor to be his caddie in the most prestigious golf tournament in the world. When the day arrives however, something else is mysteriously going on.

Back and forth action in a nationally televised match keeps the pages turning. What will happen and how will the story end? The reader is kept in suspense until the final pages. Give Opur's Blade a try. It has had tremendous reviews and even though it has more golf than any of my other titles it will afford a first time reader a chance to evaluate my writing style. 

Opur's Blade is available in hard cover and paperback on Amazon and Kindle downloads of the eBook are available. Amazon Prime and Kindle Unlimited members can read it for free.

James Ross has penned several novels from the Prairie Winds Golf Course setting. The stories are character-based, cross many genres, and have become Kindle favorites. Visit his website for detailed information, reader comments, and contact links.

Number 1 - How to Get a FREE Kindle BESTSELLER #AtoZChallenge

Today is the “N” Day in the A to Z Challenge – 2016.  Let’s use Number 1 to tie into the letter N.

I was hopeful that someday that lofty status might happen, but as my novel count reached six I seriously doubted that I would ever be able to make that claim. The competition is fierce. The volumes of books that are published daily are hard to fathom. Breaking out of obscurity is next to impossible.

How do you get noticed with so many writers on the scene?

The answer is: Marketing and Money.

There are a bunch of marketing people that want to help an author. These gurus charge a handsome amount. Basically their advice is to convert the written word to an eFormatted edition and sell it – or should I say, give it away - on Kindle. However, that is only half of it. After authors make their eBook available on Kindle they really need to participate in the Kindle Select program.

Two options are available. The Countdown Deals program allows for an escalating price. The second choice allows for five free days during a sign up period. Pick out 5 days and get organized. That takes care of a marketing choice.

The next step is where the money comes in. There are a number of services that charge fees to get the eBook downloaded on Kindle. They are tapped into eBook reader sites and promotional lists. Typically the more you spend the higher the download count. I did four of my books in a single year. Needless to say I learned a lot and found out which services worked the best.

On the day of your free promotion just wake up and watch the numbers soar. An author can follow the progress on Kindle as the reports are posted hourly. It is fun to see your cover methodically climb to the top as the eBook downloads accumulate.

Of course social media plays a big part too. Twitter posts, Facebook groups, Goodreads announcements, email campaigns to readers, an Amazon Author page, and website alerts help. The cover postings in the various genres on Amazon and Kindle are equally as important. Publicity feeds on itself.

When all is said and done I can say that I am now a Number 1 Best Selling Author on Amazon Kindle. Here are some of the results that can be verified through screenshots that were taken: 

                                     

        

         ·     Opur’s Blade – No. 1 Overall

         ·     Opur’s Blade – No. 1 Cozy Mystery

         ·     Opur’s Blade – No. 1 Sports Fiction

         ·     Opur’s Blade – No. 1 Teen Fiction

   

                                           

•  Pabby’s Score –No. 2 Overall
•  Pabby’s Score –No. 1 Crime Fiction
•  Pabby’s Score –No. 1 Legal Thriller
•  Pabby’s Score –No. 1 Teen

                        

    ·     Lifetime Loser – No. 6 Overall

    ·     Lifetime Loser – No. 1 Golf

    ·     Lifetime Loser - No. 2 Crime Fiction

    ·     Lifetime Loser – No. 3 Teen

Shari’s Shot was my first promotion and did not fare quite as well only because I did not have my marketing strategies perfected. It got into the Top 50 Overall and into the Top 5 in Crime Fiction. Had I figured things out a little earlier I’m confident that this book would have reached higher download levels.

What was gained? A lot of new readers and sales that continue to this day. Feel free to get in touch with me. I’ll steer you in the right direction.

James Ross has penned several novels from the Prairie Winds Golf Course setting. The stories are character-based, cross many genres, and have become Kindle favorites. Visit his  website for detailed information, reader comments, and contact links.

Lifetime Loser – #Crime #Mystery (How to Steal a #Golf Course) Amazon BESTSELLER #AtoZChallenge

Today is the "L" Day in the A to Z Challenge - 2016. 

My debut novel – Lifetime Loser – was a book that needed to be written. The nuances of the story had been swirling in my head long before the white-collar meltdown occurred on Wall Street. Innocent civil fraud victims exist all over the country. Could these events happen to them?

Essentially a small town con artist – Lewferd Zerrmann – commits a heinous crime. He enlists the company of a deceitful accountant, a deceptive title company executive, a dishonest attorney, and corrupt politician to cover-up his actions. Their efforts are needed to steal a golf course and concoct a scheme to bleed cash out of the business.

