Hello once again...long time, no blog!
I have been away from the blogosphere for some time, because honestly my work has taken up my writing/thinking time. At times, I'll get the urge to blog away about stuff, but now I can offer you some updates to my projects, and an idea that I have.
I want to know what you think...
First of all: "Parasite Girls" is on course for release later this year. We have had to push back the date for a couple of reasons. I decided to change where the book will be released...we will go with Smashwords, because of accessible possibilities in the eBook world, and also because...timely payment.
Until we find a way to live w/o money, that's how it goes.
Second, my cover artist is at WorldCon. He has a showing of his works, and I get that. When he returns, we'll see what we have and roll with it from there.
So the book is in effect ready to go, once we get the cover and fix a few other legal things.
Now: SHAMELESS PLUG #1
http://www.behance.net/torygates
The Behance site has been really useful and I like it a lot. Graphic artists mostly use this site, but it's working for me. Here, you will find two excerpts of "Parasite Girls," plus bits of "The Drifters" and "Time the Healer."
My radio "Air Check" is here, at the "Radio Tracks" link. So you can hear what I've been doing and sounding like of late.
Atop this, demos of the Dharma Fools, and home recordings of my work. This is where things have become a huge stretch for my skill. Writing songs for the stories, rather than using others.
I have to break myself of it, and I am writing and composing in that vein.
More and more, the followup to "PG" will be "The Drifters: Tales of the Southern Cross." Two demos are here of songs that will make their way into the storyline, and I hope you find them interesting despite their quality.
Bunch of my Pro Tools stuff is obsolete or only accessible when I was at school. I don't have the money for new "toys" or upgrades right now, but what I have in the toolbox works pretty damned well, I'd say.
So far, that appears to be the order...now one of the reasons I'm writing for the stories is the permissions and mechanical licenses required for using other people's lyrics, etc., can be time consuming and expensive. I will have to do it for some songs, but others I'll have to rewrite and fix. Another stretch and challenge for my skills. Needed too, I'll admit.
I did get a very nice, "Yes" from Amanda Palmer. Through her people, I explained that "Time the Healer" involves a character who is a big fan of her music, and some of her songs just fit into a personal, and unusual individual. It helped drive the story.
Well, she (and her people) said it is okay! Thank you! (Bows)
Will not be for a year or more that the story comes out, but it will be better by that time.
So now, I'm thinking of a book release party. My friend Jim Henry did one recently for his new tome of wit & wisdom via Facebook. I then thought about a step further, and after hearing the radio commercials for years, I realized I might have a way to engage my audience for "Parasite Girls."
I wonder if anyone has experience with Gotomeeting.com -- I think I might give that a shot. The idea I have had for a book, any book is to present it and give people a reason to buy it, if they are not sure, or do not know what they're getting.
Selected readings of passages from the book...questions from the live audience, and also from those who message me perhaps via Facebook. One of my songs is in the story, and the DF's perform it, so we could do that live as well, perhaps during the read of that chapter.
We'll put up the link for everyone to see where they can buy the book, and as I say, questions! I will gladly take them, and talk about the story, what else I'm doing.
I think this might be a good way to engage the audience, even if they only stay for a few minutes, they realize this is more than just a dry eBook lost in the shuffle of millions.
What do YOU think? An idea whose time has come? Have you tried this before? Love to know your opinions on that.
I have time to think about it, and I have time to consider how it would work. But I need someone with said experience. So we'll see...so far a few people like the idea.
So there is that...now: SHAMELESS PLUG #2
https://www.facebook.com/ToryGatesMedia?ref=hl
A reminder that here on Facebook is the hub for all my stuff, music, writings, meanderings, and the links that jump you to Behance.net. OK?
Now, SHAMELESS PLUG #3
https://www.facebook.com/events/339757462824950/
The Dharma Fools will play here at ALCHEMY FOR THE EARTH. This takes place on September 21st and 22nd, at Fairy Fresh Farm in Finksburg, MD. Native American, Pagan and other tracks of spirituality will be here to share, there will be drum circles, and music!
The DF's play on Saturday, at 2 pm. We'll do an hour, and then my bassist Dan Shearer's other project Moxy & Mayhem take the stage at 4. It's gonna be a fine time, and I hope you'll get out to see something unique.
We're excited, clearly so we hope we can do the same and stimulate that. So if you're in the MD area, or outside of it, give it a look.
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Now...I have a lot to do, so that's life as I know it at this point! Let me know what you think about things!
Peace, Out.
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