Getting testimonials for the back of a book is a strange task. I imagine if you have an agent that is what the agent helps with, but I wouldn’t know. I have had my share of rejections from them. Panhandlers will be my second novel published without one. I’ve decided with my third – yet-to-be-finished – novel, I will attempt to go that route again. … Continue reading Testimonial for back cover of Panhandlers
***This contains some spoilers*** Decided to check out the Netflix show Godless after hearing great things about it and finding out the writer/director, Scott Frank, is from Ft Walton Beach, which always makes it a bit more special when it’s someone from so close to your home town. I live in Pensacola, Florida for anyone reading this who might not know me. And I love … Continue reading Godless and Cormac McCarthy
I’m fascinated, obsessed may be a better term, with word count. I want to make sure I reach the magical number of 50,000 words when writing a novel. Native Moments is around 95,000 words. Perhaps a bit on the long side. As of now, Panhandlers is just above 58,000 words and I’m working on paring it down to get it as tight and precise as … Continue reading The Art of the Short Novel
It’s been a few days over a year since my debut novel, Native Moments, was published. It’s been fun. The best part is seeing the reviews or having people tell you that they read it and liked it. When it was first released, it was #1 on Amazon’s new release list for Surfing. It reached as high as number #7 in Surfing after it was … Continue reading Panhandlers, A Novel in Stories Book Cover Reveal
Woke up today to a great 5 star review. I’ve heard there is a magic number, 25 maybe, that once you reach that many reviews Amazon will start promoting your book. I’m not sure how true that is. What I do know is that reviews make writing feel like you didn’t completely waste your time. It makes you feel like writing is a worthwhile endeavor. … Continue reading Amazon Reviews
Great interview from one of the modern masters of the craft. Continue reading Art is Heavy Lifting
After visiting Costa Rica in 1999, I told myself I wouldn’t return until I wrote novel and got it published. 17 years later, I’m returning. It took much longer than I expected. Many years of self-doubt and work and starting a business and starting a family made writing increasingly difficult. But on January 24th, I’m heading back to Costa Rica with my wife and daughter. … Continue reading Making your Family Vacations a Work Trip
I set up a book signing at Waterboyz surf shop in Pensacola, FL for Saturday the 24th. Again, trying different settings as opposed to a book store for selling books. In these alternative settings – breweries, surf shops, etc – there isn’t direct competition like in a bookstore where people have thousands of other books to choose from. And books from authors they have heard … Continue reading Another Alternative Setting for a Book Signing
My first book reading went much better than I had expected and maybe some of the things I did to prepare for it will help your book readings as well. Open Books in Pensacola, FL was the host and it was tied in with an interview I did with the local free paper so I had some publicity leading up to it weeks in advance. … Continue reading Tips for Your First Book Reading
As I was working in my new shop for Emerald Coast Tours the other day, a guy poked his head in the door and said he was curious what was moving in there. He had been seeing us work for the last couple weeks and when he saw the bikes and segways, he knew it was us. Then he asked if I was Nic Schuck. … Continue reading A Stranger Lifted My Spirits
Nic Schuck 