A few years ago a small publisher accepted the first book of a trilogy which I wrote for younger readers (7th Grade and up), but the few adults who have bought it say that they have enjoyed it.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/512mIc1zL0L.jpg)
So far, it has not sold enough copies to provide a penny in royalties. The small publisher has done no advertising anywhere. So my agent (aka my little brother) has gone to Amazon and Apple to promote e-book versions.
Amazon has accepted Why Begins With W for its Kindle and Apple for its iBook.
http://www.amazon.com/Why-Begins-Lesson-Capsule-Murders/dp/1595943587/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360289423&sr=1-1&keywords=why+begins+with+w (http://www.amazon.com/Why-Begins-Lesson-Capsule-Murders/dp/1595943587/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360289423&sr=1-1&keywords=why+begins+with+w)
The second book, Dial Emma For Murder, should come out in a few months.
Great news, Cato! I've read Why Begins With W twice now, very engaging and enjoyable!
I have just now saved it on my Kindle List of books to purchase and read soon! Some of your companions on the list are George Saunders, Christopher Hitchens, Nikolai Gogol, and Fyodor Dostoevsky... but don't let that get to your head! 8)
Congratulations! It is gratifying to be hobnobbing with the literary set here. :)
8)
Quote from: Brian on February 08, 2013, 04:37:50 AM
I have just now saved it on my Kindle List of books to purchase and read soon! Some of your companions on the list are George Saunders, Christopher Hitchens, Nikolai Gogol, and Fyodor Dostoevsky... but don't let that get to your head! 8)
Many thanks for the good wishes!
The book is not designed to compete with
Gogol or
Dostoyevsky, but I think against
Hitchens it would maybe get at least a TKO. 0:)
Greetings Literary Lions!
A librarian/teacher website called The Next Big Thing is running a promotion for my murder-mystery trilogy called The Time Capsule Murders.
Book I Why Begins With W has been out for a while, and within a week or so Book II Dial Emma for Murder should be available at least on Kindle/iPad next week. A paperback edition will be available later in May.
The Next Big Thing wants authors to answer a series of questions, so...
http://timecapsulemurders.squarespace.com/hamishs-blog/2013/4/24/its-here-the-next-big-thing.html (http://timecapsulemurders.squarespace.com/hamishs-blog/2013/4/24/its-here-the-next-big-thing.html)
Good fun!
Way To Go, Cato! (that sounded awesome)
Very cool, I wish you success with this book(s). I will have to snatch up the Kindle edition and check it out.
BTW, I love this Amazon reviewer's comment...
"Imagine Humphrey Bogart as a sarcastic detective, but he's only 14 years old. Or maybe not! Maybe you should imagine Gina Carrano as a smart aleck 14 year old who won't put up with morons."
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on April 26, 2013, 07:10:24 PM
Way To Go, Cato! (that sounded awesome)
Very cool, I wish you success with this book(s). I will have to snatch up the Kindle edition and check it out.
BTW, I love this Amazon reviewer's comment...
"Imagine Humphrey Bogart as a sarcastic detective, but he's only 14 years old. Or maybe not! Maybe you should imagine Gina Carrano as a smart aleck 14 year old who won't put up with morons."
That Amazon comment is spot-on. It's a marvelously entertaining read, and the ending left me frustrated waiting for a sequel to arrive. Glad I don't have to wait long!
But yes, the book is compulsive fun, both for the narrator's highly original (but perhaps not highly trustworthy) voice and for the infectious enthusiasm with which Cato has populated his setting with characters both shady and otherwise (but usually shady), scenes and settings which ring true to the school experience, and a plot that's not quite as simple as I want it to be. And if you're fond of the way Cato peppers his posts here with exclamation marks and witticisms, you'll be overjoyed to learn that the snarky, gender-ambiguous protagonist of his novel(s), for all his/her slightly too ambitious sniping at classmates and their foibles, shares the same endearing weakness!
I've read both Why Begins With W and Dial Emma for Murder via Kindle, and I am a confirmed fan.
I even shamed a friend in Alexandria, who was speculating aloud about whether to give Dan Brown her brain-space rent-free, into fetching the en-Kindled Cato!
We want Hex High School on Kindle! Bring it!
