Rave Reviews Book Club Wants You – #RRBC

 

As you may know, I am a member of the Rave Reviews Book Club. What you may not know is the reason I joined and what the Club has meant to me. Let me clear these last points up.

I joined Rave Reviews Book Club to become associated with like-minded writers who were interested in promoting each other’s work. At the time, I looked at some organizations and had made the decision not to associate myself with them due to what I considered unusual quid pro quo requirements.

By quid pro quo, I’m referring to the practice of following each other if followed, reviewing each others books if reviewed and other scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours kind of programs. At the time, these practices seemed a little shady to me and so I passed.

Then I had a chance to read a blog by an RRBC member and decided to visit the site. What I found was a whole new kind of club. RRBC is a place where others supported each other with blog tours, twitter messages, and a management team interested in Indie author success. Well, I signed up and let me now quote some statistics.

  1. When I joined RRBC, I had about 600 Twitter followers. Today I have over 5,300 followers. I did not get these followers by an aggressive plan of following and then following back. These followers came to me because they saw I was promoting my fellow authors and would in all probability support them as well. There are over 400 members of RRBC and not all follow me so as you can see these are not just member followers.
  2. When I joined RRBC, my first book My GRL was resting near the bottom of the Amazon ranking pile. Each time the club got behind the book (Book of the Month, Spotlight Author), the rank shot up into the five figures and held there for several days.
  3. When I joined the club, I had twelve reviews for My GRL. Currently, My GRL has forty-four reviews that have come as a result of the publicity. Of the forty-four, nine are by club members. It can be said although all club members don’t review any individual book those that do, add substantially to the information new readers want to know before buying.

So why don’t you go to the Rave Reviews Book Club site and take a look at all the activities? You never know it may be something you want to join. (Full disclosure: I am a member of the Board of Governors, the Tweet Support Team, and host or co-host of four Radio broadcasts. YES I’m biased)

*CHANGES* Episode 47, 1/20/16, with returning guest, John Howell, and host, Sally Ember, Ed.D

 

I am so pleased to be invited back to Sally Ember’s show *CHANGES* and I hope you will tune in.

Join us as *CHANGES* conversations between authors host, author Sally Ember, Ed.D., talks again with +John Howell, mystery/thriller author. Episode 47 is LIVE Wed., 1/20/16, 10 – 11 AM Eastern USA time. And, you can watch it anytime on Google+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/cfuijqdl8qs2s8ipv2lhr3fbrd0 or
YouTube https://goo.gl/M9GpBo

 

About Sally Ember

Sally Ember, Ed.D. has been passionate about writing since she was nine years old. She’s won prizes for her poetry, stories, songs, and plays. She began meditation in her teens. Now, Sally delights fans of paranormal and romance by blurring the lines between fact and fiction in a multiverse of multiple timelines with a unique blend of utopian speculative fiction and Buddhism.

 

 

Her sci-fi/ romance/ speculative fiction/ paranormal/ multiverse/ utopian books for New Adult/adult/YA audiences, “The Spanners Series,” are getting great reviews. The books are available in e-book or paperback editions Vol I, “This Changes Everything,” is now FREE everywhere since Vol II, “This Changes My Family and My Life Forever,” has been released April, 2014. Vol III, “This Is/Is Not the Way I Want Things to Change,“ released 12/8/15, and Vol IV in spring, 2016; Volumes V – X soon after that.

Born Jewish on the cusp of Leo and Virgo, Sally’s life has been infused with change. Currently, she meditates, writes, swims, reads and hosts her Google+ Hangout On Air (HOA) *CHANGES*, LIVE conversations with authors, almost every Wednesday, 10 – 11 AM EST USA, in Missouri.

Archived *CHANGES* shows: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPbfKicwk4dFdeVSAY1tfhtjaEY_clmfq
Learn more about and get yourself scheduled on as a guest: http://sallyember.com/changes-videocasts-by-sally-ember-ed-d/

Sally blogs regularly on wide-ranging topics and includes reviews, interviews, guest blog posts, and excerpts from her ebooks. Visit and comment, follow, “like,” and share! http://www.sallyember.com/blog

In her “other” professional life, Sally has worked as an educator and upper-level, nonprofit manager in colleges, universities and private nonprofits for over thirty-five years in New England (every state), New Mexico and the San Francisco Bay Area before returning to live in St. Louis, MO, in August, 2014. Sally has a BA in Elementary Education, a Master’s (M.Ed.) and a doctorate in education (Ed.D.).

