Okay people, below is a promo I did for the Write Stuff on my podcast, Mercy Bend. I’m supporting this project whole-heartedly, and I’m asking you to support it too. Those who have blogged about it, added links, informed their groups, or promoted the show in other ways can have their name and link added to the website of a show that expects 30 million viewers. There is also a Praise page where authors can praise the idea of the show and get their picture and name added. Please help me spread the word about something dear to me.

Here is the promo I did.

I recently started actively promoting an upcoming television show called The Write Stuff. Below is a somewhat accurate account of what it is about and why I am promoting it. I’m also hoping I can get other people to promote the show by blogging, adding links, posting to their groups, etc. People who help promote the show can have their name and link added to the show’s website, and there is a praise page where authors may praise the show and have their name and pic added also. The website is http://www.thewritestufftv.com

Okay, below is the endorsement I recorded for my podcast, Mercy Bend.

Writing a book is hard work, but I promise you, it is only a small part of the work. Revising, editing, finding a publisher, editing again, marketing, these are all aspects that authors face if they want to be successful. For most authors, it is only after all this is finished that they will learn if the public likes what they have bled over. Well an opportunity has arrived for fourteen people to have help with this grueling process. In June 2009, Cyrus Webb of Conversations Live is hosting a new reality show on the C.W. Network titled The Write Stuff. The winner will receive a book contract, a marketing plan, a marketing campaign, and an number of other prizes.

“Look, I’ve written a number of short stories and a few books, the first of which is about ready to be published. I have a couple podcasts, and I’ve done a few live interviews. With each of these I have put myself out there to be judged by a few thousand people, most of whom I will never meet in person…They will never know me beyond my voice or my written words. My face will be a mystery. My personality quirks unknown. Even so, this was hard stuff for me. Like most writers, I fall firmly into the introvert classification, I had to push past ingrained habits and my natural preferences to pursue this thing I love, to present myself to a few thousand people I will never meet…Think how much harder it is for these fourteen writers to put themselves and their work up before millions of people, millions. Every word they write will be judged. Every action they take will be seen. Do they dress right, does their personality match their writing, are they manipulative, honest, delusional, or are they uniquely talented people who are finally getting a chance at success. Every aspect of their personalities and talent will be seen and judged by millions of people. This takes the courage to face rejection, criticism, and most of all, the courage to reach for success. In other words, I will be cheering for the contestants on The Write Stuff. Thank you Cyrus Webb for giving them this chance and for letting us see it.”

Mark Eller, author of TRAITOR (http://www.hellholetavern.com)write_stuff_promo

Tags: Author Write Stuff Eller Cyrus Webb Sigler TV

Sex Offender Lives Here

ISBN: 978-0-9816502-0-3

Written by: Harry Ramble

Reviewed by: Mark

Stars:(4)

