eBooks Killing it Once Again!

Kindle Unlimited just realized its largest payout to its authors and small presses ever. Around $45 million. You won't find this news being touted by the mainstream publishing news because it makes them crazy. But clearly, the eBook market is exploding during this time of economic turmoil.

Resurrection!

Sometimes one or more of your books can fall behind in sales. When that happens to your traditionally published titles there's not a hell of a lot you can do about it. But when it happens to the IP that's under your control you can resurrect it.

Luck!

I happened to catch a writer on social media who posted pics of a recent book signing in NYC. The place was full of people. It was almost hard to believe. I've never heard of him before and I checked out some of his stuff. Gothic horror stuff. Not bad, not groundbreaking. But good for him. I wish him continued luck in a business that is 90 percent dependent on luck and 110 percent dependent on hard, consistent work.

Huge 2nd Amendment Ruling!

The Supreme Court overruled restrictions on carry and conceal pistol permits in NY State today so that you no longer need to conceal. As a responsible pistol and gun owner I applaud the decision, but not being of any particular political persuasion (nor should any writer be in my opinion), this ruling comes with enormous responsibility. Let's see how it plays out.

Publishing's Dirty Little Secret!

Publishing's dirty little secret is that the mainstream publishers only want on book per year from you. Sometimes every two years. I can't live on that kind of non-production even if they were advancing me $100K per book which almost never happens anymore. That's why I'm constantly putting out new material. Because I'm a professional writer and that's what I do. Imagine a heart surgeon who performs one heart surgery per year!

The Serialized Story is Back!!!

Just like the golden days of the Pulp Fiction magazines where prolific writers made fortunes off writing for a penny per word, Kindle Vella and other "serialized fiction" platforms are paying authors who often "feed the beast" very well for their efforts. And hell, writing pulp fiction is the most fun you can have with your clothes on!

Every Now and Then a Good Idea!!!

I write a lot of novels and stories and all too often people are gracious enough to pass along ideas for plots. I totally appreciate that, but in all honesty most of the ideas sort suck. But my BF, who is former law enforcement, passed along an idea to me last week that's resulted in me writing 6K words on a new Moonlight thriller in three days.

Writers Are Bailing the Pubs!

A new report states that lots of genre writers are abandoning the traditional publishing system in droves and who can blame them? Not only are they limited in how much material you can publish, but traditional publishers are incapable of moving units which means you ain't surviving in these recessionary times

Weathering the Financial Storm!!!

On occasion your finances will fall off a cliff for one reason or another, be it a hack on one your accounts, a publisher who doesn't pay, or a downturn in the market, a busted Jeep (which I failed to mention in the video), and who knows what. But you gotta learn to weather these downturns and realize they're only temporary and keep on keeping on.,

Book Trailer "The Innocent" by Vincent Zandri

The super exciting trailer to The Innocent, the fourth edition of which you can pick up now: 

 

The Innocent: A Jack "Keeper" Marconi PI Thriller - Kindle edition by Zandri, Vincent. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

I Just Finished Another Novel!!!

I've been very productive since my arrival back from Turkey. But now I feel like I could sleep for 12 straight hours. Maybe I will!!!!

No One Cares About Your Book But...

...you. That's right, most publishers will give your book attention for a month or two, but it it's not The Da Vinci Code (which is sold in the Vatican bookstore for God's sakes!!!!), they will forget about it and move on the to next project within about a month's time. Better that you get your rights back and republish under your own label.

Beta Readers are for Beginners!

Beta readers are okay if you're just starting out. But once you've written your 1000 pages or so of shit and finally start mining some gold nuggets you will no longer need them. Once you've published successfully, avoid them like the plague!!!!

Success!

How do you judge success as a writer? I've been a rich writer and a poor writer and rich again and poor again and then I've settled into making a nice living. The important thing is I do what I want when I want to do it. Who could ask for anything more?

Dealing with Recession and Inflation!

The economy sucks. Let's face it. Gas prices are through the roof and it didn't have to be this way. But these are the policies many American's voted for. So then, how do, the freelance writers of the world, deal with super high prices? We work harder and do our best to get by.

Sex!

Sex! It's an important component to the traditional hardboiled novel. Being a traditionalist when it comes to the genre, you're not going to catch me backing off on some hard, sometimes brutal, steamy sex just because of new "woke" sentiments. Or put another way, woke bullshit!

Doubt!

Some writers are consumed with doubt that they will ever be a success in this impossible business. And while I've had agents, publishers, editors and even bookstore owners make real efforts at having me doubt myself and my ability, I am one of the lucky ones, because I don't doubt myself and my worth at all. You shouldn't either.

Relationships!

Maintaining relationships can be tough on writers who make up words and sentences for a living. All too often, when we're not actually writing on our laptops, we're writing in our heads. It's a difficult thing for non-writers to understand or even cope with after a while.

Soul Crushing JObs

It's a strange feeling when you realize that the multi-million dollar business that's being handed down to you, and all the money and suburban American Dream lifestyle that goes with it, is not for you. So what do you do? You quit and you become a freelance writer, a job that offers no security but that on the other hand, offers you the world!

Conferences!

Wow, it's been 7 years since I won my ITW Thriller Award for Moonlight Weeps (it would win the PWA Shamus Award later on that year at Bouchercon). ITW Thrillerfest is happening right now in NYC so I couldn't help but reminisce. A lot has changed since then, personally and professionally. All for the better for the most part.