August Book of the Month: The Heritage Paper

What's it about? History changes with each turn of the page!What seems like an innocent school project to trace family history, reveals a dark secret, leaving Veronica Peterson trapped in a mother’s nightmare. Her instincts are to protect her daughter’s safety at any cost, but knows that Maggie might be the only chance to prevent a sequel of the world's worst horror story … and must let her run toward the danger 

Historical thriller: I've always enjoyed adding different style of books to my own. The Trials of MaxQ is inspired by the “legal thriller,” while Kristmas Collins adds the elements of a “Christmas mystery.” So after obviously reading one too many Dan Brown novel a few years back, and possibly a couple drinks, I decided to write a story that mixed my typical style novel and real history. At times I thought I was a researcher more than a writer! So props to those who make a living writing these types of novels. Not to mention, I got some real strange looks from those who took notice of the Nazi/Hitler books strewn throughout my living room. Um ... is there something you want to tell us? 

What people are saying about it? Going out of my comfort zone on this one, it had the biggest potential to be a disaster of any story I've published. So I've been relieved so far that the reader reviews have been promising. The theme seems to be 4-stars. As that's the average review so far at Amazon (21), Amazon UK (23), Barnes & Noble (9), and Apple (10)

Nazi war criminals living in the United States – that's crazy, it's not believable!: Well ... http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/18/us/nazi-charge-philadelphia-man/

The "real" Heritage Paper: I did a similar school project as Maggie Peterson, tracing my family history. And while I didn't find any Nazis in my family, it did reveal a lingering mystery. When it came for my two  younger brothers to do the same project, they took mine, swapped out my name, and turned it in as their own ... yet they both received As, while I got a B ... from the same teacher! Why or how that occurred remains a great mystery that even JP Warner couldn't solve!! (-:

The Heritage Paper, is available as an ebook online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble.com, Apple iTunes, and most online book stores.

July Book of the Month: Kristmas Collins

So is it a Christmas book, or is it a thriller? I'm confused. Both! All Kris Collins wants for Christmas is to survive. With everyone from a ruthless assassin to the FBI, and even his ex-father-in-law after him, it almost makes him long for his days in prison. It all comes to head in a Christmas Eve showdown, with it still unclear whether Kris will end up on the "naughty" or "nice" list. But the one thing he does know is that for him to make it to Christmas morning, he will have to write a new chapter in a classic tale. Also includes many seasonal themes - giving, belief, redemption. And that Santa Claus might not necessarily be confined to one man, but a spirit that is within everyone.

But shouldn't the July book of the month be a beach read? I think it makes a great beach read. Fun characters, good action. Christmas in July - it's like a frosty beverage on a hot day! 

What are readers saying about it? The reader reviews have been excellent - as of today: 5-star average at Barnes & Noble, 4.9 average at Amazon UK (love the Brits!), 4+ at Apple, and nothing less than 4-stars at Amazon. BUT!!! That is based on a very small sample size - only 3 reviews each at B&N and Amazon, 8 at AmzUK, and 14 ratings at Apple. The amount of reviews usually is in line with the amount the book has been read - for instance Officer Jones has almost 600 reviews at Amazon alone, and Painless has been rated in the thousands at Apple - so basically, folks haven't gotten into the Kristmas spirit yet, but those who have really have liked it!

Why a Christmas themed book? I had seen a program a few years back on how the story of Santa had changed over the years - that it wasn't a stagnant tale that remained stable from the beginning of time. And that the modern American version of Santa came mostly from the 1809 Washington Irving book "The History of New York." Before that, Santa Claus never had a flying sleigh, filled stockings hung by the fireplace, or had that famous belly. So I grew interested in how the story of Santa would be written today, especially in a society that would now look suspiciously at an older man providing goodies to children, and where anti-heroes are often celebrated in our entertainment characters (See: Tony Soprano, Walter White, Don Draper). I thought the modern day Santa would be edgier, and faced with more challenges when it came to family structures and economic realities, but still maintaining the core values that have made his story so enduring. So Kristmas Collins became my take on what a modern day Santa might be like if written today.

