Michael's Musings

August 6, 2012

The big news this past week is that my second novel, SHADOW WATCHER (2007) is now available on Kindle...for only $5.00.

You can purchase/download your copy by clicking here, or by pasting the following address into your browser:

http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Watcher-ebook/dp/B008RCXA8W/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1343790031&sr=1-2&keywords=shadow+watcher+druxman

I've also posted a book trailer for SHADOW WATCHER, which you can view on YouTube by clicking here, or by pasting this address into your browser:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iu6YXpuAF0&list=UUQ6z6vyjJFsiqL33qbiSJSQ&index=1&feature=plcp

It's amazing how quickly this all came together.  After the success I've had with my screenplays and stage plays on Kindle, I'd been after my publisher at The Center Press to make my books with them available in both the e-book and audio formats.  Early last week, they finally agreed...with the proviso that I handle the logistics of the adaptations, which I readily agreed to do. 

SHADOW WATCHER was easy to transfer to Kindle.  I still had the original electronic file on my computer, so it only took a few minutes to upload and have it transferred to the e-book format.  I spent 2-3 hours creating a book trailer, and that was that.

If all goes well, this coming week I will contract with a narrator/producer to do an audio book version.  [I am also about to contract with a narrator/producer for my Orson Welles play.]

My other 3 books with The Center Press are a it more problematic.  Certainly THE ART OF STORYTELLING is not right for either an e-book or an audio book.  The original screenplay for CHEYENNE WARRIOR would make a good Kindle, but not an audio book, but my first novel, NOBODY DROWNS IN MINERAL LAKE would be perfect for both formats.

The issue with all three of these books is that they were written so long ago (late 1990s) that neither I nor The Center Press know the exact location of the electronic files, so it might be awhile until any of them can be made available in either format.

I will keep you informed.

Incidentally, I also started writing my new stage play this past week.  When I finish the first draft, I will reveal the subject matter.

Finally, there are two new reviews on the Best Bets on DVD site, which you can access by clicking on the link in the Introduction section of this page.  They are LAKE EFFECTS with Jane Seymour and A SEPARATION, the Iranian film that won the Best Foreign Language Oscar this year.  So, take a look.

You have a creative week.

Michael

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July 30, 2012

Last week was rather busy.

I'm not only about to approve the final version of my first audio book, ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD: From the Secret Files of Harry Pennypacker, but I am also about to sign a deal for the production of my second one, which would be a recording of my play, ORSON WELLES.

With ONCE UPON A TIME, I've given the narrator/producer my final notes, and I anticipate that all will be done and approved by the end of this coming week, after which everything will be turned over to ACX for distribution. 

Though shorter, ORSON WELLES will be a little tricky.  It's a stage play and we have to make it work as a radio play.

Last week, I also signed a deal with the Texas Writer's League to teach a one-day class for them in late September, "Creating Effective Characters".  I enjoy teaching, and since it's been a few years since I've taught a class, I am looking forward to doing this.

I'm still researching my new stage play; trying to figure out the best way to approach the material.  But, I am getting there.

As far as my second memoir is concerned, I'm down to the final chapter or two.  It's currently on a back burner because, truthfully, I am hesitant to finish this one. 

You have a creative week.

Michael

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July 23, 2012

I spent most of last week doing research on my new play.  In fact, I am still researching it.  I am about 1/3 the way through the 2nd of 4 books I plan to read on the people involved.

Sorry, but I'm not going to reveal the subject as yet.

There are a couple of new DVD reviews up on the Best Bets on DVD site, accessible via the link on the Introduction section of this page.  They are ON THE INSIDE with Nick Stal, the young actor from TERMINATOR 3 who seems to have disappeared, and FIRST A GIRL, a charming 1930s musical with Jessie Matthews.

Now, since this is an important election year, I feel compelled to post the following.

These are possibly the 5 best sentences you'll ever read:
 
Unfortunately, most voters don't know this.
 
1. You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity, by legislating the wealth out of prosperity.
 
2. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.
 
3. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.
 
4. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.
 
5. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them; and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work, because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that is the beginning of the end of any nation.

Think about that, and have a creative week.

Michael
 

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