tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32429834216390011732024-03-13T04:15:42.443-07:00TAKE THE LEAPChristopher John Chaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05142647178585900592noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242983421639001173.post-40842701880522624242017-12-05T13:01:00.001-08:002017-12-05T13:53:50.142-08:00Dating in the Apocalypse: The Complete Series is now available.<br />
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If you've haven't already started the <a href="http://www.christopherjohnchater.com/review.html">award-winning series</a>, for a limited time you can get all six books on Amazon for only .99 cents. That's the same price as one book in the series! I'll only be running this reduced price for a short time, so grab a copy before it goes up to $4.99!</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dating-Apocalypse-Christopher-John-Chater-ebook/dp/B077WNK5GC/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8"><img border="0" data-original-height="1293" data-original-width="1044" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEWXEIv42sMDTDI97iec6wV48CJ1wdCItJ00i-ESzwBoRedekrjDzyOoBo_oQKchYLkxMVE0OCL0fn9Rt0uePLJFOpS_1nNvZEQ5EhY3EhKWZdSwFKRemNsfmVyXJrejs45ZoSJ_P55g/s320/Dating+in+the+Apocalypse_+The+Complete+Series+-+Christopher+John+Chater.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
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CLICK HERE FOR AMAZON</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dating-Apocalypse-Christopher-John-Chater-ebook/dp/B077WNK5GC/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8">Dating in the Apocalypse: The Complete Series</a></div>
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Still skeptical? You can read the first two books in the series for free by signing up for my newsletter. No risk, no obligation, and you can unsubscribe at any time. <a href="http://www.christopherjohnchater.com/">Learn more here...>>>.</a></div>
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I want to thank everyone for all your support while I wrote this series over the last year and a half. It's been a great journey. A very special thank you for these people in particular:</div>
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Jerry Chater, Kerry Chater, Lynn Gillespie Chater, Eve and Randy Blackwood, Laurie Boris, Whendell Souza, Helen Scoullar, and Jenny Scoullar. </div>
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Thank you!</div>
Christopher John Chaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05142647178585900592noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242983421639001173.post-71556027911630684542017-11-05T10:13:00.001-08:002017-11-05T10:13:28.154-08:00Little Free Library is doing big things for the local community<div class="MsoNormal">
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A guest blog by Jenny Scoullar.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkmV7in4osrzf9-NSVXvyegBbGokMGrLaxcvLTjH_3I7y-F3HfJHxqMKRVYHQ-XZKJZXjn8E0epYJLQeVxsoZ_20V1ABJjEPMZBz3rnx07vKJIRsoGh59tCMDxnWCbesa_PMt1hYicaQ/s1600/chris+books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="624" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkmV7in4osrzf9-NSVXvyegBbGokMGrLaxcvLTjH_3I7y-F3HfJHxqMKRVYHQ-XZKJZXjn8E0epYJLQeVxsoZ_20V1ABJjEPMZBz3rnx07vKJIRsoGh59tCMDxnWCbesa_PMt1hYicaQ/s320/chris+books.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #555555; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A few
months ago Chris and I stumbled upon </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://www.littlefreelibrary.org/"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Little Free Library</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #555555; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. We were intrigued by some of the
testimonials that we read about how these little libraries were making such a
big difference and he wanted to see how Chater Publishing could get involved. I
don’t think Chris realized just how much of an impact this seemingly innocuous collaboration
would have on him, personally, and his writing…! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #555555;"> The
benefits of reading, for both adults and children, are well known – increased
mental stimulation (which may slow the progress of Dementia and Alzheimer’s),
memory improvement, longer concentration, advanced knowledge, better writing
skills and stress reduction to name but a few. So, what happens to the people
in countries where having access to a library is not the norm, or low-income
families who do not have the finances to provide books for themselves or their
children at home? Enter, </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #555555;">Little Free Library!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #555555; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Little
Free Library is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (recently named one of the
top-rated non-profit groups by the Great Non-profit Organization) which has helped
to build a network of more than 60,000 little libraries in over 80 countries worldwide.
Anyone may take a book from one of these libraries or, indeed, bring a book to
share – millions of books are exchanged each year across the globe. The
libraries help to inspire a love of reading, spark creativity in those who
partake and aid in building a strong community spirit. Even in countries where people
have access to free libraries, like USA and UK, these Free Little Libraries are
making a huge difference to communities, taking us back to a time when we used
to talk to our neighbors, learn their names and invite them in for a cup of tea.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #555555; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> So how
does it work? Well, if you would like to start your own Free Little Library in
your community, there are five easy steps:</span></div>
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<ol>
<li>Identify a location and someone to take care of the library.</li>
<li>Build your own library or purchase a library through Little
Free Library’s online ordering service (the libraries range from $69 to
$2,500).</li>
<li>Register your library so that you gain access to their
support network.</li>
<li>Let your neighbors know about your cool new library (they’re
the ones who will be using it, after all!).</li>
<li>Add your library to Free Little Library’s <span lang="EN-GB" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://littlefreelibrary.org/ourmap/"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">world map</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #555555; text-indent: -0.25in;">.</span></li>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #555555; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> The
city of Lake Worth in Florida has over 100 libraries for their population of
30,000 to enjoy – something for your community to aspire to perhaps?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #555555; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> If you
don’t have the time to start your own library right now, you can either </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://littlefreelibrary.org/donate/%20"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">donate</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #555555; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> financially through their website
(your donation is tax deductible!) or you can use their world map to find a
library near you and drop off some books. And that’s exactly what Chater
Publishing did in September this year!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #555555; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Chris
decided that he wanted to donate some of his self-published books. I pulled up
the world map and realized that there were a handful of Little Free Libraries in
the area that he had spent his formative years, so we decided to take a trip
down memory lane. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #555555; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> It was
an inspiring and moving day because Chris hadn’t been back to that area since he
left as a young adult. It was great to see all the old houses that he had
played in with his friends, the curbs on which he had attempted (and failed!)
some advanced skateboarding tricks, and the lockers at his old school where he had
stored his first journals. He found it surreal to be back in the place which,
without a doubt, had helped to sculpt his personality and ultimately guided him
towards professional writing. He felt proud to be donating books that he had
personally written, and it felt strange for him to think that his old teachers,
school friends or their children, depending on their age, might pick up and
read <i>his</i> books. And, to me, the best
part of all: he left a little note in all the books in the hope that it might
inspire the next generation of writers to take the plunge and follow their
dreams, just as he has. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6Xf_ZqXnH7aK6TSulaNMHnlJUA7ZhXDqVtV5tu8CgqyMxy7wYDnQCALLbLoxU-WSKBsq6-jRSmVH_iIbUcK3Ovo-kqq-Ma5OIelW57hIGTp9K_dq3KMe1cIS5BNDu_Gkshq0YDABp_M/s1600/chris+signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="601" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6Xf_ZqXnH7aK6TSulaNMHnlJUA7ZhXDqVtV5tu8CgqyMxy7wYDnQCALLbLoxU-WSKBsq6-jRSmVH_iIbUcK3Ovo-kqq-Ma5OIelW57hIGTp9K_dq3KMe1cIS5BNDu_Gkshq0YDABp_M/s320/chris+signature.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12.8px;">Inscription reads: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12.8px;">"I grew up in this town wanting to be a writer, now you're reading my book.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12.8px;">If you enjoy it, please consider posting a review on Amazon.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12.8px;">Thank you, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12.8px;">Christopher John Chater </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-size: 12.8px;">9/9/17"</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #555555; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> But it
turns out that it was Chris who was inspired! All writers will tell you that,
from time to time, they will get writers block or “hit the wall”. When we made
this trip, Chris was in the beginning phase of writing the sixth book in the <i>Dating in the Apocalypse</i> series and, as
he will attest to, he was struggling. He had created so many wonderful
characters in the first five books that he felt a huge amount of pressure to
ensure that he did them justice in the final installment. But all that pressure
was crushing his creativity and preventing him from writing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #555555; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Sometimes
it’s the smallest thing that can create a block or, in this case, remove one. Chris
