Chocolate Lunch blog!

Many years ago, a group of ladies and I started a tradition: Chocolate lunch. When the stress got high and we felt low, we'd get together for a special excursion to a local restaurant. We would order the obligatory salad, but make sure to save room for the course that really mattered --- the chocolate! We would even select the restaurant based on their desert menu. Ahhhh!! Talk about stress relief!

Well, I've labeled my new blog "Chocolate Lunch" because it is about the day job, whereas this blog is about the night one. Writing for pleasure, after all, isn't work (um...yeah. Right. Whatever! ;) )

In "Chocolate Lunch" I will share links to articles I've written for Demand Studios. It's freelance work at low pay, but it is far more reliable than whatever can trickle in from Smashwords or Amazon or the like. I am an approved writter for Careers and Culture at this point in time. I won't post links to every article here, but I will post when I feel the article's message is one that is universally pertinent.

Check it out! CHOCOLATE LUNCH

Smashwords status/results so far

So, I've posted 5 titles to Smashwords since December 21. 3 titles are posted for free. 2 are posted for sale at low prices.This blog post shows my strategies and my reassessment of strategies, looking at these "books" as my entry into the world of publishing. I am not looking to make a killing (heck, I'll be lucky to get a return on investment!). Instead, I am looking to build a following. "Slow and steady wins the race."

Of the 3 free titles, I measure success by number of downloads, number of libraries the work has been saved to, # of "Likes", and reviews.

"How I Saved Humankind" has been downloaded 94 times and saved in 7 libraries. It has received 2 5-star reviews, and has been "Liked" 3 times. I call that a success! :D

"In the End: Apocalyptic Poetry" has been downloaded 25 times but saved in 0 libraries. It has received no reviews, and has only been "Liked" once. Ah well. It is poetry, after all. And most people who like poetry are looking for inspiration or love poetry. It takes a unique character to look for dark, spec poetry. These results do not disappoint me. In fact.... This is the first title that has been "approved" for Smashwords Premium Catalog, which means it will be distributed to all major e-book retailers, including Barnes and Noble, the Apple store, the Sony store, etc. Amazon is not included. I won't post it to Amazon either, because it's free--I can't seem to find a way to post freebies at Amazon.

"Pardon Me" is my biggest success, when measuring downloads and libraries. This little love story about the love that couldn't be has been downloaded 238 times and saved in 22 libraries! It has zero "Likes" (I suppose if people are downloading and saving into libraries for easier finding later on, they don't feel the need to "Like" it also.) This story has received 1 5-star review.

Now, the 2 titles for sale....  Action is not nearly as intense on these, for the simple reason that people must make an investment in them, even if it is a small investment, and I haven't earned their trust yet. I'd rather not post numbers sold...if only to protect my ego! lol!

"A Throne's Stowaway" was viewed 80 times on its first day of posting, and to date has been "Liked" 15 times. There are no reviews. The next highest number of views per day occurred on Friday, when it got 20 hits...I credit that to my posting messages about it here and on Twitter. There were no hits at all yesterday, and none so far today. These figures tell me I have to advertise frequently or post new stories frequently to get new readers.

"Mozart" was viewed 50 times the first day, 20 times the second, and 10 times the third. It has been "Liked" 3 times. There are no reviews.


Now for future strategic decisions:

I could stop offering "How I Saved Humankind" for free...charge the lowest possible price of $0.99. This story has proven it's worth. However, I have read many "how to promote sales" articles and blogs, and the overall recommendation is to offer some things for free to build a following that will ultimately buy other stories.

I could stop offering one or both titles for sale, and switch them to "free" but that can send a bad message. People who have made the purchase could feel used or betrayed (for lack of better words this morning). Others could think it means I don't think highly enough of the work to keep offering it for sale. If my entire library is "free", that can send a message to readers that I am a true amateur.

So...I think I'll keep status quo as it is for now. No changes with regard to free offers vs. for sale.

