Musings of Two Creative Minds

With the holidays coming fast, I thought now was the perfect time to cover a topic I'd hinted at many times: Print books vs. E-books.   I will be the first to say that when e-readers came out I was more than a little skeptical.  I really didn't think they would take off the way they had.  Online newspapers I could see, because for one thing it was a great way of lessening the amount of paper going into landfills (in spite of the fact that me and great number of people out there try to recycle).  However, I also saw it as a chance for less trees to be cut down because let's face it, a number of them were being taken down in spite of all the paper recycling (yes I'm very much into 'green' living and recycling).  But I digress.  At the time I really did not see a lot of benefit coming from making books electronically available.   Besides, I was already in love with bookstores.  They're like a magnets to me and my wife Helen.  And the books inside are

For those of you who didn't know, I run another blog called "The Vampyre Blogs - Private Edition" which just passed the 10,000 view mark!  Here's the link for anyone who'd like to check it ou t:    http://thevampyreblogs.blogspot.com/   I started this blog with the sole purpose of introducing the idea of a science-fiction vampyre who was truly similiar to the traditional vampires of lore. Nathan tries to avoid sunlight (although he can step out on cloudy and rainy days, and can actually walk in the light but only if he's loaded up on blood in advance since sunlight can dry him out to the point of becoming dust). He sleeps in the ground (because certain nutrients his body needs can only be absorbed from there). And he can shape-shift becoming a horde of rats, bats, dogs, mist, grow wings... but is restricted to how big he can do these things. He cannot make more than what there is of his physical being (law of mass). And of course, he is extremely

A short while ago, I posted about gifting e-books and how simple it was.  For those who missed that entry, I'll briefly recap the basic idea here.  When one goes to Barnes and Noble or Amazon, you have the option of 'gifting' an e-book to someone and having a notice sent to their e-mail that they have a new book waiting for them.  The e-mail will also provide a link so that person can claim their gift.  Pretty straightforward and simple right?  Of course it is.  But there's also an added feature that allows you to determine when that e-mail goes out to the recipient.  You can schedule the day that e-mail goes out so they can be notified of the present on a specific day such as a birthday... Christmas...  Hannukah...  or whatever the special occasion is. *To see the full entry click here:  http://allankrummenacker.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-holiday-season-is-coming-and-you.html However, there was one little feature I did not mention at th

Is there a lover of the paranormal or science fiction in your life?  Wondering what you might get them for a gift this year?  Well then here's a deal you won't want to pass up! Starting now and ending at midnight on November 30th, all three books in the Para-Earth Series are just $1.49 (1/2 off the regular price of $2.99).  That's right, you can now get all three books for yourself, or for someone's stocking, for less than $5.00! And remember the Para-Earth Series has something for everyone: Ghosts, psychics, vampyres, shamans, parallel realities, mystery, love, suspense, humor, action, suspense...  in short, the WORKS! Each novel has earned 4 and 5 star reviews! Not bad for a series that is still growing.  Each story stands on its own, but is also part of an ever growing story arc. -It all begins with "The Bridge" where a stone bridge built in the 1700's is haunted by the mysterious White Lady, who supposedly seeks the baby she l

****With the holiday season fast approaching I'm getting the word out now so everyone can take advantage of these offers**** ALL three books in our Para-Earth Series will be available for Kindle, Nook, Apple for just $1.49 each (normal price $2.99) starting the day after Thanksgiving *Black Friday* and continuing until November 30th. That's right you can get the entire Para-Earth Series to date for under $5.00, or gift to someone you know who loves paranormal/science fiction. OR... You can get SIGNED trade paperback versions for just $10.00 each (normal price $15.00). Stay tuned for more details and links for how to take advantage of this holiday deal...