enjoyed his day of reminiscing so much (he came home with a mind full of
memories and a heart full of love) that his creative channels began to open
again. Book 6 started to flow (slowly!) and he started to feel confident again
in his writing. It was wonderful to watch the transformation!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #555555; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Now
Chris has completed the sixth installment, titled <i>Ling:</i> <i>“The Scientist”</i>,
and he looks forward to donating the <i>Dating
in the Apocalypse</i> series to Little Free Library once the final book is
released later this year!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 107%;">For
more information on Christopher John Chater and to receive the <b>first two
books in the <i>Dating in the Apocalypse</i>
series FOR FREE, </b>visit<b> </b></span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://www.christopherjohnchater.com/"><b><u><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 107%;">his website</span></u></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 107%;">.</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">You can
also find him on <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ChristopherJohnChaterOfficial/"><b><u><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Facebook</span></u></b></a></span><b><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/christopher-john-chater" target="_blank"><b><u><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 107%;">BookBub</span></u></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">and<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisChater1"><b><u><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Twitter</span></u></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Christopher John Chaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05142647178585900592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242983421639001173.post-71899368550891872152017-10-09T12:13:00.001-07:002017-10-09T12:13:40.050-07:00TAKE THE LEAP: Chater Publishing Joins St. Jude Walk/Run to End C...<a href="http://christopherjohnchater.blogspot.com/2017/10/chater-publishing-joins-st-jude-walkrun.html?spref=bl">TAKE THE LEAP: Chater Publishing Joins St. Jude Walk/Run to End C...</a>: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a leading force in understanding, treating, and ultimately defeating childhood cancer and other...Christopher John Chaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05142647178585900592noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242983421639001173.post-79400302004779780192017-10-09T12:11:00.001-07:002017-10-09T12:11:21.439-07:00Chater Publishing Joins St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br />St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a leading force in
understanding, treating, and ultimately defeating childhood cancer and other
life-threatening diseases. September was St. Jude’s Childhood Cancer Awareness
Month and many people from around the country came together for the St. Jude
Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer at Liberty Station in San Diego, CA.<br /> We’d like to thank
our friends, family, and fans who helped raise $355 in sponsorship for the
Chater Publishing team. The money will go toward ensuring that the families of
the children under the care of St. Jude will not receive a single bill for any
treatment, travel or accommodation. Your money is truly making a huge
difference in the lives of very deserving children. Thank you!<br /> Learn more about St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital here:
<a href="https://www.stjude.org/"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.stjude.org/</span></a></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.stjude.org/"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></a></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Chater
Publishing would like to thank these people for their generous donations for
the Walk/Run and for Chris's St. Jude Birthday Donation:</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Eve
Lynn Blackwood<br />Kenneth
Fait<br />Barbara
Bohanek<br />Jenny
Scoullar<br />Frodo
Scoullar<br />Helen
Scoullar<br />Gordon
Scoullar<br />Leon
Kaufman<br />Fiona
Ross<br />Laura
Blackie,<br />Lucy
Witton<br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>THANK
YOU!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /><u><span style="line-height: 120%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Free Books!</span></span></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><span style="line-height: 120%;"><br /></span></u>If you haven’t already started reading the <i>Dating in
the Apocalypse</i> series, you’re in for a treat! The first two books in the series are <u>free</u>! That’s
right, $0.00! Visit <a href="http://www.christopherjohnchater.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.christopherjohnchater.com</span></a> for a link to
your free books!</b></span></div>
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<o:p> </o:p><a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.christopherjohnchater.com/" href="http://www.christopherjohnchater.com/"><img data-cke-saved-src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b6700e83eb92cbd1815179f8b/images/43e0d186-8798-42e0-9c4c-f15abe611cf8.jpg" data-file-id="1840745" height="640" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b6700e83eb92cbd1815179f8b/images/43e0d186-8798-42e0-9c4c-f15abe611cf8.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: 640px; margin: 0px; width: 400px;" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span><a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.christopherjohnchater.com/" href="http://www.christopherjohnchater.com/" style="font-weight: normal;" target="_blank"><img data-cke-saved-src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b6700e83eb92cbd1815179f8b/images/87057588-a790-41bf-9d06-d0171a16dc91.jpg" data-file-id="1840749" height="640" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b6700e83eb92cbd1815179f8b/images/87057588-a790-41bf-9d06-d0171a16dc91.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: 640px; margin: 0px; width: 400px;" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>Big Reveal…</u></span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Great news! Writing is well under way for the final installment of the <em>Dating in the Apocalypse</em> series, and here is the title and summary of book six!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><u>Ling: “The Scientist”</u></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Tom Collins, Revelation’s Romeo, is freed from the military brig by the beautiful scientist, Ling, but the underground bunker they’re trapped in has been taken over by Crooklyn Clan. With only hours until the Earth is annihilated by a coronal mass ejection, Tom has to get Ling to the bunker’s command center, save Sarah from being forced into marrying Daryl, and rescue hundreds of women from becoming sex slaves for the most ruthless clansmen on the East Coast. Everything has been leading up to this, the final battle—and by the way, Mom wants to come too.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">*****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Rest assured that Tom will have his hands full in this last installment, and it’s coming soon, so keep your eyes open for the big launch!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br />Thank you!</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br />Christopher John Chater</span></h3>
Christopher John Chaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05142647178585900592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242983421639001173.post-84787608444177537312017-07-07T12:47:00.001-07:002017-07-07T12:47:17.905-07:00TAKE THE LEAP: FREE BOOKS!<a href="http://christopherjohnchater.blogspot.com/2017/07/free-books.html?spref=bl">TAKE THE LEAP: FREE BOOKS!</a>: For a limited time I'm offering the first two books of my award winning series, Dating in the Apocalypse , FREE on AmazonKindle, fr...Christopher John Chaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05142647178585900592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242983421639001173.post-78770321530415193012017-07-07T12:44:00.001-07:002017-07-07T13:02:35.097-07:00FREE BOOKS!<div>
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For a limited time I'm offering the first two books of my award winning series, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071QXPML8/ref=series_rw_dp_sw" target="_blank">Dating in the Apocalypse</a>,</i> <b>FREE</b> on AmazonKindle, from July 7- July 10.</div>
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Pick up books 1 and 2 and see if you can figure out: Who is "The Bitch?"</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01I6Q2BBK/ref=series_dp_rw_ca_1" target="_blank">Book 1</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01I6Q2BBK/ref=series_dp_rw_ca_1" target="_blank">Sarah: "The One"</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01I6Q2BBK/ref=series_dp_rw_ca_1" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOE_wfbxDHCXy5LRRmHvWDp_r0SuKGD281kPYsQIdysXOIwwmQnYs541bJV3tesCIVLk7j3TjHdYZpoule4SFeM-3iyAvx_nxgJo5MO-EgRU0-ws_Z9px3qUn3Nfrd0RovqjuPK8H6R1Q/s320/WITH+TITLE.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">You think your dating life is tough; Tom Collins is looking for the love of his life in the middle of an apocalypse! If he can overcome murderous clans, a slave-based economy, and a meddlesome mother who designs deadly dresses for women, he might just find “the one.” </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Winner of the "Five Star Seal" From <i><b>Readers' Favorite.</b></i></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><b>A novelette. </b></b></div>
<b><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><b>Approx. 18,000 words</b></b></div>
<b><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><b>Book one in the series. </b></b></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KGFYZ2C/ref=series_rw_dp_sw" target="_blank">Book 2</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KGFYZ2C/ref=series_rw_dp_sw" target="_blank">Jenny: "The Rebound"</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KGFYZ2C/ref=series_rw_dp_sw" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52Mns-1wDx4W2MLEIqftV245HpwhV5D5x38ycJ7ixyVM8aeLTGG4k5rdd1XumFSUS_QLZufUGXXHpvK7o3mskONGbz8Qbo4B6LZ6tpQD83X0pjdxpYYqweAnuteV6Et4fCGIeIsFG1Rs/s320/Jenny+Cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Tom Collins, the dooms day dater, just made a harrowing escape from the marauder-laden 33rd street mall, but now he has to go back to save Jenny. The attempt gets him into trouble with Midtown Clan’s leader, Murray, and Tom starts to realize that being Jenny’s savior isn’t easy. Later, Tom has to give tactical handgun training to a former cheerleading squad, hunt down a serial killer loose in his apartment building, and keep his eye on a Pomeranian named Peaches.</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;"><b>A novelette</b></b></div>
