Ladies and Gents,

Not sure where to post this on this forum. It's a personal accomplishment kinda thing that I wanted to share. If the moderator feels the need to move this or even that's inappropriate and wants to completely remove it, I will understand. This is not an advertisement or a sales pitch or spam.

Some of you who have met me at SF conventions or talked to me via email over the years know that in addition to SF modeling, my other passion is writing. You also know that I am preparing to have my first novel published very soon. It is a ghost story and has been in the works for six years.

Last night, I was trading emails with my publisher, Steve Wilson, to schedule a meeting for June to discuss the particulars of publishing the book (the financials, the marketing plan, the physical size and page count of the book, putting it out in eBook and Kindle formats and recording an audio book).

I have known Steve Wilson for nearly 15 years as he was the chairman for the Farpoint SF convention in Maryland for years and still works closely with the show.

I was excited to learn that Steve actually advertised my novel on his radio show podcast on his site www.prometheusradiotheatre.com.

If you're interested in hearing the blurb, go to the above mentioned site, right click on the top link on the right side of the screen that says: "Notes Following a Loooong Absence".

Choose Save Target As... from the pop up menu.

Save the file somewhere we you'll be able to find it later. It is an MP3 file.

Please Note: It's a 16MB MP3 file that you'll be downloading. The entire podcast is 18 minutes or so. So please be patient. If you have dial up, don't do it. I'll be posting the just the segment about my book on my own website later and that's only about 2 minutes out of the entire podcast. If you have broadband, it may take about 10 minutes or so to download. That's how long it took on my DSL connection.

When you launch the MP3, you can fast forward to the 7 minute mark where Steve first talks about his publishing company and then my book. He gives my book about two minutes of airtime and also talks about how and where we met nearly 15 years ago. Feel free to listen to the whole audio file if you want to or just fast forward to about 7 minutes and listen until you hear my name, Phil Giunta.

He mentions that he isn't reading any new submissions in 2009 because of his schedule. That doesn't apply to me since he's been working with me since late 2007 to develop my initial manuscript into the final draft through very insightful suggestions and critiques. Why two years? Well, it had taken him a few months in between drafts to read it because, like many of us, he works 60 hour weeks on his day job. He also has a wife and kids, and also writes, directs and acts in the radio shows that are performed on his site. He is also an author, having published his first novel three years ago and is about to publish his second book along with mine later this year (estimating October).

But my patience will soon pay off!! And over the years, Steve was like a mentor to me, encouraging me to keep writing so it's an honor to be published through him.

Thanks for your time!
Phil G.

Hey folks, just another tidbit of good news on this. My publisher sent all of the financial and other business info to me last week. We've set a release date of February 2010 to premiere the book at the Farpoint convention in Maryland.

Wish me luck! This is probably the coolest thing that ever happened to me. I love models, of course, but this is THE dream I've had for 15 years. Started off in that great training ground of fan fiction. And now...

"You've taken your first step into a larger world."

Thanks for reading....
Phil

Congratulations! I share a certain passion for writing, though I long ago realized I had no head for putting together any sort of fiction. Nice to be reminded that some people can actually go through the process and come out alive on the far end!

Qapla'

SSB

Hey, congrats! That's really cool!

Yes, congratulations! That's very cool!

Break a leg, Phil!

Awesome news Phil. I can't wait to read it.

Scott

Thanks all! I'm working on a second book now.

However, models have not been pushed aside! I am working on a diorama of Vader's TIE and Luke's X-Wing, something I did nearly 10 years ago but now that the skills are better, I want to revisit it and do it up right.

I also have a Trek kitbash that's been stalled, the USS Wells. I had posted pics here a few months ago as a WIP. Also, a Klingon D-10 using the ERTL K'Tinga with some scratchbuilt areas. I'll post pics as I make progress. The Vader TIE is nearly done as is the base. Simple chase scene, nothing fancy.

Phil

Fantastic! Keep us up to date! :thumbsup:

I love good ghost stories!

Hey folks.