As the holiday season swiftly approaches, I began to ponder about how does one give an e-book to someone else as a gift?   Having received my first Kindle last Christmas, I am still very a much a novice at using it.  Mind you I have been learning and I'm enjoying it immensely.  But I'll talk more about e-books vs print in another post.  For now, I wanted to focus on those of us who want to get an e-book for someone we know who has either a Kindle or a Nook.   How would one go about purchasing one without having it arrive too soon?   Well, with the recent release of our latest Para-Earth book (The Vampyre Blogs - Coming Home) I found myself rewarding some of our beta-readers with a free copy of the finished product in whatever form they wished (trade paperback, Nook, Kindle, PDF, Smashwords).  Most requested a signed trade paperback, but a couple asked for the Kindle version. So I headed over to Amazon, got into my account, and pulled up "The

After one week, things are looking good for the latest installment of the Para-Earth Book Series as readers welcome Nathan and company with open arms... 4.0 out of 5 stars :   A new twist on vampires! Amazon: October 25, 2016 Second book I've read by this indie author. Allan has now partnered with his wife, Helen. Characters are fun. If you like vampires, you'll like this story. A little Twilight, a little Bram Stoker, a little Stephen King. You can see Allan's influences in his works. Nathan is a fascinating take on the immortal vampire. His family and friends are as dysfunctional as any modern group. He negotiates the modern world with great agility. The monsters appear, the battles arise. A fun read and a nod to Helen for the scientific additions. 4.0 out of 5 stars :   This is the 1st book I have read by these ... By  Amazon Customer   on October 31, 2016 This is the 1st book I have read by these authors and I was hooked!

Welcome to "The Vampyre Blogs - Coming Home".  My name is Nathaniel Eoghan Steward, and I hope you'll be as pleased to meet me and my friends as we are to meet you...   After two long years of brainstorming, writing, re-writing, editing, and planning Helen and I are proud to present to you all our first collaboration: "The Vampyre Blogs - Coming Home". Those who've been following my other blog ( http://thevampyreblogs.blogspot.com/ ) for the last two years will be familiar with Nathan and some of the other characters who appear in this novel, but for those who are not here's a synopsis:  In 1861 sixteen year old Nathan Steward joined the 7th West Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment to help end slavery and preserve the Union.  Before he left home, Nathan promised his sister Isabella that he would not let the war change him... he was wrong. While serving in the Union Army, Nathan found himself fighting on many battlefields.  But his tou

Today our Trade Paperback copies of "The Vampyre Blogs - Coming Home" arrived. For me this is the third time this has happened, but for my wife (and co-author) Helen, it was her first.  So naturally, I gave the honors of opening the box and holding the first copy to her. For anyone who hasn't had this pleasure yet, I hope you get to experience it.  No matter how many books you write, seeing and holding them is something special.  

Only 6 more days until Nathan and company arrive, just in time for Halloween! It's been a long time in the making, but "The Vampyre Blogs - Coming Home" is arriving in just 7 more days.  But you don't have to wait to order your copy now.  In fact you can pre-order the book and get 25% off the regular asking price.  That's right, you can order an e-copy for just  $2.99  (after  October 28th, the price will be $3.99).   Furthermore, the book will be available in all e-reader formats such as  Kindle, Nook, Sony, Apple, PDF, Kobo  and others.   Signed trade paperback copies will also be available for $12.00 plus $3.00 shipping and handling anywhere in the United States.  Overseas mailing will cost slightly more.  For anyone interested in getting a signed copy, please e-mail us at:  http://allankrummenacker.wixsite.com/allan-krummenacker/contact Here's a sneak peak inside the novel: I skipped my last class and headed straight over to Nathan’

Helen has been a major force behind my entire Para-Earth Series since the days before I first started to actually write "The Bridge".  She's been my confidante, grammar checker, science expert, adviser, and so much more.  So without further ado, allow me to let her take over today's blog and answer some questions that we've encountered recently. Allan has already published 2 books. Why are you now a co-author on his latest? He’s been doing fine writing on his own, I agree. I always did give him some input and advice on the other books, but while I’ve helped bring in science fiction angles and suggested some ways to improve character development, the other books were all his plots and his writing.   This one is still his plot, but there’s a specific character in it who helps explain some of the scientific elements and who was entirely my creation. We talked a lot about the relationship between my character and the main character, and developed a history