<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">
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<b>Approx: 16,000 words</b></div>
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<b>Book two in the series</b></div>
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Grab your copies while they're <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071QXPML8/ref=series_rw_dp_sw" target="_blank">FREE!</a></div>
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Christopher John Chaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05142647178585900592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242983421639001173.post-23199685972574284942017-07-06T10:58:00.003-07:002017-07-06T10:58:48.931-07:00Dating in the Apocalypse: ?: "The Bitch"<br />
Dating in the Apocalypse: ?: "The Bitch" is now available!<br />
<br />
Did you know book 1 was award the "Five Star Seal" from <b><i>Readers' Favorite</i></b>?<br />
Start the series now and you'll be wondering...who is The Bitch?<br />
<br />
Only .99c!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073R4GHZ4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499302878&sr=8-1&keywords=dating+in+the+apocalypse%3A+%3F%3A+%22The+Bitch%22" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1001" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_C6f0OKzFsoWVmXT5liMdxnwgqQqs9TsiMjuEdAQeh_YZ6mf27QBDxal5h9czOvfQXyaMO9UzIyuSn5a-n6YsWc57Ey3yq_fFdH_o3gQuAVEnMYra9EN0nYcDKadYcYw8CcRVSjfPe_o/s320/coverhd.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073R4GHZ4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499302878&sr=8-1&keywords=dating+in+the+apocalypse%3A+%3F%3A+%22The+Bitch%22" target="_blank">Click Here!!!!!!!!!!</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">Tom Collins, the post-apocalyptic paramour, has 24 hours to turn The Bitch over to the military or they’ll begin killing off every woman he’s ever dated, starting with Sarah. When Tom confronts The Bitch, she tells a sob story of what forced her to become queen of the clans, and then informs him of the cause of the pandemic, the real reason the military wants her dead, and how her father’s secret stash of gold could save them all. She’s willing to give up all her power for the one thing she’s always wanted: a date with Tom.</span></div>
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<b>A novelette</b></div>
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Approx. 17,000 words.</b></div>
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Book five in the series.</b></div>
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<br />Christopher John Chaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05142647178585900592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242983421639001173.post-55229083481080624942017-03-19T12:06:00.001-07:002017-03-19T12:06:07.185-07:00TAKE THE LEAP: Dating in the Apocalypse: Alexandra: "The General'...<a href="http://christopherjohnchater.blogspot.com/2017/03/dating-in-apocalypse-alexandra-generals.html?spref=bl">TAKE THE LEAP: Dating in the Apocalypse: Alexandra: "The General'...</a>: The fourth installment of my series, Dating in the Apocalypse, is now available! Alexandra: "The General's Daughter&quot...Christopher John Chaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05142647178585900592noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242983421639001173.post-30730451221800735002017-03-19T12:05:00.003-07:002017-03-19T12:05:35.139-07:00Dating in the Apocalypse: Alexandra: "The General's Daughter"<br />
<br />
The fourth installment of my series, Dating in the Apocalypse, is now available!<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dating-Apocalypse-Alexandra-Generals-Daughter-ebook/dp/B06XQPTNMR/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrbV-nQ_Nju3CvQQu3KeLZw3rbX16fMa3Fh7dT0xu273xUkqib6zWj7TAvUkBxJUI2gzeBcp0v6Y7fU3wpz0OP4aAfYqIs0Tu4H-a9Dudguamz-SSbpTKELSqnti0fxojZOTjFhfzk_4/s320/cover1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dating-Apocalypse-Alexandra-Generals-Daughter-ebook/dp/B06XQPTNMR/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Alexandra: "The General's Daughter"</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">Tom Collins, catastrophe’s Casanova, spills the beans during a military interrogation and reveals a connection to the infamous leader of the clans, the woman known only as “The Bitch.” Tom is rescued by Alexandra, the general’s daughter, but “Operation Bitch Slap” is already underway. Any female linked to Tom is now a target, and first on their list is Sarah. The only way Tom can save the woman of his dreams from the military’s most effective assassin is to figure out who The Bitch is before it’s too late.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
A novelette.</div>
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Approx. word count: 16,000</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
Book 4 in the series.</div>
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<br />Christopher John Chaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05142647178585900592noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242983421639001173.post-75903879911466579952016-11-19T11:32:00.000-08:002016-11-19T11:32:45.002-08:00You think your dating life is tough...<br />
<br />
The third book in my series, <i>Dating in the Apocalypse: Bridgette: "The Narcissist", </i>is now available! If you haven't read the first two in the series, don't despair, both are available FOR FREE on amazonkindle from November 19-23, 2016. Book one in the series, <i>Sarah: "The One",</i> received the "Five Star Seal" from <i><b>Readers' Favorite</b></i>, so I think you'll like it.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dating-Apocalypse-Sarah-One-Book-ebook/dp/B01I6Q2BBK/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_3Ip2f7c6BV8-bLYW5iqTtCLZctn9T9U6mOzalEMv9Acfp08BI26WpwX4LDbDC1-eiiTWI60-nZmMVAysAg7b2XS6qlkTAFqKapNkF4sxNlXqQgzKfUYSBmNm5v06RPNFITJZLWK-L8/s320/WITH+TITLE.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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You think your dating life is tough; Tom Collins is looking for the love of his life in the middle of an apocalypse! If he can overcome murderous clans, a slave-based economy, and a meddlesome mother who designs deadly dresses for women, he might just find “the one.” <br />
<br />
<div>
A novelette. <br />
Approx. 18,000 words<br />
Book one in the series.<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">FREE 11/19 - 11/23</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dating-Apocalypse-Jenny-Rebound-Book-ebook/dp/B01KGFYZ2C/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2ZASTrS2n3M9CjsXwz0h-wuSTQNDzpj46AouWT6OtE0NrWzAfu7zSHj1tnpbR8QJkVBHYltW7zTfv4QTQyMv7q0wUtDblnvtsu1pz9V5VGOWFuMFonLbovFg3HI7TAnk4CSZlXyEnV0/s320/Jenny+Cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Tom Collins, the dooms day dater, just made a harrowing escape from the marauder-laden 33rd street mall, but now he has to go back to save Jenny. The attempt gets him into trouble with Midtown Clan’s leader, Murray, and Tom starts to realize that being Jenny’s savior isn’t easy. Later, Tom has to give tactical handgun training to a former cheerleading squad, hunt down a serial killer loose in his apartment building, and keep his eye on a Pomeranian named Peaches.<br />
<br />
A novelette<br />
Approx: 16,000 words<br />
Book two in the series. <br />
<span style="color: red;">FREE 11/19 - 11/23</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WezAaK68GOuKeGVZH2nn3SPSRuLzUUKRT8EhdE0clKc4ABMTQVGi-GCZ_n091XMqs2LLBJBDgkJChqR1SJ1aTvagTt7475bs1P1eI_1LxOHVC_oM2xLmhN6XotKRn1DjclKkqGx7Lwo/s1600/01bri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WezAaK68GOuKeGVZH2nn3SPSRuLzUUKRT8EhdE0clKc4ABMTQVGi-GCZ_n091XMqs2LLBJBDgkJChqR1SJ1aTvagTt7475bs1P1eI_1LxOHVC_oM2xLmhN6XotKRn1DjclKkqGx7Lwo/s320/01bri.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Tom Collins, the last day’s lothario, teams up with Bridgette
from the popular ham radio show <i>The Daily
After</i>. They find a note in Marty’s office that pinpoints the location of a secret
military black market. To get the scoop on the story, they need to get to Fort
Tilden, so Tom calls on the help of his old friend and cabdriver Eddie. Their
surreptitious journey through the dystopian city is complicated by Bridgette’s narcissistic
need for celebrity.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
A novelette</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Approx: 17,000 words</div>
<span style="text-align: justify;">Book three in the series.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"></span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;">Only .99c</span></span></div>
</div>
Christopher John Chaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05142647178585900592noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242983421639001173.post-74224089682989822092016-03-02T09:22:00.001-08:002016-03-02T09:22:22.714-08:00Book Cover Design Aspect Ratio 8:5 or 1.6<div class="MsoNormal">
When you’re uploading your cover on Amazon.kdp, you’ll notice
they require that your cover’s ratio be 1.6.: </div>
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"Dimensions</h2>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , "clean" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Requirements for the size of your cover art must have an ideal height/width ratio of at least 8:5 (1.6), meaning:</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , "clean" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">• A minimum of 625 pixels on the shortest side and 1000 pixels on the longest side </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , "clean" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">• For best quality, your image should be 2500 pixels on the longest side </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , "clean" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 19px;">Important: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , "clean" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">We cannot accept any images larger than 10,000 pixels on the longest side." </span></div>
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Put more succinctly,
it means that the height of the image is 1.6 times the width. For example, if the
width is 1500 then the height must be 2400. (1500 x 1.6 = 2400.) The obvious reason for this requirement is that most computer screens, tablets, and smart phones have an aspect ratio of 16:10 A.K.A 8:5, which means that these screens have a width 1.6 times their height. Interestingly, the 2014 Kindle Fire Tablet screen size was 1280 x 800 (1.6), and the xtra large Kindle Fire was 2560 x 600 (1,6), but the 2015 large size was 1024 x 600 (1.7).<br />
<br />
The way the guideline is worded, there doesn't seem to be much leeway, but I like to think that 1.6 is only a recommendation.
