Year-End Update

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Amazon, authors, book, Buddhist, Christian, Happy New Year, Holidays, Japan, Merry Christmas, Progress, Publishing, Shinto, Short stories, writing

Well, it’s been a whirlwind end to the year here in Japan.

I haven’t been able to pay as much attention to finishing my novel as I had hoped, but I manage to chip away at it here and there when breaks in daily life and work allow.  Alas, my self-imposed year-end deadline for publication will not be met.  On the bright side, my school will be closed for the New Year’s holiday, so hopefully I’ll have a few days, at least, to fuss over the book.

I’m happy to announce that I have reduced the price of both my non-fiction e-book, and my fiction e-short story on Amazon.  Amazon still reserves the right to fluctuate the pricing, give or take, however.  You can access direct links for both books from this blog.

New Year’s is a big deal here in Japan.  Many businesses will be closed for several days on average, starting on or around New Year’s Eve.

My school is open today, Christmas day, because Christmas day is a regular business day here in Japan.  Less than 1% of the population of Japan is Christian.  Most are Shinto and Buddhist, so the Japanese celebrate Christmas differently than the west.  It’s strictly a secular celebration here with no religious meaning.

Please have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Best wishes for a safe, happy, healthy and peaceful 2019.

Brad

Almost There!

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Amazon, book, cover art, e-book, Horror, illustration, new, Progress, Publishing

Howdy!

I hope that everyone is doing fine.  It has been a wild year so far, in many ways.  I’ve been away from here for a while.  But it’s nice to have something positive to post after all this time.

First of all, my thoughts and prayers are with the millions around the world, and here in Japan, who have been struggling with the onslaught of natural disasters that have been, and still are, plaguing our planet.  Peace and love to all who are suffering.

Well, I’m happy to announce that my first novel has been written!  I’m currently editing and proofreading it, as well as working on the book cover.  The book cover idea has been conceived, and I am in the process of putting all the pieces together.  Once all of that is done, then I will be ready to self-publish.

I can tell you that this book will be the longest fiction story that I’ve published thus far; my first full-length novel (depending on your idea of how long a novel should be…info around the Net varies according to style and genre).  It will definitely be much longer than my short story that was published in 2016.

The book will initially be available through Amazon and in most countries where Amazon operates.  I may publish with other e-publishers at a later time depending upon how the book does.  I will post updates here if I decide to add more publishers to the availability list.

It’s a great relief to finally have the story finished and I very much look forward to sharing it with you in the not too distant future.

Thanks for reading…and for your continued patience.

Brad

Attention Amazon Kindle Readers!

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A Day of Horror: The March 11, 2011 Japan Earthquake-A Foreigner's Perspective, Amazon, Amazon Prime, e-book, Ghost Story, Horror, KDP Select, Kindle, Kindle Owners' Lending Library, Kindle Unlimited, Review, Short stories, The DiVacci Curse, The Great East Japan Earthquake

My nonfiction e-book and my fiction e-short story are now enrolled in KDP Select on Amazon.  This is good news for Amazon Prime, Kindle Owners’ Lending Library and Kindle Unlimited members.  Check em’ out!

For those who have already purchased and read my e-book and e-short story, thank you very much.  If you like what you read, then I encourage you to write a review and post it on Amazon.  I would be honored and grateful for your kindness and consideration.  If writing a review is not your thing, then please spread the word among your family and friends, co-workers, distant relatives, ex-spouses, etc.

As always, direct links to both books can be found on the “My Books” page of this blog. Thanks for reading.

Have a fun and safe summer!

Most humbly,

Brad

“You Can’t Judge a Book by Its Cover!”

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Amazon, Blood, e-book, Generic, Ghost Story, Gore, Graphic, Horror, Original Cover, Subtle, The DiVacci Curse, Updated Cover Design

 

That statement is so true.  Well, it’s taken a while (almost a year, actually) but I now have an original cover design for my ghost short story, “The DiVacci Curse.”

Only the cover has been changed.  The story and its contents remain the same.

When I first published the story last summer, I felt that it was more important to just get it published and out there, rather than delay publishing because of the cover page.  I opted to use one of Amazon’s predesigned cover pages that I liked, but was generic in nature.  I had no issues with the predesigned cover for a long time until I saw another book on Amazon (can’t remember if it was fiction or non-fiction) that used the same exact cover design…same font, colors, etc.  That’s when I realized that I needed to have an original cover design instead.

