Tag: JohnKu

Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 47 Comments

TGIF

 

It is Friday again and we are about eight hours until Saturday Eve. It has been a busy week for me. Launched Circumstances of Childhood on Sunday and have been thanking all the wonderful folks who have been posting the news. I have received four five-star reviews so far and I have to say my nerves have calmed a bit. As I stated in the introductory material , this book was a result of letting go and writing a story that I wanted to tell.  So far so good. I’m in the Family Life genre and did not expect to reach the top 100. I have not been disappointed in that arena. I don’t know why I keep placing my books in the busy genres. I guess a top 100 rating would give me a heart attack.

I hope you week went well and wish you a wonderful weekend. Today’s John Ku talks about expectation. I hope you like it.

Expectation by John W. Howell © 2107

A foundation built,

To evaluate progress. . .

Keep the scale in check.

Friday John KU – AKA Don Massenzio Kindle Scout Effort

~ John W. Howell ~ 32 Comments

Introducing Kindle Scout Candidate – Blood Match – By Don Massenzio

blood match front coverBlood Match, a new thriller by Don Massenzio is currently a candidate in the Kindle Scout Program.

What is the Kindle Scout Program?

Kindle Scout is reader-powered publishing for new, never-before-published books. … Selected books will be published by Kindle Press and receive 5-year renewable terms, an advance,  royalties and featured Amazon marketing.

A Little about the book:

Intelligence analyst Jake Balrich boards his Monday morning flight, as he has so many times, for routine field work. When the plan lands, a passenger fails to wake up. Jake soon realizes that the death was not accidental and that the murderous plot was meant for him.

The situation soon spins out of control with Balrich running for his life trying to prove his own innocence as he struggles with an unknown enemy that seems to guess his every move.

Blood Match is a terrorism thriller examines how far someone will go to reach the height of power and ambition with little regard for human life.

Follow Jake, Balrich as he enlists the help of Commander Brad Rafferty, to take down an enemy more powerful and dangerous than the United States has ever faced.

Some of you may recognize this story. It originally appeared as a weekly serial on my blog under the name Road Kill. The story has been reworked and many extras have been added to turn it into this novel.

Why is it a Kindle Scout Candidate?

If Don’s book is selected for publication by Kindle Scout, it can help take his writing to the next level in terms of exposure and recognition.

How can you help?

First and foremost, you can vote to nominate the book. The campaign goes up on September 20th at midnight and will continue through October 20th. You can vote for it and preview the opening of the book by clicking HERE.

How can you help even more?

Spread the word. Don has made it easy for you using something called Thunderclap. Thunderclap is a social media tool that allows you to effortlessly spread the word using your social media accounts with a pre-written message. All of your followers will receive the message. You can help by signing up for the Thunderclap campaign HERE.

What’s in it for you?

Apart from Don’s eternal gratitude, if his book is selected, you will receive a free pre-launch copy from Amazon and will have the opportunity to officially review it before its launch. That is a free book for you, but it also help, yet again, by allowing the book to launch with established reviews.

Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 45 Comments

Funny Friday

 

Friday is here again, and I am pleased to say we finally have internet. This now means I can no longer write off typos as something associated with Hurricane Harvey. This is sad because of all the things Harvey messed up, the only positive thing to come out was a way to effectively blame something else for typos.  I guess I’ll have to go back to owning the mistakes. This is the weekend of the launch of Circumstances of Childhood. I think everything is ready. Today’s John Ku talks about how quiet it is before a major event. I hope you all have a great weekend. (I’ll be watching cat videos on YouTube.)

The Quiet by John W. Howell © 2017

Ever notice just before,

A major event kicks off . . .

There’s a kind of hush.

Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 66 Comments

Funny Friday

 

Friday is here already. Time does fly when you are having fun. I still don’t have internet or TV, but I am managing quite well on my AT&T cell phone. The speed isn’t all that red-hot, but I’m able to work it through. I did cancel my Spectrum service since they refused to credit my account for the time of the hurricane and until when it comes back. (Yes, they billed me the full amount payable in advance. You know how it is.) They wanted me to take a seasonal rate of $5.00 per service, and they would disconnect my service for a month. I explained that the only season I knew about was Hurricane season and I didn’t see why I should pay anything for no service. Long story short it was easier to disconnect.

I went to the local phone company and signed up for DSL which should be turned on today sometime. I also called Direct TV and signed up for satellite service. Between the two I’m saving over one-hundred dollars a month. I was appalled at the lack of empathy by Spectrum. I even sent a letter to their CEO and got one of his minions to explain that they really didn’t have a policy covering outages. Anyway, the good news is Spectrum is still without service here and it looks like by the weekend I will be up and running.

I was appalled at the lack of empathy by Spectrum. I even sent a letter to their CEO and got one of his minions to explain that they really didn’t have a policy covering outages. Anyway, the good news is Spectrum is still without service here and it looks like by the weekend I will be up and running.

Through it all, I managed to get Circumstances of Childhood up on Kindle and am waiting for the final proof of the paper edition. it should be good to go, but I want one final check. Today’s John Ku talks about Karma which I hope Spectrum understands that a whole boatload is coming their way if this is how they have treated all their Hurricane Harvey customers. It won’t be the good kind either.

