Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Get a Piece of My Booty

I made it the cut.

I mentioned a while back that I was entering this year's Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest and in the wee hours of this morn, I got word that out of somewhere in the neighborhood of 10,000 entries I made the top 500. That means I am a quarterfinalist and that a portion of Plundered booty is now available for you to read for free on Amazon.com.

Here is the direct link -- Plundered Booty. Once you land on the correct page their is a link in the upper right hand corner that reads Download for free. Please check it out of you have time. Customers reviews are figured in to the overall judging somehow so please leave one of you have time.

Of course I am stoked as, I know there were lots of talented writers who didn't make the cut. My prize for making it this far is to get a complete book review from the team at Publishers Weekly. that is both exciting and a tad scary, but I have faith in both the story and my ability to write so I believe it will be mostly good.

In not so good news I am scheduled for a root canal at 1 PM today. And of course the new house prep works continues on. Thanks in advance for checking out my booty.
at

67 comments:

  1. D.A. RiserMarch 17, 2009 at 7:30 AM

    Congratz on making the cut. I'll flip over to Amazon later to check it out.

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  2. Being BethMarch 17, 2009 at 7:33 AM

    OMG!!!! Huge congratulations to you!

    Sorry about the root canal -- not fun.

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  3. JunosmomMarch 17, 2009 at 7:44 AM

    Way to GO! Congratulations! I am sure you must be floating on cloud nine and the root canal will not even be felt.

    (I have had one and it was nothing - just relax your body.)

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  4. writtenwyrddMarch 17, 2009 at 7:54 AM

    That is wonderful news, Travis. Must make moving just a little bit better to have that bounce in your step.

    I'll have to download it later and read it.

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  5. David CranmerMarch 17, 2009 at 8:06 AM

    Excellent! I'm on my way to check it out...

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  6. Corey SchwartzMarch 17, 2009 at 8:10 AM

    Oh, congrats! That is so exciting.

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  7. AnonymousMarch 17, 2009 at 8:32 AM

    RE: Plundered Booty. Told ya so!

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  8. LaurenMarch 17, 2009 at 8:36 AM

    That is fabulous! Congrats!!!

    Good luck with the root canal. I hope all goes well.

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  9. JanetMarch 17, 2009 at 8:36 AM

    Wow! Big news. Congratulations.

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  10. PurpleCloverMarch 17, 2009 at 8:38 AM

    AWESOME!!! I am so excited about Plundered Booty making it!

    YAY!

    As for the root canal...YIKES. Sorry. :(

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  11. Terri TiffanyMarch 17, 2009 at 8:43 AM

    Whoo hoo! that is awesome news!!!!! Think about it during the root canal!!!

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  12. Jenn JilksMarch 17, 2009 at 8:48 AM

    That is so exciting, Travis!

    I had a radio interview for my book about palliative care. The spot will air between 5:00 - 6:00 A.M. on Ottawa radio. Whatth3h3ll! It's all publicity. I vidcam taped myself and put it on, too.

    Hope the health and house improve!

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  13. DavidMarch 17, 2009 at 8:58 AM

    Congratulations!

    What a mixed bag of news. But the Booty news trumps the rest.

    Not that a root canal is a good thing at any time, but at least you can be thinking about the novel while you're in the chair. Surely that will help.

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  14. Charles GramlichMarch 17, 2009 at 9:06 AM

    Wow, that's good news, and quite an accomplishment in and of itself. I hope it helps you through the root canal. Just keep thinking good thoughts about the book. I'll check out the link.

    Wonderful news though. THat's very nice

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  15. Janna LeadbetterMarch 17, 2009 at 9:12 AM

    My, what a nice booty you have. ;)

    Congrats! That's fantastic news, and I hope it'll keep you thinking great thoughts through your root canal. Good luck!

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  16. Barbara MartinMarch 17, 2009 at 9:15 AM

    Congratulations on making the cut, Travis. That is very positive news! I'm popping over to Amazon now.

    Let us know how many trips to the dentist you need for that root canal. Just curious.

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  17. Kristen PainterMarch 17, 2009 at 9:51 AM

    Make sure they give you the good drugs! Off to Amazon...

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  18. Melanie HooyengaMarch 17, 2009 at 9:53 AM

    Travis, I can't WAIT to check out your booty! That's so awesome you made it to the next level. I'd be excited just to have the opportunity for the review (although clearly winning would be nice too).

    Keep us posted!

