From the Desk of J.M. Poole

When everyone out there, and I do mean everyone advises against doing something, then perhaps the wisest move would be to pay heed to their advice.

Yep, I signed with PublishAmerica. That was in late 2010. Why? ‘Cause they said they take care of everything. I read the bad press. I saw the myriad of pages all damning the foolish for trusting PA with their books. In order to justify my agreeing to sign with them, I kept telling myself they will be able to market my book to more people than I ever could.

My logic was sound, only PA wanted $$$ for everything. “We have a book expo in Portugal. Pay us $$$ and your book will be included. Next week we will be at another expo where our booth is right next to Disney. Pay us $99 and we’ll bring your book to their attention!”

Bring to their attention? They word their services in such a way that it keeps them safe in case nothing happens. Royalties are horrible. 8% of a super-overpriced paperback book (mine was set to $29.95). Same royalties for their ebooks, which they wanted $69 to “convert” your book to ebook so that they could set a minimum price of $9.95, guaranteeing no sales. Thankfully I didn’t fall for that.

So how does PA manage to stay in business? How do they avoid getting their keesters thrown in jail? Simple. They know how far they can push the system. They have good lawyers. They simply know what they can get away with.

I had more than 5 years to go on my contract (which would auto-renew unless you told them otherwise – I informed them I wouldn’t renew within one month of them receiving my signed contract). I couldn’t handle another day of them let alone 5 years. And, much to my (mock) horror, sales of book I and book II took off! I was afraid PA would see the increased sales of the books and then hold my book even further in ransom. So now I had to get out of my contract and do so immediately.

I contacted them. Told them I wanted to terminate my contract. They responded (with a snarky message) that the only way they’d even consider this if I could prove that I had grounds for termination. Hoo boy, where do I start? I gave em:

1. Book price too high; no sales.
2. Constant barrage of daily emails trying to get me to buy my own book.
3. Lousy royalties
4. No marketing unless I pay for it.
5. Horrible customer service.
6. Lousy book cover.

Trust me, I could go on, and that’s what I told them. They responded with, “We’d prefer to keep your book under contract because we feel it is marketable.” Long story short, I was finally able to get them to terminate the contract. From what I read on the Internet, I’m one of the lucky few. It was finaiized yesterday when I received the final termination paperwork informing me my book was no longer available to online retailers and I had “lost my published author status”. LOL. Nice try, paco, but I’ve already published and released book II. Still a published author. So there! (gives rasperry sound)

No more f-ugly grey cover. The gorgeous picture of an open portal has become the new cover. I’ve already created the book with CreateSpace and have ordered a proof. Should get it today. Might have to make a few more minor tweaks, but I’m all ready to go! As soon as it is officially available I’ll list one or two copies on a Goodreads giveaway!!!

Woo-hoo! Suck it, PublishAmerica!!!!

Hello fans of Lentari! As work progresses on the third and final installment of the Bakkian Chronicles, I started wondering about what should be depicted on the book cover. So I have a question for fans of fantasy:

What do you think are elements of a good fantasy cover? Something eye-catching, or colorful, or whimsical?

With regards to the other covers, the first book conveyed what I thought was a gorgeous scene of a forest through the open portal in the mansion. The second was a whimsical scene where Pryllan and Peanut meet face to face for the first time. Granted, without disclosing details on what will happen with Amulet of Aria, all I will say that the final confrontation with Celestia, the sister, will take place. And let’s just say that she really, really, and I do mean really wants Mikal. There will be battles, dragon riding on multiple dragons (gasp!), and accidental teleportations, just to name a few. Oh, did I mention that the battle finds its way to our world?? 🙂

Suggestions? Let me know what you guys feel makes a good cover for a fantasy story!

I was sorting through my graphics files the other day and saw the multitude of covers I’ve used for book I. Thought I’d post all the various covers in case you’d like to see what has been used.

I’ll also be posting some pics my bro-in-law is making of the guurs (Bugs of Nightmarish Proportions). Just as soon as I get ’em. 🙂

Printed with permission from the High Court of R’Tal…

Official Application Questionnaire for Citizenship into Lentari

Name of Applicant:  Scott Poe

List any aliases:  Indie Book Blogger, Fabled Reviewer o’ Tales

Occupation:  Overseer over imports at Sears Hardware

Current place of residence:  The land of the erratic climate also known as Columbus Ohio

Ye have expressed interest in the title of Fabled Reviewer o’ Tales. What qualifications do ye possess for this esteemed position?   I maintain a site where reviews can be seen by all who are looking for a quality piece of literature outside of the traditional publishing box.  I plan on adding at least 100 stories to my list per year and look at a variety of genres.

If granted citizenship, and ye are deemed worthy of an audience with Kre’Mikal so that a jhorun may be bestowed unto ye, what jhorun would ye desire? Why?  I think an elemental control of earth would be a good one to have.  Being able to pull stone from the ground to build walls or structures plus being able to excavate caves for emergency shelter or storage.

