After a fairly eventful week, I'm back in Texas and back to work.

Karen and I traveled to San Francisco to attend the national meeting of the Romance Writers of America. There I had a chance to meet with a number of writers, editors, and agents--as well as with Michael Smith, the new head of the IDPF (international digital publishing forum) which is the organization behind the new ePub standard. BooksForABuck.com is one of the first publishers to support ePub with our new books. As I get a better handle on the standard and better tools become available, I'll add our complete backlist. I'm definitely a big believer in having a standard as this will make it easier to make sure whatever book you buy, you'll be able to read indefinitely no matter what reading device you use. In the meantime, HTML is a great alternative--and one BooksForABuck.com offers.

After the RWA meeting, Karen and I headed to southern California where we visited my mother for a couple of days. It was great to relax at the beach, etc. We looked at a few houses but even with the decline in CA real estate, we can't touch anything like what we have here in Dallas even for double what we could sell our house for.

I finished THE VAMPYRES OF HOLLYWOOD, A CURSOR'S FURY, and MOTOR CITY SHAMBLER as well as a couple of submissions. Look for reviews over the next few days.

I tried to handle emergency e-mail while on the trip, but I still had 600 or so to deal with this evening--once we got back from picking up the cat and bird from 'camp.' (When we travel, they stay with Karen's sister).

If you haven't already done so, check out Michael Paulson's latest hard-boiled detective thriller, DEADLY TURN--here: www.booksforabuck.com/mystery/mys_08/deadly_turn.html. Please note--the novel is only $1, but only until August 28.

rob

I'm out in San Francisco at the national Romance Writers of America convention. Karen and I woke up early (early CA time, late TX time) and headed over to the convention hotel to register, then did some exploring, via cable cars, of the city. I got back in time for the Golden Network Retreat which was fun. They had a 'speed dating' sequence where you could have 3 minute interviews with a number of agents and editors.

Afterwards was the literacy signing, involving something like 500 authors signing their books will all proceeds going to support literacy. Now, this sounds something like heaven, right--hundreds of authors signing books and the money going to a good cause. Because I'm a bit of an introvert, though, all those people make me feel like I'm in a closed coffin or something--I don't tend to last long. But all to the good--I headed for the bar and read submissions until Karen finished her signing (I didn't do signing since I didn't want to donate all of my books--I already have plenty of ways to lose money on this business).

Still reading THE VAMPYRES OF HOLLYWOOD.

check out www.booksforabuck.com for affordable electronic fiction.

Rob

If Deacon Bishop had known what he was getting into, he would have driven right past that rest stop--no matter how painful doing so might have been to his bladder. Instead, he made the stop, picked up the woman looking for a ride, and launched himself into a hunt for a hundred million dollars. Hunting for a hundred million doesn't sound bad--except that Bishop ended up more as the hunted than as the hunter.

Fans of Michael Paulson's Deacon Bishop series will be happy to see Bishop back at work in DEADLY TURN, the lastest installment. If you're new to Deacon Bishop, but you're interested in hard-boiled detective fiction, you'll definitely want to check out this one. As always, our new releases are only $1 for their first month of availability. Learn more, read the free excerpt, or buy the book here: www.booksforabuck.com/mystery/mys_08/deadly_turn.html.

Karen did a great job on the cover. Here it is:

I should have spent the day packing for the Romance Writers of America meeting. Instead, my partner and I played bridge. We had a 73% game--by far our best percentage ever. It was one of those days when things just seemed to go right.

Rob

Karen and I walked out to Normals for breakfast, then headed over to the grocery store for a few essentials. Ninety-nine dollars and some cents later, we bought gas at the grocery store station which offers ten cents a gallon savings for people who spend a hundred dollars on their groceries. Should have bought a Snickers bar or something. In addition to filling the car, we filled the tank we keep for the lawnmower--I've been horrible about mowing lately. The big excitemetn in mowing--one of the wheels came off and I had to hunt up the nut and washer.

That taken care of, I got to work on the final editing process for Michael Paulson's DEADLY TURN, which I anticipate publishing tomorrow. Karen has produced another beautiful cover and I think Michael and I have worked together to turn a good book into an even better book during the editing stages.

Karen and I have been watching the Tour de France (when I haven't had to miss it because of all my bridge events). Today was the last day--sort of. Actually, the last day is a huge anticlimax. The riders don't attack on the last day--they ride to Paris while sipping champagne and enjoying life. Only when they get to the final laps of the Champs Elysse do they actually ride, and then it's mostly the sprinter teams, looking for one last victory. The sprint was exciting but sort of sad. I've been a fan of Robbie McEwan for years and this year he looked like he just couldn't find his legs. I was also rooting for Cadel Evans to win the overall, but he just couldn't put it together yesterday in the time trial--he needed a minute and a half and barely came up with a half-minute. Good for Sastre, though--the man certainly put in a huge ride in the horrible Alpe d'Huez stage.