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  19. UnknownMarch 17, 2009 at 10:22 AM

    Wow! top 500 out of 10,000! Congratulations! That is so awesome!

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  20. LexiMarch 17, 2009 at 10:36 AM

    Congratulations on your booty! Condolences on your root canal. I'll raise a pint to you this afternoon while I'm in the pub.

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  21. Laura K. CurtisMarch 17, 2009 at 10:42 AM

    Congrats, Travis!! That's fabulous news!!!

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  22. Caron GuilloMarch 17, 2009 at 11:36 AM

    Consider the anesthesia just an early celebration. :) I am so excited for you, Travis. I knew Plundered Booty would make the cut!! No doubt my help on the pitch paved the way ;-).

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  23. Mr. ShifeMarch 17, 2009 at 12:25 PM

    Glad to check out your booty, and congrats on the great news. That is freakin' sweet. Way to go Travis, and hopefully that awesome news will help ease some of the pain of the root canal.

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  24. preTzelMarch 17, 2009 at 12:40 PM

    Very nice Booty Trav! I left my review and can't wait for this to get published so I can finish it. :)

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  25. BethMarch 17, 2009 at 12:55 PM

    Congratulations! Wonderful and inspiring news. I'm going to the link to check it out.
    Don't let the root canal spoil the thrill of it all! (Advil, lots of Advil...)

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  26. JessMarch 17, 2009 at 1:10 PM

    WHOOO HOOO!! Congrats, T!!

    Stinks about the teeth though. I personally LIKE root canals. A chance to lay down,listen to music, and not deal with anything else in life.

    So proud of you, buddy! Will head over to Amazon to check out the book now!!

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  27. AnonymousMarch 17, 2009 at 2:09 PM

    travis, this is terrific news. except for the root canal, it seems like things are going well. so happy for you!

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  28. pattinase (abbott)March 17, 2009 at 2:14 PM

    Great! I am off to read.

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  29. Angie LedbetterMarch 17, 2009 at 2:16 PM

    Hot dayum and kudos! (May your time in the dental chair fly by. *shudder*)

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  30. jjdebenedictisMarch 17, 2009 at 2:40 PM

    EeeeEEEeeeEEEeee!! Congratulations! That is so awesome; well-done, Travis!

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  31. Clare2eMarch 17, 2009 at 2:49 PM

    So awesome! I'm going to read it, and from my days back in Chicago, I'll vote early and often!!!!

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  32. Melissa AmateisMarch 17, 2009 at 3:16 PM

    UGH on the root canal, but more importantly, CONGRATS on making the cut!

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  33. BeansMarch 17, 2009 at 4:09 PM

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!! That's fantastic!! Do you realize that puts you in the top 5% ?!?! Job well done, keeping my fingers crossed but already an amazing accomplishment.

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  34. G. B. MillerMarch 17, 2009 at 4:49 PM

    Congratulations big guy!!!

    I will definitely check it out on Amazon in the next day or two.

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  35. McKoalaMarch 17, 2009 at 5:53 PM

    That is excellent; I'll read it tonight!

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  36. That Janie GirlMarch 17, 2009 at 6:18 PM

    Awesome, Travis! Congratulations!!

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  37. Gary CorbyMarch 17, 2009 at 6:33 PM

    YAY! Congratulations Travis. It's a validation that what you're doing is great.

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  38. TeresaMarch 17, 2009 at 8:15 PM

    Congratulations Travis!!! Hope your root canal came out all right. I'm off to Amazon to read about your booty.

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  39. RebMarch 17, 2009 at 8:16 PM

    Wonderful! Going to download now.

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  40. AngieMarch 18, 2009 at 1:50 AM

    OMG that's freaking awesome!! :D Congrats and good luck! [hugz]

    Angie

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  41. the walking manMarch 18, 2009 at 3:59 AM

    Well done T...Keep reminding us to go there.

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  42. Chris EldinMarch 18, 2009 at 4:11 AM

    AWESOME NEWS!!!!

    Congratulations!!! Tomorrow, when I'm a bit more awake, I'm going to read it and leave a comment. I know someone from last year who entered (is now published!)

    WAY TO GO!!!
    :-)

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  43. UnknownMarch 18, 2009 at 6:22 AM

    What wonderful news! And just think we all helped you make it there.. does this mean we get part of your booty? Heading over there to read it now. Good luck on making the finals!

    Root canals are a piece of cake and you will feel SO much better afterward.

