Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Day #90: Just a Guy with a Keyboard...and You

Ninety days.

An idea, a little typing, a lot of generous book bloggers, and many, many friends.
I started the blog tour with a simple goal of promoting e-books and the Kindle, celebrating the new era of literature, and meeting people who love books. Not just books, but words and stories, since we’re not even sure what a book is anymore.

I’ve changed over the course of this blog tour. It went from “90 Days of Nightmares” to a three-month dream. I put myself out there, my real self, in a way I never have before, and you guys put up with it. I talked about this amazing journey, from my early rejection slips to where I am today, with more readers than I’ve ever had and more books available, and a bright future that’s poised to grow and glow. You guys made me a #1 bestselling writer during this tour. I’ll never forget that, because I know who did it. I wrote the words, but you created the synergy.


My daughter said, “Once you’re a bestselling writer, you’re one forever.” That’s true. Sales will slide because we all move on to new things, but Disintegration happened. The Red Church happened again and again. Cursed! and October Girls were born. Some screenplays and collections came out.
But I feel very much the same, despite everything warming to a boil and my sales and connections growing organically and beautifully. It all feels right. But I’m still just a guy with a keyboard, telling stories, not much different than a year ago when I wasn’t sure I’d ever publish another book and that maybe six paperbacks were going to be the only thing the obscure genre magazines would report in my obligatory three-line obituary.
The book I never intended to publish, Disintegration, was written for my survival, during a dark time in my life. Maybe because it wasn’t written for a theoretical market, it told some sort of truth. And it’s fitting that novel became a breakthrough success. It’s so ironic it seems inevitable.
But the books are just part of the story. The fun comments, the new friendships, the blog discoveries, the expanding platform of people talking about books, reading, words, publishing, and just ideas are all wrapped up in this blog tour. It took a life of its own and I’m a little sentimental right now, but I look forward to going back and re-reading all the comments and spending more time getting to know you.
We still have a few days, since the Kindle winners won’t be selected for a week and you still have chances to comment at the recent blogs. And I am cooking up one final idea to make another run for Top 100 so I can give away one more Kindle, but, hey, we have at least three new Kindle owners in the world. And I know 90 percent of you are going to buy a Kindle anyway if you don’t win, because you were interested enough to care.
This phase of the journey is over. Winter is a natural time for going internal. I’ll be back in the spring with another big event, but it’s going to be simpler and shorter. In the meantime, I hope you will continue subscribing to my newsletter even after the winner is selected and announced. I will only use it for major announcements like giveaways or new releases, and I will continue with Wednesday writing chats here at my blog and my Web site is undergoing a redesign to make a multi-functional gathering place. As always I will reward my supporters, because I know where success is born.
I heart you. Thank you.
***
Scott Nicholson is author of 12 novels, including the YA paranormal romance October Girls and the thrillers Disintegration, As I Die Lying, Speed Dating with the Dead, Drummer Boy, Forever Never Ends, The Skull Ring, Burial to Follow, and They Hunger. His revised novels for the U.K. Kindle are Creative Spirit, Troubled, and Solom. He’s also written four comic series, six screenplays, and more than 60 short stories. His story collections include Ashes, Curtains, The First, Murdermouth: Zombie Bits, and Flowers.
The Kindle Giveaway is part of Scott’s blog tour. Complete details at http://www.hauntedcomputer.com/blogtour.htm. To be eligible for the Kindle DX or Kindle 3, simply post a comment below with contact info. Feel free to debate and discuss the topic, but you will only be entered once per blog. He’s also giving away a Kindle 3 through the tour newsletter and a Pandora’s Box of free e-books to a follower of “hauntedcomputer” on Twitter. Thanks for playing!
###

92 comments:

Bookhound78 said...

Congratulations on making it, Scott. When this thing started, I gawked at the thought of a three-month blog tour. But you made it a complete pleasure and I'm honored to have made most (all?) of the stops.

I look forward to enjoying more of your work to come and I'll always be a loyal supporter.

-Neal

Paul McMurray said...

