Sunday, July 30, 2006

Advance praise for When Pigs Fly

Here is what a couple of well-regarded published authors have to say about my upcoming novel:

Bob Sanchez’s When Pigs Fly reads like it was written with an ice pick, and he drives it right into the heart of the American dream of the Golden Years. A big pay-out lottery ticket, a 300-pound bad guy named Diet Cola, an Elvis Impersonator, and a javelina that flies? No one looking for a smooth Southwestern retirement should have to face what Mack Durgin faces. Part road trip, part crime caper, part love story, this is one cool debut. If you like the dark comedy of Hiaasen and Leonard, you’re going to love this one.

David Daniel, award-winning author of The Marble Kite and Reunion

When Pigs Fly is a masterpiece of comic writing combined with a touching story. Quirky doesn’t begin to describe the characters—they’re sometimes terrifying, often hilarious, and always unique. Robert Sanchez has the perfect touch for comedy, delivering a riotous good time while giving us a well-developed protagonist we’ll want to follow for many books to come.

Kathryn Mackel, author of The Hidden

Saturday, July 22, 2006

Great news! Pigs really fly!

We're finally settled in Las Cruces and don't have a moment's regret. New Mexico is flat-out beautiful. I haven't begun any new projects, but am thrilled that my comic novel When Pigs Fly will be published by iUniverse this fall. As most folks probably know, iUniverse is a print-on-demand proposition where virtually all of the marketing effort is the responsibility of the author. So if I don't work hard to promote my precious pig, he sinks like a bucket of lard. However, I've heard good things about iUniverse from folks who know what to expect of them.

Since I took the plunge yesterday, I've reserved the domain www.bobsanchez.com, which forwards to my existing personal home page. Once there is decent artwork and a publication schedule, I'll change that page to advertise the book.

I've also solicited several published writers for cover blurbs and have arranged for a Kirkus Discoveries review. The deal is that for a fee, Kirkus reviews a book they wouldn't ordinarily review, such as a POD. They stress caveat emptor, meaning what you pay for is an honest review. It's worth taking the chance, as a review from them means increased visibility.

The whole idea of Kirkus charging money for reviews raises questions in some people's minds, my own included. Will they go easy in reviews that writers pay for? If you're curious, check out some of the Kirkus Discovery reviews on the link I provided above. It's unclear whether they will carry the same cachet as the traditional Kirkus reviews, but I certainly hope so.