Category Archives: News

General announcements and updates

22 Nov

Update: 11-21-2023

Leave a reply

Greetings,

Now that my new computer has been set up successfully, I will be making a greater effort to post more in the future.

There is much going on, and so many things to cover… Time will not allow for me to cover them all at this point, but I will be posting these developments soon.

I am continuing my efforts to record my second book, ‘Strange Stories, Twisted Tales’, for Audible, and am almost at the point where my former computer died (RIP Asmodeus). Well, I will be after I complete the story following the one I am processing now.  I am continuing to learn the trade, and hone my narration and recording skills,  and it is my desire to bring the best effort I can to the table.

Although the recording is now my Main Project, there are many other creative projects on my slate in the upcoming year.  Two more books, minimum, are just the beginning.  I have also determined to renew my other art site, Reincarnations.com, and produce another slate of painted furniture.  As usual, I find myself wishing I could devote myself to my sites and creative work as my main profession, but all good things in time.

I will have more news coming soon.

Until Next time,

~Namaste

8 Nov

Audible Update – 11-8-23

Leave a reply

Greetings,

As you may know from my previous post, my computer’s hard drive bit the Big One, and died a horrible death, a fate fitting of that of a horror writer, perhaps.  Undeterred, I managed to get a good deal on a new system, and have been working to restore my programs.  This meant I had to begin anew on my production of the Audible version of my second book, ‘Strange Stories, Twisted Tales’.  I have just finished the sixth entry, ‘Easy Prey‘ (one of my favorites) and have begun recording ‘Message in an Electromagnetic Bottle’, (which is not, but a decent effort nonetheless).  I cannot as yet give an estimation of when the Audible version of this work will be available, due to the demands of my job and other factors, but I am moving forward in the effort to deliver the highest quality recording of which I am capable – something which is sure to improve as I continue to learn and hone whatever talent I may possess.

I will continue also to provide updates whenever time and energy allows, and will have more news on my next entry.

Until then,

~Namaste

29 Sep

The Great Disk Disaster of 2023

Leave a reply

Greetings.

Well, it was only a matter of time.  Despite my best attempts at maintenance, the hard drive on my computer decided it was time to give up the ghost.  This resulted in the loss of a decade of photos, including those of my little one, as well as my manuscripts and Audible recordings for my second book, which was about 2/3 completed.  I believe it is possible to recover that data in time, but it will cost hundreds, if not several thousand, dollars to retrieve, and so will have to wait.  I did manage to rebuild the system, having a decade old backup drive, but windows 7 and my recording software did not agree, and I was forced to begin over with a new system.  This came about at around the same time my phone decided to self-destruct, so it has been a stressful couple of weeks.  I am currently back on track, however, and have begun to re-record ‘Strange Stories, Twisted Tales’.  It may be slow going, as I have to recover my various bookmarks and such in order to upload and so on, but at least now I needn’t worry about such an event again.

Hopefully.

The air quality at my latest domicile leaves a great deal to be desired; the air filters in this apartment complex need to be changed approximately every 2 weeks, and even then, can severely affect delicate electronics, a condition I am hoping to change – just one more item on the never-ending to-do list.

So, apologies for the lack of posts.  With any luck, it will not happen again for some time to come.

Until Next time,

~Namaste

22 Jul

Update 7-21

Leave a reply

Greetings,

Once again, time has slipped by, despite my resolution to update on a regular basis.  It seems every time I make the determination to improve my life, it responds with a series of blindsiding events, often daisy-chained in such a way as to create a catch-22 situation in which forward motion is both difficult and limited, within a short span of time.  In the last two weeks, I’ve had to deal with not having a refrigerator for over a week, two major car repairs back to back to the tune of over $1600, and three other priority legal matters, all while working a grueling, physically demanding job. It has been said I have brought these matters upon myself, but I can pretty much dismiss this as utter horseshit; I both know my life better than those making such statements. and control neither random events, the deceitful actions of others, or a rigged system designed to siphon as much money and freedom as it can from the common man.  I can, however, do all I can not to allow such situations to repeat.  When I make mistakes, I do my utmost not to ever repeat them.

While this is helpful in the long run, it does not negate or prevent the short term effects.  I have had to pause in my audio production of ‘Strange Stories, Twisted, Tales‘ in order to deal with the latest set of crises, which came as expected once I committed to my plan to increase my income and better my environment, endeavors which alone are complicated matters, much less when planned in tandem.  Still, it will not matter in the end; life can throw whatever it wants at me, and I will persevere.  It may be the irresistable force, but when it comes to bettering myself, it may find I am the unmoving object.

So, as I will have little to no time to do anything but work on creating a less stressful and more profitable and peaceful atmosphere for myself, I regret my other projects will have to be on hold for a bit.  I will, however, return to them with vigor once I am successful, and will keep those dedicated few informed as things progress.

Until Next Time,

~Namaste

 

26 Jun

Audible Update: 6-26-2023

Leave a reply

Greetings.

As is par for the course, life has been throwing its share of curve-balls my way, but I’ve managed to navigate them with my usual Aries stubbornness, and continue to record tracks from my second novel, ‘Strange Stories, Twisted Tales‘. I am currently working on recording ‘Easy Prey‘, and those familiar with the history of the story, know I never intended to write a vampire story, and wrote it intending it to be a jab at Twilight.  Somewhere in the writing, however, this changed, and I found myself enjoying the characters and events that flowed from my pen, which was my only available writing instrument at the time.  Recording these stories allows me to reconnect with the characters, and I find myself tempted to stop and write more about the adventures of what has become an interesting figure to me, but I stop myself.  All things in time, I say.

All things in time.