Congratulations, Scott! Thank you for the fun and the knowledge and the great books I read on account of you.
And...count me in for the Kindle, please!
Paul
mrluckyATcharterDOTnet

Barbarawr said...

Welcome home!!

Email address is in blogger profile

Bev said...

Being on tour is exciting, but it's always nice to come home. It was a great tour, Scott. I'm happy to have been a groupie tagging along.

Write2Bev AT gmail.com

Unknown said...

Congrats, Scott. That was an extremely long row to ho. But a lot of fun blog posts to read over the weeks and months.

Danny said...

I can't believe it's over and Hey! You survived and also had some fun with it- how awesome is that??

You gained some devoted Readers and Followers.

I'm glad you had such a great time, even though I know this was TONS of work, and I'm super glad more people discovered your book. (which means more chances for us to win a Kindle *cough*)

Anyhoddle, I'm glad we were part of the 90 Days of Awesomeness !

Cici said...

Congratulations Scott! What an awesome book tour! I am glad to have been able to be a part of it! Glad to have discovered a new author and many new bloggers. Thanks for the introduction to a genre I have 'feared'. I am looking forward to jumping in and not sleeping for a while (serious chicken I am). I am hoping to be able to allow my boys to read them as well (mom must approve :)). Thanks again! The Kindle was a wonderful carrot dangling in front of the horse! Of course, if I don't win I guess I know what I will be getting for Christmas!! Rest, relax and enjoy!

Best wishes,
Cici
cicistheories [at] gmail [.] com

Monster A Go-Go said...

Wait? WHO are you? It's day 90 of your blog tour and I just realized I was following the wrong person. OOPS! I mistook you for someone else.

Just kidding...DUH!

It's been an interesting tour. Thanks for allowing me along for the ride (and a big shout out to "den mother" Christa). But I do look forward to those future things you mention, such as the revamping of your website (adding in the ADULTS ONLY goat porn section you've been pining away for, no doubt), new books (I really hope you go for your "Scott Nicholson's Backwoods Guide to Romance"! It just SCREAMS best seller!) and whatever "the obscure genre magazines would report in my obligatory three-line obituary" (Guess that's a little far off in the future, though, huh?).

Of course, I'll be here cha-cha-cha-ing and cheering you along (or razzing you, as the case may be). Yes, feel free to disappear for the winter. It's your favorite time of the year because all of the goats are confined to the barn for the winter. I certainly do not expect to see you until the spring thaw when, like the groundhog, you emerge from the barn to catch your breath and smoke your annual post-"relations" cigarette (after a two or three month "roll in the hay"! Oh my!!). Only this time, Scott, PLEASE hang a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the barn door. I do NOT want to accidentally walk in and see what I saw LAST winter when you went into "hibernation" (and believe me, I've never seen any body "hibernating" as enthusiastically as you were! Oh my! That is one thing you just can NOT unsee! EEEK!).

Cheers to everyone who was along for the ride as well. Have a go-go groovy holiday season.

Riva said...

I really enjoyed following you on blog tour. I found out about some interesting books and discovered some great, new blogs.

Welcome home!

dulcibelle [at] earthlink [dot] net

David Ebright said...

Thumbs up Scott - great job. Enjoyed the ride, bought some books, became & fan. Uh, that's what it was about ... right?
Dave

(Reminder - I have a Kindle, not entering giveaway)

J.T. Cummins said...

Scott,

Gee whiz! What a difference a year has made in your writing life -- as well as mine. You have fought the good fight, and have been rewarded. I can't think of anyone more deserving. Godspeed on your creative journey.

Author of Cobblestones
www.jtcummins.com

author Christa Polkinhorn said...

It was real, it was fun. Great stories, great books. You deserve a break and I'm going to check myself into a rehab center (Scott Nicholson blog tour withdrawal symptoms).
Cheers,
Christa

Unknown said...

What a fun blog tour. I've enjoyed it!

Monster A Go-Go said...

As for your next (shorter) blog tour in the spring, I'll be there to goat...er, GOAD you on! CHEERS!

Author Scott Nicholson said...

