I'm trying to help a friend publicize his series.  So far, with not much success.  They've been selling a bit, but not as much as he'd hoped.

About reviewers.  Any idea where to find them?  I'd like to find some blogs/sites that review or feature mysteries with urban fantasy and humorous elements.  And that get enough traffic to be helpful.

I've noticed authors review each other's books or at least provide blurbs, but how do you go about asking without annoying someone or putting them on the spot?*  Would it be best to approach an author he's met or corresponded with? 

*Yes, I know not to ask Jim Butcher   I bet he has loads of people asking, if they're brave or foolish enough, besides the writers he knows and is willing to give a blurb or a plug.

 

iTunes doesn't have it up yet.  There always seems to be a lag there.  Oh well, guess I just have to wait a little longer.

If it isn't Robert or Bob, is it Hrothbert?

We need a Hrothbert to keep the Bobs in line. 

There aren't too many Bobs.  There are too few Murphys (Murphies?).  There are some Michaels, but they don't seem to post much.  And what about Butters?  No Ilovebutters either?  Or Waldorocks?

Instinctively, without thinking about it, he grabbed the woman and hugged her and then gave her breasts a couple of playful pinches. "Commander please," she said as she blushed and began yodeling.

This is why Swiss erotic fiction never found a market.

Well I've sent off my author's query, synopsis, and first five pages to the Donald Maas Literary Agency.   

Do you know that Jim's agent, Jennifer Jackson, has a LiveJournal?  http://arcaedia.livejournal.com/
In her last entry from yesterday she mentions having pages to look at. 

Mine's slightly over fifty thousand, but that's only because it's one of my NaNo books.  Aside from that, everything else I've written is short stories.  The longest was probably around 8000 words.

I agree with Amber.  Since we know the protagonist almost never dies, having someone who's immortal doesn't lessen the suspense any if the characters are compelling and it's a good plot.

Immortality can be pretty hellish, when you think about it.  Most everyone around them will die, rather quickly from the immortal's perspective.  Maybe some of them have deadened their emotions towards mortals, avoiding them.  That might be a good hook for the protagonist; how he moves from indifference to caring, at least about one person.  Other immortals maybe play with mortals or use them -- regard them as disposable. 

And there are the problems immortals would have in dealing with each other.  I suppose they can avoid each other, but if they can't be killed, each one knows he's stuck with running into the others throughout eternity.  Grudges can get pretty intense.

I'm not going for the whole screenwriting thing, but I plan on doing WriMo for the first time (that's right, a n00b!) this November!  Very excited- any tips?

Like AA, take it one day at a time.  Concentrate on writing 1667 words just for that one day.  Never, never think about 50,000, even on the 29th day.

Tell yourself every day that you're writing crap.  If you have to, start writing bad prose on purpose.  Once things get flowing you may forget yourself and come out with something terrific! 

Advice from a one year participant/winner.