A Stone's Throw Away, by Carl Lee # 5

This is a work of fiction.

Oprah Winfrey Books and Authors: Dream

Here’s my story of how I made it on Oprah Winfrey’s recommended book list.

It’s a good thing for Authors that Oprah likes to read. She wields more than a ton an a half of influences. It’s truly enormous.

Forbes has even announced, for the second year in a row, Oprah Winfrey is the most influential celebrity in 2013. It’s no wonder Authors want their books associated with her name.

So let me regress, because first things need to be first. This is no different than thanking a solder for their service to our country. I would like to thank Oprah for all her efforts to promote the literary arts. I wish I had an award to give her with this word of thanks, which would then be placed on the Oprah Winfrey's Official Biography, with the rest of her awards. She is deserving.

Oprah’s Book Club (www.oprah.com/book_club.html) has a list of suggested books where you can even mark the ones you have read. See also (www.oprah.com/book.../Oprahs-Book-Club-The-Complete-list)

Oprah, after her 25 year run with the Oprah Winfrey show vowed, “I’m going to try to develop a show for books and Authors.”  The amazing thing about Oprah’s influence is that the books she recommends have sold 55 million copies without including the likes of John Grisham or James Patterson. This has become known as the Oprah Effect.

For the last two years, on Oprah’s website we have O's 2011 Summer Reading List, and O's 2012 Summer Reading List. So, what’s at the top of the list for 2013, here’s a peek, O's 2013 Summer Reading List.

Getting on the Oprah’s recommended book list isn’t easy.

And I dreamed, yes, I had a dream, Oprah hated me for keeping me up all night. She calls:

“Hello.”

“Is this Carl Lee?”

“Yes, who’s this?”

“It’s Oprah Winfrey. I finished your book this morning.”

There’s a long pause as I struggle to speak. I need to respond before she says hello again and with all my might, “Ah, another wheelhouse I’ve lit up.”

“You should be ashamed of yourself for keeping me up all night. I only meant to read the first few chapters.”

Again, another pause, “Okay, I’m sorry. I should include a disclaimer about missing meals and getting no sleep at the start of the book.”

“Hum, that’s funny, but I agree. So while I have you on the phone, thank you for the wonderful tale. Where’d you come up with all that stuff?”

I give the short answer; not believing Oprah has called. “Sorry, trade secret.”

“It was so intriguing.”

“I’m glad you liked it.”

“It was wonderful. I’m putting you on my list for 2013 summer reads. How do I get your autograph on my copy?”

“A list, and what? You want my autograph(?)"

I am so humbled, I am beside myself, to think Oprah Winfrey wanted my autograph. I let her know where to mail the book, then said goodbye.

Enjoy my work.

All disclaimers aside, an Author has a right to dream.

A Stone's Throw Away, by Carl Lee # 4

This is a list of the 5 top book blogs by rank

http://paulocoelhoblog.com/

http://blog.oup.com/

http://thebooksmugglers.com/

http://blog.booksontheknob.org/

http://www.mcsweeneys.net/

Book blogs are a great way to see what’s available.

The Blogs are also a great for Authors who have their books reviewed on the blogs, as long as their blog has followers.

At the time of this post, this Blog is only dedicated to just one book “A Stone’s Throw Away” by Carl Lee s this Author promotes his work. The previous three posts are full of accolades, which show those who’ve read will rave. Copy and paste title and Author together into your browser for more info.

Genre: It’s sort of a combination of, Post-Apocalyptic Sci-fi Thriller

It’s March, which means March Madness for college basketball. Now that I’ve slipped into your conscious, I’d like to send you on the march madness journey. J

I saw the last Oprah Winfrey show and the fortunate Author who made it on that show. My book wasn’t ready at the time, but you can’t help but wonder the amount of exposure she generated for those featured over the years… Though she’ll never see this, just a small thanks to Oprah for all she did in supporting the literary arts.

Support my work. You’ll be glad you did.

Kindle users will be pleased: Amazon.com  Enjoy!

Anyway, getting exposure on the above five blogs may be just as impossible as getting on the Oprah Winfrey show when it was airing on television.

I can’t imagine what it would have been like to have my book supported on the Oprah Winfrey.show.

A little fantasy: “Hey Oprah.”

“Hi Carl. You know I usually only read excerpts of books we feature on the show. I started yours and couldn’t put it down. See the bags under my eyes, you cost me a nights sleep. Excellent job!”

This is when the audience is qued to clap and the show goes to commercial.