A quick search on the web will show that 1.5 is preferred by many graphic
artists and cover designers, myself included. Why? As
much as I like the golden ratio (1.618), for a book cover I find it too
narrow. Many Tradeback books are 1.5. </div>
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The
popular 6 x 9 size is 1.5. </div>
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5 ½ x 8.25 is
1.5. </div>
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On the other hand, Mass Market books, the ones you find in grocery stores, are 4.25 x 7, which comes to a ratio of 1.64. </div>
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It’s really a matter of taste.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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One important thing to consider: if your covers are all 1.5
or 1.6, regardless of their size, you won’t have a problem making them uniform
when you re-size them. For instance, when you're uploading them onto your website, or when
Amazon automatically re-sizes them on your author central page, if they're all the same ratio, they'll line up like tin
soldiers. Notice that my covers on this blog's sidebar all appear uniform, despite the fact they're different sizes. </div>
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Here's a side by side comparison. 1.6, 1.5, and 1.4 (1.37 to be exact). It's just my personal preference, but I like 1.5 best.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-465m6ugF-kD7nfEUAuMiMHUFnrwDDfr5Imdrr-ZSqRUUOO-h-9pUaTArWekebnLBrwvTpTYDfaeOy2vfCYFVPMWRbsoJxpmMaPo07IH8B7xhxkEc2rIlev7DIHCk2EdBNm4hq79rl5Q/s1600/comparison.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-465m6ugF-kD7nfEUAuMiMHUFnrwDDfr5Imdrr-ZSqRUUOO-h-9pUaTArWekebnLBrwvTpTYDfaeOy2vfCYFVPMWRbsoJxpmMaPo07IH8B7xhxkEc2rIlev7DIHCk2EdBNm4hq79rl5Q/s400/comparison.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Remember the ratio!</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Christopher John Chaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05142647178585900592noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242983421639001173.post-22100190261312222142015-09-29T07:03:00.000-07:002015-09-29T07:23:36.653-07:00BOOKBUB, BOX SETS, AND GETTING TO #1 ON AMAZON: A Q&A with Diana Urban and Christopher John Chater<div class="MsoNormal">
Diana Urban, Industry Marketing Manager at BookBub, did me the great honor of contacting me with these questions after I had a very successful promotion using BookBub. For
her full article, please visit the BookBub Partners Blog at <a href="http://insights.bookbub.com/">http://insights.bookbub.com/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .55in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>Diana:<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>The Elizabeth Chater Regency Romance
Collection #1 box set includes standalone books. What was your strategy behind
bundling four standalones together?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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CJC: I could go on for days answering this question, but there
are three good reasons to put standalones into a box set. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Number one, readers love bargains. 99¢ books are very
popular, especially with Regency Romance titles. By pricing my standalone books
at 99¢, I’ve been able to enjoy good sales and stay competitive. By putting those
same books into box sets of four, and price it at $2.99, readers save one
dollar, and (because of the 70/30 royalty split on Amazon), my profit for those
same books increases (approximately) $1.00.
It’s a win-win.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The second reason is that it creates “another book,” therefore
I get more space on the digital shelf.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The third reason is that it exposes readers to a book that
might not be as popular as the other books by the same author. If a standalone
isn’t selling very well, and that’s not a reflection of the book’s quality,
then readers may be more willing to give it a try if it’s in a box set.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .3in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: 0in;">
<b>Diana:<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></b><b>How did you decide on the initial pricing
of the box set? </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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CJC: As the free market adage goes, “Price goes down, quality
goes up.” When I started uploading my grandmother’s back list, I priced most of
her standalone books at $2.99, with one book at 99¢. For a while this worked,
but soon there were so many 99¢ books for sale that my higher-priced books
weren’t selling. The 99¢ book was doing terrifically, getting into Amazon’s top
100 and staying there for months, yet the $2.99 books still weren’t selling. When
I checked the top 100 lists on Amazon for Regency Romance and Historical
Romance, many of the top sellers were priced at 99¢, so I changed nearly all Elizabeth
Chater books to 99¢. The 99¢ price change caused my profits to far exceed what they
had ever been when the same books had been priced at the $2.99. <o:p></o:p></div>
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There are five Elizabeth Chater collection books for sale,
and only one of them is $3.99, because it includes a much longer book that, as
a standalone, is priced at 2.99. It doesn’t do half as well as the other
collection books priced at $2.99, even though readers are still saving one
dollar by buying this collection book. Pricing is tricky! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Diana:<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></b><b>When you bundled these books, did the box
set cannibalize sales of the individual books included in the set? Or did it
have the opposite effect?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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CJC: Creating box sets did cannibalize sales of <i>some</i> of the standalone books, but in
most cases overall profits were higher, and people were reading and being
exposed to books that weren’t selling as well before. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Diana:<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></b><b>What were the results of bundling these
books into a box set (estimates or generalizations are totally fine if you
don’t want to provide exact numbers)? Would you recommend this strategy for
authors or book marketers? If so, what advice would you give them about
creating box sets for standalones? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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CJC: Creating box sets of standalone titles is a great idea, but
it should be taken on a case by case basis. Some authors and publishers can get
away with selling box sets for a high price and can occasionally run sales of
those box sets so they don’t always cannibalize sales of standalones. If
standalones are selling well, then selling the box set cheaper than the
individual books is only a good idea if the other standalones aren’t selling
well. It’s all about experimentation and knowing what your readers want. There
are many Regency Romance book bundles for sale right now that are only 99¢.
They’re getting into Amazon’s top ten and staying there. The competition is
fierce. It’s getting harder to sell a standalone back list title, even at 99¢. <o:p></o:p></div>
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As far as content goes, the books in my box sets are not
only by the same author, but the books are all similar in genre, style, and
theme. I’d caution publishers against creating a box set of books from
different genres, or that involve radically different situations, for instance
books that have graphic scenes, while the others books are more G-rated.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Diana:<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></b><b>How else have you promoted the box set
besides running a deal on BookBub?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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CJC: Promotion is a dirty word for most authors. It’s the hardest
part. When I started publishing back in the old days of 2011, all I had to do
was run a sale and my rankings and sales would soar. I used to be able to do a
free giveaway on Amazon and get thousands of downloads. These days it’s much
harder to give away a book for free, much less run a sale without some
strategic promotional planning. I’d advise using anything and everything to get
the word out, but it has to be done “correctly.” Each promotional platform has
its own etiquette that publishers should respect. On social media sites like
Facebook and Twitter, savvy authors use the 80/20 rule, meaning that 80 percent
of your posts are not related to your books, while 20 percent are promotional.
I, of course, feature the books on Elizabethchater.com, as well on my blogsite,
and I’ve used paid promotional sites like BookGorilla. I’ve created a presence
on unpaid sites like Librarything, Goodreads, and Shelfari—and a lot of other
places I can’t even remember. Amassing emails is digital gold, and to do that I
highly recommend using MailChimp. My motto is, “Try it all.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Diana:<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></b><b>After your BookBub promotion for The
Elizabeth Chater Regency Romance Collection #1 box set ended, did you see an
increase in sales for any of your grandmother's other titles?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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CJC: The BookBub promotion greatly increased sales to all Elizabeth
Chater books for the entire month (more than 30 titles), and the Kindle Edition Normalized Pages (KENP) were fantastically high for the month. I’d like
to point out that, because of the BookBub promotion, <i>The Elizabeth Chater Regency Romance Collection #1</i> went to #1 for
Historical Romance on Amazon, and garnered over one million pages read on KENP.