Quote from: Brian on April 26, 2013, 07:28:32 PM
That Amazon comment is spot-on. It's a marvelously entertaining read, and the ending left me frustrated waiting for a sequel to arrive. Glad I don't have to wait long!
But yes, the book is compulsive fun, both for the narrator's highly original (but perhaps not highly trustworthy) voice and for the infectious enthusiasm with which Cato has populated his setting with characters both shady and otherwise (but usually shady), scenes and settings which ring true to the school experience, and a plot that's not quite as simple as I want it to be. And if you're fond of the way Cato peppers his posts here with exclamation marks and witticisms, you'll be overjoyed to learn that the snarky, gender-ambiguous protagonist of his novel(s), for all his/her slightly too ambitious sniping at classmates and their foibles, shares the same endearing weakness!
Many thanks to
Brian for the above review of
Why Begins With W.
Quote from: karlhenning on May 17, 2013, 05:35:53 AM
I've read both Why Begins With W and Dial Emma for Murder via Kindle, and I am a confirmed fan.
I even shamed a friend in Alexandria, who was speculating aloud about whether to give Dan Brown her brain-space rent-free, into fetching the en-Kindled Cato!
We want Hex High School on Kindle! Bring it!
Yes, I would like it too! My brother/literary agent has promised Hex High School (the conclusion) will appear before the end of the year.
Right now: we need to push the first two books more! A paperback version of
Dial Emma for Murder is due in a few weeks.
[asin]B00CQBYHFU[/asin]
(Any opinion on the cover? My brother was in charge of that: I in fact liked the cover designed by a 7th Grader, which showed a stuffed animal about to be dissected by a scalpel held by a mysterious hand!)
Being a grammar grumbler, I would have written the title like this: "Why" Begins with W.
Quote from: Cato on February 07, 2013, 05:12:27 PM
A few years ago a small publisher accepted the first book of a trilogy which I wrote for younger readers (7th Grade and up)
I bought the paperbook shortly after you announced its publication but it's been sitting on the shelf unread all these years. I'm glad I waited until now to read it (finished it a half hour ago) because the ending is so frustrating! You're a real bastard, Cato ;D It would have been hard to wait three years for the next installment! At least now I can jump right into the Kindle-edition of
Emma.
What happens in the August 20 chapter clearly indicates the narrator is a boy. (Or not :D )
Sarge
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on May 19, 2013, 05:00:29 AM
I bought the paperbook shortly after you announced its publication but it's been sitting on the shelf unread all these years. I'm glad I waited until now to read it (finished it a half hour ago) because the ending is so frustrating! You're a real bastard, Cato ;D It would have been hard to wait three years for the next installment! At least now I can jump right into the Kindle-edition of Emma.
What happens in the August 20 chapter clearly indicates the narrator is a boy. (Or not :D )
Sarge
Another satisfied reader! 0:)
Many thanks for your support,
Sarge! ;)
The Unknown Narrator is hard to pin down when it comes to gender!
Party!
The paperback version is now available, and is under $10.00!
[asin]B00CQBYHFU[/asin]
A bargain at that price! ;) :D
Woo-hoo!
BTW I lent one of my had copies of Why Begins With W to my sister for her train ride back home : )
Quote from: karlhenning on May 27, 2013, 03:52:01 AM
Woo-hoo!
BTW I lent one of my had copies of Why Begins With W to my sister for her train ride back home : )
Spreading The Good News of Salvation from Nora Roberts books! 0:)
Many thanks for your efforts!
A message from my puckish, wise-guy agents about the final book in the series
Hex High School, which (they claim) will be available "soon" (a very relative term in their hands):
From Literary Agent #1:
Quote
This book is sick, an abomination! The gory images associated with life in a high school are disturbing. That you are a teacher makes this whole trilogy all the more unsettling.
It is time to call David Lynch
And from L.A. #2:
Quote
I like to think if it as Harry Potter for the intellectually disenfranchised.
They have chosen the cover, and are apparently cranking the handles of progress!
Huzzah! I just bought the Kindle edition, and here it is on my Droid!
[asin]0989406520[/asin]
It is perhaps not generally known among the newer GMG members that I
have written a tragicomic trilogy (for readers 10 and older) about a
possible serial killer stalking the halls of an American public high
school, and I use "public" on purpose because we all know that American
private high schools are stain-free institutions of the most glowing
behavior. ???
