Back On The Horse: Call For Submissions & Two Important Promotions This Week

            As previously stated, Doubt It Publishing is rolling forward in June with this year's round of submissions for our 2012 Author Of The Year.  From June 1st through November 1st I'll be reviewing full length manuscript submissions for fiction, nonfiction and poetry.  Doubt It Publishing is looking for: humor, horror, short stories, self-help, memoirs, essays, rants, poetry and suspense. If your book is gripping and engaging I want to see it!  Send either a query, sample chapters or full manuscript to: bigwordsmailbag@yahoo.com. 

There is no reading fee or entry fee of any kind.  The only criteria is that you must reside in the Buffalo area and possess a talent for writing along with a willingness to work hard promoting your book when it comes out next year.  As 2011 Author Mark McElligott knows, marketing and campaigning for his book (Random Thoughts From A Broken Mind) is every bit as important as writing it.  You can review the Author Agreement details at http://www.doubtitpublishing.blogspot.com or by joining the open Doubt It Publishing group on Facebook.  If you know someone who's working on a book, please pass the word along.  Again, I am only picking (and working with) one author per year so that I can give them my undivided attention as well as the full brunt of my networking, marketing and media experience.  If you have any additional questions, feel free to email me at: bigwordsmalbag@yahoo.com.

Getting back to Mark McElligott, he chose to promote alongside me shortly after I launched Mockery, so while I'm starting to wind down on appearances for my book he'll be taking the baton and running with it in the coming months.  This Thursday I'll be reading and signing at Talking Leaves Books on 3158 Main St. from 7 p.m. (SHARP!) to 8 p.m.  Talking Leaves is another venue very close to my heart because it's local, I've done a promotion there for almost every book for the last decade and it's a great store.  Somehow Jonathan has a knack for stocking the ONE Bukowski book that I don't own every time I visit.  If you like poetry, they've got one of the largest selections in the tri-state area and they feature a comprehensive and diverse selection of local authors. 

This Saturday, Mark McElligott and I will both be reading at Stockman's Tavern on 9870 Transit Rd. in Swormville (between Amherst and Lockport) from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.  Stockman's is a great bar with a great crowd, so please mark your calendar and make the time to come out and join us.  This will be Mark's first full-length reading, so please join me in welcoming him and his incredibly funny new book Random Thoughts From A Broken Mind.  Copies of Mockery and Random Thoughts will be limited, so either show up early or buy both on http://lulu.com  for the low low price of $15.

I'll see you out on the town this week.  Ladies and gentleman, start your submissions!

Thanks,

Tom Waters  

Elston Takes The Gold, Mockery Sells Through, Random Thoughts Busts Out Of The Gate & A Few Surprise Releases...

            The ArtVoice 2011 Best Of Buffalo Awards came and went and Jon Elston (the resident playwright for the Road Less Travelled Theater Company) won for Best Writer.  To be honest, there's no one I'd rather lose to.  Jon's a talented and prolific writer in addition to being a great guy and we've known each other too long to let something as petty as an awards show get in the way of our friendship.  Congratulations are long overdue for Jon and his accolades are well deserved.  I suppose I'll just have to campaign harder and start earlier next year when it comes to AV's poll process. 

On to more pressing business and the importance of timing, though.  A funny thing happened on the way to the Caz Coffee reading: I checked my inventory and somehow I've gotten down to two remaining copies of Mockery.  The book has performed so well for the initial slate of launch events that my first payload is depleted.  The book is doing very well and it's selling a lot faster than I expected, surpassing the break even mark (recouping production and design costs) and far exceeding it.  More copies are on order and they'll be in stock in time for the Talking Leaves Main reading next Thursday (7 p.m.) as well as the reading and signing at Stockman's Tavern with Mark McElligott on the 21st (7 p.m.).  If you want or need a copy before then, you can pick one up at either Talking Leaves location or order direct from my distributor at http://www.lulu.com.

As far as book releases go, I've always tried to release no more than one of my own books for year.  That policy is changing.  With the amount of people who have voiced their interest in the autobiography (Icarus On The Mend), there's another side project that's been scooted front and center in order for me to release an Icarus limited-run numbered hardcover in the fall of 2012 (50 copies) followed by a two volume trade paperback launch in 2013.  The manuscript for the memoirs is massive, and it'll take no less than six months to proof, edit and revise.  After promoting Mockery and doing some light piggyback promotions in the fall with Mark McElligott, I'll be blocking out some time to dig my heels in and get the work done. 

This week I finalized the structure and the basic manuscript for Poke The Scorpion With A Sharp Stick, my third book of poems.  Unlike Breathing Room Volume I and II, it's a step in a different direction: an original one.  While both Breathing Rooms were an homage to the people who inspired me to write poetry (Charles Bukowski, e.e. cummings, Rosemary Koethe and Tracy Zullo, respectively), Scorpion shows evidence of an emerging, original voice.  Like any writer (and much in the same manner in which I started out writing essays), I aped my favorites.