Thanks, guys. I wish I had 100 Kindles to give away! And I am glad you guys stuck with me. Like Monster says, I am a little renowned for my stamina. or maybe I am just too dumb to know when to quit!

Scott

Onge said...

Congrats!! It has been fun seeing your different posts these last 90 days. :)

Sirhijinx said...

Congrats Scott!! Keep up the good work!!

Now pick me!!:o)

Unknown said...

It's been a great ride and I appreciate you letting all of us tag along.

randymir@gmail.com

Jeff said...

Happy trails, to you... farewell all! (We don't say y'all in this part of Ohio.) Hope you enjoy the Kindles, whoever you will be. I do. Scott, I'll be visiting your blog 'til spring. It will be interesting to read about your tour when you make a book of it, with happy endings, of course.

Jeff White.... whitejw@ameritech.net

Inanna said...

Welcome home! :)

inannajourney at gmail dot com

Vicki said...

Wahoo, you did it!

**CONGRATULATIONS**

Welcome home, Scott. :D

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Scott! Thank you for all the fun, it's been quite a ride.

I've learned a lot about the author/publishing world from you and it's exciting to be in at the beginning of a new book era.

The Kindle has even changed my reading habits, even though I've always been a bookworm. There's something about having all of that reading materials with you at any time that just makes it more compelling to read more.

I've passed on my love of reading to my daughter and, if I should win, I will pass on my Kindle 2 to my youngest son. He would enjoy your books a lot.

I look forward to seeing what you do in the future, good luck with everything, including the goats.

lorraine_lanning[at]yahoo[dot]com

Douglas Dorow said...

What a tour! I got to know you and your work and see lots of different blog sites.

Nice job!

dwdorow@gmail.com
ThrillersRus.blogspot.com

Cherri Galbiati said...

Can't believe it's over. You held up your end of the bargain and did it well!
Cherri

Unknown said...

Congrats Scott, what a marathon and it's been very enjoyable. Fun to have been able to take this journey with you and all these other followers. Currently reading Speed Dating with the Dead and it's just gotten wonderfully creepy! Keep enjoying your writing and we will continue to enjoy reading what you put out.
All the best!
Julie
pjtansey@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

Congratulations, Scott, on a terrific Blog Tour! I had a lot of fun, enjoyed your posts, and found some interesting blog sites along the way. I will be looking out for more from you. And when you make it "bigtime" as the next Stephen King, I will say- "Hey, I know him!" Thanks for the memories...

dreamer dot ima at gmail dot com

Charlotte said...

Congrats on a great tour! I'm a little jealous of you, actually. Being a published author is the dream of many people, including me. Thanks!
iloveegypt602 at yahoo dot com

author Christa Polkinhorn said...

Ohmyohmy. Every time I see a goat now (and there are a few in Switzerland, both two- and four-legged ones) I have to think of Scott and Monster A Go-Go. And people wonder why I have this big grin on my face.
Christa

JL Bryan said...

Scott, this has been a great and educational experience for me, both as a reader and as an indie writer. I've enjoyed following this tour and it's kinda sad to see it end. :) I hope you achieved or surpassed all your goals for this huge event!

ylime1981 said...

Well, it's been fun! What are we all going to do with our free time? :) Oh, right, now we actually have time to read books! :)

Thanks Scott!
Emily ebdye1(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

WOW I cant believe that it has been 90 days!! Congratulations!

Thanks Scott!
Ashley
ashleysbookshelf at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

It was fun! Hope I win.

canadell@bellsouth.net

Katie said...

Wow, you did it! Congrats!

kt1969 at comcast dot net

Bibliophile said...

Thanks for the ride, Scott, and thanks for introducing me to all those great blogs I might never have come across otherwise.

byonge said...

Way to go Scott,

What a daunting undertaking just occurred. You made it. When you started, I was thinking, "What could he possibly have to say for 90 days running?" Well, you made it interesting, and successful.

Btw, I had no idea there were so many book blogs out there. Some were really quite original. I'm looking forward to your new web design and, of course, your bright future.