Two victims are recruited. One is a frail widow who gets fleeced with a forged power-of-attorney form. The other is a young golf pro who is hand-picked to open the doors on a 24/7 basis. Fifteen years pass. A host of customers, business associates, and acquaintances have to tolerate the antics of a neurotic, paranoid, manipulative control freak.

When it is time to turn over the business it seems that past actions eventually catch up to the culprit. The fraud has created questions – most particularly to the IRS. Two investigators from the Criminal Investigative Division of the agency want to understand why the tax information doesn’t stack up. A complex and time-consuming investigation commences.

Caught in the cross-hairs is the young golf pro and his older business partner. Not only have criminal offenses occurred, but the civil wrongdoing begs for justice in a different courtroom. An unpredictable ending concludes the mystery.

The book has reached lofty heights on Kindle. During a free promotional period thousands of downloads Made it soar to the #6 Overall position. Its success in sub-categories benefited as it rose to #1 in golf, #2 in Crime/Fiction and #3 in Teen.

The book is avaiable in hard cover and paperback on Amazon and Kindle eBook downloads are available. Members of Amazon Prime and Kindle Unlimited can read the book for free. 

Try Lifetime Loser! Beware of civil fraud. Don’t let it happen to you.

James Ross has penned several novels from the Prairie Winds Golf Course setting. The stories are character-based, cross many genres, and have become Kindle favorites. Visit his  website for detailed information, reader comments, and contact links.

Kindle, Kindle Unlimited (KU) and Kindle Owners Lending Library (KOLL) #AtoZChallenge

Today is the “K” Day in the A to Z Challenge – 2016.

As an indie author it has been a tough journey to get noticed. There are literally thousands of writers in that category and most have a great desire to feel some sort of presence in the book market. Kindle changed all of that for me.

Ebooks have exploded on the market the last few years. When Amazon came out with their Kindle tablet they beat the competition to the finish line. Literally millions of books were converted to eFormat to be read on a Kindle. For authors it saved publishing costs and shipping costs. Still I was hesitant to jump on the bandwagon until I learned the parameters of the various programs.

I’ve spent the last 2-3 years understanding the options and have not looked back. Economically the eBook conversion makes sense for an author. Kindle Select has made it attractive for indie authors like me to get involved.

The Kindle Unlimited (KU) program is set up to benefit Amazon, readers, and writers. For $9.99 per month readers can select from over a million books to read. With a click the book can be downloaded onto a Kindle device and is available to be read in seconds. Serious readers have to enjoy that process.

The Kindle Owners Lending Library is available to all Amazon Prime members. There again the reader can select from over a million books. I won’t get into the nuances and restrictions that each program offers, but when all is said and done the choices are very reasonable for all involved.

Like many authors I initially fought giving away my titles for free. However I have found that the free offerings on Kindle have afforded me an opportunity to get thousands of readers which have led to cross sales on other books. I’m very grateful to Amazon and Kindle for providing the exposure and marketing to boost my sales. Without their help I would be like most authors – still searching for ways to get my written words read.

If you’re a reader that is a fan of the increasingly popular new eBook Bundle then feel free to try mine. Available now on Kindle are two 3-book bundles at a reduced price. They are James Ross – A Young Adult Trilogy and James Ross – A Character-Based Collection.

James Ross has penned several novels from the Prairie Winds Golf Course setting. The stories are character-based, cross many genres, and have become Kindle favorites. Visit his  website for detailed information, reader comments, and contact links.

J Dub and Julie – The Main Characters in the #Golf Pro Shop #AtoZChallenge

Today is the “J” Day in the A to Z Challenge – 2016.

The letter J in the A to Z Challenge is represented by the two main characters in my novels. J Dub Schroeder is the head golf professional at fictitious Prairie Winds Golf Course on the east side of St. Louis. His right hand “man” and chief assistant is Julie, the company bookkeeper and clubhouse favorite.

When I reached middle age my mind was itching to tell a story. It was fun to develop a setting with which many readers could identify. Golf is a sport that many have tried, but few have mastered. In my fictitious world the characters play a role that forces the setting to play second fiddle.

Business owner J Dub runs the operation. Make no mistake about that. However the register and counter top needs a suitable replacement when the main man can’t be around. Julie adds feisty fodder to an assorted lot of golfing misfits who are predominantly male.