Thank you BookBub!<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve written more about my BookBub experience, including all
the sales numbers, on my blog: <a href="http://www.christopherjohnchater.blogspot.com/">www.christopherjohnchater.blogspot.com</a>.</div>
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<span style="text-indent: 0in;">- END Q & A -</span></div>
<span style="text-indent: 0in;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-indent: 0in;"> For those of you new to publishing box sets, you'll have a decision to make regarding covers. Some retailers and distributors, like Smashwords, won't accept 3D covers. Personally I think 3D covers are more eye-catching and I've always used them on Amazon, </span><span style="text-indent: 0in;">but when I was going through Smashwords I had to create additional 2D covers. It's generally a good idea to have the same cover on all platforms, but I've never been good at following generalities. Also, </span><span style="text-indent: 0in;">I make my own covers, so I don't have to worry about the cost.</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> Whether or not you chose to use only one cover, I'd still recommend having a 3D cover. They look great on blogs, websites, Facebook pages, ect.</span><br />
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<span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYR8notAmuQqlDUvBLHQn-u5DybVaw8WgSmfILk7zixupItCIvMRlDRd97WdtIgAAqLgnNr3GHGYcRJ39VPvD-cmqdPrgRsWZ6k6FSVDZk1JNBYdrvdOZDxfBEHuYy09xFxnimCKmOPSE/s1600/Box+Set+1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYR8notAmuQqlDUvBLHQn-u5DybVaw8WgSmfILk7zixupItCIvMRlDRd97WdtIgAAqLgnNr3GHGYcRJ39VPvD-cmqdPrgRsWZ6k6FSVDZk1JNBYdrvdOZDxfBEHuYy09xFxnimCKmOPSE/s320/Box+Set+1.jpeg" width="230" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCpEZF-6xZTUhhTe8vmYp1S0-3dgegYmh1MwSd-IQwNqEI3eb4o2ZeHAozDk3sU24vAARMW4qcj6Tp_ikF2M2KeRBHRD_kSkMRMZaenVlys8vHs2fSqUtr5RHyxzjA3nhZgYNg53cEXlQ/s1600/Thecollection1of1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCpEZF-6xZTUhhTe8vmYp1S0-3dgegYmh1MwSd-IQwNqEI3eb4o2ZeHAozDk3sU24vAARMW4qcj6Tp_ikF2M2KeRBHRD_kSkMRMZaenVlys8vHs2fSqUtr5RHyxzjA3nhZgYNg53cEXlQ/s320/Thecollection1of1.jpeg" width="225" /></a></div>
<span style="text-indent: 0in;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-indent: 0in;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-indent: 0in;"> I also included the standalone covers to each book in the interior of the digital books. I thought that added a nice touch. It does increase the megabyte size of the book and therefore the digital shipping charge, but we're talking micro pennies at this point. </span><br />
<span style="text-indent: 0in;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-indent: 0in;"> Another great reason to create a box set (or publish any book with a high page count) is because of the Amazon Kindle Unlimted program and the new payment structure. From what I can tell, the new system does seem to slightly favor longer books. I published my KENPC below and as you can see my KENP numbers are really more impressive that my sales figures. </span><br />
<span style="text-indent: 0in;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-indent: 0in;"><br /></span>
<b style="text-indent: 0in;">Those of you following <a href="http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2015/07/kindle-unlimited-thoughts.html" target="_blank">Joe Konrath’s blog post</a> asking for
author rankings and Page Per Day numbers, here they are:</b></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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My BookBub promotional sale was from July 1, 2015 – July 7,
2015.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Author ranking reached a high on July 2, with #122<o:p></o:p></div>
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Author ranking for Historical Romance reached a high of #2<br />
Author ranking on July 31 was 4,732<o:p></o:p></div>
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Total pages read (KENPC) for the month of July: 2,113,914. (1,092,778
from promotional book). <o:p></o:p></div>
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(On a side note, the promotion only marginally increased traffic
to the author’s website.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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As you can see from the graph below, on the first day, books sales
were an incredible 2,412. The vast majority of the sales, probably 85% or more,
came from the book being promoted. The book went into the top 100 for
Historical Romance on the first day, and by the second day it was #1. It also
went to #1 on Amazon.UK for Historical Romance. It went to a high of #30 for
all Kindle Books. Elizabeth Chater’s author ranking went to a high of #2 for Historical
Romance and a high of #122 for all authors. By the second or third day, the other
four collection books went into the top 100 and enjoyed a brief stay there. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The first day of the KENP program didn’t start off too promising with a modest 10,469 pages read, but things got much more interesting as the
month went on. While sales dropped after the first day, pages read per day continued
to go up. As you can see from the graph below, by day 3 KENPC had gone up to 47,552. KENPC reached a high on day 13 with 101,209 pages read. Total
pages for the month were: 2,113,914; an average of 68,190 for July.<br />
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My conclusion: Kindle Unlimited coupled with a Bookbub promotion make boxsets a great idea.<br />
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Christopher John Chaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05142647178585900592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242983421639001173.post-62967694153484861302015-08-20T13:38:00.002-07:002015-08-20T13:38:55.840-07:00OUT OF BODY IS NOW AVAILABLE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Out-Body-Christopher-John-Chater-ebook/dp/B013ZEPX2C/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01DOwGF-oJI77fTEvSVXjGQpPb7C-fqdiWe1GZLa5wtVbbinGoWzMF5ch0L_fqg3rgTvhBG172YzdSDR5okHdnLzlNyXEQIf-pH0alhsMii34XTLvgZE29rYrYkyrQnfiDqvthX8OLNE/s320/resize+no+blurb.jpeg" width="233" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Harley Baker's obsession with the afterlife leads him to experiment with astral projection, but when he doesn't take the necessary precautions before an OBE, he comes back to find that a demon has taken over his body. While in spirit form, Harley watches the impostor romance the girl he's crushing on, ace his college exams, and impress his best friend with opportunities for wealth beyond his wildest dreams. Not only does Harley have to figure out how to get his body back before he's trapped in the astral plane forever, but he has to stop the demon from a plan that will veil the world in darkness and enslave the human race.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Out-Body-Christopher-John-Chater-ebook/dp/B013ZEPX2C/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Available on Amazon</a></span></span></div>
Christopher John Chaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05142647178585900592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242983421639001173.post-66284358236455161542015-06-20T22:31:00.000-07:002015-06-21T08:58:55.399-07:00Happy Father's Day - Free Book!There's a strong father/son relationship in my novel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Aquarius-Rising-Christopher-John-Chater-ebook/dp/B00GQHE9C6/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-3&qid=1434863637">Aquarius Rising</a>, so in honor of this Father's Day, I'm putting the Kindle version up for free from June 21 - June 25.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Aquarius-Rising-Christopher-John-Chater-ebook/dp/B00GQHE9C6/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-3&qid=1434863637">AQUARIUS RISING</a></div>
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<span id="goog_354663167">Out-of-work architect Nick Fellows never suspects a job interview will lead to a fight for his life. It begins when he receives an email he discovers is encoded with numerological numbers, sent to him from a mysterious company named Atlantis Revisited. Against his better judgment, he accepts an interview with them in a park in Manhattan. He's met by their strikingly beautiful recruiter, Lisa, who's only allowed to tell him that the company's primary focus is civilization building . . . and that their last architect was murdered. Immediately following the interview both of their lives are put in danger. But what could the company possibly be building, and who wants them dead because of it? The only thing Nick and Lisa know for sure is that they need to get to a place called Aquarius and Aquarius is rising.<br />
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<br />Christopher John Chaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05142647178585900592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242983421639001173.post-82768139497565333992014-12-14T22:07:00.001-08:002014-12-14T22:07:08.487-08:00Three Generations of Writers, One SaleThree generations of Chater books are on sale December 15th-19th 2014!<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The Elizabeth Chater Regency Romance Collection #2</span></i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-Chater-Regency-Romance-Collection-ebook/dp/B00B0LEPMM/ref=asap_B002JVCCG8?ie=UTF8"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvIv9OyBK2eeWb_sk4Q31AvORQ3P4ouJvLEqKOSwZbIxB9YyVQ-pylQsUd2ORy2hUEw5WMDv0zMJ5VCVB1S72XN8Qb5uO2SxHOT6OgHmYIMSDXMgXbFy5h4odxbw4OQBMsZtLmllDOavU/s1600/Box+Set+2.jpeg" height="320" width="230" /></a></div>
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<i><b>The Gamester,</b></i></div>
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<i><b> The King's Doll, </b></i></div>
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<i><b>Lady Dearborn's Debut, </b></i></div>
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<i><b>Lord Randal's Tiger</b></i></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-Chater-Regency-Romance-Collection-ebook/dp/B00B0LEPMM/ref=asap_B002JVCCG8?ie=UTF8">On Amazon for only 99c!</a></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Traveler's Companion</i></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Travelers-Companion-Christopher-John-Chater-ebook/dp/B007YXLS0M/ref=asap_B004U7XPLU?ie=UTF8"><br /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">After the death of his wife, Dr. Ryan Iverson turned love into a weapon. His creation, Angela, is an android that fools her targets into falling helplessly in love with her. As Deputy Director of Science and Technology at the CIA, his mission is to use Angela to seduce and destroy internationally wanted playboy and illicit travel book writer C.C. Go. His series of books,The Traveler's Companion, is an infamous guide for wealthy hedonists to indulge their every whim. The newest edition, however, only has one destination: the Zone, a place where mind creates matter, where the sick can be healed with a thought, and where a man's fantasies are made manifest. Dr. Iverson may be the only one who understands the potential dangers in a place C.C. Go calls the womb of creation: Reality doesn't stand a chance. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Travelers-Companion-Christopher-John-Chater-ebook/dp/B007YXLS0M/ref=asap_B004U7XPLU?ie=UTF8"><b>On Amazon for only 99c!</b></a></div>
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<i style="font-size: x-large;">Blood Debt</i> </div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Jesse-Fortune-Thomas-Thriller-ebook/dp/B00KGND3V4/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1418622818&sr=8-4&keywords=Kerry+Chater&pebp=1418622823008"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9uYhHc_UEXIQE6LjnuyYSJwfB-ARoVZ4zFHx2W0nxwyYVEYwBelr3ta9PYfAEjmJ9p41deaQU9m9cmlRtNDXpu8jI4Fica6D4BPg5h7JjneIu95gG_2y2qlfWXS5f_RHeFFBVr7i4EE/s1600/blood+dept+Final.jpeg" height="320" width="218" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: start;">In this dramatic sequel to KILL POINT, Agent Thomas Kelly and Jesse Fortune-Kelly are thrust into their worst nightmare when their newborn, Braden, is kidnapped by the ruthless drug lord Enrico Serva. In a desperate attempt to save her baby, Jesse is taken—and now Agent Kelly must travel to a Colombian compound to rescue the two most important people in his life. But while in the depths of a South American jungle, not only does Agent Kelly discover a plot of revenge against him, but a conspiracy of global proportions. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Jesse-Fortune-Thomas-Thriller-ebook/dp/B00KGND3V4/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1418622818&sr=8-4&keywords=Kerry+Chater&pebp=1418622823008"><b>On Amazon for only 99c!</b></a></div>
Christopher John Chaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05142647178585900592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242983421639001173.post-28332706175911214012014-10-21T20:31:00.000-07:002015-09-29T08:14:14.948-07:00HEROES AND VILLAINS<br />
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<span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; position: static; text-align: left;">"Villain: a</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; position: static; text-align: left;">cruelly</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; position: static; text-align: left;">malicious</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; position: static; text-align: left;">person</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; position: static; text-align: left;">who</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; position: static; text-align: left;">is</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; position: static; text-align: left;">involved</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; position: static; text-align: left;">in</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; position: static; text-align: left;">or</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; position: static; text-align: left;">devoted</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; position: static; text-align: left;">to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"></span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; position: static; text-align: left;">wickedness</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; position: static; text-align: left;">or</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; position: static; text-align: left;">crime;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"> </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: white; color: #0055bb; cursor: pointer; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; position: static; text-align: left;">scoundrel."</span></div>
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<span id="hotword" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; position: static; text-align: left;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">"Hero: a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">man</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">distinguished</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">courage</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">ability,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">admired</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">for</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">his </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">brave</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">deeds</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">and</span> </span><a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/noble" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: small; text-align: left;">noble</a><span id="hotword" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small; position: static; text-align: left;"> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; position: static;">qualities."</span></span><br />
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<tr class="tr3" valign="top"><td class="td3n2" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; position: static;">"Antihero: a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; position: static;">central</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; position: static;">character</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">in</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; position: static;">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">novel,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">play,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">etc,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">who</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">lacks</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="position: static;">the </span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; position: static;">traditional</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; position: static;">heroic</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; position: static;">virtues."<br /><br />--Dictionary.com</span></span></td></tr>
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In the last couple of weeks my friends and I have been
having an interesting debate about what makes a good hero or villain. The
debate started when one of my friends told me a story he was working on that
included, what he referred to as, “a complex villain.” Not the run-of-the-mill,
two dimensional villain, but a complete, true-to-life villain. He explained his
villain as a God-fearing boy who grows up in impoverished circumstances but who later suffers a tragedy
that turns him bad, really bad. After he told me the story, I said that I didn't
think this character was a villain. He sounded like a hero who had lost his
way. He shrugged and said that he had another character that was even worse.
