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The Sign of Fools & Sages [Creative Nonfiction]

Dennis Lowery

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August 9, 2024

The Sign of Fools & Sages [Creative Nonfiction]

Dream On started. I was at the kitchen counter, making sandwiches.

“Do you like this song?” I asked my two youngest—twin—daughters. Alpha and Beta [not their real names] nodded simultaneously, Beta with her spoon still in her mouth.

“Do you know the words?” Beta asked, wiping milk from her chin.

“One of my favorite songs to sing.”

It’s a thing with us, listening to music as they eat breakfast while I make their lunches for school. Also excellent talk time (with topics ranging from the music to things silly and serious). We discuss school and what they’re studying. They ask me about stories I’m working on… and we talk about travel, places we’ve been, and where we want to go. And I talk about life (often my stories are a good segue).

I had my phone on the kitchen table, Bluetoothed to our home music system. [I relish the rich sound from the speakers set in the high ceilings and bass thrum from the subwoofer on the floor in the corner.] We enjoy new music but play a lot of oldies: the 60s and 70s (the decades of my youth) with some from the 50s to go way back. My twins are the only kids in their grade that know all the words to Zager & Evans ‘In The Year 2525.’ And a slew of songs from The Temptations (you should hear them sing ‘Ball of Confusion’), Johnny Rivers and Bad Company, and other greats from back then. We were recently on a Styx kick, pre-Mr. Roboto songs.

I walked over and turned the phone so Alpha and Beta could watch the lyrics scroll. A favorite line was coming up, and I sang along. “Half my life’s in books, written pages. Live and learn from fools and from sages….” Beta stopped me with a question—I hate to stop when I’m rock-n-rolling—but it was a good one. The question a parent needs to consider and answer thoughtfully.

“How do you learn from fools, Dad?”

I turned the volume down (sorry, Steven Tyler). “Well,” I sat at the end of the table, “it’s important to pay attention to all kinds of people around you. But mostly those closest you might listen to or think you can learn from. Watch how they act and interact, what they say and do, especially the impression they give you. And then compare that to reality.”

Alpha’s bagel kicked up in the toaster. I put it on a small plate for her and brought it and the not-really-butter spread she likes to the table. [I’m a butter believer and look down on such pretenders, but she loves the stuff.] I explained what I meant. “Does what they say and do make sense.”

Alpha raised her hand and glanced at Beta before speaking—it seems twins do that; I think it’s telepathy—and, they said, shaking their heads, “Martin.” [Name changed to protect the not-so-innocent. I’ve heard tales about Martin; heaven help his parents.]

I nodded and continued. “Odd and unusual people are easy to spot. You learn to avoid them and not take them seriously. But Fools can be hard to identify and often sound like they know what they’re talking about.”

Alpha had not-really-buttered her fingers, and I handed her a napkin. She asked, “How can you tell?”

“If they tell you about things, they can do… but never do them. Or when they do, it never works out, as they said. And they always want to blame someone else… they never take responsibility. People like that and those full of excuses are not the ones you should listen to… chances are they are Fools or delusional.”

“Does delusional mean crazy?” Alpha asked.

“No.” Though in my mind, I thought of people I’d met and known who seemed at odds with reality and could qualify as bughouse bizarre… batshit crazy. “Not exactly. It means the world inside their head is not the same world normal, rational people live in. No matter what reality shows them, they still believe in their own version of things. Stay far away from people like that… they’re Fools.”

Beta studied me. “But Sages are wise; smart people. Right?”

Back at the counter to gather their lunch stuff and put in their bags, I sipped my coffee, nodding. “Supposed to be.” I took another drink.

I didn’t (don’t) want to make my daughters grow up paranoid or suspicious of things and people in the world. But I think it’s crucial to learn not to place faith in anyone or anything because of a label, position, title, or perception they are an authority. And not because the media covers them extensively. That does not confirm, nor is that evidence of their value. My girls need to know to verify and validate that for themselves. I told them. “People who get things done and are right more times than wrong… who have authentic experience and produce actual results aligned with doing what’s right. People who, when they talk, make sense and show intelligence and compassion… and you can match words to accomplishments and action. They are the ones worth listening to.”

