What has 107, 101, 2 and 24 to do with 2009?

Almost the end of 2009, and I am facing it with very mixed feelings. It has been a year when family issues, medical issues and work issues have overwhelmed the literature, radio and friendship aspects of the past 365 days.

From the very start of the year leading up to my major back surgery until today when my youngest son was back in hospital, there has hardly been a day go by when one of the family was not sick or at the dentist, doctors, doing physiotherapist or at the chiropractor.

So let's forget about that part, let’s look at the good aspects of 2009.

What has 107, 101, 2 and 24 to do with 2009?

"107" that is the total reviews my book "Across the Pond" has received at Amazon since it first came out. I am so totally overwhelmed with the words of support, encouragement and the fact that so many people have enjoyed the book. As many writer guest on my radio show have stated, receiving reviews or an email knowing that a reader has enjoyed your work, makes it all worthwhile!

“101” is the total number of “A Book and a Chat” radio shows I have presented this year. I have had so much fun doing the shows, learnt much and made some great friends. Over the year I’ve had guests from central Europe, Australia and England as well as Canada and the US. I’ve had calls from guests parked on the side of roads, half way up hillsides, in restaurants and in the middle of forests. I can honestly say through all the time, I have enjoyed myself and from the feedback and the requests for return visits so have the people so have my guests.

“2” is the number of top ten books for 2009 that “Across the Pond” has appeared on during December, I am so shocked. As anybody knows who has listened to me chatting on the radio either as a host or a guest, I don’t class myself as a writer, I am know literary genius, just a humble story teller.

Locations of top ten mentions:

http://www.pussreboots.pair.com/blog/2009/comments_12/ten_best_arcs_of_2009.html

http://childrensandteensbookconnection.wordpress.com/2009/12/16/give-the-gift-of-reading-this-holiday-season

“24” is a number I’m not quite so proud of. It the meager number of chapters I have managed to write for the follow up to “Across the Pond” a book called “Across the Pond and Back Again”. This would be even less if it was not for the support, encouragement and almost bullying (I need it) I have received from a couple of readers whom I am now proud to call friends. Finally though I seem to be getting back into the stride of things and home to get the book written over the next few months.

My final blog of 2009 tomorrow I’ll be sharing with you all an event I will be running through January, that is my YA RADIO MONTH.

So check out tomorrows blog.

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

"Across the Pond" News

It's been a while since I passed on any news about my book, perhaps you thought there hasn't been any?

REVIEWS:

My total on Amazon is now numbering "103"

Since the last time I wrote about reaching the magic "100" I have received a five star and two four star reviews. Here are a few snippets of what the reviews say...

"...a cute love story. Highly recommended for teens."

"Ahhh, young love! This book reminded me of what it was like to fall in love. The young characters were so sweet, I wanted to meet them. This is an easy read and definitely worth your time."

"This is a great read for tweens and teens - and the rest of us who still love YA fiction. There is romance, adventure, misunderstandings and even a big bully you can watch get his comeuppance! Fred comes from England and stays with Brit and her family in America while his parents go to Australia. While he's there, he and Brit fall in love.

Brit and Fred are funny and endearing. I admit it took me a few pages to really get into the story, but when I did, I couldn't stop reading! It's also fun to watch Fred work out all the differences between the languages of the two countries. All in all, Across the Pond is an enchanting story of first love."

RADIO NEWS:

While my own "Book and Chat" radio shows are going from strength to strength I have appeared as a guest recently on these shows.

Literary Pizzazz

Red River Writers

Author Buzz

BOOK SALES:

I managed to sell over twenty copies of my book in the couple of days I was at the Big E, not a huge amount, but more than I expected. I am also working with Barnes and Noble and Borders to have copies on the shelves, though you can already order it for them, it now being distributed by Ingrams.

An E-Book PDF file of the book is now available check out the book web site for more details

http://across-t-pond.com

I have also been asked to a couple of events to talk or be on authors panels.

So that's some of the latest news I thought I would share with you.

Barry



BARRY EVA (Storyheart)

Author of Young Adult Romance/Fiction book
"Across the Pond"

Barbara Bretton, Story Siren, Radio Shows and the Magic 99

The last few days have been full of fun, adventure and entertainment.

Today my Saturday "Book and a Chat" guest was Barbara Bretton, is the USA Today bestselling, award-winning author of more than 40 books. She currently has over ten million copies in print around the world. Her works have been translated into twelve languages in over twenty countries. Not counting that she is also a major knitter of socks...





As normal it was a great thirty minutes chatting with Barbara about her family, her writing, and her new book "Laced with Magic" the second book in the Sugar Maple series. As I always try for the show was full of laughter.

Check the show out at

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond/2009/08/22/A-BOOK-AND-A-CHAT-with-Barbara-Bretton

Talking about laughter yesterday I had a wonderful time chatting with Kristi "The Story Siren" and many other YA Bloggers (Check yesterdays blog). I had a wonderful follow up from that show receiving this great email...

