Paul Aertker's Blog

Obama does accents. 

Check out the Audible version of his new book. He reads in other people's accents and does a mighty fine job. 

Check it out: https://amzn.to/2WCJI3P

-StaffPicks SFP

Interview withOrfyn from “Merged” by Jim and Stephanie Kroepfl

“MERGED” – Seven of our country’s most giftedteens will become Nobels, hosts for the implantation of brilliant Mentor mindsin an effort to accelerate human progress. But as the line between what’spossible and what’s right draws ever blurrier, the teens discover everythinghas a cost. Scientists have created an evolved form of living known as MergedConsciousness. Sixteen-year-old Lake, the Nobel for Chemistry and Orfyn, theNobel for Art, are two from among the inaugural class of Nobels, and with thebest intentions. But when Stryker, the Nobel for Peace, makes them question themotivation of the scientists behind the program, their world begins to unravel.The Nobels work to uncover the program’s dark secrets, and they realize no onecan be trusted, not even the other Nobels. As the Mentors begin to take overtheir bodies and minds, Lake and Orfyn must find a way to regain control beforethey lose all semblance or memory of their former selves.

Interviewer: Why do you thinkyou have such a big following as a street artist?

Orfyn: I don’t take myself seriously. Ilike choosing a famous painting and then adding my own twist. Like I once madeMona Lisa look like she was from our time. She had on a hoodie, wore ear buds,and she was texting. My fans loved it. The owner of the pawn shop? Not so much.He covered it over with black paint before the sun set.

Interviewer: Does that happenoften?

Orfyn: Yeah, almost everything I do getsdestroyed one way or another. But that’s the way it goes when you paint onsomeone else’s property.

Interviewer: Have you everbeen arrested for vandalism?

Orfyn: Thank God, no. There’d be seriousblowback if the police ever figured out where I live.

Interviewer: Why is that?

 Orfyn: I can’t get into it because it mightreveal my true identity, but believe me, there’s more at stake than just meending up in jail.

Interviewer: Then why do youdo it?

Orfyn: I’ve asked myself that question too,especially when painting alone in a dark alley at three in morning. I guessit’s that I like giving normal people who’d normally never see a masterpiecethe chance. I want to blow their minds.

Interviewer: But don’t youwant your artwork hanging in a museum one day?

Orfyn: Sure, who wouldn’t? But, I can’tsee that ever happening. Who’d take a chance on someone like me? It’s okay. Imean, I’m still famous, even though nobody knows who I really am.

Ouryoung adult science fiction novel “Merged” is being released on September 17,2019 by Month9Books. Visit us at www.jimandstephbooks.com.

RECOMMENDED!

Interview with Orfyn from “Merged” by Jim and Stephanie Kroepfl
“MERGED” – Seven of our country’s most gifted teens will become Nobels, hosts for the implantation of brilliant Mentor minds in an effort to accelerate human progress. But as the line between what’s possible and what’s right draws ever blurrier, the teens discover everything has a cost. Scientists have created an evolved form of living known as Merged Consciousness. Sixteen-year-old Lake, the Nobel for Chemistry and Orfyn, the Nobel for Art, are two from among the inaugural class of Nobels, and with the best intentions. But when Stryker, the Nobel for Peace, makes them question the motivation of the scientists behind the program, their world begins to unravel. The Nobels work to uncover the program’s dark secrets, and they realize no one can be trusted, not even the other Nobels. As the Mentors begin to take over their bodies and minds, Lake and Orfyn must find a way to regain control before they lose all semblance or memory of their former selves.
Interviewer: Why do you think you have such a big following as a street artist?
Orfyn: I don’t take myself seriously. I like choosing a famous painting and then adding my own twist. Like I once made Mona Lisa look like she was from our time. She had on a hoodie, wore ear buds, and she was texting. My fans loved it. The owner of the pawn shop? Not so much. He covered it over with black paint before the sun set.
Interviewer: Does that happen often?
Orfyn: Yeah, almost everything I do gets destroyed one way or another. But that’s the way it goes when you paint on someone else’s property.
Interviewer: Have you ever been arrested for vandalism?
Orfyn: Thank God, no. There’d be serious blowback if the police ever figured out where I live.
Interviewer: Why is that?
 Orfyn: I can’t get into it because it might reveal my true identity, but believe me, there’s more at stake than just me ending up in jail.
Interviewer: Then why do you do it?
Orfyn: I’ve asked myself that question too, especially when painting alone in a dark alley at three in morning. I guess it’s that I like giving normal people who’d normally never see a masterpiece the chance. I want to blow their minds.
Interviewer: But don’t you want your artwork hanging in a museum one day?
Orfyn: Sure, who wouldn’t? But, I can’t see that ever happening. Who’d take a chance on someone like me? It’s okay. I mean, I’m still famous, even though nobody knows who I really am.
Our young adult science fiction novel “Merged” is being released on September 17, 2019 by Month9Books. Visit us at www.jimandstephbooks.com.
RECOMMENDED!