I gave them the line again from the song. Yes, I sang it: “Live and learn from fools and from sages….” I want them to learn to acknowledge labels or reputations, but—and this is a big but, and I cannot lie—I want them to define people and assess situations based on their own relevant criteria. I continued, “Something important in life to understand.” [That’s not the first or hundredth time they’ve heard me say that. I got eye-roll from them but kept going.] “You can learn from both types of people. The way to do that is to judge by actions… results, not words. Listen to what people say, but what they do is more important. If a person proves to be a Sage, an intelligent person with sound, moral, ethical, judgment… then their words have weight.”

Beta raised her hand. “What does ‘weight’ mean—you know—how you just said it?”

“It means to take them seriously and listen. They have value and merit attention.” I went to the pantry for napkins and came out with their allotment. [I harp on being wasteful… my ‘don’t use more than you really need’ thing. If they have five, they’ll use five… if they have one, they’ll use it wisely. On pudding or fruit cup days, they get an extra napkin. I’m not unsympathetic on this issue.] “But don’t give people’s words power over you. Only you can—rationally, logically, and contextually—decide what’s right and wrong for you.”

Alpha poured more milk, adding some to Beta’s glass. “But what can you learn from fools?” She brought me back around to the original question.

“What not to do… and how not to be. We don’t live in a perfect world, and humans are imperfect, too. We all have flaws. The thing to do is to not just understand our flaws but also see them in others. Because that can be a factor in gauging the value of what they’re telling you and any advice they give you.” I put a drink-box, chocolate milk today, a snack bag of carrots, fudge brownie, and their sandwiches (Alpha’s turkey with mayonnaise and Beta’s peanut butter—not spread too thick—with grape jelly) into their lunch bags.

I made my ‘wind it up’ motion, twirling my index finger and hand clockwise to speed them up, an eat-your-cereal signal. “Fools can talk a lot and have little worth listening to. Sages may not say much, but when they do… you listen. And the most important thing is to think about what they say and decide what it means to you. That’s called giving it context.”

It was time to finish so they could read before walking to the bus stop. Alpha and Beta brought their bowls to the sink. Murphy—our Irish Terrier, my only boy—had discovered two Cheerios under Alpha’s chair and was underfoot exploring for more. While they wiped down the kitchen table and counters, another song came to mind, another favorite of mine. I switched from Pandora to my music library, found Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd, and pressed play. It got to the line I wanted before they finished cleaning up. I put my hand on their shoulders, and they looked up at me. I sang a slightly changed version of a line from that song:

“Your father’s telling you… while you’re young. Come sit beside me, my lovely ones. And listen closely to what I say. If you do this… It’ll help you in so many ways.”

They smiled at me—used to this sort of thing—and hugged me. As they headed to their bathroom to brush their teeth and hair, I told them, “We’ll talk more about this….”

And we will….

SONGS MENTIONED:

Dream On – Aerosmith

http://youtu.be/yyfNHlqymP8

In The Year 2525 – Zager and Evans

http://youtu.be/izQB2-Kmiic

Ball of Confusion – The Temptations

http://youtu.be/-9poCAuYT-s

Simple Man – Lynyrd Skynyrd

http://youtu.be/sMmTkKz60W8

CRY FOR JERUSALEM | Progress on Film-TV Series Development

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August 9, 2024

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CRY FOR JERUSALEM | Progress on Film-TV Series Development

READ MORE ABOUT THE BOOK SERIES

CRY FOR JERUSALEM is one of our historical fiction projects–five years in development and writing–working with the author, Dr. Ward Sanford. A series of four novels covering the seven years leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple by the Roman Empire in 70 CE.

CRY FOR JERUSALEM (one of our Historical Fiction Projects) Film-TV Series update — From author/client 8-8-24; email address redacted for privacy and certain names for confidentiality (concerning discussions at this point).

Historical Fiction Series | CRY FOR JERUSALEM

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August 8, 2024

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Historical Fiction Series | CRY FOR JERUSALEM

“…vividly and intelligently depicted… the plot is as gripping as it is historically edifying, remarkably authentic, and rigorously researched. An impressive blend of historical portrayal and dramatic fiction.”

