There's a pretty good chance you won't see it anywhere else, so I thought I'd show you the television commercial for Secondhand Sight, a finalist for the 2013 Readers' Choice Award for Fiction/Horror. For a limited time, you can visit this website for a FREE copy, in exchange for a fair review of the book of Amazon. Love it or hate it, just give your honest opinion of my novel. That's all I can ask. So without further ado, here's the commercial on YouTube. … [Read more...]
Secondhand Sight: 2013 Readers’ Favorite finalist
July 8, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Secondhand Sight, my second novel as "Rocky" Leonard, has been named one of six finalists in the Fiction/Horror category in the 2013 Readers' Favorite International Awards. This honor would not be possible without the efforts and skill of my editors, proof readers, copy editors, cover designers, and all those who helped me produce these three books that have been deemed worthy of finalist recognition. This year I'm blessed to have three books remaining in competition in three different categories, with Secondhand Sight joining Always a Next One and Counterargument for God! One Readers' Favorite reviewer wrote about this novel: The plot is deceptively simple because it is so ingenious. Dan’s descent into a manic paranoia is skillfully documented, and one feels for him in the mental confusion that accompanies his visions. The author also includes some interesting thoughts on the nature of dreams, hallucinations, psychometry (psychic revelations via touching objects), and the power of the mind. Murder mystery and paranormal fans will love this book. Last year I learned the hard way that a five-star review doesn't guarantee a novel will become a finalist. I know that I'm very fortunate for this opportunity. Coastal Empire never made it this far. … [Read more...]
The face of evil
May 25, 2013 by Leave a Comment
It isn't every day that you get an email with "The Devil" as the subject. I almost didn't recognize that the source was the production company filming the commercial for Secondhand Sight. We're about to start an advertising campaign on Comcast, to see how things go. Until this point, the focus has primarily been kept on writing new books. Technically, my tenure as the Atlanta Creationism Examiner was both marketing and writing material for another book. After all, much of the content developed for the Examiner was also incorporated into Counterargument for God. Now, the focus is almost entirely on finishing Premonition, the sequel to Coastal Empire. There are even sketchy plans for a sequel to Secondhand Sight. I have plans for many future books. I only need to live long enough to write them all. However, we've decided that it's time to try to develop a readership. When it comes to the characters in my novels, I know my heroes. I can tell you exactly what, or more specifically who private detective Robert Mercer looks like -- actor Jim Caviezel. His sidekick Nick Mason reminds me of a young Johnny Depp, when I try to describe him for the reader. The first person that comes to mind when I think of John Sutlive will always be Denzel Washington. I also really like Anthony Mackie -- loved him as Harry in The Adjustment Bureau, but I think he might be a little too young to "be" John Sutlive. On … [Read more...]
Digital publishing and Amazon
December 9, 2012 by Leave a Comment
How do I love Amazon? Let me count the ways... If it weren't for Amazon, I don't believe that I would have a published book for sale today. Because of this internet conglomerate, I have two detective novels and two nonfiction books available for purchase, as you read these words. Yes, Smashwords.com and David Gaughran's book Let's Get Digital were also instrumental in getting my books published without an agent or contract with a major publisher, but without the market spawned by Amazon with the introduction of the Kindle, the demand for e-books would never have been created in the first place. Therefore, in my mind, Amazon ultimately deserves a share of credit for any success I will enjoy as an author. Amazon created the Kindle Select program, where a book may be enrolled for special treatment over a period of three months. My short story collection Always a Next One was put into Kindle Select. During the time in that program, I've found my book marketed ubiquitously online, everywhere from American Thinker to an Australian television station website. It's extremely gratifying to find a well-placed, attractive ad for your product, especially an advertisement that you didn't have to buy. At this point in my writing career, exposure to my work is most important. "Free" advertising is invaluable. The Kindle Select program has been a great way to get my book cover visible all over the internet, where many eyes have found an adorable puppy looking back at them. But that's not all Amazon has done besides creating a market and offering a subscription … [Read more...]
