Books, Education, Garbage Trucks and the Pizza Delivery Biz

I usually upload a picture but the function isn't working. Don't know if it's my computer or Blogger.

Beats me.

I'm still slugging away at the writing biz. The plan was to submit THE SPIRIT GUIDE BAR to the editing team today. Didn't happen. Looks like I'll have to push things back a couple of weeks. SPIRIT GUIDE should still be ready for release in March.

I recently created a StumbleUpon page. 

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/williamzsnyder

We'll see if it helps me sell a few books. Facebook has been my best social media marketing tool. This blog is a sketchy marketing tool, but it did put me in contact with California Rick Rios and Florida JJ Botta, a couple of formidable teacher-writers. Word on the street is I should be focusing on Twitter. While I have an account, I haven't figured how to use it to sell books.

After 25 years in the high school teaching business, I'm looking to make a change. I recently learned that the salary of a first year garbage truck driver is equivalent to the salary of a high school teacher with 25 years'experience and an MA. The garbage truck drivers get yearly raises. My school district hasn't given out raises in six years. In fact, we just got nailed with a pay cut. I have a student who delivers pizzas. He makes more per hour than I do and he said he's willing to put in a word for me.  If the garbage truck gig doesn't work out, there's always the pizza racket. Ray Bradbury something about jumping off the cliff and building wings on the way down. I guess the concept worked out well for him, didn't it?

There might be a new book in my second career, whatever it turns out to be.

You can download my first book, THE EIGHT-FINGERED CRIMINAL'S SON for a measly
3 bucks.
It's a funny book.
I promise it'll make you laugh...
http://www.amazon.com/The-Eight-Fingered-Criminals-Son-ebook/dp/B0083LH4HU/ref=tmm_kin_title_0

THE SPIRIT GUIDE BAR

                               Here is the finalized cover for THE SPIRIT GUIDE BAR.

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

A BOOK COVER FOR THE SPIRIT GUIDE BAR

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

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...

 



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.

432

So I wrote this book. It's a collection of usually funny, mostly true stories about growing up in 1970s Southern California called The Eight-Fingered Criminal's Son. 

According to my calculations, I've  sold  432copies. It should be noted that this accomplishment went down with the help of more than a few cherished friends and family members. 432. Not bad, but it's not like I can quit my job.  A small publisher considered picking up my next book. Close, but no cigar. Faulkner never made enough from his books to quit his job. Good company, huh? Not that I have delusions of being in Faulkner's league.

Man, being a writer is pretty cool. Getting out and amongst 'em to market the book has been a rush. While I did conventional readings for high school and college classes and at The Book Frog, I did some marching to the beat of my own drummer with the flash reads, the Beer and Cheese Whiz Event, and signings at barber shops and tire stores.

My new book is  the story of a beaten down English teacher's transcendental journey to The Spirit Guide Bar, where he sorts out his life with the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Richard Feynman, and the Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz. The Spirit Guide Bar is scheduled to be released in March.

You can order a copy or download the ebook at the link below.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Eight-Fingered-Criminals-Son-ebook/dp/B0083LH4HU/ref=tmm_kin_title_0

THE TEACHING BUSINESS, PIG ROAST, THE EIGHT FINGERED CRIMINAL'S SON AND THE SPIRIT GUIDE BAR



Long week in the teaching business. Still incredibly frustrated with the profession for so many reasons. Still thinking very seriously about finding a new line of work, but I'm trying very hard to stay positive.

 

And there is so much to be positive about. More than anything else, I get to work with some  great kids. Only a fraction of my students are rude and disrespectful, but dang it, they keep me up at night.

 

I spent Friday night and all day Saturday with my Academic Decathlon team. I'm good with this. Spending time with my AcDec kids is fulfilling.

 

I returned to a neighborhood pig roast. Dozens of kids were dancing in the street. My Scottish neighbor played guitar and sang as his French buddy played the drums, teaming up to create some down home American blues music. Great music. Great food. Family. Friends. Yeah the mojo was flowing on my street Saturday night.

 

Looking forward to Thanksgiving this week and feeling thankful that I have so much many reasons to be thankful.

 

And then there's The Eight-Fingered Criminal's Son. The collection of mostly true stories about growing up in 1970s Southern California is the perfect stocking stuffer. You can order a copy or download the ebook below.

 

http://www.amazon.com/The-Eight-Fingered-Criminals-Son-ebook/dp/B0083LH4HU/ref=tmm_kin_title_0

 

My novel The Spirit Guide Bar will be released in March.

 



A FEW THOUGHTS ON THE TEACHING BUSINESS, THE EIGHT-FINGERED CRIMINAL'S SON AND THE SPIRIT GUIDE BAR

A FEW THOUGHTS ON THE TEACHING BUSINESS:

I assigned homework to my junior English class. Just about half of the students complied and turned in their wok the next day.

