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Dear Sir or Madam Will You Read My Book...

C

Chuckigo

so i took the plunge and finally got my first novel to press. it's called "Taken Identity." a spy-political thriller kind of thing. the nice radio hook is that 4 radio guys (newsman, general manager, production hound and a former network guy workin' in the White House) try to help save the country.

there are few "homages" in the story to folks with whom i've worked or crossed paths - and some of the settings might be familiar, including a radio building near the Jetport, complete with snow-encrusted satellite dishes that used to receive nothing when filled with snow.

this story, and its sequel, were pecked out back at the turn o the century, occasional moments while workin' overnights in boston and working out the next set of details while making the round-trip from south portland.

so for those of us in radio who wonder if we truly can save the world... well, pick up a copy and find out.

at the moment, it's online through the publisher, linked from www.chuckigo.com . i hope to have some portland-area local distribution set up soon. if you read it, i hope you enjoy it. thanks
 
Of course...many of us bookworms want to know when you're gonna start making personal appearances.

The friends and broadcast associates you've been friends with over the years would definitely want an autographed copy of your first novel! ;)

argytunes
 
the downside to this type of venture at the onset is the out of pocket expenses. there are set-up fees and such to get the product ready, and then to do local point-of-purchase stuff, one has to pony up to buy a batch and then knock on doors hoping that someone will put a few copies on the counter (on consignement, so to speak).
the upside is that if enough folks think it's worth the effort to buy it and read it (and hopefully enjoy it), then the publishing thing can (but not always) shift to a "let us take of this for you" thing on the part of the publisher.
so as to getting the book available "locally," i have a few outlets who have said "sure" - Once and Again Books at Dunstan Corner in Scarborough and Books, Etc in Falmouth. as soon as i receive a bulk order, i'll put some there and see if there's any interest in a signing thing.
it's all new to me, so i'm learning as i go.

oh, and i did hear that it's available through Amazon as well, but it's about 5 bucks more.
 
argytunes said:
Of course...many of us bookworms want to know when you're gonna start making personal appearances.

The friends and broadcast associates you've been friends with over the years would definitely want an autographed copy of your first novel! ;)

argytunes
Click to expand...

well, in answer to that - we are a bit closer to maybe doing something in the near future. i have finally gotten some copies of "Taken Identity" (Ka-ching*) on the shelves at Once&Again Books&CDs at Dunstan Corner in Scarborough, and at Nonesuch Books, Millcreek in South Portland. Nonesuch has said they're booked for the rest of the year on author thingys, but Once&Again has graciously offered the opportunity.
there are a couple of other local retail outlets i'm working at the moment, but the two above places are a good place to start for those who might be curious and want to "browse" the book. just don't steal 'em, okay? but if you do, please let the clerk know so that they may adjust the inventory.** thanks.

(* clipped the sfx from Howie Carr)

(** clipped the quote from this past Sunday's remote location, Lee's Family Trailer Sales & Service in Windham)
 
C'mon - let's support our boy. Heck, I bought a copy... soft cover because I couldn't afford a hard cover ;) (hey, I'm a poor V/O guy now!)

This in spite of reading an advance copy.

Good luck Chuck. You deserve the best.

PS: I’ll expect an autograph – so think of something pithy!

Tom Pagnotti
choicevoicepro.com
 
choicevoicepro.com said:
C'mon - let's support our boy. Heck, I bought a copy... soft cover because I couldn't afford a hard cover ;) (hey, I'm a poor V/O guy now!)

This in spite of reading an advance copy.

Good luck Chuck. You deserve the best.

PS: I’ll expect an autograph – so think of something pithy!

Tom Pagnotti
choicevoicepro.com
Click to expand...

Tom - you are the best!

pithy... hmmm....