If you would like to appear on her show go HERE for more information.

 

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #60 by Keith Channing #JusJoJan

I guess by now you all know I love writing prompts, and Keith Channing posts a picture once a week on Mondays. You can go here and see the post http://channing.info/wp/2016/01/18/kreative-kue-60/  Here is the photo.

 

The Son of the Sun by John W. Howell © 21016

“Wow, this is cool. playing out in nature.”

“Yeah I really dig it.”

“What’s that tune you’re playing?”

“A little something I made up.”

“I like it. Let me try the keyboard.”

“Oh, that is the way. You play it well.”

“Do you have a name for this song?”

” I call it the son of the sun.”

“Man. That’s a weird name. Why that?”

“Every time I play to a certain point there comes a massive beam of light. One more note and I’m there. Watch. See that?”

“Whoa. That blinded me. This happen every time?”

“Yeah I can’t explain it.”

“I wonder if you could like harness it?”

“The beam of light?”

“Yeah. Maybe you could make some money with it.”

“Aw man. I don’t think so. I wouldn’t want to fool with mother nature.”

“Do you have any more songs?”

“Yup, a few. Here listen.”

“That one is cool. What’s its name?”

“I call it end of the Earth.”

Top Ten Thing Not to Say in the Doctor’s office #JusJoJan

 

The inspiration for this list is many many visits to doctor’s offices. I have six specialists all in charge of a different part of my body and one Primary Care Physician, who is watching the whole thing. I hope you enjoy the list.

Ten Things Not to Say in a Doctor’s office.

10 If you are in a doctor’s office, do not say “What’s up doc?” If you do, at best you’ll get a look. At worst the doctor will decide a digital exam is a must do. (You just had one of these the last time your were here right?)

9 If you are in a doctor’s office, do not say, “I’m not a doctor but play one on TV.” If you do, at best, you’ll get a chuckle. At worst, you will be asked for a diagnosis on yourself. (Who knows if you are right or not)

8 If you are in a doctor’s office, do not say, “Do I get some painkillers?” If you do, at best, the doctor will make sure there are no refills. At worst, you will have to pass scrutiny to ensure you’re not a pill head. (You thought it was an innocent remark right Bucky?)

7 If you are in a doctor’s office, do not say, “Why am I still waiting? My time is valuable.” If you do, at best, you will feel better but will still wait longer. At worst, the minimum wage receptionist will accidentally slip your name down the list until you are first tomorrow. (Looking at your watch sixty times an hour won’t help either)

6 If you are in a doctor’s office, do not say, “I can get this medicine on the internet at half the price.” If you do, at best you will be ignored and will still get the prescription. At worst, you will be invited to buy your drugs on-line and to consult a doctor online as well. (Well. That didn’t work out the way you planned did it, Homer?)

5 If you are in a doctor’s office, do not say, “I have filled out these forms ten times already.” If you do, at best you will get a kindly smile and a request to fill out the form. At worst, you will be branded a trouble maker, and the clerk will make sure you will need to complete the form until your last day on Earth. (Would have been easier to fill out the form one more time and hope for the best.)

4 If you are in a doctor’s office, do not say, “How soon will the doctor be in to see me?” If you do, at best, the answer will be the same as you’ve heard while waiting on the phone for customer service.”The doctor is busy with other patients and will be here shortly.” At worst, the nurse will inform the doctor you are in a rush, and he’ll be in and out of your exam room in twenty seconds. (I hope he is right about the need for a barium enema. Aren’t you?)

3 If you are in a doctor’s office, do not say,” Please file that insurance paperwork for me.” If you do, at best, the reimbursement will be delayed. At worst, the clerk will quit next Wednesday and toss all the incomplete paperwork in the wastebasket. (Well it was only a $125.00 after all)

2 If you are in a doctor’s office, do not say,”This is not how Doctor Smith handled me.” If you do, at best you’ll be informed that Dr. Smith is no longer your doctor and “we” know best. At worst, you will be kindly asked to join Dr. Smith who is currently working with Doctor’s Without Borders in the jungle somewhere.(Dr. Smith wasn’t all that good after all right?)