Soundtrack: To me, Christmas music is always the background to that time of year - in the stores, in the car, carolers on the street corner - and can't have a Christmas story without Christmas music. Kristmas Collins' background music includes traditional songs like "Winter Wonderland" and "Silent Night", but also some non-traditional like Snoop Dogg's "Everyday is Like Christmas to me" and the White Stripe's "Candy Cane Children" (see below). So if Mr. Hollywood Movie Big Shot guy is reading this, I think the Kristmas Collins movie would be great for the soundtrack alone! Call me (-:

I love the cover, but is Santa ... No, no, no Santa is not "relieving himself" on the front stoop, as a couple readers have mentioned to me. Santa would never do something like that, but this Santa would break in when you've left for the evening. P.S. The cover is the talented work of Carl Graves who did a great job as always.

Kristmas Collins is currently available at Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, and most online booksellers, as both an ebook and a paperback.

June Book of Month: The Trials of Max Q

What's it About? Jack Lawson is a career-climbing Manhattan lawyer when his life is hit by tragedy, sending him into a spiral. He moves upstate to the quiet town of Cooperstown, seeking solace. But when a murder rocks the small community, Jack finds himself in the middle of another storm - a sensational trial that people are willing to kill to get the outcome they want. But it's when the trial ends that the story really begins.

What are people saying about it? Have received a lot of great feedback from readers - often hear that it's different from usual thriller or mystery. But as far as tangible reader reviews - it averages over 4 stars at Amazon (11 reviews), Apple (27), AmazonUK (13). Averages 5 stars at Barnes&Noble, but only 4 reviews so sorta a small sample size.

Is that a new cover? It is, thanks for noticing. Always like to update the books, inside and out. I like the original, and it is still used in places, but I think this one better fits the story, especially key elements the story centers around such as the lake and a mysterious women.

Blame it on Grisham: Got hooked on John Grisham books like The Firm, Pelican Brief, and The Rainmaker back in my college days. So always wanted to incorporate some of those legal thriller elements into one of my stories, which Max Q tries to do. But since my only legal knowledge was occasionally watching Law & Order re-runs, I was lucky enough to have to have some smart lawyers read it and make sure I halfway sounded like I knew what I was talking about on those parts. Who says there aren't good lawyers out there!?

20 years ago today! Speaking of trials, it was 20 years ago this month when OJ Simpson was riding around in his white Bronco (time flies! Although, perhaps not for OJ) The trial that ensued wasn't the first trial of the century, or the last, but no matter how much murder, celebrity, salaciousness I tried to put into the trial in this book, it could never top that trial.

Cooperstown!! If you've never spent any time in Cooperstown, New York, I can't recommend it enough (especially in the summer). It's most famous for the Baseball Hall of Fame, but even if you're not into that, it is about as an idyllic of a place you'll find, built around Otsego Lake. It's the last place you'd expect such a murder, which is what I thought made it the perfect place for the book's setting. Also made for a great couple of "research" trips. The people there are great, and were very accommodating in every way, but especially in answering my many annoying questions.

Speaking of research, how did you go about researching Laney Bang and the other adult film actress characters in the book? Um ... I don't understand the question. I'll have to get back to you on that one ... (-:

On that note, The Trials of Max Q is currently available at Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble (see links above) and most online booksellers. It is available both as an eBook and in paperback. If anyone has any questions about the book that I didn't answer, can be reached at email at derekbkclb@yahoo.com.

Summer Reading Mailbag

Happy Summer, everyone! Here is the annual summer mailbag, where I summarize the most common reader questions I've been sent over the last few months, and try to answer them somewhat coherently.

If there is a question you have that aren't answered here, you can email me at derekbkclb@yahoo.com and I'll be sure to quickly get back to you. And look for future updates at
Twitter (@DCicconeBooks) and Facebook (Derek Ciccone Book Club).

(Thanks to Christopher Regan for supplying the photo)

Will there be any new books out soon?

