Random House is going all-out promoting THE HEIST, the novel I wrote with Janet Evanovich. They’ve produced three trailers and a slick national TV commercial for the June 18th roll-out. I’ve never had that kind of promotional support before and it’s very exciting. I think they’ve done a good job selling the “franchise” and tone of the book in just a few seconds. I’ll have the commercial and trailers posted on the site soon…but in the mean time, here are links to them on YouTube. Let me know what you think!
Author Stant Litore is warning horror writers to be wary of publisher/editor Anthony Giangregorio and his much-maligned Open Casket Press. Litore alleges that Griangregorio goes far beyond traditional book editing, massively rewriting manuscripts and then publishing the altered works without the consent of the authors. Griangregorio has been known to change the gender of characters and add rape scenes. This outrageously over-the-top editing and rewriting amounts to what Litore calls “a crime against intellectual property.” I don’t know if I’d go that far, but it’s certainly unprofessional, unethical and inept. Another blogger, Cussedness Corner, warns authors away from Giangregorio as well by offering a horrifying, line-by-line analysis of Open Casket’s terrible author contract.
Janet Evanovich and I will be going on a book tour on June 18, starting with some media interviews in NY and then hitting Westlake, Ohio with our first booksigning that night. We’ll be in Dallas on June 19, Houston the next day, then finishing up in Atlanta on June 21st. The complete schedule is below.
But if you can’t see us in one of those cities, don’t despair…signed copies of THE HEIST will be available at some select retailers. I’ll let you know as soon as I have a list.
Westlake Ohio, June 18
Barnes & Noble – 6 PM
Signing with Janet & Lee
198 Crocker Park Blvd.
Westlake, OH
Dallas, Texas – June 19
Barnes & Noble – 6 PM
Signing with Janet & Lee
7700 West Northwest Hwy., Ste. 300
Dallas, TX
Houston, Texas – June 20
*TICKETS REQUIRED* Murder by the Book presents a Q&A with Janet and Lee – 7 PM
The Renaissance Houston
Greenway Plaza Hotel
6 Greenway Plaza East
Houston, TX
Event is in the Greenway Ballroom
*Murder by the Book really wanted to have a special evening for their customers. The $35 ticket includes a seat for the Q&A, a pre-signed copy of The Heist and hotel parking.
Companion seat tickets are $8 (if a companion comes separate from the main ticket holder, please see a Murder by the Book employee to have parking validated.) Murder by the Book will have books for sale at the event, but you are welcome to bring books from home to be signed.
Purchase tickets in-person, starting on May 9, at…
* Murder by the Book, 2342 Bissonnet Street
* Over the phone (713-524-8597)
* Online at murderbooks.com.
Atlanta, Georgia – June 21
Barnes & Noble – 6 PM
Signing with Janet & Lee
1217 Caroline St. at Moreland Ave.
Atlanta, GA
I got this email from a passionate fan in the UK of the TV show PRISON BREAK…
I am just writing to ask you about some information that i require about writing a TV Show.
So, you must of heard of the hit TV Show called Prison Break right? Due to the high demand of many viewers who have been
dedicating their time on creating fan sites and Facebook pages to get themselves heard about a brand new Prison Break.
Well, taking this into account i decided to start writing a Bible on Prison Break 2. A sequel to the previous US TV Show. However,
I do not have any information on whether or not i will have to contact the creator (Paul T Scheuring) in order to be able to go forward with this.
I am really in need of some help as i have dedicated nearly a month of my life into creating an idea and being able to present it well.
In my opinion, as well as other feedback I have received from fans, tells me that the Prison Break 2 will go on to be a success.
I am waiting in anticipation for your reply.
Thank You Very Much.
I get emails like this a lot. It’s great that a TV show has sparked your creativity, but I’m afraid you’ve wasted a month of your life and your creative efforts.
To mount a new series of PRISON BREAK, you would not only need the permission of the show’s creator, but more importantly the studio that produced the show and owns the rights. On top of that, nobody is going to be interested in an idea for a new PRISON BREAK series from someone who has no connection to the show and is not an experienced TV writer or producer.
Working on new material for TV programs that are off the air, and that you did not create and do not own, is a complete waste of your time. You are much better off coming up with something entirely original and devoting your energies to that.
The International Association of Media Tie-In Writers is pleased to announce the nominees for the 2013 Scribe Awards for excellence in media tie-in writing. The winner will be announced at a ceremony at Comic-Con in July.