In honor of Michael's newest Deacon Bishop novel, I'm going to make DEAD ON, the first book in the series the www.BooksForABuck.com book of the day. Private Investigator Deacon Bishop's client is murdered before Bishop arrives in south Texas and the local law wants him gone. To be ornery, Bishop sticks around--and uncovers a mess of organized crime, drugs, murder, and corrupt politicians. Only $3.99 for this hard-boiled mystery. Learn more, read the free excerpt, or buy the entire eNovel here: www.booksforabuck.com/mystery/mys_06/dead_on.html. (Available in HTML, Adobe Acrobat PDF, Palm Reader/eReader and Microsoft Reader formats). Here's the cover (cover design by Karen Leabo):

rob

I've been reading the Stephanie Plum series for what seems like forever and finished the 14th in the series (not counting various holiday specials). Evanovich is still writing well, with amusing characters and things happening. Still, I can't help wondering whether this series is continuing under its own momentum. Does Evanovich really have anything else she wants to say with these characters and situations. So, I enjoyed reading it--pretty much. Here's my review: www.booksforabuck.com/mystery/mys_08/fearless_fourteen.html.

For whatever reason, I got no writing and no bridge done today. My partner was having some medical work done, which explains the no bridge. I'm not sure why I didn't write. Considering I wrote both days last weekend, I'm ahead of plan, but it still felt strange not to be writing. Tomorrow I have a possible bridge lesson--which will probably involve the train. So, I'll plan on writing then.

I'm going to make OUT OF TOWN A FEW DAYS by Ed Lynskey the www.BooksForABuck.com book of the day. Private detective Frank Johnson deals with kidney thieves, terrorists, and thugs with a hard-boiled attitude. 13 separate stories pulled together into a novel-length work. Only $2.99. Learn more, read one of the stories for FREE, or buy the entire work here: www.booksforabuck.com/mystery/mys_04/out_town_days.html. (Available in HTML, Adobe Acrobat PDF, Palm Reader/eReader and Microsoft Reader formats). Here's the cover (cover design by Karen Leabo):

rob

I mentioned yesterday that I had no idea how much I wrote on the train. I never loaded those pages on the computer so I still don't know, but between yesterday and today, I got twenty-two pages written. Pretty good. I'm now up to page 162. Not sure how long this is going to be. Most of my books come in at around 400 pages, but I think erotica tends to be shorter. I'm thinking this will end up around 300 pages. Maybe I should check some publisher guidelines--all the time I see stuff from publishers on checking their guidelines (and I certainly want people submitting to me to have some clue what I'm looking for). So far, though, I've sort of been channeling this story.

After teaching bridge from 10:00-3:00, I headed for the bank where I made some deposits. I'm just a little nervous about some of the runs on banks--I may have too many of my assets in just one bank. I'll have to evaluate possibilities. Then I headed for the library where I got some pages written. On Thursdays, I drive rather than take the train, which means I don't get pages written while commuting. I think writing while taking the commuter train is such a brilliant invention, everyone should do it. Sometimes I'm tempted to take the train just to get away from my e-mail and all of the things I need to do around the house.

Didn't get a lot of reading done but I'm still working on the latest Stephanie Plum novel (14 something).

I'm going to make SISTER GYPSY MOON by Karen Leabo the www.BooksForABuck.com book of the day. A woman is mistaken for a fortune-teller, and then starts having psychic experiences. Does a ghost haunt the old house she bought--or is there a more dangerous explanation for what's going on. Exciting mystery--only $3.99. Learn more, read the free excerpt, or buy the entire eNovel here: www.booksforabuck.com/mystery/mys_03/sister_gypsy.html. Available in HTML, Adobe Acrobat PDF, Palm Reader/eReader, and Microsoft Reader formats). Here's the cover (cover design by Karen Leabo):

I've been directing a Wednesday afternoon game at the Bridge Academy of North Dallas and, for the first time, the game didn't make. I'm a bit disappointed--I talked to a number of people about coming and thought I was going to get some turnout. Three people showed up. I was willing to make a fourth and play some bridge, but two of them decided to go to the country club for their game--and try to win some master points.

I did get some writing done on the train as I headed up to N. Dallas. I haven't checked page count yet, but I suspect it was less than ten. When I got home, I got to work on loading my eBook reader with submissions and started working on them. An editor's job really is never done. Back before I launched BooksForABuck.com, I could never understand why it took forever to get any kind of response from a NY editor. I don't have all of the meetings those guys have, don't have to bring in legal and marketing and all the rest, and I still don't have any time. I try hard not to fall behind my 3 month turnaround goal, but sometimes I fail. I don't intend to fail on this bunch, though. So, I'm working.

I posted my review of WICKED CITY by Ace Atkins. It's a mystery set in 1954 Phenix, Alabama--a really nasty piece of work. I found the story and the history quite fascinating. Here's my review: www.booksforabuck.com/mystery/mys_08/wicked_city.html.