The reasons for cranking out such a dubious and highly questionable epic
are known only to my psychiatrist, but one is obvious: a silly and most
probably futile hope to secure a retirement nest egg beyond the $37.15 I
have in the bank at the present moment.
These only slightly lurid books are dimwittily entitled Why Begins With W, Dial Emma for
Murder, and "Hex High School. :o :o :o
Publication and sales have been slow: the company with which my agent has
dealt refuses to do any advertising. "No problem!" said my agent. "We'll
get Internet buzz going!"
So far, the hive has been dormant: not one penny has crossed my palm yet.
My literary agent has announced that the third installment (Hex High School)
is now available via Amazon.
So, all the books are available for c. $30.00 (for all three) via Amazon. Or for a pittance for a Kindle!
Keep them in mind Christmas! If you need to give
a present to somebody, but you don't really like the person all that much,
my books would be the perfect gift!
[asin]B00BB0NJFG[/asin]
[asin]B00CQBYHFU[/asin]
[asin]B00GTA9SQ2[/asin]
Many thanks to Karl for the recommendations!
Not that it will help much, but I will mention your book on my author blog and related sites.
'At's our Apollo!
I've plastered it everywhere. Should be selling in the millions soon.
Next stop: the stars!
Cato, you just sold at least one copy (Kindle) at Amazon DE 8) That probably won't help much for retirement purposes ;)
You and Karl probably recall the hassle we went through when you gave me a version I could read on my computer screen. I thank you for that. But it was such a strain reading that way, I gave up after a couple of chapters. Now, at long last, I can finish the trilogy comfortably.
Sarge
Hey, Sarge. Do you like zombies? :D
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on November 26, 2013, 08:41:08 AM
Cato, you just sold at least one copy (Kindle) at Amazon DE 8) That probably won't help much for retirement purposes ;)
You and Karl probably recall the hassle we went through when you gave me a version I could read on my computer screen. I thank you for that. But it was such a strain reading that way, I gave up after a couple of chapters. Now, at long last, I can finish the trilogy comfortably.
Sarge
I do recall. The thought that you are now reading it in full at last, has me keen to re-read it! Only I have choir tonight :) . . . so, tomorrow afternoon! While waiting for the onions to get clear . . . .
Quote from: Mn Dave on November 26, 2013, 09:13:18 AM
Hey, Sarge. Do you like zombies? :D
No...I really hate them. Who, in their right mind, wants their brain eaten :D
sarge
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on November 26, 2013, 09:24:50 AM
No...I really hate them. Who, in their right mind, wants their brain eaten :D
:D
Well, chaps . . . my brain's not much, and maybe this way, someone will benefit from it . . . .
Quote from: karlhenning on November 26, 2013, 09:16:02 AM
I do recall. The thought that you are now reading it in full at last, has me keen to re-read it! Only I have choir tonight :) . . . so, tomorrow afternoon! While waiting for the onions to get clear . . . .
Onions may appropriate for
Hex High School! 0:)
Quote from: Mn Dave on November 26, 2013, 08:17:48 AM
I've plastered it everywhere. Should be selling in the millions soon.
;) Well, many thanks for the optimism! 0:)
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on November 26, 2013, 08:41:08 AM
Cato, you just sold at least one copy (Kindle) at Amazon DE 8) That probably won't help much for retirement purposes ;)
You and Karl probably recall the hassle we went through when you gave me a version I could read on my computer screen. I thank you for that. But it was such a strain reading that way, I gave up after a couple of chapters. Now, at long last, I can finish the trilogy comfortably.
Sarge
Many thanks again, and I hope the expectation at least equals the final result!
Concerning zombies, I have only seen one zombie movie: probably the prime mover of the genre!
(http://goregirl.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/white-zombie1.jpg)
Who is Hamish De'Lament?
I think I have that figured out but will let the author answer. :)
Hamish De'Lamet does not lament! He's a capital young buck!
Quote from: Mirror Image on November 27, 2013, 05:55:32 PM
Who is Hamish De'Lament?
Actually
Hamish DeLamet, without the "n."
