Soulmates FREE this weekend only!

It is almost spring and what better time for a weekend sale?  From now until Monday March 23rd my latest book Soulmates is FREE on Smashwords with coupon EZ69Z!  If you haven't grabbed your copy, now is the perfect time!

Don DeBon is the author of Italian Fever, Red Warp, and Soulmates.  Currently available on  Nook, iBook, Kindle, Smashwords, Oyster, Scribd, and Kobo.

Rest in Peace Leonard Nimoy

As I am sure you have all ready heard, Leonard Nimoy passed away yesterday due to complications from COPD.  A unique actor best known for portraying Mr. Spock on Star Trek.

He certainly left a mark upon me as when I was young.  Star Trek was one of three science fiction shows regularly broadcast on a local independent station (Buck Rogers and Battlestar Galactica being the other two).  I identified with the character Spock more than the others not only due to intelligence and interest in science but also his ability to control emotions.  There were (and still are) many times when I wished I could control my emotions as well as Mr. Spock.  While I wouldn't want to suppress all emotions as his character did, the control certainly would be an advantage.

I also could identify with his Mr Spock being the alien, or odd man out.  So often as a child, I was the one that didn't fit in, being the one trying to figure out all these illogical persons.  Now while I am certainly human, I am what has often been called an old soul, or aged beyond my years.  This made it difficult to understand other children, very similar to Mr Spock's situation on the Enterprise who also bore the brunt of the jokes.  So again this character had a strong influence on me.  And in fact my love of Science Fiction started with Star Trek.

Nimoy's other work was quite varied and even included poetry.  Something I did not know until recently.  But I think his most unique aspect was his voice.  It is so distinctive, even more than his acting.  His voice with its special tone and inflections always left one wanting to hear more.  This gave a special touch to any audio work including everything from documentaries to animation to video games.  Try to think of Transformer's Sentinel Prime with any other voice than Nimoy's, it just doesn't work.

He maybe gone, but his legacy will live on.  Rest in peace Mr. Nimoy.  I only wish I could have shook your hand.

Facebook: The worst excuse for social media there is!

I will be honest.  I have never liked Facebook.  The format itself or that your account could be locked at the drop of a hat.  Not to mention it is very difficult to get it open again (if ever).  I have been reluctant to create a account due to this.

But, after a few requests I relented and created a Facebook account.  Over the past couple of weeks made posts about the Redwarp sale and Soulmates being released in print.  I even joined a few book groups and made a few posts there.  I never did more than one a day on those groups, and always abided by the rules.  Not that I would want to spam the universe regardless, that is just not my style.  Heck I didn't even announce I created the account here as I was 'testing the waters'.

However, a few minutes ago while making a post about the Redwarp sale, my account froze demanding security verification.  The only option I have is to send them a copy of my ID (passport etc), and then perhaps, maybe, they will release my account.

I did nothing wrong.  Posting once on my page and then copying the same post once to three different groups in 24 hours is certainly not spamming nor the actions of a robot system.

Facebook, I never liked you, and you lost the one chance to have me as a customer.  Goodbye and good residence.  But I do apologize to the fans that have just found me there.  I am still active on Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, and Goodreads.  All I can say is I am glad it happened now, rather than later.

Soulmates Print Edition now available!

It has been a very long road but Soulmates is finally available in print at Amazon.com with other distribution channels following soon!  Also stay tuned for a detailed post regarding the long journey into print, and the many pitfalls that happened along the way.

Don DeBon is the author of Italian Fever, Red Warp, and Soulmates.  Currently available on  Nook, iBook, Kindle, Smashwords, Oyster, Scribd, and Kobo.

Red Warp On SALE!

My next book is progressing well and I am at a point where I am confident to release its name...it is called Red Warp: Time Rock.  As you can imagine it is a sequel to my earlier book Red Warp.

In honor of this, Red Warp is now on sale at iBooks, Kobo, Nook, Kindle, Scribd, Oyster, and Smashwords! for only .99 cents!  This limited time offer ends on March 3rd, if you have been thinking about adding this wonderful title to your library, grab your copy now!

Should Young Adult be renamed to Early Adult?

I recently came across a article discussing the idea that perhaps the Young Adult (YA) category should be changed.  Should it?  I tend to think so.  To me the name always sounded like it was geared towards teens and younger audiences.  While the genre is often defined as teen to early 20's, according to to Erik Erikson's stages of human development, it is generally a person in the age range of 20 to 40.  When one hears the name "Young Adult" what picture is generated in your mind?  I suspect it is of when you were in school or perhaps, just about ready to graduate.  Certainly not something that someone in their 20's or 30's would want to read.  Yet many books are written within the category for people of that age.

I have been giving it some thought, and how about Early Adult (EA)?  That (to my ears anyway) sounds like something that would cover a much broader range of audiences.  Teens would like the sound it as it sounds older to them, and those in their 20's or 30's wouldn't consider it a "kids book".

To be honest, I am surprised that anyone would come up with the name "Young Adult" for the range that it covers, not mention there already is a "Teen Fiction" category.  It just doesn't fit.  Early Adult certainly does a better job.  You want something simple for the reader to understand, not more complex.  Leave Teen Fiction for the teens and have Early Adult for the novels that fit anyone from teen to someone into their 30's and beyond.

Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

What?  You didn't know that santa has robots?  How else would he keep up?  Those elves can't work 24/7 you know.

And for those wondering, yes santa forgot to dye his eyebrows back to white after he went out incognito earlier to check out the latest gift trends.  You know he can't just appear in a store normally, everyone will come wanting to sit on his lap. ;)