It's been a long time since I last posted here and I apologize. Although I have been lurking as time allows. I've been rather busy with increasing workload at my job, struggling with fatigue and stress therein, getting my novel ready for publication and working on a second one.

I AM just about finished with the large ERTL X-Wing fighter that is part of a diorama with Vader's TIE and I'm slowly detail painting the ERTL Klingon BoP while assembling my first attempt at the Shuttle Tyderium. I got that kit for $20 at Super Mega Show in August and I thought I'd give it a whirl. I will post pics of all of these in the SF model forum very soon.

In the meantime, some of you had been very supportive in previous posts about my book and I finally have an update.

First, some quick stats:

Title: Testing The Prisoner
Genre: Supernatural Mystery (if that's an established genre; if not, it is now!!)
Publisher: Firebringer Press based in Elkridge, MD.
Format: Trade paperback (8.5 x 5.5)
Page count: approx 207
Release date: February 15, 2010
Availability: Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com to start then after a few months, it will be on the market in Canada and the UK.

Price has yet to be determined. I don't want to turn these posts into a sales pitch. I ain't here to sell, I'm here to be totally freakin' excited about reaching a new level in my life that I never thought I'd attain. If you want to buy my book when it hits in February, great, I appreciate it. If not, whatever! Life is good!

We are in the process of creating the final copy. Once completed and fully proofed, my cover artist can then calculate the width of the spine based on the final page count. After that, the files (book and cover) go to the printer, Lightning Source, Inc., and we wait 7 to 10 days for a proof copy.

Once we approve the proof (let's hope we get it right the first time!), then we order about 12 to 15 copies to be sent to book reviewers. At the same time, I'll order about 50 advance (pre-release) copies to sell to friends, family, co-workers, etc.

We can't put the book on the market until we give the reviewers 120 days to provide feedback...or completely ignore it if they so choose. Since I am a new writer, I don't expect much attention. However, even one good review from an industry journal would be a bonus. Journals will not review a book that is already on the market, or so I am told, but I can get away with selling a small number to friends, family, co-workers, etc. before the release date. I expect to have the advance copies in about three weeks.

The book will then premiere officially at Farpoint, an annual science fiction convention that was started in 1993 by longtime friend Steven H Wilson who is also my publisher (he is a very active guy). Farpoint is held in Timonium, MD on the second weekend of February. Thus, the release date of the book and the convention coincide. Steve has arranged for a premiere party for me at the convention, so if you live in or around the Baltimore area, consider dropping by the show: www.farpointcon.com.

This will be my first official booksigning. I never looked forward to a convention like I am for Farpoint 2010!

I will soon have a website to provide where you can check out more details. We'll also be releasing Prisoner in audio book and eBook (Kindle) formats. I will be recording the audio book myself either at home OR, possibly at a local college radio studio. I have a friend who works at the college who is looking into that. I will likely record that sometime over winter. The audio book will be made available as a FREE download on www.podiobooks.com and Steve's podcasting site, www.prometheusradiotheatre.com.

If you like original SF radio shows and original audio books, check out Prometheus Radio Theatre at the link above. All FREE downloads. Steve writes, directs and acts in most of these (as I said, active guy) and he has had the likes of George Takei, Robin Curtis, Gary Graham and more as guest voice actors in past shows.

Thanks for reading!
Phil Giunta

Hey, admin (Griff?) thanks for marrying up my new post to my original one. I was searching all over the forum for the original post! I thought somewhere in My Settings, I could find all of my posts.....thanks again!

Phil,

As an avid reader, I look forward to the publication of your first book.

I wish you the best of luck on your new writing career!

My company published a small article about my book in our quarterly newsletter that came out today. Very nice!

Phil

Phil,

As an avid reader, I look forward to the publication of your first book.

I wish you the best of luck on your new writing career!

Thanks, TrekAce! I appreciate your support!

Quick update on this. The book is now formatted for trade paperback size with all extras added (Title Page, Dedication page, sample chapter from my publisher's own upcoming novel, and About the Author page). All final corrections made.

