Mahko's Knife

IT'S FREE

2012-01-12T06:43:00.000-05:00

Mahko's Price is FREE! tomorrow and through the weekend. Download it and get caught up in the story of Mahko Anaya—killer, escaped convict, survivalist and HERO.
Tomorrow is a day you shall tell your children and grandchildren about:
“Gramps, why do we celebrate January 13?”
“Because it is the day that the Frisbee was introduced; the day the YMCA sued the Village People and, most importantly, it's the day John O'Dowd gave away copies of Mahko's Price. Now shut-the-hell-up and go get me a beer.”

Art fixed.

2011-11-29T17:16:00.000-05:00

When I posted the art for Mahko's Gift the program at Amazon reversed all of the colors and created a negative image. It has been fixed. See the cover art on this page and give the book a try.

It's out!

2011-11-09T15:59:00.000-05:00

It's out and available. "Mahko's Gift" is available at Amazon for Kindle Readers. In the third book in the Mahko's Knife Series, Mahko Anaya has a score to settle and a gift for his newest family member. He is also offered a gift that Ian Christian, his friend and lawyer, calls a "Prenup with death." If you've liked the Mahko series, jump in on this one. The colors in the cover art have been reversed on the Amazon page. I'm working on getting that fixed. Until I do, the Amazon cover is strangely arresting.

Profiles in Codswallop

2011-10-16T08:55:00.000-04:00

I announced the formation of the DAMN Party (Disenchanted Americans Marginally Nauseated).
In order to make this work I had to solicit (not in the Elliot Spitzer sense of the word) professional help in forming and establishing my brand. The DAMN Party intends to be fully transparent throughout the campaign and right up to the audit. To do this I have transcribed my meeting with the Public Relations firm that I have hired. I have nothing to hide and, if I do, you'll never find it.

“Mr. O’Dowd, may I call you John?”
“Sure.”
“Great. Well, we’re very happy and proud that you’ve decided to hire the Bait and Switch subsidiary of Smoke and Mirrors Advertising. I assure you that we’ll do our best. In fact, I feel safe in promising that we’ll give you 100 percent. No, correct that, 150 percent of our effort. I’m sure that we can work well together in crafting a good — no, correct that, a GREAT campaign.”
"That's good. No, correct that, that's wonderful. I’m running for President of the US and trying to start a new political party. I need some professional help in putting together the right image.”
“New party?”
“Yes, I’ve started the DAMN Party — Disenchanted Americans Marginally Nauseated.”
“Marginally Nauseous?”
“No, nauseated. It’s for people who are sick of the current system. Nauseous would be the thing that makes them nauseated.”
“You say potato, John. Anyway, a new party is a great idea. You don’t have to carry any of the established party baggage. We can start from scratch and build you a new image.”
“Good, my promise is not to steal more than the people can afford.”
“Good promise.”
“My slogan is: We fit together like my hand in your pocket.”
“Even better. Are you sure that you’re a novice politician? You sound like a natural.”
“This is my first campaign and I want this job more than anything in the whole world. I’ve worked and maneuvered my whole life to go to Washington and I think I have a real shot at it this year.”
“Whoa, rein in those horses, cowboy. This is not the time or atmosphere to be drooling over a job in Washington.”
“I don’t understand.”
“There is nothing lower on the food chain than a politician, except maybe a lawyer or a reporter. The lowest of all, the bottom feeder, so to speak, of politicians is one who ENJOYS being a politician.”
“You’re the professionals. Tell me what to do.”
“It’s easy; you have to be a politician while fighting the politician image. You have to be an outsider. Someone who has no ties to Washington and the political morass that ferments there. In fact, it might even help if you don’t even know where Washington is.”
“I don’t think I can get away with that. I’ve been there before.”
“Well then, our job is to convince the people that while you may have, in fact, been to Washington, you didn’t like it. We have to convince the people that all you saw was greed and corruption and so you left as quickly as you could so that none of that filth would dirty you. We then have to convince them that your conscience started to bother you and that you feel the regrettable need to return to the cesspool. But, you feel the need to return only to do your duty to clean up the town.”
“That sounds like the sheriff in ‘High Noon.’ The people were afraid, they didn’t want his help and he really didn’t want to help, but he felt the need to fight the bad guys out of a sense of duty.”
“Now you’ve got the right idea, John. ‘Do not forsake me, oh my darling.’”
“How do I sell this?”
“Simple. We use down-home earnestness. Do you own a plaid shirt, one of those L.L. Bean jobs?”
“I live in Vermont. They issue them with your drivers license.”
“Good, and if you run short we have boxes of them in our Homespun Candidate Preparation Package. I’m sure that we have one in your size.”
“Ok, then what?”
“Vermont, huh, that's good. We use the mountain and stream backdrop. We have you sitting in a plaid wool shirt with one of those mountain things behind you and have you just talk to the camera like it was an old friend.”
“I explain my positions?”
“Are you serious?”
“Well, sure. The people need to know what I stand for.”
“You are new at this. They know what you stand for — getting elected. We have to convince them of just two things: that while you’re running you don’t really want to be elected and that you are more conservative than your opponents.”
“What!?”
“Sure, we tell the camera that you’re the ultimate outsider; you’re a conservative, family-values outsider, but an outsider. We promise something that we have no chance of delivering like a balanced budget or ... Wait, I’ve got an idea. How about the promise of a congressional pay cut until we get a balanced budget?”
“Congress will never go for that.”
“I know. It’s a promise without consequences, but it sounds great doesn’t it?”
“Do you think the people will believe that?”
“Heck yes. They fell for ‘No New Taxes,’ the Tea Party, Too big to fail, and that whole weapons of mass destruction war in Iraq didn’t they? We worked on the Schwartzenegger, Spitzer and Obama campaigns— Americans can be talked into accepting anything. While the pay cut idea is still ringing in their ears, you wet your lips, smile into the camera, schmooze a little and tell them that they shouldn’t send people to Washington who want TOO MUCH to be there.”
“What does that mean?”
“It’s ‘High Noon.’ You’re saying — send me because I hate the job so much I’ll do a good job fighting all those dirty professional politicians, PACs, lobbyists and insiders.”
“You want me to run on a platform of: Vote for me because I want the job LESS than the other candidates?”
“Great idea isn’t it? It may revolutionize politics.”

