The Truant Officer...Now Available!

Currently on sale @ Amazon and Apple. Coming soon to Barnes & Noble and all major places that ebooks are sold.

The Truant Officer

To have and to hold from this day forward...

Darren McLaughlin thinks he's having a nightmare as he watches his wife, Lilly, being abducted from a gas station in Chandler, Arizona. Things then go from bad to worse, when it's revealed that her captor is one of the students she taught at a local high school.

For better or worse...

In Manhattan, US Attorney Aaron Eicher cringes upon learning the identity of the man who abducted Lilly McLaughlin. Nick was the one thing holding his case together against the son of Russian crime boss, Viktor Sarvydas—but now his star witness was on the run, and in mortal danger. It is just the latest surprise in a case that went against everything he'd learned in school—when it came to the Russian Mafya 1+1=3.

In sickness and in health...

Seeking refuge in Israel, fleeing the fallout of his son's arrest, Viktor Sarvydas smiles when he learns the news about Nick. He knows that it's now just a matter of time before he comes face to face with the man who was going to testify against his son.

With the FBI, media, and dueling Russian assassins in a cross-country race to get to Nick and Lilly, it becomes clear that the only one who can truly save them is Darren. Will he get to them first, or will...death do us part?

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The Truant Officer is really a modern day "chase" book. But instead of being a race across a state or a region, it is across the globe. It begins on page one, when a school teacher named Lilly McLaughlin is abducted from an Arizona gas station, and ends across the Atlantic - all in a matter of days! Different from The Trials of Max Q (and for the most part, Painless) which predominantly follow a small group of characters, The Truant Officer jumps between numerous characters. I was concerned that this would make readers seasick, but those who've read it have found it to be the opposite, finding the style preferable, and reminded me that it's about whether readers find the characters compelling and interesting, and not the number.

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The Trials of Max Q...Now Available!

On sale @ Apple, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and most places where ebooks are sold.

The Trials of Max Q
When the law ends, the pursuit of justice begins!

Born into a legal dynasty, Jack Lawson was a natural who was making a name for himself as one of Manhattan's top young lawyers. But when his world came crashing down, Jack left the big city and his family's powerful firm, to seek solace in a small village of Cooperstown, New York. There, he re-discovered his love of the law.

But the peaceful village is shattered when a body is found on the estate of the county's most famous resident, and American hero, Drew Anderson. A man considered to be so perfect that he is nicknamed Max Q after the benchmark for systems perfection during a space launch. And it isn't just anybody who is found dead—the victim is widely considered to be one of the world's most infamous women.

When Anderson is arrested for the murder, Jack ends up with the case that everyone wants to “go away,” and some are willing to go to the deadly lengths to make sure it does. Against all odds, Jack and his partner, Jessica Shepherdson, must risk their reputations, their careers, and eventually their lives, in an explosive race for the truth.

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 The Trials of Max Q is a mystery/thriller that follows Jack Lawson, a man trying to find solace, who finds that he must go through hell to find any peace. It's told from a first-person point of view. While I know many authors think first-person is too limiting, it is my favorite writing style, and really allows the ability to get within the character.

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In remembrance of a really crappy day that took place 10 yrs ago

It was a dark and stormy night.

That's the famous opening line to the 1830 novel Paul Clifford. It became the benchmark opening line to create a setting that tapped into the readers deepest fears, hoping to hook them into the story. A few years ago I attended a writer's conference where a speaker debunked the myth of the dark and stormy night, and made the case that the best way to maximize the horror factor was to have the "bad things" happen in a place nobody expects them to happen. And when I think back to September 11, 2001, on that perfect sunny September morning, there wasn't even the smallest of hints that such indescribable horror was about to take place.

Those responsible for the darkest memories of that day were not the best human beings (major understatement) but did have a knack for storytelling - unfortunately for them, it didn't have the ending they envisioned, but I'll get to that later. A tale is often judged by whether it "sticks" with you, and using that standard, the story of 9/11 is still vivid in my mind, ten years later.

I can still remember arriving at work in Westport, Connecticut, bemoaning the idea having to spend the next eight plus hours at work on such an ideal day. I remember Joanne, the office manager, mentioning that a plane had hit the WTC, and my immediate thought was it was a small plane like the one that once crashed into the Empire State Building years ago. I can still hear the voice shouting down the hallway that a second plane had hit, and like every American did at that exact moment, I had that "aha...uh-oh" moment. Since I lived closest to the office, a handful of my co-workers found refuge at my place after we were sent home that morning, and together we watched as the unthinkable took place before our eyes on the TV. I can still see where Laurie was sitting, and Kris, and Keith, and Alicia, and the expressions on their faces are engraved in my mind when the towers fell to the ground. Later that afternoon, my now sister-in-law brought her kids over and I remember watching them play basketball - under that damn perfect sky - too young to understand what was happening just an hour away. And I will never forget going out to eat that night, sitting by the window and watching the military trucks roll by - wondering if things would ever be the same.

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If the covers are done, then the books can't be far behind, right?

Deleted Chapters #4 (Meeting the Princess)

Painless opens with Billy having already rented the cottage and he had previously met Carolyn during his initial visit to look at the property on Labor Day. This original chapter details that initial visit, and his running into resistance. During the visit, he meets Carolyn for the first time. The chapters were basically condensed into one, so it began the same way, with Billy pulling up to the house and seeing the children playing on the lawns, which brought back hurtful memories. This “deleted chapter” picks right after Carolyn and Billy meet for the first time (as was described in flashback in the book)

Why cut: Wanted to get more quickly into the story. Not that it opened with frenzied action, but thought a day of house-hunting would slow things down. Also, many of the elements described, such as Billy and Carolyn’s initial meeting could be done with flashbacks, and things like his visit to her room ended up taking place at a later stage in the book.

The picture: ...but you can call me Princess. Didn’t have any pictures handy of Princess Carolyn, so Princess Kate will have to do. Not to mention,  she's a lot easier on the eyes than the hockey goalie from last week. 
 
As always, the deleted chapters are unedited, and might no longer fit the context of the final version of the story. 

"First Meeting"
“Why don’t you wash up for dinner, sweetie,” Beth addressed Carolyn while Chuck set her down.