I hope to hear from you soon. I would love to give you my shipping address.

byonge@lonepinetv.com

Sharon S. said...

It has been fun and entertaining. You have been a wonderful host. Look forward to reading more of your work and following your website.
Thanks :)

hendy said...

How bitter sweet an ending can be. Congrats! on such a great tour and becoming a #1 best selling author. I look forward to continuing to follow your blog/newsletter and hope for many more successes (I really think your children's book is going to be a best seller). Thanks for a wonderful 90 days and good luck.
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

Anonymous said...

Thanks, it was a blast visiting the other book bloggers and stealing ( I mean borrowing ) their ideas for a good book blog.

Tina12312 said...

I heart you too Scott and it's been fun reading so much about your life and your work (which I am addicted to).

Corrine said...

Congratulations Scott! You deserve nothing but the best, and I wish for your continued success! I am really happy that this tour worked so well for you! :)

jessica said...

Congratulations Scott! I'm glad that you put yourself out there because I find it fun to know what authors are like. Not just on the outside/surface, but who they are on the inside and what they are thinking.

jessangil at gmail dot com

-Jessica

Cathy M said...

Hi Scott,

Had a blast checking out your daily posts. Such a fun way to learn about a new author, who is smart, funny and articulate. I've already read two of your books, As I Die Lying and The Red Church, and I know I will be picking up more.

Wishing you a womderful holiday season.

caity_mack at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

Hi Scott, I have enjoyed following you on your tour and finding out all about the books you have written and the little things we like knowing about authors which make us want to read your books.
Congratulations to you and may your future continue to be bright and good follow you.
I have tried to follow you to all the blogs but I am sure I have missed some.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

jpearson said...

It was fun! I am sad I only heard about it halfway throught but now I am hooked! What am I going to do now?You better keep the blogs coming! i.pearson@comcast.net

Candace said...

Well I bet there are hardly any bloggers out there who don't know you are now! So congrats! It was a fun ride!
candace_redinger at yahoo dot com

Candace said...

WHO you are now! Oops.

Kathy Habel said...

Great job on all the posts. Not sure I've ever entered a single giveaway as many times as I've entered yours.
bkhabel at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Scott,
You and I have written back and forth in emails over the years. Back at a time when I was a new fan, you embraced me with open arms. You were never out of reach of us common folk. :) This tour of yours showed even more of your openness and your love of what you do and who you do it for. I hope that you have found countless new fans and friends while on this tour. I can say that while it sure wasn't needed, you cemented my fanship and friendship for a lifetime, through this tour. I wish you the best in the present and future and look forward to everything you do.

With admeration, love and respect,
Eryk

caleeor (at) gmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

I've enjoyed this blog tour so much. Thank you ....Tiffypoot @ (aol.com)

VickyTinky said...

It was a fun blog tour! I'm sad it ended!

vicky.vak8(at)gmail.com

chey said...

Congrats Scott! It was a great blog tour!
chey127 at hotmail dot com

Author Scott Nicholson said...

If anyone wants a free Kindle copy of the Red Church just send me your email address-they will go out Friday!

@lorraine I am always happy to inspire a writer

@julie glad you are enjoying Speed Dating

Thanks all of you for making this an enjoyable journey

Scott


@byonmge discovering the blogs was fun for both of us. And probably only 20 percent of the blogs I queried even responded so there are new frontiers ahead

@Cathy thanks for the kind words

@chey, vicky, tiffany, thanks for joining in.

@kathy

Estella said...

Can't believe it's over. It has been fun!

kissinoak at frontier dot com

anamlgrl said...

Congrats Scott! I had a great time following you around and learning about you as a person as well as your books!
anamlgrl@gmail.com

Kristie said...

Congrats!! I loved your tour because I learned about some awesome blogs! More books to read...more blogs to follow. Oh no!
kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com

booklover0226 said...

Congrats, Scott. I enjoyed the tour and learned a lot.

Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com

Brenda Wallace said...