I'm going to make TORNADO BAIT by Amy Eastlake the www.BooksForABuck.com book of the day. Trailer park manager Tina Anderson becomes a suspect when a severed human hand turns up in the sewage in one of the apartments she rents. Together with girlfriend Angie and with a bit of help from sexy ex-husband Andy, Tina has to unravel a strange crime--and survive. Only $3.99. Learn more, read the free excerpt, or buy the entire eNovel here: www.booksforabuck.com/mystery/tornado_bait.html. (Available in HTML, Adobe Acrobat PDF, Palm Reader/eReader and Microsoft Reader formats). Here's the cover (cover design by Karen Leabo):

rob

With our air conditioner still broken, we called the air conditioning service and learned the bad news--$2700 in repair bills. Ouch. This does mean that we've now replaced both air conditioners and both heaters since we moved in ten years ago.

A spent most of the day editing Deadly Turn, completing my edits and sending them off to Michael Paulson. Next up to edit is A Hunter and his Prey by Joshua Calkins-Treworgy. I also need to get cracking on submissions.

I got a nice note from one of the students in my action scene on-line workshop who'd bought Hunger. She said she was loving it. Wow--every writer I know can just live on a few nice comments like that. I also got my first review for Hunger over at Bitten By Books. Here's the review: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=691. Mostly kind words and much appreciated.

Today felt strange. For the first time in days, I didn't get on my bike and ride off to bridge. I did persuade Karen to get on her bike for a short jaunt to the library. I returned one and checked out two. I also finished reading WICKED CITY by Ace Atkins. I'll review it soon.

Dolly has turned into a huricane and is heading toward Texas. Dallas is far enough from the coast that we don't normally get the full brunt of hurricanes, but they can still dramatically change our weather.

HUNGER is now available from Fictionwise and eReader. Once I finish this note, the price is going up to $3.99 on BooksForABuck.com, so the cheapest place to buy it for the next few days is Fictionwise. Tell them I sent you.

I'm going to make VEIL OF THE GODDESS by Rob Preece the www.BooksForABuck.com book of the day. When the True Cross turns up under a bombed-out Iraqi Mosque, a countdown to the end times begins. Sgt. Ivy Newland and Capt. Jake Herrera race across Iraq, Turkey, and Italy in an attempt to avert the most devastating war between east and west since the First Crusade. Only $3.99. Learn more, read the free excerpt, or buy the entire eNovel here: www.booksforabuck.com/mystery/mys_06/veil_goddess.html. (Available in HTML, Adobe Acrobat PDF, Palm DOC, and Microsoft Reader formats). Here's the cover (cover design by Kat Baldwin):

rob

Time has just about run out to pick up a copy of Hunger for only a buck. Tomorrow, we raise the price to our regular (but still super-cheap) $3.99. If you love a bargain, though, why wait. Here's the URL: www.booksforabuck.com/rompages/rom_2008/hunger.html.

A pretty busy day. The Tour de France was in a rest day, so I spent the morning editing Deadly Turn, then headed off for bridge. I got 15 pages written on the train (it's amazing how much I can get written when I don't spend my time checking e-mail, looking at the stock market, or finding out about huricanes. In bridge, we came in first in our direction but second overall. Still, it was pretty good from a masterpoint perspective.

Karen and I went out to a new place for date night. It's a wine bar and market/restaurant. The market isn't much (organic chips, olive oil, and rasberry jam was all I saw) but it made a nice change from our usual places. Still, at $30 plus tip, it was just a bit higher than what I usually pay (what can I say--I'm cheap, or broke--the publication business doesn't pay much).

Speaking of being broke, I'm sitting here at my computer sweating. The upstairs air conditioner is on a hunger strike. Sweltering.

Book of the day--HUNGER. Last chance. Check it out here: www.booksforabuck.com/rompages/rom_2008/hunger.html. Here's the cover (cover design by Karen Leabo):

rob

I'm usually super-regular about my blog entries but during this past week they, along with most everything else, has suffered. I'm trying to finish the final bit of edits for our next publication, DEADLY TURN by Michael Paulson, I've taken on a bit more than I'm really ready for in terms of my teaching and bridge directing schedule, and my bridge partner sent her husband out of town for a long weekend and asked if I could play some extra games with her. Plus I've been writing (up to page 125 in the new book), doing my on-line workshop in writing action scenes, getting ready for the Romance Writers of America Conference in San Francisco, and watching the Tour de France. Something had to give. It ended up a lot of things giving--including much of the Tour and this blog.

I do have some good news--I added a few reviews the other day. I've got reviews for AMBER AND BLOOD  by Margaret Weis, which I enjoyed (www.booksforabuck.com/sfpages/sf_08/amber_and_blood.html ), GENERATION DEAD by Daniel Waters (www.booksforabuck.com/sfpages/sf_08/generation_dead.html) and MERCY STREET by Mariah Stewart (www.booksforabuck.com/mystery/mys_08/mercy_street.html). Now I'm reading WICKED CITY by Ace Atkins.

Time is running out on your chance to buy HUNGER for only $1. On July 22, I raise the price to $3.99. This is a great story--super-sexy, with lots of adventure and some paranormal twists I think you'll enjoy. Check it out here: www.booksforabuck.com/rompages/rom_2008/hunger.html. We've got a review, a free excerpt, and of course, a great price. Here's the cover (cover design by Karen Leabo):

rob