“Can we play for five minutes?” she continued to negotiate.

“The steaks still aren’t even defrosted yet,” Chuck stepped in, “Why don’t you let her play for a few minutes?”

Beth relented, but didn’t look happy about it. “If it’s okay with Mr. Harper, then five minutes.”
Carolyn began hopping with excitement. “You wanna see my room, Billy?”

He shrugged. “Sure, why not?”

“You better hurry—I only got five minutes!”

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Deleted Chapters #3 (Le Swiss)

Remember the cab driver named Martin? Well, in the original Martin played a much bigger role. And Le Swiss was his nickname. But as you'll see, his role was probably a little too coincidental to be believable (although that could probably be said for many parts of any fictional tale), but he was still a fun character. The first section depicts when Billy first meets him after Dana pulled the gun on him and drove off. 

The pic is of Charlestown Chiefs goalie Denis Lemieux, he of the classic quotes, played by the actor Yvon Barrette. Also a French Canadian goalie, and goes with the Slapshot theme in the book. In retrospect, I wonder if I was subliminally channeling him when creating Le Swiss. But since he ended up on the cutting room floor, I guess it doesn't matter.

As always, the deleted chapters are unedited, and might no longer fit the final version of the story. 


Le Swiss


I have good news and bad news—which would you like to hear first?

A common greeting of the modern day messenger. A saying that most likely began eons ago in an attempt to soften a blow. And the reason there’s a phrase, don’t kill the messenger, was probably because at one time it was a very common practice to kill the messenger. Over time it seeped into the modern vernacular. Billy thought how someone answered that question said a lot about their outlook on the world. Are they optimistic or pessimistic? Are they hopeful, or are they trying to go through life shielding themselves from feeling pain?

Selecting good news first is more logical and fits with the pulse of life. Good news—birth—ends in what most believe is bad news—death.

Billy always chose the bad news first. Not because he was a masochist, but because he was a writer. In a great story, the character will rise from the ashes—overcome odds—endure. A great story always starts with the bad news and rise toward triumph. He hoped this case would be no different.

In his current predicament, the bad news was adding up. Dana had held him at gunpoint, opened up past wounds, accused him of being a kidnapper, and worst of all, drove off with the tracking device in the backseat. She left him standing alone on Union Avenue without even a phone—he was helpless to do anything.

Good news: He found a taxi at a gas station about a half a mile up the street.

Bad news: the cabbie was off duty.

Good news: Billy did have one possession—his wallet, which had the money he took out of the ATM and Gare Centrale train station before their trip. The driver smiled at the $200 “off duty” fare, which meant 100% profit, and said, “Get in—where we headed?”

Bad news: Billy had no idea.

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Deleted Chapters #2 (Coach)

In the last week's deleted chapter "Westward Bound" Billy, Dana & Carolyn take a detour to after escaping Operation Anesthesia in upstate NY, and head to Billy's hometown of Johnstown PA. In this week's chapters, they seek refuge at the home of his former football coach, who is referenced throughout the book.

What I like about this chapter(s): Since Coach is mentioned prominently in the book, I like that he was brought to life, and by doing so, more is learned about Billy and what drives him. Coach's interaction with Carolyn also brings out his softer side.

Why was it cut?: These chapters are an extension of "Westward Bound" so the same reasons apply: Speed, pace, and it just didn't make sense to be taking detours when running for life when every second matters.

Note 1: If you're wondering about the choice of photo, All the Right Moves was filmed in Johnstown, and it centered around a headstrong football player and coach who butted heads, which sounded familiar. Although, the big difference I think is that Billy Harper is way cooler (and taller) than Tom Cruise.

Note 2: My HS football coaches were much different than Coach Blake, but that doesn't mean they didn't help shape as many lives. So with that said, I'd like to wish my coach, Chuck Drury, the best as he recently decided to leave my old school after 35 years!

"Coach"

Chapter

In football terms it was a Hail Mary.

On the second knock a light shot on inside the house.

Billy took a deep breath, then another, before the front door aggressively swung open. Dana stood behind him, holding a still-sleeping Carolyn in her arms.

A man dressed in a bathrobe stood in the door-frame. He angrily put on a pair of glasses as if he didn’t believe his initial finding. 


“What the hell are you doing here?” he screeched. 

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Deleted Chapters (Westward Bound)

As I've been going through the editing process the last few months- what to cut, what to keep - it made me think back to when I did the same for Painless. 

Upon returning to the cutting room floor, what I found were some chapters that I wish I had kept in, some that deserved to be cut, but were still interesting as a sole entity and had some value, and some that were downright disasters of the "what was I thinking" variety. 

So I thought it might be interesting to post some of the worthwhile chapters. The plan is to post a couple chapters a week here at the blog (minus this long, boring intro). Sounds like a good summer Friday thing.

One little note of caution: I am posting them as they last were before they were cut, no additional editing or proofreading was done, so might be some rough patches. Also, once a change was made to Painless - ie. something or someone was cut - the story changed, and must compensate. So basically, not everything will be in perfect symmetry to the story in the final version of Painless.


Deleted Chapter #1 "Westward Bound"

Summary: In the book, when they escaped upstate NY using the Muddle Huddle (Chapter 65-72), they go directly to NC to try to get to Dr. Jordan. But in the original, they first trek westward looking to hideout while they ponder there next move. In doing so, they return to Billy's hometown of Johnstown, PA, and his return to his roots (and facing his past) helps him figure a way out of trouble. As is the case with their journey, they feel the stress of Operation Anesthesia closing in on them.

Why was it cut? Simply put - speed and pace. I liked this storyline, and thought it showed much insight into Billy, but it just didn't make sense with so little time at their disposal, to be doing anything but taking the most direct route to NC (where they though Beth and Chuck were) and Dr. Jordan (who they thought was the key to finding them).

__________________________________________________________________________

Chapter

They moved westward, facing more danger and than Lewis and Clark ever did. It certainly wasn’t the most linear route to Clarksville, but it was the one Billy was most familiar with, and right now home court was one of his few advantages.

But any comfort provided by their escape was tempered, knowing that it was just a matter of time before the

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Memorial Day Weekend / Kindles for Troops (K4T)

Last year on Memorial Day weekend I wrote about Operation Ebook Drop, which provides free ebooks to soldiers overseas, and a program that I'm proud to be a part of. OEBD has been a great success, and since last year at this time the # of authors involved has quadrupled to over 800!!