–Kirkus Reviews

An epic tale, Book One, Two, Three, and Four in this historical fiction series are available now. Published by Stadia Books: www.CryForJerusalem.com

Historical Fiction Published by Stadia Books: www.CryForJerusalem.com

Order at Amazon

Order at Barnes & Noble

Order at Books-A-Million

One of our historical fiction projects working with the author, Dr. Ward Sanford: A series of four novels covering the seven years leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple by the Roman Empire in 70 CE. —Dennis Lowery

CRY FOR JERUSALEM (Series) Reader Review

Client LinkedIn Comment about Historical Fiction Project

“A thorough look at the chaotic era leading up to the fall of Jerusalem. Well-researched and described as if the author had personal experience in the time and places. He paints the settings in great detail, making it easy to picture the action. This detail does slow the story, but this is not a quick light read, but rather a look at the powers and influences at play while told in the context of a fiction story. In the genre of historical fiction, it leans heavier on the historical than the fiction. Character development was spot on. I appreciated the growth that was discernable in several of the main players. I’m looking forward to the second book.” –Lanita R., Canada

“I really did not know what to expect with this book. But it is a period in history that I find interesting, so I gave it a shot. When I started I thought it might be a dry history book, but it is fascinating. The characters come to life and the setting is vivid. Such a pleasant surprise. A really good read. I’m a little bummed I can’t find anything else by Sanford. Hopefully this won’t be the last thing he writes.” –Amazon Customer

“Yosef ben Matthias, a Jewish scholar, is tasked with traveling from Jerusalem to Rome as a representative of the Sanhedrin. He plans to petition the Roman authorities to release Jewish prisoners awaiting trial. Yosef is apprehensive about the dangerous journey but also excited to see Rome, long impressed by the discipline and sophisticated organization of those who rule it. He travels by sea, but the ship that conveys him is waylaid by a powerful storm, and he ends up floating precariously in shark-infested waters on a wooden plank. He manages to survive and, with the help of two passengers he befriends—Nicanor, a veteran Roman soldier, and Sayid, a Syrian boy—saves the life of Lady Cleopatra, a noblewoman promised in marriage to Gessius Florus, a prominent quaestor and tax collector. The three rescuers are rewarded for their parts in saving Cleopatra, whose best friend, Poppaea Augusta Sabina, is married to Emperor Nero. In this first installment of a series, Yosef comes to realize what a tinderbox the political situation has become. As Roman leaders become increasingly authoritarian and hungry for tax proceeds, Jewish militancy increases, setting the stage for a brutal confrontation, a historical predicament vividly and intelligently depicted by Sanford. And Nero, looking for an excuse to rebuild Rome, raise taxes, and consolidate his power, takes Florus’ advice to burn the city to the ground, starting the “most extensive and destructive fire that Rome had ever experienced.” The plot is as gripping as it is historically edifying, remarkably authentic, and rigorously researched. At its conclusion, readers will be left impatient for the book’s sequel. An impressive blend of historical portrayal and dramatic fiction.” —Kirkus Reviews, about Book One

“Fascinating fact-filled historical account. Excellently written action packed with characters that participate in the events leading to Jerusalem’s destruction in the year 70. You will not be able to put it down.” –Elmer Landis

“Great read! Really enjoyed the characters and the historical time line. Can’t wait for the next one!” –Stephanie Maye

“This is an excellent read. Ward Sanford’s story, “Cry for Jerusalem…Resisting Tyranny” is a very well-researched, highly evocative, and a richly imagined portrait of the period. It is a fascinating read, and one that will long be remembered in the imagination of the reader.” –Michael Kamandulis

“A wonderful read! Keeps you riveted from beginning to end. I can’t wait until the next book comes out.” –Dennis Karp

“In this historical novel set in the first century, the lives of four unlikely friends are threatened by the gathering war between Emperor Nero’s Roman Empire and the Jewish population in Jerusalem. Nero has nearly bankrupted Rome as a consequence of relentless prodigality, diminishing the empire’s power and sending many of its provinces into mutinous discontent. His devious plan is to manufacture a war with the restive Jewish population—especially in Jerusalem—in order to plunder its treasury, and he’s prepared to deceive his own generals in order to accomplish this. In this second installment of a four-volume series, Sanford deftly depicts the historical conflict by chronicling four intersecting lives. All of these characters meet by sheer happenstance but form a potent bond: Cleopatra; Nicanor, a Roman centurion; Sayid, a Roman solider in Nicanor’s legion; and Yosef, the military commander in charge of Galilee. Nicanor participates in a major loss against the rebels at Beth Horon under the leadership of Cestius Gallus, who entrusts the centurion with a packet of documents substantiating his suspicions that his campaign was purposely sabotaged by his own advisers. Meanwhile, Yosef tries to unite Galilee to oppose the inevitable Roman invasion but is despondent that his own people visit so much violence upon themselves, an inner conflict subtly portrayed by the author: “Yosef did not know who he hated more for what had happened—the Romans that had pushed the situation in Judea to this point or his own people who, for selfish reasons, had killed the innocent or let them be killed. They were driving them all toward inevitable death and destruction.” Sanford’s historical rigor is impressive and his account of the age’s troubles, nimbly nuanced, unburdened by any calcified moral strictures. One caveat: For readers unfamiliar with the series opener, this will be a difficult (though not impossible) novel to follow. But the sequel is a captivating treat for those who enjoyed the book’s predecessor. A thrilling blend of powerful emotional drama and meticulous historical scholarship.”