Kids Are Bookin' It: Crime Travelers - A Trip You Want To Take This Sum...: Crime Travelers

Brainwashed By Paul AertkerRecommended for ages 8 – 12, Middle GradeHappy summer vacation! Time to take a trip. Pack up and join the Crime Travelers on their exciting adventure to France. Large groups of kids and even babies are being Brainwashed and disappearing. Danger lurks from page one all the way through the book. It’s up to spy kids to solve this mystery and save these innocent victims.

Denver, Colo. —Today, Flying Solo Press is pleased to announce that POSTHUMOUS (a novel about the power of belief) has been recognized as a finalist in the 21st annual Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards.
As part of its mission to discover, review, and share the best books from university and independent publishers, Foreword Magazine, Inc. hosts an annual awards program each year. Finalists represent the best books published in 2018. After more than 2,000 individual titles spread across 56 genres were submitted for consideration, the list of finalists was determined by Foreword’s editorial team. Winners will be decided by an expert team of booksellers and librarians—representing Foreword’s readership—from across the country.
The complete list of finalists can be found here and juvenile fiction here.
“Determining the INDIES Finalists is such a rewarding process,” said Victoria Sutherland, founder/publisher of Foreword Reviews. “Each year we are reminded what a vital part of publishing indie presses occupy, and knowing what the recognition could mean to an individual book inspires us to provide our finalist judges with the best choices to help them determine the winners. We take this privilege very seriously.”
"We have been thrilled with the success of POSTHUMOUS and excited by its momentum. The book just won the SCBWI Spark Honor Award for excellence in independent publishing and this recognition from Foreword Indies Book of the Year is more icing on the cake!” - Paul Aertker, writer and publisher. To purchase, please support local independent stores wherever and whenever possible.IndieBound Amazon Website
Winners in each genre—along with Editor’s Choice Prize winners and Foreword’s INDIE Publisher of the Year—will be announced June 14, 2019.
###
Founded in 1998, Foreword Magazine, Inc. is the only media company completely devoted to independent publishing. Publishers of a Folio: award-winning bimonthly print review journal, special interest products, and daily online content feeds, Foreword exclusively covers university and independent (non “Big 5”) publishers, the books they publish, and their authors. Foreword is based in Traverse City, Michigan, with staff based worldwide.
About POSTHUMOUS: While living in Paris, Ellie Kerr’s mom pens a series of children’s stories, yet sadly dies before they could be published.Once Ellie and her father return to the US, the twelve-year-old decides to finish what her mother could not. When Ellie is mysteriously blocked by a password on her mother’s computer, she becomes determined to find the truth — even though four failed attempts will destroy the computer’s data, including her mom’s stories!
Ellie’s father thinks that the code is unbreakable, but Ellie believes that her mother might have left a posthumous message in the new password. With the help of friends, Ellie tries to crack the code, publish the books, and ultimately honor her mother.
###Also by the same author: Crime Travelers -- "A funny & smart middle-grade series that reads like the Bourne Identity - but for kids."

Dear Paul,

Congratulations!! You have won a 2019 SPARK Honor for excellence in independent publishing for children, in the Novel category. There were hundreds of entries to choose from, but the judges were especially impressed with POSTHUMOUS. The professionalism and quality of the writing is an exceptional example of independent publishing. 

https://www.scbwi.org/scbwi-announces...

