Category: Uncategorized

TGIF is as TGIF Does – A HAIKU

~ John W. Howell ~ 19 Comments

 

As you know last week brought my book launch and a call for volunteers. I am very happy to report the volunteer docket is filled. I have thirty really nice people who are kind enough to help me out. (I know. . . which way did you come in? *drum bump-de-bump and symbol crash*) I am going to officially close the request, but if you really want to sign-up you can still do it at johnhowell.wave@gmail.com. I want to thank all of you who signed up to help with the launch of My GRL. I think we are going to have some fun. As a reminder the tour starts on Sunday January 19th and runs until February 1. For all the volunteers, look for the material on the 16th or it really could be a little before. The e-book go live confirmation will govern the material.

Since it is Friday, I think a Haiku is in order to more or less move us into the weekend.  This is a Haiku I composed while waiting for my e-book to go live which seems to be my sole focus these days. The print version has been available since January 2 and the e-version is in some kind of holding pattern. Like a new father waiting in the hall for the birth of a child I pace the floor like a wounded animal checking and re checking the Amazon site for signs of my e-book’s birth. So here it goes:

Launch by John W. Howell

Launch child of paper,

Come on out digital kid…

I need to meet you.

Five Star Review is as Five Star Review Does

~ John W. Howell ~ 47 Comments

my grl

I am so excited. I am not sure how to describe the feeling when you look in your mailbox or on-line and get the notice that your book has been reviewed and the review is posted. The first thought is, they found me out. Fraud is as fraud does, Sir. Then as you open the e-mail and actually look on the Amazon site and see five golden stars blazing off the page, it finally  sinks in. Someone likes my book. It doesn’t matter that a lot like it right now, it is one person out there who has validated the months of lonely work, weeks of excruciating editing and overcoming the fact your whole creative soul is laid bare for all to see. (sort of like the naked in church dream)

I have two five star reviews posted yesterday. One by Readers’ Favorite saying:

“My GRL by John W. Howell is fast-paced thriller that shows how your life can be turned upside down in the blink of an eye. . . It is a well-written story that kept me glued, page after page.” Readers’ Favorite Five Stars – Reviewed by Faridah Nassozi 5star-shiny-web

 

 

The other on Amazon:

“My GRL is a book that has everything: it’s a contemporary story with major twists, tension, thrills, and some tender character development.  It’s a fast read and great entertainment and I give it five stars.” Bethany Drew on Amazon.

star-goldstar-goldstar-goldstar-goldstar-gold

Humble is as Humble Does

Paperbook Collective is as the Paperbook Collective Does

~ John W. Howell ~ 6 Comments

 Issue 7

The Paperbook collective Issue number six is hot off the press.

The nice part about issue six is a couple of my cohorts have some interesting pieces in it. Marie Ann Bailey and Pam Beckford have each contributed to this issue. Their work can be found inside:

Marie Ann Bailey’s story What Lies Underneath begins on Page 17

Pam Beckford’s poem I Saw You yesterday begins on Page 32

Jayde-Ashe has done her usual fine job of editing and we all appreciate her dedication to the Paperback Collective.

Oh yes, I have a story in here as well, of The Day After New Year’ Day starting on Page 5.

Here are the links should you want to visit. I’m sure you will enjoy Pam, Marie and all the other fine artists.

PDF ~

The Paperbook Collective Issue Six 2014

ISSUU ~

The Paperbook Collective Issue Six 2014

Jayde-Ashe has a message for all artists:

I hope you enjoy Issue Six of The Paperbook Collective, and that it helps to start your year off with a bang.

Submissions for Issue Seven close on the 20th of January, so get writing, get snapping, get creating.

Big things are happening this year in Paperbook Land, so make sure that you are a part of it!

Cheers,

EPSON MFP image

Volunteer is as Volunteer Does- My GRL Book Launch-Correct e-mail address.

~ John W. Howell ~ 21 Comments
My GRL front cover
My GRL front cover

Due to some problem that I have yet to understand; It seems the auto fill feature on WordPress changed my e-mail to my blog name. I think I have it corrected, but my post last Friday http://wp.me/p2Qoij-Wa had an incorrect e-mail included which I did not pick up before being published. The post has been corrected. If you wanted to volunteer and got your message kicked back, here is the correct e-mail:  johnhowell.wave@gmail.com.

For all of you resourceful people who figured it out, I remain truly grateful for your help.

Please accept my apology for any extra work you had to do.

I will be mailing out the schedule and material on the 16th. If there is anything you would like to feature on my post in addition to your blog please let me know.

