I’ve Got A Bestseller On Smashwords…

BIG NEWS! My novel “The Bridge” is #44 in Smashwords Bestselling Horror books (over 100K words).

https://www.smashwords.com/books/category/883/bestsellers/0/any/epic/40

A Quick Thank You, Plus An Update On Book 2…

I wanted to say thank you to everyone who took part in my “Hobbit Birthday Party Weekend”.  Whether you picked up a copy of the book or helped promote it, thank you so much.  We all know getting the word out about a brand new book is more than half the battle for Indie Authors.  So this was a real shot in the arm.  I’m pleased to say that 39 people took advantage and snapped up a free copy through Smashwords over the last 3 days.  I felt somewhat vindicated for not going the KDP route, where I would have had to given them the exclusive e-book distribution and sales for up to 90 days.  I know Amazon is bigger and has a wider reach, but I never felt right about cutting off Nook, Apple and other e-reader customers.  So thanks for letting me know I did the right thing.

 

Now, I’ve never done a free e-book promotion before, so any of your more experienced authors please let me know if 39 was a good number or not.  I’m still learning as I go along this path.  As a result of the promotion I already got one 5 Star review that is now up on Smashwords.  I’m hoping for many more reviews, since it helps promote more sales or so I’ve read.

 

Today I’ll be working on my e-press release kit and then a physical one as well.  I also have to do research to find out who/where to send press releases to.  This is seeming to be the next big hurdle for me so if anyone has advice please leave it here, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

Finally, book number 2 “THE SHIP” is coming along nicely.  The first draft is about 1/3-1/2 done at this point.  I’ll be doing more drafts of course to clean things up and make sure the pacing is going well.  But even more importantly, to make sure I’m keeping the readers’ interest.  The new book has a similar fun feel to the first, but it’s also feeling quite different to me.  Mostly because I’m dealing with different leading characters, who were prominent in the first book.  But now the focus is on these two women developing their new romantic relationship as well as dealing with new and old enemies.  I’m trying to keep a balance between the nervous romance of two people getting to know each other more deeply, while also developing the secrets they haven’t shared.  It’s an interesting experience for me as a writer.  I know that in the end their relationship will have gone much further, but to make it happen gradually while not losing the fun ‘banter’ that a lot of people enjoyed in the first novel is quite a balancing act.  But, this is still the first draft.  Creating just the right balance is what 2nd and 3rd drafts (along with edits) are for.

 

Take care and have a great week everyone.

 

 

Welcome to My “HOBBIT BIRTHDAY” Weekend…

For those unfamiliar with the concept of a “Hobbit Birthday”, it is one where the birthday person gives presents to those who come to celebrate with him/her.  And that’s what I’m doing here with my birthday, which is march 30th.  I’m giving you all a chance to get a free e-copy of my novel “THE BRIDGE”.

Just go the link below which will take you to Smashwords and use this coupon code: XS86Y to get a free e-book copy.  Smashwords will give you selection of different versions of the book to choose from MOBI (Kindle), Nook, Apple, EPUB, and PDF.

****NOTE: the coupon is only good from now through midnight April 1st, so make sure you get yours as soon as possible****

And what does this birthday boy ask for in return?  Simply this, leave a review on Smashwords and/or Amazon if you don’t mind.nd if you enjoyed the book, please help spread the word about it through your networks.  The biggest battle any new author faces is getting the word out about their books, so this would be a huge help.

SO LET THE PARTY BEGIN.  Here’s the Smashwords Link:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/272613

And Now It’s Sample Sunday Folks…

I got the idea for “Sample Sunday” from one of my fellow authors, namely Scarlet Black.  She is the author of “Wisdom Of Evil”, “Salem Moon” 1 and 2, “The Last Gift” and most recently “E-Vamp” which is taking the European market by storm.   I strongly recommend checking her out on Amazon folks, you won’t be disappointed.

Anyway, today I decided to give you all a brief glimpse into a scene in “THE BRIDGE”.  I thought it might be nice to show you some of what goes on during one of my lead characters psychic visions.  Once you’ve read it, remember the book is available for all e-readers and in print.   You can find all these versions  at my new webpage: http://allankrummenacker.wix.com/allan-krummenacker.  Just click on the one you want and the link will take you to where you need to go for it.

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this snippet:

Alex, blissfully unaware of all that had taken place, boarded a train at Grand Central station, eager to go home.  He had been in the city all day and was glad to be leaving.  He had met with clients, visited contractors, and then checked on a couple of jobs his office was overseeing.   Then he’d met up with his sister and her husband for lunch.

