Legends of Windemere

What Makes People Buy Books?

Charles Yallowitz — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:56:39 +0000

It’s awfully silly to start marketing your book until you first devote some time to a couple of basic questions:

What causes people to buy books? (Equally important: What tends to deter sales?)
Who is your specific target audience?

Knowing the answers to these questions can significantly affect your marketing strategies. In this article, we’ll focus on Question #1.

(1) Browsing for books on the top 100 bestseller lists.

Sudden Melancholy & Food Shopping

Charles Yallowitz — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:01:14 +0000

This has been happening to me a lot lately. Having fun throughout the day and enjoying my time. Then, I just drop in terms of mood. Not angry or upset, but a sudden strike of emotional blah. Like I lose the urge to do anything and I don’t know what caused it or how to get out of it.

Not looking for sympathy because it happens. It probably happens to all of us at some point, but we never know the reason. The only time I can pinpoint it is when I’m at the supermarket. It may sound strange, but here’s the reason:

As a child, I loved going food shopping with my mom. One reason was that a free cookie would be involved. The other is that I felt like I was helping and having fun. My mom would give me part of the list or tell me a few items to find. Then, I would race off to find them and then have to track the cart to drop them off. I loved puzzles and games, so this was a giant scavenger hunt for me. Keep in mind that this is before the time we thought everybody was a potential kidnapper and child molester. So, I was able to run around free to get stuff. I got a sense of pricing and sales when I did this.

These days, I wander the aisles alone. I can’t send my son out to find things because he’s too small and the world doesn’t feel as safe as it once was. It’s like something is missing and I go into a state of hum-drum. I don’t rush to get out, but I wander the aisles like a lost ghost.

Today, I was simply struck down by a melancholy. It will be gone by the morning if not earlier. I still have some writing to do, but it’s going slow this week. It’s like my mind is clogged or slowed by something. I still have a slight chance of getting everything done this week. Thought getting this off my chest would help. Does anyone else get moods like these?

Man in a Tuxedo and a Batman Beyond Shirt

Charles Yallowitz — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:42:58 +0000

Somebody has requested that I post pictures of myself in a tuxedo. We’ll call this person The Nut. With all respect, of course. These are the two pictures. Please remember that this is after waking up at 3am and driving for over 5 hours. I have more excuses if you require them.

And now the infamous superhero display:

From left to right: Aaron, Dan, Jeff (best man), Dave (groom), Mike, and Charles (me)

The Squirrelies!

Charles Yallowitz — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:34:41 +0000

Reblogged from kiralynblue:

Readers and Blogizens, we here at KLB are proud to present...

The Squirrelies!

What are The Squirrelies? I'm so glad you asked. The Squirrelies are the epic awards of blogging awesomitude where KLB and the Ninja Squirrels take the opportunity to recognize the contributions of our fellow bloggers and thank those who have recognized us.

The Squirrelies are absolutely not in any way, shape, or fashion my cheap attempt to combine seven blogging awards into one post.

Et tu, Pandora?

Charles Yallowitz — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:16:02 +0000

I listen to Pandora when I’m blogging and writing. There have been a few times the songs fit what I’m writing, which is great. Hero by Skillet for a Luke scene is an example of this.

Today, it is very hot and humid. I’m also sleepy. I get a bunch of songs about sleeping, dreams, and hot. Hot Stuff by Donna Summer, Bat Out of Hell by Meatloaf, etc.

So, has anyone else ever had a song randomly show up and make you go ‘Really? Now?’

What is Your Love?

Charles Yallowitz — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:36:10 +0000

Taking on the Community Storyboard’s love theme of the week. This is the poem that I posted there.

We forget that love
Can take so many forms
Parent to child and back around
Friends standing together
Until the very end
The happy pet at the door

We can love a food
Or a television show
It might not be too much
Because they bring us joy
The essence of love
That is so pure and fleeting

I can hear some
Saying love cannot be so broad
Saved only for the spouse
Cheapened if used for others
Like does not always work
When the heart is touched so deep

I am taking on a suggestion.........99 cent ebook for the rest of the week

Charles Yallowitz — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:24:56 +0000

Reblogged from J.S. Riddle:

Rise of a Queen is on sale for 99 cents for the rest of the week on Amazon. This little gift of a price drop is because I haven't run a contest in a while and have been so preoccupied moving and all the life things that seem to get in the way.

So here ya go! Enjoy is here

Rise of a Queen for .99 cents this week! Spread the word and buy yourself a copy.

Ask a Character: Selenia Hamilton

Charles Yallowitz — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:00:51 +0000

Today, we have the founder and headmistress of Hamilton Military Academy, Selenia Hamilton. This half-elven warrior is a former mercenary, who retired to train the next generation of warriors. Her success as a mercenary was great enough to earn her the well-respected title of Mercenary Queen. Even though she is more administrative now, she runs a few elite classes for students who she handpicks. These classes are swordsmanship, martial arts, and a defense class.

So, ask your questions and see what you learn about Selenia Hamilton.

Why I Won't Give Up

Charles Yallowitz — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:08:50 +0000

Reblogged from Shannon A Thompson:

WEBSITE UPDATE: If you all recall, Minutes Before Sunset needed nominations for "Book of the Month" on Goodreads, and you all succeeded! But I need votes. PLEASE VOTE BY CLICKING THE LINK. We're three votes away from first place. I need all of the support I can get :D

Thank you for voting: Gregory S. Lamb, Christina Channelle…

Death of the Yahoo Email

Charles Yallowitz — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 02:34:26 +0000

For anyone that has e-mailed me, my Yahoo account has been blocked. If I can get in, I’ll try to salvage things. But I can’t get in.

To anyone that I was conversing with or that wanted a guest blog from me, PLEASE shoot me an e-mail at lukecallindor@gmail.com