1 If you are in a doctor’s office, do not say,”I just can’t lose weight no matter what I do.” If you do, at best you will be given an extensive list of things you can eat and asked to fill out a diary for the next month. At worst, the doctor will give you some medicine that makes everything you eat taste like cod liver oil. (Now we both know no such drug exists so tell me why it works)

This post is part of the Just Jot it January happening. Go here to find out what it is about.

http://lindaghill.com/2015/12/31/just-jot-it-january-2016-rules/

jjj-2016

Sunday – Fifty-Two Views of the Gulf

 

 

Today’s photo was taken near the same place as normal. The dune has been substantially altered to accommodate the new crossover so it is hard to judge. In the foreground is a mound of sand which is about six feet tall. As you can see, it is a lovely morning, and that person in the background is jogging. Those little mounds beyond the red stick are gopher mounds. The next photo is taken from the furthermost spot from the Gulf.

 

 

Where you see, the white pipe is where the first walkover was located. That red thing on the left is a front loader. The walkover will take a jog to the left and then come back to the original line. This jog was necessary to not disturb the natural dune. The access to the walkover that will be in the foreground will be one of the last items installed so the workers will be able to maneuver their equipment without tearing up the dune. To give you an idea of size the posts are six by six inches and the tallest 24 feet.

Last week’s photo.

 

This post is part of the Just Jot It January mayhem. If you would like to join follow this link.

http://lindaghill.com/2015/12/31/just-jot-it-january-2016-rules/

 

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “What.”

a new socs-badge-2015

Linda Hill has come up with the prompt “what.” Also, she will give extra credit and a freshly baked cookie (I made that part up) if the story starts with the word “what” and ends with a word beginning with “w.” If you would like to know more and possibly join this fun here is the link:

http://lindaghill.com/2016/01/15/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-jan-1616/

What by John W. Howell © 2016

“What did you say?”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“Yes, you did. I heard you.”

“Okay, if you heard me what did I say.”

“I didn’t hear you exactly. I just heard something like talking.”

“We are having one of our spells are we?”

“Knock it off. I heard you say something.”

“I’m telling you I haven’t opened my mouth for a half hour.”

“Where’d that sandwich go then?”

“I mean to talk, you idiot.”

“I must be reading your mind. That’s the only explanation.”

“Well, that is great. What am I thinking now.”

“You want another sandwich.”

“See you aren’t reading my mind at all. That’s not what I was thinking.”

“So what were you thinking?”

“Admit you can’t read my mind and I’ll tell you.”

“You were thinking that you wish I would go away.”

“Wow. That was exactly what I was thinking. Do it again.”

“Do what?”

“Tell me what I’m thinking right now.”

“You’re wondering if you can get on TV with me and make money on my ability to read minds.”

“No, I was still thinking I wish you would go away.”

“Wonderful.”

 

Friday – JohnKu – AKA – TGIF #JusJoJan

friday.1jpg

 

Well, Friday arrived with the news that three Power Ball tickets have been sold. Unfortunately, none of them were in my area. Not that I care about others winning but it is sure knowledge that I finished out of the money. Of course, I could have just looked at the numbers to understand I will not be loaded with money. It just seems easier to have the information that the winning tickets were sold somewhere else. Also, by not looking at the numbers the idea that there could sill be a million bucks for five matching numbers. I could use a million. It’s not a billion but certainly more than I will earn writing. Which brings us to this week’s JohnKu that talks about being disappointed. I think all of us want to avoid disappointment for as long as we can. I guess I better put on my big boy pants and look at the numbers and face the fact that a million isn’t going to be mine either. Also, maybe next time I should not buy a quick pick. Who’s to say the Powerball machine knows how to avoid quick picks. I’m just saying.

Disappointed by John W. Howell © 2016

There’s a fevered pitch,

Before every big event. . .

Suckered every time.

Thursday – A Little Personal – #RRBC Spotlight Author Tour with J.A.Stinger

Welcome to J.A Stinger. I will be interviewing this amazing author today on Rave Waves Radio “Bring on the Spotlight” at 11:00 AM CST Here is the link to listen.  Now to the tour and more about the author.