When my first story was completed the characters were screaming to tell another. They have continued voicing their political opinions, conservative viewpoints, and humorous anecdotes over the years. Hypocrisy is alive and well in American society. The golfing regulars will remind everyone who walks through the door of that.

There is mystery, drama, intrigue, laughter, irony, and hypocrisy as the stories cross a variety of genres. At the center of the tales are J Dub and Julie who my readers have come to love. They serve the letter J well. If you’re an eBook fan try one of my eBundles. They are titled James Ross– A Young Adult Trilogy and James Ross – A Character-Based Collection.

James Ross has penned several novels from the Prairie Winds Golf Course setting. The stories are character-based, cross many genres, and have become Kindle favorites. Visit his  website for detailed information, reader comments, and contact links.

IRS – 3 Letters to Fear in a #Crime #Fiction #Mystery #AtoZChallenge

Today is the “I” Day in the A to Z Challenge – 2016.

Lifetime Loser was my debut novel that focused on the white-collar crime of fraud in a small business. However the story transcends civil wrongdoing when criminal tax laws are broken. Events can suddenly change in life when the IRS knocks on your door.

Lewferd E Zerrmann, an egocentric, control freak, committed a heinous crime when in the company of three party goers. To cover up the offense he enlists the company of a deceitful accountant, a deceptive title company executive, a crooked lawyer, and a corrupt politician

.

Once the deception is put into place he recruits a naïve rube – golf pro J Dub Schroeder - to be the managing minority partner of a golf course operation. An unlawful death, an estate swindle, and bogus accounting to funnel dollars out of the business are buried behind years of dishonesty.

For fifteen years the sham goes unnoticed until the CID (Criminal Investigative Division) of the IRS follows up on some accounting improprieties. The criminal side of the law lays the foundation for a lengthy legal battle in civil court between two business partners.

Will the IRS prevail? Can the crook get away with the fruits? How will the fraud victim fight back? Are remedies available in the U.S. Justice system?

I won’t spoil the ending but Lifetime Loser has enjoyed enormous success with tens of thousands of Kindle downloads. During a recent promotional period it reached the #6 Overall position on Kindle as well as the #2 position in Crime Fiction and #1 ranking in Sports / Golf. Pick up an eBook copy and let me know if the IRS is an agency to be feared.

James Ross has penned several novels from the Prairie Winds Golf Course setting. The stories are character-based, cross many genres, and have become Kindle favorites. Visit his  website for detailed information, reader comments, and contact links.

A #Golf Setting For My Cozy #Mysteries - #AtoZChallenge

Today is the “G” Day in the A to Z Challenge – 2016. In that regard we will honor golf.

Middle age does different things to different people. Moods change. Behavior is altered. Opportunities once available seem to disappear. For me, that time in my life provided an opportunity to tell a mysterious story from a golf setting.

That occasion came in a roundabout way. Events and characters were swirling in my head. One of my golfing buddies suggested that the story would make a good movie. So after a golf trip he asked me what I was going to do after we returned home. I replied, “I’m going to write that movie.”

Needless to say he was skeptical. However it was the start of my writing career. After doing some online research I joined an internet screenwriting site. Soon after I purchased the proper software and the characters and plot came alive. It was agreed after several rewrites and critiques that the basics for a story were present. When the final version of the screenplay was finished I asked my consultant what would help it sell in Hollywood.

His reply was frank. “The book.”

I digested that for a couple of months and then admitted that I had nothing else to do at the time. I opened the screenplay and used it as the outline for my first novel – Lifetime Loser. A year and a half later after some rewrites and extensive editing my first novel was published. The feeling was indescribable.

.

But then a funny thing happened. The characters were screaming to tell another story. One novel has become six. The recurring characters at the golf course serve as the perfect foils for the intrigue and mystery that surround the clubhouse.

The stories are realistic, character-based fiction. The setting is Prairie Winds Golf Course high atop the Mississippi river bluffs east of St. Louis. The screenplay won a lot of awards at various indie film fests but is now gathering dust. However the books are available on Amazon in hard cover and paperback version and on Kindle in eBook format.

Give my books a try. The genres vary but most lean toward the cozy mystery area. There is no doubt that you will like the characters. They are diverse, from all walks of life, and memorable. Start with LifetimeLoser. I’d be interested to hear back from you.

James Ross has penned several novels from the Prairie Winds Golf Course setting. The stories are character-based, cross many genres, and have become Kindle favorites. Visit his website for detailed information, reader comments, and contact links.