As to pricing....When I tried to determine how to set pricing, what I saw was "all over the map." One recommendation said that a reader survey suggested pricing over $2.99 represented better perceived value. Some readers wouldn't even consider buying something from an untested author for less. However, I could not in good conscience offer the novella "A Throne's Stowaway" for that price, because many novel length works start there and go up. Of course, other novel length works are offered for $0.99. Charles de Lint is offering all of his out of print titles at Smashwords for $0.99...it's hard to compete when a recognized author sells so low and a green author tries to get more. But, again, I have to reflect a higher perceived value, so I can't under-price my works either. 

Pricing is sort of like a crap-shoot. But I'll stick with my strategy for now: Short stories at the lowest price possible, $0.99. Novellas for $1.99. Novels starting at $2.99, but variable depending on length.

These figures also show me that romance/love stories really do sell.

And vampire fans can be pretty intense. One purchaser of the vampire story, Mozart, bought 5 copies right away. This shows me the person was eager to share it with others even before she had read it herself.

So...love and vampires must be on my docket for future projects. My eventually forthcoming novel about the Murray-Harker Institute will include both aspects. (Don't worry, I'm not picking it back up until I'm finished with Prophecy's Drum!!) I have another Murray-Harker Inst. story to dust off in the interim--that one will be either a short story or a novella, depending on where I take it which will determine how long it becomes.

Log Lines

A Throne's Stowaway: ($1.99) Prince Charming in a Detroit warehouse? That's nothing! It's the throne that'll throw you! 

Mozart: ($0.99) Her first desire had been to purge the darkness from tortured human souls; her last could be to purge her own.

Pardon Me: (Free!)  A mud-caked stranger with an easy country drawl leads to dreams of mud-caked little boys.

In the End: (Free!) In the end they'll all be dancin'...all them ones that didn't die.

How I Saved Humankind: (Free!) Armageddon.What if it started to happen, and then, just as startlingly, stopped?

A better log line....

Prince Charming in a Detroit warehouse? That's nothing! It's the throne that'll throw you! 


I'm trying to improve. I really am. So...how's that for a new log line for "A Throne's Stowaway"?

A Throne's Stowaway now at both Amazon & Smashwords!

 After a ragged Prince Charming is freed from his crystal ball prison in a Detroit warehouse, two women discover dreams don't have to be fantasies -- and with enough elbow grease, anyone can create a kingdom. 

Check out "A Throne's Stowaway," an ebook novella available now!

At Amazon 

***At Smashwords (Use COUPON CODE XK44P to get it for 50% off now through January 25!)

 

Pardon Me....

"Pardon Me"

Short story ebook now available for FREE from Smashwords.

A mud-caked stranger with an easy country drawl fills a woman's thoughts with roses and mud-caked little boys.

A Throne's Stowaway

 After a ragged Prince Charming is freed from his crystal ball prison in a Detroit warehouse, two women discover dreams don't have to be fantasies -- and with enough elbow grease, anyone can create a kingdom. 

Check out "A Throne's Stowaway," an ebook novella available now!

Use COUPON CODE XK44P to get it for 50% off now through January 25!

  

Apocalyptic Reads

Two very short ebooks now FREE at Smashwords:

 How I Saved Humankind  (click link in title)

Armageddon. There are as many stories about how it will happen as there are cultures on Earth. What if it started to happen, and then, just as startlingly, stopped? And how would you respond if someone told you he was responsible for stopping it? Here’s a thought: have a seat; grab a cup of coffee or tea; and settle back to listen to his story. Then decide.

 

In the End: Apocalyptic Poetry  (click link in title)

Follow dark tales of humankind--as well as things never meant for human eyes--in a journey from endings beginnings, with frequent stops to explore the darkness in between.

 

Stop the presses! I stopped Armageddon!

Okay, not really, but....

My short story, "How I Saved Humankind," is now live at Smashwords, and available for free download.

Check it out at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/267376

Consider leaving a review.

I am working on pulling together a longer short story/novella for publication there as well. Stay tuned for "A Throne's Stowaway."