This, I explained, was his true villain. The first character he described
engendered sympathy, because, through no fault of his own, he had lost his way and became
bad. Generally, that is not a villain.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This started the debate. <o:p></o:p></div>
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What’s the difference between a hero that’s lost his way and a
villain?<o:p></o:p></div>
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When I was growing up, no one was worse than Darth Vader. He
was the baddest mother in the galaxy, nothing at all good about him. But if George
Lucas would have started the series with Episode One, we wouldn’t have thought
of Anakin Skywalker as evil, per se. He is born immaculately (like
Jesus) and is brought up in impoverished circumstances, and yet he is still a nice
kid who loves his slave mother. He has a penchant for electronics and is a top
notch racer. Does that sound like a villain? Later he's seduced by the dark side,
but only because he's fooled by the true villain, the Senator/Emperor. In the
last episode, <i>Return of the Jedi</i>, Anakin
finally becomes the hero by killing the villain, saving his son Luke, and bringing
balance to the force. He has to pay for his crimes by dying, but Anakin has redeemed
himself and is given a place in the force afterlife with Ben and Yoda. He’s a
hero.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Don Vito Corleone and Michael Corleone of <i>The Godfather</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This could be argued all day because in real life the mafia
is probably much scarier, but the Don and his son Mike are not villains. Technically
they’re anti-heroes, but heroes none-the-less. The Don does what he has to protect
his family. Of course he’s not perfect, but he does have standards of justice
and he loves his family. At first, Mike seems to be the better hero. When he
returns from the war (a hero), he vows to never get involved in the family business
because it's bad news. But through a series of events that aren't exactly his fault,
he gets sucked in and becomes the new Godfather and begins a lifetime of doing bad.
But he never loses his ultimate goal, which is to make the family business legitimate.
In the final installment he achieves his goal, but he has to pay for his sins,
which he does when his daughter is murdered.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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The trickiest by far is <i>Blade
Runner</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Who’s the villain? The replicants? I don't think so. The replicants are self-aware
A.I.’s who were designed by the Tyrell Corporation to live a life of suffering
and slavery. The lead replicant, Roy Batty, played brilliantly by Rutger Hauer, is the protector of his replicant family who are being
hunted down and killed by bounty hunters. Any act of violence the replicants commit
could be seen as an act of self-preservation against a society that rejects them. The true villain is the CEO of the Tyrell Corporation, Dr. Eldon
Tyrell, who is killed off early by Roy. Did the CEO deserve to
die? What if I ran a puppy mill and sold the dogs to slave drivers who would
kill them if they weren’t useful, and one day one of the puppies ate me? Who’s
the bad guy, me or the dog? I am. I got what I deserved and so did the CEO (In real life maybe it's not so black and white, but in story mythology characters get what they deserve). But
what about the Harrison Ford character? Isn’t he the hero? He’s
more of a hero who lost his way. He’s a ruthless bounty hunter hired to kill replicants, though he’s
struggling with it in the beginning, which shows his humanity, but then he
gives in to his dark side because he needs the money.<br />
<br />
He shows how lost he is when he goes to
visit the stripper replicant. She’s minding her own business, trying to make a
living with her pet AI snake, no harm to anyone, when the Harrison Ford character hunts her down and shoots her
in the back. Does shooting a woman in the back sound like a hero? Hell no. But
she’s an AI and AI’s are bad, you say? No. She didn't deserve that, AI or not,
and the voice over by Harrison Ford’s character confirms it. Harrison’s
character continues to hunt down the rest of the replicants, but there’s a twist.
In the end of the movie, the lead replicant, Roy, redeems himself and shows his true
hero colors by saving the Harrison Ford character from falling to his death. In the voice over, the Harrison Ford character says he doesn't know why Roy saved him. Roy's arc was to prove to the world that he was sentient and therefore deserved to be treated with respect, and by saving Harrison Ford's character he becomes more than an AI, more than human; he has
become a transcendent being, which is often what happens to superior heroes. Yes,
we were scared for Harrison’s character as he was fighting the lead replicant, but
we should have been afraid for the replicants as well. What redeems the Harrison
Ford character is falling in love with the Sean Young character. By saving and running off
with her, he becomes the hero he is supposed to be, going from a killer to a lover. It’s a fascinating switch.
