Okay, so, I know this is unprecedented, me blogging twice in as many days, when I'm lucky to blog twice in a month. But circumstances demand it. My first novel THE RAGGEDY MAN, is now available in ebook form on Amazon! That's right! I said it. You can go RIGHT NOW (please), onto Amazon and buy it for your Kindle. And the trade paperback should be out on June 4th, if you prefer your page turners with actual pages!  The long wait has finally ended. My 400+ pg baby has left the nest and will fly or fall on its own merits. As I said in my previous blog, I am not resting on my laurels. I've already moved on to other things, like novel #2. But I just had to take the time to celebrate one of my biggest accomplishments in life, outside of helping produce a wonderful  daughter. 

For those of you who end up buying a copy, either ebook or physical, please post reviews when you get a chance, or just send me a note here, on this site, if you want.  Writing well takes a lifetime  of learning and growing (which is just as well, because I want to to do this for a lifetime) and learning to take constructive criticism is part of that process.

All I ask, is that you be gentle with me. It's my first time. (sorry...I couldn't resist)

Peace,
Chris

So, the ebook of my novel, THE RAGGEDY MAN, will be on sale in the next week or so, and physical copies will be available a week or so after that.  It is both exciting and surreal to contemplate the reality of of it. It's insane to think that I can finally say yes, when I tell people I'm a writer, and they ask me if I've ever published anything. And the thought of holding a physical copy of my work in my hands makes me absolutely giddy.  

But as much as I love THE RAGGEDY MAN, I have other stories to tell. I don't want this to be the only book I ever publish. So, lest you think I am resting on my laurels, waiting for the money to roll in, here are a few other things I'm working on. Currently, I am about 70 pages into rewrites on my second novel. I hope to have the next draft completed by the end of July, so I can start marketing it, while I do another round of edits and revisions. I have written and rewritten a novella three or four times, trying to get it right, (I think I've finally got something worth keeping--maybe). That's a before-year's-end project.  My short story, "Mama Sweet," which was supposed to be published in Under the Bed magazine, but wasn't because the magazine was enfolded into another mag, along with a bunch of others from that line, is languishing in publishing hell, now. I'm going to pitch it to the new magazine, and then, to other magazines. I'm also working on two comics, and...well, you get the point. 

My goal is, and your goal should be, to ALWAYS be writing, or researching for writing, or thinking about writing. Whether you receive an acceptance or a rejection for a submitted piece, you should never celebrate or mourn so long that you stop growing as a writer. You don't need to wait for inspiration. The right story isn't just going to smack you in the face with its need to be birthed into the world. There may be a muse, but she isn't going to simply drop a finished story in your lap. You have to meet her halfway, don't you know. It's all on you, my friend.

You're a writer. So write. 

Peace,
​Chris