Novelist D. H. Schleicher Blogs On

Being a part of The Writers’ Block has been a truly rewarding experience.  Had it not been for Nancy O. Greene, I would’ve never started blogging.  I can’t thank her enough for asking me to join The Writers’ Block and showing me how a writer can reach readers, make friends, and create fans through blogging on a regular basis.  Now, in addition to the time I have spent here on the Block, as well as continued contributions to The Book’s Den, I have a thriving blog of my own where I post my thoughts on books, films, current events and my latest writing projects.

While I put the finishing touches on my next manuscript (a political thriller of sorts), my twisted hit The Thief Maker continues to gain acclaim as it was recently named a Finalist for the 2008 Eric Hoffer Award in Independent Books.

Readers can continue to find me at:  http://davethenovelist.wordpress.com

Originally written April 13, 2008

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“He Played The Game”

That’s the title of my new novel with Alan Solomon. Check out the foreward I wrote for it. I would be interested to hear feedback.

Hello all, the last time I started a blog to promote a book, it was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. So hence, here I am again, starting the journey once again with my co-writer who currently hails from Beijing, China. We’ve never met…or talked by phone. We’ve only emailed and instant messaged each other on GMail. A true novelty to be sure. You’ve read a bit of what the book is about, but here is more to ponder as we go through this journey together. Questions? email me at : TSim681157@aol.com . I look forward to hearing from you!

This book is lovingly and gently dedicated to those who struggle with the desire to abandon the intangible sense of differentness that lay so clumsily inside.

There are those who will understand the pain and grief that plagues the main character in this story. After all, one misfit can spot another instinctively. The uncomfortablness of living in one”s skin is a constant reminder of the lonliness of never being understood.

I”m not sure why some souls feel more isolated than others. The grip of being different is so tightly embedded inside those of us that the silence of peculiarity remains imprisoned. There is an all encompassing pain that endure from being different. I do not understand why this is. I simply know that I feel it too.

So, if you find yourself browsing through this book, your secret of being different has been discovered.

No worries, your secret is safe here.

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Taryn Simpson – http://www.HePlayedtheGame.blogspot.com

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A couple of short story links

It’s been pretty busy for me, personal wise and publishing wise, so instead of the usual thoughts on the writing life, I thought I’d post links to some actual stories I wrote. They’re all in the speculative/fantasy realm, but hey, they’re free and quick to read.

1) Light as Gossamer, published by Mytholog (www.mytholog.com), a webzine that’s sadly folded but still has its material online. The first story I ever published–a different take on the Cinderella story.

2) The Autumn Queen, also published by Mytholog. The Queen likes her tea hot.

3) Daughters of Sarah, published by Third Order Magazine (www.thirdorder.org). Story about a social worker confronting her past through non-existent women.

4) Crimson, published by Tales from the Moonlight Path(www.moonlit-path.com). A flash story that might not be about vampires.

5) Crowntree, published by Ideomancer (www.ideomancer.com). A coming-of-age story of a boy who realizes his friend is not who she seems to be.

I will also have stories published in upcoming issues of Poor Mojo’s Almanac(k) and The Town Drunk, so if you wish to be notified when they come out, subscribe to my blog, Cafe in the Woods. It’s always open and the food is mentally delicious…

Thanks for reading!

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Booksignings, Book Trailers and other promotions?

I have seen so many authors do virtual booksignings as well as “physical” bookstore signings only to be followed up with book trailers, blogging, digging, delicioso-ing, podcast interviews and other networking sites.

My question is this: What works for YOU? Did the booktrailer spark interest? Was it having people post comments on your blog? Did booksignings boost your sales at all?

I guess I’m wondering, What is the next big thing? The reason why I ask is because I was checking my sales in the U.K. for one of my books and they were KILLER! And, I haven’t done anything special to promote the book there….

C’mon Authors….Do Tell!

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Networking on Word Weavers

Any writer worth their salt knows that social networking sites like MySpace are a great way to meet fellow writers and hopefully some readers as well.

I am currently featured on MySpace’s Word Weavers for the week of 1/13/2008.

http://www.myspace.com/weaversofwords

D. H. Schleicher holds a background in Psychology and Criminal Justice from his undergraduate days at Elon University in North Carolina. Always a crafty storyteller as a child, Schleicher honed his skills in college where his studies fueled his ideas and helped him develop his characters. Schleicher took many chances early on by self-publishing three psychological thrillers over a course of two and half years after graduating college in 2002. His projects were unmitigated disasters, but provided him valuable lessons. Sometimes a writer must learn the hard way and must write a lot of garbage before finally writing something worthwhile that will connect with audiences.