Was it fate, destiny, or some divine plan that brought four very different travelers together in their struggle to survive what should have been a routine trip to Rome?

These new friends and their family members played pivotal roles at a focal point in the history of Western Civilization.

Winds from the west were carrying the embers born out of the great fire in Rome, threatening to reignite in Judea and create a conflict that would forever change the world for Jews and Christians.

In this first novel of the series, the Jewish rebellion begins in a backdrop of secret tunnels and assassins—the dreaded Sicarii could strike faster than lightning and blend back into the crowd just as quickly. Even hardened Roman mercenaries were no match for them.

In between the known historical events, there’s the story of the people involved. You get to meet them in Cry for Jerusalem.

Here’s what other readers say about Book One:

“I was so excited to get a chance to review this new story before publication. As a Christian who has studied the Bible a great deal, I have often been compelled to search out extra-biblical references to this pivotal period of ancient history. My personal preference as an avid read is novels, so the idea of an historical novel connecting my passion for this period in our past with my love of a compelling story was exciting.

“Ward weaves an amazing tale from the perspective of a first-century observer. He connects history, geography and characters from our past into a story of adventure, danger, intrigue and deception. He takes us on a journey throughout the Middle East from the dangers on the high seas, to the secret meetings of Roman officials and Jewish leaders, to the average person living through these tumultuous times.

“I highly recommend this book and I personally look forward to his next installment!”

Paul Patti

“From the beginning, this book had me. The storyline has everything you might want in a good read. It has intrigue, great plot, perceptive character development, romance, epic themes of good and evil, all woven into a backdrop of history that is brought to life through the characters in this book.

“After a recent visit to Israel, this story had me reliving the experience of walking these lands with new eyes to see and feel what this great drama in history may have been like.

“I am eagerly anticipating the next book in the series.”

Chuck

“Great history lesson with intriguing character development. I loved it and believe it’s definitely worth a read. The story grows on you as the characters develop living in this high drama time period.“

Volner S. Robertson

“I was delighted to have the opportunity to read this book ahead of its delivery to Amazon. I’m an avid reader but have not typically been a fan of historical fiction, but this book absolutely captivated me from the first chapter. I couldn’t put it down. The characters are interesting and complex, the scene is fascinating (right before the fall of the temple and Jerusalem), the story is engaging, the situations very real… so good!“

Allen

“I really enjoyed reading this book! The author successfully immerses you not only in the historical details of the time period he writes about, he also draws you into the day-to-day lives of the people involved. As I read about Yosef, his brother Matthew, and his sister Miriam, I began to feel as if I, too, was experiencing what they were experiencing in the tense circumstances they were living – rooting for the “good” guys and hoping for the defeat of the “bad”. I eagerly await Book 2 in this series to see how the battle for Jerusalem continues to make heroes out of ordinary men and women who are passionate to protect their beloved city.“

Susan Wood

“Very compelling story. It’s a very interesting story. I loved all the characters. It is hard sometimes to realize how it really WAS back then. We are so removed from that time, and yet as Christians, we know that we have our roots in Israel, and this is really what it was like. Ward has great characters, fictional though they be, there were people then just like Yosef, Cleo, and the others. I highly recommend this book to everyone who wants to know more about Israel and about the Christian faith.”

Lacers

Our Titles Now Reach Nearly 50% of the World’s Population

News / Posts

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August 6, 2024

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Our Titles Now Reach Nearly 50% of the World’s Population

Our production and distribution partner, Ingram, has announced their global network now covers nearly 50% of the global population! That established retail connectivity within each region enables our author’s books to reach readers worldwide.

