Six LDS Writers and A Frog

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Self Promotion

by David G. Woolley

...I've never liked it. Shamelessly talking about your work. Promoting your name. Getting yourself known. Jeff made me do this.

"Its for your own good, Woolley."

"How do you know what's good for me?"

"I saw your sales numbers."

Isn't he motivational? He also knows how to twist arms. Have you seen Rob Wells lately? Ouch! That's enough to keep me hiding over here at the Top of the Morning while Jeff commutes from Far World to Shandra and back again.

Jeff is a marketing genius. I am a sales wimp. The marketing guys at Covenant tried to convince me that its normal for authors to market their work.

"Dave, its what authors do."

"You want me to tell people they have to read my book? What am I gonna do, take away their temple recommend?"

"We can arrange that."

"I forgot. Deseret Book purchased you guys, didn't they."

"Marketing is like a caffeinated drinker denier."

"I don't drink."

"You say you don't, but you do."

"Look. I really don't."

"Get out there, smile a lot, tell 'em they've gotta read your book and show 'em that cool cover."

"I didn't do the cover."

"They can make millions off the secrets in your book."

"Its fiction."

"Self help money books are hot right now."

"All I wanted to do was entertain and inform."

"Look. You don't sell and you can kiss your entertaining and informing fantasies goodbye."

"So that's how it is?"

"That's how it always is."

I asked the editorial department if I could rewrite chapter twenty four, put a few money making secrets in there somewhere. They said it was already type set. The only changes I could make were simple spelling errors, a word choice, maybe a phrase if it was absolutely necessary to the plot. I suggested a few. Double your shekels on beach front property in Jerusalem. When the price of a yearling lamb hits five pieces of silver, buy. Money changing is a noble profession. They said the changes were likely not a good selection given the context of the scene. Captain Laban's death by beheading.

They gave me a copy of the newly released cover with the text of the the back liner and told me I had to post it. If I didn't they were going to pry open my mouth and force feed me a bottle of Coke. Read this for my sake. Please!

Inside Front Flap
Old World 600 B.C.: Under mandate from their prophet-father, the sons of Lehi face treachery and lethal danger as they seek to secure the brass plates from the ruthless Captain Laban. Meanwhile, Zoram and Elizabeth work feverishly to smith new plates and engrave the prophecies of Jeremiah--a vital task that must be completed before the Feast of the Trumpets, celebrated on the Day of Remembrance.

Old World, 19th Century: In his home built above the remains of Laban's treasury, Sephardic Jew Reuben Kessler anticipates the marriage of his son Danny on the Day of Remembrance. When tragedy strikes on the blessed day, the devastated fathers of the bride and groom must cling to their faith that God will remember His covenant people.

New World, 19th Century: Commissioned by the Angel Moroni, Joseph Smith Jr. endures harrowing challenges as he prepares to receive the plates of Gold and translate them into the Book of Mormon. The fulfillment of ancient promises draws near as Joseph returns each year to the Hill Cumorah on the Day of Remembrance.

Three families, three stories—yet in the grand design of the Lord, they intertwine as one. This fourth volume in the Promised Land saga bridges ancient and modern times to reveal the unfolding of a marvelous work and a wonder.

Cover Back Liner
Jeremiah held his hand to is mouth and coughed before saying, "Hidden in the calendar given to Moses is the appointed day for the record to come forth in the fullness of times...I must ready the brass plates to have part in that future Day of Remembrance, and curse any man who seeks to stop me, curse him to death."

Emotionally thrilling, spiritually uplifting, and richly satisfying, Day of Remembrance is the powerful story of the restoration of a timeless principle...kept alive in a brass-plate record sequestered deep in the treasury of Laban, captain of the Israelite guard at the turn of the sixth century before Christ.

This magnificent fourth volume in the Promised Land series takes the reader on a journey that is bold and sweeping in its scope, from the dangerous and intriguing politics of Jerusalem in 589 B.C., to the travails of Lehi and his family in the Sinai wilderness, to a nineteenth-century setting in the Old City of Jerusalem, and on to a young prophet in Palmyra New York, poised on the brink of the most significant events of the latter days.