Rescued Poems from 2008

In 2008, I was in a dark place, writing poems and stories thick with horror themes. I was making some headway with publishing...but I was losing myself along the way.

The poems are worth remembering. They could still find markets somewhere, but I do not want to invest my time in seeking those markets out. I went looking for one poem in particular today. I didn't find it, but I found several others that I decided to post both here and at Author's Den for the simple sake of preservation.

Reminders of dark places best left avoided....

Surrender

Surrender

by Debra Kraft

c 2008

Trapped in a circular room, 
a large room

palatial

the ceiling is far, too far. It towers,

hovers over my head.

My shoulders feel the weight, heavy

and black --

incongruous.

Before me all is white 
wisps of white curtains, 
sheer light curtains, so

delicate so clean, so

soft.

They sift past a distant breeze

and then shift

forward,

toward me

until I am surrounded.

A hundred hands, a thousand fingers,

pressing at the fabric, 
pushing from beyond, 
from without, from an out

side that does not exist, that cannot

exist.

All that is

is here, is this, this white room,

this round room, this merry-go-round

of white curtains and reaching hands,

this menagerie

of hands.

I spin around; I twist away and still those

hands encircle me, still those fingers press

and push and reach through sheer white silk,

through fine fabric so soft, so sheer, so

sharp,

as sharp as death, and

as dark as the dead sky, the forgotten sky.

No.

I remember.

I can still see the blue.

I can see the blue and white, 
wispy white

refuse

from passing jets from jet engines, from

monsters made for pushing, for pressing,

for reaching beyond. I can smell the fuel

burning, that oppressive, thick aroma, so

dark, so thick, so black, as

black as espresso.

I can taste the smooth silk on my tongue,

as grasping fingers reach me, as

they wrap around my arms. I can feel

that silken, smooth grip tightening, 
pressing down upon my shoulders, 
exploring the silk

of my breasts,

and the drip of warm espresso, so smooth,

as chocolate fluid glides along my thighs,

and all hope dies in longing

surrender

Extreme Decor

This one was inspired by a visit to the tiny village of Comala in Colima, Mexico....

Extreme Decor

by Debra Kraft

c 2008

Just off the town square -- a tidy

square of white washed walls dominated

in the east by a towering, white church,

its bells so green and thick they cough,

hour after searing hour in regular scorching fits --

there is a place that calls silently

to unwary travelers, to gringos

who smile like children,

oblivious

to the warning in the six o’clock cough:

Evening comes,

good people.

The sun fades.

To home,

good people,

to home.

So while the townsfolk pay heed, the

travelers still come. They come looking

for adventure, for local culture, for

dinner.

They come far off the main road to find

quaint, cobblestone streets, narrow and tight.

The drive is unpleasant. Still they come.

But the restaurant has closed, respecting

that six o’clock cough; there is just one

man sweeping. Chairs are up off the floor;

service is done for the day.

And so the travelers wander, walking

around that square, that tight, tidy square,

until they stumble upon a welcome fountain,

its bubbling waters a reprieve from the heat,

so cool, so pleasant, so

inviting.

Drawn in by the fountain they can almost ignore

the dead man stuck on the wall,

hanging

like a piece of art,

mummified remains of someone from

some-when, a mummy borne of time,

product of the weather or other forces

unknown to our travelers.

They find it disturbing, alluring and

quaint. 

And so they venture inside.

They capture a corner, a small open room

where the lime trees almost reach in and

roosters crow from the gulley below.

And in their corner they drag rough hewn tables

together, scrape heavy log chairs, petrified

chairs across the dry, wooden floor as they

gaze at the décor, at the white walls dripping

with red, with blood-red

paint?

– “Like a scene from Helter Skelter,” someone jests,

jokes, laughs –

and at the candles, thick globs of melted

wax clinging to the railings, waiting

for the night, for the dark, for whatever

the good people of town will wait out

behind locked doors.

And our travelers joke and laugh and begin to

wonder.

Growing nervous, they order nothing

more than bottled beer

and a side of nachos.