Wyverians. Are ye pro or against co-habitation?  Pro for sure.

Trolls. Leave them be or drive them away?   Internet trolls need to be driven away and imprisoned or executed.  Under the bridge kind of trolls can actually contribute to society in some way so let them be.

If employment is not granted within R’Tal, which village would ye seek out? What occupation would ye excel at that would benefit the village?   I think that I could benefit any village as a historian/storyteller.  My mind is fairly well trained from all of the reading I do.  If that fails me I can go to my background for my day job “I may not be smart, but I can lift heavy things.”

Finally, if ye had to undergo weapons training, what would the weapon of choice be for ye?  I’ve always loved ranged weapons so I would have to go with the bow or crossbow.  When I was 12 I went to Japan for a week and we spent a little time at an archery range and it was a lot of fun to me.

Upon completion of crossbow demonstration, to be performed at applicant’s earliest convenience, said applicant is hereby granted Lentarian citizenship and will assume full responsibilities as Fabled Reviewer o’ Tales.  Applicant will report to the royal library to begin new responsibilities in one fortnight.  A permanent residence will be assigned at that time.

 Signed –

Cmdr. Rhenyon, 1st Battalion

Castle R’Tal, Lentari

One of the hardest tasks I face when writing is coming up with character names for my books.

Book III has required quite a few new characters. Most are human, namely peasants, soldiers, officers, and so on. I’m also going to have to come up with some new dragon names. I have some but I thought it might be neat to give the readers and fans a chance to suggest some names and then maybe a corresponding jhorun to go along with them, provided they’re human. 🙂

Anyone who names a character that makes it into the book will be credited at the end! So if you’d like to see your name in print, hit me with your best shot and lets see if you’re mentioned in Book III!!

I’m temporarily making Bakkian Chronicles, Book I – The Prophecy free for anyone that’d like a copy! It’s available at Smashwords for free as well as Amazon!

Get this. As of right now, at 6:45 pm on Wednesday, 10/19/11, Bakkian Chronicles, Book I – The Prophecy is currently ranked #58 in the free section of the Kindle store, as well as it’s ranked #1 in Kindle’s Science Fiction section. #1!! Hot damn! Just learned it’s #4 in the Kindle free fantasy rankings!

As a result, sales of the sequel, Bakkian Chronicles, Book II – Insurrection, have picked up considerably!

It’s gonna be a good day, tater!!

Feb. 23rd, 2012 – Chapter 4 is done, I’m already off on chap 5! Time for a dragon battle!!!

Jan. 31st, 2012 – Finally got off my butt and finished the chapter. Chap #4 progressing nicely!

Oct. 18th, 2011 – Finished Chapter 2!! The storyline is progressing nicely! I’ve started work on chapter 3! Time to return to Lentari!

Sept. 25th, 2011 – Chapter 1 is done and I already have a good chunk of chapter 2 written. In this chapter, we’re introduced to Sarah’s good friend, Lia. This new character is based on a real life friend of mine, one who I told her she’d wind up in a book. 🙂

Sept. 10th, 2011 – I confided in my wife what was going to take place with the third book, which plot lines I’m going to include, and asked her to help me come up with a title for the final installment of the series.

Bakkian Chronicles, Book III – Amulet of Aria

I created this post to show concept drawings as I get ’em. The illustrator that was going to do the cover for book 2 flaked out on me, but not before he gave me a concept drawing of a guur.

I found a second artist, FalyneVarger, who’s agreed to take on the job and make the cover for me.  Can’t wait to see it!   I’ll post a rough sketch as soon as I’m able to.

Guur Drone

Here’s a rough sketch of book 2’s cover!  Rachel, aka FalyneVarger, is doing an awesome job so far!

A meeting of two worlds!

Book II's Completed Cover!

Book I's New Cover!!

Imagine someone holding up an arm, with the thumb and forefinger of their hand maybe an inch apart. Now, here’s me saying, “I’m thiiiiiis close to finishing”. 🙂 Book II is approaching the finish line. So very exciting.

I’m working on lining up some editors. I have my Beta Readers standing by (yeah Scott, that includes you!), and my illustrator in Indonesia making my cover. I’ll need to go through the book to check for errors, and then let my wife read it (she’s a very fast reader) and then I’ll notifiy the Beta Readers to stand by.

To my Beta Readers, I’m looking for typos, grammar problems, continuity problems, punctuation issues, etc. If something doesn’t make sense, or I left any questions unanswered or unaddressed, be sure to let me know!

As soon as I get some preliminary sketches for book II’s cover, I’ll post it here. Ok, off to get some work done! Everyone have a great Memorial Day Weekend! Stay off the roads as much as possible! 🙂