It seems like I blog more than I write my books (which could be a good thing or bad, depending on who you ask). When I began writing this blog there was (of course) a motive to create a dot for myself on the map and, hopefully, grow it one day into a large metropolis with lots of little dots inside. (The further I go with this map analogy the less I like it; why would I want to be filled with other little writers?) In any case, the thing I promised myself was that I wouldn’t use this as a pulpit for self-promotion. Not all the time. (I mean, I am a starving artist, so to never use my site to plug my books would be as ridiculous as it would be poor business practice.) Still, I rarely do it. I’d rather blog about something valuable—not that my writing isn’t, but there are a lot of blogs out there; I want to be informative and helpful to my readership whenever I can (and do it as honestly as I can).

That said, about nine months ago I entered a book award contest on a website called Wise Bear Books. I had just finished Blood Land, then my third book (and the first in the James Pruett Mystery series), and (as many of you know) my self-proclaimed magnum opus. I called it that not because I thought it was the greatest book ever written (although it was and still is my own favorite) but rather because it had lived inside me for so long—the characters in that book were like shades of the people in my past, the landscapes and dialogues like a painting that’s been moved far enough away to be just too blurry and the words of those carrying it beyond comprehensible earshot.

So it was the book I had to write. And I found the Wise Bear site (and inaugural contest) not long after the book “went to press”. Then, to be honest, I forgot about it. Perhaps four or five months later I received notice that my book had been read and the review was ready and that I could read it and, if I wanted, have them publish it (and if I didn’t like it, they wouldn’t, much as is the policy of places like Kirkus Reviews).

I thought that was the end of it, particularly since the review (though actually quite complimentary of the book) was “only” a 4-star (so good, in fact, that I told them to absolutely publish it—please don’t ask the ethical question on whether I’d have asked them to publish it if it had not been so complimentary; I like to think I’d have done the right thing.). Point is, I thought that was the consolation prize. You know, everyone who enters at least gets a review.

Imagine my surprise when a few weeks ago I was notified that Blood Land was a finalist! I’m going to skip ahead so that this doesn’t become shameless self-promotion or self-congratulatory (too late): the book won a Gold Medal and took Best in Category in Mystery Legal Crime/Suspense and Fiction/General. That’s not why I’m blogging, however. I attended the awards webcast, and I was so impressed with the ladies that are the brain trust behind WBB. They are really doing all they can to promote digital self-published and small press in this new age of publishing.

This is from their mission statement:

We understand that writing a book is big accomplishment so Wise Bear Books was created to help writers and authors of all genres gain greater exposure for their work.

If you are looking for a great site with which to stay connected to promote your book(s), I have to tell you I really believe in what Wise Bear is working toward in their endeavors to assist writers. They have interviews, podcasts, contests, awards, and reviews. In other words, they’re all over it for the writers.

In fact, at one point in the webcast, after the awards had been announced, they talked a bit about blogs out there that they believed were supporters of the self-published “Indie” writer (you all know I prefer “Unknown”; “Indie” sounds too trendy and will always have a connotation to the music industry for me and makes me think of underground bands). I started thinking about a couple of my blogs coming down on NaNoWriMo and how I write unkindly at times about the complete glut of crap out there. And though I don’t apologize for my stance on such matters, it did make me want to make it clear and to say it firmly:

I BELIEVE in the independent, self-published, and/or small press authors. I also support the new digital publishing age. The reality of anything in life, however, is that there is always a tradeoff. A bad side. For me I simply believe that opening the floodgates, so to speak, created an ocean of work out there—some of it very, very good; some of it very, very bad.

Wise Bear Books seems to have a more forgiving and supportive attitude toward anyone with the tenacity to start and complete a novel (not specifically in 30 days, just to be clear). I salute them. Whoever said that everyone on the planet need believe the same thing? And I do think that writing an entire novel is an accomplishment, quality of said work notwithstanding. By supporting ALL writers, WBB is assisting the Unknowns; the talented writers who have never received an opportunity to be showcased or to have their work recognized. How can you not support a mission like that?

So check ’em out. I guarantee they’d love to have you come by the site. I was impressed.

And I’m not easily impressed, awards or no.

Also, tomorrow (6/26), Blood Land is being featured at Writing on Writing: Amlokiblogs, written by Damtanti G. For anyone who hasn’t read the book yet, there will be a coupon making the cost $2, good for one week! Pop on over and give a fellow blogger and all around nice person a blog hit.

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The blank page is dead…long live the blank page.

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Author known to use spontaneous satire, sarcasm, and unannounced injections of pith or witticisms which may not be suitable for humorless or otherwise jest-challenged individuals. (Witticisms not guaranteed to be witty, funny, comical, hilarious, clever, scintillating, whimsical, wise, endearing, keen, savvy, sagacious, penetrating, fanciful, or otherwise enjoyable. The Surgeon General has determined through laboratory testing that sarcasm can be dangerous, even in small amounts, and should not be ingested by those who are serious, somber, pensive, weighty, funereal, unsmiling, poker-faced, sober, or pregnant.)