Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Long time since I updated the blog. Thanks again for all of you who have posted reviews.

A couple of publictions have printed articles on my writing, most recently Industrial Engineering magazine. Sort of shocking that an I.E. can write about something other than optimization equations.

Next career move is golf. I have discovered that my golf game has not deteriorated from my 35-year absence from the game. Maybe I can still play football, too! To date, I am a much better novelist than golfer.

I would like to hear if there are any Kindle owners among you. I have one, and believe it is the inevitable path of publishing, but I have not seen anyone else with one.

Stay in touch. donswann113@msn.com

Monday, January 12, 2009

TV Interview

Take a look below at the interview with Mark Hayes of Fox5 Atlanta.

I sent several of you a note to the effect "I did not impugn any politicians nor use any swear words - for me, a record-setting 3 minutes." Then my publicist sent me a note that they had edited out "evil bastards" from the interview. So, maybe I went a little over a minute with no bad words. Something to build on.

Thank you for taking the time to post your Amazon reviews.

I am expecting an article in Deloitte's Connect newsletter soon. Once it comes out I will post a link to it.

Thanks again for your support. The Best Deal in Bluefield is being edited for release now.

Fox5 Atlanta Interview

Friday, December 26, 2008

End of 2008

Toren Anderson has succeeded in winning me an interview on Good Day Atlanta 12/29/08. The show airs between 7:00 am and 9:00 am. Please tune in if you can.

George Scott is a long-time pro in the book business. He has given me some great insights and tips. If you are book shopping, please drop by Eagle Eye Books at the corner of Clairmont and North Decatur Roads and look at their selection of 10,000 titles (including both of my books.)

I appreciate the support that all of you have given me in my writing, and the positive feedback. Please feel free to enter a critique on Amazon if you enjoyed my work. I am discussing a non-fiction book Creating Order out of Chaos with a publisher. I will keep you posted on progress (if any.)

I have 2 more manuscripts that are ready for publication once we have a better idea how Pervis and JJ will be received.

I hope that all of you had a great 2008, and that our stock market losses are reversed in 2009. It's only money, right?

Monday, December 1, 2008

Entry Four

Thanks to all of you who visited Debbie and me at the book signing at doodlebugz in Marietta November 29. And thanks to all of you who have bought my books as a Christmas gift for the business person in your life who is so hard to buy for. On December 6 I have another signing at Miller's Men's Store in Buckhead. Please drop by. (Miller's was recently featured on Good Day Atlanta - neat place!) I also will be at Eagle Eye Book Store December 20 for New Southern Author's Day.

The Northside Neighbor had a nice article in their November 19 edition on my writing. Cathy Johnson opened with (I paraphrase) "you would have to be a little goofy to think that manufacturing plants are interesting," then goes on to explain why I have that perspective. If you want to see the article, let me know and I will e-mail you a copy.

I appreciate your feedback. If you enjoyed the books, please take a minute to prepare a rating on Amazon.

The bad economy has precipitated a joke drought. There is an old Lewis Grizzard tale that comes to mind right now. Lewis had a friend who decided to run for public office. Lewis asked "Bob, why would you go into a profession where everyone assumes that you are a liar and a crook?" Bob replied, "Lewis! I am a lawyer now!"

Keep reading about Freddie. Maybe he can solve a future business mystery with a politician in it.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Blog Entry 3: Book Launch and Signing

Sunday November 9 we had the launch and book signing for Justice for JJ in Jenkins. We had seventy of the nicest people on Earth enjoy wine and hors doeurves with us, as we renewed old acquaintances. Thank you for coming; thank you for buying my books; and thank you for being so nice to Debbie and me. If you enjoy the Freddie Chapman novels, please add to the reviews on Amazon.

Toren Anderson is working hard to get the word out to the media that Freddie Chapman is on the scene solving business mysteries. She has several media events in the planning stage. As the dates are announced, I will post them here.

The manuscript for Book Three (The Best Deal in Bluefield) is being reviewed now by a couple of people whose opinion is important to me. The manuscript for Book Four (Abstinance in Andrew) is complete, but not yet edited. I hope to have them available to you by the time you complete reading the first two books.

Thanks again for the positive feedback and support you have given me!

New goofy joke will be in the next blog entry.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Blog Entry 2

Thank you for your responses to my e-mails, and thanks for buying the Freddie Chapman novels. I would love to hear from you after you have read them. I have a third book finished, (The Best Deal in Bluefield) which I hope to release in a couple of months.

Several years ago I gave a series of speeches in a tour with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. I was never sure if the words I had spoken had made any difference to the people who attended the events. Then, about three years later, I met a guy who had attended.

"Don, I can still remember what you said three years ago at the conference."

I was proud that I had made a difference. "What do you recall about the speech?" I asked.

"The joke about the technical bastard!"

Times haven't changed much. The story about the Cowboy in the bar seems to be the major impact that Freddie Chapman has had. I promise to put a funny story in each book, if you promise to keep buying the books.

Here is one of my favorite stories. Many of you have already heard me tell it.

I must apologize to the group I have picked out to be the butt of this one. The Redneck Weightlifter can of course be replaced by your favorite ethnic group, but Rednecks seem to be the only remaining group we can poke fun at these days.

A kid growing up in rural Georgia happens to see a Muscle Beach magazine, and vows that he is going to someday visit and impress the hot girls. He dutifully builds himself up, and years later makes it to California. He struts up and down the beach all day, yet every woman seems to ignore him. So he asks one of the other muscular guys what gives.

"I look as good as any guy out here, but the woman don't seem to be interested. What's the problem?"

"Friend, you can pump iron all your life, but there is one thing you can't build up. Tomorrow, put a potato in your trunks."

The guy takes the advice, and the next day is out flexing again, this time with a potato in his trunks. He struts up and down the beach all day. If anything, he gets less interest than he did the prior day. He sees his buddy from the day before, and is a little steamed.

"Hey, you told me if I put a potato in my trunks I would get some action!"

"Yes, I know. But how about tomorrow you put the potato in the front of your trunks."