Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

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How Much Does Dr. Phil Know About Book Publishing Today?

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by Kimberly A. Cook        (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

A friend told me about Dr. Phil McGraw’s new book, “Life Code: The New Rules for Winning in the Real World.” He’d seen him talk about the book on the NBC Today Show on Nov. 15 and thought it might be a good read.

Sounded good to me too, so I began my search for the book. Checked the Today Show online on Nov. 19 and the video of that segment had been taken down. Odd. Went to Amazon.com to find the publication date. No publication date and I didn’t recognize the book publisher, Bird Street Books.

Seemed different for a six-time New York Times bestseller to go indie, but this might be a big jump if Dr. Phil went to independent publishing. There must be more to the story. Plus the book was listed at $68 at Amazon.com. That can’t be right, I thought to myself.

Next I checked in at Barnes and Noble, the physical store, since online didn’t have any info for me.  They told me it was out Nov. 13, 2012 release date, but Barnes and Noble couldn’t get it. Now I was obsessed to buy this book. Was this a slick marketing ploy to drive up demand?

One of the first rules of marketing is don’t promote something you can’t deliver. Creating demand with a publicity run up to launch is one thing, but providing a barrier to consumers to buy is not necessarily a good idea. Especially in the holiday book buying season.

Back to Amazon.com I went to see if an ebook would be available. I found out from one review that the book is only available at www.thebooknook.com, McGraw’s son Jay’s new online bookstore. The buyer was not too happy with the option to buy from a different online bookstore instead of Amazon.com.

Checked The Book Nook web site and found the prices online were reasonable, ($26 list price but $22.05 at The Book Nook, up to $50 for the other “bundle” choices with extra goodies) but I really don’t want to start up a relationship with another online bookstore; I’m still recovering from losing Borders. I am comfortable with www.Amazon.com, www.bn.com and www.Powells.com and my publisher. How many book vendors do I need to date?

On Nov. 26 at The Book Nook web site it said this is an exclusive pre sale period, so one hopes the book will soon be in the stores and with the other online vendors, but online rumor control says not until January 2013.  Dagnabbit. Libraries can’t even buy it right now according to one Amazon.com reviewer.

It has been four years since Dr. Phil published a book with a traditional publishing house. The world has turned on its ear since then in the book business. Kudos to him supporting his son’s business venture, but at what cost to the buying public?

I am sure Dr. Phillip McGraw did not take this decision lightly and got good advice, but Coca-Cola did the same thing a few years ago when they changed their main Coke recipe and shot themselves in both feet. A fast retreat to Classic Coke ensued.

The first rule of physicians is “do no harm.” The first rule for today’s authors is do no harm to the reader. As author Bob Mayer puts it so well, “Readers Rule!” in the digital age.

Yes, I realize I’m promoting Dr. Phil’s new book, but I’m not real sure about his distribution methods at the moment. Don’t promise me cookies and milk then give me a lump of coal and swipe my new book Christmas present; to mix my Santa, Charlie Brown and Grinch metaphors.

It will be interesting to see how this all plays out. Available copies of Life Code on Amazon.com by resellers are down to $58 now. Onebook reviewer thinks this is the actual price of the book and went on a tirade instead of realizing it is supply and demand right now. Very limited supply. Watch and learn.

Twinkies And Chickens And Elephants Oh My!

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by Kimberly A. Cook                    (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

It’s a video two-fer! While I’m shopping online in my jammies today, I wanted to share one of my favorite holiday songs. This oldie but goodie is almost impossible to find, but of course, YouTube has everything! No blazing video, but turn up the sound and use your imagination.

While the news media talks about the fiscal cliff, I’ve got bigger concerns; the Hostess Twinkies and Cup Cake Cliff and our elephant Rose Tu at the Oregon Zoo is ready to deliver her second baby any day now. We are on pins and needles here. You can follow the Pachyderm Pending blog at http://oregonzoo.org/news/category/baby-elephant and watch the pachyderm delivery preparation video below.

So let’s keep our fingers and toes crossed for the really big baby we’re expecting and enjoy a favorite holiday tune. Happy Quirky Friday!