So this year I started thinking: it's great to provide free ebooks, but what about the e-reader itself? Kindles and similar devices have come down in cost, but they still aren't cheap.

This led me to research the subject, and I found that the answer was right under my nose, based in my home state of Connecticut. A non-profit called E-Books for Troops, that started a program called "Kindles for Troops (K4T)".

To use their words to best explain what they do:
K4T is a terrific program that enables you to donate your pre-owned Kindle reader to a soldier who is deployed overseas. It is ideal for someone who wants to put their existing Kindle 2 to good use as they upgrade to a newer third-generation Kindle Wi-Fi or Kindle 3G, or for someone who wants to directly donate a Kindle 3 reader.

As mentioned, it's great for someone who has recently upgraded, or maybe converted to an IPad, leaving an extra Kindle laying around the house. But if purchase a new one to donate, it is also tax deductible. One thing I can guarantee from my dealings with soldiers this past year with OEBD, is that they will be both gracious and thankful. Here are the directions to donate.

A letter from a soldier in Kabul that I think embodies what this program means

Wishing everyone a fun and safe Memorial Day Weekend!

Mail Bag #3 (the What's Next version)

The recent questions I've received have fit into one of three areas:

1. Are there going to be more books?
2. (If so) when will they be available?
3. What are they about?

So this mail bag will focus solely on those categories. If you have any follow-up questions on the subject, or I didn't cover something, feel free to email me at derekbkclb@yahoo.com.

Will there be another book?
Yes. Painless has been a fun experience for me, so I look forward to putting other books out there and I'm excited to find out what people think.

When will they be out?
I don't have a specific date, but here is the general plan: I've identified 5 stories I've written that I hope to be made available in the next calender year. I'm shooting to have the first one released sometime this summer. Not sure if that timeline is realistic, but it's the plan as of today. I also expect any new material to be out in ebook version first, as the paperback/hardcover versions take longer.

What's taking so long?
Since I thought Painless would only be read by friends and family, a lot of corners were cut and had to make a lot of changes on the fly. So for the upcoming books, I have put together a talented team to help me review them, edit, proofread, etc. This process takes more time, but hopefully the extra time and effort will be worth it.

Are the future books like Painless?
Yes and no. They are not a sequel or series, and none of them are about a girl who can't feel pain. The stories I've written have all been standalones - I have ideas for continuations of certain characters and storylines, and might write them in the future, but I enjoy meeting new people in each book, so that is where I have tended to go so far. The topics change from book to book, but the basic style remains the same.

What is that style?
I guess they would be technically classified as mystery's or thrillers, but as was the case with Painless, I tend to mix a bunch of genres together, and basically write books that I'd want to read myself. The key for me is to write characters that I find interesting. I think of it like a cross-country airline flight - if the person sitting beside you is interesting, it often makes for an enjoyable flight. But if you sit beside the sort of people I generally get stuck next to on planes, then a six hour flight can seem like six days!

The characters are usually ordinary people (or at least think they are) who end up in extraordinary circumstances. And while the topics of the books can range anywhere from a gritty crime story to the tale of girl who can't feel pain, as long as I care about the characters and want to find out what happens to them next, then the story will draw me in and keep me wanting (in my case, writing) more. And hopefully it will for you.

Have a Happy Easter!!

And here are links to previous Mail Bags:
#1 (8/27/10) #2 (11/18/10)

Paid at Last! Paid at Last!

Last week, after over-extending its stay by about eight months, the one month free offer for the ebook version of Painless ended (except on AmazonUK...long story).

During this time, readers would often thank me for making it free, or feel sorry for the poor author who was forced to give his book away like a tag sale flyer and provide condolences. While appreciated, neither of these responses is really accurate (although I will still accept the $$ from those offering to send to me out of pity!). The free ebook offer actually was a great opportunity that unexpectedly took Painless to places I never thought it would travel - and I think deserves its own blog entry.

At this time last year I was a big ebook skeptic - the concept didn't seem logical (why would anyone spend $$ to buy a device to read and then have to buy the book on top of it? Why not just buy the book?). So I didn't think much of it early last summer when I made Painless available for free in response to a promotion for this strange new tablet-looking thing Apple put out called an iPad. It led to this conversation with Mark Coker, the head of Smashwords, my ebook publisher:

Mark: Just wanted you to know that Painless was downloaded 1,500 times on Apple
Me: Wow, that's way more than I thought - what's that, like a few hundred a month?
Mark: No, I meant it was downloaded 1,500 times last week.

This got my attention, but was nothing compared to my surprise when those numbers multiplied by 30 the week after Xmas (I think everyone got an iPad for Xmas xcept me!) or that it became the most downloaded free ebook on AmazonUK in January of this year. And while stats and numbers are great, the best part was the feedback I got from readers in Melbourne, Australia to Tulsa, Oklahoma to London, and so on, along with being able to participate in Operation Ebook Drop, which provides free ebooks for soldiers overseas. And let's be honest, if you're reading this blog entry it's most likely because you came across the book on the free offer, right?

I have no idea how many of those who downloaded the book actually read it (although I do know that almost 2,000 people on iBooks have rated and reviewed it) and no clue what percentage of those who read it: liked it, hated it, or were somewhere in-between, but I do know that the free offer gave the book what any author would want - a vehicle to get their book into readers hands, and allow the readers to determine its fate. I would compare it to owning a restaurant that nobody knows about, and don't have the advertising budget to reach people - wouldn't that restaurant want to give away free meals to hopefully attract future patrons to the restaurant? In the pre-ebook world, it would be too cost prohibitive to give away free meals, but it's a whole new world now in the book industry (a topic that probably also deserves its own blog entry).

The Painless ebook will now be selling for $6.99, so it will still be much cheaper than the meals at the fancy restaurants from the big publishers. Thanks again to everyone who participated in the free offer!

Final Blog Entry of 2010!! New Year's Resolution

Note: If you are reading this at a place that isn't the Derek Novel Ideas Blog (i.e. Facebook) you can click here to go to blog.

2010 resolution: To get as many people as possible to read Painless.

