My New Year's Revolution

I’ve never been one for New Year’s resolutions.  I used to make resolutions back when I was in high school and I didn’t understand what it takes to reach your goals.  Back then, every January I’d say something like “I’m gonna lose some weight.”  And “I’m gonna pay more attention in school.”  Then midway through March when I was barreling toward an “F” in French and my love handles were spilling over the sides of my pants, I’d realize I hadn’t stuck to my resolutions. Okay, maybe I didn’t have love handles, but you know what I mean.  Most people don’t stick to their resolutions, and so me not sticking to mine made me normal.  I liked being normal.

At some point in my life I went from resolutions to plans.  My plans don’t begin in January and end in December.  Some plans take years to accomplish. I had a great year last year.  It didn’t go entirely as planned, but it was fun and I learned a lot.  So today I thought I’d look back with you a bit, but more importantly, I wanted to share my plans for what’s ahead.

In September my first independent novel, Boyfriend From Hell was published by White Whisker Books.  I am so fortunate to have my friend Chris Meeks and his new book venture in my life.  Self-publishing isn’t for everyone.  I am certain I am one of those people it is not for.  With an indie publisher I get most of the benefits of self-publishing and NONE of the headache.  If you are an author who is like me, there are lots of new indie publishers springing up all over the place.  Find one run by people like Chris with a background in publishing, and leave the headaches to them.

Boyfriend From Hell got off to a great start in September, but after the Kindle Nation Daily feature on October 8^th sales slowed.  Rather than cry in our beer, Chris and I decided to change the book cover for BFFH and its sequel, Earth Angel (that was due out in December), to a more adult cover with a romantic theme.  The new covers were created by AdaraRosalie.  I then went to my pal Roxanne Rhoads and her Bewitching Books Tours and asked her to host a blog tour for me that featured both books.  She came up with an awesome theme that started my tour on Cyber Monday (the Monday after Thanksgiving).  By December 31^st both Boyfriend From Hell and Earth Angel were soaring in sales.

As some of you know (I’ve tweeted about it ad infinitum), after my January 6^th feature on Pixel Of Ink, Boyfriend From Hell spent nine consecutive days on the Amazon Kindle top 100 Best Sellers list (for Girls & Women).  Earth Angel made the list as well, but only for a very short period of time. 

Before I tell you what’s ahead, I want to begin by thanking my friends and fans—frans—for their support the past year.  I couldn’t have done it without you.  I’m not just thanking you for your sales.  I know all of you aren’t buying my books.  That’s all right.  If you’ve left a comment on my blog or Goodreads page, or if you participated in the Hollyweird Tuesday Trivia Challenge or some other contest, I thank you. 

A few of you have lamented that Heaven Sent, the third book in the Falling Angels Saga, won’t be out until December.  Sorry.  I want you to know I have begun working on it, and it is going to be the best Falling Angels Saga book so far.  Seriously.  That’s why I am taking my time.  I want it to be awesome.

As I was outlining Heaven Sent, I realized I needed one more book to conclude the series.  That book (currently entitled Falling) will tentatively be out late spring 2013.  See, you won’t have to wait an entire year for that one. If you don’t see me on the blog or Twitter or holding fewer contests in 2012, please know I will be hunkered down writing.  I’ve got a lot of writing to do.

Something else I am excited about this year is the first book in my Hollyweird series.  I sold this project to a publisher last year and it stalled.  That’s because it was sold to a new Indie publisher who wound up going out of business.  The principal, however (a woman with tons of big time publishing experience), asked several of the authors to hang in there with her as she searched for new financing.  Her deal is done; the new pub house is open.  I will tell you more about it when I can, but editing on Hollyweird should begin in the next few weeks.  That book will be out this year as well. I will post about my journey to publication right here on a regular basis. 

I am also keeping my hand in television and film.  I just completed the first draft of a romantic comedy that I was hired by a foreign production company to write. Both my first YA novel, Never Slow Dance With A Zombie and the Sal Conte (my alter ego)  horror short story, The Toothache Man are currently in development for feature films.  I may also announce a TV project some-time this year.

My larger plan is to create entertainment (Books and short stories) that can become movies, TV shows, graphic novels and/or video games.  That’s a big plan.  I’m not Disney or Dreamworks.  I’m just a guy with a dream, but I do have over 20 years’ experience in Hollywood.  That should help. But I know it will take more than a New Year’s Resolution to carry out a plan like mine.  It will take a revolution.

So that’s my year ahead—busy, busy, busy.  I welcome you all along for the ride.  You can always leave words of encouragement on my blog, or if you have a question about me, or writing, or anything at all please write to me at info@evanlowe.com.  I am still available for book club dates and school visits.   And I travel on my own dime, so getting me there cost you nothing. I do this because the best way to make you my fan for life is for you to meet me personally.  I’m really quite lovable.  Invite me out.  You’ll see.  If you are interested in having me attend your book club or event send me an email.

When I was a kid I wanted to be a writer because writing looked like fun.  I didn’t realize how much hard work was involved, but I’ve got to tell you, I was right about the fun part. Have a great year.

Peace.

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 1^st . 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