"Project PS"--November 7th, 2008

This is your chance to have YOUR review featured in the hardcover edition of Proud Souls!!!

If you have already shared a review of PROUD SOULS on Amazon.com, you are automatically in the running. For those of you who have considered writing a review, please, give me a chance to sway your minds...

In the hardcover edition of my book PROUD SOULS I am going to feature READER REVIEWS in the opening pages. Just as you open a best-selling novel with feature reviews written by major presses and magazines, I am going to feature YOU....my fans...in the same manner. So, if you want to see your name and your thoughts of my novel in the opening pages of this new edition, please, navigate to Amazon.com and post your review.

You don't have to be a professional reviewer to share your thoughts and you are NOT obligated to write a good review for my benefit. Trust me, I was a reader LONG before I became an author and it's only right and fair to your fellow book lovers out there [that] you are honest with your feedback. Write down a few lines on how you felt when you read the book or share a favorite passage, it's that easy.

If you ordered the book on Amazon then you already have an Amazon.com account--which is required in order to post a review for any product sold on the Amazon storefront. Simply navigate to the URL below and click the button that says "Create Your Own Review" It's THAT EASY!!!

WRITE YOUR AMAZON REVIEW HERE!!!

By the time the final cover is finalized, I will edit the original PROUD SOULS manuscript and add the reviews shared by my fans (YOU) within the opening pages of my novel. Then, as long as PROUD SOULS sales under my publishing company, your name and your thoughts will be viewed by the reading world. It's my special way of saying thank you...and proving just how much each individual reader means to me. I am fond of saying, I will make PROUD SOULS a best-seller...one reader at a time...and this is my chance to prove it...

I hope this gesture will be enough to sway you to consider sharing your thoughts on my novel, PROUD SOULS.


Thanks for the support everyone! OH! And don't forget....you can still share your thoughts and feedback on the new hardcover image, by visiting my previous posting and sharing your input.

~Bobby Ozuna

"Project PS"--November 5th, 2008

I have added the new picture...the one with the clouds breaking through over the cabin... Please tell me what you think...this may (or may not be) the one... Keep the comments coming!!!




***************************************************************************

Okay, so my mini-vacation lasted a bit longer than usual....sorry!!!

I can promise this much, I have been busy since returning from my fishing trip with my family, but I haven't been operating at full-speed ahead..yet. I am happy to announce the new ISBN's have been ordered for my new editions to Proud Souls. What this means is I will FINALLY release the electronic (eBook) version of Proud Souls, which will probably retail for just under $9~10 bucks and within weeks following (maybe just after or just before Thanksgiving) I will release the hardcover edition.

I am still fumbling between cover ideas for the hardcover edition. I could offer the same image cover as the trade paperback but I wanted some variety, like the major book publishers offer with their books. Below are some potential cover images for the hardcover edition. I'd love to know what you think!!!

This photo above is an actual picture of Justin's cabin sitting on Lake Kemp in Seymour, Texas. It almost gives you an identical view of what Justin is looking at each night while he drinks himself to sleep. You can see the small hill across the lake and see (at least) one small Mesquite tree by the water's edge.

Although Justin drove a 1952 Chevrolet pickup truck, this truck is very similar. Not being the truck expert, I believe this is a 1954 model. I took this photo behind an old garage that reminded me a lot of what The Hawk's Nest would have looked like prior to becoming the small town watering hole. Something about the rustic look of this old truck seemed to epitomize the attitude of Justin Bower.


Here is another angle of the same pickup truck. You can see the Texas license plate which identifies the setting of my novel.

This is a shot of the old tire shop I found in Seymour back in March of this year. Behind this tire shop is the old rusted Chevy pickup truck. Again, this garage reminded me a lot of what The Hawk's Nest may have looked like prior to becoming the town's bar.


Let me know what you think of the images...and if you feel I am way off...I can get back to the drawing board...


I will be sure to notify everyone of the eBook release and also of the upcoming hardcover edition.

Be sure to catch my upcoming interviews....I will have two written interviews posted on various blogs online and one LIVE interview on a national broadcast radio station!! Stay tuned for more details!

"Project PS"--NEW Amazon Review! October 20th, 2008

Reviews are very tough to come by these days....I started out strong...then...things just dwindled away...but that's just part of the game...

I want to thank Jessie O., of Goose Creek, South Carolina for her latest review of "Proud Souls" on Amazon.com. I truly appreciate you taking the time to support my efforts as an independent author!!!

I appreciate it so much when people take it upon themselves to share their thoughts, criticisms and feedback of my work with the Amazon community. I can't stress this enough--if you did NOT like the book--that's just something I have to accept. Not every book or style is good for every style of reader. So, if you did or did not like it, I want to hear about it. I think the readers out there searching for a new book deserve to hear honest feedback, whether it's good for me or not. I have nothing to hide...

So, if you've read the book...take a moment to share your thoughts with others...naturally...it would help me because it gives my work credibility.... Click here to post a review on Amazon now...

If you haven't read it and you are interested in reading the thoughts of others...click here to read more...

"Project PS"--NEW book formats coming soon!!!--October 20th, 2008

I am pleased to announce two new book formats for Proud Souls which I will release before the end of the year!!!

The first format which will be released in November of this year is the eBook version of Proud Souls. This download will be available for under $10USD. I should have released this format long ago, but there were many "particulars" I was not comfortable with in relation to how eBooks are released. I could have chosen from many vendors, such as the (ever-coming) popular Lulu.com, but being I have maintained my independent publishing company "in line" with the corporate giants, I felt it was imperative I released my electronic version with the same options, availability and security offered by the more established book publishers.