The villains are not the ones you’d expect.<br />
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General Francis X. Hummel in <i>The Rock</i><br />
A former war hero and army general has taken over the tourist attraction Alcatraz and is threatening to release poisonous gas that will kill hundreds of thousands of people. We learn that the General feels that the soldiers under his command and their families were treated unfairly by the government. He wants them to be financially compensated. As an audience member, it's hard to hate this character because he has a legitimate gripe. We might feel the same way under similar circumstances, but we wouldn't go to such lengths to right the wrong, and that's the undoing of that character. Later on, when the character is shot, he shows he's a lost hero by coming to his senses, admitting his misdeed, and, just before dying, redeeming himself by helping the heroes get the true villain, Major Tom Baxter. </div>
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In a story a character can be bad, but that doesn't necessarily mean he's the villain. A character with a good heart who does bad things will often be redeemed by the end of the story, like Han Solo for example. Han starts off as a selfish smuggler who's running from unpaid debts, but by the end of the movie he comes through to help the hero save the day. Anti-heroes may be bad people, but there's still something likable and redeemable about them despite their flawed character. Yes, they should have to pay for the flaw, (which Han does in the second installment by being frozen in carbonite), but they can still be redeemed.<br />
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What is a good villain?</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Generally the villain is stronger than the hero, or has some obvious advantage over the hero. He's also ruthless and cannot be redeemed.<br />
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Terminator: A ruthless killer. Can’t be reasoned with. Doesn’t
feel pain or remorse. Nearly impossible to kill.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jaws: A man-eating shark. Can’t reason with a shark. Hard to beat it on its own turf.<o:p></o:p><br />
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What if Jaws saved Roy Schneider at the end, flipping up its
tail like Shamu and chirping out, “You’re welcome Roy!” That would've been
weird. Villains are ruthless. They should inspire hatred and fear, not sympathy. <o:p></o:p><br />
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Alien: A killer with acid for blood that will eat you.<br />
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If you have any other examples or you disagree, I'd love to see it in the comments!</div>
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Christopher John Chaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05142647178585900592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242983421639001173.post-12587660416695026172014-09-19T10:57:00.005-07:002014-09-19T10:58:09.526-07:00Gallant Lady on Sale for 99c!<br />
Gallant Lady is on sale this week for only 99c.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">She paid him to rob her of her jewels, and he stole her heart….</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> On Yvette’s seventeenth birthday, she’s visited by five men and presented with a dowry from the recently deceased mother she never met, a box of jewels. These men have come to claim guardianship of the beautiful waif, which would give them access to her inheritance. When she’s told the gems are made of paste, she plots to gain her freedom from the greedy guardians by hiring a highwayman to rob her of the jewels, but this handsome rogue wants something more from her—and so does she from him.</span></div>
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<br />Christopher John Chaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05142647178585900592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242983421639001173.post-18307785362289432772014-08-11T16:46:00.000-07:002014-08-11T16:46:05.441-07:00Gallant Lady is now Available!Elizabeth Chater's<i> Gallant Lady</i> is now available on Amazon.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: start;">She paid him to rob her of her jewels, and he stole her heart…. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: start;">On Yvette’s seventeenth birthday, she’s visited by five men and presented with a dowry from the recently deceased mother she never met, a box of jewels. These men have come to claim guardianship of the beautiful waif, which would give them access to her inheritance. When she’s told the gems are made of paste, she plots to gain her freedom from the greedy guardians by hiring a highwayman to rob her of the jewels, but this handsome rogue wants something more from her—and so does she from him.</span></div>
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<br />Christopher John Chaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05142647178585900592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242983421639001173.post-53467968698663592052014-07-31T19:24:00.005-07:002014-07-31T19:24:46.253-07:00BAIT FOR THE TIGER - FREE THIS WEEK<i>Bait for the Tiger</i> is free this week on Amazon!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">While on a top secret mission investigating the strange happenings in Ore Valley, FBI agent Phil Norton goes missing. The Pentagon brings in Phil’s secret wife, the exotic dancer Valentine Norton. She’s willing to do anything to help get Phil back, even go under cover in a town now overrun by an alien race known as the Masters.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A Novelette.</span> <br />
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<br />Christopher John Chaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05142647178585900592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242983421639001173.post-557826302242376802014-07-24T13:19:00.002-07:002014-07-24T13:19:12.877-07:00AQUARIUS RISING IS FREE THIS WEEK!My novel Aquarius Rising is free this week on Amazon. Grab a copy!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Aquarius-Rising-Christopher-John-Chater-ebook/dp/B00GQHE9C6/ref=la_B004U7XPLU_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406233007&sr=1-1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEt33yxkgWUUYREMLLtd_BMG9SYj_NcxN0Mw7_E335lAQ9mUcj0Q4vb5cNOfAMEamZczkDPz70l3E3dQ1PFgjxuJLfa0Pe09329SvMfPovBY7ZlfELeHleXRKudzGe6h8J5P4Epw18vek/s1600/AQUARIUS+BLUE+BLEND.jpeg" height="320" width="218" /></a><span id="goog_1737377106"></span><span id="goog_1737377107"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a></div>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Aquarius-Rising-Christopher-John-Chater-ebook/dp/B00GQHE9C6/ref=la_B004U7XPLU_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406233007&sr=1-1">AMAZON</a>Christopher John Chaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05142647178585900592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242983421639001173.post-26533877444702234152014-04-10T14:13:00.001-07:002014-04-10T14:13:01.636-07:00CHRISTOPHER JOHN CHATER: ABDUCTED Free on Smashwords and Barnes and Noble<a href="http://christopherjohnchater.blogspot.com/2014/04/abducted-free-on-smashwords.html?spref=bl">CHRISTOPHER JOHN CHATER: ABDUCTED Free on Smashwords and Barnes and Noble</a>: My short story, Abducted , is free . Check it out! Payback's a bitch . . . literally. Mandy mysteriously shows up after missing fo...Christopher John Chaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05142647178585900592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242983421639001173.post-8036035856231928402014-02-05T12:00:00.001-08:002014-02-05T12:03:54.758-08:00SPEAKING AT THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WRITER'S CONFERENCEI'll be speaking at the Southern California Writers' Conference over Presidents' Day weekend, Feb 14-17. My discussion is called "Triple Threat: Author, Indie, Entrepreneur." Here's a class description:<br />
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<h4>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This class deals with the business of being your own publisher, from writing content, selling books through various retailers, and getting reviews. Find the best ways of attracting readers and learn about the expected costs of packaging and uploading your novel, as well as the challenges of DEY: Doing Everything Yourself. By avoiding gimmicks, and by not getting sucked into the social media black hole, an author can focus on the the proven ways of selling books: content people rave about, a solid fan base, and being in those algorithmic rankings.</span></span></h4>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Hope to see you there!</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Here's a link to the website: </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://writersconference.com/sd/">http://writersconference.com/sd/</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">My page on the site: </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://writersconference.com/sd/staff/christopher-john-chater/">http://writersconference.com/sd/staff/christopher-john-chater/</a></span>Christopher John Chaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05142647178585900592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242983421639001173.post-13366259901519859212013-11-17T15:33:00.001-08:002013-11-17T15:33:13.967-08:00AQUARIUS RISING Now Available!My new book, <i>Aquarius Rising</i>, is now available on Amazon. The print version should be ready in a few days.<br />
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Here's a summary:<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Aquarius-Rising-Christopher-John-Chater-ebook/dp/B00GQHE9C6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1384730546&sr=8-3&keywords=Aquarius+Rising">Click here</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Out-of-work architect Nick Fellows never suspects a job interview will lead to a fight for his life. It begins when he receives an email he discovers is encoded with numerological numbers, sent to him from a mysterious company named Atlantis Revisited. Against his better judgment, he accepts an interview with them in a park in Manhattan. He's met by their strikingly beautiful recruiter, Lisa, who's only allowed to tell him that the company's primary focus is civilization building . . . and that their last architect was murdered. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Immediately following the interview both of their lives are put in danger. But what could the company possibly be building, and who wants them dead because of it? The only thing Nick and Lisa know for sure is that they need to get to a place called Aquarius and Aquarius is rising.</span>Christopher John Chaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05142647178585900592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242983421639001173.post-78761185769369810082013-02-13T17:18:00.000-08:002014-02-17T12:00:41.747-08:00The Chater Family Reveals Their Favorite Elizabeth Chater Book<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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First born, Elizabeth Patricia, has two favorite books written by her mother: <i>The Marriage Mart</i>, and coming in a close second, <i>The Elsingham Portrait</i>. The Marriage Mart is a top seller, reaching #2 on Amazon for Regency Romance, but the family is often surprised by <i>The Elsingham Portrait's</i> lackluster sales--it's easily one of her best!</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Marriage-Mart-Elizabeth-Chater-ebook/dp/B0073M62TQ/ref=la_B002JVCCG8_1_8/177-2475286-4362918?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392666267&sr=1-8" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt=" The Marriage Mart" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2T_F4nm1DqlKEwRL88Ms3h5xkU4NcFMu0OepzYC5iMPmkBvOvbgvHK7LqTPB2k4ASd_19Fvuh9-CNU6IOxLdo-zAdJMw_aJ9VmSRKzgCMHXYhFKIN_P9GZfMPP8nHbhZi7QLip-zlYSI/s1600/themarriagemartFINAL2013.jpeg" height="320" width="225" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Elsingham-Portrait-Elizabeth-Chater-ebook/dp/B00702ZFLA/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392666334&sr=1-1&keywords=the+elsingham+portrait" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt=" The Elsingham Portrait" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbatn_XoAVPIwrKh595nQMyOcxPPwZcD4OZ8wjALxyvMfarL5aNrkhyphenhyphenvv9YLlV9sJBnW2wg8hY1xSTBr8YIl8EQxCsPd_u14Wd_O_6lbrhWInfS2ZFmI7Uy72MELyk6xdiegip0iJVn6U/s1600/TheElsinghamportraitFINAL2013.jpeg" height="320" width="218" /></a> </div>
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Daughter Eve Lynn's favorite book is <i>A Course in Murder</i>. The book is dedicated to her and her college roommate.