Print-on-demand (POD) offers many benefits not available in traditional large print run and warehousing models. Access to dozens of countries and our titles are always available through bookstores and online retailers. We can print any volume to supplement a variety of publishing models.

Our Publishing Model Offers Authors/Clients:

More control.
A quicker path to publication (and market).
Publishing assistance clients/authors retain ALL rights to their work.
Interior design and layout (creating the print-quality ‘bookblock’ for production).
Cover design and layout (creating the print-quality paperback cover or dust-jacketed hardback production file).
Production capability without the necessity for capital investment in large print runs or warehousing and logistic costs.
Publication of books (under one of our nonfiction or fiction imprints) of comparable/equal quality to any traditional publisher.
Direct sales fulfillment of volume wholesale orders to organizations.
Sales and Royalty Quarterly Reporting (with royalties paid monthly).
Sales channel availability to booksellers worldwide and fulfillment of retail orders through our distributor, Ingram.
If you want to self-publish, we can provide support services, including editing, bookblock creation, cover design and layout, production file creation for Amazon KDP, IngramSpark (or other self-publishing platforms), eBook creation, and title setup support.

Here’s a link to an excellent article we recommend reading: Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know: Hybrid Publishing

A Brief Explanation of What We Do as a Hybrid Publisher

Traditional publishers often overlook or dismiss many books that merit attention… that deserve to be published. And that is understandable because of the economics of their business model.

Unlike most traditional publishers, we do not limit our interests to only those books written by famous, proven bestselling authors, celebrities, or hot-fad titles, hot-buzz debuts with a large, established audience and market. We have titles and authors that sell well commercially and others that fulfill our author and client’s personal, professional, or business objectives that sell in lesser retail volume.

We also have titles that sell very well to organizations (that would qualify them as ‘bestsellers’ on the bestseller lists). So, a book does not need to fall into a ‘guaranteed’ bestseller category before we consider it for publication. We have the capabilities of any traditional publisher to bring stories from the manuscript stage to a finished reality as a book (produced in all formats).

For clients, we can also take a project from an idea and concept to a fully developed, professionally written, and published book.

[New Story Project] Medical-Legal Suspense Novel

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July 26, 2024

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[New Story Project] Medical-Legal Suspense Novel

We’re working with a retired surgeon on a 100,000-word (target) medical-legal suspense novel to be published in 2025.

We’re collaborating with them on story premise and concept development. Then, we’ll plan, structure, and plot the story and ghostwrite it for them.

The Harvest [Scene Excerpt]

Adducent

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July 19, 2024

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The girl was bleeding, but I didn’t know that at first. She had burst running from the field. I heard her sobs and deep, wracking breath, a rattling shudder rising from her chest and whistling through her teeth as she drew closer.

At 20 feet, I saw that the back of her shirt was in shreds that flapped as she ran.

At 10 feet, I saw the tears that had left trails down her crop-dust-coated, dirty face. I saw the blood that had run from her ears and dried down her neck, half-hidden by lank, dirty blonde hair.

At 5 feet I stepped off the porch to meet her as she stumbled to a stop framed by the setting sun on her left. At the back of her neck, a 4 or 5-inch flap of skin had been three-quarters torn away. It poured blood down a once white t-shirt, what was left of it now crimson-soaked tatters.

She jerked her head around to look behind–toward the field–then snapped back to look up at me. The ragged flesh flung blood. Then–and I had to lean close to hear what she said–she whispered as if something might be listening for her, “It’s in the corn.”

Just a little something from the story pipeline…

THE WRONG MAN [scene excerpt]

Adducent

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July 1, 2024

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No guns. No knives. They checked you at the door, so I left them with the man who eyeballed me before letting me in. But I always carried a cheap fountain pen that was empty, unlike the one in my jacket. No ink and in my back pocket where I could get at it with my hands lowered slightly behind me, on the hips… a non-offensive stance. You can do a lot of damage with a pen when you don’t have a blade.

I had learned that trick in Naples. In the Gut… a dicey place where women, the wrong kind, and trouble were always abundant. I had watched a local bully boy torn open with one. They don’t make a clean cut… the tip catches and rips. Afterward, the bully boy wasn’t so tough. He had riled the wrong man.

Like right now.

I’m a quiet man.

I mind my own business and don’t give a damn what others do. I got problems of my own and just want to sit and drink.

People think it means I let shit slide.