It might take longer than I anticipated to record this second work, however, as some of the aforementioned curve-balls include the need to find better employment and a new place to live, both sizeable tasks on their own, much less together.  I have faith I will be able to handle these as I have before – it’s not my first rodeo – and plan to build myself a dedicated space for recording in the process.

Onward and upward, folks.  Onward and upward.

Until next time,

~Namaste

13 Jun

Audible Update: 6-13-23

Leave a reply

Greetings,

My first novel, Highway Hypnosis, is now available on Audible, and should be available on Amazon and iTunes within the next few days.  I am now working on narrating the third story from Strange Stories, Twisted Tales.  The stories in this volume are something of a different challenge in terms of recording; the tales contained in that volume contain some passages that will require some audio effects in order to deliver the proper tone, and I am enjoying the learning process.   It is my hope to open myself to narration of other works on a freelance basis in the near future,  I have found I enjoy both sides of the process, and look forward to being able to create a home studio in order to deliver an even better listening experience.

So, if you are into audio books, stop by Audible and give my book a listen.  If you listen at home, you might want to keep the lights on.

Until Next Time,

~Namaste

29 May

Audible Update: 5-29-2023

Leave a reply

Greetings,

Well, after many hours of recording and audio processing, I have uploaded my first novel, Highway Hypnosis, to Audible.  The files are in review, and I should get a response within ten business days, according to their website.  I will begin recording the various stories in Strange Stories, Twisted Tales within the next day or do…unless I can’t resist getting back to reading, in which case it could be as early as tonight.

It is my plan, hope really, that by the time I get to my third book, that  will have become proficient enough at the process that I may begin to do some freelance narration work.  I have to find something, after all – my current job is a narcissistic nightmare and both emotionally physically destructive.  The damage done to me physically by the results of narcissistic and legal abuse has left me technically disabled, and these effects are exacerbated by the physical demands of my ‘day job’.  Narration is not only something I enjoy, but is work that I can perform at my own pace, and around the limitations I face on a daily basis.

I’ll be sure to announce when the Audible version of my novel is ready for purchase.  Thanks again for any and all who follow this blog.

Until Next Time,

~Namaste

4 May

Frustration

Leave a reply

Greetings all,

For the last several weeks, I have been endeavoring to record my first novel, Highway Hypnosis, for release on Audible.  As thus dealt with a field of technology with which I was previously unfamiliar, I expected the learning curve to be high, and though this has turned out to be true, it did not deter me; i have always enjoyed learning new things, and this was no exception.  I knew my present day job would slow the process, and I accepted that as part of the dues one must pay, and it did not affect my enthusiasm.

My environment, however, is another story,  Apparently, I have a pair of were-hippopotami living in the apartment above me, who seen to take delight in stomping around 24 hours a day.  This has become a source of great frustration, for the usual soundproofing available to an amateur is ineffective against the sonic boom footsteps emanating from above.  It is the one thing that cannot be solved by increased study or practice; it can only be solved by changing the location of where I live, or creating a remote recording booth where the sounds of stampeding feet will not interfere.  At present, neither option is readily available, but for every problem, there is a solution…although in this case that may take the form of a harpoon (kidding).  Even as I type this, at after 2 am, my ceiling sounds like it is about to collapse, not the best environment for recording.  Or sleep.

I’ll continue to press on, however,  I will not allow such things to prevent me from releasing my work on Audible, and will continue to update my progress. so stay tuned.

Until next time,

~Namaste

10 Apr

Audible Update: 4-10-2023

Leave a reply

Greetings!

I have officially begun my first attempt at narration, recording my first novel, Highway Hypnosis for release on Audible.  It has turned out to be an interesting process, and this has given me a clue to just how much work goes into video and sound production.  The learning curve for the software end has not proven difficult so far, but that cannot be said about the actual voice work. I am not a stranger to narration, having recorded books for remedial reading students back in the day, but it is not as easy as it appears. I have confidence I will improve with time, however, and look forward to gaining experience in this new endeavor.  Should this go well, I may even hire myself out for other work in that field on a freelance basis.

I have five chapters completed so far, with another twenty-three to go.  Upon completion, I plan on beginning the second book immediately.  With luck, this project will be finished in time for me to begin compiling the manuscript for my next work, which will be a non-fiction account of the my struggle against narcissistic abuse, not something in line with my usual work, but something I feel I must complete for both personal healing and to help other men who may be in similar situations.

Stay tuned for progress and release updates.  There is plenty more to come!

Until Next Time,

~Namaste

4 Apr

Audible Update – 4/4

Leave a reply

Greetings!

After successfully surviving another decade, I found myself energized and in a strangely positive mood.  The year has seen some good things happen, with the signs showing the promise of more to come, and this has contributed to lessening my anxiety, and given me the determination and energy to work on making my writing into a full time career.  An uptake of recent sales (thank you all!) has helped in this, as well as the production of hardback versions of my books, and I’ve used this to begin the process of producing Audible versions of my work as well, with yours truly serving as narrator.

I have purchased what I hope is a decent microphone, and begun the process of learning the Audacity program for recording the sound files which are necessary for conversion into an audio book. Depending on how quickly I can assimilate this, I will begin recording test files within the next few days.  I can say I am looking forward to this new project with great enthusiasm.  I have always enjoyed reading aloud, and the prospect of adding that skill to my revenue set is just icing on the enjoyment cake, not to mention giving hope to be able to continue making a living as the physical issues I deal with advance with time.  Should the process prove enjoyable, I will likely open myself to narrating work by other authors on a freelance basis, something I think would be both fun and profitable.

I will keep posting updates for this and my other projects, so stay tuned!

Until Next Time,

~Namaste