I've been in the writing dungeon typing away the last few months - which isn't a bad place to be considering the heat in Connecticut this summer! - and new books are on track to be released before the end of 2013. The first is a stand-alone thriller called The Jack Hammer, which should be out later this summer. I'll post plenty of updates as the day gets nearer and clearer.

Will any of your books have a sequel, or be made into a series?

While I do enjoy coming up with new characters for each new story and adventure, and all six books currently out are stand-alone, the short answer in YES! The first is planned for later this year, and is the followup to Officer Jones. When we last left JP Warner and friends, he'd finally made it back home (and a lot of stuff I won't mention in case you haven't read it) but in the upcoming story, the hard part for JP will be staying there. It is coming along very well, and I think those who liked Officer Jones will really enjoy it.

Will there ever be another Painless?

Probably the most common question I receive. Thrilled that so many connected with the story and the characters in it. I don't know about "another" one, but YES, I do plan for Billy and Carolyn to return. I thought I needed to figure out a way to do it - if it became a situation where armies were chasing them every book, it would become totally ridiculous IMO, and cheapen the original story. So in that way, it isn't built to be a continuing thriller. But I found that there is plenty of twists and turns in the "normal" life of Carolyn Whitcomb and her painlessness to make a compelling story, and reason to continue. Haven't broken ground with it yet, but something to keep on eye on for 2014.

What books are available in paperback, hardcover, and can I get one signed?

Painless, The Truant Officer, and The Trials of Max Q are all available in paperback, and can be purchased at most places where online books are sold - Amazon, Barnes Noble, etc. Painless is the only one currently in hardcover. Two more books - Officer Jones, and Kristmas Collins are in the process of being turned into paperback, and my hope is that they'll be ready for the holiday season.

As far as getting a signed book - ABSOLUTELY!! The best way is to drop me an email at derekbkclb@yahoo.com and I'll work with you to come up with the best way to get it to you. If you haven't already purchased the book you want signed, please hold off on purchasing until you contact me, which I've found makes the process easier.

I saw your book listed under something called Breakout Books on iTunes, what is that?

Painless was chosen by Apple last February to be among a small handful of books in the initial Breakout Books category for the "Mystery and Thriller" category. BB is a commitment Apple/iTunes made to promoting independent books on their front page, and I was very honored that Painless was included. It was picked by their review board based on reader reviews and sales, and since I never reviewed the book or bought a copy, really you're the reason it's there, so thanks!!! Wrote more about it here last February.

The Jack Hammer ... Coming Soon!

Opening Day is nearing ...

Baseball, Apple Pie, and ... Russian Spies?

Summer Lineup!

Summer is always a good time to take stock in things. And when it comes to the books - how many are available and what format and price are they available in?

The Six Pack: Currently there are six books out in ebook form. See image below. And averaging $2.99 a piece, that means all of them could be bought for under $18. Or in other words, less than one hardcover novel purchased in the bookstore

3 of the 6 are also out in paperback form - Painless, The Trials of Max Q, and The Truant Officer. And Painless is also available in hardcover. The majority of the paperbacks are priced under $10.

Thanks you for your time ... now back to your tanning and fruity drink.

Breaking Out

Apples's iBookstore recently began a new promotion called "Breakout Books". It is dedicated solely to indie/self pubbed books, which will (at least for the time being) be a headliner when someone clicks on the iBookstore. Sort of like having your book displayed at the merchandise table that the customer first sees when they enter the bookstore.

So it goes without saying (or typing) that I'm honored that Painless was chosen to be one of the representatives in the Mystery/Thriller section of Breakout Books!!

But even if it wasn't chosen, I would have (grudgingly, while biting my bottom lip:-) admitted that this is a really good thing for indie authors, and another positive step in the quest to have a seat at the table where we can be judged on merit. Smashwords founder Mark Coker goes into great detail at his blog about how Breakout Books is an important benchmark in the ongoing seismic shift in the book industry, and worth a read I think.

It also gained the attention of the NY Times, which covered the creation of Breakout Books.