Published by Ebb Press 2008

An envelope arrived in my mail on Saturday. On Monday I opened my mailbox, removed the envelope, and pulled out a book titled Sex Offender Lives here written by Harry Ramble. Instantly the words ‘oh boy’ (or perhaps other words to the same effect) popped into my mind. It seemed an uncomfortable title for a horrendous subject, but when I opened the book and read the first pages I was captured. My entrapment remained throughout the rest of the book until the last page, which I finished three days later. Part of my entrapment was because of Mr. Ramble’s clever handling of the story line. Part was because of his unusual pacing, and part of it was because Mr. Ramble used Fletcher Geffney as a vehicle to express a number of observations on life, people, and the general irritations of the writing world from the perspective of a small fish in a big sea. As one of those small fish, I found his observations and insights amusing.
So now the brief rundown.
Fletcher Geffney is a failed author from modest roots who wrote a small number of books that flopped. His wife, Emily, is an up and coming marketer whose parents ooze money from their pores. Their marriage for the last few years has been a bit uncomfortable. Fletcher has been sleeping with other women, has given up his muse, and has pretty much taken up the task of being the main caretaker of their son, Christopher. Emily is bringing in the money, working long hours, growing disgusted with her lazy husband’s ways, and is equally devoted to their son.
Enter the divorce where both want full custody of the ten-year-old child. In the pre-custody hearing Fletcher pulls out a carefully choreographed photo album showing him being the perfect father. In response Emily drops down an envelope filled with pictures showing Fletcher in compromising situations with other women. Being a smart woman with money, she had hired a detective to follow Fletcher on his book tours for the last several years.
Battle on.
Always an optimist, Fletcher is determined to fight for his son no matter what the personal cost…only it turns out that one of the women he had been with, an international model his wife casually asked him to drive home one night, happened to only be fifteen. In Fletcher’s defense, Rayn looked and acted years older, and really, how is a fellow supposed to react when confronted by one of the few people who has not only read, but actually enjoyed his books.
From there matters quickly go downhill.
Labeled a sex offender in the press, suddenly despised by most of his neighbors, Fletcher is trapped within his home, a victim of hate and protests and vandalism. Worse, once word gets out that he is not yet convicted, other sex offenders, gay activists, and general rabble move into his house without bothering to ask his permission first, secure in the knowledge that the local law will not listen to Fletcher’s complaints. Their boldness is bolstered by a man named Rosey, self-appointed Chief-Executive and founder of the Polysexual Institute. Taking advantage of Fletcher’s sudden notoriety, Rosey has advertises on numerous websites that Fletcher’s home is a safe haven where misunderstood polysexuals can find a place to stay. To further his own cause, Rosey also arranges a Sex Offenders Solidarity demonstration outside Fletcher’s house. To be sure his protest got the proper amount of media attention, Rosey informed a large number of religious and other organizations of the date, time, and location of the protest.
Have I mentioned that neighborhood tempers are just a bit elevated because there also happens to be a notorious child murder in was in the area? I probably should also mention that Fletcher’s FBI seized computer was found to be chock full of child pornography that Fletcher claims he has never seen before. His suspicions instantly go to Emily. Emily calls him paranoid just before pointing out that a lot of his problems might go away if he stops fighting for custody.
All these events are very discouraging for a man who is (mostly) innocent of sex crimes he has not yet been charged with; a man who only wanted custody of his son.
And there I will stop so new readers have something to be surprised by.
Sex Offender Lives Here is written as a non-sequential memoir. References to past events occur before we are introduced to those events. People who push themselves into Fletcher’s home are presented out of order. His memories and his interaction with his wife and child along with the events leading to him sleeping with Rayn are scattershot throughout the book. To me, the style was a strange presentation, but it was accomplished in such a smooth fashion that the book was strengthened and made more entertaining. In tone the book started out with a light, faintly humorous note, but as I got deeper and deeper into Offender’s pages Fletcher’s desperation, his helplessness and despondency over his inability to defend himself against society, against vandals, and against the many pariahs who are in his same boat, becomes more and more apparent
No book is perfect; not even one I can honestly say I wished I had written. Sex Offender Lives here contained a small number of typographical errors, a few missing words, and one memorable spot where almost a third of one page was taken up by a mishmash of incomprehensible letters and numbers. Most of these instances were only mildly annoying. The mishmash of letters and numbers was more than annoying because they confused me, however I later found out that they were actually supposed to be there to indicate that Fletcher (who was writing this on a laptop) had become upset at some bad news at that time and just sort of leaned on the keyboard. Intensional and so forgivable, but confusing if you don’t think it through. These typo errors and the bit of confusion are forgivable in light of the rest of the book’s quality. Sex Offender Lives Here is a good, solid read suitable to those adults who like contemporary edgy writing. If presented another book written by Harry Ramble I would open it with anticipation.

Tags: author, book, fiction, Review, sex, violence, writing

• took most of a week off because family sick. However, did release a new Mercy Bend episode. #
• Latest Mercy Bend podcast episode. http://tinyurl.com/cejhgu Horror fiction #
• Beginning to record episodes for Traitor, bk that is coming out. Should I podcast or blogtalk radio it. Wondering. Thinking. #
• @Klaybourne Hey Kat, this is Bearon Schoonhoven saying hi at ya. Glad to see you on twitter. #
• @jessbeauty Kathy, no products yet, but I have a book coming out in two months and I have two audiofiction podcasts and a couple websites #
• @jessbeauty Podcasts found at I-tunes. The Hell Hole Tavern and Mercy Bend. websites. Hellholetavern.com Markseller.com Beginningauthor.com #
• finished a rough draft of a new Mercy Bend story. Time to start recording a couple chapters of Traitor for when I podcast it. #
• I should, of course, be doing my taxes. Instead I am writing a story. Which option is the waste of time? #

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• Just caught my seventh book contract in the mail from Swimming Kangaroo books. #
• Got an e-mail intro to my next editor for Book 2, The Turner Chronicles, Betrayed. Seems like a pretty good person. #

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Tags: audiobook, author, blogger, fantasy, hell, hell hole Tavern, hole, horror, Mark, Mark Eller, mercy bend, novel, parrots, podcast, podcasting, science fiction, tavern, tweets, twitter, writing

• Was interviewed last night at this link. http://tinyurl.com/dl3sgj #
• @bgarbee Looked at your blog site. Liked what I saw. Good job. #