Well, I'm feeling sentimental, too. I had a wonderful time being a part of your blog tour. Of course I'm looking forward to owning your blog tour book, too. Thank you for being fearless, honest, and for revealing so much about yourself and your life. Monster may have revealed a tad more. With your talent and generosity, I knew I would learn something, but I didn't expect 90 days of fresh fun blogs, to make new friends, or to learn this much. I'll be rereading your blog and the comments for some time. It's a good thing I met Christa on here because now I'll know someone at rehab. Thank you again, Scott. varbonoff 22 at cox dot net

As I Lay Bleeding said...

{Heavy sigh} I'm gonna miss you!!! Now what will I have to look forward too???

Congratulations on your tour and all it's success!! You deserve it all!!

Much love and admiration,
Books and Bane

Author Scott Nicholson said...

This is offical entry for Terri terri AT suspensemagazine.com who had trouble posting

thanks Books and Bane, Brenda, Tracey, Kristie, Animal, Estalla.

HODGEPODGESPV said...

ta da! you did it! thanks for introducing me to you and some folks who's blogs i am not following. i wish you would do me a wee favor...put a way on your blog so i can follow you better? i rarely get thru rss but always get thru mail! thanks for sharing yourself with all of us! spvaughan@yahoo.com

Monster A Go-Go said...

I keep checking back here. Weird. I must be having withdrawls... Cheers! (And what are you doing out of the barn???)

Doreen said...

Congratulations Scott!! It's been a GREAT 3 month journey with you touring!! :)

purposedrivenlife4you at gmail dot com

Asylumgirl said...

It's been fun! Happy Holidays!

Deidre
deidre_durance at hotmail dot com

Hank Brown said...

Enjoyed it, Scott. Thanks.

Twitter: MachineTrooper

Unknown said...

it has been fun and educational! thanks, scott!

hancoci_s at msn dot com

Teawench said...

It's been a fun ride. Thanks for putting it all together & letting everyone come along.
teawench at gmail dot com

gautami tripathy said...

Loved this post!

Count me in for the Kindle!

gautami.tripathy[at]gmail.com

Stefanie said...

Holy goat, it's over!

I really enjoyed following the blog tour and keeping up on all things Scott. Thank you for sharing a piece of yourself with us every day. Good luck with your upcoming releases. :)

Stefanie647@msn.com

Jim said...

A masterful promotion, ending with an excellent post. I didn't get much of an opportunity to hit the guest blogs, since I couldn't put down "As I Die Lying," but almost all the sites I did visit ended up in my bookmark list.

Hopefully, Kindle giveaway not withstanding, the blog links will stay around long enough for me to hit the rest of the sites.

Well done!
- Jim

Author Scott Nicholson said...

@sandra glad you fought through the techno chains

Monster, no one else accepting your goat goading?

Doreen, Deidre, Hank, thanks for joining in

guatami, Stacy, Tea, Stefanie You were as much of the tour as I was

Jim, glad you found the circus--there's always the next town and yes, the blogs should stay up there in the sidebar for a while. Thanks for the kind words about As I Die Lying

Scott

Jesse said...

Scott, the blog tour has been a great ride! It's wonderful that you as an author has connected to so many people in such a way of openness. For decades, the authors could only connect to their audience through books, television, radio, magazines and newspapers which were very much one way street. All the blogs have been discovered by new people, thanks to your tour. There is now a sense of community amongst authors and bookworms which is something America as a society has lost immensely over the decades since the dawn of television and huge corporations.

It has been fantastic!

-Jesse
conrad.jd (at) gmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

Congrats on a great tour...it's been fun!

Anonymous said...

I haven't been able to catch every stop on your blog tour, but I have enjoyed those I did make. You have given some valuable insight into the publishing business and the life of an author. Of course each author approaches their craft differently, but there is common ground. I learned to appreciate and respect the self-publishing industry more. I realize it is much more than just a vanity press. You are an author from the area in which I live and there are several of your books with regional interest that I will be checking out. Were I still ordering for the library, I would make sure some of those books were on the shelf.
I do agree the e-reader is a part of the future. I still do prefer to have a paper book in my hand, but there is a place in my life for one. I am currently checking them out and hope to make a decision soon.

