Blog Dis
A new erection...
2024-09-22
A vision has struck a chord with me, that is a new vision, a new erection of an idea. No, not the variety of erection that enlarges appendages, although I'm sure that was your first thought, because it was mine when I typed the subject line. Rather, a new idea has come to me and, this weekend, I intend to visit the hardware store or likely Staples to purchase a bulletin board for my apartment and call it a vision board.
Why not a Vision Board? I need a place to tick and tack my goals to support the full thrust and lift-off of POM, my 7th fantasy novel, following its first public appearance at Ottawa's ComicCon exhibition on Sep 6-8th. Sales of POM had surpassed my expectations, given the girth of this beast, two inches thick, like a brick, as one author friend had commented. I've heard of the concept of a vision board in years past, whether it's in physical form or just an idea in your noodle, a place to track your dreams, a wish list of sorts, for a new novel's release - online places to post that'll elevate its publicity, like zines aka online magazine exposure, on radio, TV, brick walls, underpasses.
Generally, I read almost anything but lately I've been gravitating toward books on non-fiction, medical, scientific, historical compendiums and IG posts that deal w/ the metaphysical world, which is to say I'm willing to delve into alternative realities as well as the intangible desires of thoughts and how these relate to the world of cause and effect. If thoughts can be manifested into reality, than my thoughts should have an object on which to focus; hence the purpose of a vision board. This is just a loosely-based notion.. But if you don't write your intentions on paper or make them into a reality by way of posting a picture or an image in plain view that you can gawk at, you can easily lose sight of your long-term goals. Call me silly, which I often am, or just call me a wishful thinker, which I am too, but POM is worth it, much as I hate the whole unsavory role of huckstering, the least enjoyable part about releasing a new novel. I can see POM being translated into a Netflix series. My editor made this very comment after she had finished the first pass in her editorial scrutiny. And, much as I wanted to use her words on the back cover of my new novel, I don't have license to capitalize on Netflix or any other specialty channel on my novel, but I can wish for it, and I can refer to Netflix here on X. After all, if I don't believe in my writing, then how can I possibly expect someone else to believe in my writing?
And not to confuse the issue, I don't want to neglect the topic of erections. Erections are vital in the grand scheme of life, for without them and the undying forgiveness of women and our patience in coping with men, none of us would be here, nor would the erection have a place to go to, whether an erection is meant for a woman or a man or both. Erections are as essential to life as are vision boards to grandiose notions.
It's very thirsty work being a novelist, being forced to pimp and promote a new novel that honestly I'd be just as happy if my novel did all the work by itself. But this cannot be, much as I wish for it to be the case. My new novel has barely been released for two months and so far I've only given one radio interview.
I no longer have a publicist because it's been nine long years of writing POM. My former publicist had moved on to write and promote his newest novel. But I shan't ever forget his advice to me when he first took me on as a client in 2008, and it is this, "You thought writing was hard, wait until you have to promote it!" Promotion feels like sticking red-hot pokers into both eyes, then telling yourself it's all for the good.
Yesterday, I issued my official invitation for POM's book launch, Thursday, October 24th: 5-7:30 pm. If you live in Ottawa, and this is the kind of affair that appeals to you, drop me a DM and I'd be happy to extend an invitation to you. I'll be serving charcuterie nibbles and red and white wine, plus beer, all of which shall be free, until supplies last.
Here's a promo image finalized by my brilliant graphic designer
@fantasy_art_z
Thanks to her cover design, I feel like I've taken the first important step toward POM's long-term success. Every passerby at Comic-Con went out of their way to compliment my 'gorgeous cover'. And it is. I've used this cover for POM's banner, as well as for headers on my social network pages.
Soon... POM will be a global success and people will attend Comic-Cons across North America dressed in the costumes of their favourite characters. I won't be dolled up. Rather, I'll be behind my artist table taking pictures of them, selling and signing copies of POM. A smashing cover design is everything, as is the writing, and the readers who support your writing.
So a nod to all graphic designers everywhere. Thank you heaps for your creativity and efforts. And thank you to all my readers, some of whom scolded me at Comic-Con, "I waited nine years for this book!" I regret having made you wait so long, but POM is worth the wait-all 770 pages. If you haven't already, visit my author website (see link in bio), then hit up the Shop page to purchase either the paperback or the eBook.
