A Great Review

This just posted yesterday in Charlie's review section on http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Charlie-Smithers-ebook/dp/B00A4A407U/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360166789&sr=1-1&keywords=charlie+smithers.

Many, many thanks, Deb G!

5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth the read!, February 7, 2013

By 

DebG - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: The Adventures of Charlie Smithers (Kindle Edition)

"In his first novel, CW Lovatt seems to have found his niche... Historical fiction is my favourite fictional genre, and accuracy with events, culture, geography, and demographics of the period are among the most important attributes good historical fiction. For example, nothing will throw me from a story like coming across a saying that would never have been uttered at that time or in that place, or cultural meme that would not - could not - have been around. I HATE that. In short, it needs to be believable - from the plot to the setting to the characters. That said, a huge kudos must go to Mr. Lovatt for writing a novel that did not, even once, throw me from the story. Rather, this book captured my attention from the first pages and then held on to it. Charlie Smithers is a man I quite simply fell for, from his sweet disposition to his unflinching courage. This book will make you laugh, make you swoon, and make you cry. Seriously. It's well worth the read."

Tweaking

I thought this was interesting, and is a lesson on writing blurbs - something I've never been terribly good at.

Wild Wolf has added the last line of Jodi Chapters and Chats' review to the tail end of Charlie's blurb. I think it rounds it off rather nicely http://www.amazon.co.uk/Adventures-Charlie-Smithers-ebook/dp/B00A4A407U/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360166984&sr=1-1

"A truly engaging read that will keep anyone’s attention from the hilarious beginning until the last word. I highly recommend this 5 star novel." ~ Chapters & Chats"

Reviews Part Deux

Any of you who know me will know that I'm too proud to beg, so we'll just call this asking really, really hard, shall we?

I'm afraid that it's that pesky review thing again - I need them, or rather Charlie needs them. I mentioned yesterday that my first royalty had arrived. That, in and of itself, is fantastic, but there's room to improve. You have to understand, it's not about the money (and I almost mean that sincerely), it's about the recognition I think that the book deserves (and that I do mean with all sorts of sincerity coming out of my ying-yang).

 Just a few months ago I knew next to nothing about Amazon, or Kindle, or how to go about purchasing a book online, and what I continue to not know would, no doubt, fill a full set of encyclopedias. But what I do know is that your average casual browser isn't going to give the time of day to something that doesn't at least have a respectable number of "Likes" by the title, regardless of how good it is, because they have no way of knowing. That's where you come in.

Just a few words is all I ask, but please enter something...and then who knows, perhaps I'll let you live in peace :)

And just to show you how helpful I'm prepared to be, I've included the links to your Amazon of choice:

Canada: http://www.amazon.ca/The-Adventures-Charlie-Smithers-ebook/dp/B00A4A407U/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360166592&sr=1-1

US: http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Charlie-Smithers-ebook/dp/B00A4A407U/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360166789&sr=1-1&keywords=charlie+smithers

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Adventures-Charlie-Smithers-ebook/dp/B00A4A407U/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360166984&sr=1-1

My First Royalty Came In!

The good news is that my very first royalty arrived! Yippee! Yahoo! Whoop! Whoop! :)

The bad news is that I can't retire, just yet. :(

More later...

"Baggage" Confirmed...Again

This was the email I received from the US online magazine, HelloHorror, this morning with regard to my short-short (or 'micro') story, "Baggage":

"Chuck,
Great micro, bad breakup!  I think our readers will agree.   We'll be including "Baggage"  in our second issue.   Thanks for the submission!
Brent Armour
Editor in Chief
HelloHorror.com

Later, after I had voiced my concern mentioned in my earlier post, about it having been previously published, I received this from Brent:

"Chuck,

Your submission came prior to our changes in guidelines so in my opinion you followed guidelines and your work will be published.   We're thinking about adding the word 'electronically' to that rule anyway.   Sorry for the mixup.   We're growing faster than our britches (or however the saying goes...)"