I now understand the importance of book covers.  Some readers do indeed “judge a book by its cover.”  Book covers can determine whether a reader investigates the e-book further or just clicks to another item or page, not even giving the book a second thought.

I prefer book covers that give the reader a general idea of the plot, rather than paint an overly vivid picture that is too demanding and busy for the eye. If too much is going on in the image, the message becomes confusing and complicated.  The author runs the risk of turning the reader off.  Sometimes “less is more” as previously mentioned in my post about “The Fog.”  This concept applies to book covers as well.

Happy Birthday, Antonio Bay! Part 2!

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100th Birthday, Adrienne Barbeau, Amazon, Antonio Bay, California, Hal Holbrook, Horror, Jamie Lee Curtis, Janet Leigh, John Carpenter, John Houseman, The Fog, Tom Atkins

Well, if you guessed “The Fog” as the answer to the quiz in my previous post, then you’re right.  Congrats to those who knew the answer.  You certainly know your horror films!

Oddly,  I’m not a big horror movie fan.  Even though I enjoy writing in the horror and mystery genres, when it comes to film my personal movie collection is heavy with science fiction, fantasy, adventure and comedy rather than horror.  But, The Fog is one of my all time favorite horror movies (the original 1980 film directed by John Carpenter). The plot is simple, yet effective and harkens back to a nostalgic time of storytelling when ghost stories didn’t have to be gory or excessively violent to be frightening.  Sure, there is some violence in the film, but it isn’t very bloody or overt like many of the horror films and TV shows of today.  Although, the film is loaded with lots of “shocks” and “stingers” that definitely get your attention.  They are the kind of scares that happen really quick, that make you scream or jump, and then make you laugh at yourself afterward.  I won’t go into detail about the story because I don’t want to spoil it for anyone reading this who has never seen the film before.  I will mention, though, that it inspires me and encourages me to write scary stories that emphasize the old cliché, “Less is more.”

The Fog is pretty tame by current standards.  After all, it’s almost forty years old!  If you prefer your horror served up with gratuitous amounts of blood, gore and sex, then The Fog may not be for you.  However, if you enjoy clever, old school, spooky, sit-around-the-campfire ghost stories, then you might find it entertaining.  It’s a fun film to watch while curled up on the sofa with your favorite snack.

There are also a couple of personal reasons why I like The Fog.  I was a radio DJ/announcer for a few years when I lived in Louisiana, and briefly when I later lived in Florida.  So, the “Stevie Wayne” connection is something I can relate to.  Stevie Wayne is basically the main character of the film.  She is portrayed by Adrienne Barbeau.  She’s a single mom raising her son in a sleepy, yet somewhat charming little seaside town (Antonio Bay, California). Stevie recently bought a radio station atop the town lighthouse that overlooks the Pacific.  A good portion of the film takes place in and around the lighthouse/radio station.  I can relate to the tasks and responsibilities that Stevie has to contend with like the ever watchful and unforgiving demands of the clock, and time, that dictate a DJ’s every move and word while “on the air.”

How To Download the Updated Version of My Kindle Book on Amazon if Previously Purchased

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A Day of Horror, Amazon, Bradley Lobue, e-book, Fukushima, Great East Japan Earthquake, Japan, Kindle, Update Available

As mentioned in my last post, Amazon has recently informed me that they have made the updated version (3rd Edition) of “A Day of Horror: The March 11, 2011 Japan Earthquake – A Foreigner’s Perspective” free to those readers who purchased previous editions of the book in the past before the current updated version became available.  I strongly encourage readers who have purchased any prior editions of my book in the past to download the new version as I think that it is a major improvement in readability and overall quality.  Some content has been omitted from the new edition, but some content has been added as well.  The 3rd edition also includes an update about the current situation in Fukushima prefecture as of last summer (2016).

If you purchased any previous editions of the book from Amazon and are interested in reading the latest edition, then I have explained how you can access the new content below.  *A note, the instructions below are for readers who purchased the book from Amazon.com (U.S.A.).  The updated download may not be available in all countries where Amazon operates.  I’m sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause.  Thank you for understanding.

