Author: John W. Howell

I have been working in business for over forty years and now have the time to work in special areas of interest. My passion has always been to create compelling stories of fiction. I have authored six novels and am working on my Seventh. The first novel is still in manuscript form and being utilized as a door stop in the laundry room. The second is a contemporary fiction novel of 89,000 words and is complete and I am currently seeking a publisher. I also write poetry but have not had the guts to share any with anyone. The one time I read a piece to a person their only comment was, “it doesn’t rhyme.” I will continue to write and hopefully my blog, Fiction Favorites at www.johnwhowell.com will provide some entertainment and an interesting thought or two. I live in the Austin area with my wife Molly and an assortment of loving pets.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 53 Comments

Funny Friday

 

This week was interesting. I finished up the final edit on My GRL. Now on to formatting (yay). The formatting should be complete by this time next week. I had a super promotion on Our Justice. I ran two separate media events. The EReader News Today event was far and away the most successful. The BookGoodies event produced a few sales, but the ENT success was in the scale of ten to one sales over BookGoodies. I purposely left the price of Our Justice at $0.99 for both events so I could get an accurate comparison. The cost of the events was $40 for ENT and $25.00 for BookGoodies. Regarding efficiency, there is no question ENT is the most efficient. I will say BookGoodies did produce a bump in sales which other programs have not. I’m still in the dark about what works. I will keep trying, though. Today’s JohnKu talks about trying different things until you find the best solution. Have a great weekend.

Try by John W. Howell © 2017

Many options there,

Pick this one now then that one. . .

One will work someday.

Get in the Jeep and Pass Out Some Flyers: Help Promote Chasing Bedlam

~ John W. Howell ~ 10 Comments

Charles Yallowitz is gearing up for another Bedlam release. If you haven’t read Crossing Bedlam you still have a couple of weeks before Chasing Bedlam comes out. The story is of the Shattered States of America and two people trying to survive. It has humor, action, and a Jeep. Not to be missed

Charles Yallowitz's avatarLegends of Windemere

Chasing Bedlam Cover Teaser Chasing Bedlam Cover Teaser

Coming in February!
‘Chasing Bedlam’ needs a hand!

So I made a call for help over the weekend, but I figured I’ll make a pure one as well.  I’m looking at the second weekend in February, which means I’m doing a little hype work right now.  Be nice to get a few sales on the first book, but I’m not sure how to do that.  It’s been dormant for a while, which has me worried.

I’m thinking of making the sequel 99 cents like the first since the series hasn’t taken off like Legends of Windemere.  At least for a few months.  It might be that a new Bedlam book is 99 cents until the next one comes out.  We’ll see what happens.

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FREE continuing promotion right under your nose …

~ John W. Howell ~ 10 Comments

Excellent advice from one of the best author promoters. Repost past promotions. What a great idea.

islandeditions's avatarBooks: Publishing, Reading, Writing

READERS will also find this interesting (and they can *see below how they may help), but …

This post is mainly for all you angst-ridden authors out there who moan and groan about how little promotion and publicity you receive for the books you publish. Yes, it’s true, there are definitely fewer outlets reviewing books or interviewing authors. So what are we supposed to do to get the word out and attract new readers to our work?

I have a cunning plan!

When I ePublished my first novel, I received “some” attention (i.e. Not a lot …) for my efforts, but I carried on regardless and continued to promote other authors, as well as my own books, through my business Alberta Books Canada. Then I moved back to the Caribbean and become much more involved in the online writing community, especially with regards to indie authors around the world who…

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Wednesday Story Day – AKA Hump Day

~ John W. Howell ~ 49 Comments

Hump Day

 

It is Wednesday Story day again. Last week we left Alice being warned about having underaged sex with Lucas by Seth Gibson the Sheriff. There seems to be some history between Alice and Seth. If I didn’t know better, I would say they ex-lovers. Anyway, it looks like the sheriff still carries a torch for Alice. I don’t know of another explanation for his rudeness. I figure by now Lucas is finished cleaning his brushes and ready to go with Alice to her place. Let’s go there and find out.
“Okay, Ma— I mean Alice. I’m ready to go.”
“Before we go, Lucas, I need to ask you a question.”
“Sure what is it.”
“How old are you.”
“Now that’s a funny question. What did the sheriff say to you?”
“He read me the riot act about underage sex.”
“What about it?”
“I guess he thinks you are younger than eighteen and he said he would be watching me.”
“My goodness. Is he one of your boyfriends?”
“What makes you ask that?”
“I think he wants to keep you for himself.”
“Naw. He is not a boyfriend. We do have history but not like that.”
“What kind of history?”
“Oh, you don’t need to bother that pretty little head with Seth Gibson nonsense. Maybe some other time I’ll tell you. So how old are you?’
“He must have really got to you. What if I said I was seventeen?”
“That would make me pause to think about what Seth said.”
“Okay, I’m not seventeen. In fact, I’m twenty. Does that make you feel better?”
“Now that you mention it, Lucas, there isn’t much difference between seventeen and twenty is there?”
“What do you mean?”
“Let’s just say I’ve had a bit of a cold shower and need a rain check on a visit to your place.”
“Aw Alice. Don’t let that old coot play with your mind.”
“That’s just it, Lucas.”
“What?”
“Seth and I went to high school together. We’re the same age. I’m going to do some errands. I’ll see you later.”
“Promise?”
“See you later, Lucas.”

