Promoting your book in your home town…

July 30, 2012 / Byron A. Wells / Leave a comment

Man it has been a while since I updated my blog. I have been deep into a basement renovation project which is now, happily to say, almost done.

Just a few comments on promoting your book in your home town. I think the idea has merit…unless you live in Uxbridge, Ontario. I have found zero interest in my home town!

We have two papers, The Uxbridge Times and Cosmos. The Times didn’t return any of my phone calls, and Cosmos after the third inquiry FINALLY replied – “Are you a high school or college student?” What does that have to do with writing a book? After I replied, they are silent once more.

The other venues in my home town that I had available were the public library and an independent bookstore. So far, after multiple visits, I have yet to speak with the owner of the bookstore where I did leave the copy of my book with my phone number inside – again no response.

I must be missing something, but for the life of me can’t figure it out. I have been polite and professional in all my phone calls and correspondence…

What have your experiences been like? What suggestions might you have for getting noticed in your home town?

Looking forward to comments.

Review of The Moon Dwellers

July 9, 2012 / Byron A. Wells / Leave a comment

The Moon Dwellers by David Estes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Note: This review is my opinion, and it is skewed to my likes and preferences

I have chosen to rate this book at 4 stars.

While the story is a bit simple, I enjoyed it. Estes created a believable underground world and caste system.

Cast:

Adele – she is the main female character and super martial arts bad-ass (well my opinion, lol). We first meet her as she is hauled off to the “Pen” because of something her parents did. She has been trained to fight by her father and is a survivor.

Tristan – he is the son of the president of the three realms. It is love at first glance when he first sees Adele, and the story revolves around his desire to save her. He is against how his father runs the three realms.

Roc – Tristan’s servant, but also his best friend. He is learning how to fight from Tristan, and always seems to offer good advice.

Tawni – befriends Adele in the Pen for reasons of her own which you find out as the story progresses.

Cole – Tawni’s best friend and protector. He extends his role of protector to Adele when Tawni befriends her.

President Nailin – leader of the three realms, rules them with an iron fist, while carving out a elite class around himself.

Story:

A disaster has struck the Earth hundreds of years prior forcing the survivors to move underground in order to survive. Over the years the initial caverns have been expanded and new one have been excavated to form an intricate network. A cast system had formed based on how far you live from the surface – this system is the three realms: Sun, Moon and Star. The names are derived from how much light each realm receives, with the Sun Realm receiving the lions share.

The story follows Tristan and his fight to save Adele. While predictable at times, the story kept a fast pace and kept me interested enough to want to read the next installment. This is a story all ages, and I would have no problem giving it to my kids to read.
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