When asked how many that would be - perhaps influenced by too much champagne, or maybe the sight of Ryan Seacrest as the new Dick Clark just made anything seem possible - I pointed at the zillions celebrating in Times Square and said "that many."

Final results: While I'm sure it didn't meet the Times Square standard, I do have enough numbers and feedback to be able to confirm that a lot of people did read Painless in 2010, and since I have never ever kept a NYears Resolution, I will grade myself on the curve and say it was a successful resolution!

The big question on Jan 1, 2010 was: how could Painless reach potential readers outside of my footprint, especially without the resources of a major publishing house behind the it? And the answer came in the form of Kindles and IPads, and all the ebooks and e-readers that took over the world in 2010. Mainly because of the ebook phenomenon, Painless was able to reach readers from Seattle to Oklahoma to Australia to the UK, and so on. And when it was made free to IPad users, it ended up in the top 10 free downloads for all Apple ebooks and remains #1 in the Mystery & Thriller section. The more traditional print book also grew in 2010, especially thanks to the many who purchased it as Christmas gift this year.

2011 Resolution: To put another book out there for people to read

Final Results: Check back next year!!

Thanks to everyone who supported the book and this blog.
Have a fun (and safe) new years! And wishing you a happy and healthy 2011!!

Imagine what his reaction will be like...

when he opens that autographed copy of Painless tomorrow morning. Maybe I should have gone with the video game (-:

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!!!!
and thanks to everyone who didn't "hate books for Christmas" this year

(If you're reading this at some place that isn't the Derek Novel Ideas Blog, i.e. Facebook, and the video isn't showing up, and therefore makes no sense what I'm talking about, just click here to go to the blog)

Thanksgiving

So much thanks to give to all those who took a chance on an unknown book by an even more obscure author this past year! Especially those who:

bought the book, read it, told a friend about it, told lots of friends about it, supported this blog, joined the Derek Ciccone Book Club on Facebook, made Painless one of the most downloaded books on iBooks for Apple, sought me out to speak about the book at their venue or to do a newspaper article on Painless, emailed me feedback, posted a great review of the book anywhere - Amazon, Facebook, Goodreads, or wherever, sent me encouragement, sent me constructive criticism or pointed out a grammatical flaw, had their book club read it, purchased it for a gift for someone, businesses that gave it to clients as a gift, soldiers in Operation Ebook Drop who actually thanked me for providing the book when I really should be thanking them, helped me with all the technological stuff that was way over my head (thx Dirt!), brought the book to school for show & tell for their 2nd grade class, and everyone who asked me when the next one will be coming out and tell me they can't wait!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mail Bag #2

Back in August I did a mail bag here at the blog that answered common reader questions. Didn't get to all of them, and also have received a bunch of awesome feedback since then that is full of great questions - which leads us to Mail Bag #2!!

If you missed the first one that covered such topics as: when/if there will be another book, how I came up with the Carolyn character, and where I get my ideas, check out here

All feedback is welcome at derekbkclb@yahoo.com

Now on to the mail bag...

How can I get a signed copy of Painless?
I must admit, signed copies were not something I factored on and I don't really have a good solution for, BUT that doesn't mean I can't get you one. Of the readers I have worked with, they had contacted me via email and I ended up sending them a signed book, and in turn, they sent me a check for the book to an address I provided them (I am working to set up a PayPal account to make this process easier) Obviously this takes some trust on both sides, but those who contacted me were really interested in getting a signed copy and I was really interested in getting them one, so it was able to work out well.

I think Painless would make a great movie!
Okay, this is more of a comment than a question, but probably the most common mention I have received. It also makes me chuckle because the first advice someone from the "industry" ever gave me was never say the book would make a good movie or that your grandmother likes it (for the record, grandma thought it was okay but the ending could of been better). But hey, I'm all for it becoming a movie one day - closest thing we have is a cool book trailer - I currently own the movie rights, but I'm really not qualified or funded to make a movie, so it will require someone, to steal a line from a movie, to make me an offer I can't refuse. Who would play Billy or Carolyn? Now that sounds like another blog entry for another day.

How come the price is different in different places?
For the print version, I set the price ($15.99 paperback) when sold through my web site or publisher. But I have little say over what Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other affiliates do if they want to raise or lower the price. The ebook version is much different, because the price can be changed at any point, and often is. The popular free Apple/IPad offer is a good example of this - while such an offer is not possible at Amazon Kindle.

Will you be offering any deals for the holidays?
I think the real question here is where did 2010 go? Wow. But yes, I plan some discounts for those looking to give Painless as a gift. And if I don't say so myself, the hard copy version really makes a nice gift. Stay tuned!

What do you read?
Unfortunately, I have found becoming a "writer" makes a lot less time to be a "reader." The books are stacking up on the nightstand!! I am currently "working on" Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson, but I don't think I've done it justice with my constant starts and stops. My two favorite writers are Harlan Coben and Nelson Demille and I gobble up anything they write. I think I mentioned in a blog entry from long long ago that the Firm by John Grisham was an inspiring book for me. As far as the classics, I'm a big Gatsby fan and have often referenced it somewhere in stories I write (don't think I did in Painless, but not totally sure).

I'm interested in the Peanut Butter & Jelly childrens book that Billy writes in Painless. Any chance you'll write a version in real life?
Picking myself off the floor laughing. This is by far the most surprising question I get, and truthfully I am probably not even qualified to be babysitting children, much less writing a childrens book. But when I think about it, I do like the idea of it, and I love writing different types of stories (currently working on a Christmas themed thriller), so you never know...

I joined your "Book Club" on Facebook? Is it a book club or a fan site - I don't get it!?
The Derek Ciccone Book Club on Facebook is a "fan" site for Painless and myself, but it is really belongs to the "Bookclubbers" who've joined. The name was an attempt at being clever that turned out to be confusing - I get people all the time messaging me, asking if my "bookclub" will read their book, to which I respond, will your book club read my book? They tell me they don't have a book club, and I tell them, neither do I. Like I said, confusing. But the last time I checked, Facebook doesn't allow me to change it while maintaining the current site, and it's kind of entrenched now. But it's a great place to find more information on the book, updates on possible future books, get links from the blog, and a chance to post your thoughts on the book and discuss it with other "Bookclubbers." Join today and tell your friends!!!!!