Not all DAMN Politicians are bad.

2011-10-12T09:11:00.000-04:00

I sat through the GOP “Debates” and watched them have all of the fun. Politics is truly the best game in town and I want to play.
The Democrats, uncharacteristically quiet, are providing little opposition for the GOP. Obama ran on a platform of Hope and Change. The only thing left of that platform is that the Democrat Party base is HOPING that the incumbent president is going to CHANGE (and grow a spine) in the months before the election—fat chance of that.
So, should I run as a Democrat or a Republican? No.
Should I run as a Libertarian? Not if I want to maintain my self respect.
I intend to run this race as a DAMN politician (Disenchanted American Marginally Nauseated).
I saw a bumper sticker that said: IF GOD HAD MEANT FOR US TO VOTE HE WOULD HAVE GIVEN US REAL CANDIDATES. I’ve repeated that, and people have come up to me and said, “Yo, John, our politicians are good people who do a thankless job for little money. Who do you think you are to cast asparagus at them?”
I usually respond, “Are you running a fever?”
Perhaps it really isn’t fair of me to attack our system unless I have some alternatives to the problems facing our nation and the world of today (right, like any of those other guys have solutions). I know that many of you out there have felt both disenchanted and marginally nauseated with the current system and felt that you had nowhere to go. Well, I’m gonna tell you exactly where to go — the DAMN party.
The Republican Party started with a single man with the idea to raise taxes, increase the deficit and help the rich and businesses. Look what it grew into. The Democrat Party started with a single man with the idea of raising taxes, giving the money away and creating a welfare state that enslaved the masses and look what it grew into. The Libertarians started with a single man with the idea to... to..., oh, never mind. If those guys can start a political party with one man with an idea and vision for the future then so can I. The masses, looking for promises and answers, will follow a man with a plan as surely as God created hyperbole, nepotism and political pay offs.
I’d like to take this opportunity to offer myself as an unofficial, write-in, non-candidate for any elective position that offers a big, shiny, black car and a shot at government kickbacks — in this case the President of the United States. To do this I have no choice but to announce the formation of a brand new, matching-funds-qualifying, donation-accepting, back-room-dealing, political party. I would like to welcome all of you to The DAMN Party. I envision the party as a benevolent, cash and carry, no money down, 90-day-same-as-cash, free-market enterprise with me running all of the blue light specials.
Third parties in this country have a checkered past. When was the last time you got the chance to vote for a Bull Moose, a Whig, or a Know Nothing (no fair taking the easy shots)? Anyway, it’s been a while. Third parties have been known to come along, get your hopes up by promising to fix things, toy with your affections, unbutton your blouse, ask you to the prom and then stand you up. I’m not like that. I’m committed to staying through the whole race. I didn’t jump into this just for the honeymoon — I also came along to open the wedding gifts. The DAMN Party will be a real alternative to the old, tired two-party fiasco we have now (except, just like the Dems and GOP, the DAMN party will be run by a middle-aged white guy who could stand to lose a few pounds - hey, it’s tradition!) To be a real political party I have to have MEANINGLESS COSMETIC POLITICAL STUFF, and I do:
• Party Bumper Sticker - DAMN It All!
• Party Song - What Lola Wants, Lola Gets (from the musical "DAMN Yankees").
• Party Slogan: We Fit Together Like My Hand In Your Pocket
• Party Promise: I promise not to steal more than you can afford. Ask yourself if any other candidate has made that promise. They haven’t. Now ask yourself why they haven’t.
• Party Mascot - We don’t need no DAMN mascot.
• Party Fabric - Damask.
• Party Favorite Greek Person - Damocles
In the next few months of the political season my faithful followers (and campaign contributors) can look forward to incisive opinions on issues facing the nation. I am a man with a whole bunch of ideas. All I need is your support (did I mention large cash contributions?)

