Just wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone who showed up at Shaver's Bookstore for the cool Dorkman kick-off. We had a steady stream of people all day long from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., and Mr. Shaver was very pleased with the turn-out.
Speaking of which, I want to thank Mr. Shaver one more time for the cozy surroundings. Also, those in the Huntsville area - especially anyone who couldn't make it to the kick-off for one reason or another - I'd encourage you to stop by Shaver's Bookstore. It's a totally different feel than the mega-bookstores (not that there's anything wrong with those), and we're all for supporting the local independents. Along with the usual catalog of best sellers that the major sellers have, Shaver's has a distinct and unique Huntsville-feel, and he supports local authors very well. So, again, we thank you, Mr. Shaver.
And again, we thank YOU for making last Saturday a success.
Enjoy reading Dorkman!!!
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Ready, Set, Kick-off
Tomorrow's the official Opening Day for Dorkman!!! The Shaver's Books signing from 1:00 through 5:00 p.m.! I've been remiss in not thanking Mr. (John) Shaver for his hospitality and the warm atmosphere he is providing Pearce & Story for this big day. Not only that, but I want to go ahead and say thanks in advance to all of you who are planning to come out tomorrow as well as those who would if they could.We're psyched for signing day, but more than that, this could be the best chance for a while to get Dorkman in a lot of readers' hands at one time. That's a cool feeling and one we'll cherish. Also, I'm hoping that our signing can promote Shaver's Books in a grand way. The local, independent bookstores seem to be growing more scarce, and cities and towns lose something without them. Huntsville is better with Shaver's in business, and we're honored and privileged that Mr. Shaver has allowed us his site for our Kick-off.
Here's hoping it's a memorable one in the best of ways for all of us and all of you!!!
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Review # 2
Doug at his Weapons of Mass Deduction blog is the second person that I've seen to read and review Dorkman.
You can read it here.
We really appreciate you reading the story and writing the quality review that you "penned," Doug. Thanks very much.
You can read it here.
We really appreciate you reading the story and writing the quality review that you "penned," Doug. Thanks very much.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Dorkman at Amazon.com
It'll be pretty bare until the cover art shows up, but Dorkman's finally up at Amazon.com. You can get to it here.
I'm sure Ken will have it linked at our site in short order if he hasn't already.
Whew. I feel a little better now.
I'm sure Ken will have it linked at our site in short order if he hasn't already.
Whew. I feel a little better now.
Review # 1
Codepoke, from The Familyhood Church blog, has posted the first review EVER for Dorkman. It can be found here. I'd love to post some snippets of this review (and others, hopefully, to come) -- especially those that cast Dorkman in the most positive of lights -- but it's probably better if you just visit Codepoke's site and read the review for yourself.
While you're there, do yourself the favor of perusing some of his other posts. They're thoughtful, knowledgeable, insightful... wise. You'll be the better for it.
Ken and I do thank you, Kevin (Codepoke), for taking the time to read and post a review about our book. It means tons. Keep up the fantastic work on your site!
While you're there, do yourself the favor of perusing some of his other posts. They're thoughtful, knowledgeable, insightful... wise. You'll be the better for it.
Ken and I do thank you, Kevin (Codepoke), for taking the time to read and post a review about our book. It means tons. Keep up the fantastic work on your site!
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Invitation to Local Kickoff Book Signing at Shaver's Bookstore
Consider this an open invitation to everyone everywhere in the whole wide, great big world. While we can't cover your expenses if you're from out-of-town, we will have light refreshments that are sure to be tasty after a long road trip.Not to mention, our Dorkman signing corresponds with the 2006 Big Spring Jam here in Huntsville, AL, which starts Friday night and goes through Sunday evening. My church, First Baptist Church here in H-Ville, is sponsoring a stage with the likes of Casting Crowns, Matthew West, Barlow Girl, Natalie Grant, and so on. Other musical acts of note: Sister Hazel, Gin Blossoms, The Wailers, Sugarland, Jo Dee Messina, Bo Bice as well as blasts from the past such as Kool & the Gang and KC and the Sunshine Band (c'mon we all love KC, admit it). So if you're sashaying your way to (Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty at the Jam, stop on by Shaver's Bookstore as you roll into town and pick up your signed copy of Dorkman and say hello to Ken and me. Believe me, Dorkman'll last longer than the handful of songs Joan Jett or 38 Special will croon for you later on Saturday evening.