PS My grandmother really did like the ending.

Picture source: Savage Chickens (Doug Savage)

Video Killed the...Author?

For those who didn't get the link to the Painless video trailer, I finally figured out how to upload a video to a blog entry.It will be up soon at the Web site and the Book Club @ Facebook.

Can also be found at popular video sharing sites, including:

You Tube, Daily Motion, Trailer Spy, Metacafe

Pertaining to the title, despite rumors of its demise, video never was able to kill the Radio Star (Lady Gaga comes to mind), just as new technologies won't kill the author or the publishing industry, whether that is new ways to read books such as Kindles and IPads, or marketing techniques like book trailers. Some resist the changing landscape, while the Video Generation often searches first for books in places like YouTube. In the end, things like book trailers are just another tool in the toolbox for authors to get their work in front of an ever-evolving audience, and from Shakespeare to Stephen King that's always been the point, right? And even Shakespeare has a book trailer online!

The Quick & Painless Newsletter...Cliff Notes Version

For those who didn't receive my recent SPAM...errr...informative email newsletter, below are a few highlights - topics include a link to the new Painless trailer, a free Apple IPad giveaway gone crazy, and some grammatical renovations that will be seen in the near future.

Anyone interested in receiving the complete e-newsletter - and don't fear, only send them occasionally when there is a relevant to communicate, and would never distribute your email address - just send me an email at derekbkclb@yahoo.com and simply say you want to get the email updates.

Painless enters the video age!
Be sure to check out our new book trailer on You Tube.


How Bout Those Apples...
This past summer Painless was the most downloaded "free title" in the Mystery/Thriller category on Apple iBooks (until some guy named James Patterson decided to offer a free sample of his latest book, knocking Painless to #2, where it currently stands) and as high as #8 for all books. Click here to check out the latest status.

This was obviously pretty surprising news to me, to say the least. When the last Q&P newsletter came out, Apple had just introduced the IPAD. For what I thought would be a brief promotion, Painless was offered for free on Apple products, with little expectation. But obviously I underestimated the power of "word of mouth."

Thanks to not just those who downloaded it, but also those who spread the word. And for the the great feedback I've received from those who've read it - Painless has received over 550+ reader ratings (4 star out of 5 average) on iBooks. To put that in perspective, the aforementioned James Patterson's summer blockbuster Private has been rated approx 280 times. While the free offer probably hasn't made the best bottom-line business sense, I don't think there is any way to put a price on having the opportunity to have Painless reach places around the globe I never could've imagined. So the plan is to keep the free offer going for a while longer - so keep taking advantage, Apple users!


Summer Renovations:
In an effort to continually improve the product, I recently had Painless editorially reviewed, with the goal to remove any grammar or proofreading glitches. Thanks to everyone who brought some of these to my attention. And thanks to Hillel at ProEditing and Amber at DogEar Publishing to help make this happen. These adjustments should be seen in the very near future, and only consist of a few structural elements - the story hasn't been altered in any way.

The Mail Bag (Part One)

I have received lots of questions lately about the book and all things related. Really appreciate the interest and feedback (keep 'em coming!) Many questions had a common theme, so I attempted to group the most commonly asked ones together and answer them here at the blog:

How did you become a writer? Did you always want to do it?

I'm still not sure I'm a writer. More like a storyteller who happens to use this format as a way to tell the story. I've had an "overactive imagination" since I was a little kid, so I've been coming up with stories and creating interesting (at least I think so) characters since as long as I can remember. But only in the recent past did that turn into writing fiction novels, which became a great hobby that I love doing. But the idea of having one of my books published for all to read seemed like a crazy (and scary) idea to me, so it isn't something I always wanted to do, but so far it's been a great experience!

Where do you get your ideas? Where did you get the idea for Painless?

As mentioned in first question, the "overactive imagination" thing is what drives the ideas for my stories - and no matter how hard I try, it never happens when I attempt to come up with one. The good news (for me) is I'm getting better at writing the ideas down when they do pop into the head, so I spend less time racking my brain for the "brilliant" idea I can't remember for the life of me. Funny how all the ideas I've lost are brilliant, yet the ones I do remember, not so much (-: In the case of Painless, I was on an airplane reading one of those inflight magazines stuffed in the seat pocket and there was a story about a kid who had the "issue" in which Carolyn has in the story. From there, the overactive imagination took over.

I love the character Carolyn Whitcomb - how did you come up with her? And is the ____ she has a real thing?

The most common questions I get concern the Carolyn character, and I'm going to do a full blog entry on in the near future. So I'll answer that question there - stay tuned. But yes, the ____ she has is a real thing. Very rare - less than 100 in the US.

When is the next book coming out?

I take this question as a huge compliment, and it sure beats the more expected - how can I get my money back?! The answer is: I have been so focused on trying to get people to read Painless that I haven't been able to focus on a next book. But I have written others and this has been a fun experience, so I'm really looking forward to putting more out there in the future. I will update the blog when there is any news.

What are your other books about?

Like Painless, most of my other books are at their core, mystery/thrillers - stand alones that usually feature everyday people who get caught up in the unthinkable and then the mayhem begins - but also I like to mix a bunch of different genres together. For example, The Trials of Max Q has legal thriller elements in it. The Heritage Paper is features some DaVinciCode-esque conspiracy theories about the Nazis. The Jack Hammer is about some people who come across a former Soviet spy spending his post cold war days in the US, sort of a modern day spy novel (sorry, she's not in it). So I guess the best answer is - much different subjects, but similar style.

I've written/am writing a book, do you have any advice? Writing tips?
I'm the new guy myself just trying to figure things out. So I'm really not qualified to be giving advice. A good place I found for advice were writer's conferences, and I would recommend the Marymount Manhattan WC - I went a few years ago and thought it was great.

So my only piece of advice is: write for yourself - and if you write a book that you like, there is probably someone out there who likes the same things you do. And with the Internet, ebooks, social media, POD publishing, and whatever technology is probably being invented while I'm writing this, there are a lot of vehicles to reach those people that weren't available even a couple years ago, so I think it's a good time to be a writer. Good luck!