Karma by John W. Howell © 2017

Do unto others,

As you would like done to you. . .

Karma is a bitch.

Have a great weekend.

Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 37 Comments

TGIF

 

Another Friday has rolled around. I hope you are ready for the weekend. Maybe I should say I hope the weekend is coming at a good time.

I have been waiting for my proof of Circumstances of Childhood that shipped on September 4th. I found out UPS is having service issues and sent it back to Amazon. It will be reshipped to arrive by the 18th. Once I the proof is in my hand it takes me several hours to review The setup. If there are any changes, then Amazon takes 24 hours to check to make sure the book is printable. The second proof takes five days to reach me.

So, now I have to do the math to see if I can make an October 1 launch for the print version. I can certainly do Kindle. Let’s see. The proof reaches me on the 18th. I submit changes on the 18th. Amazon takes until the 19th to verify the changes can work. I order the second proof which arrives on the 25th. Assuming no changes, I can hit publish and make it. YAY.  I cannot have any further delays though. Today’s John Ku talks about best-laid plans.

Best Laid Plans By John W. Howell

The well thought out plans,

Always finish perfectly. . .

Unless they go wrong.

Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 47 Comments

TGIF

 

Another Friday here in Austin Texas. We are still waiting for word on the return to Port Aransas. We can’t go back until the electricity is turned on and it is still off. There was some word that it would be back on by tomorrow but we have heard that word before. All we can do is sit and wait.

We are getting no call backs from suppliers. They are swamped.

We are very concerned for the folks in Florida and today’s JohnKu goes out to them.

Bravery by John W. Howell © 2017

When the time comes due,

Get out of the way of storms . . .

To stay is not brave.

 

Friday John Ku – AKA – TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 76 Comments

TGIF

 

It is Friday again and time to look forward to the weekend. It is also time to say thank you for all the warm wishes my family and I have received as a result of hurricane Harvey making a mess out of our island.  Thank you all.

I am happy to report that the damage is all repairable although it looks like the roof and floors will need to be replaced. There still is no electricity but that will improve. Once the electricity is on we will be able to go back. None of the repairs needed make the house uninhabitable so we are very fortunate. Others are not as fortunate. Todays John Ku talks about the importance of good wishes.

Support by John W. Howell © 2017

When the times are tough,

A kind word or wish expressed . . .

Makes the difference.

 

***

Thank you all.

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 81 Comments

TGIF

 

Well, It is Friday. I have left my home as ordered by the Port Aransas Police. Yes, we have had a compulsory evacuation due to the severity of Hurricane Harvey. The storm is expected to hit Port Aransas at 1:00 am Saturday morning. The winds are expected to sustain at 110 miles per hour. So we followed orders and joined the thousands who crowded the highway. We are now in Austin with our youngest and will ride out the storm here.

I have to apologize to all of you since I have unable to get on-line prior to leaving Port Aransas. The drive to Austin took an extra two hours due to traffic. (Some guy in a truck took down a major utility pole.) I’m not sure how attentive I will be,  but will give it my best shot. Today’s JohnKu talks about what is important in these kinds of situations.

Important by John W. Howell © 2017

When life is upset,

We all need to think about. . .

What is important.

 

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF & Cover Reveal

~ John W. Howell ~ 64 Comments

I have to believe Friday is one of the best days of the week. I think Saturday is tops but still, the feeling that there may be two days of relaxation ahead is hard to beat. Today I would like to introduce you to the cover of my next book. I expect the launch before October 1st but wanted you to see the finished cover. Without further ado.

Circumstances of Childhood
Circumstances of Childhood

Here is a bit about the story.

When a former NFL star and broadcaster, now a Wall Street maven is accused of insider trading, will he be able to prove his innocence and expose those who are guilty?

Greg and his boyhood pal dreamed of big success in the NFL and then later in business. Greg was the only one to live the dream. Now the founder of an investment fund Greg is faced with a routine audit finding by the SEC. The audit points to irregularities and all the tracks lead to Greg. The justice department hits him with an indictment of 23 counts of fraud, money laundering, and insider trading. His firm goes bust, and Greg is on his own.

His best friend knows he is innocent but has been ordered under penalty of eternal damnation not to help.

If you enjoy stories of riches to rags, redemption, brotherly love, and a little of the paranormal, Circumstance of Childhood will keep you riveted.

Today’s JohnKu talks about things that excite. I hope you have a great weekend.

Excite by John W. Howell © 2017

When we think of life,

Excitement is highly prized. . .

A new book does it.

 

Friday – JohnKu – TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 48 Comments

TGIF

 

It is Friday already. My, what a rushed week. At least it seems that way to me. I finished the formatting on Circumstances of Childhood. The next project was to get a cover that would work. We are finally close to that cover, and I hope to give you a look next week sometime. After that, it is a matter of putting the book up on CreateSpace and Kindle.

Before hitting publish, I need to decide on the announcement plans. I know I want to do a tour. I also want to do a few ads but need to figure out when and where. I guess I will have this sorted out by next week. I think the October 1st date will be a go.

I will be sending out my call for volunteers shortly. In the meantime, today’s JohnKu talks about how it takes a village to launch a book. I hope you have a super weekend.

Village by John W. Howell © 2017

You decide to launch,

You should not do it alone . . .

Success requires help.