April 5, 2025 -

NEW - Amazon KDP Virtual Audiobooks

Recently, I was advised that a few of my eBooks were eligible to be made into Audible audiobooks using virtual voice. So far, I have put two of my oldest books into this format. I was able to select male and female voices from a short list, as well as, apply their limited editing tools. I mostly used the pause button to make the flow of the words appear more natural. Also, the pronunciation guide helped quite a bit to correct words that did not sound as intended. I would encourage authors that use this format to take the time and listen to their story, then make edits as needed. Although it is time-consuming, it will definitely provide for a better read.
In my opinion, there were two shortfalls. One is that I could not fix the audio portions that tended to lack word or sentence expressions as intended. The other is that I would have liked an audio marker to suggest a new chapter or signal the end of the story. But overall, I was impressed with the outcome and satisfied with the result. Check out the sample of the following book.

Amazon.com: Make My Day! (Audible Audio Edition): Anthony Mays, Independently Published, Virtual Voice: Audible Books & Originals

March 26, 2025 -

What is My Next Book?

I am currently working on another Neil Hammer novel titled, Operation Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. Hammer and his partner, Special Agent Laura Cruz, are assigned to investigate a nation-wide money laundering operation. Their initial assessment details a complex web of transactions, all centered around the high-stakes world of professional bull riding. It was an unexpected turn, but Neil had learned long ago that in their line of work, the most innocent of hobbies could hide the darkest of secrets. As the gravity of the situation sinks in and the more they dug, the more it seemed like the rodeo events were a front for something much larger and more sinister.

March 15, 2025 -

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I haven’t heard it yet, but I keep listening.

March 8, 2025 -

What Inspired My First Novel

Halfway to a Southern Heart was a slow brain sizzle based on multiple visits to Mississippi from the St. Louis, Missouri area. Town name signage along route I-55 through Arkansas especially intrigued me. Names like Lepanto, Marie, Luxora, and Victoria whispered to me on each journey. One day, I detoured to visit them―they were small and practically non-existent. In Lepanto, I discovered A Painted House, a farmhouse built for a Hallmark movie based on the book of the same name written by John Grisham. I became hooked and subsequently read the novel. Inspired by his book, I began to conjure and make notes for my own characters and storyline. I incorporated some town names and used the cotton fields for the story framework. Within a year, I moved to writing the chapters of my southern world. It took almost five years to complete, but in the end, I was pleased with its outcome. Halfway to a Southern Heart is a mother/daughter story. It may not be a best-seller, but enlightened movie producers could use it to bring A Painted House back to life.  

February 26, 2025 -

Do I Outline a Story?

I find that making a general outline of a story is helpful to me. An outline especially lends direction to a book’s beginning momentum. However, my outlines are not rigid―they are simply a guide―a living document that I can adjust at any point in the process. I rely on my instinctive feelings while authoring a story which lends me freedom to deviate from my original outline. Elements I didn’t know beforehand now become chapters and thus cause outline adjustments. The last chapter of Rembrandt, Vermeer, Degas still Missing was nearly fully written long before I reached the end. The result caused me to rethink those parts between my writings up to that point and the final chapter. I have found that forcing a book down a path does not work for me. Trying to salvage the time and words I’ve already dedicated to a story becomes an exhausting task. So for me, an outline is essential no matter how basic it begins―and then…I let it breathe.

Writing fiction isn't about lying through your teeth, but more like fibbing with a little class. ― Anthony Mays

February 19, 2025 -

Writing for Readers Not Writers

Writing is a peculiar communication skill designed to transmit information so that it is adequately received or appreciated. If you and I are eye-to-eye when discussing something, you also get to see my facial expressions and body language to decode my words. You can’t see those things in an author’s writing. Because of those limitations, fiction authors often approach writing as an art form that requires mastery. But can writing be mastered? 

I think not. Take a hundred writers or editors and there will be disparities in how they tweak a piece. I also suggest it is nearly impossible to identify a single piece of writing that is universally agreed upon as either good or bad. Why? Because there are badly written books that can sell like gangbusters, while a lot of great-quality written books just don’t find the right audience. Moreover, it’s not fair to equate not-so-great sales to a lousy book. It doesn’t work that way—especially in today’s consumer market. No, luck plays a part in a book’s success.