This is David Woolley as his best. A matchless mixture of robust writing and meticulous research that deftly weaves together the human and divine strands to produce a tapestry of faith, obedience, and courage against all odds, where success seems impossible, but failure is unthinkable. The stunning impact of this story will linger long after the last pages have been turned.

Inside Back Flap
Author David G. Woolley's research of Old and New World archaeology, anthropology, and religion uniquely position him to write the Promised Land Series and bridge the ancient cultures of two hemispheres, bringing to life the times and places of the restoration scripture known as the Book of Mormon. His writing carefully blends the imaginative wonder of storytelling with the tangible world of historical events to delight, uplift, and inform readers who venture into the pages crafted by his hand.

Dr. Woolley earned a master's degree at the University of Iowa and a doctoral degree from Brigham Young University. He worked as the head soccer coach at Brigham Young University for six years and was also instrumental in establishing the Rangers Soccer Club (www.utahrangers.com) for youth players, where he is employed as the director of coaching.

David maintains the Promised Land website and the Top of the Morning blog, where he is busy in his writing room detailing the historical and inspirational background of the characters and settings that inspired this series. Please join him online for more of the Promised Land and for a sneak peak at future releases.

*Author's Note: I don't want to offend the Covenant editorial department, but I've got a more powerful back liner than this one. Mom finished reading an advanced copy of Day of Remembrance last night. She called first thing this morning to say it was remarkable. Beat that endorsement marketing guys. Read Day of Remembrance. Its mother approved!

__________________________
Join author David G. Woolley at his Top of the Morning blog or his Promised Land Website.


19 Comments:

At 9/02/2008 4:47 PM, Blogger Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

Kudos for rising above the awkwardness! Self-promotion is dizzy-making stuff, but really, it does seem to be the norm. Keep being silly and having fun with it. People like buying books from people who seem genuine and human (money making concepts aren't the only good marketing gimmicks out there).

Good luck!

 
At 9/02/2008 7:05 PM, Blogger RobisonWells said...

That picture of me is absolutely horrifying.

The book, on the other hand, looks great. Thanks for the blog!

 
At 9/02/2008 7:18 PM, Blogger Sandra said...

I told you how easy it really is. Have you been practicing?

 
At 9/02/2008 8:08 PM, Blogger Stephanie Black said...

Congrats on the new book, David!

 
At 9/02/2008 10:49 PM, Blogger Pat said...

You may not like it, but you seem very good at it - your book sounds amazing!

 
At 9/02/2008 11:59 PM, Blogger David G. Woolley said...

Hi Everyone:

Can I really have it both ways? Hate self-promotion (Kimberly) and be very good at it (Pat)? Who knew?

Kimberly: Do you think silly is a good way to market a serious, stuffy, historical fiction? Maybe I should give away free bottles of starch. What a blog buster. The comment window would overheat for sure.

Rob Wells: Horrifying. I like that word. I got more pictures. You got more words?

Sandra: Bucking up. Thanks coach.

Stephanie: Its the Fool Me Twice master. Should I believe your congratulations or not? Hmmmmm?

Pat: Good at what? I'm a little concerned here.

The rest of you lurkers: Thanks for thinking nice things and silently wishing me well. And if you weren't shame on you. I'm going to register you in Rob's weight lifting course first thing in the morning. Classes start this week.

All the best everyone (except the lurker non-well-wishers),

David G. Woolley

 
At 9/03/2008 12:16 AM, Blogger Jeff Savage said...

Can't wait to see what LY has to say. He/She seems especially quiet. David, me thinks thou protesteth too much. For a guy who hates self promotion, you write pretty darn good prmotional copy. BTW, my wife just pointed out to me that it is not Monday at all, but Tuesday. So I don't know if David filled in for me, Rob or both of us. Of course I could just go in and change the date on his post.

 
At 9/03/2008 12:43 AM, Blogger RobisonWells said...

He totally filled in for me. And let us never speak of this again.

 
At 9/03/2008 1:48 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I got lots to say Savage. First of all who is this David G. person anyway? He's not a regular on the frog blog. Tell me he isn't. Please.

I've never heard of his books before. Has anyone else read his stuff? It says volume four? Is this a series I missed?

If you've read his stuff, tell me about it. I'm all ears.

