First Interview My author, Magnolia Belle, was just interviewed for my book, ”Black Wolf: Lakota Man.” The newspaper is our local town paper, but that’s as it should be for our first interview. The reporter asked a whole bunch of questions, way more than she could ever use for her article. Some were about me and the book, but most of them were about Belle. Hmmm. I guess I’ve been so focused on getting this book launched, it didn’t occur to me that Belle was going to generate curiosity as well. Overall, I think Belle did very well. I can’t wait for the article to come out. Caleb Black Wolf

Matthew’s Getting Nervous There have been several excellent reviews on ”Black Wolf: Lakota Man” in magazines and web sites. While my author and I are happy to see it, my brother, Matthew, is getting nervous. You see, his story is the next one up: “Black Wolf at Rosebud.” He’s worried that it won’t meet the standard I’ve set. Part of that is because of his personality. Where I am center stage, won’t take no for an answer, punch you if I get mad enough, he is the opposite. His quiet demeanor doesn’t demand attention. He will think his way out of a problem before he comes up swinging. So, he’s not telling Belle very much about himself. I keep telling him that he HAS to talk to her, but he just shrugs and mumbles, “She’ll figure it out.” I love him dearly, but, sometimes, he drives me craaazzzyyyy! Caleb Black Wolf

Double Sword: Popularity When my author, Belle, made me a rock star in ”Black Wolf: Lakota Man,” I was thrilled. I mean, c’mon. How cool is that? At least, I thought so, until the plot began unfolding. I suppose, like most young guns, I didn’t stop to consider all that being popular would demand of me — or how protective I would have to become for my family and friends. Having a stranger sneak into my bedroom freaked me out. Fortunately, it was just a star-struck groupie. But, it could have been a stalker with a gun. Having a professional in the music industry use my popularity against me almost became my undoing, both as a musician and in my personal life. I hate having to be guarded around people. But, I’m learning that it’s the price I have to pay. I just hope, as the band’s fame and success increase, and our stories continue, that my brothers and I can handle it. Caleb Black Wolf

Nobody’s Perfect When my creator, Belle, was defining my character in ”Black Wolf: Lakota Man,” she surprised me a little. I assumed, being the leading man in a romance novel, that not only would I be handsome and successful, but also pretty much perfect. That didn’t happen. “Nobody’s perfect,” she explained to me. So, while I am handsome and fairly successful, I am by no means perfect. I have a temper – a rather explosive one when I finally let it go. I also tend to be impatient. Just ask Belle. Once she started writing, I pushed and bugged and nagged the poor woman until the book was finished. Then, I used the same strategy to get the book published. I think it’s a fine book and I don’t want to be stuck on a shelf somewhere, ignored. I love the stage, the audience. Monday, we just found out that “Black Wolf” is listed on Amazon as well as Chapters (Canada’s version of Amazon). So, I’m out there now. Good. Maybe I won’t be quite so restless now. Caleb Black Wolf

My name is Caleb Hello. My name is Caleb Black Wolf. I’m the main character in Magnolia Belle’s first book, ”Black Wolf: Lakota Man.” She has asked that I write today’s blog. It’s a first for me, but I’m willing to give it a try. Let’s see. What should I tell you about myself? At 24, I am the oldest of four brothers. We’ve got our own band coming out of Austin, Texas. In this first book, we’ve just signed with a national label and are in the studio making a new CD. We write all of our own material. Oh, yeah, I am the lead guitarist and lead singer. Belle (as I call her) has made me tall with Lakota features, long dark hair and, if I say so myself, very good looking. What’s it like being the main character in a novel, you might ask? There’s a surprising amount of pressure, actually. Will I be strong enough to carry the story? Will I be interesting enough for people to keep reading? Will I be believable enough and likable enough? It’s a lot to take on. But, I’m handling it all right. At least so far. Come back soon and I’ll tell you how it’s going.

Bite the Bullet I was an eBay seller for a few years, but quit last February when they went up on all their prices. I had just been invited to join the PowerSellers, too. (Oh, well.) I decided to bite the bullet today and list ”Black Wolf: Lakota Man” as “Buy It Now”. I’m not sure how this will go. Most of the books that I saw listed were going for very little money. I went for a 10 day listing, so I’ll have time to see if this will work or not. Until Amazon kicks in, I don’t know what else to do.