Have you ordered your copies? ;) You may find an answer therein! 0:)
To clarify an earlier comment, my literary agent is my little brother, who has spent a good deal of time, energy, and money to get the books published, which efforts are greatly appreciated.
"Cato" is of course an Internet persona, and sometimes "he" makes comments that are meant to be humorous, and are not true.
Any of us on the internet say things which are not true at times.
Quote from: karlhenning on December 11, 2013, 04:09:45 AM
Any of us on the internet say things which are not true at times.
Well, I just wanted to clarify that the comments were not meant seriously, and that everything done to publish and promote the books is greatly appreciated.
Let the word be spread abroad!
Quote from: Cato on November 25, 2013, 06:36:11 AM
It is perhaps not generally known among the newer GMG members that I
have written a tragicomic trilogy (for readers 10 and older) about a
possible serial killer stalking the halls of an American public high
school, and I use "public" on purpose because we all know that American
private high schools are stain-free institutions of the most glowing
behavior. ???
The reasons for cranking out such a dubious and highly questionable epic
are known only to my psychiatrist, but one is obvious: a silly and most
probably futile hope to secure a retirement nest egg beyond the $37.15 I
have in the bank at the present moment.
These only slightly lurid books are dimwittily entitled Why Begins With W, Dial Emma for
Murder, and "Hex High School. :o :o :o
Publication and sales have been slow: the company with which my agent has
dealt refuses to do any advertising. "No problem!" said my agent. "We'll
get Internet buzz going!"
So far, the hive has been dormant: not one penny has crossed my palm yet.
My literary agent has announced that the third installment (Hex High School)
is now available via Amazon.
So, all the books are available for c. $30.00 (for all three) via Amazon. Or for a pittance for a Kindle!
Keep them in mind Christmas! If you need to give
a present to somebody, but you don't really like the person all that much,
my books would be the perfect gift!
Many thanks to Karl for the recommendations!
After a publishing change,
Why Begins with W is again available and at a great price of under $7.00! The other parts of the trilogy,
Dial Emma for Murder and
Hex High School, are also on sale!
Quote from: Cato on November 25, 2013, 06:36:11 AM
It is perhaps not generally known among the newer GMG members that I
have written a tragicomic trilogy (for readers 10 and older) about a
possible serial killer stalking the halls of an American public high
school, and I use "public" on purpose because we all know that American
private high schools are stain-free institutions of the most glowing
behavior. ???
The reasons for cranking out such a dubious and highly questionable epic
are known only to my psychiatrist, but one is obvious: a silly and most
probably futile hope to secure a retirement nest egg beyond the $37.15 I
have in the bank at the present moment.
These only slightly lurid books are dimwittily entitled Why Begins With W, Dial Emma for
Murder, and "Hex High School. :o :o :o
Publication and sales have been slow: the company with which my agent has
dealt refuses to do any advertising. "No problem!" said my agent. "We'll
get Internet buzz going!"
So far, the hive has been dormant: not one penny has crossed my palm yet.
My literary agent has announced that the third installment (Hex High School)
is now available via Amazon.
So, all the books are available for c. $30.00 (for all three) via Amazon. Or for a pittance for a Kindle!
Keep them in mind Christmas! If you need to give
a present to somebody, but you don't really like the person all that much,
my books would be the perfect gift!
[asin]B00BB0NJFG[/asin]
[asin]B00CQBYHFU[/asin]
[asin]B00GTA9SQ2[/asin]
Many thanks to Karl for the recommendations!
Just a "bump" for the new and newer members of GMG, who could not have gleaned yet that I have published the above trilogy, which might interest them.
The narrator has his - or her! - musical interests, both classical and popular:
Bach and
Benatar are mentioned, along with a comment that the 1970's produced approximately 17 good songs. ??? ;)
I sent a set of "hard copy" to a niece and nephew . . . but I have not wanted to "quiz" them 8)
Quote from: Cato on February 03, 2016, 03:21:05 AMThe narrator has his - or her! - musical interests, both classical and popular: Bach and Benatar are mentioned, along with a comment that the 1970's produced approximately 17 good songs. ??? ;)
Still a lot better than all the decades after that put together, as far as popular music is concerned, right? 8)
Baby, you're a firework!
Hah!
Quote from: karlhenning on February 03, 2016, 03:22:20 AM
I sent a set of "hard copy" to a niece and nephew . . . but I have not wanted to "quiz" them 8)
Many thanks for the support!