Outside, the sun begins to set.

A lone cowboy casually rides

across the cobblestones,

his face hidden in shadows.

Inside, the candles are lit.

And all eyes fall upon the travelers

as the regulars begin gazing, joking,

laughing at these fresh, new

pieces of art.

There Was a Young Woman

There Was a Young Woman

 by Debra Kraft

c 2008

There was a young woman who lived like a mop.

She had too many children but could not seem to stop.

She let men control her, even call her a whore.

She’d just lower her eyes and clean up the floor.

Then one day her children grew up to be men.

All tall and broad shouldered, they came to defend

Their much beloved mother, the queen of their nest.

Until justice was served, they just would not rest.

They targeted cowards who called women whores.

They pummeled and beat them ‘til blood soaked the floor.

When mother found out she did not make them stop.

She just lowered her eyes, and picked up her mop.

Prophecy's Drum Updated

Lots of stuff added tonight, explaining the history

Prophecy's Drum

PD has been updated with an added bit for chapter 3 and a new post with chapter 4

Prophecy's Drum Updates

For those of you who are reading my private blog to help me gauge reader response to my novel, Prophecy's Drum, I will provide notification here to let you know when a new chapter has been posted. I cannot activate "Follow by Email" or "Subscribe to" functions on a private blog, but I have added those functions here.

With that said....

Chapter 3 is posted. Chapter 4 will follow in a day or two.

Blueprints of an Hidden World: Murray-Harker International

Introduction

Murray-Harker International, Inc. is a global organization named for its founders, Mina Murray and Jonathon Harker, the principal characters from Bram Stoker's "Dracula" -- a book published as fiction for the sake of protecting fact. The concept behind a world in which MHI is a real organization provides a far different perspective from other stories or series' involving vampires.  Many of the vampires with MHI are doctors, lawyers, artists or patrons of the arts and members of society at its finest. Such professionals blend in with society, their secret secured through dealings with confidential governmental organizations.  Others within MHI are professionals in darker fields, such as espionage and the military. What happens behind closed doors on MHI grounds remains hands-off to governmental agencies, whether in the U.S. or beyond.  Such agencies are duty-bound to protect MHI's secrets.  In exchange, MHI protects (or simply does not feed off of) an area's citizens.  Most of the Earth's population has no knowledge of the existence of real 'creatures of the night.'

MHI is indicative of a vampire culture that is extremely rich and diverse, aspects of which allow for stories that are similarly diverse and could be told in a variety of media, whether in print or electronic reading materials, in video games or on movie screens. The genres in which stories can be told are variable as well, enabling a broader reach to a wide range of demographics. Stories relating to MHI, Inc. have franchise potential, enabling multiple authors to address the concept from a variety of genres and cross-genres to appeal to a variety of audiences; examples could include eroticism, paranormal romance, pure horror, and even military horror.

MHI, Inc.

MHI (Murray-Harker International), Inc. is a global conglomerate dating back to 1900 that currently includes operations covering everything from independent military contractors to philanthropic enterprises.  MHI's leaders literally have friends in high places; they are involved in global politics and have a hand in global policy setting and peacekeeping initiatives. 

The Murray-Harker Institute

The Murray-Harker Institute is an affiliate organization falling under the corporate umbrella of MHI. The focus of the institute itself is human health and well-being.  Some of the institute's international branch operations specialize in holistic healing; others treat patients through psychology and psychiatry. The Michigan Manor, located on the shores of Lake Michigan in the northern part of the state, offers voluntary in-patient psychiatric care in a resort-like setting. Patients are neither 'committed' nor confined, and there is an overall air of peace and serenity.

 There is, however, a darker, hidden side to both MHI as a corporation and the Institute itself. The leaders of these operations are not human. All board and high-level staff positions are filled by vampires; and the underlying purpose of each and every organization is to provide employees with an unlimited supply of human blood. In some cases -- but certainly not all -- that blood supply is provided by willing volunteers.

