Nothing says nautical mayhem like the word “avast,” doncha think?
Right out of the box you know the words that follow are coming from some seafaring devil, a maritime monster, a nautical ne’er do well. This is because good guy pirates and Navy types don’t use the word.
You’re probably one of those Navy types, or perhaps a good guy posing as a pirate in order to accomplish some secret mission – don’t worry, we won’t tell – so we must digress: According to Merriam-Webster, avast means to stop – avast pulling on that line, mate. Avast talking like silly pirates, ye wingnut. Arrgh.
Why ever have we found the word Avast in our headline? Because I’m inviting you to read my novel, Marigold’s End.
What’s going here, you ask?
Well, my friend, this is Gorilla Marketing at its best! Not Guerilla Marketing, which is measured, targeted and creative. Gorilla marketing: cheap, stoopid, and sloppy, with an emphasis on cheap.
For a minimum of my moola, you, my writer friend, have been marketed.
Bang, just like that. Boom. You didn’t even feel it, and yet, ka-slap, you have my message in your head. What is the message?
Dude, it’s in your head, okay? Do I have to spell out e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g?
So, go tell everyone you know…we’ll wait… to hurry over to Smashwords and read the book.
Leave comments, praise, and oodles of cash… somehow… and have them tell their friend, who is probably you, to read it again.
Avast! Ye have been marketed, ye scurvy swab!
Here’s what’s odd: I began the tale of Phineas Caswell several years ago, in the hopes of exploring the world of merchant sailing in the year 1726. He started as a nine-year-old way back when, with the first name of Jim.
Since that first version he’s changed names, aged three years while losing twenty, and finds himself with a dark and difficult past, an uncertain future, and a penchant for falling into the sea.
My, how we’ve changed!
You’re a writer, you know how it goes. Your characters tell you about themselves as they progress. If you’re lucky, you have the wisdom to let them… elucidate… and not go crazy over the lack of control.
The story gets out eventually, either theirs or yours. If you’re lucky, it’s theirs. Enjoy the book. Avast reading, ye swab.
John D Reinhart 