So it looks like my short little story, which wasn't much more than a happy accident in the first place (see my earlier post "A Prelude to "Baggage" - 30/04/2012) is going great guns. Some of you may recall that it was previously published in the 2012 Spring issue of the LWWG's literary journal, "Voices", and was my first story ever to be published in my home province of Manitoba. This time it will be my first publication in the US.

Sweet!

Three stories in January, so far, and the month's not over.

"Baggage" - Second Time Published...Maybe?

I've just received an email from HelloHorror.com - a US online magazine - informing me that my short-short story "Baggage" has been accepted for their second issue, coming out in the end of April of this year.

 There might be a problem, though.

When I had submitted "Baggage" it was based on information garnered under this link, more, which makes no mention about material having been previously published, but I noticed this morning, on their website, that it does. Consequently I apprised them of the situation and await their reply.

 It would be sweet if they decide to go ahead, as this would be the first time my work will appear in a US magazine. Sort of a breakthrough, I guess (and those are always exciting), but as much as I want that, I don't want it to be under false pretences.

Stay tuned...

Facebooking

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  The following is a series of comments following Ed Wolf's post on Wild Wolf's Facebook page, posted January 9th, regarding Jodi ChaptersandChats excellent review of Charlie Smithers. I thought that you might find it entertaining. 

  My original comment under the post came from my checking out all those who "Liked" it and discovered Peter Fussey (Charlie's cover artist) was one of them, and in place of a photograph of himself, he was using one of the characters in my book. I think that should tell you just how much he put into it (this is by no means the first, or only cover in his collection - check out his Facebook page, there are many). I consider that, as well as Jodi's review, to be high praise indeed, and was happy to finally get the chance to meet Peter in (cyber) person and give him my regards.
  
  

  
  

  
  

  Ed Wolf

  Great review of The Adventures of Charlie Smithers... http://www.chaptersandchats.com/index.php/the-adventures-of-charlie-smithers

  
  

  
  

  “The Adventures of Charlie Smithers” by C W Lovatt (Wild Wolf Publishing 2012)

  www.chaptersandchats.com
  

  Debut novelist C W Lovatt hits the ground running with his historical fiction novel “The Adventures of Charlie Smithers”. I found myself wildly entertained by the poetic prose and often humorous undertones you wouldn’t expect from a first foray into the world of publishing.

  
  

  Unlike ·  ·  · Share · January 9 at 7:07am

  • You, Jodi ChaptersandChats and 4 others like this.
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    Chuck Lovatt Ha! Peter Fussey is the very talented artist that designed the cover of my book. Thank you Peter!

    Tuesday at 10:28pm · Like · 4
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    Jodi ChaptersandChats Thanks Ed! I'm so glad you picked up Chuck's book. He did a great job for his first time out of the gates. As Chuck mentioned above, Peter Fussey did a bang on job of capturing the books spirit.

    Wednesday at 10:12am · Unlike · 2
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    Chuck Lovatt How do I get this thing to give more thumbs up???

    Wednesday at 12:01pm · Like
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    Chuck Lovatt I'd also like to add that Peter Fussey looks remarkably like Lord Brampton, a character in my book! Talk about coincidence!

    Wednesday at 6:20pm · Like · 2
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    Peter Fussey That will be the pith helmet Chuck... and Maybe the moustache. 
    Glad you're happy with the cover. 

    11 hours ago · Unlike · 1
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    Chuck Lovatt Pith hat and moustache...do you stick out in a crowd? The reason I ask is that I'm planning on taking a trip to England in a year or two, and I want to blend in...

    11 hours ago · Like · 1
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    Chuck Lovatt With all due respect to everyone else, it's the best darn book cover on here, Peter. Very proud to have it showcase my book.

    11 hours ago · Like · 2
  • 

    Peter Fussey Thanks Chuck. 

    11 hours ago · Unlike · 1
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