Talking Virtual Book Tours with Chuck Waldron

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U.S. born, Canadian novelist Chuck Waldron is currently working on his fourth novel, a thriller about an investigative blogger who uncovers more than he ever imagines…and has no idea what to do with his discovery.

His first novel, Tears in the Dust, is a mystery set against the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War in 1937. When Alestair Ferguson volunteers to fight in the International Brigade he doesn’t realize the true price he will have to pay. Chuck’s second novel, Remington and the Mysterious Fedora, is a quirky fantasy, a story about what happens when a young man sits at the keyboard of a manual typewriter and puts on an old fedora. When the fedora and its mysterious power begins to whisper a story to him, the young man has a strange adventure indeed. His third novel, Served Cold, spans decades and stretches from the countryside of rural Ontario to a quiet artists’ studio in Tucson, Arizona. With lots of murder and mayhem in between, the story is what happens when a long-standing feud erupts into hot-blooded vengeance.

Chuck wrote over thirty short stories before setting out to write novels that are affordable and entertaining. He has attended writing workshops in Iowa, Florida, Georgia and Ontario, Canada.

“I grew up,” Chuck said, “listening to my grandfather, an Ozark Mountain story teller, spinning tales of the caves on his farm, describing them as hiding places once used by the Jesse & Frank James’ gang. It didn’t matter if the stories were true or not. Those legends set fire to my imagination, creating images that emerged slowly over the years, finally igniting as my short stories and novels.”

Now, thirty-plus short stories and three novels later, ideas keep coming, with more novels under development. Do they share anything in common? Each has its own unique voice and tale to tell, yet, at their heart, his stories tell about the human condition – the good, the bad and the ugly.

Chuck adds, “stored images that echo in my writing include train whistles in the night, Norman Rockwell childhood scenes, U.S. Army memories, blue collar jobs, university, a professonal career, and finally retirement. Many of my images are drawn from this pool of memories: places visited, sights seen, and people met. The rest I filled in with my imagination: dreams of places yet to be visited, sights yet to be seen, and people yet to be met.”

His literary roots were planted in the American Midwest and thrived when transplanted – over thirty-nine years ago – to the rich, cultural soil of Ontario. He and his wife, Suzanne, spend their summers in Kitchener, Ontario and are warmed by a winter sun in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

You can visit Chuck at http://www.writebyme.ca and at www.chuckwaldron.com. Visit him at Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/writebyme and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/wordstir.

About Tears in the Dust

Tears in the Dust is a contemporary novel with gleams of hope intertwined within the despair of life. This is a story which serves to lift the reader up, only to take him back down into the darkness that lurks around the corners of one man’s life. Alestair “Alec” Ferguson beings a journey as a young man, off to enlist in the Spanish Civil War in 1937. Samuel T. Harrison is a dark and warped detective with a deep hatred of communism. He is the dark and violent nemesis who makes his way into the ranks of the detective agency where his boss uses his violent talents. People disappear whenever Harrison comes to town. The story chronicles Alec’s journey to Spain to fight in a war filled with personal loss and disillusionment. While in Spain, Alec falls in love with Tamarah, a convoy drive for the International Brigade. The war takes a heavy toll on Alec, and he learns just how high the cost of war can be. Disheartened, Alec fights on despite the damage done to his once strongly held beliefs. When Alec returns to his home in Vermont, seeking healing and the redemption of his ideals, what he finds there instead, causes him to flee to Canada and live the rest of his life under a false identity. But, no matter how far he goes, Alec cannot outrun Harrison, who pursues him through years and countries, only to catch up with him in a stunning conclusion to the story.

Giveaways, Contests & Prizes!

In celebration of his new release, Chuck will be attending Pump Up Your Book’s 1st Annual Holiday Extravaganza Facebook Party on December 16. More than 50 books, gifts and cash awards will be given away including a paperback copy of Tears in the Dust! Visit the official party page here!

Thank you for this interview, Chuck. Can we start out by having you tell us briefly what your new book is about?

I took the plunge and decided to tour with three novels I published this past year, Served Cold, Remington & the Mysterious Fedora and Tears in the Dust.

Served Cold is an action/adventure story and, as the title implies, is a story about revenge and the choice my character makes about the form his revenge will take.

Remington & the Mysterious Fedora is a fantasy thriller in which a young man learns there is always a price we have to pay. There are no shortcuts. Remington is the name he gives his typewriter and while he wears a fedora it whispers a story to him while he types. What seems like a good thing may not turn out the way he intended.

In my first novel, an action/thriller Tears in the Dust, Alec Ferguson is a man who volunteers to fight in the Spanish Civil War in 1937. He is a warrior of conscience and will pay a horrible price for his convictions and he is hounded by a truly evil antagonist.

More and more authors are realizing the potential for sales that derives from virtual book tours. Can you tell us your personal reasons why you chose a virtual book tour to help get the word out about your new book?