To Tom...

thanks for the help in keeping me stocked in depends for my golden years!

wait - you didn't mean that in a speech-impediment sort of way, did you...

let me get back to ya on that.

long live Grahm Junior College and the mighty 64 WKLB (formerly 64 WCSB), Boston!

and for all of your commercial and station imaging voice over needs, let me recommend ChoiceVoicePro Dot Com and Tom Pagnotti - aka Tom Kelley - the kid who had the pipes of God at 17, for cryin' out loud.


thanks again, bud!

Chuck
 
Chuck
When is the MOVIE coming out??
I haven't read a book in years
but it sounds good
Joe Mc Millan
 
pithy... hmmm.... wait - you didn't mean that in a speech-impediment sort of way, did you...

No Chuck... Websters defines "pithy" as precisely meaningful; forceful and brief:

You know - something I could never do when I was on the air! :)

Tom Pagnotti
choicevoicepro.com
 
I'm actually curious about the casting choices...once the movie deal is made?

Have you got any ideas for actors in mind, Chuck? ???

argytunes
 
argytunes said:
I'm actually curious about the casting choices...once the movie deal is made?

Have you got any ideas for actors in mind, Chuck? ???

argytunes
Click to expand...

okay - here goes - the most expensive movie ever cast. you asked - and after all, it's only R-I dot com...

Scott Glenn – President Griffen (he needs to be president in a movie)

Joe Pantoliano – Vice-President Fulton (a serious role for joey pants)

Matthew McConaughey – Bud Nelsen (southern gentleman at the president's side)

Greg Kinear - Chuck Michaud (wise-arse comic relief and self-employed production hound)

Ray Liotta – Don Hough (radio news guy, rhymes with tough)

Gary Oldman – Fred Singletary (radio station general manager - with no budget worries)

Barry Bostwick – Adm. Dericksen (tall, distinguished and tall)

Bruce Willis – Mike Rosty (could be a good guy, could be a bad guy)

Holly Hunter – Annie Fidrych (could be a good girl, could be a bad girl)

Sandra Bullock – Sandra Rose (network news lady)

William H. Macy – Speaker of the House Hewes (i think he'd be just about perfect)

William Fitchner – Marvin Moore (buddy to the speaker of the house)

Craig T. Nelson – Former USSR President Romanov ('nuff said - pass the vodka)

Michael Clarke Duncan – Agent Tom Hannity (someone big and bubbly to help guard the prez)

Vincent D'Onofrio - CIA Director Bill Terrio (rhymes with stereo)

Virginia Madsen – Sec.State Paparelli (no b.s.'ing when it comes to taking care of America)

Patricia Heaton – Atty.Gen. Vernon (and if she did that "don't take that tone with me" look...)

Scott Bakula – Col. Menneally (someone has to fly the helicopter)

Vin Diesel – Lcdr. Morris (someone has to carry the.... ooops, can't give that away)


so - read the book, and then let me know if you'd make any changes. (yes, i mentioned it's available)
 
Chuck
We need copies here in Ellsworth/Bangor
Hows the book doing so far??
I most likely could get you an interview with Rob Hakala
on the WATD Morning news in the Boston area
I'm back as their Image guy... I've know the owner..Ed Perry for 35 years
plus there on the web www.959watd.com
Hey it might help?
to drive people to your Website
Joe Mc Millan
[email protected]
 
Joe -

appreciate the offer, for sure. one thing at a time for us poor working guys, though. although in my case, it's three things at a time.

i have some copies (piled high in the dining room) that are being placed in local bookstores here. the store will take 'em on commission. one store sold through their first batch, so that's positive.

the online sales thing is slow, which is puzzling as it's 5 to 7 bucks cheaper than retail, but then again - some people like to hold a book and examine it, etc, before making a purchase.

i do have some radio stuff in motion -
Loren&Wally are including copies in The Game of The Day on WROR this week.

plus i have interviews set up at some stations around the country (WLW on Friday, a couple of Philly stations and the NPR crew in Michigan), with others pending.

the website has gotten quite a few hits thanks to mentions here and other online radio spots. so i'm hoping it's just a matter of time.
 
