Braxton’s Fall Festival – What’s Happening Today?
Welcome to Braxton’s Fall Festival. Today we’re celebrating the launch of Haunted House Ghost with a thirty-one (31) day virtual festival, where we share the scoop on all the exciting book promotions coming up this month. Who’s ready for…
When I began planning Braxton’s Fall Festival, I hadn’t paid much attention to the dates. I knew I would need to create content for thirty-one days, but it wasn’t until I began assigning topics to each of the days that I realized the significance of October 15th. Exactly one year ago today, the first book in the Braxton Campus Mysteries, Academic Curveball, was published by Creativia AKA Next Chapter.
Since October 15th, 2018, I’ve published a total of five (5) books in the series, which ultimately amounts to writing one book every two-and-a-half months. I honestly didn’t plan how many I would write in the first year. I kept a journal of ideas, titles, characters, and plots, but I didn’t want to publicize a schedule because I wasn’t sure how well I’d do in this sub-genre. I read mysteries all the time, but to write one is different than to read one.
Family drama was my expertise. Now, I can say… so might be mysteries. I spent a few minutes looking back at my documents and files to determine when I wrote the first word in the outline for these books. It appears to be July 1st, 2018. So, I can safely say, while ideas might’ve bounced around inside my head, the first time a character appeared on paper was about fifteen months ago. Since that time, I’ve created over a hundred characters, another hundred places, and tons of suspense and conflict. I love my job, and everyday is a new experience.
There are moments I think it’s time to give it up and go back to a full-time corporate job. Writing doesn’t pay well enough to live on alone (this early in a career) — especially living in New York City. Negative reviews can make you unfocused for too long of a time period. Constant editing and re-working scenes can get tedious. But, just like any corporate job, there are ups and downs. I’m currently on an up. Creating a 31-Day Fall Festival is a marketing triumph for me. I’m not usually this creative when it comes to my own promotions. I rely on what my publisher does, the kindness of fellow blogging friends, and a handful of posts each week sharing news of my writing life.
When I left my corporate job in 2016, I knew it would be a difficult transition. Three years later, I’ve published 7 books, written a good chunk of the next two, and documented ideas for several more. I’ve reviewed nearly 1,000 books, promoted at least one hundred indie or self-published authors on my blog, and made dozens of friends. Some I’ve even met in person… from different parts of the world. If I were to judge a life based on what I’ve experienced since I left my SVP, Technology position at Madison Square Garden, I’d be quite proud of what I accomplished in such a short time. Truthfully, it only happened because of YOU. Please accept my gratitude for everything you have done to support me over the last few years.
My next book won’t be published until 2020. I’m keeping the details pretty well contained. I’ve mentioned the potential sequel to Watching Glass Shatter. I’ll be sharing the title and summary for the next Braxton Campus Mystery soon. I’ve briefly hinted at a possible new series. I promise to reveal all my plans for 2020 in the coming months… it’s time for me to embrace the autumn season and get a bit more organized about the future, and once it’s all in place, I will be thrilled to share it all with you. Thank you!
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The section below here will repeat at the end of every successive post, so we don’t have to explain the Fall Festival in the beginning each day. We’ll dive right into the content but also allow newcomers to catch up. Previous posts include…
October 1st – Overview & Kickoff
October 2nd – Great Escapes Book Blog Tour
October 3rd – GIVEAWAY for FREE Kindle Copy of Haunted House Ghost
October 4th – Name Kellan’s House Poll
October 5th – Excerpt from Academic Curveball
October 6th – Guest Post: Interview with Noriko on Halloween & Autumn
October 7th – Get to Know the Core Characters
October 8th – Bookmarks, Book Formats, Book Signing
October 9th – Guest Post: Interview with Tyler & Characters
October 10th – GIVEAWAY for FREE Signed Copy of Haunted House Ghost
October 11th – Excerpt from Broken Heart Attack
October 12th – Guest Post: Shalini Releases the Characters Who Torture Us
October 13th – Get to Know the Supporting Characters
October 14th – Guest Post: Melanie Ask Jay About His Writing Process
What is the Braxton Fall Festival?
For the entire month of October 2019, we are celebrating three events: (1) Autumn, (2) Halloween, (3) Haunted House Ghost, the fifth book released in the Braxton Campus Mysteries by author James J. Cudney. Each day, we will share a post to promote the new book with readers and fans. Throughout the 31 days, we will have guest posts, excerpts, giveaways, contests, videos, blog tours, and other surprises. You can currently purchase the book from Amazon as a Kindle or a physical copy. In the near future, it will be available in large print and as an audiobook. To learn more, sign up for the author’s quarterly newsletter or follow him on this site and any of his social media profiles from the About the Author page.
The way you programmed the screen to move makes this a little difficult to read.. I started to get motion sick! 😉😂😂
Don’t go back to your corporqte job! I would be VERY sad if you did!!
Awww thank you. Hmm. Driving right now. Jumping? Is it the leaves falling? I’ll have to check what’s jumping. Sorry!!!!
The screen zooms in and out while pumpkins float around. Ha ha!
I just changed that today. Will try to fix it later!!!
Crazy pumpkin time.
Happy Anniversary! I haven’t heard any authOR
I’m sorry for that half reply. My daughter hit enter while I was typing! I should not sit on the edge of bed with laptop where she can easily grab it from my hand and hit random keys. 😪 I was writing, nobody I knew have written so many book in just a year. you are incredible.
Thanks, Yesha. Ha. That happens to me too. But it’s usually the dog or my own mistake. Too cute. 🙂
I appreciate your words so much. I so pushy myself. 2020 might be a bit slower. 🙂
Great idea providing large print copies. My husband had problems trying to read in his last years. So happy for your success and proud of the fact you are fulfilling your dreams 🤗
Thank you. I’m glad it could be a help. We’re trying to offer a lot of options. I appreciate your kind comment too. 🙂
Wow!! So much has happened in one year!! Your writing has improved and your characters have grown so well, all interesting and have become my ‘Book’ friends. I enjoy reading every book you have written thus far, and I am excited about your future stories! Wishing you all the best in continuing to grow new readers who Will fall in love with the action, emotion, humor and fun available in all you write!!
Yes. Thank you very much. I love sharing them. And I appreciate you!!
Happy Anniversary!🎉 I wish you well as you contemplate the future. As you know by now, there is no one right answer in life. You made a decision to become a writer, and I’m sure you will never regret it. You are blessed that you have many good options for putting food on the table. I’m sure you will be successful in whichever direction you decide to go. The lovely thing is that you can make changes; you don’t have to choose one path and stay with it the rest of your life. 💜
Thank you, Linda. Lots for me to be grateful this year. Your words made my afternoon. I am blessed and very humbled by it. Much gratitude for your reminder. I can’t forget how much I have. 🙂
Happy one year!! I can’t wait to see what is to come for you! 😀
Thank you so much. 🙂