While I, like most indie authors, sell ebooks at numerous sites, I have a special affinity for Apple, since they were my first. Ebooks were an obscure concept to me when my first book Painless came out in early 2010, and my reason for even publishing my book as an ebook at the time was that I heard of a promotion that Smashwords had partnered with to provide free ebooks to soldiers overseas, which I thought was a pretty cool idea. In fact, I had such a low expectation of ever selling an ebook, when Apple put out something called an iPad that spring, my reaction was, why not just give it away for free and who knows, maybe I'll attract the attention of a couple people who will buy one of my "real books". Almost 3 years and 3,070 reader ratings later (4 star average) Painless is still going strong at Apple.

Breakout Books might be their first promotion (that I know of) that focuses on indie/self-pub books specifically, but I have always found the Apple platform friendly to indie authors like myself. Besides the obvious, which includes allowing ebooks to be sold on their space from the outset (taken for granted now, but a the largest obstacle facing indies for a long time. See: bookstores) and the aforementioned ability to give it away for free to build name recognition, one of the big things for Painless once it became a paid book was Apple's promotion of lists that were all inclusive to indie authors. The biggest example was the promotional list/rank on the front page of the Mystery&Thriller (see pic below) section called "Mysteries Under $5". Since most indies like myself sell our ebooks for under $5, it indirectly promoted indie books ... and provided an even playing field to compete with the "established authors" who chose to price their books under $5 (and I thought gave great credibility to indie books when they ended up side by side a popular author like Patterson, or a classic like Poe). This list has been a staple for Painless. Note: I haven't seen it in the last few weeks since the latest reconfiguration, and hope it returns soon!!

Apple also has shown other attributes that I found to be indie friendly. One is the rating system. No review is required, unlike some ebook sellers. As a reader myself, I often don't have the time to write a full review, or sometimes don't feel comfortable posting a detailed opinion, but would have left a quick rating of the book if that was an option. Obviously, a detailed review is a higher form of feedback, for both author and reader, but numerous ratings combined together can also provide similar credibility for a book - as I mentioned, Painless has accumulated over three thousand ratings (also has many reviews, but much less than 3k), which I believe leads to some readers who don't know me or my books, to take a chance on it. This wouldn't happen at review-only sites.

No surprise, but I've also found my Apple readers to be very tech and Internet savvy. This is very important to the indie writer who makes a living off of social media more so than book signings or traditional marketing campaigns. And while I haven't done a detailed analysis of this, I think the percentage of Apple readers that join my Facebook page or follow me on Twitter is much higher than readers who purchased the book from other sites. This is very important for not only the "spreading the word" aspect, but allows me to communicate new releases, etc. to that reader, which makes long-term  retention more likely.

A lot has happened since I got that first reader response from a reader who read Painless on that new contraption called an iPad almost three years ago, and I think "Breakout Books" is the latest example of the natural evolution of the changing book world, and once again Apple is on the forefront.

Post Summer Mailbag 2012

Hope everyone had a great summer! Spent mine working on getting some new books out. But also have been receiving a lot of great questions from readers - love hearing from you! So doing a mailbag to cover the most common ones. Here it goes:

Do you have any books planned/coming out soon?

I have a book called The Heritage Paper coming out sometime this fall. Some call it "the Nazi book" because it centers around the possible escape of some notorious war criminals previously believed to be dead. Think Painless meets a Dan Brown conspiracy theory book.

On the other end of the spectrum, I just finished a Christmas/Santa themed mystery. I'm hoping to get that one out by, well, Christmas.

I'm an Amazon Prime member - will any of your books be in Amazon Lending Library/KDP Select program?

Their are a lot of advantages of this program for authors, and I would like to give it a try with one of the new books (no plans for the books that are already out to be). But the problem I have (and its really a good problem) is that Amazon requires a 90-day exclusivity to be in the program, and I have too many great readers at Apple, Barnes & Noble and other places to provide exclusivity. For me to do it, I need to find a way to be able to give those readers some type of access. My last book Officer Jones, I offered free copies to my Facebook and Twitter followers, trying to get some "buzz" going before the book came out, and it worked really well. Perhaps I could do something like that to make it work. So not sure at this point.

Why do you sell your ebooks for so cheap?

