The Corners Of My Mind

I am about two weeks away from releasing the first mystery in the "Grand Organ Mysteries" series, "The Notre Dame Concert" into general release. Artwork, final review, and changes approvals are all about me, littering the floor of my mind. The limited First Edition is doing well, I suppose. I wish there were many closer to 1,000 sold, but rarity, it is said, finds itself.

 

 

The price necessarily goes up, because the majors (Amazon, B&N, etc.) require such a steep margin. Unfortunately, I am not willing to bring such treasure to the world for free, or at my cost. This was, is, and shall be, a business enterprise, after all. All I can say is get yours now. When the general release comes out, the price will be about $10.00 higher. I'm not comfortable with the current price, but it is as low as the production costs will allow, and still give me a buck or two for the trouble.

 

The second book is in process. After consulting all those who are fans, members, contributors, or survey-takers, I now know where the second concert will take place. I'll keep it quiet for now, but I think you will really like the result. Thanks to all who voiced an opinion, or wrote a suggestion. With ten possibilities, it was difficult, but quite fun to create the final answer.

 

It follows the general design of the series, in that the second book takes place inside the USA, whereas the first was featured in France. Of course the team still begins and end the operations from "the estate", and the crew is back again with no one missing (this time!), thank goodness. I hope you will get "Notre Dame" if, for no other reason, than the basis of the series lies in it. Any questions in future titles will be referred to it for solution. :) Isn't that just FUN?

 

The next mystery will highlight one of the most well-known musical mysteries of all time: "The F Sharp Debate". I hope you will stay tuned; it promises to be a grand adventure.

 

Budroe

After months of continuing difficulty, it seems that two potentially very good things have happened.

 

The first good thing to happen has been the pre-publication of "Notre Dame". The wildly popular title has been performing extremely well, considering that virtually NO marketing has been done on the volume. The marketing plan is in place, but dormant at this moment. It will take some weeks to activate the plan across the internet sites that have so very carefully been established for that purpose. I still have not seen the final book. You can purchase the book one of two ways. There are a limited number of "pre-publication" copies available at http:www.lulu.com/content/1220640. There are also an extremely limited number of autographed copies available as well. Send me a message for a link to that opportunity.

 

The second reality-shift has to do with my physical location. I have, at least temporarily, moved from Indiana to Southern Illinois, where I am staying (and working) with a couple of dear friends. After a couple of months of near disaster, it seems as though a future may be possible after all. The computer access is extremely limited at this point, but I will be posting here regularly in the near future.

 

The A-1 Writing Academy is doing well at the moment. We are completing the transition from open to closed system education. It has been quite the challenge, and there is much yet to be done. Yet, in the midst of the chaos, many willing and capable volunteers have come together to share the vision of what can be. I wish some of the obstacles did not exist. But, like it or don't, we are moving ahead with as much energy as time, access, and my health allow.

 

And, that's the way it goes.

 

Bud

Well, it would seem as though I am nearly alone these days in quest to release the mystery series. I have been establishing a PR campaign to hopefully create some market buzz, but in light of all else going on, it has been (and continues to be) a very slow process. The company is sitting idly by, waiting for the incorporation to be complete.

 

Medical, financial (of course) and issues of time have had me going, it would seem, in circles. This is generally not thought to be a good thing. Yet, in this moment, when I come back to where this began, I can appreciate the design changes I see. The interior decorations have been nicely appointed, and there is a feeling to the place that I just plain like.

 

I think that, in the civilized world, they call that progress. But, to what? For what purpose, and to what end?  I don't know.

 

But, I know who does, and that is sufficient for me.