While I try to remain within the guidelines of basic writing practices, I often fall outside those lines. It happens in pursuing the creation of that deeper connection between the reader and the world I seek to create. With characters leaping from the pages, their voices echoing in the reader’s mind with a clarity that seems almost tangible. A story itself is brought to life through the torment of trying to write adequately enough to gain appreciation. So, your forgiveness of my writing shortfalls is begged in return for sending you on a journey. With a little luck, we’ll both make it to the end.

February 9, 2025 -

Meet These #Characters

I’m always testing my limits when writing. Most of my works are written in third person narration because I believe it’s more difficult to write in the first person. My attempts at writing in the first-person style left me with self-doubt. I also want to note that most fiction uses character word description with readers visualizing their own character images. Nothing wrong with that, of course, as it aids in bringing those wonderful readers into the story.

In my book, Halfway to MMXX, The Year 2020: It Begins, I used two alternative approaches. I wrote one of the main characters in first person and also placed my own conjured pictures of the characters on the front pages of the book. My intention was to challenge my usual way of writing and show the reader those images that inspired me along my written journey.

With that said, let me introduce you to that book’s five main characters. I hope you enjoy their story.

February 3, 2025 -

Do you listen or talk to your #characters?

Hell, yes. I can’t imagine any author not doing this. I gave them life and molded them into who they are—good or bad. I not only talk to them but feel all the emotions that I give them. When I write those special moments and then lean back and go ‘whew,' that’s when I know I hit a chord for my readers.

What comes out of a character’s mouth is what most people might say in a similar situation. Sometimes they tend to be from my own experiences and sometimes stem from those subconscious thoughts I would never speak. Having a character to hide behind lends me courage to be outrageous. It must also be why they occasionally tell me, “Go f--- yourself.”

January 25, 2025 -

Book Clubs

We all know the answer to what a book club is. You may even know today’s top book clubs were started by #celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon. Each with their own idea about why they began their clubs and what books and authors to highlight. As far as I know, the top book clubs read only traditionally published books.

When you’re a lesser-known author, you have to work hard to introduce readers to your book (oftentimes paying for exposure). Suggestions abound, like directly contacting book clubs and influencers, or finding a local book club. But thankfully there is one book club that includes the works of self-published authors—Goodreads. Goodreads is a social network site specifically geared toward bookworms and lovers of literature. Its mission is simple...let members explore the world of books, discuss literature with one another, make contact with authors and even share their own work with others in the community. That’s the club where you’ll find me. You just need to find time to read or listen to your next best book.

January 17, 2025 -

Reading Challenge

It’s simple. Challenge yourself to read at least one #novel in 2025. Just one. Your choice doesn’t have to be one of my books. There are a gazillion authors to choose from.

What is the length of a novel? One can find debate on the length of a novel. Some say any story over 40,000 words meets the criteria. Others say most publishers consider a novel-length work to be between 50,000 and 110,000 words. But for purposes of this challenge let’s use the low end of the spectrum as fulfilling the requirement.

Why this challenge? Well, articles like this may be the reason: What the Decline of Reading Means for America's Future | Shortform Books

January 11, 2025 -

Reviews: Dare to Tread

My most ordered book has been Halfway to Magnolia House. To date, 3,204 copies have gone out with only seventy-one #reviews provided. That represents a little more than a two percent response rate and mostly consists of only a star rating. Believe it or not, that is a wonderful review percentage for an independent author!

Everyone has their own reason for not giving a book review, but reviews certainly are important to the process. Look at book reviews of noted authors published by one of the five big publishing houses and you’ll find thousands of reviews. That happens because of the way the publishing houses market books prior to releasing them to the public. They collect big numbers and big literary names out of the box which acts as an accelerant to more reviews, and thus, sales. Boy, wouldn’t that be something?

January 2, 2025 -

Over the holidays, friends and I mused on #books that made a lasting impression. If you’ve looked toward the bottom of my author page on Amazon, under Anthony Mays’ book recommendations you may have seen a few special books. For the category, what’s a book that left an impression on you? I show Stop the World by Sherry Mayes (no relation) https://www.amazon.com/Stop-World-Sherry-Mayes-ebook/dp/B019BOXL8S

And, although an unusual author, I could have easily listed Hit and Run by Dr. Bob Rich https://www.amazon.com/Hit-Run-Dr-Bob-Rich-ebook/dp/B07DFF3KBX.

But the one book that stays with me the most is Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt. This true-crime book has become a modern classic and should be on everyone’s reading list. https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Garden-Good-Evil-Berendt-ebook/dp/B003JMFKVK