Heads Up: Independent Bookstore Day 2016 is April 30

Saturday, April 30 is Independent Bookstore Day for 2016! 

Visit your local Indie Bookstore for Independent Bookstore Day 2016, in support of locally owned bookstores across the nation, all day on Saturday, April 30.

Some stores will have refreshments, prizes, special merchandise--even entertainment or author signings. Be sure to ask your favorite store what they're doing that day.

And why not make your day extra special and buy a book at an Indie Bookstore by an Indie Author?

New Author Joe Benjamin Releases First Book

Illustrated by Matthew Boffemmyer

It is my honor to announce the release of the first book by new author Joe Benjamin of Fresno, California. It is my honor because he is my son.

The new children's book, Silly Billy & Ducky Dee, is the story of Silly Billy, a lonely boy, who discovers a new friend in Ducky Dee, a rapping MC. Pretty simple stuff about friendship, but told using urban rhyme.

CLICK AN IMAGE TO ENLARGE

The book is nicely illustrated by his pal, Matthew Boffemmyer, using pen and colored pencil. Some of the artwork has been left uncolored in this "color me more" edition, so that readers can add their own touches.

The official book launch will take place 12:30 to 3 p.m., April 10, at the Cannon Beach Indie Author & Book Fair. Both the author and illustrator will be signing at the event that will showcase about two dozen indie authors from around the northwest.

Self-Publishing Workshop Offered in Cannon Beach

Enlarge the poster above by clicking on it.

Here's your chance to learn all you need to get YOUR book published. 

Whether you want just a few copies for family and friends or you want the next bestseller, here is a place to begin.

And publishing your book can cost you very little--even nothing. Find out how. Come to the workshop. (Read more at the left.)

Workshop will accept walk-ins (until capacity is reached), but please, if you can, let me know you'll be coming. Maximum enrollment is 25; first-come-first-served.

First Professional Review on "Hell, Heaven and Back"

3 out of 5 stars on Amazon

Book Reviewer Gail Welborn (Examiner, Christian News Northwest, the Midwest Book Review) says that Hell, Heaven and Back is:

"an unusual tale that melds science-fiction with the speculative supernatural spiritual world wrapped in a tale of time travel and a journey to heaven and hell that culminates in a crisis of faith. While the attractive book cover invites readers into a very fascinating story I would have liked more depth to the unusual and intriguing plot...

"...the premise is captivating and Zschomler captures readers with sympathetic, interesting characters and situations that reflect real church life, problems and questions pastors must deal with. The author is a good writer with a superb imagination and I'd like to see more of his adult speculative fiction." 

My Wife Says This is Me. LOL. Yup.

March Madness Means Manuscript Munching Mode

Munch, munch, munch. I guess I'm in the editing and design modes for the month of March. I have two editing and three design projects I'm working on for a total of three projects (that's right one of the projects requires no editing).

Project One is simply the redesign of the cover for my book Rocketman: From the Trailer Park to Insomnia and Beyond.

Here, at the left, is a rough of the new design without some of the detail (like an old fashioned photo border, a drop shadow for the rocket, a better space background and possibly a 3D-like text for the top title word).

Project Two is the design and layout (with some line editing) of a new children's book, Silly Billy and the Duck for new author Joe Benjamin (the pen name for my son Josiah).

Basically, I just have to check the spelling and punctuation, put the pages together and convert the files. See the unfinished, uncolored, proposed working panel on the right.

Project Three, the final project (which I don't expect to be done this month), Chicken Poop on My Sole, which I am editing with my wife, is mostly editing for now, but I may get to finalizing the cover soon. The proposed cover mock-up is at the left. This could be on ongoing project through the summer depending on one major factor:

We need stories! That's right this book is meant to be a multi-author anthology. the slower they trickle in the longer the project will take. I'd like to have the book out no later than the first of September.

Do you have a story to contribute?

I'm looking for first person, original pieces 300 to 3,000 words in length (750-1,200 is ideal) that are true (or based on a true event) that are comedic and/or inspirational in nature.

If you have a story you can share email me for details. I may publish up to three stories from any given writer. gregory.zschomler@gmail.com