But when the jumbo-sized, scar-faced goon started slapping her around, I had to do something. What she was doing in this hole wasn’t my business, but she didn’t fit in…. didn’t belong.

Nice clothes. Her face… an un-inked ivory oval framed by dark hair. Eyes, deep indigo in the dimness, but more light would have probably turned them lighter blue. And curves. Distracting, follow her every move just to see the shifting of things under her clothes, kind of curves. The make-you-run-off-the-road or walk-into-a-door looking at her kind.

Why’d she have to be like that?

Why’d I look?

“Fuck,” I muttered. “Hey, gruesome… lay off. Leave her alone.” But I guess he wasn’t in a listening mood. He hit her harder.

I pushed back from my table, stood, and took off my jacket.

In three or four long steps, I reached and put my hand on his shoulder to turn him. I ain’t no pussy and put my grip into it. He wasn’t one either, and when he came around, he grabbed my hand and forearm and twisted. I felt it break. That’s when I pulled my pen from my back pocket, wrote him a little note, and stuck it under his chin. The nib caught and snagged flesh as I yanked it free. He gurgled as blood filled his mouth and throat. “Fuck you,” I shoved him aside and turned to the woman; one side of her face already had a bruised grape look. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”

“Why’d you do that?” She glanced at the man on the floor, still spitting red bubbles, and then at my now crooked left arm with the splintered end of bone poking out.

I held out my good hand. “You need to come with me now if you want me to live.”

“What?”

It must have been the slaps and punch to the head that made her slow on the uptake. “We have to go.” I’d seen the small guy, the bartender’s runner, head to the back rooms. He’d bring back the even bigger, meaner motherfuckers. “I ain’t leaving here without you.” Shit. I couldn’t believe I said that even as I said it. She grabbed my hand, and I hauled her to her feet. “We gotta go, or neither of us is leaving.”

She stumbled along at my side, me more dragging her than she walked. Outside was like stepping into a coal sack. Down the street, the lamppost lights wrestled with the fog that rolled off the water in the dark hours after midnight and before dawn. The streets, stone, and stucco walls around us were damp and glistening. The fog hung low—clung to your legs—in wads, a tattered, yellowed rag. The kind you used to wipe off malaria sweats and never washed.

Rain started falling. Fat drops at first… then like dumping a bucket from a window as I headed us into an alley. I had learned that using the alleys kept you mostly off the streets. Five minutes later, we were deeper into the maze of old buildings that radiated outward from the port’s warehouses. I had to find my bearings to get to my flop. There, I could fix my arm and ask her questions. She probably had answers I didn’t want to hear. But I’d still ask her.

Opening scene excerpt from a story in development…

WRITE SMART, SELL BIG

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June 26, 2024

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The publishing world is competitive. Targeting specific genres and subgenres can enhance the commercial viability of your book. Here’s why this strategic focus is so effective:

1. Meeting Reader Expectations

Genre Conventions:

Every genre has its own set of conventions and tropes that readers expect and enjoy. By adhering to these, you meet the expectations of genre enthusiasts, making your book more appealing to them.

Predictable Audience:

Targeting a specific genre helps you identify and understand your audience more clearly. You can tailor your marketing and promotional efforts to attract this well-defined group.

2. Niche Markets

Less Competition:

Subgenres often have less competition compared to broader genres. By focusing on a niche market, you can stand out more easily and attract readers looking for something specific.

Dedicated Fanbase:

Readers of niche genres are often dedicated and loyal. Once you capture their interest, they are more likely to become repeat customers and advocates for your work.

3. Effective Marketing

Targeted Advertising:

With a clear genre or subgenre focus, your advertising can be more precise. You can use targeted ads on platforms like Facebook, Amazon and Goodreads to reach the right readers.

Optimized Metadata:

When you know your specific genre, you can optimize your book’s metadata (title, keywords, categories) to improve discoverability on search engines and online bookstores.

4. Stronger Branding

Consistent Author Brand:

Writing within a specific genre or subgenre helps you build a consistent author brand. Readers know what to expect from you, strengthening your reputation and making cultivating a loyal following easier.

Series Potential:

Genres and subgenres often lend themselves well to series writing. A successful series can generate ongoing interest and sales as readers eagerly expect the next installment.

5. Community Engagement

Reader Communities:

Each genre has dedicated communities and fan groups. Engaging with these communities can provide valuable feedback, promote word-of-mouth marketing, and create a sense of connection with your readers.