Rock and Roll Philosophy

2011-09-13T09:37:00.000-04:00

You can answer most of life's questions through the genius of Oldies Radio and Standup Comedy:
Dating and the Legal System:
•By the time a girl gets to be full grown, the very first thing she learns, when two men go out to face each other, only one returns.
•When the final showdown comes around, a law book is no good.
Gene Pitney, “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance”

Domestic Relations:
•The yellow-haired woman was buried at sunset. The stranger went free, of course. You can’t hang a man for killin’ a woman who’s trying to steal his horse. — Willie Nelson, “Redheaded Stranger”

Self Reliance and Esteem:
•Oz never did give nothin’ to the Tin Man that he didn’t already have. — America, “Tin Man”
•They got a name for winners in the world. I want a name when I lose. They call Alabama the Crimson Tide. Call me Deacon Blues.—Steely Dan, “Deacon Blues”

•I raised a lot of cane back in my younger days. My mama used to pray my crops would fail. — Roy Buchanan, “Lonesome Fugitive”

Community Relations:
•The moral of this story, the moral of this song, is simply that one should never be where one does not belong.
If you see your neighbor carrying something, help him with his load.
And don’t go mistaking paradise for that home across the road.
Bob Dylan, “Frankie Lee and Judas Priest”

Business, Taxes and Social Relationships:
•Employees make the best dates. You don’t have to pick them up and they are always tax deductible. — Andy Warhol

Teen Smoking:
•When you’re a Jet you’re a Jet all the way; from your first cigarette to your last dying day. — Leonard Bernstein, “West Side Story”

Foreign Relations:
•Kill them off; take their land; go there for vacation. — Rage Against the Machine

Mideast Conflict:
•Even the Jordan River has bodies floatin’. — Barry McGuire, “Eve of Destruction”
•Way-o, way-o, way-o, way-o, walk like an Egyptian. — The Bangles

Our French Allies:
•Sawed-off sissies who eat snails and slugs and cheese that smells like peoples feet. Utter cowards who force their own children to drink wine. They gibber like baboons even when you try to speak to them in their own language. — National Lampoon Magazine

American Politics:
•Always forgive your enemies but never forget their names. — Robert F. Kennedy

Road Rage:
•Have you ever noticed, anybody going slower than you is an idiot,
and anyone going faster than you is a maniac? — George Carlin

Diet:
•I am not a vegetarian because I love animals; I am a vegetarian
because I hate plants. — A. Whitney Brown

Women and Sports:
•If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even considering if there is a man on base. — Dave Barry

State Lotteries and Gambling:
•Your chances of winning the lottery are exactly the same whether you play or not. — Fran Lebowitz

•The lottery is a tax on the stupid. — Fran Lebowitz

•I’ve got a whole lot of money that’s a ready to burn so set those flames up higher. — Elvis Presley, “Viva Las Vegas”

Drinking:
•Scotch and soda, mud in your eye... Dry martini, jigger of gin; oh what a mood you’ve got me in; oh my. Do I feel higher than a kite can fly? — Kingston Trio, “Scotch and Soda”

New definition for BADASS

2011-08-08T09:15:00.000-04:00

After a lot of work, I have reformatted all three of my books (Mahko's Price, Mahko's Knife and Pale Blue Jesus) and put them back up on Amazon. The Amazon staff was of invaluable aid in helping me and I thank them. There has been one glitch; I posted an announcement on FaceBook that all of my books are available. I attached a "thumbnail" of the Mahko's Knife cover. That post has taken on a life of it's own and pops up all over. While I appreciate the publicity, I would like to exercise some control. If it pops up on your status and you are bothered by it, I apologize. If you are not bothered by it, thanks for the help.
I have reduced the price of Mahko's Price (the first book in the Mahko series) to $0.99 to thank the readers for having patience. Please buy it, read it, and review it. You can go to the Amazon page for any book by clicking on the cover thumbnail to the right.
I think you will like Mahko. In the new Webster's Collegiate Dictionary they are listing "Mahko" as a definition for BADASS.

Pale Blue Jesus is up (again)

2011-08-03T06:58:00.001-04:00

I will admit that "Pale Blue Jesus" is not a book for everyone. It deals with religion, art and the twisted human psyche that combines the two. It is my most ambitious attempt and I think you will like it if you give it a try. If you click on the thumbnail to the right it will take you to the Amazon page. Republishing the Kindle edition took away all of the reviews. Fortunately "Pale Blue Jesus" is also available in paperback. You can go to that format, read the reviews, and then buy it in Kindle. Like most eBook writers I am learning this as I go along. I apologize for any confusion and ask you to bear with me while I work this out.

Big Changes

2011-08-02T18:36:00.000-04:00

My publisher and I have parted ways. I will be rereleasing "Mahko's Blood" and "Pale Blue Jesus" soon.
This whole eBook revolution is like monkeys wrestling with a football. It can be fun to watch unless you are either the monkey or the football. I think all of us involved in this paradigm shift in the publishing industry feel like either the monkey or the football from time to time—today is my time.
When I rerelease "Mahko's Blood" and "Pale Blue Jesus" I will be working alone and without a net. It should be interesting and I will have no one to blame but myself (and the football) for failure. I will announce the release when it is ready. Please wait with me.

Mahko's Blood—an experiment in efficiency.