Dementia – Memory Loss Makes For Memorable Characters #AtoZChallenge

Today is the “D” Day in the A to Z Challenge – 2016.

Creating characters is my favorite thing to do when I write a book. A lot of thought goes into their name, physical characteristics, and situations which with they are placed. In the course of writing my novels I’ve had the opportunity to create over 300 characters. The nice thing about that is that my characters reappear in my stories. They must be unique and memorable to keep the pages turning.

Dementia is a term that describes the decline in mental ability so much so that it affects daily life. The memory loss can reduce a person’s ability to perform everyday activities. Short term memory loss can affect a person’s ability to pay bills, remember appointments, focus, and reason. Technically the brain cells become damaged and the disease prohibits those cells from communicating with each other. Treatments vary depending on how quickly the disease is treated.

In Pabby’s Score one of the regulars in the pro shop brings his elderly father into the clubhouse to meet the guys. The character suffering from the disease quickly obtained a nickname – Uncle Woo – because he reminded one of the war veterans of a guy that he knew when stationed overseas. His antics and recollections force grins. The outlandish behavior is not only sad, but comical.

As the plot develops Uncle Woo winds up playing a pivotal role in the story. Give the book a try. It is available on Amazon or on Kindle in eBook format. This book rose to the #2 Overall position on Kindle during a promotional period. It was also the Number 1 most downloaded book in the Crime Fiction, Legal Thriller, and Teen categories.

James Ross has penned several novels from the Prairie Winds Golf Course setting. The stories are character-based, cross many genres, and have become Kindle favorites. Visit his website for detailed information, reader comments, and contact links.

FREE #Kindle vs Permafree - Experience My Crime #Fiction #Mystery NOW #IARTG #ASMSG

2015 was a wild year for my eBooks. Instead of writing I devoted a year to marketing and got incredible results. It started with an effort to understand the Kindle Select program which is available to authors on Amazon and was extended to the permafree concept that is available on a number of outlets.

In the spring Shari's Shot climbed to the top of the charts in Crime Fiction on Amazon Kindle and into the Top 50 overall. Needless to say, I was elated. It was a learning process on what to do and what not to do.

In June and July Opur's Blade was promoted. I must have learned my lesson well. My efforts propelled that title to the Number 1 overall download position on Kindle and a number of subcategories. My reaction? Euphoria!

That success was parlayed into a giveaway offer on Pabby's Score in October. That title climbed to the Number 2 overall ranking on Kindle and the top spot in a number of subcategories. Elation followed.

That brought me to another option in early November - permafree. By offering my first book in the Prairie Winds Golf Course series - Lifetime Loser - for free on a number of sites, Amazon Kindle matched the price - FREE! Rather than working within the constraints of the Kindle Select program I've had the chance to give away Lifetime Loser for a longer period of time.

The results have been staggering. Even though the title is available on iBooks, B & N's The Nook, Kobo, Scribd, and 24symbols, Amazon Kindle has created 95% of the downloads. I attribute that to a host of marketing programs that are geared to Kindle books.

On January 11, 2016 I'd like for you to download Lifetime Loser when I use the Kindle marketing program that created a lot of the success on the other titles. Expect Lifetime Loser to climb to the top of all of the Kindle charts.

In case you were wondering, it's a heckuva story. A good subtitle would be How To Steal a Golf Course. The widow of an estate is swindled. A criminal vs. civil justice drama ensues after the IRS opens an investigation. Read how the victim reacts in this character-based thriller. But most importantly - Enjoy!

FREE eBook #Thriller - Lifetime Loser - A White-Collar #Mystery #IARTG #ASMSG

Giving away eBooks has been the norm this year. My newest release - Shari's Shot - took off in the first quarter of 2015. Then Opur's Blade surprisingly shot to the #1 overall position on Free Kindle in July. That jubilant response propelled Pabby's Score to the #2 overall position on the same site.

Now a little different tactic is being used. Lifetime Loser, a white-collar drama centered around civil fraud, is being offered on several sites as a permafree eBook. The marketing strategy is different from the Kindle promotion that was utilized earlier. The title is available on several online book stores.

It is not clear how long the eBook will be available for free. Reader responses will dictate that. However, right now interested readers can download a free copy of this eBook on iBooks as well as Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Scribd, and inktera, Kindle users should be able to get a free copy of Lifetime Loser on Amazon as well.