Industry Events:

Genre-specific events, such as conventions and book fairs, offer opportunities to network, market your book, and connect with readers and other authors.

6. Higher Conversion Rates

Focused Efforts:

Concentrating your efforts on a specific genre makes your marketing and promotional activities more likely to convert into sales. You can craft compelling messages that resonate with your target audience’s desires and interests.

Enhanced Reader Engagement:

Books that align with genre expectations are likelier to keep readers engaged. Satisfied readers are more inclined to leave positive reviews, recommend your book, and look for more of your work.

7. Adaptive Strategy

Trend Monitoring:

Keeping a pulse on genre trends allows you to adapt and evolve your writing to align with changing reader preferences, ensuring that your work remains relevant and appealing.

Feedback Utilization:

Focusing on a specific genre makes gathering and using reader feedback easier to refine your writing and better meet market demands.

Conclusion

Targeting specific genres and subgenres is a powerful strategy to enhance the commercial viability of your book. It allows you to meet reader expectations, tap into niche markets, optimize your marketing efforts, build a strong author brand, engage with dedicated communities, achieve higher conversion rates, and adapt to market trends. By understanding and leveraging the unique dynamics of your chosen genre, you can increase your chances of success.

Here’s more about the Write-To-Market approach:

‘Write to Market’ means understanding what readers crave and tailoring your writing to meet those desires. It’s about hitting that sweet spot where your creative idea is shaped to meet market demand.

There are specific things you should look at when evaluating your market. The information you glean can help you write a more commercially competitive book. Here’s what that information should comprise:

Comparative Title Analysis:

Revenue Assessment for the Top 20+ Selling Books in the Genre and Subgenres. See the revenue estimates for top sellers in your genre and subgenres (which show the market demand and potential).
Specific Title Strengths & Weaknesses Breakdown. Analysis of a title’s strengths and weaknesses, why readers bought it, and why some might not buy it.
Specific Title Discourse Breakdown. A comprehensive report on how language is used throughout the book, such as the choice of words, how sentences are structured, and the language and communication strategies used by the author to convey their message and engage with their audience.
Specific Title Thematic & Narrative Breakdown. A comprehensive and detailed thematic and narrative analysis of the story, examining the structure, content, and meaning. Analyzing patterns or themes, looking for commonalities and differences that can be used as writing guides.
Specific Title Structural Breakdown. A comprehensive and detailed structural narrative analysis highlights the structure’s benefits to the reader.

Genre / Subgenre Analysis:

Market Intelligence (Overview)
Market Trends
Reader Demographics & Psychographics
What Readers Need & Desire (Audience Feedback)
What Story Elements and Qualities Readers Look For
Critical Success Factors (for Fiction or Nonfiction)

These are the same Write-To-Market reports we generate and use for developing, planning, and writing our stories. The information comes from qualitative analysis, machine learning and predictive modeling using a combination of historical Amazon, Goodreads and Barnes & Noble reviews, historical customer reviews and ratings, market research, on-site analytics, key element analysis, social media insights and other historical insights to provide a deep understanding of the reader’s demographics, interests, psychographics and sentiment toward books in the genre and subgenre.

Contact us if you need help with a Write-To-Market approach to your book planning, writing and publishing or if you would like to request an example of our reports.

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THE LIST OF NEVERs

Adducent

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June 24, 2024

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STORY IN DEVELOPMENT WITH AUTHOR, MCKENNA FOEL

The truth doesn’t always set you free… sometimes it can kill you.

When a young FBI agent discovers a symbol linking a cold case to her family’s tragic past, she embarks on a perilous quest to uncover the truth, only to find that the answers could threaten her life and reveal who—or what—she truly is.

Twenty years ago, five-year-old Elin’s father vanished without a trace, and her mother was brutally murdered, the killer NEVER caught. Raised by a distant grandmother who disapproved of her biraciality, Elin grew up with unanswered questions and a determination to find answers.

After joining the FBI, Elin’s dreams of solving her family’s mysteries are dashed when she’s assigned to the Records Management Division. When an unsolved missing-person-turned-murder cold case crosses her desk, featuring a photo of the victim with an odd mark above their left breast, Elin is forced into a confrontation. Told to ‘process it and move on,’ she can’t. The mark, unknown to investigators, is identical to one of the four symbols on a pendant owned by the woman she swore she’d NEVER see or speak to again: her grandmother.