Painless Gets the Spa Treatment

Reading and relaxation have always gone hand and hand, so I think it was a natural for Painless to partner with the Aetheria Relaxation Spa in New Canaan, where I'm happy to announce the book is now being sold.

We are are always looking for partners and sponsors beyond the traditional book store to promote and/or sell the book, especially organizations that feature an independent spirit and are built on positive word of mouth like Aetheria - traits that Painless strives for and luckily has been able to embody so far.

Aetheria is located in a comfortable Victorian on Cherry Street in downtown New Canaan. And as you might know, New Canaan is a key setting in the story of Painless. It's run by Elizabeth McCarthy, who when she isn't relieving people's stress, is championing great causes and somehow finds time to be on the board of the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce.

To find out more about Aetheria try here, and be sure to check out their great blog called Aetherial Living.

Gunn Memorial Library & Museum: July 22nd

I will be speaking about Painless @ the Gunn Memorial Library & Museum this Thursday from 6:30 - 7:30 (p.m.) in Washington, CT, as part of the Gunn Writers' Series. Open to everyone - no charge, refreshments served.

I've attended a few of the author events at Gunn - and it is a great, informal environment to discuss the book that allows the author and audience to really connect. And the historic building is worth the trip by itself. So if you get a chance to come out, it should be a fun evening. Directions below:


Gunn Memorial Library
5 Wykeham Road
Washington, CT 06793
(see map and directions)

Review: A Taut, Compelling Page Turner

REVIEW: Painless (Derek Ciccone)
Posted by Apex Reviews on July 7, 2010
Link

Reviewed By Josee Morgan
Official Apex Reviews Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars

A Taut, Compelling Page Turner
Having lost everything that matters to him, Billy Harper rents a cottage from the Whitcomb family in the upscale Connecticut town of New Canaan and attempts to put the pieces of his shattered life back together again. Resigned to going the rest of his life with an unfeeling, frozen heart, Billy is in for quite the pleasant surprise when he meets Carolyn, the Whitcombs’ four-year-old daughter, who encourages him to thaw out his heart and live again; however, a series of strange incidents soon convinces Billy that Carolyn is quite the “unnatural” being, and when a rogue military organization learns of her special abilities and attempts to use her for their own purposes, Billy is ultimately forced to put his renewed life on the line to save the little girl without whom he never would have regained it...

With a rich cast of characters and taut, compelling plotlines, Painless is a veritable page turner. Skillfully crafted by author Derek Ciccone, Painless chronicles the personal transformation of a man wounded by life who ultimately learns to trust, hope, and love again – only to be faced with having everything he fought so hard to regain be taken away from him. The damning prospect of repeating the cycle of painful loss is the last thing Billy wants to experience, and Ciccone draws the reader into the gripping internal struggle with which he contends to prevent lightning from striking twice in the same place.

With superb character development and riveting, escalating action, Painless is an all-engrossing read offering invaluable life lessons about the virtues of never giving up – no matter how difficult the roads we travel. An enjoyable literary treat.

Location Location Location

The last couple months we've added a lot of new places to find Painless. So here is a summary of places where the book can be purchased, previewed, and you can find more information about it.

To purchase direct (through publisher)

1. Through my Web site: http://www.derekciccone.com/
2. Official Painless Page
3. Dog Ear Publishing (paperback)
4. Dog Ear Publishing (hardcover)

NOTE: If anyone is interested in a signed copy, please contact me via email (derekbkclb@yahoo.com) prior to purchase and I'll work with you to get you a signed copy.

Online Sellers

1. Amazon
2. Barnes & Noble
3. Indie Bound
4. Books-a-Million
5. Tower Books
6. Promise Angels Bookstore
7. A1 Books

Note: I listed the most popular online sellers of Painless. To find other online locations, Google Reads provides an extensive search and provides links. They also have a generous preview - about 1/3 of book - for anyone who wants to check it out.

Good old brick & mortar Bookstores

1. Borders (Southbury, Ct)
2. Elm Street Books (New Canaan, Ct)
3. Hickory Stick Bookshop (Washington, Ct)
   

As An Ebook:
Smashwords (can get every ebook platform here, or download preview). But if you prefer to get it directly from the source of your device, here is a list of the most popular.

1. Amazon (Kindle)
2. Barnes & Noble (Nook)
3. Kobo
4. iPad

Libraries

1. Danbury Library (Danbury, Ct)
2. Heritage Village Library (Southbury, Ct)

Book Communities

1. Goodreads
2. FReado

And lastly, in honor of World Cup - International

1. UK: Book Depository, AbeBooks, AmazonUK
2. Japan: Amazon Japan
3. France: Amazon France
4. Germany: Amazon Germany
5. India: Infibeam (free shipping in India!), Flipkart
6. Italy: Bol.it

Memorial Day Weekend!

When I think of Memorial Day I think of the B's -
Beach...Barbecues...Burgers...Baseball...

And now with the unofficial start of summer...Books. So if you're looking for that sizzling summer read: www.painless-ciccone.com/

But also be sure remember this Memorial Day that the reason we can enjoy our B's is because someone put their A's(ses) on the line, or more specifically, in the line of fire. One of the coolest things that has happened to Painless was becoming part of Operation Ebook Drop - a program that sends free ebooks to soldiers abroad. I even heard back from one serviceman in Afghanistan who actually thanked me for providing the book. I think he had it backwards. So I want to send out a Memorial Day salute to all those in OEBD and all their brethren overseas, in honor of those who have been lost.

Wishing everyone an enjoyable and safe Memorial Day Weekend!

Ebook Update (IPad, Kindle, and all sorts of good stuff)

Painless has been available as an ebook via Smashwords since January. Smashwords, a leading ebook publisher of independent books, and their site offers the reader one-stop-shopping for all major ereader devices - Kindle (.mobi), EPub (most popular ebook format used in Barnes & Noble Nook to name one), or for Sony Ereader (LRF). Also the popular Stanza ereader app for iPhones. Price ranges for Painless @ Smashwords from $0 to $4.99, and a free preview is available for the first 20% of book.

But for those who prefer to buy ebooks at the specific site for their device, here's a few updates.

