Do some of you ever think back to twenty or thirty years ago, and wonder how you actually made it to 2018? Well the good news is… you did, and I really appreciate the time and effort you must have put into being here now… and specifically for starting to read this Post!
So now you are here, I want to shamelessly promote my two books.
“Who Said I was up for Adoption?” covers the true story of how Ray (German Shepherd/Rottweiler X) adopted himself out of our local shelter and into my heart. Ray is my first dog, and the emotional roller coaster ride which followed is well documented. Unlike many dog books, the hero (Ray) is still very much alive today.
“Just Thinking” is really a book of poetry, but that sounds rather uninspiring (at least to me). I have never really been drawn to poetry because it was either too long and “drawn out”, or was so complex in structure that I could not get any “flow” going, or I quite simply did not understand it.
I have experimented with writing a very personal “brand” of poetry and, as a result of lots of support, “Just Thinking” was published. The pieces are, for the most part, quite short in length; have an easy structure, and relate to life in all its variety of experiences.
https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000032944229/Colin-Chappell-Just-Thinking
Whereas both books are available direct from Friesen Press, as well as amazon and all the other on-line book retailers, it is amazon.com which has accumulated the most reviews (for those of you who like to read reviews).
Finally, both books are published as non-profit ventures. The specifics are noted in each book, so if you did not get a good book for Christmas, or you want to treat somebody to a special post-Christmas gift…. either (or both) of the above links will take you to the right place!
A New Direction Perhaps? 
Happy New Year, Colin and Ray! So glad to have come across your blog page and connected with you in 2017. Looking forward to 2018 to read and learn more from you!
Quick question: What age-range would you say your book of poetry, “Just Thinking,” is best suited for?
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There really is something in there for everybody from 16 and up. There are a few that would probably lose a young teen, simply because their life experiences would be minimal. My Monday’s Post will include a link to one of the poems which will give you a small (very small) sampling from the book.
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Fantastic, thank you for that insight! I’ll be on the lookout for Monday’s post!
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🙂
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All the best and continued success in 2018.
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Thank you Monika… and to you and the “poodle pair”! They really are entertaining. 🙂 🙂
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For some strange reason I can’t post a comment using my tablet. So had to delay responding until I was in front of my PC. Just wanted to wish you all the luck with your poetry book and pass on how much I enjoyed Who Said I Was Up For Adoption! Happy New Year!
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Thanks Paul. Given your start to the New Year, it can only get better. All the best and take care. 🙂
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Yes, spot on!
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🙂
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Hi Colin. Happy New Year to yourself, Carol and Ray. I was hoping to see Zak today but wasn’t lucky.
Hope the books are selling well!
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Thank you Di… and the same to you”guys”. As for the books? Without having the money for some significant advertising, it is a case of selling one book at a time. I was given an estimate of around $20,000.00 to effectively promote for a year! Needless to say “That ain’t goin’ to happen!” 🙂
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Oh wow, that’s a lot!
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It is indeed, but while the systems are in place for mass advertising (TV, Radio, Internet etc.), they are targeting businesses with large advertising budgets. It could be a good investment, but I am not prepared to make that gamble. Even simple book signings can be expensive because there are always costs involved (cost of books, venue, advertising) and with no guarantee of returns. I just stay with WP, FB, Twitter, LinkdIn and any one-on-one promoting I can do. It would appear that my situation is very common with unknown authors. 🙂
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Even those can be pretty widespread though, so you never know!
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That is very true. Every book sold is in a different part of the world, which is pretty cool! 🙂
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That to me is even better Colin. 🙂
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🙂
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Have a wonderful and successful 2018.
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Thank you Chris….. and you also have a great new year, but is there really any other type to have? Make it a good one! 🙂
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Happy New Year Colin! 🎉🎊🎉
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Thank Ritu – I am choosing to make it my best one yet and, short of divine intervention… it will be!
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Woohoo! Think positive!!!
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The only way to travel! 🙂
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🙂
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Happy new year.
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Hi D. I believe that you are a new visitor (at least from my less than perfect memory!), so I hope that you had a look around while you were here. If you did not have the time, then please feel free to return and browse… relax… and perhaps contemplate life (or something less complex). You too have a wonderful New Year, and remember to use the experiences from past years to help make it so. 🙂
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