Matthew Wayne Selznick

This summer, we saw four podcast novels become in-print sensations in a period notable for having the most podcast - to - print events in such a short time.  Four books were not just released, they had successful rushes up the Amazon.com charts… four books in forty four days!

In order, they were:

“Brave Men Run”
“Digital Magic”
“The Case of the Pitcher's Pendant”
“Playing for Keeps”

I'd like to get the community's opinion:

To get an idea, did you buy all four books on the day of their respective Amazon rush?  No shame if you didn't, I just want to understand your perspective.  If you didn't, why not?

Were the releases too close together?  Was three events and four books in less than a month and a half too much hype, and too much of a drain on you bank account to fully participate in all three?

Was the fact that the summer was so packed actually beneficial?  Did it contribute to each author's success?

If you listen to a lot of podcasts, did you tire of hearing Tee, Pip, Mur and myself interviewed on so many shows in such a short time, or did you enjoy it?  Did you buy any of the books because you heard the author on so many podcasts, or one podcast in particular?  Did you discover a new podcast you subsequently subscribed to because you heard one of the authors on it?

Which event (Sovereign Summer Sunday, Double Trouble, Heroes of the 25th) had the best author / audience connection, and why?  Which one had the worst, and why?

As authors, what can we do better to connect with and mobilize the audience the next time we need the audience's support and help with something?  Did any of the four authors do anything this summer that had a negative effect on you as a fan?

Is there anything else you can add to the discussion, whether positive or negative, regarding this summer's podcast-to-print efforts by each of the four authors?

Please note: I'm not trying to create a pissing contest or drag the pond for compliments for myself or for Tee, Mur, or Pip.  You can help us by being absolutely honest.  It's constructive criticism and legitimate praise that does the most good.

If you like, in addition to the discussion here, consider recording you feedback and either sending it as an mp3 file to mwselznick at gmail dot com or leaving a voicemail at 1-505-349-0386.  I'll play the responses on a future episode of Sonitotum.

Thanks for taking part!

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On Sunday, July 13, 2008, “Brave Men Run — A Novel of the Sovereign Era” is released to the world in a brand new paperback edition from Swarm Press. If you plan on buying a copy of the book, I’m asking you to purchase it from Amazon.com on July 13th… together, we will drive the book as high up the bestseller charts at Amazon as possible, and make “Brave Men Run” and Swarm Press winners right out of the gate!

On that Sunday, I’ll be broadcasting live on streaming video at the top of every hour from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Eastern Time. During this “web-a-thon,” I’ll give you updates on the book’s sales performance, talk with you in the embedded chat room, and have some very special Sovereign Era content to share, too!

I hope you’ll join me… and I hope you’ll help spread the word! Please add one of these badges to your web page or blog. All you have to do is copy and paste the code below!

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See You on Sunday, July 13, 2008!

If you add the badge to your web site, be sure to leave a comment mentioning your site! And please share this post with all the social bookmarking sites you participate in by clicking on the Share This button below — thanks!

“Pulse”, the online magazine / forum for the official ComicCon website, is featuring an interview with me all about “Brave Men Run — A Novel of the Sovereign Era.” Check it out right here!

The article is also part of the Pulse user forums — free registration is required, but I hope you’ll take the time to lend your thoughts and support about “Brave Men Run” and get some discussion going over there. I’m excited to see what kind of attention my first real promotion in a very comics-centric outlet brings the book. Also feel free to Digg it, with my thanks!

Paul Fischer — he of the Balticon Podcast, the ADD Cast, and Dancing Cat Studios — was at Balticon 42 in Hunt Valley, Maryland over Memorial Day weekend, where he dutifully sported his “Nate Charters is a Friend of Mine” tee shirt and managed to talk about “Brave Men Run — A Novel of the Sovereign Era” while posing with science and science fiction luminaries!

Beatrice Kondo is an evolutionary biologist and lecturer at the Johns Hopkins University and was on the science panel track at Balticon 42.

John Jude Palencar is an extraordinary artist whose work graces the covers of Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance trilogy.

Hugo and Nebula Award-winning (and Writers Talking guest) James Patrick Kelly is also a podcaster and a friend to young writers. His “Think Like a Dinosaur” collection is a gem.

If you’re traveling to conventions this Sovereign Summer, please consider being a human billboard for “Brave Men Run” like Paul has! Whether you spread the word about the book — and its July 13, 2008 release date — to legends of science fiction or to the folks standing next to you while you wait for the elevator, I need your help to tell everyone about “Brave Men Run.” And I’ll even make it worth your while… read all about it!

Hey gang!

Sovereign Summer is getting closer… that glorious season when “Brave Men Run — A Novel of the Sovereign Era” is published in paperback from Swarm Press!

I’ll be doing all kinds of things as the great day gets closer, and I’m hoping I can depend on you for help spreading the word. Here’s a little icon, suitable for use in Twitter, Facebook, as your Gravatar, in forums… anywhere you like! Spread it far and wide, and whenever possible, please include a link back to http://www.bravemenrun.com… with thanks!

If you use the icon, leave a note in the comments, with a link to where folks can see it in action.

Thanks! Have a bitchin’ Sovereign Summer!

Many, many thanks to Rick Stringer for the awesome seal of the Donner Institute for Sovereign Studies!