For anyone who'd like to spend more for the books, I will gladly accept any donations (-: But seriously, I think ebooks in current market should be priced $5 and under. I have sold mine anywhere from free to $6.99, but usually $2.99 is the normal rate. I do think they should cost slightly more, and $4.99 is more in line with what they're worth , but $2.99 seems to be the price that leads to the most volume, and is best for business. But at either of those price points, it's still about the price of buying a coffee and a paper, so I'm glad I can make them affordable for all.

You have put out a lot of books this past year, and I see that some just came out in paperback. Can you give me an update on all the books you have out?

Sure thing:
Painless (ebook, paperback, hardcover)
The Truant Officer (ebook, paperback)
The Trials of Max Q (ebook, paperback)
Officer Jones (ebook)

How do I get a signed book?

Best way is to email me (derekbkclb@yahoo.com), and we can work out best way to get a signed copy to you.

I liked _____ book, will you be bringing those characters back in future books?

I think you will see that, starting next year. Truant Officer, Max Q, and Officer Jones all lend themselves to a "follow-up." I'm not sure Painless would work with another mystery/thriller, but I am working on something that will bring Carolyn, Billy and the crew back in 2013 in some form. So stay tuned.

Is there a place I can go to get updates on the books? You rarely post at this blog.

I know, I know ... the blog seems to have gotten lost this past year. But I update all the important stuff at the Facebook site (Derek Ciccone Book Club) and I'm constantly tweeting at @DCicconeBooks. And if you want to get on my emailing list, just send me an email to derekbkclb@yahoo.com and I'll make sure you get on it.

Trials of Max Q & The Truant Officer now available in paperback

The Trials of Max Q
When the law ends, the pursuit of justice begins! Cooperstown Village is shocked when the local hero Drew Anderson is accused of killing one of the world's most infamous women. One time legal star, Jack Lawson, and his partner, Jessica Shepherdson, end up with the case that everyone wants to “go away,” and some are willing to go to deadly lengths to make sure it does.

The Truant Officer
Darren McLaughlin thinks he's having a nightmare as he watches his wife being abducted. Things turn for the worse when Darren realizes he didn't know his wife as well as he thought. But he stays true to his marriage vows, and knows he must do anything possible to win the race to save her. The question is: will he get there first, or will death do them part?  

Officer Jones

Officer Jones, a mystery/thriller featuring JP Warner is now out as an ebook at Amazon. Apple, Barnes & Noble, and most places where ebooks are sold!

After an assignment goes horribly wrong, JP Warner, the fearless international correspondent of GNZ News decides to return to the idyllic town he grew up in, seeking the simple life. But when he looks into the eyes of local policeman, Officer Kyle Jones, he sees the same look he's seen in the many fanatics he's covered over the years, and realizes that he's covering the biggest story of his life.

Painless Summer Tour 2011

It's snowing today in New England. Although, I can't really complain as it's been as mild as any winter I can remember. But the snow made me think about the warmer weather that is on it's way. It also made me think of  last summer and the "Painless Summer Tour," thanks to the incomparable Shea and Vegas.

BTW - the author didn't get to go on this tour, so the the moral of the story is that it is always better to be the book than the one who wrote it! (-:

If anyone has pics of Painless or any of the books at interesting places - be sure to send them to me and I'll post them. Happy Leap Year.

Join the Derek Ciccone email list

I send out emails only when there is a good reason to - such as new books coming out. I won't bombard you every week asking you to buy my book or that I'm doing a signing somewhere you don't live near (and, of course, I don't sell or provide them to any company, person, or organization). But for many, email is still the preferred and direct way to get information. So all you need to do to get on my email list is send me an email at derekbkclb@yahoo.com and I will make sure you are on the next mailing.

For updates on other events, and other doings with the books, is to follow me at Twitter (@DCicconeBooks) or Facebook (Derek Ciccone Book Club)  

Below is the email sent out to announce the new books


-----Original Message-----


From: derekbkclb@yahoo.com
To: my awesome readers!
Sent: Thurs, Nov 3, 2011 8:02 pm
Subject: New Books by Derek Ciccone...now available as ebooks!