This was nothing new, but I felt compelled to ask the girl from Germany, the best writer in my class, "What percentage of students in Germany don't do their homework assignments?"

"I don't understand the question, Mr. Snyder."

She looked confused.

"If I gave a homework assignment to ten German students, how many wouldn't do it?"

"Mr. Snyder," she said, " I know what percentages are, but why wouldn't we do our homework?"

"You mean everybody did their homework at your school in Germany."

"Of course we did. Failing to do our homework could bring our grades down. Low grades would damage our chances of being accepted into a good college."

For or five knuckleheads responded by laughing and making cracks like:

"Yeah, but you guys don't have fun like we do, you just go  home and study all the time."

How am I supposed to respond to this mentality?

This little incident took place a year ago. I thought back to a scene in the movie Teachers, a film that inspired me so many years ago. Nick Nolte played an idealistic teacher at a chaotic inner city school. Some juvenile delinquent pulled the fire alarm, students were running in every direction and things were out of control. A burnt out old teacher said to Nolte, "You know, half of these kids won't even go back to class.  "To which Nolte idealistically replied, "You're right, but half of them will."

 I gave a home work to a class of 42 students last week. Ten completed the assignment.

This is just one of a boatload of reasons I'm not sure I can stick with the teaching business.

ON WRITING BOOKS:

I published a book last year. It's called The Eight-Fingered Criminal's Son. People seem to think it's nostalgic and funny. You can order a copy by clicking here:  http://www.amazon.com/The-Eight-Fingered-Criminals-William-Snyder/dp/1468142585

My new book is novel called The Spirit Guide Bar. It's about a burnt out teacher who hikes to the top of South Mountain in Phoenix, Arizona where he embarks on a transcendentalist journey. The tired educator interacts with likes of Ernest Hemingway, Ulysses S. Grant, Carl Sagan, Richard Feynman, and the Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz. The book will be available in March.

The photograph above depicts South Mountain Park.

THE SPIRIT GUIDE BAR, THE FRANK BAUM SCARECROW, NOT THE RAY BOLGER SCARECROW, EDITING WITH LEDESMA AND GIDAK,THE EIGHT-FINGERED CRIMINAL'S SON, AND THE BOOK FROG

I'm plugging away at the editing process for my novel The Spirit Guide Bar. Thanks to Pete Ledesma and Gary Gidak for their editing help.

I've been thinking about the cover. Since the Scarecrow from a The Wizard of Oz is serves as a motif in the book I want him on the cover. I think all the Frank Baum illustrations are fair game. I know the Ray Bolger Scarecrow is protected by copyright. I'm meeting with my graphics guy Nick Narducci this week.

The Spirit Guide Bar is scheduled for release in March of 2013.
You can purchase a copy of my book The Eight Fingered Criminal's Son by clicking on this link:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Eight-Fingered-Criminals-Son-ebook/dp/B0083LH4HU/ref=tmm_kin_title_0

If you live in the greater Los Angeles area you can pick up a copy of The Eight-Fingered Criminal's Son at my favorite book store THE BOOK FROG. Co owner Pete Ledesma is a former stand up comic. If you buy a book he will tell you a joke.

https://www.facebook.com/TheBookFrog

Pyramid Outburst, A Prairie Home Companion, Lucy the Dog,The Spirit Guide Bar, Bryan Frank's Mid-Life Crisis, The Eight-Fingered Criminal's Son, The Book Frog and Pete the Pelvis

Pyramid Outburst is a good beer to enjoy while relaxing at dusk as the radio plays the soothing songs and stories of  A Prairie Home Companion and your eight year-old daughter plays with  the dog your 21 year-old daughter asked you to watch for just one week week something like three months ago.

My focus has shifted to editing my new book The Spirit Guide Bar, scheduled for release in early 2013.

My buddy Bryan Frank is buying a motorcycle. Bryan said he's having a mid-life crisis. Since Bryan is 50, he can't really be having a mid-life crisis  unless he's going to live to be 100. I told Bryan if I ever hit the lottery or sell a hundred thousand books I'm getting one of those motorcycles with a side car. Yeah, I can see it now: the open road, goggles, an aviator cap, bugs in my teeth. Couldn't get much cooler than that. Am I rambling?

