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AGNES AND THE HITMAN is in bookstores
Author: bob08.26.2008
26 Aug 2008
“If we find our government in all its branches rushing headlong into the arms of monarchy, if we find them violating our dearest rights, the trial by jury, the freedom of the press, the freedom of opinion, civil or religious, or opening on our peace of mind or personal safety the sluices of terrorism –if we see them raising standing armies, when the absence of all other danger points to these as the sole objects on which they are to be employed, then indeed let us withdraw and call the nation to its tents.
“But while our functionaries are wise, and honest, and vigilant, let us move compactly under their guidance, and we have nothing to fear. Things may here and there go a little wrong. It is not in their power to prevent it. But all will be right in the end, though not perhaps by the shortest means.” Thomas Jefferson
AGNES AND THE HITMAN is now in bookstores in mass market paperback.
The hardcover was a NY Times bestseller and received a star review from Booklist. It was a Top Ten Romance of the year.
Kirkus Reviews: “A comic caper and raucous romance . . . laugh out loud funny . . . a fun ride.”
We’re hard at work in Wild Ride.
Still getting feedback that Who Dares Wins is too hard; too complicated. Been thinking long and hard about that, especially having to get the manuscript edited and back to Simon & Schuster by 15 September.
I’m trying to simplify and stream-line it as much as possible. But you know what—life is hard. I’ve been reading a lot of psychology books; political; self-help; business; etc. And they do usually focus on one particular topic. Make it as simple as possible. The problem with that is that it’s incomplete and dangerous in some ways to do that. I liken it to playing that game where you knock down one monkey and another pops up. A theme in a lot of business books is to focus on your strengths. Make them better and you will get better. True, but ignore your blind spot and that could sabotage your strengths, because often your greatest weakness is the flip side of your strength.
THE JEFFERSON ALLEGIANCE is indeed finally done and with my agent.
Still slots available for the 30 October-2 November Writers Workshop on Whidbey Island. Email me for more information or check the page on this web site.
My blog special, since Agnes is out, is our first book DON’T LOOK DOWN, in hardcover, for only $5 plus S&H. Still trying to clear out that storage locker.
August 26th, 2008 at 11:18 am
I loved Agnes And The Hitman. Great cast characters, fun plot, wonderful H/H that really click. DLD was good, AATHM was even better. Wild Ride will be a blast.
WDW: I’d have to ask what is meant by “hard.” As in (1) difficult to attain, or (2) needs a great deal of time and effort? If (1), that’s something ot think about because things that remain just out of reach are discouraging and then people lose hope and stop trying. If (2), stick to your guns (metaphorically speaking). You’ll lose some people who are looking for the quick fix, but those who want it bad enough will persevere if they see progress.
August 26th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Well, if a person wants “Idiot’s Guide to the Human Psyche,” they probably aren’t someone who is likely going to put forth effort for true change anyway. Keep plugging. We know it will be great.
August 26th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Maybe by simple they mean a key simple/memorable takeaway concept supporting the whole, like Collins’ Hedgehog or Godin’s Purple Cow. Then you get insecure business execs throwing these terms/metaphors around to impress everyone and then all of the minions have to buy your book!
August 26th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Yay! on getting Jefferson Allegiance done. And glad to hear Wild Ride is in the works and you and her haven’t resorted to physical violence. Yet.
I’m sure you’ll figure out what to do with WDW. I always think of it in terms of Anthony Robbins book, Awaken the Giant Within. But maybe I’ve over-simplified your book in my mind and it’s nothing like that. In the back of the book he has, The Seven Days to Shape Your Life. I think I’ll re-read it, my life could do with a shape-up, or a shake-up.
August 26th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
I just ask that you please don’t dumb WDW down. I want to read the real special forces approach to problems, not WDW lite.
Good luck with the revisions.
August 27th, 2008 at 8:30 am
Listen to Egads and think carefully. The publisher wants to sell books. You want to sell this book with a message you care about. Do your best to make the right compromise. Or not.
August 27th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
What Egads said - please don’t dumb it down.
Just went out to B&N where Agnes was prominently displayed and purchased a copy. I now have two hardcover (one signed, thank you CBs) and one paperback. I may have to go get another.
August 27th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Good to know you’re getting work done.
Agnes was a wonderful book. Sure WR will be too.
August 30th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Big congratulations on AGNES & THE HITMAN being a TOP TEN ROMANCE of the year. … and on the Kirkus Review. That’s a great review!!
That last Jefferson quote is, of course, why we have checks and balances in government, so that things can’t go bad quickly… yet they can’t always be fixed quickly either. Reminds me again of former President Clinton’s comment about humanity: “We’re stumbling in the right direction.”
As to WDW, I agree with EGADS above. If possible–please don’t dumb down WDW. I want to read the real special forces approach to problems, not WDW lite.
September 5th, 2008 at 1:15 am
Look at Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits. I found it a hard read–his ideas are dense, and there’s a lot packed in there. And yet, years later, there are a few basic core ideas that I took away from the book and live my life by. (But if your book is denser than that one… hmm… then there might be a problem.)
Agnes & the Hitman is fantastic.
September 7th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Maybe we could write Simon & Shuster to tell them we want the Bob military way of WDW. I wonder if that would work…hmmm…