AKS and Author in Otaku #23

1zenwoman12 Comments

As I called it over on Fbook, “the biggest, baddest, BEST issue of Otaku ever!” Someone quickly asked, “Otaku??” Yes, OTAKU… PKD Otaku!” The word is actually Japanese slang referring to people with obsessive interests. Obsessive is an understatement when it comes to fans of Philip K. Dick. Dickheads is our other affectionate term.

Anyway, this is the 23rd issue of Patrick Clark’s great zine, and the third one I’ve been involved with. My novel was featured in issue #21 with several pages of Q and A with me, book reviews and commentary on A Kindred Spirit. Issue #22 had a follow-up on AKS, plus interviews by me: one with Tessa Dick (Phil’s fifth and final wife) and a reprint of an old interview with Scott Apel on PKD’s Dream Connection. Now, this Exegesis-laden issue has a commentary by moi (ej ‘jami’ Morgan) about the newly released Exegesis of Philip K. Dick and another fine book review of AKS by Senior Dickhead (pronounce as Spanish or elder statesman) Frank C. Bertrand. I would link directly to those, but the zine is not set up that way. darn! You’ll have to page through the PDF starting here, Otaku #23, but admire the eye candy along the way — stunning!

Tachyon Bombardment!

1zenwoman10 Comments

I think this term “tachyon bombardment” sums up Philip K. Dick’s VALIS/Pink Beam/Exegesis experience as well as anything I’ve heard (and I’ve heard a lot!) So, here are my musings on the Exegesis from yesterday, a Buddhist holiday. Imbedded here on my Crypto blog, is also the podcast with Erik Davis, a PKD scholar who assisted with some of the Exegesis editing, along with Pamela Jackson and Jonathan Lethem. Pamela and Erik really get into what it was like editing the 8-thousand rambling pages of insight and speculation that Phil left behind. I also posted a comment on their “Expanding Mind” page.

the Amazing AKS Free Book Project

1zenwoman13 Comments

In a moment of inspiration this week, I decided to begin the Great AKS Book GiveAway! In the fine tradition of the 1000 Journals Project (launched around 2001), I am going to place FREE copies of AKS (A Kindred Spirit, the novel) around Albuquerque, New Mexico and BEYOND!!

Free copies? “Have you lost your mind?” NO. These are older versions — either Sept 16, 2010 or March 6, 2011 editions (maybe even a few original FDO copies) that have errors. But, who can complain– they’re FREE! I was going to donate these remainders to a worthy cause, and I’m still willing if you have suggestions, but over the coming days (weeks) I am going to place numbered copies at various locations all around ABQ (and beyond.) If you find one, I would love to know where you found it. I’m also asking that you pass it on. If you want you can mark errors, or make your own corrections, but that’s not necessary. I have a long list of ERRATA that was fixed in those copies. You can make comments here, though, on anything: where you found the book, what you think of it, and hopefully where you left it. Because that’s the other catch…

I hope you will keep passing the books along. It helps everyone. YOU get a free book to read, you pass along a free book for another reader and maybe word of mouth will spread about AKS being a good read 😉 After all, it won Best Spiritual/Metaphysical eBook for 2011, from Poynter’s Global eBook Awards.

If you want your own copy, or a corrected one, you can click the BOOK on the home page for a list of current LOCAL and indie book sellers. You can also buy the trade paperback or Kindle version (only $4.95) on Amazon. (the link is good for either eBook or paper 😉

Finally, if you have suggestions about how to improve the Great AKS Book GiveAway , just leave us a note below! Namaste!

WINNER!

1zenwoman9 Comments

A Kindred Spirit took top honors in the Spiritual/Metaphysical category at Dan Poynter’s first Global eBook Awards in Santa Barbara, California August 20, 2011! In other words, I WON!!

I want to say right off, I did not pay to enter this competition. Many did, but I was fortunate to be nominated and fees waived! It makes the win so much sweeter — a real reward and honor. I was not aware of Dan Poynter prior to being part of this event. I have since learned he is considered the original self-publishing guru.

That brings me to my second point. AKS is not “self-published.” ZiaLink Ink is a New Mexico LLC (Limited Liability Corporation), and a business consortium. Bringing together the talents of other artists and writers means AKS is the product of a group of professionals, not a first-time effort slapped together in a few months. I worked several years on the novel and had first rate talent helping me get it published. And now, it truly is the award-winning novel A Kindred Spirit!

For now, I will link to my own press release again, but as soon as I receive publicity, those links will be here or in the comments below. (Did I link to the latest Otaku #22? See comments) The new WINNER badge is on front page ( www.AKSbook.com ) Oh, and I mention Ottumwa, Iowa in the press release so I can send it to the Courier — the REAL Ottumwa Courier where Niki fictionally worked 😉

THANKS again to everyone who helped proof, edit, write reviews, tweak graphics and again to Mary Gray, bless her heart, for pouring her heart and soul (and final drawings) into my novel. (She is legally blind now, so no more drawing after a fabulous career in the arts.)

The final editions (trade paperback and Kindle) are posted and for sale on Amazon. PLEASE use the widget or link to the right to buy, Buy, BUY!! and thanks in advance for your support!

Global eBook Finalist?

1zenwoman1 Comment

I think so! We just got the first peek at the list of finalists tonight, and unless I’m wrong, it appears that “A Kindred Spirit” is on that list!!! Here, check the links: the list of Spiritual/Metaphysical fiction (note the word Finalist in my box) and then there’s this, the actual list of finalists!!

I’ll be looking for that updated FINALIST badge to put on the front page of the AKS site, next. YIPPEEEE!

And, as for the NEA event (in the post below), I received a list of three pages of contacts for the novel. The letter I received said that there was a lot of interest in adult fiction and very few offerings at the NEA Book Expo — mine received a lot of attention. How exciting is that?

Book sales have definitely picked up recently. So, the eBook award, being in the Expo and mentioning it on new Facebook groups is paying off. Now, can I get the 8.2.2011 Revision on Amazon for sale?! The process has taken much longer than anticipated. Revisions were actually done in July, but apparently August is one of the busiest months in the publishing world so getting new trade paperbacks, Kindle update and ePub for iTunes (Apple) is taking extra long. Really soon now. I will tweet, blog and post on Fbook the moment the new edition can be purchased. Thank you for your ongoing support and interest in A KINDRED SPIRIT!!

1zenwoman1 Comment

My trade paperback version of A Kindred Spirit (the novel) will be on display at the huge NEA Expo in Chicago, June 30 – July 2!!

I’m very excited because nearly 20-thousand attendees will pass through the book expo and several MILLION will have information about the books and materials at the event. It’s an excellent opportunity for exposure. If anyone SEES the book there, please let me know: jami@aksbook.com

Also, I just lowered the price on the eBook to $4.99 While some authors have dropped even lower (to 99 cents!) many to $3.99, I decided to step down more slowly. I can knock off another buck this summer or fall, but for now it’s $4.99

After all, AKS is nicely formatted with graphics and art. I spent beaucoup bucks getting it in perfect format for iBook and Kindle and for distribution through Ingram as both trade paperback and eBook, so you get what you pay for, right? Some of the cheap-o books are truly self-published with little attention to detail. AKS had many hands involved and is published through a local consortium of professionals. It’s worth a buck more, trust me!