That breakthrough came in late 2006 with the publication of The Thief Maker. Here Schleicher finally found his voice and delivered a dark, psychologically complex, intertwining tale of love, hate, and crime on the streets of Philadelphia and New York City. The Thief Maker has been earning rave reviews and accolades (including Honorable Mention in the Genre Fiction category in the upcoming Writer’s Digest 15th Annual International Self-Published Book Awards) over the course of the past year. Schleicher has employed a slow-burning grassroots marketing campaign built on the strong word of mouth from readers and critics and his always lively blog where he discusses films, books, current events, and shares his trials and tribulations with self-publishing and living the writer’s life.

http://davethenovelist.wordpress.com

The author finds endless inspiration from his love of films and books. He believes you learn to write well by reading as much of the classics as you can, but also by reading some of the bad writing (be it one’s own experiments from the past or current best-sellers that are less than stellar) to know what to avoid in one’s own writing. His favorite novelist is Graham Greene while his favorite film director is Stanley Kubrick. Schleicher is currently working on his next evolution as a novelist while residing in the suburbs of his favorite city and muse, Philadelphia.

The Thief Maker is on the shelves at Philadelphia and South Jersey area Barnes & Noble stores and available for purchase worldwide through Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com.

Purchase Now from Barnes and Noble

Purchase Now from Amazon.com

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My Bucket List

The other day I saw an advertisement for a movie with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman’s latest movie, entitled: “The Bucket List“. Apparently, each of them are ill and want to experience adventures before they “Kick the Bucket”. Hence, “The Bucket List.”

It got me to thinking about my own Bucket List. I haven’t really made one, but I have thoughts and ideas tucked away of things I would love to do and accomplish. So, without further adieu:

My Bucket List

1. Win the Pulitzer Prize for Best Fiction
for “The Mango Tree Cafe, Loi Kroh Road”

2. Write a One Woman Show for Broadway
Subject is in my mind, but yet to put pen to paper.

3. Create an Invention, Patent it and Sell it.
In progress (beginning stages)

4. Play in the World Poker Tour
In progress (beginning stages)

5. Travel to Thailand to actually walk Loi Kroh Road
We’ll see, not sure I could fly for that long.

6. Create a Creative Writing Camp for Kids
Would love to take those “odd ducks” and have them realize how unique they are.

7. Have “The Mango Tree Cafe, Loi Kroh Road” made into a film.
Anyone know how to contact Sir Anthony Hopkins?

8. Learn how to fly an airplane
I think that would be so cool!

9. Be Invited to Oprah’s show to discuss “The Mango Tree Cafe, Loi Kroh Road”
C’mon, you knew that was coming didn’t you?

10. Tour Ernest Hemingway’s home in Key West, Florida.
I want to see his 6 toed cats too!

11. Last but certainly not least, Before I die, I want to belly laugh.

Really laugh where the tears come and you are holding your stomach.

I want to appreciate the greatest of gifts as well as the smallest.

That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?
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Taryn Simpson is a full-time ghostwriter specializing in writing of novels and marketing pieces.

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The Value of a Shrink

I don’t know if the writers that lurk here have been to a therapist or not, but I personally think they not only add value to your state of emotional well being, but they add value to your writing as well. At least, in my case.

I tend to look at my shrink as my “emotional coach”. You have a coach for working out, learning new skills, mentoring and so on….why not an emotional coach? And, lets face it, if you have a clear head, your writing improves automatically. The trick is to let yourself absorb the value, take a deep breath and plow ahead in your emotional journey. A good emotional coach will touch nerves at times and that is good. It’s like doing spring cleaning, no one likes to do it, but it looks and feels great after you do it.

So, if any of you in cyberspace are thinking of seeing a therapist, do it. I sometimes wonder what would have happened if Ernest Hemingway would have sought help so long ago.

There’s no rule that writers have to be tortured.

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Taryn Simpson is a freelance ghostwriter – visit her online presskit at http://www.Taryn-Simpson.blogspot.com

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The Role of a Mentor

Not too long ago, a friend sent a “mini questionnaire” for me to complete as a blog promotion. I completed it and sent it on to the next person, but it caused me to reflect for a moment.