Rumor has it that Elizabeth used them as models for the young sleuths in the book!</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimf5mECAQM80psezjK_0TKuu5nVZBWvyUchIRt_PqiwxkSoooTRNPywCCh56JMKVOakcIEOqDRXpOiqDH5p45T12UbH0WPSJ0UBhf_LdpD5AegXYHP_At2LnsjxzMq1CjB1n3Y1F0LxbE/s320/acoursechater.jpeg" height="320" width="194" /></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/A-Course-in-Murder-ebook/dp/B006G26BJ0/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360802303&sr=1-1&keywords=A+course+in+murder+Chater">On Amazon</a></div>
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Son Kerry Michael’s favorite is <i>The Gamester</i>. The book is dedicated to Kerry, “Who loves the
gamble.” The book was in the top one hundred on amazon for several months.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gamester-Elizabeth-Chater-ebook/dp/B007D858A4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392666484&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Gamester"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrki3mlNukFhHENKRik62hcz28XeQ05RcEK012FsrAAwLox3cPmQ6Ixh4eQ0XeIfFtvBurIng3zcXaOPk_PewUMOFXVe51kwhgqO-IF_SSSF1uXSXa3HxPRlH4HwiM4fSjsS2orGIxRI/s1600/thegamester2013.jpeg" height="320" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Gamester-ebook/dp/B007D858A4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360801564&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Gamester">On Amazon</a></div>
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Jerry Chater’s favorite book is also <i>The Gamester</i>: “Wonderful characters and a great love story!”</div>
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Chris Chater, grandson and publisher, has two favorites: <i>The Big Sling</i> and <i>A Place for Alfreda</i>. For me the character of Alfreda is one of her
best, a woman who is looking for her place in the world.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Big-Sling-Elizabeth-Chater/dp/0615581110/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392666828&sr=1-1&keywords=The+big+sling"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvc5PeFb_4rIX-vIXIdanYIFw9sBfYhZ36MiRkp2tryaLtmZxlTxj_1Ha6KkQrRkJOEUa4HrcOBGQL_tumP3iYG7ykYq_U1UEmlTIr-IoZJ0Cvb6qViVE4gGuAgOeqfM8sMER1Dxnkm5g/s1600/thebigslingnewer20131.jpeg" height="320" width="207" /></a><span id="goog_1163344905"></span><span id="goog_1163344906"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Big-Sling-Elizabeth-Chater/dp/0615581110/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360802191&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=The+Big+Slingg+Chater">On Amazon</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Place-Alfreda-Elizabeth-Chater-ebook/dp/B007HG1G26/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392666916&sr=1-1&keywords=A+Place+for+alfreda"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALOZnhQuOKtpV6K3h0CpJam3GiruqWzhH_g7jsiEm4_FNdJE60NM2TMwXFVQ7TTi3jUSHY7sMhucmoNynWXSEMjTDVJJ6vgflCylW-p5sUEQj69Xic7KbMYF80exfkE85sc4PZfRY4tM/s1600/aplaceforalfreda+2013+reduced.jpeg" height="320" width="224" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/A-Place-For-Alfreda-ebook/dp/B007HG1G26/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360802245&sr=1-1&keywords=A+Place+for+alfreda+Chater">On Amazon</a></div>
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Lynn Gillespie Chater’s favorite is <i>Lauren's Designs</i>. </div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Laurens-Designs-Elizabeth-Chater/dp/0615778887/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392667044&sr=1-1&keywords=Lauren%27s+Designs"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5n3TMTKt7XMfw98pbk8fJNzNGGkUtXRdSrjUzJEo2ji6HVIra5bgK2w1ykGjylBp8enbfiuB9XgqR6wDbm2klIMyeBJsjT5PqN0oLd4oKf-BJAv3UE6QLI1H4MLjwRe1l-syNyfR2dAk/s1600/LAURENS+DESIGNS+FINAL+WHITE+DIGITAL+BORDER+LENS.jpeg" height="320" width="219" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Laurens-Designs-Elizabeth-Chater/dp/0615778887/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392667044&sr=1-1&keywords=Lauren%27s+Designs">On Amazon</a></div>
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Grand daughter Jennifer Perry's favorite is <i>Emerald Love</i>.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsiE5jWLESV14p4m9N0W2zwzyQDg7yRFg7FtXwMC99xkcs1Dx_dfb6wRgqzudJZO9rDs0fnj71SHedBtqPogx7i_FC8nuPzwqW2x83t0eIoyazW0V7zEo3jSbPbiJNcCe6r_LTMP4Uopc/s320/paintEMERALD1.jpeg" height="320" width="252" /></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Love-ebook/dp/B0080YK11G/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1361917927&sr=1-1&keywords=elizabeth+chater+emerald+love">On Amazon</a></div>
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Customer favorite: <i>The
Gamester</i> has achieved the highest ranking, staying in the Regency Romance top
ten on Amazon for several months, reaching a high of number four. <i>A Season for the Heart</i> has sold the most
copies and has the most consistently favorable reviews. It has been in the top
hundred on amazon for several months.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01z9Ms6E-P7QrrWA5ZIoquU9KGtDTejDtmRvFnI3I5WBJ6AleeCKK1Dk_kOp4gZBe5-d042Q-BFslOWKDK4r_ywIM1FjeBojux6mVJfaVfhUsEkMUYgNSq8fckqreyY94RkGhaU4HnCs/s1600/aseason+reduced.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01z9Ms6E-P7QrrWA5ZIoquU9KGtDTejDtmRvFnI3I5WBJ6AleeCKK1Dk_kOp4gZBe5-d042Q-BFslOWKDK4r_ywIM1FjeBojux6mVJfaVfhUsEkMUYgNSq8fckqreyY94RkGhaU4HnCs/s320/aseason+reduced.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Season-Heart-ebook/dp/B009MQJ2JI/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360802415&sr=1-2&keywords=elizabeth+chater">On Amazon</a></div>
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Christopher John Chaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05142647178585900592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242983421639001173.post-15110951842420275602012-08-25T17:39:00.002-07:002013-07-02T13:02:23.759-07:00Thom Kephart From Amazon Speaks at PWSD<br />
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Thom Kephart, Community Outreach Product Manager from Amazon, was the guest speaker at the PWSD meeting today. Kephart has been working in the independent publishing industry for six years, starting with Createspace. Now with amazon’s Outreach program, Kephart is responsible for branding and expanding awareness of Amazon’s independent publishing platforms to the public. There were at least 150 people at today’s meeting, much more than organizers had anticipated. President Karla Olson was frantically trying to service a growing number of attendees, a huge line of people that circled the banquet room. I overheard her say, “We’ve never had this many people show up before.” Kudos to her, it went extremely well. And it proves that self-publishing is not only popular, but it’s still just beginning. There’s no telling how popular it will become. I once read a statistic that one quarter of the population of the planet writes fiction. That’s how many people could potentially use KDP. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Kephart went over some of the basics of publishing on KDP and Createspace, and he did so fantastically. Here are some of the highlights:<o:p></o:p></div>
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Print sales are being helped by e-books sales. Often we hear that e-book sales are ruining the print business, but this isn’t true. Print sales are going up.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There are 40,000 publishers now on Amazon. And that doesn’t include independent authors who publish with Amazon. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Metadata matters. What is metadata? Anything used to find, categorize, or describe your books on the internet, including tags, book descriptions, and author bios. Thom highly recommends having an author central page with a picture and bio. People want to know who the author is. Make sure to tag your book and find clever ways to reach readers with your description and categorization.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He recommends having your book on all POD platforms, not just Createspace. “You never know where someone is going to find your book.” He also recommends buying the ISBN. This was a contentious spot for me when I was publishing on Createspace. I wasn’t sure how much it mattered, and Thom agrees that it’s not a major concern unless you have a huge readership, but he did recommend being listed as the publisher and owning your ISBN. Too late for me. Maybe next time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He recommended the book “SEO For Dummies.” Let’s face it, most of us are writers, not computer wizards. But the internet is our marketplace and we should learn how to use it as best we can. First thing to know, what does SEO stand for? Search Engine Optimization. Business owners spend big dollars to make sure their websites are optimized, meaning that if someone types in “glazed donut” in Google, the site for their donut shop is more likely to come up first.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He said we writers have to help each other. Better to collaborate than compete. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In his opinion DRM is more annoying than helpful to readers, though he stressed that that’s just his opinion and authors should decide for themselves what’s best for their books. I say screw it. A simple search on the internet can get you free DRM stripping software. <o:p></o:p></div>
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KDP charges a bigger delivery fee for larger files than smaller ones. That’s probably common knowledge, but it was news to me. So if you sell picture books, make sure to check your delivery charges. They take it out of your royalty! The horror! <o:p></o:p></div>
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All in all it was a great presentation by Mr. Kephart. It also put a human face on the process. Sometimes we’re lead to think our books are being managed by twelve year-old girls in India or something, but thankfully that’s not the case. Thom was knowledgeable and helpful and said many times that he wants to hear from us authors personally. He said his department gets tons of drunken calls all hours of the night from authors who can’t figure out formatting or something. It’s good to know I’m not alone.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thom Kephart’s Blog: <a href="http://selfpublishingadvice.org/blog/tag/thom-kephart/"><span style="color: blue;">http://selfpublishingadvice.org/blog/tag/thom-kephart/</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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If you live in the San Diego area, check out PWSD: <a href="http://publisherswriters.org/"><span style="color: blue;">http://publisherswriters.org/</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
Christopher John Chaterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05142647178585900592noreply@blogger.com0