Wouldn't it be nice...

Wouldn't it be nice if there was a place on the big honking internet where a person who likes to read thrillers could log on and see what's new and tempting?

Just, you know...thrillers.

Oh, wait, there are about a thousand of them...damn it! And that's not counting the 800 pound gorilla that is Amazon, the 600 pound orangutang that is B&N, and the pesky chimp that is Smashwords!

With Ferris' Bluff out there now my thoughts are turning to promotion and trying to think of ways to get people to notice the book and maybe buy it. I'm not close to worrying. Panic isn't even on the radar, but a guy has to wonder.

Oh, I'm sure there are any number of people who, for a reasonable fee, will tell me everything they think I need to know about promoting my book on the internets. I'd even consider hiring one if they would agree to take their fee on a per-book-sold basis. I don't think that's gonna happen.

I'm learning about the kindleboards and forums. That's kind of interesting but time consuming (what isn't?). I've found a listing of e-book reviewers to submit the book to. That's interesting too, but it immediately made me think of the bad old days of querying and querying and querying. I'll be doing it, though, because that seems to be what's done.

And no, I ain't worried about getting a bad review...not one bit!

For the first time since I sold my business (almost 6 years ago, now) I'm having to think about time management and prioritizing tasks. That sounds like work! It is work! This was not in the handout! Writing is supposed to be storytelling and communing with your muse and coming up with witty shit and quirky characters...not scheduling your day.

When's a guy supposed to write?
I got editing to do. When am I supposed to work on Dodge or First Murder?
How many hours should I spend on forums and blogs?
How often should I blog?
How many times can I pimp Ferris' Bluff on Facebook before people start hating me? (and how many books can I truly expect to sell there?)
Should I be tweeting? Tweeting sounds stupid. I don't tweet. Should I be tweeting?
What the hell is a blog tour?
I gotta make the final decisions about the design of Ferris' Bluff for the POD.
Back cover art...can't forget about that.
The lawn needs mowing. Can I strap my laptop to the John Deere and musti-task? Will the wireless internet thingy reach that far?
When's a guy supposed to actually write?

Well, I signed up for this so I guess the best I can do is just keep learning and plugging away and calling on 30 years of business skills (dusty, but not forgotten) to help me get it all done.

And maybe hire a kid to mow the grass...