I wish you the best of luck with your future work. Thank you for the blog tour and the giveaway. It is very generous.

librarypat AT comcast DOT net

Stacey Smith said...

Congratulations on Making It.
I will miss Your tour.
By By.Maybe we will see you do this again someday.
sasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com

James Rasmussen said...

I'm sure you'll be trailblazing again soon but for now congrats on 90 days of publicity, fun and madness.

jamesemr (at) gmail (dot) com

Author Scott Nicholson said...

@Jesse Well said! Community.

@Pat try the free Kindle app first at http://www.amazon.com/gp/kindle/kcp

@Diana, Stacey, James if you get any crazy ideas for the next tour let me know!

Scott

Regge Ridgway said...

Marathon blog tours are a risk but you pulled it off.
Way to go and congratulations.
Reg

A.P. Fuchs said...

Well done on completing your 90-day blog tour, Scott. It was a pleasure to go along for the ride, to share thoughts and get to know you better.

I hope you have great success as a result.

Coscomentertainment [at] gmail [dot] com

www.canisterx.com

POSSESSION OF THE DEAD and ZOMBIE FIGHT NIGHT (and others) at the Amazon Kindle store. Grab your copies here!

Gail said...

Congratulations Scott! You made it! You'd have to be a talented writer just to think of things to say for 90 days in a row, and you did it, you kept us all entertained and interested for 90 whole days. So long for now, it was fun.
Gail in Florida
cowgirl3000 AT gmail DOT com

Shari said...

It was so awesome to be a part of your blog tour and I really appreciate you including me. I wish you the very best!!! Shari
myneuroticbookaffair@gmail.com

Weston Kincade said...

Scott, congrats on finishing the tour. We will miss you in our daily rituals, but I look forward to encountering more stunning and frightening rituals in your future books. Whether persistence is really stupidity or not, it is necessary in todays world. I hope I am stupid enough to compete well in the future too. :) take care.

Wakincade@gmail.com

Michelle @Flying Giggles said...

Wow, this went by quick or so it seems. Thanks so much for the tour...you have a new reader!

gigglesandlollipops at gmail dot com

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

Wow! I know it's a bittersweet end for you, but it has been such a success. Congrats! I have so enjoyed reading the posts (even thought life got in the way and I missed a few). I learned a lot about you, about publishing, and got some great writing advice along the way, which is very much appreciated. I will continue to subscribe to the newsletter to get my Scott Nicholson fix...LOL! Congrats in advance to all the Kindle winners and I wouldn't be lying if I said I hope I'm one of them! =O)

monapete said...

Great Contest!!

monacart32 at hotmail dot com

bluefrog said...

I really thought that I had commented here. Either cyber goblins have been eating my posts, or the end of the blog tour was all blurring together. Thanks for all your interesting posts and the chance to win a kindle. :)

bluefrog62@yahoo.com

heatwave16 said...

Congrats on completing your journey. I think that is quite a feat. Coming up with something to talk about for 3 straight months. I know I've enjoyed the ride.

heatwave96(at)hotmail.com

PS - thanks for the free ebook!!!

The Undead Rat said...

Congratulations. 90 days . . . what a trip. I had no idea what it would be like. Well, it was fun. And long. And I missed a few places because I got distracted. But I enjoyed it and even if I don't win a Kindle, I enjoyed following you around.

Thanks for the contest,
Greg "The Undead Rat" Fisher

theundeadrat (@) gmail (.) com

Tina12312 said...

It has been great getting to know your "real self" Scott! Keep writing and I'll keep reading! :)

Deanna said...

I would LOVE a Kindle DX. Thanks for the opportunity to win one! :)

P.S. Click on my name for my contact info. ;)

Unknown said...

Scott, thanks for the fun and keep on writing

dalelmurphy(at)gravesidetales(dot)com

Author Scott Nicholson said...

90 comments here and we are DONE! Drawing is tomorrow. Good luck to everyone.

Scott Nicholson

Margay Leah Justice said...

What a great tour, Scott! Hope you had as much fun as we did!