Let Fly the Caged Sparrow! I’m Officially Booked…

“Writing a book is an adventure. To begin with it is a toy and an amusement. Then it becomes a mistress, then it becomes a master, then it becomes a tyrant. The last phase is that just as you are about to be reconciled to your servitude, you kill the monster and fling him to the public.” –Winston S. Churchill

Or, you can click on the book!

Praise the Lord, and Hallelujah!

Caged Sparrow is now a published book!

It is now among the more than 1,748,230 titles vying for your attention on Amazon’s virtual bookshelves.

That’s right, Caged Sparrow is now available through this link here (back up nine words), through a soon-to-be created link on the side of my page, and, of course, via the Amazon website. We’re still crawling through the induction procedures, so, although the Kindle version (note link) is up and running, it may be a day or so before the hard copy is visible there. You can buy a hard copy right now, though, at https://www.createspace.com/5461684.

I’ve been pondering how to make this announcement, and this day, memorable. I hear crickets, for the most part. Hubby and I went out to celebrate with money we haven’t yet made, and we came home to a special book-launch gift from the cat that required immediate attention, but other than that, it’s been pretty much an ordinary day.

Then I remembered this neat blog idea I saw on other blogs and have always wanted to take a stab at, so…welcome to Rose’s…

TOTALLY  MADE  UP  AUTHOR  INTERVIEW!

Yep. Since Oprah’s book club isn’t clamoring for a guest spot, and I didn’t think of hosting an author chat room until, like twenty seconds ago, I shall open the virtual floor to …well, ME! Let’s see what’s in our in-box, shall we?

Q: How wonderful! I’ve been waiting for this book to be available for more than a year. I’m going to purchase 500 copies right now to deliver to ALL my friends!

A: Um…that’s a great idea, but is there a question here?

Q: Oh, sorry, yes. Let’s see…What was your inspiration for Caged Sparrow?

A: Glad you asked. It’s actually a true story about a man named Joe Tuttolomondo, who, while working as a Buffalo police officer in the ‘70s was arrested, tried, and put in jail for a crime he did not commit. I liked the story before I met the man, but once I met the man, there was no going back.

Q: What’s it like to launch a book?

A: It’s a little like kicking your 19-year-old out on the curb. Sure you’ll miss him, but you need the space for something else.

Follow-up Q: Oooh, what will you do with the space?  Are you taking in boarders? I could use a room…

A: What? No, it’s not actual space…it’s cerebral. My brain can only hold so much, and now I’m free to explore some of the more curious characters and story lines that have been wedged into corners and pressed against the walls by this giant box of “Can’t now, I’m working on Caged Sparrow.”

Q: Is this going to make you rich?

A: Not hardly. Unless you count the kind of rich that can only be measured in giggles because I’M A PUBLISHED AUTHOR! No, this book exists for one reason, and that’s to tell Joe’s story. I’m hoping to make enough to cover that dinner tab and cat-proof the carpet on the stairs, but anything above that is gravy.

Q: What’s next for Caged Sparrow?

A: We now enter into the marketing and good-bye trunk space phase of writing—writing letters to people who might want to endorse, sell, or maybe even read the book. Also, I understand I’m required by writers-group law to keep 100 copies on my person at all times…You know, so I can sign them.

Q: Why would you sign them when technically Joe Tutt is the author?

A: Excellent question, and one I bring up constantly. Well, the answer I get most often is “Because I want one that you’ve signed.” Can’t argue with logic like that, so I’ll make sure to keep pens in the trunk as well.

Q: How much is it selling for?

A: For you, Preposition Abuser, $489.75. For everyone else, $9.95.

Q: Can I get a discount, seeing as how I’m your hubby and all…?

A: Sigh. Don’t you see, I only have so many friends and family members. If I make an exception for you, where does it stop? Sweetheart? Come back…okay, how about if I loan you a tenner?

Q: Is Caged Sparrow available as an e-book?

A: Well, I think I covered that in the intro, but absolutely! For the next 6 months, it’s strictly a Kindle option (sorry Nookers), but after that, who knows?

Q: Can I help pass the word?

A: I LOVE YOU! That one question is worth sitting through this entire excruciating interview. Yes, that would be the most magnificent gift you could possibly bestow upon me, and could quite possibly catapult my sales numbers well beyond the anticipated 28. Thank you, thank you in advance. …But order from my page if you can, please, because I’ll be staring at the sales counter-clicker-thingy until I see that magic “28” appear (sometime in August, I imagine), and clapping with joy every time someone new gives Caged Sparrow a try. If you like it, I would ask two favors. First, tell your friends – put it on your FB page, send out my blog link, slip referrals in with your water payment…for the next week or so, we’re going to see a Sparrow-palooza!

And then I promise to settle back down so I don’t make a nuisance of myself. I kinda like you and all.

Second, and only if you like what you read, consider writing a review on the Amazon site. Tell Goodreads, however that works. And if you’re really feeling reckless, post a reference on your own website. Who knows? These simple steps could even push sales over 30!

Q: And if we hate it?

A: If you don’t have something nice to say…

Q: Didn’t I see you in the package store on base buying a whole case of Blue Moon? What’s up with that?

A: Hey, writing is a stressful—Oh, my, look at the time! Well I can see we’re out of questions, so I’ll close with a hearty thank you to all who made this book possible, eSPECIALly Joe Tutt and his willingness to trust me with such an inspiring story. I can’t wait to hear what everyone thinks.

Happy Reading!

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Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7