2011-07-29T10:25:00.000-04:00

I've just added a new book to my slowly growing list. "Mahko's Blood" is now available as a Kindle Book at Amazon. "Mahko's Blood" is an experiment. GenerationNext has combined both "Mahko's Price" and "Mahko's Knife" into a single volume and we have titled it "Mahko's Blood." The compilation is cheaper than buying the individual books and contains both of them. For those of you who haven't read either (or both) now is the best time. Please give them a chance. For those of you who have read them, please review them. This eBook revolution needs your support.
For those of you who have asked if there will be a sequel to "Mahko's Price" and "Mahko's Knife" the answer is: yes. It is in editing as we speak and should be out by Labor Day.
CLICK ON ANY OF THE THUMBNAILS TO THE RIGHT TO BE TAKEN TO THE AMAZON PAGE.
Thank you for your support and keep reading.

...and one more thing.

2011-05-11T20:15:00.000-04:00

You may notice that there are two (2) new books published under my name. "Mahko's Price" is a new book and I hope everyone reads it.
"The Barbwire Crown" was originally published as "Pale Blue Jesus." I hope everyone reads it too. In an informal market survey I had a number of people tell me that they liked the book but, for a number of reasons, did not like the title. I thought about it and talked to Generation Next Publishing and they agreed to change the title. My son did his magic thing with the cover and it is back out there. Give it a try.

It's Out!!!

2011-05-11T12:08:00.000-04:00

"Mahko's Price," part one of the Mahko series, is now available on Amazon as an ebook for Kindles. People who read "Mahko's Knife" kept asking me how this story began. I had the story in my head and so I wrote it. I know that it is in reverse order but that is the way things happen sometimes. The order (time line sequence) is "Mahko's Price" followed by "Mahko's Knife."
My publisher, Generation Next, is preparing a compiled ebook that will have the books in order and it will be titled "Mahko's Blood." I am also working on a sequel to the first two Mahko books under the working title "Mahko's Wrath."
If you enjoyed "Mahko's Knife" give "Mahko's Price" a try and please review it.

Mahko's Price

2011-03-26T16:53:00.000-04:00

My new book, "Mahko's Price" has been sent to my publisher, Generation Next. I have done this in a reverse fashion. It's like I started with Mr. Hyde and then went back to Dr. Jekyll, back to the beginning.
A series is not usually written in reverse order but I am new at this. I gave you the story of Mahko running from the law, hiding in the mountains and honing his considerable survival skills by playing with the bounty hunters, killers and chasers who thought that he would be an easy reward. That story came to me first and it was: "Mahko's Knife"
The whole time I was writing it I had the back story (how Mahko started) in my head. I had to know how Mahko's story started even if you didn't.
Well, I finished and published "Mahko's Knife" and people started asking how it started. They wanted to know both the beginning and what happened to Mahko. I had a choice of writing a prequel or a sequel and I figured I couldn't wait any longer to tell the back story. "Mahko's Price" is the beginning of the story and I hope that Steve Price over at Generation Next will have it out soon.
In the mean time, I have started a new chapter in the life of Geoff Walker, Marshal of Paloma, New Mexico. He solved the mystery of the "Pale Blue Jesus" and is now faced with another strange murder in the small town. He has got to ask for a raise. He took this job to help the town and fill in until they could afford to hire a full-time police force. There are too many bodies for this to be fun.
When I finish that I will move on to the sequel in the Mahko series. Writing them in this order may not make any sense to you but it is the only way I can do it; have faith and patience.

Cha-cha-cha-changes

2011-02-12T06:50:00.001-05:00

I admit that it's been a long time since I updated this blog. I think I would spend more time on it if I could get some reader feedback. Anyway, I have a new publisher. Steve Price and Generation Next books has taken over the daunting task of getting people to read my books. Actually, getting people to read them is the job of the author. Selling them is his job – never mind.
I owe Scott at Haunted Computer books a big thanks. He got me in to this and helped me figure out some of the problems and speed bumps. He is moving on to working on his own books full-time and I wish him luck. He's a good guy and a good writer. He'll do well.
Back to Steve, the first thing he did was to create a new cover for the ebook of Mahko's Knife. It is striking and I like it. My son's cover will stay on the paperback version but take a look at Steve's new cover for the ebook. He is working on a new ebook cover for Pale Blue Jesus, it should be interesting.
I have had a number of readers ask about the back story for Mahko's Knife. They want to know how this all started. I am just about finished with the "prequel" and I think the plan is that Steven is going to combine the two in one ebook and release it as a set. At the same time, I have started the sequel to Mahko's Knife and Pale Blue Jesus.
The sequel to Pale Blue Jesus will involve the same characters (those still living after Pale Blue) and the same community. I see the Mahko series as a thriller and the Pale Blue series as mystery. It is fun to play with both genres. They are alike and different in many ways.
I would like to start a dialog with blog readers and discuss books, writing, politics, religion and the meaning of life. Chime in and let me hear from you, I will answer almost any question and respond to almost any comment.

Radio Star

2010-10-26T20:00:00.001-04:00

I'm a radio star. I was interviewed on the growth of Indie/on line publishing. If you would like to hear my view (and my dulcet tones: go to - http://www.wjjr.net/ from the "Mix Lineup" drop down to "Community Updates" you will get a list of archived programs; use the bar on the right of the list to go to the last program (#58) Internet Book Publishing.

