Jaguar Sector II Global Announcement

[Atari Smeghead]

Hi everyone! I have finally achieved my lifelong dream, and I wanted to share it with you. It’s called Driving Crazy.

I’ve been writing fiction since I was a child, mostly short stories. I’ve won a few writing contests over the years and in 2008, I had four stories published in an anthology called Small Towns: A Map in Words. But due to being laid off back in June, I finally had the time to complete my first novel.

Here is the back-cover synopsis for Driving Crazy:

Jay Naylor thought winning the Crazy Climber auction would be the hard part. Man, was he ever wrong!

With his best friend Austin Ridenour by his side, Jay takes to the streets in this wild, hilarious adventure. During their journey from Lansing, Michigan to Weedpatch, California and beyond, they’ll run headlong into adversity, desperation and their fair share of lunatics. They’ll need every ounce of their luck and ingenuity if they hope to get this classic arcade game, and themselves, home in one piece.

Our heroes would rather spend their time seeing the sights, but they can’t. They’re too busy… Driving Crazy.

---------------

This 262-page novel, years in development and months in editing, is finally ready for the world to enjoy. Though primarily a road trip buddy comedy, it also has some drama, exciting chase scenes and is filled with video game goodness, featuring such classics as Galaga, Tempest and of course, Crazy Climber. Even the Atari Jaguar has a cameo.

It is a self-published book, but don’t let that turn you off. I utilized a proofreading staff of seven people, a mixture of men and women, of published writers and avid readers, to ensure an error-free and entertaining book. (Even JSII's own Jason Smith assisted in the proofreading. Thanks, Jay!!)

Driving Crazy is being sold through my website, www.randypearson.org, for the low price of $12.99 plus $3.00 shipping in the US.

Also on my website, I have included a couple of excerpts and deleted scenes from Driving Crazy, so you can get a feel for both the story and my writing style.

I hope you’ll take a look and consider buying a copy. I’ve been told it’s a fun, enjoyable, entertaining read.

Thanks for your time!
Randy “Atari Smeghead” Pearson

 Driving_Crazy_Cover_3_14_10_edit_30.JPG ( 126.08K ) Number of downloads: 45

[JSII's Fan Girl]

Wow. Congratulations! That's very awesome! Writing a novel is one of my dreams too. I know how much hard work it can be, so it must feel great to finally get it to a state where you feel it's time to share it with the world. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

The synopsis sounds like it is a fun book. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) I'll definitely pick one up once I get a little bit better financially settled. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[danny_galaga]

Welcome back! Can't wait to read this (",)

Cover looks great, hope the story lives up to it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[DreamcastRIP]

Sounds fun and grats on finishing the project. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cheers2.gif)
The website states to ask you for details on international shipping costs, so what'd the total price be for those of us in the UK?

[Atari Smeghead]

Wow. Congratulations! That's very awesome! Writing a novel is one of my dreams too. I know how much hard work it can be, so it must feel great to finally get it to a state where you feel it's time to share it with the world. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

The synopsis sounds like it is a fun book. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) I'll definitely pick one up once I get a little bit better financially settled. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Thanks! I understand the whole 'financially settled' situation. I'm certainly in a rather large hole myself, financially speaking, but I couldn't pass up this opportunity.

It's interesting, I've had so many people say the same thing, about wanting to write a novel or having a great idea (or a million great ideas) but sitting down and writing it, then taking all the time to get it as good as possible... man, it's a ton of work. And after all that, now I have to sell the darn thing. I have to stop being Randy the creative dude and become Randy the marketing mogul. So far, I've got the book in two stores in the Mid-Michigan area, and am awating responses from several others. Minutes ago, I found out there's a national book distributor about ten minutes from my house, so that's my next stop.

Welcome back! Can't wait to read this (",)

Cover looks great, hope the story lives up to it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) So far, I've heard a lot of good comments over this book of mine. I'm hoping Jay will weigh in at some point, since he was one of my proof readers. From the comments I received during his read, he seemed to enjoy it.

I showed the finished product to my cover artist Tuesday, and he was blown away by how well it turned out. Seeing his work on a screen is nothing compared to holding it in your hands. He couldn't stop staring at it.

Danny, I'll PM ya.

