Kirkus Review is in!

Every writer knows the significance of the Kirkus review. Kirkus is THE premiere reviewing service, known for its unbiased analysis.

Well, here's mine. Here's the Kirkus Indie review for AN UNLAWFUL ORDER.

"Greene is a skillful writer who has introduced a new heroine readers will look forward to seeing in future installments. This entertaining military thriller provides an intriguing look inside the Marine Corps." - KIRKUS INDIE

I'll cling to these words for at least the rest of my life. :)

UK book/movie blogger reviews AN UNLAWFUL ORDER

About a month ago, I met Louise via Twitter. She promptly downloaded my novel, An Unlawful Order, and graciously reviewed it today. She also included our Q & A, which you can read here.

Thanks, Louise! And cheers to the power of social media!

Why writer Bob Mayer could be my new hero

Would I have preferred to land a multi-book publishing contract for An Unlawful Order? Absolutely. But my timing, as usual, sucks. At this moment, the entire publishing world, as we've known it, appears to be in a state of flux.

Take, for instance, John Locke's recent deal with a publisher who gave Locke all his e-rights. Whoa. Take Bob Mayer, self-publishing guru and novelist in my genre of military conspiracy thrillers, who went from selling 347 copies last January to 80,000 in June. Double whoa.

For a better understanding of how self-published authors are doing it, or rather should be doing it, listen to the Bob Mayer interview.

Now, would I turn down a multi-book publishing contract? No. I'm a product of an MFA program, and still clinging to the ideal of having my writing validated by one of the Big Six. (insert sigh)

If you're a writer, you need this book...

Today, I thought I'd share a writing tip.

Since the release of An Unlawful Order a few weeks ago, I've been overwhelmed with positive feedback from customer and editorial reviews on Amazon to customer emails. What I'm hearing most from readers is that they love the conflicts -- both internal and external -- as well as the page-turning momentum of the plot.

If so, then I owe the majority of it to Robert McKee and his book, Story. McKee's book is primarily for screenwriters, but novelists can learn just as much. I've studied the book for several years, I've highlighted and tabbed, I've even attended three Robert McKee screenwriting seminars with this book in mind so that I could make it stronger.

I recommend this book after you've written your first draft. It's best to read Story with your own plot and characters in mind, and if you will, I guarantee you, this book will help you flesh out the weaker moments of characterization and plot. 

Happy storytelling!

AN UNLAWFUL ORDER is climbing up Amazon and Lulu!

Hey, Everyone,

A couple of days ago, I Googled the novel to see what buzz I might discover (uncover?), and guess what? I discovered that the novel is now #6 at Lulu in mystery and crime and #19 at Amazon Kindle in mystery. Wow.

And I owe it all to everyone who's supported me and the book through their downloads and their Facebook posts, and their blog posts, and their tweets.

I have just one question. Can we take it to #1? (You knew I had to ask, right?)

Lessons I'm learning along the way

Ten days have passed since the release of my first novel, An Unlawful Order, on Amazon Kindle and in paperback at Lulu. Here are a few things I've discovered so far.

1) Supporters -- and supporters are those who buy your book -- can come from the most unlikely avenues. For example, a friend posted the news of my novel's release on her Facebook page, rallied her friends, and several of her friends immediately downloaded the book. And, this friend posted a review on Amazon. Now that's a friend. I can't wait until it's time to help promote her book.

2) Likewise, those I'd expected to support me by downloading the book for $2.99, haven't. (Lesson learned: For whatever reason someone gives you for not supporting you, just smile and keep writing your sequel.)

3) Social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook (see #1) really, really work. Since the release of the book, I've become Twitter followers of several Tom Clancy and WEB Griffin fans, and guess what? A handful of those fans are now following me.

