Always Writing: May 2013

I’ve been a thriller sci-fi writer for more than twenty years now and over that span of time my books have gotten the attention of numerous literary agents and publishers. In 2005, I signed with a major literary agent from a major NY literary agency. This agency had sold hundreds of books and film rights, some for as much as seven figures. I was very excited.

My agent loved all six (at the time) of my books and like all good agents edited them and provided insight to help make the stories more saleable, all without asking for a dime in advance. We had several exciting close-call deals and a few heart-racing moments while waiting to see what kind of money was going to be offered. My agent encouraged me to keep writing more books and truly believed that one day I’d hit it big.

Then something happened that turned my world around; a close friend was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. But here’s the kicker… he was given just two weeks to live. He went from his nine-to-five life, to knowing he had a very limited amount of time left. Having no close family and no money for a good hospital, he was left with little option except to die alone. It is then that my wife and I decided to hospice him.

It was an incredibly powerful experience watching as his life slipped away and how he dealt with it psychologically. When the day finally came that he passed on, I was there to shut off the ventilator and pull the sheet over his head. I’ve never been the same since.

As a writer, I wanted to capture something of the moment and relay what I learned from watching someone’s life end. Having never written a literary fiction novel before, I suddenly found myself in the throes of a powerful statement about the meaning of life. DROP OUT was written in a fanatic ten day period.

When I sent the completed manuscript off to my agent, he was extremely disappointed that I had gone this literary route and had no intentions of ever trying to sell the book. I had no intentions of letting the book sit in a drawer, so after a few emails and telephone calls we decided to end our partnership. I was devastated to be back among the ranks of agent-less authors.

Then something amazing happened.

I indie published DROP OUT a little over a year and a half ago, and since then sales have grown steadily each month. At this point, nearly ten thousand copies of the book have been downloaded and I’ve gotten to as low as 1,500 on Amazon’s paid sales ranking. But what is most heart-warming and gives me the most satisfaction is the emails and reviews that I’ve gotten telling me how the book has changed people’s lives. Almost every review is a five star and what the reader’s are saying… well, check it out yourself.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005FX0K7U

I’d like to thank my former agent for dropping me (no pun intended) and giving me the freedom to publish my books on my own. Especially, for giving DROP OUT a chance to change people’s lives. When it comes to the world of big publishing, deadlines, competition, and profit, it’s good to know that by avoiding all that nonsense, a little story with a powerful message can make such a difference in how people view their mortal time on this planet.

Monday, May 27, 2013

Another amazing review!

Wow! Love this new review of DROP OUT. Please check out the book. It may change your life.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005FX0K7U

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely a 5 star, May 25, 2013

kat - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Drop Out (Kindle Edition)

This book is an amazing emotional story.The way this author describes Nathan's horrific experience during the N.Y.Twin towers terrorists attack and then how Nathan deals with the aftermath..there are no words to describe how this evoked emotions within as I read it.When Hurricane Charles hits and Nathan meets Miriam and how they interact & literaly touch each other's souls is almost haunting in how it stayed with me awhile even after finishing the book.Don't pass this one up.It is an excellant moving story.Well done Mr. Ostroff! Thank you for writing this.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Great new review!

Thanks to all who bought a copy of DROP OUT. New review from Australia. Check it out.

***
4.0 out of 5 stars Drop Out, May 24, 2013
By
Cphe (australia) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Drop Out (Kindle Edition)

Novella length story from an author I've never read before. Nathan Cruz had "Survivors Guilt", he walked away in the aftermath of 9/11. Hailed a hero, a concept and reminder he wanted no part, he was anaesthetised to all feeling. For 10 years Nathan was just marking time, he had nothing left after his wife, unborn child and family had been sensely killed and he unable to save them or be with them.

Years later existing as a scarred recluse on a houseboat in Florida, his life is again turned upside down when a Hurricane strikes. Again he survives insurmountable odds......and then he meets Miriam....who shows him how to live again.

For a novella length book the author has really run the gauntlet of emotion, from despair and guilt through to hope and rebirth, the reader is certainly put through an emotional wringer.

The author's strength lies in the detail. Both Miriam and Nathan were well fleshed out fragile but believable characters.

Comprehensively written, with a few typos but not enough to halt the flow of the story, it was certainly a thought provoking and unusual novella.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005FX0K7U

Always Writing

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Useful information

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

You never know

Monday, May 27, 2013

Another amazing review!

Friday, May 24, 2013

Great new review!

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