Sounds fun and grats on finishing the project. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cheers2.gif)
The website states to ask you for details on international shipping costs, so what'd the total price be for those of us in the UK?

Thanks, DCRip! Appreciate it!
UK shipping... well, the cheapest is First Class International, at $11.00 US. So the total would be $23.99 USD. Sucks that shipping is nearly the same as the cost of the book. But it's worth it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
It cost around $13.00 USD to send one to France.
Australia is also running at $11.00 USD.

Anyone outside the US who's interested can PM me and I'll work it up for you.

Thanks again, everyone!

Randy "Smeg"

[Bonzo]

Always great to hear others getting on and doing stuff like this, well done Randy, will take a look in a while, good luck with the release!
btw early purchasers let us know what the Jaggy mention is about once you read it, dont tell us the story though.

[DreamcastRIP]

Sounds fun and grats on finishing the project. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cheers2.gif)
The website states to ask you for details on international shipping costs, so what'd the total price be for those of us in the UK?

Thanks, DCRip! Appreciate it!
UK shipping... well, the cheapest is First Class International, at $11.00 US. So the total would be $23.99 USD. Sucks that shipping is nearly the same as the cost of the book. But it's worth it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Thanks for the reply. I'm trying to now pay via the website's Paypal link but there's no method (that I can see, at least) to amend the shipping charge from the US rate. Please advise! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Tursi]

Congratulations! It's no small task to finish a work of any kind!

[Atari Smeghead]

Thanks for the reply. I'm trying to now pay via the website's Paypal link but there's no method (that I can see, at least) to amend the shipping charge from the US rate. Please advise! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Thanks for trying! I'll have to mess with the button and see what I can do. Maybe I can add an international button.

I PM'd you, DCRip. If anyone wants an invoice sent to them or just wants an accurate total, feel free to PM me and I'll get right on it.

Cheers,
Randy

[DreamcastRIP]

Thanks for the reply. I'm trying to now pay via the website's Paypal link but there's no method (that I can see, at least) to amend the shipping charge from the US rate. Please advise! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Thanks for trying! I'll have to mess with the button and see what I can do. Maybe I can add an international button.

I PM'd you, DCRip. If anyone wants an invoice sent to them or just wants an accurate total, feel free to PM me and I'll get right on it.

Cheers,
Randy

Paid! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/jsiicheers.gif)
Definitely looking forward to reading your book (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) and the best of luck with its future success. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/trophy.gif)

[JSII Admin]

Having been fortunate enough to get an early read of this book, those of you who choose to order it will LOVE IT! Randy is a very gifted writer and this book is so enjoyable. As video game nuts we can all relate!

[chickybaby]

I concur that Smegs is definitely a gifted writer and his writing style is a fun read! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Atari Smeghead]

Congratulations! It's no small task to finish a work of any kind!

Thanks, Tursi! Don't I know it... The original story was written in 2001, the book edit began sometime in the mid 2000s, and the main amount of writing and editing started in June. I'm actually amazed I'm done!

Having been fortunate enough to get an early read of this book, those of you who choose to order it will LOVE IT! Randy is a very gifted writer and this book is so enjoyable. As video game nuts we can all relate!

I concur that Smegs is definitely a gifted writer and his writing style is a fun read! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Wow. Thank you. Both of you. And I didn't pay either of you to say that. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Seriously, thanks. It really means a lot.

And also thanks Jay, for putting me in the Global Announcement. That's very cool of you!

Sincerely,
Randy

PS - As of now, everyone's orders have been filled. Novely goodness should be landing in mailboxes any day now. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)

[Clint Thompson]

That's pretty cool Randy! I'll have to pick up a copy after I get back home next week... I'm not much of a reader but being this is up my alley sort of material, I'll probably be getting through it fairly quickly (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Atari Smeghead]

Thanks, Clint! That rocks! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

It does seem to be a fast read. The woman I just started seeing read through it in less than a day. Of course, she reads constantly (and was clearly motivated (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) ), so that might account for some of it.

And since I'll sign it, once Hollywood grabs the movie rights and it's a major blockbuster starring Seth Green as Jay and Kevin Smith (or maybe that guy from the new Fox series Sons of Tuscon) as Austin, it'll be worth so much money on eBay! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) (A man's gotta dream, am I right?)

Cheers,
Randy