4) The Amazon sales rankings are shrouded in mystery. How one $2.99 download of my book can jump it 20,000 in sales rankings is beyond me, but according to Amazon, the rankings take everything into consideration, including how long your book has been on the market. Meaning, I suppose, that my book is moving faster than a book that was released six months ago. Therefore, every sale of my book counts more. Still, such a mystery.

5) For all the buzz about Kindle, Ebook, EPub, iPad, etc., don't believe the hype that everyone on the planet has made the transition. I've lost count of how many sales I've lost because the paperback hasn't appeared on Amazon and Barnes and Noble yet; the approval process for both companies apparently takes weeks. The paperback is available at Lulu's bookstore, but not everyone on the planet has heard of Lulu yet, either. So, be prepared for a few setbacks; be willing to explain to your readers how to download a free "Kindle for PC" from Amazon, so they can download your book. 

First book review is in!

From the US Review of Books

An Unlawful Order
by Carver Greene
Lulu

reviewed by L.A. Webb

"What she was about to do would either one day be viewed as the bravest move or stupidest move she'd ever made. She preferred to think of it as selfless: a metaphorical jump on a grenade to save her fellow Marines."

Meet the Marine Corps' newest heroine, Captain Chase Anderson. She's a tough, combat-tested Public Affairs Officer, who is not afraid to find the truth, whatever the professional cost. Left to pick up the pieces after her husband's Marine-81 helicopter goes down in Afghanistan, Chase is focused on raising their young daughter alone and her military career.

The events that take place on a cool, Hawaiian October day lead Chase down a path that can shake the very core of the Marines. Another Marine-81 has gone down, this time off the coast of Oahu. On the surface, it appears to be a tragic accident. However, a hard-nosed reporter is insistent that there is more to these accidents. Chase begins to wonder too and starts investigating. Under the watchful eye of a cocky, self-assured Colonel, she begins to uncover a web of deceit. Secrets are revealed that lead her to question not only who she can trust, but just how well she really knew her husband. Putting her life on the line, Chase is determined to find the truth, even if she has to go up against the Marine Corps top brass.

Greene weaves a tight plot, with engaging characters. The development of Anderson's character, through flashbacks, makes you root for her at every turn. Fast-paced plot twists ensure that readers will lose a couple of hours of sleep turning the pages of this thriller. The first in a series, we can't wait to see Captain Chase Anderson's next adventure. 

RECOMMENDED

Writing the sequel to AN UNLAWFUL ORDER

Now with the launch, finally, of my first novel, I'm back to work on mapping out the sequel. I'm super excited about this second book, and the goal -- and maybe this sounds too obvious -- is to make this book even stronger than the first.

I've been thinking a great deal lately about the effort it takes to sell a book. Writing a book is hard enough; helping readers find their way to the book is much, much harder.

If anyone out there has any suggestions, I'm open!

Now available on Amazon Kindle!

I gasped.

I actually gasped when the Amazon page popped up with MY novel on it, for sale. This is so real now. And, the book is also for sale in the UK and throughout Europe. 

Here it is, my baby.

Isn't she pretty?!

AN UNLAWFUL ORDER jumps more than 100,000 in 48 hours!

Okay, I said I wasn't going to watch stats, and I haven't been. Unfortunately, or fortunately, I get email alerts about how the book is doing. I didn't ask for these email alerts, so I'm just going to chalk it up to life just being fortuitous.

Here's the latest: AN UNLAWFUL ORDER has jumped 100,000 in sales rankings in the first 48 hours.

That's more than a jump. Frogs jump. This -- a 100,000 gain -- is a major leap.

I feel like the little engine who could.

Youcandoit...youcandoit...youcandoit.

If you build (write) it, will they come?

So my novel actually went up for purchase on one bookstore site yesterday. I sold three copies. (Thanks, Mom, and two Marine buddies -- you know who you are...)

You know, you wonder when you write something like this, toiling away for a year or more, whether anyone will find your little book, much less find it interesting enough to purchase. After all, consider all the choices. Still, you write and you write and you write...and one day, if you don't quit, you have a book.