The Institute's Recruiting Methods

Why would anyone voluntarily subject themselves to being bled by vampires?  To regularly supplementing a vampire’s “food” supply?  All it takes is an observant recruiter, a little psychology and an irresistible sales pitch aimed specifically to a single individual’s immediate needs.

What follows is an example of a recruitment “spam” email from Murray-Harker Institute to a candidate recommended by an in-the-field recruiter:

drharmony.com

Someone close to you is concerned for your well being and believes the Murray-Harker Institute Online can help.

• Are you troubled by strange dreams? 
• Do you wake up confused and tired? 

If your answer is 'yes,' we encourage you to contact us. 

Unlike other online resources, we do not simply look for universal symbols in your dreams.  We help you to discover what your own body is trying to tell you, and why.*

For hundreds less than you would pay to visit a local clinic, you can work directly with one of our board certified psychiatrists and psychologists.  The Murray-Harker Institute Online also offers what no clinic can: complete anonymity.  Unless access is expressly requested by your counselor and granted in writing by you, no one besides your account coordinator will ever know who you are.  Further, your account coordinator will never have access to your counseling communications. 

Give us a try.  With our 100% satisfaction guarantee, you have nothing to lose but what you've already lost: a good night's sleep.

*Note: Dreams are sometimes the result of medical conditions that cannot be appropriately diagnosed or treated via the services provided here.  If our online resources are unable to provide you with satisfactory results, you may be advised to make an appointment for an in-home visit, or to take advantage of the wide range of services offered at one of the institute’s resort-like locations.

Sweet dreams!

If they're not sweet now, we'll help you sweeten them!

Emma's Apple (info from 2010)

Emma's Apple (working title) is a novel in progress to be told in approximately 75,000 words that introduces both MHI and the Murray-Harker Institute.

Emma Andersen is a pretty, young 30-something who had considered herself an up-and-coming automotive industry executive.  When she falls victim to industry-wide downsizing, she loses her sense of self -- and gains the notice of an MHI recruiter, Abigail Lawrence.

Abigail discovers Emma through Abigail's own life-link to a regular customer of the coffee shop where Emma has found employment.  The customer, a middle school teacher and part-time on-line horror writer named Jeremy Walker is falling in love with Emma.  Jeremy knows nothing about his link to Abigail, brought about by her recruitment of Jeremy's mother before his birth.  Abigail herself is ignorant of Jeremy's link with Emma, brought about by his falling in love.  These two secret facts set all three characters on a dangerous path when an institute physician, himself a vampire, plots a scheme of revenge against the current director of the Michigan Manor. (2012, October, Note: This key plot element will change with a pending complete rewrite of the novel, through which Jeremy will become the primary character.)

Story Text Excerpts Offering Descriptions of Key Characters:

"Fledglings": A newly turned vampire is an animal, unstoppable and insatiable.  Hunger is a constant, as is rage.  Fed by a sense of invincibility, a new vampire will attack without cause, and will meet any threat, however small, with all the savagery of a demon.

            In time, most can learn to control such impulses.  Many can even settle into a cautious existence within the realm of humankind -- those who can keep their superiority in check.  However, there are some instincts few will ever control.  When threatened, the beast is loosed.

"… It is physically, biologically impossible to stop them now.  They are hungry, ravenous even.  Imagine that you have spent days without food, no food at all, and then someone tells you there is a plate of filet mignon waiting for you just the other side of that hill behind you.  I assure you, Gunnery Sergeant Andersen, you would either ignore or tear apart anyone who said 'oops.  Sorry.  We made a mistake; that filet is not meant to be eaten.'"

"We're talking about people, not steak."

"In your eyes, perhaps, Gunnery Sergeant.  But not in theirs.  Do not forget what they are.  Fledglings are nothing like this." Mr. Assad swept his hands across his own body.  "When first bled, we are, for all practical purposes, beasts.  It takes years to get the primal instincts under control, sometimes decades.  We can guide them to a particular--cut of steak, if you will.  And in doing so we can both protect the community at large and aid your military.  But we can never, never turn them back once that steak is in their sights."

