Things that cannot be changed.

As I look back on the creation of Behind the Signs and realize how much work was actually involved, I often wonder, Is this book really worth reading or are people just being nice? I hear the same thing over and over, "I started reading it and couldn't put it down." My grandmother read it in one weekend, and she rarely even reads. I sent a copy to a lady who just happens to work at a hospital that I have frequented so many times, and she read it in one day! A gentleman at church said he located a copy of the book that someone had misplaced in the church, picked it up, and not being the reading type, he couldn't put it down either! "Where is this going," you ask? Well, I was advised by many authors, one of which I have utmost respect for, to not...absolutely not...read my own book until I am so old that I have nothing better to do. I was told that the book is done, it's published, mistakes are in there, but most readers won't even notice them. That's really hard to do. I guess I will continue what I'm doing, blogging about stuff and continuing with my other books.

That's enough for now.
Kirk Toncray
Website HERE

What Christmas Means

With the big Christmas celebration over and done with, everyone knows that the season means different things to different people. Without going too deeply into the true meaning of the holiday, I'll touch on an important issue that rings my bell each Christmas season. I'm talking about all the victims out there who are living without a home. As we sit in our nice, warm, cozy house, laughing and carrying on with such joy, you can bet your last doughnut that there is a victim not more than a five minute drive away that doesn't have that opportunity. To the victims out there, it's the same old grind of finding some sort of comfort, many times from a bottle, purchased from money saved back from flying a sign. Not wanting to do the unspeakable thing in that victim's previous days, it is often the only way to get through the terrible misfortune of suffering through another holiday, which is filled with the same misery that is faced every day. It's no different to the victims, it's just another day. As I look back on dark, miserable, lonely days I spent on the streets, I often wonder what I could do to change this. If you have any suggestions, real ones, please post them for others to see. If I witness anyone posting things like, Get a job, or Clean up their act, I will find a way to contact you and you'd better expect a not-so-nice response from me.

Until later,
Kirk Toncray
www.KirkToncray.com

Electronic Formats Galore

Times have most certainly changed in the methods we use to read our books. It was only about five years ago when Amazon introduced the Kindle at a whopping $299 now for a very reasonable $69. This, of course, is the basic model but it's the model I have and I'm happy with it. When I bought the ereader, it was originally intended to view the electronic version of Behind the Signs, and I'm glad I did. The formatting was terrible and I had to tangle with the publisher and Amazon to rectify the situation. I'm happy to say that it was fixed right away with very little hassle on my part. I then ventured out to other ereaders to investigate them and how my book looked on their individual formats. I am impressed. The latest is the Sony version which is not only available on the Sony Reader but in formats for PC and Mac as well. I downloaded the PC version, (I run Windows), and I am impressed. How enjoyable! It's so much better than reading the book in Microsoft Word or the basic PDF format that it's almost ridiculous. The print is awesome, the pages look like a book, not a legal document and the price...$3.79. The download software is of course, free and only takes about five minutes to set everything up with an account with one-click purchase capabilities, if that floats your boat. Pretty nifty, and my book is always mine, even if the good old HP takes a hike. Leave a comment if you find ereaders useful or think they are just a fad.

Oh, here's the link for the Sony version of Behind the Signs: CLICK HERE
Until later,
Kirk Toncray
Click HERE for my website.

The 'P' in POD isn't 'Perfect'

There are drawbacks to print on demand (POD) publishing. One of which I wasn't even aware of until last week. It seems that other larger retailers, who shall remain nameless, can go ahead and print copies of a title with a printer of their choice. This I did-not-know. They, of course, cannot do this without permission from the original publisher, due to copyright law. This issue doesn't necessarily mean that POD is a bad thing, especially compared to the warehouse and handling costs involved in storing books that are mass printed. It does make more sense economically and I do believe that POD is one of the reasons traditional publishers are facing so many challenges. The more they must compete with smaller publishers, the more books they need to sell, just to break even. This is a definite concern for them as POD gains traction, due to many new authors producing very good reading material at an overhead cost that is much, much lower.

Until next time,
Kirk Toncray
http://KirkToncray.com

The Book Signing

The first Behind the Signs event took place today and it was quite enjoyable. A few of my friends came by and that was nice. It was also very satisfying to find out that people already know about the book. I really feel fortunate to have been able to write the story. Things just seem to fall in place sometimes. I guess ours is not to ask why, just do it. I really believe that by keeping with the marketing plan I have in place, and keeping my mind open to other person's ideas, this book could hit the right people at the right time and spark a trend to help the homeless all over the nation. I may be pipe dreaming but how else can a person get the point across to the people who are calling the shots? That's a major reason I told the story just like it happened. Even the editor told me, "Do not remove the parts about the drinking, the fighting, and other events that could otherwise make the story more likable to someone who walks the earth with blinders around their eyes." I couldn't agree more with that editor. The whole point is to show people exactly how it really was, not make it sound like a walk in the park. Sure, we had our fun times but we had to, just to keep our sanity. Boy am I windy tonight. I better head for the hay.

Until next time,
Kirk Toncray

One More Day of Preparation

It's getting right down to the wire, my first event held for Behind the Signs. I'm not really nervous, I just wish things would go right for a switch. You know what I mean, when something is really important and then good ole Murphy's Law kicks in when the timing couldn't be worse. Example. I thought I'd better order a few more books, just in case they sell well at the event. I received the books today and the covers are the wrong damn color! They have a white base instead of creme. I called the publisher and after speaking with them, they informed me that it is the printer's fault. No crap! I just want it fixed but its now too late for the signing. Some of the books will be collectors items, I guess. Well, enough griping for now. If you made it this far, thanks for listening.

Until Next Time,
Kirk Toncray

The Shipping Table

I was forewarned about the incredible amount of work involved in publishing a book. Now I know those people weren't kidding around. Not only does an author need to write the book, then comes the marketing which includes website maintenance, blogging, social networking, email, and, of course, shipping of signed books. Along with the shipping comes the financial issues with credit cards, PakMail accounts, PayPal, on and on and on. Also with the shipping comes the burden of keeping basic supplies on hand. Not just the books, but the padded shipping envelopes, tape, staples, and the other goodies that I throw in there just for giggles like bookmarks, business cards, pens, and whatever I can think of. All that stuff takes time and patience, which I am learning a lot about both. I'm not complaining, I just never contemplated so much work.

Here's a pic of my shipping desk at its best. My computer is behind me.

Until next time,

Kirk Toncray

KirkToncray.com

Another 'Beth' Moment

It kind of slipped my mind on the 27th of November but that day would mark the sixth-month anniversary of Beth's death. Sometimes a moment comes over me that I, for the life of me, cannot explain. It wasn't that Beth and I were ever in love, just friends who knew how hard it was to live without a roof over our heads. She knew that she would have died many years ago if we hadn't been together during those days and she did her part in saving my butt a time or two when I would go into on of my epileptic seizures. Sometimes, especially when I hear good news about Behind the Signs, I get this eerie feeling deep inside and I find myself staring blankly into the sky, ceiling, or wherever there is a void area to look in the upwards direction. I have repetitively told others how I wish Beth was still with us here on Earth to enjoy how the word is getting out in a big way, the way is was intended to--without sugar coating anything--within Behind the Signs. She's proud, and I just know she is looking down with a big smile on her face, knowing her death wasn't all in vein.

Thanks Beth!
Until Next Time,
Kirk Toncray