Drowning in Social Media

The past several days I've been on vacation.  I've returned to Cincinnati, which has included signing some books, lighting fireworks, eating watermelon, seeing cheetahs run, and spending time with family. This break has also given me the chance to check out some social media sites that I've been hearing about, but haven't had the time to devote to reviewing them.

Unfortunately, this has resulted in having way too many social media outlets.  I now worry about trying to update them all so that I'm reaching as many people as possible.  Or spending my time updating a site that only reaches a very small percentage of the people who are following me (*cough* Facebook *cough*).

All these website make Max tired.

I think the frustration lies in the fact that I will spend hours writing blogs and posting on all these different locations only to run across fans who say they had no idea that I had a book coming out!  I'm left worrying, "Did I just waste all that time that could have been spent writing a new book?"  Don't get me wrong.  I like blogging.  I like tweeting and interacting with other readers.  It keeps me connected to readers and the world.  But I also don't want to feel like I'm wasting my time.  I figure if you like my books, you'd much rather me spend my time writing more books than updating a dozen social media sites, right?

Good.  I'm glad we're in agreement.

So first, I'm trying out some new or pseudo-new sites.

I am back on MySpace.  I'm trying out their new layout.  I don't have a lot over there at the moment, but I'll be adding more over the next couple of weeks if you'd like to check it out.

I am now on Google+ as well.  I've had people tell me that it's like Facebook without all the ridiculous filtering. I don't have a lot over there either but that will change too as I figure out more.

And second, this is where you come in:

I have a poll in the column on the right.  Please vote and tell me where you get your updates.  Or better yet, vote and tell where where your favorite places are to get information regarding my books, contests, and appearances.  The poll will run until the end of the month.  I'll take that information and combine it with my own review.  At the end of the summer, I will likely kill two or three of my social media locations.

Here is a list of all the places you can currently find me:
Twitter
Facebook
Tumblr
MySpace
Google+
Dark Room - Discussion Board
Blogger
Website (not going away)
Goodreads
HarperCollins Microsite (not going away)

Check them out! Feel free to leave a comment if there is a site that you love or hate.

A Really Great Compliment

While working at my dayjob this morning, I received one of the greatest compliments that a writer could receive. One of my co-workers is a type of mentor to a young lady that is a big fan of my books. She asked if I would be willing to pop by the office and sign the latest books released and suggested a potential lunch with the young lady. I happily agreed. I received an email this morning saying that the young lady is so excited that she compared me to the excitment of meeting another SUPERSTAR author (that shall remain nameless). I was flattered beyond all rational thought. I mean, it's just me. I sit in my pajamas most days and type away at the keyboard while my mind is trapped in LA-LA Land. Sometimes it's hard to believe that I'm having such an impact on another person's life and the experience is very humbling.

In the meantime, I've finished with the copyedits of BURN THE NIGHT and have happily shipped them back to my editor for the next phase of the process. In a couple months, I will be receiving the galley edits (first pass edits) and this will be my last chance to make any changes to the book. I have to admit that I am more pleased with the book upon the second reading as it gave me a chance to check in with a lot of characters that have appeared in the previous books and nicely tied up a lot of questions. However, if you find a thread dangling after reading BURN THE NIGHT, I will most likely be happy to answer your question on the Discussion Board (THE DARK ROOM)

Speaking of the discussion board, I recently seeded the Dark Room with some thoughts, questions, comments -- including a little new information about BURN THE NIGHT. I would stop by and check it out. Also, if you keep the conversation rolling, I might feel compelled to give a tiny excerpt from the book. Sorry, it will be a little while before I can release the cover, but I'm sure it will be leaking out onto the internet soon enough.

With Book 6 out of my hair for the time being, I'm turning back to my special projects. One projects needs minor tweaking to the sample chapters and a synopsis. The other needs tweaking to the first two chapters of the sample chapters. With luck, both should be done by early next week.

Finally, I have an important poll! I don't do many signings except at conventions. However, I was thinking of something more informal. With five books on the shelf, I feel readers have a lot to discuss and to speculate about as book 6 comes closer. Would readers be interested in an informal chat with over coffee? I would bring swag and maybe a little bit of Book 6. We could discuss the books, writing, getting published, and just general stuff. Interested? The catch: the meeting would be in the Cincinnati, Ohio area as that is where I live. There is a poll at the top of the page. Please leave your vote. If we get enough people, I will try to schedule something after the holidays.

I Am Tired of Snow

The Cincinnati area is not particularly known for heavy snow. We're the gateway to the south for heaven's sake! You wouldn't expect us to get a lot of snow. So, it's not surprising that 5 inches could bring the city to a halt. More than a week ago, we got about 5 inches, which didn't go anywhere because we never got above freezing. Today, they are forecasting at least 8 inches to hit the ground on top of what we already have. The city is just huddling inside, watching the snow pile up.

On the upside, it means that I'm trapped at my computer today, writing on book 6. I'm making solid progress on the book. I didn't quite hit my word count goal yesterday due to a challenge that was extended by my youngest brother. However, I thought 20,000 words as a total was a good stopping point. Today, I hope to hit my goal and make up for a little lost ground. My only other goal for the day is supposed to be hitting the gym, but I'm not sure that my personal trainer is going to make it into the gym today due to the snow. We're just going to have to watch the progress of the snow and pray for the plows.

For a little fun for you, I have a poll to allow you decide who is currently winning the snow wars between my brothers and myself. Here are three pictures. Choose your favorite. Don't worry. I don't think we're finished yet. My brother is planning more and bigger snow creations and naturally, we will have to answer with bigger and better creations as well.

So, here is entry Number 1: The BMW Snow Dude


Here is entry Number 2: The Snowdragon



Here is entry Number 3: The Snowcastle with a moat

Please vote on your favorite. There is a poll to in the right column for voting!

Vampire Goodness

In celebration of Jeaniene Frost's book, Halfway to the Grave, hitting the New York Times bestseller list, I have located a cute little poll to help you determine whether or not you are, in fact, a vampire. Hey, sometimes these little details can slip by us if we're balancing my things at once....

The poll is just 10 quick questions and I have provided the link below as well as my own results of the poll. And no, the results came as no great shock to me.

You Could Definitely Be a Vampire

Immortality, staying pretty forever, not having to get a job... you could definitely eat some flesh for these things. It's not that you're a murderer by nature. In fact, you're probably the furthest thing from it. However, if you woke up a vampire, you'd certainly be able to adapt and enjoy your new lifestyle. There might not be much better than living forever, even if it means giving up your soul. What you would like best about being a vampire: Being a total outsider What you would like least about being a vampire: Other vampires

Could You Be a Vampire?

Also, if you haven't picked up a copy of Jeaniene's book, I suggest you grab it.

Halfway to the Grave:

Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after the undead with a vengeance, hoping that one of these deadbeats is her father -- the one responsible for ruining her mother's life. Then she's captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, and is forced into an unholy partnership.

In exchange for find her father, Cat agrees to train with the sexy night stalker until her battle reflexes are as sharp as his fangs. She's amazed she doesn't end up as his dinner -- are there actually good vampires? Pretty soon Bones will have her convinced that being half-dead doesn't have to be all bad. But before she can enjoy her newfoun status as kick-ass demon hunter, Cat and Bones are pursued by a group of killers. Now Cat will have to choose a side ... and Bones is turning out to be as tempting as any man with a heartbeat.