A while back (actually, quite a while back) I worked on a “theater of the mind” radio-play set on the semi-mythical island of Poco Cabesa. The remote Caribbean island’s one, brief claim to fame was the guano that, in the late 19th century, turned it into the Comstock Lode of fertilizer. Read about it at http://followingtheequator.com/
Rachel Thompson at badredheadmedia.com has some useful advice about marketing your work on her site: http://badredheadmedia.com/2013/12/22/works-doesnt-book-marketing/ In my eyes, it’s applicable to any genre.
Some quotes….
“Google loves fresh content…” “Social media is social for cookie’s sake — why don’t people get this? I still don’t know….” “Whatever you do, don’t share a quote without attribution….”
Read on at that link and get some advice about what doesn’t work, too. Rachel (after enjoying her blog/site, I feel like we’re on a first name basis) has also begun an interesting #MondayBlogs hashtag on Twitter. If you use that social media, check it out.
“A middle-aged man with graying blond hair sat in the driver’s seat, one hand resting on the bottom of the steering wheel, the other resting on his thigh. An open billfold was in his bloody lap. His head was tilted down, like he was checking the speedometer, and his mouth was open. His gold-framed glasses were slightly crooked on his nose. His face was pale and creamy. His eyes were open wide. Bulging. A cartoon character who just saw a ghost. Small-caliber, low-velocity slugs rudely entering the skull will do that.”
Detective Heber Parkins is the Clark County Sheriff’s Department’s outcast, the lead man in its “leper colony,” the guy who collects the anonymous victims of the most anonymous town of them all, the “trash man.” Then he’s assigned to investigate the murder of the partner of the man who operates the classiest club on the Strip. Joey’s Place. Is he being set up to fail? Play the cat’s paw? He doesn’t care. It’s his first real case in years and it draws him into a struggle that will determine the future of Las Vegas.
I feel fortunate to have a roster of readers who not only enjoy crime fiction but also know a great deal about Las Vegas in September 1970. If you would like a review copy, please contact me at john@jwnelson.net
You can find this anthology of thirteen very diverse short stories on Amazon.com today. The address of the anthology’s website is http://13-anthology.webs.com/, and you can also follow it on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/thethirteenproject
This project was an enjoyable experience because it allowed me to “visit” Max from “L.A. Limo Tales” when he was just in high school. I hope you will enjoy my contribution and the other twelve fine offerings.
“You wanted to see me?” Heber said.
The little man looked up and appraised him like he was meat on the hoof. Those close-set eyes were as dark as coal. Death itself was in those eyes.
Heber took a step back. He wondered if he’d have to dig his own grave. Planted in a desert forested with forgotten ghosts.
Finally, the little man smiled and said, “Yes, young man. I did wish to see you.”