Those of you who live in the Huntsville vicinity already know all of this, and if you haven't yet received our electronic or hard copy postcard invitation, please accept this one. We're looking forward to seeing you.
To close, how 'bout everybody do a little dance and sing some KC & the Sunshine Band with me now:
That's the way, uh-huh, uh-huh, I like it, uh-huh, uh-huh.
That's the way, uh-huh, uh-huh, I like it, uh-huh, uh-huh.
Caught ya!
Progress at a Snail's Pace
In our quest to make Dorkman available by as many avenues as humanly possible, we have at last checked our first box in that endeavor. OnStage Publishing's Order Page, which can be found here, now includes our novel - that would be the aforementioned, Dorkman - among its titles. THAT'S CORRECT! YOU CAN BUY IT TODAY BY CLICKING THE LINK - RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!!!
At this point, the OnStage site has not yet had it's Author Page updated to include Pearce & Story, which means none of those studious-looking, over-pensive author pictures of us yet. That's something for which we can all be thankful. However, sooner or later, the world's probably going to have to bear that burden. But not yet. For now, it can just concentrate on reading the best young adult novel to come along in the past two millenia.
SO!!! On to the next box to check which is either Amazon.com or Books-a-Million.com (BAMM.com). But let's not sell Step One short.
One down and about one hundred and forty-seven more to go. Yip-Yip-Yippee!!!
At this point, the OnStage site has not yet had it's Author Page updated to include Pearce & Story, which means none of those studious-looking, over-pensive author pictures of us yet. That's something for which we can all be thankful. However, sooner or later, the world's probably going to have to bear that burden. But not yet. For now, it can just concentrate on reading the best young adult novel to come along in the past two millenia.
SO!!! On to the next box to check which is either Amazon.com or Books-a-Million.com (BAMM.com). But let's not sell Step One short.
One down and about one hundred and forty-seven more to go. Yip-Yip-Yippee!!!
Monday, September 11, 2006
Cover Art
I just thought this blog was missing something, and artwork seemed like that something. And what better and more fitting artwork than the Dorkman cover to be the first piece to grace the blog?Regarding the cover, here are a few other FAQs that we received at the Decatur Book Fair and that I've heard since:
1) Is the guy on the cover Dorkman?
2) Is Dorkman a superhero?
To those questions, a simple "no" will suffice.
3) Is Dorkman pronounced "Dork-MAN," with the accent on the "MAN" part, or is it pronounced "DORK-man," with the "DORK" sounding more prominent?
This question is best left up to the reader and however one wishes to interpret it. Of course, there is a right answer. It's just that nobody needs to know it to enjoy the book. Pronounce it however you wish. Just know that you could very well be wrong.
I will say that it's interesting, and ironic really, that everyone asks if Dorkman's a superhero - and he's not - yet no one asks Ken or me if we're superheroes in real life using the author personnas as our secret identities. Go figure.
Friday, September 08, 2006
Revue or Review - We'll Take Either
Wanted: Dorkman reviews.
I'll probably put up one of these posts every now and then for anyone who has read our novel and would like to review it. Whether you like it or not, we'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments to one of these posts or at your own blog. If you do post them at your personal blog, we're also asking for permission to link.
Since we're craving honesty from our readers, we'll not remark on any personal reviews left in the comment threads. We're not moderating comments so all that we ask is that you keep your review clean and relatively family-friendly, whether you liked Dorkman or not.
Anyone who contributes, we thank you.
And if you'd rather choreograph a revue based on the book instead, you have our best wishes as you skip along your merry way.
I'll probably put up one of these posts every now and then for anyone who has read our novel and would like to review it. Whether you like it or not, we'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments to one of these posts or at your own blog. If you do post them at your personal blog, we're also asking for permission to link.
Since we're craving honesty from our readers, we'll not remark on any personal reviews left in the comment threads. We're not moderating comments so all that we ask is that you keep your review clean and relatively family-friendly, whether you liked Dorkman or not.
Anyone who contributes, we thank you.