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  44. Josephine DamianMarch 18, 2009 at 8:16 AM

    "The prize for making it this far is to get a complete book review from the team at Publishers Weekly. that is both exciting and a tad scary."

    You got the scray part right. Those PW folk are reviewers after my own heart - brutal. But if they love you - oooh, la, la.

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  45. Virginia LadyMarch 18, 2009 at 9:12 AM

    Awesome! Congratulations!

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  46. The Weaver of GrassMarch 18, 2009 at 11:18 AM

    Thanks for visiting my blog - am paying a return visit - I am impressed - congratulations I shall check it out.
    Call again when you have time.

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  47. laughingwolfMarch 18, 2009 at 4:05 PM

    grats travis, that's SUPER! :D

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  48. JanetMarch 18, 2009 at 5:08 PM

    They won't let me download it. :o( They keep switching the country to the US and telling me the zip code isn't viable. If it's not available outside the US, why didn't they just say so?

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  49. DrillerAAMarch 18, 2009 at 6:00 PM

    Congratulations my man!!! Job well done. I will have to check out the free read.

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  50. AvDBMarch 18, 2009 at 8:55 PM

    A huge congratulations on making it to the quarterfinals. A very large accomplishment, indeed.

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  51. CloudiaMarch 18, 2009 at 9:15 PM

    So proud of you, TRAVIS!
    Now that is very cool & well deserved too. enjoy it. aloha-

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  52. Dan CaseMarch 18, 2009 at 9:48 PM

    I read your entry and posted a review on Amazon. I said something like, "someone plucked Carl Hiaasen out of Florida and dropped him in the middle of Oklahoma." Good job Travis! I'm thinking you should make it to the next level for sure.

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  53. PhatsMarch 18, 2009 at 11:00 PM

    Travis this awesome, happy for you!!

    Brackets are up, thank you for participating :)

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  54. Terrie Farley MoranMarch 18, 2009 at 11:48 PM

    This is the coolest news ever!!

    We are so there.

    Terrie

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  55. Erica OrloffMarch 19, 2009 at 7:15 AM

    WOW, Travis!!!!!!!! That is terrific!
    E

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  56. cherMarch 19, 2009 at 12:26 PM

    wow! congratulations Travis!! That is absolutely awesome!!
    I will definitely check it out and sing your praises!!

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  57. UnknownMarch 19, 2009 at 3:13 PM

    Congrats on making the cut. That's pretty good to get through the storm of entries and make into the outer part of the inner sanctum of mighty fortress.

    By the way, the more I read, the more I like on your blog.

    And you've got a nice following too.

    Greetings from ALaska.

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  58. BarrieMarch 19, 2009 at 3:41 PM

    YAY! YAY! YAY! for Booty + amazon. What's a little root canal compared with this!! And what a great story this will all make on Oprah!

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  59. JunosmomMarch 19, 2009 at 9:27 PM

    Well, I did go over and read it! I am wanting more. Some of my first reactions is that I was put off immediately by Junior, offended really by the bet and how it was stated. I almost didn't finish reading but was glad I pushed past it. I do like the "I" character and hope to hear how it continues soon.

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  60. Linda McLaughlinMarch 19, 2009 at 9:32 PM

    Congratulations, Travis, that's fantastic news! Woo hoo!

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  61. J. L. KruegerMarch 20, 2009 at 5:07 AM

    But did you survive the root canal? I hate it when those happen!

    Only thing worse than a dentist in my mouth would be a proctologist in my butt!

    Still on target for the move, I hope.

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  62. B.E. SandersonMarch 20, 2009 at 8:36 AM

    Wow, congratulations! Sorry to hear about the root canal, though.

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  63. Lois KarlinMarch 20, 2009 at 11:12 AM

    Way to go! Well deserved. The story's great. I left a review.

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  64. JMMarch 20, 2009 at 2:09 PM

    Congrats!!

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  65. Lana GramlichMarch 21, 2009 at 9:51 PM

    Congratulations on this, as well! I'm going to have to pop over for a read/review when I get a chance (still swamped...You know what I mean, I'm sure!)

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  66. Crystal PharesMarch 23, 2009 at 8:52 AM

    Congrats! I'm so happy for you!

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  67. Elana JohnsonMarch 23, 2009 at 10:46 AM

    I just downloaded yours Travis! I never saw a link on MSFV, so I just stalked you over here. LOL. Will read and review today!

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