tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76911554698351727562010-02-04T07:41:54.779-05:00So, if you've come to this page, you may be wondering what this all means. I'm Bob McDonald, and I finished my novel, Flagrant Foul, some time ago and self-published it on lulu.com. Now, I'm trying to drum up enough interest to sell enough books to cover the $99.95 it costs of buying an ISBN number. No easy task.Bob Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978746295438017774bobmc@togsolutions.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691155469835172756.post-40036207124931716202009-12-31T16:19:00.003-05:002009-12-31T16:27:15.598-05:00

Though I have made a concerted effort to push the Stories from the Forester, it's clear that other story interests have struck my fancy. Perhaps it was overly ambitious on my part to get and a whole six-story Forester series under my belt before anything else. But hey, when the inspiration strikes, eh?With that said, regardless of my Forester time schedule, other stories take priority. And, in

Bob Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978746295438017774bobmc@togsolutions.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691155469835172756.post-46319335702720579642009-09-11T22:13:00.003-04:002009-09-11T22:35:22.036-04:00

They say a good blog can serve as a good marketing tool...Yes, I suppose I have really messed that one up.A great deal has stayed the same since the last Quest post, including zero book sales, little progress on the book-writing front and, of course, not many people really noticing.So, this must be why people subject themselves to the humiliation of being rejected by dozens of literary agents and

Bob Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978746295438017774bobmc@togsolutions.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691155469835172756.post-55407207177934972282009-07-21T17:16:00.003-04:002009-07-21T17:37:55.591-04:00

Well, not exactly lend, but you get the point...As I have finally made progress is completing Unwritten, so I can finally get Stories from the Forester: Volume One ready for public consumption, I've had to make some tough choices, mostly economic.That, of course, means, the end of Dilemma being free. The PDF, like the Kindle version, is now 99 cents and in on sale at Lulu.com. That's the bad news

Bob Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978746295438017774bobmc@togsolutions.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691155469835172756.post-71708018612538011722009-07-20T12:00:00.003-04:002009-07-20T14:00:36.832-04:00

I known Eddy Webb since my days at the old Hawthorne Academy, the school for gifted kids in Lorain, and we were good friend over the years. He's the one who got me into role-playing games (Pre-World of Warcraft, pre-computer, actually!), and we shared a great interest in technology.Then, like most of my childhood friendships, after I went to college, we parted ways and lost touch with each

Bob Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978746295438017774bobmc@togsolutions.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691155469835172756.post-46991034583580144882009-07-11T16:22:00.003-04:002009-07-11T16:37:42.554-04:00

You thought I gave up, didn't you?Of course not. After all, we are talking about Flagrant Foul...And, as such, in what seems to be the Promotion That Never Ends, it is, like it was last summer, time to start getting out there and putting the word out. This, of course, is the eternal drawback of a book that's not only self-published, but evidently non-selling.Perhaps a discount can entice you?How

Bob Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978746295438017774bobmc@togsolutions.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691155469835172756.post-63649036946768911372009-06-30T14:26:00.003-04:002009-06-30T14:39:57.987-04:00

I was reading a recent New York Times article about how author Alice Hoffman, in response to a Boston Globe review of her latest book, hit back through her Twitter account.Reviewing the book for The Boston Globe on Sunday, Roberta Silman wrote: “This new novel lacks the spark of the earlier work. Its vision, characters, and even the prose seem tired.” In a series of Twitter posts, Ms. Hoffman

Bob Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978746295438017774bobmc@togsolutions.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691155469835172756.post-69984324534557000342009-06-24T10:02:00.002-04:002009-06-25T11:44:57.278-04:00

Well, let's go ahead and chalk that up to a failed experiment.It turns out that instead of spurring my creativity by setting a release date for Stories from the Forester: Volume 1, it apparently drove my writer's block to the point where I wasn't even adding blog posts on a regular basis...anywhere!Well, hopefully, this wave has stopped. I have been adding blog posts for the TOG Solutions site.