I was just listening to your interview with the darling Story
Siren.... I'm thrilled to hear that so many people have mentioned
WILLOW on your show! Thank you for your most positive comments! If
you would be interested in having me on....

Julia Hoban

Of course to get the author of Willow as a guest I jumped at it, so keep a look out for Julia coming as a future guest.

Talking about humor... with all the shows this week I did not have a Weird News day, though beleive me there were some great snippets.

In New Zealand (we have some great one from there) a man went into a record store, ordered a box set of CD's and gave the assistant his address and telephone number so he could be notified when the set arrived. He then robbed the store, but could not work out how the police were there waiting for him at his house when he got home.

Now that Magic 99.

I have had several fresh and very kind reviews at Amazon, each one clicking up the review counter, until today that total is sitting at 99... waiting... waiting to tick over to that wonderful 100

So that is the news for today I'll be back tomorrow with my UK BLOG where you can read about the fastest kettle in the world

Barry






Author of Young Adult Romance/Fiction book
"Across the Pond"

A BOOK AND A CHAT BLOG RADIO SHOW

I have been doing my Blog Radio show since February. Originally I was doing one show a week on a Saturday, the theme was to be two people chatting over a cup of tea, rather than like some other writers/book programs which sometimes get a little errrr bookish.

Okay I like to have fun, have a laugh, make the guest feel at home. I also like to try and get some of the YA blogger as guests rather than just authors. So the shows started and after just a couple I found i was really into the swing of things. I have managed to even do a few shows just on my own, when guests have not turned up for one reason or another.

Very soon I found I was being asked to host all sorts of guests, agents, publishers and authors all contacted me loving the informal format. I have been able to talk about subject ranging from abuse and religion to the theater and humor.

Very quickly I went to two shows a week and have had to turn people away already being booked up until November. And am having to squeeze some guests into one of specials. The next week is a prime example with shows Saturday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and again the next Saturday.

I have received some wonderful emails of thanks and it seems that everybody even those who start off like a nervous wreck love the format and the way the show goes.

So if you want to spend 30 minutes listening to something light, entertaining and enjoyable, why not try

A BOOK AND A CHAT Blog talk radio show.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond

Up and coming shows:

Aug 15th Chamein Canton (Canton) 11:00am EST
Aug 18th Douglas Abrams 6:30 pm EST
Aug 20th Heather Cariou 6:30pm EST
Auh 21st The Story Siren (YA Blogger) 7pm EST
Aug 22nd Barbara Bretton 11:00am EST
Aug 25th Randy Sue Coburn 6:30pm EST
Aug 29th J.R. Hauptman 11:00am EST
Sep 1st Joanne Sundell 6:30pm EST

Barry Eva (Storyheart)
Author of "Across the Pond"

Book Site:http://across-t-pond.com
Follow my daily blog at: http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com
Follow my Blog Talk Radio Show at :http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond
Amazon Reviews: http://tinyurl.com/o7sokp

Paper Back Writer - a laugh, a joke and an English accent

It has been another long week with so much going on that a recap of everything might even help me get to grips with all that has gone on.

The week started with a really enjoyable radio interview with Sarah, better known at "GREENBEANTEENQUEEN"

A fun Saturday nights Karaokee followed (do you think the word fun is a main stay of my bloggs lol)

Sunday night at 11:30pm I am a guest on "Before bedtime" it was the hosts first show and I was able to help him along and sort out a few technical hitches as well as... you've guest it... having fun.

Monday I heard from my publisher that owing to the success of "Across the pond" they were going to set up a sale or return for the book. This is not common with a POD book, and is one of the reasons that POD's are not common in bookstores. This set up will not only mean that I can now push the book in all the stores and supermarkets, but I will get royalties for orders placed, not items sold. That should really help.
So spread the word, the new launch or is it re-launch date is June 1st.

I also had Zoe from "Zoe Reads Books" as my blog guest.

Wednesday I had yet another really enjoyable "Book and Chat" this time with writer and former soap star and Emmy award winning actress "Louise Shaffer". You can catch up all of these interviews and join in the fun (there it goes again) at my radio or blog spot.


http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond

Thursday I made the trip to Central Connecticut University, where I was a guest. Again an entertaining thirty minutes which the recording engineer stated as one of the best shows they have recorded.

Friday and working on a possible way to help authors set up web sites, with emails and blogs for not a lot of money... More to come on that later.

Also through the week I have been lucky enough to receive another FIVE reviews at Amazon, taking my total up to 73 just at Amazon and to over a hundred in all since the book came out last October.

Amazon Reviews

So all in all it's been a great week regarding my book, writing, guests, radio shows, interviews and all things regarding writing and of course it was a huge amount of fun.





Author of Young Adult Romance/Fiction book
"Across the Pond"

Book Site:http://across-t-pond.com
Follow my daily blog at: http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com
Follow my Blog Talk Radio Show at :http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond
Amazon Reviews: http://tinyurl.com/o7sokp