Quote from: North Star on February 03, 2016, 03:24:34 AM
Still a lot better than all the decades after that put together, as far as popular music is concerned, right? 8)
Now THAT is a topic sure to cause mass resignations from the board! :o :o :o 0:)
Quote from: karlhenning on February 03, 2016, 03:38:00 AM
Baby, you're a firework!
50 million teenaged girls can't be wrong! 8)
Quote from: Cato on November 25, 2013, 06:36:11 AM
It is perhaps not generally known among the newer GMG members that I
have written a tragicomic trilogy (for readers 10 and older) about a
possible serial killer stalking the halls of an American public high
school, and I use "public" on purpose because we all know that American
private high schools are stain-free institutions of the most glowing
behavior. ???
The reasons for cranking out such a dubious and highly questionable epic
are known only to my psychiatrist, but one is obvious: a silly and most
probably futile hope to secure a retirement nest egg beyond the $37.15 I
have in the bank at the present moment.
These only slightly lurid books are dimwittily entitled Why Begins With W, Dial Emma for
Murder, and "Hex High School. :o :o :o
Publication and sales have been slow: the company with which my agent has
dealt refuses to do any advertising. "No problem!" said my agent. "We'll
get Internet buzz going!"
So far, the hive has been dormant: not one penny has crossed my palm yet.
My literary agent has announced that the third installment (Hex High School)
is now available via Amazon.
So, all the books are available for c. $30.00 (for all three) via Amazon. Or for a pittance for a Kindle!
Keep them in mind Christmas! If you need to give
a present to somebody, but you don't really like the person all that much,
my books would be the perfect gift!
[asin]B00BB0NJFG[/asin]
[asin]B00CQBYHFU[/asin]
[asin]B00GTA9SQ2[/asin]
Many thanks to Karl for the recommendations!
Since it is that time of year, I thought I would remind "older" members here, and reveal to newer ones, that I have written a little trilogy.
If you order all 3, then you get a break on shipping! (Or so I am told!)
And I have them on my Kindle, as I enjoy re-reading them periodically.
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on December 14, 2016, 04:43:37 AM
And I have them on my Kindle, as I enjoy re-reading them periodically.
Karl is a great advocate for my little mysteries!
Quote from: Cato on November 25, 2013, 06:36:11 AM
It is perhaps not generally known among the newer GMG members that I
have written a tragicomic trilogy (for readers 10 and older) about a
possible serial killer stalking the halls of an American public high
school, and I use "public" on purpose because we all know that American
private high schools are stain-free institutions of the most glowing
behavior. ???
The reasons for cranking out such a dubious and highly questionable epic
are known only to my psychiatrist, but one is obvious: a silly and most
probably futile hope to secure a retirement nest egg beyond the $37.15 I
have in the bank at the present moment.
These only slightly lurid books are dimwittily entitled Why Begins With W, Dial Emma for
Murder, and "Hex High School. :o :o :o
Publication and sales have been slow: the company with which my agent has
dealt refuses to do any advertising. "No problem!" said my agent. "We'll
get Internet buzz going!"
So far, the hive has been dormant: not one penny has crossed my palm yet.
My literary agent has announced that the third installment (Hex High School)
is now available via Amazon.
Keep them in mind for Halloween and of course Christmas! If you need to give
a present to somebody, but you don't really like the person all that much,
my books would be the perfect gift!
Many thanks to Karl for the recommendations!
Only slightly lurid! Designed with my mind in mind!
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on December 14, 2016, 04:43:37 AM
And I have them on my Kindle, as I enjoy re-reading them periodically.
Quote from: Cato on December 17, 2016, 02:21:45 AM
Karl is a great advocate for my little mysteries!
I have them all on Kindle too. And recommend them. Of course the biggest mystery is the gender of the protagonist. I know...or I think I know if it is a he or a she, but I'll keep that to myself ;D
Sarge
Splendid!
Many thanks to Karl and Sarge!
Somehow my updated message was not included above: after a publishing change, things are now back and cheaper than before!
Why Begins With W is now priced around $6.50! Dial Emma for Murder and Hex High School are similarly on sale, although not quite as low!
Many sales and great success to you!