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Tags: audiobook, author, blogger, fantasy, hell, hell hole Tavern, hole, horror, Mark, Mark Eller, mercy bend, novel, parrots, podcast, podcasting, science fiction, tavern, tweets, twitter, writing

• @Cynical_Woman virgin/vagina, though related the differences are rather important. #
• @Cynical_Woman My character throws up when he sees one-gets excited when he’s killing-Maybe he should meet meet your unkillable character #
• Landed three new interviews, maybe four, on internet radio today. So tired my eyes are crossing. G’night all. #
• @MeghnaK Okay, I did not go to bed. Meg, that was an awesome link to the writing superpowers. Good laugh. #
• Wasted week. Updated website, got 13 interviews set up, got new book contract approved, recorded a podcast. No new writing. Wasted Week. #
• @WheatmarkBooks Interesting article you had there on the future of books. Thank you for posting it. #
• Sarahw posted this link http://is.gd/h4Li She is right, a perfect humorous story to start the day. #
• @writereader Ok, I ran a little over to Jan. Hopes it helps a bit. #
• @alkalar @Mark_Eller Beginning author is just beginning…not a blog, but you are right, I could attach one. Thank you. #
• @CuriosityCoach LOL, ok my curious friend. Celebrating having a book coming out. Biggest challenge is that I have to sell the dang thing. #
• @KarinaFabian Hi Karina. Question, are you the Swimming Kangaroo Karina? #
• Teleseminar on marketing for you authors. Going on now. http://tinyurl.com/a9wzul #
• @kimidreams sorry the link did not work-I did record the show in audacity. Have not listened yet. DM me with e-mail-I will ship it. #
• @kimidreams Actually, I also can forward a mail with Book Signing Gold and Getting Celebrity endorsements teleseminar attached. #
• @FrugalBookPromo Thanks for the mention. You seem to have a huge amount of very interesting posts. I’ll be paying attention. #
• listening to @kenmcarthur interview @bobtheteacher right now http://tinyurl.com/co4lbs Internet marketing class #
• class starts in eight minutes #
• @alkalar Ty, Beginning is real content light right now. My wife is working on a media kit article now. Worked radio ten yrs. #
• Marketing teleseminars…old ones have clicable links to listen. http://tinyurl.com/6vvfw5 #
• @CuriosityCoach LOL curious indeed. Traitor is slipstream sci/fi, first of four books, and a few chapters are up on http://www.markseller.com #
• @CuriosityCoach Traitor is only one of seven book contracts I have. 3 are for God Wars, which can be heard at The Hell Hole Tavern podcast #
• @podcastJunky..I think it would be a deathknell for the podcast that charges unless it has truly unique content. 2 much free content out #
• @PodcastJunky Contributions, yes, ads, yes, perhaps even pay for the restricted part of the show, but not for the entire show #
• December Blues are over. After dropping its downloads by 46% in Dec., The Hell Hole Tavern podcast downloads are back to normal. #
• @CuriosityCoach LOL…ok, I have to admit that I like you and your humor. http://www.markseller.com is a personal not yet finished website. #
• @CuriosityCoach I am presently working on 3 websites while simultaneously editing-writing-landing interviews, so the sites stay raw 4 now #
• @CuriosityCoach and all. Thank you for info Curiosity. Apparently my url for markseller.com has been hijacked. Your curiosity helped. #
• @KarinaFabian That’s me, a joey, I’m the other one the help us market letter was sent to. Doing radio interviews and you are doing listserve #
• @KarinaFabian In a few days I’m going to bug you about the listserve thing. I know nothing about it or how to use it. #
• @CuriosityCoach Thanks to you, my links now lead where they are supposed to lead. Thank you. #
• Because my beginning author wordpress is not working right, obviously damaged, I am going to kill it off and start from new. #
• My The Author Show interview aired yesterday. Today I am going to be on Runner up on Blogtalk radio. #

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Tags: audiobook, author, blogger, fantasy, hell, hell hole Tavern, hole, horror, Mark, Mark Eller, mercy bend, novel, parrots, podcast, podcasting, science fiction, tavern, tweets, twitter, writing