God’s Blessing on all who stumble upon this post. May you enjoy endless days filled with happiness, full bellies and always the best of health.

A Stone's Throw Away, by Carl Lee # 3

Even though I have no idea if anyone will ever see this, or the other two, it’s kind of nice placing these tidbits out there on a blog. (just in case someone stumbles upon it.)

A coworker recently emailed after finishing my book “A Stone’s Throw Away.”

He was looking for some info as an FYI, but he also said some things I thought were interesting because─after all─I wrote the book.

-- I’ve left some of my responses, which I hope don’t make this confusing.. They appear with the double dash mark in from of them so they look like this.

Hey Jim,

This is the first time I’ve ever looked into my spam folder ever and low and behold, I find your email. I thought you were writing me a book about my book and that’s why I haven’t heard from you.

I’m leaving your email intact and inter dispersing answers, comments… ect

Hi Carl,

Sorry that this is a bit overdue, I only got your email address a couple of days ago…

So.........you wrote a book. 

-- Yes, lol

And didn't tell me about it when we worked together.  Naughty Carl, very naughty.:-)

-- I did tell you but you thought I only said so because you thought I knew you had written one. Remember…!

Joe told me that you wanted to know what I thought about it..........and he told me that he told you that I said "It's clear that it's your first book"  or words to that effect.  No, I did not say that, or words to that effect.  In fact I could list 10 books right now by established authors that your book is better than. 

-- Hmm, only 10, Jim? lol

Some questions first, purely for information:

1.  Where did you get the title from?

-- Everything’s totally made up. Title, wanted to tie today’s headlines into how close we are to actually running out of fossil fuel. Hence, title.

2.  What started you on the novelist path?

-- Sorry, I have no clue. (so I gave the short answer)

3.  How far along are you on the sequel?  I know in your afterword you said you'd write it only if there was demand, but I'm betting you've at least got a detailed outline, because you yourself want to see how the story ends. 

-- Assume if I never write another word, they all live happily ever after… Of course if I write the sequel…happily ever after will take on a whole new meaning. Hehehe

Okay then.........what did I like about it:

A.  It moved.  There was a good pace to the book, you didn't overly linger too much, which a lot of authors tend to do.

B.  I liked the premise.  Then again I'm a sucker for post-apocalyptic fiction, so this was right in my wheelhouse.

C.  The danger element.  Brian could never really relax, so I couldn't relax while reading it.  Not a book that I would have liked to have read while in bed before going to sleep.........

D.  Liked the twist at the end….

So there you have it.  I hope that was the kind of feedback you were looking for.  I cannot say enough about how proud I am of you that you wrote a novel.  It shames me a bit, I've got half a dozen half written ones that I really need to hop on.  Hopefully this will be the impetus for me to try.

-- Thank you, Jim. I’m glad you enjoyed. It makes me proud I impressed boy genius.

Well yes, there you have it, a portion of the email from a coworker who sent it after reading my novel.

Help promote the literary arts by going to Amazon.com and once you receive your copy, you’ll be on the same sojourn as Jim. Enjoy!

Kindle users, you’ll be pleased as well.

A Stone's Throw Away, by Carl Lee # 2

I’m still totally clueless as to what I’m doing with a blog.

Having one was suggested by many different Articles and/or Authors saying it’s a great way to promote your work.

This is only my second post, so the jury’s still out. (probably will be for a long time to come)

Last post I put up some comments from others about how great they thought my book was. Here’s one that was made after the announcement my book was available on Amazon.com 

Carl, I am so Thrilled! I LOVED your book, and am also waiting for a sequel. I will do my best to get into Amazon, but haven't had a lot of luck since I am using my sister's iPad, and don't have the iTunes p/w, (she forgot what it is). I am sure the word on your book will spread like wildfire! Again, awesome news! All my best,

Char

Thank you Char, you’re so kind.

Today’s post is to announce I’ve uploaded the Kindle version. So all you Kindle users, this is for you.

As of this posting, Char hasn’t made it to Amazon to leave her rave. I know she will eventually.

By the way, when my Son finished reading A Stone’s Throw Away several week ago I asked him, “Did it hit the top 10 out of all the books you’ve ever read.”

He said, “I believe, Dad, it’s number 3.”

“That’s much better than I hoped for,” I said, taken aback.

Then he fills me in saying, “Yeah, I think this is the third book I’ve read.” LOL

May all who stumble upon this post have endless days filled with happiness, full bellies and always the best of health.

Thanks

God Bless

CL