We should know soon enough whether making the title available to readers outside the Amazon family was a wise move. Right now the number of Kindle downloads has been impressive. Let's see if the other sites can top those lofty figures.

Give Lifetime Loser a try. It was my first foray into fiction writing and one heckuva story. 

FREE #cozymystery on Kindle #Fiction crime #ASMSG #IARTG

Pabby's Score will be available for FREE to Kindle users on October 12 - 14. It is a character-based, fictional crime, cozy mystery delivered from a golf setting on the outskirts of St. Louis. Two autistic special needs children unknowingly get tangled in a web of unethical lawyers and a corrupt judge. Subplots take the reader on an online dating journey and visit the workings of a secret law society. It will challenge mystery sleuths. Try to figure out the ending! Download it today.

Readers have taken the opportunity to enjoy books from the Prairie Winds Golf Course setting this year. In July, Opur's Blade was the most downloaded book on FREE Kindle. It not only occupied the top spot overall, but it dominated the fiction, cozy mystery and sports categories as well.

Earlier in the year my latest release, Shari's Shot, enjoyed tremendous success during a similar Kindle promotional period.

If you are new to my writing style and want to take advantage of the free Kindle opportunities, then download Pabby's Score sometime between October 12 - 14. The complex plot should keep you on your toes.

Kindle FREE #cozymystery w adult dating, corruption and secret #law society #IARTG #ASMSG

What a year it has been! The free download promotion offered by Kindle has significantly increased the exposure of my books. Appearances on the Best Seller List are no longer wishful thinking.

The newest giveaway occurs on October 12-14. Pabby's Score featuring two autistic children, adult online dating, and legal corruption will be available FREE for Kindle users. It's a character-based cozy mystery that should entertain readers who enjoy memorable subject matter.

Earlier in the year the FREE Kindle promotion was instrumental in sending Shari's Shot to the top of the sports fiction, cozy mystery and teen categories.

In July readers made Opur's Blade the Number 1 most downloaded book on overall FREE Kindle. That publicity boosted the sales of all the books in the Prairie Winds Golf Course series.

We'll be putting into place the same marketing strategies that were used with those titles with hopes that Pabby's Score will top the mystery, crime fiction and overall categories. If you are a reader who is new to my style of storytelling, then I hope that you will pick up a nice addition to your Kindle library on October 12-14.

FREE Kindle #eBook - Round Two (April 6-7)

Any author that has tried to sell a book will probably admit that marketing a book is a lot tougher than putting forth the effort to write and publish a book. On my most recent release - Shari's Shot - I jumped onto the Kindle KDP Select promotional train with a very detailed and thorough effort.

Authors that participate get 5 free days to give away their eBook product. I scheduled those days over a six week period and so far my experience has been nothing short of amazing. On the first 2 days Shari's Shot seemed to go viral. It went from obscurity (being one of a million books) and rose into the Top 500 eBooks that have been downloaded on Kindle.

We've fallen off a bit since that lofty status, but hope to soar again up the list when Stage 2 of the free giveaway takes place on April 6-7. My hope is that mystery readers, St. Louisans, and golf crazy fans at The Masters find this to be an attractive read.

Oh. The plot? After filing for divorce chaos surrounds Shari Daniels-Donnelly. Threatening texts, confessions, jail time, arrests, and a liaison with a US Congresswoman add to the twists and turns. When a body turns up in a carpool parking lot two detectives are determined to find out who was responsible.

Early reviews have been outstanding! Go to Kindle April 6-7 for a free download.

A Kindle Freebie - Shari's Shot

With the early success of Shari's Shot I thought that I would try a promotional feature that is available to authors that participate in the KDP Select program offered by Amazon. The eBook concept is dismantling the bricks and mortar of yesteryear. Readers can't fight it. So, as an author I'm jumping on for the ride.

Free eBook downloads of Shari's Shot will be offered to Kindle users on March 18-19, April 6-7 as well as April 23. The book marketing business is so competitive that independent authors have to find creative ways to reach readers. Offering free books is about as revolutionary as a writer can get. The publishing industry is offering a wonderful service to readers and I'm excited to be a part of it.

Try any of the working links. They will direct you to Shari's Shot which will be offered for free on the above mentioned dates.

Oh, the story? After filing for divorce chaos surrounds Shari Daniels-Donnelly. Threatening texts, a lover's triangle, jail time, confessions, and a liaison with a US Congresswoman add to the twists and turns in this story. When a body is found in a carpool parking lot a detective duo is determined to find who was responsible.

The early reviews have been outstanding!