Tuesday, October 25, 2011

A Scary Good Challenge


This week in honor of the scary weekend ahead, we're going to have the Halloween edition of the Hollyweird Tuesday Trivia Challenge.  It's a little of the old format and a little of the new.

And remember, while we call it the Hollyweird Tuesday Trivia Challenge, you don't have to enter today. You have 6 days to enter. The drawing closes Sunday evening. So everyone has plenty of time to come up with the correct answer. But just one entry per person will be accepted. The winner will receive an autographed copy of my hit novel, Never Slow Dance With A Zombie.  You say you already have the comic horror novel?  The holidays are coming.  It could make a lovely gift.  On Monday I will draw a winner from all the correct answers, and post the winner here next Tuesday. Are you ready for the challenge?

In a creepy old film, somebody said this: “You wanna see something really scary?”
Name the movie, and unscramble the actor's name who appeared in the movie"

ADKYDYROAN

As a reminder, there are a few things you will need to do to qualify. You need to do #1 or #2, plus the three other things listed below:

1) Be a registered follower of this blog, or
2) ...follow me at http://www.evanlowe.com/
3) leave a comment on this blog in the comment section on any of my posts anytime during the week of the current challenge. DO NOT put your answer in the comments, instead…
4) send your answer to me at info@evanlowe.com
5)mention the Hollyweird Tuesday Trivia Challenge either on your blog or in a tweet the week of the current challenge.
Do 1 +3,4&5, or 2 +3 ,4&5 and you are entered to win.

Remember, you must do four things to qualify to win.

Peace.


Thursday, October 20, 2011

Springsteen, Me and My Ebook Adventure



Back In June I did a post entitled “Springsteen And Me: Taking Control of Your Writing Career.” It was about my leap into the world of independent publishing and why I made the leap from Big 6 traditional publishing in the first place.  Now that my first indie novel, Boyfriend From Hell, is out, I am reprising the post along with the fresh perspective of a newly published indie author at the end.  Check it out:

For those of you thinking this is a post about Bruce Springsteen and me, let me say right here that it is not. I do not know Bruce Springsteen. Of course I know who he is, but until quite recently I was not a fan. So, if you’re interested in Springsteen’s music stop reading now. This post is about how Bruce Springsteen inspired me to take control of my career, and how those of us who are creative can learn from what he did.

In October of 2010 I was having a beer with my publisher. But he wasn’t my publisher at the time. He was my friend. I didn’t even realize Christopher Meeks was a publisher until that October conversation.

During that conversation, Chris mentioned an HBO documentary he’d seen about Bruce Springsteen. It seems after the success of their first album, Springsteen realized he was under the control of his (then) manager. As is typical (I guess) in the music business, the contract Springsteen signed gave his manager total creative control forever. That didn’t sit well with Bruce. In fact, he gambled his future on ending that contract. Springsteen decided he could never record again under those conditions.


Bruce, along with the members of the E Street Band ,were young and hungry—but not hungry enough to give away creative control. He’d rather go back to obscurity than turn his ideas over to a gatekeeper. He was an artist. An artist needs to control his art. He didn’t record for three years.

They could have caved to the pressure and made a living, but he stuck to his guns, not recording for THREE WHOLE YEARS. The special is about those years and the first album they recorded after he waited out his manager. Springsteen called the album “a meditation on where are you going to stand.”


The documentary changed me. The Promise: The Making of Darkness On The Edge of Town is acclaimed for how Springsteen created the music. I love it for the message it sends to those of us struggling out here in the creative community.

Soon after I saw it, I decided to leave Big  6 publishing behind and asked Chris and his White Whisker Books to be the publisher for Boyfriend From Hell, along with the other novels in the saga. Why?  My first novel , Never Slow Dance With A Zombie, (Tor/Teen) sold very well, but as an artist I wanted more control over what went into my books.

So that’s my story.  Boyfriend From Hell came out on September 1st . So far I have loved joining the ranks of indie authors.  I’ve made lots of new blogger and indie author friends. It’s a wonderfully supportive community.

Boyfriend From Hell is a paranormal romance with a comedic twist.  In style, it’s closer to H.P. Mallory than Amanda Hocking, but readers of both will enjoy the book.  It’s gotten rave reviews.