The wake of that process has a momentum of its own, and the result is an amalgamation of some standard tricks along with quite a few new ones.  The Breathing Room  books were never blockbusters in terms of sales, but the content was important to me, and they've sold slowly and steadily enough to warrant a third collection.  The response I've gotten from those of you who enjoy poetry as well as those of you brave enough to try something new has been overwhelmingly positive encouraging.

The only speed bump in working on the layout was dealing with comments from many of you that Volume I: Free Verse was the best book I've ever written.  How in the hell do you top a comment like that?  With hard work, frequent revisions and a liberal dose of elbow grease.  Much like the pre-production on Mockery, I've gone out of my way to creative a cohesive, seamless book that can be read in one sitting.  Anything that didn't feel right got tossed and anything written after the initial draft that felt like it belonged alongside the source material was added.  I hope that you'll be pleased with the results.  Poke The Scorpion With A Sharp Stick is slated for a September release this year.  I've already got an artist working on the cover art (mixed media) and Brian Platter from Six Shot Studios will be working on the interior design and cover layout.  More details as we get closer to the launch.

Meanwhile Mr. Mark McElligott is doing quite well with his Random Thoughts From A Broken Mind.  His debut collection of rants broke even the week it came out (within two days of sales) and the word of mouth on how funny the book is has been generating a lot of referral sales.  While my humor leans towards the universal, sarcastic and psychotic, his headspace is a lot more user friendly.  Mark's manuscript won me over with his unique voice, his left-field observations and his bravery in the face of self-deprecation.  It's paying off.  Doubt It Publishing's first release from a single author is a hit.  The book will continue to reach new heights (and sales records) once we actually begin promoting it next Saturday at Stockman's. 

And finally, I'd like to work a plug in for an old friend and comrade.  JR Finlayson (whom you may remember from the Monsters Of Verse) has released Multiples Of Eleven, his first full-length collection of poems for the clever price of $11.11.  To buy a copy of the book, click on over to:

http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/multiples-of-eleven/15597052?productTrackingContext=search_results/search_shelf/center/1

           

With one new poetry book out and another one on the way could there be a Monsters Of Verse revival?

I certainly wouldn't rule it out.

Have a great week and I'll keep you posted,

Tom Waters        

Better Early Than On Time: Random Thoughts From A Broken Mind is NOW AVAILABLE!

     After a marathon of interior formatting and some quick tweaks on graphic designer Bill Dyson's end shortly after a meeting between Mark, Bill and myself, Random Thoughts From A Broken Mind is now officially published and available for purchase!  Early First Editions are up for sale on lulu for $14.99 weeks before Mark's first official promotional appearance on April 30th at 7 p.m. at Don's Atomic Comics.  Be one of the first to jump into Mark's debut collection of off-beat and self-deprecating rants by clicking over to:

Random Thoughts From A Broken Mind

     You can also click on the 'Random Thoughts' link on the links section of the Doubt It Publishing page at any time to order a copy.  The book is already selling like hot cakes, so see what all the fuss is about or be one of those people who hop on the bandwagon just before it leaves town!

     Congratulations to Mark for his unique mind-set, remarkable talent and a funny bone that's one-of-a-kind.  It's been an honor to work with him and I couldn't think of a better first author to represent for Doubt It's first Author Of The Year.  Please join in on his success by scooping up his new book, meeting Mark on the road during his promotional onslaught this spring and fall or by sampling Mark's musings on his official web site at:

Random Thoughts From A Broken Mind Blog

     Both of us look forward to how the book is received.  Feel free to post your comments, reviews and thoughts on the book on lulu as well as the Doubt It Publishing site here.  

     To Mark McElligott and Bill Dyson, great work!

     Buy Mark's book!

     Tom Waters

     Publisher 

Random Thoughts From A Broken Mind Cover Design by Bill Dyson

 Final Cover Design for Mark McElligott's Random Thoughts From A Broken Mind.  Cover and Interior Design by Bill Dyson.  Cover art by Mark McElligott. 

Call For Submissions/Manuscript Review From June-November

     While Mark McElligott has already begun promoting Random Thoughts From A Broken Mind before his impending book launch in June (radio appearances, a video shoot for Time Warner Cable and a promising invitation to host his own radio show), Doubt It Publishing is splitting focus to look for a promising writer to publish in 2012. 
     The submission period will run from June 1st to November 1st.  Doubt It Publishing is looking for a full length manuscript of fiction, non-fiction or poetry.  Genres include fiction, humor, horror, memoir, science fiction or suspense.  No romance or self-help, please.  If you're sending a poetry manuscript, please make sure that it's marketable material with previously published excerpts.  Doubt It focuses ONLY on authors who reside in the Buffalo area and surrounding suburbs.
     The final deadline for 2012 consideration is December 1st.  Please send a query, full manuscript (attachment) or sample chapter (attachment) to: bigwordsmailbag@yahoo.com.
     Mark's book was a refreshing and completely unexpected surprise.  I'm looking forward to seeing what other intriguing and exciting works Buffalo has to offer.  If you feel that your book has a 'wow' factor, please send it in.  If you're willing to actively promote your book, I'm willing to work around the clock to schedule dates and appearances.  Writing the book isn't the easy part, but promoting it isn't easier either.  Show me that you have the raw talent and the drive to put your book into the hands of a larger audience and Doubt It will publish, promote and stand behind your book and yours alone in 2012.
Sincerely,
Tom Waters
Publisher
Doubt It Publishing 

Spring Appearance Calendar For Mockery and Random Thoughts From A Broken Mind

While these appearances are far from final, here are the events we’re currently looking at for April through June.  When I add more dates, I’ll update this list.  Mark your calendars and get ready to laugh, folks!