And if you'd rather choreograph a revue based on the book instead, you have our best wishes as you skip along your merry way.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
FAQs for P&S at the DBF in the ATL
Some of the more frequent questions we were asked about Dorkman or ourselves at the Decatur Book Fair and their answers appear below:
1) Is Dorkman at all autobiographical?
I think the question people really wanted to ask, but were too polite to do so, was: Are you guys dorks? To which the answer is obviously a resounding SOMETIMES!!!
However, to answer the precise question asked, Dorkman is a work of fiction and while some of the experiences and situations we have encountered in our lives might have peripherally slipped into the narrative, there's really nothing autobiographical about it. Both Ken and my personalities and commonalities are probably somewhere between Cole's and Gordon's, but neither of us mirror any of the characters within the book.
2) How do you write together, and is it difficult to do?
Easy questions. Nothing's difficult as long as Ken does what I say. Of course, if you believe that, I've got some fool's gold in my pocket for $400 an ounce.
With different projects we've taken different roles in the writing. For Dorkman in particular, I was the lead writer for the first draft, and Ken did some of the major rewriting and basically accomplished most of the editing functions. The roles reversed some when he rewrote the first couple of chapters in their entirety and added a couple in the middle of the book. In one of our newer projects, The Legend Hunters, Ken has taken the lead in writing chapters for our main POV character while I rewrite and edit. For us, either way can work.
Both of us have complementing strengths that override most of our weaknesses as writers. Having said that, it's never easy to hear that anything you've written needs to be altered. Aren't we all arrogant enough to think the first version of what we write is the perfect version? Well, it never is. From a personal standpoint, once I've written a piece, Ken has a unique and supportive way of highlighting the places where the work needs polishing, lacks sparkle, or even needs trashing, all the while pointing out the merits and strengths in what I've accomplished. We both enjoy the united aspect of team sports, and we see that same camaraderie in our writing together.
So, yes it's difficult but also exciting, and the work we've completed together far outweighs anything we could do separately. We both believe in that strongly, or we would have long since gone our own ways.
3) Will you come and speak to schools / youth groups / reading clubs, and how much notice do you have to have?
Absolutely we will speak to any of these groups about Dorkman, the issues contained within, or writing in general. However, there is a caveat. As both of us have jobs other than writing that, for now, pay the bills, scheduling will have to be strategic. At this point, we'd like to line up a series of speaking engagements in or along the way to specific places. For the most part, we'd also prefer to be able to drive to "wherever" to keep costs down, but we'll preclude nothing. There may be some instances where time or scheduling doesn't work out, but a "no" for a specific time doesn't mean a "no" forever. We're always going to try to work something out. Also, there is the compensation issue for expenses and whatnot. For now, we'll work that out on an individual basis.
We're based in Huntsville, AL, so if you would like us to speak to an institution or organization that is not in the northern or central Alabama vicinity, we'd ask for at least a month's lead time. Once again, we'll work with you.
4) Was Dorkman self-published?
No. OnStage Publishing (Onstage), a children's book publisher based in Madison, AL, bought the Dorkman manuscript. OnStage publishes children's novels and chapter books marketed for kids aged eight to eighteen. Presently, OnStage carries eleven titles and publishes two or three new titles each year. For what it's worth, most of the new titles last year came from first-time novelists. The submission guidelines for OnStage can be found at the company's website, which is www.onstagepublishing.com.
5) Is Dorkman any good?
Any good? No, it's not good. IT'S GREAT!!! AWESOME!!! WONDERIFIC!!! INCREDABULOUS!!! A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME-DON'T-DIE-WITHOUT-READING-IT type of book that you'll find nowhere else evvvvvvvv-errrrrrrrrr!!!!!
Read it today.
1) Is Dorkman at all autobiographical?
I think the question people really wanted to ask, but were too polite to do so, was: Are you guys dorks? To which the answer is obviously a resounding SOMETIMES!!!
However, to answer the precise question asked, Dorkman is a work of fiction and while some of the experiences and situations we have encountered in our lives might have peripherally slipped into the narrative, there's really nothing autobiographical about it. Both Ken and my personalities and commonalities are probably somewhere between Cole's and Gordon's, but neither of us mirror any of the characters within the book.