Step 1.  After you sign into your Amazon account, find “Manage Your Content and Devices” on your account page as shown in the example below.

Step 2.  Click on “Manage Your Content and Devices.”  You will see your content listed on the page.  Type in “A Day of Horror” in the Search bar as shown below.  The book title will appear and next to it you will see the “Update Available” button as shown below.  Click on it and follow the instructions to download the latest edition.

I would like to thank everyone who has purchased “A Day of Horror: The March 11, 2011 Japan Earthquake – A Foreigner’s Perspective.”  I also appreciate those of you who are following or have “liked” this blog.  Your kind support and interest is very much appreciated!

Until my next post, have a good one!

 

 

 

Updates Are Here!

Tags

3rd Edition, 6th anniversary, Amazon, Great East Japan Earthquake, Japan, March 11 2011 earthquake

As promised, “A Day of Horror: The March 11, 2011 Japan Earthquake – A Foreigner’s Perspective” has been revised and updated and is now available from Amazon.  Thank you for your patience.  As mentioned in my previous post, I was very green when I first wrote and published it. It was my fledgling self-publishing venture.  I feel that this new edition is a long overdue improvement in the overall readability and user-friendliness of the book.  The book has also been updated with recent facts and figures on the status of the crisis.

The book is a detailed account of my experiences with the earthquake and the nuclear crisis.  It gives information about the event from my perspective, an American living in Japan. It also gives a little insight into Japanese life and culture. If you’re curious about that fateful day in the history of Japan (and the events that followed in its wake) or if you wonder what it’s like to live here, then I encourage you to check it out.  A link to the new edition of the book is located on the “My Books” page of this blog.

To those who have already purchased and read my book, thank you. Amazon recently informed me that previous purchasers of the book will be able to access the latest edition via the “Manage Your Content and Devices” page in their Amazon accounts.

Fiction or Fact: Which is More Horrifying?

Tags

Amazon, Bradley Lobue, Fukushima, Japan, Kindle, March 11 2011 earthquake, November 22 2016 earthquake, Tohoku

Being new to the whole “Blog Thing,” I was wondering where the inspiration for my next, and second, blog entry was going to come from.  Well, I got that inspiration this morning as I was woken up at 6 A.M. by a 7.4 magnitude earthquake; the largest of its kind since the “Big One” on March 11, 2011.  My area was still receiving frequent aftershocks until six hours after the initial quake.  The aftershocks have died down and are less frequent now, thankfully.

The quake triggered a small, and fortunately benign, tsunami that didn’t do any major damage aside from raising the inland river levels a tad and likewise raising a few eyebrows.  We were lucky this time.  However, today’s quake definitely raised my blood pressure and got my heart pumping.  Flashbacks to 2011 infected my thoughts, especially as the images on TV today showed a small wave moving through rivers and streams in the region.  I live many miles inland in the interior of the Tohoku region of Japan.  Major tsunamis, like the March 11, 2011 wave that devastated the northern coast of Japan, are not a big concern for me where I live.  If a tsunami were to ever reach my area, then it would probably be as a result of the Apocalypse, and that’s not a joke.

Here I am, for better or for worse!

Tags

Amazon, Bradley Lobue, Horror, Kindle

Howdy, I’m Blog and this is my brad!  Oh, sorry.  I mean, I’m Brad and this is my blog.

Welcome to my first blog entry.  I established this blog to promote my writing and books.  There it is!  Subtle, huh?  Honestly, I’ve never been good at self-promotion.  I’ve always regarded humility as a noble virtue and a good quality to exercise on a regular basis.  Sadly, society has taught us that humility is not very affective when it comes to promoting oneself or one’s product.  So, I guess that this blog is a type of ‘shameless self-promotion’ as one of my co-workers said at a radio station where I used to work way back when.

I’m not much of a techie (I don’t even have a cell-phone…well not anymore at least!) and blogging is new to me.  I’m not into the latest technological fads, gadgets or gizmos, either.  However, I enjoy writing when I can, and I’d like to share my writing with you.

I have enjoyed creative writing ever since I wrote my first story titled “Revenge of the Killer Spaceship” in fourth grade.  I had an amazing teacher who created a project where everyone in class wrote their own story.  After each student wrote and illustrated their own story, the teacher had each story bound in a hard cover book.  It was the first book I ever published and it was an incredible experience!