Chuckigo said:
the website has gotten quite a few hits thanks to mentions here and other online radio spots. so i'm hoping it's just a matter of time.
Click to expand...

Hi Chuck...

If you have a Google account, take a look here ( https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/docs/en/about.html ) if you already haven't done a Google submission. It will take about a month to really have the Googlebot crawling your site but after that it visits quite often. Just in time for the holiday season.

Also, Google for FREE Search Engine Submission sites and try that too. Don't pay some site to do it - I believe it's a waste of money, they can't get Search Engines to give you better placement really. So save your $$$.

Also get other sites to link to you and you link back to their sites. Not sure why but that helps too...

Hope this helps. :)
 
Radiodeity said:
Hi Chuck...

If you have a Google account, take a look here ( https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/docs/en/about.html ) if you already haven't done a Google submission. It will take about a month to really have the Googlebot crawling your site but after that it visits quite often. Just in time for the holiday season.

Also, Google for FREE Search Engine Submission sites and try that too. Don't pay some site to do it - I believe it's a waste of money, they can't get Search Engines to give you better placement really. So save your $$$.

Also get other sites to link to you and you link back to their sites. Not sure why but that helps too...

Hope this helps. :)
Click to expand...

thanks, RD! i have done the free submissions (Yahoo, Google, etc). and i'm working on the link-to-link thing (like our Y100.9 page - from me to them to me -). i will check out the linked-tool thing, though!

and i actually just heard from Borders at the Mall who said they'd take a few copies off my hands. the on-shelf/in-store exposure is huge for any author, especially a first-timer.
 
so i've gotten two radio interviews out of the way.

one with Jim Scott on WLW in Cincinnati (hope i wasn't a total boob...)

and one with my WGAN buddy, John McDonald.

being on the working side of a mic is one thing - being on the working side of a mic without any idea of where the conversation is going is another. but my thanks to the Cincy guys for their patience with me, and for giving me my "first" radio interview. (on one of the few remaining clear-shots left, too...)

and Borders' at the Mall in SoPo has said sure, they'll take the book.

that's a biggun.
 
so i've gotten two radio interviews out of the way.

one with Jim Scott on WLW in Cincinnati (hope i wasn't a total boob...)

and one with my WGAN buddy, John McDonald.

being on the working side of a mic is one thing - being on the working side of a mic without any idea of where the conversation is going is another. but my thanks to the Cincy guys for their patience with me, and for giving me my "first" radio interview. (on one of the few remaining clear-shots left, too...)

and Borders' at the Mall in SoPo has said sure, they'll take the book.

that's a biggun.
 
in response to an earlier request to let you know about any "book signings"...

our neighborhood bookseller in Millcreek, South Portland, Nonesuch Books, actually asked me to plan on one for Saturday, December 8, from 11am to 1pm. so we'll be there, with a stack of the softcover versions of "Taken Identity," in which 4 radio guys try to save the country.

if you're more of a hardcover fan - the hardcover edition, online and direct from the publisher, is $3 more than the softcover retail. same size, same number of pages (615). same net result: Radio Guys almost all win out. you'll have to read it to find out what happens.

again - details through chuckigo dot com.

if you can make it, great. if not able to make the signing but you still pick up a copy and would like it signed -and you're within the greater Portland metropolitan area - let me know.

so far - the nicest review i've received (and all have been kind) is the one from one of my morning show contest winners (who picked up a copy, gratis). no money ventured and therefore no expectation of favorable feedback. his words were most reassuring. it's a pretty good read, if you're a spy-vs-spy fiction fan.

and keep it in mind for Christmas gift giving. "Taken Identity" makes for a nice, bedside story.
 
one other radio guy doing the book thing is John McDonald of WGAN. he's got a couple of collections of his downeast Maine stories.

his newest offering is a hoot - The Maine Dictionary. he'll be at Borders near the Maine Mall tonight (12/6) at 7pm doing the pre-holiday signing thing. could be a great gift for family and friends who are no longer in the area.

John's other books are available at fine bookstores, from Islandport Press
 
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