I had to find out what a virtual book tour is all about. As an indie author who self-publishes the challenges of marketing and publicity is daunting. Since I have a limited amount of money, this seems like a neat way to maximize my publicity budget and reach a wide audience and it’s tough trying to sell my books one book at a time.

Is this the first time you have heard of them? If not, where did you hear of them?

I belong to several writing groups and associations. There is a growing buzz about virtual book tours and the cost benefit over lining up individual book signings and book fares.

As you know, a virtual book tour involves – among other things – interviews and guest posts. Do you prefer one over the other?

This is my first time participating in a VBT and I dove in with three books. That meant I had to put on a seat belt and respond to the many requests for interviews and guest posts. There is no clear-cut winner. They are both fun and challenging.

Some authors prefer an all review tour. Can you tell us if you are one of them and why or why not?

I’m game for just about anything that will help me promote my books.

What do you hope to achieve through promoting your book through a virtual book tour?

That’s easy. I’m hoping to add to my reader fan base.

Do you promote online through other means? Website? Blog?

I have two websites, www.writebyme.ca and www.chuckwaldron.com. I have two blogs, http://chuckwaldron.blogspot.com and http://writeabook-sellabook.blogspot.com

Who maintains your website/blog?

I live up to the reputation of a starving writer. OK, I’m not starving for food, but I am starving for the dollars to promote my novels. I developed and maintain my websites and blogs. I admit they are beasts that are hard to feed, but fun when they work.

What are your experiences with offline book signings? Do you have much luck selling your book through that method?

It’s been hit or miss. I had to develop enough nerve to become a book-seller and meet potential readers face-to-face. The best part, it turned out to be more fun than I ever imagined.

Here’s a fun question. If money were no object, how would you promote your book?

I would flood the electronic world with James Earl Jones or Morgan Freeman reading my novels.

Thank you for this interview, Chuck. Do you have any final words?

I started my Virtual Book Tour wondering if it would be effective and fun. I am already reaching an audience I never imagined before beginning. Best of all, it’s been fun and Dorothy Thompson is great to work with.

Chuck Waldron, author,

Served Cold

Remington & the Mysterious Fedora

Tears in the Dust

Award-Winning Book Publicity Company Since 2007

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Maria Andrade, DEFIANCE AND REDEMPTION

"Everyone did an excellent job. The blog pages were beautiful, and the trailer was so clever and funny. Thanks for sending these lovely "souvenirs" from my tour. I will be able to use all of these posts on Twitter. I enjoyed this so much and look forward to my next tour!"
Irene Woodbury, HONEYMOON ROULETTE

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Arabella Sheraton, THE LORD BLACKWOOD REGENCY ROMANCE SERIES

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M.B. Lewis, THE PILATE SCROLL

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Kathleen Shaputis, HIS KILT DROPPED HERE

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Joni Ankerson, TO KILL OR BE KILLED

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Aiken Brown, SON OF A SOLDIER

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Laura Preble, ANNA INCOGNITO

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Lena Gregory, GRAVE CONSEQUENCES

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Jennifer Chase, FLOWERS ON HER GRAVE

"This has been one of the best things I’ve done as an author. Not only am I getting the word out about my books but I’m learning about my own work and my readers along the way. I love it!"
Elysia Strife, A PROMISE IN ASH

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Miri Leshem-Pelly, SCRIBBLE & AUTHOR

"I think you did an excellent job last time, thank you!"
Shami Stovall, KNIGHTMARE ARCANIST

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Suzanne M. Hurley, THE TEDDY BEAR EYE CLUB

"I just wanted to thank you for a wonderful virtual tour in August for Brimstone and Water. I was very happy with the amount of attention given to the book and to me. I am mentioning it to friends on line that haven't gone to the site yet to be sure and take a look. Thanks for all your work."
Sharon House, BRIMSTONE AND WATER

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Michael Allan Scott, GREY DAZE

"Just wanted to thank you for putting together a great tour for You Won't Remember This. I think the author was pleasantly surprised and overall very pleased."
Bacon Press Books

"Dorothy, thanks so much for another great VBT!!! The Twitter-Party was a new feature this time that I particularly enjoyed. I will continue to recommend PUYB to my writer-friends, because you are simply the best!!!"
T.M. Wallace, WINTERGARDEN

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Deborah Serani, DEPRESSION AND YOUR CHILD

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Madeline Wynn, DAUGHTER OF THE FALLEN

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Mary Lawlor, FIGHTER PILOT'S DAUGHTER

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Karen-Anne Stewart, ASH TO STEELE

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Lauren Carr, Best-Selling Mystery Author of Mac Faraday, and Lovers in Crime, Mysteries

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Question of the Day

How do you make sales happen for you?

A lot of hard work! I sponsor a lot of on line parties, festivals and contests. Book sales don’t magically happen, believe me. An author has to work hard to earn her readers. And then she has to work hard to keep them by giving them something they’ll enjoy reading. I try hard to make my books worth a reader’s time.

-- Sheila Roberts, Author of Winter at the Beach