Tuesday Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #106

~ John W. Howell ~ 51 Comments

Kreative Kue with Keith Channing is back. Here is Keith’s explanation of what is going on. “Using this photo (Below)as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; and either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithkreates@channing.fr before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here – pingbacks don’t often work.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries, with links to your own blog or web site, next Monday.”

Here is the photo.

Kreative Kue #106

My House by John W. Howell © 2017

“So how far is your place?”

“It is just over that next rise.”

“It seems like we have been walking for hours.”

“Yeah. Sorry about the car. I don’t know what’s wrong with it, but it just quits like that sometimes.”

“No real harm. it’s a beautiful day, and I can always use the exercise.”

“You are a great sport. You know that?”

“Well, it isn’t like you caused the car to stop.”

“No. It does make me believe I should think about buying another, though.”

“It is such a beautiful car. What year is it?”

“A classic 1932 Rolls.”

“Oh, I know the brand. I just love the older styles.”

“Except when they stop dead in the road.”

“Well, I’m sure your mechanic can fix it.”

“How did you know I had a mechanic.”

“Oh, my. Now I’m embarrassed.”

“Tell me why?”

“Well, when you asked me out I did a little checking, and I assume you have a mechanic.”

Ah ha. And what did you find in this checking?”

“That you are a descendant of the royal family and are an Earl.”

“Oh dear. I hope you won’t hold that against me.”

“On the contrary, I think it is quite attractive.”

“Anything else?”

“You live in a castle that was built in the fourteenth century, and you have acres and acres of land.”

“I must say it is all true. How does that make you feel.”

“As if you are a handsome prince and I am Snow White.”

“Ha ha ha. I like that. Well, here we are. You can see our place in two more steps.”

“Uh. That pile of rocks is your place?”

“Why yes. Yes, it is.”

“You live there?”

“Most of the time except when it gets cold. There is no heat.”

“Where do you go when there is no heat?”

“The YMCA mostly. Sometimes I stay in my car. Want to take a closer look?”

“How far is it to town again?”

 

Top Ten Things Not to Do at a Wine Tasting

~ John W. Howell ~ 76 Comments

Wine Tasting

 

The inspiration for this list is attendance at some wine tasting events in my time. My wife worked as a marketing person for a winery in Northern California and was required to taste wine every week. Of course, she was a professional and would take delight in witnessing some of the events listed. Since I was well schooled by her, I never made these faux pas. (I would have died on the spot if I had.) I hope you enjoy it.

10 If you are attending a wine tasting, do not insist on special glasses to claim to have a full tasting experience. If you do, at best the rest of the gathering will take you for an idiot. At worst, the host will produce special glasses, and then you will be on the spot to render an erudite opinion. (Up to tonight your experience has been Boon’s Farm Apple Red right, Buford?)

9 If you are attending a wine tasting, do not throw back the wine as if it is a shot of tequila. If you do, at best your drink preference and sophistication will show through. At worst, you will find yourself all alone as the discussion turns to the merits of the wine. (No one cares what you think about wine and probably think your chewing tobacco will get in the way of an honest opinion anyway, Tex.)

8 If you are attending a wine tasting, don’t forget the crackers are to cleanse the palette, not a meal. If you do, at best the host will move them away from you. At worst, you might be subtly offered a place in the kitchen where the host promises a bucket of fried chicken and a six-pack of Keystone Light. (You think that offer might be not so bad until you see the look on your spouse’s face huh, Bunky?)

7 If you are attending a wine tasting, do not start describing the various flavors of the wine unless you know what you are talking about. If you do, at best you will get polite nods at your incredible ignorance. At worst someone will ask the host to send you to the store for more crackers. (You will find out coal oil is not a legitimate taste on the flavor wheel, Buster.)

6 If you are attending a wine tasting, do not try to sneak Two- Buck Chuck in a brown bag into the line-up.If you do, at best the host security system video will show your placement of the bottle. At worst, one of the wine snobs will involuntarily spew the wine on Tiny the WWF champ.(Right now Tiny is going from guest to guest demanding to know who brought the wine. You have always been a bad liar, and your turn is next right, Weenie?)

5 If you are attending a wine tasting, do not forget you are not supposed to swallow the wine. If you do, at best you will need a ride home. At worst, you will decide to inform all the guests just what you think of each personally identifying what you consider a flaw in their personality needing correction. (The next morning is going to be a beauty especially when you learn what you called your boss.)

4 If you are attending a wine tasting, it is best not to wear a white shirt. If you forget, at best you are very careful and escape embarrassment. At worst, someone asks a question and surprises you just as you raise the glass to your lips. (Maybe that shirt will make a nice car wax rag or a tie-dye coverup.)