One of the questions was “Who is/was your mentor in writing?” I answered and smiled at the long road I have traveled to get from there to here. I looked back at his comments and felt appreciative all over again for him to take the time to read some lackluster articles and to actually critique them. I was even more grateful for his no holds barred ripping of my work. I respect someone who is a straight shooter and will tell you exactly what they think, regardless of hurt feelings etc. It’s the sign of a good friend who will serve your needs far better than someone tip-toeing around the heart that is clumsily pinned to your sleeve.

I found some emails he sent. For all the writers out there, have a giggle, it’s on me. For new writers out there, take his sage advice!
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Foster Winans-Ghostwriter, Editor, Lecturer

Foster is the first well-known journalist to correspond with me and offer to look at my work. And WHOA did he look at my work. He ripped me to shreds, but he did it honestly and with integrity. It doesn’t get any better than that.

Here are some snippets of emails he left me (not to mention he even called me on the phone, which almost left me speechless.)

Email Correspondence after sending my work to him:

“I scanned through everything and see that you have a broad range of interests and accumulated knowledge… I am a cruel and heartless editor who has had almost forty years of mistakes behind him, so I consider it my obligation to be honest. That’s all it is, honesty. And the crankiness of age. I encourage you to challenge yourself more as a writer, and to be much more careful as a proof-reader…

There is too much starch and not enough protein in your writing. Even someone who is an expert on a subject needs to cite examples, details, stats, anything, to support their argument, to show they know the subject.Your nonfiction work lacks anchor points, and in their absence tries too hard to sound important. You are telling when you should be showing… You sound like a smart person who has an interest in growing. So I repeat–challenge yourself…

I will leave you with my standard homily: it’s never a question of “Is it (or am I) any good?” The question should always be, “Is it the best I can make it and, if not, how can I make it better?” Keep plugging away, don’t give up!”
Regards, Foster

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Taryn Simpson is a freelance writer and has recently completed a novel that is nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in Fiction. For more info about Taryn’s background, please feel free to access her online presskit: http://www.Taryn-Simpson.blogspot.com

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Clients

For some ghostwriters, I’m sure the mere mention of “The Client” would encourage a roll of the eyes and a grumble.

Me? I can honestly say that I have enjoyed working with everyone one of my clients. Even those who have been a bit of a challenge to work with. I can say quite honestly that there have only been perhaps 1 or 2 “challenging” clients I’ve worked with so far. The rest have been great. I love working with people who are excited about a project, who question me thoroughly about my process and so forth. Really….I swear! It shows me that they are interested in putting forth the best effort, and that is the only kind to put out there in my mind.

When I have an old client call or email me, it thrills me. Why? Because it means I did a good job for them and they feel comfortable calling or asking questions. It means we connected and created a great product.

It means I lived up to my grandmother’s mantra: “Anything worth doing is worth doing well”

Believe me, if I didn’t do my job, my clients wouldn’t return. And, the fact that I can stay in business doing what I love says one thing: “The Proof is in the Pudding.”
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Taryn Simpson is a fulltime ghostwriter with numerous books and screenplays to her credit. She has most recently been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for Best Fiction novel – The Mango Tree Cafe, Loi Kroh Road”. For more info about Simpson: http://www.Taryn-Simpson.blogspot.com

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Thumbsignings

After reading the title to this post, you’re probably uttering the word, HUH?

As most of you know, Jason Walker and I co-wrote his memoirs entitled, “Missing My Body”. Well, after loading the book on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com, I really haven’t had time to do much within the promotion scheme of things.

Well, enter Full Circle Admin Services! 2 Associates with Full Circle have taken it to their hearts to promote the heck out of this book for Jason. For those of you that don’t know the circumstances:

Jason has a rare form of Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy and is a quadreplegic. My friend plans to have booksignings for him at some bookstores. However, Jason gently reminded me he can’t sign his books. His Mom, Linda Walker came up with the great idea of having him do thumbprints on the books! She would simply ink his thumb as people line up for his “signature”.

More details will be posted about his appearances (if you’re in the southern Georgia, Tallahassee, Florida region).

Go on….buy a book. I can get it thumbsigned for ya. CLICK HERE TO BUY

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Taryn Simpson is a fulltime ghostwriter who looks forward one day to gaining wealth and fame. Cheers.

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