This writing job is a constant, never-ending cycle of thinking of ideas. Ideas for the stories, ideas for marketing, ideas for website design, ideas for social media posts. I've never been one to "rise and grind" and working two jobs has always been on my no-go list of things to do, but this authoring thing has really given me perspective on that entire philosophy. I still can't say I'm a fan of it, but I can say that when one of the things you're working on is the passion project that you've dreamed of since you were a child, it makes it a bit easier to manage.
That being said, I've been bad about managing it recently. After the push around Bound To Parish, I've found myself devoid of ideas for the past few months. I've been wishing and hoping for the motivation to hit, for the secret sauce to come back around and inspire me to pen the next novel. As it stands, I've only managed to find a few drops. That doesn't mean that all other plans have gone out the window though.
First on the list of things that I've done since BTP released was submit it to a website called Option Avenue. This came across my Threads feed nearly a month ago, and I was intrigued. A few of the Amazon reviews (from the UK specifically) mentioned that they'd love to see BTP as an Amazon Prime show/movie. I've heard this sentiment from a few readers in person as well, and when I came across Option Avenue, it seemed like it was too perfect to pass up.
From what I understand about the optioning process, a novel is "optioned" for a small fee, which gives a producer/screenwriter a set amount of time to work on converting it to a screenplay. If they don't complete it before the time runs out, they would have to re-option it to try again. If they successfully complete it and want to move to actually producing a show from the material, they pay an "exercise fee" which allows them to use the rights they optioned to make the show. It's one of the many aspects of writing and publishing that no one teaches you when you decide to go down this road. (Spoiler alert, that's most things.)
Option Avenue is a neat concept because it claims to be the first and only place that indie authors can get their books out and in front of producers or screenwriters that may be looking for material for a show. It's definitely the first place that I've come across, although I haven't looked very hard. I do, however, have faith that BTP would make a delicious HBO miniseries, and I'm hopeful that someone may stumble across it. I believe the website is still in its early stages, so with any luck it will grow into something wonderful.
If you're interested in submitting your story (indie author friends!) it's free and fairly straightforward. If you're interested in optioning Bound To Parish and creating what I can only believe will be the second best season of television since True Detective Season 1, I've added a link to the website to my homepage at the bottom.
The second idea that I've been working on, and the title of this post, is that I'm going to do a free book promotion for Bound To Parish! It's been two and half months since release, and while the marketing at the beginning worked well and it's gotten a fair amount of readership (of which I'm eternally grateful for each and every person who's read it) it's slowed down in the past few weeks. Granted, I've been taking a hiatus from hardcore promotion and have stepped back from social media as well, all in an effort to recoup my mojo, so it's to be expected. However, the thought came to me late last week for this, and it seems like a good idea. I've seen the book do well(ish) is the paid categories, so I'm curious what might happen in the free ones.
Also, for a fun explanation of why the free promotion makes sense now, the climax of the story takes place over the 4th of July holiday in the story. Readers grabbing a copy for the holiday can read along as Al and Marcie fight for their lives and the life of the abducted woman in Pointe DeLeaux as if they were there.
I thought it was a neat idea, at least.
Anyway, I'm going to start the free promotion on Wednesday, July 3rd and it will run for five days, until July 7th. The climax begins on July 4th and lasts until the 6th, so readers will be smack in the middle of the action. At least, that's my hope. If nothing else, maybe I can get it out in front of a few more people.
On the writing front, I've been slowly (and I mean slowwwwwly) working on the next book which might, maybe, possibly, be a follow up to Bound To Parish. I've throw Al and Gary back into a new situation and I'm going to see if they can make a good story from it. I had a pretty interesting idea last night, so we might have something here. Only time will tell.
Beyond that, as I've said, I've just been trying to recoup mentally and find my rhythm again, while navigating the day job and life and all the fun joys of adulthood. I think I'm nearing the end of my recovery period, and I'll kick back into gear soon enough, which will be a much needed change. The writing addiction is lingering in the back of my head, and each day it grows stronger.
I won't be able to keep it at bay much longer.
-Dave
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