Friday April 1st, 7 p.m. to midnight: Mockery Book Launch at Dee’s Firehouse, 4628 Broadway Ave., Depew 651-0711.  Reading and signing at 7 p.m. followed by a live performance by One Hot Minute (Red Hot Chili Peppers cover band) at 8 p.m.  First edition copies of Mockery by Tom Waters available for $15.

Saturday, April 16th, 7 p.m., Mockery Book Signing at Maryan’s, 4921 Broadway, Depew  683-0590.  Live musical performance by David Waters (Whiskey Suicide).

Tuesday, April 26th, 7:30 p.m.  Reading and Signing with author Tom Waters (Mockery) at the Lancaster Public Library, 5466 Broadway, Depew

Saturday, April 30th, 8 p.m. to midnight.  Tom’s Atomic Comic Giveaway! at Don’s Atomic Comics, 6354 Transit Rd., Depew 684-5981.  Buy a copy of Mockery by Tom Waters and get a free back issue.  Midnight madness discounts on graphic novels and collectibles.  Special Guests Josh Tonn (Costumed Crimefighter Comics, Stupid Funny Comics), Mark McElligott (Random Thoughts From A Broken Mind) and Kyle Kaczmarzcyk (The Red Eye, Pulp, Monster Matt’s Bad Jokes Volume I).

Saturday, May 7th, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Caz Coffee Café, 668 Abbott Rd., Buffalo 825-7806.  Reading and Signing with Tom Waters, author of the humor collection Mockery.

Thursday, May 19th, 7 p.m., Talking Leaves Books, 3158 Main St., Buffalo 837-8554.  Reading and Signing with Tom Waters, author of the humor collection Mockery.

Saturday, May 21st, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Mockery Book Reading and Signing at Stockman’s Tavern (9870 Transit Rd., Depew 688-9896) featuring Tom Waters with live music by musician Chris Squier.

Saturday, June 11th, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.  Caz Coffee Café, 668 Abbott Rd., Buffalo 825-7806. Reading and Signing with Mark McElligott, author of the humor collection Random Thoughts From A Broken Mind.

Sunday, June 26th, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.  Doubt It Publishing presents a book reading by Mark McElligott (Random Thoughts From A Broke Mind) and Tom Waters (Mockery) at Rust Belt Books (202 Allen St., Buffalo, 885-9535).  Admission is free, signed first editions of both books available.

Mockery Soft Launch & Doubt It Publishing Blow Out!

Okay gang,
     Are you ready for the big secret? I hope you’re sitting down (and why wouldn’t you be if you were at your computer?).

Here it is:
-Mockery, my ninth new collection of ONLY funny rants is actually available for purchase RIGHT NOW!

The book launch doesn’t happen until April Fool’s Day (7 p.m. at Dee’s Firehouse in Depew with live band One Hot Minute). Even the local press hasn’t gotten a complimentary copy yet! And I’m going to sweeten the pot on top of all this:

-All of my lulu.com titles will be 10% off until April 1st INCLUDING Mockery.

Slapstick & Superego and Breathing Room Volume I & II AND Mockery are all available for 10% off the cover price. If you order ANY or ALL of these books any time between now and April 1st, you save money, AND you can pick up Mockery for less than what I’ll be charging throughout the launch. Think of it as a huge, wet kiss for all the years that all of you have helped me make money with your continued support doing what I love.
There are some great things in store in the next four months, so a) if you live out of town or b) if you want to save money or c) if you’d rather not make the bar appearances because you’re giving up fried food, having fun or guzzling hooch for Lent, now’s a great time to scoop up some great books. Mockery is going to retail at $15 (my lowest price on a humor collection in over 5 years). You can buy it now for $13.49. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

To buy Mockery this very instant, click here: http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/mockery/15050885

To visit the entire Doubt It Publishing Shop on lulu.com and save on my last three titles,
click here: http://stores.lulu.com/tomwaters

     No gimmicks, no hustle. Please rate high when you visit each individual book. Three years ago I decided to publish two little poetry books on my own because I assumed they wouldn’t make any money. They made a decent amount of money for me, so I branched out. Like e.e. cummings, Allen Ginsberg and a score of other writers, I decided to go into the publishing business. Help me to turn this publishing house into a legitimate one.
     Thank you so much. Mockery is a knockout collection and it’s unlike any rant book I’ve released to date. I designed the book to mimic a standup comedy act with light jokes and quick rabbit punches at the beginning, big belly laughs in the middle and a soft, fuzzy feeling at the end. The flow and pacing are better than anything I’ve done to date. I really hope you like it.
So what are you waiting for? BUY MY NEW GODDAMNED BOOK ALREADY!
Start your engines,
Tom ‘literary prostitute’ Waters