While you’re here, I’d like you to take a chance and download it for just $2.99.  I promise it isn’t one of those poorly written self-published books riddled with mistakes. I guarantee it will not let you down. Did I mention it’s already received 22 four and five star reviews on GOODREADS?

Give it a try.

Here is the link for both Amazon and Barnes & Noble: PURCHASE.  If you don’t have a kindle or nook, don’t let that stop you. The kindle app is free.  You can download the book along with the free app.

Do it now, before your busy lives get in the way.  Help me realize my creative dream and read a fun, romantic paranormal adventure at the same time. And while you're at it, consider where are YOU going to stand.

Thanks,

e

Thursday, October 13, 2011

The Toothache Man Cometh


In a few days Sal Conte's The Toothache Man will be available for ereaders: Kindle, Nook and ipad.  Just in time for Halloween. I want to thank my friends at White Whisker Books for helping me get the Sal Conte titles out there.  I don't have the patience or the technical where-with-all to self publish.  But White Whisker was so happy with Boyfriend From Hell, Earth Angel, and our relationship in general, that they agreed to help get the work out there--and not for their normal splits, either.  I must say my royalty split with White Whisker is quite generous, but the deal they made with Sal Conte is even better.  He must have made them an offer they couldn't refuse.  hehe.

I am really proud of the story.  Fans of horror thrillers will find it fun and surprising.  Wanna know more? Check out the blurb below:


There is no pain like toothache pain

Jim Roberts is a victim of today's economy. While he's lucky enough to have a job, his job has been keeping him temp for two years to avoid paying medical benefits. When Jim gets a terrible toothache, a friend tells him about The Toothache Man, an unlicensed dentist where people like Jim can have their dental problems solved for a song. Unfortunately, The Toothache Man turns out to be a lot more than Jim bargained for—with an old fashioned dentist’s chair, and a penchant for pain.  Jim is about to discover a toothache is the least of his problems.

The Toothache Man clocks in at just over 5300 words. Long enough for you to read in one hair-raising sitting.  The price is only 99c.  Pretty damned inexpensive for a Sal Conte original, if I do say so myself.

By the way, Sal Conte has his own Twitter account now, where he's constantly carping about me.  You can follow him here:  http://twitter.co/SalConte1

Peace.



Friday, October 7, 2011

Boyfriend From Hell Weekend Sale


Hey everyone, I have some really exciting news!   In honor of Boyfriend From Hell being chosen ebook of the day in this coming Saturday’s Kindle Nation Daily, my publisher (White Whisker Books) has dropped the price to JUST 99 cents.

Yes, NINETY-NINE CENTS!

This super low price is effective immediately, but it’s for the weekend only. If you want to read Boyfriend From Hell as an ebook, now is the time to get it. It will go back up to its regular price on Monday.

You’ve seen all the great reviews the book has been getting on Goodreads: REVIEWS. Now see what all the excitement is about for yourself for just 99 cents. Less than a dollar. A good book for the price of a candy bar.Yowzah!

This is a special deal. Please take advantage of it. Thank you, Steve, at Kindle Nation Daily for featuring my new book. And thank you, Chris, for lowering the price. I really appreciate what both of you have done. I’m sure the readers will appreciate it as well.

To purchase Boyfriend From Hell for 99 cents go to AMAZON or BARNES & NOBLE.

Peace     

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

A Few Words From Sal Conte

Well, well, well….

How is everybody?  I’m new to blogging, so bear with me.  I am about to tell you a horrible truth about a man some of you have come to love, the owner of this blog—E. Van Lowe.  As some of you may know, my career started long before E’s did.  I published the horror novel Child’s Play back in 1984.  I followed it with The Power a few years later.  My books were selling well.  E seemed really happy for me.

Then one day he comes into our apartment and tells me he just landed the dream job, the start of a dream career.  He landed a writing gig at Universal television.  He was going to be writing TV shows.  I knew E had been trying to get into TV for some time.  I was happy for him.  I was so happy that I said “Let’s go out and celebrate.”

It was late afternoon when we took that long drive out the Pacific Coast Highway.  The setting sun glistening off the ocean was so beautiful.  E pulled the car alongside a deserted stretch of road and said “Let’s take a walk on the beach.”  I should have known there was something amiss.  E is not is not a big fan of the ocean.  But I figured it was a celebration.  He just wanted to stand on the beach, enjoy the sunset and bask in his glory.  Didn’t realize he meant it to be my sunset.

