SNYDERMANIA: 12/01/2012

Sunday, December 23, 2012

THE EIGHT-FINGERED CRIMINAL'S SON MAKES WAY FOR THE SPIRIT GUIDE BAR

Looks like my goof ball publicity campaign for THE EIGHT-FINGERED CRIMINAL'S SON is about finished. There won't be any more Youtube videos, Cheese Whiz and beer readings, tire shop readings, or barber shop signings, no more flashreads - for THE EIGHT-FINGERED CRIMINAL'S SON. I am looking forward to taking it to the next level of guerrilla marketing for THE SPIRIT GUIDE BAR. Can't say I've figured out what the next level of guerrilla marketing is yet, but I'll see you there in March.

I'm not so finished marketing that I won't provide a link where you can order or download the THE EIGHT-FINGERED CRIMINAL'S SON.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Eight-Fingered-Criminals-William-Snyder/dp/1468142585/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

A BOOK COVER FOR THE SPIRIT GUIDE BAR

Cowabunga!
Geronimo!
Bonzai!
My graphics guy is on the job!

Sunday, December 9, 2012

BOOK TALK

How's it goin', Rick and JJ? Rick, really enjoyed your new book "SONGS FROM THE BARRIO." I highly recommend it to you JJ. And JJ, hope you're enjoying your travels. I'm going to read one of your books over the holiday break. Which would should I start with? As far as I can tell, you guys are constitute my blog audience. It's a bit of a coincidence that you're both college professor/writers.

Yeah, I've been thinking about the whole blogging thing. I guess I started this blog in order to promote my writing, my book. I'm not sure my blog is serving my intended purpose. My high school students tell me they don't read blogs. While I sold a lot of books on Facebook, my students tell me they don't use Facebook any more, that it's all about Twitter and Instagram. While I have a beautiful website, I think I've had three visitors.

Heck, I don't know. What do you think, Rick and JJ?

There was a nice surge in book sales this week. I don't know the cause. I've sold 442 books. Perhaps I should approach agents and publishers again. But the process was so damned humiliating the first time around.

My friend Susan Halberg made the book part of her English 101 class. She reports the students' enjoyed the read. Maybe I should go after community college English 101 classes. I've been thinking about seeking out a sales guy ...

Spirit Guide is on track for release in March.

Thanks for reading, Rick and JJ.

If you happened by this post and are still reading, my book is called "The Eight-Fingered Criminal's Son." You can purchase the book or ebook here:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Eight-Fingered-Criminals-Son-ebook/dp/B0083LH4HU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1355068529&sr=8-2&keywords=the+eight-fingered+criminal%27s+son

You can pick up a copy at my favorite book store THE BOOK FROG in Palos Verdes Califonia, Papa Joe's Barber Shop, Chandler Auto and Tire Repair in Chandler, Arizona, Changing Hands Book Store in Tempe Arizona, or any Zia Records Store.

You can Purchase Rick Rios' "Songs from the Barrio" here:

http://www.amazon.com/Songs-Barrio-Modesto-Stories-ebook/dp/B00AFYMHOI/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_t_2

JJ Botta has six books available for purchase here:

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/jjbotta

SIX BOOKS!!! We gotta talk, JJ...

Sunday, December 2, 2012

SONGS FROM THE BARRIO BY RICHARD RIOS

It's my pleasure to tell you about Songs From The Barrio, a magical collection of stories and poems about Rios' metamorphosis from the the son of impoverished Mexican immigrants to a highly respected artist and educator. The book feels true. Rios carefully describes the blessings and hardships of coming up in a Chicano community and family. The elaborate depictions of sumptuous Mexican feasts prompted my stomach to churn with desire.

I took the opportunity read one of Richard's stories, "A Rite of Passage," to some 150 high school students. They thoroughly enjoyed Rios' tale, laughing at the funny parts and taking part in a passionate discussion afterwards. I might point out that they got a few laughs out my attempts to pronounce the Spanish words.

Richard Rios' Songs From The Barrio is a must read. Thumbs up, baby!

The book is available in bound version and as an ebook at the link below.

http://www.amazon.com/Songs-Barrio-Modesto-Stories-Richard/dp/1477618791/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354462600&sr=1-10&keywords=Songs+of+the+Barrio

Don't forget, the holiday season is a great time to send fish to friends and family. You should probably send Cristmas cods.

NORTHERN EXPOSURE

Goethe's final words: "More light." Ever since we crawled out of that primordial slime, that's been our unifying cry: "More light." Sunlight. Torchlight. Candlight. Neon. Incandescent. Lights that banish the darkness from our caves, to illuminate our roads, the insides of our refrigerators. Big floods for the night games at Soldier's field. Little tiny flashlight for those books we read under the covers when we're supposed to be asleep. Light is more than watts and footcandles. Light is metaphor. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet. Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Lead, Kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom Lead Thou me on! The night is dark, and I am far from home- Lead Thou me on! Arise, shine, for thy light has come. Light is knowledge. Light is life. Light is light.

FIELD OF DREAMS

Well, you know I... I never got to bat in the major leagues. I would have liked to have had that chance. Just once. To stare down a big league pitcher. To stare him down, and just as he goes into his windup, wink. Make him think you know something he doesn't. That's what I wish for. Chance to squint at a sky so blue that it hurts your eyes just to look at it. To feel the tingling in your arm as you connect with the ball. To run the bases - stretch a double into a triple, and flop face-first into third, wrap your arms around the bag. That's my wish, Ray Kinsella. That's my wish. And is there enough magic out there in the moonlight to make this dream come true?