ORIGINAL NOVEL NOMINEES Star Trek Rings of Time Greg Cox Star Trek The Persistence of Memory David Mack Pathfinder City of the Fallen Sky Tim Pratt Dungeons and Dragons Online Skein of Shadow Marsheila Rockwell Darksiders The Abomination Vault Ari Marmell Mike Hammer Lady, Go Die! Mikey Spillane/Max Collins Tannhäuser Rising Sun, Falling Shadows Robert Jeschonek
ADAPTED NOVEL NOMINEES Batman The Dark Knight Rises Stacia Deutsch Clockwork Angels Kevin Anderson Batman The Dark Knight Rises Greg Cox Poptropica Astroknights Island Tracey West
AUDIO NOMINEES Dark Shadows The Eternal Actress Nev Fountain Dark Shadows Dress Me in Dark Dreams Marty Ross Doctor Who Companion Chronicles Project Nirvana Cavan Scott
If you’re hiring a publicist, it’s a good idea to find one who can write a coherent press release that reflects well on you and your product. Otherwise, the message you are sending is that you either don’t possess basic English writing skills or that you don’t value your product enough to care about how it is presented. Take this recent pitch from publicist Nancy Parker for example:
After we wrote an article on the blog we try to find sites that might be interested in hearing about the article to see if they would be willing to share it with their followers. Accordingly, we recently wrote an article called XYZ located here: XYZ. It would be great if you could share this with others if you feel that it would be of interest to them especially those that follow your site.
Here is Nancy’s bio:
Nancy Parker, regularly writes for XYZ. She is a graduate in English literature and currently pursuing her masters in Online Journalism.
You’d think that someone who studied English literature and is pursuing a masters in Journalism would not only know how to write a sentence, but also how to compose a compelling hook for a press release. This is an embarrassment. And, by extension, it makes the clients, a website for hiring nannies, look like idiots, too.
I got an email from the maker of nutritional supplements urging me to take a stand against “sock puppet” fake reviews. How? By reviewing his product. Not only will I be striking a blow against fake reviews but, as an added incentive, he says it will also boost my own “helpful” review stats.
Help me stop these fake “sock puppet” Amazon reviews.
I found your Amazon Review profile and wanted to see if you would like to review a nutritional supplement with “excessive” buzz?
XYZ was recently featured on the Dr Oz show and instantly became the world’s #1 selling nutritional supplement. I’m not kidding, this product beat the top selling Multivitamin in Sales Rank!
Right now we are competing with some other companies to be the product with the most reviews on Amazon for “XYZ”.
I’m pretty sure the two biggest reviewed competitors above us are using fake reviews to get to the top sales ranks. After looking through their reviews, it’s pretty obvious that some of the “customers” are not real people.
Just shill accounts with hilarious reviews:
“This product is puppy dogs and rainbows. I lost 100 pounds, it cured my cancer, and it made me a millionaire in 5 seconds! Buy it!”
We’ve decided under no circumstances to use fake reviews, but we still want to beat these guys!
Right now we have 49 reviews and 4.5 stars, all from real customers.
The top seller has 302 reviews, a bunch of which are fake.
We can beat them the old fashioned way. With real reviews!
I’d like to send you a free bottle of our product XYZ in exchange for an honest review. I’m not asking for a 5 star review. You can give it 1 star and I’ll be happy.
Since this is one of the hottest selling products on Amazon, you have the opportunity to rack up a ton of helpful votes and views for your review.
I don’t see how helping him rack up reviews for his product will strike a blow against sock-puppetry or help him battle the unfair tactics of his competitors (especially since he claims his pills are already “one of the hottest selling” products on Amazon). He may not to be asking for fake praise, but his solicitation is still uniquely idiotic and sleazy.
I would like to introduce you to Fembodyverse: An Inner-Stellar Adventure into Womanhood. Seventeen-year-old Estelle has one wish—to feel like a woman. She believes by losing her virginity she will receive this magical feeling. Not only does this modern induction fool her, but an inner voice beckons her to a more ingenuous initiation. With a trusted guide, Estelle begins her inner-stellar adventure into womanhood, traveling through her body’s vast and starry dimensions. There, she cavorts with creatures, unravels mysteries, and meets unforgettable friends as she unlocks her embodied wisdom. Back and forth from the internal world and the external world she travels, her family and friends think she’s lost her mind as Estelle courageously claims her majestic value from the inside out. Fembodyverse chronicles the adventures of a new archetype and superheroine of our time; Estelle is here to infuse our world with inside-out value for women and girls everywhere.
I don’t know about you, but I’m afraid to ask what it means to “infuse our world with inside-out value for women” by “cavorting with creatures” and exploring your “body’s vast and starring dimensions.” But I do like that last phrase. I am no longer on a diet to lose weight. I am dieting to control my body’s “vast and starry dimensions.”
I made two slabs of hickory-smoked, Santa Maria spare ribs on Sunday that were absolutely incredible. Marinated them in Santa Maria rub overnight, let them sit out for an hour or so at room temp, then smoked them for three hours in a Smokin-It Model One with two hickory pieces in the smoke box. After they were done, we let them sit for 20 minutse under tin foil then dug in. They were perfect! I may never go out to a BBQ joint in LA again. I know this sounds like an advertisement/plug, but it’s not. It’s a genuine rave. My wife got me the smoker for my birthday and I’ve fallen in love with it. I’ve been smoking everythng but my Atkins bars!