We took our shoes off and walked out to the water’s edge.  The surf nibbled at my toes.  It was a moment of triumph.  I was a successful author of gruesome horror, and my pal had finally gotten his break in TV.  That’s when E said: “It ends here, Sal.”

“You mean the days of eating top ramen for dinner every night?” I asked smiling.

“Yes. But more than just that.  It all ends here.  YOU end here.”

I was flabbergasted, at a loss for words.  I was E’s alter ego, the one with the cajones to get him this far.  He could not have hung in there long enough to land that TV gig without me at his side.

“I’m leaving you here, Sal,” he said.  “We had a good run together, but I’m starting a new life, and there’s no room for horror in that life. I’m a comedy writer now.  See ya.”

I watched as E turned around and headed back to the car, leaving me standing there, my toes in the soup.  That was 25 years ago.  E went on to have a very exciting career writing TV and film.  Then six months ago a knock came at his door.  “Hi, E, how’ve you been?”  This time it was him who was flabbergasted.  "That was a long damn walk," I said entering his palatial estate.

I will spare you the gory details of the big fight.  All you need to know is, I won. Despite what E has been telling everyone, Sal Conte is not dead--far from it.  In fact (thanks to some arm-twisting), I’m back with my very own page on E’s website, and some brand new horror to shock your heart and scare the bejesus out of you. 


First off, I am rereleasing (in ebook form only) my 1980s horror classic Child’s Play.  Not the lame-ass Chucky movie, but the original Child’s Play.  I am also releasing (ebook only again—sorry) a brand new short story, The Toothache Man, both in time for Halloween.  Check out the playful yet gruesome cover I chose for the short.


Neato, right? The price is right, too.  So if you like good horror you need to check me out.  E is hoping that you won’t, that you’ll leave me to die the slow death he had planned for me.  But I know that everyone has a dark side, and what better way to serve that dark side than by reading a gruesome horror story.  Right?   Prove E wrong.  Don’t leave me here to die… again.



E: I guess here is where I am supposed to thank my guest... which is hard to do since he pretty much told you I left him for dead.  Anyways, that's my horror writing alter ego, Sal Conte.  You'll be hearing more from him as we get closer to Halloween. In the mean time, if you'd like to find out more about Sal and his upcoming releases go here: SAL CONTE'S PAGE. You can also follow him on Twitter @SalConte1
Peace.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Hollyweird Tuesday Trivia Challenge Winner


I finally stumped you guys.
Most of you, that is...

I had near record traffic at E's blog last week, but very few of you submitted to the challenge.  There were three submissions--three of you got it right.  But there can only be one winner of the free Amazon gift card.  I'd like to give a round of *applause* to the three of you who got it right.  The name drawn as the winner, however, was Lisa aka Lasergirl.  I could be wrong, but I believe this is the third time Lisa has won the challenge.  You now hold the record, girl.  Congratulations.  Your $10 Amazon gift card will be going out shortly.

And now, what was that darned movie that had you all so stumped?  The correct, unjumbled answers are:

Pieces Of April
Thanksgiving
Sean Hayes

The runners up were Dottie at Tink's Place and Ammy Belle at The Crooked Book Shelf.  Yes, Ammy, Canadians qualify.
Those of you who were stumped, I promise the next Hollyweird Tuesday Trivia Challenge will be a bit easier.  Hint: brush-up on your horror film knowledge, folks. The next challenge will be a Halloween challenge.
I'd also like to thank those of you who came out to the OC Children's Book Fest this past Sunday.  It was a beautiful day, and I made a lot of new friends.  A special shout out to Kambiz and China.

With Halloween fast approaching, Sal Conte will be stopping by later in the week with a special message.  Speaking of Sal, he's now on Twitter: Sal Conte1.  He could use a few followers. I hope some of you will follow him. I don't know why I'm plugging old Sal, he has nothing but nasty things to say about me.  It's tough having an alter ego with a mind of his own. 

Have a great week.  Boyfriend From Hell has 10 five star reviews on Goodreads, and it's still just $2.99 for Kindle and Nook owners.  If you don't own a Kindle, try downloading the free Kindle app... then go buy my book  ;-)  Peace.