It’s time for me to fess up about something. I’m getting old, I’m running low on retirement money, and I’m cutting expenses wherever I can. My wife says if I stopped doing ElvisBlog, I’d save a lot there. She’s right; it costs me money to renew the blog platform and my URL each year.
A few friends have told me for years that I should monetize my blog, and I can’t tell you how many solicitations have come in wanting to advertise on ElvisBlog. But, I’ve been determined to keep it clean. I’m an Elvis fan that wants to do a blog that Elvis fans will enjoy.
And a big part of that has been keeping ElvisBlog free of bothersome ads like you see on Facebook and everywhere else.
I really dislike this stuff and don’t want it on my blog. So, I hope you’ll think of the old Original Blogmeister as a generous person who at his own expense has never diluted your ElvisBlog reading pleasure by clogging it up with ads.
Which brings me to the reason for this post. I’d like to ask you readers for a reciprocal favor. I don’t want you to send money, and I’m not starting a Go-Fund-Me page.
What I would really like is for you buy my book.
I have promoted BIG E and the SANTA MAN here the past few Christmas seasons, and I appreciate all you readers who have ordered a copy. But ElvisBlog has thousands of readers, so I know I haven’t persuaded a whole lot of you yet.
Rather than give you a pitch, here’s an excerpt from a review on Amazon.co.uk.
“This funny, heart-warming and thought provoking story is skillfully written – the author has a way of painting vivid pictures with his words.”
BIG E and the SANTA MAN has many other terrific reviews, but I like this one because it mentions “skillfully written” and “painting vivid pictures with his words.” I want you to know this book is no amateur effort. I am a good writer, plus the story was critiqued by ten or so other writers, proofread by three of them, and finally edited by a pro (my wife will never know how much that cost me).
So, I state proudly, this is a really good book, and if you are an Elvis fan, you will like it, maybe love it. That’s the way it’s been since the beginning. No one who has ever read BIG E and the SANTA MAN has had a bad word to say about it. Just lots of good words.
So, I am making my request, confident that if you help me by buying my book, it will be a win-win for you. You will receive a wonderful rock & roll Christmas fantasy starring Elvis, and you will be contributing a little to keep ads off ElvisBlog.
Let’s look at the Amazon page for BIG E and the SANTA MAN.
You can see the price is only $7.99 – very affordable. I make $2.07 for each copy that sells. I make a little more if you deal directly with me and order an autographed copy using PayPal.
And there is also a Kindle option for $2.99. If you download this to your smartphone, you’ll never stop checking in – wanting to know what happens next with Big E.
I don’t make very much money on Kindle sales, but I’m plenty happy to have them.
Here’s the Amazon page for BIG E and the SANTA MAN – Part 2. If you really want to help out, you can buy both. The prices are the same.
Plus, Part 2 is a terrific story with two cool new characters, so you will be getting a double shot of good reading.
I plan to put out a couple more posts between now and Christmas staying on the theme of keeping ads off ElvisBlog.
Of course, I will again ask for your support to buy a copy of my book. But, I will also cover all sorts of fun things about BIG E and the SANTA MAN to encourage you.
I’ll start with one on this post. This is what Big E tools around in up there at the North Pole.
This is his jet sled. It goes on land… and in the air. You readers know all about Elvis’ love for hot cars. Can you imagine how thrilled he would have been to have a flying gold Cadillac? Do you think he would push it to the limit and perform all kinds of amazing maneuvers? Hmmmm. Sounds a lot like what Big E does in my story.
On Christmas Eve, Santa must ride with Big E in the jet sled because it will take both of them (and it) to save Christmas. You’ll love these guys together. Best buddies.
Oh, yes, the names in the title. BIG E is the name that Santa’s unexpected visitor wants to be known as. Santa Man is the playful nick-name Big E likes to call Santa once in a while.
So, here’s what I hope you will do. Click on one of these links and go to Amazon. Then buy a book or two.
BIG E and the SANTA MAN Amazon page
BIG E and the SANTA MAN – Part 2 Amazon page
You Kindle folks can get your downloads right there, too.
Or, if you want an autographed copy for $10 delivered, send an email to:
philarnold@charter.net . (Do not notify me of your interest on Comments.)
There are higher postage rates for destinations outside the U.S. Please add $5 for Canada, and $15 for Europe. . I don’t know what the adders are to Japan and South America, but there are ElvisBlog readers there, so I guess I better find out. Amazon has really good shipping rates on the non-autographed books ordered there.
Be sure to let me know what inscription you would like on your copy.
On these direct sales, I would prefer payment using PayPal, but checks will work, too. When I get your email, I will initiate billing on PayPal. You approve it and I send the book(s) right out to you.
Or, let me know you want use a check to purchase. I’ll put your name on a copy until the check gets in.
Can you handle another tease about the story?
There are no pictures in BIG E and the SANTA MAN, but this guy is exactly the way I envision the villain. A good story needs a good villain, and this guy gives our heroes all they can handle. Really good villain.
We’ll close with one more excerpt from an Amazon review:
“This lighthearted tale had me chuckling all through the book. Phil’s style and spot-on Elvis characterization made this quite an enjoyable read for all fans of Elvis – and Santa Claus.”
So, how about it? Can I get a hand here?
BIG E and the SANTA MAN Amazon page
BIG E and the SANTA MAN – Part 2 Amazon page
philarnold@charter.net – Email for direct purchase
Thanks in advance for your support.
Phil Arnold
Original ElvisBlogmeister (2005 – 2018)