Proud Souls on Amazon

The second format to be released this year will be the hardcover. I am going to offer a new cover with this format. I am working on the cover changes now and once I find the right look, feel and image, this book format will be available for the standard retail (hardcover) cost of $24.99USD.

I am also busy working on the initial production stages of creating Proud Souls as an audio book/CD. Knowing how much I hate the sound of my own voice, I am debating whether to allow a guest to read the book in its entirety. Still fumbling around with ideas...

Please stay tuned for more details...

~Bobby Ozuna

"Drawing Stories...With Words"

"Project PS"--30 Minutes and we are LIVE...!!!

It's Friday night, October 3rd and I am minutes (literarlly) from my LIVE podcast interview with the host of Blog Talk Radio's--"The Odd Mind."

I have notified everyone I know...via email...via text...via MySpace post...Facebook...Book Marketing Network...Twitter...Gather...my blog and especially the good ole' word of mouth...

This will be my biggest platform for reaching the largest audience in one sitting I have had since starting my career as a writer... I have had book signings...I have been on the radio...I have been interviewd on paper...in person...I have spoken at schools...libraries...and to everyone I meet about my novel, Proud Souls. I have told myself this tonight...if I only reach one listener...and that one listener becomes a fan...and in doing so buys and reads Proud Souls...then it was enough...because I have said, if I have to win the world over...one fan at a time...I will...

I look forward to your comments...

~Bobby

PS: There is now 25 minutes to go...

Win a FREE autographed copy of "Proud Souls" this Friday!!!

As everyone should know by now, tomorrow--Friday, October 3rd--is my Podcast interview with Angel Lesa, LIVE and UNSCRIPTED via BlogTalkRadio's, "The Odd Mind."

This will be--by far--my biggest platform. This is my greatest opportunity thus far to reach a new set of fans....a new audience...a greater reader-base...and I am as terrified as I am ready.

One thing I will be doing to help encourage listener support is offering one complimentary autographed copy of my book, Proud Souls to one commenter to my blog. Anyone who posts a comment to my blog--on Friday night--will automatically be included in the drawing and I will announce the winner next week. Be sure to post a comment that links to your email or web address so I can contact you!!!

All preparations have been made, with the exception of one slight change. Angel Lesa will not be able to interview me, as we have a schedule conflict, but her associate--Yvonne Mason--will be hosting the interview at the originally scheduled time, 8~9PM, CST.

Here is the web URL for the podcast interview: BlogTalkRadio--"The Odd Mind"

Be sure to set your reminder and listen in! If anyone knows me, an hour is a long time, but when dealing with Bobby Ozuna, it's just a moment...because I can talk!!!

~Bobby Ozuna
"Drawing Stories...With Words"

 

Buy Now from Amazon.com

"Project PS:"-- September 19th, 2008

Preparing to enter..."The Odd Mind"...

Blog Talk Radio, hosted by Angel Lesa

I am pleased to announce [that] I will be a guest author on Angel Lesa's author podcast show: "The Odd Mind" featured on her Blog Talk Radio show. This interview will be conducted LIVE and completely UNSCRIPTED on Friday, October 3rd from 8~9PM CST.
I am prepared (as Angel Lesa so eloquently warned me...) to answer all things related to my writing style and my writing approach... apart from the size of my underwear!!!

The Odd Mind

You can navigate to her Blog Talk Radio site or directly to her homepage for "The Odd Mind" above using the reference URL's. Be sure to bookmark the URL's and save the date: Friday, October 3rd, 8~9PM, CST. There is a number you can call to ask me questions as well as a chat feature if you wish to remain a bit anonymous.

You can review the list of upcoming author interviews--especially the listing for yours truly--by clicking the microphone image below.

I expect GREAT things to come from this interview, as "The Odd Mind" has over 16,000 listeners!!! This is a wonderful opportunity for me to shine and (more importantly) tell the world about your favorite novel: Proud Souls.


Stay tuned for more details!!!

~Bobby Ozuna
"Drawing Stories...With Words"

"Project PS:"--September 18th, 2008

As a writer...sometimes you just have to listen to your own voice!!!

If there is any part of the "being a writer" process I don't like or care for...it would be the moments I have to read my own work! I don't know what it is...maybe the sound of my own voice or the simple fact [that] I have to read the very words I wrestled with for months to bring to life and agonized to quiet while I tried to sleep? I honestly don't know what it is...

But in the end, like any profession, sometimes you have to do things you don't really care for, whether you like it or not. So, for those of you who missed it the first time around, this is your chance to listen as I read the Prologue and first chapter to "Proud Souls." If you have not made up your mind to purchase the book, perhaps my words or the manner in which I read them (yuck) will sway your decision. If you have, then maybe it's a good time to (a.) read along with me or (b.) send the link to that certain someone who has been bugging you to tell them what "Proud Souls" is all about...because honestly, apart from these two opening chapters... I have never read my own book...but that's another story, isn't it???


Please don't forget to comment...tell me what you think... I know I sound like crap, but don't rub it in!!! I am hoping the printed words on the pages of my novel, will more than speak for themselves...



PS: Remember, you can EASILY subscribe to this blog by clicking the image below (little dude reading the paper...)
I am also available via MySpace and Facebook....so don't be afraid to hit me up...

~Bobby Ozuna
"Drawing Stories...With Words"