My book

[Sparksdale]

My novel is now listed on Amazon.com.
http://www.amazon.com/Journey-Life-L-W-Cook/dp/1894936892/ref=sr_1_1/103-4503986-7263822?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193590007&sr=1-1

Thanks,
Sparks

[Joaneasley]

Congratulations and good luck.

[Sparksdale]

Congratulations and good luck.

Thank you, that is very kind.

Sparks

[Sparksdale]

The town I grew up on did a nice little feature article on me in the newspaper. You guys might think it's a little silly but I'm kind of excited. This is my debut novel so everything is new to me right now.
I'm already learning how hard it is to sell books.
Here is the link http://gadsdentimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071107/NEWS/711070307/1115/TIMES2&template=timestwo

I can't ask any of you to buy my book but I would consider it an honor if you would email your friends and family and tell them about my book.

Thanks,

Sparks

[jillybob]

Sparksdale,

Congratulations! You have every right to be excited; this is an awesome accomplishment. I'll pass on the amazon link to the folks I know that I think would be interested.

[Qazworld]

congrats sparks!

and best of luck.

[ComicBent]

Sparks, I tried to read the article in the newspaper, but halfway through the ridiculous registration process I just said the heck with it and quit.

Anyway, congratulations.

I have been through Gadsden many times.

[Sparksdale]

I have to say I am shocked....you've been through Gadsden? No freaking way..it's such a small little town.
I didn't know you had to register for the article. Of course I was already registered so I just didn't notice.
Here is the entire article.

Published Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Tuesday, November 6, 2007


Gadsden native releases novel `The Journey of Life'

By Mo Jackson, Times2
Dreams do come true. Gadsden native Lamar Cook said he wanted to be a published author, and now it's a reality.
Cook, 43, recently signed with independent Canadian publisher Saga Books to release his debut novel "The Journey of Life."
Cook, who was raised in Gadsden and graduated in 1982 from Southside High School, now resides in Florence.
He also has written books and screenplays for "The Search," his first book, and "The Depiction," a novel he describes on his Web site as "Indiana Jones meets the DaVinci Code."
Cook, who worked at Food World for 11 years and the steel plant for six years, said his wife, Sheila, encouraged him to pursue writing full-time.
"I wanted to write, and she said, `Why don't you go and do it?'," he said.
He also said his late father Donald Cook inspired him by saying, "Don't ever give up on your dreams," shortly before his death. Cook said he caught the writing "bug" early on.
"I think it was in the fifth grade. I wrote about a cup of sugar that discovers a burglar or something like that," he said, laughing.
J.K. Rowling and Stephen King are two of his favorite authors.
He describes his writing style as one that uses a lot of emotion.
"My writing style is just trying to write a good story. I try to let the story tell itself. A lot of times when I start writing, it just goes where it wants to go," Cook said.
"I knew from a child I wanted to be a writer. If you've got the writing bug inside you, you have to find a way to put it on paper some way or another."
Cook, who said he does his best writing at his computer by candlelight, said "The Journey of Life" started with a dream, literally.
"I actually dreamed it one night. ... At three o'clock in the morning, I got the idea. The main character (Chance) was actually screaming, `Go write this down,'" he said.
According to Cook's Web site, "The Journey of Life" is the story of Chance Williams and Brad Haskins and their journey as best friends in a small Southern town, despite one being black and upper class and the other being poor and white.
"Very few people have a friend all their lives," Cook said about the book.
"It's a rare thing (if) someone has a friend all their lives. I've had friends all through the years, but it seems like you seem to lose touch."
"My intention for the entire novel is maybe you'll remember a friend that you used to know. If someone would read it and call up a friend. ... that's really the intent behind the novel."
"The Journey of Life" can be purchased at www.sagabooks.net or at amazon.com.

[Sparksdale]

Sparks, I tried to read the article in the newspaper, but halfway through the ridiculous registration process I just said the heck with it and quit.

Anyway, congratulations.

I have been through Gadsden many times.

I tried to post the article but something crazy happened. Anyway, I've put the article on my website and you can read it here. (http://www.lamarcook.com/jolnews.htm)

I can't believe you've been to Gadsden...wow! It's such a small little town. It really is a small world.

Sparks

[Scripted77]

If you're looking for ways to help sell/promote your book, check out this guy's blog. He has tons and tons of info on there about the business side of writing. Even if you're not a fan of his genre and/or books (gory crime thrillers), there are some great nuggets. I've been reading the blog for a few years and it has definitely helped me increase my sales.

http://www.jakonrath.com

Oh, and just for the hell of it, if any sports/Cubs fans out there are looking for a no-brainer gift for their friends, here's my book:

http://www.cubsguide.com