Bob Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978746295438017774bobmc@togsolutions.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691155469835172756.post-41381653360995223892009-05-21T15:32:00.004-04:002009-05-21T16:12:38.364-04:00

For many of the great writers, it has always been a matter of drawing inspiration from their previous experiences and places that they know best.It makes sense. For example, many of Stephen King's stories center around the fictional town of Castle Rock, no doubt and homage to the New England setting where he grew up and still resides.For me, of course, that place is Cleveland, and, even more so,

Bob Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978746295438017774bobmc@togsolutions.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691155469835172756.post-9425004538515525462009-05-13T16:19:00.005-04:002009-05-13T22:55:43.663-04:00

This shouldn't really surprise anyone.As I continue to stare at a blank screen where a chapter of Unwritten should be, I have come to the realization (as if it wasn't already realized in my April 20th post!) that there's really no chance in hell that Stories from the Forester: Volume 1 will be completely ready for public consumption on June 21, 2009, as promised.But fear not. While visions of

Bob Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978746295438017774bobmc@togsolutions.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691155469835172756.post-8967775741941404842009-05-12T15:40:00.003-04:002009-05-12T15:49:13.134-04:00

Before you keep reading, go ahead and search for Flagrant Foul on any other book site besides Amazon...Now, if you found it somewhere else, you clearly have been eyesight than I do.For months, since I slapped an ISBN on the Foul as part of Published by Lulu, I at least figured that the cycle would have come around where it would be all over the place.And then I came to a startling discovery.One

Bob Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978746295438017774bobmc@togsolutions.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691155469835172756.post-56559336810149477752009-05-07T17:55:00.004-04:002009-05-07T19:34:20.417-04:00

A little more than two years ago, soon after I finished my first draft of Flagrant Foul, I did essentially what most aspiring writers did. I searched around the Internet seeking contact information for literary agents. And I was on my way, armed with e-mail addresses, an e-mail query and some sample chapters.I get it. You're going to hear a lot of rejection. It comes with the territory. But after

Bob Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978746295438017774bobmc@togsolutions.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691155469835172756.post-50181964846164385662009-05-06T17:35:00.003-04:002009-05-06T18:00:23.453-04:00

Publishing, especially self-publishing, is a brutal business. And despite my best-case scenario hopes, I was realistic that I probably wouldn't sell enough books or get a good enough deal to be able to quit my job.Of course, I wasn't banking on having to try and find another job, either. But here we are. Almost a year into the Quest, and the books have barely gotten noticed......and I'm looking

Bob Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978746295438017774bobmc@togsolutions.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691155469835172756.post-83361177476123733652009-04-20T10:20:00.003-04:002009-04-24T19:23:35.017-04:00

About a two months ago, I thought that it would be a good idea to set a publishing date for Stories from the Forester: Volume 1. I figured, hey, it'd be a great 1000th Twitter post, and it would be the right motivation to get the second story, Unwritten, finished.Here we are, though, April 24th, and I'm no closer to being finished that I was when I made that announcement.Sure, I might be able to

Bob Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978746295438017774bobmc@togsolutions.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691155469835172756.post-9425904119480707972009-03-04T09:17:00.004-05:002009-03-04T09:38:43.113-05:00

Dear Apple,But I didn't get you anything!Sincerely,Bob McDonaldFor some time now, I have written about the emergence of the Amazon Kindle (and now its subsequent upgrade) and how my target demographic wouldn't exactly plunk down the $359 for one when there are cooler gadgets like, say, the iPhone, for their enjoyment.Well, apparently Christmas has come early. Amazon has released a Kindle app for

Bob Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978746295438017774bobmc@togsolutions.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691155469835172756.post-60153544077014904772009-02-20T11:42:00.004-05:002009-02-20T16:59:05.708-05:00

The Quest has begun anew...In connection with my 1,000th update on Twitter, I thought I'd add a little spice to the occasion by throwing in this major (well, at least for me) announcement:Stories From the Forester - Volume 1, which includes the stories Dilemma and Unwritten, will be released on June 20, 2009, first exclusively on my Web site, www.flagrantfoul.com, then to bookstores everywhere!

Bob Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978746295438017774bobmc@togsolutions.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691155469835172756.post-21766014184399192272009-02-13T10:13:00.002-05:002009-02-13T11:20:17.003-05:00

It's a struggle out there. No question about it.For fellow Questers, it's probably worse. After all, here we are working hard on our writing. Yet, we haven't really been able to make any money or sell books. Still, we love writing, and there's nothing else we'd rather be doing.But until your book gains some traction, or you have a full-time writing gig, the concept of getting paid for what you

Bob Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978746295438017774bobmc@togsolutions.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691155469835172756.post-65041933544245607912009-02-09T00:03:00.003-05:002009-02-09T00:23:19.732-05:00