• I just landed an interview in early April to plug Traitor on blog talk radio…KimS Kim appears to be very open and friendly. Good people. #
• Building a website for beginning authors. If you have info to share on marketing, publishing, writing, ect, please contact me. #
• @Dorian_G Hey Dorian, a lot of what I write is crap too. That doesn’t keep the non-crap from being published. Keep on writing. in reply to Dorian_G #
• Just published Beginning Author website. Very thin still. Mostly a beginning on marketing books with radio links included. More to come. #
• @truckerrich hey, how is that grandkid doing? in reply to TruckerRich #
• @OnlinePublicist Do you have any favorite books discussing on-line book marketing? in reply to OnlinePublicist #
• @litekepr Hello Nikki and boy do I know your name since I’ve been typing it lately. Nice to have you as a friend on twitter. in reply to litekepr #
• @OnlinePublicist Thank you for the suggestion. I just went to Amazon and bought it. in reply to OnlinePublicist #
• @Cynical_Woman The url for Beginning Author is http://www.BeginningAuthor.com Right now it is very content light, but a start in Marketing in reply to Cynical_Woman #
• @Cynical_Woman Right now I am looking for people who want to get involved in populating it, ect. Look at volunteer section. in reply to Cynical_Woman #
• @ZimblerMiller Thank you for the Mr. Tweet post. I’m on it. Oh yeah, thanks for the follow too. Back at ya. in reply to ZimblerMiller #
• Building up meaningful connections easily with MrTweet, my personal networking assistant. See how he can help u too! http://mrtweet.net?v=11 #
• Well, ten hours sleep in three days makes a sleepy insomniac fellow. On the plus side I now have a total of 8 radio interviews lined up. #
• @debrennersmith Thanks for the link to the new president’s blog. It’s great. For those who missed it…http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/ #
• @Cynical_Woman LOL, you hate recording at dawn. With 8 parrots, I have to record late in the wee hours when my eyes hate being open. #
• RT @Twitter_Tips > PUSHING PRODUCTS on Twitter–how it’s done: http://cli.gs/4rggru #
• GET AN AUTHOR INTERVIEW After 1 wk I landed 8 author interview dates from these links http://www.beginningauthor.com/subpage.html #
• To those Detroit area followers…Dominski and Doyle, last of 97.1, are back on the air. http://dd.wcsx.com/?p=551 #

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Tags: audiobook, author, blogger, fantasy, hell, hell hole Tavern, hole, horror, Mark, Mark Eller, mercy bend, novel, parrots, podcast, podcasting, science fiction, tavern, tweets, twitter, writing

• Finished my interview with The Author Show, a west coast radio show. Don is friendly and makes people comfortable. Good guy. #
• I have two caiques (small parrots) running around my neck and head, rubbing themselves in my hair and hanging upside down from my ears. #
• Cheese tortellini for dinner. Three parrots running for my food. Me watching while two ate my food and the third nibbled my ear. #
• Was interviewed a couple days ago for The Author Show. Don is a very gracious host. #
• Listening to AlannaO doing a live reading in second life #
• Just finished listening to the latest Horror Addicts podcast featuring Mike Bennet, the horror author. Emz did a great show. #

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Tags: audiobook, author, blogger, fantasy, hell, hell hole Tavern, hole, horror, Mark, Mark Eller, mercy bend, novel, parrots, podcast, podcasting, science fiction, tavern, tweets, twitter, writing

• Okay, that’s it, tonight I record for Mercy Bend. Mailing in the new book contract today, ok, tomorrow, who want to leave the house again #
• Speaking of which, does anybody realize how hard it is to record when you own 8 parrots. Squawk Squawk #
• @DevourerofBooks 1st. thanks for the follow. 2nd, 13 Reviews? Geeze..I’m planning on 2 this month and feel pinched. You really do Devour. in reply to DevourerofBooks #
• Okay, just finished setting a time to be interviewed on The Author Show, a west coast radio show. Sunday it is. Wipe sweat from brow. LOL #
• Just did a review of Evil Reflections by Larion Wills at Amazon. It was a good read. #
• Faxed in the book contract today, and now it is time to do some recording for the Mercy Bend podcast #
• Okay, finished recording next Mercy Bend episode. Still needs FX added. Contacted my publisher about an artist who might like to do covers #
• marketing marketing marketing…still need to do lots of research, note to self, next time you get a new life, pick something less hectic. #
• LOL, son beat on his drums today-Already picked up some beats, smiling, laughing, it was good to see that smile-Guess they were not a waste. #
• Sat through a marketing teleseminar tonight. It was pretty good. Picked up a few possible ideas for marketing my books. #
• @vansunder Thanks a bunch for the kind words about Hell Hole Tavern. I’ve been listening to your podcast too. in reply to vansunder #

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Tags: audiobook, author, blogger, fantasy, hell, hell hole Tavern, hole, horror, Mark, Mark Eller, mercy bend, novel, parrots, podcast, podcasting, science fiction, tavern, tweets, twitter, writing