Her grandmother, a harsh woman Elin thought fearless, pales when told the circumstances and questioned about the symbol. She warns Elin to NEVER ask again and sends her away.

Then, a still-angry Elin receives a call that her grandmother is in critical condition from a series of strokes. Desperate for answers, she arrives in time to hear cryptic last words as her grandmother—who disliked touching—grips her hand: “The hunters… they found your father… NEVER reveal what you are….”

Stunned, Elin returns to work and discovers another cold case. This victim’s chest is marked by another of the symbols. She suspects the murders and other missing persons cases she finds are linked to her family’s tragedy. Her grandmother’s last words echo in her mind, the warning about what she is, not who. An unexpected bequest from her grandmother—a property in Wychaven, Connecticut—reveals an even greater, darker secret about her family and herself.

Determined to unravel the tangle her life’s become, Elin’s private investigation turns deadly, exposing a hidden past and threats lurking within it. She’s forced to confront truths she was NEVER prepared to face.

And the truth could kill her.

More on this story and series to come…

RULED BRITANNIA [A ‘What If’ Story Premise]

Adducent

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June 19, 2024

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What if after World War Two, U.S. Forces didn’t return home… and the United States…

RULED BRITANNIA

Note from Dennis Lowery: This is a ‘first draft’ story idea and premise for further refinement.

Story Description (shorter version)

As World War Two ended, the balance of power in Europe was shattered when the Soviets revealed they had captured six undiscovered atomic bombs the Nazis could not deploy. Refusing to accept only their post-war gains, the Soviet Union’s ambitions expanded, leaving President Harry Truman with a dire choice: pull American troops back to Great Britain or risk a nuclear war in Europe.

Truman’s decision to cede Europe to the Soviets ignites a fierce debate within the U.S. government. Many senior military leaders and politicians view the Soviet Union as the next great enemy. When Truman died under suspicious circumstances, a coup led by senior military officials thrust America into a new era of authoritarian rule.

Amidst this turmoil, U.S. military intelligence collaborates with British anti-monarchists, hollowing out the British government from within. The new regime proposed a radical solution to prevent Soviet invasion: annex Great Britain as the 49th state of the United States.

But rebellion brews on both sides of the Atlantic. British patriots and disillusioned Americans unite in their quest for freedom, determined to reclaim their countries and their heritage from the grip of tyranny.

Story Description (longer version)

What if, as World War Two ends, the Soviets reveal they’ve captured six just completed, undiscovered atomic bombs the Nazis could not deploy, and it shifts the balance of power in Europe? The Soviet Union will no longer accept only their Allied apportioned post-war gains.

Not wanting to start a new conventional war and not willing to drop an atomic bomb in Europe and trigger a nuclear weapons-based one, President Harry Truman ordered all American troops pulled back to Great Britain, ceding Europe to the Soviets.

But a faction in the U.S. already believes that the Soviet Union is our next Great Enemy who must be confronted. General George Patton himself wants to move his 3rd Army against the Soviets. That faction gains power when Harry Truman dies (or, as some suspect, was assassinated).

Truman’s vice president, now president, is ineffective against the internal powers aligned against him. He is soon replaced via a senior military-led coup (something right out of SEVEN DAYS IN MAY, the 1962 novel by Fletcher Knebel and Charles W. Bailey II, and the 1964 film by John Frankenheimer).

U.S. military intelligence officers recruit British anti-monarchists and anti-crown politicians and reward their collaboration. The British government is weakened and then hollowed out.

The new ‘President’ of the U.S., the leader of the coup—at least its public ‘face’—hardens what has become a U.S. military occupation of Great Britain into an annexation.

Some British men and women of influence now loyal to (owned by) the U.S. bring forward the idea that the only way to stop the Soviet Union from also swallowing the United Kingdom… is for it to become part of the United States, a 49th ‘state’ (before Alaska and Hawaii in 1959).

But rebellion is growing in Britain even though the Soviet Union is now only across the channel in Soviet-France. They want their country and their heritage back. So do many Americans who can’t abide by what’s become an authoritarian society. The American and British rebels join forces in a quest for freedom.

From a premise by Dennis Lowery. In our story development pipeline, RULED BRITANNIA is the first story in a thrilling alternate-history series where the fight for liberty knows no borders.