Make someone feel listened to
Make someone feel listened to
Blow Back: A Merchant of Death Novel – Book 1
Dom Kozlov is a hotshot twenty-something who’s made his millions dealing illegal guns. From drug running biker gangs to Syrian freedom fighters, his client base extends to every corner of the globe. With his crack shot team of friends and longtime girlfriend by his side, there isn’t a deal in the world they can’t close. But when a rival dealer steps up the pressure, tensions quickly spiral out of control. From Miami to Oakland, this new competitor has declared all-out war. As the noose tightens, Dom and his friends must figure out a way to continue the business while staying out of both the handcuffs and the crosshairs. Could all the high stakes deals, heavy firefights, and close calls with law be signing the death warrants of Dom and his crew? Blow Back is the first installment of the Merchant of Death series. Intended for mature readers.
Indie Author Day at the Brampton Public Library
On October 8, Virginia and I attended the Indie Author Day event held at the Brampton Public Library. This event started in the United States and on this day, nearly 300 libraries across North America invited thousands of local writers in their communities to join them for a day of celebration and inspiration devoted to indie authors like me.
There were a dozen of us—poetry, non-fiction and fiction writers—all anticipating the chance to share our work at the Four Corners Branch. The library staff has wonderfully and professionally prepared the space for us. Each of us sat behind a desk displaying our books and these simple yet lovely-designed place cards with our names. Our desks surrounded a few rows of audience chairs facing the front where a sturdy dark brown lectern, microphone and projector were ready for author presentations. Just like a postcard, the backdrop was a wall of windows that displayed magnificent maple trees colourfully smiled under the blue sky 🙂
It was a charming set up although only a handful of people showed up. The organizers in the states probably didn’t take into consideration that it was Thanksgiving weekend in Canada. Yet this somehow did not deter us authors from sharing with the tiny audience and among ourselves. Some amazing spontaneous things happened that day—something that wouldn’t have happened if the crowd had been bigger. We shared our experiences as writers/publishers and these interactions may lead to different workshops that Virginia and I will do in the future to help other Indie authors. It’s amazing how many different publishing ideas are out there!
We took turn to talk about our books and publishing journeys. When it was my turn I told the story I often tell in my workshops. It’s about the word ‘PASSION’—that it is our opportunity to PASS-I-ON whenever we do something with a passion in life and as authors, we have created a wonderful legacy of passing ourselves on forever.
Before we left, Virginia took me by the hand, led me to a shelf and then told me to look down. That was truly something I never thought I would see in my life. When I looked down and there it was: my book on a shelf in the library! Laughingly, of course, I said I’d be happier to know someone had checked it out to read. Truthfully though, I was so very very proud to see my book in the library since getting it into libraries meant that the book’s quality fit the collection. I also remembered my grade 12 English teacher telling me to never choose a career in literature. I wondered what he’d say if he saw this!
It was a good day, so much to feel thankful for.
Knowing health is important…
Knowing health is important so is a positive attitude
Design by: Virginia
The Corner Store Witch
Leone owns Pulp Magic (Comics, Books, Games, & More). Angry customers are her biggest concern—until a man from another world literally drops into her shop. And oni have followed him. Leone defends herself with a magical staff, which marks her with powerful runes. Her supernatural tattoo sleeves make her desperately thirsty, yet practically allergic to water—and oh, they foretell the fate of the realms of demons, gods, and men.
With her four friends and inter-dimensional guide, Leone travels to the realm of the gods, searching for magical cosmetic surgery. She doesn’t want to carry the fate of the world literally on her arms. But the truth she finds—of a war raging between worlds—changes her, challenges her.
What’s a nerd to do with the fate of all worlds at stake? Ah yes, kick some demon ass.
The Chronicles of Narnia but with more swearing, more katanas, and less allegory. It’s nerdy, anime inspired fun for the whole family.
Stealing The Future
Behind the Berlin Wall a dissident is on the trail of a killer
1993. After forty years of communist rule it’s time for change in the GDR.
Direct democracy, citizen’s movements and de-centralization are part of the new political landscape.
But when a politician’s crushed body is found a constitutional crisis erupts.
Former dissident, Martin Grobe, is caught up in an investigation that points towards the KGB, the Stasi and the West Germans—but is it really the start of a putsch against the new GDR, or just a murder?
It’s here. It’s finally here!
It’s been quite an exciting month so far.
First it started with this wonderful surprise we had this morning. There was this e-mail from our Chinese translators. Not really saying anything but just providing a link. We clicked it and there it was: because—well, it’s now 缘由.
As you know, we started the translation process for because back in January 2015 and now the Chinese version is available on Amazon.cn (and soon to be released to other retailers in China). It is so cool to see Chinese characters tell the story of Robert Sanchez. (Even though I can’t understand but my wife does, so now maybe her mother and some of her family can read it.) And it already has been reviewed by a Chinese reader (happily 5 stars as well). Man, how grateful and fortunate I am!
It was quite a learning-full and such an interesting process working with these editors and translators. The thing that made me feel most grateful was working with these individuals who showed such incredible passion about their work: translating the book with such integrity as if they were writing the book themselves.
So thank you to the folks over at fiberead.com, especially to Habby (project manger), Huang Zhi (editor) and translators Xujing, Amy, Li Qiu and Daisy. Without the team, because wouldn’t have been available in the most populated country on earth.
The next thing that happened comes from the amazing work my wife has been doing at getting our book into libraries across the country (and a few outside of Canada), including those in Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver! Next Saturday, October 8 at the Brampton Public Library, I will be doing my first public talk as an author, celebrating the 2016 Indie Author Day. It’s funny how nervous I feel. Even though I’ve performed on some of the biggest stages but this feels more raw and real than any of those experiences. I’ll tell you how it goes.