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
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Join the Derek Ciccone email list
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
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.
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
Saturday, October 29, 2011
The Truant Officer...Now Available!
The Truant Officer
To have and to hold from this day forward...
In sickness and in health...
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.
Friday, October 28, 2011
The Trials of Max Q...Now Available!
The Trials of Max Q
When the law ends, the pursuit of justice begins!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
In remembrance of a really crappy day that took place 10 yrs ago
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.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
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!”
Friday, July 8, 2011
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.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Deleted Chapters #2 (Coach)
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.
Friday, June 24, 2011
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"
__________________________________________________________________________
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
Friday, May 27, 2011
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!
Friday, April 22, 2011
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)
Monday, February 21, 2011
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!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
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!!
Friday, December 24, 2010
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)
Thursday, November 25, 2010
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!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
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)
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
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!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
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.
Friday, August 27, 2010
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!
Monday, August 16, 2010
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.
Monday, July 19, 2010
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)
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
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.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
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)
- Through my Web site: http://www.derekciccone.com/
- Official Painless Page
- Dog Ear Publishing (paperback)
- 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
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
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.
Libraries
Book Communities
And lastly, in honor of World Cup - International
- UK: Book Depository, AbeBooks, AmazonUK
- Japan: Amazon Japan
- France: Amazon France
- Germany: Amazon Germany
- India: Infibeam (free shipping in India!), Flipkart
- Italy: Bol.it
Friday, May 28, 2010
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!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
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.
Friday, April 30, 2010
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.
Monday, April 12, 2010
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.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
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
Sunday, March 21, 2010
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.
Apple IPad Promotion
Preview
