Day: August 1, 2013

First Chapters Anthology

There’s been a lot of talk here on IU about anthologies. I mention anthologies as a way to get yourself an Amazon.com Author Central page as newbies break into the authoring industry in this post here. And Lin Robinson wrote a two parter about the benefits of anthologies here.

That got me to thinking – how could authors who are pressed for time and drained of energy – how could they participate in an anthology? How about by sharing works they’ve already written? What if we could get twenty-two authors together and compile the first chapters of each of their novels? Well, we did. The result is an anthology called First Chapters which features twenty-two former and present Indies Unlimited minions…uh, I mean authors. Continue reading “First Chapters Anthology”

Featured Author: Hi-Dong Chai

A native of Seoul, Korea, Hi-Dong Chai was educated in the United States. He received a Ph.D. in engineering. After working for IBM for 19 years and subsequently teaching at San Jose State University for 15 years, he retired in 2002.

After retiring, as one who lost his loved ones through WWII under Japan and through the Korean War, he decided to share his life experiences through writing.

My Truest Hope was published in Guideposts magazine in 2012. He e-published Blossoms and Bayonets, a fictionalized version of his family under Japan co-authored with Jana McBurney-Lin, in 2012, and also Cindy and a Korean Boy and Shattered by the Wars in 2013.

His next project is to complete his American story: A 16 year old Korean boy comes to America in 1953. He struggles to support himself overcoming hunger and loneliness. He persists and receives a Ph.D. and establishes himself as an authority in his field. The message of the story is that in America if you are willing to give all you have, you can attain your dream.

More of his work can be found on his website and his Amazon author page. Continue reading “Featured Author: Hi-Dong Chai”

First Impressions

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” – Someone.

Evidently, this is another of those bits of wisdom that has no clear origin. The quote is often attributed or misattributed to the usual suspects for witty one-liners: Mark Twain, Will Rogers, Oscar Wilde, etc. Another claim is made that a Madison Avenue ad agency came up with it as part of a campaign for Brooks Brothers suits.

Authorship aside, this quip has worked its way into axiomatic status. People accept the wisdom of the words without question. On superficial examination (which is the most scrutiny the majority of people are willing to give) it just makes sense. It’s sort of like There is no “I” in TEAM.

As authors, we are admonished to make certain we have done all we can do to make our work shine before hitting the big red PUBLISH button. After all, if your book is deficient, you’ll be making a bad first impression. Your reputation will forever bear the stain of this disgrace and people will forever associate your name with an inferior product. Continue reading “First Impressions”