Like all things, book marketing takes work, planning, and a little bit of luck doesn't hurt.Also, relying on the kindness of your fellow writers is a good plan as well.All you have to do is ask...This has worked for me in a number of instances. For those Questers who have been reading for a while, you've no doubt read up on my appearance on book review sites, like Shannon Yarbrough's Lulu Book

Bob Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978746295438017774bobmc@togsolutions.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691155469835172756.post-68163122701350104782009-02-03T18:35:00.003-05:002009-02-03T19:19:00.483-05:00

Marketing books is full of all kinds of small, tactical errors, especially when doing it on your own.This, however, may be the worst...For months, I've been banging my head, like many Questers have undoubtedly have done. And then the lightbulb comes on.I've been doing it all wrong! Most of the places that I've been plugging both Dilemma and Flagrant Foul are decidedly not anywhere near my

Bob Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978746295438017774bobmc@togsolutions.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691155469835172756.post-42537635266147370422009-01-27T13:50:00.006-05:002009-01-27T14:38:24.479-05:00

For about the last eight months of so, I have been trying to figure out the best ways to market the Stories from the Forester, particularly the completed Flagrant Foul, online. And yet, I have come to it with very little success (i.e. Zero sales in any format).So, while I'm in back-to-the-drawing board mode. It makes sense, since the entire series is, at the present, incomplete, with the second

Bob Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978746295438017774bobmc@togsolutions.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691155469835172756.post-41920777924267584412009-01-23T15:52:00.003-05:002009-01-23T16:35:55.997-05:00

Can I explain why I've been gone so long?Well, there's not real explanation, likely a combination of the holidays and non-writing distractions that have hampered my ability to get my butt back on here and post something on a regular basis (and I was doing so well!).In my semi-absence, unfortunately, I have found that the news on my site has become overrun with spammers. Oh joy. Plus, I keep

Bob Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978746295438017774bobmc@togsolutions.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691155469835172756.post-67606110400075964752008-11-20T14:37:00.003-05:002008-11-20T14:42:47.357-05:00

This is what we call an interesting turn in the road...Lulu.com Author Interview: Bob McDonald | Lulu BlogThis is also one of those occasions where spending an inordinate amount of time on Twitter will eventually net some feedback. A simple tweet reply to Lulu.com's Dan London was all it took.And this was only the second-most interesting thing I saw on Twitter today. I also found out that

Bob Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978746295438017774bobmc@togsolutions.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691155469835172756.post-49817008282956752902008-11-02T19:03:00.003-05:002008-11-02T19:29:54.018-05:00

Now that I've finally gotten an ISBN for Flagrant Foul, I figured it would probably be the best thing to spend the six weeks that it will probably take for it to appear on online stores like Amazon (though you can buy it on flagrantfoul.com now!) drumming up some publicity...again.I know what you're saying, fellow Questers. I already did all of this already. True, I was on Pete Klein's Adirondack

Bob Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978746295438017774bobmc@togsolutions.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691155469835172756.post-11532483726984641572008-10-31T21:29:00.005-04:002008-10-31T21:43:42.386-04:00

As I start getting back into the swing of promoting Flagrant Foul, I thought it might be good to start putting up some previews of the future of the Stories from the Forester series. With Dilemma also written (and also available for sale, I might add, goofy picture or not), I'm moving on to the next book in the series, Unwritten. Set in early 2001, it picks up where Dilemma left off. When

Bob Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978746295438017774bobmc@togsolutions.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691155469835172756.post-20150269960712942822008-10-30T23:17:00.003-04:002008-10-30T23:31:58.697-04:00

After careful deliberation, I finally took the plunge and got the Published by Lulu distribution package for Flagrant Foul. As always, I wonder why I take so long to do what's right in front of me.So, if you visit Lulu.com, you can get a copy of Flagrant Foul for $25.99, plus shipping. However, if you visit the Stories from the Forester site, http://www.flagrantfoul.com, you can buy a copy for

Bob Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978746295438017774bobmc@togsolutions.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7691155469835172756.post-32857087121882461652008-10-03T17:18:00.002-04:002008-10-03T17:30:23.328-04:00

All Questers probably have this in their memory banks already, but it does bear repeating.Just keep writing.And it doesn't really matter where. And it also doesn't matter if you're getting paid or not, though I'm sure some money would be nice (Yes, I saw Almost Famous recently). And, if you are writing pieces for blogs, you may get noticed even more. The Lulu Blog has a good story about blog

Bob Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07978746295438017774bobmc@togsolutions.com0