"… you are now part of a very elite group.  There are only a handful of people in all the armed forces who have any knowledge, or even any inkling of knowledge about Red Bird and teams such as Assad's.  By being made a part of that group, your allegiance goes first to them and then to the Corps -- as does mine and anyone else who has been indoctrinated.  There is no turning back from this knowledge, and under no circumstance can it ever be leaked to the world at large.  MHI will go to any length to see to it that never happens, and the United States government will not intervene."

Gunnery Sergeant Eric Andersen: (Human) Eric Andersen was as commanding in appearance as Emma was compelling.  Despite the Marine's shaved head, Jeremy felt confident Emma's brother could serve as a poster boy for ancient Vikings.  There was nothing soft about him.  His eyes, the same rich, royal blue as Emma's, were void of the trust so integral to his sister's character, and where her gaze radiated warmth, his projected ice; Andersen might well have been carved out of a block of it.  From the glacial edges of his square jaw to the razor-cut slit of his mouth, his visage alone gave Jeremy the inclination to shiver.  All in all, there was a wild ferocity about Emma's brother, one that made Jeremy grateful to discover their goals were not in opposition.  

Mr. Assad: (Vampire) The darker-skinned gentleman before him smiled casually and shrugged thick shoulders loosely covered in a white silk shirt

….  Known only as Mr. Assad, he reminded Andersen of a cross between Omar Sharif and Hal Linden's Barney Miller, with jet black hair and intrusive brown eyes that could turn black in an instant.

"I am sorry." Assad let his smile slip away, making it appear as though the apology might be sincere.  "But the sun has already set on our plans, both literally and metaphorically.  Once awakened, it is simply not possible to pull our teams back."

Colonel Parker

Emma Andersen: (Human) She had already seen enough of her own disheveled, poorly cut hair to make her sick to her stomach -- god how she missed her stylist at the spa.  The darkness of the coffee served as a painful reminder that she'd had to revert back to dishwater blonde now that she could no longer afford proper highlights. 

… After ten years she had made it into management only to discover the company had become 'vertically challenged,' having too many leaders and not enough funds to cover them all.  Despite the current trends favoring women in management roles, Emma had not survived the third round of layoffs.  Now, nearly a year later, she was out of both funds and options.  The only thing she could count on was her job at the coffee shop; and she was not even sure she could count on that.  More and more, she felt as though she were counting backwards.  After all, the coffee shop did nothing to ease her debts and had her working for a boss who seemed to take pleasure in her fall from grace.

… Her own skin was pale, her hair equally so…  [her eyes are a] rich, royal blue.

Dr. 126983, aka Dr. George "Ben" Bennington Brown: (Vampire) He was dark, darker even than the night, born of shadows. 

… the doctor's full, tender lips,… sleepy, heavy-lidded façade

… Her blonde strands seemed luminescent against the black shadows in his palm….

Jeremy Walker, aka J.W. Locke: (Human) He had adopted his mother's attitude toward comfortable dress, and even now, in his early thirties, considered jeans to be standard attire for nearly any occasion.  His hair, too, reflected her influence. Anything past the lower edge of his shoulder blades was just too much to control.  Unlike his mother's fine, black silk, his was thick and unruly.

… Ponytail at his back

… Bright, hazel eyes.

Richard "Rick" Wallace Karpinski: (Human) Four inches shorter than Jeremy and already balding though he was barely thirty, Rick tried to compensate with a dark, well-groomed mustache that failed to hide a seemingly permanent grin.  Even his emerald eyes had a constant sparkle. 

Abigail Lawrence: (Vampire) Her hair was a wild, unnatural combination of purple and orange, her skin was pale and her lips blood red against milky white teeth as she flashed him an inviting smile.

Dr. Trevor Cassidy: (Vampire) He whispered, his voice sounding odd, unfamiliar.  There was a lilt she had not noticed before, the hint of a Texas drawl….

… Sandy-haired Texan

… Pale under the moonlight, his hair the color of the sand beneath her. 

… Thin lips