Volunteer is as Volunteer Does – My GRL by John W. Howell – Book Launch

~ John W. Howell ~ 36 Comments

My GRL front cover

Volunteers Needed. . . Volunteers Needed. . . Volunteers Needed. . . Volunteers Needed  Please e-mail me at johnhowell.wave@gmail.com

I need your help to spread the word that my thriller My GRL is available on Amazon. (Today the print version and e-version will be available Monday January 6). I would like to take the time to make the announcement in an organized fashion. I think an official My GRL Launch Announcement Blog Tour scheduled between January 19 and February 1 will do the trick  and I am asking for volunteers. If you participate; the only thing you will need to do is paste the material I send. If you do join; I will publish a link to your blog and your book or what ever you designate on the day of the tour and be so grateful for your help. As I stated, I will send you all the material, and you will only need to simply copy and paste into your site. If you would like to participate please send an e-mail to: johnhowell.wave@gmail.com. If you could also indicate a day when you won’t be able to participate it will help scheduling. Please send your e-mail to me by Monday January 13. I will then publish the schedule and material back to you on January 16. Thank you for your help.

Blurb: John J. Cannon successful San Francisco lawyer takes a well-earned leave of absence from the firm and buys a boat he names My GRL. He is unaware that his newly purchased boat had already been targeted by a terrorist group. John’s first inkling of a problem is when he wakes up in the hospital where he learns he was found unconscious next to the dead body of the attractive young woman who sold him the boat in the first place. John now stands between the terrorists and the success of their mission.

Author Bio: John W. Howell’s main interests are reading and writing.  He turned to writing as a full-time occupation after an extensive career in business.  John writes thriller fiction novels and short stories. He also has a three times weekly blog Fiction Favorites at http://johnwhowell.com where he writes about . John lives on Mustang Island in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of south Texas with his wife Molly and their spoiled pets. He can be reached by e-mail: johnhowell.wave@gmail.com, Twitter: @HowellWave and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.howell.98229241

Photo by Tim Burdick
Photo by Tim Burdick

Link to Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/My-GRL-John-W-Howell/dp/1625530595/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388558903&sr=1-1&keywords=My+GRL

Link to my author site on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/author/johnwhowell

A Tiny Favor if I may ask

~ John W. Howell

Still reblogging. Good stuff by a Pittsburgh Steeler fan

Pamela Beckford's avatarPoetry by Pamela

I’ve been trying to write more and more poetry. Some of it is good, some not as much. But I’m learning and trying to do more.

What I would like to do though is increase my readership. May I ask that if you like a particular poem, would you please re-blog it for me? That may get me more eyes and hopefully a few more followers.

I don’t get too worried about how many followers and my stats, but I would like to increase a tiny bit.

So I hope it isn’t inappropriate for me to ask you to give me a hand. Much appreciated. Thank you.

View original post

Top Ten No No’s is as Top Ten No No’s Does

~ John W. Howell ~ 19 Comments

Here is the 26th installment of Ten Top Lists of What Not to Do by Marie Ann Bailey of 1WriteWay at http://1writeway.com and John W. Howell of Fiction Favorites at http://johnwhowell.com. These lists are simu-published on our blogs each Monday. We hope you enjoy.

 

NewYearEveParty

Top Ten Things Not to Do on New Year’s Eve

10. On New Year’s Eve, do not think you need to consume everything in the city. If you do, at best you may gain a few pounds. At worst, you will never ever feel better again.

9. On New Year’s Eve, do not think everyone is in love with you. If you do, at best you may get a new roommate. At worst, you may wake up next to a stranger who is now your spouse.

8. On New Year’s Eve, do not think you have to scream “Happy New Year” more than once. If you do, at best you will lose your voice. At worst, someone may in fact put a sock in it.

7. On New Year’s Eve, do not think you need to invent and issue resolutions for everyone else. If you do, at best you will lose some friends. At worst, your host may resolve to ban you to the patio.

6. On New Year’s Eve, do not think you have to help others drink more. If you do, at best you may be the last person standing. At worst, you may be named as a co-defendant on a DUI.

5. On New Year’s Eve, do not think you need to give everyone a kiss. If you do, at best they will all think you are a nerd. At worst, you may pick up a nice case of bubonic plague.

4. On New Year’s Eve, you do not have to sing “Auld Lang Syne.” If you do, at best, your off-key rendition will be recorded for playback when you are sober. At worst, you’ll not know the words and remove all doubt as to your IQ.

3. On New Year’s Eve, you do not have to tell everyone exactly what you think of them. If you do, at best, a few will want to take you outside. At worst, several will.

2. On New Year’s Eve, there is no reason to remove some of your clothes to be more comfortable. If you do, at best, you may not know when to stop. At worst, there could be additional records of your lack of discretion that you will need to pay handsomely to squelch.

1. On New Year’s Eve, there is no reason to get behind the wheel of a car after you have won the shots per hour contest. If you do you, at best you will end up in jail. At worst, you might just hurt someone.