Our Noses Can Smell A Good Story

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by Kimberly A. Cook             (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Turkey time! My favorite holiday of the year brings joy to my nose. The scents of the season remind us of  both good and crazed memories from our lives. Every story needs to include the sense of smell, so let’s go on a smell-adventure this week.

Last year’s classic Libby’s recipe pumpkin pies from my very own kitchen. Can you smell the joy?

Every year I bake the pumpkin pies for the family. Only Libby’s recipe will do and I have to add the spices, eggs and evaporated milk to make it perfect. There are some traditions one should never mess with.

When my Mom used to make the pies, the leftover pie crust would be rolled out, then sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, dotted with butter and rolled up into mini cinnamon rolls. They never lasted long when they came out of the oven. But I remember the smell of cinnamon, crust and hot butter.

One year my friend from Australia celebrated Thanksgiving with us. It was a first for her and she decided it was a right brilliant holiday. From the turkey and stuffing smells in the house to the table practically breaking with the weight of food, she talks about that day decades later. Smell makes an impression.

While you go about your holiday week, concentrate on what smells touch your emotions and try to figure out what memories they bring up. Our most powerful sense, smell can take us back to a single memory in a flash, like a jump to hyperspace. Be aware of smells all around this week and let me know which ones really resonate with you.

Watch out for the fun part of the holidays too. My sister and brother-in-law’s cat, Comet, has been on a diet. He is down to fighting weight but still wants to eat all the time. The vet suggested plain pumpkin. Comet loves it. Who knew even a Pumpkin Puss appreciates the smell and taste of pumpkin, without crust. Comet will be in great shape for his holiday flight if Santa Paws calls.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

How’s Your Dental Hygiene?

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by Kimberly A. Cook            (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Dog may be man and woman’s best friend, but it appears Oscar the Raccoon wants to be a dog dentist. Ever patient Price the dog puts up with the amateur dental hygienist while visiting family. While we head into the holidays, complete with crazy making family visits, remember Oscar and be grateful. I can only imagine what teeth he will be trying to inspect after Turkey dinner. Happy Quirky Friday!

Got Camera? Use It!

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by Kimberly A. Cook          (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

With all the electronic tools and cell phones at our disposal these days, seems like everyone captures events on film or digits. We writers can improve our storytelling abilities by using a camera. My little Canon PowerShot point and shoot is always with me.

Don’t be afraid to get in close, like I did with this Peace Rose in the backyard. Details tell a story with images too.

Lately I’ve been using my camera for taking notes, snapping exhibits at museums,  and taking photos of books I want to buy later. I’ve always enjoyed the challenge of trying to capture a moment or mood with the camera. My new cell phone actually has a better camera than my current point and shoot, 8 Mega Pixels to my 7.1 Mega Pixels on my Canon PowerShot SD800IS Digital Elph, but I prefer my camera. My larger Canon PowerShot SX200has a 12x optical zoom and 12.1 Mega Pixels, but it sucks the battery like a vampire.

I find my little Canon PowerShot Elph is always with me and does the job. When taking photos for the newspaper, I always took an establishing shot for the overall view, then did close-ups of the activity or people involved to tell the story with pictures. The feature article I wrote would then add in the quotes and the flavor of the subject in the body copy.

This is the same technique we use when writing fiction or non-fiction; we have to give the big picture, then get into the details with each character or point. When we train our photographer eyes to see photos as a storyteller, we have a photo essay. A beginning, middle and end with images.

We writers observe and try to capture our world and we even create complete new worlds to share with our readers. If we write with a photographer’s eye, it improves the visual impact for the readers. They can better see the journey we are taking them on with us. So get out there and take some pictures!

Happy Veterans Day This Sunday

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by Kimberly A. Cook         (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

On this special Friday, I want to give a shout out to all my fellow veterans. Having had the fun and honor to be on the lawn of the Nation’s Capital on July 4, 1990, this call out of the military services they do every year gave me chills.

I’d watched The Capital Fourth Concert for years on the PBS station in Oregon and I finally got to experience it in person. I stood up twice, for my Army and Air Force service, so make sure you stand up when your military anthem plays! Happy Quirky Friday!