We are now awaiting two variations on the cover. At the eleventh hour, my publisher asked for some changes to the cover and we will compare the one we have now to the new one and make a decision. Once that happens, the whole thing goes to the printer, Lightning Source, and a proof copy will be produced. That should be in my hands in about two to three weeks.

We already shot our deadline for a February 2010 release, it's been pushed back to March. That's OK, I've waited this long, what's another month? We will be sending copies out to be reviewed by industry journals. This delays release to the market by 4 months.

The book will still premiere at Farpoint SF media convention in Timonium, MD in February: www.farpointcon.com, where I will have copies for sale and a premiere party wil be held.

So, almost there!

Thanks!
Phil

Please post the cover art as soon as you can!

Please post the cover art as soon as you can!

Ha! Funny you should ask. A debate is going on as to which cover is better.

OK, there are two images here. First, the cover with the LIGHT gray background and BLACK fonts is our original cover. This is a completed cover formatted for trade paperback. I just shrunk the image down to keep the file size small. This is my favorite one!

Now, the second image, with the DARK gray background and WHITE font on the spine and back is a sample that my cover artist, Lynn, did in response to my publisher asking for...white font on a dark gray background.

Lynn did not convert the title on the front cover into white yet because those words are actually images, not just text. She would need to do more work to make the title white. You web and graphics folks know what I mean. You create text in a graphics program but save it as an image. If we end up going with the dark cover, then she will proceed with making all of the text white.

Personally, I do not like the white text on dark background. I prefer our original cover. I sent both of these to my publisher yesterday morning so he can put them side by side. I'll give him a few days to ponder the issue before I follow up.

Who gets to make the final decision, you might ask? We shall see! Go original cover! Go original cover! :thumbsup:

Either way, it's the final hurdle before the book goes to print. Stay tuned for the next installment of...As The Pages Turn!!!! :tongue:

As of today, the original cover (light gray background with black text) has WON the debate! One last read through of the galley and off it goes to the printer!!

Starting the countdown...

Folks,

My novel just went to press on Friday, 20 November! This brief email (see below) from my publisher, Steve Wilson, was one of the greatest moments in my life. I am expecting the proof copy on or about 6 December. To finally have this in my hands after 7 years!

The official release date to Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com is 15 March 2010.

Definitely makes for a happy Thanksgiving..and I am very thankful! :thumbsup:

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! :hat:
Phil


----- Original Message -----
From: "Steven H Wilson"
To: "Phil Giunta"
Sent: Friday, November 20, 2009 7:27 PM
Subject: Congratulations, my friend

> You just published a book.

Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Phil.

Looking forward to reading your book this spring!

Ladies and gentlemen, the proof copy of my first novel has arrived and it is PERFECT!!! No flaws, no errors! This is best Christmas present I ever gave to myself!!!! I have attached some photos. Mind you, I had about four hours sleep (compliments of my job) when these pics were taken so I look even worse than usual. :drunk:

Next steps will be to order the copies to be sent to journals for review and then a batch of advance (pre-market) copies to premiere at Farpoint SF Convention in Maryland in February. The book will officially hit the market in March on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com.

A lifelong goal has been achieved and I'm hard at work on a second book! Yes, I am still building models, too!

Thanks for reading these off topic updates. This year started off with great tribulation for me personally and is now ending with the greatest accomplishment of my life! :hat:

Phil

On my doorstep today was the greatest Christmas present I ever got!

60 advance copies of my novel arrived merely three days after my publisher ordered them...and 50 of these are already spoken for! Whoo Hoo! The rest go to journals to be reviewed. Now is the long wait until March when it hits Amazon and Barnesandnoble.com.

Folks! As of Thursday last, my book was posted on Amazon!

http://www.amazon.com/Testing-Prisoner-Phil-Giunta/dp/0977385116/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269136173&sr=1-1

I am still waiting for it to appear on Barnesandnoble.com. Not sure what the delay is. Publisher informed that sometimes the retailers are slow to pick up the data from the distributor. It took Amazon about three days since the planned date was 15 March.

No complaints, though! It's a start!