Ly

 
At 9/03/2008 1:49 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

And David G., its not that I don't believe your backliner and all, I just want to hear it from readers of your stuff, not the Covenant team guys. You know what I mean. Don't you?

Ly

 
At 9/03/2008 8:31 AM, Blogger Sandra said...

Ly,
Do you live in a cave or something? The man is a genius with words. Get thee to a bookstore today. You have exactly 7 days to read the first three volumes. And yes, I am counting down to release date.

 
At 9/03/2008 10:09 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sandra:

When is the release date?

Ly

 
At 9/03/2008 10:36 AM, Blogger Pat said...

My goodness - I didn't mean to confuse you. I guess I didn't say that well. What Jeff said - that's what I meant. You write good copy.
I enjoyed reading it anyway...
:)

 
At 9/03/2008 6:48 PM, Blogger Sandra said...

Ly,
Not soon enough if you ask me.

The real answer is Sept. 9th. So you had better start reading #1 today. Don't do anything else until you are up to speed. Want to borrow mine?

 
At 9/03/2008 6:53 PM, Blogger Rebecca Talley said...

LY, you sLY one, showing up over here too?

And Dave, as always, entertaining and inspiring :). Love your words!

 
At 9/03/2008 7:10 PM, Blogger Kerry Blair said...

Oh, sure. Blog for Rob AND Jeff when I've only been asking you for the last two years or so. It's all right, I'm not offended. Okay. I am.

Still, I have the date circled on my calendar and am midway through the third volume -- for probably the third time, at least -- in anticipation. Thank goodness that the long-awaited Day of Remembrance is almost here at long last! Kudos!

 
At 9/03/2008 10:20 PM, Blogger Jennie said...

David, I've read the first half dozen chapters and I'm loving it. I did notice one of those ly adverbs you dislike so much. I just might mention it in my review. Seriously, I've waited a long time for this one and all I can say so far is "It's about time!!"

 
At 9/04/2008 2:11 AM, Blogger David G. Woolley said...

Sandra, Kerry, Jennie and Ly should get together and start a late night talk show. I'd watch for sure. Very entertaining.

Sandra: The release date. I forgot. That's probably an important thing to tout when self promoting. I need more coaching. Help me, please!

Kerry: I'd say something witty here, but where the heck have you been? Its like you went scuba diving without your tank. Come up for air more often, child. I am sorry about agreeing to do a blog for Jeff and Rob. I couldn't deny Jeff. Did you see Rob's arm? And besides, self promotion doesn't count as a blog. How is a self inflicted ADVERTISEMENT as inspiring, self effacing, informativie, emotive, or life changing as one of your installments? Really? And please stop reading those previous volumes. I've been told some pretty nasty things about my writing and I would have to agree. Whatever you're working on right now is so much better than what you've written in the past. I know that now. And I would like to publicly repent for every word. Sheesh. I feel so much better now.

And one more thing, Kerry Dear. Exactly what is the derivative history of KUDOS? You've got a quote for that, right?

Jennie: How in the heck did you get a copy of Day of Remembrance? Its not realesed yet. Didn't you read Sandra's comment? I don't even get a copy until the 9th. Stinker. Who sent it to you? I want to know so I can leave firecracker on their doortep or do one of my famous drive-by water ballonings. And just between you and me (don't worry, no one ever reads past the fifth comment on these things) tell me what you really think....

And one more thing, great line about Day of Remembrance. You smarty pants. "Its about time." You really do have a copy and you're reading it. No one but a pretty smart reader could make a comment like that. I nearly fell off my chair, laughing. Well done.

And one more think Oh great master reviewer of the meridian, if you happen to mention that there was even a single ly adverb that got past the rewriting, I will hunt you down. You do know that the great ones have said that they let an ly adverb slip here and there. Maybe one every five hundred pages or so.

Okay friends. Know that I love you all. And I pray for your succes and your happiness and your safety every single day. God bless you all.

David G. Woolley

 
At 9/04/2008 8:43 AM, Blogger Sandra said...

Yes, David, release date is pretty important.
Ly, I apologize for asking if you lived in a cave. It is not your fault that David forgot that important detail. I'll see to it that David gets some more coaching and practice.

 

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