10 Questions – Author Interview: Paul Aertker Shares His Marketing Tips, Struggles, and Inspirations (reprinted from Chanticleer Reviews)by Sharon AndersonMeet Paul Aertker, 2017 Grand Prize Winner in the
Chanticleer Gertrude Warner AwardsI first met Paul Aertker when we were in Portland Oregon last year. My first impression: Dynamic, Intelligent, Generous. In short, I am so glad we met! When I found out he was coming to our Chanticleer Authors Conference, CAC18, and that he was indeed in the running for an award – I was thrilled.Paul is an amazing human being – but don’t take my word for it! Find out for yourself! Read on and be sure to comment at the end – and share if you like.Chanticleer: Paul, tell us, how did you start writing?Aertker: I started writing on September 12th—the day after 9/11. I guess I saw what the world had become or rather, what adults were capable of doing, and I thought maybe I should focus on kids and maybe kids could make things better. So that’s how I got started writing.Chanticleer: That’s amazing, Paul. Thank you for taking action in this way. What led you to the middle-grade crowd? Aertker: I write middle-grade books mostly because I act like an 11-year-old. No, but seriously, I do. I enjoy working with and writing for the middle grades for several reasons. Nine to twelve-year-olds are at a perfect stage in life—before the challenging ages of young adult, yet they are still old enough to understand what’s going on in the world, and most importantly, they get my jokes!Chanticleer: You’re right! What inspired you to write this particular series, The Crime Travelers? I hear, by the way, that this series is doing quite well…Aertker: I think most everything I write is about travel. The Crime Travelers series is about international action adventure—”like the Bourne Identity but for kids.” What’s more, this new book Posthumous is about an American family in Paris, and the mother dies, and the dad and daughter move back to the US. I think of travel as a catalyst for writing, a means of generating ideas mostly because I see reading and writing as a form of travel.Chanticleer: Oh, good answer! Reading is the best form of escapism. Give us five authors whom you would love to meet on your travels – and tell us how they have influenced your work.Aertker: What I’ve done is a little different from most children’s book writers. I love Roald Dahl and Margaret Peterson Haddix and Rick Riordan and Gordon Korman and the rest. However, most of my influence comes from the adult authors who write international and action adventure novels—specifically, James Patterson, Robert Ludlum, Lee Child, John Grisham, etc. I like these guys, and I like their work. In the Crime Travelers series, I bring the action and adventure of adult novels into the kid world.Chanticleer: I think Middle-Grader readers are ready for these books. Look at their video games! Tell us a little about areas of writing you feel most confident in – and what advice you can give someone who is struggling in this area. Aertker: I’ve gotten much better at getting the words on the page. I used to struggle to create a lot of volume of pages.  But, I have a trick that has helped me. I think we all struggle with the internal critic telling us that we are not good enough or whatever we’ve done is terrible. We all have this. Sometimes I find that I cannot sleep so instead of tossing and turning, I will get up, put on my glasses, and sit at my desk. I’ll write in the middle of the night for hours. And what I’ve learned is that my internal critic doesn’t get up with me! He’s too tired to criticize. So I write for a while and then go back to sleep. In the morning I wake up and notice that someone has written in my document! Yes, sure it needs work, but editing seems to be easier than cranking out the first draft.Chanticleer: Good advice – If your inner critic is too loud, wait until it passes out, and then write. So, I hear you sell a lot of books… Which business books have helped you the most?Aertker: I think one of the best business books for writers is Tim Ferriss’s 4-Hour Work Week. We all know that we will not work just four hours a week. Writing has no end. We know this. What I took from this book was that it’s important to delegate tasks. You need to hire an excellent cover designer, and you need a good interior designer for your book… You also need a developmental editor, a copy editor, and a proofing editor. Then you need to assemble a team of beta readers. And, and, and. The point being: ask (or hire) others to help.Chanticeer: What do you do in your community to improve/promote literacy?Aertker: I frequently speak at local schools whether I’m in my hometown or traveling to a new place. I love speaking to classrooms and bringing excitement to books and reading. I promote reading for the sake of reading. Period. I think it’s important for kids to enjoy the activity. If we want kids to read great literature and to be healthy adult readers, we have to get them to like reading, first.Chanticleer: Love your passion for reading and helping kids discover the joy of reading. Give us your best marketing tips, what’s worked to sell more books, gain notoriety, and expand your literary footprint.Aertker: The single best marketing tip for me has been to give my books away. I give mostly to teachers, fourth, fifth and sixth-grade teachers, and to librarians. If you’re a teacher, please write me, and I will send you a set of books for free. Yes for free! The reason being that a set of books in a teacher’s classroom is without question the best calling card I could ever have. I often have teachers write me back and say, “Oh thank you so much for sending the books. The kids are fighting over them!” That is awesome marketing. (Reach Paul at https://www.paulaertker.com/)Chanticleer: Wow! Well done. So, what are you working on now? What can we look forward to seeing next from you?Aertker: I am super excited about this next book coming out called, Posthumous. It’s a book about a 12-year-old girl who wants to publish her late mother’s stories. It’s one of those books that I wrote in the middle of the night, and I think it’s the best thing I’ve ever written. It’s sad and sweet, and it’s all about the kids making things right.Chanticleer: I think we will all want to read this one. Please keep us updated. What is the most important thing a reader can do for an author?Aertker: The most important thing a reader can do for an author? That’s easy. Write a review! I am amazed at how critical getting reviews are, and how difficult it can sometimes be to get people actually to go on Amazon and write the review.Chanticleer: Paul, it’s been a pleasure. Thank you for spending some time with us. You are a bright star in the universe! Okay, now it’s your turn… If you have a question for Paul Aertker, please feel free to comment on this post or reach him directly through his website https://www.paulaertker.com/.  If you enjoyed this interview, please SHARE it! Sharing is Caring, baby.

Today all three books hit number one in different categories! Pretty cool.