Monday, April 29, 2013

More coming soon

I'm awaiting the final edit for the newest in the Brier Hospital Series, The Plague Within. My wife, Dorlis loves this novel and can't wait until it's out.

I'm awaiting the proof of my first non-fiction book, I Love MT Doctor, But...
It's a humorous book on a serious subject, patients and their physicians.

This is the blurb I'll be using in promotion:



You have questions for your physician, but don’t ask them?
Your physician has questions for you, but he/she doesn’t ask them.
That’s one hell of a way to run an airline, a railroad, a government, or a medical practice.
Why?
Fault is besides the point, but difficult or painful questions unasked or unanswered threatens your health and compromises the physician’s ability to help.
You have something that you want to confide to your physician, but you don’t. You sigh with relief when he/she doesn’t ask.
You’re a physician and you need the answers to questions that might make your patient uncomfortable. You’re relieved when he/she doesn’t ask or you run out of time.
Patients and physicians are limited in their ability to predict which questions will be unwelcome and you might be surprised by the response.
If it’s important, ask.
I Love My Doctor, But… empowers patients and their physicians and offers common sense answers to important questions.
The book deals with important issues and makes specific suggestions about:
1.     Malpractice
2.     How much care is enough
3.     Matching patient and physician
4.     Finding a physician
5.     Online information
6.     Getting along with your physician
7.     Take away suggestions
8.     When to go to the emergency room
9.     Glossaries: medical terminology and medical specialists

Thursday, March 21, 2013

I Love My Doctor, But...

I'm waiting for several writers I trust to review and edit this short book (pamphlet) on problems between patients and their physicians. It's a lighthearted look at a serious problem.

I'm spending too much time promoting my works, but can't see an alternative.

My newest novel, Tortured Memory is selling reasonably well and has had good reviews. I'm relieved because this was the most complicated plot line I created. I worked hard to make sure the transitions worked, and thus far they have.

I'm having my novel, The Plague Within edited and hope to have it out in approx. a month. My wife, Dorlis really likes this novel.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Tortured Memory now available

Took my time getting this title available. I took heat for the editing etc. for Rage, and I'm still suffering for that. It's disheartening that some will let a few grammatical errors to interfere with the enjoyment of the read.
I had Tortured Memory edited and reviewed by others. I hope it worked out.

Both versions are available now at: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BFOP316 (kindle) and at:
http://www.amazon.com/Tortured-Memory-Brier-Hospital-Lawrence/dp/1482585200/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1361811273&sr=1-2&keywords=torturedMemory

I'll start my campaign for sales on Tortured Memory and getting reviews next week. Promos have become as essential part of the processes.
Tortured Memory is the 4th in the Brier Hospital Series. Readers like them and they stand alone although the scene is familiar as are certain players.

In addition, I'm writing a non-fiction book, a lighthearted approach to problems between physicians and their patients. I've made contact with several cartoon artists. Entertaining cartoons will help.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Lesson learned (pleasant for a change)

I underestimated the power of the free downloads in attracting attention to my work. I had two successful campaigns for First, Do No Harm (15,000) downloads and No Cure for Murder (17,000). Almost immediately after the novel returned to normal pricing, the sales went up and have stayed up.
This is a technique I'll use again and again.

I'm still not getting the sale I should (or think I should) from For the Love of God. I'm guessing it's the subject matter or the way I've portrayed the novel for readers. Religion may be the problem even though the novel only criticizes only those sects that allow children to suffer and die needlessly. I'll be reviewing the promotional materials to make it clear that this novel contains much of the same material that has made my other work more successful.

I'm nearing the completion of my next novel, Tortured Memory. I'm line editing (not my favorite thing) but most importantly, I've discovered an expert editor to help. I hope to have that available in a few weeks.

Saturday, January 5, 2013

No Cure for Murder Free

My novel, No Cure for Murder will be free 1/11-1/13/2013.

I'm promoting this novel for the obvious reasons, but, in addition, I'm hoping that readers will enjoy another novel in the Brier Hospital Series and fall in love with the characters Jacob and Lola.

I knew that it was a risk having octogenarian protagonists and that the thirty-somethings might not be interested, but our population is aging and what's wrong with highly intelligent, competent, world-wise, and humorous characters of any age.

When I pitched the screenplay in LA last year, the thirty-something were true to their biases and weren't interested.
I think they're wrong, but, who am I?

If I can determine enough interest in these characters, I'd love to go ahead with another novel and perhaps push harder for a TV  series (if I can get them to live long enough).

Monday, December 24, 2012

The Next Best Thing



The Next Big Thing
1. What is the title of your book?
Rage
2.  How did you come by the idea?
The idea came to me as I observed the discordance between the law and psychiatry and its tragic consequences. These problems are ever more poignant in the light of recent events.
3. What genre does your book fall under?
 A psychological thriller/mystery.
4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters if it were a movie?
Robin Williams has played psychiatrists before. I can easily see him as a forensic psychiatrist.
5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
When normal people act violently, we need answers.
6. Will your book be self-published or traditional?
Self -published.
7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
The first draft took four months. The novel has taken many forms: screenplay, proposal for miniseries, and continuing TV drama.
8.  What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Innovative like Robin Cook, but better written. Michael Palmer & Tess Gerritsen.
9.. Who or what inspired you to write this book?
I like novels that pose an intriguing, yet unanswerable question. Human behavior is the ultimate one. This gives me the opportunity to entertain while watching my characters deal with the question.  I try to hold off the answer  as long as possible.
10. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
In Rage, as in my other novels, I strive to entertain, and to share with the readers my thoughts and experiences as a physician. These are lessons too often learned the hard way.
What is the title of your book?
The Speed of Dark. It's an anthology.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Learning the Hard Way



I had to republish my latest novel, Rage for print and Kindle. Somehow, the manuscript contained unusual marks and parts of chapters were missing. Had some mediocre review due to same. I think the novel's better than that (my unbiased opinion, LOL). Hope readers will give it another shot.

I must admit that I'm not fond of line editing. It's because I'm a natural reader and my mind ignores error and omissions by inserting what's missing and deleting what shouldn't be there. 
I tried several online spell and grammar checkers and they were worse than useless. In fact, one may be responsible for errors in my manuscript for Rage.

It's difficult to fuss about these petty problems in the face of what happened last Friday in Connecticut. 
If this doesn't change attitudes about firearms, nothing will.