3 If you are attending a wine tasting, do not over swirl your wine. If you do at best, your glass will be big enough to keep the wine under control. At worst, your red wine swirl will go outside the glass, and land on the white linen couch which the host just explained was made to order and arrived this afternoon. (Make no mistake you are now the proud owner of a stained couch, Cowboy.)

2 If you are attending a wine tasting, do not ask for ice for your wine. If you do, at best your host will take your wine. At worst your host will ask you to go to the convenience store to pick up a twenty-pound bag. (It is hoped that the tasting is over before you can return, Slick.)

1 If you are attending a wine tasting, try not to argue with experts about the quality of a particular wine. If you do, at best even if you are right you will look particularly brutish. At worst, one of the experts just got his graduation certificate from the anger management course mandated by the courts after being arrested for assaulting a wine steward at a restaurant for disagreeing with him on wine quality. (Looks like a knuckle sandwich is on the menu, Pal.)

Views of the Neighborhood

~ John W. Howell ~ 62 Comments

This week I thought it would be interesting to give you an idea of the kinds of houses we have in Port Aransas. I ran out yesterday and took some shots of the various architecture types that one would find here.

The first was taken in what is referred to as “old town,” which is the original settlement.

Port A Houses

As you can see plenty of wires. House up off the ground. Pretty typical. You will also find some unique houses. Here is one.

P.A. Houses

You can also see some houses that have shack-like quality

P.A. Houses

Notice the boat is bigger than the house. This next one is very unusual. I swear I could hear a wolf call when I stepped out of the car.P.A.Houses

Moving away from old town but still near the water, the houses take on a distinct “stilt” flavor. This was the type of construction recognizing the effects of hurricane sea surge. The idea is to let the water run under the house.

P.A. Houses

Notice the Santa still there. The next is an example of the style of home built away from the water and in more like a subdivision.

P.A. Homes

This one could be in any city in America. The next is a home right on the beach. This one was built in the seventies, and very few homes are being constructed on the beach anymore.

P.A.Houses

The newer homes in Port Aransas take on a more palatial tone.P.A Houses

Yes, this is one house. The new architecture is more creative and reflects the southern tropical tradition. Here is a shot of a street in a new development.

P.A. Houses

Here is an older development but you can see the same influence

P.A.Houses

I hope you enjoyed the little tour. Last week I ran a poll to see which of five photos should be placed in the header. The winner with over 44% of the vote is candidate number three, the thunderstorm in the Gulf. It is now the header till spring. Here it is again

 

.

Header Picture

Thank you all for voting.

 

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “P”

~ John W. Howell ~ 44 Comments

SOCS

Just Jot it January

Partaking in more of the good stuff it is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. This week’s prompt is the letter “p.” Here is what the dungeon master Linda Hill has ordered. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday and Just Jot It January is: A word that starts with “P.” Find a word that begins with the letter “p,” and make it the theme of your post. Bonus points for starting and ending your post with a “p” word. Enjoy!”

There you have it, and now you have the reason I started this post with the word “partaking.” If you would like to jump in and do this as well, go to Linda’s post right here and read about it.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS and #JusJoJan Jan. 14/17

“P” by John W. Howell © 2017

“Percy.”

“Pray What?”

“Please, I need you to come into the bathroom.”

“Perfect. I’m here. Okay dear, what is it?”

“Plumbing.”

“Plumbing?”

“Plumbing is making noise. You hear that?”

“Pings? Yes, I do.”

“Persistent aren’t they? Are they getting worse?”

“Possibly. We will have to do some tests.”

“Playful tests or something serious?”

“Pressure tests.”

“Puzzler. What is entailed?”

“Put a strain on the pipes and see if there is an object in there.”

“Perhaps the pipes will break.”

“Pitiful outcome, but at least we will get rid of the noise.”

“Prickly way to a solution.”

“Pricey risk if there is a break. Water everywhere.”

“Percy?”

“Penelope?”

“Perchance it would be more advantageous to ignore the problem.”

 

Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 56 Comments

Funny Friday

Happy Friday the thirteenth. Well, here we are, almost finished with the first full week in a while. Seemed like a long one for sure. I hope you can make it the last eight hours or so. The weekend is right around the corner. One of my friends refers to Friday as Saturday Eve. I suppose that is a good way to look at it.

This week had its events. I received My GRL back from the editor with the final proof. I will be spending a little while doing the formats and then reporting to the cover artist the number of pages, the price, and providing the back cover endorsement. My publisher wants me to remind them when I’m going to launch the new edition of My GRL. I still plan on March 1st. I guess I will send them a note when I get closer.

I will be pricing My GRL at $2.99 for Kindle and $14.95 for the paper edition. That will be $3.00 off the current price off the Kindle and $2.00 off the paper.

I also kicked off a price discount for Our Justice. Today EReader News Today is featuring Our Justice at $0.99. You can go there or to Amazon.  Today’s John Ku talks about writing and promotion. I hope you like it.

Writing by John W. Howell © 2017

Scribble long hours,

Craft the best book you can do. . .

Sell it like tooth paste.