Circling the Runway I feel like I’m circling the runway on sales and publicity for ”Black Wolf: Lakota Man”. Until the book is listed with distributors and Amazon, there is nothing I can do but wait. I can’t make the landing yet, even though the runway is in sight. On a side note, I just found out that a friend of mine in Germany has been following this blog to see how things are going for me. So, if you see this – Hi, Beate!!

I’m an Amazon Woman My last post showed my confusion on why it took so long (3months) for ”Black Wolf: Lakota Man” to show up for sale on Amazon. I also wasn’t clear on how the submission process worked. My publisher called yesterday with further explanation. While I’m still not 100% on how they send submission batches to Amazon and how that company then processes everything, I was given some very good news. Because I already have Amazon reviewers turning in reviews on my book, the publisher took mine out of the batch and sent it separately on line to Amazon yesterday. It should take Amazon from one to two weeks to show the book for sale. So, I’m an Amazon Woman – or soon will be. Once that is done, my publicist and I get to start the next round of contacts. Once good reviews are given and the myriad of the reviews’ readers look on Amazon for the book, maybe - just maybe - sales will start rolling in.

…And One Step Back I had a long talk with my publicist today concerning ”Black WolfLakota Man”. Since the book hasn’t shown up on Amazon yet, she suggested that we hold off on further publicity contacts until it does. Good, solid logic. And, so, one step back. So, I called the publisher today to ask exactly what the steps were to get hooked up with Amazon. They said Amazon was notified on Dec. 3 of the book’s release. Somehow, the cover is transmitted separately from the book’s text. Within 1½ months, the text shows up as a ‘soon to be released’ heading. Then, after another 1½ months, the cover shows up and it all officially goes on sale. What??? The publisher is going to have their submissions coordinator contact me Friday with more of an explanation. Man, I hope it makes sense. I’m getting reviews from Amazon reviewers who are asking where my book is listed. They can’t find it. (Big frowny face here!)

Stay Tuned In continuing with publicity for Black Wolf Books, I had a surprise today. The publicist sent me 100 contacts – all of them for radio stations. One of them (so far) has responded, requesting a copy of my book. I sure hope, if they want an interview, they’ll do it over the phone. As a self-publisher, I can’t afford to travel across the US. So, listen to your radio. You might just hear me on it one day.

More of the Same I don’t expect much new with Black Wolf Books business this week. I did get a request from a reviewer on Sunday, which surprised me. I normally don’t hear from them on the weekends. But, I am more than happy to get them a copy. I usually send paper copies, but the last two reviewers have asked for the book in PDF format, sent on-line. I like that option – no postage, no waiting!! So, besides getting the third round of contacts from my publicist and, possibly, actually getting to some rewrites, I don’t anticipate anything out of the ordinary. Which, sometimes, is a good thing. Have a great week, y’all.

It’s Been A Busy Week Here in Black Wolf Books land, it was a busy week. I finally got the year-end books closed out so that I could pay state sales taxes. About fried my brain on that one! Then, I ran through all of the publicity contacts – twice – and got a few more takers to review the book (16 so far). Finally, I got to the chapters my editor sent me early in the week on “Black Wolf at Rosebud,” the second book in the Black Wolf series. Now, I’ve only got the rewrite of book two in my T’on Ma series staring me in the face. Maybe later tonight I’ll get ‘inspired’ and get back to it… at least to chapter 3. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

My First Review The first review for "Black Wolf: Lakota Man” is in. I will reprint the last few sentences, with permission of the reviewer. “I rarely read love stories, quite frankly because I find them formulaic, predictable and slow moving. This one was neither and is one of the few books of this genre that I was ever able to complete.” Charles Ashbacher Amazon.com The book isn’t listed on Amazon yet, but should be in a few weeks. (It takes time, according to the publisher.) So, when the book gets there, a nice review will be waiting. Thank you, Mr. Ashbacher! You've brightened my world.

Back To Work It’s back to work here at Black Wolf Books now that the holidays are over. First – editing of the second book in the Black Wolf series begins in earnest. Second – publicity of the first book goes into round 2. Third – 2005 records need to be closed and 2006 files open, both paper and Excel. Wonder how much of it will get done today?

Feliz Ano! Feliz Ano – Happy New Year from Magnolia Belle and the team of “Black Wolf Books."