2) How do you write together, and is it difficult to do?
Easy questions. Nothing's difficult as long as Ken does what I say. Of course, if you believe that, I've got some fool's gold in my pocket for $400 an ounce.
With different projects we've taken different roles in the writing. For Dorkman in particular, I was the lead writer for the first draft, and Ken did some of the major rewriting and basically accomplished most of the editing functions. The roles reversed some when he rewrote the first couple of chapters in their entirety and added a couple in the middle of the book. In one of our newer projects, The Legend Hunters, Ken has taken the lead in writing chapters for our main POV character while I rewrite and edit. For us, either way can work.
Both of us have complementing strengths that override most of our weaknesses as writers. Having said that, it's never easy to hear that anything you've written needs to be altered. Aren't we all arrogant enough to think the first version of what we write is the perfect version? Well, it never is. From a personal standpoint, once I've written a piece, Ken has a unique and supportive way of highlighting the places where the work needs polishing, lacks sparkle, or even needs trashing, all the while pointing out the merits and strengths in what I've accomplished. We both enjoy the united aspect of team sports, and we see that same camaraderie in our writing together.
So, yes it's difficult but also exciting, and the work we've completed together far outweighs anything we could do separately. We both believe in that strongly, or we would have long since gone our own ways.
3) Will you come and speak to schools / youth groups / reading clubs, and how much notice do you have to have?
Absolutely we will speak to any of these groups about Dorkman, the issues contained within, or writing in general. However, there is a caveat. As both of us have jobs other than writing that, for now, pay the bills, scheduling will have to be strategic. At this point, we'd like to line up a series of speaking engagements in or along the way to specific places. For the most part, we'd also prefer to be able to drive to "wherever" to keep costs down, but we'll preclude nothing. There may be some instances where time or scheduling doesn't work out, but a "no" for a specific time doesn't mean a "no" forever. We're always going to try to work something out. Also, there is the compensation issue for expenses and whatnot. For now, we'll work that out on an individual basis.
We're based in Huntsville, AL, so if you would like us to speak to an institution or organization that is not in the northern or central Alabama vicinity, we'd ask for at least a month's lead time. Once again, we'll work with you.
4) Was Dorkman self-published?
No. OnStage Publishing (Onstage), a children's book publisher based in Madison, AL, bought the Dorkman manuscript. OnStage publishes children's novels and chapter books marketed for kids aged eight to eighteen. Presently, OnStage carries eleven titles and publishes two or three new titles each year. For what it's worth, most of the new titles last year came from first-time novelists. The submission guidelines for OnStage can be found at the company's website, which is www.onstagepublishing.com.
5) Is Dorkman any good?
Any good? No, it's not good. IT'S GREAT!!! AWESOME!!! WONDERIFIC!!! INCREDABULOUS!!! A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME-DON'T-DIE-WITHOUT-READING-IT type of book that you'll find nowhere else evvvvvvvv-errrrrrrrrr!!!!!
Read it today.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
If You Write It, They Will Come
IT'S OUT!!! HIP-HIP-HURRAY!!! Dorkman has hit the streets, and we're ready to rock-'n-roll!
Saturday and Sunday, September 2 and 3 of 2006, Ken and I enjoyed ourselves at the Decatur Book Fair (DBF) in Decatur, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. We had an unforgettable time in that the people that we sold books to there at the fair were our very first customers. If any of you guys/gals/ladies/gents that we met in Decatur make it to this blog, please give us a shout out. If you've read the book, let us know what you think. If you stopped and talked to us, we'd love to hear from you, too.
A couple of notes:
1) We'll post to the blog on this, too, but just a brief mention that our "official" local kick-off signing will be at Shaver's Bookstore at 2362 Whitesburg Drive in Huntsville, AL on September 23, 2006 -- that's a Saturday -- from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. We're looking forward to that, and as we love our local independent bookstores, we're hoping for a huge turnout there to support Mr. Shaver. (On our post, we'll include directions as well.) If you're anywhere near the Huntsville vicinity, please come and see us at Shaver's to say "hi" and get your copy of Dorkman. You won't be disappointed.