Fellow writers are telling me I'll drive myself nuts in a few weeks when An Unlawful Order hits Amazon and Barnes & Noble. They say I'll waste hours a day, hitting the refresh button on my computer in an effort to track sales and revenue. Really? I hope not.

What I do hope for, however, is that enough readers enjoy this novel so that I have a reason to write a sequel.

Right now, sales are pretty easy to track, all three of them.

Galley copies of AN UNLAWFUL ORDER arrive!

I really didn't think by this point that I'd be over-the-top excited. After all, I've read the dang thing a hundred times in the past several months, even the pdf version.

But nothing could quite prepare me for the feelings that rushed through me as I cut through the box and lifted out copies of my first book. It's so pretty, Ya'll. Sorry for gushing.

Now the wait begins for the book to hit Amazon and Barnes & Noble distribution. The ePub conversion is also underway. Both steps take 4-6 weeks, I'm told.

Woman Marine, 8 months pregnant, forced to run PFT?

Are you kidding me?

Retired Marine, Mary-Julia Hill, opens up to Tracy Crow on her new blog, First Marine Moms. As I read about the challenges Hill had to face, I felt sick to my stomach. Honestly, I think maybe our generation has taken way too much for granted.

Be sure to check out Mary-Julia Hill's story at First Marine Moms.

New blog you MUST check out

Tracy Crow has started a new blog, and this one reveals a little known legacy from our women Marine veterans.

First Marine Moms, according to Tracy (pictured here), will honor the legacy of those women who were the first to become mothers as Marines. Honestly, I hadn't thought too much about this whole subject until I started reading Tracy's blog and thinking about our history. Just think about all those women who were forced to choose between motherhood and Corps. Sounds dang near un-American, huh?

Anyway, Tracy tells me she's looking to profile the stories of those women who were First Marine Moms, and those who wish they could have been...

Be sure to subscribe to the blog while you're there.  Oh, and check out all the pages -- In the news, Women Marines Association, etc.

Here's the cover!

Here's the cover, minus the ISBN stuff that goes in the little white box. Just a few more weeks to go before the release!

AN UNLAWFUL ORDER -- It's almost ready for release!

Hey, Everyone,

Just signed off on the final cover design and the final edits. We're almost there. Man, this is truly like giving birth -- one push at a time. Not that I personally know about childbirth. 

Fellow woman Marine to release book

I discovered this exciting news from the Women Marines Association blog. Check out Amber's excerpt from her new book here.

Participate in a poll: Should women Marines serve in combat?

The official blog for the Marine Corps posts an interesting article about whether women should be allowed to serve in combat and provides a yes/no poll for you to take. Check it out here.

Is it me? Why can't women be referred to as women in such articles, instead of "female." Men are always referred to as men. I don't get it.

Cover designer delivers!

I think we have it! The book cover, I mean. The designer emailed a new version, and sure enough, the shot of estrogen I asked for makes a huge difference. Can't wait to share.

AN ULAWFUL ORDER, available soon through Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Ingram, and through any one of your favorite e-readers. And just in time for that beach trip!

Front cover design for AN UNLAWFUL ORDER

So the most fun ever last week -- receiving the front cover possibilities from the designer.

Love.

Mostly. If this were a Tom Clancy novel, for example, geared more for a male readership, absolutely. The designer nailed it.

But, this isn't Jack Ryan's story. This story belongs to woman Marine Chase Anderson. I've asked for an infusion of estrogen. Can we, in other words, create a cover that will draw women readers?

Eager to see what the designer develops next!

AN UNLAWFUL ORDER available this summer

That's right. My debut novel, AN UNLAWFUL ORDER, will be available soon in paperback and ebook formats.

This will be the first in a series of novels surrounding feisty Marine Captain Chase Anderson and her adventures and misfortunes. She's a pistol, all right.

Look out Jack Ryan (Tom Clancy's character.) Chase Anderson is here!