Guest Blogging

2010-10-05T07:11:00.000-04:00

I was asked to be the guest blogger on Stephen J. Price's blog. He runs a blog dedicated to writing.

Posted in Writing on October 4, 2010 by stephenjamesprice
Today’s Blog Guest is John O’Dowd, the author of “Mahko’s Knife” and “Pale Blue Jesus.” Both novels are available as eBooks on Amazon and Smashwords and in Trade Paperback on Amazon and at Create Space.

Let’s jump in:

SJP: John, please describe both books in one sentence.

“Can it be a Faulkneresque sentence?”

SJP: What’s that?

“A sentence that goes on for two pages.”

SJP: Let’s try a simple sentence.

“OK, ‘Mahko’s Knife’: Drug lord, Juan Martinez, kidnaps the teenage son of Mahko Anaya only to discover that he has made a very bad mistake.”

SJP: See, that wasn’t that hard.

“If you say so. ‘Pale Blue Jesus’: Marshal Geoff Walker discovers the crucified body of an old man and soon figures out that it may not be a crime as he understands the law.”

SJP: That sounds strange.

“It is. My mother refuses to read it. She was so disturbed by several of the scenes that she was worried that she might go to hell.”

SJP: Seriously?

“Seriously. She said that she is too old to be taking chances. This is not a book written for 82-year old women. It contains disturbing images and a disturbing plot line. I’m proud of it. But then again, I’m disturbed.”

SJP: Where did you get the ideas for your books?

“The idea for ‘Pale Blue Jesus’ came to me at an art exhibit of Southwestern and Penitente religious art.”

SJP: Penitente?

“I don’t want to give away too much, but it is a religious order in the Southwest that practices a very basic form of Catholicism. They believe in suffering as Jesus did as a form of payment for sins. It results in whipping and, with some of the more extreme practitioners, crucifixion.”

SJP: And you got this idea at an art exhibit?

“If I tell any more it will spoil the story. ‘Mahko’s Knife’ was inspired by any number of people I knew in the army. I know that you were in the army, so it doesn’t surprise you that we have some very talented and dangerous people wearing the uniform.”

SJP: No, it doesn’t surprise me. You’ve published both books through the eBook system, becoming known as Indie Publishing, why?

“Scott Nicholson, author of dozens of horror novels including ‘The Red Church,’ ‘They Hunger’ and ‘Drummer Boy’ convinced me that it was the future of the publishing industry. As an Indie Publisher you have full control of what you publish and when. Along with that comes full responsibility if what you publish is crap. You can publish for free and while that sounds great, you don’t have a publishing house promoting your book or getting your name out into the public. All of that is on you.”

SJP: Why do you think Indie Publishing is the future?

“The simple answer is dollars and cents. Book stores are closing, paper is expensive and there is an explosion of eBook readers. On Kindles, Sony Readers, Nooks and any number of other products you can download hundreds of books and carry a library with you. Schools are going to eBook readers and the industry is changing faster than they can put out the readers. I can write a book today and have it published by tonight. Soon it will be hard to find new paper books. You’ll have to go to antique shops and look in the sections set aside for 8-track tapes, Betamax and LPs. Even VHS is disappearing to be fully replaced by DVD and BluRay. No one thought that LPs would die, when was the last time you saw a record store with new records?”

SJP: Records are still released on wax.

“Sure, but they are rare and getting rarer. Amazon is now selling more eBooks than paper and brand name bookstores, Walden and Barnes and Noble, are closing daily. It’s a new world.”

SJP: That may be true but I notice that you published both books in paper in addition to eBook format. I know because I formatted them for you.

“True and you did a great job. I did it because I could do it easily and cheaply and because I have family and friends who still don’t own readers. The number is fewer and fewer every day but they are out there. Indie paper through Amazon is great because it is print on demand. There is no stockpile of books in a warehouse. The books are printed as they are ordered from a single copy to 1,000 copies. I will note that they are considerably more expensive than eBooks.”

SJP: Good point, how did you price your books?

“With the eBooks I followed the crowd. Most new eBooks by unknown or new authors are priced at $2.99. Paper books set a minimum print price based on size and quality. I chose the best quality Trade paperback and Premium distribution. For premium distribution channels I’m making about $1 a book. They won’t let you price below the minimum print price.”

SJP: Is there anything you would like to end on?

“Of course I would like everyone to read my books in either format. Of equal importance is that they review the books. All of the Indie Authors are walking in new territory and would like feedback on how it’s going.”

SJP: How can people contact you?

“My blog is: http://mahkosknife.blogspot.com/ and my email is shyster77@comcast.net I’d like to hear from any reader.

Book price

2010-09-25T06:16:00.000-04:00

People asked how I priced “Pale Blue Jesus". The Indie publishing world is not pretty but it is the future. The printer sets a minimum price for advanced distribution (to make it available to a lot of outlets). I am making about 50 cents a copy. It is a trade paperback, not a clunky supermarket paperback, it is worth it. Try it, you’ll like it or be disturbed by it. E-reader copies are cheaper. I did the pulped-tree-pieces version for the Luddites who insist on holding a book and sniffing printer's ink.

