Congratulations to James King!

I've had a hard time coming out of my self-imposed seclusion, but I wanted to take the opportunity the offer a hearty congratulations James King, winner of the 2009 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award! His novel, Bill Warrington's Last Chance bested thousands of entries (including my own :-)

I've Gone Into Seclusion

See you all around the first of May.

What Do I Really Think about ABNA?

Nathan Bransford's blog asked the question - How do you feel about the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest?

My answers (in order) as to why I love it are:

• The participants are some of the nicest, funniest, most supportive folks in the world. (I know...I've read other people blog the opposite - snarky, cliquish, off-putting. That's just not my experience in general, though sometimes it's true).
• It gives me a deadline. If it weren't for the deadline, I would never stop editing.
• I get feedback from Amazon reviewers and "Publishers Weekly." This feedback helps keep me motivated.
• Becoming a Semi-Finalist (even when it is one of 800) helps validate my writing in the minds of all my relatives.

My answers (in order) as to why I don't like it are:

• I spend too much time playing around on ABNA threads when I could be writing.
• I hate it when folks get snarky with each other on the boards.
• I obviously don't like that some in publishing question its role and validity.
  

Back from Seclusion

We're back and the contest is in full swing. Discussion on the boards has ramped up as all the newbies jump into the fray.

The ABNA seems to be gaining interest across the internets, as more and more publishing types are letting their opinions be known and soliciting the opinions of others. I think the debate is great, and though I love the ABNA for my own selfish reasons, I certainly understand why it can leave a bad taste in the mouths of others.

Other good news from the ABNA world - Harry Dolan has a Facebook fan page and Bad Things Happen is available for pre-order. Based on what I've read, I HIGHLY recommend this book to any mystery, thriller, suspense, or literary readers out there as well as anyone who is simply a fan of very good writing.

Go Harry!

Going into seclusion

B. Billy and this blog will be in seclusion until February 2. Then the real fun begins! See you then.

The Forum is Alive with Support

All the regulars are still futzing around the boards (shout out to Gae, Mary, Tracy, John A., Just Plain John, Jeff, Kat, Paige, Shai, Tina, Megan, Miz Ellen, Bret, Harkcom) even Dwight and last year's Mr. ABNA- Bill have been popping in and out.

In the midst of all the fun and frivolities, some threads are starting to take shape with some serious advice and CreateSpace has uploaded some videos:

The Best of the Best in my personal order:

1. The Pitch Thread
2. The Bio Thread
3. The CreateSpace General Info Video
4. The CreateSpace Tips for Publishing Success Video
5. The CreateSpace Preview Tutorial Video

I'm betting things will only heat up for the coming weeks and months.

I LOVE AMAZON.COM!!!!!!

(please don't threaten to sue me again)