Bad Review - Good Review - Much Ado

Okay. I know I'm about a month late for my monthly blog, but it wasn't until my publisher (Becky Coffield) at Moonlight Mesa Associates, Inc. called me today ranting about a review she came across on the internet, that I felt compelled to write a blog again.

The review in question was apparently written by a man I don't know but my publisher does, and was written about my first Western, Saving Tom Black. Guess the guy didn't like it. Not everybody's going to like everything, I assured Becky. But that wasn't the issue with her.

Her issue was that he seemed like he went out of his way to degrade my first book. Her position is that good critics/reviewers pass on the books they don't like instead of trashing them. Especially when the reviews are on the web, she reminded me, where billions of people have access to them. How much did this review cost my publisher's fledgling publishing business? Maybe nothing. Maybe a substantial amount. How much did I lose in royalties? I don't really care. I don't do this for the money.

Between the rants and raves, I found myself feeling proud that I had a publisher who really showed her support for me and was willing to "go to the mats." Or whatever that expression is. I tried to remind her that we'd had tremendous reviews from a senior reviewer at MidWest Book Review and from Steve Myall at Western Fiction Review. Marshall Trimble liked the book so well he was disappointed when he didn't get asked to review the second book. None of this seemed to make my publisher feel any better.

I'm probably thicker skinned than Becky, but I see the reviewer as probably a flawed character who feels superior by making others (or their works) look bad. Nevertheless, I now know I've got a publisher who, as Stoney Bowers says, "has my back." It's good to have someone on your side, whether you think you need them or not. I never doubted this anyway. I admit Saving Tom Black is far from perfect, but people have sure liked it!

Becky claims that most critics are just parasites who live off the creativity of others. Not sure I'd go so far as to say that, or agree with that, but there you have it.


GREAT REVIEW ON CANYON OF DEATH

I'd personally like to thank Steve Myall at Western Fiction Review for his great review of Canyon of Death. Steve pointed out things in my book that even I wasn't aware of when I wrote the dang thing! Thank you, Steve. I have a feeling you'd pass on a review before you'd trash someone's work. I appreciate you professionalism and your interest in my titles!


HIGH COUNTRY KILLER COMING ALONG

High Country Killer, my fourth Jake Silver book, is coming along. I'd say I'm about 1/4 into it. It's becoming a much more complex book than I'd originally planned on. That's the fun part of writing, though, is when the characters and story take over and take the writer in their direction.
I hope to have the book finished by mid to late 2012. Promised my publisher I'd do that.

EVENTS

I hope folks will stop by Moonlight Mesa's vendor booth in Pinetop over Labor Day Weekend. I'll be there and will enjoy signing a book for you or just talking with you.

Jere

Western Author Jere D. James Signs Three Book Deal

SAVING TOM BLACK IS THE FIRST TITLE IN THE WILDLY POPULAR JAKE SILVER ADVENTURE SERIES



Jere D. James, author of the Jake Silver Adventure Series (Saving Tom Black, Apache, and the forthcoming Canyon of Death has just signed another three book contract with Moonlight Mesa Associates, Western Book Publisher.

The contract is for three books in three years, however there is a bit of latitude in the understanding between the publisher, Becky Coffield, and Jere D. James. The author does not have to necessarily continue the Jake Silver series, although the publisher would like to see him do so. However, she left that decision to the author.

"It's pretty hard to demand an author write something if his heart just isn't in it," Coffield said. "The Jake Silver books are very popular though, and I think they'll continue to be if Jere keeps writing them."

The author has already stated there will be at least one more Jake Silver book, and perhaps more. He's even thinking of going back in time to when Silver was younger. "It's a possibility, that's all," James said.


AUTHOR RIDES THE ARIZONA HIGH COUNTRY

Just like he did with his other books, James will be spending some time in the saddle this summer. Last year saw him in the Chiricahuas quite often, which is where Canyon of Death is set (Canyon of Death will be released by July of this year). This summer he'll be riding the high country getting a feel for the setting of his next book, High Country Killer. "I'll be riding in the Prescott National Forest area, and also in the Apache Sitgreaves Forest, and especially places around Pine Top," he said. "I'll be taking my horse and mule. Dog too. And of course, boxes of books. It'll be very different than riding in the Chiricahuas where I had to be especially alert to illegal immigration traffic."

The author will also be traveling to Colorado for some setting information. "The book could take place there, but I don't think it will. I live in Arizona, so it's easier for me to return to an area here if I need to verify things than to run all the way to Colorado," James said. "Besides, with the cost of diesel, I doubt I'd be able to fuel up the beast that pulls my trailer. And I'm not downsizing. That horse trailer is nicer than some apartments I've lived in!"

James will also try to pick up a few rodeos this summer.

The Chiricahuas and Canyon of Death

I know, I know. It's been four months since I last blogged, but hey! I put information on an author's page for Amazon! It's not like I haven't been doing anything!

My webpage is going to expire one of these days soon, and in my next contract I'm making sure I put in some declaration that writing blogs isn't one of my duties. It's not in there now, but that publisher insists I do this. But, if I put it in writing that I dont' have to....hmmm. Wonder if she'll go along with that!?

I've been spending a lot of time in the Chiricahuas the last couple of months. It's probably some of the most beautiful country in Arizona that I've seen. Everywhere I go though, I insist the country is beautiful. But it's true. I must say though, that some of the Steens Mountains in Oregon and the Sisters Wilderness area is pretty spectacular, but the Chiricahuas probably beats them out overall.

The new book is progressing...slowly. I'm not sure why at this point. I've gotten a huge reprieve because of the Casey Tibbs book the publisher is working on, but not that huge of a reprieve. At least I know where I'm going in it. Actually, I've known all along where I'm going - I just haven't been sure how to get there. I pretty much have that figured out, but it looks like I've got a hell of a lot of riding to do this summer to check out some of the areas I'm putting in the book.

For a while I was thinking of ending the Jake Silver series, but at this point I'm thinking I may continue it, but I'm going to have to make some big changs to do so. The next book isn't under any deadline though, so I'm good! I'm staying with the western book publisher I now have, by the way, and that's Moonlight Mesa Associates.

I'm also thinking of getting a mule. This mountainous terrain is hard on my horse, and he's not young anymore. Now a mule could probably handle just about anything...but would a self-respecting cowboy be seen on a mule? I've heard nothing but good about these animals. I'll check it out next May when I go to Mule Days with Moonlight Mesa in Bishop, CA.

Had a good time in Tombstone. Signed a lot of books on Saturday (especially Saving Tom Black), met some crazy characters, got drunk that night...a good time was had by all. I'll be at the Pine/Strawberry Festival for one day only...probably Saturday. Stop by and say hi.

I'll also try to be at the Show Low Event as well as Heber/Overgaard, but not sure I'll make it to Ruidoso, although the Wild West Historical Convention sounds interesting. I'll be picking up some rodeos instead. Did I tell you I was a bull-dogger? I don't go by Jere James in rodeos, by the way. Go by my real name. Can't make it to Big Bear in August either, but I may get to Kanab, Utah, later that month.

Meanwhile, I've gotten lots of emails from people who really are enjoying my books, and that really makes me proud. I thank each and every person. Your words are music to my ears...well, since they're written, I guess I'd have to say they're desserts for my eyes...???

Apache has picked up a couple of other terrific reviews. I thank you. Each of you who says something good about my books deserves my sincerest thanks.

Jere