Help when you need it

2010-09-23T19:49:00.000-04:00

I had valuable help in putting both "Pale Blue Jesus" and "Mahko's Knife" together for Amazon. First, I had my talented son do the cover art for both books. Once that was ready I had to have someone help with the formatting to make the interior work and the cover look the way I thought it should.
I know that Amazon and Create Space tell you that it's easy and I'm sure for some people it is. I can write but computers aren't my thing so I got help. If you are thinking of stepping into the wild world of Indie Publishing and need help with putting the final product together you can't do better than Stephen Price
You can reach him on line at: stephenjamesprice@live.com
or by mail at: CGI, PO Box 73, Bonnerdale, AR 71933
Tell him I sent you.

Luddite Update

2010-09-22T14:37:00.000-04:00

"Pale Blue Jesus" is now available at Amazon in paper for those who don't digital. Those guys are faster than I thought. I suggest that you buy them by the case and give them as gifts.

For the Luddites

2010-09-22T06:52:00.001-04:00

You may find this hard to believe but I have a few friends and family still locked in the last century. They insist on reading novels in a form made out of pulped tree pieces. Amazon makes that possible. "Pale Blue Jesus" is now available in paperback and will be posted on Amazon in the next few weeks. I am finishing the final review of "Mahko's Knife" and it will also be available as soon as the press turns and the powers decide to post it. Please keep checking and, if you haven't read them, give them a try. I need reviews, tags and comments.

The Energizer Bunny Book

2010-08-28T06:36:00.002-04:00

Mahko's Knife, has again been ranked in the top 100 in Amazon Kindle's Men's Adventure. Thanks for the continued support from all who have read and reviewed the book and please give my new book, Pale Blue Jesus, a try. I think you will like it.
If you haven't read Mahko's Knife, please try it and see what others have liked.

Brand New Stuff

2010-08-10T20:28:00.000-04:00

Mahko's Knife is now available in the United Kingdom (us debonaire world travelers call it the UK.
As an international author let me announce that my new book, PALE BLUE JESUS, should be out by the end of this week. It is not a Mahko story, it is something very different. Here is the product description:

“Jesus H. Christ, Walker, the answer is Levon Helm and it's the start of another perfect day in cactus and baby-shit brown paradise.”

With that, Geoff Walker started a day he would never forget.

There was never much trouble in Paloma, New Mexico. Geoff Walker, retired and bored, had to choose between being the small town’s marshal and chairman of the local school board and its three-room school. With a background in law and a dusty law degree packed in his attic, he chose marshal. Until the day that he found the body of Juan Valdez it had seemed like a good choice.

The old man had been crucified; complete with a crown of barbed-wire thorns and a message in blood above his head. Juan had not struggled before or during his crucifixion. All evidence seemed to point to the possibility that he had cooperated with his killer.

Juan Valdez was involved with the Penitentes; a small, secret sect of a Catholic church that had moved into a modern age and left them behind. The Penitentes practiced a fundamentalist form of Christianity. The Penitente recognized the value of pain. Only through suffering as Christ did would they be absolved of sin.

No one but Geoff wants to know how and why Juan Valdez died. Through museums, art galeries in chic Santa Fe and state police stations in the cold desert, Geoff continues his search and discovers that the killer may not be a murderer and the crucifixion may not be a crime.

Mahko continues to hang on.

2010-07-21T05:49:00.000-04:00

The latest five-star review comes from James A Campbell, and I thank him for it:
I like adventure mystery stories and I definitely liked this one. I enjoyed the setting in the Southwest US and Mexico, and appreciated the description of the terrain and temperatures. The characters were well developed and very interesting, and the story was well told. I hunt and so I could appreciate the hunting aspects of the story, although my hunting skills would pale compared to Mahko and his son. I could only wish to be that good but I expect that some people are. I also appreciated the patriotic aspect to Mahko's service and can imagine he was very good at what he did. I look forward to a sequel if there ever is one. Many thanks to the author for hours of escape and intrigue.

New West meets old West values - Latest Review

2010-06-13T06:57:00.000-04:00

New West meets old West values: That's how this book was described, so of course I had to take a look. Turns out that's a pretty accurate description. Having grown up in the Southwest, and hearing many a tale of Apache prowess from my father (an old cowboy and wannabe pioneer), there was a ring of truth throughout.

Make no mistake: ex-Ranger Mahko is a bad dude, and model of an old-school action hero, but not without his flaws and not invincible. The tough love and surreptitious raising of his son appeals to me, and probably would appeal to any man who feels shortchanged and underequipped for life by his own father. The tragedy that befell Mahko's wife, Maria, is hinted at now and then, and finally explained, but I would have enjoyed just a touch more delving into that poignant aspect of Mahko's character.

The villains were believable, and painfully human. I found it...I dunno, refreshing? charming?...that despite the barbaric behavior of some characters in this novel (making for gritty, if not gruesome, action), the budding romance between Geronimo and Laura was depicted so innocently, with a tender finesse.

These are great characters that would be fun to follow through more adventures.

Henry Brown
Hell and Gone

A reviewer from Texas chimes in...