Author Pic

Make me feel it

blue emotions

 

In my opinion, there’s nothing better than an intensely powerful, emotional scene in a novel. I love writing a chapter that has left me drained at the end, and left me with a profound feeling so strong that I can only hope that it gives my readers the same.

Now, here’s my caveat… I’ve used it sparingly. I don’t want to take my readers on such an emotional roller-coaster that they can’t wait to get off. But, I don’t want to do it just for the shock value either. I want my readers to be there with my characters to feel the joy, sorrow, pain, and loss. I don’t want them to be so far away that they feel like spectators at the zoo, and not too close that they feel like they are looking over the shoulders with a magnifying glass.

I do put the warning label on the back cover of my books that lets everyone know that the novel ends in a cliffhanger, but I let readers off the hook right away in the first paragraph of the next novel. I had a co-worker send me a text message to let me know she was at an airport and wanted to know when the next book would be out because she needed to know what happened. She was so connected to the characters that she didn’t want to wait. Thankfully, the next book isn’t too far away.

 

J.A. Stinger is the co-author of

Generations Beyond

A military sci-fi with a romantic flair

J.A. started writing seriously after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and craved a creative outlet. She is a wife, mother, and Army veteran. J.A. writes with her husband, P.W.

 

 j.a. stinger generations beyond cover

 

Get Your Copy of Generations Beyond At:

Amazon

Barnes&Noble

Kobo

 ***

Social Media Links:

 

Twitter: @Jenniferstinger

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JAStingerAuthor/

Website: https://jastinger.wordpress.com

 

 

 

10 Statements – John W. Howell

Another honor today is to be part of Karen Oberlaender’s 10 Statements. This is a regular feature of Karen’s and I am honored to participate. Thank you, Karen for presenting my 10 Statements

Karen's avatarMy train of thoughts on...

Photo by Tim Burdick

John’s main interests are reading and writing. He turned to writing as a full-time occupation after an extensive career in business. John writes fictional short stories and novels as well as a daily blog.  His first novel, My GRL is available on Amazon and wherever e-books are sold. His second, His Revenge is just being launched and is available on Amazon and KDP Select.

John lives on a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of South Texas with his wife and spoiled rescue pets. 

Find me…

Facebook  –  https://www.facebook.com/john.howell.98229241
Twitter  – 
https://www.twitter.com/HowellWave
Authors db  – 
http://www.authorsdb.com/authors-directory/6604-john-w-howell
LinkedIn  – 
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/john-w-howell/48/b59/462/
Google +  – 
https://plus.google.com/+JohnHowellAuthor/
Goodreads  – 
https://www.goodreads.com/johnwhowell/
Shelfari  – 
http://www.shelfari.com/johnwhowell
Amazon Author’s page  – 
https://www.amazon.com/author/johnwhowell
Martin Sisters Publishing  – 
Http://www.martinsisterspublishing.com

My personal motto:

“This life is the only shot you have so don’t mess it up.”

10 statements
  1. A typical work day begins with… a quick review…

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Lisa the robot interviews John W. Howell

I had the distinct pleasure of being interviewed by Lisa Burton, special assistant to C.S. Boyack Author of Will O’ The Wisp, The Experimental Notebook, Cock of the South, Panama, Wild Concept and Arson. Visit his site and check out the wonderful book there.

coldhandboyack's avatarEntertaining Stories

“Hey, Lisa. I need you to do something for me.”

“Sure thing, what’s up.”

“I’m really busy today, and I need you to interview an author for me.”

“Wait a minute. Personal assistant, robot girl, spokesmodel. That’s my entire job description. Where does it say conduct interviews?”

“Well – You’d be assisting me, so it’s part of the assistant job.”

“Fine. Who is it?”

“You remember John W. Howell don’t you.”

“He was at the block party, back in September.”

“Yeah, he’s a great guy.”

“He wore a lampshade and kept asking me to turn him on.”

“I think you’re reading too much into it. Ask him about his new book. People love you, all you have to do is talk and make notes.”

“Fine.”

ooooo00ooooo

I took the formerly haunted biplane to Port Aransas, Texas. I touched up my hair and makeup at the airport, and changed into my…

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