2) Anyone who has been to our Dorkman website and been to the "How Do I Get Mine?" page might have noticed that the OnStage publishing link (that states availability as of August 31, 2006) does not yet have Dorkman on its Order Form page. Please be patient with us because I assure you we're working hard to make our book available in as many places and by as many avenues as possible. We're hoping that the OnStage Order Form will be updated this week. However, if you cannot wait to get your copy of Dorkman -- and let's face it, who can? -- you can e-mail OnStage publishing at onstage123@knology.net and request orders. The way that'll work is that you may send your e-mail order and Onstage will respond to you with a price. Then, mail a check to OnStage Publishing at send it ATTN: Dianne Hamilton, 190 Lime Quarry Road, Suite 106K, Madison, AL 35758. Upon receiving payment, Dianne will ship the order. I apologize for the hassle here at the beginning and promise that book availability will not be a problem in the near future. Thanks for bearing with us here at the start.
3) At the DBF we had a Dorkman Art Contest where kids could draw their best cartoon or comic book art -- like Gordon Dorfmueller aka Dorkman. Really, it was like the best cartoons or superheroes a kid could draw in five to ten minutes... it wasn't easy. However, we still received some very good comic art. We'll be linking a page of some of that artwork very shortly at the www.dorkmancometh.com website, so be on the lookout for those. Furthermore, we'll soon be having a National Dorkman Art contest over the site, whereby the winning pictures will be featured in additional printings of Dorkman, so that'll be cool.
That's the long and longer of it for now. If you haven't gotten Dorkman yet, we're hoping it's in your hands very soon. Visit our website if you haven't. We'll be talking to you.
Saturday and Sunday, September 2 and 3 of 2006, Ken and I enjoyed ourselves at the Decatur Book Fair (DBF) in Decatur, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. We had an unforgettable time in that the people that we sold books to there at the fair were our very first customers. If any of you guys/gals/ladies/gents that we met in Decatur make it to this blog, please give us a shout out. If you've read the book, let us know what you think. If you stopped and talked to us, we'd love to hear from you, too.
A couple of notes:
1) We'll post to the blog on this, too, but just a brief mention that our "official" local kick-off signing will be at Shaver's Bookstore at 2362 Whitesburg Drive in Huntsville, AL on September 23, 2006 -- that's a Saturday -- from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. We're looking forward to that, and as we love our local independent bookstores, we're hoping for a huge turnout there to support Mr. Shaver. (On our post, we'll include directions as well.) If you're anywhere near the Huntsville vicinity, please come and see us at Shaver's to say "hi" and get your copy of Dorkman. You won't be disappointed.
2) Anyone who has been to our Dorkman website and been to the "How Do I Get Mine?" page might have noticed that the OnStage publishing link (that states availability as of August 31, 2006) does not yet have Dorkman on its Order Form page. Please be patient with us because I assure you we're working hard to make our book available in as many places and by as many avenues as possible. We're hoping that the OnStage Order Form will be updated this week. However, if you cannot wait to get your copy of Dorkman -- and let's face it, who can? -- you can e-mail OnStage publishing at onstage123@knology.net and request orders. The way that'll work is that you may send your e-mail order and Onstage will respond to you with a price. Then, mail a check to OnStage Publishing at send it ATTN: Dianne Hamilton, 190 Lime Quarry Road, Suite 106K, Madison, AL 35758. Upon receiving payment, Dianne will ship the order. I apologize for the hassle here at the beginning and promise that book availability will not be a problem in the near future. Thanks for bearing with us here at the start.
3) At the DBF we had a Dorkman Art Contest where kids could draw their best cartoon or comic book art -- like Gordon Dorfmueller aka Dorkman. Really, it was like the best cartoons or superheroes a kid could draw in five to ten minutes... it wasn't easy. However, we still received some very good comic art. We'll be linking a page of some of that artwork very shortly at the www.dorkmancometh.com website, so be on the lookout for those. Furthermore, we'll soon be having a National Dorkman Art contest over the site, whereby the winning pictures will be featured in additional printings of Dorkman, so that'll be cool.
That's the long and longer of it for now. If you haven't gotten Dorkman yet, we're hoping it's in your hands very soon. Visit our website if you haven't. We'll be talking to you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)