2010-06-02T13:19:00.002-04:00

The latest review for Mahko's Knife was just posted and joins the other eight in wondering why you all are not reading it:

This was a great story. Spell binding. Held my attention from start to finish. Found the mix of ex-ranger, retired lawyer, and the location fascinating. The research into the topic and surroundings was thorough and created a believable tale. The ending certainly seemed to create an environment for a follow-on either the homecoming of Mahko, or the wedding of Gee and Laura.

The latest review...

2010-05-19T08:00:00.001-04:00

Mahko's Knife has just received another review. I really hope more readers will review the book and let me know how they feel.

"Mahko's Knife is a rip-snorting adventure story - set in the American southwest and Mexico. The characters are common to the adventure genre - the Indian who honed his Native American skills in the military, the lawyer who found corruption to be more than he could endure, the sleazy district attorney, and the gangster trying to move up in the world of crime.

However, O'Dowd takes all of the characters and puts a slight twist on them to make them a bit harder to recognize. The Indian hides up in the moutains, confounding the army and the police, but he teaches his son his skills on the weekends. The lawyer retires to a country store. The gangster uses a kidnapping to try to get his own way - without even knowing if the ploy will be made known to the person he is trying to influence.

There is a lot of violence in the story - all of which I found to be essential to the plot. However, some of the scenes are not for the faint of heart.

I liked the plot, I liked the characters, and I especially liked the fast pace of the book. I strongly recommend it to anyone who wants a great evening's entertainment."

Barnes and Noble

2010-05-17T09:43:00.000-04:00

Mahko's Knife is now available at Barnes and Noble for those of you who have a Nook. I don't know much about the Nook but it has gotten good reviews. Bottom line, Mahko's Knife is now available on Kindle, Sony Reader, Nook and in PC and MAC formats for your computer. Go out and buy one, read it and review it. It also makes a great graduation gift and prom gift (it lasts longer than an orchid).

Mahko continues to fight.

2010-05-16T12:42:00.000-04:00

Mahko’s Knife remains in the Top 100 of Men’s Adventure Books in the Amazon Kindle Store and is also available on Smashwords in multiple formats. I just joined Operation Ebook Drop and sent a code out to the troops for free copies. If they get a second and want to relax I hope they can do it with Mahko’s Knife.

This whole process has been an experiment and a learning experience. I started writing Mahko’s story from his time in prison. Mahko's Price was put on hold because Mahko’s Knife intruded on that process. I am finishing Mahko’s Price and it should be released before the end of the month. The third in the Mahko series is on the drafting board and will be out when ready. I’m sold on Ebook publishing and will be haunting Kindle, Reader and Nook sites for a long time.

Aw shucks, I'd blush if I knew how.

2010-04-22T09:30:00.000-04:00

Misty Baker (a frequent visitor who reviews Ebooks and blogs on all things Kindle at: http://www.kindleobsessed.com/) gave Mahko’s Knife” a great review. If I may be so self-promoting as to quote her:

“ The character development in this novel was stunning, leaving no man behind (even the most minute of characters had development paragraphs so you could understand their motive.) The majority of this novel is a chase (there are a few flashbacks stuck in for dramatic effect) but even with the immense amount of detail, (for example, explaining how the hero was planning each physical step he would take,) the flow never stalled. John O'Dowd delivered an action packed fight to stay alive from cover to cover, and as an added bonus left the reader to their own assumption in the final chapter. (This is usually annoying, but this time it was brilliantly fitting)
If you are an adrenaline junkie and enjoy the thrill of a well thought out chase then this is most definitely worth the cash.
There was an arrogant 2nd in command who had trouble walking, a girl who hated beans, boxing ring mishaps, miscalculated sleep cycles, and one hell of a torture scene that has now left me afraid of thermometers (even if I'm not a guy.)
This one is a good, relatively cheap read... get it, live it, love it...pass it on.”

Still there

2010-04-21T12:50:00.000-04:00

Mahko's knife has remained in the top 100 in Men's Adventure on Amazon and has moved into the top 100 for Hard Boiled fiction. I'm not sure what that means but as long as I am listed with John Sandford it works for me.

Beating Don Quixote

2010-04-17T12:37:00.003-04:00

I love it, Mahko’s Knife is #54 in the Men’s Adventure category. I am ranked ahead of Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, Edgar Rice Burrough, and the Spanish edition of Don Quixote. My ego is not sufficiently large to put myself in the same category as any of those classic authors but it is fun to say for the next hour until I crash to earth and “Pride and Prejudice” sells 20 copies to a group of school kids.

Doing battle with Jane Austen!

2010-04-15T06:29:00.000-04:00

Based on customer reviews “Mahko’s Knife” remains in the top 2 percent (2%) of Men’s Adventure books on Amazon. Out of 7,000 books in the category that ain’t bad.

While I would like a few more (correction, a lot more) sales, I would also like a few more reviews. If you’ve read it on Amazon or Smashwords please take a minute and write a short review. It helps me to know what you think.

Authors (it seems so strange to type that but I guess I am now a professional author)...anyway, authors love and dread reviews. They put part of themselves down on the page, swing at that pitch, give birth to that baby (mix a few metaphors) and wait to see how it will turn out.