Cheers!
Why not a Vision Board? I need a place to tick and tack my goals to support the full thrust and lift-off of POM, my 7th fantasy novel, following its first public appearance at Ottawa's ComicCon exhibition on Sep 6-8th. Sales of POM had surpassed my expectations, given the girth of this beast, two inches thick, like a brick, as one author friend had commented. I've heard of the concept of a vision board in years past, whether it's in physical form or just an idea in your noodle, a place to track your dreams, a wish list of sorts, for a new novel's release - online places to post that'll elevate its publicity, like zines aka online magazine exposure, on radio, TV, brick walls, underpasses.
Generally, I read almost anything but lately I've been gravitating toward books on non-fiction, medical, scientific, historical compendiums and IG posts that deal w/ the metaphysical world, which is to say I'm willing to delve into alternative realities as well as the intangible desires of thoughts and how these relate to the world of cause and effect. If thoughts can be manifested into reality, than my thoughts should have an object on which to focus; hence the purpose of a vision board. This is just a loosely-based notion.. But if you don't write your intentions on paper or make them into a reality by way of posting a picture or an image in plain view that you can gawk at, you can easily lose sight of your long-term goals. Call me silly, which I often am, or just call me a wishful thinker, which I am too, but POM is worth it, much as I hate the whole unsavory role of huckstering, the least enjoyable part about releasing a new novel. I can see POM being translated into a Netflix series. My editor made this very comment after she had finished the first pass in her editorial scrutiny. And, much as I wanted to use her words on the back cover of my new novel, I don't have license to capitalize on Netflix or any other specialty channel on my novel, but I can wish for it, and I can refer to Netflix here on X. After all, if I don't believe in my writing, then how can I possibly expect someone else to believe in my writing?
And not to confuse the issue, I don't want to neglect the topic of erections. Erections are vital in the grand scheme of life, for without them and the undying forgiveness of women and our patience in coping with men, none of us would be here, nor would the erection have a place to go to, whether an erection is meant for a woman or a man or both. Erections are as essential to life as are vision boards to grandiose notions.
It's very thirsty work being a novelist, being forced to pimp and promote a new novel that honestly I'd be just as happy if my novel did all the work by itself. But this cannot be, much as I wish for it to be the case. My new novel has barely been released for two months and so far I've only given one radio interview.
I no longer have a publicist because it's been nine long years of writing POM. My former publicist had moved on to write and promote his newest novel. But I shan't ever forget his advice to me when he first took me on as a client in 2008, and it is this, "You thought writing was hard, wait until you have to promote it!" Promotion feels like sticking red-hot pokers into both eyes, then telling yourself it's all for the good.
Yesterday, I issued my official invitation for POM's book launch, Thursday, October 24th: 5-7:30 pm. If you live in Ottawa, and this is the kind of affair that appeals to you, drop me a DM and I'd be happy to extend an invitation to you. I'll be serving charcuterie nibbles and red and white wine, plus beer, all of which shall be free, until supplies last.
Here's a promo image finalized by my brilliant graphic designer
@fantasy_art_z
Thanks to her cover design, I feel like I've taken the first important step toward POM's long-term success. Every passerby at Comic-Con went out of their way to compliment my 'gorgeous cover'. And it is. I've used this cover for POM's banner, as well as for headers on my social network pages.
Soon... POM will be a global success and people will attend Comic-Cons across North America dressed in the costumes of their favourite characters. I won't be dolled up. Rather, I'll be behind my artist table taking pictures of them, selling and signing copies of POM. A smashing cover design is everything, as is the writing, and the readers who support your writing.
So a nod to all graphic designers everywhere. Thank you heaps for your creativity and efforts. And thank you to all my readers, some of whom scolded me at Comic-Con, "I waited nine years for this book!" I regret having made you wait so long, but POM is worth the wait-all 770 pages. If you haven't already, visit my author website (see link in bio), then hit up the Shop page to purchase either the paperback or the eBook.
Cheers!
