WHAT IS IN A LABEL?

The International Thriller Writers wrote a review of my latest book, "Cornerstone" in the June edition of The Big Thrill, the ITWs online magazine. The reviewer brought up some interesting points and I thought I would ask your opinion.

Derek Gunn states that sub-genres; such as, Christian thriller tend to pigeon-hole the author and may weed out potential readers who just might love the book. Is he correct in his view? Idealistically speaking . . . yes. Practically speaking . . . I don't know.

Here is my dilemma with placing my books in the right category. My first series (the Trilogy of the Chosen and Cornerstone, the continuation of the Phantom Squad Series) has a spiritual or Christian backbone running through it. Do I as the writer have a responsibility to let potential readers know that this exists or should I be vague and let the unexpected purchase the books? There are two possible scenarios. First, the reader may be pleasantly surprised at the references and it may add to their enthusiasm for the book. Second, the reader will be put off by the references and may never want to pick up another book written by me again.

I have been given conflicting advice from many industry insiders. Some say that for an author to compete with the biggest names, they must use sub-genres to get noticed. It helps the reader find you among the thousands of books being released. The other side, much like this reviewer, states that it cuts off a potential audience from reading a great book. I feel as if I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't. Mr. Gunn makes a great point in that if my books are to be labeled Christian than shouldn't Dan Brown's be also. Hmm?

Here is the link to the review. Read it and tell me what you think.

http://www.thebigthrill.org/2013/05/the-june-2013-edition-of-the-big-thrill-is-here/

Once you go to the site, click on Cornerstone for the review.

I look forwards to your comments.

Until next time,
J.M.

What Would You Do, If I Sang Out Of Tune. . .

I heard something the other day that made me think of a Beatles tune. You remember the song. It was on the Sergeant Pepper album and sung by Ringo. I think it was the first song after the intro.
The lyric went something like this:
"What would you do, If I sang out of tune, would you stand up and walk out on me?"
The song popped into my head when I read that some big name authors, including someone I had admired (notice the past tense), were writing their own reviews under false names. When this was first brought to my attention, I was dismayed. Why would good writers sink to such practices? Then, I went through denial. Maybe the person who broke the news got it wrong or was talking about the wrong person. Finally, I became angry. As an author, I know the highs and lows of the writing industry. One of the greatest highs is when someone reads your work, the work you have spent months (years) pouring your heart, soul, and sweat into and tells you and the world how much they liked it. In my frame of reference, to fake a review is similar to stealing someone's work. I don't care what excuse these writers gave for doing it; none would suffice.
So, we're they punished? Good question. I don't know the answer. I do know that they are still being asked to speak at prestigious writers' conferences. I do know that they are still being tauted as "best selling authors."
I know I am about to go off topic, but stick with me . . .Why is it that Lance Armstrong can pass over five hundred drug tests (he was even made to take one while his wife was in labor) and when he is found guilty of taking performance enhancing drugs by a shady board who used partial witnesses, he is stripped of every title he had ever won and was forced to give back his winnings, but these authors are not asked to give back their awards or give back their royalties.
Just a thought.
(New lyric)
"What would you do, if I faked my review, would you still read my books?"
I, for one, will no longer be reading these authors.
Until next time,
J.M.

Starting Fresh

I have often wondered why so many authors continue to write about the same characters with each new book. Truth be told, the characters become like family. You have so much to tell about them and you want to continue to share their stories with your readers. So it has been for me, I have written four books about the Phantom Squad: three novels and one novella. I am approximately half way finished with the rough draft of the squad's next adventure. I am passionate about it and feel it may be my best story line yet, but . . . new characters keep knocking at the door of my imagination. I have tried to ignore them, but they won't go away. I had to finally open the the door and let them in.
I have put the Phantom Squad aside for awhile and have begun to write a new story with all new characters.
It is with great excitement and some anxiety that I have begun to put pen to paper and fingers to key board to write their story. As with all my stories, I know where I want their story to begin and I have some idea of where I would like it to end, but I have no idea of how to get there. Only time will tell.
It is only a matter of time before Brent and Seven come banging on the door of my imagination and insist that I finish their story. I can only hope that all of the characters, new and old, can live synergistically in my imagination until I have a chance to finish both novels.
I will update you from time to time on the new characters and ask for your opinion.
Until then, keep reading and keep the door to your imagination open. You never know who might walk in.
J.M.

PHANTOM SQUAD

Phantom Squad, the prequel to the Trilogy of The Chosen has been released as a free e-book. You can find it at the following sites with more to soon follow.
Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/story/1802501-phantom-squad
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/210393
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/story/show/311072-phantom-squad
Again, I wouls like to thank my publisher, Suspense Publishing, for releasing a free book.
Happy reading.

J.M.

PHANTOM QUAD

On Tuesday, August 1st, 2012, "Phantom Squad," prequel to The Trilogy of The Chosen will be released as a free e-book from Suspense Publishing. I would like to thank Suspense for their generosity.
Enjoy and let me know what you think.

Until next week,
J.M.