Painless is now available on the new Apple IPad through ibookstore. $4.99

Kindle users can now get Painless directly from Amazon site. $4.99

Offered directly through Barnes & Noble site for Nook. $4.99

Also available at Kobo, whose Kobo eReader just partnered with Borders. $4.99

The Ebook world seems to change by the minute. So I will provide constant updates of how that affects Painless. Also, would love to hear any feedback from readers who purchase Painless as an ebook. How does it look in your specific format? Were there any issues in either purchasing it, or how it dispayed on your device?

And for any of you who have no idea what this ebook stuff is all about (like me, when I started this thing) here is a helpful article perfectly titled How to Navigate the Confusing E-Book Landscape.

Southbury Borders

Painless is now going to be carried in the Borders store in Southbury, CT (Located in Southbury Plaza right off Exit 15 of I-84). This is something we've been working on since the day Painless came out, so glad to see it come to fruition. The book is now on order, so it should arrive sometime next week.

If Barnes & Noble is the Coke of the bookselling industry, then Borders is the Pepsi, and I hope this is this first step in being carried by Borders nationwide.

The Southbury location is especially appealing for me in many areas. For one, it is the town I spent most of my formative years growing up, so it has some sentimental value. And the area has been a great champion of the book so far, so this gives just another option for people there to acquire it. Another cool aspect is that the Southbury Borders location is a Borders Concept Store, one of 14 to open up around the US in 2008. The concept store goes beyond the normal book/music buying experience, including a digital center where the customer can download music or books, burn CD's, print pictures, etc. So if you're in the area it's a great place to spend some time, even if you already have your copy of Painless.

Speaking of Southbury: They held a ceremony today for the Old Cowboy, my grandfather Aubrey Jay Mays, who was also one of my biggest fans. Two trees were planted in honor right above the famous "Southbury" sign he created from flowers each year on the hill above the firehouse. On behalf of my family, I want to thank Catherine Palmer of the Southbury Historical Tree Restoration Committee and First Selectman Davis, amongst countless others who came out today for the ceremony. They really got it right.

Elm Street Books

Painless is now being carried by Elm Street Books, in New Canaan, Connecticut.

It was the end of the road for Billy Harper, both literally and figuratively. From the literal standpoint, the end of the road was a well-groomed cul-de-sac in New Canaan, Connecticut with stately mansions staring back at him. The figurative was much more complex and hurtful.

This is the first paragraph in the first chapter of Painless - a story that both begins and ends in the town of New Canaan. That is one of the reasons why I'm thrilled that the book is now being carried in the most influential bookstore in New Canaan. You can find it in the "Thriller" section.

So why did I choose New Canaan as such a key setting for the book?
Besides the obvious familiarity - I lived in the neighboring city of Norwalk - it all goes back to a sign I saw once at the New Canaan Train Station that read, "Next Station to Heaven." In other words, it is an idyllic, affluent town where nothing bad is supposed to happen. But fiction heaven is when that perfect cocoon is shattered, as it is in Painless.

The Hickory Stick Bookshop

I'm proud and to announce that Painless is now being sold in the famed independent bookshop - The Hickory Stick Bookshop - located in Washington, Connecticut. They will be selling both the paperback and hardcopy versions, and they will be signed by the author, whoever he is. It also will be available to order through their online bookstore.

The Hickory Stick Bookshop has been a Connecticut institution for over 50-years and a haven for "local" authors ranging from Arthur Miller to Candace Bushnell of Sex in the City fame. This was recently highlighted in an article by the Danbury News Times this past Sunday about famed Roxbury writers giving back to the community, Hickory Stick playing a large role.

Even if you've already have your copy(ies) of Painless, it's still a great place to venture for any reader who is in the Connecticut area. And the independent and local bookstores can always use the help in this Amazon world we now live in. I love Borders and B&N as much as anyone else, but indie stores are the heartbeat for readers and writers in every community, and the Hickory Stick Shop is right at the top of the list.

A News-Times file photo of the late noted author and playwright Arthur Miller,of Roxbury, signing books at the Hickory Stick bookstore in Washington Depot, Ct. Photo: File Photo / The News-Times File Photo

I'm going on vacation, what would you recommend for a good beach read?

Sadly(for me), I'm not

The title refers to an encounter I had in a bookstore last week with a woman - who, perhaps thinking I worked there, turned to me and said, "I'm going away for vacation, what would you recommend for a good beach read?"

Doing what any fake store employee would do - I handed her a card for Painless and whispered in between-you-and-me style, "This book is better than anything in here, you can get it from Amazon or go to the author's web site."

She appeared excited about the covert, insider trading info I hooked her up with, and enthusiastically asked, "What's it about?" When I told her, I focused on how it's a run-for-your-life page-turner filled with suspense and intrigue.

Painless is more than a traditional thriller, as it also includes a heart-warming story of redemption and inspiring characters, but I think that sometimes my promotion focuses too much on the "more than" part and gets away from the fact that at it's core, Painless is a Patterson-esque-type thriller meant to entertain. In fact, I've been told by a few readers that after reading the preview they expected a story of a personal journey, and were pleasantly surprised it turned out to be much more...

...such as a perfect beach read!

Beach read musts for me
1. Fast paced: Need to be able to start & finish it on vacay. Turn those pages!
2. Tight: I don't want to read 3 pages of poetic prose about beautiful scenery when I can just look up from the book and observe real life beautiful scenery. Get to the point!
3. Light: As in not too dark. I thought The Lovely Bones was compelling, but doesn't work for me under a palm tree sipping on a Corona.

Wrapping up "National Read an Ebook Week"

Last week was National Read an Ebook Week.

My reaction to hearing this was probably the same as yours - What? For Real? - so I didn't have high expectations, to say the least, when I agreed to make Painless available for a week long promotion in which the ebook version would be downloadable at a reduced or no cost.

But then the first Purchase Notification arrived in my email

And then another.

And another.

And they kept coming until it ended this past weekend.

Not only did Painless reach a whole new audience, but made this skeptic become a believer.

When Painless was first published last fall I took a wait/see attitude with ebooks. I envisioned them playing a big role in the future (although I don't think they will ever replace the printed book), but wasn't sure the future had arrived yet. And since my family was the first on our block with a Betamax, I had learned at a young age the value of taking a patient approach in regards to trendy new technologies.