I’ve been munching on the left-over ribs today as I toil on book #2 in th new series I’m writing with Janet Evanovich. Just finished proofing the galleys for THE HEIST, book #1 in the series, so now it feels real to me.
I have been flooded with emails from readers of MR. MONK GETS EVEN, my 15th and final MONK book. The reaction has been so heartfelt, and so positive, that it almost makes me feel guilty for walking away from the series…though I know it's in very good hands now with my friend Hy Conrad picking up where I left off.
Here's just a sampling of some of the many, many emails I've received and the very nice things readers have been saying:
I’m about to start reading your last Monk novel, and I’m going to read very slowly because I don’t want it to be over. Thank you for giving me so much reading enjoyment, including many laugh-out-loud moments.– Jan Roan
Why do all good things have to come to an end? Your Monk series is absolutely delightful. I got excited every time a new book came out. Thank you for what you've given to die hard Monk fans. It really meant alot. – Classiceman
ANOTHER BRILLIANT book!!!! And was so sad and shocked to read that this is your last Monk book. It was like a Monk Major Life event when I read that news. Anyway, thank-you for the many many years of great enjoyable reading. –Steve H. Karsten
As I read the last few MONK books, I realized you might be finishing the series. I am so disappointed! The enjoyment of visiting all the MONK characters is a treat, your style is easy to read, and a perfect way to relax. The humor is amazing, and I suppose I will now be reduced to re-reading these novels again and again. — Amy Tomlin
Thanks for all of the Monk books. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to Mr. Monk when the show ended! Loved the way you wrapped it all up. –Joelle Peterson
Thank you for 15 great Monk novels and innumerable hours of enjoyment. I am sorry to read number fifteen will be your last. Other than having great characters and a great mystery, the books were an outlet for me in my struggle against depression. Seriously. Whether I couldn't concentrate long enough or hold interest in other writers, I never missed a Monk book. Humor, mystery, and clean, I will miss them. Time to start the rereads, I guess. God's blessings to you, Mr. Goldberg. Not meaning to be maudlin, but you provided some light, enjoyable moments for me during dark times. Thank you–Jeff
I started Mr. Monk Gets Even yesterday and finished reading it today. Well done. It feels as if at the age of '56' I am laying down a down a good friend who I am going to miss. I periodically will continue to go back and read "Monk" and listen to all the audiobooks I have of each one, probably as long as I live. I fully understand your reasoning and 'why', but I just wanted to tell you that your writings will be GREATLY missed. I would be remiss if I had failed to let you know. . Thank you again for your contributions not only to the writing field, but also for the hours of enjoyment you have brought to this life. — Greg Souder
Hey Lee, just finished your final book sharing Monk's and Natalie's adventures. Thanks for an amazing ride – you'll definitely be missed!— Debbie Laskey
Just finished Mr. Monk Gets Even – an awesome ending to a fantastic series! Sad it's over but couldn't put it down. – J. Wilson
Thank you for writing the Monk books! I had never before gotten into a series of books that were based on a tv show. Once I picked up the first one though, I was hooked! I enjoy the books every bit as much as the show, if not more! — Celest Elmer
I really enjoyed your books and one of the things I liked best about your writing is that you've given Natalie a snarkiness that was just somewhat implied in the TV show. I like snarky Natalie […] I read that you are 'retiring' from the novel series but I thought I'd just write and express my appreciation for the fine work you've done with the Mr Monk novels.
–Danny Chen
There are fun benefits to having seen all the Monk episodes and reading all the Monk books. I just read Mr. Monk Gets Even and really enjoyed the references to past works and shows. And the nod to Diagnosis Murder! Thanks, Lee, for the great journey with you and Mr. Monk!!
— Ruth Fisher Stoddard
Haven't been this excited since Deathly Hallows. Thanks for an awesome run Lee. I sure do love this series. — Kelly Choma
I finishedMr. Monk Gets Even today… it was absolutely lovely!! I've thoroughly enjoyed each one in your series – and this one absolutely glows! I appreciate how the characters have continued to grow throughout the series, including Mr. Monk – whether he likes it or not. You've taken such incredibly good care of each one of them. And though I wouldn't have believed I would, I even enjoy the new regular characters. It all just works beautifully! Honestly, before this, I've always scoffed at the idea of book series based on TV shows, but Mr. Monk's absence from TV drove me to give them a chance. Well – you've completely won me over! I've become as big a fan of the Mr. Monk books, as I am the show. Thanks for such a wonderful series – and for keeping Mr. Monk going strong!! – Heather Sikora James
Random House is going all-out promoting THE HEIST, the novel I wrote with Janet Evanovich. They’ve produced three trailers and a slick national TV commercial for the June 18th roll-out. I’ve never had that kind of promotional support before and it’s very exciting. I think they’ve done a good job selling the “franchise” and tone of the book in just a few seconds. I’ll have the commercial and trailers posted on the site soon…but in the mean time, here are links to them on YouTube. Let me know what you think!