And as usual Sharon was in top form, going on about how tired he looked and that he needed to spend more time back on Long Island.  Maybe go to the beach.  Of course he could bring Veronica, but she’d heard that too much sun was bad for older skin, and so on and so forth.

Now, he was comfortably settled in a seat on the train and allowed himself to lean back and relaxed.  The gentle swaying and clicking sound of the wheels were soothing, almost hypnotic.  His eyes slowly lowered and he fell asleep…

 

… and once again found himself in the strange hallway with the four doors waiting for him.  How had he gotten up here?

Up here?  Yes, this was an upper story that was rarely used anymore.  A thin layer of dust covering the carpet was testimony to that fact. No one had been up here in some time.

Brushing aside a cobweb he went over to the nearest door and tried the handle, it was unlocked.  Suddenly it swung inwards, revealing a bedroom furnished in Colonial style. Though he was no expert, he was sure the furnishings were originals, not modern copies.  And unlike the hallway, everything in here was immaculately clean and well cared for.  There was some clothing laid out on the bed which indicated this room belonged to a woman.

Instinct told him not to enter, so he decided to make his way towards the next room. As soon as he turned away, the door behind him slammed shut.  Then the unmistakable sound of keys in a lock could be heard.  Looking back, he saw the door was now bolted shut and thought he heard movement inside.  Looking down at the lighted crack at the bottom of the door, he spotted the shadow of feet pacing back and forth from the other side of the barrier.  He quickly went over to the other doors and saw no light or shadows coming from them.

Coming back to the locked door he found wooden slats now covered the portal.  At first he felt panic for the owner of those shadowy footsteps, but then he realized the room was now empty.  He could sense no one within.

From behind him came the sound of creaking.  Turning he saw the door opposite this one slowly opening.

He took one final look at the barred doorway and found it was now bricked up.  And half of the brickwork was already covered by dark paneling that matched the rest of the corridor.

There was nothing more he could do here.  And the room behind him waited patiently.  Taking a deep breath, he turned and headed over to the room across the hallway.  He didn’t bother looking back, knowing that any sign a room had been there would be gone.

 

On the old stone bridge over the stream, a woman stood silent and motionless.  In her arms she cradled what appeared to be a small bundle.  Her eyes were fixed on the line of tall trees surrounding the rear half of the great mansion.  Their many branches practically obscured the entire third floor.

Nearby, at the foot of the bridge a man wearing a white wolf skin knelt.  His head was bowed as he chanted in a tongue not heard in centuries…

End of Month Special Going On Now…

***END OF MONTH SPECIAL****

From now until the end of February, I’m running an e-book special on my novel “The Bridge”. This new 2nd edition (I corrected as many of the grammatical errors as I could find) will be available for $1.99 until February 28th on Smashwords.com. You can get the Nook, Apple, Epub and Mobi editions for your e-reader here. Grab yours now, because the price will go back up to $3.99 on March 1st.

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/272613

As Professor Farnsworth Would Say…. “GOOD NEWS EVERYONE!”

My good news today is that I have finally set up my own Official Website.  I did it through WiX which made it a free site.  And while it did take me a few hours to put together, it was so worth it.  I would highly recommend them to anyone else needing or thinking about putting together a website with little expense.

Now on the site you’ll find “The Bridge” of course, along with buttons linking you to the various formats available.  You’ll also find news and information on my upcoming books, along with a time frame for when I hope to be releasing them.  I’ve also supplied small synopsis for each one so my visitors can get an idea of what they can look forward to.

I hope you’ll all come and visit the site.  I’m still updating and correcting a few areas, but overall the site is pretty much done.

Here’s the link, I hope you like what you see:

http://allankrummenacker.wix.com/allan-krummenacker

 

 

A Quick Reminder…

If you’re part of Goodreads, and a member of the Lovers of Paranormal group, there are still 7 slots open for reviewing “THE BRIDGE”. You will receive a free e-copy or PDF of the book that will be yours to keep when you sign up. Remember, I have Epub, Mobe, PDF versions to cover Kindle, Nook, Sony, Apple, and others.
Here’s the link:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1183470-r2r-114-the-bridge-open#comment_66775640

“THE BRIDGE” Has Arrived…

“THE BRIDGE” is finally here! My debut horror/paranormal mystery/sci-fi novel is available on Smashwords starting TODAY! The e-book formats are Nook, Apple, Sony. Kindle and traditional Trade Paperback will be available shortly. In the meantime you can go to Smashwords via the link below to sample the book or purchase it:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/272613

Final Version of the cover.