PLEASE, SOMEBODY, MAKE ME AN OFFER . . .
Being a published author opens me up to input and comments from the public. Most are uplifting and positive. A few are caustic, but that’s just part of doing business. Then there are the occasional email solicitations I receive that seem downright insulting . . . to my intelligence.
Here’s an example:
“I hope this message finds you well. I am thrilled to share some great news with you! Our literary scouts handed your book to our office, and after a thorough review, we are pleased to inform you that your work aligns with our content standards.
We are excited about the prospect of endorsing your book to a selection of prominent Traditional Publishers, including Penguin, Harper, Macmillan, Hachette, and Simon & Schusters. This endorsement could significantly boost the visibility of your book and open up new avenues for success.
By featuring your book prominently in our store, we aim to connect you with our network of investors and facilitate promotions on esteemed platforms such as The New York Times, LA Times, various Book Festivals, and other media outlets.”
Gosh, that certainly sounds exciting. If only they’d let me know which book of the 14 I’ve published they’re interested in. And come to think about it, why would I want my book(s) endorsed to a selection of publishers if I already have a publisher? Or in my case, several. One of the many mysteries of literary life, I suppose.
And then there was this:
“Hi, Buzz,
Book reviews make a lasting impression—they can entice a reader to make a purchase, provide valuable insight, and help with search algorithms to ensure your book doesn’t get lost.
Our book review service is a one-stop shop to help your book get noticed—we pair your work with avid readers interested in your subject matter, and they craft authentic book reviews to post to your book listing page.
Get 5 authentic book reviews from real readers for just $449, with no additional cost of books to you! That’s right—we will cover the cost of books for your reviewers.”
Gee, what a deal! Only ninety bucks per review? Maybe they didn’t notice I’ve got over 11,000 reviews/ratings on Amazon just for my WHEN HEROES FLEW series alone. And I didn’t shell out money for any of them.
Come on. Somebody. Make me an offer I can’t refuse (with such ease).
Hello Buzz,
I can’t wait to dive into ‘WHEN HEROES FLEW’! My father was a bombardier on a B-24 flying out of Italy. He completed 25 missions, one on Remagden, before being shot down by flak over Hungary. He spent the last year of the war as a POW at the infamous Stalag Luft Eince.
I spent 4 years in the USAF as a Life Support Tech in a F-4 squadron and now write historical murder mysteries. In any case, I wanted to thank you for writing about the Liberators and the men who flew them. The B-17s seem to get all the credit for winning the war. LOL
Rick Adelmann
Hi Buzz,
With your background in meteorology, I was wondering if you ever came across a DR.NAOMI SURGI.
She was an innovator, a teacher and one of the first women in her field of science, (Tropical Meteorology and Physical Meteorology)..
Naomi worked most of her career with the National Weather Center NHC, NOAA,, and the Environmental Modeling Center EMC. She was instrumental in the development of a game changing numerical modeling system that predicts the course of Tropical Storms and Hurricanes. It was named THE HWARF/Hurricane Weather Research Forecast.. It still remains a viable hurricane prediction system.
During Hurricane Hugo, Naomi’s Model proved to be unfortunately accurate and reliably on target. .She was called to Washington to brief Congress on the storm. and after the disaster was over was invited to the White House to personally be awarded a Gold Medal by President Clinton for her work… Naomi even got a mention in TIME MAGAZINE.
Her next project was for NOAA/NWS. She again was instrumental in the acquisition and deployment a new jet. The Gulfstream-IV provides atmospheric observations and in the environment of hurricanes,. The data collected assimilated into numerical models to improve predictions. Naomi also specified the cutting edge scientific equipment and worked closely with Navy engineers, to secure the best placement in the plane for it.. Not only did she travel to where it was being built at different stages of design, but Naomi hitched many rides in storms checking out her scientific “children” in real time. Herself, a budding pilot, it was a first-class thrill. The jet is still routinely used to this day in the National Hurricane Center NHC operations for hurricanes that threaten the United States.
Sadly last January, Naomi passed away….too young, too soon.
As her sister, I received numerous condolence testimonials from all over the world-wide scientific community. Collogues from NOAA, The National Weather Center, EMC, MIT where Naomi had traveled the lecturing, teaching scientists in India, China, Australia, as well as helping to encouraging the next generation of scientists (especially women) to follow in her path. I am so proud.. I have one picture of her that says it all. Naomi in a C-130 flying through Hurricane Floyd, her hair amess, in a well-worn, rumpled t-shirt emblazoned with the National Hurricane Center’s logo, She is beaming…in her element…at the work she so loved.
Thank you for taking the time to read some of my sisters story. She was brilliant lady, a person tirelessly interested in dedicating her life for the public good. . And as you can tell, my sister was truly MY HERO WHEN SHE FLEW!
P.S. I have READ most if not all of your books; so has my husband. We are both admirers.
The old saws in media say your books are page turners.. And its all delightfully true,. All written affectingly and effectively. Love the Heroes series! Great research in the Epilogue section where you give your reader the actual details of the HERO’s life as separate from your crafting of the other characters in your books– vividly imagined but always rooted in reality. And each paragraph racing the story to its conclusion. I have also gleaned much knowledge from your work. WW2 is not my specialty and you have indeed taken me on a adventurous journey through it.
As for your disaster books, this is where you really show off an engaging talent. Of course, EYEWALL not surprisingly is a favorite. Admittedly, I’m a disaster freak. And it’s not blowing smoke when I say you are a gifted writer, with an exciting style and a talented story teller sure in every sense of the word. . Thank you for your many books. and please keep on writing so selfishly I can keep on reading.