You can order a copy of The Eight Fingered Criminal's Son at the link below.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Eight-Fingered-Criminals-Son-ebook/dp/B0083LH4HU/ref=tmm_kin_title_0

If you happen to live in or around Los Angeles you can pick up a copy of The Eight-Fingered Criminal's Son at THE BOOK FROG in Rolling Hills. Pete Ledesma, one of the owners, is a former Elvis impersonator who used to be known as Pete the Pelvis.
https://www.facebook.com/TheBookFrog#!/TheBookFrog

THE EIGHT-FINGERED CRIMINAL'S SON NEWS, SUSAN HALBERG, MESA RED MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE, DAVE CRUZ, THE SPIRIT GUIDE BAR, AND BOOK PROMOTION

Susan Halberg recently invited me to do a reading of Dave Cruz for her  Mesa Red Mountain Community College English 101 Class. The experience was a great rush. I really dig reading for Susan's classes. By the way, Susan is a writer. She allowed me to take a sneak peek at a chapter from the book she's working on and it was laugh out loud funny.

Here's a shot of my old buddy, Dave Cruz.

My focus is shifting from marketing THE EIGHT-FINGERED CRIMINAL'S SON to publishing THE SPIRIT GUIDE BAR in March of 2013. I'll try to squeeze in a few flash reads and readings when opportunities appear.

If you're a writer, you might find this Forbes story on book promotion helpful.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/suwcharmananderson/2012/06/19/book-promotion-for-self-publishers-a-waste-of-time/

If you're a reader and you haven't read The Eight Fingered Criminal's Son, you really should order a copy. The ebook is only four bucks.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Eight-Fingered-Criminals-Son-ebook/dp/B0083LH4HU/ref=tmm_kin_title_0

BEER AND CHEESE WHIZ EIGHT-FINGERED CRIMINAL'S SON EVENT AT THE BOOK FROG - October 6th, 2012

 

 

The Book Frog Beer and Cheese Whiz Eight-Fingered Criminal's Son event went down  October 6th, 2012.

 

 

I drove out from Phoenix to L.A. Saturday morning. Forgot that L.A. traffic can snarl up at any given time.  I arrived later than expected, but not so late that I couldn't grab a quick burger and a beer with my old comedy pals Bryan Frank and Keith Boyd.

Bryan handled the photography and Keith helped me with the Cheese Whiz and beer. A good lookin' crowd was on hand to hear my reading of "Dave Cruz."

At least one guy though the story was funny. This is Billy Gerten. We attended Saint Joseph's Parish School together.

 

 

Keith Boyd helped me out with "Danny Gilroy's Pencil" flash read, playing the part of Jimmy Dolan. The real Jimmy Dolan had his eye ball knocked from his eye socket. Keith's performance was riveting - and graphic.

 

 

Signing books is always cool because signing books means selling books.

Of course, everybody said Cheese Whiz for the group shot.

This is me with Pete Ledesma and Kurt Morlock. Pete is the owner of the Book Frog and Kurt is the toughest kid ever to come out of Hawthorne High.

The crowd drank all  of the beer but I left the Book Frog with six cans of Cheese Whiz.

EIGHT-FINGERED CRIMINAL'S SON FLASH READ AT PAPA JOE'S GRAND REOPENING CEREMONY

 

Ty Lusk sang and helped me out with a flash read at Papa Joe's October 2nd Grand Reopening Ceremony. Ty played the part of Jimmy Dolan with his eyeball swinging from the socket as I read from Danny Gilroy's Pencil. 

 

The half-man to Ty's left seemed to enjoy himself too.
Papa Joe announced that Joe Jr. will be taking over the shop. He assured the crowd of 100 or so people that he will continue to cut hair and tell an occasional penguin joke.

1996 Olympic gold medalist Amanda Borden was on hand to congratulate Papa Joe. Amanda runs a gymnastics studio in the shopping center. 

Papa Joe and Joe Junior provided a magnificent lunch at The Devil's Kitchen. My wife and three of my daughters enjoyed the ceremony and gastronomic delights.
Not a bad way to spend a Tuesday afternoon.

SUSAN HALBERG'S ENGLISH 101 CLASS AT MESA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Susan Halberg and her vibrant collection of aspiring writers were kind enough to invite me to their Mesa College classroom where I gave a reading, fielded a few questions, and signed a few books. Young writers motivate me, inspire me.  Got to tell you, this is the part of being a writer that is cool, very cool...

Clif the Lawyer came along to talk about some of the legal aspects of publishing and snap the photograph. Clif the Lawyer is the man.

"Dave Cruz," a short story from The Eight-Fingered Criminal's Son, served as the reading selection. The real life Dave Cruz recently contacted me. He  has read the book and he approves the way he's been  portrayed. If you read the book you'll understand why I was quite relieved to hear he approved. Dave will be attending The Beer and Cheese Whiz Eight-Fingered Criminal's Son Event at The Book Frog in Rolling Hills, California on October 6th.