Then around Xmas time the Kindle and Nook hype began. I remained skeptical - and to prove the point, I walked a packed NYC-bound train during rush hour, searching for any sign of any E-reader device, finding none. But then this December 28th headline made me do a double-take:

AMAZON: KINDLE BOOKS OUTSOLD REAL BOOKS THIS CHRISTMAS

Huh?

One month later, Painless was published as an ebook by Smashwords. The results during the first month certainly didn't match the tantalizing headline - almost all of them were through a great program called Operation EBook Drop, which provides ebooks to soldiers overseas - so not until last week did I realize that the future is now.

Operation E-Book Drop

I mentioned Painless' inclusion in Operation E-Book Drop within a blurb of the most recent newsletter. It's a program in which authors provide free e-books to soldiers abroad. When I was approached to be involved, I thought it was a great idea and didn't think twice about signing up. But after receiving a couple positive reviews from a few soldiers who had read Painless, and they actually thanked me for being involved in OED, it made me take a closer look at how this single idea of one man so quickly grew into something much larger.

For reasons such as how easily transportable they are, Kindles and other types of e-reader devices have become very popular amongst the many troops stationed abroad. I'm guessing it's not easy to be carrying a pile of the latest hardcovers and paperbacks through the rugged terrain of Afghanistan or Iraq. Which is exactly the thought that sparked author and former military man, Edward C. Patterson, to come up with the idea of Operation E-Book Drop. It started out as a discussion on a Kindleboards Internet messageboard back in September, and now only about 6-months later, Operation E-Book Drop has grown to 351 authors and over 400 titles! How 21st Century is that?

The best part about any really good book is that it sucks you in and truly becomes the Great Escape. So hopefully these books can provide a small window of escapism from the daily rigors of sacrifice for these courageous men and woman, and the tug of being away from their families. And I'm honored that Painless is part of it. Happy reading, and stay safe!

The Quick & Painless Newsletter

If you are on the email mailing list, you probably already received this. But in case you missed it...the newsletter is brief recap of what has been going on with Painless that I hope to send out a couple times a year. In this first edition, you'll find updates on ebook status, Operation Ebook Drop, an ongoing discount, among other interesting information. If you'd like to be included on the mailing list, just send your email address to derekbkclb@yahoo.com with a quick note that you want to be included.

1. Thank You!!!

The initial response to the book has been tremendous. Wasn't really sure what to expect when I got myself into this, but I think it's safe to say whatever the expectations were, they were surpassed. Thanks to all those who took a chance on Painless.

2. Painless is now an E-book!
Did you get a Kindle or Nook for Xmas? Painless has partnered with the E-book site Smashwords to publish as an E-book, and now can be purchased on all major E-book formats, whether that be Amazon Kindle (mobi), B&N Nook (epub), Sony ereader (LRF), and the most popular apps for iPhone (Stanza), to name a few. Currently can do one-stop-shopping by clicking on the Smashwords link above, which will take you directly to the Painless page, where you can purchase your E-book in whichever format you require. But within weeks should be able to purchase at specific sites, if desire (i.e. purchase Kindle download @ Amazon site). I will update that on the blog. E-books are new territory for me, and the industry in general, so interested to hear back from those E-bookers out there on how Painless stacks up as far as look, accessibility, price, etc. And as E-books continue to evolve, so will we.

3. Operation E-book Drop

Very proud to say that Painless has enrolled in Operation EBook Drop. It was created by a soldier and writer named Ed Patterson, and what it does is provide free E-books to soldiers abroad. From what I've learned, E-books have become very popular with military members, since they don't take up much space and are good for traveling. I think it's a great idea, and I'm excited that Painless is part of it!

4. Spreadin' the News
Painless has been out for nearly 4-months now, and has really developed a great word of mouth. The hope was that the book would inspire readers to tell a friend, and so far that has been the case - thanks to the efforts of many of you. So what are some things that can be done to continue spreading the word? Here are a few:

• Join the Facebook fan site Derek Ciccone Book Club and suggest to your friends (just sign in to your FBook page, click on Book Club, then either join, if you haven't already, and then click "suggest to friends" button and pick the friends you want to send an invitation to) Facebook is great advertising for the book.



• Reviews - I have received a ton of great feedback about Painless, whether by email or in person. That said, Painless is in need of reader reviews on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. It's a simple process, and here are some examples of reviews that have been posted.



• Forward this newsletter to friends of yours who might be interested in a good book. And anyone you know who wants to get on the mailing list, just have them drop me an email at this address.

5. Xmas Sale a hit! 20% off the hardcover was offered during the holiday season, hoping to accomodate those who wanted to give a hardcover version of Painless as a gift. I was thrilled to see so many take advantage of this. So I'm going to make the discount permanent going forward. All you have to do is use this code during purchase: 20WhoL20

Note: Can only be used if purchase it through my print publisher - which can be accessed through the link or via my Web site. I'm not allowed to alter the prices @ Amazon or any online sellers. If anyone has questions, or is interested in getting them signed, contact me through email, and we'll work something out.

6. Border(s) War: Unfortunately, Painless currently isn't being carried by Borders or Borders.com. This is a Borders corporate decision, and affects many new authors across the board. Too bad, but Painless is doing great in the two top online sellers - Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and is available at all other major online retailers.

7. Book Clubs: Had no idea that so many people were involved in a book club of some sort. I want to accommodate any book club that might be interested in reading Painless. I have no official programs directed toward book clubs, but if you're interested, contact me and I'll work with your group on things like group cost discount and my availability to meet with group to answer questions on the book.

Note: Carolyn Mueller writes a great weekly series for the Danbury News Times newspaper called Page Turners. It highlights local book clubs. If your club is interested in becoming "famous" and at least 2 members live in Greater Danbury area - Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield, etc,, you get the idea, she'd be interested in hearing from you : CMueller@newstimes.com

8. Where is Painless available?
Full print list @ Google Books
One of the most frequently asked questions I've gotten the last few months has been - I'm going to buy Painless, do you care where I buy it from? The simple and copout answer is, "It doesn't matter to me." While there are differences, the key is that the book is getting out there, and hopefully inspiring someone to tell a friend. Here is a brief list of the most popular destinations to get the book so far:

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Dog Ear Publishing
Books-A-Million
IndieBound

Picture source: originalworks.com