Amazon has a strange, literate and eclectic group of readers. They also have a strange rating system. In the Men's’ Adventure section they have listed: Tom Clancy (no surprise), Clive Cussler, the Doc Savage series, Ian Fleming (I can’t believe there are men and boys out there who still have not read “Dr. No”), and James Jones’ classic “From Here To Eternity”

None of those are particularly surprising and I am thrilled and humbled to even be on the same list.

Surprising are some of the other books included in Men’s Adventure: “De Profundis” by Oscar Wilde. D.H. lawrence’s “The Lost Girl,” and my favorite strange books on the list, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and (wait for it....drum roll....) PRIDE & PREJUDICE by Jane Austen !

Dragging me back in...

2010-04-11T14:35:00.000-04:00

My publisher insisted that open up a blog and a Face Book page. He said that it would be good advertising and a good way to communicate with readers and answer questions. He said, "Have fun with it but stay away from religion and politics."
Yeah, like that's gonna happen.
I have people on Face Book telling me that Conservatism is bible based and this nation was founded as a christian nation.
While I doubt the conservatism statement it does explain a lot of things.
As for the "christian nation" argument, it is so wrong on so many levels that it is almost not worth addressing.
I should just walk away. Can I just let it go and leave it alone? NOT A CHANCE!

New List Rank

2010-04-03T13:25:00.002-04:00

Dennis Batchelder has listed "Mahko's Knife" as #14 on Amazon's "New Thrillers by Authors Eager to be Read." I'd like to thank Dennis three times. First because he listed me. Second, because I am indeed eager to be read and last, because I have no idea who he is. For all of us out there trying to get our Ebooks noticed it is nice to be picked up and it is especially nice to be noticed by a stranger. Someone once said that home is the place where they have to take you in. After publishing an Ebook you can always count on family and friends to buy and review (if only to see if you've made a fool out of yourself). Dennis did not have to take me in, but he did. I hope others will take his word for it and at least download a sample and give it a try. Amazon's Kindle Books and Mahko's Knife

Mahko is climbing.

2010-03-30T16:23:00.000-04:00

Amazon just notified me that I am in the Top 100 in Men's Adventure books; actually I'm #84. I know that many of you want to see the top 83 but this is good news for me and enjoyable. May I get a Ramen from my fellow Pastafarians?

Mahko's Knife, Part 1

2010-03-30T09:07:00.001-04:00

I started this ebook thing out of curiosity and a desire to see my book in print quickly. It has been fun and interesting. I have had several people curious as to Mahko's story before he escaped to the mountains to torture his hunters, hunt his torturers and return to a lifestyle that was dangerous in the 18th and 19th centuries. For those who are interested I am finishing the edit of part one of the Mahko story, "Water Test," and it should be available soon. In the mean time, I would really love for those of you who have not purchased Mahko's Knife to at least download the free samples and give me some feedback. For those who have purchased and read it, please write a brief review on Amazon or Smashwords.

Listmania!

2010-03-10T11:10:00.000-05:00

Alexandra D has picked me out.Listmania! lists on Amazon has listed me and my Ebook "Mahko's Knife" on the "Great Indie Authors on Kindle" list. I have never met Alexandra but I do have to credit her with reasonable taste in writers and books. Like the Academy Awards, it is beyond nice to be considered and also to be included with the other authors on her list. Thank you, Ms. D. for your consideration.

Lakshmi's Prayers

2010-03-02T06:52:00.003-05:00

Lakshmi has asked me to continue to post “snippets” because she doesn’t have a Kindle or the “right kind of computer.” I can’t do that but I can do one better.

“Mahko’s Knife” is now available at Smashwords.com.

Smashwords is a site that translates and sells Ebooks in multiple formats. One of them should work for any computer, just look at the list when you pull up the “Mahko’s Knife.” To go to Amazon click on this "Mahko's." To go to Smashwords click on this "Knife"

I started this whole Ebook project as an experiment. In addition to a fast and easy way to get my book out, I am convinced that in less than ten (10) years paper books will go the way of LPs and 45s. Like 8-Track tapes and Beta format for your VCR, the only way you will be able to find a paper book is in an antique store or one of those pseudo-60s “book stores” selling rolling papers, ceramic pipes, posters of Bob Dylan, LPs and “books.”

With Ebooks you can load your backpack, purse or briefcase with a veritable library of material, hundreds of books in a few inches. You can carry classics from “Moby Dick” to “The Old Man and the Sea” to “Mahko’s Knife” in the space of a notebook. With the right software you can translate your own desktop and carry it with you.

I feel like a pioneer. I know that I am following in the digital footprints of others but I’m still out front.

Buy digital books. It’s easy, multiple formats, it’s cheap and you don’t kill trees.

What’s the matter with you people; are you trying to destroy all of the forests? Mother Nature is weeping . Buy “Mahko’s Knife” at Amazon or Smashwords and save a damn tree. THE REVOLUTION STARTS HERE!!

Kindle Envy

2010-02-24T19:46:00.001-05:00

I've had several friends ask how they can read "Mahko's Knife" without a Kindle. The answer is simple. Go to Amazon and download the software on to your PC (Mac users will have to wait for a while) and then you can buy, download and read Kindle books like "MAHKO'S KNIFE".
I ain't too proud to beg, so give it a shot.
In fact, if you click on the title (in caps, two (2) lines up) it will take you where you need to go. How cool is that?