The Truant Officer & The Trials of Max Q

Can be found at Amazon, Apple, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, and most places where ebooks are sold

If the images don't work in this email or you're looking for more detailed information on the books, please click to my blog Derek's Novel Ideas

 
For the "old school" readers like myself, the paperback and hardcover versions will be available soon. I will send an update at that time. I'll also be providing updates on all things Truant Officer and Max Q on Twitter (@DCicconeBooks) and Facebook (Derek Ciccone Book Club), so I hope you'll follow me there.
One final thought:
The reason there is a second (and third) book is the great word of mouth support provided to Painless. Whether it was a review or rating at Amazon, Goodreads, or Apple (At last check, Painless had over 2,700 ratings at Apple!) a post on Facebook or Twitter, telling a friend, getting your bookclub to read it, or forwarding along an email like this. Can't begin to tell you how much that helped, and how much I appreciate the support. Thanks so much!!

And because of that great support, Painless got to go on a great journey that took it everywhere from being the most downloaded Kindle book at AmazonUK for both the "Medical Thriller" and "Political Thriller" categories at the same time (and is still holding its own) to being the "book of the month" at Elliott Books in Austin, Texas. The moral of the story is that you will live a much more interesting and well-traveled life as a book than as an author (-:


Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments

And if you no longer want to receive my book-related updates, just reply to this email and I'll take you off the list

Hope you enjoy the books,

Derek

Mail Bag #4...the new books version

I've received a lot of great questions about the new books the last few days. So I'll try to do my best to answer the most predominant ones here in the mail bag. If I don't answer your question or perhaps sparked another, drop me an email at derekbkclb@yahoo.com and I'll get right back to you.

When will the new books be out?
The ebook versions of The Trials of Max Q and The Truant Officer are ON SALE NOW! at Amazon, Apple, Barnes&Noble, and most places where ebooks are sold.

What are they about? What kind of books are they?
Just like Painless, they are mystery/thriller fiction novels. I posted recent blog entries that goes into much more detail about the books and my thoughts on them, so be sure click the link to check those out. Trials of Max Q. The Truant Officer.

Why are the ebooks first? Will there be a paperback and hardcover version?
The "traditional" book takes a lot longer to produce, due to printing time, etc. Since the ebook version was ready, I didn't see any reason to wait to make it available. But YES, there will be a paperback and hardcover version coming soon. I don't have an exact time frame yet, but I will be sure to update when it gets closer.

Why 2 books?
Just showing off (-: Just kidding. Both books were at a similar stage of finish, so I figured that there is no advantage to one coming out sooner than the other - they are not a series or connected in any way, so it isn't important that they are read in any sequence. I would much prefer someone having the opportunity to read both of them, rather than having one sitting on my computer.

Are they like Painless? Is it the same characters or part of a series?
They are all "stand alone" books, so there is no carryover to Painless - all new people, places, and craziness. And as I mentioned above, none of the books are connected to a series, so read them in any order you wish.. The similarities between the new books and Painless is that they are all mystery/thriller fiction novels in which "seemingly" normal people end up in unimaginable situations. Where they differ is in the topics - Painless centers around a "unique" girl being hunted by a rogue military group, while Max Q is about the murder of an adult-film actress and the subsequent arrest of a local hero. The Truant Officer centers around a couple who find themselves being chased by the Russian mob.

What (is taking) took you so long?
Sigh haha Unfortunately it can be a long process to bring a book from manuscript to finished product, but I think this recent experience with Trials of Max Q and Truant Officer was beneficial for setting up an efficient process for future books, so that they can be made available in a much more expeditious manner. The good news is that I'm not currently working with a traditional publisher, because if that was the case, I'd still be waiting for Painless to be coming out!

Photo source: is from an actual book on mail carriers. who I must commend on getting me my mail the last few days even though the mail box is no longer functional after the storm. If you are into books on mail carriers you can get it here

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?

________________________________________________________________

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.

Read More>>

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.

_____________________________________________________________________________

 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.

Read More>>

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)